West Seattle, Washington

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month : 09/2022 300 results

TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, ROAD WORK, WEATHER: Last morning of summer, fourth weekday with reopened West Seattle Bridge
September 22, 2022 6:00 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

9:06 AM: Crash reported in 5600 block West Marginal Way SW.

===============
EARLIER

=6:00 AM: Good morning. It’s Thursday, September 22nd, fourth weekday with the reopened West Seattle Bridge, last morning of summer (fall arrives at 6:03 pm).

WEATHER

Here’s the forecast – partly sunny, high in the upper 60s.

TRANSIT INFO

Metro buses are back on the high bridge, and today is their fourth weekday since revisions from the twice-yearly service change; watch @kcmetroalerts for trip cancellations/reroute alerts.

No changes in ferries (check here for alerts/updates) or West Seattle Water Taxi service.

ROAD WORK

-Just south of the city-limit line, King County is repaving Myers Way between 99th and 108th over the next two weeks.

-While out at midday Wednesday, we noted utility projects on Beach Drive north of Lowman Beach, with flaggers and alternating lanes.

BRIDGES

High Bridge – here’s the lone reactivated camera atop the span.

Low Bridge: All restrictions were dropped with the high bridge’s reopening, so it’s open to anyone who wants to use it.

Highway 99: Whichever bridge you’re using to get to it, here’s a look at northbound traffic on 99 at Lander.

All currently functional city traffic cams can be seen here, many with video options; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are also on this WSB page … Are movable city bridges opening for vessels? Check the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed.

If you see trouble on the roads/paths/water, please text or call us (when you can do so safely) – 206-293-6302.

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CAMP SECOND CHANCE: Updates from West Seattle’s only tiny-house encampment
September 21, 2022 9:37 pm
|      22 COMMENTS
 |   Myers Way | West Seattle news

The expanded-capacity Camp Second Chance in southeast West Seattle [map] continues to operate at capacity. That’s part of what the tiny-house encampment’s Community Advisory Committee heard at its online meeting Tuesday night, facilitated by case manager Marjorie Johnson.

CAMP STATUS: 75 people right now, including 10 couples – so its 65 tiny houses are all occupied. Eight pets – four dogs, four cats. Four 911 calls were made in the past month – two medical, two police. Two people had to leave the camp “for violence.” In August, 15 people in all exited the camp – 12 were “abandonments” (meaning they just departed of their own volition, likely back to the street); 2 went to jail; 1 went to permanent housing. 15 IDs and 20+ Social Security cards were procured in August; she has applications out for apartments for more than a dozen campers. Right now there’s a woman at the camp whose two children are with her mom since CSC doesn’t allow children, and Johnson just found out that the woman has a chance at a Section 8 voucher. Also, there’s housing available in Everett, and multiple possibilities for people over 62. One client – “one of our originals” – received an emergency-housing voucher and gave it back because “they’re making over 80 percent median income and don’t need the voucher any more.” (That means CSC got the voucher back to use for someone else.) The camp has a full-time mental-health/chemical-dependency counselor; several tiny-house villages are partnering with Therapeutic Health Services for this kind of support. Johnson said she’s gotten housing for 42 people in the months she’s been at CSC. She had mentioned Dockside at Green Lake, acquired by LIHI to convert quickly into affordable permanent housing; camp operator LIHI‘s Josh Castle said it’ll have almost 100 studio apartments. Move-ins will start “in a matter of weeks.” LIHI has more than 3,100 units of permanent affordable housing in six counties, Castle added. The rapid-acquisition program has been a game-changer, he said. “We hope to be able to do a lot more of that.” One more note from Johnson: Another case manager has yet to be hired but they have a prospect. When that person’s on board, they’ll be able to share the caseload.

CAMP NEEDS: Hygiene items, towels, blankets, pillows, socks, jackets, shoes are among the perennial needs, said Johnson. “We’re getting some of those things but we can always use more.” They’ve had a fair amount of turnover since the 24 new houses were added over the summer, and winter is coming, so it’s time to prepare. The “donation room” will be empty shortly as they transition the space they use to store donated items. The topic of a gift registry came back up – “makes it easy for us to give,” said committee member John Walling of nearby Arrowhead Gardens – and will be looked into.

CONCERNS: One attendee brought up a perennial issue, safety along Myers Way, as there’s no sidewalk for people and streetside fencing pushes pedestrians dangerously close to traffic. Committee member Grace Stiller observed that not only is it a safety issue but potentially a liability issue for adjacent property owners (primarily the City of Seattle). Stiller also brought up “derelict vehicles” that are parked near the camp but not officially on its site. She’s concerned not only about how it looks but also about people working on those vehicles, leading to vehicle-fluid runoff, especially problematic with creek headlands there that eventually feed into the Duwamish River.

KUDOS: Amazon sent volunteers to a Weed Warriors – Stiller’s environmental-stewardship nonprofit – project that removed invasives. “They did a fabulous job,” said Stiller. On Saturday, October 15th, for Orca Day, they’ll have an activity, 10 am-2 pm, at the Myers Way wetlands. LIHI’s Castle said the nonprofit gets lots of offers for volunteer groups to help out and they were glad to have something like that to occupy one group. “We really appreciate you hosting these volunteers.”

NEXT MEETING: They’re hoping the Community Advisory Committee can go back to second Tuesdays next month – online until further notice – so that date would be October 11th.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Stolen pickup and SUV; apparently abandoned car
September 21, 2022 6:41 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Three reader reports:

STOLEN TRUCK: The report and photo are from Desiree:

My mother’s truck was stolen yesterday evening around 6:30 pm on 16th and Dakota near West Seattle Recycle.

It’s a 1995 F150 XLT blue teal Ford with a big dent on the passenger side and a medium dent on driver side. It has a tool box in back. Plate number: C12358Y . My mom loves this ugly ol’ truck and is devastated. If anyone sees it I’d love if they could let me (ot the police) know!

STOLEN SUV: This report and photo are from Athena:

Stolen near Fauntleroy and Findlay between 8 pm last night and 6 am today, a 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport. Ohio plate JLD4116. Police report # 2022-252347.

APPARENTLY ABANDONED CAR: From Rachael:

This appears to be an abandoned vehicle on Ferry and Hill street. Spoke with neighbors and it’s been there a week or so. No plates on it but did get a VIN off it. A couple tickets on it. I’ll report it to to (SPD). Just wanted to make sure to let anyone know if they are missing it.

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FERRY ALERT UPDATE: Triangle Route will have 2-boat service restored tonight
September 21, 2022 5:26 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Fauntleroy | Transportation | West Seattle news

5;26 PM: After being out of service all day with engine issues, leaving the Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth run with one boat, M/V Issaquah is out on sea trials right now. Washington State Ferries says that if it passes, it’ll be returned to service on the Triangle Route. If not, M/V Sealth will be moved to the run sometime tonight; it’s currently at Eagle Harbor, the WSF maintenance facility on Bainbridge Island. We’ll update when there’s a decision.

7:15 PM: WSF’s David Sowers just announced in the Community Advisory Group that Issaquah is returning to service.

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About the early-morning protest heard in north West Seattle
September 21, 2022 3:39 pm
|      17 COMMENTS
 |   Environment | Port of Seattle | West Seattle news

Some readers on the north side of the peninsula asked about what sounded like protesting/chanting early this morning. While we were trying to sleuth the source, a one-line alert from the Northwest Seaport Alliance that Terminal 5 was closed for the day helped us zero in on the port. The resulting inquiries finally pointed us to a tweet (since deleted) in which Climate Action Families took credit, saying “Today we shut down SSA Marine Port of Seattle Terminal 5. Cargo carrier MSC could plug ships into shore power, but chooses not to.” MSC is the shipping line that uses the recently overhauled north berth at Terminal 5 in West Seattle. In the initial months after it opened, we followed up repeatedly on whether the shore-power capability was being used; the answer was “no” last time we checked. Early on, it was described as an issue caught up in labor negotiations. We’re following up to learn its status; we also have an inquiry out with Climate Action Families.

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International Peace Day celebrated in West Seattle with Peace Pole dedication at C & P Coffee
September 21, 2022 1:23 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Rotary Club of West Seattle | West Seattle news

(WSB photos)

The newest Peace Pole planted by the Rotary Club of West Seattle now stands in front of C & P Coffee Company (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor) after a dedication ceremony this morning.

(The sunflowers symbolize hope for peace in Ukraine)

Keith Hughes (above left) from the Rotary explained that this dedication is special because it was arranged to happen on the United Nations International Day of Peace. He read a message from the Rotary International’s peace project chair, observing that “…a single act (can) start a chain of peace. It begins with us.” In this case, it began with C & P proprietors Pete and Cameron Moores (second/third from left) – requesting a Peace Pole for their establishment’s front terrace. Martha Sidlo (second from right) from the Rotary expressed hope that the Peace Pole will spark conversation among both coffee-shop customers and passersby, inspiring them to talk about peace. Promoting peace is one of the Rotary’s seven areas of focus. A special guest for this dedication was Nao Valente (above right), who works with the international Peace Pole Project (and has one outside her home near Lowman Beach). These are among more than 300,000 Peace Poles around the world.

Each pole is decorated and inscribed differently; this one carries its message of peace in Hawaiian, Japanese, Lushootseed, and English – and a solar-powered light on top. The Rotary has at least five more to install around West Seattle; the next scheduled dedication will be in November along Fauntleroy Creek. Earlier this month, we covered the ceremony marking the installation of one in a new Children’s Peace Garden outside Fauntleroy Church/YMCA.

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UPDATE: Madison Middle School teacher placed on leave 7 months after he was charged with rape pleads guilty to reduced charge
September 21, 2022 11:11 am
|      65 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

11:11 AM: This week, Madison Middle School teacher Darren D. Hunter was placed on administrative leave because of a rape charge filed against him seven months ago. We received an anonymous tip about this earlier this week; here’s what we have since found out.

Hunter, 51, was charged in February with third-degree rape because of an incident at his home in Kent in August of last year involving a then-43-year-old woman he had been dating. The court documents say she contacted police in November to say he had raped her in August, via sexual contact to which she did not give consent. The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office tells WSB the charge was filed shortly after they got case information from Kent Police in February. Hunter appeared at an arraignment hearing after the charge was filed but remained out of custody on personal recognizance. The case has been making its way through the system ever since and is slated for another hearing today, at which the case might be resolved via a plea agreement.

We asked Seattle Public Schools several questions about the situation and district policy on Tuesday. So far, this is the only response we’ve received, from assistant superintendent Beverly Redmond:

On Sunday, Sept. 18, Seattle Public Schools became aware that the employee had been arraigned in February on charges that stemmed from an August 2021 incident when school was not in session. The alleged incident did not involve a minor or take place on school property. The employee was immediately placed on administrative leave on Monday, Sept. 19.

Our source says that the district was notified by a community member who saw a social-media post about the charge against Hunter. So we’ve also asked the district some policy questions, such as what the policy is for notification – how should they have been notified that he had been charged with a felony sex crime? We’ve found some general district policies online here, but they don’t appear to address that particular question. We’ll update when we hear back, as well as when we get information on what happens at this afternoon’s hearing.

1:30 PM: SPS has responded this afternoon to other questions we also asked yesterday. Regarding notification, “The district has an agreement with local law enforcement to work together on cases involving child sexual abuse or assault. In all other instances, the district is not notified directly. SPS is working on self-reporting guidelines, which would be a change in working conditions and be bargained across all labor partners.” Hunter’s future status will be determined by the district per this policy below:

Certificated staff may be disciplined for engaging in unprofessional conduct according to School Board Policies 5280 and 5281.

Conduct violations that are contrary to the core values of the Seattle School District and involve a substantial risk of the safety of students, families, staff or the public including acts of serious misconduct or of acts of criminal conduct could disqualify an employee from continued employment. Convictions of crimes under RCW 28A.400.322, (see crimes listed below) or a crime that is directly related to the position held by the employee or impacts the employee’s ability to perform his or her job duties are subject to termination. Crimes outside of the ones listed below are handled on a case-by-case decision based on what the criminal charges are.

(a) Any felony crime involving the physical neglect of a child under chapter 9A.42 RCW;
(b) The physical injury or death of a child under chapter 9A.32 or 9A.36 RCW, except motor vehicle violations under chapter 46.61 RCW;
(c) Sexual exploitation of a child under chapter 9.68A RCW;
(d) Sexual offenses under chapter 9A.44 RCW where a minor is the victim;
(e) Promoting prostitution of a minor under chapter 9A.88 RCW;
(f) The sale or purchase of a minor child under RCW 9A.64.030;
(g) Violation of laws of another jurisdiction that are similar to those specified in (a) through (f) of this subsection.

(2) RCW 28A.400.320, 28A.400.330, 28A.405.470, * 28A.410.090

(3), 28A.410.110, 9.96A.020, and 43.43.845 apply upon a guilty plea or conviction occurring on or after July 26, 2009, for any of the following felony crimes or attempts, conspiracies, or solicitations to commit any of the following felony crimes:

(a) A felony violation of RCW 9A.88.010, indecent exposure;
(b) A felony violation of chapter 9A.42 RCW involving physical neglect;
(c) A felony violation of chapter 9A.32 RCW;
(d) A violation of RCW 9A.36.011, assault 1; 9A.36.021, assault 2; 9A.36.120, assault of a child 1; 9A.36.130, assault of a child 2; or any other felony violation of chapter 9A.36 RCW involving physical injury except assault 3 where the victim is eighteen years of age or older;
(e) A sex offense as defined in RCW 9.94A.030;
(f) A violation of RCW 9A.40.020, kidnapping 1; or 9A.40.030, kidnapping 2;
(g) A violation of RCW 9A.64.030, child selling or child buying;
(h) A violation of RCW 9A.88.070, promoting prostitution 1;
(i) A violation of RCW 9A.56.200, robbery 1; or
(j) A violation of laws of another jurisdiction that are similar to those specified in (a) through (i) of this subsection.

The district says Madison families were sent a letter this morning about the situation.

4:30 PM UPDATE: Prosecuting Attorney’s Office spokesperson Casey McNerthney says Hunter pleaded guilty this afternoon to a reduced charge of fourth-degree assault with sexual motivation, a gross misdemeanor. McNerthney explains: “After the filing of charges, the defense provided the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office with additional information, including text communications between the victim/survivor and the defendant that occurred after the assault. Based upon this new information and after receiving defense mitigation, the KCPAO believed that a reduction of charge was appropriate. Senior Deputy Prosecutors twice met with the victim/survivor and her advocate to discuss the case and the reduction in charge prior to extending an offer to defense. The victim and an advocate were in court today for Mr. Hunter’s guilty plea.” He will be sentenced later this year.

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WEST SEATTLE WEDNESDAY: 7 notes
September 21, 2022 10:26 am
|    Comments Off on WEST SEATTLE WEDNESDAY: 7 notes
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

Today’s end-of-summer flowers – cosmos – are courtesy of Caity Gerhardt. Here’s what’s happening on this last full day of summer, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, inbox, and previews:

PEACE POLE DEDICATION: The next Peace Pole installed by the Rotary Club of West Seattle will be dedicated at 11:30 am at C & P Coffee Company (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor).

FAUNTLEROY FERRY DOCK MEETING: The Community Advisory Group for the Fauntleroy ferry-dock replacement project meets for the first time in four months. All are welcome to watch the livestream of the online meeting, which starts at 6 pm. Our preview has the registration link and background info.

LEARN ABOUT LOCAL CREEKS: Free family-friendly event at 6:30 pm at the Duwamish Tribe Longhouse (4705 West Marginal Way SW).

LIVE AT LOCOL: Locöl Barley & Vine (7902 35th SW) spotlights live music 6:30-8:30 pm Wednesdays, no cover, 21+, rotating artists.

MUSIC BINGO: Play weekly at The Good Society (California/Lander), 7 pm.

TRIVIA x 4: At 7 pm, you can play trivia at the West Seattle Brewing Mothership (4415 Fauntleroy Way SW); Larry’s Tavern (3405 California SW) hosts Wednesday-night trivia starting at 7:30 pm; trivia starts at 8 pm at Beveridge Place Pub (6413 California SW); at 8:30 pm, trivia is back at Talarico’s (4718 California SW) with Phil T.

SKYLARK OPEN MIC: 7:30 pm signups @ West Seattle’s longest-running open mic – no cover to watch. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

Have a calendar event to add? Please email westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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Yes, that’s wildfire smoke
September 21, 2022 8:57 am
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   Environment | West Seattle news

(WSB photo, noon: Olympics hidden by smoke)

Lots of questions this morning about a smoky smell in the air. Authorities confirm a plume of smoke from the 11-day-old Bolt Creek fire, and if you check out air-quality maps – like this one – things are not looking good right now. This will be a problem until the wind shifts directions.

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TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER: Third weekday morning with reopened West Seattle Bridge
September 21, 2022 6:00 am
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

9:04 AM: Thanks to Sam for the heads-up – SDOT crews are doing tree work on Sylvan Way and that has resulted in a lane reduction.

==========

=6:00 AM: Good morning. It’s Wednesday, September 21st, third weekday with the reopened West Seattle Bridge.

WEATHER

Here’s the forecast – sunny, high in the low 70s.

TRANSIT INFO

Metro buses are back on the high bridge, and today is their third weekday since changes made with the twice-yearly service change; watch @kcmetroalerts for trip cancellations/reroute alerts.

No changes in ferries (check here for alerts/updates) or West Seattle Water Taxi service.

BRIDGES

High Bridge – here’s the reactivated camera atop the span.

Low Bridge: All restrictions were dropped with the high bridge’s reopening, so it’s open to anyone who wants to use it.

Highway 99: Whichever bridge you’re using to get to it, here’s a look at northbound traffic on 99 at Lander.

All currently functional city traffic cams can be seen here, many with video options; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are also on this WSB page … Are movable city bridges opening for vessels? Check the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed.

Trouble on the roads/paths/water? Please text or call us (when you can do so safely) – 206-293-6302.

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The Great Pumpkin Search needs you, ferry-dock talk resumes, other notes from Fauntleroy Community Association’s September meeting
September 20, 2022 9:01 pm
|    Comments Off on The Great Pumpkin Search needs you, ferry-dock talk resumes, other notes from Fauntleroy Community Association’s September meeting
 |   Fauntleroy | Neighborhoods | West Seattle news

Key topics from the Fauntleroy Community Association‘s September meeting:

GREAT PUMPKIN SEARCH: This is happening October 8th – new format – and volunteer help would be appreciated. Here’s the announcement the FCA is circulating:

You can look forward to “The Great Pumpkin Search,” presented by the Fauntleroy Community Association. This fun event for the whole family will be on Saturday, October 8, from 2 to 5 pm. The Association will have a booth set up in the square across from Endolyne Joe’s. The pumpkins will be hidden in the streets that spoke out from that square. There will be little pumpkins easy to find for the wee ones and larger pumpkins harder to find for the grownups. As a bonus, there will be a few prize pumpkins to find. All of this is on a first come, first serve basis. We also encourage you to take a picture if you find pumpkins and post them on social media and tag it #FCAPumpkinSearch. Just like the Spring Egg Hunt, we would love volunteers to hide the pumpkins, but the area will be more concentrated around the square. If interested, please call or email Candace Blue, 206-401-8406, leeblue2@hotmail.com.

FAUNTLEROY FALL FESTIVAL: Coming up two weeks after that, this year’s Fauntleroy Fall Festival. Organizer Reed Haggerty said that while they’re bringing it back in-person this year, it won’t be exactly what you remember from before the pandemic, because costs have risen so much. While The Falconer will be back with birds, the petting zoo won’t. They’re also still in discussions on what can be done regarding features such as the climbing wall/bouncy toys. But many festival-favorite activities will return for sure – salmon-hat-making, pumpkin-painting, etc. Festival date is Sunday, October 23rd, 2-5 pm.

FERRY DOCK REPLACEMENT: Tomorrow (Wednesday, September 21st) brings the first Community Advisory Group meeting for the dock-replacement project since May. The FCA point person on Washington State Ferries issues, Frank Immel, said not much had been happening over the summer, but he expects narrowed-down replacement options to be presented at Wednesday’s 6 pm online meeting. (Here’s how to watch.) Also related to the dock project, FCA president Mike Dey said community advocates are still circulating petitions asking the City Council to hold to a 1990s resolution against expanding the dock’s footprint. The FCA recently supported a booth at the Farmers’ Market soliciting support.

NEXT FCA MEETING: The Fauntleroy Community Association meets second Tuesdays, 7 pm, most months, in-person at Fauntleroy Schoolhouse (9131 California SW) and online. Watch fauntleroy.net for information between meetings.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: From OfferUp to holdup
September 20, 2022 5:58 pm
|      13 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

One West Seattle case in the latest major-incident summaries from SPD. Police say this happened around 3 pm Monday afternoon in the 4500 block of 38th SW. The victim was selling items on OfferUp; he got a taker who said she would come to West Seattle to buy the items he was selling, Shortly after arrival, she looked at the items and, the report says, “had the victim follow her out to her car to get money.” She had an accomplice who subsequently “pulled out a handgun and stole the items the victim was selling.” The report adds, “She is described as a short female with black hair and blue strips in it” but doesn’t offer a description of the other robber; both got away. If you have any information for police, the incident number is 2022-250770.

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FOLLOWUP: First phase of work soon at future electric-vehicle-charging site in Morgan Junction
September 20, 2022 3:49 pm
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   Utilities | West Seattle news

(Early site plan)

We first reported back in March that a former Seattle City Light substation site in Morgan Junction was under consideration as a future electric-vehicle-charging site. SCL says the plan is now finalized and the first phase of work at the site is expected to start this weekend. The site is at 4118 SW Morgan, 4,520 square feet of land taken out of substation service back in 2014. Contaminated soil has to be removed from the site, and in order to do that, SCL says it has to remove trees and other vegetation, which is the work that’ll be done first. It’s explained in this letter sent to nearby residents/businesses. SCL spokesperson Jenn Strang says the trees will be replaced “two for one” as per city policy. Other landscaping will be done, she said, with a “pollinator aesthetic.” The charging site is planned for eight “fast chargers,” so up to eight vehicles could use it simultaneously (and they’ll be paying to use it). But even though the site prep is being done now, according to Strang, actual construction of the charging station isn’t expected before the middle of next year. The site will be fenced in the interim. You can read more about the project here; that page also has contact info if you have questions, and Strang says SCL will have a rep at next month’s Morgan Community Association meeting (October 19th) to talk about it.

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READER REPORT: Abandoned motorcycle
September 20, 2022 3:16 pm
|    Comments Off on READER REPORT: Abandoned motorcycle
 |   West Seattle news | Westwood

Derek at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex wonders if anyone is missing this motorcycle, He says it’s been there, apparently abandoned, for more than four days.

If it’s yours – or you know the owner – let us know and we’ll connect you.

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VIDEO: Adrian Diaz appointed by mayor as permanent Seattle Police Chief
September 20, 2022 1:08 pm
|      28 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle police

1:08 PM: Mayor Harrell is speaking at City Hall and just announced that Adrian Diaz will become the permanent chief of SPD. He was one of three finalists for the job, as announced two weeks ago, and has been interim chief for two years. … Crime and gun violence, accountability, department culture, safe neighborhoods are what Harrell says he wants Chief Diaz to focus on. More to come.

1:25 PM: The mayor says he admires Diaz’s “tenacity” and that he believes he’d be “the strongest, most effective leader.” Diaz said he’s committed to “restore safety citywide.” He also promised “reconciliation” on many levels. Here’s the official city announcement, which notes that City Council confirmation is required for the appointment to be finalized. … Senior Deputy Mayor Monisha Harrell added in Q&A that another major plus for Diaz was that despite knowing that the job he’s had for the past two years was not necessarily permanent, he “came in to make change.” He says those changes have included reducing officers’ use of force by almost half. … In response to another question, Diaz talked about changes in how they’re recruiting, which have resulted in a more diverse group of new hires – almost 50 percent POC. He said they have increased resources for recruiting and outreach, too.

1:48 PM: The announcement event is over. We’ll add the video above when it’s available. (2:57 pm update – video added above.)

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WHALES: Orcas off West Seattle
September 20, 2022 12:05 pm
|    Comments Off on WHALES: Orcas off West Seattle
 |   West Seattle news | Whales

Orcas are reported to be in our area again – transient killer whales (though we’re close to the time of year when the Southern Residents usually arrive). Kersti Muul reports the orcas are in view from Constellation Park, northbound, after previously having been seek off Blake Island. Let us know if you see them!

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COUNTDOWN: 4 days until Recycle Roundup in Fauntleroy
September 20, 2022 11:58 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Environment | Fauntleroy | West Seattle news

That’s the Fauntleroy Church/YMCA lot – empty when we photographed it Monday evening but sure to be bustling Saturday (September 24th), the next twice-yearly Recycle Roundup. The church partners with 1 Green Planet to offer you free dropoff recycling for a variety of items – here’s the list of what they will and won’t accept this time. Just show up between 9 am and 3 pm (the earlier the better so the volunteers don’t have to deal with a late rush); the church is at 9140 California SW. And yes, though it’s usually been on Sundays, this time the Recycle Roundup is on Saturday.

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WEST SEATTLE TUESDAY: Here’s our list of what’s happening in the hours ahead
September 20, 2022 10:15 am
|    Comments Off on WEST SEATTLE TUESDAY: Here’s our list of what’s happening in the hours ahead
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

Two days until fall (6:03 pm Thursday is the equinox moment); today’s late-summer flower photo is from Puget Ridge Edible Park, by Linda McKelvey. Now on to what’s happening in West Seattle for the rest of today/tonight, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

BLOCK DROP DIY CLEANUP: Until 6 pm today, Lincoln Park‘s north play area will be the pickup/dropoff spot for equipment and bags for your DIY cleanup.

POSTCARDS TO VOTERS: Celebrate National Voter Registration Day by participating in the 10:30 am politics-at-a-distance volunteers’ weekly gathering at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor).

CHESS CLUB: Play at the Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon), 1:30 pm. Beginners welcome!

CITY COUNCIL: 2 pm, the weekly full-council is happening online and in-person – here’s the agenda, with information on how to comment.

DEMONSTRATION FOR BLACK LIVES: Longstanding weekly 4:30-6 pm sign-waving demonstration at 16th/Holden. Signs available if you don’t have your own. (Organizer Scott says they’ll continue in this spot for a while even though it’s not high-traffic any more.)

STORYTIME IN THE GARDEN: Bring your little one(s) for a story followed by a garden activity, at the Delridge P-Patch, 6 pm (5078 25th SW).

CAMP SECOND CHANCE COMMUNITY ADVISORY COUNCIL: All are welcome at the 6 pm online meeting to get updates on and ask questions about the tiny-house encampment on the Myers Way Parcels – here’s how to connect.

SCRABBLE NIGHT: 6-10 pm, go play Scrabble at The Missing Piece (9456 35th SW).

FAMILY GAME NIGHT: Meeples Games (3727 California SW) welcomes families 6-8 pm to this weekly hosted game-playing night.

ROLLERSKATING BOOT CAMP: First session with Rainier Roller Riot at 6:15 pm at Delridge Community Center (4501 Delridge Way SW).

OPEN MIC: 7 pm at Otter on the Rocks (4210 SW Admiral Way).

TRIVIA X 3: Three of the venues where you can play Tuesday nights – 7 pm at Ounces (3809 Delridge Way SW), 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!

You can always see more on our calendar – and if you have something to add for the future, please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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SEATTLE SCHOOL STRIKE: Officially over, with union members’ contract ratification
September 20, 2022 9:05 am
|      25 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

9:05 AM: After last night’s vote on the tentative agreement between the Seattle Education Association and Seattle Public Schools, the union has just announced that members ratified it, so the strike is officially over. “We are thrilled,” said union vice president Uti Hawkins. After five days on the picket line, teachers voted last week to suspend the strike after the agreement was reached, but it wasn’t finalized until this vote. The union says two-thirds of its 6,000-person membership voted. The agreement actually involved three contracts; the certificated (teachers) contract was ratified with 71 percent approval. “We won a lot,” says union president Jennifer Matter, while saying the fight is now for better state education funding, especially getting the state to lift caps on special-education funding. More details to come.

9:45 AM: Other notes from the SEA media briefing just held online: The other ratification percentages were 82 percent for SAEOPS (office professionals), 66 percent for paraprofessionals. SEA hasn’t sent a contract document or highlights yet, but here’s the document SPS released with key points from the three-year deal. We asked what the union leaders considered the biggest wins. Hawkins said it was increased school-library funding, following “a 10-year battle.” Matter added that special-education caseload relief was another major win – currently if more students are added to the caseload, there’s a three-month wait for the district to address it, and now that will be reduced to two weeks. The union’s Center for Racial Equity director Joaquin Rodriguez added one more, improvements in paraprofessionals’ access to technology.

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Memorial service Friday for Sandra L. Dahl, 1937-2022
September 20, 2022 8:46 am
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Obituaries | West Seattle news

Family and friends will gather Friday (September 23rd) to remember Sandra L. Dahl. Here’s the remembrance they’re sharing with her community:

Sandra Lee Dahl was born on April 30, 1937, and remained a lifelong resident of West Seattle. She graduated from West Seattle High School in 1955, and enrolled at the University of Washington without any clarity regarding a career path. After prayer, she felt led to become a teacher. She struggled through, and hated, every minute of her studies, but, upon graduation from college in 1959, she felt immediately at home the moment she stepped into her first classroom.

Sandra lovingly taught for 39 years in the Seattle Public Schools, first at Frank B. Cooper Elementary School, then at Lowell Elementary School, and finally Lafayette Elementary School. Her classrooms included disabled, disadvantaged, and English-as-second-language students long before integration in the public schools was common. Third grade was her favorite.

Sandra’s teaching extended into her church life as well. An active member of West Side Presbyterian Church, she dedicated decades to teaching adult Sunday School classes, and in-home women’s Bible studies. In her retirement, she tended 2-year-olds in the nursery during Mothers of Preschoolers meetings, and even took the time to prepare simple lessons for the toddlers she would be watching.

Sandra was a faithful and gracious steward of what she had been given. She offered up her gifts and talents generously. An accomplished organist, she led worship for countless Sunday services, weddings, funerals, choir rehearsals, and for the children in Vacation Bible School each Summer. She was also a consummate hostess, opening her home to friends and family members, for missionaries on sabbatical, for baby and wedding showers, and for elaborate choir and holiday parties.

Sandra never married, nor had children, but she poured her heart into hundreds of children throughout the course of her life, be it her students, the kids at church, little ones belonging to family and friends, or the sponsored children whose pictures she kept on the refrigerator.

Sandra was preceded in death by her parents Roger and Mattie Dahl and her sister Sharon Bishop. She is survived and will be greatly missed by her nieces and nephews, cousins, and many friends.

Sandra went on to receive her Heavenly reward on August 27, 2022 at 85 years old. Her gentle nature and resolute spirit served to magnify the Lord in all she did. She left the world a better place for having been here.

All are welcome to attend a memorial service celebrating Sandra’s life
Friday, September 23, 1:00 pm
West Side Presbyterian Church
3601 California Ave SW
Those unable to attend in person may watch the livestream on YouTube.

Share your memories of Sandra here.

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to westseattleblog@gmail.com)

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TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER: Second weekday morning with reopened West Seattle Bridge
September 20, 2022 6:00 am
|      29 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(Scroll down for updates on this morning’s traffic)

6:00 AM: Good morning. It’s Tuesday, September 20th, second weekday with the reopened West Seattle Bridge. Traffic was light on the first morning, so for one more time today, we’re live-chronicling the am commute. As we start, no problems reported, so here’s the basic daily info:

WEATHER

Here’s the forecast – sunny, breezy, high in the low 70s. (P.S. That haze is a bit more wildfire smoke blowing in from Eastern Washington.)

TRANSIT INFO

Metro buses are back on the high bridge, and today also is their second weekday since changes made with the twice-yearly service change; watch @kcmetroalerts for trip cancellations/reroute alerts.

No changes in ferries (check here for alerts/updates) or West Seattle Water Taxi service.

BRIDGES

High Bridge – here’s the reactivated camera atop the span.

Low Bridge: All restrictions were dropped with the high bridge’s reopening, so it’s open to anyone who wants to use it.

Highway 99: Whichever bridge you’re using to get to it, here’s a look at northbound traffic on 99 at Lander.

All currently functional city traffic cams can be seen here, many with video options; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are also on this WSB page … Are movable city bridges opening for vessels? Check the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed.

6:29 AM UPDATE: Still problem-free. Volume on the bridge looks a bit heavier than this time Monday.

6:59 AM UPDATE: The bridge remains wide open. Northbound East Marginal south of the West Seattle Bridge is the busiest route we’re seeing on city cameras right now.

7:29 AM UPDATE: Still light bridge traffic, and no area problems reported. Northbound I-5 and 99 are slowest south of the bridge.

7:59 AM UPDATE: No change – bridge is still lightly traveled. Low bridge just closed for marine traffic.

8:29 AM UPDATE: Low bridge has reopened to surface traffic. (Closure lasted 13 minutes.) All still quiet.

8:59 AM UPDATE: Still light.

Trouble on the roads/paths/water? Please text or call us (when you can do so safely) – 206-293-6302.

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THURSDAY: New SDOT director Greg Spotts talks with West Seattle Transportation Coalition
September 19, 2022 8:56 pm
|    Comments Off on THURSDAY: New SDOT director Greg Spotts talks with West Seattle Transportation Coalition
 |   Transportation | West Seattle news

Tomorrow marks one week since Greg Spotts was confirmed as SDOT‘s new director. (Here’s the video of the City Council meeting at which that happened.) He’s already been holding community conversations, after extending this invitation to schedule them. And this Thursday (September 22nd), we’ve just learned, he’ll talk with the West Seattle Transportation Coalition – and you, if you attend the online meeting. It starts at 6:30 pm Thursday, all are welcome, and the info for participating (by computer or phone) is in our calendar listing.

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FOLLOWUP: What caused weekend power outage in North Admiral
September 19, 2022 7:39 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Utilities | West Seattle news

On Sunday we reported on a power outage that left 74 customers out of power for about eight hours in North Admiral. Today, we talked with Seattle City Light‘s Jenn Strang about what happened. Strang says it took longer to fix because the crew first had to sleuth what had gone wrong, and while the original suspicion was a “bad fuse,” it turned out to be a “failed underground elbow.” (An elbow is a type of onnector.) She added that underground problems are often tougher to trace than others.

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