West Seattle, Washington
18 Saturday
That red warning sign should be down now, because the King County Wastewater Treatment District says the water’s safe again in the Cove Park vicinity north of the Fauntleroy ferry dock. As we reported on Monday, an estimated 3,500 gallons of stormwater and sewage went into Puget Sound because of an “electrical issue” at the Barton Pump Station. Signs were posted by the beach to tell people to stay out of the water Now, with water testing showing no problems, the county has lifted the warnings. But the question remains, what went wrong? The pump station was upgraded a decade ago. KCWTD spokesperson Akiko Oda told WSB today that they “know there was a power sag” but are “still investigating how that affected the pump station.” The last notable overflow at the station, 101,000 gallons almost two years ago, was explained as an event where the station didn’t have a “complete” power outage, so the backup system wasn’t triggered
A UPS delivery driver who lives in West Seattle is recovering from injuries after getting attacked on the job.
(Photos from GoFundMe.com page)
This happened three weeks ago in Belltown; we just learned about it this week when we got a note about a crowdfunding campaign to cover some of his expenses.
The driver, Jason Yates, has lived in West Seattle for 15 years, Arbor Heights for the past 10. His partner Sara Currie says he spent more than four years delivering a West Seattle route. He’s worked for UPS for 17 years.
We requested the police narrative for the incident after hearing from Sara. The narrative says Jason told police he parked his UPS truck in an alley in the 300 block of Lenora to make deliveries. The attacker’s vehicle, a dark SUV, was behind him, and another vehicle pulled behind that one, “trapping” the attacker, who asked Jason to move his truck so he could get out of the alley. According to the report, Jason said he had to make a delivery first. The attacker then is reported to have thrown a glass bottle at Jason, and then pinned him against a garage gate; Jason pulled out his phone to try to get a photo of the attacker, who then punched him in the head several times. A witness who saw this from a nearby building also confirmed seeing the attacker get out of his vehicle and punch Jason repeatedly, before backing out to leave the alley. Someone nearby got his license-plate number and gave it to police, who wrote in the report that it checked to an address in Federal Way, but said nothing more about the investigation status.
Sara says Jason spent more than a week in the hospital, and has more treatment and therapy ahead for head and body injuries; the crowdfunding campaign is meant to help cover those expenses as well as lost wages since he can’t work, and any costs incurred in pursuing justice in the case.
Two local elected officials have public appearances in West Seattle on Thursday:
STATE HOUSE REP. EMILY ALVARADO: The second-term 34th District State House representative, currently hoping to be appointed to the State Senate seat that Joe Nguyễn is leaving to become Commerce Director, will be at C & P Coffee (WSB sponsor) at 1 pm Thursday. West Seattle’s Postcards4Democracy group is sponsoring this coffee chat as a look ahead to the State Legislature’s 2025 session, which starts next week, and asked us to let you know about Rep. Alvarado’s appearance.
CITY COUNCILMEMBER ROB SAKA: As he announced during this week’s council briefing meeting Monday afternoon, Councilmember Saka is speaking to the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce during their 11:30 am lunch meeting Thursday. It’s billed as a “State of District 1” speech, in the banquet room at the West Seattle Golf Course (4470 35th SW). If you’re a Chamber member, lunch is $25; for non-members, $35 – go here to register.
Not only did the sun make a grand appearance today, it exited in style, about half an hour ago. Thanks for the photos! Above is from Beth Jackson; below, from Carol Ann Joyce:
And this one’s from John-Michael Bennett III:
The peak splash of pink was just before 5 pm, though the official sunset time was 4:36 pm. (It’ll be 5 pm on January 25!)
This abandoned bike has been seen in upper Lincoln Park for at least three days.
That photo is from Mike, the fourth person to send us a photo. He also sent a wider view of where he saw it:
If you need more help in finding it – Mike sent these coordinates too.
(WSB file photo from last year)
Less than two weeks into the new year, with an extensive recruiting campaign continuing, the city has totaled up how Seattle Police staffing ended the year. A news release from Mayor Bruce Harrell‘s office says 84 officers were hired, and 83 officers left – the first year since 2019 that hires outnumbered departures. Here’s their chart for the past six years – note the number of deployable officers is up too:
(Corrected table added 4:05 pm after receiving from mayor’s office – adds ‘total number’ column)
The mayor’s office also says the number of applicants last year more than doubled from the year before – 4,115 compared to 1,998 in 2023.
We asked how many of the departures were retirements and how many were resignations. Mayoral spokesperson Callie Craighead replied, “In 2024 there were 36 retirements and 24 resignations. In 2023 there were 39 retirements and 24 resignations. So retirements were down slightly from 2023, and resignations remained consistent.”
Sent by Charleson Charlestown Hill:
I had my 2021 Subaru Crosstrek parked on street at my residence last night. With alarm on and Starlight security, it didn’t matter. Someone gained access and scattered CDs and papers from console and glove box. No damage.
This happened in the 3800 block of 54th SW.
Since tomorrow will be the second Thursday of the month, it brings 2025’s first West Seattle Art Walk.
That’s the list of venues where you’ll find art and/or food-and-drink specials on Art Walk nights this quarter (see a larger version here). Artist receptions are spotlighted here, including these four don’t-miss spots:
WEST SEATTLE HS @ WEST SEATTLE GROUNDS: The northernmost Art Walk stop, West Seattle Grounds (2141 California SW), is featuring more than 50 West Seattle High School students’ work on Thursday night, with “a diverse collection of paintings, photography, sculpture, ceramics, and mixed media works” – plus the WSHS-rooted band The Potholes. 5-8 pm.
ART WALK DEBUT PHOTOGRAPHER @ VISCON CELLARS: 5-9 pm, Ashley Harrison will be the featured artist at Viscon Cellars (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor), her first time as an Art Walk participant. From the preview:
Ashley Harrison takes photos around the Puget Sound region. This show focuses on birds of the PNW, especially herons and hummingbirds, and of Costa Rica. Ashley’s overall work includes wildlife photos, event photos, and portraits of families and meaningful relationships.
If you visit Viscon on Art Walk night, tasting fees are waived.
DEPECHE MIKE @ EASY STREET RECORDS: Easy Street (4559 California SW) usually incorporates music into its monthly Art Walk offerings, and Depeche Mike is spinning vinyl this time around – an art form all its own:
Drop in to the shop/café 6-9 pm.
‘ICONIC WEST SEATTLE’: At Verity CU (4505 California SW), watercolor artist Gloria Carmignani-Breslin will be showing work including scenes featuring West Seattle icons (Alki Statue of Liberty, Bruun Idun the troll, among others). She’ll be there 5-8 pm.
Those are just a few possibilities for tomorrow night – check the list again before you go!
(WSB is a community co-sponsor of the West Seattle Art Walk.)
(Tuesday photo by J. Whitaker)
Here’s our list of what’s happening on your Wednesday, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
CLOTHING DONATION DRIVE: As previewed here, today is the second of two days you can take clothing donations – all ages/sizes – to Chief Sealth International High School‘s office until 4 pm for their collection to help families. (2600 SW Thistle)
TODDLER READING TIME AT PAPER BOAT: 10:30 am at Paper Boat Booksellers (6040 California SW).
REJUVENATE YOGA: Weekly class at Viva Arts, 1:30 pm. Drop-in. $20. (4421 Fauntleroy Way SW)
TODDLER STORY TIME AT SW LIBRARY: At Southwest Library, 3 pm, for kids ages 1-3. (9010 35th SW)
HOMEWORK HELP: Volunteer helpers are available 4-7:30 pm at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond).
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). You can learn more about the WS Tool Library in our recent West Seattle Giving Spirit spotlight!
KIWANIS CLUB OF WEST SEATTLE: Visitors are always welcome at the Kiwanis dinner meeting, 6 pm at Great American Diner and Bar (4752 California SW), with a guest speaker talking about his work in Ukraine and elsewhere in Europe.
CRIBBAGE NIGHT: 6 pm at West Seattle Eagles (4426 California SW), monthly cribbage night, all welcome – all ages, membership NOT required. Coincides with the Eagles’ Taco Night, so you can buy tacos if interested.
FREE GROUP RUN: All year ’round! 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.
ALSO AT WS RUNNER – INFO NIGHT FOR ‘GOT FIT’: 6:30 pm at the shop, Info Night for free group-training program for intermediate-level runners who want to get ready for a half-marathon.
34TH DISTRICT DEMOCRATS: The group’s every-other-year reorganization meeting is online tonight at 6:30 pm – register here for the link. Agenda and candidates (so far) can be found here.
CLASSIC SF BOOK CLUB: Second meeting for this new book club, 6:30 pm at Delridge Library (5423 Delridge Way SW) – this month’s book is “Starship Troopers.”
LIVE MUSIC AT THE LOCOL: 6:30 pm. 21+. Rotating performer slate. (7902 35th SW)
YOGA/MEDITATION/GONG BATH: 7-8:30 pm at Inner Alchemy Sanctuary/Studio (3618 SW Alaska), $35, tickets here.
TRIVIA x 3: Three Wednesday trivia locations: 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), all ages until 10 pm.
MUSIC BINGO X 2: Two places to play on Wednesdays! Play at The Good Society (California/Lander), 7 pm … Or, at Three 9 Lounge (39th/Oregon), you can play MINGO music bingo, hosted by Mingo Maniac, at 7:30 pm Wednesdays.
HIGH-SCHOOL BASKETBALL: Two girls’ varsity home games tonight. Chief Sealth IHS hosts Seattle Academy (2600 SW Thistle); West Seattle HS hosts Garfield (3000 California SW), both at 7:30 pm.
SKYLARK OPEN MIC: The mic 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 – and if it’s a holiday event, send it for the Holiday Guide – thank you!
Get help making dinner, while helping students! Dream Dinners West Seattle (longtime WSB sponsor) is again raising money for the Madison Middle School WEB program (Where Everybody Belongs), where 8th graders help new 6th graders “feel connected.” Here’s how it works:
Anyone participating in the fundraiser just needs to order a minimum of 3 dinners off our regular menu. All orders must be placed by Friday, January 24th and picked up by January 28th.
Orders can be placed at dreamdinners.com/westseattle. Anyone can order – current customers or new customers! They can place as many orders as they want. The most important thing is that anyone that orders needs to put MADWEB in the special instructions so we can keep track of money! We will donate 10% of all the sales with MADWEB on the order, up to $500.
Dream Dinners West Seattle’s headquarters is on the east side of outer Jefferson Square, at 41st/Alaska.
9:13 AM: Crash reported on the eastbound bridge near the 1st Avenue South exit.
Earlier:
6:01 AM: Good morning! Welcome to Wednesday, January 8, 2025.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
Today, the forecast says “partly sunny,” with a high in the upper 40s. Sunrise/sunset – 7:56 am and 4:36 pm.
TRANSIT
Water Taxi – Regular schedule.
Metro buses – Regular schedule.
Washington State Ferries – 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.
ROAD WORK
*SDOT warns you may see work trucks parked on the high bridge while crews wrap up planned work inside – above, the bridge cam showed a truck on Tuesday morning.
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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