Preparing for emergencies in National Preparedness Month
Dear fellow King County employee, King County cares about your safety and well-being and we want to help you stay safe – and keep your family and community safe – in the event of an emergency. September is National Preparedness Month and I want to encourage you to take steps to prepare for a natural disaster or emergency. Our own Office of Emergency Management has training and resources that make preparing easy. Here are three steps you can take to be more prepared: Prepare for an emergency: You can find more… Read More
Sustainability and support mark a summer of meaningful advocacy for Department of Public Defense interns
Crossposted from For the Defense Cecilia Atkins, a rising 3L student at Michigan Law, chose to spend her summer internship at the King County Department of Public Defense (DPD) largely because of Washington’s unique Rule 9 licensure that allows supervised students to speak on the record. At the start of the 10-week program, she took over a handful of cases from a public defender who rotated into felonies from practicing in Seattle Municipal Court. Although Cecilia had heard from classmates at Michigan who had interned at DPD that she’d have the support… Read More
KCSO attends annual Skyway Health and Safety Fair
Cross-posted from the King County Sheriff’s Office newsletter. Last weekend, the King County Sheriff’s Office took great pride in participating in the Annual Skyway Health and Safety Fair alongside various stakeholders and the local community. This highly anticipated event attracted hundreds of residents from Skyway and nearby areas and was meticulously organized by the dedicated team at Skyway Fire District 20. The day kicked off with a complimentary pancake breakfast hosted by the fire department, setting a warm and inviting tone for the event. Throughout the day, there was a wide range… Read More
A highly successful paint recycling program shows how extended producer responsibility reduces waste, protects human and environmental health
Cross-posted from Department of Natural Resources and Parks. The success of a statewide rule that holds producers responsible for their own products, such as leftover paint, is a key component of Re+, King County’s initiative to prevent pollution, protect human and environmental health, and keep waste management costs in check. A state law that went into effect in 2020 promoting product stewardship dramatically reduced the amount of oil-based paint sent to the regional landfill in Maple Valley, preventing waste and protecting the natural environment in King County. An estimated 15,000 gallons of… Read More
Drug Court celebrates 30 years on Sept. 16
Cross-posted from King County Superior Court. King County Drug Diversion Court (KCDDC) will hold an in-person 30th anniversary celebration on September 16 in the Presiding Courtroom (E-942) of the King County Courthouse, 516 3rd Avenue, Seattle to celebrate three decades of “Transforming Lives and Strengthening Communities.” “Drug Court provided me with the treatment and resources that transformed my life. Since graduating, I have devoted my time to helping others by returning to work at the same program that saved me, supporting those who are facing similar struggles,” said Joe Barsana, a KCDDC… Read More
Your voice can be part of the future of Metro’s paratransit services
Crossposted from Metro Matters Are you an Access rider, caregiver to an Access rider, or service provider? Help shape the future of Access Transportation by taking our survey! King County Metro is continuing its full review of our paratransit rideshare service, Access Transportation, that will shape the service for the next seven to 10 years. We are at the stage where we are looking for community feedback from Access riders, Access caregivers, and Access service providers – organizations and businesses where Access riders are picked up and dropped off. If any of… Read More
A new era of health and racial equity in King County
Crossposted from Public Health Insider At a recent community celebration, Public Health – Seattle & King County unveiled an ambitious five-year strategic plan aimed at improving the health and well-being of our community. This new roadmap is the culmination of extensive collaboration and input from nearly 100 community and public health system partners, as well as hundreds of Public Health staff members. Informed by the lessons of the COVID-19 pandemic and underscored by King County’s commitment to equity and the declaration of racism as a public health crisis, the plan charts a course toward a… Read More
New podcast miniseries explores the wide world of septic systems
Crossposted from Public Health Insider What happens when we flush a toilet, or turn off a sink tap? For most of us, we don’t give much thought to it – out of sight, out of mind. But once we walk away, what goes down the drain begins a whole new journey through the wastewater system. In King County, over 85,000 homes and businesses rely on septic systems to treat their wastewater and protect their health every day. But what is a septic system? What happens when it fails, and what happens to… Read More
Backpack giveaway event at Overcomer Covenant Church
Last week, the King County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) joined forces with Overcomer Covenant Church to distribute backpacks to the South King County community. In partnership with Mission Africa, the church generously provided 500 backpacks filled with school supplies to local children. This event also offered valuable community resources and snacks for all attendees. Sgt. R. Nishimura and Deputy K. Ray staffed the KCSO booth, spreading joy by distributing frisbees, bracelets, and stickers to the excited kids. Officers were particularly moved by a young child who took an immediate liking to Deputy Ray… Read More
Emergency Management and Regional Animal Services support National Night Out
Crossposted from the DES Express National Night Out is an annual event that promotes community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie. It’s also an opportunity for public safety agencies, including King County Emergency Management and Regional Animal Services of King County, to share critical information with the community. Last week, Emergency Management employees went on the road in Carnation and Milton, while RASKC animal control officers paid visits to Issaquah, Kenmore, North Bend and Snoqualmie. Read more.
Employee News 