day : 13/11/2017 9 results

ELECTION RESULTS UPDATE: Sheriff-elect Johanknecht, commissioner-elect Calkins

Just after the wind started roaring this afternoon, another round of election results went public. Six days after the election, things are fairly well finalized. Of particular interest here, West Seattleite Mitzi Johanknecht (right) is King County Sheriff-elect; today’s results count widened her lead over incumbent Sheriff John Urquhart to more than 62,000 votes, and he is reported to have conceded. Another incumbent named John also has been ousted – Seattle Port Commissioner John Creighton, almost 22,000 votes behind Ryan Calkins. Only about 14,000 ballots remain to be counted countywide; turnout for last Tuesday’s election is measured at 41 percent. See the full results update here.

WEST SEATTLE WEATHER: Storm updates, PM edition – power outages for thousands; trees down

(SCROLL DOWN for updates … City Light outage map HERE … Power outage tips HERE)

(Added: Late afternoon video from Emma Schmitz Memorial Overlook on Beach Drive)

3:02 PM: After the midday lull, the storm is back at full force, with rain and wind. Since the homeward commute is getting close, we’ll be tracking weather, traffic, and transit closely for the next few hours; the National Weather Service expects the wind to continue through “early this evening.” Updates to come.

4:07 PM: 25-customer power outage in north Morgan Junction, first one in West Seattle this storm. We have been out checking the wind and waves on Beach Drive. If you live there, you might find your trash/recycling bin(s) in the street.

Thanks to the texter who just shared that photo of tree trouble at Alki Playfield.

4:36 PM: Beware of deep road puddling – Harbor Avenue a block north of the bridge and Beach Drive by Weather Watch Park (video above) are two spots we’ve been through so far. (Added) Also, the bottom of the SW Genesee hill between Avalon and Delridge. And there’s a 35-customer power outage south of Schmitz Park.

4:47 PM: Add a Delridge outage south of Thistle. Not mapped yet.

(Photo tweeted by @skwash)

Remember, if stoplights are out, it’s an all-ways stop!

5:04 PM: Thanks for all the updates in comments. We have been stuck in outage traffic on Delridge. Can confirm the outage starts just south of Juneau.

5:24 PM: Back at HQ. Sylvan/Morgan was out until just east of 35th; then on 35th, heading southbound, power went out at Othello. Citywide, more than 64,000 customers are out of power; the big West Seattle outage has at least 3,500 out and commenters are mentioning multiple transformer fires. Other smaller outages too – the Beach Drive area now has a 78-customer outage. Again, as we just experienced firsthand, driving/riding is very slow going and precarious right now – if you can stay where you are for a while, that would be a good thing.

Thanks to Christine for that photo of the tree that fell across north Marine View Drive.

5:46 PM: The Vashon Water Taxi is done for the night, a few runs early, because of “weather-related issues.” But West Seattle IS still running … Also, JRR says in comments that tonight’s Friends of Roxhill Elementary meeting is moved to TOMORROW (Tuesday) because there’s no power at the school. If you have any cancellations/postponements/closures for tonight, please let us know, whether by comments or our other messaging channels, thanks!

Seattle Public Library confirms what a commenter mentioned, that the Southwest Branch has closed early because of the outage. Westwood Village is also reported to be out – we have our crew heading over to check if it’s the entire center.

6:18 PM: Just reported the Westwood Village assessment here. Staples appears to be the biggest store without power:

But it’s NOT a centerwide outage. … UPDATES ON OTHER OUTAGES: Beach Drive is now up to 113 customers, with a midnight restoration estimate (remember that the “estimates” are really just guesses, per City Light, which still has 61,000+ customers out citywide in 138 separate outages) … Three more road notes: Our crew that went to Westwood says Barton has a serious puddle near the crossing from the RapidRide stop; SDOT says a tree is down near California Way/California Lane … and we’re just hearing a dispatch for a tree reported down near 13th and Roxbury. Speaking of Roxbury:

“No frozen foods, but the liquor section is open!” Theresa adds.

6:51 PM: When you get your power back, please let us know via comments or our hotline (text/call 206-293-6302) – we’re watching the City Light map but it doesn’t retain info on when outages end. Meantime, though most of north West Seattle still has power, it has other wind trouble – Mike sent this from 48th/Oregon:

And near California/Hill, a power pole is leaning, and the sender was concerned that there had not been an emergency response there yet, at least as of about half an hour ago:

7:19 PM: Something that’s NOT canceled or postponed tonight – the West Seattle Education Fair (which we’re co-sponsoring) IS on as scheduled, since there’s no outage trouble in The Junction. Until 9 pm at 40th/Edmunds.

Meantime, taking a closer look at the outage map, it appears the big mostly-east West Seattle outage is actually considered two, with a total of more than 7,500 customers. And there are more than half a dozen smaller outages around West Seattle alone, from one customer to more than 100; the restoration guesstimates are all in the 11 pm to midnight vicinity. … The outages might affect your cable even if you have electricity; Michael in North Admiral is only getting one channel, for example.

7:39 PM: From the scanner, 20-foot tree reported down blocking 21st SW in 4100 block [map] on Pigeon Point.

8:46 PM: We’ve been out checking on a few things. The wind has calmed considerably. But the West Seattle power outages haven’t been fixed yet; the eastern half of the biggest one shows a new restoration guesstimate of 2 am. Other repairs will take a while too – just got this photo of a streetlight down on 36th between Andover and Dakota:

There’ll be a lot of sweeping and raking to do tomorrow – lots of leaves and twigs evident on some of the residential streets we just drove.

9:18 PM: Thanks to everyone who has commented/texted to say your power’s back. Should be reflected on the map soon so we know who’s still out.

9:25 PM: Not showing yet so … Highland Park, High Point, Sunrise Heights, Westwood, South Delridge are the areas we’ve heard from so far, as well as southeast Fauntleroy. And … while we haven’t lost power tonight, our lights just flickered. Hoping that’s for a good reason like more restoration. Citywide, City Light now has 46,000 customers left without power.

Meantime, it should be noted that the weather alert has expired as scheduled (it was in effect through 9 pm), so forecasters indeed see things getting back to normal. But there’s still a lot to clean up and repair; firefighters for example have just been sent to the 10100 block of 31st SW for the latest “wires down” call.

10:01 PM: The City Light map now reflects more of the restored areas, with the smaller near-half of the big outage now no longer shown.

MIDNIGHT: SCL still shows more than 4,500 West Seattle customers without power. If you’re among them, please let us know when you get it back.

5:58 AM: Looks like the last major outage pocket is along Delridge north of Orchard/Sylvan.

FOLLOWUP: Metro flat-rate fare gets County Council OK

November 13, 2017 2:50 pm
|    Comments Off on FOLLOWUP: Metro flat-rate fare gets County Council OK
 |   Transportation | West Seattle news

The Metro Transit flat rate proposed this past summer just got approval from the County Council. From the official notice of today’s hearing, here’s what will happen:

The regular fare peak, off-peak and zone fare differential would be eliminated to create a flat regular fare of $2.75. The regular fare would be increased by $0.25 per trip during the off-peak, remain the same for one-zone trips during the peak, and be decreased by $0.50 for two-zone trips during the peak. The youth fare, low-income fare, seniors and persons with disabilities fare, and fares for Access paratransit service would not change. These fare changes would apply to all regularly scheduled public transportation service on buses, trolleys, transit vans, and dial-a-ride vehicles. These changes would take effect July 1, 2018.

Newly re-elected King County Executive Dow Constantine says, “We’ve taken customer feedback and turned it into action.” That feedback was collected last spring.

DEVELOPMENT: Falconridge Farm update; 3084 Avalon apartments; 1250 Alki comments; Fauntleroy upzone discussion

Four development-related notes:

FALCONRIDGE FARM PROPERTY: For those watching the fate of the Highland Park horse farm that’s for sale and could either be preserved or redeveloped into a housing subdivision (which is what the site is zoned for), we noticed over the weekend that an early-stage “preliminary site plan” has been filed with the city for the latter, showing 26 potential home sites. So we checked this morning with farm owner Dr. Jean Nokes, who states emphatically that she hasn’t signed a deal with anyone and is still talking with a multitude of potential buyers, including Pulte Homes, which is who filed the site plan (which is news to her, she told us), four other potential developers, and others who would preserve the farm.

3084 AVALON APARTMENTS: Another “preliminary site plan” in the city system proposes an apartment building at 3084 SW Avalon Way. Avalon of course is awash in apartments but this is notable because it’s just north/west of 3078 SW Avalon, where a long fight over a proposed 100+-unit building ended with the plan being traded for townhouses. This site has the same owner. Nothing publicly visible shows the proposed height or unit count, though it is mentioned that no parking is planned.

NEXT ROUND OF COMMENTS FOR DOWNSIZED 1250 ALKI: When we first reported on the plan for 1250 Alki SW in 2015, it was proposed for 125 apartments. Neighbors argued it was out of scale for the area. Now it’s a six-story, 40-unit project, with 74 offstreet parking spaces, and today’s Land Use Information Bulletin has the official notice of its “shoreline substantial development” permit. This opens a comment period until December 13th; here’s how to comment. The downsized project still is making its way through Design Review.

FAUNTLEROY COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION TO DISCUSS REZONE: Two weeks ago, we reported on an early-stage proposal to rezone 9250 45th SW – a somewhat triangular site in Fauntleroy’s Endolyne business district – for a 5-story mixed-use redevelopment. The Fauntleroy Community Association board will talk about it at its Tuesday meeting (7 pm, Fauntleroy Schoolhouse, public welcome). P.S. As pointed out in comments previously, this site would be upzoned from 30′ to 40′ under the new HALA MHA proposal.

TRAFFIC ALERT: Crash, police investigation on Highland Park Way

11:41 AM: Police are investigating after the driver of a Ford F-150 pickup truck is reported to have hit other vehicles, ending with a crash on Highland Park Way. We have heard the location described as being near West Marginal and being near Othello – and more officers are being summoned for traffic control, so avoid the hill if you can. At least one person is reported to have been injured.

12:16 PM: Adding photo. This is on the uphill (southbound) side, near SW Othello.

WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Police search in South Delridge

10:10 AM: Police are searching in the 17th and Barton vicinity right now for one or two people wanted in what’s been described via scanner as a robbery and hit-run in which someone was reportedly dragged by a stolen car. One suspect has been described as a “possible Hispanic man, 25, heavy set, brown or black wavy hair, small mustache, black hoodie, light T-shirt.” The car’s been found but no one was inside. We’ll update with anything more we find out.

10:31 AM: The search continues, and a K-9 team will be joining. The person who was hurt did not need to be taken to the hospital, we’re told. That part of the incident apparently happened near/at a 13th/Henderson-area construction site (photo added above).

10:37 AM: Added above, a photo of the abandoned stolen car, a blue Subaru with plates starting in AYT. (We don’t know whether it was stolen in West Seattle or elsewhere – it’s not one that we’ve received a reader report about. Police eventually plan to impound it.)

West Seattle Monday: Orca benefit at Endolyne Joe’s; WS Education Fair; Friends of Roxhill; more…

(Anna’s Hummingbird with beautyberries, photographed by Mark Ahlness and shared via the WSB Flickr group)

First – as mentioned in earlier coverage, we’re continuing to watch the weather throughout the day, with a High Wind Warning in effect through 9 pm; thanks again in advance for tips (trees down, power out, etc.) texted/called to 206-293-6302. Now, on with highlights from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

ORCA BENEFIT AT JOE’S: Through 10 pm, dine at Endolyne Joe’s (WSB sponsor) and part of the proceeds go to the Orca Network‘s campaign to free the last Southern Resident Killer Whale in captivity, Tokitae/Lolita. (9261 45th SW)

FOOD TRUCKS DEBUT AT SSC: First day of the new plan for daily food-truck visits at South Seattle College (WSB sponsor), near the Clock Tower.

(Added: WSB photo)

Now through 1 pm, Chicago West is scheduled. See the calendar here. (6000 16th SW)

MEATLESS MONDAYS COOKING @ THE Y: Nationally renowned West Seattle-based chef/cookbook author Kim O’Donnel is continuing to lead cooking classes at the West Seattle YMCA (WSB sponsor) and that includes Meatless Mondays, 10 am and 4 pm today and several other upcoming Mondays – see the schedule/info in our calendar listing. (36th SW/SW Snoqualmie)

COLLEGE ESSAY WORKSHOP: Students working on essays for college applications are invited to the Bureau of Fearless Ideas workshop, 4 pm at Chief Sealth International High School, room 252B. (2600 SW Thistle)

FRIENDS OF ROXHILL ELEMENTARY: Come support the parents and community members working to support the school! 6 pm in the library at Roxhill. (9430 30th SW)

WEST SEATTLE EDUCATION FAIR: WSB is a sponsor of this free event where you can find out more about, and talk with representatives of, 9 local independent schools (both secular and parochial). Just stop by the Alki Masonic Center in The Junction between 7 pm and 9 pm. Free parking in the center’s lot. (4736 40th SW)

‘THE LAST CROISSANT’: This world-premiere play continues at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, 8 pm. Details and ticket info in our calendar listing. (4408 Delridge Way SW)

New benefit 5K in West Seattle: Amazon Turkey Trot next Saturday

November 13, 2017 9:00 am
|    Comments Off on New benefit 5K in West Seattle: Amazon Turkey Trot next Saturday
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | WS & Sports

An addition to this year’s calendar of fundraising run/walks in West Seattle – the first-ever Amazon Turkey Trot is happening in Lincoln Park next Saturday, November 18th, 7:30 am. (It was moved from the originally planned South Lake Union location “due to heavy construction,” according to the event poster.)

It’s a fundraiser for Northwest Harvest, which works with food banks and other parters to fight hunger. Organizers stress that the Turkey Trot is a casual 5K, no timing chips, though they promise a clock at the finish line. There’ll be a “kids’ dash” for 10 and under, too.

Everyone’s welcome to participate, even if you aren’t connected to Amazon – scroll down this page to register.

P.S. We are also including this to the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide, covering the season through New Year’s Day and launching shortly – if you have anything for the guide, please send us the info soon as you can – editor@westseattleblog.com – thank you!

TRAFFIC/TRANSIT/WEATHER: Windy Monday morning; more on the way

(SDOT MAP with travel times/video links; is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE)

6:35 AM: As predicted, the wind has kicked up. No incidents reported so far. One transit alert:

Please let us know about any weather/traffic trouble you see (including power outages), when you can do so safely – text/call 206-293-6302. Thank you.

7 AM: Still no incidents/outages – one person reports a Comcast outage in Belvidere, no way to know if it’s weather-related but they want to remind you to report cable outages too so repair crews will be dispatched quicker. Meantime, the wind advisory is in effect through 7 tonight.

8:05 AM: At least where we are, the wind has quieted somewhat, for now. Still no local incidents reported.

8:23 AM: This is apparently just a break in the wind – the NWS has upped the alert to a High Wind Warning, with possible gusts to 60 mph, in effect through 9 tonight.

9:52 AM: Crash reported, three vehicles, with at least one person hurt, on NB Highway 99 at Yesler.