West Seattle, Washington
24 Thursday
Thanks to Ian for the photo. Avoid 35th/Avalon for a while; police are directing traffic around the scene of a collision that is sending a motorcycle rider to the hospital. There’s also a fuel leak that has to be cleaned up. Tow trucks are on the way for the motorcycle and at least one vehicle that’s reported to have been involved.
During the session just past, the State Legislature gave local jurisdictions (via HB 2015) the option of raising their sales taxes one-tenth of one percent if the money was used for public-safety services. Today, the King County Council voted to do just that, after County Executive Shannon Braddock sent them the proposal, saying the revenue is needed to prevent cuts in such services – not just the King County Sheriff’s Office, which provides police services in unincorporated areas like White Center and Vashon Island, but also departments that serve people around the county whether or not they’re in cities, such as the jail, Superior Court, and Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. The council’s announcement notes that the tax increase will amount to 10 cents on a $100 purchase and promises “all revenue generated will be dedicated exclusively to maintaining and strengthening King County’s criminal justice, behavioral health, and public safety systems.” The announcement concludes:
The tax will take effect on October 1, 2025, with revenue collection beginning in January 2026. The County Executive will publish an annual public report detailing how the funds are allocated to strengthen safety and justice for all King County residents.
Cities also have the option of implementing the same sales-tax increase without sending it to voters; there’s no formal proposal in Seattle yet, but the City Council has been working on a resolution spelling out how it could be spent if it is proposed and passed, and will take that up again at a committee meeting on Thursday.
(Added: Screengrab from SDOT traffic cam)
Texters are asking about a police response at/near Easy Street Records. This was dispatched as an argument that was drawing a crowd and for some reason moved into the store. Dispatch said it seemed to have something to do with a phone. Police just told dispatch they have one person in custody.
Checking the police log to ensure we hadn’t missed anything major, we noted a commercial burglary reported this morning in the 5900 block of California SW. We subsequently obtained the report narrative from SPD. A worker at Juneau Street Market told police he had arrived at 7 am to find evidence of a burglary about two hours before that. The burglar broke a window pane on the north side of the store, and pulled up a recycling-bin lid, possibly to hide the broken window from passers-by. The report says the burglar(s) took “tobacco and smokeless-tobacco products” worth at least $1,000. Security video given to police was described by the officer who wrote the report: “I observed a male wearing a hoodie, to conceal his identity, enter the frame from the north side of the store. The male suspect, possibly black or Hispanic, in his 20’s-30’s, immediately went behind the register area and began filling a small bag with packs of cigarettes and vape pen products. The suspect was careful not to look up at the camera, finished and was out of the store within 5-10 minutes, leaving through the broken window.” If you have any information, the SPD incident # is 25-206899.
(WSB photo, July 2024)
California Place Park is a 10,500-square-foot triangle in North Admiral, just east of Admiral Church, one of West Seattle’s smallest and most-overlooked parks. If you didn’t know any better, you’d assume it’s part of the church grounds. But last year’s Admiral Music in the Parks concert series – presented by the Admiral Neighborhood Association – brought a concert to California Place Park (WSB coverage here), and it worked out well enough, they’re doing it again this year. It’s the second of three parks that are home to this year’s AMP concerts, and you can see and hear for yourself this Thursday (July 24) at 6:30 pm, when West Seattle’s own Michael Pearsall and Friends will perform. The concert is free – just bring your own chair, blanket, picnic dinner (or takeout from one of Admiral’s tasty options), etc. And if you knit, remember that Seattle Yarn is hosting a circle at this year’s AMP concerts! (Community co-sponsors include WSB and other local businesses listed on the series webpage, where you can also donate to support AMP if you’re so inclined.)
We’ve been mentioning in our daily traffic roundups that parking restrictions are in place for the next three weeks for a stretch of Admiral Way west of 59th SW. We asked SDOT for specifics, and here’s what they tell us today:
This work is being conducted by our concrete crew and is a curb ramp install on all four corners of SW Admiral Way & 60th Ave SW, with street panel replacement adjacent to ramps on 60th Ave SW. Expect daily closures on 60th Ave SW at this intersection up until August 15.
When we went by a bit earlier today, the closure was on 60th on the south side of the intersection, and part of the eastbound bike lane was blocked (as shown in our photo).
The WSB West Seattle Lost and Found (non-pets) board has been busy lately. It’s a self-post section – go to https://westseattleblog.com/log-in if you don’t already have an ID for our Community Forums – but some announcements show up via email, and this one seems potentially urgent:
I found an engraved wooden cane with the name “Peggy” on it. I found it in the alley behind my home (5300 block SW Admiral way) – Please text finder at 206-661-0069 to schedule pickup.
(July 11 photo by Dave Gershgorn for WSB)
The peninsula’s biggest party of the year – West Seattle Summer Fest – is over for another year, after three big days (and two nights) in the streets in the heart of The Junction. Organizers at the West Seattle Junction Association want to know what you thought about it – what you did, what could be improved, etc. To collect those opinions, they’ve just launched this short survey. It’s open until August 1.
(Robin nestlings photographed earlier this month by Janelle Otterholt, 9 days old at the time)
Here’s our list for your Tuesday, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
SUMMER FOOD: As noted here, multiple sites are set up in West Seattle for kids to get breakfast, lunch, and/or snacks while school is out.
POSTCARDS4DEMOCRACY: New participants as well as returnees are welcome at this weekly advocacy gathering, 10:30 am-noon at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor). Sign up here before you go, if you’re a first-timer.
HIGHLAND PARK SPRAYPARK: Open every day, 11 am-8 pm. Free. (1100 SW Cloverdale)
COLMAN POOL: The outdoor salt-water pool at Lincoln Park is also open, with sessions between noon and 7 pm. Fee.
WADING POOLS: Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW) and EC Hughes (2805 SW Holden) are open today, noon-7 pm. Free.
ROTARY CLUB OF WEST SEATTLE: Noon lunch at West Seattle Golf Course with a guest from the Northwest Adoption Exchange. (4470 35th SW).
CITY COUNCIL MEETING: 1 pm, special earlier time for weekly meeting, open to public comment in person or online. The agenda explains how to watch/participate.
SCIENCE WITH MS. C: For kids 5-12 at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond), 1:30-3 pm: “Each week Ms. C. will read a picture book and lead a hands-on paper engineering activity inspired by the story, like building bridges, mazes, towers, and more.”
CHESS CLUB: Tuesdays 1:30-3 pm, at the Center for Active Living (4217 SW Oregon). All levels welcome. (Questions? Email conwell@conwelld.net.)
CAMP SECOND CHANCE COMMUNITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE: 4 pm monthly meeting online – open to the public; our calendar listing explains how to get the link.
FREE COMMUNITY NOTARY: Need something notarized? Southwest Library (9010 35th SW) is offering a free notary service today, 4-6 pm – details in our calendar listing.
DROP-IN WINE TASTING: 5-8 pm Tuesdays at Walter’s Wine Shop (4811 California SW) – $15 fee, $5 off with bottle purchases.
DEMONSTRATION FOR BLACK LIVES: Long-running weekly sign-waving demonstration on the corners at 16th/Holden. 5-6 pm. Signs available if you don’t bring your own.
PLAY ALONG IN THE PARK: 6 pm, third of four Tuesday nights in which you can play along with West Seattle Community Orchestras musicians at Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW), or just watch/listen. Our preview has details.
WEST SEATTLE RUNNER TRACK RUN: Tonight at 6:15 pm, meet up at West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) for WSR’s free weekly track run.
MAKE POTTERY: Weekly 6:30-9 pm “girls’ night” at pottery studio The Clay Cauldron (5214 Delridge Way SW), sign up in advance to work on your project(s).
WOMEN’S MEDITATION CIRCLE: Weekly small-group event at Mama Be Well Healing Studio (4034 California SW), 7 pm. Our calendar listing has details on signing up before you go.
BINGO X 2: Play free Tuesday night Belle of the Balls Bingo at The Skylark, 7 pm. (3803 Delridge Way SW) … Talarico’s Pizzeria also offers 8 pm bingo (4718 California SW).
TRIVIA X 4: Question: Where to play trivia in West Seattle Tuesday nights? Answer: These four places – The Beer Junction (4711 California SW), Sporcle Pub Quiz with David at 7 and 8 pm … 7 pm at Ounces (3803 Delridge Way SW), free and hosted by Beat the Geek Trivia; 7 pm at Zeeks Pizza West Seattle (6459 California SW), hosted by Geeks Who Drink; 7:10 pm at Admiral Pub. (2306 California SW).
If you are organizing an event, class, performance, gathering, etc., tell your West Seattle neighbors via our event calendar, from which we draw our daily lists too – just email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Family and friends are remembering Bill Van Cleave, and sharing this remembrance with his communities:
William “Bill” Wallace Van Cleave Jr. passed away peacefully on Friday, July 11, 2025, surrounded by his beloved wife of 58 years, Pauline “Patty” T. Van Cleave, his daughter Kimberly Van Cleave Michaels, and son-in-law Robert Michaels.
Born in St. Louis, Missouri, to the late William Wallace Van Cleave Sr. and Catherine Streiff Van Cleave, Bill grew up in Webster Groves, cheering on the Cardinals with his younger siblings, Lynn Van Cleave Martin and Peter Van Cleave. Bill was proud to be an Eagle Scout as a young man and graduated from Webster Groves High School. After high school, he enlisted in the Army Reserves and was stationed at Ft. Leonard Wood. Bill painted houses to put himself through Drury College and went on to follow his father’s career path in the insurance industry. After graduation, Bill headed to Hartford, Connecticut, where he met his future wife, Patty, the first month after his arrival! He then began a long and successful career at The Travelers Insurance Company in Downtown Hartford. A few years later, the couple welcomed their daughter, Kim.
Bill enjoyed life’s little routines — especially riding the bus into Hartford with Governor Ella Grasso — and found joy in simple pleasures like wearing a nice suit, walking his dogs, and pedaling his bike around Old Saybrook. A true artist at heart, he was known for his lightning-fast portraits and capturing a pastoral scene or a favorite pet.
With a kind heart and steady mind, Bill was a man of strong traditions and stronger handshakes. A devoted member of Grace Episcopal Church, he lent his voice to the choir and spent more than 25 years as a lay reader, visiting nursing homes in Newington, CT. Bill joined the Masons of Newington Sequin-Level Lodge 140 and enjoyed that brotherhood. He was also a passionate, and thorough, genealogist and founder of the Van Cleave family website.
Bill had a gift for working with his hands — whether it was building a breakfast nook, fixing a fence, or crafting an antique-inspired wooden canopy bed. Every nail and brushstroke came with precision and pride. In 2010, he and Patty became residents of Seattle to be near their two grandsons, Burke and Shepard Michaels. He cherished every moment being with them and watching them grow. While in Seattle, he joined the Masons there and became a Worshipful Master for Alki Lodge 152.
Bill’s life will be celebrated this summer on both coasts with intimate family gatherings, featuring his artwork. He will be laid to rest in Fairview Cemetery in West Hartford, Connecticut. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Labs4rescue.com — a nod to Bill’s deep love of his dogs.
Please share memories and photos on the guestbook at emmickfunerals.com/obituaries/william-van-cleave-jr
Arrangements Entrusted to Emmick Family Funeral Home of West Seattle
(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)
6:02 AM: Good morning! Welcome to Tuesday, July 22, 2025.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
Partly sunny, high near 80. Today’s sunrise was at 5:35 am; sunset will be at 8:55 pm.
ROAD WORK
-The major nighttime work ahead on and around 16th SW in White Center continues – details here.
-Admiral Bridge work continues, with both directions now carried on the south side.
-Crews are working on a stretch of Admiral Way mostly west of 59th where “no parking” signs are in effect through mid-August; we’re waiting for SDOT info, but checked the area late last night and noted some curb work under way.
TRANSIT TODAY
Metro buses – On regular schedule and routes today.
Washington State Ferries – WSF has resumed three-boat service on the Triangle Route, with M/V Kittitas, M/V Cathlamet, and M/V Issaquah. Vessel Watch will show you which boat is where.
Water Taxi – Regular West Seattle service; summer schedule, with later runs on Friday and Saturday nights, and on weeknights with Mariners home games (and certain special events), like tonight …
STADIUM ZONE
–Mariners host Milwaukee, 6:40 pm.
SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS
High Bridge – Here’s the main camera, followed by the Fauntleroy-end camera:
Low Bridge – Looking west:
1st Avenue South Bridge:
Delridge cameras: In addition to the one below (Delridge/Genesee), cameras are also at Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Henderson, Delridge/Oregon, and video-only (so you have to go to the map), Delridge/Holden and Delridge/Thistle.
MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: All functioning traffic cams citywide are here (including links to live video for most); for a quick scan of West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras, see this WSB page.
See a problem on the bridges/streets/paths/water? Please text or call our hotline (when you can do it safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities if they’re not already on scene) – 206-293-6302. Thank you!
(July 2023 photo by Jamie Kinney)
The annual tribal Canoe Journey, involving tribes’ canoe families from all over the region, has begun – but no Alki Beach stop with a large number of canoes is expected this time. This year, the journeys comprise Paddle to Elwha, hosted by the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe. Since that makes it a northbound journey for most, few will be passing this way; for those that do, the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe, which has hosted canoe families at Alki Beach in past years, will be hosting at Saltwater State Park in Des Moines this time (Saturday, July 26). According to the newest official map for the journeys, the West Seattle-based Duwamish Tribe canoe family plans to set out from Alki on Sunday (July 27). The official landing at Lower Elwha, just west of Port Angeles, is July 31, and the canoe families will be gathered for a celebration August 1-5. (The host tribe has been dealing with the effects of last Friday’s tanker-truck spill but that’s not sidelining the plan.)
Our photo shows members of the Seattle Schools All-City Band in Hiawatha Park on Saturday morning as they prepared for the West Seattle Grand Parade (in which they won the Grand Prize, again). These student musicians from around the city are busy with parades throughout the summer, plus a special event that’s returning to West Seattle: Band Jam. The band hosts this “jam” for visiting bands, primarily the ones that will join it in the Seafair Torchlight Parade. This was originally held at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex, then moved post-pandemic to Memorial Stadium downtown, but is now back, since the overhaul of that stadium is under way. (All-City Band is also practicing at NCSWAC this summer, as you know if you’re in earshot.) Band Jam is a free event open to spectators – here’s the announcement from the band’s website:
Founded in 2009 by All‐City Band Director Dr. Marcus Pimpleton, Band Jam is an outdoor marching band jamboree where spectators can enjoy full performances of the marching bands many typically see only in passing on parade routes. This non-competitive event, held each year the night before Seattle’s Torchlight Parade, is free and open to the public as a celebration of what we all know to be the best part of any parade – the bands.
Date: Friday, July 25th, 2025
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic ComplexPerformances begin at 6:00 pm with a band lineup that is soon to be announced. The event is free of charge. Please invite everyone you know. We expect to finish by 9:00 pm.
(We covered that first one in 2009!) NCSWAC is at 2801 SW Thistle.
Just published on our partner site White Center Now, an update from today’s court hearing for the 23-year-old man arrested in the double shooting early Sunday that killed one man and injured another, including details from the court-document narrative. Read the update here. The suspect’s bail is set at $2 million; a charging decision is expected by Wednesday.
If you love a fun challenge, here’s another event to get ready for – this year’s West Seattle Glass Float Hunt is less than three weeks away! We received the official announcement this afternoon:
Back by popular demand and now in its fourth year, the 2025 West Seattle Glass Float Hunt kicks off on August 8 for one week, ending on August 15th , 2025. The West Seattle Junction Association and West Seattle Chamber of Commerce invite everyone to search for glass floats hidden throughout West Seattle, both inside beloved local businesses and outdoors. The West Seattle Glass Float Hunt brings joy to the community and helps promote the businesses who are the backbone of our neighborhood.
Last year, the float finders reported spending thousands of dollars in West Seattle by staying to shop and dine. Local businesses reported a jump in new visitors and clients, and one business even sold out of a promotional item during the Float Hunt.
Each 2025 glass float is individually hand blown by Avalon Glassworks in stunning pinks and purples. Each 4-inch sphere is stamped with a heart and “WS” on the sealing bottom. Float hunters should look high and low for beautiful glass balls peeking out through the mesh of a knotted net bag. Each float will be labeled with a tag so the finder can register their float, and tag their float sponsor, via the QR code on the tag.
This year, we have a website, westseattlefloathunt.com, that will feature all of the daily clues for float seekers. There will also be a map showing where hunters have found their floats, uploaded in real time, once they have registered their floats.
(June low-low tide photo by Gary Jones)
Another round of low-low tides arrives this week (here’s the tide chart), and with mild weather, it’s yet another excellent chance to explore the shore – the last round of daytime low-low tides this summer. Here’s what’s ahead:
Tuesday: 9:30 am, -2.6 feet
Wednesday: 10:20 am, -3.0 feet
Thursday: 11:07 am, -3.0 feet
Friday: 11:52 am, -2.6 feet
Seattle Aquarium beach naturalists are scheduled to be at Constellation Park (63rd SW/Beach Drive SW) on Wednesday (9 am-11:30 am) and Thursday (9 am-noon) to answer low-low-tide questions.
By Hayden Yu Andersen
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
It’s difficult to imagine a day at Alki Beach without volleyball. Beachgoers stringing up nets and playing, in between trips to coolers, or across the street in search of refreshments, are a frequent sight between June and August. If you’ve ever seen groups playing and wanted to join in, starting Wednesday (July 23), you’ll get the chance, as Alki Beach gets its first-ever permanent Volleyball court, across from the Christos on Alki/future Do Si KBBQ building [map].
(Photos courtesy Hannah Cassius)
It’s easy to assume that because the beach has volleyball poles, it has an accessible setup, explained Hannah Cassius, who helped organize this project in cooperation with the Seattle Parks and Recreation Department after she noticed several problems with their old system. The new court will feature clearer lines and a permanent net, scheduled to go up this week.
Until now, the lack of a permanent net and the poorly defined court have led to two problems, Cassius said. First, if you don’t have a net or a friend to play with, it makes the pastime inaccessible for the average person. The new court, which is set to open at 9 am on Wednesday, will feature a permanent net and a clearly defined court. As Cassius put it, “If you’re walking on the beach and you wanna play, you can play.”
The second problem was safety and quality. “We would find glass and nails in the sand, and the poles were crooked,” she said. “So having these permanent lines and nets makes beach volleyball more accessible to the community.”
The new court runs on a special system, called a “challenge court,” that keeps with the competitive spirit of the sport, while making it accessible to new players. If you want to play, you set down your sandal in a line to indicate your space. While people often show up in groups, there are no rules preventing anyone from simply walking up and joining the line to play. If you win your match, you get to stay for a maximum of two games before going to the back of the line.
“Here’s a hypothetical example,” Cassius said, “My husband Reid and I are playing against two other friends of ours, Brandon and Anissa. You put your shoe in line to play the winner. Reid and I win the game. We play you and your friend.” While this is new to Seattle, challenge courts are common at public volleyball courts in other states, like New York and California, according to Cassius.
(Seattle Parks Department rules)
The issues first came up earlier this year, at a Parks and Recreation Department town hall. Then, she slowly began to drum up support from the local volleyball community. Watching people come out in force, and the Parks Department’s quick and enthusiastic response to the quickly growing group’s concerns, was both surprising and heartwarming. Several hands-on work days and a change.org petition later, the courts are about to open to the public. According to Lisa Nielsen, the Athletic and Event Scheduling Manager with Seattle Parks and Recreation, the cost was approximately $900, covered by reservations for the other, non-permanent courts.
“I was actually positively surprised,” she said. “A lot of the older volleyball players said ‘the Parks Department doesn’t do anything, you won’t see any changes, et cetera,’ and for many of us, it was our first time working with them, but they’ve been with us every step of the way.”
Permanent courts on Alki aren’t the only thing they’ve managed to get done in cooperation with the Parks Department. They’ve managed to update the Volleyball poles to support men’s, women’s, and co-ed play, leveled the sand around the court, had the Alki showers turned on in April (in previous years they’ve waited until late May or June to turn them on), and even increased restroom maintenance.
They’re not done yet, though. Cassius says they have plans on the horizon to set up a community tool shed, with sifters and rakes to keep the courts safe, and add even more poles and sand. “At the end of the day,” She said, “ the larger Seattle volleyball community is a lot of people, from a lot of diverse backgrounds, but everyone is united by wanting to play this sport. This is an opportunity for more public athletic spaces with the community.”
(Sunday night photo by Kevin Stock)
Here’s our Monday highlight list from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar (are we missing something? let us know!):
SUMMER FOOD: As reported here, there are multiple sites/times/days in West Seattle where kids can get breakfast, lunch, and/or snacks during summer break.
FAMILY STORY TIME: Southwest Library‘s 10:30 am story time is open to wee ones and their parents/guardians/caretakers. (9010 35th SW)
HIGHLAND PARK SPRAYPARK: Open every day 11 am-8 pm. Free. (1100 SW Cloverdale)
COLMAN POOL: Continuing through Labor Day, the outdoor salt-water pool at Lincoln Park is open every day (except for swim-meet closures), noon-7 pm. Fee.
WADING POOLS: Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW) and EC Hughes (2805 SW Holden) are scheduled to be open today, noon-7 pm. Free.
CITY COUNCIL: 2 pm “briefing meeting” today; see the agenda here; watch live via Seattle Channel. (No public comment at the briefing meetings.)
HEALTHY AND WEALTHY TEENS: Four-week series continues today, 2:30 pm at Southwest Library (9010 35th SW).
CRAFTING & CREATIVITY NIGHT: 6-10 pm, Monday is “Crafting and Creativity Night” at The Missing Piece (9456 35th SW), info here.
D&D: Long-running weekly D&D at 6:30 pm at Meeples Games (3727 California SW). All welcome, first-time players welcome too!
LISTENING TO GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP: 6:30 pm, ongoing weekly group, participate once, occasionally, or every week. Fee.(4034 California SW)
COMEDY: Greg Beachler headlines tonight’s show at Otter on the Rocks (4210 SW Admiral Way), 7 pm, tickets still available at last check – see our calendar listing for the link.
MONDAY NIGHT TRIVIA: Three places to play tonight! 7 pm at The Good Society (California/Lander) … 7 and 8 pm Sporcle Pub Quiz at Three 9 Lounge (4505 39th SW), 21+ … 7:30 pm with QuizFix at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW)
ALKI MEDITATION: Doors open at Alki UCC at 6:45, and the meeting is from 7-8:30. (6115 SW Hinds)
POOL TOURNAMENT: The Corner Pocket‘s weekly pool tournament starts at 7 pm. $10 buy-in. (4302 SW Alaska)
FAUNTLEROY MEDITATION: More Monday night meditating – free weekly Zen sitting/meditation in the chapel at Fauntleroy UCC (9140 California SW), 7 pm-8:30 pm.
JAZZ AT THE ALLEY: Live jazz with The Westside Jazz Trio, 8 pm at The Alley (behind 4509 California SW), 21+, no cover.
MONDAY KARAOKE 9 pm Mondays, sing karaoke at Talarico’s Pizzeria (4718 California SW).
Thanks to everyone who sends info for our calendar; if you have something to add or cancel (or otherwise update), please send the info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
The West Seattle Food Bank also has a clothing bank, the Clothesline, and WSFB development director Robbin Peterson tells WSB what they need most right now:
We are in urgent need of back-to-school clothes. When you shop at a clothing bank for your kids, it takes multiple visits to get everyone ready for back-to-school & our shoppers have already started. The Clothesline is in need of kids’ clothes 5T through teen sizes. Hoodies, jackets, jeans, athletic pants & tops, sneakers, new underwear/bras/socks, dresses, skirts. Clothing can be dropped off at The Clothesline (4425 41st Ave SW) Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays from 10 am – 1 pm.
9:24 AM: Emergency crews are dealing with a possible person in crisis on the northbound 1st Avenue South Bridge, so FYI if you are heading that way any time soon.
9:32 AM: Situation quickly sorted out and the response will be ending.
Earlier:
6:01 AM: Good morning! Welcome to Monday, July 21, 2025.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
Warming trend – sunshine expected today, with a high in the upper 70s. Today’s sunrise was at 5:34 am; sunset will be at 8:56 pm.
ROAD WORK
-The major nighttime work ahead on and around 16th SW in White Center continues – details here.
-Admiral Bridge work continues, with both directions now carried on the south side instead of the north side.
-A stretch of Admiral Way mostly west of 59th has “no parking” signs taking effect today for an apparent paving project; we’ll be checking with SDOT today. (Anybody in that area get a notice you can share?)
TRANSIT TODAY
Metro buses – On regular schedule and routes today.
Washington State Ferries – WSF has resumed three-boat service on the Triangle Route, with M/V Kittitas, M/V Cathlamet, and M/V Issaquah. Vessel Watch will show you which boat is where.
Water Taxi – Regular West Seattle service; summer schedule, with later runs on Friday and Saturday nights, and on weeknights with Mariners home games (and certain special events).
SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS
High Bridge – Here’s the main camera, followed by the Fauntleroy-end camera:
Low Bridge – Looking west:
1st Avenue South Bridge:
Delridge cameras: In addition to the one below (Delridge/Genesee), cameras are also at Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Henderson, Delridge/Oregon, and video-only (so you have to go to the map), Delridge/Holden and Delridge/Thistle.
MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: All functioning traffic cams citywide are here (including links to live video for most); for a quick scan of West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras, see this WSB page.
See a problem on the bridges/streets/paths/water? Please text or call our hotline (when you can do it safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities if they’re not already on scene) – 206-293-6302. Thank you!
Some of the community organizations that participated in Saturday’s West Seattle Grand Parade already have been shown in our previous coverage, mostly in the list of winners. But we wanted to show you the others too – this is in order of where they were in the parade running order.
Scouting America, which has multiple local troops and packs:
Skunk Works Robotics, a regional organization for high-school students:
West Seattle Amateur Radio Club, whose members engage in a tremendous amount of community service, including preparedness work to support communication in case of catastrophe, and education:
West Seattle VFW, whose entry featured commander Steve Strand driving a 1943 Willys Jeep:
Nile Shriners, the regional chapter of the service fraternity best known for helping young burn victims:
Orca Network Parade Pod, representatives of the regional group that advocates for and shares sightings of whales (not just orcas!):
Girl Scouts of Western Washington, whose entry focused on the scouts’ affinity for camping:
DubSea Fish Sticks, which are more than a baseball team (as explained here):
RainWise helps eligible residents with rebates for installations like raingardens and cisterns that conserve water and reduce the stormwater load on the sewer system:
West Seattle/Fauntleroy YMCA (WSB sponsor), which offers a wide variety of programs for people of all ages at two locations in WS and other branches around the region:
Center for Active Living, focused on helping elders thrive, but also open to all ages:
Invest in Youth, which provides tutors for kids at some local schools:
West Seattle Food Bank Clothesline, the clothing bank that supports local families in need:
Softball champs!
West Seattle Indivisible and West Seattle Resist, local pro-democracy advocates who described their ~100 marchers as a “human float”:
West Seattle Chamber of Commerce, the peninsula-wide business-advocacy group:
American Red Cross, which helps in times of trouble large and small:
A Cleaner Alki, founded by Erik Bell, an army of volunteers who tidy up far more than the beach (parade routes, for example!):
And the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle operated an announcing stand at California/Charlestown again this year:
We may yet have another gallery or two to share; browse our previous coverage here!
(Photo credits: Oliver Hamlin, Tracy Record)
Thanks for the tips. After a “soft open” last night – described by reader Tina as “friendly, beachy vibes and food” – Seaside Grill opened today in the Alki spot abruptly vacated by Locust Cider back in December. It promises “sports, soups, sandwiches, spirits, salads,” with hours listed as 11 am-midnight Fridays and Saturdays, 11 am-10 pm Mondays through Thursdays and Sundays. (Friends who went tonight report the menu includes burgers too.) According to the online liquor license application, the team behind it includes the people who long operated Pegasus Pizza a short distance east (where Lotus on the Beach opened last year).
ORIGINAL SUNDAY NIGHT REPORT: Three Crime Watch reports from the weekend:
(Reader photo)
DEADLY SHOOTING IN WHITE CENTER: Since our initial report on partner site White Center Now this morning, King County Sheriff’s Deputies have confirmed that one of the two men shot after midnight near 16th/98th has died. A 23-year-old man is in jail for investigation of murder and assault. KCSO investigators believe it started when an allegedly drunk driver hit a parked car; the ensuing confrontation ended in gunfire. They say the suspected shooter is “an associate” of the alleged drunk driver, who was cited for suspected DUI. They have not said which of the victims was the struck car’s owner. We hope to get more information tomorrow when the suspect is likely to have a bail hearing.
Now, two West Seattle incidents for which police have released initial summaries:
GUNFIRE INVESTIGATION: SPD says this was reported at 4 am Saturday:
Officers responded to a 911 call regarding a report of shots fired in the parking lot in the area of 1900 blk of Harbor Ave. SW. Upon arrival, they located a vacant vehicle hanging off the edge of the dock. The vehicle was unoccupied. During the course of their investigation, shell casings were located at the scene and collected as evidence. Officers determined the vehicle was stolen and impounded [it] at the request of the Robbery Unit. According to a witness, the vehicle was seen doing donuts in the parking lot shortly before backing through the chain-link fence and coming to a stop on the edge of the pier. No suspects were located at the time of this call. The vehicle was impounded. The SPD Harbor Unit along with the United States Coast Guard and Port of Seattle PD responded to the scene to conduct an area check of the waterway.
If you have any information, the SPD incident # is 25-203472.
CARJACKING: SPD says this was reported after 11:30 pm Friday:
The victim was parked at the 3000 block of 44 Ave SW and about to pull out of a parking spot. A sedan pulled up next to him and the passenger exited wearing a mask. S#1 (Suspect #1) put the victim at gunpoint and demanded his cell phone. S#1 then demanded that the victim exit his vehicle. S#1 grabbed the victim and threw him to the ground. S#1 entered the victim’s vehicle and left Southbound on 44 Ave SW. S#2, who was driving the sedan, drove away in the same direction. The victim had visible injuries from the incident. Officers conducted an area check, but the suspects weren’t located.
The summary had no descriptions of the carjacker or of the stolen and suspect vehicles; we’ll be seeking those along with the report narrative when it’s available. Meantime, this incident # is 25-203304.
ADDED MONDAY AFTERNOON, RE: CARJACKING: We obtained the police-report narrative. It says the initial call came from an apartment building in the 3000 block of California SW. The victim was parked on 44th SW, facing northbound (the report does not say exactly where on 44th), pulling out, when a gray Kia Soul pulled up in front of his vehicle, blocking him from leaving. A passenger got out of the car, the victim told police, pointed a black handgun at him, yelled for him to “get out of the car,” and then grabbed the victim and threw him to the ground when he opened the door. The victim told police he said “Don’t kill me, don’t kill me” and then the robber demanded his cellphone, which the victim said he didn’t have on him; the robber then got in the victim’s car, described only as a CR-V with California plates, and drove it away southbound on 44th, with the Kia Soul also heading that way, both then turning left on SW Hanford. Both the driver and the robber were described as Black, male, mid-20s; the robber was wearing a ski mask.
Turns out the car in that incident is the same stolen car later found abandoned by Salty’s after the gunfire incident mentioned earlier in this story. We’re adding info from that narrative next.
ADDED MONDAY AFTERNOON, RE: GUNFIRE/STOLEN CAR: As mentioned above, the car abandoned in this incident was the same one stolen in the carjacking several hours earlier, described in this report as a black 2025 Honda CR-V with California plates. Here’s what we learned after obtaining the narrative today:
Police were dispatched a report of gunfire in the Salty’s parking lot at 1936 Harbor SW. dispatched to a shooting in the parking lot of Salty’s restaurant at 1936 Harbor Ave SW. They were told a black SUV might be involved. Then came the update that a black SUV was “located near the water in Salty’s parking lot and hanging off a dock.” They went there and called for backup in case armed suspects were inside. The report notes:
The vehicle that was being called out was on the north side of the parking lot on raised wooden posts. Per a Salty’s employee, this location used to be a helipad and was on private property. The car had reversed onto the wood slats and was stuck on the far edge about to fall into the water. The fence blocking people from reaching the area of the helipad was run over and dragged onto the wooden slats by the vehicle.
Eventually it was determined no one was inside. The report continues:
The parking lot of Salty’s had rubber tire marks that went back and forth in the lot and in circles. There were indications that one or more vehicles were doing burnouts and driving recklessly prior to our arrival. There were also tire marks that led toward the Honda stuck above the water.
Seattle Fire Rescue 1 arrived on scene at 0422 hours and stated that we needed to accompany them to clear the vehicle first before they attempt to get it onto concrete. There was no safe and feasible way for this to be done. SFD put wood planks and ladders down to reach the vehicle.
The first tow truck on scene wasn’t able to retrieve the vehicle “from the dangerous and compromised location where it stood,” the report said. Meantime, SPD’s Harbor Unit, US Coast Guard, and port police all searched the water to be sure no one had gone in. Officers checked the scene multiple times for gunfire evidence and finally “found a spent 9MM shell casing on the SW corner of the gravel lot directly east to Salty’s parking lot. The spent casing was found near the brush and lamp post.” The report also says some fuel from the CR-V’s punctured tank spilled onto the water. A second tow truck arrived and was able to get the vehicle fully onto land for impounding. One other note: “There was also a large rock found on the floor of the driver’s side. This was an indication that the occupants may have placed the rock on the accelerator after doing the burnouts and reversed the vehicle, attempting to send it into the water below. There was also a pair of earplugs on the front passenger seat.” Later, the report says, officers “found a second 9MM spent case about two feet away from where the first one was located.” And before they left, they “put up caution tape on the area of the parking lot where the fence was struck down. It was exposed to the wooden planks and water, so we felt it was necessary to put the tape up as a precaution.” The report does not include any information on possible suspects but said police might be able to get surveillance video from the restaurant after they opened at midday Sunday.
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