West Seattle, Washington
29 Thursday
10:38 PM: Police and fire have responded to the 4500 block of 40th SW (and a scene on 38th SW too) for what was initially reported as some kind of assault in which the suspect was stabbed by his alleged victim. A “scenes of violence” SFD callout is now arriving for the person who was stabbed, and there’s a dispatch for the other person too. That’s all we’ve heard so far.
10:55 PM: As also observed by a scanner-listening commenter, this one remains convoluted at best – but the original person who called police apparently knew the person he reportedly stabbed.
11:07 AM SUNDAY: While we still don’t have information on the circumstances, we were able to find out from SFD that the injured person at the 38th scene is a man in his mid-twenties taken to Harborview in stable condition with injuries reported as a stabbing, while from the other scene, a man in his late 20s was taken to a hospital with minor injuries, “reported as assault.”
ADDED MONDAY: Police say this was a domestic-violence incident.
(WSB photos)
If you appreciate some color in this gray-sky spring, consider visiting the Seattle Chinese Garden as this year’s Peony Festival continues tomorrow. Today, the color wasn’t just from the flowers, but also from Lion Dancers who performed at noontime:
They were a hit, especially with young festivalgoers. Other performances are planned tomorrow, but you can also just go to admire the flowers:
Festival hours tomorrow are 10 am-4 pm. The garden is on the north end of the South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus on Puget Ridge. The garden’s worth a visit even when there’s no special event happening – here’s its history.
Next Saturday, May 14th, is the return of West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day, and all 320+ sales are now mapped and numbered. Go here to see the clickable online version of the map – same format we have used in the past, but if you haven’t used it before, there’s how-to info below the map. If cancellations come in, the online map will reflect them, both by the number changing to “canceled” and by an ongoing notation atop the map page. One note, our software provider needs to improve the legibility of the marker numbers, particularly the 100-199 series, and that might not happen until Monday; when it does ww’ll redo the map pages in the printable version, too, The first edition of that version (19-page PDF) is here as well as linked atop the map page. More updates to come, including sale spotlights!
Five months after suiting up a new name – the DubSea Fish Sticks – our area’s summer collegiate baseball season is selling tickets for the upcoming season, which starts in just four weeks. The Fish Sticks are sponsoring WSB right now to get the word out – here’s the announcement:
The DubSea Fish Sticks summer collegiate baseball team launched its single game ticket sales for the month of June this morning.
The team recruits players from colleges across the country to come and play for the months of June and July. The 2022 summer roster is comprised of players from thirty different colleges. The players report in late May and play with the team to hone their skills and hope to one day play professionally.
You may have seen some of the billboards in West Seattle, White Center, and Burien this week donning the tough-looking fish-stick character logo with his hat backward, swinging a french-fry bat. The billboards use the catch phrase “Not Your Average Baseball Game.”
“This is going to be a circus where there happens to be a baseball game going on. This is guaranteed to be the most fun you’ve ever had inside a baseball stadium. From the music, to the great food, beer, and crazy promotions, this will be something you’ll never forget.” promised General Manager Justin Moser.
Tickets to Fish Sticks games are $12 for Adults and $8 for Youth (12 & under), Military, and Seniors. There are also Flex Packs with discounted ticket options ranging from three to fourteen games. The team will host 27 home games this summer, including every Friday and Saturday night from June 4th – July 31st.
The Fish Sticks also allow youth organizations and nonprofits to run ticket fundraisers at every game and sell discounted group packages.
You can find more information on the Fish Sticks at GoFishSticks.com/tickets and secure your tickets today.
The Fish Sticks play home games in the stadium at Steve Cox Memorial Park in White Center (1321 SW 102nd).
You still have a few hours to enjoy free, live world music at Roxhill Park. as outdoor-music season begins. Deseo Carmin was onstage while we were there, playing a mix of Latin, Flamenco, and Funk music. “Sounds from Around the World,” produced by Janean Wjvold of Urgent Africa, is part of the city-supported Arts in the Parks. Also on the performer lineup: Naby Camera, Comfort Food, and the Lion of Judah Band (which recently performed at The Skylark in West Seattle). The music is scheduled to continue until 7 pm.
Big day at West Seattle’s only comic-book store, Tails to Astonish (just south of The Junction at 4850 California SW; WSB sponsor). It’s the first Free Comic Book Day – a nationwide event – since Nicole and Shaun Duff opened Tails to Astonish:
Along with the store’s regular merchandise, today you’ll find, yes, free comic books! 1 free per person, 2 more free with a $10 purchase, and “all $1 comics, as well as comic sets, are buy 2 get 1 FREE!”
Tails to Astonish is open until 7 pm tonight.
1:39 PM: Peter sent the photo and report:
My bike was stolen near Bonair and Sunset on May 6th around 5:00 pm. The suspect had been walking with a gas can to his car but after seeing my bike he dropped the can, grabbed my bike and headed downhill. I called the cops and mentioned that the car he was walking to didn’t have any plates and had a busted out passenger side window. An officer responded to the scene and confirmed that the Blue Hyundai Tucson was stolen.
I attached a pic of my bike. It is a 2014 Black Santa Cruz Bronson.
If you find it, let us know and we’ll connect you. Preliminary SPD tracking # (pending official report #) is T22011584.
2:34 PM: Ami says police are looking for this car after a plea for help:
At 1150 am Saturday May 7th several people witnessed a young caucasian female with blonde hair screaming “HELP ME CALL 911” while being forced into a vehicle by a young male with shaved short hair at the end of Webster St near Home Depot right by the police precinct.. Everyone that witnessed did call 911 and they are looking for the vehicle now.
The plate starts with BYT7. Call 911 if you see it. It appears from Tweets by Beat that the incident # is 22-114642.
ADDED MONDAY: We followed up with SPD today. There is no formal report associated with the incident, so no further information.
Thanks to James Bratsanos for the photo! At left, that’s the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz (CVN 68), seen outbound off west-facing West Seattle at midmorning. It’s heading out for training, reports Josh Farley of the Kitsap Sun. It has been back at Bremerton for six weeks since returning from its last round of training.
Until 1 pm, Seattle Fire Department stations all over the city are open for visitors as part of Neighbor Day. Above, Station 37 is at 35th/Holden, and it’s been housing extra apparatus during the West Seattle Bridge closure – like Ladder 13, shown in the photo. 37 is one of five SFD stations in West Seattle; the others are
–Station 11 in Highland Park (16th/Holden)
–Station 29 in North Admiral (2139 Ferry SW)
–Station 32 in The Triangle (38th/Alaska)
–Station 36 by the bridge (3600 23rd SW)
Even if you don’t have anything to shred, you’re welcome to stop by the northwest lot at Westwood Village before noon and drop off donationd for the White Center Food Bank – that’s Carmen and Jefferson in our photo. The free shredding is sponsored by John L. Scott Westwood Real Estate (WSB sponsor) – no waiting while we were there:
Also no rain! Just get there before noon.
(Photo by Jerry Simmons)
Here’s our list of events and reminders to start the weekend, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
ROAD-WORK NOTE: The I-5 lane closures south of downtown are NOT happening this weekend.
FREE FIT4MOM CLASSES: In honor of Mother’s Day weekend! Two at 7:30 am, one at 9 am; register here.
2 FUNDRAISER PLANT SALES: 9 am-3 pm at 3703 SW 107th, help support a Lung Force Walk Seattle team; 10 am-5 pm at 13257 5th Ave SW in Burien, support Weed Warriors’ restoration work at the Myers Way Parcels.
FREE SHREDDING: John L. Scott Westwood Real Estate (WSB sponsor) sponsors free shredding for you, 10 am-noon in the northwest lot at Westwood Village and hopes you’ll bring non-perishable food and/or money for the White Center Food Bank.
SEATTLE CHINESE GARDEN PEONY FESTIVAL: Celebrate spring flowers at the garden on the north end of the South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus, 10 am-4 pm, with performances including a Lion Dance at noon, and more.
LIVE MORNING MUSIC AT C & P COFFEE: 10:30 am-noon, Marco de Carvalho and Friends perform at C & P Coffee Company (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor). No cover.
WORLD MUSIC AT ROXHILL PARK: 11 am-7 pm, free performances in the park (29th/Barton) – see the lineup in our calendar listing.
VISIT A FIRE STATION: All five in West Seattle are open for visits 11 am-1 pm as part of Neighbor Day. Our calendar listing has the locations.
FREE COMIC BOOK DAY: Enjoy it at West Seattle’s only comic-book store, Tails to Astonish (4850 California SW; WSB sponsor) – see what they’re offering here.
VIETNAMESE CULTURAL CENTER: Open to visitors noon-3 pm, as noted here. (2234 SW Orchard)
LOG HOUSE MUSEUM: The Southwest Seattle Historical Society has reopened its museum on Alki, and you can visit noon-4 pm, (61st/Stevens)
WINE TIME: Viscon Cellars‘ (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor) tasting room is open 1-6 pm, for tasting or by-the-glass/by-the-bottle wine.
SIGGIE THE VINTAGE MAN: 5-7 pm at Princess & the Bear Winery (309 S. Cloverdale) – no cover.
OPEN MIC: You can perform at The Spot West Seattle (2920 SW Avalon Way), 6 pm!
EVENING MUSIC @ C & P COFFEE: Levi Said at C & P Coffee Company (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), 7 pm, no cover.
‘ALMA’ AT ARTSWEST: First time Benjamin Benne‘s play is being performed in Seattle! 7:30 pm curtain at ArtsWest Playhouse (4711 California SW; WSB sponsor). Get your ticket(s) here.
TOM COLLIER QUARTET: 7:30 pm, they “reimagine” The Rolling Stones at Kenyon Hall (7904 35th SW) – email ASAP to see if there’s still room!
‘THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE’: Third weekend continues for Twelfth Night Productions’ musical, 7:30 pm at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW). Get tickets here.
DRAG SHOW AT ADMIRAL PUB: Saturday’s the night for Dolly Madison‘s show at Admiral Pub (2306 California SW), 9 pm.
Something to add, for today/tonight or beyond? Email westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
(Added: WSB photos)
10:21 PM: A police and fire response has shut down California/Findlay. Police are looking for a vehicle involved in a reported hit-run, described as a white Subaru hatchback with front-end damage. More as we get it.
10:27 PM: Police say a pedestrian is injured.
10:54 PM: Police now say the person did not survive. (added) The victim is the second pedestrian hit and killed in West Seattle this year, after a 64-year-old woman who died after being hit near 2nd SW and Highland Park Way on March 25th.
11:39 PM: We’ve just talked at the scene with SPD spokesperson Det. Valerie Carson. She says the victim, a man, died at the scene, and that he and two other people had just been dropped off by someone and were crossing California at Findlay west to east when hit. She also says the hit-run driver has since returned to the scene and is being questioned by officers. The road is likely to be closed for a few more hours as the investigation continues.
12 MIDNIGHT: Here’s our video of what Det. Carson said at the scene:
One more note – though Det. Carson wouldn’t comment on a vehicle description, subsequent scanner traffic suggests it may have been a different type of vehicle from what was initially broadcast. We’ll be following up as the case proceeds.
1:22 AM: Police have reopened the road.
1:57 AM: A few additional details from what was just posted on SPD Blotter – that the collision happened midblock, and that the driver “showed no sign of impairment.”
11:22 AM: While the victim’s name has not been released, SFD said he was in his thirties.
ADDED MONDAY: We confirmed with SPD today that the driver was not arrested, pending further investigation. … As posted in comments below, a GoFundMe crowdfunding page on behalf of the victim’s widow identifies him as Nicholas Wolf.
The community coalition planning a celebration for the reopening of the West Seattle Bridge (no date yet) has unveiled three finalists in the design contest (announced last month). See them, and vote for your favorite, by going here. Winner gets $500 and “VIP treatment” at reopening events.
(Sign seen in project zone last July – photo sent by Nathan)
The Brace Point area south of Fauntleroy has underground electricity, and underground problems – with another outage just this past Monday. Finally, a major repair project that had been years in the making was supposed to start last year – Seattle City Light and its contractor even had a public pre-construction meeting in August. But then – major work never started. After questions from frustrated residents, we checked with SCL, repeatedly, and the answer was generally something about permit problems. Today, two residents reported that the contractor, Olson Brothers Excavating, had packed up their remaining equipment, with one worker telling a resident that they were pulling out and the city would have to put the project out to bid again. We asked SCL’s Jenn Strang about it – and she says yes, they’ll be looking for a new contractor, which means the work won’t resume any sooner than next year:
Over the past six months, we have been working through challenges with the Brace Point conduit repair project. In fall 2021, City Light encountered an unforeseen delay in issuing the notice to proceed (NTP) when it took longer to receive a required Department of Ecology permit than anticipated. During this time, a further complication arose with the contractor not being able to meet the Durkan administration’s policy for vaccine attestation for contractors working on City projects. As we negotiated with the contractor to ensure all requirements were met before issuing the NTP, our SDOT Utility Major Permit expired. With work delayed and the contractor’s non-compliance, we recently canceled the original contract.
We have been focused on reacquiring the SDOT permit. This process will likely take several months as we implement required design changes to comply with updated standards and coordinate review processes with relevant City departments. Once we have a permit in hand, City Light will proceed to advertise for bids, review submittals, and issue intent to award to the selected contractor.
City Light is working to expedite these steps to begin work as quickly as possible. The best-case timeline would allow issuance of an NTP as soon as early 2023 to late spring 2023. However, it is important to note that continued issues with supply chain and staffing shortages could create uncertainty with this timeline.
Even before all this, the Brace Point project was originally expected to start in 2020. At last year’s meeting with the now-former contractor, it was estimated that the work will last “two or three years” – once it begins.
Two more crime reports today:
ASSAULTED WITH SPRAY: Received from a reader:
I wanted to alert you to an assault on Alki at the lighthouse by a middle aged white man on a red bicycle spraying people along the walking path with some sort of spray that burns. This happened at 3:10 this afternoon while I was walking right in front of the lighthouse. He was on his red bicycle riding on the sidewalk going very fast, and as he passed me and my husband he sprayed me with something that got into my mouth and burned my tongue. The woman walking behind us was sprayed and it got into her eyes and she said it was burning her eyes. Another man walking his dog said that he had gotten sprayed on his neck. I filed a police report and the incident number is 2022-113816. This man was white, with balding gray hair, blue eyes, and a shaggy close beard with dark sweatshirt and bright neon green construction rain pants. Another report had been filed by another person that was assaulted by him earlier.
ARRESTED ACROSS TOWN: If you’re noticing police activity in the low bridge/Harbor Island vicinity, we have been listening to police track a carjacking suspect from an incident north of downtown; somehow so she turned up here, first reported in the Chelan Café vicinity, though we’ve also heard an officer mention 11th/Spokane. No other details except that the victim has been brought to the arrest scene to verify the suspect’s identity, and the stolen car was abandoned somewhere else.
(WSB photo from past vent)
Reminder – if you need shredding, tomorrow’s your opportunity to get some done at no charge: 10 am-noon Saturday (May 7th), sponsored by John L. Scott Real Estate-Westwood (WSB sponsor), in the northwest lot at Westwood Village. If you can donate non-perishable food, bring something for the White Center Food Bank (cash donations are welcome too).
In our report on this morning’s stolen-car crash in South Delridge, we mentioned the officer who spotted the car pre-crash was on his way to another call. We’ve confirmed that call was a bank robbery in The Junction, at the US Bank branch at 42nd/Edmunds. It was closed when we went over, with an officer still inside and a “temporarily closed due to emergency” note on the door. SPD referred us to the FBI for details, and we’re waiting to hear back.
It’s happening here at WSB HQ, just this past hour. We called the appropriate Seattle Public Utilities number – 206-386-1800 – and they noted ours was the fourth call they’ve received. They had no ready response but promised a call from a water-quality inspector. Discolored water is usually the result of sediment getting stirred up in the pipes – usually rust – but the cause can be anything from hydrant testing/use to a break somewhere.
Police are on the scene of a crash at 18th/Henderson involving a stolen car (above). According to emergency-radio traffic we were monitoring before the crash, the car drew the attention of an officer responding to something else. He was following it for a while, then lost track of it – until discovering it had crashed into other vehicles at 18th/Henderson. The driver, described so far only as “a white female,” ran. According to subsequent radio communication, the car, a beige Toyota Camry, was reported stolen from Federal Way. At the scene, our photographer was told that the Camry driver clipped at least two other vehicles, including this one:
Finally, the driver hit a Honda, pushing it up onto the sidewalk. No injuries reported at this point.
(Juvenile Bald Eagle, photographed by James Tilley)
From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
LAST DAY TO BID: Gatewood Elementary‘s Online Silent Auction ends today – get your bid(s) in!
LAST DAY TO GIVE: Red Waggin’ Rescue, with many West Seattle volunteers, is wrapping up a giving campaign today.
FIT4MOM 4 FREE: 9:30 am today, FIT4MOM offers the first of four free classes in honor of Mother’s Day weekend. If you miss this one, the other three are on Saturday morning – register here.
TEQUILA TASTING: At West Seattle Liquor and Wine (4714 42nd SW; WSB sponsor), 4-6 pm.
BLUE MERCY: Live music at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), 7 pm. All ages, no cover.
SPORTS: At 7 pm, Chief Sealth IHS plays baseball vs. Seattle Prep at Steve Cox Memorial Park (1321 SW 102nd) in White Center.
OPENING NIGHT FOR ‘ALMA’: The new play at ArtsWest (4711 California SW) officially opens its run at 7:30 tonight – buy your ticket(s) here.
‘THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE’: Third weekend begins for Twelfth Night Productions’ musical, 7:30 pm at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW). Get tickets here.
BATTLESTAR KALAKALA: A second night to get funky at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW), doors at 8, music at 9. Two nights this month because it’ll be recorded live!
Have an event for our calendar/daily lists? We’re adding more daily – email westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
7:42 AM: Kersti Muul reports transient killer whales are back in Elliott Bay this morning. Look toward downtown.
8:42 AM: See Kersti’s update below – they’re now in the central Sound and southbound.
11:21 AM: In addition to the updates in comments, Kersti called to say the orcas, now back in Elliott Bay, are headed toward Alki, close to shore, and “Chainsaw” is with them again.
1:22 PM: Added photos by David Hutchinson – above, you can see why this whale is nicknamed “Chainsaw.” (Also, see Kersti’s photo in comments.)
4:25 PM: Here’s a photo from Robin Sinner, also showing “Chainsaw”:
6 AM: Good morning and welcome to Friday, May 6th.
WEATHER
The National Weather Service again predicts rain today – high near 55. (Thursday’s high was 52, a dozen degrees below the seasonal norm.)
BUSES, WATER TAXI, FERRIES
Metro is on its regular weekday schedule. Watch @kcmetrobus for word of reroutes/trip cancellations.
Check the West Seattle Water Taxi status here.
Use an ORCA card? Start thinking about the changes ahead.
Ferries: WSF continues using the two-boat schedule for Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth. Check here for alerts/updates.
STADIUM ZONE TONIGHT
Mariners are home vs. Tampa Bay at 6:40 pm.
ROAD WORK TONIGHT & THIS WEEKEND
Tonight and all weekend: Closure of 3 left lanes on SB I-5 between I-90 and S. Spokane for pavement and expansion joint repairs. 10 pm tonight to 5 am Monday.
This weekend: SDOT’s area alert:
On Saturday from 7 AM to 4 PM, we’ll be working in South Park to replace the sidewalk on Dallas Ave S in the vicinity of 12th Ave S. We will remove the sidewalk and there will be a pedestrian detour in place as we complete the upgrade. This work will take multiple days to complete and there will be minimal traffic impacts as we will be primarily working from the parking area however there may be delays for drivers.
On Sunday, we’ll be replacing two traffic signs on SW Spokane St in the westbound direction. We anticipate this work to begin as early as 7 AM and conclude as soon as 5 PM. We’ll need to reduce the two travel lanes to a single lane and there may be delays for people driving.
BRIDGES AND DETOUR ROUTES
774th 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.
(2019 photo by David Hutchinson) lo
If you’ve looked at our West Seattle Event Calendar for this weekend, you know this weekend has a long list of possibilities. If you’re planning to spend extra time with your mom on or before Mother’s Day, one standout option is the Peony Festival at the Seattle Chinese Garden. The garden’s at the north end of the South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus. The festival’s happening both days this weekend, 10 am-4 pm Saturday and Sunday, with live performances noon-3 pm, starting with a noon Lion Dance on Saturday. The first day also includes a tree-peony sale (while they last). More info here!
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