West Seattle, Washington
29 Saturday
The two West Seattle men running for King County Executive sparred a bit more in a Saturday night faceoff than in another local forum two nights earlier.
This livestreamed event – with incumbent County Executive Dow Constantine and State Senator Joe Nguyen side by side in the Live Oak Audio Visual studio, but the audience online – was presented by the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce, and moderated by its board president, restaurateur Dan Austin.
While the two didn’t exhibit major policy/platform differences – except for the very first question of the night – they swapped some words of criticism. Constantine observed that Nguyen is running for the executive job after three years in elected office, while he and some well-known predecessors had more than a decade of elected experience before moving up. Nguyen could do more good staying in the Legislature, he suggested. Nguyen, meantime, contended he was compelled to run for this because he heard from people who were frustrated about what was, and wasn’t, happening.
The video is above – with the forum starting 12 minutes in. If you’d rather read the details – below is our recap how the Q&A went, after opening statements. As usual with our coverage of events like this, what you see is mostly our paraphrasing/summarizing, not direct quotes unless it’s within quotation marks:
9:08 PM: From West Seattle skywatching expert/educator Alice Enevoldsen, word that you might be able to see the aurora tonight, looking north. All her standard aurora-viewing advice is here if you decide to go out looking. She’s heading to Westcrest Park (9000 8th SW) to look:
I'm aiming for one of these pink stars if you want to join me. Wear a mask!@westseattleblog @WestSeaWx pic.twitter.com/j4HiCflZrj
— Alice's AstroInfo (@AlicesAstroInfo) October 12, 2021
Let us know if you see it!
10:14 PM: Some sightings:
a bit from seattle/sunset with phone camera pic.twitter.com/8EkGHKYguE
— liz murdock (@mizmurder) October 12, 2021
I took this from just north of the Edmonds ferry dock pic.twitter.com/XR2CL6V2fI
— Kelly Kalac (@kellykalac) October 12, 2021
7:12 PM: Seattle Fire is sending a water-rescue response to the 2100 block of Harbor SW because of a report of “someone in the water” – in the Jack Block Park area.
7:20 PM: Responders are clarifying that the original report was that someone was heard yelling from the water “south of Salty’s.” Crews are trying to figure out whether the best access is from Jack Block Park or the shore by Salty’s.
7:29 PM: They’re searching the area from land and sea.
7:36 PM: Our crew at the scene confirms that this started with someone who heard someone yelling. Searchers haven’t found anyone or anything, and no one who saw anything, nor has anything more been heard, so they’ve declared “no victim found” and are winding down the response.
8:42 PM: Thanks to 22blades in comments for pointing out that the Coast Guard has had a helicopter searching just to be certain no one’s out there (SFD has closed out of the call).
6:59 PM: The nonprofit, volunteer-powered West Seattle Tool Library, on the northeast side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center in North Delridge, has been hit by burglary. They think it happened between 3:30 and 4:30 this morning. They were still going through the inventory when we talked to them earlier today, but were missing a lot of small tools for starters; they think the burglar(s) filled up a yard-waste bin with what they could grab. Whqt you see on the door in our photo above is true – they have video surveillance – but didn’t get a clear image of the burglar. If you have any information, the incident number is 21-269299.
ADDED EARLY TUESDAY: We now have an update from Micheal at the WSTL:
All in all, we got off pretty light. As it stands, it appears the following was taken: a laptop computer, ~$60 cash, a 1/2″ impact driver, a floor nailer, circular saw, plunge router, trim router, jigsaw, a long-handled cordless hedge trimmer, two 18ga brad nailers, two coil nailers, three framing nailers, and a pneumatic stapler. The biggest pain for us is the damage to the doors– both doors need new hasps, and as you saw, the damage to the workshop door is extensive. We’re not sure yet if the doors will need to be replaced.
Library operations should be relatively unaffected, and we plan to be open (Tuesday) for our usual hours– though nail guns will be slim pickings for a while until we can get some new ones in.
Tuesday hours are 5 pm-8 pm.
Two notes about COVID-19 vaccination in our area:
NEXT POP-UP CLINIC: Just received this announcement from Our Lady of Guadalupe:
On Sunday, October 17, Our Lady of Guadalupe will host a COVID vaccine clinic in the Walmesley Center (3410 SW Myrtle St.) from 9:30 am-1:30 pm with both the Moderna and the Pfizer vaccine. You can get your first, second, or booster shot.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends the following groups should receive a Pfizer booster at least 6 months after completing their Pfizer primary series: people aged 65 and older, residents aged 18 years and older in long-term care settings, people aged 50-64 years with underlying medical conditions. They also recommend the following groups may receive a Pfizer booster: people 18-49 years with underlying medical conditions, people aged 18-64 years at increased risk for COVID exposure and transmission because of occupational and institutional setting. The CDC also recommends that people with moderately to severely compromised immune systems receive an additional dose at least 28 days after a second dose of Pfizer.
You can book an appointment here. Walk-ups welcome as space allows. Learn more about CDC recommendations here.
CITY VACCINATION HUB IN WEST SEATTLE: Though the city announced two weeks ago that its plan for a new West Seattle vaccination hub would be finalized by “early October,” it’s not set yet. The city announced other plans today – new hubs elsewhere, and a revival of its mobile teams, but mayor’s office spokesperson Kelsey Nyland tells WSB, “We’re still finalizing details on the West Seattle hub – we hope to announce specifics in the next two weeks and have it operational by early November.”
Monday brings the weekly update for the Seattle Public Schools COVID-19 data dashboard. A commenter pointed out last night that SPS had made changes since last Monday – so we are chronicling the difference between the numbers that were on the SPS site as of last night (for example, the districtwide total had been reduced by two, to 343, since last Monday), and the updated totals published today. 71 more cases were added today, districtwide, for a total of 414 so far this school year – this week’s increase is close to those reported each of the previous two weeks. Here are the school-by-school breakouts for our area, with the changes compared to what was on the dashboard last night – again, the numbers are cumulative for the entire school year so far:
Chief Sealth International High School – 16, up 4
Denny International Middle School – 15, up 2
Roxhill Elementary – 9, up 1
Highland Park Elementary – 9, up 1
Madison Middle School – 8, up 4
Genesee Hill Elementary – 6, up 3
Lafayette Elementary – 6, unchanged
Arbor Heights Elementary – 4, up 2
West Seattle Elementary – 4, up 1
Gatewood Elementary – 4, unchanged
Concord International (Elementary) – 3, newly reported this week
Sanislo Elementary – 3, up 2
West Seattle High School – 3, unchanged
Pathfinder K-8 – 3, unchanged
Fairmount Park Elementary – 2, unchanged
Louisa Boren STEM K-8 – 1, unchanged
Still no cases reported at Alki Elementary, according to the dashboard.
Thanks to Danny McMillin for the photo! A sailboat appears to have gotten a close-up look at this submarine as it passed between West Seattle and Bainbridge Island a few hours ago. MarineTraffic.com doesn’t identify the sub beyond “U.S. Warship” but shows that it is still northbound right now, off Whidbey Island.
After reader questions about two Saturday incidents, we were able to follow up with SPD today:
SWAT SERVES WARRANT: The SWAT team response near 3rd/Olson [map] on Saturday morning was a warrant service that traces back to a non-West Seattle cade, according to this SPD summary:
On 10-09-2021 at 5:30 am, during a temporary assignment with the Robbery Unit, an officer investigated a carjacking in the South Precinct. His thorough and tireless investigation ultimately identified a suspect (a violent, convicted felon) that was also possibly responsible for several other violent crimes in Seattle and King County. Officer secured warrants for the suspect and a residence in the Southwest Precinct. (Saturday) morning, SPD SWAT served those warrants and safely and effectively arrested the suspect. Multiple members of CRG assisted with the operation. Additional evidence, including ammunition and narcotics, was recovered. Incidentally, SW Patrol had an active project involving a vulnerable adult living in the residence. CRG and SW Patrol were able to resolve that matter peacefully following SWAT’s securing of the residence.
The suspect is a 32-year-old woman who remains in the King County Jail, bail set at $10,000 in connection with a previous assault case; we’ll be checking with the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office on the status of this new case.
WINDOW-SMASHING & ASSAULT ARREST: This also happened on Saturday and involved multiple incidents in the late morning/early afternoon, according to the police-report narrative. SPD was first called about the suspect after an incident in the Whole Foods store (4700 block of Fauntleroy SW), reported as someone pulling a gun on someone else and threatening them. The person who pulled what he later called a “mace gun” called police to say he was the victim of an assault, giving the first name and description of the suspect, an acquaintance who he said had turned up in the store and punched him without provocation. A short time later, while an officer was following up on that incident, another nearby business – not identified in the report – called to report a man “throwing merchandise,” then “standing in street yelling,” appearing to be under the influence of something. The description in both incidents was similar. Officers found the suspect, a 42-year-old man, walking near 35th/Alaska, and in the meantime got a call from a third business, at 36th/Alaska, about someone pulling a knife after being confronted about breaking out the glass in that business’s front door. Police soon arrested the suspect and seized his knife. He was bleeding from a cut on his right hand and so was treated at a hospital before being booked into jail, where he remains. We’ll be following up on this case too.
(Saturday evening photo by James Bratsanos)
Here’s what’s happening tonight:
OPEN D&D: Drop-in play at Meeples Games (3727 California SW), 6:30-10 pm.
PIGEON POINT NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL: 7 pm online meeting, with this agenda;
Agen Schmitz from Delridge Grocery Coop
Capt Kevin Grossman from the SW Precinct
Mick Shultz from the Port of Seattle
Representatives from Skylink
Viewing/call-in info is in our calendar listing.
MAYORAL CANDIDATES: 7 pm online forum tonight focusing on questions about racial equity – more information, and registration link, are in our calendar listing.
HIGH SCHOOL SPORTS: Two local volleyball matches tonight – Franklin at Chief Sealth International High School (2600 SW Thistle), Cleveland at West Seattle High School (3000 California SW), both with varsity @ 7 pm.
GOOD SOCIETY TRIVIA:Monday Night Trivia at The Good Society Public House (California/Lander).
•Hosted by Jesse of ‘Trivia O Muerte’.
• 7-9 pm
•Teams up to 8 people welcome.
•$2/person entry – winner take all.
•proof of vax or negative test required to be inside/play
QUIZFIX TRIVIA: 7:30 pm at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW), with prizes.
CITY ATTORNEY & CITY COUNCIL CANDIDATES FORUM: The League of Women Voters of Seattle-King County is co-sponsoring an online forum at 7:30 pm with the candidates for City Attorney and for City Council Position 9. More info, including how to watch/listen, is here.
Anything we’re missing today/tonight? Text our hotline at 206-293-6302 – otherwise, email upcoming event info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
The Southwest Precinct is changing commanders. Captain Kevin Grossman, who has been leading the West Seattle/South Park precinct since July of last year, tells WSB he is being transferred to lead the North Precinct as of November 1st. Captain Martin Rivera, who Grossman says has been a night-duty captain – a role that serves the entire city – will be taking over. Grossman says, “I had hoped to remain in West Seattle to see the reopening of the West Seattle Bridge, and to meet more folks as the pandemic recedes, but alas, that was not to be. In any case, I have certainly enjoyed my time in West Seattle. The strong, vibrant neighborhoods and the interested and supportive residents make this a great place to be.” He adds that newly appointed Operations Lieutenant Dorothy Kim – the second-in-command – will remain in that role, “which will also maintain the stability of the precinct.”
6:03 AM: Good morning!
WEATHER
Partly sunny and chilly today, might not even get to 50 – and we could see frost tonight.
ROAD WORK
26th SW – Now closed southbound between Roxbury and Barton.
BUSES, WATER TAXI, FERRIES
Regular Metro schedule, except for the rerouting in RapidRide H Line work zones – on 26th and 15th SW in particular. Watch @kcmetrobus for word of canceled trips.
For ferries and Water Taxi; Check WSF schedules for the Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth route, which is supposed to be back to 3 boats today. Watch @wsferries for ferry updates. … Also – the West Seattle Water Taxi is supposed to resume service today after weekend dock work.
BRIDGES AND DETOUR ROUTES
566th 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 movable bridges opening for boats or barges? The @SDOTBridges Twitter feed will tell you. (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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