West Seattle, Washington
29 Tuesday
11:21 PM: We’ve just learned that a suspect is in jail on suspicion of Monday’s West Seattle bank robbery and four other robberies. We requested followup information on the case this morning and when police sent it to us a short time ago, it included the information that a 24-year-old woman had been arrested, as well as report narrative from the holdup at WaFd Bank north of The Junction.
The report says the robber who held up the bank just after 4 pm Monday “entered the bank and approached (a worker who) was not initially at his teller desk, so he walked over to it as (the robber) followed. He stated that (the robber) then pulled out a … wallet …, opened it up to reveal a note stating that she had a gun, to not provide “prop” money, and to not call the police. (The robber) then pulled out a black handgun and placed it on the counter all while apologizing. (The employee) did not have any cash inside his drawer, so he called over his manager … to assist him…. (the robber) wanted her to open the vault and … asked that she go get her keys from her desk. (The robber) went with (the manager) to her desk and watched as she removed the key.”
Redactions make the narrative difficult to follow from there until “(the robber) then approached (a worker’s) desk holding the handgun low at her waist and he stated it appeared she was struggling to keep ahold of it. (The robber) then pulled up her sling bag and set the gun down on the desk. Once XXXX handed over the cash, (the robber) struggled to put it inside her sling bag because she already had cash inside. (The robber) placed the gun and the cash inside her bag and then left the bank in an unknown direction.”
The narrative provided to us does not say how police identified and tracked the suspect who they arrested, but says she was found “in the 4700 block of 20th Ave NE”; when searched, the report says, officers “located a pellet gun and cash from the robbery. (The suspect) was wearing the same clothing as seen in surveillance videos of the bank robbery.” According to the jail roster, she is being held for investigation of five robberies, with bail set at half a million dollars. We hope to find out more from prosecutors tomorrow.
ADDED 11 AM WEDNESDAY: And indeed we have. We have obtained the very long probable-cause document from the suspect’s bail hearing. Here’s what it boils down to:
This suspect was on police radar since a tip to CrimeStoppers in April. They say they didn’t have enough evidence to arrest her until this week’s West Seattle WaFd holdup.
It’s one of nine robberies around Seattle in which she is suspected, police say, dating back to June 28, 2024, a Wells Fargo on Queen Anne. The amount of money taken in the robberies is reported to be at least $13,000. The other robberies listed in the document:
*September 7, 2024 – US Bank in a north Seattle QFC
*October 31, 2024 – US Bank in north Seattle
*November 21, 2024 – KeyBank in north Seattle
*January 13, 2025 – the US Bank in West Seattle ($1,000 reportedly taken)
*March 18, 2025 – HomeStreet Bank on East Madison
*May 8, 2025 – WaFd Bank in South Seattle
*May 12, 2025 – US Bank in Magnolia
*This past Monday’s robbery in West Seattle
The documents go into much detail about how detectives compared clothing and accessories in video/photos from the robberies and from surveillance of the suspect once they knew her name and address, thanks to the CrimeStoppers tipster, who said the suspect boasted about the robberies and that she had been described in the FBI bulletin as a “serial” robber. The arrest on Monday happened because police were waiting at her U-District building, to which she returned about an hour after the West Seattle holdup, and the documents say she was in possession of various items linked to the robbery spree. The apparent gun shown on Monday – something not done in the previous robberies – was found and described by police as a “hyper-realistic airsoft gun.” They also say they found a “pink wallet with embroidered animals” that contained a piece of paper that could be construed as a holdup note.
The probable-cause documents are not the same as charging documents; she is not yet formally charged, and the deadline for “rush-filing” is later this week.
8:04 PM: Multiple texters are reporting another fire at Westcrest Park, again off 8th SW, again with fireworks blamed by neighbors, and one sent the photo above. Highland Park’s Engine 11 is logged to the call – this time categorized as “rubbish fire” – right now.
9:44 PM: Checking the log again, the call finally closed around 9 pm, after an hour and a quarter.
(Photo sent by Ian)
Thanks for the tips. The plume of smoke to the west is very visible right now – so far as we can tell, this is the Bear Gulch Fire near Lake Cushman, burning across hundreds of acres. The fire is described as “human-caused” and was first reported on Sunday. You can see it on this wildfire dashboard.
ADDED: Comment discussion below suggests this might instead be from a newer fire.
The Community Advisory Committee for West Seattle’s only sanctioned tiny-house encampment, Camp Second Chance (9701 Myers Way S.) has relaunched and is open to anyone interested, whether to be a committee member, or just to attend its meetings, currently held online. The latest happened Monday afternoon. The numbers are often the most interesting information that emerges, and this time, they were:
-69 tiny houses (more than most comparable “villages,” operator LIHI says, which tend to have about 40)
-4 units vacant
-81 people sheltered in them currently (1 had arrived just yesterday)
-33 people “abandoned” their units – typically after being there from a night to a week – most citing the location, that it’s not near services, and has deficient public transportation
-Housing found for 14 people so far this year, a “higher rate than last year” per CSC staff
Activities at CSC right now include preparing for Fire Marshal inspections – the units’ fire extinguishers have to be replaced each year. The nonprofit Weed Warriors has been leading removal of invasives, particularly blackberry vines, around the camp.
Major donation needs right now: Food. They get dinners from Operation Sack Lunch on weeknights, but that’s it; they’re working on other partnerships, but donated food would really help. Shoes and clothes too – here’s a list.
Also, CSC is in management transition – the site’s current manager is moving to another role with LIHI, and while seeking their replacement, they’re about to bring on a new case manager too.
If you’re interested in being on the CAC email list, either for notification of meetings or for possible CAC participatiohn, you can contact Marta at marta.kidane@lihi.org.
SIDE NOTE: It’s been almost exactly nine years since Camp Second Chance moved from a Tukwila church to Myers Way in July 2016, originally on an unsanctioned encampment, then eventually on city land for which it eventually was given permission.
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That’s the official map for West Seattle Summer Fest, this Friday, Saturday, and Sunday (July 11-13), the peninsula’s biggest party of the year. Organizers are reminding you today that the push to keep the festival as green as possible – including zero-waste food and beverage service – also includes transportation. The map shows dedicated bicycle and e-scooter/e-bike/e-glider parking areas. The latter are in partnership with Lime, with a discount for rentals too; the former is in partnership with West Seattle Bike Connections. Get full details on the West Seattle Junction Association‘s website!
That’s a Panda Express-provided image of what the chain calls its “Panda Home” interior concept, and that’s what they say you’ll find when their Westwood Village location opens. The image was part of a reply we received from a company spokesperson today, after our latest inquiry about their opening timeline. It’s going on two years since we first reported Panda Express was going into the former Pet Pros space, and that in turn was 10 years after a different Westwood Village proposal that was ultimately scrapped. The company spokesperson tells us today, regarding when they’ll open, “We’re currently looking at the first week of August (pending any construction delays of course). Once open, this location will employ nearly 40 people and boast the latest Panda Home design. Inside, customers will find a distinctly American Chinese design that bridges the East and the West with red lanterns, a moon gate portal and vibrant Chinatown signs.” The spokesperson notes that this is one of three stores they’re opening in Western Washington in the next few months; the other two are in Silverdale and Lake Stevens. The nearest one to West Seattle is in Burien.
(Lou Cutler with Pathfinder students during 2019 ‘Laps With Lou’)
Retired teacher and Make-A-Wish volunteer Lou Cutler says it’s the “honor of a lifetime” to be chosen Grand Marshal for this year’s West Seattle Grand Parade, coming up in just a week and a half, on Saturday, July 19th. Parade organizers have just officially announced the honorees who you’ll be able to cheer toward the start of the parade – Lou as Grand Marshal, and longtime local community advocates Joanie Jacobs and Dan Jacobs as winners of the Orville Rummel Trophy for Community Service. Here’s the announcement sent to us by the parade team:
The West Seattle Grand Parade is thrilled to announce its 2025 honorees — community champions whose dedication, heart, and service have made a lasting impact on our neighborhood and beyond.
Lou Cutler Named Grand Marshal
Longtime West Seattle educator and beloved Make-A-Wish volunteer Lou Cutler has been named the Grand Marshal of the 2025 West Seattle Grand Parade. Lou is a former physical education teacher at Pathfinder K-8, best known for creating “Laps with Lou” — an annual birthday tradition that became a powerful fundraiser for Make-A-Wish Alaska and Washington.
Since 2003, Lou has walked or run one lap for every year of his age, raising more than $100,000 to grant life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. (Editor’s note: The past two years, he’s walked variations of his tradition – here’s WSB coverage of his most-recent fundraiser-on-foot.) With more than 275 wishes granted as a volunteer, Lou’s commitment has touched hundreds of lives and inspired an entire community.
“It is the honor of a lifetime to be selected as Grand Marshal,” Lou shared. “For many years, my Pathfinder Unicycle team rode in this Parade — we always loved the energy of the crowd. Nothing beats the community spirit and pride that West Seattle residents display. Being Grand Marshal makes my millennium!”
Lou will lead the parade down California Avenue SW on Saturday, July 19th, 2025, beginning at 11 am from California Ave SW and SW Lander Street.
Orville Rummel Community Service Award: Dan and Joanie Jacobs
This year’s Orville Rummel Community Service Award honors Dan and Joanie Jacobs, a dynamic duo known for their lifelong dedication to community-building in West Seattle. Describing themselves as “neighborhood people at the core of our being,” the Jacobs are tireless volunteers, event organizers, and connectors.
From their early years supporting West Seattle Christian Church and launching the Ginomai artist space and West Seattle Art Walk, to their more recent roles with the Admiral Neighborhood Association, the Jacobs have helped shepherd countless neighborhood events including the AMP summer concert series, Admiral Block Party, Fourth of July Kids Parade, Halloween Trick-or-Treating, and Winter Wonderland. Their leadership, creativity, and compassion have shaped West Seattle’s civic and cultural identity for more than two decades.
Dan & Joanie Jacobs are fond of this quote by Mother Teresa: “I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples.”
Join us on Saturday, July 19th to celebrate all three of these extraordinary West Seattle leaders and to watch the 2025 West Seattle Grand Parade, which kicks off at 11:00 am from California Ave SW and SW Lander Street.
At last report, the parade had more than 70 entries. You can watch it from anywhere along California, southward to The Junction, where it ends at SW Edmunds.
12:10 PM: That’s a U.S. Coast Guard file photo of the Eagle, a tall ship the USCG uses for training. It’s on the way to visit the USCG station on the downtown waterfront, so you’ll see it in Elliott Bay later today (we just checked Vessel Finder, and it’s in the North Sound, about to turn southward along Whidbey Island, traveling at 11 knots right now so likely a few hours out).
P.S. Checking the WSB archives, we covered a visit by the Eagle in 2008.
3:18 PM: And that was the last time it visited here, according to this USCG news release which includes info about public tours the next two days. Meantime, VesselFinder shows that the Eagle is just passing West Point right now, so it should be in Elliott Bay soon.
4:42 PM: Thanks to Steven Rice for the photo as Eagle sailed into the bay:
If you travel 16th SW in the Cloverdale-to-Trenton vicinity, you’ll note the new speed cushions are now in place. One of them is close to the site of Sunday night’s 16th/Sullivan crash, but the installation already was planned (we’ve been trying to get official info from SDOT since a reader tip last Thursday) before that. Our photo is from a short time ago; WSB contributor Anne Higuera notes the crew was just packing up when she stopped for the photo. Our questions for SDOT include whether anywhere else in West Seattle is getting new speed cushions any time soon; we’ll add anything we find out. Meantime, if you see the telltale rectangular markings on your street, and/or get a notice, please let us know, as in most cases people need to know beyond those who live/work nearby.
(Photo by Ken Williford)
Here’s our (later than usual, apologies) list for your Tuesday, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
SUMMER FOOD: As reported here, there are multiple sites in West Seattle where kids can get breakfast, lunch, and/or snacks.
POSTCARDS4DEMOCRACY: You’re welcome to join 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.
HIGHLAND PARK SPRAYPARK: Open every day, 11 am-8 pm. Free. (1100 SW Cloverdale)
COLMAN POOL: The outdoor salt-water pool at Lincoln Park is open every day, with sessions between noon and 7 pm. Fee.
WADING POOLS: Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW) and EC Hughes (2805 SW Holden) are open today, noon-7 pm. Free.
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.
DROP-IN WINE TASTING: 5-8 pm Tuesdays at Walter’s Wine Shop (4811 California SW) – $15 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.
PLAY ALONG IN THE PARK: First of four Tuesday nights in which you can play along with West Seattle Community Orchestras musicians at Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW), or just watch/listen. Our preview has details.
FAUNTLEROY COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION: Monthly board meeting, community members welcome, 6 pm at Fauntleroy Schoolhouse conference room near front door (9131 California SW).
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.
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).
WS JUNCTION FC’S LAST HOME MATCH: 7 pm at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle), as previewed here.
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: Wondering where to play trivia in West Seattle Tuesday nights? Four options – The Beer Junction (4711 California SW), 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).
If you are 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!
Before we get to what else is happening today/tonight, a reminder from West Seattle Junction FC owner Jessica Pierce – last chance this year to see them at home!
Come out to WS Junction FC’s final match of the season. It’s more than just a game – it’s a celebration of community, commitment, and the incredible support from every corner of West Seattle. Let’s pack the stands, make some noise, and remind our players why the Westside is the Bestside!
Location: Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex, 2801 SW Thistle St.
Kickoff: Tonight 7:00 PM sharp, gates open at 6:15
Admission: $15.00, 3 & under free. Tickets available online or at the gate.
Fan Appreciation Night – We’re celebrating YOU, the fans who’ve stood by us thru the highs and lows. Enjoy great food, live DJ, giveaways, 30% off all merch, and much more!
See you under the lights one last time in 2025!
6:03 AM: Good morning! Welcome to Tuesday, July 8, 2025.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
Sunny, high in the low 80s (it hit 85 on Monday). Today’s sunrise was at 5:21 am; sunset will be at 9:07 pm.
TRANSIT TODAY
Metro buses – Regular schedule today.
Washington State Ferries – WSF has resumed three-boat service on the Triangle Route, with M/V Kittitas, M/V Cathlamet, and M/V Issaquah. Vessel Watch will show you which boat is where.
Water Taxi – Regular West Seattle service; summer schedule, with later runs on Friday and Saturday nights, plus weeknights with Mariners home games (and certain special events).
ROAD WORK
-Today and tomorrow, “potholing” work is planned for the Fauntleroy Way intersection with the ferry dock, as previewed here.
-16th SW is set for speed-cushion installation near Cloverdale and near Trenton; the no-parking signs are in effect all week but the work had not yet started by end-of-day Monday. (9:26 am update – crews are there now.)
SUMMER FEST LATER THIS WEEK
-The street closures for West Seattle Summer Fest start rolling out Thursday afternoon (see that day’s timeline here), and from Thursday night through Sunday night, California will be closed north (to Genesee) and south (to Edmunds) of SW Oregon, and SW Alaska will be closed between 44th on the west side and 42nd on the east side.
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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