Tech Tip: Scammers impersonate the Social Security Administration
By Ralph Johnson, Chief Information Security and Privacy Officer Your Social Security number is an important key for an identity thief. Scammers want it, and they think of all sorts of ways to trick you into giving it away. The Federal Trade Commission receives reports about calls from scammers claiming to be from the Social Security Administration. They say there’s been a computer problem, and they need to confirm your Social Security number. Other people have told the FTC that they have come across spoof websites that look like the place where you… Read More
Kudos! King County DPD recognized for working to simplify Miranda warning for juveniles
A recent Bloomberg News Article, Kids Need Miranda Rights They Can Understand, highlights the work King County’s Department of Defense (DPD) has done on having developmentally appropriate Miranda warnings for juveniles. The article states “In effect, in most cases the criminal justice system approaches juvenile suspects with confusing language to advise them of their rights, then proceeds to interrogate them without the benefit of counsel. It’s a recipe for injustice.” Thank you to Katherine Hurley, DPD Attorney, and Anita Khandelwal, DPD Policy Director, for their outstanding work on this important project.
DPD’s Lorinda Youngcourt elected to national steering committee
Congratulations! Lorinda Youngcourt, the King County Director of the Department of Public Defense, has been elected to the Steering Committee of the National Association for Public Defense. The Steering Committee is comprised of member-leaders who have risen to distinction through their contributions to the National Association for Public Defense NAPD. It guides the organization with a primary goal of shaping it into a self-sufficient and self-governing entity. Lorinda was a unanimous electee, and her term is effective as of January 18.
Kudos! King County recognized for Excellence in Financial Reporting
For the 36th year in a row, King County has received the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA). The award focuses on superior performance in producing the Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR). In addition, GFOA also recognized King County with the Popular Annual Financial Reporting Award (PAFR) for the seventh year running. The review committee lauded King County for producing a useful report for its residents that is easy to understand and accurate in summarizing complex financial information. Congratulations to Cheryl Lee and her Financial Management Section accounting team, as well… Read More
Kudos! Welcome to the new King County Sheriff, Mitzi Johanknecht
Pictured here is new King County Sheriff Mitzi Johanknecht, with Judge Laura Inveen, being sworn in Tuesday morning at the King County Courthouse. It’s official! Please join us in welcoming Mitzi Johanknecht as our King County Sheriff!
Kudos! Archivists acknowledged for book contributions!
Waterway: The Story of Seattle’s Locks and Ship Canal by David Williams and Jennifer Ott was published this year as a part of the regional centennial celebration of the opening of the Lake Washington Ship canal and the Ballard Locks. Several staff from King County Archives were acknowledged for their contributions in the new book, including archivist Carol Shenk, assistant archivists Jill Anderson and Rebecca Pixler, and reference specialist Greg Lange. Kudos to these Records and Licensing Services Division staff for their innovation and contributions!
Kudos! Solid Waste Divisions’ “Food Too Good to Waste” Program featured in KNKX!
This piece was featured on KNKX’s Environment category. Kudos to Karen May for representing the program in the article! Kudos to SWD for its commitment to providing programs that conserve the environment! “If you have leftovers you’re not going to eat for a while, just go ahead and sock it right into the freezer. Then it won’t become a science experiment a few weeks down the road that you discover at the back of your refrigerator.” Read more at KNKX
Kudos! Public Health – Seattle & King County receives a shoutout from the University of Washington
Over 2016 and 2017, Public Health responded to one of the largest mumps outbreak in the state and county in recent memory, including cases at the University of Washington campus. UW officials recently credited our help for reducing the impact on the community. Said one official: “I am grateful to our public health colleagues who were vital in helping us with this strategy.” Said another: “I’d say that our many our many hours on controlling the outbreak was an investment in keeping the outbreak small. We heard about the large outbreaks at other universities,… Read More
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