By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

Back in February, we reported on new management for West Seattle’s historic senior-living complex, The Kenney, located north of Lincoln Park for 115 years. Midwest-based “turnaround” specialist SAK Healthcare had taken over, hired by The Kenney’s board and lender, after it spent nine years as part of East Coast-based Heritage Ministries. Now, another change – SAK is still in charge, but with a different role – as court-appointed receiver. The Kenney announced today that it’s been “placed into receivership” in connection with a King County Superior Court case filed by its lenders:

The Kenney was placed into a court-supervised receivership in order to ensure that the residents continue to receive the highest levels of care and service and to ensure the financial success of the facility. The Kenney’s commitment to providing exceptional care and maintaining a safe, comfortable living environment for our residents remains the top priority. The receivership process will allow The Kenney to stabilize its financial situation and implement necessary changes to strengthen that financial foundation. By doing so, the Kenney can continue to meet the needs of its residents and uphold the high standards of service that it is known for.

According to documents in the court case, which was filed five days ago, The Kenney has been in default for a year on more than $13 million in loans, and it hasn’t been paying vendors, at least two of which have gone to court. From the receivership-case documents:

There are approximately 66 people currently residing at the Community, each of whom receives varying levels of care from the staff based upon their medical condition and personal needs. A receiver is necessary to ensure that the Community remains open, that there is no gap in medical or health care provided to any resident, that no harm will come to any resident, and to manage the financial operation of the Community going forward until a new owner can be found to take over the management and operations of the Community.

SAK specializes in “rescuing … distressed” facilities in situations like this, the documents say. The announcement we received notes that “Affiliates of SAK West Seattle [the official name of the receivership entity] have been appointed receiver for senior living facilities in cases around the country.” It also quotes SAK founder/CEO Suzanne Koenig as saying, “Our team of experienced and compassionate professionals will work with existing staff and will continue to deliver the same level of excellence that the residents and their families have come to expect. We are confident that this financial restructuring will enhance the community now and in the future.” We hope to speak with her tomorrow to get answers to some followup questions.

For backstory, The Kenney had a $150 million reinvention plan more than 15 years ago. That plan was dropped after three years; in 2016, a smaller-scale expansion plan was introduced, even as The Kenney worked to get back to financial stability. That plan never came to fruition, either (and some of the land envisioned for new units instead was sold off). Other changes under previous management included closure of its skilled-nursing center in 2017.

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TRAFFIC ALERT: Spokane Street Viaduct resurfacing-project lane closures have begun

July 29, 2024 9:12 pm

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

SDOT confirms that overnight lane closures for resurfacing work on the Spokane Street Viaduct started tonight. When dates for the work were announced last week, SDOT said the lane closures could start “as soon as” tonight, so we checked to see if it was still a go, given the wet weather. When they confirmed to us that it’s a go for tonight, a spokesperson also said they’ve changed the hours – in the original announcement, the overnight lane closures were described as “between 10 pm and 5 am,” but now they’re planned for “typically between 7 pm and 6 am.” (Per the traffic-cam screengrab above, the lane-closure work zone tonight starts just after the eastbound bridge exit to NB 99.) They may also have some “full directional closure(s) overnight” in addition to the five weekend full-directional closures, scheduled to start this weekend – closed eastbound (plus the inside westbound lane) 10 pm Friday, August 2, to 5 am Monday, August 5. The work is expected to continue until early October.

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Duwamish canoe family joins Tribal Journey, launching from Don Armeni Boat Ramp

July 29, 2024 6:57 pm

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| Duwamish Tribe | Seen at sea | West Seattle news

(WSB photos unless otherwise credited)

As we’ve been chronicling since the weekend, the Duwamish Tribe‘s canoe family is joining this year’s scaled-down regional Tribal Journey – but had to change plans today because of stormy weather. Instead of paddling from Suquamish and landing at Alki on the way to tonight’s Tribal Journey stop in Des Moines, the Duwamish canoe launched this afternoon from Don Armeni Boat Ramp.

Though this year’s Canoe Journey focus is on youth paddlers, the participating canoe families are bringing paddlers of all ages, with the elders serving as menors. Among those on the Duwamish canoe is one of the tribe’s longtime board members, Ken Workman, a descendant of Chief Sealth:

After tonight’s stop at Saltwater State Park (Alki was not an official stop this year, but the Duwamish were going to make a ceremonial visit), canoe families head to Tacoma tomorrow.

The Puyallup Tribe is this year’s Canoe Journey host. A different tribe hosts each year.

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Another driftwood fire at a West Seattle beach

July 29, 2024 5:43 pm

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| West Seattle beaches | West Seattle fires | West Seattle news

A texter sent that photo today of charred driftwood at Weather Watch Park, to which the fire-call log indicates SFD was summoned multiple times on Sunday. The first was for this (thanks to John-Michael for the early-morning photo):

The subsequent calls were from people concerned that the burned logs were still smoldering, SFD says; the texter says that was still continuing at sunset. This comes a month after a fire burned driftwood “forts” at Lowman Beach, also very early in the morning. So far, though, SFD’s investigator hasn’t been brought into it.

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FOLLOWUP: Driver dies after West Marginal Way crash

July 29, 2024 4:10 pm

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle police

Early Friday, we reported on a single-vehicle crash in the 3800 block of West Marginal Way SW. Firefighters cut open the car – reported to have been “wrapped around a tree” – to get two people out. According to the King County Medical Examiner‘s latest list of death investigations, the driver did not survive. He is identified as 20-year-old Brian U. Nambo Perez. We don’t know the current condition of the other person rescued from the wreckage, a woman reported to be in her 20s, but she was initially described as less gravely injured.

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READER REPORT: Fallen tree limb blocks Lincoln Park path

July 29, 2024 4:01 pm

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

Here’s an alert for Lincoln Park visitors. The report and photo are from Arlene:

A fallen limb on the path from the north parking lot towards the water is blocked off this afternoon. You can still take other side paths but along the way I noticed some other fallen limbs/trees, although not blocking paths.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Stolen black Silverado; abandoned suitcase

July 29, 2024 3:15 pm

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| Crime | West Seattle news

Two reader reports:

STOLEN BLACK SILVERADO: James‘s just-purchased-this-week black 2000 Chevy Silverado was parked in the 4400 block of 51st SW when someone stole it between midnight and 7 am Sunday. It had temporary plates, A7524144, good through 9/7. Police report # is 24-209555. Call 911 if you see it.

ABANDONED SUITCASE: Sent by Pat:

Wondering if this is from a car prowl. If it’s yours, it’s on the west side of Walnut, just north of Stevens. Blue Ricardo suitcase & some kind of jig.

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UPDATE: Blue Angels arrive at Boeing Field

July 29, 2024 1:39 pm

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| Blue Angels | West Seattle news

1:39 PM: In case you missed the mention in our daily event list, the U.S. Navy Blue Angels are due to arrive at nearby Boeing Field this afternoon. Their main Seafair practices and airshows are later this week. The Museum of Flight has just updated their ETA to 1:55 pm. Again this year, they’ll be based out of Boeing Field, rather than to the south of the MoF; new this year, Seafair is selling tickets to see the pilots’ pre-airshow “walkdowns” Friday-Sunday. The MoF also is having its annual Jet Blast Bash (membership or ticket required) with special events Saturday-Sunday.

They’re here! pic.twitter.com/VzJUTMHJVS

— The Museum of Flight (@museumofflight) July 29, 2024

2:03 PM: The Museum of Flight reports their arrival, tweeting video of the jets taxiing. (added) And thanks to Jon for the photo:

(added) And thanks to Angelo for this photo!

Blue Angel #4 is Lt. Cmdr. Amanda Lee, the team’s first woman F/A 18 demonstration pilot.

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UPDATE: Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth route back to two boats

July 29, 2024 11:43 am

| Comments Off on UPDATE: Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth route back to two boats

| Fauntleroy | Transportation | West Seattle news

11:43 AM: Washington State Ferries just issued an alert that the Triangle Route is down to one boat because of “mechanical issues” with M/V Kittitas. WSF says engineers are on board working on the problem(s); the ferry is moored at Vashon. This leaves M/V Kitsap alone on the route for now – watch its whereabouts here.

1:30 PM: WSF says the Kittitas is back in service.

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14 notes for your West Seattle Monday

July 29, 2024 10:39 am

| Comments Off on 14 notes for your West Seattle Monday

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

Our daily photo, a puddle, isn’t particularly picturesque but it’s in honor of this brief rainy break from summer sunshine, which is affecting some of today’s scheduled events, too. Here’s the list as we have it so far, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

COLMAN POOL: The outdoor heated-salt-water pool on the shore at Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW) is open noon-7 pm, rain or shine, so you can swim there today – session times are on the Colman Pool webpage.

LINCOLN PARK WADING POOL: Closed today because of the weather.

DUWAMISH CANOE LANDING: This will now happen by land instead of sea, sometime this afternoon – we’re updating our original story as progress reports come in.

BABY STORY TIME: Bring little ones up to 2 years old to Southwest Library (9010 35th SW), noon-12:30 pm, for story time!

BLUE ANGELS ARRIVAL: The Museum of Flight website has them expected in at Boeing Field around 1:45 pm today, after a weekend airshow in Fargo. We’ll update when more information’s available.

CITY COUNCIL BRIEFING MEETING: 2 pm at City Hall, the weekly meeting in which councilmembers talk about their plans for the week ahead. Here’s the agenda. Watch live via Seattle Channel.

GET CRAFTY: 6-10 pm, Monday brings “Crafting and Creativity Night” at The Missing Piece (9456 35th SW), info here.

HAND-BUILD ANIMALS … at The Clay Cauldron (5214 Delridge Way SW), 6:30 pm, $40. Registration info is in our calendar listing.

D&D: Weekly D&D at 6:30 pm at Meeples Games (3727 California SW). All welcome, first-time players too.

MONDAY NIGHT TRIVIA! Three places to play on Mondays – 7 pm at The Good Society (California/Lander); 7 and 8 pm Sporcle Pub Quiz at Three 9 Lounge (4505 39th SW); 7:30 pm with QuizFix at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW)

MEDITATION IN FAUNTLEROY: All welcome at free weekly Zen sitting/meditation in the chapel at Fauntleroy UCC (9140 California SW), 7 pm-8:30 pm.

MEDITATION IN ALKI: The Alki Dharma Community hosts meditation at Alki UCC (6115 SW Hinds), 7-8:30 pm.

MUSIC AT THE ALLEY: Enjoy live music from The Westside Trio, 8 pm at The Alley (behind 4509 California SW), 21+, no cover.

KARAOKE: 9 pm start for Monday night karaoke at Talarico’s Pizzeria (4718 California SW).

If you have a West Seattle/White Center event to add to our calendar, please send the info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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RAINBOW SCOUTS: Camp Long program Saturday for 50+ LGBTQ+ and friends

July 29, 2024 9:57 am

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

Camp Long asked us to share this invitation for a program this Saturday (August 3) – registration is still open:

Scouting options in your youth may not have fit your gender identity, or perhaps emphasized gender identities that left you wishing for other activity choices. If this resonates — or if an inclusive day-camp experience sounds appealing — come on out for our all-gender Rainbow Scouts Camp!

Lifelong Recreation’s Outdoor Recreation and Rainbow Recreation programs team up with Camp Long Environmental Learning Center staff to offer environmental stewardship, nature skills, crafts, and more. Participate in outdoor activities, earn badges, and connect with others! Expect to explore outdoors, as well as enjoy activities inside. Bring a bag lunch. A free LGBTQ+ affirming space open to folks 50+ and allies.

Online registration is not currently available, so to register, call 206-684-4951 and mention program/event #68232. (UPDATE: Online registration has now reopened, too – go here.)

P.S. If you haven’t been to Camp Long, the park is at 5200 35th SW.

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TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER, ROAD WORK: July’s last Monday

July 29, 2024 6:03 am

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

10 AM: No details but there’s an SFD dispatch for a crash on the westbound bridge around the crest.

Earlier:

6:03 AM: Good morning! It’s Monday, July 29.

WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

Rain this morning, showers later, high in the mid-60s. Today’s sunrise was at 5:43 am, while sunset will be at 8:46 pm.

TRANSIT NOTES, WITH METRO FLEX

Metro Flex – Second weej for this on-demand service in Delridge (and South Park), starting a two-year pilot. Here’s how it works. On Saturday, city and county leaders gathered in SP to talk about the launch.

Metro buses – Regular schedules; check for advisories here.

Water Taxi today – Regular schedule. Check the real-time map if you need to see where the boat is.

Washington State Ferries today – 2 boats on the Triangle Route, and the unscheduled third boat may be available. Check that link before you sail.

ROAD WORK

*The first new speed cushions/humps are in along Harbor Avenue, as we reported Sunday.

*The Spokane Street Viaduct resurfacing project is about to start, first with overnight lane closures, then with several all-weekend one-direction closures. Here’s the announcement. We’ll check with SDOT today to see if lane closures really will start tonight.

*The Admiral Way Bridge seismic project is in progress. Fairmount Avenue is closed under the bridge for the duration of the project, likely into early 2025. Deck work is likely to start in August (we have an inquiry out for an update on that).

*SDOT’s Delridge pedestrian-bridge earthquake-safety project also continues, with narrowing at Delridge/Oregon.

*Beach Drive: Gas-pipeline work continues at spots along the southern stretch.

SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS (West Seattle Bridge cameras are back but some others remain out)

High Bridge – Here’s the main camera:

Low bridge: Here’s the main view:

1st Avenue South Bridge:

Delridge cameras: Besides the one below (Delridge/Genesee), cameras are also at Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Henderson, Delridge/Oregon, and video-only (so you have to go to the map), Delridge/Holden and Delridge/Thistle.

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 open for vessel traffic.

If you see a problem on the bridges/streets/paths/water, please text or call our hotline (when you can do that safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities if they’re not already on scene) – 206-293-6302. Thank you!

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