West Seattle, Washington

18 Thursday

48℉

month : 04/2022 307 results

UPDATE: West Marginal Way reopening after crash
April 28, 2022 7:04 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

7:04 PM: Thanks for the tip – a wire is reported down across West Marginal Way SW south of the Duwamish Longhouse and we’re told traffic is currently blocked both ways.

(Added: Photo by Amanda Simantov)

7:42 PM: This was the result of a crash. Police are calling for tow trucks.

8:11 PM: Officers have just told dispatch that all northbound lanes are reopening, along with one southbound lane. We’re checking with SFD regarding injuries.

11:22 PM: According to SFD spokesperson David Cuerpo, this was a two-vehicle crash, with one hitting a utility pole, bringing down the aforementioned wires. SFD evaluated an 18-year-old woman who turned out not to be hurt; no one else reported injuries, either.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Police investigating gunfire in Sunrise Heights
April 28, 2022 4:45 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | Sunrise Heights | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

(WSB photos)

4:45 PM: Thanks for the tips. Police are investigating gunfire reported this past half-hour in Sunrise Heights. Shell casings have been found. No victims reported so far. We’re at the scene and will be updating.

4:54 PM: The photo was taken at 32nd and Webster [map]; police tell us they found “several” casings. They also confirm no reports of anyone being hit/hurt. The only description information they have so far is that this may have involved a “red car and gold car.” They’re about to leave the scene.

5:04 PM: Or maybe not. Dispatch has just told officers someone just called in to report finding another casing, in the alley in the 3100 block of SW Webster.

ADDED FRIDAY MORNING: Police say it’s possible this incident and the later gunfire in High Point are related. Their summary says, “Witnesses advised that a red sedan was following a white sedan from behind, heading westbound on SW Webster St. Witnesses said an unknown suspect from the red sedan was firing shots toward the white sedan. After hearing the shots, other witnesses reported that a gold sedan was seen speeding away from the area.” If you have any information, the incident # is 22-106468.

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THEATER: Seattle Lutheran High School’s final production ‘The World According to Snoopy’ opens Friday
April 28, 2022 4:42 pm
|    Comments Off on THEATER: Seattle Lutheran High School’s final production ‘The World According to Snoopy’ opens Friday
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS culture/arts

What will be soon-to-close Seattle Lutheran High School‘s final theater production, “The World According to Snoopy,” opens tomorrow. SLHS is hoping for a good turnout and sent this reminder:

Seattle Lutheran High School Drama is proud to present The World According to Snoopy. Snoopy is the world’s most lovable dog, but people don’t feel the same about his owner, Charlie Brown. In a series of comic strip-like scenes, we watch everyone’s favorite “Peanuts” characters go to school, sit in the pumpkin patch, ask for psychiatric advice, and have wild flights of fancy. This funny, uplifting musical reminds us all of the power of friendship. Don’t miss it!

Thank you to our sponsors: Bakery Nouveau, West Seattle Runner, Sea Pines Physical Therapy, Phoenicia, Biojunction Sports Therapy, BAJ Capital, Seattle Fish Co.,, Peralta Orthodontics. and Freshy’s.

Friday, April 29th at 7:30 pm
Saturday, April 30th at 7:30 pm
Sunday, May 1st at 2:30 pm

Tickets:

$10 for adults
$7 for seniors and non-SLHS students

Location: Menashe Gymnasium at Seattle Lutheran High School (4100 SW Genesee St)

Appropriate for ages preschool and up. Run time of 2 hours with a 15 minute intermission.

Purchase Tickets at the door or online here.

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TRAFFIC ALERT UPDATE: Ramp to northbound Highway 99 reopens early
April 28, 2022 3:01 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

As shown in that live traffic-camera view, the cones are down and the ramp from eastbound Spokane Street/West Seattle Bridge to northbound Highway 99 is open again. The work to fix a hole in the ramp was projected to last up to two weeks – which would have kept it closed until next Monday – but WSDOT just announced this afternoon that it’s done, and Metro has announced that buses that had been detouring through SODO are returning to their regular routes.

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GARAGE SALE DAY UPDATE: Registration’s closed – here’s what’s next
April 28, 2022 1:48 pm
|    Comments Off on GARAGE SALE DAY UPDATE: Registration’s closed – here’s what’s next
 |   Community Garage Sale Day | West Seattle news

Thanks to the ~320 sellers who signed up for West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day before registration closed late last night! WSCGSD is Saturday, May 14th. Here’s what happens next:

*If you’ll be shopping – whether you’re just going to walk/bike over to nearby sales, or travel around the peninsula – May 7th is when we’ll have the map/list available in both clickable and printable formats. The links will be here on WSB as well as at westseattlegaragesale.com.

*If you’ll be selling – we’re going through all the registrations now, so please watch your email in case we have a question. Your sale number will be on the map/list, so once that’s out, you’ll know which sale number to tell your friends, relatives, etc. to look for. If you have to cancel, please let us know as soon as you know – we can take you off the map and out of the guide up until we publish them on May 7th.

As we go through the registrations, we’re making notes such as unusual items, group sites, block/business/school sales, bake sales, and other things to spotlight over the next two weeks. We also want to hear from any organization interested in donations of unsold items – so far we have heard from one, a Goodwill truck that the Lafayette Elementary PTA will be making available that afternoon. Anyone else? Let us know.

Thanks for supporting the return of West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day!

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Behind on your utility bills? City’s shutoff moratorium has expired, but help might be available
April 28, 2022 12:19 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Coronavirus | Utilities | West Seattle news

The pandemic moratorium on city utility shutoffs has expired. So if you’re behind, you can’t just let it slide and hope nothing will happen – you’re urged to seek help. Here’s the announcement explaining how:

Seattle City Light (SCL) and Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) today announced new flexible payment plans and expanded assistance for customers who are struggling to pay their bills. Customers are urged to visit seattle.gov/UtilityBillHelp or contact the utilities immediately to learn more about their options. Both utilities offer flexible payment plans with no late fees for all customers, and for income-eligible residential customers, significant discounts and emergency assistance money are available.

“We know many of our customers face economic uncertainty that has been exacerbated by the pandemic,” said Andrew Lee, Interim General Manager and CEO of Seattle Public Utilities. “We are taking steps to ensure our customers are aware that assistance is available. We encourage any customer who is behind on their utility bill to contact us today for assistance.”

Approximately 8,500 SPU residential customers and 36,000 SCL residential customers are behind on paying their utility bills. About 1,200 SPU commercial customers and 4,000 SCL commercial customers are in arrears.

While the City of Seattle moratorium on utility shutoffs expired on Friday, April 15, SCL and SPU are focused on proactively engaging with delinquent customers to help them access assistance to get current on their bills. SPU and SCL will be communicating directly to customers who are in arrears to make sure they’re aware of resources available to them before beginning the process of shutoffs for non-payment. Customers who remain current on their payment plan and current bill will not be at risk for shutoff. Customers at risk of having their services shut off will receive additional, direct communications prior to a shutoff taking place.

“Many customers have struggled financially and made tough decisions about which bills to pay. We want them to know that there are options to help get them back on track and alleviate some of the stress through flexible payment plans or assistance programs,” said Debra Smith, General Manager and CEO at Seattle City Light. “Our aim is to get customers to a place where they aren’t facing shutoff for non-payment when the process resumes. We’re here for you and want to help.”

Residential customers can visit seattle.gov/UtilityBillHelp or call 206-684-3000 to set up a flexible payment plan and to find out what assistance is available to them. The City’s Utility Discount Program offers discounts of 60% off electric bills and 50% off water, sewage and solid waste bills for income-eligible residential customers. Utility representatives will also let customers know what types of emergency assistance money might be available to them.

Commercial customers who are behind on their utility bills may also sign up for payment plans. They are encouraged to visit seattle.gov/UtilityBillHelp, call (206) 684-3000 or contact their SPU or SCL representative directly for assistance.

To learn about other assistance for customers financially impacted by Covid, including those seeking assistance to avoid eviction, please visit City of Seattle resources.

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FOLLOWUP: West Seattle neighbors’ generosity helps theft victims restart their business
April 28, 2022 11:20 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

One month ago, we reported on a work-van theft that left Alejandra and Obed unable to operate their small business. Their friend Brenda then sent organized a crowdfunding campaign to help them get back to work, and now she has this update:

Thanks to the amazing support of the West Seattle community, the crowdfunding campaign has raised just over $6,000, allowing the couple to replace nearly all of the tools and equipment that were stolen and have their business up and going again! They are very thankful for the community’s help and everyone’s generosity.

Also, some of the West Seattle Blog readers and those who donated to the Go Fund Me asked how to learn about their services. I am attaching a photo of Obed using one of the new tools [above] and their business card with their services and contact information.

Thank you again to the WSB and the WS community for turning this unfortunate incident into a story with a very happy ending!

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Bridge briefing @ West Seattle Transportation Coalition, Madison’s ‘Twelfth Night,’ more for your Thursday
April 28, 2022 10:30 am
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Lincoln Park, photographed last weekend by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)

From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar and inbox, reminders for the rest of today/tonight:

PRESCHOOLS’ ONLINE AUCTION EXTENDED: Join RIFC and SWEL have extended their virtual 9th annual silent auction through May 4th – you can help these Delridge preschools by bidding, starting with registration here.

LIGHT RAIL COMMENT DEADLINE: Final day to send Sound Transit your comment(s) on West Seattle light rail routing/station-location effects.

SOUND TRANSIT BOARD: No official items related to the West Seattle project on the 1:30-5 pm online meeting’s agenda, which includes information on viewing/commenting.

SPORTS: One home game – West Seattle HS vs. Chief Sealth IHS in softball, 4 pm at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle).

WEST SEATTLE TRANSPORTATION COALITION: 6:30 pm online, with the agenda including two discussions with SDOT reps – about West Seattle Bridge repairs and the Freight Mobility Plan. Our calendar listing includes how to watch/listen.

‘SCREENAGERS’: Watch the film and then discuss it with a counselor in an online event presented by a group of local schools, 6:30 pm.

BOARD GAME NIGHT: Come try something new at Meeples Games (3727 California SW), 6:30-10 pm.

‘TWELFTH NIGHT’: Second of three online performances of Madison Middle School‘s online production of Shakespeare‘s “Twelfth Night”– our calendar listing has the RSVP link.

Have an event to list on our calendar/in our daily lists? We’re adding more daily – email westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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SUMMER CAMP: Explorer West Middle School offering week of cryptozoology!
April 28, 2022 9:42 am
|    Comments Off on SUMMER CAMP: Explorer West Middle School offering week of cryptozoology!
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Summer break gets ever closer, and many summer-camp opportunities have long been filled up. Explorer West Middle School (WSB sponsor) has one with openings, July 11-15, for rising 5th, 6th, and 7th graders – here’s what it’s about:

Curious what creatures lurk in the shadows of the Pacific Northwest? Join us as we explore different habitats and discover how scientists study elusive creatures and what separates solid science from quackery. The real thing is often stranger than fiction! We’ll examine fossils for evidence of evolution, visit the beach to learn how Native stories of sea serpents can shed light on local geology, explore adaptations with microscopes and perform hands-on science experiments. Each day will include a field trip or hike in a local park. Flyer attached! Contact Lisa at lisak@explorer-west.org with questions or to register.

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TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, ROAD WORK, WEATHER: Thursday watch
April 28, 2022 6:02 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

7:07 AM: Thanks for the tips. SFD has responded to a vehicle fire in the 900 block of SW Holden. We’re told the vehicle has been moved to the side.

————

6:02 AM: Good morning. It’s Thursday, April 28th.

WEATHER

mentioned here, Genesee Hill Elementary [map] expects extra biking, rolling, and walking today, so be extra-careful on all routes around the school.

ROAD WORK

*Overnight alerts continue for some work under the bridge related to what’s happening on it – follow the link to see tonight’s schedule.

*The 8th/Roxbury crews were working on Wednesday morning when we went through around 10 am, with work concentrated in the curb lane on the northbound side just north of Roxbury.

BUSES, WATER TAXI, FERRIES

Metro is on its regular weekday schedule. Watch @kcmetrobus for word of reroutes/trip cancellations.

The West Seattle Water Taxi, which is operated by Metro, is now on the summer schedule – with later evening runs on Fridays and Saturdays.

Ferries: WSF continues using the two-boat schedule for Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth. Check here for alerts/updates.

BRIDGES AND DETOUR ROUTES

766th 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 city bridges opening for vessels? Check the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed; 1st Ave. S. Bridge openings are 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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YOU CAN HELP: Which Junction will ‘win’ Sunday’s cleanup challenge?
April 27, 2022 11:24 pm
|    Comments Off on YOU CAN HELP: Which Junction will ‘win’ Sunday’s cleanup challenge?
 |   Environment | How to help | West Seattle news

As promised – here’s your next big chance to help West Seattle shine! If you haven’t seen it in our calendar already, or in our mention during Morgan Community Association coverage last week, here’s a reminder about the CleanupSEA Junction-to-Junction event this Sunday (May 1st):

This has turned into a “cleanup challenge” of the Junctions (Admiral, Alaska, Morgan) to see which gets the most volunteers. The direct link to the event signup and see the latest numbers is here:
signupgenius.com/go/10C0F49A4AD2EA3F5CE9-cleanupsea

RSVP is appreciated, but not required. It helps us plan enough supplies. Stations open at 10 am, with supply return by 1 pm, so people can show up any time and clean for as long or short as they desire.

Jenny Frankl and Jenn Charoni from Seattle Adopt-a-Street will be at the Morgan Junction Park location to support the cleanup and invite people to learn more about Adopt-a-Street and how they can lead their own cleanups.

We’ll have a CleanupSEA tent at the West Seattle Farmers Market for supply check-out/in and to just stop by and learn more.

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FOLLOWUP: Here’s how the Seal Sitters/SR3 Alki cleanup turned out
April 27, 2022 9:15 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Environment | West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news

Many hardy, good-hearted volunteers are showing up for community cleanups – and tonight we have a followup on one of the bigger recent events, The photos and report were sent to us today by organizers of the Alki cleanup led by SR3 and Seal Sitters Marine Mammal Stranding Network:

On Friday, April 15, more than 100 volunteers joined Seal Sitters and SR3 for an early Earth Day celebration on the 1-year anniversary of the SR3 Marine Wildlife Hospital. Staff from the Seattle Seahawks, Delta Airlines and Forum Social House,came out to help gather over 90 pounds of trash that might otherwise have ended up in the ocean.

Supplies for the pickup were provided by Seattle Parks & Recreation and Puget SoundKeeper Alliance. Seattle Seahawk DeShawn Shead awarded SR3 Executive Director Casey Mclean the Delta Community Captain award to recognize the great work SR3 does for our community.

To learn more about SR3 or get involved, go to sealifer3.org. To learn more about Seal Sitters or get involved go to sealsitters.org.

More opportunities to join in a community cleanup are coming up – watch for our next story!

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Stolen white Ranger pickup (update: found)
April 27, 2022 7:42 pm
|    Comments Off on WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Stolen white Ranger pickup (update: found)
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Another stolen pickup to watch for – this one, reported by Dana:

Stolen from 32nd and Thistle – 1997 white Ford Ranger with black topper. License plate B49048W. “Biodiesel” bumper sticker. I love this old truck! If anyone sees it, I would love to recover it!

THURSDAY UPDATE: From Dana – “We found our stolen truck. I noticed in the WS Blog’s Crime section that a few vehicles were recovered from the 9200-9400 block of 16th Ave, so we drove over there and it was sitting in the church parking lot next to all the derelict travel trailers.”

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One day left for what might be your most important comment about West Seattle light rail
April 27, 2022 5:32 pm
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   Sound Transit | West Seattle news

It’s not necessarily your final chance to comment on Sound Transit‘s West Seattle light-rail plan, but it’s arguably the most important, and you now have one day left to get your comment in. Tomorrow (Thursday, April 28th) is the deadline for commenting on the project’s Draft Environmental Impact Statement – which examines the potential station locations and routing proposed for West Seattle light rail to get across the Duwamish River and through the North Delridge and Avalon areas on its way to The Junction. The DEIS has been out for three months, with more than 1,000 comments received as of our last check earlier this month. If you haven’t read a word of it, you can at least go through the Executive Summary. (All our coverage is archived here.) Once you’re ready to comment, here’s how. All the comments received by tomorrow will have to be addressed in the final EIS, expected to be ready next year, before the Sound Transit Board makes a final decision on what to build.

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CAN YOU HELP? Watch for possibly entangled bird
April 27, 2022 3:56 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | Wildlife

That’s a Common Loon, photographed by Rick Rasmussen last year. One seen in West Seattle waters earlier today might be in trouble, and community naturalist Kersti Muul asked if we’d put out the word for you to watch for that loon. Kersti says it was “last seen 200 yards from shore, north of the UW buoy off Lowman Beach,” around 1:30 pm, “possibly entangled … thrashing about and not diving at all.” She says plans were being made to rescue it by boat if needed, but they haven’t spotted it again. If you do, text our hotline (206-293-6302) and we’ll forward.

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SHELTER SHIFT: Why one RapidRide stop just got reconfigured
April 27, 2022 2:47 pm
|      27 COMMENTS
 |   Luna Park | Safety | Transportation | West Seattle news

Thanks to Ann for the top photo and tip. The RapidRide C Line shelter on northbound Avalon Way at Yancy [map] was hoisted Saturday, moved from the east side of the protected bike lane to the west side. We asked Metro’s Jeff Switzer about it, and got his response today:

This shelter relocation was planned as part of SDOT’s SW Seattle Paving: 35th / Avalon Project, which rebuilt/reconfigured SW Avalon Way in 2019/2020. To support the addition of protected bicycle lanes on this section of roadway, SDOT constructed a transit island for our existing northbound RapidRide stop far-side SW Yancy St to eliminate merging conflicts at the new protected bike lane and to keep this as an in-lane bus stop. We were just now able to finally perform this work with staffing levels stabilizing. Some (photos) from the team to help show our efforts and the result:

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TRAFFIC ALERT: Be extra-careful around Genesee Hill Elementary tomorrow morning
April 27, 2022 1:45 pm
|    Comments Off on TRAFFIC ALERT: Be extra-careful around Genesee Hill Elementary tomorrow morning
 |   Genesee Hill | Safety | West Seattle news

Heads up from a Genesee Hill Elementary parent: More students will be biking, rolling, and walking to school tomorrow for GHES’s Bike to School Day, arriving 7:20-7:45 am, from all directions.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Stolen silver Ram pickup (update: found)
April 27, 2022 11:24 am
|    Comments Off on WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Stolen silver Ram pickup (update: found)
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

11:24 AM: Thanks to everyone who has helped reunite people with their stolen vehicles. Here’s another one to watch for – reported by Samuel:

My silver 2001 Dodge Ram Pickup was stolen sometime between Sunday night (4/24 around 6:30 pm) and Tuesday afternoon (4/26 before 6 pm). Last seen was on the corner of Findlay St. and 44th Ave SW. (This is a stock photo of what it looked like with some slight differences.)

License plate: C22041F

Identifying Features: Paint fade on roof and hood, large dent/scratch above RR wheel well, white chalk lettering on the back of the toe hitch bar that says J+S with a heart around it and I ❤ Pickle Rick.

Incident # 22-104619

7:47 PM: Samuel reports that his pickup has been found.

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BASEBALL: West Seattle HS wins crosstown clash with Chief Sealth IHS
April 27, 2022 10:53 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

The stands were full last night at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex as Chief Sealth International High School hosted their league-leading crosstown competitors from West Seattle High School. The Seahawks were ahead 7-2 going into the fourth inning, and that’s when the Wildcats roared with a comeback.

By the time the inning ended, WSHS had the lead, 11-7. Sealth added one more run but couldn’t close the gap, and WSHS got one more run too, winning 12-8.

WSHS finished with 12 hits, Chief Sealth with 7 hits. The Seahawks (9-8) are on the road today vs. Lakeside at Magnuson Park; the Wildcats’ game today at Sammamish was canceled, but they have a 10 am home game Saturday vs. Blaine at NCSWAC.

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WEST SEATTLE WEDNESDAY: 7 notes
April 27, 2022 9:40 am
|    Comments Off on WEST SEATTLE WEDNESDAY: 7 notes
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Tuesday’s sunset, photographed by Bruce Gaumond)

Here’s what’s up for the rest of your Wednesday:

REGISTRATION DEADLINE: We’ll remind you again later too – 11:30 pm tonight, registration closes for West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day sales (WSCGSD is on May 14th). Go here to sign up!

SPORTS: Both high-school-soccer teams are playing home games today – West Seattle HS vs. Nathan Hale at 4 pm at Walt Hundley Playfield (34th/Myrtle), Chief Sealth IHS vs. Ingraham at 4:30 pm at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle).

LIVE MUSIC AT LOCOL: 6:30 pm, Arthur James performs at Locöl Barley & Vine (7902 35th SW) – 21+, no cover.

‘LGBT Q&A’: Parent educator Jo Langford‘s presentation is part of the West Seattle High School PTSA‘s meeting tonight at 7 pm online, and as previewed here, community members are invited – here’s the link to register.

HPAC MEETUP: Casual in-person drop-in gathering for the Highland Park, Riverview, South Delridge community council HPAC this month – stop by the Highland Park Corner Store (7789 Highland Park Way SW) at/around 7 pm.

SKYLARK OPEN MIC: 7:30 pm signups @ West Seattle’s longest-running open mic – no cover to watch. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

TRIVIA: Larry’s Tavern (3405 California SW) hosts Wednesday-night trivia starting at 8 pm; at 8:30 pm, trivia is back at Talarico’s (4718 California SW) with Phil T.

Something for our calendar? Email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, ROAD WORK, WEATHER: Wednesday watch
April 27, 2022 6:01 am
|    Comments Off on TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, ROAD WORK, WEATHER: Wednesday watch
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:01 AM: Good morning. It’s Wednesday, April 27th.

WEATHER

Forecast says partly sunny, slight chance of rain, high in the 50s.

ROAD WORK

*Overnight alerts all week for some work under the bridge related to what’s happening on it – with an added night of work since we first published these.

BUSES, WATER TAXI, FERRIES

Metro is on its regular weekday schedule. Watch @kcmetrobus for word of reroutes/trip cancellations.

The West Seattle Water Taxi, which is operated by Metro, is now on the summer schedule – with later evening runs on Fridays and Saturdays.

Ferries: WSF is still using the two-boat schedule for Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth. Check here for alerts/updates.

BRIDGES AND DETOUR ROUTES

765th 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 city bridges opening for vessels? Check the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed; 1st Ave. S. Bridge openings are 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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VIDEO: ‘Are we happy with the status quo?’ asks newest councilmember as committee discusses Seattle Police’s shrinking staff
April 26, 2022 11:08 pm
|      68 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

The Seattle Police Department is still losing more officers and hiring fewer than projected. So what if anything should/can be done about it? That question was at the heart of the latest SPD-staffing briefing, presented this morning to the City Council’s Public Safety and Human Services Committee, chaired by West Seattle/South Park Councilmember Lisa Herbold.

Overall, the committee was told, “the trend is not particularly good.” Here are the numbers presented by analyst Greg Doss:

We first mentioned the report last Friday, when it was released; we noted that the Southwest Precinct, which covers West Seattle and South Park, had lost more sworn staff in the past year – both in number and in percentage – than other precincts. (Our questions sent immediately to SPD and Herbold remain unanswered.) The discussion at today’s meeting didn’t get that granular. The issue became what to do about the continued staffing drop – or whether to do anything at all. That was a sharp point of disagreement between some of the councilmembers. Citywide Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda (a West Seattle resident) emphasized that research has shown many of the calls handled by police could be handled by other types of responders. Yes, but, asked Councilmember Alex Pedersen, does the city have those alternative responders available today? “No,” replied Doss. Recently elected citywide Councilmember Sara Nelson, who is pushing to reinstate hiring incentives, asked, “Are we happy with the status quo? Are we fine with doing nothing? I am not.” In response to an observation that other cities are having hiring challenges too, Nelson wondered if any other cities are having trouble with departures as well as hiring.

Interim Police Chief Adrian Diaz, also present at the online meeting, said the current staffing situation is causing “wear and tear” because almost every shift needs to be “augmented” with officers on overtime just to reach minimum levels. Response times continue rising, with “priority 2” calls up to half an hour, “priority 3” calls averaging a full hour, he said.

While Nelson is proposing a resolution expressing support for hiring bonuses/incentives, Herbold is proposing a bill to offer money to cover moving expenses for officers hired from outside Seattle – and for some other types of city employees; in the ongoing discussion of the SPD staffing challenges, she has countered that other departments face critical staffing challenges too. (This document from the meeting goes into both councilmembers’ proposals, as well as data including what other cities are offering.)

Nelson continued to advocate for hiring bonuses: “If we don’t do this, what else are we going to do? … I don’t see how we’re going to get to 98 new hires this year if we’ve only had 13 so far.” She wanted to extend the discussion, but Herbold cut it off, with the item having run more than an hour – twice the allotted time – and with two other items on the agenda, including another hot topic (the PayUp proposal for app-based workers). No votes had been scheduled for today, so the discussion is likely to continue when this committee reconvenes next month.

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CRIME WATCH FOLLOWUPS: Store targeted again; stolen pickup found
April 26, 2022 8:38 pm
|    Comments Off on CRIME WATCH FOLLOWUPS: Store targeted again; stolen pickup found
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Two followups on West Seattle Crime Watch reports from last week:

BREAK-IN ATTEMPT: Last Thursday, we published this report of a burglary at Meeples Games. The shop says somebody then tried to break in the next day:

On Friday 4/22 at 5:00 am we had a second attempted break-in. These are the pictures of the Friday suspect. We are unsure if he is connected with the first two or not. Luckily he wasn’t able to get in. But he did completely destroy our door.

We want to thank everyone who has offered to donate money to fix the door. Right now, the best way to help is to stop in and buy some games, have dinner and hang out, and share the posts. We also think that the truck in the first break-in was a Toyota Tacoma TRD Sport with an access cab in a lighter color.

If you have tips for police, this attempt is under the same incident # – 22-099401.

STOLEN PICKUP FOUND: Also on Thursday, we published this report about Sean‘s stolen 1992 Nissan pickup. Somebody spotted it on Monday. We checked with Sean to see if he indeed got it back, and he confirmed that today, sending this photo:

I got a call from the police at around noon yesterday. They ran out of gas off the west Seattle Bridge heading south on Delridge. I jumped it. put gas in it, and I have it.

Side note – When we get word someone has their stolen vehicle back, we go back to the original report and add the update, just in case somebody spots it days or weeks later and doesn’t know its rightful owner has it back … and we’ll be doing that with this one too.

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