KCTV celebrates Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander month

There’s a saying in Vietnamese, “Uống nước nhớ nguồn” that translates to “when you drink from a river, remember its origins.” Throughout the month of May, KCTV will feature local AANHPI leaders each week to see how their past is connected to the present. Week two features Shawn Wong, a Chinese-American University of Washington professor and author. When Wong was coming up as a young writer in the 1970s, he wanted to know: Where are all the Asian American authors? Fifty years later, through publishing, writing and teaching, Shawn has worked to make Asian… Read More

Congratulations to the 2021 Executive’s Performance Excellence Awards honorees

Several King County leaders today announced the honorees for the 2021 Executive’s Performance Excellence Awards in a series of videos, recognizing employees and teams for their exceptional contributions to performance, leadership, service, and innovation to better serve our residents. “I established these awards back in 2018 to honor employees and workgroups for their exceptional contributions to performance, leadership, and innovation,” Executive Constantine said in his introduction to the awards. “Recognizing great work is important; and celebrating the people behind the great work is even more important; and that’s exactly what’s behind the… Read More

Leave the car, hit the trail: Trailhead Direct returns May 28

King County’s Trailhead Direct transit service will return for the season beginning on Saturday, May 28. This summer, King County Metro and King County Parks are focusing the transit-to-trails service on its most popular route with stops at trailheads near Mount Si, Mount Teneriffe, and Little Si. Riders can take the bus, Sound Transit Link light rail, or bike to easily get to the Sound Transit Capitol Hill Link station, where Trailhead Direct coaches will depart every 30 minutes. The 2022 season will include service on Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day. See the… Read More

Juneteenth an observed County holiday on Monday, June 20

King County government will observe Juneteenth as a new paid holiday for the first time this year, on Monday, June 20.   Last year, King County Council passed two Ordinances and King County bargained Agreements for represented employees to establish Juneteenth (June 19) and Indigenous Peoples’ Day (second Monday in October) as paid holidays starting in 2022 for King County employees who are eligible for comprehensive leave benefits. This year, King County government offices will be closed on Monday, June 20 in observance of Juneteenth. The establishment of Juneteenth and Indigenous Peoples’ Day as new holidays reflects our… Read More

Executive Constantine proclaims May 15 to May 21 as Emergency Medical Services Week

Executive Dow Constantine has declared May 15 to May 21, 2022 as Emergency Medical Services Week in King County. Emergency medical services are among the most important services provided in the area, and it is important to honor the valuable accomplishments of emergency medical services providers. The full proclamation follows below.

Emergency Management staff present at state conference

Cross-posted from Executive Services Express Four Emergency Management employees presented at the statewide Partners in Emergency Preparedness Conference last month. Susanna Trimarco, Sasha Rector, Mikko McFeely and Sheri Badger gave a total of three presentations covering Regional Catastrophic Planning, Complex Coordinated Terrorist Attacks and the Trusted Partner Network. Click here to read the full story.

Seattle Pride Parade is back and King County is marching

Mark your calendars for Sunday, June 26 at 11 a.m. to join your colleagues representing King County in the 2022 Seattle Pride parade. Participants will be required to show proof of vaccination or negative COVID-19 test in order to participate. T-shirts will be available for sale, so stand by for more information. There will be 150 adult size t-shirts available at no cost on a first-come, first-serve basis the morning of the parade. Further details about when and where we will meet for the Parade will be sent out once it is available. To stay up to date on all things related… Read More

KCIT Tech Centers now located in Tukwila, Northgate, and South Seattle

Executive Branch employees can now get IT support at any of KCIT’s new Tech Centers in Tukwila, Northgate or South Seattle. KCIT Tech Centers provide employees with convenient onboarding/offboarding services, docking station and monitor replacements, and general PC fixes that can’t be solved remotely. KCIT Tech Center support is available by appointment only. If onsite help is needed, KCIT staff will contact you to schedule an appointment at your preferred location. KCIT Tech Centers are another example of how KCIT is supporting King County’s hybrid workforce as we move forward with the Future of… Read More

Changes coming to King County COVID-19 testing sites

Cross-posted from Public Health Insider As King County COVID-19 case rates have fallen from the Omicron peak earlier this year, and as the availability of free rapid self-test and community testing options have increased, demand at King County COVID-19 test sites has significantly declined. In order to better align with demand and transition to long-term testing solutions, Public Health – Seattle & King County will end its operations of our Tukwila, Federal Way and Auburn COVID-19 testing sites. The last day of King County operations for the Federal Way and Tukwila testing sites… Read More

Immunocompromised? You may be eligible for this medication to help protect from COVID

Cross-posted from Public Health Insider If you or someone you know is at higher risk from COVID-19 because of a compromised immune system, pre-exposure prophylaxis (also called PrEP, available as the product Evusheld) can help to protect from severe disease. When taken before infection or exposure, Evusheld helps your body fight the coronavirus and avoid getting really sick or needing to visit the hospital. Find more information here.