Crafted by Executive Constantine and Mayor Durkan, legislation now before the King County Council and Seattle City Council establishes the King County Regional Homelessness Authority to oversee policy, funding, and services for people experiencing homelessness countywide. The legislation includes a proposed Interlocal Agreement (ILA) and a Charter that authorizes the creation of the new Public Development Authority (PDA) to administer and oversee regional homelessness efforts.  “The new regional authority represents a concerted effort to increase coordination and collaboration of our planning, resources and service delivery countywide to achieve a more efficient and… Read More

Do you know how to register to vote? In King County, you can register to vote online or by mail until eight to days before an election or in-person through Election Day. Registrations done by mail need to be received, not postmarked, by the eight-day deadline. Learn more.

Bernard is a 5 ½ year-old, male, shorthair gray tabby cat (A579142). His personality color is RED, meaning he is a spirited cat with a fun-loving personality. Bernard is outgoing, playful and energetic. He may be sensitive to handling and can get overstimulated, so he would do best with a family who knows when to give him a break. This fun guy loves to play and can sometimes be rough and rowdy. He gets along with some other cats, but may be too much for others. He has also lived with a small… Read More

West Seattle, Burien, and neighboring area bus riders will see more consistent travel times starting Monday, Sept. 9, 2019. After monitoring travel and transit times for buses on First Avenue and identifying significant impacts for commuters, officials from King County Metro and Seattle Department of Transportation announced a service revision that takes southbound buses off First Avenue and on to a pathway that utilizes Second Avenue and Fourth Avenue South.  Metro will establish a long-term stop on Second Avenue Extension South between South Washington Street and South Main Street to replace the… Read More

Crossposted from Tails from RASKC  We have a Duck for Pet of the Week – but he’s really a cool cat!  Duck is a two-year-old brown tabby. This handsome boy is very sweet and gentle, but likes to take things a bit slow. He likes getting attention on his own terms and can get overstimulated if there’s lots of movement and activity around him. Just move carefully and keep an eye out for signs he may need a break. Due to his shy nature, Duck would do best in a calm and quiet… Read More

Crossposted from Public Health Insider  Your back to school routine may look a little different this year. That’s because Washington State recently passed a law removing personal/philosophical exemptions for MMR (measles, mumps, and rubella) vaccine. The law also requires employees and volunteers at licensed childcare centers to provide immunization records indicating they’ve received the MMR vaccine or have proof of immunity.  Read more from Public Health Insider

Crossposted from Public Health Insider  In downtown Seattle, a program to treat opioid use disorder that is co-located with needle exchange services is showing promise for reaching people experiencing homelessness.  The program is based on a public health model that provides immediate, client-centered care and access to buprenorphine.  Initial findings from two different sources of data shows that the innovative Buprenorphine Pathways (Bupe Pathways) program may reduce opioid use and improve the health and well-being of some of our most vulnerable community members. A recent article in the journal Substance Abuse found that Bupe Pathways was successful at retaining people… Read More

Forecasts call for “unseasonable heat” today and tomorrow. Here are some tips to help you manage the heat: For everyone Check on at-risk friends, family, and neighbors. If you’re outdoors, take breaks in the shade or in air-conditioned buildings. Avoid direct contact with the sun. Avoid exercising or strenuous activity in the afternoon, when the heat is most intense. Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water and don’t wait until you’re thirsty to drink more. NEVER leave infants, children, or pets in a parked car, even if the windows are cracked open! It… Read More