October 23rd Community Update
King County, Washington sent this bulletin at 10/23/2025 05:00 PM PDT
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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 the "Good Eggs" Breakfast with Mike Flood, King County Council's Proclamations and Recognitions, the King County 2026-27 Budget Process, Flood Control District, transit, road and travel industry updates, local events, and more.
Washington Trivia This groundbreaking heart surgeon initially aspired to be a Major League Baseball player and even threw the ceremonial first pitch at a Mariners’ game in 1995. Who was he? (Answer is at the bottom) At this month’s “Good Eggs” Breakfast meeting, community and civic leaders from South King County were privileged to hear from Mike Flood, the Vice President of Outreach & External Affairs for the Seattle Seahawks. While many recognize the Seahawks for bringing people together through sports, the team also engages in significant outreach within our local communities. And Mike, with his unwavering dedication to service, is the heartbeat of that work.
With Edgewood Mayor Dave Olson, Pacific Mayor Vic Kave, Federal Way Mayor Jim Ferrell, Algona Councilmember Gordon Cook, Seattle Seahawks Vice President of Outreach & External Affairs Mike Flood, Algona Mayor Troy Linnell, Des Moines Mayor Traci Buxton, Covington Mayor Jeff Wagner, Auburn Mayor Nancy Backus, Algona Councilmember Timothy Fairley, and Federal Way Councilmember Lydia Assefa-Dawson
City of Algona’s 70th Anniversary It was an honor to present, alongside with my colleagues, a recognition honoring the 70th Anniversary of the City of Algona. This recognition, unanimously adopted by the King County Council, celebrates generations of leadership and community spirit that have made Algona a lasting part of King County’s history and identity. Mayor Troy Linnell and Police Chief James Schrimpsher were present in the Council chambers to accept the recognition on behalf of the city and its residents.
Errol the Courthouse Dog Day On October 21, King County officially designated this day as Errol the Courthouse Dog Day, expressing gratitude to Errol, Paige Ulrey, and the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office for their dedicated efforts in fostering a more compassionate and humane justice system.
Photo credit: The Seattle Times (Kent Lambert)
Pro Bono Week October 20-26 was proclaimed as Pro Bono Week, recognizing civil legal aid as a resource that can address critical survival needs, such as employment and income, housing, healthcare, education, and family safety.
Domestic Violence Awareness Month & National Disability Employment Awareness Month October was proclaimed as Domestic Violence Awareness Month & National Disability Employment Awareness Month in King County. The Council commended the efforts of those who work to end domestic violence in our communities, as well as the brave people who are survivors and had the courage to get help. The Council also called upon the community to join us in celebrating the many contributions of people with disabilities and in recognizing how they strengthen our workforce, our communities, and our county.
Your voice matters as the King County Council works to shape the 2026–2027 County budget. This is where we decide how to invest in people, support public safety, protect our communities and natural environment, and strengthen the region we call home. We need to hear from you.
Click here to access the proposed budget, view committee meeting schedules, and share your comments.
South King Fire Receives Grant from the Gary Sinise Foundation and Amazon Forrest Gump’s Lt. Dan Taylor: The Gary Sinise Foundation and Amazon teamed up for a $50,000 grant for critical safety equipment for South King Fire. I had the honor of joining others in presenting this grant and serving lunch to local firefighters and police officers, as well as sharing a meal with them while talking about baseball. Thank you, Lt. Dan Taylor, for giving back to the community!
King County Flood Control District Updates 2025 Subregional Opportunity Fund Project The King County Flood Control District (KCFCD) allocates annual funding through its Subregional Opportunity Fund to help cities reduce flood and stormwater risks and improve water quality and habitats. The fund, distributed among 40 jurisdictions based on property values, allows each to apply for up to 10% of their allocation or $10,000 for local initiatives. Applications for the 2026 fund, estimated at over $8.6 million, await final budget approval in November 2025. Read more here.
Be Flood Ready In King County, flood season runs from October through April, bringing with it the potential for swollen rivers, rising groundwater, and storm-related impacts. Flooding remains one of the largest risks to people and property in our region, making preparation essential for every household and community. Here are some measures to ensure you are flood ready: Flood Resources | Be Flood Ready Video.
Transit & Road Updates White River Bridge Reopens & Route 915 Resumes Normal Route King County Metro’s DART Route 915 resumed its standard weekday route on Monday, October 20. While repairs were conducted on the White River Bridge, Metro added extra bus stops near the adjacent pedestrian-only Foothills Trail Bridge. The White River Bridge was reopened on Friday, October 17. Read more here.
Sound Transit Seeks Public Feedback on 2026 Service Plan Sound Transit is seeking public feedback on proposed changes to ST Express bus service, aiming to enhance regional mobility alongside the expanded Link light rail service by the end of 2026. The 2026 Service Plan survey is open from October 6 to November 7, inviting riders to share their opinions, including a new overnight bus service. Read more here.
New SR 167 Tolling and HOV Rules Now in Effect As of October 20, the new tolling rules for the State Route 167 express toll lanes, between Renton and Pacific, are now in effect. Carpoolers using express toll lanes for free must have a Good To Go! account, a Flex Pass in HOV mode, and at least two occupants, including the driver. Motorcyclists also require a Good To Go! motorcycle pass. These updated rules aim to create a more predictable experience for drivers, aligning with I-405 express toll lanes. Read more here.
The City of Federal Way is seeking input for a new Traffic Safety Action Plan, which aims to enhance safety for all modes of transportation using the Safe System Approach. Residents can contribute by identifying unsafe intersections, suggesting locations for sidewalks or bike lanes, and providing comments on an interactive map. Visit the project website for the survey and more information. To sign up for timely alerts, visit WSDOT | King County Roads | King County Metro | Sound Transit | Federal Way | Auburn | Kent
According to Visit Seattle's latest update, August saw strong demand typical of its summer season. While a drop in group business led to a slight decline in average daily rates (ADR) and revenue for downtown hotels compared to August 2024, the overall market performed well, ranking second in occupancy among U.S. cities, behind New York City. In August, inflation rose to 2.9%, the highest since February, while retail sales grew by 0.6%. The U.S. added 22,000 new non-farm payrolls, with the unemployment rate slightly increasing to 4.3%, indicating a cooling labor market. U.S. hotel occupancy was 66.1%, a 1.3% year-over-year decline, with low RevPAR and ADR growth. Overseas visitor arrivals reached 3.5 million in August, 86% of August 2019 levels, but were down 2.9% for the fourth consecutive month, with year-to-date visitation down 1.8%.
The Federal Way Kiwanis Club Since 1955, the Federal Way Kiwanis has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars to support local charities, and they were kind enough to name their Kiwanian of the Year Award after this former president with a long, unpronounceable name. The winner for 2025 is Marlene Hutchison, a dedicated nurse who supports programs in South King County and volunteers at Fred Hutch. Thank you, President Mike Brugato, for your kind words of introduction.
Complimentary Workplace Well-being Program for King County Hospitality Businesses The Workforce Development Council of Seattle-King County and its partners received a grant from the Department of Labor to enhance worker well-being in the hospitality sector. Sound Jobs is providing a free workplace well-being assessment and training program for employers, helping them attract and retain talent. Eligible businesses can access services worth over $20,000, including coaching, workshops, peer connections, and actionable insights. Read more here.
Sound Jobs receives support and funding from various U.S. Department of Labor grants. Read more about USDOL grant funding at seakingwdc.org/stevens-amendment. Sound Jobs is an equal opportunity program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. Washington Relay Service: 711
Non-Profit Corner
Did you ever wonder where words and phrases originated from? Turn over a new leaf Meaning: To begin acting or behaving in a more responsible and improved manner. Origin: This idiom has its origins in the 16th century. During the early days of the printing industry in Western countries, the pages of books were referred to as “leaves.” Thus, turning a “leaf” implied that someone was flipping to a new page and discovering the content on that side. Today, this idiom represents a significant change in our lives or behavior. Halloween Meaning: The night of October 31, the eve of All Saints' Day, commonly celebrated by children who dress in costume and go door-to-door asking for candy. Origin: The tradition of Halloween began with the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, where bonfires were lit and costumes worn to scare away ghosts. In the 8th century, Pope Gregory III established November 1 as All Saints Day, blending it with Samhain customs. The night before became All Hallows Eve, later known as Halloween. Over time, Halloween evolved into activities such as trick-or-treating, carving jack-o-lanterns, and festive gatherings.
kingcounty.gov/elections | Ballot Drop Boxes | elections@kingcounty.gov | 206-296-VOTE (8683)
Local Services Contact Information Code Enforcement Links: Auburn | Algona | Federal Way | Kent | Pacific | Unincorporated
I always say sports brings people together and this Mariners season has been one great example of how united our region can become. We are all excited for next year's season and grateful for the awesome ride this year. Go M's!
Take transit to all your sporting and community events in Seattle. Metro and Link light rail serve riders heading to T-Mobile Park, Husky Stadium, Lumen Field, and Climate Pledge Arena.
With best wishes,
Washington Trivia Answer: Born in Wapato on November 15, 1926, pioneering heart surgeon Lester R. Sauvage initially aimed to be a Major League baseball player but was guided by his mother to pursue education. Sauvage entered medical school at 17 and began an accelerated pre-med program at Gonzaga in 1943. He specialized in cardiovascular surgery at St. Louis University due to advancements in the field. After completing an internship and a residency at the University of Washington, he was drafted into the Army Medical Corps in 1952, where he researched blood vessel repair techniques at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Dr. Sauvage, while establishing himself as a surgeon, advanced vascular research with Sister Genevieve, leading to the Reconstructive Cardiovascular Research Laboratory. In 1962, he became the first to use a vein as a coronary artery substitute in dogs, paving the way for coronary bypass surgery. By 1967, human surgeries began at the Cleveland Clinic using his techniques. He performed his first human bypass in 1968 and enhanced the procedure with internal mammary arteries. Sauvage's team also innovated artificial arteries and heart valve repairs, with his patented Dacron graft supporting ongoing research. Throughout his 32-year career, he performed over 260 surgeries annually at the Hope Heart Institute, focusing on coronary bypass and artificial artery and valve replacements. By the end of his career, he emphasized heart disease prevention, stating, "We’re not going to defeat heart disease with a knife. Prevention is where we should be, more than having more sharp knives and more operating rooms and more talented surgeons." In 1995, he realized his baseball dream by throwing the first pitch at a Mariners game, clocked at 58 mph. In 1992, he was honored as First Citizen by the Seattle-King County Association of Realtors for his medical contributions. Dr. Lester Sauvage died on June 5, 2015, at the age of 88.
Photo source: HistoryLink.org, courtesy of Hope Heart Institute
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