West Seattle, Washington
18 Thursday
8:57 PM: Seattle Fire and Police are arriving at a two-car crash at Avalon/Andover [map], with one vehicle reported to have flipped. Updates to come. Avalon is blocked at Yancy.
(Added: WSB photo)
9:02 PM: SFD is downsizing its response – they say three people are all out safely, and no one needs to be extricated.
9:15 PM: The initially dispatched medic and aid units were cleared, which suggests no life-threatening injuries. SDOT has a crew on the way to clean up fluid and debris.
(Added: Photo sent by Mark)
9:35 PM: Photos added. We were told at the scene that one person was taken to a hospital; we’re following up further on that.
9:53 PM: Police say they’re reopening “all lanes of travel.”
10:09 PM: SFD spokesperson Kaila Lafferty tells us a woman in her early 30s was taken to a hospital by private ambulance.
We’ve been following up on the 13-year-old boy arrested for investigation of a robbery and assault at the Westwood Village Rite Aid last Saturday night. According to prosecutors and court records, he already has two other cases pending – and was wanted on warrants for both. (We are not publishing his name, as he is in the juvenile prosecution/detention system.)
The first case gained regional media attention – also a business robbery and assault, last September at a mini-mart in Normandy Park, where security video (aired in TV reports like this one) showed someone – allegedly this same suspect – beating and kicking the clerk. The suspect was charged with second-degree robbery, fourth-degree assault, and third-degree theft. Court documents say he was identified to authorities by his parents – his father is quoted as telling authorities he had taught his son to box and recognized his movements in the store security video. He was held in secure detention for some time but then, according to the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, he was placed on electronic home monitoring this past February 14 (though the KCPAO says they have “consistently” argued for detention). One week later, prosecutors say, he cut the monitoring device, and a warrant was issued. One week after that, on February 28, he was charged with taking a motor vehicle without permission in connection with the theft last October of a Hyundai Elantra in Renton. Two weeks after those charges were filed, he failed to appear for arraignment in mid-March, and prosecutors sought another warrant. Since his arrest last weekend, he has pleaded not guilty. Tomorrow is the deadline for charges in the new case; prosecutors asked that he remain held in secure detention, and a judge agreed.
We’re now in the second week of registration for West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day 2024, and 180+ sales are now on the list for Saturday, May 11, one big day of shopping and selling, from Alki to The Arroyos, Pigeon Point to Brace Point, North Admiral to South Delridge, Sunrise Heights to Arbor Heights, and just about every neighborhood inbetween. Most are individual sales but there are also block sales, business sales, and fundraiser sales – wide variety of sellers and merchandise. Registration still has two-plus weeks to go but don’t wait too long – once the deadline (which we’ll set soon) passes, we have to lock down and get busy with the map and guide so that they can be available a week in advance (on May 4). So if you’re ready to register now (with your 20-word sale listing ready to go too), here’s the link!
(Photo sent by Kellie, sighting near 41st/Alaska)
They’re not turkeys, though they’re often mistaken for them. The wandering Guinea Fowl of West Seattle have been seen for months north of The Junction – we’ve featured them in some of our galleries of bird photos sent by readers. But these past few days, readers have sent photos of them closer to the heart of The Junction, expressing concern for their safety – the next photo was from Kristin, who emailed this morning to say, “They’re on the corner of 41st and Oregon. Cars on Oregon are dodging them.”
Those two photos above are from today; the next one was sent by James last week, taken near 41st/Genesee, closer to the north-of-Junction location of most previous sightings people have mentioned to us:
If these are your birds, we’d be interested in the story behind them, after so many sighting reports – westseattleblog@gmail.com.
**UPDATE: The dates are now April 20-29**
(Low bridge, SDOT traffic camera)
When SDOT first sent the alert last Friday that a low-bridge closure was ahead, it was described as likely being for “about a week” during the window of April 19-28. Today, an update from SDOT – the bridge is expected to be closed to surface traffic for that entire 10-day window:
From Friday, April 19 through Sunday, April 28, the Spokane St Swing Bridge (low bridge) will temporarily be closed to people driving, walking and biking. This closure is necessary because the Seattle Department of Transportation crews have to move the control tower wires from the West Seattle Bridge (the high bridge) to a new underground conduit below the West Duwamish Waterway and replace the control system. These wires are connected to the hydraulic system that opens and closes the bridge. The West Seattle Bridge (high bridge) will remain open during the low bridge closure.
Travelers will need to detour to other routes. During the closure of the low bridge, here are options for reaching your destinations:
–Riding the bus: Buses provide a reliable option for travel across the Duwamish Waterway via the West Seattle Bridge (high bridge). They accommodate people walking, biking, and rolling, offering the fastest route without driving. Use King County Metro’s trip planner for route and schedule details.
–Riding the Water Taxi: The West Seattle Water Taxi offers direct service to downtown Seattle and operates seven days a week. Large vessels can accommodate up to 26 bikes.
–Driving/Carpooling on the West Seattle Bridge (high bridge): The West Seattle Bridge (high bridge) remains open for drivers with no vehicle access restrictions. Note that pedestrians and cyclists cannot use this bridge.
–Walking, biking, and rolling: For people who bike, walk or roll, there are several other routes to get around the closure. Check out the SDOT Bike Map to find available bike facilities. For people who walk or roll, we recommend utilizing public transit to reach your destination.
We are offering assistance to people impacted by the closure to use transit with a rewards code available through the TransitGo app. For detailed instructions on how to access this reward, go to this link.
For more detailed information about the closure and how to get around, visit SDOT Blog.
There’s other work ahead too over the next two years that will require “short-term closures,” including more cylinder overhauls. More info about the bridge’s ongoing work is here.
(Course map, from Emerald City Ride website)
Planning to join the Cascade Bicycle Club‘s Emerald City Ride across the West Seattle Bridge and beyond on May 5, but haven’t registered yet? If you sign up by Thursday (April 11th), you can get your packet by mail instead of having to pick it up. We first told you one month ago about the Emerald City Ride, which will close the westbound side of the high bridge for a few hours that Sunday morning so riders can cross as part of a route that starts and ends in SODO, with other West Seattle streets along the way. See the course map here; the full ride is 20 miles, but there are shorter options. You can go here to register.
One of Westwood Village‘s two biggest vacant storefronts apparently has a tenant. Five months after Staples moved out of 2501 SW Trenton in the northeast corner of the shopping center, city permit files show a site plan for Total Wine & More, the multi-state chain that sells liquor as well as wine and beer. Its website shows seven stores in the metro area; two are in Seattle, in Interbay and Northgate. We have a message out to Total Wine to ask about timeline. (Side note: The north side of WWV had a liquor store in the 2010s, state-run for about two years until privatization. Now you can buy liquor at the WWV Target, QFC, and Rite Aid stores.)
(Harbor seals seen near T-107 Park on the Duwamish River – photo by Steve Bender)
Here are quick links to what’s happening in West Seattle today/tonight, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
EXPANDED FAUNTLEROY YMCA HOURS: Second week of the Fauntleroy YMCA (WSB sponsor) soft-opening its newly expanded hours – 9 am to noon and 4 pm to 7 pm, Mondays through Thursdays.
FREE PLAYSPACE: Drop in Tuesday mornings until noon at West Seattle Church of the Nazarene (42nd/Juneau).
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.)
CITY COUNCIL MEETING: Regular weekly meeting of the Seattle City Council, 2 pm. There is a public-comment section – in person or by phone – if there’s something you want to tell the council. The agenda explains how. You can watch live via Seattle Channel.
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.
FAUNTLEROY COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION: (corrected) 6 pm, board meeting open to community members, in-person at Fauntleroy Schoolhouse conference room (9131 California SW) or online.
FREE INTRODUCTORY ASL CLASSES: New series starts 6 pm tonight, at the West Seattle Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (4001 44th SW), info here.
WEST SEATTLE WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS: Monthly meeting, 6 pm at West Seattle Coworking (9030 35th SW) – RSVP here.
SCRABBLE NIGHT: 6-10 pm, you can play Scrabble at The Missing Piece (9456 35th SW).
FREE TRACK RUN: Run with new (or not-so-new) friends! Meet at West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) for this free weekly run at 6:15 pm.
MAKE POTTERY: 6:30-9 pm “girls’ night” at pottery studio The Clay Cauldron (5214 Delridge Way SW), sign up in advance to work on your project(s).
BINGO AT THE SKYLARK: Play – free! – Belle of the Balls Bingo hosted by Cookie Couture, 7 pm Tuesdays. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
TRIVIA X 4: Four places to play Tuesday nights – The Beer Junction (4711 California SW) has Sporcle Pub Quiz with David at 7 and 8 pm … 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).
BINGO AT TALARICO’S: You can play 8 pm bingo every Tuesday. (4718 California SW)
What are YOU planning? Are community members invited? Tell everyone via our event calendar – please email the info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
The spring edition of “Write Your Story” – the free workshop series for 8- to 12-year-olds, coordinated by West Seattle’s Julia Douthwaite Viglione – just wrapped up, and she reports that 12 participants created a “rollicking fable” titled “The Troll of the West Seattle Bridge.” What will the summer group do? Registration is open now – here’s the announcement!
Write YOUR Story – Summer 2024 – Enrolling now!
Theme: Growing Things
Who is invited? People age 8-12 who like stories
When? Every Wednesday, July 3 – September 4, 2024 – 4:30—5:30 pm
Where? Upstairs activity room, Curious Kidstuff toy store – 4740 California Ave SW
Stories we’ll read:
The Carrot Seed by Ruth Krauss and
“A Pumpkin Seed” by Patrick Chamoiseau in Creole Folktales
Write YOUR Story, est. 2012, is a free workshop led by local writers for local kids
“We read, we write, and we have a lot of fun.”
For info or to enroll, contact: juliawsea@gmail.com
6:03 AM: Good morning. It’s Tuesday, April 9, and spring break continues for Seattle Public Schools and independent schools with similar calendars.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
Morning rain likely, then partly sunny, high in the mid-50s. Sunrise will be at 6:30 am, sunset at 7:51 pm.
ROAD-WORK ALERT
(WSB photo on 21st, noontime Monday)
Repaving work is expected to continue today on 21st SW between Dawson and 22nd – details here.
TRANSIT NOTES
Metro today – Regular schedule; check advisories here – lots of trip cancellations this week.
Water Taxi today – Regular schedule. Check the real-time map if you need to see where the boat is. Reminder, NO WATER TAXI this weekend – April 13-14 – to prepare for the spring/summer season (which adds Friday/Saturday later-in-the-evening sailings starting Friday, April 19). The shuttle buses WILL run, though, Metro says.
Washington State Ferries today – The usual 2 boats on the Triangle Route. Check WSF alerts for last-minute changes. Use the real-time map to see where your ferry is.
SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS
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:
Highway 99: – northbound side at Lander:
MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: All functioning traffic cams citywide are 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 our hotline (when you can do that safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities if they’re not already on scene) – 206-293-6302. Thank you!
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