West Seattle, Washington
25 Thursday
The Seattle Public Schools educators’ union just announced its members decided tonight to vote on authorizing a strike. The Seattle Education Association‘s board already approved a vote and then tonight the membership “agreed decisively” to do it, according to a statement just sent by the union. SEA president Jennifer Matter is also quoted as saying, “No educator wants to strike but we know educator burnout and being unable to meet student needs are larger problems that SPS must urgently address. SPS can come to agreement with us at any time and has chosen to force us on this path.” SEA says the strike authorization vote will be taken online tomorrow through Sunday and that they’ll announce results Tuesday morning. In the meantime, members “will continue reporting to work.” The union says support for special and multilingual education is a major sticking point, and the most-recent district statement ackknowledges those issues “have caused a delay in progress.”
(WSB photo, Monday morning)
The 48-year-old man arrested Monday morning after a window-smashing rampage at the Morgan Junction Starbucks got out of jail tonight. The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office told WSB they had hoped to receive enough information for a charging decision today – but a key piece of evidence was missing: Seattle Police detectives needed a damage estimate from Starbucks, and couldn’t get it. KCPAO spokesperson Casey McNerthney says that’s “a required element to prove that the damage was a felony crime. Even though that seems obvious, the court needs that information under the law.” He says the KCPAO “also tried to loop in contacts from victim business (at the corporate level) to get that necessary information by the 2 p.m. deadline.” But they didn’t have any luck either. Without charges being filed, the suspect had to be released. But McNerthney adds that “SPD is still working on the case right now. We appreciate their great work, and we’re hopeful to have that required damage estimate and case referred this week. We know it can be difficult for businesses to get that required info within 72 hours too – those are frustrating constraints in the law and court system. King County prosecutors will act on this case immediately when we get the case referral from police.”
The document from a probable-cause hearing in the case on Tuesday summarizes what a Morgan Starbucks representative wrote in a comment on our original story, that the man came into the store and became agitated. They offered him water; he refused. He “then began to yell and escalated into an aggressive behavior. Employees of the store were able to usher the suspect out of the door successfully and locked the doors … to deny access to the suspect. The suspect tried to regain access to Starbucks by pulling the main doors multiple times. The suspect noticed that the doors were locked, and this caused him to escalate his behavior even further. The suspect infuriated grabbed a metal table that was located outside and property of Starbucks. The suspect then used the table to break 4 double-paned 8×8 windows.” It was recorded on video; this frame grab was sent to us anonymously:
No injuries were reported. The suspect has one King County conviction, a criminal-trespass case in Auburn, for which he served more than three months in jail earlier this year.
THURSDAY 2:41 PM UPDATE: A felony charge has just been filed, one count of malicious mischief, against the suspect, Gerald R. Hochstadt. He remains out of custody, released just after 6 pm last night, but now there’s a $15,000 arrest warrant. Separate story to come.
From Jon:
My son just had his bike stolen in front of LA Fitness today (8/31) around 4 or 4:30 pm. It was locked along with another bike and the bike thieves cut the lock and took both bikes. It’s a 2012 Dark Green Diamondback Mission that was custom built with specific parts. It is also a custom frame with the nickname “Jonny Diamond” laser-etched on the top tube above the upper shock mount. This is a unique bike that should not be hard to spot. If you see anything please contact me at (206) 399-0585. Thanks.
THURSDAY UPDATE: Found – see comment.
5:30 PM: Police are investigating what’s reported to have been a hit-run collision that injured a pedestrian at 26th/Juneau. The hit-run driver was reported to be in a silver early 2000s Mercedes ML towing a silver Prius, last seen northbound on 26th. We have not yet heard whether the pedestrian is seriously hurt.
5:40 PM: Officers have told dispatch they’ve located what they believe is the suspect vehicle.
5:51 PM: They’ve told dispatch they have the suspected driver in custody. We’re checking with SFD about the victim.
6:05 PM: SFD spokesperson Kristin Tinsley says the victim is a man in his early 40s, in stable condition when taken to a hospital by AMR ambulance.
2:59 PM: In that briefing this morning at Rainier Playfield, Mayor Bruce Harrell went public with his proposal for what the Seattle Park District should pay for in the next six years. The $115 million/year plan would include funding to finish the three West Seattle “landbanked” parks that were shelved during the pandemic – 40th SW in The Junction, Morgan Junction Park Addition, and 48th/Charlestown – during the funding cycle (2023-2028 – we’re asking for estimated dates for those projects). Other key points include an exponential increase in Park Rangers – there are two now, and this plan would fund 26. Other safety-related proposals include a rapid-response team tackling graffiti and vandalism and expanding leash-law and scoop-law enforcement to 7 days a week. An expansion of community-center hours is promised, too. Here’s a ‘fact sheet” circulated today; beyond that, we asked for the line-by-line specifics and were told they’ll be sent by the mayor to the Park District Board (the City Council) next week, followed by a briefing on how they differ from the recommendations on which they’re based. So how much would it cost you? $331 a year for the “median value homeowner,” according to the mayor’s announcement. That’s more than double what you’re paying right now for Park District funding, which covers about a third of the Parks and Recreation budget – $154 this year for the “median value homeowner.” This does not go to voters, who approved the Park District’s creation and taxing authority years ago; approval is up to councilmembers.
3:36 PM: Since we published this, an agenda has arrived for a public hearing the Park District Board (council) is having on this proposal next Wednesday. It’s happening in Northgate but the agenda explains how to send written comments too.
(WSB photo, 2019)
This summer of returning events isn’t over yet – this Saturday (September 3rd), the Vietnamese Cultural Center in West Seattle brings back the Children’s Moonlight Festival. It includes a kids’ lantern parade – as shown above in our 2019 photo, that doesn’t actually happen in the moonlight, as the festival will take place 3-6 pm with a variety of activities for all, including treats, games, entertainment, and a lion dance. All free! The center is at 2236 SW Orchard (just north of Home Depot).
The photos and report are from Rose – it happened on Pigeon Point:
So this morning someone stole a truck. They drove to 22nd.
They parked in front of a house who actually knows the truck (it [belongs to] their boss). They go out to find out why he was at his house.
Well, it wasn’t his boss. A small confrontation has the thief push the neighbor, almost run him over.
Then he tries to back up, smashing into a bunch of cars. He flees.
He left his unlocked phone in the car. They know who he is.
She adds that the truck’s owner apparently also knows the suspect through social media. We’re checking with SPD to see if there’s any indication the hit-run driver/stolen-truck suspect has been found yet. Case number for the truck theft is 22-231325; the hit-run crash – which Rose says is reported to have damaged up to seven vehicles – has at least three separate case numbers, starting with 22-231291.
One more reminder for artists interested in being part of the first-ever West Seattle Art Hop & Shop – two days left to register and get your place on the map!
As we’ve previewed previously, this peninsula-wide event will see dozens of artists opening their studios to show and sell their work, 10 am-5 pm on Saturday, September 17th. As of earlier this week, organizers say, 42 artists had signed up to show and sell at 21 locations – and there’s room for more! But if you want to be part of it and aren’t already registered, don’t miss the Friday (September 2nd) deadline. Go here for the registration form/info!
(Photo by James Bratsanos)
Thanks to everyone who sent photos of the clouds that scattered across the sky this morning, at the start of what’s expected to be another very warm day. Here’s what’s happening, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, inbox, and previews:
MAYOR’S PARK DISTRICT $ PROPOSAL: Mayor Bruce Harrell plans a 10 am announcement of his budget proposal for the Seattle Park District. The livestream will be here.
DROPOFF FOOD DRIVE: Take nonperishable food to Admiral Church (4320 SW Hill), 11 am-1 pm.
WADING POOL/SPRAYPARK OPEN: Lincoln Park wading pool will be open noon-7 pm. Also, 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.
COVID VACCINATION POP-UP: The first in a series of pop-up clinics at local libraries is noon-5 pm today at Delridge Library (5423 Delridge Way SW), offering the Moderna vaccine only.
(Photo by Hana Alishio)
LIVE AT LOCOL: Locöl Barley & Vine (7902 35th SW) spotlights live music 6:30-8:30 pm Wednesdays, no cover, 21+, rotating artists.
JAZZ: Piano and bass at Otter on the Rocks (4210 SW Admiral Way), 6:30 pm.
MUSIC BINGO: Now weekly at The Good Society (California/Lander), 7 pm.
KUNDALINI YOGA, MEDITATION, GONG BATH: Inner Alchemy presents this at Solstice Park, 7 pm Wednesdays. $35. (7400 Fauntleroy Way SW)
SKYLARK OPEN MIC: 7:30 pm signups @ West Seattle’s longest-running open mic – no cover to watch. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
TRIVIA x 4: At 7 pm, you can play trivia at the West Seattle Brewing Mothership (4415 Fauntleroy Way SW); Larry’s Tavern (3405 California SW) hosts Wednesday-night trivia starting at 7:30 pm; trivia starts at 8 pm at Beveridge Place Pub (6413 California SW); 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!
6:01 AM: Good morning! Welcome to Wednesday, August 31st.
WEATHER
BACK TO SCHOOL
Today’s the first day for Hope Lutheran School (42nd/Oregon). Here’s our list of who’s already started and who’s coming up.
FERRIES, BUSES, WATER TAXI
Ferries: WSF continues the 2-boat schedule for Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth. Check here for alerts/updates.
Metro buses are on their regular weekday schedules; watch @kcmetroalerts for trip cancellations/reroute alerts.
The West Seattle Water Taxi is on its regular schedule.
BRIDGES AND DETOUR ROUTES
892nd morning without the West Seattle Bridge. 18 days until the day SDOT expects to reopen it – September 18th.
Low Bridge: Automated enforcement cameras remain in use until the high bridge reopens; restrictions are in effect 5 am-9 pm daily – except weekends; the bridge is open to all until 8 am Saturday and Sunday mornings.
1st Avenue South Bridge:
South Park Bridge:
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, many with video options; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are also on this WSB page
Trouble on the roads/paths/water? Please text or call us (when you can do so safely) – 206-293-6302.
Seattle Public Schools classes are scheduled to start one week from tomorrow – if the district and its teachers union, the Seattle Education Association, reach a contract deal. The current contract expires tomorrow, and that’s also when the union is having a general membership meeting – online – to discuss a strike-authorization vote. The SEA says its board has approved that vote and, according to a statement from SEA president Jennifer Matter, “we expect secure online voting will take place over the weekend.” The two sides are still negotiating. In the meantime, tomorrow morning they’re planning “sign waving, demonstrating, and other actions in front of school buildings” before their workday begins. The union says this one-sheet compares the two sides’ positions, with special- and multilingual-education support atop the priorities. For its part, the district published this statement today. The last SEA strike was in 2015.
The National Weather Service has just added two days to the Heat Advisory alert – originally set to expire tomorrow night, now in effect through Friday night. The NWS says temperatures will cool a bit on Thursday but then rise again Friday. Today’s official high at Sea-Tac was 90, so this year has tied the record for most 90-or-warmer days in a year, 12 … so far.
(WSB photo, October 2021)
Head coach Jeff Scott and the West Seattle High School Wildcats are getting ready for football season, with the home opener against Renton at 7 pm Friday (September 2nd) at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle). Before they take the field, the team is hoping for an assist from you – they’re fundraising for costs beyond what basic funding covers: Uniforms, equipment, training for coaches. If you can contribute, here’s the link.
That’s a historic photo of what was the Sixth Church of Christ, Scientist, at 42nd/Lander, more recently known as The Sanctuary at Admiral. In 2009, the city Landmarks Preservation Board designated it as an official city landmark. It’s spent much of the time since then as an event venue, but now it’s up for sale – one of two city landmarks in West Seattle that are currently on the market, along with the Campbell Building in The Junction. The Sanctuary is a 9,000-sf building on a 10,000-sf lot, according to the brochure for the $3.5 million listing, which touts the 93-year-old building’s “endless potential.”
This week and next week, the Skunk Works Robotics program is having open houses for students interested in participating. They’re based a bit south of West Seattle but have many participants from our area. Here’s the invitation:
Skunk Works Robotics is a competitive robotics team based in the Highline area. It is affiliated with 4-H and accepts members from any school, including homeschoolers. The team utilizes a workspace graciously provided by Highline Public Schools.
The Skunk Works team has been in the Highline area for 16 years and has won numerous awards as part of FIRST Robotics. Skunk Works is looking for new members who want an opportunity to build and utilize their skills in CAD, public speaking, programming, graphic design, statistical analysis, wiring, marketing or parts fabrication to compete at the highest levels of high school robotics. The team functions as a business and students learn marketable skills and teamwork under the supervision of mentors.
Meetings in the fall are twice a week. The team meets 4 days a week and on Saturdays when the competition season begins in January. We are accepting students in grades 8-10 at this time.
Skunk Works will have two open house sessions, September 1st and September 8th. Both will run from 6:30-8 pm. We ask that a parent or guardian attend this meeting as well. Please fill out this Google form and indicate which date you would like to visit.
(Photo from kingcounty.gov)
If you’re a West Seattle Brewing Company customer, you’ve probably already heard that they’re losing their Alki Tap Shack location (2536 Alki SW) because its site and that of Ampersand Coffee next door are being renovated/redeveloped. Not a huge project – more on that later – but nonetheless, the old one-story spaces that hold both businesses will be replaced. WSBC’s Tap Shack has announced September 30th as its last day, but starting the farewell party early, and has just sent word of what it calls “Finale Week” – four days with special performances:
– Thursday 9/8 @djbigugly 7:00-10:00
– Friday 9/9 @smokeybrights 7:00-9:00
– Saturday 9/10 Urban Achievers; a Led Zeppelin tribute 5:00-8:00
– Sunday 9/11 The Whopper Johns 4:00-6:00
In connection with “Finale Week,” WSBC plans to release limited-edition Tap Shack merch on September 9th, and later this week, they promise a full restock of their original merch.
After the September 30th closure, you’ll still be able to patronize West Seattle Brewing at their main location, 4415 Fauntleroy Way SW which they call the “mothership.”
The plan is different for Ampersand, which has announced it will be open in its current building through October 30th, and then:
We will be consolidating our operations into the ‘Tacontainer’ that previously resided next to Ampersand over the last 2 years. Initially it will be located right in front of Ampersand and then will move around the property to accommodate construction.
We will be focusing mostly on coffee and our food menu will necessarily be smaller. We will no longer making things in-house and will be out sourcing products from local businesses.
They’re expecting to move back into the new building once it’s complete.
The owners of the site are the Schilling family, which has bought and renovated other Alki sites, most notably the historic Homestead/Fir Lodge (now home to Il Nido) as well as the Shoremont Apartments. City records say the project will “renovate” the two commercial spaces and add a residential unit above, with the end product a two-story building.
It’s a celebration of community, and teamwork to get help to people who need it. On Saturday, September 10th, three West Seattle service clubs – the Kiwanis, Lions, and Rotary – will lead a community-wide food drive to collect donations for the West Seattle Food Bank.
On that day from 9 am to 1 pm, at most if not all local grocery stores, you’ll find volunteers from the clubs, as well as youth from the Kiwanis-supported Key Clubs at Chief Sealth IHS and West Seattle HS, ready to receive your donations. The final list of participating stores will be available in a few days – we’ll add that to our calendar listing and subsequent previews/reminders. Meantime, here’s what the WSFB needs most (including a few non-food items).
(Monday night photo by Chris Frankovich)
From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
BLOCK DROP DIY CLEANUP: The program is on hiatus until Friday – preview what’s ahead here.
DONATE FOOD: Admiral Church‘s summer food drive is accepting donations again today, 11 am-1 pm (4320 SW Hill)
WADING POOL & SPRAYPARK OPEN: With a sunny, warm afternoon ahead, the Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW) wading pool will be open, noon-7 pm. Also, Highland Park Spraypark (1100 SW Cloverdale) is open 11 am-8 pm.
COLMAN POOL: The outdoor pool at Lincoln Park will be open to the public today as its 7-days-a-week schedule continues, noon-7 pm.
NO CITY COUNCIL MEETING: The council’s on end-of-summer break until after Labor Day.
DEMONSTRATION FOR BLACK LIVES: Longstanding weekly 4:30-6 pm sign-waving demonstration at 16th/Holden. Signs available if you don’t have your own.
‘ART, ARTISTS, AND THE NARRATIVES OF LOSS AND RESILIENCY’: As previewed here, this special event at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond) is part of a series intended to combine art, presentation, performance, and discussion to help change the narrative around gun violence. All welcome, 6-8 pm.
STORYTIME IN THE GARDEN: Bring your little one(s) for a story followed by a garden activity, at the Delridge P-Patch, 6 pm (5078 25th SW).
POTENTIAL CUB SCOUT IN THE FAMILY? Pack 282 welcomes you to a parents’ meeting tonight at 6 at West Side Presbyterian Church (3601 California SW) – details in our calendar listing.
SCRABBLE NIGHT: 6-10 pm, go play Scrabble at The Missing Piece (9456 35th SW).
FAMILY GAME NIGHT: Meeples Games (3727 California SW) welcomes families 6-8 pm to this weekly hosted game-playing night.
WEST SEATTLE TOASTMASTERS: You’re invited to their online meeting tonight – learn to become a confident communicator! – starting at 6:30 pm.
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!
You can always see more on our calendar – and if you have something to add for the future, please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
The family of Wilma Ann Waters is sharing this remembrance:
Wilma Ann Waters, a long-time West Seattle resident, passed away on January 26th after a brief illness. She was 93.
Wilma was born to Louis and Philomena Swan on December 9, 1928 in Interior, SD. A hardscrabble life growing up in the Badlands instilled in Wilma an impressive work ethic and sense of frugality that served her well throughout her life. The family migrated west to Albany, Oregon in 1936 in a Model A Ford, with four kids. She attended Albany High School in Albany, Oregon, where she graduated in 1946. She then attended Oregon State University for 2 years before moving to Portland, where she met and married John Norton Waters, a highly decorated World War II combat veteran, on April 29, 1950. Nort and Wilma eventually settled in the Seahurst neighborhood in Burien in 1960. Nort died in 1969 in a float-plane accident. He was the love of her life and she never re-married. She lived in Seahurst until 1990, before moving to West Seattle, where she lived until she died.
During the first years of their marriage, Wilma and Nort moved around the west coast, living in Seattle, Mineral, Shasta, San Mateo, and Yakima, before finally settling down in Seahurst in 1960. Nort was a land developer and built several apartment complexes in the greater Seattle area. After Nort’s death, Wilma was able to save his businesses, most notably, keeping Tama Qua Apartments and managing it until she sold it in 1983. She was a successful businesswoman at a time where men dominated the industry. She was very business savvy and immensely respected.
Wilma was an amazing athlete. She started running at the age of 51, running at a 7 min/mile pace at 62 years old. She ran races for over 30 years, winning dozens in her age groups. Her favorite road race was the Rhody Run, where she set multiple age-group records that lasted for years. In her late eighties, she traded running for walking and walked many of her favorite runs with her grand and great-grandchildren. She remained active through her later years, walking daily over 3 miles, mainly on Alki beach. She also loved golf and skiing. She joined Rainier Golf & Country Club, where she was a member for nearly 20 years. She loved to play golf with her grandchildren, getting them lessons and into Rainer’s junior program. At 92, she convinced her great grandkids to participate in drive, chip and putt competitions. She and her friends from St. Francis Parish in Burien went on many beach and ski vacations together. These were big multi-family events. Her favorite destinations were the Oregon Coast, usually Gearhart or Cannon Beach, and Sun Valley, Idaho, where she maintained a residence.
Wilma was known for her fashionable style, delicious cooking, and her preference for driving high-performance sports coupes. She was also very devoted to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Wilma believed that having and raising children was the greatest thing anybody could accomplish. She excelled at everything she did. She never talked about her many extraordinary successes, always gracious and humble.
As a devout Catholic, Wilma rarely missed Sunday mass. She was an active member of Saint Francis of Assisi Parish in Burien for over thirty years and then Holy Rosary Parish of West Seattle for the last 30 years. She had all her children attend Catholic schools and contributed generously to Catholic Charities and Mt. St Vincent.
Wilma enjoyed a challenging and vigorous life. She was fiercely independent, had a very healthy lifestyle, was financially successful and relished her role as her family’s beloved matriarch. She was preceded in death by her husband, two sisters, and a brother. She is survived by her sister, Jane Fournier of Green Valley, AZ; five children, Jonete Rehmke, Gayle Dunham (Jim), Linda Fitzgerald (Mike), John Waters (Monica), Paula Waters; eight grandchildren; and fifteen great-grandchildren. A Catholic burial service was held on March 25, 2022 at Willamette National Cemetery in Portland, Oregon, where she was interred with her husband Nort.
In lieu of flowers, remembrances can be made to the Providence Mt. St. Vincent Foundation in West Seattle, First Tee of Greater Seattle, or Catholic Charities, USA.
(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)
11:03 AM: Two-car crash at Olson/2nd, east end of the Roxbury corridor. Police and fire responding.
=================
Earlier:
6:03 AM: Good morning! Welcome to Tuesday, August 30th.
WEATHER
Sunny, breezy forecast, high in the 80s.
BACK TO SCHOOL
Today’s the first day for Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic School (34th/Myrtle). Here’s our list of who’s already started and who’s coming up.
FERRIES, BUSES, WATER TAXI
Ferries: WSF continues the 2-boat schedule for Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth. Check here for alerts/updates.
Metro buses are on their regular weekday schedules; watch @kcmetroalerts for trip cancellations/reroute alerts.
The West Seattle Water Taxi is on its regular schedule.
ROAD WORK
Watch for bike-lane work along Andover/26th/28th/Yancy (Sunday photo above). Here’s the construction notice. Also, spot paving on California north of Admiral.
BRIDGES AND DETOUR ROUTES
891st morning without the West Seattle Bridge. 19 days until the day SDOT expects to reopen it – September 18th. Here’s our report on another visit to the work zone last week.
Low Bridge: Automated enforcement cameras remain in use until the high bridge reopens; 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:
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, many with video options; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are also on this WSB page
Trouble on the roads/paths/water? Please text or call us (when you can do so safely) – 206-293-6302.
With the light at the end of the bridge closure in view, one of West Seattle’s one-of-a-kind businesses is expanding its hours. Thunder Road Guitars (6400 California SW; WSB sponsor) will be open Sundays starting this weekend – as of September 4th. That means TRG is now open Tuesdays-Saturdays 10 am-6 pm and Sundays 11 am-5 pm, closed only on Mondays. They are of course always open online – you can browse any time at thunderroadguitars.com.
(SPD car at Alki, early evening, May 27th)
Just in case you lost track – Labor Day is one week away. And that’s the date announced as the end of a second year of “piloting” early closures at Alki Beach Park (as well as Golden Gardens in the north). So we checked with Seattle Parks today to ask if that’s still the plan. Short answer: Yes. Parks spokesperson Rachel Schulkin confirmed to WSB that the city is “on track” to go back to 11:30 pm closures after Labor Day. The 10 pm closing time has been in place since Memorial Day weekend. Last year, Parks made the change in July after two notable incidents, a deadly shooting and a chaotic social-media-organized gathering that drew thousands. This year has been devoid so far of anything comparable, though ongoing complaints of street racing and other disorder have continued.
P.S. At the start of the season, Parks promised to evaluate the pilot, including community feedback. The survey they opened at the time appears to still be open.
A tipster told us about some kind of problem with the West Seattle Water Taxi vessel in the past half-hour. We’ve been trying to reach Metro to verify that, and in the meantime they’ve just sent word that they’re making a sudden vessel swap, to the backup Spirit of Kingston, delaying the 5:25 pm departure from Downtown and 5:45 pm departure from West Seattle.
| 36 COMMENTS