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Spotlight Stories

WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: School alert about reported luring incident
January 30, 2020 4:00 pm
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

A Fairmount Park Elementary parent forwarded a letter sent to families today by principal Julie Breidenbach. The parent noted, “Because there is a community park adjacent, this should probably (get( community-level attention.” Here’s the letter:

Dear Fairmount Park Parents,

I want to share information about an incident in our neighborhood. This morning before school, one of our students reported to her parent that an adult tried to lure her into his private vehicle. The child ran home and the parent did call the police. The parent reports that the adult male was in a silver pickup truck. Our school district security has been in that neighborhood several times today and will be watching that bus stop closely this afternoon and in upcoming days.

The safety of our students is a top priority. You can help your children stay safe by talking to them about personal safety. Having these conversations, especially with younger children, can be difficult. We encourage you to be sensitive to your child.

As a precaution, we are reminding our students this afternoon about safety tips for walking to and from school. We would appreciate your help by having a similar conversation at home. The walking safety advice includes:

GENERAL SAFETY TIPS:

Pay close attention to your surroundings, avoid “automatic pilot.”

Walk with a purpose; project an assertive, business-like image.

Use common sense; plan your route to avoid uninhabited parks, parking lots, garages and alleyways.

Stick to well-lit areas.

Develop a plan before you see trouble. Crossing a street or entering a store may get you out of a potentially bad situation.

If a car follows you or beckons you while you are walking, do not approach it. Instead, turn and quickly walk the opposite direction.

Consider wearing clothing and shoes that you can move freely and quickly in, especially when walking or waiting for the bus.

Carry minimal items; overloading yourself can make you appear vulnerable.

Always plan your route and stay alert to your surroundings. Avoid shortcuts. Walk confidently. Scan your surroundings and make eye contact with people.

We’re checking to see if police have any further information about the incident.

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New year, new leadership @ West Seattle Chamber of Commerce’
January 30, 2020 2:34 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

(WSB photo)

At the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce‘s first lunch meeting of the new year, new leadership was announced for the board and its committees. Abby Fisher of White Center Glass (above right) is the Chamber’s new board chair, taking over from attorney Lauren Burgon (above left). Also of note, local restaurateurs Dan Austin (Peel & Press) and Dave Montoure (West 5) will be leading the Government Affairs committee, and they’re promising to raise its profile and to keep members briefed monthly on city, county, and state issues of business interest. The Chamber also is adding a new committee to interact with neighborhood groups, seeking more synergy and less replication of efforts. Chamber CEO Julia Jordan also told attendees that the organization’s focuses this year will include delivering on membership benefits.

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Mystery crash by Roxbury Safeway
January 30, 2020 1:45 pm
|      20 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS breaking news

(WSB photo)

Thanks for the texted tip! We just went over to check out that crash scene on the south side of Roxbury by Safeway. King County Sheriff’s Deputy Bill Kennamer was there and told us they don’t know who’s responsible because the vehicle was empty by the time they arrived. They’re currently trying to determine whether the vehicle was stolen. As our photo shows, it’s being towed, and any traffic effects will be over shortly. The crash damaged a couple of trees that the deputy says might not survive as a result.

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WEST SEATTLE WEATHER: Lots more rain, possibly a little snow
January 30, 2020 12:01 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

(Today’s sunrise, tweeted by @WestSeaWx)

Now that Thursday is here, the weekend forecast has a higher degree of reliability, so we’re mentioning two points:

-Very heavy rain expected Saturday (up to three inches)
-A bit of snow possible Sunday night

The first point is what really calls for action – especially since we’re in a break between storms right now – when you can, check the nearest drains!

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6 for your West Seattle Thursday!
January 30, 2020 10:44 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Photo by Trileigh Tucker)

Here are calendar highlights for the hours ahead:

COUNCILMEMBER’S DISTRICT OFFICE HOURS: Noon-5 pm, City Councilmember Lisa Herbold‘s first district office hours of the year. Drop-ins welcome, but get there by 4:30. At the Southwest Customer Service Center. (2801 SW Thistle)

DINE (ETC.) OUT FOR FRIENDS OF ROXHILL ELEMENTARY: 4-10 pm at Ounces, 15 percent o the proceeds go to Friends of Roxhill Elementary – “a rotating lineup of Washington brewed beer, ciders and wine on 30 taps. Non-alcoholic beverages, sandwiches, pizza and bar snacks are available as well. You can even order growlers to go. Ounces is kid- and dog-friendly.” (3809 Delridge Way SW)

(Wednesday sunset, photographed by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)

RACE & CULTURE DIALOGUE SERIES: Second event, 6 pm at South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) – details in our listing. (6000 16th SW)

DENNY IMS OPEN HOUSE: Prospective families are invited to visit Denny International Middle School for tonight’s open house starting at 6:30 pm. “Following the presentation, guests will have the opportunity to meet teachers and staff.” (2601 SW Kenyon)

PARENT EDUCATION NIGHT: 6:30 pm at Madison Middle School: “Learn about drugs and alcohol and the teen brain and talking with teens about vaping.” (3429 45th SW)

‘THE REVOLUTIONISTS’: Comedy at ArtsWest, 7:30 pm curtain. Check here for tickets. (4711 California SW)

MORE! See our complete calendar here.

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FYI: One-day clinic closure
January 30, 2020 10:12 am
|    Comments Off on FYI: One-day clinic closure
 |   Health | High Point | West Seattle news

The Neighborcare health clinic in High Point wants you to know it’ll be closed Monday (February 3rd). All Neighborcare clinics are closing that day for training.

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Thursday watch
January 30, 2020 6:57 am
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(SDOT MAP with travel times/ Is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE/ West Seattle-relevant traffic cams HERE)

6:57 AM: Good morning. No incidents or alerts in our area right now.

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FOLLOWUP: Baby’s fentanyl death sparked investigation of alleged drug dealer, charging documents say
January 30, 2020 1:54 am
|      31 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office has filed eight felony charges against the West Seattle man whose arrest followed warrant searches that found drugs, guns, and cash. 40-year-old David Vasquez is charged with six counts of drug violations plus one count of money laundering and one count of unlawful gun possession. The police narrative accompanying the charging documents is 11 pages long and tells a tale of a months-long investigation, prefaced by this case summary from prosecutors:

The impetus for investigating the defendant in this case arose from the overdose of a three-month-old baby. This overdose was the result of fentanyl, the product the defendant was knowingly selling under the guise of M30 oxycodone pills.

The police narrative explains that the baby died almost a year ago in Southeast Seattle, apparently ingesting the fentanyl through breast milk. Eight months later, the death was ruled a homicide.

The baby was not related to Vasquez. But when police searched the parents’ home, the charging documents say, they found drugs and paraphernalia. The investigation led police to their alleged drug dealer, who they addressed as “Benny” but who police say was Vasquez.

Once police identified “Benny” as Vasquez, the narrative says, an undercover invetigation began. It included multiple drug buys, by undercover officers, at multiple locations in and outside of West Seattle. Factoring into that part of the narrative is an incident covered here – police gunfire behind the Admiral Pub on October 24th. The narrative doesn’t go deeply into detail, aside from detailing an undercover buy at the pub that night, then saying “There was a disturbance at the rear of the bar not long after this narcotics transaction involving Vasquez and several others. He was observed staggering through the pub from the back door,” then leaving with another man through the front door, departing in that man’s pickup truck.

Subsequent buy locations detailed in the narrative included the Admiral Safeway parking lot, the Metropolitan Market parking lot, and the Ballroom Lounge in north Seattle. Police wrote that their surveillance also followed Vasquez to Life Storage in Luna Park and an apartment he had rented at The Whittaker in The Junction, though he also had a house near 41st/Hinds. The Whittaker is where police say they arrested him just before 3 pm last Friday. Meantime, police say the money-laundering investigation revealed that the suspect had started an LLC through which he processed tens of thousands of dollars and used some of it to pay his rent. As for the gun charge, police say he had a .45-caliber Glock semi-automatic handgun at the time of his arrest, illegal for him to possess because he has a felony conviction, attempted burglary, in 1997. Other convictions listed in charging documents are also from the ’90s, when he was a teenager, including two cases of taking a motor vehicle without permission.

Prosecutors asked that his original $100,000 bail, on which he posted bond and was released last weekend, be raised to $250,000, and that request was granted. Vasquez is due back in court February 10th for arraignment.

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CAMP SECOND CHANCE: Next Advisory Committee meeting 1 week later than usual
January 29, 2020 9:17 pm
|    Comments Off on CAMP SECOND CHANCE: Next Advisory Committee meeting 1 week later than usual
 |   Myers Way | West Seattle news

The Community Advisory Committee for Camp Second Chance usually meets the first Sunday afternoon of each month, but instead of this Sunday, the February meeting will be on the second Sunday: 2 pm February 9th, in the community room on the east side of Arrowhead Gardens (9220 2nd SW). If you have questions or concerns about West Seattle’s lone city-authorized tiny-house encampment, that’s the place to bring them. Our past coverage is archived here.

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BIZNOTE: Alki Chicken and Waffles ‘merging’ with barbecue enterprise
January 29, 2020 7:08 pm
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants

Thanks to TamiSue for tweeting the tip: Five months after Alki Chicken and Waffles opened at 2738 Alki SW, it’s closed for two weeks for a “merger.”

That sign on the door explains:

We’re merging two businesses “It’s BBQ Time” and “Alki Chicken and Waffles” to bring you some incredible southern fare. It’s BBQ Time in the Kitchen is excited to bring you delicious smoked briskets, pork, & chicken for lunch and dinner.

The sign says they’re expecting to reopen February 12th. While checking out the signage, we met the proprietor of It’s BBQ Time, who was there working on the space. His original business – which will remain open – has done catering in Portland for more than a decade. He’s hired a local manager to run the restaurant here.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Stolen green CR-V
January 29, 2020 6:05 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

From Anne:

Wanted to report and share with the WSB that our car was stolen out of our driveway last Friday 1/24 between 2-5 am. Our driveway is on SW College Street in between California and 44th Ave. Our car is similar to the attached image: forest green 1997 Honda CR-V license plate #AHB6541. The vehicle did not have much gas so assuming it was ditched somewhere in West Seattle. Only thing really worth of value in the car were two 5-point harness car-seats in the back seat. We filed a police report. Sadly this occurrence seems more common then not but hopefully our car is just parked on a side street waiting for us to find it.

Call 911 if you see it.

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Driver damages parking-strip sculpture in Seaview
January 29, 2020 4:52 pm
|      47 COMMENTS
 |   Seaview | West Seattle news

One of the well-known planting-strip sculptures outside a house just west of West Seattle Nursery was knocked down in a crash this morning. Thanks to Kersti Muul for the photo above; she says another vehicle, a white cargo van, appeared to also have ben involved in the crash at 44th/Brandon. An anonymous texter sent the view below after the crash scene was cleared.

The planting strip and adjacent house have been known for sculptures like these for more than a decade.

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DEVELOPMENT: Sweeney family sites slowly advancing through city process, one year later
January 29, 2020 2:42 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   Development | Triangle | West Seattle news

One year ago today, the Sweeney family announced they were looking at redevelopment alternatives for some of their West Seattle Triangle properties – most notably, the ones that hold their best-known business, Alki Lumber.

So what’s happened since then? We talked with family spokesperson Lynn Sweeney just as the potential project showed up this week on the city’s Early Community Outreach for Design Review website.

There’s no specific proposal yet, she told us – this is another step in the required process. Here’s the summary on the city website:

The proposed mixed-use project includes approximately 500 new residential units over approximately 18,000 SF of retail located near the future Avalon light rail station. The project spans two sites on either side of 36th Avenue SW between Avalon & Oregon.

The family, meantime, is still scouting for a new location for the lumberyard, but wants to stress it is NOT closing any time soon – the Alki Lumber move is at least “two or three years” away.

The project’s official addresses remain those of two sites, 4440 Fauntleroy Way SW and 4406 36th SW, both zoned for 75-foot mixed-use development. (The family’s holdings stretch beyond that, as detailed in this followup from last year.) The Early Community Outreach process means there’ll eventually be a community meeting or site tour before the project gets into the official Design Review Board stage, but there’s no date for that yet. The Sweeneys are continuing to work with West Seattleite-founded developer HB Management.

ADDED THURSDAY: The aforementioned early community meeting has just shown up on the city website for February 12th.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Business burglars on camera; home break-in; stolen car
January 29, 2020 12:01 pm
|      15 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Three incidents in West Seattle Crime Watch:

BUSINESS BURGLARS ON CAMERA: The images above and below are from a burglary this morning at Admiral Pub. (For those who tipped us to a big police response in the Admiral District, this is what it was about.)

The images are from the Admiral Pub’s owners, who tell us nothing was taken, but: “In the process of breaking into the bar, they busted a pipe.” That led to an SFD “water job” response. “Officer told us there have been multiple business break-ins in the area. They went in, saw our cameras and left. To all local businesses, be on the lookout.”

HOME BURGLARY: From Sue:

We’re so sad to report that our house was broken into at 2:30 PM (Tuesday). We think that our backyard shed was the initial target, since these guys broke the door of the shed first and likely moved towards our house.

They threw in a rock to break into our window and opened it to gain access. Luckily, we are safe and we spoke with the cops and filed a police report.

The thieves took a Samsung laptop with them, an empty Fossil purse, tools, and rifled through our documents… Though unlikely, we hope they get caught!

The SPD report # is 20-34163.

STOLEN SUBARU: Stephanie‘s Subaru was stolen in the Alki area, with this distinctive hood art:

1995 Subaru, 4-inch lift, plate BRG7668. If you see it, call 911.

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Here’s what’s being done about those West Seattle Bridge potholes …
January 29, 2020 11:21 am
|      49 COMMENTS
 |   Safety | Transportation | West Seattle news

11:21 AM: Megan sent that photo on Tuesday, saying, “This sadly just happened to me after hitting one of the many potholes on the eastbound West Seattle viaduct. Beware drivers!” The potholes also had been mentioned in comment discussion earlier in the day, so we asked the SDOT communications team about repair plans. Here’s the reply from spokesperson Ethan Bergerson:

The large pothole in the left eastbound lane of the West Seattle Bridge between the 1st Ave S and 4th Ave S offramps was reported to us earlier this week.

Our maintenance crews put in a temporary repair yesterday, and we are planning to return today to complete additional work today. We’ve been scheduling our work midday in order to minimize the impact to traffic flow during peak times.

People can report potholes by calling 206-684-ROAD, emailing 684-ROAD@seattle.gov, or by using the Find It, Fix It app. In 2019, we filled about 18,000 potholes on Seattle streets. With the exception of the period during and shortly after last year’s snowstorms, we responded to 90% of requests to fill potholes within 3 business days and also filled many potholes before they were reported to us.

While we are always doing the best we can to respond to potholes quickly, we need the public to understand the challenges we face and why potholes will continue to appear throughout the winter. Freezing weather causes significant damage to our roads and we typically experience a spike in pothole reports after it snows. As the snow melted earlier this month, water found its way into cracks in the pavements. Then, when the temperatures dropped and the trapped water re-froze the expanding ice forced apart fissures in the pavement, literally tearing the road apart from the inside. It can sometimes take a few weeks for the damage to show itself as heavy trucks and buses drive over these fissures, breaking off pieces of pavement to form larger holes.

Winter weather poses continual challenges even when it’s not freezing because asphalt doesn’t bind as well to the surrounding pavement when it’s too cold or wet. So many of the potholes we fill now will likely need to be repaired again in the coming months. If additional snowstorms are forecasted, maintenance crews will need to shift their focus from potholes to preparing the roads for snow and ice, which can slow progress.

You can see the pothole-report map here. P.S. It’s not just potholes – SDOT is where to send reports of other road problems, too – here’s the info. But if it’s urgent, like a tree blocking a road right now or other immediate hazard, 206-386-1218.

1:48 PM: Added above, two photos provided by SDOT.

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5 for your West Seattle Wednesday night!
January 29, 2020 10:48 am
|    Comments Off on 5 for your West Seattle Wednesday night!
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Harbor seal in Elliott Bay, photographed by David Hutchinson)

From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

BASKETBALL: Four high-school home games tonight, Seattle Lutheran HS hosting Evergreen Lutheran, girls at 6 and boys at 7:30 (4100 SW Genesee); Chief Sealth IHS girls hosting Bishop Blanchet at 7:30 (2600 SW Thistle); West Seattle HS girls hosting Cleveland at 7:30 (3000 California SW).

SPARK JOY WHILE DECLUTTERING: Tonight at The Kenney, you’re invited to a workshop teaching the KonMari method! 6 pm. Call to check if there’s still room. (7125 Fauntleroy Way SW)

FREE GROUP RUN: Rain or no rain, you gotta run, right? Do it with West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor), 6:15 pm. (2743 California SW)

PING PONG: Wednesday tournaments at Admiral Pub, 7 pm, prizes! (2306 California SW)

OPEN MIC: Find out why The Skylark calls this Seattle’s Best Open Mic. Sign up at 7:30 pm, performances start at 8:30.

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SWEET SALE: It’s Camp Fire candy time!
January 29, 2020 9:45 am
|    Comments Off on SWEET SALE: It’s Camp Fire candy time!
 |   How to help | West Seattle news

Camp Fire sent the photo with the news that it’s candy-sale time, through February 17th. The organization’s regional offices are right here in West Seattle (2414 SW Andover), and that’s one place you can buy candy, 9 am-3:30 pm weekdays. You can also buy it online, and you can watch the Camp Fire website map for other sale locations. The organization explains, “The sale teaches youth valuable skills including goal setting, public speaking and engaging with their community.” It’s $5 per box, and they also welcome businesses as Merchants of Merit by buying a case for $75. Don’t eat candy? “You can also support the sale by purchasing a box of candy that will be donated to our troops at USO Northwest.” Read more about the candy sale here.

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Wednesday watch
January 29, 2020 6:57 am
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(SDOT MAP with travel times/ Is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE/ West Seattle-relevant traffic cams HERE)

6:57 AM: Good morning.

NEW STOPLIGHT: Thanks to everyone who reported the 35th/Dawson stoplight was activated Monday afternoon.

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DEVELOPMENT: 1st Design Review Board date set for 3417 Harbor SW apartments
January 28, 2020 8:31 pm
|      11 COMMENTS
 |   Development | West Seattle news

Ten months ago, we reported on an early-stage proposal for an apartment building at 3417 Harbor SW, just north of the West Seattle Bridge, on the site that now holds this small commercial building:

(King County Assessor’s Office photo)

The plan has proceeded through the city system since then, with an Early Community Outreach meeting in mid-December. Now its first Southwest Design Review Board meeting is set, and the project is starting to take shape – here are the three size/shape (“massing”) options in the draft design packet (PDF):

It is now described as “a 5-story, 140-unit apartment building. Parking for 68 vehicles proposed” – almost twice the unit count mentioned last year. The architecture firm for the project is Atelier Drome. The SWDRB meeting is tentatively set for 6:30 pm Thursday, March 5, at the Senior Center/Sisson Building (4217 SW Oregon).

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Stolen silver Ranger
January 28, 2020 7:29 pm
|    Comments Off on WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Stolen silver Ranger
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

The photo and report are from Anne:

Our family member’s truck was stolen across the street from our house today between 3 and 4:30 p.m. on the 3900 block of Barton Street.

It’s a 2008 Silver Ford Ranger Truck; license is CO7307P. Police incident # is 2020-34392.

Call 911 if you see it.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Warrants lead police to arrest 1 after finding drugs, guns, cash
January 28, 2020 5:10 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

When residents near 41st/Hinds texted about plain-clothes police activity last Friday afternoon, all we could find out was, warrant service. But now we know more. The report and photo are from SPD Blotter:

SPD Narcotics seized fentanyl pills, cocaine, xanax, methamphetamine, and cash while serving warrants last Friday in connection with an investigation into drug trafficking and money laundering in West Seattle.

Officers from the South Precinct’s Anti-Crime team arrested the 40-year-old suspect in a West Seattle parking garage and found he was carrying 62 fentanyl pills, 28 grams of cocaine, and a small number of xanax pills, as well as a handgun.

Narcotics detectives and the West and South Precinct’s Anti-Crime Teams then served warrants at two homes and a storage unit – in the 4700 block of 40th Avenue SW and the 3400 block of 41st Avenue SW – and recovered a .22 rifle, documents pertaining to money laundering, and additional narcotics, including 140 fentanyl pills, 10 grams of cocaine, 20 xanax pills, a small amount of meth and over $4,000 cash.

Investigators booked the suspect into the King County Jail for narcotics delivery and money laundering.

We’ll add anything more we find out about the suspect and his status.

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FERRY ALERT: Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth back to 3-boat service
January 28, 2020 4:03 pm
|    Comments Off on FERRY ALERT: Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth back to 3-boat service
 |   Fauntleroy | Transportation | West Seattle news

After being on a 2-boat schedule since this morning due to “mechanical issues” with M/V Kittitas, Washington State Ferries says the Triangle Route is going back to a 3-boat schedule this afternoon.

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READER REPORT: 35th/Dawson stoplight activated
January 28, 2020 3:33 pm
|      18 COMMENTS
 |   Safety | Transportation | West Seattle news

The photo is from a reader who just texted that the 35th/Dawson stoplight “went live this afternoon.” That’s ahead of the latest estimate cited by SDOT when we inquired recently. The signal has been long requested for the intersection that includes the entrance to Camp Long, and was promised as part of Phase 2 of the 35th SW Safety Project.

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