Dear Friends:

Today’s update includes information on the grant that was awarded to the Auburn School District, an upcoming King County Local Services virtual town hall for residents in unincorporated areas of South King County, King County Metro and Sound Transit service changes, and more.

Washington Trivia

When was the incorporation of Auburn, Washington?

(Answer is at the bottom).



Auburn School District Awarded $40,000 Grant

I met with Auburn School District Superintendent Dr. Alan Spicciati at the Auburn Memorial Stadium to talk about a $40,000 grant to their district to help young athletes get the equipment they need to play school sports. According to a recent study from the University of Wisconsin, more than two-thirds of high school athletes report anxiety and depression since the beginning of the pandemic. Sports bring people together and build community, and I look forward to seeing our amateur (and professional) athletes back on the field soon.


With Auburn School District Superintendent Dr. Alan Spicciati.

King County Local Services Virtual Town Hall

On September 8th, King County Local Services is hosting a virtual town hall event for residents in the unincorporated areas east of Federal Way from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM. Local Services will provide a Zoom link that attendees can use to join the meeting as it gets closer to the day of the event. Aside from Local Services representatives, participants will hear directly from their local government leaders as well as other departments that serve the unincorporated areas and will discuss how services are delivered during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Please visit Local Services’ website, their Facebook and Instagram pages, and/or sign up for email and Nextdoor alerts, to get updates about the event.

More Reliable Transportation in South King County from Metro

King County Metro has collaborated with members of the community and local organizations to provide better and more reliable transportation in our area. Starting September 19th, Metro is changing routes in South King County to get you where you need to go. These changes will improve bus service through improved efficiency, more convenient routes and better east-west travel. Learn more about what’s changing, check whether your route is affected, and review the latest guidance on how to ride safely at www.kingcounty.gov/GetReady.

Sound Transit Service Changes

Sound Transit's annual fall service change will begin mid-September. Visit the Service Changes site for more information.

Starting September 19th, service on Link Light Rail will run every eight minutes during peak hours on weekdays, every 15 minutes on weekends and off-peak on weekdays, and every 30 minutes in the evenings.

Starting September 20th, service changes on ST Express bus routes operated by Community Transit or Pierce Transit will take place.

Starting September 21st, Sounder South will increase to nine round trips from seven round trips, and schedule adjustments will be made to a number of ST Express routes to better meet rider demand.



Free PPE and Food Drive-thru Event at ShoWare Center in Kent

The City of Kent is partnering with ShoWare Center and Pacific Coast Fruit Co. to distribute free face masks, hand sanitizers, and food boxes to Kent residents on Friday, August 28th at the ShoWare Center Parking Lot, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Learn more about it here.

I-5 to close overnight in Federal Way Aug. 28-30

A five-mile stretch along Interstate 5 between State Route 18 in Federal Way and 54th Avenue East in Fife will be closed in both directions by the state Department of Transportation for installation of ten, 220-foot-long girders for the new 70th Avenue East Bridge as part of the State Route 167 Completion Project.

Friday, August 28 to Saturday August 29
• I-5 NB and SB lane closures begin Friday at 8:00 PM
• All lanes closed on I-5 at 11:00 PM between 54th Ave East in Fife and SR 18 in Federal Way
• Lanes begin reopening Saturday at 8:00 AM
• All lanes reopen by noon Saturday

Saturday August 29 to Sunday August 30
• I-5 NB and SB lane closures begin Saturday at 8:00 PM
• All lanes closed on I-5 at 11:00 PM between 54th Ave East in Fife and SR 18 in Federal Way
• Lanes begin reopening Sunday at 8:00 AM
• All lanes reopen by noon Sunday

King County Case Update

Today, Seattle – King County Public Health reported 128 new cases, bringing the total in King County to 19,177. In addition, Public Health reported 2 new deaths, bringing the total in the county to 717.

Stay In. Stay Healthy. Stay Strong.

Pete von Reichbauer
King County Councilmember



Washington trivia answer:

Located near the original confluence of the Green and White rivers, the city of Auburn was incorporated on June 13, 1891. Though the first outside explorers and traders reached the region in 1830s, it was originally home to the Skopamish, Smalhkamish and Stkamish tribes. In the 1850s, the first non-indigenous settlers came to the valley. In 1855, conflicts began to arise as treaties had been signed with tribes throughout the Puget Sound, but these conflicts were eventually resolved when a new treaty was written, resulting in the establishment of the Muckleshoot reservation.

The Neely family, one of the earliest pioneer families in Auburn, was one of the first to return to the town followed by new families that eventually formed a small community. In 1866, Dr. Levi Ballard, who set up a medical practice and a general store, filed the first plat for the town.

Originally called Slaughter, which was named after the fallen Lt. William Slaughter who led the military unit that responded to the Treaty Wars, the town was renamed Auburn on February 21, 1893, although the exact reason for choosing the name Auburn is in dispute. Some people say it was named in honor of Auburn, New York for the area's shared reliance on hops farming. Others say it was from the first line of Oliver Goldsmith’s poem, The Deserted Village: "Sweet Auburn! Loveliest village of the plain." Whatever the reason, everyone did agree that Auburn was a better name for the town than Slaughter.