day : 17/06/2020 12 results

(WSB photos/video)

Tonight Seattle Lutheran High School gave its Class of 2020 a sendoff that was a turnabout on the usual car parade.

The grads stood – distanced – at or near the curb outside the school just north of The Junction, while well-wishers drove by to cheer them.

The school told us the graduating class numbered 26.

There were at least four times that many cars.

Lots of honking, of course:

Congratulations, Saints!

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Stolen red TrailBlazer

| Crime | West Seattle news

James emailed tonight to report, “My red 2002 Chevy TrailBlazer (SUV) was stolen on Morgan and 40th Ave SW overnight.” Plate BTP1685. If you see it, call 911.

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CORONAVIRUS: Wednesday 6/17 roundup

| Coronavirus | West Seattle news

No decision yet on moving to Phase 2. Here are the other virus-crisis headlines from today:

NEWEST KING COUNTY NUMBERS: From the Public Health daily-summary dashboard, the cumulative totals:

*8,893 people have tested positive, 38 more than yesterday’s total

*575 people have died, 1 fewer than yesterday’s total++

*1,531 people have been hospitalized, 1 fewer than yesterday’s total++

*130,354 people have been tested, 2,738 more than yesterday’s total

++The county cites “data corrections” for the death/hospitalization numbers dropping

One week ago, the four totals were 8,559/570/1,505/111,291.

STATEWIDE NUMBERS: Find them, county by county, on the state Department of Health page,.

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

‘ONE WAY OR ANOTHER, WE HAVE TO INCREASE MASK USAGE’: So said the governor during his briefing today, reiterating that it’s crucial to keeping the virus under control. “We have to step up our game … we’re not even at halftime yet.” Video of his briefing, covering a wide range of virus and non-virus topics, is here.

TEST-TOTALS ERROR: The state Health Department announced today that it’s been over-reporting negative test results.

DEATH-TOTALS CHANGE: Also from the DOH’s daily bulletin:

DOH announces changes in how it reports COVID-19 death data: Until now, when a death is reported as a COVID-19 death, it is because the person who passed away also tested positive for COVID-19. However, this method doesn’t reflect the number of deaths caused by COVID-19; it can include someone who may have died of other causes. DOH is changing its reporting to provide better data about deaths associated with COVID-19. Beginning today, June 17, DOH will remove deaths where COVID-19 did not contribute to death. For Phase 1, this will result in seven deaths being removed from the state’s death count, including two suicides, three homicides, and two overdose deaths. Over the next several weeks, DOH will expand their reporting to identify whether they can confirm or rule-out COVID-19 as a contributing cause of death, or if COVID-19 probably or may have contributed to death. A short Q&A about these changes is available on the DOH website.

Sound Transit is planning a July 1 resumption of fares on ST Express bus routes that have returned to front-door boarding with the installation of health barriers and other protections for operator safety. A new system-wide flat fare will align with other regional agencies, irrespective of trip distances.

That flat fare will be $3.25. ST’s announcement notes, “The Sound Transit Board approved the move to the adult flat fare in April 2018, with an implementation date of July 2020.”

THEY HELPED – CAN YOU HELP THEM? The food-truck and catering businesses based at Delridge’s KBM Seattle Commissary are grateful for community support of their free-meal program. Now they need your help – don’t let the Delridge road work keep you away from their takeout window!

GOT INFO? Email us at westseattleblog@gmail.com or phone us, text or voice, at 206-293-6302 – thank you!

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GRATITUDE: Update from Delridge’s KBM Commissary

June 17, 2020 8:44 pm

| 5 COMMENTS

| Coronavirus | Delridge | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

(WSB file photo)

KBM Seattle Commissary and its resident chefs have wrapped up their free-meals program, but they’re still selling their specialties via the window at 5604 Delridge Way SW, and KBM’s Keith Mathewson says they have a request for you:

Last week was our last week of our food donation program. In the several weeks that it was ongoing, the members of the kitchen collectively donated over 4,500 meals. We could not have done it without the generous momentary support of the West Seattle community. I wish to thank everyone who donated to the effort, without you it would not have been possible.

We are now facing a new challenge. Delridge Way is in full construction and getting to the walk-up window is more difficult than before; however, all the members are still selling via the window. If you enjoyed their menus in the past, I invite you to continue to come. The cooks are still working and the window, in most cases, is their only means for them to sell their food.

The vendors there were listed in this WSB report earlier this spring.

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WEST SEATTLE PROTESTS: Juneteenth vigil in North Delridge

June 17, 2020 7:00 pm

| 4 COMMENTS

| Delridge | West Seattle news | West Seattle protests

Sent by Nancy:

Neighbors will be gathering this Friday evening at 5:30 for a #SayTheirNames vigil at the pedestrian overpass across Delridge at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center.

People are invited to come with a sign with one name of an African American who has been a victim of either direct or indirect police violence. I will also have names printed out that people can use.

I would like this to be a quiet and respectful demonstration of support for our African American neighbors, friends, and family.

Also coming up this week:
*Hate-Free Delridge demonstration, 4-6 pm Thursday at Delridge/Orchard
*ILWU Local 19 march, 9 am Friday from Spokane/E. Marginal to downtown

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Stolen boat motor

June 17, 2020 6:00 pm

| 5 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

The report and photo are from Derek:

Someone decided to steal my outboard 7.5 hp Honda motor (Monday) night, 5400 block of West Marginal Way SW. I am offering $100 reward. Derek 206 478 3652

SPD # is 2020-189211.

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West Seattle Bridge seems fixable so far, Community Task Force told, and other headlines from meeting #2

June 17, 2020 3:32 pm

| 156 COMMENTS

| Transportation | West Seattle Bridge Safety Project | West Seattle news

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

“We know we CAN fix the bridge – the question is, SHOULD we.”

That revelation from SDOT‘s top bridge engineer was a big piece of news that emerged at the second meeting of the West Seattle Bridge Community Task Force this afternoon.

Also, in response to a CTF member’s question, SDOT said the city and state are working on a disaster declaration in relation to the bridge closure.

Before we get to our summary of the meeting, held online/by phone – the task-force roster is here; co-chairs are Paulina López, executive director of the Duwamish River Cleanup Coalition, and Greg Nickels, former Seattle mayor and longtime Admiral resident. We recorded video ~~which we’ll add when it’s ready~~ (added 9:14 pm – here it is:)

Here’s the slide deck:

First presenter was Matt Donahue, SDOT’s interim director of roadway structures (bridges and more), with a ‘state of the bridge” update.

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FOLLOWUP: New details on Metro service restoration Monday

June 17, 2020 2:39 pm

| 8 COMMENTS

| Transportation | West Seattle news

Metro is out today with more details of next Monday’s service restoration, and promises more to come. Today’s announcement – see it here – notes that the 21X and 125 will return, as well as the Water Taxi shuttles, (773 and 775). That same link also includes the restored Water Taxi schedule (5 days a week, commuter dayparts), but specific bus-route schedules aren’t expected to be posted until Saturday. As of Monday, Metro says, it will be running ” 85% of its pre-COVID service level” on weekdays, 99 percent on weekends.

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‘ALL WAYS WEST SEATTLE’: Local podcast spotlights students who organized huge Junction protest, and much more

June 17, 2020 12:24 pm

| 3 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle online | West Seattle protests

Have you listened yet to “All Ways West Seattle”? It’s a semi-new podcast by longtime West Seattle resident Keith Bacon, and he’s just published a new episode that he tells WSB is:

… focused on the March for Black Lives and BLM protest in the Junction. Highlights are interviews with two of the youth speakers at the Junction event: 12-year-old Ericka, who read her poem “Monsters, Criminals, and Liars,” and 15-year-old Coco, who was also one of the event organizers. Plus an extended talk with regular contributor Kisha Vaughan, reflecting on the event (which she also spoke at) and the days surrounding it.

This is the seventh episode of “All Ways West Seattle” – the others have included a wide range of topics, from the West Seattle Bridge to how COVID-19 has changed lives and businesses in West Seattle. Keith (photo left) launched the podcast back in March, just before the pandemic changed everyone’s world. He describes himself as “a writer and producer who lives in (and loves) the Alaska Junction” and is producing new episodes every two weeks or so. The podcast was something he had been thinking about for a while before launching it, and with the challenges posed to our peninsula from both the pandemic and the bridge closure, he says, “I feel like the opportunity to do something good for my neighborhood has become more important and valuable.” So give it a listen and let Keith know what you think – you can offer feedback via social media.

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ANOTHER CRACKED BRIDGE: This time, in Florida

June 17, 2020 11:29 am

| 45 COMMENTS

| Not WS but we're mentioning it anyway | West Seattle news

(Photo by Stephen B Calvert, via Wikimedia)

11:29 AM: Thanks to the WSB readers who have pointed this out: On the other side of the continent, a concrete bridge spanning a river has been closed because of cracking, and there are warnings that it’s in risk of collapse. This bridge is even newer than the closed-since-March West Seattle Bridge. It’s the southbound span of the Roosevelt Bridge, a mile-long, state-owned bridge that carries U.S. Highway 1 across the St. Lucie River in Stuart, Florida [map], and this webpage suggests it has a lot in common with our bridge – it’s a concrete “box girder” bridge, for example. Local media there report some concrete has fallen but the nature and risk of the crack is still under investigation; they also report the bridge was last inspected two years ago, with no problems found. It was built in the mid-’90s. The cracked span is closed to traffic, so the separate northbound span is currently handling both directions. P.S. This bridge also, like ours, replaced a drawbridge, and had a somewhat tumultuous backstory.

5:49 PM: Now both sides/spans of the Florida bridge are closed TFN.

8:23 PM: A couple other datapoints we found – the Florida bridge has about half the over-water clearance of ours, 65 feet, and more volume – 120,000 vehicles a day.

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HAPPENING TODAY/TONIGHT: Bridge Task Force, seawall Q&A, tube-tunnel talk, graduations, free food

June 17, 2020 9:31 am

| 4 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Photo by David Wilson)

As we’ve been previewing these past few days, there’s a LOT going on today. Quick reminders:

WEST SEATTLE BRIDGE COMMUNITY TASK FORCE: Online meeting, 1 pm-2:30 pm. Our preview has the link you can use to watch. ADDED: Here’s today’s agenda, thanks to a CTF member.

FREE FOOD: 2-5 pm at Food Lifeline in South Park – drive up or walk up. Here’s our preview.

SEAWALL MEETING: 4 pm online, Seattle Parks and the Army Corps of Engineers will present an update on the about-to-start Emma Schmitz Memorial Overlook seawall replacemnt.

SEATTLE LUTHERAN HS DRIVE-UP GRADUATION: 5 pm outside the school (4100 SW Genesee).

‘IMMERSED TUBE’ TUNNEL: Retired civil engineer Bob Ortblad invites all to his online presentation about the “immersed tube” tunnel he suggests could replace the West Seattle Bridge. 7:30 pm – our preview has details on watching/participating.

CHIEF SEALTH IHS GRADUATION: 8:30 pm on YouTube/cable – here’s how to watch.

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ROAD WORK/TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Wednesday notes, 13th week of West Seattle Bridge closure

June 17, 2020 6:12 am

| 8 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:12 AM: Good morning – the 86th morning without the high-rise West Seattle Bridge.

ROAD WORK

*The Delridge Way repaving-and-more project continues – here’s what’s happening this week.’

*Tonight, overnight work is planned at Delridge/Genesee to finish permanent striping there.

TRAFFIC

Heading off-peninsula? First, 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:

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 – Check the Twitter feed for any breaking service changes. Otherwise – still on the reduced schedule and reduced capacity; check here for next departure. Note that Metro service will increase next Monday, June 22nd.

Water Taxi – Reduced schedule continues until next Monday.

Trouble on the roads/paths? Let us know – text (but not if you’re driving!) 206-293-6302.

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