For the first time, Census data shows that Seattle ranks among the top 10 most densely populated big cities in the U.S. According to The Seattle Times, with 7,962 people per square mile in 2014, Seattle bypassed Baltimore to become the 10th of 50 most populous cities in the country. Seattle’s population density has also increased by almost 10 percent since the 2010 Census (South Lake Union has seen the greatest increase in density since 2010). If current growth rates continue, Seattle is expected to bypass Los Angeles, the ninth most populated city, within five years. Associate professor of urban design and planning at the University of Washington, Branden Born, told the Times that newcomers will continue pouring into Seattle because with our strong economy and high quality of life, “it’s an incredible place to be.”

Born also pointed out to those who are worried about the city becoming too populated that density doesn’t need to look like downtown and uses Capitol Hill, Seattle’s most densely-populated neighborhood, according to the census, as an example. The most crowded part of Capitol Hill packs in about 55,000 people per square mile which is comparable to Greenwich Village in New York and, still, Born said, “there are these old, beautiful brick walk-ups, there may be four stories, garden apartments at the lowest level … the neighborhood fabric is wonderful. You can walk to the grocery store, there are parks nearby — that’s some of the densest stuff in the city, and it doesn’t feel overwhelming.”

According to Recode, Amazon announced on Sunday via Twitter and Instagram that The Treasure Truck is up and running in the Seattle area. Essentially a store on wheels, the Treasure Truck carries a limited quantity of one product each day that shoppers can order via Amazon’s mobile app and then collect by meeting the truck at a designated pickup location. After Amazon opened a bookstore in the University District last November, and with plans to open more, the Treasure Truck is just the latest example of Amazon experimenting with physical retailing. Last year, Amazon also filed a patent application for a store where shoppers wouldn’t have to stop at check-out counters. If you want to purchase what the Treasure Truck is selling, you’ve got to be quick. The first item to be sold was a GoPro Hero4 Black video camera, and it had apparently sold out about an hour after it was first announced. If you want to be included in the Treasure Truck deals you can sign up for alerts in the Amazon app.

The King County Council is considering expanding the water taxi service. Discussions began on Monday about three potential routes that include Kirkland to the University of Washington, Kenmore to the University of Washington and Shilshole Bay Marina in Ballard to Pier 50 in downtown Seattle. KING 5 reported that other routes were also discussed but didn’t seem feasible because of cost and actual time-saving to potential customers. The council approved the Final Report on Ferry Expansion Options for Marine Division on Monday, which starts the conversation but does not actually act on expansion. There are many things that still need to be considered, like cost, before the expansion takes place. Adding infrastructure and machinery to identified ports would cost $23 million and Rod Dembowski, Chair of King County Council’s Transportation, Economy, and Environment Committee, said right now councilmembers are considering if expanding service would pay off for taxpayers and users. And although discussions have been initated, it will still be three years before and ferry service would be activated, if the council decides to approve expansion. 

A West Seattle dog will soon be showing off at the Westminster Dog Show in New York City. Liberty, a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, will compete in the master’s agility championship at the Westminster Kennel Club All-Breed Dog Show on February 15 and 16. Marcia Lyons, the owner of the dog nicknamed “Libby” told KING 5 that her dog will also be competing in the all-breed show in the big ring. “I don’t think there’s many dogs there that will be doing both, so she’s very much an all-around girl,” Lyons said.

The Seattle Hearing, Speech, and Deafness Center (HSDC) is the latest victim of a scam in which it lost nearly $10,000. According to The Seattle Times, the HSDC recieved an e-mail from a man In January that said he wanted to make a donation for $30,000. When a check arrived for $39,850 the HSDC refunded $9,850 to the scammers who had convinced them that the extra money was a mistake. Only after the money was reimburdsed did the HSDC discover that the check had been fake. Police worry the scammers could be targeting other local nonprofits, noting that nonprofit groups in both Washington and Oregon have been victims of similar scams. Investigators are asking anyone with information on the case, or other Seattle-area groups that have received similar offers to contact them at 206.684.8981.