Crossposted from the DES Express The newly renovated floors at Harborview Medical Center’s Maleng Building, featured at a Jan. 15 ribbon-cutting, exceeded expectations for equity during construction. The two floors provide 40 new single patient rooms, including 20 intensive care rooms. The Finance and Business Operations Division’s (FBOD) Business Development and Contract Compliance (BDCC) set a goal of 25% minority- and women-owned business (M/WBE) participation. The project exceeded expectations with 29% M/WBE spend. Workforce goals were also surpassed, with 22% of labor hours performed by state-registered apprentices and 38% by priority hire… Read More

Crossposted from the DES Express Regional Animal Services of King County (RASKC) needs more dog foster parents, especially people who are skilled at handling dogs with behavior issues. One of the most valuable ways to volunteer with RASKC is to open your heart and home on a temporary basis to an animal that is waiting to be adopted. Your home might be the perfect place for these animals to receive the one-on-one comfort and attention they need. Fostering is a great way to involve the whole family or household in volunteering. RASKC… Read More

Crossposted from the King County Sheriff’s Office newsletter Last Tuesday, the King County Sheriff’s Office was proud to be invited to participate in the Annual Criminal Justice Career Fair at Seattle University. This event provided a valuable opportunity for networking, collaboration, and career exploration for those interested in law enforcement and public service. With 22 agencies from local and federal law enforcement, social service providers, and co-responders, there was a very strong turnout of both students and Seattle U alumni. Read more.

Crossposted from Metro Matters Ten years ago, Taniya Lake had little time for dating, thank you very much. She was a high school senior, enrolled in the Running Start program at Green River Community College, busy with homework for her courses there and at Auburn Mountain View High School. Not to mention all her volunteering and senior year activities. Even so, it was a bummer she seldom got to talk to that cute guy she met the first day of class at her King County Metro bus stop at the college, because… Read More

Crossposted from Clean Water Stories Every year, as millions gather for the Super Bowl, an old urban legend resurfaces. It might be the first time you’ve heard it, but in our line of work, it’s a tired tale. Legend has it that when Super Bowl halftime comes around, everyone will use the restroom at the same time, sending down a “super flush” that wastewater treatment plants just can’t handle.   It’s wild to think of everyone flushing at once, sending a huge rush of water through the pipes. But the truth is, the… Read More

King County Executive Dow Constantine announced the winners of the 23rd annual John D. Spellman Awards, the region’s highest honor for historic preservation. This year’s award winners include family-owned Kenmore Air for offering scenic Pacific Northwest flights for nearly 80 years, a flood risk reduction project that preserved cultural resources in an archeological site along the Green River, and the person who led the rehabilitation of one of the earliest homes built in Skykomish connected to the town’s railroad past. “The Spellman Award winners are saving and restoring King County’s rich history… Read More

By Noah Haglund, DAJD Communications Specialist A snarl and a menacing look were all it took to push his way inside. When Erika Overall peeked out the front door of the Maleng Regional Justice Center’s (MRJC) administrative offices one chilly morning last week, she didn’t see the shaggy intruder at first. It was only when the executive assistant looked down that she noticed a head wedged in the door – the head of a large dog. Her attempt to shoo the canine away was met with a growl. She tried opening the… Read More

Monday, Feb. 17 is Presidents’ Day, and King County government offices will be closed. All offices will reopen Tuesday, Feb. 18. On Feb. 17, Metro Transit buses will operate on weekday schedules. If you have questions about your holiday schedule, please speak to your supervisor. Have a safe and healthy holiday.