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Spotlight Stories


  • Shooting

    ALKI ALLEY SHOOTING: Suspect charged

  • Bridge

    WHAT’S NEXT? West Seattle Bridge updates

  • Guide

    WS HOLIDAY GUIDE: Local shopping, events, more

In case you wondered too: Portable neon ‘Power Of’ sign
December 3, 2020 6:10 pm
|      0 COMMENTS
 |   Coronavirus | Seen around town | West Seattle news

Stewart L. photographed that portable neon sign at Don Armeni Boat Ramp last week. We couldn’t figure out what it was for, but tonight we caught up with its minders after Mike sent word it had shown up late today in the parking lot at 44th/Edmunds. They explained that it’s promotion for the Gates Foundation-led initiative PowerOf, encouraging volunteering and donating to help people affected by the COVID-19 crisis. The sign is scheduled to move on shortly; the online schedule says it will be in Columbia City the next three days.

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FOLLOWUP: Where Delridge animal-cruelty case stands, and how it’s part of a troubling trend
December 3, 2020 4:09 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | Pets | West Seattle news

(Seattle Animal Shelter photo, October)

A month and a half after Matthew Hazelbrook‘s arrest, with hundreds of sick or dead animals found on his Delridge property, the survivors are still in the care of the Seattle Animal Shelter. Though – as we reported last month – Hazelbrook is charged with 17 counts of animal cruelty, SAS spokesperson Melissa Mixon tells WSB, “The animals are in the custody of SAS but still the property of the defendant and are not available for adoption at this time. Until we have an owner-surrender, or a court order, the animals cannot be put up for adoption. However, we will be working with our incredible community of foster parents to eventually move some of these animals into foster care.” Meantime, she adds, “We are seeing significant improvement in the health and wellbeing of the more than 200 animals in our care. This includes guinea pigs, rabbits, dogs, chickens, and chinchillas.” If Hazelbrook is found guilty, restitution will be sought to cover what the SAS is spending to care for the animals. The case is making its way through the courts; he has another status hearing next Monday, after pleading not guilty last week.

(WSB photo, October)

This case is part of a troubling trend this year; the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office convened a media briefing today to talk about that trend. So far this year, KCPAO has filed charges in 19 animal-cruelty cases, double the number of recent years – 9 in 2019, 10 the year before that. (Recent cases include another in West Seattle, a Sunrise Heights man accused of duct-taping his dog’s head to try to quiet the dog.) A prosecutor who specializes in those cases, Tali Smith, said the nature of the cases also has evolved – previously, they primarily involved neglect, but now there’s increased violence. Violence against animals often accompanies violence against humans; police and animal-control officers are cross-trained to look for signs of one when investigating allegations of the other.

The Hazelbrook case originated with a tip, according to court documents. If you suspect animal cruelty, we asked, what’s the best thing to do? If it seems to be an urgent life-safety issue, SAS executive director Ann Graves replied, call 911. Otherwise, you can report it to her department, 206-386-PETS (7387). They do investigate, but it often takes time. And their enforcement team isn’t any bigger than it was when she began work 20+ years ago, she said when we asked about its size: 14 animal-control officers for the entire city. If you call to report a possible situation, provide them with as much information you can – what you saw, where you saw it,

The SAS’s other role, of course, is caring for animals if their owners can no longer do so, or need help, reminded Victoria VanNocken from the City Attorney’s Office. Added Graves: “Animal cruelty is not an animal problem, it’s a people problem.”

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UTILITIES: Why 200+ homes will be without water next Tuesday night
December 3, 2020 3:01 pm
|      0 COMMENTS
 |   Pigeon Point | Puget Ridge | Utilities | West Seattle news

Thanks to Pete for the tip. Seattle Public Utilities has been notifying residents of Pigeon Point and Puget Ridge about a planned water outage for about 6 hours next Tuesday night, December 8th, 6 pm until midnight or so. The SPU outage map – which displays planned outages as well as emergencies – shows 200+ homes will be affected, but has no details of the reason for the outage. We asked SPU spokesperson Sabrina Register, who replied: “Seattle Public Utilities water crews will be installing a 12” isolation valve on a nearby water main. This work requires a temporary water outage for some customers in the area. Isolation valves allow smaller sections of a water main to be shut down (impacting fewer customers) when repairs and maintenance are needed in the future. They also provide an additional safety measure should an emergency water main shutdown need to occur.”

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WEST SEATTLE HOLIDAYS: Drive-by Santa; free holiday photos
December 3, 2020 2:32 pm
|      0 COMMENTS
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news

Two more West Seattle holiday notes today, in case you haven’t already seen these in our Holiday Guide:

DRIVE-BY SANTA: Gretchen at Circa (2605 California SW) says, “Santa will be in front of Circa from 5-7 pm this Saturday [December 5] for people to drive by and wave and let kids toss their wish lists into his big red wish box. There will be music and fake snow. The most socially distant Santa!! Heading south on California past Circa will be the best way to enjoy seeing him.” (Gretchen says they’ve been doing the fake snow many evenings, weather permitting, minus Santa, between 5:30 and 6 pm.)

FREE HOLIDAY PHOTOS: Gail Ann Photography will be offering free holiday photo sessions – in exchange for food (or pet-food) donations.- at Fauntleroy Schoolhouse (9131 California SW), 9 am-3 pm December 12-13. No Santa, but lots of holiday cheer. You need to make an appointment – all the info is in our calendar listing.

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DEVELOPMENT: Mayor wants to ban most gas use in multifamily, commercial construction
December 3, 2020 1:20 pm
|      29 COMMENTS
 |   Development | Environment | West Seattle news

Just announced by the mayor’s office:

Seattle Mayor Jenny A. Durkan announced new steps to further electrify buildings using clean energy and ban fossil fuels for most building use. By updating its energy code, the City will ban the use of fossil fuels in new commercial and large multi-family construction for space and most water heating in order to cut down on the significant emissions contributed by the building sector. Space and water heating account for most building gas use according to City and national data. These actions come as new City data show building emissions have been steadily increasing in past years. …

After years of notable progress in reducing climate pollution, Seattle’s most recent greenhouse gas inventory shows that Seattle’s overall core greenhouse gas emissions – emissions from our waste, transportation, and building energy sectors – increased 1.1% since the last report. The largest greenhouse gas emissions increase was the buildings sector, which increased 8.3% between 2016 and 2018, a significant jump. Major factors contributing to the increase in building emissions are new buildings with fossil gas space and water heating, colder winters, warmer summers, and a growing population and workforce. Residents and businesses will be able to view additional data and visualizations by visiting the Office of Sustainability and Environment site. ….

The proposed Seattle Energy Code update includes the following key changes for commercial and large multifamily buildings:

-Eliminates all gas and most electric resistance space heating systems
-Eliminates gas water heating in large multifamily buildings and hotels
-Improves building exteriors to improve energy efficiency and comfort
-Creates more opportunities for solar power
-Requires electrical infrastructure necessary for future conversion of any gas appliances in multifamily buildings …

In 2019, Mayor Durkan issued an Executive Order committing the City to new actions that will support the goals of Seattle’s Green New Deal. In addition to requiring all new or substantially altered City of Seattle buildings operate without fossil fuels, City departments work with the Office of Sustainability & Environment to develop a strategy to eliminate fossil fuel use in existing City buildings, improve data collection and sharing on Seattle’s climate emissions and engage stakeholders like the philanthropic community, business community, labor community, non-governmental organizations, health care community, county and state agencies, state legislators, and tribes achieve the goals of the Green New Deal. …

The Mayor will transmit legislation to City Council at the end of the year. City Council will discuss the legislation, and with their vote of approval, would allow code updates to become effective in the spring of 2021, along with the full suite of Seattle building code changes in line with the statewide building code updates. For more information about the proposed energy code updates, including the proposed code language, visit the Seattle Department of Construction and Inspections energy code web page.

You can read the full announcement here.

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DEVELOPMENT: Comment time for 9201 Delridge Way SW, with an address change
December 3, 2020 11:31 am
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   Delridge | Development | West Seattle news

(Massing sketch from October meeting)

Now that the newest plan for the ex-auto-shop site at 9201 Delridge Way SW has passed the first phase of Design Review (here’s our coverage from October), the project team has applied for a land-use permit, and that’s opened the next round of comments. The project is in the city-circulated Land Use Information Bulletin today with a different address, 9208 20th SW. The proposal is now for a 5-story, 77-unit building – 73 apartments and 4 small efficiency dwelling units, and no offstreet parking. You can comment through December 16th; this notice explains how. The project also will have to have at least one more meeting before the Southwest Design Review Board; no date yet

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HAPPENING TODAY/TONIGHT: 5 notes
December 3, 2020 10:03 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Today’s sunrise, photographed by Marc Milrod)

Here are highlights for the rest of today/tonight:

ONLINE AUCTION: The Kiwanis Club of West Seattle continues its online fundraising auction through Saturday.

DEMONSTRATION: Organizer Scott leads the twice-weekly sign-waving for racial justice, 4-6 pm at 16th/Holden.

(Wednesday’s sunset, photographed by David Hutchinson)

TONIGHT’S SUNSET: 4:18 pm – just one minute short of the year’s earliest sunsets.

WSHS VIRTUAL OPEN HOUSE: 8th grader in the house? Planning to attend, or considering, West Seattle High School? 6:30 pm virtual open house tonight – details in our calendar listing.

EMERGENCY SHELTER: Need a warm place to sleep, or know someone who does? The emergency shelter at the West Seattle Veteran Center, 3618 SW Alaska, will be open again tonight.

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No Children’s Holiday Shopping Spree this year, so West Seattle Rotary has 5 other ways to help local kids
December 3, 2020 9:13 am
|      0 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | Rotary Club of West Seattle | West Seattle news

If not for the pandemic, this coming Saturday would be the day that Rotary Club of West Seattle members and hundreds of other volunteers join forces for the Children’s Holiday Shopping Spree, providing fun and necessities to kids from local schools. Not this year – but the Rotary has five other ways to support kids. with your assistance:

On November 6th, The Rotary Club of West Seattle celebrated 73 years of service to the community. Through our Service Foundation, we address many critical needs of Southwest Seattle kids, from those in elementary school to those graduating from high school or a GED-granting organization.

For over 50 years, we had our Children’s Holiday Shopping Spree at Sears on the 1st Saturday in December with the goal of taking 100 children shopping to be sure they have warm winter clothing, good footwear and essentials.

Due to current and long-term uncertainties with conducting such an event at a large mall, and school counselors identifying a need for a springtime event, we have come up with “Spring for Kids”, a program offering a shopping spree, brunch, and other fun treats at a safe West Seattle location.

“Spring for Kids” is one of five major local area service programs for kids that the West Seattle Rotary Service Foundation supports through donations that come to us through our Club’s members, friends, family, and the West Seattle community:

Spring for Kids – provides high-needs elementary school kids with a springtime clothing shopping spree and a free brunch

Pencil Me In For Kids — provides elementary schools and their kids with supplementary supplies they need and can’t afford.

Youth Life Prep — Through Southwest Youth and Family Services, provides a job-seeking GED graduate with the clothing, resume, and interview skills required to find a job.

Student of the Year – provides a high-needs graduating senior with funds supplementing college/community college tuition for books, food, or housing.

Inspire Kids — Through Southwest Youth and Family Services, provides for underserved elementary school kids and their parents/guardians with extensive social-emotional health services – inspired to say “yes” to healthy behavior.

We have launched a virtual fundraising campaign to help us raise money to support these five important local programs. Please consider a gift to the West Seattle Rotary Service Foundation through our Happy, Hopeful, Kids Campaign: give.westseattlerotary.org/campaign/happy-hopeful-kids/c308750

Questions? Contact Amy Lee Derenthal at amyleed@soundgenerations.org or 206-932-4044 ext. 5.

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ROAD WORK, TRAFFIC, TRANSIT: Thursday 12/3 watch
December 3, 2020 6:12 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:12 AM: Welcome to Thursday, December 3rd, the 255th morning without the West Seattle Bridge.

ROAD (ETC.) WORK

Delridge project: More paving and utility work; see this week’s plan here.

Highway 99 tunnel: Southbound closure this Friday night-Saturday morning, 10 pm-7 am, for maintenance.

TRANSIT

Metro – Regular schedule. Also of note, interim general manager Terry White now has the permanent job.

Water Taxi – Reminder – there will be no Friday afternoon (12/4) service because of dock work

CHECK TRAFFIC BEFORE YOU GO

West Marginal Way/Highland Park Way:

Highland Park Way/Holden:

The 5-way intersection (Spokane/West Marginal/Delridge/Chelan):

Restricted-daytime-access (open to all 9 pm-5 am) low bridge (note: camera ticketing will NOT start today):

The main detour route across the Duwamish River, the 1st Avenue South Bridge (map) . Here are two cameras:

The other major bridge across the river – the South Park Bridge (map). Here’s the nearest camera:

Going through South Park? Don’t speed. (Same goes for the other detour-route neighborhoods, like Highland Park, Riverview, and South Delridge.)

Checking for bridges’ marine-traffic openings? See the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed.

You can see all local traffic cams here; locally relevant cameras are also shown on this WSB page.

Trouble on the roads/paths/water? Let us know – text (but not if you’re driving!) 206-293-6302.

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CORONAVIRUS: Wednesday 12/2 roundup
December 2, 2020 11:59 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Coronavirus | West Seattle news

Here are the local/state pandemic-related toplines:

NEWEST KING COUNTY NUMBERS: First, from the Seattle-King County Public Health daily-summary dashboard, the cumulative totals:

*45,811 people have tested positive, 673 more than yesterday’s total

*878 people have died, 10 more than yesterday’s total

*3,247 people have been hospitalized, 12 more than yesterday’s total

*628,477 people have been tested (this stat is still lagging in a big way due to a state backlog but the state expects to be caught up by Friday)

One week ago, the four totals we track were 41,500/853/3,055/624.246.

STATEWIDE NUMBERS: Find them, county by county, on the state Department of Health page,.

WORLDWIDE NUMBERS: See them, nation by nation, here.

STATE BRIEFING: This afternoon’s weekly briefing by state health officials included some bits of news. In the three days since WA Notify launched, the “exposure notification” system has been downloaded/enabled by 875,000 people. Other stats were worrisome: Hospitalizations are rising. Right now, 1,077 people are in hospitals statewide with confirmed or suspected COVID-19. You can watch the briefing here.

PANDEMIC-DIMMED: This year’s Menashe Family Lights display is nowhere near the usual mega-watt brightness, out of COVID crowd concern, but it’s still Christmas-y.

KEEP YOUR NEIGHBORS WARM: This Sunday (December 6th), 10 am-2 pm, it’s the West Seattle Junction Hometown Holidays Coat Drive – take coats (and/or hats and gloves) to the donation bin on the south end of the West Seattle Farmers’ Market.

GOT INFO? Email us at westseattleblog@gmail.com or phone us, text or voice, at 206-293-6302 – thank you!

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VIDEO: Post-decision, what’s up on and around the West Seattle Bridge? Here’s what the Community Task Force heard
December 2, 2020 9:10 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle Bridge Safety Project | West Seattle news

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

Though the big West Seattle Bridge decision has been made, there’s still a lot going on, and so the Community Task Force will continue.

That’s one of the headlines from the CTF’s online meeting this afternoon. Here’s the video:

Also discussed: Stabilization, repair timeline, West Marginal Way, the low bridge, and more.

Read More

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WEST SEATTLE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS: Menashe Family’s ‘mini’-display
December 2, 2020 7:49 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle Christmas lights | West Seattle news

This year’s mini-display at the Menashe Family‘s home (5605 Beach Drive SW) would qualify as maxi at any other house, but if you are familiar with their usual all-out display, you know these are lights-lite. As we reported last week, the family decided to lighten the display this year so as not to draw crowds and put people at risk of spreading COVID. But they didn’t want to go entirely light-free, so the family put up these decorations last weekend. We stopped by and talked with Josh and Jack Menashe:

They said the family talked about it for two months before deciding to have some decorations up. They stress that you’re welcome to come look but please do it from your car.

They’re hopeful that next year, they’ll be able to go back to the big display they’re known for.

Got lights to recommend for our spotlight? westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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FOLLOWUP: Charges filed in Alki alley shooting
December 2, 2020 5:37 pm
|      42 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

(Sunday’s arrest scene – WSB photo by Patrick Sand)

Three days after a man was shot while driving in an Alki alley, the suspect arrested shortly afterward is charged. The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office has charged 35-year-old Garrett R. Heinemann with first-degree assault and first-degree burglary. The charging documents confirm that the victim is a neighbor of the suspect, in the same block of 60th SW where the shooting happened; the victim moved to Alki, from California, just two weeks ago. He told police he had never seen Heinemann before the shooting, which happened shortly after he left his apartment to drive somewhere to get coffee. He told police the suspect stepped out in front of his car in the alley, stopped him, and then told him to put his hands up, so the victim thought it was a robbery – but without saying anything else, he said, the suspect opened fire. Police say five bullets were fired into the victim’s front windshield, and six into the rear passenger-side window; 10 casings were found around his car.

(SPD photo, Sunday)

Minutes after the shooting, the charging documents say, Heinemann walked into a nearby apartment and attacked one of the two people who were inside; they managed to escape, and he fled out a window. The documents don’t have any information about a possible motive, noting that Heinemann refused to talk with detectives. As we previously reported, and as is noted in the charging documents, he has no criminal history. The charging documents say the gun Heinemann is accused of using, a .40-caliber pistol found at Alki Beach Park, is one that he has owned for eight years, and that he has a concealed-weapons permit. He remains in King County Jail, bail set at half a million dollars. Harborview Medical Center told us Tuesday that the victim had improved to satisfactory condition, though the charging documents note he faces additional surgery.

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WEST SEATTLE HOLIDAYS: Delridge Grocery Co-op offering gift baskets
December 2, 2020 4:20 pm
|      0 COMMENTS
 |   Delridge | Holidays | How to help | West Seattle news

Yet another option for online holiday shopping – the Delridge Grocery Co-op, working toward a food store in the heart of Delridge, is taking orders for gift baskets through December 11th. You can support the co-op and local producers by buying one (or more)! If you haven’t already seen it in our Holiday Guide, here’s the announcement:

The Delridge Grocery Co-op is now selling its first Holiday Gift Basket in addition to its weekly DGC Essentials produce box. Packed full of sweet, savory, spicy, and soft local delights, the DGC Holiday Gift Basket is great for sharing with friends and neighbors, sending as a gift to work colleagues, or treating yourself. Priced at $60 for pickup or delivery, it includes a specially curated selection of delightful foods from local businesses around Seattle and the Pacific Northwest plus a hand-dyed tea towel — all in a reusable wooden half-bushel basket.

You can order the DGC Holiday Gift Basket now through December 11, and it will be available for pickup or delivery on December 19. You can get a box delivered to your home, or specify another West Seattle address to receive the box. (Deliveries are limited to the West Seattle peninsula, as far south as Roxbury.)

Here’s what you’ll get in the DGC Holiday Gift Basket:

Vanilla Salted Caramel Gourmet Popcorn (Cobb’s)
Preserved Lemons (Villa Jerada)
Pickled Green Beans. (Seattle Pickle Co.)
Black Truffle Mustard (Mustard and Co.)
Everything on Everything, Classic Blend (Stocked Kitchen)
Haxan Hot Sauce, Various Flavors (Haxan Ferments)
San Juan Sea Salt Chocolate Bar (Patty Pan Cooperative)
Blueberry Jam (Sidhu Farms)
Shibori-Dyed Indigo Tea Towel (hand-dyed in West Seattle by DGC board member)

Get details on all the Holiday Gift Basket contents at the DGC website.

As for the DCG’s ongoing Essentials Boxes – see our story from earlier this fall.

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Leadership post for West Seattle’s State Sen. Joe Nguyen
December 2, 2020 3:01 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

As the State Legislature gets ready for its mostly online session starting next month, legislators are choosing leaders, and one from our area has been chosen by his colleagues for a major role. 34th District Sen. Joe Nguyen, a West Seattle resident, has been elected as Assistant Floor Leader by the State Senate Democratic Caucus. The announcement explains, “The Assistant Floor Leader supports the Floor Leader in setting Senate floor agendas and works with bicameral and bipartisan leadership to facilitate discussion.” Sen. Nguyen is midway through his first 4-year term and also is on the Transportation, Environment, Energy & Technology, Rules, and Human Services, Reentry & Rehabilitation committees. The legislative session is set to start January 11th.

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HEALTH: Two more flu-shot clinics for Seattle Public Schools students
December 2, 2020 1:38 pm
|      0 COMMENTS
 |   Health | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Thanks to Janel for the tip: Two more outdoor flu-shot clinics open to all Seattle Public Schools students are coming up this month, at Madison Middle School, 8:30 am-4:30 pm December 9th and 1-5 pm December 17th. Here’s the flyer with a QR code you can use:

You can also register by using this form or calling 206-933-7842.

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WEST SEATTLE HOLIDAYS: Two tree lightings to watch this week
December 2, 2020 11:38 am
|      0 COMMENTS
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news | West Seattle online

This year, West Seattle’s two big tree lightings will be viewable from your own cozy home.

OLG VIRTUAL LIGHT UP THE NIGHT, FRIDAY: At 7 pm Friday, Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish & School will be lighting West Seattle’s highest-elevation community Christmas tree (which is at 35th and Myrtle), “with song and joy.” The event will be streamed; viewing info is here.

WEST SEATTLE JUNCTION VIRTUAL TREE LIGHTING, SATURDAY: At 7 pm Saturday, this too will be streamed – as part of West Seattle Junction Hometown Holidays (with community co-sponsors including WSB):

Join together online for a jolly good time, all from the comfort of your living room. Starting at
7 PM, tune into the Junction’s Facebook page as we light up the holidays with a West Seattle tradition – the lighting of the West Seattle Christmas tree!

Listen to the sweet voices of the Endolyne Children’s Choir. The children will bring you some holiday classics the entire family can sing along to, plus some new favorites from the archives.

Then settle in after the tree lighting as Santa reads children’s stories via Facebook and Instagram live, along with answering questions and reading aloud what you would like for Christmas.

These of course are also both listed in our West Seattle Holiday Guide for later reference.

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HAPPENING TODAY/TONIGHT: West Seattle Bridge task force, District 1 Community Network, more
December 2, 2020 9:58 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Today’s sunrise, photographed by Jerry Simmons)

Here are highlights for today/tonight:

WEST SEATTLE BRIDGE COMMUNITY TASK FORCE: Though the mayor’s decided to repair the bridge, this advisory group’s work isn’t over yet. Among today’s topics, low-bridge restrictions and enforcements. The meeting is online at noon; you can watch here.

MENTAL HEALTH 101: 6:30 pm online, first of two sessions presented, free, by Fauntleroy UCC. Details and participation information are here.

DISTRICT 1 COMMUNITY NETWORK: This community coalition for West Seattle and South Park meets online at 7 pm. Topics include ongoing issues such as the pandemic response and the bridge closure. We’re still awaiting a final agenda and viewing information – we’ll add both here after we get them, so check back if you’re interested in attending. (Added: Sorry, we never did receive accurate connection info.)

EMERGENCY SHELTER: If you know, or are, someone who needs a warm place to sleep, the West Seattle Veteran Services Center has opened its emergency shelter at 3618 SW Alaska.

HOLIDAY LIGHTS, SHOPPING, MORE: See our ongoing, frequently updated West Seattle Holiday Guide!

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SCHOOLS: West Seattle HS 8th-grade open house online Thursday
December 2, 2020 9:07 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle online | West Seattle schools

Though the rest of this school year isn’t settled yet, planning for 2021-2022 has to carry on too. If you have an 8th grader planning to go to, or considering, West Seattle High School, this invitation is for you:

West Seattle High School will be hosting our 8th Grade Open House virtually this year on December 3rd. Traditionally we would’ve invited 8th grade families to visit our school campus, meet their potential teachers, and ask any questions they had about us. This year, your 8th Grade families can access our virtual resources to learn more about the opportunities offered to students at WSHS.

We would like families to visit our 8th Grade Open House website. Teachers have made videos to share about some of the classes we offer to freshmen. We also included other resources that are available to all WSHS students and families. Lastly, we will be hosting a Virtual Open House Night on December 3rd from 6:30-7:30 pm via Live Teams Meeting, where key staff and a Student Panel will share important information and opportunities about WSHS. There will be some time at the end for Q&A.

If you have questions, please reach out to Ms. Erica Nguyen at etnguyen@seattleschools.org or Ms. Mallory Neuman at mlneuman@seattleschools.org.

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ROAD WORK, TRAFFIC, TRANSIT: Wednesday 12/2 watch
December 2, 2020 6:07 am
|      0 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:07 AM: Welcome to Wednesday, December 2nd, the 254th morning without the West Seattle Bridge.

ROAD (ETC.) WORK

Delridge project: Paving and utility work continues; see this week’s plan here.

Parking-lot repaving: Work is expected to wrap up today in the lot at West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor)

Highway 99 tunnel: Southbound closure this Friday night-Saturday morning, 10 pm-7 am, for maintenance.

TRANSIT

Metro – Regular schedule

Water Taxi – Regular schedule, but note that there will be no Friday afternoon (12/4) service because of dock work

CHECK TRAFFIC BEFORE YOU GO

West Marginal Way/Highland Park Way:

Highland Park Way/Holden:

The 5-way intersection (Spokane/West Marginal/Delridge/Chelan):

Restricted-daytime-access (open to all 9 pm-5 am) low bridge (note: camera ticketing will NOT start today):

The main detour route across the Duwamish River, the 1st Avenue South Bridge (map) . Here are two cameras:

The other major bridge across the river – the South Park Bridge (map). Here’s the nearest camera:

Going through South Park? Don’t speed. (Same goes for the other detour-route neighborhoods, like Highland Park, Riverview, and South Delridge.)

Checking for bridges’ marine-traffic openings? See the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed.

You can see all local traffic cams here; locally relevant cameras are also shown on this WSB page.

Trouble on the roads/paths/water? Let us know – text (but not if you’re driving!) 206-293-6302.

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CORONAVIRUS: Tuesday 12/1 roundup
December 1, 2020 10:23 pm
|      16 COMMENTS
 |   Coronavirus | West Seattle news

The tenth month to start during the pandemic has begun – here are today’s toplines:

NEWEST KING COUNTY NUMBERS: Here’s today’s daily summary from Seattle-King County Public Health – the cumulative totals:

*45,138 people have tested positive, 732 more than yesterday’s total

*868 people have died, 9 more than yesterday’s total

*3,235 people have been hospitalized, 8 more than yesterday’s total

*627,813 people have been tested (this number remains “frozen” due to the state’s backlog of negative results – but it’s actually 789 higher than yesterday)

One week ago, the totals were 40,736/849/3,030/623.494.

STATEWIDE NUMBERS: See them here.

NATIONAL/WORLDWIDE NUMBERS: 63.8 million cases worldwide, 13.7 million of them in the U.S. – see other nation-by-nation stats by going here.

BRIEFING TOMORROW: State health experts are back to their weekly Wednesday afternoon briefings. You can watch at 2 pm Wednesday – here’s the link.

SAFE HOLIDAYS: Online gift fairs, livestreamed tree lightings, a link list of local independent businesses that offer online shopping, Christmas tree sellers with no-contact tree-buying – it’s all in our West Seattle Holiday Guide, with daily updates and additions.

GOT SOMETHING TO REPORT? westseattleblog@gmail.com or 206-293-6302, text/voice – thank you!

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UPDATE: House-fire callout on SW Roxbury
December 1, 2020 8:00 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle fires | West Seattle news

8 PM: There’s a big residential-fire callout on the county side of the 2400 block of SW Roxbury – that means the North Highline Fire District is the primary agency, but others are being dispatched to help, including some units from the city side of the line. We’re on our way to find out more.

8:15 PM: Roxbury is mostly blocked just east of 26th. The fire was small, we’re told, in a vacant house. No injuries reported.

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SHELTER: West Seattle Veteran Center offers a warm place to sleep
December 1, 2020 6:54 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   Triangle | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

(Photo courtesy West Seattle Veteran Center)

Tonight and every night for the rest of this week, temperatures are expected to drop into the 30s. If you know someone – or see someone – who needs a place to get in out of the cold, the West Seattle Veteran Center has opened its doors. From Keith Hughes:

The West Seattle Veteran Center Cold Weather Shelter opened this evening and will remain open at least through Friday night. The Center is open to all that need a warm place to sleep, veteran or not. It is beautiful with the newly painted walls and newly refinished maple hardwood floors.

The center is in The Triangle at 3618 SW Alaska (here’s a map).

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