Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: How will Ruth Pérez shape Renton’s fire services next term?
Be sure to catch Playdate @ Drum Roll Wine on the Renton Patch calendar
Hey there, Renton! Let's get started with what's happening in and around town. Read on and stay in the loop. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- How will Ruth Pérez shape Renton’s fire services next term?
- What investigators now know about the Mercer Island and Issaquah deaths
- How a Renton-based Seahawk quietly became a defensive cornerstone
Also on today's calendar: Playdate @ Drum Roll Wine and 7 more events.
Find out what's happening in Rentonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
And lastly, we have a post from a neighbor, Richard B.!
Today's riddle: I quit my job as a banker. 🤔 (Answer below!)
Find out what's happening in Rentonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Friday: Cloudy with occasional rain, with a high of 51 and low of 44 degrees.
- Saturday: A little rain in the morning, temps: high: 56, low: 44.
- Sunday: Cloudy with a shower or two, with a high of 50 and low of 42 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Perez joins Renton Regional Fire Authority Governance Board (rentonreporter.com) — Renton residents will see familiar leadership on the Renton Regional Fire Authority as City Councilmember and council president-elect Ruth Pérez begins a new three-year term on its Governance Board in January 2026. Pérez, previously the board’s first woman chair, helped shape the RFA and hire current Fire Chief Steve Heitman. The board oversees the fire authority’s budget and meets monthly, with details available on the RFA website. 
2. Police identify mother, son as 2 killed in Mercer Island murder-suicide investigation (fox13seattle.com) — Investigators have identified an 80-year-old mother and her 45-year-old son as the two people found dead in a suspected murder-suicide at a Mercer Island home, with two related deaths later discovered in Issaquah. Police recovered five firearms and say there’s no ongoing public threat as they work with state crime-scene experts and the King County Medical Examiner. A related news link notes Renton residents facing a long Cedar River flood cleanup.
3. Seahawks' Byron Murphy II thriving at nose tackle in sophomore season (yakimaherald.com) — Renton readers will see a hometown dateline on this deep dive into Seahawks nose tackle Byron Murphy II, who’s emerging as a key force in Seattle’s defense. The story tracks his on-field growth, his frustration at missing Pro Bowl recognition, and the emotional boost of his premature daughter coming home from the hospital just before Christmas.
4. Margaret "Peggy" Sperling Timm (greenriverstar.com) — Renton is directly connected to the life of Margaret “Peggy” Sperling Timm through her son Frederick Timm and his wife Deb, who live here. The obituary honors Peggy’s 99 years of faith, family, and homemaking, noting her Minnesota roots, Wyoming residence, many children and grandchildren, and plans for a later memorial service with cremation already arranged.
📸 Around Renton
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🗓 Upcoming Events in Renton
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
- Tech Help Mondays
Renton Library , 100 Mill Avenue South , Renton
1:00 pm - Toddler Story Time at Renton Library
Renton Library , 100 Mill Avenue South , Renton
10:30 am - Baby Story Time at Renton Library
Renton Library , 100 Mill Avenue South , Renton
11:15 am - Branding Your Startup
Renton Library , 100 Mill Avenue South , Renton
1:00 pm - Talk Time: English Conversation Practice
Renton Library , 100 Mill Avenue South , Renton
1:00 pm - Creative Art Oasis
Renton Library , 100 Mill Avenue South , Renton
4:00 pm - Winter Retreat (Philharmonia)
Odle Middle School , 502 143rd Ave NE , Bellevue
9:00 am - Winter Retreat (Flute Orchestra)
Odle Middle School , 502 143rd Ave NE , Bellevue
10:00 am - Playdate @ Drum Roll Wine
Drum Roll Wine , 911 S 3rd St , Renton
3:00 pm - Sunday Funday: Indoor Cornhole!
Drum Roll Wine 911 S. 3rd St. Renton, WA 98057
3:00 pm
Monday January 5
Thursday January 8
Friday January 9
Saturday January 10
Sunday January 11
🗓 Events Nearby
- Family Story Time
Tukwila Library , 14380 Tukwila International Boulevard , Seattle
11:00 am - Nar-Anon Family Groups
Skyway Library , 12601 76th Avenue South , Seattle
4:30 pm - Picture Book Study Group: Creating Questions Without Answers
King County Library System Virtual , 960 Newport Way NW , Issaquah
11:00 am - Tech Help for Seniors
Newcastle Library , 12901 Newcastle Way , Renton
11:15 am
Friday January 2
Saturday January 3
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Renton PatchAM possible:
- Fix&lift Garage door — (425) 426-2728
Local garage door repair services for Renton homeowners - Pleasure to Burn — (855) 916-7625
68-year-old Renton Rocker Powers Food Drive & Shows - Mindsee.it — (646) 663-8317
Teach your kids they can achieve the impossible!
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- My Experience Dealing With a Garage Door Issue in Renton, WA —Julia Camas Read on Patch
- Simple Ways to Say Goodbye to 2025—Without Spending a Dime —Swannee Rivers Read on Patch
- Hi neighbors, I wanted to ask if anyone might recognize this cat.
He has been staying in my yard every day for the past few weeks. He is very friendly, comes for food, and sleeps in a small shelter I set up for him… (Nextdoor Cascade) - Happy New Year I just wanted to thank everyone for their support I really appreciate it.
I am moving to my new place on the 6th I'm looking forward to it (Nextdoor Talbot Hill)
- Renton School District 403 posted a job opening for Sign Language Interpreter in Renton. Apply here.
- The Guitar Center posted a job opening for Music Teacher Store 4753 in Renton. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Renton here.
Ok Renton! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I just lost interest.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
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