Medical Examiner’s Report: What we learned from those we lost in 2016
Crossposted from Public Health Insider Last year, 14,373 people died in King County. The King County Medical Examiner’s Office (MEO) investigated those deaths that were sudden, unexpected or unnatural – 2,494* in total. But, the count of life lost is more than a number. By tracking and analyzing different manners of death as well as trends in homicides, traffic fatalities, and drug overdose deaths, we are able to develop preventative measures and learn about emerging issues. Here are some key findings from 2016, as illustrated in the MEO’s recently published annual report, and… Read More
Are you prepared for holiday snow flurries?
Crossposted from Public Health Insider Snow can catch us off guard, especially if we have health needs. When snow closes roads, it’s hard for people to get to their medical appointments or get crucial medical supplies. That’s why it’s important to plan ahead when you hear a forecast for possible snow or severe winter weather if you have medical needs. Things to consider if you depend on: Oxygen tanks, medication prescriptions, or other medical supplies: Plan with your doctor, pharmacist, or medical service provider about what to do if they can’t be delivered… Read More
Temporary travel lane closures beginning in early January near Coal Creek Parkway
Preliminary work is about to get underway on planned upgrades to an aging and undersized regional sewer line that is a critical part of King County’s clean-water infrastructure in Bellevue and Newcastle. While construction on the Coal Creek Trunk sewer upgrade isn’t expected to begin until 2021, crews will begin drilling test holes in early January near Coal Creek Parkway to help determine soil conditions along the new line’s recommended alignment. Starting Jan. 4, crews will perform two to four days of test drilling per week at five locations along Coal Creek Parkway. The… Read More
The year in review: Responding to climate change by taking strategic actions in 2017
Crossposted from Keeping King County Green King County bolstered its reputation as a national leader in the effort to confront climate change in 2017, delivering on Executive Dow Constantine’s commitment to protect the region’s natural environment while creating more resilient communities. Whether it’s a pledge to operate one of the nation’s largest zero emission battery bus fleets, expanding non-motorized transportation options, or investing in alternative energy sources, King County’s efforts are helping people, neighborhoods and even cities adapt to a changing world. The Department of Natural Resources and Parks coordinated much of the County’s work… Read More
Save the planet one plate at a time!
Crossposted from Go, Green Team! Easy ways to help the environment are to compost your food waste and not waste food. On average, Americans waste about 25 percent of all food and drinks we buy. That’s not only wasting food, that’s wasted money – $130 every month. By helping prevent food waste, you are also saving water, energy and fuel that are all used to produce, package, and transport food. Learn more at Food: Too Good to Waste. Recently, the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) did studies in three cities- Denver, New York and Nashville… Read More
Thank you for another year of remarkable achievements
Dear fellow King County employee, As 2017 winds down and we prepare to celebrate the start of 2018, I want to thank you for another year of dedicated service to the people of King County. Thanks to your talent, creativity and hard work we were able to deliver even more effective services, identify new solutions, and build more welcoming communities for all of our residents. We have put together a slideshow of 17 accomplishments in 2017, all of which bring us closer to being a truly just, inclusive and prosperous community. We achieved… Read More
2017 in review: Leading the nation in the transition to battery-powered buses
Crossposted from Inside Transportation King County Executive Dow Constantine is accelerating the transition to zero-emissions transportation by making one of the largest bus fleets in the US all-electric by as early as 2034. Under his leadership, and that of DOT Director Harold Taniguchi and Metro General Manager Rob Gannon, Metro is not only upgrading its fleet to battery-powered buses, we’re demonstrating that there is strong market demand for the new generation of cleaner, quieter buses that can help King County confront climate change. In January, Executive Constantine announced Metro’s commitment to purchase 120 battery-electric buses… Read More
Thank you for reading, watching and engaging
In 2017 the Employee Communications Team shared the stories of your successes, County priorities and initiatives, career opportunities, and work-related news and events through various communications channels, including the weekly Employee News e-newsletter, the KC Employee News blog, our LinkedIn account and YouTube channel. In this year’s Employee Survey, 75% of you said you felt well-informed about County news and events, with 18% neutral and 7% disagreeing. In 2018 we will work to improve our communications so all employees have the information they need to grow their careers, stay healthy and do their best… Read More
Metro’s Monday AM commute updates
Crossposted from Eye on Your Metro Commute Please note the information below about service advisories and alerts due to significant events and construction in Metro’s service area. Visit Metro’s Service Advisories page for a complete list. Sign up for Transit Alerts. Events Seahawks at CenturyLink Field Saturday, 12/31 at 1:25 PM. Traffic in the SODO, Stadium, Pioneer Square & downtown Seattle areas may be congested on game days. Ride regularly scheduled transit service to & from the game. Read more at Eye on Your Metro Commute
KCIT launches new IT training site
In 2017 King County Information and Technology’s (KCIT) three fulltime trainers delivered 2500 in-person training hours in KCIT’s dedicated training lab in Chinook. In 2018, look for a robust, wide-ranging and responsive training programs and a new, easy-to-use training site. In Q1 of 2018 we will offer the following: Introduction to King County Technology Office 365 including SharePoint site owner, Planner, OneNote, Power BI Technology training reinforcement videos Look for more and new classes throughout the year. KCIT is listening to what customers need and developing training to meet those needs. To visit… Read More
Employee News 