Citizen Portal News Washington

Community groups urge $200,000 city contribution to replace stolen Sadako statue Speakers from the Sadako Renewal Project and Japanese-American community groups asked the committee for $200,000 toward a larger $500,000 plan to replace the stolen Sadako Sasaki statue and to add a maintenance fund, calling the work an international symbol of peace.

Community groups in Seattle are rallying for a $200,000 city investment to restore the beloved Sadako Sasaki statue, a powerful symbol of peace and cultural connection that was recently stolen.

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#SeattleKingCounty #WA #CivicEngagement #CitizenPortal #SeattleJapaneseAmerican

Committee considers restoring tenant services and adding permit expediting resources at SDCI Budget amendments would restore $1 million in ongoing tenant services contracts to 2024 levels, add a term strategic adviser to act as a permit expediter, and request reporting on how SDCI and OPCD will prioritize mandated code changes to meet statutory deadlines.

Seattle's council is poised to restore $1 million in tenant services funding, reflecting the urgent need for legal support and education in a city where renters are the majority.

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#SeattleKingCounty #WA #CitizenPortal #PermittingImprovement #SeattleTenants

District reports facilities work‑order stats, follows up on Skyline restroom complaints; new high school schedule updated Facilities staff told the board the district completed 6,371 work orders this year (94.8% completed) and that custodial teams addressed reported restroom vandalism at Skyline High School after student complaints. Capital projects staff said the new high school’s first development commission hearing moved to Nov. 19 with a March 1, 2026 construction

The district has tackled over 6,371 facilities work orders, but student concerns about overcrowded hallways and restroom conditions are raising eyebrows.

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#WA #CitizenPortal #PublicFacilities #CapitalProjects #StudentWellbeing

Covington council weighs rising King County police costs, asks staff to model hiring one officer Councilors at a budget workshop were presented with projected increases to the King County contract for police services and a longer‑term rise in public defense and court costs. After extended debate they asked staff to model the budget impact of hiring one additional officer and to show how overtime and reconciliation payments would change.

As Covington grapples with soaring police contract costs and potential budget gaps, the council faces a tough choice: hire another officer or cut essential services.

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#CovingtonKingCounty #WA #BudgetPlanning #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety #CivicAccountability #CovingtonPolice

Council seeks transparency, staffing and tools as Care prepares for expanded sole dispatch The committee considered several Care (Community Assisted Response & Engagement) amendments to expand data systems, preserve dedicated 911 nonemergency call-takers, transfer contract administration into Care, and request reports on training and public dashboards for the community crisis responder teams.

Seattle Councilmembers are demanding transparency and accountability in the city's alternative crisis-response system as they push for better data, staffing protections, and training enhancements.

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#SeattleKingCounty #WA #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety #SeattleCare #DataTransparency

La Conner told $20 million wastewater plant upgrade likely; council approves emergency motor funding A draft report from Wilson Engineering estimates roughly $20 million for a wastewater plant project serving La Conner and Monomish; staff warned sewer rates could rise substantially and asked the council to reallocate funds to replace a failing motor and begin phased SCADA work, actions the council approved.

La Conner is staring down a potential $20 million wastewater plant upgrade, and residents may face significant sewer rate hikes as a result!

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#LaConnerSkagitCounty #WA #CitizenPortal #InfrastructureImprovement #CommunityEngagement #LaConnerUtilities

Catholic Charities pitches mixed-use housing and community center for Outlook Road; seeks seed funding Catholic Charities presented plans Oct. 27 for a development on Outlook Road that would include affordable housing, a central community building with early-learning and retail space and an internal jobs component. The organization said it will apply for SEED funding administered by YCDA and plans further coordination with the city on Outlook Road/S

Catholic Charities is proposing an innovative mixed-use development on Outlook Road that promises affordable housing, job creation, and essential community services—could this be a game changer for Sunnyside?

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#SunnysideCityYakimaCounty #WA #CitizenPortal #JobCreation

Fire Department seeks to expand HealthONE and add aid cars to boost medical response Councilmembers proposed funding and staffing expansions for the Seattle Fire Departments mobile integrated health program (HealthONE) and debated two aid-car staffing options to improve medical-response efficiency: a 24/7 aid car and a 12-hour peak aid car.

Seattle is taking significant steps to enhance emergency medical responses by expanding the HealthONE program and adding new aid cars for better efficiency.

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#SeattleKingCounty #WA #CitizenPortal #PublicHealth #EmergencyResponse #CommunityWellbeing #SeattleHealthcare

Planning board approves sending CAO rewrite to council with riparian management zones and asks for iterative follow-up Planning staff presented a large reorganization of the Critical Areas Ordinance including riparian management zones (200 ft for fish‑bearing streams, 100 ft for non‑fish streams) with limited mitigation‑driven reductions. The board voted to forward the draft to City Council while requesting continued review and section‑level follow up.

Edmonds' Planning Board just approved a major update to the Critical Areas Ordinance, introducing new riparian management zones to protect our streams—find out what this means for the community!

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#EdmondsSnohomishCounty #WA #CitizenPortal #EdmondsEnvironment #PublicParticipation

Event-district stakeholders push council to study unpermitted vending and amplified-noise impacts Representatives from sports venues, business districts and neighborhood groups urged study and enforcement action on unpermitted food and merchandise vending and amplified sound near event districts, citing health, safety, access and business competition concerns ahead of large events.

Seattle's event district stakeholders are sounding the alarm over unpermitted vending and amplified noise, urging the council to act before the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

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#SeattleKingCounty #WA #CitizenPortal #SeattleEventDistricts #BusinessCompetition #SafetyEnforcement

Ocean Shores Marketing Coalition presents 2026 plan amid community criticism about transparency The Ocean Shores Marketing Coalition outlined a 2026 marketing plan focused on content creation and paid placement across the I‑5 corridor and streaming platforms. Public commenters and some committee members raised concerns about perceived favoritism, incomplete business outreach, website maintenance and missing analytics. OSMC leaders said assets

The Ocean Shores Marketing Coalition's ambitious 2026 budget aims to enhance visibility along the I-5 corridor, but community concerns about transparency and outreach are raising eyebrows.

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#OceanShoresGraysHarborCounty #WA #CitizenPortal #CommunityOutreach

Lewis County presses state for bridge repairs, I‑5 Exit 72 fixes and north industrial access funding County officials urged legislators to fund bridges and road projects, noting Lewis County owns 227 bridges and faces rising replacement costs, and urged more aggressive mitigation and funding for the I‑5 Exit 72 (Napa/Vine) interchange. Staff also updated legislators on North Lewis County industrial access, Harrison Avenue, and the Westside/North‑I

Lewis County officials are sounding the alarm on crumbling bridges and traffic chaos, urging state legislators for urgent funding to safeguard the community's economy and safety.

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#LewisCounty #WA #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety #ClimateCommitment #TransportationFunding

Lewis County outlines policy priorities: foundational public‑health flexibility, tort reform, jail medical reimbursement and public defense funding County leaders used the roundtable to press several statewide policy asks: more flexibility for foundational public‑health contract spending to fit rural needs; legislative help addressing rising liability premiums (tort reform); mechanisms to secure Medicaid reimbursement for jail medical costs; and increased funding for public defense to relieve

Lewis County leaders are rallying for urgent legislative changes to secure vital funding and support for public health, liability reform, and jail medical costs—will they be heard?

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#LewisCounty #WA #CitizenPortal #TortReform #FiscalHealth #PublicDefenseFunding

Candidates say student outcomes and a looming levy are top priorities for Granite Falls schools Candidates at the Granite Falls School Board forum named student outcomes as their primary concern and said district finances, including an upcoming levy, are critical to maintaining programs and local control. Several candidates warned that failing to generate local revenue could force state-level decisions about program cuts. Candidates urged the

Granite Falls School Board candidates are sounding the alarm: without local support for an upcoming levy, crucial programs and student outcomes are at risk!

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#WA #CitizenPortal #LocalFunding #GraniteFallsSchools #CommunityEngagement #StudentOutcomes

New CIO outlines cybersecurity, device and AI priorities after limited data‑access incident Jason Gold, the district’s new chief information officer, described plans to strengthen cybersecurity (user education and multifactor authentication), pilot a student device program to gather user input, and phase ethical AI tools into classrooms. Staff noted a limited data‑access incident earlier in the year that was contained and mitigated.

The Issaquah School District's new CIO, Jason Gold, is on a mission to revolutionize student tech experiences with enhanced cybersecurity measures and innovative device pilots—are you ready for the future of education?

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#WA #CitizenPortal #AIIntegration #StudentExperience

Building Code Council debates smaller dwelling-unit sizes, calls for public proposals The Building Code Council reviewed a proposal to reduce the minimum measured habitable area for efficiency dwelling units and agreed to begin rulemaking notices and solicit public proposals. Architect David Neiman presented designs and a cost/rent analysis arguing that measuring smaller "habitable" areas (backed by the National Healthy Housing Stnd

The Building Code Council is considering a groundbreaking shift in housing standards that could redefine efficiency dwelling units by lowering size requirements and boosting affordability.

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#WA #PublicPolicy #CitizenPortal #AffordableHousing #BuildingCodeReform

Chehalis, Lewis County hold public hearing on annexation ILA; fire funding and service impacts dominate comments Lewis County and the City of Chehalis held a joint hearing in October 2025 on a proposed interlocal agreement to annex much of the Chehalis Urban Growth Area. Staff described state law changes, a co-management ILA to bridge a procedural lag, and potential impacts on fire-district levies and sewer rates. Public testimony showed a mix of support and担

Chehalis and Lewis County officials are seeking community input on a significant annexation proposal that could reshape local governance and funding for essential services.

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#LewisCounty #WA #CitizenPortal #LewisCountyAnnaexation #ServiceCoordination #HousingCapacity

Lewis County seeks $3.35 million to advance $27 million Packwood sewer project County staff and community leaders asked legislators to fund design and right‑of‑way work needed to move the long‑planned Packwood sewer project into construction. The full project is estimated at $27 million; county officials requested $3,350,000 to reach 90% engineering and acquire pump‑station sites so the project can be bid.

Lewis County is urging state legislators for $3.35 million to kickstart a crucial $27 million sewer project that could transform affordable housing and boost tourism in Packwood.

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#LewisCounty #WA #CitizenPortal #EconomicDevelopment #CommunityInfrastructure #LewisCountySewer

West Coast Ocean Alliance to pursue cumulative impacts needs assessment for regional ocean planning The West Coast Ocean Alliance announced funding continuity and plans for a cumulative impacts needs assessment RFP; the Alliance will coordinate with state and tribal partners to define regional science and data priorities through 2026.

The West Coast Ocean Alliance is set to launch a crucial needs assessment to tackle the cumulative impacts of ocean use, paving the way for smarter planning and collaboration through 2026.

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#WA #CitizenPortal #StakeholderEngagement #OceanResourceManagement #CumulativeImpacts

Spokane CHHS reports nearly 11,000 clients served in 2024–25; council presses for cost and outcome detail City staff presented the Community Housing and Human Services quarterly performance review for July 1, 2024 6/30/2025, reporting roughly 10,000 unique clients served and about $21 million spent of $24.5 million awarded. The presentation summarized program-level outcomes across diversion, coordinated entry, eviction prevention, shelters, rapid reh

Spokane's CHHS just revealed that nearly 10,000 unique clients were served last year, highlighting the urgent need for more detailed insights into costs and outcomes in homeless services.

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#SpokaneSpokaneCounty #WA #CitizenPortal #SpokaneHomelessServices #CommunitySupport

Tumwater survey: residents rate quality of life and public safety high but flag transportation, homelessness and growth DHM Research presented two 2025 resident surveys to the Tumwater City Council showing high overall satisfaction with quality of life and emergency services, but clear resident concerns about transportation infrastructure, homelessness response and managing growth. The statistically valid survey (n=300, ±5.7%) and an opt-in community engagement poll

Tumwater residents love their community, with 95% rating their quality of life as excellent or good, but they're raising alarms about transportation, homelessness, and growth management.

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#TumwaterThurstonCounty #WA #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety #TransportationInfrastructure

County staff outline property-tax levy options and budget timeline; public hearings to be scheduled Budget staff briefed commissioners on the timeline for the 2026 budget, property-tax levy hearing and several levy options (status quo, 1% increase, use of banked capacity and a road-levy shift). Staff showed illustrative impacts for a $425,000 median home under different options and said notices and hearings will be scheduled in advance of final 1

Spokane County is gearing up for critical decisions on the 2026 property-tax levy, with options that could reshape tax impacts for homeowners.

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#SpokaneCounty #WA #CitizenPortal #CommunityFinancialTransparency #SpokaneCountyBudget #PropertyTaxReform #PublicBudgeting

Assessor briefs commissioners on PFAS/PFOS study, appeals and public outreach Chief Deputy Assessor Joe Hollenbeck described a national interest in PFAS contamination near the West Plains and outlined a grant-funded study and public outreach plan. He said only one appeal was filed and later withdrawn; no assessment adjustments were made as of the briefing.

Spokane County is tackling the growing PFAS contamination crisis with a groundbreaking grant-funded study, uncovering shocking truths that extend far beyond local borders.

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#SpokaneCounty #WA #CitizenPortal #EnvironmentalImpact #PublicOutreach #SpokaneCountyPFAS #HealthSafety

Pretrial services reports growth in MacArthur capstone-supported supported-release program; participants show high court-appearance rates Aaron Stormberger reported that Spokane County's supported-release program, restarted under a MacArthur Foundation capstone grant, has expanded since March and shows higher court-appearance and low recidivism among participants. The program includes intake and case management, an FTA-tracker pilot and a courthouse navigator desk; staff said the Mac

Spokane County's supported-release program, backed by a $540,000 MacArthur Foundation grant, is transforming lives with high court-appearance rates and comprehensive support for defendants.

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#SpokaneCounty #WA #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety #CriminalJusticeReform

Evergreen district details RISE crisis response, new suicide-prevention steps and family resource support District leaders outlined RISE, a volunteer crisis-response team, described suicide-prevention screening data and next steps for K–12 curriculum and post-incident care, and reminded families that campus Family and Community Resource Centers will provide continued support during the federal shutdown.

The Evergreen School District is taking bold steps to tackle student mental health crises with its new RISE initiative, aiming to provide crucial support when it's needed most.

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#WA #CitizenPortal #MentalHealthSupport #CrisisResponseInitiative #SuicidePreventionEducation

Parents, staff and union call for independent review after allegations of harassment at Endeavor Elementary Parents, substitute teachers and a union representative told the Issaquah School District board that staff and students at Endeavor Elementary face harassment, intimidation and a toxic workplace; speakers urged the district to publicize safety measures and commission an independent investigation. A petition circulated this week gathered about 543签名

Alarming allegations of harassment and intimidation at Endeavor Elementary have sparked a call for an independent investigation, with over 543 signatures backing urgent reforms for staff and student safety.

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#WA #CitizenPortal #SchoolSafety #CivicAccountability

Mercer Island hearing examiner hears design review for Herzl preK–8 school; staff backs approval amid neighbor parking objections Hearing Examiner Phil Albrecht heard arguments Oct. 31, 2025, on city file DSR‑2059, a proposed three‑story preK–8 school and office building at 3700 E. Mercer Way for the Herzl campus. Applicant teams sought multiple design‑standard deviations including a reduced tree replacement requirement (proposal: 145 replacement trees vs. code’s 441), a 25%“

A proposed three-story school on Mercer Island is facing pushback over parking and tree replacement standards, as neighbors raise legal objections to the ambitious plans.

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#MercerIslandKingCounty #WA #CitizenPortal #CommunityPlanning #UrbanDesign #MercerIslandSchools

Council committee reviews Parks package including funds for graffiti abatement, Camp Long study and multiple capital fixes The Select Budget Committee reviewed a slate of Seattle Parks and Recreation budget amendments proposing one-time and ongoing funding for graffiti abatement, youth sports, park repairs, capital projects and studies. Sponsors emphasized public-safety repairs to neighborhood parks, workforce and youth-program benefits, and a request for a report on a

Seattle's parks are in for a major boost with proposed funding for graffiti removal, historic lodge repairs, and youth sports programs—transforming community spaces for everyone!

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#SeattleKingCounty #WA #YouthEmpowerment #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety #SeattleParks

Budget committee considers amendment to restrict $26 million for sworn SPD hires The Select Budget Committee reviewed amendment SPD 107 to proviso $26 million added for SPD staffing so the funds may be used only for sworn officer hires tied to a hiring initiative. Sponsor Council member Kettle framed the measure as an oversight step given the large dollar amount; several members cosponsored but no vote was recorded on the floor

The Seattle Select Budget Committee is debating a $26 million amendment that could redefine how funds are allocated for sworn officer hires, raising questions about governance and oversight.

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#SeattleKingCounty #WA #CitizenPortal #PublicSafety #BudgetOversight #SeattlePolice

Tubman Health Center leaders ask council for entire $6 million request to build neighborhood clinic Leaders from the Tubman Center for Health and Freedom asked the select budget committee to include the full $6,000,000 project request in the 2026 city budget to support expansion of health services in South Seattle.

Tubman Center leaders are rallying for a crucial $6 million to expand health services in underserved South Seattle, aiming to build a third clinic and promote health justice.

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#SeattleKingCounty #WA #CitizenPortal #HealthJustice #AccessToCare #SeattleHealth #CommunityImprovement