May 16th Community Update
King County, Washington sent this bulletin at 05/16/2024 05:52 PM PDTHaving trouble reading this email? View it in your web browser.
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News from and about King County… from health updates to community news affecting our daily lives. Dear Friends: Today’s update includes news about King County Council’s annual D.C. trip, the return of Trailhead Direct, the annual Big Backyard Fun Run, the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Trophy Tour, King County Flood Control District's visit to Broward County, Washington Traffic Fatalities, National Police Week, transit updates, and more. How many soldiers from Washington state sacrificed and lost their lives during World War II, and the Korean and Vietnam Wars? Earlier this month, the King County delegation headed to Washington D.C. for our annual visit with the congressional offices of U.S. Representatives Adam Smith, Kim Schrier, and Suzan DelBene, and U.S. Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell to discuss infrastructure, public safety, public and behavioral health, community needs, and transportation in King County. We also had the opportunity to visit the U.S. Department of Transportation, as well as hear from the Chief of Federal Affairs for the National Association of Counties (NaCo), Mark Ritacco. While in Washington, D.C., I visited the Vietnam War Wall where I came across the name of a classmate in the 1960s who died in Vietnam War, as well as these statues of Vietnam War veterans. (Right) With U.S. Sen. Suzan DelBene, King County Executive Dow Constantine, and King County Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda
Trailhead Direct Offers Transit-to-Trails Service to Issaquah Alps and Mt. Si
Trailhead Direct will provide service every 30 minutes from the Sound Transit Capitol Hill Link station to stops at trailheads near Mount Si, Mount Teneriffe, and Little Si. Hourly trips will start at the Mount Baker Transit Center and go to Margaret’s Way, Squak Mountain, Chirico Trail-Poo Poo Point, High School Trail, and East Sunset Way. Metro Restores Bus Trips in South King County On May 13th, King County Metro restored 79 bus trips across 6 routes (Auburn, Enumclaw, Federal Way, Mercer Island, Renton and Tukwila) for more frequent bus options on weekdays for riders. These routes are part of Metro’s DART (Dial-A-Ride) service, which offers both a set schedule and a flexible service area when a rider reserves in advance. Delivered by Metro partner Hopelink, DART vehicles feature bicycle racks and wheelchair lifts. Read more here.
Annual Big Backyard Fun Run Registration Now Open
ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Trophy Tour Comes to Washington I was recently invited to participate in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Trophy Tour hosted by the Seattle Orcas at Bellevue City Hall. Also in attendance were the first Consul General of India in Seattle, Consul General Prakash Gupta, Bellevue Mayor Lynne Robinson, Deputy Mayor Mo Malakoutian, Councilmembers Dave Hamilton, Conrad Lee, John Stokes, and Janice Zahn, and Seattle Orcas co-owner Vijay Beniwal. The USA leg of the Trophy Tour launched in New York, lighting up the Empire State Building in the event’s blue and pink colors, followed by visits to famous landmarks in New Year City, as well as a visit to the Space Station in Texas before it arrived in Seattle and Bellevue.
With Consul General Gupta, Bellevue Mayor Robinson, Deputy Mayor Malakoutian, Councilmembers Hamilton, Lee, Stokes and Zahn, and Seattle Orcas co-owner Vijay Beniwal
King County Flood Control District Visits Broward County, Florida In mid-April, I joined the King County Flood Control District (KCFCD) delegation to Broward County, Florida to study innovative flood management strategies and seek insights on rising sea levels and intense storms as South Florida addresses these challenges. Together with FCD Executive Director Michelle Clark, Deputy Executive Director Steven Schauer, and Chair Reagan Dunn, we met with officials from the city of Fort Lauderdale Public Works, Sustainability Division, and the South Florida Water Management District to conduct site visits and discuss policies and projects aimed at addressing flooding, climate change, and other challenges. This exchange of knowledge is beneficial as we are able to learn from each other's approaches and adapt best practices to our own region. Read more in the FCD blog here.
With FCD leadership at a flood gate, saltwater barrier, and pump house site in Florida
Alumni Corner While our work is based on policies and programs, it is the people we work with who make the difference. Previously featured alumni included: Chris Cho, Tom Pierson, Bailey Stenson Gordon, Agnes Wooters, Jim Ferrell, Jackie Schneider, Megan Rage, Thomas Efrem, Jenny Faubion, Sue Park, Dani Cortez, and Joey Schneider.
“I learned the importance of listening to the community to make a positive and effective difference. Surveys, events, and being available to constituents allow us to serve the community where there is a need. There are so many ways to make a positive impact, starting by building relationships with those you serve." Since graduating from Washington State University with a degree in finance, Caroline has been working in accounting and finance roles in the healthcare industry, previously at DaVita and now at Providence. In her free time, Caroline enjoys volunteering in the community as a volunteer leader and fair superintendent for the local 4-H program, and as a board member of the Arts Foundation Federal Way. She has also found another way to serve the community--as a South King Fire Commissioner. Thank you, Commissioner Vadino!
Federal Way Farmers Market On May 11th, Saturday, the Federal Way Farmers Market kicked off its 21st season with festivities, more local farm-fresh produce, fresh flowers, food products, food trucks, crafts, and 20 new vendors, bringing the total vendors to nearly 70 on opening day this year. The farmers market is open on Saturdays from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm, and will be open through October 26th at 1701 S 320th, Federal Way, 98003, in the parking lot along 324th & Pacific Hwy. For more information, click here.
Non-Profit Corner South King County Non-Profit Organizations
Washington Traffic Fatalities hit a 33-year high in 2023 According to recent data collected by the Washington Traffic Safety Commission (WTSC), the state reached its highest number of traffic fatalities in 2023 since 1990, with 810 deaths – a 10 percent increase from 2022. Last year also marked the worst year on record for pedestrian fatalities (157) and motorcyclist fatalities (141). WTSC finds that the leading factor to these traffic fatalities are high-risk behaviors such as drug and alcohol impairment (400 fatal crashes), excessive speed (251 fatalities), unrestrained vehicle occupants (171 deaths), and distracted driving (135 deaths). Read more in the FOX13 article here.
To view the data dashboards on fatal crashes and traffic safety, click here.
In recognition of the National Police Week, the King County Council proclaimed May 12-18, 2024, as Police Week in King County to salute the service of law enforcement officers in our community and across the nation. The proclamation was received by King County Sheriff Patti Cole-Tindall, Undersheriff Jesse Anderson, Chief Ian Huri, Chief Jose Marenco, Chief Shawn Ledford, and Chief Cheol Kang. Thank you for your service!
With King County Council Chair Dave Upthegrove, Councilmembers Sarah Perry, Claudia Balducci, Reagan Dunn, Rod Dembowski and Jorge Barón, and KCSO Sheriff Cole-Tindall, Undersheriff Anderson, Chief Huri, Chief Marenco, Chief Ledford and Chief Kang
Code Enforcement Links: Auburn | Algona | Federal Way | Kent | Pacific | Unincorporated
With best wishes, With less than 1 percent (119,550) of the over 16 million Americans who served during World War II still alive today, our living memories of World War II are slowly disappearing from history. As we prepare to recognize Memorial Day and the 80th anniversary of the D-Day invasion, we remember those who sacrificed and lost their lives during World War II, as well as during the Korean and Vietnam Wars. Washington accounts for 3,941 casualties during World War II, 488 during the Korean War, and 1,047 during the Vietnam War, however, the list does not include wounded, captured, or missing soldiers. Although Washington ranks 27th in the US for WWII casualties, Washingtonians do not realize that the state did as much or more per capita than any other state to help win WWII, even with a wartime population of just over 1.7 million, according to WWII veteran James Warren, Washington State University alum and author of The War Years: A Chronicle of Washington State in World War II.
WWII casualties by state, Wisevoter
WWII Veteran Statistics, The National WWII Museum
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Beginning May 25th through September 15th, King County’s Trailhead Direct seventh season will offer 
Registration is now open for the annual Big Backyard 5K & 10K fun run and family walk, celebrating the numerous King County Parks throughout neighborhoods, cities, and county. Founded in 2010, proceeds from the Big Backyard event benefit King County Parks to support park maintenance and facilities operations and recreational resources to keep parks running smoothly and open year-round. Since its inception in 2010, more than 13,000 participants have gathered to raise over $80,000 for King County Parks. To sign up and learn more, 
This week’s featured District 7 alum is Caroline Vadino. Caroline worked in my office as an intern in the summer of 2016 between high school and college. She filled in as a front desk staff during the holidays, recorded community survey responses, packaged masks during the pandemic, and helped with community events and wherever she could.
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