Dear Friends:

Today’s update includes information on the Federal Way Link Light Rail and Transit Center, a food drive in Federal Way this weekend, King County Road Services’ Snow and Ice Resources, the Governor’s update on state’s COVID-19 vaccination efforts, health updates, and more.


Washington Trivia

How did Clyde Hill get its name?

(Answer is at the bottom).




Federal Way Link Light Rail and Transit Center Updates

I recently met with Federal Way Mayor Jim Ferrell to check on the future location of the Federal Way Link Light Rail and discuss the updated Federal Way Transit Center that would include not only the light rail station, but also add bus facilities and more parking to be added via an extension to the existing garage.

At the Federal Way Transit Center, clearing work was completed last fall to prepare the site for construction activities in the coming months. To date, over 170,000 labor hours have been expended on the Federal Way Link Extension project, which is approximately 820 jobs for members of our community. Additionally, Sound Transit will launch their Loyal to the Local program in early February to provide opportunities to support Federal Way businesses directly impacted by the construction. For more information on the Federal Way Link Extension and to sign up for project updates, visit www.soundtransit.org/system-expansion/federal-way-link-extension



With Federal Way Mayor Jim Ferrell looking over the future site of the Federal Way Link Light Rail Station from the Federal Way Transit Center parking structure.


Drive-Through Food Drive in Federal Way

The city of Federal Way is going to have a drive-through food drive in Federal Way this Saturday, January 30th, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM at the Fred Meyer Parking Lot (33702 21st Ave SW). Please drop off all non-perishable items at the donation truck. Safety precautions will be followed. Thanks to Federal Way City Councilmember Greg Baruso for sharing this information with me.




King County Road Services: Snow and Ice Resources

King County Department of Local Services’ Road Services Division has put together snow and ice resources for residents in unincorporated King County, which includes their winter weather response, snow routes and maps, and emergency preparedness resources that are available in different languages. Residents may also check King County traffic cameras in unincorporated King County to view real-time traffic information. Below are some informative videos that highlight the division’s winter weather preparation.

King County Roads Winter Weather Information 2021
King County Roads Winter Weather Questions
King County Roads - Winter Weather Preparation - Salt and Sand explained

For assistance in unincorporated King County and county roads, call the 24/7 Road Helpline at 206-477-8100 or 1-800-527-6237. For more information, visit Road Services’ website or sign up for Road Alerts. For assistance within city limits, please contact your city’s maintenance or emergency response team.


Governor gives update on state’s COVID-19 vaccination efforts

Governor Jay Inslee announced that over 500,000 doses of the COVID vaccine have been administered in Washington state. Private partnerships are intensified, and communities are coming together to create multiple ways to administer the vaccine. The progress comes as the state announced four mass COVID-19 vaccination sites are opening in central and eastern Washington this week, and more are planned for western Washington in the near future. Additionally, the Governor has also spoken with the new Biden administration, which will send special syringes that allow each vial of vaccine to provide six doses instead of five, minimizing the amount of vaccine left in the syringe after use. Read more in this King 5 article here.

Find your phase and see if you are eligible for a COVID vaccine now or if not, sign up to be notified when they become eligible.


Weekly COVID-19 News

COVID-19 vaccinations are an important breakthrough, but they cannot end the pandemic alone. We still need everyone’s help in protecting themselves and others. Whether you have been vaccinated or not, Public Health – Seattle and King County stresses the importance of still following the CDC COVID-19 safeguards: wearing a face mask, staying at least 6 feet apart, avoiding crowds and poorly ventilated spaces, and frequently washing your hands.

Why should people who have completed the COVID-19 two-vaccination schedule continue the safeguards? The CDC lists these reasons:

• After you are fully vaccinated, the body takes a few weeks to build immunity (protection against the COVID-19 virus). This means that you could possibly be infected just before or after the vaccination and spread the virus to others.
• Although highly effective, approved vaccinations aren’t 100% effective so there is still a chance you can still get sick after being vaccinated.
• Healthcare experts do not know how long the vaccine’s immunity lasts.
• Even though you are fully vaccinated and don’t get sick, it’s still too early to know whether the vaccination prevents you from spreading the virus.


Weekly King County Health Update: Vitamin D and Your Health

How many of us grew up hearing “finish your milk, it makes your bones strong”? It turns out that this adage is true. Vitamin D, found in fortified milk, helps our bodies absorb calcium and phosphorous – elements essential to building strong bones – and its role in our good health involves so much more. Research shows that vitamin D helps us maintain healthy hearts and nervous systems, as well as fight infections, some cancer cell growth, and inflammation. Recent studies investigating the relationship between vitamin D deficiency and COVID-19 seem to indicate a link in prevention and treatment, but much more research is needed to confirm what, if any, connection exists.

How do I know if I am getting enough vitamin D?
The first step is to consult with your healthcare provider to determine if you’re getting the right amount of vitamin D. Too much vitamin D can be harmful to your health and it can interact negatively with medications and other dietary supplements you may be taking.

Sources of vitamin D:
• Fortified foods are the source of most of our dietary vitamin D because it does not occur naturally in many foods – milk (dairy, soy, almond, oat), cereals, some brands of orange juice, and yogurt. Cheese and ice cream are not usually fortified.
• Best natural sources: fatty fish (salmon, tuna, mackerel, trout) and fish liver oils
• Small amounts: Beef liver, egg yolks, cheese, mushrooms
• Dietary supplements: multivitamins or vitamin D supplements
• Sunlight – our bodies make vitamin D with direct sunlight exposure on our bare skin. This source should be limited, and a minimum of SPF 15 should be used to avoid possible skin cancer from excessive UV exposure.

https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/vitamin-d/
https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminD-Consumer/
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/expert-answers/coronavirus-and-vitamin-d/faq-20493088




While Hank Aaron was buried today in Atlanta, his commitment to breaking barriers, setting records, and building bridges while being the best at what you do will live long after his internment. I was proud to join former King County Executive Ron Sims whose own life’s profile follows the Henry Aaron model. Young Aaron Sims and I are in the presence of two great role models.


King County Case Update

Yesterday, Seattle – King County Public Health reported 165 new cases, bringing the total in King County to 74,727. In addition, Public Health reported 12 new deaths, bringing the total in the county to 1,227.









Stay In. Stay Healthy. Stay Strong.

Pete von Reichbauer
King County Councilmember




Washington trivia answer:

Located to the east of Seattle, Clyde Hill was settled in 1882 by Patrick Downey, an Irish immigrant who homesteaded a 160-acre tract of land on the southern slope of the hill.

According to HistoryLink, there are two different versions of how Clyde Hill got its name. One version says a ferry landing on Meydenbauer Bay was named “Clyde Landing” by Downey, which was after the River Clyde in Scotland. The other version says a local pioneer – probably Downey – came up with the name when a new road was put through the area and called it Clyde Road after the Firth of Clyde, a body of water off the western coast of Scotland.



Compiled by Cyndee Navarro of my office.