As this year falls into the past and we turn a new page into the fresh 12 months before us, let’s take a look at some of the newsworthy Renton events of 2022.

January

On Jan. 12, a 14-year-old Burien resident was arrested and charged in connection to two Renton murders. After first fleeing police, investigators were able to find the suspect’s vehicle at a nearby apartment complex and Valley SWAT operations executed a search warrant on the evening of Jan. 13.

During the month of January, the Renton History Museum hosted the Brain Injury Art Show — an exhibition that showcased art made by artists who had sustained traumatic brain injuries. The exhibit was intended to raise awareness of these kinds of injuries.

February

On Feb. 16, Seattle Sounders FC revealed plans to build a new state-of-the-art headquarters in Renton, expected to open in 2024.

A federal investigation from the U.S. Department of Labor found that several Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt shops had taken a portion of workers’ tips illegally, and failed to pay some workers overtime wages. This included two Menchie’s locations in Renton.

March

Just months after it was implemented, King County Councilmember Reagan Dunn proposed pausing the county’s Restorative Community Pathways — a program intended to divert youth offenders of certain kinds of crimes out of the criminal court system in favor of alternative justice solutions. Dunn argued that the program had a “major perception problem” as the South King County mayors complained of the growing crime in their communities. Renton City Councilmembers Kim-Khanh Van and Carmen Rivera testified in support of the RCP program expressing belief that the region needs a more rehabilitative approach to divert young offenders away from the court system. The program was not paused despite criticism.

April

On April 5, Renton police arrested several suspects believed to have been involved in a series of copper wire thefts that stole from Puget Sound Energy lines that were up to 75-feet in the air. The thieves were believed to have used climbing harnesses and saws to get to the lines in certain incidents.

On April 19, the City of Renton received a $100,000 Aquatic Facilities Grant from King County for a study to improve access and customer experience at the Henry Moses Aquatic Center.

May

On May 4, Gov. Jay Inslee visited teachers and students at Renton High School to sign a proclamation to declare this first week of May officially Teacher Appreciation Week in Washington state. He also spoke with educators to learn more about their occupational challenges during the pandemic.

On May 16, a 25-year-old Renton man was sentenced to 200 months in prison for the death of a 21-year-old woman. The woman’s body was found off a logging road in Olympic National Forest on Feb. 14, 2020.

June

On June 15, an employee at Q Spa was arrested and accused of attempted promotion of prostitution in the first degree and unlawful imprisonment after a 23-year-old woman was allegedly held against her will at the spa and was sexually exploited before she escaped.

A community favorite, the Berliner Pub in Downtown Renton, announced its return to business and a new renovation after being closed for several years during the pandemic.

July

On July 23, a shooting occurred in downtown Renton that injured six people and left one dead. During the investigation police found four handguns, several magazines, and over 100 expended shell casings.

On July 29, Renton Mayor Armondo Pavone and Renton City Council members gathered with the community for the ribbon-cutting and grand opening of Top Golf at The Landing — one of the most anticipated businesses to open in South King County.

August

On Aug. 4, the mayors of several South King County cities that include Auburn, Black Diamond, Enumclaw, Federal Way, Kent, Pacific, Renton and Tukwila released a joint statement regarding what they called a “rising tide of crime and violence” in their communities. The mayors asked for support from the county and the state to help mitigate organized drug crime and prosecute offenders differently.

In August, the Renton Downtown Partnership received the Washington Main Street Community designation, effective Jan. 1, 2023.

Rain City Market opened in downtown Renton, offering a bodega-style market and deli. Customers can browse local artisan goods and order hot food and fresh beverages.

September

On Sept. 10, the Renton Senior Activity Center was re-named in honor of civic leader Don Persson, who served the Renton community for 53 years. The unveiling ceremony came after a barbecue attended by family, friends, and many current and former city officials.

On Sept. 22, a 34-year-old Renton man pleaded guilty in connection with a plot to burn the Seattle Police Officers Guild building in downtown Seattle in September 2020. According to the plea agreement, Justin Christopher Moore admits he made and carried a box of 12 Molotov cocktails in a protest march to the Seattle Police Officers Guild building on Labor Day, Sept. 7, 2020.

On Sept. 27, police arrested the man suspected of throwing rocks and debris at passing vehicles on State Route 900 between Renton and Issaquah after weeks of speculation, frustrated local drivers and damaged property.

October

On Oct. 15, the Renton Chamber of Commerce partnered with Vasudha Sharma from Voice of Planet in the city’s first annual Diwali Festival of Lights — celebration of light over darkness, good over evil.

On Oct. 15, a community fundraiser focused on preventing an asphalt plant from being built on State Route 169 adjacent to the Cedar River was held at VFW Post 1263 on behalf of the Citizens to Stop the SR169 Asphalt Plant Legal Fund.

On Oct. 24, U.S. Rep. Adam Smith joined Renton city leaders for a tour of the many projects that make up the Sunset Terrace Neighborhood transformation, which aims to add hundreds of units of affordable housing centered around public resources and services within walking distance.

The Renton Reporter brought back its printed edition. The newspaper is mailed weekly to Renton residents and subscribers. Want to receive your weekly news in print? Contact Regional Circulation Manager Rob Shults at rshults@soundpublishing.com.

November

On Nov. 8, voters approved Proposition No. 1, which provides funds to rebuild Renton High School, among other key safety improvements in the district.

On Nov. 11, a 9-year-old boy was shot during an apparent road rage shooting on State Route 167 near Grady Way and Rainier Avenue in Renton. The boy, Isaiah Johns, is in recovery.

In November, five Renton elementary school and middle schoolers hosted a “Kids Save The Earth” event, highlighting their ideas, prototypes and models that could help save the planet.

On Nov. 21, King County Councilmember Dave Upthegrove presented a symbolic check during the Renton City Council meeting, representing the $500,000 secured by the county council in the recently approved 2023-2024 budget. The money will help finish Renton’s Family First Community Center and reportedly help close the gap of the remaining $1.75 million needed to finance construction of the center.

December

This month, Renton Regional Fire Authority Commissioner Commissioner Myron Meikle retired from the board after dedicating a total of 46 years to public service.

Seattle Seahawks stars Seattle Seahawks wideout Tyler Lockett and former Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner partnered to pay off all outstanding lunch debt for families in the Renton School District.

On Dec. 17, Shaquille O’Neal’s Big Chicken restaurant opened at The Landing.

Courtesy of the City of Renton Renton Mayor Armondo Pavone, Governor Jay Inslee, and King County Executive Dow Constantine, as they celebrate the groundbreaking of the Sunset Gardens housing project

Photo courtesy of Julia Fishler At the Kids Save The Earth event, Neha shows everyone the model for her litter-gathering robot. From left to right, Milla, Neha, Rohit, Callie and Dinaaz.