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 meeting with Pierce County Executive Ryan Mello, the recipients of the 2026 MLK Jr. Medal of Distinguished Service Award, a tour of Carpinito Brothers Farm, King County's Proclamation of Gun Violence Awareness Day, as well as road and transit updates, local events, and more.
Washington Trivia
On this day, 52 years ago, a significant American professional football league declared its decision to award its 28th franchise that would ultimately lead to the establishment of a professional football team in the Pacific Northwest. Which team was it?
(Answer is at the bottom)
“Good Eggs” Breakfast with Pierce County Executive Ryan Mello
Public issues do not recognize borders, so it is important that we work regionally across city and county lines to address challenges such as homelessness, transportation, law enforcement, and other public issues. In light of this, I invited Pierce County Executive Ryan Mello to be our speaker at the “Good Eggs” breakfast meeting at Emerald Downs, alongside local leaders from South King County. TOGETHER, we can!!
 With Federal Way Mayor Jim Ferrell, Renton Mayor Armondo Pavone, Muckleshoot Tribal Council Vice Chair John Daniels Jr., Auburn Mayor Nancy Backus, and Pierce County Executive Ryan Mello
2026 Martin Luther King Jr. Medal of Distinguished Service Award
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. often asked the question, “What are you doing for others?” Each year since 2016, King County Councilmembers take the opportunity to recognize community members who exemplify this spirit through exceptional and selfless service. This year's award recipients for District 7 are Ken and Jesse Johnson.
 Ken and Jesse Johnson have responded to Dr. King’s question by dedicating themselves to advocating for high school pre-apprenticeship trades programs in the Federal Way School District, which is giving students access to family-wage jobs.
Ken Johnson, the seventh of 13 siblings from Kirkland, Washington, learned hard work in his family's landscaping and scrap metal business. After graduating from Interlake High School in 1978 and attending Bellevue Community College, he began his career as an apprentice painter in 1979, progressing to various roles at Washington Commercial Painters, including foreman and operations manager, until June 2022. Ken contributed to the Construction Industry Training Council (CITC) Apprenticeship Program and founded Transformers Painting and Pressure Washing LLC, employing three of his children.
Former State Representative Jesse Johnson, the eldest of Ken and Lucrecia Johnson, grew up in Federal Way and was student body president at Federal Way High School. He earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and a master’s in education from the University of Washington. At 27, he became the youngest Federal Way City Councilmember and later the youngest Washington State Legislator. Currently, he is the Director of Outreach and Community Engagement for the Office of the State Treasurer. Inspired by his family's experiences with skilled trades, he started a pre-apprenticeship program in the Federal Way School District to help the youth gain early exposure to trades. Jesse is married to Epiphany, a Family Medicine doctor, and they have two sons, Elijah and Ezra.
 Previous MLK Awardees: El Centro de la Raza Executive Director Estela Ortega (2025), Unleash The Brilliance Founder Terrell Dorsey (2024), Looking Out Foundation Executive Director Catherine Carlile (2023), Muckleshoot Tribal Council Vice Chair John Daniels Jr. (2022), Overcomer Covenant Church Pastor Gordon Banks (2021), Café Pacific Owners Amy and John Hatcher (2020), FUSION Founder Peggy LaPorte (2019), Former Federal Way Mayor Mike Park (2018), Thomas Jefferson High School Baseball & Girls Bowling Coach Joseph Townsend (2017), and The Auburn Food Bank Executive Director Debbie Christian (2016).
Carpinito Brothers Farm Tour
As summer approaches and the valley comes alive with blooming flowers and produce, residents, local businesses, and farmers in South King County, including Mike Carpinito, continue to face the impacts of the December 2025 flood event.
Recently, my fellow King County Councilmember and Flood Control District Supervisor, Steffanie Fain, and I had the chance to visit Mike Carpinito and the facilities affected by the flooding. Together with King County Control District Deputy Director, Steven Schauer, we engaged in meaningful discussions about flood preparedness, recovery efforts, and prevention strategies.
June 10 Deadline for FEMA Disaster Assistance
If you experienced any damage from the December 2025 flood event, apply for federal assistance by June 10. FEMA assistance can be accessed by calling 800-621-3362 or at www.disasterassistance.gov. Small Business Administration (SBA) low-interest loans are available by calling 800-659-2955 or at www.sba.gov/disaster. It is advised to apply even if unsure of eligibility. In-person assistance from FEMA and SBA will be available this week in King County.
June 6
Duvall Days, located on Main St. in Duvall (7 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
Pawfest at Accesso ShoWare Center, 625 W James St. in Kent (9 a.m. to 1 p.m.)
June 7
Auburn Farmers Market at Les Gove Park, 1140 Auburn Way S in Auburn (9 a.m. to 3 p.m.)
Tuesdays to Fridays through June 10
King County Elections, 919 Southwest Grady Way in Renton (9 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
WSDOT Road Closure: Revive I-5 Ship Canal Bridge
Northbound I-5 in Seattle is reduced to two lanes across the Ship Canal Bridge until June 5. The express lanes will remain open northbound-only 24 hours a day.
June 5 to 8: Northbound I-5 will be closed from I-90 to Northeast 45th Street in Seattle so crews can remove the work zone and reopen all lanes on the Ship Canal Bridge. Ramp closures will begin at 9 p.m.; the full closure will be in place from 11:59 p.m. Friday, June 5, to 5 a.m. Monday, June 8. When all lanes of northbound I-5 reopen, the express lanes will revert to their typical schedule, open southbound mornings and northbound afternoons/evenings.
June 8 to July 10: All lanes of I-5 reopened for FIFA World Cup games.
Weekend-long full closures for work zone set up or removal are weather dependent. Crews need dry weather to re-stripe lanes. That means if the weather is too rainy, crews will reschedule work for the following weekend.
|
Transit Updates
ORCA Releases Limited-time 3-Day Puget Pass
On June 1, ORCA introduced the 3-Day Puget Pass, a promotional transit pass available until August 31, 2026. It allows adult fare riders unlimited travel across the Puget Sound region for a flat rate of $18, or $6 for ORCA LIFT and RRFP Senior and Disabled fare riders. This pass is ideal for long weekend trips or major events. Read more in the King County Metro Matters blog post here.
Limited-Edition SEA26 ORCA Card
To commemorate Seattle's role in the 2026 World Cup, ORCA created a limited-edition promotional card celebrating the sport and Pacific Northwest culture. Designed by local artist Alison Bremner, the initiative is led by King County Metro in collaboration with 4Culture, which supports arts and cultural experiences in the region. More details can be found in the Metro Matters blog post.
|
 Visit the Seattle FIFA World Cup 26™ website for transportation options
Local Events
Auburn Farmers Market Opening Day
The Auburn Farmers Market will begin its season on Sunday, June 7, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., at Les Gove Park (1140 Auburn Way S). Be sure to stop by the information booth to receive a complimentary Market tote. Visit the Auburn Farmers Market webpage for more details about the opening day.
|
Juneteenth at the Market
The fifth annual Juneteenth celebration at Les Gove Park is on Sunday, June 21, starting at 10 a.m. It will occur near the Auburn Community and Event Center, coinciding with the Auburn Farmers Market nearby. Visit auburnwa.gov/Juneteenth for more information.
|
King County Proclaims June 5 as Gun Violence Awareness Day
The King County Council and King County Executive Girmay Zahilay unanimously proclaimed June 5th as Gun Violence Awareness Day in King County. This proclamation acknowledges the collaborative efforts aimed at tackling gun violence through a public health approach, emphasizing the shared responsibility to create safer communities for everyone.
 With King County Councilmembers Rod Dembowski, Jorge Barón, Reagan Dunn, Sarah Perry, Steffanie Fain, Claudia Balducci, Rhonda Lewis, Teresa Mosqueda, along with representatives from the Public Health Office of Regional Gun Violence Prevention.
Free Gun Lockbox Giveaway Events
Community members are welcome to participate in a free gun lockbox giveaway event on June 3rd in White Center and on June 5th in Rainier Beach, Renton, Kent, Burien, Skyway, Auburn, or Federal Way. Each location will have 100 lockboxes available. Please refer to the schedule below:
Rainier Beach: 5025 S Barton Pl, Seattle (11:30 AM - 1 PM)
Renton Recreation Center: 1715 Maple Valley Hwy, Renton (1 - 2:30 PM)
Burien City Hall: 400 SW 152nd St, Burien (2:30 - 4 PM)
Kent City Hall Square: 220 4th Ave S, Kent (2:30 - 4 PM)
Skyway King County Fire District 20: 12424 76th Ave S, Seattle (4 - 5:30 PM)
Auburn City Hall: 25 W Main St, Auburn (4 - 5:30 PM)
Federal Way Progress Pushers HQ: 32020 1st Ave S, #209, Federal Way (4 - 5:30 PM)
 For more information about gun lockboxes and related resources, visit Public Health's Lock It Up program webpage.
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?
The ball is in your court
Meaning: It is your turn to make a decision or response. It indicates that the other person has completed their part, and now you hold the responsibility to progress the situation.
Origin: Originating from sports like tennis where the ball lands on your side, requiring a response. While the literal concept of court play dates back to 16th-century Europe, the figurative idiom gained popularity in the mid-to-late 20th century, especially during the Cold War, to shift diplomatic responsibility onto opposing nations.
I got your six
Meaning: I got your back. This phrase embodies a commitment to protection, loyalty, and support, indicating that someone is attentive to your blind spots and will stand up for you against hidden dangers.
Origin: The phrase "I got your six" originates from U.S. fighter pilots in World War I, who used clock positions to indicate directions. The 6 o'clock position represented the vulnerable area behind the pilot, where visibility was limited. Pilots would say this to indicate they were watching each other's backs during combat. Over time, it evolved into a broader expression of loyalty, teamwork, and support, significant in military and veteran culture.
Memorial Day
Memorial Day is a National Day of Honoring those who served, but on my visits to Washington, D.C., I am drawn to the Vietnam Wall, specifically to the name of a grade school friend who was offered Officer Candidate School (OCS,) but went in as a patriotic private. He got married shortly before his tour but never returned home and never had the opportunity to hold his child. Freedom has never been free. Thank you EVERY day to those who served, and my appreciation and prayers to their families.
Seattle Mariners 2026 Schedule
 Click here to see the Seattle Mariners 2026 Schedule
Seattle FIFA World Cup 2026™
 Click here to see the Seattle FIFA World Cup 2026™Schedule
With best wishes,
Pete von Reichbauer
King County Councilmember
Washington Trivia Answer:
On June 4, 1974, the NFL announced that Seattle would receive a franchise for the upcoming 1976 season. Subsequently, on December 5, 1974, NFL Commissioner Pete Rozelle granted a franchise to the "Seattle Professional Football" consortium, led by Lloyd W. Nordstrom, for the establishment of the Seattle Seahawks at a cost of $16 million. This initiative garnered support from prominent Seattle business figures, including D. E. “Ned” Skinner and Howard S. Wright. The name "Seahawks" was chosen in June 1975 from over 20,000 submitted entries.
Jack Patera was appointed as the first head coach, tasked with navigating the team through a challenging initial phase. The Seahawks made their debut on August 1, 1976, playing on the Dome's Astroturf against the San Francisco 49ers, though they lost the exhibition match. They later made their inaugural appearance at the Kingdome on September 12, 1976, suffering a defeat in their first regular season game against the St. Louis Cardinals and losing the subsequent four games. However, the emergence of talents such as Jim Zorn and Steve Largent kept team morale high, marking Seattle’s entry into the "big leagues."
In 1983, Chuck Knox took over as head coach, leading the Seahawks to multiple playoff appearances, including an AFC Championship game in his first season. Notably, Steve Largent retired in 1989, leaving a legacy of numerous receiving records. Ownership of the team transitioned in 1988, followed by Tom Flores assuming the head coaching position. In 1997, Paul Allen purchased the franchise and hired Mike Holmgren, who subsequently led the Seahawks to their first Super Bowl appearance in 2005.
As of now, the Seahawks have had nine head coaches in their franchise history and have made four Super Bowl appearances, securing two championships.
 Photo source: MOHAI Seattle Instagram (MOHAI, Seattle Post-Intelligencer Collection, photo by Howard Staples)
King County Emergency Preparedness Guide
Emergencies can happen at any time, often without warning, and their impact can be reduced with the right preparation. This Emergency Preparedness Guide is designed to help individuals, families, and communities take practical steps to stay safe before, during, and after a crisis. From natural disasters to unexpected disruptions, being prepared means knowing what to do, having essential supplies ready, and staying informed. By planning ahead, you can protect yourself, support others, and respond with confidence when it matters most. Read the Emergency Preparedness Guide compiled by my office here.
|
|
