December 2020

WA inmates say they're retaliated against for getting COVID-19
People in work release programs say getting sick can get you thrown back into prison, where there’s still no plan for containment.

By Lilly Fowler / Crosscut.com

Milo Burshaine viewed the Bishop Lewis Work Release Facility in Seattle as his last stop before freedom.

The facility is designed for prisoners with good behavior who are nearing the end of their sentences and are preparing to transition back into the real world. While there, Burshaine, who has a history of drug addiction, worked, attended Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and attempted to reign in his depression. He looked forward to the Washington state Department of Corrections releasing him in a few months.

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The pandemic will forever change how doctors define 'crisis'
UW’s Dr. Kate Butler explains what doctors need to better support each other and their patients when resources are scarce.

 

By Hannah Weinberger / Crosscut.com

When a hospital declares a crisis, doctors know they may have to ration supplies, equipment and personnel. And while medical rationing of any kind is a sticky, emotionally draining directive that clinicians avoid at all costs, it becomes exponentially worse when doctors have to decide who can be saved most efficiently.

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UPDATE: Power outage affects more than 3700 in SW Seattle; Now resolved

Update 7pm

The power has been restored.

Update 4:15pm

Most of the original outage that began shortly after 2pm in the White Center area has been restored. Only 397 were still without power around 4:15pm but for them the 9pm restoration time remained.

 

Original Post

A power outage, possibly from a downed power line, cut the electricity for more than 3700 City Light customers on Saturday.

The outage bordered the west at around 26th SW and on the east by roughly 9th SW through 5th Ave PL SW. On the north it extended from just south of Cloverdale Street SW to the south at SW 117th Street. 

The estimated repair time was 9pm on the City Light System Status page.

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The Phoenecia, a classic dinner house opens for take-out lunch

The Phoenecia restaurant built its reputation as a classic dinner house, with middle eastern foods as part of its core identity.  Always focused on extremely high quality from their 1975 beginning, the restaurant and Khazaal family went through many changes, moving from their original West Seattle Junction location, to lower Queen Anne, for a few years, then to Alki. When founder Hussein Khazaal passed away in 2009, the family took a pause but reopened, and soon earned new praise for a revised menu, much of which Hussein had envisioned. Things were going pretty well but the news came that they were losing their lease in the Alki location. They sought a new home and finally, came full circle opening again in the West Seattle Junction in September of last year. 

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UPDATE: Dick's Drive-in food truck visited West Seattle Junction Dec. 11

Update Dec. 11

Dick's Mobile Food came to the West Seattle Junction on Dec. 11 and completely sold out. People lined up (and socially distanced) for more than two blocks to get a taste of the famous Dick's hamburgers making their first visit to the West Seattle peninsula. They had 1500 patties on board, according to spokesperson Jasmine and they completely sold out. They also gave away free shirts to the first 50 customers, which were West Seattle themed. She said this won't be the only visit to West Seattle but they have to stop in Bellingham first, but were waiting on the appropriate permits. This summer they hope to be back on Alki Beach and have a location already "scoped out" she said. 

"We really felt like this was something we could do to spread joy to the West Seattle community. You folks have suffered so much with the bridge being out."

Original Post

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Historic stone cottage in West Seattle facing demolition; Group hopes to preserve and move it to new home

West Seattle’s last 1930’s era “Stone Cottage” is around a month and just over $70,000 away from demolition. They are attempting raise $110,000 to save it, with an eventual plan to place it in the Alki area on public property.

rendering
An artists rendering of what a future home for the stone cottage might look like.  SaveTheStoneCottage LLC

 

Eva's Stone Cottage which has stood at 1123 Harbor Ave SW since the 1930's is facing the wrecking ball in January, but the landowner has given permission to move it. That's what The Save the Stone Cottage LLC organization is aiming to do.

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Park West Nursing and Rehabilitation Center reports four deaths and 34 COVID-19 positive cases
Providence Mt. St. Vincent death total rises to six; 18 residents and 28 caregivers now test positive

COVID-19 is continuing to claim lives in West Seattle with four deaths recorded at Park West Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in North Admiral. 34 residents have also tested positive for the virus. At the same time, the death toll at Providence Mt. St Vincent on 35th SW has seen more lives lost as well. The toll has risen to six there, with 18 residents and 28 caregivers testing positive. 

In a statement from Park West they said:

 

We grieve with all families who are dealing with loss. At Park West Nursing and Rehabilitation Center there are 4 residents whose recent deaths are attributed to Covid-19.

There are 34 residents on-site who have tested positive for Covid-19. Residents who have tested positive for Covid-19 are in cohort and resting in a designated area of our facility. There is a dedicated team of clinical care professionals and support staff tending to the group of residents who have Covid-19.

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Workers and union demand more protection after 10 test positive for COVID-19 at Burien Fred Meyer

Ten employees at the Fred Meyer store in Burien have tested positive for COVID-19 and their co-workers and union are demanding management take more stringent measures to protect them.

The company said that they have had several professional deep cleaning sanitation sessions, and have worked to ensure employees and customers stay safe including by providing plexiglass shields, face masks and limiting store capacity.

Last spring Fred Meyer did raise worker's wages by $2 per hour but then later ended that benefit.

Increased staff was scheduled to handle the additional work of sanitization, cleaning carts, wiping down check-out stands as well as to allow for workers to rest, take more frequent breaks and wash hands more often. 

UFCW21 which represents retail and grocery workers noted that: 

       -    workers reported fewer staff to cover shifts

       -    mask requirement orders were not strictly enforced by management

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Charging documents filed in Ballard burglary of Wild at Heart

King County Prosecutor Daniel Satterberg filed charges in King County Superior Court agains Alex Joseph Nation for the burglary, and damage done for a Dec. 6 break in, theft and more at Wild at Heart In Ballard at 1111 NW Leary Way.

From the charging documents:

On December 6, 2020, surveillance video shows defendant breaking two window panes when this business was closed. Defendant entered the business through the broken windows and exited with store merchandise. Search incident to atTest, officers located about $900 worth of store merchandise on his person. The estimated value of the building damage exceeds $6,000.

The defendant has a pending felony for Theft of Firearm (2020). The defendant has the following pending misdemeanors: Littering (2020), Vehicle Prowling 2nd Degree (2020), Vehicle Prowling (2019), Criminal Trespassing 2 (2019), Property Destruction (2019), Theft (2019).

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