West Seattle, Washington
08 Monday
Tonight’s pandemic headlines:
VACCINATION EVENTS TOMORROW: Saturday brings the city’s Mobile Vaccination Team to The Junction, 10 am-1 pm in the 42nd SW parking lot (just south of SW Oregon), with all three vaccines available so it’s open to 12+, no appointments needed, first 100 people to get vaccinated will snag coupons for free Husky Deli ice-cream cones. … There’s also a mobile team from Pliable in High Point, 8 am-11:15 am Saturday – you can make an appointment by going here.
KING COUNTY NUMBERS: On to the daily stats from the Public Health daily-summary page, cumulative totals:
*102,526 people have tested positive, 645 more than yesterday’s total (SKCPH says that includes 406 “delayed PCR positive cases” added to the state database now, from 4/26-5/6)
*1,554 people have died, 2 more than yesterday’s total
*6,006 people have been hospitalized, 2 more than yesterday’s total
*1,064,605 people have been tested, 962 more than yesterday’s total
Now our weekly check of key numbers on the COVID Vaccination Among King County Residents dashboard:
*1,316,460 people have received one dose (71.1% of everyone 16+)
*988,215 people have received both doses (53.4% of everyone 16+)
*2,025,315 doses have been allocated to King County (not counting pharmacy programs)
One week ago, the first four totals were 100,485/1,536/5,926/1,053,287, and the vaccination totals were 1,248,950/853,646/1,888,395.
STATEWIDE NUMBERS: See them here.
WORLDWIDE NUMBERS: 161.9 million cases, 3,357,000+ deaths – see the nation-by-nation numbers here.
GOT INFO OR PHOTOS? westseattleblog@gmail.com or text/voice 206-293-6302 – thank you!
6:15 PM: Seattle Fire has arrived at what they are calling a “working residential fire” in the 4400 block of 44th SW in The Junction. Updates to come.
6:19 PM: Added top photo sent by Brenden. SFD reports “rescuing at least one person from the building.” Here’s a photo sent by WSB’s Katie Meyer:
(Added – photo from Aaron)
SFD crews are continuing to battle the flames. Another view from Brenden – the smoke has turned white:
6:34 PM: SFD says the fire’s out and the person they rescued is a 79-year-old woman who’s being taken to the hospital in critical condition.
(Photo by Katie Meyer)
(Photo by Larry Shaw)
The cause is under investigation.
7:17 PM: Some units are being dismissed. Along with investigating, there’s a lot of aftermath cleanup – such as broken window glass on the sidewalk below the building.
8:10 PM: This building is home to City Council President Lorena González, and we’ve been trying to find out her status. She has just commented via Twitter:
This evening, a significant fire occurred at our home. My husband, daughter, and I were not at home when the fire began. Thank you to all who have reached out, I want you to know that my immediate family is safe.
I am grateful to Seattle Police Department, the Seattle Fire Department, and our first responders for their efforts to stop the fire from spreading further and for their rescue efforts.
There’s also word that an off-duty firefighter helped in the early going, according to SFD spokesperson David Cuerpo, with whom we spoke at the scene:
Witnesses say neighbors were heroes too, “grabbing ladders and helping people out,” according to Wes Olsen, who sent this photo:
9:30 PM: Nearby streets have reopened; Metro Routes 50 and 128 have resumed service in the area.
SATURDAY MORNING UPDATE: Separate story to come – the victim did not survive. She was Councilmember González’s mother-in-law.
Seattle Public Schools is circulating this notice sent to the Lafayette Elementary community, since it’s of potential wider interest to neighbors as well as nearby businesses and their customers who might see the crews:
This summer, Lafayette Elementary School will undergo construction improvements including seismic, sprinkler, and HVAC upgrades that were already planned as regular maintenance.
Included in the upgrades, is replacing the existing boiler and associated piping. Asbestos abatement of insulation materials will be required prior to removal of the various mechanical components. The abatement, or removal process, is a monitored process to safely remove or handle any asbestos that may be in our older buildings in compliance with applicable federal, state, and local regulations.
Due to the limited number of work days this summer, and the time required for removal and replacement of the various mechanical systems, asbestos abatement activities are scheduled to begin on Monday, May 17. The abatement activity will be confined within the Boiler Room and associated sub-surface utilidor tunnels. Work will only take place during non-school hours and in areas where no students have access to.
SPS has hired an independent third-party environmental consulting firm, NOVO Laboratory and Consulting Services, who are certified to oversee this work and will ensure the work is being performed safely and in compliance with the project manual as well as all applicable federal, state, and local regulations.
Questions? Capital projects manager Tom Gut is the contact at twgut@seattleschools.org.
Two reports of whale sightings today – maybe you’ve had a sighting too? Around noon, Philip reported a whale (“not an orca”) off Three Tree Point headed north. About two hours later, Susan saw this: “I glimpsed the back half of an orca as it rolled northward, not far from the Fauntleroy ferry slip. I waited for it to resurface north of the dock… and waited… saw a blow, but its source didn’t appear to be the B&W of an orca. It surfaced again, and definitely was something other than an orca or humpback. What happened to the orca?” Humpbacks and grays are in regional waters now too; if you see a marine mammal you can’t identify, try a species guide like this one offered by The Whale Trail.
SDOT’s preview of what’s ahead for the next week of work in the Delridge RapidRide H Line preps project is in. Key locations:
Landscaping and irrigation installation continues throughout the corridor
Asphalt overlay paving between the West Seattle Bridge and SW Dakota St scheduled to begin as early as May 24.
This work will happen between 7 PM and 6 AM
Residents and businesses will be notified in advance of any impacts to their access
Electrical utility upgrades at the intersection of SW Findlay St and Delridge Way SW delayed
We will provide additional details about this work and notify residents and businesses of any potential impacts prior to this work starting
Roadway upgrades at SW Orchard St and Delridge Way SW nearly complete
This week, we will begin installing vehicle-detection loops at the intersection
Roadway upgrades at 21st Ave SW and Delridge Way SW nearly complete
21st Ave SW has reopened to traffic
Demolition between SW Holden St and SW Thistle St was completed last week
We will now upgrade underground electrical utilities in the area
Parking will be restricted while this work takes place
A reader asked when SW Thistle will reopen east of Delridge; before Memorial Day, SDOT replied. The full list of work zones for the week ahead is here.
Registered yet? It’s free to sign up for Saturday night’s 14th annual “Instruments of Change” online benefit to help the West Seattle Food Bank continue keeping people fed and housed. Live and silent auctions are part of it; silent-auction bidding is on now, while live-auction pre-bidding starts at 5:30 tonight. You can go here now to browse what’s been donated for the auctions – travel, food, fitness, fishing, beverages, and beyond. Registration is free – go here to get that done. Then watch the event starting at 5:30 pm Saturday – the livestream will be here.
(Photo by Bill Schrier, via Twitter)
As home to one of the two Washington State Ferries terminals that are within Seattle city limits, West Seattle has a sizable stake in the system’s plans and operations. This week WSF announced plans for two online community meetings later this month:
Ferry riders, commuters and terminal neighbors are invited to attend one of two upcoming Washington State Ferries virtual public meetings to hear updates and ask questions about the ferry system.
“We learn so much from our community engagement efforts,” said Patty Rubstello, head of Washington State Ferries. “I’m excited that we’re able to offer our spring community meetings virtually this year and hope that even more people are able to join in the conversation.”
The meetings will take place at 11 a.m., Tuesday, May 25, and 6 p.m., Wednesday, May 26.
WSF staff will give a brief presentation on service updates, proposed tariff changes and the agency’s continued response to COVID-19. Participants will be able to ask questions and provide comments during the meeting. Both meetings will cover the same material and are designed to give participants the option to join the meeting that best fits their schedule.
Members of the public can participate in the meeting from a laptop, desktop or mobile device, but advanced registration is required to participate.
Registration for the virtual meetings:
· Register online for the 11 a.m. meeting on Tuesday, May 25, at: bit.ly/WSFSpringMeeting1
· Register online for the 6 p.m. meeting on Wednesday, May 26, at: bit.ly/WSFSpringMeeting2
These public meetings are held in coordination with the Ferry Advisory Committees. WSF will also hold a special meeting for members of all 13 FACs at 4 p.m. on Thursday, May 27, to discuss their role in advising WSF on customer service and schedules. Members of the public are invited to attend and can register by going to: bit.ly/SpringFACMeeting2021.
One big topic for West Seattle – ongoing planning for the Fauntleroy terminal replacement; the next meetings for that project are expected this summer.
(WSB photos)
They’re here! The West Seattle Junction Association‘s spring/summer hanging flower baskets were delivered today, and a crew’s been at work all morning hanging them:
As you probably know (unless this is your first spring/summer here), the baskets get ever-more vivid as the season continues. Again this year, they’re underwritten by donors (including WSB) who “adopted” one or more baskets, and placards will be placed by each basket in honor of its “adopter.”
Thanks to West Seattle pilot/photographer Long Bach Nguyen for the view of West Seattle (and beyond)! Three notes as we enjoy another sunny day:
LOG HOUSE MUSEUM: Though the official public reopening isn’t until next Friday, if you’re a Southwest Seattle Historical Society member, you’re welcome to visit the home of West Seattle’s history starting today (noon-4 pm, 61st/Stevens). Details here.
GRAB-N-GO FOOD BOXES: If you need food, it’s available today at another drive-up/ride-up/walk-up distribution outside Highland Park Elementary (1012 SW Trenton), 2-5 pm.
‘PAPER TIGERS’ + Q&A AT ADMIRAL: As previewed here last night, the 6:30 pm showing of the new Seattle-set/filmed movie “The Paper Tigers” at The Admiral Theater (2343 California SW) will be followed by Q&A with its editor, West Seattle resident Kris Kristensen.
Event coming up? Email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Family and friends are remembering Gregg Ratigan and sharing this remembrance with his community:
Greggory Scott Ratigan
July 22, 1976 – May 4, 2021Gregg passed away peacefully at Swedish Hospital with his sister Kristina and cousin Jennifer by his side. Greggory Scott Ratigan was born in Seattle to parents Jeff and Karen Ratigan. He was raised in West Seattle with older brother Tim and younger sister Kristina. Gregg attended Holy Rosary Catholic School, John F. Kennedy High School, and the University of Washington, where he graduated with a degree in Sociology and Criminal Justice.
Gregg was a sweet, quiet, kind, caring, and compassionate person. He loved spending time at home with his family, holidays and celebrations with the Norbergs and Ratigans. Growing up, he loved playing soccer, baseball, football, and his favorite, basketball. Gregg cherished the lifelong friendships he made with kids in the neighborhood, Holy Rosary, Kennedy, and his many co-workers.
Gregg had a variety of jobs growing up, from delivering papers for the Seattle Times, Thriftway, and Pegasus Pizza. For the last 17 years he was a proud Union Longshoreman of ILWU Local 19.
Gregg will be deeply missed and always remembered by his brother Tim, sister Kristina, many uncles, aunts, cousins, friends, co-workers, and neighbors. He is preceded in death by his parents Jeff and Karen.
A private funeral mass and burial will be held at a later date. Please share memories of Gregg on the obituary page and online guestbook at emmickfunerals.com/obituary/Greggory-Ratigan
If you wish, donations may be sent to Holy Rosary Catholic Church West Seattle or Children’s Hospital.
(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)
6:12 AM: Good morning. More sunshine!
ROAD WORK UPDATES
West Marginal Way – SDOT says the sidewalk work on the west side of the street north of the Duwamish Tribe longhouse will happen this weekend and next – work hours 8 am-3 pm.
35th/Graham – The work zone has expanded into both southbound lanes of 35th at Graham, so it’s one lane each way using the northbound side.
Delridge project – This week’s plan spotlights the 21st/Delridge closure and says Delridge/Orchard is close to completion. Next week’s update should arrive later today.
SW Yancy east of Avalon – Still closed for utility work related to housing construction.
FERRIES/BUSES
Washington State Ferries is delaying the return to 3-boat service on the Triangle Route until June.
The West Seattle Water Taxi continues on its spring/summer schedule – all day, 7 days a week, plus Friday and Saturday evenings; the free 773 and 775 shuttles are running daily too.
Metro is on its regular schedule.
BRIDGES AND DETOUR ROUTES
417th morning without the West Seattle Bridge. Here’s how it’s looking on other bridges and routes:
Low Bridge: 18th week for automated enforcement cameras; restrictions are in effect 5 am-9 pm daily – except weekends, when the bridge is open to all until 8 am Saturday and Sunday mornings. (Access applications are now available for some categories of drivers.)
Here’s a low-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:
Are bridges opening for boats or barges? Check 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.
| 16 COMMENTS