Every year, this is the one and only “year in review” story we publish – the 10 WSB stories that got the most comments during the year. It doesn’t mean they were the most important, or most read, stories, but the comment totals are a clearly quantifiable component in our publishing system. Last year was unique, with half of the top 10 relating to one ongoing controversy – the eventually scrapped plan to convert former tennis courts in Lincoln Park to pickleball courts. This year, though, the top 10 includes one story related to that controversy, two related to another controversy, and seven others about other unique situations.

#10 – TWO ALTERNATIVE SCHOOL-CLOSURE LISTS UNVEILED
September 11, 2024 – 151 comments
Seattle Public Schools‘ short-lived plan to close schools went through multiple iterations. This one offered two alternative lists. Two West Seattle schools wo schools, Louisa Boren STEM K-8 and Sanislo Elementary, were on both potential lists.

#9 – WILDLIFE ADVOCATES UPSET WITH ALKI POINT HEALTHY STREET PARKING REMOVAL
February 29, 2024 – 153 comments
As the long original headline for this story noted, SDOT originally said Healthy Streets wouldn’t involve parking removal. The Alki Point Healthy Street did, and local wildlife organizations said that would impede their work and general public access to see and appreciate wildlife.

#8 – CANTANNA FEST COMING TO LINCOLN PARK
July 25, 2024 – 156 comments
We learned a music-and-marijuana-appreciation festival had gotten the OK from Seattle Parks to bring thousands to Lincoln Park. The plan didn’t last long, and the festival eventually ended up at a farm in Pierce County.

#7 – MOLLY MOON’S ICE CREAM ON THE WAY TO WEST SEATTLE JUNCTION
April 5, 2024 – 167 comments
A banner in a Junction window revealed the ice-cream mini-chain was headed this way. Since then, it’s switched planned West Seattle locations, and will open in the ex-Cupcake Royale.

#6 – WOMAN SHOT AND KILLED SOUTH OF THE JUNCTION
October 1, 2024 – 174 comments
Though the shooting death of Dr. Tammy Towers at her home south of The Junction was ruled homicide, no criminal charges have ever been announced.

#5 – ALKI POINT HEALTHY STREET OPPONENTS ANNOUNCE COMMUNITY MEETING
May 13, 2024 – 180 comments
This story, like #9, stemmed from local wildlife advocates trying to convince SDOT not to remove parking as part of the Alki Point Healthy Street project.

#4 – LINCOLN PARK PICKLEBALL OPPONENTS SAY CITY HAS OFFICIALLY SCRAPPED PLAN
May 24, 2024 – 195 comments
Last year’s big controversy didn’t come to an official end until this spring.

#3 – POWER OUTAGES FOR 13,000+
November 19, 2024 – 208 comments
It’s not a most-commented list without a power outage and many readers weighing in on whether they’re out or not. This outage drew more comments than usual because Seattle City Light‘s info map was malfunctioning.

#2 – ABOUT THE TRUMP-MERCH TENT IN THE TRIANGLE
February 19, 2024 – 236 comments
Nine lines about a traveling vendor churned up a lot of discussion, almost nine months before the presidential election

#1 – ANNOUNCING A DEATH IN THE WSB FAMILY
October 18, 2024 – 669 comments

17 years after co-founding WSB, Patrick Sand died suddenly, without warning, at home the morning of October 17. We miss him every minute of every day. The work to which he was devoted – thoroughly, accurately, ethically, cheerily covering West Seattle news and events – goes on, led by co-founder Tracy Record, with new collaborators. We will talk with you more in the New Year about the state and future of WSB. For now, we want to thank everyone for the condolences, well-wishes, and support, and the many people who have taught us things we didn’t know about Patrick, by recounting what he meant to them and how they’d interacted. Thank you all so much, and we treasure your continued partnership in community-collaborative news, which we continue to cover 24/7.

PREVIOUS YEARS: Here are our previous most-commented-stories lists, going back to 2011:

2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011

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WEST SEATTLE NEW YEAR’S EVE: What you might see on the beach tonight

December 31, 2024 6:03 pm

| 5 COMMENTS

| West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news | Wildlife

One more way to spend your New Year’s Eve … exploring the beach at the -2.5-foot 11:13 pm low-low tide!

Rosalie Miller sent photos of what she encountered on the beach at last night’s similarly low tide – a kelp crab, red rock crab, and mottled star.

If you go out exploring, tread lightly!

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FOLLOWUP: Admiral Way Bridge traffic flow changes

December 31, 2024 4:31 pm

| 2 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(WSB photos, this afternoon)

Thanks for the tips. As announced, SDOT switched the traffic flow on the Admiral Way Bridge(s) again today – now it’s one outside lane each way, inside lanes blocked off for the next phase of the earthquake-resistance strengthening project. As also planned, the temporary crosswalk at 39th SW/Admiral Way has been removed as part of the change.

And Fairmount Avenue beneath the bridge remains closed until the end of construction, which SDOT says might not be until early summer.

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COUNTDOWN: 1 week until West Seattle Preschool Fair

December 31, 2024 2:26 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Preschool-shopping for your little one(s)? One week from tonight, you can meet reps from 15 local preschools, all in one place! The West Seattle Preschool Fair is set for Tuesday night, January 7th, 5:30 pm, and is sponsoring WSB to be extra-certain you hear about it. Here’s the latest:

Looking for the right preschool for your child? Attend the West Seattle Preschool Fair in the Hope School Gym (4100 SW Genesee) January 7th to visit 15 local preschools and learn what each program has to offer your child! No RSVP necessary.

Parking is available on the street or in the parking lot on the corner of 41st & Genesee St (East side of 41st).

Schools Attending:

ARK Preschool
Bloom Preschool
Cometa Playschool
Community School of West Seattle
Fauntleroy Children’s Center
Giddens School
Holy Family Bilingual Catholic School
Holy Rosary Preschool
Hope Lutheran School
Our Lady of Guadalupe Early Learning Center
South Seattle College Cooperative Preschools
Southwest Early Learning Bilingual Preschool
St. Bernadette Early Learning Center
The Cove School
Westside School

The Preschool Fair is a drop-in event, 5:30-7 pm next Tuesday.

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HELPING: 1 truckload donated, room and time for more at Dave Newman State Farm Insurance donation drive

December 31, 2024 1:03 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| How to help | West Seattle news

Words of thanks, and a renewed invitation, regarding a clothing-donation drive continuing beyond the holiday season:

(At Dave Newman State Farm Insurance’s office: Kristy Hoppenrath, Rodger Tanner)

The West Seattle Food Bank/Clothesline clothing and food drive continues at Dave Newman State Farm Insurance in West Seattle. We have already taken a truckload of clothes to the Helpline, and we’ll drop off another load this Thursday. Our plan is to continue collecting donations of clothing and food through the end of January.

Thanks so much to those who dropped off much-needed cold-weather clothing and food, and thanks to the West Seattle Food Bank and Clothesline for their hard work.

The Dave Newman State Farm Insurance office (one of WSB’s longest-running sponsors) is at 3435 California SW. The office is open for donations Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, 9 am to 5 pm. Tuesdays 9 am to 2 pm, except for holidays.

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YOU CAN HELP: Here’s what Westside Neighbors Shelter needs as year wraps up

December 31, 2024 11:34 am

| 2 COMMENTS

| How to help | Triangle | West Seattle news

(File photo, courtesy Westside Neighbors Shelter)

As the year ends, the temperature has dropped, and West Seattle’s only emergency shelter is busy. Manager Keith Hughes shares wish lists periodically, and we just got this, if you’re inclined to help:

Thank you, West Seattle, for continuing to generously support your Community Shelter. We have averaged over 40 people per night for the past month, and that takes a lot of supplies. Needed now:

Dixie Ultra 10″ paper plates and 20 oz bowls
12″ and 18″ aluminum foil
CoffeeMate powdered coffee creamer
jelly
jarred pasta sauce
Sugar, 5#, 10# bags
pancake syrup (quarts)
12 oz hot cups (no lids)
toilet paper, paper towels
Pam Spray
vegetable oil for cooking
raisins (for the oatmeal)

…. Big Item Request …. Alpha Camp folding camp cots. I need 10. Maybe a project for a group/organization that can do it together?

The shelter is at 3618 SW Alaska. Info on how and when to donate items, including online ordering/delivery if that works better, is on its website.

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Our list for West Seattle New Year’s Eve 2024

December 31, 2024 9:58 am

| 2 COMMENTS

| Holidays | West Seattle news

(Pink clouds to the west at sunrise – photo sent by Janice Christiansen)

Happy New Year’s Eve! From the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide and year-round Event Calendar, here’s what we have on the list for today/tonight:

FARE-FREE TRANSIT: See this morning’s traffic etc. roundup for info on who’s not charging you to ride today/tonight.

NEW YEAR’S EVE (AND DAY) WALKS: “The Emerald City Wanderers again will host noncompetitive walks on New Year’s Eve and Day, starting at St John the Baptist Episcopal Church (3050 California SW). Different 5K and 10K walks will be offered on each day. On New Year’s Eve start any time between 4 and 7 PM from the Church, and enjoy hot soups and treats afterward in the Church community room. On New Year’s Day start any time between 9 AM and noon, with hot soups and snacks afterward. This is a great way to bid farewell to 2024 and welcome 2025. Donations are requested. Info: Mike Nagan at m.nagan@comcast.net.”

NOT-SO-SILENT NIGHT PARADE: Highland Park Improvement Club will again lead a neighborhood walk/parade with noisemakers on NYE to say goodbye to the old year. Details:

Celebrate the arrival of the New Year with friends and neighbors with an all-ages, family-friendly march through Highland Park. An annual event since 2009 (with the exception of the COVID shutdown), the Not-So-Silent-Night Parade is a community celebration to ring in the new year. All ages welcome.

5:30- 6 pm: Assemble at the Highland Park Corner Store (7789 Highland Park Way SW). The store will be open for mingling, snacks and libations.

6 pm: Parade begins

Bring your personal noise or music makers and festive lighting, and help ring in 2025 as we parade down to the Riverview Playfields for a ceremonial goodbye to the old and welcome to the new!

Tips & Info

We parade via sidewalks primarily on quiet side streets
The route is approximately one mile, with some moderate hills. Folks are welcome to join in at any point.
This is an all-weather event! Light up your umbrella, wear your snow boots, come bundled up for whatever the season brings us.
Don’t feel up to walking? Onlookers are welcome to wave and cheer us on – or meet the marchers at the end of our route to join the ceremony and hospitality table by the Playfields. Route ends at SW Webster and 11th Ave SW. Pets may want to stay home — it can get loud!

NEW YEAR’S EVE SHOW AT TIM’S TAVERN: Seven bands! Doors 6 pm, show 6:30 pm, all ages. Details here. (16th/98th, White Center)

NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTY AT WEST SEATTLE BOWL/THREE9 LOUNGE: 7 pm-midnight, book ASAP. Details in our calendar listing.

NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTY AT MAHARAJA: DJ Kingblind! 8 pm until 2025, at Maharaja in The Junction (4542 California SW).

NEW YEAR’S EVE SHOW AT THE SKYLARK: Live music at The Skylark with Cofgod, Our Ex Parris, Manatee Alchemy, Déjalo, doors at 8, music at 9, 21+. Free champagne toast at midnight! (3803 Delridge Way SW)

NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTY AT REVELRY ROOM: 9 pm-2 am, book ASAP. Details in our calendar listing.

NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTY AT WEST SEATTLE BREWING: 10 pm, DJ Raw One with hip-hop, R&B, Afrobeat. (4415 Fauntleroy Way SW)

NEW YEAR’S EVE AT POGGIE TAVERN: Champagne toast at midnight. (4717 California SW)

NEW YEAR’S EVE DINING: See the Holiday Guide for info, including our list of New Year’s Day restaurants that also are open tonight.

SPACE NEEDLE FIREWORKS, DRONES, LIGHTS: Yes, the Space Needle plans fireworks, a drone show, and a light show again to greet 2025. Ten-minute light shows at 10, 10:30, 11, 11:30, then the big show starts a few minutes before midnight. If you’re going down to the West Seattle waterfront to watch from across the bay, go early to get a spot!

Anything to add/change? westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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Memorial planned January 10-11 for Pauline E. Mitchell, 1930-2024

December 31, 2024 9:00 am

| 1 COMMENT

| Obituaries | West Seattle news

Family and friends will gather January 10-11 in memory of Paula Mitchell, and are sharing this remembrance now:

Pauline Eleanor Mitchell, born in West Seattle and a graduate of West Seattle High School, died peacefully at Providence Mount St. Vincent at age 94.

Paula is survived by her nine children (Lori, Sue, Duffy, Jeffry, Tom, Tim, Mark, Colleen, and Jenny); their partners; 24 grandchildren; and 21 great-grandchildren. Her husband of 53 years, John, preceded her in death. For more than 15 years she and John moved their growing brood across the country for Boeing assignments. About every two years Paula handled the packing up, moving, and resettlement of the kids in their new schools. Despite the challenges of frequent moves Paula created a loving and welcoming home.

The Mitchell house was “the house” where the neighborhood hung out. The picnic benches at our table always had room for one more. She lived by and taught us “the golden rule.” Paula adored and took an individual interest in each grandchild and great-grandchild. She had a soft spot for the little ones, and they brought her so much joy.

The family is grateful for the compassionate caregivers at the Mount. A Wake/Rosary will be held in the Mount St. Vincent Chapel Friday, January 10, 2025, 6:00-8:00 pm. Paula’s Memorial Mass will also be in the chapel on Saturday, January 11, 2025 at noon; followed by a reception.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be donated to Providence Mount St. Vincent Foundation.

(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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FARE-FREE TRANSIT, WEATHER, TRAFFIC: New Year’s Eve Tuesday

December 31, 2024 6:03 am

| 0 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:03 AM: Good morning! Welcome to New Year’s Eve 2024 – Tuesday, December 31st.

WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

The forecast suggests a mostly cloudy day with high in the low 40s, potentially rainy night with low in the upper 30s. The year’s final sunrise/sunset – 7:57 am and 4:28 pm.

FARE-FREE NEW YEAR’S EVE TRANSIT, + FERRIES

Water Taxi – Regular schedule today, but fare-free (New Year’s Eve), then no service Wednesday (New Year’s Day).

Metro buses – Regular schedule today, fare-free to 3 am Wednesday, Sunday schedule all day Wednesday.

Washington State Ferries – Fares WILL be charged; 2-boat service on the Triangle Route with M/V Issaquah and M/V Cathlamet, plus M/V Tillikum as the “ghost boat.” Check here for last-minute changes.

Other transit agencies/services – Here’s a roundup.

ROAD WORK

*Today is the day the Admiral Way Bridge seismic project is scheduled to shift traffic flow to outside lanes. (Please let us know if and when you see this happen, once you can safely text 206-293-6302.)

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.

See trouble on the bridges/streets/paths/water? Please text or call our hotline (when you can do it safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities if they’re not already on scene) – 206-293-6302. Thank you!

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