day : 16/02/2024 12 results

Fewer tents, faster responses, and what else the city says its homelessness response is accomplishing

(WSB photo: Deputy Mayor Tiffany Washington, right, with Office of Housing director Maiko Winkler-Chin)

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

In advance of Mayor Bruce Harrell‘s mid-term State of the City address next week, his administration says its homelessness response is making progress.

To elaborate on that, the mayor’s office invited reporters to a City Hall briefing today. The mayor wasn’t there – he was out planting trees – but Deputy Mayor Tiffany Washington, whose portfolio includes the homelessness response, presented updates and answered questions. Video recording wasn’t allowed. We were there; here’s what we heard.

A key point: The city has developed a database that allows them to track actions, statuses, and results. Before the database, Washington said, it was all tracked by hand, and not very well at that. Building the database took up much of this administration’s first year, she added. Among the toplines they’re touting are these stats from the Unified Care Team, the multi-department city task force that handles encampments (not to be confused with the crisis-response CARE Team):

Another major change: Washington says they no longer remove encampments based on who’s complaining the loudest. That wasn’t fair, she said, since the loudest usually meant those who had the luxury of the most time on their hands to complain. Now they have criteria. That was part of the briefing, to review how they evaluate encampments for removal, or at least cleaning. For one, the assignation of points:

But, she said, it’s not just a scoring system:

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Inoperable white van stolen (update: found)

February 16, 2024 10:23 pm

| 12 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

10:23 PM FRIDAY: Reported by Kellie via email:

Stolen 1988 Chevrolet white 1/2-ton van – not running, so it was pulled away by someone. It is covered in vinyl stickers – one says National Green Log Society with a picture of a green log and on the back doors in 10-inch purple lettering it says “hang up and drive.” Stolen from Arbor Heights area this morning.

We’re still awaiting the license plate and police report numbers, plus we’ve asked if a photo is available, but the description sounded vivid enough that you’d probably recognize this if you see it, so we’re publishing this for starters. ADDED: Plate is S019694. … SECOND ADDITION: Police report # is 24-044805.

2:13 PM SATURDAY: As noted in comments, found in Fauntleroy. Owners are aware and handling.

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BASKETBALL: West Seattle HS girls’ season ends with a district-tournament heartbreaker

February 16, 2024 8:16 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle news | WS & Sports

(WSB photos. Above, #10, freshman Seneca Lucas)

The West Seattle High School girls simply ran out of time tonight in their district-tournament game against Roosevelt. The two were tied 46-46 with :10 to go in what was a close game throughout, but then Roosevelt sank a three and WSHS didn’t have enough time to get back downcourt to try to answer it, and the buzzer sounded to end their season.

Games don’t get much closer than this one. The first and second quarter both ended in ties, 9-9 and 19-19. The Wildcats had a one-point lead at the end of quarter #3, 32-31. But the Riders went on a run and pulled out to a 5-point lead with 5:50 left in the game, 39-34. West Seattle battled back, in part thanks to #20, junior Colby Timmons, hitting two baskets in short order.

(WSB photos. Above, #20, Colby Timmons, second-leading scorer with 13)

With 3:10 to go, WSHS took the lead, 43-42, after #4, senior Carmen Cruz, nailed one of her trademark threes:

(WSB photos. Above, #4, Carmen Cruz, third-leading scorer with 11)

They swapped the lead again and got it back 45-44 at 1:35 remaining, with a reverse layup by #21, junior Alyssa Neumann:

(WSB photos. Above, #21, Alyssa Neumann)

But they couldn’t pull away – and were on the wrong side of the scoreboard when it hit 00:00. Head coach Darnell Taylor and the Wildcats finish the season 13-13.

With only two seniors this year, the team has a good chance to build on this year’s success next season.

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Crowdfunding for Full Tilt Ice Cream family after co-founder’s heart attack

February 16, 2024 6:13 pm

| 4 COMMENTS

| How to help | West Seattle news | White Center

(WSB photo of Justin and family last year as Full Tilt marked 15 years)

As reported on our partner site White Center Now, the co-founder of Full Tilt Ice Cream, Justin Cline, is in the hospital after a heart attack earlier this month. Friends have set up a crowdfunding account, with the update that Justin is now in serious but stable condition: “He is slowly improving. In the meantime, it is unknown how long his recovery will take and the family and business could use some support while they are navigating this.” Justin and partner Ann Magyar, parents of two, founded the shop in 2008 in downtown White Center, where it’s been a community anchor ever since. Here’s the crowdfunding link.

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CONGRATULATIONS! Two West Seattle HS wrestlers to state

February 16, 2024 4:09 pm

| Comments Off on CONGRATULATIONS! Two West Seattle HS wrestlers to state

| West Seattle news | WS & Sports

As we’ve been noting, postseason competition is under way for high-school winter sports – and we have late word of two more local athletes who have made it to the state championships: West Seattle High School wrestlers Sam Fordham (126) and Jak Prater-Thaden (124). The state wrestling tournament is under way today and tomorrow at the Tacoma Dome.

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FOLLOWUP: Longfellow Creek truss bridge finally close to replacement

February 16, 2024 2:27 pm

| 2 COMMENTS

| Delridge | West Seattle news

(2020 photo by Doug Ollerenshaw)

Three years ago, we published a reader report about that wooden bridge across Longfellow Creek, near Greg Davis Park, after Doug Ollerenshaw noticed it had been removed without notice, Seattle Parks subsequently explained to him that it had long been “compromised structurally” and then literally started falling apart, so it had to be removed, but they had to find funding to replace it. He’s been tracking it ever since – still no sign of a replacement, and his followup inquiries hadn’t been answered. So we asked Parks about a timeline for what we have since learned is called the “truss bridge,” and finally got an update today, through spokesperson Karen O’Connor: “Looks like mid – 2024; we have successfully obtained the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s – HPA over-water crossing permitting. The bridge is currently under internal design review as well as undergoing the Seattle Department of Construction & Inspections (SDCI) permit approval process.” They’ve also updated the project website since our inquiry; it goes into some other details about the delay.

P.S. We’re working on details for a separate report on a different Longfellow Creek bridge project; permit files indicate Seattle Public Utilities is planning some work on the “fishbone bridge.”

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SOCCER: West Seattle Junction FC announces schedule, single-game ticket sales

February 16, 2024 12:26 pm

| 3 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS & Sports

Next move for West Seattle Junction FC, our area’s new “pre-pro” soccer team: They’ve announced the regular-season schedule, and are selling single-match tickets. First, here’s the schedule (with home matches at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex), with the final game vs. the league champions:

HOME: Sunday, May 19th @2:00 pm vs Capital FC

HOME: Friday, May 24th @7:00 pm vs Lane United

HOME: Sunday, May 26th @2:00 pm vs United PDX

AWAY: Saturday, June 1st @7:00 pm vs Ballard FC

AWAY: Wednesday, June 5th @7:30 pm vs Tacoma Stars

AWAY: Sunday, June 9th @4:00 pm vs Capital FC

AWAY: Tuesday, June 11th @7:00 pm vs Lane United

AWAY: Friday, June 14th @7:00 pm vs Midlakes United

HOME: Sunday, June 16th @2:00 pm vs Tacoma Stars

AWAY: Wednesday, June 26th @7:00 pm vs FC Olympia

AWAY: Saturday, June 29th @7:00 pm vs United PDX

HOME: Sunday, July 7th @2:00 pm vs FC Olympia

HOME: Friday, July 12th @7:00 pm vs Midlakes United

HOME: Sunday, July 14th @1:00 pm vs Ballard FC

Ticket prices start at $15. They’re still selling season tickets, too. Junction FC is one of 128 clubs in USL League Two.

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CONGRATULATIONS! West Seattle HS 9th-grade brothers swimming in state competition

February 16, 2024 11:02 am

| 6 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS & Sports

Two more local high-school athletes are swimming at the state championships starting today! We just received this report and photo:

Two West Seattle High School athletes qualified for the Boys 3A State Swimming Championships, February 16-17 (today and tomorrow) at the King County Aquatic Center. 9th grader Ben Wrenholt (left) will be competing in the 500 Free, and his twin brother Tom Wrenholt (also a freshman) will be competing in the 100 Back. The swim team is led by outstanding first-year coach Logan Rysemus.

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The list for your West Seattle Friday

February 16, 2024 10:03 am

| Comments Off on The list for your West Seattle Friday

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Olympics this morning, photographed by Rick Cocker)

Friday highlights, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

FREE TODDLER GYM #1: Happening now – Fridays 10 am-11:30 am, little ones and their caregivers are invited to open gym time at Arbor Heights Community Church (4113 SW 102nd).

PRESIDENTS DAY WEEKEND SALE: Continuing today at Mountain to Sound Outfitters (3602 SW Alaska; WSB sponsor), lots of snow sports gear on sale – as shown here. The store is open today

NORTHWEST WINE ACADEMY: Open 1-6 pm at South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor).

FREE TODDLER GYM #2: 3-5 pm at the Salvation Army Center (9050 16th SW).

VISCON CELLARS: Tasting room/wine bar open – wine by the glass or bottle – 5-9 pm at Viscon Cellars (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor).

BASKETBALL: West Seattle HS girls vs. Roosevelt, 5 pm district-tournament game at Bellevue College (tickets here).

(Olympics this morning, photographed by James Bratsanos)

OPEN MIC AT KENYON HALL: Tonight brings the monthly singer/songwriter open mic, signups at 6 pm, music at 6:30 pm, all ages, at Kenyon Hall. (7904 35th SW)

BLACK HISTORY T-SHIRT TRANSFER: That’s the centerpiece activity at 7 pm at Southwest Teen Life Center‘s late-night program. (2801 SW Thistle)

LIVE MUSIC AT C & P: Tonight it’s music performed by Jim Page and Kat Eggleston at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), 7-9 pm, all ages, no cover.

SHOWCASE AT THE SPOT: Fridays are Live Artist Showcase nights at The Spot West Seattle (2920 SW Avalon Way), 7-10 pm.

LIVE AT THE SKYLARK: 7 pm at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW), Juniper Honey, Justin Harden, Timothy Robert Graham. $10.

LIVE AT EASY STREET RECORDS: Sam Cobra, 7 pm. Free, all ages. (4559 California SW)

‘BORN WITH TEETH’: Third weekend for the current play at ArtsWest (4711 California SW; WSB sponsor), 7:30 pm – tickets here.

DJ NIGHT AT REVELRY ROOM: Music 9 pm-1 am on Fridays! Tonight’s DJ is Joey Roxville. (4547 California SW)

Something to add to our calendar? westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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3.6 earthquake. Did you feel it?

February 16, 2024 9:22 am

| 9 COMMENTS

| Earthquake | West Seattle news

Thanks to David Hutchinson on Alki for the tip about an earthquake centered near Hood Canal at 8:30 this morning. According to the Pacific Northwest Seismic Network‘s event page, the magnitude was 3.6, and the quake originated 28 miles underground. Here’s how it looked on a seismogram at Alki Point. David reports, “Slight back and forth movement accompanied by a quiet creaking sound in building.” He also noticed while checking the PNSN site that there was a microquake – 1.2 magnitude – at 11:25 last night a lot closer.

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Memorial service Saturday for William J. Whetham, 1939-2024

February 16, 2024 9:00 am

| 3 COMMENTS

| Obituaries | West Seattle news

Family and friends will gather this Saturday to remember Bill Whetham. Here’s the remembrance they are sharing with the community now:

It is with great sadness that we announce William John Whetham (Bill), 84, passed away on February 8, 2024, after complications from a heart attack.

Bill was born to George and Inez Whetham in Niagara Falls, New York, on May 15, 1939. After graduating from Niagara Falls High School, he earned advanced degrees in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from the University of Michigan and the University of Washington. A brilliant but humble man, he worked for Boeing for 40 years, obtaining 11 patents.

He is survived by Margaret, his beloved wife of 50 years; his five admiring children, Jennifer, Matthew, Catherine, Lizzy (Michael), and Caroline; and his first grandchild and namesake (due in May). Bill was always there for his family: we deeply miss his stable, stoic presence.

There will be a funeral mass on Saturday, February 17, 2024, at 10 AM at Holy Rosary Church in West Seattle, followed by a reception. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in Bill’s name to Father Charles’ prenatal and maternity clinic in Uganda, where a generator is needed to prevent medications being spoiled during frequent power outages: https://bit.ly/DonateInBillsName He was also a faithful supporter of the Union Gospel Mission and the Salvation Army.

If you can’t join us, it will be live streamed! Here is the information for the livestream:

Main Site

Scroll down to “Livestreaming Services”

Vimeo Link (Direct)

FB Link (Direct)

Please share memories, condolences & photos of Bill on the tribute wall at emmickfunerals.com/obituary/William-Whetham

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 westseattleblog@gmail.com)

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TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER: Pre-midwinter-break Friday

February 16, 2024 6:00 am

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:00 AM: Good morning! It’s Friday, February 16, and next week is midwinter break for many local students, starting with Presidents Day on Monday.

WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

Sunshine and a high in the upper 40s are in today’s forecast. Then early Saturday, possibly a bit more snow. Today’s sunrise will be at 7:13 am, sunset at 5:33 pm.

TRANSIT NOTES

Metro today – Regular schedule; check advisories here. Monday will be on the regular weekday schedule.

Water Taxi today – Regular schedule. Check the real-time map if you need to see where the boat is. **Holiday note – Both Water Taxi routes are out of service on Monday for Presidents Day.

Washington State Ferries today – If you sail to Southworth, be aware that Kitsap County got more snow, and is dealing with the results. As for the ferries themselves, though, we have the usual 2 boats on the Triangle Route. Check WSF alerts for changes, and use the real-time map to see where your ferry is.

SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS

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

High Bridge – the main camera:

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

Low Bridge:

1st Ave. S. Bridge:

Highway 99: – northbound side at Lander:

MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: All functioning traffic cams citywide are here; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are on this WSB page.

BRIDGE INFO: The @SDOTBridges feed on X (ex-Twitter) shows whether the city’s movable bridges are opening for vessel traffic.

If you see a problem on the bridges/streets/paths/water, please text or call us (when you can do that safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities if they’re not already on scene). Thank you!

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