March and April Operators of the Month
Cross-posted from Metro Matters They are as unique as the people they meet with everyday when behind the wheel of their coaches: A tennis coach. A bowler. Another who started driving for Metro to help pay for school. A retired banker who now regrets telling the bus drivers who got him to work to “hurry up.” And those who started driving buses after being told they would be good at it. They are part of a group of transit operators with more than a century of experience at Metro. Click here to meet the… Read More
How King County businesses help protect public health and the environment through our Industrial Waste program
Cross-posted from Clean Water Stories Staff at the King County wastewater treatment plants do an excellent job of cleaning wastewater, but not all types of waste can be filtered out during the treatment process. The Industrial Waste Program is in charge of preventing pollution from entering the wastewater system in the first place. That’s also where local business can make a difference. By making sure that they only send wastewater to the County system that meets the standards set to protect the environment, businesses play a big role in keeping our waterways clean. Read the full story here.
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. This week features Rachel Yang, a Korean-American chef and James Beard nominee that co-owns the Relay Restaurant Group, which includes the popular Joule and Revel restaurants. You can see the YouTube video here and Facebook video here. Watch for upcoming features including artist Erin Shigaki, writer and UW Professor Shawn Wong, and… Read More
Executive Constantine thanks retiring Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention director John Diaz and names successor
Executive Constantine announced that John Diaz, Director of the Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention (DAJD), will retire in late June following a distinguished three-year tenure that included unprecedented changes during the COVID-19 pandemic. A former Seattle police chief, Diaz joined DAJD as interim director in April 2019 and assumed the director position that August. Executive Constantine has appointed Juvenile Division Director Allen Nance to take over the role. Read the full announcement here.
Thanking Sheriff’s Office employees in National Police Week
This week is National Police Week, and King County Executive Dow Constantine used the opportunity to thank King County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) employees for their service. I am grateful for everything that you do for the people of this region, and I thank you for your ongoing service,” Executive Constantine said in an email message to KCSO staff. “You are there, day in and day out, ensuring their safety and helping to make more welcoming, thriving communities.” With over 1,000 employees, the KCSO serves the law enforcement needs of over half a… Read More
New ORCA card system begins on May 16
Cross-posted from Metro Matters Starting May 16, hundreds of thousands of ORCA transit customers across the Puget Sound region will have access to a new website, smartphone app, and real-time value loading for their ORCA cards. Customers will also begin to see new card readers and vending machines as technology is updated and rolled out at transit locations throughout the region. This will mark the start of ongoing improvements to the ORCA system over the next several years. Get more information here.
May is Mental Health Month: Back to Basics
Mental Health Month is celebrated in May of each year. Due to the profound impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the national conversation around mental health is normalizing. This year, Mental Health America has focused Mental Health Month on “Back to Basics,” helping re-center us on what mental health is, how we can support our mental health, and what resources are available to help. Learn more here.
Anita Khandelwal reappointed to lead Department of Public Defense
King County Executive Dow Constantine announced the reappointment of Anita Khandelwal to continue serving as director of Department of Public Defense, a critical position to ensure equity and justice in the criminal legal system. The department provides legal defense to any person charged with a crime or facing a loss of liberty who cannot afford an attorney, representing more than 15,000 individuals last year. Read the announcement here.
Executive Constantine appoints Patti Cole-Tindall as King County Sheriff
Following a nationwide search and thorough interview and public engagement process, Executive Constantine announced today his appointment of Patti Cole-Tindall to serve as King County Sheriff. Cole-Tindall has a background in law enforcement, labor relations, human resources as well as service to the community. She joined the King County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) in October 2015, serving as the Chief of Technical Services Division for almost five years before being appointed to Undersheriff in 2020. She was appointed Interim Sheriff in November 2021 and began serving in her new role in January. Read the full announcement here.
Level up: King County International Airport moves toward next step in Airport Carbon Accreditation Program
Climate change caused by carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions will have long-term consequences for the environment, the economy, and public health and safety. To do its part to reduce the threat, King County International Airport-Boeing Field (KCIA) aims to be carbon neutral by 2030. After achieving Level 1 in the Airport Carbon Accreditation Program (ACAP) in 2021, the airport is now on track toward Level 2, demonstrating actual reductions of harmful greenhouse gases emitted in airport operations. Read the story here.
Employee News 