Dear Friends:

Today’s update includes information on recognizing Seattle Police Chief Carmen Best, a grant awarded to Thomas Jefferson High School, a new free COVID-19 testing site in Auburn, health updates, and more.

Washington Trivia

Where did Federal Way get its name?

(Answer is at the bottom).



Recognizing Seattle Police Chief Carmen Best

Today at the King County Council meeting, I had the opportunity to recognize Seattle Police Chief Carmen Best for her 28-year career. Chief Best was instrumental in working with King County and my committee (Government Accountability and Oversight) to enhance the police presence around the King County Courthouse to protect staff, visitors and jurors.

If we want to ensure that our law enforcement agencies reflect our communities, we need more people like Carmen Best involved in law enforcement, especially as leaders. Chief Best got involved 28 years ago, worked her way up through the ranks, ascending to the highest level of achievement through her enduring commitment to service, equality and justice. Carmen was a trailblazer, and her leadership will be missed by many in our region.

Raiders Baseball Program Awarded $11,000 Grant

I met with Thomas Jefferson High School’s Baseball Coach Joseph Townsend to discuss an $11,000 King County “Get Active, Stay Active” grant that was recently awarded to the Raiders baseball program. While construction is on-going at the school, the grant will help the Raiders play games and meet their equipment needs. Go Raiders!


With Thomas Jefferson HS Baseball and Bowling Coach Joseph Townsend.

New Free COVID-19 Testing Site in Auburn

Starting today, September 1st, a new testing site in Auburn will bring additional free COVID-19 testing to south King County where communities have been disproportionately impacted by the pandemic. Public Health Seattle – King County (PHSKC) is partnering with UW Medicine and Atlas Genomics in order to ensure quick turnaround times of testing results.

Community members are strongly encouraged to pre-register online to save time and speed up the testing process. Clients will not be charged for testing. Bring your insurance card and driver’s license if you have them. No one will be turned away if they do not have insurance or a driver’s license. Language interpretation available at testing site.



2701 C St SW, Auburn, WA 98001
East side of the General Services Administration (GSA) property along C St SW.
Hours: Monday-Saturday; 9:30 AM - 4:30 PM | Register for appointments
Opening September 1st, 2020

If you need help with registration, call the King County COVID-19 Call Center (open every day from 8:00AM – 7:00PM), at 206-477-3977. Visit Public Health’s testing location webpage for a full list of testing locations across King County.

Weekly King County Health Update: Bike Helmets and Bicycle Safety

Bicycling is a great way to travel and exercise around King County. During the summer, more people are bicycling. Unfortunately, bicycling comes with its own risks. According to Public Health, there were 2-3 bicycling deaths each year and 42 bike-related severe injuries from 2013-2016 in King County.

Studies show that wearing helmets can help with these injuries. A review of several published studies found that bike helmets provide a 63-88% reduction in the risk of injury for all bike riders. If you or someone you know rides without a helmet, please remind them to wear one. Wearing a helmet while bicycling is the law. No matter your age, you are required to wear a helmet, and you can be cited for not wearing one.

To learn more about helmet safety, please click here. To learn how you can find free or low-cost bike helmets in King County, please click here.

New simulations show how a strong tsunami could affect our state

The Washington Department of Natural Resources released new simulations showing how a powerful tsunami could affect the coastal and shoreline communities in the state. As Chief Hazards Geologist Corina Allen and other geologists create simulations detailing the impact of a tsunami on specific communities in the wake of a major earthquake, experts and researchers warn that now is the time to prepare. Read more about this KOMO News article or visit the Department of Natural Resources website to see the simulations.

King County Case Update

Today, Seattle – King County Public Health reported 46 new cases, bringing the total in King County to 19,711. In addition, Public Health reported 4 new deaths, bringing the total in the county to 724.

Stay In. Stay Healthy. Stay Strong.

Pete von Reichbauer
King County Councilmember



Washington trivia answer:

According to History Link, Federal Way was originally a logging settlement and was used by Native Americans who lived along the White and Green rivers as seasonal campgrounds.

In 1850s, a survey was made for a road to connect Fort Steilacoom and Fort Bellingham. Constructed for military use, the road was named Military Road and the section from Pierce County to Seattle was completed in 1860. Sam Stone was the first homesteader who moved into the general Federal Way area, establishing his homestead in 1871 at what is now Redondo, and was originally called Stone’s Landing. In 1890, Taylor Webb moved to the spot where the Commons Mall is today.

In 1915, talks of having a new highway that would travel the entire western coast of the nation resulted in the construction of a paved road between Seattle and Tacoma. Federal funds were secured in 1925 for the project, which was completed in 1928. According to Wikipedia, the name Federal Way was first used in 1929, derived from the name of the new road, Federal Highway U.S. 99, now known as State Route 99 or Pacific Highway South.