King County voters renew Veterans and Human Services Levy
August 16, 2011
King County voters offered strong support Tuesday for renewing the county Veterans and Human Services Levy until 2017.
The measure, Proposition 1, garnered 66 percent of the vote in the initial round of results King County Elections released just after 8 p.m.
The figure is expected to shift in the coming days as the elections office receives and counts more ballots, but the measure appears certain to pass. The initial tally released Tuesday night encompassed 208,833 ballots.
King County wants public input to help shape park system’s future
August 12, 2011
King County Parks administrators need opinions from visitors about parks, trails and natural areas — and how to improve the 26,000-acre system.
The agency plans to conduct in-person surveys at parks and along trails throughout August and September, including Cougar Mountain Regional Wildland Park between Issaquah and Newcastle, Marymoor Park in Redmond and along the Soos Creek Trail in Kent.
King County voters decide on Veterans and Human Services Levy
August 10, 2011
Measure funds Snoqualmie Valley programs for teenagers, parents and veterans
King County voters will decide the future of a county veterans-and-human-services levy on Election Day.
The electorate approved the initial veterans-and-human-services levy — 5 cents per $1,000 of assessed value — to fund programs for veterans and social service efforts in 2005. The measure, Proposition 1, is up for renewal on the Aug. 16 ballot.
If passed, the levy renewal is projected to generate $100 million through 2017.
The funding is split 50-50 among programs for veterans and the neediest residents in King County.
Proposition 1 matches the existing levy and does not include additional taxes. The owner of a home assessed at $340,000 is expected to pay $17 in 2012 if the levy is renewed. (The existing levy is due to expire Dec. 31.)
Proposition 1 receives broad support from human services organizations and advocates for veterans. The measure received unanimous support on the often-contentious council. The county Voters’ Guide does not include any statements against Proposition 1.
King County overhauls outreach program for unincorporated residents
August 3, 2011
Unincorporated communities would be divided into service areas
Like many residents in unincorporated areas, Karen Lee wants King County to be more responsive to her needs and questions.
For her and her neighbors, King County is their local government. But it doesn’t seem as accessible as local government.
The county is working on a new outreach program to better serve Lee and other residents in unincorporated areas. The program will break the county into service areas with a single contact person for each area. Residents will be able to call their area’s liaison person, who will help find the person they should talk with.
Right now, those residents are largely on their own when they need help with services.
Unlike nearby residents in North Bend and Snoqualmie, Lee can’t pop over to City Hall with her questions. When she calls, she has to navigate through a flood of departments and agencies that often are tasked with serving unincorporated and incorporated areas.
Report dead birds to help King County health officials track West Nile virus
August 1, 2011
King County public health officials need community members to crow about dead birds in order track the West Nile virus.
Public Health – Seattle & King County is asking residents to report dead birds. Crows, in particular, die quickly from West Nile virus, and clusters of dead crows could indicate the presence of the virus.
King County takes laissez-faire approach to medical marijuana
July 29, 2011
King County is adopting a more laissez-faire approach to medical-marijuana operations as North Bend and other cities tighten rules for patient-run collective gardens and other operations.
North Bend City Council members imposed a year long moratorium on medical marijuana production and distribution facilities June 7. Issaquah, Sammamish, Federal Way, Kent and other cities have also clamped down on medical-marijuana operations.
King County leads fight against foreign invaders on Snoqualmie River
July 6, 2011
Frances Lucero inspects a site along the South Fork of the Snoqualmie River infested with knotweed, an invasive plant. Lucero coordinates King County’s campaign to eradicate the non-native weed. By Dan Catchpole
There is a battle being waged along the banks of the Snoqualmie River. Natives are fighting foreigners — with some help from humans.
The Snoqualmie River is one of six where King County is combating Japanese knotweed. Knotweed is one of the area’s many invasive weeds — plants that push native species out of the way and often harm the existing ecosystem. The county, other agencies, organizations and residents have been eradicating the plant for several years in a targeted campaign to reclaim the river.
Snoqualmie’s proposed annexation of former Weyerhaeuser mill site meets increasing opposition
May 18, 2011
A proposal for Snoqualmie to annex a former Weyerhaeuser mill site in unincorporated King County is meeting increasing opposition from nearby residents.
Opponents say the mill site’s current occupant, DirtFish Rally School, is hurting their quality of life and lowering property values, among other concerns. They want city or county officials to muffle noise and other impacts from DirtFish.
The school says that it is operating within county guidelines.
King County streamlines permit process
May 11, 2011
King County’s Department of Development and Environmental Services has added a pre-submittal review service for complex permit applications. The new service is part of the county’s efforts to make it easier to apply for permits in unincorporated areas.
The service allows customers to enter more complex applications into a new program called Pre-Submittal Services. It is meant to help people with permit applications that are too complicated for over-the-counter service but not so involved that they require — or qualify for — a pre-application meeting.
The new system is intended to provide feedback by identifying technical issues or red flags early on, and set expectations for the permit process, according to a news release from King County.
King County issues warning about Hepatitis A cases
May 11, 2011
An outbreak of Hepatitis A in the Snoqualmie Valley has county health authorities asking people to get vaccinated.
Matias Valenzuela, public education coordinator with the county’s public health department, said his office has responded to six confirmed cases in the Valley, all in adults.
The nonlethal virus spreads easily, Valenzuela said in a press release, and it can spread through close contact with a person with hepatitis A.
The illness can spread when an infected person does not wash hands adequately after using the toilet and has close contact with others, or prepares food or drinks for others.
It cannot spread through coughing, sneezing or casual contact.
Valenzuela recommended vaccination for all children up to age 18. Adults at increased risk should also get vaccinated, as well as anyone who wants protection against the disease.
High-risk adults include drug users, gay men, bisexual men, people with chronic liver disease, people who travel to countries with high hepatitis A rates and people with clotting factor disorders, such as hemophilia.
