Pet of the week: Chester 

Chester is a 13 ½ year-old, male, shorthair, orange tabby cat (A480900). His personality color is RED, meaning he is a spirited cat with a fun-loving personality. Chester is an affectionate lovebug who definitely does not look or act his age! With his luxurious orange coat and his loving nature, this boy is sure to win you over. Chester loves pets and although he can be prone to getting overstimulated, he will give you a friendly swishy tail alert to let you know when he’s ready for a break. Read more.  To see… Read More

Today is “Smoke Ready Communities” Day  

This spring has already been warm and dry, creating ideal conditions for wildfires across our state this summer and fall. The last two years, the Puget Sound region dealt with poor air quality for weeks due to wildfire smoke, and forecasters expect another summer of smoky skies. King County Executive Dow Constantine has declared today to be Smoke Ready Communities Day, a day of awareness about the danger of wildfires and the associated smoke. Prepare now so you’re ready when conditions take a turn for the worse.  King County is partnering with the… Read More

Juneteenth celebration: A Day of Remembrance 

In observance of Juneteenth, the King County Superior Court is hosting a Juneteenth A Day of Remembrance celebration. It will be held today from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. inside the Youth Services Center (YSC) Main Lobby at 1211 East Alder Street, Seattle, WA 98122. The event is free and open to the King County work community. Join the Superior Court for exhibits, live entertainment and food! 

Show your Pride at 2019 Seattle Pride Parade 

It’s less than two weeks until the 2019 Seattle Pride Parade, and King County is getting ready to celebrate.   Join your colleagues, friends and family Sunday, June 30, as we march to celebrate and support Seattle’s LGBTQ+ community.  The King County contingent will be staging on 4th Avenue, between Union Street and University Street. Just look for the Metro Bus or Medic One Rig to find us. The Parade route is about a mile long and will end near Seattle Center at 2nd Avenue and Denny Way.  We recommend people arrive at 10:30… Read More

Pet of the week: Oreo 

Crossposted from Tails from RASKC  This sweet guy is Oreo, our Pet of the Week!  This handsome senior boy is playful and affectionate. He has lived in a home with other cats and a large dog, as well as with younger and older kids. While Oreo’s previous family feels he makes a good indoor/outdoor cat, he would need to be supervised while outside and would probably enjoy being on a harness. He loves string toys, batting at them when you play with him. Oreo is very sweet and likes lots of petting,… Read More

Tips to keep cool 

Crossposted from DES Express  With temperatures already forecast to be above normal this week, keep these tips in mind to stay cool:  Keep window blinds or curtains closed when outdoor temperatures skyrocket. This reduces indoor temps and reduces the strain on the HVAC equipment.  Keep windows and doors closed in locations with HVAC.  Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!  The county recommends against using indoor fans, as they can create “hot zones” in other places in the building and can create a fire hazard. Please don’t block or manipulate air vents or returns.  Dress in layers… Read More

Apprenticeship rates at Children and Family Justice Center exceed requirements 

Crossposted from DES Express By Alex Hurtado The Children and Family Justice Center (CFJC), now more than 80 percent complete, leads in total apprenticeship hours on King County projects and employs a diverse workforce earning family-wage jobs. As of December 2018, apprentices have performed 93,205 labor hours on the project. This project requires the use of state registered apprentices for 15 percent of all labor hours worked, and 17 percent participation from certified Small Contractors and Suppliers (SCS). As of May, the CFJC project boasts a 25 percent apprenticeship rate and is meeting… Read More

Save the Date! Free screening of “The Most Dangerous Year” June 25 

June is PRIDE Month!  In honor of PRIDE, The Department of Executive Services, King County is proud to collaborate with the Meaningful Movies Project to bring the critically acclaimed documentary, “The Most Dangerous Year,” to our employee community for a screening and discussion. By Seattle writer and director, Vlada Knowlton, the film chronicles the journey by many Washington families with transgender children and the anti-transgender legislation in Washington in 2016. Knowlton, will be on hand to facilitate a Q & A session immediately after the screening. The film is 89 minutes.  Tuesday, June 25 from 3:30 p.m…. Read More

Airport employees earn prestigious award for snow removal during Snowmageddon 

Crossposted from DES Express This winter’s wild weather may just be a memory now, but employees at the King County International Airport (KCIA) are still celebrating a big win. They recently received a Balchen/Post Award for Excellence in the Performance of Airport Snow and Ice Control by the Northeast Chapter of the American Association of Airport Executives. The KCIA team was up against tough competition from more traditionally snow-bound cities like Minneapolis, Chicago, and Syracuse, New York. The award was presented at the annual International Aviation Snow Symposium in Buffalo, New York in… Read More

Stonewall + 50: King County Employees Tell the Story of LGBTQ+ Progress 

2019 marks 50 years since the Stonewall Uprising in New York, considered by most to be the birth of the modern LGBTQ+ civil rights movement. To mark this anniversary, King County and its employees are looking back at the milestones and landmark events that have happened since that night in late June 1969 – including the ways that our region has led the nation in recognizing the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people.