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

Dear Friends:

Today’s update includes news about a meeting with local leaders in South King County, the King County Council’s new meeting time, Re+ Initiative’s Award Recipients, King County Metro’s Service Change, the Transit Advisory Commission, Transit Appreciation Week, the Lower Green River Corridor Flood Hazard Management Plan Draft PEIS, BIPOC Resiliency Fund Grants, crime and health updates, and more.




Washington Trivia

This University of Washington alum flew on five Space Shuttle missions and later became the Museum of Flight’s CEO. Who is she?
(Answer is at the bottom).




Lunch with Elections Director Julie Wise and Mayor Jim Ferrell

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to meet with King County Elections Director Julie Wise for our annual lunch. We talked about King County Elections' operations, her work to expand access to voting, and ballot security. We were joined by Federal Way Mayor Jim Ferrell, who shared information about current events in Federal Way.



With Director Julie Wise and Mayor Jim Ferrell


King County Council meeting moves to 1:30 PM

Beginning March 21st, the Full Council meeting moved from 1:00 PM to 1:30 PM. Details on how to attend and/or provide comment remotely are listed on the Council website.




King County invests in 14 projects that will advance waste prevention, reuse, and recycling, all contributing to the Re+ initiative

King County is awarding a combined $2.3 million to 14 projects that reduce waste and keep valuable resources in the economy and out of the landfill. Each project will contribute to Re+, King County’s new initiative to reinvent the region’s waste system to significantly cut greenhouse gas emissions by transitioning to a sustainable circular economy.

One of the recipients is the South King Tool Library, which received nearly $200,000 to expand access to free tools and training resources by opening a second tool library location. Amanda Miller, executive director at the South King Tool Library, said the nonprofit is looking at several locations, but is leaning toward the downtown Auburn area for launching a new tool library. Read more in the Federal Way Mirror article here.

Free Tire/Styrofoam Recycling and Paper Shredding Event

On Saturday, March 25th, South King Tool Library will host a free drive-thru tires/styrofoam recycling and paper shredding event from 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM in Federal Way (1700 S 340th St.). Limit 5 boxes. Styrofoam and up to 10 tires also accepted for recycling. For more information, click here.




Transit Updates

King County Metro Service Change

On Saturday, March 18th, King County Metro revised bus schedules, upgraded Route 120 to become RapidRide H Line and added bus trips to 18 bus routes funded by the Seattle Transit Measure. Additionally, Metro has launched its March 2023 service change web page to outline coming changes and improvements for riders.

King County Transit Advisory Commission

Recruitment is now open for the volunteer Transit Advisory Commission. The commission meets monthly to advise the King County Council, County Executive, and Metro on transit policy. Anyone can apply to serve as a commissioner, so long as you live in one of the nine King County Council districts. Metro especially encourages applications from youth, communities of color, people with disabilities, those with low to no income, people experiencing homelessness, immigrants, refugees, and linguistically diverse residents.

The deadline for applications is April 8th. You can find what council district you live in using this map. Learn more and apply online.



King County Transit Appreciation Week

Last week, King County and transit riders celebrated the contributions of hard-working Metro employees. Whether they’re onboard vehicles, down in the tunnels, on bases and docks, sitting at computers, or behind service desk windows — everywhere and in every way customers need help — Metro employees are there.




Comment Period Now Open on the Lower Green River Corridor Flood Hazard Management Plan Draft PEIS

The King County Flood Control District is seeking public feedback on the proposed Flood Hazard Management Plan that would guide future investments to reduce flood risks in the Lower Green River Corridor.

A study called a Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) is underway and your comments will help shape flood protection planning along the Lower Green River in Auburn, Kent, Renton, SeaTac, Tukwila, and unincorporated King County. The deadline to provide your input is May 4th at 5:00 PM. Learn more at LowerGreenSEPA.org.

For other ways to send your thoughts, you may call 206-263-0602, email lowergreensepa@kingcounty.gov, or mail your comments to the following address:

King County Flood Control District
Attn: Michelle Clark, SEPA Responsible Official
516 Third Avenue, Room 1200 Seattle, WA 98104




BIPOC Resiliency Fund Grants – Deadlines Coming Soon

The 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.

King County aims to invest in a wide range of services, programs, operations, community advocacy efforts, and physical infrastructure designed and delivered through community-based service providers and businesses that move the needle on the established grantmaking priorities. Potential applicants can learn more in the Grant Program Overview.

There are four grant categories:

• General Grant Application: Closes Tuesday, March 28th.
• Capacity-Building Grants for Community Service Providers: Closes Tuesday, March 28th.
• Small Business Grant Application: Closes Tuesday, March 28th.
• Physical Infrastructure Grant Application: Closes Tuesday, April 11th.

If you have questions, please contact oesjgrants@kingcounty.gov.




Women’ Month

As we conclude Women’s Month, let us look at 20 notable Washington women and their contributions that we should know about. Read more in The Seattle Times article here.


Crime and Law Enforcement 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.

Detective shot in Ballard while serving eviction notice; resident found dead

A King County Sheriff’s Office detective was shot Monday, March 20th, while serving an eviction notice in Ballard, according to the King County Independent Force Investigation Team. At some point, two deputies either opened or returned fire, according to the KCIFIT. The deputy who was wounded in the upper torso did not fire his weapon. The suspected shooter then retreated into their apartment and was later found dead. Read more in the KIRO 7 article here.

Officer shot and injured, suspect dead in Everett

An Everett police officer was shot at a gas station at the Fred Meyer on Evergreen Way and Casino Road yesterday morning and was taken to Providence Hospital. The injured officer’s condition is unknown. The Snohomish County Multiple Agency Response Team is conducting the investigation. It is not yet known if an officer shot the suspect who was killed and if the suspect who was killed is the person who shot the officer. Read more in the KIRO 7 article here.



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 146 daily average positive cases, bringing the total in King County to 553,259. In addition, Public Health reported 1 daily average deaths, bringing the total in the county to 3,561.



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:

Bonnie Dunbar is an aerospace engineer and retired NASA astronaut, who flew on five Space Shuttle missions in the '80s and '90s. She has logged more than 1,208 hours, or 50-plus days, in space.

Bonnie received her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Ceramic Engineering from the University of Washington in 1971 and 1975 and a doctorate in Mechanical/Biomedical Engineering from the University of Houston in 1983.

Following her stint at Boeing as systems analyst, and various research in England and California, she became a flight controller at NASA and finally an astronaut in 1981. On her space missions, she served as mission specialist and Payload Commander, and has since proved that any little girl has the power to break through that aeronautic glass ceiling if she puts her mind to it.

Dunbar also served as the President and CEO of The Museum of Flight in Seattle until 2010.



(Left) Photo source: NASA.gov (pdf) (Right) Dr. Dunbar joined me in South King County for a youth leadership reception in 2010, where she spoke to students about her achievements, and about being a leader.

To unsubscribe or update your preferences, click here.
1. Enter your email address and click confirm.
2. Select the subscription/s you want to unsubscribe from and click submit.