2 DAYS AWAY: West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day updates, and another list
(Photo by Brooke Gosztola)
Some clouds, some clear sky. That’s what we saw tonight at sunset and as the forecast continues to improve, that’s what’s predicted for Saturday, the return of West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day. The temperature might even get into the mid-60s, which is normal (unlike today, which set a record for lowest high temperature on this date, 51 when it should have been 66). So on we go with the grand plan for WSCGSD – it sounds like it might shake out similar to 2017 (check the pics in our coverage from that day, which we note had some sellers/sites you’ll see again this year). We’ve continued to update the map page – note the list of last-minute cancellations, and the links to sale-type lists we’ve published so far. Here’s another list – the block sales: #2, #9, #19, #29, #53, #75, #87, #100, #101, #153, #191, #192, #217, #234, #261, #307, #318, plus two apartment-complex sales, #5 (Westhaven) and #155 (Broadstone Sky). More updates Friday!
WEST SEATTLE ART WALK SCENE: ‘Sky’ by the bay
From the northernmost stop on tonight’s West Seattle Art Walk:
Androu Morgan and Barbara Fugate are two of the artists whose works are featured in “Sky,” the display at Lake Washington Physical Therapy-West Seattle (1309 Harbor SW); LWPT co-owner Mark Bouma sent the photo. Barbara also curated “Sky,” described as “a collection of seven artists’ interpretation of the sky.” It’s an apt subject for LWPT, whose light-filled clinic is across the street from the shore of Elliott Bay, with a view of sky as well as sea. LWPT co-owner Laura Bouma tells us an upcoming exhibit at the clinic will focus on flowers.
WEST SEATTLE ART WALK SCENE: Students in the spotlight
Even if you didn’t get out to enjoy tonight’s West Seattle Art Walk, you can enjoy art at local businesses all month long. At West Seattle Grounds (2141 California SW), work by West Seattle High School students is on display. After a busy afternoon of breaking news, we arrived just after their reception wrapped up – but we caught up with one of the artists, WSHS junior Esme Jablonsky, who works with “any and every medium I can get my hands on”:
Esme and the other featured artists are all in the WSHS Drawing and Painting program, part of the school’s Visual Arts offerings. A note up with the display at West Seattle Grounds mentions that the program always welcomes donations of art supplies, from watercolor paper and canvas to “analog darkroom equipment/film cameras” for the photography students – donations can be dropped off at the main office (3000 California SW) during school hours.
FOLLOWUP: Report card on ‘driver report card’ West Seattle trial
(WSB photo from mid-April)
As chronicled here, the “driver report card” pilot project didn’t seem to have much effect on drivers stopping for pedestrians – and an SDOT rep has acknowledged that. This came during an update given to the city’s Pedestrian Advisory Board, meeting online last night (only two board members were in attendance pending a wave of new appointees expected to join soon).
As reported previously, the pilot project involved signs at two spots in High Point for six weeks, each reflecting the results of data gathering involving whether drivers stopped for pedestrians. Most weeks, the results were worse than the week before. SDOT’s Kadie Bell Sata acknowledged to the advisory board, “It didn’t have the huge impact that would have been great.” She said the project also gathered data – not reflected on the signage – about whether racial bias affected drivers’ tendency to stop, or not. The test has now moved on to Rainier Beach, where six signs are up, three at marked crossings, three at unmarked crossings. One simple change they made after High Point – larger signs. They’re still deciding on other locations around the city to continue the test, part of a grant-funded safety campaign that will also support the 25-mph speed limit. Later in the meeting, the speed limit was part of a Vision Zero safety-program update from Allison Schwartz, who said it’s had some success – a 20 percent decrease in injury collisions and 54 percent decrease in “top-end speeders.” But the city’s traffic death rate is still higher than it’s historically been, she said, with 10 people killed so far this year, including the man killed while walking across a West Seattle street last Friday night and a person killed while bicycling in SODO yesterday morning. Of those 10 people, Schwartz said, four were walking, four were in vehicles, and two were on bicycles.
WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Gunfire investigation near California/Andover (updated Friday)
4:48 PM: We’re just catching up on this incident that happened during the past hour while the West Marginal carjacking (etc.) investigation was still unfolding: Police have confirmed gunfire between people in two cars near California/Andover. We caught up with officers just as they prepared to leave the scene a short time ago, and they told us they had recovered shell casings. No reports of any injuries in this incident either.
ADDED 10:52 PM: Thanks to the commenters who’ve added more detail; we won’t be able to ask for report details until tomorrow. Nearby resident David sent this short security-camera video in which you can hear the shots:
FRIDAY UPDATE: Here’s what the SPD summary says about the circumstances:
Officers contacted witnesses and viewed video footage from a local business where this incident took place. The investigation revealed that three vehicles were parked at this location when a truck arrived for fuel. When the truck was leaving, one of the three vehicles backed into the truck, leading the driver of the truck to confront the other motorist. Police learned the three original vehicles moved to the alley behind the store and were followed by the driver in the truck. The driver of the truck told a witness one of the other drivers had shot at him. He then left the area without waiting for police.
UPDATE: Carjacking, gunfire, crash investigation on West Marginal at Highland Park Way
3:11 PM: This is all unfolding right now – early info from scanner: Police were tracking a car on West Marginal Way when its driver got into a crash by Highland Park Way and carjacked another driver, with shots fired in the process. No injuries reported so far but the driver (and possibly an accomplice) may have bolted from the second vehicle nearby – it’s described as a black 2012 Ford Raptor. Updates as we get them.
(SDOT camera image)
3:17 PM: Northbound West Marginal is blocked at Highland Park Way because of all this.
3:25 PM: Our crew is arriving in the area and first report is that, needless to say, there’s a huge traffic backup.
3:34 PM: If you’re in the area and seeing a helicopter, that’s the shared TV-news chopper, not law enforcement. Meantime, the suspects who fled are still at large. We only caught part of the descriptions – white male and female; he was wearing glasses.
3:46 PM: Here’s what the suspects were in before the crash and carjacking:
(WSB photo)
3:55 PM: The carjacked vehicle has been found on Puget Ridge, empty. Police told dispatch that witnesses saw 4 suspects get out of it.
4:02 PM: Meantime, the northbound lanes of West Marginal are still closed for cleanup – this is what happened after the Expedition driver hit another vehicle pre-carjacking:
4:23 PM: SDOT and SPD report NB West Marginal has just reopened.
7:59 PM: SPD Blotter has the police account of what happened, including why the original vehicle containing the suspects – the trailer-towing SUV – came to their attention in the first place. They also confirm that the carjacked Ford Raptor was indeed recovered. No arrests reported so far.
GRATITUDE: Shredding, food-drive success at Westwood event
The totals – and words of appreciation – are in from last Saturday’s shredding and food-drive event sponsored by John L. Scott Real Estate-Westwood (WSB sponsor):
John L. Scott-Westwood would like to thank everyone for coming out to Westwood Village last Saturday, May 7, 2022 for the shred (documents) event. It was wonderful to work with the White Center Food Bank again to come together in support of the WS community and beyond.
We were able to collect $977.25 in donations and 370 lbs. of food; also gained were future volunteers for the White Center Food Bank.
1,725 lbs. of paper was shredded which will never go to the landfill! We thank our many volunteers from John L. Scott=Westwood and their families for joining us in these efforts.
CRIME WATCH FOLLOWUPS: Charges filed in carjacking, robbery; community help for another carjack victim
Two followups in West Seattle Crime Watch, both involving carjackings:
CHARGES FILED: We’ve been reporting since Friday on the arrest of a woman found in the Harbor Island area after a carjacking north of downtown.
(Friday photo from commenter Jeepney)
There was also word she was suspected of robbing someone on Harbor Island before police found her. The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office has filed charges in both incidents. 25-year-old Rachael M. Agnew-Toland is charged with two counts of second-degree robbery. The charging documents recount the carjacking circumstances we detailed in our previous followup, with Agnew-Toland accused of pulling the driver out of her parked car and then stealing it. They also provide new information on the Harbor Island robbery, which was only mentioned in passing in the previously available documents. Police say Agnew-Toland approached a man who was “working on securing a vehicle to his (auto-)transport truck” in the 2500 block of 13th SW, asked him for a ride, then entered the cab and took a tablet computer, phone, and credit card. He tried to stop her, according to the charging documents, and was injured in the ensuing struggle. She allegedly grabbed a tire iron, menaced him, and left. Police found her at a bus stop. Their report also notes she acknowledged using meth earlier in the day, and they found vials on her believed to contain some, along with a pipe. She has no criminal record and remains in jail in lieu of $5,000 bail – that amount was fixed at an earlier appearance, you’ll recall, though prosecutors had asked for $75,000.
CROWDFUNDING: No arrest so far in the West Seattle carjacking we reported almost two weeks ago, in which two men pulled a woman out of her car behind her senior-housing apartment complex in Admiral. The car was found in Northgate, but it’s got problems and that’s left the victim in a world of hurt, reports her son. She’s 74 years old, still working, and the car’s in the shop with thousands of dollars in damage done by the carjackers. Son Eric has launched crowdfunding to help her get a “new (used) car.” If you can help, here’s the link.
UPDATE: Crash on Highland Park Way
11:52 AM: Thanks for the tip – a two-car crash is blocking the uphill (southbound) lanes on Highland Park Way. No word of injuries so far.
1:01 PM: Information on this one has been hard to come by; a commenter says downhill is blocked, uphill is getting through. Snippets of radio exchanges suggest that tow trucks are now on scene.
1:12 PM: Lanes have reopened, officers just told dispatch.
West Seattle Art Walk and more for the rest of your Thursday
(Tuesday photo by James Bratsanos)
Here’s what’s happening in the hours ahead:
WEST SEATTLE ART WALK: Tonight’s the night! Businesses all over the peninsula, from Admiral to Arbor Heights, participate every second Thursday, some with art displays, some with displays and an artist reception, others with food and drink specials. See tonight’s venue list and art previews by going here. Special events include – as previewed here – the 7-8 pm reception at Lake Washington Physical Therapy-West Seattle (1309 Harbor SW; WSB sponsor). Another highlight: West Seattle High School student artists at West Seattle Grounds (2141 California SW), 5-8 pm.
ANNIVERSARY OPEN HOUSE: As part of this month’s Art Walk, you’re invited to a 5-7 pm open house and artist reception at The Grove West Seattle Inn (corrected address – 3512 SW Alaska), celebrating its 10th anniversary.
ALL-AGES OPEN MIC: The all-ages version of the legendary open mic at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW), signups at 5. Sponsored by neighboring Mode Music Studios (WSB sponsor).
BOARD GAME NIGHT: Come try something new at Meeples Games (3727 California SW), 6:30-10 pm.
COFFEEHOUSE OPEN MIC: Musicians of all genres welcome 7-9 pm at C & P Coffee Company (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor).
‘ALMA’: The current play at ArtsWest (4711 California SW; WSB sponsor) continues its run at 7:30 pm tonight – buy your tickets here.
Have an event to list on our calendar/in our daily lists? We’re adding more daily – email westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
LAST CALL: Early registration ends today for Southwest Seattle Historical Society celebration
Got your ticket(s) yet? Today is your last chance for early-registration pricing to attend the Southwest Seattle Historical Society‘s “Bridging Our Communities Together” celebration on June 3rd – here’s the reminder:
Early Registration for Bridging Our Communities Together closes May 12th. Hurry and get your tickets today to join us for an in-person celebration of 25 years of the Log House Museum at Salty’s on Alki on June 3rd, 2022.
Join us for an evening reception, silent auction, and a chance to see three brand new exhibits exploring the history of West Seattle, White Center, and South Park. We’ll raise a toast to our past and craft a vision of our future together!
Through the last two years, we have focused on collecting and sharing the individual stories of our history through email, through our website, and through Zoom. Now, we are so excited to welcome you back to the Log House Museum and explore our collective history and connections in person.
Bidding on auction items opens on May 31 and closes on June 3. More of our 20+ auction items posted every week!
Register HERE today and be sure to follow the instructions below. Register today and save!
If you registered for last year’s auction you can utilize the same login information to register for the event.
Remember to register for the auction after purchasing your ticket.
If you are registering for the first time click on “Create Account” at the top of the page to register for your Personal Link which will allow you to bid on auction items. You will need to set up a login which you can use to access the auction items.
We look forward to seeing you on June 3rd!
TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER: Thursday notes
6:01 AM: Good morning and welcome to Thursday, May 12th.
WEATHER
The National Weather Service predicts rain at times today, windy too, high in the 50s.
BUSES, WATER TAXI, FERRIES
Metro is on its regular weekday schedule, but watch @kcmetroalerts (new account) for word of reroutes/trip cancellations.
Check the West Seattle Water Taxi status here.
Ferries: WSF continues using the two-boat schedule for Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth. Check here for alerts/updates.
BRIDGES AND DETOUR ROUTES
780th 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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