day : 08/04/2021 12 results

Tonight’s roundup starts with the situation report:

STATEWIDE SITUATION REPORT: Six key points in the new report:

COVID-19 transmission is increasing statewide.

Statewide daily case counts began increasing in late March following a plateau in mid-February.

The biggest increases are in younger people, who are less likely to be vaccinated and can still get very sick or die of COVID-19.

Hospital admissions remained flat overall over the first three weeks of March, but are increasing as of more recent, incomplete data.

The number of hospital beds occupied by confirmed and suspected COVID-19 patients began to flatten or increase in mid-March, following previous declines.

Read the full report by going here.

NEWEST NUMBERS: Here’s the latest on King County, from the Public Health daily-summary dashboard – today’s cumulative totals:

*90,362 people have tested positive, 336 more than yesterday’s total

*1,481 people have died, 1 more than yesterday’s total

*5,429 people have been hospitalized, 21 more than yesterday’s total

*988.612 people have been tested, 2.185 more than yesterday’s total

One week ago, the four totals we track were 88,369/1,466/5,345/972,246.

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

WORLDWIDE NUMBERS: 133.8 million cases worldwide, 31 million of them in the U.S. See the nation-by-nation breakout here.

ROLLBACK OR HOLD STEADY? Gov. Inslee‘s briefing this afternoon had a lot of questions about what’s ahead on Monday, when the state will assess counties to see whether they will stay in Phase 3 or change. He said they’ll use “the most recent, complete numbers” that are available that day, to make decisions. He also reminded people that with the vaccine, masking, and distancing, “this is in our control.”

COVID CLOSURE: A reader notes that Talarico’s in The Junction has been closed for a few days. Its website has this message:

For the safety of the community and out of precaution we will be closed today (April 6, 2021) starting at 3 pm. A family member of Talarico’s staff has tested positive for Covid 19. Talarico’s will be closed until all staff tests negative and the entire establishment has been sanitized. If you have any questions or concerns please contact us at talaricoswest@gmail.com Thank you! We will see you in a few days!

NEED HELP? On Saturday afternoon, the Greater Seattle Filipino-American SDA Church is offering free food and assistance in booking vaccination appointments.

LOOKING FOR VACCINE BY PHONE? You can use this hotline – 800-525-0127.

LOOKING FOR VACCINE ONLINE: Try these links:

*Check for West Seattle city-run site appointments here; sign up for the city’s notification list for all four of its sites here.
*Health-care providers (particularly bigger ones like UW Medicine (one reader specifically recommends Valley Medical Center), Franciscan, Swedish, Kaiser Permanente, etc.)
*covidwa.com (volunteer-run aggregator) – you can also follow its tweets for instant notifications
*The state’s Vaccine Locator
*The CDC’s Vaccine Finder
*Pharmacies big and small – Safeway, Rite Aid, QFC, Pharmaca, Costco, Bartell Drugs
*Sea Mar clinics

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

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Shoplift-turned-robbery; purse-snatching suspect charged; catalytic-converter theft thwarted

April 8, 2021 8:30 pm

| 18 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

Three more West Seattle Crime Watch reports tonight:

SHOPLIFT TURNED ROBBERY: The initial police summary says this happened at the Westwood Village QFC this morning. A 911 caller reported a man in the store, stealing beer and threatening employees with a fixed-blade knife. Police arrested the suspect several blocks away and booked him into King County Jail for investigation of robbery.

PURSE-SNATCHING SUSPECT CHARGED: The Westwood Village purse-snatching suspect arrested last Sunday is now charged with felony theft. The charging documents have more information on the incident, including an intense struggle. The suspect is 55-year-old Charles A. Waller. The charging papers say he approached the victim as she walked from QFC toward Rite Aid, carrying a bag of groceries and her purse. He tried to grab both, police say; she fell down and he grabbed her wallet out of the purse. She grabbed it back and tossed it into the open window of a car stopped nearby. According to the documents, he grabbed it out of the car and tried to flee with the victim’s phone and cash but fell. By then, the people in the car and a QFC employee were standing over him, and a police officer patrolling at the center had seen the commotion and gone over to investigate. Waller has several convictions from more than a decade ago, including harassment and resisting arrest. His bail is set at $40,000.

CATALYTIC-CONVERTER THEFT THWARTED: The photo and report are from William in Upper Morgan:

Last night someone got about 1/2 through the front pipe next to the catalytic converter on my 2008 Honda Element; the car was parked in our driveway with a light overhead. I guess I was lucky and something scared them off.

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First West Seattle Art Walk of spring 2021

April 8, 2021 6:44 pm

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| West Seattle Art Walk | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

That’s the first West Seattle Art Walk map in a while, now that in-person artist receptions are starting to make a comeback! It’s a beautiful night for the peninsula’s second-Thursday Art Walk, and you still have time to get out and do some art viewing. Here’s this month’s preview – not just showing who’s having an event tonight, but also venues where you can see the featured artists’ work all month. And in some cases, both:

Naomi Amber Dawn is this month’s featured artist at Click! Design That Fits (4540 California SW; WSB sponsor). Her collection (read about it here) debuted at the shop tonight. They’ve closed for the evening now, but drop by tomorrow, or the day after, or any time in April.

Some other receptions continue all the way until 8 tonight – like Viscon Cellars (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor), showing the work of Jenna Roby (above) and pouring wine in its first Art Walk opening since last year. Or head to the southernmost Art Walk stop, Brace Point Pottery (4208 SW 100th), where Warren Pope‘s sculpture is featured. In the north, 16-year-old artist Austin Picinich is painting live at West Seattle Grounds (2141 California SW). Check the preview for other venues – as well as those offering food/drink specials, a longtime Art Walk feature making a comeback.

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FOLLOWUP: Sunfish Seafood reopens on Alki

April 8, 2021 6:16 pm

| 6 COMMENTS

| West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants

A week and a half ago, we reported the answer to the question many had been asking for months – would Sunfish Seafood reopen? The answer was “yes, within a few weeks,” and today the fish-and-chips-and-more restaurant has kept its promise. After a tip from commenter Zoey, we went to Alki to verify. Sunfish is indeed open, and its hours are Wednesdays-Sundays, 11 am-8 pm, closed Mondays and Tuesdays.

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WEST SEATTLE LOW BRIDGE: Here’s how access is about to expand

April 8, 2021 4:15 pm

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| West Seattle Bridge Safety Project | West Seattle news

(File photo)

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

The rules for who gets to drive on the West Seattle low bridge, and when, are changing.

SDOT is announcing the new access rules at today’s West Seattle Bridge Community Task Force meeting (watch here). We and other media got a pre-meeting briefing on the changes.

First, the key points; we’ll get into the details after the short version.

OPEN-TO-ALL HOURS: Three more hours are being added on Saturday and Sunday mornings, 5-8 am, which means the low bridge will be unrestricted 9 pm Friday to 8 am Saturday, 9 pm Saturday to 8 am Sunday, and 9 pm-5 am the other five nights/mornings.

That’s the only added access that doesn’t require SDOT approval for drivers. All the rest will be via pre-authorized license plates:

PATIENTS WHO NEED LIFE-SAVING MEDICAL TREATMENTS: Applications for this will open tomorrow.

ON-CALL HEALTH-CARE PROVIDERS: Applications for this previously announced change will open soon.

RETAIL AND RESTAURANT BUSINESSES: All West Seattle businesses in these sectors are welcome to apply for access to use the low bridge.

RIDESHARING: They’re going to expand the definition to align with what the state Department of Licensing allows via special ride-share plates, which, for example, could open low-bridge use to a family who uses its vehicle to transport multiple families’ children to schools on the other side of the river.

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HELPING: Need assistance with getting a vaccination appointment? Need food? Saturday event offers both

April 8, 2021 2:48 pm

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| Coronavirus | West Seattle news

Another pandemic-assistance event is coming up this Saturday afternoon (April 10th) at the Greater Seattle Filipino-American SDA Church in West Seattle (2620 SW Kenyon). 2-4 pm, you can visit the church for in-person help in registering for a vaccination appointment. At the same time, they’re also giving out free food. Anyone in need of either or both of those types of help is welcome.

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West Seattle advocacy helps get ‘Good Samaritan Law’ expanded to protect more volunteers

April 8, 2021 1:03 pm

| 3 COMMENTS

| Preparedness | West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

(2018 Emergency Hubs drill photo courtesy Tamsen Spengler)

The state’s “Good Samaritan Law“ will expand to protect emergency-services volunteers in more circumstances, thanks to teamwork between West Seattle advocates and legislators. The bill has passed both houses of the Legislature. It’s explained in this announcement as:

House Bill 1209 expands Washington’s Good Samaritan Law by providing that a person is not liable for any act or omission while providing volunteer nonmedical care or assistance at the scene of an emergency or disaster, unless the act or omission rises to the level of gross negligence, or willful or wanton misconduct.

The main sponsor, Pierce County Rep. Dan Bronoske – who happens to also be a firefighter – explains, “Say a flood is approaching and the only way to help you escape is to break down a door or windows, response teams would be able to take that emergency step without fear of personal liability. That does not mean you would be left without financial help like insurance or disaster aid, just that the emergency volunteers responding would be protected too.”

Key advocacy came from the volunteers of the Seattle Emergency Communication Hubs; West Seattle-residing Hubs advocate Cindi Barker tells WSB they first approached West Seattle state Rep. Eileen Cody, who in turn worked with Rep. Bronoske to make the bill happen (Cody and West Seattle Rep. Joe Fitzgibbon are among the co-sponsors). Barker tells WSB, “The Seattle Emergency Communication Hubs have been aware of this issue for several years; the question of liability protection often comes up when we do outreach about emergency preparedness and talking about helping our communities after a disaster. The State Attorney General’s Office had provided us information that a general response after an earthquake would not be covered by the Good Samaritan provisions because when it was written, it addressed medical responses only. Even most recently, during the COVID response, some people have held back from volunteering, worried about the liability. So we decided to fix that gap.”

Next step will be for Gov. Inslee to sign the bill into law; no date for that is set yet.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Woman assaulted; suspected arson

April 8, 2021 11:43 am

| 4 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

Two late-night incidents in West Seattle Crime Watch:

WOMAN ASSAULTED: If you saw a police K9 team along Spokane St. or Harbor Avenue north of the West Seattle Bridge last night, here’s what that was about: Around 10:15 pm, according to the police-report summary, an 18-year-old woman reported she had been pistol-whipped. This happened in a group of people hanging around near the 5-way intersection. A man tried to take the woman’s phone; she wouldn’t let him, so he pulled out a gun, pointed it at the others, and then hit the victim’s head with it before fleeing. Police-radio exchanges indicate officers were given the suspect’s name, but they didn’t find him. SFD says the victim was treated at the scene.

SUSPECTED RV ARSON: This happened at an encampment near 2nd SW and SW Michigan, west of the 1st Avenue South Bridge, after 11:30 pm. The victim told police he went to a store and returned to find his RV in flames. He told officers he suspected his girlfriend set the fire. SFD responded to extinguish it; no injuries reported, and no arrest reported so far.

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West Seattle Art Walk, bridge meeting, and what else is up for your Thursday

April 8, 2021 9:45 am

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| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

WEST SEATTLE ART WALK: Tonight all over West Seattle, art displays and food/drink specials! Go here to see who’s participating this month. Highlights include Viscon Cellars (WSB sponsor) having its first artist reception since last year, artist Jenna Roby, 5-8 pm, 5910 California SW. Also back: The Art Walk map (see it above or here).

Also today/tonight:

SCHOOL FUNDRAISER: 10:30 am-10 pm at MOD Pizza Westwood Village, part of the proceeds goes to the White Center Co-op Preschool – here’s how to be part of the fundraiser.

(added) GOVERNOR’S BRIEFING: Gov. Inslee‘s next pandemic-response briefing and media Q&A is happening at 2:30 pm today; it’ll be streamed here.

COMMUNITY TASK FORCE: The advisory group for the West Seattle Bridge project meets online at 4 pm, with topics including low-bridge access and high-bridge repair planning. Here’s the viewing link. (added) Here’s the agenda.

DEMONSTRATION: From organizer Scott:

Black Lives Matter sign waving

Thursday, April 8, 4 to 6 pm, corner of 16th SW and SW Holden

Come build awareness & actions to tear down the systems that have oppressed Black lives for over 400 years on this continent. Hold signs, meet neighbors, and stand for racial justice. Scott at Puget Ridge Cohousing, endorsed by Hate-Free Delridge. Signs available.

FOOD BANK HISTORY; 6 pm online, Words, Writers, SouthWest Stories presents Rev. Ron Marshall discussing his book about the West Seattle Food Bank‘s first 30 years. Our calendar listing has info on watching.

BIRDS, BEES, KIDS: 6:30 pm online, free presentation for parents, all welcome – here’s how to be there.

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Remembering Paul Appenbrink, 1940-2021

April 8, 2021 8:50 am

| 5 COMMENTS

| Obituaries | West Seattle news

Family and friends are remembering Paul Appenbrink, and sharing this with his community:

Paul E. Appenbrink made his final train ride to heaven on March 21, 2021.

Paul was born on August 26, 1940 in Moweaqua, Illinois. He graduated from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, Illinois, with a business degree in marketing in 1964. Prior to following his lifelong dream of working with the railroads, Paul was in sales and marketing for various shipping lines in the Midwest. In 1991 he started with AMTRAK in Chicago, becoming a conductor in 1993. His love of the Pacific Northwest drew him to Seattle in 1996, finding a position with AMTRAK as conductor. He retired from AMTRAK in 2008 but never really retired from his abiding love for all things “trains.”

Paul was a long-time, active member of the West Side Presbyterian Church in Seattle and was involved in two men’s Bible Studies. He volunteered at the West Seattle Food Bank. His many friends knew him as a great storyteller, having a story at the ready for any occasion.

He will be greatly missed by his ten nieces and nephews, John, Sally, Jessie Ann, Jac, Dave, Martha, Laurie, Jane, Linda, and Anita. He was preceded in death by his parents, infant brother, sisters Gloria and Edna, and brother Dave.

Memorials may be given to West Side Presbyterian Church in Seattle at 3601 California Avenue SW, Seattle, Washington, 98116 and the West Seattle Food Bank at 3419 SW Morgan St, Seattle, Washington 98126 or donor’s choice.

A private family service will be held at a later date.

(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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WEATHER, ROAD WORK, TRAFFIC: Thursday watch

April 8, 2021 6:07 am

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:07 AM: Good morning! Sunshine expected today, after a rainy night.

BACK TO SCHOOLS

One more reminder that some Seattle Public Schools elementary students have returned to in-person learning – so school-zone speed limits are back in effect. (Here’s the districtwide map of schools.)

ROAD WORK .

Delridge project – The east end of Sylvan Way, just west of Delridge, is now closed for work. Here’s the rest of this week’s plan.. (Also note that Delridge/Holden was a trouble spot Wednesday and may be again.)

The Highway 99 tunnel is scheduled to close both ways Friday night to Saturday morning for its monthly inspection, with the NB side staying closed until Monday morning.

TRANSIT

Metro is on its regular schedule

The West Seattle Water Taxi is on its regular schedule

BRIDGES AND DETOUR ROUTES

381st morning without the West Seattle Bridge. Here’s how it’s looking on other bridges and routes:

Low Bridge: 13th week for automated enforcement cameras; restrictions are in effect 5 am-9 pm daily. Here’s a bridge view:

West Marginal Way at Highland Park Way:

Highland Park Way/Holden:

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

And the 1st Avenue South Bridge (map):

For the South Park Bridge (map), here’s the nearest camera:

To check for bridges’ marine-traffic openings, see the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed.

See all local traffic cams here; locally relevant cameras are also shown on this WSB page.

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

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CORONAVIRUS: Wednesday 4/7/2021 roundup

April 8, 2021 12:00 am

| 10 COMMENTS

| Coronavirus | West Seattle news

Tonight’s local/state pandemic toplines:

NEWEST KING COUNTY NUMBERS: From the Seattle-King County Public Health daily-summary dashboard, the cumulative totals:

*90,026 people have tested positive, 283 more than yesterday’s total

*1,480 people have died, 5 more than yesterday’s total

*5,408 people have been hospitalized, 10 more than yesterday’s total

*986,427 people have been tested, 335 more than yesterday’s total

One week ago, the four totals we track were 88,067/1,464/5,331/969,956.

STATEWIDE NUMBERS: Find all the numbers, county by county, on the state Department of Health data page,.

WORLDWIDE NUMBERS: See them, nation by nation, here.

$ FOR ‘SHUTTERED VENUE OPERATORS’: Nightclubs, movie theaters, and other venues hit especially hard by pandemic shutdowns will be able to apply for grants from a new fund. Starting Thursday, the city is offering technical assistance.

STATE HEALTH OFFICIALS’ BRIEFING: The weekly briefing by Secretary of Health Dr. Umair Shah happened this afternoon. Vaccination was as usual a big topic. On some recent days, the state says, 80,000 shots were administered. Watch the briefing here.

IF YOU’RE VACCINE-ELIGIBLE AND LOOKING FOR IT … here are links to try: