day : 23/10/2024 10 results

WHALES: Humpback close to West Seattle shore

Thanks to Dave Elton for the video of a humpback whale passing close by Brace Point today. Kersti Muul told us about the clip (and the sighting). This humpback seemed to be fine, unlike the one that stranded and died by the Fauntleroy ferry dock eight years ago.

WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Man shot in High Point (Thursday update)

7:26 PM: SFD and SPD are on the way to the 6400 block of High Point Drive for a reported person with a gunshot wound in the back/lower abdomen. Police believe they’re looking for two shooters – so far described only as “two Black males with handguns, one in a gray sweater.”

7:34 PM: They’re believed to have “left the scene in a vehicle,” police have told dispatch. The victim is being taken to Harborview Medical Center.

10:32 PM: SFD spokesperson David Cuerpo says the shooting victim is a 35-year-old man who was in serious condition when transported.

THURSDAY AFTERNOON UPDATE: SPD has released this summary:

At 1920 hours, officers responded to the 6400 block of High Point Dr SW to reports of shots fired. Officers responded and located an adult male suffering from a single GSW. Officers rendered aid until SFD arrived and transported the victim to HMC in serious condition. During their investigation, officers learned two unknown males opened fire on the victim as he stood on his porch and fled on foot, possibly entering an unknown vehicle. No suspects were located.

WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: North Admiral car break-in

The photo and report were sent by Rick:

My wife’s Subaru Forester had window smashed last night, uncertain on time. Vehicle was parked off alley in carport between 45th & 46th by College in North Admiral.

Nothing taken; no report number yet.

FOLLOWUP: Morgan Junction EV-charging lot schedule sliding

(WSB photo)

A few readers have asked lately about the status of the future Morgan Junction EV-charging lot, eight spaces with chargers on an ex-substation site east of 42nd SW, between Fauntleroy Way SW and SW Morgan. Early this year, Seattle City Light told the Morgan Community Association that design was at 90 percent, and they expected that construction would be under way by now. We checked with SCL’s Jenn Strang about the status, and she told us:

Morgan Junction is our largest and most ambitious EV-charging station project to date requiring more time, engineering, and permitting than one of our more typical EV charging station projects. We’ve also experienced significant delays with procurement of the chargers and other electric service equipment. This is likely due to the rapid increase in transportation electrification costs nationwide.

So what’s the revised timeline? Strang didn’t say (we’re asking again on followup), and the project website hasn’t been updated since the early-in-the-year briefing.

WEST SEATTLE LIGHT RAIL: Key Sound Transit Board vote expected Thursday

Two weeks after the Sound Transit Board‘s System Expansion Committee went on record in support of the “preferred alternative” for West Seattle light rail (WSB coverage here), a final board vote could come tomorrow. Deciding on West Seattle routing and station locations is on the agenda for the board’s monthly meeting, scheduled for an extended time period, 1:30-5 pm Thursday (October 24) in the board room at 401 S. Jackson on the south end of downtown. (The agenda also explains how to watch/participate online.) The meeting starts with a public-comment period, if you want to speak your mind on this one more time before the vote. What they won’t be resolving is how to cover the ever-rising cost, most recently estimated as high as $7 billion. The vote tomorrow would move the project further into design – it’s about 30 percent of the way now – and then funding decisions would come at other milestones in the process, particularly what’s known as “baselining.” Meantime, here’s the motion the board will consider Thursday.

BIZNOTE: How to make a wreath at West Seattle Nursery

(West Seattle Nursery photo)

OK, Halloween may still be a week-plus away, but the holidays are knocking on the door. West Seattle Nursery is already taking reservations for wreath-making and asked us to let you know:

Reservations are now open for wreath making at West Seattle Nursery! For many of our customers, creating a wreath at the nursery has become a cherished holiday tradition. If you’d like to craft your own festive wreath, simply reserve one of our wreath-making tables after reading through our ‘Reservation Details’ and ‘Frequently Asked Questions’ here.

Due to high demand and back-to-back sessions, we kindly ask that all participants arrive on time. If you’re unable to attend your reserved session, please cancel in advance so others can join in the festive fun! New to wreath making? No worries! Our expert team will be on hand to assist you with any questions.

The nursery is at the corner of California/Brandon.

Dog park, HPAC, ferry dock meetings, fall celebration at Village Green, more for your West Seattle Wednesday

(Honey bee, photographed by Steve Bender)

Here’s what’s happening, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar (where you can always look ahead, and where you’ll find even more events than we spotlight in the list):

WALKING FOR WELL-BEING: Meet at 47th/Fauntleroy at 10 am. Details in our calendar listing.

TODDLER READING TIME AT PAPER BOAT: 10:30 am at Paper Boat Booksellers (6040 California SW).

SOUTHWEST ARTIST SHOWCASE: The Southwest Library (9010 35th SW) is open noon to 8 pm, and you can visit any time to see what community artists are showing this year, until late October.

FALL HARVEST FESTIVAL AT VILLAGE GREEN: Community members 55+ are invited to come celebrate the season at Village Green West Seattle (2615 SW Barton; WSB sponsor), 12:30-2 pm.

HOMEWORK HELP: 4-7:30 pm at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond), volunteers can help K-12 students with their homework.

OFF-LEASH AREA DROP-IN MEETING: As previewed here, 4-6 pm is your chance to go to the site of West Seattle’s future second off-leash area (dog park) and find out more about the project while offering comments. Happening in the overflow parking area south of the stadium. (4432 35th SW)

WEST SEATTLE CHAMBER AFTER-HOURS: West Seattle Arcade (2758 Alki SW) is the site of this month’s networking event, 5:30-7:30 pm.

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).

HEALING THROUGH CREATIVITY: 14-week online group following “The Artist’s Way” meets starting tonight, 6 pm – info in our calendar listing.

FAUNTLEROY FERRY DOCK COMMUNITY ADVISORY GROUP: Updates on the project at a 6 pm online meeting. Get the attendance link by going here.

TRIVIA x 4: Four trivia options tonight: At 6 pm, Locust Cider (2820 Alki SW) offers triviaLarry’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).

HALLOWEEN LIGHTS RUN: The regular 6:15 pm weekly West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) group run is – tonight – their first-ever Halloween Lights Run, as explained in our calendar listing.

LIVE MUSIC AT THE LOCOL: 6:30 pm. 21+. Rotating performer slate. (7902 35th SW)

HIGHLAND PARK ACTION COMMITTEE: The newest plan for Metro bus-stop changes is part of what’s on the HPAC agenda for this online meeting at 7 pm. Link and more info are here.

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.

KUNDALINI YOGA AND GONG BATH: 7 pm with Inner Alchemy at Move2Center (3618 SW Alaska), $35; ticket link is in our calendar listing.

SKYLARK OPEN MIC: Your turn in the spotlight! 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!

‘What kind of world do we want to create with our children?’ Film screening Thursday

SSC Co-op Preschools and Pathfinder K-8 invite families to a film screening tomorrow, with a chance to talk with the producer. Here’s the announcement they asked us to share:

Families Embracing Anti-Bias Values: Film Screening and Q/A with Producer Debbie LeeKeenan

Olympic Hall, South Seattle College Campus
Thursday, October 24 6:30–8:00 PM

Childcare available for 5+. Pre-registration is required.

Join us for a special screening, in partnership with Pathfinder K-8, of the new film Families Embracing Anti-Bias Values. This film, produced by Debbie LeeKeenan and John Nimmo, is a 50-minute documentary about families who intentionally parent with an anti-bias lens. Debbie and John partnered with filmmaker Filiz Efe McKinney of Brave Sprout Productions to create a film that raises up the voices of multiple families with diverse identities, talking about their hopes, fears, strengths, challenges, and questions as they figure out: What kind of world do we want to create with our children? There will be opportunities for questions and discussion with Debbie after the viewing. Watch the trailer here. Tickets are $5. RSVP here.

The college is at 6000 16th SW; the screening venue is toward the south end of the campus.

TRAFFIC, WEATHER, ROAD WORK, TRANSIT: Wednesday watch

6:03 AM: Good morning! Welcome to Wednesday, October 23rd.

WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

Chance of showers, then becoming sunny, high in the low 50s. Today’s sunrise will be at 7:40 am, while sunset will be at 6:05 pm.

ROAD WORK

*The low bridge will be closed Friday through Sunday for cylinder re-installation.

*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, likely next week. Fairmount Avenue remains closed under the bridge.

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

EAST MARGINAL PROJECT ZONE CHANGES

From an <strong>SDOT update:

Starting this week, people biking and walking are routed onto the new curb-separated asphalt path on the west side of E Marginal Way S between S Spokane St and S Horton St. At S Horton St, people biking and walking will shift back to a temporary, vehicle-separated shared-use path in the center of E Marginal Way S.

At approximately S Holgate Street:

Northbound travelers are routed back to the existing sidewalk on the west side of the street
Southbound travelers are routed back to the existing bike lane on the west side of the street

TRANSIT

Washington State Ferries today – 2 boats on the Triangle Route, no “unscheduled third boat” this week and likely next. Keep updated via bulletins.

Metro buses todayRegular schedule.

Water Taxi todayRegular 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!

UPDATE: Shooting investigation in 9400 block 27th SW (updated Thursday)

5:07 AM: Police are searching for a suspect after one person was shot and wounded (updated) in the 9400 block of 27th SW, across from Roxbury Safeway. No other details yet.

5:36 AM: According to archived dispatch audio, this was reported to have happened at an apartment around quarter past 4. The victim was described as a man in his 30s with a gunshot wound to his chest (that’s from medics, though an early report was that he was shot in the back); the shooter was described only as a Black man in his mid-30s in a red sweater and gray jeans who fled on foot.

8:41 AM: SFD tells us the victim, 37, was in serious condition when transported.

THURSDAY UPDATE: SPD has released this summary:

At 0418 hours, Officers responded to an apartment unit on 9400 block of 27 Av SW. The 911 call stated that someone inside the unit had been shot. Officers arrived to find several people inside and just outside the apartment who were uncooperative. An adult male was found inside the unit with gunshot wounds. The victim was conscious and alert and also uncooperative. SFD responded and treat the victim who was transported to HMC. Some present stated that the suspect and a woman had been by the unit earlier and left. Later the suspect returned, had a confrontation, and shot the victim. A Bellevue K9 unit responded but determined that they could not deploy the K9. … HMC determined at the time the injuries were non-life threatening.