day : 15/04/2021 12 results

A new slogan tops our pandemic news check tonight:

‘TAKE IT OUTSIDE’: That’s the slogan Gov. Inslee unveiled during his mid-afternoon briefing, He urged people to take advantage of the warm weather by spending time outdoors, where transmission risk is lower. He in fact held the briefing outdoors:

He warned that cases and hospitalizations are still on the rise – “we’ve knocked this virus down three times, now we have to knock it down a fourth time.”

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

*92,599 people have tested positive, 441 more than yesterday’s total

*1,491 people have died, 2 more than yesterday’s total

*5,503 people have been hospitalized, 13 more than yesterday’s total

*1,002,141 people have been tested, 861 more than yesterday’s total

One week ago, the four totals we track were 90,362/1,481/5,429/988.612.

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

WORLDWIDE NUMBERS: 138.8 million cases worldwide, 31.4 million of them in the U.S. See the nation-by-nation breakout here.

‘VAX DAY’: Today’s the day that everyone in our state 16 and up became eligible to get vaccinated in our state.

CITY VAX STATUS: The city’s vaccination efforts have now passed 100,000 shots given. Here’s the overview for city sites/teams this week.

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

LOOKING FOR VACCINE ONLINE: Try these links:

*If you’re looking for a city-site appointment, note that the official advice is to 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, Neighborcare, etc.)
*covidwa.com (volunteer-run aggregator) – you can also follow its tweets for instant notifications
*The state’s Vaccine Locator (as mentioned above)
*The CDC’s Vaccine Finder
*Pharmacies big and small – Safeway, Rite Aid, QFC, Pharmaca, Costco
*Sea Mar clinics
And if traveling a distance is not a barrier – Beth recommends this lookup for potential appointments within a few hours’ drive.

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

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ELECTION 2021: Seattle Port Commissioner Ryan Calkins running for a second term

April 15, 2021 9:33 pm

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| Port of Seattle | West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

Seattle Port Commissioner Ryan Calkins announced today that he’s running for a second 4-year term. Calkins, who works as a business consultant, says economic recovery from the pandemic-caused hardships will be a priority. He lists job creation as a focus. His announcement also says he “is running to build on his commitment and track record as a climate champion and advocate for mitigation and cleanup in communities that have historically suffered the impacts of pollution, dislocation, and development.” Calkins, an Eastlake resident, holds Position 1 on the commission; so far no one else has registered a campaign for that seat. The formal filing period, however, isn’t until next month. Commissioners are elected in a countywide vote.

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UPDATE: Crash at 24th/Holden

April 15, 2021 8:19 pm

| 5 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

8:19 PM: Avoid SW Holden west of Delridge for a while – a crash response is blocking the road in that area, and police are calling SDOT for cleanup as well as help dealing with traffic.

8:36 PM: That truck and accompanying debris are part of the scene, as is this vehicle:

Police say no one was hurt. They’re trying to determine which driver was at fault, and waiting for tow trucks.

10:11 PM: Commenters confirm the road has reopened.

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YOU CAN HELP: Alki UCC food/clothes donation drive Sunday

April 15, 2021 7:13 pm

| 2 COMMENTS

| How to help | West Seattle news

If you can give, your next opportunity is Sunday, as announced by Alki UCC:

Alki UCC Food/Men’s Casual Clothes Drive and Call for Socks
Sunday, April 18, 11:00 am to 3:00 pm
Outside our main entrance at 6115 SW Hinds

While ALL nonperishable food donations are welcome for distribution through the White Center Food Bank, a food bank volunteer shared the following insights:

Sugar and Flour are treats.

Boxed milk is a treasure.

Canned foods should be pop-top OR donate a can opener.

Cooking oil is a luxury and much appreciated.

Spices, salt and pepper are a real gift.

Tuna and crackers make a good lunch.

Don’t forget the sandwich bread and jelly for PBB&J’s.

Pet food should be in clearly-marked containers.

Essential supplies include:

• Toilet Paper

• Diapers/Similac Formula/Baby Wipes

• Can Openers

• Personal hygiene items

• Hand Sanitizer

Donations of Men’s Casual/Work Clothes are also being taken, as well as NEW socks — the clothing item most requested by our neighbors experiencing homelessness.

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CRIME WATCH FOLLOWUPS: Car-attack charges; security-camera photos of Rite Aid robber

April 15, 2021 4:49 pm

| 3 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

Two followups in West Seattle Crime Watch:

CAR-ATTACK DRIVER CHARGED: The man arrested Monday and accused of deliberately running over his girlfriend at 24th/Holden is now charged, and his bail has been tripled. 25-year-old Eric J. Frank Jr. is charged with three felonies – first-degree domestic-violence assault, second-degree domestic-violence assault, and domestic-violence vehicular assault. The latter charge incorporates his alleged intoxication at the time – .16 blood alcohol, twice the legal level for DUI, according to court documents. The charges also accuse Frank of using the car as a potentially deadly weapon. The charging papers say the 26-year-old victim is in the ICU and has already endured multiple surgeries. Bail for Frank, an Alki resident who had been arrested once before for threatening the victim, is now at $250,000.

ROBBER PHOTOS: Police have provided security-camera photos of the person who held up the Rite Aid pharmacy at Westwood Village on Wednesday:

Police say witnesses described him as “Black, slim build, wearing a white hoody with black writing on the chest, a blue bandana mask, black jeans with white lettering ‘TC’ on back, red sneakers, and carrying a red and blue quilted hand-bag.” If you have any information that might help detectives, call 206-262-2526 or email david.simmons@seattle.gov.

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REMINDER: Free shredding in West Seattle at Daystar Retirement Village on Saturday

April 15, 2021 3:43 pm

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| West Seattle news | Westwood

Another reminder for this Saturday (April 17th), if you missed the original announcement and haven’t seen the listing in the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar – you can bring up to three boxes of paper to Daystar Retirement Village (2615 SW Barton; WSB sponsor) for free shredding with Shred-it, 10 am-1 pm. It’s a drive-up/walk-up event, masks required.

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UPDATE: Crash at 35th/Ida

April 15, 2021 3:07 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

3:07 PM: SFD and SPD are on scene of a crash at 35th/Ida. Avoid the area for a while.

3:23 PM: Just went over to check the scene – and it’s already cleared.

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TRAFFIC ALERT: Delridge/Orchard intersection work about to begin

April 15, 2021 1:42 pm

| 11 COMMENTS

| Delridge | West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

1:42 PM: The Delridge Way repaving/utilities/more project has sent its weekly update a day early because major work is about to start at Delridge/Orchard – where crews will be demolishing and rebuilding the intersection a quadrant at a time. Here’s the announcement;

The upgrades at SW Orchard St are planned to start as early as tomorrow (Friday, April 16 at 7 AM). Traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction on both Delridge Way SW and SW Orchard St. The intersection will be divided into four quadrants: SW, SE, NE, and NW. We will upgrade those quadrants one at a time. We phased our work to allow people traveling through this area to continue having access to West Seattle during this time through maintaining one lane of travel in all directions. A uniformed police officer will be on-site to help navigate traffic.

Look at the second page of this design rendering to see what the intersection plan is, once it’s done.

Meantime – the full update for the week ahead, covering all three project zones, is here.

4:06 PM: We asked how long the Delridge/Orchard work is expected to last. Answer: 4 to 5 weeks.

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CONGRATULATIONS! Here’s who won the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce’s 2021 Westside Awards

April 15, 2021 11:42 am

| 5 COMMENTS

| West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

When the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce asked for nominations for this year’s Westside Awards – with a special focus on “hope and perseverance” during the pandemic – they received 86 nominations. They’ve just announced the winners chosen by the organization’s board:

Westside Business of the Year – Alair Gift Shop

Westside Emerging Business of the Year – Outer Space Seattle

Westside Not-for-Profit of the Year – West Seattle Eagles Aerie #2463

Westsider of the Year – Janice Young (of Young’s Restaurant)

(Alair is a repeat honoree, chosen Emerging Business of the Year in 2018.) The award recipients will be honored at an online event May 18th.

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Alki Community Council, West Seattle Timebank, and what else is ahead for your West Seattle Thursday

April 15, 2021 10:39 am

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| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Monday photo by Bob Burns – The Brothers and M/V Chimacum seen from Weather Watch Park)

A few notes before we get further into the day:

NO, IT’S NOT TAX DAY: In case you lost track – this year’s IRS deadline was moved to May 17th.

SCHOLARSHIP DEADLINE: Last call! Two Rotary Club of West Seattle college-scholarship applications are due today – details here.

LEARN TO BUILD A RESUME: Seattle Public Library and South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) are among the presenters of this free 3 pm online workshop. Our calendar listing includes registration information.

DEMONSTRATION: From organizer Scott:

Black Lives Matter sign-waving

Thursday, April 15, 4 to 6 pm, corner of 16th SW and SW Holden

Come build awareness & stimulate 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.

WEST SEATTLE TIMEBANK: 6:30 pm online, celebrate Earth Day by learning from two community groups’ success. Email westseattletimebank@gmail.com to get the link for attending. More info in our calendar listing.

ALKI COMMUNITY COUNCIL: Third Thursday means ACC meets tonight, 7 pm online. Crime, development, and equity are among the scheduled topics, and if you have a community concern, bring it. Attendance info:

washington.zoom.us/j/99516156974?pwd=dUt6eFVqWUt4aTFNNEJRUFBKWkNEUT09

Meeting ID: 995 1615 6974
Passcode: 638862
One tap mobile
+12063379723,,99516156974#,,,,*638862# US (Seattle)

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EARTH DAY 2021: At-home celebration invitation

April 15, 2021 9:26 am

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| Environment | Neighborhoods | West Seattle news

That’s one of the signs made by West Seattleites of all ages in honor of Earth Day last year, after an invitation to create and place signs of support in windows or yards. Earth Day is April 22nd – one week from today – and you’re invited to do it again! From Vince Stricherz:

Happy Earth Day!

Earth Day, that annual celebration of our planet and all the work being done to protect its environment, is fast approaching. Once again, the Care for Creation team from Holy Rosary and Our Lady of Guadalupe parishes is urging people all over West Seattle to place an Earth-related photo or illustration in their windows or a sign in their yards on April 22 to demonstrate our commitment to taking care of this place we call home. One possibility is for kids to make drawings around Earth Day themes, or kids and adults can work together to make displays highlighting the importance of clean water, clean air and healthy soil! You also can download images from the Internet and place them where all who pass by your home can see them. We hope to see lots of images celebrating Earth Day!

As we did last year, we also invite you to send us a photo of your sign/display on Earth Day – westseattleblog@gmail.com or text the pic to our 24/7 hotline at 206-293-6302 – thank you!

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WEATHER, ROAD WORK, TRAFFIC: Spring-break Thursday watch

April 15, 2021 6:07 am

| 2 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:07 AM: Good morning! Sunny and warm again today, possibly making it into the mid-70s (we got to 67 on Wednesday).

SPRING BREAK

School’s out until Monday for Seattle Public Schools (and independent schools on the same calendar); middle-school and high-school part-time in-person classes start Monday.

ROAD WORK .

Delridge project – Here’s where crews are working this week.

TRANSIT

Metro is on its regular schedule; on Saturday, Metro will increase the number of passengers allowed on buses.

The West Seattle Water Taxi is on its regular schedule; Monday, the spring/summer all-day, 7-days-a-week schedule begins.

BRIDGES AND DETOUR ROUTES

388th morning without the West Seattle Bridge. Here’s how it’s looking on other bridges and routes:

Low Bridge: 14th week for automated enforcement cameras; restrictions are in effect 5 am-9 pm daily – except weekends, when the bridge is now open to all until 8 am Saturday and Sunday mornings. (Read about other changes ahead, here.)

Here’s a low-bridge view: