West Seattle, Washington

07 Thursday

41℉

month : 05/2022 331 results

WEST SEATTLE SCENE: Student walkout to support reproductive rights
May 13, 2022 11:52 pm
|      15 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle protests

A week and a half after the report of a draft US Supreme Court opinion that would overturn Roe v. Wade, demonstrations continue. Today a group of West Seattle High School students left the school in the 11 am hour, marching to The Junction and back to Admiral. We didn’t get word of it in time to send our photographer but one of the organizers, Claire, sent photos.

Abortion-rights supporters plan demonstrations across the country tomorrow; none here in West Seattle that we’ve heard, but we received a media advisory for one on Capitol Hill.

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TRAFFIC ALERT: Sylvan Way crash
May 13, 2022 10:51 pm
|    Comments Off on TRAFFIC ALERT: Sylvan Way crash
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

A passing police officer happened onto a crash on Sylvan Way a short time ago, describing it as a car into a tree, calling in SFD to treat an injured man. The location was described as “just south of the cemetery.” Only one vehicle mentioned.

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SATURDAY’S THE DAY! One last round of pre-West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day updates
May 13, 2022 9:10 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Community Garage Sale Day | West Seattle news

Here we go – hours away from the return of West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day, defiant in the face of possible morning showers. Here are some final updates:

-We’ve continued updating the online map/list here. If you’re shopping, check before you head out. Also note that some sales not originally slated for garages might actually move into them if the weather doesn’t dry out fast enough.

-We’ll be covering WSCGSD as it happens, as always. This year, three ways – here on WSB, via Twitter, and via Instagram (where we will have a surprise guest host posting Stories from some of the sales). Photos from sellers and shoppers are welcome – email westseattleblog@gmail.com or text 206-293-6302, and be sure to mention the sale number so we can cross-reference with the address.

-Before you start your sale (or head out to shop), consider setting out a bag of nonperishable food for the Stamp Out Hunger drive.

-Speaking of donations, for sellers interested in donating “leftovers,” community groups/organizations have offered a few options – see them here (and if you have something to add, let us know and we’ll get it on the list).

-Speaking of lists, one more: Unusual items! Just a sampling that caught our attention when we were reviewing listings:
*Sale #7 has a gorilla suit
*Sales #31 and 319 have smokers
*Sale #163 has a free piano (bring your own truck)
*Sale #191 has a 1960s Singer sewing machine
*Sale #219 has a vintage wood-train set

If you find a treasure, we’d love to hear about that too! And if you’re looking for a particular type of item, use the map search function (explained on the map page) to search – as we suggest there, keep it to one keyword for best chance of success. (Our previous lists are linked atop the map.) Wishing everyone a fun Saturday!

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FOLLOWUP: West Seattle ultra-runner trying Olympic Discovery Trail again this weekend
May 13, 2022 7:25 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle people | WS & Sports

Tomorrow while hundreds if not thousands of people put on jackets and head out to sell or shop at garage sales, one West Seattleite will be taking on an intense challenge a few hours from home. Riley Nachtrieb sent this announcement of what she plans to start tomorrow morning, no matter what the weather is:

20-year-old West Seattle-based ultra-runner Riley Nachtrieb will be re-attempting to run the first recorded Fastest Known Time (FKT) on the 135-mile Olympic Discovery Trail this Saturday, May 14th. An FKT is a speed record for a running route. It is not a race; there is no competition or award for completion. They are self-organized and ran solo with a support crew.

The ODT spans from Port Townsend to La Push, and Riley is aiming to complete the 135 miles in under 30 hours. The trail is 90% pavement, mostly on the side of the highway. She first attempted to run this route in 2019, but her Dad made her stop at 82 miles in 21 hours because she got a stress fracture in her foot. Despite this undesired ending to her first attempt, Riley, also an aspiring filmmaker, turned her story into an award-winning short film, “Broken” premiering at the Auburn Adventure Film Festival (watch it here).

Ever since stopping in 2019, Riley has been hungry to complete it. As a lead-up training run last month, she set the first women’s FKT on the 55-mile Whidbey Island Traverse, in 11 hours, 10 minutes.

“Running 135 miles will not be easy,” she says. “I do these hard things because I want to show people that women can do hard things. I run ‘insane’ distances to disrupt the narrative society knows, not only about running but how capable women are. As a young female in the sport, I’ve had many experiences of people doubting my abilities- But these experiences only light the fire within me to show how capable we are as women, if we dare to try.”

She starts running in Port Townsend at 7 am on May 14th. A crew full of family and friends will meet her at checkpoints. You can track her live using this link: share.garmin.com/rileynachtrieb

And you can see photo updates on her Instagram, @rileynachtrieb.

Riley adds that she’s thankful for the community support she’s received over the years.

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UPDATE: Man shot at 28th/Andover
May 13, 2022 3:30 pm
|      155 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

3:30 PM: Seattle Police and Fire are responding to the West Seattle Health Club vicinity after a report that a man “walked in and said he’d been shot.” They’re looking for a possible suspect in the area – we don’t have a description yet. Updates to come.

3:38 PM: Police continue looking for the shooter, while medics treat the victim, who is reported to have been shot in the back. No info yet on circumstances, though at least two people in the area tell us via Twitter that they heard shots.

3:45 PM: K9 teams are on the way to help with the search. One officer has said via radio that the shooting was “on the sidewalk.” They’re reviewing security video that shows someone “running westbound on Yancy.”

3:49 PM: Our crew has spoken with SFD at the scene. The victim is a man believed to be about 40. He has multiple gunshot wounds and is being taken to Harborview. Adding scene photos.

3:52 PM: We also confirmed at the scene that the shooting happened north of the club, on the side with the RV emcampment across the street. … The helicopter overhead is the shared TV-news chopper, not law enforcement.

4:11 PM: Police are still searching for the shooter. As noted in comments, this is the second time in a month and a half that someone has been shot in that area. A suspect was arrested and charged in the March shooting and remains in jail. … Police just told dispatch they need to block traffic at 28th/Yancy as their investigation continues.

4:49 PM: They’re still searching actively.

5:12 PM: No arrest yet. But the streets that were closed for the investigation (including SW Yancy) are reopening.

5:58 PM: No further information. Here’s what SPD posted – no details about circumstances, suspect described only as “white male, mid-30s” (see this comment for what was heard over police radio early on; we also heard later mention of the orange sweatshirt with white lettering, possibly DB). We’re still waiting to hear back from SFD about the victim.

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FOLLOWUP: Alki pump-station project expected to start soon
May 13, 2022 2:34 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Utilities | West Seattle news

We’ve reported previously on the upgrades – and art – planned for Seattle Public Utilities‘ Pump Station 38, on the water side of the 1400 block of Alki Avenue SW [map]. Now, SPU has announced the work is expected to start within a few weeks, so it’s time for a reminder. The city says the flow through the station has increased in recent years, so the upgrade will “convert the current pump station from an airlift-type station to a more standard pump station … to reduce the risk of failure.” The project has been awarded to Harbor Pacific Contractors, Inc. of Woodinville, for $2,066,085, according to project manager Jonathan Brown. (That’s up from the $1.2 million estimate last year.) The work is expected to last six to nine months once it begins; the start was estimated “as early as mid-May” when a notice was sent out recently, but now, Brown tells WSB, it’s “looking more likely that it will be a late-May or early June start” as the contractor is still working on right-of-way permits. The work will require parking restrictions and Alki Trail detours for people walking/running/rolling.

The project includes art funded through the city’s half-century-old 1% For Art program, commissioned from Idaho artist Sarah Thompson Moore. We reported last year on the updated design (shown above), including a safety guardrail that the site upgrade would require, with or without art. The city says the art “seeks to create an engaging and thoughtful space that highlights the history of local Indigenous communities and their relationship to the land and waterways surrounding West Seattle.”

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City says it’s resuming ‘full parking enforcement’ of 72-hour rule
May 13, 2022 12:39 pm
|      43 COMMENTS
 |   Transportation | West Seattle news

SDOT – which now oversees parking-enforcement officers after their move out of SPD – says it’s resuming enforcement of the 72-hour parking rule. The announcement does not clearly state whether that involves any change in whether long-parked RVs will be towed, however, so we have that out as a followup question. Meantime, here’s the full text of today’s announcement:

The City of Seattle is resuming full parking enforcement for any vehicle that has remained in one place unmoved for longer than 72 hours, returning to the normal standards which were temporarily paused in 2020 due to COVID-19 public health guidelines. While full enforcement is resuming now, parking enforcement officers will continue to provide official warning notifications on vehicles allowing owners and occupants to move them before enforcement occurs.

Seattle Municipal Code does not allow a person to park a vehicle on the same block of a city street for longer than 72 consecutive hours. Public streets are not an appropriate place for long-term vehicle storage.

Enforcement of the 72-hour rule was temporarily paused in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic public health guidelines. Enforcement resumed in October 2021 with a focus on clearing unoccupied, abandoned, or hazardous vehicles. During this time, the City continued to enforce other parking rules, such as vehicles violating posted signs or leaving cars where parking is never allowed (such as blocking fire hydrants or transit lanes).

Vehicle owners should get back in the habit of regularly moving vehicles to avoid a possible warning and citation. People should also check their block regularly for temporary parking restriction signs, which can be placed with a minimum of 24-hours notice for things like emergency utility work, cleaning, or special events.

The parking enforcement team cannot be everywhere at once and expects it to take longer than usual to respond to the many requests predicted to happen in the beginning. The enforcement process takes time, and the parking enforcement team will respond to violations as swiftly as possible given capacity.

Seattle Public Utilities continues to lead the RV Remediation program, which focuses on cleaning up and disposing of debris and waste around RVs to ensure public health and safety. Days prior to a scheduled remediation event, SPU and parking enforcement staff engage with people staying in RVs to make them aware of the upcoming clean-up activity. SDOT will continue to work with SPU to prioritize the locations of these clean-up efforts over time.

The first step of enforcement will continue to be leaving official warning notices on vehicles, giving the owner time to move them voluntarily and avoid enforcement action. If it appears that people may be living in one of the vehicles, they will receive information about assistance, support services, and resources.

If a car is towed from a public street, instructions to locate the vehicle and documents required to release your vehicle are available online. The first step to find and reclaim your vehicle is to call Lincoln Towing at 206-364-2000 or search for your vehicle on Lincoln Towing’s www.SeattleImpound.com website.

If your car was towed from a private parking lot, look for posted signs with instructions and a phone number for the tow company which operates the lot. If you still cannot locate your vehicle, call the Community Safety and Communications Center at 206-625-5011.

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West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day, the prequel!
May 13, 2022 11:56 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Community Garage Sale Day | West Seattle news

Tomorrow is West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day, with ~300 registered sales, and a few are starting early – as early as one day in advance, like Sale #248 at 5637 42nd SW, a big sale Mike LaFranchi (below) and Margaret LaFranchi host every WSCGSD to raise money so more kids living with disabilities are able to attend Mount Hood Kiwanis Camp.

The sale is on until 4 pm today and again 9 am-4 pm tomorrow (one hour beyond the close of official WSCGSD hours); it’s part of the list of benefit/fundraising sales that we featured here. Other sales that mentioned Friday starts in their listings include #250 and #264. See the full map/list, including updates such as last-minute cancellations, by going here.

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Here’s what’s up for the rest of your West Seattle Friday!
May 13, 2022 10:39 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Friday sunrise photo by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)

The weekend’s almost here! But first, some Friday happenings, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, inbox, and archives:

PUGET SOUND LOCAL YARN TOUR: Special events continue at Seattle Yarn (5633 California SW), open until 8 pm on the third day of the regional tour.

SPORTS: Postseason games today/tonight in softball at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle), starting with 1:30 pm games: Chief Sealth IHS vs. Eastside Catholic and West Seattle HS vs. Garfield. The outcomes of those games will determine who they play in 5:30 pm games – watch the schedule/scoreboard here. … Also at NCSWAC this afternoon/evening, track and field finals.

(added) TASTING: 2-4 pm at West Seattle Liquor and Wine (4714 42nd SW; WSB sponsor), you’re invited to a spring Gin Tasting: “We will be pouring Greenalls Blueberry and London Dry, Booth Jasmine and Rose Gin, also Thomas Dakins London Dry Gin.”

BIG BAND DINNER DANCE: Thai food plus music from both West Seattle High School musicians and the renowned West Seattle Big Band, starting at 6 pm at WSHS (3000 California SW) – ticket info is in our calendar listing.

SONGWRITERS’ SHOWCASE: Monthly showcase at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), 7 pm. All ages, no cover.

FRIDAY THE 13TH LIVE MUSIC: The Almost Faithful, Kalimocho Boys, and Obol at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW), doors at 7, music at 8. $10, 21+.

‘ALMA’: Friday night theater! The new play at ArtsWest (4711 California SW) continues its run with a performance at 7:30 tonight – buy your ticket(s) here.

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

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CAN YOU HELP? Volunteer for Wine Walk, Memorial Day flags in West Seattle Junction
May 13, 2022 10:03 am
|    Comments Off on CAN YOU HELP? Volunteer for Wine Walk, Memorial Day flags in West Seattle Junction
 |   How to help | West Seattle news

Two upcoming events in The Junction could use a little more volunteer power, we hear from West Seattle Junction Association executive director Chris Mackay:

West Seattle Wine Walk needs volunteers: two shifts on May 20th, 5-7 and 7-9 pm. If you are 21+ you get wine-tasting tickets for the off shift. Sign up here!

American Flags are a beautiful part of our Junction, and we are putting them up again on Memorial Day with the help of some local Veterans. We have two shifts: 9-10 and 4-5 on Monday, May 30th. Sign up here!

(The Wine Walk is sold out, so if you don’t already have a ticket, volunteering is the only remaining way to get one!)
>

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Memorial planned May 23rd for Jack Geary, 1944-2022
May 13, 2022 9:09 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Obituaries | West Seattle news

Family and friends will gather May 23rd to remember Jack Geary, and are sharing this remembrance with his community:

Thomas “Jack” Anthony Geary, 77, of Seattle, passed away on May 6th, 2022, after a short battle with pancreatic cancer.

Jack was brought into this world on June 12th, 1944, by his loving parents, John “Jack” Geary and Sarah “Sadie” Geary, in Nuns Island, Galway, Ireland, where he spent the early part of his life. As a student, Jack attended Saint Patrick’s Primary School in his youth, then graduated from Saint Joseph’s Secondary School in 1961. True to his studious nature, Jack went on to earn a college degree in both English and History, as well as a Higher Diploma in Education in 1965 at University College Galway.

Throughout his academic years, Jack was enthralled by recreational activities like rowing and rugby. He won five rugby championship cups, one during secondary school and four while attending college. While Jack was a gifted student and sportsman, most people remember him for his lifelong passion for music, which he enjoyed up until his final day. To Jack, music was life. As a keen musician, he became well known in the folk scene in Galway following college and went on to start his first band in Galway called “The Galway Blazers.”

Eager to establish a meaningful career in music, Jack left Ireland in 1968 and moved to New York City, where he played music in a band called “The Freedom Folk” with Sean Tyrrell. Together they produced a beautiful folk album called “Apples in Winter.”

Soon after, Jack moved to Boston and then to Newburyport, Massachusetts in 1969. It was in Newburyport that Jack met the love of his life, Terri, at a restaurant called the Townhouse, in Lowell, Massachusetts. The two married a year later on January 27th, 1970. On June 9th, 1971 they had their son, Colin Geary. Colin was raised in Newburyport, Massachusetts.

While in Newburyport, Jack formed a band called Harvest Home. For two decades Jack continued to play music; Terri had careers as a flight attendant and a restaurateur. Together they were living their best lives while raising their son.

In 1991, Jack and Terri drove across the country to settle in Seattle and care for Terri’s elderly mother. Jack played music in the local area and in 1993 he and Terry became proprietors of The Owl n’ Thistle Irish Pub, located in downtown Seattle. Eager to make this a family business, Colin answered his parents call to move to Seattle and help run the pub. It was at The Owl n’ Thistle that Jack felt the greatest joy entertaining friends and patrons, which he did up until his final days. To this day, The Owl n Thistle has been wildly successful and a staple in the community. Thanks to Jack’s hands-on approach and generous nature, many of his employees went on to become entrepreneurs, restauranteurs, and successful musicians. Walking into The Owl n’ Thistle for the first time, there’s a strong sense of community with patrons and locals but also a rich connection with the Seattle music scene, all which Jack took great pride in fostering. Today, Jack’s memory is celebrated by friends and family who he loved with all his heart.

Jack was predeceased by his parents, Jack and Sadie Geary, his siblings Angela Packard, John (Poonah) Geary, and his son Colin Geary. He is survived by his wife Terri Geary, his brother Eamonn Geary, and his sisters Maura Castling, Jane Bilyard, and sister Susan Quinn.

Please join us on Monday, May 23, 2022 @ 11 am at Holy Rosary Church in West Seattle, 4139 42nd Ave SW. Reception to follow at The Owl n’ Thistle Irish Pub, 808 Post Ave.

(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)

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TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, ROAD WORK, WEATHER: Friday watch + weekend alerts
May 13, 2022 6:02 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:02 AM: Good morning and welcome to Friday, May 13th.

WEATHER

The National Weather Service predicts a partly sunny day, high around 60.

WEEKEND ALERTS

-Saturday is West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day, with ~300 sales around the peninsula – see the map here – so neighborhoods will be busier.

-SDOT has one project in West Seattle this weekend: “On Saturday, we’ll be replacing three traffic signs on SW Spokane St in the eastbound direction near 26th Ave SW. We anticipate this work to begin as early as 7 AM and conclude by 5 PM. We’ll need to reduce the two travel lanes to a single lane and there may be delays for people driving.”

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. (REMINDER ADDED: No midday WT service for up to four days next week,)

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

BRIDGES AND DETOUR ROUTES

781st 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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2 DAYS AWAY: West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day updates, and another list
May 12, 2022 10:39 pm
|    Comments Off on 2 DAYS AWAY: West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day updates, and another list
 |   Community Garage Sale Day | West Seattle news

(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!

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WEST SEATTLE ART WALK SCENE: ‘Sky’ by the bay
May 12, 2022 9:37 pm
|    Comments Off on WEST SEATTLE ART WALK SCENE: ‘Sky’ by the bay
 |   West Seattle Art Walk | West Seattle news

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.

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WEST SEATTLE ART WALK SCENE: Students in the spotlight
May 12, 2022 8:45 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle Art Walk | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

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.

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FOLLOWUP: Report card on ‘driver report card’ West Seattle trial
May 12, 2022 6:32 pm
|      23 COMMENTS
 |   Safety | Transportation | West Seattle news

(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.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Gunfire investigation near California/Andover (updated Friday)
May 12, 2022 4:48 pm
|      38 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

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.

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UPDATE: Carjacking, gunfire, crash investigation on West Marginal at Highland Park Way
May 12, 2022 3:11 pm
|      52 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news | WS breaking news

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.

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GRATITUDE: Shredding, food-drive success at Westwood event
May 12, 2022 2:42 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | Westwood

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.

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CRIME WATCH FOLLOWUPS: Charges filed in carjacking, robbery; community help for another carjack victim
May 12, 2022 12:54 pm
|      17 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

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.

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UPDATE: Crash on Highland Park Way
May 12, 2022 11:52 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Highland Park | West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

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.

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West Seattle Art Walk and more for the rest of your Thursday
May 12, 2022 10:53 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(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!

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LAST CALL: Early registration ends today for Southwest Seattle Historical Society celebration
May 12, 2022 9:50 am
|    Comments Off on LAST CALL: Early registration ends today for Southwest Seattle Historical Society celebration
 |   How to help | West Seattle history | West Seattle news

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!

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