Brightwater tunnel machine sees the light, marks major milestone
King County's Brightwater project reached a major milestone late last week as workers completed the first tunnel of the new wastewater treatment system's 13-mile conveyance system.
Tunnel boring machine "Luminita" emerged on the Brightwater treatment plant site north of Woodinville on Friday afternoon, completing its 14-month underground journey from Bothell that began in September 2007. The concrete-lined tunnel created by Luminita is 14,000 feet long and approximately 18 feet in diameter. The tunnel lies about 260 feet below the surface at its deepest point.
"Modern tunneling technology enabled us to complete construction while causing minimal disruption to residents and businesses above ground," said King County Executive Ron Sims. "The result is a successful tunneling project that will help us continue ensuring clean water and a healthy environment for people across the region." Learn more.
King County Animal Shelter doubling in size
The sounds of construction are in the air outside of the King County animal shelter in Kent. Crews are installing two new large portable buildings alongside the current 37 year-old converted dairy barn, essentially doubling the space that will be made available for homeless cats.
The plans for the new space include room for new large cat cages, as well as cat communal rooms, where cats can get out of their cages to exercise, play, socialize 
There are several animals at the shelter awaiting their forever home. View adoptable pets here.
Health care system gains emergency capacity
In one of the first exercises of its kind in the nation, Public Health - Seattle & King County, the King County Health Care Coalition, the City of Seattle and partners from throughout the region today are demonstrating their ability to mobilize and operate an emergency Health Care Center, also known as an Alternate Care Facility (ACF). The purpose of the emergency Health Care Center is to relieve pressure on the local health care system by adding extra medical capacity during a disaster. Learn more...
Sims and unions reach tentative agreement on county budget
All King County employees, with the exception of essential safety and transit staff, would take ten days unpaid furlough in 2009 under the terms of an historic agreement reached today with the King County Union Coalition to help with the unprecedented $93.4 million 2009 budget deficit. Learn more...
National accolades for performance measures
King County's AIMS High performance measurement system has won another national award for excellence (external link).
County's AAA bond rating renewed during financial crisis
Citing exceptional management, conservative financial policies and the Executive's 2009 proposed budget, two national credit rating agencies have given their highest short-term bond ratings for King County and reaffirmed the county's exemplary ratings on all previously issued long term bonds, including each agency's highest AAA rating for certain long term bonds.
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