West Seattle, Washington
05 Friday
10:03 PM: Seattle Fire has a “full response” headed to a possible fire in a “commercial building” at 20th/Henderson. Updates to come.
10:07 PM: First unit arriving at the scene says it appears to be an exterior fire, possibly originating in a vehicle. But another firefighter just told dispatch they need to check inside because it might have spread.
10:12 PM: Firefighters report “smoke in the hallway” on first floor. Adding reader photo above; we have a crew on the way. … According to the address SFD crews just gave, it’s a residential building.
(Photo by Tim Durkan)
10:20 PM: They traced the fire to a unit, firefighters have told dispatch, but still believe it started with a vehicle; it’s under control.
(Added: Texted photo)
But northbound Delridge Way is blocked by the large response, avoid the area.
(WSB photo by Torin Record-Sand)
10:23 PM: They now believe two units were affected.
10:31 PM: They’ve declared the fire tapped (out). No report of injuries. … Here’s the vehicle it’s blamed on; our crew reports being told this pickup truck’s engine seemingly “exploded”:
(WSB photo)
10:43 PM: The incident commandeer confirms to our crew at the scene that no one was hurt.
(Added: Texted photo)
11:19 PM: Delridge is now open all ways, police have told dispatch. Meantime, our crew has left the scene but photographer Tim Durkan is still there and tells us there’s now suspicion that the fire started in a portable toilet and THEN spread to the truck and on to the apartments.
ADDED 12:14 PM FRIDAY: Here’s what SFD spokesperson David Cuerpo says about the investigation:
The fire involved a portable toilet stall and a car, both located next to an apartment building. The fire extended to the building and caused significant damage to two apartment units. No injuries reported. Investigators ruled the cause of the fire as undetermined.
Thanks for the tips. The Guardian One helicopter circled for a while in southeast West Seattle after a report of possible gunfire off Detroit Avenue SW; no evidence found that we’ve heard so far, and the helicopter has moved on.
Westside Neighbors Shelter in The Triangle remains the only shelter in West Seattle. It runs on donations and volunteers, and here’s a list of what they need now:
Westside Neighbors Shelter opens every morning of the year to provide people with a hot breakfast, a place to shower, and other necessities. Even in the summer, we’ve been serving between 30 and 50 hungry people each day. Keith reports that we are out of almost everything, and consequently spending more money every week to keep going. Can you help? Here are the most-needed items right now:
Regular and instant oatmeal
Instant hot chocolate mix
Powdered coffee creamer
Ground coffee
Krusteaz pancake mix
Bisquick
Cup-o-Noodles and Ramen
Potatoes
White and brown sugar
12 oz paper hot cups (no lids)
16 oz paper bowls
10” paper plates
Paper towels and napkins
Men’s socks, underwear, t-shirts
Disposable razors, travel-size shaving cream and toothpasteYou’ll find these items (and more) at our wish list:
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2M8BX6UMZBG4H?Or, toss a few of these items in your cart next time you go shopping, and bring them by the shelter between 7 and 11 am any day of the week!
Find out more about the shelter at westsideneighborsshelter.org.
Thank you so much!
Lots of hot topics for Washington State Ferries lately, including the restoration of three-boat service on the Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth route. Got a question? Concern? Comment? That and many other topics are up for discussion at WSF’s fall system-wide community meetings, happening online at 12:30 pm and 6 pm Thursday, October 2. WSF boss Steve Nevey says, “Each meeting will begin with a brief presentation about this summer’s increased service, our new vessel build program and recent changes here at WSF. Most of the time will be dedicated to answering questions.” You can register for one or both (WSF promises duplicate content) right now by going here.
It’s been a month and a half since our last update on the case of 36-year-old Aren Oleson, arrested and charged after a July 31 barrage of gunfire inside his South Admiral apartment. The city subsequently sought and obtained an Extreme Risk Protection Order to keep the guns seized from him afterward from being returned to him any time soon. Oleson has remained in jail since then, charged with 10 misdemeanors, including unlawful gun discharge, drug possession, and six counts of reckless endangerment, for allegedly shooting without consideration for the neighbors inside their apartments when this happened. We got an automated notification today that he had been released from the King County Jail and looked into why. Court documents explain that he was released to inpatient substance-abuse treatment when a space became available at a facility on the Olympic Peninsula. He is still facing trial on the charges filed against him, with a tentative hearing date planned in October.
As noted, the City Council is voting today on dozens of amendments proposed as part of the every-decade process of updating the city’s long-term-growth plan, aka the Comprehensive Plan. Four of those amendments directly address specific West Seattle neighborhoods. Here’s how the votes went:
AMENDMENT 34: As its sponsor, citywide Councilmember Alexis Mercedes Rinck, described it, this was the “spicy” amendment, generating a lot of discussion, because it would add eight areas as Neighborhood Centers, enabling denser housing among other things. One of those would be in Alki; the other seven were elsewhere in the city. The amendment was defeated, with everyone voting no except for Rinck. But she said it may be brought back again in the future, after additional study following the current process. For now, though, the Comprehensive Plan Update will NOT include an Alki Neighborhood Center. (We had details of the now-failed proposal in this September 2 report.)
AMENDMENT 35: This was one of three amendments from District 1 Councilmember Rob Saka, changing the Endolyne Neighborhood Center’s name to Fauntleroy, and reducing its size a bit. It passed.
AMENDMENT 36: This was Councilmember Saka’s second of three amendments, adding some area to the High Point Neighborhood Center including the HP Library’s site. It passed.
AMENDMENT 37: This was Saka’s third Neighborhood Center amendment, reducing the size of the Morgan Junction Urban Center. It passed.
Another Saka amendment requiring more pedestrian improvements in new Neighborhood Centers, Amendment 53, passed. And one other transportation amendment of note, Councilmember Rinck’s Amendment 7 to “end parking mandates” – did not pass; Council President Sara Nelson said it was worth more discussion than just an amendment to a larger plan would get.
The council is currently in recess, after finishing work on the first overall bill to which all these amendments and others were made, and will reconvene at 12:30, with a lunch break set at 1 pm and resumption of work at 2 pm.
Looking for ork? Elle Loeppky with Friends of West Seattle Elementary tells WSB that their school is one of several on the peninsula with an urgent need for crossing guards:
West Seattle Elementary is in need of two crossing guards this year, and several other neighborhood schools also have vacant posts (see map and screenshot below — red darts mark openings). (Help spread the word) so these important roles can be filled and all students can walk or bike to school safely.
The job is part-time — just during school arrival and dismissal — and could be a great fit for a retiree, a college student, or a stay-at-home parent with older kids.
Crossing Guard Recruitment:
Pay: $20.76/hour
Requirements: Age 18+, high school diploma/GED (or equivalent experience), background check. Training provided by the district.
Schedule: Part-time, during school arrival and dismissal
Role: Safely assist students crossing streets and intersections in all kinds of weatherSee our map of open crossing guard posts to find opportunities in your neighborhood. See our map of open crossing guard posts to find opportunities in your neighborhood.
Questions? Apply here or contact SPS Field Staff Supervisor Stacy Roberts at sdroberts@seattleschools.org or call 206-252-0908.
UPDATE: The missing man has been found and the alert has been canceled.
Earlier:
(Traffic cam in the heart of The Junction)
Here’s what is happening today/tonight, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar (where. you’ll find even more):
CITY COUNCIL CONSIDERS REZONING/GROWTH PROPOSALS: The daylong meeting with major votes is under way now, with the first session having started at 9:30 am, and the second session at 2 pm. Watch live via Seattle Channel.
J.CREW FACTORY OPENING DAY: Today’s the day the new store in Westwood Village planned to open, 10 am. (2600 SW Barton)
SOUTH SEATTLE COLLEGE GARDEN CENTER: Explore options for your fall gardening! The center is open Thursdays-Saturdays 10 am-3 pm, north end of the South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus.
TODDLER STORY TIME: 10:30 am at Southwest Library (9010 35th SW), free.
PRESCHOOL STORY TIME: 10:30 am at West Seattle (Admiral) Library (2306 42nd SW), free.
MIDDAY JAZZ: Alki UCC starts a midday concert series with Susan Pascal playing jazz at noon. (6115 SW Hinds)
WEST SEATTLE UKULELE PLAYERS: All levels welcome at this weekly 1 pm gathering. Email westseattleukuleleplayerswsup@gmail.com to see where they’re playing today.
DROP-IN CHESS: High Point Library‘s weekly event is back today, 4-5:30 pm for players under 18. (3411 SW Raymond)
DOG SWIM TIME AT ARBOR HEIGHTS POOL: The annual “Dog Days of Summer” are back this week! Arbor Heights Swim and Tennis Club (11003 31st SW) opens its pool for dogs-only swimming, right before it’s drained for the offseason cleaning. 4-7 pm daily through Friday this week plus noon-5 pm on Saturday. $5/session per dog. (Here’s our story from day 1.)
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 Five Hooks Seafood.
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!
RAT CITY ART AND FOOD WALK: From South Delridge southward, local businesses are hosting dozens of venues and artists tonight, 5 to 8 pm – see the map/list on our partner site White Center Now.
DUSTY 45s FT. SPECIAL GUESTS: Another attraction in White Center tonight: Free live music 6-9 pm at Tim’s Tavern (16th/98th, White Center) with The Dusty 45s featuring Tripp Rezac and The Champagne Cowboys.
WESTIES RUN CLUB ORCA HALF SHAKEOUT: 6 pm at The Good Society (California/Lander), the Westies Run Club‘s Thursday night community run is the official “shakeout run” for this weekend’s Orca Half.
WALKING FOR WELL-BEING: Prefer to walk? Meet at 6 pm at 47th/Fauntleroy for tonight’s group walk – details in our calendar listing.
SKUNK WORKS ROBOTICS OPEN HOUSE: 6:15 pm but you need to RSVP ASAP to get location directions and other info, as previewed here.
ALKI COMMUNITY COUNCIL: From safety issues to community-event plans, lots to talk about at tonight’s in-person-only 7 pm meeting at Alki UCC (6115 SW Hinds).
ADMIRAL PUB TRIVIA: Free to play; win prizes! 7 pm. (2306 California SW)
DJ NIGHT: Extended-weekend spinning starts tonight at Revelry Room (4547 California SW), with DJ Marvelette, 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!
(Photos courtesy Invest in Youth)
Local educational nonprofit Invest in Youth tells us that some of their best tutors come through WSB, so they’re again asking us to help with recruitment. If you can help, here’s how!
Are you interested in giving back to our community, narrowing achievement gaps for neighborhood students and promoting educational equity right here in West Seattle? Invest in Youth offers a unique opportunity to connect one-on-one with a local student for the entire school year beginning in October.
Tutors meet one day a week with the same student in the classroom with other student-tutor pairs, and work on math and reading fundamentals, all while serving as a mentor to foster lifelong academic success.
No experience is necessary; just a commitment to show up for one hour, one day a week. Tutoring starts in early October and launches with a training session to familiarize tutors on how to make the most of each tutoring session.
Roxhill Elementary at E.C. Hughes, Tuesdays 2:40 – 3:40 pm
Sanislo Elementary, Mondays 2:40 – 3:40 pmIn addition to these West Seattle Schools, Invest in Youth also serves Beacon Hill International School (Tuesdays from 3:40 – 4:40 pm) and Thurgood Marshall Elementary in the Judkins Park neighborhood (Thursdays from 2:40 – 3:40 pm).
Visit our website for more information or complete our tutor application to reserve your spot to begin tutoring this fall.
6:02 AM: Good morning! It’s Thursday, September 18, 2025 – fall officially arrives in four days.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
Partly sunny and in the upper 60s today. Sunrise will be at 6:51 am; sunset will be at 7:14 pm.
ROAD WORK
–59th SW in Alki is closed for a month by the school-construction zone.
-“Natural drainage” construction toward the east end of Sylvan Way has just begun.
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 through October 10.
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 (ex-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!
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