Improved services coming to unincorporated King County

On Jan. 4 King County announced the 250,000 residents and businesses in unincorporated King County now has its own department to help meet their needs.

After nearly a year of planning, the Department of Local Services is now officially up and running as a standalone department, according to a media release.

Local Services serves as a virtual city hall and is broken up into three divisions — Permitting, Road Services and Community Service Area.

The department features a 500 employee staff who will focus solely on those in unincorporated areas, the release stated.

For more information, you can visit https://kingcounty.gov/local-services or contact Local Services at ASKLocalServices@kingcounty.gov.

Cold weather help

There are still many people in King County including Covington and Maple Valley without power.

While crews are working to restore power, there are various locations throughout the ares open to people during the day to charge their phones or get warm.

Those open locations include:

• King County Library Kent, 212 2 Ave. N. — Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.

• King County Library Covington, 27100 164 Ave. SE — Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.

• King County Library Maple Valley, 21844 SE 248 St. — Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.

• King County Library Black Diamond, 24707 Roberts Drive — Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.

• King County Library Enumclaw, 1700 1 St. — Monday through Thursday, 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.

• Covington City Hall, 16720 SE 271 St. — 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

• Real Life Church, 26201 180 Ave. SE, Covington — 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

For anyone who needs assistance after hours and live in the Puget Sound Regional Fire Authority response area, call 253-886-1181.

City seeks commission member

The city of Maple Valley announced last week the council is currently looking for someone interested in serving as an Economic Development commissioner.

The Economic Development Commission makes recommendations to the council by researching and studying topics related to economic development, according to a release from the city.

The commission also provides an annual report to the council to ensure transparency, the release added.

In order to qualify for the position, the person must have experience in business finance and who is currently or has worked at a financial institution including a bank, credit union, etc.

The member will serve out the remainder of a two year term which ends in December 2020.

The nine member commission meets every month on the second Tuesday from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. at Maple Valley City Hall.

The deadline to apply is 5 p.m. Friday, Jan. 18.

Applications can be picked up at City Hall or accessed via online at www.maplevalleywa.gov.

Questions regarding this position, contact Tim Morgan, Economic Development Manager or Andrew Dacuag, Deputy City Clerk at 425-413-8800.

Youth symphony auditions

Auditions to join Maple Valley Youth Symphony Orchestra will be held Monday, Jan. 14 at Taylor Creek Church.

To join the Symphony, Junior Symphony or Philharmonia auditions are required while auditions are not required for the Debut Orchestra or Jam Club.

To register for an audition, visit www.mvyso.org/auditions.