West Seattle, Washington
25 Thursday
11:19 PM: Police found evidence of gunfire near 24th/Webster – about a block from the Southwest Precinct – around 10 pm after multiple 911 callers reported hearing it “near Home Depot.” And while no victims were found at the scene, they’re now investigating the possibility that a 14-year-old who showed up at a hospital with a gunshot wound might be linked to the incident. (Added: Another injured person who showed up at another hospital is also being investigated for a connection, dispatch has reported.) We’ll be following up for more details in the morning.
ADDED 9:49 AM: The police-report summary confirms, and adds to, what we reported:
(At 9:38 pm Monday), officers responded to the 2400 block SW Webster St for multiple reports of shots being heard in the area. Several witnesses were contacted who heard the shots and reported seeing a vehicle speeding from the area and subjects running through the apartment complex. During the search, officers located evidence of a shooting in the roadway and bullet damage to two apartment buildings. While officers were processing the scene, Harborview Medical Center reported a gunshot wound (GSW) victim that had been dropped off at the ER. The victim had been struck in the knee but was otherwise in stable condition. He was uncooperative with police, but limited information was obtained linking the victim to this incident. A short time later, Valley Medical reported a GSW victim had arrived in the ER.The victim had been struck in the right chest area but was otherwise in stable condition. He provided limited information to police, but enough to link him to this incident.
We opened registration one week ago for the return of West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day on Saturday, May 14, 2022, and almost 100 sales are registered so far – 97 as of tonight. We have block sales, business sales, nonprofit-group sales, and lots of individual sales. If you’re thinking about having a sale on WSCGSD – one day of simultaneous sales all over the peninsula – you have about two more weeks to think about it – registration will remain open until at least April 25th. We close signups a few weeks before WSCGSD so we have time to make the map and guide with all the listings (up to 20 words about your sale) available a week in advance. If and when you’re ready to register, go here! This will be the 16th WSCGSD (annual through the 15th one back in 2019).
(Reader photo from January 2021)
More than a year ago, Seattle Public Utilities tore up part of California SW south of Morgan Junction to fix 55 feet of sewer pipe. Now they’re returning for long-promised “pavement restoration” work on California SW, between SW Frontenac and SW Othello [map]. SPU sent us the notice they say they’ve circulated to neighbors, saying work will start as soon as next Monday (April 18th) and last up to four weeks. Work hours will be 9 am-3 pm weekdays. This is close to Gatewood Elementary, and will have some traffic effects in the area.
Thanks for the tip. Just in case you experienced it too – we’re told some neighbors near Dragonfly Park in North Delridge had discolored water this afternoon/evening. It was reported to Seattle Public Utilities, and believed to be the result of hydrant testing in the area – hydrant use can stir up the sediment, mostly rust, in the water pipes. (It happened so much in the mid-2010s, SPU did a West Seattle-wide “flush.”) If you ever notice discolored water, be sure to report it to SPU at this 24-hour number: 206-386-1800.
4:45 PM: Over the weekend, we published security-camera images from last Wednesday’s armed robbery at Bellevue Rare Coins in The Junction. The description of one robber as having a distinctive limp had some wondering if they were the same people suspected in a region-wide robbery and murder rampage, mostly targeting cannabis shops, with a store employee killed during a Tacoma holdup. Today, one of those suspects, 15-year-old Marshon D. Jones, was arrested, while another, 16-year-old Montrell D. Hatfield, remains at large. SPD has subsequently confirmed to WSB, “Robbery detectives have confirmed that they are the suspects in the Bellevue Rare Coins robbery, and are being investigated further. That investigation, and further attempts to locate the other suspects, continues.” After last week’s West Seattle robbery, the store closed for three months of security updates and remodeling work. If you have any information about the robbers who are still at large, call Seattle Police and refer to incident # 22-085753.
6:21 PM: King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office spokesperson Casey McNerthney tells WSB that Jones and Hatfield are only charged so far in a February robbery at a pawn shop in Federal Way. (Court documents note that Hatfield is the one with the prosthetic right leg.) The charging documents also show that, as with the West Seattle robbery, the robbers ordered employees to lie on the floor. In the Federal Way robbery, they also allegedly fired a warning shot. Police arrested the suspects shortly after the robbery, but as has been reported in regional media, despite prosecutors’ arguments that they should remain in juvenile detention, King County Superior Court Judge Averil Rothrock allowed them to be out on electronic home monitoring, from which they escaped. McNerthney says that’s the only case involving these two referred to the KCPAO so far.
ADDED: To clarify, Jones and Hatfield’s only King County charge so far is the Federal Way robbery, but they are also charged, in Pierce County, with the Tacoma murder.
The state Department of Ecology has sent advance word of a drill you might notice if you’re looking toward Harbor Island or the downtown waterfront tomorrow (Tuesday, April 12th). Starting at 9 am, the alert says, “Kinder Morgan and NRC will be deploying equipment to exercise their oil spill contingency plans, and test the geographic response plan for that area. Activities will start at the Kinder Morgan facility on Harbor Island [map], and then move to the waterfront near the Seattle Aquarium. Crews will operate oil spill skimmers near Harbor Island and deploy boom near the Seattle waterfront.”
The date has changed for Brent Amaker & The Rodeo‘s “Save the Yen Wor” concert. Here’s the new plan:
The “Save the Yen Wor” benefit show, originally scheduled for Wednesday April 13th, has been postponed due to Covid-19. A member of the band contracted Covid-19 this past weekend and will be unable to perform due to CDC isolation guidelines. The show has been rescheduled for Tuesday, May 17th. For those who were planning to attend the Yen Wor this coming Wednesday, Brent will be on hand to MC and host charity Karaoke with Loretta. Also look out for the possibility of additional special guests!
All proceeds from both events will be donated to assist the Yen Wor during a period of family illness and transition. Learn more about the community effort to save the Yen Wor at their Go Fund Me page. Feel free to donate prior to the event if you would like to help.
Please update your calendars now, and support this important West Seattle institution in any way that you can.
People who are 65 and older and/or living with disabilities have a new transportation option this spring, announced today by the city:
SDOT has launched a new pilot program called Ride Now to provide free and discounted rides to transit stations and other nearby destinations that can be difficult to reach by transit only – specifically for older adults (65+) and people with disabilities and their caregivers. The goal of the program is to provide more accessible, convenient, and affordable transportation options for these community members. The pilot program will be active during the months of April and May 2022.
Eligible community members can request six $20 paper or digital vouchers per month to use for rides from Yellow Cab, Uber, or Lyft. Program participants can request these rides when they want them, no reservations required, and have an accessible ride come right to their door. Vouchers will work on trips that start or end within the city of Seattle, and riders can receive higher discounts off trips that connect to transit.
Eligible individuals include:
Older adults: Individuals aged 65 or older.
People with disabilities: Individuals with any type of disability that impacts their ability to access transit, including physical and cognitive disabilities.
Caregivers: Individuals who travel with the above eligible riders.
You can request vouchers at seattle.gov/transportation/RideNow or by calling 206-684-ROAD [7623]. Vouchers will also be available through some community-based non-profit organizations. This pilot program, the result of a grant, is in addition to services offered by other agencies, such as the Hyde Shuttle and other King County programs linked here.
(WSB photo – seen in Gatewood)
The weather may still be hinting at wintry, but it’s time for spring celebrations. West Seattle egg hunts are back this year, and the first starts tomorrow:
FAUNTLEROY EGG HUNT: Again this year, the Fauntleroy Community Association has recruited volunteers to hide eggs, with non-candy surprises inside, around various parts of the neighborhood, at various times, tomorrow (Tuesday, April 12th) through Saturday. Find the boundaries, and info on recycling eggs you find, here.
DELRIDGE EGG HUNT: Seattle Parks skipped egg hunts the past two years but is returning at a smaller scale this year, with one West Seattle hunt, for kids 3-11 – 10 am Saturday (April 16th) at Delridge Community Center (4501 Delridge Way SW).
LINCOLN PARK EGG HUNT: Eastridge Church is again presenting an egg hunt in the south meadow at Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW), also at 10 am Saturday. They promise thousands of eggs plus “field games and inflatables.”
BEER GARDEN EGG HUNT: At 3 pm Saturday, Ounces (3809 Delridge Way SW) will have an egg hunt for kids under 10. If you can, bring a nonperishable food donation for the West Seattle Food Bank.
CHURCH EGG HUNTS ON EASTER: On Easter Sunday, some local churches offer egg hunts after services. We have two on our Easter/Holy Week services list so far and expect to be adding more in the next few days.
Anything to add? Email us – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Three reader reports in West Seattle Crime Watch
STOLEN VEHICLE: From Andrew:
My 1999 Chevy S-10 Blazer red was stolen from the 5000 block of 41st Ave SW some time between 12:30 AM and 7:30 AM. License AFY6805. Had ski racks. Some tools inside. Police report has been filed.
Plate # is AFY6805. (UPDATE: Andrew says it’s been found – abandoned, damaged, in the 4800 block of California SW and impounded from there.)
CAR PROWLERS: Michelle says an alert circulated among residents of the Lighthouse building on Alki Point warning of two car prowlers seen in both their lot and the Alki Point Lighthouse public parking lot next to it. They were described only as “two males, both wearing backpacks and both covered up (difficult to identify).”
BROKEN WINDOW: One holdover report from last week. M & G report, “(Last) Sunday night / Monday morning, broken side car window, 38th and Olga, nothing taken and didn’t even open the door ( upper half of shattered glass still in the door. Fell out when I opened it).”
The report and photo are from Troop 282‘s Jay Brock:
Springtime means more adventures to be had in the SCOUTdoors. Troop 282 and Troop 284 of West Seattle would like to congratulate 5 of their scouts for completing their Scuba Open Water Certification and their Scuba Diving Merit Badges. On Sunday Aprit 3rd these scouts joined a number of Scouting divers that now can do conservation projects on land as well as under the sea. It was no easy task for them while still in school. The had to complete 15 hours of online learning, a couple of classroom hours, several hours training in a pool and four dives in the open waters of Puget Sound. A big shout out goes to Duncan as the Dive Instructor and Seattle Scuba for the course.
Troop 282 meets on Tuesdays at 7:30 at West Side Presbyterian Church and Troop 284 meets on Mondays at 7:00 at Explorer West Middle School. Now is a great time to join and be part of the action.
7:20 AM: The Water Taxi is canceled until 10:30 am because of wind.
7:40 AM: The Vashon WT also is canceled through at least the 8:15.
10:33 AM: The West Seattle Water Taxi has resumed service.
——
Earlier:
6:03 AM: Good morning. It’s Monday, April 11th, the start of spring break for many (but not all) local schools.
WEATHER
Cloudy forecast with possible showers, maybe even some morning snowflakes, high near 50.
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. Shuttle service is now serving all runs. (UPDATE: See above)
Ferries: WSF is still using the two-boat schedule for Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth. Check here for alerts/updates.
BRIDGES AND DETOUR ROUTES
749th 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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