West Seattle, Washington
01 Tuesday
(Washington Ecology Department photo)
Cleanup work continues tonight at Vigor Shipyard on Harbor Island, where the state Department of Ecology says up to 5,000 gallons of diesel spilled into Elliott Bay.
According to Ecology’s announcement, it happened this afternoon while the USS Sampson was having fuel removed, and a hose failed, sending thousands of gallons into the bay, in an area that had been “pre-boomed” before the removal. Ecology says it’s working with the Navy, Coast Guard, and “response contractors” on the cleanup.
We happened to photograph the Everett-based Sampson (DDG 102) as it was headed toward Vigor last Monday.
(WSB photo, July 6)
Vigor has a quarter-billion-dollar contract for repairs, maintenance, and modernization work on the Sampson.
Thanks for the tip. Police on the scene at the Fauntleroy/Alaska Shell station confirm that a man died there tonight. Just before 8:30 pm, SFD and SPD were called there for a report of “an adult male” overdosing. When they got there, they confirmed the person, found on the Alaska side of the station, had died. When we went over to ask about it, officers said they were waiting for the Medical Examiner’s Office to arrive; they’ll determine the cause of death.
(WSB file photo of shelter/American Legion building at 3618 SW Alaska)
More than a month has passed since the announcement that Westside Neighbors Shelter in The Triangle would close indefinitely. A timeline for its future has not yet been determined. But shelter operator Keith Hughes published an update today announcing what’s not in its future: Permanent closure. His update is on the shelter’s website. “I have had several people stop by the Hall in the last week or so to tell me that they had heard that the Westside Neighbors Shelter had closed and that the building was being sold,” Hughes wrote, recapping backstory and concluding, “… yes, the Shelter is closed right now, as it is summer. We have every intent to reopen when winter comes back around. We still have lots of concerns about to both the financial and procedural guidelines under which the Shelter will reopen, and we are working on those issues during this downtime.” West Seattle has no building-based shelter in the meantime, only the Camp Second Chance tiny-house village on Myers Way; the planned Glassyard Commons RV-and-tiny-house site has yet to start construction.
This report is from Patricia:
This person was stalking two women who were unaware at 9:15 AM this morning. (Leering and pacing their movements, Example, they stopped, he stops, they go faster, he walks faster.) They were alerted and he became agitated. He got on the bus at Admiral in California heading south. Just want folks to be aware, especially women and young girls. Please be aware of your surroundings.
She sent a photo of the person, which you can see here if you choose to click (note that he is making a lewd geature, so view at your own risk). SPD report # is 26-204268.
(2023 photo courtesy West Seattle Arcade)
Above are Elyssa Cichy and Matt Cichy, photographed in 2023 as they were opening West Seattle Arcade on Alki. Flash forward to 2026, and they’re about to celebrate the third anniversary of opening what’s now the first of their two (with Gary’s Place nearby) arcades on Alki. Tomorrow (Tuesday), they’re inviting you over to celebrate at West Seattle Arcade, and you get the gift – buy 100 credits, get 20 free! And that’s not all, Elyssa told us: “As a thank you to the community who has supported us since we opened, we’ll be offering a great deal on Play Credits as well as some treats at the prize counter!” Hours tomorrow will be 10 am to 10 pm.
If you have time, the Center for Active Living could use some of it! Here’s the announcement we were asked to share with you:
The Center for Active Living is a vibrant community center serving adults age 55+ in West Seattle’s Alaska Junction. Through meals, wellness programs, educational opportunities, social activities, and outreach services, The Center helps older adults stay active, connected, and engaged.
Volunteering at The Center is a rewarding way to make a difference while building meaningful connections. Whether you’re serving meals, assisting in the café or thrift store, helping in the kitchen, or providing companionship through our outreach program, you’ll be part of a welcoming team dedicated to supporting older adults in our community. Many volunteers say they leave each shift feeling energized, connected, and fulfilled.
Current Volunteer Needs
-(Critical need) Kitchen Dishwasher operator: Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays 12:00–2:30 p.m., Thursdays 10-12:30 plus substitute shifts.
–Dining Room Servers: Tuesdays, 10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m., plus substitute opportunities.
–Café Attendant: Monday mornings (8:30–11:30 a.m.) and substitute shifts. Morning shifts are 8:30–11:30 a.m.; afternoon shifts are 11:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
–Chef Prep Assistant: Weekday substitute opportunities helping staff chef prepare scratch-made meals.
–Thrift Store Volunteers: Customer service, cashiering, sorting donations, and pricing merchandise on various days and times.
–Westside Friends Outreach: Volunteers to provide companionship and light errands for homebound older adults throughout West Seattle.If you’re looking for a rewarding way to give back while meeting new people and supporting your community, we’d love to hear from you. Training provided and flexible options are available.
-To apply, complete a volunteer application at wscenter.org/volunteer or email dannyp@wscenter.org for more information.
The Center is at 4217 SW Oregon in the West Seattle Junction.
The ongoing King County Wastewater Treatment District project to reduce overflows into the Duwamish River will require work “to learn about conditions below ground,” and part of it means work on and near West Marginal Way SW (areas shown on map above) starting this week, per this alert just circulated:
-Expect temporary lane closures with at least one lane open for vehicles. Crews will clean sites and reopen lanes once work is complete.
-Daytime work will start as early as (today) and continue for up to seven weeks. Work hours are Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
-Crews will work for one night along West Marginal Way Southwest, between Southwest Spokane Street and Southwest Idaho Street. Work will start at 6 p.m. and end at 6 a.m. the next day.
-Work will take place on West Marginal Way Southwest between Chelan Avenue Southwest and Southwest Idaho Street. Crews may work at one to three sites at a time, for up to two days per site.
Overall project details are here.
(WSB photo from 2023)
Thanks to Mike for the tip! Three years after graduating from West Seattle High School, Miles Gosztola has been drafted by Major League Baseball. The Los Angeles Dodgers chose the left-handed pitcher in the draft’s eighth round, according to this report from the University of Oregon, where he’s been playing and studying. After transferring from Gonzaga, Gosztola joined the Ducks’ starting rotation and had a 3.61 earned-run average in 62+ innings. He has two weeks to decide whether to give the majors a shot or continue with his college career.
(Photo by Rosalie Miller – furrow bee, upside down on yellow yarrow)
Here’s what’s happening in the hours ahead, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
TRANSIT MEASURE PUBLIC HEARING: The City Council has begun the first of two all-day-and-night sessions of public comments on the proposed renewal/doubling of the Seattle Transit Measure sales tax. You can register to speak remotely until 10:30 am; registration starts for in-person session (5 pm) at 4:30 pm. Agenda has participation details as well as links to proposal’s text and councilmembers’ submitted amendments.
LOW-LOW TIDE WITH BEACH NATURALISTS: Out to -3.7 feet at 10:30 this morning. (One great way to appreciate the low tide without trampling exposed sea life is to go to Duwamish Head and, from above, look out over the exposed piling remains from long ago.) If you go to Lincoln Park, Seattle Aquarium beach naturalists are there until noon.
HOPE SCHOOL RUMMAGE SALE: One more chance to browse and buy – 10 am to 3 pm at the north campus (4100 SW Genesee).
FAMILY STORY TIME: 11 am at Southwest Library (9010 35th SW).
SPRAYPARK OPEN: Daily splashing continues at the Highland Park Spraypark (1100 SW Cloverdale), whatever the weather, 11 am-8 pm.
WADING POOLS OPEN: With sunshine and 70-degree-plus weather forecast, West Seattle’s regular Monday wading-pool lineup will be open – noon to 7 pm at Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way, upper park near the north lot) and EC Hughes (2805 SW Holden).
COLMAN POOL: Noon-7 pm, daily operation continues at the outdoor saltwater swimming pool on the shore at Lincoln Park – see the session schedule here. (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW)
NO CITY COUNCIL BRIEFING MEETING: Weekly 2 pm meeting is NOT happening today – per the council schedule.
‘LISTENING TO GRIEF’ SUPPORT GROUPS: 6:30 pm, weekly group gatherings for people experiencing grief – you can participate once, weekly, or occasionally. Fee. Before you go, RSVP/register here. (4034 California SW)
D&D: Long-running weekly D&D at 6:30 pm at Meeples Games (3727 California SW). All welcome, first-time players too! $5.
MONDAY NIGHT TRIVIA X 3: Three venues offer you the opportunity for trivia tonight! Music Quiz at Easy Street Records (4559 California SW), 6:30 and 7:30 pm. Also The Good Society (California/Lander) and 7:30 pm with QuizFix at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW).
PRACTICE SPEAKING SPANISH: 6:30-8:30 pm, this informal group meets at Future Primitive Brewing in White Center (9832 14th SW), all welcome – just be serious about speaking Spanish while participating!
ALKI MEDITATION: Two ways to get centered on Monday nights – first, meditation at Alki UCC, doors open at 6:45, meditation at 7. (6115 SW Hinds)
MEDITATION IN FAUNTLEROY: Also – free weekly Zen sitting/meditation in the chapel at Fauntleroy UCC (9140 California SW), 7 pm-8:30 pm.
POOL TOURNAMENT: Pool players can enter The Corner Pocket‘s weekly tournament starting at 7 pm. $10 buy-in. (4302 SW Alaska, entrance on California)
JAZZ AT THE ALLEY: Groove to Monday night jazz with The Westside Jazz Trio, 8 pm at The Alley (behind 4509 California SW), 21+, no cover.
KARAOKE AT TALARICO’S: End your Monday with a song – karaoke at Talarico’s Pizzeria (4718 California SW).
Big thanks to everybody who sends info for our calendar; if you have something to add or cancel (or update), please send the info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Thanks to the texter who sent that photo early this morning after spotting the banner that’s now up for Taste & Best, which is following the recently closed Great American Diner and Bar at 4752 California SW on the south end of The Junction. Taste & Best, which is also opening a Shoreline location this week, plans to open the West Seattle “Indo-American bar and grill” at 7 am Monday, July 20. They’re promising “American breakfast” as well as extensive Indian offerings, though that’s not on the online menu yet.
The report and photos are from Erin:
Our travel trailer was stolen from our driveway Sunday evening, July 12, around 8:30, near 39th Ave SW and Graham.
Despite us having a hitch lock on, a white utility van with a red stripe down the side backed into our driveway and two men got out, hooked up the trailer, and pulled off with it within minutes.
It’s a 2021 Braxton Creek Bushwhacker Plus, 16-foot teardrop tailer named Patsy Cline (name is on a decal by the door). I’ve attached photos, including what the stickers on the back look like.
The license plate is 31966AG. If you see it around town, please call the police!
6:53 AM: Watch out for possible traffic effects of SFD two-engine response for reported “encampment fire” near the Delridge Home Depot.
6:55 AM: They’ve just canceled one of the engines.
Earlier:
6:03 AM: Good morning! It’s Monday, July 13, 2026. Junction streets have reopened to all traffic following West Seattle Summer Fest.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET
Today’s forecast is for sunshine, high in the low 70s. Sunrise was at 5:25 am today; sunset will be at 9:04 pm.
(Sunday sunset – photo by Carol Ann Joyce)
TRANSIT TODAY
Metro buses – Regular weekday schedule.
West Seattle Water Taxi – Regular summer schedule, with extra Friday/Saturday/Sunday runs including later-night schedule Fridays and Saturdays.
Washington State Ferries – Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth route is on the regular three-boat schedule. Check the alert page for last-minute changes. Also see that page for a note about road work on Vashon this week.
SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS
A few from the SDOT map:
High Bridge – Here’s the main camera, followed by the Fauntleroy-end camera:
Low Bridge – Here’s the westward view. Also note, maritime-opening info is available via X (ex-Twitter):
1st Avenue South Bridge:
See trouble 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!
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