West Seattle, Washington
27 Friday
Two West Seattle Crime Watch reports tonight:
PARK GUNFIRE AGAIN: For the second consecutive night, police have found evidence of gunfire in the south lot at Westcrest Park, after a 911 call. No other details yet – this happened within the last half-hour – and no reports of injuries.
(added 10:30 pm) SECOND GUNFIRE INCIDENT: Second gunfire incident of the night was reported before 10 pm in the 9000 block of 17th SW – casings found after a man driving a gold or beige pickup was reported to have fired from/inside his truck.
STOLEN MAIL FOUND, RETURNED: Vanessa sent the report and photo:
Just heads up, this morning I found a trail of open package materials and stolen mail on Bradford and 41st all the way down to Olympia Coffee on California. I sorted and delivered the mail I found and returned it to people’s homes. Some of the group mailboxes definitely had some damage from them being pried open. Just be on the lookout! Some of the mail was W-2s so lots of sensitive info. Also saw a broken window on a car on the same block where mail was stolen. Maybe the same thieves?
If you heard fireworks a little while ago, they were probably a lot closer than Lumen Field – seen above in Jerry Simmons‘s photo – but same reason: The Seahawks beat the L.A. Rams 31-27 and are headed to the Super Bowl for the first time since 2015 – February 8, 3:30 pm, in Santa Clara, California. Where will you watch? First Super Bowl party announcement we received – even before the Seahawks’ win – is from Ounces in North Delridge (all ages, “well-behaved pups” welcome too). We’ll add all the announcements we receive to the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Good news for Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth ferry-route travelers – the route is back to three-boat service as of Monday, according to Washington State Ferries, which says the boats that broke down, cutting Triangle Route service (and elsewhere), are now fixed.
5:40 PM: Even if you didn’t see the flyover before the Seahawks game, you might have heard the jets (we did). The team says these were two F-15EX Eagle IIs from the 123rd Fighter Squadron of the Oregon Air National Guard.
Thanks to Steven Rice for the two photos above, and Jerry Simmons for this one:
The squadron is based in the Portland area.
7:01 PM: The Seahawks won (lots of fireworks as a result) and are headed to the Super Bowl, February 8 vs. the New England Patriots.
With the Seahawks‘ conference-championship game under way, we have one of our periodic game-day mini-galleries of bird photos sent by readers – starting, above, with the real-life “seahawk,” an Osprey, photographed by Steve Bender, who added the caption. Steve also sent these next three photos – Barrow’s Goldeneyes:
A Mallard:
And Canada Geese:
Also by the sea, a Gull photographed by @alexdavismitt
Also in the fog, a Hummingbird view from Troy Sterk:
Thanks again for the bird photos (which we also publish with some of our daily event lists, between galleries, like this one) – westseattleblog@gmail.com any time!
(WCN/WSB photo – center, WCCDA leaders past and present, Sili Savusa and Aaron Garcia)
On our partner site White Center Now, one of Saturday’s biggest stories – community leaders and elected officials gathering to celebrate the newly opened White Center HUB and adjacent Canopy Apartments, a mixed-use complex at 8th SW and SW 108th [map], now the new home of nonprofits including the White Center Community Development Association, which has long been working to bring the HUB to life. It’s also home to community resources from day care to a health clinic, plus an event venue. See our full story, including video, by going here.
Reader eeports in Crime Watch this morning:
CATALYTIC-CONVERTER THEFT ATTEMPTS: We haven’t heard catalytic-converter theft mentioned in a long time (we were among the victims in an earlier wave). But this morning, two notes – Joanna reported:
just wanted to give a heads up about a car catalytic converter thief who is driving around Beach Drive. They did not (succeed) but they have been caught twice trying to steal the converter. Police have been notified. They seem to be driving between the hours of 3 AM-5 AM.
Then we heard from Anthony:
About 3:55 am in the 5400 block of Beach Dr SW, heard loud grinding sounds outside. Looked out the window and saw two persons at the passenger side of my car. One was lying down very close to the passenger door and the other was standing near looking at him. Yelled for them to get away. Went to front door and yelled again. They then left in a black newer crossover which had been standing in the southbound lane next to my car, on Beach Dr.
Examining my car, they had made a single complete cut through the pipe from the engine to the exhaust.
About a half hour later a dark car returned, parked again next to my car and a person was walking around to the passenger side of my car. I opened the door to my home and yelled, fervently, that they should quickly leave. They did. I went out to examine my car. There was a black knit cap next to the driver’s-side door that had NOT been there a half hour before. Talking to the police officers about a half hour later, they remarked that that they couldn’t recall a converter theft report for several years.
They took the hat.
Our archives remind us this type of theft was especially frequent in 2022.
MAILBOXES BROKEN INTO, AGAIN: The report and photo are from Keenan:
I live in a 16-unit townhouse complex on 44th Ave SW between Oregon and Genesee. This morning I noticed our shared mailbox was broken into last night and the doors are currently open. My neighbors reported this happening last year as well – this is only the latest incident. The post office has not been helpful at all – the only solution is for them to change the master locks on all of the mailboxes in the area so the stolen key the thieves have no longer opens our box. But they refuse to help.
Family and friends will gather Thursday to remember Dan Winnie and are sharing this remembrance now:
Master Sergeant (Ret., USAF) Daniel Robert Winnie passed away on January 8, 2026.
Born in 1956, Daniel grew up in South Everett and attended Saint Mary Magdalen and Mariner High School, where he was a member of the swim team, Civil Air Patrol, and ROTC.
Upon graduating, he entered the United States Air Force, beginning a 24‑year career. Dan was a combat veteran who served in Afghanistan, Grenada, Iraq, Kuwait, Panama, Saudi Arabia, and many other places. He was in Berlin when the Wall fell.
Following his military retirement, Dan flew for Kalitta Charters, where his missions involved returning the remains of fallen servicemembers to their families. Later he moved to West Seattle and enjoyed working as a flight instructor.
Daniel had an unbounded sense of adventure. He explored six continents by air, truck, and motorcycle. A few years ago, he completed a one‑month, 48‑state motorcycle ride – having ridden to Alaska the year before. He loved camping, whether alone or with friends. Like a true Winnie, he appreciated a strong cup of black coffee and good conversation. He always had a story to tell, including his long‑running feud with the neighborhood raccoons.
Dan enjoyed what he called his “$500 hamburgers” – flying his Cessna with a friend a few hundred miles to a small airport, sharing a meal, and savoring the time spent in the air.
Quiet generosity was one of his defining traits. The list of people he helped is too long to mention. Typically, whenever Dan left on a trip, he ensured the outside automatic cat feeder was correctly loaded so his feral friends would be fed.
Daniel is survived by his sons, Shawn and Michael; his sisters Ellen Winnie (Ralph Lindberg), Susanne Howard, Kat (Brad) Kirby, and Sharon Cline; and his brothers Randall Winn, Steven (Sheri) Winnie, and David Winnie. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews, and by many dear friends who became his second family – most especially his lifelong friend, Sue‑Lon Webert.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Doris Winnie; his brothers Robert Jr, Joseph, and Eric; his nephew Jonathan; and brother-in-law Jim. As he wished, his corneas were donated to restore eyesight to others.
Services honoring Dan will be held at Evergreen Washelli Funeral Home, 11111 Aurora Ave N, Seattle, on January 29. Viewing will begin at 10:00 a.m., followed by a short service at 11:00 a.m. Please bring your fond memories.
Following the ceremony, Dan will be interred at Tahoma National Cemetery in a ceremony beginning at 2:00 p.m. Afterward, join us for light refreshments at Lake Wilderness Lodge Maple Room, 22500 SE 248th Street, Maple Valley. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Seattle Children’s Hospital, a favorite charity of his.
All friends and family are warmly invited to attend and remember Dan with us.
(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to westseattleblog@gmail.com)
(Skyline at dusk with Seahawks colors and 12 flag on Space Needle – photo by Greg Snyder)
Wondering what’s up before and after – maybe even during – The Game? Here’s our highlight list from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar (where you’ll find more listings!):
SUNDAY FUNDAY RUNDAY: The Westies Run Club starts its 9 am run at Dough Joy Donuts today. (4310 SW Oregon)
FREE WEST AFRICAN DANCE CLASS: Go get moving! 9:30 am at South Park Hall (1253 S. Cloverdale).
AMERICAN MAH JONGG: Also in The Junction, weekly Sunday morning games at the new location of The Missing Piece (4707 California SW), 9:30 am.
SUNDAY MORNING MEDITATION: See if there’s space in the small-group meditation session at 9:30 am at Mama Be Well Healing Studio (4034 California SW).
OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE: 10 am-1 pm, prospective families and students are invited to visit the school. (34th/Myrtle; WSB sponsor).
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: Open as usual on California SW between Oregon and Alaska, 10 am-2 pm, now in winter produce-and-products season – roots, greens, peppers, mushrooms, beans, garlic, apples, more – plus lots of baked goods, cheeses, meats, fish, prepared foods, condiments, pasta, more.
FREE NIA CLASS: Begins at 10:15 am; first class free if you pre-register. At Inner Alchemy Studio/Sanctuary. (3618 SW Alaska)
WEST SEATTLE TOOL LIBRARY: Need a tool but don’t need to, or can’t, buy it? You’ll probably be able to borrow it from the Tool Library, open 11 am-4 pm on the northeast side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center. (4408 Delridge Way SW)
WEST SEATTLE RESIST: Regular weekly West Seattle Resist Sunday sign-holding event, 11:30 am-1:30 pm. South of Farmers’ Market. (California SW and SW Alaska)
HOLY ROSARY SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE: Noon-1:30 pm, prospective families and students are invited to visit. (42nd SW and SW Genesee)
WELCOME ROAD WINERY: Spend part of your Sunday afternoon relaxing at this West Seattle tasting room (with a patio!) open 2-5 pm, kids and dogs welcome. (3804 California SW; WSB sponsor)
WEST SEATTLE CLASSIC NOVELS (AND MOVIES) BOOK CLUB: 2:30 pm chat, 3 pm discussion, second half of “Dr. Zhivago” is this month’s topic at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor).
SEAHAWKS GO FOR NFC CHAMPIONSHIP: 3:30 pm game at Lumen Field vs. the L.A. Rams. If you’re going, remember you can take the West Seattle Water Taxi because Metro is adding postgame sailings.
TRIVIA AT MR. B’S MEAD CENTER: 5 pm to 8 pm, trivia with host Morgue Anne, free to play! (9444 Delridge Way SW)
FREE COMMUNITY MEAL: 5:30 pm at Bethany West Seattle (8600 9th SW), everyone’s welcome to enjoy a free hot meal.
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, 5:30 pm and onward tonight. Tickets and info here.
UNDERGROUND TRIVIA AT CORNER POCKET: 7:30 pm, free to play, win prizes! (4302 SW Alaska)
LIVE MUSIC AT THE ALLEY: 8-10 pm, wrap up your weekend with live music with the Triangular Jazztet at The Alley (behind 4509 California SW).
Are you planning, organizing, and/or publicizing something that we could add to the WSB community event calendar – one-time or recurring? Please email us the basic details – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
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