West Seattle, Washington
10 Tuesday
Thanks to Mike Munson for the photo of a delivery today at Lowman Beach Park. His photo and an area resident’s report of bright lights overnight last night are reminders that night work on the shore-restoration project continues, as previewed in a Seattle Parks announcement two weeks ago. We asked Parks today what’s happening now; spokesperson Karen O’Connor replied, “The night work started last week. The Contractor was working on shoring and preparation around the area for the new precast seawall. This week, a few more night shifts will occur to set precast wall and cap in place.” They’re working during late-night low-low tides. If anyone in the area has questions about the night work, she said, they can email lowmanbeach@seattle.gov.
P.S. A brief update on the project is also planned during Wednesday night’s quarterly Morgan Community Association meeting, 7 pm online – viewing/participation info is in our calendar listing.
ORIGINAL TUESDAY REPORT: Police are currently on the lookout for a gold 2014 Nissan Murano, plates BKY3697, reported as stolen in a carjacking from the Lighthouse Apartments at 7901 Delridge Way SW. Officers have told dispatch that the victim described the two carjackers as female, white or Hispanic, in their 20s, one with light hair and a hoodie, one with dark hair, both in blue jeans. A gun was implied but not seen, they say. If you see this (or any other reported) stolen car, call 911.
WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON: Just got word that the car was recovered in Kent, possibly linked to other robberies. We’re checking to see if we can find out more.
One more COVID-19 update tonight – our one-day-delayed weekly look at countywide and West Seattle numbers from Public Health-Seattle & King County, which did not update on the holiday:
KING COUNTY CUMULATIVE NUMBERS (through today):
*288,808 cases – 40,033 more than our last check 8 days ago (10,841 total in West Seattle, up 1,596)
*10,274 hospitalizations – 524 more than eight days ago (292 total from West Seattle, up 15)
*2,246 people have died – 50 more than the previous update (80 total in West Seattle, up 3)
TREND
The West Seattle case total averages out to just under 200 per day, compared to 190 per day in last week’s update
VACCINATION RATE
82.8% of King County residents 5+ have completed their vaccine series – up .4% from one week ago.
By West Seattle zip code – note that these numbers are still NOT available as 5+, so they reflect the percentage of 12+ population:
98106 – 88.9% completed series (52.1% of them have been boosted)
98116 – 92% completed series (64.7% of them have been boosted)
98126 – 83.7% completed series (60% of them have been boosted)
98136 – 93.5% completed series (67.9% of them have been boosted)
98146 – 84% completed series (48.6% of them have been boosted)
(Find more COVID-related King County stats here.)
GETTING TESTED IN WEST SEATTLE
-The city-sponsored, UW Medicine-run West Seattle testing site at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle) is limiting testing to symptomatic/exposed people. Appointments can be made here (if you find an opening).
–Curative continues operating two West Seattle testing locations – at Don Armeni Boat Ramp (1222 Harbor SW) and at Summit Atlas School (9601 35th SW)
GETTING VACCINATED IN WEST SEATTLE
The city-run vaccination hub at Neighborhood House High Point (6400 Sylvan Way SW) continues Friday and Saturday operations; here‘s where to look for an appointment. Pliable‘s Sunday clinics (same location) are on hiatus until January 30th. Pop-up clinics continue, including one for Seattle Public Schools students tomorrow at Denny IMS.
P.S. If you missed it, SPS published its weekly case-numbers update Monday despite the holiday, so we had the local breakouts last night.
Three incidents in West Seattle Crime Watch:
ROXBURY INCIDENT: This response is unfolding right now – it started with a report of an “aggressive man in the street,” then as police responded, the man is reported to have gone inside the gas-station mini-mart at 30th/Roxbury and started breaking glass and throwing things. Officers told dispatch they deployed a Taser and have the suspect in custody; we confirmed that on scene:
Medics were called to check out the suspect. This is King County Sheriff’s Office jurisdiction and they were reported to be on the way. (ADDED 9:31 PM) We’re not likely to get additional information until tomorrow, but we do have a short video clip from Ted Huetter, who was at the nearby stoplight when he noticed the police response:
ADDED WEDNESDAY: SPD’s preliminary summary adds details:
Officers responded to a 911 hazard call regarding a subject lying in the roadway in the 2100 block of SW Roxbury St. Officers arrived and located the subject walking in the roadway in the 3400 block of SW Roxbury St. Officers attempted to persuade the subject out of the roadway, but he refused. While officers waited for additional units to arrive for an emergent detention, the subject ran in the road several blocks before entering a nearby gas station, located in the 2800 block SW Roxbury St. The subject proceeded to damage and/or throw most items in the store, shatter a window, and threw items at officers. One officer was struck by flying glass but uninjured. The subject eventually exited the store and a taser was deployed … The subject was taken into custody and Seattle Fire was requested for his injuries. The subject was transported to Harborview Medical Center via SFD, and a hospital guard was established until the subject could be booked into King County Jail for investigation of Malicious Mischief and Assault 3. The amount of loss suffered by the gas station was undetermined due to the extent of the damage.
Also in Crime Watch, the next two incidents both happened Saturday at Admiral Safeway, according to police summaries:
SHOPLIFT TURNED ROBBERY: This was reported at 8:45 am – a man was “placing items inside his cart, backpack, and duffel bag.” The store manager, the summary continues, “approached the suspect and offered to assist the suspect with checking out all the items he was concealing. The suspect became agitated and pulled out a hypodermic needle, and aggressively held the needle in his hand as a weapon. The manager placed a shopping cart between him and the suspect. The suspect walked out of the store with the stolen items inside his backpack and duffel bag.” Police searched but did not find him; the summary does not include a description.
ARMED MAN THREATENS CUSTOMERS: This was reported at 11:22 pm, and it did result in an arrest. The summary says “multiple 911 calls” reported a man “armed with an axe and knife, threatening customers.” No injuries were reported. Police found the man hiding in a stairwell. He was booked into jail for investigation of felony harassment.
A two-part announcement from Denny International Middle School (2601 SW Kenyon):
VACCINATION CLINIC TOMORROW: 4-6 pm Wednesday (January 19th), Seattle Public Schools students who are eligible for COVID-19 vaccinations can get them at a one-day walk-in clinic at Denny. Here’s the flyer.
AFTERSCHOOL TESTING: Starting tomorrow, an afterschool testing site will be set up weekdays at Denny, 4-8 pm, open to all SPS students, families, and staff. This too is walk-in, but you can register in advance here (or use the QR code on the flyer).
Two notes today about home tests for COVID-19:
ONLINE ORDERING BEGINS FOR FREE TESTS: The federal government wasn’t expected to launch this until tomorrow but it’s up now. You can go here and order up to four home COVID tests per household to be mailed to you. Wondering what kind of tests? From the website:
The tests available for order:
-Are rapid antigen at-home tests, not PCR
-Can be taken anywhere
-Give results within 30 minutes (no lab drop-off required)
-Work whether or not you have COVID-19 symptoms
-Work whether or not you are up to date on your COVID-19 vaccines
-Are also referred to self-tests or over-the-counter (OTC) tests
The tests will take at least a week to arrive, the site says.
IF YOU’RE BUYING HOME TESTS … the state Attorney General’s Office has a warning for you about price-gouging. The office says it’s been receiving complaints including online ads offering tests for more than triple their retail price. You can file a price-gouging complaint about this or anything else by going here.
Thanks to Joseph for the photo. The familiar red-highlighted RapidRide station framework is appearing on Delridge Way, eight months before the scheduled conversion of Metro Route 120 to the RapidRide H Line. This work is under way on southbound Delridge just south of SW Andover. As shown on the map of the West Seattle section of the H Line, this will be the northernmost station:
The H Line is currently scheduled to launch with Metro’s September service change
(Recent Lincoln Park sunset, photographed by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)
From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
KING CONSERVATION DISTRICT ELECTION: Voting begins in a unique countywide election, for one of the supervisor positions of the King Conservation District. You can vote online – go here for information on how to do that and who’s running.
DEMONSTRATION: 4:30-6 pm at 16th/Holden, organizer Scott leads the longrunning signwaving demonstration for racial justice. Signs available if you don’t have one.
TOASTMASTERS 832: All welcome at the weekly online meeting, 6:30 pm. Our calendar listing has information on how to participate.
TRIVIA X 2: Two venues to play tonight – 7 pm at Admiral Pub (2306 California SW), 7:30 and 8:30 pm at The Lodge (4209 SW Alaska).
BELLE OF THE BALLS BINGO: Play bingo with Cookie Couture at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW), 8 pm. Free, all ages!
There’s more on our calendar – and if you have something to add for the future, email us the info at westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Family and friends will gather February 5th to celebrate the life of Gary Wofford. Here’s the remembrance they’re sharing with the community:
Gary W. Wofford, age 82, passed away on Nov. 3, 2021, at St Clare Hospital, Lakewood, Washington, from Pulmonary Fibrosis. He was surrounded by his family.
Gary was born to George Wofford and Helen (Johnson) Frederickson of Bremerton and grew up in Poulsbo. He graduated from North Kitsap High School, class of 1957. He was very active in sports and school activities.
Gary married Ellen (Waali) Wofford in 1958. They were married for 62 years. They lived in West Seattle for 36 years before moving to the Lake Tapps / Enumclaw area.
When Gary resided in West Seattle, he coached football for The West Seattle Boys Club and West Seattle Jr. Football from 1959-1976. We know he impacted many young men’s lives and won several City Championships along the way! He also worked on the “Chain Gang” for the University of Washington football program for several years.
In his earlier years, he worked for Boeing, Sid Eland Distributors, and North Coast Electric. After moving to the Lake Tapps area, he had three restaurants in Bonney Lake and Enumclaw: Pard’s Place (Enumclaw), Midtown Grill (Bonney Lake), and 23 years as proprietor of BLT Sports Bar and Grill, 1997-2020 (Bonney Lake).
He was very supportive to the local community programs, charities, several youth programs, and the Veterans Home, located in Orting. He was active with WIAA High School Basketball by hosting teams in state tournaments at the Tacoma Dome for several years and supported many High School athletic programs. He also provided holiday meals for families in Enumclaw and Bonney Lake communities.
He is survived by his wife Ellen and their three children: Jana Decker (Joe Fox), Connie Bray, and Brent Wofford, and grandchildren Travis Decker (Lindsey), Kyle Bray (Willa Rector), Jennie Roush (Brandon), Brooke Coyle (Frank Tanner), Taylor Wofford, Devin Wofford, Domi Wolmer (Chris), and JJ Fox. Gary also is survived by 11 great-grandchildren and his brother Richard Wofford (Cathy).
In lieu of flowers, please donate to any of these organizations:
Bonney Lake Food Bank: PO Box 7521, Bonney Lake, WA 98391
Enumclaw Food Bank: PO Box 827, Enumclaw, WA 98022
Or any Youth Organization of your choice.A private burial was held Nov. 9, 2021, at the Enumclaw Cemetery, Enumclaw. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, February 5th at the Eagles in Buckley from 1-4 PM.
(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)
6:03 AM Good morning!
WEATHER
Showery forecast today, with a high in the upper 40s.
BUSES, WATER TAXI, FERRIES
Metro is on a regular weekday schedule. Watch @kcmetrobus for word of trip cancellations.
West Seattle and Vashon Water Taxi routes are back to their regular schedules.
Ferries: WSF continues a two-boat schedule on the Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth run. Check here for alerts/updates.
BRIDGES AND DETOUR ROUTES
665th morning without the West Seattle 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.)
The 1st Avenue South Bridge (map):
South Park Bridge:
West Marginal Way at Highland Park Way:
Highland Park Way/Holden:
The 5-way intersection (Spokane/West Marginal/Delridge/Chelan):
Are movable bridges opening for vessels? The @SDOTBridges Twitter feed can tell you; 1st Ave. S. Bridge openings are also tweeted on @wsdot_traffic.
See all local traffic cams here; locally relevant cameras are also on this WSB page
Trouble on the roads/paths/water? Text or call us (when you can do so safely) – 206-293-6302.
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