Looking for restaurant ratings online? We have a new search tool!
Crossposted from Public Health Insider
Full inspection histories of all King County restaurants have been available online since 2001. For the past 16 years, inspection results could be searched on a website that, we admit, was starting to show its age. That’s why we partnered with King County Information Technology (KCIT) to create a restaurant inspection search tool to go along with our brand new Food Safety Rating System. We have always valued making information available to the public and this new search tool makes it even easier to find information to make informed decisions when eating out.
We sat down with Alex Aragon and Beth Cheatham, from the KCIT team that created the search tool, to talk about the process of developing the tool and all of its cool features.
Read more at Public Health Insider
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Have a say on simpler bus fares
Crossposted from Metro Matters
King County Metro wants to hear from riders as we work to simplify our bus fares. This month, Metro launched the second round of our fare review process, with an online survey for people to tell us which of two potential options they prefer.
Adult fare riders currently pay $2.50, $2.75 or $3.25, depending on time of day and whether they travel across zone boundaries. It’s a complex fare structure that can confuse riders, and consequently, slow down boarding.
Now it’s your turn to tell us what you think by participating in an online questionnaire by May 5 or by attending a public meeting on April 25 or 27. The April 27 meeting will be held online.
Read more at Metro Matters
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Tech Tip: Video daily double
This week’s tech tip is a video daily double! We teach you how to access your King County email on an iOS device (aka iPhone). The video profiles me (a total novice) walking through the steps as Myranda Miller (our Mobile Device Management expert) provides direction. It’s 7 minutes long. We’re working on an Android version of this next. Enjoy!
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Feel the pulse of a King County paramedic
Crossposted from Public Health Insider
Today, we’re talking with Tony Smith, a paramedic with King County Medic One, which provides paramedic services for south King County and Vashon/Maury Islands. King County Medic One is part of larger King County system made up of thousands of paramedics, Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT), doctors, nurses, dispatchers, analysts, researchers and other professional and support staff who make up one of the most respected emergency response systems on the planet.
How and why did you get started working in public health? I became interested in emergency medical response going back to when I started in the medical field. I was a certified nursing assistant working in a skilled nursing facility, and received encouragement to pursue a nursing degree.
I was moving toward that path, but then had a chance encounter with a Shepard Ambulance crew at a facility where I was working. I was assisting the crew with a patient and they complimented me on my patient care skills and suggested that I apply with them. So I did, and they hired me, first in their Cabulance program, then I received training to become an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT).
Working as an EMT, I was in frequent contact with local paramedics, and seeing their work inspired me to become one as well.
What does your day-to-day work for Public Health look like? I believe that my coworkers at King County Medic One and I have one of the most unique Public Health jobs. My day starts out basic enough: I check in with the previous crew about their shift, find out if there were issues with our equipment, and then perform my/our own daily vehicle and equipment check.
Read more at Public Health Insider
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May Day: Expect major transit service disruptions Monday, May 1
Crossposted from Metro Matters
(Editor’s note: UPDATED at 2 p.m. Information will be sent to customers and posted online Friday afternoon, April 28, regarding expected transit service disruptions.)
Transit riders should prepare for significant traffic delays and rerouted buses in downtown Seattle on Monday, May 1, especially during the afternoon and evening commute, as dozens of Metro and Sound Transit routes will be temporarily rerouted or intermittently delayed during May Day events. Seattle First Hill and South Lake Union streetcar service also will be affected on May 1 as a result of planned marches.
As city streets temporarily close as a result of planned May Day activities, certain Metro Transit buses will be rerouted; others will face delays starting midday and likely well into the evening.
- Bus reroutes are planned around the Immigration March (Judkins Park to Seattle Center) roughly 2:30-5 p.m., rerouting seven Metro routes (7, 10, 11, 12, 14, 47 & 49) and delaying ST Express Routes 522, 545, 554 and all other transit service traveling downtown Seattle streets.
- Bus rolling slowdowns or temporary short-term reroutes will be implemented as needed for all other expected and unexpected demonstrations, marches and rallies, managed by transit chiefs using information from Seattle Police Department, Seattle Emergency Operations Center and the Metro Transit Control Center.
- First Hill Streetcar service is expected to be disrupted during the day, and part of the route will not be served while marchers are on the street.
- South Lake Union Streetcar service might be disrupted by a march expected to occur between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. As a result, streetcar service will be halted at 9 a.m. after the end of the morning peak service, with cars tentatively scheduled to return to the base yard until supervisors determine service can be reliably restored.
- Link light rail service will operate more three-car trains during the day.
What do riders need to know?
- All bus service that travels near or through the downtown Seattle area might be subject to delays during and after Monday afternoon’s events. Bus riders are advised to plan ahead for longer trips, revise travel plans if necessary and allow plenty of travel time.
- Though we’ll try to keep bus service moving, if demonstrations temporarily block a street, buses will have to wait until traffic begins moving again. Safety is Metro’s top priority.
- If gridlock happens, predicted arrival times on apps and real-time signs will not be accurate in estimating when buses will be at stops.
Tools for riders
- Sign up for Transit Alerts to receive transit info via text and email
- Follow Twitter for Seattle DOT, Seattle Police, Metro Transit and Sound Transit
- Follow local media reports for the latest information
- Visit Metro’s Service Advisories page for specific reroute details. Transit reroute start and end times are subject to change, so please check the site or watch for updates via transit alerts.
- Seattle DOT On the Move Blog
- Visit Metro’s Online Regional Trip Planner to find out how to get to and from events and locations.
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Students test the science and engineering behind water systems
Crossposted from Clean Water Stories
It’s that time of year, when King County Wastewater Treatment Division spends a lot of time with students. During spring semester, our educators and students in our service area work together in elementary school programs about water systems.
We know that 4th and 5th grade students are good candidates for this education. They are learning about science. They are curious. They haven’t quite outgrown the bathroom humor phase. They are the right age to help teach their parents good water/wastewater etiquette. We’re pretty sure that after a class or a tour, these young wastewater stewards point out things their parents shouldn’t put down household drains, like disposable wipes and grease. These kids are into it and they get it.
WTD’s education and tour programs aren’t just about schooling young people on good disposal practices. We are inspiring students to learn about water systems their generation will someday have to take over. We reveal the science and engineering behind these systems to engage the next generation of public health protectors and infrastructure innovators.
Read more at Clean Water Stories
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Kudos! ORCA LIFT celebrates two-year anniversary, receives praise from community
ORCA LIFT celebrated its two-year anniversary in March of this year and with this milestone began the renewal process of expiring cards. Customers were directed to the ORCALIFT.com website for directions on the renewal process. We have received many positive comments from the customers using the online form, such as this one:
“I am writing to thank King County Metro for quickly processing my renewal of my ORCA Lift card. I applied to renew my card on Wednesday, and I got my new card by Saturday! It came on the same day I accidentally broke my current card (while using Metro to move to my new place). It’s the weekend, and I’m using the bus to move, and it’s finally not raining, but now my ORCA Lift card was toast… When I checked the mail at my new place, I found my replacement ORCA Lift card! I’m so grateful for the super-fast service just when I needed it! Thank you King County Metro and ORCA teams! You’ve literally kept me ‘moving’.”
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Auburn Symphony Orchestra discount for April 30
Auburn Symphony Orchestra at Benaroya Hall
King County employees are welcome to take advantage of an available discount for the Auburn Symphony Orchestra performance of “Love, Passion and Defiance” on Sunday, April 30 at 2:30 p.m. The event features Nikolas Caoile, as guest conductor and Daniel Lebhardt, as piano soloist.
Held at the Auburn Performing Arts Center (702 Fourth Street NE, Auburn, WA 98002), employees will receive a discount of $30 for general tickets, $24 for senior tickets and $10 for student tickets.
To receive the discount, employees can purchase tickets online using promo code kingcounty17 at www.auburnsymphony.org, or visit the box office in person and show King County ID.
See all available discounts on the Employee Discount Webpage.
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Employee Giving Campaign: Invite your favorite nonprofit by April 27
Employee referred nonprofits are our favorite! It is our goal, after all, to connect employees to the causes they are passionate about through the Annual Giving Drive.
All nonprofits must apply and meet eligibility requirements annually in order for them to be in the upcoming Annual Giving Drive.
Invite your favorite nonprofit here. Applications are due by Thursday, April 27, 2017.
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Executive unveils stronger community-centered response for youth and families in crisis
Crossposted from King County Youth Justice
King County Executive Dow Constantine announced new options for parents, youth, school personnel and local law enforcement that will divert and reduce the number of youth who come into contact with the courts and detention facilities. The “Safe Spaces” proposal connects youth who may have traditionally gone into the criminal justice system to community-based alternatives that provide supports and crisis stabilization that were previously unavailable.
Youth and families can access counseling, healthcare, treatment for mental health or substance abuse, short-term crisis beds, education and mentoring and employment programs.
The Juvenile Justice Equity Steering Committee will lead a public engagement effort on the Executive’s proposal, to be concluded by May 31.
“Our goal is to ensure that every youth in King County is supported to achieve his or her full potential. With Safe Spaces, we will help even more of our young people through the rough patches in life, avoid the criminal justice system, and go on to happy and successful lives,” said Executive Constantine. “We can offer tools for youth and families that stabilize an immediate crisis and offer short and long-term services and supports. By investing early, we can move even farther towards our goal of zero detention.”
Read more at King County Youth Justice
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