Unincorporated Area Community News

Welcome to Community News, King County government's monthly newsletter for unincorporated area residents. You can find the newsletter online with links to program details, at www.kingcounty.gov/UnincorporatedAreaNews. To see previous versions of the Unincorporated Area Community Newsletter visit the archives.

Engage with King County

Green River flood safety meeting

Residents, businesses and farms below the Howard Hanson Dam in the Green River Valley should prepare now for a higher risk of flooding. Please attend the upcoming Green River flood safety meeting to learn about flood preparedness and developments related to Howard Hanson Dam operations. The meeting is set Wednesday, Sept. 9 from 6 – 8:30 p.m. at Green River Community College in the Lindbloom Student Center at 12401 SE 320th Street, Auburn. For more information, visit http://www.kingcounty.gov/floodplans or call 206-296-8001.

Agriculture focused flood safety meetings

The King County Agriculture Commission and county agriculture program are holding three meetings to help farmers, ranchers and agricultural landowners prepare for a higher risk of flooding this flood season. Dates are Monday, Sept. 14 from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. at Flaming Geyser State Park Lodge; Thursday, Sept. 17 from 7 - 9 p.m. at Auburn City Hall Council Chambers; and Tuesday, Sept. 22 from 1 — 3 p.m. at Emerald Downs in the Turf Club.

For more information, contact Karen Kinney at 206-263-6429 or visit the Web site.

Free civil rights forums on fair housing

The King County Office of Civil Rights will host four free community information sessions throughout the county this month to provide practical advice for residents on how to recognize discrimination, where and how to report it, and how to stop discrimination from occurring. These forums will give practical help to renters, property managers, employers, employees, and building and business owners who have questions about their responsibilities and civil rights under anti-discrimination laws. Meetings will be held on Sept. 10 in Black Diamond, Sept. 12 in Covington, Sept. 21 in Renton and Sept. 29 in Des Moines. For more information visit the Web site.

News

Cultivating Success

This fall, Washington State University is offering its "Cultivating Success" courses for farmers and people thinking about becoming growers. For information on the Sustainable Small Acreage Farming and Ranching course, contact Andrew Corbin at 425-357-6012 or corbina@wsu.edu. For information about the Agricultural Entrepreneurship and Business Planning contact Chris Benedict at 253-798-7028. To register, contact Karen Luetjen, 206-205-3187. More information about Cultivating Success can be found on the Web site.

First phase of Woodinville-area road project completed

The King County Road Services Division recently finished the first phase of improvements at the intersection of Woodinville-Duvall Road and 212th Avenue Northeast. A new temporary traffic signal is in place that will allow the intersection to be used until the next phase of the project is completed next year.

Students are back in school: Drive with care

Schools are back in session across King County. That means there will be more kids, buses and cars on the road, and motorists are urged to drive with care. The King County Road Service Division has safety tips for drivers, parents and caregivers who are responsible for a child's trips to school.

Metro Transit's service change begins Sept. 19

King County Metro Transit will make seasonal adjustments to its bus service starting Saturday, Sept. 19. Bus riders can prepare by picking up new purple timetables, and using the online Trip Planner for some advance research. Just be sure to use a date of Sept. 19 or later to find the changed bus service.

Code Enforcement works to help property owners resolve violations faster, more efficiently

King County Code Enforcement, a function within the Department of Development and Environmental Services, is testing a new streamlined citation process during the month of September, then fully activating the program on Oct. 1. The pilot phase will involve code enforcement officers issuing citations without the associated fines, and the fully operational program will activate civil fines. Code enforcement officers investigate complaints of unlawful hazards, developments and uses on private property. They respond to reported code violations associated with zoning, housing and building, shorelines and critical areas. For more information visit the Web site.

SSCC partners with Adult and Juvenile Detention to operate the 'Learning Center'

The Learning Center at South Seattle Community College offers a comprehensive array of corrections education programs and services that address the specific needs and learning of individuals in the criminal justice system. The ultimate outcome of participation in the Learning Center is aimed at reducing defendant/offenders' use of the jail and alternatives, and reducing their likelihood to re-offend. For more information or to determine eligibility, please contact the Community Corrections Division.

Public defense services available through Public Defender's Office

If you have been accused of a crime, need guidance on options and can't afford an attorney, King County may be able to help. We can also help people who are facing civil commitment, juvenile dependency or contempt of court cases. The King County Office of the Public Defender has staff at several locations in downtown Seattle and in Kent, Burien, Redmond and Shoreline. You may come to any screening location for an eligibility interview, no matter which court filed your case. No appointments necessary. For more information, including locations and office hours, call 206-296-7662 or go to http://www.kingcounty.gov/opd.

Bat advice from Public Health

Found a bat in your home? Know what to do! Since 5 to 10 percent of bats tested in King County have rabies, you should never touch a bat with your bare hands. If there is a chance you could have been scratched or bitten by a bat, be sure to capture the bat and call Public Health to arrange for rabies testing. Learn more at the Web site.

Fingertip rescue: New phone applications teach CPR and choking aid

A new mobile phone application developed by Public Health - Seattle & King County's Emergency Medical Services Division and partners will give you emergency information at your fingertips. Learn more and download this easy-to-use application on the Web site.

Vote in the general election

Make sure your ballot reaches you! Registration deadlines to be eligible to vote in this fall's general election are fast approaching and ballots will be mailed in mid-October. Don't forget to update your address or your signature with Elections by Oct. 5. Learn more about the Nov. 3 election at the Web site.

Free fair housing workshop and seminar

The King County Office of Civil Rights and other civil rights agencies are hosting two free fair housing trainings at the Jackson Federal Building in downtown Seattle on Wednesday, Sept. 30. The Fair Housing Basics workshop is from 9 a.m. to noon, and the Advanced Fair Housing Seminar is from 1- 3 p.m. Participants receive extensive free fair housing materials, in print and CD format. Everyone is welcome, including rental housing owners, property managers, tenants and housing advocates. For details and directions, visit the Web site. Please register in advance by calling 206-296-7592.

Find a new pet

The adoption fee for cats over 1-year-old has been waived for the remainder of the summer. Adopt an adult cat right now and get all vaccines and spayed or neutered, for just the cost of the pet license if you live in the King County service area. Plenty of cats and dogs are waiting for their forever home at the King County Animal Shelters. For hours and directions, visit the Web site or call 206-296-PETS.

Community news

Greater Maple Valley

Greater Maple Valley Area Council

At the Greater Maple Valley Unincorporated Area Council meeting in August members provided feedback on proposed revisions to King County's rural economic strategies to Julia Larson from the Office of Strategic Planning. These included better tax incentives, process improvements, and clearer communications with rural area citizens. Members requested more information on proposed implementation plans once revisions are finalized and approved. For more details on our August meeting visit the Web site.

Four Creeks/May Valley

May Valley Road closed Sept. 12-13

Crews will be pouring the concrete deck on the new Bandaret Bridge this weekend, which will result in the closure of Southeast May Valley Road just west of Issaquah-Hobart Road from 6 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 12 to 10 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 13. Motorists wishing to detour around the area should also be aware that there will be lane closures and delays on State Route 900 southeast of Issaquah from Sept. 11-14.

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If you have comments or suggestions about future content, please contact Lauren Smith at 206-263-7146 or lauren.smith@kingcounty.gov.