West Seattle, Washington
25 Thursday
On this last night of the fourth full calendar month of the pandemic, here are the local toplines:
NEWEST KING COUNTY NUMBERS: Here’s the daily summary from Public Health, with cumulative totals:
*10,196 people have tested positive, up 127 from yesterday
*586 people have died, unchanged for a fourth day
*1,589 people have been hospitalized, up 2 from yesterday
*167,270 people have been tested, up 5,872 from yesterday
One week ago, those totals were 9,369/584/1,550/147,898.
STATEWIDE NUMBERS: Find them here.
WORLDWIDE NUMBERS: Find them here.
CITY LAUNCHING ‘EDUCATION AND OUTREACH TEAM’: The city says this new team will check out businesses accused of not following the face-covering policy. This is in the middle of a long news release addressing various virus-related topics:
The Department of Finance and Administrative Services’ Consumer Protection Division will lead education and outreach to businesses and restaurants that are reported to be out of compliance with the Governor’s mandate to wear a facial covering in indoor and outdoor public spaces. Outreach to these businesses and restaurants will focus on education. Businesses that do not enforce the facial covering mandate can be reported to the City’s Customer Service Bureau at 206-684-2489 (CITY).
In the coming days, FAS will also be issuing a Director’s Rule to give the Consumer Protection team enforcement authority over businesses that violate the mandate. Violation of the statewide order is a misdemeanor, punishable by up to 90 days in jail and up to a $100 fine. Businesses that routinely violate the order also face losing their City of Seattle business license.
PANDEMIC-AFFECTED BUSINESSES: Meantime, the pandemic continues to affect local businesses. Two are temporarily closed: Duke’s on Alki reports a second employee has tested positive; Bank of America says its Junction branch is short-staffed.
FERRY SYSTEM’S PANDEMIC PAIN … was extensively discussed during an online public meeting we covered tonight.
GOT INFO? westseattleblog@gmail.com or text/voice 206-293-6302 – thank you!
(Fauntleroy ferries inbound and outbound: WSB file photo)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
The pandemic has hit Washington State Ferries hard, and that’s likely to affect service for a long time to come.
So warned WSF executives including assistant transportation secretary Amy Scarton in tonight’s systemwide online meeting.
But before we get to that – some news about the Fauntleroy ferry terminal.
An update and invitation from Seattle Lutheran High School:
We are so excited to present our response to the changes we have faced – we are working to create a schedule for next year. SLHS plans to be back in the fall! Our goal is to capitalize on what we have learned through home-based learning and ultimately create a schedule that benefits our students. It is our priority to ensure all students are safe upon returning to classes, which is why we become a leader in this transition, building a schedule unlike any other school. Check out the attached graphics on the tentative weekly layout for the Saints returning this fall.
If you, or anyone you know, has questions about our plan or is
interested in enrolling at Seattle Lutheran High School, the only
Independent High School in West Seattle, join our town hall this Wednesday evening (7/1). Email Dave Meyer for invitation (dmeyer@seattlelutheran.org)
Duke’s on Alki is closed until Thursday for a “deep cleaning” after a second employee tested positive for COVID-19. We contacted Duke’s after this was first mentioned in a new comment today on our Saturday report about the first case. Here’s what CEO John Moscrip told us: “To confirm, we have had 2 total positive cases, and we are closing today and tomorrow for a professional, deep cleaning using an Electrostatic spray, as well as so our team members can get tested. We anticipate opening again on Thursday.”
After multiple readers asked us Monday about the West Seattle Junction Bank of America‘s “temporary closure,” we went over and found only that sign, no explanation, so we inquired with corporate media relations. They acknowledged our inquiry relatively quickly but didn’t send this answer until this afternoon:
We did temporarily close our West Seattle financial center. We are operating with an abundance of caution around keeping employees and clients as safe as possible during coronavirus. So, for example, if employees become high risk due to preexisting conditions, or need to take time off to care for family members during these times, we may not have enough staff to maintain enough onsite services. When this happens, we work to ensure that the full service ATMs onsite are regularly restocked so that customers can still transact for the most common needs, along with our award winning mobile and online banking.
We will be closed for the remainder of the week ,with plans to reopen, Monday, July 6. Our customers can use our mobile app for many of their banking needs and find the latest schedules, as well as the nearest ATM and financial center locations by going to www.bankofamerica.com/locator.
(WSB photo, June 19th)
We’ve been checking with police and the Medical Examiner‘s office repeatedly since the discovery a week and a half ago of “human remains” found off Luna/Anchor Park. Today – new information: Police say the remains were those of two people, a 27-year-old man and a 36-year-old woman.(Their names have not yet been made public, nor has the cause of death.) They’re not saying anything more except that it’s very much an active homicide investigation and they “do not believe this case is connected to any other investigations in the Puget Sound area.” Police add, “Anyone with information on this case is asked to contact the Seattle Police Department’s Violent Crimes tip line at (206) 233-5000.”
ADDED – MORE BACKSTORY: As noted in our first followup last week, the discovery on June 19th – chronicled by teenagers in a TikTok video – involved a suitcase on the rocks by the Luna/Anchor Park viewpoint. The teens, who said they went to the park while playing Randonautica, called police because the suitcase smelled bad; officers weren’t able to get there for two hours, by which time the tide had risen and the suitcase’s contents started floating away.
(Rendering by Steve Fischer Architects)
Land-use approval has been granted for 32 townhouses planned along Harbor Avenue SW. Rather than one project, the townhouses – though next to each other – are in the system as four separate projects: Seven units at 3252 30th SW, nine units at 3315 Harbor SW, eight units at 3303 Harbor SW, and eight units at 3257 Harbor SW. The approval notices – linked to each of those individual addresses – open a two-week period in which appeals can be filed, deadline July 13th. The townhouses passed Design Review last September; here’s our report on the final meeting.
Spotted this on Twitter: The National Weather Service wants your opinion on the wording it uses for alerts. Should they drop the use of terms like advisory, watch, and warning? Here’s a survey you can take to tell the NWS what you think. It’s open until August 21st, so save it for later if you’re too busy now!
Two reader reports in West Seattle Crime Watch:
CAN YOU HELP FIND THIS STOLEN ITEM? Dennis Dye‘s insurance office in The Junction was broken into over the weekend. He’s asking you to help watch for an item that wouldn’t be of any value to the burglar(s), “a personal journal I was writing to my kids. It’s red and would contain the names Bill and Sarah in it. Thank you very much!” The SPD incident # is 20-199597.
HOME BURGLARIZED: Will sends word of a break-in at his house on 52nd SW June 19th, around 4;30 pm. A neighbor’s security camera caught a vehicle driving by multiple times, then pulling into Will’s driveway.
SPD incident # is 20-191864.
(Photo by Michael De Haan)
Four events to spotlight for today/tonight:
SUMMER MEALS FOR KIDS/TEENS: 10 am-4 pm at Highland Park Playground. (1100 SW Cloverdale)
STAND UP FOR BLACK LIVES: Streetcorner demonstration led by Scott from Puget Ridge Cohousing and Hate-Free Delridge. 4-6 pm. Bring signs, and wear your face covering. (16th/Holden)
HEAR FROM YOUNG LEADERS: Local youth are among the speakers at the North Highline Coalition for Drug-Free Youth online event, 6-7:30 pm. RSVP info is here.
WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES’ FUTURE: Online meeting for everyone interested in WSF:
WSF staff will discuss the response to COVID-19, and how it may affect the agency’s finances and service plan. Online participants will be able to ask questions and provide comments during the meeting.
6 pm. The announcement explains how to RSVP and get the link.
Just as the delayed tax deadline approaches, so does a chance to get some shredding done. The announcement is from John L. Scott Real Estate-Westwood (WSB sponsor):
(We’re adding this to the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, which we’re getting into gear again after its virus-crisis hiatus.)
6:07 AM: Good morning – the 99th morning without the high-rise West Seattle Bridge.
ROAD WORK
Lane reductions continue for the Delridge Way project – here are the key points of this week’s work.
TRAFFIC
Here are the cameras for the 5-way intersection, and the restricted-access low bridge just east of it:
The main detour route across the Duwamish River is the 1st Avenue South Bridge (map) – which has up to 14 overnight closures planned next month. Meanwhile, here’s that camera:
The other major bridge across the river is the South Park Bridge (map) – this camera shows the SP-side approach:
If you’re going through South Park, neighbors have a message for you:
P.S. Check the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed for info about any of those bridges opening for marine traffic.
You can see all local traffic cams here; locally relevant cameras are also shown on this WSB page.
TRANSIT
Metro – Some service has been restored – details here.
Water Taxi – Some service has been restored on the WT too, plus the 773 and 775 shuttles – see the schedule here.
Holiday note – Since July 4th is on Saturday, Independence Day will be observed Friday – that means no Water Taxi, and Metro’s on its Sunday schedule.
Trouble on the roads/paths/water? Let us know – text (but not if you’re driving!) 206-293-6302.
We start the last day of Pride month with a photo sent by Carolyn Newman – a rainbow reflected on Elliott Bay, from the T-Mobile Park roof lights, photographed Sunday night.
One of the highest daily new case numbers we’ve seen in a while tops tonight’s roundup:
NEWEST KING COUNTY NUMBERS: Here’s today’s daily summary from Public Health – the cumulative totals:
*10,069 people have tested positive, 168 more than yesterday
*586 people have died, unchanged for a third day
*1,587 people have been hospitalized, 13 more than yesterday
*161,398 people have been tested, 1,847 more than yesterday
One week ago, the totals were 9,273/584/1,547/144,631.
STATEWIDE NUMBERS: See them here.
WORLDWIDE NUMBERS: See them – nation by nation – here.
3 WS BUSINESSES IN 4 DAYS … have confirmed employee COVID-19 cases. Today, Trader Joe’s; Saturday, Duke’s; Thursday, Admiral Starbucks.
LOOKING FOR WORK? Though the virus crisis has cost many their jobs, some are hiring. Local businesses can post listings for free in our West Seattle Jobs Offered section, and there are several new ones.
GOVERNOR’S BRIEFING TOMORROW: He’ll be in the Tri-Cities and has announced an 11:45 am media briefing, “joined by Secretary of Health John Wiesman and retired Navy Vice Adm. Dr. Raquel Bono, Washington State Director, Pandemic Health Response.” (No advance streaming link in the announcement.)
GOT SOMETHING TO REPORT? westseattleblog@gmail.com or 206-293-6302, text/voice – thank you!
Still time to sign up for West Seattle High School‘s online summer school – and you’re eligible if you attend ANY Seattle Public Schools high school. Here’s the announcement:
West Seattle High School is hosting its summer school once again! It will run from July 1-31, M-Th with Friday being a makeup day. July 1 is an enrollment and scheduling day with classes beginning on July 2.
Students can potentially take up to 3 classes. We are offering credit recovery in health, PE, LA, math, science, and history, as well as first-time credits in SAT Prep as well as others. If you are interested, please go to the West Seattle High School website, and enroll today! All classes will be TEACHER TAUGHT daily on Zoom between 9-3 and are self-contained, meaning that once you’re done for the day (classes will meet for up to 90 minutes each), you’re done! No additional homework required. It is important to note that although students will not likely be sitting in front of their computers for the entire class every day, they are required to check in ON TIME as attendance will be taken.
For those of you already enrolled, schedules will be emailed out to you before or on July 1, our scheduling and tech check day. Please check the WSHS website for weekly communication and updates.
We look forward to having y’all learn with us this summer! If you have any registration or program questions, please email either our counselor Erica Nguyen at etnguyen@seattleschools.org, our program assistant Amy Doll at asdoll@seattleschools.org, or the program coordinator, Sandi Whiton, at sswhiton@seattleschools.org.
7:32 PM: Avoid Delridge/Oregon for a whlle – we’re getting reports of a crash that is said to involve a pole. SFD and SPD are responding.
7:56 PM: Our crew sent that photo and word that Delridge is closed between Genesee and Oregon.
8:32 PM: Still closed, while they deal with downed wires.
10:07 PM: Apparently not cleared yet – Metro just sent a text alert that the 120 and 125 are still rerouoted in the area.
Another local business has confirmed that an employee has tested positive for COVID-19. We just talked with a Trader Joe’s spokesperson, checking out a tip we had received. She says a West Seattle employee tested positive on Saturday (June 27th) and had last worked the preceding Thursday (June 25th). The store brought in an independent cleaning crew for a thorough cleaning Saturday night/Sunday morning, she said..
We’ve heardd from two more reopened West Seattle food/beverage businesses:
PHO AROMA: Today is the first day back in business for the Vietnamese restaurant at 5605 Delridge Way SW. They’re open noon 7 pm Mondays through Saturdays, closed Sundays.
EMERALD KITTY CAFE: Open for pick-up coffee at 3422 Harbor SW, Tuesdays-Saturdays 7:30 am-2 pm (closed from 11-11:30 for lunch break), closed Sundays and Mondays. And they remind us that “100% of proceeds go back to the pet rescue” (Emerald City).
(SDOT photo: Hydra-Lift Under-Bridge Inspection Platform that’ll be used in stabilization work)
Regardless of whether the city decides to repair or replace the West Seattle Bridge, it has to be stabilized. SDOT just announced that contractor Kraemer North America will move this week from staging to stabilizing. The first phase of that work has to be done even before the stuck Pier 18 bearings can be tackled, SDOT says:
The first step of this stabilization work will be to construct and attach movable work platforms to the underside of the bridge so that crews can safely access the exterior of the bridge girders while they work on measures intended to slow cracking. In order to secure the hanging platforms, crews will use a precision hydro-demolition technique to excavate existing holes which held up platforms when the bridge was being built and were then filled with concrete decades ago. Crews will open up more than 100 of these holes, which will take a minimum of 2 weeks. Once the holes have been exposed, the work platforms can be hoisted up from a barge in the river below using roadway-mounted electric winches.
When the work platforms are secure, the team will be able to work from both the top and underside of the bridge, and move forward with the stabilization measures. The first stabilization measure will be to install carbon fiber wrapping around the bottom of the bridge in areas where strengthening is required and inside some of the girders most affected by cracking. The initial carbon fiber wrapping work will likely begin as soon as late July and take approximately 10 weeks to install.
Once the carbon fiber wrap is in place, we can begin installing steel tendons inside the bridge. When the steel strands are in place, we will begin to tighten them to achieve the required tension that will support the bridge and, along with the carbon fiber wrap, help slow cracking. Work to install and tighten the steel tendons will likely take one to two weeks to complete.
More details – and graphics – are in SDOT’s full update here.
P.S. Wondering how much all this will cost? City Councilmember Lisa Herbold‘s latest weekly newsletter includes this: “A memo received from the City Budget Office … notes ‘SDOT estimates 2020 costs for bridge repair to be $22.8 million. To help fund 2020 costs for emergency repair work, SDOT will take on additional debt supported by an interfund loan in 2020. More funding will be required in 2021 and 2022’.”
The photo and report are from Sam: “Wanted to let you know that SDOT is cutting tree limbs down on Sylvan Way SW. There are very long delays. At least 10 mins. Good news is that come fall we won’t have trees and branches falling on cars.”
Two months ago today, we reported on the arrest and charging of 18-year-old Jackson U. Sullivan, charged with second-degree rape. Prosecutors say he raped a 16-year-old girl who was incapable of consent, “intoxicated to the point of loss of motor functions … (during) what should have been an enjoyable high-school party” last November. Usually defendants are arraigned a few weeks after charges are filed, but court operations have been affected by the pandemic, and after delays, Sullivan was arraigned this past Thursday; we obtained the court documents today. They say he pleaded not guilty, remains free on bond for $350,000 bail, and is ordered to return to court August 25th for a case-scheduling hearing – those are usually short hearings during which the judge gets an update on the case’s status.
The latest reopening news is from the Senior Center of West Seattle, whose executive director Amy Lee Derenthal sends word of a “modified” reopening:
The Senior Center of West Seattle will re-open today with limited programming, by appointment only.
During this phase, the Senior Center will operate with just a few high-demand programs that are held 1:1 or in a small-group setting. The first couple of weeks will be our test period as we evaluate how to provide the programs, activities and classes our members want most while keeping our members, volunteers, and staff safe. The Senior Center’s goal is to add more programming throughout July and August, as safety guidelines allow.
To Register: Call us at 206-932-4044 to make an appointment for a class or program. No walk-in participation will be permitted during this period of our re-opening.
Here’s What’s Available:
· Aging Well
· Artists Group
· Book Reading Group
· Coffee with Vets
· Computer Lab
· Drumming Circle
· Ham Radio Group
· Legal Assistance
· Tutoring for Computers, Smart Phones and Zoom
· Writing GroupVisit the Senior Center’s website for a detailed list of activities and the dates and times each will be offered.
Safety is top priority. All members and participants must wear a mask while at the Senior Center of West Seattle and stick to six-foot physical distancing rules. The Senior Center is following strict cleaning and safety guidelines from King County and the state to lower risk.
The Senior Center’s Stop-n-Shop Thrift Shop, located at 4504 California Ave. SW, will re-open with a limited schedule beginning on Thursday, July 9. Hours will be Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. (Some donations will be accepted starting July 16th.)
The Senior Center’s virtual classes and programs will continue. Check out the list of activities on the Senior Center’s website.
Questions: Contact us at 206-932-4044 or visit sc-ws.org. Note the Senior Center of West Seattle will be closed Friday, July 3, in observance of Independence Day.
While the center itself has been closed to the public, it hasn’t been idle – “We’ve been busy delivering meals and groceries to seniors in their homes,” notes Derenthal, adding that will continue. The center is at 4217 SW Oregon in The Junction.
Orcas are in the area again! The tip comes from Kersti Muul, who says whales are “milling on north en of Blake Island.” Let us know if you see them!
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