Last month we reported on the arrest of Johny Mixayboua, suspected in a variety of mail-theft-related crimes including stealing two USPS trucks in West Seattle. Today, the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced a 9-count federal indictment:

The suspect in a series of mail vehicle and mail key thefts was indicted today by a federal grand jury for nine federal felonies, announced U.S. Attorney Nick Brown. Johny Mixayboua, 27, was arrested on a criminal complaint last month and is now charged with three counts of theft of government property, unlawful possession of a postal key, mail theft, possession of stolen mail, illegal transactions with a credit or debit card, unlawful possession of a firearm, and unlawful possession of ammunition.

According to records in the case, on December 28, 2022, a U.S. Postal Service vehicle was stolen from the 6300 block of South Bangor Street in Seattle. In the vehicle was a postal key that is used to access the cluster mailbox units in the 98178 zip code. The key allows the postal worker to open the back of the cluster box to deliver mail to multiple households. Since the theft of the vehicle and postal key, there have been numerous reports of cluster boxes in zip code 98178 being opened and mail stolen.

Working with neighbors, the Postal Inspection Service was able to get door camera footage showing the person accessing the postal boxes. Neighbors reported credit cards being stolen and attempts being made to use them. Inspectors were able to review images from when the credit card attempts occurred and ultimately identified Mixayboua as the person stealing the mail and attempting to use the stolen credit cards.

Additionally, local law enforcement determined that vehicles used in a number of the mail theft incidents were reported stolen.

On January 17, 2023, two more Postal Service vehicles were stolen. One in the 3000 block of Beach Drive SW and a second one in the 3600 block of 57th SW. Both are in zip code 98116. Using doorbell camera footage from the block where one of the vehicles was recovered, investigators allegedly saw Mixayboua removing mail and parcels from the stolen postal vehicle and putting them in another vehicle. Again, law enforcement traced credit cards stolen from the mail and obtained surveillance footage that appears to show Mixayboua attempting to make purchases with the credit cards.

On January 30, 2023, a fourth postal vehicle was stolen – this time from the 2000 block of S. Columbian Way in Seattle. On March 28, 2023, a fifth postal vehicle was stolen from the 5700 block of S. 129th Ave. One of the people associated with the theft matches a description of Mixayboua. In late January and February, the mail theft incidents continued — this time in the Snoqualmie, Washington area. The cluster boxes were opened with either a counterfeit or authentic postal key. Again, credit cards were stolen, and one was linked to images of Mixayboua making purchases at Target.

Throughout April, mail thefts continued from as far north as Lake Forest Park and as far south as southeast Seattle.

The postal service halted deliveries in zip code 98118 for about a week while investigators worked to track down and arrest Mixayboua.

Mixaboua apparently was living in a vehicle near a relative’s home. When he was arrested, law enforcement found a firearm that he threw into the bushes while attempting to run away and ammunition in the vehicle, resulting in the last two counts in the indictment. Mixayboua is prohibitied from possessing firearms due to multiple felony convictions in King County for auto theft, possession of stolen property, and bail jumping.

Mail theft and possession of stolen mail are punishable by up to five years in prison. Theft of government property and unlawful possession of postal keys are punishable by up to ten years in prison. Illegal transactions on an access device, possession of ammunition, and being a felon in possession of a firearm are punishable by up to 15 years in prison.

Mixayboua remains in jail at the SeaTac Federal Detention Center.

American Legion Post 160

June 21, 2023 2:56 pm

| 5 COMMENTS

| Triangle | West Seattle news

(WSB photos)

Work has begun at 3618 SW Alaska – home to West Seattle’s only cold-weather shelter as well as veterans’ organizations – getting a new roof after ~40+ years. As we reported last Friday, this is a gift – with labor, materials, and even the dumpster all donated; Adaptive Roofing is installing the roof in partnership with Malarkey Roofing Products, Stoneway Roofing Supply, Do It Right Roofing, and DTG Recycle.

The work is expected to take just under a week; we’ll check back.

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CONGRATULATIONS! Class of 2023 awards at Chief Sealth International High School

June 21, 2023 12:38 pm

| 2 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

(WSB photos)

Thanks to Nicole Sipila of the Chief Sealth International High School PTSA for telling us about last night’s Senior Honors & Awards presentations for the school’s Class of 2023. We attended the event in the CSIHS auditorium. Above are students who received the Seal of Biliteracy, in which we’re told Chief Sealth had the district’s largest number of participants! Next, valedictorian Kayla Buechler:

Salutatorian Merichle Nguyen:

Cords were presented for other academic achievements – single cords for 3.2-3.49 GPA (57 recipients), double for 3.5 or higher GPA (130 recipients):

And the Robert Jackson Block Award was presented for distinguished students in art (Shelby Dow), theater (Shanti Rose Birch), and music (Riley Pomeroy Tobin):

Scholarship recipients were honored too, including 64 recipients of the Promise Scholarship, The ceremony featured a performance by senior members of the CSIHS Jazz Band:

The Chief Sealth Class of 2023’s commencement ceremony is next Tuesday (June 27th), 8 pm at Memorial Stadium downtown.

Reminder (for next year if your school’s already out for summer) – if something’s happening at YOUR school that the community should know about, tell us! Email westseattleblog@gmail.com or text/call 206-293-6302 – thank you!

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About the police response at 35th/Morgan

June 21, 2023 11:44 am

| 12 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle police

Thanks for the tips/questions about a big police response at 35th/Morgan. We went over to find out what was going on. Police say they got a report of a fight involving at least one person with a gun. No shots reported fired but the reportedly armed person is being questioned.

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Summer-solstice sunset watch, Alki Elementary farewell, Mariner Moose, more ahead for your West Seattle Wednesday

June 21, 2023 9:58 am

| 4 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Silver sunrise concludes spring – photo by Stewart L.)

Many midweek ways to have fun, and other options, are on our list for the hours ahead:

TODDLER READING TIME: Bring your little one to Paper Boat Booksellers (6040 California SW) for Toddler Reading Time, 10:30 am.

ALKI ELEMENTARY FAREWELL: As previewed here, Alki Elementary School (3010 59th SW) is hosting an open house 4-6 pm for alums (and any other interested community members) to say goodbye to the old building, set for demolition and replacement.

MARINER MOOSE: The Moose is a special guest at a Mariners watch party at Admiral Pub (2306 California SW), starting at 4 pm.

FIX-IT WORKSHOP: Don’t replace it – fix it! Weekly event, 5:30-7:30 pm at West Seattle Tool Library (4408 Delridge Way SW, northeast side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center).

TRIVIA x 6: Here’s where to play tonight. At 6 pm, Locust Cider (2820 Alki SW) now offers trivia … at 7 pm, you can play trivia at the West Seattle Brewing Mothership (4415 Fauntleroy Way SW); Larry’s Tavern (3405 California SW) hosts Wednesday-night trivia starting at 8 pm; there’s 7:30 and 8:30 pm Sporcle Pub Quiz at The Lodge (4209 SW Alaska); trivia starts at 8 pm at Beveridge Place Pub (6413 California SW); at 8:30 pm, trivia with Phil T at Talarico’s (4718 California SW).

LIVE MUSIC AT OUNCES: 6:30 pm with Jared and The Wingtips. (3809 Delridge Way SW)

LIVE MUSIC AT THE LOCOL: 6:30 pm. 21+. Rotating performer slate. (7902 35th SW)

(added) DOCUMENTARY SCREENING: Emma Yeager‘s “Oh Me of Little Faith” will be screened, with director intro and Q/A, at Trinity Church, 6:30 pm. (7551 35th SW)

PIANO NIGHT: By request, with Chris Crow, at Otter on the Rocks (4210 SW Admiral Way), 7 pm.

MUSIC BINGO: Play weekly at The Good Society (California/Lander), 7 pm.

SKYLARK OPEN MIC: 7:30 pm signups @ West Seattle’s longest-running open mic – no cover to watch. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

SUMMER SOLSTICE SUNSET WATCH: Alice Enevoldsen will be at Solstice Park (7400 Fauntleroy Way SW, uphill past the tennis courts and P-Patch) at 8:30 pm for her quarterly change-of-seasons sunset watch. Come learn about what happens at the solstice and what else is going on in the sky over West Seattle. (Actual sunset expected around 8:55 – the moment the sun drops behind the Olympics.)

KARAOKE AT BENBOW ROOM: 9 pm-2 am – info in our calendar listing. (4210 SW Admiral Way)

(added) FREE PIZZA: Up to two free slices of pizza per person at Pagliacci tonight after 9 pm. (4449 California SW)

If you are planning an event – presentation, meeting, performance, reading, tour, fundraiser, sale, discussion, or … – that could be featured on West Seattle’s only comprehensive event calendar, tell us about it! Please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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YOUTH SPORTS: West Seattle Baseball tournament success, and what’s next

June 21, 2023 9:27 am

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle news | WS & Sports

(Photos courtesy Randall Hauk)

More word of local youth sports accomplishments! Last weekend we mentioned West Seattle Baseball‘s tournament at the Pee Wee fields in Riverview. Thanks to Randall Hauk for sending this report with photos – and a look ahead:

All three West Seattle Baseball baseball teams competing at the Lower Riverview Pee Wee Fields came away with hardware last weekend at tournaments hosted by the local PONY youth baseball organization.

Ten teams from the greater Seattle metropolitan area visited our neighborhood Saturday and Sunday to compete in the 10U Summer Kickoff. The hosts fielded two teams in the tournament, each of which advanced to championship games that were scuttled by late-day rainstorms.

The 10U Red All-Stars emerged from Saturday pool play as the #1 seed in the Gold Bracket after defeating Ballard Little League 10-0 and Seattle PONY 12-2. Sunday saw the Red squad beat North Seattle PONY 6-2 in a semifinal matchup before the weather took away the possibility for the Red team to play #2 seed Bellevue Nationals. The teams walked away as soaking-wet and happy co-champions.

The 10U Navy All-Stars reached the championship of the Silver Bracket via a thrilling 3-1 extra-innings victory over Ballard Sunday afternoon. Their title game also was washed out by the rains, forcing the squad to split the spoils with Kirkland Nationals.

Meanwhile, the 9U Junior Shoot-out was contested by six teams from the regions, including groups from Bothell and Puyallup.

The West Seattle 9U All-Stars rebounded from a pair of losses on Saturday to emerge as champions on Sunday, beating Bothell Thunder 14-4 and New Level 11-7 before finishing with a 8-3 victory over Liberty in a rain-shortened championship game.

While West Seattle Baseball is proud of all its teams and players for their performances over the weekend, the league is just as proud of the efforts of its team of volunteers, who put on an amazing event that drew praise from many attendees, including one dad who took to the KJR radio airwaveS to share his appreciation of the weekend:

West Seattle Baseball hosts two more tournaments this coming weekend (June 24-25) with the 8U and 7U teams taking the field as ten more teams come to our neighborhood for more baseball fun.

Also, for those wanting to get in on the West Seattle Baseball fun, registration for Summer Crush baseball and softball is closing soon, so sign up today!

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TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER: Wednesday info, as summer arrives

June 21, 2023 6:01 am

| 3 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:01 AM: Good morning. Welcome to Wednesday, June 21st; summer arrives at 7:57 am.

WEATHER & SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

Finally a forecast approaching normalcy: Mostly sunny, high near 70. Today’s sunrise was at 5:12 am; sunset will be at 9:11 pm (and you can watch it with Alice!).

(Last spring sunset, photographed by David Hutchinson)

STILL IN SCHOOL

Seattle Public Schools continue classes through June 30th.

TRANSIT

Metro – Regular schedule, with trip cancellations and temporary route suspensions possible.

Water Taxi – The West Seattle WT is back to its regular 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 – 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: The @SDOTBridges Twitter feed shows whether 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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