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 a recent visit to a local plumbing and pipefitting center with UA Local 32, local traffic closures due to Federal Way Link construction, an Auburn native’s Olympic performance, EPRAP Advisory Committee applications, the Washington State Fair, health updates and more.


Washington Trivia

This Kentwood High School alumnus was recently named a 2021 WNBA All-Star. Who is she?

(Answer is at the bottom).




Plumbing and Pipefitting Center Tour with UA Local 32

Too often, we take for granted the pipes at home and work, but I won’t after touring the plumbing and pipefitting center with Kent Mayor Dana Ralph. PJ Moss (a FWHS alum) is the training coordinator for this great apprenticeship program! Congratulations to UA Local 32 on leading the way for the next generation of skilled workers!!



With Kent Mayor Dana Ralph and Training Coordinator PJ Moss


Lane closures on South 272nd Street for Federal Way Link construction

Crews working on the Federal Way Link Extension will be closing lanes on South 272nd Street between I-5 and South Star Lake Road starting as early as Friday, Aug. 6. Crews will be placing barriers along South 272nd for utility work. Traffic will be reduced to one lane in both directions. Work will take place from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. The lane closures will last approximately four weeks. For more information on the Federal Way Link Extension and to sign up for project updates, visit https://www.soundtransit.org/system-expansion/federal-way-link-extension.


Auburn’s Harrison Maurus finishes 4th in Olympic weightlifting final, best US result in 33 years!

After a near-perfect performance, Auburn weightlifter Harrison Maurus ended up one spot shy of the podium in his Olympic debut. It was the best an American has performed in Olympic weightlifting since 1988. At only 21 years of age, the future remains bright for the Auburn Riverside High School graduate. Congratulations, Harrison!

Read more about the performance at: www.seattletimes.com/sports/olympics/harrison-maurus-finishes-fourth-in-olympic-weightlifting-final-for-best-us-result-in-33-years/.



Photo Source: The Associated Press


Applications for EPRAP Advisory Committee Now Open

King County is recruiting renters to serve on the King County Eviction Prevention and Rental Assistance Program Advisory Committee. The nine-member committee will provide input on policy, design, and funding allocation of EPRAP. The committee will ensure EPRAP is serving the needs of the communities experiencing disproportionate health and economic impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic, including those who performed essential work during the COVID-19 pandemic and those who historically have been disproportionately impacted by inequities and discrimination related to housing.

Learn more about the ERAP Advisory Committee here. Applications will be accepted until 5pm Tuesday, August 17, 2021.


FUSION event provides support for families in need of transitional housing in South King County

It was great to be back in person at the Dumas Bay Center for the annual FUSION event supporting transitional housing for families in South King County. Formed around a dining table by Peggy LaPorte and friends in 1993, today the organization continues to provide critical services to those in our community who need a hand.



With FUSION Founder Peggy LaPorte


Washington State Fair plans to carry on despite rise in COVID cases

After the pandemic cancelled it last year for the first time since World War II, this year’s Washington State Fair will go on. According to Fair spokeswoman Stacy Van Horne, they are checking with state health department officials regularly to make sure the fair is following proper health and safety protocols. There will be more sanitation points, including additional hand wash stations, plus most of the fair is held outside. The fair is scheduled to run from September 3-26. Read more about the decision here.


Weekly King County Health Updates

Fiber – the unsung hero of a healthy diet

A diet rich in dietary fiber is associated with a lower risk of death from cardiovascular, infectious, and respiratory diseases; however, 95% of U.S. adults and children do not consume the recommended daily amounts. Additionally, foods rich in fiber – fresh fruits and vegetables, legumes, whole grains, and nuts – are good sources of health-boosting vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, and eating them helps maintain a healthy weight and reduces the risk of type 2 diabetes and some cancers. The Cleveland Clinic offers tips for increasing fiber in your daily diet.

Vaccination and masking are even more important now

The rapid increase in COVID-19 cases and developing information about the Delta variant have prompted Puget Sound health experts to strongly recommend a two-pronged approach to staying healthy and keeping our community safe: get fully vaccinated and wear a mask irrespective of vaccination status in indoor public spaces.

The Delta variant is the predominant strain in the U.S. and recently released data by the CDC indicates that it differs greatly from previous variants/ Although the Delta variant can infect fully vaccinated people, health experts emphasize that getting vaccinated is still critical because it often prevents the severe illness, hospitalization, or death seen in unvaccinated people.

In areas of high or substantial COVID-19 transmission, everyone (>2 years of age) is urged to wear a well-fitting and good quality mask in indoor public settings. Universal masking will better protect everyone, including children who are not eligible to be vaccinated and people who have reduced immunity because of age or specific health conditions, and it will reduce the transmission that could produce a more troublesome variant in the future. Read more about King County local guidelines.


King County COVID-19 Case Update

Today, Seattle – King County Public Health reported 639 new positive cases*, bringing the total in King County to 119,998. In addition, Public Health reported 6 new deaths, bringing the total in the county to 1,690.

*WA Department of Health is processing a large backlog of positive and negative COVID test results from 7/26/21 – 8/1/21 causing an above average number of new positive cases. King County is currently seeing about 350 new cases per day over the past week. 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:

Courtney Vandersloot, who attended Kentwood High School and Gonzaga University, was recently named a WNBA All-Star for the third time. Born in Kent to parents who both worked for Boeing, she became a local star at Kentwood High School. During her senior year, Vandersloot was named the WA state girls basketball player of the year while leading Kentwood to a third-place finish in the state tournament. Her success continued at Gonzaga University, where she became the first player in NCAA Division I history to score over 2,000 points and record 1,000 assists. She has spent her entire 11-year WNBA career with the Chicago Sky. As a professional, Vandersloot holds the WNBA single season record for assists and has been named to the All-WNBA First Team the past two seasons.

Photo source: Lorie Shaull


Compiled by Joey Schneider of my office.

To unsubscribe or update your preferences, click here.
1. Enter your email address and click confirm.
2. Select the subscription/s you want to unsubscribe from and click submit.