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

Dear Friends:

Today’s update includes information about our recent South King County Public Health Town Hall, supporting local businesses, King County’s local indoor mask mandate, a visit with the Federal Way Public Schools Superintendent, King County District Court’s service expansion to Algona and Pacific, PAC-12 Swimming Championships, upcoming Community Service Areas Town Hall, and more.


Washington Trivia

This American author who lived in South King County was best known for The Stranger Beside Me and other true crime books centered on murder cases in the Pacific Northwest. Who was she?

(Answer is at the bottom).




South King County Public Health Town Hall

Yesterday, I had an opportunity to host a virtual South King County Public Health Town Hall with Public Health – Seattle & King County Interim Director Dennis Worsham as the speaker. Director Worsham spoke with South King County community leaders about COVID-19 and the challenges we still face before normal life resumes. He also discussed other health issues such as the opioid crisis, HIV, hepatitis, and syphilis. You can watch the recorded livestream on my Facebook page.



With Public Health – Seattle & King County Interim Director Dennis Worsham



With South King County Community Leaders and Director Worsham


Supporting Local Businesses

During these tough times when COVID-19 has had significant impacts on businesses, it is more important than ever to support our community. Recently, I had the opportunity to visit local Auburn businesses including Zola's Cafe and other retailers, before stopping by the Auburn Chamber of Commerce. Support local businesses!




King County’s local indoor mask mandate to end sooner

Following the CDC’s latest guidance and the state’s action, King County’s local indoor mask mandate will end on March 12th. In addition, King County will not be extending a local mask order for schools and childcare centers beyond the state’s order. Read more here.


Federal Way Public Schools

I appreciated the opportunity to meet with Federal Way Public Schools Superintendent Dani Pfeiffer to review the impact of the pandemic to the classroom over the last two years, as well as hear her perspective on the Governor’s call to lift the mask mandate for schools on March 12th.




King County District Court provides services to Algona and Pacific

Algona and Pacific has joined Auburn and 11 other cities in contracting with King County District Court to handle their municipal court services. The change began earlier this year and Judge Corinna Harn now presides over cases from both cities at the Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent. Read more here.


PAC-12 Swimming Championships

Do you want to see future Olympians? Check out the PAC-12 Men’s Swimming Championships this week at the King County Weyerhaeuser Aquatic Center. Last week, I met with Markel Leonard, Sports Management & Championships Assistant Director and Cheryl Wong, Assistant Commissioner Sports Management and Championships, at the PAC-12 Women’s Swimming Championships.




With Markel Leonard, Sports Management & Championships Assistant Director and Cheryl Wong, Assistant Commissioner Sports Management & Championships



With Mike Dunwiddie, Regional Aquatic Center Coordinator


King County’s first in-person sexual assault advocacy services now available

A new partnership between Rebuilding Hope and Virginia Mason Franciscan Health recently launched King County’s first and only in-person advocacy program in Federal Way for victims of sexual violence. The advocacy program allows St. Francis emergency room staff, sexual assault nurses or the victim-survivor themselves to request a trained sexual violence advocate to the hospital to offer support and help victims navigate resources. The partnership also provides human trafficking resources. Read more here.


Port of Seattle awards environmental grants to Federal Way projects

Several organizations benefiting Federal Way recently received environmental grants from the Port of Seattle’s South King County Community Impact fund. The Port awarded $687,000 in total to support public improvement projects in Federal Way and other cities in South King County. In total, 18 organizations serving communities around Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) will receive funding. Read more here.


Community Service Areas Town Hall – East Federal Way

The King County Department of Local Services (DLS) invites residents in unincorporated East Federal Way to attend the upcoming Community Service Areas (CSA) Town Hall on March 29th, from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. This meeting provides an opportunity for residents to meet with DLS Director John Taylor and department representatives to engage with the community and prioritize the Community Needs List. For more information on how to join, please click here. For questions, please call 206-477-3800 or email asklocalservices@kingcounty.gov.


Non-Profit Corner

Below are a couple places where your donations go a long way:

Auburn Food Bank
930 18th Pl NE, Auburn, WA 98002
Donations accepted in person Monday-Friday (8:00 am to 3:00 pm)
https://www.theauburnfoodbank.org/

Auburn Valley Humane Society
4910 A St. SE, Auburn, WA 98092
1123 E Main St., Auburn, WA 98002 (Thrift Store)
To donate supplies, call 253-545-0314 Monday-Saturday (10:00 am – 6:00 pm), Sunday (11:00 am – 5:00 pm).
https://www.auburnvalleyhs.org/

Bloodworks Northwest
1414 S 324th St., Suite B101, Federal Way, WA 98003
Whole blood and apheresis donations are accepted Monday-Tuesday (10:00 am to 6:00 pm), Wednesday, Friday-Saturday (8:00 am to 4:00 pm), and Sunday (9:00 am to 5:00 pm). To schedule a donation appointment, call 253-945-8660 or 800-398-7888 or visit https://schedule.bloodworksnw.org/DonorPortal/.

Bridging a Gap (BAG)
33313 1st Way S, Federal Way, WA 98003
Food donations can be dropped off at the following locations:
St. Luke’s Church - 515 S 312th St., Federal Way, WA 98003
Communities in Schools - 1825 S 316th St., Federal Way, WA 98003
Red Canoe Credit Union - 33616 Pacific Hwy S, Federal Way, WA 98003
https://www.bridgingagapfw.org/get-involved/

Federal Way Senior Center
4016 S 352nd St., Auburn, WA 98001
To volunteer, please call 253-838-3604 or email director_fwsc@hotmail.com.
https://www.federalwayseniorcenter.org/

FUSION Décor Boutique
1108 S 322nd Pl, Federal Way, WA 98003
Donations are accepted Tuesday-Saturday (10:00 am to 6:00 pm)
Please call beforehand at 253-839-4045 with a description of the items.
https://www.fusiondecorboutique.com/

Multi-Service Center Food Bank
1200 S 336th St., Federal Way, WA 98003
Donations may be dropped off at the warehouse Monday-Friday (8:30 am to 4:00 pm)
https://mschelps.org/getinvolved/donations/

The Salvation Army
26419 16th Ave S, Des Moines, WA 98198
Open Monday-Thursday (9:00 am to 4:30 pm) and Friday (9:00 am to 12:00 pm)
https://federalway.salvationarmy.org/federal_way_corps


King County COVID-19 Case Update

Today, Seattle – King County Public Health reported 296 daily average positive cases, bringing the total in King County to 366,643. In addition, Public Health reported 5 daily average deaths, bringing the total in the county to 2,575.

Recent data may be incomplete. For more information, visit the King County COVID Daily Summary Dashboard here.







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.

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 in King County.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 or Text TALK to 741-741

Find your King County Council district here.


With best wishes,

Pete von Reichbauer
King County Councilmember




Washington trivia answer:

Ann Rae Rule Stackhouse was an American author of true crime books and articles centered on murder cases in the Pacific Northwest and her adopted home state of Washington. She was born in Michigan to a family of law enforcers, medical examiner, and prosecutor. She earned her associate degree from Highline Community College and studied creative writing, criminology and psychology at the University of Washington.

Ann’s career included working for the Seattle Police Department as well as writing publications geared toward women. She volunteered at a suicide crisis hotline center in Seattle and met Ted Bundy, a work-study student at the UW. She saw Bundy as someone kind, solicitous and empathetic, so when Bundy was arrested in 1975 for kidnapping and was identified as a serial murderer, Ann was surprised. Drawing on her relationship with Ted, Ann wrote her first book, The Stranger Beside Me, which is considered one of the most definitive biographies of Bundy. The success of this book was followed by many more, including a TV film adaptation.



(Photo Source: KUOW.org)


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