West Seattle, Washington

23 Friday

55℉

day : 02/01/2020 10 results

UPDATE: Seattle Fire investigating smoke @ Sunset Avenue home
January 2, 2020 9:32 pm
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 |   West Seattle fires | West Seattle news

9:32 PM: In case you wondered about the sirens too: A mid-size Seattle Fire response has arrived in the 2200 block of Sunset Avenue, checking out smoke inside the house. So far, radio exchanges indicate, they’re focusing on a “malfunctioning heater” as the likely source.

9:36 PM: The response is being downsized.

9:54 PM: The last unit has left and the call is closed.

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FOLLOWUP: Sea lion’s death still under investigation
January 2, 2020 8:05 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | Wildlife

David Hutchinson of Seal Sitters Marine Mammal Stranding Network sent the photo and an update on the most-recent dead sea lion found on the West Seattle shore:

Seal Sitters Marine Mammal Stranding Network would like to thank those of you who have been contacting our Hotline and reporting on the most recent dead California sea lion to wash ashore in West Seattle. Our volunteers have been keeping track of its location since it was first reported much farther south on private property along Beach Drive on Christmas Day. After a brief stop at the Emma Schmitz Overlook, the carcass is now on the beach at Constellation Park. Seal Sitters has posted an informational sign at the site.

Removal is not a simple process. Seal Sitters has been coordinating with Seattle Parks, SR3 and NOAA on the best way to deal with the situation. Burial on site is not an option, and towing offshore and sinking requires a permit from the Environmental Protection Agency. We have the beginnings of a plan in place which would include an examination and the taking of samples by Casey Mclean of SR3. Seattle Parks & Recreation will be handling the final disposal.

Reports that the animal has been shot are not confirmed at this time. Until a limited necropsy has been performed, there is no sure way of determining cause of death, much less if it was due to shooting. That said, any time a robust sea lion shows up dead, there is suspicion the animal has been possibly shot.

Once again, thanks and be sure to report any new sightings of a marine mammal, alive or dead, on West Seattle beaches to Seal Sitters Hotline (206-905-7325)

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CITY COUNCIL: How its committees will change; Herbold to chair Public Safety
January 2, 2020 5:37 pm
|      21 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

When the Seattle City Council starts its year next Monday, they’ll take care of some internal business, from swearing-in ceremonies to new committee assignments. That means some changes in committee names, too. The new lineup – barring any last-minute changes before a vote on Monday – is here (along with a description of each committee’s responsibilities).

District 1 (West Seattle/South Park) Councilmember Lisa Herbold, about to start her second 4-year term, has a big change – she’ll chair the Public Safety and Human Services Committee. She’ll be vice chair of the Finance and Housing Committee, chaired by Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda. Herbold will also be a member of the Transportation and Utilities Committee, chaired by new Councilmember Alex Pedersen, and of the Public Assets and Native Communities Committee, chaired by re-elected Councilmember Debora Juarez, as well as serving as an alternate member of the Community Economic Development Committee, chaired by new Councilmember Tammy Morales. (The other three committees are Governance and Education, chaired by Councilmember Lorena González; Land Use and Neighborhoods, chaired by new Councilmember Dan Strauss; and Sustainability and Renters’ Rights, chaired by re-elected Councilmember Kshama Sawant.) Also of note: That’s one fewer committee than the current lineup. This will all get finalized – plus, the council will choose its new president – 2 pm Monday at City Hall downtown.

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WATER TAXI: Friday-morning boat change for the rest of the season
January 2, 2020 4:30 pm
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 |   King County Water Taxi | Transportation | West Seattle news

(Spirit of Kingston – WSB file photo)

For the rest of the winter, the King County Water Taxi‘s backup boat Spirit of Kingston will have a regular spot – Friday mornings on the West Seattle route. KCDOT spokesperson Torie Rynning tells WSB that this starts tomorrow, January 3rd. The regular West Seattle boat, Doc Maynard, will in turn handle the Vashon run on Friday mornings. Rynning cites three reasons for the change:

*Allows the Spirit of Kingston to not sit idle

*Doc Maynard can “get some exercise” on the longer trip to Vashon

*More routine maintenance can be conducted on the Sally Fox

SoK has a little more than half the DM’s passenger capacity, and a lower bicycle capacity too. The 7-day-a-week spring/summer schedule starts March 23rd on the West Seattle run; Vashon service is 5 days a week year-round. (Update: Rynning adds that this might continue past the start of the 7-day schedule.)

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YOUTH SPORTS: West Seattle Baseball signup time!
January 2, 2020 2:47 pm
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 |   West Seattle news | WS & Sports

Now that we’ve turned the corner into a new year, baseball season is in view! Registration just opened for West Seattle Baseball – here’s the announcement:

Please head to the homepage of our website (westseattlebaseball.com) and click on the big registration banner to register. If you have questions that are not answered by the FAQs and matrix on the home page, please contact our Registrar (lisa.lou.smith@gmail.com).

Registration is open until the middle of February, but the cost goes up $10 on February 1, so don’t delay!

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35TH/ALASKA CLOSURE: Full plan for what starts 9 am Friday
January 2, 2020 12:41 pm
|      12 COMMENTS
 |   Transportation | West Seattle news

12:41 PM: We confirmed this on Tuesday but in case you were in pre-holiday checkout mode, here’s the full SDOT plan for the second 35th/Alaska intersection closure, starting tomorrow (Friday, January 3rd) morning at 9:

The second closure is scheduled for this weekend from Friday, January 3 at 9 AM to early on Monday, January 6:

*This intersection closure is scheduled to begin at 9 AM to minimize night work noise for near neighbors as we demolish, excavate, and rebuild the road

*We will have a noise variance to complete this work in time to reopen the intersection on Monday morning; you can expect the loudest work around 6 AM on Saturday morning as crews form concrete for the new intersection

*We will send an update once we have scheduled the third intersection closure

To rebuild the concrete roadway, we will be closing the intersection of 35th Ave SW and SW Alaska St for up to 3 weekends. We plan to do this work over the weekend to minimize noise and traffic impacts as much as possible. Please note that this work is highly weather dependent and is subject to change if weather is wetter or colder than anticipated.

During these closures, please use the recommended posted detour (see map below) or alternative forms of transportation, and do not use side streets and residential streets to avoid the closures.

You can also expect:

*Coordination with King County Metro on bus stops and routes; check Metro Rider Alerts for the most up-to-date information

*Loud noise, dust and vibrations

*No parking signs at SW Snoqualmie St and 36th Ave SW to accommodate nearby businesses and local traffic

*35th Ave SW to be local access only from SW Edmunds St to SW Morgan St

*If you live on the east side of 35th Ave SW, you will only be able to turn left on to 35th Ave SW, south toward SW Morgan St

*If you live on the west side of 35th Ave SW, you will only be able to turn right on to 35th Ave SW, south toward SW Morgan St

*Uniformed police officers to be present to direct traffic

When the intersection of 35th Ave SW and SW Alaska St is closed, the following detours will be in place:

If you live off 35th Ave SW between SW Morgan St and SW Alaska St, please be patient as you approach our Uniformed Police Office at SW Morgan St. Inform them that you live in the area and they will allow local access to continue. We will be detouring all other traffic.

7:51 PM: Metro has JUST posted its reroutes online. They’re all linked here.

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4 ways to spend the rest of your West Seattle Thursday
January 2, 2020 11:56 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Anna’s Hummingbird, photographed by Mark Wangerin)

As the world slowly revs back up post-holidays, here’s what’s on the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar for this afternoon/evening:

LOG HOUSE MUSEUM: The home of West Seattle’s history is back on its regular schedule post-holidays, noon-4 pm Thursdays-Sundays. (61st/Stevens)

WEST SEATTLE TAE-KWON-DO CLUB: First class of 2020 at High Point Community Center, 6:20 pm. Ages 15 and up welcome; info in our calendar listing. (6920 34th SW)

TRIANGULAR JAZZTET: Live at Pacific Room (WSB sponsor) on Alki, 6-9 pm. No cover. All ages. (2808 Alki SW)

BILL DAVIE: Acoustic guitarist/vocalist live at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 7-9 pm. No cover. All ages. (5612 California SW)

GOT A SHOW/EVENT/CLASS/ETC. IN THE NEW YEAR? Send us the info as soon as you have it!

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Vehicles vandalized
January 2, 2020 10:57 am
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 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Charlotte emailed to report having seen someone vandalizing vehicles parked on 14th SW north of SW Roxbury – hitting them last night around 5:30 pm with some kind of object. She called police but the vandal ran off. She wrote, “Thought this would be helpful Information for people on that street as I saw their cars had dents where I saw the person hit them.” She went through the area again this morning and says some of those dents are clearly visible in doors.

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COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: D1CN would love to see you in 2020
January 2, 2020 9:04 am
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 |   Neighborhoods | West Seattle news

Here’s one of your first chances for community involvement in the new year! The announcement:

The District 1 Community Network is a meeting open to all community groups and interested individuals who would like to work together on topics of interest within District 1.

Date: Wednesday, January 8
Time: 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Location: Duwamish Longhouse and Cultural Center (4705 W Marginal Way SW)

Featured topics:
Transportation Electrification discussion with Seattle City Light
Review results of D1CN’s community survey
Sneak peek of D1CN website
And more!

District 1 encompasses West Seattle and South Park.

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: 2020’s first Thursday
January 2, 2020 7:17 am
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(SDOT MAP with travel times/ Is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE/ West Seattle-relevant traffic cams HERE)

7:17 AM: Good morning!

TRANSIT ALERTS: Just tweeted by Metro:

REMINDER: SDOT plans to close the 35th/Alaska intersection this weekend, starting at 9 am Friday.

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