West Seattle, Washington
05 Thursday
8:12 PM: King County Elections is out with tonight’s first and only round of results in the primary election. As we mentioned in previews, local ballots had only six races – three for the state Legislature, two for federal office, one for statewide office. Top two advance to the November 8th general election. Here’s the full King County result list; here’s who’s leading:
34TH DISTRICT STATE HOUSE REP. POSITION 1 (no incumbent)
Emily Alvarado (D) – 52%
Leah Griffin (D) – 33%
34TH DISTRICT STATE HOUSE REP. POSITION 2
Joe Fitzgibbon* (D) – 83%
Andrew Pilloud (R) – 17%
34TH DISTRICT STATE SENATOR
Joe Nguyen* (D) – 83%
John Potter (R) – 11%
DISTRICT 7 U.S. HOUSE REP.
Pramila Jayapal* (D) – 84%
Cliff Moon (R) – 8%
ADDED 8:23 PM – these two races’ results are from the statewide list and may change during the night (we’ll update periodically; we’re listing three in the SoS race because the contest for 2nd place is so close):
U.S. SENATOR (updated 8:59 pm)
Patty Murray* (D) – 54%
Tiffany Smiley (R) – 32%
WASHINGTON SECRETARY OF STATE (no incumbent; updated 8:59 pm)
Steve Hobbs (D) – 41%
Julie Anderson (NP) – 13%
7:23 PM: Thanks to JoDean for the annual invitation to stop by her Arbor Heights neighborhood block party for a photo! It’s Night Out all around the U.S., a time for community-building block parties, with an emphasis on how neighbors can help each other stay safe. Southwest Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator Jennifer Danner tells WSB that more than 230 block parties are registered for West Seattle and South Park tonight. We’ll add more photos later.
ADDED: Games and entertainment enhanced the night at many parties. Above, Gary‘s block in Fauntleroy had a bouncy toy to keep the littlest attendees enthralled. Below, Jon‘s block (46th SW west of The Junction) had a cornhole game:
From Dragonfly Park in North Delridge, Laura sent this clip with the live music they were enjoying:
Laura explains who was playing: “It’s Doc HighDr8 tha PHilosoRaptor with Willie knockz and penny passion. Their band is Tha Nothin. Then there’s Rachel McDonald from the band OuijaBoob on ukelele. Finally Damian playing a mean harmonica. They just all came with their instruments and created some great original tunes on the spot! It was a really great evening and much needed.” … South of Admiral on 46th SW, Al says, Space Tractor was onstage:
At Steve Cox Memorial Park in White Center, the Teen Program‘s Family Night Out offered a treasure hunt and related-theme activities:
Via text, a group photo texted from the Night Out party in the 6700 block of 38th SW and Warsaw. “Love our neighbors — old & new!” the texter enthused.
We heard about new neighbors at a couple of our stops – people excited to welcome new arrivals. … From the 9000 block of 21st SW, Greg (a pro photographer), sent a drone pic of neighbors at his party:
And from Kelly’s party off Admiral between Walnut and 41st:
Kelly says, “We have a busy street that a thousand plus people cut down every day. We have such joy blocking it for 4 hours and bringing the neighbors together! Biggest turnout since 2019. Good to have the neighbors back together. Love WS! Pizza ordered locally from Pagliacci’s!” … Allison in Arbor Heights sent a pic from her block party near 108th & 36th SW:
Thanks to everybody who sent pics!
Four weeks after confirmation that the original Ma’ono in West Seattle had been permanently closed and sold, we know what’s moving into the space: Italian food. We’ve confirmed that Dué Cucina will open its fourth location at 4437 California SW. Dué Cucina specializes in “authentic Italian cuisine,” centered on pasta – its founders are both from Tuscany; you can see the menu here. Its three restaurants are on Capitol Hill, in Roosevelt, and in Kirkland. In our brief conversation with co-founder Davide Macchi this afternoon, he told us they just got the keys to the space and don’t know yet how long it will take to get ready to open. They’re hoping it’ll be this fall.
Four weeks after health/water-quality authorities closed Cormorant Cove Park‘s beach because of water contamination from a private sewer-line link, the beach is finally clear to reopen. Seattle Public Utilities spokesperson Sabrina Register tells WSB the warning signs are being taken down. Cormorant Cove, in the 3700 block of Beach Drive SW, was the last area to reopen; the original closure stretched all the way from Alki Point to the SW Andover beach access, and most of it was cleared to reopen a week and a half ago. At the time, though, SPU said that while the leak at Harbor West had been fixed, unexplained bacterial concerns lingered at Cormorant Cove.
Most of the time, defendants are arraigned – summoned to court to enter a plea – two weeks after charges are filed. Today, 49-year-old Brett A. Forsell of Arbor Heights was arraigned and pleaded not guilty, six days after he was charged with felony stalking in relation to an incident in which he was arrested outside U.S. Rep. Pramila Jayapal‘s home. A $500,000 arrest warrant was issued when the charge was filed, and Forsell was re-arrested two days later. Today, his lawyer requested that his bail be reduced to $25,000; the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office argued against a bail reduction, but Superior Court Judge Aimee Sutton reduced the bail to $150,000. The KCPAO notes: “However, the judge granted prosecutors’ request for GPS monitoring with victim notification, alcohol monitoring, a stalking protection order and, if the defendant were to post the bail amount, electronic home monitoring.” The court documents from today’s hearing include letters from family and friends vouching for him, as well as information not available previously – that Forsell turned himself in after the charges were filed and warrant issued last week. His only criminal history, the lawyer also noted, is a DUI almost a decade ago. Forsell’s next hearing is in two weeks.
Thanks to the reader who sent a tip that South West Plumbing‘s North Delridge headquarters appeared to have suddenly cleared out. We went over to look and indeed – dark, closed, no one there, trucks gone, So we called today, and here’s what we learned: They’ve moved to Renton, to a site near IKEA. The move happened this past weekend, They stress they’re still serving this area (and the rest of the region), but they’d outgrown the site at 2401 SW Alaska. As for what happens next with that North Delridge site, we’re still looking into that; it’s 20,000 square feet, zoned C1-55, which means commercial/residential development up to five stories.
For a second consecutive day, the city has swept a longrunning West Seattle encampment. As mentioned here last night, the city said a sweep was planned for the West Marginal Place cul-de-sac encampment, adjacent to industrial businesses and the bike/foot path west of the low bridge. “No parking” signs were in place, effective today. And this morning, the sweep happened. We took the photo above a short time ago, after a neighbor’s tip. A city crew that was packing up when we arrived said they’d been there since 8 this morning and would be back at a future date for additional cleanup such as vegetation work. While this encampment wasn’t one of the biggest in the area, it had grown in recent weeks, and been the scene of multiple fires (we covered one in November). A fluctuating number of RVs have been parking there for at least six years.
(Photographed at Alki by David Hutchinson)
Here’s your daily reminder of what’s up for the rest of today, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
LAST DAY TO VOTE! Just six races on the primary ballot, so voting won’t take long. Get your ballot in the mail ASAP so that it’ll be postmarked today, or drop it in a King County Elections dropbox by 8 pm. Our reminder from Sunday has all the info.
BLOCK DROP DIY CLEANUP: Equipment is available until 6 pm today for your neighborhood cleanup – today’s Block Drop location is Dakota Place Park (California/Dakota).
DONATE FOOD: Admiral Church‘s summer food drive is accepting donations today, 11 am-1 pm (4320 SW Hill)
WADING POOLS & SPRAYPARK OPEN: EC Hughes (2805 SW Holden) and Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW); both 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.
FUNDRAISING BEVERAGES/TREATS: Noon-4 pm, stand at 41st/Roxbury raising money for the National Birth Equity Collaborative.
FIRST BLUE ANGELS JET ARRIVES: If you think you see a Blue Angel overhead early this afternoon – that’s when the #7 jet is scheduled to arrive, with the others due in Wednesday, as we reported Monday. (They’ll be based near the Boeing Field terminal this year.)
CITY COUNCIL MEETING: Hybrid meeting (online and in-person at City Hall) at 2 pm; here’s the agenda, which explains how to comment. Watch live here.
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.
NIGHT OUT: The nationwide night of community-building block parties is back! Even if you’re not having one, watch for closed side streets around the area 5-9 pm. If you are having one – send a photo so we can include your neighborhood in our coverage – westseattleblog@gmail.com (or tag us on Twitter) – thank you!
PLAY-ALONG IN THE PARK: The West Seattle Community Orchestras welcome musicians of all skill levels to play with them at Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW) tonight, 6-8 pm – details in our calendar listing.
TAE KWON DO: First August class for the West Seattle Tae Kwon Do Club is at 6 pm at High Point Community Center (6920 34th SW).
SCRABBLE NIGHT: 6-10 pm, you are invited to come 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.
TRIVIA X 3: Three of the venues where you can play tonight – 7 pm at Ounces (3809 Delridge Way SW), 7 pm at Admiral Pub (2306 California SW), 7:30 and 8:30 pm at The Lodge (4209 SW Alaska).
BELLE OF THE BALLS BINGO: Play bingo with Cookie Couture at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW), 8 pm. Free, all ages!
See more on our calendar – and if you have something to add for the future, please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
It’s a big goal – running a half-marathon – if you’re a beginning runner. But West Seattle Runner‘s periodic free training program Get Fit West Seattle can get you there. And if you’re interested, you’re invited to the shop at 6:30 pm tomorrow (Wednesday, August 3rd) for info and Q&A about the Get Fit program. Get ready to get inspired and supported! West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor) is at 2743 California SW – just show up.
6:03 AM: Good morning! It’s Tuesday, August 2nd.
WEATHER
Today’s forecast says clouds will make way for sun, high in the 70s.
FERRIES, BUSES, WATER TAXI
Ferries: WSF is on the 2-boat schedule for Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth. Check here for alerts/updates. (6:55 AM NOTE: WSF says both boats are running behind because one needed “unscheduled maintenance.” … 7:08 AM: WSF says one boat is still out with ‘technical difficulties’…
7:30 Am: Now it’s one boat TFN.)
Metro buses are on their regular weekday schedules; watch @kcmetroalerts for word of reroutes/trip cancellations.
The West Seattle Water Taxi is on its regular schedule.
BRIDGES AND DETOUR ROUTES
863rd morning without the West Seattle Bridge. 40 days until the week SDOT hopes to reopen it.
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 – camera malfunctioning, as are a few others in eastern West Seattle (they’ve been reported to SDOT)
Highland Park Way/2nd SW (one of four recently installed cameras):
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.
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