day : 08/12/2022 10 results

(WSB photo, June 2020)

9:20 PM: Two and a half years ago, a police investigation along the West Seattle shore became national news, after it was revealed that teenagers had found body parts in a suitcase near Luna/Anchor Park and posted about their discovery on social media. The victims were eventually identified as 35-year-old Jessica Lewis and 27-year-old Austin Wenner, who had been renting a room at the Burien home of the man subsequently charged with their murder, Michael L. Dudley, now 64. He was charged with second-degree murder for allegedly shooting the victims to death and dumping their dismembered bodies in Elliott Bay and the Duwamish River. Dudley has been on trial in King County Superior Court, where this afternoon the jury announced their verdict: Guilty, according to the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. The verdict documents aren’t in the online files yet but we expect to get them tomorrow. Dudley has a felony record from the 1990s.

ADDED FRIDAY AFTERNOON: The charges were revised in September to four counts of second-degree murder, though there were two victims, Dudley was found guilty on all four counts, including the added circumstance of having used a gun. We asked KCPAO spokesperson Casey McNerthney about the four counts. He explains, “The four charges involved two different theories of murder. Those theories are intentional murder in the second degree and felony murder in the second degree. To make it easier to understand, prosecutors charged those in separate counts. Count 1 and 2 were charges of intentional murder in the second degree, one for each victim. Count 3 and 4 were charges of felony murder in the second degree, one for each victim.” But when Dudley is sentenced, he will be sentenced for two counts, McNerthney adds.

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VIDEO: West Seattle Art Walk, with holiday enhancements

December 8, 2022 6:39 pm

| 4 COMMENTS

| Holidays | West Seattle Art Walk | West Seattle news

6:39 PM: Santa is on the move in The Junction, part of the holiday enhancements for this month’s West Seattle Art Walk. He and The Silver Belles are circulating in The Junction until 8 pm, and that’s just part of what’s happening around the peninsula tonight, as previewed here (follow that link for the list/map and more) – updates to come!

6:59 PM: In north Morgan Junction, Viscon Cellars (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor) is hosting painter Kevin Ducoing:

As noted in our preview, his recent work focuses on neighborhood trees.

7:30 PM: Another highlighted stop tonight, Canna West Culture Shop (5435 California SW), where you can meet prolific painter Desmond Hansen:

Back in The Junction, we also caught up with the spicy caroling of The Silver Belles:

In The Junction, next Hometown Holidays events are this weekend – Santa is at California/Oregon for DIY photos 10 am-1 pm Saturday, and you can get hot cocoa, donate a coat, and buy mugs and garlands at the Junction Association booth at the Farmers’ Market 10 am-2 pm.

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UPDATE: Collision at 53rd/Alki

December 8, 2022 5:31 pm

| 21 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

5:31 PM: Thanks for the tip. Avoid Alki Avenue at 53rd SW – sizable SPD/SFD response for a collision. More info to come.

5:47 PM: Our crew just arrived and the scene has already cleared. The incident log suggests someone is being transported to the hospital, though, so we have an inquiry out to SFD.

8:45 PM: SFD says a 70-year-old man was hurt in what “was reported as a vehicle/pedestrian collision.” He was in stable condition when taken to Harborview Medical Center.

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LAST CALL: Alki Point ‘Healthy Street’ early-design feedback

December 8, 2022 3:19 pm

| 26 COMMENTS

| Safety | Transportation | West Seattle news

(Beach Drive stretch of Alki Point ‘Healthy Street,’ photographed Saturday by Don Brubeck)

If you have something to say about the city’s “early design” proposals for the Alki Point “Healthy Street” – Beach Drive and Alki Avenue north of 63rd SW – the deadline is tomorrow (Friday) night. The city’s reminder summarizes: “We need your feedback on the design and project elements, including signs, landscaping, travel lanes, and traffic-calming tools like traffic circles and curb bulbs. While people can still drive on the Alki Point Healthy Street, the design has elements to discourage cut-through traffic and help keep the street safer for all users. This includes adding traffic circles, speed humps, bike lane markings, painted curb bulbs, vehicle turn-around areas, and crosswalk improvements. We’re also prioritizing ADA parking and loading zone areas for people kayaking, paddleboarding, and doing other water activities.” If you haven’t already seen the design proposals (WSB coverage here), go to this page. To comment by midnight tomorrow night, there’s an online form, or you can email AlkiKeepMovingStreet@seattle.gov or leave voicemail at 206-727-3565. The city announced in October that the “Healthy Street” status was permanent.

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FIELD NOTES: What’s going up at NCSWAC; city’s offer of free places to play

December 8, 2022 2:03 pm

| Comments Off on FIELD NOTES: What’s going up at NCSWAC; city’s offer of free places to play

| West Seattle news | West Seattle parks | WS & Sports

Two notes about local athletic fields:

NINO CANTU SOUTHWEST ATHLETIC COMPLEX: Nearby resident David tipped us to work under way on the ball fields. Since NCSWAC is a Seattle Public Schools facility, we asked SPS about it. Spokesperson Tim Robinson replied, “Baseball field netting is being installed to prevent foul balls from landing in neighboring yards. The work should be complete by December 23.”

We found this rendering for the project online.

FREE FIELDS: Seattle Parks announced this week that some of its synthetic athletic fields around the city will be open through the end of February for free drop-in play; using them would normally require a paid reservation. Delridge, Hiawatha, and Walt Hundley Playfields in West Seattle are on the list; available hours/days for each field can be seen here.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Stolen white Ford pickup (update: found)

December 8, 2022 12:21 pm

| 7 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

The photo and report are from Bradley:

My brother-in-law’s pickup was stolen from in front of our house last night in north Admiral. It is a lifted, white Ford F350 with rear window sticker on left side that says “existence” and right-side sticker says “rapid firearms.” Also has a yellow “CAT” sticker on the tailgate. Last seen on Delridge around 10am pulling an open cargo trailer with a spare tire. If you see it, please notify the police.

Plate number is C61282Y. We’ll add the police-report number when we get it. (Added: 2022-327908.)

12/18 UPDATE: Brad says the truck’s been found in Shoreline.

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West Seattle Art Walk’s holiday edition, city chat about the future, more for your Thursday

December 8, 2022 11:02 am

| Comments Off on West Seattle Art Walk’s holiday edition, city chat about the future, more for your Thursday

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

Throughout the week, we’ve previewed some of the big events ahead – now, our list is one last reminder of what’s happening for the rest of your Thursday:

(WSB photo – some of the trees up for bids tonight)

FESTIVAL OF TREES AUCTION: Today’s your last chance to see the dozen-plus decorated, donated trees and wreaths on display at Brookdale Admiral Heights (2326 California SW) before 5 pm, and if you like one (or more) consider bidding for it in the Rotary Service Foundation‘s benefit silent auction tonight, 6-8 pm (RSVP to kjersti@strouplegal.com).

THURSDAY FOOD-TRUCK POP-UPS: 4-8 pm at Highland Park Corner Store (7789 Highland Park Way SW), the Pecos Pit (WSB sponsor) truck will be visiting.

HIGHLAND PARK RUN CLUB: Also at HP Corner Store, meet up at 6:30 pm Thursdays for a ~3-mile run.

HOLIDAY ART WALK: Art, music, carolers, Santa … it’s a holly-jolly night all around the peninsula for this West Seattle Art Walk night, particularly in The Junction, 5 pm “till late” – details are in our preview from last night.

THE ART OF MUSIC: Three performances this month, in North Admiral, The Junction, and Morgan Junction, 6-7:45 pm.Go here to see who’s performing where,

LOOK INTO THE FUTURE: As previewed here, tonight at South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) Brockey Center, 6-8 pm, come hear and talk about the city’s future planning of housing, transportation, and more for the next 20 years.

PUBLIC-SCHOOL FUNDING & YOU: Talk and hear about it at a special presentation coordinated by the West Seattle Public School Equity Fund, online at 7 pm.

OPEN MIC AT THE COFFEEHOUSE: 7 pm, open mic for musicians of all genres at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor).

CHOIR CONCERT: 7 pm at the Chief Sealth International High School auditorium (2600 SW Thistle), singers and musicians from CSIHS and adjacent Denny International Middle School will perform. Free admission (but donations always appreciated).

ARTSWEST HOLIDAY SHOW: Tonight at 7:30 pm, the third week begins for “Q Brothers Christmas Carol” at ArtsWest (4711 California SW; WSB sponsor) – ticket info is in our calendar listing.

Have something to add to our calendar and/or Holiday Guide? Email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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HOLIDAY HELP: Bake extra cookies for The Christmas People

December 8, 2022 9:58 am

| 2 COMMENTS

| Holidays | How to help | West Seattle news

(WSB photo, early cookie dropoffs last year)

Many ways you can help this holiday season – see the ongoing list in our West Seattle Holiday Guide – but only one like this: The Christmas People are again requesting home-baked cookies for the holiday meals they’ll be serving to people in need in King County. It’s their 24th year and they’re hoping for 7,000 cookies – home-baked, NOT purchased. Two dropoff spots, one in West Seattle, the other not far:

Drop cookies off at West Seattle Coworking, 9030 35th Avenue SW, [update] Thursday, December 22nd through Saturday, December 24th, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM.

Cookies may also be dropped off at our headquarters, Artisan Community Kitchen, 10836 E. Marginal Way South, Thursday, December 22 thru Sunday, December 25th, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM.

Questions? Contact Fred Hutchinson, 206-719-4979, or Ruth Bishop, 509-961-7736.

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WHALES: Orcas off West Seattle

December 8, 2022 9:06 am

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle news | Whales

9:06 AM: Thanks to Kersti Muul for the tip – orcas southbound from Alki Point.

9:52 AM: Kersti says in a comment below that they’re now all the way to The Arroyos, and that they’re Southern Residents- K-Podl

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TRANSIT, TRAFFIC, WEATHER: Thursday info

December 8, 2022 6:03 am

| 5 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:03 AM: Good morning. It’s Thursday, December 8th.

WEATHER

More rain in the forecast, high in the 40s.

TODAY’S TRANSIT STATUS

-No timeline yet for Metro to get those 126 buses back in service, so keep a close watch on channels such as @kcmetroalerts for trip cancellations and route suspensions. 6:50 AM: Metro just announced routes including 55, 56, 57, 121, and 125 are suspended again today. 11:19 AM: Metro now says it’s restored most PM commute service for the 55, 56, 57, and 125.

-The West Seattle Water Taxi is on its regular schedule this morning.

-WSF’s Triangle Route is too – check here for alerts/updates.

SPOTLIGHT CAMERAS

High Bridge – here’s the camera at the top.

High Bridge – the view from its southwest end (when SDOT points the 35th/Avalon/Fauntleroy camera that way).

Low Bridge: Or nearby, depending on where SDOT points the camera.

1st Ave. S. Bridge: The south route.

Highway 99: Here’s the northbound side at Lander.

All functional city traffic cams can be seen here, most with video options; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are also on this WSB page … Are movable city bridges opening for vessels? Check the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed.

If you see a problem on the roads/paths/water, please text or call us (when you can do so safely) – 206-293-6302.

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