Crossposted from the DES Express King County has purchased a building that will be the new animal shelter and headquarters for Regional Animal Services of King County (RASKC). The facility, located at 5920 S 194th St. in Kent, is slated to open in 2027 and will replace the current aging pet adoption center. The new location will have an improved, more efficient layout, allowing RASKC to continue implementing modern animal shelter best practices. It will also improve the pet adoption experience with upgraded kennel spaces and more room for meeting potential new… Read More

Crossposted from Metro Matters Summer is here — and so is roadwork season, and Seattle has a doozy of a project coming. Starting Friday, July 18, the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) will begin major Revive I-5 repair work on the northbound Ship Canal Bridge, and that means two northbound lanes of the freeway will be closed for up to four weeks. Yes, it’s a big deal. Yes, it’s going to impact your summer travels. But with a little planning and the right tools, you can ease the traffic blues. WSDOT’s project aims to… Read More

Crossposted from Metro Matters Since the historic inaugural meeting of the King County Regional Transit Safety Task Force on March 20, participants from across behavioral health, community, government, labor, law enforcement, public health, safety and transit have been hard at work. As our large group of more than 100 people reconvenes on July 9, we are eager to advance a structured framework for action. Informed by data and stakeholder experience, our action plan will draw from more than 150 solutions distilled into eight strategic themes: Built Environment & Safety Design; Care-Based Safety… Read More

One year after activating the first-of-its-kind battery power system at West Point Treatment Plant, operators say it’s exceeded expectations — keeping critical systems online during 78 power disruptions and protecting Puget Sound from potential overflows. The onsite battery power system – which has won multiple engineering awards – kept critical pumps operating during 78 power disruptions, preventing untreated wastewater from being discharged into Puget Sound. There were 15 instances when pumps were powered exclusively by the 2,000 batteries housed in a new 24,000-square-foot structure. It is among dozens of improvements we’ve made… Read More

It’s a beautiful summer here in King County! But before you hit the trail, watch this brand-new hiking safety video featuring Emery the Emergency Penguin (KCIT’s 911 mascot) and King County Search and Rescue teams. Learn the three rules of hiking, and how to contact 911 if you’re stranded or lost in the wilderness. Have fun, and stay safe out there! “That was exciting! Emery is a smart penguin – I’m glad he knew how to help his friend.” Norah Bjore, age 9

Priscilla de Andrade, with the King County Office of Performance, Strategy, and Budget, recently spoke with Anne McNair and Kelly Lovett, co-leads of the Best Starts for Kids evaluation team, to explore how data, collaboration, and continuous learning are supporting over 400 community-based organizations and advancing equitable outcomes for children, youth, and families across King County. Their conversation, in this blog post, highlights how Best Starts is using Results-Based Accountability and community-centered evaluation practices to ensure programs are meaningful, effective, and grounded in partnership. Read the full story here, and explore past blog posts… Read More

By Noah Haglund, Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention Corrections Officer Raymond Gentz and his K-9 partner Koda smiled for the cameras on a bright, summery morning in early June. The newly minted duo from King County was one of a half-dozen handler-dog teams celebrating the completion of a rigorous course in drug detection. They trained for six weeks with the State Department of Corrections, mostly in Spokane. Graduation took place at the DOC headquarters in Tumwater. Now, Gentz and Koda form the first-ever K-9 team at the Department of Adult and… Read More