Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber

12/06/2023

Ferry news: The Triangle route is back to two boats after mechanical issues took the Kitsap out of operation this afternoon. Be prepared for greater-than-usual delays and traffic.

The route was reduced to one boat, the Cathlamet, earlier this afternoon due to a mechanical issue on the Kitsap. Another boat, the Suquamish, moved in from the Seattle / Bainbridge route to substitute in on the Triangle, WSDOT said.

At 4:11 p.m., WSF announced two-boat service had returned. The Suquamish appears to be making trips as of at least 4:18 p.m. on WSF's live map. (Check https://wsdot.com/ferries/vesselwatch/ for updates.)

Here are WSF's public messages from today:

At 12:34 p.m., WSF said: "The #1 Kitsap has been moved to the second slip at Vashon following earlier delays at the Southworth terminal. The Kitsap remains out of service until further notice.

The #2 Cathlamet will stop at all islands with no set schedule: Fauntleroy to Vashon, Vashon to Southworth, Southworth to Vashon and Vashon to Fauntleroy. Customers may experience delays and heavy vehicle traffic. "

At 2:45 p.m., WSF said: "The M/V Suquamish is moving to the Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth route to replace the #1 Kitsap following unscheduled maintenance."

At 4:11 p.m., WSF said: "Two-boat service has resumed for the Faunt/VA/SW route. The M/V Suquamish has taken over as the #1 vessel. The M/V Cathlamet will remain as the #2 vessel. Customers may experience delays and heavy vehicle traffic."

12/06/2023

King County Council passes $782 million arts and culture levy

Levy is intended to increase access to science, heritage and the arts.

12/06/2023

It's nearly the toy drive's final week!

John L Scott Vashon reminds everyone that this is the final week for friends and neighbors to share some holiday cheer and help give a Happy Holiday to our island kids by donating to the 2023 Vashon Toy Drive. Donation boxes are sprinkled around Vashon and waiting for new, unused gift items.

Monetary donations are also welcome via checks or Venmo to -Grimsley-1. Please make checks payable to VYFS. Mail to John L Scott Vashon, PO Box 2009, Vashon WA 98070.

Thank you for your generous support.

12/06/2023

Vashon celebrates a very jolly WinterFest

The spirit of the season washed over Vashon Island on Dec. 2 during the annual WinterFest celebration.

12/05/2023

3 teen inmates escape | King County Crime Dive

In this episode, we take a closer look at Echo Glen Children’s Center, which recently saw another batch of escapes by juvenile inmates.

12/04/2023

Vandals spray-paint demands for Gaza cease-fire on U.S. Rep. Adam Smith’s Bellevue home

9th Congressional District covers parts of Bellevue, Renton, Kent, Federal Way and Auburn

12/04/2023

One-time grant offered for homelessness assistance in south King County | King County

King County has set aside $5 million for cities to construct and operate projects to address local homelessness.

12/04/2023

Kirkland cop on paid leave | King County Crime Dive

In this episode, we take a closer look at a Kirkland police officer who is accused of harassing workers at bikini barista stands.

12/02/2023

Hope everyone's power is back on soon!

Hundreds of Vashon residents were left without power the morning of Saturday, Dec. 2, thanks to thrashing winds the night before that led to scattered outages across the island.

11/28/2023

A 25-page report from the Vashon Chamber of Commerce, detailing the island’s frustrations with, and proposals for the state ferry system, was released last week.
The report is many things — a collection of testimonies and experiences of frustrated ferry riders; an open letter and plea to state leaders; a collection of ideas for those state leaders; and at some level, an expression of community emotion and passion over an issue which has now vexed Vashon for years.

It was crafted by Islanders for Ferry Action, a working group convened by the Vashon Chamber of Commerce.

11/28/2023

Celebrate the holiday season on Vashon, one day at a time, in December.

Island holiday happenings from Thanksgiving until New Year’s Eve.

11/28/2023

As an Indigenous naturalist, I cherish the increasingly rare occasions I am privileged to commune with my Southern Resident Killer Whale relatives, whom I regard as a fellow First Nation. Every visit is precious, especially considering that this culturally and spiritually significant orca population faces extinction.

The orcas have sacrificed horrendously in an inequitable relationship with non-Indigenous humanity.

11/27/2023

Islander Emily Burns urges caution around ladders — and gratitude to the first responders of Vashon Island Fire & Rescue.

In September, I took a 15-foot tumble off an orchard ladder.

11/25/2023

Coast Guard:
Watch out for Sneaker Waves during upcoming King Tides

SEATTLE – All beachgoers in the Pacific Northwest are encouraged to exercise heightened caution for sneaker waves during the upcoming King Tides this weekend and for the remainder of the winter.

The Coast Guard and National Weather Service are urging the public who visit coastal beaches during King Tides to be on alert for dangerous surf and potentially fatal sneaker waves.

Sneaker waves are disproportionately large waves that surge unexpectedly up the beach without warning. They are characterized by insignificant heights within period groups of small waves, giving the appearance of light sea conditions.
The sudden rush of water will immerse the dry shore and send large logs rolling, becoming dangerous projectiles. Other hazards include being swept out to sea and immersion into cold water. Sneaker waves are the deadliest natural hazard on the West Coast; it is of the utmost importance to practice sound judgment prior to and while patronizing coastal beaches.
The following measures should be taken by beachgoers:

· Review notifications put out by the National Weather Service (NWS), including the Seattle, Portland, and Medford offices, which collectively cover the Pacific Northwest coastline and issue Beach Hazard Statements.
· Be aware, sneaker waves can occur outside of times outlined by the NWS.
· Familiarize yourself with the area: where all beach exits are and the location of any logs or debris.
· Remain further away from the waterline than you think is necessary, sneaker waves can run up by at least one half-length of a football field.
· Refrain from walking near or playing on any logs onshore, which can become projectiles from powerful waves.
· Remain vigilant for the duration of your visit.
· Never turn your back on the ocean.

Winter months in the Pacific Northwest are particularly dangerous for those on shore and at sea as well.

The Coast Guard strongly urges all mariners to regularly check weather forecasts and monitor bar closures or restrictions.

For more information on sneaker waves please see the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration’s website.

On the remote and rugged coastline of the Northwest, where sneaker waves, beach debris, extreme tides, and freezing water temperature combine, even walking along the beach can be dangerous if you aren't alert.

11/23/2023

Trolls from Denmark make their mark across Puget Sound

Coastal Salish tribes also embrace the project.

11/22/2023

Carve out some extra time if your Thanksgiving travel plans include a state ferry ride.

In addition to the long vehicle lines over holiday weekends, all passengers should prepare for possible last-minute schedule changes.

Vashon remains on a reduced, two-boat schedule for the Triangle Route off the north end of the island; an a one-boat schedule for the Tahlequah/Point Defiance route off the island's south end. Check WSF's website for alerts and times of departures: https://wsdot.com/ferries/schedule/bulletin.aspx

Nearly 300,000 people are expected aboard Washington State Ferries Wednesday, Nov. 22, through Sunday, Nov. 26.

To avoid potential long waits when boarding a vessel in a vehicle, customers are encouraged to download and check the WSDOT mobile app before heading to the terminal for service updates and real-time conditions.

Ferry travelers also should prepare for possible last-minute schedule changes. Sailings may be delayed or canceled with short notice due to WSF’s current lack of relief crewing or an unexpected mechanical issue within the system’s aging fleet.

Busy travel times

The busiest sailings for vehicles likely will be westbound (or onto an island) Wednesday and Thursday, Nov. 22-23, then eastbound (or off island) Friday and Saturday, Nov. 24-25. To reduce or eliminate waiting, riders may consider taking an early morning or late-night sailing or by using transit to walk or bike onto the ferry if possible.

Edmonds/Kingston route service

The Edmonds/Kingston route is down to one-boat service instead of two, as one-third of the system’s 21-ferry fleet is out of commission for either emergency repairs or planned maintenance. With only 14 boats available to operate sailing schedules that require 15 vessels, a boat was pulled from the latest run to be restored in WSF’s service restoration efforts.

Washington State Ferries offers a free travel alert subscription service via email or text message. Travel Alerts help you stay informed of conditions on your route so you can plan ahead.

11/21/2023

The 25-page report — titled “An Island in Crisis, Focused on Solutions” — was compiled by the working group Islanders for Ferry Action (IFA), organized by Vashon Islanders in September.

San Juan County, Town of Friday Harbor and Vashon Island identify impacts of disruptions and possible solutions to alleviate ferry service ills.

11/20/2023

Inspired by the centuries-old German yuletide tradition, the Seattle Christmas Market celebrates the holiday season Nov. 24 to Dec. 24 at the Seattle Center.

The first-ever Seattle Christmas Market is coming to town

11/18/2023

Turkey Trot information:

The Annual Turkey Trot fun run/walk returns to downtown Vashon at 9 a.m., on Thanksgiving, Thursday, Nov. 23, in the parking lot next to Recess Lab and Voice of Vashon, 17641 Vashon Highway SW.

The short 2.5-mile fun run/walk — with music, hot cider, camaraderie and joie de vivre — is free and also open to furry friends and strollers. A map of the course will be available at the event. This is a fun run and walk, so no winners or whiners. Come and join in the fun with your fellow Vashon Runners, strollers and Furry Friends.

This year’s Turkey Trot is a fundraiser for Vashon XC, the booster club for youth cross country on the island. If you have any money you can spare, please bring it and put it in the pickle jar to help Vashon XC (we will have a PayPal card reader just in case you don’t deal in cash!).

11/18/2023

Native American Heritage Month event with Seattle Indian Health Board to be held at Vashon Center for the Arts

In honor of Native American Heritage Month, the Seattle Indian Health Board (SIHB) will present a benefit evening featuring a Native art exhibit, a silent auction, appetizers by Gravy, and information regarding SIHB’s new treatment facility on Vashon.
The event will take place at 5 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 19, at Vashon Center for the Arts.
Tickets are available at loom.ly/MxQcoLU.
The exhibit will include works by Abigail Echo-Hawk (Pawnee) and Israel Shotridge (Tlingit).
Abigail Echo-Hawk, who is SIHB executive vice-president, will be showcasing "Tangible Manifestation'" — an act of healing.
For her artwork, Echo-Hawk transformed the body bags that were received in place of PPE in 2020, into a ribbon dress that represents the strength and resilience of Native people in the face of genocide, the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls crisis, and the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on Native people.
Israel Shotridge, local Vashon master artist and carver, will be showcasing an original piece of framed art from one of his many renowned collections.
Tickets are available by donation.
All proceeds will benefit the Seattle Indian Health Board to support creating and sustaining high-quality, culturally attuned, programs that support the local urban Native community.

In honor of Native American Heritage Month, we invite you to join us for an evening of fun, Native artwork, and exclusive information session regarding SIHB's Treatment Facility. We will be making some exciting announcements and can't wait to share more details with you!

11/17/2023

We can and must center the story of the Southern Residents on them, not ourselves.

We can and must center the story of the Southern Residents on them

11/17/2023

The new accommodation is “a win for the health and safety of Vashon.”

11/17/2023

Six ciders on tap include Bittersweet Cider, a blend of twenty English and French apples that owner Laura Cherry calls “a picture of our orchard in a glass.” Accompanying the cider is a tapas-syle menu created by noted chef and islander, Jacob Wiegner.

11/17/2023

For the first time ever, according to those in the know, Vashon will have an all-female school board.

They will serve on what will be the first all-female board in school district history.

11/15/2023

FYI for this Saturday:

11/15/2023

KC Auditors report code enforcement backlog poses safety, environmental risks

Auditors say code enforcement office needs to prioritize riskiest cases, allow discretion for others

11/14/2023

Backbone campaign, Vashon islanders assist in Tacoma boat protest against Gaza siege

Vashon residents provided water safety support during a protest demonstration last week at the Port of Tacoma, where activists sought to delay a military vessel believed to be carrying weapons bound for Israel.

11/13/2023

KC Council will consider reparations over historic redlining

Race-based restrictive real estate practices estimated to have prevented billions in wealth.

11/11/2023

Salute to veterans | Cartoon by Frank Shiers

On Veterans Day, honor those who served your country.

11/10/2023

State League of Women Voters condemn election office interferences

League president calls substances mailed ‘an attack on democracy’

11/10/2023

Black bear visits Vashon

It was caught on camera sniffing around a resident’s home on the island’s north end.

11/09/2023

Review: The gifted group of young theater artists at Vashon High School has gone to the next level with "The Mousetrap."

The school’s current crop of thespians is a talented, tight-knit, and extremely hardworking ensemble.

11/08/2023

Substance delivered to KC election office tests positive for fentanyl

Additional deliveries of unknown substances to the Pierce County and Spokane County elections buildings resulted in evacuations also.

11/08/2023

ELECTION UPDATE

Martha Woodard and Juniper Rogneby are ahead in their contested school board races, and the race for County Council District 8 appears destined for a photo finish.

Those are the initial takeaways from the first tabulations of ballots on election night, Nov. 7. Results will continue trickling in from King County throughout the week, and this article will be updated periodically.

Here’s where candidates in each race stand as of Tuesday night. (This article was last updated 8:30 a.m., Nov. 8. For up-to-date election results, visit King County’s website. Though this article is built from official results taken from King County’s Nov. 2023 election website, we reiterate that these results are not final, as more ballots are being counted, and the county itself labels these results as unofficial.)

Vashon Island School District

Pos. 2: Kaycie Alanis took a commanding 80.8% of initial returns against challenger Holly Gilman’s 15.6%. In August, Gilman announced that she had withdrawn from the race, and endorsed Alanis. Her statement in the King County voter’s pamphlet also endorsed Alanis.

Pos. 3: Martha Woodard had earned 54.9% of the vote against Angela Marshall, who earned 44.9% — putting Woodard well ahead in the race and likely to secure election.

Pos. 5: Juniper Rogneby had earned 59.9% of the initial vote return against Jake Jacobovitch, who took in 39.9%, meaning Rogneby is likely to have won the election.

King County Council District No. 8

Teresa Mosqueda was just barely ahead of Sofia Aragon in the race to represent Vashon on the King County Council, carrying 50.2% of the vote to Aragon’s 49.4%. Less than 300 votes separated them as of the Nov. 7 ballot count.

Sofia Aragon, a registered nurse, executive director of the Washington Center for Nursing, and the Mayor of Burien, faced Teresa Mosqueda — whose career includes work and activism in healthcare, labor and public policy, and a current stint as a Seattle City Councilmember.

Vashon Island Fire & Rescue (VIFR):

Pos. 4: Candy McCullough earned a commanding 91.6% of the vote and has won re-election against Adam Knez (8.1%.) Knez’s name remained on the ballot although he dropped out of the race shortly after McCullough announced she would seek re-election.

Vashon-Maury Island Park & Recreation District

Pos. 3: Eight-year incumbent commissioner Bob McMahon appears to have secured re-election, earning 71.3% of the vote against challenger Mike Spranger’s 28.5%.

McMahon is an engineer with experience in the Navy submarine service, the shipbuilding industry, manufacturing, project management and consulting. Challenger Mike Spranger, who’s worked in logistics and is now pursuing a news-making kelp farming operation on the island’s south side, has praised the board’s work and said he’d be the right fit for it.

King County Cemetery District No. 1

Pos. 1: Catherine L. Sullivan appears to have won the election, earning 70.6% of the vote against challenger Deborah Brown’s 29.2%.

Sullivan and Brown are running to fill one open seat on Vashon’s Cemetery District board currently held by Jay Hanson, who is not running for re-election.

Vashon’s cemetery is the only publicly-owned cemetery in King County. The cemetery’s operations are funded by Vashon’s smallest tax levy, currently 2.5 cents/$1,000 of assessed property value.

Brown, a 35-year resident of Vashon, has worn many hats around the island, including Chamber of Commerce Director and working at the school district, health center and fire department. She’s said she’d seek to increase opportunities for schools to visit and learn history at the cemetery while prizing the solemnity that it deserves. Sullivan, another longtime community member with experience in logistics and finance and work at Harborview Medical Center, has said she wants to preserve the diverse pieces of the facility — its military, religious, progressive and creative roots.

Uncontested races

The following candidates ran unopposed in their races and are guaranteed to earn enough votes to win election or re-election.

VIFR Pos. 1: Brigitte Schran Brown

VIFR Pos. 5: Jim Whitney

School District Pos. 1: Lucia Armenta

Sewer District Pos. 1: Lyle E. Harris, Jr.

Park District Pos. 1: Joshua Henderson

Park District Pos. 5: Hans Van Dusen

11/08/2023

Una celebración espectacular

Vashon celebrates el Día de los Mu***os

11/08/2023

Election 2023 results: King County Council, Port of Seattle commissioners

The following results were posted Nov. 7 on the King County Elections website.

11/08/2023

Orcas stun by spending day and night in Quartermaster Harbor

Islanders described Sunday’s unusual encounter with the whales in ecstatic terms.

11/06/2023

WA to invest $200 million to address disparities created by “war on drugs”

Dept. of Commerce to establish 17 differnet grant programs to invest in communities impacted.

11/02/2023

King County jail guard reportedly took bribes to smuggle drugs to inmates

Allegedly took in methamphetamine and fentanyl to two inmates at Seattle correctional facility