Dear Friends:

Today’s update includes information on our recent virtual “Good Eggs” Community Forum, Federal Way’s Time Capsule, Sound Transit’s additional services on ST Express routes, travel updates, and more.

Washington Trivia

How did Woodinville get its name?

(Answer is at the bottom).




Virtual “Good Eggs” Community Forum

South King County leaders and community members had the opportunity to participate in a virtual community forum yesterday, November 11th, with The Seattle Times Editorial Page Editor Kate Riley. Kate shared her journey and role as an editor, the evolving world of journalism today, and provided a review of the election results in King County and the nation. To those who would like to hear her perspective on journalism, the election results, and the filters their editorial board used to make recommendations for voters, you may watch the recorded version of the forum on my Facebook page.



With Kate Riley, The Seattle Times Editorial Page Editor



With South King County elected officials and community members.


Federal Way Time Capsule 2050

Last week, I had the privilege to witness Federal Way’s Time Capsule closing ceremony at the Performing Arts and Event Center. The time capsule aims to capture and preserve historical moments of the city following its 30th anniversary this year, while also looking forward to its next 30 years when the capsule is opened in 2050.



With Federal Way Mayor Jim Ferrell



With Federal Way Mayor Jim Ferrell, Sen. Claire Wilson, Mayor Emeritus Jeanne Burbidge, Federal Way Councilmembers Greg Baruso, Linda Kochmar, Leandra Craft, Martin Moore, Hoang Tran and Lydia Assefa-Dawson, Rep. Jesse Johnson, Mayor Emeritus Mary Gates and Mayor Emeritus Mike Park


Sound Transit to increase service on some ST Express routes

In response to increases in ridership, Sound Transit is planning to add services on the following ST Express routes:

• Route 522 will have two morning trips and one afternoon trip beginning Monday, November 16th.

• Route 574 will have an additional early morning northbound trip beginning Sunday, December 20th.

• Route 590 will have nine additional northbound trips in early morning between 4:30 am and 7:30 am beginning Sunday, December 20th.

• Routh 577/578 will have extra morning, midday, and afternoon peak trips beginning Sunday, December 20th, to fill in gaps in the Sounder schedule.

Passengers can see schedules with full details of the service changes at https://www.soundtransit.org/ride-with-us/changes-affect-my-ride/service-changes.


FlyHealthy@SEA Update

Sea-Tac International Airport (SEA) is preparing for holiday travel as COVID-19 cases continue to increase. The airport expects departures on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving to reach 29,000 and 29,500 on the Sunday after Thanksgiving. While this is down from the 100,000 travelers who traveled at the same time last year, it is much higher than the daily departure number of 18,000 to 20,000 since COVID-19 hit. Below are some updates and useful information regarding holiday travel during COVID-19.

Travel and COVID-19 Testing. Sea-Tac International Airport (SEA) and Washington state do not require COVID-19 testing prior to travel or quarantines upon arrival, but SEA has begun a partnership with Discovery Health MD to do COVID-19 testing for ticketed passengers heading to destinations that require arriving passengers to have been tested. The COVID-19 PCR testing is by appointment, up to 72 hours in advance of your travel, and there is a $250 charge for the testing. Results are returned the same or next day. For passengers departing from SEA and seeking a COVID-19 test before travel other than at the Airport, you can find out more information and some suggested testing sites here.

Efforts to making and keeping SEA a healthy place. Aviation Director Lance Lyttle recently outlined the science, partnerships, and customer service elements to making and keeping SEA a healthy place for people to fly in and out of. His blog post can be found here.

Virtual Tour Video. For those looking to travel, there have been a number of changes at the Airport that you can learn about on this virtual tour video available here.


King County Case Update

Today, Seattle – King County Public Health reported 622 new cases, bringing the total in King County to 32,570. In addition, Public Health reported 10 new deaths, bringing the total in the county to 826.

Stay In. Stay Healthy. Stay Strong.

Pete von Reichbauer
King County Councilmember




Washington trivia answer:

Originally inhabited by Native Americans who called themselves s-tsah-PAHBSH, which means willow people, Woodinville was located along the banks of the Squak Slough, now known as Sammamish River.

In 1870s, the Woodins were the first European American settlers who arrived in the area, building a home on 160 acres of land. Homesteaders and loggers gradually moved in and later created lumber mills. The Sammamish River served as the highway for the early pioneers due to the absence of roads. Steamboats were used as the mode of transportation until the Seattle, Lake Short and Eastern Railroad arrived in late 1880s.

The Woodins built a general store next to the railroad and their cabin served as the first school, church, informal doctor’s office and post office. In a few years, a whole town built up around them and became known as Woodinville.