2009 News archive

This news archive is provided for historical purposes only. Information and links may be outdated or inaccurate.

• Dec. 31: King County cautions boaters of navigational hazard on Snoqualmie River
  King County is notifying Snoqualmie River boaters of a fallen tree that has created hazardous conditions along a river stretch that is popular with fishermen during winter months

• Dec. 29: Engineers keep an eye on Brightwater tunnel alignment in Bothell
  Experts investigate ground settling, find no immediate safety risk

• Dec. 29: Work begins next week on new floating dock for West Seattle water taxi service
  Work begins next week on a new dock near Seacrest Park to serve the King County Water Taxi, which will begin service in April between West Seattle and downtown Seattle

• Dec. 24: Confirmed case of measles in a King County adult
  Local public health officials have learned of a confirmed case of measles in a King County adult female who was exposed during international travel. She is an unvaccinated adult who developed symptoms on December 12th after returning to King County. The woman was not contagious during travel, but she did have several health care visits and community exposures subsequently. She was not hospitalized during her illness and is recovered

• Dec. 23: Adoptions up, population down, Animal Shelter still open even as it prepares for potential Green River flooding
  Pet adoptions at the King County Animal Shelter in Kent are up 10 percent over this time last year, and the shelter population is down by more than one-third, even as the County continues on two parallel paths - preparation for the emergency evacuation of animals in the event of flooding from the federal Howard Hanson Dam, and planning for a new regional model for animal care and control as mandated by the County Council

• Dec. 22: Statements on Pierce County officer shootings
  King County Executive Dow Constantine and County Council Chair Bob Ferguson issued the following statements regarding the shooting incident in Pierce County that critically wounded two Sheriff's deputies:

• Dec. 22: New hours at solid waste transfer stations reflect continued decline in garbage volumes
  As a cost-saving measure, King County plans to change operating hours at five of its eight solid waste transfer stations early next year in response to a continued decline in garbage volumes

• Dec. 18: Water quality quickly improves, beach reopened at West Point
  The popular North Beach recreation area near Seattle’s Discovery Park is again open to the public following a wastewater overflow that occurred at the West Point Treatment Plant early Tuesday morning

• Dec. 19: Vashon water taxi service resumes Monday, Dec. 21
  Water taxi service between Vashon Island and Downtown Seattle will resume normal operations on Monday, Dec. 21

• Dec. 18: South Park Bridge ‘shovel ready’
  Federal, state, and King County officials gathered today alongside the crumbling South Park Bridge to mark the completion of the lengthy environmental review needed to replace the bridge

• Dec. 16: DUI patrols scour King County
  During this holiday season, law enforcement in King County will join colleagues from across Washington to look for people who drive after drinking or using drugs and arrest them. Police departments from across King County will work together to conduct DUI patrols on Dec. 18-20, 25-26, and 31

• Dec. 15: Constantine makes first inspection of Green River flood zone as King County Executive
  For the first time since taking office, King County Executive Dow Constantine today toured facilities and locations in the Green River Valley that may be adversely affected by flood waters from the federal Howard Hanson Dam. Accompanied by key flood planning staff, the Executive received briefings from emergency managers, regional partners, and other elected officials at locations in and around the Green River Valley

• Dec. 14: Holiday schedule for Metro Transit includes full week of reduced service at end of December
  King County Metro Transit has several days of reduced service in the coming month, including a full week at the end of December

• Dec. 13: Metro Transit on watch for possible overnight snowfall
  King County Metro Transit is monitoring the weather and preparing for the possibility of snowfall disrupting the Monday morning commute in some areas

• Dec. 11: Brightwater outfall earns prestigious ‘Best of the Best’ engineering award
  The successful completion of Brightwater’s complex marine outfall project earned King County and its contractors the prestigious national “Best of the Best” award from McGraw-Hill Construction and Engineering News-Record magazine

• Dec. 11: King County transportation crews prep for precipitation
  After more than a week of bitterly cold temperatures in King County, there are two questions on everyone’s mind: when will it warm up; and will it snow?

• Dec. 11: Low-cost microchipping clinic to be held on Sunday; pet owners in flood zones encouraged to participate
  Un-microchipped dogs and cats of all ages are invited to King County’s Kent Animal Shelter on Sunday, Dec. 13 from 1 to 3 p.m. to receive a deep discount on a high-tech form of identification that will always stay with them, even when their license tags may not

• Dec. 11: Bitter cold freezes pipe, causes small overflow in Carnation
  A frozen pipe caused a small sewage overflow discovered about 2 p.m. at King County’s Carnation Treatment Plant

• Dec. 10: Public Health widens eligibility starting Saturday as vaccine supplies increase
  Starting this Saturday, December 12, those eligible to receive H1N1 influenza vaccine

• Dec. 8: Season’s freshest Christmas trees available now from Puget Sound Fresh farmers
  Purchase your Christmas tree this holiday season from a farmer participating in the Puget Sound Fresh program

• Dec. 7: Youth recreation facilities get boost from King County grants
  A barrier-free neighborhood playground, new baseball and softball fields, and a new high school track are among the 11 community projects that are getting a boost this year from a King County grant program

• Dec. 4: Cold weather tips for staying safe and warm
  With temperatures dropping and a forecast for continued cold weather in our region, residents are urged to prepare their families, pets, homes and vehicles for possible freezing conditions

• Dec. 4: Special, no-cost pesticides collection for farmers and small businesses preparing for floods
  The Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA) and the Local Hazardous Waste Management Program (LHWMP) in King County are partnering to help farmers, landscapers, property managers and other businesses safely dispose of unwanted pesticides, including phased out, canceled and unwanted chemicals

• Dec. 4: Bring green home for the holidays
  Festive doesn’t have to mean wasteful this holiday season. This week, King County launches its Green Holidays campaign to educate consumers on how they can green up their holiday celebrations

• Dec. 3: Directors of two King County departments step down
  The directors of the King County Department of Natural Resources and of the county's Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention today both submitted their resignations from their positions. Theresa Jennings and Kathy Van Olst made their personal decisions earlier this week and informed the office of the County Executive today

• Dec. 3: What to know when riding Metro in 2010
  With the new year just around the corner, King County Metro Transit is alerting riders of several changes that will take effect beginning Jan. 1, 2010. Those changes will affect transit fares, pass products and how riders transfer between buses and trains in the region

• Dec. 3: Make your gifts last a lifetime this holiday season
  Looking for a cool, environmentally friendly holiday gift idea that goes twice as far? Charitable giving is a great, green way to celebrate the holiday season

• Dec. 3: King County awards green building grants
  The King County Solid Waste Division GreenTools Program recently awarded five green-building grants to projects throughout King County that are pursuing Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification or better

• Nov. 30: Renton neighborhood gobbles Thanksgiving dinner, saves food scraps for recycling
  The average King County single-family household typically throws away about nine pounds of food scraps and food-soiled paper in an average week, and the King County Solid Waste Division (SWD) encourages residents to recycle their food scraps during the holidays – and all year ‘round – because recycling food is easy to do

• Nov. 30: Four free H1N1 vaccine clinics for people at highest risk and who can't afford to pay
  Public Health is opening up four free H1N1 vaccine clinics, beginning Saturday, December 5, and again on Wednesday, December 9, as a way to provide access to people at highest risk for H1N1 influenza (swine flu) who cannot afford to pay. Future clinic dates will be scheduled as more vaccine becomes available

• Nov. 30: Season of HOPE for homeless King County pets; Kent shelter hours adjusted
  King County Animal Care and Control is extending an invitation to holiday shoppers at the Kent Station mall to visit their temporary pet adoption store front to meet adoptable cats and dogs

• Nov. 24: Most county offices closed Nov. 25 for unpaid furlough with limited county services available to residents
  On Wednesday Nov. 25, most King County staff will be on unpaid leave and most county buildings will be closed as the county takes the ninth of ten furlough days in 2009 to cut operational costs countywide. All department employees, with limited exceptions, such as those in public-safety functions, are included in the furlough plan. County offices will also be closed Thursday and Friday, Nov. 26-27, for the Thanksgiving holiday

• Nov. 24: General Election certified, reconciled with zero discrepancies
  King County Elections this morning certified the results of the county’s first all-mail General Election, completely accounting for all ballots received and processed by the department

• Nov. 24: Don’t let used cooking oil go to waste!
  Partnership offers safe disposal & recycling of unwanted cooking fats

• Nov. 24: Metro Transit seeks members for Accessible Services Advisory Committee
  King County Metro Transit is accepting applications for several vacancies on its Accessible Services Advisory Committee (ASAC)

• Nov. 20: King County Executive-elect names leadership team
  King County Executive-elect Dow Constantine today named six experienced regional leaders to the senior management team that will join him when he officially takes office next week

• Nov. 20: H1N1 influenza illness decreases but is still elevated
  Following the relentless increase in H1N1 influenza (swine flu) illness in King County since late August, cases of H1N1 influenza are now decreasing – at least temporarily – from a peak in late October. Although the future course of the epidemic remains uncertain, based on the experience of the H1N1 outbreak during the Southern Hemisphere's flu season, illness would be expected to continue to spread locally among those who are not immune during the coming weeks

• Nov. 20: County funding for BNSF Eastside rail corridor proposed
  Approximately 25 miles of the BNSF Eastside rail corridor will be put in public ownership in perpetuity under a $26 million funding proposal transmitted today by King County Executive Kurt Triplett to the King County Council for approval

• Nov. 19: Fewest traffic fatalities in ten years, homicides increase
  In 2008, fewer people died from traffic crashes than in the past ten years, and the 210 deaths from suicide were the lowest since 2002. The number of homicides, however, is on the rise, according to the annual King County Medical Examiner's report released today

• Nov. 19: Comprehensive inspection of Dockton Seawall prompts county to schedule immediate repairs
  A recently completed inspection of the Dockton Seawall on Vashon Island has revealed worsening deterioration of some timber sections

• Nov. 18: Metro Transit has reduced service for Nov. 26 & 27
  King County Metro Transit will operate with a Sunday schedule on Thanksgiving, Thursday, Nov. 26, and will have a reduced weekday schedule on Friday, Nov. 27

• Nov. 17: Minor flooding along Tolt, Snoqualmie as King County monitoring rain-swollen rivers
  Continued rainfall across eastern King County has brought the Tolt River into a Phase II flood alert level Tuesday morning, with minor flooding expected in the watershed. The King County Flood Warning Center, which opened early Tuesday morning, Nov. 17, is also monitoring minor flooding along the Snoqualmie River

• Nov. 17: Sexually transmitted disease (STD) rates stable, inequities persist
  Rates of sexually transmitted diseases in King County remain high, but basically are unchanged from last year. The 2008 Sexually Transmitted Diseases Epidemiology report released today describes how men who have sex with men and people of color continue to be disproportionately affected by disease. The report includes trends and addresses current challenges for three sexually transmitted infections: chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis

• Nov. 17: Tuberculosis remains health threat in King County
  Tuberculosis presents an ongoing community health challenge for King County, and reflects a local symptom of a continuing global epidemic. In 2008, 121 people were diagnosed with active tuberculosis (TB), a drop from the 30 year high of 161 cases reported in 2007. Over the past decade, reported TB cases have ranged between 121 and 161 cases annually. These new findings are included in the 2008 Annual Tuberculosis report for King County, found at www.kingcounty.gov/health/tb

• Nov. 13: Stay safe, healthy in stormy weather
  High winds forecast for tonight and tomorrow morning signal a potential risk for power outages, which can pose health dangers, including carbon monoxide poisoning and illness from spoiled foods

• Nov. 16: Fertile King County farmland returns to its roots, as much-needed soccer fields are built nearby
  Some of the best, fertile Sammamish Valley farmland will once again produce fresh fruits, vegetables and herbs under permanent protection, while new soccer fields needed for thousands of young players will be built nearby under an agreement announced today by King County Executive Kurt Triplett

• Nov. 16: ORCA smart card replaces most paper transit transfers on Jan. 1
  On Jan. 1, 2010 transferring between buses and trains in King, Kitsap, Pierce and Snohomish counties will be changing. Paper transfers will be replaced with electronic transfers on ORCA cards for trips that involve transferring between agencies

• Nov. 13: King County adds new alert system to public safety tools for flood season
  King County residents and business owners have a new tool available to them this fall that can help them stay safer during flood season:

• Nov. 13: King County to install new boilers in Jail and Courthouse to cut heating energy cost in half
  The new boiler-system is projected to cut heating costs in half for an $820,000 annual savings, eliminate 6.7 million gallons of wastewater

• Nov. 12: Celebrate sanitation on ‘World Toilet Day’
  Potty humor might get laughs, but inadequate sanitation is a serious matter to the 2.5 billion people who lack access to proper toilets and safe sewage treatment

• Nov. 10: Executive praises Ferry District tax reduction
  King County Executive Kurt Triplett today thanked the Metropolitan King County Council acting as the Ferry District Board of Supervisors for dramatically reducing the county Ferry District’s property tax. The action leaves open the possibility of a dedicated Metro transit tax at no net increase to property owners

• Nov. 10: Vandalized drop box ballots to be counted
  The King County Elections Canvass Board met today and directed staff to complete the processing of the 860 ballots that were returned to a ballot drop box that was vandalized last week

• Nov. 10: King County unveils new websites, scorecard for tracking government performance, improvements and effectiveness
  King County residents now have several new tools for tracking whether county programs are operating effectively and meeting performance management targets

• Nov. 9: ‘Take Winter by Storm’ - Get Prepared for Flooding
  Flood season has arrived across the Puget Sound region, and the minor flooding that has already occurred in both urban and rural areas are a strong reminder that flooding can affect communities with little or no notice

• Nov. 6: National water conference, Nov. 9-12 in Seattle, features Puget Sound restoration work
  The American Water Resource Association is bringing its knowledge and expertise to Seattle with its National Water Resources Conference, Nov. 9-12. This region’s ongoing work to restore Puget Sound and its response to the heightened flood threat in the Green River Valley are among the featured discussions

• Nov. 6: Port of Seattle announces new partners in rail corridor
  The Port of Seattle will be joined by several local agencies in preserving the Eastside Rail Corridor and placing it in public ownership. King County, Sound Transit, the City of Redmond, Puget Sound Energy, and the Cascade Water Alliance will partner with the port in maximizing the corridor’s benefit for the region

• Nov. 6: King County pharmacies to offer H1N1 vaccine for at-risk people
  To provide another option for people prioritized to receive H1N1 vaccine, selected King County pharmacies are receiving limited supplies to begin vaccinating. A total of 15,000 doses of vaccine have been allocated to pharmacies, with more available in future weeks

• Nov. 6: Results to be posted twice today
  King County Elections will release results from the November 3 General Election twice today

• Nov. 6: County heads into winter with new snow plans, better tools & more equipment to keep residents informed and moving
  On the heels of one of the worst winters in memory, King County is introducing some big changes to help keep people moving this season – whether they’re on a Metro bus or on a county road

• Nov. 5: Ballot Drop Box Vandalized
  Elections’ staff discovered yesterday that the drive up ballot drop box located at Elections headquarters in Tukwila

• Nov. 5: Election results posted
  King County Elections today added 68,507 additional mail ballots to the vote totals

• Nov. 5: Unofficial abstract of results posted online
  King County Elections recently posted the unofficial abstract of election night results, broken down by legislative district, to the Elections’ website at

• Nov. 4: Election results posted
  King County Elections today added 53,412 additional mail ballots and 977 accessible ballots to the vote totals

• Nov. 5: Web site provides one-stop shopping for sandbag distribution sites in King County
  Learn where the county is providing sandbag materials or partnering with local cities to provide sandbags to the public free of charge before and during flood event

• Nov. 4: Voters approve enhanced protections for King County open space
  More than 156,000 acres of open space land in King County will enjoy extra protection at no cost taxpayers, thanks to a charter amendment vote of the people Tuesday

• Nov. 3: Results posted, counting to continue tomorrow
  The counted ballots represent about one quarter of the total number mailed to King County voters

• Nov. 2: If the Green River floods, follow the signs
  If the Green River Valley is threatened with major flooding this season, will you know the quickest way to higher ground?

• Oct. 29: Elections Office offering expanded services and extended hours
  With Election Day fast approaching on Tuesday, King County Elections is offering additional accessible voting locations and extended hours to assist voters

• Oct. 28: Metro reminds bus riders of upcoming weekdays with reduced service
  King County Metro Transit reminds bus riders that it will be operating a reduced weekday schedule on several holidays now through January – including a full week of reduced service at the end of December

• Oct. 26: Where will you choose to vote? Share your choice with us
  Now that King County votes entirely by mail, ballots are automatically sent to all registered voters before each election in which they are eligible to vote

• Oct. 26: King County Flood Warning Center opens as Snoqualmie, Tolt rivers rise on heavy rains
  Following intense rainfall across much of eastern King County, the King County Flood Warning Center opened at 8:30 a.m. Monday to monitor rising flows on the Snoqualmie and Tolt rivers

• Oct. 23: Prepare now to prevent a frightening situation
  King County Animal Care and Control would like to advise pet owners to take extra precaution this Halloween, Saturday October 31. Owners are advised to prepare their pets for Halloween visitors, but also take this opportunity to prepare their pets for pending natural disasters

• Oct. 21: Employees respond to overflow near Interurban Pump Station
  Sewer utility employees responded quickly to a sewage overflow discovered about 2:30 p.m. near the Interurban Pump Station in Tukwila

• Oct. 21: Anything’s possible when Metro meets up with developers at IT workshop
  More than 50 technology developers will team up with King County Metro Transit on Thursday, Oct. 22 for a first-of-its-kind IT workshop that may produce new cutting-edge applications to keep bus riders throughout the county better informed

• Oct. 21: Hydrilla considered eradicated in two King County lakes after lengthy battle
  A 15-year battle to eradicate an invasive exotic water plant in two King County lakes may have been won

• Oct. 19: County clean-water facilities get good marks from neighbors
  King County’s wastewater treatment plants are good neighbors that pose few if any noticeable impacts to the surrounding community, according to the results of the 2009 Near Neighbor Survey

• Oct. 20: Voters reminded to review their entire ballot
  The November election is now underway with voters throughout King County opening their ballots and considering their choices. The number of measures and races being voted on varies depending on the district where a voter resides, so not all ballots are of the same length

• Oct. 20: Executive Kurt Triplett commends King County Council for approval of $34.6 million flood funding request
  The King County Council has passed legislation approving $34.6 million in funding for flood preparation activities in the Green River Valley as requested by King County Executive Kurt Triplett in September

• Oct. 20: H1N1 vaccinations available for people with no health insurance and significant health problems
  As private providers begin to receive H1N1 influenza vaccine for their patients at highest risk for complications, starting Wednesday, Oct. 21, Public Health - Seattle & King County is making vaccinations available for people without health insurance who are at increased risk because they have significant health problems

• Oct. 20: King County seeks volunteers for Nov. 7 native plant salvage work in Black Diamond
  For example, King County is sponsoring a native plant salvage event on Saturday, Nov. 7 in Black Diamond

• Oct. 19: Time slipping away to spot salmon, as Salmon SEEson continues in King County
  Just as colorful leaves and soaking rains are annual reminders that fall has arrived in King County, so too, is the return of tens of thousands of salmon to streams across the area

• Oct. 19: Owner-surrendered pets will be referred to partner organizations beginning Monday
  Beginning on Monday, October 19, King County Animal Care and Control will no longer accept animals that are surrendered by their owners. This will allow staff to cut back on the number of pets that will have to be transported from the Kent shelter to an alternate shelter location in time for flood season. Owners are encouraged to take animals to a designated partner agency or make alternate arrangements for pets that need to find a new forever home

• Oct. 16: You’ve voted your ballot, but now what? Drop boxes now open
  Ballots for the November 3 General Election have been delivered to mailboxes throughout King County and will continue arriving through the weekend. Voted ballots can be returned by mail or dropped off, beginning today, at any of our ballot drop boxes

• Oct. 15: King County and Green River Valley Cities accept emergency funds to temporarily raise levees
  Work will begin immediately to protect residents and businesses by raising flood protection levees at vulnerable spots in Auburn, Kent and Tukwila under an agreement signed today by King County Executive Kurt Triplett and the Mayors of Auburn, Kent and Tukwila

• Oct. 14: Where will you choose to vote? Ballots mailed today to all registered voters
  Nearly 1.1 million ballots were delivered to the USPS today and will be arriving soon in mailboxes throughout King County. More than 17,000 ballots were mailed to voters serving in the military and those living overseas and out of state on October 2 to allow extra transit time for delivery

• Oct. 13: King County Board of Health seeks health professional member
  The King County Board of Health is currently accepting applications for a vacancy in one health professional position on the Board

• Oct. 11: Crews respond quickly to wastewater overflow at temporary pump station in Bellevue
  Sewer utility employees quickly stopped a wastewater overflow discovered Sunday morning at a temporary pump station in Bellevue

• Oct. 5: Volunteers needed at Duwamish Alive! habitat restoration event, Oct. 17
  Put on your work clothes, bring your enthusiasm and celebrate the arrival of fall by helping to restore fish and wildlife habitat around the Duwamish Waterway on Saturday, Oct. 17

• Oct. 2: Shorter hours proposed for some King County solid waste stations due to drop in garbage
  Since 2007, the King County Solid Waste Division has experienced a 15 percent decrease in the amount of waste brought to its transfer stations for disposal

• Oct. 2: Southeast Seattle 'In Motion' program encourages healthy travel, and exploring new local bus service featuring regional connections
  King County Metro Transit is launching an "In Motion" program in southeast Seattle to help local residents take advantage of all the recent bus service changes in their neighborhood

• Oct. 1: Flood Awareness Month highlights need for residents to prepare across King County
  In signing a proclamation today declaring October as “Flood Awareness Month,” King County Council Chair Dow Constantine and King County Flood Control District Chair Julia Patterson urged all citizens to follow the county’s lead and get ready for flood season

• Oct. 1: Community readies for arrival of H1N1 influenza vaccine
  The first, small amounts of H1N1 influenza (swine flu) vaccine have been released by the federal government and will be arriving locally next week in King County for immunization of health care workers. The larger amounts of vaccine that are needed to begin broader scale vaccination for people who are at higher risk for H1N1 are projected to begin arriving in mid-October

• Sept. 30: Tree cutting on King County’s Green River levees clears way for advance flood-fight tools
  To help safeguard residents, their homes, businesses and transportation corridors that are vital to the region’s economy, King County will cut trees along its Green River levees in Kent and Tukwila before flood-prevention barriers are installed in advance of flood season

• Sept. 29: Same services, new location
  King County Elections yesterday opened the doors of the new temporary headquarters in Tukwila, adjacent to Boeing Field at 9010 East Marginal Way S

• Sept. 28: Triplett 2010 budget prioritizes public health and safety while cutting jobs and administration costs
  King County Executive Kurt Triplett today transmitted a $621 million 2010 General Fund budget that shields criminal justice and public health services from major cuts and slashes administrative costs to address a projected $56.4 million shortfall. The General Fund is $26 million less than 2009 - the second year in a row that the General Fund has decreased from the previous year. Across all county funds, the budget eliminates 367 jobs

• Sept. 24: Watch for transit disruptions as 4th Avenue project begins in Seattle
  Bus riders who travel through downtown Seattle and the SODO district should expect disruptions and delays starting the week of Sept. 28

• Sept. 23: King County brings down the roof ... to the road
  King County is testing a program to recycle old asphalt roofing shingles into new pavement for roads

• Sept. 23: Community meeting on West Point Treatment Plant improvement projects, Oct. 15
  People are invited to a public meeting to learn more about upcoming sewer improvement projects planned at King County’s West Point Treatment Plant

• Sept. 23: South King County Latino Family Health & Safety Fair set for September 26, 2009
  Families and individuals are invited to the 5th Annual South King County Latino Family Health & Safety Fair in Auburn on September 26

• Sept. 18: Travel through time at West Point Treatment Plant open house, Oct. 3
  Learn where water goes when you brush and flush, meet the municipal magicians who use modern technology to turn waste into resources, and explore Seattle’s rich cultural history through archeology tours and Native American art

• Sept. 18: Board of Health to King County residents: Prepare for swine flu now to stay healthy this fall
  King County residents were urged today to follow recommendations to limit the spread of H1N1 influenza (swine flu) made by Public Health – Seattle & King County. In addition, the King County Board of Health passed a resolution calling for community participation in responding to influenza according to recommendations set forth by health officials

• Sept. 17: King County requests $99 million in federal funding to rebuild failing South Park Bridge
  King County is making a final major push to secure critical funding for the costly replacement of the 78-year-old South Park Bridge over the Duwamish River

• Sept. 16: Audit finding highlights some county best practices but overstates potential savings
  An audit released by the Washington State Auditor on Wednesday highlights nearly two dozen instances of industry standard best practices being used by King County to reduce taxpayer costs for utility services

• Sept. 15: ORCA makes big splash in regional transit scene
  This week, ORCA – One Regional Card for All – will be expanding to more bus, train and ferry riders around the region

• Sept. 14: King County Wastemobile collects household hazardous in Covington / Maple Valley area
  King County residents can safely dispose of car batteries, oil and other household hazardous items when the King County Wastemobile comes to the Covington - Maple Valley area, Sept. 18-20

• Sept. 14: Triplett proposes $40 million to shore up Green River levees and prepare county services for potential flood
  King County Executive Kurt Triplett today announced he is sending three pieces of legislation to the King County Council this week to increase protection of people and businesses, their property, and county facilities and services in the event of a flood in the Green River Valley. He will request approximately $40 million for 2009 flood preparation costs

• Sept. 11: Dog used as weapon in brutal Des Moines attack leaves King County Animal Care and Control
  "Snaps," the pit bull used by a group of minors to attack two women in the Seatac area in June, is leaving King County Animal Care and Control today to go to a new home. His former owner, a 16-year-old girl, pled guilty to assault charges in juvenile court on Thursday. The children used Snaps in the attack against the two women and encouraged him to bite both women multiple times

• Sept. 11: King County Board of Health meeting on September 17, 2009
  The King County Board of Health will hold its next meeting on Thursday, September 17, 2009, at 1:30 p.m

• Sept. 11: Flood risk prompts temporary King County Elections headquarters move
  King County Elections will temporarily relocate its headquarters in a phased move beginning in mid-September so that potential flooding in the Green River valley does not impact upcoming elections and voting services. Elections equipment and staff will move into the vacant County-owned Airport Operations Center at Boeing Field

• Sept. 10: Construction begins on Brightwater Environmental Education and Community Center
  Students, community leaders and local elected officials celebrated today as construction officially began on an environmental education and community center being built as part of the Brightwater Treatment Plant project

• Sept. 10: Seasonal flu vaccine arrives early, vaccination encouraged
  While H1N1 influenza (swine flu) is currently in the headlines, every year in King County thousands of people get sick from seasonal influenza, also known as seasonal flu. Seasonal flu vaccine is starting to become available, and vaccination is the best way both to prevent getting sick and to lessen the severity of illness. Federal health officials expect that a separate vaccine to protect the H1N1 influenza will begin to be distributed in October

• Sept. 10: King County Elections certifies machine recount
  The King County Canvassing Board unanimously certified the two mandatory machine recounts in the City of Woodinville Council Position No. 7 and Kent School District No. 415, Director District No. 5 races

• Sept. 10: King County declares pre-emptive emergency in preparation for potential Green River flooding
  King County Executive Kurt Triplett signed a proclamation of emergency today in order to speed up preparation for an increase risk of flooding on the Green River due to damage to the Howard Hansen Dam. The action will waive county contracting requirements and help support a request for federal reimbursement for pre-emptive measures after the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers warned of potential major flooding for three to five years while the dam is repaired

• Sept. 9: Metro Transit special rider alert
  Every day, changes occur to King County roads, businesses and communities that affect our transportation network. Many of these changes are due to population growth and economic conditions in the Puget Sound region. That's why Metro Transit makes revisions to its bus service three times each year. We want to make your bus trips as fast and convenient as possible, and deliver service you can rely on

• Sept. 3: King County wins four awards for excellence in Information Technology
  King County residents who depend on the county's Web site for updates are getting their information from one of the most innovative, user-friendly portals around, according to e.Republic.com's Center for Digital Government. The organization has recognized King County with three awards for excellence in Information Technology in its 2009 Best of the Web and Digital Government Achievement Awards (external link)

• Sept. 8: West Nile virus detected in a bird in King County
  A dead crow found in Seattle's Laurelhurst neighborhood on August 24th is positive for West Nile virus. This is the first West Nile positive finding in King County in 2009, and confirms that people are at risk for contracting West Nile virus this year in King County

• Sept. 3: Most King County offices closed September 4 for unpaid furlough
  On Friday, September 4, 2009, most King County staff will be on unpaid leave and most county buildings will be closed as the county takes the seventh of 10 furlough days in 2009 to cut operational costs countywide

• Sept. 2: Green River Valley farmers can learn more about flood safety, dam repairs, at public meetings
  Farmers in the Green River Valley can learn more about how to ensure the safety of their farm operations, livestock, equipment and families at a series of three public meetings in September

• Sept. 2: Community meeting on Ravenna Park sewer improvement project, Sept. 10
  People interested in learning more about an upcoming sewer improvement project in Seattle’s Ravenna Park are invited to a community meeting hosted by King County’s Wastewater Treatment Division

• Sept. 2: August primary certified
  King County Elections this morning certified the results of the Aug. 18 primary

• Seniors: Remain active to reduce falls
  ighty-years old and active! Doris, a woman who needs a cane to walk, goes to the North Bellevue Community Center for her daily dose of physical activity in the Nintendo Wii bowling class or an Enhance Fitness exercise class

• Aug. 28: King County Elections announces hiring of Superintendent
  After a long search, King County Elections is pleased to announce that Evelyn Arnold has been selected as the new Superintendent of Elections

• Aug. 28: It’s summer: The perfect time to think about … flood insurance?
  Don’t wait for flood season; it takes 30 days for a policy to kick in

• Aug. 27: King County Hosts Historic Barn Workshop
  Grants available to residents for barn stabilization and rehab work

• Aug. 27: King County Wastemobile comes to Burien for easy household hazardous waste disposal
  King County residents can safely dispose of car batteries, oil and other household hazardous items when the King County Wastemobile comes to the Burien Fred Meyer, Sept. 11-13. The Burien Fred Meyer is located at 14300 1st Ave. S

• Aug. 24: Help King County keep tabs on native salmon as a Salmon Watcher Program volunteer
  September training sessions offered in Seattle, Renton, Bellevue, Woodinville

• Aug. 20: Inmate dies in custody
  An inmate in the custody of the King County Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention died the morning of Aug. 20 at the King County Correctional Facility in Seattle. The person, an adult male, was booked into the facility on Aug. 18

• Aug. 20: Employees respond to small overflow near Interurban Pump Station in Tukwila
  Sewer utility employees quickly stopped a sewage overflow discovered this morning near the Interurban Pump Station in Tukwila

• Aug. 19: King County and cities reach tentative agreement extending jail services contract through 2015
  Staff representing cities in King County have reached an agreement in principle with King County for the county to provide misdemeanor jail beds to cities through 2015. The agreement specifies the number of beds to be made available to cities, and, once finalized, will be available to all 37 King County cities for consideration by each jurisdiction's respective council prior to the end of the year

• Aug. 19: New report: more health insurance, better health for thousands of King County children and families
  More than 5,700 children in King County are now receiving publicly-funded health coverage, with most already having seen a doctor and dentist, thanks to the three year old King County Child Health Initiative (CHI) effort. The successes are part of numerous highlights outlined in the 2009 King County Children’s Health Initiative (CHI) Annual Measurement and Evaluation Report that King County Executive Kurt Triplett transmitted to the Metropolitan King County Council today

• Aug. 19: The care-free days of summer may be numbered, but there’s still fun waiting at King County Parks
  August is coming to a close, and that means there is just a handful of weeks left before summer is nothing more than a memory. But don’t worry – King County Parks – Your Big Backyard, has plenty of great summertime fun to keep the good times rolling

• Aug. 19: King County bending the trend on health care expenses
  Evidence is growing that King County’s Health Reform Initiative appears to be reducing the county’s health care benefit costs. The latest report on the initiative is part of a mounting body of evidence nationally that employee wellness programs in the public and private sector do control costs and improve employee health

• Aug. 18: King County Elections releases first election night results
  Results for more than 181,000 mail ballots were posted moments ago to the King County Elections Web site

• Aug. 18: Public meeting in Auburn: Learn about Howard Hanson Dam, Green River safety Sept. 9
  Learn the latest details about flood safety and efforts to protect people, their property and businesses in the Green River Valley at a public meeting, Sept. 9 in Auburn

• Aug. 18: Seafair Pirates invade Movies@Marymoor Aug. 19 for ‘The Goonies’
  King County Parks’ popular "Movies@Marymoor" outdoor cinema will be taken over by pirates at the Aug. 19 screening of “The Goonies,” when movie-goers will be treated to a special visit by the Seafair Pirates

• Aug. 17: Effort to bridge budget shortfall means King County no longer funding urban local parks
  King County Executive Kurt Triplett today announced he will zero-out funding for parks from the General Fund in 2010 by mothballing 39 parks in urban unincorporated areas

• Aug. 14: Two locally-treated patients infected with Tamiflu-resistant H1N1 virus (swine flu)
  Two immunosuppressed patients being treated for H1N1 (swine flu) influenza in King County have been identified as resistant to oseltamivir, commonly known by the brand name Tamiflu, an antiviral treatment used for the infection

• Aug. 14: Elections Office announces special Saturday hours
  With Election Day fast approaching on Tuesday, King County Elections will be open on Saturday to assist voters

• Aug. 14: Brightwater tunnel boring machine repair plan in the works
  A project to repair Brightwater’s second damaged tunnel boring machine could begin later this month pending permit approval by the City of Lake Forest Park

• Aug. 14: Let King County’s free business recycling workshops help improve your bottom line
  Business owners in King County can learn how to reduce waste, recycle more and cut their operating costs by participating in either of two workshops, scheduled for October

• Aug. 13: King County Executive Kurt Triplett announces preliminary cuts to budget
  King County Executive Kurt Triplett today announced plans to cut $16.6 million in overhead, administrative and general government services in his 2010 budget proposal, including cuts to the offices of the Executive, budget and strategic planning

• Aug. 13: Great shot for fall: children's back-to-school immunizations
  August is an ideal time of year for parents to make sure children's vaccines are up-to-date. Before the school year begins, make an appointment now to catch up, if needed, and make a healthy start

• Aug. 13: Proposed Bellevue - King County deal gives city smart growth, saves county open space
  Smart urban growth development is linked with rural land protection under a visionary partnership agreement between the City of Bellevue and King County that County Executive Kurt Triplett transmitted to the King County Council today for approval

• Aug. 10: King County begins work on rural road safety projects near Redmond, Auburn
  King County will be improving traffic safety along two road corridors in East and Southeast areas of the county with federal funding from the Rural Safety Innovation Program (RSIP)

• Aug. 7: Have you tried tracking your primary ballot online?
  Ballots were mailed last week to over 1 million registered King County voters for the August 18 all-mail primary and more than 70,000 have already been returned. Voters can check to see if and when their ballot arrived back at King County Elections' office by using our on-line mail ballot tracker feature that reports each ballot's journey at three different checkpoints

• Aug. 7: Bike Share Expo coming to Seattle & Redmond, Aug. 11-12
  In places like Paris, Copenhagen, and Washington, D.C., people are connecting with bike-sharing systems to change the way they live by using them as a complement to rail and bus service. If you’ve ever wondered how it works, you can learn more at the King County Bike Share Expo on Tuesday, Aug. 11 in Seattle and Wednesday, Aug. 12 in Redmond

• Aug. 7: Help King County decide which services are most important
  If you live in King County, your input is needed! King County government is asking residents what they would like the County to focus its resources on in the future and to help develop a plan for how the County can better serve the community. It is part of an outreach effort for the Countywide Strategic Plan, which will reflect the priorities of its residents and help guide the County's decision making and budgeting over the next five years. This is especially important now, as the County faces budget deficits and a shortage of dollars available for existing services

• Aug. 7: Multiple animals being removed from home in Bothell
  Dozens of animals are being removed from a Bothell home this morning after King County Animal Care and Control (KCACC) executed a search warrant to investigate a suspected case of animal hoarding

• August 7: Outstanding management earns King County’s Vashon Island Center Forest green certification, July 1
  A nearly 400-acre forest that shelters the headwaters of Vashon Island’s largest salmon-bearing stream and provides miles of recreational trails has received national recognition for its ecologically sound management

• Aug. 6: Executive Triplett proposes fixes for Metro budget deficit
  In a move that preserves critical transit services for riders across King County, Executive Kurt Triplett today proposed a multi-year solution to fixing Metro Transit’s budget deficit, currently projected at $500 million over the next four years

• Aug. 3: County hosts community discussion on protecting roads during flooding on Clough Creek
  King County is exploring ways to protect roadways during flooding on Clough Creek south of North Bend, and is inviting people to attend one of two community discussions to find out more

• July 31: King County making crucial repairs to levees; Portion of Cedar River Trail closed during work
  The effects of last winter’s record flooding continue to be felt in King County, as construction crews prepare to repair portions of two heavily damaged levees along the Cedar River before fall rains bring a fresh threat of flooding and the potential for additional damage

• July 30: First heat-related death reported in King County
  Today, the King County Medical Examiner's Office reported the first death in King County associated with the recent heat wave. The decedent, a man in his 60s from Seattle, had heart disease with heat as a contributing factor to his cause of death

• July 30: Sewer improvements get a silver lining
  Sewer improvement projects that will protect public health and the environment, create jobs and provide infrastructure for economic growth now come with an additional benefit: a lower price tag

• July 29: Record heat prompts Metro Transit travel advisory
  A prediction of record heat is prompting a warning from King County Metro Transit that many customers will find their bus trips very hot as we head into the afternoon hours

• July 29: Ready, set, vote! Primary ballots mailed today to all registered voters
  Nearly 1.1 million ballots were delivered to the USPS today and will be arriving soon to mailboxes throughout King County. Ballots were mailed to voters serving in the military and those living overseas and out of state on July 17 to allow extra transit time for delivery

• July 29: Expect event-related transit disruptions for next five days
  It's a hot time in King County for the next several days, as the mercury and summer events hit a high point. King County Metro Transit is cautioning customers that this could result in traffic congestion and delays for bus travel

• July 28: Major Duwamish River habitat restoration project will benefit fish, wildlife at North Wind’s Weir
  Good habitat for fish and wildlife is scarce along the Duwamish River, as it snakes through Tukwila and south Seattle’s industrial core on its way to Elliott Bay

• July 28: Catch live music and movies under the stars, or take a swim, ride or hike at King County Parks
  King County Parks – Your Big Backyard, offers a full summer’s worth of activities to keep a family busy for hours on end

• July 27: King County cooling centers open
  In response to the Excessive Heat Warning and Air Stagnation Advisory issued by the National Weather Service, several cooling centers have been opened throughout King County

• July 27: Utility crew stops small overflow on Vashon Island
  Sewer utility employees quickly stopped a small overflow that was detected early Sunday morning at the Beulah Park Cove Treatment Facility, which is part of the Vashon Treatment Plant system

• July 24: Hot weather advisory for pets
  A heat wave has been predicted for this weekend and the upcoming work week, and King County Animal Care and Control would like to remind residents that by taking simple precautions, your pets will stay cool and safe

• July 23: Second King County resident dies from H1N1 influenza
  A King County female child died on July 18 from complications of H1N1 influenza (swine flu) and her underlying health conditions. This is the second reported H1N1 death in King County

• July 23: Executive Triplett proposal saves RapidRide at no new cost to taxpayers despite recession
  King County Executive Kurt Triplett today proposed saving five planned new RapidRide routes in Metro Transit’s highest ridership corridors and providing for an additional one-million new passenger trips a year on the 520 bridge at no net increase in taxes

• July 23: King County Fire Marshal warns of increased fire danger
  With warm weather forecast for this weekend, ground cover and vegetation which is already dry, and several more weeks of summer ahead, fire danger is increasing across King County

• July 23: Stay cool and healthy as the weather gets hotter
  Hot weather, with temperatures in the 90s, are forecast for upcoming days and have prompted local health officials to urge residents to stay cool and safe while they enjoy summertime activities. Heat can lead to serious medical problems, particularly for older adults, young children, people with chronic illness, and people with weight or alcohol problems

• July 22: New report: nearly 200 King County jobs created or retained with federal stimulus grants
  An updated report shows King County’s efforts to secure federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) stimulus grants for county programs is paying dividends in regional jobs created or retained and critical projects being funded

• July 20: Employees repair valve, stop small overflow near Interurban Pump Station
  Sewer utility employees responded quickly to a sewage overflow discovered about 10:30 a.m. near the Interurban Pump Station in Tukwila

• July 20: King County Council moves forward with important open-space preservation action
  Future generations of King County residents would benefit greatly if more than 156,000 acres of ecologically valuable land receive enhanced protections, as proposed today by the Metropolitan King County Council

• July 17: Dedicated King County tax for public health, human services and criminal justice proposed
  As the national recession and cuts in state and federal funding to counties continue to erode King County’s revenues, County Executive Kurt Triplett today proposed a one-tenth of a cent sales tax dedicated to help fund public health, criminal justice and human services

• July 17: More jobs, cleaner air, taxpayer savings in King County
  Roughly 250 regional jobs will be created and the environment will benefit from $6.1 million awarded to King County from the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant program

• July 17: Easy, convenient hazardous waste disposal comes to south King County
  That’s because the Local Hazardous Waste Management Program in King County has begun twice-a-month service of its popular Wastemobile hazardous waste program at the Auburn SuperMall

• July 17: No buses in downtown transit tunnel this weekend; other special events could cause bus disruptions
  The opening of Link light rail will create a few changes in bus service in and around the Downtown Seattle Transit Tunnel (DSTT) on Saturday and Sunday

• July 17: Saturday marks the registration deadline to vote in King County’s first vote by mail primary election
  The August primary is coming up soon and King County Elections Director Sherril Huff wants to make sure that everyone eligible to vote has the opportunity to do so by being properly registered. Saturday, July 18, is the last day for mail in and online voter registrations and transfers for the August primary

• July 16: King County uses federal stimulus money for walkway project connecting White Center community
  Community members and project partners gathered today in White Center to kick off construction of a new pedestrian pathway that will link the Greenbridge neighborhood to the White Center business district. It is also King County’s first capital project funded by federal economic stimulus money

• July 14: Busy flood levee construction season gets under way along King County rivers
  Ambitious work schedule follows emergency repairs from winter storms

• July 14: Nine Kent residents go for gold as King County launches ‘Neighborhood Recycling Relay’
  Fun neighborhood competition seeks to raise awareness of recycling at home

• July 13: Executive Triplett to host joint annual forum for King County Unincorporated Area Councils
  Representatives of the six recognized King County Unincorporated Area Councils (UACs) and residents of the unincorporated areas are invited to attend an annual forum jointly hosted by King County Executive Kurt Triplett and the Four Creeks Unincorporated Area Council

• July 13: Metro buses connect to light rail service starting Saturday; more 'links' in September
  Starting this Saturday, July 18, transportation options in King County expand with the debut of Link light rail service from Tukwila to downtown Seattle. And in September, changes in Metro bus service will provide even greater options for transit customers

• July 11: 88 homeless pets find new forever homes at King County Super Pet Adopt-a-thon
  Tails were wagging and the sound of purrs were in the air as 88 homeless pets went home with new families from the Super Pet Adopt-a-thon hosted Saturday, July 11 by King County Animal Care and Control in Kent

• July 10: King County Board of Health meeting on July 16, 2009
  The King County Board of Health will hold its next meeting on Thursday, July 16, 2009, at 1:30 p.m

• July 10: King County increasing enforcement of $1 parking fee at Marymoor Park
  In a budget climate where every dollar counts, King County Parks is enforcing a long-standing – but frequently ignored – $1 parking fee for vehicles at Marymoor Park. Motorists who fail to pay the $1 fee face a civil penalty of $35

• July 9: Some power restored at King County Department of Development and Environmental Services Services limited for remainder of the day
  Some power has been restored and limited services will continue for the remainder of the day at the King County Department of Development and Environmental Services (DDES) in Renton

• July 9: Pet lovers: meet your new best friend this Saturday
  Meet your new family member at the Super Pet Adopt-a-thon this Saturday, hosted by King County Animal Care and Control at the Kent shelter location

• July 8: Public safeguards in wake of dam concerns include earlier warning of Green River high water
  The thousands of Green River Valley residents in communities such as Auburn, Kent, Renton and Tukwila will have an additional seven hours’ warning of possible flooding as a result of changes King County has made in how it monitors flows on the Green River

• July 8: Red River flood responders share lessons learned with King County and area governments preparing for potential Green River Valley Flood
  King County is hosting a delegation of emergency officials from Fargo, North Dakota, who are sharing lessons learned from their response to the historic flooding of the Red River last winter with local emergency managers and elected leaders

• July 2: Outdoor concerts, exciting trail racing, old-time county fair signal July’s arrival in King County
  It’s a good thing that there’s a lot of daylight during early summer in the Pacific Northwest, because King County Parks – Your Big Backyard, offers enough features and activities to keep a family busy for hours on end

• July 3: Death of inmate in custody
  An adult male inmate in the custody of the King County Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention died early this morning, July 3, 2009. The inmate was found at 2:26 a.m. by staff during a routine security check

• July 7: King County Fire Marshal calls burn ban
  In concert with Pierce County, Kitsap County, Mason County, Snohomish County and the Washington State Department of Natural Resources, King County has called a Phase 1 burn ban to take effect at 8 a.m. Wednesday, July 8, 2009. This burn ban applies to both the incorporated and unincorporated areas of King County

• July 8: Report highlights fatal consequences of living homeless
  While a ten-year, comprehensive regional approach to ending homelessness continues, a new report shows the tragic health impacts of living homeless in King County. Today, the Health Care for the Homeless Network, a program of Public Health – Seattle & King County, released the annual report of deaths among people presumed homeless

• July 7: Popular clean-water facility tours offered again in July
  In response to public interest, the Wastewater Treatment Division is again opening the doors of its regional clean-water facilities to the public in July, offering free tours, family fun and environmental education to interested community members

• July 7: Bring home your new cat for just the cost of the pet license
  Starting Wednesday, July 8, King County residents who adopt a cat can bring home their new furry friend with a microchip, all vaccinations, licensed and spayed or neutered, for only the cost of the pet license: $30, if they live in the King County service area

• July 1: Public comment sought on King County budget and policy priorities
  King County residents are invited to share their thoughts to help the county create a strategic plan that consolidates the strategic plans of departments and agencies

• July 1: Metro opens new Redmond Park-and-Ride Garage July 6
  King County Metro Transit will open its new Redmond Park-and-Ride Garage on Monday, July 6. The $10.5 million garage is the second RedGarage_east_webhalf of a project to revitalize transit facilities in downtown Redmond

• June 30: 6 things bus riders should know about July’s I-90 lane closures
  In less than a week, westbound Interstate 90 across Lake Washington will be narrowed from five lanes to two while crews replace the expansion joints on the westbound floating bridge

• June 30: The Fourth of July is no holiday for animals: easy pet safety tips
  King County residents are encouraged to properly prepare their animals for a potentially stressful weekend

• June 29: Work to repair Union Hill Road begins July 13
  King County has two projects scheduled this summer to repair Northeast Union Hill Road east of Redmond, and the first one will begin on Monday, July 13

• June 29: West Snoqualmie Road NE closed starting July 7
  The King County Road Services Division will close West Snoqualmie Valley Road Northeast near the King-Snohomish county line from July 7 through Aug. 7 to replace a deteriorated drainage culvert under the roadway. Detours could be lengthy

• June 29: King County to begin repairs on 140th Place NE the week of July 6
  The King County Road Services Division will replace a deteriorating culvert under 140th Place NE near Woodinville. Work is scheduled to begin the week of July 6

• June 29: Regular King County Wastemobile service coming to the Auburn SuperMall
  For the past two decades, the Local Hazardous Waste Management Program’s Wastemobile has been traveling across King County offering a convenient place for residents to safely dispose of oil-based paint, propane tanks, motor oil and other hazardous household waste. By properly disposing of these materials, and keeping them out of drains and landfills, King County residents are helping safeguard the environment

• June 26: Marathon will impact bus service on Saturday, June 27
  Many streets from Tukwila to Seattle will be closed on Saturday, June 27 for the Seattle Rock ‘n Roll Marathon. The closures will result in disruptions for dozens of Metro Transit bus routes

• June 25: King County environmental trends improve: fewer greenhouse gases, more water conservation
  People in King County are driving less and using less gas, promising trends that could provide long-term benefits for our environment, according to according to the latest Environment Benchmark report by King County, which provides a comprehensive look at environmental trends in King County

• June 22: Opportunity for public to weigh in on nominations of historic King County road corridors
  King County residents are invited to provide public comment on the nomination of eight historic county roads as community landmarks at a public hearing hosted by the King County Landmarks Commission

• June 23: DDES walks the green building talk
  Taxpayer savings are just a few of the benefits for King County residents as a result of recent energy and sustainability improvements at the county's Department of Development and Environmental Services (DDES) building at 900 Oakesdale Ave. S.W. in Renton

• June 23: Construction in downtown Seattle to disrupt transit service
  Several bus stops along Second Ave. to close beginning June 24

• June 23: $78 million in federal stimulus grants for King County
  Hundreds of local and regional jobs will be created or continued in King County as a result of federal stimulus grant money coming to the county. A new report from King County Executive Kurt Triplett outlines 39 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) stimulus funding grants King County applied for earlier this year

• June 23: Second tunnel boring machine to undergo needed repairs
  A second tunnel boring machine building the central portion of Brightwater’s 13-mile conveyance tunnel has been temporarily idled to enable needed repairs and maintenance

• June 22: Farm-fresh produce abounds as King County offers 39 farmers markets
  King County appreciates the effort by the Auditor to help the County improve its operations and maximize value to the taxpayer. However, the County respectfully disagrees with many statements in the audit and is disappointed that the auditor's office did not include all of the county's responses to statements in the published report. The following includes the county's response to statements and some findings in the audit

• June 22: King County's response to state audit
  King County appreciates the effort by the Auditor to help the County improve its operations and maximize value to the taxpayer. However, the County respectfully disagrees with many statements in the audit and is disappointed that the auditor's office did not include all of the county's responses to statements in the published report. The following includes the county's response to statements and some findings in the audit

• June 18: Wastemobile in Renton for free household hazardous waste collection, June 26-28
  King County residents can safely dispose of car batteries, oil and other household hazardous items when the King County Wastemobile visits Renton, June 26-28

• June 18: King County’s Marymoor summer concert series: A broad range of acts in beautiful outdoor setting
  Death Cab for Cutie, Duran Duran, Counting Crows, more playing top venue

• June 17: King County Green Schools Program honors 42 schools for recycling, resource conservation
  From a small private Montessori school to a large public high school, 42 King County schools have earned recognition for their recycling and resource conservation efforts from the county’s Green Schools Program

• June 17: King County Solid Waste Division honored for innovative programs, outreach efforts
  Building on its national reputation for innovative solutions that save resources while keeping costs low and protecting the environment, the King County Solid Waste Division (SWD) is receiving national recognition for its public education campaigns and materials

• June 16: Proposed open space charter amendment subject of June 22 meeting in Snoqualmie
  King County residents interested in how more than 156,000 acres of publicly owned land with high ecological value will be used can learn more at a June 22 meeting in Snoqualmie. The meeting starts at 7p.m. at the Snoqualmie Library, 7824 Center Blvd. S.E., in Snoqualmie

• June 16: No sewer rate increase in 2010
  Customers served by King County’s regional wastewater treatment utility will not see an increase in their monthly sewer bill in 2010

• June 16: Plump up your wallet by 'dumping the pump'
  Everyone is concerned about saving money and cutting down on expenses these days

• June 16: Vital habitat restoration work means no access to King County’s Chinook Bend Natural Area
  No access to natural area and adjacent Snoqualmie River during summer work

• June 15: King County resident dies from H1N1 influenza
  A Seattle resident who had multiple underlying health conditions died on June 11 from complications of H1N1 influenza (swine flu), the first reported H1N1 death in King County. The decedent was in his 70s and had been hospitalized at the time of death. Tests from the state lab confirmed H1N1 virus today

• June 15: Clean-water utility earns national environmental awards
  A commitment to environmental excellence and an outstanding record of compliance with state and federal permits earned the county’s clean-water agency two prestigious awards from the National Association of Clean Water Agencies

• June 12: Kanasket-Kangley Road closure delayed
  The King County Road Services Division will be making repairs to the Kanasket-Kangley Road east of Ravensdale starting Tuesday, June 16 that will result in a road closure and lengthy detour for motorists

• June 12: Celebrate the new Burien Transit Center
  Celebrate the grand opening of the Burien Town Square and King County Metro’s new Burien Transit Center on Saturday morning, June 13

• June 11: King County grant helps Highline community replace aging athletic track at Mt. Rainier High
  Athletic tracks are among the things that don’t grow better with age

• June 11: King County will propose extension of jail contracts to cities
  King County is preparing to offer a multi-year extension of contracts with the 36 cities it provides jail services to after a new analysis shows a decline in jail use

• June 5: Middle Fork Snoqualmie River reopens after emergency work to relocate dangerous trees
  A stretch of the Middle Fork Snoqualmie River near North Bend has been reopened to recreational use following an emergency project led by King County to relocate several large trees that had fallen across its main channel. However, county officials remind everyone to exercise extreme caution when around open waters, which remain cold and dangerous

• June 8: Tunnel machine repairs to step up in late June
  Measures to reduce pressure deep underground will allow repairs on Brightwater’s idled tunnel boring machine to begin in earnest the last week of June

• June 11: Tree removal along King County rivers is prelude to important summer levee-rebuilding projects
  A busy construction season along King County river levees is nearly here, and the county is preparing for the work by removing more than 150 trees along seven levees that need repairs from flooding

• June 11: Help sought from public in case of animal cruelty
  King County Animal Care and Control is seeking help from the public to find information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person(s) responsible for shooting, abandoning and leaving a dog to die off an embankment on a forest service road in the North Bend area on May 31, 2009. A $2,500 reward is being offered by The Humane Society of the United States

• June 9: Fingertip rescue: New phone applications teach CPR and choking aid
  Apple iPod Touch phone and Google phone users in King County and around the world now can learn about cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and choking aid with information at their fingertips. Easy to download and use, the free cell phone video applications make these life-saving techniques available for people to review in their spare time or reference during an emergency

• June 8: Bridge replacements near Enumclaw and Covington will close roads
  Bridge replacement projects in Southeast King County will close three county roads for up to three months near Enumclaw and Covington:

• June 5: Unofficial candidate list updated
  The unofficial list of candidate filings for the 2009 primary and General Election is posted online at http://your.kingcounty.gov/elections/200908/candidatefilings.aspx

• June 5: Emergency repairs on Burke-Gilman Trail lead to brief detour along popular King County route
  Short detour as crews replace slumping ground, cracked asphalt June 10-11

• June 5: Explore King County Parks – Your Big Backyard to find fun activities this spring and summer
  Celebrate King County’s natural beauty and late spring’s warming weather by participating in some of the many upcoming activities at King County Parks

• June 5: Bellevue schools embrace recycling, earn King County Green Schools Program honors
  It’s no secret that recycling and energy conservation programs can save a school district thousands of dollars a year in reduced disposal costs and lower power bills

• June 4: Death of inmate while in custody
  An inmate in the custody of the King County Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention died early this morning, June 4, 2009, at Harborview Medical Center

• June 4: Lifeboat funding to end for many services facing elimination while stop-gap measures save some public health, criminal justice and human services
  More than three-quarters of a million in public health services and nearly a half million in human services that are in the figurative budget lifeboat will disappear July 1, 2009 because King County does not have enough money to sustain the services

• June 4: Cocaine contamination threatens local users
  At least three individuals have reported to local hospitals with a life threatening illness, likely caused by the use of cocaine contaminated with a drug used to treat animals

• June 3: Tolt River floodplain project gears up for final phase to restore habitat, sustain levee
  Everyone will soon enjoy improved public river access and enhanced amenities when visiting King County’s Tolt-MacDonald Park, as well as continued flood protection for the nearby City of Carnation

• May 29: King County to cancel inactive voters to keep voter rolls current
  On May 29, King County Elections conducted routine maintenance and removed more than 73,000 inactive voters from the county’s registration database. Election officials cannot cancel and remove voters' registrations simply because they haven't voted. Voters are kept on "active" status until Elections is contacted by the voter, an official piece of mail is returned or Elections is notified by another jurisdiction. Once “inactive,” the voter is given a four-year window in which they can update their information before their registration is cancelled. This list maintenance occurs after federal general elections and typically includes a high number of voters

• June 1: Gear up for a greener commute, test drive a fuel cell car at ‘Ride and Drive the Future’, June 2
  King County invites people to learn about green commuting options and even test drive a fuel cell demonstration car at the Ride and Drive the Future event on Tuesday, June 2 from 7 to 10 a.m. at the University of Washington Bothell campus, 18115 Campus Way N.E., Bothell

• May 29: Executive Triplett proposes upgrades to King County public disclosure program and public record request handling
  Residents requesting public records from King County will find the process more streamlined and easier to navigate under a new ordinance proposed by Executive Kurt Triplett

• May 29: Dangerous Snoqualmie River stretch still closed
  With sunshine and warm temperatures expected this weekend, outdoor enthusiasts are reminded a half-mile-long stretch of the Middle Fork Snoqualmie River in North Bend remains closed to all access

• May 29: Brightwater tunnel machine temporarily idle for repairs and maintenance
  Construction on a portion of the Brightwater Treatment System’s 13-mile conveyance tunnel has been temporarily suspended to enable repairs on a tunnel boring machine. Maintenance will also be performed during the repair work

• May 28: Candidate filing begins next week
  Monday officially kicks off this year’s fall election cycle, with candidate filing beginning for more than 330 county and local offices

• May 27: No damage reported from broken water main at Brightwater construction site
  A broken water main at the Brightwater treatment plant construction site caused no apparent property damage or environmental impacts according to county construction crews who inspected the area early this morning

• May 28: Learn more about proposed open space charter amendment at upcoming public meetings
  King County residents interested in how more than 156,000 acres of publicly owned land with high ecological value will be used can learn more at four upcoming public meetings

• May 22: Ride and Drive the Future – Fuel Cell Vehicles Demonstrate the Future of Transportation
  In a joint effort, King County, City of Bothell and University of Washington Bothell are providing a unique opportunity to see what the transportation future holds when the Hydrogen Road Tour makes a stop in Bothell during its border-to-border, nine-day trek

• May 19: Milestone reached on Brightwater tunneling, reclaimed water projects
  The Brightwater project recently took a small but significant step towards completion in 2011

• May 19: Light rail joins buses in transit tunnel for real-time testing
  Transit customers who use the Downtown Seattle Transit Tunnel (DSTT) will see both light rail trains and buses in the tunnel starting this week. They will also see more and more trains involved in final testing of the entire light rail system. But, they will have to wait just a bit longer to ride light rail while bus drivers and rail operators get two months of real-time experience

• May 18: Statement of Kurt Triplett after being appointed Executive by the King County Council
  I want to express my sincere gratitude to the County Council for choosing me for the tremendous honor of following Ron Sims as King County Executive. I want to also thank the other county elected leaders and the many community members who participated in the process to choose the new executive

• May 15: Head to the hills this Saturday for the Cougar Mountain trail running series
  7th-annual competition starts May 16, features four races between 5 and 13 miles

• May 14: New trail links popular regional trails, offers easy access to King County’s Marymoor Park
  At just one and a half miles in length, the new Marymoor Connector Trail is only a small fraction of King County’s 175-mile regional trail system

• May 13: King County Green School Program earns statewide ‘Recycler of the Year’ honors
  An innovative King County program aimed at helping schools and school districts to save natural resources and money was recognized this month by the Washington State Recycling Association (WSRA) with a “Recycler of the Year” award

• May 13: King County offers grants for forest, habitat improvement projects
  New King County grant funding is available for habitat restoration and water quality protection projects, including projects that help address joblessness or can be carried out in underserved communities

• May 12: Electric vision - King County working to become first national proving ground for electric vehicles
  With the introduction of the nation’s first mass-produced, commercially available electric vehicles less than a year away, King County is working with other municipal leaders to spearhead an effort that could transform the Seattle metropolitan area into a nationwide hub for green-vehicle technology

• May 11: Enhanced inspection program offers improved efficiency
  King County's Department of Development and Environmental Services (DDES) has designed a new Enhanced Inspection Program, which offers Land Use Inspection customers improved communication and more immediate access to DDES inspectors. To participate in this program, permit applicants must comply with specific standards on the construction site. The intent of the program is to translate on-site service improvements into faster project completions

• May 8: King County Executive Ron Sims resigns
  King County Executive Ron Sims has been sworn in as Deputy Secretary of Housing and Urban Development in Washington, DC and officially resigned his position as Executive

• May 8: Workshop offered this weekend for prospective candidates
  With candidate filing a few short weeks away, King County Elections is hosting a complimentary two-hour workshop to discuss important information related to filing for office in King County

• May 8: Elections Director Sherril Huff honored as Public Administration Practitioner of the Year
  King County Elections Director Sherril Huff was honored on Tuesday by the Evergreen Chapter of the American Society for Public Administration (ASPA) as the Public Administration Practitioner of the Year

• May 6: King County announces new summer youth employment program for low-income teens
  Summer youth employment opportunities are opening up for low-income local area young people ages 16-24, thanks to funding from the federal economic stimulus package approved by the U.S. Congress earlier this year. The King County Work Training Program will sponsor a Summer Youth Employment Program from June-August for about 530 local area youth, in conjunction with the Workforce Development Council of Seattle-King County. The program will help at-risk youth learn about emerging fields of employment, and become more "employment ready" through paid work experience

• May 4: Brightwater outfall design team wins Award of Excellence
  A complex marine construction project that was successfully completed ahead of schedule and under budget helped a Brightwater consultant earn an Award of Excellence from the Consulting Engineers of British Columbia (CEBC)

• May 4: Shoreline Transfer and Recycling Station named a 2009 Public Works Project of the Year
  Add another high-profile honor to the Shoreline Transfer and Recycling Station’s impressive list of accolades

• May 3: Six additional persons with probable H1N1 virus (swine flu) in King County
  Today, another six probable cases of swine influenza A (H1N1), also known as swine flu, have been identified in King County through the Washington State Public Health Laboratory. The number of probable cases in King County is now 22, including 21 that were identified through laboratory tests. Laboratory samples have been sent to U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and Public Health - Seattle & King County is awaiting final confirmation

• May 2: Six additional reports of probable H1N1 virus (swine flu) in King County
  Today, six probable cases of H1N1 virus (swine flu) have been identified in King County through the Washington State Public Health Laboratory. Five of these cases are new; one of the six had already been reported and designated as a probable King County case due to symptoms and contact with a previous case. The number of probable cases in King County is now 16, including 15 identified through laboratory testing

• May 1: One more person with H1N1 virus (swine flu) in King County
  Today, one more case of swine influenza A (H1N1), also known as swine flu, has been identified in King County. The number of probable cases in King County is now 11. Laboratory samples have been sent to U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and Public Health - Seattle & King County is awaiting final confirmation

• April 30: Sims proposal holds the line on sewer rates in 2010
  Monthly sewer rates will not increase in 2010 under a proposal issued today by King County Executive Ron Sims

• May 1: Metro Transit debuts new tools to keep you in the loop
  King County Councilmember Dow Constantine opens the briefing talking about the benefits of the new web tools. A new online look and two new notification tools unveiled today by King County Metro will help customers stay in touch with the latest transit news and disruptions

• April 30: Community, students helping shape future of King County’s Skyway Park
  The future of King County’s Skyway Park is in good hands -- a lot of good hands. The West Hill community that surrounds this 23-acre park in unincorporated King County near Renton is fully engaged in an ambitious redevelopment effort that includes improving accessibility, increasing recreational opportunities, and addressing safety concerns in the park

• April 29: Probable swine flu (H1N1) in King County
  Today, three probable cases of swine influenza A (H1N1), also known as swine flu, have been identified in King County. The laboratory samples have been sent to U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and Public Health - Seattle & King County is awaiting final confirmation

• April 28: Now available: New eco-produced map of King County’s Marymoor Park
  King County Parks today released an updated user-friendly map for Marymoor Park, its 640-acre regional recreation hub on the Eastside

• April 28: Community invited to Vashon Island treatment plant open house, May 9
  Community members are invited to an open house at the Vashon Treatment Plant to learn about the wastewater treatment process and how it works to keep our environment clean and healthy

• April 27: Statement of King County Executive Ron Sims regarding the legislature's vote in support of 2SSB 5433, the local option tax provision bill for counties
  On behalf of the people of King County, I would like to commend the State Legislature for their recent approval of 2SSB 5433, a package of revenue tools that will help counties throughout Washington State

• April 23: Metro urges bus riders to prepare for I-90 slowdowns
  Starting Monday, May 4 the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) will close the HOV express lanes on the Interstate 90 bridge across Lake Washington around the clock for up to three weeks. This is likely to cause significant delays for all traffic – including buses and carpools

• April 22: King County honors local school Earth Heroes
  A school librarian, a P.E. teacher, a principal and a parent volunteer are among those who will be honored as Earth Heroes at School later this month by King County

• April 22: Environmental stewardship leaders honored on Earth Day with King County Green Globe awards
  King County celebrated Earth Day today by presenting its highest environmental honor – the Green Globe Award – to individuals, school districts, cities and businesses that all have one thing in common: an unwavering commitment to improving the world we live in

• April 20: DDES now accepting electronic plans for all single family home applications
  King County's Department of Development and Environmental Services (DDES) has reduced the cost of preparing residential permit applications by implementing an eReview process. eReview refers to acceptance, review and approval of plan submittals electronically. eReview started as a pilot project with registered plans in October 2006 and is now expanding to all new, single family residential permit applications

April 21: Property Tax Payments First Half of 2009
King County property owners have until April 30th to pay 2009 first-half property taxes. After that date, state-mandated interest charges and penalties will be added to the tax bill

• April 21: Celebrate Earth Day with King County April 22 and discover that ‘It’s easy being green’
  Learn how “it’s easy being green” all year-round by participating in King County’s sixth -annual Earth Day Expo on Wednesday, April 22, at Westlake Plaza in downtown Seattle, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Admission is free

• April 20: Partnership developing to preserve habitat, working forest in Raging River headwaters
  A highly prized piece of working forest at the headwaters of the Raging River could be protected forever from development thanks to the leadership of the King County Conservation Futures Citizen Advisory Committee

• April 17: Act fast to get a King County Parks garden plot and enjoy fresh, affordable produce all summer
  There’s an easy way for King County residents to stretch their family food budget while ensuring a summer-long supply of healthy, nutritious produce: Rent an affordable garden plot from King County Parks

• April 17: ORCA smart card limited rollout gets underway
  Traveling the Puget Sound region by bus, train and ferry will get even easier this spring and summer with the arrival of ORCA—One Regional Card for All

• April 16: Pollution prevention a sound business investment for award-winning companies
  Local companies that met or exceeded wastewater discharge permit requirements in 2008 have received environmental awards from the county’s Industrial Waste Program

• April 15: Volunteer for some good ‘green’ fun this Saturday at Duwamish Alive! event
  Put on some work clothes, bring your enthusiasm and celebrate Earth Day by helping to restore fish and wildlife habitat around the Duwamish Waterway on Saturday, April 18

• April 14: Celebrate Earth Day with King County April 22 and discover that ‘It’s easy being green’
  Learn how “it’s easy being green” all year-round by participating in King County’s sixth -annual Earth Day Expo on Wednesday, April 22, at Westlake Plaza in downtown Seattle, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Admission is free

• April 14: Calling all heroes: Emergency Medical Dispatchers honored
  This week, four local residents are being honored as King County Emergency Medical Dispatchers of the Year for their outstanding contributions to the public's health and safety

• April 14: King County accepting applications for third-annual ‘Best Workplaces for Recycling’ list
  Deadline June 30 for businesses seeking recognition of resource-saving programs

• April 9: King County Board of Health meeting on April 16, 2009
  The King County Board of Health will hold its next meeting on Thursday, April 16, 2009, at 1:30 p.m

• April 9: Wastemobile at Auburn SuperMall for household hazardous waste collection, April 17-19
  King County residents can safely dispose of car batteries, oil and other household hazardous items, April 17-19, when the King County Wastemobile visits the Auburn SuperMall, at 1101 SuperMall Way off 15th Street Southwest

• April 9: Sammamish River flood map work gets under way
  An effort to improve information about flood hazard areas along the Sammamish River is beginning soon. Consultant survey crews working for King County’s River and Floodplain Management Program will be out along the Sammamish River in April to conduct a river survey that will be used to update federal flood insurance rate maps

• April 9: Tired of junk mail? Do something about it this Earth Day, while supporting King County Parks
  Each year, the average American household receives 41 pounds of junk mail, and homeowners spend an average of 70 hours annually dealing with that unwanted avalanche of flyers, catalogs and credit card offers

• April 9: King County offices closed April 10 for furlough
  On Friday, April 10, 2009, most King County staff will be off and most county buildings will be closed as the county takes the third of 10 furlough days in 2009 to cut operational costs countywide. All department employees, with limited exceptions, such as those in public safety functions, are included in the furlough plan

• April 8: Local leaders in environmental stewardship honored with King County Green Globe awards
  Top environmental honors presented during Earth Day Expo, April 22 in Seattle

• April 3: Public Health is everyone's health: Take a walk to celebrate
  Since 1900, public health activities are responsible for over 25 of the 30 years added to the average person's lifespan in the United States, while medical advances account for four years. To celebrate and promote healthier communities, Public Health – Seattle & King County, King County and elected leaders will be hosting community walks during National Public Health Week

• April 3: Water Taxi
  The King County Water Taxi provides convenient, 12-minute passenger-only transportation between West Seattle and downtown Seattle for people heading to work or to fun activities on either side of Elliott Bay. Skip the traffic—enjoy the water and fabulous views of the Seattle skyline instead!

• April 3: King County’s GreenTools Program named to top 50 ‘Innovations in American Government’ list
  A program that has helped usher in a green-building revolution in western Washington was today selected from among more than 500 applicants across the nation and named as a top 50 finalist for the 2009 Innovations in American Government award, sponsored by the Harvard Kennedy School’s Ash Institute of Democratic Governance and Innovation

• April 1: Wastemobile visits Redmond for household hazardous waste collection April 3-5
  King County residents can safely dispose of car batteries, oil and other household hazardous items on April 3-5 when the King County Wastemobile visits Redmond

• April 3: See how King County protects the environment; 2008 DNRP annual report now available online
  King County residents can learn how their county's natural resources are managed by reading the Department of Natural Resources and Parks (DNRP) 2008 annual report, "Environmental Stewardship in King County," now available online

• April 3: Wastemobile visits Kent for household hazardous waste collection, April 10-12
  King County residents can safely dispose of car batteries, oil and other household hazardous items, April 10-12, when the King County Wastemobile visits the Kent Fred Meyer, at 10201 SE 240th St

• April 1: penalty for unlicensed King County pets begins today
  Today, April 1 2009, King County begins a proven approach to enhancing pet licensing with the introduction of a penalty for failing to license cats and dogs

• March 30: Vashon agriculture focus of April 9 public meeting
  Vashon Island residents are invited to a public meeting on April 9 from 7-9 p.m. at the Vashon Courthouse, 19001 Vashon Hwy SW. The meeting, sponsored by the King County Agriculture Commission, is a great chance to Island residents to share their opinions on several questions, including:

• March 30: Construction accident reported at Brightwater central tunnel worksite
  King County has received reports of an accident involving a construction worker on the Brightwater Treatment System project central tunnel near Kenmore earlier Monday

• March 27: Try King County’s EcoCool Remodel Tool at Green Festival, Saturday and Sunday in Seattle
  Stop by King County’s booth at the second-annual Green Festival this Saturday and Sunday, March 28-29, and learn simple ways to green up your next home building project. The festival runs from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, and from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday at the Washington State Trade and Convention Center in Seattle

• March 27: Some King County facilities will go dark Saturday night to support Earth Hour 2009
  King County tomorrow night will officially support Earth Hour 2009, a global climate event led by the World Wildlife Fund

• March 26: Green River flood safety meeting March 31
  Learn more about Green River flood safety and Howard Hanson Dam operations at a public meeting, March 31 in Auburn

• March 26: King County EcoConsumer expert featured at 2009 Green Festival, March 28-29
  For those people who have questions about how to cut waste and conserve resources, King County’s EcoConsumer has the answers

• March 26: March election a success, results finalized
  King County Elections today certified the March 10, 2009 special election, which included four ballot measures from three jurisdictions

• March 25: Are you Metro's 3 billionth passenger?
  King County Metro Transit is counting down the days--and the passengers--until next Tuesday, March 31. That is the day Metro expects to record its 3 billionth passenger boarding since beginning operations in January 1973

• March 25: King County launches annual roadside weed control program
  The King County Road Services Division is scheduled to begin its roadside weed control program in unincorporated areas of the county and in the cities of Burien and Covington beginning May 4, 2009. As part of the program, certified technicians will perform controlled herbicide spraying along some road shoulders through the summer to reduce safety hazards for pedestrians, motorists and bicyclists. The spraying will also control noxious weeds that are toxic to some animals and pose environmental risks to native vegetation

• March 24: King County experts to show you that 'It's Easy Being Green' at Green Festival
  Stop by King County’s booth at the second-annual Green Festival and learn simple ways to live green, March 28-29, at the Washington State Trade and Convention Center in Seattle. The festival runs from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, and from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday

• March 23: World TB Day: Global epidemic, local threat
  Approximately one third of the world's population is infected with tuberculosis (TB), and two million people die from it every year. Tomorrow, March 24 is World TB Day, an opportunity to focus on solutions to a devastating global epidemic that continues to present local health challenges. In 2008, 121 cases of active TB were reported in King County, with four out of five of those infected born outside the United States

• March 20: Horse rescued by King County Animal Care and Control
  A lucky 26 year-old horse named Bailey has all four hooves back on solid ground again after it fell down a 12-foot well in Covington this morning

• March 20: Memorial service for Barbara and Bretta Hawkins
  The memorial service for Officer Barbara Hawkins, and her daughter Bretta, will be held on Tuesday, March 24, 2009, at 11 am at River of Life Fellowship located at 10615 SE 216th Street in Kent. The service is being coordinated by both the Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention and the Renton Police Department

• March 18: TRAFFIC ALERT: Soccer kickoff may cause transit delays Thursday
  The new Seattle Sounders professional soccer club makes its debut Thursday, March 19 at Qwest Field, and more than 34,000 enthusiastic fans are expected to the flood the streets of Downtown Seattle, Pioneer Square and the Sodo District for the game and the festivities

• March 18: New service helps owners get lost pet notification 24 hours a day
  King County pet owners have a new benefit that comes with licensing their dog or cat: a new "fetch your pet" automated program that connects finders of lost pets to the owners 24 hours a day, seven days a week

• March 18: Reclaimed water adds life to Chinook Bend wetland
  A new treatment plant built to protect water quality and support city of Carnation’s planned economic development is helping to preserve fish and wildlife habitat at the Chinook Bend Natural Area

• March 16: King County Corrections Officer found dead at her home
  The King County corrections community is mourning the loss of a dedicated colleague, Barbara Nettlebeck. Officer Barbara Nettlebeck, age 52, a Corrections Officer with the King County Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention was found dead at her residence in Pierce County on Friday, March 13, 2009

• March 11: New penalty for unlicensed King County pets
  King County will take a proven approach to enhancing pet licensing in 2009 with the introduction of a penalty for failing to license cats and dogs. The $75 penalty is aimed at increasing the number of pet owners in unincorporated King County who protect their pets with a license. Penalties will begin to be issued on April 1st

• March 10: Affordable housing becoming harder to find in King County
  Finding and keeping affordable housing is becoming more difficult for the King County residents with the fewest economic options, such as low income households. Many of them are also paying more than they can afford to keep a roof over their head, according to the new King County Benchmarks Affordable Housing Bulletin released this week. Updated with two years of new data, the bulletin is part of the county's 11th annual report on progress in implementing countywide planning policies

• March 10: Protect pets from cold weather hazards
  Even though it is mid March, forecasters are predicting a chance of snow and frigid temperatures for the next few days, which means cold weather risks for pets and livestock. King County Animal Care and Control is reminding pet owners to protect their animals from the elements and to take steps to prevent frostbite and other cold weather-related hazards during this unusual cold snap

• March 9: Repair work continues on Kenmore sinkhole
  Tunnel construction on the Brightwater project is again under way amid careful monitoring as county contractors repair a sinkhole discovered on a Kenmore street Sunday morning

• March 8: Brightwater project staff respond to Kenmore sinkhole
  Engineers and construction managers with King County's Brightwater Treatment System project are investigating the cause of a sinkhole discovered early this morning at the intersection of 61st Avenue Northeast and Northeast 195th Street in Kenmore

• March 9: King County joins blogosphere
  March snow and ice gave King County's new blog a good test run over the weekend as Metro Transit started using the KCNews blog and the existing KCNews Twitter feed to improve communication with its riders and the media

• March 4: Cat missing for 9 months to be reunited with owner
  "RV" the calico cat ran away from home as her owner, Ken Gold, was preparing to move from Kent, Washington to Tucson, Arizona last July. Heartbroken, Ken stayed behind in Kent for one extra day hoping the cat would return, but had to start his move after time ran out. He kept hope alive by updating his contact information associated with the cat's microchip registry after his move

• Feb. 26: Metro Transit routes returning to normal after morning snow
  All Metro buses were back to their normal routes as of 10 a.m. today, although some routes are still experiencing delays due to traffic congestion and because chained buses must keep speeds below 35 mph. Crews are currently out in the field removing chains from those buses, and Metro staff anticipate a normal commute for Thursday afternoon

• Feb. 26: Household hazardous waste collection season starts March 6 with Auburn visit of Wastemobile
  King County residents can safely dispose of car batteries, oil and other household hazardous items when the King County Wastemobile kicks off its 20th year with a visit to the Auburn SuperMall, March 6-8

• Feb. 25: Save ‘green’ on your produce bill by growing veggies in your own King County garden plot
  The benefits of growing your own vegetables can go far beyond a healthy meal. Gardening is proven to be a great stress reducer, provides exercise and helps stretch a family’s food budget

• Feb. 25: King County, Seattle receive federal homeless assistance award of $19.7 million
  The City of Seattle and King County have been awarded $19,683,354 in federal McKinney Homeless Assistance funds for housing programs and support services for homeless people. The award was announced today by King County Executive Ron Sims and Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels, following the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announcement of $1.6 billion awarded nationwide

• Feb. 24: Metro’s potential service cuts equal a full year of service in other counties
  The magnitude of potential cuts to bus service by King County Metro to its riders could be of a kind never seen before in this state said King County Executive Ron Sims today. Metro may have to cut 20 percent of its service after word last week that sales tax projections continue to be undermined by the recession while rider demand for service soars. An analysis of statewide transit data shows the potential Metro cuts could equal a full year of service provided by numerous agencies statewide, including Sound Transit (based on the latest data available)

• Feb. 23: King County Council confirms Executive appointee Van Olst to lead King County Corrections
  The Metropolitan King County Council has unanimously confirmed Executive Ron Sims' appointee Kathleen Van Olst as the new director of the county's Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention

• Feb. 23: King County wants to hear ideas of farming’s future
  Farming has been an important part of the landscape since King County’s earliest days, and county leaders want to hear ideas about ensuring the future of agriculture

• Feb. 20: Pilot program introduced for March 10 special election to provide accessible voting for all
  Voters in the Auburn, Snoqualmie Valley and Vashon school districts will soon get to experience the new accessible voting service to be piloted for the March 10 special election

• Feb. 20: Road construction in Seattle SODO area will affect bus service
  The city of Seattle is beginning road improvement projects in the SODO area that will result in some reroutes, relocated bus stops, and delays for King County Metro Transit and Sound Transit express bus service for several months

• Feb. 19: King County certifies first countywide all-mail election
  King County Elections certified the results of the February 3 special election yesterday morning, marking the successful end to the first countywide all-mail election. After a record-setting 1.1 million mail ballots were sent to voters in January, just over 250,000 were returned, representing a 22.4 percent turnout

• Feb. 18: Work begins in March to replace aging bridge on SE May Valley Road
  In March, King County will begin a nine-month project to replace a deteriorating timber bridge on Southeast May Valley Road south of Issaquah. The project may create disruptions for motorists

• Feb. 17: New sales tax projections threaten Metro Transit system
  The national recession continues to erode King County Metro Transit's main funding source with new sales tax projections showing an unprecedented $100 million funding gap for 2010, and a worsening of the current 2008/09 biennial sales tax receipts by another $29 million

• Feb. 12: King County responds to small sewage spill at Bellevue construction site
  King County sewer utility crews quickly responded on Wednesday afternoon to a small sewage spill in Bellevue that occurred during a repair project. The spill was cleaned up immediately and there was no threat to public health or to the environment

• Feb. 11: Sims proposes incentive-based regulations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions on construction projects
  King County Executive Ron Sims is proposing incentive-based regulations that provide a safe harbor from litigation for developers who reduce greenhouse gases associated with their projects

• Feb. 10: King County cities on track for open space, quality of life enhancements
  Open space projects designed to enhance the quality of life in 10 King County cities would move forward under a county ordinance allowing for distribution of $6.6 million in Conservation Futures Tax (CFT) funding

• Learn more about Chinook Bend restoration at a public meeting, Feb. 18 in Carnation
  The public has an opportunity to learn more about plans for restoring the Snoqualmie River at King County’s Chinook Bend Natural Area by attending a community meeting, Feb. 18 in Carnation

• Feb. 6: Public survey regarding continuous dog chaining
  King County residents are invited to share their opinions about a proposed dog tethering ordinance by taking a King County Animal Care and Control survey

• Feb. 6: King County’s first all-mail election deemed a success
  Ballots continue to trickle in for Tuesday’s first all-mail special election. While the total number of ballots cast for this election is still unknown, results for over 245,000 ballots were reported last night, representing a turnout of only 22 percent. Ballots will continue to be processed until certification on February 18. Despite the low voter turnout, no major problems were reported at King County Elections offices or ballot drop off locations throughout the county. Ballot processing and counting operations continue to go smoothly in this all-mail environment

• Feb. 3: King County Green Schools Program honors Auburn School District for conservation work
  Increased recycling rates and decreased expenses for garbage disposal are among the benefits that the Auburn School District has realized from its partnership with the King County Green Schools Program. King County recently honored the school district for improving its recycling practices and other conservation efforts over the past two years

• Feb. 3: Deadline for today’s election fast approaching
  King County voters have until tonight to make their voices heard for today’s special election. In this first countywide election conducted entirely by mail, over 1.1 million ballots were sent to all active voters nearly three weeks ago. Ballots must be postmarked by today in order for them to count

• Feb. 3: King County’s noxious weed list growing
  King County noxious weed specialists are on high alert to find three new Class A noxious weeds that are trying to take root here

• Feb. 2: 20 years of healthier kids: Celebrating Seattle's school-based health centers
  What began in 1989 as a modest pilot program at Rainier Beach High School is now a model for an effective school-based health care system, serving 5,000 middle and high school students each year across the Seattle School District

• Jan. 30: Presidential declaration of disaster issued for flood event in King County
  Executive Ron Sims is pleased to inform citizens of King County that President Barack Obama has declared a federal disaster for the January severe winter storm incident that impacted King County

• Jan. 30: Clean up completed following sewer overflow in Woodinville
  Clean up is completed in Woodinville following a sewer overflow that occurred around 9:00 a.m. just south of the intersection of NE 175th Street and Woodinville-Redmond Road

• Jan. 29: City of Enumclaw agrees to take control of King County Fair in 2009
  The oldest fair west of the Mississippi River would live on under new management in a preliminary agreement announced today between the City of Enumclaw and King County

• Jan. 29: Your signature is as important as your vote
  The deadline to vote in King County’s first all-mail election is rapidly approaching. Earlier this month, more than 1.1 million ballots were sent to voters, many of whom will be filling out their first mail ballot for the February 3 election

• Jan. 28: Metro Transit's service change starts Saturday, Feb. 7
  King County Metro Transit will update bus service starting Saturday, Feb. 7 - adding more trips on routes 10, 36, 157 and 255, partnering on a new route in the Auburn area, and expanding bus-bike connections in downtown Seattle

• Jan. 28: King County wants to hear ideas of farming's future
  Farming has been an important part of the landscape since King County’s earliest days, and county leaders want to hear ideas about ensuring the future of agriculture

• Jan. 27: King County residents affected by flooding can receive vouchers for free flood debris disposal
  As part of King County’s ongoing efforts to help its residents recover from historic flooding earlier this month, the county’s Solid Waste Division is providing vouchers that will allow individuals to dispose of their flood debris at no cost at any King County solid waste transfer station. Vouchers are available to individuals through Feb. 26 by contacting the division at 206-296-4466, 1-800-325-6165, ext 6-4466, TTY Relay: 711, Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m

• Jan. 26: King County needs volunteers to help save native plants for future land restoration work
  Instead of wasting native plants during land-clearing activities, King County’s Native Plant Salvage Program recruits volunteers to recover these valuable plants from areas that are slated for development, and then replants the rescued vegetation at restoration sites

• Jan. 23: Most Metro Transit fares increase on Feb. 1
  King County Metro Transit is reminding customers that bus fares for adults will increase by 25 cents starting Sunday, Feb 1

• Jan. 23: Juanita Bay Pump Station replacement increases system capacity, improves design
  A newly completed replacement for King County’s Juanita Bay Pump Station will increase sewer system capacity while providing neighbors with a well-designed facility that can better control noise and odors

• Jan. 22: King County checking for more flood damage as emergency levee repair work is completed
  Just two weeks after historic flooding caused widespread damage along many western Washington rivers, King County work crews have completed all of the necessary emergency repairs to levees, and have now begun to take a closer look at how those flood-prevention structures fared

• Jan. 22: Have you tried tracking your mail ballot online?
  Last week King County mailed a record-breaking total of more than 1.1 million ballots to all registered voters for the county's first all-mail election on February 3. Also new for this election, the division has launched an application that allows voters to track their ballot's progress online, verifying its location at three different points

• Jan. 21: Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., volunteers give more than 600 hours of service in parks
  While many people didn’t have to work on Jan. 19 because of the holiday honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, nearly 200 volunteers spent part of their holiday giving back to the community by performing hundreds of hours of work throughout the King County Parks system

• Jan. 20: King County to keep close eye on Green River as Howard Hanson Dam assessment continues
  King County, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and local governments are coordinating efforts in response to news that the Corps’ flood-control dam on the upper Green River will have to be drawn down to assess recently discovered damage

• Jan. 16: Acceptance testing process of County’s upgraded tabulation to begin while federal certification continues
  Beginning Tuesday, King County Elections will start the four-step internal acceptance testing process for the upgraded tabulation equipment

• Jan. 11: King County crews make progress opening and repairing flood-damage roads and levees
  As water recedes and river levels drop around the region, King County Road Services Division crews continue making progress repairing and cleaning up county roads hard hit by flood waters. Crews are also making progress on emergency repairs to damaged levees along the Tolt and Snoqualmie rivers

• Jan. 11: King County staff and volunteers pull out the stops to help Pacific flood victims clean up
  At the direction of King County Executive Ron Sims, the county's Emergency Management office is managing an extraordinary effort to help the people of Pacific today as they clean up from last week's devastating flood. Emergency Management managers are coordinating the efforts of King County crews and equipment as well as a team of volunteers. King County Solid Waste trucks and King County Airport dump trucks are in Pacific where as many as 50 are expected to help residents clean and dispose of damaged belongings

• Jan. 10: Damage assessment and debris removal begin as flooding recedes
  King County Executive Ron Sims today visited parts of the county that have been among the hardest hit by recent record floods. In Snoqualmie, Executive Sims and Mayor Matt Larson worked side-by-side with Snoqualmie residents unloading flood-damaged debris from their vehicles

• Jan. 10: Emergency repairs under way to flood-damaged levees
  King County is mobilizing today to make emergency repairs to levees and other flood-prevention structures that were damaged by this week's record flooding. King County Executive Ron Sims is again heading out to affected communities to speak with elected local leaders and meet with residents whose lives have been affected by floods

• Jan. 10: King County Executive will meet today with flood victims as record river flows recede
  King County Executive Ron Sims will travel to Snoqualmie and Pacific this afternoon to meet with city leaders and residents as river waters recede, and the amount of damage becomes more clear. The difficult clean up effort is underway for people in flooded communities as they are able to get back to their homes

• Jan. 9: Incident management team dispatched to City of Pacific to assist in emergency response coordination
  A specialized incident management team is on scene at the City of Pacific tonight, in response to a request from that community for help dealing with widespread flooding

• Jan. 9: Historic flows, significant road and structure damage visible as King County Executive tours flood damaged communities
  County Executive Ron Sims spent most of Friday viewing East King County flood damage where all rivers had historic flows of rain and melted snow and the Snoqualmie and Tolt rivers hit the highest level in history. The Executive visited the Red Cross regional center in Renton and spoke with people who evacuated their homes as well as residents whose homes were spared from flooding

• Jan. 9: As floodwaters recede, the work now turns to repairs
  More than forty roads remain closed in King County this afternoon as road crews get their first good look at the damage that’s been left behind from this week’s flood

• Jan. 9: Record flows on Tolt River near Carnation, possible severe damage to two levees
  Record water flows on rivers across the region are causing significant flooding, including possible damage to two levees along the Tolt River near the City of Carnation. Flood waters are also causing significant road damage across King County

• Jan. 8: King County Executive Ron Sims to tour flood damage Friday
  Media are invited to join King County Executive Ron Sims at St. Mathews Lutheran Church (1700 Edmonds Ave. NE, Renton WA) at approx 9:45 a.m. Friday morning where he will meet with evacuees and get a briefing from flood control managers about the magnitude of flooding on King County Rivers compared to previous flood events

• Jan. 8: Flooding cuts off residents in East King County
  Levees across King County are holding the significant flows that have hit the region over the past 48 hours, although King County Flood Crews have not been able to reach the levee in Maple Valley to assess its condition

• Jan. 8: King County Executive signs emergency proclamation
  In response to record river flows, flooding, land slides and other damage from severe weather, King County Executive Ron Sims this morning signed a Local Proclamation of Emergency to help county staff continue their quick response to damage

• Jan. 8: Day 2 brings little relief to flood-stricken county
  The clouds may be lifting, but it will take days and weeks for the region’s transportation system to rebound from historic flooding in King County

• Jan. 8: Flood-control dam releases push Green River to Phase III flood alert level
  The King County Flood Warning Center has issued a Phase III flood alert level for the Green River, which is expected to remain at high flood levels for the next several days as flood-control dam operators create additional storage capacity upstream

• Jan. 8: White River reaches Phase III flood alert level as flood-control dam releases raise flows
  The aftermath of this week’s heavy tropical rainstorm continues to affect rivers across King County. The King County Flood Warning Center, which has been in continuous operation since mid-afternoon on Jan. 6, has issued a Phase III flood alert level for the White River. The river is expected to remain at high flood levels for the next several days

• Jan. 7: Cedar River joins Tolt, Snoqualmie rivers at Phase IV flood alert
  King County has issued a Phase IV flood alert for the Cedar River, where a water release by Seattle Public Utilities from Chester Morse Dam is expected to keep stream flows dramatically elevated into Thursday evening

• Jan. 7: Green, Cedar river levels climb; dangerous levels persist on Tolt, Snoqualmie
  The King County Flood Warning Center has issued a Phase III flood alert on the Green River and a Phase II alert on the Cedar River this morning due to heavy rain and water releases from dams in those upper watersheds

• Jan. 7: Phase IV flood alert level on Snoqualmie River, Phase II for Green, as rain continues
  Officials at the King County Flood Warning Center say the Snoqualmie River, driven by heavy rainfall from a powerful tropical storm, has risen to a Phase IV flood alert level early Wednesday morning. Dangerous widespread flooding is likely to occur throughout the Snoqualmie Valley

• Jan. 7: Rain lifts Tolt River to Phase IV flood alert level; Snoqualmie River, Issaquah Creek at Phase III
  Hard rain from a strong tropical storm continues to hammer portions of King County, leading to potentially significant and widespread river flooding

• Jan. 7: Worst flooding in years closes King County roads
  King County road crews continue to respond tonight to what may be one of the worst floods in years – a flood that has already impacted more than 35 roads countywide. And the worst may not be over. The rain continues to fall in many parts of the county. By tomorrow morning, swollen rivers and mudslides may boost the number of road closures even higher, dramatically reducing access in many King County neighborhoods

• Jan. 7: Major flooding prompts numerous King County Road closures; Metro Transit assisting with evacuations
  King County road crews continue to respond to a variety of dangerous flood related problems this afternoon as Metro Transit mobilizes to help with emergency evacuations due to rising floodwater

• Jan. 7: Drinking water wells, septic systems at risk during floods
  Floods can damage septic systems and make well water undrinkable as well as contaminate food and medicine. Flooded basements and buildings should also be cleaned up carefully. Detailed information on the following flood and health related topics may be found in English and other languages at www.kingcounty.gov/health/disaster

• Jan. 6: King County Flood Warning Center opens to monitor rain-fed high river flows
  The King County Flood Warning Center was opened at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday to monitor minor flooding on the Tolt River, and to prepare for the likelihood of significant flooding on the Snoqualmie River and other river systems, as a powerful tropical storm moved into the region today

• Jan. 5: King County, Department of Justice reach agreement on proposed jail improvements
  Today, King County Executive Ron Sims announced a proposed agreement with the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) that addresses previous issues concerning jail operations and establishes measures that continue ongoing improvements. The proposal is now being transmitted to the King County Council for review and authorization

• Jan. 5: Many options available in King County for Christmas tree recycling
  Don’t worry if foul weather or the rush of holiday activities kept you from getting rid of the family Christmas tree. There are still several great options available for recycling your tree – and doing something good for the environment