West Seattle, Washington

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day : 01/02/2021 11 results

WEST SEATTLE WEATHER: Alki slide
February 1, 2021 11:52 pm
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

11:52 PM: After a day and night of almost-nonstop rain, a slide is reported – this time behind at least one building in the 1200 block of Alki Avenue SW. SFD and SPD are checking it out for starters; it’s reported to have taken out some trees.

ADDED 10:31 AM: Thanks to Lynn Hall for the photo:

Lynn explains, “Last night’s Alki slide is next door to the even larger slide that occurred last summer and is being repaired by the City of Seattle (plastic on slope is part of that restoration).”

ADDED 11:06 AM: Thanks also to Stewart L. for checking out the scene:

Note the yellow tape; a notice is posted warning people to stay out of the back yard because of the tree danger:

We will be checking with the city later today.

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CORONAVIRUS: Monday 2/1/2021 roundup
February 1, 2021 10:37 pm
|      12 COMMENTS
 |   Coronavirus | West Seattle news

The first stats in two days top tonight’s pandemic roundup:

NEWEST KING COUNTY NUMBERS: No update yesterday – we asked why today, and the reply was that they were having technical trouble – “some SQL database issues.” But an update was posted today, and here are the key points of the daily summary from Seattle-King County Public Health:

*77,017 people have tested positive, 367 more than Saturday’s total

*1,264 people have died, unchanged from Saturday’s total

*4,815 people have been hospitalized, 28 more than Saturday’s total

*832,970 people have been tested, 5,787 more than Saturday’s total

One week ago, those totals were 74.727/1,227/4,726/815,985.

STATEWIDE NUMBERS: See them here.

WORLDWIDE NUMBERS: 103.4 million cases, 2,237,000+ deaths. See the other stats – nation by nation – here.

VACCINATION INDIGNATION: It was a big topic during this morning’s Seattle City Council briefing meeting, when councilmembers go around the table for individual updates. Council President Lorena González said she was deeply concerned that the most vulnerable community members, particularly those who are BIPOC, have even less access to the vaccine than others, and called for more outreach to help them navigate the system that is befuddling and frustrating most people who’ve tried to deal with it. Meantime, West Seattle/South Park Councilmember Lisa Herbold cited stats on the inequitable distribution of vaccinations, while expressing outrage at the continuing reports of preferential access; her comments are summarized here. She also repeated what she had said in her Friday newsletter, that the city would eventually have a mass vaccination site in West Seattle; her meeting to discuss this with the mayor’s office is scheduled for Tuesday.

NOTABLE NATIONAL STAT: Bloomberg News reports that the number of Americans who have received at least one dose of vaccine has now exceeded the number who’ve tested positive during the pandemic – 26.5 million to 26.3 million.

NEED FOOD? This week’s nearest Food Lifeline distribution is 2-5 pm Friday (February 5th) at 815 S. 96th.

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

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Black Lives Matter At School Week: Louisa Boren STEM K-8 invites you to Friday demonstration
February 1, 2021 8:17 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   High Point | West Seattle news | West Seattle protests | West Seattle schools

This is Black Lives Matter At School Week, and the first event announcement we’ve received is from the Louisa Boren STEM K-8 PTA, which invites you to join this distanced demonstration:

PTA-sponsored Black Lives Matter Demonstration

The STEM PTA is excited to sponsor a Black Lives Matter demonstration organized by the Black Student Union. STEM BSU would love for families to join us in the conclusion of our BLM week of action. We will be meeting at the High Point Neighborhood House between 2:30-4:00 Friday to lift an affirmative voice for Black lives. Come with uplifting signs or posters and join us as we celebrate the Black Lives Matter movement. Be sure to wear a mask and socially distance during this event. Parents are to remain with their children for the whole of the demonstration.

High Point Neighborhood House is at 6400 Sylvan Way SW [map].

Any other Black Lives Matter At School events in West Seattle? westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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BIZNOTES: West 5, Rebellyous Foods, StarCycle
February 1, 2021 5:59 pm
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Three biznotes this evening:

WEST 5 TURNS 18: Local artist-and-more Jeff Gilbert created that poster for the 18th anniversary of West 5, where the party will last all month long at 4539 California SW. With our area now in Phase 2, West 5 is also open again for capacity-limited indoor seating. Special feature of the anniversary celebration, 2003 pricing – $7 each – on three signature menu items, Astral Mac ‘n’ Cheese, Sloppy Joe, and Mai Tai. (You can hear the story of the famous cocktail on the new episode of All Ways West Seattle.)

REBELLYOUS FOODS’ NEW PRODUCTS: If you’re vegetarian/vegan, or just looking to eat more meatless meals, the West Seattle Triangle-based company has three new products for you:

Rebellyous Foods, a company that creates groundbreaking manufacturing technology for plant-based meats, announced today the rollout of three new products: a new formulation of its nuggets and the addition of patties and tenders to the product portfolio. The products are launching in select grocers in Oregon and Washington this week.

Rebellyous Nuggets, Patties, and Tenders are 100% plant-based with no cholesterol, antibiotics, or hormones, and less saturated fat than chicken nuggets. In the coming weeks, shoppers at more than 20 stores in the Pacific Northwest will be able to find the products in the freezer case at an MSRP of $5.99. The new product is also available for foodservice and will be on menus at Seattle-area chicken chain Ma’ono, Cycle Dogs, Cafe Red, Wayward Cafe, and Galaxy Rune with more restaurants adding the products weekly.

In West Seattle, Rebellyous Foods products are carried by West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor) and Wildwood Market.

STARCYCLE WEST SEATTLE: With Phase 2 allowing more indoor fitness, StarCycle (4532 42nd SW) reopened today for indoor spin classes.

Got a biznote, reopening or otherwise? Email us – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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SEEN OFF WEST SEATTLE: USS Cape St. George
February 1, 2021 4:12 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news

Thanks to Lynn Hall for the photo. That’s the guided-missile destroyer USS Cape St. George (CG-71) off Duwamish Head earlier this afternoon. MarineTraffic.com shows the ship currently off Harbor Island, where, this story from last year says, it’s been undergoing work at Vigor. Modernization of the Cape St. George is part of a two-ship, quarter-billion-dollar Navy contract for the shipyard, according to this report.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Repeat offender charged in $3,111 shoplifting case; building break-in
February 1, 2021 2:37 pm
|      49 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

In West Seattle Crime Watch today:

THEFT CHARGE IN 4-DIGIT SHOPLIFT: A 32-year-old man accused of walking out of the California SW Rite Aid store with a shopping cart full of items is charged with felony second-degree theft – while awaiting trial on other similar charges. The charging documents say Nicholas A. Meinig was arrested last Tuesday evening. A clerk spotted Meinig heading toward the exit and asked, “A whole cart?” The documents say Meinig responded, “Hell yeah!” The store manager tried to follow him and called 911. Police stopped Meinig near California/Edmunds and say he confessed to stealing the items, described as “a variety of printer cartridges, health-care products, and beauty-care products.” The store totaled the items’ value at $3,111; he was also found in possession of a knife and several items that police believe were stolen elsewhere. In the case documents, police describe Meinig as “very active and prolific in committing multiple high-dollar thefts from several victim businesses in the Seattle area over the last few years,” with 29 arrests on his record and a felony-theft conviction. He’s also awaiting trial on two other felony-theft charges from other areas of Seattle – one from a November shoplifting incident involving $1,245 in items taken from a Safeway store, and the other from an April incident involving $1,154 in items taken from a PCC store. Though court documents seldom have photos, the one from that April case included these:

Meinig has been in jail since his arrest last Tuesday, with bail set at $5,000.

APARTMENT BURGLARY: A texter sent this video after a storage-area break-in at a building in the 7000 block of California SW early Sunday:

The intruders are believed to have cased the area at midnight and then returned around 4 am. The SPD report # is 21-025694.

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FOLLOWUP: Sylvan Way pavement-repair date set
February 1, 2021 1:39 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Utilities | West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(January 17th photo courtesy Sam)

Following the recent Seattle Public Utilities drainage-repair work on Sylvan Way, SPU promised it would return to smooth out the bumpy surface left behind. They’ve just announced the plan for that:

A contractor for Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) will begin asphalt paving on Sylvan Way SW beginning Monday, Feb. 15. SPU completed a drainage improvement project on Sylvan Way SW last month and is permanently restoring the roadway.

Work hours are anticipated to be 9 am to 4 pm. On Feb. 15, one lane near 6950 Sylvan Way SW will be closed. Two-way traffic will be maintained by flaggers on site. All travel lanes will be open outside of working hours. The following day, on Tuesday, Feb. 16, crews will complete paving on the shoulder of the road, near 7194 Sylvan Way SW. Both travel lanes will remain open, but vehicles should use caution near the work area. Asphalt paving work is weather-dependent, and schedule is subject to change.

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VALENTINE’S DAY: West Seattle Junction ‘Love 4 All’ boxes, online-shopping event
February 1, 2021 11:50 am
|    Comments Off on VALENTINE’S DAY: West Seattle Junction ‘Love 4 All’ boxes, online-shopping event
 |   Holidays | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

If you plan to get a gift for a special someone this Valentine’s Day – now less than 2 weeks away – here’s a chance to show love not only to the recipient, but also to local independent businesses. In the spirit of previous holiday “boxes” sold through the West Seattle Junction Association, you can buy “Love 4 All” boxes – “filled with treats hand-curated with loving care from the Junction merchants” (plus tickets for a jewelry raffle) – and/or “Love at Home” boxes for kids “with a special Valentine book, two crafts, and other heartfelt treats.” You can order the boxes by going here. WSJA also is presenting an online-shopping event 4-9 pm this Thursday (February 4th); then next week, the West Seattle Art Walk becomes a Heart Walk, on February 11th.

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UPDATE: Terminal 5 pile-driving alert
February 1, 2021 10:21 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Port of Seattle | West Seattle news

(Northwest Seaport Alliance photo of earlier pile-driving)

10:21 AM: The next round of pile-driving is ahead for the Terminal 5 project, according to this alert we received from the Port of Seattle this morning:

Contractors will conduct pile driving at Terminal 5 in West Seattle beginning February 8, 2021. Pile driving will continue through March and possibly into April. The activity will include both vibratory and impact hammer pile driving. The vibratory method is relatively quiet and will likely be audible only to businesses and residences close to the terminal. Impact hammer driving will be more audible, and the sound will travel greater distances than the vibratory driving. The schedule calls for three or four days of vibratory driving, followed by three or four days of impact driving.

Under the City of Seattle’s Noise Ordinance, pile driving may take place between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays, and between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekends and legal holidays.

As we reported over the weekend, the Northwest Seaport Alliance managing members’ monthly meeting tomorrow will include an in-depth progress report on the T-5 project.

UPDATE: We’re told the vibratory pile-driving has actually already begun.

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Remembering Frances Nitkey, 1922-2021
February 1, 2021 8:59 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Obituaries | West Seattle news

Family and friends are remembering Frances Nitkey, and sharing this with the community:

Frances Leona Fagan Nitkey
January 26, 1922-January 20, 2021

Frances Leona Fagan Nitkey was born in The Dalles, Oregon in 1922. In her Alki home on January 20th of this year, surrounded by the love and care of her family, in comfort and peace, she took her last breath, one week shy of her 99th birthday.

Frances was born a Fagan, a proud, Irish Fagan. She grew up during the Great Depression. When most were out of work, her Dad, Daniel Patrick Fagan, was employed by the Fisher Flour Mill and his dream job with the Railroad as a brakeman. He had 2 jobs during the Great Depression, they were fortunate, they were blessed, and they gave thanks to God for it.

While attending nursing school at Sacred Heart in Spokane, she met the love of her life John W. Nitkey at Gonzaga University. They were married for 68 ½ years till John’s death in 2012. Together they had 6 children. Those 6 children gave them 16 grandchildren, those 16 grandchildren gave them 23 great-grandchildren, and now there are 3 great-great-grandchildren. There are many who look upon her as a 2nd mother or a second grandmother. She was loved by many.

Frances loved to help people. She knew what she wanted to do with her life at a very early age. She never wanted to do anything else but to be a nurse. She worked graveyard shift for many years in the nursery at Renton Hospital, while Dad stayed home with the kids. She’d then come home, and they’d meet in the driveway, he’d head off to work and she would take care of the children. I’m not sure when she found time to sleep.

Memorial service was held on her 99th birthday, January 26, 2021 at Our Lady of Guadalupe. Live stream of the service can still be viewed at facebook.com/olgparishseattle/videos/252758342880339 – an active Facebook account is NOT needed. Following the funeral Mass, a graveyard service and burial at Holyrood Catholic Cemetery in Shoreline, where she will rest next to her husband.

Frances was proceeded in death by her parents Daniel Patrick Fagan and Lucy Lee Terhune Fagan, her husband John W. Nitkey and her 4 siblings Daniel W. Fagan, Lucille Stout, Lee Fagan, Joseph Fagan. Frances is survived by her children Daniel Nitkey, Joan Kocharhook (Steve), Susan Griffin, Frances Kahler (Rick), Kathy Hostenske, and Lawrence Nitkey.

The Nitkey Family would like to thank Carelinx for the loving care they provided our mom, and ALL our supportive friends and family, for their kind words, thoughts, and prayers.

Remembrance may be made in Frances Nitkey’s name to Our Lady of Guadalupe in West Seattle.

(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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ROAD WORK, TRANSIT, TRAFFIC: Monday watch
February 1, 2021 6:07 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:07 AM: Welcome to Monday, February 1st, the 315th morning without the West Seattle Bridge.

ROAD WORK & MORE

Delridge project – The SW Thistle closure continues between Delridge and 20th. Here’s what else is in the plan this week.

California and Myrtle – The sewer-repair project continues – if driving/riding on California, be careful going over the bumps on the northbound side.

Fauntleroy Way work this week – Thursday (February 4th), about two weeks of utility work starts on Fauntleroy between Alaska and Edmunds, as previewed here.

Tunnel closure – The Highway 99 tunnel is scheduled to close both ways Friday night.

CHECK TRAFFIC BEFORE YOU GO

Low Bridge: Fourth week for automated enforcement cameras, while restrictions are in effect 5 am-9 pm daily. (No stats yet.) Here’s a bridge view:

West Marginal Way at Highland Park Way:

Highland Park Way/Holden – note the new left-turn signal for northbound HP Way, turning to westbound Holden:

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

The main detour route across the Duwamish River, the 1st Avenue South Bridge (map):

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 all the other detour-route neighborhoods, both the arterials and neighborhood streets!)

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.

TRANSIT

Water Taxi – On its regular schedule but again this week, it’s the lower-capacity Spirit of Kingston

Metro – On regular weekday schedule. If you’re not subscribed to alerts, watch @kcmetrobus on Twitter for updates

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

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