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 Public Health – Seattle and King County Director Dr. Faisal Khan, PAC-12 Men’s Swimming and Diving Championships in Federal Way, Seattle Sports Commission’s 88th Star of the Year Awards, Girl Scout Cookies, The Best of Federal Way Mirror’s 25th Anniversary, the King County Flood Hazard Management Plan, King County Metro Flex, health and crime updates, and more.




Washington Trivia

This American mountaineer was the first American woman to summit and descend Mount Everest without supplemental oxygen. Who is she?
(Answer is at the bottom).




“Good Eggs” Breakfast Meeting with Public Health Director Dr. Faisal Khan

Public Health – Seattle and King County Director Dr. Faisal Khan joined me at the Good Eggs Breakfast this month to discuss the many responsibilities Public Health has in our county, including working with restaurants and food-service providers to keep customers and business owners safe. His insights into COVID-19 and the current flu season were informative and welcomed by our guests. Thank you, Dr. Khan!



With Auburn Mayor Nancy Backus, Public Health – Seattle and King County Director Dr. Faisal Khan, Des Moines Deputy Mayor Traci Buxton, Federal Way Mayor Jim Ferrell, and Wild Waves President Jody Kneupper


PAC-12 Men’s Swimming and Diving Championships

The Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic Center in Federal Way is one of the fastest pools in the world! Numerous PAC-12 records were broken at the Men's Swimming and Diving finals last weekend, and over 200 world records have been set at the King County facility. No wonder swimmers come from all over the WORLD to use our great facility! The students you see today are the Olympians of tomorrow.



With PAC-12 Assistant Director of Championships Markel Leonard


88th Seattle Sports Commission Star of the Year Awards

Sports not only bring people together, but they provide countless jobs in our region, and I was honored to join my colleague, King County Councilmember Jeanne Kohl-Welles (JKW), at the 88th Seattle Sports Commission banquet. JKW has been a leader in making outdoor sports accessible to all people, particularly those with disabilities. Ken Griffey Jr. was just one of the many Hall of Famers present. Thank you, Beth Knox and the Sports Commission team, for showcasing the best of our current and past sports moments.



With Councilmember Jeanne Kohl-Welles, Baseball Hall of Famer Ken Griffey Jr., and the Seattle Kraken mascot


Girl Scout Cookies

They are back: Tagalongs, Samoas, Thin Mints, Carmel deLites, Do-si-dos, Lemon-ups… Since 1917, Girl Scout cookie sales have supported evolving, worthwhile programs! Diet? What diet?




The Best of Federal Way Mirror celebrates its 25th Anniversary

Federal Way is home to great businesses like the Federal Way Mirror! Many of them have served the community for a long time, including the Mirror which recently celebrated its 25th anniversary. Sherry Kerr and Lucia Morena from Federal Way High School baked a cake to mark the occasion, and I enjoyed meeting them, and other entrepreneurs in FW who create jobs for our region!



With Cindy Ducich, Federal Way Mirror Multimedia Sales Manager



With Sherry Kerr, CTE Culinary and Pro-Start Teacher, and her student Lucia Moreno


King County Flood Management Plan

The King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks is developing a plan that will shape flood related programs, policies, and infrastructure for years to come. The flood plan is a guide for managing flood risks along our rivers, creeks, and coastlines.

You don’t need to be a flooding expert to join the conversation. Visit the 2024 King County Flood Management Plan engagement hub to share what flooding problems concern you and what services would benefit your community, in an online survey that is open through June 30th.

For more information about this project, visit kingcounty.gov/FloodPlan or contact Jason Wilkinson at 206-477-4786 or jason.wilkinson@kingcounty.gov.




King County Metro Flex

On March 6th, King County Metro Transit announced the launch of Metro Flex, an on-demand neighborhood transit service that will unite three current services — Community Ride, Ride Pingo to Transit, and Via to Transit.

Riders can use the new Metro Flex app to book rides to and from anywhere in one of the service areas, which include Juanita, Kent, Othello, Rainier Beach, Renton Highlands, Sammamish, Skyway, and Tukwila, all for the same cost as a Metro bus trip. For more information, call 206-258-7739, email support-sea@ridewithvia.com, or click here.




Daylight Saving Time begins March 12

Daylight Saving Time (DST) in Washington will be in effect on March 12th, at 2:00 AM. Do not forget to move your clock forward one hour on Sunday.

Last year, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed the Sunshine Protection Act, a federal bill that proposes permanent daylight savings time nationwide. It was sent to the House for action but was not brought up for a vote as it was not well-received. This year, the Sunshine Protection Act of 2023 was reintroduced for the 118th Congress with a companion legislation in the House. If passed, the clocks would change for the final time this month — when daylight saving time begins — and would not change ever again.




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 161 daily average positive cases, bringing the total in King County to 551,110. In addition, Public Health reported 1 daily average deaths, bringing the total in the county to 3,546.



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:

Melissa Arnot Reid was the first American woman to summit and descend Mount Everest without supplemental oxygen. She has summitted the world’s highest peak six times in nine attempts since, which is the most of any American woman. (American woman Francys Arsentiev summited Everest without oxygen in 1998, but tragically died on the descent.)

In 2010, Melissa guided two 100% successful groups of celebrities and influencers on Kilimanjaro to raise awareness for the global clean water crisis, with Summit on the Summit (SOTS). She has also guided various ascents of Aconcagua, Kilimanjaro, Ecuador Volcanoes, Colombian Andes and various trekking peaks in Nepal, and facilitated climbing the 50 state high points in record time of 41 days, 16 hours and 10 minutes.

Melissa now lives in Methow Valley, WA with her husband and two children.



Photo source: visitseattle.org (Courtesy Melissa Arnot Reid)

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