West Seattle, Washington
25 Thursday
The photo is from the Dick’s Drive-In truck visiting the Highland Park Corner Store in 2023. It’s returning this weekend, 11 am-2 pm Saturday (August 9), and it’s open to everyone, so if you’re a fan of Dick’s burgers/shakes (still no fries), you can stop by 7789 Highland Park Way SW in that window!
The local beach-volleyball players who worked to get Seattle Parks‘ support for a “drop-in volleyball” court on Alki report it’s back in action, thanks to a donation. Last month, WSB’s Hayden Yu Andersen reported on the new court and installation of its net; days later, that net was stolen. Now the advocates/players sent photos, and this update, to announce that the court’s available again:
Great news. The net at Alki is back up, thanks to a generous net donation from the SeaBeach Volleyball Co-op. We’re excited for the community to be able to play again and for beach volleyball to be more accessible to everyone.
The court is on the beach across from the Christos/Do Si KBBQ building.
King County Elections has just released the third round of results from Tuesday’s primary. No major changes in the five races we’re watching – here’s the latest
SEATTLE MAYOR: Katie Wilson‘s lead over Bruce Harrell* has decreased by one point; she’s now four points up after his share increased a bit, 48% to 44%.
SEATTLE CITY COUNCIL CITYWIDE POSITION 9 Dionne Foster‘s 18-point lead over Sara Nelson* has decreased one point to 17 points, 55% to 38%.
SEATTLE CITY ATTORNEY: Erika Evans‘s initial 14-point lead over Ann Davison* remains 17 points, 53% to 36%.
In other races:
SEATTLE CITY COUNCIL CITYWIDE POSITION 8: Alexis Mercedes Rinck* remains at 77%, with the nearest challenger, Rachael Savage, at 14%.
KING COUNTY EXECUTIVE: County Council President Girmay Zahilay retains a 12-point lead over County Councilmember Claudia Balducci, 42% to 30%.
See the full results list here.
These counts represent just under 27 percent of county voters’ ballots; so far the county reports receiving just under 34 percent of voters’ ballots (which at this point is likely close to what the final turnout will be). Breaking that out further, the current count includes ballots from 30 percent of Seattle city voters, while 39 percent of city voters’ ballots have been received.
The crash-and-grab attempt at West Seattle Smoke Company wasn’t the only break-in attempt at a Junction business early today.
That’s a reader photo of the alley door at Pegasus Pizza in the 4500 block of California SW. The report narrative we obtained from SPD says the first 911 call came in around 4:47 am, reporting that someone saw the damaged door about half an hour after hearing a “loud noise.” Police called an owner of the restaurant, who showed up to walk through with them, and said she reported that nothing seemed to have been taken and even the register was “seemingly undisturbed,” so they’re not sure if whoever broke the door actually made it inside or not. No one reported seeing a suspect, so there’s no description. But if you have any information, you can contact police and refer to incident # 25-224819.
Thanks to Manuel for the photo. If you’re planning a visit to the north stretch of Longfellow Creek any time soon, remember that the Salmon Bone Bridge is closed for work, as announced by Seattle Public Utilities almost two weeks ago. The work is to “finish the restoration of the bridge,” SPU explains, with major tasks including “replacing the bridge’s safety cables (and) stripping and repainting the bridge’s metal, tubular ‘bones’.” The closure could last through late October.
(Reader photo)
Thanks to the reader who sent that photo from a crash-and-grab attempt at the West Seattle Smoke Company in The Junction early today. According to archived radio exchanges and an SPD summary, officers responded around 3:30 am to a report that the driver of a black Kia Sportage had tried ramming the front of the store twice. Police say they didn’t get inside, though the crash “caused major damage to the front doors and security gates,” so nothing was stolen. The Sportage, however, was confirmed to have been stolen and might have been used in an armed robbery in another area.
(SPD photo)
There’s no description info about the driver but they are believed to have left in another vehicle, possibly a gray Kia. Police are asking that anyone with information call 206-233-5000. The shop has been burglarized before, and in that case, a suspect was arrested and charged (update: that suspect has been back in jail for about three weeks, still awaiting trial in that case and others).
(Photo by Stan Delles)
Later than usual due to breaking news, here’s our list for the rest of today/tonight, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
SOUTH SEATTLE COLLEGE GARDEN CENTER: Still lots of time left in gardening season! The center is open Thursdays-Saturdays 10 am-3 pm, north end of the South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus.
MEDICARE INFO: 11 am presentation at Center for Active Living (4217 SW Oregon).
HIGHLAND PARK SPRAYPARK: Open today and every day through Labor Day, 11 am-8 pm. Free. (1100 SW Cloverdale)
WADING POOLS: If the forecast for clearing skies and warming temperatures this afternoon holds, the city says, three of the city’s West Seattle wading pools will operate – Lincoln Park will be open noon-7 pm and Delridge and Hiawatha will be open noon-5:30 pm. Free.
COLMAN POOL: The heated salt-water pool on the shore at Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW) is open with sessions noon-7 pm – see the schedule here. Fee.
WEST SEATTLE UKULELE PLAYERS: All levels welcome at this weekly 1 pm gathering. Email westseattleukuleleplayerswsup@gmail.com to see where they’re playing today.
TRY BEFORE YOU BUY: 4-6 pm, first of two days in which Mountain to Sound Outfitters (WSB sponsor) offers you the chance to try out personal watercraft before you buy! Call to reserve a spot – all the info’s in our calendar listing.
DROP-IN CHESS: Teens are invited to come play at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond), 4-5:30 pm.
HPCS FOOD-TRUCK VISIT: First of two regular Thursday night events here – every Thursday, 4-8 pm, Highland Park Corner Store (7789 Highland Park Way SW) gets a food-truck visit. Tonight it’s The Original Philly’s.
WINE TASTING WITH CLARK: Another regular Thursday event at HPCS, 5-7:30 pm – info here.
VISCON CELLARS: This West Seattle winery’s friendly tasting room/wine bar is open Thursdays, 5-9 pm (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor). Stop in for wine by the glass or bottle!
WESTIES RUN CLUB: 6 pm at The Good Society (California/Lander), the Westies Run Club‘s Thursday night community run.
WALKING FOR WELL-BEING: Rather walk instead of run? Meet at 6 pm at 47th/Fauntleroy for tonight’s group walk – details in our calendar listing.
TALK TO THE ANIMALS: Find out how at a special 7 pm event at Inner Alchemy Studio/Sanctuary (3618 SW Alaska).
COMEDY: Cozy Comedy presents Scott Losse at Great American Diner and Bar (4752 California SW), 8 pm.
DJ NIGHT: Extended-weekend spinning starts tonight at Revelry Room (4547 California SW), with DJ Tomas, 8 pm.
Are you planning an event that should be on our calendar and in our daily preview lists? Please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
9:28 AM: Thanks for the tips. Power went out a short time ago for more than 500 customers in eastern West Seattle, mostly on Puget Ridge. Updates to come.
9:46 AM: Possible cause – SFD has responded to a fire reported atop a pole in the 5600 block of West Marginal Way SW.
10:02 AM: Resolved quickly – only 16 still mapped as out.
4 PM: SCL spokesperson Jenn Strang confirms the pole fire was the cause, though they don’t know what sparked it.
Family and friends will gather tomorrow to remember Henry Benzinger, and are sharing this remembrance with the community:
In Loving Memory of Henry Jacob Benzinger
November 03, 1967 – July 22, 2025Henry Jacob Benzinger, a beloved brother, son, and friend, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 22, surrounded by his family. Born in Bremerton, Washington, Henry brought joy and light to all who knew him.
Henry was a proud graduate of Olympic High School, Class of 1988, and a devoted parishioner at both Our Lady of Guadalupe in West Seattle and Our Lady Star of the Sea in Bremerton. Before his illness in late 2023, he lived an active life filled with music, friendship, and service.An accomplished athlete with Down syndrome, Henry participated in Special Olympics for many years — competing in basketball, baseball, track and field, soccer, bowling, and swimming. His passion and spirit inspired teammates and coaches alike.
Henry’s favorite pastimes included playing the piano, guitar, and harmonica. He was a master of word search puzzles and a source of endless smiles and hugs to those around him.
He was predeceased by his father, Donald Henry Benzinger. He is survived by his loving mother, Annie Benzinger, and his siblings: Cathy Tresler (Pat), Theresa Raab (Mike), Sean Benzinger, Colleen Jones (Lindy), and Christine DeBois (David), along with many nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, and uncles.
A Rosary service will be held at 10:00 a.m., followed by a Funeral Mass at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, August 8, at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, 7000 35th Avenue SW. All who knew Henry are welcome to attend and celebrate his remarkable life.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Special Olympics Washington — Peninsula Region, supporting athletes in Kitsap, Gig Harbor, Mason County, and surrounding areas. To contribute, visit: specialolympicswashington.org/donatelocal and select Peninsula Region.
Please share memories, photos & condolences on the guestbook: www.emmickfunerals.com/obituaries/henry-benzinger
Arrangements Entrusted to Emmick Family Funeral Home of West Seattle
(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to westseattleblog@gmail.com)
6:03 AM: Good morning! Welcome to Thursday, August 7, 2025.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
After a sixth of an inch of rain Wednesday, showers are still possible, high near 70. Today’s sunrise was at 5:55 am; sunset will be at 8:34 pm.
(Wednesday sunset, photographed by Jan Pendergrass)
ROAD WORK
-Admiral Bridge work continues.
-So does work on curb ramps for all four corners of 60th/Admiral.
-The major nighttime work ahead on and around 16th SW in White Center continues – details here.
TRANSIT TODAY
Metro buses – On regular schedule and routes today.
Washington State Ferries – WSF has three-boat service on the Triangle Route, with M/V Kittitas, M/V Cathlamet, and M/V Sealth. 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 other weeknights with Mariners home games. (No late service for tonight’s event – see below – listed on the WT website as of early this am, but we’re doublechecking.)
STADIUM ZONE
Lumen Field tonight – Seahawks vs. Las Vegas, 7 pm!
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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