West Seattle, Washington

02 Monday

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month : 01/2020 288 results

35TH/ALASKA: No third intersection closure, SDOT says
January 9, 2020 7:47 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news

SDOT says it will NOT need a third weekend closure of the 35th/Alaska intersection after all. That’s part of the latest Avalon/35th/Alaska repaving-and-more project update, as follows:

West Seattle – thank you so much for your patience and understanding as we complete these necessary roadway improvements!

We are pleased that we were able to reopen the intersection of SW Alaska St and 35th Ave SW ahead of schedule on Sunday, this past weekend. At this time, we do not plan to schedule another intersection closure at 35th Ave SW and SW Alaska St.

As a reminder, for the safety of our crews and your fellow residents, please follow posted detour routes and do not disturb traffic control. As we approach potential winter weather, our posted traffic control is especially crucial to maintain safe use of the road for everyone.

What to expect this week and next week

35th Ave SW and SW Alaska St: we have restricted left turns onto SW Alaska St from 35th Ave SW. This closure will be in place for several weeks

Zone E (35th Ave SW from SW Avalon Way to SW Alaska St): we are currently working in the center turn lane of 35th Ave SW, north and south of SW Alaska St.

Zone F (SW Alaska St from 35th Ave SW to 36th Ave SW): as soon as the week of January 20, we will begin demolition of the north side of SW Alaska St.

As we begin work on SW Alaska St, please follow King County Metro’s Rider Alerts to stay up to date on bus stop changes.

We have asked SDOT for an interview to ask some big-picture questions regarding the project’s status and what remains to be done; watch for that story next week.

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First West Seattle Art Walk of 2020!
January 9, 2020 6:01 pm
|    Comments Off on First West Seattle Art Walk of 2020!
 |   West Seattle Art Walk | West Seattle news

6:01 PM: The January 2020 West Seattle Art Walk is happening now, all over the peninsula! First venue we visited is Verity Credit Union (4505 California SW; WSB sponsor) in The Junction, spotlighting artist Jenna Hanson (above) tonight. The Art Walk has officially expanded to Admiral as of this month – more on that here, and more photos later.

6:52 PM: In Admiral, we stopped first at West Seattle Grounds (2141 California SW):

That’s artist Morgan Smaller and her puppy Vespa. Below, Emily Juarez at Zelda Zonk Consignment (2210 California SW):

The Art Walk is on until “late,” with closing hours differing venue by venue. See the map/venue list in our morning highlight list.

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Anti-war demonstration in West Seattle Junction
January 9, 2020 5:18 pm
|      17 COMMENTS
 |   Helicopter | West Seattle news | West Seattle politics | West Seattle protests

Lots of questions about the helicopter activity over The Junction. As we’ve answered everyone who messaged us, it’s just TV, checking out the anti-war demonstration (which we previewed here last night). So far not the size of last month’s pro-impeachment rally but participants are following the same pattern as that one, walking with the light in the Walk-All-Ways crosswalk at California/Alaska, so no traffic impacts.

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VIDEO: In case of snow, ‘We want to make sure we’re ready as a city,’ says mayor @ media briefing
January 9, 2020 3:54 pm
|      25 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

(WSB photos/video by Patrick Sand)

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

Will we see significant snow soon?

While the forecasters keep watch on that, “We want to make sure we’re ready as a city. … we’ve got plans,” Mayor Jenny Durkan assured the media gathered for a briefing/Q&A at the city Emergency Operations Center downtown this afternoon. We were there and recorded it all on video, which includes other city/county officials:

A big theme: The “shovel your sidewalk” theme we noted earlier this week. The mayor stressed: “If we hit the snow period … check on your neighbors if you can. …. And help them shovel their sidewalks … our sidewalks are the way that people can get around in our city.” Go get a snow shovel or salt if you don’t have yours yet – flashlight batteries too, “candles and warm blankets,” her advice continued.

Sidewalk-responsibility awareness was boosted in a resolution sponsored last year by West Seattle/South Park Councilmember Lisa Herbold, who was also at the EOC.

Though Herbold didn’t take the podium, she spoke with reporters afterward to elaborate on the sidewalk plan: The emphasis is on arterials in urban villages, followed by arterials on other transit routes. Here’s a city memo she provided post-meeting outlining the resolution and the resulting awareness campaign:

Street-use inspectors will be out checking on sidewalks in those priority areas, said SDOT director Sam Zimbabwe. They will notify people “who aren’t taking their responsibility seriously” – if a notification doesn’t get action, a citation can follow; Herbold said potential fines range from $50 for residential violations to $250 for commercial property (the former is a reduction, also outlined in the memo above).

Sidewalks aside, Zimbabwe also said the winter-response plan has been updated. For plowing, buses’ snow routes, emergency access, schools are priorities. Protected bike lanes will get snow-clearing attention too. But whatever your vehicle, “Don’t drive if you don’t have to during a snowstorm. … Pay attention to road-closure signs.” He mentioned the SDOT map (PDF) showing which routes will be prioritized for plowing. “We haven’t radically changed the level of plowing that we’re going to do.” What they did last year regarding plowing seemed to go fairly well, he said. The current plan – subject to change as the forecast evolves – is that snow-focused staff will start deploying Sunday evening; “equipment is ready – salt, plows.”

Since the city has 35 snowplows to cover its 70 million square feet, Mayor Durkan counseled patience: “Don’t expect your neighborhood will be plowed immediately.”

“Stay informed” was the advice from Emergency Management director Barb Graff. She also pitched alert.seattle.gov and Smart 911, and reiterated getting supplies “that you might need … Go ahead and do your shopping now.” Snow is charming “for the first eighth of an inch,” she observed … after that, not so much.

The mayor also vowed that they’d be able to bring unsheltered people inside. “We will open cold-weather shelters and have more capacity.” Human Services Department director Jason Johnson elaborated: “Every winter we extend capacity of shelter capability – 85 additional beds,” and they plan to open 100 more beds at Seattle Center starting Sunday night. That’s an overnight-only shelter, he added, but the Armory will also be open during the day for people to stay out of the cold.

Regarding transit, Metro deputy general manager Terry White advised people to check metrowinter.com early to get briefed on “what services are available in your area.”

He promised, “We’re ready regardless of whatever Mother Nature (brings)” – communication consolidation is what they’ve been working on.

In closing, “Government is only part of the equation,” said the mayor. As for that patience she advised – apply it to forecasters too: “Half the time they predict it, it doesn’t come.”

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DEVELOPMENT: Proposal for three more HALA-upzoned 41st SW parcels
January 9, 2020 2:23 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   Development | West Seattle news

Three more HALA-upzoned parcels on 41st SW in Morgan Junction have a redevelopment proposal: Two buildings totaling 56 units, according to this early-stage site plan (PDF) filed with the city this week. The parcels are 6308 and 6314 41st, plus, on the corner, 4023 SW Graham. The site plan shows a three-story, 14-unit building fronting 41st, with a five-story, 42-unit building behind it. A Texas-based company, StoryBuilt, is proposing the project, described in city files as follows:

The project is made up of 56 homes with a mixture of townhomes, flats, and split-level residences along with 33 surface and below grade parking spaces access(ed) off an alley.

There’s already an apartment proposal across Graham to the north, and townhouse proposals to the south. The latter sites, plus the parcels in this new plan, were part of the upzoning-anticipation listing we reported in 2017, but records don’t yet show a sale.

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SCHOOLS: 1 year after levy vote, West Seattle Elementary’s expansion plan proceeding, including decision to vacate for a year
January 9, 2020 11:56 am
|    Comments Off on SCHOOLS: 1 year after levy vote, West Seattle Elementary’s expansion plan proceeding, including decision to vacate for a year
 |   High Point | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

One of two major West Seattle projects funded by last year’s Seattle Public Schools BEX V levy is well into the planning phase.

The $22 million plan to expand West Seattle Elementary in High Point has cross-peninsula ramifications, as the school will be relocated to the former Schmitz Park Elementary for a year while the construction is under way.

The expansion is intended to add capacity at the school, which is currently more than 100 students past what would be a “right-size” enrollment of 320 and is expected to keep growing. This and the future rebuild of Alki Elementary were the largest West Seattle projects on the list of what’ll be funded by BEX V, approved by more than two-thirds of Seattle voters last February.

The first phase of planning, convening a School Design Advisory Team, is already over, according to the district’s project manager Paul Wight. He says the SDAT meetings – in a process explained here – concluded in mid-December. “In all we had 7 meetings and the team was made out of the Principal. staff, teachers, students, parents, and neighbors.” Attendees are listed on the minutes pages, which are linked here and go into details of what was discussed and suggested throughut the process.

Wight tells WSB that next, “The architect, Miller Hayashi, is finishing up the schematic design and we are moving forward with Design Development. We will be going through permitting this year and starting construction on the addition and renovation work in the summer of 2021. It will be approximately a 14-month construction project and school will reopen in the Fall of 2022.”

WSES will move to the former Schmitz Park Elementary (5000 SW Spokane) for the 2021-2022 school year; district spokesperson Tim Robinson says portables (which proliferated before the SP program moved to the new Genesee Hill Elementary) will be added to handle the full WSES population. District projections show the school is expected to have about 437 students enrolled that year. The move is a change from the original plan, which was described in 2018 as something that would be done without requiring the school to temporarily vacate. Schmitz Park currently houses a preschool program.

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West Seattle Art Walk expands, and other highlights for your Thursday
January 9, 2020 10:21 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Art Walk expands, and other highlights for your Thursday
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

We start your Thursday highlights with a new map/venue list for tonight’s West Seattle Art Walk:

(Or see it here in PDF.) The WSAW (co-sponsored by WSB) has expanded to The Admiral District! So you have more places to go tonight, starting at 5 pm – not just places showcasing artists, but also food and drink specials for Art Walk-ers. Here are this month’s highlights.

Also from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar (which is experiencing some technical flutters right now, so the full calendar might not be available immediately, but individual pages are):

ANTI-WAR RALLY: 5 pm, a “no war with Iran” demonstration is planned in The Junction. (California/Alaska)

AVIATION PROGRAMS OPEN HOUSE: Thinking about going (back) to school to learn a new trade? Learn about these programs at South Seattle College (WSB sponsor), 6-6:30 pm.

(SSC photo)

Details are in our calendar listing. (6000 16th SW)

WORDS, WRITERS, & SOUTHWEST STORIES: 6 pm at Southwest Library, hear from the authors of “To War in a Rubber Duck.” (9010 35th SW)

STONE HOUSE @ PARK BOARD: As previewed here, the city Board of Park Commissioners‘ meeting downtown at 6:30 pm is scheduled to include a presentation on the “concept” of relocating the 1123 Harbor SW “Stone House” to Alki Beach. The meeting includes a public-comment period. (100 Dexter Ave. N.)

READ THE KORAN IN 4 WEEKS: The latest series of classes by Rev. Ron Marshall starts at 7 pm at First Lutheran Church of West Seattle. Details here. (4105 California SW)

AT THE SKYLARK: Beast Folk, Obol, Reality Check, 7 pm live music at The Skylark in North Delridge. $8 cover. 21+. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

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DEVELOPMENT: Comment time for 5616 California, 9224 20th, 9020 15th SW projects
January 9, 2020 9:00 am
|      21 COMMENTS
 |   Delridge | West Seattle news

From the city’s twice-weekly bulletin, applications are in for three West Seattle projects, opening two-week comment periods:

(Rendering by Cone Architecture)

5616 CALIFORNIA SW: This is the site immediately south of C & P Coffee (WSB sponsor). 8 townhouses are planned, in 3 buildings, with 5 offstreet-parking spaces. The notice, linked here, explains how to comment. It’s not the first public-comment period for this proposal.

9224 20th SW: The city describes this as a “cottage-housing development,” five 2-story houses with six offstreet-parking spaces. Here’s the location. The notice is linked here.

(corrected address) 9020 15th SW: This too is planned as a group of single-family houses, six 2-story houses with six offstreet-parking spaces. Here’s the location. The notice is linked here.

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Thursday watch
January 9, 2020 6:56 am
|      2 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)

6:56 AM: Good morning! No current incidents/alerts in our area.

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WEST SEATTLE WEATHER: Latest outlook for snow
January 8, 2020 9:11 pm
|      20 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

You might see a few flakes early Thursday morning, the National Weather Service says, but don’t panic. Its newest forecast update is out, and while we might see a bit of snow, the more-serious potential still doesn’t show up until late in the weekend – Sunday night or later. Also note that Tuesday’s high is predicted to be in the 20s! As we mentioned yesterday, the city has invited media to a preparedness briefing tomorrow, and we’ll be there.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: 3 theft reports – keepsake ring; car; bicycle
January 8, 2020 6:52 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | Gatewood | Shorewood | West Seattle news

Three West Seattle Crime Watch reports:

STOLEN PURSE WITH KEEPSAKE RING: From Jennifer:

My good friend lost her husband suddenly and unexpectedly not that long ago. She is raising their two young children alone. She was picking up her child at school and only ran in for less than 5 minutes. Her car window was smashed and her purse stolen. She carried her husband’s wallet, driver’s license and most importantly, his wedding ring around with her to keep him close. It was all in the purse. We are asking everyone to look out for the purse with the hopes that it was dumped somewhere. It could be in the Gatewood area or near either the Westwood or Junction QFC, as that is where they attempted to use her credit cards. If anyone knows anything about these items, please return them no questions asked.

Description:

Purse- black ‘shorty love’ purse/backpack
Wallet- light pink Kate Spade
Ring – tungsten carbide

We will add the police report # when we get it.

STOLEN CAR: From Conner:

Sometime in the early morning of 01/08/19, my dark blue 2002 Land Rover Discovery was stolen from my house in the Shorewood area. Last seen on 26th Ave. It was parked right in front on the street in a well-lit area, so it’s concerning. A neighbor was walking her dog around 5am and said that my car was still parked there when she walked past the house. Please post about my stolen vehicle and hopefully it will turn up!

STOLEN BICYCLE: From Chris:

Crime occurred Monday 1/6 approx 9:00 pm from 7100 block of Woodside Place SW.

As the video shows, the thief is a heavy-set bearded male wearing dark pants, a letterman’s or baseball-style jacket with lighter colored sleeves, and a baseball cap.

Bike stolen was a black men’s Raleigh Tokul 2 with gumwall tires and no reflectors. Police report has been filed.

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THURSDAY: War opponents plan protest in West Seattle Junction
January 8, 2020 5:45 pm
|      37 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle protests

For the second time in less than a month, a nationwide day of protest will include a demonstration in the West Seattle Junction. Activists say they will rally at California/Alaska at 5 pm Thursday to protest the U.S. killing of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani and the prospect of war with Iran. The announcement says the demonstration’s intent is to “urge restraint and that the United States avoid yet another unnecessary, costly war of choice in the Middle East.”

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RESTAURANT BIZNOTES: South Delridge restaurant replacement; MOD Westwood gets closer
January 8, 2020 4:28 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Delridge | West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants | Westwood

Two restaurant biznotes this afternoon:

PHORALE LOCATION CONFIRMED: That sight in the window at 9418 Delridge Way SW connects the dots on two things. The closure of the Vietnamese restaurant Hoang Kim last week (as reported here) and the announcement that Phorale – known for its food truck since closing in South Park – was opening “in White Center.” The Eater report that broke the latter news did not specify a location, nor did Phorale respond to our followup, but we went to South Delridge to check on our suspicions and indeed, the windows are now papered over with Phorale’s distinctive logo.

WESTWOOD VILLAGE MOD PIZZA: On our way back from that run, we went through Westwood Village and noticed this:

The signage for West Seattle’s second MOD Pizza is up. We first reported last March that city permit files showed MOD would move into the ex-Baja Taco and ex-Giannoni’s Pizzeria spaces. MOD declined comment as recently as August, saying they were still negotiating the lease; we’re checking back with them now to see if they have a projected opening date.

ADDED 4:50 PM: They’re hoping to open “end of March.”

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FOLLOWUP: USPS explains why it will close Westwood Village post-office lobby at night
January 8, 2020 3:54 pm
|      27 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | Westwood

As first reported here last Saturday, starting next month, the Westwood Village post office (2571 SW Trenton) will start closing at night next month, as the West Seattle Junction post office has been doing for almost two years. Since the signage at Westwood didn’t cite a specific reason, we followed up with regional U.S. Postal Service spokesperson Ernie Swanson. Here’s what he tells WSB:

Homeless people began sleeping in the lobby of the Westwood Village Station, harassing our customers who came in to check their mail in the evening. The homeless people also left trash behind including syringes and human waste. With regard for the safety of our customers, the decision was made to close the lobby from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. each night. This problem has become more prevalent in the city as we feel the need to close our lobbies during night-time hours.

An online-news search confirms this is happening in other cities – a quick search turned up reports from Medford, OR, to Kokomo, IN.

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UPDATE: Wondering about those half-cut trees along Admiral Way?
January 8, 2020 1:47 pm
|      28 COMMENTS
 |   Environment | West Seattle news

From the “you asked, so we asked” file: The case of the “Admiral Way tree massacre,” as it was described by Doug, who sent that photo. We’ve received numerous inquiries about the half-cut trees, which are on Seattle Parks-owned land on the slope over the downhill side of Admiral at 34th [map]. So we asked Parks, whose spokesperson Rachel Schulkin researched it with the department’s forestry staff and tells WSB:

Those trees were removed as they were either dead or declining and were posing unacceptable risk.

That project is not complete. Winter storms have interrupted a lot of our planned work, including this project. Our plan is to return in the next couple weeks to reduce most of the remaining tree stems to ground level. A few appropriately placed stems will be left as wildlife habitat. Performing this remaining work will not need traffic control like the previous work did.

Besides the site’s high visibility along Admiral Way, it also attracted notice given its proximity to the city-owned land where ~150 trees were illegally cut four years ago.

3:17 PM: Schulkin has just sent this update: “We had time today and finished this project. We lowered all the stems except a few that we left for wildlife habitat.”

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Early-morning search; car prowl; Gatewood followup
January 8, 2020 11:55 am
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Two Three incidents in West Seattle Crime Watch:

EARLY-MORNING SEARCH: Several people have asked about an early-morning search – around 2:40 am – in the Fairmount Park area, including a K-9 team. SPD tells us it was related to a domestic-violence case (which is why no related incident # shows on the 911 map/tweet log), and that officers did not find the person they were looking for.

CAR PROWL: Thanks to Anna for the reader report:

I wanted to share my car prowl report on 47th Ave SW and Murray Ave SW. At around 2AM, someone parked across from our driveway, opened our car doors and took miscellaneous loose belongings. I filed an online report with SPD (T2000390 tracking number). Just wanted to let others in the neighborhood know so that they can take preventive measures.

GATEWOOD FOLLOWUP (added 12:05 pm): Moments after we published the above two items, SPD Blotter posted a followup on the Gatewood incident we covered yesterday afternoon, so we’re adding it:

Officers arrested a 23-year-old man and recovered a handgun and small amounts of narcotics Tuesday after they found a man slumped over in a running vehicle in a West Seattle alleyway.

Shortly after 2:30 PM, police responded to a report of a man slumped over in running white, orange, and black Honda Civic, which was blaring loud music, in the 6900 block of 37th Avenue Southwest.

When officers arrived, they peered through the car’s tinted windows and saw a man slumped over in the driver’s seat of the running vehicle, and noticed a pistol protruding from in between the car’s front passenger seat and console.

Officers unsuccessfully attempted to rouse the driver, and found the car’s doors were locked, so they broke out the vehicle’s passenger-side window. The driver eventually woke up and was ordered to exit his car. As he did so, a baggie of narcotics fell from his lap onto the ground.

Officers then found small amounts of heroin, meth, Xanax, marijuana and pistol and two loaded magazines inside the vehicle. A loaded magazine was recovered from the front passenger seat. Another loaded magazine was recovered from inside the glove box. The vehicle was secured and left at the scene.

Officers arrested the 23-year-old man and booked him into the King County Jail for narcotics possession and DUI.

Reader report/tip for Crime Watch? westseattleblog@gmail.com or 206-293-6302 voice/text – thank you!

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DEVELOPMENT: 3 project updates, from Morgan Junction to West Marginal
January 8, 2020 11:23 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Development | West Seattle news

Three notes today. First, two projects received key city approvals this week, opening appeal periods:

(October 2018 photo sent by Thomas)

5917 CALIFORNIA SW: More than a year after the former Charmann Apartments were torn down here, the site’s 9-townhouse, 4-offstreet-parking-spot plan has been approved. That opens an appeal period through January 20th. The decision notice explains how to appeal; the notice and the decision itself are both linked here.

6045 WEST MARGINAL WAY SW: We first mentioned in December 2018 that this landscaping-materials site was proposed to become a 4-story self-storage building; current documents in the file describe it as 3 stories plus a basement, with 931 storage units and office, plus 12 “parking stalls on grade.” This plan also has received city approval, with an appeal period open until January 20th; the notice and decision are linked here.

Third note – another project added to the city’s Early Outreach for Design Review program:

7035 DELRIDGE WAY SW: We mentioned this site three weeks ago – 9 townhouses, with one offstreet-parking space per unit, to replace an old house. Its appearance on the city’s Early Outreach for Design Review list means a community chat/site tour should be scheduled soon.

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Highlights for your West Seattle Wednesday
January 8, 2020 9:45 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Bushtit, photographed by Mark Wangerin)

Midway through the first post-holidays week, here are the highlights for the hours ahead:

FAMILY STORY TIME: 10:30 am at Southwest Library. (9010 35th SW)

PRESCHOOL STORY TIME: 10:30 am at West Seattle (Admiral) Library. (2306 42nd SW)

BABY STORY TIME: 11:30 am at High Point Library. (3411 SW Raymond)

WRITING CIRCLE: Facilitated discussion led by author Jeanine Walker as part of Seattle Writes, 6-7:30 pm at West Seattle (Admiral) Library. Open to all ages and all genres of writing. (2306 42nd SW)

34TH DISTRICT DEMOCRATS: At The Hall @ Fauntleroy – 6:30 pm social time, 7 pm meeting, featuring a panel discussion of hate in Washington state. Full agenda in the newsletter. (9131 California SW)

DISTRICT 1 COMMUNITY NETWORK: 7 pm at the Duwamish Longhouse and Cultural Center, this West Seattle/South Park advocacy group welcomes everyone interested in community issues. See the agenda here. (4705 W. Marginal Way SW)

POEMS AND STORIES: 7 pm, Poetrybridge‘s monthly night at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor). Featured readers: Lyn Coffin and Matt Trease. (5612 California SW)

PLAY PING PONG: Weekly tournament at Admiral Pub, 7 pm. 21+. (2306 California SW)

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Wednesday watch
January 8, 2020 6:57 am
|    Comments Off on TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Wednesday watch
 |   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)

6:57 AM: Good morning! No incidents/alerts in our area right now.

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SALMON IN THE SCHOOLS: 2020 West Seattle egg deliveries
January 7, 2020 9:27 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   High Point | Highland Park | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

(WSB photos)

Education is a vital part of saving Northwest salmon and the creatures who depend on them. Once again this year, Salmon in the Schools teachers and volunteers are making sure it happens. This year’s work began today, with hundreds of salmon eggs delivered to participating local schools.

We were there for two deliveries – West Seattle Elementary (top photo) and Highland Park Elementary (above photo). Volunteers Judy Pickens and Phil Sweetland delivered the hatchery-raised eggs and explained what happens next.

The schools each have a tank in which the salmon grow until the fry can be released into Fauntleroy Creek in the spring.

Salmon are being raised this year by 10 schools, from Alki Elementary in the north to Arbor Heights Elementary in the south. Roxhill Elementary is a new participant this year. At all of them, the students get a front row seat on delivery day:

Seven schools got their eggs today; Judy and Phil are scheduled to visit the other three tomorrow morning. P.S. Salmon in the Schools isn’t just a West Seattle program – here’s the most-recent annual report on citywide participation and impact:

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WEST SEATTLE WEATHER: Snow or no? Newest forecasts
January 7, 2020 8:05 pm
|      12 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

So far, mountain-peak peeks – like the view above from Alki on New Year’s Day – have been the closest thing to snow sightings we’ve had this winter. But that might change later this week. Here are two updates:

-Weather analyst Cliff Mass breaks it all down here, saying late Thursday/early Friday might bring light snow, and Monday looks POTENTIALLY snowier.

-The National Weather Service‘s forecast discussion thinks the late Thursday/early Friday possibility is more a “north of Everett” thing, adding, “Uncertainty remains for the prospect of lowland snow early next week …”

Meantime, city leaders plan a snow-readiness media briefing on Thursday, and we’re planning to cover it, so if you have questions about how the city will handle the next snowstorm (whenever it happens), let us know so we can get answers!

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FOLLOWUP: ‘Improper transactions’ at now-closed West Seattle Licenses under investigation, county says
January 7, 2020 4:25 pm
|      48 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news

After we broke the news last week about the abrupt closure of West Seattle Licenses (5048 California SW) at year’s end, we got a tip from a West Seattle resident about a credit-card-number-theft case linked to a former employee. The victim told us they’d been contacted by a state investigator who said it might not have been an isolated case. Now we’ve confirmed that the licensing subagent closed with an investigation under way. From Cameron Satterfield of King County Executive Services, which contracts with subagents:

The state Department of Licensing (DOL) is investigating improper transactions made by employees at the office. DOL investigators provided a report to King County in mid-December detailing the improprieties. Over the next several days, King County connected with WSL ownership regarding the DOL report and next steps.

On December 24, King County issued a contract termination notice to WSL based on the owners failing to provide proper oversight of their employees. Included in that notice was an option to cure the breach of contract. WSL’s plan to cure the breach was due to King County by January 10, and the agency would have been allowed to continue operating until at least then. However, on December 30 WSL confirmed acceptance of the termination notice, and proposed moving forward with contract termination effective December 31. They also elected not to pursue the opportunity to cure. The WSL office subsequently closed at the end of business on December 31. The investigation is ongoing, but expect it will wrap up soon since WSL has now closed.

We are working on obtaining records related to the case mentioned in the tip we received.

In the meantime, Satterfield reiterates that the county is continuing to seek a replacement for West Seattle Licensing: “A new licensing subagent will be appointed for the West Seattle/White Center area. We will move as quickly as possible on that process, but it still may take a couple of months at minimum.” The opening will eventually be posted here.

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About the police response in Gatewood
January 7, 2020 3:54 pm
|    Comments Off on About the police response in Gatewood
 |   Crime | Gatewood | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

(Texted photo)

Thanks for the tips about a big police response in a Gatewood alley near Myrtle Reservoir Park. Here’s what we know via radio monitoring and checking with SPD media relations: This started with someone calling in a suspicious person in a vehicle idling in an alley. There was a suspicion the man had a gun in the car, so that called for a heavier response to approach and get him out. For a while he wasn’t responding, but eventually he left the car and was detained. The investigation continues.

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