West Seattle, Washington
16 Wednesday
9:22 PM: Emergency responders are arriving at what’s reported as a two-vehicle crash that’s closed 35th at Willow. The cars are described as a Subaru Impreza and Toyota Land Cruiser. No word yet on injuries. Avoid the area for a while.
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9:50 PM: No serious injuries, police told us at the scene; SFD left fairly quickly.
10:16 PM: Officers just told dispatch that they’ll be reopening 35th.
Two bits of chain news, thanks to reader tips:
DRUGSTORE DATE: While readers have reported local Rite Aid staff telling them about CVS takeover plans, the companies have refused to comment on plans for specific stores. There’s now a visible sign of change, though – the one above is up in the Rite Aid at 5217 California SW, saying its date for changing to CVS will be August 5.
ADDED 10:42 PM: Thanks to Shell for sending this sign photo from the Admiral Bartell:
EX-KFC TO BECOME WENDY’S: The ex-KFC/A&W at 10050 16th SW in White Center has had work under way for a while now, but no indication in online files or on site what it’s becoming.
Commenters now say Wendy’s, and we’ve found evidence of that – job listings. We’ll check with the company tomorrow.
7:22 PM: Thanks for the tip. For the third consecutive day, there’s a power outage of note in West Seattle. This time, more than 300 customers are out east of California, between Edmunds and Genesee. No “wires down” SFD dispatch this time, so we’re not sure about its origin – the texter who tipped us said they heard a “boom” near Oregon/40th.
7:33 PM: Commenter Deborah says this was a case of bird vs. wire.
8:07 PM: Some have their power back already, and SCL shows the outage is down to 261 customers.
10:48 PM: Everybody’s back on since our last check.
Despite the devastating lodge fire last November, Seattle Parks is going ahead with one of Camp Long‘s biggest events of the year – Mountain Fest, set for this Saturday! They asked us to share the poster with you:
The daylong festival is meant as a celebration of the park’s famous climbing rock and rope course, among other things. As for the lodge fire, permits for repairs and renovation continue proceeding through the city system..
From a Fauntleroy resident:
This child’s bike has been at the C-line bus stop across the street from the ferry dock for several days. It’s at the Barton/Fauntleroy stop (northbound) beside the staircase. Hope the owner finds it.
(Full Seattle Channel video of this morning’s meeting)
Though the price-tag problem remains unresolved, planning for West Seattle’s Sound Transit light-rail project proceeds, and the City Council’s Transportation Committee got a status report of sorts this morning.
The city has to give its official blessing to the project’s current designated route, including “transit way” rights for Sound Transit to use it, and this briefing was the first step toward future committee and full-council votes granting those rights. (Just rights, not possession, it was made clear.)
The first “transit way” rights were granted in 2000, it was explained, and this will be the fourth time the agreement has been changed.) Here’s the full slide deck from the briefing, which included – in case you’ve forgotten or are just catching up – succinct descriptions of each segment of the West Seattle Link Extension, still projected to start running in 2032.
Two numbers of interest – Sound Transit says they’re currently projecting the West Seattle extension (SODO to The Junction) will force 150 residential households and 130 businesses to move. But they insist they’re trying to find ways to lower those numbers in the final design, which they said they’re starting on “soon.”
And what about that price tag, last estimated around $7 billion? “We do have significant cost pressures on all our projects,” the ST team acknowledged. “That’s a risk.”
District 1 Councilmember Rob Saka, who chairs the committee, asked when the agency might decide on scoping changes required by those pressures. The ST team said they’ll be talking about it at next week’s board meeting (Thursday, June 26) but not expecting any changes in the “near term.”
No vote followed today’s briefing – that’s expected to happen at committee and full-council meetings in July. (Other related documents are linked from the agenda for this morning’s meeting, including the resolutions that would put the city’s “approval” of the plan on the record too.)
(Seen on last year’s West Seattle Garden Tour)
If June showers enhance June flowers, then Sunday should be a spectacular edition of the annual West Seattle Garden Tour, as the forecast suggests some showers before then (though the current outlook for tour day is “partly sunny”). We checked in with the WSGT today to, for starters, see if any tickets are left. Answer: No – they sold out as of Sunday. So if you haven’t already bought a ticket, you’ll have to wait until next year. If you have – here’s an important reminder:
We’d like to remind folks who’ve purchased their tickets online for will-call that they will be available for pickup on Sunday only between 8:30 – 11 am at West Seattle Nursery at 5275 California Ave SW. This is a change from prior years where pickup was at Metropolitan Market. There will not be additional ticket books for sale at the West Seattle Nursery.
Tour hours on Sunday are 9 am to 5 pm – please be considerate of the garden hosts, no earlybirds, no late stragglers. And please follow tour etiquette:
-Stay on paths and be careful not to step on bordering plants
-Do not collect any plant material without the gardener’s permission
-Do not bring pets to the gardens (service animals are permitted)
-Please watch children closely
P.S. As we’ve reported before, Garden Tour proceeds go to grants for other nonprofits – here’s this year’s list of recipients – and applications are still open if your nonprofit is interested in next year’s grants.
The photo and report are from Karalyn, who’s hoping you might help find this car:
Early morning this last Saturday the 14th, my dad’s car was stolen on 18th and Henderson, just one block away from Boss Burger. My dad’s car is a black 2014 Lexus ES350 with a license plate of CKW4260. It was stolen between 2:42am-2:53am. It was targeted by a gray Lexus (unfortunately no license plate), with 3-4 men. On the right side, just behind the passenger seat, in green spray paint is the word “TAG.” We believe the person who stole the car was an Asian man with thick eyebrows, according to the photos we have.
(The spray-painting was done by the thief/thieves shortly before this screenshot.) We’ll add the SPD report # when we get it.
WEDNESDAY EVENING UPDATE: Karalyn says in a comment that her dad’s car was found in Shoreline.
(Photo by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)
Here’s our reminder list for your Tuesday, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
CITY COUNCIL TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE: The meeting that’s under way right now includes a discussion of West Seattle’s Sound Transit light rail and the city’s role in it, as well as a presentation about the state’s upcoming “Revive I-5” project. Here’s the agenda, which has all the document links. You can watch via Seattle Channel.
POSTCARDS4DEMOCRACY: Ready to follow up on “No Kings” participation? One way to do it is offered via this weekly advocacy gathering, until noon at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor). Sign up here before you go, if you’re a first-time participant.
ROTARY CLUB OF WEST SEATTLE: Noon lunch at West Seattle Golf Course (4470 35th SW).
CHESS CLUB: Tuesdays 1:30-3 pm, at the Center for Active Living (4217 SW Oregon). All levels welcome. (Questions? Email conwell@conwelld.net.)
CITY COUNCIL MEETING: 2 pm, weekly meeting, open to public comment in person or online. The agenda explains how to watch/participate.
HOMEWORK HELP: Done until next school year!
WEST SEATTLE HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION: The Class of 2025 celebrates commencement at 5 pm at Memorial Stadium downtown. Allow extra time for beefed-up security screenings. (400 5th Ave. N.) P.S. If you’re not going downtown, you can watch the live stream on the district’s YouTube channel.
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.
EVENING UKULELE MEETUP: West Seattle ukulele players meet on third Tuesdays, 6 pm at Good Society (California/Lander).
WEST SEATTLE RUNNER TRACK RUN: Tonight at 6:15 pm, meet up at West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) for WSR’s free weekly track run.
TOASTMASTERS 832 HYBRID MEETING: 6:30 pm online and at Brookdale West Seattle (4611 35th SW), grow your leadership and communication skills!
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 X 2: Play free Tuesday night Belle of the Balls Bingo at The Skylark, 7 pm. (3803 Delridge Way SW) … Talarico’s Pizzeria also offers 8 pm bingo (4718 California SW).
TRIVIA X 4: Here’s the answer to the weekly question “where can you play trivia in West Seattle Tuesday nights?” – 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).
MONTHLY PFLAG MEETING: 7:30 pm at Admiral Church (4320 SW Hill).
Organizing an event, class, performance, gathering, etc.? Tell your West Seattle neighbors via our event calendar, from which we draw our daily lists too – just email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Just as summer vacation begins, it’s time for families to make some plans for fall – like sports! The West Seattle Soccer Club asked us to share this registration reminder with you:
Hey, West Seattle Families!
Founded in 1968, The West Seattle Soccer Club (WSSC) is a recreational soccer club for youth who reside in the southwest neighborhoods of Seattle. All youth ages 5-18 are eligible to play and experience is not required.
As we gear up for the Fall Soccer Season, excitement is booming with nearly a thousand players already registered! With the Spring Season wrapping soon, it’s time to ensure that you, your friends, and your neighbors join in too! Registration closes June 30th, so act fast. Whether your child is a seasoned player or just starting out, we’re excited to unveil our Fall Registration and anticipate the adventures ahead.
The Fall Season kicks off September 13th and 14th with seasons spanning 8, 10, or 12 games based on age division.
Secure your child’s spot or learn more at westseattlesoccer.org. Questions? Reach us at wsscboard@gmail.com.
Make this Fall Soccer season unforgettable! Enroll today to see your child thrive on the field, make friends, and create lasting memories. Financial assistance is available for qualified applicants. Don’t miss out – register now!
6:00 AM: Good morning! Welcome to Tuesday, June 17, 2025.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
Sunny, high in the low 70s. Today’s sunrise was again at 5:11 am (as early as it gets); sunset will be at 9:09 pm. (Summer officially arrives Friday evening!)
ROAD WORK
-Admiral Bridge work continues, with traffic routed to one lane each way on the north side of the bridge.
SCHOOL STATUS
Seattle Public Schools‘ last day is this Wednesday (June 18);Vashon Island gets out June 24; Highline Public Schools on June 25. Other schools are closed for the summer. … Also note, the West Seattle High School Class of 2025 graduates at 5 pm tonight at Memorial Stadium downtown.
TRANSIT TODAY
Metro buses – Regular schedule today.
Washington State Ferries – Regular service on the Triangle Route, with M/V Kittitas and M/V Cathlamet. M/V Salish serves as the “bonus boat”. Three-boat service is still expected to relaunch on June 30th.
Water Taxi – Regular West Seattle service; spring/summer schedule, with later runs on Friday and Saturday nights, plus weeknights with Mariners’ home games (and some other events). Speaking of which …
STADIUM ZONE
Mariners are home, facing Boston again tonight at 6:40 pm.
(added) Thanks for the reminder! Club World Cup game at Lumen Field at noon.
SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS
High Bridge – Here’s the main camera, followed by the Fauntleroy-end camera:
Low Bridge – Looking west:
1st Avenue South Bridge:
Delridge cameras: In addition to 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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