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

Dear Friends:

Today’s e-news includes information on Multi-Service Center’s 50th anniversary celebration, the new statewide mask mandate, the unveiling of the Edgar Martinez statue at T-Mobile Park, regional forest fires, a virtual open house for the South County Recycling and Transfer Station, COVID-19 outreach and engagement fund, health updates and more.


Washington Trivia

This former Seattle Sounders soccer player led Thomas Jefferson High School to a State 4A championship as a senior. Who is he?

(Answer is at the bottom).




Multi-Service Center Celebrates 50 Years!

Help...hope…and CHANGE! Since August 15, 1971, the Multi-Service Center (MSC) has served our South King County neighbors in need by providing food, housing support, employment, and other assistance. I was happy to join Cindy Ducich and Jeanne Burbidge at the MSC’s 50-year celebration this past week!



With Cindy Ducich and Jeanne Burbidge at the MSC 50th Anniversary Celebration Open House


Inslee announces educator vaccination requirement and statewide indoor mask mandate

Gov. Jay Inslee on Wednesday announced that masks would again be required for all people – regardless of vaccination status – in indoor settings beginning Monday, Aug. 23, and that most school, childcare and higher education employees must be vaccinated by Oct. 18. Most public places will fall under the mask mandate, including restaurants, grocery stores, malls and public-facing offices.

On Wednesday, every county in the state was ranked as either substantial or high transmission for the virus, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Additionally, Washington’s 35 local health officers have already recommended masking indoors regardless of vaccination status.

You can read the full announcement here.


CDC recommends COVID-19 testing for vaccinated individuals if showing symptoms

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently changed its guidance, recommending fully vaccinated people who have symptoms of COVID-19 to get tested and stay home and away from others. Read more in the KING 5 news article here.


Seattle Mariners Unveil Statue of Edgar Martinez

Congratulations to Seattle legend Edgar Martinez! Last week the Seattle Mariners hosted Martinez, his family, former teammates and most of the club’s employees for the unveiling along Edgar Martinez Drive, which is named after the Hall of Famer. Only the third statue dedication in club history, Edgar’s statue can be found on the first base side of T-Mobile Park.



Left photo: With Edgar Martinez. Right photo: Edgar Martinez and Ken Griffey Jr.


Pacific Northwest wildfires continue to rage across the region

As of Aug. 15, the region has seen 40 more large wildfires than in 2020, and over 1,000,000 more acres have burned. With no sign of the fires abating, Washington and Oregon have already seen more than 20 times more land burned by wildfires this year than last year. The Northwest Interagency Coordination Center reported two new large fires Monday morning--one near Chelan and the other northwest of Spokane. You can find the full KING 5 story here.

To educate yourself on fire safety and how to prevent brush fires, please explore these resources from the Valley Regional Fire Authority and South King Fire and Rescue.


Reminder: South King County Recycling and Transfer Station Virtual Open House

King County’s Solid Waste Division is in the process of designing a new recycling and waste transfer station that will replace the 1960s-era Algona Transfer Station. When it opens in mid-2025, the new station will offer a full array of recycling services, hazardous waste disposal for households and qualifying businesses, sustainable building features, public art, and other community benefits. Join us to learn more about this new facility and provide your input on the design updates at a virtual open house on Wednesday, August 25, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Register to attend the virtual open house by August 24 at this link. If you would like more information about the project, click here.



30% design rendering of the new station


COVID-19 Outreach and Engagement Fund

HealthierHere and Public Health — Seattle & King County are partnering to invest funds in community-based organizations in King County. Funding provided through the COVID-19 Outreach and Engagement Fund is intended to increase community access to scientifically accurate knowledge, an understanding of COVID-19 vaccines, and ultimately, vaccination rates. To accomplish these goals, funded organizations will make strategic investments to support culturally relevant and responsive community-based COVID-19 vaccination in communities disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 and/or with lower vaccination rates.

The application deadline for the COVID Outreach and Engagement Fund is due on August 27, 2021 at 11:59 p.m. Learn more about this funding opportunity offered by HealthierHere: kingcounty.gov/funding/covid-outreach.


Weekly King County Health Updates

Protect yourself from summer bites and stings

Pacific Northwesterners relish their outdoor time but during the warmer months, they must share their space with all sorts of stinging and biting insects including bees, wasps, and mosquitos. The WA Department of Health reminds us that although most encounters result in short-lived discomfort or minor skin irritation, some reactions to insect stings or bites can be severe and even fatal in vulnerable people. Immediate medical attention is necessary with these symptoms. Following these expert tips are sound ways to prevent unpleasant or even life-threatening encounters with our winged cohabitants.

CDC recommendations for pregnant and recently pregnant people

The CDC is encouraging COVID-19 vaccination for all people who are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, who might become pregnant, and those breastfeeding - all of whom are at increased risk for severe COVID-19 illness, hospitalization, and death compared to non-pregnant people. Also, pregnant people with COVID-19 illness are at increased risk for preterm birth and possible adverse pregnancy outcomes. New CDC analysis and previous data from three safety monitoring systems did not find any safety concerns for pregnant people who were vaccinated late in pregnancy or for their babies. The CDC offers more information on preventive measures.


King County COVID-19 Case Update

Today, Seattle – King County Public Health reported 852 new positive cases, bringing the total in King County to 128,488. In addition, Public Health reported 6 new deaths, bringing the total in the county to 1,722.

Recent data may be incomplete. For more information, visit the King County Daily Summary 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.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255 or Text TALK to 741-741


Stay Healthy. Stay Strong.

Pete von Reichbauer
King County Councilmember




Washington trivia answer:

Lamar Neagle, born in Tacoma, WA, attended Federal Way’s Thomas Jefferson high school. While at Thomas Jefferson, Neagle led his team to a State 4A championship during his senior season and set a school record by scoring six goals in one game. Lamar went on to a four-year collegiate career at UNLV prior to joining the Seattle Sounders upon graduation. During his seven-year MLS career, he scored a total of 39 goals for the Seattle Sounders, D.C. United, and Montreal Impact.

Photo source: Joe Nuxoll


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