day : 24/06/2021 11 results

2021 roundup

June 24, 2021 11:59 pm

| Comments Off on CORONAVIRUS: Thursday 6/24/2021 roundup

| Coronavirus | West Seattle news

Now less than a week until reopening – here’s the pandemic news:

GOVERNOR’S BRIEFING: No major announcements emerged when Gov. Jay Inslee briefed and took questions from reporters this morning. He announced what he called a “bridge” between the end of the state’s eviction moratorium and the start of relief programs. He also introduced a pre-nursing student from Eastern Washington as the latest $250,000 winner in the “Shot of a Lifetime” lottery. And he decried as “baloney and malarkey” vaccination misinformation on social media Watch the briefing here.

CONFUSED ABOUT REOPENING? The state’s launched a webpage to collect info on what it means.

NEWEST NUMBERS: Here’s the update from the Public Health daily-summary dashboard:

*112,248 people have tested positive, 84 more than yesterday’s total

*1,648 people have died, 30 more than yesterday’s total**

*6,483 people have been hospitalized, 164 more than yesterday’s total**

**The big jumps are explained on the county dashboard as the state Health Department adding “a large backlog” of 156 hospitalizations and 29 deaths, from November 2020 to June 2021.**

One week ago, the three totals we are now tracking were 111,425/1,611/6,300.

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

WORLDWIDE NUMBERS: 180 million cases worldwide, 33.5 million of them in the U.S. See the nation-by-nation breakout here.

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

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Two steps closer to bridge repair: West Seattle Transportation Coalition, report #1

June 24, 2021 10:49 pm

| 32 COMMENTS

| West Seattle Bridge Safety Project | West Seattle news

Rather than one big wrapup, we’re breaking cpverage tonight’s West Seattle Transportation Coalition meeting into separate topics. First – two milestones on the way to West Seattle Bridge repair work. SDOT’s Sara Zora said the repair design has reached the 60 percent stage, and that plan is being “circulated” now for review. For months, SDOT has said that once it gets to the 60 percent design mark, it will be able to hone in on a better estimate for bridge reopening than the “mid-2022” that’s been cited for a long time. Also, Zora said, they’ve officially issued a Notice to Proceed for repair contractor Kraemer North America, which means the contract has been finalized. She said they’re running a little bit ahead of schedule, because that wasn’t expected until the end of the month (as noted when the contractor choice was announced). We’ll be checking tomorrow with SDOT to see what additional information is available, since the next scheduled update isn’t until the West Seattle Bridge Community Task Force meets July 14th. Meantime, SDOT also brought West Marginal Way speed and collision information to tonight’s WSTC meeting, as the group had requested; we’ll report on that separately.

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FOLLOWUP: Cameras roll, grills sizzle for food-truck fight

June 24, 2021 8:37 pm

| 2 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants

8:37 PM: The west lot at Salty’s on Alki (1936 Harbor SW; WSB sponsor) was transformed into a temporary food-truck corral this afternoon for a reality show. As previewed here last night, Seattle favorite Where Ya At Matt went up against Los Angeles-based Billionaire Burger Boyz, who were on camera when we stopped by;

The crew told us this is for a new show currently titled “Burger Brawl,” and it’ll be part of Discovery Plus. Signage attributed the production to Lander Entertainment, LLC. The winner was whoever sold the most – haven’t heard yet how that shook out.

According to Laurel at Ounces (3809 Delridge Way SW), these two trucks will be there for a rematch tomorrow, noon-7 pm.

ADDED EARLY FRIDAY: Just got word from Ounces that the show is going somewhere else (not in WS) today instead. (Though we should note that Ounces spotlights many of the area’s best food trucks regularly anyway – see their calendar here.)

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WEST SEATTLE WEATHER: Alert upgraded to Excessive Heat Warning; help us build the definitive where-to-be-cool list

June 24, 2021 7:01 pm

| 18 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

(Photo by Jerry Simmons)

You’ve been hearing about it for days, and now that the heat wave is closer, the National Weather Service has upgraded its alert to an Excessive Heat Warning, in effect 2 pm Friday through 9 pm Monday. And the Sunday/Monday forecasts have added a few more degrees – here are the next four days, daypart by daypart:

FRIDAY…Sunny. Highs in the 80s. North wind 10 to 15 mph.

FRIDAY NIGHT…Clear. Lows in the mid to upper 60s. North wind 10 to 15 mph decreasing to 10 mph or less after midnight.

SATURDAY…Sunny. Highs in the 90s. North wind to 10 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon.

SATURDAY NIGHT…Clear. Lows near 70. North wind 10 to 15 mph becoming northeast after midnight.

SUNDAY…Sunny. Highs 98 to 104.

SUNDAY NIGHT…Clear. Lows in the lower to mid 70s.

MONDAY…Sunny. Highs 100 to 106.

Seattle’s all-time record high was 103 degrees on July 29, 2009 – here’s what happened on that day (including a house fire and an overcome-by-the-heat boater).

Since many Seattle houses/apartments don’t have air conditioning, it’s always a hot question when the weather gets mega-hot: Where can you go to cool off? We’re asking for your help in building a definitive list of where to go, considering that not all venues have reopened (yet). The city has started it off with this roundup – including:

Delridge Branch Library (5423 Delridge Way SW)
Open from 10 am to 6 pm Mondays and Wednesdays 

High Point Branch Library (3411 SW Raymond)
Open from 10 am to 6 pm Wednesdays and Fridays; noon to 6 p.m. Sundays 

Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon)
Hours: 8:30 am to 4:30 pm Mondays – Fridays

If you have a suggestion – please comment below or email us at westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

P.S. Two more city notes from the roundup – Seattle Public Utilities will close the transfer stations (including South) at 2 pm Sunday and Monday. Also, solid-waste pickup on Monday will be an hour earlier – so have your carts out at 6 am.

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West Seattle light rail in 2032? Here’s what the Sound Transit Board chair is suggesting for potential ‘realignment’ scenario

June 24, 2021 5:24 pm

| 22 COMMENTS

| Sound Transit | West Seattle news

The Sound Transit Board won’t vote before next month on a potential “realignment” scenario – reconfiguring future plans to address estimated revenue drops and cost jumps. Today, calling it a “starting point,” board chair Kent Keel (from the University Place City Council in Pierce County) unveiled a proposed scenario. As shown above in a slide from the meeting presentation (see the full deck here), his proposal would delay West Seattle light rail until 2032 – one year later than the currently planned 2031, which in turn is one year past what was outlined in the ST3 ballot measure. Board members didn’t spend much time talking about it; some have contended that it’s too soon to realign, since revenue estimates keep improving, and in fact CEO Peter Rogoff started the meeting with a quick mention of rosier revenue projections at multiple government levels. One board member, King County Council chair Claudia Balducci from Bellevue, has been the loudest voice arguing against realigning now; she has contended that changes should focus more on cost cuts than schedule delays. She said today that her own proposal isn’t ready to present yet but will be soon. In a parallel process, the board is still working through the reasons for the sudden, dramatic rise in cost estimates, and got another in a series of reports from a consultant during today’s meeting. Board members’ next realignment discussion is expected when their Executive Committee meets July 1st; the full board meeting at which a vote might be taken is July 22nd.

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FERRIES: Fauntleroy Terminal project’s Community Advisory Group sets sail

June 24, 2021 2:59 pm

| Comments Off on FERRIES: Fauntleroy Terminal project’s Community Advisory Group sets sail

| Fauntleroy | Transportation | West Seattle news

(WSB file photo)

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

Somewhere between the reopening of the West Seattle Bridge and the construction of Sound Transit light rail lies another big local transportation project: Replacement of the Fauntleroy ferry dock/terminal.

As part of the planning process, Washington State Ferries is convening three advisory groups. One of them, the Community Advisory Group, met last night for the first time, online.

The CAG is launching with 24 members, chosen from among 64 applicants (we published the recruiting announcement back in April). Last night’s meeting was mostly a get-acquainted session, which is why WSF says it did not publicly announce the meeting in advance (we found out from a tip late in the day and have since watched a recording of the two-hour meeting, which WSF says will be available online “by early next week”).

In their self-introductions, many members described affiliations and experiences that give them many-faceted perspectives on the projects – for example, living in West Seattle with children going to school on Vashon Island, or living on Vashon but owning a business in West Seattle. The western end of the Triangle Route was represented too, with Southworth and Manchester residents. Here’s the full roster as provided by WSF:

Ana White | Southworth resident
Angus Macnab | King County resident/Vashon commuter student parent
Anne Higuera |West Seattle business owner/Vashon resident
Daniel Lewis | Southworth area community member
David McDaniel | Fauntleroy and Vashon community member
Devin Branson | Vashon resident and West Seattle commuter
DB Gates | West Seattle resident
Emily Scott | Vashon Ferry Advisory Committee (FAC) Member, Vashon Island Foodbank Executive Director
Fletcher Sandbeck | Kitsap resident
Frank Immel | Fauntleroy Community Association, Ferry Advisory Committee (FAC) member, neighbor
Gary English | Vashon community member
Greg McKinnon | Manchester resident, daily ferry commuter
Helen Westphal | King County resident
Jon Wright | West Seattle Transportation Coalition
Josh Gwynn | Southworth area community member
Judy Pickens | Fauntleroy Watershed Council
Larry Harala | Port Orchard/Manchester area resident, Ferry Advisory Committee (FAC) member
Mardi Clements | Fauntleroy Community Association, West Seattle resident near ferry
Michelle McCormick | West Seattle and Vashon resident
Noelani Hatton | West Seattle resident
Richard Thorp | Southworth area community member
Scott Harvey | Vashon resident, irregular ferry traveler
Susan Fritch | Vashon resident/former West Seattle resident
Victoria Nelson | West Seattle Transportation Coalition Board Member, Fauntleroy resident

In addition to introductions, last night’s meeting included a brief recap of the rationale for replacing the terminal/dock – earthquake vulnerability, susceptibility to being swamped by rising sea levels, limited vehicle-holding capacity (room for 80 cars, though the regular vessels on the route hold 124, and WSF has said its system standards call for holding areas with room for about 1 1/2 vessels worth).

A major task early in the planning process, one for which the CAG members’ input will be sought, is a Planning and Environmental Linkages study, which WSF says will be done in partnership with the Federal Highway Administration, since federal funding is expected to be part of the project. The group’s advisory role in the study, WSF says, will help define the “purpose and need” for the project and ways to filter alternatives. The alternatives they’ll consider, they were told later in the meeting, will be numerous – “many different configurations.” None have been shown, yet. Here’s the full slide deck from the meeting, with more on the key discussion points:

In open discussion, CAG members also asked for clarification on the roles of the other two advisory groups – Executive (mostly elected officials, as listed in this document provided by WSF at our request) and Technical (staffers from agencies listed in that same document).

WHAT’S NEXT: WSF will talk about the Fauntleroy terminal project (with construction not expected before 2025) during tonight’s West Seattle Transportation Coalition meeting, 6:30 pm online (see our calendar listing for information on participating/viewing/listening). The next CAG meeting is set for 6 pm July 28th.

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City changes wading-pool plans because of chlorine shortage

June 24, 2021 1:34 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

(WSB file photo, Delridge wading pool)

Seattle Parks is still opening some of its wading pools and sprayparks this Saturday (June 26th), but the schedules will be more limited than first announced, at least for a while. That’s because of the chlorine shortage, according to Parks’ announcement:

Due to a regional shortage of chlorine that is just coming to the fore, SPR must make temporary adjustments to this summer’s wading pool schedules. Spraypark schedules remain unaffected at this time.

For wading pools, the new schedule allows all previously-announced pools to open, but on an alternating schedule. This will enable equitable distribution of our current supply of chlorine until we can obtain more. When that occurs, our plan is to open each wading pool 7 days per week. Some pools will operate from Saturday to Tuesday, and some from Thursday to Sunday. For now, all wading pools will be closed on Wednesdays.

We understand how frustrating this situation is, and share in your disappointment. Rest assured that staff is working diligently to solve the matter, and know that we will update you as soon as we know more.

So here’s the West Seattle plan:

Highland Park spraypark (1100 SW Cloverdale) – Open 7 days a week, 11 am-8 pm, as planned

Delridge wading pool (4501 Delridge Way SW) – Open (updated) noon-5:30 pm Saturdays, Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays

Lincoln Park wading pool (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW) – Open noon-7 pm Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays

(As previously announced, Parks does NOT plan to open the EC Hughes or Hiawatha wading pools this year.)

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TRAFFIC ALERT: Repaving work will close part of westbound SW Alaska on Friday, and two July weekends

June 24, 2021 12:00 pm

| 5 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

Just got word of this from SDOT (as well as an accompanying Metro alert for this weekend):

PAVING NOTICE

The westbound lanes of SW Alaska St \between California Ave SW & 44th Ave SW
(The two westbound lanes adjacent to Wells Fargo Bank and Easy Street Records)
Friday, June 25th 9 AM – 3 PM
Saturday, July 10th at 8 AM – Monday July 12th at 6 AM
Saturday, July 17th at 8 AM – Monday July 19th at 6 AM
*Weather permitting

At the location and hours listed above:
-SDOT will replace several concrete panels.
-All westbound traffic will be detoured.
-The detour route will be marked.
-Westbound bus stops (Route 50, 55, 128, and C-Line) will be impacted.
-Eastbound traffic will not be impacted.

Outside the hours listed above, the westbound lanes will be open to all traffic. Some parking in this area will be restricted. 72 hours before the work starts and parking restrictions begin, “NO PARKING” signs will be placed on the street. Sidewalk access will not be impacted. Construction impacts include noise and dust. SDOT crews will complete each workday by 7PM.

For this weekend’s Metro reroutes, see this page.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: The case of the Mercedes-driving catalytic-converter thieves

June 24, 2021 10:55 am

| 31 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

That photo came in from a reader on Wednesday, with this report about what he saw after 7 am that morning:

I was strolling north in the alley between 44th & California, in the block south of Oregon. I heard the unmistakable sound of a reciprocating saw against steel for just a brief moment. I looked in the direction of the sound & spotted a black Mercedes parked very close to a Honda Element. They must have seen me and stopped. In the time it took to pull out my phone and take a photo, the Honda came down off a jack, and something, probably just the jack, was loaded into the back seat area.

Unfortunately, that apparently was the catalytic converter from Gayle‘s car. She later emailed us:

6/23, at approximately 7-7:15, the catalytic converter was stolen from my 2007 Honda Element. My car was parked in a Diamond parking lot close to the sidewalk on 44th Avenue near Oregon Street. I saw a black Mercedes pull in next to mine and later learned they were the thieves. A police report (21-156316) has been filed. … The thieves were driving a black Mercedes 5500 (sedan). The driver was a white male and the passenger is believed to be a white female. If anyone else was walking by or coming through the parking lot and has any information, please contact the police and/or reply on the blog. This is happening far too often and in the light of day next to a busy road.

Here is another photo with a closer look at the front of the car.

It did have a rear plate, which began with ASL.

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West Seattle Transportation Coalition, low-low tide, Pride Bingo, much more for your Thursday

June 24, 2021 9:13 am

| Comments Off on West Seattle Transportation Coalition, low-low tide, Pride Bingo, much more for your Thursday

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Today’s sunrise, photographed by Stewart L.)

Busy day/night! Here’s just some of what’s on our calendar and in our previews:

GOVERNOR’S PANDEMIC BRIEFING: You can watch here at 10:30 am.

LOW-LOW TIDE: It’s way out, to -3.9 feet, at 11:07 am. Seattle Aquarium beach naturalists are out at Constellation and Lincoln Parks 9:30 am-1:30 pm, and you can join the free Rec’N The Streets beach walk at Constellation at 10:30 (info in our preview)

SOUND TRANSIT BOARD: 1:30 pm online, the realignment process that could further delay West Seattle light rail (among other parts of ST3) is on the agenda, which explains how to watch/comment.

ROBERT IRVING III MASTERS CLASSES: 1 pm for the public (info here), 2:30 pm for musicians (info here) at J&J Public House (2808 Alki SW).

FOOD TRUCK BATTLE: 3-6 pm, Where Ya At Matt and visiting-from-L.A. Billionaire Burger Boyz “battle” at Salty’s on Alki (1936 Harbor SW; WSB sponsor)

DEMONSTRATION: 4-6 pm at 16th/Holden, join organizer Scott in his second year of twice-weekly sign-waving for racial justice. Signs available if you don’t have one.

WEST SEATTLE TRANSPORTATION COALITION: 6:30 pm online – see the agenda, and how to participate, in our calendar listing.

PRIDE BINGO: Special edition of every-other-week Thursday night Bingo at Admiral Pub, 7 pm. Prize for best Pride outfit! (2306 California SW)

(Wednesday night photo by Doug Eglington)

FULL MOON KAYAKING: Special tour with Alki Kayak Tours (1660 Harbor SW), 8:15 pm. Info’s in our calendar listing.

Something for our calendar? Email westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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WEATHER, ROAD WORK, TRAFFIC: Thursday notes

June 24, 2021 6:10 am

| 3 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:10 AM: Good morning! Warm today but not hot – that weather still isn’t expected to arrive until the weekend.

ROAD WORK

Delridge project – As noted in this week’s plan, work includes the medians and the east side of Delridge/Henderson/Barton and Delridge/Thistle.

FERRIES/BUSES

Regular schedule for buses and ferries.

(Watch @kcmetrobus for word of bus cancellations, @wsferries for major WSF changes.)

BRIDGES AND DETOUR ROUTES

458th morning without the West Seattle Bridge. Here are the views of other bridges and routes:

Low Bridge: 24th 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 available for some categories of drivers.)

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 draw/swing bridges opening for boats or barges? See the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed. (1st Ave. South Bridge openings also are tweeted on @wsdot_traffic.)

See all local traffic cams here; locally relevant cameras are also 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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