West Seattle, Washington
02 Monday
(WSB photo from 2019 Westside Awards breakfast)
Last year, Alki Lumber was honored as Business of the Year in the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce‘s Westside Awards, which also recognize Emerging Business of the Year, Not-for-Profit of the Year, and Westsider of the Year. Who will it be this year? You are invited to make nominations – chamber membership is NOT required. Use this short form for each nomination; go here to see the criteria and lists of past winners. explains the criteria for each category. You have until the end of February to nominate someone (but why wait?). Once the winners are chosen, they’ll be honored at the annual Westside Awards breakfast, which this year wiil be held at The Hall at Fauntleroy, 7:30 am April 28th.
Three items in Crime Watch:
(1/26/2019 SDOT cam framegrab showing investigation scene)(January 2019 SDOT image)
SENTENCING TOMORROW: 89-year-old Roger Mize will be sentenced tomorrow for shooting another man to death almost a year ago shortly after both boarded a C Line bus in SODO. Mize pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter; prosecutors are recommending a 7 1/2-year sentence. As we reported last year, Mize and the victim, 51-year-old Ronnie Tyler, got into a fight aboard the bus after Mize took offense at Tyler walking past him. He pistol-whipped the victim and then shot him. Mize was arrested for shooting another man in 2013 but was never charged; that victim survived.
Two reader reports:
MAIL THEFT: From Chris, whose Arbor Heights neighborhood has been hit by mail theft before:
We have a new mail thief that struck every mail box this morning at 5:20am on SW oceanview Dr.
I can’t quite make out the make and model of the car this time.
Chris says the thief’s car is the dark one at the top of that image.
CAR PROWL: Gatewood again. This report is from Christine:
Just wanted to let you know that our 2004 Audi was rifled through this morning while I was up and making breakfast for my daughter around 6:15 am. I almost caught them because I heard a car with a loud motor rumbling outside and began to walk to the front door but by the time I got to the window and saw the light on in our car, they took off.
The car was parked in the front of the house and accidentally left unlocked but luckily nothing of value was in there. All they took was our Leatherman multi-tool set. The sound of their car certainly drew attention so surprised they’re out casing when people are up and getting ready for work and school!
4:20 PM: If you’re about to head this way from downtown – avoid 1st Avenue S. Per tipsters as well as SPD dispatch, a truck is blocking both southbound lanes just north of the West Seattle Bridge ramp, apparently after hitting a utility pole.
5:09 PM: Still backed up. See the almost-live camera image here.
6:31 PM: Scene’s not clear yet but the live video version of that camera shows more traffic being routed around it.
8:03 PM: The camera shows that entire block of 1st closed off now, and NB traffic coming off the westbound bridge being detoured too.
10:36 PM: We’re still monitoring the live video feed from the scene. It’s without power now and City Light is working in at least one bucket truck. The block is still closed to traffic.
1:13 AM: No change. We’re going off-watch for a while but you can check the camera link to see if it’s reopened.
6:54 AM: SDOT tweeted around 5:30 that it was open again.
From SDOT‘s weekly Construction Lookahead, two notes:
NB 99 TUNNEL CLOSURE: The northbound tunnel’s maintenance closure has been rescheduled from this weekend to next – now set for 10 pm January 24th to 8 am January 25th.
SB 1ST AVE. S. BRIDGE: The southbound 1st Avenue South Bridge will be completely closed for repair work for four nights in February – 2/7, 2/8, 2/14, 2/15, 9 pm-8 am nightly.
Last February, we reported on a proposal for 4 four-story houses on that sloped site at 2530 55th SW (map) in Alki, site of a street-closing slide in 2013. Today’s twice-weekly Land Use Information Bulletin brings the official notice that the city has approved the plan, which will include 4 offstreet-parking spaces. The decision (PDF) explains the conditions under which the city approved the project despite the site’s challenges. The approval opens a two-week appeal period through January 30th; this notice (PDF) explains how to file one.
11:46 AM: Just received two reports of brown water in Arbor Heights – 35th/102nd is one location mentioned. We’re checking with Seattle Public Utilities; we’ll update when we hear back. If you’re experiencing it, be sure to call SPU at 206-386-1800, even if you know someone else already has reported it.
1:40 PM: Just heard back from SPU’s Ingrid Goodwin, who explains:
SPU crews had to perform an emergency water-main shutdown around 10:30 am today on 35th Ave SW between SW 100th ST and SW 104th St to repair a broken water main. Water was restored (back on for customers) around 11:30 am. As you know, shutting off water can sometimes cause temporary discolored water for customers. As of about 1 pm, our Operations Response Center reports receiving one call from a customer in the area about discolored water.
Thanks to “West Seattle Local” for the view of the snowy Olympic Mountains, looking over the peninsula and through The Great Wheel from downtown. Down here, the snow’s mostly (if not all) melted, and it’s a “getting back to normal” day. Highlights for the rest of today:
CHILDREN’S STORY TIME: 11:30 am at High Point Library. (3411 SW Raymond)
BACHELOR’S DEGREE @ SOUTH: 4 pm info session about getting a bachelor’s degree in Hospitality Management at South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) – details in our calendar listing, (6000 16th SW)
COUNTRY-POP AT PACIFIC ROOM: Live music with Audrey Collins, 6-9 pm at the Pacific Room (WSB sponsor) on Alki. No cover. All ages. (2808 Alki SW)
ILENE ENGLISH READING/BOOK SIGNING: The author of “Hippie Chick” will be at Paper Boat Booksellers tonight at 6 pm.
ALKI COMMUNITY COUNCIL: Open board meeting at 7 pm, community members welcome, at Alki UCC. (6115 SW Hinds)
BELLY DANCING: Jet City Raqs at The Skylark in North Delridge, 7 pm. All ages. Details here. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
‘HARVEY’ OPENING NIGHT: First of three nights for this year’s student-directed West Seattle High School production – the classic play centered on a giant rabbit. 7:30 pm curtain at the WSHS Theater. (3000 California SW)
‘THE REVOLUTIONISTS’ OPENING NIGHT: 7:30 pm at ArtsWest, “a quartet of fierce women — Playwright Olympe de Gouges, assassin Charlotte Corday, former queen Marie Antoinette, and Haitian rebel Marianne Angelle — lose their heads in this irreverent, girl-powered comedy set during the French Revolution’s Reign of Terror.” Check for tickets here. (4711 California SW)
Have an event for our calendar? Send the info! westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Another regional effect of the some-got-it-some-didn’t snow – reduced blood supplies, as some donors couldn’t get around and some mobile drives had to be canceled. Antoinette points out that Bloodworks Northwest has told local donors they’re having two drives in West Seattle in the next several days, so if you can donate, please consider doing it – the blood bank is especially short on O positive and negative, A negative, B positive and negative, and AB negative. The drives are Saturday at Westwood Village (SW Barton side), 9 am-3 pm (closed 11 am-noon for a break), and Monday at Admiral Safeway (2622 California SW), 11:30 am-5:30 pm (closed 1:30-2:30 pm). Walk-ins are welcome, or you can find the drives here and make an appointment.
(SDOT MAP with travel times/ Is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE/ West Seattle-relevant traffic cams HERE)
6:58 AM: Good morning! Schools are back to regular schedules today. No traffic incidents or transit alerts for our area so far.
Almost nine months after The West Seattle Turkey showed up on the peninsula, it’s out in the cold … so some fans were worried. Along with this photo posted in a comment, we have an update from Lauren, along with the photos above and below. Lauren reports, “In case anyone’s worried about how the West Seattle Turkey is faring during these snowy days, the answer is just fine. It took refuge in our chicken run while the snow came down.”
Thanks to Lauren and everyone else who’s shared turkey sightings – some unusual, from a parking garage to a tower crane! The Turkey’s origins remain, to date, a mystery.
Seen this stolen car? The photo and report are from Ana:
Our car was stolen last night or early morning today from 42nd and Graham. Washington plates #BEN3517. It is a black Subaru Impreza, 1998. Please contact 911 or call (425) 623-5448 if seen.
SPD case # is 2020-017186.
1/19 UPDATE: Found, per this comment.
Today’s district-wide Seattle Public Schools closure means a one-day delay for opening night of West Seattle High School‘s student-directed play, “Harvey.” Its run will now be Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 7:30 pm, in the theater at WSHS (3000 California SW). Tickets are $10 at the door; see the cast and synopsis for the production here.
1:57 PM: That’s what Southwest Athletic Complex looked like this morning – one of the places in West Seattle where light snow from earlier this week is lingering. And you might notice a little more on the ground in your neighborhood when you return home tonight – light snow is falling right now and the National Weather Service expects showers to continue for a while:
Another band of moderate to heavy precipitation is moving onshore from the Pacific near Hoquiam. A band of snow is also affecting the Puget sound lowlands. The dry air will limit accumulation and most will fall as flurries to light snow. #wawx pic.twitter.com/qgfWxcoZcY
— NWS Seattle (@NWSSeattle) January 15, 2020
No new alerts so far.
2:26 PM: Half an hour later, still snowing, heavily at times.
2:52 PM: And it’s all but over for now. Some stuck to side streets, though – Heather tweeted this photo from North Admiral:
The temperature’s still above freezing, though. SDOT‘s back out on the arterials just in case.
4:34 PM UPDATE: We just took a trip around the peninsula – roads are fine, no further precip.
12:52 PM: As first reported here Monday, American Legion Post 160 has opened its doors to be a “warming center” for anyone in the West Seattle area who needs somewhere to go. Just in, an update from Post 160 Commander Keith Hughes:
Through the generosity of Good Neighbors in West Seattle, we now have cots and blankets, as well as lots of coffee, tea, water, soft drinks, and hot food all day. If you or someone you know of needs to get out of the cold and wet, please let folks know we are open and will be through Friday night and breakfast on Saturday.
Post 160 is at 3618 SW Alaska (here’s a map).
THURSDAY MORNING UPDATE: Now that the temperature is well above freezing, this will end at noon today (January 16th).
(WSB photo, Tuesday customers getting Wednesday pickup in Fauntleroy)
Update from Seattle Public Utilities:
Due to winter weather, residential garbage, recycling, and food/yard waste collections will be delayed by one day for the rest of the week. Solid waste contractors will run full operations today, picking up Tuesday customers.
Tuesday customers will be serviced today, Wednesday, with Wednesday customers serviced on Thursday, Thursday customers on Friday, and Friday customers on Saturday.
Monday customers who have carts out should bring their carts in and can set out double next week at no additional charge.
If your collection was missed on your adjusted set out day, please bring your carts in and you can set out double next week at no additional charge.
(Anna’s Hummingbird in snowfall, photographed by Jamie Kinney – see video here)
Here are highlights for your “no-new-snow snow-day” Wednesday:
SNOW DAY ULTIMATE: The folks behind West Seattle Ultimate Family Frisbee‘s regular pickup games invite you to a “snow day” edition, 10 am at Walt Hundley Playfield. (34th/Myrtle)
(11:30 am update – postponed until January 22nd) MORGAN COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION: 7 pm quarterly meeting at The Kenney – you’re invited! See the plan here. (7125 Fauntleroy Way SW)
COMEDY KITCHEN: 7 pm at Pacific Room on Alki, have some laughs! Hosted by Zack Kitchens. No cover. (2808 Alki SW)
‘THE REVOLUTIONISTS’: Pay-what-you-can preview night for ArtsWest‘s new production, 7:30 pm curtain. Tickets here. (4711 California SW)
OPEN MIC NIGHT: The famous one! 7:30 pm at The Skylark – details here. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
Note that weather-related closures/changes might affect other items on our calendar.
(WEDNESDAY SCHOOL INFO: Changes are ALL LISTED HERE)
5:50 AM: Good morning. It’s been a windy, but not snowy, night. The temperature is above freezing, and the weather alert has been lifted. But conditions elsewhere in the county are still affecting some things. Here are our infolinks:
SCHOOL CHANGES: Listed here, including Seattle Public Schools‘ closure
METRO CHANGES: Here’s the systemwide list
SDOT WINTER WEATHER MAP: See treated/plowed streets citywide here
SDOT TRAVELERS’ MAP: The map we regularly feature with cameras, alerts
OUR TRAFFIC CAMS PAGE: Cameras particularly relevant to WS and vicinity
WARMING CENTER: In West Seattle, go to American Legion Post 160
Got info? Text/call 206-293-6302.
6:45 AM: Remember that some Tuesday-collection trash/recycling customers were skipped – we expect an update from SPU later, but they indicated on Tuesday that they’d try to get to skipped customers today, so leave your cart out.
7:48 AM: Again, even though we didn’t get hit by snow overnight, there are still some ripple effects, and here’s another: Seattle Parks program closures. Here’s the full rundown on what’s open and closed (no golfing in West Seattle today, too).
(first report Tuesday night) Seattle Public Schools just announced the district is CLOSED Wednesday. The district explains:
“Safety is our top priority and multiple factors were considered, including road conditions. We also recognize that tomorrow is an early release day and recognize the hardship a 2-hour delay would cause families.”
Also from SPS: “District offices open. All schools and school buildings are closed. Athletics and all student activities are canceled.”
(below updated 7:52 am Wednesday)
ALSO CLOSED:
Fauntleroy Children’s Center
South Seattle College
Holy Family
Holy Rosary
Community School of West Seattle
DELAYED:
Our Lady of Guadalupe – 2-hour delay, no zero-period Spanish, no morning EDC
Explorer West MS – late start, open at 10 am
Hope Lutheran – 2-hour late start, no morning extended care, no AM-only preschool (confirmed 6:13 am Wed.)
REGULAR SCHEDULE CONFIRMED:
Westside School
Seattle Lutheran HS
Cometa Playschool
OUTSIDE WEST SEATTLE:
Hamlin Robinson – 2-hour delay
UW Seattle – 9:30 am start
Highline Public Schools – normal
Seattle University – normal
Vashon Island School District – normal
We’ll continue adding other school announcements for here, as we get them – 206-293-6302, text or voice.
Three items in West Seattle Crime Watch tonight:
VANDALISM ON VIDEO: The video and photo are from Samuel, who says this has happened to him four times in three months.
He is at 36th/Thistle.
MAIL THEFT ON VIDEO: Pardon the profanity in the video titles, but Carolyn, who uploaded it, is furious about what happened early Monday:
I wanted to share video of mail being stolen in Highland Park. These same people broke into my neighbor’s car. Another neighbor had their gas tank drilled and gas stolen. Another neighbor said mailboxes on 7th Ave SW were hit too. One video is of them at the mail box, the other is them driving up to 8th Ave, turning to the dead end, where they broke into the car.
My neighbor confirmed that where they stayed parked on the second video was their car. I know not much can be done, but want to get this out there as much as possible.
TRENDS: The Fauntleroy Community Association board meeting tonight included a crime-trend update from Southwest Precinct operations commander Lt. Steve Strand. He said crimes against persons – robbery, assault, etc. – were down last year; auto theft was up, with cars taken in our area turning up all over the county. Also, a meeting downtown today focused on the abandoned-building problem and streamlining permits to get them boarded up more quickly. Got questions for police? First West Seattle Crime Prevention Council meeting of the year is one week from tonight – 7 pm Tuesday, January 21st, Southwest Precinct (2300 SW Webster), all welcome.
4:59 PM: Two notes, starting with the forecast:
WEATHER UPDATE: As sunset approached, West Seattle saw some sunshine, though the temperature has remained below freezing, so last night’s snow is still around. The National Weather Service continues to predict that more is on th way tonight, so a Winter Storm Warning alert will take effect at 6 pm. The NWS stresses that there’s much uncertainty about where the “heavier snow bands” will go – maybe not this far south – but we should know by mid-evening. The alert currently is set to expire at 7 am tomorrow.
TRANSIT UPDATE: Metro remains on regular routing in our area, but with some changes, most notably:
Transit Alert – Rt 37 to the Alaska Junction will not operate this evening due to road conditions; ride Rt 55 or the RapidRide C Line.
— King County Metro ❄️🚏 🚌🚎⛴🚐 (@kcmetrobus) January 15, 2020
Here’s the full Metro overview.
ADDED 8:16 PM: Haven’t seen more than flurries so far. If anything more happens, we’ll start a new report. But before we move on from this one, some photos from readers – first, an aerial near Myrtle Reservoir, from an anonymous texter:
Next, from Theresa Arbow-O’Connor:
And from Natalia Swegle:
If you see snowfall – 206-293-6302, text or voice – thank you!
(WSB photo of Katie Bubalo, 2018)
Thanks to the Summit Atlas parent who tipped us to a sudden change at West Seattle’s only charter school. Its founding principal Katie Bubalo, who most recently held the title of high-school executive director at Summit Atlas, which also serves middle-school grades at its Arbor Heights campus. California-headquartered Summit Public Schools confirmed to WSB that this is the letter sent last night to families by Summit’s senior director of schools Malia Burns:
We are reaching out to share with you the news that Ms. Bubalo will be stepping down as executive director of Summit Atlas High School. We are grateful for her service to our community and wish her well in her future endeavors.
We’ve heard you and will want to make sure that you have a strong voice in the selection of the school’s next leader. We will be holding two listening sessions to gather input from our families, teachers, and students about the characteristics they are looking for in a school leader. Together, we will create a school culture that reflects our shared values of inclusiveness and collaboration guided by a strong leader at the helm.
We are committed to making the transition a seamless one. I am pleased to announce that Andrea Klein, Summit Atlas Middle School’s Executive Director, will serve as interim executive director of Summit Atlas High School while we search for a permanent replacement. She is very knowledgeable of our school community, dedicated to ensuring students’ success, and has a track record of gaining the trust and respect of families and faculty. Kristina Brawley, our Dean of Culture and Instruction, will continue in her leadership role. She has been an incredible asset to the community since joining this fall. She will partner with Andrea to ensure continuity for students, faculty, and families. I will also be available to support you through the transition.
The listening sessions will take place on Thursday, January 16 at 3 p.m. and Tuesday, January 21 at 7:30 a.m. at Summit Atlas. We hope you will choose to attend the listening sessions and share your thoughts because they will be critical in shaping the future leadership of the school.
Throughout this process, we are steadfast in our commitment to maintaining our focus on students and families and ensuring a seamless transition. If you have questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to me at mburns@summitps.org, Andrea at aklein@summitps.org, or Kristina at kbrawley@summitps.org.
Summit Atlas High School is a wonderful school with an even brighter future. I am proud of the hard work and unwavering dedication of our teachers, students, and families. I’m confident that we will see strong success for our students through the remainder of the school year.
The parent who tipped us to Bubalo’s departure called it a firing and said Bubalo was popular with students, who were writing protest letters to the Summit board and sharing stories today. We asked Summit for comment and their reply was to send us a copy of the letter. The school is in its third year of classes, having opened in August 2017 with sixth and ninth grades, adding grades each year and now up to sixth through eleventh. While charter schools’ operations are publicly funded, their buildings generally are not; a nonprofit footed the multimillion-dollar bill for buying the former church/supermarket site at 9601 35th SW and remodeling/expanding its building to house the school.
As we head into midweek, it’s usually the busy time for community meetings, but we have word this afternoon of two changes due to the potential for snow tonight:
ADMIRAL NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION: The every-other-month meeting scheduled for tonight is postponed, according to ANA president David Hancock. No new date yet – we’ll publish a revised announcement when that happens.
DELRIDGE DISTRICT COUNCIL: This meeting planned for Wednesday night is canceled, according to chair Mat McBride, to avoid the possible need for a last-minute cancellation. Next meeting is expected to happen February 19th.
1:34 PM: Two notes for tonight, with more snow forecast (right now we’re getting a snow shower mixed with sunshine):
SEATTLE PARKS: Facilities are closing early – from the announcement:
All Seattle Parks and Recreation evening programs cancelled and recreation facilities closed after 6 p.m. today: Due to freezing temperatures, icy road conditions, and the forecast for additional snow this evening, Seattle Parks and Recreation is cancelling all evening programs after 6 p.m. today (Jan. 14) at all recreation facilities, including at community centers and pools. All recreation facilities will be closed after 6 p.m. today for the safety of community members and staff. We will assess the weather in the morning and make a determination on tomorrow’s conditions based on our Snow Procedures.
Matt Richardson from Southwest Pool tells WSB, “Participants for pre-registered programs will be issued a credit on their account for the missed class.”
SEATTLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS: The district says this announcement already has been sent to all families:
Tonight, another wave of snow and cold temperatures is projected to hit our region. Due to the forecast, the Athletic Dept., has approved cancelling ALL athletic events.
All after-school events are also cancelled, including those that don’t require transportation. Childcare providers will continue to communicate any changes in regularly scheduled hours directly to families.
The district’s Special Education Resource Fair and the Board’s Curriculum and Instruction Committee are also cancelled.
The cancellations include basketball that had been scheduled at Chief Sealth IHS.
3:10 PM: South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) advisory: “Due to inclement weather, campuses will close at 4:30 p.m. today, 1/14. All classes and activities after 4:30 p.m. are canceled.”
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