West Seattle, Washington
26 Thursday
(WCN/WSB photo – center, WCCDA leaders past and present, Sili Savusa and Aaron Garcia)
On our partner site White Center Now, one of Saturday’s biggest stories – community leaders and elected officials gathering to celebrate the newly opened White Center HUB and adjacent Canopy Apartments, a mixed-use complex at 8th SW and SW 108th [map], now the new home of nonprofits including the White Center Community Development Association, which has long been working to bring the HUB to life. It’s also home to community resources from day care to a health clinic, plus an event venue. See our full story, including video, by going here.
(WSB photo, this morning)
On New Year’s Eve, we reported on the death of a beloved figure in the South Delridge/White Center community, Lee’s Produce owner Nam Suk Nasatka. Readers had noted the produce market has been closed at times in recent days and wondered about its status. We went over today and found it was open again; they tell us they’re going to do their best to keep it open, in her honor. Meantime, cards at the store have the time, date, and place for her Celebration of Life:
The 1-5 pm gathering on Sunday, February 1, is planned at The Cove in Normandy Park (1500 SW Shorebrook Drive). Ms. Nasatka had worked at Lee’s for more than 40 years, and after the first 10 years, became its owner. She was 75 years old.
(May WSB photo by Dave Gershgorn)
“Rink Rat Roller Derby” is the theme on Saturday when Southside Revolution Junior Roller Derby hosts Tacoma’s Tomorrowland Junior Roller Derby at Southgate Roller Rink in White Center. Before the two rounds featuring two teams each, you can watch a “derby demo” featuring Southside’s newest cadets and “some friends from SSR Resistance.” It’s a full evening of high-energy fun, with doors opening at 4:15 pm at 9676 17th SW, and the night wrapping up around 8 pm. Admission is $10 youth, $15 adults, and SSR’s announcement adds, “Bring extra cash to support our league by purchasing treats at the bake sale and SSR merchandise!” You can also buy tickets online in advance.
Today we’re welcoming our newest WSB sponsor, Wolfpack Cellars in the heart of White Center’s main business area. New sponsors get the chance to tell you about themselves – here’s the Wolfpack Cellars story!
Welcome to the Pack: A New Kind of Wine Experience in White Center
Wolfpack Cellars is a local family-run winery where pups abound and our mission is to bridge the gap between high-end winemaking and approachable community vibes. We want to welcome every visitor as a member of our family. We have been producing wines from our home in Burien since 2019 and recently opened our first tasting room at 9617-B 16th Ave SW on the main street of White Center — a space that rose from the ashes of the 2021 fire that impacted seven local businesses. We aren’t just a storefront; we are part of the neighborhood’s rebirth.
From the Columbia Valley to White Center
While our production “magic” happens in Burien, our White Center tasting room is designed as your neighborhood living room. We source our grapes from Washington’s most prestigious AVAs — to bring the best of the state right to your backyard. Wolfpack Cellars started off focusing on traditional French wines like Syrahs, Malbecs, and Cabernets. Over the last couple years, our members have been especially excited about our newer wines: Sangiovese, Nebbiolo, Nero d’Avola, sparkling rosés, and even orange Riesling!
Why You’ll Love the Pack
We know West Seattle Blog readers love their dogs and a great story. Here is what makes a visit to Wolfpack unique:
Warm & Welcoming to Everyone: In our cozy tasting room, we want to show how small batch wineries can greatly enhance the quality of wine. We welcome everyone from new wine lovers to advanced sommeliers with no pretentiousness.
Dog & Family Friendly: We don’t just “allow” pups and kids; we welcome them as part of the pack. We have various dog treats and even juices for the children to enjoy.
Generous Club Discounts: Being part of the pack gets you an almost-unheard of discount of 20%/25% off wine purchases. That’s not just bottle purchases, it includes glass pours and limited free tasting flights when you need to come in for a relaxing evening.
Who says you can’t choose your family? At Wolfpack Cellars, we believe the best “packs” are the ones we build ourselves. Born from a shared dream between a family of choice, our winery was founded on the idea that world-class Washington wine should be available and enjoyed by all. We chose the vibrant White Center community as our home because it reflects our own values: resilient, diverse, and always lively!
Visit Us Soon
Ready to join the pack? We are located just south of West Seattle in the heart of White Center. We’re open later than most wineries because the community of White Center is the place to be in the evening, so whether you’re looking for a cozy date spot or a place to catch up with friends, we have a seat waiting for you.
Location: 9617-B 16th Ave SW, Seattle WA 98166
Hours: Wednesdays & Thursdays (4-8 pm), Fridays (4-9 pm), Saturdays (2-9 pm), Sundays (2-7 pm)
We thank Wolfpack Cellars for choosing to advertise their business by sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news on WSB. Interested in joining our sponsor team in 2026? Please email WSBadvertising@wsbsales.com for information – thank you!
(Added: WCN/WSB photo by Torin Record-Sand)
After a reader tip about a massive King County Sheriff’s Office response at Evergreen High School in White Center, we checked with KCSO – they say they found guns on campus and detained people but no one’s been hurt. We’re updating this on our partner site White Center Now.
West Seattle is served by two food banks. Most of the peninsula is in the jurisdiction of the West Seattle Food Bank. But south West Seattle is in the jurisdiction of the White Center Food Bank. And as with WSFB, it’s faced with growing need. “While SNAP/food stamp benefits have been temporarily restored, uncertainty remains and the demand on our services continues to grow. We were stretched thin even before these shifts, and we are actively working to ensure we can continue meeting the evolving needs of our community,” writes WCFB’s Randy Nguyen in the food bank’s “end-of-year appeal,” which we were asked to share. They’re thankful for “incredible support, from hosted food drives to financial donations and volunteer hours, all of which have helped us keep our community fed,” but now is the time to step it up: “This season is a crucial time for nonprofits, and every gift helps us meet the growing needs of families, seniors, and individuals who rely on our services, while ensuring we can keep the community fed into the new year, when donations decline but demand remains steady.” Last year, WCFB distributed more than 1.6 million pounds of food, and this year’s total will be higher. They’re asking you, if you can, to make a tax-deductible gift before year’s end – just go here.
We’ve gotten some questions about King County Sheriff’s Deputies at 15th/Roxbury; we’ve been covering the situation on partner site White Center Now. One man was shot near the vacant ex-Bartell building, non-life-threatening injuries, no arrest nor even a detailed suspect description so far. Deputies closed 15th south of Roxbury for a while to investigate but were clearing the scene when our photographer was there.
(WSB/WCN photos)
South of SW Roxbury, 16th SW is closed in the heart of White Center for the season’s last round of business-district trick-or-treating.
Canopies prevail; treats will be available until about 7 pm, and local bars and restaurants have indoor activities planned too. The White Center Business Alliance organized this and is behind other memorable events too, like the third-Thursday Rat City Art and Food Walk. One lead WC instigator is Puffy Pandy proprietor Donna, who we photographed with son Ivan:
Even hardy pets were out:
In our video are the two King County Councilmembers in the running to move up to County Executive, Girmay Zahilay from Tukwila and Claudia Balducci from Bellevue. They introduced themselves and spent more than an hour answering questions during last night’s North Highline Unincorporated Area Council meeting in White Center. Topics included public safety, public health, and government accountability. The forum was cordial, without either candidate explicitly pointing out where they and their opponent differ. The County Executive job is on the ballot for the first time in 16 years, since Dow Constantine resigned to become Sound Transit CEO; Shannon Braddock (who, like Constantine, is a West Seattle resident) was appointed to succeed him but chose not to run for the permanent job. We recorded the forum while covering the NHUAC meeting for our partner site White Center Now, where you can also read our summary of what the candidates said. Voting starts in about two weeks; ballots will be mailed October 15 and dropboxes open the next day.
SIDE NOTE: Our report on WCN also covers what another meeting guest, King County Sheriff Patti Cole-Tindall, discussed, including her department’s staffing challenges.
The November election is less than a month and a half away, and voting starts even sooner. One of the biggest races you’ll be deciding is that for King County Executive. West Seattleite Shannon Braddock has been in the job since Dow Constantine resigned to become Sound Transit CEO, but she decided not to run for the permanent job. The candidates on your ballot are two King County Councilmembers – Claudia Balducci from the Eastside, Girmay Zahilay from South King County. You can see them side by side, and ask questions, during a campaign forum that will be part of the October meeting of the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council meeting, 7 pm Thursday (October 2) at the fire station in White Center, 1243 SW 112th. Also scheduled to appear at the NHUAC meeting, King County Sheriff Patti Cole-Tindall.
Need some inspiration? Check out more than 100 people joining forces to help local kids! Everywhere you turned at WestSide Baby‘s White Center warehouse/HQ this past Thursday night, volunteers of all ages gathered to “Sip and Sort.” They spent hours sorting donations – and none were more energized than the kids sorting “stuffies” to be distributed:
That young volunteer was impressed by the size of the stuffed shark. This one, even younger, was very adamant about sorting stuffies into age-appropriate piles – she was heard shouting “Baby safe! Baby safe!” multiple times.
Adult volunteers were busy too, readying dozens of car seats so they can be given to families to protect babies and toddlers:
One little-known fact about WestSide Baby that was spotlighted during Thursday night’s volunteer event: It doesn’t just serve babies. They serve older kids and even teenagers. That is at the heart of the current “Gear Up for Fall” campaign, although some Thursday sorters did deal with baby gear, like this huge box full of all types of bottles collected by Ridwell:
In addition to the 100+ volunteers giving WS Baby a boost on Thursday night, they got major support from King County too – a proclamation in honor of Diaper Need Week (which concludes tomorrow), and a $25,000 check, presented by County Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda and accepted by WS Baby’s executive director Allie Lindsay Johnson and development director Morgan McGinn before a short round of speaking:
WestSide Baby accepts donations from anyone – money and/or items – and diapers perennially top the need list. Or if you want to volunteer, at a one-time event like this or on an ongoing basis, here’s info on that.
As mentioned in our previous story, this weekend will bring a celebration of artists and their work during the West Seattle Art Tour. Every month brings a smaller opportunity to see local creativity during the West Seattle Art Walk, on second Thursdays. You might not know there’s also a monthly art walk in White Center – the Rat City Art and Food Walk, on third Thursdays. We explored it last night for partner site White Center Now, and you can see the story and photos here.
(WCFB photo when exterior mural was unveiled at new HQ in December 2023)
A milestone for the White Center Food Bank, which also serves southernmost West Seattle: WCFB says it’s paid off the construction loan for its less-than-two-year-old “forever home” and is ready to celebrate – here’s the announcement sent to us to share with you:
Join White Center Food Bank to celebrate the significant achievement of raising just over 10 million dollars to buy their property and turn a former tortilla factory into a beautiful, welcoming space of belonging for the White Center community. To celebrate paying off their construction loan and closing their capital campaign, all are invited to the food bank on October 2nd from 4-6pm for food, drinks and community.
The Capital Campaign to Keep the Community Fed to build White Center Food Bank’s new facility in the heart of downtown White Center publicly launched in September 2022. Almost exactly three years later, the organization is debt free and can focus 100% of their future fundraising efforts on keeping the community fed.
This is especially significant in the wake of cuts to safety net programs and rising costs across all sectors, while White Center Food Bank continues to see a dramatic increase in need. This new facility not only supports people looking for food resources, it provides a dignified, beautiful space built for the community. Also, after being displaced multiple times in their history, they now have a permanent home they own and utilize, not just as a food bank, but also a community gathering space. The White Center Food Bank finally has their ‘forever home’ and the staff, board, volunteers and customers look forward to celebrating this wonderful news on October 2nd, together with the community that supports them.
Please RSVP here: forms.gle/hvdeJrYvCP7N4uzq6
That of course does not mean the WCFB won’t be fundraising for its ongoing work; in fact, it has a major fundraiser ahead on October 10.
(Added: WSB/WCN photo)
9:42 PM: Thanks for all the tips about Guardian One over north White Center. We’re catching up on what King County Sheriff’s Office dispatched as a stabbing and robbery, apparently at or near a bus stop on the White Center side of 15th and Roxbury. More info to come.
9:53 PM: The person who was stabbed has been taken to Harborview Medical Center.
10:06 PM: Deputies have one possible suspect detained; meantime, they’re clearing the original scene.
ADDED FRIDAY AFTERNOON: We checked with KCSO, and they add, “Upon canvassing the area, one deputy located a group of men; he identified one matching the description of one of the suspects; he was taken into custody and then it was discovered there was a felony for his arrest from the DOC for escaped community custody. The deputy found scissors and a box cutter on him.” The investigation continues; if you have any information, you can refer to KCSO case C25027702.”
Those are photos of Miguel R. Rivera Dominguez, 17 years old when he shot a man dead aboard a Metro bus in White Center in October 2023 without saying a word. We first published the photos when he was charged with premeditated first-degree murder weeks after killing 21-year-old Marcell D. Wagner aboard a West Seattle-bound bus that was stopped at 15th/Roxbury.
(WSB photo, October 3)
Two months ago, Rivera Dominguez pleaded guilty as charged, and this afternoon he was sentenced. According to court documents, the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office requested a sentence of 21 years in prison; Superior Court Judge Brian McDonald sentenced him to 23 years and four months, after an hour-long hearing, attended by family members of both the victim and the defendant. Case document indicate the sentence is at the midpoint of the state’s standard sentencing range for someone with no record, 20 years to just under 27 years. He’ll get credit for the nearly two years he’s already been in custody, and he will be on probation for three years when he gets out.
1 PM: As reported here yesterday, the new Wendy’s in White Center was expected to open today. And a texter reports it’s indeed open, saying they’ve got “Frosties in hand.” If you missed earlier coverage, it’s at 16th SW/SW 102nd.
3:05 PM: We finally got someone over to verify and grab a couple photos:
No permanent signage outside so far but lots of banners and balloons. Here’s what the franchisee’s spokesperson told us last week the hours would be, once they opened:
Pick-Up Window:
Sunday–Thursday: 6:30 AM – 1:00 AM
Friday & Saturday: 6:30 AM – 2:00 AM
Dining Room: 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM (All days)
(WSB/WCN photo, last week)
Just in from a spokesperson for the Wendy’s franchisee that’s about to open a White Center restaurant in the ex-KFC/A&W at 16th/102nd:
Opening Delay: The restaurant will not open this coming Friday due to final preparations.
New Target Opening: Aiming for Labor Day.
Exterior Work: Pennants will be installed Thursday, and most outside work will be completed—may appear as if it’s already open.
(Added: WSB/WCN photo, today)
As we first reported in June, the former KFC/A&W at 16th/102nd in White Center is becoming a Wendy’s. A spokesperson for the franchisee just sent word of the opening date. From the announcement:
The new Wendy’s location, situated on the corner of 16th Avenue and SW 102nd Street, is scheduled to open on Friday, August 29, bringing Wendy’s signature “Fresh, Famous Food” to even more guests in the community.
The new restaurant is designed with the modern customer in mind, featuring:
-Digital ordering kiosks
-Dedicated mobile and delivery pick-up points
=An enhanced pick-up window experience …In addition to serving great food, Wendy’s proudly supports the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption®, which works to dramatically increase the number of adoptions of children waiting in North America’s foster -care system.
Dave Thomas was the founder of Wendy’s, which started in 1969. The franchisee that will operate the White Center restaurant, WTC Ventures, has more than 90 other Wendy’s, including the one in Burien.
Late summer is busy for road crews, trying to get work done before fall arrives. We’ve been including reminders in our daily traffic etc. roundups about White Center road work toward the end of this week. There’s more, according to this alert today from King County Road Services:
Overnight Lane Restrictions:
SW Roxbury St between 26th Ave SW & 15th Ave SW and 15th/16th Ave from Roxbury to SW 110th St
8/13 – White Center
Crews will reduce traffic to a single lane throughout the project limits on SW Roxbury St between 26th Ave SW and 15th Ave SW and on 15th/16th Ave from Roxbury to SW 110th St for crosswalk striping.
Work will take place overnight on Wed. Aug. 13, from 8 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. on Thurs. Aug. 14. Striping is a moving operation – flaggers will direct traffic. Expect delays.
This is related to the ongoing curb-ramp work that county crews have been doing in the same area.
Congratulations to the DubSea Fish Sticks for their first-ever Pacific International League championship! We knew Saturday night’s game at Steve Cox Memorial Park in White Center, vs. the Gumberoos, was sold out, but we didn’t realize a title was on the line until we heard about it from WSB contributor Jason Grotelueschen – attending the game as a fan. He sent the video above and the photos below:
The Fish Sticks won 18-1. This was their last home game of the year; their season wraps with a Monday night road game. (The PIL season ends this early because the players have to get back to their respective colleges.) This is the fourth season since team owner Justin Moser rebranded the former Highline Bears and put the Fish Sticks on a course to provide entertainment as well as baseball.
(Photos courtesy Quail Park West Seattle)
That’s Tommy Criswell with the DubSea Fish Sticks‘ mascot Fin Crispy Jr. at Steve Cox Memorial Park‘s Mel Olson Stadium this past Sunday. He got to make a baseball dream come true,explains Betsy Henry from Quail Park West Seattle (WSB sponsor):
A dream 70+ years in the making came true for 78-year-old Tommy Criswell, a longtime Seattle resident and lifelong baseball fan as he threw the ceremonial “first fish” at the DubSea Fish Sticks game against the Redmond Dudes on July 27th.
Criswell, who lives at Quail Park West Seattle, checked off a major item on his bucket list when he took the mound at Mel Olson Stadium in King County’s Steve Cox Memorial Park at the start of Sunday’s game.
Born in Texas but a proud Seattleite for most of his life, Criswell discovered his love for baseball at age six when his father signed him up for Little League. That early passion followed him through decades, even as he built a 30+ year career as a physicist with Boeing.
Criswell is also a devoted Mariners fan—his favorite player of all time? Ken Griffey Jr. “I loved how he’d leap into the air to catch the ball—like Spider-Man!” he says, referencing the iconic outfield catch that earned Griffey the superhero nickname in his mind.
Now, more than 20 years after attending his last Mariners game in person (a victory over the Dodgers), Criswell re-lived the magic of the ballpark in a way he never expected—on the pitcher’s mound. Criswell said it was a thrill to throw the first “fish.” When asked what he thought about the experience, he said with his characteristic sense of humor, “that was a slippery fish!”
Just published on our partner site White Center Now, an update from today’s court hearing for the 23-year-old man arrested in the double shooting early Sunday that killed one man and injured another, including details from the court-document narrative. Read the update here. The suspect’s bail is set at $2 million; a charging decision is expected by Wednesday.
As noted in our calendar and event list on Saturday, the Eazy Duz It Car Club‘s show “Chrome and Community,” with dozens of cars from around the region, lined 16th SW – closed to through traffic – in downtown White Center for much of the day. We sent Dave Gershgorn to photograph some of the cars and people, and you can see the gallery on our partner site White Center Now.
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