West Seattle, Washington

26 Monday

69℉

year : 2022 3600 results

GRATITUDE: West Seattle shelter’s ‘call for help’ answered, dozens kept warm
January 11, 2022 9:31 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Triangle | West Seattle news

(WSB photo, December)

The snow has melted and the temperature has risen into the 50s. West Seattle’s only emergency cold-weather shelter has closed its doors, for now. Its operator wants to share these words of thanks:

To all the true Neighbors of the West Seattle Community – thank you so much for your rapid and generous support to the call for help for the American Legion Post 160 and West Seattle Veteran Center Cold Weather Shelter. With your donations and help, we were able to stay open throughout the cold weather event to serve more than 50 individuals in their time of need. This is a grass-roots all-volunteer operation, only possible through your generosity.

The shelter has now suspended operation with the temperatures in the 40s and 50s. We will be prepared to re-open when the need arises. Winter is not yet over. Thank you.

Keith Hughes, Commander
West Seattle American Legion Post 160
President, West Seattle Veteran Center

As mentioned here in our coverage last month, the only city help for the shelter was a promise to cover the utility bills. Community members donated everything from cots to food to socks, plus volunteer hours.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Brewery prowler; business-district vandalism; car with gunfire damage
January 11, 2022 7:54 pm
|      17 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Three cases in West Seattle Crime Watch tonight:

BREWERY PROWLER: From Best of Hands Barrelhouse proprietor Nicholas Marianetti:

Last night/this morning between 4 & 5 am we caught … a prowler on our outdoor cameras.

Looks to be white male in his 40s-50s. Blue Seahawks beanie, gray puffy coat, blue jeans, and tennis shoes. He broke parts of our fence in order to gain access to our back deck where our outdoor walk-in sits.

No further damage was caused as we believe he was deterred by the bar-lock on our walk-in. We’ve had our walkin broken into, and product stolen before. We’d like to ask our neighbors to help us in remaining vigilant.

If you have any tips – or new suspicious activity to report (Best of Hands is at 35th/Webster, in the building with a cow on the roof), you can refer to SDOT incident 22-900827.

BUSINESS-DISTRICT VANDALISM: Michelle sent the photos this morning after noticing this scene outside businesses on the east side of the 2300 block of California SW:

This was “mid-cleanup,” she explained, adding that she reported it to police and described it as including planters, trash, and excrement. One business in that block has reported a chronic problem with the latter. We don’t have a police report number on this but will add it if we get one.

CAR DAMAGED BY GUNFIRE: This is from a preliminary police summary: A car was damaged by gunfire while parked for a week in the 6300 block of 16th SW (the report doesn’t specify whether it was on the street or in a private driveway). The car was parked on January 2nd or 3rd; a friend of its owner reported seeing the damage on January 4th. The owner returned to her car late last night and reported the damage. The police summary says, “The vehicle sustained numerous bullet impacts to the driver-side rear passenger window and door.”

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TRAFFIC ALERT UPDATE: Highland Park Way hill partly reopens, 5+ hours after another slide
January 11, 2022 12:24 pm
|      74 COMMENTS
 |   Highland Park | West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

12:24 PM: Just happening now: Police are closing Highland Park Way hill, both ways, because of another slide. “Just like last week,” one officer radioed in. Last week, you’ll recall, a slide closed that stretch of the crucial detour route for a day and a half.

12:34 PM: Thanks to the texter who sent that photo taken before the road was closed. Unlike last week, the power lines do not appear to have been affected this time. (added) Here’s the traffic camera at the bottom of the hill:

2:04 PM: Complicating matters on one detour-route-detour, SPD and SFD are responding to word of a 4-vehicle crash at Delridge/Roxbury, reported to be blocking southbound lanes.

2:36 PM: Just checked with SDOT, which tells us, “the current status is that we have a crew on site performing cleanup and they are planning to place ecology blocks. TBD on when the roads will reopen.” (We also flagged them that the traffic cameras are down again.)

3:48 PM: Cameras are working now. (Here’s the direct link to the one at the top of the hill, currently looking west of Holden.)

4:48 PM: Just went to the top of the hill and walked part of the way down to get a glimpse of the cleanup.

A backhoe was at work, and there’s a lot to scoop up – we’ve just received additional images from earlier – Kay Kirkpatrick says about 100 feet of slope slid:

5:11 PM: And just tweeted by SDOT:

5:43 PM: One lane has reopened each way, SDOT just announced, after 5 1/2 hours.

6:07 PM: Metro Route 131 has resumed service on the hill, too.

6:26 PM: SDOT adds in a news release, “Additional lanes of the road and sidewalk may be reopened once geological experts verify that the area is safe to travel through.”

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WEST SEATTLE BRIDGE: Community Task Force will continue, mayor decides
January 11, 2022 12:23 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle Bridge Safety Project | West Seattle news

(Added: Frame-grab from SDOT cam atop bridge today)

The West Seattle Bridge Community Task Force was convened by former Mayor Jenny Durkan, so its members have been wondering if her successor would keep it going. We’ve been following up on that, and the decision just in is, yes. Mayor Bruce Harrell‘s office tells us the CTF members have just received this:

Dear West Seattle Bridge Community Task Force Members,

Thank you for your commitment and dedication to Seattle — I deeply appreciate the service you’ve provided to your communities and to the City as a whole as members of the Community Task Force. As we continue to work toward a mid-2022 re-opening of the West Seattle Bridge and measure our progress toward restoring it to full capacity, I believe it is critical that this effort continue to benefit from the input and guidance of a cross-section of West Seattle and Duwamish Valley community members.

It is clear to me that you have developed expertise on the issues surrounding the closure and the repair project methodologies and milestones. Just as important, the Task Force has come to be known as a trusted conduit for sharing information about the repair project and traffic mitigation measures to the community, while also providing a means for community members to voice their concerns and ask questions of City staff and contractors about ongoing work. Again, thank you.

With these benefits provided by the Community Task Force in mind, I would like to accept your gracious offer to continue meeting until the repairs of the West Seattle High Bridge are complete and traffic is restored. I would also like to extend a special thank you to your co-chairs, Paulina López and former Mayor Greg Nickels, for their steady leadership and bringing this request to my attention.

I hope each and every one of you will be willing to continue your service to the City on the West Seattle Bridge Community Task Force. Please consider yourselves reappointed as Community Task Force members through the completion of the High Bridge Repair project. I have directed my staff, along with SDOT project staff, to work with you on developing an appropriate meeting cadence between now and the day this summer we can celebrate together the reopening of the bridge.

Sincerely,
Bruce A. Harrell, Mayor

Now the question is when the group will next meet for its monthly briefing, as the repair work continues. We’ll add that information when we find out.

ADDED WEDNESDAY: SDOT says the next meeting is set for February 10th, 4-6 pm.

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WATER TAXI: Want to take your dog or cat on board? Finally you can
January 11, 2022 11:44 am
|      17 COMMENTS
 |   King County Water Taxi | Pets | West Seattle news

While dogs and cats are allowed on Metro buses, they haven’t been allowed on the King County Water Taxi – until now. Metro has just announced the policy change to allow pets on board both the West Seattle and Vashon Island routes. The announcement says, “The new policy allowing cats (in carriers) and dogs (on a leash or in a carrier) is the result of the Water Taxi staff listening and responding to the needs of riders. A growing number of riders use the Water Taxi as an alternative to driving, but for some it only works if they can bring their pet for the trip.” King County Executive Dow Constantine plans to formally announce the change during a media event at Seacrest tomorrow.

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3 school-info events, 7 community meetings, more for your West Seattle Tuesday
January 11, 2022 9:45 am
|    Comments Off on 3 school-info events, 7 community meetings, more for your West Seattle Tuesday
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Memories of Sunday sunshine – photo by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)

Much is happening in the hours ahead – here are spotlight events, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

NORTHWEST SEAPORT ALLIANCE MANAGING MEMBERS: Four days after the first cargo-ship call at modernized Terminal 5, the port commissioners of Seattle and Tacoma meet as managing members of the Northwest Seaport Alliance, 11 am online. The agenda explains how to sign up to comment; the livestream will be here.

WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES WINTER MEETING: Get updates on WSF operations and planning during this 1 pm online meeting -final of two sessions for WSF’s winter community updates. Our calendar listing includes the link for registration to get the connection info.

WINTER CLASSES @ DELRIDGE CC: Piano lessons start at 3 pm; Creative Ballet starts at 4:30 pm. Lots going on this winter at Delridge Community Center; contact the center to register. (4501 Delridge Way SW).

DINE OUT & HELP YOUNG ATHLETES: 5-9 pm at Chipotle in The Junction (4730 California SW), part of the proceeds will go to a Pacific NW Soccer team comprised largely of West Seattle girls. The code to use for your online order is in our calendar listing. 10:39 AM: Update – organizers say Chipotle has canceled this due to a personnel shortage.

SOUND TRANSIT’S WS COMMUNITY ADVISORY GROUP: 5-7 pm online, the Community Advisory Group for the West Seattle/Duwamish River section of the light-rail expansion will meet. The agenda is centered on station planning. You can watch the livestream here.

TILDEN SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE: 6-8:30 pm, prospective families are welcome to small-group tours – but pre-registration is required, so see our calendar listing and sign up by email or phone ASAP.

WESTSIDE SCHOOL INFORMATION NIGHT: 6-7:15 pm online, prospective families of preschool through 4th graders can find out more about Westside School (WSB sponsor). Our calendar listing has registration information so you can get the link.

HOPE LUTHERAN PRESCHOOL OPEN HOUSE: 6 pm, find out about attending preschool at Hope Lutheran. Info is in our calendar listing.

CAMP SECOND CHANCE COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE: 6 pm online, your monthly chance to hear updates, and ask questions, about West Seattle’s only city-supported tiny-house encampment. Attendance info is in our calendar listing.

CHIEF SEALTH IHS PTSA: 7 pm online, all welcome – the announcement says “the Sealth social workers will be sharing mental-health resources for students. Mr. Morales will join us to provide an update on Sealth and answer questions. He’ll be speaking after the social workers in the agenda. Here is the Teams link.”

FAUNTLEROY COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION: 7 pm online, the FCA board meets for a variety of updates. Community members are welcome – here’s how to register to attend.

(added) ADMIRAL NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION: 7 pm meeting in-person at Admiral Church (4320 SW Hill) and online – here’s the connection information:

us02web.zoom.us/j/5342744589
Meeting ID: 534 274 4589
By phone: One-tap mobile
+12532158782,,5342744589#

BELLE OF THE BALLS BINGO: Play bingo with Cookie Couture at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW), 8 pm. Free, all ages!

There’s more on our calendar – and if you have something to add for the future, email us the info at westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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Eligible for Medicare? Explore your options with a local expert
January 11, 2022 9:00 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Health | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

With the Medicare open-enrollment period under way, Patrice Lewis of We Speak Medicare has returned as a WSB sponsor. She says Medicare open enrollment continues until March 31st “so if you have an MA plan and are thinking of making a change, give me a call. I can help you figure out whether to stay with your current plan or switch to one that will better suit your needs. If you are newly eligible for Medicare, let me help you more fully understand how it works, what your options are, and what to consider when deciding on the plan that will work best for you.” She also does presentations and individual sessions at the Senior Center of West Seattle (next one at 1 pm this Thursday – call 206-932-4044 to register) as well as presentations via Zoom. See her website at wespeakmedicare.org/patrice-lewis for contact info or call 206-430-3782.

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TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER: Tuesday watch, with another pothole alert
January 11, 2022 6:01 am
|      15 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

8:14 AM: Texter says there’s a massive puddle over NB Fauntleroy by the ferry dock.

Earlier:

6:01 AM Good morning!

WEATHER

Rainy, windy, warmer, according to the forecast – which predicts a high in the 50s.

BUSES, WATER TAXI, FERRIES

West Seattle and Vashon Water Taxi routes are on their regular schedules.

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

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

BRIDGES AND DETOUR ROUTES

658th morning without the West Seattle Bridge. As of early today, SDOT cameras were back up:

Low Bridge: Automated enforcement cameras remain in use; restrictions are in effect 5 am-9 pm daily – except weekends; the bridge is open to all until 8 am Saturday and Sunday mornings. (Access applications are available here for some categories of drivers.)

The 1st Avenue South Bridge (map):

South Park Bridge:

West Marginal Way at Highland Park Way:

Highland Park Way/Holden:

The 5-way intersection (Spokane/West Marginal/Delridge/Chelan):

Are movable bridges opening for vessels? The @SDOTBridges Twitter feed can tell you; 1st Ave. S. Bridge openings are also tweeted on @wsdot_traffic.

See all local traffic cams here; locally relevant cameras are also on this WSB page

POTHOLE ALERT

We featured a few on Monday. Then this one came in – westbound Spokane under the bridge near 26th, sent by Mitchell:

Here’s evidence of the toll it’s taken:

Mitchell said, “I’ve watched it blow out 10 hub caps and pop 3 tires including my own!” They’ve been reported. Here’s our story from last week on how to report potholes (and how to check first if they’ve already been reported).

Trouble on the streets/paths/bridges/water? Please let us know – text (but not if you’re driving!) 206-293-6302.

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FOLLOWUP: Seattle Public Library’s closures aren’t just virus-related
January 10, 2022 11:32 pm
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle libraries | West Seattle news

(Sign on door of West Seattle branch Sunday, photographed by Gina)

Today was the first day in four days that West Seattle didn’t have a Seattle Public Library branch closed for what the system called “staffing shortages.” Several branches around the city were closed on each of three days – Friday, including the Southwest branch; Saturday, including the Delridge branch; and Sunday, including the West Seattle (Admiral) branch. We followed up as promised, to ask if the shortages were the result of COVID, or something else. Here’s what SPL spokesperson Laura Gentry told WSB:

The Library has experienced low staffing numbers recently due to an increase in sick calls, an increase in vacation leaves around the holidays, and an increase in usage of family medical leave.

We do have an ongoing hiring effort to staff back up after receiving restored funding to do so. However, our first round of hiring resulted in several internal promotions, which has led to another round of hiring that requires additional orientation and training time. Even as we do become more fully staffed, it’s difficult to predict the ongoing impacts of COVID-19 on our staff.

We do try to rotate which branches are closed due to low staffing in order to not impact certain neighborhoods more often than others. However, we also try to keep certain high-use branches open every day, if possible. These branches are often located near major transit lines and are geographically spread throughout the city to ensure coverage in all areas of Seattle.

We are currently taking a closer look at this approach to see if there is a way we can create more consistency for our patrons while we are in this situation.

West Seattle has four SPL branches, mapped here.

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PANDEMIC UPDATES: Local check-in #26, 1/10/2022, with Seattle Public Schools’ testing results
January 10, 2022 8:41 pm
|      25 COMMENTS
 |   Coronavirus | West Seattle news

Here’s our weekly update on local pandemic numbers, including the weekly Seattle Public Schools updates, just made public this evening, with results from the district’s recent mass testing. First, the countywide and local info:

KING COUNTY CUMULATIVE NUMBERS (through today):

*248,775 cases – 37,244 more than a week ago (9,245 total in West Seattle, up 1,330)
*9,750 hospitalizations – 438 more than a week ago (277 total from West Seattle, up 7)
*2,196 people have died – 31 more than the previous update (77 total in West Seattle, unchanged)

SEATTLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS STATS

The SPS dashboard wasn’t updated until this evening, and it includes the results of the district-wide testing one week ago (SPS had said previously that about 4% of those tests were positive). Districtwide, the cumulative case total for this school year is 2,101, 807 more than a week earlier. Here’s the local school-by-school breakout (as always, these total also are cumulative):

West Seattle High School – 39, up 15
Chief Sealth International High School – 33, up 10
Denny International Middle School – 32, up 4
Louisa Boren STEM K-8 – 23, up 5
Arbor Heights Elementary – 22, up 7
Madison Middle School – 21, up 8
Alki Elementary – 19, up 13
Gatewood Elementary – 19, up 2
Fairmount Park Elementary – 18, up 6
Sanislo Elementary – 17, up 12
Pathfinder K-8 – 17, up 9
Genesee Hill Elementary – 17, up 3
Concord International (Elementary) – 15, up 6
Roxhill Elementary – 15, unchanged
West Seattle Elementary – 14, up 4
Highland Park Elementary – 14, unchanged
Lafayette Elementary – 11, up 1
BRIDGES @ Roxhill – 1, unchanged

The district’s newest pandemic-related message to families is here.

VACCINATION RATE

82.4% of King County residents 5+ have completed their vaccine series – up .5% from one week ago.

By West Seattle zip code – note that these numbers are still NOT available as 5+, so they reflect the percentage of 12+ population; the county has stopped calculating the boosted percentage, so we don’t have those numbers this time:
98106 – 88.5% completed series
98116 – 91.6% completed series
98126 – 83.5% completed series
98136 – 93.3% completed series
98146 – 83.8% completed series

(Find more COVID-related King County stats here.)

THE WEEK’S PANDEMIC HEADLINES

Boosters for teens and tweens – The recommendations for boosters expanded this week to include 12- to 17-year-olds.

Testing coverage – The White House has decreed how much COVID testing health-insurance providers must cover.

GETTING TESTED

-The city-sponsored, UW Medicine-run West Seattle testing site at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle) is limiting testing to symptomatic/exposed people. Appointments can be made here (if you find an opening).

–Curative continues operating two West Seattle testing locations – at Don Armeni Boat Ramp (1222 Harbor SW) and at Summit Atlas School (9601 35th SW)

GETTING VACCINATED

The city-run vaccination hub at Neighborhood House High Point (6400 Sylvan Way SW) continues Friday and Saturday operations; here’s where to look for an appointment. Pliable‘s Sunday clinics (same location) are on hiatus until January 30th.

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CONGRATULATIONS! West Seattle High School graduate Hannah Shelfer’s art on display at U.S. Capitol
January 10, 2022 6:22 pm
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle people | WS culture/arts

That artwork, “The Matriarchs” by West Seattle High School Class of 2021 graduate Hannah Shelfer. is now on display at the U.S. Capitol! Our area’s U.S. House Rep. Pramila Jayapal (also a West Seattleite) circulated the image this weekend, noting that the artist was this district’s winner in last year’s Congressional Art Competition. WSB reader Kathleen pointed this out and wondered if we could find out more about Hannah. We contacted her family, which tells us the artist is now a student at Cornell University in Ithaca, N.Y., majoring in food science. Her award-winning painting, according to her family, “was inspired by the 2020 movie ‘Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom’. This digital piece was constructed using multiple layers of color and methods that approximate conventional painting and drawing tools. Hannah’s artwork earned her the Fine Arts Department Scholar Award in the WSHS 2021 graduating class.” Also while at WSHS, she was a swim-team athlete and, her family adds, also competed regionally and nationally as a team member of Pacific Waves Synchronized Swim Club.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Package-theft alert
January 10, 2022 4:56 pm
|      16 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Heads up if you’re expecting a delivery. A resident in Belvidere emailed with porch-camera video of a package thief (frame-grab above): “This package was dropped off 30 minutes before it was stolen… 12:48 pm today.” Note the video also shows the getaway car.

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From the ‘in case you wondered too’ file: New policy/code for some SFD responses
January 10, 2022 3:42 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Health | West Seattle news

(WSB file photo, SFD battalion-chief vehicle)

If you watch the Seattle Fire Department‘s real-time 911 log – which logs the addresses and call classifications for all SFD responses – you might have noticed a new call designation on Sunday’s log: A few medical calls were designated BC Medic Response or BC Aid Response. We noticed it and also received a few inquiries – one of the calls was on Alki Avenue – so we asked SFD about it today. Spokesperson Kristin Tinsley says BC is short for “battalion chief” (regional supervisor) and this is indeed a new type of code: “With this policy change, a battalion chief is now added to most responses where the patient is experiencing a mental-health crisis, to help our firefighters with decision-making for an appropriate treatment plan.”

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PREVIEW: Washington State Ferries’ winter community meetings conclude Tuesday
January 10, 2022 2:10 pm
|    Comments Off on PREVIEW: Washington State Ferries’ winter community meetings conclude Tuesday
 |   Fauntleroy | Transportation | West Seattle news

Reminder that if you want to participate in Washington State Ferries‘ winter community meetings, tomorrow’s your last chance – you can participate in the 1 pm Tuesday meeting. Hot topics for WSF right now range from ongoing schedule reductions to planning for projects like the Fauntleroy dock/terminal replacement. You can also watch the recording of the evening version of the meeting, held last Wednesday – find the link here, same webpage where you can register to be part of tomorrow’s session.

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‘Accidental gunfire’ damages West Seattle Junction apartments, business
January 10, 2022 11:56 am
|      88 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle police

From the weekend Seattle Police log, a case described as “accidental gunfire” – no one was hurt, but two apartments and a business were damaged. Police were called to an apartment building in the 4700 block of 42nd SW just after noon Sunday to investigate. According to the report narrative, here’s what happened: A resident had bought himself a Colt .357 King Cobra pistol for Christmas. He was “in his living room, examining his pistol, taking out rounds and placing them back into the pistol with a speed loader. (He) intended to dry-fire his pistol to an adjacent wall, not realizing the pistol was still loaded, and fired.” The bullet went through the wall, into the apartment next door, through a closet at a business in the building, then “clipping a TV mounted on the outer wall,” finally stopping underneath a chair. The gun owner went to the building leasing office to report what happened, and from there 911 was called. The resident of the apartment next door wasn’t home at the time; her dog was there and wasn’t hurt. After talking with everyone involved and taking photos of the damage, police say they “spoke with (the gun owner) about the importance of firearm safety, which he said he understood.” He had placed the gun in a cabinet after the incident.

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WEST SEATTLE MONDAY: Notes for today/tonight
January 10, 2022 9:58 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Sunrise photo by Carolyn Newman)

From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar and elsewhere, notes for today/tonight:

GARBAGE/RECYCLING/YARD WASTE CATCH-UP: Residential collection is back to regular days this week, and if you were missed the past two weeks, you can set out triple the usual amount, Seattle Public Utilities reminds you. Customers who were skipped twice also can take solid waste to a city transfer station at no charge.

CITY COUNCIL BRIEFING MEETING: Online at 2 pm, City Council members provide individual updates and previews of the week ahead. Here’s the agenda; you can watch via Seattle Channel.

OPEN D&D GROUP: Players welcome to drop in for this weekly group at Meeples Games (3727 California SW), 6:30-10 pm.

TRIVIA X 3: Here are tonight’s three options – 7 pm at Best of Hands (35th/Webster), 7 pm at The Good Society (California/Lander), 7:30 pm at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW)

Something for our calendar/daily previews? westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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Remembering Cheryl Kay Baechle
January 10, 2022 8:59 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Obituaries | West Seattle news

Family and friends are remembering Cheryl K. Baechle and sharing this remembrance with the community:

Cheryl Kay Baechle passed away unexpectedly 12-25-21 in Kent, Washington.

Cheryl was affectionately known by many as “Mommifer” and is survived by her three brothers Ken, Alan, and Gary Baechle; her three children Joseph, Jeffrey (daughter-in-law Lindsey), and Jennifer (“sonny”-in-law Marlon); her three grandchildren Fabian, Lauren, and Josiah; 6 great-grandchildren; and her beloved cats Herm and Chloe.

Cheryl was born and raised in Kalamazoo, Michigan. She was a single, hard-working mother who, after taking a two-week vacation with her kids to Seattle in 1977, fell in love with the Pacific Northwest and moved her family there in July 1978. As a young woman she enjoyed her kids, music, and a fun night out dancing. Later in life she enjoyed reading, crocheting, the Seattle Seahawks, and her Seattle “Marinaras,” as well as caring for her cats. Cheryl, you will be missed!

“RIP MOMMIFER”

Please share memories & condolences on the Tribute Wall at emmickfunerals.com/obituary/Cheryl-Baechle – Care & Arrangements Entrusted to Emmick Family Funeral Home of West Seattle

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

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TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER: Monday watch, featuring pothole alert
January 10, 2022 6:02 am
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:02 AM Good morning!

WEATHER

Rain returns, according to the forecast.

BUSES, WATER TAXI, FERRIES

West Seattle and Vashon Water Taxi routes are on their regular schedules.

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

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

BRIDGES AND DETOUR ROUTES

657th morning without the West Seattle Bridge. As of early today, SDOT cameras were down again, but this WSDOT camera is working:

The 1st Avenue South Bridge (map):

Are movable bridges opening for vessels? The @SDOTBridges Twitter feed can tell you; 1st Ave. S. Bridge openings are also tweeted on @wsdot_traffic.

POTHOLE ALERTS

Road ruts have worsened since the recent snow, ice, and record rainfall. Cathy emailed last night to warn, “There are at least two major potholes between Morgan and Dawson on 35th that are causing major issues for vehicles. Several flat tires, according to the team at Les Schwab tires … all due to potholes on 35th. Need the city to please intervene and fix these dangerous potholes!!!” We also received notes about the potholes on 106th east of 35th and the previously mentioned Sylvan Way potholes – here’s another photo of those, sent by A.L.:

We also noted some serious ruts on eastbound Fauntleroy just west of Avalon over the weekend. Here’s our story from last week on how to report them (and how to check first if they’ve already been reported).

Trouble on the streets/paths/bridges/water? Please let us know – text (but not if you’re driving!) 206-293-6302.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Graffiti vandalism
January 9, 2022 11:59 pm
|      16 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Sent by Shawn a short time ago:

(Photo altered to blur out the tagging)

I saw these 2 clowns painting graffiti on the wall this evening at 11:10 pm. It is on 42nd Ave SW on the wall of the Jefferson square parking lot. I called them out and one ran, the other took off toward the QFC on skateboard. There has been a lot of graffiti in the area lately.

Call 911 if you see this or any other crime in progress.

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White Center water break blamed for Highland Park trouble too
January 9, 2022 7:46 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Highland Park | Utilities | West Seattle news | White Center

The photos are from a water-main break in White Center that is being blamed for trouble including discolored water in Highland Park. The photos are from Tom, who told us via email: “We had a water main break down here in White Center right in front of Mount View Elementary. All of 12th north of the school down to 106th was flooded. I think that the water was also flowing down to Coronado Springs but I never had a chance to see how bad it was down there. Most of us on 12th were pretty busy trying to keep the water out of our houses to limited success. Crews are tearing up the street now to repair and all of us have had our water shut off.”

In Highland Park, residents reporting brown water to Seattle Public Utilities (always call it in to 206-386-1800) report they were told the White Center break is to blame. The SPU water-outage map says it started just before 6 pm.

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BIZNOTE: Yes, Dumplings Of Fury will reopen
January 9, 2022 6:42 pm
|      26 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants

It’s the #1 question we’ve gotten lately – when is West Seattle Junction restaurant Dumplings Of Fury reopening? They’ve been closed for eight months while working on an expansion into the California/Oregon corner spot next to their original space. Paper is off the windows in the expansion space, further sparking passerbys’ curiosity. So we checked in with co-proprietor Ben Jenkins, who replied that they’re “super close – have one more permit hurdle to pass.” But he doesn’t have a firm reopening date yet “because in this biz it’s tough to predict.” Nonetheless, he adds, they’re “excited to open!” (The expansion space at 4461 California SW was formerly Many Moons Consignment.)

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WEST SEATTLE BIRDS: 10 photos and a request
January 9, 2022 3:19 pm
|      20 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | Wildlife

To commemorate the last Seahawks game of the year, here’s another “football Sunday” bird-photo gallery, thanks to WSB readers who have sent more fab photos of West Seattle sightings. Above, Mark Dale photographed two Pileated Woodpeckers in High Point. Below, a Belted Kingfisher, from Ann Anderson:

Jerry Simmons found a Steller’s Jay with what appears to be a frosted peanut:

Bald Eagles are in view around West Seattle – James Tilley photographed a not-yet-mature one:

Eileen Wurst was surprised to see one high up in a Highland Park tree, near 8th/Holden:

Another surprise sighting – Jon Wright says it’s unusual to see a Northern Flicker at his feeder, but one showed up in our recent snow:

On the water – Matt Olson photographed a Rhinoceros Auklet off Duwamish Head:

Great Blue Herons are always a mesmerizing sight – this photo is from Stewart L.:

This one’s from Tom Trulin:

Finally, a hummingbird photo from Jerry Simmons, and a request:

Community naturalist Kersti Muul is gathering data on how extreme weather affects hummingbirds – if you found any dead hummers, she has some questions for you in this survey

Meantime, thanks again to everyone sharing their sightings! westseattleblog@gmail.com is the best way to get us newsworthy photos of all kinds (if it’s urgent/breaking, text our hotline at 206-293-6302).

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West Seattle (Admiral) library branch closed today
January 9, 2022 2:33 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle libraries | West Seattle news

Thanks to Gina for the tip. Seattle Public Library‘s rotating closures continue – today the West Seattle (Admiral) branch is closed. SPL cites a staffing shortage. The book drop, however, is open.

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