West Seattle, Washington
12 Monday
Three more coyote reports:
ADMIRAL: From Johnny:
as I was returning home at 1 am this morning, I saw a pack of three coyotes leaving Hiawatha Park on Walnut Ave. They ran down Forest Ave and turned on Fairmount toward the Admiral Way Bridge. I tried to warn them that the road is closed for construction, but they didn’t even slow down. Quite rude, if you ask me.
GATEWOOD #1: About half an hour after Johnny’s email, this text came in: “Gatewood coyote caught a rabbit, 36th & Willow.” The accompanying photo was a bit too graphic for us to show; it indeed appeared to be a coyote with a small animal dangling from its mouth.
GATEWOOD #2: Natalie sent this report and accompanying photos tonight:
Coyote sighting. Spotted the Gatewood pack at 9:35 pm heading east across California coming up Othello from Lincoln Park. They continued east on SW Orchard heading toward 35th. They were not afraid of us whatsoever and kept switching positions to make sure one was behind us. All three were plump and super healthy. Made sure to tell them not to eat anyone’s pets tonight.
Of course the only way to ensure that is to not leave unaccompanied animals outside. That and other advice on discouraging them from hanging around can be found here (and many other places).
That’s our video from a decade ago, when legendary Northwest band The Sonics rocked Easy Street Records in a Record Store Day 2015 show benefiting KEXP. Later that night, Northwest rock royalty joined them, musicians representing bands from Pearl Jam to Tacocat, so it was another luminous night in The Sonics’ half-century-plus history. You can watch some of that history tomorrow night, when Easy Street hosts a screening of the award-winning rockumentary “Boom: A Film About The Sonics,” with director Jordan Albertsen scheduled to be there for Q&A after the movie. Here’s the trailer:
Easy Street promises, “There will be exclusive movie merch, drinks, and killer tunes afterward.” Admission is free but space is limited, so don’t be late – 7 pm Tuesday (January 21).
7:37 PM: Thanks to Ian for sending the photo. A multi-car crash is blocking the east/northbound side of the 3200 block of SW Avalon Way [map]. Apparently no injuries of note, though, as SFD was not dispatched.
8:26 PM: Added overhead view, also sent by a reader. Meantime, the scene is reported to have been cleaned (of broken glass) and cleared.
(WSHS #21, Wes Armstrong)
Story and photos by Tracy Burrows
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
MLK Day is a popular date to showcase high-school basketball in Seattle and throughout Washington. This afternoon, the West Seattle High School boys team matched up with Class 4A Kentridge High School in the MLK Day Classic Tournament at Seattle Pacific University.
The game started with cold shooting from both teams, with the first quarter ending with the Kentridge Chargers leading 10-9. In the second quarter, West Seattle found a groove by cutting down on turnovers and hitting key shots.
(WSHS #3, Sully Pond)
The Wildcats led by 5 at the half, 28-23. Halftime included a brief presentation on Dr. King’s legacy with a reminder to fans to consider how we can put hope into action to make the world a better place.
After the half, the lead seesawed back and forth for much of the third and fourth quarters. During a late game timeout, Wildcats Coach Fred Wilson exhorted his team to play with energy and pound the ball inside on offense. The team responded and with less than a minute to go, Wes Armstrong drove to the bucket, was fouled, and made a key free throw that gave the Wildcats a 3-point lead. West Seattle prevailed by a final score of 51-48. Duncan Monnin led with 13 points, followed by Alex Pierce and Tyce Sayles with 9 each.
No rest for the Wildcat boys – next game is at 7:30 pm tomorrow (Tuesday, January 21), at Eastside Catholic.
4:36 PM: Seattle Fire has a big response at Nucor. SFD radio says some workers are evacuating and more to follow. Updates to come.
4:39 PM: Incident command says it “appears to be a small fire” but they are working to get power cut to the area where it’s happening.
(Photo texted by Kevin)
4:42 PM: Firefighters have just reported that the fire is “under control.” No injuries reported so far.
(Photo sent by Nona)
4:45 PM: The fire is now reported “tapped” (out). SFD will start demobilizing some of the responders.
5:35 PM: Going back to listen to the initial incident audio, we note the original dispatch was for “an oil fire under a roller in the rolling mill.”
Temperatures are down and shelter need is up. Keith Hughes from Westside Neighbors Shelter, the privately operated facility that is West Seattle’s only emergency overnight shelter, is asking for these four items:
We are completely out of stocking caps and gloves, and getting short on blankets and pillows. We have been taking care of 55 to 60 people every night with this very cold weather week. Thanks for your continued support.
The shelter is at 3618 SW Alaska. Donation-dropoff hours are on its website.
(WSB photo)
ORIGINAL MONDAY REPORT: In case you too are wondering about the big police response on SW Thistle near 24th SW: In the center of our photo is a red Honda Accord whose driver is being investigated by police for an alleged hit-and-run rampage this past hour. It was first reported in the 7900 block of Delridge Way SW, where at least one parked car is reported to have been hit; then the same car was reported “driving through yards” near 22nd/Thistle; and police finally caught up with the driver and car a block from there. What they’re trying to sort out is the report that the driver was fighting with and/or being assaulted by a passenger at least part of the time that this was happening; the passenger is reported to have fled on foot, northbound on Delridge, and police were looking for him in the Home Depot vicinity at last report.
ADDED TUESDAY NIGHT: We requested the report narrative from police and got this at day’s end. We’re posting it largely as received as it’s a convoluted situation:
At 1210 hrs I was dispatched to the report of a motor vehicle collision at 79XX DELRIDGE WY SW (Private Residence). Cad stated (VEH JUST HIT RPS HOUSE AND PARKED VEH, DRIVING SOUTH ON DELRIDGE, J/O, DRIVER HAD A BASEBALL BAT AND SUSP GOT OUT OF PASSER SEAT AND RAN NORTHBOUND)
I arrived on scene 1213 hrs and met with the Reporting Party, XXXX XXXX (XX/XX/1996). XXXX was at home when she heard a loud noise and looked out her window. She saw a red sedan in her front yard where it had struck the retaining wall and several vehicles. XXXX witnessed the driver in some sort of argument with the passenger. The Driver, later identified as XXXX XXXX (XX/XX/2002), exited the vehicle brandishing an aluminum metal bat and yelled at the passenger, an unidentified male only identified as “XXXX”, who ran away from the vehicle northbound on Delridge. XXXX then got back in his car and drove southbound on Delridge stopping after turning westbound on SW Thistle St and calling 911 himself.
The collision at 79xx Delridge WY SW caused a large amount of property damage striking the property of three separate homes and two vehicles. I interviewed and collected information from all owners. The resident of 79XX Delridge WY SW, two houses south of the RP, identified as XXXX XX (XX/XX/XXXX), was able to provide ring camera footage of the crash. For more information, please see my collision report on sector under the same case number.
I was able to contact XXXX after he was detained by backing officers on SW Thistle St. XXXX was able to provide the following explanation. XXXX had been living in his car at (a White Center facility’s parking lot). XXXX was approached by an associate he knows as “XXXX”, who lives in the buildings to the east of (the parking lot). XXXX asked XXXX for a ride to Home Depot. In route to the Home Depot, located at 7345 Delridge WY SW, XXXX and XXXX got into an argument over the speed XXXX was driving. XXXX got angry and started punching XXXX in the face from his position in the passenger seat, which caused XXXX to turn sharply off the road and crash into the properties located there. XXXX then got out the car and brandished an aluminum bat to scare off XXXX from attacking him, as he knows XXXX carries a knife. XXXX then fled northbound on Delridge towards the Home Depot, and XXXX drove away to safety to call 911.
XXXX also provided a cell phone from his vehicle that XXXX had left in the car. XXXX called 911 from this phone. The phone is a gray Samsung with the serial #XXXX. I submitted this phone into evidence.
XXXX seemed incredibly distraught, crying at points during my interview and was concerned that he may have accidentally hit someone. XXXX was also very cooperative in attempting to identify his attacker. I did not notice any clear injuries on XXXX but XXXX complained of head pains. XXXX stated he did not need medical attention.
I investigated the parking lot XXXX said he met XXXX in, and noticed several security cameras on the (building) that may have seen XXXX get into XXXX’s vehicle.
Due to the corroborating witness statements and the information provided by XXXX I believe, if “XXXX” can be identified, there to be Probable cause for the crime of RCW – 9A.36.041 | ASSAULT – ASSAULT in the fourth degree and SMC – 12A.06.050 | RECKLESS ENDANGERMENT.
Nothing further at this time.
(Photo courtesy Seattle Colleges)
By Aspen Anderson
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
In advance of today’s holiday, Seattle Colleges hosted the 52nd annual Community Celebration of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on Friday at South Seattle College’s Brockey Center. The event featured music, speeches, and reflections focused on continuing Dr. King’s fight for justice.
KIRO TV anchor Deedee Sun emceed the event, welcoming attendees with a call to action. “We’re all here today because we see a better future for tomorrow,” Sun said.
(Greater Works performing ‘We Shall Overcome’)
Gospel choir Greater Works, directed by DaNell Daymon, opened with a high-energy performance of “Praise Him,” earning a standing ovation. Their second song, “The Lord is Blessing Me,” brought even more energy to the room, with the audience clapping along and many wearing T-shirts emblazoned with “social justice.” (We featured two of their songs in this report on Friday.)
Reverend Dr. Phyllis Beaumonte of Mount Zion Baptist Church delivered an invocation that highlighted Dr. King’s courage and enduring relevance.
“We should ask ourselves how we can honor and continue his legacy, not just for a gathering once a year,” Beaumonte said. “Who will take the baton he spoke of and continue the support for voting rights,for housing for the poor. Who has the courage to speak out against racism, anti-semitism, do those things that are required of us for when we leave this place, our skin color is not going to matter. It will return to ashes to ashes and dust to dust.”
Keynote speaker Tim Wise (video above), a prominent anti-racist educator, delivered a candid critique of systemic racism in the U.S., quoting Dr. King: “The largest part of white America is still poisoned by racism, which is as native to our soil as pine trees, sagebrush, and buffalo grass.
“You won’t hear that Dr King quoted on Monday.,” Wise said, referring to the overlap of MLK Day with the presidential inauguration of Donald Trump. “They take one line out of one speech, which I gather is the only speech they ever heard…one line about judging people on the content of their character rather than the color of their skin…You don’t get shot for that line. You don’t get shot for that sanitized version of a vision of America, he gets shot, because he said some other things, and he believed in some other things.”
U.S. House Rep. Pramila Jayapal (video above) reflected on Dr. King’s activism during turbulent times, drawing parallels to present-day challenges.
“The year he died … has a lot of similarities to the moment we find ourselves in today,” Jayapal said. “… Dr. King would want us to come together and refuse to give in to the divisiveness, to the racism, to the xenophobia that is being fueled and spread, to stand up courageously for our most vulnerable communities, for our students, For our workers and demand what is right, no matter how difficult it may seem in the moment.”
She encouraged action, saying, “I will be spending the Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King’s birthday Monday, January, 20, right here at home feeding the hungry.”
The program also honored social-justice leaders and initiatives, including the Academy for Rising Educators (ARE), which focuses on diversifying the teaching workforce. Dr. Pat Russell spoke about the program’s mission, noting that 80% of teachers are white.
“These children are not seeing themselves,” Russell said. “When you don’t see yourself you get the message loud and clear, ‘this is not for me.’ We need to make sure that every child knows that education is for them and that’s what ARE is about.”
Speakers also included Seattle Colleges Chancellor Dr. Rosie Rimando-Chareunsap (video above), who spoke of her time as president of SSC, talking about its evolution toward becoming an anti-racist institution.
The event concluded with Greater Works’ rendition of “Oh Happy Day,” led by the choir and joined by the audience. Sun closed the celebration with a message: “I hope this day wakes you up.”
The event served as a kickoff to Seattle Colleges’ second annual Social Justice Week, continuing the conversation and commitment to equity inspired by Dr. King. See the event listings here.
11:51 AM: A texter reports, “There is a fuel truck stuck on the median just outside the Shree’s gas station on Delridge south of Brandon, It’s backing up southbound traffic.” Avoid the area for a while.
11:59 AM: You can see the truck in the backdrop of our screengrab from the nearest SDOT camera. Police have just been dispatched.
12:02 PM: Officers arrived to find the truck has gotten itself unstuck and departed.
(Cold, clear morning – photo by James Bratsanos)
Here’s what you need to know for this West Seattle Monday. First, the major MLK Day closures:
LIBRARIES: Closed.
SEATTLE PARKS FACILITIES: Here’s their plan.
MAIL/POST OFFICE: This is a USPS holiday.
‘PARKING HOLIDAY’: No charge for street parking in city neighborhoods with pay stations.
SOLID WASTE PICKUP: West Seattle is NOT one of the areas of the city where it’s delayed a day this week.
Here’s what is happening:
MLK DAY OF SERVICE: Here’s the roundup of local volunteering opportunities that we published last week.
GET CRAFTY: 6-10 pm, Monday is “Crafting and Creativity Night” at The Missing Piece (9456 35th SW), info here.
D&D: Weekly D&D at 6:30 pm at Meeples Games (3727 California SW). All welcome, including first-time players.
LISTENING TO GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP: 6:30 pm with Tamara Kubacki, meeting at Mama Be Well Healing Studio (4034 California SW). “Grief groups are brave and safe spaces where bereaved people can share their stories and speak their loved one’s name without fear of getting advice, platitudes, or being shut out, no matter how long it’s been since their loved one’s passing.” – you can attend once or multiple times. Fee. Preregistration requested – our calendar listing explains how.
COMEDY: Monthly “Routine Killers” comedy show at Otter on the Rocks (4210 SW Admiral Way), 7 pm. West Seattle’s own Travis Sherer headlines! A few tickets left – go here fast.
MONDAY NIGHT TRIVIA! Three places to play tonight! 7 pm at The Good Society (California/Lander); 7 and 8 pm Sporcle Pub Quiz at Three 9 Lounge (4505 39th SW); 7:30 pm with QuizFix at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW)
MEDITATION IN FAUNTLEROY: Monday night meditating – free weekly Zen sitting/meditation in the chapel at Fauntleroy UCC (9140 California SW), 7 pm-8:30 pm.
MUSIC AT THE ALLEY: The Alley has music Monday nights, with The Westside Trio, 8 pm at The Alley (behind 4509 California SW), 21+, no cover.
MONDAY KARAOKE 9 pm, it’s Monday night karaoke at Talarico’s Pizzeria (4718 California SW).
If you have a West Seattle/White Center event to add to our calendar, please send the info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
In our coverage of last Wednesday’s Morgan Community Association meeting, we mentioned a Gatewood Elementary PTA member’s presentation about local advocacy with the State Legislature regarding school funding. Here’s the official announcement of an event this Thursday night:
Understanding Our School Funding Crisis and Doing Something About It!
Organized by West Seattle High School PTSA and Chief Sealth International High School PTSAThursday, January 23 from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
West Seattle High School Theater (3000 California Ave. SW)The WSHS PTSA and Chief Sealth PTSA invite the community to a Public School Funding Teach-In and Advocacy Training on January 23 in the WSHS theater.
The event will feature presentations and a Q&A session with Mary Fertakis, Vice Chair of the Washington State Board of Education; Oliver Miska, founder of the People’s Big Five; Robert Cruickshank, of Washington’s Paramount Duty.
The event is also an opportunity for you to take action in support of ample funding of basic education in Washington and to enjoy a Billion Dollar Bake Sale!
Child care is available for potty-trained kiddos. Please RSVP, here!
Questions? Email legislative@wshsptsa.org
6:03 AM: It’s Monday, January 20, 2025, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day and Inauguration Day.
SCHOOLS
Closed for MLK Day.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
A Cold Weather Advisory alert is in effect until 8 am. The wind chill is into the 20s, though the forecast has today’s high in the low 40s, under sunny skies. Sunrise/sunset – 7:48 am and 4:52 pm.
(Photo by Hana Alishio)
TRANSIT
Metro buses – Regular schedule despite the holiday.
Water Taxi – Also on a regular schedule today.
Other transit off-peninsula – The Metro Matters site has the full regional list.
Washington State Ferries – Regular service on the Triangle Route, with M/V Salish as the “bonus boat.”
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!
| 12 COMMENTS