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

Dear Friends:

Today’s update includes news about Recognizing former Governor and US Senator Dan Evans, the Upcoming General Elections, our "Good Eggs" Breakfast Meeting with WaFd President & CEO Brent Beardall, the King County Storefront Repair Grants, the Taste of Federal Way, Flood Season Preparation in King County, the Seattle Sonics Legends Fund, Honoring the Conna Family, Remembering Bob Kellogg, transit, crime and health updates, and more.




Washington Trivia

This highway connecting Seattle and Tacoma opened 95 years ago on October 18, 1928. What is it?
(Answer is at the bottom).




King County Council Recognizes Dan Evans

98 years and counting! I was honored to co-sponsor with King County Councilmember Jeanne Kohl-Welles a celebration of former Governor/US Senator/College President Dan Evans’ commitment to serve others: it was not the number of years he has lived, but WHAT he has done in those 98 years! His wife Nancy is his partner in service! Visit The Seattle Times article here.



With King County Councilmembers Joe McDermott, Claudia Balducci, Jeanne Kohl-Welles, Dave Upthegrove, Girmay Zahilay, Nancy Evans, former WA Governor/US Senator Dan Evans, Dan Evans Jr., King County Assessor John Wilson, King County Executive Dow Constantine, King County Prosecuting Attorney Leesa Manion, and King County Councilmember Rod Dembowski


Upcoming General Elections

Yesterday, King County Elections began mailing out ballots to 1.4 million registered voters in King County, which should arrive in mailboxes by Monday, October 23rd. If voters do not receive a ballot by Monday, voters should call King County Elections at 206-296-VOTE (8683).

Ballot Drop Boxes | Vote Centers | Ballot Alerts | Signature Challenge


“Good Eggs” Breakfast with Washington Federal Bank President & CEO Brent Beardall

Our monthly “Good Eggs” breakfasts are always educational but having Brent Beardall as our guest speaker at our September “Good Eggs” made it inspirational as well. As the President & CEO of WaFd, Brent had been my guest speaker twice before, but this time it was after he survived a tragic plane crash. At this meeting, Brent mixed his economic projections with the personal lessons he learned from the crash and his own incredible rehabilitation.



With Federal Way Mayor Jim Ferrell, WaFd President & CEO Brent Beardall, Auburn Mayor Nancy Backus, Kent Mayor Dana Ralph, and Auburn Councilmember Larry Brown




King County Offers Storefront Repair Grants to Help Victims of Vandalism

Small businesses in unincorporated King County can apply for funding to repair damage caused by vandalism or break-ins they have experienced since the COVID-19 pandemic began in March 2020. The program serves small businesses (10 employees or less) by providing a one-time grant up to $5,000 to repair any damage and restore storefronts of commercial buildings occupied by operating businesses. Retail, grocery, food service, and personal, professional, or medical services are eligible to apply. Applications are accepted from October 1st through December 31st, 2023, subject to funding availability.

For program guidelines and applications, please visit the Storefront Repair Grant Program page. For questions or application assistance, email localbusinessgrants@kingcounty.gov.


Taste of Federal Way

It was a great day for local non-profits. Rose Ehl and her Taste of Federal Way team asked me to be a judge as nearly 1,000 people bought tickets to support local charities and taste great food.



With Taste of Federal Way Events Director Rose Ehl and fellow judges: Sound Transit Community Engagement Specialist Alonzo Buckner, Federal Way Police Chief Andy Hwang, Harborstone Credit Union Manager Jayde DelGado, and South King Fire Assistant Chief Kevin Crossen


How to Prepare for a Long and Unpredictable Flood Season in King County

The most common natural disaster in King County is flooding. There have been 29 flood-related federal disaster declarations in the county since 1956, and the science is clear that climate change will increase flood risks to our region. Even minor flooding can cause big disruptions to our infrastructure, closing roads and requiring costly clean-up and repairs to property.

In King County, flooding is most common from October through April. This year, experts predict an El Niño weather pattern. This typically means a warmer, drier winter in our region. However, King County has experienced damaging flood events even in El Niño winters, such as the 2015-2016 flood season. By preparing now, you can help keep you, your family, and your property safe. Read more.




Seattle Sonics Legends Fund

The score of the pre-season game between Clippers and Jazz at the Climate Pledge Arena was 103 to 98, but the best SCORERS were those who came together before the game to support Sandy Gregory, Tod Leiweke, and the Legends program to help Seattle Sonic and Seahawk players who have fallen on hard times after the game is over and the cheering has stopped. Slick Watts, who is recovering from a stroke, was a special guest at the reception.



With former Seattle SuperSonics Coach, Player, and NBA Hall of Famer Lenny Wilkens


Honoring the Conna Family

Who were John and Mary Conna? If you visit the King County Metro bus stop on 320th St. in Federal Way, you will get a history lesson about these Black, Northwest pioneers who settled a 157-acre homestead in South King County. John was the first Black political appointee in Washington state and left a legacy of public service, transformation, and determination. Beverly Kelly and Ghana Thomas were just two of the proud relatives to attend the dedication.




King County Metro Unveils New Colors for its Electric Bus Fleet

King County Metro recently unveiled one of its next generation battery-electric buses wrapped in the new colors of the fleet called “The New Energy,” which is a mix of electric yellow and seafoam blue, a visual representation of Metro’s commitment to helping combat climate change and will be outfitted on all the new vehicles joining the fleet. There will be two separate designs: a color mix of blues, yellows, and greens across the top of Metro’s standard fleet, and purple joining the familiar red that represents Metro’s RapidRide fleet across the top of those buses. Read more in the Metro Matters blog here.




Remembering Bob Kellogg

The city of Federal Way lost a long-time advocate and supporter in Bob Kellogg when he passed away on September 26th. Bob was known for his many contributions to the Federal Way community, including serving as a Federal Way Parks Commissioner and the Federal Way Kiwanis Club, as well as on the Mayor’s Veterans Committee and various other committees.

In the early 1990s, Bob also served as a board member for the Brooklake Community Center and worked hard to ensure the preservation of the building. More recently, Bob worked on the installation of the United States flag on South 320th Street, which the city of Federal Way lowered in his honor after his passing.

Federal Way was blessed to have had such a good friend, citizen, and volunteer in Bob Kellogg and while his loss is deeply felt, the good works that he did will live on. Read more in the Federal Way Mirror article here.



Photo Source: FW Mirror


Non-Profit Corner

South King County Non-Profit Organizations

Auburn Food Bank 
https://www.theauburnfoodbank.org/

Auburn Valley Humane Society 
https://www.auburnvalleyhs.org/

Bloodworks Northwest 
https://schedule.bloodworksnw.org/DonorPortal/

Federal Way Kiwanis
https://federalwaykiwanis.square.site/

Federal Way Senior Center
https://www.federalwayseniorcenter.org/

FUSION Décor Boutique
https://www.fusiondecorboutique.com/

Multi-Service Center Food Bank  
https://mschelps.org/getinvolved/donations/  

The Salvation Army 
https://federalway.salvationarmy.org/federal_way_corps

Donations for Maui Residents
Maui County has listed links to organizations accepting donations to benefit Maui residents affected by fires.





Crime and Law Enforcement Updates

This update is intended to inform you about what is happening in our communities and where. My hope is that this information will not only make us better informed, but also provide us with solutions for how we can address the issues facing our community as we move forward. Click the following links to see crime information in Auburn, Federal Way, and all of King County.

To report illegal street racing in your neighborhood, dial 911.



For a complete list of benefits for public safety officers and survivors as shared by Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.), click here.


Health Updates

Public Health Insider: Accessing Nutritious Food

A new statewide policy recognizes that even a household of three making nearly $100,000 can still experience food insecurity. This policy lowers barriers to accessing food banks by making households with incomes up to 400% of the federal poverty level eligible. Four hundred percent of the federal poverty level is $58,320 for a single person and $99,440 for a family of three. Plus, the new policy removes a geographic requirement and allows food banks to provide this food to anyone in the state. Read more in the Public Health Insider blog here.

King County COVID-19 Case Update

Yesterday, Seattle – King County Public Health reported 113 daily average positive cases, bringing the total in King County to 572,342. In addition, Public Health reported 0.7 daily average deaths, bringing the total in the county to 3,647.

For more information on the latest data, visit the King County COVID Daily Summary Dashboard here.



Vaccine Locator: To find COVID-19 vaccine appointments, visit Vaccine Locator.

For the uninsured and underinsured: Visit Vaccines.gov to find appointments near you. This website will allow users to search for locations that offer "Bridge Access Program" vaccines for uninsured and underinsured people.

For students: School Based Health Centers (SBHCs) offer free vaccinations for students at many schools including COVID-19, flu, and required childhood vaccines. For information and to find a SBHC, visit kingcounty.gov/immunization/SBHC.

For in-home vaccination: Call 206-848-0243, weekdays, from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm. Say your preferred language when connected. You will be asked a few questions to confirm you are eligible for in-home vaccination. When scheduling, please note how many people in your home would like to get vaccinated.

For veterans: Call 1-800-698-2411 or visit www.va.gov/health-care/covid-19-vaccine.

For more information, visit getting vaccinated or getting tested in King County.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat https://988lifeline.org/ to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

Find your King County Council district here.


With best wishes,

Pete von Reichbauer
King County Councilmember




Washington trivia answer:

On October 18th, 1928, exactly 95 years ago, Highway 99 officially opened between Seattle and Tacoma. The 24-mile road consisted of a twenty-foot-wide concrete section, connecting the cities of Seattle and Tacoma. The dedication ceremonies took place near Angle Lake with Governor Roland Hartley and the mayors of Seattle and Tacoma being the speakers.

The highway was an improvement over the two existing roads commonly used in the 1920s. It became a part of the Pacific Highway, and later U.S. Route 99, which runs from Vancouver, BC to San Diego, CA, and served as the main transportation channel in the West Coast before it was surpassed by Interstate 5 in the 1960s.



Photo source: The Seattle Times, March 27, 1927

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