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

Dear Friends:

Today’s update includes a Thanksgiving message, news about Federal Way High School’s Pre-apprenticeship Program, the passage of King County’s 2023-2024 Biennial Budget, Sound Transit’s survey on ORCA Lift $1 fare pilot, a health update and more.


Washington Trivia

This successful lawyer in Tacoma was best known as the older brother of a former United States President. Who was he?
(Answer is at the bottom).




Thanksgiving Message

As we give thanks for the freedoms we enjoy with our friends and family (and sometimes both!) this Thanksgiving, it is important to remember the brave men and women who are away from their families as they serve to protect the freedoms we enjoy.

If you feel, like I do, that 2022 has flown by quicker than in years past, take advantage of the opportunity the holidays provide to slow down and remember the things in our lives we are thankful for.

This Thanksgiving, I am asking you to please consider donating to a local food bank in the South King County area. Organizations such as the Auburn Food Bank or the Multi-Service Center (MSC) help to lift up people in our community. High prices and a changing economy have left many families facing hardship – even a small donation can make a big difference to a family in need.

For information about Holiday giving at MSC, please visit: Holiday Giving - Multi-Service Center (mschelps.org)

For information about Holiday giving at the Auburn Food Bank, please visit: Donate — The Auburn Food Bank



With Executive Director Debbie Christian at the Auburn Food Bank


Federal Way High School's Pre-apprenticeship Program

When I graduated from Clover Park High School, graduates had few pathways to success, so I was happy to find money in the King County budget to kickstart a pre-apprenticeship program at Federal Way High School. On November 14th, I joined Federal Way Public Schools (FWPS) Superintendent Dr. Dani Pfeiffer, Rep. Jesse Johnson, FWPS Board Director Hiroshi Eto, Federal Way Mayor Jim Ferrell, and others at the dedication of the program’s new outdoor courtyard.

To learn more about the program, visit https://www.fwps.org/PreApprenticeship.



With Rep. Jesse Johnson, FWPS Superintendent Dr. Dani Pfeiffer and FWPS Board Director Hiroshi Eto, and FWHS student apprentices Braxton, Madison and Alexa


King County 2023-2024 Biennial Budget

On November 15th, the King County Council approved the 2023-2024 biennial budget, focusing on investments in public safety, transit, housing, equitable recovery, and behavioral health. For more information about the budget process, click here.




Sound Transit seeks feedback on ORCA Lift $1 fare pilot

Earlier this year Sound Transit reduced the one-way ORCA LIFT fare on all Sound Transit services from $1.50 to $1.00 as part of a six-month pilot project. A brief survey and service area-wide public engagement process will gather feedback and help develop a Fare Equity Analysis to support a possible Board decision on making this a permanent fare change. The public can take the ORCA LIFT $1 Fare Pilot Survey here.


Crime in our Community

This update is intended to inform you about what is happening in our communities and where. Too often, we rely on anecdotal examples to shape our perceptions. I want you to have the facts. In addition to what is reported in the local news, I will be providing you with the tools to explore your neighborhood and our region. 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.

For a complete breakdown of law enforcement deaths throughout U.S. history, click here.


King County COVID-19 Case Update

Yesterday, Seattle – King County Public Health reported 198 daily average positive cases, bringing the total in King County to 528,085. In addition, Public Health reported 0.4 daily average deaths, bringing the total in the county to 3,277.

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 King County.

For in-home vaccination: Call King County COVID-19 Call Center at 206-477-3977.

To 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 or getting tested in King County.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Call 9-8-8 to connect to the new Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, text TALK to 741-741 or visit https://988lifeline.org/.

Find your King County Council district here.


With best wishes,

Pete von Reichbauer
King County Councilmember




Washington trivia answer:

Edgar Eisenhower (Big Ike) was the older brother of the United States’ 34th president, Dwight Eisenhower (Little Ike). Edgar attended the University of Michigan law school and passed the Washington state bar examination in 1914. He spent 50 years as a Tacoma lawyer, and was also the director of the Puget Sound National Bank, now known as KeyBank, St. Regis Paper Company, and the Harmon FS Manufacturing Co.

Edgar practiced criminal law for 10 years before moving into corporate law. He was known to provide free services for poor clients. In 1921, he established his own law firm that still practices today as Eisenhower & Carlson PLLC in Tacoma and Seattle.

In 1940, Edgar lived on American Lake in Lakewood, and was my neighbor. When I was 10 years old, after my father passed away, Edgar Eisenhower was kind enough to attend father-son events with me, including the one pictured below.

He died on July 12, 1971, at the age of 82 and is buried in Mountain View Cemetery in Lakewood.




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