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 tour of the Auburn Valley Humane Society, my annual Holiday Leadership Reception, a Good Eggs breakfast meeting, a Holiday message, information about road closures and extreme weather mitigation, crime and health updates, and more.


Washington Trivia

This Tacoma native recorded one of the most well-known Christmas songs of all time. Who was he?
(Answer is at the bottom).




A tour of the Auburn Valley Humane Society

I recently visited the Auburn Valley Humane Society with Sharon LaVigne to learn about their current work bringing 2-legged and 4-legged friends together, as well as tour their successful adoption center. Sharon’s work has led to over 12,500 animals finding new homes! While I was there, King County Animal Control Officer Silvia Perez showed me how she transfers animals to the Society for care. I also had the chance to “confer” with Legolas the Husky!



With Auburn Valley Humane Society Director of Philanthropy Sharon Lavigne and Animal Control Officer Silvia Perez


2022 Holiday Leadership Reception

After a two-year hiatus, I was pleased to return to KOAM-TV for my annual South King County Holiday Leadership reception. Our speaker, Seo Eunji, the Consul General for the Republic of Korea in the PNW, spoke about the importance of our economic and cultural ties. It was a great chance to look back at 2022 and reflect, as well as enjoy great company, great music, and great food, including Ivar’s clam chowder! Thanks to all who joined us! #FelizNavidad #MerryChristmas #HappyHolidays



With KC Assessor John Wilson, KC Council Chair Claudia Balducci, Korean Consul General to the PNW Seo Eunji, and Auburn Deputy Mayor James Jeyaraj


Good Eggs Breakfast Meeting

WA Secretary of Transportation Roger Millar came up from Olympia to join us at our December Good Eggs Meeting in Auburn. Roger engaged our audience in a give-and-take discussion about the challenges facing our transportation system as our region grows. Roger presented his proposals to improve safety, including modernizing our roads and bridges.



With FW Superintendent Dani Pfeiffer, Sec. of Transportation Roger Millar, Auburn Mayor Nancy Backus, and Maple Valley Mayor Sean Kelly


Holiday Message from D7!

Happy Holidays! Merry Christmas! Feliz Navidad! For me, the holidays are about spending time with our friends and our families (they are not always the same!!). At the same time, we should remember the sacrifices made by first responders, from nurses to soldiers, who are away from their families and friends on holidays protecting our right to freedom. I wish you and your loved ones a safe holiday, and a very happy new year!




Cold Weather Resources

Severe storms are a common hazard in western Washington, and King County is no stranger to the threats they pose. Winter storms can bring wind, snow, ice, hail, thunder, lightning, and even tornadoes to the Pacific Northwest. Power outages often accompany these weather events. Please use the links below to find out more about how to prepare for winter weather, including storms, and to learn about what resources King County Offers. Winter storm - King County

For help with hazards on county-maintained roads, please visit:
https://kingcounty.gov/depts/local-services/roads/snow-and-ice.aspx

For updates from King County Metro, please visit:
https://kingcounty.gov/depts/transportation/metro/alerts-updates/winter.aspx


Join Metro’s research panel and shape our region’s future!

King County Metro is looking for 250 people to join a long-term panel program and share their feedback on new services, products and more. Panelists will be compensated for their membership on the panel and for participation in up to four research studies per year. Panel participants will be asked to share their thoughts on making the Metro experience more reliable, safe, and accessible, and responsive to their travel needs. For more information, please call 206-848-0668, email KCMetroResearch@kingcounty.gov, or read King County Metro’s blogpost.




Support for Officer Jackson’s family

The Bellevue Police Foundation is accepting donations to support Officer Jordan Jackson’s young family. On November 21st, 34-year-old Officer Jackson died from his injuries in a collision that morning. Officer Jackson has been a valuable member of the Bellevue Police Department since 2018. Before becoming a police officer, he was an EMT, volunteer firefighter, and a member of the King County Sheriff’s Officer Search and Rescue Volunteer K-9 Unit.

Officer Jackson was recently honored as employee of the quarter for his excellent quality of work and service to the community. His supervisor commended him for his leadership in the department and eagerness to take on additional responsibility. He leaves behind his wife and two young children.


Crime Updates

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.


Health Updates

Updated dashboard shows continued devastation caused by fentanyl and disparities in overdose deaths

Since 2019, the number of overdose deaths in King County has grown exponentially, jumping by 20% between 2019 and 2020 and 39% between 2020 and 2021. By October 15, 2022, 710 overdose deaths had occurred in King County, surpassing the total number of deaths in 2021.

A redesigned Fatal Overdose Dashboard attempts to quantify the tragic toll of drug overdose in King County. The dashboard depicts the pervasiveness of the drug overdose crisis, and its disproportionate impact on specific communities. Read more in the Public Health Insider blogpost here.



King County COVID-19 Case Update

On Tuesday, Seattle – King County Public Health reported 72 daily average positive cases, bringing the total in King County to 535,170. In addition, Public Health reported 2 daily average deaths, bringing the total in the county to 3,346.

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:

Harry Lillis “Bing” Crosby was an American singer and actor who was born in Tacoma, WA in 1903 in a house that his father built on North J Street. In 1906, his family moved to Spokane, WA, where Bing was raised.

Bing was one of the first multimedia stars and is considered one of the most popular and influential musical artists of the 20th Century worldwide. The biggest hit song of Bing’s career was his recording of Irving Berlin’s “White Christmas,” which he introduced on a Christmas Day radio broadcast in 1941. This recording rose to number 1 in 1942, 1945 and 1947, and remains the bestselling single of all time.

Bing was a leader in record sales, radio ratings, and motion picture grosses from 1926 until his death in 1977. He made over 708 feature films and recorded more than 1,600 songs. Bing died at the age of 74 and is buried in Holy Cross Cemetery in Culver City, CA. Gonzaga University, which he attended but did not graduate from, houses a large collection of photographs, correspondence and other material related to him.




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