day : 27/12/2025 10 results

11:59 PM: Police were checking out simultaneously dispatched reports of crashes at Fauntleroy/39th and Fauntleroy/Avalon. First they reported the two were likely related; now they’ve told dispatch that a pole is down at Fauntleroy/Avalon and the signal lights are out. (No outage on the City Light map, though.) Meantime, radio exchanges also indicate a driver is being investigated for suspected DUI in the midst of all this. Avoid the area.

1:22 AM: Tried to get close enough to see the pole, but couldn’t. We can report, however, that traffic is getting through the area, and the only light affected is where Avalon and Fauntleroy meet – 35th/Avalon/bridge signals are working. If the pole in question has to be repaired/replaced, you may see city crews there later, though.

UPDATE: Police arrest driver after crash on Olson Place (info added Sunday)

December 27, 2025 9:42 pm

| 4 COMMENTS

| Myers Way | West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

9:42 PM: SPD, SFD, and KCSO are all at the scene of what’s described as a “high-speed crash” blocking Olson Place near Arrowhead Gardens. At least two people are reported to be hurt, with possible serious injuries involved, according to what responders have told dispatch; the crash was described as a pickup truck driver hitting either a tree or pole. Westbound traffic is being diverted onto Myers Way.

9:59 PM: They’re calling for a tow truck and for an SDOT cleanup crew because of a “fluid spill” estimated at up to 200 feet long.

10:55 PM: An officer at the scene just told dispatch that the road will reopen as soon as SDOT picks up its cones. At least one person was taken to the hospital; we’ll follow up with SFD on the victims.

ADDED SUNDAY NIGHT: A short summary from police:

At 2125 hours, 911 received reports of a driver was driving faster than the speed limit at the 9200 block of Olson PL SW. The driver struck a tree and rail, causing back injury to the passenger. The driver was arrested for DUI, and the passenger was transported to HMC with non-life-threatening injuries. Olson PL SW was shut down for an hour and a half due to fluid spill. The incident was screened with TCIS, and they will do a follow up for possible further charges.

Also, we asked SFD about injuries; they tell us two teenage boys, one 17 and one 16, were taken to Harborview via private ambulance, both in stable condition at the time. We’ll have to follow up with police regarding whether one was the driver or both were passengers.

FOLLOWUP: Westside Neighbors Shelter won’t need to reduce overnight operations

December 27, 2025 9:35 pm

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| Triangle | West Seattle news

One week after we reported that Westside Neighbors Shelter in The Triangle would have to reduce overnight operations for lack of funding, we’ve learned that they’ve raised enough money to avoid having to do that. We checked with shelter board spokesperson Laurie Utterback today to ask if the shelter would still be cutting back on all but “severe weather” nights. She says shelter founder Keith Hughes reports tonight, “We have met our stated goal of $50K that will allow us to stay open through February.” The shelter’s board will discuss its status on Monday, as well as discussing “how to improve operations for the remainder of the current cold-weather season.” Shelter funding covers the relatively new administrative and security staff provided through a collaboration with Highline United Methodist Church, as well as operational costs such as utilities.

WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Gas theft

December 27, 2025 8:19 pm

| 3 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

Reader report received tonight with words of warning:

Reporting on a gas thief in the Morgan Junction area:

Caught on our neighbor’s camera at 5:30 am this morning was a suburban type vehicle stopped in front of our house. In the video, a man drops to the ground and drills a hole in our gas tank to pilfer gas. Unfortunately, we couldn’t make out the license plate.

We’d like to be anonymous, but just wanted to let our community know, as most likely we aren’t the only ones who will be targeted. According to our car dealership, this is a common occurrence and gas thieves look for trucks that are easy to get under.

Here’s what changes when state ferries start winter schedule Sunday

December 27, 2025 6:00 pm

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| Fauntleroy | Transportation | West Seattle news

(Mid-December photo by Jerry Simmons)

One week into winter, Washington State Ferries will launch its winter schedule tomorrow. Here’s what WSF says will change:

Our winter sailing schedule starts Sunday, Dec. 28 and lasts through March 21, 2026. There will be schedule changes for two routes:

-The Seattle/Bremerton route will run a revised winter schedule due to terminal construction.
-The Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth route will switch to the two-boat weekend schedule used each winter.

As a reminder, the Anacortes/San Juan Islands will continue with the fall schedule. This same schedule now runs in the fall, winter, and spring, moving the route to an improved, two-season schedule.

All other routes will operate on their regular winter schedule, available online now.

2026 will bring more portables to West Seattle High School, pending city approvals

December 27, 2025 3:34 pm

| 16 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

(WSB photo after previous portables’ arrival in 2023)

By Hayden Yu Andersen
Reporting for West Seattle Blog

Next school year, West Seattle High School students can expect two more portable units to join the existing four in the school’s parking lot, according to a Seattle Public Schools representative. This follows the ongoing rise in WSHS student population, which sat at 1452 as of October.

Construction is expected to be done over the summer of 2026 while classes are not in session, according to SPS, which says the work is “not expected to impact day-to-day activities.”

We inquired about this after noticing in city online records that permit applications had been filed to construct two more portable classrooms. The filings appeared last month. According to the city’s permit portal, building and land use pre-applications have been approved for a portable “P5” and “P6,” but construction permits are still waiting on approval.

As we mentioned in 2023, the construction of the first four portable classrooms in the WSHS parking lot was a response to a growing student body that then numbered roughly 1300. These new portables would also further reduce the number of parking spaces available for drivers, which was already below zoning requirements in 2023, A zoning departure is being requested for this, according to online city files, which include a site plan showing the two new portables would be placed to the west of the existing four, taking up nine current parking spaces.

Orcas in the area

December 27, 2025 1:13 pm

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| West Seattle news | Whales

Transient killer whales this time: Just texted to us by Kersti Muul: “Orcas T37As aiming for Elliott Bay north of the Seattle-Bainbridge ferry lanes.”

WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Gunfire investigation in Westwood (updated Sunday)

December 27, 2025 11:42 am

| 2 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

11:42 AM: Police responding to a report of gunfire in the 26th/Barton area a short time ago report finding one casing so far, “in the intersection.” No injuries reported; the shot(s) was/were reportedly fired from a vehicle described as a black Chevy Suburban, by someone described as white, male, wearing a black cap. The vehicle was last seen headed eastbound on Barton.

12:05 PM: Went over to Westwood to see if we could get a closer description o where exactly this happened, but police already had left the scene. If you have any information, the incident # is 2025-377518.

10 PM SUNDAY: A few more details are in this SPD summary:

At 1124 hours, officers responded to the area of SW Barton St/26 Ave SW to investigate shots fired. The victim who was driving a King County Metro Access Transport bus stated that while stopped at the traffic light, the driver of a dark-color SUV pointed a handgun towards the bus and fired two shots. There was no damage observed on the bus; one fired cartridge casing was found at the dispatched intersection. There were no passengers on the bus at the time of this incident. Victim was unable to provide any other vehicle or suspect information.

NEW YEAR’S EVE: Two ways to say goodbye to 2025 on foot in West Seattle

December 27, 2025 11:11 am

| 2 COMMENTS

| Holidays | West Seattle news

(WSB photo by Jason Grotelueschen from 2024 Not-So-Silent Night Parade)

If you’re still finalizing New Year’s Eve plans – or open to changing them – here are two ways to walk it out, so to speak, in West Seattle on Wednesday night, as featured in our Holiday Guide:

EMERALD CITY WANDERERS: This group is presenting its annual New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day walks in West Seattle. On New Year’s Eve, you can start from St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church (3050 California SW; WSB sponsor) any time between 3:30 and 6:30 pm – in other words, choose your own start time – and head out on either a 5K or 10K route. Snacks and hot soup await you afterward. (And they’re offering two different routes for walkers on New Year’s Day too (departing between 8:30 am and 11:30 am). Free, but donations are appreciatedDetails are on the ECW website.

NOT-SO-SILENT-NIGHT PARADE: West Seattle’s only New Year’s Eve parade, starring you! Highland Park Improvement Club has been organizing this since the late ’00s. While their building site is in transition (here’s our recent update), the gathering place is Highland Park Corner Store (7789 Highland Park Way SW). All ages, all outfits; bring lanterns, noisemakers, hopes and dreams, and join the walk through nearby HP neighborhoods to bid 2025 farewell, starting at 6 pm. (We counted 100+ participants last year!)

WEST SEATTLE SATURDAY: 17 notes!

December 27, 2025 6:07 am

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| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(WSB photo from Christmas Eve’s late-afternoon sunshine at Alki)

Happy Saturday! Here’s what’s up as we begin the between-holidays weekend:

SATURDAY GROUP RUN: At West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor), you can join the Saturday 8 am free group run – yes, it’s on!

INTRODUCTORY WALK and WALKING FOR WELL-BEING: 9:30 am, walk a mile as a prelude to the 10 am well-being walk (or just show up for that one). Both start from 47th SW and Fauntleroy Way SW.

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.

FREE WRITING GROUP: Taking the week off.

FAMILY READING TIME: At Paper Boat Booksellers, 11 am family reading time. (4522 California SW; WSB sponsor)

LOG HOUSE MUSEUM: The home of West Seattle’s history is closed this weekend for holiday break.

VIETNAMESE CULTURAL CENTER: The center is open to visitors noon-3 pm Saturdays, 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 – and buy your New Year’s wine(s) – 1-6 pm at Viscon Cellars (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor).

NORTHWEST WINE ACADEMY TASTING ROOM, WINE BAR, STORE: Closed for winter break.

FREE MASSAGE: 3-5 pm walk-in clinic offering short, specific massages at Nepenthe. (9447 35th SW)

‘SOBER CURIOUS’? Planning to give up alcohol for “Sober January” – or maybe long-term? 3-5 pm, talk about it with West Seattle friends/neighbors at Bear Island/Admiral Hub (4320 SW Hill)

ASTRA LUMINA: Celestially inspired light show on the grounds of the Seattle Chinese Garden at the north end of the South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) campus, first admission 5 pm. Tickets and info here.

EVENING MUSIC AT THE COFFEEHOUSE: 6-8 pm, Roo Forrest and Friends perform at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), all ages, no cover.

DRAG AT THE SKYLARK: “Hey Baby,” West Seattle’s newest drag show at The Skylark, hosted by Kimme Kash, doors 7 pm, show 8 pm, all ages, tickets and more info here. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

REVELRY ROOM DJ: Saturday spinning starts at 9 pm – tonight it’s DJ Kreole E at Revelry Room. (4547 California SW).

KARAOKE AT TALARICO’S: Again this week, our Saturday list concludes with 10 pm karaoke at Talarico’s Pizzeria. (4718 California SW)

SK8 PARTY: 9 pm-midnight at Southgate Roller Rink (9676 17th SW), with DJs, $18 plus $5 skate rental.

Got a West Seattle event coming up? New Year’s Eve or Day, or beyond? If community members are welcome, your event is welcome on our calendar, which is free of charge, always! Please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!