 News from and about King County… from health updates to community news affecting our daily lives.
Today’s update includes news about the King County Council’s trip to Washington, D.C., the Federal Way National Little League Jamboree, King County’s community survey on budget priorities, the Eviction Prevention and Rent Assistance Program’s transition to a state program, the Federal Way Senior Commission’s first Health and Resource Fair, the Vets Engaged grants, transit, crime and health updates, and more.
This Decatur High School senior, originally from Hawaii, has made it to the American Idol’s top 8 this week. Who is he?
(Answer is at the bottom)
King County Council goes to Washington, D.C.
Recently, I had the rare opportunity to tour the Pentagon and see the tribute to Gold Star Families. Individuals who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedoms leave behind Gold Star Families. As Memorial Day approaches, I hope we keep these fallen heroes in our thoughts and remember all the Gold Star Families who carry on their legacy.
I saw this tribute while on a trip with the King County Council to share our region’s needs with top federal public officials in Washington, D.C. Our delegation met with US Senators Maria Cantwell and Patty Murray, as well as US Representatives Adam Smith, Kim Schrier, and Suzan DelBene.
  (Left) With US Senator Maria Cantwell, King County Executive Dow Constantine, King County Councilmembers Claudia Balducci, Jeanne Kohl-Welles, Joe McDermott, Sarah Perry, Reagan Dunn, Dave Upthegrove and Rod Dembowski; (Right) With US Representative Adam Smith, King County Government Relations Director Mac Nicholson, and W2A Representatives Nina Collier and Jeff Bjornstad
Federal Way National Little League Jamboree
While the Kraken, Mariners and Sounders got a lot of attention last weekend, I was pleased to be part of the National League Opening Day. It brought back memories of growing up in Lakewood playing for the Spartans. Dedicated parents, committed players (particularly those in wheelchairs as part of the challenger program), and fields of dreams.
 With Federal Way Council President Linda Kochmar and Federal Way Little League Softball Junior Division Fast Pitch Champions
King County launches a community survey to gather input on budget priorities from residents
King County launched a community survey asking for public input on prioritizing services funded by the County’s General Fund to inform looming budget cuts. The 2025-2026 General Fund is facing a $100 million revenue shortfall due to the state’s arbitrary one percent limit on property tax collections, which has not been updated in 20 years and now coincides with increased costs and high rates of inflation exceeding 9%. Read more here. For additional questions, contact Kristin Elia at 206-477-8209.
King County’s Historic Eviction Prevention and Rent Assistance Program to transition to state program, Keep King County Housed
On Monday, King County announced the upcoming transition of the historic three-year Eviction Prevention and Rent Assistance Program (EPRAP) which began at the start of the pandemic in 2020 within King County’s Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS). The unprecedented size and scale of this emergency response contributed to a slow start, but the program reached more than 40,000 people, distributed $390 million in assistance, and ultimately exceeded expenditure goals.
At its peak, it distributed between $30-$40 million in assistance per month. DCHS partnered with more than 60 organizations to provide outreach and supported tenants and landlords throughout the application process. The remaining EPRAP funds from the State Department of Commerce will be exhausted by the end of May, at which point DCHS will transition the program into the new state-level rental assistance program, administered by United Way of King County. The new state-funded program has different requirements from the federally funded EPRAP. Read more here.
Senior Commission to host first-ever Health and Resource Fair
The Federal Way Senior Advisory Commission is hosting its first-ever Health and Resource Fair next Thursday, May 11th, from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm at the Federal Way Performing Arts and Event Center. The resource fair is free and open to all community members. Approximately 46 vendors will be available for attendees. The diverse range of organizations include the Korean Women’s Association, South King Tool Library, the Federal Way Senior Center, Gen Care, Village Green, El Centro de la Raza, Comfort Keepers, and many others. Read more in the Federal Way Mirror article here.
King County Fair celebrates 160 years in July
Save the date for the 160th King County Fair on July 13th, 10:00 am to July 16th, 6:00 pm at the Enumclaw Expo Center. Visit http://www.kingcofair.com for more information.
Vets Engaged is a social engagement program of the VSHSL. The program awards small grants at three levels, $10,000, $15,000, and $20,000, for entities to convene community-building events that increase social connection for veterans, military servicemembers, their respective families and other non-veterans in King County. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis throughout 2023. The next deadline for application review is Friday, May 19th at 2:00pm. Visit bit.ly/VetsEngaged to learn more and to apply.
City of Pacific Interurban Trail War Memorials
This coming Memorial Day, May 29th, the City of Pacific will host a groundbreaking event for the Interurban Trail War Memorials. Three sites are being developed to commemorate heroes of World War I, World War II, the Vietnam War, the Korean War, and the Afghanistan, Gulf, and Iraq Wars. The three sites begin at the Interurban Trailhead Parking in Pacific. If you are interested in supporting the construction of the War Memorial, you can purchase pavers for $100 each by contacting iutwarmemorials@gmail.com with the subject line “Paver Purchase”.
King County Metro retires @kcmetroalerts
King County Metro is retiring its automated account @kcmetroalerts, one of the less frequently used customer service tools. King County Metro will continue to post on @KingCountyMetro, their general news Twitter account. The same information will still be available through other trip planning tools.
South King County may not have the same large benefactors that Seattle does, but our non-profits work just as hard to help people and good causes in our region. Below are a couple places where your donations go a long way:
Crime and Law Enforcement Updates
This update is intended to inform you about what is happening in our communities and where. My hope is that this information will not only make us better informed, but also provide us with solutions for how we can address the issues facing our community as we move forward. Click the following links to see crime information in Auburn, Federal Way, and all of King County.
 For a detailed 2022 end-of-year law enforcement officers fatalities report, click here. For a complete list of benefits for public safety officers and survivors as shared by Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.), click here.
King County announces settlement with Juul Labs in youth e-cigarette lawsuit
King County has reached a settlement with Juul Labs, Inc. in the county’s case over youth e-cigarette use. The settlement follows litigation that spanned over three years and is part of a global settlement with Juul Labs, Inc. resolving numerous cases brought by government entity plaintiffs, including school districts, cities, and counties. The settlement will provide local resources to amplify programs that reduce and deter nicotine use among youth. Read more here.
King County COVID-19 Case Update
Last Thursday, Seattle – King County Public Health reported 96 daily average positive cases, bringing the total in King County to 557,701. In addition, Public Health reported 0.1 daily average deaths, bringing the total in the county to 3,615.
Vaccine Locator: To find COVID-19 vaccine appointments, visit Vaccine Locator.
For King County residents: Register here to schedule your appointment at one of the high-volume vaccination sites in King County.
For in-home vaccination: Call King County COVID-19 Call Center at 206-477-3977.
To register by phone: Call King County COVID-19 Call Center at 206-477-3977 or Washington COVID-19 Assistance Hotline at 1-800-525-0127, then press #.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Call 9-8-8 to connect to the new Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, text TALK to 741-741 or visit https://988lifeline.org/.
King County Councilmember
Washington Trivia Answer:
18-year-old Decatur High School senior Iam Tongi made it to the Top 8 of the 21st season of the American Idol this week. Iam, who was originally from Kahuku, Hawaii, moved to Federal Way, Washington in 2019.
Iam’s greatest influence in music was his late father Rodney, who passed away in December 2021. His audition piece “Monsters” by James Blunt, a song he used to sing with his father, captivated the judges and brought them to tears, and earned him a “Golden Ticket” to Hollywood.
In March, the Federal Way City Council invited Iam and proclaimed March 21st as “Iam Tongi” day in Federal Way, honoring his hard work, love for his father and perseverance to pursue his dream. This week, Iam’s rendition of “What a Wonderful World” earned a standing ovation from all the judges and brought him to the Top 8.
 Photo Source: Federal Way Mirror (Bruce Honda)
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