To protect the health of the community during COVID-19, Kirkland Parks and Community Services is cancelling all programs with a start date before May 25. Additionally, all programs at Lake Washington School District facilities will be cancelled through Friday, June 19. We hope to re-open programs on May 26, depending upon group size and public health requirements issued by the Washington State Department of Health and/or Public Health - Seattle & King County. In the interim we want to encourage you to stay safe and stay active! Here are a few ways you can keep moving while keeping safe:

The Kirkland City Council unanimously voted to approve a new three-year contract with the Police Guild on Tuesday, April 7.

The contract includes wage adjustments that keep Kirkland competitive and allow the Kirkland Police Department (KPD) to continue to attract and retain the best and brightest individuals to serve the Kirkland community. The contract will be retroactive to January 2020 and will be in effect until December 31, 2022. The contract covers 100 officers, including patrol officers, corporals and sergeants.

The Kirkland City Council approved the contract as part of the Council’s strong commitment to public safety and to fulfill the promises made to voters with the passage of Proposition 1, the Enhanced Police Services and Community Safety Ballot Measure. This contract helps the City expand the Neighborhood Resource Officer and School Resource Officer programs. The contract also facilitates the work of the newly formed PROACT police unit dedicated to combatting property crimes and drug-related crimes.

The Kirkland City Council recognizes the critical role that Kirkland police officers play every day to keep residents and businesses safe. The essential services provided by law enforcement have been even more apparent as the City has responded to the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Council is proud to invest in Kirkland’s police officers as they continue to do an exemplary job serving the community.

Gov. Jay Inslee joined key nonprofits and local philanthropies on Tuesday, April 7 to launch a coordinated, statewide food relief fund that will help reach those in need in every corner of Washington.

With increasingly high demand, supplies at the state’s food banks have dropped to dangerously low levels, with an estimated 1.6 million people — double the usual number — in Washington expected to depend on those supplies this week.

“Washingtonians are generous neighbors who rise to the occasion, and this is a moment for individuals to make a difference,” Inslee said. “By coming together and contributing to this fund, we can meet this demand across the state and help our neighbors and their families put a meal on the table.”

The relief effort, called WA Food Fund, is being managed by Philanthropy Northwest, a network of philanthropic organizations committed to helping communities across the Northwest. The effort will combine business and philanthropic dollars with individual fundraising to have the most effect. 

Read the rest of the story on the Governor's Medium Page. For additional information, watch the video below. 

To contribute to the WA Food Fund, visit the website. For additional resources, visit the City's online resource guide at: Resources for Kirkland Residents Impacted by COVID-19. 

Metro has reduced service further due to the continued effects of COVID-19. Your bus may be running less often, during fewer hours, or be canceled. Check the updated reduced schedule. Additionally, Metro has temporarily discontinued fare payments and has moved to rear-door bus boarding except for passengers with mobility challenges. For more information call 206-553-3000 from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, or text your stop number to 62550 for real-time information.