day : 15/10/2024 11 results

WEDNESDAY: Comment time for city budget, including two new West Seattle school-zone ticketing cameras

| Safety | West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

(Graphic from seattle.gov)

Tomorrow night brings the first of two City Council public hearings devoted entirely to the budget proposal for the next two years. (Read it in its entirety, or department by department, as linked here.) You can speak to the council either in person at City Hall or remotely. The hearing starts at 5 pm. If you’re going to City Hall, child care is available starting at 4:30 pm (RSVP via email, leg_operations@seattle.gov). That’s also when signups start for the commenter list. At City Hall, the signup sheet is inside Council Chambers upstairs; remotely, follow these instructions.

We reported some West Seattle-specific budget points in this late-September story. One additional point of note: SDOT‘s budget proposal includes speeding-ticket cameras for 19 more school zones around the city, and while the locations aren’t listed in the budget document, SDOT has released the list. Two of the new camera zones are in our area – West Seattle High School and Alki Elementary. SDOT says the new cameras around the city would “be implemented in two phases in 2025” – WSHS is in Phase 1, and Alki Elementary (which is being rebuilt and expanded, opening in fall 2026) is in Phase 2. The camera zone for WSHS is described as California SW between SW Hanford and SW Stevens; the camera zone for Alki is described as SW Admiral Way between 60th SW and 57th SW. The budget item actually is for revenue rather than spending – the document says funding for camera installation is already in this year’s budget; projected ticketrevenue is more than $4 million next year, $10 million the year after that.

West Seattle already has five school zones with camera enforcement – Delridge Way for Boren STEM K-8, Fauntleroy Way for Gatewood Elementary and for Fairmount Park Elementary, 35th SW for Our Lady of Guadalupe, SW Roxbury for Holy Family.

Back to Wednesday’s budget hearing – you can comment on a specific item or a general issue/concern, up to you. The second hearing is November 12th, but by that point, the council is just a week away from key almost-final votes, so you have more potential impact now. You can also send email comments any time, as explained here.

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CRIME WATCH FOLLOWUP: Charges filed against two teen robbery suspects

October 15, 2024 6:29 pm

| 17 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

Late today, the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office announced initial charges filed against two of the teenage suspects arrested last week in connection with what investigators said was a prolific robbery rampage. The one adult suspect, 18-year-old John Bailey-Johnson of Renton, is charged with robbery, motor-vehicle theft, and unlawful gun possession. The first two charges are in relation to the Bellevue carjacking that preceded the arrests; the third charge is because he’s a convicted felon and can’t legally have a gun. (The one police say they found had been stolen from Kent, and they say Bailey-Johnson was trying to bury it while hiding from police during a search/foot pursuit in Auburn.) Here’s what’s described as his “arrest photo,” from the charging documents:

He is now jailed in lieu of $350,000 bail – higher than the $100,000 initially set last week – and is due in court for arraignment on October 28. The other suspect charged is a 16-year-old, against whom the KCPAO filed two counts of first-degree robbery and one count of unlawful gun possession (because he’s underage). The charges against him stem primarily from a Circle K holdup east of downtown Seattle on October 4. He remains in secure juvenile detention pending his arraignment hearing, set for tomorrow. Prosecutors stress that these charges resulted from what were just the first cases referred to them by police. Here’s more info and context from KCPAO spokesperson Casey McNerthney:

As noted last Friday, in large investigations it is not uncommon for police to refer some cases initially, and then they may refer additional cases later. Prosecutors can make charging decisions on the individual cases if/when prosecutors receive them. It takes significant time for police investigators to work cases and to meet the statewide legal requirements for admissible evidence. Police can refer cases and King County prosecutors can make charging decisions anytime within the statute of limitations. If additional cases are referred to our office, King County prosecutors will address the cases with urgency and review each case individually.

What about the others arrested? McNerthney recaps Friday’s details about a 15-year-old suspect:

There was a 15-year-old arrested last week on a warrant for a previous case that he is on supervision for. In August 2024, that teen was sentenced through traditional prosecution for Taking a Motor Vehicle Without Permission in the Second Degree and Robbery in the Second Degree and was granted a suspended disposition alternative by the Court, as authorized by law. When the 15-year-old did not follow his court-ordered terms, King County prosecutors made a motion for a bench warrant on August 22, 2024. The 15-year-old was arrested Thursday on that warrant. At an Oct. 11 hearing, King County prosecutors asked for the Court to hold him in custody, and the Court held him in custody after hearing from both sides. (There is not a bail amount set in juvenile court – it’s either in or out of custody) The next hearing in that case is 10/23 at the Clark Child and Family Justice Center.

Investigators said they had identified another juvenile suspect, but McNerthney says no case for that suspect has been referred, yet. We also don’t yet have any additional information about the locations of all the robberies to which investigators think these suspects might be linked – just the map from Friday’s story showing three incident locations in West Seattle, one of which we know was the September 30th Highland Park 7-11 robbery attempt with gunfire.

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BAKERS! Here’s how your cake(s) can be in Sunday’s Fauntleroy Fall Festival

October 15, 2024 5:47 pm

| Comments Off on BAKERS! Here’s how your cake(s) can be in Sunday’s Fauntleroy Fall Festival

| Fauntleroy | West Seattle festivals | West Seattle news

(WSB photo, cake-contest entries, last Sunday)

In our previous preview of the Fauntleroy Fall Festival, we noted we were awaiting details of how to participate in this year’s cake-decorating contest. We have them now, in case you’re interested in baking/decorating. Just bring your entry to the Fellowship Hall at Fauntleroy Church (9140 California SW) on festival day – Sunday, October 20 – by 1 pm, no advance registration necessary. All ages welcome; there are three categories for entries – beginning, intermediate, advanced. All entries will be considered donations for the “cake trot” that follows – but first, festivalgoers will get to vote, 2 pm to 3 pm, with winners announced at 3:15 pm, and the cake trot starting at 3:30 pm, running until they’re out of cakes! (The festival itself runs 2-5 pm Sunday.)

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FREE: Trick-or-Trees tree giveaway returns on Hallo-weekend

October 15, 2024 4:46 pm

| Comments Off on FREE: Trick-or-Trees tree giveaway returns on Hallo-weekend

| Gardening | Halloween | Highland Park | West Seattle news

(WSB photo from October 2023 Trick or Trees)

Every year, the weekend before Halloween is so full of seasonal activities, we’ve nicknamed it Hallo-weekend. This year that’ll be Saturday and Sunday, October 26-27. And we just got word of yet another event – the King County Wastewater Treatment Division sent word of this year’s Trick or Trees tree giveaway in Highland Park:

We are teaming up with the Dirt Corps, Duwamish Valley Youth Corps, and Highland Park Improvement Club to host our third annual tree giveaway to support community goals around neighborhood greening. Join us at one of our upcoming events in Highland Park and South Park to pick up a free native tree and learn about King County’s efforts to reduce pollution into the Duwamish River. Trees are available for community members and organizations based in South Park and Highland Park, on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last. No registration is required.

Trick or Trees
When: Saturday, October 26, from noon to 4 p.m.
Where: Highland Park Corner Store, 7789 Highland Park Way SW

The event will include free trees, treats, and a Halloween costume contest for pets.

Find out more about Trick or Trees on the HPCS website.

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BIZNOTE: You asked, so we asked West Seattle’s local True Value store about the national news (Wednesday update: Name change)

October 15, 2024 2:47 pm

| 18 COMMENTS

| West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

ORIGINAL TUESDAY REPORT: Several readers asked how West Seattle’s Junction True Value store would be affected by national news about True Value’s Chapter 11 filing and sale. Short answer: Not much if at all, store management told us – Junction True Value is a locally owned, independent store, like 4,500 other stores carrying the True Value name. The True Value company involved in the filing and sale has just basically been one of the store’s vendors; until about seven years ago, we’re told, it was basically a buying cooperative. (The co-op was explained when we reported on Junction True Value’s long history in 2013, as the store celebrated its 60th anniversary.)

WEDNESDAY UPDATE: As commenter Lance notes, the store has announced it’s affiliating with Ace Hardware. From its website:

Exciting News! We’re switching to Ace Hardware!

After 70 amazing years of serving West Seattle with True Value Hardware, we’re thrilled to announce that we’re officially switching to Ace Hardware!

Don’t worry, it’s not just a new name – it’s the same great people, the same friendly service you’ve always loved. We’re still your go-to spot for all your hardware needs, from DIY projects to home repairs and garden goodies.

We’re excited about this change and can’t wait to see what the next 70 years hold. The transition will take a little time but we hope you’ll come on in and check out our new look!

See you soon,
Bruce Davis, Brian Coulston and the Junction Hardware family

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Stolen Sportage

October 15, 2024 1:00 pm

| 2 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

Emily emailed us about her car, stolen in North Admiral:

Gray/silver Kia Sportage, 2017
License plate # CHT 1360
Police report: 24-292722

Please call 911 if you find it.

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FERRY ALERT UPDATE: Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth ‘ghost boat’ will be back Wednesday

October 15, 2024 12:45 pm

| 2 COMMENTS

| Fauntleroy | Transportation | West Seattle news

(WSB photo, Fauntleroy dock last Sunday)

12:45 PM: Washington State Ferries has lost a boat to at least a week of repairs – and though that boat wasn’t on the Triangle Route, that route is still caught up in the resulting shuffle. The boat that’s out of service is one of the system’s biggest vessels, M/V Tacoma, which has been on the Bainbridge Island route, and WSF says it’s out for at least a week “due to a serious mechanical issue that was discovered last night.” So the same-size M/V Puyallup is moving to Bainbridge. Here’s where the Triangle Route effects come in: M/V Salish, which has been the unscheduled third boat (nicknamed “ghost boat”) on Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth, will move to Edmonds/Kingston to replace Puyallup, so the route serving our dock will only have the regular two boats TFN. (Vessel Watch shows Salish northbound right now in fact, just past Alki Point.)

3:10 PM: Just in from WSF – the expected weeklong repairs of M/V Tacoma took only hours, and the Salish will be back as the unscheduled Triangle Route boat tomorrow.

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UPDATE: House fire at 13th/Cloverdale (updated with cause)

October 15, 2024 11:14 am

| 7 COMMENTS

| West Seattle fires | West Seattle news

(Added: Reader photo, posted by Mia in comments)

11:14 AM: SFD has a full response going to what’s described as an attic fire in the 8400 block of 13th SW [near Cloverdale]. First arriving crews report “flames from the roof.”

(WSB photos from here down)

11:22 AM: Everyone inside is reported to have gotten out OK. Firefighters say they’re “making progress on the fire.”

11:28 AM: Firefighters report the fire is under control.

11:40 AM: Our crew at the scene reports it’s now “tapped” (out). SFD confirms no injuries; their investigator is on the way.

WEDNESDAY UPDATE: SFD spokesperson Kaila Lafferty says, “The cause of the fire in the 8500 block of 13th Ave SW was ruled accidental, started as a food-on-stove fire that spread through the kitchen and into the attic of the home.”

(Added: SFD photo)

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New youth-sports training program, dine-out fundraiser, choir tryouts, more for your West Seattle Tuesday

October 15, 2024 9:45 am

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle news

(Elliott Bay through turning trees, photo by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)

Here’s our list of what’s happening in the hours ahead, mostly from our Event Calendar, where you can get a preview days, weeks, even months ahead

SOUTHWEST ARTIST SHOWCASE: Southwest Library (9010 35th SW) is open noon-8 pm today – drop in any time to see what’s on display for this year’s Southwest Artist Showcase.

POSTCARDS4DEMOCRACY: Long-distance advocacy via handwritten postcards to be sent to voters in other states, with just three weeks to go until Election Day – drop in 10:30 am-noon at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), all welcome.

ROTARY CLUB OF WEST SEATTLE: Lunch meeting at noon at West Seattle Golf Course (4470 35th SW), Program: “Kim Bogucki and Felisa Bryant of the IF Project that assists prisoners writing projects to help change their lives and reduce the cycle of recidivism.”

CHESS CLUB: Tuesdays 1:30-3 pm, at the Center for Active Living (4217 SW Oregon). All levels welcome. (Questions? Email conwell@conwelld.net.)

DINE OUT FOR WSHS FOOTBALL: 4-8 pm at West Wings (2329 California SW), both in-person and online orders count toward this fundraiser for West Seattle HS Football.

DROP-IN WINE TASTING: 5-7 pm Tuesdays at Walter’s Wine Shop (4811 California SW) – $10 fee, $5 off with bottle purchases.

DEMONSTRATION FOR BLACK LIVES: Long-running weekly sign-waving demonstration on the corners at 16th/Holden. 5-6 pm. Signs available if you don’t bring your own.

SCRABBLE NIGHT: 6-10 pm tonight, play Scrabble at The Missing Piece (9456 35th SW).

FREE TRACK RUN: All runners welcome! Meet at West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) for this free weekly run at 6:15 pm.

OPEN CHOIR REHEARSAL: As previewed here, the Boeing Employees Choir (which is actually open to all) is having an open rehearsal at 6:30 pm at American Legion Post 160 (3618 SW Alaska).

TOASTMASTERS 832: Join this online meeting, 6:30 pm, to work on your leadership and speaking skills.

MAKE POTTERY: Weekly 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! Tuesday nights bring Belle of the Balls Bingo hosted by Cookie Couture, 7 pm. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

TRIVIA X 4: Four trivia options for Tuesday – 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; 7:10 pm at Admiral Pub (2306 California SW).

HIGH-SCHOOL VOLLEYBALL: One 7 pm home match – West Seattle HS vs. Ballard. (3000 California SW)

NEW TRAINING PROGRAM FOR TEEN ATHLETES: Open house tonight, 7:30 pm, at Seattle Strength and Performance (2942 SW Avalon Way; WSB sponsor):

We are so excited to announce the launch of our Youth Athletics program at SSP West Seattle. Our programs include mobility, power, speed/agility, strength, and conditioning training to help our athletes in every aspect of sports. These skills improve performance in team and individual sports, and how we train at SSP builds comfort in an athletic weight room environment so our athletes are prepared and ready for the next level and for a lifetime of healthy habits! We’re kicking things off with an Open House on Tuesday, October 15th, at 7:30 p.m. This is a chance for parents and athletes alike to learn more about our program, meet our coaches, see the facility, ask questions, and sign up for our special founding-member trial offer! For the time being, we are kicking off our program by welcoming our athletes 13 and older.

RSVP here if you’re going.

WEST SEATTLE PFLAG: Monthly meeting at Admiral Church (4320 SW Hill), 7:30 pm.

Planning an event? Tell your West Seattle neighbors via our event calendar – just email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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Remembering David W. Kappel, 65

October 15, 2024 8:59 am

| 9 COMMENTS

| Obituaries | West Seattle news

Friends and family are remembering David Kappel and sharing this remembrance with his community:

David William Kappel died on October 4 at the age of 65. He was much too young to die. He had suffered a massive stroke about a week before, and was also dealing with muscular dystrophy and complications of diabetes.

Before being hospitalized, Dave had lived in West Seattle for more than 30 years and especially loved Lincoln Park.

David was born in Detroit and raised in suburban Oak Park. He graduated from Michigan State University and was a lifelong fan of Michigan State sports. One of his most thrilling memories was attending MSU Spartans basketball games when soon-to-be superstar Magic Johnson was playing.

Dave also had a lifelong love of animals. As a child, he rescued an injured baby robin, whom he named Peter, and nursed him back to health. He said he was almost sure Peter revisited him each spring for several years. He also was best friends withh his family’s lively, rambunctious dog, Snoopy. As an adult, he adored his smart, affectionate conure parrots: Pickle, Verdi, and Danny. The first two passed away, but Danny is thriving and is right by my side. As Dave was taken away to the ambulance, he asked about Danny.

I had the pleasure of visiting numerous national parks with Dave – Yellowstone, Mt. Rainier, Grand Tetons, Olympic, Redwood, and many others. Another highlight was driving up the California coast, including Big Sur.

Astronomy was another favorite pastime. Despite the light pollution in Seattle, he was able to point out many constellations and spotted dozens of meteors over the years.

We appreciate the care he received at Swedish Hospital.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a small donation to the American Bird Conservancy, World Parrot Trust, BirdLife International, Earthjustice, or any related animal/environmental organization. More importantly, please vote. That would be his final wish.

(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)

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TRAFFIC, WEATHER, ROAD WORK, TRANSIT: Tuesday begins

October 15, 2024 6:02 am

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:02 AM: Good morning! Welcome to Tuesday, October 15th.

WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

Rain expected, high in the upper 50s. Today’s sunrise will be at 7:29 am, while sunset will be at 6:19 pm.

ROAD WORK

*The Admiral Way Bridge seismic project continues; the north half of the bridge remains closed, with one lane each way on the south side, until the project switches sides, which SDOT now expects will happen around October 28th. Fairmount Avenue remains closed under the bridge.

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

*The south Beach Drive gas-pipeline project continues.

TRANSIT

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

Metro buses today – Regular schedule.

Water Taxi today – Regular schedule.

SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS

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

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

Low Bridge – Looking west:

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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