West Seattle, Washington
05 Wednesday
2:36 PM: Police are helping block off an area in the 2800 block of SW Nevada where SFD is dealing with a natural-gas leak reported in a townhouse complex. Avoid the area.
2:41 PM: PSE has arrived at the scene, firefighters told dispatch.
Police are investigating a reported robbery at the smoke shop at 4748 California SW. A man reported to be armed with a knife with “an 8-inch blade with blue handle” got away with $300 in merchandise, according to police radio. He also, officers told dispatch, might be a previous customer known to store staff. The robber is described only as a Black man, early 20s, 6’2″, thin, dark/light two-tone gray windbreaker, got away in a gray Honda SUV.
Today we’re welcoming Art & Soul Kids Studio as a new WSB sponsor! When local businesses join the WSB sponsor team, they get the opportunity to tell you about what they offer – so here’s what Art & Soul Kids Studio would like you to know:
Welcome to Art & Soul Kids Studio: A Place Where Creativity Belongs
Have you ever watched a child become completely absorbed in creating something with their own hands? That spark of confidence, curiosity, and joy is exactly why Art & Soul Kids Studio was created.
After spending 20+ years in public education and 7 years as an elementary art teacher in Seattle, I dreamed of creating a space where children could explore, create, and express themselves freely. Art & Soul is that space —a welcoming studio where process matters more than perfection and every child is encouraged to follow their own creative path.
What Makes Art & Soul Different?
At Art & Soul, we believe art helps children build confidence, connect with others, and discover their unique voice. Camps are designed to:
Encourage creativity and self-expression.
Build confidence through hands-on experiences.
Celebrate individuality and imagination.
Create a sense of belonging and community.
Allow children to take creative risks in a supportive environment.
Whether a child loves painting, sculpting, crafting, building, or simply experimenting with new materials, there is a place for them here. We also offer kids’ yoga, blending movement, mindfulness, and creative play to help children strengthen their bodies, calm their minds, and nurture their overall well-being.
What You’ll Find This Year
*Kids Yoga & Creative Expression Classes
*Open Studio Opportunities
*Homeschool Enrichment Programs
*Seasonal Workshops and Special Events
*Family Art Experiences
At Art & Soul, we believe every child is naturally creative. When children are given the freedom to explore, imagine, create, and move, they discover confidence, resilience, and joy. Our art classes, camps, and kids’ yoga experiences are thoughtfully designed to nurture the whole child—encouraging self-expression, mindfulness, curiosity, and connection. Whether they’re painting a masterpiece, building with clay, stretching into a playful yoga pose, or simply making new friends, every child is invited to follow their own unique path. After all, that’s what Follow Your Art is all about.
Meet Moss
You may notice a friendly Sasquatch with butterfly wings popping up around our studio. That’s Moss, the Art & Soul mascot! Moss reminds us that creativity grows when we embrace curiosity, imagination, and a little bit of magic.
Join Our Creative Community
Whether your child is an experienced artist or simply loves to create, we can’t wait to welcome them into our studio. Thank you for being here as we begin this exciting adventure together. We look forward to making art, building friendships, and creating lasting memories with your family.
We thank Art & Soul Kids Studio for choosing to advertise the studio by sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news on WSB. Interested in joining our sponsor team? Please email WSBAdvertising@wsbsales.com for information – thank you!
Though there’s lots of summer fun left, we have an update today on one of fall’s first big events – the Taste of West Seattle. Here’s an update from the West Seattle Food Bank, which both presents and benefits from The Taste:
Local flavors. Local impact. Taste of West Seattle returns September 24.
The Taste of West Seattle returns to The Hall at Fauntleroy on Thursday, September 24, bringing together more than 30 local food and beverage businesses for an evening of tastings, music, fun, and community—all in support of the West Seattle Food Bank.
Guests will enjoy tastings from every participating vendor, live music, games, raffles featuring prizes from neighborhood businesses, and the chance to vote for their favorite food and beverage vendors in five award categories.
Tickets are now on sale: General Admission tickets are $75 and include entry at 6:00 p.m. VIP tickets are $125 and include early entry at 5:30 p.m., access to exclusive lounge seating, and a special West Seattle Food Bank supporter gift. The event is for guests 21 and older.
Please purchase your tickets by Monday, Sept. 14th so our participating restaurants and beverage partners can accurately plan ingredients and prepare enough samples for all of our guests. Purchasing early ensures you don’t miss one of West Seattle’s favorite nights of food, fun, and community.
Every ticket sold helps the West Seattle Food Bank provide food, clothing, rent and utility assistance, and other essential services to tens of thousands of neighbors throughout the year.
Tickets and event information are available at: https://bit.ly/WSTaste2026
Special thanks to our sponsors: Metropolitan Market, Manson Construction, Hunt Jackson CPA, Pet Supplies Plus, and the West Seattle Blog.
Wondering which food and drink purveyors are participating? See a partial list here!
(Photo by Rosalie Miller: ‘Woodland Skipper on lavender’)
Here’s our list for the rest of today/tonight, with plenty of indoor events if you need to stay out of the smoke – what follows are highlights mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar – which you can preview any time:
SUMMER FOOD FOR KIDS: Local sites are open for all under 18 to access food – see our story for locations and other information.
READING WITH TODDLERS: 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.
SWIMMING POOL’S OPEN: Daily operations also continue at Colman Pool on the shore at Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW), noon-7 pm.
WADING POOLS: Two are scheduled today in West Seattle – Delridge, 12-5:30 pm (4501 Delridge Way SW) and Lincoln Park, 12-7 pm (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW).
PLAY AMERICAN MAH JONGG: Play indoors this afternoon! 2-4 pm, join players at Missing Piece (4707 California SW).
SUMMER QUEST – NATURE JOURNAL: Today, 3-5 pm at Delridge Library (5423 Delridge Way SW), learn about drawing trees and landscapes in your nature journal.
CLIMB AT CAMP LONG: Again this week – two special climbing sessions, 5 and 6:30 pm! Our calendar listing has details. (5200 35th SW)
FREE YOGA FOR 12-STEP RECOVERY: Wednesdays this summer, 5-6:30 pm at Inner Alchemy Studio and Sanctuary (3618 SW Alaska), no registration but MUST arrive no later than 4:55 pm.
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.
PIANO NIGHT: 6-9 pm monthly music at Upwell Wine & Coffee (4811 California SW).
WEST SEATTLE URBANISM: Talk about Seattle’s growth – current and future – at the weekly 6 pm meetup – Elliott Bay Brewing this week (4720 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 LANGUAGE SKILLS: 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)
TALK TO THE ANIMALS: Learn how, 7-9 pm at Inner Alchemy Studio/Sanctuary (3618 SW Alaska).
MAD CRAFTY: Bring your craft 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) has 7 pm trivia on Wednesdays … Admiral Pub has trivia at 7 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 is at 8:30 pm at Talarico’s (4718 California SW).
SKYLARK OPEN MIC: West Seattle’s longest-running open mic! 7:30 pm signups for the weekly event at The Skylark. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
SALSA DANCING: 8 pm lessons with BALORICO at Viva Arts (4421 Fauntleroy Way SW).
SWING IT WEDNESDAY! Swing dancing and live music at 8:15 pm at South Park Hall (1253 S. Cloverdale, South Park).
KARAOKE X 2: In the south end, Megastar Karaoke with KDJ Mythikal at Max’s Triangle Pub (9454 Delridge Way SW), 9 pm … In the north end, sing at Admiral Pub also 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!
Family and friends of Phyllis Ward are remembering her, and sharing this with her community:
It is with sadness that I share the news that our beloved Phyllis Ward passed away peacefully in her bed on July 24 in the Fauntlee Hills neighborhood. She took her last breath in the presence of friends and her beloved kitties. She suffered from a variety of illnesses that finally wore her body down.
She prepared well for death, wrapping up her affairs, even throwing a big birthday bash to see the many people who meant so much to her in this life. As she approached the end, she exhibited such contentment. She was ready to go and eager to reunite with her wife Edith.
Below is a brief obituary:
In Loving Memory of
Phyllis L. Ward
May 21, 1943 – July 24, 2026Phyllis L. Ward, 83, of Seattle, passed away on July 24, 2026. She was born May 21, 1943, in Kellogg, Idaho.
Phyllis grew up in Pinehurst, Idaho, before attending business college in Portland, Oregon. After graduation, she worked for a publisher as a receptionist and billing clerk. She went on to work for Henry Hanson, who held the contract for the Interstate 90 overpass, and later worked for the Iron Workers in Spokane, Washington, as office manager. In 1967, Phyllis relocated to Seattle, where she worked for Brower Company as a purchasing agent. She retired from Patent Construction in 2007.
For 45 years, Phyllis shared her life with her partner, Edith Windolf. In 1987, the two bought a home together in West Seattle, where Phyllis put her love of carpentry and home improvement to good use. For decades around Thanksgiving, Phyllis and Edith travelled to Maui and stayed at The Whaler at Kaanapali Beach where, over the years, they cultivated a tight-knit community of very close friends. Maui was her happy place and she chose it as the place where she would like her ashes scattered.
In the past few months, Phyllis was surrounded by love and support from her cherished friends in Seattle, who cared for her devotedly through her illnesses.
Phyllis is survived by her sister- and brother-in-law, Walter and Margot Reichenbach of Germany; her niece, Marle Wolter of Germany; and her great-niece Caroline and great-nephew Phillip Wolter of Germany. She also leaves behind her three beloved cats, Madeline, Maurie, and Riley.
She did not want a memorial service but asked, instead, if donations could be made in her name to Emerald City Pet Rescue at emeraldcitypetrescue.org
(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)
6:01 AM: Good morning. It’s Wednesday, August 5, 2026.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET
The Air Quality Alert continues for smoke, and a Heat Advisory is on the way. Meantime, the forecast says you can expect sunshine and smoke with a high in the 80s. Sunrise was at 5:52 am today; sunset will be at 8:37 pm.
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.
BRIDGE TRAFFIC CAMERAS
Here are four bridge views from the SDOT map:
High Bridge – Here’s the main camera, followed by the Fauntleroy-end camera:
Low Bridge – Here’s the westward view. Also note, maritime-opening info is available via X (ex-Twitter):
1st Avenue South Bridge:
See a problem on the bridges/streets/paths/water? Please text or call our hotline (when you can do it safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities if they’re not already on scene) – 206-293-6302. Thank you!
Perhaps the most striking feature of tonight’s smoke-red sunset was – if you were within sight of Puget Sound – the red reflection. Above is Mike Tyler‘s photo from Lincoln Park. The Air Quality Alert for wildfire smoke from around the region continues until 5 pm Thursday; the Heat Advisory will be in effect 10 am tomorrow until 10 pm Thursday.
That’s one of the King County ballot drop boxes in West Seattle that we visited in the final hour-plus of voting – lots of last-minute dropoffs. Now, the first results are out – here’s the full list; we’re adding breakouts below:
SEATTLE PROP. 1, LIBRARY LEVY
Yes – 67565 – 71.71%
No – 26656 – 28.29%
KING COUNTY COUNCIL, DISTRICT 8
Teresa Mosqueda* – 17984 – 62.78%
Nick Duda – 7876 – 27.49%
Mia Jacobson – 2655 – 9.27%
U.S. HOUSE REP., DISTRICT 7
Pramila Jayapal* – 83539 – 82.98%
Nirav Sheth – 10824 – 10.75%
Gwen Kirkland – 3440 – 3.42%
David W. Blomstrom – 2446 – 2.43%
STATE HOUSE REP, 34TH DISTRICT, POSITION 2
Joe Fitzgibbon* – 14529 – 73.62%
Mary Anito – 4891 – 24.78%
The next round of results will be released tomorrowafternoon.
6:44 PM: Thanks to Dan Jacobs – who you might know from the Admiral Neighborhood Association – for being the first to send photos from one of tonight’s Night Out parties, on a stretch of 44th SW. This one even has music:
We expect to have some more Night Out scenes to share. If you have a photo to send – group shot? fun moment – text 206-293-6302 or email westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
7:25 PM: Thanks to Joseph for the photo above, from 42nd/Juneau.
ADDED 8:46 PM: A WSB Night Out tradition – we visit JoDean‘s block party in Arbor Heights!
(WSB photos by Jason Grotelueschen from here down)
That’s JoDean, fourth from left in front. She says the group was smaller this year because several households decided to stay in rather than go out in the smoke. … Also inviting us to stop by, Rosalie Miller in Admiral:
Rosalie’s a volunteer with Washington Bee Atlas, so we weren’t surprised to see a hive at the party:
9:54 PM: 34th and Kenyon:
44th/Wildwood/Brace Point:
Charlestown/Belvidere:
ADDED: Reader video/photos from here down – starting with one of the All-City Band’s Night Out stops, in North Delridge – thanks to the texter who sent video:
One of the musicians’ other stops was in Upper Alki – thanks to Lindsey Pearsall for the photo:
Plus one more block-party group photo – Allison‘s neighbors on 36th SW:
If you participated in Night Out, you’re part of a tradition going back more than 40 years!
Two restaurant notes:
MORGAN JUNCTION POP-UP: If you missed it in our Event Calendar – tonight’s another one of the periodic pop-ups at The Neighborhood (6503 California SW) – the restaurant is usually closed on Tuesdays but the pop-up is a takeover by Mariscos Panda, “Every other Tuesday at The Neighborhood featuring Ceviches, Poké, Tacos and more. 5 pm-8 pm.”
ALASKA JUNCTION BRUNCH: One of the newest entrants into the ever-growing West Seattle brunch scene is Phoenecia (4717 42nd SW), which sent word they’re now serving brunch 10 am-2 pm Sundays, and planning to add Saturdays soon too. Here’s the menu, which leads off with Baklava French Toast!
That bird-enhanced view of the smoky sunrise is from Theresa Arbow-O’Connor. Along with the ongoing Air Quality Alert throuh 5 pm Thursday, we now also have a Heat Advisory headed this way, 10 am Wednesday to 10 pm Thursday. Forecast highs are only in the 80s – but last time that was coupled with a heat alert, the actual highs turned out to be in the 90s.
(CARE Department photo)
Starting tomorrow, the crisis responders who are part of the city’s CARE public-safety department are expanding their hours citywide. Here’s the announcement:
Effective tomorrow, August 5, the Seattle CARE Department’s Community Crisis Responders (CCRs) will operate from 6:30-1:00 AM daily, citywide. Current citywide service is from 12:00-10:00 PM daily.
This expansion into the early morning and late night hours addresses a significant need for community support during windows of time when our call data shows the highest volume of calls that crisis responders can support, including welfare checks, requests for resources, and assistance with people who are experiencing a crisis. Approximately 84% of the responders’ most common call types come in between 6:30-1:00 AM.By sending highly trained and unarmed mental health professionals to these events, the CARE Department helps the City of Seattle address underlying needs and connect people in need to long-term solutions. So far this year, crisis responders have responded to 6,279 calls, compared to 7,136 for all of 2025.
The public can continue to call 911 or the City’s non-emergency line (206-625-5011) to request the CCRs, including for welfare checks, referrals, and resources. Call-takers will determine the appropriate response based on the scenario.
1:11 PM: Thanks for the tip. 16th/Holden is partly blocked by a crash and the resulting medical response. Avoid the area for a while.
2:15 PM: By the time we went through the area less than an hour later, the scene had cleared.
Thanks for the tips. A tagger has vandalized the community-painted mural at Emma Schmitz Memorial Overlook. You can’t tell it from our photo – and we do our best to not give taggers more exposure by showing their “work” full on anyway – but the longest stretch of the mural has one huge tag across it, outlined rather than solid, in white paint. After going there to see it first hand Monday following multiple reader reports, we contacted artist Nalisha Estrellas, who led the mural painting last year. Here’s what she told us via email when we asked if she was aware of the vandalism and if the mural had a “graffiti-resistant coating”:
David, a local resident and the person who hired me to install it, let me know. He’s aware of my plans to repaint
Graffiti-resistant coating is very expensive – for that size wall it would cost approx $2,000 and according to my experienced mural Artist community it’s a waste of money because any time a mural with on it gets tagged, removing the spray paint leaves a “halo effect”. Not only that but it takes a lot of effort to scrub off the graffiti unless someone has a power washer. It takes less energy to repaint and I am working on that. … Please express my thanks to the community.
She is working to schedule when she’ll be able to repaint. As shown in our coverage last year, a multitude of community members helped paint it, including Lafayette Elementary students.
WEDNESDAY UPDATE: The artist says she’ll be repainting today, after creating some time in her schedule.
10:59 AM: A large group of transient orcas is passing through the Bainbridge ferry lanes, southbound, reports Kersti Muul, which means they’ll be in view off West Seattle before long if they don’t change direction.
ADDED 8:59 PM: Thanks to Rick R. for sending that photo of some of the whales, with the whale-watching boat Saratoga in view.
(Smoky sunrise – photo by Stewart L.)
Here’s our list of event notes/reminders/listings for today/tonight, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
VOTE! As noted later in the list, you have until 8 pm.
FIREFIGHTER STORY TIME: 10:30 am at South Park Library (8604 8th Ave. S.), a chance for preschoolers to learn about fire safety and to see firefighters and their gear up close in a non-emergency situation.
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 at West Seattle Golf Course (4470 35th SW; WSB sponsor); today’s speaker is Daniel Nye of Schmitz Park Creek Restore.
KEEPING A NATURE JOURNAL: Today’s Summer Quest project is at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond), noon – learn about recording plants and animals in your journal.
WADING POOLS OPEN: With sunshine and warm weather, West Seattle’s regular wading-pool lineup will be open – noon to 7 pm at Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way, upper park near the north lot) and at EC Hughes (2805 SW Holden).
COLMAN POOL: Noon-7 pm, daily sessions continue at the outdoor saltwater pool on the shore at Lincoln Park – see the schedule here. (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW)
(added) ALL-CITY SWIM MEET: Arbor Heights Swim and Tennis Club is hosting an all-city meet today and expects increased activity in the neighborhood as early as 1; the meet starts at 4 pm.
CHESS CLUB: All levels! 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.
NIGHT OUT: Tonight’s the annual night for neighborhood block parties around the city nation, most generally 5-9 pm – even if you’re not participating in one, be aware of side-street closures for the duration.
DROP-IN WINE TASTING: 5-7 pm Tuesdays at Walter’s Wine Shop (4811 California SW) – $15 fee, $5 off with bottle purchases. French wine is in the spotlight tonight.
DEMONSTRATION FOR BLACK LIVES: Long-running weekly sign-waving on the corners at 16th/Holden. 5-6 pm. Signs available if you don’t have your own.
TUESDAY NIGHT SUPPER CLUB: 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 – we’ll check later if the smoke alert has changed the standing weekly plan for this.)
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)
STORY TIME IN THE GARDEN: 6 pm at Delridge P-Patch (5078 25th SW), story time for kids, followed by a garden activity.
OPEN MIC: 6:30 pm signups, 7 pm music at the open mic hosted by Levi Said 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. (We’ll check later if the smoke alert has changed the standing weekly plan for this.)
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 ongoing 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)
TRIVIA X 4: Four Tuesday trivia venues – 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 pm at Admiral Pub, free to play, prizes. (2306 California SW).
VOTING DEADLINE: Get your ballot to an official county drop box by 8 pm – no grace period. They’re all mapped here (including the four in West Seattle).
KARAOKE AT POGGIE TAVERN: 9 pm Tuesdays, until 1:30 am, your turn to sing! (4717 California SW)
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!
6:29 AM: Good morning. It’s Tuesday, August 4, 2026.
BRIDGE INCIDENT
Multiple texters have reported at least one person on foot in the outside lane of the eastbound bridge. It appears an SFD rescue-standby response was called but quickly canceled. The traffic camera system is down currently so we don’t know yet where this stands. (6:38 AM: Catching up through radio archives, police got to the person – a woman in crisis – and called an ambulance for them. Two outside lanes were blocked while they awaited it. … 6:50 AM: The cameras are back up and the bridge is back to normal. If you or anyone you know is experiencing thoughts of self-harm, the 988 hotline is available 24/7.)
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET
The air quality alert continues for smoke. Meantime, the forecast says you can expect sunshine and smoke with a high in the upper 70s. Sunrise was at 5:50 am today; sunset will be at 8:39 pm.
NIGHT OUT
Tonight is the annual night for neighborhood block parties and West Seattle has 200+ registered, so watch for side-street closures tonight, 5-9 pm.
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.
BRIDGE TRAFFIC CAMERAS
Here are four bridge views from the SDOT map:
High Bridge – Here’s the main camera, followed by the Fauntleroy-end camera:
Low Bridge – Here’s the westward view. Also note, maritime-opening info is available via X (ex-Twitter):
1st Avenue South Bridge:
See a problem on the bridges/streets/paths/water? Please text or call our hotline (when you can do it safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities if they’re not already on scene) – 206-293-6302. Thank you!
(Reader photos)
Also seen at sunset: West Seattle’s latest derelict boat, still beached at Constellation Park. We first mentioned it a week ago; it apparently floated off for a while, then we started hearing about it again a few days later, and published this Saturday night.
More people noticed it today, including the texter who sent these photos this evening. We’re still working to find out who’s ultimately accountable for it. Over the weekend, we reached the U.S. Coast Guard, which told us to contact the state Department of Natural Resources, which has a Derelict Vessel Removal Program. They haven’t returned our messages yet; we’ve also inquired with Seattle Parks, since the boat is aground on one of their beaches.We’ll update whe we finally reach whomever has a plan to deal with it.
Thanks to Carol Ann Joyce for the photo of tonight’s sunset, with the expected tint that results from wildfire smoke. As reported this morning, an Air Quality Alert is in effect for at least the next two days. Most West Seattle sensors on the Puget Sound Clean Air map still show “good” air quality right now, though; most east of I-5 are showing the air quality worsening. (Here’s a map showing where our state’s big fires are currently; fires north of the border are contributing too.)
6:22 PM: SFD and SPD are responding to a report of an 18-year-old with a gunshot wound to the abdomen in the 9400 block of 20th SW [vicinity map]. However, officers told dispatch that the victim says it happened somewhere else – “in South Seattle” – two hours ago.
6:26 PM: Medics have confirmed that they’re treating a male patient with a single gunshot wound to his lower left abdomen.
6:42 PM: SFD medics are taking the wounded person to Harborview. No other information about the circumstances so far.
8:28 PM: SFD tells us the victim was in stable condition when transported.
TUESDAY UPDATE, 10:17 AM: SPD provided this summary with a bit of updated information:
At about 6:15 p.m., officers received reports of a gunshot victim in the 9400 block of 20th Avenue Southwest. Officers arrive and found an 18-year-old man suffering from a gunshot wound to the lower abdomen area. Officers provided aid until Seattle Fire Department arrived and transported the man to Harborview Medical Center in stable condition.
The victim stated that he was shot at least two hours ago. The man said he was at a BarBQ somewhere in South Seattle tussling with someone when he was shot. No information about the location or suspect. Gun Violence Reduction Unit detectives are leading the investigation.
WSB team members spotted the sign-wavers on the Andover bike/foot overpass a short time ago, including West Seattle Indivisible members reminding you to vote, and Seattle Public Library levy supporters nearby. The levy is the one measure whose fate will be finalized by tomorrow’s vote; otherwise, it’s a primary election, featuring some races being narrowed down to two finalists for the November general election, including U.S. House, King County Council, and four state Supreme Court positions. After 8 pm tomorrow (Tuesday, August 4), your ballot just becomes recycling fodder, so mark it and get it into an official drop box (this map shows the four in West Seattle and the dozens elsewhere in King County) before then – so far, only 17.7 percent of Seattle ballots are in.
As with the Lander Pedestrian Street table during Sunday’s West Seattle Farmers’ Market, SDOT plans an info table/booth at this Saturday’s Delridge Farmers’ Market for West Seattle’s other Pedestrian Street project, the “Delridge Triangle” project on 18th SW in South Delridge.
10 am-2 pm Sataurday (August 8) at the market (northwest corner of 8th SW and SW Henderson), SDOT reps will be ready to talk about the plan for the section of 18th SW between two city-owned parcels eventually envisioned to become – with the street – one park. Then, one week from tonight – at 6:30 pm Monday, August 10 – they’ll be at the site for a “community design charrette.” That won’t be the first meeting they’ve had at the site; three months ago, when the project type was called “People Street” instead of “Pedestrian Street,” they hosted a conversation there and collected comments – we took this photo during that event.
The flyer for the events next Saturday and Monday says the city hopes to “implemet improvements” – theoretically closing off this section of 18th east of Delridge – next year. In previous coverage of the park proposal for the area, Seattle Parks told us that project wasn’t expected to have funding before 2028.
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