News from and about King County… from health updates to community news affecting our daily lives.

Dear Friends:

Today’s update includes news about our “Good Eggs” Breakfast Meeting with Washington Public Lands Commissioner Hilary Franz, Pac-12 Women’s Swimming and Men’s/Women’s Diving Championships in Federal Way, the anniversary of the war in Ukraine, a token of appreciation from the Federal Way Korean American Association, the King County Assessor’s Property Tax Assistance for Seniors and Persons with Disabilities, available grants, health and crime updates, and more.


Washington Trivia

This American singer-songwriter from Ravensdale, WA has won nine Grammy Awards and earned 25 Grammy nominations. Who is she?
(Answer is at the bottom).




“Good Eggs” Breakfast Meeting with Washington Public Lands Commissioner Hilary Franz

At this month's Good Eggs meeting, I was joined by Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz. Our guests enjoyed the opportunity to learn more about the important role the Department of Natural Resources plays not only in protecting our environment, but in funding important programs like education. Our firefighters in attendance especially appreciated DNR's commitment to wildfire mitigation and making sure that our state has the resources it needs to put out fires fast!



With Federal Way Councilmember Lydia Assefa-Dawson, Auburn Mayor Nancy Backus, Washington Public Lands Commissioner Hilary Franz, Kent Mayor Dana Ralph, Federal Way Mayor Jim Ferrell, Pacific Mayor Leanne Guier, and Algona Mayor Troy Linnell



(Top) With Valley Regional Fire Authority Chief Brad Thompson, Deputy Chief of Operations Rick Olson, and Washington Public Lands Commissioner Hilary Franz; (Bottom) With Commissioner Franz and Federal Way Councilmember Jack Walsh


Pac-12 NCAA Women’s Swimming and Men’s/Women’s Diving Championships

It was great to attend this year’s Pac-12 NCAA Women’s Swimming and Men’s/Women’s Diving Championships at the Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic Center. For more information about this week’s championship schedule, please click here.



With Pac-12 Assistant Director of Championships Markel Leonard, who I first met at the 2022 Pac-12 Championships


Anniversary of the War in Ukraine

Friday, February 24th, will mark the one-year anniversary of the unnecessary Russian invasion of Ukraine. I recently met some of those most devastated by the war, the Ukrainian children who were forced to flee their homes, some without their families, just to survive. Thanks to the hard work of non-profits, and individuals like Honorary Consul General Valeriy Goloborodko, these children are in the United States to receive physical and mental health services, including rehabilitation, prosthetics, education, and much more, so that they can begin healing from their experience.




A Token of Appreciation from the Federal Way Korean American Association

While South Korea and our region are divided by over 5,000 miles, there are so many values which unite us. I was honored this week by Federal Way Korean American Association President Daniel Kim and former Federal Way Mayor Mike Park for my work to build people-to-people bridges, with this magnificent replica from Chuam Beach in Donghae.



With Korean American Association President Daniel Kim and Former Federal Way Mayor Mike Park




Property Tax Assistance for Seniors and Persons with Disabilities

Property tax assistance for seniors, persons with disabilities, and disabled veterans are now available. If you are a senior citizen or disabled person with your primary residence in Washington State, this program offers a reduction in property tax based on eligibility requirement of age 61 or older or disability status with an income below the limit threshold of $58,423.

The King County Assessor recommends applying online. To apply by mail, download the 2023 paper application and instructions. For more information, visit the Assessor’s website, call 206-296-3920 or email Exemptions.Assessments@kingcounty.gov.




Available Grants

King County Childcare Financial Assistance Program

Last year the King County Council allocated $7 million to help families impacted by the pandemic with the cost of childcare. If you live or work in King County and your income or health has been affected by COVID, you may be eligible. For more information on how to apply, click here or contact the Family Resource Center at 1-800-446-1114 (Monday-Friday, 8:30am-4:30pm) or email KingCCFA@childcare.org.



Art Projects

4Culture’s Art Projects grant helps fuel the experiences that make up the cultural fabric of King County. Artists and arts groups all over King County use Projects grants to create and share their work. You can apply for Art Projects as an individual or a group. Please note that you cannot apply in both categories – you must select one. The deadline to apply is March 23rd, 5:00 PM. For more information, click the link above or contact Melissa Newbill (individuals) at 206-263-1603 or melissa.newbill@4culture.org, or Nina Yarbrough (groups) at 206-477-7537 or nina.yarbrough@4culture.org.

Heritage Projects

4Culture’s Heritage Projects funding program promotes the identification, documentation, exhibition, and interpretation of historic and cultural materials exploring the heritage and historical record in King County. Awards range from $1,000 to $10,000. The deadline to apply is March 23rd, 5:00 PM. For more information, click the link above or contact Megumi Nagata at 206-263-3474 or megumi.nagata@4culture.org.

King County Parks Levy Grants

King County is now accepting applications for the following grant programs: Aquatic Facilities, Parks Capital and Open Space, Open Space – River Corridors, and Healthy Communities and Parks Fund. The deadline to apply is March 15th. For more information, click the link above or contact 206-848-0699 or ParksGrants@kingcounty.gov.

Preservation Special Projects

4Culture’s Preservation Special Projects grant funds research, documentation, planning, education, and advocacy to promote the preservation of our historic places in King County. It is open to individuals, groups, and municipalities. Funds may be used to create printed or digital resources such as research reports, building or landscape assessments, landmark nominations, books, guides, brochures, recordings, or educational exhibits focused on the historic built environment. The deadline to apply is March 23rd, 5:00 PM. For more information, click the link above or contact Dana Phelan at 206-263-1604 or dana.phelan@4culture.org.

The Gathering Collective

Following the declaration of Racism is a Public Health Crisis, King County Council allocated $25 million in general funds to advance equitable economic recovery and racial justice through a community-centered, co-creative grantmaking processes. The application portal is now live and the deadline to apply is March 26th. For more information on how to seek technical assistance, click here.


Crime Updates

This update is intended to inform you about what is happening in our communities and where. My hope is that this information will not only make us better informed, but also provide us with solutions for how we can address the issues facing our community as we move forward. Click the following links to see crime information in Auburn, Federal Way, and all of King County.



For a detailed 2022 end-of-year law enforcement officers fatalities report, click here. For a complete list of benefits for public safety officers and survivors as shared by Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.), click here.


King County COVID-19 Case Update

Yesterday, Seattle – King County Public Health reported 177 daily average positive cases, bringing the total in King County to 548,841. In addition, Public Health reported 1 daily average deaths, bringing the total in the county to 3,518.



Vaccine Locator: To find COVID-19 vaccine appointments, visit Vaccine Locator.

For King County residents: Register here to schedule your appointment at one of the high-volume vaccination sites in King County.

For in-home vaccination: Call King County COVID-19 Call Center at 206-477-3977.

To register by phone: Call King County COVID-19 Call Center at 206-477-3977 or Washington COVID-19 Assistance Hotline at 1-800-525-0127, then press #.

For veterans: Call 206-716-5716 or visit www.va.gov/health-care/covid-19-vaccine.

For more information, visit getting vaccinated or getting tested in King County.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Call 9-8-8 to connect to the new Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, text TALK to 741-741 or visit https://988lifeline.org/.

Find your King County Council district here.


With best wishes,

Pete von Reichbauer
King County Councilmember




Washington trivia answer:

Brandi Carlile may be the toast of Los Angeles and New York City, but she is still the person living near her hometown of Ravensdale. Brandi taught herself to sing when she was a child and began singing country songs on stage when she was just 8 years old. She began writing songs at age 15 and became a backup singer for an Elvis impersonator at 16. After being introduced to Elton John’s music, she taught herself to play piano and learned to play the guitar at 17.

Brandi had her debut in 2004 with Columbia Records and has won 9 Grammy Awards and earned 25 Grammy nominations. At the recent 65th Grammy Awards, Brandi won the Grammy Award for Best Rock Song with “Broken Horses” and was among the most-nominated artists with nods in seven categories.

I first met Brandi in 2017 at a friend’s birthday party when she picked up her guitar and sang a beautiful ballad. Today she is the toast of the Grammys and the winner of Best Rock Song! South King County rocks!

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