West Seattle, Washington
18 Monday
Three notes in West Seattle (and vicinity) Crime Watch, plus an announcement:
GUNFIRE DAMAGES ACCESS BUS: A reader tipped us to this South Park incident, and now police have released a summary:
At 4:15 am (Friday), a Metro Access Van was transporting a single rider to an appointment in the early morning hours. When the van was traveling near 14 Ave S/ S Cloverdale St, the vehicle occupants observed a passenger compartment window shatter. Believing it might have been a rock, the vehicle continued to the original destination. The operator eventually discovered possible bullet damage and notified the supervisor who in turn called 911. Officers responded to the Access facility and contacted the (person who reported it). Bullet damage was verified, and evidence was collected.
If you have any information, the incident # is 24-323338.
Two reader reports:
GAS THEFT, AGAIN: The photo and report are from Jeff:
I came out to my truck this morning to find that someone drilled a hole in the gas tank to steal gas. This is the second time it has happened in a little over a year. Located off 44th and Genesee. If anyone heard or saw anything, it would be helpful.
No police-report number yet, nor for this one:
GARAGE BREAK-IN: From Scott:
(Saturday) night starting at 3 am, on the 41st Ave SW block between Hinds and Manning, someone broke into our garage and stole a bunch of tools. Our video camera captured this image of the person.
Please let people know to lock their belongings!
Also, just announced:
NEXT COMMUNITY MEETING WITH POLICE: Southwest Precinct crime-prevention coordinator Jennifer Satterwhite has just announced the next Crime Prevention Council meeting (and remember, the “council” is really just everyone who shows up) for 6:30 pm Thursday, December 5. In addition to updates from precinct leaders, you will get a chance to learn about the Unified Care Team, the multi-department team that deals with encampments around the city. The agenda is in our calendar listing; the precinct is at 2300 SW Webster.
(WSB photo, May)
The development docket’s been quiet lately, but a West Seattle project of note showed up in the city’s twice-weekly Land Use Information Bulletin today: 5249 California SW [map] is the long-vacant site next to the once-and-future Ephesus Restaurant. Almost two years ago, we found the newest project proposed for the site, with nine residential units. Now that’s received a key land-use approval, which in turn opens a two-week appeal period for anyone interested. What’s planned on the site is summarized by the city as “a 3-story, 6-unit townhouse building and a 3-story, 3-unit live-work building” with four offstreet-parking spaces. As also noted in the city’s bulletin, the foundation that’s on the site was built in 2017; at one point, there was a plan for a small mixed-use building there. Here’s the decision city planners reached, including their design- and landscaping-related comments; here’s the notice explaining how to appeal, by the December 2nd deadline. After this is finalized, the project still has to obtain a building permit before proceeding.
(Snowy Olympics peeking through the morning murk, photographed by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)
Here’s the list for your Monday, from our WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
BABY STORY TIME: Noon at Southwest Library (9010 35th SW), for kids 0-2.
GET CRAFTY: 6-10 pm, Monday brings “Crafting and Creativity Night” at The Missing Piece (9456 35th SW), info here.
D&D: Weekly D&D at 6:30 pm at Meeples Games (3727 California SW). All welcome, including first-time players.
LISTENING TO GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP: 6:30 pm evening group with Listening to Grief, preregistration required. (4034 California SW)
MONDAY NIGHT TRIVIA! Four places to play tonight – Sporcle Music Quiz at Easy Street Records (4559 California SW), 6:30 and 7:30 pm … 7 pm at The Good Society (California/Lander); 7 and 8 pm Sporcle Pub Quiz at Three 9 Lounge (4505 39th SW); 7:30 pm with QuizFix at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW)
MONDAY NIGHT LAUGHS: This month’s “Routine Killers” comedy show at Otter on the Rocks (4210 SW Admiral Way) features Tyler Boeh, 7 pm – tickets and info here.
MEDITATION IN FAUNTLEROY: You’re invited to free weekly Zen sitting/meditation in the chapel at Fauntleroy UCC (9140 California SW), 7 pm-8:30 pm.
MEDITATION IN ALKI: The Alki Dharma Community also hosts Monday night meditation at Alki UCC (6115 SW Hinds), 7-8:30 pm.
MUSIC AT THE ALLEY: The Alley in back of Bonjour Vietnam is open – Monday nights, live music from The Westside Trio, 8 pm at The Alley (behind 4509 California SW), 21+, no cover.
SING! 9 pm is the start time for Monday night karaoke at Talarico’s Pizzeria (4718 California SW).
If you have a West Seattle/White Center event to add to our calendar, please send the info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
One of that student group’s members, Jane is a West Seattle teen who goes to school on Vashon Island, where she’s part of a club that’s reaching across the globe to assist other girls. They’re also reaching across Puget Sound to invite more West Seattleites to support their work, with an online presentation Tuesday night. Here’s their announcement:
Girls to Girls is a student-led club at Vashon Island High School that connects girls from our club community with another across the globe in Taita-Taveta, Kenya. Our sister club, PETRI, is based at Mercer Island High School, and together, we’re sponsored by SeaVuria, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Our mission is to provide scholarships for girls in Kenya, enabling them to continue their education, as the Kenyan government does not fully fund schooling beyond grade 8. In the rural community of Taita-Taveta, where families earn just $3 a day, affording education for all children is challenging, and often, boys are prioritized.
Beyond scholarships, we have also provided computers and menstrual products to support these students in Taita-Taveta. Through our pen-pal program, we foster a special sisterhood with these innovative and resilient girls, creating meaningful connections across continents.
SeaVuria makes all of this possible through fundraising and donations. We organize bake sales, car washes, and are actively expanding our outreach in West Seattle. This November, we’re hosting our largest fundraiser of the year, and we’d love for you to join us!
Event Details:
Dates: November 19th at 7 PM PST
Location: Join us via THIS Zoom Link.Please also check out our website, seavuria.org, to learn more.
6:00 AM: Good morning! Welcome to Monday, November 18.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
Rainy, breezy, high in the mid-40s. Today’s sunrise will be at 7:20 am, while sunset will be at 4:28 pm.
TRANSIT
Water Taxi today – Regular service.
Washington State Ferries today – 2-boat service on the Triangle Route with M/V Sealth as the “ghost boat.” Check here for last-minute changes.
Metro buses today – Regular schedule.
ROAD WORK
*The Admiral Way Bridge seismic project continues; the south half of the bridge is closed, with one lane each way on the north side. Fairmount Avenue remains closed under the bridge.
*The Delridge pedestrian-bridge earthquake-safety project also continues, with narrowing at Delridge/Oregon.
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!
(Trees in High Point, photographed by Jerry Simmons)
Among this week’s events in West Seattle: The Trees and People Coalition plans an “interactive information session” Tuesday night (November 19) to discuss how the city’s proposed zoning changes might affect the tree canopy. They’re planning presentations around the city, starting with 6:30 pm Tuesday at West Seattle (Admiral) Library (2306 42nd SW). The sessions will include information on how to comment on the rezoning proposals by the December 20 deadline. If you can’t get to this, there’s also an online session next Saturday, noon-1 pm (register here to get the link), with citywide information and the chance to ask questions about your neighborhood.
Story and photos by Jason Grotelueschen
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
Neighbors gathered earlier this week for a general gathering of the Admiral Neighborhood Association to hear from guest speakers and discuss community issues and upcoming holiday events. The meeting was held at Admiral Church on Tuesday and was facilitated by president Joanie Jacobs, and here’s a recap:
First on the agenda (bumped to the top because she needed to attend to a family commitment) was city attorney Ann Davison, who gave an update to the group and answered questions. She had spoken last month to the Alki Community Council (WSB coverage here) and provided a similar update for the Admiral group.
Davison reiterated the importance of neighborhood meetings like this being a crucial part of her job, and how much she appreciates people coming out to attend.
Davison cited her partnership with the Seattle City Council in September’s 8-1 council approval of the creation of Stay Out of Drug Areas (SODA) areas, which target drug-related criminal activity in key areas of the city (such as portions of Belltown and the International District) and authorizing the courts to prohibit an individual from entering those areas if they have committed a drug-related criminal offense in those zones. Davison said she is optimistic that the zones are small and targeted enough to really make a difference, saying that past efforts to identify priority areas of the city involved about 40% of the city’s 83 square miles (“simply too big”) but that the current SODA areas make up only .5% of the city. “These areas are a tool for officers to protect the public space and provide predictability,” she said, so the general public “can get where they need to go and do what they need to do.” She added that because prior booking restrictions for King County Jail were lifted on November 1st, this will also help officers be more responsive for the community. “That was a missing piece; an instrumental change,” she said.
Davison then took some questions from attendees:
Davison then needed to leave the meeting for a family obligation, and encouraged attendees to reach out to her office with questions and concerns. She said that she lives in north Seattle and thus isn’t in West Seattle every day, but she wants to hear from citizens. Jacobs thanked Davison for the extra effort to attend the meeting and make the time.
The group discussed and approved the minutes of their prior meeting, and then invited officer Barreto to provide some updates:
Barreto said that, from a crime-stats perspective in the Admiral area, most of the crime numbers are down, with the exception of aggravated assault and burglaries. Some attendees noted that this wasn’t particularly comforting news, which Barreto acknowledged, but said that the relative number of incidents was still low, thus any data change one way or another is going to result in a significant “percentage change.” Barreto noted that crime data is published online and is readily available.
Barreto then answered questions from attendees:
Next was a report from treasurer Bridgett Markille, who reported that the group’s finances are strong, due to great support from small businesses and members, despite considerable expenses this past year on marquee events such as the Admiral Music in the Parks (AMP) series, the July 4th parade and the Admiral Funktion block party. She encouraged residents to support those small businesses.
Next up was an update from communications chair Dan Jacobs, who reported that ANA has been graciously gifted a software program called MonkeyPod that will be the group’s new platform for management of financing, communications, donations etc. The donation is being facilitated by MonkeyPod’s Mike Depew, who lives in the Admiral area and wanted to get involved with what ANA is doing.
The ANA group then elected officers, and attendees approved the continuation of the 4 existing officers to remain in their positions:
President: Joanie Jacobs
Vice President: Cheryl Lea
Secretary: Meagan Loftin
Treasurer: Bridgett Markille
Jacobs expressed support for Admiral Church and its staff, saying that the church lets ANA meet there for free, helped host one of the AMP concerts, and has been a great partner.
She added that ANA needs a team leader to head up the group’s annual 4th of July parade (WSB coverage here). Megan Erb led it for about 10 years, but she is stepping down and they need a new leader for this popular local event. Jacobs emphasized that it’s not a “solo effort,” it takes many volunteers, but there does need to be a coordinator in order for the event to keep going. Interested? Contact the group via connecttoadmiral.org.
Jacobs acknowledged the recent unexpected death of WSB co-founder Patrick Sand, calling him “an amazing person; a force for good in our community,” and a great friend. She said that different neighborhood associations have been working on ways to honor his legacy, and ANA has decided that they’ll be starting a “Patrick Sand ANA Advocate Award,” and will accept applications in the near future, with the winner chosen by a group that will include WSB editor/publisher Tracy Record.
Jacobs then acknowledged the volunteers who helped put together the group’s successful Admiral trick-or-treating event (WSB coverage here), saying that the group received very positive feedback about the event, particularly regarding the ANA-coordinated crossing guards (the first year for that).
Some upcoming events, which Jacobs and the team talked about:
The group closed the meeting with some raffle items, and thanked attendees for coming.
The next general gathering of the Admiral Neighborhood Association will be held in the new year: Tuesday January 14th at 7pm at Admiral Church.
(Katie, in photo provided by Flower Lab)
When we reported this past week on changes coming to the southeast corner of the Admiral Junction, Bebop Waffle Shop‘s end-of-year closure news included word that co-housed Flower Lab (2600 California SW) would eventually be going online only. Flower Lab proprietor Katie wants to be sure you know that’s not happening any time soon: “We are going to be remaining open in the Admiral location through Mother’s Day – we do want people to stop in and shop our floor (we’ll be selling off giftware), and we will be keeping our coolers stocked to continue selling in-person and for deliveries over these next months prior to moving things online. We’re so grateful for the chance to continue serving as your retail florist in this special space, which will have new life breathed into it once again in 2025. As we prepare for the future, we’re gradually transitioning to focus more on e-commerce flower delivery, but in the meantime, we’re here — ready for your calls, online orders, and visits to the shop. We’d love to welcome you in and help bring beauty into your lives as you’ve brought it into ours.”
(Photos by Dave Gershgorn for WSB)
If you’re at the Turkey Bowl, you might as well dress like a bird. That’s one of the sights our photographer saw at last night’s Beer Church Turkey Bowl at West Seattle Bowl. For more than 20 years, this event has brought together brewers, brewpub operators, and other members of the beer community to raise money and collect food for the West Seattle Food Bank.
(Organizers- top row from left: Chris Burns, Kendall Jones, Kim Jones, Shayna Burns, Shannon Burns, Tom Burns. Bottom row from left: Wyatt Brinkman, Ellie Burns, Mary Burns, Thomas Burns)
The holiday tradition also included raffles and a silent auction:
And more bowling:
(Dylon Tubb bowling)
Organizers Kendall Jones and Kim Sharpe Jones are known for the Washington Beer Blog, for which Kendall is the main contributor.
In case you happened onto that scene on the south side of the AJ Apartments at 42nd/Oregon earlier this afternoon – there’s a happy ending. A cat got out of its harness and managed to get itself stuck in the undercarriage of that car. Concerned helpers covered the car with tarps to contain the cat in case it bolted, and tried to figure out what to do. (That’s one helper on their side on the ground to the left of the car!) A tipster contacted us, and we stopped by but couldn’t hang around to see how it turned out. The tipster just texted us that they managed to get the cat out and all’s well:
“It was wedged in some kind of housing,” the tipster reports. “Cats can do crazy things.”
The holiday giving tree in the front window at CAPERS (WSB sponsor) is one reason to check out the shop’s Holiday Open House this afternoon. You can help the families at Hickman House – a shelter for survivors of domestic violence – by choosing a star and fulfilling the gift request:
You can also shop for whoever’s already on your list – and holiday decor, as the shop has been transformed into a wonderland:
Some shelves and corners have themes – this one centers on miniature nostalgic TV sets!
CAPERS is offering prize drawings and refreshments, too. The holiday open house is on until 5 pm at 4525 California SW.
11:52 AM: Emergency responders are on shore and at sea off Constellation Park after a report of a possible vessel in trouble. They don’t have it in view yet.
12:02 PM: The call is winding down. Responders didn’t see anything, but did get one report that the vessel had “righted itself and continued on its way.”
Three more West Seattle Crime Watch reports this morning, starting with two from west of The Junction:
DUMPED MAIL: The report and photos are from Emy:
We discovered some presumably stolen and dumped bundles of USPS mail in the alley between 50th and 51st, between Edmunds and Alaska.
They didn’t retrieve it for safekeeping or turning in because “there is a ton of it ruined by the rain and ran over and scattered through the muddy alley.” But if you’re in the area and are missing mail, you might go take a look at the address ranges.
P.S. If you see something like this – or suspect your mail’s been stolen – you can contact the US Postal Inspection Service at 877-876-2455.
CAR BREAK-IN: Reported by Brianna:
Our car was parked outside our home on 48th and Oregon last night. This morning we found it ransacked. The glove compartment and console were open and all contents sprawled across the seats. Not sure yet what if anything is missing, but just wanted people to be aware!
And from Highland Park:
ANOTHER CAR TARGETED: This was sent by Corey:
I wanted to report an incident from around 5 AM this morning. This happened in the south end of the Highland Park neighborhood 18th and Trenton. Our neighbors’ car window was shattered by this guy seen in the videos.
He smashes the back passenger side window, but then walks away. He looks like he he’s going to go back but then changes his mind and turns back and goes south. Not sure if he was attempting to steal the car or something in the car, but when talking to the neighbors, there was nothing inside the car. In the second video, he goes out of frame, comes back and looks right at the camera. Unfortunately zooming does not give a clear (view). If anyone has any information, please let us know in the comments.
Family and friends are remembering Janice Laxton and sharing this remembrance with her community:
Janice Laxton
(March 14, 1932 – October 17, 2024)Janice Laxton, beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, leaves this world behind, with a legacy that will endure through many more generations. We will miss her for so long, and many of us will be grateful for the noble sacrifices she made and lessons she taught.
Janice Laxton is the kind of mother that gave up her meals when times were tough, for her husband and children. She bore the testimony of these sacrifices in her stance and walk.
Born to Oscar and Helen Weber in Portland, Oregon, 1932, raised during the Great Depression, she grew up with a sense of responsibility to the family not often heard of today. Throughout her life, she displayed this deep-felt belief in keeping the family strong, no matter what.
If the world could only understand the real and ultimate point of this kind of sacrifice, is to ensure a better tomorrow, which is reflected in the idea of overcoming spiritual forces of darkness and being a light unto the world. The very thing that my grandma was fighting against is the very thing that is being embraced in wholesale by the world today.
I pray that the world comes to understand that, if one doesn’t live for good and instead, lives for selfish desires, sacrifices like this are made in vain, and that we do this to our own peril.
Self-sacrifice is what I remember the most about my grandmother. That, and of course, her warmth and discipline. Thank you God for my grandma, and I pray that her sacrifices are remembered and continually made to be untrampled, untarnished, and grown in value over time. Amen.
(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to westseattleblog@gmail.com)
(Seen during Saturday night’s low-low tide at Lowman Beach – photo by Jason Grotelueschen)
Here’s what’s up, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar (where you’ll find even more listings) and newly launched WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide:
COASTAL FLOOD ADVISORY: Until 10 am, this morning’s high “king” tide has led to an alert for “minor coastal flooding.”
SWIM IN THE SOUND: At 9:30 am, dive into the weekly group plunge into Puget Sound off Alki – meet at Statue of Liberty Plaza (61st/Alki).
WESTIES RUN CLUB: Meet for today’s run at 9 am at Highland Park Corner Store (7789 Highland Park Way SW).
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: As usual, open 10 am-2 pm, with almost-winter produce, plus beverages, baked goods, flowers, cheese, fish, meat, prepared food, nuts, candy, condiments, more. (California SW between SW Alaska and SW Oregon)
JET CITY LABS SMALL-BIZ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm, pop in to see who’s selling what today. (4547 California SW)
WEEKEND IN THE STACKS – READING EVENT: West Seattle Book Club invites you to a special event 10:30 am to 12:30 pm today, either at West Seattle (Admiral) Library (2306 42nd SW) or High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond) – bring your own book or borrow one at the library of your choice. Our calendar listing also includes info on specials at nearby businesses.
CAPERS’ HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE: 11 am-5 pm, second day of the holiday open house enticing you into CAPERS (4525 California SW; WSB sponsor), featuring holiday magic, refreshments, more.
ALKI UCC DONATION DRIVE: 11 am-3 pm in the front courtyard at 6115 SW Hinds – here’s what they’re looking for:
This month’s priority: rain gear/warm clothing, particularly coats for men, and NEW SOCKS, SOCKS, SOCKS!
Also needed:
Non-perishable food, men’s work clothing, hygiene items and outdoor gear: tents, tarps, blankets, etc.
Donations are distributed through the Westside Interfaith Network (WIN) Saturday lunch, hosted in White Center. Deepest gratitude to our community for your generous support of our neighbors in need.
WEST SEATTLE TOOL LIBRARY: Fall is project time. Need a tool to make yours happen? Borrow it from the Tool Library, open 11 am-4 pm on the northeast side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center. (4408 Delridge Way SW)
LADIES MUSICAL CLUB: 3 pm concert at West Seattle (Admiral) Library (2306 42nd SW). See the program here.
ASTRA LUMINA: The illuminated walk at Seattle Chinese Garden on Puget Ridge is back. 5 pm and later entry times, tickets $23 and up. (6000 16th SW)
LIVE MUSIC SUNDAY AT LOCOL KITCHEN AND BAR: 5:30-7:30 pm, Tomo Nakayama performs at Locöl (7902 35th SW), no cover, 21+.
CREATE A SCULPTED ANIMAL: 6 pm at the Clay Cauldron (5214 Delridge Way SW) – check to see if they’re still signing up participants.
LIVE MUSIC AT THE ALLEY: Sunday night music with the Triangular Jazztet at The Alley (behind 4509 California SW) – 8-10 pm.
Are you planning, organizing, and/or publicizing something that should be listed on our community event calendar – one-time or recurring – and/or in our Holiday Guide? Just email us the basics – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
5:04 AM: Just got a call from someone who says there’s someone driving around Admiral shooting at vehicles. Their pickup truck has bullet damage, near 44th/Stevens, and they’ve heard of more than half a dozen others. We’ll be following up.
10:18 AM: Added a photo from the original caller, showing bullet holes in their truck. Other reports of bullet damage – and hearing the gunfire – are in comments below; the police-call log has reports of damage from locations including the 4500 block of 47th SW, the 3800 block of 51st SW, and the 4400 block of 48th SW. We have a message out to SPD to see if they have an overview summary available.
ADDED 2:40 PM: Here’s the information police provided – suggesting that the gunfire might be linked to car prowls:
*3:40 am, the original call was for shots heard near the PCC parking lot – that’s where officers found the shot-up pickup truck with “two bullet holes on the left side of the windshield (and) multiple bullet holes on the driver side window and door of the vehicle. … On further inspection of the damages spent bullet casings were found near and around the pickup truck. Bullets recovered from the scene were submitted for evidence. … A witness from a nearby residence stated that they observed two individuals come out of a vehicle. The two suspects were wearing black hoodies and were facing east in front of the truck. The description of the vehicle was a dark sedan, and a Lyft sign on the back of the vehicle. (The witness) believes that the vehicle sped off east on Stevens onto California Av Sw.
While investigating this incident, additional reports of shots being fired in the near area started to come out. Officers then directed themselves to those locations where additional damages to other vehicles were found.”
Another officer, while responding to a shots-heard report, “noticed one vehicle parked at 50 AV SW / SW Spokane ST, with its rear (drivers) door open. The vehicle … appeared to have been gone through. The second vehicle was parked at XXXX 48 AV SW, with a WA plate … This vehicle had its driver’s side window busted out and the vehicle appeared to have been gone through.” That officer then went to a shooting scene in the 3600 block of 50th SW to assist in collecting casings.
Yet another officer talked to “the registered owners of three victim vehicles, all of which appeared to have been prowled during the incident” on 51st SW. One person who heard four “loud bangs” saw an unfamiliar vehicle and a person outside it who got into a passenger seat before the vehicle left. Officers found smashed windows on three cars. The only item missing – that officers were told about – was a pair of headphones.
Story and photos by Tracy Burrows
Special to West Seattle Blog
Tonight’s Class 3A District 2 volleyball championship game at Lakeside School featured a matchup for the ages. The West Seattle High School volleyball team came into the game determined to win the program’s first-ever district championship. Their opponents, Renton’s Liberty High School Patriots, were riding high after pulling off an improbable upset in their semi-final game against the #1 seeded Seattle Prep team earlier in the day.
The Wildcats broke the WSHS district championship drought, making history by defeating Liberty 3-0. The girls played in their signature loose and joyful style, and the outcome of the match was never seriously in doubt. The team has had its ups and downs this season, but as head coach Scott Behrbaum said, “What matters most is to be playing well when it counts, and we are doing that.”
The Wildcats played smothering defense, with several dramatic blocks and clutch digs.
Westside’s district championship win likely will lead to a more favorable seed at next week’s 3A State Tournament in Yakima. The tournament matches will take place on Friday and Saturday, November 22 and 23.
SEALTH’S SEASON ENDS AT STATE
Meanwhile, the #10 seed Chief Sealth International High School Seahawks volleyball team wrapped up its season on Saturday afternoon by defeating Toppenish to capture 7th place in the Class 2A State Tournament at the Yakima Sun Dome. The match was a nailbiter, with Sealth winning 3-2. Sealth played catch-up all match, losing the first and third sets. They squeaked out the win in a match where every set was decided by 3 or fewer points. The final-set scores were 23-25, 25-23, 22-25, 25-23, and 15-12.
Another scene from this almost-holiday-season Saturday – pet photos during today’s West Seattle Nursery open house. Our videographer recorded many of the participating pups posing, or not! (The patient photographer was Tessa Gold.)
Never too late for gratitude! From this past week’s Fauntleroy Community Association meeting, words of thanks for a big event earlier this fall, from organizer Candace Blue:
The October Great Pumpkin Search occurred despite blustery wind and pouring rain at times. Several families stayed the full 2 hours to search for pumpkins and prizes. The grand prize was generously donated by Avalon Glassworks and had a value of $125. We sincerely thank them for their generosity. The young boy and his mother who found the prize were so happy.
His name is Hamish. This was their second year of participating in the Search. They had moved from another country and were unfamiliar with the fun to be had during the Halloween season. Thank you to all of the volunteers who helped hide the pumpkins. We were fortunate to have some students among them. Candace Blue, Scott Wiesemann, and the FCA appreciate this opportunity to serve the public.
Thanks to Don Brubeck for the photo! Sandbags ring Alki Statue of Liberty Plaza just in case the first round of fall/winter “king tides” slops up onto the plaza, as high-tide waters have done in the past (2022, for example). They’ll peak at 12.6 feet just before 7:30 am Monday (providing no meteorological factor pushes the tides higher). The flip side of king tides: Mega-low tides, and we’re expecting another one tonight, -3.5 feet just before 11 pm, even lower than the one that inspired last night’s beach-naturalists event at Constellation Park:
Thanks to Marty Westerman for that photo as beach visitors explored the shore on Friday night. Commenter Camille offered this view of exposed sealife under a blacklight:
The next wave of king tides/mega-low tides accompanies the December 15 full moon, including 12.8-foot high tides on December 16-17.
4:15 PM: Last night after two more robberies in unincorporated areas just outside Seattle, police pursued and arrested suspects when the chase ended in Capitol Hill. Here’s the SPD summary:
Seattle Police Officers arrested a 21-year-old, 19-year-old, and 11-year-old wanted for a string of robberies in Seattle and surrounding jurisdictions.
During these robberies, the suspects entered the businesses armed with firearms, stole merchandise and cash, before fleeing in stolen vehicles.
Friday evening at approximately 8:30 p.m., the same suspects committed an additional armed robbery in a surrounding jurisdiction. The suspects were pursued in a silver Hyundai by Tukwila Police into Seattle’s First Hill neighborhood. The pursuit spanned through multiple jurisdictions and involved several agencies including King County Sheriff’s Office, Washington State Patrol, and Tukwila Police Department.
The males stopped and ran from the stolen car around Spring Street and Harvard Avenue. Officers from Community Response Group (CRG), South, East, Southwest, and K9 Unit contained the area with the assistance of KCSO Guardian One, KCSO K9, and Tukwila PD.
All three suspects were taken into custody without incident and no firearms were located.
Two men were booked into King County Jail, one boy was booked into Judge Patricia H. Clark Children & Family Justice Center, all for investigation of robbery.
The robberies reported last night were in Skyway and just south of South Park. This was hours after a series of robberies early Friday including two in West Seattle. We won’t know before next week which incidents these suspects might face charges in.
5:08 PM: The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office says the suspects aren’t expected to have their first court appearances until Monday.
Thanks to West Seattle High School head volleyball coach Scott Behrbaum for the update! His team won its district semifinal match this morning and will play for the district championship tonight. “West Seattle defeated Bellevue in 3 sets in the District 2 volleyball tournament. We face Liberty HS at 5:15. Liberty defeated Seattle Prep this morning as well, 3-0.” They’re playing at Lakeside School if you want to head there to cheer them on; here’s the bracket, and here’s ticket info. (The team is already guaranteed a berth in the state tournament, as noted here Thursday night.)
In addition to what’s already on the calendar, we just got word of one more school open house today: Explorer West Middle School (WSB sponsor) invites prospective families to visit 1 pm-2:30 pm this afternoon:
Discover what makes our school unique! Meet our passionate teachers, hear from community members, and explore our classrooms. Learn about our focus on social-emotional learning, outdoor education, financial aid, and more. Adults and kids welcome!
Explorer West is at 10015 28th SW.
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