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2024 News

October 10, 2024
Community project organizers in unincorporated King County can now apply for 2025 Alan M. Painter Grant Program
The Alan M. Painter Grant Program — formerly known as Community Service Area grants— is now accepting applications for 2025. The grants fund community projects that allow residents of the unincorporated areas to engage with and be more connected to their communities.

October 7, 2024
Communities to decide which projects will receive public funding during October’s Participatory Budgeting vote
Residents of five urban unincorporated areas in King County are voting this month to choose proposals that will receive county funding to improve their communities.

September 5, 2024
Help King County plan the future of the Greater Maple Valley/Cedar River area
King County Local Services is starting work on a 20-year plan for the Greater Maple Valley/Cedar River area and seeks community input. Members of the public have several ways to share their ideas, including attending an open house event Sept. 26 in Hobart.

August 26, 2024
King County Local Services, community celebrate start of construction on innovative wastewater project that will transform Fall City’s economic future
King County Local Services began construction on the $10 million Fall City on-site septic system project. The system will clean wastewater, improve community health and increase economic vitality for the downtown business district in unincorporated King County.

July 10, 2024
Driver alert: Third major construction project begins July 15 in the Snoqualmie River Valley. Closures affect local drivers and bicyclists on many popular routes
King County starts another major road construction project in the Snoqualmie River Valley. On July 15, contractor crews near Duvall will completely close NE Woodinville-Duvall Road west of Duvall to all traffic to remove and replace the bridge deck over the Duvall Slough. This work is the third major project in the area. Contractor crews completely closed 244th Avenue NE near SR 202 on July 8 for slide repair work. Last month, we closed Ames Lake Trestle Bridge to completely replace the old timber structure.

June 28, 2024
Fourth of July safety: Fireworks banned in unincorporated King County, violators could receive citations
The use and sale of consumer fireworks are prohibited in the unincorporated areas of King County. Repeat violators will be issued citations with a $250 penalty, and education about illegal fireworks use will be issued to all reported violators.

June 27, 2024
King County Fire Marshal issues Stage 1 Burn Ban, restricting yard debris fires in unincorporated areas
With dry conditions and high temperatures expected soon, King County Fire Marshal Eric Urban has issued a Stage 1 Burn Ban for the unincorporated areas that takes effect on Saturday, June 29. The ban prohibits fires to burn yard debris or clear land. Recreational fires and use of gas/propane appliances—including grills, pellet smokers and charcoal grills—are still permitted.

April 30, 2024
King County helps create a new economic alliance in Snoqualmie Valley
With administrative support from King County Local Services, four cities and the Snoqualmie Indian Tribe built a partnership to bring economic vitality to their communities and surrounding unincorporated areas. The new Snoqualmie Valley Economic Alliance will soon apply for its first federal grant.

2023 News

Nov. 3, 2023
Road closure required Nov. 6-22 at Green River Road and 94th Place S for ‘Cleaning and No Parking’ project
From Nov. 6 to Nov. 22, King County will close portions of Green River Road and 94th Place S in the unincorporated area to clear, clean, secure, and enforce “No Parking” along the right-of-way. All vehicles will be required to permanently move.

Oct. 4, 2023
Storefront Repair Grants to help small businesses in unincorporated King County recover from vandalism, break-ins
Small businesses in unincorporated King County can apply for funding to repair damage caused by vandalism or break-ins that they’ve experienced since the COVID-19 pandemic began in March 2020.

Sept. 12, 2023
Participatory Budgeting Steering Committee creates framework for new process, divides $11.75 million among five urban unincorporated areas
King County’s Participatory Budgeting Steering Committee has decided how much money each of the five urban unincorporated areas will get to fund public projects of their choice. The committee will soon ask community members for project ideas they want to see on the ballot.

Aug. 15, 2023
Amid high temperatures and dry conditions, King County Fire Marshal issues Stage 2 burn ban prohibiting outdoor recreational fires in unincorporated areas
King County Fire Marshal Chris Ricketts has issued a Stage 2 burn ban for unincorporated King County. The ban prohibits all outdoor recreational fires. Outdoor cooking and heating appliances are restricted to approved manufactured gas and charcoal units only.

July 10, 2023
Driver alert: 30-day full closure on NE Woodinville Duvall Road at NE 172nd Street for culvert replacement from July 17 through Aug. 15
King County will close both directions of NE Woodinville Duvall Road near the intersection of NE 172nd Street from Monday, July 17 to Tuesday, Aug. 15. This closure is necessary for the removal and replacement of a deteriorating culvert that carries Tuck Creek beneath the road. Local access will be maintained east and west of the construction zone, but all through-traffic will be detoured south to NE Novelty Hill Road.

June 29, 2023
Fireworks banned in unincorporated King County, violators could receive citations
The use and sale of consumer fireworks are prohibited in the unincorporated areas of King County. The county will begin enforcement of the fireworks ban and could issue citations to violators. Education about the ban and the reasons for it will still be provided.

June 2, 2023
King County Fire Marshal issues Stage 1 burn ban for the unincorporated areas that restricts yard debris fires
Amid dry conditions and high temperatures, King County Fire Marshal Chris Ricketts has issued a Stage 1 burn ban for the unincorporated areas, which prohibits yard debris fires. Recreational fires and gas/propane appliances – including grills, pellet smokers and charcoal grills – are still permitted.

May 24, 2023
Participatory Budgeting earns King County Executive's Equity, Racial & Social Justice Innovation Award
King County Executive Dow Constantine recognized Participatory Budgeting – a community driven funding program centered on racial equity – for achieving exceptional improvement results and making the county a place where every person can thrive.

April 18, 2023
King County selects Participatory Budgeting steering committee members to guide $11 million investments in urban unincorporated areas
King County is bringing back Participatory Budgeting for another round. This month, it announced the 29 steering committee members from its five urban, unincorporated areas who will help guide $11 million in community driven funding.

Feb. 13, 2023
Executive Constantine and Local Services launch Economic Alliance Program to help unincorporated King County businesses thrive
Local Services has partnered with community organizations to co-create the Economic Alliance Program, which is one of several steps Executive Dow Constantine is taking to help the region’s businesses – particularly in the unincorporated areas – emerge from the pandemic.

Jan. 30, 2023
King County seeks public comment on new documents related to Snoqualmie Valley/Northeast King County Subarea Plan
King County Local Services has released two documents for public review as part of its work to update the Snoqualmie Valley/Northeast King County Subarea Plan. Residents have until Feb. 24 to comment on the plan’s “Concept Document” and “Map Amendment Summaries.”

2022 News - Archive

December 1, 2022
First community-vote funded investment will expand Cemetery Pond Open Space area in East Renton
The Cemetery Pond Open Space area in East Renton has received $50,000 as part of King County’s participatory budgeting process. This is the first of dozens of projects that voters chose earlier this year as part of the budgeting and will be used for acquiring critical green infrastructure.

September 9, 2022
Amid high temperatures and dry conditions, King County Fire Marshal issues Stage 2 burn ban prohibiting outdoor recreational fires
King County Fire Marshal Chris Ricketts has issued a Stage 2 burn ban for unincorporated King County, prohibiting all outdoor recreational fires. Outdoor cooking and heating appliances are restricted to approved manufactured gas and charcoal units only.

August 17, 2022
Forty-five projects chosen for initial King County participatory budgeting awards
During King County’s first Participatory Budgeting vote, community members cast more than 2,600 ballots and chose 45 projects that King County will fund in East Federal Way, East Renton, Fairwood, Skyway, and White Center.

August 1, 2022
King County selects Participatory Budgeting steering committee members to guide $11 million investments in urban unincorporated areas
In a first for King County, residents of five urban unincorporated areas can vote on which proposed community projects should receive public funding Aug. 2-10. Residents can cast their votes online or in person at one of several community events.

July 28, 2022
High temperatures and dry conditions prompt Fire Marshal to issue Stage 1 fire safety burn ban starting Friday, July 29
King County Fire Marshal Chris Ricketts has issued a Stage 1 fire safety burn ban for the unincorporated areas of King County starting Friday. The ban will remain in effect until further notice.

July 14, 2022
King County Road Services crews clear litter along Green River Road area, work with partners to provide help for people experiencing homelessness
King County Road Services crews partnered with King County Regional Homelessness Authority and Sheriff’s Office to help offer resources to individuals experiencing homelessness and cleared nearly 52,000 pounds of trash from the Green River Road area on Wednesday.

July 1, 2022
Fireworks banned in unincorporated King County, violators could receive citations
The use and sale of consumer fireworks are prohibited in the unincorporated areas of King County. The county will begin enforcement of the fireworks ban and could issue citations to violators. Education about the ban and the reasons for it will still be provided.

June 14, 2022
‘Don’t Blow It, Cut The Fuse’: For the first time, the use and/or sale of consumer fireworks is prohibited in unincorporated King County
With fireworks now banned in unincorporated King County, Local Services is focusing on educating residents about the new rules, starting with a community summer safety event in Skyway.

May 17, 2022
The People’s Budget – Your Voice, Your Choice: Residents can learn about proposed community projects at pair of virtual meetings May 23-24
King County is holding a pair of meetings on the dozens of project ideas it received via its Participatory Budgeting process. The meetings will help prepare residents for the larger “Community Vote” scheduled for June, when they will vote on which projects receive funding.

April 7, 2022
King County Local Services awards 2022 Community Engagement Grants
Forty-five volunteer-led community events and projects will be supported in unincorporated King County communities with Community Engagement Grants of up to $4,000.

March 16, 2022
King County accepting public comment on proposed fireworks enforcement rules through April 10
Local Services is accepting public input on a proposed ordinance that establishes a complaint-based process for warnings and citations for fireworks violators. This is the first year that consumer fireworks are banned in unincorporated King County.

February 10, 2022
The People’s Budget - Your Voice, Your Choice”: Public can now submit ideas for how to spend public funds in urban unincorporated areas
King County is asking people who live, work, play, go to school, or worship in its five urban unincorporated communities to decide how to spend $10 million in county funds in those communities. Residents can learn more and submit ideas at www.publicinput.com/yourvoiceyourchoice through March 5, 2022.