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

Do you want to have a voice in King County's human services planning? Volunteer to serve on a board.

King County has several advisory boards recruiting now to fill vacancies on panels that discuss mental health, drug and alcohol addiction, veterans’ needs, women's issues, aging, developmental disabilities and regional human services. Each plays a vital role in programs, policies and funding decisions. For more information, visit the website or e-mail sherry.hamilton@kingcounty.gov.

News

Summer-long requirement proposed for wearing of life vests on rivers in unincorporated King County

River flows are unusually swift and cold this year due to a heavy mountain snowpack that is melting into King County rivers, and last winter’s turbulent flood season has caused changes in river dynamics. This heightened risk to public safety has prompted a wide range of public health and safety officials to call for a summer-long requirement for the wearing of life vests by anyone swimming, floating, or boating on major rivers running through unincorporated King County. Read the fact sheet and get more information on water safety and drowning prevention, including a list of local lifeguarded pools and beaches, on the Public Health - Seattle & King County website.

King County and Kirkland officials applaud transition of Juanita, Finn Hill, Kingsgate to the City

King County Executive Dow Constantine joined with Kirkland City leaders and King County Councilmembers to mark the largest shift of unincorporated County territory in recent memory – Kirkland’s June 1 annexation of nearly seven square miles of the Finn Hill, North Juanita and Kingsgate areas.

Workshop offers tips to horse owners for creating efficient property layouts

Learn how to site and organize your horse property in the most efficient way possible at a free workshop, from 6:30-8:45 p.m. on June 7, at the Fall City Library, 33415 SE 42nd Place. For more information or to register, contact Greg Rabourn at Greg.Rabourn@kingcounty.gov or 206-296-1923.

Free workshops to help residents tackle tough noxious weeds

The County’s Noxious Weed Program is offering a free class on invasive and noxious weeds on June 7, from 6:30-8:30 p.m., at the Kent Regional Library, and has scheduled a series of workshops devoted to controlling invasive knotweed – a tough invader that wreaks havoc wherever it establishes a beachhead along a stream or river.

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, June 15. 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. For details and directions, visit the website. Space is limited and advance registration is required – call 206-296-7592.

Tolt's Grand Opening in 1976

Tolt-MacDonald Park 35th Anniversary Celebration

Join King County Executive Dow Constantine, King County Parks, the John MacDonald Family, and many other special guests to commemorate the 35th anniversary of the park and the rededication of the campgrounds, which were all built with the help of the Chief Seattle Council of the Boy Scouts and the U.S. Army Reserve 409th as part of the United States’ bicentennial. The celebration takes place at 2 p.m. Sunday, June 26 at Tolt-MacDonald Park, Fall-City Carnation Road at NE 40th Street in Carnation.

Burke-Gilman Trail safety improvements require closure, detour for several months

Work starts June 15 on a much-needed project to improve public safety along the oldest and narrowest stretch of King County’s Burke-Gilman Trail through Lake Forest Park. A two-mile-long stretch of the trail will be closed for construction from Northeast 145th Street to Logboom Park in Kenmore. King County has established a 24-hour hotline – 206-462-6348 – to provide updated information and to answer any questions about the construction project, which could last up to six months. For the latest news, "like" King County Parks on Facebook or follow Parks' construction alerts blog. King County Parks – Your Big Backyard: We’re at work so you can play!

Metro Transit updates service June 11

King County Metro's summer service change starts on Saturday, June 11, with mostly minor updates. Look online or in the new green timetables for information. You can also expect more construction reroutes during the summer months, so it's good to be signed up for transit alerts for the bus routes you use most often.

Fay Road project begins soon

The King County Road Services Division is planning to regrade about 400 feet of an unstable steep slope on the uphill side of Fay Road Northeast near the intersection with State Route 203 southeast of Duvall. The work is scheduled to start in late June or early July, and will take about three weeks to complete.

King County’s Scenic Small Towns - Snoqualmie

Check out the 6 minute video on YouTube, for a profile of Snoqualmie, an historic small town in the eastern part of King County.

June is Adopt a Shelter Cat Month

Regional Animal Services of King County has many friendly felines waiting for their forever home. Come to the shelter at 21615 64th Ave. S. in Kent to choose your new companion, or visit the website for an online list.

Can you help spot Spot?

Regional Animal Services of King County and Missing Pet Partnership are teaming up to create a new “Shelter Pet Detective” program. Volunteers will get hands-on training to help pet owners who have lost a cat or dog. The first orientation class is set for Saturday, June 11 from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Unity Church of Kent. To RSVP for the training, call 206-296-3946 or email pets@kingcounty.gov.

Bats and rabies

Unscreened windows during the summer may lead to more human-bat encounters, and between 5 and 10 percent of bats tested are rabid. Know how to protect yourself from rabies, including when to call Public Health for help. For more information visit the website.

HIV Testing

The AIDS epidemic began 30 years ago, and current treatments are helping people living longer, healthier lives. All people ages 18-65 are recommended to get at least one HIV test. Learn more at online and find out about local resources.

Industrial Materials Exchange (IMEX)

Online classifieds for businesses helping waste generators and waste users find each other and put reusable materials to work. Save disposal costs, energy, resources and landfill space by finding alternatives to disposal of valuable reusable materials or wastes. Visit the IMEX website or call 206-263-8465 or 1-888-TRY-IMEX (1-888-879-4639), or email imex@kingcounty.gov.

King County Elections is moving to Renton

Starting June 20, King County Elections will be located at 919 Southwest Grady Way, Renton. Come down and visit us during the primary or general elections to take a self-guided tour, and see an election in action!

Community news

Enumclaw

Wastemobile: Household hazardous waste collection

All King County and city residents can safely dispose of old car batteries, oil, paint and other household hazardous waste when the Wastemobile continues its 22nd year of service with a stop in Enumclaw, June 10-12.

Bridge work will close Southeast 424th Street near Enumclaw for 6 months

King County will be replacing a deteriorating timber-support bridge on Southeast 424th Street near Enumclaw. The bridge is located a half mile west of 284th Avenue Southeast. The construction and road closure will start June 20 and last through November.

Four Creeks/May Valley

Four Creeks Unincorporated Area Council meeting

June 15, 7 p.m., at the May Valley Alliance Church, 16431 SE Renton-Issaquah Rd. in Renton

Greater Maple Valley

Greater Maple Valley Unincorporated Area Council

(This item submitted by the GMVUAC)
On May 27, the GMVUAC sent a letter to the King County Council's Transportation, Economy, and Environment Committee requesting it address expected impacts on the rural area from large adjacent urban developments such as the Black Diamond Master Planned Development (MPD). The letter points out concerns with potential gridlock on the region’s transportation infrastructure, the region’s economy should the MPDs cause King County and Black Diamond to fund needed infrastructure projects, and with open space designations and proposed clear cutting that could threaten wildlife corridors, water quality and more.

Greater Maple Valley Unincorporated Area Council meetings

June 6 and July 11, 7 p.m., at the Sheriff's Precinct 3, 22300 SE 231st in Maple Valley

North Highline

Volunteer Event at White Center Heights Park

King County Parks needs your help in restoration work to benefit wildlife and the plant community at White Center Heights Park. Help with maintenance and invasive weed removal around restoration plantings on Saturday, June 25 from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Tools, work gloves, water and light snacks will be provided. The park is located at Southwest 102nd St. and 7th Avenue Southwest in Seattle. Visit the Parks calendar for events and contact information.

North Highline Unincorporated Area Council meeting

July 7, 7 p.m., North Highline Fire District Office, 1243 SW 112th St. in Seattle

Upper Bear Creek

‘Music in the Park’ Concert Series

Upper Bear Creek Community Council is happy to bring "Music in the Park" back to Cottage Lake Park this summer! Join us for a series of six FREE family concerts in the park Thursday evenings in July and August from 7-8:30 p.m. You are welcome to bring a picnic to enjoy in the park at 190th and NE Woodinville-Duvall Road in Woodinville. Visit the website for more information.

Vashon

Vashon-Maury Island Community Council meetings

June 20, 7 p.m. at McMurray Middle School, Multi-purpose room, 9329 Southwest Cemetery Road, Vashon.

West Hill

West Hill Community Council Board meetings

June 8 and July 13, 7 p.m., Fire District #20, 12424 76th Ave S. in Seattle

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If you have comments or suggestions about future content, please contact Lauren Smith at 206-263-9606 or lauren.smith@kingcounty.gov.