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Spotlight Stories


  • Shooting

    DEADLY SHOOTING: New details of what happened

  • Schools

    SCHOOL CLOSURES: New district plan – 5

  • Chase

    PURSUIT: Police chase 7-11 robbers at 100 mph

FOLLOWUP: More about the $50 million Chief Sealth IHS addition proposed as part of Seattle Public Schools’ $1.8 billion BEX VI levy
October 3, 2024 7:20 pm
|      0 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

When we reported Monday night on Seattle Public Schools‘ proposed $1.8 billion, six-year capital-levy renewal/expansion – BEX VI (aka the sixth “Building Excellence” levy) – we noted the biggest West Seattle project on its list is a $50 million addition for Career Technical Education at Chief Sealth International High School. We also noted that the levy document linked to the agenda for next week’s School Board meeting (4:15 pm October 9) has no other details about the proposed project, and that the process of developing the levy list did not involve community consultation the way BEX V did. So we had to ask SPS’s media team to dig up details on the proposal, which they’ve done over the past few days. According to district spokesperson Tina Riss Christiansen:

An addition to Chief Sealth International High School is proposed to meet the needs of the Career and Technical Education Program, eliminate the eight portables along the west property edge, and enhance energy conservation, addressing both State of Washington Clean Energy and City of Seattle’s Building Emissions requirements.

The classroom addition is planned to be added at the northern portion of the existing school and will include relocating the existing Career and Technical Education construction trades classroom from the basement and the food service classroom from the interior of the building. Both classrooms are undersized for the student populations they serve and poorly located for routinely transporting the materials and supplies required to meet the educational program needs.

In addition, SPS plans to construct eight general education classrooms.

The project is contingent on School Board approval of the levy projects and voter approval of the levy. Construction is planned to occur with students remaining on-site.

The $50M is divided 2/3 construction and 1/3 A/E fees, permit costs, construction contingency, furnishings, and Washington State Sales Tax.

No renderings yet, the district says, because design work won’t start until and unless the levy – one of two that the district plans to send to voters in February – is approved.

We are in the process of scheduling community information meetings on both levies after the Oct. 9, 2024, Board Meeting and Study Session.

Adding proposed project information to the website is also in progress.

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ORCAS: In Elliott Bay as sunset nears
October 3, 2024 6:19 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | Whales

6:19 PM: Up for sunset whale-watching? Kersti Muul reports that transient orcas are in Elliott Bay, headed southbound toward Alki. Let us know if you see them!

6:29 PM: Update from Kersti – now in the ferry lanes, heading toward the point.

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WEEKEND PREVIEW: ‘Screenagers: Elementary Age Edition’ premiere @ Admiral Theater
October 3, 2024 5:59 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Admiral Theater | West Seattle news

Social media isn’t just a complication in the lives of middle- and high-school students. It’s increasingly factoring into the pressures faced by elementary students too. That’s the focus of a new film that’ll have its Seattle premiere at the Admiral Theater this Sunday (October 6), co-presented by the Lafayette Elementary PTA, with the filmmaker present for a post-screening Q&A. Here’s the announcement sent to us:

Seattle’s Dr. Delaney Ruston will speak after the city’s premiere screening of her latest film, “Screenagers: Elementary School Age Edition,” this Sunday, October 6 at the Historic Admiral Theater in Seattle.

As middle and high schools are banning phones, elementary schools are seeing a surge in smartwatches and devices in classrooms. “Screenagers: Elementary School Age Edition,” the fourth documentary in the Screenagers series, exposes how devices like smartphones and smartwatches, and the content on them – mainly social media and gaming – rewire young minds, affecting focus, academics, sleep, behavior, and development. Get the hard-hitting truth, real-life stories, practical strategies, and expert advice from renowned physicians, psychologists, and researchers like “The Anxious Generation” author Jonathan Haidt, to make screen time less invasive.

This groundbreaking new documentary takes a deep dive into the profound impact social media, video gaming, excessive screen time, smartphone & smartwatches in schools is having on sleep and the academic, social, and emotional development of kids in K-5. According to the CDC, children ages 8-10 spend an average of six hours daily on screens. One elementary school principal in the movie told us smartwatches are appearing more and more in classrooms and are highly problematic.

“We wanted to create a film that helps parents, educators, and caregivers understand the effect screens and gaming are having on younger children and offer them strategies and tools they can use,” Screenagers: Elementary School Age Edition filmmaker Dr. Delaney Ruston says. “We want to spark conversations and “empower families and educators with the knowledge they need to set clear rules and make informed choices.”

Sunday’s event at The Admiral (2343 California SW) starts at 5:30 pm. You can get tickets in advance through the theater’s website.

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Remembering Rick Cook, West Seattle’s ‘psychic barber’
October 3, 2024 2:54 pm
|      21 COMMENTS
 |   Obituaries | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

Rick Cook, long known as “the psychic barber,” has died. A reader tipped us that this announcement was first made via the voicemail announcement for his shop at 4845 California SW; while the announcement says Mr. Cook has passed away, the note on the door says only this:

According to this brief online mention, Mr. Cook died September 25, at age 68. We’ve reported on him multiple times over the years because of his shop and its distinctive sign, as well as because of his repeated displacement by development. He had moved to this location just south of The Junction in 2019, when his previous location, 6016 California SW, was planned for redevelopment; he had been there six years, after leaving a longtime location just south of Rite Aid on California. (Ironically, while that building was demolished, the site has to date not been redeveloped; at the time its then-owner planned on a mixed-use building, and now it’s slated for townhomes.) A WSB contributor first interviewed him at that location in 2009 (photo at right), and got the story behind “Psychic Barber.” (No, he wasn’t a psychic, but a neighboring business was, and he eventually ended up with their sign.) Mr. Cook was a Chief Sealth graduate and had been cutting hair in West Seattle for more than 45 years.

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One day, many ways to care for Seattle’s only river during fall Duwamish Alive!
October 3, 2024 2:20 pm
|      0 COMMENTS
 |   Environment | How to help | West Seattle news


(WSB file photo)

The twice-yearly Duwamish Alive! day for cleanup and restoration work on the Duwamish River and in its watershed is almost here. Four West Seattle opportunities are part of the list for the fall edition of Duwamish Alive! Here’s the announcement we received today from Sharon Leishman of the Duwamish Alive! coalition:

Saturday, October 19th 10 – 2 at multiple Sites

Join Duwamish Alive! this fall as our salmon are returning in our Duwamish River and Longfellow Creek, with this watershed wide effort in improving the health of our salmon by restoring their habitat which provides food, shelter and cool, clean water that salmon need. Volunteers will be restoring native habitat on in multiple urban parks and open spaces by removing invasive weeds, planting native plants, removing debris, and learning about healthy habitat. This is a family friendly event, all ages welcomed and encouraged.

To volunteer, visit www.DuwamishAlive.org to see the different volunteer opportunities and register for the site of your choice, or email info@duwamishalive.org

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FOLLOWUP: Crowdfunding for family of Triangle murder victim
October 3, 2024 12:07 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | How to help | West Seattle news

A little over a week has passed since 32-year-old Laupule Talaga was shot and killed at his workplace in the West Seattle Triangle. Police have yet to release any additional information about the case. Mr. Talaga’s employers at Seattle Soul Kitchen described him as a father of three, and his family now says his partner is expecting twins. For those who have asked if there’s any way the community can help Mr. Talaga’s family, they just let us know that they have set up a crowdfunding page – you’ll find it here.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Police chase after another 7-11 robbery
October 3, 2024 10:08 am
|      38 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Another West Seattle 7-11 robbery early today, but this one played out differently. An officer was on “directed patrol” focused on the Harbor Avenue 7-11 around 1:30 am when, according to the early summary, “The officer saw two suspects enter the 7-11 and grab the till. The officer interrupted the robbery, and the suspects entered a white Kia SUV. The officer recognized the robbery suspects being the same from the night prior at the 7-11 on SW Admiral. The officer initiated a pursuit, and other officers joined.” The archived audio indicates the robbers were chased across the bridge and onto northbound I-5, above 100 mph, at which point “it was terminated due to speeds” around Exit 168, north of downtown. Eventually, SPD tells us, the vehicle was dumped “in the East Precinct’s area and it was recovered.” Turned out to be stolen. The robbers, however, remain at large. They did not get away with the till, which police say was left at the scene when the robbery was interrupted. The Harbor Avenue 7-11 was the fourth one in West Seattle targeted in the past week, as detailed here.

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West Seattle Book Club, Piano Bar, park walk, more for your Thursday
October 3, 2024 9:45 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Black Turnstone visiting Alki, photographed by Rainer Klett)

Mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, here are the highlights for the rest of today/tonight:

NAVIGATING MEDICARE: Presentation at The Center for Active Living (4217 SW Oregon) “to get a clearer understanding of how it all works,” 11 am.

SOUTH SEATTLE COLLEGE GARDEN CENTER: Shop fall plants at the center, open Thursdays-Saturdays 10 am-3 pm, north end of the South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus. Annuals, perennials, sun, shade, natives, edibles, ground covers … wide variety!

WEST SEATTLE UKULELE PLAYERS: All levels welcome to this weekly 1 pm gathering. Email westseattleukuleleplayerswsup@gmail.com for info on where they’re playing today.

STRONG BODIES, STRONG BONES: 2:30 pm yoga class at the Center for Active Living (4217 SW Oregon).

HPCS FOOD-TRUCK VISIT: Every Thursday, 4-8 pm, Highland Park Corner Store (7789 Highland Park Way SW) gets a food-truck visit. Tonight it’s Isidro’s Tacos.

VISCON CELLARS: The West Seattle winery’s tasting room/wine bar is open 5-9 pm (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor) for wine by the glass or bottle!

WALKING FOR WELL-BEING: Meet at 6 pm at 47th/Fauntleroy for a group walk in Lincoln Park – details in our calendar listing.

WESTIES RUN CLUB: 6 pm weekly run from The Good Society (California & Lander).

HIGHLAND PARK RUN CLUB: 6:30 pm, meet at Highland Park Corner Store (7789 Highland Park Way SW) for a 3-mile run through the neighborhood. (Walking option, too!)

PIANO BAR: Monthly music/dancing event at The Center for Active Living, 7 pm. $10 at the door. (4217 SW Oregon)

WEST SEATTLE BOOK CLUB: 7-9 pm, first gathering since West Seattle’s biggest book club changed its name! Bring your own book to any of the locations listed here.

VOLLEYBALL: One home match tonight, Chief Sealth IHS (8-1) hosts Rainier Beach, 7 pm. (2600 SW Thistle)

NORTH HIGHLINE UNINCORPORATED AREA COUNCIL: The community coalition for White Center and vicinity meets in person for the first time since pre-pandemic, 7 pm, North Highline Fire District HQ. (1243 SW 112th)

TRIVIA: 7 pm at Burger Planet (9614 14th SW).

‘GUARDS AT THE TAJ’: Final week for the “dark comedy” at ArtsWest (4711 California SW), 7:30 pm.

COMEDY: Jokes in the Junction (Great American Diner)
Local headliner Greg Beachler will be closing out this monthly show at Great American Diner. $10! Tickets at CozyComedy.com.

Planning an event that should be on our calendar and in our daily preview lists? Please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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STUDENT VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: Fairmount Park Elementary PTA request
October 3, 2024 9:00 am
|      0 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Local students have another opportunity to get an early start in volunteer work! The Fairmount Park Elementary PTA asked us to share this request with you:

Fairmount Park Elementary PTA is hosting the annual Falcon Fest on October 18th from 6-7:30 pm. This is a fall festival with family friendly games. The PTA is need of Middle and High Schoolers to help run the stations. If you are a past Fairmount Park student, this is a fun way to earn volunteer hours and support your alma mater. Please sign up here.

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TRAFFIC, WEATHER, ROAD WORK, TRANSIT: Thursday watch
October 3, 2024 6:02 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:02 AM: Good morning. Welcome to Thursday, October 3rd.

WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

One more day of sun before rain revisits. Mostly sunny today, high in the low 60s. Today’s sunrise will be at 7:12 am, while sunset will be at 6:43 pm.

(Wednesday sunset – photo by Jen Popp)

ROAD WORK

*No dates yet from SDOT about any possible lane closures ahead for the Spokane Street Viaduct resurfacing project.

*The Admiral Way Bridge seismic project continues; the north half of the bridge remains closed, with one lane each way on the south side, until the project switches sides later this month. Fairmount Avenue remains closed under the bridge.

*The Delridge pedestrian-bridge earthquake-safety project continues too, with narrowing at Delridge/Oregon.

*The Highway 99 tunnel will close for maintenance and inspections 10 pm Friday to 6 am Saturday (and again the following weekend, for longer – 10 pm October 11, to 6 am October 13).

TRANSIT

Washington State Ferries today – 2 boats on the Triangle Route, plus the “unscheduled third boat.” Check for alerts here.

Metro buses today – Regular schedule.

Water Taxi today – Regular schedule.

SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS

High Bridge – Here’s the main camera, followed by the Fauntleroy-end camera:

Spokane Street Viaduct – This view usually looks westward, with eastbound lanes at left and westbound lanes at right:

Low Bridge – Looking west:

1st Avenue South Bridge:

Delridge cameras: Besides 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; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are on this WSB page.

If you see a problem on the bridges/streets/paths/water, please text or call our hotline (when you can do that safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities if they’re not already on scene) – 206-293-6302. Thank you!

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Our area’s only law-enforcement helicopter, Guardian One, gets upgraded
October 2, 2024 11:56 pm
|      14 COMMENTS
 |   Helicopter | West Seattle news

(King County Sheriff’s Office photo)

That’s the new Guardian One, the helicopter operated by the King County Sheriff’s Office but also used to support Seattle Police (which have no helicopter of their own) among others. Sheriff Patti Cole-Tindall and King County Executive Dow Constantine introduced the new helicopter today at the Renton airport, where it’s based. It’s a Bell 407GXi, which the KCSO announcement says “is designed for quick, smooth landings in unpredictable conditions and will support a wide range of missions, including law enforcement patrol, search and rescue, wildfire response, and more.” Its predecessor was more than 50 years old. KCSO says the county spent almost $6 million on the new helicopter and the state added nearly $1 million. The KCSO Air Support Unit includes the Guardian Two more often used for search and rescue, plus 30+ drones; the county says it’s flown more than 300 missions so far this year, and 480 last year.

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CRIME WATCH: 2019 West Seattle raid leads to 30-year sentence for woman found guilty of child sex abuse
October 2, 2024 9:50 pm
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

A child-sex-abuse case that began with a West Seattle raid five years ago led to a 30-year prison sentence today. Sentenced was 40-year-old Shabnam D. Pilisuk, found guilty by a federal jury a year and a half ago. Federal prosecutors say that a Seattle Police detective “uncovered information about a website that included discussion of incest and child abuse” and learned that Pilisuk was its operator; investigators then found out she “had traveled with an 11-year-old and sexually molested the child.” In March 2019, the news release about the sentencing says:

Seattle Police and Homeland Security Investigations served a judicially authorized search warrant on Pilisuk’s West Seattle home. They seized her electronic devices. The devices were forensically examined and determined to have images of child sexual abuse.

Then in November 2021, prosecutors say, the aforementioned victim disclosed that they had been abused; Pilisuk has been in custody since then and was found guilty on five felony counts last year. For today’s sentencing, federal prosecutors asked for a 45-year sentence; U.S. District Judge Tana Lin ordered Pilisuk to serve two-thirds of that.

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FOLLOWUP: Highland Park Improvement Club site cleared
October 2, 2024 7:20 pm
|      0 COMMENTS
 |   Highland Park | West Seattle news

Two days after demolition began at the 12th/Holden site of the historic Highland Park Improvement Club building, what remained of it after the 2021 fire is gone. Thanks to HPIC trustee Kay Kirkpatrick for these photos.

The foundation that you see in the photos will be reused for the new building. Fundraising for that continues. And the site will be used for community events before construction starts – timeline for that depends on how the fundraising goes.

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FOLLOWUP: Woman shot and killed at West Seattle house identified as Dr. Tammy Towers Parry; police release more details of shooting
October 2, 2024 5:18 pm
|      70 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle police

(WSB photo from Tuesday)

The woman shot and killed at a house south of The Junction on Tuesday was identified this afternoon, and police have released more information on what they believe happened. We’ve already added the new details to our original Tuesday report, but are also publishing this separate update.

First, according to the King County Medical Examiner’s Office, she was 57-year-old Tamara (“Tammy”) Towers Parry, and she died of “multiple gunshot wounds.” She was a longtime physician who gained notoriety in 2021 for a video indicating she was at the January 6 U.S. Capitol riot.

Police said in the hours after her death that the shooting involved her and two other people. Today they confirmed those two other people had come to her house with “papers.” (Her house was listed here as being in “pre-foreclosure/auction” status for $225,000 “unpaid balance”; a “notice of trustee sale” filed with King County in May says it was scheduled for auction two weeks ago.) Police say Ms. Towers Parry “presented a shotgun” and that one of those people, a 40-year-old man, shot her with his handgun. After the SPD update was published, we asked police to clarify that she did not fire her shotgun and SPD spokesperson Det. Brian Pritchard replied, “The shotgun was not fired.” Police also say they recovered both guns involved and that no one was under arrest, but the investigation continues.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Stolen Scion, belonging to business
October 2, 2024 4:59 pm
|      0 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

That’s Steve‘s work vehicle, stolen Monday night in the Alki area: 2008 Scion XB, license plates CGU6932, marked with Revive Pro Services logo/info. No police report number yet, but if you find it, call 911.

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WATER TAXI: Both routes to continue midday service through fall and winter
October 2, 2024 3:09 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   King County Water Taxi | West Seattle news

Again this year, the King County Water Taxi‘s West Seattle service will continue middays year-round as well as am and pm commutes, Metro confirms today; the shuttle buses will continue too. And Metro says the new Vashon service’s midday runs also will continue throughout fall and winter. The only notable changes taking effect with the “fall schedule” on October 11 will be the suspension of Friday/Saturday later-evening runs on the West Seattle route until spring. Metro’s full announcement about all this is here.

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In case you wondered too: That’s a Seattle Kraken tentacle
October 2, 2024 1:44 pm
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   Seen around town | West Seattle news | WS & Sports

Thanks to Conwell for the photo. If you see that unusual protrusion outside Easy Street Records – it’s an inflatable “tentacle,” part of a Seattle Kraken promotion. We got a note from the team saying they were placing various promotional curiosities around West Seattle and the rest of the region, looking ahead to the hockey team’s home opener next week. The Kraken also had planned to place another “tentacle” at Admiral Pub, and there’s an inflatable bobblehead outside The Westy (added after comments: on Alki too).

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HALLOWEEN 2024: Got decorations? Share photos!
October 2, 2024 1:08 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Halloween | West Seattle news

(Photo sent by Janelle Otterholt, ‘skeletons sunning themselves in Genesee Hill neighborhood’)

Just four weeks and one day until Halloween. Who’s counting? West Seattle’s many devoted Halloween fans, some of whom already have decorated their yards, windows, decks, balconies … If you’re among them, we’ll be showcasing Halloween decorations again this year and would love to receive a photo! You don’t have to provide your exact address as long as it’s a vicinity where people who want a firsthand are likely to find the display (“in the xx block of xxth Street,” for example). It’s also helpful if you indicate whether the display’s more intended for night – lights? – or day (or spooky any time of day). westseattleblog@gmail.com or text to 206-293-6302 – and thanks to the people who’ve already sent photos. P.S. Business displays welcome too – past years have shown that some go all-out with the seasonal spirit!

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FOLLOWUP: Survey opens, meeting set as design continues for playground north of new Alki Elementary
October 2, 2024 11:29 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle parks | West Seattle schools

Part of the Alki Elementary rebuild project is an overhaul for the playground on the north side of the school/south side of Alki Playfield. The city has announced a community meeting and survey to update the design process. From the Seattle Parks-circulated announcement:

Seattle Parks and Recreation and Seattle Public Schools invite you to join us on Wednesday, October 16, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Alki Beach Bathhouse, 2701 Alki Ave SW, to share your input on the Alki Playground Renovation project design!

During this meeting, you’ll have the opportunity to see how your input from earlier this summer was incorporated into the new playground design. This event will provide a platform for the community to engage with the design team, review the proposed layout for the play area, and provide input on your preferred play equipment option. Your participation will help shape the final vision for the Alki Playground renovation …

Please take a moment to complete the Alki Park Improvements – New Play Equipment Survey and share your preferences for the play equipment options. Your feedback is needed to ensure the new playground meets the needs and desires of the community.

For more information on the project please visit seattleschools.org/departments/capital-projects-and-planning/school-construction/projects/alki or contact Brian Fabella at brfabella@seattleschools.org or (206) 252-0702.

The new school is expected to open in fall 2026. The playground may be ready earlier that year.

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WEST SEATTLE WEDNESDAY: 15 notes
October 2, 2024 9:36 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Steve Bender photographed this Chorus Frog at White Center Pond)

Here’s our reminder list of what’s happening, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar (where you can always preview the days and weeks ahead – we add to it frequently – and you’ll find even more events than we spotlight in the list):

ROSH HASHANAH: The Jewish New Year begins at sundown and continues until sundown Friday.

CITY BUDGET BRIEFING: Happening right now (started at 9:30), the City Council, meeting as the Select Budget Committee, is continuing to get department-by-department overviews of Mayor Harrell‘s budget proposal. Today: the Office of Housing and Seattle Fire Department. Documents are linked to the agenda here; live stream is via Seattle Channel.

WALKING FOR WELL-BEING: Meet at 47th/Fauntleroy at 10 am. Details in our calendar listing.

TODDLER READING TIME AT PAPER BOAT: 10:30 am at Paper Boat Booksellers (6040 California SW).

SOUND TRANSIT DROP-IN MEETING #3: 11 am to 1 pm, Sound Transit reps will be at Gallery B612 (1915 First Ave. S.) in SODO for the last of three drop-in meetings to answer questions about the West Seattle light-rail project, now that its Final Environmental Impact Statement is out and the ST Board has to finalize routing and station locations. Sstrictly drop-in, no presentation planned, no open-mic commenting, etc.

SOUTHWEST ARTIST SHOWCASE: Second of four days to bring your work to Southwest Library (9010 35th SW) for this year’s Southwest Artist Showcase, as explained in our preview. Library hours today are 12 pm-8 pm.

TODDLER STORY TIME AT THE LIBRARY: 3 pm at Southwest Library (9010 35th SW).

HOMEWORK HELP: 4-5:45 pm at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond), volunteers can help K-12 students with their homework.

FIX-IT WORKSHOP: Fix it, don’t toss it! Weekly event, free (donations appreciated), 5:30-7:30 pm at West Seattle Tool Library (4408 Delridge Way SW, northeast side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center).

FREE GROUP RUN: All runners, all levels, are welcome to join the weekly West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) group run – meet at the shop by 6:15 pm.

TRIVIA x 4: Four trivia options tonight: At 6 pm, Locust Cider (2820 Alki SW) offers trivia … Larry’s Tavern (3405 California SW) hosts Wednesday-night trivia starting at 7:30 pm … Quiz Night begins at 8 pm at Beveridge Place Pub (6413 California SW) … and at 8:30 pm, trivia with Phil T at Talarico’s (4718 California SW).

LIVE MUSIC AT THE LOCOL: 6:30 pm. 21+. Rotating performer slate. (7902 35th SW)

MUSIC BINGO X 2: One night, two games! Play at The Good Society (California/Lander), 7 pm … At Three 9 Lounge (39th/Oregon), you can play MINGO music bingo, hosted by Mingo Maniac, at 7:30 pm Wednesdays.

KUNDALINI YOGA AND GONG BATH: 7 pm with Inner Alchemy at Move2Center (3618 SW Alaska), $35; ticket link is in our calendar listing.

SKYLARK OPEN MIC: The spotlight is yours! 7:30 pm signups for West Seattle’s longest-running open mic. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

Planning an open house, reading, tour, fundraiser, sale, discussion, show, meeting, presentation, etc., that’s open to the community? Please send us info so we can add it to West Seattle’s only comprehensive event calendar! westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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YOU CAN HELP: Library volunteers welcoming book donations
October 2, 2024 9:00 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | White Center

Got books you don’t want/need any more? Many donation-accepting organizations aren’t interested in books … but here’s an exception: The White Center Library Guild. In addition to their sale events, guild volunteers maintain a “for sale” shelf at the WC Library. The guild says, “We accept old books, new books and everything in between. Just take your donations to the library front desk. Contributions help fund children and adult programs at the White Center Library!” It’s at 1409 SW 107th; days/hours are here.

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TRAFFIC, WEATHER, ROAD WORK, TRANSIT: Wednesday watch
October 2, 2024 6:02 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:02 AM: Good morning. Welcome to Wednesday, October 2nd.

WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

Mostly sunny today, high in the low 60s. Today’s sunrise will be at 7:10 am, while sunset will be at 6:45 pm.

(Tuesday sunset – photo by Carol Ann Joyce)

ROAD WORK

*Still no news from SDOT about any possible lane closures this week for the Spokane Street Viaduct resurfacing project.

*The Admiral Way Bridge seismic project continues; the north half of the bridge remains closed, with one lane each way on the south side, until the project switches sides later this month. Fairmount Avenue remains closed under the bridge.

*The Delridge pedestrian-bridge earthquake-safety project continues too, with narrowing at Delridge/Oregon.

*The Highway 99 tunnel will close for maintenance and inspections 10 pm Friday to 6 am Saturday (and again the following weekend, for longer – 10 pm October 11, to 6 am October 13).

TRANSIT

Washington State Ferries today – 2 boats on the Triangle Route, plus the “unscheduled third boat.” Check for alerts here, where you’ll also find information on the fare increases that started Monday – Fauntleroy-Southworth, for example, full passenger fare rose from $7.70 to $8, while “small car and driver” rose from $10.95 to $11.45.

Metro buses today – Regular schedule.

Water Taxi today – Regular schedule.

SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS

High Bridge – Here’s the main camera, followed by the Fauntleroy-end camera:

Spokane Street Viaduct – This view usually looks westward, with eastbound lanes at left and westbound lanes at right:

Low Bridge – Looking west:

1st Avenue South Bridge:

Delridge cameras: Besides 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; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are on this WSB page.

If you see a problem on the bridges/streets/paths/water, please text or call our hotline (when you can do that safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities if they’re not already on scene) – 206-293-6302. Thank you!

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CRIME WATCH: Another West Seattle 7-11 robbery, likely connected to other holdups, and possible attempt (Wednesday update)
October 1, 2024 11:59 pm
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 |   Crime | West Seattle news

ORIGINAL REPORT, 11:59 PM TUESDAY: Thanks for the tip. This time the Admiral Way 7-11 has been hit by robbers. The clerk was held up less than an hour ago. Initial information from police was only that there were two robbers, both masked, and a gun was held to the clerk’s head. This is less than 24 hours after the Avalon Way 7-11 was held up, which in turn was less than 24 hours after a would-be robber tried to shoot his way through a locked door at the Highland Park 7-11. If you have any information about the Admiral robbery, the SPD incident # is 24-279573.

ADDED 12:44 PM WEDNESDAY: Here’s the SPD preliminary summary:

At 0131 hours, the suspects walked in the 7-11 located at the 4300 BLK of SW Admiral Wy. The suspects were driving a possibly dark sedan. The suspects entered the store, and one jumped over the counter. The second suspect walked around the counter. The suspects punched the clerk in the back twice and jabbed the back of his neck. The clerk felt pain. The suspects took approximately $200 in cash and left in their vehicle. The manager responded to the scene and video footage was reviewed. Possibly the same car was seen at a 7-11 located at the 9000 BLK of Delridge Wy SW. The two suspects attempted to walk inside the 7-11 wearing masks, but the clerk locked the door (Case# 24-279550). The SPD Robbery Unit was notified about both incidents.

There have been multiple recent robberies in South Seattle and West Seattle that appear to be connected to the same robbery crew (see many recent [incident reports]). Detectives with the Robbery Unit are working tirelessly on these investigations. No arrests have been made at this time. We will be releasing more information soon.

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