Death of Inmate in Work Release Program
An inmate in the custody of the King County Department of Adult and Juvenile Detention as a participant in the Work Release Program broke a window on the eleventh floor of the King County Courthouse and jumped to his death at 11:15 am this morning.

Executive signs updated shoreline protections for rivers, lakes and Puget Sound
King County Executive Dow Constantine today signed into law the first major update to the County's shoreline protections since the late 1970s, following adoption of the legislation earlier today by the King County Council.

King County Executive visits Vashon/Maury Island communities, commends regional partners on winter weather response
King County Executive Dow Constantine today took the ferry to visit officials, volunteers and residents on Vashon and Maury Islands to see first-hand the recovery efforts underway to restore power and clear County roads blocked by downed trees.

Updated King County weather response efforts and holiday closures
Today King County Executive Dow Constantine visited the Vashon Island Emergency Operations Center, an adjacent warming center, and also met with local responders and volunteers working to restore power and other services to Vashon/Maury Island communities. Power should be restored by this evening to all but a small handful of residents on the island and warming centers are standing by to accommodate anyone who is still without power.

Updated King County government operations
Due to continued cold weather conditions and dangerous roads, residents are urged to use caution while traveling or commuting to work and to use public transportation or telecommute if possible. Individuals should take their time and be patient, and emphasize safety over getting to a destination quickly.

King County elevates emergency readiness in event aid is requested for residents of Vashon and Maury Islands
The King County Emergency Coordination Center this evening raised its state of readiness in the event that aid is requested on behalf of the entire population of Vashon and Maury Islands, where 10,000 have been without electricity since this morning.

Updated King County government operations
Due to severe weather conditions and dangerous roads, many King County agencies are reporting closed operations on Tuesday

King County residents: if you don’t have to drive Tuesday, please stay off the roads
King County Executive Dow Constantine urged King County government employees to telecommute or take a day of accrued vacation rather than attempt a trip on icy roads in the morning.

Warming shelters open, buses on snow routes, some county government services disrupted
Some county offices are closing up for the day as difficult travel conditions, continued snowfall, and predicted worse weather are making it increasingly difficult for employees to get to their posts, and difficult for the public to access services in person.

King County transit union ratifies new three-year contract that saves costs, spares jobs, and preserves service
King County's largest labor union, Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 587, has overwhelmingly ratified a new three-year contract that will enable more cost-effective delivery of transit service to the public, save $32 million over the term of the pact, and help close Metro Transit's funding gap by 20 percent.

Executive praises Council for early adoption of a responsible 2011 budget

Constantine mourns the loss of Seattle Mariners legend Dave Niehaus
“The timbre and cadence of his calls had a musical quality that will echo in our collective memory for many seasons to come."

Agreement reached for King County to acquire Maury Island gravel site for permanent protection
The longest remaining piece of undeveloped Puget Sound shoreline in King County would be permanently protected under an historic agreement signed by King County Executive Dow Constantine and the CalPortland Company – and facilitated by Cascade Land Conservancy – for public purchase of the Maury Island gravel site.

Executive names new Director of Customer Service to improve resident interactions with County government
King County Executive Dow Constantine has appointed Natasha Jones as his new Director of Customer Service. Jones transitions to the role from her former position as Deputy Communications Director in the Executive’s Office.