Leave the car, hit the trail: Trailhead Direct returns May 28
King County’s Trailhead Direct transit service will return for the season beginning on Saturday, May 28. This summer, King County Metro and King County Parks are focusing the transit-to-trails service on its most popular route with stops at trailheads near Mount Si, Mount Teneriffe, and Little Si.
Riders can take the bus, Sound Transit Link light rail, or bike to easily get to the Sound Transit Capitol Hill Link station, where Trailhead Direct coaches will depart every 30 minutes. The 2022 season will include service on Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day. See the full announcement here.
Share this:
Juneteenth an observed County holiday on Monday, June 20
King County government will observe Juneteenth as a new paid holiday for the first time this year, on Monday, June 20.
Last year, King County Council passed two Ordinances and King County bargained Agreements for represented employees to establish Juneteenth (June 19) and Indigenous Peoples’ Day (second Monday in October) as paid holidays starting in 2022 for King County employees who are eligible for comprehensive leave benefits.
This year, King County government offices will be closed on Monday, June 20 in observance of Juneteenth.
The establishment of Juneteenth and Indigenous Peoples’ Day as new holidays reflects our work to build a more racially just King County by honoring and strengthening our understanding of our history. They will be dedicated as days of service and learning, and provide an opportunity for us to deepen our knowledge about our nation’s history, Black and Indigenous heritage and culture, and the many ongoing contributions of Black and Indigenous people in our region. They will also help us sharpen our focus and commitment to undo the institutionalized racist practices and policies that harm Black, Indigenous, and People of Color today.
There will be ongoing events and opportunities in the leadup to both Juneteenth and Indigenous Peoples’ Day to learn more about their significance to the history and experience of Black and Indigenous people, our nation, and our shared journey going forward.
Share this:
Executive Constantine proclaims May 15 to May 21 as Emergency Medical Services Week
Executive Dow Constantine has declared May 15 to May 21, 2022 as Emergency Medical Services Week in King County. Emergency medical services are among the most important services provided in the area, and it is important to honor the valuable accomplishments of emergency medical services providers. The full proclamation follows below.
Share this:
Emergency Management staff present at state conference
Cross-posted from Executive Services Express
Four Emergency Management employees presented at the statewide Partners in Emergency Preparedness Conference last month.
Susanna Trimarco, Sasha Rector, Mikko McFeely and Sheri Badger gave a total of three presentations covering Regional Catastrophic Planning, Complex Coordinated Terrorist Attacks and the Trusted Partner Network. Click here to read the full story.
Share this:
Seattle Pride Parade is back and King County is marching
Mark your calendars for Sunday, June 26 at 11 a.m. to join your colleagues representing King County in the 2022 Seattle Pride parade. Participants will be required to show proof of vaccination or negative COVID-19 test in order to participate.
T-shirts will be available for sale, so stand by for more information. There will be 150 adult size t-shirts available at no cost on a first-come, first-serve basis the morning of the parade.
Further details about when and where we will meet for the Parade will be sent out once it is available. To stay up to date on all things related to the Pride Parade, email leah.holland@kingcounty.gov with the subject line “PRIDE Info.”
Share this:
KCIT Tech Centers now located in Tukwila, Northgate, and South Seattle
Executive Branch employees can now get IT support at any of KCIT’s new Tech Centers in Tukwila, Northgate or South Seattle. KCIT Tech Centers provide employees with convenient onboarding/offboarding services, docking station and monitor replacements, and general PC fixes that can’t be solved remotely.
KCIT Tech Center support is available by appointment only. If onsite help is needed, KCIT staff will contact you to schedule an appointment at your preferred location. KCIT Tech Centers are another example of how KCIT is supporting King County’s hybrid workforce as we move forward with the Future of Work. For more information, check out the KCIT Tech Centers – FAQ.
Share this:
Changes coming to King County COVID-19 testing sites
Cross-posted from Public Health Insider
As King County COVID-19 case rates have fallen from the Omicron peak earlier this year, and as the availability of free rapid self-test and community testing options have increased, demand at King County COVID-19 test sites has significantly declined.
In order to better align with demand and transition to long-term testing solutions, Public Health – Seattle & King County will end its operations of our Tukwila, Federal Way and Auburn COVID-19 testing sites. The last day of King County operations for the Federal Way and Tukwila testing sites will be Friday, May 27, and the last day of King County operations for the Auburn site will be Wednesday, June 1. Click here to read more.
Share this:
Immunocompromised? You may be eligible for this medication to help protect from COVID
Cross-posted from Public Health Insider
If you or someone you know is at higher risk from COVID-19 because of a compromised immune system, pre-exposure prophylaxis (also called PrEP, available as the product Evusheld) can help to protect from severe disease.
When taken before infection or exposure, Evusheld helps your body fight the coronavirus and avoid getting really sick or needing to visit the hospital. Find more information here.
Share this:
March and April Operators of the Month
Cross-posted from Metro Matters
They are as unique as the people they meet with everyday when behind the wheel of their coaches:
A tennis coach. A bowler. Another who started driving for Metro to help pay for school. A retired banker who now regrets telling the bus drivers who got him to work to “hurry up.” And those who started driving buses after being told they would be good at it.
They are part of a group of transit operators with more than a century of experience at Metro. Click here to meet the Metro Operators of the Month for March and April 2022.
Share this:
How King County businesses help protect public health and the environment through our Industrial Waste program
Cross-posted from Clean Water Stories
Staff at the King County wastewater treatment plants do an excellent job of cleaning wastewater, but not all types of waste can be filtered out during the treatment process.
The Industrial Waste Program is in charge of preventing pollution from entering the wastewater system in the first place.
That’s also where local business can make a difference. By making sure that they only send wastewater to the County system that meets the standards set to protect the environment, businesses play a big role in keeping our waterways clean. Read the full story here.
Employee News 