West Seattle, Washington
26 Saturday
Two items in West Seattle Crime Watch:
GUN CHARGE: Those photos are from charging documents in a case stemming from an incident we noted three weeks ago. Police found three people inside a parked car on 35th SW that had been stolen in a carjacking on Airport Way three days earlier; our initial report focused on one of them, a man who was accused of violating an order to stay away from a woman who was one of the other two people in the car. Turns out that the most serious charge in the case so far was filed against the third person, a 52-year-old man with a significant criminal record, who police say was actually in the driver’s seat:. Jerry E. Legate (who’s described as having multiple aliases) is charged with first-degree unlawful gun possession because of what’s in the photo above. An excerpt from the charging papers filed by the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office:
A review of the defendant’s Judicial Access Browser System (JABS) page shows that he has had 31 misdemeanor warrants and 25 superior court warrants since 1992.
Despite the defendant’s most recent felony conviction being for Unlawful Possession of a Firearm in the Second Degree in 2022, the defendant was found in possession of a rifle with what was ostensibly a home-made suppressor duct taped to end of the barrel. Of even greater concern than the defendant’s inability to abide the numerous orders prohibiting him from possessing firearms is the fact that this particular firearm matches the description of one used three days earlier to carjack the owner of the stolen vehicle of which the defendant was likewise found in possession.
As a result of all that, prosecutors asked for $150,000 bail, and that’s what’s listed on the docket for Legate, who was scheduled to be arraigned today.
BAG-TOTING BANDIT: One reader report – this video was recorded Sunday morning:
Please give folks the heads up that a porch pirate was caught on camera taking packages from our townhome complex on Admiral off Walnut. Fortunately, the items taken were of low value, but this person took things from 3 of 6 units. It happened April 6, just after 8:30 am. It’s likely that there were other victims in the area because the suspect had several bags with him.
Spring break is close, and summer vacation isn’t all that far away. Fun, creative camps and classes await students at West Seattle’s own Mode Music and Performing Arts:
2025 spring break camps in songwriting and play creation are available for K-5 – go here to sign up.
For K-8, MMPA’s 2025 summer camps will run from June 23rd through August 29th. This year we are offering our standard Monday thru Friday week-long camps, with morning and afternoon options. We are also offering new camps for 6-8th graders this year! Middle school campers will meet two days a week in the afternoon for 4 weeks. Find out more here.
Tiny Modes (0-4) classes are in a new session now too!
As always, our programming is pay-what-you-can. Please take advantage of our 100% scholarships!
MMPA is sibling to Mode Music Studios (WSB sponsor), headquartered in North Delridge.
(REAL ID reminder that arrived with a car-tab-renewal notice)
By Anne Higuera
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
With just a month left, the scramble is on for appointments to get enhanced driver licenses and other IDs that meet REAL ID requirements. Starting May 7, you’ll need identification that meets those federal standards if you want to board a domestic commercial flight or visit some federal facilities. US Passports will be accepted, as will Washington State-issued Enhanced Driver Licenses (EDL) and Enhanced IDs, as well as Tribal IDs and other documents (see the list here), but a regular driver’s license or state ID will no longer be enough.
We checked around, and found that West Seattle’s semi-new driver-licensing location at 2420 SW Dakota is booked up for the next two months worth of appointments for enhanced documents. A few other locations in the metro area have some earlier appointment dates, but still well after the deadline. The enhanced cards take a couple of weeks to process after the appointment, in any case. There are some occasional cancelled appointments that become available day-of, so if you can’t wait until summer for your updated documents, checking the site regularly may yield an earlier appointment. The Department of Licensing website allows you to check by location on availability, but does not show the West Seattle office on its default map. You have to put in your zip code to see available appointments there: dol.wa.gov/id-cards/real-id
REAL ID’s goal is to make sure all states use the same kinds of standards to confirm identity and citizenship before issuing ID cards, in much the way US passport standards work. The Act, which was a Congressional response to security concerns after 9/11, was originally planned to take effect in 2008, but that deadline has been pushed back time and again, for a total of 20 years. The most recent delays in 2021 and 2023 were blamed in part on state licensing backlogs created by the pandemic. The Transportation Security Administration is sticking with the deadline this time, but is planning a “phased enforcement approach,” giving it some flexibility if passengers arrive at the airport with a regular ID instead of an enhanced one. Just how they will handle those situations when they happen is not yet clear, but they do expect it to be an issue because so many Americans have yet to upgrade their identification to meet the standards. While US passports are another option, only a little more than half of Americans — 170 million people — have those.
Despite the standardization the act is aiming for, some states, including Washington, are putting their own mark on the IDs–literally. To denote a compliant ID, the majority of states have added a star in the upper right corner of their IDs, but some are black, others gold, and California has their star on a grizzly bear. Washington state has eschewed the star in favor of an American flag that overlaps the photo on the ID.
(Thanks to Clarence for the photo)
Half a year after Junction Hardware (44th/Edmunds) changed alliances and joined up with the Ace Hardware co-op, its biggest sign is finally reflecting the change! The new sign went up this afternoon, not long after the old one was taken down:
(Thanks to Greg for the photo)
In case you missed our earlier stories, this is NOT an ownership change – Junction Hardware is still West Seattle–owned, by Bruce Davis and family. We spoke to him for this update in February, at which time he explained that the sign installation was lagging while they waited months for a city permit; he also explained some other changes, additions, and improvements facilitated by the alliance with Ace. True Value had stopped being a co-op when it was sold to a private-equity firm, and Junction Hardware is glad to be part of one again.
Thanks to the Highland Park-area neighbor who sent these photos and the brief report that they were seen at “Riverview Playfield by the tennis courts.”
We have published coyote sightings for 15+ years not for alarm, but for awareness. Learn how best to co-exist with them by following the links here.
The Southwest Seattle Historical Society launched its online auction today, and you don’t have to have a ticket for Friday’s gala to bid in this! Though the in-person auction will have some unique items/experiences, you’ll find cool stuff up for online bidding right now – here’s the announcement:
Bid to support local history! The Southwest Seattle Historical Society’s online auction is open now through Thursday, April 10.
The annual online auction is one of the biggest fundraisers of the year and brings in critical revenue for the historical society and museum to provide free museum admission and free public programming year round.
This year’s auction features vacations and staycations (once again you can bid on a three-day stay at the Lodge at Erik’s Ranch and Retreats outside Yellowstone National Park in Paradise Valley, a nonprofit vacation rental that provides employment opportunities for adults with autism living in rural areas, gift cards to local services and businesses, local art, and one-of-a-kind West Seattle experiences including coffee with local historians, guided tours of Schmitz Preserve Park, season tickets to WS Football Clubs, dinner for two at Il Nido, and much, much more.
This year’s live auction, held during Southwest Seattle Historical Society’s annual Spring Gala, includes priceless experiences. Select items only available in person include creating your own Husky Deli Ice Cream flavor; a private guided tour of the West Duwamish Greenbelt with Ken Workman, descendant of Chief Sealth; a private music tour of West Seattle music history (in a classic car); a private speakeasy/karaoke/pizza party; and a private wine tasting for six at photographer and conservationist Art Wolfe’s private garden.
The Southwest Seattle Historical Society owns and operates the Log House Museum at Alki Beach, cares for a unique collection of artifacts, provides free museum admission and public programming (like Alki History Walking Tours and Words, Writers, Southwest Stories), and relies on grants and contributions to keep its doors open. This year, the historical society is raising funds for its multi-year interpretive planning initiative supported by Maritime Washington National Heritage Area, which will result in a permanent, interactive exhibition that will transform how people experience the Log House Museum.
Organizations like the historical society are also reliant on support from partners like Humanities Washington, and others, who are experiencing direct cuts in federal funding and uncertain futures. Humanities Washington supports the historical society’s long running speaker series and allows the organization to bring in speakers on diverse topics, including last month’s talk on Black Women Civil Rights Workers in Washington State.
Southwest Seattle Historical Society’s annual Spring Gala will be held at Salty’s on Alki next Friday, April 11 from 6-8:30 pm. The event will also feature music from local band The Potholes, delicious food from Salty’s, and dessert from Bakery Nouveau.
Special guests include exhibit designer and contractor Chris Fiala Erlich, partners at Seattle Housing Authority whose youth Video Club is helping the historical society capture oral histories of High Point, and a high school intern who is researching Seattle Teriyaki for an upcoming pop-up exhibit at the museum.
The online auction closes at 8 pm on Thursday, April 10. Information and registration for both events is at loghousemuseum.org
WSB is media sponsor for this year’s auction.
(Colman Pool, photographed in 2017 by Long Bach Nguyen)
Thanks to Jimmy for the tip! Colman Pool – the heated outdoor salt-water pool at Lincoln Park – is opening sooner and closing later this year, with more pre-season and post-season weekends than last year. Here’s what’s on the pool’s website so far:
Preseason Weekends: May 10 – June 15, 2025
Colman Pool will operate Preseason Weekends from May 10 to June 15.
Saturdays, Sundays, and Memorial Day (May 26)
Each day will have 4 swims:12:00 pm – 1:30 pm
1:45 pm – 3:15 pm
3:45 pm – 5:15 pm
5:30 pm – 7:00 pmEach swim will have 4 lap lanes (50 meters) and 1/2 open pool for recreational use. The 1-meter diving board will be open.
The “main season” will be June 16 – Sept. 1, and the postseason weekends will be September 6-7 and 13-14; no scheduling specifics for those yet. If you’re interested in renting the pool for events/parties, those bookings open tomorrow (Tuesday, April 8) according to the website, and usually go fast.
(WSB file photo)
Metro says the West Seattle Water Taxi‘s spring/summer schedule will start this Saturday, April 12. As in recent years, the major change will be the addition of later-in-the-evening runs on Fridays and Saturdays, until 11 pm; you can see the full schedules for those days/nights by going here. So what about big events that aren’t happening on those two nights? We asked Water Taxi spokesperson Al Sanders, who replied, “Sailings for special events (such as concerts) will continue to be decided on a case by case basis.” The spring/summer schedule will be in effect through Friday night, October 10.
(Seen in Arbor Heights – photo sent by Mark and Angela Rhea)
Here’s our “what’s happening” list today, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
BABY STORY TIME: Noon today at Southwest Library (9010 35th SW), geared toward little ones up to 18 months old.
CITY COUNCIL BRIEFING MEETING: See City Councilmembers preview what’s ahead for the week and get briefed on current issues such as what’s happening in the Legislature, 2 pm. The agenda explains how to watch (no public-comment period at this meeting).
SPORTS: Two baseball games at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle) – Chief Sealth IHS vs. Nathan Hale at 4 pm, West Seattle HS vs. Seattle Academy at 7 pm.
HOMEWORK HELP: Drop-in time for students to work with volunteer homework helpers at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond), 4-5:45 pm.
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, first-time players included!
LISTENING TO GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP: 6:30 pm at Mama Be Well Healing Studio with Listening to Grief. Registration/fee info here. (4034A California SW).
MONDAY NIGHT TRIVIA: Four places to play tonight! … Music quiz at Easy Street Records (4559 California SW) at 6:30 and 7:30 pm, free, all ages (bar open for 21+) … 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 AT ALKI UCC: Every Monday, doors open at Alki UCC at 6:45, meeting is from 7-8:30. (6115 SW Hinds)
MEDITATION IN FAUNTLEROY: Another location for Monday night meditation – 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 features music on Monday nights – jazz with The Westside Trio, 8 pm at The Alley (behind 4509 California SW), 21+, no cover.
MONDAY KARAOKE 9 pm Monday nights, you can sing during karaoke at Talarico’s Pizzeria (4718 California SW).
Thanks to everyone who sends info for our calendar – if you have something to add or cancel (or otherwise update), please send the info to we*************@***il.com – thank you!
(Latest image from SDOT camera – refresh page to update)
9:02 AM: We mentioned this in the morning traffic roundup but now have more details directly from SDOT:
SDOT will be briefly closing the Lower Spokane Bridge to all users, including people biking, starting at 9:30 a.m. today. This short-term closure is needed to safely install a missing bumper pad and make sure the two ends of the bridge line up properly when it closes (realign the bridge deck). We expect the work to take about an hour, but it could take longer depending on conditions. The bridge will reopen as soon as the work is safely complete. Thanks for your patience as we complete this important safety fix.
This follows an unscheduled hour-plus closure back on Friday evening (April 4).
9:51 AM: A check of the live camera shows low-bridge traffic moving again.
12:57 PM: SDOT spokesperson Ethan Bergerson confirms, “Both closures were due to a worn-out bumper pad affecting the bridge’s alignment. We successfully replaced the worn-out bumper pad and corrected the bridge’s alignment this morning.”
8:42 AM: According to an alert the NW Seaport Alliance has sent to truckers, the low bridge will close 9:30-10:30 am for repairs. It was out of service for an hour-plus this past Friday evening.
Earlier:
6:01 AM: Good morning! It’s Monday, April 7, 2025.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
Your Monday forecast is rainy and breezy, high expected in the mid-50s. Today’s sunrise/sunset – 6:35 am and 7:48 pm.
TRANSIT TODAY
Metro buses – Regular schedule.
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 Salish is serving as the “bonus boat”.
ROAD WORK
-Repaving work continues on NB Delridge Way between Genesee and Dakota – original details here.
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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