West Seattle, Washington
28 Friday
11:49 PM: 911 calls helped police zero in fairly quickly on gunfire reported a short time ago – with casings found in an area that’s seen gunfire multiple times before, 26th SW and SW Brandon. No injuries or property damage reported and no description of the shooter(s).
11:53 PM: “19 casings so far,” an officer just told dispatch.
Seven years ago, we reported on signs that somebody put up in Arbor Heights, suggesting there were traffic-ticketing cameras where in fact there were none. SDOT told us those signs were “fake” and eventually took them down. Now, history seems to have repeated itself – this time on the Olson Place hill, where the sign above, on the westbound (uphill) side has a twin on the eastbound side, both pointed out to us by a reader. Since previously our area’s ony enforcement cameras were for school zones, red lights, and the bridge bus lane, we asked SDOT about these signs … and spokesperson Ethan Bergerson declared unequivocally that they did not install them. So, rogue signage again? P.S. Our area DOES have two new real speed-ticket cameras – for the West Seattle High School school zone on California and the Alki Elementary school zone on Admiral Way (all seven WS camera zones are on this citywide list).
(WSB photo, Thursday)
Today, Mayor Katie Wilson signed an executive order she said was designed to speed up Vision Zero safety measures – one day after District 1 Councilmember Rob Saka held a committee briefing on his own package of transportation-safety proposals. We haven’t yet read both to see what’s different and what dovetails. But we did notice that the mayor’s order (read it here) refers very specifically to one West Seattle project: It decrees completion of a protected bicycle lane on SW Wildwood Place in Fauntleroy by the end of this year. That’s one of the safety upgrades urged by community advocates in the wake of the June death of bicycle rider Maridee Bonadea. Another one was installed just yesterday, permanent no-parking zones along the south side of Wildwood, where Ms. Bonadea died. The mayor’s executive order doesn’t mention any other specific West Seattle projects but does mention citywide plans to step up various types of street-safety measures, including lighting, signal, and signage upgrades.
3:56 PM: Admiral Block Party Eve is on! California SW is closed between Admiral and College, and College is closed between California and 42nd, with music until 8 pm – see the lineup here – and a chance to dine outdoors at some of your favorite local hangouts. We’ll be going over a bit later for a closer look. And even if you can’t get there today, don’t miss the festival – presented by the Admiral Neighborhood Association – all day tomorrow (10 am-6 pm vendors and activities, 11 am-9 pm main-stage music).
6:31 PM: Finally made it back! MoonGirl is onstage now – the video above is from their cover of a classic- and Acoustic Crisis is up at 7 pm. The restaurant patios are filling up, and kids are chalking/playing in the street.
The west side of California – with Arthur’s, Mission Cantina, West Wings, etc.- is the busiest; but there’s space for you outside Admiral Pub and Taste of Mumbai on the east side:
And if you head down to College east of California, closed for the first time, you’ll find a fun dining spot at Pizzeria 22 (within earshot of the stage, too).
This is just the pre-func night – lots more happening tomorrow, so be here then too!
7:42 PM: We hung around to catch the start of Acoustic Crisis’s set and to watch the crowd grow:
At 8 pm, it’s dance party time!
2:37 PM: Seattle Fire has a big response headed for what they’re describing as a commercial building near 42nd SW and SW Oregon. Updates to come.
(WSB photos by Torin Record-Sand)
2:40 PM: It was a kitchen fire in an apartment building (Oregon 42, according to the address cited by SFD, which is on the SE corner) and it’s out, SFD says. Our crew is still en route.
3 PM: All but three SFD crews have left. Adding photos from our crew, who confirmed this was at Oregon 42.
(WSB file photo of shelter/American Legion building at 3618 SW Alaska)
If you were at last week’s SPD “Our City, Our Safety” meeting, or watched the video in our coverage, you heard Southwest Precinct commander Capt. Krista Bair say she had been told of a management change at the Westside Neighbors Shelter, which has been closed since June. We followed up with the shelter board, which isn’t disclosing specifics, but provided this statement to WSB:
The Westside Neighbors Shelter is in transition at this time. The shelter board, American Legion Hall, and case management teams are working hard to coordinate and formalize West Seattle’s only access to resources and case management for people without housing. The board is revamping programming and leadership roles, and will reach out to the community when we have solidified our plan for our new direction.
Even with the shelter pause, case management through Anything Helps and REACH has continued to help people served by the shelter and others who frequent the area. Anything Helps provides individualized support for health and employment needs through Medicaid‘s Foundational Community Support program, and REACH helps connect people to referrals and housing options. The roughly 60 people we have been serving receive weekly access to resources, and many have been connected to housing and shelter options, or reconnected with family.
We look forward to a stronger, more transparent relationship with the neighborhood and business community when the shelter reopens.
No timeline for that yet.
Is your family new to Lafayette Elementary – with an incoming kindergartener, or student(s) who attended somewhere else last year? You’re invited to two playdates on the school’s playground!
Sunday, August 23 from 2-4 pm
Sunday, Sept 6 from 9-11 am
The school is at 2645 California SW; the playground is on its west side.
P.S. Reminder as the new school year approaches, we appreciate getting info on school events for our community calendar – just email the basics, including any relevant weblink, to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Leading our highlight list today – the Admiral Block Party starts early with street closures for setup starting this morning, and a slate of music this afternoon and evening!
ADMIRAL BLOCK PARTY EVE: California closes between Admiral and College, and College closes between California and 42nd, starting at 10 am, to setup of the festival presented by the Admiral Neighborhood Association. Restaurants in that area will set up sidewalk/street cafes.Then 3-8 pm, enjoy this local-music lineup.
The big day is tomorrow, 10 am-8 pm – more info here – but enjoy Admiral Block Party Eve tonight!
Here’s what else is happening today/tonight, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
SUMMER FOOD FOR KIDS: Local sites are closing after today – see our story for locations and other information.
SOUTH SEATTLE COLLEGE GARDEN CENTER: Still lots of time for summer gardening! Open 10 am-3 pm on the north end of the main campus of South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor).
SPRAYPARK SEASON CONTINUES: Daily-splashing season continues at Highland Park Spraypark (1100 SW Cloverdale), 11 am-8 pm.
WADING POOLS: Hiawatha (2700 California SW) and Delridge (4501 Delridge Way SW, last day of its season) are open noon-5:30 pm today, Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW) is open noon-7 pm.
COLMAN POOL: Noon to 7 pm today, swim in the outdoor salt-water pool at Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW) – here’s the session schedule.
ENGLISH CONVERSATION CIRCLE: 12:30-2 pm, practice with other adult learners at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond).
BACKPACK GIVEAWAY: WCCDA‘s music party and backpack giveaway is from 4 pm to 6:30 pm at Greenbridge Plaza (9800 8th SW, White Center).
TASTING ROOM AND WINE BAR: Viscon Cellars (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor) is open 5-9 pm Fridays. Stop in to sip, and/or buy a bottle.
OPEN MIC AT KENYON HALL: Monthly open mic at Kenyon Hall, 6 pm signups, 6:30 pm performances (7904 35th SW), all ages, no cover.
LIVE AT THE SKYLARK: Doors at 7, music at 8, for Olroarlo, The Loveless Building, Socrates Eats Hemlock. $10 cover. 21+. (3809 Delridge Way SW)
‘RENT’ AT VASHON CENTER FOR THE ARTS: Take the ferry to see the third night of this production of the classic musical! (19600 Vashon Highway)
SPINNING: Revelry Room (4547 California SW) regular Friday night spinning – with DJ Bugzy Beatdown tonight, starting at 9 pm.
‘MAKE IT LOUD’ SKATING WITH MUSIC: Tonight, skate to the music of Vanilla Abstract & Shime, 9 pm at Southgate Roller Rink (9646 17th SW). 21+. $20 cover/$5 skates.
MEGASTAR KARAOKE: 9 pm at Max’s Triangle Pub (9454 Delridge Way SW).
If you have something to showcase on our event lists or ongoing calendar, please email what/when/where/etc. info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
6:25 AM: Good morning. It’s Friday, August 21, 2026.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET
The forecast is for increasing clouds, high in the upper 70s. Sunrise was at 6:13 am today; sunset will be at 8:10 pm.
CLOSURES AHEAD
Admiral District closure – 10 am today through late Saturday night – Admiral Block Party setup and festival will close California SW between Admiral and College, plus College east of California
West Seattle low bridge: Closed to motor vehicles 7 am Saturday (August 22) and ending at 4 am Monday (August 24); SDOT says foot/bike path will remain open
Foot/bike path alongside West Seattle Bridge – Sound Transit says its work will close this path for about a week starting Saturday, as explained here
Northbound 1st Avenue S. Bridge – Closed 5 am Saturday to 11:59 pm Sunday
TRANSIT TODAY
Metro buses – Regular weekday schedule today except for the 128, which will be rerouted starting at 9 am because of the Admiral Block Party closure – details here.
West Seattle Water Taxi – Regular summer schedule, with extra Friday/Saturday/Sunday runs including later-night schedule Fridays (tonight!) and Saturdays.
Washington State Ferries – Fauntleroy/Vashon/Southworth route is on the regular three-boat schedule; check the alert page for last-minute changes.
BRIDGE TRAFFIC CAMERAS
Here are four bridge views from the SDOT map:
High Bridge – Here’s the main camera, followed by the Fauntleroy-end camera:
Low Bridge – Here’s the westward view (closing this weekend):
1st Avenue South Bridge (NB closing again this weekend):
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!
5:58 AM: Thanks for the tip. Police radio archives confirm that evidence of gunfire was found in the 1100 block of Alki Avenue SW – near Luna/Anchor Park – after 911 calls around 3 am. That included bullets going through at least one residential window, and casings found on the ground. No injuries reported.
2:54 PM: Here’s the police summary:
On 08/21/26, residents in the area of 1100 Block of Alki AV SW phoned 911 to report shots fired between two people. Officers arrived on scene and discovered 70+ casings of multiple calibers in the area to include a spring from an extended magazine. Property damage to a residence across the street was also discovered, no injuries found inside.
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