West Seattle, Washington
03 Sunday
The first big event of the night has 16th SW closed to traffic between Roxbury and SW 100th, as White Center’s “Halloweentown” welcomes trick-or-treaters, among others – actually “trunk or treaters,” with decorated low-rider cars on the west side of the north block:
Go admire the decorated trunks and grab some candy.
Even well before dark, the ghosts and goblins were out marauding.
Individual venues have activities too – travel through the scary-clown inflatable arch at Big Mario’s Pizza/Alpine Diner (WSB sponsors) and you’ll find pumpkins to paint:
More grownup fun is part of the party later in the evening too – Halloweentown is in the spirit until 2 am.
The twice-yearly “Observation Blitz” campaigns at Nucor‘s West Seattle steel plant has benefits beyond worker safety. It also raises money for West Seattle-founded, White Center-based WestSide Baby to support its work helping babies, kids, and their families. Here’s how the “blitz” is explained: “Nucor challenges their teammates to complete as many safety observations as possible and donates $5, for every observation completed.” Nucor team members stopped by WS Baby on Thursday for a ceremonial check presentation from this year’s campaign, making a donation of $15,800. WS Baby spokesperson Morgan McGinn tells WSB, “Nucor has supported WestSide Baby for going on 11 years now … Our team is so grateful for their commitment to community and giving back.” (You can help WS Baby too – this page will point you to six possibilities.)
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.
Got books you don’t want/need any more? Many donation-accepting organizations aren’t interested in books … but here’s an exception: The White Center Library Guild. In addition to their sale events, guild volunteers maintain a “for sale” shelf at the WC Library. The guild says, “We accept old books, new books and everything in between. Just take your donations to the library front desk. Contributions help fund children and adult programs at the White Center Library!” It’s at 1409 SW 107th; days/hours are here.
FIRST REPORT, 4:22 PM: Highline Public Schools – the district serving communities including White Center and Burien – will be closed again tomorrow. It’s the third day without classes since the district disclosed it was dealing with “unauthorized activity” in its technology systems. Highline is an out-of-district draw for its Raisbeck Aviation High School and Maritime High School, so the closure’s effects reach beyond the district’s borders. Today’s announcement is here.
7:41 PM: As noted by K in a comment, Highline says it’s expecting to reopen schools on Thursday because they’ve “taken steps to allow us to restore certain segments of our digital network in a secure manner.” Details of how they’ll reopen are on the district website.
Thanks for the tips. Highline Public Schools, the district immediately south of here, has announced its schools will remain closed for a second day tomorrow:
All schools will remain closed on Tuesday, September 10. All school activities, athletics and meetings are canceled. Central office will be open.
Our investigation into unauthorized activity on our technology systems is ongoing, and critical systems are still offline.
The message sent to Highline staffers, as forwarded to us, also says “We have not seen evidence of staff, family, or student information compromised.” The district so far is not commenting on the nature of the “unauthorized activity,” first disclosed on Sunday afternoon.
Thanks for the tips. Highline Public Schools – the district immediately south of here – has announced that a technology problem will close all its schools tomorrow (Monday, September 9) though some staffers are still expected to come to work. Here’s the full announcement from the district’s website:
All schools are closed on Monday, September 9. All school activities, athletics and meetings are canceled, including the vaccine clinic. Central office is open.
We have detected unauthorized activity on our technology systems and have taken immediate action to isolate critical systems. We are working closely with third-party, state and federal partners to safely restore and test our systems.
We understand this comes as an unexpected disruption, particularly on the eve of the first day of kindergarten for many of our families. We recognize the burden this decision places on both families and staff, but student safety is our top priority, and we cannot have school without these critical systems in place. …
School and central office administrators are expected to report to work. Central office administrators may be deployed to schools if needed.
The investigation is ongoing. We will notify staff and families by 2:00 p.m. on Monday if this disruption impacts schools on Tuesday.
Like most other local schools, Highline just started its 2024-2025 year this past week.
Thanks for the tip! The White Center KFC and A&W location at 10050 16th SW has suddenly shuttered, and that big banner explains why. This is WC’s second fried-chicken closure in less than three weeks, after Bok a Bok. We’ll be adding details on our partner site White Center Now as we get them. (West Seattle’s KFC closed six years ago; Habit Burger is at that site now.)
(Mia Tran painting outside Crawfish House)
5:46 PM: Thanks to Meghan for the tip on this new monthly event launching tonight in White Center and South Delridge! The first-ever Rat City Art and Food Walk – organized by the White Center Business Alliance – is happening right now, continuing until 9 pm and, at some venues, beyond. Here’s the list of participants as published by organizers:
1. 2 Fingers Social – Live Painting, DJ, Tattoos!
2. Nepantla Cultural Arts Gallery – Vecinos Art Show
3. Nacho Mama – $5 Mini Native Tacos
4. Misfits Strength Studio – Circus Art
5. Boombox – Karaoke 9 pm-close
6. Lumberyard – Live Art, GameNite 8pm, Happy Hour 4-7 pm
7. Mynt – Gift with Mural Selfie and Social Media Post
8. Alebrijes Oaxacan Kitchen – Kids/Youth Painting & Food Specials
9. Big Mario’s Pizza and Alpine Diner – Live Music & Food Specials
10. Southgate Roller Rink Bar – Karaoke w/ Baby Metten
11. Tim’s Tavern – Live Music W/ Dusty 45s & Tropical Itch Art By Henry Ward
12. Sap Sap Lao Deli – Meatball Skewer Special & Tofu & Gluten Free Sauce Special
13. Que Chevere – Latin Music & Food Specials
14. Crawfish House – Live Painting by Mia
15. Puffy Pandy – DJ, Live Painting, Interactive Panda Mural, Artist Marketplace, $5 Ice Cream Puffys
16. Lariat Bar – Live Art by Nolan Harris & Market by John X Garaizar & Sing in the Ring Karaoke with Christopher Mychael
17. Blu Grouse – Gears N Beers
More photos to come.
6:46 PM: We visited what are essentially the north and south ends of tonight’s zone. Next to the artist in our top photo, MG Creations is at work outside Puffy Pandy:
Across 16th at wrestling-themed Lariat Bar, wrestling-themed art is being created by Nolanium:
At the north end, 2 Fingers Social was jumping – multiple artists, including Rosie Pringle with Super Nature:
Outside, a shave-ice pop-up with White Center’s own Patrick’s Café and Bakery:
You can wander until 9 pm – and make plans for the second Rat City Art and Food Walk on September 19.
3:23 PM: Police are converging on 15th/Roxbury for a report of someone “down” after a report of two people shooting, possibly “at each other.” This is reported to have started on the city side of the intersection near Walgreens but the possible victim is reported to be in front of the gas station on the unincorporated side. Suspect(s) and whereabouts haven’t been clarified yet – various conflicting descriptions. Updates to come.
3:30 PM: Officers told dispatch they’ve found casings outside Walgreens, and one person is reported injured – described as a 22-year-old man with a gunshot wound to the back – outside the gas station across the street.
3:43 PM: SFD medics are taking the victim to Harborview. Officers have just told dispatch that so far they’ve found “19 casings, a mix of 9 and 10 millimeter” by Walgreens. Our crew has arrived in the area and we’re adding photos of the investigation.
3:54 PM: A K-9 team from KCSO has arrived at the scene to see if they can track the shooters – they’re heading north on 16th for starters.
4:07 PM: The track ended at 16th/Henderson, officers told dispatch.
5:01 PM: SFD tells us the victim was in serious condition when transported.
5:50 PM: SPD spokesperson Officer Eric Muñoz tells WSB the victim is 23 and was found “suffering from two gunshot wounds to his leg and lower back.” He is expected to survive. No additional information on circumstances and no comment on whether the victim was targeted; regarding description, he says only that “Two suspects wearing masks, possibly in their late teens to early 20s, were seen fleeing the area.” If you have any information, the incident # is 24-224883, and you can call 911 or the SPD tipline at 206-233-5000.
(Added: WSB/WCN photo)
Thanks to Sue for the tip. Just published on our partner site White Center Now, the proprietor of the Bok a Bok fried-chicken mini-chain has just closed two locations, including White Center, where he founded Bok a Bok eight years ago. He says “third-party apps” took too big a cut. Details here.
We first reported two years ago on King County Road Services‘ plan to narrow 16th Avenue SW between SW 100th and SW 107th to improve safety on a stretch notorious for pedestrian deaths and injuries. The project is of interest to West Seattleites too, particularly with 107th connecting westward to Arbor Heights. Planning on the project has continued, and the county now plans on construction next year (one year later than originally announced). County spokesperson Brent Champaco summarizes where it’s at now:
To reduce speeds and calm traffic, which makes the area safer for pedestrians, the project narrows the road from four lanes to two and includes a two-way center turning lane. It adds many pedestrian safety features like bumped out sloped curbs at corners and traffic crossing lights with flashing beacons.
The project does not remove the total number of parking spots in the project corridor. Currently there are 43 existing on-street parking spots between SW 100th and SW 107th streets. The design option with bike lanes on both sides adds a total of three spaces to bring the total number of on-street parking spaces to 46. It also moves parking spots around, depending on the block, to accommodate travel lanes and bike lanes.
The design option with no bike lanes brings the total number of parking spots to 67, again, up from 43. It also moves parking spots around, depending on the block, to accommodate travel lanes.
We did community surveys and outreach in 2022 and got to a 30-50% design. It was during the peak of COVID so in-person outreach was difficult. We are holding another meeting, at the community’s request, on July 24 to share updated information about the two options.
If you are interested in seeing the latest plans and asking questions, that meeting is happening this Wednesday (July 24), 6:30 pm, at the White Center Food Bank headquarters, which is in the future project zone – 10016 16th SW. The meeting will also be accessible online; the link is on this page. The project cost is just under $2 million, funded by a federal grant.
P.S. The latest online survey for the project is open, too – find it here.
From its beginnings on a stub of 17th north of the city-limit line, the White Center Low Rider Block Party has grown in a big way this year, moving to the other side of the line and spreading across multiple blocks of 17th between Roxbury and 100th.
You’ll also find art/vendor booths, two DJ stages (with live music 5-8 pm), community groups, and a food court, but the cars are the stars:
Some with accessories:
A few motorcycles and bicycles too! The Low Rider Block Party, presented by Nepantla Cultural Arts Gallery (9414 Delridge Way SW), is on until 8 pm.
ADDED: WSB contributor Jason Grotelueschen shared this highlight from an evening dance performance:
DJ, also known as Dave or Dennis, is missing, last seen in the White Center/West Seattle area three weeks ago.
Family and friends say he was last seen at or near The Blu Grouse (9839 17th SW), and was in his 1970s-vintage VW bus:
His missing-persons case was filed with police in Thurston County because he had been staying at a friend’s property there, but White Center was the last sighting – please call 911 if you’ve seen him or his vehicle. The Thurston County (Yelm area) police case # to refer to is 24-002682.
One of today’s biggest events is happening right now – the Taste of White Center, benefiting the White Center Food Bank. Until 3 pm, you can visit any of the WCFB’s ticket-sales booths along 16th SW and buy $5 tickets good at participating venues for specific “tastes” – while they last!
This year it’s an all-out street fair, even a DJ, plus bouncy toys on 16th near 100th. Lots of places to sit and enjoy your “tastes.”
More than 30 restaurants, bars, and food stands are participating this year.
(File photo of Steve Cox tennis courts, after 2012 renovations)
Given the popularity of racquet sports, we’re mentioning this here as well as on partner site White Center Now: King County Parks says the tennis courts at Steve Cox Memorial Park are closing starting this Wednesday (June 12) through August 20. The announcement says the courts will get some work done including “resurfacing the tennis courts, constructing a new ADA ramp, installation of root barriers, sidewalk repair, and fire lane striping.” It’s been 12 years since the courts got a major overhaul.
Just announced, a tasty way to help the White Center Food Bank (which also serves south West Seattle) – this year’s Taste of White Center, 11 am-3 pm on Saturday, June 29:
The White Center Food Bank is excited to bring together our neighborhood’s wide variety of restaurants for a family-friendly event and fundraiser. With 30+ restaurants participating, attendees purchase $5 tickets to try a variety of foods like banh mi sandwiches, bubble tea, tacos, pizza and much more. Iconic restaurants like Puffy Pandy, Tomo, El CatrÃn, and others are ready to serve up amazing bites! Join us for a fun-filled event with food, vendors, a kid’s area and live music!
Each ticket is an opportunity to taste a small plate, drink or dessert from participating restaurants. All ticket proceeds support the White Center Food Bank, while sponsorship dollars go to the restaurants to purchase ingredients and pay for event costs.
Tickets will be available for purchase at three locations in downtown White Center in the area of (16th Ave SW, between Roxbury and 100th St). A ‘menu’ will be given to each attendee at the time of ticket purchase, with a map and details on restaurants and items available. This is a first come, first served event, with limited quantities available at each establishment.
White Center Food Bank looks forward to hosting this celebration and sharing the diverse culinary talents of our neighborhood around the one thing that always brings community together: FOOD!
(WSB photos unless otherwise credited)
4:29 PM: For one final day, Full Tilt Ice Cream in White Center is not just serving ice cream, but also serving as a community gathering place. People are lined up to get in for one last scoop before the shop closes after 16 years.
Inside, community-created art pays tribute to Full Tilt co-founder Justin Cline, whose untimely death in March led to wife and co-founder Ann Magyar‘s decision to close.
Ann is there, of course, for the last hurrah, as is son Moss, helping out behind the counter.
Ann plans to return to her original career, teaching. But first, wrapping up a business is hard work – selling the equipment, for example. And eventually a celebration of Justin’s life will be held. But today, you have until 8 pm to stop by the shop at 9629 16th SW for ice cream, pinball, and memories.
8:37 PM: Thanks to those who’ve sent photos! From Megan, the scene inside the shop early this afternoon:
And from Gabe – here’s James with one last Full Tilt treat:
(Victim’s photo, as displayed at April 27 vigil)
Today was the charging deadline for the 37-year-old man arrested in Puyallup last week on suspicion he was the hit-run driver who killed 81-year-old Tommy Joe Garrett at 15th/Roxbury last month. Tonight, after the online court file showed no sign of charges, we checked the King County Jail register – and it showed that the suspect had been released from jail just after 9 pm tonight. We sought comment from the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office; spokesperson Casey McNerthney explains: “Prosecutors submitted the certification of determination of probable cause by police investigators. The court did not find probable cause for the criminal charge. Probable cause for a criminal charge is different than finding probable cause at a first appearance – there is a lower standard for probable cause at a first appearance hearing.”
Could the same suspect still be charged in the future, if there was different/more evidence, for example? McNerthney says, “Prosecutors can review additional and/or clarifying information from police investigators anytime within the statute of limitations.” In the document for last week’s initial court hearing, King County Sheriff’s Office detectives had said they traced the vehicle involved in the hit-run (which belongs to the suspect’s mother) – and then its driver – through security cameras and cell-phone records. We’ll continue following up.
(Victim’s photo, as displayed at April 27 vigil)
9:15 AM: Three and a half weeks after a hit-run driver killed 81-year-old Tommy Joe Garrett at 15th/Roxbury, the King County Sheriff’s Office has announced an arrest. Here’s the news release:
King County Sheriff’s Office Detectives have made an arrest in fatal pedestrian hit and run that occurred
in White Center on April 22, 2024. On April 22, 2024, just after 10 PM, an 81-year-old man was crossing SW Roxbury Street at 15th Ave SW when he was fatally struck by a vehicle in the hours of darkness. The vehicle did not stop and fled the scene. Detectives were able to identify the fleeing vehicle as a silver- colored Jeep Compass. Over the next few weeks KCSO Detectives continued checking the areabusinesses and residences to trace the vehicle’s route pre and post collision. This eventually led them to identifying a vehicle license plate with a view of the driver, a lone 37-year-old male driver. With the help of the King County Metro Transit PD Street Crimes Detectives, the driver was arrested yesterday without incident on a traffic stop as he was leaving a home in the Puyallup area. He was eventually booked for investigation of the fatal hit and run into the King County Jail. The driver subsequently admitted that he moved the Jeep to Port Orchard, where he had it parked under a tarp at a family member’s residence. King County Sheriff’s Office Detectives have recovered the vehicle, and it was brought back to King County as evidence and for processing.
This case is still an active and open investigation. We are not naming the suspect as he has not been charged yet by the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. We hope to have more information to release whenthe case has concluded.
We’re working to find out more and will update this story with additional details when we do.
4:20 PM: The suspect’s bail was set this afternoon at $500,000, as requested by prosecutors. He is being held for investigation of hit-run death. We checked his record; he was arrested for domestic violence 10 years ago, and the case was dismissed, but the charging documents noted he had numerous driving violations. The document from today’s hearing says the suspect lives in Puyallup and that the car belongs to his mother. The plate was traced through an image from the Westwood Village McDonald’s, recorded minutes before the crash.
Today we welcome two new WSB sponsors, The Alpine Diner and Big Mario’s, neighbors sharing the space at 9635 16th SW in White Center. As new sponsors, here’s what they would like you to know:
If you’ve ever had the privilege of enjoying an après ski (that is, the meal and company following a long day of skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, or otherwise enjoying the alpine), you’ll know there’s something a little magical about a lodge: Enjoying a hot meal in a cozy place after a day of exposure is deeply satisfying.
That’s exactly the emotion we set out to capture at The Alpine Diner & Big Mario’s White Center. Every choice, from our menu to our decor, is designed with warmth in mind. At Alpine Diner, the sister to Seattle favorite Lost Lake Café, we’ve crafted a menu of family-friendly familiar favorites: Burgers, breakfasts, hearty dinners, and monthly specials inspired by the season.
Cross the open threshold into neighboring Big Mario’s, and grab the famous NY-inspired slice popular enough to garner a cult following in Seattle.
Need to take a break from the table? Hit up the game room shared by both restaurants.
We’ve been asked: Why White Center? And our answer is simple: Because we couldn’t imagine a better environment to welcome our own families. It’s Seattle’s newest up-and-coming neighborhood — We’re situated directly next to Southgate Roller Rink, a favorite stop to many venturing south of downtown. New businesses are popping up every day, bringing new life and opportunity for Seattleites of all ages. It’s the perfect backdrop for some of the city’s favorite diner fare.
We hope to see you for your next meal: In our dining room, it’s always time for après. The Alpine Diner is open 9 am-10 pm Mondays-Fridays, 8 am-10 pm Saturdays-Sundays; Big Mario’s is open 11 am-midnight Sundays-Thursdays, 11 am-2 am Fridays and Saturday.
We thank The Alpine Diner and Big Mario’s White Center for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news via WSB; find our current sponsor team listed in directory format here; email patrick@wsbsales.com for info on joining the team!
Thomas J. Garrett, known to those who loved him as “Tommy Joe,” was the 81-year-old man killed by a hit-run driver this past Monday night at 15th/Roxbury. Family members gathered there for a vigil this afternoon.
His daughter told us Mr. Garrett lived on Capitol Hill much of his life and went to Garfield High School with Jimi Hendrix. He himself was a musician and his career included many achievements including work as a TV-news photographer. His nephew talked more about Mr. Garrett’s life as traffic roared by on Roxbury:
His family says they don’t know why Mr. Garrett was in the area Monday night. They do know King County Sheriff’s Office deputies have yet to find his killer and are still seeking information on this vehicle (as reported here Thursday):
Call 800-222-TIPS if you have any information. Meantime, they are planning a memorial for him at a Buddhist temple in the Central District. And they want to ensure no one forgets him, or what happened here.
ORIGINAL SATURDAY NIGHT REPORT: This alert was just relayed over Seattle Police radio – King County Sheriff’s Office deputies are investigating a reported carjacking outside Domino’s Pizza at 17th/Roxbury. Three armed carjackers are reported to have arrived in a white pickup and taken off in both that vehicle and the newly stolen white Toyota Camry, westbound on SW Roxbury. The only description of the carjackers so far: white men in their 20s with goatees and black hats. If you have any info for investigators, call 911.
ADDED MONDAY: We just checked with King County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Sgt. Eric White for an update. He tells us this actually happened in the O’Reilly Auto Parts lot while the victim was sleeping inside the car. Then on Sunday, Seattle Police found the car in the 9700 block of Myers Way South and arrested one person, according to Sgt. White, who had no further details on the circumstances of the arrest. We’ll be following up with SPD.
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