West Seattle, Washington
11 Sunday
District 3 City Councilmember Joy Hollingsworth is making history as the first Black woman to serve as the council’s president. She won a unanimous vote at the council meeting that just wrapped up, succeeding Sara Nelson, who lost her reelection bid in November. Hollingsworth is midway through her first term on the council, representing a district that includes the Central District, Capitol Hill, First Hill, Eastlake, Montlake, Madison Park, Madison Valley, Portage Bay, Leschi, and Madrona. Also at the meeting, the new citywide councilmember who defeated Nelson in November, Dionne Foster, was sworn in, with her son administering the oath:
The council’s other citywide rep, Alexis Mercedes Rinck – elected to her first full four-year term – was sworn in this afternoon too.
One other council note – as first reported by Publicola, two members of District 1 Councilmember Rob Saka‘s staff have departed, and Saka has replaced one with a man who once ran for the council job. Saka chief of staff Elaine Ikoma Ko confirms to WSB that Saka staffers Ian Griswold – “to return back to school for his Ph.D.” – and Logan Duling – “desiring a full-time position and found one with the City of Redmond closer to his home” – have left. She also confirms that Saka’s new policy adviser is Brendan Kolding, the former Seattle Police lieutenant who finished third in the primary for the District 1 seat in 2019 (and ran for State Legislature in 2016). Saka’s district director Erik Schmidt is still on staff, and Ikoma Ko says, “We are recruiting for a new (legislative assistant).”
At several community meetings during the year, we reported on Seattle Police reps sharing ongoing stats, including noting that the year’s murder rate in the Southwest Precinct remained at zero. While working on a forthcoming followup checking on some of last year’s notable court cases, we realized that the year had ended with that number still at zero, according to the SPD data dashboard and WSB archives. Per the data dashboard, SPD investigated 31 homicides in 2025 (down from 53 a year earlier) – 11 in the North Precinct, 8 in the South Precinct, 7 in the West Precinct, 5 in the East Precinct, and 0 in the Southwest Precinct (West Seattle and South Park). This is particularly notable because the previous years were higher than usual in West Seattle – we noted 7 in 2024, 6 in 2023.
That’s a Seattle Public Schools-provided aerial view of the west and south sides of the new Alki Elementary School (3010 59th SW), months away from completion, set to open this fall for the 2026-2027 school year. (You can see a current view of the front – north-facing side – of the school via this webcam.) One of the major elements of work right now involves rebuilding the road surface of 59th; the latest update from the project team says, “The western half will be demolished and replaced by mid-January.” Closures are continuing during daytime work hours, but the street is reopening after-hours as work permits. Other updates:
During the last month we have completed the following work: gypsum concrete floor topping, installation of the ceiling grid, rough-in of the mechanical systems, masonry, exterior glazing, and mechanical penthouse metal panel installation.
The team is beginning or progressing on the following work: 59th Avenue repaving, interior lighting, interior cabinet installation, finish carpentry, acoustical treatments and tile installation.
Our next steps include: completing the interior finishes (paint and flooring) on the Community Center, completing the bioretention facilities and permanent power connection.
Alki Elementary staff and students are in their third year at the former Schmitz Park Elementary campus. The school currently has 266 students enrolled, according to the newest district update, slightly more than half the capacity of the new building. The district’s Open Enrollment for School Choice period is now under way.
(Alki photo by Thomas Bach)
Today’s daily event notes/reminders, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, including some recurring events resuming post-holidays (changes? cancellations? text us at 206-293-6302 if it’s today/tonight, email westseattleblog@gmail.com for dates beyond) and more:
FAUNTLEROY CHURCH FESTIVAL OF TREES: Third-to-last chance to visit the church Fellowship Hall (9140 California SW) before noon to see the themed trees and place food donations beneath your favorite(s) to “vote” for them.
FREE PLAYSPACE: Indoor play at West Seattle Church of the Nazarene is back open, 9-noon -just drop in! (42nd SW and SW Juneau)
KALEIDOSCOPE PLAY & LEARN: Also resuming today, 10-11:30 am free playgroup for kids 0-5 and their caregivers, at Bridge School Cooperative Elementary (10300 28th SW).
POSTCARDS4DEMOCRACY: First gathering of the new year. New postcard-writers as well as returnees are welcome at this weekly advocacy gathering, 10:30 am-noon at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor). Sign up here before you go, if this is your first time.
ROTARY CLUB OF WEST SEATTLE: Noon Tuesdays, lunch meetings at West Seattle Golf Course (4470 35th SW).
CHESS CLUB: Also resuming – all levels welcome to play! 1:30-3 pm, at the Center for Active Living (4217 SW Oregon). Questions? Email conwell@conwelld.net.
CITY COUNCIL CHOOSES NEW PRESIDENT: At 2 pm, the council is also back in session after winter break, and the biggest agenda item is voting for a new president. The agenda explains how to attend, watch, and/or participate in public comment.
J-6 EDITION OF “MONDAYS WITH MARJORIE”: West Seattle Indivisible adds an extra support event for/with 35th/Edmunds daily protester Marjorie, in commemoration of J-6, as explained here.
DROP-IN HOMEWORK HELP: Resuming this week at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond) – volunteers available to help K-12 students.
ASTRA LUMINA: Now on Friday/Saturday/Sunday schedule through month’s end.
DROP-IN WINE TASTING: 5-8 pm Tuesdays at Walter’s Wine Shop (4811 California SW) – $15 fee, $5 off with bottle purchases.
DEMONSTRATION FOR BLACK LIVES: Long-running weekly sign-waving demonstration on the corners at 16th/Holden. 5-6 pm. Signs available if you don’t bring your own.
WEST SEATTLE PRESCHOOL FAIR: As previewed here (with the participant list), prospective families can meet reps from a dozen local preschools, all in one place, plus two enrichment organizations, 5:30-7 pm at Hope School Gym (4100 SW Genesee).
TRACK RUN WITH WEST SEATTLE RUNNER: Meet up by 6:15 pm at West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) for WSR’s free weekly track run.
GOT FIT INFO NIGHT: Also at West Seattle Runner tonight, 6:30 pm, find out about this season’s free GOT FIT marathon training, which starts soon.
SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCING: Lessons continue, 7 pm at Fauntleroy Church (9140 California SW), details in our calendar listing.
WOMEN’S MEDITATION CIRCLE: Weekly small-group event at Mama Be Well Healing Studio (4034-A California SW), 7 pm. Our calendar listing has info on registering before you go.
BINGO: Play free Tuesday night Belle of the Balls Bingo at The Skylark, 7 pm. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
TRIVIA X 5: Five locations for trivia on Tuesday nights – The Beer Junction (4711 California SW), Sporcle Pub Quiz with David at 7 and 8 pm … 7 pm at Ounces (3803 Delridge Way SW), free and hosted by Beat the Geek Trivia; 7 pm at Zeeks Pizza West Seattle (6459 California SW), hosted by Geeks Who Drink; 7 pm at Admiral Pub, free, prizes. (2306 California SW) … Trivia at Christos on Alki (2508 Alki SW), 7:15 pm.
If you are organizing an event, class, performance, gathering, etc., tell your West Seattle neighbors via our event calendar – just email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Before we get to the event list for today/tonight, here’s a quick preview of a resource event on Saturday. It’s happening at Highland Park Elementary (1012 SW Trenton) but open to everyone regardless of whether you’re affiliated with the school community. The 10 am-2 pm event will feature navigation for services from school enrollment to health insurance, plus a grocery giveaway while supplies last, health services including immunizations, and more, Here’s the flyer with more info, which also includes the number to call to make an appointment for two of the health services that will require them (mammograms and dental screenings).
9:33 AM: Texter reported a problem at East Marginal/Diagonal with spillover effects on the bridge, and now we know it’s a water-main break, with NB East Marginak lanes closed between Hudson and Diagonal, as well as a closure of S. Alaska.
7:30 AM: Texter reports Fauntleroy/Avalon signal is out.
Earlier:
6:01 AM: Good morning! It’s Tuesday, January 6, 2026.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET
The forecast predicts rainy, breezy weather today, high in the mid-40s. Sunrise will be at 7:56 am; sunset at 4:34 pm. (First day the sunrise has started getting earlier!)
(Monday sunset, photographed by Bob Burns)
TRANSIT TODAY
West Seattle Water Taxi – Regular West Seattle service, fall/winter schedule.
Washington State Ferries – The Triangle Route remains on a two-boat schedule for at least another week, but a third “bonus boat” is expected to be added starting tomorrow, according to WSF’s alerts page:
The Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth route will stay on the two-boat schedule for at least one more week, through Jan. 12.
Tuesday, Jan. 6: The Kittitas will replace the Sealth and run as the #1 vessel. The Cathlamet will run as the #2 vessel.
Wednesday, Jan. 7: The Salish will start as the third, unscheduled vessel on the route.
After the Kittitas returns, we’ll still have the Tacoma and the Walla Walla unexpectedly out of service due to urgent repairs. We will reevaluate service plans and vessel assignments when the Tacoma returns to service the week of Jan. 12.
Metro buses – Regular weekday schedule and routes today.
SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS
High Bridge – Here’s the main camera, followed by the Fauntleroy-end camera:
Low Bridge – Here’s the westward view. Also note, maritime-opening info is available via X (ex-Twitter):
1st Avenue South Bridge:
Delridge cameras: In addition to the one below (Delridge/Genesee), cameras are also at Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Henderson, Delridge/Oregon, and video-only (so you have to go to the map), Delridge/Holden and Delridge/Thistle.
MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: All functioning traffic cams citywide are here (including links to live video for most); for a quick scan of West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras, see this WSB page.
See a problem on the bridges/streets/paths/water? Please text or call our hotline (when you can do it safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities if they’re not already on scene) – 206-293-6302. Thank you!
We’ve reported before on the library-building work done by West Seattleite Alina Guyon and her nonprofit Libraries For All – from projects far (like this one in India) to projects near (like this one for Mary’s Place). Now she wants to let you know how West Seattle businesses helped her with a project in north-central Washington;
A new library was recently built through the nonprofit Libraries for All, and one of the best parts of the project was getting to do it by shopping local. While the library itself is located in the Methow Valley at Room One’s Teen Center for at-risk youth, the heart of the project came together right here in West Seattle, thanks to a few incredible small businesses.
Pegasus Book Exchange helped thoughtfully curate a book collection tailored specifically to teens, making sure the shelves were filled with engaging, age-appropriate titles young people would actually be excited to read.
Terraplanted helped select plants that would thrive indoors with minimal maintenance and no direct sunlight, bringing warmth and life into the space.
The Missing Piece rounded out the library by helping choose board and card games perfectly suited for a teen audience—encouraging connection, creativity, and fun. This library came together smoothly because of the knowledge, care, and generosity of these local businesses, and it’s a great reminder of how far community support can reach when we choose to shop local.
You can learn more about this project at libraries4all.com.
Alina’s work dates back almost a decade to her Girl Scout days!
When Thunder Road Guitars (WSB sponsor) proprietor Frank Gross announced on New Year’s Day that his store (and “roommate” The Bass Shop) will move to the Admiral District, he noted that TRG’s current space already has a new tenant lined up, NW Fitness Project. We’d actually reported six months earlier on NWFP’s tentative plan to take over a different West Seattle space. That didn’t work out but they’re thrilled about moving to Morgan Junction, and have provided more info:
(NW Fitness Project photo: L-R, co-owners Matthew Holland, Alec Bulat, Jeremy Stewart, Norah Davis, Kyle Davis)
The “small-group fitness studio” was founded in Fremont eight years ago and is adding three new owners as it expands. Their lease for the TRG space at 6400 California SW starts May 1st, and they hope to open in June. TRG’s Gross will continue to own the building he’s leaving, and NW Fitness Project co-owner Kyle Davis says, “Having fellow small business owners as our landlords for this first expansion feels exactly right.” He adds, “We’re not expanding because we can – we’re expanding because our community has grown organically into West Seattle. Many of our long-term members have moved to the area, and we have [ownership] team members like Jeremy Stewart who live there. This isn’t about aggressive growth; it’s about following our people.” Stewart, Alec Bulat, and Norah Davis are the new owners that NW Fitness Project is promoting from within. Stewart, who will also be West Seattle’s general manager, says, “We’re proving you can create meaningful career paths for trainers while building something that lasts for clients.” In the months ahead, they invite interested community members to visit the Fremont location for trial classes – “small group” meaning 10 people maximum – and/or connect with the proprietors via norah@nwfitnessproject.com.
Last week we reported on damage to the outdoor mailboxes at both West Seattle Post Offices – The Junction here, Westwood Village here. At week’s end we sent followup inquiries to the USPS’s regional media liaison Janella Herron, who replied today. She wouldn’t comment on whether either or both of the incidents involved theft or just vandalism, saying only that “Damage to both boxes (was) outside of retail hours.” She said the incidents had been referred to the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. As for a timeline for replacement or repair, “Repair or replacement of these out-of-service collection boxes is based on availability of replacement parts / products and I am unable to provide a timeline.” The Junction box has since been removed, but the Westwood box was still in place when we went by this afternoon and may even be in service, as it was no longer taped closed nor marked with the OUT OF SERVICE sign that had been placed on it by Friday afternoon (photo above).
Two business burglaries to report – one today that we have confirmed with the business owner, one late Thursday that we confirmed today by obtaining the police narrative:
MEEPLES GAMES: The photos were sent by Meeples proprietor Laura Schneider after we contacted her to ask about this morning’s burglary.
She told WSB:
Two people, black Ram truck with a broken headlight.
It happened at 2:00 am. They broke the glass on the door. The big things they got were Magic Commander decks and Warhammer models. We lock up the valuable stuff at night.
No one was hurt, we cleaned up the glass, and we’re all boarded up now, so forward we go.
If you have any information, the SPD incident number is 26-003730.
CLINIC BURGLARY, 1 ARRESTED: Just before midnight on New Year’s Day (Thursday night), police responded to the Virginia Mason Franciscan Health clinic on the north side of Westwood Village after getting word that it had been broken into and the burglar was believed to still be inside. They arrested a 29-year-old man who is still in jail in lieu of $30,000 bail. The police-report narrative says he broke in, tore the alarm system out of the wall, then ransacked desks and cabinets. Once officers went in – after loudspeaker warnings that he was under arrest – they found him hiding in a closet. The report also says:
(The suspect) had numerous items on his person and in a bag adjacent to him. Those items included a XXXX ID card and XXXX, numerous credit/debit cards belonging to other persons, mail items belonging to other persons, hundreds of Pokemon cards, and other miscellaneous items.
School’s back in session and the end-of-semester looms. The West Seattle YMCA (WSB sponsor) has an offer for teens looking for somewhere to study:
Free Study Café for all High School Students
Join us for a free study café at the West Seattle YMCA this Sunday, January 11th, from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM!
– Get prepared for finals week with a dedicated space to study with friends
– Volunteer tutors on hand to offer assistance
– Coffee, Energy Drinks, Snacks, and Raffle Prizes will be provided by the YMCA
– Free to all students
The Y is at 36th SW and SW Snoqualmie in the West Seattle Triangle.
(Added: Reader photo)
10:59 AM: Thanks for the tips. Emergency responders are on the scene of a flipped-car crash on the eastbound West Seattle Bridge. The EB bridge is down to one lane in the area. Updates to come.
11:07 AM: A second vehicle was involved, according to police’s call for two tow trucks plus this photo sent by a bus rider, who says:
A rollover crash right in front of my H-line bus on the West Seattle bridge (eastbound) … The bus driver stopped and helped the driver of the upside-down car get out.
11:11 AM: SFD is leaving, which clears the scene on the bridge traffic camera enough to see where this happened:
11:36 AM: Tow trucks and SDOT cleanup crews are there now. Police told dispatch two lanes are open at the scene. No indication that anyone was seriously hurt, but we’re following up with SFD.
12:04 PM: Still blocking the two inside lanes.
12:19 PM: The scene is now clear and all lanes are open. SFD tells us they treated one person, an 84-year-old woman, who was in stable condition and declined to be transported to a hospital. (We don’t know whether she was a driver or passenger, just that she was the only person SFD needed to check out.)
(Hummingbird silhouetted at sunrise – photo by Jerry Simmons)
Here’s what’s up for today/tonight, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
BUNNIES! As reported a bit earlier this morning, the Special Bunny pop-up with adoptable bunnies and fundraising calendars continues until at least 11 am at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor).
FAUNTLEROY FESTIVAL OF TREES: Need one last bit of Christmas before saying so long to the season? The Fauntleroy Church Festival of Trees is open for one of the final sessions of public drop-in viewing, 9 am-noon daily through this Thursday. You can vote for your favorite(s) by bringing nonperishable food-bank donation(s) to stack beneath it/them! (9140 California SW)
BABY STORY TIME AT SW LIBRARY: At noon, Southwest Library hosts Baby Story Time. (9010 35th SW)
ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION & FARMER BENEFIT: Driftwood (2722 Alki SW) celebrates its third anniversary with a ticketed open-house event featuring a raffle to help flood-stricken farmers in the region – details and ticket/raffle links in our calendar listing.
HOMEWORK HELP AT HIGH POINT LIBRARY: 4-5:45 pm, free drop-in help with volunteers is available to students. (3411 SW Raymond)
BEFORE THE BADGE: Online community dialogues with SPD recruits – 5:30-7:30 pm – registration info is in our calendar listing.
D&D: Long-running weekly D&D at 6:30 pm at Meeples Games (3727 California SW). All welcome, first-time players too!
‘LISTENING TO GRIEF’ SUPPORT GROUP: 6:30 pm, ongoing weekly group gathering for people experiencing grief – participate once, weekly, or occasionally. Fee; RSVP here. (4034 California SW)
MONDAY NIGHT TRIVIA X 3: Three venues for trivia/quiz tonight! 7 pm at The Good Society (California/Lander) … 7 and 8 pm Sporcle Pub Quiz at Three 9 Lounge (4505 39th SW), 21+ … 7:30 pm with QuizFix at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW).
ALKI MEDITATION: Monday night meditation at Alki UCC is back this week, doors open at 6:45, meditation at 7. (6115 SW Hinds)
POOL TOURNAMENT: Pool players are invited to enter The Corner Pocket‘s weekly tournament starting at 7 pm. $10 buy-in. (4302 SW Alaska)
FAUNTLEROY MEDITATION: Free weekly Zen sitting/meditation in the chapel at Fauntleroy UCC (9140 California SW), 7 pm-8:30 pm.
JAZZ AT THE ALLEY: Monday night music with The Westside Jazz Trio, 8 pm at The Alley (behind 4509 California SW), 21+, no cover.
MONDAY KARAOKE 9 pm Mondays, sing karaoke at Talarico’s Pizzeria (4718 California SW).
Thanks as always to everybody who sends info for our calendar and Holiday Guide; if you have something to add or cancel (or otherwise update), please send the info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
That’s Jenna with Dino, one of three rescue rabbits she brought to Special Bunny‘s pop-up in a covered spot on the C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor) back patio this morning. Also there are two other adoptable bunnies, Pebbles and Bamm-Bamm, who had a young visitor when we stopped by:
The main purpose of Jenna, Dino, Pebbles, and Bamm-Bamm’s visit is to sell calendars raising money for Special Bunny’s rescue work. They’ll be there until at least 11 am.
Thanks to Mark Erskine for the photos! This is what Lincoln Park‘s shore looked like at high tide shortly after 7 am, at 13.0 feet the highest predicted high tide of the year (along with next December 26).
The actual water level was a bit higher than predicted, according to this NOAA chart, but nothing calamitous. Tomorrow’s predicted high tide is almost as high as today’s – 12.9 feet at 7:43 am.
strong>6:00 AM: Good morning! It’s Monday, January 5, 2026, back to school and back to the post-holiday routines.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET
The forecast predicts sunshine today, high in the mid-40s. Sunrise will be at 7:57 am; sunset at 4:32 pm. (Last day before the sunrise starts getting earlier!)
(Sunday sunset at Constellation Park, photographed by Susan Romanenghi)
TRANSIT TODAY
West Seattle Water Taxi – Regular West Seattle service, fall/winter schedule.
Washington State Ferries – The Triangle Route is on a two-boat schedule until at least tomorrow. Check WSF’s alerts page for any last-minute changes.
Metro buses – Regular weekday schedule and routes today.
SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS
High Bridge – Here’s the main camera, followed by the Fauntleroy-end camera:
Low Bridge – Here’s the westward view. Also note, maritime-opening info is available via X (ex-Twitter):
1st Avenue South Bridge:
Delridge cameras: In addition to the one below (Delridge/Genesee), cameras are also at Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Henderson, Delridge/Oregon, and video-only (so you have to go to the map), Delridge/Holden and Delridge/Thistle.
MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: All functioning traffic cams citywide are here (including links to live video for most); for a quick scan of West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras, see this WSB page.
See a problem on the bridges/streets/paths/water? Please text or call our hotline (when you can do it safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities if they’re not already on scene) – 206-293-6302. Thank you!
This morning’s predicted high tide is 13.0 feet – tying next December 26 for the highest predicted high tide of the year. This one’s likely to be higher than predicted due to atmospheric conditions – the red line on this graph tracks it. High tide arrives at 7:08 am; a Coastal Flood Advisory alert is in effect 4 am to 9 am, but no major problems are expected.
Thanks to the texter who sent that dashcam video along with an alert about the lane closure it shows, at “the curve” that’s been the location of more than a few crashes, toward the southwest end of the westbound West Seattle Bridge. We’re not finding an official traffic alert about it, but given the presence of at least one Seattle City Light truck, it could be work related to the crash the other night that brought down a pole at the pullout (we’ll check with SCL in the morning). In the meantime, if you’ll be headed that way, or know someone who will, caution is advised.
As the holiday season ends, a new week begins, and one of the biggest events this week will be 2026’s first West Seattle Art Walk. The second Thursday is as early as it can get this month – on the 8th – so set your calendar for this Thursday as a special night to get out and enjoy the work of local artists. A preview with this quarter’s map/list and Thursday highlights should appear early in the week on the West Seattle Art Walk website. As usual, neighborhood organizations are supporting clusters of venues in Alki, Admiral, The Junction, and Morgan Junction; places with artist receptions usually start them at 5 pm. No Art of Music performances this month; that feature is on hiatus until later in the year.
(Photos courtesy Kersti Muul)
5:08 PM SUNDAY: Bald Eagles are not an uncommon sight in West Seattle. But what two eagles did this afternoon at Lincoln Park was unusual enough to get extra attention from bystanders – and ultimately wildlife experts. We heard from callers/texters shortly after 1 pm, saying two eagles were “stuck together” on the ground after some sort of airborne confrontation. Onlookers were worried the eagles would not be able to untangle themselves from each other; it appeared that one had its talons in the other’s eye. The people we heard from were trying to contact everyone they could think of who might be able to help. Those who responded included Kersti Muul (who’s been involved with other eagle interventions), as well as officers from state wildlife and local animal control.
The eagles did manage to untangle themselves. Kersti says one was taken to the PAWS rehab center north of Seattle. In general, she says, watching for a while to see if birds can get themselves out of a predicament is prudent – but on the other hand, she notes, “Also being a public park, intervention may have been a good course of action. She suspects what happened was a “territorial dispute,” having noticed a prospective “interloper” in recent days in Gatewood, uphill from the park.
4:06 PM: Kersti told us today that the injured eagle definitely wasn’t one of Lincoln Park’s “resident pair” – she got word they were seen “intact on their usual perch.” Meantime, we hadn’t followed up with the state Department of Fish and Wildlife but received a statement from them about all this – here’s what WDFW spokesperson Chase Gunnell sent, in its entirety:
We saw your article and wanted to make sure you had the following information:
At approximately 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) Police received a report of two bald eagles fighting in Lincoln Park in Seattle. One eagle was reported to be injured. Members of the public were attempting to capture the eagle. While a Fish and Wildlife Officer was enroute, a call was received that the injured eagle had been successfully placed in a crate, and a member of public could take the eagle to a local rehabilitation location. The Officer advised the individual to transport the animal to PAWS Wildlife Center and confirmed that the animal had been received by PAWS.
WDFW wildlife biologists believe the eagles were fighting due to a territorial dispute. While dramatic for onlookers, this behavior is fairly common this time of year with the onset of bald eagle mating season (typically late-fall through spring), when bald eagles stake out territories before building nests and laying eggs later in winter through early-spring.
How to report injured eagles
If people encounter an injured bald eagle, please report it to WDFW using the form on our website at https://wdfw.wa.gov/get-involved/report-observations, or by calling 360-902-2936 or emailing WILDCOMM@dfw.wa.gov.
The public can also submit a report to USFWS’ Washington state office or to a local permitted wildlife rehabilitator.
WDFW coordinates closely with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on bald eagles given the federally protected status of this species. Background information on bald eagle management is available on this webpage.
Please do not handle injured wildlife, including eagles
It is natural for people to want to help when they find wildlife in distress, especially in highly visible locations. However, intervening without the proper knowledge, tools, and protective equipment can be dangerous for the animal and for yourself.
The only time you should consider intervening in a wild animal’s life is if it is clearly sick or injured, or if you are certain the parent of a juvenile animal is dead. In those cases, always consult with a permitted wildlife rehabilitator or WDFW before touching or moving an animal for your safety and to avoid unnecessary handling. The wildlife rehabilitator will advise you on next steps.
It is illegal for anyone in Washington without a permit to hold or attempt to care for wildlife. Attempting to care for wildlife without the appropriate skills and experience can make the situation worse. Eagles – and many other birds – are further protected under additional state and federal laws. Handling wildlife without proper personal protective equipment increases the risk of spreading diseases including Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI).
For more information on what to do if you find sick or injured wildlife, visit the WDFW wildlife rehabilitation webpage. You can also find a permitted wildlife rehabilitator near you on WDFW’s website.
If you cannot find a permitted wildlife rehabilitator with the capacity or ability to take in the sick or injured wildlife you found, you may also contact a licensed veterinarian to see if they can help.
More information on wildlife rehabilitators is available in this WDFW blog post.
Thanks to Chris Frankovich for the photo and ID on that Military Sealift Command ship seen passing west-facing West Seattle shores just before the rain moved back in. The USNS Watkins was Tacoma-bound; it’s a 950-foot-long cargo ship, with roll-on/roll-off capabilities, but scheduled to be taken out of its current service later this year, according to this report. Tacoma has been home for years to some similar reserve ships.
Checking the Washington State Ferries alert page to see if there’s been any change in the projection that Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth will be down to two boats until at least Tuesday, we see the system now has three boats out of service on Seattle (including West Seattle) routes: Seattle-Bainbridge is down to one boat because 28-year-old M/V Tacoma broke down; Seattle-Bremerton was already down to one boat because 52-year-old M/V Walla Walla is out of service; and Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth remains down to two boats because 46-year-old M/V Kittitas needs repairs. So if you’re planning to go just about anywhere via WSF any time soon, be aware they’re running on a much-reduced fleet right now – already below the number of vessels considered the desired baseline (currently 14 are in service per the real-time map). The alert page has links to the alternative schedules currently in use.
A month ago, we noted the passing of Darby Bukowski-Byam and community support for her newborn son and husband. Now her Celebration of Life is set, and her family has sent that announcement along with her full remembrance:
Darby Mitchell Bukowski-Byam
October 15, 1991 – November 22, 2025Darby Mitchell Bukowski-Byam, our beloved daughter, sister, wife, mother, and friend, passed away on Saturday, November 22, during childbirth in Seattle. She was 34 years old. Her beautiful baby boy Wyatt is stable and now at home in West Seattle with Darby’s husband Jackson.
Darby grew up in Northern California in the town of Boulder Creek with her parents Denise and Deryk, together with her sister Tiffany and brother Josh. She attended San Lorenzo Valley High School, where she excelled in athletics – tennis, golf, soccer, and softball. Darby graduated with academic honors while being President of her Senior Class. She was a candy striper for Good Samaritan Hospital, saxophone player, and surfer. Darby’s incredible warmth, openness, and empathy allowed her to make lasting friendships wherever she went.
She attended UCLA from 2009-2013. She was a Kappa Alpha Theta sister at the UCLA chapter and dedicated many non-school months to helping others. Most notable, she worked at Camp Kessum as a children’s-grief counselor for 2 summers and spent a summer in rural Tanzania, Africa, teaching English to underprivileged children.
After graduating from UCLA, Cum Laude in Business Admin and International Relations, Darby moved to Washington, D.C., to work for House Representative Sam Farr of California for the summer, along with giving tours of the Capitol Building to visiting tourists. She was subsequently hired in 2013 by The BGR Group as a lobbyist consultant and analyst, a job that allowed her to interface with many members of Congress. While in Washington, D.C., Darby earned her MBA from the McDonough School of Business at Georgetown University.
In 2018, Darby moved to downtown Boston and was hired by M&T Bank as a Senior Change Mgr, SVP. When Covid occurred, she moved to Seattle, while still working for M&T Bank. She eventually decided to stay in Seattle where she found an incredible group of friends, a thriving community, and her future husband, Jackson Byam. Big happenings in her life in 2024 … Jackson and Darby purchased a home in West Seattle and married in August of 2024. She found an incredible job at F5, Inc., a tech firm specializing in cloud services and security. It was at F5 that Darby found a truly amazing place to work, as a Business Strategy Manager, SVP, and had a promising career ahead of her. She was an active member of the Seattle Chapter of ACMP (Association of Change Management Practitioners) and was a board member of the Seattle Community Engagement. She was happiest in a library, walking around her wonderful West Seattle neighborhood, or on a ski slope!
Darby’s announcement of her pregnancy in May of 2025 put her in a state of euphoria, knowing she was to have a child with Jackson. With the birth of her little boy Wyatt, Darby will live on. He will have much love and warmth from the many friends and family that Darby surrounded herself with, and we all will hold him tight in her absence.
A Celebration of Life will be held on January 18 in West Seattle. For more information please email: denisebski@gmail.com. In lieu of flowers, please contribute to the GoFundMe page set up for her surviving infant son, Wyatt.
(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to westseattleblog@gmail.com)
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