October 2021

information from Highline Public Schools

Highline Public Schools leaders made the difficult decision to postpone the Highline High School Community Grand Opening and Alumni Reception events planned for October 21 and 22.

Highline’s Chief of Operations Scott Logan explained the reasons behind the decision. “While we are eager to celebrate the opening of the new HHS with our community and alumni, we do not feel it is wise to host a large indoor gathering given the current rate of COVID infections.” 

“We know that community spread affects our ability to keep schools open, and we do not want to contribute to increasing the infection rate in our community. Our priority must be to stay focused on students and keep our schools open and running as smoothly and safely as possible.”

“We are also sensitive to the extra load on our school staff, from principals to teachers to custodians, at this time,” he said.

information from Seattle Department of Transportation

Starting as early as Monday, October 18, we'll begin digging holes to locate utilities in preparation for installing new pipes to hold a new communication line beneath the Duwamish Waterway. This communication line allows the Spokane St Swing Bridge (low bridge) to open and close.  

This year the West Seattle route of the King County Water Taxi will continue service Monday-Friday from 5:55 am to 7:05 pm, and on the weekends from 8:30 am to 7:00 pm. Please check our website for the full sailing schedule. 

During the winter schedule there will not be any departures after 7:00 pm, including on Friday and Saturday. The connecting #773 and #775 shuttles at Seacrest Park will only operate during peak commute times Monday through Friday.

information from the Whale Trail

Whale Trail founder and local author Donna Sandstrom's book Orca Rescue! The True Story of an Orphaned Orca named Springer was published this month by Kids Can Press.

On Sunday Oct. 17 you can meet Donna at the book launch and signing event at C&P Coffee from 3 to 5pm.

The middle grade nonfiction book tells the riveting story of how a young orca was discovered in Puget Sound - lost, alone and 300 miles away from home. Six months later, the 2-year-old orca was rescued, rehabilitated, and returned to her family on the north end of Vancouver Island.

King County Sheriff's deputies are looking for a suspect that attempted to break into three homes and did break into a fourth and was then discovered in a White Center family's home, sleeping in a child's bed.

The suspect is described as a light-skinned black man with dark-colored dreadlocks, wearing a black shirt and black pants. He appeared to be wearing a black watch or bracelet on his right wrist. He was possibly barefoot at the time of the break-in.

Westside Seattle news partner Q13 Fox News reports that "Claudia Rojas said her kids are young so they sleep with her.  When she woke up, she noticed that her bedroom door had been opened and her son’s door was closed.  When she opened it, she says the stranger inside became angry and violent.