West Seattle, Washington
26 Friday
Thanks to the reader who texted that photo of a note posted on the door at Admiral Safeway, announcing that as of next Wednesday, the store will be closing at midnight instead of 1 am. The other two West Seattle-area Safeways (Jefferson Square and Roxbury) will also start closing at midnight, regional spokesperson Sara Osborne tells WSB. She explains, “Almost all our stores in City of Seattle close at midnight or 11 pm once those three are included. The decision was made out of concern for the safety of our associates and customers because we are experiencing a significant increase of violent incidents and major theft, especially at late hours.”
Police were called to the Rite-Aid store on California SW this past hour after staff detained two teenage boys who were initially reported to have tried to steal a cash register.
They were transferred into police custody. We’re looking into whether they are the same two teenagers reported in social-media discussions to have been wreaking havoc, particularly in businesses, for months; one reader emailed us about her family being harassed in a restaurant last night and finding out that the teens were known for similar incidents.
UPDATED MONDAY: We checked back with SPD. Here’s how they summarized the incident in response to our inquiry: “Two juvenile males, ages 14 and 16, were arrested for theft. Charges were requested and the juveniles were identified and later released to legal guardians. It appears the two suspects entered the business. One suspect asked a store employee for assistance while the other suspect attempted to steal cash from the register. Both suspects were detained prior to police arrival.”
7:45 PM: SPD and SFD have responded to a stabbing on Olson Place northeast of SW Roxbury. The victim is a 35-year-old man reported to have suffered a stab wound in the chest and is being taken to Harborview. We don’t have clear information on the status of his attacker – at first one person was reported to have been quickly detained, but a suspect description was then circulated. Radio exchanges indicate the attacker may be known to the victim.
8:24 PM: SPD says a suspect is in custody and the victim is in critical condition.
Thanks for the tips. A reader texted that photo after happening onto the scene of a collision that happened on West Marginal Way around quarter past 5 tonight. According to archived dispatch audio, this was a hit-and-run – a bicycle rider hit by a driver, whose vehicle was described only as a “red truck.” Early assessment of the rider was “up and talking, with a possible broken leg”; we just heard back from SFD, which says he is a man in his mid-50s, in serious condition when transported to the hospital. We don’t have any information on where the rider was when hit – as the photo shows, emergency responders were at/near the signalized Duwamish Trail crossing.
When we asked Seattle Parks about the construction fencing that signals the imminent start of the Lincoln Park South Play Area replacement, we also asked about the downed fencing around the planned pickleball-court site elsewhere in the park. We’ve received several reader photos like the one above sent by Ryan. Was it vandalism? Here’s how Parks spokesperson Karen O’Connor replied: “The fencing should not have been removed. The project manager is working to get it re-installed and also fix the signage.” The fencing was originally installed to stretch into the grassy area west of the planned court project because of accessibility work Parks said would be included. The work is currently on hold until warmer weather. The Fauntleroy Community Association, which heard from project opponents at its last meeting in November, is tentatively scheduled to talk with a guest from Parks at its next meeting Tuesday (January 9th), 7 pm at Fauntleroy Schoolhouse (9131 California SW).
With the final major decisions for West Seattle light rail expected to be made this year – finalizing the routing and station locations – the Sound Transit Board will be down to just one West Seattleite. That person is King County Executive Dow Constantine, the current chair, who just nominated replacements for three King County vacancies: Succeeding former King County Councilmember Joe McDermott, the West Seattleite who did not run for reelection, would be County Councilmember Girmay Zahilay of South Seattle; succeeding former Seattle City Councilmember Debora Juarez, who also did not run for reelection, would be City Councilmember Dan Strauss of Ballard (which is also getting a light-rail extension), and succeeding former Kenmore mayor Dave Baker would be Redmond Mayor Angela Birney. They’ll all serve four-year terms on the board if approved by the King County Council. As the announcement explains, the board “includes 17 local elected officials – 10 from King County, four from Pierce County, and three from Snohomish County, and members are appointed by their respective County Executives.” Also on the board is state Secretary of Transportation Roger Millar. The ST Board will make those major West Seattle decisions after the Final Environmental Impact Statement comes out in a timeframe ST current describes as “the middle of” this year. The board also has to find a new CEO. Its first full meeting of this year is January 25th.
Police were dispatched to this crash on the westbound West Seattle Bridge right after we received this photo from a texter, who describes the location as “just before 99 onramp.” No report of injuries so far.
(November photo by Stephen King)
A month and a half ago, two new cargo cranes arrived at Terminal 5 in West Seattle, one of the last major events before ships can start calling at the new south berth. We hadn’t noticed any additions on the schedule that’s regularly published by the Northwest Seaport Alliance, so we asked for a status update. NWSA spokesperson Melanie Stambaugh replied, “The construction team is in the final stages of preparing the terminal to open and we expect vessels to begin calling the south berth within the next month or so.” Exactly two years have now passed since the start of cargo calls at T-5’s north berth, modernized in the first phase of the half-billion-dollar modernization program. The same tenant is operating both berths, SSA. The primary line calling at the north berth has been MSC; we have an inquiry out about which line(s) are expected at the south berth.
(Photo sent by Mike Dey)
Thanks for the tips and photos! That fence is a sign that work is about to start on Lincoln Park‘s South Play Area, 6 1/2 years after the original play structure was closed and removed for safety issues. Seattle Parks spokesperson Karen O’Connor tells WSB, “We anticipate issuing the Notice to Proceed to the contractor next week, so it seems the contractor put up the fencing ahead of this notice.” We reported last September that a contractor had been chosen but wouldn’t be able to start work until early this year. The contractor is LW Sundstrom, whose winning bid was just under $1.2 million for this project and similar work at Westcrest Park (closed 2 1/2 years). Parks promises more information on the construction schedule next week.
11:09 AM: Orcas are in Elliott Bay today – Kersti Muul just texted with word that whales are currently in the “grain silos” area toward the north end of the downtown waterfront.
9:31 PM: Thanks to Greg Snyder for sending the photo!
ADDED EARLY SATURDAY: And thanks to Robert Spears for these pictures!
(Winter color – Sunburst lichen on dogwood branch, photographed by Rosalie Miller)
Mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, here’s the lineup for the rest of your Friday:
TODDLER GYM: Free drop-in gym at Arbor Heights Community Church, 10 am-11:30 am. (4113 SW 102nd)
SCRABBLE CLUB: Play 12:30-1:30 pm at Margie’s Café inside the Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon).
DIABETIC SUPPORT GROUP: Also at the Senior Center, 1 pm: “If you are diabetic or pre-diabetic, have a friend or family member who is, or are simply interested in the topic, join our monthly meetings that cover nutrition, foot care and vision care. To register, contact our social worker, Toni Ameslav: 206-932-4044 x9 or tonia@soundgenerations.org”
VISCON CELLARS: Tasting room/wine bar open – wine by the glass or bottle – 5-9 pm at Viscon Cellars (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor).
ASTRA LUMINA: Another chance to see the celestially inspired light show on the grounds of the Seattle Chinese Garden at the north end of the South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) campus continues tonight, 5 pm. Timed tickets and pricing info here.
LIVE MUSIC AT C & P: Acoustic “Circle of Songs” at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), 7-9 pm, all ages, no cover.
SHOWCASE AT THE SPOT: Fridays are Live Artist Showcase nights at The Spot West Seattle (2920 SW Avalon Way), 7-10 pm.
JAY FIDDY AT THE SKYLARK: 8 pm at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW), Jay Fiddy headlines a night of hip-hop. $15, all ages.
DJ NIGHT AT REVELRY ROOM: Music 9 pm-1 am on Fridays! (4547 California SW)
Something to add to our calendar? westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Family and friends will gather January 19 to remember Steve Lacher. Here’s the remembrance they’re sharing now with his community:
Steven Joseph Lacher
July 4, 1957 – November 21, 2023Steve passed away peacefully with his siblings by his side after a very courageous, hard-fought 4½-year battle with cancer.
Steve grew up in West Seattle, graduating from Holy Rosary Grade School in 1971 and O’Dea High School in 1975, where he played football, basketball, and baseball. Steve toured Europe on his 10-speed Schwinn bike between his Junior and Senior year on his own. After graduation, Steve attended Washington State University. Steve’s love of the outdoors and fishing took him to Alaska, where he spent several summers crabbing in the Behring Sea. Steve joined the US Navy in March of 1985, where he went to school learning the skills as a Boiler Technician. After his medical discharge from the Navy in October of 1989, he continued his education at Seattle Central Community College, earning an AS in Mariner Engineering. Steve used his education to work in his field in both Alaska and Washington. Steve’s last position was with the State of Washington as a Stationary Engineer 2 at Fircrest DSHS, where he retired July 1, 2023.
Steve loved his family, his solitude, his dog Bella, the outdoors, fishing, and all things football. He was disappointed with where the Seahawks were when he passed and had really hoped to be around to see the Huskies play in the National Championship.
Steve was preceded in death by his parents Joe and Karlene Lacher and his beloved dog Bella. He is survived by his siblings Jean (Michael), Jolene, Jill (Mark), and Joe (Joy) and his nieces and nephews.
A Funeral Mass will be held Friday, January 19, 2024 at 10:30 AM with reception following at Holy Rosary Catholic Church, 4139 42nd Ave SW.
Not being one who enjoyed dressing up, and with his love of football, one of Steve’s last requests was that everyone attending his service come wearing your favorite NFL or college football team attire or colors.
The family would like to thank Dr Henry Li and his staff at the Polyclinic Seattle for fighting Steve’s battle with him. We would also like to thank Providence Hospice of Seattle for the care and respect they gave Steve in his final months as well as the support given to our family.
Remembrances may be made to: Providence Hospice of Seattle Foundation, 2811 S. 102nd St., Suite 220, Tukwila, WA 98168, or Seattle Humane Society, or to the charity of your choice.
(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to westseattleblog@gmail.com)
6:00 AM: Good morning. It’s Friday, January 5th.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
More rain expected, breezy, high in the upper 40s. Today’s sunrise will be at 7:57 am, and the sun will set at 4:32 pm.
TRANSIT NOTES
Water Taxi today – Regular schedule. Check the real-time map if you’re wondering where the boat is.
Metro today – Regular schedule; check advisories here.
Washington State Ferries today – 2-boat service on the Triangle Route. Check alerts for changes, and use the real-time map to see where your ferry is.
ROAD WORK
As previewed here, pole installation for the permanent Highland Park Way/Holden signal is expected to result in lane closures again today.
SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS
(The video options on SDOT’s camera map still don’t work; SDOT told us they’re working on it, but they don’t know when the feeds will be fixed.)
Delridge cameras: Besides the one below (Delridge/Orchard), cameras are also at Delridge/Genesee, Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Henderson, 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; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are on this WSB page.
BRIDGE INFO: The @SDOTBridges feed on X (ex-Twitter) shows whether the city’s movable bridges are opening for vessel traffic.
If you see a problem on the bridges/streets/paths/water, please text or call us (when you can do that safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities if applicable). Thank you!
Police investigating a report of possible gunfire have found evidence. They got a report from High Point around 1:55 am that someone heard suspected gunfire and the sound of a car taking off; about 10 minutes later, an officer told dispatch they found “a couple of casings” a few blocks east of the caller, in the 2600 block of SW Brandon. No reports of injuries.
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