(Added: WSB photo)

3:57 PM: Police and fire are responding to a reported shooting in the 4600 block of 36th SW [vicinity map]. The victim is reported to be a man, with multiple gunshot wounds. The person who shot him is described as a Black man, late 20s to early 30s, all black clothing, white face mask, last seen running toward SW Snoqualmie. The victim is reported to be at the commissary kitchens across from the YMCA, though we don’t yet know if that’s where he was shot. Updates to come.

4:06 PM: The victim is reported to be in his (updated) 30s and conscious. SFD medics are treating him.

4:14 PM: He’ll be taken to Harborview Medical Center; medics say he was shot four times. The description of the shooter has been updated to add thin, tall, black hoodie and jeans, blue surgical mask.

4:25 PM: Our crew has confirmed the shooting happened inside the building at Distinguished Foods, which houses multiple small food businesses. We don’t know what if any relationship the victim has to any of them. Meantime, readers have pointed out that the West Seattle YMCA across the street went into lockdown as a precaution.

5:40 PM: Awaiting media briefing. SFD says the victim was in serious condition when transported.

7:11 PM: Finally just got media briefing. Sgt. Patrick Michaud says the victim has died. Description of his killer is the same as we mentioned above. The shooting happened in the building. We’ll upload full video of the briefing as soon as our crew is back at HQ.

7:41 PM: Here’s what else Sgt. Michaud told us (video added):

The (updated) 29-year-old victim was an employee of one of the businesses in the building, though he didn’t know which one. They’re not sure yet if this was random or targeted; there were other people in the room when the killer came in – entering through “the back kitchen door,” which was open – and shot the victim. The killer left on foot but as for whether he then got into a vehicle and left the area, they have “conflicting information,” with “several different car descriptions” – he said detectives are reviewing video from buildings in the area to find more clues. They have not found the gun that was used. If you have any information, call the SPD tipline at 206-233-5000.

12:36 AM: Thanks to the texter and commenter who report that the last police at the scene left before midnight and 36th reopened.

SIDE NOTE: This is the fourth homicide of 2024 in West Seattle, after 15-year-old Mobarak Adam‘s shooting death at Southwest Pool/Teen Center in January, 22-year-old Luis Solis Lara‘s shooting death on Duwamish Head in June, and 53-year-old William Tappe‘s beating death in the east Junction area in June. No arrests to date in either of the first two; in the third, as we first reported when the case came to light belatedly in July, 30-year-old Kyle Castillo is charged and out on $2 million bail.

THURSDAY 3:38 PM: The King County Medical Examiner’s Office identifies the victim as 32-year-old Laupule Talaga. (added) A commenter points out that one of the businesses that rents space at Distinguished Foods, Seattle Soul Kitchen, has posted on social media that the victim was an employee of theirs, a father of three, and that they believe he was targeted.

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FOLLOWUP: See video of new Southern Resident Killer Whale baby and its mom

September 25, 2024 3:55 pm

| 9 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | Whales

One week ago, we reported on the new baby born to the endangered Southern Resident Killer Whales. Baby L128 and mom L90 were still in the San Juans at last report. Today, a science team that recorded drone video of them, under research permit #21348, has made that video available to media, so we are publishing it. The team included SeaDoc Society, San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, and NOAA Fisheries, and the video is from September 15. The calf could have been as young as two days old, by estimate of the Center for Whale Research, when this was recorded.

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UPDATE: Eastbound West Seattle Bridge briefly closed at Fauntleroy entrance

September 25, 2024 3:20 pm

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

3:20 PM: If you have to head to the eastbound bridge via Fauntleroy, wait a while or try a different access point further east; the Fauntleroy entrance is temporarily closed while SDOT crews rearrange barriers knocked into the eastbound lanes by an earlier westbound spinout. (The crash scene is clear, no injuries reported.)

3:26 PM: Crews got the job done quickly and the bridge entrance has reopened.

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WEEKEND TRAFFIC ALERT: 1st Avenue South Bridge lane closures too

September 25, 2024 1:56 pm

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

With another scheduled Spokane Street Viaduct half-closure this weekend, a newly announced plan for weekend lane closures on the 1st Avenue South Bridge could have extra impact, so we’re mentioning it today. This is a state-owned bridge, so the announcement comes from the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) – routine bridge inspections are planned both mornings this weekend, Saturday, September 28, and Sunday, September 29. On Saturday, 6 am-noon, crews will close the two right southbound lanes of the 1st Ave. S. Bridge; on Sunday, also 6 am-noon, crews will close the left southbound lane. The weekend SSV closure is planned for eastbound lanes, so there shouldn’t be much overlap, but we’re sending out the early FYI just in case.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: ‘Pile of stolen mail’ found; stolen motorcycle missing

September 25, 2024 11:55 am

| 4 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

Two reader reports involving theft:

STOLEN MAIL FOUND: The report was sent by Peggy:

A pile of stolen, pilfered, destroyed mail was found on 28th Ave SW near Roxbury on Mon the 23rd, after PO hours, so was turned in to the Westwood PO [Tuesday]. All addresses were to 30th Ave SW. so if important mail hasn’t arrived, contact the PO.

STOLEN MOTORCYCLE STILL MISSING: Nine days after Mario‘s motorcycle was stolen, he’s hoping someone’s seen it:

Stolen 2023 Yamaha YZFR7 – plate 3K0469 – last seen in West Seattle (Fauntleroy/Alaska) on Sep. 17th around 7:30 am. Has rear fender delete, mirror eliminators, black brushed metallic wrap on most of the fairings as well as wind screen.

We’ll add the police report # when we get it.

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READER REPORT: Crash takes out hydrant at California/Findlay

September 25, 2024 11:15 am

| 12 COMMENTS

| Safety | West Seattle news

Thanks to William for the photo of a crash scene on the east side of California/Findlay, blocking Findlay. No SFD dispatch so apparently no injuries. No other info about the circumstances but we’re publishing this in case you see the knocked-over hydrant and wonder what happened.

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Talk with your school-board rep, light-rail meeting #1, ferry meeting #2, music, more for your West Seattle Wednesday

September 25, 2024 9:45 am

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(WSB photo, seen Tuesday along California SW north of The Junction)

Big day ahead. Here’s our reminder list of what’s happening, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar (where you can always preview the days and weeks ahead – we add to it frequently):

CITY BUDGET BRIEFING: Happening right now (started at 9:30), the City Council, meeting as the Select Budget Committee, is getting its first official briefing on Mayor Harrell‘s budget proposal. Documents are linked to the agenda here; live stream is via Seattle Channel.

NEW LIBRARY HOURS: The fall schedule begins today for Seattle Public Library branches.

TODDLER STORY TIME AT THE LIBRARY: 3 pm at Southwest Library (9010 35th SW).

HOMEWORK HELP: 4-5:45 pm at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond), volunteers can help K-12 students with their homework.

SOUND TRANSIT DROP-IN MEETING #1: 4:30 to 6:30 pm, Sound Transit reps will be at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW) for the first of three drop-in meetings to answer questions about the West Seattle light-rail project, now that its Final Environmental Impact Statement is out and the ST Board has to finalize routing and station locations. ST tells us this is strictly drop-in, no presentation planned, no open-mic commenting, etc.

COMMUNITY CONVERSATION WITH SCHOOL BOARD REP GINA TOPP: Want to talk about the school-closure proposals that are now being “retooled”? Or something else related to Seattle Public Schools? Our area’s elected board director Gina Topp will be at West Seattle (Admiral) Library (2306 42nd SW) 5-6 pm for Q&A/conversation.

FIX-IT WORKSHOP: Fix it, don’t toss it! Weekly event, free (donations appreciated), 5:30-7:30 pm at West Seattle Tool Library (4408 Delridge Way SW, northeast side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center).

WASHINGTON STATE FERRIES’ ONLINE MEETING #2: Second and final chance for Q&A at the fall systemwide community meeting, held online at 6 pm. RSVP here to get the link. (Here’s our report on the first session Tuesday afternoon.)

WESTSIDE BABY ‘BEYOND THE BASICS’: The nonprofit’s White Center hub (10002 14th SW) is where you can attend tonight’s annual benefit to help WS Baby help local babies and children, 6 pm. Check for tickets here.

FREE GROUP RUN: All runners, all levels, are welcome to join the weekly West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) group run – meet at the shop by 6:15 pm.

TRIVIA x 4: Four trivia options 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)

DONAVON FRANKENREITER, LIVE: Easy Street Records (4559 California SW) hosts an in-store show and signing. Free but advance purchase of his new record is required. 7 pm.

PIANO NIGHT AT OTTER ON THE ROCKS: All requests! 7 pm. (4210 SW Admiral Way)

MUSIC BINGO X 2: One night, two games! Play at The Good Society (California/Lander), 7 pm … At Three 9 Lounge (39th/Oregon), you can play MINGO music bingo, hosted by Mingo Maniac, at 7:30 pm Wednesdays.

SKYLARK OPEN MIC: The spotlight is yours! 7:30 pm signups for West Seattle’s longest-running open mic. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

Planning an open house, reading, tour, fundraiser, sale, discussion, show, meeting, presentation, etc., that’s open to the community? Please send us info so we can add it to West Seattle’s only comprehensive event calendar! westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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THINK PINK: Bridge School Cooperative Elementary’s flamingo-flock fundraiser

September 25, 2024 9:02 am

| 0 COMMENTS

| How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

(File photo from another organization’s flamingo-flock fundraiser)

We’re spotlighting another school fundraiser this morning: Bridge School Cooperative Elementary is raising money via flamingo flocking through the end of October.

Surprise your loved ones with a bright pink family of flamingos to decorate their yard or door.

Our flamingo wranglers (aka volunteers) will ensure a flock of pink flamingoes flies sneakily to the home of your friend, family member, or Bridge School buddy!

Send one, or send many!

The flamingo averse amongst us can even pay to protect their home from an invasion of flamingos (insurance) or have them sent on their way sooner than their usual migration pattern (early removal).

More details about how it works – plus the link for sending a flock – can be found here.

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TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER, ROAD WORK: Wednesday notes, with Arbor Heights stolen-car crash

September 25, 2024 6:02 am

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

8:53 AM: Crash reported at 42nd/106th in Arbor Heights – driver hit a utility pole. Intersection blocked westbound.

9:22 AM: Thanks to the reader who texted the photo. The driver is reported to have left the scene (though bleeding); the car checked out as “clear” (not stolen).

11:55 AM: However … checking the SPD X log, we now see the call classified as auto-theft-related.

1:13 PM: SPD confirms to us the car turned out to be stolen, and the driver hasn’t been found.

Earlier:

6:02 AM: Good morning. It’s Wednesday, September 25.

WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

Rainy, breezy, high in the mid-60s. Today’s sunrise will be at 7:01 am, while sunset will be at 6:59 pm.

SPOKANE ST. VIADUCT, AND OTHER ROAD WORK OF NOTE

*No work tonight on the Spokane Street Viaduct resurfacing project – the next scheduled lane closures are Thursday night (September 26).

Other projects:

*For the Admiral Way Bridge seismic project, the north half of the bridge remains closed, with one lane each way on the south side, until the project switches sides next month; Fairmount Avenue remains closed under the bridge.

*The Delridge pedestrian-bridge earthquake-safety project also continues, with narrowing at Delridge/Oregon.

TRANSIT

Metro buses today – Regular schedule.

Water Taxi today – Regular schedule.

Washington State Ferries today – 2 boats on the Triangle Route, plus the “unscheduled third boat,” now available on weekends too. Check for alerts here.

SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS

High Bridge – Here’s the main camera, followed by the Fauntleroy-end camera:

Low Bridge – Looking west:

Spokane Street Viaduct – This view usually looks westward, with eastbound lanes at left and westbound lanes at right:

1st Avenue South Bridge:

Delridge cameras: Besides the one below (Delridge/Genesee), cameras are also at Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Henderson, Delridge/Oregon, and video-only (so you have to go to the map), Delridge/Holden and Delridge/Thistle.

MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: All functioning traffic cams citywide are here; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are on this WSB page.

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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