West Seattle, Washington
04 Thursday
Less than two months before graduation, the West Seattle High School Class of 2023 is looking for a little community help. Sophia from the ASB emailed us to explain, “As the class of 2023 is wrapping up our senior year, we’ve made a way for members of the community to help donate to and support the different activities and events we want to be able to put on for our classmates. These include prom, senior sunset, graduation, and several others!” Here’s the link to use if you’re interested in donating; on that page, the ASB adds, “Our class was unable to fundraise for all of our sophomore year and half of our junior year due to Covid restrictions, so we really appreciate the generous contributions of parents and community members towards making the end of our time together in high school as wonderful as it can possibly be!”
6:01 AM: Good morning! It’s Thursday, April 27th.
WEATHER & SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
The forecast for today: Clouds making way for sun, high in the low 60s. Sunrise was at 5:59 am – first pre-6 am sunrise of the season – and sunset will be at 8:16 pm.
BRIDGE WORK ALERT
SDOT says its crews are scheduled be on the westbound bridge 7 am-2 pm again today as they continue an on-site inspection. (On Wednesday, they were on the inside shoulder toward the crest.)
TRANSIT
Metro – Regular schedule, but trip cancellations are still happening, so watch for alerts (if you’re not signed up to get them, check channels like this).
Water Taxi – Now on the spring/summer schedule, which adds Friday/Saturday night runs.
Washington State Ferries‘ Triangle Route continues on the 2-boat schedule but with the chance of sailing cancellations, so check here for alerts/updates and see Vessel Watch for boats’ locations.
SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS
Delridge cameras: Besides the one below (Delridge/Henderson), cameras are also up at Delridge/Genesee, Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Orchard, and Delridge/Oregon.
High Bridge – the camera at the top:
High Bridge – the view from its southwest end (when SDOT points the 35th/Avalon/Fauntleroy camera that way):
Low Bridge – east-end vicinity:
1st Ave. S. Bridge – another route across the river:
Highway 99: – the northbound side at Lander.
MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: See all working traffic cams citywide here, most with video options; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are on this WSB page.
BRIDGE INFO: Check the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed to see if the city’s movable bridges are opening for vessel traffic.
If you see trouble on the bridges/streets/paths/bay, please text or call us (when you can do it safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities). Thank you!
3:12 AM: Seattle Fire has a “full response” in the 9400 block of 24th SW. It’s described by arriving units as a “fully involved RV fire” in the “front yard” of a house. They’ve also mentioned danger from “exploding projectiles” from the RV.
3:15 AM: Firefighters told dispatch they’ve “knocked down” the RV fire. They were checking the house and garage to be sure it hadn’t spread. No sign that it had, so they’re downsizing the response.
11:26 AM: The photo above shows what’s left of the burned RV (which our photographer says looked more like a trailer than self-contained RV). We’re checking with SFD to see if a cause was determined.
As the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce throws a party Thursday night to celebrate its first century, it’s looking for a new executive director to lead it into its second. After two years, Whitney Moore will be departing – but not until July 31st, after she sees the organization through upcoming events and initiatives, also including the Westside Awards breakfast on May 16th. Announcing her resignation to the membership earlier this month, the Chamber board said in part:
She pulled us through such challenging times between the pandemic and extended closure of the West Seattle Bridge. Through her leadership, we have expanded the reach of the Chamber, added meaningful programming opportunities for our membership, and improved the structure of our organization in so many different ways.
The announcement also noted that Moore’s post-Chamber plans include completion of a children’s book.The job description for her successor is not yet posted on the Chamber’s site.
8:55 PM: Big emergency response on the northbound 1st Avenue South Bridge right now – originally dispatched as a “rescue extrication” but now being downsized. The traffic alert says this involves a collision toward the north end of the bridge. If you were headed that way, wait a while or try another route across the river.
9:04 PM: WSDOT says traffic is being diverted off the northbound bridge at Michigan, as the collision is just north of that exit. This was initially dispatched as a two-vehicle collision, with one reported to have flipped.
9:19 PM: We’ll follow up with SFD later but so far at least one person is reported injured, a woman believed to be in her 20s.
UPDATE FROM SFD: Four people were treated for injuries, according to SFD spokesperson David Cuerpo: A 26-year-old man, 44-year-old man, 60-year-old man, 20-year-old woman (who asked to be taken to a hospital), all stable.
(SPD photo)
ADDED THURSDAY AFTERNOON: SPD says today that the 26-year-old man – driver of the vehicle that flipped – was booked into jail for unlawful gun possession, after one was found in his car and he turned out to be a convicted felon.
Another quick reminder about West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day registration – it’s been open now for 3 1/2 weeks and closes tomorrow night (Thursday, April 27) at 11:30 pm. So far 330 sales are registered, all sizes, all neighborhoods, all kinds of stuff! Once registration ends, mapmaking begins, so that we can make the map and sale list available here on WSB and via westseattlegaragesale.com on May 6th, one week before sale day, which is Saturday, May 13th. (9 am-3 pm, though as you’ll see on the list, some are starting early, some are ending late, some are even adding extra days.) If you’re planning a WSCGSD sale but have procrastinated on signing up, hurry – 28 hours left! Here’s where to register.
6:01 PM: SPD is looking for information on what it says were four early-morning West Seattle business burglaries in the past three days. All involved burglars cutting open the businesses’ safes. Around 6 am today, an alarm brought officers to Taco Time (SPD photo at right), where they “found a smashed window (and a) safe … (that) had been cut open, and staff confirmed money stored in the safe had been taken.” The other three burglaries are listed as all happening Sunday morning (April 23rd):
4:30 a.m. in the 4200 block of SW Morgan Street
5:00 a.m. in the 4700 block of Fauntleroy Way SW
6:00 a.m. in the 2600 block of SW Barton Street
SPD says that in all three cases, “the safes had been accessed with some sort of saw as well.” If you have any information, SPD’s tipline is 206-233-5000.
6:24 PM: SPD’s report didn’t include business names; we are going back through archived dispatch audio. First ID: The 4200 block of SW Morgan burglary was at Ezell’s Famous Chicken. (added) So far we haven’t heard any more specific information on the other two locations except that they were businesses at The Whittaker and Westwood Village.
The second count is in for the one-issue special election, a nine-year King County property-tax levy to raise $1.25 billion for addressing behavioral health, primarily by building five crisis-care centers. “Approve” picked up a bit of ground after this count – the totals now round to 55 percent approving, 45 percent rejecting. This represents 24 percent of all registered voters, with KCE having received 30 percent of all voters’ ballots so far. They’ll continue releasing daily counts until the results are certified next month.
Fundraiser season continues, and here’s one you can jump into right now if you have a few minutes – the Arbor Heights Elementary PTSA auction. Online bidding is open to all until Saturday night (when the PTSA hosts its in-person auction gala). The PTSA says money they raise “supports Arbor Heights Elementary students and staff through PTSA funding of classroom supplies, teacher trainings, school assembly funding, music instruction for all students, arts enrichment, literacy programs, IDEA STEM lab equipment, transportation for field trips and much more.” You can browse what’s up for bidding – including food, beverages, getaways, art, music, more – by going here.=
12:29 PM: Thanks for the tips. We asked SPD why the Chief Sealth/Denny campus was sheltering in place. Det. Judinna Gulpan replied, “Police responded for an assault investigation in the 2700 block of SW Trenton ST. It appears the potential suspects fled onto the school grounds. Officers located the suspects and are with staff investigating the incident. No further information to share at this time.” We’ll add anything more we find out.
1:16 PM: Seattle Public Schools spokesperson Tim Robinson says the shelter-in-place lasted about 45 minutes and was lifted at 12:35 pm.
1:21 PM: Though police did not provide details of the assault, as commenters note, there was a report of someone getting their “finger cut off” at Westwood Village. Archived dispatch audio says the victim was reported to be a 15-year-old boy.
(Massing rendering of Option 3 for 5252 California SW, by Ankrom Moisan)
The Aegis Living plan for 5252 California SW is midway through the Design Review process, after “early design guidance” approval three months ago (WSB coverage here). The project is proposed to include 100 units – one-third memory care, the rest assisted living – plus 750 sf of commercial space, and offstreet parking for 40 cars. The project site currently holds three commercial buildings that were vacated several years ago while previous ownership pursued other plans for the property. Neighbors with questions are organizing an informational meeting with project-team members next week, and they’re inviting everyone in the community who wants to find out more. Here’s the announcement sent to us:
Aegis & Architect re: 5252 California Ave SW
May 4 @ 7:00 – 8:00 pmIf you live near 5252 California Ave SW (corner of Brandon and California) or are just interested in the development of this large, senior living complex — please join Aegis, its Architect, and neighbors to discuss this project and its impact on the neighborhood.
Location: West Seattle Senior Center (Nucor Room), 4217 SW Oregon
The organizers also have set up a website with project information. Meantime, the second and potentially final Southwest Design Review Board meeting about the project is not yet on the schedule. Aegis Living has more than three dozen locations in three states, including one in Admiral.
11:02 AM: Thanks to the texter who reported brown water in upper Gatewood. Nothing of note on the Seattle Public Utilities map so far. If your water is discolored – now or any other time – be sure to report it to SPU’s hotline, 206-386-1800. The discoloration is usually from “sediment” – mostly rust – being stirred up in the lines by anything from a water-main break to nearby hydrant testing.
4:09 PM: Another texter says this just started at their residence, and sent a photo (added above). SPU told them hydrant testing was the likely culprit, and that the discoloration might persist until tomorrow morning.
(Beaver in Longfellow Creek, photographed by John McIntyre)
Highlights for the hours ahead, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
JEWELRY SALE: Lauren’s Jewelry (WSB sponsor) in Westwood Village is offering everything in the store at 10 percent to 50 percent off during the anniversary sale continuing all week. Open 10 am-6 pm. (2600 SW Barton)
FREE INDOOR PLAYSPACE: Ages 2-6 welcome to drop in and play, weekday afternoons at the Salvation Army Center (9050 16th SW), 3:30-5 pm.
FIX-IT WORKSHOP: Don’t replace it – fix it! Weekly event, 5:30-7:30 pm at West Seattle Tool Library (4408 Delridge Way SW, northeast side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center).
TRIVIA x 6: Here’s where to play tonight. At 6 pm, Locust Cider (2820 Alki SW) now offers trivia … at 7 pm, you can play trivia at the West Seattle Brewing Mothership (4415 Fauntleroy Way SW); Larry’s Tavern (3405 California SW) hosts Wednesday-night trivia starting at 8 pm; there’s 7:30 and 8:30 pm Sporcle Pub Quiz at The Lodge (4209 SW Alaska); trivia starts at 8 pm at Beveridge Place Pub (6413 California SW); at 8:30 pm, trivia with Phil T at Talarico’s (4718 California SW).
JAZZ DUO: 6:30 pm, piano and trumpet at Otter on the Rocks (4210 SW Admiral Way).
LIVE MUSIC AT THE LOCOL: 6:30 pm. 21+. Rotating performer slate. (7902 35th SW)
HPAC: Live, work, shop, study in Highland Park, Riverview, South Delridge? Get community updates at HPAC’s monthly meeting, online, 7 pm – attendance link and agenda highlights are here.
BASEBALL: Chief Sealth IHS hosts Lakeside, 7 pm at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle).
MUSIC BINGO: Play weekly at The Good Society (California/Lander), 7 pm.
SKYLARK OPEN MIC: 7:30 pm signups @ West Seattle’s longest-running open mic – no cover to watch. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
KARAOKE AT BENBOW ROOM: 9 pm-2 am – info in our calendar listing. (4210 SW Admiral Way)
Planning an event – presentation, meeting, performance, reading, tour, fundraiser, sale, discussion, or … – that could be featured on West Seattle’s only comprehensive event calendar? Tell us about it! Please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Family and friends are remembering John-Carl Davis, and sharing this with the community where he taught for many years:
John-Carl Davis transitioned to eternal life on February 18, 2023 in West Bend, Wisconsin. He was born in Frontenac, Kansas on December 22, 1937 to John C. Davis and Grace Maybelle Davis (nee Stoddard). He was the middle child of three sons (Harry, Norman).
John-Carl attended school and graduated from Frontenac High School in 1955. Shortly after he began his studies at Kansas State Teachers College of Pittsburg, the Davis family sold their farm and moved to Washington State. John-Carl joined them and completed his degree at the University of Washington. After graduation, he set down roots in West Seattle, bought a house, and started a family.
He taught English at Chief Sealth High School and later, West Seattle High School. In 1982, he was appointed Vice-President of the Seattle Teachers Association, a position held for several years. He went on to serve as the STA President. This passion for service to his fellow educators eventually brought him to West Bend, Wisconsin in 1990, where he worked as a director for Kettle Moraine Uniserv Council and Cedar Lakes United Educators until his retirement.
In later years, he resided in West Bend’s Cedar Community, where he made cherished friends, curated Heritage House Museum, led Readers Theater, and delighted in the beauty of the woods and wildlife just outside his window.
He is preceded in death by his mother and father, brothers, and cousin Bill (Terry) Titmus, and his beloved partner of 27 years, Larry B. Christopher. He is survived by his children: Kevin A. Davis of Gig Harbor; Heather I. Davis of Seattle; Brenna M. (Haakon Latvala) Davis of Portland; Sara E. Davis of Seattle. Five grandchildren also survive: Olivia and CJ Lewis-Davis of Manitowoc, WI; Elizabeth, Victoria, and Avery Davis of Hot Springs, SD. Additional survivors include sister-in-law Mary J. Davis of Bremerton, WA, and many nieces and nephews and their children, who brought “Uncle John” so much joy. His close friends Ellen MacFarlane and K.C. Laycock, along with many other lifetime friends and wonderful neighbors, are among the survivors.
John-Carl enjoyed entertaining, collecting antiques, genealogy, volunteering at Lac Lawrann Conservancy, gardening, reading, and watching wrestling and cooking shows. Endlessly creative, he was a gourmet cook and baker, a published Haiku poet, an aspiring novelist, and an artist who painted, crafted cards, sculpted, and stitched needlework masterpieces.
He was exceedingly proud of each of his children and taught them to love, forgive, and persevere. He was witty and kind and touched the lives of everyone who had the pleasure to meet him. Now his journey is complete; he will be sorely missed.
In lieu of flowers, donations suggested to Lac Lawrann Conservancy or National Public Radio UWM 89.7. A Celebration of Life was held April 15. The Schmidt Funeral Home in West Bend is serving the family. If you would like to leave a message of comfort and condolence, please visit schmidtfuneralhome.com.
(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)
8:54 AM: Police confirm this morning that casings were found after a report of gunfire Tuesday evening in Admiral. They say officers responded after a call around 6:30 pm that people in two vehicles were shooting at each other near 39th SW and SW Lander. SPD spokesperson Det. Judinna Gulpan says they found witnesses who saw and heard the shooting and described one vehicle as a white sedan, the other as a white SUV. She says the casings were found “south of the intersection.” No injuries were reported and no property damage was found at the time. If you have any information, the incident number is 23-111868.
9:12 AM: Det. Gulpan adds, “One of the vehicles may be a white BMW with a black hood leaving the area southbound on 39 Avenue SW and the other vehicle a white Chevy Blazer leaving northbound on 39th Avenue SW.”
6:00 AM: Good morning! It’s Wednesday, April 26th.
WEATHER & SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
The warmup continues! The forecast for today: Partly sunny, high in the mid-60s. Sunrise 6:01 am, sunset 8:14 pm.
BRIDGE WORK ALERT
SDOT says its crews will be on the westbound bridge 7 am-2 pm again today as they continue an on-site inspection.
TRANSIT
Metro – Regular schedule, but trip cancellations are still happening, so watch for alerts (if you’re not signed up to get them, check channels like this).
Water Taxi – Now on the spring/summer schedule, which adds Friday/Saturday night runs.
Washington State Ferries‘ Triangle Route continues on the 2-boat schedule but with the chance of sailing cancellations, so check here for alerts/updates and see Vessel Watch for boats’ locations.
SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS
Delridge cameras: Besides the one below (Delridge/Henderson), cameras are also up at Delridge/Genesee, Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Orchard, and Delridge/Oregon.
High Bridge – the camera at the top:
High Bridge – the view from its southwest end (when SDOT points the 35th/Avalon/Fauntleroy camera that way):
Low Bridge – east-end vicinity:
1st Ave. S. Bridge – another route across the river:
Highway 99: – the northbound side at Lander.
MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: See all working traffic cams citywide here, most with video options; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are on this WSB page.
BRIDGE INFO: Check the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed to see if the city’s movable bridges are opening for vessel traffic.
If you see trouble on the bridges/streets/paths/bay, please text or call us (when you can do it safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities). Thank you!
Two nights after the State Legislature adjourned, a few major bills are dominating post-session discussion. One of them is SB 5536, which was touted as a compromise for a new state law regarding drug possession. Legislators needed to pass one in order to avoid outright decriminalization as of July 1st, expiration date for a stopgap law enacted after the state Supreme Court threw out the previous state law. But in the waning hours of the legislative session, the “compromise” went down to defeat, with State House members voting 43 yes, 55 no. Though some Republicans had voted for earlier versions of the bill, none voted for the final version, and some Democrats voted against it too. We checked today to see how our area’s two State House Representatives voted – and discovered that the two, both Democrats from West Seattle, were split. Rep. Joe Fitzgibbon, who is the House Majority Leader, voted yes. First-term Rep. Emily Alvarado voted no. We asked her why, via email. Her response:
I voted against SB 5536 because I don’t believe we need to criminalize drug possession to connect people to services. We need proven public health responses to substance use disorder.
The proposal that came to the House floor on Sunday escalated criminal penalties for drug possession and public use to a gross misdemeanor, meaning people could be sentenced to up to 364 days in jail. It gave prosecutors discretion in whether to refer a person to diversion and treatment. It made important investments in behavioral health care, which I support, but those investments were not sufficient.
I agree that a state framework is better than a patchwork of local laws, but SB 5536 was not the right framework. It enshrined harsh criminal penalties for drug possession and failed to make evidence-based treatment and services readily available for people who need it.
(Our area’s State Senator Joe Nguyen voted against the version of the bill that cleared the Senate 28-21 in early March.) So what happens now? Governor Inslee inferred he might call a special session, declaring that the House vote “was unacceptable,” adding, “Decriminalization is not an option for me and it is not an option for the state of Washington. I expect legislators to deliver a solution.” Otherwise, it’ll be up to local governments to make their own rules – or not.
The first ballot count is out in today’s special election with just one issue on the ballot, the $1.25 billion, nine-year King County levy intended primarily to fund crisis-care centers. Here are the results; rounding the numbers it’s passing with 54 percent approving, 46 percent rejecting. That count reflects 21 percent of registered voters; as of earlier today, 25 percent had turned in their ballots. Next count will be released Wednesday afternoon.
At upper left, seen from Jack Block Park, that’s the stack of MSC Yashi B, calling today at Terminal 5. What you don’t see in the photo is smoke from the stack – because Yashi B is the second ship to use shore power at T-5. The first was MSC Brunella, during a call two weeks ago. Which ships will use shore power and which won’t? Northwest Seaport Alliance spokesperson Melanie Stambaugh says that is for the terminal operator and shipping line to determine, with an annual report due to NWSA on shore-power use. But, she adds, “As this component of our modernization program is still new, both the NWSA and our project team will remain involved in the coming weeks. That being said, we have a commitment from our tenant that they will plug in vessels that are capable, meaning the vessel has shore power capability and it physically matches the dock-side infrastructure.” Who covers the bill, she adds, is between the terminal operator and the shipping line.
Emma Yeager has a free ticket to the Admiral Theater for you. It’s the premiere screening of her first documentary at 10 am Saturday, May 6th. Here’s her story:
I have lived in West Seattle with my family for 8 years. Over the last 5.5 years my father (Doug Jackson) and I have been working on my very first documentary film. We are so excited to show it on May 6th at the Admiral Theater at 10 AM (doors open at 9:30 AM). I grew up in Burbank, California where my father worked his entire career on major motion pictures as a sound editor. His favorite works include Schindler’s List, Hairspray, Logan and War For the Planet of the Apes (And More Here). For as long as I can remember my father has shown me and passed on a joy and love of film. For the last 15 years I have done many small film projects myself such as weddings, family history mini documentaries, small company promotion films and some volunteer non-profit films.
However, in 2016 right here in West Seattle, my life came to a halt when I was pregnant with my second child and was diagnosed with HELLP syndrome. HELLP syndrome is a version of preeclampsia that targets the liver and has a 50% chance of fatality for both the mother and child. My son was born as soon as we found out, small but healthy. I spent the next week in the hospital fighting for my life. When the worst of it seemed to pass I found that I had lost the ability to walk. My community came alongside me and my family for the next 7 months, desperately searching for answers and help to be able to walk again.
My documentary called “Oh Me of Little Faith” is about my story when I couldn’t find any medical professional anwsers. I was deeply depressed, unable to live my life when one day my friend from church encouraged me to take a small walk of faith that changed my life.
We made this documentary viewing a free event because we wanted to share it with our West Seattle Community. We are asking for donations to be able to share it with many more all of the USA this year in various film festivals. It is really important that people reserve tickets so we can make sure we have room. So far we have almost 100 attending.
Here is our event ticket/information website.
This has been a labor of love and our whole production team has been just me and my dad. We have paid 100% out of pocket and are hoping to raise money to continue to share this film and be able to make more like it in the future. It is very exciting to share my story and truly begin what I hope will become a career of telling more difficult and beautiful stories in the future.
The film is about an hour long and will be followed by Q&A.
2:31 PM: From Jonathan: “Stolen white Escalade this morning around 6 am, 25th Avenue SW, close to Delridge Community Center. (Similar photo but not the exact car) Actual vehicle has a broken windshield and slightly bent front bumper. 400JKS is the license plate. Contact me at 425 394 6204 if you see it.” We’ll add the SPD incident # when we have it. (ADDED WEDNESDAY: It’s 23-112032.)
ADDED 2:50 PM: We’ve just received a report of another stolen vehicle, from Yohann:
Our truck was stolen outside our house around 6-7 pm last evening. It’s a 2005 Ford F-250 single-cab white truck, with an off-color shell of gray/black. This is our work truck and we need it. Any leads appreciated. Stolen near 46th and SW Walker.
Also awaiting the incident # for this.
HPAC, the community coalition for Highland Park, Riverview, and South Delridge, is “interested in getting your feedback on issues you feel are important to the area that we can bring up with the folks running for the D1 City Council seat.” That’s just one of the reasons to check out HPAC’s monthly meeting online Wednesday night (April 26), 7 pm. They’ll also get a design update on the West Duwamish Wet Weather Storage Facility, the 1.25-million-gallon storage tank that’s planned for a site near the West Seattle side of the 1st Avenue South Bridge, to reduce overflow pollution in the Duwamish River. Find out about what else is happening in the community, too, and bring your questions/concerns/ideas. Connection info is on this page of the HPAC website.
Last week we heard from Taylor about a malfunction with the flashing beacon signal for the crosswalk on California at Genesee. They reported it to SDOT, and it got fixed. But now we’ve heard from Jesse that it’s broken again: “Just a heads up, the pedestrian crossing signal at California and Genesee isn’t working. I’ve reported it to the city, but if people want to cross they should probably go a block either way to do so safely.” (Besides the Find It Fix It app, you can report transportation-related trouble via 206-684-ROAD or, after hours, 206-386-1218.)
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