Juneteenth an observed County holiday on June 19
King County government will observe Juneteenth as a paid holiday and most King County offices be closed on Friday, June 19. Due to the nature of county work, some services will continue as normal while others will operate on a reduced schedule. Metro will remain on regular weekday service. June 19 is also a FIFA World Cup match day. View road closure schedules and traffic information for around downtown Seattle and Pioneer Square here.
Join colleagues across King County to celebrate Juneteenth
On Thursday, June 18, employees are invited to join colleagues across King County and community members for King County’s Juneteenth Flag Raising celebration in advance of the federal holiday on June 19. All interested employees are welcome to attend with supervisor approval. Participation is completely optional. The event will include light refreshments, music, and remarks from employees and community members whose leadership, advocacy, and service continue to advance Black liberation, social justice, and strengthen African American communities across King County. Thursday, June 18 at noon, King County Administration Building Plaza, 500 4th Ave, Seattle, WA 98104 Juneteenth marks the day… Read More
Creating a safer Metro: Our Behavioral Health Support program
Crossposted from Metro Matters On any given day, a King County Metro bus ride can be a crossroads—where someone heading to work might sometimes sit beside someone navigating homelessness, trauma or crisis. Metro’s Behavioral Health Support team was created for those moments. With compassion at the center of their work, these specialists show up in transit spaces to listen, de-escalate crisis and connect people to the care they deserve. The Behavioral Health Support program or BHS is a partnership between Metro and Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS), launched in April… Read More
Aaron Parker earns service award
Crossposted from the Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention Employee Newsletter Community Corrections Division Director Aaron Parker was honored recently with a Community Service Award from a local civil rights organization that focuses on the legal system. The Loren Miller Bar Association presented Parker with the award on May 8. The recognition occurred during the 58th Annual Philip L. Burton Memorial Scholarship Dinner in Seattle. The award is given to a lawyer, non-lawyer, or law firm who has given back to LMBA, the African American community, or the community at large in a meaningful… Read More
New one-stop employee Intranet site for the County’s new Vision, Mission, and ACTIVATE Values
On Thursday, June 4, Executive Girmay Zahilay launched our new Vision, Mission, and Values for the Executive Branch. “Together, they define where we are headed as an organization, the role we play in serving our communities, and how we will work together internally to deliver on those external priorities,” says Executive Zahilay. To help employees learn more about the new Vision, Mission, and Values, King County has launched an intranet page. It’s a new one-stop-shop page with a collection of links and information called “Vision, Mission, and ACTIVATE Values.” The page includes: Mission statement Vision statement ACTIVATE Values descriptions and key behaviors Executive Zahilay… Read More
Mystery on the Green River: What killed these young salmon?
Crossposted from Headwaters A cold April rain fell on the Green River but the research carried on. Chris Gregersen and Dan Lantz, ecologists from King County’s Science Section, floated down the river’s mainstem and poked into its tributaries listening for loud, electronic beeps from their tracking antennas. Each beep meant a juvenile Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) – previously tagged by our team or other researchers – was swimming below. Every beep was a reason to celebrate, especially in weather like this. But as they paddled up Kent’s Mill Creek in search of more… Read More
Tour our plants to find out what happens after you flush
Crossposted from Clean Water News: Updates from the King County Wastewater Treatment Division Complete your summer plans with a wastewater treatment plant tour! We offer tours at our three regional facilities, as well as our state-of-the-art Georgetown Wet Weather Treatment Station in Seattle! We invite everyone ages 9 and older to learn how we clean wastewater and transform it into valuable resources. Registration is required, so be sure to reserve your spot in advance. Sign up for a treatment plant tour here. Picture: WTD interns on a tour of the Georgetown Wet… Read More
Seasonal farmers markets are back and there are many ways to enjoy them
Crossposted from Field Notes Seasonal farmers markets are back! Across King County, more than 40 markets are opening their stalls and bringing together local farmers, foragers, food businesses, and others to share the bounty of our local food system. Here’s how to make the most of this abundant time of year. Find a market: On most days of the week except Monday, you can find a farmers market. Use the WA State Farmers Market Association’s Find a Farmers Market tool online to locate a market close to you, or stop by any market’s info booth to pick up a printed directory. Find the directory for King County and Seattle Markets here. Read… Read More
Tap into Seattle summer: ORCA releases limited-time promotional three-day pass
Crossposted from Metro Matters On June 1, ORCA launched a new promotional pass, the 3-Day Puget Pass, allowing riders to save money on transit across the Puget Sound region throughout the summer. This promotional Regional Day Pass is available through Aug. 31, 2026. The 3-Day Puget Pass is a multi-day pass which allows adult fare riders to travel around the region for an $18 flat rate, or $6 for ORCA LIFT and RRFP Senior and Disabled fare riders. This pass makes it simple for riders to enjoy unlimited transit options across multiple… Read More
Creating a culture of inclusion
Crossposted from the DAJD Employee Newsletter They’re on a mission. Employees who focus on disability issues for the Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention (DAJD) and Public Health – Seattle & King County aim to do more than just comply with the law. They want to change the mindset so that King County jails make their services truly accessible to people with disabilities. Meet Brandi Brown and Brad Steinmetz from DAJD, and Blayne Amson from Public Health. Read more.
