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    SERIAL ROBBERIES: 24-year-old suspect charged

REMINDER: Two turkey giveaways in West Seattle on Saturday
November 16, 2023 6:59 pm
|    Comments Off on REMINDER: Two turkey giveaways in West Seattle on Saturday
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news

(WSB photo, 2022 Eastridge Church turkey giveaway)

With Saturday just two days away, we’re reminding you that this year’s two pre-Thanksgiving turkey giveaways happen that day. Starting at 9 am, Eastridge Church is providing hundreds of turkeys and bags of groceries, at 39th SW and SW Oregon (across from West Seattle Bowl). It’s walk-up, not drive-up/ride-up. Then starting at 10 am, the West Seattle Food Bank has its annual turkey-and-food-box giveaway in the north lot at South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor). Both are first-come, first-served, while supplies last.

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DEVELOPMENT: Next Design Review date finalized for 35th/Holden/Ida project
November 16, 2023 5:07 pm
|      31 COMMENTS
 |   Development | West Seattle news

(Rendering by LDG Architects)

We reported last month that the city had tentatively chosen December 7th as the next Southwest Design Review Board meeting date for the mixed-use project planned at 7617 35th Avenue SW, bordered by SW Holden and SW Ida. Today the Department of Construction and Inspections> sent the official notice finalizing a 5 pm online meeting for that date. The project is proposed for 6 stories, ~134 apartments, and ~50 offstreet-parking spaces. The design packet for the meeting – which will include three “massing” (size and shape) options – isn’t in the city system yet, but you can get an idea of what they’re working on via this draft version from July. It’s the second try for “early design guidance,” as the board rejected what was proposed the first time, in February. The December 7th meeting will include time for public comment.

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FOLLOWUP: Terminal 5’s new cranes due to arrive in West Seattle on Friday
November 16, 2023 3:19 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Port of Seattle | West Seattle news

As we first reported this past Monday, the two new giant cranes for Terminal 5‘s south berth are on their way. The Northwest Seaport Alliance had said they were expected to arrive next week, but just sent word that’s moved up to tomorrow:

SSA Terminals (Seattle Terminals), LLC, a joint venture between SSA Marine, Matson, Inc. and Terminal Investment Ltd., and The Northwest Seaport Alliance will welcome two new ZPMC Super Post-Panamax cranes to the North Harbor marking a significant milestone in Phase Two of the Terminal 5 Modernization Project.

After spending several weeks traveling from Shanghai to Seattle, the cranes will conclude their journey through Puget Sound to Elliott Bay on Friday, November 17th. SSAT/ST is the owner and future operator of the cranes, which will join the four existing Super Post-Panamax cranes currently operating at Terminal 5.

Standing 316 feet tall with a 240-foot outreach boom, the cranes are among the largest along the U.S. West Coast. Each crane can handle vessels with containers stacked 10 high and 25 wide on deck, providing increased capacity and job opportunities for the region.

In addition to the two new Super Post-Panamax cranes, SSAT/ST will also be unloading three ZPMC hybrid rubber tire gantry (“RTG”) cranes from the vessel at Terminal 5. RTG cranes manage, move, and deliver container cargo at marine terminals and these hybrid RTGs will mark one of the first investments in hybrid cargo handling equipment in the NWSA gateway.

The Zhen Hua 27 vessel will be transiting through Puget Sound and will be visible from multiple viewpoints across the area. The public is invited the keep a lookout for this large vessel and utilize the NWSA’s viewpoint map to get a view of the cranes as they make their way through Puget Sound.

MarineTraffic.com shows Zhen Hua 27 currently just off the mouth of the Columbia River.

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Holiday event previews, officer elections at Admiral Neighborhood Association meeting
November 16, 2023 1:24 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Neighborhoods | West Seattle news

By Jason Grotelueschen
Reporting for West Seattle Blog

It was a celebration of volunteer service and preview of a busy slate of holiday events at the monthly meeting of the Admiral Neighborhood Association on Tuesday night.

The meeting was held at Admiral Church and was facilitated by ANA president Joanie Jacobs and the rest of the ANA executive board.

One of the primary items of business for the evening was the annual election of ANA officers, as well as honoring officers who are stepping down. There were flowers, cake, and treats on hand in celebration of many years of service for outgoing officers Stephanie Jordan (Vice President and Hiawatha Concerts coordinator) and Carrie McCann (Secretary):

After taking nominations from the floor for the new slate of 2023-2024 executive officers, the following individuals were unanimously elected: new Secretary Meagan Loftin (who has also served as Admiral Art Walk coordinator), returning President Joanie Jacobs, returning Treasurer Bridgett Markillie, and new Vice President Cheryl Lea (owner of Seattle Yarn):

Other continuing/returning ANA leaders are: Read More

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UPDATE: Fire on Myers Way
November 16, 2023 11:57 am
|    Comments Off on UPDATE: Fire on Myers Way
 |   Myers Way | West Seattle fires | West Seattle news

11:57 AM: Thanks for the photos and tips. If you saw that column of black smoke in southeast West Seattle, here’s what was burning:

The reader who sent the photos says this is on Myers Way north of Camp Second Chance. We haven’t been to the scene yet to see how close, but CSC has long been trying to get city help addressing unsanctioned camping outside its site. Four SFD units remain logged to the call; we haven’t heard any word of injuries so far; no medic unit has been sent.

4:39 PM: SFD confirms no one was hurt and says the fire’s cause is “undetermined.”

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Suspect arrested after shoplift-turned-assault clears out Westwood Village Target
November 16, 2023 10:35 am
|      68 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news | Westwood

10:35 AM: Thanks for the tips. Shoppers tell us they were told to clear out of Westwood Village Target around 9:40 am, after a shoplifting suspect turned violent. Police arrested the suspect on Delridge Way a short time later. According to dispatch audio, the suspect was reported to have assaulted a store manager inside the fitting-room area. Shoppers at some point were told to evacuate the store (which has since returned to normal operation), and the suspect left the store too. Police searching the area made an arrest a few blocks away, at Delridge and Henderson. Medics were called for the injured employee; we’re following up with SFD.

5:26 PM: We’ve since also checked with SPD and jail/court records. First, SFD says the 36-year-old assault victim was treated for “minor injuries” and did not want to be taken to a hospital. Second, SPD says the 33-year-old suspect was booked for investigation of robbery – they say he still had stolen property in his possession when he attacked the store employee, so that turned the shoplift into a robbery. According to jail/court records, this is his fourth time in the King County Jail this year – the other three were on misdemeanor cases, one day in jail in June, three days in July, two weeks in September/October. He had five felony cases in King County Superior Court between 2008 – when he was 18 – and 2015, including auto theft, drugs, and gun possession. He’ll likely have a bail hearing tomorrow, so we’ll follow up.

FRIDAY NIGHT UPDATE: We’ve been waiting for prosecutors to send a document so we could do a detailed followup, but in the meantime, the jail roster shows bail was set for the suspect today at $150,000.

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Alki Community Council, Festival of Trees, more for your West Seattle Thursday
November 16, 2023 10:15 am
|    Comments Off on Alki Community Council, Festival of Trees, more for your West Seattle Thursday
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Bonnet mushroom, photographed at South Seattle College by Rosalie Miller)

First, from the newly launched WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide:

FESTIVAL OF TREES: Brookdale Admiral Heights hosts a 5-7 pm event during which you can bid on decorated, donated, holiday-ready trees, benefiting the West Seattle Rotary Service Foundation. (2326 California SW)

Also happening today/tonight, mostly from the year-round WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

BOOST YOUR PRODUCTIVITY: Free expert advice during this event at West Seattle Coworking (9030 35th SW; WSB sponsor), noon – details and RSVP info here.

WEST SEATTLE UKULELE PLAYERS: All levels welcome to this weekly 1 pm gathering. Email westseattleukuleleplayerswsup@gmail.com to find out where they’re playing today.

NORTHWEST WINE ACADEMY: Tasting room and wine bar open 1-6 pm on the north end of the South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) campus (6000 16th SW).

THURSDAY FOOD-TRUCK POP-UP: 4-8 pm at Highland Park Corner Store (7789 Highland Park Way SW), Tamale My Life will be visiting.

HIGHLAND PARK RUN CLUB: Also at HP Corner Store, meet up at 6:30 pm for a 3-mile run!

WESTIES RUN CLUB: Meet at Future Primitive Beer Bar (2536 Alki SW) at 6:30 pm for a 3-mile run – more in our calendar listing.

KING COUNTY PROSECUTOR @ WS DEMOCRATIC WOMEN: Though the RSVP deadline has passed for dinner at 6 pm, the West Seattle Democratic Women will hear from King County Prosecutor Leesa Manion at 6:45 pm at West Seattle Golf Course. (4470 35th SW)

CITY COUNCILMEMBER AT ALKI COMMUNITY COUNCIL: 7 pm at Alki UCC (6115 SW Hinds), City Councilmember Lisa Herbold is among the guests, as well as a Southwest Precinct representative. The group also will discuss its future. In-person meeting, also streamed – see our calendar listing for that info.

BLUES NIGHT: 7 pm at The Spot West Seattle (2920 SW Avalon Way), every Thursday you can listen to the blues.

YOGA, BREATH WORK, GONG BATH, MORE: 7 pm at Move2Center (3618 SW Alaska).

‘THE LARAMIE PROJECT’: West Seattle High School‘s student production continues, 7:30 pm – ticket info and more in our calendar listing.

We publish daily lists like this one as reminders, but you can look ahead any time, to any day, by scrolling through our full calendar!

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YOU CAN HELP: Got an extra coat?
November 16, 2023 9:14 am
|    Comments Off on YOU CAN HELP: Got an extra coat?
 |   How to help | West Seattle news

This donation drive has only four days left – so if you have an extra coat, here’s a new home for it:

Transitional Resources is in major need of warm winter coats for our clients to use during this time of year. As the temperature drops, many of the people we serve do not have coats that will stand up to the PNW’s rainy and chilly weather. Your new or gently used items will go directly to people served in our programs.

Transitional Resources serves our neighbors living with the most serious forms of mental illness by pairing behavioral health services and supportive housing to help people get off the streets and live successfully in the community. All of our clients are low-income, and unfortunately warm, quality coats often times are not a priority on their shopping lists. The stability, safety, and connection they find at TR is thanks to our wonderful West Seattle community and your continued support.

We will be collecting donations through Monday, November 20. You can drop off donations any day 8:00 am – 4:00 pm at 2988 SW Avalon Way.

We are in need of:

Women’s Coats: S – XL
Men’s Coats: S – XL (L and XL are particularly needed)

For questions about items needed, please email kristenj@transitionalresources.org

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TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER: Thursday info
November 16, 2023 6:00 am
|    Comments Off on TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER: Thursday info
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:00 AM: Good morning! It’s Thursday, November 16th.

WEATHER AND SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

Patchy fog ths morning, sunny later, high in the upper 40s. Sunrise today is at 7:16 am; sunset, 4:31 pm.

(Wednesday sunset, photographed by James Bratsanos)

TRANSIT TODAY

Metro – Regular schedule today; check advisories here. P.S. Metro is recruiting for a new Fares Cabinet to discuss the future of fares.

Water Taxi is on its regular schedule too.

Washington State Ferries – The usual 2-boat service on the Triangle Route. Check alerts for changes, and use Vessel Watch to see where your ferry is.

SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS

Delridge cameras: Besides the one below (Delridge/Henderson), cameras are also at Delridge/Genesee, Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Orchard, and Delridge/Oregon.

High Bridge – the main camera:

High Bridge – the view from its southwest end (when SDOT points the 35th/Avalon/Fauntleroy camera that way):

Low Bridge:

1st Ave. S. Bridge – southeastern route across the river:

Highway 99: – northbound side at Lander:

MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: See all working traffic cams citywide here, most with video options; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are on this WSB page.

BRIDGE INFO: The @SDOTBridges feed on Twitter/X shows whether the city’s movable bridges are opening for vessel traffic.

If you see trouble on the bridges/streets/paths/bay, please text or call us (when you can do that safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities if applicable). Thank you!

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From pickleball to pumpkins to police @ Fauntleroy Community Association’s final 2023 meeting
November 15, 2023 9:37 pm
|      79 COMMENTS
 |   Fauntleroy | Neighborhoods | West Seattle news

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

Two weeks after Seattle Parks announced a two-week “pause” in the Lincoln Park pickleball-court project, opponents took their case to the Fauntleroy Community Association board.

That was one of the topics at the board’s monthly meeting last night. President Mike Dey facilitated the meeting in the conference room at historic Fauntleroy Schoolhouse, and it also was streamed. First, other, somewhat briefer topics:

SEATTLE POLICE: The Southwest Precinct sergeant who attended mentioned the recent crime trends on which we’ve reported here, such as armed robberies committed using stolen cars: “We’ve been getting hit pretty hard. … They wear masks, they have firearms, late teens-early 20s, normally hitting between 3 and 4 in the morning” – possibly the same robbers but they’re using different vehicles. He also noted the crash-and-grab burglary trend, including the multiple hits at Global Smoke and Vape (35th/Roxbury). One attendee says stolen cars are being dumped at Barton P-Patch and urges people to report cars that look like they’ve been broken into. Asked if Kias and Hyundais were still the predominant makes of cars being stolen, he said yes, but “we’re seeing others now.” Another trend he mentioned, many reports of suspected gunfire, but many not verified as it’s “really hard to pinpoint.” Did he think it’s a good idea for the city to buy the ShotSpotter gunfire-detection system that’s under consideration? He said yes.

Read More

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FOLLOWUP: Aegis Living project for 5252 California SW formally withdrawn
November 15, 2023 7:25 pm
|      16 COMMENTS
 |   Development | West Seattle news

(WSB photo of former project site, last month)

Last month, the city canceled the second Southwest Design Review Board meeting for Aegis Living‘s 5252 California SW project at the last minute, saying the senior-living company had shelved the project. An Aegis executive subsequently told us it was still under consideration and they’d likely decide its fate within “weeks.” According to the newest filings with the city, formally withdrawing permit applications for multiple addresses at the site, that fate has been decided: “Project will no longer be moving forward” was the applicant’ message. Aegis has not responded to our request for further comment, They hadn’t completed their purchase of the site, which was still listed early this year at $7.7 million but does not appear, at least publicly, to be listed now. Before the Aegis proposal, the site – a former strip mall plus two former restaurants – had plans for townhouses.

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WEST SEATTLE COYOTES: Brace Point sighting
November 15, 2023 5:31 pm
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   Coyotes | West Seattle news | Wildlife

From Amy in Brace Point:

Saw this on my Ring cam footage (Tuesday) morning. Looks like a coyote trotting through our back yard around 1 am.

The video gets grainy after that clear opening frame but you can see the short clip here. We’ll note again that we publish sighting reports for education and awareness, not alarm; if you’re new to living with coyotes, state wildlife authorities offer info and advice here.

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Learn secrets to avoiding burnout – if you can take a noontime break tomorrow!
November 15, 2023 4:55 pm
|    Comments Off on Learn secrets to avoiding burnout – if you can take a noontime break tomorrow!
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

If you can get to West Seattle Coworking (9030 35th SW; WSB sponsor) at noontime tomorrow, you can learn secrets to avoiding burnout – and more – free! Here’s what’s happening:

On Thursday, November 16th @ 12 pm, Chieko Watanabe, a long, experienced motivational coach will share some secrets to avoid burnout and to set achievable priorities and expectations. If you find yourself playing catch up more often than you should, then you will be glad you have attended. Info and (free) registration is available: here!

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FOLLOWUP: Holden Natural Drainage System project at ‘mid-design,’ plans Saturday pop-up
November 15, 2023 2:56 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Environment | Highland Park | Transportation | West Seattle news

The plan to build “natural drainage systems” along a block and a half of SW Holden west of 16th SW is at mid-design, according to Seattle Public Utilities, and the project team plans another informational pop-up in the neighborhood this Saturday (November 18th) for Q&A. That means they’re 60 percent of the way to fully designing the project, which is intended to “capture and treat stormwater runoff before it reaches Longfellow Creek and Puget Sound … to improve water quality in the creek, increase landscaping diversity, and provide roadway and pedestrian safety improvements.” Here’s a narrated presentation of the mid-design updates (which you also can see here):

Whether now or after the Saturday pop-up, SPU is interested in your feedback on the design so far – you can provide it here. You can also share your comments with project-team members at 17th/Holden 10 am-noon Saturday. Construction is still a ways off – now not projected to start before early 2025.

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WEST SEATTLE HOLIDAY GUIDE: 2023 version 1.0 is live!
November 15, 2023 12:39 pm
|    Comments Off on WEST SEATTLE HOLIDAY GUIDE: 2023 version 1.0 is live!
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news

This year’s WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide is now live! It’s a work in progress all season long, with additions as we get word of them, and removals after events are over, so check it often. It starts with Thanksgiving-related info and continues through lists including holiday bazaars (hint: this Saturday is a HUGE day for those), gift wrapping, Santa photos, Christmas Ship stops, holiday concerts and plays, light shows, celebrations, donation drives, church services, Small Business Saturday sales, and a LOT more. Thanks to everyone who’s already sent information on what they’re offering … if you have something coming up but haven’t sent that info to us, hurry! Whatever you want the community to know, westseattleblog@gmail.com is the best way to reach us so we can get it into the guide (and if time/date-specific, into our year-round calendar too) – thank you!

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Here’s what’s ahead for your West Seattle Wednesday
November 15, 2023 10:26 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Photo by Jerry Simmons)

Here’s the event list for the rest of today and tonight, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

TODDLER READING TIME: 10:30 am at Paper Boat Booksellers (6040 California SW).

SCHOOL BOARD MEETING: 4:15 pm at district HQ (3rd/Lander) or online/by phone (as explained on the agenda). As we reported last night, the budget-related presentation at this meeting will NOT include school closure/consolidation recommendations – those are now delayed until at least next May, looking to the 2025-2026 school year at the earliest.

FIX-IT WORKSHOP: Broken? Don’t replace – repai! Weekly event, 5:30-7:30 pm at West Seattle Tool Library (4408 Delridge Way SW, northeast side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center).

FREE GROUP RUN: Meet at West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor) for the weekly free group run, 6:15 pm.

TRIVIA x 6: Six places to play tonight. At 6 pm, Locust Cider (2820 Alki SW) offers trivia … there’s 7 pm trivia at West Seattle Brewing (4415 Fauntleroy Way SW) … 7:30 and 8:30 pm Sporcle Pub Quiz at The Lodge (4209 SW Alaska) … Trivia starts at 8 pm at Beveridge Place Pub (6413 California SW) … Larry’s Tavern (3405 California SW) hosts Wednesday-night trivia starting at 8 pm … and at 8:30 pm, trivia with Phil T at Talarico’s (4718 California SW).

LIVE MUSIC AT THE LOCOL: 6:30 pm. 21+. Rotating performer slate. (7902 35th SW)

LIVE PIANO MUSIC: Weekly on Wednesday nights, 7 pm at Otter on the Rocks. (4210 SW Admiral Way).

MUSIC BINGO: Play weekly at The Good Society (California/Lander), 7 pm.

SKYLARK OPEN MIC: 7:30 pm signups @ West Seattle’s longest-running open mic – no cover to watch. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

If you’re planning a presentation, meeting, performance, reading, tour, fundraiser, sale, discussion, holiday event etc., and it’s open to the community, please send us info for West Seattle’s only comprehensive event calendar! westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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HOLIDAY HELP: John L. Scott Westwood launches donation drive for Forgotten Children’s Fund
November 15, 2023 10:00 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Holidays | How to help | West Seattle news

Another West Seattle business is launching a holiday donation drive, and sharing information about how you can help. Today is the first day of the Forgotten Children’s Fund drive at John L. Scott Westwood Real Estate (WSB sponsor). Here’s the announcement:

John L Scott Westwood /The Madrona Group are taking toy donations/money donations from November 15- December 22, 2023. We are working again with THE FORGOTTEN CHILDREN’s FUND, which works to give underprivileged children and their families a truly MERRY CHRISTMAS/ With the support of our West Seattle Community, we are able to purchase, wrap, and have Santa and his Elves deliver gifts every year.

The Forgotten Children’s Fund began when a boy named Craig wrote a letter to Santa Claus in December of 1976. That letter never got delivered to Santa’s North Pole, but it did reach a restaurant in Seattle called Francisco’s. The letter immediately captured the heart of Mr. Dick Francisco, and the Forgotten Children’s Fund was created to help others in similar situations. The FCF currently operates in King County, Lewis County, North Counties (including Skagit, Island, Snohomish and Whatcom Counties) and Chelan Counties of Washington State.

Visit forgottenchildrensfund.org to donate, volunteer or just learn more about this organization.

The kids are under 12 years old. The most-requested items are Legos, LOL dolls, Barbies, action figures, Sonic, Paw Patrol, Lincoln logs, Hot Wheels, unicorns, sport balls, arts & crafts, science projects, etc. We can always
use gift cards for the older kids.

Please bring your unwrapped gifts to: John L. Scott Westwood at 2600 SW Barton Street, Suite A-6 (Westwood Village), Monday-Friday 9 AM to 4 PM. You can also donate at John L. Scott Bothell and John L. Scott Mukilteo.

Checks can be made to THE FORGOTTEN CHILDREN’S FUND – P.O. BOX 365 – MOUNT VERNON, WA 98273. Questions? Contact Natalie Trius at 206-938-5572 or natalietrius@johnlscott.com

The John L. Scott Westwood office is on the breezeway.

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Celebration of life Saturday for Kyle ‘Kemo’ Tovar, 1982-2023
November 15, 2023 9:22 am
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   Obituaries | West Seattle libraries

Family and friends will gather Saturday to celebrate the life of Kyle “Kemo” Tovar. Here’s the remembrance they’re sharing:

Kyle “Kemo” Tovar
Born November 21st, 1982
Died on October Friday the 13th 2023 at the age of 40.

Those who knew Kyle “Kemo” knew how much of an impact he made on the people around him. He cared deeply about family and taking a stand against injustice or lending a helping hand. He was a creative person, often drawing or building things. He was also an ardent dog lover and patient teacher to his four-legged friends. He was loved and will be missed dearly by everyone.

A special thank you to the Native Communities that welcomed him in their homes and hearts as part of their own family. Charlie and Ben Sittingbull and their children were especially dear to him.

Kyle was preceded in death by his dear friend Ben.

He is survived by his mother Mary Stence, father Moses Tovar, sister Emily Stence, brother Ian Tovar, his three sons (from eldest to youngest): Kyle Jr, Ryden Sol and Joseph Tovar, and our dog Thor.

Kyle’s family would like to encourage those who are troubled to reach out and seek help!

Those who are able, please consider thoughtful support (financial or through power of the vote) programs that help with mental health and drug and alcohol addiction.

Information for Memorial Services are in the photo above.

(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: Wednesday arrives
November 15, 2023 6:01 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:01 AM: Good morning! It’s Wednesday, November 15th.

WEATHER AND SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

Cloudy with a chance of rain early, then becoming sunny, high in the upper 40s. Sunrise today is at 7:14 am; sunset, 4:32 pm.

TRANSIT TODAY

Metro – Regular schedule today; check advisories here. P.S. Metro is recruiting for a new Fares Cabinet to discuss the future of fares.

Water Taxi is on its regular schedule too.

Washington State Ferries – The usual 2-boat service on the Triangle Route. Check alerts for changes, and use Vessel Watch to see where your ferry is.

SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS

Delridge cameras: Besides the one below (Delridge/Henderson), cameras are also at Delridge/Genesee, Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Orchard, and Delridge/Oregon.

High Bridge – the main camera:

High Bridge – the view from its southwest end (when SDOT points the 35th/Avalon/Fauntleroy camera that way):

Low Bridge:

1st Ave. S. Bridge – southeastern route across the river:

Highway 99: – northbound side at Lander:

MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: See all working traffic cams citywide here, most with video options; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are on this WSB page.

BRIDGE INFO: The @SDOTBridges feed on Twitter/X shows whether the city’s movable bridges are opening for vessel traffic.

If you see trouble on the bridges/streets/paths/bay, please text or call us (when you can do that safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities if applicable). Thank you!

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FOLLOWUP: No Seattle Public Schools closures before 2025-2026 school year
November 14, 2023 10:29 pm
|    Comments Off on FOLLOWUP: No Seattle Public Schools closures before 2025-2026 school year
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

The agenda for tomorrow’s Seattle Public Schools board meeting was updated tonight with the document for superintendent Dr. Brent Jones‘s promised briefing on tackling next year’s expected budget gap – and it does NOT include a list of proposed school closures/consolidations – for now. Instead, the document says Dr. Jones is expected to present his “system of well-resourced schools” plan by May 8 of next year, and closures/consolidations for 2025-2026 might be part of it. From the presentation prepared for tomorrow’s meeting:

Here’s what might instead be used to balance next year’s budget:

Tomorrow’s meeting starts at 4:15 pm at district HQ (3rd/Lander in SODO) and also will be streamed on the SPS YouTube channel.

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FOLLOWUP: ‘Where’s the Party?’ artist explains inspiration for, and meaning of, Highland Park’s giant jay
November 14, 2023 10:11 pm
|      11 COMMENTS
 |   Highland Park | West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

The big screechy blue-and-black birds called Steller’s Jays are fairly common in local neighborhoods – but none are like the one now permanently perched in Highland Park. Five days after the installation of the 17-foot-high sculpture “Where’s the Party?” at Highland Park Way/Holden, its artist Matthew Mazzotta visited late today to talk with interested community members:

He’s from New York, which is home to different jays. But he explained to the streetside gathering that his inspiration was not only the bird itself but also the significance of its location, where Seattle’s biggest forest – the West Duwamish Greenbelt – makes way for “the built environment” in a changing neighborhood:

The artwork was funded by the city’s longrunning public-art program, as part of the safety-improvement project at the intersection where it sits on the southwest corner. As Mazzotta said, now that the sculpture is done and in place, his role is over – its future is in the community’s hands, and hearts.

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CAN YOU HELP? Milestone birthday surprise for former teacher
November 14, 2023 7:33 pm
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Larry asked for help circulating this request:

Are you a former student or co-worker of Mr. Ed Doyle from Denny Middle School?

Mr. Doyle taught band, history, media, and more from 1967-2001 at Denny Middle School, and although he hasn’t taught for over 20 years, the memories and the relationships of his years at Denny Middle School have continued to be a source of joy for him in his retirement.

Mr. Doyle turns eighty this month, and we can’t think of a better way to celebrate this milestone than honoring the career that he was so passionate about and connecting him to the students and staff that meant so much to him.

If you are a former student or co-worker of his and you would like to write a quick, kind thought or share a good memory, please sign his virtual birthday card at kudoboard.com/boards/YcBLzwj0.

Thank you so much in advance for taking a moment to participate in this surprise virtual card! And if you know of anyone, student or staff, who might like adding to this card, we would deeply appreciate you passing the link on to them.

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WANTED: Your thoughts for this year’s Seattle Public Safety Survey, open for 2 more weeks
November 14, 2023 5:40 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Safety | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

If you haven’t already answered this year’s Seattle Public Safety Survey, researchers at Seattle University hope you’ll do it sometime before month’s end:

Every year, Seattle U researchers conduct this community survey “to try and assess the main concerns of Seattle residents and convey those concerns to the police department. We want to make sure we hear from as much of the West Seattle residents as possible.” Here’s the direct link – use the dropdown on that page to choose which of 11 languages you want to use. If you’re interested – here are the results of last year’s citywide survey.

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