day : 07/08/2020 11 results

10:54 PM: Closing time at Alki tonight looked a lot like last night in one way – quiet, no fires, not-so-summery weather. But in another way, it was different: No police. As reported here this morning, red tape strangled the plan for three officers on overtime to help Seattle Parks at closing time Thursdays-Fridays-Saturdays, with Parks covering the cost, after just one night (here’s our Thursday night coverage). Southwest Precinct commander Capt. Kevin Grossman said today, “I learned yesterday that any movement of funds from one city agency (e.g., Parks) to another (e.g., SPD) requires city council approval. So until that issue is resolved, the dedicated Alki emphasis patrols will be paused. This is a disappointing development — both for my officers and for the neighborhood.” So what happens now? We immediately inquired with both Councilmember Lisa Herbold‘s office and Parks. Herbold legislative assistant Newell Aldrich told us in the morning they were “looking into it” and then at day’s end sent this update: “We haven’t got answers from Parks to our questions; they’ve indicated the answers are more complicated than they anticipated. They are working on getting us answers.” So it appears the ball is in Parks’ court right now (we haven’t heard back from them yet at all). Meantime, Capt. Grossman added that he has “directed that our available on-duty resources conduct patrols on Alki when not otherwise committed”; no officers were in sight as we drove the length of Alki, including Don Armeni, before and after the 9:30 pm closing time tonight. There was a Parks vehicle on the promenade, headed west right at 9:30, but it then headed out of the park; by then, light rain was falling.

2:24 AM: Commenters say the fires started later in the night tonight. Here’s a photo sent by a reader:

CORONAVIRUS: Friday 8/7 roundup

August 7, 2020 9:00 pm

| Comments Off on CORONAVIRUS: Friday 8/7 roundup

| Coronavirus | West Seattle news

23 weeks ago tonight, King County’s first confirmed case of COVID-19 was announced. Tonight’s roundup starts as usual with the numbers:

NEWEST KING COUNTY NUMBERS: From the Public Health daily summary:

*16,272 people have tested positive, 134 more than yesterday

*670 people have died, 7 more than yesterday

*2,018 people have been hospitalized, 12 more than yesterday

*321,806 people have been tested, 2,880 more than yesterday

One week ago, those totals were 15,197/647/1,948/294,823.

STATEWIDE NUMBERS: See them here.

WORLDWIDE NUMBERS: 19.2 million cases, 719,000+ deaths – see the nation-by-nation numbers here.

STATEWIDE SITUATION REPORT: The state Department of Health issued this overview of where things stand statewide. Its announcemnt notes, “The report suggests areas of improvement are likely driven by behavior changes like wearing face coverings and staying six feet apart when away from home.”

NEED FOOD? Free lunches will be offered noon-1 pm tomorrow at West Side Presbyterian Church (3601 California SW).

DONATION DRIVE: (corrected day) This Sunday, 10 am-3 pm, food and more will be accepted outside Alki UCC. The announcement:

Collections will be taken outside our building at 6115 SW Hinds; social distancing observed

Feeding hungry kids is our focus this summer. In addition to regular contributions of non-perishable food and other items, special requests include fruit cups and rollups, Gogurt, peanut butter and jelly, protein bars, mac and cheese, cereal, noodles and pasta sauce.

Toilet paper, diapers (all sizes), Similac formula, cleaning supplies, hand sanitizer and baby wipes are always welcome.

Donations are distributed through the White Center Food Bank.

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

Share This

TASTE OF WEST SEATTLE: Reinvented! Want to be part of it?

August 7, 2020 7:22 pm

| 3 COMMENTS

| Fun stuff to do | How to help | West Seattle news

The annual Taste of West Seattle was already in for one big change before the pandemic arrived – its presenting nonprofit, the West Seattle Helpline, merged with the West Seattle Food Bank earlier this year. But the WSFB has found a way to make it happen. Here’s the announcement:

The West Seattle Food Bank has updated the 2020 Taste of West Seattle to celebrate the community while keeping each other healthy and safe.

The Taste has always been about bringing neighbors together, promoting local restaurants/businesses, and, ultimately, strengthening the West Seattle community. Now, more than ever, we see the importance of coming together (while staying physically distant) and supporting local businesses.

We are excited to announce that this year’s Taste of West Seattle will be a Taste Tour of West Seattle, where participating businesses donate 10% of sales on special Taste Menu items to the West Seattle Food Bank. From Sunday, September 20th to Thursday, September 24th neighbors can dine in or get take-out and enjoy delicious meals from West Seattle’s favorite eateries including restaurants, bakeries, wineries, breweries, and know that their money is supporting their local favorites and the West Seattle Food Bank mission to end hunger and homelessness.

If you are a eatery interested in participating or a business interested in sponsoring, please email development@wshelpline.org

Updates when it gets closer!

Share This

UPDATE: Crash at 36th/Barton

August 7, 2020 5:41 pm

| 9 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

5:41 PM: Thanks for the tip: SFD is dispatching to a reported 2-car crash at 36th/Barton. Texter tells us this area has seen a “tremendous increase in traffic since the bridge closure.”

(Reader photo)

6 PM: One damaged car is on the scene blocking the westbound lane. Police are investigating this as a hit-and-run.

6:33 PM: Just went back through; scene is cleared.

ADDED SATURDAY: We’ve heard from the victim’s brother: “He says all he saw was a ‘flash of silver, maybe an SUV, airbags and smoke, then someone was opening my door.’ The offending car was gone. We want to see if anyone in the neighborhood might have cameras that point to that intersection, or perhaps drivers that May have witnessed the incident. He can be reached at Pete 206.383.7185.”

Share This

WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Catalytic-converter thefts

August 7, 2020 5:15 pm

| 7 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

The report is from Sam:

Our 2004 Prius had its catalytic converter stolen Monday or Tuesday night. We finally got it into Alki Auto this morning to diagnose it. And we were one of three vehicles they got today with stolen catalytic converters. Seems like this isn’t going away anytime soon.

Checking our Crime Watch archives, this type of theft has been going on for the entire 12+-year span we’ve been publishing West Seattle news – thieves are after the metal content.

Share This

FOLLOWUP: ‘Open house’ set for new Lowman Beach Park racket-court proposal

August 7, 2020 4:37 pm

| 9 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle parks | WS & Sports

As reported last year, the project to remove the failing seawall on the north side of Lowman Beach Park will also remove the park’s tennis court.

As noted at July’s Morgan Community Association meeting, community members are proposing a new racket-sport court elsewhere in the park, and they have announced a “virtual open house” for later this month. It’ll be at 6:30 pm Wednesday, August 26th.

Details for participating in the meeting are on this flyer.

Share This

UPDATE: Gas-leak response in Admiral

August 7, 2020 2:25 pm

| 8 COMMENTS

| Utilities | West Seattle news

2:25 PM: Thanks for the tips. Big Seattle Fire response for a “major natural-gas leak” in west Admiral, 3300 block of 48th SW. They’re calling for traffic control on Admiral, though this is a few blocks south. Updates to come.

2:31 PM: SFD log has just made a big correction – this is actually in the 2300 block of 48th SW, so it’s NORTH of Admiral Way [map]. SFD just reported to dispatch that the leak has been shut off. The response is being downsized.

2:57 PM: Our crew is at the scene and confirmed that no one was hurt and the response is winding down. We’re told a construction crew breached the line, and they’re the ones who called it in. (added) Same area, by the way, as this 2-alarm fire in April.

Share This

MORE WEEKEND ROAD WORK: 16th/Holden, among other places

August 7, 2020 12:44 pm

| 5 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

In addition to the two projects noted in our morning roundup – the SW Genesee closure west of Delridge and the SW Alaska closure west of California – the city has just sent word of even more work this weekend. Here’s the announcement:

This weekend (August 8-9), SDOT crews will be working throughout West Seattle, including at the 16th Ave SW and SW Holden St intersection.

At the 16th Ave SW and SW Holden St intersection, SDOT will be putting in new turn pockets so drivers can make protected left turns to go east and west on SW Holden St. To limit the cut-through traffic on 20th Ave SW, SDOT will be installing new signs to better identify the arterial streets near the intersection. In addition, SDOT will also be making signal timing adjustments to help people get through the intersection better.

SDOT will also be tree trimming on West Marginal Way, Sylvan Way SW, and SW Orchard St. This tree trimming work will improve roadway and sign visibility for people commuting.

During all of this work, there will be temporary lane closures, traffic control, flaggers, and uniform police officers working in the street. Please plan ahead for additional travel time and delays if you are going through any of these areas. Thank you for your patience while SDOT makes these improvements.

Since this isn’t time specific – please let us know when you see the crews, if you can, but NOT while you’re driving or pedaling … when you get to where you’re going! We’re always reachable, text/voice, at 206-293-6302.

Share This

WEST SEATTLE ART: New installation planned as part of Alki Pump Station 38 project

August 7, 2020 11:11 am

| 21 COMMENTS

| Utilities | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

(SPU-provided images)

The photo above shows the site of Seattle Public Utilities Pump Station 38 in the 1400 block of Alki SW [map]. An overhaul is in the works next year, with an art installation as part of it:

That’s the initial concept by artist Sarah Thompson Moore, who’s been commissioned for the work. This flyer has details, explaining that the inspiration is an old topographic map of Alki.

Right now, SPU is looking for feedback on both the art concept and the project itself, which is currently being designed. The project website explains, “SPU will convert the current pump station from an airlift type station to a more standard pump station. This conversion will improve service reliability, improve system performance, and reduce maintenance requirements and costs.” According to this overview, construction is expected to start early next year and could last up to a year; SPU tells us the project is estimated at $1.2 million, with the art project coming in around $50,000. You can answer the feedback survey by going here, by next Friday (August 14).

Share This

TODAY/TONIGHT: 3 Friday notes

August 7, 2020 9:54 am

| 4 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Blue-Eyed Darner dragonfly, photographed in West Seattle by Mark Wangerin)

Notes for the rest of today/tonight:

COVID-19 TESTING: Until 1 pm, weekly testing in the north lot at South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor).

NEW FOOD TRUCK SITE: Tat’s Truck has announced a move as of today:

We are now setting up at our commissary kitchen on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays for lunch and dinner service. Plenty of parking and tables and chairs to eat onsite!

New location: 3808 18th Ave SW (off W Marginal under the bridge)

Dates: Every Fri-Sat-Sun 11:00 am – 6:30 pm unless scheduled elsewhere. Check website.

DEMONSTRATION: As announced:

Please join us to show support for Black and Brown friends, family, and neighbors, to #SayTheirNames, and to remember that people are encountering injustice every day. We welcome people to come and discuss why people support Black Lives Matter, and to discuss what defunding the police means and what it might look like.
What: BLM and #SayTheirNames
When: Friday, August 7th, from 5:30-6:30 pm
Where: Pedestrian overpass on Delridge at the Delridge Community Center/Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, south of Genesee St.
Please remember to wear your masks!

Share This

ROAD WORK, TRAFFIC, TRANSIT: Friday watch, 20th week of West Seattle Bridge closure

August 7, 2020 6:16 am

| 15 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:16 AM: It’s Friday, the 137th morning without the West Seattle Bridge.

ROAD WORK/CLOSURES

*As part of the RapidRide H Line project, SW Genesee will close between 25th and Delridge starting at 9 am today and continuing all weekend. Access east of Avalon will be “local only.” Metro Route 50 will be rerouted – here are the details.

*More West Seattle Junction road work tomorrow, repairing pavement on SW Alaska west of California.

*No 1st Ave. S. Bridge northbound closure tonight – that work is expected to resume Sunday night.

CHECK THE TRAFFIC BEFORE YOU GO

Here’s the 5-way intersection camera (Spokane/West Marginal/Delridge/Chelan):