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

Dear Friends:

Today’s update includes news about my recent tour of a new Boeing 737 MAX 9, the Taste of Federal Way, a visit from a Ukrainian Mayor, application requests for a senior mobile medical outreach team, the new statewide ban on plastic bags, a book written by local victim advocate Lew Cox, COVID-19 booster shots and more.


Washington Trivia

This Auburn High School graduate is an actor who won multiple MTV Movie and Teen Choice Awards for his role in the film Twilight. Who is he?

(Answer is at the bottom).




Tour of Boeing 737 MAX 9

If it’s not Boeing, I’m not going! As a South King County resident, I was pleased to tour the new Boeing 737 MAX 9, which is designed to reduce the noise footprint of the aircraft through changes to the engine nacelles. I am proud to support an important local company that provides so much to our region through their work in the community and the thousands of jobs provided to our local economy.



Checking out the cockpit of a new Boeing 737 MAX 9


Taste of Federal Way

Happy to join Federal Way School District Superintendent Dr. Dani Pfeiffer and other judges at the Taste of Federal Way last Saturday, September 25th at The Commons. Congratulations to Rose Ehl and Karla Kolibab on hosting nearly 1000 guests. Great charity, great food and great weather!



With FWSD Superintendent Dr. Dani Pfeiffer at the Taste of Federal Way


Mayor of Rivne, Ukraine Visits Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic Center

Last week, Ukrainian Mayor Oleksandr Tretyak of Rivne and Regional Council Chairman Serhii Yuriiovych brought a delegation to King County. As this delegation represents the home of swimming Olympian Mykhailo Romanchuk, I hosted pizza at the pool from the 10-meter diving platform so they could visit the training site for many of our Olympians. Thanks to Mike Dunwiddie and Deanna Bogomaz of the King County Aquatic Center for their help.



Standing atop the 10-meter diving platform with Honorary Consul Valeriy Goloborodko, Mayor Oleksandr Tretyak, Deanna Bogomaz, and Regional Ukrainian Council Chairman Serhii Yuriiovych


Senior Mobile Medical Outreach Applications Request

With funding from King County's Veterans, Seniors and Human Services Levy, Public Health – Seattle & King County is requesting applications from community-based agencies to provide mobile medical, behavioral health, and social services for low-income seniors in King County by establishing a senior mobile medical outreach team. Applications are due by November 19th, 2021. Click here to access the full RFA details.


Ban on single-use plastic bags

Gov. Jay Inslee signed the plastic bag ban into law in March of 2020, but it was delayed due to a supply issue during the start of the coronavirus pandemic. A statewide ban on plastic bags will go into effect starting this Friday, October 1st. The bag ban prohibits the distribution of single-use plastic carry-out bags by restaurants, retail, small vendor, and grocery stores. An 8-cent charge for other bags will be implemented. The bag charge helps stores cover the cost of paper or reusable bags and create an incentive for shoppers to bring their own bags. Click here for more information.


Local victim advocate Lew Cox seeks to help families dealing with traumatic death

Our region has many heroes, one of whom is Des Moines Police chaplain Lew Cox, who I first met when I was 12 years old. Lew and his wife are deeply involved in victim advocacy, and this is what led him and Highline College professor Bob Baugher to write a book entitled Coping with Traumatic Death: Homicide. The book is about dealing with the trauma of the murder of a loved one.



With Lew Cox at the Federal Way Veteran’s Flag Pavilion dedication


New higher education center, “The Hub,” opens in Federal Way

A partnership with Highline College, the University of Washington-Tacoma, the city of Federal Way, and Federal Way Public Schools has made “The Hub” a reality. The Hub features two classrooms, a computer lab, studying spaces, and offices to help provide post-secondary and adult education to Federal Way and the surrounding communities. Read more in the Federal Way Mirror article here.


Weekly King County Health Updates

CDC Recommendations for the Pfizer-BioNTech Booster Shot

To strengthen protection against and reduce complications of severe disease, the CDC has approved a booster shot for certain vulnerable people and for those in high risk occupational and institutional settings. The booster is for people who are already fully vaccinated by the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine and is to be administered at least 6 months after the second dose of their primary series. CDC recommendations include:

• people 65 years and older and residents in long-term care facilities
• people aged 50-64 years with underlying medical conditions
• people aged 18–49 years with underlying medical conditions may receive a booster based on their individual benefits and risks
• people aged 18-64 years who are at increased risk for COVID-19 exposure and transmission because of occupational or institutional setting may receive a booster based on their individual benefits and risks.

People with moderately to seriously impaired immune systems may not build the same level of protection compared to people who are not immunocompromised. The CDC continues to recommend a third shot at least 28 days after completion of their primary series of Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccine – the third shot should be the same as their primary series vaccine. Booster shots for Moderna and J&J are currently under review.

Preventing Childhood Obesity

The CDC reports that 1 in 5 American children has obesity. Although the rate of King County youth with obesity is at 11%, the numbers are increasing as nearly 22% are overweight or at risk of becoming overweight. These children are at higher risk for lifelong health issues including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and asthma. Additionally, they are more likely to be bullied and experience social isolation, depression, and lower self-esteem. Although obesity has many contributing factors, parents and caregivers can help in these keyways:

• Healthy Diet – nutritious, lower-calorie foods and ample water
• Regular Physical Activity – 60 minutes/day helps build strong muscles, bones, and hearts.
• Reduce Added Sugar – aiming for no more than 10% added sugar in children aged 2 and older
• Reduce Screen Time – phone, computer, tv or video games impact sleep and physical activity
• Sleep Well – good sleep helps prevent chronic physical and mental health issues
• Lead by Example – be role models for your children by taking care of your own health
• Schedule recommended health visits for your children
• King County Resources – food, health, and other support services can be found here.


King County COVID-19 Case Update

Today, Seattle – King County Public Health reported 520 new positive cases, bringing the total in King County to 151,646. In addition, Public Health reported 4 new deaths, bringing the total in the county to 1,887.

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:

Cam Gigandet was born in Tacoma and graduated from Auburn High School in 2001. His family co-founded the popular restaurant chain The Rock, Wood Fired Pizza & Spirits. After making his acting debut in 2003, he landed a recurring role on the Fox teen drama The O.C. Gigandet is most known for being frequently cast as the villain, most notably in the films Never Back Down and Twilight, both of which led to him winning MTV Movie and Teen Choice Awards for his roles. He still works as an actor in California where he lives with his girlfriend and their three children.

Photo source: Listal


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.