January 2nd Community Update
King County, Washington sent this bulletin at 01/02/2025 05:01 PM PST
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News from and about King County… from health updates to community news affecting our daily lives. Dear Friends: Please join me and King County Assessor John A. Wilson on Wednesday, January 15, 5:00-8:00PM, at KO-AM TV in Federal Way for a Property Tax Town Hall. This is your opportunity to ask questions and seek assistance about property taxes and tax relief programs, particularly for seniors and persons with disabilities.
King County Conservation Futures Land Acquisition Grants King County Conservation Futures land acquisition grants help government agencies and nonprofits buy land for urban greenspaces, natural areas, restoration sites, forests, community gardens, farms, and trails. They can also fund initial site stabilization costs such as demolition. The current Conservation Futures grant round opened in November, with applications due on February 10. Visit the Conservation Futures application page for key information. You can also contact Ingrid Lundin at Ingrid.Lundin@kingcounty.gov with questions.
Federal Disaster Assistance for King County Residents and Businesses Affected by November Bomb Cyclone King County renters, homeowners, nonprofits, and businesses affected by the storm may be eligible for low-interest federal disaster loans through the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to help recover from the November bomb cyclone. The deadline to apply for property damage is February 21, and the deadline to apply for economic injury is September 23. For more information and to apply online, visit SBA.gov/disaster. Applicants can also receive in-person application assistance at an SBA Disaster Loan Outreach Center, starting Monday, January 6. The centers are located at Bellevue Library and King County Elections in Renton. Read more here.
VSHSL Funding Opportunity: Short-Term Engagement Projects The Veterans, Seniors, and Human Services Levy’s (VSHSL’s) Short-Term Engagement Projects funding opportunity seeks to fund entities to convene short-term community-building events and activities that provide social engagement opportunities for seniors and individuals from resilient communities in ways that meet their unique cultural needs. Organizations may apply for small short-term grants at set amounts of $5,000, $10,000, and $15,000. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. The next deadline for applications is January 31 at 2:00 PM. For more information, please contact Katie Mahoney at 206-477-7349 or kmahoney@kingcounty.gov, or click here.
Transit Updates South Link Connections: Rider Survey on Proposed Route Changes As Link light rail extends south, King County Metro’s South Link Connections mobility project is working to improve public transportation for communities in South King County. In response to what Metro heard from community members in Algona, Auburn, Burien, Des Moines, Federal Way, Kent, Normandy Park, Pacific, SeaTac, Tukwila, and parts of unincorporated King County, Metro is proposing several improvements to service and is seeking your input. The public is invited to learn more about these proposed changes and take the survey by February 28.
South King County Heroism by King County Metro Bus Operators Two King County Metro bus operators helped lead to the arrest of the suspect in the murder of Metro Transit Operator Shawn Yim on December 18. While driving a northbound RapidRide E Line bus on the morning of December 21, Metro bus operator Anthony “A.J.” Ross observed a passenger onboard with some similarities to the suspect, whom Ross had driven several times prior to Wednesday’s murder. However, there were differences between the passenger and the police description. After the trip terminated at Aurora Village Transit Center along with Ross’s shift, Ross dropped his bus off at North Base and returned immediately in his personal vehicle. After Ross saw the same rider change into shoes matching the police description, Ross immediately called the King County Sherriff’s Office. The suspect then boarded another bus headed southbound. However, Ross was able to provide an updated description of the suspect and to assist police in narrowing down the bus that the suspect was likely to be riding. Southbound RapidRide E Line bus operator Timmothy Nelson says he received a call from Transit Control Center Coordinator David Nguyen asking him whether a passenger meeting the description was aboard. Nelson was able to confirm that the passenger was onboard and then flagged down Seattle Police Department officers. The officers boarded Nelson’s bus at Third Avenue and Main Street in downtown Seattle. The suspect was apprehended without incident and was identified by the Seattle Police Department and Metro Transit Police. King County Metro extends its profound appreciation to Anthony “A.J.” Ross, Timmothy Nelson, David Nguyen, Metro Service Quality supervisors, Metro Transit Police officers and Seattle Police Department officers. The family of Shawn Yim similarly share their thanks for the arrest of the suspect.
Sound Transit's Winter Progress Report Sound Transit’s Winter Progress Report is now live at progress.soundtransit.org. The Progress Report is designed to keep district taxpayers informed on the status of their investments in our region’s high-capacity transit system. Reporting directly to the public helps strengthen our relationships with current passengers, future passengers, and regional taxpayers at large, and bolsters our reputation as a transparent, trustworthy, and values-driven steward of taxpayer dollars.
Dash Point State Park Beach Closed through January 9 Dash Point State Park Beach is closed to shellfish harvesting through January 9 because of a sewage spill. Recreational shellfish harvesting can be closed at any time for multiple reasons, including rising levels of pollution or paralytic shellfish poison (PSP). Therefore, harvesters are advised to call the DOH Biotoxin Hotline at 1-800-562-5632 or visit the shellfish safety website before harvesting shellfish anywhere in the Puget Sound.
While I appreciate the phone calls and messages that my office receives, I recognize that many who read this newsletter do not have luxury of making phone calls during business hours. I want to create every possible opportunity for you to give me feedback. This new section in my newsletter will feature issues or questions that have come up recently and give you the chance to share your thoughts immediately. Please click this survey link to provide your input about Public Health topics that are most important to you this year.
Positive Health and Environmental News in 2024 Record Return of Salmon Lake Sammamish watershed had the biggest return of salmon in decades due to efforts by King County, the Snoqualmie Tribe, and others. In addition to these salmon, oceangoing salmon returned in big numbers as well. Read more in The Seattle Times article here.
New studies show that it’s okay to start small New studies have shown that just an additional five minutes of exercise per day could help to slightly lower blood pressure, while even low-intensity activities like walking around while cooking can increase your odds of healthy aging. Additionally, mental health research has shown that even small acts of kindness can be surprisingly beneficial. Read more in The Seattle Times article here.
November Hotel Performance Update Visit Seattle reports that in November 2024, Seattle’s downtown hotels sold 301,581 rooms, which translates to 66.2% occupancy rate. The average daily room rate (ADR) was $193 bringing in a revenue of $52.3 million. Hotels sold more rooms and filled a greater percentage of their properties than November 2023. However, both room rates and revenue levels trailed 2023’s performance. In comparison to pre-pandemic performance, ADR was the only metric which surpassed 2019 levels for the month of November.
Thanksgiving Hotel Performance Data It was a quieter week in 2024 than in 2023, when the Seahawks hosted a home game on Thanksgiving Day that boosted downtown hotel performance. 2024 closely resembles the hotel performance seen during the weeks of Thanksgiving in 2022 and 2021.
New Baseball & Softball Fields at Thomas Jefferson High School Sports bring people together! Specifically, sports brought Coach Joseph Townsend, Athletic Director Courtney, and me, together to tour the newly completed Thomas Jefferson High School Baseball/Softball facilities. Students and families will enjoy these incredible modern facilities year-round, and I will continue working to support investments like these in South King County schools.
Non-Profit Corner
Local Services Contact Information Code Enforcement Links: Auburn | Algona | Federal Way | Kent | Pacific | Unincorporated
University of Washington and Canlis Restaurant alum Lauren Tran from Federal Way was recently lauded for her Vietnamese-French baked goods at her bakery in Manhattan called Banh by Lauren. Her shop made it to The New York Times list of the best bakeries in the United States, in addition to Seattle’s Saint Bread, which was also one of the 22 best bakeries in the nation. During the pandemic, the ex-Gramercy Tavern pastry chef Lauren Tran, perfected her roster of Vietnamese American and French pastries at Bánh by Lauren, the hugely popular pop-up she ran with her husband, Garland Wong. Her bakery in Manhattan’s Chinatown offers exquisite treats like chewy pandan honeycomb cakes, delicate macarons, and light chiffon cakes in flavors such as pandan-coconut, Vietnamese coffee, and Thai tea. On the savory side, try the Chinese sausage, cheddar, and chive scones for a hearty contrast to the desserts. Lauren might open a bakery in Seattle in the future, but for now she returns to the Seattle area annually to do bakery pop-ups.
Photo Source: Sara Naomi Lewkowicz for The New York Times To unsubscribe or update your preferences, click here. |
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