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 public honoring of the late Auburn Deputy Mayor Bill Peloza, King County’s selection of Community Investment Committee members, a pop-up vaccine clinic in Federal Way, transit and health updates, and more.


Washington Trivia

An American chart-topping rapper, songwriter and record producer was born in Auburn. Who is he?

(Answer is at the bottom).




Auburn Farmers Market: Bill Peloza Bench

Last Sunday, June 6th, the Auburn Farmers Market officially opened and Mayor Nancy Backus surprised Joyce Peloza with a public bench named in honor of her husband Bill Peloza. Bill Peloza passed away on April 29th, 2020, but his legacy as Auburn Deputy Mayor lives on in the Farmers Market, Veteran programs, Sons of Italy, Rotary, Auburn Golf Course, etc. His legacy of service to others continues!



With Auburn Mayor Emeritus Pete Lewis, Councilmember Bob Baggett, Mayor Nancy Backus, Deputy Mayor Claude DaCorsi and Joyce Peloza at the opening of Auburn Farmers Market at Les Gove Park


King County selects Community Investment Committee members to guide $10 million investments in urban unincorporated areas

A review group of community members and King County staff selected 21 residents of different backgrounds and geographies for a new committee to create a process that will allow communities to choose how to invest $10 million in their neighborhoods.

I am eager to see the impact of the work done by this committee in our communities. The participatory budgeting process will help amplify the voices of community members in unincorporated King County and ensure that specific needs of different neighborhoods are heard and addressed by local government. Read more here.




Multi-Service Center to host free vaccination clinic

On Monday, June 14th, the Multi-Service Center (MSC) in Federal Way will be hosting a pop-up COVID-19 vaccination clinic from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The free clinic will provide Moderna vaccines. MSC will also give out gift cards to the first 30 people to attend. Read more in the Federal Way Mirror article here.


Sound Transit Link light rail trains to increase frequency of departures

With the region's continuing recovery from the pandemic, Sound Transit will improve Link light rail service frequencies starting June 12th. Link will run every eight minutes during peak hours and every ten minutes during midday and weekends. During late evenings, Link will run every 15 minutes. Read more here.


Weekly King County Health Updates

COVID-19 vaccines for people with weakened immune systems and autoimmune diseases
The Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, and J&J COVID-19 vaccines, all approved for distribution in the U.S., have demonstrated good protection against serious COVID-19 disease. However, this protection may not apply to everyone. Complete data is currently unavailable about the vaccines’ safety and effectiveness in people with weakened immune systems caused by other medical conditions, medications or autoimmune disease. The CDC says these individuals may be vaccinated but also recommends they first consult with their health care providers and continue preventive measures such as wearing a mask and avoiding crowds. For regularly updated information and guidance, read here.

Domestic violence increased during the pandemic
Public Health-Seattle King County has reported that domestic violence – or intimate partner violence – markedly increased during the past year. Domestic violence encompasses physical violence as well any behavior to gain or maintain power and control. In 2020 alone, domestic violence related homicides doubled and the impact of the pandemic to domestic violence survivors was dire.

The COVID-19 pandemic affected people in common ways through increased time spent at home, heightened mental and economic stress, and less access to support systems including family members, friends, health care, and services. Domestic violence survivors, both adults and children, are at higher risk of chronic mental health issues. DOH WA and Public Health-Seattle King County provide guidance and resources.


King County COVID Vaccination Update

As of yesterday, there are 1,481,018 residents who received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine and 1,299,973 residents who are fully vaccinated in King County, bringing the total of all administered doses to 2,697,787. 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 152 new positive cases, bringing the total in King County to 110,869. In addition, Public Health reported 3 new deaths, bringing the total in the county to 1,612.







Note: The change in graphs is due to evolving reporting measures which now include data on positive antigen test results. Recent data may be incomplete. For more information, visit the King County COVID Daily Summary Dashboard here.

Stay In. Stay Healthy. Stay Strong.

Pete von Reichbauer
King County Councilmember




Washington trivia answer:

Anthony Ray, popularly known as Sir Mix-a-Lot, is best known for his 1992 hit song “Baby Got Back”, which topped the Billboard Hot 100. He was born in Auburn but grew up in Seattle’s Central District. He began as a disc jockey for parties at local community centers and regularly played at the Rainier Vista Boys and Girls Club and Rotary Boys and Girls Club in the 1980s.

Sir Mix-a-Lot had many collaborations with popular artists and performed with the Seattle Symphony as part of the Sonic Evolution series. When the pandemic hit, he was one of the Seattle musicians who took part in a virtual relief concert in June 2020 that helped raise about $45 million for local venues across the state.



Photo source: The Seattle Times




Compiled by Cyndee Navarro of my office.


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