West Seattle, Washington
25 Thursday
STREET ROBBERY: The full report narrative on this wasn’t available but a woman reported being held up at gunpoint near California/Alaska in The Junction on Saturday night. Her purse and phone were taken. No description of the robber other than he was “short.” If you have any information, the incident number is 22-062983.
STORE SHOPLIFT-TURNED-ROBBERY: This happened around 3 am Saturday at the Harbor Avenue 7/11. According to the police summary, the clerk reported that “a group” had come in and while one was buying a beverage, another was grabbing alcoholic beverages, lighters, and health/beauty products. While that person was in the process of leaving without paying, the clerk “verbally challenged her to pay for the items,” and the thief “lifted her shirt and exposed a short knife in her waistband.” That made it a robbery. She and the group left in two vehicles; the summary does not include descriptions.
CATALYTIC CONVERTER STOLEN: In a garage in the 1100 block of Alki Avenue SW, the catalytic converter was stolen Saturday night from Jill‘s 2006 Lexus RX 330. She says the thief left in this red Volvo:
Its plate starts with CAZ. Jill says people in a red Volvo were also seen a few days earlier “casing our building and turning our cameras.” (TUESDAY UPDATE: The car was stolen March 3rd on Genesee Hill, its owner tells us.)
THEFT TOOL? Rich found this stashed/tossed in shrubbery by his residence on Fauntleroy Way south of The Junction:
We discovered an automobile jack hidden in the bushes next to our house. When I saw it, the catalytic converter thefts leapt to mind.
But if you happen to have had one stolen and this looks like it … let us know. (TUESDAY UPDATE: Heard from the jack’s owner.)
DUMPED SKI GEAR: Ken found this dumped in a Fauntleroy alley:
If it looks like items you’re missing, let us know and we’ll connect you. (TUESDAY UPDATE: Heard from the items’ owner.)
CAR-THEFT ATTEMPT: One last reader report – Steve in Fauntlee Hills says someone tried to steal his car, parked on the street. He found the steering column and ignition damaged this morning. It was clear that an intruder had been in his car for one other reason – it reeked of cigarette smoke.
(Image from SDOT bridge-top webcam)
5:44 PM: There could be a partial break in the 3-month-old strike by more than 300 concrete-truck drivers against four local companies, which has left worksites including the West Seattle Bridge repair project waiting for concrete. According to an update on the Teamsters Local 174 website, the drivers are offering to return to work at three of the companies as of tomorrow – Cadman Seattle, Lehigh Cement, and Salmon Bay Sand & Gravel. The update says in part:
… This decision will allow some concrete to flow to critical projects in and around Seattle, with a dedicated and professional Teamster workforce operating equipment they know well, including the West Seattle Bridge, Sound Transit, the Convention Center, and the Hwy 520 Bridge. Negotiations for a new contract will continue with each Employer individually until contracts are reached. This includes the three companies whose workers have offered to return to the job. …
The update includes the letter the union says it’s sent to the three companies, which says in part:
… After much consideration, and on behalf of the bargaining unit we represent and who you employ, which is currently engaged in an unfair labor practice strike against your company, the Union hereby accepts your March 4, 2022, offer to permit our members to return to work “at any time” for the Seattle Location. We designate the beginning of the workday on Tuesday, March 15, 2022, as the time when our members will return to work. To maximize efficiency, please promptly inform our members who are employed by you regarding their work assignments on that day. …
The company not included in the offer is Gary Merlino Construction, which the union says made “a regressive offer” last week. We’ll be seeking reaction from city reps among others; the four concrete suppliers involved in the strike have been posting statements here, but there’s nothing about today’s Teamsters announcement yet. It’s been three weeks since the February 20th date by which the city said concrete needed to be available to keep the bridge repairs on schedule.
6:09 PM: You might recall that the February 20th “need concrete by” date was announced by Mayor Bruce Harrell at a joint media briefing with King County Executive Dow Constantine in White Center, as Constantine announced a plan for the county to seek alternate suppliers. The county executive (a West Seattle resident) is first in with a reaction to the Teamsters’ offer:
For more than 100 days most of the region’s construction has stopped as a result of a dispute between several sand and gravel companies and their employees, who are represented by Teamsters Local 174. Thousands of construction jobs have been impacted, tens of millions of dollars lost, and critical infrastructure projects delayed including wastewater, transit, bridges, and housing.
Today’s offer by Teamsters to return to work at three locations could help critical projects get back on track while negotiations for a three-year contract continue. I appreciate the Teamsters members and leaders who are continuing to bargain in good faith to get a fair contract. Now it’s time for the sand and gravel companies to do the same and return to the negotiating table, secure a fair and long-term contract, and get our region moving again.
ADDED TUESDAY MORNING: We asked SDOT for comment last night and here’s what spokesperson Ethan Bergerson tells us this morning: “The City’s contract language for public works projects like the West Seattle Bridge gives contractors autonomy to select concrete suppliers. Kraemer North America has flexibility to get concrete from any supplier, and is currently reaching out to all three companies listed in the Teamsters press release.”
4 PM: After more than 27 years of representing West Seattle and the rest of the 34th Legislative District, State Rep. Eileen Cody is retiring. That’s according to an announcement from the 34th District Democrats, which notes in part:
… Eileen has chaired the House Health Care and Wellness Committee and tirelessly worked for improved patient safety, mental health parity, public health services and to restore the universal purchase of vaccines. She led the effort to implement the Affordable Care Act at the state level. Largely due to her work, our system has been a model for the rest of the country. She leaves big shoes to fill. We thank her for her service and will be planning a special event in her honor after the term ends.
Rep. Cody’s interest in health care goes beyond her legislative work; as noted in her official biography, she worked as a nurse for more than 40 years, until retiring three years ago. She was first elected to the 34th District’s State House Position 1 in 1994 and last won re-election, unopposed, in November 2020; what is now her final term will end after the elections this fall. We are seeking comment from Rep. Cody and will update if and when we hear back.
4:30 PM: Just talked with Rep. Cody. She says, “It’s time … I had a good run.” She’s hoping to spend time traveling with her husband. But she’ll be on the job until her term ends when her successor takes office next January. She says she knows of multiple potential candidates – none are showing on the state Public Disclosure Commission website yet – so it’s likely to be an “active summer” of campaigning.
Thanks to Andrew for the photo and report from the weekend:
West Seattle HS Lacrosse was back in pre-season action at the Spring Tune-Up Jamboree.
The boys won their first match 5-0 over Kamiak, followed by a 2-4 loss to Skyview, then an 8-6 win over Union.
Wildcats are looking forward to a fun, competitive season.
Dates and times of upcoming games are on the team calendar. The lacrosse program is hoping to have a WSHS girls’ team starting next year.
If you’re on one of the orange-shaded blocks of Westwood, South Delridge, and White Center, you should have received a notice from Seattle Public Utilities about a planned overnight water outage next week for about 500 homes/businesses: 9 pm Tuesday, March 22nd, to 6 am the next morning, Wednesday, March 23rd. SPU says the outage is needed because “SPU crews will be testing the water main shut off valves and preparing for some hydrant and water main work that will occur in April.” If you didn’t receive a notice, here’s the one-sheet explaining what to do and what not to do before and during the outage.
We’ve received lots of questions in recent weeks about whether West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day will return this year. Today, the answer: Yes – two months from today.
If you’re new to West Seattle, WSCGSD isn’t one big sale – it’s one big day with simultaneous sales big and small all over the peninsula. It first happened in 2005, the second Saturday in May every year, but the nonprofit that launched it (Megawatt) disbanded in 2007, and we took it over starting in 2008. So we presented WSCGSD every year annually for 12 years … until the pandemic exploded right before registration for 2020 would have begun. So this will be the first WSCGSD since 2019.
The date: Saturday, May 14, 2022, 9 am-3 pm. (Individual sellers may choose to start earlier and/or end later, but we ask that all participants cover at least the basic six-hour window.)
We charge small registration fees (which we reduced when we took over WSCGSD in 2008 and have never raised) that cover production/promotional costs and provide a bit of support for ongoing WSB operations. A week before sale day, we publish clickable and printable maps/lists with all registered sales and their highlights.
Registration will open Monday, April 4th – watch here for the announcement and link. And get ready to shop, sell, or at least walk over and say hi to your neighbors, on May 14th.
(Lincoln Park, photographed by Anjanette Nelson-Wally)
Here’s what’s happening for the rest of today/tonight:
GIRL SCOUT COOKIES: Last week for sales – find cookie booth times and locations via the lookup.
ONLINE SCHOOL AUCTION: For the next week, you are invited to support the Fauntleroy Children’s Center:
The Parents of Fauntleroy Children’s Center invite you, as a member of our community, to participate in the 35th Annual Auction, Come Together, March 14-20. This year’s auction is completely virtual, so you can participate by visiting bit.ly/FCCAuction22.
Over 160 items thoughtfully donated by families and community businesses will be up for auction to support the early childhood programs at the Fauntleroy Children’s Center (FCC). Every dollar raised will go toward updating our beloved outdoor play structures, supporting continuing education for our teachers, funding tuition assistance for families in our community and other essential needs.
CITY COUNCIL BRIEFING MEETING: 2 pm online, councilmembers preview the week ahead and recap recent highlights. No public-comment period, but the agenda explains how to watch/listen.
SPORTS: High-school softball season starts! West Seattle HS hosts Lynnwood at 4 pm at Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle).
LINE DANCING: 6:15 pm class at Fauntleroy Schoolhouse (9131 California SW) – drop-ins welcome. Details are in our calendar listing.
OPEN D&D: Drop in to play 6:30 pm-10 pm Mondays at Meeples Games (3727 California SW).
TRIVIA X 3: Here are tonight’s three options for trivia players – 7 pm at Best of Hands (35th/Webster), 7 pm at The Good Society (California/Lander), 7:30 pm at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW)
Do you have a listing for our calendar and daily previews? westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
In West Seattle Crime Watch, another stolen pickup truck. Jason emailed this morning to report: “My truck was stolen from my driveway (6500 block of Delridge Way SW) at 1 am this morning (March 14th). ’99 Dodge Ram 2500 4×4 extended cab, dark green with amber beacon light on roof, license plate C74086X.” We’ll have other weekend Crime Watch reports later today.
6:04 AM: Good morning! Welcome to Monday, March 14th. We trust you’ve caught up with Daylight Saving Time (which started Sunday morning) by now.
WEATHER
BUSES, WATER TAXI, FERRIES TODAY
Metro is on its regular weekday schedule. Watch @kcmetrobus for word of reroutes/cancellations.
Water Taxi‘s on its regular schedule.
Ferries: WSF continues the two-boat schedule for Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth. Check here for alerts/updates.
BRIDGES AND DETOUR ROUTES
720th morning without the West Seattle Bridge.
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.)
1st Avenue South Bridge:
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? Check the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed; 1st Ave. S. Bridge openings are also tweeted by @wsdot_traffic.
All city traffic cams can be seen here; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are also on this WSB page
Trouble on the roads/paths/water? Text or call us (when you can do so safely) – 206-293-6302.
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