day : 02/11/2020 10 results

On Election Eve, here’s our nightly roundup of pandemic-related notes:

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

*28,262 people have tested positive, 295 more than yesterday’s total

*806 people have died, 2 more than yesterday’s total

*2,594 people have been hospitalized, 12 more than yesterday’s total

*545,651 people have been tested, 549 more than yesterday’s total

One week ago, the totals were 26,521/791/2,545/530,879.

STATEWIDE NUMBERS: See them here … but with this caveat.

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

NEED FOOD? Again this week, Food Lifeline will distribute free emergency boxes of food to anyone who shows up, 2-5 pm Friday (November 6th) at its South Park HQ, 815 S. 96th.

CITY BUDGET CRUNCH LESSENS: New economic forecasting shows the city won’t be as short on revenue as feared, despite the pandemic’s effects. Here’s how the mayor’s office reports this; here’s the City Council budget chair’s view.

SHOP LOCAL FOR THE HOLIDAYS: Spend your money where it matters most – your small independent local businesses, still fighting to survive and thrive, with both online and in-person shopping. The Junction, for starters, is getting ready to kick off Hometown Holidays. Stay tuned for more.

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

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WEST SEATTLE ELECTION EVE: Students with stickers; church vigil

November 2, 2020 8:39 pm

| 3 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle politics | West Seattle religion

Two scenes from Election Eve around West Seattle – with 80 percent of the city’s ballots already in!

(WSB photos)

STUDENTS CHEERING VOTERS: Until 2007, we voted in person and got “I Voted!” stickers. Tonight, three West Seattle High School students were offering unofficial stickers by the ballot drop box in The Junction.

Kailey, Zoe, and Carmen are part of the West Seattle chapter of the Sunrise Movement, a youth-led organization focused on advocacy for climate action. They’re planning to be back by the box 5 pm-7 pm Election Day, too.

ELECTION EVE VIGIL: About three dozen people gathered tonight in the Fauntleroy Church parking lot for a distanced prayer vigil by candlelight/flashlights.

Rev. Leah Atkinson Bilinski opened by acknowledging the emotions of this time – from fear to hope. The prayers and thoughts dwelled far more on the latter than the former, especially hope for reconciliation, including the commandment to “love your neighbor as yourself,” and an exhortation to “pray tonight for our country, our beautiful, divided country.”

They prayed for strength, courage, humility, and honesty, wishing blessings on those working to protect free, fair elections, and hoping that every vote will be counted, every voice heard, and that leaders will stand by the voters’ decisions. “No matter what happens tomorrow … you are the hope,” the pastor concluded, before closing the 40-minute service with everyone humming “We Shall Overcome.”

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UPDATE: Man rescued from Beach Drive embankment

November 2, 2020 6:13 pm

| 9 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS breaking news

6:13 PM: Big SFD rescue response right now for the 6700 block of Beach Drive SW – they’re helping someone described as an “elderly man” who is stuck down a steep slope between Beach Drive and Holly Court [map].

6:19 PM: SFD says the man they’re rescuing is not hurt. They’re correcting the address on the call to Holly Court.

6:25 PM: The incident commander has radioed in that the man did not fall – he was doing garden work and became unable to get back up the slope.

6:44 PM: Via radio, the incident commander reports the man is “extricated.” Though they don’t believe he’s hurt, we were told at the scene, they’ll of course check him out to be sure.

11:24 PM: SFD spokesperson Kristin Tinsley tells WSB that the man, 77, was believed to have been stuck down the embankment for ab9out 7 hours. He was taken to the hospital by private ambulance for evaluation.

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WEST SEATTLE BRIDGE UPDATES: Good stress; port position; council briefing; state $

November 2, 2020 5:07 pm

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| West Seattle Bridge Safety Project | West Seattle news

The latest on the bridge, as we await word on when the mayor will decide on repair vs. replace:

(SDOT photo)

BIG WEEK FOR STABILIZATION: When is stress a good thing? When it’s part of stabilizing the bridge. As we noted last week, contractor Kraemer NA is expected to reach the next stabilization milestone this week – releasing the stuck bearing on (corrected) Pier 18. Above is a photo from this week’s stabilization update, showing what SDOT describes as, “Post-tensioning strands ready to be ‘stressed’ to help stabilize the bridge.” The “stressing” started last week and will continue this week along with the bearing release. The stabilization work is expected to be complete by year’s end. (For an explanation of everything that’s been happening, go here.)

PORT COMMISSIONERS TALK TOMORROW: The Northwest Seaport Alliance‘s managing members – the combined commissions of the ports of Seattle and Tacoma – will talk on Tuesday about the West Seattle Bridge situation and a potential “policy statement.” The discussion is scheduled for the public portion of the online meeting, after 11:30 am; here’s the agenda.

COUNCIL BRIEFING: During this morning’s “briefing” meeting of the City Council, when each member updates the others on what’s big in their district (among other things), West Seattle/South Park Councilmember Lisa Herbold noted that a briefing on the West Seattle Bridge status is planned for next Monday morning’s meeting. She said that participants are expected to include the consultant the council hired last summer to offer independent expertise on the bridge situation.

STATE FUNDING? Earlier in the meeting, during a briefing on the city’s priorities for the upcoming State Legislature session, it was noted that the city is lobbying hard to have West Seattle Bridge funding included in the session’s transportation package.

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LIBRARY NOTES: New ‘curbside service’ location; Election Day changes

November 2, 2020 3:23 pm

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| West Seattle news | Westwood

Two Seattle Public Library notes this afternoon:

SOUTHWEST BRANCH GETS ‘CURBSIDE SERVICE’: Starting Wednesday (November 4th), West Seattle’s southernmost SPL branch (35th/Henderson) will be added to the “curbside service” list. That means on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, you’ll be able to go there to pick up materials you put on hold. Only walk-up service is available, so you won’t need an appointment. Southwest will be one of the first branches to “serve patrons from the lobby,” says SPL’s announcement, adding: “Safety precautions include physical distancing markers, limits on numbers of patrons in the area, plexiglass barriers, and the same contactless checkout experience as at the outdoor locations.” The other West Seattle location with “curbside service” is High Point.

ELECTION DAY CLOSURES: SPL says no services will be available tomorrow (Tuesday, November 3rd) at High Point and other SPL branches with ballot drop boxes, to reduce crowds (though King County Elections acknowledges it won’t be the usual last-minute crowding, since so many people have already voted – as of noon today, 79.3 percent in Seattle).

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SCHOOLS: Madison MS addition updates @ community meeting next week

November 2, 2020 1:14 pm

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle online | West Seattle schools

Got questions about the planned addition on the north side of Madison Middle Schookl? The district plans a community update meeting next week, 6 pm on Thursday, November 12th, online. The 12,500-square-foot project, scheduled to be built next year, is being funded by a state Distressed Schools Grant. The meeting is scheduled to include a presentation of the project design; you can see a recent update in the design packet that Studio Meng Strazzara prepared for another meeting. The viewing link/info for next week’s meeting is here.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Business burglar search; auto-theft suspect jailed

November 2, 2020 11:43 am

| 9 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

Two notes in West Seattle Crime Watch so far today:

BUSINESS BURGLAR ID: The Southwest Precinct is looking for help identifying this business burglar:

Today’s bulletin accompanying those images says this person broke into Kizuki Ramen in The Junction (42nd/Alaska) just after midnight October 14th, through a door in the back. The burglar stole alcohol and both Apple and Android tablet computers. If you have any tips, email the investigating officer at Michael.Bateman@seattle.gov.

GUN SEIZED IN AUTO-THEFT ARREST: A 27-year-old man remains in jail after a weekend arrest reported on SPD Blotter. Police say they went to the 4000 block of Fauntleroy Way SW around 1 pm because “another police agency” told them a “reported stolen vehicle was mapping to that area.” They found the vehicle, and in it, this gun:

(SPD photo)

Records show the suspect is a convicted felon, pleading guilty in 2015 to possession of a stolen vehicle. He’s likely to have a bail hearing today; we’ll update after that.

EVENING UPDATE: The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office tells us the bail-hearing judge did not find probable cause to keep holding the suspect, so he was released. That doesn’t mean he won’t face charges eventually, but for now he’s out.

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WEST SEATTLE MONDAY: 2 days to vote, & what else is up

November 2, 2020 10:13 am

| Comments Off on WEST SEATTLE MONDAY: 2 days to vote, & what else is up

| West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

(Voter-encouragement art by Ruthi Winter and Betsy Borrow of West Seattle Beach Drive Art Studio)

Though more than three-quarters of Seattle voters have turned in their ballots, that still leaves thousands who haven’t, and if you’re among them, today’s your second-to-last day to do it. Most direct route to get it to those who will count it is to use an.official King County Elections drop box – here again are the three in West Seattle and the two closest others:

–The Junction, south side of SW Alaska between California SW and 44th SW
–High Point Library, 3411 SW Raymond
–South Seattle College, 6000 16th SW
–South Park Library, 8th Avenue S./S. Cloverdale
–White Center Library, 1409 SW 107th

Drop boxes close at 8 pm Tuesday night. If you decide to use USPS mail, your ballot must be postmarked by Tuesday.

Already sent/dropped off your ballot? Check here to be sure it’s been received/verified. Need a replacement ballot, or to register? Go to a Vote Center (none in West Seattle, but one’s on the south end of downtown). Can’t get there or have a question? 206-296-VOTE.

One other note for today/tonight so far:

WEST SEATTLE BIKE CONNECTIONS: Because of the election, this group has moved up its monthly meeting to tonight, 6:30 pm online. Attendance information is in our calendar listing.

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Remembering Peter Angle, 1938-2020

November 2, 2020 8:59 am

| 10 COMMENTS

| Obituaries | West Seattle news

Family and friends are remembering Peter Angle, and sharing his story with the community:

Peter Angle passed away Tuesday, September 29, at the Puget Sound VA due to complications from sepsis. Peter was born to Jack and Trudy Angle in Chicago May 7, 1938. He was the oldest of four brothers growing up in the steel town of Gary, Indiana, on the shores of Lake Michigan. The sand dunes were a constant backdrop of his childhood. Upon graduating high school, the family moved to Pittsburgh, where Pete attended Lehigh University and University of Pittsburgh, earning a Bachelor of Arts.

In 1961 Pete enlisted in the USMC, as he put it, to have a choice in the matter rather than be drafted. He earned his aviator wings at Pensacola and flew two tours in the Vietnam War. His second tour in country, he flew helicopter medevacs. In 1968, he was awarded the Silver Star for piloting the extraction of a recon team under heavy fire: Flying a CH-46, he used a high-speed maneuver, the helicopter equivalent of a skid-out, to perch a single landing gear on the steep slope of the “rock pile,” holding steady while the recon team piled in over the half-open ramp, the crew and aircraft taking rounds, including in the forward transmission. With oil leaking into the cockpit, he flew the mile to safety, black smoke billowing behind, having landed just before the oil ran out and the engine seized. Recounting the event in a letter to his future wife, he said he spent the next several days “taught as a bowstring.”

Pete married Diane Weaver, a teacher, in 1969 in Florida. The newly wed couple were stationed in Quantico, where Peter joined HMX-1, the presidential detail, flying President Nixon in Marine One. Pete and Diane traveled abroad during leave, including a memorable trip to Spain and Portugal. Their first son, Geoff, was born in 1973, followed by Greg, born in 1975. Peter’s aviation career continued as he commanded squadrons in New River, NC, and Futenma, Okinawa. Peter retired from his 28-year Marine Corps career as a colonel.

Their children grown, having grown apart, Pete and Diane divorced. Free of the roles of being an officer and raising a family, he sought to know himself, and be himself, more fully, and he moved to a commune in India. After a couple years in Pune, Pete settled in the Bay Area and took up a massage-therapy practice, with which he earned his living for the next decade-plus, until his health took a downturn in 2012. From then on, he hitched his wagon to his son Greg’s family in California, which ultimately brought him north to West Seattle. He got out daily into the neighborhood using his walker, always ready for a good meal and good conversation.

Pete was not the type to wave a flag, but he was proud of his service. He was a foodie before being a foodie was a thing. He terrified his family with his enthusiasm watching the NFL. He did a pretty good Donald Duck impression for the grandkids. His two sons were always impressed by the size of his calves he got from running on the shore of Lake Michigan. He was a very physical, athletic person. He wasn’t afraid to take risks, whether flying medevacs in Vietnam or, later in life, in going against the grain of who he was raised to be. Pete dated well into his seventies; connecting with other people was central to his character. And as his body declined, his sense of humor gave him the ability to deal with it gracefully.

He is survived by his three younger brothers: Tony, Jeff, and Burr, and their families; also his sons Geoff and Greg, and his grandchildren North, Marin, Parrish, Caper, Archie, Osage, and Maple (Geoff and Megan’s family), Boyce and Fletcher (Greg and Robin’s family).

Peter will be interred at Quantico National Cemetery, November 10, 2020 with full military honors.

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)

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