day : 31/08/2020 11 results

As we end the sixth full calendar month in pandemic times, here are tonight’s toplines:

NEWEST KING COUNTY NUMBERS: Here’s today’s daily summary from Public Health – the cumulative totals:

*19,665 people have tested positive, 111 more than yesterday’s total

*720 people have died, same as yesterday and the day before

*2,229 people have been hospitalized, 4 more than yesterday’s total

*361,435 people have been tested, 659 more than yesterday’s total

One week ago, the totals were 18,824/711/2,182/343,578.

STATEWIDE NUMBERS: See them here.

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

NEW SCHOOL YEAR: We’re checking in this week with local independent and parochial schools to see how they’re starting the new school year, since we know Seattle Public Schools is starting remotely. Today we reported on what Explorer West Middle School (WSB sponsor) is doing and the plan at Holy Rosary Catholic School; we reported earlier on Hope Lutheran School‘s plan; more schools tomorrow.

COVID-ERA CPR: Seattle Fire notes that you should be prepared for hands-only CPR during the pandemic, and shows you how to do it.

NEED MASKS? Reminder – you can get a cloth face covering free at Safeways around King County; ask at the checkstand.

NEED FOOD? This week, you can get a free emergency boxful at Food Lifeline on Friday (September 4th), 2-5 pm, 815 S. 96th.

GOT SOMETHING TO REPORT? westseattleblog@gmail.com or 206-293-6302, text/voice – thank you!

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BACK TO SCHOOL: Holy Rosary’s plan

| West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Continuing our look at what West Seattle’s independent and parochial schools are doing to start the new school year:

Holy Rosary School will start with remote teaching/learning, but first, a week of (distanced) in-person preparation. Admissions director Jennifer Kokkonis sent the photos with this reply to our inquiry:

At Holy Rosary School, Teacher/Parent/Student meetings started today and will go all week.

The intent is for each family to pick up their school supplies, devices (if needed), go over websites and some of the materials that will be used during remote learning, and most importantly for teachers to meet their students!

Let’s go, school year 2020/21!

Live online instruction starts Tuesday, September 8th. More details about Holy Rosary’s plan are in the announcement made by the school in early August.

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ORCAS: Sunset whale-watching

August 31, 2020 7:38 pm

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| West Seattle news

If you’re out by the water to watch the sunset, watch for whales! Kersti Muul reports southbound transient orcas just passed Discovery Park so could be in view from West Seattle soon.

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READER REPORT: Abandoned bicycles

August 31, 2020 7:06 pm

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| Seen around town | West Seattle news

Just in from Emily:

These bikes have been lying in the bushes on Fauntleroy just in front of the bridge barricades for a few days. Not sure if they are lost, stolen or forgotten? Hope they are able to be reclaimed by their owners!

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BACK TO SCHOOL: Explorer West MS’s ‘remote plus outdoor’ plan

August 31, 2020 5:17 pm

| 7 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

With Seattle Public Schools starting the 2020-2021 year on Friday, remotely, we’re checking around to see what local independent schools are doing. This afternoon, we talked with Explorer West Middle School (WSB sponsor), which has a hybrid plan: One day a week in person – outdoors – the other four remote. Each of EWMS’s three grades – 6th, 7th, 8th – will have its own day on campus each week. Canopies will be set up for some protection from the elements.

The school plans weekly all-grades assemblies online. The full plan is summarized on the EWMS website. This all starts tomorrow, with 6th graders on campus for orientation.

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DEVELOPMENT: No-meeting Design Review for 4515 44th SW

August 31, 2020 3:20 pm

| 23 COMMENTS

| Development | West Seattle news

The apartment building planned at 4515 44th SW is going through the no-meeting (aka “administrative”) Design Review process, but there’s still an opportunity for public comment, and that’s just begun. The Early Design Guidance packet (see the draft version here) proposes three “massing” (size/shape) options for the building, which is planned as 4 stories, ~37 units (more than half of them microapartments, aka Small Efficiency Dwelling Units), no offstreet parking. You have two weeks, through September 14th, to comment; this notice explains how. We first reported five months ago on this plan for the former CDE Software site [map].

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BIZNOTES: Coffee and sushi

August 31, 2020 1:20 pm

| 9 COMMENTS

| West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants | WS beverages

Two notes from the West Seattle food and beverage world:

COFFEE: C & P Coffee Company (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor) has just expanded its hours again – 7 am to 5 pm. Continue ordering via the back window; outdoor seating on both sides of the shop remains open.

SUSHI: Many have been asking when – if – Azuma Sushi in The Junction (4533 California SW) will reopen.

We haven’t had luck in reaching its longtime proprietors but Cathy did and sent us this report last night:

I just spoke with Jennifer – she and her husband Harry are the owners of Azuma Sushi. She says they both are doing well and Harry has had some well-deserved time off. They’ve been open for 20 years and he’s pretty much worked non-stop at the restaurant!

They are looking to re-open soon, probably only doing takeout while we are still in Phase 2. No set date on re-opening yet, but they are working on it.

She asked if I could contact the WSB and pass the word on so that their customers know that they are doing well and that they are looking forward to seeing everyone again soon!

Harry worked seven days a week until 2016!

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Harbor-seal pups rescued in West Seattle and relocated

August 31, 2020 11:58 am

| 14 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | Wildlife

(Photo by Eilene Hutchinson)

Those two harbor-seal pups are swimming in more-secluded waters after a weekend rescue in West Seattle. The report and photos are from Seal Sitters Marine Mammal Stranding Network:

On Sunday, Seal Sitters MMSN rescued two young, weaned harbor seals from the Duwamish Head area.

The pups, nicknamed Tango and Foxtrot (L-R above), had been using the highly visible and accessible beach to rest, coming and going over the past days. We began to receive troubling reports of people touching and harassing the pups after ignoring warnings and barriers.

One pup also had a fish hook in his mouth that had to be removed by a veterinary team from SR3. Thankfully that injury was slight. The pups’ proximity to fishing piers and the boat dock made them vulnerable to further entanglement. The decision was made to relocate them for the safety of the pups and the public.

(Photo by David Hutchinson)

With the assistance of SR3, WDFW Marine Mammal Investigations and World Vets, the pups were captured, given a medical exam, and taken by boat to a secluded South Sound island. Videos show Tango and Foxtrot frolicking in their new waters and Seal Sitters volunteers are gratified that the pups could be relocated together.

Harbor seal pupping season is currently underway in our area and seal pups will be trying to rest onshore. Please remember to stay away from pups, leash your pets, and call Seal Sitters at 206-905-7325 if you see a stranded marine mammal in West Seattle.

“Stranded” also covers marine mammals in possible distress offshore – even though some reports sometimes mistake normal behavior for trouble, SSMMSN would rather know than not know!

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SEEN OFF WEST SEATTLE: USCGC Healy’s early return

August 31, 2020 11:28 am

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| Seen at sea | West Seattle news

Thanks to Stewart L. for the photo. Seen in Elliott Bay this morning, that’s the U.S. Coast Guard icebreaker USCGC Healy (WAGB-20), making an early return home. As announced by the USCG earlier this month, the Healy had to return for repairs after an August 18th electrical fire. It was off Alaska at the time, en route “to ensure national security and conduct science operations in the Arctic.” No one was hurt. The Healy is one of only two USCG icebreakers; construction of a new one is expected to start next year at a shipyard in Mississippi.

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WILDLIFE FYI: Owl attack reported in Lincoln Park

August 31, 2020 9:00 am

| 31 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle parks | Wildlife

Every few years, we get a report about a divebombing owl attacking someone. Last night, Kate sent this:

(Sunday) around 8 pm, I got attacked by an owl (probably barred owl). I think my high, very floppy bun was to blame. (Map of Lincoln Park location) This is exactly where I saw owls hang out in trees before. Anyway, just wanted to warn people to watch out when they run on that trail. I am all good, just a scratch on my ear.

This 2011 reader report is from the same time of year, same area of the park. This state Fish and Wildlife info sheet explains (though we’re not quite to winter yet), “In winter owls establish territories, build nests, and rear young. During this period, adult birds may engage in belligerent behavior, such as attacking creatures many times their size. In this case, the owls are simply trying to protect their homes, their mates, or their young.”

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TRAFFIC WATCH: Monday notes + Delridge Way closure update

August 31, 2020 6:07 am

| 6 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

7:48 AM UPDATE: SDOT spokesperson Adonis Ducksworth tells us the Delridge crew worked until almost midnight and was able to then reopen the street early today after all. (Added 8:12 am – we just went over to confirm; it’s indeed open)

==============

(Earlier)

6:07 AM: It’s Monday, the 161st morning without the West Seattle Bridge.

CLOSURE EXTENDED

*The south Delridge Way closure that will detour you between Roxbury and Henderson has been extended one more day.

(WSB photo, Sunday)

The utility work proved more complicated than expected, SDOT told us Sunday morning. They’re now expecting to reopen Delridge between 18th and Barton by 5 am Tuesday. We’ll check this afternoon to see how it’s going.

CHECK THE TRAFFIC BEFORE YOU GO

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