West Seattle, Washington

21 Saturday

55℉

month : 08/2021 315 results

VACCINATION: 2 opportunities today and tomorrow
August 6, 2021 4:00 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Coronavirus | West Seattle news

If you’re not yet vaccinated against COVID-19 but are eligible – here’s a quick mention of two opportunities we just found out about, today and tomorrow. 4-6 pm today, vaccinations are available as part of the High Point Healthy Families health fair at Neighborhood House (6400 Sylvan Way SW), on the basketball courts. Tomorrow, 1-5 pm, vaccinations are available during the first-ever Low Rider Block Party on 17th SW between Roxbury and Delridge. All are welcome at both events.

Share This

COUNTDOWN: Five reasons to register for Loop the ‘Lupe by tonight
August 6, 2021 2:28 pm
|    Comments Off on COUNTDOWN: Five reasons to register for Loop the ‘Lupe by tonight
 |   Fun stuff to do | West Seattle news | WS & Sports

The return of Loop the ‘Lupe – four events in one! – is a little over three weeks away. You can choose between Seattle’s only obstacle-course event, the 5K fun run, the Senior Saunter, and/or the Kids’ Dash, all at Walt Hundley Playfield on Sunday, August 29th. The obstacle course features seven obstacles on a distance-certified 1K “loop.”

If you’re not already registered, there are five good reasons to do it today: Registration fees for the obstacle course and 5K are discounted $5 through tonight – then tomorrow the fee goes up. Loop the ‘Lupe, with community co-sponsors including WSB, raises money, explains race director Brian Callanan, for “the social outreach work at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, which operates a safe parking lot for homeless neighbors, coordinates voter registration and racial justice education, holds an annual Day of Service benefitting various organizations in the region, and much more.” It all stretches across the morning and afternoon on August 29th, also including live music, food, drinks, and a beer garden.

To register, go here!

Share This

SPORTS: West Seattle High School signups for fall – see the schedules, too
August 6, 2021 1:51 pm
|    Comments Off on SPORTS: West Seattle High School signups for fall – see the schedules, too
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

For most Seattle Public Schools students, the first day of school is less than four weeks away. If you have a West Seattle High School student interested in sports, the Athletics Department sends word that signups are already under way. This flyer has details of what’s being offered this fall and what isn’t. It also includes the fall sports’ game/match/meet schedules, if you’re interested in marking your calendar:

For players and families, you can go here to register online. If you have a football player in the family, head coach Jeff Scott sent us this sport-specific announcement:

Team meeting – August 18th at 4 pm at West Seattle high School

First day of Practice – August 19th at 9 am

My registration before first day of practice – www.WestSeattleFootball.com

Question? Contact Coach Scott at 206-696-5333 or email Westseattlefootball@gmail.com

Football will be the first sport to open the fall season, with the first game September 3rd.

Share This

5 years after fire, construction begins for new Lam Bow Apartments
August 6, 2021 12:19 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Delridge | Development | West Seattle housing | West Seattle news

Construction of the new Lam Bow Apartments (6935 Delridge Way SW) has finally begun, almost five years after a three-alarm fire gutted one of its buildings. In 2019, the Seattle Housing Authority decided the remaining building should be replaced too. Here’s a rendering of the 82-unit affordable-housing building that will replace the two original buildings.

(The project went through Administrative Design Review – public comment but no meetings; here’s the packet by SMR Architects, if you’re interested in design/layout details.) When the city first put the project out to bid last year, no one bid. So they tried again this year, and Walsh Construction was the winning bidder; SHA spokesperson Kerry Coughlin says the contract is for $32 million and that the building is expected to open by spring 2023.

Share This

ORCAS: Whales visible from West Seattle
August 6, 2021 11:28 am
|    Comments Off on ORCAS: Whales visible from West Seattle
 |   West Seattle news | Whales

Thanks to Kersti Muul for the tip. Transient orcas are southbound, south of Blake Island, so visible from west-facing West Seattle. Let us know if you see them!

Share This

UPDATE: Gas-line break closes southbound 26th SW in Westwood
August 6, 2021 10:17 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS breaking news

10:17 AM: Northbound 26th SW is already closed south of Westwood Village because of road work; you’ll want to avoid the southbound side for a while too, as Seattle Fire is there for a gas-leak response.

10:33 AM: Southbound 26th is also closed at Barton. We can’t get close enough to ask questions but a crew is working on it.

2:45 PM: Since this is the construction zone for King County-led road work related to bus routing, we tracked down information from Metro spokesperson Jeff Switzer, who tells WSB:

At about 9:45 a.m. Seattle Fire crews arrived in response to a natural gas leak in the construction zone in the northbound lanes of 26th Avenue SW, halfway between SW Barton and SW Cambridge streets. The southbound lanes were closed while Puget Sound Energy and fire crews worked to identify and contain the leak. According to preliminary information, a crew for the contractor was sawcutting concrete panels near the middle of the roadway and cut into a 1-inch-diameter natural gas service line that was just below the depth of the roadway. No injuries were reported. The southbound roadway is estimated to remain closed until 8 p.m. while crews replace the gas line at a proper depth. The southbound roadway will reopen to traffic once work is complete; the northbound roadway remains closed and under construction for the coming months.

7:30 PM: SB 26th is open again.

Share This

UPDATE: Fire callout on 24th SW
August 6, 2021 6:57 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Delridge | West Seattle fires | West Seattle news

6:57 AM: Seattle Fire has sent a full response to the 6900 block of 24th SW.

6:59 AM: SFD says the fire was “quickly put under control by responding crews.”

7:17 AM: No injuries reported. The cause is under investigation; the Red Cross is being called to assist the family who lives there.

7:22 AM: Our crew has spoken with firefighters at the scene. They say it was a small fire in the basement, out now. Photos added.

Share This

ROAD WORK, TRANSIT, TRAFFIC, WEATHER: Friday notes
August 6, 2021 6:07 am
|      14 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

7:10 AM: The Water Taxi had to swap Doc Maynard in for Spirit of Kingston, which had a problem that led to cancellation of the 6:50 am run from West Seattle.

Earlier:

6:07 AM: Good morning, Unsettled forecast for your Friday.

ROAD WORK

Highway 99 Tunnel: Overnight closure tonight for maintenance.

26th SW – Closed northbound between Roxbury and Barton. Project details are here

Delridge project – Awaiting today’s update on the next wave of closures. Here’s the most-recent project note.

West Marginal Way/Highland Park Way: Construction is planned at the intersection again this weekend, 3 am-1 pm both days.

TRANSIT

Buses are on regular schedules – except for the South Delridge and 26th rerouting. Watch @kcmetrobus for word of bus cancellations.

For ferries and water taxis, all is normal. Watch @wsferries for updates.

BRIDGES AND DETOUR ROUTES

501st morning without the West Seattle Bridge. Here are views of other bridges and routes:

Low Bridge: Automated enforcement cameras remain in use; restrictions are in effect 5 am-9 pm daily – except weekends; the bridge is open to all until 8 am Saturday and Sunday mornings. (Access applications are available here 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):

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.

Share This

WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Twice-stolen truck
August 6, 2021 12:33 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Watch for Edwardo‘s pickup truck:

My 2006 F-350 Super Duty Power Stroke got stolen from 60th Ave SW and SW Stevens St around 9 pm (Thursday). It was previously stolen January 21, 2021, then recovered next day after a (reader) reported it. Please keep a lookout … the front fender flares aren’t missing. Cash reward if you lead to recovery. Plate number (updated) C56492V

Call 911 if you see it.

Share This

UPDATE: Power outage in Brace Point area
August 5, 2021 10:06 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Utilities | West Seattle news

10:06 PM: Thanks for the tip. 166 customers in the Endolyne/Brace Point area just lost power a few minutes ago. This is part of the area where a big Seattle City Light cable-replacement project is about to start, as we reported this morning. Updates to come.

11:55 PM: The outage map now blames this on “equipment failure.”

1:55 AM: Still out.

7:20 AM: Still out, and the SCL map shows the outage expanded to 336 customers – the size of at least two outages in that same area last year – early this morning.

Share This

Two brief West Seattle water-rescue responses
August 5, 2021 9:33 pm
|    Comments Off on Two brief West Seattle water-rescue responses
 |   Safety | West Seattle news

(Photo by Lynn Hall – response off Alki Avenue)

Just in case you heard the sirens/saw the lights – there were two short-lived water-rescue responses off West Seattle shores tonight. First one was around quarter to 8, off the 1100 block of Alki Avenue SW, initially reported as a paddleboarder possibly in trouble; second one was at about 8:30, off the 3500 block of Beach Drive SW, initially reported as a person on a raft possibly in distress.

(Photo by Ann Marie Ogle – response off Beach Drive)

Both responses were canceled within minutes.

Share This

UPDATE: Man shot, killed by Seattle Police serving warrant in White Center
August 5, 2021 6:03 pm
|      31 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news | West Seattle police | White Center

6:03 PM: Seattle Police SWAT was serving an arrest warrant in White Center near 20th and 100th when shots were fired. We don’t know yet who fired but the person who was shot was described as a suspect. We are at the scene and will update.

6:06 PM: If you’re in the area, police have set off a ‘flashbang’ before entering the house to see if anyone else is inside. The shooting happened outside.

6:17 PM: The person who was shot has been taken to the hospital. (Correction: Police later said he was declared dead at the scene.) Officers are now searching the residence. The area’s been taped off, including SW 100th.

6:42 PM: SPD Chief Adrian Diaz is here. Officers are still trying to ensure the house is clear.

6:55 PM: They’ve set off another flashbang, to try to rouse anyone inside. Now a TV helicopter’s in the area.

7:24 PM: We and other media are awaiting a briefing from an SPD public-information officer.

7:55 PM: SPD says the person shot by officers has died. They confirm they had gone to the house to arrest a suspect in a Seattle murder case from earlier this year. Assistant Chief Deanna Nollette said the man who was shot and killed had come out of the house with a gun and it appears he shot first; they are not yet confirming that the man they shot is the one they were there to arrest. We recorded the briefing on video and will upload it shortly. (Added: Here’s the video.)

The distinction that the warrant was for a Seattle case is important because it rules out the recent unsolved White Center/North Highline murders – those were outside the city limits.

MIDNIGHT: SPD Blotter says the man who was shot was 22 years old and was the suspect officers had gone there to arrest.

Share This

WEST SEATTLE LIGHT RAIL: What Sound Transit Board’s realignment vote means for our area
August 5, 2021 5:28 pm
|      25 COMMENTS
 |   Sound Transit | West Seattle news

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

With many amendments but little drama, Sound Transit Board members have adopted what they call a “hybrid” realignment plan.

It’s the result of two methodologies for dealing with an “affordability gap” currently estimated at $6+ billion, down from a previous $12 billion estimate – pushing back the schedule, and cutting costs. Board chair Kent Keel of the University Place City Council and Claudia Balducci of the King County Council consolidated their dueling proposals to make it happen, toward the end of almost a year and a half of discussion.

The headline for West Seattle: The light-rail line between The Junction and SODO is in the plan’s Tier 1, which means it’s a high priority, and among the least likely to face more delays. It’s already scheduled for one year later than the original 2030 date in the ST3 ballot measure; what emerged during realignment discussions as the “Affordable Schedule” for ST projects would push it back no more than one additional year, to 2032. The official language for Tier 1 projects is “as close to the original ST3 schedule as reasonably possible.” However, under this plan, SODO would be the end of the line for an estimated six years; the second Downtown Transit Tunnel is not projected for completion until 2038. (The original ST3 plan had a five-year gap.)

For fine-print fans, here’s the substitute realignment resolution the board approved, as seen before the amendments that all got unanimous “yes” votes – which were, from this list, #2, #4, #5, #6, #7, #9, #10. Some amendments clarified the language about the board’s intent to “speed up” implementation of projects if at all possible; others advanced a few projects to higher-priority tiers, such as two Seattle “infill” stations and parking/bus projects outside Seattle.

At the end of the meeting, board members expressed relief and even some jubilation. “I wasn’t sure this was possible!” marveled board member Bruce Dammeier, the Pierce County Executive. “Now we have a framework before us,” observed board chair Keel.

The plan now calls for re-examining projects at multiple points before construction is green-lighted:

One of two West Seattleites on the board, County Councilmember Joe McDermott, told us afterward: “Today the Board took action to better monitor and be informed of cost projections and also set expectations on project delivery. Most important to West Seattle is the fact that today’s vote keeps intact the expected opening of Light Rail serving West Seattle with stations serving the Alaska Junction, Avalon, and Delridge in 2032. … Meeting my objective of not delaying Light Rail to West Seattle was essential to my vote for the agency’s ‘realignment’ proposal this afternoon.”

So what’s next for West Seattle light rail? The draft Environmental Impact Statement, currently in development, will be a major step toward settling on station locations and the exact path light rail would follow to get to them; we’ll be checking on the latest projected release date (most recent estimate was “fall”). Its release will launch a new public-comment period.

Share This

ELECTION 2021: Third round of primary results, with one notable change
August 5, 2021 4:08 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

checkbox.jpgThe third round of results from the August 3rd primary is now out. Of the five races and one ballot measure that comprised West Seattle ballots, there’s only one major change: Incumbent city attorney Pete Holmes is now in third place with 32%, behind Ann Davison at 34.5% and Nicole Thomas-Kennedy at 33.1%. The count represents 27 percent of all Seattle ballots sent out; that’s just under two-thirds of all Seattle ballots received so far. Next update, tomorrow afternoon.

Share This

CONGRATULATIONS! Ms. Wheelchair Washington, Kaitlin Skilton, about to compete nationally
August 5, 2021 3:14 pm
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle people

One of your West Seattle neighbors, Kaitlin Skilton, is Ms. Wheelchair Washington, headed to national Ms. Wheelchair America competition next week. Here’s her announcement:

Kaitlin Skilton, a Seattle native who competed and won the state competition with her platform of Inclusivity, is preparing to compete for the title of Ms. Wheelchair America with her new platform (bettering interactions between law enforcement and the disability community). Her platform focuses on training for officers to identify when an individual has a visible and/or invisible disability and how to best meet their needs.

Skilton was born on September 19th, 1996 with Spina Bifida Myelomeningocele, as well as other underlying disabilities. Kaitlin is also a commissioner on Seattle’s Disability Commission, a commission that advises the mayor, city council, and city departments on various topics involving the disability community.

Kaitlin is also eligible to win the People’s Choice Award, an award that was intended to help raise money for the new Ms.Wheelchair America to help cover the cost of a PCA and travel cost as well as for her state. Click here to vote for just $1!

The Ms. Wheelchair America program has almost half a century of history

Share This

WEEKEND PREVIEW: Duwamish River Festival returns
August 5, 2021 1:36 pm
|    Comments Off on WEEKEND PREVIEW: Duwamish River Festival returns
 |   South Park | West Seattle festivals | West Seattle news

Since it’s Thursday, we’re looking ahead to a few of this weekend’s major events. First: The 15th Duwamish River Festival is back, on Saturday afternoon (August 7th), celebrating Seattle’s only river. This year, it’s at South Park Plaza (8456 Dallas Ave. S.), next to the west end of the South Park Bridge. The free festival, coordinated by the Duwamish River Cleanup Coalition, begins at noon, with a welcoming ceremony by the Duwamish Tribe planned for 12:10 pm, followed by a full schedule of music, dance, and spoken-word performances – Joyas Mestizas are up first at 12:15 pm, Chaotic Noise Marching Corps wraps up the performances, at 4:30 pm. See the full schedule here. The festival will also offer dozens of educational booths, a vaccination/health clinic, job fair, kayaking trips, free trees, swap meet/flea market, and more.

Share This

FOLLOWUP: What’s planned as Seattle City Light’s Brace Point underground project gets going
August 5, 2021 11:24 am
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   Utilities | West Seattle news

(Seattle City Light photos of the type of construction work that’s planned)

Undergrounding electrical service doesn’t make it outage-proof. Residents in the Brace Point area south of Fauntleroy know that firsthand. After multiple outages, they’re about to get replacements for half-century-old underground infrastructure. We’ve reported on the long-planned project before; on Wednesday afternoon, Seattle City Light offered an online meeting for residents to get project details and ask questions. The meeting was scheduled for an hour but lasted only half that, adjourned when attendees ran out of questions.

Here are our toplines, starting with where the work will happen:

(You can see a slightly larger version of the map on the project website.) The contractor is Olson Brothers Excavating of Puyallup, awarded a $7 million contract for the project. Reps from both the contractor and SCL were at the meeting; they said the work will last “two to three years.” While some work was done to bolster underground cables with silicone injections a decade ago, it only worked on half the cables, so replacement is needed now. Other background:

The work involves trenching and will all be done in public right-of-way.

It was also made clear that the work only involves the city-owned system, no private connections to residences. Some outages will be needed, but those aren’t expected until later in the project, at least a year from now, and SCL promises there’ll be advance notice unless it’s an “emergency” outage. The outages, they promised, would last hours, not days, and would generally be in the daytime. (Same goes for the work hours – weekdays, 8-5, is the standard plan.)

Crews will be working in multiple areas concurrently; at day’s end, any trenching that hasn’t been filled (temporary fill will precede permanent fill) will be covered with steel plates.

So when and where will the work start? Preparation, such as surveying, is happening now. 47th SW is the first planned work location, according to the contractor. One resident voiced concern about access, and was assured that access will be maintained, and any road closures would be fleeting – “minutes” in duration. Residents with questions/problems during the construction can contact the contractor via communityoutreach@olsonbrothers.net.

One more note: SCL says it’ll link a recording of the Wednesday meeting on the project website soon.

Share This

UPDATE: West Seattle water-main break
August 5, 2021 9:20 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Utilities | West Seattle news

9:20 AM: Thanks for the tips (and the texted photo) – another utility problem: A water break on 22nd SW between Trenton and Cloverdale. The Seattle Public Utilities water-outage map shows 60+ customers out while they make “emergency repairs.”

9:54 AM: We went to the repair scene to find out more. 22nd is closed between Trenton and Cloverdale; an on-scene supervisor says they’re replacing a 6′ section of water main that broke. Also, we were told, if your property has any damage as a result of this, contact matthew.garcia@seattle.gov.

2 PM: The break is repaired and water service restored, says Sabrina Register of SPU. She says it involved an 8-inch water main “but at this time, there’s no indication the cause is construction related. There’s quite a bit of construction happening nearby, but not on the street where the break occurred. The cause could be related to aging infrastructure.”

Share This

UPDATE: West Seattle power outage
August 5, 2021 8:19 am
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   Utilities | West Seattle news

8:19 AM: Thanks for the tips. Almost a thousand customers lost power in east West Seattle just before 8 am. The map shows most in Highland Park and Riverview, but also some out in west South Park.

8:30 AM: Chris says the signal lights at Olson/Myers are out.

9:58 AM: Julie Moore from SCL tells WSB they still haven’t figured out the cause; however, the map shows the number of customers out is down to 155.

11:16 AM: Texters say their power’s back. Meantime, the SCL map now attributes the outage to “equipment failure” (we’ll update when we get more specifics on what failed).

ADDED FRIDAY: According to Moore, “a tree fell and broke a cross arm on a pole” along 3rd SW near Westcrest Park.

Share This

ROAD WORK, TRANSIT, TRAFFIC, WEATHER: Thursday notes
August 5, 2021 6:06 am
|    Comments Off on ROAD WORK, TRANSIT, TRAFFIC, WEATHER: Thursday notes
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

8:30 AM NOTE: The eastern West Seattle power outage is affecting the light at Olson/Myers – let us know if others.
=========

6:06 AM: Good morning, We might see rain tonight/tomorrow, says the forecast! Sunshine expected today, though.

ROAD WORK

26th SW – Closed northbound between Roxbury and Barton.

Project details are here

Delridge project – The southbound closure of Delridge Way SW between Thistle and Trenton continues, and northbound Delridge is closed between Cambridge and Henderson. Details here.

West Marginal Way/Highland Park Way: Reminder that construction is planned here again this weekend, 3 am-1 pm both days.

TRANSIT

Buses are on regular schedules – except for the South Delridge and 26th rerouting. Watch @kcmetrobus for word of bus cancellations.

For ferries and water taxis, all is normal. Watch @wsferries for updates.

BRIDGES AND DETOUR ROUTES

500th morning without the West Seattle Bridge. Here are views of other bridges and routes:

Low Bridge: Automated enforcement cameras remain in use; restrictions are in effect 5 am-9 pm daily – except weekends; the bridge is open to all until 8 am Saturday and Sunday mornings. (Access applications are available here 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):

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.

Share This

WEATHER: Misty morning views, and rain possibly on the way
August 4, 2021 10:18 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

(Photo sent anonymously from south of Alki Point)

Thanks for the photos! Fog on the water this morning hinted at what might be on the way – rain.

(Photo by James Bratsanos)

The sky cleared up today, and sunshine’s in the forecast for tomorrow too, but what the National Weather Service calls “a weak front” arrives tomorrow night, with a chance of rain persisting through the weekend.

(Photo by Gene Pavola)

Not only has it been drier than usual – we’ve had many days with warmer-than-normal temperatures, too, like today, with 88 for a high, nine degrees above usual.

Share This

On eve of Sound Transit realignment vote, West Seattle SkyLink launches petition drive for gondola consideration
August 4, 2021 8:30 pm
|      83 COMMENTS
 |   Sound Transit | Transportation | West Seattle news

Tomorrow afternoon, as previewed here, the Sound Transit Board is expected to adopt a realignment plan – potentially delaying West Seattle light rail. Supporters of a transit alternative – a gondola system – have been trying to convince ST to seriously consider it as an alternative for the West Seattle spur of the system. They say a gondola line, which they call West Seattle SkyLink, could be built faster and cheaper than light rail between SODO and The Junction. So now they’re collecting signatures on an online petition with this request:

We ask Sound Transit to immediately commission gondola experts to conduct a technical engineering study on using a gondola as the West Seattle connection to the Link light rail spine.

We further ask the Sound Transit Board to use the results of the study to compare the gondola to light rail alternatives in reaching a determination on the best way to connect West Seattle to Link.

The gondola concept has been discussed for a few years, but the organized campaign under the name West Seattle SkyLink really revved up around the first of the year; we first talked with advocates in January. ST says it considered gondolas (see page 35) while planning ST3; SkyLink supporters think the transit agency should take another look. If you’re interested in signing their petition, see it here.

Share This

TRAFFIC ALERT: West Marginal Way crash
August 4, 2021 6:47 pm
|    Comments Off on TRAFFIC ALERT: West Marginal Way crash
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:47 PM: Another crash on West Marginal Way – initially dispatched as a driver hitting a tree. Police have told dispatch that they have to close one lane in each direction. The crash is reported to be in the 5400 block.

7:35 PM: Response vehicles are blocking the southbound outside lane there. No traffic backup.

Share This