month : 07/2021 309 results

UPDATE: Diver missing off Seacrest

(Photo sent by Carolyn Newman)

10:05 PM: Seattle Fire is sending a water-rescue response by land and sea to the Seacrest vicinity. The dispatcher has told responders it’s a report of two diving students missing, reported by their instructor. Updates to come.

10:09 PM: This has been updated to one diver missing, in the Honey Bear (Cove 2) vicinity.

10:19 PM: Search continues. As shown in the photo above, crews on land are using a fire-truck ladder to help search.

10:29 PM: Rescue divers are searching, as well as crews in boats and on land; SPD is part of the response as well as SFD. The missing diver was described in an early dispatch as a woman in her 30s.

10:55 PM: The search continues.

11:04 PM: The medic units have been dismissed from the response (thanks to Aaron for that tip from the scene), which indicates this has switched into more of a recovery mode.

11:18 PM: SFD says this is now an SPD-led search.

1:30 AM: No further updates. We’ll check with SPD later this morning.

ELECTION 2021: August forum for November’s biggest ballot measure

July 31, 2021 8:53 pm
|    Comments Off on ELECTION 2021: August forum for November’s biggest ballot measure
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

Once the primary-election ballots are counted after next Tuesday night’s voting deadline, the spotlight turns to November, and one city ballot measure will likely dominate the discussion: Seattle Charter Amendment 29. It attempts to codify particular policies for dealing with homelessness, Just announced by the 34th District Democrats – their August meeting will be preceded by an informational forum with reps from both sides. Supporters call their compaign Compassion Seattle, opponents call theirs House Our Neighbors, and participants from both will be part of the online event, open to all, 6-6:45 pm Wednesday, August 11th. You can register here to get the viewing link. The 34th DDs’ regular August meeting will start afterward, at 7 pm (same link if you plan to stay), and they may take an endorsement vote during the meeting,

UPDATE: Roxbury shooting victim was rapper Gonzoe

(Updated Monday with official confirmation of Roxbury victim’s ID)

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

The man shot and killed at 28th/Roxbury Thursday night is reported to have been 45-year-old Ronald Moore, best known as the veteran rapper Gonzoe,

There is still no official confirmation of this – the King County Medical Examiner’s Office has not released the victim’s ID yet – but we have confirmed that Gonzoe lived in West Seattle.

Word of his death started circulating last night, starting with a report on the entertainment-news site VladTV (which cited WSB for details on Thursday night’s crime scene/investigation). There’s no question that Gonzoe, who came to fame in the mid-’90s as a member of the group Kausion – has died; family, friends, and fans are mourning him. But what we’ve spent hours trying to find is an open citation of who actually linked his death to the Thursday night shooting. Because so many people have called this to our attention, we’re publishing this story with what we do know, as well as what we don’t.

Though his online ID cites Los Angeles as his base, we have confirmed that Gonzoe lived in West Seattle, at least part of the time. First word came from a person who contacted us, identifying themselves as a longtime friend, saying that the rapper moved here a few years ago and has family here; this person said they’d confirmed the death circumstances by talking to a relative. Checking various types of online databases in which names and addresses can potentially be matched, we found confirmation in 2020 and 2021 records from a traffic case that he had a Morgan Junction address. Looking through Gonzoe’s Instagram posts – in which he often gave short pep talks to his followers – we found one video dated July 13th that was clearly made here in West Seattle (the beachfront scenery shows Vashon and Blake Islands).

Back to online information, his friend Boskoe 100, with whom Gonzoe founded a boxing league called Glovez Up Gunz Down, talked about the shooting in a video. He said he was told that Gonzoe was getting ready for a “late-night studio session” when he went to the Roxbury Lanes restaurant to pick up some food, got into an argument with someone, and that person followed him out and shot him.

The King County Sheriff’s Office continues investigating the Thursday night shooting but hasn’t released a report on the circumstances; what we cited in our coverage comes from what we learned at the scene and via emergency-radio communication that night, as well as KCSO confirming the victim’s death Friday morning.

ADDED MONDAY AFTERNOON: Via King County Public Health/Medical Examiner’s Office, we have confirmed that the Roxbury shooting victim was indeed Ronald Moore/Gonzoe. His death was ruled a homicide, caused by a gunshot wound to the chest. No updates so far from KC Sheriff’s Office investigators.

(Photo: @TheRealGonzoe)

BIZNOTE: Otter on the Rocks on the way to ex-Parliament Tavern space

When we reported Friday on the plan to revive the Admiral Benbow, we noted we’d happened onto that news while at 4210 SW Admiral Way researching something else. Now we have those details too. A liquor-license application was filed this week for the former Parliament Tavern space. The name on the application is one we recognized from past correspondence – Tanner Jitmongkonkul, whose business Sticky Treats & Sweets we’d spotlighted a few times when it had pop-ups at Itto’s Tapas.

He’s an Itto’s bartender and West Seattle resident who, with partner Erin, is working to convert the Admiral Way space into a cocktail bar called Otter on the Rocks. In our email exchange, here’s how he explains it:

We are so excited to bring a cocktail bar with a new concept to West Seattle. The focus will be properly prepared classics as well as signature cocktails. We will be doing a lot of house infusions and house syrups. As opposed to cocktail bars with a romantic setting, we are trying to introduce a much-more casual and approachable vibe, especially for those who are not familiar with cocktails. We like date nights, but we want Otter on the Rocks to be become a friends-gathering sort of space. We will be looking at some open mics, lots of themed nights, and some live music that fits the space. As far as food, we will be serving a rotating selection of “flatbreads” – a much lighter version of pizza with a lot more room for interesting ingredients. We are working with some local chefs to get this dialed in.

No timeline yet – Jitmongkonkul explains, “The permitting process through the City of Seattle has been extremely slow but we are trying to be very patient. We do have a long list of tasks to complete in order to bring this space up to city code so please be patient with us.” The Parliament opened in the space in 2015; occupants before that included Vidiot and Shipwreck Tavern.

FOLLOWUP: New home for Hedda Gobbler, the latest West Seattle turkey

We can finally say conclusively that the turkey recently seen in West Seattle is NOT the turkey that spent a year wandering the peninsula. That’s been confirmed by both this turkey’s adoptive family and the person who built an enclosure for her in their yard. They sent photos, including the one above, and this report:

Hedda Gobbler is no longer wandering the street. She has found a safe home away from cars and dogs. For all those who wanted to believe she was a wild turkey, you were wrong. Hedda is a domestic bird not able to keep herself safe because she is a bit of a bird brain. She is very content and enjoying the good life in a forever home where Thanksgiving dinner will never be turkey again.

Hedda’s favorite food is cantaloupe.

– Hedda’s Forever Family

Short-lived West Seattle power outage

Thanks to Janine for the tip. Almost 100 homes in the Fairmount Park area were without power for more than an hour this morning; the outage has been resolved but we’re noting it here just for the record, as the Seattle City Light website doesn’t archive outages. Janine said the outage was preceded by a flash and “boom” around 8 am; the outage was resolved sometime after 9.

WEST SEATTLE SATURDAY: 12 notes

July 31, 2021 6:34 am
|    Comments Off on WEST SEATTLE SATURDAY: 12 notes
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Photo by Jerry Simmons)

Welcome to the weekend! We start July’s final day with a dozen notes for you:

TRAFFIC ALERT: Work is set to continue into the early afternoon at Highland Park Way/West Marginal, as previewed here.

ROCK & GEM SHOW: On Pigeon Point:

The World’s Fossils & Minerals is showing from 10 am to 4 pm, 2009 SW Dakota

Come see the new material.

BASEBALL TRYOUTS: Starting at 10 am at the Pee-Wee Fields (7226 12th SW):

The Seattle Tigers are holding a final round of tryouts for their year-round 9U and 10U teams for the coming baseball season. Players born after 5/1/2011 are eligible to participate in these teams for fall and winter training in preparation for tournament season in the spring of 2022. Parents can register their child for a tryout spot at: seattletigersbaseball.com/tryouts-for-the-2021-22-season

LEMONADE FUNDRAISER: Girl Scouts are selling lemonade, iced tea, iced coffee, and homemade baked goods 10 am-4 pm to raise money to go to Costa Rica to volunteer at a sea-turtle reserve with Outward Bound in 2022. Find them at 42nd Ave SW and Charlestown. Cash, Venmo, and PayPal are accepted.

MORNING MUSIC: 10:30 am-noon at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW), Marco de Carvalho and friends perform.

TODAY’S AQUATIC SCHEDULE: Open today, Highland Park spraypark (1100 SW Cloverdale, 11 am-8 pm), Delridge Playfield (4501 Delridge Way SW, noon-5:30 pm) and Lincoln Park wading pool (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW, noon-7 pm), and Colman Pool (at Lincoln Park, noon-7 pm).

(added – thanks for the text!) DIVING COMPETITION: All-City Diving Championships, until 4 pm at Arbor Heights Swim and Tennis Club (11003 31st SW).

FOOD DRIVE: 11 am-3 pm at Admiral Church (4320 SW Hill), you can drop off food-drive donations – details are in our preview.

REMEMBERING VICTOR HENLEY: 2-5 pm outside the 7-11 at 3801 California SW, all are invited to celebrate the life of Victor Henley, who meant so much to its customers and staff.

ALUMNI FLAG-FOOTBALL GAME: 3 pm at Hiawatha Playfield (2700 California SW), first annual West Seattle High School alumni flag-football game, raising money for the Wildcats’ football program.

PEACE PELOTON RIDE: 3-5 pm, bicyclists gather at The Patio in Columbia City, 5:15 pm ride to Beer Star in White Center, as previewed here.

THE ALLEY’S ANNIVERSARY: 8-10 pm, third night of live music to celebrate three years of The Alley (behind 4509 California SW)

Anything else? Text us – 206-293-6302 – thank you!

LAST CALL! One more day to ‘Stuff the Bus’ for WestSide Baby

July 30, 2021 11:56 pm
|    Comments Off on LAST CALL! One more day to ‘Stuff the Bus’ for WestSide Baby
 |   How to help | West Seattle news

Saturday’s the final day for WestSide Baby‘s annual “Stuff the Bus” diaper drive. You can get them to their goal in multiple ways – best way is a monthly monetary donation, because WS Baby can make your dollars go further by buying diapers at a discount rate. Other ways to help are listed here. WestSide Baby works with thousands of families every year – so whatever you can give makes a big difference for little kids. P.S. A reminder of another way to support WS Baby:

Dream Dinners – Supporting WestSide Baby this August!

Order dinner for your family through Dream Dinners West Seattle – pick up August 19, 20, or 21, benefitting WestSide Baby!

Order online using the links below, choose a pick-up time and select three medium size meals for your family to enjoy for just $50 (each meal serves three people). We will donate $10 from each order back to WESTSIDE BABY.

Enjoy your meals at home with your family! Place a full-size order within two weeks of your pickup & we will DONATE an EXTRA $20!! to Westside Baby !!

Thursday, August 19th, 6:30 pm-7:30 pm https://dreamdinners.com/session/892144

Friday, August 20th, 12 pm-1 pm dreamdinners.com/session/892154

Saturday, August 21st, 10:30-11:30 am – dreamdinners.com/session/892145

About Dream Dinners: “We are a local meal prep business that takes care of the menu planning, grocery shopping, prep, and clean up, so you can enjoy stress-free dinners with your family. Stock your freezer from a menu of 20 chef-crafted meals each month and you’ll spend less time worrying about what to make for dinner and more time doing what you love.”

(Dream Dinners is also a longtime WSB sponsor.)

FAUNTLEROY FERRY TERMINAL: Why replace it? Community Advisory Group reviews rationale

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

Much of what was presented during the second meeting of the Community Advisory Group for the Fauntleroy ferry terminal replacement project was procedural – more about how information would/should be presented to them, than about the information itself.

One big exception: Group members got their first look at the Preliminary Purpose and Need Statement for the project – Washington State Ferries‘ rationale for why it believes this project is necessary. Here are the six slides laying that out:

Read More

WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Pickup stolen (update: found); tools taken; car vandalized again; parking-lot car prowls

5:21 PM: Three reader reports in West Seattle Crime Watch:

PICKUP TRUCK STOLEN: From Emma:

My gray 2000 GMC Sierra was stolen while parked on 41st SW and SW Alaska, presumably two nights ago. Plates – C62009W. Passenger side has numerous dents, and it did have a hitch when it was stolen.

Call 911 if you see it.(UPDATE: It’s been found.)

TOOLS TAKEN: From Max:

July 28th at 11:10 AM, I was working on a house remodel at SW Dawson & 42nd Ave SW. My pickup was parked on this quiet residential street with my tool boxes in the bed that I was accessing back and forth. At one point, I heard a diesel truck idling out front and by the time I ran outside, they were gone with three Milwaukee Packout storage boxes full of Milwaukee battery power tools. I believe the vehicle headed north on 42nd SW. I was only seconds behind them and tried to follow in my truck, but never saw the vehicle. I’m hoping someone in the neighborhood saw something or has a camera that might have caught a view of their truck at the noted time. Attached is a photo example of the boxes.

REPEAT CAR VANDALISM: Three weeks ago, we published a report of five cars with windows broken, along Beach Drive by Constellation Park. Khody says one of those cars was hit again Wednesday night in the same spot.

ADDED 6:54 PM – PARKING LOT CAR PROWLS: One more incident to add – we got a tip (after publishing this roundup) of multiple smash-and-grab car prowls at the West Seattle Golf Course/Stadium parking lot. We went over and indeed found people inspecting the damage.

We didn’t get a full count but one person guessed more than a dozen.

MORE ROAD WORK: Months of detours ahead for 26th SW repaving south of Westwood Village

Another road-work alert for the week ahead. This is part of the preparations for converting Metro Route 120 to the RapidRide H Line next year, but it’s not part of the project on Delridge Way itself – that one is being done by a city-hired contractor, and this involves a county-hired contractor. After a reader tip that 26th SW work was beginning, we asked Metro for info, and here it is – repaving 26th SW south of Westwood Village, where buses are blamed for myriad paving woes:

Metro’s contractors, Walsh Construction, have already begun upgrades for RapidRide H Line at 25th Avenue SW and SW Barton Street (bus stop improvements) and at the intersection of 15th Avenue SW and SW Roxbury Street (road and pedestrian improvements) in the Westwood Village area. Starting as early as Wednesday, Aug. 4, Walsh will begin demolishing road panels in the northbound lanes of 26th Avenue SW between SW Barton Street and SW Roxbury Street.

This will start several months of work on 26th Avenue SW. The work will occur in phases moving from northbound to southbound over the remainder of the year. Paving of 26th Avenue SW has long been a request from community and Metro and the Seattle Department of Transportation are excited to bring this improvement as part of RapidRide H Line. Improving the condition of the road will benefit all users and strengthen the roadway for future frequent future RapidRide H Line service.

As early as Aug. 4, northbound drivers will be detoured off of 26th Avenue SW between SW Roxbury Street and SW Barton Street. The turn from SW Cambridge Street to 26th Avenue SW also will be closed during work. The northbound closure is expected to last two to three months. Once the northbound demolition and repaving are complete, crews will move to work on the southbound lanes, reopening northbound traffic on the improved northbound lanes and detouring southbound drivers. Transit will also be rerouted off of 26th Avenue SW to 35th Avenue SW and the northbound bus stop located at the intersection of 26th Avenue SW and SW Barton Street will also be temporarily relocated to SW Barton Street.

Metro notes, “Typical work hours are Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., with some nighttime and weekend work.”

ROAD WORK: This weekend’s plan for West Marginal/Highland Park Way intersection, and what’s been done so far

When we published this morning’s traffic (etc.) watch, we were awaiting SDOT‘s update on this weekend’s plan for the West Marginal/Highland Park Way intersection. We’ve since heard back, and here’s both the plan and a few toplines of what crews have done so far:

We recognize the traffic impacts caused by construction and lane closures on the detour route for the West Seattle Bridge closure. Thus, we are only performing construction work on Saturday and Sunday between 3 am and 1 pm. We also have four Uniformed Police Officers onsite to help alleviate traffic congestion by “flushing” congestion peaks while we work.

Here is the progress that we have made:

July 17 – July 18: saw-cutting the concrete/asphalt, removing the north curb islands, excavation for new curb ramps at the northwest corner
July 24 – July 25: excavating, pouring three new concrete panels, pouring new curb ramp on the northwest corner, removing and reinstalling new Pedestrian Signal Pole / vehicle detection system

(Next two weekends’ plan)

July 31 – August 1: forming new concrete island on the northwest corner, removing the west and east curb islands

August 7 – August 8: tentatively planning to excavate, form and pour new curb ramps on the northeast corner

Avoid the area during the work hours if you can. Until 8 am both days, for example, the low bridge is unrestricted. Otherwise, the Roxbury corridor is a good way to get to/from the 1st Avenue South Bridge (or the South Park Bridge) without using West Marginal.

BIZNOTE: Return of the Benbow

As they say, what was old is new again. Above is a photo we took this morning of the nautically themed Benbow Room, in the back of the west side of the building at 4210 SW Admiral Way, once upon a time the legendary Admiral Benbow Inn, more recently the Heartland Café, then the Admiral Benbow again, followed by Vidiot (which closed in late 2019). Now, it appears the Benbow name will be back. We went to the building to research a new plan for the ex-Parliament Tavern next door (more on that to come) and discovered something else – we found West Seattle restaurant/bar entrepreneur Mark Fuller, who told us he’s taking over the Benbow space and bringing it back under that name. It needs lots of work, he told us, so this will likely take months – not just the work, but getting the permits. Fuller’s other enterprises include Ma’ono, Supreme, and (reopening soon) New Luck Toy.

BIZNOTE: Yes, New Luck Toy will reopen

It’s the number one business-reopening question we’ve been getting for months – when will – or, willNew Luck Toy reopen? The bar/restaurant at 5905 California SW closed last November, announcing it planned to be closed for about six months “so we can make it out of this” (pandemic). Eight months have now passed and no word. We’ve made periodic inquiries. No reply. Then today while researching something unrelated, we encountered NLT co-proprietor Mark Fuller, so of course we asked. He told us yes, they intend to reopen, but need to rehire their staff, so that’s what’s taking a while – no projected date yet. (He’s working on a new West Seattle enterprise, too – separate story on that, next.)

BIZNOTE: Lake Washington Physical Therapy celebrates West Seattle expansion

It was a beautiful Thursday evening for one of West Seattle’s newest businesses to celebrate with an open house. Lake Washington Physical Therapy (WSB sponsor) hosted visitors both in its 1309 Harbor Avenue SW clinic and on the building’s rooftop deck – that’s where we photographed clinic owners Mark Bouma & Laura Bouma (center) with (left-right) LWPT founders Sara Wobker & Ben Wobker and LWPT’s Houghton clinic owners Matt Sato & Kelli Sato. LWPT’s state-of-the-art West Seattle clinic is the first business in the newly constructed Denali building across from the Don Armeni Boat Ramp park.

WEST SEATTLE FRIDAY: The highlights!

(Thursday sunset, photographed by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)

As we head into the weekend, here are highlights of what’s happening today/tonight:

TODAY’S AQUATIC SCHEDULE: Open today, Highland Park spraypark (1100 SW Cloverdale, 11 am-8 pm), Lincoln Park wading pool (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW, noon-7 pm), and Colman Pool (at Lincoln Park, noon-7 pm).

HEALTH OFFICER’S BRIEFING: 11 am, King County Public Health Officer Dr. Jeff Duchin‘s almost-weekly pandemic briefing, streamed here or watch later at publichealthinsider.com.

(added) LEMONADE STAND: Just got the announcement:

Hello West Seattle!

The girls will be back this weekend with more lemonade, ice tea, ice coffee and their homemade baked goods to sell! They will be volunteering on a sea turtle reserve in Costa Rica with Outward Bound in 2022 and they are trying to earn their way there. They’ll be at 42nd Ave SW and Charlestown and would love to serve you some ice cold lemonade or other treats!

Here are their hours this weekend:
7/30 Friday 11-5 pm
7/31 Saturday 10-4 pm
8/1 Sunday TBD

Here is Friday’s menu:
Lemonade, ice tea, ice coffee
Lemon Blueberry Bread, Peach muffins, Rice Krispie Treats
Homemade treats for the pups< Cash, Venmo, and PayPal are accepted/blockquote>

SYLVIA O’STAYFORMORE @ SENIOR CENTER: This week’s performer during “Fun and Festive Fridays” at the Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon) is Sylvia O’Stayformore, 3-4 pm indoors.

(Photo provided by Senior Center of WS)

The center’s also offering outdoor refreshments 11 am-1 pm, and the café is open 9 am-1:30 pm – more info in our calendar listing.

THE ALLEY’S ANNIVERSARY: Second of four nights for The Alley (4509 California SW) celebrating its third anniversary with live music, 8 pm-10 pm.

AT THE SKYLARK: Tripleheader at 8 pm (3803 Delridge Way SW) – Foul Blooded, Sageseer, Sun Mother. $8 cover.

Something to add, for tonight, tomorrow, beyond? westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

ROAD WORK, TRANSIT, TRAFFIC, WEATHER: Friday notes

6:06 AM: Good morning, Another very warm day on tap. Thursday’s high was 91.

ROAD WORK

Delridge project – As announced at midday yesterday, there’s a change – NO weekend closure of Delridge between Cambridge and Henderson after all. That section will be closed to NB traffic for a few days starting August 6th, but nothing this weekend. Southbound Delridge remains closed between Thistle and Trenton. East of Delridge, Trenton is now closed, while Thistle and Henderson are open again.

26th SW – Thanks for the tip. Awaiting county details on the RapidRide-related work south of Roxbury.

Utility work – The crews doing sewer re-lining for the city were working on 35th SW near Thistle early Thursday evening. Don’t know where we’ll see them next, but if you see big trucks for Michels, that’s what it’s about.

Highland Park Way/West Marginal – We haven’t received an alert about plans for work this weekend, so we’re checking with SDOT. (9:45 AM UPDATE: Yes, they’re planning to work again Saturday-Sunday, 3 am-1 pm.)

TRANSIT

Buses are on regular schedules – except for the South Delridge rerouting. Watch @kcmetrobus for word of bus cancellations.

(Thursday night WSB photo from Harbor Avenue rooftop)

For ferries and water taxis, all should be normal. Watch @wsferries for updates.

BRIDGES AND DETOUR ROUTES

494th morning without the West Seattle Bridge. Here are the views of other bridges and routes:

Low Bridge: Automated enforcement cameras remain in use; restrictions are in effect 5 am-9 pm daily – except weekends; the bridge is open to all until 8 am Saturday and Sunday mornings. (Access applications are available here for some categories of drivers.)

West Marginal Way at Highland Park Way:

Highland Park Way/Holden:

The 5-way intersection (Spokane/West Marginal/Delridge/Chelan):

The 1st Avenue South Bridge (map):

For the South Park Bridge (map), here’s the nearest camera:

Are draw/swing bridges opening for boats or barges? See the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed. (1st Ave. South Bridge openings also are tweeted on @wsdot_traffic.)

See all local traffic cams here; locally relevant cameras are also on this WSB page.

Trouble on the streets/paths/bridges/water? Please let us know – text (but not if you’re driving!) 206-293-6302.

UPDATE: Man shot, killed near Roxbury Shell

(Added: WSB photos)

8:09 PM: If you’re hearing all the sirens – King County Sheriff’s Deputies and medics are converging on the Shell station at Roxbury/(corrected) 28th, where a shooting victim was found. Radio communication so far indicates they’re not yet sure where the victim was shot – possibly somewhere nearby, and then ran to the store before collapsing. Deputies are reporting a vehicle with bullet holes, too. Updates as we get them.

8:15 PM: So far they’re investigating the possibility it might have happened near Roxbury Lanes; the shot-up vehicle is in that area. Also note, the Guardian One helicopter is headed this way to assist in the search.

8:25 PM: The shooter is believed to have gotten away in a vehicle – no clear description yet – so the helicopter has moved on; deputies are also checking the Roxbury Safeway parking lot. The victim is getting treatment indicating life-threatening wounds and will be taken to the hospital by medic unit.

8:43 PM: The victim’s headed for Harborview; deputies are still talking to potential witnesses and trying to narrow down where exactly the gunfire happened. We’re told the car with the bullet holes may just have been caught in the crossfire. Meantime, KCSO confirms the victim’s injuries are life-threatening (reported in the early going as at least three gunshot wounds) and says “this will likely remain an active scene for several hours.”

10:07 PM: We’ve been monitoring, but no further updates.

9:31 AM: King County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Sgt. Tim Meyer confirms the victim died overnight. No arrest so far.

FRIDAY NIGHT NOTE: We’re aware that our coverage is being pointed to by websites claiming the victim was a well-known rapper. So far we have no confirmation of his ID, not even his age, but we’ll update if and when we get that from a credible source.

COUNTDOWN: Ready to Loop the ‘Lupe, one month from today?

July 29, 2021 8:05 pm
|    Comments Off on COUNTDOWN: Ready to Loop the ‘Lupe, one month from today?
 |   Fun stuff to do | West Seattle news

One month from today – on August 29th – it’s the return of Loop the ‘Lupe, which offers an obstacle course, a 5K, a kids’ dash, and a Senior Saunter, plus a whole lot of fun. Above are Loop the ‘Lupe organizer Brian Callanan with Audrey Hartman from Verity Credit Union, a WSB sponsor and one of the Loop the ‘Lupe sponsors (as are we). Loop the ‘Lupe was the host of tonight’s West Seattle Chamber of Commerce “After Hours” event, which is where we caught up with them. Still time to register for Loop the ‘Lupe – go here!

WEEKEND PREVIEW: ‘Peace Peloton’ bicycle ride Saturday from Columbia City to White Center

July 29, 2021 6:21 pm
|    Comments Off on WEEKEND PREVIEW: ‘Peace Peloton’ bicycle ride Saturday from Columbia City to White Center
 |   Fun stuff to do | West Seattle news | White Center

One year ago, we covered the start of a “Peace Peloton” bicycle ride from Alki to the Northwest African-American Museum. Peace Peloton rides have continued, in support of Black-owned businesses and economic justice, and West Seattle neighbor Katelyn, a PP event organizer, wants to make sure you know about a ride this Saturday (July 31st) from Columbia City to White Center – so in case you haven’t seen it already in the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, here’s the flyer! Riders will stage at The Patio in Columbia City between 3 and 5, then take off for White Center – a seven-mile ride – at about 5:15 pm, ending at Beer Star (16th/98th). The RSVP link is on this page.

CRIME WATCH FOLLOWUP: Recognize these robbers?

Seattle Police have released video and stills from a robbery reported here last week, the holdup at Canna West Seattle (WSB sponsor) on the night of July 19th. The video above shows two angles on the robbery (the second one starts around 4 minutes, 50 seconds in). The robbers are described only as “all men in their late teens to early 20s”; here are the three clearest stills:

The SPD post says the robbers “took the victims’ cellphones and stole $14,000 in marijuana and $2,500 cash from the store before fleeing the scene, possibly in an older silver sedan” and asks: “If you recognize (them) or have any information about this case, please call SPD’s Robbery Unit at 206-684-5535, or 911.”

UPDATE: Gas-leak response in High Point

July 29, 2021 4:00 pm
|    Comments Off on UPDATE: Gas-leak response in High Point
 |   Utilities | West Seattle news | WS breaking news

4 PM: A Seattle Fire callout has arrived in the 2900 block of SW Myrtle in High Point to check out a reported gas leak. No other details so far.

4:03 PM: Firefighters have told dispatch the problem was apparently in the kitchen and they’re looking to cut off gas “to the entire building.” (The address is for the True-living Church, mentioned here recently because of a redevelopment plan.)

4:11 PM: The response is winding down.

ELECTION 2021: Five days to make six decisions on your primary-election ballot

(WSB photo – West Seattle Junction ballot dropbox)

If your ballot is still waiting to be marked and taken to a dropbox or mailbox – you have just five more days. Next Tuesday, August 3rd, is the deadline – 8 pm for dropboxes (3 in West Seattle), or early enough for mailboxes to be sure it’ll be postmarked that day. It’s not a long ballot – though some of the offices on it have long lists of candidates – 15 for Seattle Mayor (9 were at the West Seattle forum we moderated), 11 for citywide City Council Position 8, 7 for citywide City Council Position 9, 5 for King County Executive, 3 for Seattle City Attorney, and one ballot measure (King County Prop 1, “Best Starts for Kids”). That’s it for your primary ballot. Lost yours? Here’s how to get a replacement. Need to vote accessibly? Here’s how. Need to register? You can still do that in person up till Tuesday. Voted days ago? Track your ballot here.