News from and about King County… from COVID-19 updates to community news affecting our daily lives.

Dear Friends:

Today’s e-news includes information on a criminal justice survey, our recent virtual community forum, mask and shredding event, King County’s $145 million Rent Assistance Program, COVID-19 vaccine updates, transit and health updates, and more.


Washington Trivia

A state track champion from Auburn runs for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW). Who is she?

(Answer is at the bottom).




Feedback Requested: Criminal Justice Survey

Due to COVID-19, our world has become increasingly digital. This year, I wanted to provide you the opportunity to fill out the criminal justice survey at this link: https://www.surveymonkey.
com/r/5S6STG6

Over the last year, criminal justice reform has been a point of discussion and debate in communities across the country. Your response to this survey provides needed feedback on South King County’s criminal justice priorities, and I appreciate your taking the time to fill it out.


Virtual “Good Eggs” Community Forum

Thanks to Emerald Downs President Phil Ziegler for joining us for our virtual Good Eggs meeting. 2021 is Emerald Downs' 25th anniversary, and they are looking forward to welcoming fans back to the racetrack for entertainment this spring and summer. Emerald Downs is an economic engine that generates thousands of direct and indirect jobs in South King County. You can watch the recorded version of the forum on my Facebook page.



With Emerald Downs President Phil Ziegler



With South King County community leaders


King County launches $145 million Rent Assistance Program to prevent evictions and homelessness

Households throughout King County who have fallen one or more months behind in rent due to unemployment, lost wages and health crises as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic can now apply for $145 million in rental assistance from King County.

To help those residents, King County is partnering with local property owners and managers to implement a new Eviction Prevention and Rent Assistance Program that will offer payments for back rent, utility expenses and even future rent obligations for those struggling to get back on their feet financially. For questions, please call 206-263-3481 or email DCHSRentalAssistance@kingcounty.gov.


COVID-19 Vaccine Updates

Vaccination clinic for Federal Way students 12 and older
Federal Way Public Schools, in partnership with OmLife Health Clinic, will provide the first dose of Pfizer vaccines to students ages 12 and older tomorrow, May 21st, at the Todd Beamer High School gym. Registration is required for all appointments.

Vax to the Future: Using arts to help vaccinate the King County community
Public Health is partnering with 4Culture to start a new pilot program at vaccination sites called "Vax to the Future" which will include live music performances, "I got vaccinated" buttons designed by local artists, and a photobooth for people to take selfies to enhance the experience of getting vaccinated. Read more in the Public Health Insider blog here.

This Saturday, May 22nd, from 11 am to 2 pm, the Auburn Outlet Collection Clinic will be featuring Mambo Cadillac, a high-energy ensemble featuring some of the very best performers of Afro-Cuban Jazz, Rumba and Salsa music.


Free Document Shredding and Mask Distribution Event

Thank you to those who came out for the King County shredding and mask distribution event at The Commons in Federal Way. I am pleased that we were able to provide free masks to community members who needed them and provide secure document shredding services to South King County residents.




New Link light rail trains rolling into service

Last week, the first of Sound Transit’s new Series 2 light rail vehicles rolled into service, giving riders a glimpse of the new trains that will more than triple the light rail fleet by 2024. The new vehicles feature 70 seats, new dynamic passenger information displays, larger windows, more space to stow luggage, and additional bicycle hooks. Read more here.




Weekly King County Health Update: Youth concussions can cause mental health problems

Up to 2 million young people suffer concussions each year in the U.S., of whom 800,000 seek emergency medical care. According to research recently published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, one third of children and adolescents develop a mental health problem after a concussion. The physical symptoms of a concussion often resolve within a month, but mental health problems may persist for several months to years. For more information on how to recognize, respond to and minimize this risk, visit the CDC Heads Up program here.




King County COVID Vaccination Update

As of today, there are 1,368,917 residents who received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine and 1,085,106 residents who are fully vaccinated in King County, bringing the total of all administered doses to 2,380,071. For more information, visit the King County COVID Vaccination 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 Auburn and Kent.

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.


King County Case Update
Today, Seattle – King County Public Health reported 203 new positive cases, bringing the total in King County to 103,428. In addition, Public Health reported 1 new death, bringing the total in the county to 1,566.









Stay In. Stay Healthy. Stay Strong.

Pete von Reichbauer
King County Councilmember




Washington trivia answer:

Rosalie Fish of the Cowlitz Tribe first made headlines in 2019 as a senior distance runner for Muckleshoot Tribal School. When she ran on the Roos Field Track at the State 1B championship, Rosalie chose to represent women from near her home in Auburn. To do so, she ran with her face covered by a red handprint and letters on her right leg showing MMIW in honor of the lives of missing and murdered indigenous women.



Courtesy of WIAA in the Seattle Times




Compiled by Cyndee Navarro of my office.


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