Comm Briefs

The City of Seattle is seeking applicants to fill three open positions on the Seattle Renters' Commission, which is responsible for providing information, recommendations and guidance to the mayor, Seattle City Council and city departments on issues and policies affecting renters.

Seattle Public Library, in collaboration with United Way of King County and AARP, is offering free in-person tax help to Seattle residents from Jan. 26 to mid-April at 11 library locations.

Youth 18 years and younger can ride transit for free with a Youth ORCA card, which can be obtained at FreeYouthTransitPass.com or through their school.

The Seattle Public Library is hosting its 106th Summer of Learning, offering free programs, activities, and challenges for kids and teens to read, learn, and grow throughout the summer.

The Washington State Department of Transportation is soliciting public input on rail-related issues to inform the updated State Rail Plan, set for submission to state and federal leaders in early 2026.

The Seattle Public Library has organized an array of spring break activities for children, teenagers, and families, featuring writing workshops, arts and crafts, games, film screenings, and additional engaging events. All programs are free and accessible to the public.

The Seattle Public Library, in collaboration with United Way of King County and AARP, is providing complimentary in-person tax preparation services at 12 library locations until mid-April, with walk-in tax assistance available at the Central Library and South Park Branch, and AARP tax assistance at 10 additional locations.

The City of Tacoma will hold its annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration on January 20, 2025, at the Greater Tacoma Convention Center. The event will feature the presentation of the Lifetime Service Award to Shawn Durnen and the Emerging Leader Award to Brian Gatewood. Additionally, a community outreach fair will take place in the lobby.

The City of Tacoma's Equity in Contracting Program, in collaboration with the Washington State Office of Minority and Women's Business Enterprises, will conduct a two-part workshop series in January 2025. This initiative aims to aid minority, women, and disadvantaged business owners in understanding the OMWBE certification process, thereby enhancing their access to new contracting opportunities.

Seattle police are investigating a series of violent incidents across the city, including a mass shooting in the Chinatown-International District, a fatal shooting in West Seattle, and a stabbing in North Seattle, with detectives working to solve the cases.