day : 01/04/2025 11 results

11:49 PM TUESDAY: For the second time in three nights, police are investigating gunfire reported in North Delridge. This time they got reports of gunfire outside the Youngstown Flats apartment complex at 4040 26th SW. So far officers report finding one bullet. Someone might have been injured but taken to a hospital before authorities arrived – dispatch told police one caller claimed someone had been hit, and though they didn’t find anyone at the scene, now they’ve learned a gunshot victim has arrived at Harborview Medical Center. (Added: An officer went to the hospital and later told dispatch it was indeed related. We hope to find out more later this morning.)

NOON WEDNESDAY: SPD tells us the report on this incident isn’t complete so they cannot provide additional information yet.

4:44 PM WEDNESDAY: We checked back and now have the redacted narrative:

On 04/01/2025 at approximately 2331 hours, I was dispatched to a 911 call of a SHOTS fired call at [4000 BLK] 26 AV SW.

Call on screen read: “1 MIN AGO, IN THE OLD BARTELLS PARKING LOT, 10 SHOTS HEARD, ONE VEH SPED OFF, 5 TEENS IN THE PARKING LOT, BELLIGERENT”

Upon arrival, one of the witnesses (XXXX XXXX) was contacted by a backing officer. XXXX began relating that he was smoking a cigarette outside of his apartment at [4000 BLK] 26 AV SW, when he heard a commotion Northeast of his location at a parking lot north of his apartment complex. XXXX continued relating that there was a verbal dispute between two juvenile subjects outside of a vehicle that had its doors open, and another female was trying to intervene from inside the car.

XXXX related that then ONE shot was discharged and another 911 caller related [hearing] “Take me to the hospital, I just got shot.” Both subjects that were arguing, entered the same vehicle (described as Gold/Beige in color Older model Sedan with possible suspension issues) and they fled the location toward DELRIDGE WY.

DISPATCH advised that a gunshot wound victim had been dropped off at HMC. Another backing unit was requested to respond to the location to interview the victim.

GVRU was contacted to screen the call and requested officers to process the scene. Only ONE UNSPENT round was located in the parking lot, along with an empty can of liquor. Both of these items were collected and entered into evidence.

GVRU is the Gun Violence Reduction Unit. The report had no information on the shooting victim or their condition.

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FOLLOWUP: King County Executive position moves from one West Seattleite to another – for now

April 1, 2025 9:58 pm

| 4 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

Shannon Braddock is now King County Executive, succeeding Dow Constantine, who started his new job as Sound Transit CEO today.

Both are West Seattleites. But the role will likely move to someone from another part of the county at year’s end; Braddock says she is not going to run for the job, which will be on the ballot this November.

Nonetheless, it was a jubilant moment as the King County Council – including two members running for Executive – voted unanimously to appoint Braddock as acting executive (with one more vote later this month to finalize the appointment until November election results are final). As she took the oath from Judge Ketu Shah, Braddock became the first woman to serve as King County Executive. You can see her take the oath, get a standing ovation, and then deliver her first speech, starting about 3:19 into our first clip:

Afterward, Braddock talked with WSB contributor Anne Higuera about the “200-day plan” she hopes to carry out if she is appointed to keep the job intil the election, as well as how the county plans to proceed constitutionally despite what’s happening in Washington, D.C., and her hopes for public-safety funding getting a state boost:

Until today, Braddock was serving as deputy county executive, an appointed position. That role in turn is now held by Karan Gill. (This page on the county website has been updated to reflect who’s doing what, for now.)

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ELECTION 2025: Ballots going out for April 22 special election with one measure to decide

April 1, 2025 9:13 pm

| 18 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

King County Elections is about to send out a new round of ballots. The April 22 special election is three weeks from today – and you have one measure to decide, King County Proposition 1, renewal of the levy that pays for the automated-fingerprint ID system. Here’s how it’s explained:

This proposition would reauthorize King County to levy an additional regular property tax to support the continued operation and enhancement of the regional automated fingerprint identification system (AFIS) program and would replace the voter-approved levy that expired on December 31, 2024. The AFIS program is designed to improve the ability of law enforcement agencies within King County to aid in the administration of justice. Among other activities, the AFIS program provides enhanced forensic fingerprint and palmprint identification technology and services.

The proposed levy would be authorized for a seven-year period with collection beginning in 2026. During the first year, the tax would be levied at a rate of 2.75 cents ($0.0275) or less per one thousand dollars ($1,000) of assessed valuation on all taxable property within King County. For example, a home assessed at $885,000 in 2026, would have a maximum levy amount of $24.34 in the first year. Annual increases in each of the succeeding six years would be limited to the statutory rate set forth in chapter 84.55 RCW. Qualifying seniors, veterans, and disabled persons would be eligible for exemption from the levy under RCW 84.36.381.

The 2.75 cents is a lower rate than the renewal levy in August 2018, which started with 3.5 cents per $1,000. Meantime -oOnce you get your ballot, you have until 8 pm Tuesday, April 22, to get it into a dropbox, or you can send it via USPS Mail as long as it’s postmarked by that date.

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COUNTDOWN: Clock ticking to get early-bird discount for West Seattle Food Bank ‘Nourish & Flourish’ gala

April 1, 2025 7:11 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| Fun stuff to do | How to help | West Seattle news

Nonprofits like the West Seattle Food Bank need your help more than ever these days so they can “Nourish and Flourish.” That’s the theme of WSFB’s gala this year, on May 3, and you have just a few days left to get tickets at the early-bird discount rate – here’s the WSFB’s reminder:

The West Seattle Food Bank is excited to remind the community that early bird pricing for our signature event, Nourish & Flourish, is available through Friday, April 4th. This annual evening of celebration and generosity supports vital food, housing, and community programs serving thousands of our neighbors.

Nourish & Flourish, on May 3rd, 2025, is more than a gala — it’s a chance for our community to come together and ensure that everyone has access to nourishing food, housing and essential resources. The event will feature an elegant dinner, inspiring stories, thrilling auction, and the always-exciting Changemaker Award!

Early-bird ticket pricing ends at midnight on Friday, April 4th. After that, standard ticket pricing will apply. ($125 Early Bird, rising to $150 regular)

Reserve your tickets now and help us continue to nourish our community and help families flourish.

WSB is media sponsor for the WSFB gala again this year.

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YOU CAN HELP: Lions Club plans cleanup this weekend at Veterans’ Park

April 1, 2025 5:17 pm

| 7 COMMENTS

| Delridge | How to help | West Seattle news

14 years ago, that small triangle of land where Delridge, 16th SW, and SW Roxbury meet was re-dedicated as Veterans’ Park (here’s our partner site White Center Now‘s coverage from 2011). But it’s fallen into disrepair, with tagging and trash. The Lions Club of West Seattle plans a cleanup event this Sunday – 10 am April 6 – and Lions leader Jimie Martin says they’re hoping you can help out. She’s furious that something meant in honor of those who have served is now defaced, and hoping the cleanup will be a start toward remedying that.

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BIZNOTE: Another West Seattle Triangle automotive business closing (updated Wednesday)

April 1, 2025 3:15 pm

| 11 COMMENTS

| Triangle | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

ORIGINAL TUESDAY REPORT: Thanks for the tip. Another automotive business in The Triangle has announced it’s closing. This time it’s Pep Boys (4441 Fauntleroy Way SW). We talked with manager Natasha, who confirmed that May 2 will be the business’s last day. They say the company’s closing this location (which it leases) because of impending light-rail construction; we’re checking with Sound Transit, as 2027 has long been cited as the expected start of construction – the project’s Environmental Impact Statement notes that this site would have been affected by any of the alternatives considered including tunneling into The Junction, which is what the “preferred alternative” calls for. The manager told us one of their employees will retire and the rest will have an option to move to Pep Boys’ SODO location (1961 4th Avenue S.). If you’ve been around more than a few years, you might recall that this was formerly Elliott Tire/Goodyear, until the Pep Boys rebranding in 2018. The closure news comes less than a month after Advance Auto Parts shuttered a short distance north, a closure that company said was part of a West Coast wave of closures. Between AAP and PB is the long-vacant former Midas site.

UPDATE ADDED WEDNESDAY: We asked Sound Transit spokesperson Henry Bendon about this site’s status. He reaffirmed that West Seattle light-rail construction is NOT starting in 2026, and added, “Our real property team has indicated they have not begun acquisition communications with that property (I do not know if they will or if it is impacted, but if it is, they have not started the process yet).”

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Ready to sign up your sale? Registration is open for 2025 West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day!

April 1, 2025 12:22 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| Community Garage Sale Day | West Seattle news

As promised, we’ve opened registration today for this year’s West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day. It’s the one event each year that we at WSB don’t just cover, but also coordinate – we make the map and list that are available online one week before sale day. The big day is the second Saturday in May as always – this year that’s May 10 – and if you’re planning to have a sale, here’s where to register.

This year is the 20th anniversary of West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day – one day with many sales of many sizes, all around the peninsula, open at least 9 am-3 pm on sale day (earlier and/or later if you want to, but that’s up to you). It’s not the only neighborhood sale day in Seattle, but it’s the biggest; the people who founded it in 2005 (three years before handing the baton to us at WSB) were particularly inspired by PhinneyWood Garage Sale Day in the north end. Registration for WSCGSD gets your sale onto the map and into the listings guide, which we promote regionally – we’ve heard of people who come from as far away as Eastern Washington!

You can sign up any time you’re ready over the next three and a half weeks or so; we’ll set the exact end date when we get closer. Same classifications and fees we’ve had for all the years we’ve been coordinating this. And before you register, be ready with your up-to-25-word sale listing – think about what you’re selling that’s popular and/or unusual, for example. Any questions, email westseattleblog@gmail.com or call/text our hotline at 206-293-6302. Updates to come (including multi-seller sites that offer space for people who have small sales/no place to host a sale – if your venue is planning to do that, please tell us ASAP)!

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UPDATE: Rescue response for crash on westbound West Seattle Bridge

April 1, 2025 10:49 am

| 96 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

10:49 AM: Seattle Fire is sending a “rescue extrication” response to the westbound West Seattle Bridge, near the Fauntleroy end, where a driver is reported to have hit a pole and might be trapped in their vehicle, reported to be a (updated) 1999 Toyota 4Runner. Updates to come.

10:53 AM: First arriving firefighters confirm the driver is trapped and will have to be cut out of the vehicle.

10:58 AM: Responders say the westbound bridge is closed at the scene, so if you’re heading westbound, you’ll likely be routed off sooner.

11:03 AM: Firefighters report they have extricated the driver, who’s reported to be “alert and conscious” and will be taken to a hospital. Adding reader photo above, showing the vicinity of where the emergency vehicles are – same area that has been the scene of multiple crashes.

11:21 AM: Police just told dispatch both lanes have reopened at the crash site. The driver was taken to Harborview Medical Center.

12:41 PM: Added another reader photo above (sent by Andrew), just before the wrecked vehicle was removed. SFD, meantime, tells us the driver is a woman in her early 80s, in serious condition when transported.

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WEST SEATTLE TUESDAY: April’s first event list

April 1, 2025 10:00 am

| Comments Off on WEST SEATTLE TUESDAY: April’s first event list

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Photo by Bucky Hayes-McQueen)

Here’s what’s happening on your Tuesday as a brand-new month begins, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

POSTCARDS4DEMOCRACY: Weekly advocacy gathering, 10:30 am at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor). Sign up here before you go, if you’re a first-timer.

ROTARY CLUB OF WEST SEATTLE: Weekly lunch meeting, noon at West Seattle Golf Course (4470 35th SW):

Program: Women’s Protection Center, Nepal, which protects vulnerable women and children from sex-trafficking.
Speakers: Catherine Terrill and Lila Ghising

CHESS CLUB: Tuesdays 1:30-3 pm, at the Center for Active Living (4217 SW Oregon). All levels welcome. (Questions? Email conwell@conwelld.net.)

WEST SEATTLE LITTLE LEAGUE DINE-OUT FUNDRAISER: Get dinner from Chipotle (4730 California SW), 4-8 pm, mention the West Seattle Little League fundraiser (follow that link for a code to use online if you’re not going in person), and WSLL will get part of the proceeds.

SPORTS: One local school plays at home today/tonight – Chief Sealth IHS hosts Nathan Hale in a 4 pm boys-soccer match at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle).

HOMEWORK HELP: Students can drop in for free help, 4-5:45 pm at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond).

DROP-IN WINE TASTING: 5-7 pm Tuesdays at Walter’s Wine Shop (4811 California SW) – $10 fee, $5 off with bottle purchases.

DEMONSTRATION FOR BLACK LIVES: Long-running weekly sign-waving demonstration on the corners at 16th/Holden. 5-6 pm. Signs available if you don’t bring your own.

WEST SEATTLE RUNNER TRACK RUN: Lots of light in the evening for this – 6:15 pm, meet at West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) for WSR’s free weekly track run.

FREE DANCE LESSON: At the Center for Active Living (4217 SW Oregon), Westside Dance with Dean:

Tuesdays through April 15
Swing 1: Intro to East Coast Swing 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Swing 2: Dancing to the Blues (a traveling dance) 7:45 – 8:45 p.m.

Brush up on your dance skills with our next six-week dance series. Instructor Dean Paton leads these live partner-dance classes in Swing 1 & 2. No partner is necessary, both singles and couples are welcome. Join the fun and meet others in the community!
More information here.

WEST SEATTLE TAE KWON DO CLUB: April’s first class is tonight!

The West Seattle Tae Kwon Do Club is offering in-person classes at High Point Community Center in April. Adults (18 and older) can sign up to learn Tae Kwon Do, a Korean martial art known for its fast sparring techniques, dynamic forms, and strong kicks. Classes cost only $45/month and meet Tuesdays and Thursdays 6:00-7:30pm and Saturdays 9:30-11:30 am. The first class for April is on Tuesday, April 1 from 6:00-7:30 pm. New students can join at any time and beginners are definitely welcome! Check out our website at westseattle.choitkd.org, email westseattletkd@gmail.com for questions, or call (206) 684-7422 for registration information.

MAKE POTTERY: Weekly 6:30-9 pm “girls’ night” at pottery studio The Clay Cauldron (5214 Delridge Way SW), sign up in advance to work on your project(s).

WOMEN’S MEDITATION CIRCLE: Weekly small-group event at Mama Be Well Healing Studio (4034 California SW), 7 pm. Our calendar listing has details on signing up before you go.

BINGO AT THE SKYLARK: Play – free! – Tuesday night Belle of the Balls Bingo hosted by Cookie Couture, 7 pm. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

TRIVIA X 6: If you’re a quiz whiz, tonight is your night – six trivia options for Tuesday night – 7 pm trivia with Amelia at Future Primitive‘s Beer Bar on Alki (2536 Alki SW) … The Beer Junction (4711 California SW) has Sporcle Pub Quiz with David at 7 and 8 pm … 7 pm at Ounces (3803 Delridge Way SW), free and hosted by Beat the Geek Trivia; 7 pm at Zeeks Pizza West Seattle (6459 California SW), hosted by Geeks Who Drink; 7:10 pm at Admiral Pub (2306 California SW) … and Trivia Tuesdays at Christos on Alki, 7:15 pm (2508 Alki SW).

MORE BINGO: Talarico’s is hosting 8 pm bingo every other Tuesday night starting tonight! (4718 California SW)

Hosting an event, class, performance, gathering, etc.? Tell your West Seattle neighbors via our event calendar – just email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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Here’s the plan for this year’s guided West Duwamish Greenbelt hikes

April 1, 2025 9:21 am

| Comments Off on Here’s the plan for this year’s guided West Duwamish Greenbelt hikes

| Fun stuff to do | West Seattle news

(File photo, courtesy West Duwamish Greenbelt Trails)

New chances have just been announced for you to learn about and enjoy Seattle’s biggest stretch of forest! Here’s the spring, summer, and fall schedule for this year’s guided hikes in the West Duwamish Greenbelt:

Guided hikes will begin again in the West Duwamish Greenbelt, the largest contiguous forest in Seattle with a network of trails connecting Pathfinder School, South Seattle College, the Duwamish Longhouse, Riverview Park and Westcrest Park. Join the West Duwamish Greenbelt Trails group on the third Saturday of each month from April through November. Hikes are up to three miles and/or two hours long based on group ability level and trail conditions (some trails are well maintained, others not so much). This year, we will vary the starting points so as to explore more aspects of the greenbelt. Meet at 9:30 at the designated starting point for each hike:

April 19 Pathfinder School, 1901 SW Genesee St., south end of the parking lot
May 17 South Seattle College, 6000 16th Ave. SW, arboretum entrance at the north end of the north parking lot
June 21 Westcrest Park, 7th Ave. SW and SW Cloverdale, north end of the intersection
July 19 Pathfinder School, 1901 SW Genesee St., south end of the parking lot
Aug. 16 South Seattle College, 6000 16th Ave. SW, arboretum entrance at the north end of the north parking lot
Sept. 20 Westcrest Park, 7th Ave. SW and SW Cloverdale, north end of the intersection
Oct. 18 Pathfinder School, 1901 SW Genesee St., south end of the parking lot
Nov. 15 South Seattle College, 6000 16th Ave. SW, arboretum entrance at the north end of the north parking lot

See the West Duwamish Greenbelt Trails website, wdgtrails.org/trails, for more information, and please sign up on the website so that we know how many people are coming.

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TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER, ROAD WORK: Welcome to April

April 1, 2025 6:01 am

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:01 AM: Good morning! It’s Tuesday, April 1, 2025.

WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

Your Tuesday forecast is mostly cloudy with a chance of showers, high in the low 50s. Today’s sunrise/sunset – 6:47 am and 7:39 pm.

(Monday photo by James Bratsanos)

TRANSIT TODAY

Metro buses – Regular schedule – second weekday of the “service change,” with three West Seattle routes affected.

Water Taxi – West Seattle service is normal.

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

ROAD WORK

-This week, repaving work is planned for NB Delridge Way between Genesee and Dakota – details here.

STADIUM ZONE

–Mariners’ opening homestand continues with another 6:40 pm game vs. Detroit.

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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