day : 24/06/2022 11 results

WEEKEND PREVIEW: Here’s what you’ll see and hear at Field Day 2022

June 24, 2022 9:09 pm

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| Puget Ridge | West Seattle news

(WSB photo from Field Day 2018)

Yet another big summer event returning after a pandemic hiatus: Field Day, whose organizers say you could call it “Ham Radio’s Open House.” And a big open house it is, spanning 24 hours, tomorrow morning through Sunday morning, this time in the north parking lot at South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor). You can drop by for one or more of many presentations on topics from “Making a Family Communication Plan” to “Solar Power and Batteries” – the full schedule is here – or take advantage of a chance to take a turn at the mic. You can also just listen in as local hams participate in the contest that’s at the heart of Field Day – “where operators attempt to make as many two-way radio contacts as possible during a 24-hour window.” Three groups are participating – West Seattle Amateur Radio Club, Puget Sound Repeater Group, and Seattle Auxiliary Communications Service. Ham radio has seen a surge in the past few years, they note – 775,000 licensed hams in the U.S. now, up nearly 50,000 since 2019. You can stop by between 11 am Saturday and 11 am Sunday to see what it’s all about.

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CRIME WATCH FOLLOWUP: Suspect charged in Delridge murder; also believed responsible for other early Monday shooting

June 24, 2022 6:44 pm

| 23 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

When we first reported on the Monday morning shooting that killed 56-year-old Anthony Gonzalez at a Delridge encampment, we mentioned police were investigating another shooting in a similar time frame, at 16th/Cambridge. Today the charging documents for Mr. Gonzalez’s accused killer, Jaycee C. Thompson, reveal police believe he’s to blame for the other shooting too. The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office has charged Thompson, who is 43, with second-degree murder, first-degree kidnapping, attempted second-degree robbery, and second-degree unlawful firearm possession. The charging documents note the case remains under investigation and so charges might be upgraded or added, but for now, here is the story that prosecutors and police tell in those documents, describing what they call “a multi-location violent crime spree in West Seattle”:

Late Sunday night, several people were gathered in the alley behind the South Delridge 7-11 when Thompson drove up in what was later found to be a white work van stolen from Bothell. Thompson got out holding a “pistol-grip shotgun” and walked toward them. One of them, a man who says he’s a friend of Thompson’s, says the suspect seemed “agitated” and demanded money. The friend thought Thompson was joking – until he hit him with the shotgun. Less than an hour later, a 35-year-old man was shot at 16th/Barton (previously reported as 16th/Cambridge) and taken to a Burien hospital but immediately transferred to Harborview; he’s undergone multiple surgeries for removal of buckshot – associated with a shotgun – from his abdomen. That detail aside, the documents don’t say why Thompson is the suspect in that shooting. But a short time later, 911 calls started coming in about the 26th/Juneau encampment shooting. That’s where the kidnapping charge comes in; as we reported in our first followup, upon arrival at the camp, Thompson is reported to have held a man at gunpoint and demanded to be taken to “Gonzo” (the murder victim’s nickname). A witness who was in the victim’s “makeshift structure” talking with him when Thompson burst in said the suspect asked something like “Where’s the money and drugs?” but didn’t even wait for an answer before shooting the victim in the face, killing him. That witness said Thompson let them go, at which point they ran out into the encampment and told everyone to run because he had just killed “Gonzo.”

On Tuesday night, after a tip, they arrested Thompson near where the “spree” began in South Delridge. The stolen white van was found at 25th/Cloverdale. Police were still awaiting a warrant to search it when the court documents were written but reported that a shotgun was visible through the windows. Thompson remains in the King County Jail with bail set at $5 million.

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UPDATE: Abortion-rights demonstration in The Junction

June 24, 2022 5:58 pm

| 8 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle protests

5:58 PM: Protesters upset about today’s U.S. Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade are marching in the heart of The Junction right now. Several people asked us throughout the day if a protest was planned in West Seattle; we didn’t get advance word of this but a participant sent word a short time ago so we went over to The Junction to verify. There’s a protest happening downtown right now too.

7:30 PM: Just went back through The Junction a few minutes ago; the demonstrators have dispersed.

ADDED SATURDAY MORNING: Just got word another demonstration is planned for 10 am Sunday at Walk-All-Ways.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Gunfire on West Marginal Way

June 24, 2022 5:42 pm

| 14 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

Police were investigating a report of gunfire on West Marginal Way around 3 pm. We asked for information and just got their summary:

Officers responded to a shooting near Highland Park Way SW and W Marginal Way SW. Upon arrival, they located the victim and his vehicle. The victim’s vehicle had three bullet holes in it. The victim stated he observed drivers of two older sedans racing each (other) from the Chelan Cafe heading southbound on W Marginal Way SW. The victim, who was not involved in the racing, stated that when he caught up to one of the vehicles he confronted the driver and passenger about the reckless driving. Heated words were exchanged between all parties and ended when both the driver and passenger of the Honda Civic shot at the victim’s vehicle. The suspects then fled the scene heading southbound toward Tukwila. Shell casings were recovered at the scene and a bullet fragment from the victim’s vehicle. No injuries to the victim.

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From the ‘in case you wondered too’ file: Here’s why Hiawatha Community Center won’t be reopening any time soon

June 24, 2022 3:51 pm

| 6 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

(WSB photo)

The closure of Hiawatha Community Center has ripple effects this summer – including these two: When wading-pool season starts tomorrow, Hiawatha won’t be opening because of the center closure; also, the Admiral Neighborhood Association can’t resume its summer-concert series because Hiawatha’s unavailable as a venue. A few readers asked us recently for a status report on the community center, so here’s what we have found out from Seattle Parks. They’ve been waiting for approval of a half-million-dollar federal grant (via the Federal Emergency Management Agency), according to Parks’ Kelly Goold, who says that’s about a quarter of the funding for the work to be done at Hiawatha. Rules of the grant, Parks says, prohibited work from starting before the funding was received. Goold says they “believe we will have approval shortly.” Then they can put the project out to bid. If they don’t get the grant? “We will proceed with the project but will complete less project work.” A bit of preparation has been done, Goold says – primarily “hazmat removal.” Once construction starts, it’s expected to take about nine months – so if all goes well from here, Hiawatha might be ready to reopen next summer. The project as described by Parks will include “electrical repairs, water and sewer pipe replacements, furnace and water heater repairs, roof replacement, and more.”

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UPDATE: Wires down, roadside fire along Dumar Way = power outage

June 24, 2022 2:30 pm

| 8 COMMENTS

| West Seattle fires | West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

2:30 PM: Thanks for the tip. Seattle Fire is just arriving at a scene where downed wires have caused a small brush fire along the 7300 block of Dumar Way [map]. We’re told a falling tree branch is to blame. Avoid the area for a while.

2:35 PM: We’ve heard from a few people reporting power outages but there’s nothing on the City Light map yet.

2:48 PM: Now the map has updated to show a 26-customer outage.

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WEEKEND PREVIEW: Schooners expected off West Seattle shores

June 24, 2022 12:25 pm

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| Seen at sea | West Seattle news

No, this isn’t about the Seafair Pirates‘ Alki landing. If you’re watching the waters off west-facing West Seattle tomorrow, you just might see the majestic multi-masted sailing vessels known as schooners. This year’s Captain Reynaud International Schooner Race is happening in three legs over the next three days, starting with Tacoma to Alki Point on Saturday. What’s the difference between a schooner and a regular sailboat, you ask? The race website’s photo page might help clarify. The race website doesn’t list a start time, but the Coast Guard Local Notice to Mariners says 11 am.

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BIZNOTE: Dough Joy Donuts opens in West Seattle Junction

June 24, 2022 10:34 am

| 20 COMMENTS

| West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Three weeks after we reported that Dough Joy Donuts was taking over the ex-Café Mia space in The Junction, they’re open. We got a tip last night from @westseattlereviews that Dough Joy had soft-opened earlier in the day, and after another tip this morning, we went over to confirm. Yes, they’re open at 4317 SW Oregon, and their hours will be 8 am-2 pm Wednesdays-Sundays. Their specialty is “plant-based donuts.” Dough Joy has beverages too:

And yes, as promised, one side of the shop is devoted to plants:

Along with the West Seattle, Dough Joy sells its donuts via a shop on Capitol Hill and truck in Ballard

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6 options for your West Seattle Friday

June 24, 2022 10:09 am

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| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Photo by Troy Sterk)

Here’s what’s happening for the rest of your sunny Friday:

ALKI PLANTING PARTY: If you have some time to devote to beautifying West Seattle’s most famous park, join Seattle Parks gardeners and other community volunteers on the east side of Alki Bathhouse (60th/Alki) any time between noon and 4 pm today, as previewed here.

COMMENT DEADLINE: Today’s the deadline for emailing comments on the new illuminated sign proposed for Louisa Boren STEM K-8 (5950 Delridge Way SW), as noted in our previous report on the proposal.

CITY COUNCILMEMBER’S OFFICE HOURS: 2-6 pm, Councilmember Lisa Herbold‘s monthly “office hours” by appointment with constituents – see our calendar listing for information on how to book a time.

LIVE MUSIC AT C & P: Anthony Lee Phillips performs acoustic music, 7-9 pm at C & P Coffee Company (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor). All ages, no cover.

LIVE MUSIC AT THE SKYLARK: Joe Hellmore, Jordan Biggs, Lindstrom and The Limit perform at The Skylark. 7 pm doors, 8 pm show. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

(added) BASEBALL: The DubSea Fish Sticks host The Seattle Studs at Steve Cox Memorial Park (1321 SW 102nd, White Center) at 7:05 pm. Tickets here!

Have something to add to our calendar? Email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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PLAY BALL: All-Star competition time for West Seattle Little League baseball and softball

June 24, 2022 9:27 am

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle news | WS & Sports

Summer is the prime season for baseball and softball, and the West Seattle Little League is going into the height of this season – here’s the announcement:

West Seattle Little League (WSLL) is sending three baseball teams – one for each division, 10s, 11s, and 12s -and two softball teams – a 10s and Juniors (13-14 year olds) team – to compete in the WA District 7 Little League All-Stars Tournaments.

WSLL will be host to the 12s baseball All-Stars division tournament games at Bar-S (6464 SW Admiral Way). The first games kick off on Saturday, June 25, at 10 am, with WSLL vs. Seattle Central Little League. The Bar-S Snack Shack will be churning out good old-fashioned baseball treats and snacks. We invite the West Seattle community to come out to Bar-S to cheer on the teams!

Around town, you can catch the other WSLL All-Stars teams in play:
-June 25: 11s All-Star baseball tournament begins at Valley Ridge Fields
-June 27: Juniors All-Star softball district tournament begins at Mt Rainier High School (WSLL first game June 29th)
-July 9: 10s All-Star baseball tournament begins at Pacwest
-July 10: 10s All-Star softball district tournament begins (location TBD)

We will be updating the website westseattlelittleleague.com with standings as often as possible. You can also check out the rosters for all teams.

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TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, ROAD WORK, WEATHER: Friday notes + weekend alerts

June 24, 2022 6:01 am

| 2 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:01 AM: Good morning; welcome to Friday, June 24th.

WEATHER

We’re under a heat advisory noon Saturday until 11 pm Monday, but today’s forecast is unremarkable – sunshine and a high in the 70s.

ROAD WORK

SDOT has a long list of weekend alerts:

On Saturday, June 25 and Sunday, June 26 from 6 AM to 6 PM, we will be closing the on-ramp from eastbound SW Spokane St (West Seattle Low Bridge) to the Spokane St Viaduct, along with eastbound lanes of the Spokane St Viaduct. A signed detour will be in place along SW Spokane St. The closure is needed so we can continue filling potholes on the Spokane St Viaduct. SDOT says the Spokane Street Viaduct work is NOT happening after all.

On Saturday and Sunday, we’ll finish building curb ramps at the Dumar Way SW and SW Orchard St intersection. This work will include pouring concrete and paving the road in front of the curb ramp. We expect to begin as early as 8 AM and conclude by 5 PM. We do not anticipate any major traffic impacts, however people driving can expect delays in the area.

On Sunday, we’re pouring concrete for the lane divider on SW Spokane St in the vicinity of 11th Ave SW near Harbor Island. This is phase two of three phases to repair the damaged lane divider. We anticipate this work to begin as early as 8 AM and conclude by 4 PM. Traffic impacts include closure of the East Marginal Way S and the lower SW Spokane St ramps. There will be a detour in place for those traveling in the area. Please anticipate travel delays. Please know this work is weather-dependent.

Also: More southbound I-5 lane closures for expansion-joint work.

BUSES, WATER TAXI, FERRIES

Metro buses are on their regular weekday schedule; 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 – and WSF says that probably won’t change for many months. Check here for alerts/updates.

BRIDGES AND DETOUR ROUTES

824th 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.)