month : 07/2020 314 results

Your neighbor Jessica is organizing community cleanups at Alki Beach every first Saturday, 10 am-2 pm. Yes, THIS Saturday – the Fourth of July – too! “Meet outside 2452 Alki Ave SW. Help pick up garbage before it ends in the ocean. Bring gloves, mask, and a bucket or garbage bag with handles for ease. I have 10 pick sticks provided by City of Seattle. Please RSVP at 206.769.6330. Supervised children welcome. FRIENDLY LEASHED Pets welcome but cannot be on Beach. Let’s keep Alki clean.”

ROAD WORK, TRANSIT, TRAFFIC: Thursday pre-holiday notes, 15th week of West Seattle Bridge closure

July 2, 2020 6:07 am

| Comments Off on ROAD WORK, TRANSIT, TRAFFIC: Thursday pre-holiday notes, 15th week of West Seattle Bridge closure

| West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants

6:07 AM: Good morning and welcome to the 101st morning without the high-rise West Seattle Bridge.

ROAD WORK

Lane reductions continue for the Delridge Way project – here’s what they’re working on this week.

TRAFFIC

Here’s the camera for the restricted-daytime-access low bridge:

The main detour route across the Duwamish River is the 1st Avenue South Bridge (map) – which has up to 14 overnight closures planned later this 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 reminders 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 TOMORROW

Since July 4th is on Saturday, Independence Day will be observed Friday – no Water Taxi, and Metro will be on its Sunday schedule.

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

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Police search; bike theft; 2 car prowls

July 2, 2020 1:12 am

| 6 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

Four West Seattle Crime Watch notes:

POLICE SEARCH: We don’t have many details but a search is under way in the Lowman Beach/Lincoln Park area, with K-9. Radio communication indicates it’s related to a burglary.

STOLEN BICYCLE: From Jana – “Bike was stolen (Tuesday) night from 3200 block of 45th Ave SW. Thieves ripped the lock off the car rack. Bicycle is white, Specialized brand (looks similar to picture), standard handle bars, had a little bell that says “coffee” on handlebar, and needed a new rear tire.”

CAR PROWL #1: From Elizabeth: “We’re Gatewood residents (37th and Austin), and sometime between 11 PM and 9 AM, our new car was broken into. It appears the only things stolen were the temporary license plate off the back window, and the screws from the license plate holder on the front of the car. We also had two screws stolen off the license plate on our other vehicle. We think we accidentally left the car unlocked, as there’s no damage to the windows or locks. I wanted to reach out and provide a heads-up in case other folks in the neighborhood have had any similar experiences recently. Whoever did this dumped everything in the center console on the front seat and left it – including expensive sunglasses, along with masks and hand sanitizer. Very strange! ”

CAR PROWL #2: This was just blocks from the previous report. Via text:

Car prowler at 3:22am on July 1, 2020. Caught him on video in my driveway at 39– SW Austin Street. Both of my cars were locked and he headed east on SW Austin in the Gatewood neighborhood after trying to get in my cars.

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CORONAVIRUS: Wednesday 7/1 roundup

July 1, 2020 10:54 pm

| 17 COMMENTS

| Coronavirus | West Seattle news

A very different July begins. Here’s our nightly virus-crisis local roundup:

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

*10,356 people have tested positive, 149 more than yesterday

*589 people have died, 3 more than yesterday

*1,600 people have been hospitalized, 11 more than yesterday

*171,737 people have been tested, 4.456 more than yesterday

One week ago, the four totals were 9,502/583/1,555/150,096.

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

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

NOT JUST AN OLDER PERSON’S DISEASE: SKC Public Health notes that almost half the new cases are in people under 40.

RESTAURANT ‘REVERTS’: Arthur’s decides to pull back on indoor dining.

FRAUD CHARGES: A local doctor is charged with two federal counts of fraud, accused of trying to get $3 million in coronavirus-relief money.

COURT REOPENING: The Seattle Municipal Court says some in-person operations will resume next week.

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

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UPDATE: Power outage in south Morgan Junction/west Gatewood

July 1, 2020 9:00 pm

| 2 COMMENTS

| Gatewood | Utilities | West Seattle news

9 PM: Thanks for the texted tip! 74 customers are without electricity right now in the south Morgan Junction/west Gatewood area, near California/Myrtle.

The City Light map says the cause is under investigation, but the texter reports a big clue – a dead crow.

9:55 PM: The City Light site now confirms “bird/animal” as the cause.

11:51 PM: Thanks to Sue for those tips plus word it’s over after four hours.

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REOPENING: Kamei Japanese Restaurant

July 1, 2020 8:13 pm

| 11 COMMENTS

| Coronavirus | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants

Many have asked about when – and whether – Kamei Japanese Restaurant in The Junction (4512 California SW) would finally reopen. We’ve been checking almost daily for any hints – and this evening, while driving by, we spotted activity (cleaning the windows) out front. So we turned around and pulled over in hopes of getting the good news – and indeed, we learned Kamei plans to reopen next Tuesday, July 7th, usual hours.

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Admiral Neighborhood Association to meet online July 8

July 1, 2020 7:25 pm

| Comments Off on Admiral Neighborhood Association to meet online July 8

| Neighborhoods | West Seattle news | West Seattle online

Just announced, the Admiral Neighborhood Association will meet online one week from today. The announcement:

Admiral Neighborhood Association’s July 8th meeting
Time: 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

Main topics

West Seattle Bridge (Heather Marx from SDOT will join us for part of the meeting)

ANA’s role in perpetuating, addressing, combating racism: Who do we want to be as an organization?
Some questions for reflection:
What actions have I/we taken to name, address, and/or dismantle racism in our community?
What actions have I/we taken to perpetuate racism?
Have I/we created spaces and events that are welcoming to all, specifically people of color?
What actions will I/we take to dismantle racism in our community, and to create spaces and events that are welcoming to all, specifically people of color?

Zoom info
If joining via internet: Link
Password: email info@admiralneighborhood.org for the password

If calling in by phone:

Dial 253-215-8782
Meeting ID: 864 5701 0091

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Doctor charged with federal crimes, accused of fraudulently seeking $3 million in coronavirus-relief loans

July 1, 2020 5:40 pm

| 26 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

A West Seattle-based doctor is charged with two federal counts of fraud, accused of fraudulently seeking more than $3 million in federal COVID-19-relief Paycheck Protection Program loans. The charges against 41-year-old Dr. Eric Shibley were announced Tuesday; a reader called our attention today to the fact the defendant has an office in West Seattle. From the federal announcement:

The complaint alleges that Shibley submitted several fraudulent PPP loan applications to federally insured financial institutions, other U.S. Small Business Administration-approved lenders, and the SBA in the names of businesses with no actual operations or by misrepresenting the business’s eligibility. In the applications, Shibley allegedly misrepresented the number of employees and payroll expenses in several applications and concealed his own criminal history. To support the fraudulent applications, the complaint alleges that Shibley submitted fake tax documents and the names of purported employees who did not, in fact, work for the businesses for which Shibley claimed they worked. The complaint alleges that Shibley fraudulently sought over $3 million in PPP loans.

The CARES Act is a federal law enacted March 29. It is designed to provide emergency financial assistance to millions of Americans who are suffering the economic effects resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. One source of relief provided by the CARES Act is the authorization of up to $349 billion in forgivable loans to small businesses for job retention and certain other expenses through the PPP. In April 2020, Congress authorized over $300 billion in additional PPP funding.

Shibley appeared before a federal magistrate on Tuesday and is out on bond. The charging documents say:

According to records available on the Washington State Department of Health website, the status of SHIBLEY’s license to practice medicine is identified as “summary restriction” due to allegations of unprofessional conduct. … According to records from the Anacortes Municipal Court, located in Anacortes, Washington, SHIBLEY pled guilty to a Violation of a No Contact Order, a criminal misdemeanor under Washington State law, on December 13, 2018 and was sentenced to a jail term of 364 days, with 334 days suspended, a $5,000 fine, and two years’ probation.

That factored into the charges, which allege that he was asked on a loan application if he was currently on probation or parole and answered no, which would have disqualified him. The charges allege that he applied for PPP loans – which under certain circumstances don’t have to be paid back – in the name of 12 different entities. Much of the documentation focuses on a construction company, the name of which Shibley is accused of using to open multiple bank accounts, and seeking a PPP loan for $563,500 on the same day of a 90 percent ownership-interest transfer to him. The charging papers say investigators found the construction company “has no apparent employees for which it pays federal payroll taxes and (that a form) Shibley provided in support of the PPP loan application is fake.” The loan, however, was approved (and later canceled).

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CRIME WATCH FOLLOWUP: Victims found off Duwamish Head were shot to death

July 1, 2020 3:30 pm

| 30 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

(WSB photo, June 19th)

3;30 PM: One day after Seattle Police announced that the “remains” found off Duwamish Head June 19th were that of a woman and a man, their names and causes of death have just been made public. The King County Medical Examiner’s Office says both died of gunshot wounds. The woman was identified as 35-year-old Jessica Lewis; the man, 27-year-old Austin Wenner. The date of death for both was listed as June 16th, three days before a suspicious-smelling suitcase brought police to the scene. SPD told us yesterday – before the names were made public – that they had been in contact with both victims’ families. We’re working to find out more and will update with anything additional.

3:43 PM: A social-media search brought up a page for an Austin Wenner, from Kent, who posted in 2015 that he was “in a relationship” with a Jessica Lewis, from Federal Way. Continuing to research …

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DEVELOPMENT: Feedback sought for 4515 44th SW apartment proposal

July 1, 2020 2:37 pm

| 41 COMMENTS

| Development | West Seattle news

(King County Assessor’s Office photo)

Three months ago, we reported on an early-stage proposal for the former CDE Software site at 4515 44th SW [map] in The Junction. Now, West Seattle-headquartered developer Blueprint Capital is in the “early community outreach” process for the project. Blueprint’s Jade Aramaki sent the announcement:

The new development will include a new five-story apartment building containing small efficiency dwelling units and 1 bedrooms, no parking proposed.

I’m reaching out because I want to hear from you, the community, about this project. You can engage with this process a couple of ways. First, you can fill out the survey located here. The comment period will be open until July 20th. Second, you can email me directly (jade@blueprintcap.com) with any questions you may have; I’d be happy to have a dialogue with you. Third, if you live in close proximity you will receive a postcard with ways to engage. I have attached a digital copy of this information, feel free to post this on blogs, print out on bulletins, etc. Note that any information you share could be made public, so please refrain from sharing personal or sensitive information.

Due to the nature of our current environment with the stay-home order in place there will be no in-person outreach or public meeting. Therefore your input is even more important and appreciated.

A document in the project’s online file says 37 units are planned. According to Blueprint’s flyer, construction is still at least two years away.

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UPDATE: Water-rescue callout in 1700 block of Alki Avenue

July 1, 2020 1:37 pm

| 9 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS breaking news

1:37 PM: A possible kite-surfer in distress is the reason for the big response by land an sea in the 1700 block of Alki SW.

1:40 PM: Most of the callout has been canceled. A fireboat reached the surfer, who, according to the dispatcher, “was just having an issue with his sail.”

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WEST SEATTLE RESTAURANTS: Arthur’s decides to ‘revert’

July 1, 2020 11:36 am

| 41 COMMENTS

| Coronavirus | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants

While restaurants are allowed to open for some indoor dining in Phase 2, some have chosen not to – and now, one that did, has decided to “revert.” Here’s the announcement we received from Arthur’s proprietor Rebecca Rice:

I just wanted to reach out to let you and your readers know that Arthur’s is reverting back to phase 1 with outdoor dining and takeout only. We have watched the spike in cases here in West Seattle and have decided the dangers for our staff are too great to ignore.

The staff that worked in the last 3 days has all been tested and we’ve come back negative. This doesn’t change how worried we are that the spread is happening with the reopening.

Arthur’s is at 2311 California SW in The Admiral District.

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TODAY/TONIGHT: 2 meetings – Emma Schmitz Memorial Overlook, District 1 Community Network

July 1, 2020 9:52 am

| 1 COMMENT

| Neighborhoods | West Seattle news

(Tuesday evening photo from Alki by David Hutchinson)

Two meetings today/tonight that we want to remind you about:

EMMA SCHMITZ MEMORIAL OVERLOOK PROJECT: Today at 4 pm is the encore online meeting about this seawall project. Connection instructions are in our original preview. During the first meeting, they indicated this one would have some new information about the project’s traffic plan.

DISTRICT 1 COMMUNITY NETWORK: 7 pm, this coalition of reps from groups/organizations in West Seattle and South Park has its next online meeting, open to the public. The agenda includes the West Seattle Bridge and a short presntation about another alternative idea for replacing it – a gondola service. Here’s how to connect:

LINK:
Meeting ID: 826 6204 3575
Password: 930960
CALL IN ONLY Info: +1 253 215 8782
Meeting ID: 826 6204 3575
Password: 930960

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ROAD WORK, TRANSIT, TRAFFIC: Wednesday notes, 100th day of West Seattle Bridge closure

July 1, 2020 6:12 am

| 4 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:12 AM: Good morning and welcome to July. This is the 100th morning without the high-rise West Seattle Bridge.

ROAD WORK

Lane reductions continue for the Delridge Way project – here’s the plan for this week’s work.

TRAFFIC

Here are the cameras for the 5-way intersection, and the restricted-daytime-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 reminders 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 – no Water Taxi that day, and Metro will be on its Sunday schedule.

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

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