day : 28/10/2021 11 results

(WSB photo from August: Containers stored at T-5)

You’ve probably heard a lot about the logjams in the supply chain leading to a backlog of ships waiting to get into ports.

As of this afternoon, for example, Los Angeles/Long Beach had 77 cargo ships in line.

Seattle’s backlog isn’t anywhere near that bad, but it’s still a logistical challenge, according to port and maritime officials who led a media briefing we attended online this afternoon.

The most visible effects of the backlog, as seen from West Seattle, are ships at anchor off Manchester and in Elliott Bay. But there are other anchorages in Puget Sound, and other options for ships while they wait, explained the briefers – Captain Patrick Hilbert of the U.S. Coast Guard, who’s the Sector Puget Sound commander; Captain Mike Moore of the Pacific Merchant Shipping Association; and Port Commission presidents Fred Felleman of Seattle and Dick Marzano of Tacoma.

Whereas previously they would work out berthing logistics with a ship days before its arrival, now they’re doing that three to four weeks in advance. Early discussions might lead a ship to stay anchored in China for a while, for example, before crossing the Pacific. Or a ship’s master might choose to make the crossing at slow speed. Or they might wait a few hundred miles off the Washington coast – or if it’s safer than the open ocean, a ship might even sail “race tracks” (loops) in the Strait of Juan de Fuca (with Canada’s permission).

Felleman said the Northwest Seaport Alliance – the joint port authority of Seattle and Tacoma that manages cargo berths in both harbors – has offered its otherwise idle Terminal 46 downtown as a place for ships to wait, though so far no one has accepted the offer, despite low-to-no-cost availability. (Moore said it would probably be most attractive to ships that needed to reprovision, and he would remind his membership – shipping lines and terminal operators – that it’s available.)

The problem, Felleman explained, isn’t a high volume of cargo; he said they’re at about the same level as pre-pandemic, The trouble is that the timing is off throughout the system, disrupting an intricately interwoven series of actions that have to happen to keep everything flowing. With everything way out of synch, containers are piling up on docks because truck drivers aren’t showing up to get them, and that can mean a ship doesn’t get loaded or unloaded. Terminal 18 on Harbor Island, for example, had at one point 7,000 containers, empty and full waiting to be picked up. As we’ve shown you before, under-construction Terminal 5 here in West Seattle is being used as a temporary storage spot for container overflow, as is T-46.

Puget Sound only had three ships at anchor today, they said. Could this area handle some of that massive backup from elsewhere? we asked. Short answer, no, that would just be moving the problem around.

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FOOTBALL: West Seattle HS wins Huling Bowl, breaks Chief Sealth IHS streak

October 28, 2021 9:35 pm

| 8 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

(Photo by Sam Seumae)

9:35 PM: In a downpour at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex tonight, West Seattle High School took back the Huling Bowl trophy with a 42-0 win over Chief Sealth International High School. The Seahawks had won the past four editions of the crosstown-rivalry game.

(WSB photos from here down)

11:11 PM: WSHS’s tally included three 2-point conversions. The Wildcats were up 28-0 at halftime.

Despite the miserable playing conditions, the victory gave WSHS head coach Jeff Scott a reason to smile.

Game’s end was major photo-op time.

And though the game was devoid of pre-pandemic-style festivities, the traditional trophy hoist went on:

It was West Seattle’s first Huling Bowl win since 2016. The Wildcats are now 5-3 on the year; the Seahawks are 1-7.

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BIZNOTE: Another new business for Jefferson Square

October 28, 2021 7:20 pm

| 6 COMMENTS

| West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Permit files show another new business for Jefferson Square, and this time we’ve obtained company confirmation, too. The site plan shows the space on the south side of U-Frame-It becoming a location for uBreakiFix, a chain of small-electronics repair shops that has more than 700 locations in North America. But the company is changing its name and spokesperson Molly Livingston tells WSB that the Jefferson Square location will open under that new name – Asurion Tech Repair & Solutions (after the company that acquired uBreakiFix two years ago). They’re hoping to open around March.

OTHER BUSINESSES ON THE WAY: Also planned for that side of the center – an eye clinic, See’s Candies, and the AT&T store that previously was in Morgan Junction.

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UPDATE: ‘Rescue extrication’ response in Highland Park

October 28, 2021 5:14 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| Highland Park | West Seattle news | WS breaking news

5:14 PM: Seattle Fire is sending a “rescue extrication” response to the 7700 block of 11th SW [map]. The report is of an overturned car with one person inside. Updates to come.

5:16 PM: First unit arriving reports a driver hit a tree.

5:40 PM: Added a photo. (update) We’re told the driver is being taken to the hospital via private ambulance, indicating his injuries are not life-threatening. There was a second person in the car, our crew was told, who declined medical treatment.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Armed shoplifter; broken-glass mystery; more

October 28, 2021 4:14 pm

| 17 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

Three notes in West Seattle Crime Watch:

SHOPLIFT TURNED ROBBERY: Last night at 9:18 pm, according to a police summary, a man shoplifted “three large containers of laundry detergent” from the Jefferson Square Safeway. Store security confronted him, and he showed them he had a handgun in his waistband. They backed off and he left. The only description in the report is that the getaway vehicle was a “green sedan,”

BROKEN-GLASS MYSTERY: Police were called to the Shell station/mini-mart in the 6500 block of California SW eqrly Wednesday for a possible burglary. The owner told them he’d found glass broken in the front entrance and suspected a break-in. But police “concluded that a person could not have entered the store because it was at the top right corner of the door and was too small in size. Additionally, the door was locked chained with a lock; therefore, the suspect never opened the door.” Officers checked “for other signs of possible entry,” according to the report, and found none. They checked security video and saw the glass break just before 3 am – but the video didn’t show anyone breaking the glass. It did show two men “wandering near the front door a couple of minutes prior to the window breaking,” and officers found “large rocks” on the side of the store. They concluded, “It is possible that the suspects attempted to break the window with a rock and left the window in a weakened state, allowing a gust of wind to shatter it. Also, a possible stray bullet or pellet gun could have caused the window to break. Officers could not locate any evidence of a stray bullet. At this point, the cause of the damage is unknown.”

IN CASE YOU WONDERED TOO … We were asked about what a reader described as a “tactical team” on Avalon Way this morning. SPD says those were officers from Bellevue Police serving a warrant. No further details available so far.

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SALMON-WATCHING: You’re invited to Fauntleroy ‘open creek’ Saturday

October 28, 2021 2:54 pm

| 2 COMMENTS

| Fauntleroy | West Seattle news | Wildlife

(Photo and video by Palmer Richardson)

So far this salmon-watching season, volunteers have seen two spawners – on separate occasions – in Fauntleroy Creek. So they’ve decided to host an “open creek” for the community on Saturday afternoon (when the weather should be MUCH calmer than today). Here’s the invitation, sent by Judy Pickens:

Volunteers with the Fauntleroy Watershed Council will host an all-ages open creek on Saturday noon-3 pm in lower Fauntleroy Creek. Stroll on over to the fish ladder viewpoint at SW Director and upper Fauntleroy Way SW and come down the nearby long driveway at 4539 SW Director Place to the creek level. Tuck a mask in your pocket and come prepared to check out the habitat, get your questions answered, and maybe see a coho spawner on what is forecast to be a beautiful fall afternoon. Children should bring a parent.

No guarantee you’ll see a fish, but here’s what to look for:

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DEVELOPMENT: Key land-use approval for South Delridge mixed-use project at 9208 20th SW

October 28, 2021 12:57 pm

| 10 COMMENTS

| Delridge | Development | West Seattle news

(Rendering by Atelier Drome Architects)

Almost four months after the Southwest Design Review Board gave its final approval to the 9208 20th SW project, city planners have given it a key land-use approval. This is the former auto-shop site that originally was proposed – as 9201 Delridge Way SW – for a self-storage facility, but then zoning thwarted that, and a new development team pivoted the project to mixed-use. The city summarizes it as “a 5-story, 76-unit apartment building with 71 apartments, 5 small efficiency dwelling units, retail and office, (and n)o parking proposed.” The notice in today’s Land Use Information Bulletin opens an appeal period through November 12th (and explains how that works).

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UPDATE: Collision at 42nd/Alaska

October 28, 2021 11:39 am

| 10 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS breaking news

11:39 AM: SPD and SFD are responding to a reported collision at 42nd/Alaska. The report is that a driver hit a pedestrian. We’re on our way to find out more.

12:17 PM: This was on the northeast (QFC) corner. The person did not have major injuries, SFD tells us, and was going to be transported by private ambulance. Their response has now cleared.

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WEST SEATTLE THURSDAY: 3 candidate forums, Seattle Lutheran HS open house, CSIHS-WSHS football, more…

October 28, 2021 10:30 am

| 3 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Photo by James Tilley)

Just five days left to vote, and tonight brings three chances for what might be your last look at the candidates in five races:

PORT COMMISSION: Three Seattle Port Commission races are on the ballot, each with an incumbent and a challenger. At 5 pm online, the Duwamish River Cleanup Coalition co-presents a forum with all three. Our calendar listing includes the registration link.

KING COUNTY EXECUTIVE: The two West Seattleites in this race will face off again during the West Seattle Transportation Coalition‘s monthly meeting, online at 6:30 pm. The viewing/call-in information is in our calendar listing.

SEATTLE MAYOR: The last major debate of the campaign is at 7:30 pm, and will be streamed/televised on multiple outlets – details in our calendar listing.

Also in the hours ahead, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar and Halloween Guide (where you’ll find even more than what’s spotlighted below):

GRAND OPENING: 4 pm, the doors open at West Seattle Bowl‘s new Three 9 Lounge (here’s our peek inside), 39th/Oregon.

GOVERNOR’S BRIEFING: The latest from Gov. Jay Inslee on the pandemic and more, 2:30 pm – watch the livestream here.

WEST SEATTLE DEMOCRATIC WOMEN: Online meeting at 11 am, with tree protection as a spotlight topic. Info’s in our calendar listing.

ALKI KEEP MOVING STREET @ WSTC: In addition to the county executive candidates’ forum mentioned above, the West Seattle Transportation Coalition meeting online at 6:30 pm will include an update on/discussion of the Alki Point “Keep Moving Street.” Participation information is in our calendar listing.

SEATTLE LUTHERAN HIGH SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE: 7 pm, in person, at the school (4100 SW Genesee) – details here; RSVP here.

HULING BOWL: The rescheduled crosstown-rivalry football game between Chief Sealth International High School and West Seattle High School is scheduled for 7 pm at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle).

NIGHTFALL ORPHANAGE: The haunted experience at 2130 Alki SW will be open 7-10 pm – go here for full details.

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GIVING: 2 more dropoff locations for Kiwanis Club of West Seattle’s Toys for Tots drive

October 28, 2021 9:31 am

| 2 COMMENTS

| How to help | Kiwanis Club of West Seattle | West Seattle news

That’s the crew in the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle booth at the Farmers’ Market earlier this month, already collecting Toys for Tots for this year’s holiday season. Now they’ve sent word of two more places you can drop off new, unwrapped toys:

The Kiwanis Club of West Seattle has partnered with two businesses to provide “Toys for Tots” dropoff locations.

Edward Jones Advisor Bill Anderson, 3727 California Ave SW, Monday – Friday 8 AM to 3 PM

Northwest Art & Frame, 4733 California Ave SW, Monday – Saturday 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM, Sunday 11 AM – 5:30 PM

For additional information, contact Denis Sapiro, 206-601-4136

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TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER, ROAD WORK: Thursday notes

October 28, 2021 6:03 am

| 4 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

ADDED 9:50 AM: Crash on/at the 1st Avenue South Bridge.
================
Earlier:

6:03 AM: Good morning!

WEATHER

Rainy and warmer – the high might reach the mid-60s.

REOPENED

East Marginal Way has fully reopened.

OTHER BRIDGES AND DETOUR ROUTES

586th morning without the West Seattle Bridge. Here are views of other bridges and routes:

South Park Bridge:

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):

Are movable bridges opening for boats or barges? The @SDOTBridges Twitter feed is back as of last check. 1st Ave. South Bridge openings are tweeted on @wsdot_traffic.

See all local traffic cams here; locally relevant cameras are also on this WSB page.

ROAD WORK – TODAY AND UPCOMING

26th SW – Ongoing closure between Roxbury and Barton for RapidRide H Line prep work, at least a few more weeks, the county says.

NEXT WEEK: More RapidRide-related work at 26th/Roxbury, starting as soon as Monday. This flyer has full details.

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 trip cancellations.

For ferries and Water Taxi: WSF is still on a two-boat schedule on the Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth run. Check here for alerts/updates. The Water Taxi continurs on its new schedule (no weekend or off-peak shuttle buses).

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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