Tiny but mighty

Jobs, Journalism, Justice

Staff Reporter

Mon meilleure ami

by Ashley Archibald | March 12th, 2020

A French philosopher ponders his companion

As I began to write this review of “Dogs,” a philosophical treatise on the nature of the human-canine bond by French philosopher Mark Alizart, my dog Rin was curled up at my feet.

Over the past two and a half years, Rin has been my constant companion, and I, his. We have grown together, traveled together and improved each other in profound ways. His joy is contagious, and his need to connect with me and other people has brought this introvert true introspection and into closer communion with the people I interact with on a daily basis.

Read more in the Mar. 11-17, 2020 issue.

Real Change vendor Joshua Trujillo lost his dog Bella during a hospital stay. He was lucky to get her back.

What happens to your furry friends while you’re sick in the hospital?

by Ashley Archibald | March 12th, 2020

When Claudia Dethman got sick, she knew what she had to do.

Dethman was in her early 60s, and the flu was contagious and deadly.

She was living in her car at the time with her service dog Christian, an 18-month-old Corgi who she loved more than anything.

When she went to the hospital, Christian went with her.

That was the last time Dethman saw him.

Read more in the Mar. 11-17, 2020 issue.

One person walks down Occidental Avenue between Main and Jackson shortly at 12:18 p.m. on Monday. It’s not the usual lunch crowd.

Washington faces the outbreak and braces as the numbers grow

by Ashley Archibald | March 12th, 2020

The Puget Sound region is the epicenter of the novel coronavirus outbreak in the United States, and communities throughout Seattle and King County are hunkering down to wait out the disease as the full extent of the crisis continues to unfold.

Read more in the Mar. 11-17, 2020 issue.

Rollin’

by Ashley Archibald | March 12th, 2020

No money? No problem. At least on King County Metro.

The King County Council approved a new income-based fare program for the local bus system that will provide free bus passes for qualifying county residents who make 80 percent of the federal poverty level or below.

The pass will cover rides on Metro buses, Access vans and the Seattle streetcar network. People who qualify may also get a discount on regional transit.

Read more in the Mar. 11-17, 2020 issue.

Sen. Bernie Sanders speaks to a large crowd at the Tacoma Dome on Feb. 17.

Superlative Tuesday

by Ashley Archibald | March 11th, 2020

Facing new rules this year, Washington voters have a lot to think about post-Super Tuesday

If you’re registered to vote in the state of Washington, you’ve already received your primary ballot by now and if you’re a Democrat, you’ve got some options.

After the snafu in Iowa, the drubbing in New Hampshire, candidates going “all in” in Nevada, the testing of one-time front-runner Joe Biden’s firewall in South Carolina and the slew of states going to the polls on Super Tuesday, it will finally be Washington Democratic voters’ turn to weigh in on what many feel to be a uniquely consequential election with equally dramatic consequences.

King County preps for COVID-19

by Ashley Archibald | March 11th, 2020

King County officials announced that they planned to buy a motel and prep modular units to offer shelter to people that may be infected with the COVID-19 virus, including people experiencing homelessness.

Advice such as avoiding contact with other people and washing one’s hands frequently is difficult for homeless people to follow. The new units will give people options to keep themselves safe while avoiding hospitals and other health care facilities that may find themselves overwhelmed as the virus spreads.

A worker, above, places blankets on mats at the Seattle City Hall shelter. The Navigation Team refers people to shelters only when they have beds available. However, more than 90 percent of shelter beds are filled nightly.

Councilmembers ponder Navigation Team’s efficacy at getting people into shelters

by Ashley Archibald | March 11th, 2020

Members of the Seattle City Council are questioning why the city spends millions on a special police response to homelessness, called the Navigation Team, when evidence shows that it isn’t getting many people indoors quickly and isn’t involved in the vast majority of encampment cleanups.

The Navigation Team was formed to pair sweeps of homeless encampments with offers of services, be that shelter beds or access to case management. However, the team only responds to 4 percent of sweeps, according to city data.

Riders wait to board a Sound Transit bus to Bellevue.

Sound Transit reacts to criticisms, reviews policy

by Ashley Archibald | February 28th, 2020

Sound Transit is going to the people with fare enforcement reform proposals, including reducing fines and widening access to low-income fare programs, in the wake of criticisms that their current procedures can disproportionately impact homeless people and people of color.

King County’s renovated youth jail is still a youth jail

by Ashley Archibald | February 28th, 2020

Feb. 18, they walked in a line on East Yesler Way toward 12th Avenue South, chains linking them by the waist, the gray metal popping out against bright orange jumpsuits. A shout of recognition came from the crowd across the street on the lawn outside Bailey Gatzert Elementary School.

“No new!” they shouted.

“Youth jail!” their fellow protesters responded.

“Today is the day King County is trying to open the youth jail,” said one person dressed in a jumpsuit. “We’re here to disrupt that.

Tiny but mighty

by Ashley Archibald | February 28th, 2020

The City Council voted to allow as many as 40 tiny house villages in the Seattle city limits, making it possible to quadruple the number of established villages in the city.

Tiny house villages are transitional facilities that give people access to a secure place to sleep and store their belongings, hygiene facilities and a communal kitchen, among other amenities. Inhabitants can also access case management services that pave the way to get them into housing.

Jobs, Journalism, Justice

Mon meilleure ami

What happens to your furry friends while you’re sick in the hospital?

Washington faces the outbreak and braces as the numbers grow

Rollin’

Superlative Tuesday

King County preps for COVID-19

Councilmembers ponder Navigation Team’s efficacy at getting people into shelters

Sound Transit reacts to criticisms, reviews policy

King County’s renovated youth jail is still a youth jail

Tiny but mighty

Jan. 13-19, 2021

Jan. 20-26, 2021

Jan. 20-26, 2021