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
Shape the future of King County
Share your big ideas for the county’s future at www.OneKingCounty.info, King County’s new interactive MindMixer site. Your input will guide the update of the Strategic Plan, which will shape the future of King County government over the next five years. There will also be a series of public workshops set for Oct. 22 at Shoreline Community College, Oct. 24 at Bellevue Community College, Oct. 28 at WorkSource of Renton, Oct. 29 at Snoqualmie City Hall, Oct. 30 at Courthouse Square on Vashon, Nov. 5 at Green River Community College in Auburn, and Nov. 6 at Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute in Seattle. Workshops will be held from 6-8 p.m., with the exception of Vashon, which will run from 6:30-8:30 p.m. To learn more, read the news release.
Veterans and Human Services Levy Boards volunteer opportunities
King County is seeking residents who are interested in advising King County on the funding and services for the voter-approved levy. The Veterans Levy Board has openings in Council Districts 3, 5 and 9; the Human Services Levy Board is recruiting in Council Districts 1, 4, 5 and 7. Learn more visit the website or call Laird Redway at 206-253-9103.
Public meetings to provide input on Executive’s proposed budget
The King County Council’s Budget Committee will host a series of evening meetings to hear from the public on the County Executive’s proposed 2014 King County Budget. The public hearings will be held on Oct. 8 at the Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent, Oct. 16 at the Si View Community Center in North Bend and on Oct. 22 at the King County Courthouse in downtown Seattle. All meetings begin at 6:30 p.m. Day-after coverage of the public hearings will be available online and on King County TV.
News
Executive enhances local services for unincorporated areas in 2014 proposed budget
Police storefronts and a reopened police precinct, parks and trail improvements are among investments proposed by King County Executive Dow Constantine in his proposed 2014 Budget. Learn more by reading the news release.
Health enrollment is here!
Visit www.wahealthplanfinder.org to find out how to enroll in free or low cost health insurance or get a better health insurance plan from the new marketplace.
October is Flood Awareness Month
Since 1990, 12 flood events in King County have triggered federal disaster declarations. While last season saw little to no flooding, this past September was the wettest one on record and the Snoqualmie River reached flood phase 2. Stay informed through flood alerts, the Flood Warning app, Twitter, Facebook, and how to be prepared through information on insurance, emergency planning and sandbags. Find out which roads are closed by signing up for road alerts or follow King County Roads on Twitter.
New flood warning app
There is a new way to help you track real-time flooding data for the Skykomish, Snoqualmie, Tolt, Raging, Cedar, Green and White rivers, and Issaquah Creek. If you live, work, go to school or regularly travel in or through these areas of King County download the Flood Warning app for your mobile phone and sign up for King County Flood Alerts while you’re at it.
Flood season is here – are your hazardous materials safely stored?
For tips for residents and businesses for flood preparation, visit the website. Businesses can request a technical visit to help them prepare for emergencies; call the Household Hazards Line at 206-296-4692.
Expanded recycling services at Bow Lake Recycling and Transfer Station
Starting Oct. 9, the Bow Lake Recycling and Transfer Station in Tukwila will begin accepting a number of new recyclable materials. For more information, visit the website on Oct. 9, or call 206-477- 4466, TTY Relay: 711.
Get the flu vaccine before the flu gets you!
Vaccine is now available at doctor's offices, pharmacies, and other locations in the community. Everyone over 6 months of age should get the annual flu vaccine to prevent sickness, unnecessary healthcare visits, hospitalizations, and deaths from influenza. Learn more on the website.
Count yourself in during this election!
Ballots for the Nov. 5 General Election will be mailed Oct. 16. Read the instructions, complete your ballot and get it back early.
Ecotober at Brightwater Center
The first-annual Ecotober at Brightwater Center is a month-long celebration of all things related to sustainability. Ecotober events occur on Wednesday evenings from 5:30- 7:30 p.m.
Halloween Swim and Haunted Tunnel
Join King County Parks at the Weyerhaeuser King County Aquatic Center for the annual Halloween swim and haunted tunnel on Oct. 25, 6-7:30 p.m. and 8-9:30 p.m.
Resilient King County initiative seeks to develop long-term disaster recovery strategy
King County Executive Dow Constantine recently launched the "Resilient King County" initiative - a countywide, two-year planning process for crafting a comprehensive long-term recovery strategy following a major earthquake or other catastrophe. Learn more at on the website.
The Great Washington ShakeOut emphasizes disaster preparedness
A statewide “Drop, Cover and Hold On” earthquake drill will be held on Oct. 17 at 10:17 a.m. More than 625,000 Washington residents have signed up to participate. Register online.
Second half of 2013 property taxes due Oct. 31
King County provides several ways for property owners to pay their taxes quickly and conveniently. To pay using a credit card or eCheck, use our online, secure eTax application. For more ways to pay, or view your property tax information, visit the website.
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 Bertha Knight Landes Room, Seattle City Hall on Nov. 13: Introduction to Fair Housing Workshop, from 9 a.m. to noon, and Advanced Fair Housing Seminar from 1-3 p.m. Extensive free fair housing materials included. Pre-registration is required by emailing Civil-Rights.OCR@kingcounty.gov or calling 206-263-2446. For details and directions, visit the workshop website.
‘Adopt a Shelter Dog’ month is here
October is a great time to adopt a dog from the King County Pet Adoption Center. We have many breeds, sizes, and ages of pups waiting for their forever home. See all of our adoptable pets online, or visit the Pet Adoption Center at 21615 64th Ave. S. in Kent.
Community Service Area news
Bear Creek/Sammamish Area
Upper Bear Creek Community Council
Four Creeks/Tiger Mountain Area
Four Creeks Unincorporated Area Council meeting
Oct. 16, 7 p.m., at the May Valley Alliance Church, 16431 SE Renton-Issaquah Rd. in Renton
Greater Maple Valley/Cedar River Area
Cedar Hills Regional Annual Landfill Tour and Community Meeting
On Oct. 19, from 9-10:30 a.m., the King County Solid Waste Division is offering area residents a tour of the Cedar Hills Regional Landfill. Reservations are required. On Oct. 24, from 7-9 p.m., Solid Waste Division staff will host a community meeting at the King County Library Service Center, 960 Newport Way NW, in Issaquah, to discuss conditions and activities at the landfill. . To RSVP for the tour or to request accommodations, please call 206-296-4490, TTY Relay: 711.
15th Annual Maple Valley Operating Model Train Show
The train show will be held on Oct. 19 and 20, from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. at the Gracie Hansen Community Center, 27132 SE Ravensdale Way, in Ravensdale For more information on this fun family-friendly event and the Lego train building contest, visit the GMVUAC website.
Greater Maple Valley Area Council meeting
Oct. 7 & Nov. 4, 7 p.m., at the Fire Station, 231st St and SR-169 in Maple Valley
(This item submitted by the GMVUAC)
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School District Boundary Petition
On Sept. 25, the Area Council submitted comments to the Puget Sound Educational School District (PSESD) Hearings Board regarding a petition to expand the boundary of the Enumclaw School District by adding an area that is currently within the Tahoma School District (TSD). The Area Council’s southern boundary abuts the TSD property subject to dispute. The petition, if approved, would effectively remove tax parcels from the TSD along its southern boundary. The Area Council opposes this proposal and urged the PSESD to deny it.
Snoqualmie Valley/Northeast King County Area
Snoqualmie Watershed Forum seeks applicants for citizen representatives
Do you live in the Snoqualmie or South Fork Skykomish Watersheds? Are you a farmer, forestland owner or other resident of unincorporated King County? Do you care about the environment? To learn about serving as a citizen member of the Snoqualmie Watershed Forum and to download application materials, please visit the website. The application deadline is Monday, Oct. 14.
Snoqualmie Valley Transit
Snoqualmie Valley Transit is now serving the Snoqualmie Valley between North Bend and Carnation. Learn more about routes and services online.
“Northwest Passages” at the Preston Community Center
King County Parks, 4Culture and the Preston Community Club presents a Living Voices production, “Northwest Passages” at King County’s Preston Community Center on Oct. 12 and 13. This free event will also include a short film featuring two current Preston residents and their experiences of growing up and living in Preston from the 1920’s to today.
Southeast King County Area
Pacific Raceways annual public meeting
Community invited to discuss current and future operations and conditional use permit compliance concerning Pacific Raceways on Oct. 9 from 6 – 8 p.m. at Green River Community College in Lind Bloom Student Center Building, 12401 SE 320th Street, Auburn. For more information, contact Kim Claussen at 206-477-0329 or Kimberly.claussen@kingcounty.gov.
Vashon/Maury Island Area
Vashon-Maury Island Community Council General meeting
Oct. 21, 7 p.m., McMurray Middle School, Multi-purpose room, 9329 Southwest Cemetery Road, Vashon
West King County Area
North Highline Unincorporated Area Council meeting
Nov. 7, 7 p.m., North Highline Fire District Office, 1243 SW 112th St., Seattle
West Hill Community Association Board meeting
Oct. 9, 7 p.m., Skyway Fire District #20, 12424 76th Ave S., Seattle
West Hill Community Association Quarterly public meeting
Oct. 15, 7 p.m., Skyway VFW, 7421 S 126th St., Seattle
If you have comments or suggestions about future content, please contact Alan Painter at 206-296-8734 or alan.painter@kingcounty.gov.
