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 Recognition and Proclamation from the King County Council, the opening of a new Disaster Recovery Center in King County, updates on the Seattle FIFA World Cup 2026™, an opportunity for public comments about the KCIA's Taxiway Bravo Project, upcoming events, and more.
Washington Trivia
This former racecar driver achieved the historic milestone of the first powered flight in Snohomish County exactly 115 years ago. Who is he?
(Answer is at the bottom)
King County Council Recognition & Proclamation
At the April 28th King County Council meeting, the Council recognized April 14, 2026, as the 51st Anniversary of the Khmer Rouge Genocide. Additionally, the Council proclaimed April 2026 as Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month. This initiative honors community members and encourages collective action to prevent sexual violence and supports Khmer Americans in their efforts to rebuild their lives and preserve their cultural identity.
 With King County Council colleagues Rhonda Lewis, Teresa Mosqueda, Rod Dembowski, Jorge Barón, Sarah Perry, Claudia Balducci, and Steffanie Fain, along with community leaders and members
King County Opens New Disaster Recovery Center to Help Residents Apply for Federal Assistance
Residents in King County affected by the December 2025 flooding may now qualify for federal disaster assistance through FEMA’s Individual Assistance Program. From April 28 to June 10, King County will have a Disaster Recovery Center at the King County Elections Office (919 Southwest Grady Way, Renton, WA) for in-person application assistance, open Tuesdays to Fridays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Applications can be submitted online, by phone, in person, or via the FEMA app, with a deadline of June 10, 2026.
• In person at the King County Disaster Recovery Center
• Online at disasterassistance.gov
• Phone: 800-621-3362
• Download and use the FEMA app
Additionally, the Small Business Administration (SBA) offers low-interest disaster loans to affected businesses and residents. For SBA applications, call 800-659-2955, apply online at sba.gov/disaster, or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov. The Disaster Recovery Center will also be able to help residents and business owners with their SBA applications.
Seattle FIFA World Cup 2026™
Free Rides on Waterfront Shuttle Starting May 21
King County Metro, with free fares sponsored by SeattleFWC26 and a $500,000 investment from the City of Seattle, will launch a new waterfront shuttle service offering free rides from May 21 to Labor Day, September 7. This shuttle will connect Seattle Center, Waterfront Park, Pioneer Square, Seattle Stadium, and the Chinatown-International District. On FIFA World Cup 2026 match days, separate Match Day shuttles will provide subsidized free rides for fans and visitors. The shuttle will operate every 15 minutes daily, increasing to every 10 minutes on match days.
Riders can take a one-seat trip between key destinations, including:
• Seattle Center and the Space Needle
• Olympic Sculpture Park
• Pike Place Market and Overlook Walk
• Waterfront Park and the Seattle Great Wheel
• Pioneer Square
• Seattle Stadium
• Chinatown-International District
• Seattle Ferry Terminal and Pier 50
Match Day service will connect riders to:
• Fan celebrations at Seattle Center, Pacific Place, and Victory Hall
• Pioneer Square
• Pike Place Market
• Third Avenue transit corridor
• Seattle Ferry Terminal and Pier 50
The Waterfront Shuttle began as a community initiative to improve access to Seattle's waterfront and has evolved into a service connecting downtown neighborhoods. Metro will also provide free Match Day shuttles for the six World Cup matches, funded by over $100,000 from partners like the Puyallup Tribe, Alaska Airlines, and Amazon, to enhance transit capacity for fans and visitors.
Visit the Seattle FIFA World Cup 26™ website for transportation options.
Sound Transit: Getting to Seattle Stadium
For matchday attendees, Sound Transit recommends preferred stations for arriving at and leaving Seattle Stadium to manage crowding and ensure safe, reliable rides to and from matches.
Visit Sound Transit’s Preferred Station Routing website for more information.
KCIA’s Taxiway Bravo Project: Public Comments Due by May 15
King County International Airport-Boeing Field (KCIA) is working with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on a project to improve the separation between Runway 14R/32L and Taxiway B. A draft Environmental Assessment will be prepared for the project improvements, and public comments on its scope are welcome until 5 p.m. on May 15. Comments can be submitted via mail or email. Visit the airport's website for more information.
Mailing Address:
King County International Airport
ATTN: Eric Miller, Capital Project Manager
7277 Perimeter Road S, Suite 200
Seattle, WA 98108
Email for Comments:
KCIACommunityOutreach@kingcounty.gov
Steve Bleifuhs Memorial Flood Reduction Grant Program
The King County Flood Control District (FCD) is allocating over $14 million in 2026 for local projects aimed at reducing flood risk and enhancing river and shoreline health. Applications for the Steve Bleifuhs Memorial Flood Reduction Grant Program are open through May 22, 2026. This competitive program funds diverse projects, including urban stormwater improvements, shoreline restoration, and culvert replacements that mitigate flooding and enhance fish passage. Visit FCD’s website for more information.
Your Money Matters
How do you get young individuals in South King County to understand the finances of life and build better money habits? Thanks to Clinton Taylor, we have a valuable mentorship opportunity through Your Money Matters! I had the pleasure of joining its annual fundraiser at Junior Achievement of Washington in Auburn. Thanks to KD Hall for her inspiring remarks.
 With Auburn Mayor Nancy Backus, Councilmembers Tracy Taylor-Turner, Hanan Amer, & Clinton Taylor, KD Hall, and young community members
Local Events
Transit Town Hall: The Future of Sound Transit 3 Projects in South King County
Sound Transit is currently reassessing how to advance light rail projects while addressing financial and logistical challenges. A town hall event on Wednesday, May 13, at 6 p.m. at Highline College will feature insights from Tukwila Mayor Thomas McLeod, King County Councilmember Steffanie Fain, and King County Executive Girmay Zahilay, along with a presentation on the Enterprise Initiative, Q&A, and discussions, organized by the Transportation Choices Coalition. Click here to RSVP.
Blood Drive at Auburn City Hall
The Bloodworks Bloodmobile will be located outside the Auburn City Hall on Tuesday, May 12, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Appointments are required for the best possible donation experience. Same-day appointments are available at most locations. Photo ID required. Book your one-hour appointment at bloodworksnw.org/giveblood.
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Federal Way Farmers Market
The Federal Way Farmers Market kicks off its 2026 season this Saturday, May 9, from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
New Location: South 316th Street, located between Town Square Park and the Federal Way Performing Arts & Event Center. Click here for more details.
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Senior Health & Resource Fair
The Federal Way Senior Advisory Commission invites you to attend the 4th Annual Senior Health & Resource Fair, taking place at the Performing Arts & Event Center on Tuesday, May 12, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. This complimentary event will feature 85 local vendors with direct connections to the senior community. Individuals of all ages, particularly seniors, are encouraged to participate.
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South King County Non-Profit Corner
Learn more about the nonprofit organizations listed below:
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 Federal Way | The Salvation Army | Unleash the Brilliance
 Did you ever wonder where words and phrases originated from?
My two cents
Meaning: To offer one's opinion or advice humbly, often without a request.
Origin: The idiom "my two cents" is an American phrase for humbly offering an opinion, adapted from the British "to put in my two-penny worth." It signifies a modest contribution, reflecting the idea that the opinion is of little value. Originating from the 17th-century expression "my two-penny worth," it evolved to "two cents" in the 1800s. While some link it to the biblical "widow’s mite," its origins are primarily linguistic. It is often used sarcastically in response to "a penny for your thoughts," implying a greater opinion is being offered.
The cat’s meow
Meaning: Used to express that someone or something is very appealing.
Origin: “The cat's meow” is a 1920s slang term meaning something outstanding or stylish, popularized by cartoonist Tad Dorgan. It reflects a trend of animal-themed idioms like “the bee's knees” used to describe superior quality, often linked to flapper culture. Dorgan also popularized “the cat's pajamas.” The phrase suggests excellence and dates to the 1630s, originally reflecting the sound “meow” associated with cats.
Seattle Mariners 2026 Schedule
 Click here to see the Seattle Mariners 2026 Schedule
With best wishes,
Pete von Reichbauer
King County Councilmember
Washington Trivia Answer:
On May 7, 1911, Fred J. Wiseman completed the first airplane flight in Snohomish County, reaching about 60 feet in his Curtiss-Wright-Farman biplane before a rough landing after less than a minute. Formerly a racecar driver, Wiseman had notable achievements, including piloting California's first airplane and securing second place in a San Francisco air race in January 1911. He also made the first airmail flight in U.S. history the previous month, showcasing his skill despite only a year of flying experience.
Wiseman's airplane was a hybrid biplane inspired by designs from the Wright Brothers and others, featuring a 33-foot wingspan and powered by an 80 hp Hall-Scott V-8 engine. It could reportedly reach speeds of 70 mph. Plans were made for demonstration flights from Snohomish to Everett, with a baseball park identified as a suitable launch site. The airplane was delivered on May 4, and Wiseman arrived the same day, described as a modest pilot with a striking presence. He was accompanied by Don Prentiss, who played a significant role in the airplane's construction and promoted aviation enthusiastically.
Wiseman and his crew prepared for a flight, but heavy rain led to the cancellation of a scheduled exhibition. Concerns about the glue and saturated fabric made the aircraft too heavy to fly. With no demonstration to boost ticket sales, only 416 paid admissions were recorded, despite a crowd of about 4,000 watching for free. Although the weather improved, the wet ground and engine issues, likely due to magneto problems, complicated the situation. Despite these challenges, Wiseman, offering a money-back guarantee, proceeded to taxi the biplane across the field.
After multiple attempts, Wiseman successfully took off, reaching 60 feet before the engine failed, forcing a rough landing on the Bateman farm. The flight lasted under a minute and covered less than half a mile, ending with the airplane facing down and damaged but with Wiseman unharmed. Despite challenges from the Snohomish event, Wiseman and his crew traveled to Olympia, where they made successful flights on May 18, capturing what is likely the earliest aerial cinematography in Puget Sound history.
Late in 1911, Wiseman sold his airplane to Weldon B. Cooke, who displayed it at Oakland Airport in the 1930s. The Smithsonian recognized Wiseman's 1911 flight between Petaluma and Santa Rosa as the first airmail flight in May 1947, and they acquired the airplane in 1948. Now named the "Wiseman-Cooke" aircraft, it was restored by the National Air and Space Museum and is displayed at the Smithsonian's National Postal Museum. Wiseman later became a Standard Oil executive and humorously doubted aviation's future. He died in Oakland on October 4, 1961, a month before turning 86, reflecting on the complexities of aviation.
 Wiseman-Cooke aircraft, Smithsonian Postal Museum, 1910-1912 Courtesy Smithsonian Institute
Photo source: HistoryLink.org
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