day : 21/02/2025 13 results

10:31 PM: If you have to head eastbound on the West Seattle Bridge any time soon, you might consider waiting a while – a crash response near the 1st Avenue South exit has blocked all eastbound lanes, according to police. SFD is checking on whether anyone’s hurt. Keep in mind the 99 tunnel’s overnight closure has just started, so that’s not a viable option right now if you need to head beyond downtown.

10:43 PM: Police report SFD has cleared – indicating no injuries of note – so the bridge is partly reopened; they’re awaiting tow trucks for the two vehicles involved.

11:32 PM: Officers just radioed that “the bridge is clear.”

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VIDEO: Tow trucks’ tribute to Stan Bradley

February 21, 2025 8:32 pm

| 2 COMMENTS

| Obituaries | West Seattle news

If you saw that tow-truck parade today (commenter ltmmgm did), here’s what it was about: A tribute to Stan Bradley, longtime owner of Stan’s Mt. View Towing in South Delridge, whose memorial service was today (here’s the obituary we published last month). The video was sent by his son-in-law, John Bennett, who also shared this photo of “Stan in his first tow truck”:

Mr. Bradley died in December at age 79.

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Warmer weather means Westside Neighbors Shelter will soon end overnight operations

February 21, 2025 6:59 pm

| 7 COMMENTS

| Triangle | West Seattle news

We just might have seen the last of this season’s subfreezing temperatures. That means emergency overnight operations can stop down at West Seattle’s only shelter. We just received this announcement from shelter operator Keith Hughes:

The time has come for me to embrace reality that the “Cold Weather” is over, and it is time to close the Cold Weather Overnight Shelter.

We have been open since the first week of November 2024, and in that time have provided 5,800 beds, over 11,000 meals, and over 9,000 items of clothing. Sunday, February 23, will be the last night of overnight stays at the Westside Neighbors Shelter, unless the weather takes a drastic turn.

We will continue to operate the Morning Warm-Up Center from 7 am till 11 am every day, including a healthy hot breakfast every morning at 8:30 am.

My sincere thanks to the citizens of West Seattle for generously supporting this effort, and giving me the peace of mind to know that when I ask, they will answer.

The shelter, co-housed with American Legion Post 160 and the West Seattle Veterans Center at 3618 SW Alaska, runs on donations and volunteers.

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UPDATE: Two poles down, power out after collision off Avalon Way

February 21, 2025 5:46 pm

| 9 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

5:46 PM: The traffic effects haven’t been fully described by radio – aside from “slowing both directions” – but if you’re traveling Avalon Way near the bridge soon, be aware there’s a collision response involving two downed utility poles, and downed power lines from at least one of them. This is at Bradford/Avalon/30th; the poles are said to be on Bradford, on the west side of the intersection, reported to have been taken out by a vehicle rolling off a flatbed truck. No injuries reported so far.

6:38 PM: Thanks to commenter Matthew for that view from above.

1:59 AM: We checked the Seattle City Light map not long after the poles came down, and no outage was showing, but at some point since then, that’s changed, and 150 customers are out in the area.

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UPDATE: Admiral Way Bridge lane-configuration change

February 21, 2025 4:31 pm

| 2 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

4:31 PM: Thanks for the tips! We just went up to confirm that the Admiral Way Bridge lane configuration has changed again. Now it’s one lane each way in what are normally the bridge’s eastbound lanes (the south side). This is all related to the ongoing seismic-strengthening project, which, the city recently said, isn’t expected to be complete before summer.

10:34 AM SATURDAY: A reader reports the entire bridge is open this morning. Is that the end of the top-side closures? We’re still waiting for an update from SDOT.

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FOLLOWUP: City’s CARE Responders set the date for West Seattle service to begin

February 21, 2025 3:55 pm

| 21 COMMENTS

| Health | West Seattle news

(City of Seattle file photo)

3:55 PM: The city’s been mentioning for a while that its CARE Community Crisis Responders would expand service to the Southwest Precinct area (West Seattle and South Park) as soon as they were staffed up; Mayor Bruce Harrell mentioned it in his State of the City speech earlier this week, too. And now they’ve set the date: As announced today, March 10th will be the first day of CARE Responders’ service here (which is a few months past the “end of 2024” the mayor announced last year). As explained in the city announcement, the responders “will assist Seattle Police Department patrol officers on 9-1-1 crisis calls that are non-violent and non-life-threatening. CCRs will be dispatched via the Seattle CARE Department 9-1-1 Communications Center, for 9-1-1 call events with a nexus to behavioral health (mental illness/substance use) and/or homelessness.” The team has been in service for about a year and a half and reports to CARE Chief Amy Barden, who also is accountable for the 911 Center, through which the Community Crisis Responders are dispatched, as are police. The city has 27 CCRs, and three are supervisors who also are Mental Health Professionals. We have a question out to the city about whether they’ll be physically based on this side of the river, in addition to responding to incidents here.

5:28 PM: CARE Department spokesperson Sean Blackwell replied:

Seattle CARE Department (CARE) Community Crisis Responders are currently headquartered at Seattle Municipal Tower and have additional office spaces at the Seattle CARE Department 9-1-1 Communications Center (located at SPD West Precinct) and the University of Washington Police Department (UWPD).

CARE is in the process of procuring additional office spaces in South Seattle (South Precinct), West Seattle (Southwest Precinct), North Seattle (North Precinct) and in the Capitol Hill/Central District (East Precinct).

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Stolen red Sonata; ‘weird’ theft

February 21, 2025 2:02 pm

| 4 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

Two reader reports in West Seattle Crime Watch:

STOLEN CAR: The report is from Jennifer:

Our car was stolen sometime between yesterday evening and noon today:

2015 red Hyundai Sonata
License # AVJ9617

Police report #: 25-48424

We’re off 34th and Morgan in High Point.

If you find it, call 911.

‘WEIRD’ THEFT: The video and report are from Kristy:

My front garden is inches from the sidewalk on California/Charlestown so I’ve grown kinda used to kids and weirdos messing with my stuff, but I had a weird visitor at 5:20 this morning. He took a trash can full of garden waste, so nothing really worth anything to me, but I have not seen someone on our cameras who looked this ready to burglarize. Just wanted to send this over in case anyone else is reporting seeing this dude.

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BIZNOTE: 1 week until grand opening of Mr. B’s Mead Center at former tool shop

February 21, 2025 12:10 pm

| 11 COMMENTS

| Delridge | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news | WS beverages

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

A transformation from tool shop to “enchanted forest” (and more) is almost complete at 9444 Delridge Way SW.

That’s where Brandon Eller and Krista Eller – aka Mr. B and Mrs. B – will open Mr. B’s Mead Center one week from today, on Friday, February 28, an expansion of Mr. B’s Meadery in Fremont.

At Mr. B’s Mead Center, they are the new owners of the former Center Tool Rental site, re-envisioning it as not only an all-ages “safe community space” but also the production center for their mead; they’ve just moved production from SODO.

Not familiar with mead? Short description: “Honey wine.” But that doesn’t mean it’s “cloyingly sweet,” Krista says, cautioning prospective new customers against assumptions. Look at all the different descriptions on their “soft open” menu:

They’ve been selling most of their mead out of their other venue in Fremont, now in its fourth year, with a few wholesale customers. But unlike some brewpubs, the production facilities aren’t the visual centerpiece of this space.

Their woodsy, quirky decor is. Krista’s been doing much of the woodwork.

Some of it is repurposed, like this tree table you might recall from the shuttered Lodge in the West Seattle Junction.

The “enchanted forest” even features live trees. How did this all sprout in a former tool shop? Brandon explains that he grew up “in the south end,” and he and Krista live in this area. “I just kind of stumbled onto this place,” whose owner Doug was looking to sell and retire. He’s seen the transformation, they add, attending a friends-and-family test run a few nights ago.

He looked around, wide-eyed, they explain, and you likely will too. Even the restroom space has memorable decor – a hallmark of their other location, they explain:

And this won’t just be a place to drink (regular pours, by the way, are 5-6 ounces, and they’ll have a carbonated mead on tap too, with a honey soda also among the offerings). They’re planning events – a limited amount of live music, maybe Brandon’s own band Elephant Crows (“classic rock”). Live art too – Brandon mentions a “liquid light show.”

Wondering about food? Mostly just “snacks – things we can buy” to serve. Charcuterie, for example.

As with most new venues, the plan will keep evolving as they watch how the community responds (the decor won’t be static, either, they promise); starting hours will be 4-11 pm Thursdays and Fridays, 1-11 pm Saturdays, 1-8 pm Sundays. Next Friday’s grand-opening celebration will kick off with a 3:30 pm ribboncutting.

P.S. Scroll down the Mr. B’s Mead Center webpage for a huge helping of history about the site and far more details about their plans.

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READER REPORT: 2 abandoned bicycles

February 21, 2025 10:51 am

| Comments Off on READER REPORT: 2 abandoned bicycles

| Found bicycles | West Seattle news

The photo and report were sent by Nicole:

We have a couple dumped bicycles in front of our house. They are in good condition and showed up sometime overnight last night/this morning. They are at 30th Ave SW and SW Cambridge.

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13 options for your West Seattle Friday

February 21, 2025 9:40 am

| 2 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Photo by Marina Clough)

Friday has arrived! Here’s what’s up today/tonight, mostly from the West Seattle Event Calendar:

STAY ‘N’ PLAY: 10 am-11:30 am, weekly free drop-in playtime at Arbor Heights Community Church (4113 SW 102nd).

BLACK HISTORY ART EXHIBIT: Visit the Washington State Black Legacy Institute‘s first major exhibit, 11 am-6 pm. (2656 42nd SW)

FREE TAX HELP: Drop-in help at Southwest Library (9010 35th SW), 11 am-4 pm, appointments recommended.

BABY STORY TIME: Noon-12:30 pm at Delridge Library (5423 Delridge Way SW).

QI GONG AT VIVA ARTS: Fridays at 12:15 pm – info in our calendar listing. (4421 Fauntleroy Way SW)

BASKETBALL PLAYOFFS: The West Seattle HS boys play Garfield at Bellevue College, 3:30 pm. (3000 Landerholm Circle SE)

MUSIC AT THE COFFEEHOUSE: Steve Itterly and Friends perform at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), 6-8 pm, no cover, all ages.

LISTENING PARTY AT EASY STREET RECORDS: Join the party to hear “So Close to What” by Tate McRae, 7 pm, free/all ages. (4559 California SW).

LIVE AT KENYON HALL: Songwriter Incubator open-mic night – 6 pm signups, 6:30 pm music. (7904 35th SW)

‘COVENANT’: Third weekend for the current play at ArtsWest (4711 California SW), 7:30 pm, tickets here.

LIVE AT THE SKYLARK: Baby Crow Flight School, AR Band, Cooper Point Rd, doors at 7 pm and music at 8 pm, details here. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

REVELRY ROOM DJ: 9 pm, DJ Twilight tonight! (4547 California SW)

MAKE IT LOUD: Skating to live music at Southgate Roller Rink (9646 17th SW), doors at 9 pm, $18 cover, $5 skates, 21+. Tonight’s slate: Little Sister, Norman Baker and the Backroads.

If you have something to showcase on our event lists or calendar, please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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Memorial service planned March 8 for William J. Code, 1921-2024

February 21, 2025 9:00 am

| 2 COMMENTS

| Obituaries | West Seattle news

Family and friends will gather March 8 to remember Bill Code, and are sharing this remembrance with his community now:

William John Code
Aug. 24, 1921-Dec. 4, 2024

Bill, to his great surprise, but no doubt thanks to his clean living, generous heart, and incredible willpower, reached the age of 103. Born in Seattle, he grew up on Queen Anne Hill and developed a circle of friends with whom he remained close throughout his life. When Bill was 15, his father passed away, but he was well-loved and supported by a strong mother, Elizabeth, and an older brother, Clar. In 10th grade, Bill chose to be baptized at the Queen Anne Baptist Church, the dawn of his deep and abiding faith. The YMCA was the other touchstone and source of guidance in his life. He loved going to Camp Orkila and playing sports of all kinds, especially basketball. During his senior year, Bill captained the high school team, which in turn won the all-city championship. Bill went on to play basketball at the University of Washington, but his athletic career came to an end with the US entry into World War II. Bill joined the Naval Air Corps and trained as a fighter pilot, flying a Corsair in the Pacific theater.

After the war, Bill’s mom insisted that he come home and finish his education at the UW, which was a good thing because he became reacquainted with fellow Queen Anne graduate, Betty Blair. Within two years, they were married and off to Chicago for a graduate program in social work. Bill had found a partner who could more than match his energy level and active lifestyle over the next 76 years.

Bill and Betty moved to West Seattle in 1952. They raised three children, volunteered with school programs and scouts, and spent many a weekend on the Key Peninsula developing a piece of property while also camping, fishing, and waterskiing with the kids. Bill and Betty were active members at West Side Presbyterian Church, where for almost 30 years, they ran a monthly lunch and entertainment program for people with disabilities. They felt blessed to be part of the West Side faith community and cherished their many church-related friendships.

Bill started his working career at the Seattle YMCA with the goal of giving back to an organization that had served him well. Later, to spend more time with family, he took a position at Cascade Chemical Company, eventually buying the business and expanding into Oregon. At age 76, Bill retired and sold Cascade to his sons, which gave Bill and Betty time to travel, golf, and attend the college graduations of five grandchildren. Bill loved his family and his country and did not take a minute of his 103 years for granted.

Bill is survived by his wife, Betty, and children, Bob (Mary), Merilee (Scott), and Jim (Claire), 8 grandchildren, and 6 great-grandchildren. Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 8th at West Side Presbyterian Church, 3601 California Ave. SW. In lieu of flowers, please consider remembering Bill with a donation to his church or the Seattle YMCA’s Camping and Outdoor Leadership Program.

(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 CAMS, WEATHER, TRANSIT: Friday info

February 21, 2025 6:01 am

| Comments Off on TRAFFIC CAMS, WEATHER, TRANSIT: Friday info

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:01 AM: Good morning – it’s Friday, February 21, 2025. Last day of mid-winter break for those who had one this week.

WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

Rain in the forecast, high in the low 50s. Today’s sunrise/sunset – 7:03 am and 5:42 pm.

TRANSIT TODAY

Metro buses – Regular schedule.

Water Taxi – Also on a regular schedule.

Washington State Ferries – Regular service on the Triangle Route, with M/V Kittitas and M/V Cathlamet, plus M/V now serving as the “bonus boat.”

CLOSURE REMINDER

-As noted here, the Highway 99 tunnel will close overnight tonight into tomorrow morning (2/21-22) for maintenance work.

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 (including links to live video for most); for a quick scan of West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras, see 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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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Auto-theft attempt with gunfire

February 21, 2025 2:17 am

| 2 COMMENTS

| Crime | Highland Park | West Seattle news

If you thought you heard a gunshot in the south Highland Park vicinity this past half-hour, it might have been the report Seattle Police are currently investigating near 16th/Elmgrove. Two men – described as white, 20s, one with a white beanie and stubble, one with dark clothing – are reported to have broken a car window in an apparent attempt to steal it. At least one had a gun and when they were interrupted is reported to have fired a shot into the air before they took off. Their vehicle is described as a pickup truck with elongated bed and canopy, possibly dark blue, blue LEDs. If you have any info on them and/or this incident, the SPD # is 25-047946.

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