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

Dear Friends:

Today’s update includes news about the Interurban Trail War Memorial Ribbon-Cutting on Veterans Day, a Van Donation to the Auburn School District Welcome Center, Sound Transit and King County Metro Thanksgiving Holiday Schedule, a Visit to the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Seattle, Washington Being Named as the Worst State for Potholes, the Improvement of Stream Health throughout King County, the New Memorial Stadium in Federal Way, alumni, crime and health updates, and more.


Washington Trivia

This Native American was known as the Head Basket Weaver of the Snohomish tribe and still paddled a canoe in her 90s from the Olympic Peninsula to Seattle. Who was she?
(Answer is at the bottom).




Interurban Trail War Memorial Ribbon-Cutting on Veterans Day

What do you get when a good person takes up a good idea? A GREAT project! Outgoing Pacific Mayor Leanne Guier reached out to public and private sector leaders for support to recognize those veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country, as well as to encourage more physical use of the Interurban Trail. With justifiable pride, Leanne cut the ribbon on the Interurban Trail War Memorial on Veterans Day.



With US Rep. Adam Smith, Auburn School District Board Member Arlista Holman and Superintendent Dr. Alan Spicciati, Outgoing Pacific Mayor Leanne Guier, Auburn Mayor Nancy Backus, VFW 6785 and Department of Washington State Commander and Surgeon Craig Dougherty and Walter Tanimoto


Auburn School District Welcome Center Receives a Retired King County Metro Vanpool Van

The Auburn School District (ASD) Newcomers and International Welcome Center is another recipient of this year’s allocation of retired King County Metro Vanpool vans. As part of their efforts to support multilingual families new to the country, the Welcome Center staff will be transporting families to ASD’s testing center to provide initial screening and determine resources that are needed for the families, as well as connect them with community resources like the Auburn Food Bank or medical needs using these vans.



ASD Newcomers and International Welcome Center Intake Specialist Lisa O’Dell, Program Director Jason Hill, Testing Specialist Pilar Hunter, Auburn Councilmember Yolanda Trout-Manuel, ASD Superintendent Dr. Alan Spicciati, and ASD Board Member Tracy Arnold


Sound Transit and King County Metro Thanksgiving Holiday Schedule

With the holidays coming up, transit riders are encouraged to check the Thanksgiving Holiday Schedule for both Sound Transit and King County Metro, including service reductions for the holiday weekend. Click the links above to see service reductions and special schedules for Thanksgiving Day and the day after.


A Visit to the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Seattle

This week, I had the opportunity to visit the Seattle office of the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea and meet with Consul General Eun-ji Seo, as well as her staff. Since being appointed in March 2022, Consul General Seo has worked tirelessly to strengthen the relationship between the Republic of Korea and the Puget Sound region. Because of commercial partnerships and agricultural products, the Republic of Korea is Washington’s fourth largest trading partner, and we talked about economic cooperation and boosting cultural and economic ties between regions. I am pleased Councilmembers Jeanne Kohl-Welles and Sarah Perry were able to join me on this visit.



With King County Councilmembers Jeanne Kohl-Welles and Sarah Perry, Korean Consul General Eun-ji Seo and staff


Washington Named Worst State for Potholes

In a recent USA Today ranking, Washington was named the worst state in the nation for potholes, while Spokane was ranked sixth, Yakima seventh, and Seattle ninth in the country for cities with the worst pothole issues. Read more in the KING5 News article here.



Source: USA Today


Stream Health Improves throughout King County

Multiple studies based on twenty years of data collected by King County scientists indicate widespread improvements in the health of local streams even as the population grew by over a half-million people, suggesting that effective growth management can protect urban streams. Streams that were once in very poor health are improving more than previously thought possible, offering hope that even badly damaged streams can improve. Read more here.


The New Memorial Stadium in Federal Way

FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS in Federal Way was wet and wild in the new Memorial Stadium! While Saturday is all about college football, there is nothing like the passion of bundled up parents fresh off work, cheering their kids in a playoff game! I was pleased to attend the official ribbon cutting shortly after watching a game at this incredible new facility. Take the time to catch a local high school game near you…the passion is infectious!!



With Federal Way Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Dani Pfeiffer, Board Member Luckisha Phillips and the rest of the board members


King County Offers Storefront Repair Grants to Help Victims of Vandalism

Small businesses in unincorporated King County with 10 employees or less can now apply for the Storefront Repair Grant Program to repair damage caused by vandalism or break-ins they have experienced since the COVID-19 pandemic began in March 2020. Applications are accepted through December 31st, 2023, subject to funding availability. For questions or application assistance, email localbusinessgrants@kingcounty.gov.

Alumni Corner

While our work is based on policies and programs, it is the people we work with who make the difference.

In today’s District 7 Alumni Corner, I am glad to feature Tom Pierson, former CEO of the Federal Way and Tacoma-Pierce County Chambers of Commerce. Prior to these roles, Tom was my first staff director when I first joined the King County Council in 1993. After working in my office for a decade, Tom became the President and CEO of the Federal Way Chamber of Commerce for 8 years, and eventually the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber of Commerce for 11 years. In 2021, Tom stepped down from his position and focused on his passion – hiking the Pacific Crest Trail and completing 600 miles to date, coaching a soccer team, and spending time with his wife Cindy and their 3 wonderful kids.



Photo Source (right): Jeff Hobson, South Sound Biz


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.


King County COVID-19 Case Update

Yesterday, Seattle – King County Public Health reported 64 daily average positive cases, bringing the total in King County to 574,138. In addition, Public Health reported 0.6 daily average deaths, bringing the total in the county to 3,673.

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:

Born in Sultan, Snohomish County, Boeda Strand, also known as “Tsi-zak-gay”, was a full-blooded Snohomish Native American who was well known as her tribe’s Head Basket Weaver. She taught the art of basket weaving not only to her people, but also to many other tribes. In December 1877, she married Edward Strand, who immigrated from Finland. Tommy Yarr, a Notre Dame football star, is one of their grandchildren. Two of her grandchildren, who now live in her home, still have seven of her original baskets, which now valued in the thousands of dollars. While she passed away at the age of 94 on June 22, 1928, into her 90s she was still canoeing across the Puget Sound, from the Olympic Peninsula to Seattle.



Photo source: Native North American Indian Facebook page

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