King County experts have identified the best opportunities to restore salmon habitat, and access new federal investments

A three-year study conducted by King County scientists and engineers has identified the best stream locations to remove barriers that prevent salmon from swimming to high-quality habitat, putting the county in a strong position for new federal infrastructure investments.

The field team of experts inspected more than 3,000 locations where habitat is possibly blocked by county-owned roads and trails. They ranked more than 700 of the identified barriers and determined that completing 50 restoration projects would restore access to at least half of the habitat that is currently blocked. Click here to watch a short video about this work.

For Drug Court Month, one family shares a story of resilience

Dakota - Cody to his parents - spent more than five years on the streets and in places like Echo Glen, where juveniles are incarcerated.

In March 2021, with advocacy from his defense attorney, Dakota transferred into King County Adult Drug Diversion Court on residential and other burglary charges.

Thirteen months later, with his parents, defense attorney, and drug court team cheering him on, Dakota graduated from the program with his life remarkably transformed. Click here to read the full story.

Innovation Award for Equity and Social Justice

The Innovation Award for Equity and Social Justice goes to the Department of Public Health/Environmental Health Services Division – Box Fan Filter Distribution Project.

Wildfire smoke and COVID-19 pose a significant health risk for some people who may not be able to afford an air filtration unit in their home or business. The Environmental Health Services Division of Public Health joined with community partners to distribute low-cost kits of box fans and furnace filters to vulnerable and low-income residents. These kits proved highly effective in reducing indoor air pollution. Click here to read more and watch the video. 

Each year, Executive Constantine holds the Performance Excellence Awards, which honor employees and workgroups at King County for their exceptional contributions to performance, leadership, and innovation. These leaders embody the Executive Branch values and strive to reach our True North: Making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive.

King County District Court events celebrate Pride month

King County District Court (KCDC) invites all King County employees to attend a series of informative and inspirational events in honor of LGBTQIA+ Pride Month. The dates and topics for the four-part series "Prejudice, PRIDE, & Progress" are:

• Tuesday, June 7: The District Court Equity and Social Justice Committee presents “Prejudice, PRIDE, and Progress”
• Tuesday, June 14: QLaw presents "LGBTQIA+ 101 – An Overview of Best Practices for Courts"
• Tuesday, June 21: Judge Donna Tucker, KCDC retired Chief Presiding Judge, presents "The History of Legal & Judicial Ethics Regarding Discrimination in the Courts, Business, and Work Place"
• Tuesday, June 28: QLaw presents "Pronoun Inclusion and In-Depth Review of Name Change Procedures"
• All sessions will be held from noon to 1 p.m. via Zoom.

Juneteenth an observed County holiday, June 20 

King County government will observe Juneteenth as a new paid holiday for the first time this year, on Monday, June 20.  

Last year, King County Council passed two Ordinances and King County bargained Agreements for represented employees to establish Juneteenth (June 19) and Indigenous Peoples’ Day (second Monday in October) as paid holidays starting in 2022 for King County employees who are eligible for comprehensive leave benefits. Click here to read more.

Pride Parade is back, and King County is marching

Mark your calendars for Sunday, June 26 at 11 a.m. to join with colleagues to represent King County in the 2022 Seattle Pride Parade. Participants will be required to show proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test to participate.

T-shirts will be available for sale, so stand by for more information. There will be 150 adult size t-shirts available at no cost on a first-come, first-serve basis the morning of the parade.

Further details about when and where to meet for the Parade will be sent out once it is available. To stay up to date on all things related to the Pride Parade, email leah.holland@kingcounty.gov with the subject line "PRIDE Info." 

Give your input on the Veterans, Seniors and Human Services Levy

The Veterans, Seniors and Human Services Levy (VSHSL) contins its series of community conversations to receive input on issues related to the VSHSL as King County begins to plan for renewal.

Please encourage family, friends, colleagues and neighbors to attend a conversation. All are open to King County residents.

Upcoming conversations:

• Tuesday, June 7 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Federal Way Community Center with the option for virtual attendance.
• Thursday, June 16 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Enumclaw Community Center with the option for virtual attendance.
• Tuesday, June 21 from 5:30 to 7 p .m. at the Phinney Neighborhood Association with the option for virtual attendance.
• Tuesday, June 28 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Redmond Community Center at Marymoor Village with the option for virtual attendance.
• Thursday, June 30 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the King County Veterans Program Northgate Office with the option for virtual attendance.

Click here to register for a Community Conversation.

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