Distinguished community public health leader is King County’s new Health Officer
Crossposted from Public Health Insider Public Health – Seattle & King County is delighted to welcome Dr. Sandra J. Valenciano, a public health leader with both local and national experience in improving community health, as King County’s new Health Officer. Public Health Director Dr. Faisal Khan appointed Dr. Valenciano to serve as the department’s primary medical expert, provide leadership on scientific and medical matters that shape department policy and practice, and foster strong relationships with the healthcare community. Dr. Valenciano comes from DeKalb Public Health in metro Atlanta, Georgia, where she most… Read More
New law will strengthen statewide recycling, reduce waste and greenhouse gas emissions
Crossposted from Keeping King County Green King County’s longstanding leadership in recycling will become stronger through the recent passage of Washington’s Recycling Reform Act – a comprehensive law that modernizes the state’s recycling system and promises to slash waste while boosting recycling rates. At the center of the legislation is a policy approach called Extended Producer Responsibility, which requires manufacturers to take responsibility for the end of life of the packaging they produce. The law will provide sustainable funding for recycling services, increase recycling rates, and create consistency and transparency in recycling… Read More
Shuyi Hu awarded the 2024 Best-Run Government Leadership Excellence Award: People Leader
When a critical project to update King County’s court case management system faced a significant challenge, Shuyi Hu, Technology Division Director for the Department of Judicial Administration (DJA) – Technology Services Division, stayed focused and kept the project moving. His determination, tenacity, innovative approach, and leadership skills contributed to Shuyi winning the 2024 Best-Run Government – Leadership Excellence Award – People Leader. The Best-Run Government Leadership Excellence Awards recognize individuals who have made significant and tangible leadership contributions to developing Executive branch values in others, improving workplace culture, and leading organizational change… Read More
Free admission to Emerald Downs on Sunday, June 22
King County employees can get free admission to King County Day at Emerald Downs on Sunday, June 22. Employees may attend for free on Sunday, June 22, by bringing their King County badge, displaying their King County email inbox on their phone, or displaying any other generally accepted proof of employment. Employees may bring up to five members of their family (six total free tickets). Tickets will be available for pick-up on Sunday, June 22, in front of the general admission gates from 1 to 4 p.m. Emerald Downs’ address is 2300 Ron… Read More
Take Trailhead Direct to hiking trails starting May 24
Crossposted from Metro Matters Break out your hiking boots and get ready to explore Mount Si and the Issaquah Alps. King County’s Trailhead Direct, the transit-to-trails service on summer weekends and holidays, returns on Saturday, May 24. Trailhead Direct, King County’s transit-to-trails service, begins its eighth season on Memorial Day weekend. Trailhead Direct is operated by King County Metro in partnership with King County Parks and the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT), with promotional support from Amazon. Trips to the Issaquah Alps and Mount Si trails will operate on weekends and holidays, starting Saturday,… Read More
King County Security Tips – Unexpected emails
When you receive an email from an online service or business partner that you are not expecting, proceed with caution. For example, if you receive an email from eBay stating that you have just won an online auction, there are a couple of questions you should ask yourself. Are you a member of eBay? (This goes for online banking as well. If you receive an email from a bank you do not have an account with, do not click any links) Did you bid on any auctions recently? (If you did not… Read More
Photo essay: Fall City On-Site Septic project enters a new phase
Crossposted from King County Local Complex infrastructure projects are really cool. They are even cooler when they fundamentally change a community in the best possible way. Right now, the Department of Local Services is halfway through building out the Fall City On-Site Septic system project that will fundamentally change the economy in this Snoqualmie Valley community. Simply put, the state-of-the-art septic system means local businesses – which sit at the confluence of two pristine rivers – can safely flush more, wash more dishes and laundry, and put more material down the garbage… Read More
May 18-24 2025 is National Emergency Medical Services Week
King County Executive Shannon Braddock has declared May 18-24, 2025, as Emergency Medical Services Week in King County. “This is in recognition of the value and the accomplishments of our emergency medical services personnel throughout our region,” she said. EMS Week is a time to honor emergency medicine’s frontline workers who provide lifesaving services in our community – day and night. Our own Medic One/EMS system in King County has been called “one of the world’s best” which can be directly attributed to the dedication and skill of the EMTs, paramedics and… Read More
Drug incidents down 35%
Crossposted from Metro Matters Drug incident reports on or near King County Metro decreased by more than one-third from 2023 to 2024. The positive trend coincides with the transit agency reinforcing expectations of riders, and encouraging employees and riders to report incidents. In 2023, there were 1,578 drug-related incidents reported on or near Metro (e.g., buses, bus stops, transit centers, etc.). That represented roughly one incident per 49,000 boardings. In 2024, there were 1,022 drug-related incidents reported, which represented about one incident per 80,000 boardings. “More than 300,000 riders take Metro every… Read More
Honoring those who served and their sacrifices this Memorial Day
Dear fellow King County employee, As we prepare to observe Memorial Day, I want to take a moment to recognize the profound significance of this day. Memorial Day honors the brave members of our country’s armed forces who gave their lives fighting to protect and preserve freedom here at home and around the world. We owe a debt of gratitude to all who have served, and particularly to those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Their sacrifices—and the sacrifices of their families—remind us of the true cost of the freedoms we enjoy. We… Read More
Employee News 