West Seattle, Washington
27 Thursday
Thanks to Stewart L. for the photo – he noticed the Water Taxi navigating through “at least 100 boats” around 6 am. This site indicates salmon fishing is allowed today in East Elliott Bay, so that’s the big draw.
6:21 AM: It’s Friday, the 130th morning without the West Seattle Bridge.
ROAD WORK/CLOSURES
*The Delridge RapidRide H Line project continues major work along Delridge Way – here’s what is happening this week; here’s our overall update.
*No 1st Ave. S. Bridge northbound closure scheduled tonight, but the closures will resume Sunday, 10 pm-5 am. The West Seattle low bridge is open to all traffic during those hours.
CHECK THE TRAFFIC BEFORE YOU GO
Here’s the 5-way intersection camera (Spokane/West Marginal/Delridge/Chelan):
Here’s the restricted-daytime-access (open to all 9 pm-5 am) low bridge:
The main detour route across the Duwamish River is the 1st Avenue South Bridge (map) . Here’s that camera:
The other major bridge across the river is the South Park Bridge (map). Here’s that camera:
Going through South Park? Don’t speed.
Check the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed for info about any of those bridges opening for marine traffic.
You can see all local traffic cams here; locally relevant cameras are also shown on this WSB page.
TRANSIT
Metro – Still reduced service and distancing – details here.
Water Taxi – Back to its “winter” schedule, with the 773 and 775 shuttles – see the schedule here.
Trouble on the roads/paths/water? Let us know – text (but not if you’re driving!) 206-293-6302.
For the second night this week, a late-night protest took us away from the desk for a few hours, so the roundup is delayed, but here we go:
NEWEST KING COUNTY NUMBERS: From the Public Health daily-summary dashboard, the cumulative totals:
*15,039 people have tested positive, up 160 from yesterday
*647 people have died, up 3 from yesterday
*1,946 people have been hospitalized, up 11 from yesterday
*291,076 people have been tested, up 5,771 from yesterday
One week ago, those totals were 13,834/636/1,838/256,588.
STATEWIDE NUMBERS: Find them, county by county, on the state Department of Health page,.
WORLDWIDE NUMBERS: 17.3 million cases worldwide, and the U.S. is at almost 4.5 million. See the nation-by-nation breakout here.
WEST SEATTLE TESTING: Our weekly reminder – Friday is the weekly drive-up testing day in the north lot at South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor), Despite the original announcement, it actually starts at 9:30 am and continues until 3 pm, and you’re advised to get there early if you can.
SPEAKING OF TESTING: The mayor plans a media briefing Friday morning to announce “the expansion of free citywide testing.”
ALSO TALKING ABOUT TESTING ... was the governor, issuing a proclamation that he says will safeguard personal information in the contact-tracing process.
WISH YOU HAD BEEN BETTER PREPARED … pre-pandemic? The city has a few questions for you.
GOT PHOTOS/TIPS? 206-293-6302, text or voice, or westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
9 PM: Back on Monday night, we covered a protest – the Every Day March – as participants rallied outside Madison Middle School and marched south to City Council President Lorena GonzĂ¡lez‘s neighborhood in The Junction, where she came out to talk with them. Tonight, the group is back in West Seattle – thanks for the tips that they were gathering at Bar-S Playfield in Alki. Last night they went to Councilmember Andrew Lewis‘s neighborhood in Queen Anne; this time, they might be headed to Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda‘s neighborhood in West Seattle. We’ll be updating. (You can also look for a stream here.)
(Photo by Mike Jensen – marchers’ advance bicyclists blocking Alki ahead of them)
9:30 PM: They are eastbound on Alki Avenue.
(Photo by Colin, from comments)
10:02 PM: Texter says they’re now on Admiral Way, uphill from Alki.
10:33 PM: As commenters point out, the march is in King County Executive Dow Constantine‘s west Admiral neighborhood.
10:37 PM: He’s now speaking with them, about juvenile justice/incarceration.
11:04 PM: The conversation has concluded.
11:45 PM: We returned to HQ but have been monitoring via the stream (linked above). They’re on the move again. For context on the conversation with Constantine: The county’s new juvenile detention center has been a target of the “No New Youth Jail” movement for years. He recently announced that he wants to see it phased out by 2025, though this group wants that to happen now. He said he set the 2025 date as a way of “challenging the actors in the system” to make that change possible, describing the ‘actors” as judges, prosecutors, public defenders, etc. They challenged him to go into the facility and meet the youth who are held there.
Thanks to West Seattle preparedness advocate Cindi Barker for the tip on this: A survey that gives you a chance to reflect on what you wish you had known before the pandemic hit – how prepared were you for some of the challenges these past five months have thrown at you? As the city-conducted survey explains, “We want to learn more about impacts to our community so we can help people be more prepared in the future.” You can answer the survey by starting here.
Thanks to Trileigh Tucker for the tip – she says Orca Network is reporting whales in Elliott Bay! Let us know if you see them.
The photo and report are from the Highland Park Improvement Club:
Please Help – Someone has stolen the BLM banners from the Highland Park Improvement Club fence – we have recovered half of them but are still searching for the rest. The piece we have was found around 14th & Thistle. Please email with any leads – hpic1919@gmail.com
HPIC is a nonprofit community organization headquartered in a century-old building at 12th and Holden, and has been busy even with the pandemic putting gatherings on hold, offering free food for families, among other things.
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
While the major road project under way along much of Delridge Way right now is officially the RapidRide H Line conversion project, that doesn’t quite cover what’s happening – rebuilding miles of street in concrete, replacing old water pipes and other utility connections … and, eventually, installing high-tech bus stops.
The work began in June and has more than a year to go. We met with SDOT project-team members online Wednesday to talk about major work coming up.
But first – the story of what’s not happening, thanks to neighbors’ pushback. It’s a reason to pay close attention to what shows up in your mailbox or on your doorknob. Residents were surprised last week to get flyers like this about a plan for “diverters” on 26th at Genesee and at Brandon:
One new report and two followups in West Seattle Crime Watch this afternoon:
PUGET RIDGE GUNFIRE: After a reader report about confirmed gunfire on Puget Ridge last night, we requested the incident narrative from Seattle Police. It happened around 9:30 pm; a vehicle described as a “dark-colored sedan” was seen in the 5500 block of 18th SW. One block north, police found five shell casings, all described as 9mm Luger, from two different manufacturers. The police report says no property damage or injuries were reported.
STOLEN CAR FOUND: Kelly confirms what a commenter posted this morning below the report about her stolen white Honda Pilot, taken Friday in Admiral – it was found in the 9400 block of 17th SW.
STOLEN BACKPACK FOUND: The backpack belonging to Tina‘s son, reported stolen at Lowman Beach, turned up today nearby. (Thanks to the finder who texted us so we could tell Tina!)
(Photo: Life as a Voyager, Brigit Stadler)
Outer Space Seattle, which had only been open for 2 months when the pandemic began, reopens Monday, with a different mission: Drop-off child care. From proprietor Caitlin Huertas:
Space Camp Drop-off Child care will be Monday through Friday for kids 3-10 years old, kids must be potty trained. Child care is an essential need for many parents, and we are delighted to serve the families in our community. Following Health Department and CDC guidelines, we will be limiting the number of children in our facility at a time, so reserve your spot by going to our website www.outerspaceseattle.com
Each child will have their temperature taken at check in, and must wear a mask for the duration of their stay at Outer Space Seattle. All children must have a waiver, intake form, and Covid-19 screening form filled out and on file before attending. Each 3 hour Space Camp session will be split into two groups of 8 kids, and will be supervised by one staff leader. Each group will be utilizing different locations of our facility at different times. Space Camp includes a space-themed craft and time playing on our indoor playground.
Outer Space Seattle is at 2820 Alki SW.
Another local summer tradition that’s a little different this year: WestSide Baby‘s “Stuff the Bus” diaper drive. No in-person bus stuffing this time around, but no shortage of need … as WS Baby explains, “So far this year we have already distributed over 1.1 million diapers, about the same amount that we typically distribute in an entire YEAR!” The goal of this summer’s “Stuff the Bus” is to raise enough money for 350,000 more diapers, and WS Baby is still 50,000 short of that. If you can give, there are multiple options here.
(This morning’s sunrise, photographed by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)
Three events for today:
DEMONSTRATION: The twice-weekly streetcorner sign-holding demonstrations in support of Black lives and ending systemic racism continue today, 4-6 pm at 16th/Holden, organized by Scott from Puget Ridge Cohousing, endorsed by Hate-Free Delridge.
RECONNECT WEST SEATTLE: If you haven’t answered the bridge-closure-related survey(s) yet and have questions, SDOT has one more “virtual office hour” online tonight for you to drop in, 6:30-7:30 pm – find the connection info here.
ORCA TALK: The Whale Trail invites you to “Celebrate Springer,” the orphaned orca rescued in nearby waters nearly 20 years ago, now a mom herself. 7 pm tonight online, free but registration is required – our preview explains how.
6:16 AM: It’s Thursday, the 129th morning without the West Seattle Bridge.
ROAD WORK/CLOSURES
*The Delridge RapidRide H Line project continues major work along Delridge Way – here’s what is happening this week. We talked with SDOT project reps on Wednesday and will have an update later today.
*Another 1st Ave. S. Bridge northbound closure is scheduled tonight, 10 pm-5 am. The West Seattle low bridge is open to all traffic during those hours.
CHECK THE TRAFFIC BEFORE YOU GO
Here’s the 5-way intersection camera (Spokane/West Marginal/Delridge/Chelan):
Here’s the restricted-daytime-access (open to all 9 pm-5 am) low bridge:
The main detour route across the Duwamish River is the 1st Avenue South Bridge (map) . Here’s that camera:
The other major bridge across the river is the South Park Bridge (map). Here’s that camera:
Going through South Park? Don’t speed.
Check the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed for info about any of those bridges opening for marine traffic.
You can see all local traffic cams here; locally relevant cameras are also shown on this WSB page.
TRANSIT
Metro – Still reduced service and distancing – details here.
Water Taxi – Back to its “winter” schedule, with the 773 and 775 shuttles – see the schedule here.
Trouble on the roads/paths/water? Let us know – text (but not if you’re driving!) 206-293-6302.
Voted in the West Seattle Bridge T-shirt contest yet? Friday is the deadline. Last week, the West Seattle Junction Association shared which 10 designs were leading among the 60+ submissions. Tonight, the current top 5. WSJA says 6,176 votes are in already. No change in the top 5 from last week’s update (but note the gaps are close enough they could move):
Noah Bell-Cruz – Greetings from Accidental Island – 1,968 votes
Mike Shaughnessy / Bradi Jones – Mind the Gap – 1,813 votes
Rebecca Dahlin – So Close Yet So Far – 1,709 votes
Jen Sonnichsen Parker – When the chips are down – 1,559 votes
Charlie Able – Stranded in Paradise – 1,480 votes
You can vote for up to 5 of the 60+ entries; the top 3 will be produced and sold. Vote here!
Link to vote:
Here’s the virus-crisis news for a midsummer Wednesday:
NEWEST KING COUNTY NUMBERS: From the Public Health daily-summary dashboard, the cumulative totals:
*14,879 people have tested positive, 150 more than yesterday
*644 people have died, unchanged from yesterday
*1,935 people have been hospitalized, 35 more than yesterday
*285,305 people have been tested, 5.155 more than yesterday
One week ago, the four totals were 13,659/635/1,826/255,956.
STATEWIDE NUMBERS: Find them, county by county, on the state Department of Health page,.
WORLDWIDE NUMBERS: See them, nation by nation, here.
STATE HEALTH BRIEFING: Topics today included trends – the case count has flattened in recent weeks despite a steady increase in testing – plus a scam alert: Be watchful of people claiming to be health authorities ssking for money or card/bank info; the real public-health reps would never do that. Overall, though, “disease activity is still quite high in the state,” health officer Kathy Lofy said. Watch the entire briefing here.
BEACH-FIRE BATTLE: The fire rings were removed from Alki, in hopes of discouraging gatherings, but now people are setting fires in the sand, and a special beach-cleaning vehicle was dispatched today.
CURBSIDE LIBRARY SERVICE: The King County Library System announced today that it’s adding the White Center Library to its curbside-service program starting next Wednesday.
GOT INFO? Email us at westseattleblog@gmail.com or phone us, text or voice, at 206-293-6302 – thank you!
Thanks for the tips. After being closed for at least two days, the Bank of America branch at Westwood Village will reopen tomorrow, but the B of A in The Junction will be closed. That’s according to B of A spokesperson Britney Sheehan, who says it’s the same type of situation that closed the Junction branch for multiple days a month ago – ” We continue to take several steps to support our clients and employees during the health crisis, including some temporary financial center closures. Our temporary financial center closures have occurred in areas where foot traffic is low, or when our staffing is not sufficient for all to remain open. When a center closes we work to reopen it as soon as possible.” She says they’re not sure yet how long the Junction branch will be closed this time.
Lots of questions recently about the fence up at the long-closed Tug Inn (2216 SW Orchard), known as Tug Tavern until 2008. Its owners confirm they’ve closed permanently. The site was sold back in February – its new owner is Bee’s Plumbing and Heating, whose co-proprietor Melissa tells us they’ve grown so much in three years, they had to get out of their home-based digs in Gatewood. For now they’ll use the ex-tavern building for storage, and they have an office trailer on the site, but eventually they plan to build their own office/warehouse. As for the Tug’s operators, we reached out via email and got this response:
Regrettably we will be closing the Tug at this time. We lost our lease at its current location and will be taking a pause as our family decides next steps. We have appreciated the support and community love over the years. We don’t know what the future holds but hope the best for the West Seattle community in these difficult times.
Cheers!
Hal and Gloria
By the way – one Tug fixture, we learned, has found a new home in The Junction:
Kelly is hoping for help looking for her stolen car. It’s a white 2020 Honda Pilot LX, Washington plates BTN0935, stolen in Admiral last Friday morning. If you see it, call 911.
(Added: SDOT camera image)
2:26 PM: A big Seattle Fire response was just dispatched to handle a fuel leak on Harbor Island, and radio communication indicates low-bridge access will be closed, at the 5-way intersection on the west side, East Marginal/Spokane on the east side. Updates to come.
2:32 PM: SFD reports the leak “is contained.” Whatever leaked, it was onto the roadway; responders are checking to see if any got into the river.
3 PM: Still closed. We’re heering from some bus riders who are stuck waiting to get across.
3:08 PM: Per radio communication, they’re getting ready to let some westbound traffic through.
3:30 PM: SDOT says eastbound traffic is also now being allowed through.
7:06 PM: We followed up with SFD on the incident’s cause.Spokesperson David Cuerpo tells WSB, “Crews initially responded to the scene to treat the driver of a semi-truck from an earlier single-vehicle collision near the 1000 and 1100 block of SW Spokane St. The driver was treated for minor injuries and did not require transportation to a hospital. As the semi was moving away from the area, firefighters on scene noticed a fuel leak from the semi and upgraded the response to request the Seattle Fire HAZMAT team. Crews secured the diesel leak and requested SDOT to the scene for clean-up of fuel.”
(Photo by David Hutchinson)
That beach-cleaning machine had to be dispatched to Alki this morning, with people continuing to ignore the beach-fire ban, less than a week after Seattle Parks removed the long-locked fire rings people had been damaging. Seattle Fire has been dispatched to Alki five of the six nights since then – three times on Thursday, once on Friday, once on Saturday, three times on Sunday, once last night. We asked Parks spokesperson Rachel Schulkin if anything else is planned. She replied, “I think the next move would be to close the beaches. We are grateful to SFD for their support and grateful that you are covering this and reminding folks that beach fires are not permitted this summer. In case folks wonder why, it’s because beach fires are more often than not used as a place for larger groups to gather. As we are still in Phase 2 and gatherings must be 5 people or less, beach fires are not permitted.”
(Reader photo by Erica, July 10th)
Talking to the SDOT team on the Delridge repaving-and-more project for an upcoming update, we got followup information about those two gas leaks/breaks in four days in the northern work zone. Both, SDOT says, were unmapped lines. The first one, at Delridge/Andover on July 10th, was an abandoned/capped half-inch line that was for private property but protruded into the public right of way and incurred a “saddle break” because of the weight of machinery over it. The second, on July 13th at Delridge/Oregon, was an unmarked line broken during excavation. SDOT sat down with PSE to figure out how to prevent any additional problems, so they’ve been “potholing” to check for other shallow surprise utilities, and relocating anything they find. They also changed the design for one project section to increase the distance from one line. Bottom line, SDOT says PSE will be paying for the repairs since the unmapped lines were their responsibility.
SIDE NOTE: If you suspect a gas leak – since natural gas is odorized to prevent it going undetected – call 888-225-5773, or 911.
P.S. The general project update from the rest of our conversation is coming up later.
Love plants? Imagine this one in your home:
That’s a rare Begonia Maculata, and Fleurt in The Junction is auctioning it as a fundraiser for the West Seattle Food Bank, which will get 50 percent of the proceeds. The auction is happening on Fleurt’s Instagram page – you have to bid as a comment on this post. Opening bid $45; highest bid at 5 pm Friday gets the plant – pickup or delivery available.
Two West Seattle Crime Watch notes today:
STOLEN BOAT RECOVERED: Alyssa emailed us this morning to report her 13-foot aluminum boat and trailer “stolen in the middle of the night from in front of our house in Highland Park.” But just as we were preparing to post about it, she sent word that police have found it – missing its motor. (Added: She says it was dumped blocks away, left in the middle of the road by Riverview Playfield.)
DUMPED-LIKELY-STOLEN BAG OF STUFF: From Marc:
Someone dumped a bag of tools with a i-phone in it and a small space heater still in it’s box. I plugged the i-phone in and looks like the owner has tracking on it??? Anyway, I am hoping to return this stuff to the rightful owner. Found off of Delridge, Willow st. and 24th.
If that might be yours, let us know and we’ll connect you.
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