First-ever Juneteenth flag-raising at King County
Crossposted from the DES Express For the first time ever, King County raised a Pan-African Flag over the Administration Plaza as part of a celebration of Juneteenth – Freedom Day. After a few brief speeches, participants broke into song at the event on June 18, singing the Black National Anthem, “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” a hymn written as a poem by NAACP leader James Weldon Johnson in 1900. The flag waved proudly over the Plaza through June 19 to commemorate the first Juneteenth celebrations that took place in 1866, a year… Read More
Keeping young minds engaged at annual Youth Academy
By Manny Apostol Jr., Community Engagement Specialist, King County Sheriff’s Office Last week, the King County Sheriff’s Office, in collaboration with the Renton Police Department, the Newcastle Police Department, and the DEA’s Operation Engage, held the second annual Youth Academy, which was an exciting and impactful event. A group of 36 enthusiastic middle schoolers from the Renton School District, ranging from 11 to 14 years old, had the opportunity to engage with public safety professionals from 12 different agencies. The activities offered were both educational and entertaining, encompassing a combat challenge, captivating… Read More
Reducing lead in cookware leads to BRG Innovation Award for Equity, Racial & Social Justice
By Mary Miller, Executive Communications, Office of Performance, Strategy, and Budget A joint team from the Water and Land Resources Division of the Department of Natural Resources (DNRP) and Parks and the Environmental Health Division of Public Health – Seattle and King County received the 2023 Best-Run Government (BRG) Innovation Award for Equity, Racial & Social Justice. The project team took significant and decisive action to address the health risks that exposure to lead in aluminum cookware posed to Afghan refugee children – and then broadened new protective measures to help residents… Read More
No yard burning: Fire Marshal issues Stage 1 Burn Ban, restricting yard debris fires in unincorporated areas
Crossposted from King County Local With the dry season fast approaching, King County Fire Marshal Eric Urban has issued a Stage 1 Burn Ban for the unincorporated areas, which prohibits yard debris fires along with fires set to clear land. It took effect Saturday, June 29. The ban, issued in conjunction with the King County Fire Chiefs Association and King County Fire Marshals Association, does not apply to recreational fires and gas/propane appliances, including grills, pellet smokers and charcoal grills. Read more.
Sun safety tips
As we all know, our region does not get year-round sun. It seems like every year when summer arrives, we rush outside to get the much-needed sun we’ve been missing. Whether you are enjoying your summer activities or exposed to sun during your workday, don’t forget to follow these sun safety tips to keep you cool and safe: Wear sunscreen: No matter your skin type, sunscreen helps protect you from damage caused by UV rays. Cover all exposed areas of your body with an SPF 30 or higher sunscreen. Wear appropriate clothing: Choose lightweight, light… Read More
Take care working outdoors during heat
Updated Aug. 8, 2024 Hot weather is forecast for the next few days in our region, and a Heat Advisory has been issued for parts of the state. As some of our work needs to be performed outdoors, we want to ensure that employees and supervisors take care of themselves and one another as temperatures rise. In extreme heat, Executive Branch departments should evaluate planned field work to determine if this work can be postponed to when temperatures are cooler, where possible. If work must be performed, departments should attempt to adapt… Read More
Protect your pet this Fourth of July holiday
Crossposted from Tails from RASKC It’s no secret that more pets go missing around the Fourth of July than any other time of the year. The bangs, booms, and pops of fireworks can be quite scary for our furry friends, and they scamper off in search of a good hiding place. While many areas of King County prohibit consumer fireworks, chances are that you’ll still hear firecrackers, aerial shells, and other noisemakers in your neighborhood during the holiday period. To help your pet cope with the noise from fireworks, and reduce the… Read More
July 4 closures and notices
King County government offices will be closed to observe Independence Day on Thursday, July 4. All offices will be back on schedule Friday, July 5. On July 4, most Metro Transit buses will operate on Sunday schedules with extra late-night services. There will not be an Employee Newsletter published on July 4. If you have questions about your holiday schedule, please speak to your supervisor. Have a safe and healthy holiday.
Ableism and allyship in the workplace
By Karla Lynch, Employment and Community Access Program Manager, Department of Community and Human Services, and Dorian Esper-Taylor, Disability Justice Specialist, Office of Equity, Racial, and Social Justice, Department of Executive Services Disability Pride Month is celebrated each year in July. Disability Pride initially started as a day of celebration in 1990—the year that the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law. Yet for people with disabilities, navigating a society constructed by and for people without disabilities continues to highlight the presence of ableism and the power of allyship in… Read More
Free admission to Emerald Downs Sunday, July 7
King County employees and their families are invited to attend the Emerald Downs racetrack for King County Day on Sunday July 7. They will receive free admission and should check in at Will-Call to receive their tickets. Employees will need to show proof of current employment, such as an employee badge or recent paystub. In addition to King County Day, other events at Emerald Downs this summer include Corgi Races, Premio Esmeralda Weekend which highlights the Latinx community, T-Rex Day, Wiener Dog and Wannabe races, and the final race of the season, Three… Read More
Employee News 