On September 1, National Preparedness Month began.  The devastation caused by Hurricane Harvey in Houston and other Gulf Coast communities is a reminder to all of us that a natural or human-caused disaster can strike at any time. Preparedness is key – at home, at work, and at school.  King County Emergency Management has preparedness tips and information at www.kingcounty.gov/prepare.

Crossposted from Emergency News  The Norse Peak and American wildfires continue to burn in the area where the King, Pierce, and Kittitas County lines meet. Mandatory evacuations have been ordered in the Crystal Mountain, Gold Hill, Pick Handle Basin, and Bumping Lake areas. Increased fire activity is also noted along State Route 410 near Hell’s Crossing. These fires have scorched nearly 20,000 acres and are less than 10 percent contained.  In addition, smoke from wildfires in central Washington continues to pour over the Cascade Range, degrading air quality. As of 3 p.m. on… Read More

Hailed as the Evergreen state, Washington offers outdoorsy residents an array of activities to enjoy. King County Parks partners with Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance and Progression Cycle to promote mountain biking at Duthie Hill Park in Issaquah. With over 2 million residents in King County, Parks Director Kevin Brown is committed to providing the best riding experience for a growing cyclist community. “One of the great things about this region is the proximity to trails – both road and mountain bike trails – to the general public that has led to the growth and… Read More

Crossposted from Metro Matters Have you seen all of the bus shelters with amazing artwork and photography? King County Metro has nearly 800 photo murals in shelters across the system, and it’s time for us to accept entries for the next 100. You can enter up to 10 photos for consideration online via Photographic Center Northwest. Deadline is Oct. 29, 2017. Photographers pay a $20 fee to submit five photos, and an additional five photos may be submitted for $5 each. The fees cover the costs of administering the program and preparing the… Read More

The LimeBikes free ride period has been extended through Sept. 18 for you! Please remember that even though LimeBikes and bicycles in general provide an amazing and cool way to get around, unfortunately, they are not risk-free. To stay safe, follow the State and King County’s bicycling laws and always wear a helmet! To learn more about your employee transportation benefits, visit: www.kingcounty.gov/ETP, call me at 206-477-5853, or email me at Hossein.Barahimi@Kingcounty.gov.

King County Executive Dow Constantine, Seattle Mayor Ed Murray, and Seattle Foundation announced a combined $2.25 million in emergency funding for critical services for immigrants, refugees, and other residents whose health, safety, and human rights are at risk. The 38 nonprofits that successfully competed for the funding will provide a wide range of services, such as training for educators and mental-health providers who teach or provide treatment to immigrants and refugees. Other examples include providing critical legal services, preventing wage theft, launching a Know Your Rights campaign, and engaging the most vulnerable… Read More

Metro currently has one of the most complex fare structures in the nation, with one zone for the City of Seattle and another for all areas outside the city, as well as extra charges during the morning and evening commute. One-third of riders in a recent survey said the current system is too complex and difficult to understand. In a proposal to the King County Council announced, Executive Constantine streamlined Metro fares to $2.75, and increased funding for discounted tickets. “You said you wanted simpler fares, and we made it happen. No… Read More

Crossposted from Inside Transportation You never know where an internship can lead. Some of King County DOT’s top managers got their start as interns at the County. We’ve seen the demonstrable benefits of cultivating young minds that can bring fresh ideas and talent to public service, and in particular to the transit industry. KCDOT’s intern program began as an offshoot of the Federal Work-Study program, and ever since then, hundreds of undergraduate and graduate students have generated innovative ideas, written meaningful policy, and refined and streamlined processes which have improved the lives… Read More