day : 12/09/2023 10 results

Three West Seattle Crime Watch reports – first, two robberies that happened days ago, but we’re publishing this so they’ll be on the record:

EARLY SUNDAY: This one first came to light when a victim’s parent wrote about it in the comment thread following our report on Sunday morning’s ATM holdup in Morgan Junction, saying, “My daughter and her friends were waiting for an Uber on top of Gatewood Hill area on California Ave [earlier Sunday] at 2:00 AM and two cars pulled over and robbed them at gunpoint.” In subsequent correspondence, we learned the robbery hadn’t been reported to police at the time, but a report was filed Monday. A camera in the area caught one car – a Kia Soul – and one person getting into it:

If you have any information, this incident # is 23-263491.

EARLY FRIDAY: This one came to light in an SPD summary published today. Just after quarter till four on Friday morning, a woman called 911 to say her purse had been snatched at/near the 35th/Avalon 7-11. Two people were involved and got away in a gray SUV with no plates, headed toward the bridge. We listened to archived audio for additional details. According to officers and dispatch, the victim said the robbers tried to sell her drugs, and when she said no, they knocked her down and took her purse. The recorded audio, however, did not yield any description of the robbers, nor any further description of the vehicle. If you have any information, this incident # is 23-259842.

‘PACKAGE DUMP’: That’s how the sender described this:

Neighbors found an array of stolen packages dumped in the vacant lot at 26th Ave SW and SW Juneau. They piled the boxes and items up in a neat pile. If people are missing items, they might be here. I’m not brave enough to go through all the packages.

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ELECTION 2023: Still deciding on Seattle City Council District 1? Forums ahead

September 12, 2023 9:17 pm

| 27 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

The general election is eight weeks away, and you’ll be able to vote when your ballot arrives two-plus weeks before that. So if you haven’t already made your decision on the biggest local race – Seattle City Council District 1 – you might be wondering about chances to get another look at the candidates who made it out of the primary, Maren Costa and Rob Saka. We’ve recorded half-hour interviews with both in the past several days and will publish them later this week. And the candidate-forum schedule is taking shape – we’ll be presenting a forum with Saka and Costa the evening of Monday, September 25th, at the Senior Center of West Seattle, start time to be finalized soon. If you can’t make it to that one, we’ve heard of at least two others in West Seattle the first week of October (and if you’re involved with an organization that’s presenting one, please be sure to send us the announcement so we can include it on the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar).

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VIDEO: City Council committee passes public-drug-use law, with changes

September 12, 2023 6:04 pm

| 21 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

6:04 PM: 1 hour and 13 minutes into that video, you’ll see the discussion that ended with the City Council’s Public Safety and Human Services Committee approving a much-amended version of the public-drug-use law. The vote was 4-1; the yes votes were Councilmembers Lisa Herbold and Andrew Lewis, the two sponsors of the proposal, and Councilmembers Sara Nelson and Alex Pedersen; the lone no vote was Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda. Final approval will be up to the full Council, likely at its meeting on September 26th. The basic intent of the bill was to bring city code into line with the new state law making public drug use a gross misdemeanor, but with qualifiers, primarily a declaration that Seattle’s preferred outcome is diversion to treatment and services, in some cases without arrest. One of the approved amendments, sponsored by Herbold and Mosqueda, spotlighted the need for continued funding for the diversion program LEAD to make that possible, though no actual funding was attached – that has to come in the budgeting process this fall. Another amendment that passed, sponsored by Pedersen, called for collecting data on the results of the new law between 2025 and 2030, and ensuring that the council would get updates. (You can see the various documents from the meeting by going here.)

9:54 PM: We asked City Attorney Ann Davison for comment at tonight’s Admiral Neighborhood Association gathering (full meeting report tomorrow). She didn’t have much to say other than she’s glad something is getting done.

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YOU CAN HELP: West Seattle Eco-Fair on Saturday

September 12, 2023 4:49 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| Environment | How to help | West Seattle news

If you wonder what you can do for our planet’s ecological health beyond basic steps you might be taking already, Saturday brings a one-stop chance to find out. It’s the West Seattle Eco-Fair, organized by the Care for Creation Ministry of Our Lady of Guadalupe and Holy Rosary Catholic parishes. Organizers say the event will feature “environment-minded organizations from around the region – including Puget Soundkeeper Alliance, West Seattle Bicycle Connections, Seattle University Center for Justice and Sustainability, Wolf Haven International, and Tilth Alliance.” You can talk with reps of those organizations and others in Walmesley Center at OLG (7000 35th SW), 10 am-2 pm Saturday (September 16th). Organizers say this has been in the works more than three years, “originally planned for April 2020 to coincide with the 50th anniversary of Earth Day,” but the pandemic got in the way; “the seeming drumbeat of bad environmental news” has continued, and knowledge can empower people to take action that matters.

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About that chronic water on the street in The Junction

September 12, 2023 2:49 pm

| 24 COMMENTS

| Transportation | Utilities | West Seattle news

(WSB photo, September 7th)

You might not notice it today, now that it’s raining, but we’ve long been wondering about that chronically wet spot on California SW at SW Edmunds, as have some readers. After no signs of change, we sent an inquiry to SDOT and Seattle Public Utilities last week, and today SPU spokesperson Sabrina Register replied, “We have (or will be soon) sending a crew to investigate. It appears to be a water issue (not drainage/wastewater issue).” So if you see a city crew at that intersection, that’s what they’re looking into. And if you have any knowledge of an earlier report to the city and/or investigation, please let us know. It seemed like if this went on much longer, we’d be running into the season where the wet spot would become an ice patch.

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THE ART OF MUSIC: 2 free mini-concerts for Thursday’s West Seattle Art Walk

September 12, 2023 1:12 pm

| Comments Off on THE ART OF MUSIC: 2 free mini-concerts for Thursday’s West Seattle Art Walk

| West Seattle Art Walk | West Seattle news

This month’s West Seattle Art Walk, coming up Thursday (September 14th), again features The Art of Music, this time with two free mini-concerts.

That’s Trevor Ras, who will perform at Welcome Road Winery in South Admiral (California/Charlestown). At CAPERS in The Junction (4525 California SW), you’ll see and hear Guitar Gil:

Both performances are 6 pm to 7:45 pm Thursday, and you can find out more about the musicians by going here. They’re sponsored by neighborhood groups – the Admiral Neighborhood Association and the Morgan Community Association, with funding from the city’s Neighborhood Matching Fund.

P.S. Of course there’s non-musical art on Art Walk night too – all over the peninsula! – find those previews here.

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Fire in Fauntleroy Park, ‘not a campfire’

September 12, 2023 11:38 am

| 11 COMMENTS

| West Seattle fires | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

(WSB photo)

Thanks for the tips about a Seattle Fire response on the Arbor Heights side of Fauntleroy Park this morning. Tom Trulin sent the photo below, taken by Karen, showing firefighters at the scene in the park:

We asked SFD about the park fire; spokesperson Kristin Hanson says, “This was a brush fire that encompassed an area of approximately 10 ft x 10 ft. The cause was undetermined.” Meantime, Lynne emailed us to say she was the person who discovered and reported the fire:

I stumbled upon a small fire in Fauntleroy Woods at 8:20 this morning while walking my dog. I was worried about approaching it, fearing an aggressive person, but I couldn’t leave it to burn. After calling out several times, I realized no one was nearby. It was burning just off a less used trail at the base of a big pine tree. A fern and brush were in flames. I tried putting it out with the only thing I had, dirt filled with pine needles, which worked as well as you’d think, snuffled with flames popping up again. I got most of the flames out by stomping on it and pulling branches away, but flames kept appearing and there were too many sparks that would easily reignite. I had already called 911 and struggled through giving them a location. Address unknown and deep in the park, it was hard to figure out what to tell them. I ran up the hill as I heard sirens approaching and ran into my friend as I watched the fire truck go down the wrong road. He chased them down and fortunately we got them to the right location. They put out the obvious fire and sparks and came back up for more water while a second truck showed up. They were still there when I left. Neighbors came and told me this is the 2nd or 3rd fire recently in the woods at the base of big trees. There was talk of possibly an arsonist. This fire was not a campfire. There was no reason for a fire being there or natural causes. Definitely looked human induced for no reason. Makes me nervous about our beloved woods.

SFD did not send its investigator but Hanson is checking whether they’ve been tracking any trends in the area. Fauntleroy Park has multiple potential addresses, so it’s hard to search a log for previous calls, but we did get email on August 19th from an area resident who discovered evidence of a then-recent small fire that “looked like a box was burned, on a main trail.”

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3 community meetings, festival fundraiser, more for your West Seattle Tuesday

September 12, 2023 10:53 am

| Comments Off on 3 community meetings, festival fundraiser, more for your West Seattle Tuesday

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(WSB photo – Duwamish River and South Park Bridge)

Here’s what’s happening for the rest of your Tuesday:

FAUNTLEROY FALL FESTIVAL FUNDRAISER: The Birdhouse (35th/Henderson) is donating 30 percent of its proceeds today to the donations-and-volunteer-powered festival – open until 3 pm.

CHESS CLUB: Tuesdays 1:30-3 pm at the Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon): “Are you looking for a new activity to keep your brain sharp and clear? The Senior Center Chess Club welcomes both novice and experienced players. Join us at 1:30 p.m. for lessons, short tutorials, and chess for all levels of expertise.” (Questions? Email conwell@conwelld.net.)

DEMONSTRATION FOR BLACK LIVES: Long-running weekly sign-waving demonstration at 16th/Holden. 5-6 pm. Signs available if you don’t have your own.

STORYTIME IN THE GARDEN: 6 pm stories and activities for kids at the Delridge P-Patch, weekly throughout the summer. (5078 25th SW)

CAMP SECOND CHANCE COMMUNITY ADVISORY COUNCIL: Got questions/concerns about West Seattle’s only tiny-house village? This 6 pm monthly online meeting has updates and opportunities for discussion.

SCRABBLE NIGHT: 6-10 pm, you can play Scrabble at The Missing Piece (9456 35th SW).

FREE TRACK RUN: Meet at West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) for this free weekly run at 6:15 pm.

THE CLAY CAULDRON: 6:30-9 pm “girls’ night” at pottery studio The Clay Cauldron (5214 Delridge Way SW), sign up in advance or drop in to work on your project(s).

ADMIRAL NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION: 7 pm in-person meeting at Admiral Church (4320 SW Hill), all welcome. The agenda includes local police, City Attorney Ann Davison, recaps of summer events and a look ahead to fall.

FAUNTLEROY COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION: 7 pm meeting, in-person or online, at Fauntleroy Schoolhouse (9131 California SW), with an agenda also including local police as well as ferry-system updates, fall activities, and more.

SING! Singers have an open invitation to join the Seattle Metropolitan Singers – “all treble voices welcome” – just show up for one of their rehearsals, Tuesdays 7-9 pm at Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon).

TRIVIA X 4: Four places to play Tuesday nights – 7 pm at Ounces (3803 Delridge Way SW), free and hosted by Beat the Geek Trivia; 7 pm at Zeeks Pizza West Seattle (6459 California SW), hosted by Geeks Who Drink; 7 pm at Admiral Pub (2306 California SW); also, 7:30 and 8:30 pm Sporcle Pub Quiz at The Lodge (4209 SW Alaska).

BELLE OF THE BALLS BINGO: Play bingo with Cookie Couture at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW), 8 pm. Free, all ages!

You can peek into the future any time via our event calendar – if you have something to include on it, please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Admiral 7-11 robbed

September 12, 2023 8:57 am

| 24 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

Thanks for the tips about police and crime tape at the Admiral Way 7-11. An armed robbery is under investigation. An officer there told us it happened around 5:30 am and that $250 was taken by three robbers. Archived police-radio audio yields a few more details: It was reported about half an hour after it happened. The robbers are described as male, two Black, one white, all in pulled-up gray hoodies, with masks and blue gloves, one in gray sweat pants, two in black sweat pants, one with a silver semi-automatic handgun. Security video showed they got away in a gray four-door Hyundai sedan.

P.S. If you’re interested in asking local police about this or other recent crimes, they’re expected at tonight’s Admiral Neighborhood Association meeting (7 pm at Admiral Church, 4320 SW Hill).

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TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER: Welcome to Tuesday

September 12, 2023 6:02 am

| 2 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

10:13 AM: Crash reported at 35th/Holden, two vehicles, no injuries reported so far.

Earlier:

6:02 AM: Good morning. It’s Tuesday, September 12th.

WEATHER AND SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

Mostly cloudy, possible rain, high in the upper 60s. Today’s sunrise will be at 6:42 am; sunset will be at 7:27 pm.

TRANSIT TODAY

Washington State Ferries – 2-boat service on the Triangle Route. Check alerts for changes, and use Vessel Watch to see where your ferry is.

Metro – Regular schedule; check advisories here.

Water Taxi – Regular schedule.

SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS

Delridge cameras: Besides the one below (Delridge/Henderson), cameras are also 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 cam:

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/X 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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