West Seattle, Washington
24 Saturday
11:02 PM: The Guardian One helicopter is joining SPD‘s search for two carjacking suspects. According to emergency radio traffic it happened in the Westwood Village area, but the carjackers already have abandoned the Acura SUV they stole. They’re looking for two suspects, one described as wearing all black, with a black face mask, and a gun; they were reported to be running on 25th SW. … Officers report having stopped a possible suspect in the area.
11:11 PM: The ground search includes a K-9, so if you’re in the area, you may hear police’s obligatory announcements of that.
11:30 PM: They’re still searching, including to the north and east of WWV.
11:39 PM: They’ve exhausted the possibilities for now, so the helicopter’s leaving. No further info on the incident, but we’ll of course follow up and add any additional information when it’s available.
ADDED 12:10 PM SATURDAY: Here’s the preliminary summary from SPD:
At 2300 hours, responded to a report of a carjacking that had just occurred at the Westwood Village Shopping Center. The suspects (one armed with a handgun) approached the victims as they were standing outside the vehicle and attempted to pistol whip the driver while suspect #2 simultaneously assaulted the female passenger. The victims complied and the suspects got into the victim vehicle. The vehicle was a newer Acura, and the suspects could not figure out how to shift it into drive. The suspects panicked and fled immediately once they could not manipulate the shifter dial, and the victims managed to maintain possession of their vehicle. Containment was established and KCSO K9 and Guardian One responded to assist.
If you have any information, the incident to refer to is 25-69379.
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
What the feds won’t do – any more – the locals are going to have to.
That theme emerged in a variety of ways at Wednesday night’s meeting of our area’s largest political organization, the 34th District Democrats, facilitated by the group’s chair Jordan Crawley.
First, the pre-meeting presentation featured the local resistance group West Seattle Indivisible. Then, our area’s County Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda touted local government’s support for areas hit by the federal budget ax – housing, worker protections, equity:
Two of Mosqueda’s fellow County Councilmembers spoke too, but in a different capacity – as candidates to succeed King County Executive Dow Constantine, who is not running for re-election. This wasn’t a formal candidate forum; 34th DD meetings often offer the microphone to candidates who want to make their pitch.
First was Councilmember Claudia Balducci from the Eastside, who declared, “I fundamentally believe in the powe of government, especially local government, to make lives better,” before decrying the federal slashing of services and spending. “We can’t do everything, but we can protect the people most at risk,” she said, adding that local government needs to “stand up for our values,” so if the president, for example, threatens to take away funding unless those values are cast aside, go ahead and dare him.
Balducci, a Sound Transit board member, noted that she might be “most famous for fighting and winning the battle of light rail” on the Eastside, and declared, “I can’t wait to push to get light rail to West Seattle!” (That was greeted by a whoop.)
Next was County Council Chair Girmay Zahilay, whose district is in South King County. He declared the KC Executive position to be the “single most important and powerful local office in the entire state of Washington.” He also said he’s running because of the potential of our region, which welcomed Zahilay and his family as refugees from Sudan when he was three years old. He then listed challenges – opportunities on the decline, the Trump Administration “threaten(ing) every value we have,” the housing shortage – and proclaimed that the next County Executive “has to ensure that King County is a beacon of hope and opportunity for the entire nation.”
Balducci and Zahilay were the only two County Executive candidates on Wednesday night’s agenda, but not the only candidates – five others running for election or re-election took the microphone too. Two were Port of Seattle Commissioners running for re-election – and they too spoke about defiance of D.C. Position 1 incumbent Ryan Calkins said that after “mourn(ing) a bit” following the November election, “we doubled down” on commitments such as green energy:
Position 3 incumbent Port Commissioner Hamdi Mohamed also observed that “local elected officials must hold the line” during “unprecedented times”:
Three City of Seattle candidates followed, starting with mayoral hopeful Ry Anderson. They warned of the dangers of hopelessness: “We have to empower the next generation to not give up.” And about services the feds may be abandoning: “The National Labor Relations Board may be (doomed), so we need to pick that up.”
Armstrong also nodded to the civil-rights curtailments of the D.C. administration, suggesting “the best way to give Trump (the finger) is to elect a trans mayor.”
Two candidates for citywide City Council Position 9 were next, challenging incumbent Council President Sara Nelson. First, Dionne Foster told the 34th DDs that all three of the district’s state legislators already support her. She described herself as a “first-time candidate” (but former city policy adviser) and steadfast champion of “progressive values” and “real results”:
Another Council Position 9 candidate, Ray Rogers, also called himself a “first-time candidate” and spoke of people power: “With you, we can get the job done.” He promised he would work tirelessly – “the first one to get there and the last one to leave.”
We won’t know the full primary-election fields for these and other positions until after the official Filing Week in May; primary voting will end on
The final spotlight of the night shone on a former elected official, Joe Nguyen, appointed as state Commerce Director after serving a term and a half as 34th District State Senator. Aaron Garcia of the White Center Community Development Association was first to speak in tribute, declaring, “Joe showed up.” Garcia’s predecessor as WCCDA executive director, Sili Savusa, spoke too, as did Seattle Port Commissioner Toshiko Hasegawa and former Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels:
The traits they celebrated differed – Hasegawa hailed Nguyen as “a progressive elected voice” while Nickels said he became a “very enthusiastic supporter” despite having told Nguyen flat-out “you’re way too liberal for me.”
NEXT MEETING: The 34th DDs meet on second Wednesdays, sometimes in person, sometimes online only, so next meeting will be April 9th; you can watch for updates at 34dems.org.
Thanks to Steven Rice for the photo of the Space Needle hosting tonight’s GuideStar laser-art installation, as previewed here earlier this week. If you had trouble seeing it from this side of the bay, the photo may hint at a reason why – the light beams were slender. Converge Media streamed the show, including spoken word and music beneath the Needle – here’s the recording:
GuideStar was created by New York-based artists Mendi + Keith Obadike, commissioned by Seattle’s Wa Na Wari.
Greg is the second reader who reported seeing this bicycle at the beach in recent days:
Found at Alki Beach, presumably stolen and abandoned child’s bike.
He took it home for safekeeping, so if it’s yours, let us know and we’ll connect you.
It’s a wish frequently voiced after West Seattle Summer Fest – a longing for more places to sit down and eat/drink and/or take a break from the sun. This year, the West Seattle Junction Association is hoping to make those dreams come true – with your help, as well as with some festival-layout changes. WSJA events director Stacie Woods explains, “The money raised for Seating and Shade will help us afford tables, chairs, tents and umbrellas at the festival to give folks more places to sit down, relax, eat, enjoy music and a cold beverage. We are planning to physically swap the kids’ area and the food area this year. That means the new food area will near the West Gate on Alaska with lots of new seating options as well. We are also moving the Westside Stage to the West Gate area as well so that folks can enjoy music while enjoying some food and drink.” Attending the festival remains free – donating is voluntary; if you can chip in a bit (or a lot!) to help improve it, just go here. (Also watch your favorite Junction restaurants, where you’ll be seeing table cards with a QR code for this.)
P.S. This is separate from the other West Seattle Summer Fest fundraiser announced earlier this week – ticket sales continue for the first-ever Rock Walk on April 11, with proceeds paying for festival music. (This year’s Summer Fest is Friday-Sunday, July 11-13 – and you’ll also want to set your calendar for Summer Fest Eve on July 10.)
(WSB photo, Thursday afternoon)
4:36 PM: As noted in an update to our coverage of Thursday afternoon’s Roxhill Park shootout, which sent a 17-year-old to the hospital, police arrested the 18-year-old they were questioning. Court documents say he was the person who called 911 for the injured teenager after pulling over at 30th and Elmgrove, about half a mile north of the shootout scene. The 18-year-old suspect had his first hearing today, and the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office says a judge found cause to hold him for first-degree assault. Prosecutors asked for $200,000 bail; the judge set it at $100,000. The KCPAO also notes that:
The 18-year-old had one previous case, in which the Court granted deferred disposition. In that case, the teen was accused of showing a gun to friends in a vehicle in South Seattle. The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office charged him with Unlawful Possession of a Firearm in the Second Degree. … That Court order had 12 months of community supervision, 63 days credit for time served (the sentencing range is 0-30 days of local sanctions under state law), and school notification, among other terms … from Aug. 28, 2024.
The KCPAO notes that a bill supported by Prosecuting Attorney Leesa Manion, to strengthen juvenile gun laws, “died in committee.” One other note from the Roxhill Park investigation – according to the court document, “Officers recovered 16 9mm bullet casings and 2 .40 caliber casings at the scene.” No guns were recovered, though.
Tuesday is the deadline for rush-charging the 18-year-old in this case. The initial police report said the injured teen was expected to be arrested before leaving the hospital. Two other people were reported to have been involved in the shootout, which is reported to have started when one person pulled a gun during an argument on the Roxhill Park playground, but there is no word of additional arrests yet.
5:58 PM: A little more on the legislative (in)action mentioned above: The bill was HB 1536. It would have reduced the number of gun convictions needed before a juvenile can be held longer than a month, from five to three. Here’s Manion’s memo in support of it.
(WSB photo)
Michael, Vanessa, and Alfred are Community Crisis Responders with the city’s CARE Department Team. We caught up with them for a quick photo at Alki this afternoon as they wrapped up their first week of being available for calls in West Seattle and vicinity. As reported here previously, the CARE Team was able to expand to this area of the city once it grew in size, as budgeted, after its first year and a half. As explained here, CCRs – all behavioral-health professionals – respond (at least initially with police) to situations involving people in crisis or other behavioral-health emergencies. CARE – short for Community Assisted Response and Engagement – is led by Chief Amy Barden and is considered one of the city’s public-safety departments. Though they’ll eventually have workspace in this area, the responders told us they’re currently based downtown. (We might hear more about that when the mayor comes to West Seattle next week for a formal announcement that the CARE responders are now available here.)
Looking ahead to this weekend, Holy Rosary Catholic Church will again be the setting for a one-of-a-kind concert, this time by the Northwest Symphony Orchestra, which has been sponsoring WSB this week to amplify the announcement. The orchestra, conducted by Anthony Spain, will be joined by singers on Saturday (March 15) to present “Music for the Soul,” a program of both instrumental and choral music that includes a world-premiere arrangement:
*Stabat Mater- Antonin Dvorak
With ChoralSounds Northwest
Soloists- Alexandra Picard, Rose Beattie, Brendan Tuohy, Charles Robert Stephens*Bogoroditse Devo (Hail Mary, Full of Grace)- Sergei Rachmaninoff – arranged for brass ensemble by Jon Boysen (world premiere)
*Du bist die Ruh- Franz Schubert
William Farmer, French Horn soloist
That’s just part of the program planned for the concert starting at 8 pm Saturday. Tickets are available online. The venue is at 42nd/Genesee.
(Image from Final Environmental Impact Statement for West Seattle Link Extension)
Your next chance for an update on West Seattle light rail is 9:30 am Tuesday (March 18), when a briefing on Sound Transit‘s West Seattle and Ballard Link Extensions is the major item on the agenda for the City Council Transportation Committee, chaired by District 1 Councilmember Rob Saka. The ST presenters’ slide deck can be previewed here; also scheduled to present is the city’s team focused on the project, and their slide deck is here. The agenda document explains how to watch/attend the meeting, either in person at City Hall or online via Seattle Channel, and how to participate in the public-comment period.
(Harbor seal, photographed at T-107 Park by Steve Bender)
It’s the final Friday of winter! 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).
GRILLED CHEESE: The Franz Bread Grilled Cheese Truck is scheduled to visit West Seattle Thriftway (4201 SW Morgan; WSB sponsor) 11 am-1:30 p.
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)
SPORTS: Three high-school games/matches today – 4 pm West Seattle High School boys’ soccer vs. North Creek at Walt Hundley Playfield (34th/Myrtle), 4 pm Chief Sealth IHS fastpitch softball vs. Newport at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle), 7 pm WSHS baseball vs. Sumner at SWAC.
GIRL SCOUT COOKIE BOOTHS: This year’s Girl Scout Cookie in-person sales start their final weekend today! Go here to look for a cookie booth near you – multiple troops are selling at various spots in West Seattle.
EMERALD CITY DRAMA CLUB GRAND OPENING: 4:30 pm, as previewed here. (4455 California SW)
BIG BAND DINNER DANCE AT WSHS: As previewed here, 6 pm, the West Seattle Big Band joins student musicians for a night of music, (optional) dancing, and student-prepared cuisine, raising money for WSHS programs. (3000 California SW)
SONGWRITERS’ SHOWCASE AT THE COFFEEHOUSE: Monthly songwriters’ showcase at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), 6-8 pm, all ages, no cover.
LIVE AT THE SKYLARK: PZ, Nia, Yoshio, WAiKS, doors at 6 pm and music at 7 pm, details here. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
SLIME-MAKING AND SISTERHOOD: 6:30 pm, West Seattle Rainbow Girls welcome 10- to 18-year-olds interested in leadership skills and fu with this group, event at Alki Masonic Center (4736 40th SW).
WEST SEATTLE COMMUNITY ORCHESTRAS’ FREE CONCERT: 7 pm at Chief Sealth International High School (2600 SW Thistle), the West Seattle Community Orchestras‘ Symphony Orchestra and Wind Symphony perform a free concert – details in our calendar listing.
DRAG AT KENYON HALL: This month’s Kenyon Hall Cabaret show, 7 pm at the historic venue, all ages. (7904 35th SW)
SPACE NEEDLE LASER SHOW: One-night-only laser-art installation expected to be visible here, GuideStar (here’s our preview), 7:30-9:30 pm.
REVELRY ROOM DJ: 9 pm, DJ Peg 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: Haunted Horses, Help, Machine Country.
If you have something to showcase on our event lists or calendar, please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Family and friends will gather one week from today to remember Denise May. Here’s the remembrance they’re sharing with her community now:
Denise Diane May, age 84, passed away peacefully on February 7, 2025. She was born on January 8, 1941, in Littlefork, Minnesota, and moved to Seattle after the war with her parents, Loyd and Ruth Anderson. The only daughter among four children, she grew up with her older brother Curt and younger brothers John and Glen.
Faith was the foundation of Denise’s life from a young age. At just 7 years old, she experienced a profound moment of conversion, feeling called to follow Jesus Christ. That decision shaped the rest of her life, guiding her with kindness, generosity, and an unwavering trust in God. She carried this faith with her through every stage of life, finding strength in prayer, sharing wisdom with others, and serving with love.
Denise attended Duwamish Grade School and Foster High School before beginning her career. She worked briefly at the phone company, Boeing, and the Postal Service before finding her true calling in serving veterans. She worked as a Veterans Benefits Counselor at both the Seattle Veterans Administration (VA) Hospital and the Seattle VA Regional Office. With a deep sense of commitment, she helped what she lovingly called “Our Veterans” gather records to receive the benefits they had earned. Her unwavering advocacy earned her recognition as an outstanding employee and Veterans’ advocate, receiving numerous awards for her dedication. She also served as a Prisoner of War Coordinator, demonstrating compassion and diligence in all she did.
After the passing of her beloved husband, Allen May, in 2004, Denise poured her heart into celebrating her Norwegian heritage. A talented and passionate Rosemaling artist, she earned awards and ribbons for her intricate and beautiful work, including at the Puyallup Fair. She was an active member of the Western Rosemalers Association and the Daughters of Norway, where she built strong friendships and took pride in preserving her cultural heritage.
Denise was a longtime member of West Side Presbyterian Church, where she found strength and community. She was actively involved in Bible study groups, always eager to grow in her faith and encourage others in theirs.
She took great pride in her children — Scott, Karen, and Gwen — and found immense joy in her grandchildren: Brooke, Kelsey, Andrew, and Caroline, as well as her great-grandchildren.
She had a playful and vibrant spirit, which she expressed in many ways, including her signature pop of purple in her hair.
The family would like to express their deep gratitude to the staff of Florence of Seattle and Brookdale Admiral Heights for their loving care in her final years.
Denise’s legacy of faith, service, and artistry will live on in the lives she touched and the beauty she created. She will be deeply missed but forever remembered.
A memorial service for Denise will take place on Friday, March 21, 2025, at 11:00 AM at West Side Presbyterian Church in West Seattle, located at 3601 California Ave SW.
Denise is survived by her three brothers, Curt (Joyce) Anderson, John (Signa) Anderson, and Glen (Linda) Anderson. Also by her three children , Gwen (Neal) Meyer, Karen (Rocky) Wright, and Scott (Madeline) May. Denise had four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
(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)
8:50 AM: Orcas are in our area again today. Kersti Muul reports sightings this past half-hour or so of orcas seen westbound from Alki Point Lighthouse and southbound near the Fauntleroy ferry dock “hunting right off the dolphins!” (Those are parts of the terminal, not marine mammals.) Let us know if you see them!
9:01 AM: Update from Kersti – orcas are heading toward Brace Point.
11:18 AM: Thanks to Lori Hinton for the video we added above that shows orcas – baby included – just south of the ferry dock!
ADDED: Another video, this one from Greg Dirks, who edited together all the above-water sightings:
6:02 AM: Good morning! It’s Friday, March 14, 2025.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
Today’s forecast – partly sunny, chance of rain, high near 50. Today’s sunrise/sunset – 7:23 am and 7:14 pm.
ROAD WORK
-In White Center, the 16th SW closure at 104th continues.
-On Saturday morning, WSDOT will close the two right lanes of NB Highway 99 across the First Avenue South Bridge from 5:30 am until 1 pm for bridge-deck work.
TRANSIT TODAY
Metro buses – Regular schedule.
Water Taxi – Regular schedule.
Washington State Ferries – Regular service on the Triangle Route, with M/V Kittitas and M/V Cathlamet, plus M/V Sealth serving 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 (including links to live video for most); for a quick scan of West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras, see this WSB page.
See a problem 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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