West Seattle, Washington

24 Wednesday

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month : 10/2019 315 results

COMMUNITY GIVING: Day of service for two local credit unions
October 14, 2019 7:03 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news

As discussed in our morning traffic coverage, this was a holiday for some – but also a day of service for these two local credit unions:

VERITY CREDIT UNION: Thanks to Pete Spalding at Verity CU (WSB sponsor) for sending the photo and report:

For the fifth consecutive year, Verity Credit Union employees have spread out across the areas served by our branch network. Employees spend their Indigenous Peoples holiday doing service projects. Our West Seattle project was doing some landscaping work at a couple of Transitional Resources properties along Yancy Street today.

Also today:

BECU: Employees spent today hosting “financial reality fairs” for students at 18 high schools around Puget Sound and in Spokane. One of them was West Seattle High School; the photo above was sent by BECU, which explains that students participating in the fairs “receive coaching while navigating the decision-making process to live within the means of their persona.”

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: 2 teens arrested after robbery attempt; car prowl
October 14, 2019 5:41 pm
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Two reports from the weekend in West Seattle Crime Watch:

ROBBERY ATTEMPT: Thanks for the tips about a police response at Lincoln Park Sunday evening. Police were gone by the time we heard, but we requested and received the report today. Two 17-year-old boys were arrested for allegedly trying to rob someone just outside Lincoln Park just after 5 pm. The report says the victim was “smoking a marijuana cigarette” while walking in the park with a friend. As they walked out of the park toward a bus stop near the north parking lot, the friend told police, they were approached by the two suspects who asked if they could buy marijuana from them. The victim said he didn’t have any more, but the suspects started threatening them, saying they would beat them up if they didn’t hand over their “weed.” They refused, said they were calling police, and “sought refuge” with someone in a parked car nearby. Police arrested the two 17-year-olds nearby and said they “admitted they asked … to buy marijuana” though it would have been illegal for them to possess. They were taken to the precinct and released into parental custody.

CAR PROWL: From PK: “Our vehicle was broken into between 10 pm (Saturday night) and 12 pm (Sunday) at the corner of 35th SW and SW Ida. Police report filed, fingerprints lifted and over $1500 in lost items from trunk, major damage to center console, and glove compartment rifled through.”

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Can you help with this Seattle Animal Shelter investigation?
October 14, 2019 4:53 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Pets | West Seattle news

Seattle Animal Shelter investigators are hoping someone who reads this might be able to help with an investigation. They explain that “a man was bitten by a dog that was living in a vehicle with some folks parked at Solstice Park by the tennis courts.” So they’re “hoping to find anybody who may have interacted with the people and the dog, or seen the dog off leash or not under direct control, on or prior to 9/30/19.” They’ve already talked with neighbors and haven’t had any luck. “The vehicle is a silver 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee, with one male and one female occupant, and a large tan and white pit bull. Anybody with information can contact the main Animal Control line at 206-386-7387.”

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Work finally about to start on 49th/Admiral crossing changes
October 14, 2019 2:51 pm
|      11 COMMENTS
 |   Safety | Transportation | West Seattle news

Work could start as soon as Wednesday on the long-promised crossing improvements at 49th SW/SW Admiral Way. That’s the word today from SDOT‘s Ching Chan, who says the work will “take up to 4 weeks to complete and have minimal impact to traffic. Here’s the official announcement:

To continue improving access and safety for all users who live, work, and play along Admiral Way SW, we will soon be constructing a crossing improvement at SW Admiral Way & 49th Ave SW. This project was planned in late 2017 and includes several elements to enhance the pedestrian environment at this intersection:

*Relocate the crosswalk at this intersection to the northeast leg
*Install new accessible curb ramps that meet Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards
*Construct a new median refuge island
*Provide new pedestrian-activated rapid flashing beacons at the crosswalk

These treatments will help to increase visibility at the intersection and provide a more comfortable and protected crossing for people who walk.

This project, minus the curb ramps, was supposed to be done two years ago.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Robbery, auto-theft investigation
October 14, 2019 1:18 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | Luna Park | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

1:18 PM: There’s a big police response right now in the Luna Park area after a reported robbery, and a K9 team is joining the search. We are still getting details but there was a report of a car theft as part of this. More to come …

1:25 PM: The search has expanded to include the greenbelt northwest of Avalon/Spokane. Only a partial description of the suspects – “three unknown-race males in their 20s,” one in a gray hoodie, one in a black hoodie, one with a red jacket. Multiple K9 teams are involved now.

2 PM: No one reported in custody yet. Police are talking to various people involved and still trying to sort out exactly what happened and where.

2:08 PM: In our photo above, that’s the recovered stolen vehicle (stopped by a flat tire), uphill in the Avalon/Spokane area, about to be towed. Police tell us this all began in North Delridge; it’s now being described as having started as a “home invasion” robbery, but they continue to sort out the circumstances.

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FOLLOWUP: Why the dead sea lion is still on Seacrest shore – and word of another nearby
October 14, 2019 12:17 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news | Wildlife

Saturday night, after several questions, we reported on a dead sea lion on the beach at Seacrest Park. It’s still there, leading to more questions today because it’s so visible from the Water Taxi dock, so we followed up with Lynn Shimamoto of Seal Sitters Marine Mammal Stranding Network, who answered our weekend inquiry too: “I’m in contact with Fish & Wildlife and SR3 to see if they can do a partial necropsy. It will then be up to Parks to dispose of the carcass since it’s on their property but Parks can’t do this for a couple more days for logistical reasons. Seal Sitters posted a sign near the carcass warning people of the health hazards and asking them to stay away. Interestingly, we responded to another dead sea lion on Saturday. This second carcass is on Port property and we hope it can be examined as well.” Pending potential necropsies, what killed the sea lions is unknown. (Photo courtesy Keri)

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HALLOWEEN/HARVEST EVENTS: Last call to get them in our guide
October 14, 2019 10:46 am
|    Comments Off on HALLOWEEN/HARVEST EVENTS: Last call to get them in our guide
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news

Almost time to launch the annual special guide for West Seattle Halloween events and this month’s other seasonal celebrations. Thanks to everyone who’s already sent listings for the guide and our calendar; we wanted to mention one more time in case you haven’t sent information about yours! As with regular event listings, we just need the W’s – what, when, where, who, weblink if you have one – emailed to westseattleblog@gmail.com. Thank you! Watch for the guide by midweek.

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8 for your West Seattle Monday!
October 14, 2019 9:04 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(One more look at Sunday sunshine, Lincoln Park photo by Anjanette Nelson-Wally)

Eight events in five previews – read on to see:

PHYSICAL THERAPY NIGHT: 5:30-7 pm at West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor), Physical Therapy Night with free injury assessments. (2743 California SW)

2 EVENING BOOK GROUPS: 6:45 pm at both Southwest Library (9010 35th SW) and West Seattle (Admiral) Library (2306 42nd SW). This month’s books: “The Spiral Staircase” by Karen Armstrong at SW, “LaRose” by Louise Erdrich at WS.

CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT 1 DEBATE: First of three this week – West Seattle/South Park City Council candidates Phil Tavel and Lisa Herbold answer questions at this Westside Interfaith Network/League of Women Voters-presented event, 7 pm (doors open at 6:30) at Our Lady of Guadalupe‘s Walmesley Center. (7000 35th SW)

DEVELOPMENT MEETING: As previously reported, the project at 6035-6039 42nd SW has an Early Design Review Outreach meeting at 7 pm tonight at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor). The project website is here. (5612 California SW)

3 TRIVIA/QUIZ NIGHTS: Here are your Monday night options!
*Best of Hands Barrelhouse (7500 35th SW), 7 pm, $2/person, 21+
*The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW), 7:30 pm, free, all ages
*Parliament Tavern (4210 SW Oregon), 8 pm, $2/person, 21+

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Monday watch, with 99 changes
October 14, 2019 7:06 am
|      30 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(SDOT MAP with travel times/ Is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE/ West Seattle-relevant traffic cams HERE)

7:06 AM: Good morning! No incidents/alerts so far.

99 CHANGES: Reminder that changes were made during the weekend NB 99 closure including “adjusting” the bus lane. There’s also a change at the north end.

7:29 AM: Two texts so far about the sea-lion carcass near the Water Taxi dock. We reported on that Saturday night.

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ELECTION 2019: Voting starts Wednesday
October 13, 2019 10:27 pm
|      26 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

checkbox.jpgWednesday is when King County Elections will open its voting centers, and when it’ll mail ballots. Election notes:

3 CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT 1 DEBATES/FORUMS THIS WEEK: You have three chances in the next six days to see Lisa Herbold and Phil Tavel side by side:

-Monday (October 14th), 7 pm at Our Lady of Guadalupe‘s Walmesley Center (7000 35th SW), presented by Westside Interfaith Network and the League of Women Voters

-Thursday (October 17th), 6 pm at Westside School (10404 34th SW; WSB sponsor), presented by the
West Seattle Chamber of Commerce

–Saturday (October 19th), 11 am at the Senior Center/Sisson Building (4217 SW Oregon), presented by the
West Seattle Junction Association, with your WSB co-publishers moderating

CAMPAIGN CASH: While the only numbers that really matter are the vote totals, it’s interesting to occasionally check in on campaign cash. This information is available through the state Public Disclosure Commission, and includes who gave to who, and what campaign funding was spent on, among other things. Checking the D-1 race, Herbold is ahead in cash contributions, $174,000+ to $133,000+ for Tavel. But he is way ahead in what’s called “independent expenditure” spending – third parties spending on your behalf but out of your control. IE spending for Tavel is $169,000+ so far, most of that from the business group Civic Alliance for a Sound Economy. IE spending for Herbold is $14,000+, most from the Civic Alliance for a Progressive Economy. Half of the quarter-million dollars raised by CAPE (here’s that list) is from entrepreneur Nick Hanauer; more than a third of the $1.1 million raised by CASE (here’s that list) is from Amazon. (Both of those groups are spending in support of candidates in other races too.)

WHAT ELSE YOU’LL SEE ON YOUR BALLOT: We mentioned the two big state ballot measures in this report last week. You’ll also see 12 state advisory measures and a state constitutional amendment. No Seattle ballot measures, but there’s one for King County – Proposition 1 renews the Medic One emergency-services levy for six more years. You’ll also be voting for King County, Port of Seattle, and Seattle Public Schools races – we’ll take a closer look at those tomorrow.

VOTING DEADLINE: Election Night is Tuesday, November 5th; dropboxes will be open until 8 pm. If you’re voting by mail, make sure your ballot will be postmarked with that date (or sooner).

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Community concerns aired as Seattle Planning Commission visits North Delridge
October 13, 2019 7:56 pm
|    Comments Off on Community concerns aired as Seattle Planning Commission visits North Delridge
 |   Delridge | Neighborhoods | West Seattle news

The Seattle Planning Commission‘s meeting this past week in North Delridge was its first outside City Hall.

Commission members are appointed volunteers, comprising an advisory group that keeps watch on the big picture, including the city’s Comprehensive Plan.

But it’s currently devoid of West Seattleites, as attendees observed after chair Michael Austin – a Pioneer Square resident – led the round of introductions. He explained that along with being “stewards of the Comprehensive Plan” – with work starting next year on a major update planned for 2023 – the commission’s other current focuses include light-rail-extension planning and Neighborhoods for All, which proposes zoning changes including an end to single-family zoning.

Neighborhood/organization reps from east West Seattle were invited to introduce themselves and talk about their concern:

Read More

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WHALES NEARBY: Orcas in the area
October 13, 2019 6:39 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | Whales | Wildlife

It’s getting late to catch them tonight but as tipster Kersti Muul points out, you might see them in the morning: Southern Resident Killer Whales from J-Pod were passing Bainbridge Island, southbound, shortly before sunset.

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REOPENED EARLY: NB 99 and tunnel
October 13, 2019 4:50 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

Thanks for the tip! Northbound Highway 99 has reopened early from the West Seattle Bridge through the tunnel. It had been closed since late Friday night for work including “adjusting” the bus lane.

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NEXT SUNDAY: 1st of 4 ways to celebrate silver anniversary of spawning salmon’s return to Fauntleroy Creek
October 13, 2019 2:38 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   Fauntleroy | West Seattle news | Wildlife

(“Harry & Louise,” 1994, photo courtesy Southwest Seattle Historical Society)

Not too soon to make your plan for what to do after the NEXT Seahawks game. Take the family to be part of the first event in a special salmon-return season at Fauntleroy Creek: The silver anniversary of “Harry and Louise,” the nicknames given to the first spawners in modern history to return to the creek, spotted in October 1994. Fauntleroy Creek advocate Judy Pickens explains how you can be part of the celebration this season, next Sunday and beyond:

October is spawning season on Fauntleroy Creek and you have four opportunities to get in on the action, starting next weekend.

Drum in spawners. The annual drumming (Sunday, Oct. 20, 5 pm), will entice spawners into the creek and begin a year-long “Silver Anniversary” for Harry and Louise, the first spawning pair in modern history, who arrived in October 1994. Bring a drum of any kind or just yourself to this free rain-or-shine event. Drumming will guide you to the creek level at 4539 SW Director Place (near SW Director and upper Fauntleroy Way SW).

Become a salmon watcher. Starting Oct. 20, volunteers will work in half-hour shifts to document activity in the spawning reach near the Fauntleroy Ferry Terminal during the five hours after high tide. Email judy_pickens@msn.com for details and to get on the list.

Come to a creek open house. The West Seattle Blog will announce this free weekend event, depending on when spawners arrive.

Come to the Fauntleroy Fall Festival. Volunteers will be on hand near the salmon-hat booth in the church parking lot (Sunday, Oct. 27, 2-5 pm) to answer questions and invite you to sign a “Silver Anniversary” poster honoring Harry and Louise.

Fauntleroy Creek is one of just a few salmon creeks remaining in the city limits.

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YOU CAN HELP: Donation drive for makeup bags/samples
October 13, 2019 1:04 pm
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | Pigeon Point | West Seattle news

Got makeup bags or samples you don’t need? Stephanie Endres would be happy to get them:

My nonprofit Stephanie’s Lifeline HOPE is currently collecting makeup samples and makeup bags for an event we will be holding in which we are filling the makeup bags with makeup to distribute to women’s homeless and domestic-violece shelters.

We are in search of more makeup bags and more samples at this this time … We will be collecting items until October 27.

In order to donate, drop off donations at 3830 22nd Ave SW in West Seattle (Pigeon Point), or we can arrange a pick up time. Our phone number is 253-237-3056 and our email Stephanieslifeline@gmail.com.

We first mentioned Stephanie’s work four years ago.

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BIZNOTE: StarCycle sets opening date in West Seattle Junction
October 13, 2019 10:57 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Six months ago, we reported that StarCycle was coming to the Adell Apartments building at 4532 42nd SW. Their grand-opening is set for later this month – here’s the announcement:

Indoor cycling franchise StarCycle is coming to West Seattle! To celebrate the new studio, they’ll be hosting five days of free classes for their grand opening weekend from October 30 to November 3.

StarCycle is the fastest growing cycling franchise on the West Coast, and offers 45-minute beat-driven, cardio rides in the dark. The candlelit rooms are technology-free to provide a meditative 45-minute retreat for an intimate group of 25 riders.

To reserve a spot at one of the free classes, view the schedule here and sign up for the class of your choosing. .

Guests should wear comfortable athletic clothing for riding on the bikes. StarCycle will provide the appropriate shoes for you to maximize your ride and your StarCycle instructor will take great care of you during class – no experience necessary!

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9 for your West Seattle Sunday!
October 13, 2019 6:03 am
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(White-throated Sparrow, photographed by Janeanne Houston, shared via WSB’s Flickr group)

Welcome to Sunday! First, a traffic reminder:

TUNNEL/99: NB 99 from the West Seattle Bridge to the north end of the tunnel is scheduled to remain closed today. The closure is expected to end by 4 am Monday; as always, we’re monitoring and will publish an update if it ends early.

Now, today’s highlights:

OKTOBERFEST 5K: Free run-walk from Ounces. Just be there to join! 9 am start. (3809 Delridge Way SW)

WEST SEATTLE SKI SWAP: 10 am-4 pm, second day to shop skis, snowboards, other gear at the West Seattle VFW. (3601 SW Alaska)

WEST SEATTLE OKTOBERFEST: 10 am-8 pm at Ounces, last of three days. (3809 Delridge Way SW)

WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: Freshness in the street in the heart of The Junction, 10 am-2 pm. (California SW between SW Oregon and SW Alaska)

FRESH HOP FEST: Noon-11 pm at Best of Hands Barrelhouse:

All weekend long during normal business hours we’ll be pouring all four of our fresh hop ales as well as a select few from some of our friends. Vote on your house favorites (excludes guest taps) for a chance to win some brewery swag!

(7500 35th SW)

‘IDOLATRY OF WHITENESS’: 6-session course starts at Admiral Congregational Church, 1 pm – details in our calendar listing. (4320 SW Hill)

MUSICAL BENEFIT FOR WEST SEATTLE FOOD BANK: 3-5 pm at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor): “An afternoon of classical guitar featuring 3 world class musicians – Elizabeth Brown, Jessica Papkoff, and Michael Partington.” Bring cash and/or nonperishable food donations. (5612 California SW)

‘SUNSET BABY’: 3 pm matinée at ArtsWest (WSB sponsor), “Sunset Baby” by Dominique Morisseau, directed by Valerie Curtis-Newton. Ticket info here. (4711 California SW)

YADA YADA BLUES BAND: Surprise 6 pm early show at Parliament Tavern. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)

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About the sea lion at Seacrest
October 12, 2019 11:08 pm
|    Comments Off on About the sea lion at Seacrest
 |   West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news | Wildlife

We’ve received multiple questions about a sea-lion carcass at Seacrest Park. We referred the first texter to Seal Sitters Marine Mammal Stranding Network and then checked late tonight to see what they’d found. Seal Sitters’ Lynn Shimamoto replied:

We responded to a report of a dead sea lion at Cove 2 this afternoon. The carcass is in an advanced state of decomposition. We don’t know the cause of death or whether it will be necropsied. We marked it with green paint in order to identify it in case it floats away.

If you see a beached or struggling, or dead, marine mammal, Seal Sitters’ hotline is 206-905-SEAL.

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DEVELOPMENT: Change in plan for 9201 Delridge Way SW
October 12, 2019 9:36 pm
|      31 COMMENTS
 |   Delridge | Development | West Seattle news

(WSB photo, January 2018)

ORIGINAL REPORT, SATURDAY NIGHT: Back in February, the Southwest Design Review Board gave its final OK to the plan for a 4-story storage facility to replace the auto-shop business at 9201 Delridge Way SW. But new documents in the city filing system suggest that plan’s been scrapped and a new one is in the works: A 5-story, 56-unit mixed-use building. The new early-stage site plan (PDF) shows that 51 units would be apartment, 5 would be ground-floor live-works, and that there will be offstreet parking spaces for 8 cars and 59 bicycles. The building would also have retail space with an entry from Delridge; its main residential entrance would be off SW Barton. So why the change? A docket notation regarding the withdrawal of permit requests for the storage project says, “New zoning does not allow what was proposed for this permit application.” This site, like several others we’ve reported on lately, was upzoned by HALA Mandatory Housing Affordability and is now zoned NC3-55.

ADDED MONDAY AFTERNOON: Department of Construction and Inspections spokesperson Bryan Stevens says the aforementioned docket notation is accurate: “Zoning changed from a Commercial 1 zone with a 40′ height limit to a Neighborhood Commercial 3 zone with a 55′ height limit. The new zoning placed a 25,000 sq. ft. limit on mini-storage uses. The previous proposal included 34,000 sq. ft. of mini-storage. A revision to the design would have been required to limit the size of this type of business, while the added height provided with MHA may have also played a role in reconsidering the project.”

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WEEKEND SCENE: West Seattle Helpline celebrates ‘Neighbors Helping Neighbors’
October 12, 2019 8:05 pm
|    Comments Off on WEEKEND SCENE: West Seattle Helpline celebrates ‘Neighbors Helping Neighbors’
 |   Fauntleroy | How to help | West Seattle news

(WSB photos)

West Seattle Helpline executive director Erin Dury Moore and board member Rev. Ron Marshall are smiling at tonight’s show of support for the organization’s mission to keep people out of homelessness. It’s the Helpline’s 10th annual “Neighbors Helping Neighbors” dinner and auction at The Hall at Fauntleroy. WSB is the media sponsor and we stopped by in the early going for some photos:

Dinner hadn’t started yet but among the items on display were the treats awaiting bidders in the “Dessert Dash”:

A variety of silent and live auction items are up for grabs, from vacation packages to a wine-tasting party (donated by WSB sponsor Viscon Cellars):

Among Helpline supporters in attendance, City Council candidate Phil Tavel:

As the Helpline website explains, “The West Seattle Helpline stops homelessness before it starts. We provide financial assistance in the form of rent and utility payments, clothing, bus tickets, and referrals to help our neighbors in West Seattle and White Center regain stability after facing hardship.” They’ve helped more than 6,000 people so far this year. If you couldn’t get to tonight’s event, here’s how to help any time.

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CRIME PREVENTION: Precinct newsletter, and events ahead
October 12, 2019 7:25 pm
|    Comments Off on CRIME PREVENTION: Precinct newsletter, and events ahead
 |   Crime | Safety | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

If you haven’t already seen Southwest Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator Jennifer Danner‘s latest newsletter, here it is, focusing on property crime:

As noted at the end of the newsletter, which you also can read here in PDF, you’re invited to several events ahead with local police involvement. First one is Tuesday, October 15, at 7 pm, when the West Seattle Crime Prevention Council convenes at the precinct (2300 SW Webster) for its next meeting, including a presentation on preventing home burglaries.

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1 WEEK AWAY: TLC for Seattle’s river during Duwamish Alive!
October 12, 2019 3:28 pm
|    Comments Off on 1 WEEK AWAY: TLC for Seattle’s river during Duwamish Alive!
 |   Environment | How to help | West Seattle news

That “River for All” is the Duwamish River, and we are now one week away from a simple way for you to show it some love: The fall edition of the one-day-and-many-locations Duwamish Alive! volunteering event is 10 am-2 pm next Saturday (October 19th). More than half a dozen of the sites are in West Seattle; to see the list and find out how to RSVP to help, go to DuwamishAlive.org, or email info@duwamishalive.org

. Just a few hours of your time can give a boost to the river and all who depend on it – animals, plants, and people.

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UPDATE: Crash blocking eastbound Roxbury
October 12, 2019 2:55 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

2:55 PM: A 2-car collision at Roxbury/8th has police blocking off the eastbound direction right now, so avoid that area if you’re heading out.

3:58 PM: Just went through the area – all clear.

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