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 Washington State Insurance Commissioner Patty Kuderer, the State of the County Address, the expansion of in-person customer support by King County Permitting, King County's Juneteenth Proclamation, the South County Recycling and Transfer Station, essential water safety reminders for the summer, the upcoming King County Senior Property Tax Town Hall and Shredding Party in Federal Way, other local events, and more.
Washington Trivia
When and where did the first documented soccer match take place in Washington State?
(Answer is at the bottom)
“Good Eggs” Breakfast with State Insurance Commissioner Patty Kuderer
What is the similarity between a parachute and insurance? If it does not work the first time you need it, it is useless! Yesterday, we were joined by Patty Kuderer, our state Insurance Commissioner, who provided local elected officials and community leaders from South King County with updates on current insurance policies and addressed a wide range of questions. Patty is committed to reforming the office and strengthening its consumer support.
 Counterclockwise: With State Insurance Commissioner Patty Kuderer, King County Councilmember Steffanie Fain, Auburn Mayor Nancy Backus, Business Leader Jeff Stock, Eisenhower Carlson Associate Todd Blodgett, Kent Mayor Dana Ralph, Federal Way Mayor Jim Ferrell, Municipal Court Judge Danielle Havens, Councilmember Linda Kochmar, Algona Mayor Pro Tem David White, Lakehaven Commissioner Juan Juarez-Ramos, Algona Councilmember Jessica Parker, Auburn Councilmember Hanan Amer, Algona Mayor Troy Linnell, Auburn Deputy Mayor Tracy Taylor-Turner, 47th Legislative District Rep. Chris Stearns, Federal Way Councilmember Jack Walsh, Kent Councilmembers Zandria Michaud and Toni Troutner
State of the County Address
Building a More Connected King County: What better way to emphasize your theme of connecting the 2.4 million people of King County than bringing your first State of the County Address out of the King County Courthouse and down to South King County. Thank you to King County Executive Girmay Zahilay for bringing your message and family to Federal Way and LISTENING to the people!
Read the Executive's press release, watch the event recording, and view the full transcript of the address.
 Counterclockwise: With King County Executive Girmay Zahilay, his father Hadish, 41st Legislative District Rep. Janice Zahn, King County Councilmembers Steffanie Fain and Teresa Mosqueda, Maple Valley Mayor Sean Kelly, Federal Way Mayor Jim Ferrell, Renton Mayor Armondo Pavone and Councilmember Ed Prince, Algona Mayor Pro Tem David White, El Centro de la Raza Executive Director Estela Ortega, Renton Council President Ruth Pérez, Mission Africa Executive Director Ndudi Chuku, Kent Mayor Dana Ralph, Muckleshoot Tribal Chair Donny Stevenson, and Suquamish Tribal Chair Leonard Forsman
King County Permitting Expands In-Person Customer Support
Beginning June 1, walk-up permitting hours will extend to four days a week at 919 SW Grady Way, Renton:
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday: 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Wednesday: 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
King County offers support for permits with technicians and coordinators available Monday to Thursday. Technical experts assist on Thursdays. Staff are also at Fall City Library on the first Tuesday of each month from 1 to 3 PM. Customers can email PermitQuestions@kingcounty.gov, call 206-296-6600, or visit the King County Permits website for more information.
Juneteenth Proclamation
The King County Council and King County Executive jointly proclaimed June 19, 2026, as Juneteenth, commemorating its 161st anniversary and highlighting its historical importance. On November 17, 2020, the King County Council declared Juneteenth an official holiday for its employees, making Washington the first local government to take this step. In 2021, Juneteenth was recognized as a federal holiday, 158 years after the Emancipation Proclamation.
 With King County Councilmembers Claudia Balducci, Jorge Barón, Reagan Dunn, Sarah Perry, Rhonda Lewis, Teresa Mosqueda, Rod Dembowksi and Steffanie Fain, alongside Sherry Williams and Eric Greer from the Northwest African American Museum.
Water Safety Reminder for the Summer
King County officials urge residents to be cautious near rivers due to hazards from December's historic flooding, which has caused debris displacement and altered riverbeds, creating hidden risks for swimmers and boaters. Some waters remain dangerously cold, even during warm weather.
Public Health offers water safety resources, including affordable life jackets and safety programs, available at kingcounty.gov/watersafety. Additionally, King County Parks offers updates on lake swimming beach bacteria and temperature on their website.
For safer water recreation, consider visiting public pools that are supervised by lifeguards. More details about public pools and free or low-cost swim lessons can be found at King County Parks’ Weyerhaeuser Aquatic Center in Federal Way.
South County Recycling and Transfer Station Nears Substantial Completion
The South County Recycling and Transfer Station is approaching its final stages of completion, with just a few minor tasks remaining before it opens its doors to the public. County staff will begin their training in anticipation of the launch.
The Algona Transfer Station has modified its hours: open to commercial haulers on weekdays and to the public on weekends from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., with occasional closures. For updates, visit the Algona Transfer Station webpage.
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Local Events
Juneteenth at the Auburn Farmers 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.
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Free Soccer Clinics at Kickin' It Federal Way
The City of Federal Way, the Federal Way Arts Foundation, and the Federal Way Performing Arts and Events Center are organizing a three-day festival from June 19 to 21 to celebrate culture in the Pacific Northwest. The event will feature free FIFA World Cup 26™ watch parties, live music, family activities, soccer tournaments, and food vendors. "Kickin' It Federal Way" will include free soccer clinics and games for ages 5-12 daily from 12 to 5 p.m. Visit https://kickitfw.com/ for more details.
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Community Resource Event
King County is organizing a series of Community Resource Events across the county to help residents access essential programs and services, including financial assistance, employment, education, and health care. The next free, family-friendly event will take place in Federal Way on Tuesday, June 30, from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Federal Way Performing Arts Center (31510 Pete Von Reichbauer Way S.) Come to connect with local organizations and services funded through the Veterans, Seniors, and Human Services Levy. Register for this event here.
Senior Property Tax Town Hall
Please join me and King County Deputy Assessor Al Dams on Thursday, July 16, from 4 to 6 p.m. at KO-AM TV (32008 32nd Ave S) in Federal Way for a Senior Property Tax Town Hall. This is a great opportunity to ask questions and seek assistance regarding property taxes and tax relief programs, especially for seniors and persons with disabilities.
Annual Shredding Event
It’s that time of year again to get ready for our live shredding event! Gather your old bank records, letters, and documents for Saturday, August 8, from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Key Works (previously known as Seadrunar) will have a mobile shredding unit in the parking lot of the Federal Way Performing Arts and Event Center. Attendees will have the opportunity to see their documents shredded right on-site.
Note: Commercial or for-profit shredding is not permitted. Individuals or businesses attempting to shred documents for customers for a fee will be strictly prohibited. For questions, please call 206-477-1007.
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?
Curiosity killed the cat
Meaning: A cautionary reminder to refrain from inquiring excessively about a particular matter.
Origin: Cats are prominent in English idioms, notably "curiosity killed the cat," which originated in the late 19th century. This phrase evolved from "care killed a cat," an earlier expression warning that worry harms health, found in works by Ben Jonson and Shakespeare. The meaning shifted over time from the dangers of anxiety to the risks of curiosity, leaving the original caution about worry largely forgotten.
Knock on wood
Meaning: A superstitious expression used to repel bad luck or to avoid jeopardizing one's good fortune.
Origin: It may stem from ancient Celtic and Germanic beliefs in tree spirits, where touching a tree called upon these spirits for protection or luck. In Christian tradition, it merged with beliefs in seeking blessings by touching the wood of crucifixes. Modern theories suggest it may derive from a 19th-century British game, "Tiggy Touchwood," where players avoided being tagged by touching wood. An American theory links it to 18th-century muzzle-loading rifles, where men knocked on the wooden stock to ensure safe firing.
 Abraham Lincoln was a licensed bartender before becoming the 16th U.S. President.
Theodore Roosevelt spoke for nearly 90 minutes after being shot in the chest before getting medical attention.
Thomas Jefferson was a skilled architect who designed his famous home, Monticello.
Calvin Coolidge had a pet raccoon intended for Thanksgiving dinner at the White House.
Franklin D. Roosevelt was an avid stamp collector and considered it one of his favorite hobbies.
Ronald Reagan began his career as a radio sports announcer before moving into entertainment and politics.
John F. Kennedy received a Pulitzer Prize for his book Profiles in Courage prior to his presidency.
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
 Visit the Seattle FIFA World Cup 26™ website for transportation options.
Visit kingcounty.gov/metro/SEA26 for Metro rider tools.
With best wishes,
Pete von Reichbauer
King County Councilmember
Washington Trivia Answer:
The inaugural soccer match in Washington State took place in 1890 in Chehalis, just after Washington achieved statehood. This sport was brought to the region by Welsh and Italian immigrant miners, along with local lumbermen, who were based in Black Diamond at the time. The influx of new residents from Canada and Europe boosted the sport's popularity, particularly with skilled European immigrants moving to work at Boeing and shipyards in the 1960s.
The Seattle Sounders debuted in 1974 and became the first team to sell out in North American Soccer League history, drawing over 13,500 fans. Historian Frank MacDonald notes that the team's success sparked local interest, growing youth soccer teams in Washington from 24 in 1962 to over 1,000 by the 1970s. The period from 1961 to 1975 marked soccer's rise in popularity in Seattle.
The women's soccer scene expanded significantly post-Title IX in 1972, with Washington emerging as a talent hub. The Washington State Women’s Soccer Association was founded in 1974, boosting opportunities for women. The 1985 team contributed to the international establishment of U.S. women's soccer, leading to the 1999 World Cup victory that inspired future stars like Abby Wambach and Alex Morgan. Denise Bender, captain of the '85 team, pursued her college soccer dreams amidst limited options, transferring from Washington State University to the University of Washington, where she was recruited by Mike Ryan, an influential promoter of women's soccer in Washington. His efforts were acknowledged by fellow coach Cliff McCrath.
Seattle is a hub for exceptional soccer talent, with numerous local players participating in professional and semi-professional teams. As of February, the Sounders featured nine players from Washington and 16 who have local connections, marking the highest representation for any sports team in Seattle.
 When the Sounders debuted in 1974, 12,132 fans watched Denver's goalie, Mike Poole, make a remarkable save during the game at Memorial Stadium. (Vic Condiotty / The Seattle Times, File photo)
Photo source: The Seattle Times
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.
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