West Seattle, Washington

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month : 02/2021 279 results

CORONAVIRUS: Sunday 2/28/2021 roundup, 1-year anniversary edition
February 28, 2021 10:22 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Coronavirus | West Seattle news

One year ago tonight, we reported on the first King County COVID-19 case – schools closed two weeks later, and the statewide stay-home order came three weeks later. Here’s where we are now:

KING COUNTY’S NEWEST NUMBERS: From the King County daily-summary dashboard, the cumulative totals:

*82,215 people have tested positive, 174 more than yesterday’s total

*1,393 people have died, (corrected) unchanged from yesterday’s total

(corrected) *5,100 people have been hospitalized, 7 more than yesterday’s total

*901,467 people have been tested, 475 more than Friday’s total

One week ago, the King County totals were 81,175/1,345/5,072/888,341.

WEST SEATTLE TRENDS: We can’t present the usual set of numbers because the “geography over time” tab on the daily-summary dashboard isn’t functioning right now. (We’ll check it again before night’s end and add the data if it starts working again.) But our weekly check of WS total deaths for the entire pandemic is available – for the two HRAs (Health Reporting Areas) comprising West Seattle: 61, one more than a week ago.

STATEWIDE NUMBERS: See them here.

WORLDWIDE NUMBERS: 114 million cases and 2,530,000+ deaths, 513,000+ of them in the U.S. – see the nation-by-nation breakdown here.

VACCINATION SITUATION: No new developments to report tonight but a couple of notes – A reader called this morning to recommend pointing eligible people who don’t have computer access to the Virginia Mason hotline, so if you know someone still looking, the number and other info can be found here … The unofficial covidwa.com lookup also now offers a phone option, new since we looked at that site last night: “Call or text 425-292-1727 with your ZIP and we will list three nearby clinics with availability.”

TOWN HALL ON PANDEMIC & MORE: Our area’s King County Councilmember Joe McDermott is one of four councilmembers who will lead a town hall addressing pandemic questions and other issues this Wednesday, 6-7:30 pm. You can send a question in advance using this form. Here’s how to watch/listen.

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

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Nantes Park plan progress presented to Admiral Neighborhood Association
February 28, 2021 7:59 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   Neighborhoods | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

An update on a West Seattle park project headlined this month’s Admiral Neighborhood Association meeting.

NANTES PARK: Back in 2019, we published word of a survey by the Seattle-Nantes Sister City Association, seeking your thoughts on the little west Admiral park that honors the sister-city relationship. The project has proceeded, with a city matching-funds grant announced last November. ANA got an update on where the plan stands.

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THIS WEEK: Two port updates, including T-5 progress
February 28, 2021 6:47 pm
|    Comments Off on THIS WEEK: Two port updates, including T-5 progress
 |   Port of Seattle | West Seattle news

In the week ahead, you have two chances to hear updates on the port:

TUESDAY: The Northwest Seaport Alliance managing members – aka port commissioners from Seattle and Tacoma – will get their quarterly briefing on the Terminal 5 project progress, delayed from last month (just before NWSA announced that the opening of T-5’s first modernized berth would be delayed until early next year). The meeting starts at 11:30 am Tuesday; the agenda, with viewing/listening/commenting info, is here, and the T-5 briefing documents are here.

WEDNESDAY: A Port of Seattle rep will be the guest at the District 1 Community Network‘s monthly meeting, online, 7 pm Wednesday. Community members are welcome to attend and participate. Videoconferencing and dial-in info is in our calendar listing.

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WEST SEATTLE BIRDS: 11 views, sea to tree
February 28, 2021 4:17 pm
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | Wildlife

Thanks again to all the WSB readers who have sent bird photos! We have another collection for you – starting with sea/shore sightings. First, the bird above is a Belted Kingfisher near Don Armeni Boat Ramp, photographed by Steven Director. Off Alki, Danny McMillin caught Brant passing a Kitsap Transit foot ferry:

Two from Matthew Olson – a Red-necked Grebe:

And a Common Merganser:

Robin Sinner photographed a Black Turnstone taking off, leaving its shadow behind:

Now to birds more often seen away from the shore. Here’s a Purple Finch, from Gentle McGaughey:

A Pacific Wren at Lincoln Park, from Mark MacDonald:

A leucistic Crow taking flight near Alki Beach, photographed by Michelle Laughlin:

Two Steller’s Jays, from WTR:

And we close with two Hummingbird photos – William Wright photographed one feeding on a winter-blooming Grevillea during the snow earlier this month:

And Kersti Muul shows us one building a nest:

If you’re doing outdoor work this time of year, be very mindful about not disturbing nests – hummingbirds’ nests are especially small. Here’s what we published two years ago with advice from Kersti.

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FREE: Tennis classes for youth in West Seattle, South Park
February 28, 2021 2:50 pm
|    Comments Off on FREE: Tennis classes for youth in West Seattle, South Park
 |   West Seattle news | WS & Sports

A program offering free tennis lessons for youth 11-15 starting Tuesday has room in both West Seattle and South Park, and organizers asked us to help get the word out:

TENNIS ACES Middle School Program – FREE LESSONS – REGISTER TODAY

FREE tennis lessons for youth ages 11-15 starting next week and running for 6 weeks 2x/week until April 9th. Classes are outdoors with full covid protocols including temp checks, health questions, masks at all times, distancing, gloves for ball pickup, and frequent sanitizing. No equipment required and racquets will be provided for youth to keep.

*Southwest Teen Life Center site near Chief Sealth will have classes with Coach Amelia Aamot. Tuesdays 3:30 – 4:45 and Fridays from 3:15 – 4:30 pm. Only 12 spots available! REGISTER TODAY! Classes start 3/2! To register email Stephanie.Berry@Seattle.gov ACTIVE system program registration code is: #41199 but must be done with Stephanie Berry directly. Here’s the flyer.

*South Park Community Center site will have classes with Coach Brandon Baccam. Tuesdays 4:30 – 5:45 pm and Thursdays 4:30 – 5:45 pm. Only 6 spots available! REGISTER TODAY! Classes start 3/2. To register email Samuel.Chesneau@seattle.gov. ACTIVE system program registration code is #41201 but must be done by contacting Samuel directly. Here’s the flyer.

Have questions not related to registration? Contact Christina@Sportsinschools.org.

This program is brought to the community by Sports in Schools, a local non-profit organization, in partnership with the Amy Yee Tennis Center Advisory Council and the Seattle Sports Complex Foundation.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Burglarized business owner’s request
February 28, 2021 12:01 pm
|      30 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Another Morgan Junction business burglary. The report is from Subway proprietor Faraz, who hopes you’ll watch for one particular potentially dumped item:

I wanted to report that the Subway sandwich shop on California Ave SW was broken into last night around 2 am and the cash drawer was ripped out from the POS and taken. It did not have any cash in it so may I ask if anyone sees it discarded on a street somewhere, to please let me know?

The perpetrator turned off the main electric breaker to the building on the outside so it would be completely dark and then threw a rock through the back door to smash it and get in.

We don’t leave any cash in our drawers overnight and even though we have had upward of 20 burglaries of a similar fashion in the past year at our Subway shops in the West Seattle, White Center, Georgetown areas, this was the first time someone actually took the cash drawer.

(No surveillance images due to the power cut, Faraz says.) We’ll add the incident number when we get it.

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ANNIVERSARY: 20 years since Nisqually Earthquake; one preparedness step to take right now to prepare for the next quake
February 28, 2021 10:54 am
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   Earthquake | Preparedness | West Seattle news

Exactly 20 years ago, at 10:54 am February 28, 2001, West Seattle and the rest of the region was shaken in a big way by what went into the history books as the Nisqually Earthquake, after its South Sound epicenter. The magnitude 6.8 quake was big but not The Big One – that is considered to be still likely someday, maybe in our lifetimes, maybe not. But you need to be ready – there are abundant reasons why, such as what’s shown on this USGS map of how the area stacks up in shaking risk; note that some parts of West Seattle are considered at higher risk than others.

Meantime, preparedness remains vital. Every time there’s an anniversary, we remind you that a single, simple action you can take is to know your nearest Hub:

Shown on that map are the Emergency Communications Hubs – community-powered, pre-planned locations you would go in case of major catastrophe, if regular communication channels were disrupted. Be sure you and your family know the closest one. If there’s not one anywhere near your neighborhood, you can organize one – start here. Quakes are still happening – usually too small to feel (check this map for the most-recent ones) – but still without warning; even though an “early warning” tool is in development, it would give you seconds at best.

P.S. So where were you when the Nisqually Quake hit?

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WEST SEATTLE SUNDAY: February’s finale
February 28, 2021 6:43 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Saturday morning’s moonset, photographed by Greg Snyder)

Last day of the month – here are ways you can spend it!

TODAY’S ONLINE CHURCH SERVICES: Every week we update our list of more than 20 local churches’ online Sunday services (a few offer in-person options too), with the latest links; find them here.

GIVE: Alki UCC‘s latest donation drive will accept food and certain items of clothing, 10 am-3 pm. (6115 SW Hinds)

WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm in The Junction, the market’s on. Scroll down the page at this link to find the vendor list and map for this week. (Enter at California/Alaska; pickups for online orders are at California/Oregon)

DINE-OUT BENEFIT AT MOD PIZZA WWV: 10:30 am-10 pm, the Louisa Boren STEM K-8 PTA will benefit from today’s fundraiser at MOD Pizza at Westwood Village (2600 SW Barton). Use the code GR179557L – or mention the school; you can order in-store or online, for pickup or delivery, directly from MOD.

DINE-OUT BENEFIT AT MISSION CANTINA: 11 am-8 pm, dine in, or take out from, or even buy a gift card from Mission Cantina (2325 California SW; WSB sponsor), and the Alki Elementary PTA will get part of the proceeds. They note: “To order regular menu items, please call Mission directly at 206-937-8220. 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.”

WEST SEATTLE TOOL LIBRARY: Open 11 am-4 pm – need a tool to fix or improve something? (4408 Delridge Way SW)

FREE TO-GO DINNER: White Center Community Dinner Church will serve to-go meals at 5 pm, outside, near the Bartell Drugs parking lot in White Center. (9600 15th Ave SW)

Got something for our calendar? westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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CORONAVIRUS: Saturday 2/27/2021 roundup
February 27, 2021 10:43 pm
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   Coronavirus | West Seattle news

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:

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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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CORONAVIRUS: Friday 2/26/2021 roundup
February 26, 2021 11:59 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Coronavirus | West Seattle news

52 weeks have now passed since the Friday night when the first King County case of COVID-19 was announced – February 28 2020. Here are tonight’s updates:

ONE YEAR LATER: King County Executive Dow Constantine joined County Health Officer Dr. Jeff Duchin‘s weekly briefing. They looked back and ahead. Though the pandemic has taken a tragic toll, Constantine also noted that while ours is the 13th largest out of the nation’s 97 large metropolitan areas, it is 96th in per-capita case count, behind only O’ahu, HI. Dr. Duchin declared, “The light at the end of the tunnel is getting brighter.” You can watch the video here.

KING COUNTY NUMBERS: Here are the latest stats from the Public Health daily-summary page, cumulative totals:

*81,918 people have tested positive, 132 more than yesterday’s total

*1,380 people have died, 7 more than yesterday’s total

*5,084 people have been hospitalized, 4 fewer than yesterday’s total (data adjustment)

*900,647 people have been tested, 1,181 more than yesterday’s total

Now, our weekly check of key numbers on the COVID Vaccination Among King County Residents dashboard:

*327,087 people have received one dose

*166,236 people have received both doses

*546,035 doses have been allocated to King County

One week ago, the first four totals were 80,859/1,345/5,062/887,461, and the vaccination totals were 301,938/125,444/466,575.

STATEWIDE NUMBERS: See them here.

WORLDWIDE NUMBERS: 113.4 million cases, 2,517,000+ deaths – see the nation-by-nation numbers here.

JOHNSON & JOHNSON VACCINE ON BRINK OF APPROVAL: As soon as tomorrow, the U.S. could have a third vaccine option, the one-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine, which cleared another hurdle today.

IF YOU’RE SEEKING VACCINE … thanks to everyone who continues to message us with things to check out. Pharmaca Integrative Pharmacy in The Junction expects to get vaccine within the next few weeks, its manager told us by phone, so check there for appointments … Local Safeways notified mailing-list subscribers today that they will be offering appointments … Daily options continue changing on volunteer-compiled covidwa.com … The city now has a standby list for people 65+ who would be able to drop everything and go to a city-run clinic if there are leftover doses at day’s end – the registration page explains.

IF YOU NEED TESTING SATURDAY: The city’s West Seattle test site (2801 SW Thistle) continues to be open on Saturdays.

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

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WEST SEATTLE WEATHER: More ice from the sky
February 26, 2021 9:25 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

Thanks for the texted/tweeted photos of the hail/thunder shower that just moved through (the scene above is from Highland Park).

Brad shows us these weren’t just little ice pellets:

Hard to believe, but tomorrow’s forecast is still “mostly sunny.” Then again, it was a promising sunset, as Marc Milrod‘s photo shows:

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Updates, Q&A about three bridges @ West Seattle Transportation Coalition
February 26, 2021 9:03 pm
|      17 COMMENTS
 |   Transportation | West Seattle Bridge Safety Project | West Seattle news

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

Bridge updates spanned much of this month’s West Seattle Transportation Coalition meeting – the West Seattle high bridge and low bridge, and the 1st Avenue South Bridge. Last night’s online attendees also heard about an aerial alternative.

First, the bridge briefing:

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FOLLOWUP: Bald Eagle in ‘guarded’ condition after West Seattle rescue
February 26, 2021 7:20 pm
|      27 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | Wildlife

(Thursday photo by David Hutchinson)

After a veterinarian examined the Bald Eagle that was listlessly hanging around Don Armeni Boat Ramp on Thursday, we now have word on what’s wrong with it. Via email, the PAWS wildlife-rehab facility‘s spokesperson Laura Follis tells WSB:

On intake, she was standing, alert, and defensive, but bloodwork noted a severe anemia with bleeding from her gastrointestinal tract. She received a blood transfusion and is being cared for by PAWS wildlife veterinary and rehabilitation team. Her prognosis is very guarded at this time and we are hopeful for her recovery.

(Thursday photo by Kersti Muul)

The safe capture of the ailing bird involved local wildlife advocates as well as officers from the state Department of Fish and Wildlife and Seattle Police. Bald Eagles are often seen in the area, but won’t often just linger on the ground the way this one did unless there’s something wrong.

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WEST SEATTLE ART: Musician memorial at 35th/Barton
February 26, 2021 6:35 pm
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

(WSB photo)

Thanks for the tips! West Seattle muralist Desmond Hansen is working on another signal-box mural – this time on the northwest corner of 35th/Barton, by Super Deli Mart. The portrait is of Trevon McKoy, also known as hip-hop musician JuiceTheGod. Mr. McKoy was just 21 when he was murdered on lower Queen Anne three years ago; fans, friends, and family had a long-running memorial in the Westwood neighborhood where he lived with his grandmother. Hansen’s previous signal-box portraits include tributes to other musicians gone too soon, starting with Jimi Hendrix, painted at California/Fauntleroy three years ago.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Arbor Heights SWAT response; stolen bicycle
February 26, 2021 4:45 pm
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Two more West Seattle Crime Watch notes today:

ARBOR HEIGHTS EARLY-MORNING SWAT RESPONSE: Some questions this morning about a SWAT response in Arbor Heights, near California/100th. The CSI vehicle above was still there when we went by at midmorning but the only officers we found were plainclothes detectives who told us they could not speak with media. So far the only information we have been able to found out is that it involved a warrant from outside the Southwest Precinct.

STOLEN BICYCLE: The photo and report are from Henry:

We noticed our bike was stolen today. It was locked to the staircase and the lock chain was cut open. It’s a pink Specialized Sirrus 2.0. Must have happened in the last few days, we’ve been home and didn’t hear anything.

This happened in the 6600 block of SW Admiral Way and has been reported to police.

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NOW: Need food? Distribution at Highland Park Elementary
February 26, 2021 3:54 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Highland Park | West Seattle news

In case you missed it in our calendar and nightly roundups – Highland Park Elementary is hosting a food-box distribution event right now, until 5 pm. All welcome. It’s outside the school, which is at 1012 SW Trenton – face covering required.

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