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

Dear Friends:

Today’s update includes news about the Grand Reopening of The Auburn Food Bank, the first School-Based Health Center in the Auburn School District, a Glasses Donation to the Federal Way Lions, the Upcoming World Language Community Listening Sessions, transit, travel industry and health updates, and more.


Washington Trivia

This trailblazing woman was not only the first female mayor of Seattle, but also the first female mayor of a major US city. Who was she?

(Answer is at the bottom).




The Grand Reopening of The Auburn Food Bank

I was honored to join Debbie Christian, director of The Auburn Food Bank, Mayor Nancy Backus, and many others at their grand reopening! A previous recipient of the MLK Distinguished Service Award, Debbie answers what Dr. King called life’s most persistent and urgent question, “What are you doing for others?” on a daily basis. The new 14,361 square feet space will allow The Auburn Food Bank to expand its reach and serve even more of our neighbors in need. People in South King County believe in service to others, and few have given more or have been more involved than Debbie. Thank you, Debbie, and congratulations to your team on the new location!



With Auburn Mayor Nancy Backus, The Auburn Food Bank Executive Director Debbie Christian, members of the Auburn City Council, and community leaders


First School-Based Health Center Opens in the Auburn School District

On March 7th, King County, Auburn Mountainview High School, and Sea Mar Community Health Centers celebrated the opening of the first school-based health center located in the Auburn School District. School-based health centers offer health services to students at their school–usually for no cost-and have positive impacts on students’ well-being. The clinic in Auburn is funded through Best Starts for Kids, with $357,000 annually for operations and an additional one-time $350,000 capital grant. Read more here.


Federal Way Lions Glasses Donation

It was my pleasure to present the Federal Way Lions with over 1,000 pairs of glasses recovered by Metro drivers. As someone who wears glasses, I know how expensive AND necessary they are for not only employment, but for everyday life. Since I started this program in 2001, tens of thousands of eyeglasses and sunglasses have been donated and repurposed, finding new homes not only in King County but around the world. Thank you to the many Metro Transit employees who help with this program, as well as the Lions Club. We couldn’t do it without you!!



With Federal Way Lions Barbara Fay, Raul Baird, and Bob Darrigan


King County Library System World Language Community Listening Sessions

The King County Library System (KCLS) will hold World Language Community listening sessions to assess their World Languages collection to better match the evolving demographics in King County. For more information on the listening sessions at the Auburn and Federal Way 320th libraries this April, please contact Teresa Luengo Cid at 425-369-3443 or tlcid@kcls.org.

Alumni Corner

While our work is based on policies and programs, it is the people we work with who make the difference. Previously featured alumni included: Chris Cho, Tom Pierson, Bailey Stenson Gordon, Agnes Wooters, Jim Ferrell, Jackie Schneider, Megan Rage, Thomas Efrem, and Jenny Faubion.

This week’s featured District 7 alum is Sue Park. Sue was a high school student when she worked in my office as a summer intern in 1998 and 1999.

According to Sue, the biggest lesson she learned while in my office is the importance of communicating to local leaders to advocate for what is needed in your community.

“I remember reading letters and listening to voice messages from constituents; they had diverse opinions, thoughts, and complaints and the messages were all read and most responded to. If an issue or concern matters and needs to be addressed in your community, step up and voice it to community leaders - they do listen.”

After working in my office, Sue went on to study at the University of Washington. She is currently a Program Officer at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation leading government relations work for Korea. In her free time, she likes watching movies, enjoying homecooked meals, and strolling around the neighborhood when the weather is nice. Thank you, Sue!


King County Metro Updates and Improves Bus Schedules

Beginning on Saturday, March 30th, Metro will update bus schedules while maintaining the current frequent, safe, and reliable service riders count on. Details are posted on Metro’s March 2024 service change page.

Routes with schedule changes: 5, 10, 21, 28, 45, 56, 57, 75, 118, 119, DART 631, DART 914, RapidRide A Line and RapidRide H Line.

Routes that have changes to their bus stops: 153, 221, RapidRide F Line.


Non-Profit Corner

South King County Non-Profit Organizations

Auburn Food Bank | Auburn Noon Lions | Auburn Valley Humane Society | Bloodworks Northwest | Eileen & Callie’s Place | Federal Way Kiwanis | Federal Way Lions | Federal Way Senior Center | FUSION Décor Boutique | Multi-Service Center Food Bank | Soroptimist International of Auburn | Rotary Club of Federal Way | The Salvation Army


KCSO Receives Funding for Mental Health Response

Two King County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) projects will receive federal funding that will help support a mental health co-response team ($963,000) and a rapid DNA processing system ($811,000). Read more in the Auburn Reporter article here.


January Travel Industry Update

Visit Seattle’s January 2024 travel industry update shows latest data on key tourism indicators, lodging performance, and regional employment rate in comparison to the prior year. Seattle Downtown hotels saw growth across all metrics with 49% hotel occupancy, an increase of 11.2% over prior year. The average daily rate (ADR) is now $175, an increase of 0.5% percent, while the revenue per available room (RevPAR) is $86, an increase of 11.8% than prior year.




Pop-up Plant Vendor Weekends

Throughout April and May, the Rhododendron Species Botanical Garden will host featured vendor weekends in partnership with local nurseries. You are not required to buy admission to shop, but tickets are required to visit the garden. For more information, click here.




Fred Hutch Unveils Results of New Blood Test that Detects Colon Cancer

Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center (Fred Hutch) researchers recently unveiled a new type of blood test for colorectal cancer screening. This cell-free DNA blood-based test accurately detected colorectal cancer 83% of the time in a study, in comparison to those of a colonoscopy, with results from nearly 8,000 people throughout the country between ages 45 and 84. As a third of the screening-eligible population is not up to date despite multiple available tests, a blood-based test offers the potential to improve screening adherence to detect colorectal cancer earlier. Read more in The Seattle Times article here.

Code Enforcement Links: Auburn | Algona | Federal Way | Kent | Pacific | Unincorporated
Crime Maps: Auburn| Federal Way| Kent | all of King County
Law Enforcement Updates: Auburn | Algona | Federal Way | Kent | Pacific | KCSO Unincorporated

To report illegal street racing in your neighborhood, dial 911.

Vaccine Locator: To find COVID-19 vaccine appointments, visit Vaccine Locator. For more information, visit getting vaccinated or getting tested in King County.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat https://988lifeline.org/ to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

Seattle Mariners

As someone who lost my father when I was 10 years old, playing and watching baseball was an important part of my life. No matter how difficult October might have been, I always look forward to Opening Day. Whether watching the Seattle Pilots play at Sick’s Stadium in Seattle or AAA baseball at Cheney Stadium in Tacoma, baseball was an important part of my growing up.



(Left) With Ken Griffey Jr. at an earlier Opening Day; (Right) With “The King” Félix Hernández at an earlier Spring Training




With best wishes,

Pete von Reichbauer
King County Councilmember




Washington trivia answer:

In 1926, Bertha Knight Landes became the first female mayor of Seattle and of a major US city. Born in 1868 in Ware, Massachusetts, Bertha moved to Washington state in 1895 with her husband, Henry, who had accepted a teaching position at the University of Washington.

Educated as a teacher, in 1922 Bertha launched her political career as a Seattle City Councilmember, serving four years in total and two as Council President. In 1924, Bertha became acting mayor and fired the police chief for ignoring prohibition and allowing things to run wild.

In 1926, Bertha was elected mayor of Seattle. As mayor, she tightened the budget, raised standards, and continued a city-wide cleanup of what was widely viewed as one of the most corrupt towns on the West Coast.

Bertha was defeated for re-election in 1928, with historians attributing her defeat to her support for public power and municipal utilities. After leaving office, she continued to be active in the community until her death in 1943.



Mayor Bertha Knight Landes.
Photo source: Seattle Municipal Archives Image 12285

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