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day : 01/11/2023 11 results

DEVELOPMENT: Second half of Sweeney Blocks project gets key approval, but construction’s not imminent
November 1, 2023 10:13 pm
|    Comments Off on DEVELOPMENT: Second half of Sweeney Blocks project gets key approval, but construction’s not imminent
 |   Development | Triangle | West Seattle news

(Rendering by Ankrom Moisan)

That’s a rendering of 4440 Fauntleroy, one of the two “Sweeney Blocks” mixed-use buildings planned in The Triangle. The city has given a key approval to the plan for ~222 apartments and ground-floor retail in a 7-story building with 150 off-street parking spaces. But don’t expect the backhoes to show up any time soon. Like some other projects, this one’s in a wait-and-see phase, according to Lynn Sweeney, spokesperson for the entrepreneurial family that owns the property: “Overall status and timetable continues to be dependent on the overall state of the world, so we don’t have a firm ‘break ground’ timeline yet, though we are pleased to have been awarded the MUPs on both blocks and continue to work on the refinement of the sites.” The other “Sweeney Block,” 4406 36th SW, got the same pivotal approval back in June; it’s planned for 7 stories, ~284 apartments, commercial space, and 162 off-street parking spots.

Meantime, you might recall that part of the development property holds Alki Lumber, which the Sweeneys sold, after a century, two years ago. At the time its new owner was announced, its new location – South Park – was too. But Lynn Sweeney tells us it’s expected to “remain in its current location for at least a year.”

P.S. The approval for 4440 Fauntleroy opens an appeal period, through November 9; this notice explains how that works.

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SURVEY: Change the school calendar?
November 1, 2023 7:34 pm
|      15 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Even if you don’t have a student in Seattle Public Schools, its annual calendar may affect you – for example, some independent schools follow it, and some school-vicinity neighborhoods’ day-to-day rhythms are yoked to it. So a survey launched today by the district might be of interest. SPS says it’s gathering feedback for future negotiations in which the district and its unions agree to calendar dates (this page includes the tentative dates for the next few years). In particular, the survey asks if you’d like to see changes in any of these current policies:

First Day of School – 1st Wednesday in September

Winter Break – at least 10 weekdays

Mid-Winter Break – President’s Day week

Spring Break – 2nd week in April

Emergency Closure Make-Up Days – currently day between semesters and end of school year

The survey’s open through November 13th; go here to participate.

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TRAFFIC ALERT: Crash at east end of Roxbury corridor
November 1, 2023 6:49 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

Thanks for the tip and photo. We heard the dispatch for a crash at Olson, on the east end of the Roxbury corridor, but tips really help with the details – in this case, that eastbound traffic is blocked. Police are requesting SDOT’s incident-response team for assistance.

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CRIME WATCH FOLLOWUP: White Center bus murder suspect charged, accused of shooting victim without a word
November 1, 2023 6:13 pm
|      35 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news | White Center

(Also published on partner site White Center Now)

He’s still not in custody, but the teenage suspect in last month’s murder aboard a Metro bus in White Center is now charged – as an adult.

The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office filed charges of first-degree murder and second-degree unlawful gun possession against 17-year-old Miguel R. Rivera Dominguez in the death of 21-year-old Marcell D. Wagner. And with that, an “active warrant” is out for Rivera Dominguez’s arrest, which would put him in jail with bail set at $3 million. The charging documents tell the story of what police and prosecutors believe happened – and for those who assumed there must have been some sort of dispute or confrontation between the two, apparently not: “Without any provocation, and in fact without having ever interacted with the victim at all, the defendant fired five rounds into the victim’s head and neck at point blank range. The defendant then fired two more shots through the door of the bus and fled to a location where he could change his clothing before returning home again.”

Investigators eventually identified Rivera Dominguez by tracing back to the Burien neighborhood where he and a friend had gotten on that bus. They learned he had once been reported as a runaway from his home there, and that he had been suspended from Highline High School for a fight during the last school year. Watching the bus’s on-board video of the shooting, detectives noted that the suspect’s friend appeared as shocked as the bus’s other 15 passengers when he pulled a gun and opened fire on the victim, who was described as possibly sleeping. The court documents say detectives eventually talked to the friend and he also told them he had no idea Rivera Dominguez was going to shoot someone, and that neither of them knew the victim, who had boarded the bus before they did, and was seated in the rear, where they also sat. Deputies found six casings on the bus and one outside. Rivera Dominguez was last seen at the Boys and Girls Club in Greenbridge shortly after the shooting, where he changed his clothes. If you have any information on Rivera Dominguez’s whereabouts, call 911.

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FYI: ‘Extra yard waste, no extra charge’ month is here!
November 1, 2023 3:51 pm
|      19 COMMENTS
 |   Gardening | Utilities | West Seattle news

Extra incentive to get those leaves off the sidewalk and away from storm drains – November is the month when Seattle Public Utilities allows you to set out up to 10 extra bags of yard waste each collection date, no extra charge. From the full announcement:

Extra yard waste must be contained either in kraft paper bags or placed in an extra container that is clearly marked to indicate it contains extra yard waste. Please make sure your extra yard waste collection bags or container only contain yard waste, not food waste. Fallen branches and twigs can be set out for extra collection as well. These can be tied into bundles up to 4 feet long by 2 feet in diameter and tied with fiber twine. Do not use wire, nylon cording, or plastic banding.

As commenters have pointed out in past years, if the leaves have fallen on greenspace – your lawn, garden, planting strip – you can just leave them there to decompose as mulch. Otherwise, bag ’em up and get ’em out!

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: The Kia that didn’t get stolen
November 1, 2023 2:01 pm
|      15 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

From Pigeon Point, Gem shares the story:

Having a Kia in Seattle is fun! Mine and my wife’s car was attempted to be stolen last night — driver’s-side backseat window was broken, and the ignition was messed with. We have a brake lock – between that and the system update, they weren’t able to do it. I figured I would give you the heads-up in case anyone else got hit by an attempt or smash.

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FOLLOWUP: Delridge Playfield still in the dark
November 1, 2023 12:13 pm
|      11 COMMENTS
 |   Delridge | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

(WSB photo, last month)

With Daylight Saving Time ending this weekend, we’re about to enter the months of early sunsets. That’s bad news for some sports programs – newly resurfaced Delridge Playfield is unusable after dark right now, because of wiring theft, and that’s apparently not going to change in time for the time change. When we first asked Seattle Parks about the theft last month, they told us they hoped to fix it within “a couple of weeks.” After hearing from a coach this week that it’s not fixed yet – almost three weeks after our previous report – we checked back. Parks’ reply: “We are still working on reinstalling and securing the new wiring. We don’t have a timeline on when the work will be done.”

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CONTINUING THURSDAY: Seattle Fire Department training at Upper Fauntleroy house
November 1, 2023 11:02 am
|    Comments Off on CONTINUING THURSDAY: Seattle Fire Department training at Upper Fauntleroy house
 |   Fauntleroy | West Seattle fires | West Seattle news

As previewed earlier this week, Seattle Fire Department crews are at 8822 38th Avenue SW in Upper Fauntleroy [map] for “live fire” training at a house awaiting demolition and redevelopment. They hadn’t started actually burning anything when we stopped by – they’re still finalizing the plan.

As noted when this was announced, spectators are welcome, but don’t go past that line of cones in the (closed) street. This will not be one big fire gutting the house, but rather a series of “fire evolutions” that will enable both veteran and new firefighters to train in specific situations. Also, for those concerned about the big tree on the site, it will not be involved in the training, which is scheduled to continue tomorrow and Friday, 9 am-3 pm each day.

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Music, trivia, running, more for your West Seattle Wednesday
November 1, 2023 10:17 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Reader photo – north side of Lincoln Park shore)

So long, Halloween, hello, holiday season. Well – today’s a palate cleanser of sorts between the two. So for now we’re back to one daily event list, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

TODDLER READING TIME: 10:30 am at Paper Boat Booksellers (6040 California SW).

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

SKELETON THEATRE ENCORE & FINALE: Skeleton Theatre returns, with “Junior.” We’re told this will be the last year of the show performed by animatronic skeletons on a front-yard stage at 36th/Hanford. 6-9 pm, frequent showtimes; more info here.

TRIVIA x 6: Six places to play tonight. At 6 pm, Locust Cider (2820 Alki SW) offers trivia … there’s 7 pm trivia at West Seattle Brewing (4415 Fauntleroy Way SW) … 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) … Larry’s Tavern (3405 California SW) hosts Wednesday-night trivia starting at 8 pm … and at 8:30 pm, trivia with Phil T at Talarico’s (4718 California SW).

FREE GROUP RUN, WITH DEMOS: Meet at West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) for the weekly free group run – here’s the plan for tonight:

6:15 pm, Brooks Bras and Shoes Demo Run: This is one exciting demo run!! You can come to group run and try out either the Brooks Adrenaline for stability or Glycerin for neutral cushioning. ADDITIONALLY, there will be a special bra demo offering. You can borrow a bra for ONE WEEK and return it to the shop after you have had ample opportunity to run in it! That is a pretty epic offer! Brooks rep Tatiana will be here to help you choose the right style and size. We hope to see you there! email with questions: lori@westseattlerunner.com

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

LIVE PIANO MUSIC: Weekly on Wednesday nights, 7 pm at Otter on the Rocks. (4210 SW Admiral Way).

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)

If you’re planning a presentation, meeting, performance, reading, tour, fundraiser, sale, discussion, holiday event etc., and it’s open to the community, please send us info for West Seattle’s only comprehensive event calendar! westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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WEST SEATTLE SCHOOLS: Explorer West Middle School’s first fall open house Saturday
November 1, 2023 9:40 am
|    Comments Off on WEST SEATTLE SCHOOLS: Explorer West Middle School’s first fall open house Saturday
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

As we’ve been noting, though it’s only two months into the new school year, it’s also time for many families to look ahead to the next one. If you have a future middle-schooler in your household, Explorer West Middle School (WSB sponsor) invites you to visit this Saturday (November 4) at 1 pm:

You’re invited, whether you have a 5th-grade student thinking about next year or want to begin middle school research early. Our event features a program with faculty, current students, and families, as well as time to visit our classrooms to offer an in-depth look at our community and programs. Event registration is available (but not required) through Ravenna. We’re located at 10015 28th Ave SW.

If you can’t attend this one, Explorer West – serving local families since 1996 – has another one planned for 11 am Saturday, December 9.

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TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER: November begins
November 1, 2023 6:02 am
|    Comments Off on TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER: November begins
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:02 AM: Good morning! And welcome to November – Wednesday, November 1st.

WEATHER AND SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

Cloudy, high in the mid-50s, rain expected by tonight. Sunrise today is at 7:53 am; sunset, 5:51 pm. Daylight Saving Time ends at 2 am Sunday, when we “fall back” an hour.

TRANSIT TODAY

Water Taxi – Regular schedule today – now on fall/winter schedule, still 7 days a week, but no late-night service Fridays/Saturdays.

Metro – Regular schedule today; check advisories here.

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

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:

1st Ave. S. Bridge – southeastern 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 feed on Twitter/X 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 that safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities if applicable). Thank you!

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