West Seattle, Washington

05 Tuesday

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month : 06/2022 293 results

FOLLOWUP: SDOT plans ‘half-signal’ at California/Findlay, 2 months after deadly crash nearby
June 30, 2022 10:04 pm
|      65 COMMENTS
 |   Safety | Transportation | West Seattle news

After a driver hit and killed 30-year-old Nicholas Wolf on California Avenue SW just north of SW Findlay, much discussion ensued about pedestrian safety in the area. But neighbors have been working on it for a long time.

Today, neighbors received word that SDOT plans to upgrade the California/Findlay intersection to a pedestrian-activated half-signal. Here’s the letter they got from interim SDOT director Kristen Simpson:

… I am following up on my previous email to let you know that we recently completed our engineering evaluation of this location, and to share with you our plan for making improvements.

In our study, we considered several factors including traffic volumes along both California Avenue SW and SW Findlay Street, turning movement counts, numbers of people walking and biking, transit ridership, travel speeds, roadway geometry, adjacent land uses, proximity of neighborhood greenway connections, potential school crossings, nearby signalized crossing opportunities, existing intersection traffic control, and the collision history of the intersection. Based on our analysis, we plan to upgrade the existing yellow flashing beacons at the intersection to a pedestrian half signal. The pedestrian half signal can be activated by push buttons and will stop traffic on California Avenue SW with a red signal indication. This pedestrian half signal design and operation will be similar to that of the traffic control at the nearby Fauntleroy Way SW and SW Findlay Street intersection. We will be funding this upgrade through our existing programs – including the Levy to Move Seattle – and intend to deliver this improvement by the end of this year, barring unforeseen issues.

In addition, we will be implementing a painted curb bulb in the southeast and northwest quadrants to improve sightlines for pedestrians crossing at the intersection, and installing a median island on the south leg of California Ave SW, in close proximity to the intersection to reduce the open feel of California Avenue SW, prevent the use of the center turn lane as a through lane, and potentially reduce vehicle speeds. We anticipate implementing these improvements by the end of this year as well.

The intersection has two RapidRide C Line stations, southbound just south of the crosswalk, northbound just to the north.

As for the deadly crash – the investigation continues but the initial police narrative was obtained by independent journalist Ryan Packer and provided to WSB. In it, police say the 16-year-old driver who hit Mr. Wolf returned to the scene, with his father, about an hour after the crash. The narrative says he told officers that he was driving “50 to 55 miles per hour” northbound at the time of the crash. Mr. Wolf and his wife had just been dropped off by a friend on the west side of the street and were crossing to get to their residence on the east side of the street.

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WHALES: State issues emergency rules to give resident orcas more space
June 30, 2022 8:37 pm
|      20 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | Whales

Images like those from SR3 researchers have led the state to order emergency rules requiring whale-watching boats to give Southern Resident Killer Whales more space. The state’s announcement today explains the latest concerns about the endangered orcas:

With numerous whales in poor body condition and several pregnancies reported, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) today issued an emergency order requiring commercial whale-watching vessels to keep at least one-half nautical mile away from endangered Southern Resident killer whales this summer, and all boaters are urged to Be Whale Wise and do the same.

Using measurements from drone photographs, researchers from SR3 Sealife Response, Rehabilitation, and Research identified several pregnancies among the Southern Resident killer whale population and a dozen members in poor condition between September 2021 and April 2022.

“While we have reason to remain hopeful with the reports of recent pregnancies, the reality is that there are several Southern Residents that aren’t doing well and we’re very concerned about the population at large,” said WDFW Director Kelly Susewind. “We’re taking action today to address these immediate concerns, and we continue working with our partner organizations to implement the Governor’s Task Force recommendations for the long-term health of these orcas.”

According to SR3’s measurements from aerial images, three K-pod whales (K12, K20, and K27) were in the last nine months of pregnancy, and likely within the last six months (from a typical full term of 17-18 months), as of September 2021. Based on recent online videos showing a calf with K pod, it is likely that at least one of these pregnancies was successful. Another whale, L72, was determined to be in the last six months of pregnancy as of January 2021, and we expect this whale is still in late-stage pregnancy. These females had body widths consistent with those of females who subsequently gave birth in the past.

Twelve J- and L-pod members were in poor condition based on measurements of the fatness behind the skull, which puts them at a two-to-three-times higher risk of mortality. Concerningly, one of the dozen whales in poor condition (L83) also appeared to be pregnant when last measured in January 2022.

In addition to the pregnancies and orcas in poor body condition, SR3’s results identified two young whales (J53 and L123) that were exhibiting slower-than-expected growth, which is measured by length. One of these (J53) is also exhibiting lower-than-average body condition. …

Read the full state announcement here.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Another work truck, stolen (update: found)
June 30, 2022 6:47 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

6:47 PM: Via text:

Our neighbor’s work truck was just stolen off the street in front of our house, about 6:05 pm.. White box truck, no cab overhang, no marking on the doors. License plate C85192U. Spotted driving toward White Center near Westwood Village a (short time) ago. Stolen from Juneau St near 37th.

Call 911 if you see it.

7:19 PM: It’s been found in Burien.

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BIZNOTE: West Seattle Thriftway wraps up Great Grocery Giveaway
June 30, 2022 6:31 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

A West Seattle Thriftway shopper named Lisa just won big. For the past three months, shoppers have been entered into a “free groceries for a year” contest, just to say “thanks” for their patronage these past few tough years. This afternoon, the winning ticket was drawn.

Thriftway (a longtime WSB sponsor) chose a random shopper named Brennan to pull the ticket. Thriftway management immediately got busy notifying the winner, who gets one $150 gift card a week for the next year!

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CLOSURE ALERT: Eastbound Spokane Street Viaduct work this weekend
June 30, 2022 4:49 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(Image from SDOT webcam)

SDOT says it has more pothole work to do on the eastbound Spokane Street Viaduct – the older side of the West Seattle Bridge continuation east of the Highway 99 overpass – so it’ll be closed for much, though not all, of the weekend:

On Saturday, July 2 and Sunday, July 3, from 6 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. each day, we will close the on-ramp from eastbound SW Spokane St (West Seattle Low Bridge) to the Spokane St Viaduct, as well as the eastbound lanes of the Spokane St Viaduct.
A signed detour will be in place along SW Spokane St.

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FOURTH OF JULY: West Seattle Kids’ Parade now four days away!
June 30, 2022 2:40 pm
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news

(WSB file photo)

Four days until the return of the West Seattle 4th of July Kids’ Parade, which starts at 10 am Monday, from 44th/Sunset in North Admiral – just show up and you’re in, all human-powered except Seattle Fire Engine 29 and the famous “neighborhood blue truck” leading off the parade. The parade winds along a few neighborhood blocks, then crosses California SW to Hamilton Viewpoint Park, where kids’ activities, sack races, and treats await. We asked parade co-organizer Nicole Lutomski for updates on the plan:

*National Anthem will be sung by Sloane Pothier from the West Seattle School of Rock

*Kids activities will be hosted at Hamilton Viewpoint by neighborhood businesses and parade sponsors

*Sack races will be held in these groups:

-3 & Under
-4-5 year olds
-6-7 year olds
-8 & Up
-“Last call” race, kids of all ages
-Adults

Also at Hamilton Viewpoint, until noon, the All City Ice Cream Truck, All City Hot Dog Truck, and Home Bites will be there. Again, this all starts when the parade gets rolling at 44th and Sunset at 10 am Monday. (If you’re new and wonder what it’s like, we record video every year – here’s the 2019 parade – lots of bicycles, strollers, wagons …) Spectators along the route are welcome, too.

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FOURTH OF JULY: Can you be a West Seattle Junction flag volunteer?
June 30, 2022 12:06 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Holidays | How to help | West Seattle news

(WSB file photo)

Again this Fourth of July, the West Seattle Junction Association will place dozens of American flags along the heart of the business district – but it can’t happen without volunteers. All ages welcome – you can sign up to help put them up at 9 am Monday and/or to take them down at 4 pm. Just go here.

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Here’s what’s on the list for the rest of your West Seattle Thursday
June 30, 2022 10:46 am
|    Comments Off on Here’s what’s on the list for the rest of your West Seattle Thursday
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Seen in Fauntleroy)

Edging closer to the long holiday weekend – here’s what’s up for the rest of today/tonight:

WADING POOLS OPEN: Sunny and warm today, so the city will open the pools that are scheduled for Thursday operations. In West Seattle, that means Delridge (4501 Delridge Way SW), noon-5:30 pm, and Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW), noon-7 pm. Highland Park Spraypark at 1100 SW Cloverdale is open 11 am-8 pm, too.

COLMAN POOL: The outdoor pool at Lincoln Park will be open today as its 7-days-a-week schedule continues, noon-7 pm.

DONATE BLOOD: The Bloodworks Northwest pop-up continues today at Our Lady of Guadalupe (35th/Myrtle) and then resumes after the holiday – book an appointment here.

BASEBALL: The West Seattle Little League 12s All-Stars play for the district title, 6 pm at Bar-S (64th SW/SW Admiral Way), spectators welcome.

BOARD GAME NIGHT: Come try something new at Meeples Games (3727 California SW), 6:30-10 pm.

MIKU, AND THE GODS. 7:30 pm curtain for the world-premiere play at ArtsWest (4711 California SW; WSB sponsor). Tickets are available here.

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

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Celebration of Life planned July 12th for Dennis R. Capalby, 1950-2022
June 30, 2022 9:31 am
|    Comments Off on Celebration of Life planned July 12th for Dennis R. Capalby, 1950-2022
 |   Obituaries | West Seattle news

Family and friends will gather July 12th to celebrate the life of Dennis R. Capalby. Here’s the remembrance they’re sharing with his community:

Dennis Robert Capalby
April 23, 1950- June 11, 2022

Dennis passed peacefully in his home with his family by his side.

Dennis was a lifelong resident of West Seattle and had many wonderful memories of growing up and living in this community. He loved boating and was a longtime member of the Jim Clark Marina.

He leaves his wife Teri and their children Tyler (Kerri), Amanda, and Nick (Robyn), and his five grandchildren whom he adored, Henry, Kate, Charlie, Eloise, and Zoey.

A Celebration of Life well lived will be held at The Hall at Fauntleroy on Tuesday, July 12, from 1:00 – 3:00. All are welcome.

To share memories and condolences of Dennis with his family and friends, please visit: www.emmickfunerals.com/obituary/Dennis-Capalby.

(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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SUMMER: Youth tennis lessons in Arbor Heights
June 30, 2022 8:46 am
|    Comments Off on SUMMER: Youth tennis lessons in Arbor Heights
 |   Arbor Heights | West Seattle news | WS & Sports

Registration opens tomorrow morning for upcoming youth tennis lessons at Arbor Heights Swim and Tennis Club. Here’s the announcement they’re sharing with the community:

Our next two-week tennis-lesson session starts Tuesday, July 5. Key information includes:

Two separate 45-minute lesson sessions offered: 12.30 pm-1.15 pm and 1.15 pm-2 pm

Each session includes 10 lessons: Tuesday-Friday, July 5-8, and Monday-Friday, July 11-July 14

Ages 8-18 and all abilities welcome

Cost is $108 for 9 lessons

Registration opens Friday, July 1, at 9 am. Click on Lessons – Arbor Heights Swim and Tennis Club to register.

Questions at AH-tennis@ahstc.com

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TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER: Month-ending Thursday watch
June 30, 2022 6:03 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:03 AM: Good morning; welcome to Thursday, June 30th.

WEATHER

Hope your holiday weekend starts early – sunny and 70s today and tomorrow, then clouds Saturday through Monday.

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. (Here’s the schedule it’ll run for the Fourth of July on Monday.)

Ferries: WSF continues on the two-boat schedule for Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth – and WSF says that probably won’t change before next spring. Check here for alerts/updates.

BRIDGES AND DETOUR ROUTES

830th 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 recently installed cameras!):

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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CRIME WATCH FOLLOWUP: West Marginal racing-rage gunfire suspects charged with shooting at deputies hours later
June 29, 2022 10:22 pm
|      38 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office has charged two teenage boys, 17 and 15, in a case involving shots fired at sheriff’s deputies. Reading through the documents, we learned that investigators suspect they were responsible for Last Friday afternoon’s West Seattle gunfire case, involving a man shot at after “confronting” alleged racers. The charging documents say this was part of a reported spree involving “young males … in a silver-green Honda firing shots over a 24-to-48-hour period,” starting in Burien last Thursday, continuing in White Center, and then the West Seattle incident the next day. Last Saturday, prosecutors say, deputies spotted the Honda and a seven-mile pursuit ensued, during which shots ere fired at the deputies’ car. The suspects’ car and a law-enforcement vehicle eventually collided and three people ran away. Prosecutors say the 17-year-old was found hiding nearby with two 9mm “ghost guns” at his feet. Ammunition that had been ordered online was found in the vehicle and in two bags belonging to the two teenagers. The 17-year-old was believed to be the passenger and the 15-year-old, the driver.

Here’s how the charging documents say their alleged spree unfolded:

At 8:40 am last Thursday, a call came in about gunfire in the 600 block of SW 120th in Burien. Deputies found two casings but no injuries or property damage. People in the area mentioned a 4-door Honda Civic. About an hour and a half later, a call came in from a man who said he was riding his bicycle on SW 107th in White Center when someone in a Civic almost hit him. He and the car’s occupants “exchanged words” – and then a passenger in a car shot twice at the rider, missing him the first time, then hitting him in the leg. This shooting was recorded by the security video system of a nearby Metro bus. Detective circulated images from the video.

The next day at 3 pm, Seattle Police were called to investigate gunfire on West Marginal. Here’s how these documents say that happened:

The suspect vehicle … was driving erratically and was possibly racing another vehicle on West Marginal Way. The vehicle was passing other vehicles in the center turn lane. As they all approached the busy intersection, (the victim) ended up beside the suspect vehicle for a red light. (The victim) began exchanging words with the suspect driver about his driving. (The victim) then got out of his vehicle and continued the exchange of words. At some point (the victim) says he kneed the suspect vehicle, At this, the driver and passenger each pulled out guns and pointed them at (the victim, who says) they said something to the effect of “You don’t want to mess with us.” (The victim) then backed away and the driver took one gunshot at his vehicle. The gun then appeared to have jammed (and then) the front passenger leaned across the driver and fired two shots into each of (the victim’s) vehicle’s tires.

Witnesses took photos/video that enabled investigators to match the vehicle with the one involved in the White Center shooting the day before. And WC is where, 7 hours later, deputies spotted the car, parked, but it was driven away before they could move in. Four and a half hours later, they spotted it again, this time on the move in downtown Burien. They pursued the vehicle south, and it was around Des Moines where deputies say they were shot at. The pursuit ended after the driver wound up in a dead-end cul-de-sac. That’s where three people bolted, all caught within a few hours after what the documents describe as a massive search.

Two boys are charged in connection with the pursuit and that gunfire – charges are not yet filed in the other cases, including the West Seattle incident. The 17-year-old passenger alleged to have done most of the shooting is charged as an adult, so we’re identifying him, Evan T. Nguyen of Burien. He is charged with two felonies, first-degree assault with a firearm and second-degree unlawful firearm possession. The 15-year-old is charged with three felonies, first-degree assault with a firearm, second-degree assault with a deadly weapon, and attempting to elude a pursuing police vehicle. (The third boy who was in the car has not been charged.)

Before the charges were filed, at their first appearances this past Monday, prosecutors argued that both should remain in juvenile detention. The judge agreed for the 15-year-old, but allowed the 17-year-old to be sent home with electronic monitoring. Now that he’s charged, prosecutors say, a judge has agreed to a $500,000 warrant to book him back into custody; we don’t know his current status. Nguyen has a previous felony firearms case pending in a case that killed a 19-year-old man in Burien (he’s not charged in the death because it was possible self-defense); the 15-year-old has no record.

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WEST SEATTLE SCHOOLS: Nonprofit Hazelwood Preschool opens in Fauntleroy
June 29, 2022 7:59 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Fauntleroy | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

(Teachers Holly Bennett & Sarah Longino, photographed by Judy Pickens)

By Judy Pickens
Special to West Seattle Blog

Fauntleroy Church, United Church of Christ, has welcomed Hazelwood Preschool as a partner in its building.

As COVID shutdowns continued, the church reached the difficult decision in 2020 to close its Little Pilgrim School, which had served West Seattle families since 1952. Now Hazelwood will again fill the church’s lower level with the energy of young children.

“We had several programs consider our space,” said the Rev. Karyn Frazier, associate pastor. “Hazelwood offers the child-centered and inclusive values that matter to us.”

The school focuses on helping young children develop awareness of themselves, others, and the environment around them. Teachers have set up their classrooms with materials and activities that reflect the school’s welcome of every family’s make-up, culture, and economic status.

“As a non-profit preschool, we are committed to raising the funds necessary to enable us to offer scholarships to families in need,” said Executive Director Jessica Beckwith. “Our commitment to these families extends to offering them supportive resources until their kids finish high school.” She also plans to host free parenting classes for enrolled families and open them to the public on a donation basis.

Hazelwood is now enrolling children 2 years to first grade in five-day camps through the summer. Fall enrollment for ages 2 to 5 is also open, with the option of half or full days, three or five days per week. Details are at hazelwoodseattle.org.

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26TH/JUNEAU: City says it will ‘remove’ encampment site
June 29, 2022 4:50 pm
|      60 COMMENTS
 |   Environment | West Seattle news

The city says the encampment site at 26th/Juneau will be removed/cleaned up. That, following a fire less than a week after last week’s murder, all of which have neighbors at wit’s end after what they say has been two years of a “nightmare.” We were CC’d on photos one group sent with a note to City Councilmember Lisa Herbold, including this one showing burned debris.

The photos also showed containers like these:

Neighbor Molly pleaded in the note, after detailing two years of trouble, “I urge you to do something immediately to clean up this toxic site on our once-beautiful Longfellow Creek and help the campers before they do even more damage to themselves and our beautiful green-space.”

Seattle Public Utilities spokesperson Sabrina Register has been a conduit for city info about removals/cleanups/remediations, so we asked her on Monday about the site and got this reply today:

Seattle Public Utilities has not scheduled the site for remediation as it does not meet the criteria of five or more RVs. Seattle Parks and Recreation has scheduled crews to remove the encampment and clean up the area. Removal and cleanup dates are not shared publicly as resources such as staffing can change.

Seattle is partnering with the King County Regional Homelessness Authority and outreach providers to coordinate outreach to encampment locations that may be subject to removal with the goal of offering shelter to all those residing onsite.

In a reply yesterday to Molly’s note, Councilmember Herbold said she had spoken to Southwest Precinct commander Capt. Martin Rivera about the site last week, before the fire, and said that she too had heard the site was scheduled for cleanup. Herbold also noted that Rivera “told me how people experiencing homelessness who had previously lived at that location had been very helpful in the investigation leading to them identifying the murder suspect for arrest.” And she said that she regularly meets with Fire Chief Harold Scoggins, adding, “I have reviewed locations in District 1 that SFD data demonstrates have a history of repeat fires and that may be vulnerable to fire damage, including around encampments. This has, in some cases, resulted in City efforts to reduce likelihood of fires by cutting nearby brush.” But otherwise her reply included nothing else specific about this particular site. Molly, meantime, told us today there’s been some cleanup, but “it’s still a very toxic site. You can smell the plastic etc.” And she says campers that have already left the site have just moved to another spot along the creekside trail.

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FOLLOWUP: Fencing removed at Lowman Beach Park
June 29, 2022 2:29 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Environment | West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

(WSB photo, this morning)

2:29 PM: If you’re looking forward to full access at Lowman Beach Park now that the seawall-removal/habitat-restoration project is over, you don’t have long to wait. More of the fencing has been removed – the south section that had temporarily displayed art by Gatewood Elementary fourth-graders – and the rest, which is mostly near the park’s big trees, will be down soon, confirms Seattle Parks spokesperson Karen O’Connor: “The fencing on Lowman Beach should all be down this week and the district crew will finish mowing around the trees to make the area more accessible to the public. The grass did get long during the construction.” The construction lasted about eight months, which was the duration estimated when work on the $1.2 million project began last fall.

7:50 PM: Just went by again – the rest of the fencing is now gone.

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FERRIES: No third boat for Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth this holiday weekend, or anytime soon
June 29, 2022 12:54 pm
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   Fauntleroy | Transportation | West Seattle news

(WSB file photo)

It’s been more than eight months since the Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth ferry route was again reduced to two boats. Even for a busy holiday weekend, it’s not getting a third boat – and it’s not likely to see three-boat service restored until next spring, which could mean almost one full year from now. That’s according to both WSF’s latest Service Restoration Plan Progress Report and the updates given at WSF’s online community meetings earlier this month.

At the meetings – we watched the recording of the daytime session on June 14th – WSF managers went into exhaustive detail about the systemwide shortages of both staff and vessels that have put their service-restoration plan on “pause” right now. Regarding staff, they said the most critical shortage is of licensed captains and deck officers – they have 26 fewer than they need, and it’s not an easy position to fill, because the WSF captains and mates also have to be trained pilots, something that other large ships handle in Puget Sound by bringing a pilot on board. Meantime, they have five fewer vessels than needed. And new fleet additions are now even further in the future than before, as the state’s talks with Vigor to build the new hybrid ferries broke down (as first reported by the Kitsap Sun) and they’ll be going out to bid, which means no new ferry before 2027. The first one was supposed to be under construction by now, per the plan originally announced at a Vigor event we covered in 2019.

Back to service restoration in the shorter term – WSF reps were asked at the June 14th meeting why Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth is toward the bottom of the priority list for restoration, considering it includes a ferry-dependent community. System managers noted that Vashon has an alternative – the one-boat Tahlequah-Point Defiance run. They’re also not expecting to restore regular service levels to Seattle/Bremerton or Port Townsend/Coupeville until next spring, either.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Stolen work truck
June 29, 2022 11:29 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Maybe you can help find Jake‘s stolen work truck:

I own Dreamscapes Landscaping down on West Marginal way sw. Over the weekend I was out of town and one of the work trucks was stolen from our property. It is a 2005 Ford F350. It’s white with our black Dreamscapes logo on each front door. It’s a 4-door long bed. License plate C42876D. The truck had a full bed, full of dirt. It also has a custom rear bumper with a crane in the bumper.

If you find it, notify police.

SIDE NOTE: SPD also continues to look for, and find, stolen vehicles via use of the “automated license-plate reader” technology. This morning we heard officer-dispatcher exchanges about one – a stolen Ford Ranger left in the 1900 block of Harbor SW, discovered via ALPR around 9:30 am. We don’t know where or when it was taken, but the officer who found it contacted its owner and she was reported to be driving it home shortly thereafter.

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9 for your West Seattle Wednesday
June 29, 2022 10:35 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Salmonberry in Fauntleroy Park, photographed by Rosalie Miller)

Here’s what you need to know for the rest of today/tonight, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

WADING POOLS CLOSED: Cloudy and probably below 70 degrees again today, so the city says wading pools won’t open. (But Highland Park Spraypark at 1100 SW Cloverdale is open 11 am-8 pm.)

COLMAN POOL: The outdoor pool at Lincoln Park will be open today as its 7-days-a-week schedule continues, noon-7 pm.

PRIDE FAMILY STORY TIME – LOCATION CHANGED: 6:30 pm at NEW LOCATION: COMMUNITY SCHOOL OF WEST SEATTLE OUTDOOR SPACE (9450 22nd SW).

LIVE MUSIC: Locöl Barley & Vine (7902 35th SW) spotlights live music 6:30-8:30 pm Wednesdays, no cover, 21+, rotating artists.

KUNDALINI YOGA, MEDITATION, SOUND BATH: New night and location – Inner Alchemy now presents this weekly event at Jet City Labs, 7 pm Wednesdays. (4546 California SW, upstairs)

THEATER: Final week at ArtsWest Playhouse (4711 California SW; WSB sponsor) for Julia Izumi‘s “miku, and the gods.” 7:30 pm curtain. Get tickets here!

SKYLARK OPEN MIC: 7:30 pm signups @ West Seattle’s longest-running open mic – no cover to watch. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

LIVE MUSIC AT THE ALLEY: 8-10 pm on Wednesdays, Kimball and The Fugitive Trio perform live at The Alley (behind 4509 California SW).

TRIVIA x 3: Larry’s Tavern (3405 California SW) hosts Wednesday-night trivia starting at 8 pm; also 8 pm at Beveridge Place Pub (6413 California SW); and at 8:30 pm, trivia is back at Talarico’s (4718 California SW) with Phil T.

Calendar event to add? Please email westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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SPORTS: West Seattle Little League All-Star season update
June 29, 2022 9:40 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS & Sports

Last week we noted the start of All-Star season for West Seattle Little League baseball and softball teams. This morning we have an update and photos sent by WSLL’s Kristin Widman:

West Seattle Little League is off to a hot start in the District 7 tournament! The 11s and 12s have both advanced to their respective championship games this week.

The 12s have been putting on a pitching clinic this week, pitching two no-hitters and only allowing 1 hit total in their three games. The offense is also “hitting” on all cylinders with a total of 28 runs in the 3 games.

You’re invited to help pack the stands at Bar-S this Thursday, June 30 at 6 pm when the WSLL 12s team goes for the district title. (Bar-S is at 64th SW and SW Admiral Way.)

The 11s are also a force with 3 solid wins this week. They have two shutout wins and have outscored their opponents 38-4. They play for the district title at Valley Ridge Fields (4644 S. 188th St, SeaTac) against Renton Little League tonight (Wednesday, June 29) at 6 PM.

Stay tuned also for the Juniors softball and 10s baseball and softball All-Star teams to get things going with their district tournaments. Juniors softball takes the field tonight at 6 pm at Mt Rainier HS (22450 19th Ave S, Des Moines). See the WSLL website for schedules:westseattlelittleleague.com.

GO WESTSIDE!!!

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TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER: Welcome to Wednesday
June 29, 2022 6:03 am
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

7:06 AM: Getting from the 1st Av S Bridge to I-5 is impeded by what SPD described as “driver of a vehicle crashed into a building, causing the building to catch fire.” Blocking all lanes of Michigan between 4th and Corson.

7:53 AM: The fire is out and the driver has been taken to Harborview, but the scene isn’t likely to clear for some time.

9:20 AM: All lanes of Michigan have reopened.

Earlier:

6:03 AM: Good morning; welcome to Wednesday, June 29th.

WEATHER

Today’s forecast sounds a lot like yesterday – cloudy, chance of showers, high in the mid-60s to low 70s (Tuesday’s high was 65, 26 degrees down from one day earlier).

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. (Here’s the schedule it’ll run on the Fourth of July next Monday.)

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

829th 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 recently installed cameras!):

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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SUMMER CAMP: Play, sing, act at Mode Music and Performing Arts
June 28, 2022 9:22 pm
|    Comments Off on SUMMER CAMP: Play, sing, act at Mode Music and Performing Arts
 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

If your kid/s aren’t entirely locked in for summer yet, you still have options! Mode Music and Performing Arts is still enrolling for some of its summer camps:

Don’t miss out on the fun music and theatre half-days we have to offer, or drop them off for a full day. Partial and full scholarships are available. All classes and camps are offered at a Pay What You Can basis. Spots are limited, but may expand so don’t forget to sign up on a waitlist for a camp that may be full.

Learn more at modemusicandperformingarts.org/camps and email education@modemusicandperformingarts.org, or call 206-649-0463 with any questions. We can’t wait to see you!

Mode MPA is the nonprofit sibling of Mode Music Studios (WSB sponsor).

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Another side effect of the Seattle Police staffing shortage: No more Motorcycle Drill Team
June 28, 2022 7:42 pm
|      43 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle Grand Parade | West Seattle news

Dozens of entries are already signed up for the West Seattle Grand Parade on Saturday, July 23rd, But we’ve learned of two that won’t be returning – because of the Seattle Police staffing shortage:

(WSB file photo)

No SPD Motorcycle Drill Team, in our parade or the other summer parades in which they have traditionally appeared. That’s because the department doesn’t have one right now, confirms SPD spokesperson Det. Valerie Carson, who told WSB, “We just don’t have the staffing numbers.” She adds, “It was not officially disbanded, and I think the hope would be to someday re-establish it, but for now it has dissolved as a result of the department’s resource priorities.”

For the West Seattle Grand Parade, there’s one additional ripple effect of that: No SPD Motorcycle Drill Team means no Vancouver, B.C. Motorcycle Drill Team. This was the only U.S. parade in which they participated, and that was as a guest of the SPD team, explains longtime parade co-coordinator Jim Edwards.

Though the traditional parade-starting motorcycles aren’t available, the West Seattle parade does have 60+ other participants signed up so far; it’ll travel southbound along California SW from the Admiral District to The Junction on July 23rd, starting at 11 am.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Gunfire investigation
June 28, 2022 5:51 pm
|      12 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Another confirmed gunfire incident in West Seattle. The overnight police summaries say that 911 got reports of suspected gunfire just after 9:30 last night. Near 16th and Barton, police found “evidence of a shooting,” but no victims or property damage. The report says “witnesses in the area” told police that two vehicles might have been involved with the gunfire, described as “a dark SUV and dark sedan.”

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