West Seattle, Washington
12 Saturday
11:08 PM: SPD and SFD are arriving at the scene of a crash that is reported to involve a driver and a motorcyclist. Delridge is reported to be blocked right now at Trenton. Updates to come.
11:13 PM: The rider, who is reported to have been on a Vespa, does not have life-threatening injuries, according to firefighters. They have canceled the medic unit that was responding.
11:27 PM: Officers just told dispatch they’ll reopen Delridge in a few minutes.
It’s been four years since we last mentioned the 18-townhouse plan for 2000-2050 SW Orchard, along the north side of the street, east of Delridge Way. They resurfaced in the latest twice-weekly city-circulated bulletin with the latest land-use notices. Land-use approvals have been given for both parcels, each of which would hold nine 3-story townhouses and nine offstreet-parking spaces. The approvals open a two-week appeal period, until June 8th; that process is explained on the public notices – here’s the 2000 SW Orchard decision and notice; here’s the 2050 SW Orchard decision and notice.
Two West Seattle Crime Watch reports:
OFFICERS ASSAULTED: A 24-year-old man is in the King County Jail for investigation of assault, malicious harassment, and burglary after an early morning incident in Fauntleroy. The SPD preliminary summary says this happened just after 1 am:
Officers responded to the 9300 block of Fauntleroy Way SW after a 911 caller reported a man trying to break down their door, and then attempting to break into another property at the same location. When contacted by police, the suspect assaulted officers as they took him into custody. Three officers sustained minor injuries and were treated by Seattle Fire at the scene.
STOLEN CROWN VICTORIA: Shannon‘s father’s car was stolen near White Center overnight:
Police case number: 23-144960
License plate number: CCX3694
Car color, model, and year: 2009 white Crown Victoria Police Interceptor
Car Identifiers: 2 spotlights and a wraparound push bar in the front of the car
Thanks for all the tips! Multiple emails alerted us to the new all-way stop configuration for 25th/Trenton, with marked crosswalks, on the northeast edge of Westwood Village. We asked SDOT about it; their reply: “This is a new all-way stop. The goal is to improve safety for everyone but especially pedestrians. There are a relatively large number of pedestrians crossing, including high school and middle school students. The new stop signs will also help transit make the left turn from Trenton to 25th.” It’s been five years since pathway improvements were built just north of the intersection.
The report and photo are from Jonathan:
I was just walking to my car at 1:30 pm today, parked on the 3400 41st Ave SW block, and almost stepped on this snake. Google says it’s a gopher snake. I was wondering if it could be a pet. I gave my neighbors a head’s up, but thought I might broaden the work in case someone lost their pet. Or, you know, beware of the snake, even though it shouldn’t be venomous.
One of our favorite sources for “co-existing with wildlife” info, the state Department of Fish and Wildlife, says that is indeed one of the common snakes in our state, with habitat generally “deserts, grasslands, and open woodlands.” It is indeed NOT venomous – it kills prey by squeezing, and it’s good to have around because rodents are among favorite prey.
A West Seattle family is launching a new way to celebrate Pride. Michael Mattinger emailed us to say that “a number of streets in West Seattle are planning Seattle’s first neighborhood ‘Pride Night Out‘ (much like Night Out),” starting at 5 pm Thursday, June 22nd. Michael explains, “My husband and I, who live in West Seattle, had this idea as it’s personally important for us to show our kids that our streets, neighborhood and NEIGHBORS are a safe place amidst the LGBTQ+ challenges facing our nation these days. The most beautiful part is that most of our support is coming from Allies and not necessarily members of the LGBTQ+ community. Our neighbors are really stepping up and creating a family-friendly way to celebrate Pride with our little ones.” For Michael’s neighborhood party, they’re planning music, food, games, face painters, poetry readings, a nonprofit-giving table for Lambert House, and a performance by West Seattle drag queen Dolly Madison.
Michael is getting the word out about this “in hopes that other streets across West Seattle are inspired to band together to celebrate their own local LGBTQ+ pride on June 22. It’s extremely easy … all one needs is a permit and a few interested neighbors.” Already, he says, other neighborhoods in the metro area have heard about it and are planning Neighborhood Pride Night Out events – Capitol Hill, Bellevue, Kirkland, and Shoreline, so they’ve broadened the logo (above right) to “Seattle Pride Night Out.” If you’re in the city limits, you can apply for a street-party permit – for this or any other occasion – by going here. They’ve set up a social-media group for discussion/support, here.
Just in from Everett – West Seattle High School fell short in the state 3A baseball semifinals, with a 5-4 loss to Lincoln. That means the Wildcats will play for third place tomorrow morning, also at Everett Memorial Stadium at 10 am, vs. either O’Dea or Lake Washington, depending on the outcome of today’s other semifinal game. This was the second consecutive year that WSHS reached the state semifinals.
For the second time in three days, we have a reader report about a stolen Jeep Wrangler. This time, from Caitlyn:
Date: 5/25-5/26 between 5 pm and 8 am
Location: 42nd and Genesee, car was parked in front of the West Seattle Christian Church.
Vehicle: 2001 Jeep Wrangler, dark blue, hard top.
Vehicle was locked and no keys were inside.
License: CFV5778
If you have a sighting to call in to police, the report # to refer to is 23-144737.
The Great Blue Heron photographed by Linda McKelvey seemed to be up early to get the holiday weekend going. Or at least the weekend spirit. Here’s what to know about the rest of today/tonight:
GARDEN CENTER OPEN: Need more plants for your garden, containers, etc.? You can shop at the South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) Garden Center, open with a wide variety of plants, until 3 pm. (North end of campus, 6000 16th SW)
BASEBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS: West Seattle High School plays in the state semifinals this morning, vs. Lincoln, 10 am at Everett Memorial Stadium.
SCRABBLE CLUB: You’re invited to play 12:30-1:30 pm at Margie’s Café in the Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon).
NORTHWEST WINE ACADEMY TASTING ROOM: 1-6 pm, open for visits at the north end of the South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus
GRAND OPENING: Southpaw Barbershop (3614 California SW) invites you to celebrate the shop’s grand opening, noon-6 pm.
ICE CREAM AT ALKI: West Seattle Torah Learning Center will be by the Alki Bathhouse (60th/Alki) 4-5 pm with free ice cream for the Shavuot holiday.
VISCON CELLARS: Stop by Viscon Cellars (WSB sponsor) for wine by the glass or bottle, 5-9 pm (5910 California SW).
LIVE AT EASY STREET: Rising star Kassa Overall is onstage at 7 pm, along with student musicians, as previewed here. (4559 California SW)
THEATER: Final weekend for “Zach” by Christian St. Croix, directed by Sara Porkalob, at ArtsWest (4711 California SW; WSB sponsor), 7:30 pm. Tickets here.
LIVE AT THE SKYLARK: College Radio, Lite Sleeper, Hotbed, 8 pm (doors at 7) at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW), $10, 21+.
EARLIER CLOSURES AT ALKI BEACH: Starting tonight, closing time at Alki is 10:30 pm, as announced by Seattle Parks.
Something to add to our calendar? westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
One week from tonight, the Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association throws a party at its headquarters building, Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, the historic Cooper School. This year’s theme is “Connect the Dots” – those dots being art, nature, and neighborhood. DNDA’s reminder explains, “The event will generate proceeds to sustain DNDA’s low-income housing facilities, youth arts and educational programs, and environmental restoration efforts in Southwest Seattle.” It’s happening 6-9 pm Friday, June 2nd, with food and drink by Chef Mulu of Phresh Eats, and entertainment including live music by Blue Wave Band and Benjamin Hunter, live painting by Carolyn Hitt, poetry from Seattle Civic Poet Shin Yu Pai, circus performance from Acrobatic Conundrum, and a dance party with DJ Topspin. You’ll also be able to enjoy games and interactive art. Ready to get your ticket(s)? Go here!
6:01 AM: Good morning. It’s Friday, May 26th, almost Memorial Day weekend!
WEATHER & SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
This is expected to be the warmest day of the week: Sunny, high possibly into the low 80s. Sunrise was at 5:20 am; sunset will be at 8:53 pm.
REMINDER
*If you travel near the West Seattle side of the 1st Avenue South Bridge, this work is likely to continue.
TRANSIT
Metro – Regular schedule, but trip cancellations are still possible. *On Memorial Day, buses will be on Sunday schedules.
Water Taxi – Continuing the spring/summer schedule, including late-evening runs Friday and Saturday nights. The West Seattle WT *does* run Memorial Day, on a Sunday schedule.
Washington State Ferries‘ Triangle Route continues on the 2-boat schedule; sailing cancellations remain possible on short notice, so 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 main camera:
High Bridge – the view from its southwest end (when SDOT points the 35th/Avalon/Fauntleroy camera that way):
Low Bridge – east-end vicinity:
1st Ave. S. Bridge – another route across the river:
Highway 99: – 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 trouble on the bridges/streets/paths/bay, please text or call us (when you can do it safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities). Thank you!
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