West Seattle, Washington
20 Tuesday
A midsize Seattle Fire response is at an apartment building in the 4500 block of 42nd SW right now. It’s reported to have been a kitchen fire, already extinguished, but one person suffered hand burns and will be treated.
(Reader photo)
Here’s an alert from WSDOT about the southbound First Avenue South Bridge:
We’re going to have a series of brief daytime closures on the SR 99 southbound Duwamish River starting tomorrow and going for about two weeks. We will have about four closures a day, each lasting about 10 minutes, about the length of time for a bridge opening for marine traffic. Closures will take place between 6 a.m. and 3 p.m. During the closures our bridge maintenance crews will make temporary repairs.
So if you’ll be traveling that way – be ready for the possibility of extra delays.
3:06 PM: Last week, during a media briefing, Gov. Inslee said that instead of allowing counties to advance “phases,” he expected that he would continue announcing industry-by-industry advances. And that’s what he’s just done in another briefing this afternoon. Among other things, movie theaters will be allowed to reopen in Phase 2 counties – which is where ours is at – at reduced capacity. (We’ll be checking with the Admiral Theater about their plans.) And restaurants/bars will be allowed to extend alcohol service to 11 pm, instead of the 10 pm cutoff that’s been in place for a while, and “greater capacity at tables.” Some real-estate open houses will be allowed. Libraries will be able to open for 25 percent indoor capacity. And the governor also announced that more school sports will be allowed. We’re awaiting details on all of this and will add the document links when they’re available.
4:36 PM: Still awaiting most of the details; here are the sports guidelines, sent by the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association. Added the archived video of the governor’s briefing, above.
4:50 PM: Here’s the governor’s news release with more details; regarding sports, here’s the WIAA’s news release. One more sports note – the governor’s new guidelines also address outdoor recreation, described as “races, bicycle tours and rides, runs, cross country skiing races, biathlons, canoe and kayak races, marathons, cross country running competitions, triathlons, and multi-sport competitions with more than 12 participants.” Still waiting to hear back on some specific inquiries, including the Seattle Public Library‘s response.
(WSB photo, Monday)
As West Seattle Bridge stabilization work continues, so does the road to the repair-or-replace decision. When the Community Task Force meets tomorrow (Wednesday, October 7th, noon) for the 10th time, its three-dozen-plus members are scheduled to talk again with Mayor Jenny Durkan. She last spoke at a CTF meeting in mid-August (WSB coverage here); tomorrow, she will “set expectations/establish goals for bridge repair/replace decision” and define/clarify “the multiple inputs for (the) decision,” according to the agenda. Then in two weeks, she’ll be back to announce/discuss the decision. Since our first preview of tomorrow’s meeting, they’ve dropped plans to break into two discussion groups during tomorrow’s meeting, so this is the only link you’ll need to watch it, live or later.
11:37 AM: Once expected to be done in early 2020, the Lander Street Bridge in SODO was estimated in summer to be on the road to a fall completion, and now that’s come true. SDOT announced today that it’s opening at 6 am tomorrow (Wednesday, October 7th). They’ve already had a small, non-public ribboncutting ceremony:
(SDOT photo)
Though it’s in SODO, the $100 million bridge (formerly the Lander Street Overpass) has long been considered a West Seattle-relevant project, since the path between here and downtown goes through SODO for so many. It takes travelers up over busy railroad tracks that are used dozens of times a day, between 1st and 4th Aves. South. The project was proposed in the 2006 “Bridging the Gap” levy but stalled until, in 2015, the project was promised as part of then-Mayor Ed Murray‘s “Move Seattle” levy. Construction started in spring 2018.
4:13 PM: Metro says Route 50 will start using the new bridge tomorrow.
The pandemic-fueled economic crunch means too many are struggling to keep themselves and their families fed. Along with the organizations that fight hunger year-round, other community helpers are doing what they can – like the West Seattle Eagles, who have been receiving periodic deliveries of food to distribute. They’re doing it again tomorrow (Wednesday, October 7th), starting shortly after noon, which is when the distribution truck is scheduled to arrive. Coordinator Doris Goulet says, “The combo boxes will each have dairy, meat, fruit and veggies.” You can drive/ride/walk into the Eagles’ lot at 4426 California SW. (And if you don’t need food but are interested in helping by volunteering or donating, you can email Doris at topstamp (at) msn (dot) com.)
P.S. We also routinely mention distributions and donation drives in our nightly pandemic-news roundups, so check those out if you are looking for ways to help and/or get help.
(Monday shadow on Charlestown standpipe, photographed by Vincent)
Here’s what’s happening in the hours ahead:
PLAY AREAS REOPEN: After 6+ months, city parks’ play areas reopen today. The announcement includes safety rules. P.S. Adult fitness equipment at parks reopens today too.
RENTERS’ RIGHTS: Online at noon, the Admiral Neighborhood Association and Be:Seattle co-host a “bootcamp” for tenants. Register here to find out how to participate.
COMMUNITY BOOK STUDY ON RACE: Eight-week series presented by Alki UCC starts at 2 pm today, online – info’s on the church home page.
DEMONSTRATION: As announced by organizer Scott:
Black Lives Matter sign-waving
Tuesday Oct 6, 4 to 6 pm, corner of 16th SW and SW Holden
Thursday, Oct 8, 4 to 6 pm, 16th and 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.
YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE CITY BUDGET: Share them during the City Council’s public hearing, online at 5:30 pm. Speaker signups start at 3:30 pm; the agenda explains how, as well as how to view/listen.
ADMIRAL NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION: ANA’s meeting starts at 7 pm online. Featured topics:
*Discussion with Seattle Police Dept. SW Precinct leadership
*West Seattle Emergency Hubs update
*Opportunities to support and collaborate with community-led efforts across District 1
*Future ANA Board positions
To get the link for viewing, email info@admiralneighborhood.org.
6:21 AM: Welcome to Tuesday – the 197th morning without the West Seattle Bridge.
ROAD WORK
*Delridge project: SW Oregon will close again at Delridge this Friday-Sunday. Lots of other project-related news here.
*Olson/1st repaving: This will conclude Saturday and Sunday, with this alert: “Traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction during paving. Work will start in the early morning hours to open the travel lanes back up in the early afternoon both days. A noise variance will be issued to complete the paving.”
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 are two cameras:
The other major bridge across the river is the South Park Bridge (map). Here’s the nearest 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 – Resumption of fare collection, day 6.
Water Taxi – Also no longer free.
Trouble on the roads/paths/water? Let us know – text (but not if you’re driving!) 206-293-6302.
The President’s out of the hospital; the pandemic continues. Here are tonight’s local toplines:
NEWEST KING COUNTY NUMBERS: Here’s today’s daily summary from Public Health – the cumulative countywide totals:
*23,149 people have tested positive, 126 more than yesterday’s total
*766 people have died, 2 more than yesterday’s total
*2,386 people have been hospitalized, 11 fewer than yesterday’s total*
*434,142 people have been tested, 2,280 more than yesterday’s total
One week ago, the totals were 22.212/758/2,362/434,142.
*The PHSKC explanation for the drop in hospitalizations: “A correction was applied to hospitalization data, which resulted in a decrease of 13 hospitalizations. There were 2 new hospitalizations reported on Oct. 5.”
STATEWIDE NUMBERS: See them here.
WORLDWIDE NUMBERS: See them – nation by nation – here.
WE’RE NOT #1: The city says Seattle has the lowest case rate among 30 major cities.
REOPENING: Play areas at Seattle city parks will reopen tomorrow (details here); parking lots that have been closed at parks (Lincoln Park, for example) will reopen on October 19th.
NEED FOOD? Again this week, Food Lifeline will distribute free emergency boxes of food to anyone who shows up, 2-5 pm Friday (October 9th) at its South Park HQ, 815 S. 96th.
MEALS FOR STUDENTS & FAMILIES: All students/parents/guardians – regardless of family income – are welcome to pick up meals at 7 Seattle Public Schools sites in West Seattle/South Park, 11:15 am-1:15 pm weekdays. (Also at that link: Info on the one bus route by which meals are delivered in north WS.)
GOT SOMETHING TO REPORT? westseattleblog@gmail.com or 206-293-6302, text/voice – thank you!
(WSB photo from March, Southwest Teen Life Center)
One month ago, the city announced it was creating “learning hubs” for middle- and high-school students, with Southwest Teen Life Center among the sites. Now, there’s a reminder, because there’s still room:
… Free, with wifi, these spaces are equipped with community center and youth program staff who can help your student get engaged in learning.
To help support local students during the pandemic, Seattle Parks and Recreation has opened these hubs for the 2020-21 school year. The facilities offer a stable, productive environment by providing access to Seattle Public Schools’ virtual learning portals, along with recreational, enrichment and mentoring programs and in-person assistance with connectivity and academics. Breakfast and lunch are provided daily.
The hubs adhere to current public health standards by performing regular cleaning, sanitizing and daily wellness/temperature checks. All staff and students are required to wear masks, and social distancing and room occupancy limits are followed. …
Today’s reminder includes information on how to register.
The Westwood Village QFC parking lot isn’t something you’ll usually see empty at 5 pm – but it’s emptied out and closed off right now because of the ongoing repaving project at the center. Also closed off, the Rite-Aid lot south of there:
And the central lot between Bed Bath Beyond and Ulta Beauty:
The businesses are all still open, as are the sidewalks in front of them. Meantime, the driveway between the Barton and Trenton sides of the center has reopened, so you can get to the Post Office and Trenton-fronting businesses from either side. The repaving work is expected to continue into late October.
This past Thursday night, in the 7-8 pm vicinity, a helicopter hovered very high over south West Seattle for a very long time. We received multiple texts asking about it – mostly from Westwood and Fauntleroy – and saw/heard it ourselves. Nothing showed on flight trackers, and various other inquiries went nowhere, so beyond a mention on Twitter, we didn’t write about it. But we kept checking around the next day, including with a regional FAA spokesperson, who told us today that the best he could find out was “this was some sort of law-enforcement operation.” Not local – we re-checked with the King County Sheriff’s Office, which operates the only law-enforcement helicopters in our area, and KCSO confirmed Guardian One wasn’t up at all Thursday night. The State Patrol operates fixed-wing aircraft, so it wasn’t them either.
Today we welcome Washington Medicare Insurance Services as a new WSB sponsor. New sponsors get the opportunity to tell you about what they offer, and here’s what Washington Medicare Insurance Services would like you to know:
Medicare Insurance Services was founded to meet the expanding need for information and expertise on Medicare planning and insurance. Medicare Insurance Services is recognized as one of Washington State’s experts in the field. Our company and leaders stand out and are highly respected throughout the entire insurance industry. We have earned a reputation for providing informed, honest and ethical representation of health-insurance products. Our representatives are trained exclusively on Medicare Insurance. We market a variety of the best Medicare Insurance products through our general agency in West Seattle. We provide a no-obligation comparative analysis of different plans to interested individuals.
Our mission is to help you obtain quality Medicare Insurance without sacrificing your assets, independence, or dignity. We commit ourselves to unparalleled excellence and integrity. Thank you for choosing us to help you with your insurance needs.
For more information, contact us at 206-933-0100 or visit our website at washingtonmedicareinsurance.org.
We thank Washington Medicare Insurance Services 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.
(2019 photo of coho schooling in Fauntleroy Cove, by veteran watcher Anne Samenfink)
The orcas are here because the salmon are here. Only a few salmon-spawning creeks remain in the city, and one of them will be under volunteer observation again this fall. Want to help? Here’s the announcement from Judy Pickens of the Fauntleroy Watershed Council:
If you’d like to experience coho spawners up close, consider joining Salmon Watch 2020 on Fauntleroy Creek starting Monday, October 19. Individuals and family groups may sign up to watch near the fish ladder (across from the ferry terminal) during the five daylight hours after high tide. A veteran watcher will provide training during your first shift.
This all-outdoor activity is well suited to physical distancing but you’ll need to have a mask at the ready. To learn why West Seattleites eagerly get wet and cold to document fish, contact Judy Pickens at judy_pickens@msn.com.
Here’s Judy’s wrapup report from last year, when 19 spawners were counted.
11:31 AM: Early heads-up for potential whale-watching – from shore! visibility’s improving, too – today: Kersti Muul reports Southern Resident Killer Whales from J-Pod are headed southbound toward central Puget Sound, seen this morning off Edmonds. This is the time of year the resident orcas often swim this far south, seeking salmon. J-Pod, as announced recently, is the group with two newborns, too. Let us know if you see them.
2:56 PM: Texter says they’re still southbound, “spread out midchannel off the north end of Golden Gardens.”
4:28 PM: Kersti says via a comment below that they’ve turned back north.
Three notes from the City Council‘s weekly briefing meeting, just concluded, when councilmembers share quick updates:
(Photo from Lincoln Park, sent by Carolyn in March)
PARKS REOPENINGS: City Councilmember Debora Juarez, who chairs the Parks Committee, had some big news. She said that Parks will reopen play areas tomorrow and parking lots October 19th. We’re inquiring with Parks for details. (Play and fitness equipment at parks were first taped off in the early weeks of the pandemic, more than 6 months ago.) ADDED 11:23 AM: Confirmed by Parks – here’s the update, with the rules.
BUDGET COMMENTS TOMORROW: What do you think the city should – and/or shouldn’t – be spending money on? Tuesday night is the first major public hearing in the budget process. This is an all-public-comment event, online, starting at 5:30 pm. Signups for commenting start two hours earlier; the agenda explains how you can do that beginning at 3:30 pm Tuesday.
TOWN HALL FOLLOWUP: West Seattle/South Park City Councilmember Lisa Herbold told her colleagues that more than 500 people signed up to attend her Town Hall last Wednesday, with 88 questions submitted. (Our coverage, including links to the video, is in two parts – the first hour-plus, focused on public safety, here; the second part, focused on the West Seattle Bridge, here.)
Two West Seattle Crime Watch notes:
DOUBLE SHOOTING FOLLOWUP: Early Sunday, we reported on a police and fire response in the 7200 block of Dumar Way. The initial report was that two people were shot. but the house was empty when police arrived; one victim showed up at Harborview Medical Center. The Southwest Precinct has just released a few more details: “A large house party was being hosted at an Airbnb … Two suspects arrived that did not get along. They got into an argument before shooting 15-20 rounds at each other. Two victims were transported to Harborview Medical Center by personal vehicles. It is unknown if they were the shooters. Both victims were uncooperative with the police. One victim was shot in the arm and the other in the back.” SPD was seeking a warrant to collect more evidence.
ADDED 9:09 AM: We’ve just received additional information in response to our original inquiry with SPD media relations. The warrant actually has already been procured; officers reported finding “bloodstains, ,,, disarray, and an identification card … inside the house” as well as “five bullet holes in the wall. Four of them had visible exit holes and the fifth had a bullet still lodged in it.” This information also clarifies that four people were inside the house when police arrived, though the victims were gone. It also notes the Washington State Patrol tried to stop the vehicle carrying the victims for suspected DUI on I-5 – and arrested the driver after arrival at Harborview. The victims were a “juvenile male” who tried to “flee the hospital without receiving treatment” for a gunshot wound to his right arm, and a female victim who said she was standing on the house’s balcony when hit in the back by a bullet and didn’t even realize for a few minutes that she had been shot. Two casings were found in the street.
(back to original 8:42 am report) YARD CART THEFT: The video and report are from Denise in Highland Park:
Some lady came from the front side of our house through a closed gate, stole a Gorilla Cart from us, and went out the back gate as well. This happened at 8:06 (Sunday) morning.
6:16 AM: It’s the first Monday of October, and the 196th morning without the West Seattle Bridge.
ROAD WORK
*West Marginal Way/Highland Park Way: Restriping to rechannelize part of the intersection is done.
*Delridge project: SW Oregon will close again at Delridge this Friday-Sunday. Lots of other project-related news here.
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 are two cameras:
The other major bridge across the river is the South Park Bridge (map). Here’s the nearest 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 – Resumption of fare collection, day 5.
Water Taxi – Also no longer free.
Trouble on the roads/paths/water? Let us know – text (but not if you’re driving!) 206-293-6302.
Two West Seattle Bridge notes tonight:
WEST SEATTLE BRIDGE NOW ‘VIDEO WALL’: With the repair-or-replace decision due before the month is out, the community coalition West Seattle Bridge NOW continues pressing for a quick fix. Last month we reported on their call for people to send videos telling their stories underscoring that plea. WSBN has now published some of them as a “video wall” here, featuring West Seattleites from students to seniors. “We’re really excited about how this turned out,” says WSBN’s Kevin Broveleit.
NEXT COMMUNITY TASK FORCE MEETING: The livestream viewing links are already set for the next West Seattle Bridge Community Task Force meeting, coming up at noon this Wednesday (October 7th) – the main link is here, and that will include one of the breakout-discussion groups during the meeting; the other discussion group will break off to this link. We don’t have the agenda yet, so we don’t know exactly when in the meeting that’s scheduled to happen. But the centerpiece of the meeting is expected to be information from the Cost-Benefit Analysis – the report that will shape the repair-or-replace decision before the month ends.
On the President’s third night of hospital treatment for COVID-19, here are tonight’s local toplines:
KING COUNTY’S NEWEST NUMBERS: First, the cumulative totals from the Public Health daily-summary dashboard:
*23,023 people have tested positive, up 82 from yesterday’s total
*764 people have died, unchanged since Friday
*2,397 people have been hospitalized, up 2 from yesterday’s total
*451,906 people have been tested, up 2,736 from yesterday’s total
One week ago, the King County totals were 22,118/758/2,355/431,862.
STATEWIDE NUMBERS: See them here.
WORLDWIDE NUMBERS: 35 million cases and 1,036,000+ deaths – see the nation-by-nation breakdown here.
PERSONAL SERVICES REMINDER: A local provider wants to be sure clients are aware of the update last month that set the rules for allowing services such as facials and beard trimming that require removal of the client’s face covering – see the state guidance here.
CROP WALK GETS PERSONAL: The pandemic has transformed another major fall event – the CROP Hunger Walk, which otherwise would have happened in West Seattle today, is instead happening on a route of your choosing sometime in the next week, as explained here.
GOT SOMETHING TO REPORT? westseattleblog@gmail.com or 206-293-6302, text/voice – thank you!
(Dr. Greg Frankfurter of SR3 examining sea lion – photo by David Hutchinson)
Two California sea lions found dead in our area in recent days have been necropsied, and at least one was confirmed to have been shot. The report is from Lynn Shimamoto of Seal Sitters Marine Mammal Stranding Network:
On Saturday (10/3) we facilitated the necropsy of a dead California sea lion found floating offshore. SR3 did the examination with assistance from Seal Sitters and Sno-King Marine Mammal Response.
We can confirm that gunshot was the cause of death for this animal. Another sea lion necropsied on Tuesday (9/29) is highly suspected to have died of gunshot; we are waiting for X-ray results. This information has been shared with NOAA’s Office of Law Enforcement.
Seal Sitters has typically seen a number of shot sea lions this time of year. If you hear gunfire over the water, please call 911. If you see a stranded marine mammal, dead or alive, please call our hotline at 206-905-SEAL (206-905-7325).
When the remaining seawall is removed at Lowman Beach Park, the tennis court will be too. Though there’s no replacement in the plan, a community group has been pursuing a proposal to build a sport court – not necessarily tennis, or just tennis – elsewhere in the park. In a grant-funded planning process, that group has conducted a survey and a community meeting (WSB coverage here), and has now announced the next step:
You are invited to participate in our 2nd virtual open house to see the results of the survey and the concept alternatives. Previously, the 1st virtual open house presented the challenges and opportunities in locating a new racket court at Lowman Beach Park.
Lowman Beach Racket Court New Design Virtual Open House #2
Monday, October 19, 2020, 6:30 pm
Meeting number: 146 733 7298
Password: lowmanbeach
(Link here)Join by phone – 206-207-1700
See the meeting flyer here.
From the Admiral Neighborhood Association – both of these online events are happening Tuesday:
RENTER-RIGHTS WORKSHOP: Noon-1:30 pm Tuesday, ANA is co-hosting a renter-rights workshop with Be:Seattle, as described:
This is a workshop put on by Be:Seattle, educating renters how to assert their rights, find solutions to various issues, and and organize for better living conditions. We will discuss how the pandemic is affecting renters and what protections are currently being offered.
Register to get the teleconferencing link by going here.
ANA MEETING: At 7 pm Tuesday, everyone living, working, shopping, and/or studying in the Admiral area is welcome at the ANA meeting, with these featured topics:
*Discussion with Seattle Police Dept. SW Precinct leadership
*West Seattle Emergency Hubs update
*Opportunities to support and collaborate with community-led efforts across District 1
*Future ANA Board positions (more on that below)
Please email info@admiralneighborhood.org for zoom login info.
Interested in an ANA leadership position?
A number of ANA Board positions are opening up at the end of this year. If you’re wondering whether this might be the time to step up, the answer is yes. Admiral is ready and waiting for you, your ideas, and your energy. Drop us a line if you’ve got questions (info@admiralneighborhood.org).
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