9:20 PM: Seattle Fire has a water-rescue response headed to Alki Avenue and 64th SW after a report of someone hanging onto a capsized watercraft – possibly a kayak, per dispatch – about 50 yards offshore.

9:29 PM: SFD responders report another kayaker appears to be towing in the person who was in trouble, or trying to.

9:34 PM: Rescuers, including an SFD boat, are deciding where to take the kayaker once he’s out of the water.

9:36 PM: They’re going to move a medic unit and battalion chief to Don Armeni Boat Ramp and take the kayaker there for evaluation.

10:15 PM: The kayaker was reported to not need/want further treatment and their kayak was to be returned to them at Don Armeni. … Adding a photo of the SFD rescue boat, and kayak, posted in a comment.

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Seattle’s last – and biggest – FIFA World Cup match is tomorrow. Here’s what to know about getting downtown, and more

July 5, 2026 9:19 pm

| 3 COMMENTS

| King County Water Taxi | West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts | WS & Sports

By Macey Wurm
Reporting for West Seattle Blog

The 2026 FIFA World Cup’s Seattle leg will come to a close tomorrow with the USA v. Belgium match kicking off at 5 p.m. The two teams will be competing for a place in the quarterfinals – the USA’s first time in this position since 2002.

In light of the big day, the city will continue some of its previous game day traditions, but also plans additional street closures, fan zone operating times, and watch parties in anticipation of larger crowds tomorrow. Here’s what to know if you’re going to or through downtown, whether you have match tickets or not:

Fan celebrations will commence at Pier 58 tomorrow morning starting at 10:30 a.m. accompanied with DJs, fan activations, food, drinks, and more.

Fans are invited to participate in the USA “March to the Match” taking off from the pier around 3 p.m. SeattleFWC26 recommends that fans without tickets to the match itself remain at Pier 58, or will be directed to exit the march before the crowd reaches Seattle Stadium.

Some changes will be made to fan celebrations including the opening of the Pioneer Square Pedestrian Zone (map above) 30 minutes earlier, at 12:30 pm, and a new watch party in the Chinatown-International District dubbed “Kicking it in the CID.” The party will be hosted at Hing Hay Park, with doors opening at 4 p.m.

SDOT plans to close additional streets including portions of Alaskan Way beginning in the early afternoon and lasting through the duration of the march. (Details here.) Additionally, the northbound SR 99 exit to Dearborn Street and Alaskan Way will be closed until the march is out of the area. Generally, SeattleFWC26 recommends that for traveling downtown, drivers should consider taking the I-5 or SR 99 tunnel.

For West Seattle residents looking to get downtown, the West Seattle Water Taxi route will be providing additional service from 8:45 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Boats will depart from each dock – Seacrest here, Pier 50 downtown – every 20 minutes, but the King County Water Taxi advisory notes that if boats hit capacity, they will depart early.

If you’re not heading downtown but want to watch the match with other fans, we checked around for watch parties; Ounces already has one in the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, and other venues planning watch parties include Admiral Pub (2306 California SW), West Wings (2329 California SW), The Westy (7908 35th SW), Beveridge Place Pub (6413 California SW), and The Bridge (California/Graham) will be showing the match. (Any place else? Let us know and we’ll add.)

ADDED MONDAY: So far we also have Easy Street Records/Café (4559 California SW) and The Good Society (California/Lander).

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WEST SEATTLE COYOTES: Seaview, Puget Ridge sightings

July 5, 2026 8:36 pm

| 0 COMMENTS

| Coyotes | West Seattle news

Two coyote sightings, both with photos:

SEAVIEW: Adam sent this today:

I know that coyote sightings have increased this spring and summer. This one was farther north and we suspect it may be the one that we think killed our cat a month ago. It was about 5:50 PM on the 5th. It was spotted on the corner of Southwest Brandon St and 44th Ave Southwest near the West Seattle Nursery.

My concern is there are families and pets walking around and are vulnerable to a predator like that. Fortunately, it did have a fear of humans and my wife and I chased him down south toward Graham St.

Another warning to those in the neighborhood to keep their small animals indoors or monitor them if they are out. Our beloved cat Buster wasn’t so lucky.

PUGET RIDGE: KH saw this one at 16th/Holly last Monday around 6:30 am:

You can scroll through our 19 years of archived coyote sightings here.

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Here’s how West Seattle Summer Fest will change next Sunday’s Farmers’ Market

July 5, 2026 5:41 pm

| 5 COMMENTS

| West Seattle Farmers' Market | West Seattle festivals | West Seattle news

That’s the view looking through the barricades at the north end of today’s West Seattle Farmers’ Market, toward where the market will be held next week on the final day of West Seattle Summer Fest. It’s standard now for the market to be located one block north of its usual spot on Summer Fest Sunday, but this year it’ll be a bit different, because – as we first reported last month – SW Oregon will be closed to through traffic at California, so you’ll be able to move seamlessly along the entire stretch of the festival grounds. The block where you’ll find the Farmers’ Market on Sunday is where you’ll find the main stage on Friday and Saturday. And the extra festival space on SW Oregon means “wraparound” outdoor cafés for Shadowland, Dumplings of Fury, and Snapdragon, plus bonus food vendors – with offerings including sandwiches, ice cream, and “pineapple drinks.” The Farmers’ Market hours will be the same as always, 10 am-2 pm, and overall festival hours on Sunday will be 10 am-5 pm. More previews in the days ahead, as we get ready for Summer Fest Eve on Thursday (streets close by 4 pm to start setup) and the festival beginning at 1 pm Friday.

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Brown water reported in Alki area

July 5, 2026 3:53 pm

| 0 COMMENTS

| Utilities | West Seattle news

Just got a note from an Alki resident reporting discolored water. No incidents on the Seattle Public Utilities water-trouble map, so this could be sediment (rust) stirred up from hydrant use (SFD has certainly had a busy 24+ hours). If you notice it, always report it to SPU’s round-the-clock center at 206-386-1800, as there’s also always a chance it could be first indication of a system problem.

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UPDATE: Crash on Harbor Avenue

July 5, 2026 1:48 pm

| 16 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

1:48 PM: Thanks for the tips. Multiple SFD units and SPD are at a crash scene near Salty’s (1936 Harbor SW); no details of the crash yet but avoid the area for a while.

2:21 PM: This crash involved a car driver and motorcycle rider. We’re checking with SFD regarding injuries. SPD radio indicates the scene is not yet clear.

3:47 PM: Traffic map indicates the street is no longer blocked.

9:40 PM: SFD spokesperson David Cuerpo says the rider is an 28-year-old man who was in serious condition when taken to a hospital.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Stolen burgundy Vanagon (update – found); also – found license plate

July 5, 2026 11:43 am

| 8 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

Two reports:

STOLEN VANAGON: Hilarie hopes you might help find her classic van, stolen from the street overnight:

Our beloved 1988 Volkswagen Vanagon was stolen from outside our home last night in West Seattle. This van means a lot to our family and has been part of countless adventures over the years. We’re hoping our community can help us find it.

Vehicle Description:
• 1988 Volkswagen Vanagon
• Dark burgundy color
• Washington plate: 918 YSU
• Distinctive Vanagon body style with tinted windows
• Tow hitch on rear bumper

Stolen from the Arbor Heights area of West Seattle. If you see it parked anywhere, driving around, listed for sale, or have any information at all, please … contact the police immediately. Even the smallest tip could help.

We’ll add the SPD # when we get it.

5:13 PM UPDATE: Hilarie says her van’s been found!

FOUND LICENSE PLATE: Megan wonders if this might have belonged to a stolen car:

She saw it in the grass along 60th SW between Hanford and Hinds.

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READER REPORT: ‘My hero’

July 5, 2026 10:48 am

| 11 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle people

Every year, we hear about the loud fireworks of the Fourth followed by quiet volunteerism on the Fifth, as neighbors go out to clean up after those who left debris and trash behind. Andrew sent this photo of one in action:

I caught this neighbor red-handed cleaning up the beach at Lincoln Park after last night’s … festivities…

She’s my hero! Thank you, Neighbor!

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WEST SEATTLE SUNDAY: What’s up, post-holiday

July 5, 2026 6:55 am

| 0 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

Thanks to David Hutchinson for the photo of last night’s Lake Union fireworks, seen from Seacrest. Our post-holiday Sunday has a short event list; here’s what’s on it, mostly from our West Seattle Event Calendar:

PANCAKE BREAKFAST: The Alki Masonic Center (40th/Edmunds) invites you to its monthly pancake breakfast, 8:30-10 am.

NO SUNDAY FUNDAY RUNDAY: The Westies Run Club is taking a break this holiday weekend.

AMERICAN MAH JONGG: In The Junction, weekly Sunday morning games are happening at The Missing Piece (4707 California SW), 9:30 am.

ANNIVERSARY SALE: West Seattle’s only comic-book store Tails to Astonish (5633 California SW) will be open 10 am-2 pm for the conclusion of their 5th anniversary sale: “Select back issues are 80% off sticker price or if not priced just $1 each or 10 for $2.50!!!! Plus, all kids get 1 FREE book!”

WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: Open every Sunday year-round on California SW between Oregon and Alaska, 10 am-2 pm, now in early-summer produce-and-products season – lettuce, greens, microgreens, peppers, mushrooms, beans, garlic, fruit (strawberries, cherries, blackberries, apricots …), more – and many options for baked goods, cheeses, meats, fish, poultry, fresh- and pre-prepared foods, nuts, condiments, pasta …

NO MASTER GARDENERS AT THE MARKET: Volunteers are taking a break this holiday weekend.

FREE NIA CLASS: Begins at 10:15 am; first class free if you pre-register. At Inner Alchemy Studio/Sanctuary. (3618 SW Alaska)

SPRAYPARK SEASON: Daily splashing at the Highland Park Spraypark (1100 SW Cloverdale), 11 am-8 pm.

WEST SEATTLE TOOL LIBRARY: Open today! Need a tool but don’t need/want to, or can’t, buy it? You’ll probably be able to find it at, and 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)

COLMAN POOL: Noon-7 pm, daily operation continues at the outdoor pool on the shore at Lincoln Park – see the session schedule here. (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW)

WADING POOLS OPEN TODAY: Forecast is for sunny and 70+ so these two city-run wading pools should be open, both noon-7 pm: Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW) and EC Hughes (2805 SW Holden).

WELCOME ROAD WINERY: You’re welcome Sunday afternoons at this West Seattle tasting room (with a patio!) open 2-5 pm, kids and dogs welcome. (3804 California SW; WSB sponsor; note we haven’t yet confirmed today’s hours)

SOCCER: West Seattle Junction FC plays at home vs. FC Olympia, 2 pm at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle), get your ticket(s) here!

MUSIC AT THE COFFEEHOUSE: 3-5 pm, Circle of Songs unplugged music at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor).

MODERN CLASSIC BOOK CLUB: 3 pm at Paper Boat Booksellers (4522 California SW), “Fight Club” is this month’s title.

‘WISH YOU WERE HERE’: Closing-day matinée performance of ArtsWest‘s play, 3 pm – online tickets are sold out but you can go to the box office in person before the show to get on the waitlist. (4711 California SW)

BLACK TEA AT REVELRY ROOM: 7 pm-midnight, late-night tea service with host Jack Sanders, info and RSVP here. (4547 California SW)

UNDERGROUND TRIVIA AT CORNER POCKET: Trivia starts at 7:30 pm – free to play, and you can win prizes! (4302 SW Alaska)

LIVE JAZZ AT THE ALLEY: Music to end the weekend! 8-10 pm, jazz with the Triangular Jazztet at The Alley (behind 4509 California SW).

Organizing, or assisting with, an event that we could add to the WSB community calendar – whether one-time or recurring? Please email the basic details – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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