day : 09/01/2021 9 results

Here are tonight’s pandemic toplines:

NEWEST KING COUNTY NUMBERS: First, the cumulative totals from Public Health‘s daily-summary dashboard:

*67,945 people have tested positive, 877 more than yesterday’s total

*1,140 people have died, 2 more than yesterday’s total

*4,397 people have been hospitalized, 22 more than yesterday’s total

*771,203 people have been tested, 3,673 more than yesterday’s total

One week ago, those totals were 64,109/1,091/4,245/755,169.

WEST SEATTLE TRENDS: Here’s our weekly check of this stat, with numbers shown in two-week increments via the “geography over time” tab on the daily-summary dashboard, combining the totals from the West Seattle and Delridge “health reporting areas” (HRAs). For the past two weeks, 256 positive test results; 271 in the 2 weeks before that; 434 in the two weeks before that. … We also are noting WS death totals each week, as the HRAs are a more precise way of counting those than the zip codes we used briefly, since two of West Seattle’s five ZIP codes also stretch outside the area. The total deaths for the entire pandemic in the two HRAs comprising West Seattle: 51. That’s two more than a week ago.

STATEWIDE NUMBERS: See them here.

WORLDWIDE NUMBERS: 89.6 million people have tested positive, and more than 1,926,000 million people have died; U.S. deaths exceed 372,000. Most cases: U.S., India, Brazil, Russia, UK (which this week passed France, which is now #6). See the breakdown, nation by nation, here.

STAY HEALTHY STREETS: Will any of the three in West Seattle become permanent? Watch for “outreach,” the city says.

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

Share This

FOLLOWUP: Alki Point’s future as a Stay Healthy/Keep Moving Street dependent on ‘outreach’

January 9, 2021 9:09 pm

| 38 COMMENTS

| Transportation | West Seattle news

When – and how – will SDOT decide whether the no-through-traffic Keep Moving/Stay Healthy Street around Alki Point will be permanent?

The plan got only a vague mention during Wednesday night’s briefing on the citywide SHS program for the Pedestrian and Bicycle Advisory Boards, and SDOT didn’t clarify it further on followup.

It was early May when the city announced the north end of Beach Drive, along Constellation Park, would get the designation. A few days later, the west end of Alki Avenue SW was added. In a usage-comparison chart shown at Wednesday’s meeting, the Beach Drive/Alki Avenue stretch was the most used, the two other West Seattle stretches – High Point/Sunrise Heights and Highland Park/Puget Ridge – among the least:

The two non-coastal West Seattle Stay Healthy Streets’ futures are not final yet either – SDOT’s SHS program leader Summer Jawson told the boards that the city has 26 miles of Stay Healthy Streets now and will make “up to 20” of those miles permanent by summertime. So, she said, “community engagement” is ahead both for those streets and Beach Drive/Alki Avenue SW. as well as the others round the city.

She shared results from last year’s SHS online survey, including how respondents said they use the streets:

Results, Jawson said, also indicated the confusion over when it’s OK to drive on a SHS or KMS, given the “street closed” signage. So what next? Jawson said they’re working “to make sure we’ve got (SHS) in the right place moving into a post-pandemic situation” – for example, with more students returning to in-person learning, how will they deal with streets that school buses need to access? In general, here’s how they’re going to decide what becomes permanent:

The Alki Point stretch, however, is something of a special case, the SDOT reps said. “We’re going to talk more about Alki Point,” which is shown as a neighborhood greenway ‘eventually” in the Bicycle Master Plan, they said (though it’s not on the “implementation plan” running through 2024), so that might be one option for its future – keeping it a KMS and making it a greenway. They said “community-based design” is the next step, with other options including keeping it the way it is now, or splitting the street with a one-way vehicle-traffic lane and a walking/riding/rolling lane. “We’ll look at a couple different alternatives.”

The day after the meeting, we asked SDOT to elaborate on the timeline and process for the Alki Point decision, seeking more specifics – would the “outreach” entail a meeting? a survey? or? Spokesperson Dawn Schellenberg, who had also been at the boards’ meeting, would only say, “We are working on possible street concepts and developing the outreach scope,” and that the “outreach” would start in the first quarter – sometime before the end of March.

Share This

ONLINE: Your next chance to learn about West Seattle’s 20th-century streetcars

January 9, 2021 7:49 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| Transportation | West Seattle history | West Seattle news | West Seattle online

(Seattle Municipal Archives photo of what’s described as the Highland Park-Burien line’s Hillside Station – possibly in Riverview – 1915)

Even as our transportation future remains in flux, there are lessons to be learned from our past. Historic Seattle offers you a chance to learn about West Seattle’s streetcar history a century ago, in a free online event two weeks from today (11 am Saturday, January 23rd). Here’s the announcement:

Join us for an exploration of West Seattle’s streetcar history from 1916 to 1940 with Mike Bergman. This virtual lecture will cover the construction of the streetcar system and the many ways in which it influenced West Seattle’s development and growth in the first half of the 20th century.

From an early age, Mike Bergman was interested in Seattle’s transportation history – especially the city’s bridges, railroads, and public transit systems. Mike joined a transit consulting firm shortly after graduating from UW, followed by tenures at, both, King County Metro and Sound Transit. Following his retirement in 2016, Mike has maintained a strong interest in local transit and transportation history. He is a volunteer at the Pacific Northwest Railroad Archive (PNRA) and has organized PNRA’s large collection of material on the Seattle Municipal Railway. He is the president of the Tacoma Chapter- National Railway Historical Society, and regularly contributes articles of local historical interest to The Trainsheet, the chapter’s monthly newsletter.

Although the event is free, registration is required. More information, including the registration link, is here.

Bergman gave a similar presentation back in August for the Southwest Seattle Historical Society.

Share This

CRIME WATCH FOLLOWUP: West Seattle tire-slashing suspect arrested

January 9, 2021 5:08 pm

| 16 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

Police have arrested a suspect in last weekend’s West Seattle tire-slashing spree. We’ve been following up with the Southwest Precinct regarding progress in the case, and today commander Capt. Kevin Grossman reports that “SPD received reports from 9 different victims with over a dozen slashed tires. The crime spree spread from Lincoln Park area to Alaska Junction. There were several victims who had video surveillance of the suspect. SPD officers tracked down several leads and today the 28-year-old male suspect was taken into custody near Westwood Village. The suspect was booked into King County jail for investigation of malicious mischief.” We’re checking into the suspect’s background and so far he does not appear to have a felony record.

Share This

WEST SEATTLE BIRDS: Know these 10?

January 9, 2021 3:45 pm

| 7 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | Wildlife

Thanks to everyone who sent bird photos so we can continue our mini-tradition of galleries on Seahawks game days. Above, Danny McMillin photographed a Bald Eagle; below, two photos from Michelle Green Arnson – first a Spotted Towhee and (in the background) House Finch:

Below, a Townsend’s Warbler:

Next, two closeups of Anna’s Hummingbirds – first, by Jerry Simmons:

Next, by Nicholas Chesarino:

Gentle McGaughey sent this photo of a Ruby-crowned Kinglet:

Max Welliver photographed a Hermit Thrush:

Another thrush – from Mark MacDonald, a Varied Thrush:

Mark Dale photographed this Cedar Waxwing:

And one of our favorite birds ever, the ever-raucous and colorful Steller’s Jay, photographed by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor:

(All the species links go to pages on the Seattle Audubon BirdWeb, where you can learn more about the birds and even hear their calls.)

Share This

SEEN AT SEA: Here’s who’s racing off West Seattle

January 9, 2021 2:28 pm

| 2 COMMENTS

| Seen at sea | West Seattle news

2:28 PM: Thanks to Carol for the photo, and to Brooke and Jeannie for sending notes at about the same time, after noticing more than a few sailboats off West Seattle. This is the Three Tree Point Yacht Club‘s Duwamish Head Race, from Des Moines to Duwamish Head to Blakely Rock and back to Des Moines. It’s part of the 2020-2021 Southern Sound Series. The race roster lists 51 entries.

ADDED 7:15 PM: More photos! This one’s from Jerry Simmons:

From David Hutchinson:

And from Lynn Hall:

Share This

WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Arson investigation; pickup stolen (update: found!); truck prowled; prevention information

January 9, 2021 11:56 am

| 3 COMMENTS

| Crime | Safety | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

Two West Seattle Crime Watch reports, plus this month’s Crime Prevention Newwsletter:

ARSON INVESTIGATION: From the SPD Significant Incident Report summaries – SFD logged this Monday morning incident as a fire-alarm call at Cal-Mor Circle (6420 California SW):

On 01-04-2021 at 0135 hours, unknown person(s) started a fire on the exterior-facing door frame of a residential apartment unit in the Morgan Junction area of West Seattle. The fire was small, did not spread, and was extinguished after the smoke detection system alerted staff. Nobody was injured. The building did not need to be evacuated. Seattle Fire responded to ensure the fire would not restart. SFD determined the fire was suspicious and called for a fire marshal, who determined that the fire was intentionally set and took over the investigation. The fire marshal made the notification to the SPD’s Arson Bomb Squad.

(added 12:49 pm) PICKUP THEFT: Just in, from Cindi in Upper Morgan:

Stolen last night (January 8), sometime after 7:00 pm, from near SW Morgan St and 37th Ave SW, our Ford F250 long-bed pickup, somewhat distinctive because of the large antenna mounted on the front bumper. There is also an equipment box and a 5th-wheel trailer hitch in the bed. It was secured with a club. License plate NVISCOM, burgundy in color. Police report has been filed

Call 911 if you see it (or any other known stolen vehicle). SUNDAY UPDATE: Found in White Center.

(back to original roundup) TRUCK PROWL: Via email from Tom, “I live on the 7500 block of 15th Ave SW and on Thursday (1/7/2021) morning I awoke at 6:10 am to the alarm on my truck parked on the street, in front of my house going off. It had looked as if someone had tried to pry open/wedge the driver side door, which sent off the alarm. A friend of mine going to work at that time, said she saw someone walking quickly south toward SW Holden. Nothing was taken and the prowl was reported online to SPD.”

PREVENTION INFORMATION: Vehicle prowling is among the subjects of this month’s newsletter from Southwest Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator Jennifer Danner:

(If you can’t read the newsletter embedded above, here it is in PDF.)

Share This

ENTRY TIME: Here’s the latest on the Southwest Seattle Historical Society’s contest for students

January 9, 2021 10:44 am

| Comments Off on ENTRY TIME: Here’s the latest on the Southwest Seattle Historical Society’s contest for students

| West Seattle history | West Seattle news

We have new information about the Southwest Seattle Historical Society‘s essay contest for young writers, first announced in mid-December. Here’s the update:

The Southwest Seattle Historical Society is pleased to announce that it is now accepting submissions for its first history essay contest in partnership with Paper Boat Booksellers. Submissions will be accepted in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese.

The theme of our competition is WOMEN HISTORY MAKERS OF THE DUWAMISH PENINSULA. We encourage students to write an essay that explores the contributions of a specific woman from the Duwamish Peninsula who has made an historical impact on the community, past or present, famous or not-yet-famous. Tell us how the woman you choose to write about inspires you.

This contest is open to all students. Winners will be selected in each grade category outlined below:

Grades 3-5 – 250 words maximum

Grades 6-8 – 500 words maximum

Grades 9–12 – 750 words maximum

Essays will be judged by a panel of SWSHS staff, volunteers, and community partners based on the following criteria:

-Demonstrated understanding of the woman as a person and the role she has played or is playing in the history of the Duwamish Peninsula

-Effective use of descriptive language.

-Correct punctuation, spelling, and grammar

-For grades 6 and up, appropriate citations in any reference style

To submit an essay for consideration, please visit loghousemuseum.org/blog/essaysubmissions . Submissions should include a cover letter indicating: the title of the essay, the student’s name, grade level, and contact information where the student can be notified of the contest results.

We encourage students to make use of the Historical Society’s archives and historians. Email Maggie, the museum Programs and Interpretation Coordinator at writingcontest@loghousemuseum.org.

Submissions will close on Monday, February 15, 2021 at 5 pm. Winners will receive a special certificate and gift from the Southwest Seattle Historical Society and Paper Boat Booksellers. Winning essays will also be published on the Historical Society’s blog and West Seattle Blog. Best of all, winners will be honored at a special event hosted by the Historical Society and have the opportunity to read their essay at the event!

Share This

WEST SEATTLE SATURDAY: Notes to start the weekend

January 9, 2021 6:43 am

| 2 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Alki Lighthouse, photographed Friday by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)

A few notes to start our Saturday:

ROAD WORK TODAY: As previewed Friday, work is scheduled today at 35th/Trenton and at two spots on the Delridge corridor.

HEALTH SERVICES AND MORE: Big outdoor event in the parking lots at Highland Park Elementary (1012 SW Trenton), 10 am-2 pm – flu shots, COVID testing, health-insurance enrollment, more. All welcome.

CLICK!’S BACK: Click! Design That Fits (WSB sponsor) is back from winter break, open 11 am-6 pm today. (4540 California SW)

LIBRARY PICKUPS: The Seattle Public Library‘s High Point branch is open for curbside pickups noon-6 pm today (3411 SW Raymond).

WATCHING THE GAME: Here’s one place with outdoor viewing:

The Bridge (California/Graham) sent that photo of their remodeled outdoor covered patio with two firepits. They also have a “patio projector” they’ll use when the Seahawks face off with the Rams at 1:40 pm.

(Photo by Mike Burns)