Oct. 30 is the last day for public feedback on Metro’s late-night bus service plan

Crossposted from Metro Matters There are only 12 more days for the public to weigh in on Metro’s proposal for expanding and improving late-night bus service in Seattle. The proposal would offer new transit options for those getting to or from jobs, the airport and nightlife between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m. Metro has about 40 routes with some level of late-night service throughout King County.  Of these, 20 provide trips after 2 a.m., including three Night Owl routes that loop through some Seattle neighborhoods only between 2:15 a.m. and 4:30 a.m.  The Seattle Department of Transportation… Read More

2017 Benefits: Open Enrollment November 1-15

Covering a spouse/partner on your medical plan? Learn about the Benefit Access Fee If you cover a spouse or domestic partner on your King County medical plan, a Benefit Access Fee is automatically applied each year. If you qualify for an exemption, you must confirm it annually during Open Enrollment—Nov. 1 – 15. The Benefit Access Fee is a monthly deduction from your paycheck. The amount depends on your benefit group and the medical plan you select. See the Benefit Access Fee flyer for a list of amounts and exemptions. If you… Read More

Defense team works to clear name of man wrongly accused and imprisoned

Crossposted from For The Defense Update: Ezequiel Apolo-Albino was released from immigration detention yesterday, Oct. 5, and his immigration case has been terminated. Ezequiel Apolo-Albino spent eight years in prison wrongfully accused of a crime that never happened. Thanks to the tenacity and legal acumen of Department of Public Defense attorney Amy Parker and DPD investigators Molly Gilbert and Bettye Witherspoon, a Superior Court judge recently signed an order vacating his conviction on two counts of child molestation. Read more at For The Defense

Earthquake drill

On Thursday, October 20, King County will join with employers and other organizations statewide participating in the annual Great Washington ShakeOut earthquake drill. At 10:20 a.m., a PA announcement will go out in many County buildings asking employees to practice what they should do in an earthquake: DROP to the floor Take COVER under a desk, table, or other sturdy furniture HOLD ON until the shaking stops (or the earthquake drill ends). If you or your workgroup are not able to join in the drill on October 20 at 10:20 a.m., pick… Read More

King County and Goodwill: Preparing inmates for release

For people who find themselves in the criminal justice system, transitioning back into society, including getting a job and accessing housing, can often be challenging. To ease that transition King County removed criminal history disclosure requirements from its employment applications early last year. At the same time, the County also began a partnership with Goodwill to better prepare County inmates for release. The partnership began with a Goodwill Job Training pilot at King County Correctional Facility. “The Goodwill Job Training program actually started out as a pilot at KCCF for about a… Read More

DAJD Officer William (Ken) Antonius shares his hobby with community

Shared from the Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention’s Employee Spotlight In the Fall of 2017, Corrections Officer William Antonius hopes to retire after more than 30 years with the Department. His career with the Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention (DAJD) began in 1985 after serving in the U.S. Army and National Guard during his senior year at Auburn High School. Married to his high school sweetheart, they raised four beautiful children and have 9 precious grandkids. A devoted family man and public servant, Officer Antonius also makes time to give… Read More

The Annual Employee Giving Drive and Disability Awareness Month

The County’s 2016 Annual Employee Giving Drive continues, and this year’s goal is to raise $1.82 million. King County employees have donated $286,165.44 so far, bringing the drive to 15.7% of the goal! The Employee Giving Program is a philanthropic resource for King County employees that benefits county employees by providing prescreened nonprofits, allowing you to plan your giving, making it possible for you to donate time (vacation or compensatory hours), and offering anonymity. In observance of King County’s Disability Awareness Month, the following are four nonprofits serving the King County area… Read More

What you may not know about health in the Chinatown-International District

Crossposted from Public Health Insider We are writing a three-part series on the health of one of the most vibrant neighborhoods in our region, the Chinatown-International District (CID). With a one year nationally-funded grant, The BUILD Health Challenge has led to a robust community partnership that will take a deep look into the health and vibrancy of the CID.  To start us off, Nadine Chan, Epidemiologist from Public Health, shares some of her insights from taking a close look at what our health data can tell us about the neighborhood. The BUILD… Read More

Watch RASKC’s stories on Univision Seattle

Crossposted from Tails from RASKC RASKC is excited to share the first of nine segments which Univision Seattle, KUNS channel 51, will be proudly airing each Wednesday at 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. Univision is the fifth largest network in the U.S. with the largest Spanish-speaking audience in the world. This amazing opportunity, which starts by highlighting RASKC’s success in saving 9 out of 10 lives, will serve as a public service announcement to engage and inform the community on the various services provided by King County’s Regional Animal Services. Read more… Read More

New ‘loop’ system at Metro customer service office helps deaf or hard of hearing bus riders

Crossposted from Metro Matters Bus riders who are deaf or hard of hearing and use cochlear implants or hearing aids now can use a newly installed hearing ‘loop’ system at King County Metro’s Customer Service Office at 201 South Jackson Street in Seattle. The induction hearing loop system allows customers who use the system to better communicate with Metro employees when they are buying or reloading ORCA cards or getting other help to better ride Metro. Installing the induction hearing loop system demonstrates Metro’s continued commitment to accessibility for all of our… Read More