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

Dear Friends:

As we reflect on the freedoms we are privileged to enjoy with our peers, friends, and family this Thanksgiving holiday, let us not forget to extend our gratitude to all the service members and first responders who are committed to safeguarding our nation and may be away from home.

Today’s update includes news about our Good Eggs breakfast with WA Secretary of State Steve Hobbs, information about windstorm relief programs, passage of the 2025 King County Budget, an update on the Hanwoori Garden Pagoda project, and more.




Washington Trivia

This Vashon Island based author specialized in humorous, autobiographical tales, including The Egg and I, and is well-known for her series of children’s books featuring a woman who lives in an upside-down house and has a chest full of magical cures. Who was she?

(Answer is at the bottom).




“Good Eggs” Breakfast with Washington Secretary of State Steve Hobbs

Secretary of State Steve Hobbs joined this month’s Good Eggs meeting to share insights about the 2024 election, as well as discuss the diverse responsibilities of his office. Steve explained how his office has worked to ensure that our elections remain free from foreign interference, and also the important work they do preserving Washington’s unique and rich history by improving the State Archives and State Library. Thank you, Steve!



Top: With Muckleshoot Tribe Vice Chair John Daniels Jr., Edgewood Mayor Dave Olson, Pacific Mayor Vic Kave, Pete von Reichbauer, Enumclaw Mayor Jan Molinaro, Sec of State Steve Hobbs, Kent Mayor Dana Ralph, Federal Way Mayor Jim Ferrell, Auburn Mayor Nancy Backus, and Des Moines Mayor Traci Buxton

Bottom: With Auburn Mayor Nancy Backus, Muckleshoot Tribe Vice Chair John Daniels Jr., Pacific Mayor Vic Kave, Wanda Crockett, Ron Crockett, Federal Way Mayor Jim Ferrell, and Secretary of State Steve Hobbs


Property Owners Urged to Apply for Tax Relief if Property is Damaged by Windstorms

In response to the “bomb cyclone” storm that ripped through the region last week, the King County Department of Assessments is now making available an online form so owners who experienced significant damage from the windstorm can apply for property tax relief.

State law allows taxpayers to apply for property tax relief if their property was damaged or destroyed by recent windstorms. Property damaged or destroyed by something beyond the property owner's control is eligible for a reduction of assessed value, resulting in lower property taxes.

Information on the criteria for a claim and how to file online If you own property in King County can be found here. You may also download a King County Destroyed Property Form (PDF)


King County waives yard waste fee at select transfer stations in response to recent windstorm

A proclamation from King County Executive Dow Constantine has cleared the way for free disposal of branches, tree limbs and other wood debris and yard waste left from this week’s windstorm at select King County Recycling and Transfer stations.

King County residents can drop off tree limbs, and other woody debris without paying the standard yard waste fee at the Bow Lake, Cedar Falls, Enumclaw, Factoria, Shoreline, and Vashon facilities beginning Saturday, Nov. 23, until December 9th.

The free service is exclusively for wood debris from the recent storms. Stumps, logs and limbs no longer than six feet in length are allowed – no grass clippings, sod or soil will be accepted. These events are open to all King County residents. People visiting recycling and transfer stations are reminded to secure their loads.

The Algona, Houghton, and Renton stations don’t offer yard waste recycling so customers dropping off storm debris at those facilities will be charged the standard garbage rate of $33 for up to 320 pounds, or $198 per ton.  

Customers must live or do business within King County's 37-city and unincorporated service area to use these solid waste facilities, including the free storm yard waste disposal. More information is available at https://kingcounty.gov/en/dept/dnrp/waste-services/garbage-recycling-compost/solid-waste-facilities, or by calling 206-477-4466. 

King County’s service area does not include the cities of Seattle or Milton. Contact your local government for service information if you live in Pierce County, Snohomish County, the City of Seattle, or the City of Milton.


King County Passes 2025 Budget

On November 19th, the King County Council approved a $10.2 billion, one-year county budget that invests in critical regional priorities, including public safety, public health, public defense, and comprehensive planning, along with millions of dollars for affordable housing and other capital projects across King County. More information about this budget, including highlights, can be found here.




King County Road Alert

A powerful "bomb cyclone" hit western Washington last week, causing major damage, and leaving many people without power. Here's what you need to know:

• Road Services and Power Companies: Teams are working hard to clear roads and restore power. Many trees have fallen and tangled with power lines, making some roads impassable.
  

• Crews on the Ground: Hundreds of crew members are out there, prioritizing roads used by emergency services and near important public safety facilities like hospitals.
  

• Never cross a road closed with barricades: These are set up for your safety. Always use a detour.
  

• Avoid downed power lines: They might still be live and very dangerous.
  

• Stay Updated: Check kingcounty.gov/MyCommute for the latest information on road closures. Traffic cameras are currently offline due to the windstorm.

Report Problems: If you see an issue such as a downed sign, signal outage, or blocked road, call the 24/7 Road Helpline at 206-477-8100 or email maint.roads@kingcounty.gov.




Hanwoori Garden Pagoda

Federal Way is a melting pot that not only represents many different global cultures, but celebrates them. I was pleased to join Mike Park, Daniel Kim, Jay Kim, and Dae Gue at the future Hanwoori Garden Pagoda as construction nears completion. Skilled craftsman have made sure that the Pagoda will be an authentic venue for people from different backgrounds to learn about Korean culture.



(L to R) With Daniel Kim, Jay Kim, Mike Park, and Dae Gue Lim


In Memoriam: Pat Lantzy

There is a new star in the sky tonight, and it has a great sense of humor and a great sense of benevolence. Pat Lantzy was the front porch, face and voice of our office, listening to and helping countless constituents who needed someone who had the patience to listen to their concerns. Just shy of her 91st birthday (Nov 29th), and after enjoying her Seahawks beat the 49ers, Pat decided it was time to look after her family and friends from another world. RIP Pat Lantzy: we are all the better for your company and commitment to helping others!!




Non-Profit Corner

South King County Non-Profit Organizations

Auburn Food Bank | Auburn Noon Lions | Auburn Valley Humane Society | Bloodworks Northwest | Eileen & Callie’s Place | Federal Way Kiwanis | Federal Way Lions | Federal Way Senior Center | FUSION Décor Boutique | Kent Lions | Multi-Service Center Food Bank | Orion Works | Rotary Club of Federal Way | Soroptimist International of Auburn | Soroptimist International of Federay Way | The Salvation Army | Unleash the Brilliance


Local Services Contact Information

Code Enforcement Links: Auburn | Algona | Federal Way | Kent | Pacific | Unincorporated
Crime Maps: Auburn| Federal Way| Kent | all of King County
Law Enforcement Updates: Auburn | Algona | Federal Way | Kent | Pacific | KCSO Unincorporated

To report illegal street racing in your neighborhood, dial 911.

Vaccine Locator: To find COVID-19 vaccine appointments, visit Vaccine Locator. 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.

With best wishes,

Pete von Reichbauer
King County Councilmember




Washington trivia answer:

Betty (Bard) MacDonald was born in Boulder, CO on March 26, 1907. Her family moved to Seattle, where she graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1924.  Betty attended the University of Washington for one year before getting married at the age of 20 in 1927.  Her family lived on a chicken farm a few miles south of Port Townsend until Betty filed for divorce in 1931, taking her two daughters back to Seattle with her.  In 1942, she married Donald MacDonald and moved to Vashon Island, where she wrote most of her books.

Betty rose to fame with her first book, The Egg and I, which was published in 1945.  It was number one on The New York Times non-fiction bestseller list for 43 weeks and International Pictures bought the movie rights for $100,000 in 1946.  The book was made into a movie starring Claudette Colbert and Fred MacMurray.  The books introduced the characters of Ma and Pa Kettle.  The characters became so popular a series a nine more films were made featuring them. 

Betty also wrote the Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle series of children’s books.  In the books, Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle provides parents with magical cures for their children’s bad habits, such as not picking up toys or interrupting. The books were based on bedtime stories Betty made up for her daughters, nephews, and nieces. 

The MacDonalds moved to California in 1956, but Betty returned to Seattle for cancer treatment in September 1957 and died in Seattle of uterine cancer on February 7, 1958.   In 1985, American Quarterly described her “as one of the most accomplished and popular humorists of the [post-World War II] era.”



Photo source: The Seattle Times

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