The Washington State Patrol has issued a Silver Alert for a missing 72-year-old Burien man, activated through the King County Sheriff’s Office. Silver Alerts are used to help locate missing and at-risk individuals. If you have information about this person, contact local authorities immediately.
The King County Sheriff’s Office Burien-based Southwest Precinct Special Emphasis Team concluded a multi-month drug trafficking investigation on July 14, resulting in three arrests and the seizure of meth, fentanyl, heroin, and more than $95,000. The operation targeted a drug trafficking organization operating across King County. Full details about the suspects and investigation are available from the sheriff’s office.
The Burien Severe Weather Shelter is seeking community donations of clothing and essential items to support its expanding Day Center, which now operates four days a week and offers shower services. The organization serves unhoused and vulnerable residents in Burien and welcomes donations from neighbors who want to help.
A member of a violent home invasion robbery crew was sentenced to 25 years this week for crimes targeting families across Western Washington, including victims in Burien and South King County. The crew conducted multiple robberies in the region, affecting local residents and families in our community.
Washington State Patrol is seeking help solving a shooting that occurred around 6 p.m. on Monday, June 29, 2026, on southbound SR 509. A caller reported being shot at on the highway. Authorities are asking the public for information about a red Jeep believed to be connected to the incident. If you have any details, contact WSP.
The Port of Seattle extended the public comment deadline for its Sustainable Airport Master Plan (SAMP) environmental review from July 21 to August 20 at 5 p.m. Pacific time. The extension gives Burien residents and neighboring communities an additional 30 days to weigh in on near-term airport expansion projects. Comments can be submitted online to SAMP@portseattle.org or mailed to the Port of Seattle.
King County officials are warning residents that wildfire risk is increasing as summers grow hotter and drier across western Washington. Experts say a single ember could spark the next major fire, urging homeowners to “harden” their homes—a protective measure that helps reduce vulnerability to wildfires. This regional threat directly affects Burien residents preparing for fire season.
A Burien man was assaulted following a disturbance at Kent Station on Tuesday, July 21. Kent Police arrested a 38-year-old Kent resident in connection with the assault, while Washington State Patrol made a DUI arrest after responding to a crash report on Highway 167. The incident directly involved a Burien resident, making it relevant to our community.
A King County Metro bus passenger was shot in the chest on July 5 near Fifth Avenue S. and S. Lander Street. Rashad Mackey, 36, is charged with first-degree assault and illegal gun possession after prosecutors say he fired into the bus following an argument. Mackey, a two-strike offender, was arrested and faces potential life in prison; he’s also a suspect in a separate bus knife assault in February.
Sno-Isle Libraries has compiled a comprehensive extreme weather resource guide covering hot weather, poor air quality, and cold weather preparedness. The guide directs South King County residents to cooling and warming centers (including local libraries), safety tips from the CDC and Washington State Department of Health, energy assistance programs, shelter information, and real-time alerts for power outages and road conditions. Many resources are available in multiple languages including Spanish, Mandarin, Korean, Russian, Tagalog, and Vietnamese.
Snohomish County is developing a Road Safety Action Plan to address a 70% increase in serious and fatal traffic injuries from 2014 to 2024. Public Works and the Health Department are inviting residents to take an online survey before September to share safety concerns about county roads. The feedback will help prioritize transportation investments and projects across the county’s 1,600 miles of roads.
King County Sheriff’s Office rescue helicopters are receiving more than $1 million in federal funding, secured by U.S. Rep. Kim Schrier, to upgrade equipment and improve emergency response across western Washington. The money will pay for new instrument panels, rescue hoists, and transmission upgrades to enhance safety and speed for wildfire response, flood evacuations, and mountain rescues. The air support unit serves all of South King County and regularly operates throughout Washington, making this upgrade relevant to Burien residents and visitors.
A multi-agency operation called Operation Guardian led to 21 arrests across Snohomish County for child sexual abuse and exploitation. One of those arrested, Jimy De Paz Perez, 24, is from Burien. The Washington State Patrol’s Missing and Exploited Children Task Force coordinated the effort involving over 30 law enforcement agencies. Charges include rape, commercial sexual abuse of minors, and other related offenses.
Sound Transit will temporarily change Link light rail service later this month and into early August for scheduled maintenance work. While specific details aren’t provided, Burien residents who use the light rail system should watch for service adjustments during this period. Check Sound Transit’s website for exact dates and alternate routes to plan your commute accordingly.
King County has reminded trail users that e-motorcycles are prohibited on county trails and is urging all users to slow down and keep trails safe. While based in Bellevue, this county-wide policy affects Burien residents who use local trails and parks maintained under King County regulations.
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is proposing a year-round closure on recreational scallop harvesting statewide to protect public health from biotoxins like paralytic shellfish poisoning. If approved, the closure takes effect late December 2026 and affects all recreational scallop diving and intertidal harvesting. Public comments are due by September 14, with a virtual hearing August 5 at 5:30 p.m. The Fish and Wildlife Commission will decide in October.
Drivers in south King County should plan for nighttime lane and ramp closures on I-5 and SR 509 in Kent and SeaTac from Monday, July 27 through Friday morning, July 31, according to the Washington State Department of Transportation. While the closures are in neighboring cities, they may affect Burien residents commuting on these major regional corridors during that week.
A seaplane carrying 11 people crashed Thursday at about 5:20 p.m. near Sucia Island in the San Juan Islands, roughly 80 miles north of Seattle, and caught fire. All aboard were rescued by Coast Guard, good Samaritan vessels, and other agencies and transported to hospitals. The de Havilland DHC-3 Otter, operated by Kenmore Air, was traveling from Lake Union in Seattle to Roche Harbor when it went down in Shallow Bay. The FAA will investigate the cause.
Washington is heading into peak wildfire season with dangerous dry conditions statewide. The National Weather Service issues Red Flag Warnings when weather and environmental factors—very low humidity, strong winds, potential lightning, and extremely dry fuel—create rapid wildfire spread conditions within 24 hours. Western Washington residents should prepare now by creating defensible space around homes, avoiding outdoor burns, and staying alert for fire weather alerts through August.
Seattle and Redmond police have reported a surge in roofing scams targeting elderly homeowners since April 2025, with 22 victims losing nearly $932,000 in the Seattle area alone. Scammers use unsolicited door knocks, false damage claims, and pressure tactics to extract large payments without written contracts. The Roofing Contractors Association of Washington warns Puget Sound homeowners to verify L&I registration, demand written estimates, check reviews, and hire local, established contractors to protect themselves.
As we mark 137 years since Seattle’s devastating 1889 Great Fire, meteorologists warn that warmer, drier conditions forecast for Western Washington this summer could increase wildfire risks across the region. With mountain snowpack at 50% of average, below-normal rainfall, and seasonal forecasts favoring warm, dry weather through September, communities including those in South King County face potential wildfire threats. Residents can prepare now by creating defensible space around homes, trimming vegetation, and clearing gutters.
Marine scientists are monitoring Puget Sound closely as Washington’s current heat wave drives residents to beaches. The warming waters pose potential ecological concerns that researchers are tracking as surface temperatures rise, though specific impacts and findings remain under investigation.
An Oregon man has been charged with nine counts of unlawfully fishing for protected sixgill and sevengill sharks in Puget Sound, following a months-long investigation by Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Police. Connor Seifert, 27, allegedly posted photos and videos on social media showing him catching and handling the sharks for trophy photos. Fishing for these protected species is illegal in Washington waters because Puget Sound serves as a nursery for young sharks during a critical phase of their lives.
An Oregon man named Connor Seifert faces 10 counts after allegedly illegally catching and wrestling protected sixgill and sevengill sharks in South Puget Sound near Pierce County. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife says the trauma from these incidents likely caused pregnant sharks to lose their pregnancies. Seifert was charged with nine misdemeanor counts of unlawful recreational fishing and one count of false statement to a public servant after months of investigation.
A Seattle man has been charged with shooting a passenger on a King County Metro bus on July 5 near Fifth Avenue South and South Lander Street. Rashad Mackey, 36, allegedly fired into the bus after accusing people of taking his phone, striking a victim in the chest. As a three-strike offender with prior felony convictions, Mackey faces potential life in prison. He is also suspected in a separate February 2026 knife assault on a bus.
Law enforcement arrested 21 people across Snohomish County this week in “Operation Guardian,” a multi-agency task force targeting child sexual exploitation. One arrestee, De Paz Perez Jimy, 24, is from Burien. The Washington State Patrol’s Missing and Exploited Children Task Force coordinated the operation involving 30 agencies statewide. Charges under review include attempted rape of a child, commercial sexual abuse of a minor, and sexual exploitation of a minor.
SE May Valley Road near Issaquah-Hobart Road will close completely starting June 15 for up to 10 weeks to replace the 1932-era Fifteen Mile Creek Bridge #493C. The full closure affects all vehicles, pedestrians, and bicycles, with a signed detour route in place. The new bridge will add safety features including 8-foot shoulders for walking and biking, modern railings, and increased span length to improve creek flow and reduce flooding risk.
King County officials are warning residents about increased drowning hazards on local rivers this summer following December flooding. The advisory comes as water conditions remain unpredictable in the region’s waterways. Burien residents who enjoy river activities should stay alert to changing conditions and heed safety warnings from county authorities.
Washington’s Department of Agriculture will conduct its annual Spartina (cordgrass) eradication efforts from June 1 through November across state estuaries, including Puget Sound, Grays Harbor, and Willapa Bay. The invasive weed threatens salmon habitat, shellfish industries, and native ecosystems. The state has reduced infestations from over 9,000 acres in 2003 to 6.4 acres in 2025, though 60% of 202 infested sites remain.
Washington State Ferries is preparing for increased travel demand during the 2026 FIFA World Cup, when Seattle will host six men’s soccer matches. WSF plans to keep 20 of its 21 vessels available, deploy extra crews and staff, and prioritize service on busy Central Puget Sound routes including Seattle-Bainbridge Island, Seattle-Bremerton, and Edmonds-Kingston. Residents using ferries during the June-July event should check the WSDOT app for schedules and real-time updates.
A deadly shooting occurred at a family graduation celebration in Kent on E. Cherry Hill Street when an argument between several people escalated into a physical fight. A 40-year-old suspect shot a 41-year-old man multiple times; the victim was pronounced dead at the scene despite life-saving efforts. Kent police arrested the suspect at the scene and recovered the weapon. The investigation is ongoing.
The King County Medical Examiner’s Office identified Frank Huy Ho, 33, as the man who died in a July 19 shooting incident in SeaTac near South 192nd Street and 16th Avenue South. Ho died from a gunshot wound to the head, and the manner of death was ruled suicide. The incident prompted a large police response near Sea-Tac Airport and area closure for investigation.
A petition is calling on NOAA and U.S. Fish and Wildlife to investigate after a third harbor seal was shot in the head in Washington over the past 11 months. The most recent incident involved a three-week-old seal pup found near Bellingham tide flats and taken in by Sealife Response, Rehabilitation and Research. Advocates say the shootings stem from a misconception that seals deplete salmon populations, though harbor seals primarily eat sole, flounder, and other fish species.
Crime Stoppers is seeking information about the February 1, 2025 killing of 21-year-old Hamze Elmi in Federal Way, which occurred in his yard as he walked home from work. A masked suspect fired seven shots at Elmi, who was pronounced dead at the scene. Though video captured the suspect, investigators need community tips to solve the case. Crime Stoppers offers up to $1,000 anonymously, plus an additional $10,000 from the family—call (800) 222-TIPS.
Snohomish County, which includes Edmonds and Lynnwood, ranks as medium risk for radon gas exposure in the Puget Sound area. Counties closest to the Cascade and Olympic mountain ranges have the highest radon risk. Radon is a naturally occurring gas that seeps through foundation cracks and can cause lung cancer if inhaled, especially for smokers. Washington State offers a detailed radon map by ZIP code to check risk levels in your area.
A 60-year-old man died Tuesday morning after his kayak sank in Puget Sound near Dash Point Park in Pierce County, according to the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office. While this tragic incident occurred in the broader Puget Sound region, it happened outside Burien and did not directly involve local residents or services.
Puget Sound Fire, based in Kent, is hosting a town hall to help residents in Covington, Maple Valley, and parts of Kent prepare for potential summer wildfires amid forecasts of hotter, drier conditions. While the fire district serves some nearby areas, this event is not directly in Burien and doesn’t affect our community.
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife issued an emergency closure on June 2 for salmon, steelhead, and game fish in the Snohomish Basin (which includes the Snohomish, Skykomish, and Snoqualmie rivers) to protect wild chinook salmon. Fewer than 3,500 wild chinook are forecasted to return to the basin in 2026, prompting the closure of key fishing areas including the mainstem Skykomish and Snoqualmie River below Snoqualmie Falls through summer and fall 2026.
This news roundup covers national and regional stories with limited direct relevance to Burien. Notable items include a fatal police shooting in Madison, Wisconsin; Amazon layoffs from its AI team; Seattle-area job market shifts away from tech toward trucking and security roles; a national cyclosporiasis outbreak; and a woman rescued from Puget Sound near Edmonds. Most stories affect the broader region or nation, though the Seattle job market trend may indirectly touch King County residents.
This regional news roundup covers environmental and wildlife topics across the Salish Sea area, including tidegate repair disputes in Skagit County, water supply forecasts for Washington’s Columbia Basin, kelp forest monitoring in Puget Sound near Tacoma, and a rare tufted puffin sighting near Olympia. While these stories affect the broader Puget Sound region, none directly involve Burien or directly impact local residents.
Kent’s East Pioneer Street will have its south lane closed weekdays from 6 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. through mid-August for a Sound Transit Sounder parking garage project. While this is regional transit infrastructure news, it primarily affects Kent drivers rather than Burien residents directly.
The City of University Place is promoting environmental stewardship for Puget Sound through activities like boating, fishing, and shoreline recreation. The campaign encourages residents to take small actions to protect the waterway. While Burien residents may visit Puget Sound, this initiative is specific to University Place and has limited direct impact on our community.
King County Wastewater Treatment is starting sewer pipe repairs near Lowman Beach in West Seattle, continuing work from a 2022 pipe break. Crews will rebuild 350 feet of damaged pipe under Beach Drive SW starting tomorrow, with one-lane alternating traffic and steel plates expected. The park will remain open during construction, with full road and park restoration scheduled for fall 2026.
Weekly Volcano’s July 17 newsletter covers regional Tacoma-area news including a fraudulent locksmith scam warning, the Tacoma Bon Odori Festival on August 1, and the reopening of Point Defiance’s Loop Trail. While most coverage focuses on Tacoma, some items like Pierce County election information and the Washington State Fair may interest Burien residents in the broader South King County area.