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
Community Service Area Grant Program application info coming soon
The application process is currently being developed for the 2012 appropriation of $60,000 for projects that offer community organizations serving residents in unincorporated King County the opportunity to support initiatives that strengthen connection in their communities. Stay tuned for further details and announcement of the Community Service Area Grant Program application release date.
Get an insider’s look at South Park Bridge construction progress, June 14
See what’s up, and under, the new bridge now under construction in South Park at a June 14 slideshow presentation, starting at 6:30 p.m. at the South Park Community Center - North Social Room, 8319 8th Ave. S., Seattle.
News
County Executive meets with Snoqualmie Valley residents
In a reprise of a 2010 visit, Executive Constantine met with business and community leaders at the office of the Snoqualmie Valley Record newspaper on May 23, taking questions from local leaders on issues from financial stability to flooding, tourism and homelessness.
More info on projects for high-risk rural roads
The King County Road Services Division has a new website that highlights safety projects being planned for high-risk rural roads that have a history of multiple run-off-the-road and cross-centerline collisions.
Weekend closure for Union Hill Road, June 15-18
There will be a full closure of Union Hill Road east of Redmond from 9 p.m. Friday, June 15 to 4 a.m. Monday, June 18. The road will be closed between 192nd Avenue Northeast to 205th Avenue Northeast to allow for paving and shifting traffic to the north side of the Evans Creek Bridge.
Tree clearing near Preston and Maple Valley sets stage for new guardrails
The King County Road Services Division will be removing select trees this summer alongside two roads near Preston and Maple Valley as part of the annual Countywide Guardrail Program to improve roadside safety for drivers. New guardrails are scheduled to be installed in those areas, and others, in the fall.
County connects adopt-a-road groups with new Facebook page
Since 1991, more than 300 volunteer groups have cleaned hundreds of miles of county roads to keep them clean and litter-free. They have their own Facebook page to connect and share with others some of the details of the good things they do for their communities and the environment.
Mountain Bike Festival
Head to King County’s Duthie Hill Park this Saturday, June 9 for the Evergreen Mountain Bike Festival. Come and enjoy a fun-filled day of food, raffles, races, bike demos and more. Lots of vendor booths featuring all the latest gear and fun events for the kids.
Olympic Dive Trials at Aquatic Center
The 2012 Olympic Dive Trials for the United States Olympic Team are June 17-24 at the Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic Center. For more information and to purchase tickets for these events, visit the website.
Take a summer twilight forest tour
The WSU Extension is hosting summer evening twilight tours of local, family-owned forests around the region. Tours are free and will be hosted in several locations in mid-July, including one at Webster Lake near Maple Valley on Thursday, July 12. For tour details and to RSVP, call 425-357-6017 or visit the website.
Advice on making your child’s space healthy
Discover 30 simple, free or low-cost steps that make childcare or home spaces eco-healthy and safer for children at classes offered through the Local Hazardous Waste Management Program. Classes are offered throughout the year, with the next sessions scheduled June 9 in Bellevue for family childcare providers; June 21 in Shoreline for parents and childcare providers; and June 23 in Seattle for Spanish-speakers. For more information visit the website or contact Gail Gensler at gail.gensler@kingcounty.gov or 206-263-3082. This service is presented by the Local Hazardous Waste Management Program.
Low-cost whooping cough booster shots available
The whooping cough (pertussis) epidemic continues to grow in Washington. Whooping cough can be a serious illness for infants, sometimes leading to hospitalization and death. In an effort to prevent the spread of illness to infants and pregnant women make sure you are up-to-date on their whooping cough booster shots, called Tdap. Low-cost whooping cough booster shots for adults are now available at QFC and Bartell Drug pharmacies in King County. Many community health clinics and public health centers also have low-cost vaccine for both children and adults. If you cannot afford the reduced fee, ask to have all fees waived. For more information, visit the website.
King County Veterans Program
If you served in the U.S. military and need housing, treatment services, job training or other assistance, the King County Veterans Program can help. Services are available at 10 sites in King County for veterans and for families of soldiers currently deployed. Call 206-296-7656 to make an appointment or visit the website for more information.
King County tests disaster response with regional earthquake exercise
King County joined with federal, state and local agencies this week to test its capacity to respond to and recover from a major earthquake. These types of exercises help public and private agencies assess disaster response plans and emergency communications strategies. It is also important for residents to make sure they are prepared to be self-sufficient for several weeks following a catastrophic event. Find tips online.
Leave the line behind! Register to vote now
King County Elections anticipates long lines to register to vote or change voter registration information before the August primary and November general elections. Register to vote or update your address by mail or online by July 9 to avoid the lines for the primary election.
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 Seattle on Wednesday, June 27. The Fair Housing Basics Workshop is from 9 a.m. to noon, and the Advanced Fair Housing Seminar is from 1 to 3 p.m. Participants receive extensive free fair housing materials in print and CD format. Advance registration is required - call 206-296-7592. For details and directions, visit the website.
Did you miss the property tax payment deadline?
The first half of 2012 property taxes were due April 30. If you pay your taxes yourself, and not through your mortgage lender, AND you missed your first-half payment, a courtesy reminder was mailed to your property tax address on record. By state law, late charges accrue monthly. Avoid further late fees by using the convenient and secure online eTax payment system. For more information about property taxes and payment options, visit the Property Tax Operations page.
Got rats? You need barn cats!
Barn Cats R Us, a volunteer-led program of Regional Animal Services of King County (RASKC), relocates feral cats to barns and garages where they work as rodent hunters. The cats provide organic rodent control that does not depend on the use of poisons that can sicken kids, pets, livestock and wild animals. Best of all, RASKC places barn cats at no charge. Once placed, you only need to provide safe shelter, a dependable source of food, and fresh water. For more information about Barn Cats R Us, visit the website or call 206-296-PETS (7387).
Community news
Four Creeks
Four Creeks Unincorporated Area Council meeting
June 20, 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 Monday, June 4, the area council held its regular monthly meeting with special guest speaker Alan Painter, King County’s new Community Service Area (CSA) Program Manager. Following a very good review of CSAs and their link to the King County Strategic Plan, area council members expressed frustration with County service reductions, including road maintenance, police response and permitting, due to budget cuts. Hope was expressed that Mr. Painter, in his new capacity as CSA Program Manager, will be an advocate for rural area residents and their concerns. Mr. Painter assured area council members that he, along with the CSA staff, will be unincorporated area residents’ point of contact to bring matters such as these and others to the right people at King County.
Forest Rehabilitation on Taylor Mountain Forest
King County Parks will be conducting forest management activities at Taylor Mountain Forest early this summer to create a healthier forest and generate revenue to fund future forest stewardship. Poor-quality trees will be harvested on about 66 acres of the 1,845-acre forest and replanted with diverse species. A portion of the Holder Creek Trail will be closed and later rerouted; signs will be posted to ensure trail users are notified of the trail closures and safety concerns related to the harvesting operations. To learn more, read the news release.
Greater Maple Valley Unincorporated Area Council meetings
July 2, 7 p.m., at the Fire Station, SE 231st & Hwy 169 in Maple Valley
North Highline
Renovated tennis courts are now open at Steve Cox Memorial Park
The Steve Cox Memorial Park tennis courts are now complete! King County Parks invites the public to come and enjoy the newly renovated playing surfaces. This project has been funded through a federal Community Development Building Grant.
North Highline Unincorporated Area Council meeting
July 5, 7 p.m., North Highline Fire District Office, 1243 SW 112th St. in Seattle
Upper Bear Creek
Company withdraws proposal for zipline facility
GravityWorks has notified King County Parks that they are no longer pursuing their proposal to build and operate an ecologically themed zipline facility in King County’s Gold Creek Park.
Music in the Park
Upper Bear Creek Community Council is happy to sponsor "Music in the Park" again this summer at Cottage Lake Park! 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 general meeting
June 18, 7 p.m. at McMurray Middle School, Multi-purpose room, 9329 Southwest Cemetery Road, Vashon
Vashon-Maury Island Community Council Board meeting
July 2, 6:30 p.m. at McMurray Middle School, Multi-purpose room, 9329 Southwest Cemetery Road, Vashon
West Hill
West Hill Community Council Board meeting
June 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 Kate Karpf at 206-263-7147 or kate.karpf@kingcounty.gov.