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King County security tips: Keep devices and software up to date
You know that little pop-up prompting you to restart your computer for a software update? The one that only seems to come up when you’re in the middle of something important? As annoying as it may seem, this notification is actually a valuable asset to your cybersecurity. So, before you click the “Later” option, let’s take a closer look. What is a software update?A software update is a new and improved version of a program, application, or operating system that you are already using. The update may include new features, bug fixes,… Read More
Raptor rescued and relocated
Reposted from Plane Talk Thanks to George Pierce, airport operations specialist at King County International Airport (KCIA), and Scott Gilbert, a wildlife biologist from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, an adult Red-tailed hawk has been relocated safely from the airport to a rural environment. Part of Pierce’s job is to patrol the airport and help keep wildlife away, preventing bird strikes and other safety issues. “We had a resident bird that was encroaching closer and closer into the active airspace,” Pierce said. “This hawk, it’s getting too comfortable out here. I was… Read More
King County International Airport preparing for Major League Baseball All-Star Game
Cross-posted from Plane Talk Planning has begun to accommodate the needs of the 2023 Major League Baseball (MLB) All-Star Game, to be hosted by the Seattle Mariners on July 11 at T-Mobile Park. Airport leaders and staff, along with representatives from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting (ARFF) and fixed base operators (FBOs), met in mid-January to begin a regular series of planning meetings. “We are thrilled to support this showcase of America’s pastime,” said John Parrott, director at King County International Airport – Boeing Field (KCIA). Getting ready… Read More
COVID-19 vaccine mandate lifted for King County employees in the Executive Branch
Starting February 6, King County will no longer require proof of vaccination against COVID-19 as a condition of Executive Branch employment. Thanks to the success of the vaccine, vaccine mandate, and other precautions King County employees and residents have taken, COVID-19 cases are trending downwards, and the risk of serious infection is falling. After consulting with Public Health – Seattle & King County and other regional leaders, King County Executive Dow Constantine believes that it is now appropriate to end the Emergency Proclamation and Orders and lift the vaccine mandate as a… Read More
King County and City of Seattle announce updates to employee vaccine mandate
In alignment with updated Public Health – Seattle and King County guidance, Executive Dow Constantine and Mayor Bruce Harrell announced today that King County and the City of Seattle will no longer require proof of vaccination against COVID-19 as a condition of employment effective today. Throughout the pandemic, King County and the City of Seattle have used the most up-to-date recommendations and expertise from Public Health officials to inform policy decisions to adapt to the conditions and threats from the virus. To keep employees and the community safe and healthy, in mid-2021… Read More
Air Support and Medic One winter training
Cross-posted from the Sheriff’s newsletter The Air Support Unit’s Rescue Specialists and King County Medic One Paramedics Rescue Specialists recently conducted three days of winter training in the mountains near Alpental. Crew members trained to prepare the team for operations in the snow and rugged mountains in King County and throughout Washington. They received lectures and practical skills training in recognizing and evaluating avalanche conditions and terrain. Crew members also got practical experience locating and extracting avalanche victims, rigging rope systems for lowering and raising patients in litters, and methods for safely… Read More
Leading with Love: Meet the new co-chairs of the American Asian, Native Hawaiian, and Pasifika affinity group
For the next two years, Guru Dorje (he/him) and Helen Potter (she/they), are co-leading the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pasifika (AANHP) Affinity Group. Their vision and goals for 2023 include collectively creating and defining an American Asian Native Hawaiian Pasifika identity through discussion, debate, and learning, and determining what a collective AANHP identity feels like and looks like in practice, taking into account similarities, as well as differences. Learn more about the new co-chairs here. The next AANHP virtual gathering will be Wednesday, Feb. 15 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. via Teams. If you are interested… Read More
Pay parking coming Feb. 6 to Clark Children and Family Justice Center
On Monday, Feb. 6, pay parking will go into effect at the Clark Children and Family Justice Center (CCFJC) at 12th Ave. and E. Alder St. The new rates will be posted at the entrance to the garage, and daily fees can be paid by credit or debit card. Complementary parking validation will be available upon request to members of the general public visiting the court or detention center. Employees assigned to the CCFJC can apply for paid monthly parking. For questions or to apply, contact Facilities Management Division Parking Operations at FMDPO@kingcounty.gov.
First scholarship application period ends Feb. 5
The first application period for the Coalition Labor Agreement Professional Development Scholarship is ending Sunday, Feb. 5, 2023. Please ensure all outstanding applications are submitted no later than midnight on that date. To apply: Please familiarize yourself with the eligibility and application requirements by first visiting the scholarship website. Click here to apply. Important: Please answer all supplemental questions and provide all requested information on the application to avoid it being flagged as incomplete. Incomplete applications will not be moved forward in the process. Awardees for the first period will be notified via email between March… Read More
Do you file an annual financial disclosure? Watch your email for information
If your department has determined that you need to file an annual financial disclosure form, watch for an email from donotreply@neogov.com that says “System – Task Ready” in the coming weeks. Like last year, the Financial Disclosure Program will be sending forms through NEOGOV rather than through county email. Participation in this program is required if you receive the email from NEOGOV. All forms are due by April 15, 2023. Please contact your department directly if you have questions about why you have been asked to fill out the form. For any questions about the… Read More
With her robe, Judge Hawk takes responsibility for making justice real
Cross-posted from King County Superior Court When Judge Jaime Hawk was helped into her black robe on Jan. 26, it wasn’t the first time she’d worn it. For more than five months, she’s performed the work of a King County Superior Court judge. And yet the formal ceremony — called an investiture — still had the air of something significant. Welcoming Judge Hawk to her new-ish role, Washington Supreme Court Justice Mary I. Yu noted the role judges play in creating and maintaining “a legal process that is predictable and rule-bound, where every individual has… Read More
Executive Constantine launches Re+, reinventing the region’s waste system to cut carbon emissions, transition to a sustainable economy
King County is launching a new initiative, Re+, to return valuable materials to the economy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions created by the region’s waste system. Re+ aims to recover nearly 70% of materials that are currently being sent to the landfill that could avoid becoming waste in the first place by being reused, recycled, or composted. Re+ will advance a goal in King County’s 2020 Strategic Climate Action Plan to cut countywide greenhouse gas emissions in half by the end of the decade. To watch the video and read more. click here.
Executive proclaims February 2023 as Black History Month in King County
In 1986, the King County Council voted to designate the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. as the county’s namesake in honor of his advocacy for the fair and equal treatment of people of all races. As well, King County acknowledges that Black history is American history; that the long history of forced enslavement, and institutional and structural racism toward Blacks in the U.S. and its generational impacts, and has committed itself to make progress on Equity and Social Justice through racially just policies that combat anti-Black racism. In light of these… Read More
King County Security Tips – The shock factor: Do not take the bait!
One of the most common and successful tricks cyber criminals use to trigger you into falling for their scams is fake “stressor events.” In this context, “stressor events” are shocking or compromising situations that inflict fear or provoke other emotions for the purpose of causing an impulsive reaction. How it worksWhen the bad guys present a shocking claim to an unknowing victim, they often add a sense of urgency to drive home the “importance” of the scenario. In reality, this sense of urgency is another factor increasing the chances that you will react… Read More
Tech Tip: Practice good IT “hygiene” – restart your computer regularly
Did you know your computer’s operating system is updated several times a year? This update happens behind the scenes, but requires you to restart your computer. This restart can take several minutes. Your computer may offer to reschedule this required restart until later, but will only allow you to postpone once or twice – you can’t delay the update forever! Most updates include important features such as new virus protections that are critical for the safety of King County’s systems. Please practice good IT “hygiene” and restart your computer regularly! Be sure… Read More
DES plays key role in severe weather response
Cross-posted from Executive Services Express The Department of Executive Services (DES) regularly helps King County stay operational during severe weather, as safely as possible. During the severe cold and ice that hit in late December, DES agencies, including the Office of Emergency Management and Facilities Management Division, helped senior county leaders make a rare decision: close county buildings and suspend most services for a day. Read more.
Honoring the legacy of Judge Patricia H. Clark
Judge Patricia H. Clark was a strong advocate for youth involved in the justice system. As a commissioner for King County Superior Court, Judge Clark handled many cases involving at-risk youth and children in need of services, also known as ARY and CHINS cases. In 1998, she joined the Superior Court bench, where she continued to serve until her retirement in 2013. During her tenure, Judge Clark left her mark on Juvenile Court, including stints as chief juvenile judge and chief advocate. As mentioned in a 2019 story by Superior Court: “[Clark]… Read More
Executive Constantine announces $52 million in funding for open space preservation projects
Multiple projects throughout King County will receive a combined $52 million in open space preservation funding after a plan proposed by Executive Constantine has been approved by the King County Council. The money will fund 36 projects that will increase access to greenspace and parks in underserved communities, acquire land for habitat restoration, protect tree canopy, and strengthen the local food system. Read more.
Attend an upcoming mindfulness class
Balanced You partners with Mindfulness Northwest to offer free mindfulness classes and workshops to King County employees. Register for an upcoming class below or view the full schedule here.
Groundbreaking on new trail bridge across the White River
A new 572-foot-long weathered steel bridge will cross the White River, connecting completed segments of the Foothills Trail at the King-Pierce county line. The project will connect residents, business districts, and civic centers to a 22-mile trail that offers scenic views of Mount Rainier. Read more.
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