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Spotlight Stories

FOLLOWUP: Stadium trees inspected after 35th SW fall
January 9, 2023 7:04 pm
|      13 COMMENTS
 |   Safety | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

(Reader photo, last Wednesday)

Last Wednesday night, that tree fell onto 35th SW between Avalon and Snoqualmie, taking down utility wires/cables and closing the street for 10 hours. The tree was on West Seattle Stadium property, so the next day we asked Seattle Parks about its inspection history and what would be done to check out the trees alongside it:

(Reader photo, looking southwest toward the tree stand that had included the one that fell)

We received the information today. Here’s what Parks spokesperson Rachel Schulkin told us about the tree that fell: “Based on our records, the trees were last inspected in 2017.” She also told us that Parks staffers inspected the site the day after the fall – last Thursday – “and also inspected the adjacent row of trees along the northwest stretch of West Seattle Stadium, to ensure that there was no other conditions of immediate concern.” Though 35th is a busy street and the tree fell in the heart of PM-commute time, it did not hit anyone or any vehicles.

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FOLLOWUP: West Seattle low-bridge testing after cylinder removal
January 9, 2023 4:35 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Transportation | West Seattle news

(SDOT photo, Sunday night)

On Sunday we told you about the removal of a leaky 7 1/2-ton cylinder from the machine house of the West Seattle low bridge, now in its third week of closure to surface traffic. SDOT says it’s now testing “how the bridge works with a single cylinder,” and that means you might be seeing some bridge movement. This testing, according to SDOT, will enable them to “make an educated estimate of how much longer repairs will take.” The cylinder itself is to be overhauled at a hydraulic-repair shop.

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ORCAS: J-Pod whales off West Seattle
January 9, 2023 2:51 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | Whales

Now that we’re between squalls again, you have an opportunity for whale-watching: Kersti Muul reports that Southern Resident Killer Whales from J-Pod are in Elliott Bay off West Point (Magnolia) after traveling southbound in recent hours. Let us know if you see them!

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WEST SEATTLE WEATHER: From rainbows to downed tree
January 9, 2023 1:33 pm
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

(Photo tweeted by @i8iphone)

1:33 PM: Thanks to everyone sending rainbow photos! The wind alert from earlier today has expired but unsettled weather continues – rain squalls, sunbreaks, and still a chance of wind gusts. The rainbows showed up between the squalls.

(Photo by Doug Eglington)

Intermittent rain is forecast for the rest of the day but so far tomorrow’s weather is expected to be sunny!

2:32 PM: The current round of rain has been intense for more than a few minutes. Meantime, thanks to the texter who sent this photo of a tree down across 29th SW near Westwood Village Target:

A blocked public street or path can be reported to SDOT at 206-684-ROAD, or after-hours at 206-386-1218.

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UPDATE: Short-lived ‘rescue extrication’ response for crash in 4900 block Erskine Way
January 9, 2023 12:44 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS breaking news

12:44 PM: Seattle Fire has a “rescue extrication” response arriving for a crash in the 4900 block of Erskine Way [map]. Updates to come.

12:48 PM: First crews on scene say it’s two vehicles, one person possibly hurt but nobody trapped, so they’re downsizing the response.

1 PM: Photo added from our crew at the scene. Police tell us the red truck, parked, was hit by the driver of the other vehicle. No injuries.

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VIDEO: Vehicular homicide suspect pleads not guilty to hitting and killing bicyclist Robb Mason
January 9, 2023 11:02 am
|      64 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

At a short King County Superior Court hearing this morning, the West Seattle man charged in the July hit-run death of bicyclist Robb Mason pleaded not guilty.

The judge agreed to prosecutors’ request for electronic home monitoring of 20-year-old defendant Mohamed A. Yusuf, and the defense did not object. He is charged with vehicular homicide and felony hit-run, accused of hitting Mr. Mason at a speed past 50 mph on Spokane Street while the 63-year-old victim was riding his bike home just east of the low bridge. Yusuf did not address the court; Mr. Mason’s widow Claudia Mason was in the courtroom and did speak to Judge Karen Donohue during the hearing – here’s what she told media outside the courtroom afterward:

Before she spoke to reporters, a sobbing supporter hugged her in the hallway, lamenting that “the law is not fair,” allowing the defendant to remain out of custody. The judge, in response to Ms. Mason, had contended that being under electronic home monitoring means he is in custody. In the charging documents, as we first reported last Wednesday, police say they identified Yusuf as the suspect through “scrupulous detective work” including evidence such as car debris at the scene and video from a Metro bus, and evidence gathered once he was charged included his online/phone activity, some of which involved searches, links, and messages related to the case. He is due back in court next month.

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Options for your West Seattle Monday
January 9, 2023 10:39 am
|    Comments Off on Options for your West Seattle Monday
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Sunday sunset, photographed by James Bratsanos)

Here’s what’s happening today/tonight, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

MONDAY MOVIE: 1 pm at Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon), “Terry’s Greatest Movies You’ve Never Heard Of,” today featuring “The Tiger’s Tail.” Free popcorn! Advance registration required – our calendar listing explains how.

CITY COUNCIL BRIEFING MEETING: 2 pm, councilmembers preview the week ahead (here’s the agenda). You can watch online or on cable via Seattle Channel.

CRAFTING AND CREATIVITY NIGHT: 6-10 pm at The Missing Piece (9456 35th SW), explained in our calendar listing.

MEDITATION: Free weekly Zen sitting/meditation event at the chapel at Fauntleroy UCC (9140 California SW), 7 pm-8:30 pm.

PLAY TRIVIA! Three scheduled options tonight for trivia players – new 7 and 8 pm Sporcle Pub Quiz at Three 9 Lounge (4505 39th SW); 7 pm at The Good Society (California/Lander), 7:30 pm at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW)

Have a West Seattle/White Center event to list on our calendar ? Please send info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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WEATHER ALERT: Wind Advisory until noon
January 9, 2023 9:33 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

The wind’s kicking up, and the National Weather Service has issued a Wind Advisory alert that’s in effect until noon: “Southeast winds 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 50 mph.”

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Celebration of Life planned January 28 for Donna J. Bystrom, 1926-2022
January 9, 2023 9:00 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Obituaries | West Seattle news

Family and friends will gather January 28 to celebrate the life of Donna Bystrom. They’re sharing this remembrance with her community:

Donna Jean Bystrom
October 3, 1926 – November 26, 2022

Donna was born and raised in West Seattle, eldest of the two children of Irene and Howard Whittlesey. She attended school at Lafayette Elementary and West Seattle HS, graduating in 1944. She went on to attend UW for a couple years and played saxophone in the band.

She was working as a clerk at Sears when she met Albin (Al) Bystrom at the Trianon Ballroom in downtown Seattle. They married in 1949 and lived for a time at her parents’ house as Al began his career at Boeing.

Donna and Al bought a house on Olga Street in West Seattle, where they started their family. Margaret, Elaine, and Keith began their lives in that home. In 1960 the family moved to a new home designed by Al’s brother Arne on 56th Ave SW where, soon after, Craig was born.

Donna was a stay-at-home mom; while active in St John’s Episcopal Church, she was involved in Saint Anne’s Guild, various committee activities, and the annual Rummage Sale.

In 1962 the family bought lakefront property on Mason Lake and over the coming years built a large cabin and dock and spent summers skiing, swimming, and enjoying campfires and happy hours with friends and family. Donna truly loved it there and welcomed the grandchildren who came to enjoy it, too.

Donna and Al traveled to Europe, Scandinavia, China, and enjoyed a number of sea cruises following Al’s retirement from Boeing in 1987. They were active snow skiers for many years with a close group of friends. When Al died in 2010, Donna stayed in the house for another year before selling and moving to an apartment at the Landmark in Ballard. She remained there until 2019 when she returned to West Seattle, living in an apartment at Mount Saint Vincent. Early in 2022 a decline in health brought her to Aegis Living in West Seattle.

Preceded in death by her husband of 61 years, Al, and her brother, Ken, she is survived by her children, Margaret (Paul), Elaine (Tami), Keith (Debi), and Craig (Karen); grandchildren Eric (Andrea), Mara (Sean), Chad, and Kirsten (Blake); and great grandchildren Jardyn, Olivia, and Addison.

A celebration of life is scheduled for Saturday, January 28, 1 p.m. at St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church, 3050 California Ave. SW in West Seattle. In lieu of flowers, donations to West Seattle Food Bank in Donna’s honor are encouraged.

(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)

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TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER: Monday begins
January 9, 2023 6:03 am
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:03 AM: Good morning! It’s Monday, January 9th.

LOW-BRIDGE CLOSURE

This is the 18th day the low bridge has been closed to surface traffic.

Last night, SDOT removed a leaky cylinder – and now they’ll be able to estimate how much longer the bridge will be out of service for street and path users.

WEATHER

Rainy, breezy, high in the upper 40s.

TODAY’S TRANSIT STATUS

Reminder that while the low bridge is out of service for surface traffic, free Metro/Water Taxi rides are available via an app.

–Metro is on a regular schedule today but still down buses for repairs – keep watching notification channels such as @kcmetroalerts for trip cancellations and route suspensions.

-The West Seattle Water Taxi is on its regular schedule.

-WSF’s Triangle Route remains on its two-boat schedule- check here for alerts/updates.

SPOTLIGHT CAMERAS

Delridge cameras: Updating this recent report, five are now live. Besides the one below (Delridge/Genesee), cameras are also up at Delridge/Oregon, Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Orchard, and Delridge/Henderson.

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).

1st Ave. S. Bridge – the south route.

Highway 99: – the northbound side at Lander.

All working city traffic cams can be seen here, most with video options; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are also on this WSB page … Are movable city bridges opening for vessels? Check the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed.

If you see a problem on the roads/paths/water, please text or call us (when you can do so safely) – 206-293-6302.

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UPDATE: SWAT team at 35th/Dakota (with Monday followup)
January 8, 2023 9:42 pm
|      38 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle police

(Reader photo of police blocking 35th)

9:42 PM: Thanks for the tips about a sizable police presence at 35th/Dakota, to which a SWAT team has just been added. Police will not comment except to say that they’re investigating a “suspicious circumstance.” They have 35th blocked at the scene. More information as we get it.

9:58 PM: Police have announced via PA that they have a warrant. If you’re in the area, you may hear other things such as “flash-bangs,” which are devices used to make noise to disorient anyone who might be inside. Meantime, combing back through dispatch audio, we found the original report that brought police here: Someone called 911 around 4:30 pm to say that their security camera showed what they thought could have been people bringing a body wrapped in a blanket out of the house. We don’t know whether police have confirmed that someone is currently in the house or not, and we don’t know whether anyone’s death has been confirmed.

11:32 PM: After searching the house and yard, officers have found one person. Whether that person is a suspect in anything isn’t clear, nor do we know whether police have yet found any evidence of a crime. The SWAT team will be wrapping up their work. They are calling for SFD medics to check that person out. (added) SFD dispatch has told responders that they’ll be checking out “an adult male said to have ingested cocaine.”

ADDED 10:03 AM MONDAY: In response to our inquiry, SPD spokesperson Sgt. John O’Neil confirms what we reported and adds what they’ve learned since:

Neighbors reported that they saw two people load a body in car and leave. This was on video they had. Based on the same footage, it appeared to be a female that had arrived there earlier. They called Police and we viewed the footage.

Based on what we saw, we obtained a warrant to search the house to look for evidence of a homicide. SWAT searched the house and spoke with the other person that was in the Neighbor’s video. He said he did indeed load a female in the car, but she was alive. She had overdosed. They took her to HMC. Officers confirmed that this was true.

They arrested (one person) for an outstanding Felony warrant for Robbery 2nd Degree.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Hit-run homicide arraignment Monday; 35th/Avalon arrests; garage burglary
January 8, 2023 8:28 pm
|    Comments Off on WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Hit-run homicide arraignment Monday; 35th/Avalon arrests; garage burglary
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Three items in West Seattle Crime Watch tonight:

HIT-RUN HOMICIDE ARRAIGNMENT MONDAY: As reported here Wednesday, a suspect is now charged with vehicular homicide and felony hit-run in last July’s death of Robb Mason. 20-year-old Mohamed A. Yusuf will be arraigned tomorrow morning at 8:30 am in courtroom E-955 at the King County Courthouse. His family and friends sent a statement that they “would like to let the West Seattle community know that the arraignment is open to the public for anyone who can be present as a show of support for Claudia Mason and her beloved husband Robb.” The courthouse is at 516 Third Avenue.

35TH/AVALON ARRESTS: Several people asked about a sizable police response around 10 pm last night at the 35th/Avalon – including Evan, who sent this photo:

Research today yielded information that this was a stolen-vehicle recovery, with people in the vehicle when police found it – two were reported to have been taken into custody.

GARAGE BURGLARY: Karen reports from Hansen View (the neighborhood just south of The Mount) that someone broke into a neighbor’s garage Friday afternoon by smashing out a glass panel:

This happened while someone was home; the burglar(s) stole items including three bicycles, one of which Karen found a few doors down. SPD incident # is 23-005507.

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SEEN ON SHORE: Know anyone missing steps and railing?
January 8, 2023 6:54 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news

Thanks to Elizabeth for the photo and report: “If someone’s missing a set of wooden steps (looks like 11 total and railings) they’ve landed at the pocket beach by La Rustica. Other than having detached and drifted, they seem to be in good shape.” The tide is receding at the moment, headed for low tide at 11:46 pm, so this would be a good time to retrieve them if they’re yours. (The “pocket beach” is Weather Watch Park, 4035 Beach Drive SW.)

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WEST SEATTLE BIRDS: 9 views of our feathered neighbors
January 8, 2023 4:42 pm
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | Wildlife

With the Seahawks having just won in OT, it’s too late for counterprogramming but we still have time this Sunday afternoon to show some of the bird photos we’ve received in recent weeks – thanks to all who’ve sent them (we publish some with our daily event lists, too). Above, Angela Summerfield‘s view of Cedar Waxwings in Fauntleroy in late November. Below, a wind-ruffled Steller’s Jay photographed by Jerry Simmons:

Danny McMillin caught a Crow and Bald Eagle in an air-supremacy battle over Alki Point:

Another Bald Eagle was watching from a perch over the Alki Promenade when spotted by James Tilley:

James also sent this photo of a Yellow-rumped Warbler seen in early December:

A Varied Thrush visited Trileigh Tucker:

In Arbor Heights, this Townsend’s Warbler was photographed by Cindy Roberts:

And two views of Cormorants – Dan Ciske says that’s Three-Fingers Mountain in the backdrop of this view:

Ann Anderson saw this Double-crested Cormorant off Duwamish Head:

Thanks again to everyone sharing bird (and other) photos – westseattleblog@gmail.com – breaking-news images are also always welcome via texting our hotline, 206-293-6302.

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1 injured in crash near west end of West Seattle Bridge
January 8, 2023 3:50 pm
|      12 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle police

Several people have asked about that crash scene this morning toward the west end of the bridge. We didn’t cover it at the time – initial response was at 8:48 am – but after hearing two-the wreckage was still there a few hours later, and that passersby were worried about major injuries due to the driver’s-side damage, we checked on it. SFD spokesperson David Cuerpo says one person was hurt, a 49-year-old woman, but her injuries were not life-threatening – she was reported in stable condition and was taken to a hospital “by a private vehicle.”

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SEEN FROM WEST SEATTLE: Flyover helicopters
January 8, 2023 3:27 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Helicopter | West Seattle news

3:27 PM: With the murky, drippy weather this morning/midday, some wondered if the pre-game Army helicopter flyover previewed here Thursday had actually happened. Jerry Simmons caught two of the helicopters on camera, so there’s your proof.

7:45 PM: Here’s video of what it looked like from one of the helicopters.

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WHALES: Orcas in the area
January 8, 2023 1:39 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | Whales

Thanks to Kersti Muul for the report that orcas have been making their way down central Puget Sound southbound. Just as the rain finally lightens, she says they’re off The Arroyos now, toward the west side of the Sound – members of J-Pod. They’ll eventually have to head back north, though!

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UPDATE: Next major repair step – leaky cylinder removed from West Seattle low bridge
January 8, 2023 12:16 pm
|      12 COMMENTS
 |   Transportation | West Seattle news

(SDOT photos)

12:16 PM: SDOT has just sent photos from inside the West Seattle low bridge (aka the Spokane Street Swing Bridge), with word that the next major step in repair work is happening right now. Crews are removing the bridge’s leaky cylinder – after which, SDOT has said, they’ll be able to estimate how long it’ll take to get the bridge back to full service.

This is what SDOT said last week will be done next:

The cylinder will need to be temporarily removed and overhauled off-site. Over the past 10 days, we built and assembled some of the equipment necessary to move the massive cylinder. Once the cylinder is removed, we will re-engineer the bridge’s eastern span to temporarily operate on the single remaining turning cylinder. This work requires reprogramming the control system and testing it to ensure the new configuration is reliable and safe. While the eastern bridge span is running with one cylinder, opening and closing the bridge for passing ships will take about 10 minutes longer than usual.

The bridge has been closed to street and path traffic since December 23rd.

P.S. SDOT director Greg Spotts is play-by-play posting about the removal on Twitter.

2:11 PM: Another photos added from inside. – above, what Spotts describes as “the ‘cradle’ that will receive the cylinder.” SDOT says this is pretty much a day-long operation – when the cylinder comes out, it’ll be on the east side of the “machine house” at ground level, possibly visible via this camera.

2:36 PM: They’re getting closer to cylinder removal:

5:36 PM: They’re still working on getting the 15,000-pound cylinder out. As of about an hour ago, it was secured in its cradle:

6:39 PM: Almost there:

7:33 PM: It’s out:

Now it’ll be taken to an SDOT facility, and then to a hydraulic-repair shop.

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Remembering Harold D. Foster, 1926-2022
January 8, 2023 9:31 am
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   Obituaries | West Seattle news

Family and friends will gather for a funeral mass this Friday and a celebration of life in March to honor Harold Foster. Here’s the remembrance they’re sharing with his community:

Harold Dale Foster, 96, passed away peacefully at home on Christmas Eve, December 24, 2022, in White Center. He was born on February 26, 1926 in Spearfish, South Dakota to Ralph Bay Foster and Gertrude G. (Willsie) Foster.

Harold was preceded in death by his wife of 66 1/2 years, Lorraine C. (Garceau) Foster, his son Michael Dale Foster, his parents Ralph and Gertrude Foster, and all of his siblings, including his brothers Ray Foster, Everett Foster, and Wesley Foster, and his sisters Fae E. Rainey and Lola Mae Foster, as well as many extended family relatives and very dear friends.

Harold is survived by his son Jeffrey J. Foster and his daughter Sue Foster; his grandchildren Kara (Adam) Peters, Amanda Foster, Matthew Lambertsen, and Mark Lambertsen; great-granddaughter Sloan P. Kilpatrick-Foster and great-grandson Oliver Dale Peters, as well as his nephew Wayne (Kathy) Rainey and Loraine (Rainey) McRae and many special distant relatives and very close friends.

Harold had a nomadic childhood due to poverty since his father Ralph Foster was always looking for work. He told stories of moving many times and having very little to eat while growing up, including working for a neighbor and getting paid with a sack of potatoes to help feed his family when he was a teenager. His Father died in 1942, a few days after having surgery for a ruptured ulcer, when Harold was 16 years old. He moved back to Seattle, where his mother Gertrude Foster was staying with his older sister Fae E. Rainey. Eventually, Harold bought a house with his mother near South Seattle Community College. Gertrude Foster was working as a Nurse, and he started working at the Boeing Company in 1943. He left the Boeing Company briefly to serve his country in the Navy from 1944 – 1946.

In 1948, Harold was back working at the Boeing Company and he met his future wife Lorraine Garceau through her sister Aurora Garceau. Harold and Lorraine had a double wedding with Lorraine’s sister Muriel and Keith (Bud) Pearson on September 15, 1950, at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in West Seattle. They had three children, Michael Dale, Jeffrey John, and Suzette Marie. They purchased their home in 1961 and Harold would go on to live there for 61 years with many family gatherings and Harold’s last birthday open house on February 26th, 2020.

Harold and Lorraine were parishioners at Holy Family Catholic Church for almost 70 years and had their children attend Holy Family school as well as their granddaughter Kara and many other cousins. Harold was also a longtime Aerie member of the White Center Eagles since the 1950s, where Harold and his wife would dance around the supporting pole in the middle of the dance floor at the old Eagles building. In later years, he would go to the new Eagles building to meet his “Cooney” friends (as Lorraine would say) for a drink at 4pm and he enjoyed Sunday morning breakfasts with his Eagle buddies.

Harold and Lorraine went on to purchase camping membership at Lake Trask Timber Trails near Shelton in 1975 with many other Sears and Boeing families. Camping was a great getaway from the city at their summer retreat. They made many friends over the years there who became like extended family and Harold always had a joke or two to share with everyone as well as a helping hand.

And that’s his story and he is sticking to it. Please smile to yourself when you remember him.

His funeral mass will be held on Friday, January 13th, 2023 at Noon at Holy Family Catholic Church in White Center, located at 9622 20th Ave SW. His burial will follow at 2 pm at Greenwood Memorial Cemetery, 350 Monroe Ave NE, Renton. No reception following.

His Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, March 25th, 2023 from 2 pm to 4 pm at the White Center Eagles, 10452 15th Ave SW.
The Foster Family is looking forward to celebrating this wonderful man’s life with everyone.

In lieu of gifts, please donate to Northwest Kidney Centers, PO Box 3035, Seattle, Washington 98114.

(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)

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WEST SEATTLE SUNDAY: 11 notes
January 8, 2023 6:34 am
|    Comments Off on WEST SEATTLE SUNDAY: 11 notes
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

Here’s the list for your Sunday, from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

LOW BRIDGE CLOSED: Reminder that the West Seattle low bridge is in its third week of being closed to all street and path users until it’s fixed, and there’s no word yet how long that’ll take.

CHURCHES WITH ONLINE SERVICES: We’re continuing to list these – see today’s lineup here.

FLYOVER & PRACTICE: As reported here earlier this week, four U.S. Army helicopters are expected to be in the area for a flyover at the Seahawks‘ final regular-season game of the year – practicing in mid-morning, then the actual flyover before the 1:25 pm kickoff. (Weather might affect this.)

WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: As usual, 10 am-2 pm, the market offers winter produce as well as flowers, cheese, fish, meat, baked goods, condiments, fresh-cooked food, beverages, nuts, more. Here’s today’s vendor list. (California SW between Oregon and Alaska)

ALL-GIRLS LACROSSE WINTER CLINIC: From West Seattle Lacrosse Club:

We want to invite all youth and High School age girls to our West Seattle Lacrosse Club Winter Clinic to meet our coaches and learn the game. Come join us today 12:30-2:00 pm at Hiawatha Playfield. Learn more about the club or contact us at westseattlelaxclub.org or westseattlelax@gmail.com

(2700 California SW)

LIVE MUSIC AT C & P: 3 pm at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), the Silver Lining Band plays. No cover.

(added) CONCERT AT WEST SEATTLE LIBRARY: 3 pm, the Ladies Musical Club performs a free classical concert at West Seattle (Admiral) Library – see the program here. (2306 42nd SW).

NEED FOOD? White Center Community Dinner Church serves a free meal (take-away available) at 5 pm Sundays at the Salvation Army Center in South Delridge (9050 16th SW).

YOGA, MEDITATION, GONG BATH: Presented by Inner Alchemy, 7 pm at Move2Center (3618 SW Alaska), $35.

SUNDAY NIGHT JAZZ: Triangular Jazztet at The Alley (4509 California SW), 8 pm and 9 pm sets.

SUNDAY NIGHT KARAOKE: 9 pm to 1:30 am at Admiral Pub (2306 California SW).

Have an event to add to our calendar? Please email westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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ELECTION 2023: Less than 3 weeks until your next ballot arrives
January 7, 2023 9:15 pm
|      49 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle housing | West Seattle news

checkbox.jpgAlthough this year’s biggest election will be the City Council primary in August, that won’t be the first election of the year. You’ll get a ballot in less than three weeks for the February 14th special election, with just one measure on your ballot: Seattle Initiative 135. Not familiar with it? Here’s the text that you’ll see:

City of Seattle Initiative Measure 135 concerns developing and maintaining affordable social housing in Seattle.

This measure would create a public development authority (PDA) to develop, own, and maintain publicly financed mixed-income social housing developments. The City would provide start-up support for the PDA. The City Council would determine the amount of ongoing City support. Before it transfers any public lands for nonpublic use, the City would be required to consider a transfer to the PDA. The PDA’s Charter would govern the election, composition, and duties of the PDA’s Board of Directors.

So what’s “social housing”? Here’s how the organization behind the initiative explains it:

Housing created outside of the private market, publicly financed and publicly controlled. Unlike public housing models in the United States, social housing does not rely on profit motives, the private market or private partnerships, which creates permanent affordability and housing free from market speculation. Residents and their homes are shielded from the free market, with specific measures prohibiting the sale and marketization of social housing to ensure it remains in the public’s hands, for public use.

Also from their FAQ page, the explanation of “who will pay for it?”, since the city “start-up support” does NOT include funding:

Our initiative follows the path of the Pike Place Market and the monorail. This is a multi-step process. We are setting up the structure and the vision to get this public developer started, then we will begin raising money. We are pursuing several options, but money that is available today will not necessarily be the extent of what’s available tomorrow.

Once the public developer is established, they can receive and request funds from city, state, federal governments, as well as private donations if those donors feel so inclined.

You can read the full text of I-135 here. For a slightly shorter overview, see this page on supporters’ site (which also includes the full text). The House Our Neighbors political committee of Real Change gathered signatures to get it on the ballot. No opposition campaign is registered, so far. Ballots are scheduled to be mailed January 25th. Not registered to vote? Here’s how to do it.

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Two chances to talk with, hear from police in West Seattle this week
January 7, 2023 6:38 pm
|    Comments Off on Two chances to talk with, hear from police in West Seattle this week
 |   Neighborhoods | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

If you have questions for police – a neighborhood concern, ongoing problem, unsolved case – you can attend both or one of these community meetings in the week ahead:

ADMIRAL NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION: 7 pm Tuesday (January 10th), Admiral Church (4320 SW Hill). ANA says a Southwest Precinct rep will be there.

WEST SEATTLE CRIME PREVENTION COUNCIL: 7 pm Thursday (January 12th), Southwest Precinct (2300 SW Webster). Much of this meeting is set aside for community Q&A. If you can’t go to the precinct, our calendar listing has info on video or call-in participation.

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Teenager investigated for DUI after crash at Walnut/Hinds
January 7, 2023 2:51 pm
|      25 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle police

SPD has released information today about a crash last night at Walnut/Hinds in which they are investigating a teenage driver for DUI. Above is a photo sent to us today by a neighbor; police say two people were taken to the hospital after the 6:30 pm crash, including the “male juvenile” driver. Police say witnesses told them the driver was speeding before hitting another car and then a utility pole, Their report continues:

Officers also observed drug paraphernalia in the suspect vehicle. A Seattle Police Drug Recognition Expert responded to evaluate the male driver of the suspect vehicle, who exhibited signs of impairment. Officers obtained a search warrant for a blood draw. The male juvenile suspect was processed for driving under the influence and ticketed for additional traffic citations, then released to his guardians.

His age wasn’t in the report, and the case isn’t yet in the public files of the Municipal Court website. Here’s another neighbor photo of the damage done to the utility pole, which is now leaning:

Neighbors say there have been multiple collisions at this intersection.

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