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UPDATE: Stolen-and-flipped-car crash at 30th/Roxbury
October 11, 2024 2:56 am
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 |   West Seattle news | WS breaking news

2:56 AM: What you see in the lower left of that cropped zoomed-in shot from a traffic camera is a flipped car involved in a two-car collision on the westbound side of SW Roxbury at 30th SW. Police are telling dispatch that nobody’s at the scene, and at least one of the cars, a Kia Soul, is stolen. The other car, a Hyundai Elantra, has not been reported as stolen, but they’ll be checking with its owner.

3:51 AM: Tow crews and police have just cleared the scene. Meantime, thanks to the reader who sent that pic of the crash scene before police got there (and after everyone fled) – from it, we see the Soul was the flipped vehicle.

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Sound Transit board committee goes for West Seattle light rail ‘preferred alternative’ – tentatively
October 10, 2024 11:13 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Sound Transit | West Seattle news

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

Though the motion approved by a Sound Transit Board committee today recommends the West Seattle light-rail “project to be built,” committee members needed to be amply reassured that their vote was not a commitment that it will be built.

They got that reassurance from Terri Mestas, ST’s deputy CEO of megaproject delivery. She told System Expansion Committee members the board would have other milestone votes before a commitment to construction, while stressing that moving the project further along the design path was the only way to resolve some of the concerns.

Committee chair King County Councilmember Claudia Balducci of Bellevue observed that there are “some big questions besides cost.” But it’s the potential $7 billion price tag, which emerged with the Final Environmental Impact Statement last month, that hung in the air throughout the discussion.

Read More

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UPDATE: Aurora over West Seattle tonight
October 10, 2024 7:05 pm
|      19 COMMENTS
 |   Skies Over West Seattle | West Seattle news

7:05 PM: As it gets dark, the factors remain promising for aurora visibility again! West Seattle skywatcher/educator Alice Enevoldsen has updated her aurora-viewing tips. West Seattle photographer Kevin Freitas sent a community invitation:

Join me tonight ~8:45pm down on Alki (64th & Alki) for some aurora viewing. This area has a great view to the north that’s relatively dark from city light pollution. Regardless, looking at photos from the east coast and elsewhere, this could be a good one and visible from wherever you are. I’ll be the guy in the bright yellow stocking cap. Bundle up because it could be cold down there!

We’ll update as the evening progresses.

7:54 PM: First photo in, via text, from a Junction-area rooftop:

Geomagnetic activity is currently well into “storm level” per this page.

8:59 PM: Alki seems to be the viewing spot of choice. Carol Ann Joyce sent this photo, one of several we’ve received from people at the beach (thank you!):

9:58 PM: Two more photos from Alki – first, from the VanCooten family:

And from Kevin Freitas, who, as mentioned above, went to the beach to lead a viewing/photo session:

10:14 PM: Also from Alki, Rosalie Miller just sent this:

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VIDEO: First West Seattle Art Walk of fall
October 10, 2024 6:10 pm
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 |   West Seattle Art Walk | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

6:10 PM: Our first stop on tonight’s West Seattle Art Walk – Viscon Cellars (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor), where Jessie Summa Russo is the guest artist. She’s highlighting work made with oil and cold wax on collage. And in addition to Viscon wines – you’ll find a table full of snacks (while they last):

From North Admiral to Morgan Junction, you have many choices for tonight’s Art Walk – see the map here, and venues’ featured artists here! Plus the Art of Music‘s three mini-concerts, until 7:45.

6:37 PM: Our second stop was one of the Art of Music hosts, Alki Arts (6030 California SW):

Terra Nova Duo is serenading Art Walk-ers there, while gallery proprietor Diane Venti hosts a multi-artist show – more on that, and photos, shortly!

6:53 PM: Diane explained that she chose “Rising Above” as the theme of the show – and the participating artists rose to the challenge.

Joanne Shellan (above) explains that she took inspiration from literally rising above – a flight in a private plane piloted by a friend. The work of Steffanie Lorig (below) is symbolic – “each animal represents strength, hope, and resilience.”

Also participating in the Alki Arts show – with a reception until 8 tonight – are Lisa Lamoureux and Steve Jensen.

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ROAD-WORK ALERT: Westbound Spokane Street Viaduct lane closure tonight
October 10, 2024 5:33 pm
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 |   Transportation | West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

We’ve been mentioning that SDOT says “a bit” of work remains to be done for the Spokane Street Viaduct resurfacing project (the SSV is the extension of the West Seattle Bridge between Highway 99 and I-5). SDOT told us late today that some of that work will be done overnight tonight, so one lane closure is planned, the inside left westbound lane, 8 pm to 6 am.

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Army helicopters back, Seahawks flyover-bound
October 10, 2024 4:47 pm
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   Helicopter | West Seattle news

(Added: WSB photo, from South Delridge)

Just in case you missed Wednesday’s hubbub about three U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopters from Joint Base Lewis McChord circling in our area, the base finally officially confirmed they were training for a flyover at tonight’s Seahawks game. The game’s about half an hour away and the helicopters are back; we just saw them flying eastward over White Center.

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BIZNOTE FOLLOWUP: Cupcake Royale closing in West Seattle after Monday
October 10, 2024 3:48 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

cupcake(WSB file photo)

Five months ago, we reported on Cupcake Royale‘s statement that they would eventually close its West Seattle cafés (and its others). No timeline, at the time. Now there is one – next Monday is CR’s last WS day. Here’s the announcement we received from proprietor Jody Hall:

Thank you and farewell West Seattle!

We are closing our West Seattle location. Our last day is Monday, October 14.
Come visit us!

A love note from Jody – founder & ceo:

Thank you. We’ve called this corner in the Alaska Junction home for 19 years. Thanks for being a part of our journey and story. Thank you for including us into your family and celebrations. It’s been an absolute honor and pleasure to have been a part of the West Seattle community. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you!

West Seattle was our third location in as many years after opening one of the nation’s first cupcake shops in 2003. You may recall that we announced earlier this year that we planned to close our locations once we found new tenants to take over our leases. We did this because we knew we wouldn’t survive if we continued business as usual.

Don’t fret! Cupcake Royale will still be making the city’s best cupcakes! While we’re closing our cafes (Madrona is still open – our last of the original cafes), we are NOT CLOSING Cupcake Royale. In fact, we’re expanding. We’re opening a new location on Capitol Hill (1102 E Pike Street & 11th) – across from the old Cupcake Royale locations. It’s 300sf vs 3,000sf. Our bakery in South Park (a hop-skip from West Seattle!) is also open to the public for pre-order pick ups. In fact, we’re excited to narrow our focus and team on just cupcakes – made every day, from scratch with real ingredients–from the oven to your belly.

SO COME VISIT US IN WEST SEATTLE – OUR LAST DAY IS MONDAY OCT 14!

Jody will be at the cafe over the weekend to say thanks – open 10a to 5p thru Monday. Come by and grab a box to enjoy and share with pals. We’ll have a yard sale of some classic merch and other treasures too. We’d love to see you and thank you for the love.

We invite you to continue to support our business!
Order online at CupcakeRoyale.com.
Pre-order the day before for best pricing!
Delivery available in Seattle & Bellevue.
Visit our Cafe in Capitol Hill: 1102 E Pike St
Visit our Bakery in South Park: 1605 S 93rd St
Keep it Royale West Seattle!
Thank you!
Jody

We’re following up on what’s ahead for the space.

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ELECTION 2024: One week until voting begins. You have 26 decisions to make
October 10, 2024 2:27 pm
|      17 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

USPS just delivered the 111-page voters’ pamphlet for the general election, a reminder that voting begins in a week. King County Elections starts sending ballots next Wednesday (October 16); KCE ballot dropboxes open next Thursday (October 17). Here’s the list of what will be on your ballot:

RACES WITH CANDIDATES (click that link for the lists with links to candidate info)

US President & Vice President (10 options)
U.S. Senator (2 candidates)
Congressional District 7, U.S. Representative (2 candidates)
Washington State, Governor (2 candidates)
Washington State, Lt. Governor (2 candidates)
Washington State, Secretary of State (2 candidates)
Washington State, State Treasurer (2 candidates)
Washington State, State Auditor (2 candidates)
Washington State, Attorney General (2 candidates)
Washington State, Commissioner of Public Lands (2 candidates)
Washington State, Superintendent of Public Instruction (2 candidates)
Washington State, Insurance Commissioner (2 candidates)
Legislative District 34, State Representative Pos. 1 (2 candidates)
Legislative District 34, State Representative Pos. 2 (2 candidates)
State Supreme Court, Justice Position No. 2 (2 candidates)
State Supreme Court, Justice Position No. 8 (1 candidate)
State Supreme Court, Justice Position No. 9 (1 candidate)
State Court of Appeals, Division 1, District 1 Judge Position No. 4 (1 candidate)
State Court of Appeals, Division 1, District 1 Judge Position No. 7 (1 candidate)
King County Superior Court, Judge Position 41 (2 candidates)
City of Seattle, Council Position No. 8 (2 candidates)

BALLOT MEASURES (click that link for the lists with links to measure info – the very short descriptions below are from that page)

State Initiative Measure No. 2066 (regulating energy services, including natural gas and electrification)

State Initiative Measure No. 2109 (taxes)

State Initiative Measure No. 2117 (carbon-tax-credit trading)

State Initiative Measure No. 2124 (state longterm-care insurance)

City of Seattle Proposition No. 1 (property tax levy renewal for transportation)

So, you have 26 decisions to make on your ballot. We’ll take closer looks at the local races and issues in the days ahead.

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CRIME WATCH FOLLOWUP: Stolen paintings mysteriously reappear
October 10, 2024 11:56 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

Back in July, after this year’s Alki Art Fair, we reported that paintings had been stolen from at least two participating artists. This week, after almost three months, half a dozen stolen paintings mysteriously reappeared and are being returned to the artists. We just received that news from Elizabeth Rudrud of the Southwest Seattle Historical Society‘s Log House Museum (which is on Alki, about a block and a half inland from where the fair was held). She tells WSB via email:

This week, I found, and am in the process of returning to the artists, six canvas paintings that were stolen during Alki Art Fair.

Tuesday, I arrived at the Log House Museum and found six canvas paintings placed behind a bench on our protected porch. I initially thought someone had left these as an anonymous donation for the museum, which, as this is a good opportunity to remind your readers, is always, always discouraged and doing so creates significant work for museum staff.

It was immediately apparent, however, that these paintings were not intended as a museum donation. Taped to the back of one of the canvases was a note that said “Return Paintings to Artist” with two artist names. The paintings appear in great condition. I found their websites, confirmed that these were in fact stolen artworks, and contacted the artists.

It is likely the person who initially stole these original paintings, or someone close to them, who made the right decision to return them and correctly believed that our historical society would assist. I am glad that I found these before a passerby decided to take them or weather damage occurred.

Richard Jahn picked up his paintings yesterday and described how devastated he was when they were taken. He said it felt as though he lost a family member. I have been in contact with the second artist and these will be returned to her soon.

We don’t know if that leaves any other stolen paintings unaccounted for, but will try to find out.

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Sound Transit, Art Walk with music, ‘Orca Rescue!’, more for your West Seattle Thursday
October 10, 2024 9:58 am
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 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

Two major events lead our Thursday list:

WEST SEATTLE LIGHT-RAIL ROUTING: As we reported last Friday, the Sound Transit board’s System Expansion Committee is scheduled to consider routing and station locations for the West Seattle Link Extension today. Here again is the resolution laying out the staff recommendation. The committee meets at Union Station on the south side of downtown (401 S. Jackson) at 1:30 pm; the agenda explains how to comment, either in-person or remotely, as well as how to watch/attend the meeting.

WEST SEATTLE ART WALK, WITH MUSIC: Second Thursday of the month is West Seattle Art Walk night! Tonight starts the fall quarter – which means a new walking map/list of participating venues, including the ones offering food/drink specials to Art Walk’ers:

To see who’s having artist receptions tonight, check out the October preview. Most are 5-8 pm but some venues are keeping different hours … Also, The Art of Music is back with three free mini-concerts, 6 pm-7:45 pm, as shown here – Sue Quigley at West Seattle Realty (2715 California SW; WSB sponsor), Cami Voss at Jet City Labs (4547 California SW), and Terra Nova Duo at Alki Arts (6030 California SW).

Now, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, here are other highlights for the rest of today/tonight:

SOUTH SEATTLE COLLEGE GARDEN CENTER: Shop fall plants at the center, open Thursdays-Saturdays 10 am-3 pm, north end of the South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus. Annuals, perennials, sun, shade, natives, edibles, ground covers … wide variety!

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE LUNCHEON: 11:30-1 pm at West Seattle Golf Course (4470 35th SW), this month’s focus is “Empowering DEIAB – Cultural Humility Strategies.”

WEST SEATTLE UKULELE PLAYERS: All levels welcome to this weekly 1 pm gathering. Email westseattleukuleleplayerswsup@gmail.com for info on where they’re playing today.

STRONG BODIES, STRONG BONES: 2:30 pm yoga class at the Center for Active Living (4217 SW Oregon).

SPORTS: Both high-school girls’ teams play locally today – WSHS (1-7-1) plays Seattle Academy at 4 pm at Delridge Playfield (4458 Delridge Way SW); CSIHS (4-2-4) takes on Ingraham at 4:30 pm at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle).

HPCS FOOD-TRUCK VISIT: Every Thursday, 4-8 pm, Highland Park Corner Store (7789 Highland Park Way SW) gets a food-truck visit. Tonight it’s Delfino’s Chicago Pizza.

OPEN HOUSE: Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic School (34th/Myrtle) invites prospective families to visit, 4:30 pm-6:30 pm.

UNDER-21 OPEN MIC: The monthly open mic presented by Mode Music Studios (WSB sponsor) next door at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW), optional theme “costumes.” Signups at 5, performances at 6.

VISCON CELLARS: In addition to participating in tonight’s West Seattle Art Walk (with a reception for featured artist Jessie Summa Russo), the West Seattle winery’s tasting room/wine bar is open 5-9 pm (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor) for wine by the glass or bottle!

‘ORCA RESCUE!’ AUTHOR: Donna Sandstrom tells the story of Springer – and more – as the Southwest Seattle Historical Society‘s featured Words, Writers, Southwest Stories speaker this month, 6 pm online. Here’s our preview; here’s the RSVP page, to get the link to watch/listen.

WALKING FOR WELL-BEING: Meet at 6 pm at 47th/Fauntleroy for a group walk in Lincoln Park – details in our calendar listing.

WESTIES RUN CLUB: New meeting spot for the 6 pm weekly run – now from Future Primitive on Alki (2536 Alki SW).

HIGHLAND PARK RUN CLUB: 6:30 pm, meet at Highland Park Corner Store (7789 Highland Park Way SW) for a 3-mile run through the neighborhood. (Walking option, too!)

VOLLEYBALL: One home match tonight, Chief Sealth IHS (8-1) hosts Rainier Beach, 7 pm. (2600 SW Thistle)

TRIVIA: 7 pm at Burger Planet (9614 14th SW).

Planning an event that should be on our calendar and in our daily preview lists? Please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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SING! Local choir invites you to open rehearsals
October 10, 2024 9:04 am
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 |   Triangle | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

The Boeing Employees Choir, which rehearses in West Seattle, is inviting singers to any of three upcoming open rehearsals. Despite the name, you do not have to be a Boeing employee to join. The rehearsals are at American Legion Post 160 (3618 SW Alaska), at 6:30 pm October 15, 22, and 29. If you’re interested in participating on one of those dates, they’d love to hear from you at president@boeingchoir.org – but RSVP isn’t mandatory. The choir has openings in all sections; read more about it here.

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TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER, ROAD WORK: Thursday info
October 10, 2024 6:01 am
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:01 AM: Good morning! Welcome to Thursday, October 10th.

WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

Increasing sunshine, high in the low 60s. Today’s sunrise will be at 7:22 am, while sunset will be at 6:29 pm.

NOTE FOR TOMORROW

Most students will be out of school Friday because of a staff in-service today.

ROAD WORK

*The Highway 99 tunnel will close for maintenance and inspections 10 pm Friday (October 11) to 6 am Sunday (October 13) – as its first “six-year inspection” is completed (explained here).

*The Admiral Way Bridge seismic project continues; the north half of the bridge remains closed, with one lane each way on the south side, until the project switches sides later this month, exact date TBA. Fairmount Avenue remains closed under the bridge.

*The Delridge pedestrian-bridge earthquake-safety project also continues, with narrowing at Delridge/Oregon.

TRANSIT

Washington State Ferries today – 2 boats on the Triangle Route, plus the “unscheduled third boat.” Check for alerts here.

Metro buses today – Regular schedule.

Water Taxi today – Regular schedule. Summer season is ending – which means no more later Friday/Saturday sailings until spring.

SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS

High Bridge – Here’s the main camera, followed by the Fauntleroy-end camera:

Spokane Street Viaduct – This view usually looks westward, with eastbound lanes at left and westbound lanes at right:

Low Bridge – Looking west:

1st Avenue South Bridge:

Delridge cameras: Besides the one below (Delridge/Genesee), cameras are also at Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Henderson, Delridge/Oregon, and video-only (so you have to go to the map), Delridge/Holden and Delridge/Thistle.

MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: All functioning traffic cams citywide are here; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are on this WSB page.

If you see a problem on the bridges/streets/paths/water, please text or call our hotline (when you can do that safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities if they’re not already on scene) – 206-293-6302. Thank you!

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VIDEO: Protesters say even one Seattle school closure is too many, but district proceeds with plans for up to five
October 9, 2024 11:25 pm
|      12 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

(WSB photos and video)

Five hours after that rally outside Seattle Public Schools headquarters, stressing opposition to any school closures, the district superintendent and board moved ahead with a plan to propose up to five.

First, the board approved this resolution setting some parameters for superintendent Dr. Brent Jones‘s forthcoming proposal, including a directive to create a community task force. Our area’s school board director Gina Topp was a co-sponsor of the resolution and said she hoped it would help rebuild trust. The board, at the behest of director Brandon Hersey, added language underscoring that five would be the maximum number of closures proposed – for next year, anyway.

Shortly thereafter, Dr. Jones presented his progress report on the plan, with two major headlines: He says he’s planning to release his proposed list of up to five schools “around October 21”; just one list, no alternative “options” like last time. And he said the intention will be for those five school “communities” to stay together as they are consolidated into other campuses, so the students and staff can move together. Here are both of the two slides he showed:

However, the demonstration before the meeting, led again by the coalition All Together for Seattle Schools, stressed that even one closure is too many.

Speakers included West Seattle parents whose schools had been on the now-scrapped lists – including Katie Lewis from Louisa Boren STEM K-8:

Boren has an indefinite reprieve, because the new short list is not supposed to include any K-8 or option schools. No such reassurance for the other West Seattle school that like Boren was on both of Dr. Jones’s previous lists, Sanislo Elementary. Sanislo parent Briana Herman-Brand spoke at the board meeting as well as at the rally, noting that the school’s small size “is part of its magic,”

Rather than closing schools, the coalition wants to see the state fully fund them. The board talked about a possible lobbying trip to Olympia; closure opponents implored them to make use of the community energy. Before the rally, we talked with a Gatewood Elementary parent who said their PTA is circulating an open letter to the governor, calling for a special legislative session “to fully fund public schools.” You can see the letter – and add your name if you want to – by going to gatewoodpta.org/openletter.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: And another 7-11 robbery
October 9, 2024 10:56 pm
|      16 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Thanks for the tip. The latest West Seattle 7-11 robbery happened just before 8:30 pm tonight at the Avalon store. According to police-radio audio, the robber was described as male, wearing a black ski mask, armed with a gun. He got away with cash, a phone, and ID. In the recent wave of local 7-11 robberies, this is the second one reported at the Avalon store in a little over a week.

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HALLOWEEN 2024: Spirited West Seattle business!
October 9, 2024 8:46 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Halloween | West Seattle news

With Halloween now three weeks (and one day) away, we’ll be featuring decoration displays daily – tonight, the spooky shelves at Alki Mail and Dispatch (47th/Admiral)! Proprietor Bree sent the photos, explaining:

Just wanted to share a few pictures of our Haunted Dispatch and let everyone know they are welcome to come check it out! We actually still have some work to do, we are aiming for a full family friendly indoor haunt by Halloween, and we also wanted to let everyone know we will be welcoming trick or treaters the whole day during business hours, (7 am-7 pm) and we will be handing out awesome goodie bags!

Got decorations? Send us pics, with general location info (“7000 block of Streetname SW,” for example), and whether it’s better seen by day or night (or both!) – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you! We’re archiving these stories (and other Halloween-related news) here.

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FOLLOWUP: Easy Street Records’ flood recovery, with a special delivery
October 9, 2024 7:25 pm
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Easy Street Records proprietor Matt Vaughan had a special delivery to make this morning: Tarps. Five days after firefighters from Station 32 helped with initial mop-up after a burst pipe flooded part of the store (as first reported here Friday), he brought their tarps back.

We found out Matt was on his way over to Station 32 when we stopped at Easy Street while in The Junction this morning to see how things were going post-flood (and post-broken window). He’s grateful for the community support and appreciates everyone’s continued patience as they recover.

Though he lost thousands of records and hundreds of apparel items to water damage, the shop is open, as is its café and bar, and the ongoing schedule of shows, signings, and listening parties carries on.

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About the Guardian One helicopter sighting
October 9, 2024 5:53 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | Helicopter | West Seattle news | White Center

This came up in comments on the report about this afternoon’s Army helicopter sightings. Unrelated but just to close the loop – we were finally able to confirm that the 3:30-4 pm-ish helicopter sighting was Guardian One helping with the search after a robbery reported at Taboo Video in downtown White Center (9913 16th SW). We have a short story on partner site White Center Now and will add anything else we find out from the King County Sheriff’s Office.

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UPDATE: About the U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopters over West Seattle (and why you’ll probably see them again Thursday)
October 9, 2024 2:39 pm
|      54 COMMENTS
 |   Helicopter | West Seattle news

(Photo sent by Sally)

2:39 PM: Lots of questions this past hour about U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopters over West Seattle. They’re from Joint Base Lewis McChord in Pierce County. We have a message out to Public Affairs there to see if they can comment. But this is far from the first time these types of helicopters have looped the area (and other points between here and the base); more often, we see them at night (flight trackers generally list them), and we’ve been told before that these are training flights.

(Photo sent by Karen)

(update) We’ve added a few more photos – thanks to everyone who’s sent them!

(Photo sent by Mike)

10:42 PM: Consensus (see comments below) seems to have landed on training for a Seahawks Thursday Night Football flyover tomorrow.

10:50 AM THURSDAY: Scott from the JBLM Public Affairs Office just confirmed that’s indeed what was happening. So you may see them over West Seattle again on the way to the flyover before the 5:15 pm game.

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FOLLOWUP: More than a year after car-into-water Alki crash, allegedly speeding, drunk driver is charged
October 9, 2024 1:22 pm
|      41 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

(Reader photo, July 16, 2023, 1300 block Alki Avenue)

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

One year and three months after an Alki crash that left a woman fighting for her life after bystanders pulled her from her submerged car, we’ve learned that the driver accused of hitting her is charged.

We discovered during a routine periodic check of online court files that the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office has filed three charges against Angel I. Godoy Cruz, now 24 – vehicular assault (a Class B felony), reckless driving (a gross misdemeanor), and “no valid operator’s license” (a misdemeanor).

Here’s how the charging document summarizes the allegations:

On Sunday, July 13, 2023, at approximately 5:46 p.m., the defendant, 23-year-old Angel Godoy Cruz, an unlicensed driver with suspended driver’s license privileges, was speeding on northbound Alki Ave SW in a 2011 Infiniti G37 sedan, traveling at approximately 83 miles per hour in a 25 mph zone along Alki Beach. Alki Ave SW is a two-way arterial street consisting of one northbound lane and one southbound lane, with the lanes separated by a single dashed yellow line. The defendant then weaved around a vehicle by traveling into the southbound lane and back into the northbound lane.

At the same time, 24-year-old Madison Kelly was driving southbound in a 2005 Toyota Corolla and began to make a left turn from Alki Ave SW into a parking lot. Less than two seconds into her turn, the defendant crashed into Kelly’s vehicle at approximately 83 mph, causing the Toyota to roll northbound and fall into Elliott Bay. It is only because of the heroic efforts of witnesses who jumped into the bay to rescue Kelly from her submerged vehicle by cracking a car window open with a rock that she survived the collision. Witnesses then performed CPR on Kelly until medics arrived, who transported her to Harborview unconscious and in critical condition, suffering from extensive traumatic brain injuries and internal injuries.

As people gathered to perform life-saving efforts on Kelly, the defendant exited his vehicle. One witness confronted the defendant and stated that the defendant would be going to jail. According to the witness, the defendant replied, “Why would I be going to jail?” to which the witness responded that he may have killed the driver. The defendant then stated, “I don’t give a s–t,” and went back into his car. Law enforcement then contacted the defendant and observed a strong odor of intoxicants from the defendant’s person and observed an open can of IPA beer in plain view on the rear floorboard of the vehicle. After being read his Miranda rights, the defendant claimed the beer was from several days prior and that he had not drank alcohol that day but admitted to consuming marijuana that morning. He admitted to driving around the first vehicle because “it was going slow” and admitted that the speed limit for the area was 25 MPH. A search warrant was issued authorizing a blood draw for the defendant’s blood to determine his BAC. The toxicology report determined the defendant’s BAC was .011 three hours and 14 minutes after the collision, well above the per-se legal limit. …

Notably, the defendant has never possessed a valid driver’s license, but has a history of repeated disregard for traffic safety laws: Speeding, No Valid Operating License (08/31/2022), Expired License (06/20/2022), Vehicle Plates Expired (02/28/2019), Speed Too Fast for Road Conditions, Expired License, Vehicle Plates Expired (11/20/2015)

According to the documents, police submitted the case to the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office this past August; the charges were filed four weeks later, on September 20, with a request for $150,000 bail. However, when Godoy Cruz appeared for arraignment on October 3, Judge David Keenan set bail at $25,000, with electronic home monitoring as a condition, and gave him a week on personal recognizance to post bond. Godoy Cruz is required to do that, and to start electronic home monitoring, by the end of the day tomorrow (Thursday, October 10). If he fails to do so, prosecutors can seek an arrest warrant. (He had a North Seattle address at the time of the crash but has told the court he is now living in West Seattle. After the crash, he was taken to the hospital, rather than jail, because of injuries.)

We asked the KCPAO why the case took so long to file. Spokesperson Casey McNerthney confirmed that they received it four weeks before filing it, which was 13 months after the crash (we will be following up separately with SPD); those four weeks were spent reviewing the evidence, which, the office says, included a lot of video. (The court documents indicate that’s part of how they determined the 83 mph speed.)

As for the victim, we have sent inquiries to family/friends multiple times since the crash to ask how Ms. Kelly is doing, but have not received a reply. Regional TV reports said she was out of the hospital and inpatient rehab and back home two months after the crash.

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Sad end to Arizona search for retired Sanislo Elementary PE teacher Sue Turner
October 9, 2024 12:16 pm
|      11 COMMENTS
 |   Obituaries | West Seattle news | West Seattle people


(Photo courtesy Stu Hennessey)

That signal-box portrait on 16th SW north of SW Holden has turned from a tribute to a memorial, after sad news from Arizona. As reported here in October 2020, the box was commissioned from prolific painter Desmond Hansen as a tribute to Sue Turner and Bud Turner, local educators renowned for their PE achievements. Ms. Turner, 76, was especially beloved at Sanislo Elementary, where she long served as PE teacher. She was reported missing in the Tucson area last month, with a Silver Alert issued, but after a two-week search, authorities reported she was found deceased. News stories from Arizona have no further details. Bud Turner died a year ago at age 77; the couple had been married for 52 years.

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FOLLOWUP: Mural work starts at Center for Active Living
October 9, 2024 11:45 am
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 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

One more mural note this morning – painting is finally under way for the mural planned to wrap around the Center for Active Living on the southeast corner of California and Oregon. The center’s executive director Amy Lee Derenthal says a permitting delay kept the painting from starting sooner. Artist Brady Black was chosen to paint the mural; we previewed it in this report on the center’s August open house.

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17 options for your West Seattle Wednesday
October 9, 2024 9:45 am
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 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Today’s sunrise, photographed by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)

Here’s what’s happening, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar (where you can always preview the days and weeks ahead, and where you’ll find even more events than we spotlight in the list):

WALKING FOR WELL-BEING: Meet at 47th/Fauntleroy at 10 am. Details in our calendar listing.

TODDLER READING TIME AT PAPER BOAT: 10:30 am at Paper Boat Booksellers (6040 California SW).

SOUTHWEST ARTIST SHOWCASE: The Southwest Library (9010 35th SW) is open noon to 8 pm, and you can visit any time to see what community artists are showing this year, until late October.

SCHOOL CLOSURE PROTEST: The citywide coalition that rallied before the last School Board meeting at district HQ is doing it again, saying even the revised plan for five closures is too many. 3:45 pm start at 3rd/Lander.

SCHOOL BOARD MEETING: An update on the status of the closure plan, plus the proposed BEX VI and Operations levies, are part of the agenda for today’s meeting, which starts at district HQ at 4:15 pm, with public comment (the signup list is already full) starting around 5 pm. If you’re not going to district HQ, it’ll be live on SPS TV.

HOMEWORK HELP: 4-5:45 pm at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond), volunteers can help K-12 students with their homework.

KENNEDY CATHOLIC HIGH SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE: 5:30 pm-8 pm, prospective students and their families are invited to visit the school (a WSB sponsor) in Burien. Our calendar listing has the RSVP/registration link.

FIX-IT WORKSHOP: Fix it, don’t toss it! Weekly event, free (donations appreciated), 5:30-7:30 pm at West Seattle Tool Library (4408 Delridge Way SW, northeast side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center).

CRIBBAGE NIGHT: As previewed here, new monthly event, open to all players, all ages, 6 pm at the West Seattle Eagles‘ HQ (4426 California SW).

34TH DISTRICT DEMOCRATS: 6 pm pre-meeting program, 7 pm meeting – agenda here – at Fauntleroy Church (9140 California SW).

FREE GROUP RUN: All runners, all levels, are welcome to join the weekly West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) group run – meet at the shop by 6:15 pm.

TRIVIA x 4: Four trivia options tonight: At 6 pm, Locust Cider (2820 Alki SW) offers trivia … Larry’s Tavern (3405 California SW) hosts Wednesday-night trivia starting at 7:30 pm … Quiz Night begins at 8 pm at Beveridge Place Pub (6413 California SW) … and at 8:30 pm, trivia with Phil T at Talarico’s (4718 California SW).

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

POETRYBRIDGE: Monthly celebration of poetry at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), 7 pm.

MUSIC BINGO X 2: One night, two games! Play at The Good Society (California/Lander), 7 pm … At Three 9 Lounge (39th/Oregon), you can play MINGO music bingo, hosted by Mingo Maniac, at 7:30 pm Wednesdays.

KUNDALINI YOGA AND GONG BATH: 7 pm with Inner Alchemy at Move2Center (3618 SW Alaska), $35; ticket link is in our calendar listing.

SKYLARK OPEN MIC: The spotlight is yours! 7:30 pm signups for West Seattle’s longest-running open mic. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

Planning an open house, reading, tour, fundraiser, sale, discussion, show, meeting, presentation, etc., that’s open to the community? 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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WEST SEATTLE ART: New mural added to the ‘West Side Wall’
October 9, 2024 9:12 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

Before getting into the news of the day … an art break. We don’t often get news releases from artists announcing new murals. For this one, we did. Artist Christopher Hydinger has added that mural to those already on the wall along the alley leading south from SW Dawson behind Rite Aid; we went over for a look. Here’s what the artist has to say about their creation, describing it as “big, bold, with a pinch of comedy, completely unafraid to spotlight the truth”:

Christopher Hydinger invites you to experience their new pro-environmental mural, ‘Breaking News: Alien Messiah Engages Portal, Presses Delete‘ at West Seattle’s world-class art alley West Side Wall (located behind the Rite Aid at 5217 California Ave SW). Installed at the north end of the alley, this large-scale drawing created using only small paint pens took over 65 hours to complete and vibrantly visualizes in great detail the absurdity of a Messiah coming to Save Us illustrated through the comically dramatic lens of an Alien Messiah at the moment they have decided to press the Delete button.

“Compositionally, the viewer is able to enjoy the expansive view through the Portal and into the Universe of the Alien Messiah, but because the floating Delete button (designed using the principles of chromostereopsis to create a no-glasses-needed 3D illusion) has been oriented facing the Alien Messiah (all “recycle” icons feature arrows pointing clockwise), this also gives the viewer the physical sensation of simultaneously inhabiting the inside of something while also looking out from it (a world inside a box, a cage, a computer, a more expansive ecosystem). Combined with the larger-than-life presence of the beautiful but intimidating Alien Messiah and the ominously designed Delete button, this is intended to create an unsettlingly eerie shock. But hopefully this shock will inspire a deeply motivating pro-environmental perspective to emerge. And just in time for Halloween!”

If you haven’t been to the wall – it stretches a full block southward along the alley, plus a short ways east along Dawson too. We first reported on it more than a year ago.

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