West Seattle, Washington

16 Tuesday

68℉

day : 21/08/2020 11 results

CORONAVIRUS: Friday 8/21 roundup
August 21, 2020 10:45 pm
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   Coronavirus | West Seattle news

25 weeks ago tonight, King County announced its first confirmed case of COVID-19. Here’s the latest:

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

*18,418 people have tested positive, 105 more than yesterday

*708 people have died, 5 more than yesterday

*2,147 people have been hospitalized, 15 more than yesterday

*336,589 people have been tested, 6,365 more than yesterday

One week ago, those totals were 17,340/686/2,081/311,981.

ANOTHER AREA DEATH: 98146, part of which is in south West Seattle, just recorded its 11th death. For the record, here are the current totals for the other four zip codes that are all or partly in West Seattle:

98116 – 2
98136 – 3
98106 – 4
98126 – 14

(Providence Mount St. Vincent accounts for half of 98126’s total.)

STATEWIDE NUMBERS: See them here.

WORLDWIDE NUMBERS: 22.8 million cases, 797,000+ deaths – see the nation-by-nation numbers here.

MAYOR & COUNCIL MAKE A DEAL … regarding extra economic relief for people pummeled by the pandemic.

NEED FOOD? Free lunch Saturday:

West Side Presbyterian Church Free Community Lunch, 12:00-1:00 pm. Sack lunch provided in the church courtyard at 3601 California Ave SW. Free to all.

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

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Second half of West Seattle Triangle megaproject passes first phase of Design Review
August 21, 2020 9:12 pm
|      17 COMMENTS
 |   Development | Triangle | West Seattle news

(Renderings by Ankrom Moisan)

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

Though Design Review is supposed to focus on buildings, the streetscape occupied much of the attention as the Southwest Design Review Board got its first look at the second half of the Sweeney family’s West Seattle Triangle proposal.

The first half, 4406 36th SW, got first-phase approval (Early Design Guidance) two weeks ago (WSB coverage here). Thursday’s meeting was about the building to its west, 4440 Fauntleroy Way SW. Four of the five SWDRB members were present – chair Crystal Loya, John Cheng, Alan Grainger, and Scott Rosenstock (all West Seattleites serving on the all-volunteer, city-appointed board) – along with the city planner assigned to the project, Sean Conrad. The meeting followed the long-standard format, in four segments:

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FERRY ALERT: Southworth dock maintenance next week
August 21, 2020 7:50 pm
|    Comments Off on FERRY ALERT: Southworth dock maintenance next week
 |   Fauntleroy | Transportation | West Seattle news

Early heads-up from Washington State Ferries:

The Southworth terminal facility must close early on Thursday, August 27 for maintenance. This requires the cancellation of the last three sailings of the day between Fauntleroy and Southworth. The following late-night/early morning sailings will be canceled:

• 11:45 p.m. (Thursday, 8/27) Fauntleroy to Southworth
• 12:30 a.m. (Friday, 8/28) Southworth to Fauntleroy
• 1:00 a.m. (Friday, 8/28) Fauntleroy to Southworth

This will not affect sailings between Fauntleroy and Vashon Island. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we maintain our ferry system.

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BIZNOTE: Best of Hands Brewery & Barrelhouse adds ‘pop-up beer garden’
August 21, 2020 5:25 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news | WS beverages

Though it might not be the best of weather for outdoor enjoyment tonight, the sunshine will return to full strength – Saturday afternoon, says the forecast. Here’s a new outdoor option for the rest of the summer: Best of Hands Brewery & Barrelhouse (7500 35th SW; WSB sponsor) emailed with the photo you see above and the news that “we are now featuring a weekend pop-up beer garden at the brewery from Friday @ 5 PM – close on Sunday for as long as the weather holds. It is still 21+ throughout our premises.” They’re still hosting food trucks, too – find the calendar by scrolling down their homepage.

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REUSE/RECYCLE/SHRED: Big West Seattle Junction event next month, and a Georgetown event sooner
August 21, 2020 3:47 pm
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   Environment | West Seattle news

Just announced …

If you’ve been doing “quarantine cleaning” and finding yourself unable to get rid of some items because the pandemic has reduced donation/drop-off opportunities – good news! The West Seattle Junction Association and partners are presenting this reuse/recycle event next month, 9 am-1 pm Saturday, September 26th, in the lot off 42nd SW south of SW Oregon. Shredding, too. It’s all free. Go here for the rules (such as, wear a mask, even in your vehicle).

In case you wondered, Fauntleroy Church has told us they’re NOT planning a fall Recycle Roundup, so the Junction event is your big chance. Or, if you can’t wait …

GEORGETOWN EVENT: We’ve received an announcement of 3R Technology‘s “e-waste recycling event” 10 am-2 pm Saturday, August 29th, at 5511 1st Ave. S. [map]. Click ahead for those details: Read More

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VIDEO: Mayor vetoing Seattle Police (and other) budget cuts, hoping for ‘path forward’ to work out a deal with council
August 21, 2020 2:06 pm
|      50 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle police | West Seattle politics

(EVENING UPDATE: Archived video of briefing now viewable above)

2:06 PM: Just under way (and viewable above via Seattle Channel), Mayor Jenny Durkan, Police Chief Carmen Best, and Deputy Chief Adrian Diaz are holding a media briefing announced as “to discuss the Mayor’s decision regarding the 2020 rebalanced budget and the recent increase in gun violence incidents in Seattle.” The “rebalanced budget” is what the City Council finalized last week, including cuts to SPD and other city departments. We’ll add notes as this goes.

The mayor says the city expects leaders to work together and notes that she and council leaders have struck a deal on added emergency spending. She notes that the overall budget hole is $326 million but the city’s managed to launch new programs for pandemic-related relief anyway.

But she says she is vetoing the overall budget bill, amid disagreements with the council on the police and human-services budgets. (She also vetoed other spending bills including the $3 million that was to go to community organizations for researching community-safety plans.) She says that with SPD leaders, they’re examining the budget closely – what the council passed would “mire the city” in problems, maybe even lawsuits. “Alternative programs” need to be in place – not just under discussion – before current ones are cut, she says. She also expresses hope for collaboration with council leadership. (The council could override the veto. However, its 2-week end of summer break is about to begin.)

GUN VIOLENCE: Shots-fired incidents are up dramatically in the city, she says – 116 since June 1st, a 55 percent increase. (The Southwest Precinct commander has noted an increase in our area too, though smaller, as we reported earlier this week.) She talks about community programs’ role in prevention, and turns the mic over to Interim Chief-to-be Diaz.

2:20 PM: He begins with an update on 3 murder cases – including the suitcase-bodies double murder whose victims were found at Duwamish Head, mentioning what was announced yesterday – the arrest of a Burien man. (The other two cases in which arrests have just been made were not in West Seattle.) He says SPD’s homicide clearance rate since 2012 has averaged 71 percent – while the national rate is in the 60s.

Then Diaz goes into stats, saying shots-fired incidents are up nationwide as well as locally. “We have to stop the shootings, the injuries, the dying right now,” he says. “We need the entire city to come together and end gun violence.” He makes way for Chief Best, who says this is probably her last media briefing “for the city of Seattle.” She asks everyone in the city to “please support Chief Adrian Diaz” in his new role. “Support him, support each other, let’s make sure we have good community safety going forward.” The mayor gives the chief a bouquet of flowers, then it’s on to Q&A.

First: The mayor’s asked how she’ll try to work out a deal on the police budget with the council. She says the main sticking points are the elimination of the Navigation Team, the leadership salary cuts, and the proposed 100-officer reduction, but she has hope for collaboration. On followup, she says that “they’ve agreed to sit down and talk about those things.” Regarding next year’s budget – she’ll be sending a plan to the council in just a month – she says the discussions will have to continue into next year. She also promises “the community” – not just advocacy groups – will have a significant say.

In response to another question, she says she hasn’t been talking to the police union. Then: Does she see a smaller police department in the future? Maybe, maybe not – it could be a smaller department with more patrol officers, for example, after some functions move to other departments. On the final question, she reiterated that she’s hopeful there’s a “path forward” to work out something with the council. She says the council’s impending break shouldn’t complicate matters as they have a month or so to deal with a veto.

2:58 PM: The briefing concludes. We’ll substitute the archived video above when it’s available.

EVENING UPDATE: The video is added.

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TRAFFIC ALERT: More road work this weekend and next, including a major Delridge Way closure
August 21, 2020 1:22 pm
|    Comments Off on TRAFFIC ALERT: More road work this weekend and next, including a major Delridge Way closure
 |   Delridge | South Park | West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

In addition to the 44th SW road work this weekend that we’ve already previewed multiple times, SDOT has three more alerts:

ROADSIDE TREE TRIMMING: This may be happening along two stretches:

We are continuing our tree trimming work on West Seattle Bridge closure reroutes this weekend. This work is important to increase visibility and enhance safety. This Saturday and Sunday, August 22-23, we’ll work to complete tree trimming on SW Orchard St between Delridge Way SW and Dumar Way SW heading eastbound. If we’re able to finish that project, there is also some much-needed tree trimming to accomplish at the 6700 block of W Marginal Way SW, near Highland Park Way SW.

ALSO THIS WEEKEND, IN SOUTH PARK: This is along the main route to/from the South Park Bridge – note that it’ll continue next weekend, too:

Starting this weekend, August 22-23, a private contractor will begin working on S Cloverdale St between 10th Ave S and 12th Ave S to replace two large utility cuts in the road that are currently patched with asphalt. This work will continue for two consecutive weekends.

During this work, traffic will be down to a single lane. The contractor’s crews will be directing traffic in alternate directions. Crews will be at the site 24/7 during these weekends and people should expect delays. This work is weather dependent. The paving crews will use fast-setting concrete, which means that if all goes well, the road should be open for Monday morning traffic each week.

DELRIDGE CLOSURE NEXT WEEKEND: Early heads-up:

As a part of the Delridge Way SW RapidRide H Line project, all lanes of Delridge Way SW will be closed from SW Barton St to 18th Ave SW for up to 2 days beginning on Saturday, August 29. Delridge Way SW will be restricted to local access only from SW Henderson St to SW Roxbury St, but access to businesses in this area will be maintained. This closure will allow our team to connect a catch basin in the roadway. Please follow posted detour routes to 16th Ave SW. If you have any questions about this work, please contact DelridgeTransit@seattle.gov or 206-775-8739

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Vashon Fresh, in West Seattle: Welcome, new WSB sponsor!
August 21, 2020 11:38 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

You can buy Vashon Fresh food without leaving West Seattle! Today we welcome this new WSB sponsor, and here’s what they would like you to know:

Vashon Fresh is a true farm-to-table experience. Everything sold on our site is either grown or processed on Vashon Island, a quick 15-minute ferry ride across the water. You order and pay online – browse here – and there are two pickup days every week in West Seattle, Wednesdays and Saturdays.

Harvested fresh, your items will only pass through 2 sets of hands, the producer and the distribution member of our small 3-person team. Vashon Island hosts over 2 dozen farms that are owned and operated by our community members and purveyors of historical farmland. The Vashon Island Growers Association (VIGA) has a mission to promote farming, access to healthy food, and a sustainable agricultural economy is furthered by the ability to sell goods through Vashon Fresh. We have several producers that have been a staple at the West Seattle Farmers Market in past years but are unable to physically sell their goods this year with the decrease of booths available. We want to ensure their customer base is able to easily access their goods as well as offering new producers the opportunity to share their goods with our West Seattle neighbors.

Vashon Fresh works in tandem with our physical Farmers Market and has done so for the past 5 years. This year we made the difficult decision to postpone the physical market to ensure the safety of our community. Our customers are our neighbors, visitors, and friends. They appreciate the care that goes into each item sold and the ability to buy directly from the island. We work closely with WA State EBT, SNAP, and the Food Access Partnership to ensure all of our community members and visitors are able to access fresh goods regardless of their income level. We get to know our customers and their families and build a relationship with them through each market season. We enjoy seeing them and appreciate their return business. We are so pleased to have had an online model built into our market season, which enabled us to safely pivot during COVID-19 restrictions and closures.

West Seattle pickups are Wednesdays and Saturdays, 2:30-4 pm in the lot at Fauntleroy Church (9140 California SW). Place your order on the Vashon Fresh website!

We thank Vashon Fresh for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news via WSB; find our current sponsor team listed in directory format here, and find info on joining the team by going here.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Junction smash-and-grab suspect charged; another catalytic-converter theft
August 21, 2020 10:33 am
|      12 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Two West Seattle Crime Watch notes:

SMASH-AND-GRAB SUSPECT CHARGED: Last month we reported on a smash-and-grab theft at Bellevue Rare Coins in The Junction. Now the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office has charged a suspect. 22-year-old Christopher A. King of Renton is charged with 2 counts of first-degree theft, in this case and a March incident at a jewelry store in Tukwila. The documents say he has a record including burglary and auto theft and just got out of prison in January. While the thief wore a disguise (security-video framegrab above) while smashing a display case and bolting with $36,000 in jewelry, the charging papers say King was identified thanks to the store employee who reviewed video and found a store visitor earlier in the day, undisguised, with the same clothing, shoes, watch, and hair (as shown here). That image was in turn circulated among law-enforcement officers and one recognized King. He is not in custody; there’s a $10,000 warrant out for his arrest.

ANOTHER CATALYTIC-CONVERTER THEFT: Kimberly reports a catalytic-converter theft overnight Tuesday into Wednesday, near 47th/Hinds. (We have a followup question out asking what make/model of car.)

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TODAY: 3 events for your Friday
August 21, 2020 9:27 am
|    Comments Off on TODAY: 3 events for your Friday
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Alki Point Lighthouse, photographed this week by Robin Sinner)

Three quick reminders:

BRIDGE ALTERNATIVES: As previewed yesterday, 10 am online discussion – registration required.

FREE FOOD: As noted in our virus-crisis roundups, Food Lifeline is distributing boxes of food again today, 2 pm-5 pm. (815 S. 96th)

DEMONSTRATION: Weekly event, as announced by organizer Nancy:

Please join us to show support for Black and Brown friends, family, and neighbors, to #SayTheirNames, and to remember that people are still suffering injustice. 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 21st, from 5:30-6:30 pm
Where: Pedestrian overpass on Delridge at the Delridge Community Center/Youngstown Cultural Arts Center.

Please remember to wear your masks!

(Delridge/Oregon)

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ROAD WORK, TRAFFIC, TRANSIT: Friday watch, 22nd week of West Seattle Bridge closure
August 21, 2020 6:16 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:16 AM: It’s Friday, the 151st morning without the West Seattle Bridge.

ROAD WORK/CLOSURES

*Major work continues along Delridge Way for the RapidRide H Line prep project – here’s the bulletin detailing where crews are working this week and how that affects traffic/access.

*Reminder: More pavement repair will close part of 44th SW between Edmunds and Alaska again this weekend.

CHECK THE TRAFFIC BEFORE YOU GO

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

Here’s the restricted-daytime-access (open to all 9 pm-5 am) low bridge:

The main detour route across the Duwamish River is the 1st Avenue South Bridge (map) . Here’s that camera:

The other major bridge across the river is the South Park Bridge (map). Here’s that camera:

Going through South Park? Don’t speed.

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 – No recent changes – still reduced service and distancing – details here.

Water Taxi – Still on its “winter” schedule, with the 773 and 775 shuttles running – see the schedule here.

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

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