Also in this edition: Watch New Years Eve Virtual Spectacular Celebration, and One-Week Extension of Statewide Restrictions



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2020 presented unprecedented challenges for cities across the world.While manyfamiliesfaced grief and loss,we saw the resiliency, compassion and determination of ourcommunity,neighbors, friends, essential workers, and first responders to respond to a once in a lifetime pandemic and economic crisis.

As we weather the crisesof2020, the City of Seattle has made newand significant investments to help our residents, businesses, and city emerge stronger, more just and equitable fromthese crises.Because of the commitments of Seattle residents, our City now has one of the lowest rates ofCOVID-19cases of any major city. In addition tofollowing public health guidanceto help reduce the spread of COVID-19, the City has also created anumber of programs to respond to the virus [ [link removed] ]like grocery vouchers, smallbusinessgrants, rentalassistance, and utility assistance.

Hope is on the horizonwith a vaccine. Ourfirst responders, emergency medical technicians (EMTs), paramedics, healthcare workers, and workers and residents of Long Term Care Facilities are among the first vaccinated against COVID-19.Early next year, I will announce the Citys planto ensure our residents and workers as vaccinated as thedoses of vaccineincreases.As vaccines are more widely distributed, we will focus on reopening and our economic recovery, especially downtown.

Beyond our pandemic response, there are many accomplishments to be proud of. In 2020,we began to reimaginecommunitysafety, with theexpansionalternatives to policing likeHealth One [ [link removed] ]programand $100 million of new investments in racial equity.Thisyear, the City, Seattle Colleges, and Seattle Public Schools celebrated thelargest enrollment in Seattle Promise [ [link removed] ]in the programs history.In 2020, we were civicallyengagedand elected a new President who will work with Seattle not against all our shared values.In 2020, we also announced our largestinvestmentin affordable homes to date, including 600 newunits of permanent supportive housing for individuals experiencinghomelessness that will open in 2021. The City has now invested $1.7 billion in housingleveraging$400 million of City funds to build6200 affordable homes.In 2020, we also passed a budget thatexpands ourfundingin homelessness,so we can bring moreindividualsoff the street and into safer spaces.I also announced that the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) is moving forward to continuerepairs to the West Seattle High-Rise Bridge [ [link removed] ]- another unexpected challenge of 2020.

2020 has beenhard. Yet, in 2021Illbe hopeful. Cities like Seattle will build back stronger, better and more equitable. We still have some tough months ahead, but we have the grit and determination to not just get through them, but to create a better future for the next generations.

May the New Year bring us all peace, joy, and happiness. Goodbye 2020 and hello 2021.

As always, please continue to write me [email protected], reach out viaTwitter [ [link removed] ]andFacebook [ [link removed] ], and stay up-to-date on the work were doing for the people of Seattle onmy blog. [ [link removed] ]

Stay Safe, and Healthy,

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Stay Home, Dont Gather and Watch New Years Eve Virtual Spectacular Celebration!

The Space Needle will usher in 2021 with a sensational and innovative new show broadcast locally on KING 5 and streamed around the world for T-Mobile New Years at the Needle. This years celebration will feature striking visuals in a wondrous display of digital effects, engineered to bring viewers bigger thrills than ever before all safely from the comfort of home. For the eighth year in a row, hometown partner T-Mobile, Americas Un-carrier, is the exclusive sponsor of the West Coasts premier New Years Eve celebration.

Using sky-mapping technology and real video footage, the Space Needle will be layered with immersive, digital artistic expressions to create an illusion of color and wonder. In reality, the tower will be lit in T-Mobiles distinctive magenta color, but on their screens, viewers will be dazzled by a virtual spectacular surrounding the Space Needle and the skies above.

Read more [ [link removed] ]
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Mayor Durkan Joins Mayors Across The Globe To Celebrate New York's First Ever Virtual New Year's Eve

Mayor Durkan gives a New Years Eve message, with the Seattle skyline behind her

Organizers of the famed New Year's Eve Ball Drop Celebration are bringing the world's biggest party right to your home, live and direct from the crossroads of the world, Times Square.Jamestown [ [link removed] ], owner of One Times Square home of the iconic New Year'sEve Ball has collaborated with Ultimate Gamer, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Samsung, and others to create a first-of-its-kind virtual New Year's Eveexperience [ [link removed] ]to allow people to ring in the New Year safely.

View Mayor Durkans Video Here [ [link removed] ]
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Inslee Announces One-Week Extension of Statewide Restrictions

Gov. Jay Inslee this weekannounced a one-week extension of the "Stay SafeStay Healthy"proclamation [ [link removed] ], along with the statewide restrictions imposed. The extension of the statewide restrictions will now expire on January 11, 2021. No changes were made in the proclamation aside from the expiration date.

"Our consistent mission has been keeping Washingtonians safe and ensuring health care system and hospital capacity," Inslee said. "We understand the profound impact COVID is having on our healthcare system, families, and businesses, but I am heartened by the number of Washingtonians who continue to do the right thing. If we continue distancing from others, wearing facial coverings and avoiding social gatherings, we will make it to the other side of this pandemic together.

Read more [ [link removed] ]
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WEEKEND LISTEN: NPR: Seattle Helps People Living In Vehicles Get Rid Of Waste. Meet The Man Who Does It

Seattle's public utility has designated an employee to knock on RV doors around the city and ask if the occupants want their sewage tank pumped.

"A couple years ago, Seattle faced a problem. The number of homeless people in the city was increasing, and many were living out of old RVs. Since there was no place to empty their waste water, much of it ended up spilled onto the streets and in the storm drains. Then Seattle Public Utilities assigned one of its employees to deal with it. Reporter Erin""Slomski-Pritz""spent a day with him."

Read more [ [link removed] ]
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