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 Public Health – Seattle & King County Health Officer and Interim Director Dr. Sandra Valenciano, information on King County Parks grants, survey, and a new fee assistance program, an update from the King County Flood Control District, transit updates, and more.
Washington Trivia
These Seattle Torrent players won gold for Team USA during the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics. Who are they?
(Answer is at the bottom)
“Good Eggs” Breakfast with Public Health – Seattle & King County Health Officer and Interim Director
At this month’s “Good Eggs” Breakfast Meeting, Dr. Sandra J. Valenciano, Public Health – Seattle & King County (PHSKC) Health Officer and Interim Director, provided a general health update, particularly about the flu season and the recent emergence of diseases like measles. Thank you, Dr. Valenciano, for sharing these important updates and for actively engaging with civic and community leaders regarding pressing health issues in South King County.
 With Edgewood Mayor Dave Olson, Auburn Mayor Nancy Backus, Black Diamond Mayor John Adler, Federal Way Mayor Jim Ferrell, Algona Mayor Pro Tem Tim Fairley, PHSKC Health Officer & Interim Director Dr. Sandra Valenciano, King County Councilmember Steffanie Fain, Federal Way Councilmembers Lydia Assefa-Dawson and Melissa Hamilton, and Auburn Deputy Mayor Tracy Taylor-Turner
 This graph reflects measle cases reported to CDC as of January 6, 2026.
 This graph shows King County’s population as of 2024.
 This graph shows how King County has grown more diverse over time.
Transit Update
Tap to Pay for Transit
On February 23, ORCA launched a new Tap to Pay feature allowing riders to use credit and debit cards, and digital wallets, to pay for transit across the Puget Sound region. This new feature expands access to public transportation and supports seamless travel experiences for both daily riders and visitors alike. With many international visitors expected to travel across the region for large events this year, Tap to Pay simplifies transit and aligns with global expectations for convenient payment options. Read more in the Metro Matters blogpost for more information. |
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King County Parks Updates
The Future of Parks Grants
The 2026-2031 King County Parks Levy reimagines the grant programs to better provide support where it is needed and sustains funding for another six years. Below outlines the grant programs that are planned to run in the coming years.
Accepting applications Fall 2026:
- Healthy Communities and Parks - This grant program will continue with $30 million in funding over six years, a 200% increase from the 2020-2025 levy. Of that funding, $10 million will be reserved for cities and towns.
- Aquatic Facilities - This grant program will continue with $31 million over six years in competitive grant funding to support new and existing public pools.
- NEW! Ballfield Preservation and Access - This new grant program will open an available $13.5 million over six years to improve ballfields and increase public access to sports and play. More information is coming soon.
Accepting applications Fall 2027:
- Youth and Amateur Sports Grants - Funded by a car rental tax, this grant program will also continue as a King County grant program.
New Fee Assistance Program
King County Parks is excited to announce a new Fee Assistance Program aimed at ensuring that all community members have the opportunity to rent or use park facilities, regardless of their financial situation. Eligible applicants can enjoy discounts of 50-100% on rentals for picnic shelters, trails, tennis courts, ballfields, and more. Learn more here.
Parks Grants Survey
With the passage of the 2026 - 2031 Parks Levy, King County Parks is building an improved process to award $117 million in new grants over the next six years to local nonprofits, cities, and other public agencies. Your feedback will help Parks award grant funds equitably, expedite approval and contracting timelines, and support grantees throughout their project. Click here to participate in the survey. |
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King County Flood Control District Update
December 2025 Flood Event: A Historic Test of Preparation, Partnership, and Public Service
On February 10, the King County Flood Control District Board received a briefing on the significant December 2025 flood. The update provides a summary of that briefing, delivered to the board by Michelle Clark, Executive Director of the King County Flood Control District; John Taylor, Director of the King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks; Josh Baldi, Director of the King County Water and Land Resources Division; and Krystle Walker, Chief of Emergency Management for the Seattle District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
The briefing highlighted that while the damage was extensive, the coordinated response across jurisdictions prevented what could have been a far more devastating outcome. Most importantly, no lives were lost in King County. Read more in the Flood Control District blog here.
In Memoriam: Rev. Jesse Jackson
“Keep Hope Alive.” “You may be in the slum, but the slum doesn’t have to be in you.” In the 1970s, I had the opportunity to talk with Rev. Jesse Jackson with Sen. George Fleming. After our discussion, George and I escorted Jesse to speak to a session of the Legislature, where he wowed the audience with his powerful oratory skills; he truly had everyone in the palm of his hand! An original!
South King County Non-Profit Corner
Auburn Food Bank | Auburn Noon Lions | Auburn Valley Humane Society | Bloodworks Northwest | Eileen & Callie’s Place | Federal Way Historical Society | Federal Way Kiwanis | Federal Way Lions | Federal Way Public Market | Federal Way Senior Center | Friends of the Federal Way Libraries | FUSION Décor Boutique | Kent Lions | Multi-Service Center Food Bank | Orion Works | Rotary Club of Federal Way | Soroptimist International of Auburn | Soroptimist International of Federay Way | The Salvation Army | Unleash the Brilliance
 Did you ever wonder where words and phrases originated from?
Go for the gold
Meaning: To aim to secure a gold medal.
Origin: An idiom from the ancient Olympic Games, meaning to aim for the highest achievement, symbolized by the gold medal for first-place winners. Although rooted in sports, it now applies to various endeavors, including business and academics, encouraging individuals to strive for the best. The notion of a gold medal as a top prize dates to at least 1757.
The customer is always right
Meaning: A motto that urges service staff to place customer satisfaction as their top priority. This approach does not imply that customers are always factually correct; rather, it emphasizes that their preferences and emotions should inform service delivery.
Origin: Popularized in the early 1900s by retailers such as Marshall Field and Harry Gordon Selfridge, this concept marked a departure from the principle of "caveat emptor" (let the buyer beware). The principle “The customer is always right in matters of taste” emphasizes prioritizing customer preferences over business opinions. While it guides customer service, it can be misused to justify unreasonable demands. Engaging with clients empathetically builds trust and encourages repeat business. However, businesses caution that this should not allow customers to mistreat employees, underscoring the need for boundaries to protect staff morale and profitability.
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