I want to extend a huge thank you to the Emerald Parents Association for working with my office, the Marketplace at Factoria, Amazon, T&T Supermarket, and so many others, to put on a phenomenal Lunar New Year celebration in Factoria this past week. I was honored to be a part of such a fantastic event made possible by an incredible group of community leaders and volunteers.  

If you didn’t have a chance to see the celebration of the 2025 Lunar New Year, the ‘Year of the Snake’, at the Marketplace in Factoria, I hope you were able to stop by and see the decorations, which are on display through today. The festivities, performances, and presentations by local community members were a beautiful reminder to me that we are strengthened through our diversity. 

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NEWCASTLE Lunar New Year Celebration

Date: Feb 9 Time: 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM Location: Risdon Middle School 6928 116th Ave SE, Newcastle 

Celebrate the Year of the Snake with the Newcastle Arts Council’s annual community celebration. Enjoy traditional dance performances, games, food, and activities for all ages. 

Schedule: 

• 1:15 PM: Lion/Dragon Dancers and Kung Fu Demonstration – Northwest Kung Fu and Fitness 

• 1:30 PM: Remarks by Elected Officials 

• 2:00 – 3:15 PM: Musical and Dance Performances 

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I am honored to represent such a wide array of vibrant communities throughout King County Council District 9 and look forward to working with these community groups for future celebrations as well. 

I have received the following report from the King County Roads Department regarding road conditions heading into the weekend. 

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Another wave of moisture will move into the region Friday night, with periods of rain/snow mix expected. Surface temperatures are expected to be around or slightly above freezing as precipitation moves through overnight, likely limiting most road accumulations to heavier showers where up to 1" of slush could occur. 

The rain/snow mix will transition to rain through Saturday morning as temperatures rise, before precipitation becomes more showery Saturday afternoon. Additional showers are possible at times on Sunday and Monday, with all snow expected Sunday night onward as colder air moves into the region. Minimal accumulations are expected. Nightly freezes will continue through most nights. 

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I want to thank the employees of our King County Roads Department for their work over the week keeping our main roads clear and free of ice and snow.  

As you enjoy your weekend, please make sure to drive safely and feel free to use the resources below if needed: 

• Stay up to date with closures, delays, projects, and available transportation aid through the King County Road Services website: https://kingcounty.gov/depts/local-services/roads.aspx 

• For the fastest updates on road conditions, sign up for road alerts or follow the King County Road Services Division on Twitter at @kcroads. Road alert sign up: https://kingcounty.gov/.../local.../roads/road-alert.aspx 

• Get help with road maintenance and traffic safety issues by calling the 24/7 Road Helpline at 206-477-8100 or 1-800-527-6237. 

• In the case of a power outage, please call Puget Sound Energy at 1-888-225-5773. You can also report the outage online and check PSE’s map of outages: https://www.pse.com/outage/outage-map 

Starting February 10th, childcare facilities in King County can apply to be a part of the Best Starts for Kids Child Care Wage Boost Pilot. Applications will close March 7th.  

Eligible workers at selected facilities will be issued quarterly payments to increase their income through 2027.   

Applications will go live on the Best Starts Wage Boost Pilot Website here!  

Full-time workers who receive the wage boost can receive up to $2,080 quarterly. Part-time workers who receive the wage boost can receive up to $1,040 quarterly.  

The Pilot is providing immediate investment to select workers to recognize their vital role in our community while gathering evidence to inform how on-going government investments benefit the child care sector, workers, families, and the community.      

Through the Wage Boost Pilot, $25 million will be distributed to about 1,400 workers. And over the course of the Pilot, evaluators will study the impact of the wage boost on worker well-being, employee retention, and quality of care.   

If you have questions about the application process, eligibility, or what you need to do to get ready for application launch, visit the Pilot website.  

New VSHSL funding opportunity: Vets Engaged (SE 7) 

The King County Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS) is pleased to release this Request for Proposals (RFP) for ​​SE 7: Vets Engaged with funding from the Veterans, Seniors, and Human Services Levy (VSHSL).   

VSHSL seeks to fund entities to convene community-building events and activities that increase social engagement and connection for veterans, military servicemembers, and their respective families. The Vets Engaged program strives to reduce veterans' feelings of isolation by providing socialization opportunities for them and their families, to help address the inequities they may face while creatively building community. 

Available funding: Organizations may apply for small short-term grants at set amounts of $10,000, $15,000, and $20,000  Investment period: ​​Rolling application submission with set closing and review dates throughout the year  Questions: Contact Katie Mahoney at kmahoney@kingcounty.gov Applications due:  

By 2pm on Feb 28, 2025 for projected award start date of May 1, 2025. 

By 2pm on May 30, 2025 for projected award start date of August 1, 2025. 

APPLY HERE