8:52 PM: Police are investigating two armed robberies reported in Delridge minutes apart in the past half-hour – whether they’re related is not yet clear. Here’s the early information via police radio – the first one was a street robbery near Delridge/Findlay; the robber is described as Black, male, late teens, braces, black beanie, Nike jacket, dark shoes. The second one was reported to have happened at the Delridge/Andover Subway shop, with two robbers, described as Black, male, 20s, 6′, thin, both in black masks, one with a black hoodie, one in a red hoodie. A K-9 team is joining at least one of the searches, so people in the area will be hearing some “siren trips” (a required warning). If you have any information, call 911. (The robbery near Delridge/Findlay is SPD incident 24-263019, the one near Delridge/Andover is 24-263022.)

10:14 PM: No luck in the searches here but South Precinct police are now investigating a robbery in which the robbers match the description of the two in the Subway holdup here. They might be associated with a vehicle described as a white RAV-4.

ADDED MONDAY AFTERNOON: Police summaries reveal a few more details:
-The street robbery victim reported being held up at gunpoint after they got off a Metro bus in the 5400 block of Delridge. They said they were rushed by the robber, who pointed a gun at the and demanded their earbuds.

-Four minutes later, the robbery at Subway was reported. Police say the robbers pointed a gun at an employee and demanded money from the till; they also got away with the employee’s wallet containing cash, cards, and ID.

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WEEK AHEAD: Three neighborhood-group meetings – Admiral (with a coat drive), Alki, Fauntleroy

September 15, 2024 8:28 pm

| 2 COMMENTS

| Neighborhoods | West Seattle news

Neighborhood-group meetings in West Seattleare usually scattered throughout the month but due to two reschedulings, this week has three:

FAUNTLEROY COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION: Monthly meeting, postponed one week because of the presidential debate last Tuesday. 6 pm Tuesday (September 17), conference room at Fauntleroy Schoolhouse (9131 California SW). The agenda is in our calendar listing.

ADMIRAL NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION: Every-other-month meeting, postponed one week to give participants more time to “settle in” with the back-to-school routine. 7 pm Tuesday, Admiral Church (4320 SW Hill). Agenda highlights:

We will have reps from the SW Precinct, Department of Neighborhoods and the Seattle Emergency Communications Hub. We will also be recapping an amazing Summer as well as previewing upcoming Fall and Holiday events.

And ANA will be collecting gently used winter coats for the West Seattle Food Bank Clothesline – bring one (or more) to the meeting if you can!

ALKI COMMUNITY COUNCIL: Usual meeting night, third Thursday (September 19), 7 pm. This time it’ll be online, with a short general meeting followed by a work session for executive-board members. The general meeting will include updates from SPD and CARE. Full details and the attendance link are in our calendar listing.

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COUNTDOWN: Six weeks until West Seattle Junction Harvest Festival, back to former format

September 15, 2024 5:38 pm

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| West Seattle festivals | West Seattle news

(Costume parade in The Junction, WSB photo from October 2023)

After one year of separating the West Seattle Junction Association‘s fall celebration into two dates – the Fall Festival in late September, and trick-or-treating in late October – WSJA is bringing them back together this year. Everything will happen during one event as in previous years: The Harvest Festival, with the costume parade, trick-or-treating, chili cookoff, pie-eating contest, and other autumn activities, is set for six weeks from today – Sunday, October 27. The festival is set for 11 am-2 pm (the Farmers’ Market will start at 10 as always); an extra block of The Junction, California from Alaska to Edmunds, will be closed for festival activities as in years past. It’ll all start with the costume parade at 11 am (gather at 10:45 in Junction Plaza Park), led by the West Seattle High School Marching Band; the chili cookoff (proceeds benefiting the West Seattle Food Bank) also will start at 11 am. The Seattle Thrillers will perform in the Walk-All-Ways intersection at noon, and the pie-eating contest is set for 1 pm; trick-or-treating and other activities will happen throughout the festival. You can find details of all of the above and more on the Junction Association’s website.

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TRAFFIC ALERT UPDATE: West Seattle low bridge reopens to people on bikes and on foot; still closed to drivers, possibly for ‘days’

September 15, 2024 2:00 pm

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(SDOT camera screenshot, 1:50 pm)

2 PM: As we previously reported here, the West Seattle low bridge (aka Spokane Street Swing Bridge) has been closed to surface traffic – bicyclists and pedestrians as well as drivers – since a crash last night damaged one of its cross-bridge barriers. We’ve been asking SDOT for an update, and just received this from spokesperson Maribel Cruz:

Our crews have been on site since last night, working diligently to secure the area. Currently, the barrier remains down, and both our mechanical and electrical teams are conducting a comprehensive assessment of the damage. Early findings indicate damage to both the barrier and the mechanical housing, making it unlikely that the bridge will reopen today. We’re actively coordinating next steps and will share updates as soon as more information becomes available.

The driver smashed his car into the barrier as the bridge was opening for marine traffic just after 7 pm last night. He and a passenger were both taken to Harborview Medical Center; he was also reported by police as under arrest for investigation of DUI. We’ll update this story when we get more info from SDOT.

5:16 PM: No update from SDOT yet, but we notice via the live low-bridge camera that the bridge has been brought back into the “closed” position.

6:44 PM: Thanks for the tips. SDOT hadn’t been updating on X/Twitter but they did, it turns out, post that the low bridge is now open to pedestrians and bicyclists. Still closed to drivers. … We also have obtained more information about the crash investigation from police and have added it to the original story, including why the driver might face a gun-related charge.

9:13 PM: SDOT now says the low bridge might not reopen to drivers for at least a “few days.” The work done so far is what enabled the bridge to open for bicyclists and pedestrians – and ships will be able to request openings – but according to SDOT, “technicians do not expect to be able to reopen the bridge within the next few days and are continuing to develop a more exact timeline.” The department’s update explains that Saturday night’s “collision severely damaged the mechanical gate, lock mechanism, gate control panel, and sensors that are essential for safe bridge operations.” Also: “People may notice pedestrian signals will say ‘don’t walk’ even when the pedestrian gates are open and the bridge is properly locked in place for land travel. This is due to damaged sensors in the vehicle gate. The engineers are working to correct the signal issue, but rest assured it is safe for bicycles and pedestrians to cross when the pedestrian gates are open and there are no flashing lights or warning bells.”

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READER REPORT: From the dumped-possibly-stolen files – missing your glasses and/or bag(s)?

September 15, 2024 12:45 pm

| Comments Off on READER REPORT: From the dumped-possibly-stolen files – missing your glasses and/or bag(s)?

| Fauntleroy | West Seattle news

The photos and report are from Thomas:

found these items dumped at the salmon lookout above the ferry dock. Mostly junk, but there are some expensive women’s eyewear items in there as well.

If you recognize any of these items, let us know and we’ll connect you.

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Dog swimming, donations, dancing, choral concert, more for your West Seattle Sunday

September 15, 2024 6:30 am

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| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Photo by Rosalie Miller – not a bee, a hornet fly!)

Welcome to Sunday! Here are notes for today/tonight, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, plus traffic alerts:

LOW BRIDGE CLOSED: Still shut down following last night’s crash.

NO SPOKANE STREET VIADUCT CLOSURE: No work this weekend, so the Spokane Street Viaduct (continuation of West Seattle Bridge between 99 and I-5) remains fully open.

ORCA HALF, DAY 2: A second run of this half-marathon will be happening in West Seattle today, starting from Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW) in waves – first one at 7:30 am – heading to Don Armeni Boat Ramp (1222 Harbor Avenue SW). No road closures, but runners will use parking lanes in some areas.

BIG BLUE TRUCK: The Northwest Center‘s donation-dropoff truck (WSB sponsor) is outside WaFd Bank (4102 California SW). Our calendar listing has info on what items the truck will accept. 9 am-5 pm.

SWIM IN THE SOUND: At 9 am, jump into the weekly group plunge into Puget Sound off Alki – meet at Statue of Liberty Plaza (61st/Alki).

WESTIES RUN CLUB: Meet for today’s run at 9 am at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor).

WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: As usual, open 10 am-2 pm, late-summer produce, plus beverages, baked goods, flowers, cheese, fish, meat, prepared food, nuts, candy, more. (California SW between SW Alaska and SW Oregon) P.S. Market managers still invite you to answer a survey.

BEACH GRIEF WALK: 10 am at Constellation Park (63rd/Beach), free – our calendar listing has details.

DONATION DRIVE AT ALKI UCC: 11 am-3 pm, here’s what they hope you can donate:

Front Courtyard
www.alkiucc.org

This month’s priority: FOOD! FOOD! FOOD!

Our local food banks can’t meet the need on their own. The demand for basics is high: tortillas, rice, beans, cereal, bread, canned meats/tuna, peanut butter, fruit, etc. Fresh produce is even more important: if your garden is overflowing we will take your bounty! Nothing goes to waste!.

Outdoor gear and men’s work clothes are also needed. Your donations are distributed through the Westside Interfaith Network (WIN) Saturday lunch, hosted in White Center. Deepest gratitude to our community for your generous support of our neighbors in need.

(6115 SW Hinds)

SECOND-TIME SALE: 11:30 am-3 pm, day two of this curated indoor rummage sale at Fauntleroy Church (9140 California SW). You never know what you’ll find:

More photos in our preview.

‘NO ON 2117’ DEMONSTRATION: West Seattle opponents of November ballot initiative I-2117 plan a demonstration in The Junction 12:30 pm-2 pm and invite anyone interested to participate. (California/Alaska)

(Photo courtesy AHSTC)

DOG DAYS OF SUMMER: First day of a full week with daily dog swimming at Arbor Heights Swim and Tennis Club – $5/session or $25 pass for the whole week! Open today 12:30 pm-5 pm. (11003 31st SW)

STADIUM ZONE: If you’re headed toward SODO, be aware the Mariners are home, playing Texas, 1:10 pm.

CHORAL CONCERT: The Evergreen Ensemble (WSB sponsor) sings its “Liturgy” concert at Holy Rosary (42nd/Genesee), 3 pm, as previewed here. You can get tickets at 30 percent off by buying here with the code LITURGY30.

‘GUARDS AT THE TAJ’: First matinee for the award-winning “dark comedy” at ArtsWest (4711 California SW), 3 pm – info and tickets here.

DANCE AT THE BEACH: This season’s last scheduled night of salsa and bachata dancing at Alki Statue of Liberty Plaza (61st/Alki) starts with a lesson at 4:30 pm – more info here.

LIVE MUSIC AT THE ALLEY: Sunday night music with the Triangular Jazztet at The Alley (4509 California SW) – 8-10 pm.

Are you organizing and/or publicizing something that should be listed on our community event calendar – one-time or recurring? Just email us the basics – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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