Get a flu shot this fall
Dear King County Employee, In the past year, with so many people staying home, social distancing, and masking up, we saw relatively little flu circulating in Washington State. Now with mask mandates lifted in most settings and many people resuming in-person activities, we are likely to see flu activity ramp up this season. It’s especially important for every person to be protected before it starts to spread in our area to give your body time to build immunity. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that, with rare exceptions, everyone six months and… Read More
New approach by King County Regional Homelessness Authority featured in Washington Post
King County was featured this week in a Washington Post article on innovations to improve the accuracy of data on the homeless population in our area. The article documents a new method being trialed by the King County Regional Homelessness Authority (KCRHA) for counting unsheltered populations, and also features a report from the King County Department of Community and Human Services that analyzes integrated data hubs to better identify gaps between systems serving our most vulnerable neighbors. Better data will mean more effective solutions for people experiencing homelessness. Read more.
Search and Rescue team airlifts injured hiker
A team from the King County Search and Rescue team recenlty were caught on video airlifting an injured hiker off Cathedral Rock mountain. The hiker had a broken ankle and was not able to continue without assistance. Kudos to the team of deputies involved: Joshua Sweeney, Alexander Paul, Anthony Mullinax, Keith Potter, Robert Clarkson, and Peter Linde. According to a thank you email from the injured hiker, she is successfully recovering back home in California and doctors say she should be able to finish the trail next year. Click here to watch the rescue video.
Free Youth Transit Pass starts Sept. 1
King County Executive Dow Constantine announced today the one-week countdown to the Free Youth Transit Pass at a celebration and rally with advocates, young leaders, families, and officials who were champions for the change. King County will also join regional transit agencies in lowering ORCA LIFT fares to $1. Read more.
King County Elections receives national recognition
King County Elections was honored by the Election Center, the National Association of Election Officials, in the organization’s annual Professional Practice Paper Awards for 2022. The Election Center’s Professional Practices Program is a celebration of best practices from jurisdictions around the country and the U.S. Territories. Read more.
Washington State Fair discounts for King County employees
Employees can save on tickets to the Washington State Fair, Sept. 2-25. Click here for instructions on how to purchase your discount tickets. Once you log in to the Corporate Perks portal, your discount pricing will be unlocked. There is no need to enter an additional discount code. See all available King County employee discounts on the Employee Discount webpage.
King County is removing nearly 2,000 toxic-coated pilings from the Harbor Island shoreline
The King County Solid Waste Division is removing a derelict timber dock from the mouth of the Duwamish River, supporting a regional effort to clean up historic pollution and restore shoreline and aquatic habitat. The $8.1 million project, led by King County’s Solid Waste Division, is removing a 72,700 square-foot dock and its 1,800 timber pilings coated in creosote, a chemical once used to preserve wood that is harmful to water quality and marine life. The project contributes to a regional partnership committed to cleaning up historic pollution in the industrial corridor of… Read More
Executive Constantine announces a combined $8.2 million for community-led projects
King County Executive Dow Constantine recenlty announced two grant funds worth a combined $8.2 million for 37 community-led projects that will increase access to open space and parks, expand recreational facilities, and help protect and restore floodplain habitat. The King County Council approved the plan to allocate both grants, which are funded by the voter-approved King County Parks Levy. Read more.
Enjoy late summer and Labor Day weekend hiking with Trailhead Direct
Trailhead Direct – the popular transit-to trails service offered by King County Parks and King County Metro – offers convenient, eco-friendly adventures for late summer hikes as well as service during Labor Day weekend. Check out the route schedule and trail information, and watch the video below.
Executive Constantine announces King County’s first-ever Wildfire Risk Reduction Strategy
King County has developed its first-ever Wildfire Risk Reduction Strategy, a set of 12 recommended actions to improve preparedness, response, and recovery as the region experiences hotter, drier summers due to climate change. The strategy’s recommended actions are organized around three guiding priorities: Make King County forests more resilient to wildfire, reduce risks to communities and infrastructure in the wildland-urban interface, and enhance emergency response. Read more.
Employee News 