KCSO in the spotlight: Air support

Crossposted from the King County Sheriff’s Office employee newsletter The King County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) Air Support Unit was recently featured in an industry publication called Vertical Plus magazine, profiling the team and a collaboration with the Spokane Regional Air Support Unit during the World Cup Matches. “We’re covering the stadium and all of the transit routes in and out of the city, but we also then have to respond to all of the patrol calls throughout the entire King County region and remain ready to support our tactical teams,” KCSO Sgt. Eric Gagnon told Vertical… Read More

Pedals and paws: A summer safety guide

Crossposted from King County Parks This time of year is made for getting outside. With so many people enjoying King County’s parks and trails during the summer, it’s more important than ever that we all do our part to keep these spaces safe, welcoming, and enjoyable for everyone. Two of the biggest ways you can help? Slow your roll and leash up your pup.  This summer, King County Parks and partner organizations are teaming up to promote safe, enjoyable experiences across the region. You might see staff out on the trails offering friendly reminders, answering questions, and even rewarding great trail etiquette. Be sure to give them… Read More

2029 midpoint update to the King County Comprehensive Plan: Public input is now open

Crossposted from King County Local King County is starting work on its next update to the Comprehensive Plan (due in 2029), and we’re inviting the public to help shape what’s included. A draft scope of work is now available for review. This document outlines the topics that could be included in the midpoint update, the plan for environmental review, and how community members can get involved throughout the process. For this 2029 Midpoint Update, the county is proposing to focus on three major areas: Climate Change and Resiliency Shorelines Housing The scope of work… Read More

Watch your mailbox!

Your ballot is in the mail. If you haven’t received your ballot by Monday, July 20, give King County Elections a call at 206-296-VOTE. Not sure if you’re registered? Visit VoteWA.gov to register or update your registration information. Vote early! As soon as you’ve made your choices, make a point to return your ballot as soon as possible. Voting early means you can rest assured your ballot is on time and your voice will be heard. For more information about King County Elections visit kingcounty.gov/Elections.

Welcoming new neighbors: King County invests in vital support for immigrant and refugee communities

Crossposted from Cultivating Connections King County Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) seeks to create a vibrant, inclusive, and resilient region where all individuals and communities are safe, connected, housed, healthy, and empowered to succeed.  For newly arrived immigrant, refugee, and asylee neighbors, navigating the complexities of a new place can be daunting—especially when facing systemic barriers and the evolving challenges of federal civil immigration enforcement. To meet these urgent and shifting needs, King County DCHS is proud to announce the distribution of $2 million in emergency support funds to address emerging needs among immigrant, refugee, and asylee communities in King County. This… Read More

July is Disability Pride Month – The voices of lived experiences, part two

To celebrate Disability Pride month, the King County Disability Equity Network (KCDEN) gathered reflections from employees living with hidden and visible disabilities about how their disabilities are an asset in the workplace, and how those attributes allow them to effectively serve King County residents. In part two of a multi-part series, KCDEN is sharing these first-person experiences to highlight the contributions of employees with disabilities. Because disability status is often stigmatized, the thoughts are shared anonymously and have been edited for brevity and clarity. “My disability is an asset at work because I am a… Read More

Recognizing Metro’s Operators of the Month, March-April 2026

Crossposted from Metro Matters They cook and also love Volkswagens. They travel and enjoy weightlifting. They golf, snowboard, play soccer and enjoy walks. Their riders say they are: “super cheerful and considerate,” “exceptionally courteous, especially to elderly passengers,” and an “incredibly kind and friendly driver who makes the commute better.” They’re operators with close to a combined 250 years of transit driving experience who enjoy meeting with their riders and giving back to their communities. Meet your Operators of the Month for March and April 2026. Read more.

King County, Plymouth Housing, and City of Kirkland celebrate opening of new permanent supportive housing community, Sheila Stanton Place 

On July 8, King County, Plymouth Housing, and the City of Kirkland celebrated the grand opening of Sheila Stanton Place, a new permanent supportive housing community providing 101 homes for adults exiting homelessness. Developed through the King County Department of Community & Human Services’ Health Through Housing initiative and operated by Plymouth Housing, the community combines affordable housing with on-site services designed to help residents maintain stability, improve health, and build meaningful connections in the communities where they live. Sheila Stanton Place is the result of years of collaboration between King County, Plymouth Housing, the City of Kirkland, service providers, faith leaders,… Read More

King County offers new toolkit to make homes and neighborhoods more resilient to increasing wildfire risk 

Crossposted from DNRP Field Notes King County, in a partnership with Eastside Fire and Rescue and King Conservation District, developed a customized toolkit to help residents better prepare their homes and communities for increased wildfire risks.  The new Wildfire Ready Toolkit is tailored to the specific conditions King County communities face, featuring customized actions to help reduce risk and build resilience. Climate, forestry, and emergency management experts at King County worked with local partners and first responders to develop the toolkit, based on the wildfire action plan created by the California Department of Forestry… Read More

Korean Consul General Eunji Seo visits the Sheriff’s Office 

Crosssposted from the King County Sheriff’s Office Newsletter Sheriff Patti Cole-Tindall and Support Services Division Chief Cheol Kang recently had the pleasure of meeting with Consul General Eunji Seo from the Republic of Korea’s Seattle consulate.  The visit was a wonderful opportunity to exchange ideas and discuss ways we can continue strengthening safety and support for the Korean community throughout King County. The conversation was engaging, collaborative, and forward-looking — exactly the kind of partnership that helps our communities thrive.  Consul General Seo presented Sheriff Cole‑Tindall with a beautifully crafted tray designed… Read More