West Seattle, Washington

23 Tuesday

46℉

month : 05/2022 331 results

TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER: Welcome to Wednesday
May 25, 2022 6:01 am
|    Comments Off on TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER: Welcome to Wednesday
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:01 AM: Good morning; welcome to Wednesday, May 25th.

WEATHER

Another mostly cloudy forecast, but warmer – possibly into the low 70s today.

BUSES, WATER TAXI, FERRIES

Metro is on its regular weekday schedule, but watch @kcmetroalerts for word of reroutes/trip cancellations.

The West Seattle Water Taxi is on its regular schedule. (Note that it’ll run a special schedule on Memorial Day.)

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

BRIDGES AND DETOUR ROUTES

793rd 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 (one of four new cameras!):

Highland Park Way/Holden:

The 5-way intersection (Spokane/West Marginal/Delridge/Chelan – might be experiencing difficulty):

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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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Stolen business van (update – van found, tools still missing)
May 24, 2022 11:46 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

11:46 PM: Be on the lookout for Stefan‘s stolen business van:

My van got stolen – (4400 block of) 40th SW. I’m a contractor; it happened on 05/24/22 at 5:30 am. It’s a white Chevy 2005 2500 white van with About The Grout Tile on the side of it. License # CAS9883. Case # 22-130587.

Stefan did find some of his stolen tools in a pickup. But the van is still missing – if you’ve seen it, he is at 312-810-3750.

1:15 AM UPDATE: Stefan says his van’s been found but many tools are still missing. We asked for descriptions:

Milwaukee saw
2 sawzalls
12 batteries
Router
Multy tool
Nut buster
2 impact wrenches
Drill
Blower
Chainsaw
360 laser
3 Packout boxes
2ladders gourila
3 Makita saws and batteries
Sander cordless
Jigsaw cordless
6 air guns
Roll air compressor green
And a lot of other things

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UPDATE: Crashes close 16th SW south of downtown White Center after King County Sheriff’s Office pursuit
May 24, 2022 8:33 pm
|      16 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts | White Center

8:33 PM: This is just developing now along 16th SW in White Center – according to emergency-radio traffic, King County Sheriff’s Deputies were pursuing a vehicle (we don’t yet know why) and, after use of the PIT maneuver, it ended with collisions reported on 16th SW – one around SW 104th and another around SW 100th. We’re on our way to find out more. In the meantime, if you have to go through White Center, avoid that stretch of street.

8:44 PM: Photo above is from the scene at 16th/100th. Road closures start there/southward. So far, we’ve learned only that this began with an incident in SeaTac. A suspect is in custody.

9:17 PM: Added photo from 104th scene. Deputies at the scenes aren’t commenting but we just talked by phone with KCSO Capt. Tim Meyer. He says they started chasing the suspect as a “followup to an open and active investigation from a couple days ago” and that the 104th collision happened during the pursuit, with the suspect’s vehicle coming to a stop at the WC Starbucks. Capt. Meyer said two people were taken to hospitals – one to St. Anne in Burien, one to Harborview Medical Center.

9:54 PM: Going back through archived radio exchanges from the start of the pursuit, the only additional detail we can deduce is that the red pickup truck (partly seen in the background of the top photo) is what the suspect was in, and that the deputy who started trying to pull him over recognized him from a “bulletin” that had been circulated regarding the earlier case.

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READER REPORT: Students and nonprofits all win big at 2022 Environmental Slam
May 24, 2022 8:06 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Environment | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Students from several West Seattle schools were among the competitors again this year in the Environmental Slam. Thanks to Marco for sending this report on how it went:

On Thursday, May 19th, it was time again for the annual WFFE Environmental Slam. WFFE (Washington Foundation for the Environment) is a nonprofit based in Seattle. Our mission is to empower young people to use their voices to advocate for the environment and climate-change initiatives since 1979. The Slam promotes environmental research, activism, and presentation for young people in Washington in grades 5-12. It is a showcase of individuals and teams from around Washington competing to make the most compelling case for action on regional environmental issues. Winners in each category of the Slam designate a local non-profit supporting their cause to receive a $500 donation in their name.

This year marked an especially successful event, because we were able to hand out $3,750 in total to these nonprofits picked by our young presenters:

oceana.org – environmentwashington.org – kab.org – greenpeace.org – climateclock.world – drawdown.org – seaottersavvy.org – climate-refugees.org – wolfhaven.org – pugetsoundkeeper.org

This was the thirteenth year of the environmental Slam (and the 2nd year online). With 10 entries from Genesee Hill Elementary, McClure Middle School, Explorer West Middle School, Madison Middle School, and Whitman Middle School we had a great spread of presentations. First place selected by our expert judges (from the local nonprofits Futurewise, Sound Experience, and Zero Waste Washington) went to the presentation on the orcas of Puget Sound and raised $550 for Environment Washington. Second place went to the Climate Rap, benefiting Climate Refugees. We also learned about Turtles, Trash in our Parks, Fossil Fuels, the Climate Clock, Sea Otters, Wolves in Yellowstone, Fossil Fuels, Global Warming, and Pollution in Puget Sound.

Since we hosted the Slam online, we don’t have a picture of this year’s actual winners, but this picture from 2019 will give you a good idea of how happy our winners were with their success and the money they raised:

A huge THANK YOU to all our donors, volunteers, supporters, teachers, parents, and especially the wonderful youths who taught us so much!

More information at Washington Foundation for the Environment. WFFE is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization chartered in Washington State.

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READER REPORT: Suspicious sighting at Hiawatha
May 24, 2022 6:23 pm
|      25 COMMENTS
 |   Safety | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

E sent this after family and friends urged her to tell others:

This morning at about 5 am, I was running at Hiawatha track. I had a fairly unnerving encounter around 5:15 am. I was doing my warm-up run, and suddenly noticed a guy watching me, hanging out by the portapotty, hadn’t been there on my previous laps. When he saw me notice him, he pretended to be reading a sign, but then went back to watching me and took something out of his backpack. I started switching directions and he kept standing there, doing odd things, but watching me. There was something not right about it. Then, luckily, I was getting near him but trying to stay clear and he looked intentional about approaching me. As if by magic the wonderful group of guys who normally do boot-camp class showed up. They seemed like they might have noticed something was off too, as they stopped and stared at him, and he looked between us and kind of shuffled off. He then moved to some other bushes at the end of the track and watched for a bit longer before finally disappearing.

I don’t want to be an alarmist, but something was very off about it. Just wanted to warn other early Hiawatha frequenters to be on the lookout. Like I said, nothing concrete, but I’d feel terrible not saying and finding out something happened and I could have warned others.

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WEST SEATTLE BRIDGE: Two timeline followups
May 24, 2022 4:00 pm
|      37 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle Bridge Safety Project | West Seattle news

Last Friday night, we noted that City Councilmember Lisa Herbold‘s newsletter had two West Seattle Bridge timeline updates that weren’t included in the SDOT bridge newsletter sent just a few hours earlier. So we followed up. Here are the answers we received today:

(SDOT image, first structural-concrete delivery April 16)

CONCRETE: Almost six weeks after the first structural-concrete pour, the last two are expected to happen tomorrow and Thursday, according to SDOT spokesperson Ethan Bergerson. That doesn’t mark the end of the repair work, but it’ll be a milestone, since SDOT has said it needs to get through those pours before it can update the completion schedule. Speaking of which …

TIMELINE UPDATE: Bergerson explained Herbold’s mention of a timeline update expected June 9th: “We plan to give an update about the reopening timeline at the next Community Task Force meeting on June 9.” When the CTF last met in April, the June meeting date wasn’t finalized, and there was hope the reopening date would already have been announced, so that it would be less of a briefing meeting, but apparently not.

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FOLLOWUP: Arbor Heights house-fire victim dies; neighbors organizing help
May 24, 2022 2:55 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Arbor Heights | How to help | West Seattle fires | West Seattle news

(WSB photo, Sunday evening)

2:55 PM: When an Arbor Heights house caught fire Sunday evening, neighbors rushed over with fire extinguishers to try to help while firefighters were on the way. Now, neighbors are assisting in another way – they’ve organized crowdfunding for the family coping with the aftermath of what SFD ruled was an accidental fire. The most seriously injured victim is still in the hospital in critical condition with burns, neighbor Steve tells WSB. So neighbors are doing what they can to help, and for all the times readers ask if they can help in the wake of emergencies, they wanted to let you know too. They explain on the crowdfunding page that the victim and his wife “are wonderful neighbors who have lived on our block for many years.”

4 PM: Since we published this, as noted in comments, the crowdfunding page has been updated with the news that the critically injured man, Angelo, has died.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Early-morning shooting, robbery
May 24, 2022 1:23 pm
|      11 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Information on both of these incidents early this morning is from Seattle Police preliminary summaries:

SHOOTING: Someone got shot east of The Junction but police didn’t hear about it until after the victim showed up at a Burien hospital, according to this summary:

(At 2:30 am today), a suspect was heckling females at the Corner Pocket Billiards located at 4300 SW Alaska St. A male intervened and a disturbance ensued. The intervening male victim left the establishment and went to the parking lot at an apartment building located in the area of 38 Ave SW/SW Oregon St. The victim saw a black Escalade circle the block a couple of times. A short time later, the victim heard a gunshot, and he was struck in the left shoulder. The victim was transported to St Anne in Burien, and SPD was notified about the incident by King County. Officers didn’t locate a crime scene.

If you have any information, the incident # is 22-130528.

ROBBERY: The victim in this also told police that a bar dispute might have factored into it. The summary:

(At 2:52 am today), officers responded to the 4000 block of 26th Avenue SW to a report of a strong-armed robbery of a purse. Victim was outside her residence when a suspect got out of a waiting car and grabbed victim’s purse. The pair struggled over the purse, with the victim falling to the ground. Suspect got back in the car with the purse and left the area. Victim managed to keep almost the entire contents of her purse. Suspect dropped his cell phone. A witness/friend of the victim told officers that the incident may have been a follow-up to an altercation at a bar earlier in the evening.

The bar in that summary was not identified. The SPD incident # is 22-130520.

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ELECTION 2022: First debate Thursday for 34th District State House Position 1 Democratic candidates
May 24, 2022 11:54 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

Now that the withdrawal deadline has passed, the fields are set for the August primary (same as what we reported Friday, except for one State Senate withdrawal – see the official lists here). The marquee local race in our area this time around will be for 34th District State House Position 1, from which Rep. Eileen Cody is retiring after more than a quarter-century. The first debate/forum in the race is Thursday night (May 26th), 6:30 pm online, with the 34th District Democrats and West Seattle Democratic Women hosting the two Democrats who are running, Emily Alvarado (left) and Leah Griffin (right). 34th DDs chair Carla Rogers says All are welcome to attend; register here to get the link. In addition to being a public forum, this also is a prelude to the 34th DDs’ endorsement meeting, which Rogers says is set for June 8th.

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Brown water in Highland Park
May 24, 2022 11:31 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Highland Park | Utilities | West Seattle news

If you’re noticing discolored water in Highland Park, it’s not just you. Caitlin (near 9th and Cloverdale) reports it’s happening, apparently attributed to fire-hydrant work in the area. (That can often stir up sediment – aka rust – in the system.) Any time it happens to you, Seattle Public Utilities wants to hear about it – 206-386-1800.

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WEST SEATTLE BOOKS: WordsWest team reuniting Wednesday to celebrate Susan Rich’s new book
May 24, 2022 11:13 am
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 |   West Seattle books | West Seattle news

(WSB photo, June 2019)

Three years ago, it was the end of a mini-era in West Seattle literary accomplishments when local writers Susan Rich, Harold Taw, and Katy E. Ellis closed the book on five years of WordsWest Literary Series, monthly readings they co-founded and coordinated. Tomorrow night, the three reunite – and hope to see you too – for a new celebration at WordsWest’s longtime hub, C & P Coffee Company (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor): Rich has just released her fifth poetry collection, “Gallery of Postcards and Maps: New and Selected Poems,” described as follows:

A Gallery of Postcards and Maps: New and Selected Poems collects the essential and award-winning poems from Susan Rich’s four books of poetry along with a generous selection of unpublished work. Rich’s poetry spans the last twenty years through a life engaged with human rights, compassion, and questions of travel. As a teacher, wanderer, and former journalist, Rich’s lyric poems work to amplify the beauty we overlook, the nature of home, and the liminal spaces between the personal and global.

The book isn’t the only reason to go to Wednesday night’s 7 pm event at C & P; the poet promises cake (just ordered from the Salvadorean Bakery!). And she says her WordsWest colleagues have new works on the way too – Ellis will release her first full-length prose poetry novel this fall, and Taw is developing a musical. As the event title declares, they’re ““Bringing the Band Back Together Again for a Book Launch” – and inviting you to join them. No admission charge; if you want to buy a book while you’re there, you’ll be able to do that.

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Fauntleroy ferry-dock meeting #1 and more for your West Seattle Tuesday
May 24, 2022 9:36 am
|    Comments Off on Fauntleroy ferry-dock meeting #1 and more for your West Seattle Tuesday
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Seen Sunday afternoon; photo sent by
Thomas Christiansen)

Here’s what’s happening for the rest of today/tonight:

BUSINESS-DISTRICT SAFETY: One of the items on the agenda for the 9:30 am City Council Public Safety and Human Services Committee meeting that’s just under way (9:30 am start). You can watch via Seattle Channel.

POSTCARDS TO VOTERS: Drop-in advocacy, Tuesdays at 10:30 am at C & P Coffee Company (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor).

FAUNTLEROY FERRY-DOCK PROJECT: First of two online community meetings to talk about where the planning is at – noon-1:30 pm; register here.

DEMONSTRATION FOR BLACK LIVES: Weekly 4:30-6 pm sign-waving demonstration at 16th/Holden. Signs available if you don’t have your own.

FAMILY GAME NIGHT: Meeples Games (3727 California SW) welcomes families 6-8 pm to this weekly hosted game-playing night.

TRIVIA X 3: Three of the venues where you can play tonight – 7 pm at Ounces (3809 Delridge Way SW), 7 pm at Admiral Pub (2306 California SW), 7:30 and 8:30 pm at The Lodge (4209 SW Alaska).

BELLE OF THE BALLS BINGO: Play bingo with Cookie Couture at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW), 8 pm. Free, all ages!

See more on our calendar – and if you have something to add for the future, please email us the info at westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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Remembering James Jones, 1940-2022
May 24, 2022 9:00 am
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 |   Obituaries | West Seattle news

Family and friends are remembering James Jones, and sharing this with the community:

James William Jones, loving husband, father, and grandfather, passed away April 20, 2022. He was born May 11, 1940 in Great Falls, Montana to Lloyd and Stella Jones.

Jim will always be remembered for his love of salmon fishing, boating, Husky football, and talking with pride about his daughters and grandchildren.

Jim grew up in West Seattle, running around Lincoln Park and Alki Beach. He graduated from West Seattle High School in 1958 and went on to graduate from the University of Washington School of Business in 1964. He was also a graduate of Pacific Coast Banking School. Jim served in the U.S. Coast Guard Reserves and worked on the Washington State Ferries, developing his seamanship and love of the water.

Jim and Dorothy Joyce married in 1960. Daughters Denise and Lauren were adored by their father. He encouraged them in all of their activities throughout the years and was their biggest supporter. Jim and Dorothy divorced in the early 1980s.

Jim’s shared knowledge in the fields of agriculture, forestry, fishing, construction, and commercial lending helped many people. His banking career began in 1964 at SeaFirst/Bank of America, serving as Branch Manager, Loan Officer, and Vice President. In 1992 he moved to Frontier Bank as Vice President and Senior Lending Officer, retiring in 2000.

Throughout his career and retirement, Jim always gave back to the community. He served over 30 years on the Puget Sound Kidney Centers Board of Directors; was a past member of the Arlington Rotary Club, served on the Arlington City Council and various other boards.

Jim met his wife and best friend Patti and they were blessed with almost 36 years of marriage. They enjoyed boating and fishing in the San Juan and Gulf Islands, exploring the Washington and Oregon coasts, and lots of road trips.

Jim’s spirit and love for life lives on with his family and friends. He will be greatly missed by his wife Patti, daughters Denise (Alex Hattwig), Lauren (Greg Stephens), and grandchildren Camille, Chloe, and Charlie, as well as many close friends and relatives.

Service was held last weekend at Peace Lutheran Church in Silvana. Memorials to the Puget Sound Kidney Centers appreciated.

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to westseattleblog@gmail.com)

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TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER: Tuesday morning watch
May 24, 2022 6:00 am
|    Comments Off on TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER: Tuesday morning watch
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:00 AM: Good morning; welcome to Tuesday, May 24th.

WEATHER

Monday was sunnier than predicted. But today’s forecast is for clouds and a high around 60.

BUSES, WATER TAXI, FERRIES

Metro is on its regular weekday schedule, but watch @kcmetroalerts for word of reroutes/trip cancellations.

The West Seattle Water Taxi is on its regular schedule.

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

BRIDGES AND DETOUR ROUTES

792nd 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 (one of four new cameras!):

Highland Park Way/Holden:

The 5-way intersection (Spokane/West Marginal/Delridge/Chelan – might be experiencing difficulty):

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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ANDOVER ENCAMPMENT: Councilmembers’ visit; precinct commander’s assurance
May 23, 2022 10:48 pm
|      56 COMMENTS
 |   Delridge | West Seattle news

One week after word that another “remediation” is planned for the Andover RV encampment, it’s getting more advance attention.

West Seattle/South Park Councilmember Lisa Herbold and citywide Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda – a North Delridge resident – visited the encampment today with other officials, including King County Regional Homelessness Authority CEO Marc Dones, and local volunteers. We learned this when Herbold mentioned it to her colleagues during the council’s weekly Monday afternoon “briefing” meeting.

Herbold said she also has a meeting ahead with the mayor’s office about what the encampment residents need as the city gets ready to enforce the 72-hour parking rule. After the council meeting, we asked her via email for more on what the encampment visit was about. Her reply:

I organized a visit to the Andover site for the Regional Homelessness Authority director Marc Dones and some of their staff, along with REACH outreach workers and St. Vincent De Paul outreach workers who regularly serve the residents, as well as members of West Seattle Mutual Aid (neighbors in the area who volunteer their time to help the residents). Councilmember Mosqueda also joined us. A resident in one of the RVs has been in touch with my office and I also have regular contact with the outreach workers who have been working with the residents there already for several months if not longer. I wanted the KCRHA to hear directly from the people living in their RVs at Andover as they consider how to develop the RV Safe Lot program. I also want to be able to share some of what I could learn from both outreach workers and RV residents when I and CEO Dones meet with the Mayor’s Office again this week to discuss planned enforcement of the 72-hour parking rule at this location.

Residents need free or low-cost repairs for vehicles that are inoperable, dumpsters, as well as case management to help residents with stolen IDs and accessing services.

The Regional Homelessness Authority is now the agency responsible for addressing homelessness, rather than a patchwork of city and county departments, though government entities provide funding.

The upcoming remediation was mentioned by Southwest Precinct commander Capt. Martin Rivera during his guest appearance at last Thursday’s Alki Community Council meeting. When the Andover encampment came up, he assured attendees, “They’re going to start moving those RVs out of there.” He later broadened his comments to other (albeit unspecified) encampments in the area, saying that “our whole purpose lately has been to get those encampments moved, and four or five of them are going to be acted on.” We noticed this afternoon that some of the RVs on Harbor Avenue have been orange-tagged; we had heard a parking-enforcement officer radio in a few days ago about being out on that detail. The RVs there come and go more often than the ones on Andover, where there’s been a steady presence going back six-plus years.

P.S. This is likely to be one of many topics Mayor Bruce Harrell is asked about during his virtual visit to the District 1 Community Network‘s June meeting, 7 pm Wednesday, June 1st. (Watch our calendar for the link.)

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VIDEO: Sound Transit might start buying property early for West Seattle/Ballard project
May 23, 2022 8:29 pm
|      27 COMMENTS
 |   Sound Transit | West Seattle news

In case you didn’t get to watch it on Friday afternoon, that video shows the two-hour workshop held for the Sound Transit Board‘s System Extension Committee, looking ahead to July’s decisions on the West Seattle/Ballard expansion project. We watched it in real time; it was mostly an overview of the potential routing and station locations studied in the Draft Environmental Impact Statement, as well as a brief mention of the possible cost-saving measures recently presented to the Community Advisory Groups. (Here’s the slide deck.)

We heard one noteworthy point during the workshop – when the topic of rising costs arose, particularly real estate, Sound Transit staff noted that they’re likely to propose “early property acquisition” after the board locks in on a “preferred alternative” in July. We immediately asked ST a followup question for more details on that, and finally got an answer this evening:

Potential early acquisitions would be reviewed and considered following the Board’s action to confirm or modify a preferred alternative later this year. There are a number of factors that the Board would consider before authorizing early acquisitions and potential acquisitions would likely be limited to a small subset of critical properties. Sound Transit would also require approval from the Federal Transit Administration prior to pursuing early acquisitions and would be required to follow all standard procedures.

The aforementioned board action is expected to happen at their July 28th meeting, but that’s still not the final decision on what will be built – the timeframe for that is now described as “late 2023,” after the final EIS is out. Key things to watch for before the July meeting include a summary of the 5,000+ public comments received on the DEIS; board members were told to look for that in June. Also, Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell – an ST Board member – said at Friday’s meeting that the city soon will finalize its position on the preferred alternative (City Councilmember Alex Pedersen, who chairs the council’s Transportation Committee, said today that could come to his committee in early June).

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WEST SEATTLE SCENE: In case you get lost on Pigeon Point …
May 23, 2022 7:47 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   Pigeon Point | West Seattle news

… a new reminder of where you are, when you’re at 21st/Andover. The photo was sent by longtime Pigeon Point community advocate Pete Spalding. It’s just uphill from where Pigeon Point has sported many signs over the years, like the one in this story.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Another blue pickup truck stolen; mailbox taken; catalytic converter thief leaves empty-handed
May 23, 2022 5:49 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Three reports in this West Seattle Crime Watch roundup:

ANOTHER BLUE PICKUP TRUCK STOLEN: The photo and report are from Sara:

Our 2004 blue Chevy Silverado was stolen, May 12th, midnight-1 AM in front of our house, (5000 block of) 25th Ave SW. Plate #B31166W. Police report #22-119715.

STOLEN MAILBOX: From Mike:

Discovered that my US mailbox was stolen sometime Friday night or early Saturday morning. The black, locked box was stolen from a stand of several boxes just off Admiral Way SW on SW Hanford St. No other boxes were stolen. If anyone spots it, please let me know. Box is marked “3033” on front door.

EMPTY-HANDED CATALYTIC-CONVERTER THIEF: The report and photo are from Karen:

So, this happened last week. I figured when I turned on my 2003 Honda CR-V and got a horrible sound that I’d been cat-burgled.

Not knowing for sure, I took it to mechanic shop. Hearing me drive up, nice Ray told me, yep, they got you. He got under the car to take a picture and his reaction seemed surprised. One side was severed but the other only halfway with a saw blade stuck in it.

The good news: they didn’t make any money on me.

The bad news: it’ll still cost me $1897 to fix and it’s debatable if it is worth it being so old, not insured, and could happen again.

Just thought I’d share their costly fail for both of us. I feel a tiny bit of “win” under the circumstances.

The theft attempt happened near 48th/Andover.

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BIZNOTE: Final week for Illusions Hair Design
May 23, 2022 5:02 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

That’s the “memory wall” at Illusions Hair Design, which will close permanently after this Thursday (May 26th), as first reported here in February. The final hours for the salon will be a celebration, open house-style, and in case you’re not on the Illusions mailing list, here’s the invitation:

Come help us celebrate our 44 years in business with our GOODBYE OPEN HOUSE on Thursday, May 26th from 1-6 pm. We won’t guarantee to have enough Champagne to last the entire event (we will try!), but we can guarantee there will be cheers, MANY tears, and and abundance of THANK YOUs and fond farewells from us!

If you haven’t seen our memory wall yet, (photos spanning decades, salon memorabilia, and more!), our OPEN HOUSE DAY will be your LAST CHANCE to view it.

If you wanted one last chance to see us before we go, this day is it! We can share stories and memories together one final time. We will have some special guests from years past this day too! (Yes… SUE, LINDA, NANCY & CHARLET plan to be here!)

To everyone who has already said their goodbyes, sent cards, flowers, and gifts… THANK YOU SO MUCH!

Illusions (5619 California SW) has also announced plans for a fixture, décor, and more sale 10 am-4 pm (corrected) June 18th. It’s closing down because after 40+ years, proprietor and co-founder Sue Lindblom is retiring, and her staff all decided to leave the salon business too.

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CORONAVIRUS: One less test site in West Seattle
May 23, 2022 3:17 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Coronavirus | West Seattle news

In our every-Sunday reports on local COVID trends, we include an update on testing-site hours. Earlier this month, we noticed that Curative was no longer listing hours for its testing van at Summit Atlas in Arbor Heights. Today a company spokesperson confirmed to WSB that the site has permanently closed. Curative continues offering testing at Don Armeni Boat Ramp (1222 Harbor SW), 9 am-3 pm weekdays, and the city’s test site (in partnership with UW Medicine) continues operating at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle) 9 am-5:30 pm Mondays-Saturdays.

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New traffic cameras for West Marginal/Highland Park Way area
May 23, 2022 1:35 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Highland Park | Transportation | West Seattle news | West Seattle online

As discussed in comments following this morning’s traffic watch, the traffic camera that’s long shown West Marginal and Highland Park Way suddenly moved to another part of the city. Responding to our inquiry, SDOT explained that the move is part of an upgrade – that was a long-in-place portable camera, but now the permanent ones are activated, explains spokesperson Ethan Bergerson:

We have installed four new permanent traffic cameras in this general area (two intersections, each with two camera viewing angles). All of these cameras will now have the option for live video streams. We’re in the process of updating the Traveler’s Map (at this moment the view from the University District is still appearing in addition to the correct camera feeds, and you can use the “prev” and “next” buttons to switch to the correct cameras.).

Here are the locations:

W Marginal Way SW & Highland Pk Way SW (two camera angles):

2nd Ave SW & Highland Pk Way SW (two camera angles):

(To get the video feeds, you have to access the cameras via the SDOT map; the cameras and where they point are controlled by SDOT’s traffic center.) We’ll be adding these cameras to the WSB Traffic Cameras page too.

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WEST SEATTLE WILDLIFE: Rare bird sighting
May 23, 2022 12:01 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | Wildlife

Thanks to Nico for sending the photo Sunday after spotting that flyby off West Seattle – American White Pelicans. They’re rarely seen in this area, though we did get a flyby photo last spring too. (The last sighting report before that was in 2013.)

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Stolen blue Ram pickup truck (update – found); dumped-likely-stolen kids’ bicycles
May 23, 2022 10:48 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Three reader reports:

STOLEN TRUCK: From Jonathan:

Sometime late at night on Sunday 5/22 or early this morning 5/23, our blue 1993 Dodge Ram 250 pickup truck was stolen from 25th Ave SW near the Delridge P-Patch Garden. It is lifted, huge, 2-door. It has silver paneling around the base and says DODGE in huge letters over a silver/blue/red tailgate. It also has a sticker that reads “82nd Airborne” on the bumper. The truck is huge, can’t miss it!

We’ll add the plate and incident numbers when we get them.
EVENING UPDATE: Jonathan says the truck has been found: “3 blocks away on 26th and Dakota. Neighbors said it didn’t show up until Late afternoon. They stole an extra battery but left the Willie Nelson CDs!”

Now, two kids’ bicycles from the “dumped-and-likely-stolen” file:

KIDS’ BICYCLE #1: A texter reports this was left in their alley southeast of The Junction:

Yours? Let us know and we’ll connect you with the finder.

KIDS’ BICYCLE #2: Wyatt found this bike abandoned near the Charlestown water standpipe:

It’s an Avigo Splash 16” bike. In this case, too, let us know if it’s yours and we’ll connect you.

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