West Seattle, Washington
12 Monday
10:49 PM: Police have been searching a stretch of Harbor Avenue after a report of gunfire near Don Armeni Boat Ramp about half an hour ago – someone said they saw a man get out of a car, shoot at another man, and drive off. The target apparently was not hit. But police have been looking for evidence and just told dispatch they found shell casings “in the street” near the intersection with SW Maryland [map].
10:55 PM: So far officers report finding two 9mm casings and two .45cal casings in the street.
(WSB photos by Patrick Sand)
For dozens of past West Seattle Art Walk nights, Click! Design That Fits has bustled with artists, art lovers, and shoppers. Tonight – the elegant space in The Junction was almost bare, just a few “garage sale” items left as the shop prepared to close forever.
Proprietor John Smersh (above with Click! team members Adia and Diane) had hoped to hand off the shop to a new owner, one year after the passing of his wife Frances Smersh, whose jewelry art was the inspiration for the shop they originally opened in North Admiral in 2004.
But as reported here, a prospective new owner couldn’t agree on “sustainable” lease terms with the building’s owner, so John has been having a liquidation sale, and told us tonight that almost everything sold. Some jewelry and cards were about all that remained when we stopped in. Any remaining office supplies and fixtures will be offered to other merchants. Meantime, browsers were still streaming through, along with well-wishers; one woman told John, “You’ve brought so much beauty to West Seattle.” His next chapter? First, he told us, some travel; then he’s leaving himself open to possibilities.
P.S. On a personal note, we thank Click! for almost 15 years of support as one of our first WSB sponsors; local business advertising is our sole source of operating revenue.
The last West Seattle Art Walk of summer had musical highlights again tonight – two performers for The Art of Music, curated by John Redenbaugh. We got short clips of both – above, Taylor John Hardin outside WEND Jewelry in South Admiral; below, Trevor Ras at KeyBank Plaza in The Junction:
West Seattle Art Walk – with or without music – happens every second Thursday, so set your calendar for the next one, October 13th.
Above are city-provided photos of the three finalists for Seattle Police Chief, announced about an hour ago – from left, interim SPD Chief Adrian Diaz, SPD Assistant Chief Eric Greening, and Tucson Police Assistant Chief Kevin Hall. The city’s announcement says 15 people applied for the job, and were interviewed by the search committee, which narrowed the list down to an unspecified “select number” who took a city-charter-mandated test over the past two days. Next step is an interviewing process that will include a forum to be shown on Seattle Channel one week from tonight; written questions are still being accepted here. You can read about the finalists’ background in today’s full announcement.
What was to be the second day of the new school year for Seattle Public Schools was instead a second day of picketing for its striking educators. Here’s the latest:
UNION: We photographed picketers at five more schools this morning:
(WSB photos: Arbor Heights Elementary above, Lafayette Elementary below)
(WSB photos: Roxhill Elementary above, Gatewood Elementary below)
At Genesee Hill Elementary, picketers had a chant leader, and a costumed supporter:
And we received a photo and message from Fairmount Park Elementary teacher Robyn:
Please let families and students know how much we appreciate their support. They’re welcome to come by, walk with us, or just honk their horn as they drive by. We love our community!
(added 8:11 pm) Via email, the union sent this statement: “While some progress was made at the bargaining table on Thursday, SPS has yet to come to agreement. Educators will picket again on Friday beginning at 7:30 a.m. The Bargaining Team started meeting in-person with SPS and the mediator in joint session today at 9:30 a.m. and continues to make progress at this hour.”
(back to original 4:32 pm report) DISTRICT: Just received this SPS update:
The Seattle Public Schools and Seattle Education Association negotiations continue with a mediator.
While there will be no school tomorrow, Sept. 9, we remain hopeful an agreement can be reached soon. Once a tentative agreement is reached, we look forward to sharing that news with our school community.
The district says this message was sent to families earlier in the afternoon. It says the district will announce a decision about Monday by 3 pm tomorrow.
After a few reader questions about why the Westwood Village McDonald’s is fully fenced off, with major work at the site, we checked city files and noted permits for remodeling and upgrades, and found this summary: “Revise front service counter and internal menu boards. Remove self-serve beverage kiosks and install self-serve order boards. Reconfigure drive-thru approach and relocate trash enclosure.” Another permit file noted “new interior, exterior lighting.” Along with checking those files, we contacted the corporation to ask for more details. McDonald’s USA spokesperson Mike Vizza replied that the restaurant “is undergoing a major transformation that will improve the customer experience inside and out. We are placing a higher emphasis on hospitality by weaving technology into the dining experience, with new self-ordering kiosks and table service that offers guests greater customization and the opportunity to relax while their food is being made.” He didn’t have an estimate for when it’ll reopen, just that “We will be working diligently on the remodel over the next several months.” Other area McDonald’s have been overhauled already, including Admiral four years ago. Meantime, WWV has more burgers on the way, with Five Guys going in just west of the McDonald’s (we first reported that plan in May, and it’s continuing to advance through the permit files).
Four notes in West Seattle Crime Watch:
STOLEN MAZDA: Lynda sent the photo and report of her father’s stolen car:
Date taken: 9/7/22 before 4 pm
Location: 35th Ave SW and SW Graham
Red 2007 Mazda CX7
License #: BAL5763
Identifying feature: Black and yellow striped sticker on bumper
Case number: 22-238861
FLOWER-BASKET THIEF: A hanging flower basket was stolen from outside the Senior Center of West Seattle, whose executive director Amy Lee Derenthal sent the security video, wondering if anyone recognizes the thief:
On Sunday morning at 5:45 a.m. a person drove up to the Senior Center, brought a box to stand o,n and stole our hanging flower basket from outside the front door of the Senior Center. We pay for these flower baskets and the seniors love them. I’m so bummed someone purposefully chose to steal it.
BURGLARY ARREST: Just after 6 am today, police were called to Westwood Village for a report that someone had broken into a store (we haven’t confirmed which one) and was tampering with a cash register. Police arrived and made a quick arrest. They confirm the suspect was booked into jail.
WINDOW-SMASHING SUSPECT RE-ARRESTED: Last week we reported on the arrest of 48-year-old Gerald Hochstadt after a window-smashing rampage August 29th at the Morgan Junction Starbucks. He was released after two days in jail because the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office said police hadn’t received all the evidence they needed – specifically, a damage estimate – to send them what they needed to file charges. One day later, last Thursday, that information came in, and Hochstadt was charged with first-degree malicious mischief. We’ve been checking the jail roster, and discovered he was arrested on Monday and has been in jail since then.
We start the list for today/tonight with the last West Seattle Art Walk of summer:
WEST SEATTLE ART WALK: Above is the list of participants in tonight’s West Seattle Art Walk, 5 pm “until late.” Some venues have art, some pffer food/drink specials, and you can preview many of this month’s featured artists by scrolling through this preview on the Art Walk website.
ART OF MUSIC: Again tonight, two live performances are planned, 6-7:45 pm, to complement your Art Walk wanderings. They’re both previewed here, both outdoors – Taylor John Hardin at WEND Jewelry (3278 California SW), and Trevor Ras at KeyBank Plaza (California/Alaska).
One special stop you might want to make:
CLICK! LAST DAY/NIGHT: As reported here on Wednesday, this is the final day for Click! Design That Fits (4540 California SW; longtime WSB sponsor), as its prospective buyer couldn’t work out a lease. It’s open 11 am-8 pm today/tonight so you can shop the liquidation sale, visit for Art Walk – in which Click! has long participated – and offer, as proprietor/co-founder John Smersh puts it, “fond farewells.”
Here’s what else is up for today/tonight – from our West Seattle Event Calendar:
SPRAYPARK OPEN: The extended season continues for Highland Park Spraypark at 1100 SW Cloverdale, open as usual, 11 am-8 pm.
ULTIMATE AT FAIRMOUNT: 6 pm, Thursday night summertime Ultimate pickup games are back at Fairmount Playfield (5400 Fauntleroy Way SW).
ROBOTICS OPEN HOUSE: As previewed here, Skunk Works Robotics invites families to its open house tonight, 6:30 pm at 11427 3rd Ave S. – not far from West Seattle, and the organization has lots of WS participants.
BOARD GAME NIGHT: Go play at Meeples Games (3727 California SW), starting at 6:30 pm.
OPEN MIC: Starting at 7 pm, C & P Coffee Company (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor) hosts an open mic for musicians of all genres.
(Wednesday sunset, photographed by Jen Popp)
BENBOW GOES COUNTRY: Thursday “Nashville Nights“ continue at the Benbow Room (4210 SW Admiral Way), 9 pm. 21+.
Have something to add to our calendar? Email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
6:01 AM: Good morning. Welcome to Thursday, September 8th.
TRAFFIC NOTE
As of right now, Admiral is still closed at this morning’s crash scene (46th-48th).
9:13 AM: Here are the repair crews:
10:35 AM: Just went back over to check. Still working.
2 PM: Now open.
WEATHER
Sunny, breezy, upper 60s predicted .
SCHOOL UPDATES
*Classes are canceled again today at Seattle Public Schools as the strike by its educators’ union continues.
*Other local schools are in session.
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
900th morning without the West Seattle Bridge. 10 days until SDOT expects to reopen it – on 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 – ALERT: “Expect intermittent single lane restrictions on South Park Bridge between S Orr St. and East Marginal Way S from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Sept. 9. Two-way traffic will be maintained at all times. The lane restriction allow crews room to inspect the underside of the bridge using a large under bridge inspection truck.”
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 currently functional 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.
1:40 AM: Seattle City Light map shows 4,600+ customers out of power in West Seattle. Possibly a driver vs. pole crash in west Admiral, per emergency radio. Updates to come.
1:50 AM: The crash is at 47th/Admiral. Police have just told dispatch they’re blocking Admiral both ways. They’re summoning City Light. … “The pole’s been completely disconnected. Wires everywhere,” officers radioed.
2:20 AM: Update on the closure zone, Admiral between 46th and 48th. Too soon to know how long it’ll take to restore power – the estimate that appears on the SCL map is always little more than a guess.
2:32 AM: Officers at the crash scene just told dispatch that SCL is there.
2:46 AM: Thanks to the commenters who provided photos of the scene. The one above is from SusanLP.
3:17 AM: As noted in comments, some have had power restored.
The SCL map shows 1,600+ still out – just about a third of the original number.
7:10 AM: 325 still without power.
9:27 AM: Those 325 are still out. City Light crews continue working at the scene.
(Thanks to Charlene for the photo)
9:48 AM: Police confirm to WSB that the driver who hit the pole was booked for investigation of DUI.
10:35 AM: Intersection’s still closed, with SCL still on scene.
1:26 PM: SCL reports everyone has their power back now. We’re headed over to check whether the intersection has reopened.
2 PM: It’s open.
| 12 COMMENTS