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Welcome to Community News, King County government's monthly newsletter for unincorporated area residents. To see previous versions of the Unincorporated Area Community Newsletter visit the archives.
Community Service Area (CSA) spring open house series
The spring open house series in unincorporated King County continues through early June, with a meeting in each Community Service Area. Meetings will begin with an opportunity for individuals to meet with representatives from County departments to discuss specific issues, followed by a broader question and answer period for all attendees. For more information and the schedule, please visit the website.
King County renews grant opportunities for projects benefitting unincorporated areas
Building on a successful program in 2012, a new round of grant opportunities is available to encourage residents of Community Service Areas to become more connected in their neighborhoods.
A total of $60,000 is available through the King County Community Service Area Program for projects, with grants of less than $5,000. Applicants are encouraged to contribute a match in the form of cash or in-kind services and include resources from project partners and contributors. Applications are due by May 31. For more information, please visit the website.
Cedar Hills Regional Landfill community meeting
Cedar Hills Regional Landfill community meetings provide an ongoing forum for landfill neighbors and King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks’ Solid Waste Division (SWD) staff to discuss conditions and activities at the landfill. The dialogue continues April 24 when SWD hosts the next Cedar Hills Regional Landfill community meeting, 7 - 9 p.m., at the King County Library Service Center, 960 Newport Way NW, Issaquah. For more information or accommodations, please visit the website, or call 206-296-4490, TTY Relay: 711.
Volunteer Opportunities
April is Earth Month and the best way to celebrate is to help restore the native habitat of our parks and natural areas. Join one of the many family-friendly work parties happening in King County Parks – Your Big Backyard throughout the month. For more information, visit The Dirt: calendar of hands-on volunteer opportunities.
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King County Sheriff’s Office Internship Program
The King County Sheriff’s Office is currently accepting applications for their new internship program. Please visit the website for more information about positions available and to apply. Applications fall placements are due soon.
Special Election affects many unincorporated areas
There are six fire districts with ballot measures on the April 23 Special Election ballot, affecting many unincorporated areas. If you live in unincorporated areas in or near Fairwood, Maple Valley, Woodinville or east of Auburn, watch your mailbox for ballots in early April. Remember, ballots must be postmarked by election day or returned to a drop box by 8 p.m. on April 23.
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Join us as we celebrate Earth Day countywide
From habitat restoration events and treatment plant tours, to hazardous waste disposal events, to tips for smart purchasing from our own EcoConsumer, Tom Watson, King County can show you how “It's Easy Being Green.”
April Pools Day
Join us for a splashing good time at the “April Pools Day” community swim day on April 21 from 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., hosted by the Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic Center! Learn water safety tips, like how to avoid hypothermia, while enjoying canoe rides, open diving boards and a giant floating octopus – a kid favorite! Free to the public! Plus, all visitors get a raffle ticket for a drawing to win a free life jacket.
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Pay property taxes quickly and easily online
For taxpayers who pay their property taxes themselves, rather than through a mortgage lender, note that the first half 2013 tax payment is due or must be postmarked to the County's Treasury office by April 30. Payments paid or postmarked after this date are subject to delinquency charges. Residents who do not want to mail a check or visit a Community Service Center have the option to pay online quickly and conveniently from their own computer. For more information on property tax payment options, visit the website.
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Bridge closure
The Alvord T. Bridge, one of the most deficient bridges in the state of Washington, will be permanently closed to traffic on June 28 due to severe deterioration. Learn more about the closure on the website.
Metro Transit routes at risk for elimination, cuts
Sixty-five Metro Transit bus routes are at risk of being canceled, and service reduced on another 86 routes, if state lawmakers allow temporary two-year funding for the agency to expire without authorizing a permanent and sustainable source of revenue. That message – showing cuts to up to 17 percent of Metro’s service which will cascade through the agency’s 217-route system – is included in Metro’s 2012 Service Guidelines Report, sent this week to the King County Council.
County roads lack funds for maintenance, preservation
The County Road Fund is supported mostly by local property tax, through a roads levy capped at $2.25 per $1,000 of assessed property value. A combination of economic factors has led to a one-third decline in the Road Fund over the last five years, from $128 million to $85 million. The County is working on a funding solution in Olympia to maintain and preserve roads. Learn more on the website.
Are you looking for affordable housing?
King County sponsors a free online resource to help you look for affordable housing. HousingSearchNW helps you find housing that fits your needs and your budget. Property owners and managers can post units for rent. Updated daily.
Free fair housing workshop and seminar
The King County Office of Civil Rights and other civil rights agencies are hosting two free fair housing trainings at the Jackson Federal Building in Seattle on Wednesday, May 29. The Introduction to Fair Housing Workshop is from 9 a.m. to noon, and the Advanced Fair Housing Seminar is from 1- 3 p.m. Participants receive extensive free fair housing materials in print and CD format. Advance registration is required – call 206-263-2446 or email Civil-Rights.OCR@kingcounty.gov. For details and directions, visit the website.
How does King County protect the environment?
King County residents can learn how their County's natural resources are managed by reading the Department of Natural Resources and Parks (DNRP) 2012 annual report, "Environmental Stewardship in King County." The report outlines many of DNRP's activities and accomplishments during 2012. The department is comprised of four major divisions - Parks and Recreation, Solid Waste, Wastewater Treatment and Water and Land Resources.
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Enumclaw
May 1, 7 - 9 p.m., at the Muckleshoot Library, 39917 Auburn-Enumclaw Rd. SE in Auburn
Four Creeks
April 17, 7 p.m., at the May Valley Alliance Church, 16431 SE Renton-Issaquah Rd. in Renton
June 5, 7 - 9 p.m., location TBD
Greater Maple Valley
Danville-Georgetown Open Space trails meeting
King County Parks will be hosting a public meeting on April 24 from 7 - 8:30 p.m. at the Tahoma Junior High School in Ravensdale. The meeting is an opportunity for trail users to provide input on long-term trail use and improvements. The trails meeting is part of the forest stewardship planning process for the 340-acre Danville-Georgetown Open Space site, which is popular with equestrians, mountain bikers and area youth.
May 6, 7 p.m., at the Fire Station, 231st St and SR-169 in Maple Valley
May 21, 7 - 9 p.m., Hobart Community Church, 27524 SE 200th St., Maple Valley
North Highline
North Highline Unincorporated Area Council
(This item submitted by the North Highline UAC)
The North Highline Unincorporated Area Council is pleased to host Sheriff John Urquhart, and North Highline Fire Chief, Mike Marrs, on May 2 at 7 p.m. at the North Highline Fire Station, 1243 112th Street SW in Seattle. Sheriff Urquhart will provide information and take questions on how the upcoming budget will impact public safety in the unincorporated areas. Chief Marrs will discuss issues related to challenging budget issues impacting the fire service to our community. All are welcome. For more information, please visit the website or contact Barbara Dobkin at bdobkin@northhighlineuac.org.
White Center Chamber of Commerce
April 9, 12 - 1:30 p.m., 3.14 Bakery, 9602 16 Ave. SW, Seattle
April 17, 7 - 9 p.m., Skyway VFW, 7421 S. 126th, Seattle
Friends of Hicklin Lake Community Celebration
April 24, 6:30-8 p.m.,Technology Access Foundation, 605 SW 108th St.,Seattle
May 2, 7 p.m., North Highline Fire District Office, 1243 SW 112th St. in Seattle
Upper Bear Creek
May 14, 7 - 9 p.m., Woodinville Water District, 17238 NE Woodinville-Duvall Rd. in Woodinville
Vashon-Maury Island
Wastemobile: Household hazardous waste collection on Vashon, April 19-21
Vashon-Maury Island residents can safely dispose of old car batteries, oil, paint thinner and many other household hazardous items at no cost when the Wastemobile continues its 24th year of service with a stop on Vashon, April 19-21. The Wastemobile will be at the old Tjomsland Gravel Pit at 17001 107th Ave. SW, and open for business from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day.
Vashon Community Service Center Closed April 23
The Vashon Community Service Center will be closed on Tuesday, April 23. Regular hours will resume on Tuesday, April 30. We apologize for any inconvenience. For a list of other Community Service Center locations, please visit the website.
April 10, 7 - 9 p.m., McMurray Middle School, 9329 Southwest Cemetery Road, Vashon
April 15, 7 p.m., McMurray Middle School, Multi-purpose room, 9329 Southwest Cemetery Road, Vashon
West Hill
April 10, 7 p.m., Fire District #20, 12424 76th Ave S., Seattle
April 16, 7 p.m., Skyway VFW, 7421 S. 126th, Seattle
April 17, 7 - 9 p.m., Skyway VFW, 7421 S. 126th, Seattle
Alajawan Foundation Community Reunion
April 29, 6-8:30 p.m., Grocery Outlet, Skyway
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