West Seattle, Washington
09 Friday
Thanks to Jen Popp for that photo of tonight’s sunset, seen from Constellation Park. The wind alert has expired and we’re now getting back to relatively normal weather – until Thursday night. That’s when temperatures are supposed to drop, with an overnight low in the 20s. Will we see snow while the colder-than-normal air is hanging around? Right now the National Weather Service says it’s “likely” – especially Friday. So the city wants you to know it’s getting ready, and advises you should too – all that info is here (and more expected tomorrow).
(2023 Seattle Parks image of stadium study area for off-leash area)
We’re at the Fauntleroy Community Association‘s monthly meeting, where discussion has just concluded with Seattle Parks director of planning and development Andy Sheffer. The discussion was mostly about the Lincoln Park pickleball-court project – full story on that later – but before he left, Sheffer provided a short update on another issue involving the park – whether West Seattle’s next off-leash area will be at Lincoln Park or just south of West Seattle Stadium. Sheffer said he thinks the final choice is going to be the West Seattle Stadium site, which most recently looked less likely because of a city need for a place to charge some of the electric vehicles in the city fleet. Sheffer told the FCA he believes the site can handle a dog park and fleet charging, and that the plan will be presented to the Board of Parks and Recreation Commissioners on February 8.
Teresa Mosqueda‘s move from the Seattle City Council to the King County Council is complete with today’s swearing-in ceremony at the county council’s first meeting of the year. Administering the oath of office in the council chambers downtown was Councilmember Mosqueda’s husband, Manuel Valdes; they and their 4-year-old daughter live in North Delridge. Mosqueda was one of two newly elected councilmembers sworn in today, along with Jorge Barón; they are making history as the first Latina/o members elected to the County Council. Mosqueda, who succeeds Joe McDermott in representing District 8 (including White Center, West Seattle, Vashon and Maury Islands, and Burien), will chair two committees – the Health and Human Services Committee and the Regional Transit Committee, and will be vice chair of the Transportation, Economy and Environment Committee. You can track County Council meeting dates and agendas, including committee meetings, here.
Thanks for the tips about a sizable police response in High Point. We got there just as it was wrapping up. Officers at the scene told us that it had to do with a “hate crime that happened hours earlier.” One person was arrested. We asked SPD’s media office for further details; here’s the summary with which they replied:
Officers responded to reports of a male yelling racist remarks at passerby and pointing a gun at them in the 6000 block of Lanham Pl SW. Officers arrived and contacted a victim who stated the suspect threatened to kill them and pointed a gun toward them. Officers contacted the suspect and took him into custody. The suspect will be booked into KCJ [King County Jail] for investigation of hate-crime offense and felony harassment. Officers determined the weapon used was a BB gun.
The response had Lanham Place SW blocked near Graham, according to readers, but it should be clearing now if it hasn’t cleared already.
ADDED WEDNESDAY: The suspect is 38 years old. We hope to find out more about what happened in documentation that should be available after his bail/probable-cause hearing.
12:27 PM: As today’s strong wind continues – with the National Weather Service advisory remaining in effect until 10 pm – walkers and runners are facing obstacles as well as drivers; above, a reader photo shows tree limbs blocking the sidewalk on 61st SW in front of Il Nido/Alki Homestead. SDOT crews have numerous street-blocking trees to deal with around the city – this one near 22nd/Trenton was mentioned in our late-night coverage (another reader photo – thank you):
Downed wires are presenting problems too – most notably on East Marginal Way at Diagonal, which has a long stretch of 99 blocked in both directions, which we’re told is affecting access to the West Seattle Bridge from southbound 99. Meantime, the Seattle City Light outage map shows at least 10 small outages around the peninsula, with the largest current one affecting 10 customers. We’ll continue updating weather, traffic, and power issues here throughout the afternoon. Your tips are appreciated, whether downed trees, power outages, traffic issues, or other things people should know about – text 206-293-6302 (or email westseattleblog@gmail.com if it’s not urgent) – thank you!
1:30 PM: Highway 99/East Marginal has fully reopened, WSDOT says. … There’s a new power outage, 102 customers, just east of Lincoln Park, per SCL’s map.
3:01 PM: That outage has since been resolved.
4:41 PM: Reader on bus from downtown to West Seattle says driver is trying to divert from SB 99. We’re not seeing any new problems in traffic-tracking channels, though remaining spot outages might be affecting signals.
7:02 PM: Still gusty out there but much of the weather focus has moved on to the upcoming colder weather – here’s what the city says about preparations.
No weather-related cancellations in so far – we’ll note them on this list if that changes – so here are four tonight-only highlights from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
HIGHLAND PARK ELEMENTARY OPEN HOUSE: It’s the season to consider school decisions for next fall, and Highland Park Elementary (1012 SW Trenton) invites prospective families to visit tonight, 6-7 pm.
HOPE LUTHERAN PRESCHOOL INFO NIGHT: Hope Lutheran School (4456 42nd SW; WSB sponsor) has a play-based preschool for 3- and 4-year-olds, and invites prospective families to an informational event tonight, 6:30 pm. Our calendar listing has the link for preregistering.
FAUNTLEROY COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION: Agenda items are scheduled to include a discussion with a Seattle Parks manager about the Lincoln Park pickleball-court plan. Meeting will be in The Hall at Fauntleroy‘s Emerald Room instead of the usual schoolhouse conference room, 7 pm. (9131 California SW)
ADMIRAL NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION: 7 pm at Admiral Church (4320 SW Hill), here’s the plan, with public safety high on the agenda:
Join us Tuesday as we begin 2024 with updates from the Southwest Precinct, a conversation highlighting a campaign to create a more safe and livable, people-oriented district. We will also be giving previews and dates for 2024 events as well as presenting volunteer opportunities to get involved with us.
See the rest of today’s happenings on our full calendar.
The weather is expected to be a lot calmer by next Monday, which is Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day and a Day of Service for many. One big local volunteering opportunity will be at Denny International Middle School (2601 SW Kenyon), and you can sign up now to be part of this 9 am-1 pm event:
City Year Seattle/King County honors the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by serving in community at one of our partner schools. This year on Monday, January 15, 2024, our day of service will bring together alumni, donors, community members, and corporate partners as we revitalize Denny International Middle School. Volunteers will have the opportunity to paint murals, improve campus landscaping, clean, and organize the school for students, faculty, and staff. We believe MLK Day is a ‘day on,’ so come join us as we support the students of Denny International Middle School through service.
(If you’re also organizing a Day of Service event that’s open to more volunteers on Monday, please let us know – thanks!)
7:45 AM: Thanks for the tips. Two notes: Explorer West Middle School (WSB sponsor) is in that 89-customer outage zone east of Arbor Heights and currently hoping to open at 10 am. Meantime, there’s a new outage, largest yet, on Pigeon Point and in North Delridge, 1,376 customers. Here’s a screengrab of the Seattle City Light map:
9:20 AM: The Pigeon Point/North Delridge outage is resolved.
10:40 AM: As noted in comments, East Marginal/99 is blocked by downed lines. (added) Readers are also saying access to the West Seattle Bridge from SB 99 is blocked – you’ll be rerouted to the low bridge.
11:11 AM: We’ll keep updating here as needed until we start a new afternoon report at noon.
Earlier:
6:25 AM: Good morning. It’s Tuesday, January 9th.
WINDY WEATHER
We’re still under a Wind Advisory alert until 10 pm. The wind roared in late last night and took down some trees – here’s our early-am coverage (thanks again to everyone who sent photos). We don’t have updates on whether any of those trees have been cleared yet; the one at Marine View Drive/104th is the only one that got an overnight advisory – please let us know if you happen onto any others. Showers are also in the forecast, high in the mid-40s. Today’s sunrise will be at 7:56 am, and the sun will set at 4:36 pm.
POWER OUTAGES
Here’s the City Light map. As of right now, the only notable outage we’ve had in this area all night is affecting 89 customers, between north Arbor Heights and White Center. Outside the SCL coverage area, Puget Sound Energy has more than 23,000 customers out – at one point that included much of Vashon Island, but that appears to be down to some spot outages.
TRANSIT NOTES
Water Taxi today – No weather effects reported so far. Check the real-time map if you’re wondering where the boat is.
Metro today – No weather effects reported in our area so far; check advisories here.
Washington State Ferries today – No weather effects reported so far on the Triangle Route. Check alerts for changes, and use the real-time map to see where your ferry is.
SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS
(The video options on SDOT‘s camera map are working again.)
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!
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