day : 18/09/2021 7 results

Two reader reports of vandalism in West Seattle Crime Watch:

RACIST VANDALISM: Gordon reported extensive tagging at the Southwest Youth and Family Services building just east of Delridge Playfield. He has reported it but he also painted out part of it himself – what he describes as racist graffiti targeting Black people, painted on the west side of the building.

CAR VANDALISM: A texter sent the photo and report, wondering if this has happened to anyone else:

My cousin is visiting from Minnesota to take care of his dad, who’s in the hospital, and got his car vandalized overnight in the Fauntleroy neighborhood (on 41st). He’s now looking at 5 new windows, we’ve had zero luck with any attempt at removal. We think it’s a glass etching compound. We tried everything from soap and water and razor blades to acetone and methyl ethyl ketone. Nothing touches it.

Share This

UPDATE: Stolen pickup truck crashes down embankment near Hamilton Viewpoint

September 18, 2021 7:50 pm

| 36 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

7:50 PM: SFD and SPD are arriving at what’s reported as a car-over-embankment crash at the north end of California SW, near Hamilton Viewpoint. A tree and/or utility pole is reported involved too. Updates to come.

7:57 PM: They’re trying to get California Way blocked (the section that comes up from Harbor) while they work to stabilize the vehicle. Firefighters have told dispatch there was one person in the vehicle but they’re “unaccounted for” so far.

(This photo and next one by Christopher Boffoli)

8:05 PM: SFD says the vehicle is 10 feet down the embankment. Meantime, California will be closed, according to dispatch, starting at SW Donald [map].

8:11 PM: Firefighters have just told dispatch that their search hasn’t turned up anyone, so they’re downsizing the response.

8:25 PM: Above, photographed by WSB’s Patrick Sand, that’s the empty pickup found down the embankment beneath Hamilton Viewpoint. SFD is clearing; it’s been secured from further movement until a tow truck arrives to remove it.

10:14 PM: WSB contributor Christopher Boffoli talked with police at the scene, and they confirmed to him that the pickup was stolen; the owners apparently saw the theft happen, chased after it, and called police. Exactly where it was stolen, we don’t know, but we’ll be following up.

Share This

VIDEO: Running along West Seattle shore in 2021 Orca Half, day 1

September 18, 2021 6:12 pm

| 4 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS & Sports

Just before the thunderstorms arrived, the first of two days for this year’s Orca Half half-marathon in West Seattle wrapped up. The early-morning rain had stopped by the time runners got going early this morning, leaving in waves from the starting line at Lincoln Park.

At mid-morning, sunbreaks greeted finishers at the west end of Don Armeni Boat Ramp.

Organizers expected about 600 runners today – and 350 tomorrow. Some traveled a long way to run along the scenic West Seattle shore – while at the finish line, we heard names called out with hometowns including Moses Lake and Lacey. (Some from even further away – the oldest finisher today was 73-year-old Ann Fowble from Grove City, Ohio!)

Full results are here; Rachel Brown was first to finish, in 1:21:28. The first Orca Half was in 2016.

P.S. Donna Sandstrom of The Whale Trail tells WSB that it continues to be a beneficiary of the Orca Half:

The Whale Trail has been a beneficiary of the Orca Half since it was first held in 2016. This year other beneficiaries include Long Live the Kings and United Indians of All Tribes.

One key feature of the race is that participants run for individual orcas, whose lD number and life history is printed on their race bibs. It’s been a wonderful way to connect people to J, K and L pods and the issues they face. This year for the first time, more orcas were added to the list of orcas than were removed from it.

Share This

WEST SEATTLE WEATHER: Thunderstorms arrive, power outages follow (including evening updates)

September 18, 2021 2:12 pm

| 18 COMMENTS

| Utilities | West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

2:12 PM: Thunderstorms have arrived, and the National Weather Service says they’re likely for much of the afternoon:

Thunderstorms across central Puget Sound this afternoon. Heavy rain and thunderstorms will be possible over this area for the next few hours. When thunder roars, go indoors. #WAwx pic.twitter.com/bNFAN2Goc1

— NWS Seattle (@NWSSeattle) September 18, 2021

We’ll be monitoring for storm effects – power outages (just flickered here), etc. – if anything happens in your neighborhood, our hotline (voice or text) is 206-293-6302.

2:21 PM: And now there’s a sizable outage – almost 1,000 customers in Highland Park/southeast West Seattle. Some signals are out, too – Olson/Myers was just mentioned via emergency radio – remember, a non-functioning signal is a 4-way stop.

2:28 PM: The outage has expanded to another 2,000+ customers, including South Park – 3,235 total in what the map designates as two outages.

3:16 PM: Some texters are reporting the power’s back – the map tends to lag so we may not get the full picture on that for a few minutes. (added) Map has now updated – all 3,235 are shown as restored. (The map had suggested a 9 pm restoration estimate – remember that, as happened here, those are usually way off and not worth paying attention to – they are just guesses.) P.S. City Light says a fallen tree’s at fault.

4:45 PM: Forecast says there’s a chance of more thunderstorms tonight, and wind up to 25 mph too.

5:35 PM: Thanks for the tip. Another power outage started half an hour ago – 241 customers are out just north of The Junction:

7:50 PM: The outage north of The Junction is down to 114 customers, and is attributed to “equipment failure.” And now another outage – at least 20 customers along Fairmount Ravine, with a “transformer fire” response at Harbor/Fairmount.

Share This

UPDATE: Bus/power lines incident closes 35th SW north of Roxbury for 7+ hours

September 18, 2021 12:14 pm

| 18 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts | WS breaking news

12:14 PM: Thanks to Steve for the photo. Avoid 35th SW at and north of Roxbury. An incident involving two buses, a power pole, and power lines has blocked 35th both ways. No injuries reported, and everyone’s out of the buses, but SPD, SFD, and Metro are all arriving at the scene.

12:24 PM: SPD says this started when another vehicle hit a power pole, causing it to fall onto the two buses. Our crew in the area reports 35th is blocked at Cambridge (both ways).

(SDOT traffic-camera photo)

12:30 PM: We talked to a sergeant at the scene who says there was NOT a third vehicle – the RapidRide bus was letting someone off, the 120 bus was coming by and may have had some kind of mechanical problem, and wound up hitting the pole. City Light ~~has arrived~~ is awaited at the scene to deal with the downed wires as well as the pole.

(WSB photo)

This may remain blocked for a while, so if you need to go east/west in the south end, use Barton instead.

2:55 PM: Thanks to the texter who sent the photo above, showing the downed pole. At the site right now, the buses are gone, but City Light remains:

(SDOT camera photo)

4:16 PM: Still there working on it.

4:36 PM: Though there was no initial outage at this scene, the map shows 17 customers out in the immediate area of the downed pole for about an hour now (separate from the earlier weather-related outages elsewhere in West Seattle). A commenter says the crew at the scene is awaiting a new pole.

5:49 PM: Looks like the pole’s being placed:

7:44 PM: Thanks to Tiffany for the update in comments – the street has finally reopened.

Share This

WEST SEATTLE WILDLIFE: Ever seen one of these?

September 18, 2021 11:30 am

| 18 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | Wildlife

Thanks to Kersti Muul for the photos. What looked to someone like a seal pup at a distance off Duwamish Head earlier this week …

… turned out instead to be a bottomfish called a cabezon:

Despite her extensive wildlife involvement, Kersti says she’s never seen one of those before.

They’re not rare or endangered, though. This state Fish and Wildlife Department fact sheet says, “Cabezon is the largest of the sculpin species found in Washington waters.” They can grow to over three feet long.

Share This

Here’s what’s happening on our soggy Saturday in West Seattle

September 18, 2021 6:34 am

| 2 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

Good morning! Here’s what’s happening along with the return of the rain:

ROAD-WORK ALERTS: If no weather cancellation, city crews have plans to work at multiple spots on West Marginal today, as previewed in our Friday morning traffic watch – including the interim crossing/signal by the Duwamish Longhouse and the Highland Park Way intersection.

ORCA HALF, DAY 1: Starting at 7:30 am, about 600 runners will leave this half-marathon‘s starting line in Lincoln Park in waves, headed for Don Armeni Boat Ramp. As previewed here, no road/lane closures are planned.

(WSB photo: Did you know C & P has reopened their indoor seating?)

AT C & P COFFEE: Live music with Marco de Carvalho, Hans Teuber, and Jeff Busch, 10:30 am-noon. (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor)

PUNK ROCK FLEA MARKET: Rain or shine, check out this “underground shopping experience” outdoors noon-7 pm in White Center, $1 admission. (9834 17th SW)

LOG HOUSE MUSEUM: Looking for an indoor activity? Visit the home of West Seattle’s history at 61st/Stevens, noon-4 pm.

OPEN MIC: At The Spot West Seattle (2920 SW Avalon Way), starting at 6 pm.

AT THE SKYLARK: The XOfenders perform live, featuring Scattered Sunn, 8 pm at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW).

WEST SEATTLE DRAG SHOW: 9 pm at Admiral Pub (2306 California SW; WSB sponsor), it’s Dolly Madison and The DJ with a ’90s party.

Something today/tonight we’re missing? Text us – 206-293-6302 – thank you!

Share This