West Seattle, Washington

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year : 2020 3830 results

‘Small bear cub’ sighting in West Seattle
December 29, 2020 11:39 pm
|      53 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | Wildlife

From the scanner: Someone called 911 to report a “small bear cub” seen near 35th SW/SW Trenton. The dispatcher told officers it would be reported to the Department of Fish and Wildlife. Checking our archives, we had a bear-sighting report five years ago, in the Beach Drive greenbelt vicinity.

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CORONAVIRUS: Tuesday 12/29 roundup
December 29, 2020 10:30 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Coronavirus | West Seattle news

Here are tonight’s local toplines in the pandemic:

NEWEST KING COUNTY NUMBERS: First the numbers, as shown in today’s daily summary from Seattle-King County Public Health – the cumulative totals:

*60,799 people have tested positive, 167 more than yesterday’s total

*1,066 people have died, 10 more than yesterday’s total

*4,100 people have been hospitalized, 34 more than yesterday’s total

*739,941 people have been tested, 3,367 more than yesterday’s total

One week ago, the totals were 58,286/1,012/3,895/720,714.

STATEWIDE NUMBERS: See them here.

NATIONAL/WORLDWIDE NUMBERS: 81.9 million cases worldwide, 19.5 million of them in the U.S. – see other nation-by-nation stats by going here.

BRIEFING TOMORROW: Even during this between-holidays week, state health experts will present their weekly Wednesday briefing tomorrow. You can watch at noon – here’s the link.

NEED FOOD? Food Lifeline‘s South Park HQ offers emergency food boxes 2-5 pm tomorrow, at 815 S. 96th.

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

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TONIGHT’S LIGHTS: West Seattle Whoville
December 29, 2020 8:25 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle Christmas lights | West Seattle news

On TV, the Grinch’s sleigh got stuck on a mountaintop … in West Seattle, you’ll find it high-centered on Lacey‘s fence. As we continue our stretch week of lights-spotlighting, she sent photos of her display on 18th SW near Roxbury [vicinity map]. “Our Grinch is not as lit up as I would like, but he is very realistic!” she notes.

You can see all the lights we’ve featured over the past month-plus by scrolling through this WSB archive. We are so grateful for all the tips that made it happen; still time for a few more if you think we’ve missed someplace special – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

 

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DEVELOPMENT: See the early-design proposal for upzoned Morgan Junction site
December 29, 2020 6:52 pm
|      30 COMMENTS
 |   Development | West Seattle news

One year after we first reported on a redevelopment plan for a HALA-upzoned Morgan Junction site, the early-design proposal has appeared on the city’s Design Review site. You can see the packet here. The site’s official address is 6314 41st SW, but it also spans 6308 41st and 4023 SW Grahamp. The project will go through Administrative Design Review, which means no public meeting, though comments will be taken via email. The proposal is now described as “three apartment buildings (3, 4, and 5 stories) with 6 Efficiency Dwelling Units and 30 apartment units (36 units total). Parking for 15 vehicles proposed.” The design packet shows a mix of studios, 1 bedrooms, and 2 bedrooms. The developer/designer is still Texas-based StoryBuilt, though property records still don’t show a change in ownership. The parcels in this project were originally put on the market in 2017, as part of a package that floated the idea of a larger project, but instead the area’s seen smaller proposals such as this one and townhouse clusters. Design comments for this project? greg.johnson@seattle.gov is who to email.

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UPDATE: West Seattle low-bridge camera ticketing starts January 11th
December 29, 2020 3:01 pm
|      75 COMMENTS
 |   Transportation | West Seattle Bridge Safety Project | West Seattle news

(WSB photo)

3:01 PM: The date is set for the city to start using the new enforcement cameras on the West Seattle low bridge: Monday, January 11th – just under two weeks away.

Starting that day, SDOT says, unauthorized low-bridge use will put you at risk of a $75 ticket. No grace period needed because this isn’t a new enforcement activity, it’s supplementary to traffic police having staked out the low bridge off and on in the nine months since the high bridge’s closure led to low-bridge restrictions.

The cameras were installed earlier this month. The city’s ability to use them for this traces back to a state-law change passed last Legislative session and then City Council authorization in September.

The low-bridge rules are recapped in SDOT’s announcement of the camera-activation date:

The rules for which vehicles may use the Low Bridge are not changing:

• The only vehicles authorized to use the Low Bridge from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. are emergency vehicles, buses, employer shuttles, vanpools, freight, and certain pre-authorized vehicles. See the Low Bridge webpage for a complete list.

• People riding a bike, scooter, bus, or walking may continue using the Low Bridge any time.

• All other vehicles (including personal cars, motorcycles, taxis, and ride-hailing app vehicles like Uber and Lyft) may not use the Low Bridge from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. and will be sent a $75 citation.

• Everyone may drive on the Low Bridge overnight from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. No citations will be issued during these times.

The list of authorized “West Seattle business vehicles” has been made in collaboration with the West Seattle Junction Association and Chamber of Commerce. SDOT’s announcement also notes that low-bridge rules might keep evolving: “SDOT will be monitoring Low Bridge traffic volumes in early 2021 after the new enforcement system is turned on. If traffic data shows us that there is room to expand access, we will work with the West Seattle Bridge Community Task Force to recommend a balanced approach for Low Bridge access.”

ADDED 5:44 PM: The SDOT Blog post about today’s announcement introduces a slogan for all this: “Don’t Go Low.”

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SCAM CALL ALERT: No, prosecutors won’t call you to demand money
December 29, 2020 12:53 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

So many scam callers these days – here’s another one to be aware of. The alert is from the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office:

The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office is aware of a scam call going to Western Washington residents regarding criminal cases and demanding money be transferred immediately.

These calls are a scam and they are targeting people who have no involvement in a crime. The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office is not calling demanding money from people involved in prostitution cases or any type of cases. Our office has never done that, and will not.

If you are charged with a crime, the way you will find out is through a formal summons or a warrant. Both must be handled in person.

Here’s the outline of one of the previous scam calls:

-The caller identifies themself as King County Prosecuting Attorney Dan Satterberg and says the call recipient is being prosecuted for contacting someone underage.

-The number being faked is 206-477-1200.

-The call recipient is told to send a MoneyGram for $890 in order for the charges to be dropped. Do not wire money to this person. Our office will never call and demand money in exchange for charges being dropped.

Similar scams happened back in July and mid-August.

If you receive what you believe to be a bogus call from someone pretending to be from the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, here are steps you can take. This information comes from our Economic Crimes Unit, which handles felony fraud cases such as this.

-Don’t panic. This threat is not legitimate. Even if you take no action you will not be charged with a crime.

-Write down any information you can gather about the call. This may include the time you received it, what number showed on your called ID and any statements made by the fraudulent caller. While a recording of the conversation may be helpful to law enforcement, in Washington it is illegal to record someone without first telling them the conversation will be recorded. So, if you decide to record the call, give them notice, turn on the recorder, and then repeat your notice.

-Contact your local law enforcement to report the attempted fraud. The non-emergency number for the Seattle Police Department, for example, is 206-625-5011 and you also can make a report online. Save the documentation regarding the report after you’ve filed it.

-If the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office has actually charged you with a crime, separate from these scam calls, notify your attorney.

If you have questions or want to verify that a communication you received actually came from us, the phone number for the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office is 206-477-1200 and our email is Prosecuting.Attorney@kingcounty.gov. We are happy to help you.

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VIDEO: Getting ready for ‘Great Battery Roundup 2021’ underwater in West Seattle
December 29, 2020 10:56 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Environment | West Seattle news

Nine years after launching an initiative to remove abandoned batteries from local waters, West Seattle’s “Diver Laura” James is at it again. She sent the video above, from a preparatory dive, along with this update:

Back by popular demand, I bring you the first steps for our Great Battery Roundup 2021.

The ‘wreck’ of the Honey Bear has decayed enough that we have recently noted some big marine batteries buried in the remains that made up her power banks … we went out and I removed obstructions and gained access to the batteries in preparation for removal.

We will be out doing these dives over the next few weeks and hope to remove the batteries, bring them into shallower water so that the tide can encourage any residents to leave, and then once they have seen a few tide cycles, pull them fully and take them to Seattle Iron and Metals Co. and drop them off for recycling. They appear to be the larger marine batteries, in the 65-lb. range but will know more when we bring them to the surface.

“Cove 2” is in the Seacrest vicinity; the batteries are believed to have been dumped back when a marina was there.

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WEST SEATTLE TUESDAY: Notes for today/tonight
December 29, 2020 8:59 am
|    Comments Off on WEST SEATTLE TUESDAY: Notes for today/tonight
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

That’s the almost-full moon last night, photographed by Jerry Simmons. The official full-moon moment is 7:28 pm tonight, three-plus hours after it rises, but if the forecast bears out, we might not get to see it. (Added 9:27 am – Jerry did catch a little sunrise color:)

Other notes for today/tonight:

FOOD FOR STUDENTS: 11:15 am-1:15 pm, food boxes with breakfast and lunch items to get Seattle Public Schools students through the rest of winter break will be available at two West Seattle locations: Denny International Middle School (2601 SW Kenyon) and Madison Middle School (3429 45th SW).

DEMONSTRATE FOR RACIAL JUSTICE: From organizer Scott:

Black Lives Matter sign-waving

Tuesday, Dec. 29, 4 to 6 pm, corner of 16th SW and SW Holden

Thursday, Dec 31, 4 to 6 pm, corner of 16th SW and SW Holden

Come show support for BLM and ending systemic racism. Hold signs, meet neighbors, and stand for racial justice. Scott at PR Cohousing, endorsed by Hate-Free Delridge. Signs available.

WEST SEATTLE TOOL LIBRARY: 5-8 pm, last chance to borrow a tool before next year – the WSTL, on the northeast side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, will be closed New Year’s Eve. (4408 Delridge Way SW)

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ROAD WORK, TRANSIT, TRAFFIC: Last Tuesday of 2020
December 29, 2020 6:12 am
|    Comments Off on ROAD WORK, TRANSIT, TRAFFIC: Last Tuesday of 2020
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:12 AM: It’s Tuesday, December 29th, the 281st morning without the West Seattle Bridge.

ROAD (ETC.) WORK

Delridge project: Here’s the plan for what’s nect. No work planned Friday (New Year’s Day).

TRANSIT

Metro – Regular schedule today through Thursday (running a Sunday schedule on New Year’s Day).

Water Taxi – Regular schedule today through Thursday (no service New Year’s Day).

CHECK TRAFFIC BEFORE YOU GO

West Marginal Way/Highland Park Way:

Highland Park Way/Holden:

The 5-way intersection (Spokane/West Marginal/Delridge/Chelan):

Restricted-daytime-access (open to all 9 pm-5 am) low bridge:

The main detour route across the Duwamish River, the 1st Avenue South Bridge (map) . Here are two cameras:

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

Going through South Park? Don’t speed. (Same goes for the other detour-route neighborhoods, like Highland Park, Riverview, and South Delridge.)

To check for bridges’ marine-traffic openings, see the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed.

You can view all local traffic cams here; locally relevant cameras are also shown on this WSB page.

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

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CORONAVIRUS: Monday 12/28 roundup
December 28, 2020 11:41 pm
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   Coronavirus | West Seattle news

Ten months ago tonight, King County’s first COVID-19 case was announced. Here’s the latest:

NEWEST KING COUNTY NUMBERS: Here are the toplines of today’s daily summary from Seattle-King County Public Health – the cumulative countywide totals:

*60,632 people have tested positive, 513 more than yesterday’s total

*1,056 people have died, 13 more than yesterday’s total

*4,066 people have been hospitalized, 26 more than yesterday’s total

*736,574 people have been tested, 9,233 more than yesterday’s total

One week ago, the totals were 58,107/993/3,893/717,680.

STATEWIDE NUMBERS: See them here.

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

NOTIFICATION TOOL UPDATE: The WA Notify tool is now being used by 1.57 million people.

NEED HELP PAYING UTILITY BILLS? The city is reminding residents of the Utility Discount Program.

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

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UPDATE: Gunfire in Highland Park
December 28, 2020 10:49 pm
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   Highland Park | West Seattle news

10:49 PM: Chris sent that security video clip on which you can hear what was called in as suspected gunfire in the 16th/Holden area around 9:30 pm. No word if police found any evidence of gunfire; no shooting victims reported, so far.

TUESDAY UPDATE: Police officially classified the call as “drive-by shooting, no injuries.”

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Another bicycle found in the forest
December 28, 2020 9:25 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Seen around town | West Seattle news

Christine is still looking for the owner of a pink Huffy kid-size bicycle found in Puget Park – and now she’s looking for the owner of this bicycle, too, found in the West Duwamish Greenbelt. Well, more like a bicycle frame, but it’s in good shape, Christine says. She has this black and blue Schwinn for safekeeping, too, so if you recognize it, let us know and we’ll connect you.

P.S. For smaller items likely to have been truly lost/misplaced, you can post/look in our Lost/Found (nonpets) Forum.

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TONIGHT’S LIGHTS: Peace on Earth
December 28, 2020 8:21 pm
|    Comments Off on TONIGHT’S LIGHTS: Peace on Earth
 |   West Seattle Christmas lights | West Seattle news

Thanks to Al for tonight’s photo, as we continue showcasing lights through New Year’s – this is at 46th and Admiral [map], it’s a message both seasonal and timeless – peace on Earth. Since Thanksgiving week, we’ve shown more than three dozen West Seattle displays, large and small, and you can scroll through them all here!

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DEVELOPMENT: 3201 SW Avalon Way project re-activates, with changes
December 28, 2020 6:43 pm
|      31 COMMENTS
 |   Development | West Seattle news

More than two years after clearing the first phase of Design Review, the redevelopment proposal for 3201 SW Avalon Way – site of the Golden Tee Apartments [map] – is back on the front-burner. We dug into the file after a tip from C that the city put up new signs today. Documents show the project has gone through some changes since that 2018 meeting (WSB coverage here) – including a new architect (Public47 has replaced NK) and a change in toplines (now 8 stories, 144 units, 70 offstreet-parking spaces, previously 7/150/85). The new signage mentions a “grocery store and restaurant” but the new documentation shows two retail spaces only totaling 3,600+ square feet on the building’s north side. The project still needs to go before the Southwest Design Review Board at least one more time, but that’s not yet on the board’s calendar (which currently is wide open for 2021).

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Ready to recycle your Christmas tree?
December 28, 2020 5:57 pm
|    Comments Off on Ready to recycle your Christmas tree?
 |   Environment | Holidays | West Seattle news

If and when you’re ready to take down the tree – here are this year’s guidelines, from Seattle Public Utilities:

The nearest transfer station is South, in west South Park at 130 S. Kenyon, open 8 am-5:30 pm seven days a week (closed on New Year’s Day).

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FOLLOWUP: New West Seattle plant-based restaurant Allyum about to open
December 28, 2020 1:25 pm
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   Luna Park | West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants

ORIGINAL MONDAY REPORT: We first reported more than three months ago about the plan to open Allyum in the former Duos Lounge space at 2940 SW Avalon Way. Now the sign is up and opening plans are set – Allyum has announced that this Friday, New Year’s Day, will be its first day, open 11 am-3 pm for takeout. Chef Ally Rael told us in September about her plan for an upscale, local-focused plant-based menu, also spotlighting beverages. You can now preview the menu online – including a “New Year’s Nosh” featuring latkes, matzo-ball soup, and a Reuben sandwich centered on “pastrami-marinated mushrooms.” Allyum also plans to soon be part of the trend of restaurants offering “markets” – describing their intention to offer “an array of housemade, farm fresh and specially procured items for your enjoyment at home. From fresh pasta and signature sauces, to ‘off the beaten path’ bottles of wine and local farm-fresh veggies.” Post-holiday hours are on the Allyum website.

ADDED TUESDAY: In response to our inquiry, Allyum confirms it’s takeout TFN: “We do have a limited amount of outdoor furniture but our rain gear isn’t quite ready. We will do online orders from our website and walk-in orders. No delivery (yet).”

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Will there be a West Seattle Polar Bear Swim at Alki Beach on New Year’s Day 2021? Here’s the (complicated) answer
December 28, 2020 11:34 am
|      83 COMMENTS
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news

In the past few days we’ve been getting inquiries about whether the annual West Seattle Polar Bear Swim is on or off. We asked longtime organizer Mark Ufkes, and here’s his answer, with a preface:

The Year of Perfect Vision; 2020 is finally over. What a ride indeed!

Before we discuss our annual Alki Polar Bear Swim, held on January 1 each year, may I ask a favor; When you go for a walk outside, please wear a reflective SAFETY VEST when you walk. Please! And one for your DOG too!

If Drivers cannot see you or your dog clearly, especially at dusk, they might hit you and hurt you. Pedestrians who wear dark clothing are much more likely to get hit by a car. Death rates are even higher in winter and when it is raining. We can help keep walkers and pedestrians safer; wear a reflective SAFETY VEST every time we walk. I did a Master’s thesis on traffic safety issues (M.A.Ed. at Washington State University), so these observations are backed by scientific research. Improving visibility reduces pedestrian deaths. Wear a safety vest. Thank you.

OK, Now let’s talk Alki Polar Bear Swim:

The New Year’s Day Alki Beach Polar Bear Swim has been going on for almost two decades. It started with 15 adoring friends and family. We then invited all of you, and last year, about 700 mildly-insane folks lined all along Alki Beach, held hands, and, after counting down, went running and screaming into 47-degree Puget Sound. As anyone who participates can attest, it is a great way to “wash away the complexities of the previous year (we had many in 2020), and bathe in the unlimited opportunities that the New Year provides.” And with all the laughing and smiles, it’s great fun too.

For January 1, 2021, we do not want this to become a Trump Super-Spreader Event, so:
There will be no single Polar Bear Swim event on January 1 like we usually do.

Instead, there will be 30 sites along Alki Beach, each separated by 25 feet. Sites will be marked with tall, pink-ribboned stakes (see photo).

All day long, groups of no more than 5-6 each, all wearing masks, can head to Alki, find an open site, social distance as they walk to a site, and hold their own personal Polar Bear Swim.

At any one time along the 1,200-foot-long beach (almost four football fields), the stakes will limit Polar Bear swimmers to no more than 30 small groups, spread out from the Beach House towards beautiful downtown Seattle.

You and your group/family decide on a time (remember, you will have all day), drive along the beach, watch how many sites are open, if a site is open, park and head out to the beach. Everyone reading this has good judgement, so please use it. Don’t participate if you are uncomfortable. If you do participate, wear your mask, stay in your small group, and social distance on the way out and on the way back from the beach.

As soon as your swim is over, promptly towel off and head toward your car so that other small groups can safely access the Polar Bear Swim sites.

An announcer, wearing all pink, will be at the beach all morning, from 9-11:30 am, with the Polar Bear bullhorn, if a small group needs help with a countdown to get up the courage to run into the water. I, for one, could not do this event without the countdown!

Remember, bring and wear a mask, wear water shoes, bring a towel and change of clothes and your hopes and dreams for the New Year!

If you’d rather skip it this year, everyone will understand. But if you participate, you are acknowledging that the benefits of Polar Bear swimming exceed the risks, and that you are in good health, show no symptoms of Covid 19 and have not tested positive. And you agree to wear a mask at the event, practice social distancing, stay in your small group of no more than 5-6 folks, and use one of the properly separated sites on the beach. And if all the sites are taken when you arrive, you agree to return to your car and wait until a site opens up. And finally, you promise to bring a food donation for the local food bank that can be left along the sidewalk at the provided collection bins.

No Spectators! Usually, we have hundreds of spectators watching us, and we love our spectators. Many become swimmers later in their lives. But this year, we respectfully ask that spectators stay at home!

Good luck next year. Make 2021 the best year of your life!

Sincerely,
Mark L. Ufkes (Alki Polar Bear enthusiast and optimist extraordinaire)

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WEST SEATTLE NEW YEAR’S EVE: Puget Ridge Edible Park invitation
December 28, 2020 9:35 am
|    Comments Off on WEST SEATTLE NEW YEAR’S EVE: Puget Ridge Edible Park invitation
 |   Holidays | Puget Ridge | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

(WSB file photo)

West Seattle’s only “edible park” invites you to stop by on Thursday night and bid 2020 farewell. Stu Hennessey sent the invitation on behalf of Puget Ridge Edible Park volunteers:

With our sights set on new hope in a new year, many of us feel the need to reflect on the struggles and losses of the past year and the 1.7 million souls we have lost. We also may want to say a swift goodbye to 2020 as well.

Therefore, the volunteers at Puget Ridge Edible Park thought it would be a good idea to invite our friends and neighbors to a Covid Candlelight Vigil and Say Goodbye to 2020 New Year’s Eve at the community garden. We have a luminaria-candlelit pathway to bring up to 5 people at a time to our New Year’s Eve fire to toss out the old year by throwing into the fire a written message or any symbol of bad memories over the last year.

The vigil will take place Thursday, New Year’s Eve, from 6 pm to 8 pm at 5265 18th Ave. SW. Be prepared to wait your turn to enter the park as we are limited to 5 people at a time. Wear warm clothes and bring some warm drinks. Parking will be available along 18th Ave. SW and SW Brandon St. Heavy rain will cancel. The volunteers at Puget Ridge Edible Park would like to offer you a healthy and happy New Year!

We’ve added this to the New Year’s section of the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide.

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ROAD WORK, TRANSIT, TRAFFIC: Last Monday of 2020
December 28, 2020 6:12 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:12 AM: It’s Monday, December 28th, the 280th morning without the West Seattle Bridge. Another cold night, so beware of frosty streets, paths, windshields.

ROAD (ETC.) WORK

Delridge project: SDOT’s contractor expects to have “full crews” back on the job today. Here’s the plan for the week. No work planned Friday (New Year’s Day).

TRANSIT

Metro – Regular schedule today through Thursday.

Water Taxi – Regular schedule today through Thursday.

CHECK TRAFFIC BEFORE YOU GO

West Marginal Way/Highland Park Way:

Highland Park Way/Holden:

The 5-way intersection (Spokane/West Marginal/Delridge/Chelan):

Restricted-daytime-access (open to all 9 pm-5 am) low bridge:

The main detour route across the Duwamish River, the 1st Avenue South Bridge (map) . Here are two cameras:

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

Going through South Park? Don’t speed. (Same goes for the other detour-route neighborhoods, like Highland Park, Riverview, and South Delridge.)

To check for bridges’ marine-traffic openings, see the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed.

You can view all local traffic cams here; locally relevant cameras are also shown on this WSB page.

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

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CORONAVIRUS: Sunday 12/27 roundup
December 27, 2020 9:32 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Coronavirus | West Seattle news

The state of economic relief starts tonight’s roundup:

PRESIDENT SIGNS BILL, GOVERNOR ORDERS STOPGAP: After a delay, tonight President Trump signed the bill passed by Congress – but that was too late to avoid a lapse in benefits for some, so Governor Inslee ordered a bridge payment for about 100,000 people in our state who get Pandemic Unemployment Assistance because they’re not eligible for regular unemployment. Here’s the announcement.

KING COUNTY’S NEWEST NUMBERS: Here are the cumulative totals from the Public Health daily-summary dashboard – again, remember that testing availability is limited during holidays, so we won’t get a full picture of the current situation for at least a few more days:

*60,182 people have tested positive, up 182 from yesterday’s total

*1,043 people have died, unchanged since Friday

*4,042 people have been hospitalized, up 23 from yesterday’s total

*732,257 people have been tested, up 1,488 from yesterday’s total

One week ago, the King County totals were 57,630/993/3,885/715,472.

STATEWIDE NUMBERS: See them here.

WORLDWIDE NUMBERS: 80.7 million cases and 1,764,000+ deaths – see the nation-by-nation breakdown here.

FOOD FOR STUDENTS: Though Seattle Public Schools is on break again this week, the district is offering food boxes available with a week’s worth of breakfast and lunch items. They’ll be available Tuesday (Dec. 29), 11:15 a.m. – 1:15 p.m, at two West Seattle locations: Denny International Middle School (2601 SW Kenyon) and Madison Middle School (3429 45th SW).

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

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WEST SEATTLE LIGHTS: Window display, and an extension suggestion
December 27, 2020 7:59 pm
|      13 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle Christmas lights | West Seattle news

Thanks to more tips/photos, we’re continuing the holiday-lights spotlights through New Year’s.

Tonight, cheers for everyone who has lit up windows or balconies. The photo is from Richard, who says, “Here’s a shot of our 2nd-floor Christmas lights at 9159 45th Ave SW [map]. They will be up a few more days, at least.”

Regarding how much longer lights will be up, Sarah sent this suggestion:

We don’t have a fancy light display, but we’re planning to keep our lights up until around Valentine’s Day & hope others do, too. In this really hard year, and especially with our climate and short days, walks among the lights has brought us so much joy. In fact, I think lights should be winter lights from November-Feb, rather than Christmas lights :) all the Santas and Christmas-themed decor can come down, but the lights? I think they should stay :)

Feel free to share this idea if you think it has any merit.

The idea reminds us of the “quarantine lights” that some put up during the stay-home-order months.

Meantime, scroll through this WSB archive to see all the lights shown here this season; they are also linked in our Holiday Guide, which will be up through January 1st.

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BIZNOTE: Fogue Gallery expands ‘inspiring, not retiring’ art/design mission to West Seattle
December 27, 2020 6:20 pm
|      11 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

Georgetown-founded Fogue Gallery is expanding to its proprietor’s home neighborhood, West Seattle. Patti Curtis says the new space on the north edge of The Junction, 4130 California SW, makes sense: “I have lived in the West Seattle community for 25 years, I raised my daughter on the very block the gallery is located, I am at home here.”

The two-story Fogue Gallery space features original fine art and jewelry by 15 artists, all over the age of 50: “I’m gonna make old cool!” Curtis promises. She exolains that she lost a job at age 53 – “a lot of people at my company got let go because we ‘aged out'” – and so she decided to put her energy into creating an enterprise for people 50+ to “feel relevant.” The gallery’s name is a play on “(old) fogey.”

Fogue also offers interior design and art consultations by appointment via teleconferencing – you can shop for art that way, too. Fogue’s West Seattle location will have a grand-opening celebration on Saturday, January 2nd, starting at noon – stop by and find out why Curtis and her artists vow they’re “inspiring … not retiring!”

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Trailer theft on video
December 27, 2020 4:10 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

One West Seattle Crime Watch reader report so far today:

Sarah sent the video and photos, reporting this Christmas Eve theft:

Our car trailer/dolly was stolen from our house near Madison Middle School at 7 am on Christmas Eve. The trailer was next to our garage, near the alley. We used the trailer to pull a car behind an RV and it is worth ~$1000. The police report number is 2020-353004, and additional details on the trailer ,,, are below. We would greatly appreciate any tips to locate the trailer or the perpetrators!

Carson heavy duty 3500 lb. axel capacity tow dolly in excellent condition with spare tire (not shown) and LED lights. Includes 7 way connector to be used with the electric breaks and 5 pin (w/o electric breaks) to be used when the towing car does not have a 7 way connection.

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