day : 05/09/2022 8 results

At the very end of this long holiday weekend, here’s our weekly roundup of local COVID numbers via the Public Health – Seattle/King County dashboard:

*14 percent fewer cases reported countywide in the past week than the week before
*Currently averaging 349 new daily cases countywide (down from 403 a week ago)

*31 percent fewer hospitalizations countywide in the past week than the week before
*Currently averaging 10 new hospitalizations daily (down from 13 a week ago)

*27 percent fewer deaths countywide in the past two weeks than the two previous weeks (the dashboard doesn’t offer a one-week increment)
*Currently averaging 3 deaths daily (same as last week’s two-week average)

For West Seattle, we have two-week comparisons (the combined totals from two “health reporting areas,” labeled West Seattle and Delridge, together comprising the entire peninsula):
*280 cases between 8/15 and 8/29, down from 371 between 7/31 and 8/14
*3 hospitalizations between 8/15 and 8/29, down from 13 between 7/31 and 8/14
*4 deaths between 8/15 and 8/29, down from 6 between 7/31 and 8/14

VACCINATION: Checking vaccination rates:
*82.5 percent of all King County residents have completed the initial series (up .1% from a week ago)
*86.8 percent of all King County residents ages 5 and up have completed the initial series (unchanged from a week ago)
*52.5 percent of all King County residents have had the initial series plus a booster (up .2% from a week ago)

*In West Seattle, we’re now showing the vaccination rates for all ages, by ZIP code (reminder, 98106 and 98146 are not wholly within WS), compared to a week earlier:
98106 – 83.4% completed initial series (unchanged), 52.6% have had a booster (unchanged)
98116 – 90,1% completed initial series (up .1%), 65.4% have had a booster (up .1%)
98126 – 79.6% completed initial series (up .1%), 54.6% have had a booster (up .1%)
98136 – 90.2% completed initial series (up .1%), 67.9% have had a booster (up .1%)
98146 – 78.9% completed initial series (up .1%), 47.7% have had a booster (up .2%)

GETTING VACCINATED: We’ve been mentioning upcoming pop-ups at local libraries – at Delridge (5423 Delridge Way SW), the list includes a Moderna vaccine pop-up 2-7 pm tomorrow (Tuesday, September 6th).

TESTING: If you want to get tested and don’t have – or want to get – a home kit, here’s info on West Seattle’s two public testing sites: The city-supported site at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle, 9 am-5:30 pm Monday-Saturday this week) and the Curative kiosk at Don Armeni Boat Ramp (1220 Harbor SW, 9 am-3 pm Monday-Friday this week). … To report self-test results, this page explains how (click “What should I do if my test is positive?”).

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STRIKE OR DEAL? Here’s where the Seattle school talks stand tonight

September 5, 2022 9:14 pm

| 45 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

The scheduled start of Seattle Public Schools classes for all but kindergarteners is just ~36 hours away. But the district and its educators’ union haven’t reached a contract agreement yet. Here are tonight’s notes:

MEDIATION: Though the district said Friday that the union had rejected its suggestion for mediation, the Seattle Education Association‘s media update tonight said, ” The SEA Bargaining Team met with SPS on Sunday and met with a mediator today to continue work toward an agreement.”

STRIKE VOTE: The union’s media update also noted that members’ strike-authorization voting ends at 9 am tomorrow. They will announce the results during an online media briefing at noon. They’re then planning on a rally at district headquarters at 4:30 pm.

DISTRICT: No new update since Sunday’s statement that they wanted the union to sign a Memorandum of Understanding to continue talks while starting school as scheduled. A line atop the district website promises, “If the first day of school is delayed, we will update families and staff as soon as possible.”

SPECIAL-EDUCATION ISSUES: This was called to our attention today by a reader who thought the wider community should know, The Seattle Council and Special Education PTSA issued a joint statement Sunday saying they wanted the public to see the recommendations of the Special Education Task Force – what they consider a “road map” both sides should be following to an agreement. You can read them here.

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FOLLOWUP: Vandalized Easy Street Records mural wall restored

September 5, 2022 5:54 pm

| 13 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

(WSB photos)

A vandal’s damage to the mural wall on the south side of Easy Street Records didn’t stand for long. The wall, including its portrait of Chris Cornell, was restored this afternoon by its artist, Son Duong, with whom we caught up as he was close to finishing:

He and his daughter worked all afternoon to restore the art. (Thanks to the texter who tipped us that the restoration work was under way.) In an odd side note, he mentioned that this mural and the Desmond Hansen signal box at 35th/Alaska weren’t the only Chris Cornell portraits that had been vandalized – one by Silver Platters in SODO had been defaced too.

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VIDEO: Legends, myths, art, and science in ‘The Giant Pacific Octopus,’ featuring West Seattle divers

September 5, 2022 5:06 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| Seen at sea | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news | Wildlife

Looking for something to watch on this holiday? “The Giant Pacific Octopus” is not your everyday documentary – it looks at its namesake animal in some unusual ways, including legends and art. It’s centered in Puget Sound, and a West Seattle business is proud of its participation. From Seattle Dive Tours‘ Scott Flaherty:

Seattle Dive Tours, based in Admiral District and Seacrest, is featured in “The Giant Pacific Octopus” documentary.

The team of Seattle Dive Tours was happy to participate in this locally produced documentary about GPOs, art, history and conservation.
Maddi Frye (Seattle Dive Tours Manager and Marine Biologist) and Dr. Kelly Bushnell (Seattle Dive Tours Instructor and Ocean Historian) are both interviewed in the film.

The documentary is currently available for streaming on Tubi. We’ve also heard it may be coming to Amazon Prime Video in the future.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: 2 more stolen cars to watch for

September 5, 2022 3:09 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| Crime | West Seattle news

Thanks to everyone who has helped find stolen cars, sometimes abandoned close to where they were taken. Here are two more reader reports:

WHITE SUBARU IMPREZA: The report is from Lindsay on behalf of a neighbor:

“A white Subaru was stolen last night on 47th and Alaska. The car was used in a construction robbery and was last seen around the Alki area. if you see this car, please call the police. 1999 Subaru Impreza Outback Sport, WA BZR4836.

RED HONDA CR-V: This report is from Grant on behalf of his sister:

Red 2007 Honda CR-V
Stolen on 36th Ave SW between Hudson and Dawson between 4:24 and 5:24 am
License#: BQL5587
Case number: 22-236545

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Talk with future Seattle Police officers ‘Before the Badge’

September 5, 2022 1:14 pm

| 7 COMMENTS

| How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

Seattle Police are convening community conversations with recruits as a new part of their training, and one of the events is planned in our area. Here’s the announcement:

Calling all who live and/or work in Seattle – Sign up to participate in the new “Before the Badge” Community-Police Dialogues!

The dialogues are part of the new “Before the Badge” 45-day training program that all new Seattle Police Department recruits complete prior to entering the Washington State Basic Law Enforcement Academy. The purpose of the dialogues is to give community members an opportunity to engage with new Seattle Police recruits to help them learn about Seattle community concerns at the precinct/neighborhood level as part of the Seattle Police Department’s Micro-Community Policing Plans.

Two Southwest Precinct-specific events are planned: 5:30-7:30 pm September 26th and November 14th. They’re hosted in partnership with Seattle University, so that’s whose website you’re going to if you’re interested in signing up.

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SCHOOLS: See inside newly complete Madison Middle School addition

September 5, 2022 11:39 am

| 9 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

(WSB photos)

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

Whenever Seattle Public Schools classes start, the eight-classroom addition at Madison Middle School is ready to go.

We had long been requesting a chance to look inside before it goes into use at the start of the new school year, and got that chance last week:

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WEST SEATTLE LABOR DAY 2022: Notes for today

September 5, 2022 6:21 am

| 1 COMMENT

| Holidays | West Seattle news

(Sunday night rainbow glimpse, photographed by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)

Good morning! Holiday notes:

TRANSIT/TRAFFIC

–Metro is on a Sunday schedule
–West Seattle Water Taxi is also on a Sunday schedule
–Sound Transit buses and light rail are on Sunday schedules too
-If you’re going to an area of the city with pay-station street parking, note that there’s no charge today
-Check traffic cams here
-13 days until the scheduled reopening of the West Seattle Bridge.

HAPPENING TODAY/TONIGHT

Mountain to Sound Outfitters Sale – The clearance sale at Mountain to Sound Outfitters (3602 SW Alaska; WSB sponsor) is continuing today, 11 am-6 pm.

Last day of the season for most city aquatic facilities – After today, city-run wading pools and outdoor pools are all closed until next year – so it’s your last day for the Lincoln Park wading pool and Colman Pool, both open noon-7 pm. Also open today is Highland Park Spraypark (1100 SW Cloverdale), 11 am-8 pm, daily through September 18th.

Last night of the season for 10 pm closure and beach fires at Alki

Community stand-up paddlebarding – Alki Kayak Tours’ weekly 6 pm SUP event is scheduled from Seacrest (1660 Harbor SW) at 6 pm.

NOT HAPPENING TODAY

Banking (holiday)
U.S. Postal Service (holiday)
Libraries (closed)

WEATHER

Mostly sunny by afternoon, with a 70-ish high.

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