day : 27/02/2021 8 results

For the first time in three weeks, King County has updated its stats on Saturday, so that’s where we start:

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

*82,092 people have tested positive, 174 more than yesterday’s total

*1,393 people have died, 13 more than yesterday’s total

*5,091 people have been hospitalized, 7 more than yesterday’s total

*901,122 people have been tested, 475 more than yesterday’s total

(The county did not post updates on either of the past two Saturdays, so we have no “one week ago” stats tonight.)

STATEWIDE NUMBERS: See them here.

WORLDWIDE NUMBERS: 113.7 million people have tested positive, and more than 2,525,000 people have died; U.S. deaths exceed 511,000. Most cases: U.S., India, Brazil, Russia, UK. See the breakdown, nation by nation, here.

THIRD VACCINE: The FDA has OK’d the one-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine. Next step before tens of thousands of doses are sent to our state: The Western States Scientific Safety Review Workgroup will meet Monday for an “extra layer of review,” Gov. Inslee says.

FINDING VACCINE: Thanks again to WSB readers offering tips on where they’re finding appointments. This morning, we heard again from Ann, though a commenter says that clinic does not appear to be offering appointments as widely as the one she sent news of last week … Recommendations are continuing for checking the volunteer-run covidwa.com lookup frequently …

DONATION DRIVE: If you can help those in need – here’s a chance Sunday.

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

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LEGISLATURE: Rep. Joe Fitzgibbon’s ‘clean-fuel standard’ bill passes state House

February 27, 2021 9:12 pm

| 9 COMMENTS

| Environment | West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

Today the state House passed a major environmental bill sponsored by one of our area’s lawmakers, Rep. Joe Fitzgibbon, who chairs the House Environment and Energy Committee. Here’s the news release:

Washington is one step closer to joining its west coast neighbors in establishing a clean fuel standard. House Bill 1091, sponsored by Rep. Joe Fitzgibbon (D-West Seattle) directs the Washington State Department of Ecology to adopt a rule establishing a Clean Fuels Program that would limit greenhouse gas emissions per unit of transportation fuel energy to 10 percent below 2017 levels by 2028 and 20 percent below 2017 levels by 2035. It passed the House today with a vote of 52-46.

“It is long past time for Washington to join our neighbors in Oregon, California, and British Columbia in reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector,” said Fitzgibbon. “We owe it to future generations to protect the climate, improve our air quality, and create jobs in the biofuels industry. Washington can be a leader in clean fuel production, but we are falling behind our neighbors. This bill protects our climate, cleans our air, and grows clean energy jobs. This program is overdue, but it’s not too late for us to do our part.”

The transportation sector is responsible for roughly 45% of greenhouse gas emissions in Washington. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions will also help reduce the state’s contributions to climate change. The most recent National Climate Assessment, a federal report prepared by hundreds of scientists, details the disruptive impacts anticipated in the United States and the Pacific Northwest if greenhouse gas emissions are not curbed. The addition of fire season to the west coast calendar highlights the urgency of the moment.

This would create opportunities for Washington producers of clean transportation fuels – from biodiesel, to renewable natural gas, to the clean electricity produced by the state’s utilities. The policy itself is technology-neutral, not mandating use of any specific renewable fuel. Currently, Washingtonians spend $9 billion annually on gasoline and diesel, while the vast majority of locally-produced clean fuels are shipped to states that already have a clean fuel standard. A clean fuel standard will create a market for clean fuels right here in Washington.

Prior to passing the full House, the bill advanced through the House Environment & Energy, Transportation, and Appropriations committees. It now goes to the Senate for consideration.

Our area’s senior House Rep. Eileen Cody also voted for the bill, which you can read in its entirety here. As for the Senate, here’s what our area’s State Senator tweeted tonight:

I 👀 you @joefitzgibbon! Marathon of a debate for Clean Fuels in WA State.

We’re ready to fight for it in the Senate. #WaLeg

— Joe (@meetjoenguyen) February 28, 2021

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SPORTS: West Seattle Soccer Club about to start registration for comeback season

February 27, 2021 7:06 pm

| Comments Off on SPORTS: West Seattle Soccer Club about to start registration for comeback season

| West Seattle news | WS & Sports

Another youth-sports league is opening registration – West Seattle Soccer Club is ready for a comeback after almost a year and a half. Here’s the announcement:

Recreational soccer is back in West Seattle now that we are in phase 2. Registration for our 2021 spring season opens March 1st. It will be our first time back since fall 2019 season. We have also returned to school year registration so children can play with their classmates:

2021 HSA Champions League Spring Season
REGISTRATION OPENS MONDAY, MARCH 1ST

Go to westseattlesoccer.org

Play begins Sunday, April 18th.*

FEE for U6 – U12 is $75

Divisions by ACADEMIC YEAR (August 31st – July 31st)

NO PROMOTION FROM FALL (if your player was U9 in Fall, then U9 this Spring)

U13+ Divisions by BIRTH YEAR for play in Spring SSUL League

FEE for U13+ $100

PLEASE HELP US FIELD MORE TEAMS BY VOLUNTEERING TO COACH

Would you consider serving on the WSSC Board? We have openings.

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DELRIDGE PROJECT: Where the work’s moving next week

February 27, 2021 4:50 pm

| 4 COMMENTS

| Delridge | West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

The Delridge repaving/utility work, preparing for the RapidRide H Line conversion, continues. SDOT’s weekly update on upcoming work includes these key points:

*21st Ave SW will be closed to local access only for several weeks beginning Monday, March 1 to complete utility work

*Paving on the east side of Delridge Way SW between SW Findlay St and SW Juneau St is scheduled to begin as early as March 8

*On Thursday, March 4, SPU will be working overnight to complete tie-ins near SW Juneau St. SPU will notify residents of any interruptions to their service in advance of this work taking place.

*Sidewalk demolition between SW Thistle and SW Cloverdale St continues, with paving scheduled to begin as early as March 4

*Intersection work continues at SW Kenyon St and SW Holden St and will last for several weeks. The intersections will remain open during this work.

The full update for the week ahead is here.

P.S. Remember that businesses are open even if there’s work nearby – they appreciate your patronage.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Gunfire investigation after what police say was ‘road rage’

February 27, 2021 2:43 pm

| 65 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

(Texted photo)

2:43 PM: Thanks for the tips. Police are investigating gunfire on 42nd SW between Edmunds and Hudson around quarter till 1 this afternoon. One reader says a vehicle was hit. A nearby resident tells us that some sort of argument between two men preceded the gunfire; the shooter got into a car and left. The archived police-radio exchanges include a description of the shooter as a Black man in his 20s, about 6 feet tall, thin, in a yellow vest or jacket and red pants, who got into a black 4-door sedan, possibly a Hyundai, and left southbound on 42nd. Officers told dispatch that they found ten .40-caliber casings. We’re still pursuing more information and will add anything else we find out.

9:31 PM: Just in from police, their preliminary summary, which includes new information:

Officers responded to a Shots call near 42 AV SW and SW Edmunds St regarding a male shooting at a vehicle. Upon arrival, Officers located several shell casings on 42 AV SW just south of SW Edmunds St. The victim’s vehicle was located further south on 42 AV SW and SW Dawson St. During the course of the investigation, it was determined that this started as a road rage incident. The driver of the silver sedan, who at first denied having any involvement in the incident, later told officers he honked his horn at the suspect who was walking in the roadway. The suspect in response to being honked at used his hand to bang on the hood of the silver sedan. The driver then got out and confronted the suspect. Some heated words were exchanged between both parties. As the suspect decided to walk away, the driver picked up a rock and threw it at the suspect. More words were exchanged, and the suspect attempted to walk away again. The driver then chased after the suspect on foot. This is when the suspect pulled out a handgun and fired several shots in the direction of the driver. 10 shell casings were located at the scene. The suspect was not located at the time of this incident.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Recognize these burglars? Plus – we (and others) join the list of catalytic-converter theft victims

February 27, 2021 12:10 pm

| 34 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

12:10 PM: Two reports in West Seattle Crime Watch so far today:

RECOGNIZE THESE BURGLARS? The Southwest Precinct is circulating those images, asking for help identifying burglars who broke into the lobby at an apartment building in the 6500 block of California SW at 5:30 am last Saturday (February 20). Police say the burglars “left at 5:43 carrying several items from the storage units and pushing two bicycles.” If you have tips on who these are, you can contact the investigating detective at 206-256-6821 and refer to incident 21-043068.

And a first-person reader report:

CATALYTIC-CONVERTER THIEVES HIT 2 MORE ELEMENTS: Sometime early this morning, thieves took the catalytic converters from our 2004 Honda Element and that of a similar-vintage Element down our street in Upper Fauntleroy. It was sometime after we went off watch around 3 am; another neighbor reports hearing a “metal-grinding” noise around 4 am. So how do you know your catalytic converter has been stolen? As others have noted, trying to start a car without this piece of equipment generates an obnoxiously loud noise (noxious odor, too). As high-ticket as these items are reported to be (we haven’t taken it in yet so don’t have an estimate), SPD told us these thefts can be reported online, unless you have video or a witness. (It’s a clunky process – we’ve done it before for car prowls and a bike theft – so allot 10-15 minutes.) Our most-recent reader reports of catalytic-converter thefts/attempts: Last Sunday, an Element in Pigeon Point and Prius on Beach Drive; a few days before that, an Element southwest of The Junction.

ADDED 1:17 PM: Minutes after publishing that, while embarking on a neighborhood walk, we saw this in a curbside gutter about two blocks from HQ:

No way to know if it’s ours; only mark we could see without picking it up is “Made in USA” (Elements are, partly). Did find an interesting video while looking online for visuals. (UPDATE: Thanks to the commenters who note that our photo shows a muffler, not a catalytic converter.)

ADDED 2:16 PM: At least one more Element catalytic converter was stolen overnight – Tami emailed us to say thieves took the one from her 2005 Element parked in front of her house in Upper Morgan.

ADDED 7:14 PM: And we’ve heard from yet another recent theft victim, who called us to report that her Element’s catalytic converter was taken during the day Friday near California/Holly in Morgan Junction.

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VACCINATION: Another West Seattle clinic

February 27, 2021 11:00 am

| 9 COMMENTS

| Coronavirus | West Seattle news

WSB reader Ann, who shared news last weekend of a West Seattle vaccination clinic, just got another email about one and forwarded it to share. The eligibility mentioned in the email she received from a UW Medicine mailing list: West Seattle/South Park residents, 65 and older. The clinic is happening next week, the email says, and will again be at the Southwest Athletic Complex parking lot. While last time she got a registration link, this time it’s by phone – the number in the email she received is 206.520.8758. Caveat: No indication of what hours they’re taking calls, nor of whether you have to be on their list. Meantime, please note that we’re continuing to feature vaccination info in our nightly roundups (last night, thanks to reader tips, we mentioned Pharmaca in The Junction will be offering vaccine); you can always find the most-recent roundup in our archive of pandemic coverage.

4:51 PM NOTE: See Bill‘s comment before you try calling.

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Options for February’s final Saturday

February 27, 2021 6:43 am

| 2 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Photo by James Bratsanos – Friday morning’s moonset)

It’s a full-moon morning. Here are some options for the hours ahead:

WINE-TASTING: Viscon Cellars (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor) has reopened its tasting room (25 percent capacity) 1-4 pm Saturdays – stop by for a glass and/or to buy wine, which you can preorder online.

WEST SEATTLE ARTIST’S RECEPTION: 2-6 pm, the original Fogue Studios in Georgetown is hosting an opening reception today for acclaimed West Seattle artist Warren Pope‘s retrospective, “Rage Against the Dying of the Light.” Masks required. (5519 Airport Way S.)

BIKE RIDE SUPPORTING BUSINESSES: If you see a large number of bicycles outside Jones Barbecue and West Seattle Brewing in The Triangle around mid-afternoon – that’s the end of the Peace Peloton ride from Shoreline, explained here.

MOVIE – OR JUST POPCORN: In addition to reopening for movies, the historic Admiral Theater (2343 California SW) is also selling popcorn to go, 3:30-6:30 pm.

FOOD TRUCK LAUNCH: 4-8 pm, brand-new local food truck Who’s Eating Gilbert’s Greats will be outside The NOOK in Admiral, 2206 California SW.

Are we missing anything? Email westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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