day : 23/04/2021 9 results

Tonight’s pandemic headlines:

J & J VACCINE UN-PAUSED: The FDA decided the Johnson & Johnson one-dose vaccine can be used again – with a warning about potential, rare side effects. Read the full announcement here. The special Western states review group was scheduled to meet tonight to decide whether to go ahead and clear it for use in our state and others – no word yet how that went,

COUNTY HEALTH OFFICER’S BRIEFING: Dr. Jeff Duchin talked about the J & J unpause and a variety of other topics. He warned that King County is at risk of having to roll back to Phase 2 when the next state assessment happens a week from Monday – King County’s cases are over the state-set maximum for Phase 3, and hospitalizations are almost there. Case numbers this week are 11 percent higher than last week; hospitalizations are up 25 percent. More of those needing hospitalization are 20-29 than 70+. Virus variants are an increasing problem, too; they only test a sample of cases but even with that, more than 1,400 variant cases have been detected. Watch his entire briefing here.

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

*95,470 people have tested positive, 408 more than yesterday’s total

*1,502 people have died, 2 more than yesterday’s total

*5,645 people have been hospitalized, 24 more than yesterday’s total

*1,023,092 people have been tested, 4,537 more than yesterday’s total

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

*1,076,724 people have received one dose

*681,274 people have received both doses

*1,511,775 doses have been allocated to King County (not counting pharmacy programs)

One week ago, the first four totals were 93,046/1,493/5,532/1,003,142, and the vaccination totals were 962,030/596,525/1,380,455.

STATEWIDE NUMBERS: See them here.

WORLDWIDE NUMBERS: 145.6 million cases, 3,086,000+ deaths – see the nation-by-nation numbers here.

CITY GETS MORE VACCINE: The city expects to give more than 50,000 shots next week, with its biggest allocation of vaccine yet. The announcement urges everyone in King County who’s seeking vaccine to sign up for the Seattle notification list. (We have reason to believe they’ve opened appointments – two people we know who have been on the list got notification tonight of a code they could use to sign up.)

IF YOU’RE SEARCHING FOR VACCINE – here are links to try:

*Here’s how to sign up for the aforementioned city notification list – go here.
*Reminder that if you’re 60+ you can just walk up to the West Seattle hub (2801 SW Thistle) 9 am-4 pm Mondays-Saturdays and get vaccinated – the “Good Neighbor” who brings you, regardless of their age, can too.
*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 travel time is not a barrier – reader recommendation: Try this lookup for potential appointments within a few hours’ drive.

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

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Alert in catalytic-converter theft case; another charge filed against suspected mail thief

April 23, 2021 8:38 pm

| 4 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

Two West Seattle Crime Watch notes:

SEEN THIS CAR? The alert was forwarded by Southwest Precinct police. Though the theft in question happened in South Park, this type of crime has been prevalent regionally (and nationally) lately, so they’re circulating it more widely:

On 4/13/21 at approximately 1100 hours, a catalytic converter was stolen from a Toyota Prius while the Prius was parked in the business parking lot located at 309 S. Cloverdale St. The above vehicle is the suspect vehicle. The suspects fled the scene in the above vehicle, most likely a hatchback VW. If you have seen this vehicle in any other (incidents), please contact (Officer) cleades.robinson@seattle.gov.

ANOTHER MAIL-THEFT CHARGE: Repeat-mail-theft suspect Jason A. Turner has remained in jail since his most-recent arrest last Sunday, and now his bail has doubled to $10,000 because another charge has been filed against him. This one stems from one of his six previous arrests this year, back on March 24th. Charging documents say he was found with 16 pieces of stolen mail at the time. He was released from jail after two days because prosecutors didn’t have the information needed to “rush-file” charges, but they have since received the case and charged Turner with another count of felony stolen-mail possession, the third felony case filed against him in two months. (Turner was discussed extensively by SW Precinct commander Capt. Kevin Grossman at this past week’s West Seattle Crime Prevention Council meeting – see our report here.)

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See inside Westside School’s preschool-expansion project

April 23, 2021 5:38 pm

| 7 COMMENTS

| Arbor Heights | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

On the day after Earth Day, this is a story about recycling.

For the second time in six years, Westside School (10404 34th SW; WSB sponsor) is recycling an old church.

Its Arbor Heights campus, opened in 2015 after Westside spent 34 years at other locations, is built on what was Hillcrest Presbyterian Church. And now Westside is expanding south, by renovating the former New Apostolic Church next door (3210 SW 106th) into two preschool classrooms, enabling the independent school to double the size of its preschool and pre-K programs.

Two years ago, we mentioned that the owners of the former church, whose congregation merged with one in Federal Way, had approached Westside about possibly renting the property. The idea of using it for a preschool expansion was in a very early stage then. But it’s since blossomed into a lease and a plan; the work is now under way, with the expansion expected to open this fall.

We toured the under-renovation site this week with Westside’s head of school Steve de Beer, preschool/pre-kindergarten division director McKenzie Craig, and advancement director Nicole Caden.

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FOLLOWUP: Alki Point ‘Keep Moving Street’/’Stay Healthy Street’ to stay that way at least another year

April 23, 2021 3:42 pm

| 119 COMMENTS

| Transportation | West Seattle news

It’s been a while since SDOT updated the status of the Alki Point “Keep Moving Street” – Beach Drive between 63rd and Alki, and Alki Avenue between 63rd and Beach – so we asked earlier this week about a timetable for a decision on its future. Today, the answer: SDOT says that “Alki Point will remain a Keep Moving Street in its current form until spring 2022 or until we secure funding for permanent changes on the street.” That funding would be “for designing and building permanent changes on the street based on community input.” SDOT promises “more outreach to hear from more voices, learn what the community thinks of this Keep Moving Street as it is today, and understand what people want the street to look like in the future.” That “outreach” is promised in the weeks ahead; back in January, they promised outreach before the end of last month. The streets’ no-through-traffic status has been in place for almost a year. Nearby residents say it’s helped eliminate the recurring problems they had with driver gatherings on the Constellation Park side.

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‘CODE RED’ ALERT: If you can donate blood, it’s needed now – and West Seattle appointments are coming up too

April 23, 2021 1:49 pm

| 4 COMMENTS

| Health | How to help

Bloodworks Northwest has sent out a “red alert” for blood donations. Here’s why:

A “perfect storm” of unforeseen events continues to impact local and nationwide blood availability leading Bloodworks Northwest to declare a code-red for alert for donors to book appointments. As detailed by Bloodworks CEO Curt Bailey in recent outreach to Pacific Northwest community leaders:

“Confusion over eligibility to donate after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine (vaccinated people can still donate!), record-high patient usage (up to 118% above normal), warm spring weather (when donors tend to skip appointments), and a national blood shortage (help from other parts of the country is limited or uncertain) [are contributing to] the biggest shortage since the pandemic began a year ago, with less than a 24-hour supply of blood on the shelves.”

You can make an appointment to donate by going here.

P.S. If you can’t donate right now, Bloodworks NW plans pop-up donation opportunities at Salty’s on Alki (1936 Harbor SW; WSB sponsor) May 3, 4, 5, 10, and 11 – you can make an appointment for one of those dates now too.

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COUNTDOWN: 2 days until Fauntleroy Church’s Recycle Roundup

April 23, 2021 12:04 pm

| 2 COMMENTS

| Environment | Fauntleroy | West Seattle news

(#SB photo from fall 2018 Recycle Roundup)

One more reminder – Sunday is the day for Fauntleroy Church‘s first Recycle Roundup since before the pandemic. It’s a drive-up/ride-up, free-of-charge event in the church parking lot – Sunday (April 25th), 9 am-3 pm. 1 Green Planet will be there to accept recyclables as listed here. The church is at 9140 California SW (map). Though you’re asked to stay in your vehicle, please wear a mask.

P.S. This happens rain or shine, so if Sunday’s soggy, don’t worry, this will still happen.

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Les Schwab Tires: Welcome, new West Seattle Blog sponsor!

April 23, 2021 10:39 am

| 10 COMMENTS

| West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Today we’re welcoming Les Schwab Tires as a new WSB sponsor. When businesses join the WSB sponsor team, they get the opportunity to tell you about themselves, so here’s what Les Schwab Tires would like you to know:

Les Schwab Tires is a Proud WSB Sponsor

Les Schwab Tires is known for doing the right thing and their focus on safety. Now, they’re also known as a WSB sponsor. The West Seattle Les Schwab offers the community free pre-trip safety checks and free flat repair on most vehicles along with a long list of other services to add safety to your next outing or commute.

Where to find the West Seattle Les Schwab

The store is easy to find in the Junction neighborhood. They’re part of the community at the corner of SW Alaska and Fauntleroy Way SW, across the street from Fire Station 32. (Here’s a map.)

Schedule your pre-trip safety check at lesschwab.com, or stop by the store anytime. They’ll inspect your tires and wheels, and give your steering, battery, brakes, suspension, and alignment a visual once-over. If your vehicle checks out, they’ll send you on your way — free of charge.

Les Schwab Tires. Where doing the right thing matters.

We thank Les Schwab Tires for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news via WSB; find our current sponsor team listed in directory format here, and find info on joining the team by going here.

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CONGRATULATIONS! Award for ‘life-changing’ Louisa Boren STEM K-8 teacher Craig Parsley

April 23, 2021 9:40 am

| 7 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Teacher Craig Parsley has been an integral part of Louisa Boren STEM K-8 since its start – our photo above shows him at a community meeting about the school’s strategic plan during its first year in 2012-2013, back when it was K-5. Last night, Boren STEM PTA leaders emailed to share the news that he’s been chosen for a prestigious regional award:

Congratulations to Craig Parsley for winning the Patsy Collins Award for Excellence in Education from IslandWood.

The “award selection committee was so impressed by Craig’s commitment to meaningful and equitable learning that inspires environmental awareness and stewardship, and are thrilled to present him with this $5,000 award.”

If your student has had Mr. Parsley, you know. It’s life-changing classes. Congratulations, Craig!

Countless local families know that, as Parsley taught at Schmitz Park Elementary (now Genesee Hill) before helping launch Boren STEM.

IslandWood is a regional environmental-education nonprofit. It will celebrate this year’s winners at an online event May 4th.

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ROAD WORK, TRAFFIC, WEATHER: Friday watch

April 23, 2021 6:07 am

| 10 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:07 AM: Good morning! Though the sun stayed around an extra daay, rain is in the forecast as soon as tonight.

ROAD WORK

35th/Graham – Here’s the construction alert.

Delridge project – Delridge/Orchard work is a key point of this work for the next month or so.

SW Yancy east of Avalon – This closure is now going to last a few more weeks, according to the project team.

TRANSIT

The West Seattle Water Taxi is on its spring/summer schedule – all day, 7 days a week, plus Friday and Saturday evenings.

Metro has increased the number of passengers allowed on buses.

BRIDGES AND DETOUR ROUTES

396th morning without the West Seattle Bridge. Here’s how it’s looking on other bridges and routes:

Low Bridge: 15th 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 here.)

Here’s a low-bridge view: