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

Dear Friends:

Today’s update includes news about Federal Way School District’s new Memorial Field, the Redondo Heights groundbreaking event, King County’s Child Care Assistance Program, King County’s Re+ Initiative, Sound Transit Board’s adoption of $1 ORCA LIFT fares, available grants, health and crime updates, and more.




Washington Trivia

How many division titles, Super Bowls and rings have the Seahawks won since joining the NFC in 2002?
(Answer is at the bottom).




Federal Way School District’s New Memorial Field

I firmly believe that sports programs bring our diverse communities together. As a longtime supporter of South King County schools and their sports programs, I was pleased to have been a part of the groundbreaking for the Federal Way School District’s new Memorial Field. Thank you, Federal Way High School Principal Dr. Matt Oberst, and FWHS Junior Rahshawn Clark for showing me the plans for the new stadium and grounds.





With Federal Way Mayor Jim Ferrell, FWPS Superintendent Dr. Dani Pfeiffer, Deputy Mayor Susan Honda, Council President Linda Kochmar, Councilmember Lydia Assefa-Dawson and students


Redondo Heights Groundbreaking Event

On February 1st, a 334-unit affordable housing development broke ground in Federal Way’s Redondo Heights Community. Adjacent to a Park and Ride, the complex is close to public transit, including the 272nd Link Light Rail station extension.

A partnership between the nonprofit Multi-Service Center (MSC) and housing developer Shelter Resource, Inc., the project received $11 million from King County, spread across three years in 2019, 2020, and 2022. Additional project funders include Amazon and the Washington State Department of Commerce Housing Finance Unit.



With King County Executive Dow Constantine and MSC CEO Robin Corak


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.




King County launches Re+

King County is launching a new initiative, Re+, to return valuable materials to the economy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions created by the region’s waste system. Re+ aims to recover nearly 70% of materials that are currently being sent to the landfill that could avoid becoming waste in the first place by being reused, recycled, or composted. Read more here.




Sound Transit Board formally adopts $1 ORCA LIFT fares

The Sound Transit Board formally adopted the $1 fare for ORCA LIFT riders on Sound Transit services, effective March 1st. The move follows the completion of a six-month demonstration project implemented in September 2022 at the Board’s direction. Read more here.


Available Grants

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 217 daily average positive cases, bringing the total in King County to 546,351. In addition, Public Health reported 3 daily average deaths, bringing the total in the county to 3,492.



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:

As the highly anticipated Super Bowl LVII approaches, it is always good to look back at what our local team has accomplished. Since the Seattle Seahawks moved to the NFC in 2002 after 25 seasons of playing in the AFC, the team has won 9 division titles, played in 3 Super Bowls, and won 1 Super Bowl ring. While we did not make it to the Super Bowl this year, it is noteworthy to see how the team has progressed over last two decades since joining the NFC West.

NFC West Division 2002-2022

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