day : 04/07/2022 8 results

10:08 PM: For the next few hours, we’ll be tracking emergency dispatches and other notes. First, two texters say Harbor Avenue-bound traffic is being blocked at/near the 5-way – we don’t have confirmation but suspect this is likely the diversion police have used in past years, when Harbor gets too jammed close to fireworks time.

So far tonight, no fires on the SFD log for West Seattle, fireworks or otherwise. We have heard some SPD dispatches for fireworks concerns such as “sparks landing on neighbor’s roof.” More updates ahead ..

10:23 PM: Via text and email, we’re told the diversion is happening up on Admiral too.

10:52 PM: Lake Union fireworks are over – per police managing crowds and traffic in the Lake Union vicinity – so Alki/Harbor should empty out soon. Meantime, we received this short email from Dee, addressed to “West Seattle/Fauntleroy Neighbors” – Dee writes, “We live 2 blocks up from the beach and do NOT enjoy your July 4 fireworks….so, please stop it.” Up here on the Gateleroy line, it’s been pretty constant for a few hours, but the pre-4th nights were quieter than past years (except for somebody in the Lincoln Park vicinity last night).

11:19 PM: Shared by Kevin Freitas via Twitter, a time-lapse view of the Lake Union fireworks:

#TimeLapse of tonight's #Seattle fireworks over Lake Union (as seen from #WestSeattle).@westseattleblog @KING5Seattle @KIRO7Seattle @fox13seattle @komonews @seattletimes #4THJULY pic.twitter.com/lZfyDB16B5

— Kevin Freitas (@kevinfreitas) July 5, 2022

Meantime, we have a bit of info about a “scenes of violence” SFD dispatch about an hour ago at California/Alaska. Initial dispatch said it was a woman possibly stabbed in the arm. SFD tells us a woman in her 60s was taken to a hospital with minor injuries. We don’t have info on the circumstances.

11:36 PM: We’ve had our first actual fire dispatch of the night – “dumpster fire” in the 3200 block of SW Avalon Way about 10 minutes ago. Just one engine. Don’t know if fireworks-related.

12:40 AM: Second fire call of the night – “illegal burn” at 11th/Webster. Also, just now, a police dispatch to the 6000 block of 31st SW, for a report of fireworks being set off by someone’s door. … A few minutes after that, an “FYI” type of dispatch – not assigned to any specific unit – “a report of fireworks being lit off at Westcrest Park.” (We were there long before sunset and saw/heard some of that.)

1:14 AM: Now a police dispatch to Alki for fireworks.

1:35 AM: Getting quiet out there, at least where we are. In Arbor Heights, there’s now a dispatch to an address near 45th SW and SW 100th, for “report of a trash-can fire in a driveway.”

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FOURTH OF JULY: WSB West Seattle Lost/Found Pets page reminder

July 4, 2022 7:50 pm

| 18 COMMENTS

| Holidays | Pets | West Seattle news

Just a reminder before nightfall that if you lose or find a pet amid tonight’s likely fireworks noise (or any other time), WSB has had a West Seattle Lost/Found Pets page for almost 15 years. Just send the info – with a photo if you have one – including a contact #, and the area in which you lost/found the pet, to westseattleblog@gmail.com. If you don’t have access to email, you can also text the info to our 24/7 hotline, 206-293-6302. (At right is a wholehearted supporter of this message, our newest WSB “shop cat,” Sullivan, a 4-year-old rescue tuxedo cat.)

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UPDATE: 5 hurt in 16th/Myrtle crash

July 4, 2022 5:15 pm

| 45 COMMENTS

| Puget Ridge | West Seattle news | WS breaking news

5:15 PM: Thanks for the tip. On our way to 16th/Myrtle to find out more.

5:25 PM: Just arrived north of the crash scene. 16th is blocked both ways.

5:35 PM: 2 vehicles, 5 people hurt but no major injuries. Police believe the SUV driver was speeding, northbound, and trying to ‘get around’ the other vehicle when the collision happened. (Residents on this stretch of 16th have long been fighting for something to be done about speeding.)

6:28 PM: The scene is clear.

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VIDEO, PHOTOS: West Seattle Fourth of July Kids’ Parade returns

July 4, 2022 1:57 pm

| Comments Off on VIDEO, PHOTOS: West Seattle Fourth of July Kids’ Parade returns

| Holidays | West Seattle news

Our video shows the entirety of this morning’s West Seattle Fourth of July Kids’ Parade, whose hundreds of participants strolled and rolled through North Admiral streets this morning. Like many other summer traditions, this one was back for the first time since 2019. Organizers Nicole Lutomski and Megan Erb welcomed the crowd at the 44th/Sunset starting point before 12-year-old Sloane Pothier sang the National Anthem:

The forecast delivered on the “partly sunny” promise as the parade wound west, south, and east across several blocks before crossing California and heading into Hamilton Viewpoint Park:

(That’s Michaela as Lady Liberty.) At the park, parade sponsors offered kids’ activities:

Among this year’s sponsors, the Hogan family from longtime WSB sponsor Dream Dinners-West Seattle (we caught up with them pre-parade):

Sack races at the park were announced by another parade sponsor, State Sen. Joe Nguyen. The races were held in age groups – from the littlest kids all the way up to grownups!

Also at the park, one more sponsored feature of value – longtime WSB sponsor Potter Construction bankrolled the porta-potties!

P.S. This is West Seattle’s only Fourth of July parade – but not its only parade – next one is the West Seattle Grand Parade, along California SW from The Admiral District to The Junction, 11 am Saturday, July 23rd.

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Person dies in Junction alley (Tuesday update)

July 4, 2022 12:24 pm

| 4 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle police

12:24 PM: Thanks for the tips about the police/fire response in the alley east of the 4500 block of 44th SW in The Junction around 11 am, just east of Wells Fargo. Police told us the call came in as a person down, and the person had died. Archived emergency-radio audio indicates someone was trying to perform CPR before responders arrived, and SFD continued trying, but the person could not be revived. It’ll be up to the King County Medical Examiner’s Office to determine the cause of death. No other info so far.

ADDED MONDAY: We doublechecked with police today, and they reiterate that so far, there’s “nothing suspicious” about the death. The ME’s Office has not yet released a name or cause of death. The person who tried to save him and initially called 911 described the person as a man.

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WHALES: Humpback sighting off West Seattle (evening update)

July 4, 2022 9:28 am

| 16 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | Whales

9:28 AM: Thanks to Carl Furfaro for the report – a humpback whale breaching off Lincoln Park, just south of Colman Pool, less than an hour ago. Let us know if you see it!

7:43 PM: Just got two notes (thanks to Gary and Andrew!) that it’s been seen in the Alki Point/Constellation Park vicinity, southbound.

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Here’s what you need to know as Fourth of July 2022 begins in West Seattle

July 4, 2022 6:07 am

| 13 COMMENTS

| Holidays | West Seattle news

(WSB file photo)

Happy Independence Day!

First, transportation info:

TRANSIT: Metro is on a “Sunday with extra late-night service” schedule … The West Seattle Water Taxi is on a Sunday schedule (Vashon is not running) … Washington State Ferries‘ Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth route is on a Sunday schedule … Sound Transit‘s holiday plans are listed here.

TRAFFIC CAMS: Check them on this WSB page; for other areas of the city, see the SDOT Travelers’ Map.

Holiday happenings:

FLAGS IN THE JUNCTION: Still room for more volunteer help putting them up and/or taking them down – 9 am and/or 4 pm, meet on northeast corner of California/Alaska.

4TH OF JULY KIDS’ PARADE:Be part of West Seattle’s only 4th of July parade! Starts at 10 am from 44th/Sunset [map] and travels west, then east, across a few North Admiral blocks before concluding at Hamilton Viewpoint Park (1120 California SW) with sack races and kids’ activities. Here’s our preview.

BARBECUE & MUSIC AT THE BEACH: From Chef Gino Williamson of TheHomeSkillit.com:

I will be cooking Caribbean Barbecue on the beach (Alki) and I have a four-piece live band playing old school and Caribbean beach music. Everyone in the community is welcome to come and have a good time with us and rock out. All the proceeds will go to my Foundation feed the Street Seattle and we will be feeding homeless people and Pioneer Square with all of the proceeds and the funds that we receive on 4th of July. (Food 10 am-10 pm, music 4 pm-10 pm)

4TH OF JULY BASEBALL: The DubSea Fish Sticks semipro summer team are back home for the holiday, 11:05 am vs. Diamond Sports at Steve Cox Memorial Park. Ticket info here. (1321 SW 102nd)

PARKS & POOLS: Here’s the city list of what’s open and what’s not.

Interested in holiday shopping?

AVALON GLASSWORKS: This Luna Park shop/studio’s famous “art-glass seconds” sale is back, 10 am-2 pm today. (2914 SW Avalon Way)

Looking for beverages?

C & P COFFEE’S OPEN: The coffee shop (and longtime WSB sponsor) at 5612 California SW emailed us to say they’re open 7 am-5 pm today.

THE BEER JUNCTION’S OPEN: Also via email, “The Beer Junction will be open on Monday, July 4th from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm for pints, growlers, or beers to go. Last call for pours and growlers at the bar is 3:30 pm.” (4511 California SW)

And tonight …

SEATTLE’S BIGGEST FIREWORKS SHOW: Only one major show within city limits, and that’s the Seafair Summer Fourth at Lake Union. You can usually see much of the show from certain north-facing spots in West Seattle, including Hamilton Viewpoint, Belvedere Park/Viewpoint, and much of Harbor Avenue, including Seacrest Park. Don’t show up at the last minute unless you’re on foot – parking fills up early just about everywhere with a view. The show starts around 10:20 pm. (It’ll be live on KONG-TV, too.)

NO THREE TREE POINT FIREWORKS: If you’re in southwest West Seattle, you might be wondering – but no, the waterfront neighborhood in Burien is NOT bringing in a fireworks barge this year.

WE’RE ON DUTY TODAY – 24/7/365 as always, so if you have a news tip, please text/call 206-293-6302 – thank you!

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Shooting investigation

July 4, 2022 12:35 am

| Comments Off on WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Shooting investigation

| Crime | Delridge | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

Police are in the 9400 block of Delridge Way SW right now, investigating a reported shooting. The victim apparently turned up in White Center, so there’s been no medical callout at the Delridge scene. No information on circumstances yet; we’ll update if/when we find out more.

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