August 2026 Newsletter
Supporting Emergency Preparedness!
Dear Friend,
As the summer comes to an end, King County is looking ahead and encouraging everyone to join us in practicing emergency preparedness this fall! Our district is filled with natural beauty, and it is also the district that experiences the most natural disasters and severe weather events and gets hit hard when these occur. September is National Preparedness Month – the perfect time to review your emergency plans, update your supplies, and learn about the disaster risks in your community!
Our state is having a difficult wildfire season from the Spokane Complex Fires to the Little Giant fire by Lake Chelan to the Three Queens, King and Goat fires now burning just east of Snoqualmie Pass. Wildfire season isn’t over until early October. This month, King County released a Wildfire Ready Toolkit all about reducing wildfire risks in your neighborhood and tailored specifically to conditions in King County. I encourage you to check it out!
Following wildfire season, flood season begins in October and lasts until March. With last year’s historic flooding fresh in our minds, the King County Flood Control District is working to repair and fortify flood infrastructure that was damaged last December, and our Office of Emergency Management is coordinating across agencies on preparation, communication, and training for response. Our first responders are essential to our severe weather response, and I was glad to secure $125K in our last supplemental budget for Eastside Fire and Rescue to replace their river rescue boat that was damaged during last year’s flooding.
If you live in a floodplain, you will soon be receiving a Be Flood Ready brochure filled with everything you need to prepare for flooding, from safety information to emergency planning resources to flood insurance education. Keep an eye out for that in the mail! And you can always go on the Flood Control District’s website to check out Be Flood Ready resources. I advocated for these resources to be accessible to the diverse communities in our district, and for the first time, the Be Flood Ready brochure will be available in Mandarin and Hindi alongside English and Spanish!
For even more emergency preparedness resources, check out the Office of Emergency Management’s website.
As always, don’t hesitate to reach out at sarah.perry@kingcounty.gov or at 206-477-1003. I’d love to connect!
Sincerely,
Council Briefings, Actions & Recognitions!
 Council continues to work hard for you! Here is some of this month’s work on the issues you’ve expressed, through our survey and meetings, that matter most to you:
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Briefing on King County Regional Homelessness Authority (KCRHA): In the Committee of the Whole, we received a briefing on the contract transition plan and corrective action plan for KCRHA. King County is working to transition contracts from KCRHA to be managed by the county directly and identify next steps for KCRHA. Check out the briefing here.
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2025 Mental Illness & Drug Dependency (MIDD)/BRIDGE Report: We received the 2025 annual report of MIDD, which supports people in our county with behavioral health conditions. MIDD was recently renewed by the Council, and with that renewal, Executive Zahilay renamed it the King County Behavioral Health Bridge! MIDD/BRIDGE programs support youth with mental illnesses like depression and anxiety, veterans living with PTSD, people recovering from substance use, older adults with cognitive conditions like dementia, and more. Check out the briefing here.
If you are interested in joining us for a meeting to make a comment or just listen in, click on any of the following links: King County Council; Employment and Administration; Flood Control District; Committee of the Whole; Local Services and Land Use; Budget and Fiscal Management; Regional Policy; Regional Transit.
Great to Be Out in Community!
 District 3 Summer Festivals: We’re approaching the end of festival season here in District 3, but August was just as lively as the rest of the summer! This month, we recognized the spirit of Woodinville at Celebrate Woodinville, and in the Valley, we celebrated the beauty and railroad history in our district at Festival at Mt. Si and Snoqualmie Days!
National Farmers Market Week Proclamation in Issaquah: The District 3 team had the honor of reading a National Farmers Market Week Proclamation at the Issaquah Farmers Market. We recognized the importance of farmers markets for the livelihood of our farmers and for bringing local, healthy food to our communities, and a special little guest rung the bell to open the market!
Ananda Mela Festival: We also shared a proclamation at Ananda Mela Festival, a celebration of Indian culture and community here in King County with beautiful cultural performances, delicious food, and great vendors! Thank you, Northwest Share and Vedic Cultural Center, for the opportunity, and it was great to see Senator Manka Dhingra there!
 Issaquah Aire Craft Fest: For the first time ever, the local nonprofit Culture Tug, the City of Issaquah, and Visit Issaquah hosted Aire Craft Fest in downtown Issaquah! This lively event celebrated the long history of aerial sports like paragliding in Issaquah, as well as all forms of visual and performing arts from juggling and sculpting to painting and trapeze. Thank you to organizer Mick Holsbeke for bringing all this fun and creativity to the community!
Focusing on Your Priorities!
Here are more of the happenings at King County related to the things that you said mattered most to you in our annual survey:
Priority #1: Road & Bridge Infrastructure
 Baring Bridge Community Celebration: On September 12, King County Local Services is hosting a community event to celebrate the historic Baring Bridge before it is removed. This historic timber bridge was critically damaged during the December 2025 floods. The celebration will include a guided historical tour at 11 a.m., fun mementos, and snacks and light refreshments. Join us to honor a beloved piece of Baring’s history!
Priority #2: Safe & Healthy Communities
 A Powerful Story from Seattle Mountain Rescue: We’re lucky to have one of the nation's oldest and most experienced all-volunteer mountain rescue organizations based in our district in North Bend! For 80 years, Seattle Mountain Rescue has provided lifesaving search and rescue services under the direction of the King County Sheriff's Office. Earlier this summer, they rescued Daniel, an experienced climber who never expected to need their help. His story is a powerful reminder that accidents can happen to anyone — and that dedicated volunteers stand ready to help when every minute matters. Read his story here!
Priority #3: Environment
King County Expands Energize Program: King County has expanded the Energize program to help in-home childcare providers, adult family homes, and community centers acquire energy-efficient heat pumps, providing healthy heating and cooling for our children, childcare providers, seniors, and more! Heat pumps also reduce impacts on our environment and lower heating and cooling costs. Check out the Energize webpage to learn more!
Priority #4: Housing – All Types & All Incomes
Surface Water Management Fee Discount: Low-income property owners can apply for a Surface Water Management fee discount through Tuesday, September 15! If you qualify as a low-income household and live on your own property in unincorporated King County, you may be eligible for a 50% discount on the annual surface water management fee. Learn more here. Get application assistance by emailing wlrdswm@kingcounty.gov or calling 206-477-4800.
Priority #5: Transit & Mobility
Increased Transit in District with Metro Service Changes: King County Metro added nine new bus routes and more than 3,000 additional bus trips each week as part of their August 29 service changes. We’re excited for the new route 215, which provides an all-week connection between North Bend, Snoqualmie, Issaquah, and the Mercer Island light rail station, and expanded hours, weekend service, and more frequent trips on route 269 between Marymoor, Sammamish, and the Mercer Island Station. Learn more here!
Sammamish Spotlight!
This month the spotlight is shining on a Sammamish business, non-profit, and civic engagement opportunity! We hope you have a chance to visit these fantastic community contributors – and remember to Go Local!
Small Business Spotlight: A&A Creations
A&A Creations is a handmade jewelry and specialty slime business run by 11-year-old best friends Abinaya and Ankitha. Now in their fourth year, they sell kid-safe jewelry and slime at King County farmers markets each summer, plus custom orders and gift boxes for birthdays and other special occasions for under $15. Email 2026aandacreations@gmail.com to learn more!
Non-Profit Spotlight: Spotlight Repertory NW
Spotlight Repertory NW is an amazing community music and performing arts group based in Sammamish! They create and deepen community connections through youth and adult choirs, theater productions, and youth classes and camps. You can visit their website, email them at info@SpotlightRepNW.org, or give them a call at 425-522-2216 to learn more!
City Spotlight: City of Sammamish
Every two years, the City of Sammamish adopts a biennial budget that sets funding levels for City operations and services over the next two-year period. They’re kicking off that process this September! Sammamish residents are encouraged to participate by attending Council meetings, following budget updates online, and providing public comment. Learn more and stay informed!
What’s Going on Around Town?
There’s a lot going on across our district, and we want you to know all about it, so check out the events below!
Sustainable Sammamish at the Sammamish Farmers Market
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Wednesday, September 2, 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM: Join the Sammamish Farmers Market for their annual Sustainable Sammamish event! Enjoy this fun and interactive event as your family learns new and different ideas for living sustainable lives through Reduce – Re-use – Recycle, Conservation, Eating in Season, and much more.
Redmond Arts in the Park
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Saturday, September 5, 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM: Join OneRedmond for the first evening of a new concert series and artisan market in Redmond! Arts in the Park brings Redmond together for live music and community connection alongside an Eastside Made Pop-Up Faire including local artisans, non-profit, youth-led, and small businesses.
Issaquah Salmon on Sunset Celebration
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Saturday, September 12, 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM: Join Friends of the Issaquah Salmon Hatchery for their annual Salmon on Sunset Celebration, which will observe the adult salmon coming home! There will be plenty of activities including free family arts and crafts, food trucks, rubber duck derbies, live music stage, fly casting demos and more.
Snoqualmie Valley Sunflower Festival: Sunflower Saturday in Carnation
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Saturday, September 12, 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM: The Snoqualmie Valley Sunflower Festival runs from August 15 to September 15 at various farms throughout the Valley. On September 12, you can join them in downtown Carnation to celebrate with a vendor village, scavenger hunt, family activities, delicious food, and beautiful flowers!
Snoqualmie Street Fair
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Saturday, September 12, 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM: Join the SnoValley Chamber for a vibrant celebration of culture, community, and free family fun at the Snoqualmie Street Fair! This event will feature global flavors, traditional dance and music performances, cultural displays, artisan vendors, and hands-on activities for all ages.
Clear Creek Farm & Carnation Farms Wool Breeds, Fleece Selection and Scouring Workshop
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Sunday, September 13, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM: Clear Creek Farm in Duvall is collaborating with Carnation Farms and Skagit Woolen Works to host a day of learning about sheep and wool. They’ll start with a field trip to Carnation Farms to watch this year's lambs get sheared by a professional shearer. Then, Skagit Woolen Works will teach a workshop at Clear Creek Farm on how to clean raw fleece and what purposes different breeds of sheep are used for. This is a paid event hosted by a non-profit; registration required.
Duvall Movie & Games in the Park
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Friday, September 18, 7:30 PM – 10:00 PM: Join the City of Duvall for Movies & Games in the Park! September’s movie will be hosted at the historic Dougherty Farm, and they’ll be screening McFarland USA. Bring a blanket or lawn chair and your favorite snacks!
Washington Ganesh Festival in Redmond
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Friday, September 18, 5:00 PM – 9:30 PM, Saturday, September 19 & Sunday, September 20, 11:00 AM – 9:30 PM: Join Beats of Washington for their annual Washington Ganesh Festival in Marymoor Park! Experience three-days of live music, cultural performances, a parade, vendor bazaar, and delicious food.
Fall City Apple Festival
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Sunday, September 20, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM: Celebrate the bounty of the Snoqualmie Valley apple harvest at this annual family-oriented festival! Turn fresh apples into delicious raw cider, try tasty apple desserts, jellies, and pies, bake a pie for the Apple Pie Contest, enjoy a horse ride, enjoy live music, visit vendor booths, and more.
Northshore Senior Center Health and Wellness Fair in Bothell/Woodinville
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Thursday, September 24, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM: Join the Northshore Senior Center for a Health and Wellness Fair! This is a great place for seniors and community members of all ages to access resources related to health care, senior living, in-home care, finances, prescription drug assistance, living transitions, and more.
Issaquah Open Studio Tour
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Saturday, September 26, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM: Join Art Commons for their third annual Issaquah Open Studio Tour! Spend the day visiting local artists at their home studios or in public spaces around Issaquah, hear about their creative process, and share in the magic of imagination and creativity.
North Bend Blues Walk
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Saturday, October 3, 6:00 PM – 12:00 AM: Join Jazz Clubs NW for a Blues Walk in downtown North Bend! Experience live music from local artists across 19 venues, including Moose Lodge, North Bend Theatre, Boxley’s, Hartwood Cafe, and more.
Issaquah Salmon Days
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Saturday, October 3 & Sunday, October 4, 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM: Head to downtown Issaquah for the annual Salmon Days, celebrating the return of adult salmon to Issaquah Creek! Watch the salmon return at the Issaquah Salmon Hatchery, check out the parade, experience live music, explore vendor booths, and enjoy delicious food.
If you know of any upcoming events that you’d like us to highlight in our next newsletter, please share them at Isabel.Smith@kingcounty.gov.
It’s Farmers Market Season!
 We’re coming to the end of summer, but some of our seasonal farmers markets across District 3 are still open in September and into October. Check ‘em out!
Stay Connected!
 Please forward this email and invite others to sign up to receive email updates. Also, make sure that you follow our Facebook and Instagram accounts to stay up to date on everything we are working on together!
Please always feel free to reach out by emailing sarah.perry@kingcounty.gov or calling 206-477-1003. I look forward to connecting!
All the best,
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