King County’s Metro Flex to launch in Auburn and Federal Way, bringing on-demand transit to more of South King County
King County Metro will launch two new Metro Flex pilots serving Auburn and Federal Way on Aug. 31. The pilots expand on-demand transit in South King County as part of a broader set of transit improvements made possible through the South Link Connections project. Metro Flex allows riders to book on-demand trips within designated service areas, providing connections between neighborhoods, transit hubs, jobs and other destinations. Riders can book trips through the Metro Flex app or by phone, with rides provided in Metro-operated minivans. The Auburn and Federal Way pilots will run for two years…. Read More
Reminder: Tickets at Work provides multiple discounts, including Wild Waves
Wild Waves Theme and Water Park in Federal Way is closing permanently on Nov. 1, and employees are reminded a discount exists to take advantage of one last ride. Through Tickets at Work, employees can search for Wild Waves to see a discounted ticket option starting at $49.95 per guest, ages 4+, now through Nov 1. Visit ticketsatwork.com and register with promo code KingCounty to begin accessing discounts. See all available discounts on the Employee Discount intranet page.
Clogged, not forgotten: The hidden reality when you flush wipes
Crossposted from Clean Water Stories It’s two in the morning when Brian White’s phone rings. A fellow operator at West Point Treatment Plant in Seattle is calling with bad news: The Hidden Lake Pump Station in Shoreline is rapidly losing capacity. If the problem continues, it could lead to a sewer overflow. Within minutes, White, an offsite wastewater operator for West Section, is out of bed and behind the wheel, heading into the darkness to protect public health and Puget Sound. Read more.
Planning ahead: Make back-to-school vaccination appointments now
Crossposted from Public Health Insider School’s about more than math quizzes and book reports. It’s where kids go to play, grow, and build community. But where kids thrive, so do germs. Enter vaccinations! Vaccinations are the body’s practice test for diseases like measles and whooping cough. That way, if the real thing shows up, kids’ immune systems know exactly what to do. Vaccinations required for school and child care Children entering school, child care, or other early learning programs are required to get certain vaccinations before they can start. Check the full list of requirements in… Read More
Celebrating 60 years of clean water operations
Crossposted from the King County Wastewater Treatment Division newsletter This year, we’re marking 60 years of operations at West Point Treatment Plant in Seattle! Today, we work 24/7 to clean more than 90 million gallons of wastewater every day, protecting public health and Puget Sound. West Point came online in 1966, following South Treatment Plant in Renton, which celebrated its 60th birthday last year. Brightwater Treatment Plant near Woodinville turns 15. View more photos on Instagram here. Pictured: An archival photo of the West Point Treatment Plant.
‘Salmon SEEson’ turns 20: Spot fish coming home to spawn in King County rivers and streams
Crossposted from DNRP Field Notes This year marks the 20th anniversary of Salmon SEEson, King County’s program helping people watch one of the Pacific Northwest’s greatest natural events; salmon returning from the open ocean to the same streams where they hatched to spawn the next generation. Each fall, chinook, coho, sockeye, and chum salmon, along with the Lake Sammamish kokanee, a native and genetically distinct freshwater population found nowhere else, make their way back to rivers and creeks throughout King County. Read more.
U.S. Sen. Patty Murray secures funds to expand water taxi’s passenger-only facility in Seattle
Crossposted from the Captain’s Blog U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, has announced $22.1 million for King County Metro Transit, and $7.2 million for Washington State Ferries. The funding will support expanding a passenger-only ferry facility in Seattle and operations of rural ferry routes from Anacortes to the San Juan Islands, and Port Townsend to Coupeville. The funding comes from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA)’s Passenger Ferry and Rural Ferry Grant Programs. Read more.
New IT ticketing system, Neurons, now available
King County’s previous IT service management system, Cherwell, has been successfully replaced by a new system called Neurons. You can access the new Neurons system at helpdesk.kingcounty.gov. All tickets submitted before noon on Friday, Aug. 14 were automatically moved into Neurons and are now available to view or edit. A video tutorial and FAQs are now available to help employees get familiar with the new Neurons system. Watch the video on this page. If you experience any issues or need assistance with the new Neurons system, please contact the KCIT Helpdesk at 206-263-HELP.
Growing new beginnings at CitySoil Farm
Crossposted from Clean Water Stories At our CitySoil Farm at South Treatment Plant in Renton, growing culturally relevant veggies and fruits to feed the community is only part of the story. Throughout the summer, another kind of growth takes root: young people building confidence, learning new skills, and discovering new possibilities for their futures. Since 2013, Sea Mar Renacer and the King County Wastewater Treatment Division have been working together to create meaningful educational experiences for youth participating in Renacer’s rehabilitation program. Together, the partnership demonstrates how environmental stewardship and community well-being can go hand in… Read More
Danielle Hinz to lead FBOD starting Oct. 1
Crossposted from the DES Express Danielle Hinz will take the helm of the Department of Executive Services’ Finance and Business Operations Division (FBOD) on Oct. 1 after Ken Guy’s retirement. “The legacy of trust, respect and continuous improvement that Ken has built is a wonderful foundation – and why I’m in FBOD,” Hinz said. “I want to continue to build on that.” Hinz returned to the county in January 2025 as Deputy Director of FBOD after six and a half years at Amazon. Prior to that, she spent more than 20 years… Read More
