West Seattle, Washington
17 Saturday
9:56 PM: Someone called 911 a short time ago to say they heard an explosion, and then the power went out, in the Arbor Heights/Seola Beach area. The Seattle City Light outage map shows 26 homes out so far.
9:58 PM: Dispatch just told officers another caller reports the problem is a tree limb that’s fallen into wires.
12:09 AM: Not resolved yet. According to the SPD map, the tree trouble happened in the 10700 block of Seola Beach Drive.
9:16 AM: Resolved overnight.
We’re in the heart of summer and there is no better time to get out on the water. Alki Kayak Tours and Mountain to Sound Outfitters (WSB sponsor) are offering a new way for you to do that – here’s the announcement that Alki Paddle Club has launched:
Alki Paddle Club is a new membership-based community club aiming to connect West Seattleites on and off the water. Membership includes access to three tours or specialty classes, a 50% discount on any rentals, and exclusive member-only events. We offer three sea kayak tours daily: an Alki Lighthouse tour, an Elliott Bay tour, and a Sunset tour. Our classes include an introduction to stand-up paddleboarding, an introduction to sea kayaking, and a sea kayaking rescue and recovery class.
Alki Kayak Tours offers rentals of bikes, longboards, SUPs, sit-on-tops, and sea kayaks, both with single and tandem options. We provide all the necessary gear to have a memorable time on or off the water.
You can sign up for Alki Paddle Club by going here.
Website links are:
www.kayakalki.com
www.m2soutfitters.com ”
Three notes in West Seattle Crime Watch this evening:
PACKAGE TAKEN: The video was sent by a reader in North Admiral in hopes someone recognizes this person:
(2200 block) California Ave SW, happened around 4 am Thursday night. Temporary report number: T00035482
BURGLARY FOLLOWUP: On Saturday morning, we briefly reported police investigating a burglary at Zeeks Pizza in Morgan Junction. Today we obtained the report with details. The person who reported the break-in was a produce-delivery person who saw the shattered glass on arrival. Police say the register drawer was damaged but it didn’t appear the burglar(s) had gotten anything from it because, the officer who filed the report wrote, “the business operated on credit/debit cards only.” However, staff told police that it appeared “10-15 bottles of whiskey were taken.”
POLICE HIRING: Back in May, city councilmembers got an update on Seattle Police hiring (WSB coverage here) and were told it was moving at an “unprecedented” pace. An announcement late today suggests that pace is continuing, with the news that they’ve hired more than 100 officers so far this year. That’s more than projected in the May briefing, which suggested SPD was likely to hire 132 to 169 officers this entire year.
OFFICER RIDEALONG VIDEO: The news release touting the hiring numbers mentioned that among other things, the department is now producing “compelling content on YouTube.” So we clicked through to see what they were referring to and found this recently published SPD video, scenes from a ridealong with a Southwest Precinct officer, featuring mostly West Seattle calls:
This includes some of the revived traffic enforcement that officers have been doing lately (as evidenced by radio calls and online logs).
(City of Seattle photo: Councilmember Debora Juarez’s swearing-in today)
The City Council has chosen a replacement for Cathy Moore, who resigned as councilmember for North Seattle’s District 5 early this month (we noted her resignation announcement in June). Moore’s successor was also her predecessor: Debora Juarez. The council chose her today [video] from among six finalists; the only councilmember who didn’t vote for her was citywide Councilmember Alexis Mercedes Rinck, who voted for Nilu Jenks. Juarez’s appointment is until fall 2026, when District 5 voters will choose someone for the final year of Moore’s term, and then elect someone for a full four-year term in 2027, when all seven of the district seats will be on the ballot. Juarez becomes one of two appointees on the current council, with Mark Solomon, chosen to succeed Tammy Morales, who quit the seat for South Seattle’s District 2.
That’s the destroyer USS Sampson, the U.S. Navy‘s contribution to last year’s Seafair Parade of Ships. Once again this year, Seafair says the Navy won’t announce until tomorrow – the day of the waterborne parade – which of its ships will sail past the West Seattle and downtown waterfronts, ending up at Pier 46’s Coast Guard Event Center, where the ship(s) will be open to public tours Thursday-Sunday. U.S. Coast Guard ships will be part of the Parade of Ships too, also as-yet unannounced. To watch the Parade of Ships, just be somewhere on the north-to-northwest-to-northeast-facing West Seattle shore around noon – from Alki Point to Jack Block Park. For tours, 10 am-4 pm Thursday-Sunday (note that the Navy website says 4 pm while the Seafair website says 3 pm), here are the Navy’s rules; note that RealID-compliant identification is required, so if you haven’t gotten around to that yet, you won’t be allowed aboard.
A week and a half ago, we reported that the reason for the unexplained temporary closure of Gyro Heroes (4111 SW Admiral Way) was remodeling. Today they’re open again, and we stopped by for a photo. They told us they’ve done all the work they planned on, so they’re not expecting any more closures. Their hours are 11 am-9 pm daily.
Last week we published District 1 Councilmember Rob Saka‘s brief announcement of the date for this area’s version of the community-safety forums being held around the city. Today, SPD’s Southwest Precinct crime-prevention coordinator Jennifer Satterwhite has sent the full announcement, including a registration link if you’re interested in attending:
On behalf of the Seattle Mayor’s Office and the City of Seattle, we are excited to invite you to attend the “Creating a Safer Seattle Public Safety Community Forum” on Thursday, August 14 at Delridge Community Center, from 6 – 7:30 PM. …
The forums will feature our new Police Chief Shon Barnes sharing his vision for Seattle-Centric policing, provide updates on the City’s progress on our One Seattle Restoration Framework, and engage community in discussions about public safety and public health solutions for our city. They will include representatives from the Seattle Police Department, Fire Department, CARE Department, Parks, Seattle Public Utilities, Human Service Department, and Department of Transportation to discuss progress and hear your feedback.
Please RSVP by using this registration link to reserve your spot. Seating is limited due to venue capacity. After registering, please complete this public safety survey to help us measure progress and feedback.
We look forward to seeing you at the forum and hearing your ideas to make Seattle safer for everyone.
11:37 AM: SFD is at a “brush fire” call in the EC Hughes Playground (28th/Holden) vicinity and we’re told smoke is visible from some distance, so in case you’re wondering too, that’s what’s happening. We’re headed over for a look.
11:42 AM: Texter (who sent the video added above, showing the smoke) says it’s on the SW Kenyon side, near homes. Fire risk is high – checking the weather stats, we note that the rainfall total is nine inches below what we’d normally have in the “rain year” (since October 1).
12:01 PM: Kenyon is blocked at EC Hughes. Firefighters are still hosing down the southwest side of the park.
12:33 PM: SFD has departed and Kenyon is open again. (Added: Photo above shows scorched slope on southwest side of the park, past the baseball field.)
(Sunday sunset with seawall waves at Alki, photographed by Misa Moore)
Mostly regular weekly events on this edition of our Monday highlight list, as featured on the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar (are we missing something? let us know!):
SUMMER FOOD: As originally noted here, there are multiple sites/times/days in West Seattle where kids can get breakfast, lunch, and/or snacks during summer break.
FAMILY STORY TIME: Southwest Library‘s 10:30 am story time is open to wee ones and their parents/guardians/caretakers. (9010 35th SW)
HIGHLAND PARK SPRAYPARK: Open every day 11 am-8 pm. Free. (1100 SW Cloverdale)
COLMAN POOL: Continuing through Labor Day, the outdoor salt-water pool at Lincoln Park is open every day, noon-7 pm. Fee.
WADING POOLS: Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW) and EC Hughes (2805 SW Holden) are scheduled to be open today, noon-7 pm. Free.
CITY COUNCIL: 2 pm “briefing meeting” today; see the agenda here; watch live via Seattle Channel. (No public comment at the briefing meetings.)
HEALTHY AND WEALTHY TEENS: This series of teen-geared events continues today, 2:30 pm at Southwest Library (9010 35th SW).
ART SALON AT THE COFFEEHOUSE: 4-6 pm, C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor) hosts this gathering:
This is a monthly gathering of artistic, creative people interested in drawing, painting, printing, journaling, collaging and other creative pursuits. The purpose of this gathering is to provide encouragement and community. Creative people at all stages of development, both casual and professional, are welcome but this gathering is especially for beginners, people who are self-taught, and/or those who simply enjoy making art and think a monthly social gathering will help them make time each month for art!
CRAFTING & CREATIVITY NIGHT: 6-10 pm, Monday is “Crafting and Creativity Night” at The Missing Piece (9456 35th SW), info here.
D&D: Long-running weekly D&D at 6:30 pm at Meeples Games (3727 California SW). All welcome, first-time players welcome too!
LISTENING TO GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP: 6:30 pm, ongoing weekly group, participate once, occasionally, or every week. Fee.(4034 California SW)
MONDAY NIGHT QUIZ/TRIVIA X 4: Four places to play tonight! Easy Street Records‘ every-other-week Music Quiz has sessions at 6:30 and 7:30 pm (4559 California SW) … 7 pm at The Good Society (California/Lander) … 7 and 8 pm Sporcle Pub Quiz at Three 9 Lounge (4505 39th SW), 21+ … 7:30 pm with QuizFix at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW)
ALKI MEDITATION: Doors open at Alki UCC at 6:45, and the meeting is from 7-8:30. (6115 SW Hinds)
POOL TOURNAMENT: Play in The Corner Pocket‘s weekly pool tournament starting at 7 pm. $10 buy-in. (4302 SW Alaska)
FAUNTLEROY MEDITATION: More Monday night meditating – free weekly Zen sitting/meditation in the chapel at Fauntleroy UCC (9140 California SW), 7 pm-8:30 pm.
JAZZ AT THE ALLEY: Monday music – live jazz with The Westside Jazz Trio, 8 pm at The Alley (behind 4509 California SW), 21+, no cover.
MONDAY KARAOKE 9 pm Mondays, you can sing 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 westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
The West Seattle YMCA (WSB sponsor) is offering a weeklong basketball camp for kids next month – here’s the announcement:
Get ready for a high-energy week of hoops, hustle, and heart! This full-day clinic is more than just basketball—it’s a chance for young athletes to sharpen skills, build confidence, and grow as teammates and leaders. Led by inspiring coaches and dedicated Y staff, kids will level up with focused training in dribbling, shooting, court awareness, strategy, and agility. They’ll also enjoy a fun pool day to recharge and bond. Through exciting drills and games, athletes will boost their abilities, sportsmanship, and resilience in a fun, supportive environment.
When: August 11th – 15th 9 am-4 pm
Who: Kids Ages 8-12
Contact Liz Abbott at labbott@seattleymca.org
6:01 AM: Good morning! Welcome to Monday, July 28, 2025.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
Sunny today, high near 80. Today’s sunrise was at 5:42 am; sunset will be at 8:48 pm.
ROAD WORK
-Repaving will resume on California SW between Holly and Frontenac this Thursday.
-Crews are working on curb ramps for all four corners of 60th/Admiral, and that’s closing 60th during work hours as well as affecting bike lanes near work crews.
-The major nighttime work ahead on and around 16th SW in White Center continues – details here.
-Admiral Bridge work continues.
TRANSIT TODAY
Metro buses – On regular schedule and routes today.
Washington State Ferries – WSF is back to 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, and on weeknights with Mariners home games (and certain special events).
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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