West Seattle, Washington
24 Friday
11:50 PM: SFD and SPD are headed to Beach Drive SW and SW Canada [map] after a report of a crash involving a car that’s reportedly on its side after its driver hit a house and parked vehicles. Updates to come.
11:57 PM: Officers just told dispatch they’re going to have Beach Drive closed both ways “for quite a while.” Meantime, SFD reports one person is trapped inside the vehicle that’s on its side, a “small SUV.”
12:14 AM: Added a photo just received via text. Also, SFD told dispatch they’re taking the driver to the hospital.
12:24 AM: Police just told dispatch they’ve reopened southbound Beach Drive.
1:25 AM: Another texter reports the vehicles are being towed and scene is being cleaned up, sending these photos:
Thanks to Kate for the photos – she reports this is in Sunrise Heights, in the 7100 block of 30th Ave SW.
We’re continuing to feature your Halloween display photos every night during the spooky season – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Just in from Alki Community Council president Charlotte Starck, word that tomorrow night’s scheduled monthly meeting is outta there:
We’ve heard the powerful voice of baseball fans. :) We are canceling tomorrow night’s 7 pm Alki Community Council meeting to allow everyone to enjoy the Mariners playoff game. We look forward to rescheduling with our presenters and seeing you in person at our next meeting Thursday, November 20th.
After their 13-4 loss to Toronto tonight at T-Mobile Park, the M’s are still up 2-1 in the best of seven American League Championship Series; first pitch Thursday is just after 5:30 pm.
Taya sent this photo out of desperation:
The car, a Honda Fit with plate starting in 7BT, is blocking their POD from getting picked up from the Alki neighborhood her family is about to move out of. Taya says the city can’t tow it for at least a week and it’s been there at least five days. If it’s your car, she begs you, come move it!
The Seattle School Board has narrowed the list of superintendent candidates to two. We first reported three weeks ago that board president Gina Topp, who represents West Seattle and most of South Park, revealed they had 41 qualified candidates; eight were chosen for interviews through what a district news release describes as a “blind evaluation process” – reviewed without information on their names, locations, alma maters, and other affiliations. After those interviews, board members have settled on two finalists and plan to interview them one week from today. There’s been some criticism of the fact that the hiring process is proceeding without community members getting to meet the candidates; Topp is quoted in tonight’s news release as saying confidentiality was vital: “This approach allowed us to attract an outstanding pool of applicants, including sitting superintendents and other strong leaders who might not otherwise have applied.” The job is currently held by Fred Podesta, who was appointed after Dr. Brent Jones’s departure, but he did not express interest in holding the position long-term.
5:12 PM: This was broadcast on Seattle Police air as Guardian One following a car that had eluded King County Sheriff’s Office deputies twice today.
5:16 PM: According to an update on SPD radio, the “suspect vehicle” (described earlier as a GMC Denali) is near 35th/Barton. The incident happened somewhere outside West Seattle; when first mentioned on SPD air, the vehicle was passing through South Park.
5:30 PM: A ground search is under way too, we’re told, including a K-9 team. (That’s a reason for the loudspeaker messages people are mentioning.)
5:38 PM: The helicopter has moved on. We don’t know if that means progress in ground search, but we’re attempting to reach KCSO to check (and to ask what the people in the vehicle were wanted for in the first place).
6:34 PM: KCSO spokesperson Brandyn Hull tells us, “I believe this started off as a traffic stop around Olson PL SW & Myers Way. The driver eluded deputies twice today and once last month. While they recovered the car, they are still looking for the suspect for felony flight – attempting to elude.”
(WSB file photo, Morgan Junction drop box)
King County Elections drop boxes will open tomorrow, with more than 1.4 million general-election ballots now on the way. You should get yours by Monday (October 20) – if you don’t, call KCE at 206-296-VOTE. Here are the races you’ll see on your ballot if you’re registered to vote in West Seattle (asterisks denote incumbents, and names are published in the order they’ll be on the ballot):
KING COUNTY EXECUTIVE
Girmay Zahilay
Claudia Balducci
SEATTLE MAYOR
Katie Wilson
Bruce Harrell*
SEATTLE CITY COUNCIL, CITYWIDE POSITION 8
Alexis Mercedes Rinck*
Rachael Savage
SEATTLE CITY COUNCIL, CITYWIDE POSITION 9
Dionne Foster
Sara Nelson*
SEATTLE CITY ATTORNEY
Erika Evans
Ann Davison*
SEATTLE SCHOOL BOARD, DISTRICT 2
Kathleen Smith
Sarah Clark*
SEATTLE SCHOOL BOARD, DISTRICT 4
Joe Mizrahi
Laura Marie Rivera
SEATTLE SCHOOL BOARD, DISTRICT 5
Vivian Song
Janis White
SEATTLE SCHOOL BOARD, DISTRICT 7
Carol Rava
Jen LaVallee
SEATTLE PORT COMMISSION, POSITION 1
Ryan Calkins*
SEATTLE PORT COMMISSION, POSITION 3
Hamdi Mohamed*
SEATTLE PORT COMMISSION, POSITION 4
Toshiko Grace Hasegawa*
34TH DISTRICT STATE SENATOR
Emily Alvarado* (D)
34TH DISTRICT STATE HOUSE POSITION 1
Brianna Thomas* (D)
STATE RESOLUTION 8201 (constitutional amendment regarding long-term-care investing)
KING COUNTY PROP 1 (Medic One replacement levy)
SEATTLE PROP 1 (education levy renewal/expansion)
SEATTLE PROP 2 (B&O tax changes)
If you use a KCE dropbox, your deadline is 8 pm November 4. If you’re using USPS, this year the recommendation is to mail it at least a week before Election Day, so that would be October 28.
Three biznotes today, all related to reinvention in one way or another:
LADY JAYE’S TEMPORARY CLOSURE: Thanks for the tip! The Junction restaurant/bar at 4523 is closed for the next week. It had recently announced a plan to focus on sandwiches, and it had been on the market a while too. So we asked proprietor Evan Carter what the closure’s about. His reply: “We decided not to sell, just to revamp the menu and make it more approachable to ALL of West Seattle. So we will be doing our new concept called LJ 4.0 which will be headlined by the Wagyu Smash Burger as well as the other sandwiches that we have mastered over the last 6 years of running this restaurant and doing our daily specials :) But we will have a consistent menu that will be priced so everyone can enjoy. It will be like an elevated sandwich shop but still have the Lady Jaye restaurant feel and the same great cocktail and whiskey selection.” See for yourself starting October 22.
THE CLAY CAULDRON’S PERMANENT CLOSURE: Proprietor Frances Gifford tells us she’s closing The Clay Cauldron (5214 Delridge Way SW) at the end of the month. But first – a party this Saturday:
In a followup exchange after we received this announcement, Frances confirmed she’s retiring, though she and associates are looking for a new place to start a pottery studio with which she’ll help out.
DREAM DINNERS GOES INDIE: The meal-prep business in outer Jefferson Square is now independent, rather than a franchisee, but they’re still there to help you save time and solve dinner dilemmas. You’re invited to a freezer sale – what’s in the freezer(s), ready to take-and-bake, not the appliances themselves! – and open house this Saturday, 11 am-1 pm. They’re on the southwest corner of 41st Avenue SW and SW Alaska.
Every year, Seattle University circulates the Public Safety Survey, open for a month and a half, with findings provided to Seattle Police and used in planning. Today’s the first day the survey is open this year – here’s the announcement:
Seattle University is administering the annual citywide Seattle Public Safety Survey, which is accessible at publicsafetysurvey.org from October 15th through November 30th and is available in Amharic, Arabic, Chinese, English, Korean, Oromo, Somali, Spanish, Tagalog, Tigrinya, and Vietnamese. The purpose of the survey is to solicit feedback on public safety and security concerns from those who live and/or work in Seattle. A report on the survey results will be provided to the Seattle Police Department to help them better understand your neighborhood’s safety and security concerns and community-police dialogues will be held in May-August 2026 to provide opportunities for police-community engagement about the results. More information on the Seattle Public Safety Survey, which is part of the Seattle Police Department’s Micro-Community Policing Plans (SPD MCPP), can be found on the SPD MCPP website.
All available language versions are linked from the main survey page. It’s not a quick survey, so if you don’t have time right now, you can use our ShareThis link to send the story to yourself as a reminder)
We’ve heard from victims of two burglaries early today:
HOME BURGLARY IN GATEWOOD: Burglars broke glass to get into Paul‘s home this morning:
At approximately 6:10 am, there was an attempted break-in at our home at 36th Ave SW and SW Othello. We were asleep and heard the very loud crashing of them busting through our rear sliding door.
We immediately started yelling to scare them off and called 911. They were able to snag a purse off of our dining-room table as well as stealing our Yeti cooler under the deck. They immediately ran off once they knew someone was home. They did unscrew our front porch light bulb so there was some planning involved. Two vehicles were seen departing the area – a sedan and SUV (unfortunately I didn’t have my glasses on so no further details). Incident number is 25-301510. We are just now learning it appears they also broke in to our neighbors vacant house first, and stole items there including their vehicle (a blue Subaru sedan).
ALKI COFFEE/BEN & JERRY’S BURGLARIZED AGAIN: Received from co-proprietor Jonathan:
I am unfortunately writing this email to let you know that for a second time in 3 months we had a break in at our Alki Coffee/Ben & Jerry’s shop where they stole our cash drawer and safe. It happened this morning around 4 am. It appears that they somehow jimmied the sliding doors in the front to enter, which set off the alarms so they were in and out pretty quick.
Unfortunately due to the multiple break-ins that have occurred, we are going to be changing how we do things at the shop and will no longer be accepting cash as a form of payment and will carry no cash on premises going forward.
While it is incredibly frustrating and sad that this keeps happening not just to us, but to other small businesses along Alki, we plan to keep working with our neighbors and the community to make Alki a safer place for local businesses to thrive and where people can gather, connect, and enjoy this special neighborhood together.
(To Jonathan’s last point – we had reported just last night on a community event hosted there over the weekend.) Meantime, the SPD incident # for this is 25-301471.
(Fall-colors contrast! Photo by Jerry Simmons)
We know, there’s just one marquee event in Seattle tonight. But in case you’re interested in alternatives – here’s what’s happening, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar (and if we’re missing something – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thanks!):
SANISLO ELEMENTARY DINE-OUT FUNDRAISER: All day at Puerto Vallarta in The Junction, open until 11 pm. During dinner (5-8 pm), a piñata is planned around 6:30 pm
WALKING FOR WELL-BEING: 10 am Wednesday walks leave from 47th/Fauntleroy (this is our weekly last-minute reminder, so would-be walkers can set their calendars for next Wednesday morning!).
TODDLER READING TIME AT PAPER BOAT: 10:30 am at the bookstore. (4522 California SW)
SOUTHWEST ARTIST SHOWCASE: The show continues, with art on display all around Southwest Library (9010 California SW), so you can visit any time during regular hours, 12 pm-8 pm today.
FREE MOVIE AT THE LIBRARY: Also at Southwest Library, free all-ages screening of “Karate Kid: Legends,” 2:30 pm.
FREE KIDS’ ART WORKSHOP: With Rec’N The Streets at Delridge Library (5423 Delridge Way SW), 3 pm.
WATCHING THE GAME: We’re building a list if you don’t have a favorite spot to watch – check back here later as we add more – first pitch is right after 5 pm.
ONLINE PUBLIC MEETING FOR 2345 HOBART: 5 pm, as previewed here, the city is taking comments on a project that requires an exemption because of an Environmentally Critical Area on the site.
ROCK BAND GAMING AT MR. B’S MEAD CENTER: 5-10 pm, new weekly event in South Delridge! (9444 Delridge Way SW)
FIX-IT WORKSHOP: Fix your broken item instead of throwing it out! Weekly event, free (donations appreciated), 5:30-7:30 pm at West Seattle Tool Library (4408 Delridge Way SW, northeast side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center).
POTTERINGS OPEN STUDIO: 6-8 pm, drop in and create! If you want some inspiration, this month’s spotlight project is a seasonal pumpkin luminary. (3400 Harbor SW)
FREE ART CLASS: 6-8 pm, pay what you can, all levels invited to explore watercolors at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW).
WEST SEATTLE URBANISM: All are welcome at the group’s weekly happy-hour meetup, 6-8 pm at Great American Diner & Bar. (4752 California SW).
FAUNTLEROY FERRY TERMINAL COMMUNITY ADVISORY GROUP: Last scheduled meeting of this longrunning group, which will receive and discuss updates on the project, 6 pm online. Our calendar listing includes the link for registering to watch (no public-comment period).
WEDNESDAY NIGHT RUN: An energetic way to mark the middle of the week – the weekly 6:15 pm group run with West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) – all welcome, regardless of pace!
LIVE MUSIC AT THE LOCOL: 6:30 pm. 21+. Rotating performer lineup. (7902 35th SW)
MORGAN COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION: 7 pm at West Seattle Church of the Nazarene (42nd SW and SW Juneau) – agenda highlights are in our calendar listing.
HIGH-SCHOOL SPORTS:
MUSIC BINGO: Weekly music bingo at at The Good Society (California/Lander), 7 pm.
KUNDALINI YOGA: 7 pm at Inner Alchemy Studio/Sanctuary (3618 SW Alaska). $35.
TRIVIA x 3: Three West Seattle trivia spots on our Wednesday list (be aware that game-watching might delay or cancel): Larry’s Tavern (3405 California SW) has Wednesday trivia at 8 pm … Quiz Night also starts at 8 pm at Beveridge Place Pub (6413 California SW) … and it’s an 8:30 pm start for trivia with Phil T at Talarico’s (4718 California SW), all ages until 10 pm.
SKYLARK OPEN MIC: West Seattle’s longest-running open mic – 7:30 pm signups for the weekly event at The Skylark. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
KARAOKE AT ADMIRAL PUB: You’re invited to sing at the pub starting at 8:45 pm. (2306 California SW)
Planning something that’s open to community participation/observation? Please send us info so we can add it to West Seattle’s only comprehensive event calendar! westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
As noted in the morning traffic/weather info roundup, we asked Metro whether they were considering adding West Seattle Water Taxi runs for the Mariners’ playoff games. Spokesperson Al Sanders tells us yes:
The West Seattle Water Taxi will be running post-game service on Wednesday [tonight], Thursday and (if needed) on Friday. Sailing times from Pier 50 will be at 8:30 p.m., 9:30 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.
If the Mariners do make it to the World Series, the Marine Division will consider additional service on a game-by-game basis.
6:02 AM: Good morning! It’s Wednesday, October 15, 2025.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET
The forecast for today is sunny, high in the low 60s. Sunrise will be at 7:28 am; sunset, at 6:20 pm.
(This week’s snow-capped Olympics, photographed by Chris Frankovich)
TRANSIT TODAY
Washington State Ferries – WSF has 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; ferry alerts will update with any changes.
Metro buses – On regular schedule and routes.
Water Taxi – Now on regular West Seattle service, fall/winter schedule, no more later-night service scheduled until spring. (We’re asking if they’re considering changing that plan for the M’s playoff run, though! UPDATE: They will run postgame service. Speaking of which …)
STADIUM ZONE
Mariners are back home to play Toronto in Game 3 of the best-of-seven American League Championship Series, first pitch shortly after 5 pm.
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, maritime-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!
1:49 AM WEDNESDAY: “Found naked robbery and kidnap victim on our porch,” the text began. It was about an incident we’d heard a bit about on the scanner – police were looking for robbers in a blue/white Astro Van somewhere around 28th/Roxbury. Radio exchanges indicated the victim was robbed of everything, including his clothes, by someone he’d met up with regarding selling coins, The robber implied a gun. The texter said the victim told them “he was robbed by multiple attackers at (Roxbury) Safeway, assaulted, then dumped in our street,” half a mile away. They said medics took the victim away for treatment. We’ll see what else we can find out from police later this morning.
ADDED 10:47 AM THURSDAY: Here’s the police-report summary:
At 0028 hours, a victim stated that he was selling rare coins in the area of 27 Ave SW/SW Cambridge St. The victim stated that van pulled up and he got inside the van to attempt to sell the coins. The victim stated that the van was occupied by two males, and one put a hard object to the back of his head. The victim stated that a gun was implied but not seen. The suspects struck the victim in the head with a hard object and stole his coins, clothes, other personal items. The suspects drove the victim to the 10000 BLK of 31 Ave SW and pushed him out of the van. The victim knocked on a community member’s door and 911 was called. Officers conducted an area search for the suspects and cameras. Officers didn’t locate the suspects.
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