West Seattle, Washington
27 Saturday
3:26 PM: We’ve been updating this in our morning traffic watch but we’re told the closure of 14th Avenue South in South Park, south of Cloverdale, is likely to last a few more hours, so we’re publishing this separate update. This all traces back to a truck crash after 7 am today. Here’s how SDOT explains the situation:
Due to a damaged utility pole, the Seattle Department of Transportation closed 14th Avenue S from S Cloverdale S to S Director St. to all members of the public in between SR-99 and South Park Bridge. The road is currently expected to remain closed until approximately 6 p.m. today and will be reopened once Seattle City Light crews verify that the area is safe to travel through. SDOT encourages travelers to find alternate routes if you are driving in and around the area. The South Park Bridge and the off-ramp from SR 99 to 14th Avenue S will be considered local access only.
While the South Park Bridge will be open to traffic, there will not be a direct access to SR 99. For travelers who are coming from South Park Bridge, SDOT encourages them to take Dallas Ave S to 12th Ave S and then to S Cloverdale to get access to SR 99. Travelers who usually exit 14th Avenue S from SR 99 will be asked to turn around and find an alternate route.
So again, the SP Bridge IS open, but not accessible from south of Cloverdale.
5:41 PM: SDOT says 14th Avenue S. is now open again.
(WSB photo, April 2019)
Just before the pandemic wiped most other concerns off the map for a long time, in February of last year, a “stakeholders meeting” shone the spotlight on endangered Roxhill Bog (part of Roxhill Park). Now the struggle to save it is back on the front burner, and another community meeting is planned. Here’s the announcement/update from the Duwamish Alive Coalition:
The second public meeting for the community led restoration of Roxhill Bog will be held online November 17th from 6:30 to 8:00 pm, to provide an update on the hydrology study of why the wetland has been drying out and possible solutions along with the results of the community survey that was conducted. The online link to the meeting can be accessed by registering through DNDA.org or Duwamishalive.org
Roxhill Bog is one of the last peat wetlands of the historical 26 within Seattle, dating back 10,000 years and home to a unique ecosystem of plants and animals. It’s also the headwaters of Longfellow Creek and an important community asset where the community can experience and learn about nature. Over the last couple decades, it has been drying out, which has significantly degraded its ecosystem – with increased invasive plants, loss of wildlife, and unsuitable usage of the area creating safety concerns.
Community members, alarmed about the loss of this community treasure, created a collaborative partnership with the Delridge Neighborhood Development Association, Duwamish Alive Coalition, Roxhill Champions, and American Rivers to help restore the bog wetland. With help from Seattle Councilmember Lisa Herbold and King County Councilmember Joe McDermott. the partnership was able to acquire funding for the hydrology and soil studies and the community survey, which received over 260 responses, and restoration design.
The November 17th public meeting will review the results of the studies, and community survey and seek input on the restoration design. This is an important opportunity for the community to provide comments about the project and their hopes for the wetlands’ future.
For backstory, see our report on last year’s meeting. There’s also a lot of background on this webpqge assembled by the now-dormant Westwood-Roxhill-Arbor Heights Community Council.
Firefighters at Station 36 alongside the West Seattle Bridge [map] have been attacked from above, twice this week.
(Photos courtesy Aaron Patterson)
A station officer, Aaron Patterson, summarizes what happened as: “Five firefighters’ vehicles were targeted and damaged. Objects were thrown off of the defunct eastbound onramp to the WS bridge. Rocks, bottles, eggs, metal pipes, logs, a car radio, and even a shopping cart were found on and around the firefighters’ cars.” This photo shows the shopping cart:
The first attack happened early Tuesday morning. According to the Seqttle Police report, responding officers noted damage to at least two firefighters’ personal vehicles, including windshield cracks rendering them undrivable, and found rocks in the parking lot, including “a large rock approximately 6 inches in diameter.”
The second was discovered around 9:30 pm Wednesday. The report from the station officer says, “Numerous large rocks, lengths of metal pipe, beer cans, large pieces of fallen trees, and trash were found on and around vehicles. Investigations by the responding SPD officers and the SFD personnel present surmised that both attacks were carried out from the defunct West Seattle bridge eastbound onramp.” After the first attack, the report says, “members had parked bumper to bumper on the east side of the station to avoid being directly underneath the overpass. … These vehicles were directly targeted as the distance was much greater from the overpass to the vehicles. The objects were thrown directly at the vehicles with malicious intent.”
The report adds, “This direct and blatant physical attack against members’ personal vehicles causes us to have real concern for our own physical safety. Had any one of the objects thrown stuck a person, it could have resulted in severe bodily harm, including death.”
While there’s no word of a witness, the officer’s report goes on to detail encampments nearby, including one that is described as having frequent fires, including some from which smoke goes into the air intake for firefighters’ living quarters. The report says, “Engine 36 has had multiple interactions with the resident of this encampment and directed him to extinguish the fires. He continues to burn. Also, it is of grave concern to the members of 36’s that this same homeless individual has erected multiple effigies of firefighters surrounding his encampment.” The report adds, “It is currently unknown who is responsible for these vandalism attacks on the members of 36, but we have reason to suspect that they are related to this issue.”
The report also has requests on improving safety for the station: “To provide for the physical safety of Seattle Fire Department employees and to protect the publicly and privately owned property (Marine 80 and a SFD Gator are stored outside) we would request that action be taken immediately by erecting a fence along the onramp surrounding the station, installing a video camera surveillance system surrounding the station, and requesting that SDOT, SPD, and other appropriate City agencies clear all encampments from this area.”
We asked SFD what they’re doing about the requests; spokesperson Kristin Tinsley tells WSB, “The department’s Services Division is aware of these incidents and is taking steps to help address the complaints. Right now our focus is on adding security lighting, and we are also looking at possible fencing options.”
As reported here last weekend, West Seattle High School‘s cross-country athletes are making history this year – the first time an entire WSHS cross-country team has qualified for the state championships. The boys’ team, and two individual girls, will compete at state. So this morning, before heading to the Tri-Cities for the championships, they led a parade – with cheerleaders and the marching band – in the school hallway:
The championships are tomorrow (Saturday, November 6th) at Sun Willows Golf Course in Pasco.
(Wednesday’s sunrise at Don Armeni, photographed by Marc Milrod)
Before we get to time-change weekend, here’s what’s up for today/tonight:
FRIENDSHIP AUCTION’S FINAL DAY: One last day to support the Southwest Seattle Historical Society – here’s how.
WEST SEATTLE VACCINE CLINIC: The new clinic at Neighborhood House (6400 Sylvan Way SW) opens again today, first time since vaccination was authorized for kids 5-11, but note that appointments are required for that age group.
FOOTBALL: Two games at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle) – at 4:30 pm, West Seattle HS vs. Thomas Jefferson; at 7:30 pm, Chief Sealth IHS vs.. Franklin Pierce.
FAUNTLEROY FINE ART AND HOLIDAY GIFT SHOW: 5-8 pm at Fauntleroy Church (9140 California SW), it’s your first chance to shop this year’s show, featuring more than a dozen artists – listed here.
FEEST FALL FUNDRAISER: 6 pm online event supporting this program in area schools – our calendar listing has info on attending.
ANDREW GOUCHE: Live at J&J Public House (2808 Alki SW) at 8 pm, $10 cover.
TRIPLE BILL: 8 pm at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW) – here’s who’s playing tonight.
Something for our calendar? westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Family and friends are remembering Charles David Draper, Sr., and sharing this remembrance with his community:
A Life Well Led
On Wednesday, October 13, 2021, Charles David Draper Senior, husband of his one and only woman Glee for 74 years, father of three, Granddaddy of 12, Great Granddaddy of nine, and Great Great granddaddy of one, passed away quietly with his wife by his side and daughter Marlee holding his hand.
He was 96 years old.
Charles, born August 6, 1925 in Seattle, was the only child of Frank Hugh and Marian Gertrude Sprengle Draper. He grew up on Ida Street and roamed the forest of West Seattle and Lincoln Park in the 1930s. Charles excelled at any physical activity and hiked the mountains and streams for his love of fishing. As a young boy, Charlie worked at Draper Engine Works for his dad and grandfather, Charles David Draper I. He graduated from West Seattle High School and continued to work at “the shop” (eventually named Draper Machine Works), where he designed and created many innovations for the boating, fishing, and lumber industry as well as fixing problems of building mechanics, such as the Space Needle. He joined the Navy during World War II, where he used his talents as a machinist at Guadalcanal. He was in charge of the boat motor pool, keeping them running and piloting small craft and landing craft and Captain’s gig. Upon his return to the states, he began his University of Washington studies in mechanical engineering. His tenor voice blossomed from his early years in the church choir to sing professionally from the 1940s until 2002, when a stroke affected his vocal cords. As an exceptional artist, as well as a perfectionist, Chuck would explain anything with a pencil in hand. Whether it be a machine design, or a how-to in the machine shop, sports, music, building or designing anything… there was always a napkin nearby to explain for an understanding.
His golf career began in 1954 and ended with a total of 35 hole-in-one’s. He excelled in rating golf courses of western states down the coast through California. He had the vision to bring public and private courses together organizing tournaments. A highlight of his career was the Junior Golf Association for youth, emphasizing etiquette and sportsmanship in golf.
He is remembered by all as multi-talented with exceptional ability for retaining information. His research and knowledge of the Lake Washington Federal Ship Canal, as well as golf-course details, reflected his constant search for truth.
Chuck had a special love for the church and serving the Lord with his talents. He attended youth groups and led many sing-alongs with a dramatic flair. At one youth function, his eyes were drawn to a quiet beauty, Glee Patten, who he soon married. They raised their little family: Kristine Glee, Charles David III, and Marlyne Annette, one block from his childhood home, on Holden Street and still attended his church, where he continued with choir, quartets, artistic endeavors like Christmas murals, and became a leader and a mentor. Here, he brought young men a chance to learn and flourish through Boy Scouts. His Bible, full of sticky notes, is a visual reminder of his determination to seek God’s purpose and fulfill God’s plan.
He has left his autograph on each of our lives.
(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)
ADDED 9:54 AM: Two crashes outside West Seattle that might affect you. From SDOT:
-All NB lanes on E Marginal Way S are blocked at S Hudson St and SB lanes at Diagonal Ave S.
-14th Ave S at S Trenton St. All NB & SB lanes are blocked between S Cloverdale St and S Director St.’
11:30 AM: No all-clear yet on either of those incidents.
12:43 PM: Still no updates. The South Park crash, by the way, was described by SFD as “a semi that hit a building, and has a power pole leaning on it” so that’s why the cleanup is taking a long time.
1:50 PM: SDOT now says “All NB lanes are back open on E Marginal Way S at S Hudson St. 2 SB left lanes are back open at Diagonal Ave S.”
3 PM: East Marginal has fully reopened. The South Park closure is expected to last until about 3 pm.
5:43 PM: As reported here, 14th Avenue S. has now reopened too.
=======
Earlier:
6:06 AM: Good morning.
WEATHER
Intermittently rainy forecast , high in the low-to-mid 50s.
FALL BACK
Repeating our reminder that Saturday night/Sunday morning, we “fall back” an hour – 2 am becomes 1 am.
BRIDGES AND DETOUR ROUTES
594th morning without the West Seattle Bridge. Here are views of other bridges and routes:
Low Bridge: No new trouble reported Thursday. 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.)
The 1st Avenue South Bridge (map):
South Park Bridge:
West Marginal Way at Highland Park Way:
Highland Park Way/Holden:
The 5-way intersection (Spokane/West Marginal/Delridge/Chelan):
Are movable bridges opening for vessels? The @SDOTBridges Twitter feed is working again; 1st Ave. South Bridge openings are also tweeted on @wsdot_traffic.
See all local traffic cams here; locally relevant cameras are also on this WSB page.
ROAD WORK
26th SW – Continuing southbound closure between Roxbury and Barton for RapidRide H Line prep work. Also, new work at 26th/Roxbury is starting. This flyer has full details.
15th SW: Thanks for the tips – it’s open again at Roxbury
Delridge Way – Trees for the medians are arriving; SDOT says planting is expected to happen later this month.
This weekend: SDOT says it has NO work of note planned.
BUSES, WATER TAXI, FERRIES
Regular Metro schedule, except for the rerouting in RapidRide H Line work zones – on 26th and 15th SW in particular. Watch @kcmetrobus for word of trip cancellations.
For ferries and Water Taxi: WSF continues a two-boat schedule on the Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth run. Check here for alerts/updates. The Water Taxi continues on its modified schedule for this fall/winter (7 days but no weekend or off-peak shuttle buses).
Trouble on the streets/paths/bridges/water? Please let us know – text (but not if you’re driving!) 206-293-6302.
That’s Miss Starla the guinea pig. You might recall our story last month on the Seattle Animal Shelter reporting that she was the last pet still in need of a new home one year after she and hundreds of other animals were rescued from a house in Delridge. SAS told us she had been adopted by a West Seattle family – and we heard from them today.
Kaj and Janet – with rescue pup Niko – are Miss Starla’s new family. Kaj says they read about her here on WSB and got their application in fast to beat the rush. “We brought her home this weekend, and she’s been quickly adapting to her new environment, showing off her personality.”
The two-building “Sweeney Blocks” megaproject in the West Seattle Triangle is halfway through the final stage of Design Review – the east building, at 4406 36th SW, got unanimous approval tonight from the Southwest Design Review Board, which will review the west building in two weeks. Here’s the “design packet” from the meeting:
Four board members were present – John Cheng, who chaired the meeting, along with Johanna Lirman, Patrick Cobb, and Alan Grainger. They were joined by the city planner assigned to the project, Sean Conrad.
(Also published on partner site White Center Now)
Thanks for the tips! The sign’s been up for months at 9602 16th SW – now finally The Roll Pod is about to get rolling. The Indian fast-food mini-chain says its White Center location will open its doors this Saturday (November 6th) at 6 pm. Hours will be 11 am to 8:30 pm, 7 days a week. You can preview the menu here. This will be the fifth incarnation for the space in less than five years – 3.14 Bakery, Brass Knuckle Bistro, Biscuit Bitch, and Bloom Bistro.
Thanks to David Hutchinson for photos from the shore south of Alki Point as this afternoon’s strong wind collided with this afternoon’s 12.1-foot high tide.
The wind will gradually ease tonight, but Saturday could be even windier, with 45-mph gusts forecast. ~12-foot high tides continue in the morning and early evening over the next few days.
The newest results from Tuesday’s election are out. Nothing has changed in the Seattle city races – the gaps have narrowed a little but are still very wide. However, the Seattle Port Commission now has two incumbents losing. For Position 3, Hamdi Mohamed has taken the lead and is now two points ahead of incumbent Stephanie Bowman; for Position 4, Toshiko Grace Hasegawa‘s lead over incumbent Peter Steinbrueck has widened to three points. See the full list of updated results here. For King County, 43 percent of ballots have been received, 33 percent counted; for the city of Seattle, 54 percent of ballots have been received, 41 percent counted.
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
Since West Seattle hasn’t been a city since 1907, it doesn’t have its own mayor.
But it does have civic champions. Few have worked more tirelessly in recent years than Lora Radford.
After five and a half years as executive director of the West Seattle Junction Association, she’s just announced that she’s moving on to serve the West Seattle community in a different role, as a community liaison in Sound Transit‘s next phase of light-rail planning.
Her Junction involvement actually goes back more than a decade before she moved into the Junction Association’s cozy office across from the Senior Center of West Seattle.
The District 1 Community Network‘s monthly online meeting last night included many quick updates as well as a brief chance to meet the Southwest Precinct‘s new commander:
CAPT. MARTIN RIVERA: SPD’s new Southwest Precinct commander is on the job (as reported here) and sat in on last night’s D1CN meeting to start getting acquainted with community groups. Capt. Rivera explained that he was previously the night-duty captain, which means responding to any major nighttime incident in the city. Before then, he worked at the West Precinct – which includes downtown – and served in a variety of other roles in his 22 years with SPD. He was promoted to captain last year, according to his bio on the precinct website (which is the source of the photo at right).
The D1CN meeting, facilitated this month by Marty Westerman of the West Seattle Transportation Coalition and Fauntleroy Community Association, also featured an update from the gondola advocates of West Seattle SkyLink and a variety of quick neighborhood notes:
(Photo by Machel Spence)
From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar and inbox, here are highlights of what’s ahead today/tonight:
FAUNTLEROY FERRY TERMINAL PROJECT: Last night, the Community Advisory Group for the Fauntleroy ferry-terminal/dock replacement project met; today, the Executive Advisory Group – which includes elected officials – meets at 2 pm, also online, also open to public viewing. Go here to register to get the link (scroll down the page to find information on the EAG).
VOLLEYBALL TRYOUTS: U10, U12, U13 & U14 players can try out for the West Seattle Reign (WSB sponsor) 5-7:30 pm tonight at Seattle Lutheran High School (4100 SW Genesee) – info’s in our calendar listing.
DESIGN REVIEW X 2: The Southwest Design Review Board has two online project reviews tonight – at 5 pm, the 8-story mixed-use building at 4406 36th SW – our preview (with design packet) is here; viewing/listening/commenting info for the meeting is here; our coverage of the first review last year is here. Then at 7 pm. the 8-story apartment project at 3010 SW Avalon Way gets its first review; our preview (with design packet) is here; viewing/listening/commenting info for the meeting is here.
WESTSIDE SCHOOL INFO NIGHT: 6 pm online, prospective middle-school families (5th-8th grades) are invited to learn more about Westside School (WSB sponsor) – our calendar listing has details and the email address for getting the link.
CHOIR CONCERT: The Chief Sealth International High School and Denny International Middle School choirs perform tonight, and you can watch via livestream starting at 7 pm – top link on this page.
NORTH HIGHLINE UNINCORPORATED AREA COUNCIL: If you’re in White Center or other communities just south of the city limits, this is your community council, and it’s meeting online at 7 pm. The preview on our partner site White Center Now has agenda details and how to participate via video or phone.
BATTLESTAR KALAKALA: Monthly night to get your groove on at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW), 9 pm.
What’s in the pickup shown above are the donations from last holiday season’s warm-clothing drive at Dave Newman State Farm Insurance Agency (WSB sponsor) – the biggest one ever. Can you help outdo that this year? The drive has just begun – here’s the announcement:
The 8th annual winter clothing drive has begun at Dave Newman State Farm Insurance Agency.
In conjunction with the West Seattle Food Bank/West Seattle Helpline, we are collecting donations of clothes, coats, and shoes until January 1st. Please drop off your donations at 3435 California Ave SW. The office is open for donations Monday through Friday, 9 am to 5 pm. For undergarments and socks, please donate only new and unopened packages of clothing items.
Pickup may be available for those who have donations but are unable to transport them.
For further information contact the State Farm office at 206-932-1878.
Thank you, West Seattle, for your generosity and spirit of giving.
6:37 AM: Texter reports 2-car crash on West Marginal near Highland Park Way.
Earlier:
6:07 AM: Good morning.
WEATHER
Rainy, windy forecast for today.
FALL BACK
Another reminder that this Saturday night/Sunday morning, we “fall back” an hour.
BRIDGES AND DETOUR ROUTES
593rd morning without the West Seattle Bridge. Here are views of other bridges and routes:
Low Bridge: After its two-hour closure Wednesday morning, it had trouble again Wednesday night, but so far that’s only supposed to affect maritime traffic.
Meantime – 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.)
The 1st Avenue South Bridge (map):
South Park Bridge:
West Marginal Way at Highland Park Way:
Highland Park Way/Holden:
The 5-way intersection (Spokane/West Marginal/Delridge/Chelan):
Are movable bridges opening for boats or barges? The @SDOTBridges Twitter feed is working again; 1st Ave. South Bridge openings are also tweeted on @wsdot_traffic.
See all local traffic cams here; locally relevant cameras are also on this WSB page.
ROAD WORK
26th SW – Continuing southbound closure between Roxbury and Barton for RapidRide H Line prep work. Also, new work at 26th/Roxbury is starting. This flyer has full details.
15th SW: Still closed at Roxbury, on the south side of the intersection.
Admiral Way: Crews have been working on the stairway on the downhill slope, just before the Avalon cutoff.
BUSES, WATER TAXI, FERRIES
Regular Metro schedule, except for the rerouting in RapidRide H Line work zones – on 26th and 15th SW in particular. Watch @kcmetrobus for word of trip cancellations.
For ferries and Water Taxi: WSF continues a two-boat schedule on the Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth run. Check here for alerts/updates. The Water Taxi continues on its modified schedule for this fall/winter (7 days but no weekend or off-peak shuttle buses).
Trouble on the streets/paths/bridges/water? Please let us know – text (but not if you’re driving!) 206-293-6302.
The report and photos were sent by Lynn Shimamoto of Seal Sitters Marine Mammal Stranding Network:
Seal Sitters is happy to announce that three seal pups rescued from West Seattle beaches have been successfully returned to the wild.
Back in August, Zach Ward happened to see Seal Sitters responding to “Cascade” at Alki across from Starbucks, and he took this photo of the emaciated newborn. Cascade still had an umbilical stump and was estimated to be 2-3 days old. Knowing the pup would die without immediate help, Seal Sitters captured Cascade for treatment at SR3’s marine wildlife hospital in Des Moines.
(Photo of Cascade by Zach Ward)
Seal Sitters took two more pups to rehab because of unsafe conditions. “Piccolo,” another very young pup prematurely separated from her mother, was picked up at Lincoln Park. “Sprinter” kept hauling out at busy spots from Alki to Seacrest where she was harassed by a dog. On Tuesday, all three were deemed healthy enough to go back in the wild. SR3 released the trio at a secluded beach on Vashon Island, along with a fourth pup nicknamed “Maury.”
(Photo by Lynn Shimamoto – Cascade at top, Piccolo at bottom, Sprinter and Maury not pictured)
Seal Sitters is thrilled that these pups were nursed back to health and given another chance at life.
If you see a marine mammal on a local beach, or one offshore that appears to be in distress, please call Seal Sitters MMSN at 206-905-SEAL (206-905-7325).
Thanks for the tip. Seattle Public Utilities is repairing a water problem on Genesee Hill, near 52nd/Dakota (map). They’re hoping to have it fixed around 8 pm, according to the water-outage map. Reminder that if you experience water trouble and it’s not on the map, the number to call is 206-386-1800.
Three weeks later than originally announced, the drainage project at Westcrest Park has begun. We had been checking on it after reader reports that the work wasn’t happening, even though the city had announced it would begin in mid-October. Today a reader texted that the main off-leash area is closed and the temporary OLA is open. The work is expected to continue until spring of next year.
The second round of election results is out. Last night, King County Elections had counted ballots from 22 percent of voters countywide; today, that’s up to almost 26 percent – that’s two-thirds of what’s been received so far. The only race with a change of note is the last one on the list below, Port Commission Position 4, in which the challenger has now taken the lead.
MAYOR
Bruce Harrell – 97,763 – 64.2%
Lorena González – 53,965 – 35.4%
CITY ATTORNEY
Ann Davison – 85,543 – 57.7%
Nicole Thomas-Kennedy – 61,430 – 41.4%
CITY COUNCIL POSITION 8
Teresa Mosqueda* – 77,149 – 53.2%
Kenneth Wilson – 67,123 – 46.3%
CITY COUNCIL POSITION 9
Sara Nelson – 89,059 – 59.8%
Nikkita Oliver – 59,497 – 39.9%
KING COUNTY EXECUTIVE
Dow Constantine* – 195,342 – 57.1%
Joe Nguyen – 142,582 – 41.7%
SEATTLE PORT COMMISSION POSITION 1
Ryan Calkins* – 233,099 – 73.2%
Norman Sigler – 82,699 – 26%
SEATTLE PORT COMMISSION POSITION 3
Stephanie Bowman* – 165,053 – 50.4%
Hamdi Mohamed – 161,033 – 49.1%
SEATTLE PORT COMMISSION POSITION 4
Toshiko Grace Hasegawa – 163,338 – 49.79%
Peter Steinbrueck* – 163,063 – 49.70%
Next count is planned for tomorrow afternoon ~4 pm.
(SDOT camera image during morning closure)
3:21 PM: As covered in our morning traffic watch, the low bridge was out of service for about two hours this morning, reopening to vehicle traffic just after 10 am. Here’s what SDOT says happened:
Early this morning, one of the three pumps needed for the bridge’s operation started to lose pressure and exhibit atypical noises, requiring SDOT to cease bridge operations while our crews inspected the issue and performed the necessary actions to restart the bridge.
Over the course of the next few days, we will determine if the pump should be replaced or can be repaired. During that time, SDOT will station electrician and mechanical crews at the low bridge during the morning and afternoon peak periods in the event the pump requires additional attention.
On Tuesday, November 9, SDOT planned to replace a different pump on the bridge. There will be no traffic impacts to vehicles when replacing this pump on Tuesday. Any repair or replacement activities required for the pump that malfunctioned today can be performed at that time.
7:35 PM: SDOT says the same pump is having trouble tonight and they’re working on it, but the traffic cam shows it’s still open.
7:57 PM: SDOT says that while it’s open to vehicle traffic, currently the low bridge cannot open for marine traffic.
10:21 PM: SDOT’s latest update:
At approximately 5:30 pm this evening, the same pump on the Spokane Street Bridge (West Seattle Low Bridge) once again began experiencing mechanical issues preventing the bridge from being opened for maritime traffic. This only affected ships, and authorized vehicles were able to continue driving over the bridge as normal.
SDOT mechanical crews responded to the situation quickly and were able to open the eastern side of the bridge, allowing ships to pass through. We plan to expedite repairs of the malfunctioning pump as soon as possible, and will only swing open and close the eastern side of the bridge until these repairs are complete (normally, both halves of the bridge swing open). This will only affect certain marine traffic, and will not impact vehicles authorized to drive over the bridge.
Three reader reports:
HALLOWEEN NIGHT GUNFIRE: This happened on 34th SW in Sunrise Heights and the victim’s hoping you recognize the shooter:
Halloween night we had an incredibly scary situation take place in front of our home in West Seattle. We need the help of West Seattle residents identifying the culprit.
We were cleaning up from a small gathering we had in our front yard for neighbors and trick and treaters. At around 11 PM, one neighbor and I during the cleanup witnessed a prowler in his car. We confronted the culprit, who exited the car and walked away from us while my neighbor dialed 911. The culprit was incredibly casual and slowly made his way to 35th Avenue SW as we followed him while talking to the 911 responder. The culprit turned up 35th Avenue SW and eventually we turned around to head back to our homes when he was out of sight. We then heard a bang that we assumed was a firework.
An hour later, I was in our backyard locking up when I heard footsteps again. I looked over our gate and saw the same culprit this time by my vehicles. I began yelling at him in an effort to get him away from the cars and out of our neighborhood when I shockingly realized he had a gun in his hand. My wife heard the yelling and opened our door thinking I was in trouble. As soon as she opened the door — he fired at her twice thankfully missing her but very close to where she was standing.
It was a scary situation and hard to take in. We really questioned for a while whether the gun was real but the Police did confirm it was. There are bullets lodged into our house and we found an unused bullet and shell casing outside of our house.
The Police responded quickly after the shooting and also came the next day to take statements and gather additional evidence.
What’s crazy about the whole experience is how casual the shooter was. He never seemed in a hurry. He also never said a thing.
Thankfully our neighbor caught him on video just before I encountered him a second time that night when he entered the neighbor’s carport in the alley in an effort to find items to steal.
We need help identifying the shooter — please contact the Police Department and reference this incident number (2021-290133) if they know anything additional about what happened that night or can identify the shooter or can offer anything to assist in his arrest. He’s incredibly callous and the police and we are worried it could happen again.
One of our neighbors who saw the video recognized him as a shoplifter she saw at the Westwood Rite Aid in September. She also believes he was a frequent shoplifter based on the reaction he received from the Rite Aid manager.
The first incident with the shooter was around 11 PM. The second incident when he fired at my wife took place around midnight. And then later that night we heard a shot again at about 1:30 AM/2:00 AM.
ANOTHER CATALYTIC-CONVERTER THEFT: Kyre‘s Toyota Highlander hybrid was hit Tuesday;
I would like to report a picture of the car that carried the thieves who stole my catalytic converter in the middle of the day, at a brazen 10 min to noon, on a well=traveled street near Fairmount Park Elementary.
People can keep an eye out so it won’t happen to them. Red Audi, blacked out windows, black license plate. Took 3 minutes!
STORAGE BREAK-IN, KEEPSAKES STOLEN: From Samir:
I just learned that someone was able to break into the storage unit of my (Harbor Avenue) apartment and steal my backpack full of my gear. While the gear can be replaced, I was wondering if you could put out a notice for Philmont bag tags that were attached to the bag.
I got these tags when I was 16 with the Boy Scouts. There will be 2 blue ones and 1 yellow one (2 belonging to me, 1 belonging to my dad). The backpack itself was a blue backpack with orange straps. If the tags are still on the bag they would be attacked to the outside by a carabiner.
The backpack contained items including a sleeping bag and pad, an inflatable pillow, and a water filter.
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