day : 02/06/2023 11 results

SHORE SIGHTS: New brownish bloom; low-low tide on the way

June 2, 2023 10:21 pm

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| Seen at sea | West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news

Two West Seattle shore sights to mention:

NEW BROWNISH BLOOM: A week ago, the reddish-orange Noctiluca bloom startled water-watchers along the West Seattle shore. Today, we got questions about a brownish-green bloom, and this photo from Manuel:

Yes, it looks like a spill. But it’s not, as explained here. Biologists say these blooms are largely nontoxic – but swallowing or inhaling them isn’t recommended.

LOW-LOW TIDE: The next round of low-low tides is on the way. Saturday at 11:02 am, it’ll be out to -2.6 feet, and then for the next four days, the lowest tides will be out past -3 feet – here’s the chart. If you head out on the beach and tread lightly, you might see sights like the ones Rosalie Miller photographed during the last round of low-low tides:

That’s an urchin with a painted anemone and sea star. If you want help identifying what you’re seeing, Seattle Aquarium volunteer beach naturalists will be out at Constellation Park (63rd/Beach) and Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW) during the lowest tides the next five days, starting with 9:30 am-12:30 pm tomorrow – see the full schedule here.

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COUNTDOWN: 4 days until all 8 City Council D-1 candidates share a stage

June 2, 2023 9:17 pm

| 5 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

All 8 of the candidates who will be on your ballot for Seattle City Council District 1 have now RSVP’d for our first forum next Tuesday (June 6th). The election isn’t as far away as it might seem – King County Elections will mail ballots July 12th, and dropboxes open the next day, so voting starts in just six weeks. If you haven’t already decided who you’re voting for in the primary, come see them side by side at what we promise will be a fast-paced forum, so we can get in as many questions as possible. Thanks to everyone who sent suggestions when we requested them! The forum is a two-part event, starting at 6 pm Tuesday at Our Lady of Guadalupe‘s expansive Walmesley Center (northeast corner of 35th/Myrtle) – at 6 pm, come in and meet local neighborhood group reps from the District 1 Community Network‘s member organizations (D1CN is co-presenting the forum); at 6:45, the candidates take the stage. We’re inviting them to come a bit early and to hang around while we’re breaking down the room afterward, to meet prospective constituents. If you can’t be there, we’re planning to video-record it and publish it here.

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CRIME WATCH FOLLOWUP: Here’s what we know about the Roxy’s Casino shooting suspect

June 2, 2023 5:58 pm

| 30 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

Court documents reveal that revenge related to a West Seattle robbery case is the alleged motive in the Roxy’s Casino shootings that left one casino patron dead and two employees wounded. The suspect – whose arrest we reported last night – is not yet charged but we are identifying him as he is still in Department of Corrections community custody – our state’s version of parole – for a different West Seattle robbery case. He is 21-year-old Omar A. Upham Jr.; we reported on the charges filed against him in 2019 for a holdup at the 35th/Henderson gas station/mini-mart then known as Lucky 5. He was eventually sentenced to just under four years in prison and was released into community custody last October, according to information we obtained this afternoon from Corrections (which also provided the photo at right).

Now, Upham is being held without bail after a hearing this afternoon. The probable-cause documents provided by the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office say his alleged target Saturday night was actually one of the shooting survivors, a casino security guard. From the court documents:

… Witnesses and associates of (the guard) were interviewed, and several of them stated (he) was being sought after (because) he “snitched” on someone involved in a robbery. (The guard) later provided a recorded statement identifying Omar Upham as the person who shot him. (He) and Upham were once friends, but their friendship ended when (he) informed on Upham when they were arrested for robbery. When Upham entered the casino on 5/27/23, (the guard) immediately recognized Upham by his eyes and ran. When asked why Upham was after (him), he replied, “I told on him four years ago.” A search of … criminal history showed an arrest by Seattle PD in 2019, where (he) had identified Upham as an accomplice in a robbery (Seattle PD case no. 2019-441721).

We cross-referenced that to a street robbery in The Junction early Thanksgiving morning 2019, days before the Lucky 5 holdup. His arrest and that of another suspect in December 2019 had numerous West Seattle links, as explained here. Upham pleaded guilty to one count of armed robbery in 2021 and was sentenced to 46 months, the low end of the standard sentencing range, though he had prior convictions – as a juvenile – for robbery and assault. His current community-custody supervision was scheduled to run until March 2024. The court documents say he was most recently living in Renton and was arrested early Thursday morning at a Georgetown business described in the documents as his employer.

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TRAFFIC ALERT: Collision at Fauntleroy/Raymond

June 2, 2023 5:06 pm

| 11 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

Avoid Fauntleroy Way northeast of Morgan Junction for a while – a three-vehicle collision is reported at Fauntleroy/Raymond.

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Lockboxes given away for Gun Violence Awareness Day

June 2, 2023 4:33 pm

| 2 COMMENTS

| Safety | West Seattle news | White Center

(WSB photos. King County Sheriff Patti Cole-Tindall at Greenbridge event)

Greenbridge Plaza (8th SW just south of SW Roxbury) is one of five places where Public Health Seattle & King County is giving away 100 gun lockboxes right now as part of a Gun Violence Awareness Day event.

As noted in our daily preview and calendar, the giveaway is happening until 5:30 pm, in partnership with YMCA Alive and Free. PHSKC’s announcement explains:

Safe firearm storage is the best way to reduce the risk of unintentional shootings and injury, and prevent firearms from being stolen and misused by others. In order to help increase safe firearm storage, Public Health runs the Lock It Up program. Everyone who owns firearms can take action by locking up their guns. For more information about gun lockboxes and related resources, visit Public Health’s Lock It Up program webpage.

That page includes a list of retailers where storage/locking devices are available if you miss today’s giveaway.

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DEVELOPMENT: Land-use approval for part of Triangle project; next design review set for Alki plan

June 2, 2023 3:06 pm

| 3 COMMENTS

| Development | West Seattle news

Two development notes this afternoon:

(Rendering from 2021 design review of 4406 36th SW)

LAND-USE APPROVAL FOR PART OF TRIANGLE PROJECT: One of the two buildings planned on West Seattle Triangle land owned by the Sweeney family of Alki Lumber has received a key land-use approval, which in turn opens a two-week appeal period. The building at 4406 36th SW [map] is the easternmost of the two, proposed for 7 stories, 284 apartments, commercial space, and 162 off-street parking spots. It got Southwest Design Review Board approval a year and a half ago. Here’s the new city-staff decision; here’s the notice, which explains how to appeal (filing deadline is June 15th). We asked family spokesperson Lynne Sweeney about the project’s status recently, and she replied that they’re continuing to work through the permit process on both sites: “We are still moving toward construction, but no firm dates.” (The west building, 4440 Fauntleroy Way SW, is a bit further behind in the process, but received SWDRB approval two weeks after the east building.)

1116 ALKI AVENUE SW: This 6-story, 65-unit building with 102 offstreet-parking spaces [map] is tentatively set for its second Early Design Guidance meeting of the SWDRB on July 11th. We covered the first one in April of last year. Watch here for information on how to participate in the upcoming review.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Myers Way victim ID’d; Junction business burglary; home garage break-in

June 2, 2023 1:17 pm

| 8 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

Three West Seattle Crime Watch notes:

(WSB photo, Tuesday night)

MYERS WAY VICTIM ID’D: In addition to releasing the Don Armeni shooting victim’s name (reported here Thursday), the King County Medical Examiner’s Office also has publicly identified the man killed at a Myers Way encampment Tuesday. He was 35-year-old Reginald Moore. The Medical Examiner says his cause of death was “gunshot wound to the chest” and that the case is officially ruled homicide – police initially weren’t sure when Moore was found dead with “signs of trauma.” No additional info on the investigation so far. This is now the fifth unsolved shooting death in our area in less than two months.

JUNCTION BUSINESS BURGLARY: Thanks for the tip. The West Seattle Smoke Shop in The Junction had a smash-and-grab burglary overnight:

We went to the shop to find out what happened. They tell us somebody broke the glass to get in around 6 am and stole just one specific item – dozens of disposable vape pens. Security video is under review.

HOME GARAGE BREAK-IN: Reader report from Kira:

We live on 12th Ave SW near SW Henderson in Highland Park and had our garage broken into. A black and red backpack with tools was stolen and a couple of moving boxes with clothes and fabric. There may have been more stolen, we are still reconciling.

SPD report # is 23-909224.

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WEST SEATTLE BIZNOTES: One close to opening, one suddenly shutters

June 2, 2023 12:01 pm

| 11 COMMENTS

| West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Two West Seattle biznotes:

JUST POKE: On the way for 5 1/2 years, the regional chain Just Poké is finally close to opening in West Seattle. Mel sent the photo after noticing the sign had gone up Thursday at the future Just Poké at 4735 42nd SW, across from Jefferson Square, four-plus months after construction began, four years after the previous tenant vacated. We checked today with JP founder Norman Wu about opening plans; he tells us “We’re currently on track to open the last week of June!”

SPORT CLIPS: Thanks to Richard for the tip on this. After almost six years in central Westwood Village, Sport Clips – part of a national chain that specializes in “haircuts for men and boys” – has shut down and cleared out, signage and all. We don’t know how long ago they closed, but Richard thought it was relatively recent.

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12 things happening on your West Seattle Friday

June 2, 2023 10:08 am

| Comments Off on 12 things happening on your West Seattle Friday

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Black-capped Chickadee, photographed by Jerry Simmons)

From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

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)

SPRAYPARK OPEN: 11 am-8 pm, Highland Park Spraypark (1100 SW Cloverdale) is open daily.

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).

GUN LOCKBOX GIVEAWAY: Free lockboxes as part of Gun Violence Awareness Day, 4-5:30 pm at Greenbridge Plaza (9800 8th SW).

LOOP THE LUPE SWAG PICKUP: Registered for tomorrow’s Loop the Lupe? Stop by West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) 4-6 pm to pick up your shirt and medal!

VISCON CELLARS: Stop by Viscon Cellars (WSB sponsor) for wine by the glass or bottle, 5-9 pm (5910 California SW).

DESTINATION DELRIDGE: Fundraiser for Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association, 6 pm at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW). Check to see if tickets are still available!

CORNER BAR ON THE ROAD: Highland Park Improvement Club‘s all-ages Corner Bar is back at West Seattle Golf Course (4470 35th SW), 6-10 pm. Live music and more. All ages!

LIVE AT EASY STREET: The Rallies are onstage at 7 pm. (4559 California SW)

LIVE AT C & P: Mars FM performs at C & P Coffee Company (5612 California SW), 7 pm. No cover.

CHORAL CONCERT: Northwest Firelight Chorale sings “On the Wings of Change” at St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church (3050 California SW), 7:30 pm. Details in our calendar listing.

LIVE AT THE SKYLARK: Barbara Volk and friends, 8 pm (doors at 7) at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW).

Something to add to our calendar? westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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From White Center Now: A gift at Pride flag-raising

June 2, 2023 9:18 am

| 2 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | White Center

That flag led the Youth Mini-Parade following the White Center Pride flag-raising last night at the parklet outside Mac’s Triangle Pub (Delridge/Roxbury/16th). It was a gift from WC Pride to the Community School of West Seattle, meant to replace the one stolen from CSWS earlier this week (as reported here in Crime Watch). Our coverage of the flag-raising and parade is on partner site White Center Now.

P.S. White Center Pride, a nonprofit, is raising money via an online silent auction starting Saturday morning – preview the items here. You can also preview the items during tomorrow’s street festival in downtown WC.

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TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER: Friday + weekend notes

June 2, 2023 6:03 am

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:03 AM: Good morning. It’s Friday, June 2nd.

WEATHER & SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

Sunny, high around 70. Sunrise was at 5:15 am; sunset will be at 9 pm.

TONIGHT & SATURDAY

*10 pm tonight-6 am Saturday, the Highway 99 tunnel will be closed both ways for maintenance work

*All day/night Saturday, 16th SW through downtown White Center will be closed to vehicle traffic for the WC Pride street festival

TRANSIT

Metro – Regular schedule, but trip cancellations and temporary route suspensions can and do happen at any time.

Water Taxi – Continuing the spring/summer schedule, including late-evening runs Friday and Saturday nights.

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 – alternate 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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