External Articles

Articles from around the area, including re-prints from various newspapers (provided under Fair-Use provision.) These are information only, which means that many, Many, MANY of these do not represent my point of view. (Seriously, they don’t.) I just want you to know what’s out there being discussed by electeds that concern Des Moines.

The Trading Musician gets triumphant follow-up with Re-Animated Music

January 15, 2026February 2, 2026

Gaelen Johnson, age 12, rocks out on a B.C. Rich guitar at Re-Animated Music on Jan. 13 in Seattle. Johnson, who comes to Re-Animated Music after doctor’s appointments at Seattle Children’s, likes the shop because of the many skeletons posted around on the walls and the “cool shaped guitars.” (Jennifer Buchanan / The Seattle Times)

Where Did All the American-Born Roofers Go?

January 14, 2026January 31, 2026

The real story of how immigrant labor came to define the construction industry. Listen to this article · 14:19 min Learn more Share full article 822 By Ronda Kaysen and Robert Gebeloff Ronda Kaysen interviewed 60 laborers, industry leaders and academics, and Robert Gebeloff analyzed current and historical census data. Published Jan. 14, 2026Updated Jan. 20, 2026 Matthew Moore, left, and Mariano

WA could regulate Flock Safety and other license-plate readers in 2026

January 3, 2026January 3, 2026

A Flock Safety camera is covered with black plastic earlier this month at an Olympia intersection. City officials there decided to halt use of the cameras and take them down. (Karen Ducey / The Seattle Times) A Flock Safety camera is covered with black plastic earlier this month at an Olympia intersection. City officials there

Drone footage captures removal of thousands of tires from Puget Sound

December 30, 2025January 6, 2026 JC Harris

In this KING 5 update, the Environment Northwest team gets exclusive access to Washington state’s cleanup. This reverses a failed plan to submerge artificial reefs. OLYMPIA, Wash. — Vernon Stoner has grown accustomed to the rhythmic industrial symphony outside his Olympia waterfront home. The noise recently heard on Puget Sound is the groan of hydraulics,

Flood notices incited ‘chaos’, mayors say

December 26, 2025January 31, 2026

The area where the Desimone levee was breached is seen along the Green River in Tukwila on Friday. Soon after the breach, the National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning to about 46,000 residents and… (Erika Schultz / The Seattle Times)More By Greg Kim Seattle Times staff reporter Some mayors in South King County

As WA’s coal ban looms, Montana wind fills only some of the energy gap

December 7, 2025December 15, 2025

Kyle Sullivan, now the plant manager at the Beaver Creek wind farm in Stillwater County, Mont., stands within the base of a wind turbine last summer. The 248-megawatt project, owned by Puget Sound Energy, came online in August and cost the utility $530 million. (Erika Schultz / The Seattle Times) Kyle Sullivan, now the plant

Seattle passes 70% college grads for first time

November 29, 2025November 29, 2025

Downtown Seattle from the Space Needle on October 15. Seattle is the only major U.S. city where 70% of the population 25 and older graduated from a four-year college, writes FYI guy. (Kevin Clark / The Seattle Times) Downtown Seattle from the Space Needle on October 15. Seattle is the only major U.S. city where

WA cities reconsider Flock traffic cameras as judge rules their data is public

November 18, 2025December 12, 2025

Flock Safety security cameras are installed at both entrances to the Bel-Aire Estates on July 10, 2019, in South Aurora, Colo. The cameras are designed to capture license plates coming in and out of the the neighborhood. (Andy Cross / The Denver Post) By Catalina Gaitán Seattle Times breaking news reporter Jurisdictions across Washington, including

In Alaska, fishers struggle to keep orcas from their catch

November 16, 2025November 22, 2025

Omar Sørvik stands next to his invention, the Sago Solutions capsule, aboard the fishing boat Oracle in May in Dutch Harbor. Sørvik and a team from the International Pacific Halibut Commission recently tested the capsule, which is designed to protect a longline catch from hungry whales. (Loren Holmes / Anchorage Daily News) Omar Sørvik stands

The Playbook: How the winter months impact worker anxiety, productivity

November 10, 2025November 22, 2025

By Marq Burnett – Associate Editor, The Playbook, The Business Journals Nov 10, 2025 Editor’s Note: Welcome to The Playbook Edition, a look at stories, trends and changes that could affect your business. Want more stories like this in your inbox? Sign up for The Playbook newsletter. Winter months mean new anxieties for workers As temperatures drop and

Public Service Announcements

Upcoming Events

Ongoing Stuff

Get vaccinated! Yeah I know you’d like to forget about it, but there are new variants and the infection rate is climbing. Fortunately, there is an effective booster, which is recommended for people 65 and older and those who are immuno-compromised. It is available now, effective, free and you can get your appointment today here and here , including walk-Ins at SAFEWAY, Walgreen’s, Rite-Aid, SeaMar and Healthpoint.

Sign up for the King County Code Red Alert program. When you sign up for Code Red you’ll be notified immediately when there is a possible health threat. After the recent ‘Boil Water Notice’ I received just a few grouses that ‘it did not work’. I’m 99% certain that the problem is that you have to actually sign up for an account. Do It! There is this ‘guest’ option which is stupid and should not even be an option. Everyone who had an account in their system was notified. If you’re like me and signed up ten years ago (after the last notification), go to the site immediately and verify your account. Ten years is a long time for any computer system.
Check out the 223rd Green Street Project web site and take the 223rd Green Street Survey before December 11th!
Check out the Des Moines Marina Steps web site and take the Marina Steps Survey.
If you’re interested in any of our Kids or Senior activities, you can sign up here.
Learn more about our Comprehensive Plan and take the Housing Action Plan Survey.
Take the City Communication and Engagement Survey
Give blood! Schedule an appointment today. There is a CODE RED emergency shortage.
Masonic Home! There is a petition for those who are interested in historic preservation of the property. If you have questions, don’t contact me. Contact Barbara McMichael and Lloyd Lytle Jr
Community Service Officer Tonya Seaberry wants to hear from neighborhood groups interested in establishing block watch programs: Tseaberry@desmoineswa.gov or 206-878-3301.
City Of Des Moines Minor Home Repair Program: Low to moderate income households can get grants to do all sorts of necessary repairs. Email Tina Hickey (206) 870-6535.
Every home should have a Carbon Monoxide Detector–especially during the colder months! Full stop. If you need one but money is tight, South King County Fire And Rescue will get you one. Just call their Community Affairs Office at 253-946-7347.
And last, but not least: If your home has Port Package (sound insulation system) that is having issues, please go to SeatacNoise.Info

How to attend meetings and provide Public Comment

Meetings take place at City Hall 21630 11th Avenue S., Suite #C Des Moines WA 98198. They can also be viewed live:

Via Zoom (click here)
On Comcast Channel 21/321
On the City’s YouTube channel.

Meetings generally occur on the first, third and fourth Thursday of every month at 6:00PM. There is also Committee Of The Whole on the first Thursday of the month beginning at 5:00pm. Check the City Calendar for special meetings and agenda

You do not have to sign in to attend a meeting! The sign-in sheet is only for people wishing to make a Public Comment.

There are four ways to provide Public Comment:

In person: Show up a few minutes before the meeting and sign the sheet. Public Comment is usually conducted at the beginning of the meeting.
Zoom: To sign up, call (206) 870-6552 or email cityclerk@desmoineswa.gov the City Clerk by noon Wednesday — the day before the meeting.
E-mail: All e-mails sent to citycouncil@desmoineswa.gov are considered public comment. They are instantly available to all members of the City Council and the City Clerk who includes them into the record of public comments at the next meeting.
US Mail: Attn: City Clerk Office, 21630 11th Avenue S., Des Moines WA 98198. Please provide us with your first and last name and the city in which you live.

All public comments are added to the Agenda Packet available on the City web site following each meeting.

All letters or e-mails requesting a specific action are referred by the City Clerk to the appropriate City department.

If you would like a follow up from me, personally, please indicate that or call me (206) 878-0578.

The Clerk does not read e-mails to the Council in full; only the subject line. However, we do see them as soon as you send them.

External Articles

The Trading Musician gets triumphant follow-up with Re-Animated Music

Where Did All the American-Born Roofers Go?

WA could regulate Flock Safety and other license-plate readers in 2026

Drone footage captures removal of thousands of tires from Puget Sound

Flood notices incited ‘chaos’, mayors say

As WA’s coal ban looms, Montana wind fills only some of the energy gap

Seattle passes 70% college grads for first time

WA cities reconsider Flock traffic cameras as judge rules their data is public

In Alaska, fishers struggle to keep orcas from their catch

The Playbook: How the winter months impact worker anxiety, productivity

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