West Seattle, Washington

08 Sunday

62℉

month : 04/2020 332 results

CORONAVIRUS: Sunday 4/5 roundup
April 5, 2020 9:31 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   Coronavirus | West Seattle news

On this 38th day since the first King County coronavirus case was announced, here’s our nightly roundup:

NEWEST KING COUNTY NUMBERS: From the daily Seattle-King County Public Health news release:

3,167 confirmed positive cases (up 269* from yesterday)

208 confirmed deaths (up 8 from yesterday)

*Many of the new cases being reported today were diagnosed in days prior and do not necessarily represent a spike in new cases. The “new confirmed positive cases” figure we publish each day represents all new confirmed cases reported to us through 11:59 the night prior. Some of these test results were processed on days prior but were delayed in being reported to us.

2 MORE NEARBY DEATHS: Looking at the county data dashboard, two local zip codes now have 2 deaths each – 98106 and 98126. 98136 and 98146 are still at one death each, and 98116 is at zero.

STATEWIDE NUMBERS: Find them here.

WORLDWIDE NUMBERS: Find them here.

HERE’S A REALLY IMPRESSIVE NUMBER – 400: That’s how many ventilators Gov. Inslee says our state is giving back to the federal stockpile because other states need them more. A quote of note from today’s announcement:

“I spoke with the governor after conferring with the Washington State Hospital Association to determine what help Washington could offer other states,” said Vice Admiral (ret.) Raquel Bono, M.D., Director, Washington State COVID-19 Health System Response Management. “Thanks to the mitigation efforts the governor has put in place and the cooperation of Washingtonians, we have seen fewer infections in our communities than anticipated. Our current status allows us to help others who have a more immediate need.”

But don’t get complacent, the announcement also warns:

It is important that Washingtonians continue to stay home, wash hands and maintain physical distancing. The data shows that current community mitigation strategies are working to slow the spread of COVID-19, and must be sustained to ensure Washington’s continued success.

ANOTHER WAY YOU CAN HELP: Today’s county update is spotlighting the importance of donating blood, if you are able to.

SPEAKING OF HELPING: As announced tonight, 5 local restaurants are donating 200 “oven-ready” meals to people who need them, starting tomorrow. (We also previously noted another restaurant is giving away sack lunches tomorrow.)

WHILE WE’RE TALKING ABOUT FOOD … An update tonight from West Seattle Farmers’ Market management – they’re hoping a plan for “extremely modified” operation will get the mayor to reconsider her order closing markets (which came before the governor’s order declared them “essential”).

GOT A PHOTO? INFO? TIP? Email westseattleblog@gmail.com or text/voice our hotline, 206-293-6302 – thank you!

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NEED FOOD? 5 West Seattle restaurants donating 200+ meals
April 5, 2020 8:24 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Coronavirus | West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants

Even when the going gets tough … generous local independent businesses still keep giving. This =announcement is just in from the proprietors of West Seattle restaurants Peel & Press, West 5, The Bridge, Mission Cantina, and The Westy:

The owners of the above-named businesses will be preparing over 200 individual meals available to medical personnel, seniors, and those who have lost their jobs due to the current economic realities of the Coronavirus.

These meals will be packaged and ready to place in a home oven to finish. With the donations from vendors, owners, and generous customers, we will be able to produce meals for this week and next week to help bring some stability to those in need.

Product Availability

30 of the meals will be giving to the West Seattle Senior Center for delivery. The remaining meals will be available for pickup on Monday starting at 4 pm at Mission Cantina in Admiral (2325 California SW), West 5 in the Alaska Junction (4533 California SW), and Peel and Press in the Morgan Junction (6503 California SW).

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GETTING AROUND: 2 reminders for Monday
April 5, 2020 8:06 pm
|    Comments Off on GETTING AROUND: 2 reminders for Monday
 |   Transportation | West Seattle news

In case you missed (or forgot about) our reports on these:

AVALON PAVING: The last stretch of paving in the Avalon/35th/Alaska project is expected to happen this week – SDOT had to wait until warmer weather, as this is asphalt paving. It’ll involve two rounds of overnight work (7 pm to 7 am), grinding and then paving Avalon between 35th and Fauntleroy. Permanent striping/marking will be done in the entire project zone. So watch for work crews – details here.

BUS/WATER TAXI SERVICE CUTS: Starting tomorrow – as noted here – more Metro bus cuts, including more West Seattle route eliminations. The Water Taxi‘s schedule is also being downsized, and its shuttles are going away for now. To see what trips are NOT running on the routes that are still operating, you can use this lookup.

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FOLLOWUP: West Seattle Farmers’ Market hoping to reopen in ‘extremely modified’ format
April 5, 2020 6:04 pm
|      24 COMMENTS
 |   Coronavirus | West Seattle Farmers' Market | West Seattle news

Last week, we published reader photos of West Seattle Farmers’ Market vendors who had set up tents for pre-order pickups in what looked like an unofficial mini-market of sorts. Today, we went through The Junction at noon to see if there was a rerun; there wasn’t – the only sign we saw of vendors was one truck parked on the east side of California, one van on the west, no tents/booths. Tonight, we have an update from Jennifer Antos, executive director of Neighborhood Farmers’ Markets, the nonprofit that runs WSFM and others:

Dear West Seattle Blog Community,

The Neighborhood Farmers Markets recently shared a Community Update intended to clarify that farms, food, and farmers markets have been deemed an “essential business” by Governor Inslee, and what we are doing to modify our operating plans as we work in partnership with Seattle King County Public Health and the City of Seattle to re-open the markets.

Prior to the mandated closure of the farmers markets by the City of Seattle on March 13, we had modified our operations and will continue to act to ensure the safest access to fresh, nutritious food from local producers. While the closure of the markets has afforded us a chance to revise our operations for everyone’s safety, it is important to note that the Neighborhood Farmers Markets, farmers markets across Washington State, and agricultural producers are designated as an “essential business.” A full list of essential businesses including farmers and farmers markets is located here. Direct-to-consumer farmers are no exception, and while the markets are suspended, all have pivoted to conduct business while adhering to public health mandates, city, and statewide orders.

While farmers markets are often social spaces, it is important not to confuse this as the primary purpose. Our commitment is to farm and food-only markets that support Washington’s small family farms, food access for all, and the direct connection between people and their food. In 2019, farmers markets across Seattle processed over half a million dollars in SNAP/EBT and Fresh Bucks, donated thousands of pounds of food to local food banks like the West Seattle Food Bank, and enabled fresh food purchases subsidized by WIC and the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program.

We are in constant communication with the City and Public Health to create plans that ensure strict distancing, sanitation, and health measures are the premise. Though we do not yet have a date for when the markets will re-open, we are actively communicating these measures so that everyone is prepared for the markets to re-open – shoppers, vendors, and our community. It is important that shoppers know farmers markets will be extremely modified upon re-opening. We will be banning the public from touching produce, encouraging pre-paid orders, requiring gloved staff select and bag product, increasing distance between vendor booths, and providing demarcation for shoppers to increase social distancing. We are exploring a possible expansion of market footprints and/or limitation of the number of shoppers at any one time, which may be different at each market site. A summary of measures can be found in the Community Update here.

Speaking on behalf of all NFM farmers, producers, and staff, we appreciate of the enormous amount of support we’ve received in our work to re-open farmers markets. We submitted the public letter of support to our partners with over 1,500 signatures and remain as committed as ever in our mission to strengthen Washington’s small farms as we feed Seattle. This month, we will launch a fundraising campaign to support farmers affected by the market closures and hope to exceed our goal of $250,000. Those interested in donating can do so here.

And if anyone is seeking to order products or food directly from the farmers who typically attend the West Seattle Farmers Market, you can find a list of options on our homepage.

Today was the fourth marketless Sunday since the last one (March 8th) before the mayor’s order.

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WEST SEATTLE SCENE: Starting the week with a splash
April 5, 2020 5:07 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news

The photo and report are from Jessica:

Dominic, my son, is insisting we jump in the Sound every Sunday morning so we get a fresh start to the week in this time of Corona. He’s a 5th grader at STEM-Louisa Boren.

Anyone else with new routines to mark the time? westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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WEST SEATTLE BRIDGE CLOSURE: 2 ripple effects
April 5, 2020 3:59 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Fauntleroy | West Seattle Bridge Safety Project | West Seattle news | Westwood

While neither of these is directly related to Camp Second Chance, both bits of information emerged during this afternoon’s meeting (by videoconferencing/phone) of the CSC Community Advisory Committee (full report later): 2 elements of COVID-19 response that are dropped or on hold because the West Seattle Bridge closure has suddenly rendered our area a lot less accessible.

One is the plan for the Southwest Teen Life Center to be used as an additional shelter space for up to 50 people, so that existing shelters in the city could be made less dense. Shawn Neal of the city Human Services Department said that site is on the back burner now because transportation logistics between here and, for example, downtown services are a lot more complex without the bridge. Also, Rev. Leah Atkinson Bilinski of Fauntleroy UCC (now the camp’s sponsor) said a plan for the co-housed Fauntleroy YMCA to be used as a child-care space for medical personnel/first responders hit the same snag – suddenly it’s a lot harder to get to/from WS – so the church is now exploring “other (interim) uses” for its building.

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WEST SEATTLE BRIDGE CLOSURE: WS Transportation Coalition’s letter to council and mayor
April 5, 2020 2:13 pm
|      34 COMMENTS
 |   Transportation | West Seattle Bridge Safety Project | West Seattle news

(2 pm screengrab from SDOT’s West Seattle Bridge camera)

Tomorrow marks two weeks since the sudden surprise safety shutdown of the West Seattle Bridge. As reported here Thursday, SDOT is still working on the analysis that will enable a short-term “shoring” plan, to be followed by permanent repairs, so it’s warning the closure will be “lengthy.” One local organization that has long advocated for more attention to the West Seattle Bridge Transportation Corridor (WSBTC) is the West Seattle Transportation Coalition (WSTC). This week the WSTC sent a letter to the City Council and Mayor with its recommendations on what should be done along the corridor because of the closure. From the letter:

… Thus, the WSTC proposes the following immediate and longer-term actions to help ease strains on mobility for Peninsula workers and residents, including but not limited to:
Immediately create and install re-route plans and detour signage, to move traffic away from the WSBTC, including:

. SDOT to manage SODO and the Spokane Street corridor diversions

· SDOT to work with WSDOT to manage I-5, SR 99 and SR 509 diversions, and use other statewide notification modes;

. SDOT to create individual street plans and detour signage, to reduce or eliminate cut-through traffic impacts on West Seattle neighborhoods

. SDOT to install oversized signs to highlight high bridge closure and re-route requirements in key
Peninsula centers – Alki, Admiral Junction, Alaska Junction, High Point, Morgan Junction, Fauntleroy Ferry Dock, 35th Ave. SW at Barton, Arbor Heights, Westwood Village, South Delridge, Highland Park, Pigeon Point, North Delridge, and the Junction Triangle.

install traffic signals at –
. SW Holden and 9th Ave. SW-SW Highland Park Way (SDOT completed 03-29)
. SW Delridge and 21st Ave. SW, to allow L & R turns onto Delridge, and ease pressure on SW Holden from SW Highland Park Way,
. AND improve signal timing and operation on all anticipated detour routes

allow (1) registered King County Van Pool vehicles and (2) medical staff vehicles to use the low bridge,
initiate SPD traffic patrols over the low bridge and authorize violation fines;

Longer-term –
Re-activate appropriate Seattle Squeeze transportations options, as when the general population returns to work, the high bridge will likely still be closed. Options would include, but not be limited to:
. Increasing West Seattle Water Taxi service if demand warrants, expanding parking for Water Taxi commuters, and coordinating 773/775 with new sailing schedule,
. expanding 773/775 service to Morgan Junction, for the duration of the High Bridge closure;

. adding midday bus service for Admiral area residents, who are most effected by the closure,

. helping coordinate re-routes for commuters from Vashon and Southworth-Kitsap, who drive more than 800,000 vehicles a year through Fauntleroy, and put additional pressure on Fauntleroy Way and the WSBTC. …

Read the full letter here (PDF). Your thoughts?

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Business burglary; vehicle break-in
April 5, 2020 11:21 am
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Two incidents to report in West Seattle Crime Watch this morning:

MYSTERY MADE BURGLARIZED: That’s a frame from this security video provided by Cory at Mystery Made, who reports: “Mystery Made was broken into in the early morning! Windows shattered and goods stolen! Please, anyone who knows our shop and the goods we sell, please be on the lookout! We are bummed! Any insight or leads pass along to info@mysterymade.com and we can pass along to WSeattlePD!”

ADDED 3:33 PM: We followed up to ask Cory if there was anything specific to watch for:

Almost all clothing inventory was taken from space. Includes, hatchets, sunglasses, hats etc.
One unique item could be the Sonos Play5 that was custom laser etched. would be something specific if found/seen.

Meantime, though Mystery Made had been able to stay “open” online – because of this, even that is now closed TFN.

VEHICLE BREAK-IN: Also early this morning, Erin reports, this happened near 50th and Dawson, southwest of The Junction:

At approximately 4:50 am this morning, April 5th, our RAM 1500 Dodge was burglarized and approximately $3500 of Tools, outdoor safety and recovery gear for overland travel, outside first aid gear, small ARB air compressor, Craftsman tools was stolen from the cab and back of our truck. 2 large Husky brand duffel bags and 2 Mountain smith brand bags full of all the gear. MSR water purification system, Craftsman tools. The list of our loss (both financially and sentimental) is very long and we’re devastated that someone would do this, especially as we’re all going thru such a difficult time. Police report filed #2020-904203

Our neighbor was headed to work and heard the noice and saw someone in our vehicle, our neighbor yelled and tried to scare the person away but unfortunately the person had already taken everything out of our truck so the person sped off quickly. Our neighbor reports that the car may have been early 00’s small SUV Honda CRV or similar, probably blue or black.

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Online church services, free dinner, and what else is up for your West Seattle Sunday
April 5, 2020 6:07 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle religion | WS miscellaneous

(Recent sunset, photographed by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)

Good morning. Here’s our Sunday list of what is/isn’t happening – starting with, for a fourth Sunday, spotlighting West Seattle churches leading worship online, livestreamed or recorded or even in text:

ADMIRAL UCC: The video service for today will be here. Also – coffee hour via Zoom at 11:30 am.

ALKI UCC: 10 am online service, via Zoom – info and link on lower right of this page.

ALL SOULS SEATTLE (WSB sponsor): Daily online worship is here

ARBOR HEIGHTS COMMUNITY CHURCH: Livestreaming here at 10 am.

BETHANY COMMUNITY CHURCH: Livestreaming here, 8 am, 9:30 am, 11 am, 7 pm.

CALVARY CHAPEL: Sunday service will be available via the church’s website.

EASTRIDGE CHURCH: Livestreaming here at 9 am.

FAUNTLEROY UCC: Livestreaming here at 10 am.

FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH OF WEST SEATTLE: Today’s online liturgy is here.

GRACE CHURCH: Livestreaming here, 10:30 am.

HALLOWS CHURCH: Livestreaming at 10 am here.

HOLY FAMILY CATHOLIC CHURCH: Livestreaming in English at 8:30 am, en Español at 10 am, here.

HOLY ROSARY CATHOLIC CHURCH: Livestreaming Mass at 9:30 am here.

HOPE LUTHERAN: Today’s recorded service, music, and children’s story are viewable here.

OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE CATHOLIC CHURCH: Livestreaming Mass here at 10 am.

PEACE LUTHERAN: Watch here for the pastor’s message for today.

ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH: Livestreaming here at 10:15 am, or view later on the church website; Sunday School is here, and the bulletin is here.

TIBBETTS UNITED METHODIST CHURCH (WSB sponsor): The video service for today is viewable here.

TRINITY CHURCH: Livestreaming here, 10 am.

WEST SEATTLE CHRISTIAN CHURCH: The video service for today is viewable here.

WEST SEATTLE CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE: Livestreaming here, 11 am.

WEST SIDE PRESBYTERIAN Livestreaming at 10 am here.

WESTSIDE UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CONGREGATION: Livestreaming via Zoom, 10:30 am; also, virtual coffee hour at 11:30 am.

WESTWOOD CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY: Online worship will be viewable here.

Any other churches to add? Please email us – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

Also today:

FARMERS’ MARKET VENDORS’ PICKUP: Though the West Seattle Farmers’ Market continues on hiatus (as announced), several vendors have enabled pre-orders for local pickup, as noted on this list.

WEST SEATTLE TOOL LIBRARY: Open 11 am-4 pm – need a tool to fix or improve something? (4408 Delridge Way SW)

CAMP SECOND CHANCE COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE: This group’s regular monthly community meeting will be held at 2 pm via Zoom:

Join Zoom Meeting
Meeting ID: 767 249 272
Password: 9701
or
+1 253 215 8782
Meeting ID: 767 249 272

FREE TO-GO DINNERS: High Point Community Dinner Church will serve to-go meals at 5 pm, outside, near High Point Community Center. (6920 34th SW)

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THE WEST SEATTLE TURKEY: Saturday sightings
April 4, 2020 11:00 pm
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | Wildlife

Thanks to everyone who sent photos of their encounters with The West Seattle Turkey, who spent the day in North Admiral:

Diane and Lorne Dyke sent that video of The Turkey at the door. Katie, meantime, found TWST on her deck:

Katie said, “He’s been here for hours and even our dog has gotten used to his presence.” Below, Grace Lee photographed a young passerby doing a doubletake:

Diana Niederberger sent the next photo, saying, “Thought readers would like to see the Turkey strolling on Sunset Ave in North Admiral.”

Jacob Bridge saw The Turkey at Sunset/Hill:

The Turkey apparently started the day near Stephen‘s house on 45th SW, around 6:30 am:

“My wife heard our dogs barking this morning and was thrilled to see The Turkey back in Admiral.”

TWST has now crossed the peninsula north to south twice – first turning up a year ago in Arbor Heights, eventually spending months in Admiral, then recently heading south for a stay in Gatewood, and now all the way to North Admiral. Where it’s originally from, no one seems to know.

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CORONAVIRUS: Saturday 4/4 roundup
April 4, 2020 9:31 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Coronavirus | West Seattle news

A quiet day, as we start the sixth week since King County’s first confirmed case of COVID-19:

NEWEST KING COUNTY NUMBERS: From the daily Seattle-King County Public Health news release:

2,898 confirmed positive cases (up 111 from yesterday)

200 confirmed deaths (up 14 from yesterday)

One week ago, the numbers were 2,077 cases and 136 deaths. No additional deaths in local zip codes, per the COVID-19 data dashboard.

TOP HAT QUARANTINE/ISOLATION SITE NOT OPEN YET: The county’s daily update says 38 people are in quarantine/isolation facilities, but none at the Top Hat (east of White Center) site, because it’s not open yet – maybe next week.

STATEWIDE NUMBERS: 7,591 cases, 310 deaths; other state stats are here.

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

SATURDAY SHOPPING: For the past three Saturdays, we’ve started the day’s coverage with a grocery-store update. Commenters have shared their stories every week – here are the ones that came in today.

DRIVER LICENSE EXPIRING? If that’s happening soon, don’t worry – you get a 90-day extension.

STUDENTS’ FUNDRAISER: South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) United Students Association president Krisna Mandujano emailed to let us know about this student-created crowdfunding campaign:

As students, we are supporting undocumented folks amidst this crisis. This is not a non-profit effort, it’s simply a couple of students coming together to help undocumented folks.

We’re currently at 34,000 dollars but our goal is 50,000. We have 369 requests from folks in need of assistance. Unfortunately, our funding is limited and we need more momentum to increase donations.

Families are in urgent need. Pregnant women, elderly folks, single mothers/fathers will benefit from our organizing efforts.

If you can help, here’s how.

GRATITUDE: We don’t get to spend much time on social media, but during a quick check, we just spotted this (thanks for the tag):

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

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District 1 Community Network’s first virtual meeting
April 4, 2020 7:44 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Neighborhoods | West Seattle news

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

With at least another month of staying home ahead, community groups are getting into the virtual groove.

The latest: The District 1 Community Network, which gathered 20 people by videoconferencing and phone this past Wednesday night.

They represented organizations including the Admiral Neighborhood Association, Fauntleroy Community Association, West Seattle Be Prepared, Morgan Community Association, Alki Community Council, West Seattle Transportation Coalition, Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association, Westwood-Roxhill-Arbor Heights Community Coalition, West Seattle Junction Association, HPAC, South Park Neighborhood Association, West Seattle Bike Connections, West Seattle Blockwatch Captains Network, and more.

Spotlight guest: City Councilmember Lisa Herbold.

Read More

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HELPING: Café Mia’s free sack lunches; Evergreen Tang Soo Do’s fitness challenge
April 4, 2020 5:48 pm
|    Comments Off on HELPING: Café Mia’s free sack lunches; Evergreen Tang Soo Do’s fitness challenge
 |   Coronavirus | How to help | West Seattle news

Two more independent small West Seattle businesses are helping the community in unique ways:

CAFE MIA: This breakfast/lunch bistro in The Junction has stayed open for takeout but it also providing free food to those in need – this Monday, free sack lunches will be available, no questions asked. See this Instagram post for the number to text if you want one (or more) – or if you are interested in donating to help Café Mia cover the costs.

EVERGREEN TANG SOO DO ACADEMY: This martial-arts studio is about to launch an 8-week fitness challenge, with 3 online workouts a week, that’s also a fundraiser for other local independent businesses. It starts on Monday but there’s still time to sign up. Here’s the flyer (PDF) for “Kicking Coronavirus Out of Seattle”; here’s the signup page.

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WEST SEATTLE WILDLIFE: Seal sightings
April 4, 2020 3:36 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | Wildlife

Thanks to everyone who’s been sending photos – we have more in queue but first this afternoon, seal sightings. Longtime contributor David Hutchinson, who also is a longtime volunteer with Seal Sitters Marine Mammal Stranding Network, took both these photos of recent harbor-seal sightings on the West Seattle shore.

Both were taken from a distance – don’t ever try to get up close for a photo.

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FOUND: Hat belonging to a sailor or veteran
April 4, 2020 1:47 pm
|    Comments Off on FOUND: Hat belonging to a sailor or veteran
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

The photo and report are from Todd:

Saw this hat in Schmitz Park along the trail below the Admiral street.

It deserves to be with its Owner.

Thank you!

P.S. For general lost/found reports, see the section in our Community Forums.

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TRAFFIC ALERT: Crash at Delridge/Orchard
April 4, 2020 12:10 pm
|      38 COMMENTS
 |   Delridge | West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

12:10 PM: A three-car crash is reported at Delridge/Orchard, with SPD and SFD responding. Avoid the area.

12:25 PM: We are arriving in the area. Delridge is blocked south of the intersection.

12:33 PM: Photo added. At least one person is being transported by by AMR ambulance.

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UPDATE: SFD rescue response @ Lincoln Park
April 4, 2020 11:56 am
|      26 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS breaking news

11:56 AM: Seattle Fire responders are headed by land and sea to the north shore of Lincoln Park, where multiple 911 callers have reported that a kayaker has fallen in the water.

11:59 AM: Per radio exchange, the kayaker has made it to shore, and some units are being dismissed from the call.

12:03 PM: The call is closed. One illuminating aspect: This is the type of emergency call that brings units from across the bay. General traffic on the low bridge (where the live camera shows a steady stream of cars continuing) could have impeded the response.

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35TH/AVALON/ALASKA: Overnight paving, permanent striping ahead
April 4, 2020 11:52 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Transportation | Triangle | West Seattle news

It’s April, and that means the final stretch of paving, plus permanent striping, for the 35th/Avalon/Alaska repaving-and-more project. SDOT sent this update late Friday:

Week of April 6, final grinding and paving night work on SW Avalon Way from Fauntleroy Way SW to 35th Ave SW. Work will begin at 7PM, driveways will be temporarily impacted overnight.

As early as the week of April 6, installing final striping on 35th Ave SW, SW Alaska St, and SW Avalon Way. No parking signs will be placed along the corridor 3 days in advance to assist with striping.

Please note, we are not able to complete paving or striping during wet weather.

Construction update

SW Snoqualmie St is now open. We anticipate completing grinding and final paving of SW Avalon Way between 35th Ave SW and Fauntleroy Way SW next week. When we grind and pave, SW Avalon Way from 35th Ave SW to Fauntleroy Way SW will be closed to traffic from 7 PM to 7 AM. Work is weather dependent and subject to change.

During nighttime grinding and paving next week, starting April 6, please expect:

Overnight grinding on Monday night, April 6 beginning at 7 PM:

We will grind the road down to prepare the road for an even repaving. Driveways will be temporarily impacted as equipment moves along the pavement

Overnight paving on Wednesday, April 8 or Friday, April 10 beginning at 7 PM:

Paving will take place after grinding and at night. We will send updates to confirm when this work is taking place.

Nighttime work hours from 7 PM – 7 AM. Crews have a temporary noise variance to do this work.

Grinding and paving work to cause vibrations and the smell of tar.

Grinding and paving to take approximately one overnight shift each to complete.

Driveway access on SW Avalon Way between 35th Ave SW and Fauntleroy Way SW to be closed for 2 nights, while we grind and repave the road. We will let property owners know which night to expect this work, when confirmed, and emergency access will always be maintained.

Fresh pavement is hot, oily, and extremely sticky. Please keep off new pavement if you are walking, especially with dogs, as the oil and pavement can harm their feet and be difficult to remove from fur.

We will open driveways as they are safe for people walking and driving

As a reminder, for the safety of our crews and your fellow residents, please follow posted detour routes and do not disturb traffic control. We anticipate laying down final striping in April, weather depending.

Also this next week:

35th Ave SW and SW Alaska St: Next week we will be wrapping up work along sidewalk and will be working on ADA curb ramps at the east side of 35th Ave SW at SW Alaska St.

When the work began a year ago, it was projected to last 14 months (as reported here in April 2019).

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GROCERY SHOPPING: What’s changed at West Seattle supermarkets this week
April 4, 2020 6:07 am
|      55 COMMENTS
 |   Coronavirus | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

With (at least) one month ahead in “stay-home” mode, your routines might be settling in by now – weekly grocery shopping (or less often), for example. This is the third Saturday morning we’ve begun by noting that we are continuing to update our roundup of West Seattle standalone stores’ hours (etc) – see it here. Since last Saturday, more stores have continued to install Plexiglas barriers between checkers and customers (anywhere you do NOT see them? let us know!) Biggest change otherwise: Trader Joe’s has finally added an early hour (8-9 am daily) for shoppers 60+ or who have disabilities, after experimenting with a separate line to get in. Meantime, wherever you go, you might find paper products are back in stock … that’s what scattered comments indicate. (We found them in our most-recent expedition too.) So if you’re shopping, good luck, and let us know how it goes.

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CORONAVIRUS: Friday 4/3 roundup
April 3, 2020 9:18 pm
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   Coronavirus | West Seattle news

To mask or not to mask? The new recommendation from health authorities tops our nightly roundup:

‘ADDITIONAL LEVEL OF PROTECTION’: Tonight, the state Health Department sent this statement about mask-wearing:

Washington state is currently experiencing significant community-based transmission of COVID-19. Recent information suggests that a significant portion of persons with COVID-19 may not have any symptoms, and even those who do have symptoms can transmit the infection before showing signs of illness.

The Washington State Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention now recommend that people wear cloth face coverings when they are in public settings where they cannot maintain 6 feet of distance from others. This might include trips to the grocery store, pharmacy, hardware store, health clinic or similar places.

This recommendation is not a substitute for existing guidance to maintain 6-feet of physical distance from non-household members and performing frequent hand hygiene with soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Wearing cloth face coverings will not prevent spread of COVID-19 without these other protective measures.

This is not a mandate that you must wear a face covering. It is considered an additional layer of protection.

Read the full statement here (PDF).

NEWEST KING COUNTY NUMBERS: From the daily Seattle-King County Public Health news release:

2,787 confirmed positive cases (up 131 from yesterday)

186 confirmed deaths (up 11 from yesterday)

One week ago, King County’s totals were 1,828 cases, 125 deaths.

STATEWIDE NUMBERS: 6,966 cases, 284 deaths, up from 3,723/175 one week ago; see the full iist of state stats here.

WORLDWIDE NUMBERS: Find them – nation by nation – here.

MORE TRANSIT CUTS: On Monday, more bus and Water Taxi trips will be cut, since the continuing stay-home order has ridership down to about 30 percent (10% for the WT) of what it would normally be. Here’s our West Seattle-focused update. (Also note that Sound Transit is making more cuts too.)

PARKING CHANGES: The city is suspending more street-parking rules. But not all of them.

EXPEDITING DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS: More rules suspended – this time for public participation in some development reviews. The city has decided they can’t figure out an alternative way for boards to meet for Design Review and Historic Preservation, so they’re changing the rules for six months.

TONIGHT’S SPIRITED SIGHTING: Thanks to the texter who spotted this physical version of the “We’ve Got This” hashtag in Admiral:

GOT INFO? westseattleblog@gmail.com or text/voice 206-293-6302 – thank you!

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WEST SEATTLE BIRDS: From the bridge to the sidewalk
April 3, 2020 8:15 pm
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | Wildlife

Friday night birding …

GREAT BLUE ON THE BRIDGE: In case you missed that photo posted by James Riley in a comment on Thursday morning, it remains our favorite photo so far this week. The Great Blue Heron was taking advantage of the traffic-free West Seattle Bridge

THE WEST SEATTLE TURKEY HEADS NORTH: Not to be outdone, TWST also posed with a street sign today. Kat sent that photo from Admiral. The Turkey ranged into North Admiral during the day:

Jesse and Dawson Rogers sent that photo after a sighting at 44th/Seattle. Betty saw TWST one block west of there:

PLEASANT PHEASANT: Seen on Genesee Hill again, the Golden Pheasant:

Thanks to Eddie for the photo. westseattleblog@gmail.com if YOU have a sighting to share!

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UPDATE: Short-lived police search in North Delridge
April 3, 2020 6:49 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | Delridge | Helicopter

6:49 PM: Police are searching for two suspects in a reported street robbery near the Delridge Library (5423 Delridge Way SW), and the Guardian One helicopter is on the way to join them. The victim told police his phone was stolen and that the suspects are male – possbly armed – and female. No other details so far.

6:54 PM: The search is ending, per radio exchange, because the person who reported their phone was taken does not want to pursue it as a criminal case after all.

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FOLLOWUP: Construction underway for West Seattle Junction fast-charging station
April 3, 2020 6:42 pm
|      11 COMMENTS
 |   Environment | Transportation | West Seattle news

Construction has begun at the site of West Seattle’s future city-installed electric-vehicle “fast-charging” station, on 39th SW in front of the south end of West Seattle Bowl. Here’s the announcement from Seattle City Light:

This week, Seattle City Light contracted crews began construction on two electric vehicle (EV) fast charger installations on 39th Avenue SW, between SW Oregon Street and Fauntleroy Way SW. The project is part of a program to install public EV-charging infrastructure in the utility’s service area

Project History & Feedback

In May 2019, City Light hosted a survey to collect feedback from West Seattle residents about the proposed EV charging site. Click here to read a summary of the survey results,

Project Details

Two EV chargers will be installed on the west side of 39th Ave. SW, between SW Oregon St. and Fauntleroy Way SW.

Crews will be trenching along the sidewalk on 39th Ave. SW to install underground electrical infrastructure.

Customers can expect parking and sidewalk restrictions during this project.

Noise is expected during construction due to heavy equipment.

Temporary power outages may be required to do the work safely. Affected customers will be notified in advance of any planned outage.

EV Charging Details

Only EVs can park in the designated charging spaces. EV parking will be enforced and limited to one hour. Vehicles that violate the parking restrictions will be issued a $124 fine or towed away at the owner’s expense.

Each charger will be equipped with CHAdeMo and SAE Combo connectors, which are compatible with all fast charge-capable EVs.

The cost to charge your EV at City Light’s fast chargers will vary depending on the time of day. A 30-minute charge may cost between $3 to $8.

Timing & Coordination

This project is estimated for completion in two to three months. Daily work hours are from Mondays to Fridays, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Here’s our December report on the installation of similar chargers in SODO.

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