West Seattle, Washington
25 Thursday
Here are tonight’s pandemic-related toplines:
NEWEST KING COUNTY NUMBERS: Here’s today’s daily summary from Public Health – the cumulative totals:
*18,824 people have tested positive, 146 more than yesterday’s total
*711 people have died, 3 more than yesterday’s total
*2,182 people have been hospitalized, 27 more than yesterday’s total
*343,578 people have been tested, 4,384 more than yesterday’s total
One week ago, the totals were 17,824/691/2,109/322,766.
ANOTHER AREA DEATH: 98146, part of which is in south West Seattle, just recorded its 12th death. For the record, here are the current totals for the other four zip codes that are all or partly within West Seattle:
98116 – 2
98136 – 3
98106 – 4
98126 – 14
STATEWIDE NUMBERS: See them here.
WORLDWIDE NUMBERS: See them – nation by nation – here.
FREE MASKS: Now available at Safeways around King County.
SEATTLE PUBLIC LIBRARY EXPANDS SERVICE: The pandemic is still keeping branches closed to the general public, but as of today, you can place new holds on material for curbside pickup at SPL branches where that’s offered. In West Seattle, that’s the High Point branch (3411 SW Raymond), noon-6 pm Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays – more info here.
SEATTLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS’ MEAL-DELIVERY CHANGE: Weekday meal delivery via school bus is down to just one route in West Seattle.
SURVEY: What do you think about pandemic-era online recreation programming? Seattle Parks wants to know.
GOT SOMETHING TO REPORT? westseattleblog@gmail.com or 206-293-6302, text/voice – thank you!
Police are investigating the death of a man whose body was found near 24th/25th SW [map], by Longfellow Creek. We just went to the scene after a tip from a neighbor (thank you) about a big police response.
SPD at the scene included Southwest Precinct commander Capt. Kevin Grossman, who told WSB that this all started with an investigation after a report of a hit-run crash in the area earlier today; near some debris left behind, the body was found. Capt. Grossman said they don’t know yet if the hit-run and death are connected; detectives are at the scene to see what they can find.
6:49 PM: A Seattle Fire “full response” is on the way to the 4100 block of 47th SW. First crews arriving aren’t seeing anything yet. Updates to come.
6:53 PM: Small kitchen fire, aka “food on the stove.” Response is being downsized.
With the general election a little more than two months away, West Seattle now has a third ballot dropbox, at South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) on Puget Ridge. We got a tip about it this afternoon (thank you!) and went over for a photo. King County Elections installed it on Friday, in front of the administration building. This is not a reaction to the current concern about the US Postal Service‘s ability to handle ballots, though – we’re told it’s been in the works a long time; our tipster texted that it’s the “culmination of years of work by student, staff, and faculty.” KC Elections spokesperson Halei Watkins tells WSB it’s the 70th dropbox in the county: “The campus was very welcoming and enthusiastic about finding the best spot for it, and we’re thrilled to now have a dropbox on all Seattle Community College campuses.” No other new ones are planned right now, Watkins adds, but, “We are looking at some other ballot drop=off options, particularly to serve more rural communities around the county.” Before there were fixed dropboxes, you might recall, there were temporary sites with vans.
The new box joins West Seattle’s pre-existing ones at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond) and in The Junction (south side of SW Alaska between California and 44th). The dropboxes officially “open” after ballots are mailed out, which is scheduled to happen October 14th, and they close at 8 pm sharp Election Night (November 3rd).
P.S. SSC spokesperson Ty Swenson tells us the college’s gates will reopen in mid-September, so the box will be easily accessible to voters in time for the election.
(WSB photo, June 19)
62-year-old Michael L. Dudley of Burien is now charged with two counts of second-degree murder in the June shooting deaths of 35-year-old Jessica Lewis and 27-year-old Austin Wenner, whose bodies were found in suitcases. The originally reported discovery near Luna/Anchor Park was not the only disposal site, prosecutors say. As reported here last week, police arrested Dudley Wednesday; probable-cause documents said he had been renting a room to the victims and arguing with them over payment of the $1500/month rent. The newly filed charging documents say:
While the precise motive for this crime is not yet fully known, the evidence to date shows that the defendant was angry with the victims for not paying rent and for bringing potential criminal activity to the Ambaum home. The defendant, likely with the aid of others, dismembered the two victims after he killed them, separated their bodies into multiple bags and suitcases and tried to hide them in different bodies of water. This process would have taken a lot of time and effort and his willingness to take these extreme steps demonstrates the threat he poses to the community.
The other “body of water” in which more of the victims’ remains were found is explained later as “near 10000 West Marginal Pl, near the Seattle City Light power substation on the Duwamish River,” a discovery reported to the King County Sheriff’s Office, which subsequently contacted SPD. The Medical Examiner said both victims had been beaten as well as shot.
10 days after the discovery in West Seattle, the charging documents say, family members of the victims told police they had been staying with Dudley since last December. Investigators talked to a variety of other people in piecing together circumstances leading to the murder allegation. Regarding the aforementioned “potential criminal activity,” the court documents say Wenner had been attacked at the Burien house by men with whom he had been having some kind of dispute.
The court document notes that Dudley’s criminal history includes a felony drug conviction from Thurston County in 1996 and convictions in California for Carrying a Concealed Weapon in a Vehicle (1994), Taking a Vehicle for Temporary Use (1995), and Vehicle Theft (1996), plus an Oregon conviction for DUI (1977). As we reported last week, he was charged more recently with misdemeanor domestic-violence assault for allegedly attacking a woman he had been dating. He remains jailed in lieu of $5 million bail. (added) He’s scheduled for arraignment September 8th.
Just announced by the King County Executive’s Office:
Customers at King County locations of Safeway will be able to take home free face masks with their groceries starting today with a new partnership between King County, Safeway, and UFCW Local 21. …
King County purchased more than 25 million face masks for county residents, and to date has distributed more than 14 million reusable and disposable masks through direct distribution and partnerships with local chambers of commerce and other community organizations. …
Starting today, customers at any of the 59 Safeway locations in King County can obtain two free reusable masks per person in their household, for up to 12 masks total, while at the checkstand. Disposable masks will also be available for customers who may have forgotten or misplaced their masks at all stores. All told Safeway will help distribute 750,000 face masks provided by King County.
Safeway stores in our area are at 28th/Roxbury, 42nd/Edmunds (Jefferson Square), and 2622 California SW.
P.S. In case you wondered too – we checked: No purchase required.
For more than a decade, we’ve been reporting on West Seattle’s Emergency Communications Hubs – community-powered operations that, if we’re lucky, we’ll never need – places you would go in case of major catastrophe, if regular communication channels were disrupted. West Seattle was a leader in hub creation, and it’s now a citywide program. Right now that program is crowdfunding for the first time to cover its fairly nominal operation costs. Longtime local preparedness leader Cindi Barker sent the announcement:
The Seattle Emergency Communications Hub Network is an ALL-VOLUNTEER force dedicated to helping Seattle communities prepare for a disaster. We work closely with City of Seattle officials, are incorporated into the response plan, but choose to remain independent of formal city control. This allows us to remain nimble and respond to our communities as the unique entities that they are. Currently, we have nearly 60 Emergency Communication Hubs throughout Seattle where trained neighbors will gather to help organize and support their communities after a large disaster.
We continue to focus on skill training and education of our existing hubs and we are determined to increase our outreach to communities of color, to non-English speakers, and to those with accessibility or economic challenges. This has been an exciting time as we navigate new paths and learn how to reach out to all communities with sensitivity. More on that in the near future but for now, we are turning to the community for support.
Hub Volunteers have shouldered our operating expenses for fourteen years. For the first time ever, we are asking our supporters to cover our expenses for the next two years as we migrate to a more sustainable business model. It isn’t a large amount – $5,500. Our network costs include website maintenance, videoconferencing capabilities, translation services to engage more Seattle residents, and multi-language printed materials such as how-to manuals, outreach materials, essential forms, and self-help posters.
If you can donate – here’s where to do it. And even if you can’t – check out the West Seattle hub map above (as well as more resources here) and be sure your family and neighbors all know about your nearest hub!
The photo is from Mandi, who announced two weeks ago that she was organizing weekly post-weekend community cleanups at Alki Beach, and welcoming assistance. Today was the second cleanup, she reports. “We are getting lots of support and interest. My goal is to start with cleanup and see what else we can do to keep Alki Beach beautiful.” Interested in helping? You can join Mandi at 9 am Mondays – email her at mandikhall@gmail.com.
Throughout the summer, Seattle Public Schools has continued to offer student meals for pickup at some local campuses and for delivery via some school-bus routes. Starting today, the district has cut back on the bus deliveries. Now there’s just one bus route in West Seattle for meal delivery – this one. The 11 am-1 pm weekday pickups availability continues at West Seattle Elementary, Denny International Middle School, Chief Sealth International and West Seattle High Schools. The district says it’s working to add more sites soon – the meals are available at 26 schools around the city now, and they’re hoping to expand to 40.
Thanks for the tips! A humpback whale is in our area this morning, in Elliott Bay off Luna/Anchor Park. Kersti Muul says it’s traveling southwestward. If you haven’t seen one before. here’s the species-ID page on The Whale Trail‘s website.
6:12 AM: It’s Monday, the 154th morning without the West Seattle Bridge.
ROAD WORK/CLOSURES
*Major work continues along Delridge Way for the RapidRide H Line prep project, and part of south Delridge Way will be closed next weekend – here’s the newest bulletin detailing where crews are working this week and how that affects traffic/access.
*Reminder: More pavement repair is expected to close part of 44th SW between Edmunds and Alaska again next 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.
| 5 COMMENTS