West Seattle, Washington
18 Monday
9:25 PM: Police are closing California SW at Brandon for a collision investigation. Updates to come.
9:31 PM: A witness says this was an incident involving a woman walking, hit by a driver, who remained on scene. The witness says the victim was injured but conscious. It’s reported to have happened in front of the Rite-Aid store, which is between Brandon and Dawson.
10:12 PM: Per the SDOT traffic center, the street has reopened. The woman was taken to Harborview; we’re checking with SFD on her condition.
ADDED TUESDAY MORNING: SFD says the woman is 64 years old and was in serious condition when transported.
8:54 PM: Reported by Nick: “We’ve got brown water in our taps. Started after 5 pm tonight. Near Madison Middle School (48th and Spokane).” It’s been reported to Seattle Public Utilities (206-386-1800 if it ever happens to you); no nearby outages on the SPU map currently.
10:59 PM: We’ve also heard from Jonathan, who says, “I also called SPU regarding brown water in Seaview. Got a call back and sounded like the fire department was flushing the hydrants, which stirred up sediment.”
Two Seattle Parks Department notes of interest:
SUPERINTENDENT CONFIRMATION: Six months after Mayor Bruce Harrell nominated AP Diaz to be the next Seattle Parks and Recreation Superintendent, the City Council is taking up the nomination. It’s the only major item at this Wednesday’s 2 pm meeting of the Public Assets and Homelessness Committee. The agenda documents include this one with Diaz’s written answers to 29 questions about various Parks-related issues as well as about his background and intentions. The committee might vote on the nomination at this meeting, but the full council would have the final say at a subsequent meeting.
MORE PARK RANGERS: City Councilmembers meeting this afternoon as the Seattle Park District Board (video above) were briefed by Diaz on the planned expansion of the Park Ranger program, spending $3 million to add “up to” 26 more rangers (right now the city has just two). But none will be assigned to West Seattle, despite our area having two of the largest parks in the city; the initial plan is for all of those Park Rangers to be deployed downtown and on Capitol Hill. From the slide deck for today’s meeting:
The geographical limitation is attributed in the short run to “bargaining constraints,” according to committee chair Councilmember Andrew Lewis, but that’s subject to change in future contract talks, Diaz said. Meantime, the department is actively recruiting candidates for the positions right now – qualifications are outlined in the full slide deck from today’s meeting. As also detailed in the presentation, the department will keep the board (council) updated on how many citations and warnings are issued, as well as how many “positive interactions” the rangers have. They hope to have the first 11 new rangers hired and trained by midyear.
ADDED TUESDAY: Some commenters wondered about the “bargaining constraints.” Christena Coutsoubos from Councilmember Lisa Herbold’s office has provided this 2008 document for context.
6:21 PM: Multiple texters have reported that the 42nd/Alaska signal in The Junction is malfunctioning, flashing red at last report, and backing up traffic – remember a flashing, or dark, signal makes it an all-ways stop. If it hasn’t yet been reported to SDOT, you can call their after-hours number at 206-386-1218, as with other significant malfunctions/road hazards (206-684-ROAD during business hours).
8:30 PM: To clarify, the light was “stuck on red.” And another texter says it’s been fixed.
(WSB photo from PBC’s West Seattle opening day in January)
Three months after adding a West Seattle location, Portage Bay Café says things are going so well here, they’re adding days. General manager Peter Gunnar asked us to let you know that starting next week, they’ll be open seven days a week – instead of five days a week (they’ve been closing on Tuesdays and Wednesdays). So starting the week of April 10th, Portage Bay Café’s West Seattle hours at 4725 42nd SW will be 8 am-1:30 pm Mondays-Fridays, 8 am-2 pm Saturdays and Sundays.
3:08 PM: Thanks for the tips. Texters are reporting a crash on the eastbound West Seattle Bridge. SFD is sending a response to the bridge by the 1st Avenue South exit. Traffic cam is having trouble locking down on it, but it appears to be in the inside EB lane around the 99 overpass. Updates to come.
3:29 PM: Serious bridge backup as a result of the crash, as shown in the SDOT-cam framegrab above, so if you have to go eastbound, try another route or wait a while.
3:39 PM: SFD units have cleared the crash scene (we’re checking on injuries). Live traffic cam shows the backup has cleared, too.
6 PM: SFD says a 71-year-old man was treated for minor injuries.
It’s National Fish Sticks Day (sort of). But you don’t have to go eat battered, fried seafood to celebrate. You can also buy one or more tickets to game(s) played in White Center by the DubSea Fish Sticks, now exactly two months from their home opener. Here’s the announcement:
The DubSea Fish Sticks summer collegiate baseball team launched its single-game ticket sales for the 2023 season this morning as part of National Fish Sticks Day.
The team hosts their events at Mel Olson Stadium, which is located inside King County’s Steve Cox Memorial Park in White Center and is nicknamed “The Fryer.”
The team is known for their crazy antics, including throwing out a ceremonial first fish, where the honoree flings a fish toward home plate instead of a baseball. During non-league games the team also runs an open raffle for a random fan to sign a one-day contract and lead off in the game for the Fish Sticks as the “Fan Batter of the Night.”
The Fish Sticks recruit players from colleges across the country to come and play for the months of June and July. The 2023 summer roster is composed of players from thirty different colleges. The players report in late May and play with the team to hone their skills and hope to one day play professionally.
“We’re not in the baseball business, we’re in the fun business, where there happens to be a baseball game going on. Our goal is that this is the most fun you’ve ever had inside a baseball stadium. From the music, great food, beer and crazy promotions, this will be something you’ll never forget,” exclaimed General Manager Justin Moser.
Single-game tickets for DubSea Fish Sticks games are only $12, and Opening Night on Saturday, June 3rd, is expected to sell out quickly. Flex Ticket Packs with options ranging from three to ten games packages are also available. The team will host 26 home games this summer, including every Saturday night from June 3th – July 29th. The team will host the Battle for West Seattle, a charity softball game celebrating the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce’s 100th anniversary. They have also been selected to host the MLB JR Home Run Derby Regional Competition, where winners will go on to compete at T-Mobile Park as part of All-Star Week.
The Fish Sticks also partner with youth organizations and nonprofits to run ticket fundraisers at every game and sell discounted group packages.
You can find more information and secure your tickets for Opening Night at The Fryer online at GoFishSticks.com/tickets.
From Gabrielle:
My sister’s car got stolen overnight from 27th Ave and SW Holden Street; kitty-corner from E.C. Hughes Park. She last drove it at 9:30 pm on April 2. It’s a black 2018 Hyundai Tucson. (Stock photo of same make/model) The license plate number is CFW5133. There is no front plate, only a rear plate. Unique characteristics include a cow spots license plate frame, a pink dragon figurine on the dashboard, and trinkets hanging from the rear-view mirror including an Ariana Grande air freshener.
We’ll add the police report # when we get it.
If you’re planning on having a sale as part of West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day this year – Saturday, May 13 – registration is now open! WSB has coordinated WSCGSD since its fourth year (2008) and as usual we’ll be making a map and list of sales and circulating it far and wide. WSCGSD become one big day of person-to-person recycling and neighbor-meeting, whether you just walk over to see the nearest sale(s) or plan a trip around the peninsula. To facilitate advance planning, we make the map and list available a week in advance, so we open registration early in April and keep it open for about three and a half weeks. Before you register, be sure to have the description (up to 20 words) ready to include in the form. Fees are the same they’ve always been – $12 individual sale, $20 organization/school/business, $30 block sale – and you’ll be taken to PayPal to pay, but you don’t have to have a PP account – you can also use a card. Here’s the link. Registering will get you a confirmation note from us as well as a PayPal receipt; if you don’t get one or both, check your spam folder. Questions/problems, email us at our general box – westseattleblog@gmail.com – which is also how to let us know if your organization is planning a site open to multiple small individual sellers, or a post-sale donation dropoff, etc. Thank you!
(Sunday photo by James Bratsanos)
Here’s what’s up for the rest of your Monday, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
NEW LIBRARY SCHEDULE: Today’s the first day of new hours for Seattle Public Library branches, as previewed here.
BABY STORY TIME: Speaking of libraries, Baby Story Time is back, noon-12:30 pm at Southwest Library (9010 35th SW).
MONDAY MOVIE: 1 pm at Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon), “Terry’s Greatest Movies You’ve Never Heard Of,” today featuring “Morituri.” Free popcorn! Contact SCWS to register in advance.
CITY COUNCIL BRIEFING MEETING: 2 pm, councilmembers preview the week ahead (here’s the agenda) and get another briefing on the ongoing State Legislature session. You can watch online or on cable via Seattle Channel.
FREE INDOOR PLAYSPACE: Free Toddler Gym weekday afternoons at the Salvation Army Center (9050 16th SW), ages 2-6, 3:30-5 pm.
SPORTS: Home game for West Seattle High School boys’ soccer vs. Cleveland at 4 pm at Walt Hundley Playfield (34th/Myrtle); the undefeated WSHS baseball team also hosts Cleveland tonight, 7 pm at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle).
CRAFTING AND CREATIVITY NIGHT: 6-10 pm at The Missing Piece (9456 35th SW), info here.
NEW OPEN MIC: You’re welcome at the new weekly BedHead Open Mic at West Seattle Church of the Nazarene (4201 SW Juneau), 6:30 pm – info in our calendar listing.
D&D: Open D&D starts at 6:30 pm at Meeples Games (3727 California SW), all welcome, even first-time players. $5.
MEDITATION: Free weekly Zen sitting/meditation event at the chapel at Fauntleroy UCC (9140 California SW), 7 pm-8:30 pm.
PLAY TRIVIA! Three scheduled options tonight for trivia players – 7 and 8 pm Sporcle Pub Quiz at Three 9 Lounge (4505 39th SW); 7 pm at The Good Society (California/Lander), 7:30 pm at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW)
Have a West Seattle/White Center event for our calendar ? Please send info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
When we first reported last month on plans for the spring Duwamish Alive! multi-site habitat restoration/cleanup event, the full list of West Seattle opportunities was still a work in progress. Now with less than two weeks to go, there are four West Seattle sites still accepting volunteers for April 15th – one of which is for kayakers. Duwamish Alive! is set for 10 am-2 pm that day, rain or shine, at these West Seattle locations (and others further south in the watershed):
Pigeon Point, Seattle with Delridge Neighborhood Development Assn
həʔapus Village Park, Seattle with DIRT Corps
Herrings House Park, Seattle with Green Seattle Partnership
Duwamish River Kayak Cleanup, Seattle with Puget Soundkeeper Alliance
You can go here to find the links.
8:33 AM: Texter reports stalled truck on West Seattle Bridge ramp to NB I-5.
7:08 AM: Texter reports crash at Admiral/California, blocking a turn lane.
Earlier:
6:01 AM: Good morning! It’s Monday, April 3rd.
WEATHER & SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
The forecast for today: Mostly cloudy, chance of showers (maybe even thunder), high around 50. Sunrise 6:44 am, sunset 7:42 pm.
TRAFFIC ADVISORY FOR TRUCKERS
Over the weekend, the Northwest Seaport Alliance issued this directive to truck drivers heading into Terminal 5 in West Seattle, warning them not to back up onto the low bridge.
STADIUM ZONE
Baseball at T-Mobile Park in SODO again tonight, as the Mariners open a three-day series against the Angels, 6:40 pm.
TRANSIT
Metro – Regular schedule, but trip cancellations are still happening, so watch for alerts (if you’re not signed up to receive them, watch channels like this one).
Water Taxi – Regular schedule.
Washington State Ferries‘ Triangle Route continues on the 2-boat schedule; check here for alerts/updates and see Vessel Watch for boats’ locations.
SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS
Delridge cameras: Besides the one below (Delridge/Henderson), cameras are also up at Delridge/Genesee, Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Orchard, and Delridge/Oregon.
High Bridge – 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 – looking southwestward toward it:
1st Ave. S. Bridge – another route across the river:
Highway 99: – the northbound side at Lander.
MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: See all working traffic cams citywide here, most with video options; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are on this WSB page.
BRIDGE INFO: Check the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed to see if the city’s movable bridges are opening for vessel traffic.
If you see a problem on the bridges/streets/paths/bay, please text or call us (when you can do it safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities if needed) – 206-293-6302.
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