day : 25/04/2023 10 results

Two nights after the State Legislature adjourned, a few major bills are dominating post-session discussion. One of them is SB 5536, which was touted as a compromise for a new state law regarding drug possession. Legislators needed to pass one in order to avoid outright decriminalization as of July 1st, expiration date for a stopgap law enacted after the state Supreme Court threw out the previous state law. But in the waning hours of the legislative session, the “compromise” went down to defeat, with State House members voting 43 yes, 55 no. Though some Republicans had voted for earlier versions of the bill, none voted for the final version, and some Democrats voted against it too. We checked today to see how our area’s two State House Representatives voted – and discovered that the two, both Democrats from West Seattle, were split. Rep. Joe Fitzgibbon, who is the House Majority Leader, voted yes. First-term Rep. Emily Alvarado voted no. We asked her why, via email. Her response:

I voted against SB 5536 because I don’t believe we need to criminalize drug possession to connect people to services. We need proven public health responses to substance use disorder.

The proposal that came to the House floor on Sunday escalated criminal penalties for drug possession and public use to a gross misdemeanor, meaning people could be sentenced to up to 364 days in jail. It gave prosecutors discretion in whether to refer a person to diversion and treatment. It made important investments in behavioral health care, which I support, but those investments were not sufficient.

I agree that a state framework is better than a patchwork of local laws, but SB 5536 was not the right framework. It enshrined harsh criminal penalties for drug possession and failed to make evidence-based treatment and services readily available for people who need it.

(Our area’s State Senator Joe Nguyen voted against the version of the bill that cleared the Senate 28-21 in early March.) So what happens now? Governor Inslee inferred he might call a special session, declaring that the House vote “was unacceptable,” adding, “Decriminalization is not an option for me and it is not an option for the state of Washington. I expect legislators to deliver a solution.” Otherwise, it’ll be up to local governments to make their own rules – or not.

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ELECTION 2023: Crisis-care levy passing in first round of results

April 25, 2023 8:13 pm

| 43 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

The first ballot count is out in today’s special election with just one issue on the ballot, the $1.25 billion, nine-year King County levy intended primarily to fund crisis-care centers. Here are the results; rounding the numbers it’s passing with 54 percent approving, 46 percent rejecting. That count reflects 21 percent of registered voters; as of earlier today, 25 percent had turned in their ballots. Next count will be released Wednesday afternoon.

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FOLLOWUP: Another ship running on shore power at West Seattle’s T-5

April 25, 2023 5:30 pm

| 13 COMMENTS

| Environment | Port of Seattle | West Seattle news

At upper left, seen from Jack Block Park, that’s the stack of MSC Yashi B, calling today at Terminal 5. What you don’t see in the photo is smoke from the stack – because Yashi B is the second ship to use shore power at T-5. The first was MSC Brunella, during a call two weeks ago. Which ships will use shore power and which won’t? Northwest Seaport Alliance spokesperson Melanie Stambaugh says that is for the terminal operator and shipping line to determine, with an annual report due to NWSA on shore-power use. But, she adds, “As this component of our modernization program is still new, both the NWSA and our project team will remain involved in the coming weeks. That being said, we have a commitment from our tenant that they will plug in vessels that are capable, meaning the vessel has shore power capability and it physically matches the dock-side infrastructure.” Who covers the bill, she adds, is between the terminal operator and the shipping line.

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West Seattle filmmaker invites you to premiere of her first documentary ‘Oh Me of Little Faith’

April 25, 2023 4:29 pm

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| Admiral Theater | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

Emma Yeager has a free ticket to the Admiral Theater for you. It’s the premiere screening of her first documentary at 10 am Saturday, May 6th. Here’s her story:

I have lived in West Seattle with my family for 8 years. Over the last 5.5 years my father (Doug Jackson) and I have been working on my very first documentary film. We are so excited to show it on May 6th at the Admiral Theater at 10 AM (doors open at 9:30 AM). I grew up in Burbank, California where my father worked his entire career on major motion pictures as a sound editor. His favorite works include Schindler’s List, Hairspray, Logan and War For the Planet of the Apes (And More Here). For as long as I can remember my father has shown me and passed on a joy and love of film. For the last 15 years I have done many small film projects myself such as weddings, family history mini documentaries, small company promotion films and some volunteer non-profit films.

However, in 2016 right here in West Seattle, my life came to a halt when I was pregnant with my second child and was diagnosed with HELLP syndrome. HELLP syndrome is a version of preeclampsia that targets the liver and has a 50% chance of fatality for both the mother and child. My son was born as soon as we found out, small but healthy. I spent the next week in the hospital fighting for my life. When the worst of it seemed to pass I found that I had lost the ability to walk. My community came alongside me and my family for the next 7 months, desperately searching for answers and help to be able to walk again.

My documentary called “Oh Me of Little Faith” is about my story when I couldn’t find any medical professional anwsers. I was deeply depressed, unable to live my life when one day my friend from church encouraged me to take a small walk of faith that changed my life.

We made this documentary viewing a free event because we wanted to share it with our West Seattle Community. We are asking for donations to be able to share it with many more all of the USA this year in various film festivals. It is really important that people reserve tickets so we can make sure we have room. So far we have almost 100 attending.

Here is our event ticket/information website.

This has been a labor of love and our whole production team has been just me and my dad. We have paid 100% out of pocket and are hoping to raise money to continue to share this film and be able to make more like it in the future. It is very exciting to share my story and truly begin what I hope will become a career of telling more difficult and beautiful stories in the future.

The film is about an hour long and will be followed by Q&A.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Stolen white Escalade and white F-250

April 25, 2023 2:31 pm

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| Crime | West Seattle news

2:31 PM: From Jonathan: “Stolen white Escalade this morning around 6 am, 25th Avenue SW, close to Delridge Community Center. (Similar photo but not the exact car) Actual vehicle has a broken windshield and slightly bent front bumper. 400JKS is the license plate. Contact me at 425 394 6204 if you see it.” We’ll add the SPD incident # when we have it. (ADDED WEDNESDAY: It’s 23-112032.)

ADDED 2:50 PM: We’ve just received a report of another stolen vehicle, from Yohann:

Our truck was stolen outside our house around 6-7 pm last evening. It’s a 2005 Ford F-250 single-cab white truck, with an off-color shell of gray/black. This is our work truck and we need it. Any leads appreciated. Stolen near 46th and SW Walker.

Also awaiting the incident # for this.

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Live, work, play, study in Highland Park, Riverview, or South Delridge? HPAC wants to hear from you online Wednesday

April 25, 2023 12:57 pm

| Comments Off on Live, work, play, study in Highland Park, Riverview, or South Delridge? HPAC wants to hear from you online Wednesday

| Delridge | Highland Park | Neighborhoods | West Seattle news

HPAC, the community coalition for Highland Park, Riverview, and South Delridge, is “interested in getting your feedback on issues you feel are important to the area that we can bring up with the folks running for the D1 City Council seat.” That’s just one of the reasons to check out HPAC’s monthly meeting online Wednesday night (April 26), 7 pm. They’ll also get a design update on the West Duwamish Wet Weather Storage Facility, the 1.25-million-gallon storage tank that’s planned for a site near the West Seattle side of the 1st Avenue South Bridge, to reduce overflow pollution in the Duwamish River. Find out about what else is happening in the community, too, and bring your questions/concerns/ideas. Connection info is on this page of the HPAC website.

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READER REPORT: California/Genesee crosswalk light broken again

April 25, 2023 11:58 am

| 3 COMMENTS

| Safety | Transportation | West Seattle news

Last week we heard from Taylor about a malfunction with the ~~flashing beacon~~ signal for the crosswalk on California at Genesee. They reported it to SDOT, and it got fixed. But now we’ve heard from Jesse that it’s broken again: “Just a heads up, the pedestrian crossing signal at California and Genesee isn’t working. I’ve reported it to the city, but if people want to cross they should probably go a block either way to do so safely.” (Besides the Find It Fix It app, you can report transportation-related trouble via 206-684-ROAD or, after hours, 206-386-1218.)

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The list for your West Seattle Tuesday

April 25, 2023 9:58 am

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| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Photo by Rosalie Miller, native perennial Western Coltsfoot)

Here’s what’s happening in the hours ahead, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

JEWELRY SALE: Lauren’s Jewelry (WSB sponsor) in Westwood Village is offering everything in the store at 10 percent to 50 percent off during the anniversary sale continuing all week. (2600 SW Barton)

POSTCARDS TO VOTERS: Long-distance political advocacy and networking continues 10:30 am at C & P Coffee Company – just drop in to join in. (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor).

CHESS CLUB: Tuesdays 1:30-3 pm at the Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon): “Are you looking for a new activity to keep your brain sharp and clear? The Senior Center Chess Club welcomes both novice and experienced players. Join us at 1:30 p.m. for lessons, short tutorials, and chess for all levels of expertise.” (Questions? Email conwell@conwelld.net.)

CITY COUNCIL: 2 pm this afternoon, it’s the full council’s weekly meeting, online or at City Hall (600 4th Ave.). See the agenda here; the meeting is viewable via Seattle Channel.

FREE INDOOR PLAYSPACE: Free toddler/preschooler gym, ages 2-6, weekday afternoons at the Salvation Army Center (9050 16th SW), 3:30-5 pm.

SPORTS: West Seattle HS hosts Roosevelt for a softball game at 4 pm, and Chief Sealth IHS hosts O’Dea for a boys’ soccer match at 4:30 pm, both at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle).

DEMONSTRATION FOR BLACK LIVES: Long-running weekly sign-waving demonstration at 16th/Holden. 5-6 pm. Signs available if you don’t have your own.

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

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

TRIVIA X 3: Three places 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 Sporcle Pub Quiz 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 look into the future any time via our event calendar – if you have something to include on it, please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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SOCCER: HSA Select tryout signups happening now

April 25, 2023 9:00 am

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| West Seattle news | WS & Sports

Got a young soccer player in the family who’s ready to level up? HSA Select will hold tryouts soon, and it’s asking interested players to register now. Here’s the announcement:

HSA Select is the youth select soccer program for the Highline Soccer Association. We are a middle ground between premier and recreational soccer, providing a cost-effective alternative for the soccer experience that balances the commitment of time and money with an opportunity to learn the skills necessary to play competitive soccer as well as compete in other sports at a high level. HSA Select is part of Highline Soccer Association (HSA) that represents youth soccer players from the communities of Des Moines/Midway, Sea-Tac, West Highline, and West Seattle.

-Tryouts will be held in May and registration for tryouts is now OPEN
-Teams are formed by Birth Year (view Soccer Age Chart).
-Boys and Girls U-11 to U-15, and High School Girls U-16 to U-19
-Register for Tryouts HERE.

We know having your kids try out for a select program is a big and sometimes scary jump from recreational soccer. Please read the documents and article below to answer some of your questions. The Select Committee will also be available during tryouts for other questions you may have.

HSA Select Overview (updated for 2022-2023 season)

Questions about registration: Contact us at hsaselect@gmail.com.

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TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER: Tuesday morning

April 25, 2023 6:01 am

| 3 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:01 AM: Good morning! It’s Tuesday, April 25th.

WEATHER & SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

The forecast for today: Clouds giving way to sun, high in the upper 50s. (Looking ahead, forecasters still think we’ll be in the 60s by Wednesday, 70s by Friday!) Sunrise 6:02 am, sunset 8:13 pm.

BRIDGE WORK ALERT

SDOT says its crews will be on the westbound bridge 7 am-2 pm today through Thursday for an on-site inspection.

TRANSIT

Metro – Regular schedule, but trip cancellations are still happening, so watch for alerts (if you’re not signed up to get them, check channels like this).

Water Taxi – Now on the spring/summer schedule, which adds Friday/Saturday night runs.

Washington State Ferries‘ Triangle Route continues on the 2-boat schedule; check here for alerts/updates and see Vessel Watch for boats’ locations.

SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS

Delridge cameras: Besides the one below (Delridge/Henderson), cameras are also up at Delridge/Genesee, Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Orchard, and Delridge/Oregon.

High Bridge – the camera at the top:

High Bridge – the view from its southwest end (when SDOT points the 35th/Avalon/Fauntleroy camera that way):

Low Bridge – looking southwestward toward it:

1st Ave. S. Bridge – another route across the river:

Highway 99: – the northbound side at Lander.

MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: See all working traffic cams citywide here, most with video options; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are on this WSB page.

BRIDGE INFO: Check the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed to see if the city’s movable bridges are opening for vessel traffic.

If you see a problem on the bridges/streets/paths/bay, please text or call us (when you can do it safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities). Thank you!

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