Regular monthly meetings

On June 15 the Maple Valley Fire & Life Safety Board of Fire Commissioners unanimously approved to hold regular meetings once a month.

The meetings will be held on the third Thursday of every month beginning at 6 p.m. Meetings will be held at 22225 SE 231st Street in Maple Valley.

Maple Valley resident receives President’s Award

Katelyn Sherick from Maple Valley was honored with the President’s Award for Green River College commencement 2017.

According to a media release, Sherick completed her associates degree with a 4.0 grade point average. She also was selected to both the All-Northwest Athletic Conference academic teams in cross country and track.

In 2016 she was named NWAC female runner of the week and earned all-region honors for cross country both years at Green River.

The release stated Sherick hopes to become an elementary school teacher and has spend her time serving as the vice president for the Green River Teachers of Tomorrow Club.

“Having known Katelyn for two years, it is clear that she is a role model for the proper way to represent oneself in sport and in life. She exudes class, intelligence, servant leadership, and genuine humility,” Bob Kickner, director of athletics, said in the release.

Free lunch during the summer

The Kent School District announced its free lunch program will run from June 29 until August 25.

For more information, locations and times visit https://www.kent.k12.wa.us/KSD/CK.

July blood drives scheduled

The Cascasde Regional Blood Services will host two blood drives in July.

The first will be July 15 at the Covington Days Festival. The Bloodmobile will be there from noon to 3 p.m. at 16850 SE 272nd Street.

The second scheduled blood drive will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. July 19 at Covington City Hall.

Art gallery opening night

The Maple Valley Creative Arts Council invites the community to the opening night reception for artist Nancy Ziegler.

The event is from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, July 8 at 23220 Maple Valley-Black Diamond Road SE, Suite 15 in Maple Valley.

The reception is free and open to all. There will be light refreshments along with live music.

Amateur Radio Field Day Saturday

The Puget Sound Regional Fire Authority’s communication support team will be hosting its own version of the nation-wide Amateur Radio Field Day on June 24.

The event will feature many hands-on activities designed to introduce the public to disaster preparedness.

The event is open to the public from noon to 4 p.m. at the Police/Fire Training Center at 24523 116 Ave. SE in Kent.

Members from the Maple Valley Amateur Radio Club will also be participating in events Saturday at Lake Wilderness Park in Maple Valley.

For more information, visit http://kc7key.org.

New distracted driving law in effect July 23

In a month, the new distracted driving law will take effect.

The new law states drivers will not be able to use hand-held devices at all whether you are driving, stopped in traffic or stopped at a red light. Drivers are not able to watch videos while they drive.

The law does not apply if drivers are calling emergency services and does not apply if drivers are parked and out of the flow of traffic.

Hands-free devices are allowed and GPS or music should be started before you begin driving.

A $99 ticket may be issued for other distractions such as smoking, eating, grooming or reading or anything that may interfere with the drivers ability to drive safely.

Transit and emergency vehicle drivers are exempt and drivers of commercial vehicles must follow federal laws.

The first ticket will be at least $136 and if you are to get another ticket within five years of the first, it may cost at least $234.

This new distracted driving law will also be reported to insurance companies, unlike the current law where cell phone violations are not reported.

Rainier Youth Choir concert Sunday

The Rainier Youth Choir is heading out on its first international tour and is holding a concert before they leave.

At 3 p.m. Sunday, June 25, the choir will perform at Kent United Methodist Church, 11010 SE 240th Street.

Admission to the concert is free.

The choir will be performing in Ireland from June 27 through July 7.

Western Washington University student Tanner Scott Abernathy, son of Scott and Jamie Abernathy of Covington, has received the $1,000 William K. McNeill Creative Writing Memorial Scholarship for the 2017-2018 academic year.

The William K. McNeill Creative Writing Memorial Scholarship is awarded to sophomore or junior English majors with expressed interest in creative writing.

Abernathy graduated from Kentwood High School in 2014.