Cross-posted from WRLD News

During a recent site visit on Bear Creek, Senior Ecologist Jen Vanderhoof was thrilled to see dozens of big, beautiful Chinook salmon in the creek near the reach known as Little Bit/Klapp. But as quickly as her heart soared it sank when she saw many of the salmon getting trapped and dying in a thicket of reed canary grass surrounding a beaver dam. Jen immediately did what she could to help the salmon on site and then emailed several colleagues King County’s Water and Land Resources Division (WRLD) to request help. Jen stressed that the fish were dying and required immediate action.

Fish Passage Restoration Program manager Evan Lewis volunteered to go out the next morning with Jen to manually trim the grass. Evan and Jen were immediately rewarded seeing salmon find water instead of weeds as seen in this video.

Jason Mulvihill-Kuntz, Salmon Recovery Manager for the Lake Washington/Cedar/Sammamish Watershed (WRIA8), alerted the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and connected them with County staff. As the Salmon Recovery manager for the area where the problem was occurring, Jason reached out to WDFW since they are a co-manager and this would technically be there jurisdiction. However, the team was able to be on the ground immediately to address the problem rather than wait for a coordinated response.

Though further conversations and investigations are planned. Kudos to Jen, Evan and Jason for their quick, coordinated response to save salmon.

Do you have money left in your Flexible Spending Account (FSA)? To check the balance of your Health Care or Day Care FSA, go to Navia Benefits and sign in to your account. Expenses must be incurred by Dec. 31, 2023, and submitted for reimbursement by March 31, 2024. Please see details below.

Health Care FSAs

• The Health Care FSA allows you to carry over up to $610 of unused funds from your 2023 Health Care FSA for use in 2024. You do not have to be enrolled in an FSA next year to access these funds. Any other remaining funds are forfeited.
• You can use your Health Care FSA funds to pay for a variety of medical, dental, and vision expenses for you, your spouse or eligible domestic partner, and your dependents.
• Health Care FSA funds can be used to pay for orthodontia, laser eye surgery, eyeglasses, and over-the-counter medications and supplies, including menstrual care products. They can also be used for eligible ergonomic office equipment when you obtain a letter of medical necessity from your doctor.
• See the complete list of Health Care FSA Eligible & Ineligible Expenses. You can also shop online at the FSA Store.

Day Care FSAs

• The Day Care FSA does NOT have a carryover feature. All unused funds are forfeited.
• Use your Day Care FSA to pay for day care or dependent care expenses for your child under age 13, disabled spouse, or dependent parent so you can work or attend school full-time.
• Day Care FSA funds can also be used to pay eligible family members to watch your children, as long as the family member is not your tax dependent (your spouse, the parent of the child, your dependent, or your child under the age of 19).
• Online or virtual day cares and camps are not eligible for reimbursement with Day Care FSAs, according to IRS regulations.
• See the complete list of Day Care FSA Eligible & Ineligible Expenses.

If you have questions about your FSA benefits, contact Navia at 425-452-3500 or Navia Benefits.

Most of us have a smartphone, but how many of us really think about the security threats faced by these mobile devices? Mobile devices are vulnerable to many different types of threats. The bad players are increasing attacks on mobile devices and targeting your phone using malicious applications. Using these methods, they can steal personal and business information without you having any idea what’s going on.

Even if you’ve downloaded a security or antivirus application, securing your smartphone goes beyond these services. Improving your mobile security practices is your best defense against the privacy and security issues associated with your mobile device.

How can I improve my mobile security practices? Always remember these best practices to minimize the risk of exploits to your mobile devices:

1. Ensure your phone’s operating system is always up to date. Operating systems are often updated in order to fix security flaws. Many malicious threats are caused by security flaws that remain unfixed due to an out of date operating system.
2. Watch out for malicious apps in your app store. Official app stores regularly remove applications containing malware, but sometimes these dangerous apps slip past and can be downloaded by unsuspecting users. Do your research, read reviews and pay attention to the number of downloads it has. Never download applications from sources other than official app stores.
3. Ensure applications are not asking for access to things on your phone that are irrelevant to their function. Applications usually ask for a list of permissions to files, folders, other applications, and data before they’re downloaded. Don’t blindly approve these permissions. If the permission requests seem unnecessary, look for an alternative application in your app store.
4. No password or weak password protection. Many people still don’t use a password to lock their phone. If your device is lost or stolen, thieves will have easy access to all of the information stored on your phone.
5. Be careful with public WiFi. The bad guys use technology that lets them see what you’re doing. Avoid logging in to your online services or performing any sensitive transactions (such as banking) over public WiFi.

If you have questions, please contact kcitcsat@kingcounty.gov.

Cross-posted from Plane Talk

With freezing temperatures already hitting the region this fall, King County International Airport (KCIA) is getting ready for the winter ahead. Airport staff held the annual review of the Snow and Ice Control Plan (SICP) late last month and is readying equipment.

Airport staff are in close contact with the Northwest Weather Service to stay abreast of severe weather forecasts. As soon as adverse weather conditions such as snow or ice are forecast, Airport Operations activates the SICP and notifies airport leadership. The Airport Duty Manager continuously monitors airfield conditions and coordinates staffing for the Snow Control Center as needed. Airport Maintenance supervisors coordinate and prepare equipment, staff, and supplies.

KCIA recently acquired new snow removal equipment, including five Multi-Tasking Equipment (MTE) vehicles. The state-of-the-art equipment uses a 20-foot-plus plow, a mid-centered broom, and rear blower. Training is underway and the MTEs may be partially deployed by this winter season.

King County’s employee “Walking Bus” pilot program now offers five afternoon departures times from the King County Courthouse to King Street Station and Colman Dock via the Pioneer Square light rail station.  

In this pilot phase, which started Monday, Nov. 6, King County employees can join their colleagues and a Facilities Management Division (FMD) Security Escort each weekday evening walking from the Third Avenue entrance of the King County Courthouse to the King Street Station and Colman Dock via a stop at the Pioneer Square light rail station entrance at Jefferson Street and Yesler Way. The meeting location for both routes is the Information Desk in the First Floor lobby of the courthouse.

Download this flyer for routes and departure times. These changes have been made based on feedback to provide a safer commute and more effectively serve customers and will allow FMD to better manage security resources. We will continue to monitor usage during the pilot and make adjustments as necessary.

Meeting location: Information Desk in the First Floor lobby of the King County Courthouse

Walking time to King Street Station via Pioneer Square light rail station entrance at Jefferson & Yesler: 5-10 minutes

To King Street Station – Depart Third Avenue Entrance at 4:10 p.m. 

• 4:33 p.m. train (northbound) 

• 4:35 p.m. train (southbound) 

To King Street Station – Depart Third Avenue Entrance at 4:35 p.m. 

• 4:55 p.m. train (southbound) 

To King Street Station – Depart Third Avenue Entrance at 5:05 p.m. 

• 5:20 p.m. train (southbound) 

• 5:35 p.m. train (northbound) 

Walking time to Colman Dock via Pioneer Square light rail station entrance at Jefferson Street and Yesler Way: 12-20 minutes. 

To Colman Dock – Depart Third Avenue Entrance at 4:05 p.m. 

• 4:30 p.m. sailing to Vashon Island (King County Water Taxi/foot ferry) 

• 4:25 p.m. sailing to Bremerton (Kitsap Transit/foot ferry) 
• 4:45 p.m. sailing to Bainbridge Island (Washington State Ferry/passenger/car). 

To Colman Dock – Depart Third Avenue Entrance at 5:05 p.m. 

• 5:30 p.m. sailing to Bremerton (Washington State Ferry/passenger/car) 
• 5:30 p.m. sailing to Vashon Island (King County Water Taxi/foot ferry) 

• 5:40 p.m. sailing to Bremerton (Kitsap Transit/foot ferry) 
• 5:45 p.m. sailing to Bainbridge Island (Washington State Ferry/passenger/car). 

For additional information, please contact the FMD Security emergency dispatch center at 206-296-5000 or FMD.Security@kingcounty.gov. 

The Walking Bus pilot program is in addition to security escorts offered by FMD Security Officers, who can escort you for several blocks from downtown buildings to Goat Hill Garage or immediate vicinity bus stops. Due to staffing resources, FMD Security cannot provide additional escorts in the 4 to 6 p.m. timeframe. Plan to use the walking bus program for escorts during that time.  

Please contact the FMD Security emergency dispatch center at 206-296-5000 or  FMD.Security@kingcounty.gov to arrange for a security escort whether coming into work or leaving work. Advance notice for a Security Escort is appreciated. You can learn about the many employee transportation and safety programs on the Future of Work Personal Safety site (employee access only).