King County Metro has second-fastest rider increase in U.S.

Crossposted from Metro Matters King County Metro has the second-largest rider increase in the country. The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) announced the results in its “Transit Wrapped 2024” report. Among the nation’s large transit agencies—those with 50 million or more annual trips, Metro ranked second in the percentage ridership increase over the past year. “We’ve been proud to lead the way nationally and to make transit the best way to travel our beautiful region,” said King County Executive Dow Constantine. “In 2024, Metro added roughly 3,700 weekly bus trips, launched the… Read More

2025 MLK Jr. calendars now available to order

The 2025 MLK Jr. calendar, designed by artist Barbara Earl Thomas, is now available for King County employees to order. All orders will need to be submitted via the order form by Friday, Dec. 20, 2024. Listed below are the guidelines for submitting orders: Only one order per section is allowed. Please identify one person in your section/department to coordinate and submit your order. Minimum order is 50 calendars and increased in increments of 50 (50, 100, 150, 200, etc.). We will not be accepting individual orders and you will need to coordinate with your… Read More

Ready to help: Department of Local Services prioritizing storm-damage property applications

Crossposted from King County Local King County recognizes the toll the recent storm took on many in the unincorporated areas, including those who suffered property damage. The Department of Local Services wants to help unincorporated King County residents whose properties were affected by quickly processing their damage repair permits. Our Permitting Division asks property owner’s to apply for a damage assessment inspection online once an owner’s property has been secured to prevent unauthorized entry. Inspection staff will then conduct a damage assessment inspection, report on findings, and direct the property owner on additional permitting… Read More

King County biologists report the strongest return of Lake Sammamish kokanee salmon in a decade, a possible breakthrough after a near extinction

King County biologists recently reported the strongest return of adult kokanee salmon in the Lake Sammamish watershed in a decade, a potential breakthrough for the freshwater species after nearly going extinct a few years ago. At least 6,800 adult kokanee salmon have returned from the lake to their spawning ground this season after 10 years of alarmingly low returns, including just 19 salmon returning to spawn during the 2017-2018 season. The strong return occurred six years after King County Executive Dow Constantine directed the Department of Natural Resources and Parks to enact… Read More

Aerospace manufacturer thinks globally but acts locally to protect Puget Sound waters

Originally published by the King County Wastewater Treatment Division  To those who pass by, Skills Inc. may seem like just another grey building tucked behind Auburn’s mile-long dealership row. Inside, the company is quietly making its mark contributing to western Washington’s cluster of innovation in commercial aerospace. The work of manufacturing and finishing wings, landing gear, side panels, and other aerospace parts involves the use of heavy metals and caustic chemicals. While Skills Inc.’s finished products end up all over the world, the company has a responsibility locally to keep Puget Sound… Read More

An Intern to GM: Driving King County Metro’s future

This article by Andrew Binion originally appeared in Seattle University Magazine. Michelle Allison, ’10 MPA, started with the King County Council while working on her degree and 13 years later is leading the largest mass transit agency in the Northwest. Sunday mornings after church in Michelle Allison’s hometown of Homer, Alaska, conversations would invariably shift to an announcement that a neighbor planned to drive the 220 miles to Anchorage—a 10-hour round trip. Stops would be slated for Costco, the hardware store, the auto parts store and the like. “What else do people need?”… Read More

Recognizing Native American Heritage Month

Crossposted from Metro Matters By De’Sean Quinn, King County Metro Assistant General Manager for Strategy and Partnerships As Native American Heritage Month comes to a close, I invite you to join me in reflecting on the privilege of living in a region shaped by the deep history and enduring contributions of Native American communities. In Washington state, 29 tribes are part of a network of more than 500 federally recognized tribes across the United States. In King County, we live on the ancestral lands of the Muckleshoot, Snoqualmie, Puyallup, Tulalip, Suquamish, Coast Salish… Read More

Let’s play ball! Improving sports fields in King County

Crossposted from King County Parks From baseball to soccer, lacrosse to cricket, sports fields are an important part of our community. They’re a place to hone new skills, learn the value of working on a team, a place to come together over the love of the game, and an opportunity to exercise and improve mental and physical wellbeing. The 2020-2025 King County Parks Levy has a variety of projects and funds that go to creating and improving existing sports fields on King County Parks properties and in local cities throughout the county. Read more.

Thanksgiving is on its way: Help us “unstuff” our shelter by taking a pet Home for the Holidays!

Crossposted from Tails from RASKC Like many animal shelters across the nation, Regional Animal Services of King County (RASKC) is overwhelmed with dogs and cats. To help ease the shelter space crunch, RASKC is waiving adoption fees for dogs through the end of the year during our “Home for the Holidays” promotion. “Our dog kennels have been consistently at or over capacity all year,” said RASKC assistant operations manager Tim Anderson. “I can’t recall that happening in the last twelve years. So, by waiving adoption fees, we hope we can find a… Read More

Was your property damaged because of the windstorm?

Crossposted from KC Emergency News Report Damage King County Emergency Management wants to know if last week’s windstorm caused you any damages. This information may help Washington request disaster assistance from the state and federal government. If your primary residence or business was damaged by the weather, we’d like to hear from you. Here is the link to report your damages. Property Tax Relief If your property (private and business) has been damaged in this storm, you may qualify for property tax relief. For more information on how to apply, go to Destroyed property… Read More