West Seattle, Washington

19 Friday

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month : 01/2022 300 results

CORONAVIRUS: 1,489 new cases in weekly Seattle Public Schools update; district responds to teachers’ safety requests
January 17, 2022 10:41 pm
|      33 COMMENTS
 |   Coronavirus | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

We were going to hold off on our entire weekly local pandemic roundup until tomorrow because of the holiday. Then we discovered that despite the holiday, Seattle Public Schools has posted its weekly dashboard update. (King County Public Health won’t have new numbers until tomorrow, so that’s when we’ll update the other local stats.) Districtwide, the cumulative SPS case total for this school year is now 3,590, 1,489 more than a week earlier. Here’s the local school-by-school breakout (as always, these totals also are cumulative):

Chief Sealth International High School – 77, up 44
Madison Middle School – 51, up 30
West Seattle High School – 44, up 5
West Seattle Elementary – 43, up 29
Arbor Heights Elementary – 40, up 18
Denny International Middle School – 40, up 8
Sanislo Elementary – 36, up 19
Louisa Boren STEM K-8 – 32, up 9
Pathfinder K-8 – 31, up 14
Genesee Hill Elementary – 31, up 14
Concord International (Elementary) – 28, up 13
Roxhill Elementary – 28, up 13
Fairmount Park Elementary – 27, up 9
Gatewood Elementary – 25, up 6
Alki Elementary – 23, up 4
Lafayette Elementary – 20, up 9
Highland Park Elementary – 15, up 1
BRIDGES @ Roxhill – 2, up 1

No schools in West Seattle have gone fully remote, though some classes have – the district doesn’t publicly announce changes for part of a school’s population, but we were forwarded a letter indicating that some classes at Pathfinder K-8 are all-remote right now until next Monday at the earliest.

Also tonight, the district has just published on its website what it titles “Response to SEA” (the educators’ union Seattle Education Association), in response to a new list of union requests. Those requests are similar to what we published last Thursday night after the Friday sickout closure of Chief Sealth International High School was announced. The requests include providing high-quality masks to all students and staff; the district says it will start distributing those to staff tomorrow, and that they’re on order for students. But otherwise, the two sides remain apart.

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REOPENING: Full Tilt Ice Cream reopens in White Center tomorrow, four months post-fire
January 17, 2022 7:59 pm
|      13 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | White Center

(West Seattle Blog/White Center Now photos)

Four months after the fire that gutted the Locker Room Bar and Grill, one of the other White Center businesses affected is about to reopen: Full Tilt Ice Cream‘s flagship location at 9629 16th SW reopens tomorrow (Tuesday, January 18th). We stopped by this evening as they finished getting ready.

That wall is an example of what had to be fixed before Full Tilt could reopen – firefighters had to break through it while working to stop the September fire. And they’re two doors down from Locker Room; the damage was even worse at neighboring Huong Xua Deli and, on the other side of Locker Room, Bizzarro Italian Café. No updates on them yet (Bizzarro is still open in Wallingford). Full Tilt will reopen with a few new touches – like this Simpsons-themed pinball machine:

Hours will be the same as pre-fire – 3 to 8 pm.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Stolen white Subaru Forester
January 17, 2022 5:48 pm
|    Comments Off on WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Stolen white Subaru Forester
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Be on the lookout for Andrea‘s car:

Stolen from our garage last night:
License ANJ2559
2014 white Subaru Forester
With golden retriever decal on back

Stolen between 1am and 6am Monday the 17th on 36th Ave SW near SW Hanford.

If you see it, call 911.

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Also at Lincoln Park: Unusual bird sighting
January 17, 2022 5:36 pm
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

Before sunset, we got multiple reports (thanks to Megan for the photo) about that rooster, seen and heard in upper Lincoln Park. Not likely it’s a lost pet, as they’re against city rules. We advised reporting to Seattle Animal Shelter but they’re closed for the holiday.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Car broken into in park lot
January 17, 2022 2:43 pm
|      19 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

Heads up if this afternoon’s sunshine has you planning on driving to a local park. Just sent by Franki:

We wanted to share that sometime from 11:40 to 12:40 this morning our car was broken into while we were strolling in Lincoln Park. We parked our car in upper parking lot along Fauntleroy. The right side window was smashed and my mom’s purse was stolen. We are a bit befuddled on how this happened because there were so many people around in the parking lot! Just remember to stay safe and don’t leave belongings visible in your car.

General advice is not to leave anything in your car, visible or not – thieves have been known to break in on spec.

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MLK DAY OF SERVICE: West Seattle volunteers give the greenbelt some help
January 17, 2022 1:44 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Delridge | Environment | How to help | Pigeon Point | West Seattle news

Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day has become MLK Day of Service for many, and in West Seattle, that included several environmental-restoration/cleanup projects today. We stopped by the Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association Nature Team work site in Pigeon Point Park, part of the West Duwamish Greenbelt urban forest, adjacent to Pathfinder K-8.

This is a labor-intensive, long-running project to give the life-sustaining forest some help by beating back invasive plants. Removing blackberry growth was a focus for the nearly 30 volunteers who turned out today. In the spring, work parties will focus on planting – but at this time of year, the ground has to be cleared and readied to receive those new plants. DNDA has frequent volunteer opportunities for this area and other parts of the West Duwamish Greenbelt – check them out, and sign up if you’re interested, by going here.

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ELECTION 2022: Ballots go out this week for Seattle Public Schools levies. Here’s what you’ll be voting on
January 17, 2022 11:52 am
|      43 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

checkbox.jpgThis week, King County Elections sends out ballots for February 8th “special elections,” and this year that includes two levy renewals for Seattle Public Schools.

Proposition 1: Educational Programs & Operations Levy Renewal
This is a three-year $646 million levy (down from $814 million in 2019). The district explains it as “funding for day-to-day operations, staffing positions, academic programs and student opportunities that are not fully funded by the state.” One example cited by SPS is that state funding covers nine school nurses for the entire district; levy funding is used to employ 59 more (still only 68 nurses for a 110+-school district). The levy is expected to cost up to 75 cents per $1,000 property valuation per year, down from the $1.05 rate voters approved three years ago. You can see the full text here; see the official pro/con statements and other background here.

Proposition 2: Buildings, Technology, and Academics/Athletics Levy Renewal
This is a six-year $783 million levy, up from $475 million for the one approved in 2015. The district explains that this three-part levy covers everything from major building-maintenance projects to “strategic investments in technology” to athletic-field improvements. This levy starts at 47 cents per $1,000 property valuation and goes down to an estimated 37 cents in the final year (the 2016 version was estimated at 43 cents per $1,000). See the full text of the levy here; yes/no statements and other background is here. West Seattle schools and SPS facilities with projects on the district’s list include:

Nino Cantu SW Athletic Complex – replace softball-field turf and lighting
Hiawatha/West Seattle HS – new batting cages, shared cost of turf replacement
Gatewood Elementary – windows and fire alarm
Highland Park Elementary – playground improvements
Lafayette Elementary – stormwater systems and asphalt maintenance
Boren STEM K-8 – electrical system improvements, intercom/clock system replacement
Pathfinder K-8 – fire-alarm panel replacement
Madison MS – exterior cladding/window improvements
Interagency/Roxhill – fire and burglary alarm improvements
Schmitz Park (interim site) – door, fire-safety improvements

Both levies require a simple-majority vote to pass. KC Elections plans to send ballots on Wednesday; dropboxes open Thursday; deadline to return your ballot (or get it postmarked) is Tuesday, February 8th.

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MLK Day of Service and other notes for your West Seattle Monday
January 17, 2022 9:54 am
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news

Thanks to Noodle and crew for the photo from a West Seattle walk in the fog. Below, a few notes for this Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day holiday Monday:

WHAT’S CLOSED
-Schools
–Libraries
–Most Seattle Parks facilities
-Banks
–Post Offices

As for what’s happening:

POP-UP CLEANUP: Other MLK Day of Service events in our area are full – volunteer capacities have long been restricted because of the pandemic – but you can grab a bag and go join the pop-up cleanup along Harbor Avenue SW, 10 am-noon, as previewed right after we got word of it last night.

BETTY WHITE CHALLENGE A reader asked us if any local animal-advocate groups was joining this nationwide fundraiser honoring what would have been Betty White‘s 100th birthday today. Furry Faces Foundation has decided to jump in:

We are proud to join Betty White’s Challenge! Please consider donating $5 in honor of Betty White…she still lives with all of us in our hearts and minds,

Thank you for your consideration. Donations may be made to our PayPal account – furryfaces@hotmail.com – or mailed to 3809 46th Ave SW, Seattle, 98116. For more information about Furry Faces Foundation, go here.

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WEATHER, TRANSIT, TRAFFIC: MLK Day Monday notes
January 17, 2022 6:03 am
|    Comments Off on WEATHER, TRANSIT, TRAFFIC: MLK Day Monday notes
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:03 AM Good morning! It’s Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

WEATHER

Cloudy, breezy, rain likely later, per the holiday forecast, with a high in the 40s.

BUSES, WATER TAXI, FERRIES

Metro is on a regular weekday schedule. Watch @kcmetrobus for word of trip cancellations.

Sound Transit express buses are on regular weekday schedules too.

West Seattle and Vashon Water Taxi routes are not running today.

Ferries: WSF continues a two-boat schedule on the Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth run. Check here for alerts/updates.

BRIDGES AND DETOUR ROUTES

664th 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:

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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MLK DAY OF SERVICE: Still looking for a way to volunteer?
January 16, 2022 10:36 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   Holidays | How to help | West Seattle news

If you aren’t already signed up for an MLK Day of Service volunteer opportunity tomorrow but are interested in helping out somewhere, we just found out about this – CleanupSEA is organizing a pop-up cleanup, 10 am-noon. Meet at Harbor and Lotus [map]. More info here. (P.S. If you know of any other service opportunities Monday that are not all booked up, let us know so we can mention them too!)

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From ferry lines to Fall Festival’s future @ Fauntleroy Community Association
January 16, 2022 8:52 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Fauntleroy | Neighborhoods | West Seattle news

Here’s what happened at this week’s online meeting of the Fauntleroy Community Association:

TRAFFIC SAFETY: This has been an ongoing focus for FCA, as they continue pressing for progress on issues raised at a special community meeting in October. Two issues they emphasized: Getting enforcement for ferry-line jumpers and people making U-turns near the dock. One challenge – Those are different agencies’ jurisdictions – the State Patrol and Seattle Police. FCA president Mike Dey suggested a separate conversation with SPD and WSP might be in order to talk about a unified response. SDOT has promised signage and an “education campaign” about line-cutting; FCA doesn’t feel that’s enough.

FERRIES: FCA’s point person on Washington State Ferries matters, Frank Immel, recapped recent community meetings and said WSF’s environmental survey of the Fauntleroy dock will likely start in the next few months. He reiterated that it’s too early in the planning process for any decisions on the replacement dock/terminal.

CRIME: The Southwest Precinct was represented by Sgt. Lance Gilmore. Again this month, he said, Fauntleroy has had fewer calls than any other part of West Seattle. He also mentioned another new emphasis program is planned for Westwood Village, starting soon once the plan – and the overtime it would require – gets final approval. (The shopping center was a topic at the previous FCA meeting in November.)

FAUNTLEROY FALL FESTIVAL: David Haggerty said the festival’s future is clouded by rising costs and a need for volunteers. The cost could double this year, if some of last year’s price hikes on items such as pumpkins and canopies are a preview of what’s to come. Fundraisers are planned as usual but finding volunteer help can be difficult. Festival organizers are working on some questions to take to the community soon as they look ahead.

EASTER EGG HUNT: FCA is tentatively planning on one for April 16th, the day before Easter – details to come. (Last year, FCA hid hundreds of eggs around the community.)

WHAT’S NEXT: FCA’s board meetings, open to the community, are held online at 7 pm the second Tuesday of most months, so the next one is February 8th. Watch fauntleroy.net for updates.

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In case you’re wondering too: No, the garbage strike does NOT include West Seattle
January 16, 2022 6:11 pm
|      15 COMMENTS
 |   Utilities | West Seattle news

Several people have asked us today whether our area’s residential solid-waste collection is affected by the strike against Republic Services. So in case you’re wondering too, the short answer: No. Long answer: In West Seattle and elsewhere, Seattle Public Utilities contracts with other companies for pickup – Waste Management and Recology. Their drivers are NOT on strike – the strike is against Republic only. The walkout started a month ago in San Diego and has since spread to Republic facilities in King County. While the city does work with a Republic-operated recycling facility, an SPU spokesperson is quoted in The Seattle Times as saying that will not affect service.

P.S. Separate from the strike situation, tomorrow’s MLK Day holiday also will NOT affect service in West Seattle, though some other areas of the city are on a one-day delay, as explained here. (Monday note: Some commenters say they’ve received notifications to the contrary – please let us know if you did too, as we will be asking SPU tomorrow about their apparently erroneous/incomplete announcement.)

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Lowman Beach update and more @ Morgan Community Association’s quarterly meeting
January 16, 2022 4:45 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Neighborhoods | West Seattle news

Thanks to Mike Munson for that photo from the north end of Lowman Beach Park, where the seawall removal/shoreline restoration project continues. A short project update is one of the items on the agenda for the Morgan Community Association‘s next quarterly meeting, this Wednesday (January 19th), online at 7 pm. MoCA will also talk about the Morgan Junction Park expansion site and forming a committee to talk about what can be done with the site between (upcoming) contamination cleanup and (future) park development. Also on the agenda, the new owner of one of Morgan Junction’s major mixed-use buildings, Ivy Court. See the full agenda here or below:

Information for attending the meeting by video or phone is in the agenda and also in our calendar listing.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Another catalytic-converter theft
January 16, 2022 2:22 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Sent to us via text this weekend:

Just wanted our neighbors and community to know that our 2006 Toyota Highlander’s catalytic converter was stolen some time between last Sunday, Jan. 9th and Friday, Jan. 14th. We don’t use the car much as my son takes the Metro to school and I’m within walking distance to my job. We live within a few blocks of Lafayette Elementary.

Not sure what people can do to deter this from happening to their car. Nonetheless, I thought people might want and need to know to be a bit more aware.

Deterrence advice is on this National Insurance Crime Bureau webpage, along with national stats showing how catalytic-converter theft grew dramatically between 2019 and 2020.

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THEATER: Last call for online viewing of ArtsWest’s ‘We’ve Battled Monsters Before’
January 16, 2022 12:23 pm
|    Comments Off on THEATER: Last call for online viewing of ArtsWest’s ‘We’ve Battled Monsters Before’
 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

Though “We’ve Battled Monsters Before” closed at ArtsWest Playhouse in The Junction (WSB sponsor) just after Christmas, you can still see it online. As reported here back in November, ArtsWest is offering this season’s plays online too, for anyone who doesn’t yet feel ready to return to in-person attendance. So a recorded performance of the musical by Justin Huertas (also a co-star) is available online through Thursday (January 20th). Ticket prices vary, from the “inclusion rate” on up. Go here to get your ticket and the viewing link. After this, ArtsWest opens the season’s second show, “Monsters of the American Cinema” by Christian St. Croix, starting with a preview performance January 26th

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‘Parenting in a Pandemic’: Open invitation to online presentation Wednesday
January 16, 2022 10:30 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Coronavirus | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Two years into the pandemic, this remains a tough time in many ways. That includes people trying to help their kids cope with the ongoing challenges. That’s why the West Seattle High School PTSA is inviting you to an online presentation at 7 pm this Wednesday – you do NOT have to be a WSHS PTSA member or even a WSHS parent/guardian to attend:

WSHS PTSA Presents: “Parenting in a Pandemic: Reestablishing Parenting Foundations”
January 19th, 7-8:30 pm via Zoom with Sound Discipline facilitator, Jen Giomi

The pandemic has shaken our foundations and we know our kids are struggling. As we continue to navigate this pandemic and discover the myriad of effects on our lives and our children, it might be time to re-establish those parenting foundations.

Join Jen Giomi, Sound Discipline facilitator and WSHS parent, for a science based approach to guiding emotional-regulation and connection, using communication tools to de-escalate conflict, and foster cooperation in your home. It will be an interactive evening to learn and/or renew tools for kind and firm parenting.

You can get the link for attending by going here.

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Clothing/food donation drive, low-bridge closures, and 7 other notes for your West Seattle Sunday
January 16, 2022 6:34 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Olympic foothills fog plus ferry, photographed by Jerry Simmons)

From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, here’s what’s up for the hours ahead:

TRAFFIC ALERT – LOW-BRIDGE CLOSURES: Today is the third of five Sundays during which SDOT plans to close the low bridge three times, up to half an hour each time, for measurements needed to prepare for repair work, as explained here. The closures are expected to happen around 9 am, 1 pm, and 5 pm.

TRAFFIC ALERT – SIGN WORK: SDOT says crews will continue work today on Rapid Flashing Beacons-equipped signage along Dumar/Orchard.

CHURCHES: More West Seattle churches have gone back to online-only for now because of the current COVID surge – here’s our weekly update on 20+ churches.

WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm, it’s the weekly WSFM (WSB sponsor). (California SW between SW Oregon and SW Alaska)

DONATION DRIVE: 11 am-3 pm outside Alki UCC (6115 SW Hinds), collecting food, toiletries, children’s clothing, and men’s work clothing – details in our calendar listing.

BOOK CLUB: 3 pm at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), monthly meeting of the West Seattle Classic Novels (and Movies) Book Club – see our calendar listing for update on this month’s discussion topic and how to RSVP.

NEED FOOD? White Center Community Dinner Church serves a free meal (take-away available) at 5 pm Sundays at the Salvation Army Center (9050 16th SW).

SUNDAY NIGHT KARAOKE: 8 pm to 1 am at Admiral Pub (2306 California SW).

SUNDAY NIGHT JAZZ: Triangular Jazztet at The Alley (4509 California SW), 8 pm and 9 pm sets.

Got an event to list in our calendar and previews? Email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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FOLLOWUP: Rain City Clay gets ready to move into Brace Point Pottery in Arbor Heights
January 15, 2022 10:11 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   Arbor Heights | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

Deb Schwartzkopf had cause to celebrate tonight. She was in the spotlight at a show with dozens of artists exhibiting at the future location of her Rain City Clay studios. It’s at 4208 SW 100th, the longtime Arbor Heights home of Brace Point Pottery, whose owner Loren Lukens is moving out of state. Schwarzkopf and friends, including many contributing artists, gathered tonight for a reception celebrating the start of the transition, which we first told you about back in September. It’s now just a month and a half until Schwartzkopf will “get the keys” on March 1st.

She plans to keep her current studio in White Center, Rat City Studios, as a location for artists to use, but Rain City Clay will be the hub for classes, workshops, and shows – like this one, featuring many students past and present, as well as other clay artists.

If you didn’t get to the show – titled “Introductions” – tonight, you can also see it next Saturday, when Brace Point Pottery is open 10 am-5 pm. (This is the last show Lukens is hosting there before his move next month.) Meantime, Schwartzkopf is continuing to crowdfund to help with improvements and added equipment to realize her community-building vision for Rain City Clay. The grand-opening celebration is planned for April 2nd.

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REBUILDING HPIC: Third town hall planned Wednesday
January 15, 2022 8:02 pm
|    Comments Off on REBUILDING HPIC: Third town hall planned Wednesday
 |   Highland Park | Neighborhoods | West Seattle news

(Photo from HPIC town-hall presentation, building’s south side along SW Holden)

Almost seven months after the fire that severely damaged the Highland Park Improvement Club building (12th/Holden), major decisions remain about its future – how much of it to rebuild, and what purpose the new building could serve. Those have been topics of two online “town halls” so far (WSB coverage here and here), and now it’s time for the third, Wednesday (January 19th) at 7 pm. As announced by HPIC, “Architect Matt Wittman and Landscape Architect Jody Estes of Wittman Estes will facilitate the meeting again. We will be discussing the results of the Community Priority Questionnaire and how this input relates to the building, with diagrams and sketches to help visualize.” Even if you haven’t participated in the process so far, you’re welcome to jump in now. Connection information for the meeting is on the HPIC website.

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UNSEEN OFF WEST SEATTLE: Aircraft carrier and submarine in transit through the fog
January 15, 2022 5:53 pm
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news

At the end of a socked-in day, we learned that somewhere in the fog, an aircraft carrier passed by … for the last time. The USS Kitty Hawk has been mothballed in Bremerton for more than a decade, and was towed away today, headed to be scrapped in Texas, as the Kitsap Sun‘s Josh Farley reports. We don’t have a photo of its passage in the fog today, but here’s a pic we published (courtesy of reader Gary) the day it arrived in Bremerton in September 2008:

kittythismorning.jpg

Meantime, also on the water between here and Bremerton this murky day, a submarine:

We received that photo from Kelley Leigh, who was on a state ferry headed for downtown Seattle that passed the submarine arriving in Bremerton just before 3 pm today.

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FERRIES: 2021 ridership rises, but still below pre-pandemic usage
January 15, 2022 3:53 pm
|    Comments Off on FERRIES: 2021 ridership rises, but still below pre-pandemic usage
 |   Fauntleroy | Transportation | West Seattle news

(Fauntleroy ferry dock, photographed in this week’s fog by Vlad Oustimovitch)

Washington State Ferries says its ridership continued rebounding last year from the 2020 pandemic low. This week, it released the year-end ridership report for 2021. The accompanying announcement included the overview on some of the trends:

For only the second time since it began operations in 1951, and the second year in a row, WSF carried more vehicles with a driver (8.9 million) than passengers (8.4 million) in 2021, as many continued to work from home or chose to drive on board because of the pandemic.

Current ridership trends

State ferry ridership in 2021 rose to roughly 72% of 2019 pre-COVID-19 numbers, with vehicles climbing to 85% and walk-on customers up to 42% of pre-pandemic levels. Ridership is expected to rebound further when COVID-19 eases and as WSF restores sailings closer to pre-pandemic levels.

“We’re in the process of planning our service restoration efforts as we continue to aggressively recruit, hire and train new employees,” said WSF Assistant Secretary Patty Rubstello. “Pandemic-related vessel crewing challenges and the temporary loss of one of our biggest ferries due to an engine room fire were two major service obstacles for us in 2021.”

2021 route-by-route ridership highlights

The greatest year-to-year increase came on the Seattle/Bainbridge Island route, where total ridership – vehicles and passengers combined – was up 44%. The boost lifts the run back into the top spot as the system’s busiest after dropping behind Mukilteo/Clinton and Edmonds/Kingston in 2020 for the first time in more than 40 years. The Anacortes/San Juan Islands route had the second largest growth at 36% with ridership on those runs reaching 95% of pre-pandemic levels. System highlights include:

Seattle/Bainbridge Island: Biggest year-to-year increase with total riders up 44%, led by a system-high rise in walk-on passengers of 54%; vehicles jumped a system high 32%.
Edmonds/Kingston: Total riders climbed 20%, vehicles grew 14%.
Mukilteo/Clinton: Total riders rose 14%, vehicles increased 11% to remain as busiest route for drivers.
Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth: Total riders up 13%, vehicles jumped 9%.
Anacortes/San Juan Islands: Total riders surged 36%, vehicles climbed 23%.
Seattle/Bremerton: Total riders grew 29%, vehicles rose 20%.
Point Defiance/Tahlequah: Total riders increased 18%, vehicles up 13%.
Port Townsend/Coupeville: Total riders jumped 22%, vehicles climbed 14%.
Anacortes/Friday Harbor/Sidney, British Columbia: The international route did not resume service in 2021 due to U.S.-Canada border restrictions and continued crewing and vessel availability challenges.

You can see annual ridership reports dating back to 2002 by going here. For a quick comparison, Fauntleroy-Vashon ridership in 2021, 1.4 million, was down from 1.8 million in 2019, while Fauntleroy-Southworth’s 2021 total, 554,000, was down from 2019’s 976,000.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: One-minute business burglary on video
January 15, 2022 11:49 am
|      13 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

As shown in that security video from early this morning, one minute is all it took for a burglar to enter Hotwire Coffee in The Junction, load a container with items, and leave. The video was sent by Hotwire’s general manager, Nicole, who says the burglar got away with their cash drawer, petty cash, and keys. It happened around 4:25 am and she’s hoping someone may have seen something or recognize the burglar. We don’t have the incident number yet but will add it when we do.

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About the warning: No, a big tsunami is not expected in our area because of the Tonga eruption
January 15, 2022 10:09 am
|      22 COMMENTS
 |   Safety | West Seattle news

10:09 AM: Your phone might have just sounded an alarm saying King County is under a tsunami advisory because of the big volcanic eruption in the South Pacific that happened last night:

It’s important to know this does NOT mean the stereotypical giant wave (which would be a possibility if the event were somewhere nearby). Even on the open ocean coast, the “tsunami” might be 1 to 3 feet – but do heed warnings if you happen to be visiting that area.

10:19 AM: Here’s a map of where the eruption happened.

3:14 PM: And if you’re still worried, note that the state Emergency Management department clarified that the advisory is not for areas like ours. Meantime, one commenter asked what to do if there WAS a serious tsunami threat – short answer is to head inland/uphill, much longer answer (and lots more info) is here.

5:20 PM: For the areas of our state’s ocean coast that WERE under an advisory, it’s been canceled.

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