West Seattle, Washington

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day : 04/02/2021 10 results

CORONAVIRUS: Thursday 2/4/2021 roundup
February 4, 2021 10:32 pm
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 |   Coronavirus | West Seattle news

Stats and vaccination updates top tonight’s roundup:

NEWEST KING COUNTY NUMBERS: First, from the Public Health daily-summary dashboard, here are today’s cumulative totals:

*77,841 people have tested positive, 264 more than yesterday’s total

*1,279 people have died, 9 more than yesterday’s total

*4,846 people have been hospitalized, 3 more than yesterday’s total

*841.693 people have been tested, 3,522 more than yesterday’s total

One week ago, the four totals we track were 75,682/1,242/4,763/822,810.

STATEWIDE NUMBERS: Find them, county by county, on the state Department of Health page.

WORLDWIDE NUMBERS: 104.8 million cases worldwide, 26.6 million of them in the U.S. See the nation-by-nation breakout here.

VACCINATION UPDATES: Statewide, health officials say, progress is being made, but more vaccine is still needed. It was a major topic of the state Department of Health’s weekly briefing (see the video here). More than 770,000 people have been vaccinated – about a tenth of the state’s population – and the state’s latest daily average is 28,000 a day, on its way to the target of 45,000 a day. In his briefing later (see the video here), Gov. Inslee says the systems are in place to meet that 45,000/day goal, all that’s needed is enough vaccine. For example, the Health Department says, 612 providers requested 358,000 first doses for a recent week, but the federal allotment was less than a third that. … Also explained by the state today, its process of vaccine allocation:

We’ve received a lot of questions recently regarding the state’s allocation process. This week, DOH allocated 19% of vaccine to community health centers, federally qualified health centers, local health jurisdictions and private practitioners, 23% to hospitals, 36% to mass vaccination sites, 19% to pharmacies, and 3% to tribes and Urban Indian Health Programs. State allocations of vaccines go to sites that are locally run, as well as the mass vaccination sites.

Each week, the state allocates vaccine from our limited supply to enrolled providers through a multi-step process that starts Saturday and is completed by Thursday night to meet the CDC’s Friday morning ordering deadline. Enrolled providers place their requests through the state’s Immunization Information System (WAIIS) and DOH gathers information from Local Health Jurisdictions to help determine their priorities of where vaccine should go. Decisions are made based on several factors: proportional population of those eligible in the county, data from providers, provider’s current inventory and documented throughput, equity, and access at all provider types (hospitals, pharmacies, mass vaccination sites, and clinics).

The state has more than 1,000 enrolled providers so far.

RETURNING TO IN-PERSON LEARNING: Seattle Public Schools now says the first groups to return will be phased in, not all on March 1st as expected.

NEED FOOD? 2-5 pm tomorrow at Food Lifeline (815 S. 96th) HQ, emergency food boxes are available.

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

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FOLLOWUP: California/Myrtle sewer-line project wrapped up
February 4, 2021 8:01 pm
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 |   Transportation | Utilities | West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

After 4 weeks, the south Morgan Junction/Gatewood work zone for a Seattle Public Utilities sewer-line repair project is cleared. As our through-the-windshield photo from late today shows, the pavement patching will have to be smoothed – we will be checking with SPU for a timeline on that. But the cross-lane bumps in the northbound lane, which contributed to a bicyclist falling and requiring hospitalization, are gone. Our original January report explains the work that was done. SPU is now moving on to another sewer-line repair that will affect traffic on Fauntleroy Way south of Alaska; work was supposed to start today, but as of late afternoon, it had yet to begin.

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VIDEO: Seattle Public Schools says most in-person learning won’t resume until after March 1st
February 4, 2021 5:40 pm
|      53 COMMENTS
 |   Coronavirus | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

5:40 PM: Seattle Public Schools says that the students returning to in-person learning will return in phases, with the first phase serving special-education students (in “intensive pathways”). That means the others, preschoolers through 1st-graders, won’t start until sometime after March 1st. Also from the briefing that’s under way now, the district says about 50 percent of eligible families have indicated their students will return for in-person classes. District officials are also describing the schedules – the special-education students would attend Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, while the preschoolers, kindergarteners, and 1st graders would be split into A and B groups – Mondays and Tuesdays for one, Thursdays and Fridays for the other. More details to come – families were repeatedly advised to check the district’s website, but it’s currently down again.

5:48 PM: The briefing’s over; we’ve added the recorded video above.

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TERMINAL 5: Opening delayed until next year
February 4, 2021 5:25 pm
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   Port of Seattle | West Seattle news

5:25 PM: The Northwest Seaport Alliance was supposed to present an update on the Terminal 5 modernization plan this past Tuesday, but pulled it from the agenda at the last minute, saying “several recent project changes” had rendered the planned update “outdated.” Here’s a big change: The NWSA just announced that T-5’s opening is being pushed back at least half a year. Here’s the announcement:

Terminal 5 to Open Q1 2022, Revising Earlier Estimates

The Northwest Seaport Alliance Terminal 5 Modernization Project is a critical component to expanding our cargo-handling capabilities. This facility will allow our region to remain globally competitive and grow our local economy. Due to the complex nature of this large infrastructure construction combined with unforeseen circumstances, this project is now seeing schedule impacts. To ensure project quality and a robust facility with construction that will last for decades, the NWSA now expects Phase 1 of the project to be targeted for completion by the end of Q4, 2021, rather than the expected Q2 of 2021.

The NWSA will be providing a full project update during the March Managing Members meeting scheduled for Tuesday, March 2nd at 11:30am. This project remains a top priority and alongside our tenant, SSAT, we are committed to delivering the modernized Terminal 5 facility as soon as possible. We continue to believe this project is critical to maintaining economic and industrial diversity in our region and living wage jobs that are key to building an equitable and resilient economy.

At the February 2nd meeting of the Managing Members, commissioners approved three items relating to T5 construction, specifically the South Reefers Repair, Clean Truck Program and Radiation Portal Monitors/U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Booth Power Infrastructure. Piling and other construction work continues on the project.

This has ramifications for other things, such as West Seattle Low Bridge access, which has been reserving capacity for T-5 trucks. We’ll be following up.

6:29 PM: For the record, this is the memo and slide deck for the briefing that was supposed to happen on Tuesday. When the lease was announced – exactly two years ago tomorrow – it was envisioned the north berth could be open as soon as last month.

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YOU CAN HELP: Two more food fundraisers for West Seattle schools, with local businesses
February 4, 2021 3:33 pm
|    Comments Off on YOU CAN HELP: Two more food fundraisers for West Seattle schools, with local businesses
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

More partnerships between local schools and local businesses:

MISSION CANTINA DINE-OUT FOR FAIRMOUNT PARK ELEMENTARY: This is happening on Sunday at Mission Cantina (WSB sponsor). From the Fairmount Park Elementary PTA:

We are excited to partner with Mission Cantina for our next Dine-Out Event! Mission Cantina will generously donate 20% of ALL sales that the restaurant makes on February 7th, for their full hours of 11:00 am to 8:00 pm. No need for a special code or link! This includes all food, alcohol, and gift cards.

To order, please call Mission directly at 206-937-8220. The restaurant will begin taking phone orders starting at 11 am. Please note, we are encouraging families to work with the restaurant directly rather than use 3rd-party apps such as GrubHub and Ubereats, to help the staff get more of the funds from tips and orders.

So enjoy brunch, lunch, dinner, evening margaritas, or all of them! Avoid the rush by buying a gift card to use another day! Thank you for supporting a local restaurant AND the PTA!

Mission Cantina is at 2325 California SW.

DREAM DINNERS DEAL FOR ‘WEB’ AT MADISON: Dream Dinners-West Seattle (WSB sponsor) does the prep, you finish at home and serve! They’re offering three chances to get family meals and support WEB at Madison Middle School, as explained by faculty coordinator Mike Kreiger: “Madison’s WEB (‘Where Everybody Belongs’) Program consists of about 90 eighth-grade leaders who help make the school a more inclusive place. They plan and run the 6th-grade orientation, give tours to new students, and make relationships with new-to-Madison students. They meet during advisory and lunch and plan fun ‘get-to-know-you activities’ with the 6th graders to make them feel connected to Madison.” Here’s how the fundraiser works:

By helping WEB and a local small-business, your money has a DOUBLE positive impact in our community. For $50 you can get three 3-serving meals (9 servings total), and $10 of that will go straight to Madison’s WEB program for next year. You can pay online up to 36 hours before the pickup time, and then just pick up during your window and you have 3 pre-made meals that are ready to cook! Here are the dates (and links, with menu options) to our fundraiser if you can help:

Thursday, March 4th 6:30 pm-7:30 pm – dreamdinners.com/session/875439
Saturday, March 6th at 10:30-11:30 am – dreamdinners.com/session/875440
Wednesday, March 10th at 6:30-7:30 pm – dreamdinners.com/session/875441

If you are not interested in Dream Dinners at this time, we are asking for donations of $10 (or more) to keep WEB going strong. If you can help, here is the donation link.

Pickup will be at Dream Dinners-West Seattle (4701 41st SW, outer east side of Jefferson Square).

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Rape charge in bus-stop attack; park patrols; 911 reminder
February 4, 2021 1:53 pm
|      27 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Three items in West Seattle Crime Watch:

RAPE CHARGE FILED: The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office announced today that it has charged a 27-year-old man with second-degree rape in an attack at a Junction bus stop early Monday. Mahdi M. Hussein is accused of approaching and assaulting the 21-year-old victim on a bench at the California/Alaska transit hub. The victim pushed him away and fled, the court documents say, but Hussein followed, and assaulted the victim again before 911 was called around 3 am. Court documents say Hussein has one past conviction, for theft, nine years ago. He remains in King County Jail, bail set at $75,000. (added) KCPAO notes in its announcement, “Through yesterday (Feb. 3), this case is the 20th rape case filed this year by the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. In 2020, the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office filed 187 rape cases (through Dec. 10). In 2019, we filed 117 cases.”

Also, two items from Southwest Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator Jennifer Danner:

PARK PATROLS: We’ve reported multiple times recently on car break-ins at Westcrest Park. Here’s an update from the precinct:

The Seattle Parks Department and SPD have been made aware of ongoing concerns at Westcrest Park, near the dog park, in the parking lot. Community members in the area have noted suspicious activity and an increase in car prowls in the area. We are working with the Parks Department to put up additional signage to remind folks to remove valuables from their vehicles, and we are working on additional patrols. We would like to encourage community members to be extra aware, and to call 911 immediately to report noticeable suspicious activity.

SPEAKING OF CALLING 911: A recent citywide trend has led to this reminder:

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ELECTION 2021: Sara Nelson running again for City Council citywide Position 9
February 4, 2021 11:51 am
|      29 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

Another citywide candidacy announcement today – this time, Sara Nelson is running again for City Council Position 9, the citywide seat currently held by Councilmember Lorena González, who announced Wednesday she’s running for mayor. Nelson ran for the seat in 2017 and finished third in the primary. She is co-founder of Fremont Brewing and has worked as a City Council policy adviser (for former Councilmember Richard Conlin). Her announcement says she “wants to put her success in business and city government to work for all Seattleites,” and quotes her as saying, “I will work to bring back jobs and community resources to Seattle by revitalizing our downtown core and neighborhood business districts.” Nelson lives in Green Lake. She is the first candidate for this seat to send us an announcement, but five people have registered campaigns with the city. The field won’t be final until May; the primary is August 3rd.

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From bowling to boats, what’s up for your West Seattle Thursday
February 4, 2021 9:58 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Wednesday morning photo by Chris Frankovich)

Lots going on today/tonight:

PANDEMIC BRIEFING: The state Health Department‘s weekly briefing is at 10:30 am; you can watch here.

WEST SEATTLE BOWL REOPENS: 3 pm today, as previewed here. (39th/Oregon)

LIVE ONLINE SHOPPING EVENT: 4-9 pm, join Junction businesses online for live Valentine’s shopping! Go here to be part of it.

BACK TO SCHOOL: Seattle Public Schools will stream an online briefing/Q&A session about returning to in-person learning at 5:15 pm; our preview has information on how to watch.

(Wednesday sunset, photographed by Rosalie Miller)

TONIGHT’S SUNSET: 5:15 pm.

ONLINE TOURS/OPEN HOUSES FOR LOCAL SCHOOLS: 5:30 pm kindergarten tour for Roxhill Elementary, 5:30 pm middle-school tour for Pathfinder K-8, 5:30 pm tour for Lafayette Elementary, 7 pm open house for Denny International Middle School – find all those links here.

NORTH HIGHLINE UNINCORPORATED AREA COUNCIL: The community council for White Center and vicinity meets online at 7 pm. Agenda items include an update from the White Center Food Bank – which serves part of West Seattle – as it looks ahead to a move. Here’s how to watch/participate.

Anything we’re missing? westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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CONGRATULATIONS! South Seattle College’s Dr. Yilin Sun honored for English-teaching achievements
February 4, 2021 8:59 am
|    Comments Off on CONGRATULATIONS! South Seattle College’s Dr. Yilin Sun honored for English-teaching achievements
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle people | West Seattle schools

A big honor for a longtime member of the South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) faculty. Here’s the announcement:

Dr. Yilin Sun, who has spent the majority of her 30-plus year career teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) at South Seattle College (SSC) and Seattle Central College, has been recognized as a top-30 contributor to the U.S. Department of State’s English Language Specialist Program. The specialist program is celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2021.

The “30@30 Award” recognizes Sun as one of a select group of thirty specialists who have made a lasting impact on the specialist program and on the TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) field since 1991, building English-teaching capacity abroad and bolstering mutual understanding through English language education.

Sun is a tenured faculty member in the Basic and Transitional Studies Division at SSC, and now directs faculty development programs for the Seattle Colleges District. She has served the field of TESOL for more than 30 years and has been with Seattle Colleges for more than 27 years as a dedicated educator. She is a tireless advocate for racial equity, diversity, and inclusion in higher education and for providing equitable, accessible, and quality education to underserved student populations. She also strives to empower learners and TESOL professionals.

Sun is a former president of the TESOL International Association from 2013 to 2016. This was the first time in TESOL’s 50-year history that an Asian, female, bilingual Chinese and English speaking professional served as president of TESOL.

“What makes Dr. Yilin Sun such a remarkable leader and role model is her ability to develop inclusive, equitable and diverse communities, and provide resources which foster critical thinking and creativity,” said Anne Levin, ESL faculty member at Seattle Colleges. “When in her presence, students and colleagues feel welcome and inspired to be their very best selves. Her advocacy for immigrants and refugees, collaborative spirit and enthusiasm for teaching and learning is heartfelt and contagious to all who have the honor of working with her.”

The 30@30 awardees will be honored throughout the anniversary year with featured stories on the English Language Programs website, in presentations at the Virtual 2021 TESOL International Convention, as expert panelists in online webinars, and at an Appreciation Luncheon and Awards Ceremony in October at the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C., conditions allowing.

For further information, please visit the English Language Specialist Program and U.S. Department of State websites.

(Photo courtesy Dr. Yilin Sun, shown speaking to the 2015 TESOL International Convention in Toronto.)

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ROAD WORK, TRAFFIC, TRANSIT: Thursday watch
February 4, 2021 6:07 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:07 AM: Welcome to Thursday, February 4th, the 318th morning without the West Seattle Bridge.

ROAD WORK & MORE

Delridge project – The SW Thistle closure continues between Delridge and 20th. Here’s the overall plan for this week.

California/Myrtle: The work was wrapping up as of late Wednesday.

Fauntleroy Way work – Today, about two weeks of utility work is scheduled to start 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. (Here’s an update on how it’s going.) Here’s a bridge view:

West Marginal Way at Highland Park Way:

Highland Park Way/Holden – with a 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 using 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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