day : 05/11/2025 15 results

WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: SPD announces warrant arrest (updated Thursday)

November 5, 2025 11:45 pm

| 7 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

ORIGINAL WEDNESDAY NIGHT REPORT: Announced late tonight via SPD Blotter:

Seattle police detectives in the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force and federal law enforcement partners arrested a 23-year-old man in possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM).

On Nov 5, ICAC detectives, Community Response Group officers, and agents in the Federal Bureau of Investigations and the Department of Homeland Security executed a search warrant and arrest operation in the Delridge neighborhood.

Police arrested the suspect without incident.

ICAC detectives interviewed the suspect and booked him into the King County Jail for possession and distribution of CSAM. Detectives also recovered CSAM evidence at the scene.

No other information; we’re following up.

THURSDAY NIGHT UPDATE: The suspect was released from jail tonight. We didn’t get any additional information on the case from prosecutors today; all we know is that the jail docket indicates it was a “court action” release, not a “posted bail” release – there’s no indication that bail was even set. We checked court files and there’s no indication the suspect had a record.

BIZNOTE: Alki Smoke Shop and Grocery wraps a successful first week

November 5, 2025 9:09 pm

| 39 COMMENTS

| West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

By Hayden Andersen
Reporting for West Seattle Blog

Nestled next to Alki Surf Shop at 2622 Alki Avenue SW, Alki Smoke Shop and Grocery is the beach neighborhood’s newest store. Today marks one week of business, owner Jane told us, saying that she’s incredibly grateful for the community’s response.

What became Alki Smoke Shop and Grocery started first as an idea for a restaurant, although she quickly realized that something the beachfront was sorely lacking was a grocery. “Alki is a really popular destination,” said Jane, “and we had a great opportunity to lease a small space. This will be perfect for the neighborhood, especially in the summertime.”

The grocery currently stocks smoke-shop items such as cigarettes, as well as a variety of snacks (such as mac and cheese, spaghetti, and cereal), and some household products (paper towels, tissues, cleaning products, batteries).

Jane says they have no plans to stop there, and the warm community reception has inspired them to keep expanding their stock, including purchasing a cooler by the end of this week to stock eggs and dairy products. “Lots of neighbors have dropped by and welcomed us,” she said. “We’ve appreciated it so much, and we’ve been asking people what they want to make a list and meet the community’s needs.”

Alki Smoke Shop and Grocery is open from 9 AM to 9 PM, 7 days a week (in the space that held Brocante Beach House before their move to The Junction). You can reach the store at 206-566-6618.

PREVIEW: West Seattle Thriftway’s 2025 ‘Holiday Taste’ tomorrow

November 5, 2025 7:56 pm

| 0 COMMENTS

| Holidays | West Seattle news

(WSB file photo)

The holiday season is about to start – and here’s proof: Tomorrow night (Thursday, November 6) brings the annual “Holiday Taste” festival of samples at West Seattle Thriftway (California/Fauntleroy; WSB sponsor). More than 20 vendors are expected for the 4-7 pm event, plus your chance to taste what the store’s own kitchen is offering this holiday season. Just drop in!

Having a holiday-related community event? Send info ASAP for our calendar and Holiday Guide – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

UPDATE: Bus breakdown on Admiral offramp from West Seattle Bridge

November 5, 2025 5:49 pm

| 5 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

5:49 PM: Thanks for the tips, even before we heard the dispatch – a Metro bus is reported to be broken down and blocking the Admiral Way offramp from the westbound West Seattle Bridge.

6:56 PM: Commenter reports it’s cleared.

UPDATE: Seattle Fire ‘full response’ on Belvidere

November 5, 2025 4:44 pm

| 5 COMMENTS

| West Seattle fires | West Seattle news

4:44 PM: Seattle Fire has a full response arriving in the 3700 block of Belvidere SW [vicinity map] and has declared it a “working fire.” Updates to come.

(Added: WSB photos unless otherwise credited)

4:46 PM: Firefighters told dispatch that everyone has gotten out safely.

4:49 PM: They’ve just declared the fire “under control.”

(Added: Photo sent by SeanO)

4:53 PM: And now SFD says the fire is out. They’re dismissing some units.

5:12 PM: Our crew at the scene has talked with a resident who confirms no one was hurt, and with the incident commander, who says the fire was limited to the garage. They expect the residents to be able to go back in soon.

SCHOOLS: Seattle School Board plans to hire Ben Shuldiner from Lansing, Michigan, as new superintendent

November 5, 2025 4:34 pm

| 4 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

4:34 PM: “This is an important moment for our district,” began Seattle Public Schools Board president Gina Topp, as the meeting happening right now who revealed who they want to hire as the district’s new superintendent: Ben Shuldiner, currently superintendent in Lansing, Michigan.

4:50 PM: Shuldiner spoke briefly to the board and those in attendance after board members voted unanimously to open contract negotiations with him. He said he’d “like to believe I’ve found my permanent home,” and that he intends to “shepherd a new beginning” for SPS and to “make it the greatest urban school district in America.”

4:54 PM: He’s been superintendent in Lansing (official photo at right) for (corrected) four and a half years. Online archives also reveal he was a finalist for the superintendent job in Clark County, Nevada – Las Vegas and vicinity – this past March, a job for which he told a reporter he was recruited though he wasn’t actively looking for something new. Then in May, he was a finalist for superintendent of Jefferson County, KY, schools.

Meantime, as for the job here, Topp said they hope Shuldiner will be able to join SPS in “early 2026.” Both of them are scheduled to talk with reporters soon, and it appears that will be streamed live on SPS TV.

5:31 PM: The aforementioned news conference is starting, with district officials and other board members also present. … Among the others there, Brian Vance, West Seattle High School‘s principal, introduced as president of the Principals Association of Seattle. … Topp says Shuldiner “builds trust (and) solves problems.” Topp says that in three years, the graduation rate of Shuldiner’s current district has grown from 62 percent to 88 percent. She says his current district also has come back from the financial brink. (“Sound familiar?” she asked rhetorically.) He says SPS has the “brilliant” students and staffers – they just need to “create the right systems and structures” to advance.

5:49 PM: A Garfield HS journalist asked Shuldiner how he’ll tackle SPS’s budget deficit. He said, among other tactics, he’s a strong believer in “school-based budgeting.” … Responding to another question, he said he’d like to connect with the community by holding Town Halls in each board district. … The Q&A opportunity ended at 5:56 pm.

ELECTION RESULTS: Here’s the second round

November 5, 2025 3:42 pm

| 27 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

3:42 PM: Just in – the second round of election results. First, here’s the latest in the Seattle Mayor’s race, with Harrell adding a point to his lead:

SEATTLE MAYOR
Bruce Harrell* – 73,883 – 53.84%
Katie Wilson – 62,700 – 45.69%

Next, the closest major race, King County Executive.

KING COUNTY EXECUTIVE
Girmay Zahilay – 160,021 – 50.56%
Claudia Balducci – 152,455 – 48.17%

The candidates are both County Councilmembers; Zahilay has added to his election-night lead over Balducci. Checking other races next… Note that many ballots remain to be counted; in the first round of results, 20.26% of King County ballots had been counted, while in today’s second round, it’s up to 24.05%. The ballot-return stats, meantime, have 32.2% of ballots received, and more are doubtless making their way in via USPS.

4:20 PM: No changes in other races on your ballot. We should note that five incumbents went unopposed, so they’ve all won: 34th District State Senator Emily Alvarado, State House Rep. #1 Brianna Thomas, Seattle Port Commissioners (a countywide vote) Ryan Calkins, Hamdi Mohamed, and Toshiko Grace Hasegawa. Next round of results will be out tomorrow afternoon.

UPDATE: About the emergency response at Delridge/Andover

November 5, 2025 3:28 pm

| 2 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS breaking news

3:28 PM: A few people have asked about the sizable police/fire response at Delridge/Andover. Radio communication indicated police were dealing with a combative person in crisis, and they called for SFD help so he could be taken to Harborview Medical Center for emergency behavioral-health care.

4:27 PM: We went back to re-listen to incident audio, and what happened, according to police and dispatch, is that an officer who was transporting someone in custody wound up in contact with the person in crisis, who was trying to get into his patrol car, so first the officer called for SPD backup, and then medical help.

FOLLOWUP: ‘SS Minnow’ finally removed from Don Armeni Boat Ramp

November 5, 2025 2:12 pm

| 17 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

2:12 PM: Thanks to Stewart L. for the report and photos. The boat that’s been occupying a parking spot at Don Armeni Boat Ramp – the Gooey, recently renamed “SS Minnow” by an onlooker with a ’60s-TV-show memory – has finally been removed. Stewart watched the tow crew arrive and take on the task:

He says, “They picked it up, swung it into position; a large boat trailer came, the boat was put on the trailer, the engine was picked up and put in the boat, and soon they will haul it away!” He says a crew was cleaning up the parking space post-removal, too. It’s been two months since the boat first made news after multiple reports that it appeared to be sinking; one month ago, Seattle Parks told us that once the boat was removed, the city will seek reimbursement via the state’s Derelict Vessel Removal Program.

ADDED 3:14 PM: Another pic from Stewart L. – the actual departure:

GIVE THE GIFT OF LIVE: Appointments open for West Seattle blood drive in honor of a brave little girl

November 5, 2025 12:49 pm

| 2 COMMENTS

| Health | How to help | West Seattle news

If you can donate blood, here’s another chance to do it in West Seattle: Alki Elementary invites community participation in this one-day blood drive in honor of a brave little girl, and available appointments are open now:

Please join us for Pepper’s Pals Blood Drive in honor of Alki’s very own student, Pepper!

Who: Adults 18 and over. 16 and 17 year olds can donate with a permission form. Bring your photo ID.
When: Tuesday, November 18, 11 am-5 pm (37 appointment slots, 1 hour each)
Where: Alki Elementary School Parking Lot, inside the Bloodworks Northwest Bus!
(Schmitz Park Elementary) 5000 SW Spokane St (please park in the neighborhood)

How: Make an appointment here! Appointments are required. If anyone is not sure how to use the link and needs help booking an appointment, they can contact the Bloodworks Northwest DONOR CARE TEAM at 1-800-398-7888 or e-mail schedule@bloodworksnw.org

*Please note: Children under the age of 16 are not allowed onsite. Please make sure to schedule an appropriate appointment time.

About Pepper

Our brave daughter Pepper has been through an incredible journey.

In the fall of 2024, Pepper was in Mrs. Kramer’s kindergarten class (her twin brother Ace was in Mrs. Fiedorczyk’s class). Just days after their 6th birthday, Pepper was diagnosed with aplastic anemia – a rare condition where the bone marrow stops making blood cells.

After many months of treatment, countless hospital stays, and hundreds of blood and platelet transfusions, Pepper successfully received her bone marrow transplant and is doing remarkably well!

Blood donors saved Pepper’s life – during those long months waiting for transplant and again when her counts recently crashed. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for donating and paying it forward to patients who need you.

Thank you to everyone who is working together to make this event a success! Pepper’s Pals Blood Drive is a collaboration between Bloodworks NW, Alki PTA, Alki Elementary School, Girl Scout Troop 42174, and Pepper’s amazing family.

SOCCER: Chief Sealth IHS girls to play for district championship

November 5, 2025 11:12 am

| 0 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

Another high-school team is one win away from the state tournament! Last night in district competition, the Chief Sealth International High School girls’ soccer team defeated Nathan Hale HS, after winning their first game in the district tournament Saturday (WSB coverage here), so they’ll play for the district championship tomorrow (Thursday, November 6) night. The 6 pm game is against, and at, Cedarcrest HS in Duvall; the winner goes to the state tournament.

UPDATE: Crash at 29th/Trenton

November 5, 2025 10:34 am

| 8 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

10:34 AM: Thanks to David for the photo. A three-vehicle crash at 29th SW and SW Trenton, west of Westwood Village, means you’ll want to avoid that area for a while. No major injuries reported but we’ll follow up with SFD, which did send an engine but cleared it relatively quickly.

11:15 AM: Police just told dispatch the intersection is temporarily closed in all directions for cleanup/tow.

11:32 AM: And they’ve just updated to say it’s all clear, open all ways.

12:22 PM: SFD tells us they treated a 58-year-old woman at the scene, not life-threatening injuries.

Dine-out fundraisers, music, art, books, much more on our West Seattle Wednesday list!

November 5, 2025 9:59 am

| 0 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news

(Seacrest Pier photo by Kevin Freitas)

Here’s what’s on our Wednesday list, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar (and if we’re missing something – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thanks!):

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!).

SOUTH SEATTLE COLLEGE FOOD TRUCK: As previewed here, it’s open to the public, 10:30 am-12:30 pm at the campus clock tower, and today culinary students are serving Japanese-inspired cuisine. (6000 16th SW)

TODDLER READING TIME AT PAPER BOAT: 10:30 am at the bookstore. (4522 California SW)

DINE-OUT FUNDRAISER FOR ROXHILL ELEMENTARY: The Westy (7908 35th SW) is donating part of its proceeds to Roxhill Elementary again today and Thursday. It’s 21+ for dine-in but the fundraiser covers takeout too. Open 11 am-midnight. Use the code ROXHILL.

AMERICAN MAH JONGG: 2-4 pm, play at the newly reopened Missing Piece (4707 California SW).

DINE-OUT BENEFIT: 3-10 pm, a portion of proceeds at Mission Cantina (2325 California SW) will benefit the Lafayette Elementary PTA.

FREE KIDS’ ART WORKSHOP: With Rec’N The Streets at Delridge Library (5423 Delridge Way SW), 3 pm.

DROP-IN HOMEWORK HELP: Volunteers are ready to help K-12 students 4-7:30 pm at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond).

SCHOOL BOARD MEETING: Announcement of the board’s choice for superintendent is the only topic at today’s 4:30 pm meeting. After the announcement and vote, the prospective new superintendent is expected to talk with reporters at district HQ at 5:30 pm, along with board president Gina Topp.

ROCK BAND GAMING AT MR. B’S MEAD CENTER: 5-10 pm, new weekly event in South Delridge! (9444 Delridge Way SW)

‘WICKED’ SINGALONG: Tonight’s the night! 5:30 pm at The Admiral Theater (2343 California SW), to benefit Endolyne Children’s Choir – our calendar listing has the ticket link.

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 trio of personalized holiday-tree ornaments. (3400 Harbor SW)

PIANO NIGHT AT WALTER’S: 6-9 pm, your monthly chance to sip and listen! (4811 California SW)

PLAY CRIBBAGE: 6 pm at West Seattle Eagles (4426 California SW), membership not required.

WEST SEATTLE URBANISM: No meeting tonight.

WOMEN-OWNED MICROBUSINESS MEETING: 6 pm at Mr. B’s Mead Center (9444 Delridge Way SW).

WEST SEATTLE CLASSIC SF BOOK CLUB: 6 pm at Paper Boat Booksellers (4522 California SW; WSB sponsor) – this month’s book is “The Continuous Katherine Mortenhoe” by DG Compton.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT RUN: Get moving in the middle of the week – the weekly 6:15 pm group run with West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) is tonight – all welcome, regardless of pace!

LIVE MUSIC AT THE LOCOL: 6:30 pm. 21+. Rotating performer lineup. (7902 35th SW)

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 5: Now FIVE West Seattle trivia spots on our Wednesday list: New, at Future Primitive Beach Bar (2536 Alki SW), 7 pm, free to play … 7 pm at Admiral Pub (2306 California SW), free to play … 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: 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!

THURSDAY: High School Reading Night during West Seattle Book Club

November 5, 2025 9:09 am

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle books | West Seattle news

Tomorrow night, first Thursday of the month, is West Seattle Book Club night, with venues all over the peninsula opening their doors to readers. We got word of an addition this time – one venue, Easy Street Records (4559 California SW), will be welcoming students:

Educator Amy Vattuone sent word of this, explaining, “We are working with West Seattle Book Club to build regular reading nights for teens that build community and foster a love of reading.” To participate, just bring whatever you want to read – that’s the special sauce of WSBC, readers’ choice – find a place to sit, and read!

TRAFFIC CAMS, WEATHER, TRANSIT: Post-election Wednesday

November 5, 2025 7:20 am

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

7:20 AM: Good morning! It’s Wednesday, November 5, 2025.

WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET

The forecast for today: Showery, breezy, possible afternoon/evening thunderstorm, high in the upper 50s. Sunrise was at 7 am; sunset will be at 4:45 pm.

TRANSIT TODAY

Washington State Ferries – WSF says the Triangle Route is still on a two-boat schedule “until further notice,” with M/V Cathlamet and M/V Chimacum. 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.

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!