West Seattle, Washington
21 Tuesday
6:01 AM: Good morning! Welcome to Friday, September 2nd, as we head toward Labor Day weekend.
WEATHER
WEEKEND ALERTS
*As previewed here, the Spokane Street Viaduct’s eastbound lanes will close 8 am-4 pm Saturday.
*SDOT plans to mark two intersections 9 pm tonight to 7 am Saturday:
-1st Ave S/East Marginal Way S and 2nd Ave SW/Highland Park Way SW. Traffic lanes will be closed as needed and will be restored after the intersection markings have been painted.
FERRIES, BUSES, WATER TAXI
Ferries: WSF continues the 2-boat schedule for Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth. Check here for alerts/updates. Labor Day will be on a Sunday schedule.
Metro buses are on their regular weekday schedules; watch @kcmetroalerts for trip cancellations/reroute alerts. Labor Day will be on a Sunday schedule.
The West Seattle Water Taxi is on its regular schedule. Labor Day will be on a Sunday schedule.
BRIDGES AND DETOUR ROUTES
894th morning without the West Seattle Bridge. 16 days until the day SDOT expects to reopen it – September 18th.
Low Bridge: Automated enforcement cameras remain in use until the high bridge reopens; restrictions are in effect 5 am-9 pm daily – except weekends; the bridge is open to all until 8 am Saturday and Sunday mornings.
1st Avenue South Bridge:
South Park Bridge:
The 5-way intersection (Spokane/West Marginal/Delridge/Chelan):
Are movable city bridges opening for vessels? Check the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed; 1st Ave. S. Bridge openings are tweeted by @wsdot_traffic.
All city traffic cams can be seen here, many with video options; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are also on this WSB page
Trouble on the roads/paths/water? Please text or call us (when you can do so safely) – 206-293-6302.
Summer’s not over yet, but fall’s in view, and the change of seasons will bring the annual change in focus at Mountain to Sound Outfitters (3602 SW Alaska; WSB sponsor). First – they’re announcing a big week-plus sale that starts tomorrow, so you can get gear for enjoying the remaining summer and early fall:
Mountain to Sound Outfitters is having an Overstock Clearance on Kayaks and Stand-Up Paddleboards and accessories starting 9/2 (Friday) through 9/11 (two Sundays later). This ensures people who are out of town for the holiday weekend still get a shot at gearing up. We also have used gear from Alki Kayak Tours available.
We are receiving ski and snowboard gear so we really need to clear out the space before it goes into storage for the winter season and we shift our focus on having one of the best ski and snowboard shops in the NW!
Fall is a great time to paddle and some of the clearest days are coming. As the wildlife migrates south, we see more sightings of salmon, sea lions, migratory birds, and even larger marine mammals in the upcoming shorter days.
You can shop Mountain to Sound Outfitters regular hours through the holiday weekend and beyond – 11 am-6 pm Friday, 11 am-5 pm Saturday and Sunday, 11 am-6 pm, Mondays/Wednesdays/Thursdays, closed Tuesdays.
As reported here in July, the city is getting a grant to repave the older lanes of the Spokane Street Viaduct – the continuation of the West Seattle Bridge between the Highway 99 overpass and I-5. The next step in planning that work will result in a closer of the eastbound SSV this Saturday. Here’s the announcement from SDOT:
Plan for a closure of all the eastbound lanes on the Spokane St Viaduct from SR 99 to I-5 between 8 AM and 4 PM on Saturday, Sept. 3.
We’re closing all the eastbound lanes so crews can complete a survey of the bridge surface. The survey will help us develop an accurate surface map of the Spokane St Viaduct bridge deck and inform future paving of the bridge.
Detours will be in place, directing traffic to streets in the SODO neighborhood. Both eastbound and westbound lower Spokane St will be open during the closure. The westbound lanes of the Spokane St Viaduct will remain open during this work on the eastbound lanes.
The paving project is expected to happen sometime in the “next few years,” SDOT told us in July.
(Reader-contributed image, Monday morning)
As noted briefly here earlier, the man accused of a window-sashing rampage at Morgan Junction Starbucks early Monday is now charged. But 48-year-old Gerald R. Hochstadt isn’t in jail right now, because he had to be released last night, after the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office didn’t get the information they needed in time to rush-file charges. That information in turn has to come from SPD, which was able to obtain it today. Hochstadt is charged with one count of first-degree malicious mischief, a felony. The KCPAO and SPD had been trying to get a damage estimate from Starbucks; today’s charging documents indicate that estimate was in excess of $10,000 for the four double-pane windows – double the minimum amount to qualify for the charge that was filed. Along with using metal furniture to break the windows, Hochstadt allegedly removed plants from pots outside the store and used them to hit the door, locked by Starbucks staffers after they had managed to get him outside. A $15,000 arrest warrant was issued when the charge was filed; that’s the amount of bail requested by the KCPAO, and it’s what Hochstadt will be held on if/when arrested. We’d mentioned in earlier coverage that he had a criminal trespass conviction for which he spent more than three months in jail earlier this year; the charging documents also list a second such conviction plus one for third-degree malicious mischief.
(SDOT image via Twitter)
5:17 PM: Thanks for the tip. Here’s why there’s a bus backup trying to head from Spokane Street up to northbound Highway 99: There’s a stuck bus at the head of it all.
5:34 PM: A texter says ramp traffic is moving again.
The first pop-up is on its way to the former Bellevue Rare Coins space on the ground floor of the Senior Center of West Seattle – and mural-painting is happening outside, to get ready! The announcement is from Diane Venti:
Alki Arts is doing a pop up art show in the West Seattle Senior Center Annex at 4500 California Avenue next week.
The shop will be open Tuesday September 6th through Sunday September 11th from Noon to 5 pm each day, plus Art Walk Thursday evening the 8th from 5 to 8 pm!!
Since the window replacement has been delayed for the Senior Center, I have enlisted the help of 2 local artists to paint the plywood on the windows:
Brooke Borcherding is here today painting the SW Oregon side window (photos attached) and on Mon the 5th artist Steffanie Lorig will be painting the window on California Ave.
If anyone is interested in purchasing the panels after the windows are replaced they can contact me at dianeventi@gmail.com Proceeds from the art panel sales will be split between the artist and the Senior Center! Yay for fundraising while neighborhood beautifying! 😁
We will pack a lot of local music and art demos into our one-week stay at the Pop Up! Artist Reeve Washburn will be helping me run the shop and doing live painting inside on several days!
Andy emailed us after seeing that a WSB reader helped find the stolen bicycle reported here Wednesday:
In a very similar incident, my son Jack had his bike stolen from the bike rack at West Seattle High School on Tuesday afternoon while he was at football practice. The cable lock was seemingly cut with bolt cutters in broad daylight. The bike was a Cannondale Catalyst 3, 27.5″, charcoal gray, and had “JACK” written in red paint-pen on the down tube about 6-8″ above the pedals. Any help that you can provide would be wonderful. If anyone has any info, you can please share it with us by texting 206-529-7970 or 206-637-1935.
Two weeks after “The Great West Seattle Float Hunt” was launched by the volunteers behind the West Seattle Best Seattle efforts celebrating the peninsula’s businesses as the bridge reopening nears, more than a dozen custom glass floats remain hidden and waiting. That’s the latest today from organizers. Specifically, they say, 15 of the original 50 floats have yet to be found – 8 are indoors, 7 are outdoors, and the only area NOT to look is Alki – they say people have found all the floats hidden there. Here’s our original report with basic details, if you’re just jumping in on this now. The floats are all locally made – hand-blown by Avalon Glassworks in Luna Park – and about 4.25″ in diameter,
11:44 AM: If you saw the big police response in Highland Park a short time ago, officers responded to a report of an armed robbery at the 16th/Holden 7-11. A suspect was stopped quickly nearby and was reported to be in possession of “a blowtorch shaped like a handgun.” No other incident details so far; we hope to add an update later.
2:45 PM: We followed up with police. They say that after further investigation, this turned out to be a misunderstanding – “the ‘suspect’ pulled out a gun-shaped lighter while retrieving items from their pockets. They then made an approximately $40 purchase. They did not appear to point the lighter at anyone or make any demands.”
Thanks to Beverly Molenda at New Finishes for the photos – she says, “West Marginal Way is looking forward to upcoming relief!! Counting down the days!!!”
Her business is at 4235 W. Marginal. Meantime, SDOT reiterated again this week that they’re still on track for the announced September 18th reopening. As of last week’s media tour, they hadn’t set an exact time, probably early in the morning.
Beverly Molenda
New Finishes, Inc.
4235 W. Marginal Way SW
(Green bottle fly on blue hydrangea, photographed by Jerry Simmons)
Here’s the list for today/tonight – there’s more on our West Seattle Event Calendar:
UNDERSTANDING MEDICARE: 11 am presentation at Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon) – our calendar listing explains how to register.
WADING POOLS, SPRAYPARK OPEN: The sun’s expected to emerge later, so the city plans to open the still-operating wading pools, including< Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW), noon-7 pm. Highland Park Spraypark at 1100 SW Cloverdale will be open as usual, 11 am-8 pm.
COLMAN POOL OPEN: Noon-7 pm, go swimming in the saltwater pool on the shore at Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW).
ULTIMATE AT FAIRMOUNT: 6 pm, Thursday night summertime Ultimate pickup games are back at Fairmount Playfield (5400 Fauntleroy Way SW).
ROBOTICS OPEN HOUSE: As previewed here, Skunk Works Robotics invites families to its open houses tonight and next Thursday, 6:30 pm at 11427 3rd Ave S. – not far from West Seattle, and the organization has lots of WS participants.
BOARD GAME NIGHT: Go play at Meeples Games (3727 California SW), starting at 6:30 pm.
BENBOW GOES COUNTRY: Thursday “Nashville Nights“ continue at the Benbow Room (4210 SW Admiral Way), 9 pm. 21+.
Have something to add to our calendar? Email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
9:40 PM: Two-car crash reported at Highland Park Way/2nd, possible injuries. Police and fire are responding.
9:56 AM: And a crash on NB 509 at Kenyon.
============
Earlier:
6:03 AM: Good morning! Welcome to Thursday, September 1st.
WEATHER
BACK TO SCHOOL
Today’s the first day for 1st through 12th graders in Highline Public Schools immediately to our south. Here’s our list of who’s already started and who’s coming up.
FERRIES, BUSES, WATER TAXI
Ferries: WSF continues the 2-boat schedule for Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth. Check here for alerts/updates. Labor Day will be on a Sunday schedule.
Metro buses are on their regular weekday schedules; watch @kcmetroalerts for trip cancellations/reroute alerts. Labor Day will be on a Sunday schedule.
The West Seattle Water Taxi is on its regular schedule. Labor Day will be on a Sunday schedule.
BRIDGES AND DETOUR ROUTES
893rd morning without the West Seattle Bridge. 17 days until the day SDOT expects to reopen it – September 18th.
Low Bridge: Automated enforcement cameras remain in use until the high bridge reopens; restrictions are in effect 5 am-9 pm daily – except weekends; the bridge is open to all until 8 am Saturday and Sunday mornings.
1st Avenue South Bridge:
South Park Bridge:
The 5-way intersection (Spokane/West Marginal/Delridge/Chelan):
Are movable city bridges opening for vessels? Check the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed; 1st Ave. S. Bridge openings are tweeted by @wsdot_traffic.
All city traffic cams can be seen here, many with video options; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are also on this WSB page
Trouble on the roads/paths/water? Please text or call us (when you can do so safely) – 206-293-6302.
The Seattle Public Schools educators’ union just announced its members decided tonight to vote on authorizing a strike. The Seattle Education Association‘s board already approved a vote and then tonight the membership “agreed decisively” to do it, according to a statement just sent by the union. SEA president Jennifer Matter is also quoted as saying, “No educator wants to strike but we know educator burnout and being unable to meet student needs are larger problems that SPS must urgently address. SPS can come to agreement with us at any time and has chosen to force us on this path.” SEA says the strike authorization vote will be taken online tomorrow through Sunday and that they’ll announce results Tuesday morning. In the meantime, members “will continue reporting to work.” The union says support for special and multilingual education is a major sticking point, and the most-recent district statement ackknowledges those issues “have caused a delay in progress.”
(WSB photo, Monday morning)
The 48-year-old man arrested Monday morning after a window-smashing rampage at the Morgan Junction Starbucks got out of jail tonight. The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office told WSB they had hoped to receive enough information for a charging decision today – but a key piece of evidence was missing: Seattle Police detectives needed a damage estimate from Starbucks, and couldn’t get it. KCPAO spokesperson Casey McNerthney says that’s “a required element to prove that the damage was a felony crime. Even though that seems obvious, the court needs that information under the law.” He says the KCPAO “also tried to loop in contacts from victim business (at the corporate level) to get that necessary information by the 2 p.m. deadline.” But they didn’t have any luck either. Without charges being filed, the suspect had to be released. But McNerthney adds that “SPD is still working on the case right now. We appreciate their great work, and we’re hopeful to have that required damage estimate and case referred this week. We know it can be difficult for businesses to get that required info within 72 hours too – those are frustrating constraints in the law and court system. King County prosecutors will act on this case immediately when we get the case referral from police.”
The document from a probable-cause hearing in the case on Tuesday summarizes what a Morgan Starbucks representative wrote in a comment on our original story, that the man came into the store and became agitated. They offered him water; he refused. He “then began to yell and escalated into an aggressive behavior. Employees of the store were able to usher the suspect out of the door successfully and locked the doors … to deny access to the suspect. The suspect tried to regain access to Starbucks by pulling the main doors multiple times. The suspect noticed that the doors were locked, and this caused him to escalate his behavior even further. The suspect infuriated grabbed a metal table that was located outside and property of Starbucks. The suspect then used the table to break 4 double-paned 8×8 windows.” It was recorded on video; this frame grab was sent to us anonymously:
No injuries were reported. The suspect has one King County conviction, a criminal-trespass case in Auburn, for which he served more than three months in jail earlier this year.
THURSDAY 2:41 PM UPDATE: A felony charge has just been filed, one count of malicious mischief, against the suspect, Gerald R. Hochstadt. He remains out of custody, released just after 6 pm last night, but now there’s a $15,000 arrest warrant. Separate story to come.
From Jon:
My son just had his bike stolen in front of LA Fitness today (8/31) around 4 or 4:30 pm. It was locked along with another bike and the bike thieves cut the lock and took both bikes. It’s a 2012 Dark Green Diamondback Mission that was custom built with specific parts. It is also a custom frame with the nickname “Jonny Diamond” laser-etched on the top tube above the upper shock mount. This is a unique bike that should not be hard to spot. If you see anything please contact me at (206) 399-0585. Thanks.
THURSDAY UPDATE: Found – see comment.
5:30 PM: Police are investigating what’s reported to have been a hit-run collision that injured a pedestrian at 26th/Juneau. The hit-run driver was reported to be in a silver early 2000s Mercedes ML towing a silver Prius, last seen northbound on 26th. We have not yet heard whether the pedestrian is seriously hurt.
5:40 PM: Officers have told dispatch they’ve located what they believe is the suspect vehicle.
5:51 PM: They’ve told dispatch they have the suspected driver in custody. We’re checking with SFD about the victim.
6:05 PM: SFD spokesperson Kristin Tinsley says the victim is a man in his early 40s, in stable condition when taken to a hospital by AMR ambulance.
2:59 PM: In that briefing this morning at Rainier Playfield, Mayor Bruce Harrell went public with his proposal for what the Seattle Park District should pay for in the next six years. The $115 million/year plan would include funding to finish the three West Seattle “landbanked” parks that were shelved during the pandemic – 40th SW in The Junction, Morgan Junction Park Addition, and 48th/Charlestown – during the funding cycle (2023-2028 – we’re asking for estimated dates for those projects). Other key points include an exponential increase in Park Rangers – there are two now, and this plan would fund 26. Other safety-related proposals include a rapid-response team tackling graffiti and vandalism and expanding leash-law and scoop-law enforcement to 7 days a week. An expansion of community-center hours is promised, too. Here’s a ‘fact sheet” circulated today; beyond that, we asked for the line-by-line specifics and were told they’ll be sent by the mayor to the Park District Board (the City Council) next week, followed by a briefing on how they differ from the recommendations on which they’re based. So how much would it cost you? $331 a year for the “median value homeowner,” according to the mayor’s announcement. That’s more than double what you’re paying right now for Park District funding, which covers about a third of the Parks and Recreation budget – $154 this year for the “median value homeowner.” This does not go to voters, who approved the Park District’s creation and taxing authority years ago; approval is up to councilmembers.
3:36 PM: Since we published this, an agenda has arrived for a public hearing the Park District Board (council) is having on this proposal next Wednesday. It’s happening in Northgate but the agenda explains how to send written comments too.
(WSB photo, 2019)
This summer of returning events isn’t over yet – this Saturday (September 3rd), the Vietnamese Cultural Center in West Seattle brings back the Children’s Moonlight Festival. It includes a kids’ lantern parade – as shown above in our 2019 photo, that doesn’t actually happen in the moonlight, as the festival will take place 3-6 pm with a variety of activities for all, including treats, games, entertainment, and a lion dance. All free! The center is at 2236 SW Orchard (just north of Home Depot).
The photos and report are from Rose – it happened on Pigeon Point:
So this morning someone stole a truck. They drove to 22nd.
They parked in front of a house who actually knows the truck (it [belongs to] their boss). They go out to find out why he was at his house.
Well, it wasn’t his boss. A small confrontation has the thief push the neighbor, almost run him over.
Then he tries to back up, smashing into a bunch of cars. He flees.
He left his unlocked phone in the car. They know who he is.
She adds that the truck’s owner apparently also knows the suspect through social media. We’re checking with SPD to see if there’s any indication the hit-run driver/stolen-truck suspect has been found yet. Case number for the truck theft is 22-231325; the hit-run crash – which Rose says is reported to have damaged up to seven vehicles – has at least three separate case numbers, starting with 22-231291.
One more reminder for artists interested in being part of the first-ever West Seattle Art Hop & Shop – two days left to register and get your place on the map!
As we’ve previewed previously, this peninsula-wide event will see dozens of artists opening their studios to show and sell their work, 10 am-5 pm on Saturday, September 17th. As of earlier this week, organizers say, 42 artists had signed up to show and sell at 21 locations – and there’s room for more! But if you want to be part of it and aren’t already registered, don’t miss the Friday (September 2nd) deadline. Go here for the registration form/info!
(Photo by James Bratsanos)
Thanks to everyone who sent photos of the clouds that scattered across the sky this morning, at the start of what’s expected to be another very warm day. Here’s what’s happening, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, inbox, and previews:
MAYOR’S PARK DISTRICT $ PROPOSAL: Mayor Bruce Harrell plans a 10 am announcement of his budget proposal for the Seattle Park District. The livestream will be here.
DROPOFF FOOD DRIVE: Take nonperishable food to Admiral Church (4320 SW Hill), 11 am-1 pm.
WADING POOL/SPRAYPARK OPEN: Lincoln Park wading pool will be open noon-7 pm. Also, Highland Park Spraypark at 1100 SW Cloverdale is open 11 am-8 pm.
COLMAN POOL: The outdoor pool at Lincoln Park will be open today as its 7-days-a-week schedule continues, noon-7 pm.
COVID VACCINATION POP-UP: The first in a series of pop-up clinics at local libraries is noon-5 pm today at Delridge Library (5423 Delridge Way SW), offering the Moderna vaccine only.
(Photo by Hana Alishio)
LIVE AT LOCOL: Locöl Barley & Vine (7902 35th SW) spotlights live music 6:30-8:30 pm Wednesdays, no cover, 21+, rotating artists.
JAZZ: Piano and bass at Otter on the Rocks (4210 SW Admiral Way), 6:30 pm.
MUSIC BINGO: Now weekly at The Good Society (California/Lander), 7 pm.
KUNDALINI YOGA, MEDITATION, GONG BATH: Inner Alchemy presents this at Solstice Park, 7 pm Wednesdays. $35. (7400 Fauntleroy Way SW)
SKYLARK OPEN MIC: 7:30 pm signups @ West Seattle’s longest-running open mic – no cover to watch. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
TRIVIA x 4: 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 7:30 pm; trivia starts at 8 pm at Beveridge Place Pub (6413 California SW); at 8:30 pm, trivia is back at Talarico’s (4718 California SW) with Phil T.
Calendar event to add? Please email westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
6:01 AM: Good morning! Welcome to Wednesday, August 31st.
WEATHER
BACK TO SCHOOL
Today’s the first day for Hope Lutheran School (42nd/Oregon). Here’s our list of who’s already started and who’s coming up.
FERRIES, BUSES, WATER TAXI
Ferries: WSF continues the 2-boat schedule for Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth. Check here for alerts/updates.
Metro buses are on their regular weekday schedules; watch @kcmetroalerts for trip cancellations/reroute alerts.
The West Seattle Water Taxi is on its regular schedule.
BRIDGES AND DETOUR ROUTES
892nd morning without the West Seattle Bridge. 18 days until the day SDOT expects to reopen it – September 18th.
Low Bridge: Automated enforcement cameras remain in use until the high bridge reopens; restrictions are in effect 5 am-9 pm daily – except weekends; the bridge is open to all until 8 am Saturday and Sunday mornings.
1st Avenue South Bridge:
South Park Bridge:
The 5-way intersection (Spokane/West Marginal/Delridge/Chelan):
Are movable city bridges opening for vessels? Check the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed; 1st Ave. S. Bridge openings are tweeted by @wsdot_traffic.
All city traffic cams can be seen here, many with video options; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are also on this WSB page
Trouble on the roads/paths/water? Please text or call us (when you can do so safely) – 206-293-6302.
Seattle Public Schools classes are scheduled to start one week from tomorrow – if the district and its teachers union, the Seattle Education Association, reach a contract deal. The current contract expires tomorrow, and that’s also when the union is having a general membership meeting – online – to discuss a strike-authorization vote. The SEA says its board has approved that vote and, according to a statement from SEA president Jennifer Matter, “we expect secure online voting will take place over the weekend.” The two sides are still negotiating. In the meantime, tomorrow morning they’re planning “sign waving, demonstrating, and other actions in front of school buildings” before their workday begins. The union says this one-sheet compares the two sides’ positions, with special- and multilingual-education support atop the priorities. For its part, the district published this statement today. The last SEA strike was in 2015.
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