West Seattle, Washington
31 Saturday
Were they stolen and dumped? Or just lost? A reader is hoping to get photos to their owner:
They were in a torn-apart photo album (no cover or binder). They were strewn all along Admiral Way, sort of near Schmitz Park. I even crawled under a couple vehicles to get some. They were very wet and covered in debris. My daughter and I just spent hours cleaning and drying them one by one.
If these might be yours, email us – westseattleblog@gmail.com – and we’ll connect you with the finder.j
Thanks to everybody who tipped us today that the West Seattle Junction Post Office‘s parking-lot mailbox had disappeared. All that’s left in its place – bolts. Took us all day but we now have confirmation from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service that the disappearance is a case of theft: “We do believe the box was stolen overnight. We are working on the investigation of the theft,” Postal Inspector John Wiegand tells WSB – no other details so far. Meantime, USPS regional spokesperson Kim Frum told us it will be replaced, but she doesn’t have a timeline yet. It’s been seven months since this mailbox and its counterpart outside the Westwood Village Post Office were both downsized – to what were described at the time as more-secure mailboxes. This isn’t the first time thieves have taken an entire West Seattle USPS box – consider the saga of the Admiral/Belvidere box that’s been stolen twice.
Three weeks after voting ended on Election Day, King County has certified the final results. Here’s how the three key incumbentless local races ended up:
SEATTLE CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT 1 (46% turnout)
Rob Saka – 18,382 – 54.15%
Maren Costa – 15,431 – 45.46%
KING COUNTY COUNCIL DISTRICT 8 (41% turnout)
Teresa Mosqueda – 33,921 – 55.01%
Sofia Aragon – 27,553 – 44.68%
SEATTLE SCHOOL BOARD DISTRICT 6 (45% turnout)
Gina Topp – 173,596 – 88.58%
Maryanne Wood – 21,796 – 11.12%
(Here’s the full countywide results report for all races and measures.) Generally the newly elected leaders won’t take office until the start of the year. For example, City Council spokesperson Joseph Peha tells us their public ceremonies will be either January 2 or 9, but they will take the oath of office in late December in low-key private ceremonies as the result of a city rule requiring that “to create overlap in case of an emergency like an earthquake, etc., (so) there can be continuity of government.”
Two reports in West Seattle Crime Watch:
BURGLARY ATTEMPT: A North Delridge resident whose home was targeted by a would-be burglar emailed us this report:
I have been trying to spread the word because it is pretty frightening and now I can’t sleep.
(Monday) morning, around 12:45 am, someone attempted to enter a downstairs bedroom from the window. The bedroom was occupied and the entry point was inside our fenced yard. The house and yard was lit and it would have been clear there were people inside. The occupant of the bedroom awoke and confronted them and they left. She said it was a heavyset light-skinned man with brown hair and a beard wearing a leather jacket and jeans. He appeared to be in his 40s. He did not appear intoxicated. Police came, but didn’t find anything.
We later noticed the intruder had moved a furniture item to the window to help get in. It would be difficult to guess that this window existed from outside the fence and we suspect the house must have been cased earlier.
Additional lights and cameras are now up, but I’m not sure when we’ll be able to sleep again.
We are located in North Delridge near 26th and Hudson.
CAR BREAK-INS: Two readers reported seeing the aftermath of break-ins along Beach Drive, including Peggy, who emailed to report: “At least 4 cars were broken into along Beach Drive between Constellation Park and La Rustica on Sunday night, and a couple more on Monday night. Folks should be careful not to keep valuables (or anything) in their cars, particularly in plain sight.”
(Slide with schematic plan for Lincoln Park pickleball courts, shown at city’s online meeting)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
If Seattle Parks managers have given any thought to reconsidering the plan for pickleball courts in Lincoln Park, it wasn’t on display during Monday night’s online meeting about that and other area projects.
Two-thirds of the hour-long meeting was spent on recapping and explaining the plan – basically the first 20 minutes and last 20 minutes, with the other project updates inbetween, (Those were detailed in our first two reports on the meeting, here and here.) First, Parks and Recreation Superintendent AP Diaz spent most of his opening remarks on the pickleball project, after an introduction from the consultant who facilitated the meeting (which had almost 150 people signed into the video feed).
Diaz rhapsodized about Lincoln Park’s attributes – from “majestic trees” to Colman Pool (whose short season, he hinted, may be revisited) – before veering into an explanation of why they didn’t hold an in-person meeting: “It’s a busy time of year, darker, colder, (wanted it to be) as accessible as possible (to) as many people as possible.” As for why have a meeting at all, Diaz said it was for updates on “everything that’s going on,” to “try to get on the same page with these projects” and to “dispel rumors and myths” with “accurate information.”
The points he stressed toward that goal:
12:17 PM: A humpback whale is in Elliott Bay off Duwamish Head “in the ferry lanes,” according to a text we received a short time ago from Kersti Muul. Let us know if you see it!
1:21 PM: From John via email, “Several sightings of blows and tail fin out from Smith Tower, ferry terminal and orange cranes.”
4:14 PM: Thanks to Marina Clough of @westseattleviews for sharing her photos of the humpback breaching near the downtown waterfront!
(This morning’s fog – photo by James Bratsanos)
Here’s what’s up for the rest of today:
EX-DUMAR SUBSTATION = HOUSING? The Seattle City Council Public Safety and Human Services Committee meeting previewed here yesterday is under way right now – you can watch live via Seattle Channel.
COFFEE, TEA, RESOURCE INFO: Monthly 10-11 am event at Neighborhood House High Point (6400 Sylvan Way SW).
CHESS CLUB: Tuesdays 1:30-3 pm at the Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon). All levels welcome. (Questions? Email conwell@conwelld.net.)
SO THIS IS SENIOR LIVING? Village Green West Seattle (2615 SW Barton; WSB sponsor) hosts a discussion including other senior-living facility/program reps, 5-7 pm, so you can get your questions answered in one stop. RSVP info is in our calendar listing.
DEMONSTRATION FOR BLACK LIVES: Long-running weekly sign-waving demonstration continues at 16th/Holden. 5-6 pm. Signs available if you don’t have your own.
(Monday moonrise photo by Mike Burns)
LEARN ASL: Free class, 6 pm at West Seattle Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (4001 44th SW) – info’s in our calendar listing.
SCRABBLE NIGHT: 6-10 pm, you can play Scrabble at The Missing Piece (9456 35th SW).
FREE TRACK RUN: Run with friends old and new on these long nights! 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).
SING! Singers have an open invitation to join the Seattle Metropolitan Singers – “all treble voices welcome” – just attend 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 look ahead any time via our event calendar – if you have something to add to it (or to our Holiday Guide), please email the info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Today is the holiday-season occasion known as Giving Tuesday – with the spotlight on donations. We feature giving opportunities year-round on WSB, including the list of donation drives in our West Seattle Holiday Guide. But we received two requests for Giving Tuesday mentions, both coincidentally on West Seattle’s Puget Ridge, so we’re sharing them with you:
SANISLO ELEMENTARY: The Sanislo PTA wants you to know that even a little gift will make a big difference for their small-but-mighty school:
Sanislo Elementary School is one of the smallest schools in Seattle Public Schools, and it is right here in the heart of West Seattle. We know our tiny school escaped the chopping block for this next year’s school consolidation push, but we are trying to prove that our tiny school (fewer than 200 students) is an important part of our community.
The Sanislo PTA is doing a GIVING TUESDAY fundraiser, and we are hoping for just $2,000 in donations from at least 30 donors. It’s a modest goal, but these funds go a long way with our small school. Our PTA funds everything from afterschool activities (improv classes, Ultimate Frisbee team, movie nights, and cultural celebrations) to basic classroom necessities (snacks, reading materials, classroom supplies).
We are a Title 1 school, which means a considerable majority of our students are from low-income families. Sanislo is certainly one of the under-resourced schools described by the district, but that doesn’t mean we can’t offer our students the support, community, and education they deserve. We believe that all students should have the opportunity to create, learn, and grow within the community that supports them.
So, help us support them. Anyone can contribute to our fundraiser at our Member Planet Donation site. memberplanet.com/campaign/sanislopta/givingtuesday_34 or through our Venmo Platform — @Sanislo-Pta .
Small schools are on borrowed time in Seattle, and we want to prove that because we have strong roots in our community and are willing to water our potential with our own generosity, our students will grow and thrive without uprooting them and transplanting them somewhere new.
The Sanislo PTA’s gardening analogy fits with the fact that the other fundraiser we were asked to share is for a garden so big it’s a public park – Puget Ridge Edible Park has a donation drive going today:
Our story started with a Seattle City Parks acquisition levy that passed with big voter support. Our Puget Ridge neighborhood organized to apply for a grant to acquire a 3/4 acre parcel that is one of the last standing undeveloped agriculture-based land. For the past 8 years this land has been regenerated through permaculture techniques to provide free, self-harvest food to the public.
We also distribute food through our farmstand and to food banks. It is our goal to share the methods we had set forth to make this project a reality. Organizing the community to have open communications on a variety of topics through an email group was the first step to our success. Finding a few motivated gardeners with some knowledge and background was not hard. Starting awareness events and work parties began to gel a core group capable of making great progress over the years of development. The park has been a learning center for local backyard gardeners as well as schools. We have also seen similar projects started from this project. Our only real financial support has been the Seed Money Campaign.
Puget Ridge Edible Park is at 18th/Brandon.
Thanks for the tips. Admiral Safeway is open again after a threat determined to be unfounded. Here’s what SPD spokesperson Det. Judinna Gulpan: “Police responded to a reported bomb threat (there) around 7:00 a.m. Officers arrived and found most occupants of the business had already evacuated. An employee reported a suspect called and stated an incendiary device was placed inside the business and would be detonated if the suspect was not provided what was requested. Police completed a search of the business and did not locate a device. Business has reopened and there were no reported injuries.”
8:41 AM: Two-car crash reported on eastbound West Seattle Bridge near Delridge exit ramp.
8:51 AM: All lanes but one are blocked per police.
Earlier:
6:03 AM: That frost-covered side street (seen in Gatewood an hour after sunup on Monday) might be replicated this morning, so drive, ride, and walk carefully on this cold Tuesday, November 28th. We in fact are under a “freezing fog advisory” alert from the National Weather Service until 10 am. After that, we’re expecting another mostly sunny day, high in the mid-40s. Sunrise today is at 7:32 am; sunset, 4:21 pm.
TRANSIT TODAY
Metro – Regular schedule today; check advisories here.
Water Taxi – Regular schedule 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.
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 – 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: 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!
What a team! From left are Seattle Storm entertainment emcee Shellie Hart, forwqrd Jordan Horston, and mascot Doppler, with Seattle Public Schools superintendent Dr. Brent Jones, during a visit this afternoon to Highland Park Elementary. There, in partnership with WaFd Bank, the Storm donated $5,000 to HPES’s PE program, led by educator Chellie LaFayette. In Q&A, player Horston – named this year to the WNBA’s All-Rookie Team – was asked why she felt it’s important for kids to work out; she replied that not only do you feel good about exercising, it’s a good way to release energy and aggression you might feel. She played just about “every sport” possible as a kid, and currently, besides basketball, also runs, does yoga, and hikes. And she stressed that academic achievement is important even if you want a future in sports – for college, for example, a good academic record can vault you over other contenders for a spot in a program. The Storm visitors also told the students they were all invited to come see a Storm game next spring.
In our second of three reports from tonight’s Seattle Parks online briefing meeting about West Seattle programs/projects, here are the updates on plans for a second WS off-leash area, and other non-pickleball-related notes:
OFF-LEASH AREA: You might recall that in June Parks had whittled the list of possibilities for a second West Seattle off-leash area to two – Lincoln Park and West Seattle Stadium.
A brief mention tonight of community-survey results showed overwhelming support for the stadium-vicinity site, and an almost-even split for/against the Lincoln Park site. But Deputy Superintendent Andy Sheffer suggested that the stadium-vicinity site might have to be dropped because of “some additional complications” regarding “electrification of the park system” that would render it “not as viable.” (He did not elaborate, so we’ll be following up.)
He said the Parks recommendation for a site would be made early next year.
He and another deputy superintendent, Mike Schwindeller, delivered even-briefer updates on other projects/programs that are all running far behind their original timetables:
LINCOLN PARK SOUTH PLAY AREA: As we reported in September, a contractor has been signed and the work to replace this six-years-closed play area will start early next year – the contractor “will mobilize right at the beginning” of 2024.
HIAWATHA PLAY AREA: This had to be redesigned and construction is now expected to start next summer.
HIAWATHA COMMUNITY CENTER: The long-in-the-works stabilization project will go out to bid next week, and work will begin in the first quarter of 2024, lasting about a year. The delays (Hiawatha has been closed since the pandemic) were again blamed on the wait for a half-million-dollar FEMA grant.
LANDBANKED PARKS: These were described as “brand new” though one site was acquired a decade ago. All three (40th SW in The Junction, Morgan Junction Park Addition, and 48th/Charlestown) are now expected to open as full-fledged parks in 2025, Morgan Junction with an added-after-community-clamor skateboarding feature.
DON ARMENI FLOATING DOCK REPLACEMENT: The new floating docks are being fabricated now, and work is expected to start in the first quarter of next year.
SOLSTICE PARK TENNIS COURT RESTRIPING: As we previously reported, that’s now awaiting the warm season.
Since that restriping was originally to include pickleball, and a change in plan led to the Lincoln Park project, that brings us back around to what took up two-thirds of tonight’s meeting – the subject of our third and final report, coming up, the Lincoln Park pickleball-court project. (First report, here, is about the proposed change in Alki Beach summer closing times.)
Tonight’s online briefing regarding West Seattle park projects was newsworthy in several regards, so we’re breaking our coverage into three parts. First, news on a topic that wasn’t even mentioned in the announcement previewing the meeting – a plan to permanently change the Alki Beach Park (and Golden Gardens) closing time in the peak season.
Most recently, the seasonal hours have been in effect Memorial Day through Labor Day, so among other things, this would stretch them a few more weeks. Deputy Superintendent Andy Sheffler noted that this would “align with the beach fire program.” He also noted – in a key point that the Zoom screen partly cut off – the Board of Park Commissioners will have a hearing on this in two weeks.
The agenda for the December 14 meeting isn’t posted yet, but will appear here when ready. Meantime, our other two reports on tonight’s meeting (pickleball, and everything else) are on the way.
The renaissance of Chief Sealth International High School‘s drama program continues – this time with a “musical extravaganza”! This Friday and Saturday, “Scenes About Teens” takes the stage at CSIHS. If you haven’t already seen it in the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, here are the details:
Following the wonderfully successful reinstatement of the drama program at Chief Sealth International High School last year with our production of “She Kills Monsters” by Qui Nguyen, produced with the help of over 50 students and staff members, we are building on that success this year with three productions.
With the support of West Seattle-based BAYFEST Youth Theatre and the surrounding community, the Chief Sealth Drama Company is taking full advantage of the musical talent that already has a strong presence at the school, with our fall production that we are calling “Scenes About Teens: A Musical Extravaganza!”
The show features the full short musical “21 Chump Street” by Lin-Manuel Miranda (Hamilton, In The Heights), as well as excerpts from four other great American musicals, all tied together by scenes and narration. They explore the love, grief, anger, joy, and challenges that teens face everywhere, and make for an emotion- and laughter-filled time in the theater. All the music will be performed live by faculty and student members of the school bands and orchestra.
15 cast members supported by 35+ student costume designers, musicians, set builders, and technical support have been working diligently since September under the guide of a team of faculty and professional directors, designers, and choreographers. Performances will be held in the large Chief Sealth Theater, which features wonderful acoustics, comfortable seating, and is physically accessible.
This show is appropriate for all ages, and we encourage the community to not only experience the amazing work of our students and staff, but to also support the drama program at Chief Sealth as we continue to build this exciting program.
Public performances are at 7:30 pm Friday and Saturday (December 1-2) and 2:30 pm Saturday; the school is at 2600 SW Thistle. Tickets are $5 students, $10 adults, if you buy yours online in advance, or $8/$14 at the door.
5:09 PM: Jill is hoping at least some of what burglar(s) stole from her garage might turn up:
Our garage got broken into Saturday night and they stole two Rad Power Bikes and tools. That we can get over, but we just discovered that they also stole all of our sentimental Christmas ornaments. I’m just sick about this.
Given that these aren’t of street value, I’m hoping they were dumped somewhere in West Sea. We think there are two Rubbermaid totes of ornaments (can’t recall the tote colors, maybe red, maybe clear?).
Our garage is located on the west side of 44th between Dakota and Genesee and our neighbor saw a White Escalade drive through the alley around 4 or 5 am. That’s unconfirmed as being a car of interest but the only thing we have.
If you find any tossed-aside totes of ornaments (or dumped bikes/tools, for that matter), let us know and we’ll connect you.
7:08 PM: Jill got the ornaments back! Bikes and tools, still out there.
With all that sunshine over the long holiday weekend, decoration season is on, so we’re again announcing our annual invitation to send photos and tips of notable displays around West Seattle, so we can share them with thousands of your neighbors here on WSB. But “notable” doesn’t just apply to homes with gobs of lights – are your decorations extra-creative, whimsical, unusual, unique, etc.? We’re interested in those too! Email is the best way to let us know – and if you don’t have an exact address, nearest intersection works too – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
This year’s Seattle Public Safety Survey is open for just a few more days. Researchers from Seattle University hope to find out your primary safety concerns and convey them to SPD.
Here’s the direct link to the survey, with a-dropdown on that page offering a choice of 11 languages. The survey is open through Thursday, last day of the month.
P.S. Here are the results of last year’s citywide survey.
(2013 image via Seattle City Light)
More than a decade after the city started the process of selling off six former Seattle City Light substation sites in West Seattle, one of them is edging closer to a new use. City Councilmember Lisa Herbold‘s newest weekly newsletter previews committee consideration tomorrow for the 10,376-square-foot site on the southwest corner of 16th/Holden known as the former Dumar Substation:
(I)n my Public Safety and Human Service Committee we will be hearing legislation that:
-Approves transfer of the Dumar site from SCL to the Office of Housing (OH) in exchange for $424,000
-Authorizes OH to: Conduct a competitive process to solicit proposals for the development of resale restricted homeownership and negotiate property transfer to the selected developer
As Councilmember Herbold goes on to recap, the site is not considered suitable for rental housing, but instead was determined most likely to work for the type of “affordable homeownership” provided with units developed by organizations such as Homestead Community Land Trust or Habitat For Humanity. Here’s the summary from the slide deck that’s among the documents linked to the agenda for Tuesday’s committee meeting:
The inclusion of commercial space was the result of longtime community advocacy, as Highland Park is fairly short on supply of that, and the intersection includes businesses at two other corners (Fire Station 11 is on the third); the site was rezoned to Neighborhood Commercial in 2019 to ensure that. Tomorrow’s committee meeting, which includes an opportunity for public comment (either in person at City Hall or via phone, as explained on the agenda) starts at 9:30 am.
Thanks to Jay for the tip. Seattle Public Utilities crews are working on a water break in the 4700 block of 26th SW. More than 50 customers are affected, according to the SPU outage map.
1:15 PM: Jay says the water is back on. SPU tells us the leak was in an 8-inch cast iron distribution main but they don’t know what caused it.
(Seen on the Duwamish River, cormorant and seal – photo by Steve Bender)
Here’s the Monday lineup, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar and Holiday Guide:
CYBER MONDAY SALE AT LAUREN’S JEWELERS: All day today, buy online from Lauren’s Jewelers (WSB sponsor) and get 10% off $100 minimum purchase, 20% off $500 minimum purchase, 30% off $1,000 minimum purchase (engagement rings not included in sale), until midnight PST.
=SALE AT FILIGREE & SHADOW HANDMADE FRAGRANCES (WSB sponsor): Continuing today, offering 15% off storewide, and online with code GOODTHINGS. Complimentary U.S. shipping, too.” Filigree & Shadow’s studio behind Canna West Culture Shop “is open by coincidence or appointment” – look for the sign on the sidewalk.
SALE CONTINUES AT THE BASS SHOP: The Bass Shop (WSB sponsor) continues its sale through today, online: 15% off all basses.
FOR VETERANS: If you need help filing a disability claim, the DAV offers free drop-in assistance 9 am-1 pm. (4857 Delridge Way SW)
PARK PROJECT UPDATES MEETING: Seattle Parks promises updates tonight on several much-watched West Seattle projects, from Hiawatha to Lincoln Park to The Junction and beyond. 6 pm, online. Links for sending advance questions and attending tonight are in the Parks announcement.
GET CRAFTY: 6-10 pm, this is “Crafting and Creativity Night” at The Missing Piece (9456 35th SW), info here.
D&D: Open D&D starts at 6:30 pm at Meeples Games (3727 California SW), all welcome, first-time players too. $5.
MONDAY MEDITATION IN FAUNTLEROY: Free weekly Zen sitting/meditation at the chapel at Fauntleroy UCC (9140 California SW), 7 pm-8:30 pm.
MONDAY NIGHT TRIVIA! Three weekly events – 7 and 8 pm Sporcle Pub Quiz at Three 9 Lounge (4505 39th SW); 7 pm at The Good Society (California/Lander), 7:30 pm with QuizFix at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW)
MUSIC AT THE ALLEY: Live music with The Westside Trio, 8 pm at The Alley (behind 4509 California SW), 21+, no cover.
Have a West Seattle/White Center event to add to our calendar ? Please send info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
We’ve had several questions lately about whether See’s Candies will have another holiday pop-up in West Seattle. Not that we’re seeing/hearing – but you can get their candy while giving local students some help! We featured one fundraiser last week and today we have another – the Chief Sealth International High School Mock Trial team:
That’s a team photo from last spring, after another successful year. But the program has costs to cover, and you can help by buying from their See’s fundraiser:
All proceeds will go toward tournament registration, travel, and supply costs for the team.
There are two convenient ways to order:
1. Order through our online form at tinyurl.com/csmtchocolate for pickup at Chief Sealth [flier]
2. Order online for direct shipment from See’s at tinyurl.com/csisees23The last day to order is 12/1/23. Orders should be available for pickup by 12/13/23.
Chocolate not your thing? Donations are always welcome and can be made via Schoolpay at tinyurl.com/csmtdonate
Questions? Contact by email at RLNeil@seattleschools.org
6:03 AM: Good morning! It’s Monday, November 27th; school’s back in session and government offices are reopening after the holiday weekend.
WEATHER AND SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
Mostly sunny, high in the 40s. Sunrise today is at 7:30 am; sunset, 4:22 pm.
(Sunday sunset/moonrise, photographed by Tom Trulin)
TRANSIT TODAY
Metro – Regular schedule today; check advisories here.
Water Taxi – Back to regular service 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.
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 – 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: 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!
A teenager walking in south Admiral late this afternoon managed to get away from this drive-up confrontation described by his parent:
My teenage son was a victim of an attempted robbery (4:15/4:20 pm) in the intersection of SW Hinds Street and 42nd Ave SW. He was walking home and had just turned east on SW Hinds Street from California Ave SW, when a driver in a black Prius stopped in the intersection and rolled down their window. The driver asked him to walk up to their car. My son started to walk toward home and the driver then asked him if he was a “gang banger.” When my son didn’t respond, the driver then said “stop playing around, I’ll get out of the car and beat your a–.” My son started to walk away and the driver then asked him “what type of phone do you have.” Again my son did not respond. At this time a white car approached the intersection and my son tried to get them to roll down their window to ask for a ride/help. The driver of the car did not respond and at this point another car (red Mazda) approaches the intersection so our son walks up to that car. At the same time he was walking to the red car, the black Prius drives around the traffic circle and hits the white car from the side. The back passengers of the red Mazda opened their door, which allowed my son to get in and they drove away and were able to drop him off at our house a few blocks away.
After my son got into the red car, the black Prius backs up and then pulls forward to hit the white car again and then pulls out and continues driving south on 42nd Ave SW.
The driver of the black Prius was a black male, late teens/early 20s, wearing a gray hoodie and black ski mask (he was not wearing the ski mask at first but pulled it up over his face after he was done talking to my son). The front passenger was a black female, with black “puffy hair/afro like” hair, late teens/early 20s, wearing a black puffer jacket or hoodie? The back seat passenger was a mid-teens black male wearing a blue hoodie.
Police have been contacted by us, the driver of the red Mazda, and the white car. We have spoken to the police and have an incident # 23-340914. They believe these are the same people who have done attempted robberies/robberies in the neighborhood for the past few months. They say that they have guns on them.
We want to thank the driver and passengers in the red Mazda for getting our son home safely.
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