West Seattle, Washington
11 Sunday
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)
(Yard art photographed in Morgan Junction by Steve Bender)
Last day of winter break, and here are some ways to spend it, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar (where you’ll find more listings!) and inbox – we’ve also noted some recurring events that are NOT happening today:
‘KING TIDE’: 12.9-foot predicted high tide at 6:30 am today, as noted here, with a Coastal Flood Advisory alert in effect until 10 am.
ROW WEST OPEN HOUSE: 8 am to noon, you’re invited to stop by the space where the new rowing studio is opening (4740 44th SW), as reported here. Classes start tomorrow, per the Row West website.
SUNDAY FUNDAY RUNDAY: The Westies Run Club is back in action, 9 am run leaving today from West Seattle Grounds (2141 California SW).
AMERICAN MAH JONGG: Weekly Sunday morning games at the new location of The Missing Piece (4707 California SW), 9:30 am.
SUNDAY MORNING MEDITATION: 9:30 am at Mama Be Well Healing Studio (4034 California S).
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: Open as usual in its regular spot on California SW between Oregon and Alaska, 10 am-2 pm, now in winter produce season – roots, greens, peppers, mushrooms, beans, garlic, apples, more – plus lots of baked goods, cheeses, meats, fish, prepared foods, condiments, pasta, more.
SOUTH SEATTLE COLLEGE GARDEN CENTER: The Garden Center is open today after all – a special Sunday opening, 10 am to 3 pm – and having a sale on indoor plants. (6000 16th SW, north end of campus)
FREE NIA CLASS: Now starting at 10:15 am, first class free if you pre-register. At Inner Alchemy Studio/Sanctuary. (3618 SW Alaska)
WEST SEATTLE TOOL LIBRARY: Need a tool but don’t need to, or can’t, buy it? You’ll probably be able to borrow it from the Tool Library, open 11 am-4 pm on the northeast side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center. (4408 Delridge Way SW)
‘SUNDAY SOLIDARITY ACTION’: West Seattle Resist‘s Sunday 11:30 am-1:30 pm sign-holding event. South of Farmers’ Market. (California SW and SW Alaska)
MEAD-MAKING CLASS: 1 pm at Mr. B’s Mead Center (9444 Delridge Way SW), with Mr. B himself.
WELCOME ROAD WINERY: Enjoy your Sunday afternoon at this West Seattle tasting room (with a patio!) open 2-5 pm, kids and dogs welcome. (3804 California SW; WSB sponsor)
MODERN CLASSIC BOOK CLUB: 3 pm at Paper Boat Booksellers (4522 California SW), the club discusses Thomas Pynchon‘s “Vineland” – the inspiration for the recent movie “One Battle After Another.”
ASTRA LUMINA: Celestially inspired light show on the grounds of the Seattle Chinese Garden at the north end of the South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) campus, 5 pm and onward tonight. Tickets and info here.
LIVE AT TIM’S: 2-4 pm, Korner Blues at Tim’s Tavern (9655 16th SW, White Center), all ages.
UNDERGROUND TRIVIA AT CORNER POCKET: 7:30 pm, free to play. (4302 SW Alaska)
LIVE MUSIC AT THE ALLEY: 8-10 pm, live music with the Triangular Jazztet at The Alley (behind 4509 California SW).
Are you planning, organizing, and/or publicizing something that we could add to the WSB community event calendar – one-time or recurring? Please email us the basic details – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
A holiday holdover in our inbox – a Highland Park resident had sent video of a package thief who said goodbye to 2025 by
We got hit by a porch thief (on New Year’s Eve), unfortunately. This is the first time this has happened in the 5 years we’ve lived here, in Highland Park. If anyone recognizes the thief, we’d appreciate hearing about it. Please email: gulf.reddy.6n@icloud.com
We received a few texts – and 911 got some calls – from people who thought they heard gunshots a short time ago, not realizing the Seahawks were playing tonight, so we’re noting those were fireworks after the 13-3 win over the 49ers.
7:31 PM: Thanks for the tip and pic. Avoid 41st (updated location) between Alaska and Edmunds in The Junction for a while – SFD is there on a call dispatched as “car fire.” No info on circumstances other than a description of the car as a BMW; no injuries reported so far – we’ll follow up with SFD.
8:06 PM: SFD has closed out the call.
Second Thursday arrives on the early side this month – next Thursday, January 8 – so here’s a look at one of this month’s second-Thursday features: Words, Writers, Southwest Stories, presented online by the Southwest Seattle Historical Society. For January, the topic is “Wild in Seattle” – a book by David B. Williams, one of the two guest presenters. Here’s the SWSHS announcement:
Join author David B. Williams for a conversation about his 2025 book, “Wild in Seattle: Stories at the Crossroads of People and Nature.” Published in April, Wild in Seattle contains 47 essays exploring the geology, flora, and fauna around Seattle.
Williams, an award-winning natural-history writer, explores the way both nature and humans have shaped Seattle, from earthquakes and tsunamis to animal migration and architecture. David will be joined by historian Judy Bentley, author of” Hiking Washington’s History” and “Walking Washington’s History,” to discuss how history and geology has shaped our city.
You can RSVP for their 6 pm Thursday presentation – and read more about them – at this page on the SWSHS website.
We reported last month that the proprietors of the new UPS Store at Westwood Village announced they planned to soft-open this coming Monday, January 5. They’ve sent us an update saying they’ve had a slight delay and are now hoping to open a week later than that, on January 12. As noted in our mid-December report, it’s their fourth UPS Store in the region, and they plan to offer a variety of services (including the always-in-demand shredding).
Thanks for sending photos! Above, from Chris Frankovich, below, from Javier Fosado – those sailboats are part of the Three Tree Point Yacht Club‘s Duwamish Head Race.
The race’s start and finish is at the Des Moines Marina; it’s the first race of 2026 but the second in the club’s Southern Sound Series.
ADDED: One more photo, sent by James Bratsanos:
Two readers report abandoned bicycles, which we often show because they frequently turn out to have been stolen and dumped – first, sent by Tina:
Kids’ bike found in Orchard Street Ravine. Currently at dead end of 38th & Myrtle.
And sent by Kit:
Propped on the rail in center of Lincoln Park along ridge / view. Nice bike, has been deserted with broken chain.
You can scroll through our archive of found-bike reports by going here. Otherwise, our board for other lost/found/non-pet reports is in the WSB Community Forums.
(Photo by Theresa Arbow=O’Connor)
Happy Saturday! Here’s what’s happening (and a few regular events that aren’t) as we begin the post-holiday weekend, mostly from the West Seattle Event Calendar:
SATURDAY GROUP RUN: At West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor), you can join the Saturday 8 am free group run.
FREE MEDITATION: Start the New Year’s first weekend with Heavily Meditated, 9 am free meditation at Inner Alchemy Studio/Sanctuary (3620 SW Alaska).
WEST SEATTLE TAE KWON DO: 9:30 am, 2026’s first class at High Point Community Center (6920 34th SW).
INTRODUCTORY WALK and WALKING FOR WELL-BEING: 9:30 am, walk a mile as a prelude to the 10 am well-being walk (or just show up for that one). Both start from 47th SW and Fauntleroy Way SW.
MORNING MUSIC AT THE COFFEEHOUSE: 10:30 am-noon at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), Marco de Carvalho and Friends perform. Info about Marco’s music is here.
FREE WRITING GROUP: 10:30 am – details in our calendar listing.
FAMILY READING TIME: At Paper Boat Booksellers, 11 am family reading time. (4522 California SW; WSB sponsor)
LOG HOUSE MUSEUM: The home of West Seattle’s history is open, noon-4 pm (61st SW and SW Stevens).
VIETNAMESE CULTURAL CENTER: The center is open to visitors noon-3 pm Saturdays, as explained here. (2236 SW Orchard)
MORBIDLY CURIOUS BOOK CLUB: What’s technically the December meeting is happening on this first Saturday in January, 1 pm at Delridge Library (5423 Delridge Way SW), discussing “The Unclaimed.”
VISCON CELLARS TASTING ROOM/WINE BAR: Tasting room open for you to enjoy wine by the glass or bottle – 1-6 pm at Viscon Cellars (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor).
NORTHWEST WINE ACADEMY TASTING ROOM, WINE BAR, STORE: Closed for winter break.
BASKETBALL: Two varsity home games today/tonight at Chief Sealth IHS – girls’ basketball hosts Holy Names at 2:30 pm, boys’ basketball hosts Lincoln at 5:30 pm. (2600 SW Thistle)
FREE MASSAGE: 3-5 pm walk-in clinic offering short, specific massages at Nepenthe. (9447 35th SW)
ART RECEPTION: Four artists are showing work in the new Alki Arts (6030 California SW) exhibit “People, Places, and Things” – meet them 5-7 pm tonight, as the show opens.
ASTRA LUMINA: Celestially inspired light show on the grounds of the Seattle Chinese Garden at the north end of the South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) campus, first admission 5 pm. Tickets and info here.
EVENING MUSIC AT THE COFFEEHOUSE: 6-8 pm, acoustic Circle of Songs at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), all ages, no cover.
AT THE SKYLARK: Local live music at The Skylark, doors 6 pm, show 7 pm, all ages, The Potholes, Rootbeer Rootbeer, Mothtide, $10 cover. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
REVELRY ROOM: No Saturday spinning tonight.
SK8 PARTY: 9 pm-midnight at Southgate Roller Rink (9676 17th SW), with DJs, $18 plus $5 skate rental.
KARAOKE AT TALARICO’S: 10 pm karaoke at Talarico’s Pizzeria. (4718 California SW)
Got a West Seattle event coming up? New Year’s Eve or Day, or beyond? If community members are welcome, your event is welcome on our calendar, which is free of charge, always! Please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
(December 25 reader photo of high-tide aftermath on Alki promenade)
The next round of “king tides” – the year’s highest high tides – peaks in the next several days, and low atmospheric pressure could mean higher water levels than predicted. First, here’s what the tide tables predict for our area:
Saturday: 12.8 feet, 5:51 am
Sunday: 12.9 feet, 6:30 am
Monday: 13.0 feet, 7:08 am
Tuesday: 12.9 feet, 7:43 am
Wednesday: 12.8 feet, 8:17 am
WSB reader Lura points out that atmospheric conditions can push the water levels higher than predicted – see the red line on this chart, for example – and she notes that if forecast conditions bear out, that could mean 14-foot high tides ahead. The National Weather Service has a Coastal Flood Advisory alert for 4 am-8 am Saturday; along the Duwamish River, the city says “… river overtopping is not forecasted. However, significant street flooding in the industrial area of South Park is expected on the mornings of Saturday, January 3rd and Sunday, January 4th.”
8:19 PM: Thanks for the tips. While we were away from the desk for a while, yet another collision was reported in the curve/pullout area toward the southwest end of the westbound West Seattle Bridge. The SFD 911 log shows initial dispatch just after 6 pm; there was another dispatch just before 7 but archived radio indicates that was NOT a new crash – apparently someone called in the same one a second time. Our video shows the spun-out car and downed pole/sign around the time of the second response – we assigned a back-seat passenger to try to get a visual as we past eastbound; that didn’t work so we turned around and went westbound, and what you see is what we got – the car is briefly visible around :13 in. We’re checking with SFD re: injuries. If you missed it, here’s our latest story on what SDOT says it will do regarding the crash risk in that area.
10:19 PM: SFD says no injuries were reported.
If you’re starting the year with a decision to make about school for a very young member of the family – don’t miss the West Seattle Preschool Fair on Tuesday:
West Seattle Preschool Fair – January 6, 5:30 to 7:00 pm
Hope School Gym: 4100 SW Genesee St (Gym Entrance on Genesee). Parking available in the lot on the east side of 41st and Genesee St. Look for signs.
Parents of preschool-age students are invited to attend the West Seattle Preschool Fair January 6th at 5:30.
Twelve local preschools will be in attendance to inform you about their programs and help answer questions about preschool readiness. January is a perfect time to begin your search for the program that meets the needs of your student, and what better way to research than to have access to all these programs in one spot! You can pre-register by clicking here. Children are welcome! Questions? Email event organizer Sally Heit at sheit@hopeseattle.org.
Our participants are:
Holy Rosary Preschool
Hope Lutheran Preschool
ARK Preschool
The Bridge School Cooperative Elementary
Bright Horizons at West Seattle
Westside Wonderspace
The Cove School
Community School of West Seattle
SSC Cooperative Preschools and Parent Education Program
Urban Nature Preschool LLC
Cometa Playschool
West Seattle MontessoriAlso:
Sunshine Music
The Little Gym of West Seattle
Thanks to Collin for the photo and this report from the east end of the Roxbury corridor: “Olson Place and Cambridge, 1-car accident blocking 1 lane going up the hill. No injuries but will need a tow truck.”
(Thanks to Trileigh for sending the photos)
3:25 PM: Seattle Fire crews are responding to a possible house fire in the 6500 block of Beach Drive SW [vicinity map]. Updates to come.
3:30 PM: Crews have not yet found a fire but say a resident told them smoke had been coming from the roof. … They say the attic is clear, so they’re dismissing most of the units.
3:51 PM: Beach Drive is still blocked as of a few minutes ago, texters tell us, but SFD has just given the clear to cancel all units, so that shouldn’t last too much longer.
One day after we reported that the West Seattle Junction Post Office‘s outdoor mailbox is out of commission again, looks like the one at the Westwood Village Post Office is too. So reports Cindi, who sent the photos a short time ago and explains:
Just as I drove up they were in the middle of taping up the box at Westwood; somebody vandalized it and they have just discovered it.
The lock picture is where they started to try and pry off the drop chute.
While Cindi was there, workers were emptying mail out of the damaged box. We already had an inquiry out to USPS about the Junction box; we’ve added an inquiry about this too. It also was recently returned – in November – after 2 1/2 months away because of a break-in.
(‘Live’ image from WSF camera at Fauntleroy terminal)
In this morning’s traffic/transit/weather roundup, we mentioned that the Triangle Route was down to two ferries. WSF now says that’ll last at least until Tuesday:
The #1 vessel, Kittitas, is out of service due to necessary vessel maintenance. The route will be on two-boat service until further notice. Early this morning, Friday, Jan. 2, we discovered damage to an oil seal in the vessel engine room. We expect repairs to be completed early next week.
Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth service through Tuesday, Jan. 6:
Friday, Jan. 2: As of 11:20 a.m., we are now running the two-boat schedule with the #1 Cathlamet and #2 Sealth. Please expect some delays during this schedule change.
Saturday, Jan. 3 and Sunday, Jan. 4: Regular weekend two-boat schedule.
Monday, Jan. 5 and Tuesday, Jan. 6: Alternate weekday two-boat schedule.
(WSB photo)
11:55 AM: Katie Barrett Wilson is now Seattle’s 58th mayor, third woman in the job. We’re at City Hall, where her swearing-in ceremony has segued into photo ops. She stood at a city-logo podium on a small stage, in City Hall’s huge main lobby, with her husband Scott Myers – who emceed the ceremony – and their daughter Josie at her right, as the oath of office was administered by Pauline Van Senus, a founding member of the Transit Riders Union, the nonprofit that Mayor Wilson led before her election.
(WSB photos from here down by Torin Record-Sand)
Wilson’s speech, in front of supporters holding campaign-style signs with her “This Is Your City” slogan, emphasized that she can’t do the work ahead alone – the city’s success “is going to require all of you. … Seattle is what we make of it together.” She didn’t list any specific policy plans but rather a sweeping vision that this should be a city where what you do in your off-hours should be valued too – “a city that thinks you should be able to read a book,” or make music, or sit in a park and daydream: “We need bread, but we need roses too.” We have her speech on video, and what others said before she took the stage, and will add to this story when we’re back at HQ.
2:07 PM: Above is video of the ceremony in its entirety, from her ovation-greeted arrival, through the four speakers who preceded her oath of office, followed by her speech. The crowd filled the lobby, and some watched from the mezzanine:
ADDED 3:33 PM: First speaker was Ifrah Abshir, a Somali-American health services researcher and writer now working on her doctorate:
“Rights are not just words – they are practice,” she observed, adding that while “cities can’t fix everything … they can help.” She also recalled her work, when studying at Rainier Beach High School, improving bus service for students.
Speakers also included Cynthia Anne Green, an 80-year Seattle resident and longtime community advocate:
She hailed Wilson as “a mayor who didn’t come from the loudest rooms or richest donors, but from the long hard work of organizing, the type of person the world needs more of.” She suggested that people might suggest lowering their expectations only because they’ve “grown comfortable living with inequity” and added that
Wilson’s election brought new hope, while also cautioning that this is just the beginning, though it’s a jubilant moment as a “victory for those who refused to disappear from this city.”
Also speaking (above) was Jarvis Capucion, an advocate for homeless people, formerly homeless himself. He addressed that issue, stated by Wilson as one of her top priorities, declaring that “without shelter, people die.” He is looking for the new mayor to address the homelessness crisis “at the scale it deserves.”
ADDED 4:55 PM: Wilson referred to “at least one former mayor” in attendance – we believe she was referring to West Seattleite Greg Nickels, visible in the lower left corner of our photo above, who was there with wife Sharon Nickels. They sat in a gallery that included other dignitaries – toward the center of the photo you’ll see new King County Executive Girmay Zahilay. Our area’s King County Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda was there too..In addition to her and the Nickels, locals we noticed included a delegation from the Duwamish Tribe – including Tribal Council member Ken Workman and longhouse director Kristina Pearson – and Paulina López of the Duwamish River Commmunity Coalition, a member of Wilson’s transition team; she was among those standing onstage with the new mayor during the event, and told us she’s encouraged that Wilson is paying attention to Duwamish issues.
WHAT’S NEXT: Mayor Wilson has yet to announce some key leadership decisions. Meantime, city politics-watchers will also turn their attention to the City Council, which will elect its new president on Tuesday.
(Photo by James Bratsanos)
Here’s what’s happening today/tonight – and not happening, as some regular events take a quick post-holiday break to recharge! Listings are from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar – plus one special event, not in West Seattle but of citywide interest:
MAYORAL INAUGURATION: Mayor Katie Wilson takes the oath of office at City Hall at 10 am. Open to the public, as we reported earlier this week, or watch the Seattle Channel live stream. The ceremony, including her inaugural address, is expected to last about 45 minutes.
SOUTH SEATTLE COLLEGE GARDEN CENTER Closed today for winter break.
LOG HOUSE MUSEUM: Visit the Log House Museum (61st/Stevens) to learn about local history – open noon-4 pm today.
QI-GONG: Natalia‘s Friday session is on hiatus today.
TASTING ROOM AND WINE BAR: Viscon Cellars (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor) is open 5-9 pm Fridays. Stop in to sip, or buy by the bottle.
COFFEEHOUSE OPEN MIC: 6-8 pm, Open Mic at C & P Coffee. (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), all ages, no cover.
CLASSIC BINGO: 7 pm at Admiral Pub. 21+. Free to play. (2306 California SW)
HIGH-SCHOOL BASKETBALL: No varsity home games scheduled tonight.
LIVE AT THE SKYLARK: Doors at 7, music at 8 pm, with Kira Severy, Dormchair Therapist, Maybe Even, $10. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
NO SPINNING: Revelry Room is closed tonight.
‘MAKE IT LOUD’ SKATING:Tonight, skate during Sweat at the Disco with DJ Slayground, 9 pm at Southgate Roller Rink (9646 17th SW). 21+. $20 cover/$5 skates.
If you have something to showcase on our event lists or calendar, please email what/when/where/etc. info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Love bunnies? Monday morning (January 5) outside C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), you can meet some – and support them by buying a calendar. The rescue organization Special Bunny will be there, with some of their adoptable rabbits, 8 am-11 am Monday, selling calendars “with all proceeds going toward supporting the rabbits in our care.” You can preview the calendar (or buy it, if you can’t get to the event at C & P) by going here.
7:35 AM: The Triangle Route is down to two boats because of trouble with the #1 vessel, Kittitas. The WSF alerts page has updates.
Earlier:
6:02 AM: Good morning! It’s Friday, January 2, 2026.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET
The forecast predicts clouds, probably more rain, high in the upper 40s. Sunrise will be at 7:57 am; sunset at 4:29 pm. (Just a little over three weeks until the sun stops setting before 5 pm!)
SCHOOL’S OUT
Last weekday of winter break.
TRANSIT TODAY
West Seattle Water Taxi – Regular West Seattle service, fall/winter schedule.
Washington State Ferries – The Triangle Route is on the regular three-boat schedule. Check WSF’s alerts page for any last-minute changes.
Metro buses – They’re back to the 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!
11:30 PM THURSDAY: A few people texted to ask about a big police response at The Whittaker at midday today. All that we heard over police radio was that it involved a man believed to have a knife, in some sort of confrontation/dispute with armed security guards for the mixed-use complex, which includes the Whole Foods store. One person was reported detained. This was on our followup list for tomorrow but SPD released their preliminary summary tonight:
At 1149 hours, Officers were dispatched to a public parking garage for reports of a subject armed with a Taser and a knife, threatening a homeless person and armed security for that property. Officers quickly arrived and took control of the scene. During the investigation, officers learned the suspect, based on his own statements, targeted the victim because he was homeless. Management of the property also stated they’ve had issues with the suspect harassing the homeless in the parking garage. After interviewing all involved and reviewing video footage. It was determined the suspect lunged at the homeless person with a taser, attempting to tase them. The suspect was arrested for felony assault and malicious harassment.
We’ll be asking for the full narrative as well as trying to find out more about the suspect’s status.
ADDED 10:23 PM FRIDAY: Here’s the narrative we obtained from SPD:
U contacted the suspect XXXXXX who was standing inside of the parking lot a few feet from the victim. (Suspect) was told to walk toward officers, with his hands up. Before walking toward officers, (suspect) dropped his taser on the ground. While being placed in handcuffs, (Suspect) was told that he was being detained. The Victim, later identified as XXXX, was also told that he is being detained. Both parties were separated for further investigation.
While speaking to Suspect/1, he stated that he was an employee for a company to keep homeless people out of the parking lot. Suspect/1 was unable to tell me the name of his employer, but said that it was written on a piece of paper in his wallet. XXXX XXXX XXXX, #XXX-XXX-XXX, was written on the paper Suspect/1 stated as his employer. Officer XXXX #8720, was able to verify that Suspect/1 is not an employee of XXXX XXXX. Suspect/1 kept repeating himself, saying that homeless people keep returning and it’s his job to keep them off the property. I asked him to explain why he had a taser out, and he stated that Victim/1 pulled out his knife first. I asked why Victim/1 pull out his knife first, and he responded by saying he told Victim/1 to get the ‘f— out’ while standing about 5 feet away. Suspect/1 also stated that he did not lunge towards Victim/1
I spoke with the XXXX XXXX of Whole Foods, later identified as XXX, XXXX, #XXXX-XXX-XXXX. She stated that this is an ongoing issue with Suspect/1. She did not witness the incident but stated that as of today, she wants Suspect/1 to be officially trespassed. Suspect/1 was told not to enter Whole foods on 4755 Fauntleroy WY.
I contacted Victim/1 who stated that Suspect/1 randomly walked towards him telling him to get out of the parking lot. Victim/1 said Suspect/1 then kicked his $500 Samsung phone, which is now damaged. He said he tried to kick again towards him but missed. Victim/1 stated Suspect/1 then had a knife in his hand, and lunged towards him, but he was not physically assaulted. Victim/1 stated that Suspect/1 also used his taser in an aggressive manner towards him by ‘sparking’ it and waving it at him. Victim/1 also said that he has video footage of Suspect/1 using the knife and taser as a threat towards him. While viewing the video, Victim/1 stated that the Whole food security guards arrived after Suspect/1 used the knife towards him, but then shortly redacted his statement. Victim/1 said that he is now not sure if the knife was used towards him but said that Suspect/1 held the knife in his right hand. I personally did not see the knife in Suspect/1 right hand, from the video shown. I observed Suspect/1 holding a dog leash in his right hand and using the taser with his left hand. Suspect/1 sparked the taser about 2 times and reached his arm out with the taser towards Victim/1. Both individuals appeared to be standing from each other, no more than 6 feet. Victim/1 did state that he believed he was targeted because he is homeless.
Victim/1 appeared to fear for his life and stated that Suspect/1 is the same individual who harassed him about a month ago. I asked was that incident reported and Victim/1 stated no. Based on Suspect/1 statements of having what appears to be a fixation towards individuals who are unhoused, there is a bias.
Suspect/1 was read his Miranda rights and told he is under arrest. Suspect/1 was then searched and transported for booking at King County Jail. I have probable cause for RCW- 9A.36.021 ASSAULT 2, and SMC- 12A.06.115-Malicious harassment.
According to the report, the suspect is 74 years old and the victim is 69. The jail roster shows the suspect remains in the King County Jail tonight, bail set at $2,000 for investigation of two misdemeanors.
(Video of all paraders as it began)
Story, video, photos by Jason Grotelueschen and Tracy Record
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
The “horse” that led the Not-So-Silent-Night Parade in Highland Park on New Year’s Eve served two purposes.
Not only did it honor the fact that 2026 is the Year of the Fire Horse, it also demonstrated that the parade has now spanned a generation: Former Highland Park Action Committee co-chair Billy Stauffer noted that his son Franklin was a baby in a front-pack during the first Not-So-Silent-Night Parade … and last night, he was under the front of the horse, leading the parade. That first parade was small but spirited, maybe 20 people. Last night, we counted more than 220, toting lanterns, wearing lights, blowing horns, shaking bells:
Before the crowd hit the streets, Highland Park Improvement Club‘s vice president Alex Wheeler and trustee Galen Van Horn said a few words about the group and its work, including their monthly “First Friday” events and how fundraising is going for HPIC’s new building – but first, a lively group photo:
Until the new HPIC building is complete and open, Highland Park Corner Store is the starting place for this parade.
From there, the group paraded through the neighborhood on the way to Riverview Playfield to celebrate the end of 2025, and to welcome the arrival of 2026 (complete with glowing luminarias) :
At Riverview, participants cheered on the lighting of two “sage comets” in honor of those dearly departed from us in 2025.
Organizers then served tasty treats and hot chocolate behind the dugout at the playfield:
On the way to Riverview, the group passed the HPIC construction site at 12th/Holden, with work well underway to replace the HPIC building that was gutted by a fire four-and-a-half years ago (see our WSB status update from mid-December).
If you’re thinking about joining the parade next year, note that it’s a one-mile one-way route from HPCS to Riverview, about half an hour – then up to you to find your way back to the starting point. To keep up with what HPIC is doing all year ’round, including the rebuilding project, see hpic1919.org.
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