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

Dear Friends:

Today’s update includes news about our most recent virtual “Good Eggs” breakfast, Multi-Service Center’s 50th anniversary, information about flood season preparation and sandbags distribution locations in King County, King County’s Eviction Protection and Rent Assistance Program, a traffic detour at the Federal Way Transit Center, a new exhibit at the Pacific Bonsai Museum, health updates and more.


Washington Trivia

This Auburn native became the first woman in the United States Navy Supply Corps promoted to flag rank. Who is she?

(Answer is at the bottom).




Virtual “Good Eggs” Breakfast

What is the #1 Trauma Center in the Northwest? Harborview Medical Center. The 90-year-old center is owned by King County and operated by the University of Washington. Last week, I was joined by Harborview CEO Sommer Kleweno-Walley and President of the Board of Trustees, Steffanie Fain, for my monthly “Good Eggs” community meeting. Under Sommer’s leadership, Harborview continues to lead our country in medical care and research. Click here if you would like to watch a recorded version of the event.



With Harborview Medical Center CEO Sommer Kleweno-Walley and President of the Board of Trustees, Steffanie Fain


Multi-Service Center Celebrates 50 Years at Annual MSC Helps Luncheon

Help…Hope…Change marked the South King County Multi-Service Center's 50th anniversary lunch with this year’s keynote speaker, Omari Amili, sharing his remarkable and inspirational personal journey. MSC’s mission is to build a future without poverty by creating pathways to help, hope, and dignity for our neighbors. With the holidays right around the corner, remember that we have many members in our community who can use our help. To learn how you can help during the holiday season, please click here.



With this year’s Multi-Service Center Helps Luncheon speaker Omari Amili


Sandbag distribution locations in King County

With the rainy season here, the King County Flood Control District and King County want to raise awareness about the risks of flooding and encourage residents and businesses to be prepared this flood season.

One of the effective tools to prevent flood damage is sandbags. This flood season, remember these tips so you’re prepared to use sandbags if the time comes:

1. Make sure you have sandbags before a flood is about to happen – it takes time to fill them!
2. Know how to fill them correctly. Work in a team of three people and fill the bags halfway full.
3. Stack them in a pyramid shape to prevent water from getting through. Sandbags are only effective if placed correctly.

Free sandbag materials are available throughout King County. Find out which sandbag distribution location is nearest to you and learn more about how to use sandbags effectively.




Auburn’s 56th Annual Veterans Day Parade and Observance

Come gather with other members of our community to honor our country’s veterans and their military missions of defending freedom around the world. The 56th annual Veterans Parade will be held in Auburn on Saturday, November 6th, starting at 11 am. The parade route travels along Main St. from E St. to A St. NW/SW. For more information regarding the parade and other related activities, click here.


King County Eviction Prevention and Rent Assistance Program (EPRAP) Update

More than 12,000 households in King County are safe from evictions thanks to $63 million in rental assistance distributed by King County so far this year. Since the beginning of the pandemic, King County has distributed more than $100 million in assistance to keep tenants housed. Additionally, King County has invested $46 million in eviction prevention contracts, increased application processing capacity, community-based outreach to ensure equitable access to the programs, and administrative costs. For more information about the program or to apply, visit the EPRAP web page.


Federal Way Transit Center Garage West Entrance Closure

Due to work on the Federal Way Link Extension, the west entrance of the Federal Way Transit Center parking garage closed October 25th. Sound Transit officials say the entrance could remain closed for up to a year as crews work on the Federal Way Link Extension. The parking garage’s west entrance is located along 21st Avenue South. Vehicles and pedestrians can still access the parking garage through the east entrance off 23rd Avenue South. Vehicles will be detoured around the block to use the parking garage’s east entrance. Read more here.


Zen Out at Pacific Bonsai Museum

More than 30 exquisite viewing stones will go on display in Stone Images XI, a free, public exhibition at Pacific Bonsai Museum in Federal Way for 10 weeks starting November 2nd. Stones in the exhibition were collected in Washington, California, North and South Dakota, Oregon, and New Mexico. The Pacific Bonsai Museum is open Tuesday-Sunday from 10 am to 4 pm and is located at 2515 S 336th Street, Federal Way, WA 98001. For more information about the Pacific Bonsai Museum, click here.

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This pattern stone, entitled Tiger Mosaic, was found in Snohomish County by Patrick Metiva. (Photo: Edd Kuehn)


Daylight Saving Time ends this Sunday

Don’t forget to set your clocks back an hour this Sunday, November 7th at 2:00 am when we return to local standard time.


Weekly King County Health Updates

Monoclonal antibody treatment for COVID-19: Facts & Resources

Health experts believe the most effective way to curb the pandemic is through COVID-19 vaccination. The vaccines prompt your body to develop its own immune response to prevent or lessen the severity of COVID-19 infection, a process that can take at least two weeks following the full series. People at highest risk for severe disease or dying – ages 65+ or significant underlying medical conditions – may also benefit from monoclonal antibody treatment. For more information, contact the Combat COVID Monoclonal Antibodies Call Center at 1-877-332-6585 or visit the state’s Department of Health website. The antibodies are at no cost, but the treatment may have a fee.

Power outage preparedness and safety

October’s fierce storm caused extended power outages for many in western Washington. As we head into the winter season, follow these basic tips to stay warm, safe, and healthy during sudden power outages:

• Report Puget Sound Energy outages at 1-888-225-5773
• Prevent power surge damage by turning off all lights and electrical appliances except for the refrigerator and freezer
• Plan for back-up power if using life-saving equipment at home and register with your power company for priority repair and restoration of power
• Prevent carbon monoxide poisoning – do not use gas generators, grills, or power washers indoors; maintain furnaces; install carbon monoxide detectors
• Check with local authorities to be sure your water is safe
• Avoid food borne illnesses – when in doubt, throw it out
• Avoid downed power lines – stay in your vehicle should a power line fall on it
• Adjust for cold weather conditions – stay hydrated and wear layers to stay warm
• For more information, see WA Department of Health and Public Health - SKC


King County COVID-19 Case Update

Today, Seattle – King County Public Health reported 522 new positive cases, bringing the total in King County to 166,419. In addition, Public Health reported 5 new deaths, bringing the total in the county to 2,033.

Recent data may be incomplete. For more information, visit the King County COVID 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:

Rear Admiral Linda J. Bird was born and raised in Auburn, where she graduated from Green River Community College in 1971. Bird received her navy commission through the Naval Officer Candidate School in June 1974.

Bird had numerous sea and shore duty tours and held various leadership roles until she was promoted to rear admiral (lower half). As the first female flag officer in the Supply Corps, she was promoted to the vice commander of Naval Supply Systems Command. Bird served as director of Supply, Ordnance and Logistics Operations Division, N41, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations in Washington, D.C., and was nominated for the rank of rear admiral (upper half) in July 2002.

Bird became commander of Defense Supply Center, Columbus in Columbus, Ohio, on July 18, 2003. As DSCC's commander, she oversaw an operating budget of $2.8 billion. She also directed the functions of 2,300 associates involved in purchasing materiel, monitoring inventory levels, maintaining technical data and assuring quality conformance of more than 1.6 million spare and repair parts used by over 24,000 military units and civilian federal agencies. Bird retired from the Navy on November 1, 2005, after more than 31 years of service.




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