Did you run/walk/crawl in Saturday’s 2026 Burien Brat Trot 5K? Or do you know someone who did? If so, you may see yourself (or someone you know) in glorious slow-motion 4K in our video below. Over 1,000 people registered for the 17th annual fundraiser run for the Highline Schools Foundation. Tons of runners and walkers of all ages participated, and we saw numerous costumes, families with strollers, kids, older people, four-legged friends and more.

“Thanks for being patient with him. He carried a lot of baggage and some of it was heavy, but hard to let go of. He always loved well – just didn’t always include himself. He lost things that mattered to him and they took things. His soft, big heart was slow to heal and/or find the lessons. Thank you for waiting for him.

A new air quality monitoring station is now operating in Des Moines, providing ongoing measurements of ultrafine particles and other pollutants near Sea-Tac Airport. The City of Des Moines joined community members and project partners for a ribbon cutting on Thursday, Sept. 24, celebrating the opening of the site (see video below). The station will collect local data intended to help researchers and community partners better understand air quality and the potential effects of nearby transportation sources.

On a rainy Sunday morning, I took a short drive to the market. I was out of eggs and I needed a few for my yummy breakfast plans. It was still pretty early, so I didn’t expect much on a day seemingly destined for inside activities. Welp, as it will, the world surprised me.  Up the hill from my house, at a small and sweet local coffee shop, high school kids were wearing parkas and holding umbrellas and painted signs advertising their fundraising car wash.

Who matters most? What matters most? What keeps you awake at night? What brings you joy in the daytime? What is left unsaid? What is left undone? I stumbled across these questions while reading an article written by a “death doula”. These are questions she asks folks facing their own end of life. They’re good questions. Probably worthy of not waiting until our final days to ask.

EDITOR’S NOTE: South King Media Founder/Publisher Scott Schaefer serves on the Board of Directors for the Seattle Southside Chamber of Commerce. SEA Airport leaders outlined plans for new international flights, major construction and small business opportunities at a Sept. 2 chamber luncheon, while a Burien Airport Committee member pressed them on how growth would affect neighboring communities. The Seattle Southside Chamber of Commerce’s annual SEA Airport Luncheon brought together airline executives, airport officials and local business representatives.

U.S. Rep. Adam Smith will host an aviation forum this Saturday, July 18, at Highline College to hear from constituents about aviation noise and emissions, according to an event announcement. The free forum will be held from 1–2 p.m. at Highline College's Building 8, Mt. Townsend Room, and will include Port of Seattle Commissioner Ryan Calkins and state Sen. Tina Orwall of Washington’s 33rd Legislative District.

As Independence Day approaches, the City of Burien is reminding residents that all fireworks are banned within city limits — including possession and discharge — and violations can result in significant fines. The city’s fireworks ban is intended to reduce the risk of fires, injuries, and trauma for people, pets, and wildlife caused by the loud, explosive nature of fireworks.

Burien-based catering company Lavish Roots said Tuesday, June 9, it is not closing its doors, despite a state filing affecting 263 employees that the company says is tied to the loss of a major client contract. The statement came after reports about a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification, or WARN, filed with the Washington State Employment Security Department. The filing, first reported by…

Supporters of Burien’s voter-approved minimum wage initiative have publicly backed many of the concerns raised in an open letter to the city by approximately 36 local business owners, creating an unusual alliance over the city’s handling and implementation of the law while related litigation remains unresolved. The business owners say they are not challenging the will of voters, but rather the city’s communication and implementation process, arguing that employers could face legal costs and potential back pay liabilities if current guidance later proves inconsistent with a court ruling.

The King County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) is inviting high school students from across Washington and beyond to take part in the 55th Annual Green River College All High School Drags and Car Show on Friday, June 5, at Pacific Raceways in Kent. KCSO contracts with the City of Burien for its police services, so it's possible some B-Town cops might participate.

After over two hours in executive session at its special meeting on Monday, April 13, 2026, the Burien City Council voted 4-3 to remove Adolfo Bailon as the City Manager. The motion was amended to give the interim city attorney, rather than the mayor, authority to identify an interim city manager before the next regular meeting. Voting to remove him were Mayor Sarah Moore, Deputy Mayor Hugo Garcia, and councilmembers Sam Mendez and Rocco DeVito.

It wasn’t always pretty. It wasn’t always consistent. But when the games mattered most, your Seattle Thunderbirds reminded everyone exactly who they are. Down the stretch of the 2025-26 Western Hockey League season, your T-Birds clawed their way back into the playoff picture, turning a late-season surge into a postseason berth that, at one point, seemed far from guaranteed. Just weeks earlier, the team was sitting outside the playoff line before stringing together key wins that pushed them into the #7 playoff spot in the Western Conference.

Wally’s Chowder House in Des Moines and Wally’s Drive-In in Buckley are being sold by owner Mike Nordean to Seattle restaurateur David Meinert, bringing the longtime South Sound eateries under the ownership of Hold Fast Hospitality Group. The transition is expected later this spring, with operations continuing uninterrupted. Wally’s has long been a fixture for the region, known for its chowder, seafood and classic drive-in fare.

Some residents in Burien’s Boulevard Park neighborhood are organizing opposition to a proposed zoning change tied to the city’s Northeast Redevelopment Area (NERA) project, arguing the plan could convert land currently zoned for residential use into an industrial designation. An online petition is calling on neighbors to oppose the change and encourages residents to get involved in the city’s planning process.

A recent Highline High School graduate and former Burien Police Explorer has earned multiple honors after completing Marine Corps recruit training in California. Gionni V. Ortiz graduated Feb. 27, 2026 from Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD) San Diego, receiving recognition as Platoon Honor Graduate and also the Marine Corps Association Physical Fitness Award as the Company Iron Man for Echo Company.

Organizers are seeking community volunteers to help lead environmental education activities for middle school students during StormFest, a hands on stormwater learning event scheduled for June 2 through June 4 at Des Moines Beach Park. According to event organizers, StormFest is an interactive environmental festival designed for sixth grade students from Highline Public Schools. The program focuses on helping students understand the importance of stormwater management and its impact on local streams and waterways.

Coffee lovers in Burien this week will have a new place to gather, as Q.E.D. Coffee will open its newest café inside the historic Three Tree Point Store on Monday morning, Feb. 23. The shop will officially open its doors at 7 a.m. Monday at 16957 Maplewild Ave SW (map below), following months of renovation work inside the longtime community landmark.

Lawmakers representing Washington’s 33rd Legislative District will host a community town hall from 2 – 3:15 p.m. this Sunday, Feb. 22, at Highline College, offering residents an opportunity to hear updates from Olympia and ask questions about issues affecting south King County. State Sen. Tina Orwall and state Reps. Mia Gregersen and Edwin Obras are scheduled to provide legislative updates and engage directly with constituents during the event.

The Seattle Thunderbirds are adding a fun, social twist to hockey with a "Single Mingle" promotion during their game against the Tri-City Americans this Friday night, Feb. 13. Fans who purchase a ticket in Section 107 will receive a wristband that matches their vibe, giving attendees a chance to connect with fellow fans during the game, according to team information.

February has arrived, and with it all manners of Valentine’s celebrations at Des Moines’ Marina Mercantile. Given the Merc’s increasingly popular Afternoon Tea program, the fun of course starts there. “We always love to have a nice themed Afternoon Tea,” says the Merc’s Brenda Sutherland, “And Valentine’s – or Galentine’s if you prefer! – is pretty much the perfect theme for tea.”

Former B-Town Blog intern Bryan Shickley is bringing new life to the voice of late comedy legend Phil Hartman through an animated short film built entirely around rarely heard archival recordings of the “Saturday Night Live” star. Animator and filmmaker Shickley, who interned for us while a student at Burien's Big Picture High School. is currently working on an animated film built around rarely heard recordings by the late comedy legend Hartman, combining archival audio with a wide range of animation techniques.

The Burien City Council will select its Mayor and Deputy Mayor, review the city’s 2026 proclamations, receive an updated financial forecast, consider amendments to the 2026 budget and more during its regular meeting on Monday, Jan. 12, 2026. The meeting will begin at 5:30 p.m., and can be viewed in-person at Burien City Hall (map below), live on Comcast TV Channel 21, 

Large Douglas Fir trees at Economy Wiring in Burien Economy Wiring in Burien announced this week that it will not hold its annual holiday tree lighting this year, following news that King County Fire District #2 can no longer assist with installing lights on the event’s large Douglas Fir tree due to safety and equipment concerns. The company said it was saddened to stop this longtime tradition, which has been held at its location at 633 SW 148th Street in early December since 1982, with a break during the COVID pandemic.

Burien's own John Hendow will be rockin' the Triple Door in Seattle as lead guitarist for David Bowie tribute band BowieVision on Friday night, Dec. 5, 2025. Hendow and the acclaimed tribute band will perform two shows on Friday, Dec. 5 at The Triple Door in downtown Seattle, the band announced on Facebook. Hendow serves as lead guitarist and backing vocalist for the band, which specializes in interpreting and celebrating the music of the late, iconic Bowie.

EDITOR'S NOTE: This story was originally published on Oct. 30, 2022. Burien’s historic Three Tree Point Store has been closed since late August, leaving its future uncertain, but giving some rumored ghosts inside more time to enjoy the empty space. For years, some visitors and workers have claimed strange, unexplained happenings in the 1903 landmark, the first grocery store in Burien.

Dear Neighbors, The undersigned group of Burien community members is writing to share our support and gratitude for the work of DESC Bloomside. As Burien residents we want all of our community members...

BAT Theatre’s monthly Cabaret returns from its summer break on Monday, Oct. 6, 2025, with “Judy Ann Sings Garland and Other Favorites” at the Michelangelo Room at Angelo’s of Burien. The evening is a ...

A motorcyclist was killed late Saturday night, Sept. 13, 2025 in a three-vehicle collision on southbound State Route 509 near South Cloverdale Street, according to the Washington State Patrol (WSP). T...

Safety concerns are on the rise in Burien as residents speak out about the Downtown Emergency Service Center (DESC) over its Bloomside supportive housing facility. DESC History in Burien: Bloomside op...

South King County Arts Roundup: free concerts, outdoor theater, art exhibits & more for late summer. Want to get out and do something interesting? There’s something for everyone in our South King Coun...

An altercation during an outdoor performance of "Much Ado About Nothing" by GreenStage at Lake Burien School Memorial Park ended with one man pepper-sprayed and another detained by deputies Friday nig...

The top two candidates in each of Burien’s City Council and other races have emerged after three rounds of ballot counts in the Aug. 5 primary election, with incumbents and political newcomers alike advancing to the Nov. 4 general election. In the Burien City Council Position 1 race, incumbent Hugo Garcia steadily expanded his lead across all three ballot drops. Jessica Ivey, who will join him on the November ballot, also gained momentum as the returns progressed, reinforcing her position in the top two.

Downtown Kent will transform into “Little Louisiana” on Saturday, Aug. 16, 2025, when the Kent Downtown Partnership hosts its annual Cajun and Creole Fest from 2 to 7 p.m. The free, family-friendly festival invites visitors to “dance, dine and have a ragin’ Cajun good time,” with a day of Zydeco and blues music, Southern-inspired food, art, and kids’ activities. Organizers say the goal is to transform historic Downtown Kent into “Little Louisiana,” showcasing the vibrant culture and hospitality of the South.

The Burien Meals on Wheels program is looking for dedicated Volunteers to support local seniors by delivering meals and offering a vital lifeline to those who are homebound. Operated by Sound Generations, the program is seeking alternate delivery drivers to serve on Wednesday mornings. Volunteers are asked to arrive between 10:30 and 11 a.m., with routes typically taking about 90 minutes to complete.

EDITOR'S NOTE: This is the final entry in our 2025 Voters Guide and Burien City Council Candidate Q&A series. To read the entire series, click here. Three candidates are seeking election to Position No. 5 on the Burien City Council, offering voters a range of backgrounds and perspectives in one of the city’s most closely watched local races.

Don’t miss a free family-friendly outdoor show in South King County parks! Burien Actors Theatre (BAT) brings Rachel Rene’s clever adaptation of Ferenc Molnar’s comedy The Guardsman to a South King County park near you through Aug. 17, 2025. The free outdoor performances premiere this Friday night, July 25 starting at 7 p.m. at Riverton Heights Park in SeaTac (

Three candidates are seeking election to Position No. 5 on the Burien City Council in 2025, offering voters a range of backgrounds and perspectives in one of the city’s most closely watched local races. Ballots began arriving July 18 for the upcoming Aug. 5 primary election, where all four candidates for Burien City Council Position No. 1 will appear on the ballot.

Three candidates are seeking election to Position No. 3 on the Burien City Council in 2025, offering voters a range of backgrounds and perspectives in one of the city’s most closely watched local races. Ballots began arriving July 18 for the upcoming Aug. 5 primary election, where all four candidates for Burien City Council Position No. 1 will appear on the ballot.

Four candidates are seeking election to Position No. 3 on the Burien City Council in 2025, offering voters a range of backgrounds and perspectives in one of the city’s most closely watched local races. Ballots began arriving July 18 for the upcoming Aug. 5 primary election, where all four candidates for Burien City Council Position No. 1 will appear on the ballot.

Four candidates are seeking election to Position No. 1 on the Burien City Council in 2025, offering voters a range of backgrounds and perspectives in one of the city’s most closely watched local races. Ballots began arriving July 18 for the upcoming Aug. 5 primary election, where all four candidates for Burien City Council Position No. 1 will appear on the ballot.

Four candidates are seeking election to Position No. 1 on the Burien City Council in 2025, offering voters a range of backgrounds and perspectives in one of the city’s most closely watched local races. All four candidates will appear on the Aug. 5 primary election ballot, with the top two vote-getters advancing to the Nov. 8 general election. Incumbent Hugo Garcia, first elected in 2021, is seeking a second term.

Rep. Edwin Obras. Area voters got a jolt in their mailboxes this week — a campaign flyer from Rep. Edwin Obras (D-33rd District) accusing Burien Mayor Kevin Schilling of being “the worst mayor in the state on police staffing,” marking one of the most pointed disputes yet in the hotly contested 33rd District race. Schilling – who has served as Burien Mayor since 2024 – is running against Rep.

The water fountain at Burien’s Town Square Park is officially back in action after being out of service for repairs. City staff confirmed Tuesday, July 15, 2025 that the popular splash feature has been repaired and turned on just in time for this week’s heatwave. The fountain, located at 480 SW 152nd Street in the heart of downtown Burien, is a favorite among families and children looking to cool off during the summer.

The B-Town Blog saw a major surge in readership during the month of June 2025, with 104,991 total users visiting — a +91.7% jump from May and a +71.9% increase from the same time last year, according to Google Analytics data. Sessions also spiked to 150,266, a +76.6% boost from the previous month, while total pageviews climbed +61% to 189,267…

A key promotional centerpiece for this year’s Burien UFO Festival (BUFO) — a large inflatable flying saucer — was deflated overnight after the generator powering it was abducted. The theft occurred at the Dog Park at SW 152nd Street and 6th Ave SW in Downtown Burien, according to BUFO founder John White, who reported the loss of a Honda generator valued at just under $2,000.

With flags waving, music soaring, and community spirit on full display, Burien celebrated Independence Day on the 4th of July with a full day of festivities that brought thousands together to honor the nation’s founding — and one another. The city’s 102nd Annual Independence Day Parade began at 11 a.m., winding through downtown with a colorful lineup of marching bands, classic cars, local businesses, scout troops, civic leaders and more.

One person is dead and another hospitalized after a shooting early Thursday morning, July 3, 2025 near the Glen Acres Golf Course in Burien, the King County Sheriff’s Office confirmed. Deputies respon...

The organizers of the 4th annual Pacific Northwest Folklórico Festival – set for Saturday, July 26, 2025 at Burien Town Square Park – announced they are canceling the 2025 event, citing immigration en...

Seattle’s 48 Hour Film Project (48HFP) returns for its 20th year this July, marking two decades of fast-paced, neighborhood-driven filmmaking, along with the debut of a new nonprofit supporting local storytellers year-round. Kirk Nordenstrom And it also marks a global first – Seattle is the only city in the world to reach 20 years with the same producer at the helm…