West Seattle, Washington

19 Sunday

57℉

day : 09/09/2025 11 results

Students organizing opposition to Seattle Public Schools’ seemingly sudden plan to split high-school lunches
September 9, 2025 10:35 pm
|      62 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

We’ve heard tonight from multiple West Seattle High School students about an announcement that apparently affects most Seattle Public Schools high schools: Starting next Monday, less than two weeks into the new school year, high-school lunchtime will be split into two. Here’s a screenshot of the announcement sent to WSHS families. One WSHS student, Lemuel Turpaud, asked us to publish this message about it:

I am a member of West Seattle High School, their ASB, and many clubs, and I have an important message to share to the community. Seattle Public Schools will be requiring all high schools in the district to change from one unified lunch to two separate lunches on Monday.

This proposal will kill clubs at the high school. Last March the West Seattle Rocketry Club reached out to the West Seattle Blog, and from our amazing community received over $1,200 to fund our rocketry competition. This support from the community allowed for the team to continue their project, and have financial safety going into the next year. Now with the change of school lunch policy, the Rocketry Club and other student run clubs will be facing a much larger problem than funding. Splitting the lunch period divides students’ only shared free time to meet and join clubs. This decision will kill many clubs, specifically the smaller clubs that are created as passion projects by dedicated members of the school; Rocketry Club being one of those.

Students districtwide from almost ten schools are planning on walking out on Monday, September 15th ,if the policy is not reversed.

We ask the West Seattle community to stand with us. Please contact the school board and urge them to preserve a unified lunch period so student clubs, opportunities, and community can continue to thrive. Thank you.

– Lemuel Turpaud, Class of 2026

Another WSHS student sent the link to an online petition about this plan and other changes/problems in the district. We will be contacting the district first thing in the morning to find out more about this change (including why it, and the bell-time changes that will result, wasn’t implemented at the start of the year).

ADDED WEDNESDAY NIGHT: No explanation from the district. Our inquiry was answered with exactly the same verbiage used for last night’s announcement.

Share This

City Council votes to expand surveillance-camera network for SPD’s Real-Time Crime Center
September 9, 2025 8:46 pm
|      18 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

Two months ago, we and other media got a look inside SPD’s Real-Time Crime Center, in which SPD tracks incidents shortly after they happen. The center’s access to cameras will expand after two City Council votes tonight – here’s the meeting video:

The votes (on legislation linked on agenda page 7) followed more than 100 people speaking almost entirely against the expansion, but only two councilmembers – citywide rep Alexis Mercedes Rinck and Northwest Seattle’s Dan Strauss – voted no. Many of the people who urged the council to reject the bills said it wasn’t even so much the cameras themselves that they opposed, but the possibility that the images and information they gather could be used against particularly vulnerable residents such as immigrants and LGBTQIA+ people. Councilmembers, particularly Public Safety Committee chair Bob Kettle, insisted that the bills have more safeguards than similar ones in other cities. But more than anything, the councilmembers who supported the surveillance expansion said that they were most moved by crime victims they’ve heard from and met with, and they felt cameras would be an important “investigative tool.” They also said immigrants are concerned about crime too, not just federal enforcement; District 1 Councilmeber Rob Saka said he’s sensitive to immigrants’ concerns since he represents areas including South Park and High Point, and is the son of an immigrant himself.

While one part of the legislation will install new SPD cameras in new locations – the “Capitol Hill Nightlife Area,” the stadium area, and the Garfield High School vicinity – another part will connect the Real-Time Crime Center to ~150 SDOT cameras (city traffic cams are mapped here, including the ones in West Seattle). The camera’s project’s goals are stated in one of the agenda documents:

In regard to overall outcomes, the goals of this project are:
1. Reduction in gun violence, human trafficking, and other persistent felony crimes in selected areas.
2. Reduction in 911 calls in selected areas.
3. To minimize crime displacement outside of selected areas.
4. Improved police response times, crime clearance rates, and community satisfaction measures.

SPD will also report the rate of arrests and prosecutions that occur as a result of the initial pilot and any negative unintended consequences, such as over or under policing. The program will be data-informed and guided. It will terminate if data suggests the technology is ineffective.

Five amendments were considered before the final vote; the one that passed would enable a 60-day “pause” in the program if there was evidence the data could be or was being accessed for civil immigration enforcement.

Share This

FOLLOWUP: South Transfer Station will indeed reopen tomorrow
September 9, 2025 7:54 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Environment | South Park | West Seattle news

That’s the new flooring inside the South Transfer Station in west South Park. We checked in with Seattle Public Utilities this afternoon to see if it was going to reopen on the announce revised date, tomorrow, and the reply was “yes.” Here’s the official announcement:

Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) is pleased to announce that the South Transfer Station, located at 130 S. Kenyon Street, will reopen to the public on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, following a temporary closure for critical safety upgrades.

The project included the replacement of over 35,000 square feet of tipping floor, ensuring continued safe and efficient operations for both customers and SPU staff. With this work now complete, SPU welcomes all public customers and account holders back to the station.

SPU extends its appreciation to residents and businesses who postponed non-essential trips to the station during the closure and used alternative locations or donation/recycling options. Thank you for skipping a trip, planning ahead, and knowing where to go. Your efforts helped reduce congestion, supported a smooth upgrade process, and kept our community and workers safe. SPU appreciates your patience and cooperation.

To help keep the station running efficiently, SPU encourages customers to:

• Sort and secure loads before arriving
• Check station hours and accepted materials on the SPU website
• Use the “Where Does It Go?” tool for donation, curbside collection, and recycling options and disposal tips.

Share This

YOU CAN HELP: Community potluck benefit planned for West Seattle family with twin baby girls fighting cancer
September 9, 2025 6:10 pm
|    Comments Off on YOU CAN HELP: Community potluck benefit planned for West Seattle family with twin baby girls fighting cancer
 |   How to help | West Seattle news

Back in July, we brought you the story of the Carlson family, including twin baby girls in the fight of their very young lives against cancer. This weekend you have another opportunity to help them – here’s the announcement we were asked to share:

Tibbetts United Methodist Church is inviting the greater West Seattle community to help support a local family whose twins, Lucy and Josie, are in the fight for their lives. Both babies have been diagnosed with infant acute lymphoblastic leukemia (an incredibly rare and aggressive cancer for babies of this age) and are currently enduring intense chemotherapy and extended hospital stays. At Tibbetts, we want to respond in hope, with love and action. We will be raising awareness and showing our support for the Carlson Family at a potluck on Sunday, September 14th at 11:30 am at Tibbetts UMC Adams Hall (Corner of 41st and Andover). Please bring a dish to share and join us as we gather for food, fellowship, and to raise funds for the Carlson Family through their GoFundMe. All are welcome.

Share This

FYI: Masked photographers in The Junction = ‘1st Amendment auditors’
September 9, 2025 2:42 pm
|      141 COMMENTS
 |   Seen around town | West Seattle news

2:42 PM: Thanks for the tips. Police have received calls this past hour about two masked men in The Junction, photographing people and businesses. Officers checked them out in the vicinity of the Post Office and Eagles aerie; they told dispatch the men weren’t doing anything illegal (permission is not required to photograph anyone or anything visible from a public space like a sidewalk or street). What some who’ve seen them report to be unsettling is their outfits (here’s one photo texted to us), reminiscent of what plainclothes ICE agents have been photographed wearing, but one report we’ve received say the men identified themselves as “independent media.” They were also described as “belligerent.”

2:55 PM: Someone just called this into 911 again, and officers told dispatch they’d made contact earlier and “there’s nothing we can do.”

3:31 PM: As noted in comments, this is apparently a practice called 1st Amendment Auditing, carried out by provocateurs. It would explain why we thought we heard officers tell dispatch the men were “auditors.”

4:40 PM: We’ve received a couple photos of both.

Share This

SURVEY: Help shape the future of Seattle’s largest contiguous forest, right in your back yard
September 9, 2025 2:05 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Environment | How to help | West Seattle news

(File photo from a reader – that long stretch of greenbelt is the WDG)

The largest remaining contiguous stretch of forest in Seattle is right here on the peninsula. This community announcement coalition we invites you to answer a survey meant to help shape its future:

The Ridge to River Coalition (R2R) announces the 2025 West Duwamish Greenbelt Public Survey. All community members are invited to share experiences, connections, and ideas for Seattle’s largest remaining forest. To take the online survey, visit the R2R website r2rduwamish.org and click the “Share Your Ideas” button.

The West Duwamish Greenbelt is an amazing natural area in the city. It stretches from the West Seattle Bridge to White Center. The forest is a vital habitat for birds and animals. It offers opportunities for recreation, walking on trails to destinations, or simply enjoying the outdoors close to home.

The Ridge to River Coalition is a group of your neighbors from West Seattle and Duwamish Valley groups. R2R is working to create a community vision for the greenbelt that supports environmental stewardship, respects its cultural context and addresses the needs of the surrounding communities.

This is your opportunity to have a say in what would make the greenbelt welcoming and useful. The survey will help shape a community-led Vision and Concept Plan. In 2026, R2R will return to gather public feedback on specific proposals developed from survey responses and environmental studies by our consultant team.

This planning is made possible by a grant from the King County Parks Levy Fund. The Ridge to River Coalition is sponsored by the Seattle Parks Foundation in partnership with Seattle Parks and Recreation. Technical assistance is being provided by the National Park Service’s River and Trail Corridor Assistance Program.

Your survey responses will help shape the future of the West Duwamish Greenbelt. Several language options are offered. To learn about R2R and take the survey, visit the R2R website r2rduwamish.org and click the “Share Your Ideas” button, or go directly to the survey at https://survey.zohopublic.com/zs/AODzlN.

Share This

‘Our Voice, Our Strength’: South Park’s annual Fiestas Patrias parade on for Saturday
September 9, 2025 11:47 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   South Park | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

(WSB photo from 2024 South Park Fiestas Patrias parade)

In case you wondered, this year’s Fiestas Patrias celebration – presented by Sea Mar – is on this weekend, beginning with Saturday’s annual parade in South Park celebrating Latin American heritage and culture. This year’s theme is “Our Voice, Our Strength“; State Supreme Court Justice Steven C. González is the Grand Marshal this year. Dozens of entries, from folkloric dancers to horseback riders, will head eastbound on South Henderson to 14th Avenue South at 10 am Saturday (September 13), then heading north on 14th to South Cloverdale, and turning westbound. It’s a relatively short – 45 minutes last year (WSB coverage here) – but spirited parade. Sea Mar also presents a Fiestas Patrias event all weekend at Seattle Center (see the program and schedule here).

Share This

From meetings to music, 14 on the list for your West Seattle Tuesday
September 9, 2025 9:58 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Late-summer garden photo by Stan Delles)

Here’s our Tuesday list, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

POSTCARDS4DEMOCRACY: New postcard-writers as well as returnees are invited to this weekly advocacy gathering, 10:30 am-noon at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor). Sign up here before you go, if this is your first time.

ROTARY CLUB OF WEST SEATTLE: Noon lunch meeting at West Seattle Golf Course (4470 35th SW) features speakers Abigail Quic and Antonio Cruz Sánchez, PhD, regarding youth leadership training.

CHESS CLUB: All levels welcome! 1:30-3 pm, at the Center for Active Living (4217 SW Oregon). Questions? Email conwell@conwelld.net.

CITY COUNCIL MEETING: 2 pm weekly meeting, with agenda items including surveillance-camera expansion. Meeting is open to public comment both online and in person – the agenda explains how.

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.

UPDATE: FAUNTLEROY COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION: 6 pm board meeting, community members welcome, LOCATION UPDATE: ONLINE ONLY – go to fauntleroy.net/meetings to register. Here’s the agenda. (9131 California SW)

TRACK RUN WITH WEST SEATTLE RUNNER: Meet up by 6:15 pm at West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) for WSR’s free weekly track run.

CREATE POTTERY: Weekly 6:30-9 pm “girls’ night” at pottery studio The Clay Cauldron (5214 Delridge Way SW), register in advance to work on your project(s).

LIVE AT EASY STREET: In-store show with Catholics, 7 pm, free, all ages. (4559 California SW)

SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCING: New classes begin, 7 pm at Fauntleroy Church (9140 California SW). Our calendar listing has details including how to check if they have space.

WOMEN’S MEDITATION CIRCLE: Weekly small-group event at Mama Be Well Healing Studio (4034 California SW), 7 pm. Our calendar listing has info on registering before you go.

BINGO: Play free Tuesday night Belle of the Balls Bingo at The Skylark, 7 pm. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

TRIVIA X 4: Four options for Tuesday night trivia – 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 pm at Admiral Pub, free, prizes. (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!

Share This

Celebration of life planned October 8 for Kenneth J. Sanberg, 1948-2025
September 9, 2025 9:04 am
|    Comments Off on Celebration of life planned October 8 for Kenneth J. Sanberg, 1948-2025
 |   Obituaries | West Seattle news

Family and friends will gather October 8 to celebrate Ken Sanberg‘s life, and are sharing this remembrance now:

Kenneth John Sanberg
May 11, 1948 – April 11, 2025

Ken and his wife Pam were married for over 50 years and raised 2 children, Kimberly and Ken Jr.

Ken grew up in West Seattle and went to school at Lafayette Elementary, James Madison Jr. High School and graduated from West Seattle High School in 1966. He continued on to Highline Community College where he studied law enforcement but ended up working for the Port of Seattle, retiring after 40 years as a Senior Construction Inspector. Ken was always detail oriented which was extremely helpful in the work that he did.

Ken had a need for speed! Fast cars, fast motorcycles, and especially fast boats were a big part of his life for many years with boat racing being his biggest passion, first racing flat bottom drag boats, and then the K racing run about circle boat class (unlimited). Ken joined Seattle Drag and Ski Boat Association with his dad when he was a teenager and remained a member for the rest of his life. Weekends in spring, summer, and fall meant heading off to the races (mostly in Washington) to compete with other like-minded enthusiasts.

As his family grew, attention shifted to more things that they could all enjoy together. Skiing with family and friends was a yearly event for many seasons. Water sports at Treasure Island were big in the summer. Pam and Ken eventually moved to “The Island” after retirement to enjoy the beauty of island life full time. It was a great place to enjoy riding his Harley and the other motorcycles he had and he and his riding friends took full advantage of the lighter traffic on the Olympic peninsula.

Ken was outgoing and friendly and always willing to lend a hand when needed as was evident from the large group of friends he had. He lived his life to the fullest and has left lasting memories.

Celebration of Life
Wednesday, 10/8 2025 -11:30 AM
Glen Acres Golf & Country Club
1000 S. 112th Street

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ken’s memory to:
Parkview Group Homes
1114 15th Avenue E., Seattle, WA 98112
Phone: (206) 324-4113

(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)

Share This

TRAFFIC CAMS, WEATHER, TRANSIT: Tuesday info
September 9, 2025 6:00 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:00 AM: Good morning! Welcome to Tuesday, September 9, 2025.

WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

Today’s forecast is again for some sun and a chance of showers, high in the low 70s. Today’s sunrise will be at 6:39 am; sunset will be at 7:32 pm.

(Photo by Jerry Simmons)

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 Issaquah, and M/V Sealth. Vessel Watch will show you which boat is where.

Water Taxi – Regular West Seattle service; summer/early fall schedule, with later runs on Friday and Saturday nights.

STADIUM ZONE

Mariners‘ homestand continues with a 6:40 pm game vs. St. Louis.

SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS

High Bridge – Here’s the main camera, followed by the Fauntleroy-end camera:

Low Bridge – Here’s the view looking west. Also note, opening info is again available via X (Twitter):

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!

Share This

WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Highland Park gunfire incident (Tuesday afternoon update)
September 9, 2025 12:14 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

12:14 AM: Police are in Highland Park trying to sort out what they’ve described as a “chaotic” scene at a home in the 7900 block of 9th SW. No injuries are reported so far, but they were seeking a white Audi for what was described as “drive-by shooting,” and as we type this, officers briefly pursued what they believed was the car in question, southbound from 16th/Roxbury, but were told to end the pursuit (because the information they were getting at the scene didn’t necessarily merit one). Meantime, one person was detained at the original scene. We’ll follow up on this later in the morning.

12:41 AM: Dispatch just asked whether officers had confirmed gunfire at the scene, and they said they weren’t yet certain.

1:52 PM: Here’s the SPD summary of the incident:

At 2341 hours, patrol responded to a report of property damage in progress with possible shots fired in the 7900 block of 9 Ave SW. Officers arrived to a chaotic scene with opposing stories being reported with suspects possibly having fled in a vehicle. This vehicle was located and a brief pursuit was initiated until involvement information was determined to terminate the pursuit. Despite conflicting reports, investigating officers determined that a shooting had occurred and conducted a community caretaking search of the home. A male located hiding inside during this search was found to have a protection order with one of the involved parties. Evidence suggested that the shooting likely originated from inside the home. Consent was granted by the homeowner and a handgun consistent with the evidence was found hidden inside. The male was booked for FVNCO. GVRU and 253 were notified of the incident and arrest.

Share This