CORONAVIRUS: Another West Seattle COVID-testing site shuts down
Two months shy of two years after its opening, the Curative COVID-testing trailer at Don Armeni Boat Ramp has closed. We asked about its status after noticing it was no longer listed on the company’s webmap, though the trailer was still on site when we checked this morning. Curative spokesperson Pasquale Gianni tells WSB the company expects to close all its COVID-testing sites by the end of the year, unless “an unexpected demand for testing services” arises. (Gianni adds that the company is pivoting to another health-care venture, involving “a new approach to employer-based health insurance” that it’s launching in Austin, Texas.) For a while, Curative also had a testing van on the Summit Atlas campus in Arbor Heights, but closed that one in May.
With the Don Armeni Curative closure, one major testing site remains in West Seattle, in the parking lot of Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle). UW Medicine operates that one in partnership with the city. We checked on its status; UW Medicine spokesperson Leila Gray tells WSB, “The site is likely to close when the Federal Public Health Emergency Declaration expires. This is the official declaration of the COVID pandemic’s status as a national public health emergency. This Federal Emergency Declaration was last renewed October 13, 2022, as announced by U.S. Health Secretary Xavier Becerra, and it would expire in about 3 months unless renewed.” So for now, that site remains in operation until further notice.
Also of note: The state Health Department is still offering free home-testing kits through at least the end of the year; this reminder last week explains how to get them.
ADDED TUESDAY: A commenter pointed out last night that the free-tests website says they’ve run out. We checked with the Health Department this morning; a spokesperson replied that they’re indeed out right now but: “We are working with our vendor to get a new supply, possibly as early as this week.”
WEST SEATTLE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS: Sneak peek at Menashes’ almost-ready display
In the second week of putting up West Seattle’s brightest Christmas lights, the Menashe family estimates they’re about 80 percent done. Thursday night (December 1st) is still the planned official first night, but we got a partial preview tonight just after sunset.
Most of the decorations that were waiting in the back yard when we visited last week are now in place.
But some of the signature features are yet to be set up – like the train. You can see the full display starting Friday night at 5605 Beach Drive SW.
P.S. We’re showcasing Christmas lights nightly through the season as usual – and while we’ll be out scouting when we can, your tips (and photos if available) are much appreciated – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
WEST SEATTLE SNOW? Winter Weather Advisory alert for Tuesday pm-Wednesday am
(Snow on the Olympics, photographed from West Seattle on Sunday by Chris Frankovich)
We’ve been talking about a looming chance of snow for days – and now the National Weather Service has issued an alert saying it’s likely: The NWS has our area under a Winter Weather Advisory starting at 1 pm Tuesday and continuing through 10 am Wednesday. From the alert: “Snow expected. Total snow accumulations of up to 3 inches. … Snow accumulation likely over the higher hills of the area during heavy showers Tuesday afternoon. Greater chance of snow accumulations during the overnight hours into Wednesday morning.” However, the NWS forecast discussion notes, “There is a lot of variability with this system and precipitation amount is going to be very dependent on location, elevation, and timing. … With this type of set up, the forecast is still very variable and is going to change all the way up to the event.”
YOU CAN HELP: ‘A Week of Giving for Sealth’
Even before we get to Giving Tuesday, the Chief Sealth International High School PTSA is hoping you can help them make this a Giving Week. Here’s their announcement:
Calling all Chief Sealth families, alums & supporters! Monday, November 28 starts a Week of Giving for Sealth. Please give what you can & spread the word!
As you know, our schools are funded for just the basics of operations, but it’s not the basics that bring many students or staff to the building each day. It’s a robust library collection, access to music, enriching afterschool programs, supplies and meal support for families, and strong offerings for all athletes that are vital to the overall success of our school & its community.
Give your tax deductible donation here: chiefsealthptsa.schoolauction.net/funddrive2022/g
That link also has details on the programs
WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Stolen white CR-V (update: found)
The report and photo are from Sydney:
Last seen the afternoon of Wednesday. November 23, on 42nd Ave SW between SW College St. and SW Walker St. It’s a 1999 White Honda CR-V with brand new tires. We were out of town for the holiday weekend and returned yesterday to find it stolen. Police report # 2022-317990.
We’ll add the plate # when we get it.
TUESDAY UPDATE: Found under the west end of the West Seattle Bridge.
WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Two more burglary cases
Late last night, we reported on the arrest of a man suspected of breaking into a west Admiral home. He’s in jail this afternoon; the register shows it’s his fifth time there this year. Meantime, we have information on two other burglary cases, both early this morning:
MULTIPLE BREAK-INS, ONE SUSPECT: This one also resulted in an arrest; the 37-year-old suspect is in jail, where records show he spent a month and a half at the start of the year after an assault arrest. In this case, police were first called to a home in the 6400 block of 30th SW around 1:40 am, after a 911 caller reported someone in the back of their house, breaking a window. The report narrative says “There were multiple other calls from neighbors as well, describing someone running through backyards stating someone was trying to kill them.” Officers arrived to find two different households “reported that someone had broken a window and entered, then left, their residences. … Reports also came out that he had left 3 backpacks in someone’s backyard, and might be taking off clothes as he moved about.” Officers found him nearby; the report says he told them he had taken meth while hanging out with a friend and believed “people were chasing him.” He had been injured, likely from breaking windows, and was treated at Harborview before being booked into jail this morning.
STORE BURGLARY: Glass-breaking was also the method of entry when Global Smoke and Vape at 35th/Roxbury was broken into before 4 am today. This photo of the aftermath was texted to us:
A 911 caller reported suspected burglars “loading up a gold van.” They were gone when police arrived five minutes later. The report narrative notes “the front door had holes punched through the glass in several places and there was a large opening in the glass … the metal gate, situated behind the glass door, had been pried open as well, to grant access to the burglars.” They talked to a witness who saw it from their nearby residence, describing the gold van as “similar to a Chrysler” and two burglars, one dressed in black, the other, in a “light or white jacket and white shoes,” appearing to act as a lookout. They left northbound on 35th. Video shown to police by the store owner showed the burglar wearing black hitting the store glass with a “long metal shaft of some kind,” the report says. The owner told police that merchandise had been stolen (the report does not elaborate on exactly what).
CLOSURE ALERT: Southwest Pool to close Tuesday, Wednesday
Just in from city-run Southwest Pool:
Southwest Pool will be closed Tuesday and Wednesday, November 29 and 30.
Due to staff illness, we are unable to field enough staff to operate programs or lessons safely. All Programs and lessons are cancelled. Lesson participants will be issued a refund for the missed lesson.
We hope to return to full operation on Thursday, December 1.
We’ll update here on Thursday, and you can check the pool’s status any time via 206-684-7440.
FOLLOWUP: What caused the Lincoln Park sewage leak
1:28 PM: Here’s what more we’ve found out about the Lincoln Park sewage/wastewater leak first reported here Sunday afternoon. King County Wastewater Treatment Division spokesperson Marie Fiore says it was not a broken pipe but a malfunctioning valve in an underground vault along the line. Since the county’s Barton Pump Station pumps “intermittently,” the leak wasn’t major, she said – the wastewater (combined sewage/stormwater) that had spilled into the vault has been removed with suction equipment, and repairs are complete. Since an undetermined amount of wastewater did make it onto the beach and into Puget Sound, they’ll keep the beach closed as a precaution while they test the water to be sure it’s safe. We asked if the valve that malfunctioned was part of what was replaced in that area in 2006 or was part of the 2015 pump-station upgrade; Fiore is checking on that. She did say the vault is inspected multiple times per month, most recently November 15th.
7:59 PM: Fiore confirms that the “force main” in that area was replaced in 2006; what malfunctioned in this situation was “an air valve” which was replaced as part of the repairs done Sunday.
Short-lived ‘full response’ in South Delridge
In case you heard the sirens and/or saw the engines/trucks – Seattle Fire is just closing what was briefly a “full response” in the 9200 block of 17th SW. Most of the dispatched units were canceled before ever arriving. We’re checking on what it turned out to have been.
WEST SEATTLE WATER TAXI ALERT: 2 more runs canceled today
Two more West Seattle Water Taxi runs have been canceled today in addition to what was already announced as a result of Metro being down to one boat for both routes. From the most-recent alert: “The 11:30 a.m. departure from Pier 50 in Downtown Seattle and the noon departure from West Seattle have been canceled today to support fueling operations. Service resumes with the 12:30 p.m. departure from Pier 50 and the 1:00 p.m. departure from West Seattle.” The Water Taxi is running with the smaller backup boat Spirit of Kingston handling both West Seattle and Vashon Island while the larger regular boats, Doc Maynard and Sally Fox, are out for propeller repairs blamed on “submerged debris.”
TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER: Post-holiday Monday
6:03 AM: Good morning. Back to work, back to school today – Monday, November 28th.
WEATHER
Today’s weather could have a bit of everything – sun, showers, snow, wind. High near 40.
TODAY’S TRANSIT STATUS
-The West Seattle Water Taxi is running a reduced schedule with backup boat M/V Spirit of Kingston, because both regular boats are out for repairs – here’s the West Seattle route update.
-Still a 2-boat schedule for WSF’s Triangle Route – check here for alerts/updates. Note that Vashon Island is on one-slip operations until at least tomor
–Metro buses are on regular schedules; watch @kcmetroalerts for trip cancellations/reroute alerts.
SPOTLIGHT CAMERAS
High Bridge – here’s the camera at the top.
High Bridge – the view from its southwest end (if SDOT points the 35th/Avalon/Fauntleroy camera that way).
Low Bridge: Or nearby, depending on where SDOT points the camera.
1st Ave. S. Bridge: The south route.
Highway 99: Here’s the northbound side at Lander.
All functional city traffic cams can be seen here, most 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 a problem on the roads/paths/water, please text or call us (when you can do so safely) – 206-293-6302.
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