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TRAFFIC, WEATHER, TRANSIT: Cooldown Thursday
June 25, 2026 6:01 am
|      0 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:01 AM: Good morning! It’s Thursday, June 25, 2026. No Seattle World Cup match today – next one’s at 8 pm tomorrow.

WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET

The heat alert has ended; Wednesday’s high was 87. Today’s forecast is for clouds and a high in the upper 60s. Sunrise is 5:12 am today; sunset will again be at 9:11 pm (latest of the year, staying there until Tuesday).

(Another look at Wednesday’s spectacular sunrise, this time from Jen A)

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.

SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS

The city cameras’ updating-framegrab feature is back, as shown on the the SDOT map, so they’re back in our morning lineup:

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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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Gunfire in High Point, 1 person injured, officers find ‘automatic rifle’
June 25, 2026 12:58 am
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

12:58 AM: Police are investigating gunfire in the High Point area with one person reported injured and another person reported their building was hit by a bullet. Believed to be related to all this, a car was crashed near the Southwest Precinct, with its occupants fleeing toward Home Depot, and officers reporting an “automatic rifle” left behind in that car. Some of the 911 callers had reported what sounded like automatic gunfire.

1:07 AM: The main shooting scene – where the victim was reported found – was in the Sylvan/Morgan/Lanham area. Besides investigating there, police also are still searching for the people who fled the car. The shooting victim is being taken to the hospital by SFD medics; the original dispatch described him as an “adult male, shot in the hip.”

1:19 AM: Officers told dispatch they’ve found casings in the street on Sylvan. Another group of officers report finding what’s believed to be clothing ditched by the shooter/accomplices in the 2400 block of SW Webster, which is about a block west of the precinct. … “More casings found at 31st/Morgan,” also reported. The builiding with the bullet was reported to be in the 6500 block of 35th SW.

1:39 AM: In the 6400 block of 31st SW, officers have found at least three cars damaged by gunfire.

2:25 AM: Another building was found hit by gunfire too.

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FOLLOWUP: The poles are up. The lights are up. Now – rest of the timeline for 63rd/Beach Drive crossing
June 24, 2026 10:14 pm
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 |   Safety | West Seattle news

(WSB photo, Saturday)

Five months after the poles were put in place for a new flashing-beacon crosswalk at 63rd SW and Beach Drive SW, the lights were finally installed Saturday, as reported here after we happened onto the crew at work that day. THey told us the beacons wouldn’t be usable until final striping of the crossing, though, and the crew didn’t have the timeline for that. So we followed up with SDOT and got the reply today:

The crosswalk at 63rd Ave SW and Beach Drive SW will be moved about 15 feet to the south so it lines up with newly built curb ramps. The flashing pedestrian beacons cannot be activated until the crosswalk is moved and all related signs and pavement markings are installed.

The remaining work includes installing the crosswalk in its final location, adding lane markings and bike lane markings on the street, and installing pedestrian crossing signs.

At this time, the week of July 13–17 remains our best estimate for completing the remaining work and activating the beacons.

After the beacon poles were installed, the project experienced delays in receiving some of the materials and equipment needed to complete the crossing improvements and prepare the system for activation.

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BIZNOTES: Three West Seattle business anniversaries
June 24, 2026 6:07 pm
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 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Three West Seattle businesses are celebrating anniversaries:

CAPERS HOME: All month long, CAPERS (4525 California SW; WSB sponsor) has been holding their 41st anniversary sale, but there’s less than a week left in June, so this is your last call to get in and shop!

THE BEER JUNCTION TURNS 16: The Junction’s beer shop is celebrating its 16th anniversary this Friday (June 26) with a special anniversary beer, 16:03 To Yakima, a West Coast IPA brewed by Ravenna Brewing. On that day, TBJ will be open noon to 11 pm, at 4511 California SW, with the party starting at 5 pm.

TAILS TO ASTONISH TURNS 5: West Seattle’s only comic-book store will celebrate its fifth anniversary during the Fourth of July holiday weekend and has announced a big anniversary sale:

Join us for our 5th Anniversary!! A different sale each day!

Friday, July 3: select back issues are 60% off sticker price or if not priced just $1 each or 10 for $4!!
Saturday, July 4: select back issues are 70% off sticker price or if not priced just $1 each or 10 for $3!!
Sunday, July 5: 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!

Tails to Astonish is at 5633 California SW.

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UPDATE: Hazmat response at Delridge/Orchard
June 24, 2026 4:45 pm
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 |   Delridge | West Seattle news

4:45 PM: Seattle Fire has a hazardous-materials callout for an address cross-referencing to the Delridge Arco/AM-PM. Avoid the area.

4:52 PM: SFD says the problem turned out to be a “CO2 leak” which has been found and taken care of; they’re ventilating the building, which they had evacuated.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Mini-mart robbed for the second time in less than a month
June 24, 2026 3:51 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | Delridge | West Seattle news

Checking the police logs from early morning, we found a robbery logged for a partial address (7100 block Delridge Way) that cross-references to the Chevron gas station/mini-mart on the northeast corner of Delridge and Orchard. The radio archives confirmed police were investigating what was reported as an armed robbery, so we obtained this report narrative from SPD:

On 6/24/2026 at approximately 03:20, I responded to an armed robbery at the XXXX located at 7XXX Delridge Way SW in the city of Seattle, county of King. Initial remarks stated, “J/O, 2 MALES ROBBED RP, HAD PISTOL”. Upon arrival, the suspects had left the area and officers began setting up containment in the area. I spoke with the reporting party, (XXXX XXXX), who was a staff member at XXXX. Of note, XXXX was the victim of another armed robbery at this location approximately one month prior.

XXXX showed me XXXX. Once XXXX two masked younger-looking males enter the store and one male pointed a black handgun towards XXXX. The suspects came around the back of the counter and forced XXXX to open two registers. While the armed suspect took money from the registers, the other suspect took tobacco products off the shelves and stuffed them into a bag. The suspect with the firearm grabs XXXX by the arm and pulls him toward the safe. The suspects then flee on foot out the front door.

The exterior XXXX shows a dark-colored sedan pull into the bus lane facing southbound on Delridge Way SW with its hazards on. The suspects run to and get into this vehicle which flees southbound on Delridge Way SW. The vehicle was XXXX. …

The armed suspect had a black handgun with what appeared to be a drum magazine. XXXX, XXXX, black gloves, and a XXXX. The other suspect did not appear to have a firearm XXXX. This suspect was wearing XXXX, black gloves, and XXXX. The suspect vehicle appeared to be a darkcolored newer model sedan with LED headlights.

Some merchandise had fallen out of the suspect’s bag and was recovered. …

XXXX told me that the suspects demanded that he open one register then the second register. XXXX said that the suspect then told him to open the safe but he was unable to open the safe because only his manager has the key. XXXX advised that the armed suspect pushed the firearm into the side of his stomach while making this demand. XXXX told me that he feared for his life. XXXX said that no threats to shoot him were made, but the firearm was pointed at him. XXXX did not know how much money had been taken from the registers, but he estimated approximately $300.00 was stolen. XXXX was uninjured as a result of this incident.

The XXX words are all redactions by SPD done before providing us with the requested narrative. The only descriptive information we heard in the archived radio traffic was that both robbers were believed to be male. Also of note: The narrative mentions that a store staffer said they were robbed about a month ago. This is likely the one they’re referencing.

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UPDATE: Fire response on 35th SW
June 24, 2026 3:07 pm
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 |   West Seattle fires | West Seattle news

3:07 PM: Thanks for the tip. Seattle Fire has a midsize response in the 5900 block of 35th SW, downgraded from an initial “full response.” Avoid the area for a while.

3:11 PM: Most of the responding units have been dismissed.

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FOLLOWUP: Beach/water warning lifted, one week after 13,000-gallon sewage leak in West Seattle
June 24, 2026 12:24 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Environment | West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news

(June 17 photo by Reiner Peery)

The last “stay out of the water” warning from a sewage leak one week ago has been lifted. We confirmed with King County Wastewater Treatment District spokesperson Akiko Oda that the warning for the Cormorant Cove area (3700 block Beach Drive SW) would end this morning as scheduled. Oda says the remaining “beach closed” signage will be removed this afternoon. The leak was blamed on equipment failure involving a flow gate at the 63rd Avenue Pump Station south of Constellation Park, and KCWTD estimates about 13,000 gallons of sewage had leaked into Puget Sound before the leak was caught and stopped.

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VIDEO, PHOTOS: ‘We think we can find solutions’ – but clarify the problem, Parks told at West Seattle meeting for tennis/pickleball ‘strategy’
June 24, 2026 11:38 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS & Sports

Story by Tracy Record
Photos by Torin Record-Sand
For West Seattle Blog

The first meeting in the second round of feedback on the Seattle Parks and Recreation draft “outdoor racquet-sports strategy” was far more cordial than you might have expected, given the “pickleball vs. tennis” narrative that’s collected around it.

The meeting inside the historic building at Dakota Place Park on the north edge of the West Seattle Junction drew almot 100 people.

Judging by T-shirts among other things, most were there in support of pickleball access. Pickleball players say the city’s proposal – including an end to dual-striping courts – will slash the number of places they can play.

Parks reps said repeatedly that attending the meeting was just one way to offer feedback. The meeting room, and the Dakota Place building’s foyer, were both ringed with posters including statements/proposals attendees could mark with dot stickers, a tradition at public feedback meetings.

Most of the meeting was comprised of a presentation by Parks and open-mic comments – we recorded that all on video:

The presentation was led by Parks’ Annie Hindenlang, with Jonathan Gardner.

They recapped what the department considered key points of previous feedback, including that dual use of courts wasn’t working and that courts’ neighbors were concerned about noise. Also noted were some positive points, such as the social, community, and health benefits of pickleball. They also noted concerns about data that was used previously, explaining that technology from Placer AI was used to collect “anonymized mobile device data for 16 of the 19 affected court sites.

Also included in the presentation were what Parks considers “collaboration topics”; Hindenlang also noted that an online survey – which opens next Tuesday (June 30) – will address those same topics.

More than 20 open-mic comments followed (a few people took two turns as there was time left over in what Parks had allotted). Most, but not all, identified themselves as from West Seattle; one person who spoke twice voiced concerns about Cal Anderson Park on Capitol Hill, where the courts are used for more than racquet sports (they were particularly concerned about losing access for dodgeball).

Whether from tennis or pickleball advocates, the comments didn’t center so much on the respective sports’ attribute as on the Parks process for proposing and implementing the “strategy.” Among those complaints, the proposal’s development without collaboration – it appeared seemingly out of nowhere, presented for feedback, rather than a process that cold have collected ideas. “We never felt listened to,” said John Rankin from the Seattle Metro Pickleball Association. He said pickleball players felt they had been presented with “your plan” and “had to mobilize” to slow it down.

Also voiced: What exactly is the problem the “strategy” is trying to solve? (The Parks reps didn’t answer any questions posed to them by speakers, insisting they were under strict orders to only listen rather than to reply.)

Big applause was given to another speaker who promised, “We think we can find solutions.” They were followed by someone who said it was imperative to “get out of this ‘us vs. them’ mentality … We can find ways to find that common ground.” A later speaker said the Parks proposal had left both tennis players and pickleball players “in an uproar” but “we’re going to fix this.”

Another speaker who wanted to know more about what problems the “strategy” was meant to solve said that they could certainly address specific concerns, such as guerrilla lighting setups. Other pro-pickleball commenters said the sport benefits the community, not just individual players (though one person had an individual testimonial, saying they had “discovered a new life as a pickleball player” and lost 58 pounds by playing).

The sport’s growing popularity is honored by other cities around the country, said a player who described themselves as a frequent traveler, so why not Seattle?

Though this meeting was the first in West Seattle – the first round of feedback only included “regional” meetings, and got no closer than South Seattle – there wasn’t much specific discussion or commenting about West Seattle sites, except the courts on the north side of Alki Playfield, which several people said they wanted to see remain accessible for pickleball.

The Parks reps did not offer a timeline for when – if – a revised “strategy” might be developed and presented, so the timeline for this second round of feedback remains what’s laid out on this webpage (including three more meetings in other part of the city), plus the forthcoming online survey, June 30 to July 14.

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Options for your West Seattle Wednesday!
June 24, 2026 9:58 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Tuesday sunset, photographed by Gene Pavola)

Here’s our Wednesday list, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar – which you can preview any time – here’s what’s happening today/tonight:

SUMMER FOOD FOR KIDS: Some local sites open today – see our story from last night for locations and other information.

WALKING FOR WELL-BEING: 10 am Wednesday walks start from 47th/Fontanelle – if you didn’t see this in the calendar in time to join, consider this your reminder for next week!

TODDLER READING TIME: 10:30 am at Paper Boat Booksellers (4522 California SW; WSB sponsor).

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

WORLD CUP WATCH PARTY AT YOUNGSTOWN: Noon at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW), watch the third Seattle World Cup match, Bosnia-Herzegovina vs. Qatar, on a giant screen. Free.

SWIMMING POOL’S OPEN: Daily operations also continue at Colman Pool on the shore at Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW), noon-7 pm.

PLAY AMERICAN MAH JONGG: 2-4 pm, join players at Missing Piece (4707 California SW).

FIX-IT WORKSHOP: The free (donations appreciated), 5:30-7:30 pm workshop is happening at West Seattle Tool Library (4408 Delridge Way SW, northeast side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center), and the library is open for borrowing.

WEST SEATTLE URBANISM: Talk about Seattle’s growth – current and future – at the weekly 6 pm meetup at Great American Diner/Bar (4752 California SW).

WEDNESDAY NIGHT RUN: Join the weekly 6:15 pm group run with West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) tonight – all welcome, all paces!

PRACTICE YOUR SPANISH SPEAKING: New local group of Spanish-language learners, dedicated to practicing it, gathers 6:30-8:30 pm at Mission Cantina (2325 California SW) – details in our calendar listing.

LIVE MUSIC AT THE LOCOL: 6:30 pm. 21+. Rotating performer lineup. (7902 35th SW)

RHODIES FC: 7 pm match at Nino Cantu SW Athletic Complex for the West Seattle pre-pro team, vs. FC Olympia, last regularly scheduled home match of the season. Ticket link is in our calendar listing.

MAD CRAFTY: Bring your project to Revelry Room (4547 California SW), 7-9 pm.

MUSIC BINGO: Weekly music bingo at at The Good Society (California/Lander), 7 pm.

TRIVIA x 5: Five West Seattle trivia venues – Seaside Grill (2820 Alki SW) now has 7 pm trivia on Wednesdays … Admiral Pub trivia at 7:10 pm (2306 California SW) … Larry’s Tavern (3405 California SW) has Wednesday trivia at 7:30 pm … Quiz Night at 8 pm at Beveridge Place Pub (6413 California SW) … And trivia starts at 8:30 pm at Talarico’s (4718 California SW).

SKYLARK OPEN MIC: West Seattle’s longest-running open-mic night! 7:30 pm signups for the weekly event at The Skylark. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

SWING IT WEDNESDAY! Swing dancing and live music at 8:15 pm at South Park Hall (1253 S. Cloverdale).

KARAOKE AT ADMIRAL PUB: Sing at the pub starting at 9, after trivia. (2306 California SW)

Planning an event, class, workshop, etc., that’s open to community participation/observation/visitation? Please send us info so we can add it to West Seattle’s only comprehensive event calendar! westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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UPDATE: Early-morning fire in Upper Fauntleroy
June 24, 2026 9:02 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Fauntleroy | West Seattle fires | West Seattle news

9:02 AM: Just after 4 am, a briefly big Seattle Fire response was sent to the 8800 block of 38th SW [vicinity map] in Upper Fauntleroy. SFD spokesperson Kaila Lafferty says the fire was on the stairs and deck of a townhouse – one of several relatively new homes on the block – but firefighters “got it out quickly and started releasing crews.” No injuries. And no word yet on the cause.

11:57 AM: We have that now, from spokesperson Lafferty: “The cause was determined accidental. The fire was in an unoccupied duplex and was likely caused by faulty or damaged electrical wiring inside of wall smoldering through the stud and joist spaces. It spread to the stairwell, leading to a rooftop patio.”

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TRAFFIC, WEATHER, TRANSIT: Wednesday watch, with Seattle World Cup match #3 + heat alert
June 24, 2026 6:03 am
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 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:03 AM: Good morning! It’s Wednesday, June 24, 2026, with Seattle World Cup match #3 today.

WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET

Last day for the Heat Advisory alert from the National Weather Service, scheduled to end at 11 pm. Tuesday’s high was 90; today’s forecast is for sunshine and a high in the mid-80s. Sunrise was at 5:12 am; sunset will again be at 9:11 pm (latest of the year).

(Thanks for the sunrise photos! This one is from Stewart L.)

SEATTLE WORLD CUP MATCH #3

Bosnia-Herzegovina vs. Qatar, noon at Lumen Field (“Seattle Stadium”). Starting by 8 am, this area near the stadium will again be off-limits to motor vehicles:

TRANSIT TODAY

Matchday overview – Here’s the rundown courtesy of Metro Matters.

Metro buses – Reroutes in the no-motor-vehicles zone shown above, otherwise, regular weekday schedule.

West Seattle Water Taxi – Extra matchday runs, otherwise, 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.

SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS

The city cameras’ updating-framegrab feature is back, per a the SDOT map, so we’ve returned them to the morning lineup:

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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Know kids who need food? Summer meal program starts in West Seattle and vicinity on Wednesday
June 23, 2026 10:14 pm
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 |   Delridge | High Point | Highland Park | West Seattle news | White Center

By Macey Wurm
Reporting for West Seattle Blog

The city of Seattle’s Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) will be back this season beginning tomorrow (June 24). For more than 50 years, the program has existed as a means of filling the gap in the period when children lose access to lunches provided throughout the school year.

“At a time when groceries and other living expenses are on the rise, the Summer Meals Program helps take pressure off families and makes sure children and teens can get healthy food during the summer. No child in Seattle should go hungry because cafeterias are closed,” said Mayor Katie Wilson in a news release.

The announcement of the program’s return this summer comes after a late April announcement by the Mayor’s Office that Wilson will be implementing free school meals for all Seattle Public Schools students this upcoming fall. The initiative will be funded with the Families, Education, Preschool, and Promise levy which passed last year.

SFSP is led by the Seattle Department of Human Services in collaboration with Seattle Public Schools, Seattle Parks and Recreation, and United Way of King County. It is federally funded through the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Last year, the program provided more than 80,000 meals to children aged 1-18 during the summer months in the form of breakfast, lunch, and snacks. This year, 50 sites across the city and 8 in West Seattle and vicinity will be serving food. No ID, proof of address, application, or paperwork is required to receive a meal.

Here are the closest locations, dates of operations, types of meals provided, and service times:

High Point Community Center
6920 34th Ave SW
Monday – Friday
June 24 – August 21
Lunch: 12:00-1:00 p.m.
Snack: 3:00-3:30 p.m.
Closed July 3

Highland Park Playground
1100 SW Cloverdale
Monday – Friday
June 29 – August 20
Lunch: 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.
Snack: 2:00 – 3:00 p.m.
Closed July 3

Roxhill Park
2850 SW Roxbury St
Monday – Friday
June 29 – August 20
Lunch: 11:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m.
Snack: 1:00-2:00 p.m.
Closed July 3

Seattle Housing Authority (SHA) @ Salish Landing
6955 Delridge Way SW
Monday, Wednesday, Friday
June 24 – August 21
Snack: 3:00- 4:00 p.m.
Closed July 3

Dick Thurnau Memorial Park
11050 10th Ave SW
Monday, Wednesday, and Friday
June 29 – August 21
Lunch: 12:30-2:00 p.m.
Closed July 3

South Park Community Center
8319 8th Ave S
Monday – Friday
June 24 – August 21
Lunch: 12:00-1:00 p.m.
Snack: 3:00 – 3:45 p.m.
Closed July 3

Southwest Boys & Girls Club
9800 8th Ave SW, #105
Monday – Friday
June 24 – August 21
Snack from 3:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Closed July 3

Steve Cox Memorial Park
1321 SW 102nd St
Monday – Friday
June 29 – August 21
Lunch: 12:00 to 1:30 p.m.
Closed July 3

The return of the program will be commemorated with a celebration on Friday, July 17, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Highland Park Playground. A bouncy house, kid-friendly activities, and free food will be provided, according to the Mayor’s Office news release.

For questions about the Summer Food Service Program you can email sfsp@seattle.gov. Additional meal resources near you can be found using the USDA’s summer meals site finder.

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LAST CALL: West Seattle Soccer Club fall-signup time almost over!
June 23, 2026 7:07 pm
|      0 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS & Sports

In the summer of soccer, it’s time to think fall – if someone in your household is a potential West Seattle Soccer Club player! Here’s what the club asked us to share with you:

Hey, West Seattle Families! There is one week left in the fall open registration period.

Founded in 1968, The West Seattle Soccer Club (WSSC) is a recreational soccer club for youth who reside in the southwest neighborhoods of Seattle. All youth ages 5-18 are eligible to play and experience is not required.

As we gear up for the Fall Soccer Season, excitement is booming with nearly a thousand players already registered! With the Spring Season wrapping soon, it’s time to ensure that you, your friends, and your neighbors join in too! Registration closes June 30th, so act fast. Whether your child is a seasoned player or just starting out, we’re excited to unveil our Fall Registration and anticipate the adventures ahead.

The Fall Season kicks off early-mid September with the games spanning 8, 10, or 12 matches (based on age division).

Secure your child’s spot or learn more at westseattlesoccer.org. Questions? Reach us at wsscboard@gmail.com.

Make this Fall Soccer season unforgettable! Enroll today to see your child thrive on the field, make friends, and create lasting memories. The league is committed to providing an affordable and quality playing experience for the West Seattle community. Financial assistance is available for qualified applicants. Don’t miss out – register now!

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WATER TAXI: World Cup matchday ridership set record!
June 23, 2026 4:49 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   King County Water Taxi | West Seattle news

(Friday Water Taxi photos by Therese Bianchi)

Last Friday’s USA vs. Australia World Cup matchday was also a record ridership day for the King County Water Taxi! Metro’s Al Sanders sent this update:

A record number of riders decided to “Make it a Boat Day” on June 19!

Between World Cup soccer, Mariners baseball and the Juneteenth holiday, a record 9,483 riders boarded the West Seattle and Vashon Water Taxis on Friday, June 19! Of those, 8,552 boardings were on the West Seattle route, shattering a single-day ridership record of 7,721 that stood since 2018!

The Vashon route had 931 boardings, second most and beating the 2014 Seahawks Super Bowl Victory parade by 3 boardings (928). The No. 1 single-day record for Vashon boardings was 994, set just a few months ago during the Seahawks Super Bowl victory parade.

This summer, the water taxi is inviting everyone to “Make it a Boat Day” and people are accepting the offer to make the short 10-15 minute ride to and from West Seattle or a 22-minute trip to Vashon.

The Metro announcement didn’t say what date had set the record in 2018 but we found it in our archives: August 11, 2018, the day of the big Sub Pop Records‘ 30th anniversary party on Alki.

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READER REPORT: Stolen or mistakenly taken barbecue
June 23, 2026 4:29 pm
|      13 COMMENTS
 |   Sunrise Heights | West Seattle news

Sent by Henry, who says the missing barbecue looks just like this except it’s black, not red:

I live on 7564 45th Ave. SW. in West Seattle. I was barbecuing with some friends on the curb this afternoon, when we went into our house to hang out. We left the barbecue unattended on the curbside for about 20 minutes. We think someone accidentally thought it was part of a free pile and took it.

If you took it, please bring it back!

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CONGRATULATIONS! Southside Revolution Junior Roller Derby team wins regionals, headed to national championships
June 23, 2026 3:19 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS & Sports

More congratulations today – this time for roller-derby skaters! The report and photos are from Southside Revolution Junior Roller Derby:

Southside Revolution Rebels are headed to JRDA Champs in Chicago!

For the first time since our inaugural season 12 years ago, Southside Revolution Junior Roller Derby is going to play in the Junior Roller Derby Association national championships. Coming into the regional playoffs in Tacoma as the top seed, SSR secured its spot at Champs with decisive wins against Everett’s Mob City and The Pixies from Spokane.

The Rebels now face something new: Practice in July, leading up to Champs on July 11-12 in Chicago. All games will be streamed on the JRDA YouTube channel.

Seniors from Southside and other teams were honored in a special ceremony in Tacoma. We’re excited for them to embark on this next step in their lives, but they will be missed!

2026 seniors pictured are:

Raquel Walsh (coach)
Princess Slaya (Lucy Self) – Chief Sealth/South Seattle College
JAWS (Petra Sheppard) – Chief Sealth \/South Seattle College
Diffindo (Lyric Roberts) – Nova
BratTastic (Mateo Chavez) – Cleveland
Acid Reign (Lilli Furumori) – Chief Sealth/South Seattle College
Chuck Hendrick (head coach)
The Flaming D.Va (Myra Hapgood) – Cleveland
Dollface Smasher (Sophie Portugal) – Edmonds Heights/Edmonds College
QuesaDelia (Delia Hutchinson) – The Northwest School
Scout’s Honor (Avalyn Rudolph) – Kentridge/Green River College
Joel Chavez (coach)

(not pictured is Blue Raja – Bixby Breeden – Aviation. Photos by Lydia Brewer Photography)

Southside Revolution Junior Roller Derby league makes its home at Southgate Roller Rink in White Center. Right after Champs, SSR will appear in the West Seattle Grand Parade, and in early September will hold New Skater Clinics for anyone aged 7+ interested in joining this fast-paced, gender-inclusive youth sport. Learn more and sign up at southsiderevolution.org/join-us.

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COUNTDOWN: Four days until Arts in Nature Festival returns! From fire dancing to rock ‘n’ roll, see the lineups
June 23, 2026 1:55 pm
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 |   West Seattle festivals | West Seattle news

One of this weekend’s biggest events is the return of the Arts in Nature Festival, which DNDA is presenting Saturday at Camp Long (5200 35th SW) – free! Here are the music, performance, and art lineups:

Camp Long’s historic cabins will also host “immersive” art experiences during the festival, 10 am-8:30 pm Saturday (June 27).

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FOLLOWUP: Council-committee briefing reveals recent improvement in SPD female-male recruiting ratio
June 23, 2026 11:56 am
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle police

The City Council’s Public Safety Committee just wrapped up its every-other-week meeting, and this time they did get to the Seattle Police staffing/response time briefing. That took up most of the meeting, in fact. And since this was the later-than-usual first-quarter briefing – days short of the end of the second quarter – a bit of new data was presented, beyond what’s in the slide deck prepared before the briefing’s originally scheduled date two weeks ago.

One headline: The percentage of women among new hires has increased; it was at 10 percent, though the national average is 20 percent, and SPD’s stated goal is 30 percent, but so far this year it’ up to 17 percent, 16 officers out of 95 new hires. Briefers again pointed out that overall, SPD is on track to end the year with eight more officers than it’s budgeted for, mostly since fewer are retiring or otherwise departing, and that would mean they’d have to either slow hiring or find someplace to cut. Councilmembers including District 1’s Rob Saka (the committee’s vice chair) indicated the former would be entirely out of the question; even at this rate, SPD would end the year with 1,029 officers, and committee chair Councilmember Bob Kettle noted they need to keep building back to 1,400. A chart in the slide deck says the department had 1,339 at the start of 2020.

Another issue that got a chunk of discussion – despite the “hiring surge,” the number of new officers hitting the street is bottlenecked by a shortage of veteran officers who volunteer to become certified as field-training officers. (Currently, councilmembers were told, 130 officers are certified.) While waiting for assignment to a field-training officer, new recruits are limited to duties such as taking phone reports. “We don’t have anyone sitting around twiddling their thumbs,” insisted SPD’s Dan Eder.

In addition to staffing, the briefing discussed SPD overtime and response times. The two are linked in at least one way – the largest use of overtime is for “augmentation,” deploying officers on OT to keep minimum staffing levels and/or make special-emphasis patrols possible. The OT budget has “grown significantly,” the committee was told, but not because OT hours have grown – rather, it’s the cost of those hours, with wage increases implemented in the new contract. Also up, the call volume, but response times have remained relatively stable.

All this was just a briefing, so no legislation was proposed and no votes taken. We’ll add the meeting video when it’s available vs. Seattle Channel archives.

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Pickleball/tennis meeting + ways to stay cool – here’s our West Seattle Tuesday list
June 23, 2026 9:58 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Cooling scene off Alki, recently photographed by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)

Here’s our list of event notes/reminders/listings for today/tonight, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

FREE PLAYSPACE AT CHURCH OF NAZARENE … now on summer break; watch for the reopening in fall!

CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE: Meeting under way now, with topics including CARE responders and SPD staffing; the agenda explains how to watch.

POSTCARDS4DEMOCRACY: New postcard-writers as well as returnees are welcome at this weekly advocacy gathering, 10:30 am-noon at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor). Sign up here before you go, if this is your first time.

SPRAYPARK SEASON: Daily operations continue at the Highland Park Spraypark (1100 SW Cloverdale) – free, scheduled 11 am-8 pm daily.

ROTARY CLUB OF WEST SEATTLE: Noon Tuesdays, lunch meetings at West Seattle Golf Course, today featuring a guest speaker from EcoTHRIVE Housing. (4470 35th SW)

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)

WATCH WORLD CUP SOCCER AT SW LIBRARY: 1-3 pm at Southwest Library (9010 35th SW), watch a livestream of the England vs. Ghana match.

CHESS CLUB: All levels welcome! 1:30-3 pm, at the Center for Active Living (4217 SW Oregon).

OTHER EVENTS AT THE CENTER: Dozens every week! Go here for the full Center for Active Living calendar.

CITY COUNCIL MEETING: Regular weekly 2 pm meeting; here’s the agenda, which explains how to participate, in person or remotely.

CREATIVE SKILLSHARE NIGHT: 4:30-7:30 pm at Southwest Library (9010 35th SW): “Hang out, make some arts & crafts, and learn about mutual aid in your neighborhood!”

DROP-IN WINE TASTING: 5-8 pm Tuesdays at Walter’s Wine Shop (4811 California SW) – $15 fee, $5 off with bottle purchases.

DEMONSTRATION FOR BLACK LIVES: Long-running weekly sign-waving demonstration on the corners at 16th/Holden. 5-6 pm. Signs available if you don’t have your own.

TUESDAY NIGHT SUPPER CLUB: Should be a perfect night on the water! Alki Kayak Tours and Mountain to Sound Outfitters (WSB sponsor) are presenting this weekly event for stand-up paddleboarders – details here – 5:30 pm. (1660 Harbor SW)

INTERFAITH FREEDOM VIGIL: Weekly, 5:30-6:30 pm at Alki Statue of Liberty Plaza candlelight vigil open to all. (61st SW and Alki SW)

OPEN MIC AT TIM’S: 6 pm signups, 7 pm music at all-ages open mic hosted at Tim’s (16th SW and SW 98th) in White Center.

TRACK RUN WITH WEST SEATTLE RUNNER: Meet up by 6:15 pm at West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) for WSR’s free weekly track run.

OPEN CHOIR REHEARSALS: 6:30 pm Tuesdays at Tibbetts United Methodist Church (3940 41st SW), come sing with the Boeing Employees Choir, even if you aren’t a Boeing employee – the link explains how to RSVP.

RACQUET SPORTS MEETING: How will the city change its “strategy” for pickleball and tennis? West Seattle meeting with Seattle Parks tonight at 6:30 pm at Dakota Place Park building (California/Dakota).

PAST, PRESENT, & ELSEWHERE: Album-listening sessions at Revelry Room (4547 California SW), every Tuesday night, 7-9 pm.

SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCING: Weekly lessons at Fauntleroy Church (9140 California SW), 7 pm – lots of info in our calendar listing.

WOMEN’S MEDITATION CIRCLE: Weekly small-group meditation at Mama Be Well Healing Studio (4034-A California SW), 7 pm. Our calendar listing has info on registering before you go.

BINGO! Play free Tuesday night Belle of the Balls Bingo at The Skylark, 7 pm. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

WEST SEATTLE URBANISM BOOK CLUB: New to our calendar! 7 pm at Beveridge Place Pub (6413 California SW).

TRIVIA X 4: Four trivia venues tonight – The Beer Junction (4711 California SW), Sporcle Pub Quiz with David at 7 pm and 8 pm … 7 pm at Ounces (3803 Delridge Way SW), free, hosted by Beat the Geek Trivia; 7 pm at Zeeks Pizza West Seattle (6459 California SW), hosted by Geeks Who Drink; 7:10 pm at Admiral Pub, free, prizes. (2306 California SW).

KARAOKE AT POGGIE TAVERN: 9 pm Tuesdays, until 1:30 am, your turn to sing! (4717 California SW)

If you are organizing an event, class, performance, gathering, etc., tell your West Seattle neighbors via our event calendar – just email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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SUMMER CAMP: Ultimate at Hiawatha
June 23, 2026 9:04 am
|      0 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

Got an 8- to 12-year-old in the household who’s interested in Ultimate? Hiawatha Community Center wants you to know there’s another session of camp coming up July 6-10, 1-4 pm daily, with Kyliah – “a 2x Club national champion, 2025 Team USA Gold medalist, and 2026 Division 1 college national champion.” Campers can learn Ultimate or upgrade their skills. Register through the Seattle Parks website or in-person at Hiawatha (2700 California SW).

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TRAFFIC, WEATHER, TRANSIT: Tuesday info
June 23, 2026 6:01 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

8 AM: From Eric: “Moderately large branch blocking uphill lane just up from the water taxi. Noticed a branch or two down at the top of the hill too so maybe a fairly large vehicle went up?” Photo:

Earlier:

6:01 AM: Good morning! It’s Tuesday, June 23, 2026. No Seattle World Cup match today – next one’s at noon tomorrow.

WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET

The Heat Advisory alert from the National Weather Service continues until 11 pm Wednesday. Monday’s high was 86; today’s forecast is for sunshine and a high around 80. Sunrise is starting to get later, 5:12 am today; sunset will again be at 9:11 pm (latest of the year, staying there until June 30).

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 back to the regular three-boat schedule. Check the alert page for last-minute changes.

SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS

The city cameras’ updating-framegrab feature is back, as shown on the the SDOT map, so we’ve returned them to the morning lineup:

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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CONGRATULATIONS! Successful trip to Nike Nationals for West Seattle High School runners
June 22, 2026 11:56 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

Thanks to Molly for the photo and report on four West Seattle High School track athletes’ big success:

How exciting – the WSHS Boys 4×100 Track Team competed in the Nike Nationals meet this weekend at the University of Oregon. They won first in their heat & were just shy .06 from running in the championship. Please help us congratulate Cullen Schoeb, Aidan Murray, Marcus Ramsey, and Henry Johnston on a great run this season!

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