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

Dear Friends:

Today’s update includes news about a van donation to the Auburn Food Bank, the Friends of Federal Way Libraries Book Sale, a New Ballot Drop Box at Star Lake Safeway, the King County Storefront Repair Grants, the MSC Helps Luncheon with Doug Baldwin, transit, alumni, veterans, crime and health updates, and more.




Washington Trivia

On September 25, 1902, over 120 years ago, this mode of transportation inaugurated its first electric rail service between Seattle and Tacoma. What was it?
(Answer is at the bottom).




Auburn Food Bank Receives a Retired King County Metro Vanpool Van

Auburn Food Bank is one of the recipients of this year’s allocation of retired King County Metro Vanpool vans in District 7. This program, which I sponsored in the 1990s when I was chair of the Budget Committee, is a partnership between the King County Council and King County Metro. The retired vans are allocated annually to qualified local non-profit and government organizations through an application process. To date, over 760 vans have been awarded to organizations who use them to continue the great work they do in our communities.



With Auburn Food Bank Executive Director Debbie Christian


Friends of Federal Way Libraries Book Sale

The King County Library System will host the Friends of Federal Way Libraries Book Sale this Saturday, November 4th, from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM. For more information, please contact staceyo@kcls.org or visit KCLS.org.


New Ballot Drop Box at Star Lake Safeway in Federal Way

Get out and vote! The RIGHT to vote is one way we can immediately impact our community. Elections Director Julie Wise has been committed to making voting safer, and I was pleased to help Julie open a new ballot drop box at the Star Lake Safeway in Federal Way with Mayor Jim Ferrell.



Monday, November 7th, is Election Day. Ballots must be postmarked by this day or returned to a ballot drop box by 8:00 P.M. If voters have not received a ballot yet, please call King County Elections at 206-296-VOTE (8683).

Ballot Drop Boxes | Vote Centers | Ballot Alerts | Signature Challenge| Watch King County Elections Live


Transit Updates

Sound Transit New Fare Compliance Policy Takes Effect November 15

Starting Wednesday, November 15th, Sound Transit Fare Ambassadors will issue violations to passengers found to be riding repeatedly without proof of payment. Fare Ambassadors will continue to inform people about how to sign up for reduced fare programs and provide passenger service. Read more here.

Sound Transit Survey

Sound Transit encourages riders to take a 15-minute passenger experience survey through November 22nd. Your input will help Sound Transit prioritize efforts to provide a better passenger experience for you. Fifteen people who complete the survey will win a $100 gift card, and four people will win a $250 gift card.

Alumni Corner

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

It was great catching up with District 7 Alum Bailey Stenson Gordon, who worked for my office in 2010 for nearly two years. Bailey graduated from the University of Washington with a degree in business communications. Prior to joining my team, Bailey was an outfielder in the UW softball team that won the NCAA national championship in 2009 and was also the 2008 All-Pac-10 honorable mention. Bailey values her roots and has since become a softball hitting coach, as well as a strength coach, at Auburn Riverside High School. In addition to coaching, for the past 12 years Bailey has pursued her love of photography with her photography business, Photos by Bailey, and she and her husband share three wonderful children.



Photo Source: Photos by Bailey Facebook Page; Auburn Reporter, 2010


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 funding to repair damage caused by vandalism or break-ins they have experienced since the COVID-19 pandemic began in March 2020. The program will provide 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 providers are eligible to apply. Applications are accepted 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.


MSC Helps Luncheon with Doug Baldwin

I first met Doug Baldwin the week he joined the Seahawks, and I recently caught up with him to help the Multi-Service Center raise money to fight hunger in South King County. Doug remains the committed idealist he was at Stanford, but now he and his wife have three young ones at home. We can’t help everyone, but everyone can help someone! Great seeing Sue and Bob Celski, as well as retiring MSC CEO Robin Corak at the MSC Helps Luncheon at the Federal Way Performing Arts and Event Center.



With Doug Baldwin, Bob and Sue Celski, and outgoing MSC CEO Robin Corak


Resources for Survivors of Domestic and Sexual Violence

As Domestic Violence Awareness and Action Month concludes, the King County Department of Community and Human Services compiled a list of resources for survivors of abuse and violence in King County to help connect King County’s community of survivors. Resources include a 24/7 helpline, harm reduction, behavioral health supports, legal advocacy, support services and more. Read more here.


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.


Stop Soldier Suicide: How to Help

Veterans are at 57% higher risk of suicide than their peers who have not served. Many brothers and sisters in arms have been lost but there is no reason to stand by while these people are in crisis, and the Stop Soldier Suicide nonprofit organization is here to provide a proactive and suicide-specific care to veterans and service members of all branches at no cost through ROGER – the wellness service that provides mental health support, alternative therapies, resources and referrals, and education and training. Click here to learn more.




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

Health Insurance Open Enrollment Starts November 1 with Expanded Access

Open enrollment for health insurance began November 1st and now everyone who lives in Washington State can purchase health and dental insurance – regardless of their immigration status. Starting this year, Washington Healthplanfinder has expanded access to health coverage to include immigrants who are undocumented. More Washingtonians than ever will have the opportunity to buy an insurance plan that covers important health care services. Read more here.

King County COVID-19 Case Update

Yesterday, Seattle – King County Public Health reported 81 daily average positive cases, bringing the total in King County to 573,273. In addition, Public Health reported 0.7 daily average deaths, bringing the total in the county to 3,662.

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.


Daylight Saving Time ends this Sunday

Don’t forget to set your clocks back an hour this Sunday, November 5th at 2:00 am when we return to local standard time. While legislation is being considered to permanently make a change on DST, the House has not taken up the bill since March 2021. Read more in The Seattle Times article here.


With best wishes,

Pete von Reichbauer
King County Councilmember




Washington trivia answer:

On September 25, 1902, the Seattle-Tacoma Interurban Railway inaugurated electric rail service between Seattle and downtown Tacoma, from a Pioneer Square terminal at Yesler Way & Occidental Street with a branch line to Renton. The line ran along Pacific and Puyallup Avenues, followed the course of Pacific Highway through Fife and Milton, turned towards Puyallup and paralleled SR167 through Pacific, Algona, Auburn, Kent, Orillia and Renton.

The interurban railway ran for 38 miles on wooden cars departing approximately once every hour, typically running 100 minutes and 70 minutes on limited service, with a fare cost of 60 cents one-way and 1 dollar round trip.

Later named Puget Sound Electric Railway, the line ran on tracks received power from overhead wires and mostly on private, fenced right-of-way with an electrified third rail providing power. The carbarns and operations base were in Kent. Portions of the right-of-way still exist as a multi-use trail through Milton, as well as from Pacific to Tukwila.



Photo sources: : Wikipedia; Seattle Now & Then (Lawton Gowey)

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