West Seattle, Washington
26 Friday
(WSB photo, Chief Sealth with the rotating trophy after last March’s victory)
Each year, West Seattle High School and Chief Sealth International High School – which otherwise play in different Metro League divisions – face each other in a football game known as the Huling Bowl. (If you’re a relatively new arrival, here’s the backstory.) This year, the Huling Bowl is happening twice – once last March during the delayed, shortened high-school football season, once here in the near-fall – and it’s happening tomorrow night at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle). The 2-0 Wildcats, coached by Jeff Scott, are the home team this year; the 0-1 Seahawks, coached by Daron Camacho, are going for their fifth consecutive Huling Bowl win. Kickoff is at 7 pm; spectators are welcome but note there’s an admission charge – $7 adults, $4 kids/seniors.
FRIDAY AFTERNOON NOTE: As reported separately, the game has been canceled, though there’s talk of rescheduling at a later date.
Gatewood Elementary dealt with an intruder early this morning, according to a message from principal Kyna Hogg to families. Thanks to the parents who forwarded us the principal’s email:
I want to share an update on an incident that occurred at our school today. This morning, we had an unknown adult enter our building before students arrived. Gatewood staff immediately notified both the Seattle Police Department and the SPS Safety and Security team. There were no students in the building at the time this occurred.
The individual stayed on campus (outside) during arrival with staff present the entire time, waiting for additional support to arrive. Students did not interact with this individual while outside.
Please know that we take safety in our building very seriously and the security and wellbeing of our students is our top concern. Our Safety and Security team is working with SPD to investigate and identify next steps. As always, please let me know if you have any questions.
We asked SPD about the incident. Here’s what Det. Valerie Carson tells us: “Officers were called around 7:45 am for a woman causing a disturbance at a school and then in the area around the school. Police determined the woman needed mental health services and had her taken by private ambulance to the hospital for evaluation.” This is the second time this year Gatewood has reported an intruder on campus, after an incident in June.
A month and a half ago, we reported that New Luck Toy co-proprietor Mark Fuller had confirmed to WSB that the establishment WOULD reopen. And tonight – it just has. Here’s the announcement:
Surprise! We’re open at 5 pm tonight and serving food till 10. Bar’s open till midnight. Due to nationwide staffing shortages we’re not offering takeout or to-go at this time in order to help protect our staff from takeout burnout. (It’s a thing) So in-person dining only. New hours are 5-10 for food, bar till midnight. Wednesday-Saturday.
New Luck Toy is at 5905 California SW. It’s been closed for 10 months.
3;26 PM: A Seattle Fire “rescue extrication” response is headed for California/Hanford [map], where a two-vehicle crash – one on its side – is reported. Updates to come.
(Photo tweeted by @wattorney)
3:31 PM: SFD is downsizing the response – everyone is reported safely out of the vehicles.
(Texted photo)
3:52 PM: No major injuries – medic units were all dismissed from the call. This was on the southbound side of California so continue avoiding the area for a while. (The nearby traffic camera’s “live” image is here.)
3:56 PM: All remaining SFD units are leaving the scene.
4:16 PM: SFD spokesperson David Cuerpo tells us that firefighters treated at the scene “a 25-year-old female and an infant who are both in stable condition and did not require transportation to a hospital.” Meantime, the road is back open.
Nine days ago, as reported here, King County announced a vaccination-verification policy for some businesses/venues was under consideration. Today, it’s official – in less than six weeks, you’ll have to show proof you’re vaccinated – or have tested negative – to dine, drink, work out, or attend entertainment events indoors, and to attend larger events outdoors. From the announcement just made public:
To protect customers and workers, preserve hospital capacity and help prevent business closures, King County will require verification of full vaccination status or a negative test to enter outdoor public events of 500 or more people and indoor entertainment and recreational establishments and events such as live music, performing arts, gyms, restaurants, and bars. The requirements will go into effect on October 25 for outdoor venues and the majority of indoor establishments; December 6 for restaurants with seating capacity for 12 and under.
With continued high levels of preventable COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations and increased deaths driven by the Delta variant, serious stress on our regional healthcare system, and concern for a significant outbreak resurgence this fall and winter, King County Executive Dow Constantine, Seattle Mayor Jenny A. Durkan, and community, health care, small business, and arts and culture partners joined in support of requiring verification of full vaccination or a negative test to enter certain indoor and outdoor activities and establishments.
A Health Order issued today by Public Health – Seattle & King County Health Officer Dr. Jeff Duchin, going into effect on October 25, will protect customers and workers through providing safer spaces, protecting our health care system, and helping prevent business closures. It will apply to:
• Outdoor events with 500 people or more – such as professional and collegiate sports and entertainment events
• Indoor entertainment and recreational events or establishments – such as professional and collegiate sports, entertainment, performing arts, museums, theatre, live music, gyms, and conferences/conventions.
• Restaurants and bars (including indoor dining) – this does NOT apply to outdoor dining, take-out customers, and places that aren’t primarily used as a restaurant, such as grocery stores.
The order gives the option for a longer preparation period for smaller restaurants and bars with a seating capacity of 12 or less, with an implementation date of December 6. The entire order is not expected to be permanent. It will be reviewed no later than six months after the October 25th implementation date to assess its continued need based on future outbreak conditions.
An analysis by the University of Washington’s Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) conducted for King County found that the vaccine verification policy at restaurants, bars and gyms/fitness centers alone could have a significant positive impact, preventing between 17,900 and 75,900 infections, 421 and 1,760 hospitalizations and 63 and 257 deaths locally over six months with the order in place. …
Several forms of vaccination proof will be permitted under the order, including:
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) COVID-19 vaccination record card or photo of card.
• printed certificate or QR code (available in late September) from MyIRMobile.com. (MyIR Mobile is currently limited to English language only. For language assistance, or additional help getting your records, call the Washington State Vaccine Helpline at 833-VAX-HELP (833-829-4357) or email waissrecords@doh.wa.gov)
• other official immunization record from within or outside the United States, including from your health care provider. A photo or photocopy of this card is also acceptable.
The order defines full vaccination as two weeks after the second dose of Pfizer or Moderna vaccine or two weeks after one dose of Johnson & Johnson vaccine, or two weeks after completing another approved vaccine. No personal identification with proof of vaccination will be required.
For people who are unvaccinated or cannot prove vaccine status, they will be required to show proof of a negative PCR COVID-19 test in the last 72 hours, or a negative rapid test result from a testing provider conducted on site at an event or establishment just prior to entry. Individuals under 12 years of age, who are not eligible to be vaccinated, are not required to be tested for entry.
Establishments will be responsible for checking vaccination proof or negative test status. Public Health, King County and City of Seattle will be working with partners to provide technical support and educational materials to businesses and organizations implementing the order. King County, the City of Seattle and Public Health developed the vaccine verification policy in consultation with Public Health’s Pandemic and Racism Community Advisory Group, cities, small businesses, chambers of commerce, labor unions, trade associations, sports teams, entertainment venues, community groups, faith-based leaders throughout the county to create a policy that aims to be workable, fair, and equitable for businesses and residents. …
Currently, 68% of the total King County population and 79% of eligible King County residents (those 12 years of age and up) have completed their vaccination series against COVID-19, including more than 70% of every eligible age group and all racial groups tracked by Public Health. There are nearly 300,000 King County residents who are eligible but have not yet started their vaccination series.
Anyone needing COVID-19 vaccine can visit KingCounty.gov/vaccine to find a vaccine in their neighborhood. To date, more than three million vaccine doses have been administered in King County.
The announcement does not mention what if any penalties establishments/venue face if they don’t comply. A website with more about the new policy has just gone live here.
ADDED: Here’s the official order – see page 4 for exemptions (such as school sporting events).
In case you haven’t been to Lowman Beach Park since work on the shoreline-restoration project began, here’s what’s happening:
Construction fencing stretches across the entire north-south length of the park – no shore access. Through the fence, you can see crews working on the north side of the to-be-removed tennis court and seawall:
The swings, however, are still open and accessible (and are NOT part of the project zone):
McClung Construction is the contractor for the $1.2 million project, which is expected to last at least eight months.
Does your nearest street storm drain look like this …
,.. or like this?
If the latter (or worse), you have seven-plus hours of daylight left to clear it before all that forecast rain arrives tomorrow. You’ll be doing a big favor for those in and/or passing through your neighborhood – whenever you see major puddling in the street during/after a storm, invariably it’s because of a blocked storm drain.
(Sanderling, photographed by Mark Wangerin)
From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar and inbox:
STATE OF THE PORT: Seattle Port Commissioner Peter Steinbrueck speaks to the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce‘s monthly lunch meeting, 11:30 pm outdoors at Jack Block Park (2130 Harbor SW). Register here.
VACCINATION POLICY ANNOUNCEMENT: County and city leaders will be announcing a new policy – 1 week after saying one was in the works – at 3 pm today at a media event in Columbia City. We asked about a livestream; so far, none planned.
Canceled – done for the season PICKUP ULTIMATE: West Seattle Ultimate Frisbee‘s Thursday night pickup games have moved to 5 pm at Walt Hundley Playfield (34th and Myrtle).
ALKI COMMUNITY COUNCIL: 7 pm meeting online; participation info is in our calendar listing.
EVERY-OTHER-THURSDAY BINGO AT ADMIRAL PUB: 7 pm at the pub (2306 California SW; WSB sponsor), hosted by Richard Moore.
Something to add to the calendar? westseattleblog@gmail.com is the best way to get us non-breaking info – thank you!
In our coverage of the Morgan Community Association‘s summer meeting, we mentioned Seattle Public Utilities‘ plan for sewer-line work at the dead end of SW Beveridge Place [map], southwest of Morgan Junction Park. MoCA president Deb Barker sends this update: “The Beveridge Place SW neighbors, owners and Morgan Community Association want to let the community know that SPU will begin sewer line repair work in and adjacent to the Beveridge Place SW roadway west of California Ave SW beginning on Monday, September 20. Parking restrictions will be in place on the dead end roadway during the job, and everyone is encouraged to pay attention to the ‘No Parking’ signs.” SPU told MoCA in July that the work would take about two weeks. Meantime, Barker says neighbors and MoCA reps also have met with SDOT “to request repair of decaying portions of SW Beveridge Place pavement and sidewalks beyond those areas associated with SPU’s pending activity. SDOT will take a few weeks to evaluate the request.”
6:05=3 AM: Good morning! Sunshine forecast today – but get ready for all that rain expected tomorrow.
ROAD WORK
26th SW & beyond – Northbound 26th SW closed between Roxbury and Barton.
Delridge project – Signals and signs this week.
TRANSIT
Buses are on regular schedules today – except for the rerouting in RapidRise H Line work zones. Watch @kcmetrobus for word of canceled trips.
For ferries and water taxis, regular schedule today. Watch @wsferries for ferry updates.
BRIDGES AND DETOUR ROUTES
541st morning without the West Seattle Bridge. Here are views of other bridges and routes:
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.)
West Marginal Way at Highland Park Way:
Highland Park Way/Holden – The camera’s back, now pointed west:
The 5-way intersection (Spokane/West Marginal/Delridge/Chelan):
The 1st Avenue South Bridge (map):
For the South Park Bridge (map), here’s the nearest camera:
Are draw/swing bridges opening for boats or barges? The @SDOTBridges Twitter feed will tell you. (1st Ave. South Bridge openings also are tweeted on @wsdot_traffic.)
See all local traffic cams here; locally relevant cameras are also on this WSB page.
Trouble on the streets/paths/bridges/water? Please let us know – text (but not if you’re driving!) 206-293-6302.
| 4 COMMENTS