STOLEN CAR TRACKED, SUSPECT ARRESTED: Officers were looking for a stolen vehicle “that was being tracked by the victim via an app.” First time they caught up with it, “it had fled.” Officers had taken a picture, though, and shared it with the next shift. Then around 2 pm it turned up at 25th/Trenton. Nobody was inside but police headed to the scene spotted a suspect who matched the photo. They caught up with him in an alley in the 8600 block of Delridge Way SW. He tried to run but was taken into custody, the report says, via a “Type II Use of Force” (here are examples). Police say the suspect assaulted an officer in the struggle. He eventually was booked for investigation of possession of a stolen vehicle and third-degree assault.

GROCERY-STORE ASSAULT: This happened last Thursday but the victim decided after a few days to send us her story so others could watch out:

On 8/11 morning at 9:55 am, I was walking out the doors of Morgan Street Thriftway, when a woman (white, 40s, approx 5’4”, brown hair [bangs and pulled back into a low bun], wearing a black Stussy long-sleeve tee with a eight ball, black running shoes with a yellow marking) started yelling at me, calling me the B word claiming I was the wife of a Arabic/African man (a very long name she kept repeating. Unfortunately, I was shaken and just trying to get away that I cannot remember it). She kept following me and yelling. I started to run. She ran after me and shoved me from behind with both hands. Luckily I wasn’t hurt. If this had been someone older, they could have ended up on the ground – she was small, but used force, clearly intending to push me down.

She says she reported this both to the store and to police; the store caught the incident on video and told her they recognized the woman as a former employee, so they provided a name that the victim gave to police. The victim says the officer later told her there had been another incident reported with the same person. The incident number in her case is 22-211362.

STOLEN TRAILER: The photo and report are from Diane:

On 8/11/22, our Tilt Trailer was stolen from our jobsite at 7745 Holden Place SW, Plate #09574AH. A police report has been filed, case #22-211269. Please report [to police] if seen: 206-733-9800.

WEDNESDAY MORNING UPDATE: The trailer’s been found, in the 5600 block of 23rd SW.

SUSPECTED CAR THIEF CHARGED: Here’s one of the most recent West Seattle cases in which the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office has filed charges. 37-year-old Jesus R. Perez-Flores is charged with one count of possession of a stolen vehicle. The charging documents say police stopped him June 21st on Airport Way in a Ford Ranger stolen from a Puget Ridge woman almost two weeks earlier. The vehicle caught their attention because it had no plates. Perez-Flores has no criminal record but even before this charge was filed, he’s been in jail since August 3rd in connection with another stolen-car case.

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FOLLOWUP: Here’s what more we found out about West Seattle’s big water-main break

August 16, 2022 7:57 pm

| 16 COMMENTS

| Utilities | West Seattle news

(WSB photo, Monday)

On the day after that massive water-main break at 24th/Kenyon cut water service to thousands and flooded half a dozen apartments (WSB coverage here), we asked Seattle Public Utilities some followup questions. This evening, we received the answers from SPU spokesperson Sabrina Register. So here’s what we’ve learned:

What caused the break? SPU says they don’t know yet. We mentioned that a construction project’s been under way in the area – the Natural Drainage Systems-related work reported here in June – but Register says that crew was working half a block away when the main ruptured.

How old is the main, and why did the break result in such a geyser, when many breaks don’t? Register says SPU records show the main was installed in 1925 and re-lined with cement-mortar lining in 1983 “to extend its life against internal pipe corrosion.” The average age of SPU pipes, she says, is about 70 years. As for why the water erupted with such force: “The water main that broke is a 24-inch diameter pipe, which has a much greater carrying capacity than our typical 8-inch or 12-inch diameter pipes. Additionally, the pipe is under more pressure than many other pipes in the water system. The added pressure in the pipe has to do with the area of the city the pipe serves and the pipe’s elevation relative to the area served. The pipe serves water at around 130 pounds per square inch, compared to more typical pressures in many water pipes of under 80 pounds per square inch.”

Any recent leaks reported (as a commenter had suggested)? “Since 1983, there have been a handful of small (called pinhole) leaks, consistent with a pipe of that age, but no major leaks have been reported. Construction inspectors on the site reported no leaks observed during the construction project.”

How much water was lost before it was shut off? SPU estimates about two million gallons.

(WSB photo, this morning)

What happens now? “SPU has been on site to determine when and how to best replace the section of pipe. SPU temporarily has taken the water main off-line, which does not impact customers’ service. Only a handful of residential customers were connected to the main and crews have been able to provide temporary service to these customers.” To be specific, she says, four houses were connected directly to this main and those were the last to get their service back, restored today.

Repair logistics? “With an active construction site just feet away, close coordination is needed for the complicated work. It may be several weeks before crews are able to replace the broken section of pipe. We are still assessing the pipe and developing a plan to fix it, but crews will have to replace at least a ten-foot section of pipe.” The repairs are expected to be complicated because “the break is extensive and horizontal, which often requires crews to cut out a section of pipe and replace.”

What’s being done for the people whose apartments were flooded? “SPU staff are reaching out to the handful of customers who were displaced yesterday when the water main broke, working with them on the claims process.”

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ELECTION 2022: Here’s the last word on how the primary went

August 16, 2022 5:04 pm

| 17 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

Two weeks after the primary election, King County certified the final results this afternoon. No changes in the way these six races turned out, but for the record, here are the final percentages (rounded) for the top two in each race – click the race titles to see the full results:

34TH DISTRICT STATE HOUSE REP. POSITION 1 (no incumbent)
Emily Alvarado (D) – 54%
Leah Griffin (D) – 31%

34TH DISTRICT STATE HOUSE REP. POSITION 2
Joe Fitzgibbon* (D) – 84%
Andrew Pilloud (R) – 16%

34TH DISTRICT STATE SENATOR
Joe Nguyen* (D) – 83%
John Potter (R) – 10%

DISTRICT 7 U.S. HOUSE REP.
Pramila Jayapal* (D) – 85%
Cliff Moon (R) – 8%

U.S. SENATOR (statewide)
Patty Murray* (D) – 52%
Tiffany Smiley (R) – 34%

WASHINGTON SECRETARY OF STATE (statewide; no incumbent)
Steve Hobbs (D) – 40%
Julie Anderson (NP) – 13%

Turnout in our area’s legislative district – the closest gauge of West Seattle turnout (the district also includes some surrounding areas such as Vashon/Maury Islands and White Center – was 41 percent. Countywide, it was 39 percent. (Here’s the KC Elections overview.) The races above are just part of what you’ll find on the November 8th ballot – here’s an unofficial preview of ballot measures (both the city and county have proposals on election changes); candidate lineups are yet to come.

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CRIME WATCH FOLLOWUP: No arrest yet in Delridge sexual assault

August 16, 2022 3:49 pm

| 21 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

Since this brief mention last night, we’ve been waiting all day for Seattle Police to reply to our request for additional information in last night’s reported sexual assault near 26th/Juneau. Here’s the entirety of what they just released via SPD Blotter:

SPD detectives are investigating after a woman reported she was sexually assaulted Monday evening in West Seattle.

Around 6:15 p.m., officers responded to the Delridge neighborhood for a report of an injured woman.

Officers and a K9 team searched the area for the suspect but were unable to find him. Medics transported the victim to the hospital for treatment.

Police obtained information about a person of interest in the case, a man who was seen in the area wearing a black Air Jordan hooded sweatshirt, a yellow medical mask, black athletic shorts, and slide sandals.

Sexual Assault Unit detectives continue to investigate.

If you have information for detectives, the Sexual Assault Unit is at 206-684-5575.

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Season extended for Highland Park Spraypark

August 16, 2022 2:18 pm

| 5 COMMENTS

| Highland Park | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

(WSB file photo)

As noted here last weekend, this is the final week of operations this year for three of our area’s city-run wading pools – South Park closes after tomorrow, Delridge after Friday, E.C. Hughes after Sunday. Lincoln Park will be open through Labor Day. That was supposed to be the last day for Highland Park Spraypark – but in an aquatics update today, Seattle Parks announced two extra weeks for West Seattle’s only spraypark, which will now be open through Sunday, September 18th. (Never been? It’s at 1100 SW Cloverdale.) The announcement also says, “Next summer, Seattle Parks and Recreation hopes to resume summer aquatics at our pre-pandemic schedules” and says they’re hiring for indoor-pool jobs – go here to find out more.

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WEST SEATTLE WEATHER: Heat alert, early library openings for next two days

August 16, 2022 12:22 pm

| Comments Off on WEST SEATTLE WEATHER: Heat alert, early library openings for next two days

| West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

>small>(Before this morning’s short-lived fog, sunrise colors – photographed by Stewart L.)

By this time tomorrow, we’ll be under another Heat Advisory alert, decreed by the National Weather Service with two days of 90s expected instead of one. The alert is for noon Wednesday through midnight Thursday night. If we really do see two days in the 90s, that’ll tie the record for 12 90-or-more-degree highs in a year (set in 2015),

Because of the forecast, the Seattle Public Library is already planning to open the two A/C-lacking local branches – West Seattle (Admiral) and Southwest – early on Wednesday and Thursday, at 10 am. (Early closure is likely but not yet announced – watch this page.) Anybody else with planned changes (businesses, etc.), please let us know – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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Storytime, rock climbing, cleanups, games, more for your West Seattle Tuesday

August 16, 2022 10:23 am

| Comments Off on Storytime, rock climbing, cleanups, games, more for your West Seattle Tuesday

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Photo by Mike Burns, as this morning’s fog receded)

From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

BLOCK DROP DIY CLEANUP: Equipment is available until 6 pm today for your neighborhood cleanup – today’s Block Drop location is Holy Rosary School (42nd SW north of SW Genesee).

DONATE FOOD: Admiral Church‘s summer food drive is accepting donations again today, 11 am-1 pm (4320 SW Hill)

WADING POOLS & SPRAYPARK OPEN: Though it’s been cloudy this morning, warm sunshine is expected this afternoon, so the city is opening its wadding pools. 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.

(Photo by Stewart L.)

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.

ADOPT-A-STREET WALK: Meet at 3 pm at 53rd/Admiral to help clean up!

ROCK CLIMBING AT CAMP LONG: 4:30-7:30 pm at Camp Long (5200 35th SW),

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.

STORYTIME IN THE GARDEN: Bring your kid(s) for a story followed by a garden activity, at the Delridge P-Patch, 6 pm (5078 25th SW).

strong>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.

CAMP SECOND CHANCE COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE: The CAC reconvenes after a leadership change. This is your opportunity to get updates on, make comments on, and/or ask questions about West Seattle’s only city-sanctioned tiny-house encampment. 6 pm online – here’s the link.

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!

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WEDNESDAY: Job fair at Daystar Retirement Village

August 16, 2022 9:00 am

| Comments Off on WEDNESDAY: Job fair at Daystar Retirement Village

| West Seattle news | Westwood

If you’re looking for work, new local jobs can be found in our West Seattle Jobs Offered section (local businesses can post there for free). Prospective employers are having job fairs, too – and tomorrow, you’re invited to one at Daystar Retirement Village (2615 SW Barton; WSB sponsor). The job fair 10 am-2 pm Wednesday (August 17th) is your opportunity to find out about full-time jobs with what Daystar describes as “great benefits.” You can also call to inquire – 206-937-6122.

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TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, ROAD WORK, TRAFFIC: Tuesday info

August 16, 2022 6:04 am

| 3 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

9:32 AM: 5-car crash on West Marginal at Holden (by the transfer station) is reported to be blocking most of Marginal. One person reported injured,

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6:04 AM: Good morning! It’s Tuesday, August 16th.

WEATHER

Sunny and warm again today, with a high around 80 (Monday’s high was 84). 90-degree heat could arrive as soon as Wednesday.

FERRIES, BUSES, WATER TAXI

Ferries: WSF remains on the 2-boat schedule for Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth. Check here for alerts/updates.

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.

ROAD WORK

Watch for spot repaving work on California SW north of Admiral Way.

BRIDGES AND DETOUR ROUTES

877th morning without the West Seattle Bridge. 33 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. (Access applications are available here for some categories of drivers.)