West Seattle, Washington
17 Tuesday
10:18 PM: Police and fire are arriving at the scene of what’s reported to be a car that went off the West Seattle Bridge down to East Marginal Way. Four people are reported hurt, three seriously. Updates to come.
(Added: Photo by Tim Durkan)
10:25 PM: They’ve gotten everyone out of the crashed car, which is reported to be a Chevy Cruze that landed upside down. They haven’t said where they believe the car went off the bridge, but this is the address given to the response.
10:30 PM: So far they’re investigating the theory that the car went off the bridge on the offramp to 99. (Of note for those who don’t read this in real time, it’s raining fairly heavily right now.)
10:41 PM: Medics told dispatch all four patients are on the way to Harborview. Two of the four have been described as possibly 17 and 20 years old; the driver has been described as female.
10:50 PM: Added a photo. The ramp to 99 will be closed for the investigation, police just told dispatch.
10:57 PM: Now they’re saying via radio that this is actually the Harbor Island offramp from 99.
5:20 AM: SPD says one crash victim, a teenage boy who was ejected, has died, and the other three, including the 16-year-old girl who was driving, are in the hospital with “serious or critical injuries.”
ADDED MONDAY: The King County Medical Examiner’s Office identifies the crash victim who died as 18-year-old Jayden T. Campbell.
ADDED TUESDAY: He and at least some of the victims were from the Olympic Peninsula, according to this Peninsula Daily News report (thanks to Barbara for sending the link).
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
The online public meeting for a development proposal at 2345 Hobart Avenue SW (backstory here) was meant for comments on the latest proposal for the site.
But the proposal was so new, city reps weren’t fully acquainted with it, admitted planner Joe Hurley, presiding over the meeting. A project manager for the proposal surfaced during the meeting, as a commenter, to talk about it. When the public meeting was scheduled, the plan had a duplex and a stand-alone house. Now the latter has been removed, and only the duplex remains.
All the same, neighbors are concerned that any development on the site, much of which is in an Environmentally Critical Area, will threaten the stability in the area. They requested a meeting to get their concerns more conspicuously onto the record as the Department of Construction and Inspections reviews the proposal to decide whether to allow part of the project to get an Environmentally Critical Area exemption.
Hurley said the public meeting was the result of nine comments calling for one, mainly concerns about slide risks and inadequate analysis of the site.
The project manager promised a “detailed stormwater analysis” was planned, and that the project would include repairs of the “Hobart washout.” She said the duplex that’s now the only building planned on the site is similar to what’s been approved for a neighboring site; both are owned by the same family, which she notes lives in the area. She suggested the site’s zoning meant they could build more than they’re seeking to. She also said the site holds some “unhealthy” trees but that rather than being removed, they’ll be “snagged” so their roots remain to aid with soil stability. Finally, she said the plan would have two offstreet-parking spaces for each unit (that too had been a concern, more cars than spaces could lead to onstreet parking in an area where the road is already narrow).
One commenter wanted clarity on the percentage of the site’s ECA that could potentially be built over; the meeting’s purpose was to record comments, not answer questions, so that went unanswered.
Others who spoke included a lawyer for some of the property owners, who said they understood that the city couldn’t place an “undue burden” on a property owner by ordering that an entire site be left undeveloped, but, they asked, would allowing one unit instead of two be enough to relieve that burden?
A nearby resident also cited a policy saying that granting an ECA exemption shouldn’t be “injurious” to those nearby, and she thinks this would be – putting her and neighbors at risk. That was echoed by another neighbor, who said the project could be at best an inconvenience but at worst do harm.
The concerned neighbors also got some support from regional tree advocate Sandi Shettler, who called out a deficiency in the site report, saying it didn’t list the existing trees’ species.
Though they didn’t all speak, the meeting drew more than 20 attendees, according to the counter on the video software.
Next step, the city will continue reviewing the project and will make a decision on the exemption request, with the decision open to appeal.
Tonight’s Halloween-season decoration spotlight features ghostly sights in a Fauntleroy yard: A reader who wanted to remain anonymous sent this photo from SW Director Street, west of 45th Avenue SW. Thanks to everyone who’s sent photos and videos – we still have 13 nights to go until Halloween, so please keep sending to westseattleblog@gmail.com – or text 206-293-6302 – thank you!
(Added: Photos by Tim Durkan)
4:44 PM: Police are in the High Point area investigating what radio exchanges described as an armed robbery at Walgreens just before 4:30 pm. They’re looking for two Black men in their early 20s, dressed all in black, 5’9″, one with a gun, possibly having gotten away in a Kia Sorento (no color mentioned). They are reported to have gotten away with cash.
4:47 PM: One person has been taken into custody. … Police just told dispatch a moment later, “a large amount of money has been recovered.” They’re in the 32nd SW, SW Holly, SW Morgan area.
5:06 PM: The suspect in custody is described as a juvenile male. And now police are deducing the getaway vehicle they’re looking for is NOT a Sorento (what it was, they haven’t yet said).
5:28 PM: They’re still searching for evidence near the arrest scene (and the second robber remains on the loose).
7:22 PM: With a K9’s help, officers told dispatch, they’ve found a gun near the arrest scene. Meanwhile, the juvenile suspect was reported to be on his way to the Youth Services Center.
ADDED MONDAY AFTERNOON: We requested narrative from this case; SPD has instead posted some additional details in a “blotter” update. The suspect is 17 years old; they found him via a “tracker placed inside the stolen cash.” $1,523 was recovered. The gun later found nearby during a K9 search is described as having been loaded, with an extended magazine. The post also confirms what was mentioned during the search – that “two suspects, matching similar descriptions, robbed another Walgreens pharmacy [in Federal Way] about an hour before the Seattle robbery occurred.” We’re checking on the suspect’s status with prosecutors.
Thanks to AA for mentioning this in the WSB Community Forums: Pete-e Petersen has died, The Seattle Times reports. Our video above shows Ms. Petersen (in glasses) and her wife Jane Abbott Lighty being cheered in December 2012 after they left the King County Administration Building as the first same-sex couple to get a marriage license. They were West Seattle residents at the time; Ms. Petersen was 85 years old that night, and had shared her life with Lighty for more than three decades by then. The Times reports she died a day short of her 98th birthday, that she and her wife have lived at a Shoreline memory-care facility for the past three years, and that Ms. Petersen will be remembered at a public memorial service next weekend, 3 pm Sunday, October 26, at First Congregational Church in Bellevue. (Read Times reporter Catalina Gaitán‘s detailed story about Ms. Petersen’s life here.)
2:31 PM: Thanks for the tip and photo. A multi-vehicle crash, also including a Metro bus, has backed up traffic on the onramp from Avalon/Spokane to the eastbound West Seattle Bridge. Tow trucks were reported to be on the way. No serious injuries reported. But if you need to get to the eastbound bridge, try another route for a while.
3:31 PM: Another texter sent this photo of the bus:
No camera at that spot so we don’t have an update on whether it cleared.
11:32 AM: Thanks to Ian for the first photos. The “No Kings” gathering in the West Seattle Junction is happening now, an informal rally for those not planning to go to the main Seattle rally downtown.
11:37 AM: Hundreds of participants are crossing the intersection on the “Walk All Ways” light, standing on the corners inbetween, as shown by these two traffic camera screengrabs we took :30 apart four minutes ago:
11:54 AM: We have a reporter arriving in the area. Meantime, watching the live traffic cam, it’s not quite Portland-level goofiness, but we’ve noted costumes including inflatable-assisted unicorn, chicken, and dinosaur.(Also, a bald eagle.) Bucky also reports a bagpipe player. … Our reporter says there are also participants at other Junction intersections, including 42nd/Alaska and Oregon/California. And they’re lining California north and south of Alaska, to midblock.
12:19 PM: The 42nd/Alaska group has moved on. Our reporter, who’s been walking the perimeter, saw a few at California/Edmunds. And here from two minutes ago is an updated screengrab from the live-video SDOT cam at California/Alaska:
We’ve also been looking around for any signs of police monitoring; haven’t seen any marked cars or uniformed officers, no reported need for them either.
1:05 PM: We’ve moved on but are keeping an eye on the overhead traffic cam. Here’s a screengrab from two minutes ago:
The “official” end time for this is 2 pm. Meantime, as listed in our event calendar, a South Park group was planning to rally about now, and the “Old Tyme Adults for Democracy” group plans to be at Admiral/California at 2 pm.
1:56 PM: Traffic camera still shows crowds on the corners. Meantime, two more photos sent by readers:
(Photo sent by Jerry)
(Photo sent by Dave)
ADDED 7 PM: Thanks to JCV for sending more photo, including closeups of a couple characters we mentioned above:
We weren’t able to get photographers to last night’s high-school football games but wanted to let you know that both teams won big: West Seattle HS remains undefeated, now 6-0, with a 58-6 win at Ingraham; Chief Sealth IHS is 4-3 after a 57-0 home win against Nathan Hale at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex. Next week, WSHS plays Hale at 7 pm Thursday at NCSWAC; CSIHS plays on the road Friday vs. Lincoln.
(Northern Flicker, photographed by Don Brubeck)
Here’s our West Seattle list for your Saturday, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar and inbox:
SATURDAY GROUP RUN: Kick-start your weekend with a run! West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) leads Saturday 8 am free group runs!
SALTY HALF MARATHON & 10K: 8:30 am from Don Armeni Boat Ramp (1222 Harbor SW).
VACCINE CLINIC: 9 am-3 pm at Chief Sealth International High School (2600 SW Thistle), open to all, but follow that link to get an appointment first.
URBAN FARMING WORKSHOP: 9 am at Puget Ridge Edible Park (18th/Brandon), last workshop in a series about growing food in an urban community garden, as previewed here. Today’s topic: “Summer gardening. Daily harvesting and succession planting.”
HEAVILY MEDITATED: Free 9 am community meditation at Inner Alchemy Sanctuary/Studio (3618 SW Alaska) – register here.
GUIDED WEST DUWAMISH GREENBELT HIKE: Meet at 9:30 am at Pathfinder K-8 lot’s south end (1901 SW Genesee)
HOLY ROSARY SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE: 9:30 am-noon, visit to learn about the school. (42nd SW and SW Genesee)
INTRODUCTORY WALK: First of two sequential weekly walking events – meeting at the same spot, 47th SW and Fauntleroy Way, first at 9:30 am for a flat-terrain 1-mile walk.
WALKING FOR WELL-BEING: That’s followed by this 10 am walk, which you can join even if you didn’t go on the introductory walk. Meet at 47th SW and Fauntleroy Way.
SSC GARDEN CENTER: The Garden Center at South Seattle College (6000 16th SW, north end of campus), is open 10 am-3 pm.
DELRIDGE FARMERS’ MARKET: Second-to-last week to shop at this market! Open 10 am-2 pm, Saturdays through October, in and around the courtyard at Hope Academy in South Delridge (9421 18th SW). Fresh produce, cooked-on-site food, sweet treats, body-care products, more, with a focus on BIPOC farmers/vendors!
MORNING MUSIC AT THE COFFEEHOUSE: 10:30 am-noon at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), Marco de Carvalho and Friends perform. Info about Marco’s music is here.
FAMILY STORY TIME: 10:30 am at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond).
FREE WRITING GROUP: On hiatus; no gathering this week
FAMILY READING TIME: At Paper Boat Booksellers, 11 am family reading time. (4522 California SW)
NO KINGS WEST SEATTLE: If you can’t or don’t want to go to the main regional gathering at Seattle Center, hundreds are planning to rally at California/Alaska, 11 am-2 pm.
GLASS PUMPKIN PATCH & BLOWING DEMO: Noon to 4 pm, Avalon Glassworks (2914 SW Avalon Way) is open for live glass-blowing demos, and art-glass pumpkin-patch shopping, as part of “Refract.”
‘FEATHER IN THE WIND’ ART POP-UP: 12-6 pm, second day of multi-artist weekend show in the upstairs annex at Alki Arts (6030 California SW)
LOG HOUSE MUSEUM: The home of West Seattle’s history is open noon-4 pm on Saturdays. (61st SW/SW Stevens)
VIETNAMESE CULTURAL CENTER: The center is open to visitors noon-3 pm, as explained here. (2236 SW Orchard)
VISCON CELLARS TASTING ROOM/WINE BAR: Tasting room open for you to enjoy wine by the glass or bottle – 1-6 pm at Viscon Cellars (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor).
CLAY CAULDRON RETIREMENT CELEBRATION: 1-3 pm, food, music, crafts, with studio closing at month’s end (5214 Delridge Way SW)
SOLIDARITY SOUTH PARK: In conjunction with No Kings, all welcome to meet up at South Park Plaza just southwest of South Park Bridge and walk up onto the bridge.
ARTSCORPS BACK TO SCHOOL CELEBRATION: 1 pm at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW), all welcome.
NORTHWEST WINE ACADEMY TASTING ROOM, WINE BAR, STORE: On the north end of the South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus:
The Northwest Wine Academy Tasting Room, Wine Bar, and Retail Store are open Thursday-Saturday from 1-6 pm. Come taste and purchase our student-produced wine! The Northwest Wine Academy features a large tasting room and retail store. While tasting one of our current releases, you can request a tour of our barrel room and bottling area.
OLD TYME ADULTS FOR DEMOCRACY: 2-2:30 pm demonstration at California SW and SW Admiral Way.
MASONIC LODGE OKTOBERFEST: One last chance to get your beer and brats on! 2-6 pm at Alki Masonic Lodge (40th SW and SW Edmunds), $15 at the door.
PRIDE FAMILY BOOK CLUB: 2:30 pm at White Center Library (1409 SW 107th), the White Center Pride Committee hosts this gathering for rainbow families and allies.
FREE FOOD: Burb’s Burgers celebrates 1 year at Ounces (3809 Delridge Way SW) with free food for the first 60 people who arrive, starting at 3 pm.
FREE MASSAGE: 3-5 pm walk-in clinic offering short, specific massages at Nepenthe. (9447 35th SW)
‘CUP OF BLESSING’ FOR WS FOOD BANK: First Lutheran Church of West Seattle (WSB sponsor) presents this benefit for the West Seattle Food Bank, 5 pm, details in our calendar listing. (4105 California SW)
FALL FESTIVAL AT BRIDGE SCHOOL: The cooperative elementary (10300 28th SW) invites everyone to its fall festival, with cider, popcorn, more.
MUSIC AT THE COFFEEHOUSE: 6-8 pm at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), Roo Forrest and Friends play originals and covers. All ages, no charge.
ARTSWEST GALA: “An Eternal Feud,” fundraiser at The Hall at Fauntleroy (9131 California SW) for ArtsWest, 6 pm.
LAUNCH PARTY: Treo Organic Salon in Fauntleroy is launching a hair-care line and inviting you to the launch party tonight, 6-10 pm. (9251 45th SW)
LIVE MUSIC AT THE POGGIE: Two bands, Soul Dust and Primate Five, 7 pm, no cover. (4717 California SW)
‘THE ROOMMATE’ AT ARTSWEST: 7:30 pm curtain, final weekend for the current play at the Junction playhouse; ticket link in our calendar listing. (4711 California SW)
OUT AT THE BOX, HALLOWEEN EDITION: 8 pm drag show at Box Bar (5401 California SW), 21+, no cover.
LIVE AT THE SKYLARK: 8 pm (doors at 7) tonight it’s Bigfoot Curious, Dreams Down Deep, 21+, $10. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
SALSA DANCE PARTY: 8-10 pm at Pegasus Pizza (4720 California SW).
REVELRY ROOM DJ: Saturday spinning starts at 9 pm – tonight it’s Soul Focus FM at Revelry Room. (4547 California SW).
SATURDAY NIGHT SK8 PARTY: 9 pm-midnight, with rotating DJ Josh and DJ NightMere, 21+, at Southgate Roller Rink (9646 17th SW, White Center).
KARAOKE AT TALARICO’S: Our Saturday list concludes as usual with 10 pm karaoke at Talarico’s Pizzeria. (4718 California SW)
Got a West Seattle event coming up? If community members are welcome, your event is welcome on our calendar! Please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
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