In preparation for the rainy weather that comes with fall in this part of the world, King County Road Services maintenance crews work to ensure road safety and prevent flooding. Here are some of the tasks you may see them doing in your community this month:

Drain clearance: Leaves and fallen branches can clog drains. Road Services crews prioritize clearing these obstructions to make sure water can flow into the drains during heavy rains.

Pothole repairs: Potholes can be hazardous, especially during wet conditions. Road crews proactively identify and fill potholes, making the roads safer for everyone.

Road maintenance: Crews focus on comprehensive road repair work to address existing issues. Patching the road keeps water from going beneath the surface, which can lead to more extensive damage like cracks and larger potholes. This proactive approach helps maintain the road's structural integrity.

How you can help...

Drive safely

• Reduce your speed in rainy conditions to prevent hydroplaning.
• Stay a safe distance from the vehicle in front of you.
• Make sure your tires have enough tread for wet road conditions.

Flood safety

• Stay informed about flood warnings and evacuation routes in your area.
• Never drive through flooded roads. Remember to "Turn Around, Don't Drown."
• Prepare an emergency kit that includes essential supplies in case of flooding or road closures.

Learn more on the King County Road Services website

Local Services

Reminders

Here are a few reminders about opportunities we've covered in previous issues.

► Alan M. Painter grant applications are open until 5 p.m. on Friday, December 15.

This program funds community projects that allow unincorporated area residents to participate in, and be more connected to, their communities and King County. Learn more

► Participatory Budgeting—now is the time to suggest ideas for improving your community with King County funds!

Do you live, work, or have another connection to  East Federal Way, East Renton, Fairwood, Skyway/West Hill, and/or White Center/North Highline? The Participatory Budgeting program needs your input on how to make your community an even better place.
Learn more | Submit your ideas

► County offers money to repair vandalized commercial buildings

Small businesses (with up to 25 employees) and commercial property owners in unincorporated King County can apply for grants of up to $5,000 to repair damage to their commercial buildings. Applications will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis through Dec. 31 or until the funds are used up. Learn more and apply

Chris Ricketts retired last month after serving as the King County Building Official for 25 years and as the King County Fire Marshal for the past decade.

Ricketts wore several management hats for the King County Permitting Division’s Building Department, from reviewer to supervisor to manager. He worked on many unique and challenging projects, including ski lodges in the Cascades, large circus tents for the Cirque du Soleil show, amphitheaters, treehouses, straw-bale structures, and more than 50 public school structures.

You can read more about Chris and his career on this blog post.

King County Conservation Futures acquisition grants can help governmental agencies and qualified conservation nonprofits buy or preserve open spaces and parks for passive recreation.

Grants may help purchase or conserve urban greenspaces, natural areas, forests, community gardens, farms, and trails—including stormwater parks or parks near affordable housing. 

King County has announced important policy updates: the required project match has been reduced to 25% of total project costs for future awards. Opportunity area projects may qualify for a match waiver. Initial site stabilization costs related to public safety or resource protection are now an eligible cost, such as structure demolition, signage, or fencing.

The next Conservation Futures grant round opens November 6 and applications are due February 12, 2024. Visit the Conservation Futures application page for key information and to sign up for workshops. Contact Ingrid.Lundin@kingcounty.gov with questions.

Cybersecurity awareness: how to stay safe online

This time of year, it’s normal to spend more time online, especially with holiday shopping. All online activity, including shopping, can leave you vulnerable to cyber threats. Here are some steps you can take to reduce your risk of a cyberattack.

Make sure your devices and software are up to date. Many cyberattacks exploit weaknesses in older versions of apps and software. Updating to the current version will usually patch those weak spots.

Use strong passwords that are long, hard to guess, and unique to each account. A password manager can help you keep track of more complicated passwords and multiple accounts.

Use multi-factor authentication whenever you can. It provides a secondary method for confirming your identity and can help prevent unauthorized access to your accounts even if your password is compromised. Learn more

Learn to recognize and report phishing. Phishing attacks use harmful links or attachments to steal personal information and infect devices, and they are designed to look like they come from trusted sources. Look for clues in the messages to avoid falling for these scams. Don’t click on links or open attachments you don’t trust, and delete or report them when possible.

When shopping online, always double check that vendor websites are legitimate and payment systems are encrypted before you provide any personal information. Check your credit card and bank statements regularly for any fraudulent charges.

The online world is a regular part of life, but always remember to be cautious. Watch for suspicious activity – if you feel any doubt, don’t click, and do not provide personal information. To learn more, follow the hashtag #SecureOurWorld on social media and/or visit King County's cyberterrorism web page.

Days are turning colder and nights are getting longer. It's a perfect time to cuddle up with a new canine companion from Regional Animal Services of King County.

Through November 30, if you adopt a large adult dog (six months or older and 25 pounds or more) RASKC will waive the adoption fee.

Adopting a shelter dog can be a very rewarding experience. RASKC's mission is to place great pets into great homes. Each adoption comes with many benefits, including spay/neuter surgery, initial vaccinations, microchipping, and a 30-day trial of pet health insurance.

The King County Pet Adoption Center is at 21615 64th Avenue S in Kent. Adoption hours are noon to 5 p.m. on weekdays and noon to 4 p.m. on weekends. Prospective adopters are encouraged to visit the facility in person to pick out the perfect companion. If you make a match, expect to spend at least 30 minutes completing the adoption process and having your pet care questions answered. You can even browse the current selection of adoptable animals online!

1. Climate Change and Puget Sound Area Forests – Free webinar on November 16, 2023. Climate change is impacting forest health throughout the area. In this webinar, learn about what to expect, practical strategies for increasing forest resilience, and where to go for help and additional information. Pre-registration required.
2. Online Forest Stewardship Coached Planning course – starts January 18, 2024. Learn everything you need to know about caring for your forest, including how to write your own personalized forest stewardship plan that could help qualifying landowners save money on property taxes through King County's Public Benefit Rating System (PBRS) program. Participants will receive a site visit to their property by a professional forester. Cost: $150. Pre-registration required.

Arts and culture

Artists can apply to exhibit their works at 4Culture

Attention King County artists! 4Culture is accepting applications from artists for the 2024-2025 season. This is a great opportunity for artists who are looking for space to show their work. Apply from Nov. 1 through Dec. 14 at 4Culture.org.