West Seattle, Washington
08 Thursday
Thanks to Conrad Cipoletti, vice president of the Morgan Community Association, for the tip! For the first time in four years, West Seattle has a new King County Elections ballot dropbox – the fourth one on the peninsula, after High Point Library, The Junction, and South Seattle College (WSB sponsor). This one has popped up on the sidewalk in front of the north end of Morgan Junction Park, in the 6400 block of California SW. We have an inquiry out to KC Elections; next election will be the August 6 primary. (And you’ll be able to see the new ballot box up close and personal during the Morgan Junction. Community Festival, which MoCA is presenting in and around the park 10 am-2 pm Saturday, June 15.)
Almost five months ago, on Christmas Eve, we reported on a break-in at West Seattle Smoke Shop in The Junction, updated with word that a suspect had been arrested. That was the last we heard of the case until now. 
Earlier this week, the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office charged the suspect, 40-year-old Eric J. Mason of Alki, with second-degree burglary and obstruction of a law-enforcement officer. (At right is an arrest-night photo from charging documents.) The KCPAO notes the case was not sent to them by police until last week; they filed the charges Monday. As we noted on the night of the break-in, police found the suspect after he showed up at a Morgan Junction business with suspiciously bloody hands, allegedly from breaking glass to get into the Smoke Shop, from which he is accused of stealing about $1,500 in merchandise. Court documents say the obstruction charge is because he tried to run from officers that night. According to the jail register, Mason spent four days in custody. He has been back in jail since May 13, arrested in connection with an attempted robbery in Shoreline, for which he has been charged. Documents in the West Seattle case say Mason is also under investigation for two bank robberies in Seattle (which ones, the document doesn’t specify) and that he has an “extensive multi-state criminal history.” The jail docket shows that his bail is set at $100,000.
Got a car, van, motorcycle to show off? The students organizing this year’s Car Show invite you to join them! Noah sent the announcement:
This year we’re having our 3rd annual car show … June 1st, 2024, from 12 pm – 3:30 pm in the main WSHS parking lot.
The event is free to the public, and there is a small fee ($10) for people showing their cars that goes directly to support the WSHS Car Club. WSHS is the only high school in the district that still has an auto shop so we’re doing everything we can to keep it alive and well! We will have an award show, activities for kids, and a food truck from La Chingona Taqueria.
This year our car show is in association with the WSHS Alumni Association car show, so we’re expecting a great turnout.
The show will be in the school parking lot (3000 California SW). Here’s the registration link.
Lots of school news, now that we’re in the last month of the school year. If you have a Chief Sealth International High School senior in your household, the CSIHS PTSA reminds you that Friday (May 24) is the deadline to apply for the new scholarships they’re offering: $1,000 each for up to five graduating seniors planning to attend a college, university, or technical/vocational program. Get more info – and the application form – by going here.
(“Monday maritime traffic jam” on Elliott Bay, as photographer Lynn Hall described it)
Here’s what’s happening in the hours ahead, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
TODDLER READING TIME: 10:30 am Wednesdays at Paper Boat Booksellers (6040 California SW).
JUNCTION FC KICKOFF PARTY: It’s the first week for the new pre-pro soccer club West Seattle Junction fC, and Ounces (3809 Delridge Way SW) invites you to a celebration, 5-7 pm – details in our calendar listing.
FIX-IT WORKSHOP: DO fix what IS broke, to reconfigure the saying. Weekly event, 5:30-7:30 pm at West Seattle Tool Library (4408 Delridge Way SW, northeast side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center).
FREE ART CLASS: Watercolor mixed-media class, at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW), 6-8 pm.
FREE GROUP RUNS: The weekly West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) group run welcomes all levels, 6:15 pm.
TRIVIA x 4: Four places to play tonight. At 6 pm, Locust Cider (2820 Alki SW) offers trivia … Larry’s Tavern (3405 California SW) hosts Wednesday-night trivia starting at 7:30 pm … Quiz Night begins at 8 pm at Beveridge Place Pub (6413 California SW) … and at 8:30 pm, trivia with Phil T at Talarico’s (4718 California SW).
LIVE MUSIC AT THE LOCOL: 6:30 pm. 21+. Rotating performer slate. (7902 35th SW)
SDOT AND MORE AT HPAC: 7 pm online, the community coalition for Highland Park, Riverview, and South Delridge meets, featuring an SDOT presentation about the department’s proposal for a big change on Highland Park Way hill. Details are on the HPAC website, where you’ll also find the link for attending.
MUSIC BINGO: Play weekly at The Good Society (California/Lander), 7 pm.
SKYLARK OPEN MIC: 7:30 pm signups for West Seattle’s longest-running open mic. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
If you’re planning a presentation, meeting, performance, reading, tour, fundraiser, sale, discussion, etc., and it’s open to the community, please send us info so we can get it onto West Seattle’s only comprehensive event calendar! westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Family and friends will gather June 1 to celebrate the life of Georgia Mae Hutchison, as well as the life of her husband Dick, who died in 2020. Here’s the remembrance they are sharing for her now:
Georgia Mae Baskett Hutchison
January 19, 1932 ~ April 22, 2024Even at the age of 92, Georgia Mae Hutchison was a woman who lived life to the fullest. She was well known for her sense of humor and endless talents. Earlier hobbies included gardening, water volleyball, and the daily task of solving the New York Times crossword puzzle.
Born and raised in Seattle, Georgia graduated from West Seattle High School in 1949, and married the love of her life, Richard “Dick” Hutchison, in 1951. She attended beauty college, and eventually opened her own salon in West Seattle. It was called the Crown House, and the staff joined the local bowling league. She was an excellent seqmstress, making costumes for restaurants and theaters, as well as matching outfits for her children and grandchildren for Easter and Christmas.
Georgia was a faithful member of the church choir, and often served as director for both the youth and adult choirs. She also performed as soprano soloist for many groups in the Seattle area. All of this while raising five children!
Georgia was often called “mom” by her children’s friends. Dick and Georgia were caring and encouraging “parents” to all who entered their home. It was a welcome place for all. Singing and musical instruments of all kinds filled the air on a regular basis. Music was an integral part of daily life in the Hutchison household.
Dick and Georgia retired early to become official snowbirds, traveling to Golden Village Palms Resort in Hemet, CA. For many years, Georgia’s special yearly performance of “Oh Danny Boy” on St. Patrick’s Day was a great delight to all.
Their travels went beyond the USA to several countries around the world. Slowly but surely, they checked off their bucket list, one by one.
As Georgia’s dementia progressed, she and Dick stayed closer to home. Dick passed away in 2020, leaving Georgia in the care of family. She would often call out to him, wondering where he had gone. “Fishing with Tyler” was an often-used response until she decided, “They must have enough fish by now!”
It is a joy to know they are finally reunited once again, walking together, hand in hand. In the words of a shared quote, “I know for certain that we never lose the people we love, even to death. They continue to participate in every act, thought, and decision we make. Their love leaves an indelible imprint in our memories.”
Georgia is survived by her daughter Valerie, grands- Jesse, Jordan (Amanda), Kelly (Garett); son Brian (Halle), grands- Lacey, Carly; daughter Diann, grands- Ryan, Micah, Sarah; daughter Karen; daughter Kathy (Brett), grands- Taylor, Tatum, Trent, Tanner; 7 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great-grandchild.
Georgia was preceded in death by her parents, George Val and Pretoria Mae Baskett, and her brothers George, Lawrence, Wayne, and David. Also departed are son-in-law John (Diann’s husband), grandson Tyler (Diann’s son), and granddaughter Rory (Valerie’s stepdaughter). Most recent was the death of her beloved husband, Richard “Dick,” on October 5, 2020. They were together since the age of 14, and married for 69 years. What a glorious reunion awaits them in heaven.
We invite you to join us in a Celebration of Life for Georgia and Richard Hutchison at
Admiral Church
4320 SW Hill St.
Saturday, June 1, 2024 at 1:00 pmPlease share your photos and memories by visiting their full obituary pages and online guest books at emmickfunerals.com/obituary/Georgia-Hutchison and emmickfunerals.com/obituary/Richard-Hutchison
(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)
6:01 AM: Good morning! It’s Wednesday, May 22.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
Chance of rain, then clearing, high in low 60s.. Today’s sunrise was at 5:23 am; sunset will be at 8:49 pm.
ROAD-WORK ALERTS
*SDOT’s Delridge pedestrian-bridge earthquake-safety project continues, with narrowing at Delridge/Oregon:
*Sound Transit is scheduled to be drilling on 41st SW in the east Junction – here’s the alert info.
NEW SIGNAL
One more mention of what Bill pointed out: The new crossing at West Marginal/17th/Marginal Place is active.
TRANSIT NOTES
Metro today – Regular schedule; check for advisories here.
Water Taxi today – Regular schedule. Check the real-time map if you need to see where the boat is.
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. … Starting this week, work at the Southworth terminal is closing some lanes there for about 3 weeks.
SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS
Low bridge: Open.
Delridge cameras: Besides the one below (Delridge/Orchard), cameras are also at Delridge/Genesee, Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Henderson, Delridge/Oregon, and video-only (so you have to go to the map), Delridge/Holden and Delridge/Thistle.
High Bridge – Here’s the main camera:
High Bridge – the view from its southwest end (when SDOT points the 35th/Avalon/Fauntleroy camera that way):
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 open for vessel traffic. (Except the low bridge, for now; SDOT says it’s working on that.)
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!
2:57 AM: Police and fire are arriving at a reported shooting scene in the 9400 block of 27th SW. A woman is reported to have been shot in the leg.
3:04 AM: The victim is reported to be in her 30s or 40s with a “gunshot wound to each leg.” No information over the air yet about the circumstances of the shooting or suspect(s) description.
3:20 AM: No one is reported to be in custody. We listened back to the first few minutes of dispatch audio (from approximately 2:45 am); the dispatcher told police that callers reported five to 15 shots, and “three unknown-race males in black clothing and black hoods … running westbound.” The dispatcher told officers that the victim was inside a residence but the shots “came from outside.”
8:18 AM: SFD tells us the victim is 21 and that she was in stable condition when taken to Harborview.
1 PM: We asked SPD for followup information; here’s what they’ve posted to SPD Blotter:
A woman was injured and her child nearly struck, when bullets pierced their bedroom wall Wednesday morning in West Seattle.
At approximately 2:40 a.m., officers responded to the 9400 block of 27th Avenue Southwest to a report of a female shot. Officers arrived and located a female victim who had been shot twice in the legs. Officers provided medical aid until the Seattle Fire Department arrived and transported her to HMC in stable condition.
Officers learned the female victim and her child were sleeping in the same bed when gunfire rang out from a nearby courtyard. The toddler was unharmed. Officers located dozens of casings and recovered several spent bullets.
Gun Violence Reduction Unit detectives responded to the scene and will be leading the investigation. The exact circumstances leading up to the shooting remain under investigation. If anyone has information, please call the SPD Violent Crime Tip Line at (206) 233-5000, or Crime Stoppers: 1-800-222-TIPS. Crime Stoppers never asks for your name, and you can remain anonymous.
If you’ve been to the Alki Masonic Center in The Junction, chances are it was for a meeting or party – Sound Transit has had “open houses” about West Seattle light rail there; the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle has had its holiday-season pancake breakfasts there; just last week the Center for Active Living (formerly Senior Center) announced its new name there … the events are countless.
But they aren’t the building’s main purpose. It’s home to Alki Masonic Lodge 152, a 118-year-old chapter of a centuries-old fraternity. For decades, its members have engaged in community service too – including the annual School Awards Night in Support of Our Public School System last night.
(Photos by Rick McGann. Above, L to R, Martin Monk, Delton Johnson, Tom Christie)
The lodge and its parent organization believe strongly in public education, so every year these awards are given to accomplished junior-year students from Chief Sealth International High School and West Seattle High School. The Masons are “very proud” of being able to provide this support, said Martin Monk, who emceed the event. Before the awards were presented, the lodge’s current leader, Worshipful Master Delton Johnson, expressed hope that the students would “build on what’s good in the world and foster change in what you think can be better.” He quoted Malcolm X: “The future belongs to those who prepare for it today.”
Agreed Tom Christie, another lodge member who spoke: “Education is a lifelong process – there’s always something new to learn.”
The awards are a collaboration between the schools and the lodge – they ask administrators to nominate potential recipients. Here are the Chief Sealth students honored last night:
Charlotte Lindow
Hannah Mueller
Heran Andermariam
Sadie Ransom
Vinh Le-Truong
Eleanor Kamin (not present)
Allison Ohta (not present)
And the WSHS honorees:
Edie Branner
Ellen Rikhof
Danna Martinez
Nina Soleil Abdus-Salaam
Jhana Saboe Hutchinson
Fiona Tesfamariam
Afra Mizra
Souljah Tyson (not present)
Each honored student receives a certificate and a “monetary gift,” their hosts explained. Then the Top Students were announced – from WSHS, Edie Branner – whose interest in international affairs was noted – and Ellen Rikhof, who plans to pursue studies in marine biology, and from CSIHS, Charlotte Lindow and Alison Ohta (unable to accept in person). The Top Student winners were invited to speak, and all three who were there offered words of gratitude to their families and educators. Both schools were invited to send faculty; for WSHS, counselor Erica Nguyen and assistant principal Ron Knight were there. Knight accepted the perpetual plaque that displays the name of each year’s top two:
Today at CSIHS, principal Ray Morales was given the Sealth plaque:
(Photo courtesy Michelle Riggen-Ransom)
At last night’s event, photo ops followed the presentation, along with a pizza dinner downstairs in the big room where so many organizations have their events. And the students also went home with warm words from the Masons – Johnson called them “changemakers”; Christie observed, “I think the world is in good hands.”
Sent by Will on behalf of his neighbor:
They had posted their car for sale and had someone come for a test drive – and the person drove off and stole it! This happened around 4 pm yesterday on 52nd Ave by Alki. The car is a black Mercedes SUV, license BPA 2209. Any sightings would be appreciated. Police report # 24-137147.
Call 911 if you see it.
(WSB file photo)
Cupcake Royale‘s West Seattle café, long listed for sale, will “eventually” close, as will the mini-chain’s other remaining cafés (the Ballard shop closed earlier this spring). That’s according to an email announcement from owner Jody Hall a short time ago.
In 2003 we opened our doors and pioneered the cupcake craze. It’s been an incredible journey, celebrating life’s big moments and everyday joys. Thank you for being part of our sweet story!
We have some big news and I wanted you to hear it from me first. We’re exploring various options to reinvent ourselves to flourish for the next 20 years. This includes our decision to eventually close our retail cafes and rebuild the business to offer better cupcake pricing, richer compensation for our team, and ability to maintain a sustainable business. It’s a tough but necessary call. ….
Even before this announcement, we had been seeking comment from Hall about the for-sale listing, but she declined to discuss it until she had met with her staff. In addition to urging customers to keep visiting the cafés while they’re open, Hall’s email today says CR is “actively seeking partners for cupcake pick-up locations across Seattle and the Eastside” and she’s also seeking suggestions for “who should fill our shoes” in West Seattle (as well as Madrona and Burien). The West Seattle location, in the city-landmark Campbell Building on the northeast corner of California/Alaska, opened almost exactly 18 years ago – on May 19, 2006.
Ben and Reed from the Fauntleroy Fall Festival are at Endolyne Joe’s (9261 45th SW) right now as the restaurant’s special annual festival fundraiser continues. If you dine/drink, part of today’s tab will go to the donations-and-volunteers-powered festival, but that’s not the only way to help!
Whether or not you’re dining/drinking, you can buy raffle tickets – three for $5 – for a chance at a variety of donated goodie baskets – items up for grabs include games, puzzles, coffee, event tickets, gardening items, more!
The basket raffle is on through 9 pm; Joe’s is open until 10. And set your calendar for the next Fauntleroy Fall Festival – October 20! (Here’s our 2023 coverage, if you’ve never been and wonder what it’s like.)
4:05 PM: Thanks for the tips! 38 homes on Genesee Hill are out of power, and this is the likely cause:
Gary sent that photo and reports, “It was a transformer explosion…..fire truck has the alley south of the 4400 block of Genesee cordoned off. The transformer is still smoldering.” According to the Seattle City Light outage map, this happened around 3:11 pm.
MIDNIGHT: Power’s been restored since our last check of the outage map a few hours ago.
(2023 photo by Mike Mahanay, just before Colman Pool’s season opened)
While Colman Pool‘s opening date was announced last month, the full schedule wasn’t finalized – but we have it today, along with this year’s wading-pool and spraypark schedules.
COLMAN POOL (8603 Fauntleroy Way SW): The city’s heated outdoor saltwater pool on the Lincoln Park shore will open for “preseason” weekends May 25-27, June 1-2, June 8-9, June 15-16. Swim-session times are listed here. Daily operation starts June 22 and continues through Labor Day (Monday, September 2). Colman Pool will be closed to the public on these dates for swim meets: June 27-29 and July 12-13.
SPRAYPARK: West Seattle has one, at Highland Park Playground (1100 SW Cloverdale), and it will be open daily starting Saturday (May 25), through Labor Day, 11 am-8 pm each day.
WADING POOLS: West Seattle has four (citywide info is here):
Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW), 12 pm-7 pm every day, June 22-September 2
EC Hughes Playground (2805 SW Holden), June 24-August 18, Mondays, Tuesdays, Sundays, 12 pm-7 pm
Delridge Community Center (4501 Delridge Way SW), June 26-August 16, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, 12 pm-5:30 pm
Hiawatha Community Center (2700 California SW), June 27-August 17, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, 12 pm-5:30 pm
*The South Park wading pool is closed this year “due to community-center closure and plans to convert to a spraypark,” Parks says.
INDOOR POOL: Southwest Pool continues regular operations through the summer.
Sent by Casey at First Lutheran Church of West Seattle (north of The Junction):
This suitcase was by the front door of First Lutheran Church this morning, open and rifled through, containing personal items looking like possibly stolen out of someone’s car returning from the airport. Call us, or email admin@flcws.org if it looks like yours. 206-935-6530
(WSB photo, downhill on HP Way, late Monday afternoon)
A week and a half ago, we reported on SDOT‘s proposal to replace a downhill driving lane on the Highland Park Way hill with a protected bicycle lane (1st rendering below), an expanded multi-use path (2nd rendering below), or both (bike lane first, expanded path later).
The announcement and infopage list several opportunities to hear from/talk with SDOT reps about the plan, and the next two days bring three of those events, so we wanted to mention them: Two are tomorrow (Wednesday, May 22) – at South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) Brockey Center during the Spring Fling, 11 am-2 pm, and during the monthly HPAC meeting, 7 pm, online-only this month so go here to get the connection information. Then on Thursday (May 23), SDOT will be back at Highland Park Corner Store (7789 Highland Park Way SW), 4-8 pm.
If you can’t get to any of those events in person, you can also comment online in survey format – go here by June 15 – or via email at HighlandHolden@seattle.gov.
11:02 AM: As the screengrab from the West Seattle Bridge traffic camera shows, lanes are currently blocked on both sides of the West Seattle Bridge while crews clear away “debris” – apparently gravel – spilled on both sides, near 99. This isn’t the only trouble on that stretch of the bridge, which also saw a crash earlier, as noted in our morning traffic roundup.
11:10 AM: According to police radio, the gravel is from a truck that hit the barrier.
11:47 AM: Just checked the live camera; the cleanup continues.
12:09 PM: The cleanup has wrapped up and all lanes are open again.
Happening now and in the hours ahead, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
FAUNTLEROY FALL FESTIVAL DINE-OUT BENEFIT: Dine at Endolyne Joe’s (9261 45th SW) any time today/tonight – it’s open until 10 pm – and part of the proceeds go to the Fauntleroy Fall Festival, as previewed here. If you’re there for dinner (4-9 pm) you can also buy tickets for a benefit raffle.
FREE PLAYSPACE: Drop in Tuesday mornings 9 am 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 period – 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.
TRANSPORTATION LEVY PUBLIC HEARING: Got something to say about the mayor’s revised proposal for a transportation levy raising $1.45 billion over eight years? The City Council is reviewing it now and the first public hearing is at 4:30 pm, as previewed here; the agenda explains how to comment, either in person or remotely.
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.
WEST SEATTLE COMMUNITY ORCHESTRAS, FREE CONCERT #2: Thanks to Dawn Hepburn for the video from last Friday’s first free May WSCO concert – tonight at 6 pm, two more WSCO groups present a free concert, 6 pm at Chief Sealth IHS‘s auditorium (2600 SW Thistle).
FREE INTRODUCTORY ASL CLASSES: This start-any-time series continues, 6 pm at the West Seattle Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (4001 44th SW), info here.
SCRABBLE NIGHT: 6-10 pm tonight, play Scrabble at The Missing Piece (9456 35th SW).
FREE TRACK RUN: Run with your neighbors! 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 (tonight – Taylor Swift trivia!); 7 pm at Zeeks Pizza West Seattle (6459 California SW), hosted by Geeks Who Drink; 7:10 pm at Admiral Pub (2306 California SW).
WEST SEATTLE PFLAG MEETING: Second monthly meeting of the new group, 7:30 pm at Admiral Church (4320 SW Hill).
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!
8:53 AM: Two months ago, new owners were announced for Admiral restaurant/bar Mission Cantina, which had closed in early February after 19 years. This morning, its reopening date has been announced – one week from today. A ribboncutting is planned for 4 pm Tuesday, May 28, according to general manager Mike D. Adams. New owners Gina Topp and Ben Johnson announced in March that they weren’t planning any major changes – “our primary objective is to maintain the community asset that is Mission Cantina.” (If you’ve never been, it’s at 2325 California SW.)
ADDED 10 AM: The formal announcement of the reopening says hours will be 4 pm-midnight Sundays-Thursdays and 4 pm-1 am Fridays and Saturdays.
9 AM: Via text – “Two-car blocking accident on WSB on ramp going west from 99. Extremely slick road conditions there due to heavy rain after being dry & I assume all the car fluids built up over the last few weeks.”
11:04 AM: More bridge trouble – a debris spill on both sides of the barrier at that spot. A cleanup crew is on site.
Earlier:
6:03 AM: Good morning! It’s Tuesday, May 21.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
Showers, high in the mid-50s.. Today’s sunrise was at 5:24 am; sunset will be at 8:48 pm.
ROAD-WORK ALERTS
*SDOT work at Highland Park Way/Holden continues.
*SDOT’s Delridge pedestrian-bridge earthquake-safety project continues, with narrowing at Delridge/Oregon:
*Sound Transit is scheduled to be drilling on 41st SW in the east Junction – here’s the alert info.
NEW SIGNAL
Bill emailed to point this out: “Of interest to cyclists and pedestrians, and a newly active signal drivers need to be aware of: The long-dormant new pedestrian crossing on West Marginal Way SW at 17th Ave SW & SW Marginal Pl SW is active. This allows crossing from the protected bike lane on W Marginal Way SW to the new sidewalk on the north side of W Marginal. Going between the Alki Trail and Duwamish Trail cyclists can avoid riding over the hump at the west end of the lower bridge and waiting at the Chelan intersection.”
TRANSIT NOTES
Metro today – Regular schedule; check for advisories here.
Water Taxi today – Regular schedule. Check the real-time map if you need to see where the boat is.
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. … Starting this week, work at the Southworth terminal is closing some lanes there for about 3 weeks.
SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS
Low bridge: Open.
Delridge cameras: Besides the one below (Delridge/Orchard), cameras are also at Delridge/Genesee, Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Henderson, Delridge/Oregon, and video-only (so you have to go to the map), Delridge/Holden and Delridge/Thistle.
High Bridge – Here’s the main camera:
High Bridge – the view from its southwest end (when SDOT points the 35th/Avalon/Fauntleroy camera that way):
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 open for vessel traffic. (Except the low bridge, for now; SDOT says it’s working on that.)
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!
(Victim’s photo, as displayed at April 27 vigil)
Today was the charging deadline for the 37-year-old man arrested in Puyallup last week on suspicion he was the hit-run driver who killed 81-year-old Tommy Joe Garrett at 15th/Roxbury last month. Tonight, after the online court file showed no sign of charges, we checked the King County Jail register – and it showed that the suspect had been released from jail just after 9 pm tonight. We sought comment from the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office; spokesperson Casey McNerthney explains: “Prosecutors submitted the certification of determination of probable cause by police investigators. The court did not find probable cause for the criminal charge. Probable cause for a criminal charge is different than finding probable cause at a first appearance – there is a lower standard for probable cause at a first appearance hearing.”
Could the same suspect still be charged in the future, if there was different/more evidence, for example? McNerthney says, “Prosecutors can review additional and/or clarifying information from police investigators anytime within the statute of limitations.” In the document for last week’s initial court hearing, King County Sheriff’s Office detectives had said they traced the vehicle involved in the hit-run (which belongs to the suspect’s mother) – and then its driver – through security cameras and cell-phone records. We’ll continue following up.
Two reader reports in West Seattle Crime Watch:
STOLEN SUBARU: The report and photo were sent by Jessica:
Early Friday morning my 2018 white Subaru Crosstrek was stolen just outside my house off SW Elmgrove street and 18th Ave SW. I believe they found my hide-a-key because no glass was broken.
License plate: BKU3328
VIN: (ends in) 132
Case Number: 24-133807There’s also a vibrant purple, pink, & orange floral Mexican tassel hanging on the front mirror, similar to the one in the attached picture.
WORK VAN BREAK-IN: Reported via text: “My partner’s work van got broken into. We think it was Friday night, because on Saturday morning a neighbor came to our apartment and told us it was. We had no idea who the man was, and why he knew where we lived, so we didn’t take it seriously at the time. But it was on 42nd and Brandon, right off California.” The thief/thieves broke a window to get into the van, which is used for an environmental-testing firm, and stole “about 50 items.”
On Sunday thanks to photos from Michelle Edwards and Jim Edwards (current and past coordinators of the West Seattle Grand Parade), we showed you the West Seattle HS and Chief Sealth IHS Marching Bands in Victoria, B.C. Today, both marched in the Victoria Day Parade, and the Edwardses sent photos again:
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You can also see both in CHEK-TV‘s broadcast of the entire parade – we went through to get the time codes: 1:04:55 in, you’ll see WSHS; 1:14:00 in, you’ll see Chief Sealth:
The individual school bands generally don’t march in the summer – they and other Seattle Public Schools are represented in the All-City Band, seen in the West Seattle Grand Parade among many others
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