West Seattle, Washington

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year : 2019 3571 results

UPDATE: The case of the disappearing speed humps
January 6, 2019 6:03 pm
|      19 COMMENTS
 |   Safety | Transportation | West Seattle news

ORIGINAL REPORT, 6:03 PM SUNDAY: This weekend we’ve heard from several readers pointing out that the Beach Drive speed humps south of Emma Schmitz Memorial Overlook have been removed, and wondering if they’ll be replaced. The signage is now covered.

Apparently nearby residents were not notified, as some of them are among the readers who’ve contacted us. We’ll be asking SDOT first thing tomorrow, but in the meantime, we’re mentioning it so area drivers/riders are aware and in case someone out there does know what the removal is all about. These speed humps date back to the ’00s and are on a straightaway section that was particularly popular with street racers; Beach Drive then got another set, near Constellation Park, just two years ago.

UPDATE, 12:42 PM MONDAY: SDOT spokesperson Dawn Schellenberg tells WSB the speed humps WILL be replaced, but not for a while:

The speed humps were damaged, and we removed them so that they wouldn’t be a hazard. Multiple maintenance visits had been made and they’d reached the point where we could no longer maintain them. We anticipate replacing them with permanent (asphalt) humps this summer in the same spot and generally the same configuration.

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West Seattle windstorm aftermath: Harbor Avenue closure, other City Light updates
January 6, 2019 1:53 pm
|      22 COMMENTS
 |   Utilities | West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

Post-windstorm updates:

1:53 PM: That’s the reason Harbor Avenue SW is closed by Jack Block Park – as we first reported in a 3:33 am update during our overnight storm coverage, the wind (gusting up to 60 mph) took down a pole and wires. Bicycles and pedestrians were being allowed through when we walked in for the photo a bit earlier. The 300+ Seattle City Light customers out in that area represent the largest outage remaining on the map for West Seattle, but SCL still has more than 9,000 customers out in more than 100 separate outages around its service area, so its crews have a lot of work ahead. Some restoration work might temporarily lead to new outages, SCL explains (which has happened in parts of unincorporated North Highline, including North Shorewood, as crews work on a broken pole that handles three “feeders”).

5:17 PM: More than 500 customers are still out in West Seattle, including the 300+ in the Harbor vicinity, one of 100+ different outages remaining on the SCL map.

8:56 PM: New outage reported in Admiral area; we flickered in Fauntleroy.

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UPDATE: White-nationalist group’s flyers strewn in West Seattle neighborhoods
January 6, 2019 11:42 am
|      142 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle police

11:42 AM: Thanks to everyone who texted/e-mailed about this: Storm debris aren’t all that people are cleaning up this morning. Someone littered multiple West Seattle neighborhoods overnight with flyers like that one, in plastic bags with small rocks, promoting a white-nationalist group called Patriot Front. So far, we’ve received notes and photos (including the one above) from people in the Alki area and in neighborhoods west and northeast of The Junction. One finder reported it to SPD and tells WSB that police were coming to pick up the bagged flyers and had already responded to at least one other report, with a plan to consolidate the reports in one case. Though we haven’t heard of this group circulating its materials in West Seattle before (at least one other has), web searches show it’s turned up in other Puget Sound communities including Bellevue, as well as other states, such as Texas, where the group is reported to be based, with its founder having been cited there last year for breaking a postering law. The group’s website also lists “actions” such as having vandalized an anti-hate billboard in Tacoma.

1:35 PM: We’ve since heard from multiple sources that this was done last night in Edmonds, too.

11:35 AM MONDAY: SPD confirms the investigation and has just posted about this on SPD Blotter. The post says tips can be called in to SPD’s Bias Crimes Unit at 206-684-5550.

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UPDATE: Worker rescued after fall on Harbor Island
January 6, 2019 11:33 am
|    Comments Off on UPDATE: Worker rescued after fall on Harbor Island
 |   West Seattle news | WS breaking news

11:33 AM: If you’ve seen the big Seattle Fire response headed to Harbor Island, it’s for a rescue operation at Vigor Shipyard. SFD reports “a worker who was doing maintenance on a tank in the dry dock … fell in.” Per scanner, the fall was about 12 feet. The worker is reported to have minor injuries but access is difficult because there’s only a small hatch for accessing where the worker fell, so SFD is developing an extrication plan.

11:50 AM: Radio communication indicates the worker – described as in stable condition – has been reached and is about to be lifted out for treatment.

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POST-HOLIDAYS: Christmas tree recycling dropoff with West Seattle Rainbow Girls
January 6, 2019 10:47 am
|    Comments Off on POST-HOLIDAYS: Christmas tree recycling dropoff with West Seattle Rainbow Girls
 |   Environment | Holidays | West Seattle news

No calendar-highlights list today because of the overnight windstorm, but if you check the calendar itself, you’ll see a few events including this – the West Seattle Rainbow Girls‘ annual Christmas tree recycling event at the Masonic Center in The Junction. We just went over to be sure the storm hadn’t changed their plans and confirmed they ARE there in the parking lot (40th/Edmunds), taking trees by donation until 1 pm (that’s an earlier cutoff time than announced) – that’s Laurel in our photo. Unlike curbside recycling, you don’t have to cut your tree into sections to drop it off.

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West Seattle weather update: Wind arrives, with ~8,000 hit by power outages
January 6, 2019 12:30 am
|      141 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

12:30 AM: The National Weather Service says the gusts predicted in its High Wind Warning alert for our area are definitely on the way within the next few hours. They’ve already kicked up on the coast. We’ll be on watch as always; updates to come.

1:40 AM: It’s here. “Things are escalating quickly,” the NWS confirms.

1:51 AM: First outage reports are in, from Admiral. (update) 3,100+ customers in NE West Seattle – here’s a screengrab of the outage map:

2:05 AM: Also now 400+ further south.

2:15 AM: The NWS reports a 60 mph gust at Sea-Tac. (Its own HQ in North Seattle lost power and is on a generator now.) … Alki is part of another 4,000+ now out. Part of The Junction too. Updated map screengrab:

Remember that while SCL assigns estimated restoration times, those are in essence just guesses. Going on 50,000 customers now out service-area-wide (about 8,000 of those in West Seattle) so it’s going to be a while. Keep your fridge closed to maximize the amount of time what’s in there will be OK. (Other outage-related advice is here.)

2:51 AM: Top gusts so far around the region, including that 60 MPH at Sea-Tac, are listed here. Meantime, a traffic note: A crash on SB 99 just north of the West Seattle Bridge exit had someone pinned in their car so all SB lanes are blocked for a “rescue extrication” response. 2 people are hurt.

3:33 AM: The period of strongest wind was predicted to be “brief” – it’s been about two hours now, and it sounds a little calmer out there, so here’s hoping it’s peaked. Meantime, another traffic note: EM reports in comments that a pole and wires are down on Harbor Avenue SW by Jack Block Park, which is closed there as a result. … West Seattle power outages holding at ~8,000 customers. If you are awake when yours is restored, please let us know, in comments, or by texting our hotline (206-293-6302) – SCL doesn’t have an online public record of outages so reader reports are valuable for our archives; thank you!

4:03 AM: Power progress – part of the first big outage zone is back on; commenter in Luna Park reports restoration, and what was a 3,100+-customer outage including that area has now dropped to 1,900+. Another note: While we’ve focused on West Seattle outages, points south in North Highline/Burien are out too – City Light serves them, so you can check the same map. And if you’re curious about other areas, such as Vashon, the Puget Sound Energy outage map is here. (While PSE only provides gas service in our area, it’s the electric utility for many other communities.)

5:55 AM: Thanks for the updates! More power restored (see comments); now about 5,000 still out. … SFD has a “full response” headed to a house in the 2600 block of 38th SW, but it sounds like they’re downsizing, not a major incident.

6:05 AM: Most units are being dismissed from that call, now described as likely a “light fixture.”

8:28 AM: Now that it’s light, it’s on to storm aftermath. Looks like about 600 customers are still out, scattered around West Seattle, of 22,000+ service-area-wide. No reports of injuries – haven’t heard yet of any major damage in our area, but if you have any info to share, we continue to appreciate reports/tips, in the comments or whatever other way works for you – thank you! … Here’s a Weather Service explanation of why it got so windy, so fast.

11:44 AM: City Light warns that some people “in the south end” might lose power again for a few hours while they work on a complicated repair involving a “broken pole” where three feeder lines converge.

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BASKETBALL: Chief Sealth boys lose to Ingraham
January 5, 2019 10:44 pm
|    Comments Off on BASKETBALL: Chief Sealth boys lose to Ingraham
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

(WSB photos by Patrick Sand. Above, Chief Sealth #2, Tyrell Moore)

Just over at Chief Sealth International High School, the last of today’s four home games for local HS varsity basketball teams. The Sealth boys fell to Ingraham, 85-57.

(Sealth #10, Cortez Graham)

The Seahawks were only a point back after the first quarter, but lost ground after that, down 46-27 at halftime and 70-40 after three quarters. They are at home again Tuesday night, 7:30 pm, vs. Franklin.

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BASKETBALL: Chief Sealth girls scrap it out vs. Ingraham
January 5, 2019 9:33 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

The third of tonight’s four high-school varsity basketball home games, like the second, had a final score that didn’t reflect how things rolled along the way: The Chief Sealth International High School girls led Ingraham 25-23 at halftime, then fell behind as the second half progressed. The video in our tweet includes the final Seahawk points of the game – a three-pointer by the night’s top Sealth scorer, #4, freshman Simone Lieberman.

Above is another of Sealth’s seven freshmen on the varsity roster, #34 Avoyelles Offord. The Seahawks have a young team, only two seniors. They’re back home at 7:30 pm Wednesday vs. Franklin.

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VIDEO: West Seattle Bike Connections’ ride to prep for #Realign99
January 5, 2019 8:11 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   Alaskan Way Viaduct | Highway 99 tunnel | Transportation | West Seattle news

Six nights until the Alaskan Way Viaduct closes forever. Got your plan for how to get around during the #Realign99 viaduct-to-tunnel transition time? Today was the day West Seattle Bike Connections offered a free guided ride to anyone interested in testing the route to/from downtown. WSBC’s Don Brubeck forwarded the video by Paul Dieter; Don reports, “28 adults + 4 kid passengers. Strong interest in this commute option!” P.S. If you’d like to meet up with WSBC pre-Viadoom, their regular monthly meeting is next Tuesday (January 8th), 6:30 pm at Neighborhood House High Point (6400 Sylvan Way).

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BASKETBALL: West Seattle boys’ tough loss to Eastside Catholic
January 5, 2019 6:59 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

(WSB photos by Patrick Sand. Above, #24 Abdullahi Mohamed, top WSHS scorer with 11; at left, head coach Keffrey Fazio)

6:59 PM: In the second of four high-school varsity basketball home games we’re covering on this first Saturday of 2019, the West Seattle High School boys played tough against Eastside Catholic – up 32-20 at halftime – but the tide turned against them in the second half and they finished with a loss, EC 54, WSHS 47.

ADDED: Second-leading scorer was Nuh’Kosi Roberson, above, with 10; below, with the third-most points for the Wildcats, Bille Sheikh, with 9:

Two home games are coming up for the WSHS boys – 7:30 pm Tuesday vs. Blanchet, 8:30 Friday vs. Ingraham.

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Seen off West Seattle: Duwamish Head Race
January 5, 2019 5:22 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news

Thanks for the tips and photos! The sailboats seen off West Seattle late this afternoon are part of the Three Tree Point Yacht Club‘s Duwamish Head Race. Top photo is by Lynn Hall; below, by John Saalwaechter:

This race had 61 registrants, according to the club website.

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BASKETBALL: West Seattle girls’ big win over Eastside Catholic
January 5, 2019 4:29 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

4:29 PM: As noted in our daily preview, this is a big day/night of basketball – four home games for local high-school varsity teams. First one is in the books: The West Seattle High School girls beat Eastside Catholic, 69-27. The Wildcats are now 9-1, leading their division.

(WSB photos by Patrick Sand)

ADDED: Four Wildcats scored in double digits – above, #32, Meghan Fiso, with 15; next, #11, Jasmine Gayles, and #4, Kelsey Lenzie, with 13 each:

#20, Grace Sarver, finished with 10:

Next up for the Wildcats and head coach Darnell Taylor, three home games this week.

Blanchet visits at 7:30 pm Wednesday, Ingraham at 7 pm Friday, and Port Angeles at 4 pm Saturday.

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WEATHER ALERT UPDATE: Now it’s a High Wind Warning for late tonight through Sunday morning
January 5, 2019 1:30 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

1:30 PM: You know what to do – charge everything; the National Weather Service has announced a Wind Advisory for our area for 10 pm tonight through 10 am Sunday. Read it in full here. The NWS says this could bring “south to southwest wind 20 to 35 mph with gusts up to 50 mph.” And while advisories don’t always pan out, Michael points out (via an emailed tip – thank you!) that even weather analyst Cliff Mass is sounding the alarm, saying “it is highly probable that this will be a major wind event.”

7 PM: A short time ago, the NWS upgraded the alert to a High Wind Warning, saying the gusts could “briefly” reach 60 mph.

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VIDEO: ‘Super Plungers’ raising money for Special Olympics of Washington with twice-hourly Alki Beach swims
January 5, 2019 1:27 pm
|    Comments Off on VIDEO: ‘Super Plungers’ raising money for Special Olympics of Washington with twice-hourly Alki Beach swims
 |   How to help | West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news

(WSB photos/video)

Those are a few of the hardy souls – mostly from Seattle PD and other law-enforcement agencies – who are taking twice-hourly “plunges” into Puget Sound all day today outside the Alki Bathhouse. Their mission is twofold: To raise money for Special Olympics of Washington and to raise awareness of The Big Plunge on February 9th (you’re invited to be part of what they hope will be a recordsetting event that day). They’re having fun, too – we stopped by for the eighth plunge at 11:30 am and discovered the group conga’ing from the bathhouse to the water:

Video:

Between plunges, they’re staying warm inside the Bathhouse. And you might notice some of their flotation gear outside:

This is set to continue on the hour and half-hour until 5 pm. Meantime, you can register for the February 9th Big Plunge by going here.

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Seen off West Seattle: USNS Washington Chambers
January 5, 2019 11:50 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news

While at Alki a few minutes ago checking in on the Super Plungers (separate story to come), we noticed the USNS Washington Chambers headed northbound in the Sound.

It’s a replenishment ship, part of the Military Sealift Command, and tracking info from MarineTraffic.com says it’s Portland-bound. (Here’s the story of its namesake.)

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West Seattle Saturday: Get fit! Get wet! Get entertained! And …
January 5, 2019 6:03 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Black Turnstone, photographed near Anchor/Luna Park last weekend by Matt Olson)

Welcome to the first weekend of 2019! Highlights from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

‘GET FIT WEST SEATTLE’ KICKOFF RUN: 8 am, be at West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor) to get going with this winter’s edition of the free couch-to-half-marathon fitness program – info here. (2743 California SW)

POLAR PLUNGE PREVIEW: To preview and fundraise for the February 9th Polar Plunge benefitting Special Olympics of Washington (have you signed up yet?), a lineup of “super plungers” will be jumping into Puget Sound every half hour today by the Alki Bathhouse, 8 am-5 pm. Stop by to cheer them on! (2701 Alki SW)

‘SURVIVE #REALIGN99’ RIDE: Thinking about bicycling during the upcoming Highway 99 closure and/or beyond? Join West Seattle Bike Connections and friends to test the routes during this friendly ride. Meet at Junction Starbucks by 9:15 am; ride rolls at 9:30. Free. (SW Alaska & California SW)

SEE ‘MARY POPPINS RETURNS,’ FREE! 10 am at the Admiral Theater. No charge for admission, as explained in the original announcement! Sponsored by West Seattle dad and County Executive Dow Constantine as a benefit for WestSide Baby – so, if you can: “Suggested donation of diapers (sizes 4-6), wipes, new kids socks/undies, or funds in any amount to help kids and families in need.” The free tickets will be given out to those in line starting at 9:15 am. (2343 California SW)

BASKETBALL: West Seattle High School‘s varsity teams play Eastside Catholic at WSHS, girls 2 pm, boys at 4. (3000 California SW) … Chief Sealth International High School‘s varsity teams play Ingraham at CSIHS, girls at 7, boys at 8:30. (2600 SW Thistle)

BIRTHDAY PARTY & SEAHAWKS GAME: Celebrate the 55th birthday of Admiral Pub‘s owner Kurstyn and help raise $5500 for the West Seattle Food Bank! Party starts during the Seahawks’ 5:15 pm game.”Then Tom Hutyler (Voice of the Mariners) will be performing. We will be partying all night! Please come join us for the party and donate as you see fit.” (2306 California SW)

PETER MINTUN AT KENYON HALL: 7:30 pm, an encore performance by the New York keyboard artist at historic Kenyon Hall. Ticket info is in our calendar listing. (7904 35th SW)

3 BANDS AT THE SKYLARK: Deadbeat Blackout, Foul Blooded, Pilot to Bombardier play The Skylark. 21+. Doors at 8, music at 9. $8 cover. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

LOOK AHEAD TO TOMORROW AND BEYOND … via our complete calendar.

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SPD, HALA, and more @ Southwest District Council’s first meeting of 2019
January 4, 2019 10:58 pm
|    Comments Off on SPD, HALA, and more @ Southwest District Council’s first meeting of 2019
 |   Southwest District Council | West Seattle news

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

One day into 2019, West Seattle community advocates filled a room at the Sisson Building/Senior Center for the Southwest District Council‘s first meeting of the year.

Here are our toplines of what they heard and discussed:

POLICE UPDATE: Southwest Precinct Operations Lt. Steve Strand said the precinct has three new officers and another one on the way, so is at or “close to” full staffing; there had been concern that the Bike Squad or another “proactive” group would be “taken away” but nothing has happened so far to indicate that’ll happen. The Bike Squad is “still active,” often in The Junction, sometimes at Westwood Village.

He also had year-end stats for the precinct’s jurisdiction (West Seattle and South Park):

Read More

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YOUTH SPORTS: 2019 West Seattle Little League registration is open!
January 4, 2019 8:52 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS & Sports

Now that the new year has begun, baseball season is in sight – at many levels, including youth leagues. Another has opened registration for 2019: West Seattle Little League. Something new for WSLL this year: A new website, supported by Little League International, “more secure than our old site and more user-friendly,” says WSLL’s Kathy Powers. “We welcome all children between ages 4 – 12 going to school or living within our WSLL boundaries.” The website change means that you’ll need to create a new login; go to the site and click the REGISTRATION tab, and you’ll be guided through the process from there. Registration is open through January 31st; practices start the first week of March, and the WSLL Jamboree is March 23rd. If you need a scholarship, email playeragents@westseattlelittleleague.com – for other questions, info@westseattlelittleleague.com.

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COUNTDOWN: Free Waterfront Shuttle expanding hours for viaduct-to-tunnel transition, and beyond
January 4, 2019 5:32 pm
|      19 COMMENTS
 |   Transportation | West Seattle news

(Photo courtesy Free Waterfront Shuttle)

We’re now one week away from the Alaskan Way Viaduct’s permanent closure. In case that wasn’t already top-of-mind, local transportation managers have been offering daily briefings and announcements to keep it there. Today: Expanded hours for the Free Waterfront Shuttle that’s been available downtown since summer, potentially making it useful to some Water Taxi riders. Here’s the announcement:

The Free Waterfront Shuttle is expanding operating hours to better serve morning commuters.

Currently operating 7 days a week from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., the shuttle will add morning service to its North/South loop weekdays starting at 6 a.m. The expanded hours of operation will begin on Monday, January 7.

This service will provide a viable option to move commuters, tourists and residents through downtown at peak commute times during the upcoming SR 99 viaduct closure. The free service is brought to you by the WSDOT-funded DowntownSeattleParking.com and managed by Commute Seattle and the Downtown Seattle Association.

Additionally, all shuttles are now equipped with real-time arrival information that can be found online along with other shuttle information at DowntownSeattleParking.com/Shuttle.

The Free Waterfront Shuttle service launched in July 2018, and has given over 90,000 free rides to downtown, Pioneer Square, and the historic waterfront. Tourists and locals have embraced this free service as a way to get to and from the waterfront. Adding early morning operational hours makes the shuttle a viable commuter option during the upcoming months of viaduct closure and removal. The North/South Loop will connect Chinatown/International District, Link Station, King Street Station, Ferry Terminal, and Seattle Center to different locations along the waterfront from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. weekdays. The shuttle will continue to operate on Saturday, Sunday and holidays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

“Visitors and residents love the free shuttle, and we’re thrilled to expand the service. We worked diligently with public and private partners to increase the operating hours that will provide more access to our vibrant downtown and historic waterfront,” said Downtown Seattle Association President & CEO Jon Scholes. “Expanding hours during peak commute times will provide another option to help move through our city during the viaduct closure.”

Additionally, real-time arrival data displays precise shuttle location allowing riders to know exactly when their shuttle should arrive at 15 stops along two routes throughout downtown Seattle. The app and mobile site will display exact shuttle location and approximate arrival time. Real-time arrival maps can be viewed online or by downloading the free DoubleMap mobile app for Apple and Google Play devices. Once downloaded, select the Waterfront Shuttle route option.

“Nearly 90 percent of riders say they are spending more time on the Waterfront and other area destinations because of the shuttle—which arrives every 15-20 minutes,” said Jonathan Hopkins, Executive Director of Commute Seattle. “Now traveling to and from the waterfront is even easier for commuters and visitors with longer hours of service and real-time information. We are working to make this experience a breeze.”

The shuttle offers two routes, North/South Loop and East Loop, linking the downtown core with the waterfront businesses and Pioneer Square.

Here’s a map of its stops.

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REMINDER: See ‘Mary Poppins Returns’ free Saturday morning, and help WestSide Baby
January 4, 2019 4:28 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Admiral Theater | West Seattle news

Just a quick reminder in case you missed the announcement over the holidays – you’re invited to a free morning showing of “Mary Poppins Returns” tomorrow (Saturday, January 5th) at the Admiral Theater. No admission charge – the showing is sponsored by West Seattle dad (and King County Executive) Dow Constantine to boost WestSide Baby in its work helping thousands of kids and their families, so if you can, bring “diapers (sizes 4-6), wipes, new kids socks/undies, or funds in any amount to help kids and families in need.” The movie’s at 10 am; the theater is at 2343 California SW; first-come, first-served!

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SCAM ALERT: Utility-bill phone callers at it again
January 4, 2019 2:46 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | Utilities | West Seattle news

Another West Seattle business got the utility-bill scam phone call today and wanted to share the alert. Sleepers in Seattle in The Junction tells WSB they got one of those calls where the claim is made that a utility bill has gone unpaid and cutoff is looming unless payment is made immediately. All local utilities have issued repeated reminders that they don’t do business this way – here’s the City Light scam-alert page, for example.

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UPDATE: U.S. Customs helicopter over West Seattle
January 4, 2019 12:28 pm
|      61 COMMENTS
 |   Helicopter | West Seattle news

12:28 PM:Thanks for the tips. According to the flight tracker, that helicopter over Westwood, Gatewood, and vicinity is registered to the Department of Homeland Security. We’re looking around on the ground and researching further. The tracker now shows it heading north (added) and then south again.

12:39 PM: Adding a screengrab from FlightRadar24 showing part of the circling it’s done. It’s close to our HQ east of Lincoln Park currently. The tracker shows it started its trip up in Arlington.

(WSB photo)

12:55 PM: Added a photo. While DHS has a variety of agencies under its wing, the FlightRadar24 page for this helicopter has a closeup shot that shows a Customs and Border Protection logo. (Added – We got a better picture from its flyover. Substituted above. Same logo.)

1:17 PM: Looking for someone to ask about this, but in the meantime, the Customs website has a one-sheet that says this type of aircraft is usually used:

“… to perform missions such as aerial patrol and surveillance of stationary or moving targets. These LEHs are the optimal aerial surveillance platform in metropolitan areas because their vertical lift capability and maneuverability enable operations from off-airport sites and in close proximity to congested airports.

Electro-optical/infrared sensors and video downlink provide intelligence and communications support that enhance officer safety during high-risk operations and increase covertness during surveillance operations.

Video recorders document suspect activities for evidentiary use. The AS350s often fly with a crew of two (pilot and observer).”

1:52 PM: After looping around the north half of the peninsula a while, the helicopter is no longer shown on the tracker. Meantime, our inquiry to the CBP media contact for this region drew an auto-reply saying he’s out of the office because of the federal government funding lapse (aka “shutdown”).

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FOLLOWUP: 4th Avenue temporary bus lane installation planned Saturday
January 4, 2019 10:48 am
|      44 COMMENTS
 |   Alaskan Way Viaduct | Highway 99 tunnel | Transportation | West Seattle news

In our report last night on a City Hall briefing about changes related to the Viaduct-to-Tunnel transition – aka #Realign99 – we mentioned temporary bus lanes, including the 4th Avenue S. offramp from the eastbound West Seattle Bridge. We asked SDOT after the briefing when that work would be done. They didn’t have an answer then – but today, they’ve announced work will happen tomorrow:

Temporary bus lane construction will occur on Saturday, January 5.

To manage the increased volume of traffic on our city’s streets and changing traffic patterns in advance of the SR closure beginning Friday, January 11, we’re rechannelizing key streets downtown starting Saturday, January 5. Streets include the Spokane Street Viaduct, the eastbound off-ramp to 4th Ave S and a short section of 4th Ave S approaching Spokane St.

These dedicated bus-only lanes will allow buses coming in from West Seattle to access the SODO busway and improve bus travel time throughout the SR 99 closure.

The graphics included with our Street changes for SR 99 closure begin January 5, 2019 flyer show what’s changing.

Here’s what you can expect:
On the Spokane Street Viaduct in the eastbound direction, the right lane will be converted to a bus only lane from 1st Ave S and will continue to the 4th Ave S exit to the signalized intersection at 4th Ave S. On 4th Ave S, we are adding a short bus-only lane heading northbound approaching Spokane St. These changes will be in place by 11 PM on Saturday, January 5.

To accommodate this change, we have modified the island separating the north and southbound lanes on 4th Ave at Spokane St and a third northbound lane was added in December.

Rain is expected to occur after Saturday, January 5, so these lanes will be installed prior to these weather impacts. Completing this work one week early ensures that we avoid delays associated with weather for this installation in order to allow buses to begin using the lane on January 11. So, while we are installing these lanes on Saturday, January 5, there won’t be any buses using this lane until after 8 PM on January 11.

Please note that these are temporary bus lanes and will be restored to general travel lanes open to all vehicles in mid-February when the northbound off-ramp to Dearborn St is opened and King County Metro resumes northbound service on the SR 99 corridor.

And another reminder – the first #Realign99 closures start tonight – the Atlantic and Royal Brougham exits from/to 99 in the stadium zone close permanently at 10 pm tonight, exactly one week before the Alaskan Way Viaduct’s 10 pm January 11th permanent closure.

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