West Seattle, Washington
15 Monday
5:01 PM: If you’re seeing emergency responders heading toward Don Armeni Boat Ramp – it’s another “boat sinking” call and SFD/SPD are trying to determine if it’s the same boat that’s drawn responses the past two days, and was supposed to be getting attention from the US Coast Guard and Department of Ecology too.
5:04 PM: They’ve verified it’s the same boat, which would make this the fourth response in three days for it. But one radio exchange suggested someone at the USCG told SFD the boat had been removed, so they’re trying to get that all straightened out.
6 PM: Postscript – the USCG was definitely there with the boat earlier this afternoon, reports Stewart L., who sent these photos:
We’ll check on its status before dark.
9:22 PM: It was dark by the time we got there, but an effort appeared to be under way to get the boat onto a trailer. Here’s what we saw a little over an hour ago:
ADDED 10:57 AM SATURDAY: Police have now been dispatched to Don Armeni for something related to this boat and report to dispatch that it’s still there, still on a trailer with a pickup hitched to it.
Those are photos of Miguel R. Rivera Dominguez, 17 years old when he shot a man dead aboard a Metro bus in White Center in October 2023 without saying a word. We first published the photos when he was charged with premeditated first-degree murder weeks after killing 21-year-old Marcell D. Wagner aboard a West Seattle-bound bus that was stopped at 15th/Roxbury.
(WSB photo, October 3)
Two months ago, Rivera Dominguez pleaded guilty as charged, and this afternoon he was sentenced. According to court documents, the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office requested a sentence of 21 years in prison; Superior Court Judge Brian McDonald sentenced him to 23 years and four months, after an hour-long hearing, attended by family members of both the victim and the defendant. Case document indicate the sentence is at the midpoint of the state’s standard sentencing range for someone with no record, 20 years to just under 27 years. He’ll get credit for the nearly two years he’s already been in custody, and he will be on probation for three years when he gets out.
2:21 PM: Thanks for the tip. The Seattle Public Utilities water-trouble map confirms emergency repairs are under way at California/Juneau; our tipster says one lane is blocked. We’re headed down the hill for a look.
2:43 PM: The problem is on the northbound side of California, north of Juneau. Traffic’s getting by both ways using the southbound side.
4:57 PM: SPU says water service in the area has been restored, adding in response to our followup questions:
SPU received calls around 12:30 p.m. about the incident at California Avenue Southwest and Southwest Juneau Street. SPU dispatched a response crew, which arrived about 20 minutes later. The crew determined the break involved a 12-inch cast iron pipe and turned off water around 1:10 p.m. to make repairs in the residential and business area. The cause of the break is unknown.
Right about the time Javier Fosado sent that photo of a ferry sailing through the fog, a different reader texted a question about the foghorn(s) they had been hearing all morning, wondering if foghorns are all from vessels, as they assumed the days of fixed, shoreside foghorns were all gone. We felt fairly certain that the Fauntleroy WSF terminal, for one, has a fixed foghorn; we’ve lived uphill from it for 30+ years. But we checked our assumption with WSF spokesperson Dana Warr, who replied:
There are fog signals at all South Sound terminals, to include Fauntleroy. It is also one of the closest to residential areas. The captains can request to have this navigation aid turned on/off to aid in the vessels’ safe navigation.
(WSB file photo)
30 food and drink purveyors, all in one place! Your one chance this year to savor the lineup is the Taste of West Seattle, a benefit for the West Seattle Food Bank, now just under three weeks away – Thursday, September 25, at The Hall @ Fauntleroy (9131 California SW). It’s usually a sellout, so now’s the best time to buy your ticket, and in case you need some help deciding, the WSFB has provided the full list of participants, including notes about who’s new to the Taste this year:
Taste of West Seattle: 20 Days Away!
The Taste of West Seattle is just under three weeks out, and tickets are going fast! General Admission ($75) and VIP ($125) are both still available. VIP guests enjoy early entry at 5:30 pm, exclusive seating lounges, and a special WSFB supporter gift. (General-admission entry time is 6 pm) Guests will experience live music from local legend Jim Page, plus raffles and games with prizes from neighborhood businesses — all while sampling from an incredible lineup of local vendors and voting for your favorite across 5 categories. Every ticket supports the West Seattle Food Bank’s vital work to keep our neighbors fed, clothed, and housed. 21+ only. bit.ly/TasteofWS2025
A Butter Place
Birdhouse
Cactus
Darby Wine
Dolcetta Artisan Sweets
Elliott Bay Brewing Company
Falafel Salam
Ghostfish Brewing Company
Keautious Bakin and Kakin – new to the Taste
Ku Mana’s – new to the Taste
La La’s Lemonade – new to the Taste
The Locöl Kitchen and Bar
Mama Row’s Caramel Cakes – new to the Taste
Margie’s Café at the Center for Active Living
Mission Cantina
Molly Moon’s Ice Cream – new to the Taste
Mom’s Micro Gardens – new to the Taste
The Neighborhood – new to the Taste
Nola’s Events
NW Texas BBQ
Papa Tony’s Hot Sauce
Peninsula Soul Food – new to the Taste
The Roll Pod – new to the Taste
Ringa
Spruce Hill Winery – new to the Taste
T2 Cellar
Three 9 Lounge – new to the Taste
Tuxedos and Tennis Shoes
Viscon Cellars
West Seattle Grounds
(Smoky sunrise at Seacrest – photo by Theresa Arbow-O’Connor)
Here are your Friday options, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
SOUTH TRANSFER STATION: Reminder that the closure is now expected to continue through September 10.
SOUTH SEATTLE COLLEGE GARDEN CENTER The center is open for plant-shopping Thursdays-Saturdays 10 am-3 pm, north end of the South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus.
LOG HOUSE MUSEUM: Visit the Log House Museum (61st/Stevens) to check out local history – open noon-4 pm today.
QI-GONG: 12:30-1 pm at Viva Arts (4421 Fauntleroy Way SW).
TASTING ROOM AND WINE BAR: Viscon Cellars (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor) is open 5-9 pm Fridays. Stop in to sip, or buy a bottle: “We have wines for picnics, cookouts, hikes, camping, boating, and even just hanging out on the deck.”
OUTDOOR MOVIE + FREE ROCK CLIMBING: Climb at Camp Long 5-7 pm, then (at dusk, 8-ish) watch “Inside Out 2,” all free, as previewed here. You also can just come for the movie, of course. (5200 35th SW)
FIRST FRIDAY AT HPIC: 5:30-8:30 pm, last chance this season to party with your neighbors on the once-and-future Highland Park Improvement Club site – music, food, fun, all ages. (1116 SW Holden)
OPEN MIC AT THE COFFEEHOUSE: C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor) features an all-genres open mic tonight, 6-8 pm. All ages, no cover.
HIGH-SCHOOL FOOTBALL: First local team home game of the season at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle), Chief Sealth IHS vs. Hockinson, 7 pm.
LIVE MUSIC AT THE SKYLARK: Noir pop with Low Throes, special guest Mike Dormann, doors 7, show 8, $10. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
BINGO AT ADMIRAL PUB: Tonight!
Classic Bingo is every 1st and 3rd Fridays at the Admiral Pub at 7 pm. Free to play with cash prizes.
(2306 California SW)
REVELRY ROOM DJ: 9 pm, DJ Lady Coco tonight! (4547 California SW)
MAKE IT LOUD: Skating with live music and DJ – tonight, No Existo, Barnacle (record release)- 9 pm at Southgate Roller Rink (9646 17th SW). 21+. $18 cover/$5 skates.
If you have something to showcase on our event lists or calendar, please email what/when/where/etc. info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Announced by local musician Kevin Freitas:
After forming Better As Brass 2 years ago, one comment on West Seattle Blog’s post stuck with me: “Can you PLEASE also form a Jr.?!” Plus, as my kiddo grows up, I want him to have the opportunity to play alongside me in a fun setting.
Introducing: West Seattle Fam Band! We play fun, upbeat tunes and welcome musicians at any experience level. Seriously! Parts for our music are organized by beginner, intermediate, and experienced. Our guiding principles with this intergenerational band are mentorship, fellowship, and fun where we hope high schoolers can lift up younger kids (and get your service learning/volunteer hours!), elders can pass on sage advice, and folks who’ve never played an instrument can give it a go.
Now, the requests…
1. I’m interested! We’re currently seeking brass and percussion players (but may expand later so still let us know). We rehearse twice a month (time and place TBD), play around West Seattle, and follow the school calendar with fresh new tunes each year. Elementary on up are invited (kids 12 or under, bring your parents to play together!) Don’t play brass or drums? Try one out! Don’t have an instrument? Let’s find you one!
2. Help out! Do you have a space (gym, event space, place of worship, etc.) we could rehearse in? Want to sponsor us or donate to help buy instruments, t-shirts, and more? Are you a designer who can help with a logo or awesome merch designs? Photographer/videographer who can help capture some memories? Social media pro who wants to share our fun? Have some other skill or passion you want to contribute? Let us know.
Kevin currently leads and plays trumpet in Better As Brass and is formerly a founding member of 8-Bit Brass Band, where he played sousaphone and arranged tunes. Before that, he played in Trash Talk, got his Honk band start with D20 12 years ago, and has sat in with various Honk bands through the years. He grew up playing trumpet in school and wishes fun bands like this existed when he was younger.
6:00 AM: Good morning! Welcome to Friday, September 5, 2025.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
Today’s forecast is for sun (and smoke), high in the low 80s. Today’s sunrise will be at 6:33 am; sunset will be at 7:40 pm.
BACK TO SCHOOL
All schools are now back in session.
TRANSIT TODAY
Metro buses – On regular schedule and routes today.
Washington State Ferries – WSF has three-boat service on the Triangle Route, with M/V Kittitas, M/V Issaquah, and M/V Sealth. 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.
TUNNEL ALERT
The Highway 99 tunnel will close overnight late tonight/early tomorrow – here’s the WSDOT alert:
From 10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 5 to 6 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 6, maintenance crews will close both directions of the State Route 99 tunnel in Seattle between S Atlantic Street and Roy Street for tunnel maintenance. The Royal Brougham to northbound SR 99 and 6th Street to southbound SR 99 ramps will close at 9 p.m.
SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS
High Bridge – Here’s the main camera, followed by the Fauntleroy-end camera:
Low Bridge – Here’s the view 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!
Thanks to the reader – who asked to be anonymous – who just sent that photo of tonight’s red moon. We noticed it while out and about a little while ago, high in the southeast sky, a followup to the deep-pink setting sun. Wildfire smoke will stay in the area a while, says the National Weather Service: “An upper level ridge will continue to keep conditions warm and dry through tomorrow. Hazy conditions will continue with the present pattern through at least this weekend due to smoke being put out by fires in the region.” And the smoke is low enough this time to affect air quality – mapping “moderate” according to the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency.
(WSB photo, 2023)
The two Walking on Logs sculptures toward the southwest end of the westbound West Seattle Bridge are what’s left of what originally was a four-sculpture installation. Today the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce, caretaker of the “Welcome to West Seattle” sign nearby, announced that the entire area, including the sculptures, is planned for replacements, repairs, and a “refresh.” Here’s the announcement sent by the Chamber:
Structural repairs are beginning at the site and visitors will notice changes during this phase. Replacement sculptures are planned, with a detailed timeline and next steps to be shared soon.
Walking on Logs is a beloved bronze art installation by Phillip Levine that features four children balancing driftwood beside the Welcome to West Seattle sign. Installed in 1996, this piece of community art has become an enduring landmark, symbolizing both the playful spirit of youth and the distinctive character of West Seattle. Over time, the installation has faced theft and weather impacts, including the loss of one figure in 2014 and additional theft in 2023. These incidents helped catalyze the Chamber’s action.
“This Chamber initiative centers on stewardship of public art and community identity. The Chamber’s role is not only to advocate for business but also to safeguard the cultural touchstones that define West Seattle’s sense of place,” said Rachel Porter, ExecutivevDirector of the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce. “By leading this restoration, thevChamber affirms its belief that economic vitality and cultural identity go hand in hand. … We are caring for a piece of West Seattle identity … Walking on Logs will keep its spirit while we strengthen the site for the long term. Same spirit, new footing.”
The Chamber is coordinating with partners to ensure safe access, careful site work, and a refreshed welcome into West Seattle. A Cleaner Alki, led by Erik Bell, will refresh and clean the landscape as part of a multi-phased approach. The Chamber, Nucor Steel, and other stakeholders are working together to repair and replace the statues, ensuring that this iconic entryway continues to inspire both residents and visitors.
The West Seattle Chamber remains committed to projects that strengthen the community beyond commerce. From supporting local businesses to preserving public art, the Chamber’s leadership demonstrates how community partnerships can protect shared spaces, celebrate history, and carry West Seattle forward.
Original Walking Logs culptor Phillip Levine died four years ago; we have followup questions out to the Chamber, including who they have working on the replacements. As for the cleanup effort, that would fill a void left when other volunteer efforts ebbed many years ago for lack of participation.
Three biznotes today:
SAUNA ON THE SHORE: Alki already has one, and now another West Seattle beach park will be getting regular visits from a mobile sauna. Good Day Sauna is owned by Julia Winter and based in West Seattle. She explains: is a
Beginning September 20, 2025, our sauna will be stationed at Lincoln Park for scheduled events, located along the beach path to offer guests a seamless heat-up and cool-down experience with direct access to Puget Sound.
As demand grows, we plan to increase our presence and establish a regular schedule at the park. Good Day Sauna operates as a community sauna, with individual seats available for booking to encourage shared wellness and connection.
Julia has online booking for Good Day Sauna at gooddaysauna.com.
IN PIZZA WE CRUST UPDATE: This pizza joint long in the works for the former Swinery at 3207 California SW is getting closer to opening, proprietor Stephanie Tran told us when we inquired for the first time in four months: “We are finally making some headway. The city of Seattle finally approved our change of use permit last week and we are now pending our final inspection with the health department. I don’t have an official date yet as I’m waiting for the health department but we’ll likely open a couple weeks after the inspection.”
PANDA EXPRESS CEREMONY: One day after the Westwood Village Panda Express started serving customers with a “soft open,” they had a grand-opening ceremony this morning. We met manager Sophia – who has worked her way up through the ranks at other Puget Sound locations – and regional director Simon – they’re holding the commemorative T-shirt given to the first 88 guests:
Simon thanked the 20 or so people in line and introduced the Inochi Taiko duo:
West Seattle Chamber of Commerce executive director Rachel Porter coordinated the official ribboncutting:
Other businesses with future openings at WWV include J.Crew Factory, a UPS Store, an H&R Block branch, and F45 Training.
ORIGINAL 1:30 PM REPORT: Haven’t received one in a while till this came in via text today:
On my way to the bus today at 7:30 am I saw a coyote run across the street at Hanford and Belvidere. Probably going after the rabbits in the neighborhood. But with kids going back to school I thought it was worth sharing.
Our years of coyote reports are in this archive; if you haven’t read up on co-existence tips, go here!
ADDED 2:23 PM: Rose De Dan sent another video from her Wild Reiki Spa backyard pond – where a visiting coyote made off with a dog toy:
The local coyotes seem to favor the Wild Reiki Spa, making more frequent appearances. This one took advantage of an experiment I was conducting. Knowing how much my raccoon visitors enjoy using their paws, I thought they might enjoy playfully dunking a small dog rubber toy in the fountain. It never occurred to me that Coyote might find the ring toy fun too, carrying it off for a bit of play in the center of the yard, where the camera faintly catches a bit of pawing and pulling on it. The next morning, I found it at the end of the yard. I have since retired the ring toy after realizing it could present a choking hazard due to its size in relation to Coyote’s mouth. If I decide to try again, I’ll need to purchase a coyote-sized dog toy and see if it suits the raccoons as well.
12:12 PM: Thanks for the tip about the Seattle Fire crews headed toward Don Armeni Boat Ramp. There’s a water-rescue response for a reported vessel in distress. They’re not sure, according to first units on scene, whether there’s anyone aboard the boat, but they’re planning a quick search to find out.
(Added: Reader photo from Steve)
12:17 PM: SFD describes the boat as 18′, “partially submerged.” They’re sending in divers and rescue swimmers to be sure no one’s in the water. But as we suspected, it’s just been confirmed, this is the same boat that was towed to Don Armeni yesterday after taking on water off Beach Drive.
12:24 PM: “No one on boat, no one in danger” responders have just told dispatch. They’re trying to reach the boat owner with whom they made contact yesterday.
12:45 PM: Many of the responding units have been dismissed. Adding photo above, posted in a comment by Steve, and photo below, emailed by Stewart L.
(Added: Reader photo from Stewart L.)
10;42 PM: As of about 8 pm, the boat was still alongside one of Don Armeni’s docks, half-submerged.
Seattle City Light has finally published the video and slide deck from last week’s online meeting about the long-planned, finally under way Brace Point underground-cable replacement project. We monitored it as it happened last Thursday; an hour was allotted, but attendees ran out of questions and the meeting ended after 35 minutes.
The project premise is fairly simple, though the work is not – SCL needs to replace underground cables that have been failing, plunging hundreds of households into multiple outages. The project was originally slated to start in 2020; SCL gave a variety of reasons in 2022 why it didn’t. Then this past spring the project went out to bid again, a contractor was chosen, and work is starting now.
Leading off the meeting, SCL communicator Grant Barton began with a project presentation, including the project team:
Barton then went into a glossary of sorts, defining “electrical vaults” and “electrical conduits.”
He explained that the SCL service area has 590 miles of underground cable, some of it – like the Brace Point cables – buried without conduit protection, mostly back in the ’70s, and that’s put it more at risk of damage and resulting outages, as has happened here. Communications consultant Natasha Wheeler picked it up from there, explaining what the project entails:
She said work will have some traffic effects, and there’ll be flaggers when needed. The work will include some planned outages, likely in spring 2027. That work will involve transferring power service “from the old cables to the new cables” once everything is in place. Here’s the construction timeline:
Q&A included daily construction hours and a specific question on behalf of a condo building in the construction zone which needed to ensure access would be possible for a specific activity (the reply was to be sure to directly talk with the project team to arrange logistics). Another question was about whether above-ground poles would be removed; team member Francis Sammy said no, there are no plans to bury lines that are currently above ground. And then there was a question about whether some curbing and sidewalks would be added; the project team said generally not – their focus would be on “restoring” what they’d have to dig up. But, at least one type of addition is likely in some places – if they’re working at an intersection, restoration would have to be ADA-compliant (regardless of whether the intersection had been so before), which means curb ramps, for example. Barton also said the question suggested they need to include more information on the project website about what “restoration” work will entail. They also were asked about a large redwood tree, and SCL said they have tree protections in the plan. Also, some streetlights will be replaced, they said in response to another question.
P.S. If you’re interested in comparing, here is our report from a similar meeting when the project was about to launch under a different contractor four years ago.
(Seen Tuesday night in Fairmount Ravine, photographed by SeanO!)
Here’s our list for the rest of today/tonight, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, HOTWIRE: The Junction coffeehouse celebrates its 23rd anniversary, until 5 pm. (4410 California SW)
SOUTH SEATTLE COLLEGE GARDEN CENTER: Still time left in gardening season! The center is open Thursdays-Saturdays 10 am-3 pm, north end of the South Seattle College (6000 16th SW; WSB sponsor) campus.
TODDLER STORY TIME: 10:30 am at Southwest Library (9010 35th SW), free.
WEST SEATTLE UKULELE PLAYERS: All levels welcome at this weekly 1 pm gathering. Email westseattleukuleleplayerswsup@gmail.com to see where they’re playing today.
DROP-IN CHESS: High Point Library‘s weekly event is back today, 4-5:30 pm for players under 18. (3411 SW Raymond)
HPCS FOOD-TRUCK VISIT: First of two regular Thursday night events here – every Thursday, 4-8 pm, Highland Park Corner Store (7789 Highland Park Way SW) gets a food-truck visit. Tonight it’s Marigold Wood-Fired Pizza.
WINE TASTING WITH CLARK: Another regular Thursday event at HPCS, 5-7:30 pm – info here.
VISCON CELLARS: This West Seattle winery’s friendly tasting room/wine bar is open Thursdays, 5-9 pm (5910 California SW; WSB sponsor). Stop in for wine by the glass or bottle!
COMMUNITY SAFETY MEETING: Discussion of safety issues relating to the High Point Library/Neighborcare parking lot, 6 pm at the library (3411 SW Raymond).
DUSTY 45s FT. JOE ROSS & THE BIRDWATCHERS: Free live music 6-9 pm at Tim’s Tavern (16th/98th, White Center).
WESTIES RUN CLUB: 6 pm at The Good Society (California/Lander), the Westies Run Club‘s Thursday night community run.
WALKING FOR WELL-BEING: Rather walk? Meet at 6 pm at 47th/Fauntleroy for tonight’s group walk – details in our calendar listing.
DJ NIGHT: Extended-weekend spinning starts tonight at Revelry Room (4547 California SW), with DJ Tomas, 8 pm.
Are you planning an event that should be on our calendar and in our daily preview lists? Please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
It’s a Fauntleroy Community Association tradition – the Pumpkin Search – and this year’s event is exactly one month away, scheduled for Saturday, October 4. But before the Pumpkin Search can happen, organizer Candace Blue launches a volunteer search, to line up people to help with hiding the pumpkins. This year the search returns to the Endolyne business district, and one more special addition – synergy with the Fauntleroy Fall Festival (October 19), with some of the hidden pumpkins marked so they can be brought to the festival two weeks later and receive a prize. If you plan to join in the search, set your calendar for 1-3 pm October 4; if you can volunteer to hide pumpkins, that starts at 11:30 am that day, and you can email Candace now – blueyvette47@gmail.com is her address.
6:01 AM: Good morning! Welcome to Thursday, September 4, 2025.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
Today’s forecast is for sun, high in the upper 70s. Today’s sunrise will be at 6:32 am; sunset will be at 7:42 pm.
BACK TO SCHOOL
All schools are now back in session.
TRANSIT TODAY
Metro buses – On regular schedule and routes today.
Washington State Ferries – WSF has three-boat service on the Triangle Route, with M/V Kittitas, M/V Issaquah, and M/V Sealth. 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.
TUNNEL ALERT
The Highway 99 tunnel will close overnight late Friday/early Saturday – here’s the WSDOT alert:
From 10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 5 to 6 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 6, maintenance crews will close both directions of the State Route 99 tunnel in Seattle between S Atlantic Street and Roy Street for tunnel maintenance. The Royal Brougham to northbound SR 99 and 6th Street to southbound SR 99 ramps will close at 9 p.m.
SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS
High Bridge – Here’s the main camera, followed by the Fauntleroy-end camera:
Low Bridge – Here’s the view 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!
Another school where students were warmly welcomed on this first day: Madison Middle School. Thanks to PTSA president Amber Zeddies for the photos! Arrivals were celebratory, with a photo-op station:
Longtime principal (since the ’13-’14 school year) Dr. Robert Gary even got into the spirit:
And another reminder, it’s the first full year of the School Street in front of Madison, with 45th closed to through traffic on weekdays:
P.S. Want to get involved with the PTSA? This year’s board-meeting schedule is here.
Two name-change followups:
ADMIRAL CVS: West Seattle is now officially without a Bartell Drugs store. The third local drugstore to become a CVS, the ex-Bartell in Admiral, reopened today under the new name. WSB’s Hayden Yu Andersen reports that it’s open but still in transition, as all the parking-lot activity suggests:
The Jefferson Square ex-Bartell made the same changeover last week.
MECHANICS BANK: As previously reported, this Northern California-based bank has taken over HomeStreet Bank, and now that it’s official, they’re commenting on how it will affect West Seattle customers. Bottom line: It mostly won’t. A Mechanics Bank spokesperson confirmed to us that the West Seattle Junction branch (and all other former HomeStreet branches) will remain open, that the staff will be the same, and the hours/days will be the same. Any products/services changing? That reply: “Generally speaking, there are no changes. Customer accounts and services will remain unchanged. As we prepare to integrate systems (sometime in early 2026), we will provide advance information about any future changes to products and services.”
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
The Sanislo Elementary community is rallying support for a school employee’s husband who is in ICE detention.
Chittakone “Alan” Phetsadakone, originally from Laos, is at the Northwest Detention Center in Tacoma, the online roster confirms. A flyer is circulating to request community presence at his hearing this Friday morning in Seattle:
The flyer was shared with us by a family friend, who also shared a social-media post made by the Sanislo PTA, reading in part:
This is not the post I imagined for our first day of school, but a Sanislo family member needs your help. One of our own has been caught in the deportations that are sweeping our community and you have a chance to help keep a faily together. Cheryl Eugenio is the backbone of Sanislo. She keeps our school running every day from the front office and knows each of your kids. Her husband was detained during his regularly scheduled check-in with ICE and has been held in Tacoma. He is at ris of deportation to a third country. Cheryl has asked that everyone share the information of his next hearing so we can fill the courtroom with quiet supporters. … If you have ever asked what you can do to protect our community, this is your chance to show up. The courtroom holds 70 and we want it packed with support.
Sanislo community members plan to carpool to the federal-court building.
According to an online docket, the hearing is related to Phetsadakone seeking a temporary restraining order against the Department of Homeland Security, which includes ICE, and seeking release. We haven’t been able to obtain the court docments yet but w will be asking seeking ICE comment tomorrow about the case.
ADDED THURSDAY: Since we published this story, another family friend has started a crowdfunding page, which has more information on the situation.
3:59 PM: Seattle Fire is responding by land and sea to a boat off Beach Drive (near Shore Place) with a man and dog on board, now reporting that they are taking on water, according to the dispatch. Responders got a call about this boat earlier today, but at the time, the boater was reported to have said he didn’t need help, just had a dead battery, so that response was canceled fairly quickly.
4:05 PM: Crews just told dispatch that the boater reports 2 1/2 feet of water in his engine compartment, so they’re trying to get some equipment to help with that.
4:43 PM: Thanks to the reader who texted that photo. The fireboat crew has just told dispatch that they’ll be towing the boat to Don Armeni Boat Ramp.
After Tuesday’s report on a break-in at the Westwood Village Post Office‘s curbside mailbox, we followed up with the USPS today on its status – and also asked what’s up with the long-promised replacement of the one at the Junction Post Office.
(WSB photo, Tuesday)
USPS regional spokesperson Zachary Laux answered both questions. Regarding WWV, he said, “The damaged Westwood Village box will be removed from the street as it is beyond repair. A replacement box will be ordered and installed as soon as possible.” Eleven months ago, the box was replaced in less than a month. But it’s been more than a year and a half since the box in The Junction was stolen, and no replacement yet, though we noted that a reader said the staff told him it was finally close, which Laux also said: “Maintenance staff is awaiting one more component before the California Ave. collection box can be securely replaced.” (If you happen to be nearby when it arrives for reinstallation, please text us – 206-293-6302 – thanks!)
King County Sheriff’s Office deputies say their investigation remains open and active regarding a West Seattle man’s report of an armed robbery aboard a Metro bus. We heard a little about it the night it happened, then learned the victim had reported it on a neighborhood mailing list. We asked if he would share that story with WSB, and he agreed:
At around 12:10 a.m. Friday, August 29, 2025, I boarded the King County Metro C Line at 3rd Ave. and Pike St. in downtown Seattle and sat down in an empty elevated seat near the middle set of double-doors.
After a few minutes, a twenty-something black male in a blue hoodie sweatshirt moved to a seat directly across the aisle from me. He was carrying a skateboard, and had been in the seat behind me. He began engaging me in conversation with questions like, “Where are you headed?” and “What have you been up to tonight?”
It seemed a little strange, but I carried on the conversation in order to be polite. He said that he liked skating because it kept him out of trouble. I think he said that he had been skating at Cal Anderson park on Capitol Hill.
Another man, this one a twenty-something white male who was in the seat in front of the black male, joined in the conversation as well.
After ten to fifteen minutes of occasional chit chat, and as the bus was driving up Avalon Way, the black man moved into my seat and said in a calm, low voice “this is a gun.”
I could see that his hand was in the front pocket of his hoodie and the outline of what appeared, in fact, to be a handgun. He pushed what felt like the barrel up against my side. He told me to hand over my wallet or else he was going to shoot me. “I need it,” he said.
Unsure of whether I should comply or not, I didn’t respond for at least a few seconds before he reached into my right front pocket and removed my wallet. Somehow he knew exactly where it was. He said, “I need it,” again and moved out of my seat and walked up the aisle to stop in front of the
firstmiddle set of doors. I could see now that he was about 6’1″ in height, of slim to medium build.I began yelling to the driver that I had just been robbed at gunpoint and not to open the doors at the next stop so that the perpetrator couldn’t escape. I pointed at the man who robbed me while yelling to the driver.
The perpetrator shrugged and said, “What?” frowning as if he hadn’t done anything.
I stepped into the aisle and the white man who had been part of the conversation stepped in front of me with his back to me, intentionally blocking my way. I realized at that moment that they were co-conspirators. I tried to get by him, but he was too large and heavy. In the scuffle, I punched him and kicked him in the side. The bus turned the corner onto 35th Ave. SW, reaching its next stop. I continued yelling at the driver but he opened the doors anyway and the perpetrators exited the bus. The black man appeared to head north on 35th. I didn’t see which direction the white man went. I called 911 from inside the bus. Later when I checked, I discovered that it was 12:30 a.m. when I made
the call. I described what had happened to the dispatcher. In the course of the conversation, I discovered that the underside of my right forearm was bruised and bleeding from a long cut. I surmised that I acquired it during my scuffle with the white man. The dispatcher communicated my injury to the Fire Department and relayed my call to the King County Sheriffs, who arrived on scene and took my statement.
His report # is C25026195; we asked KCSO – which has jurisdiction in crimes aboard Metro buses – about it, and they say they sent out a K9 team but no one was found, and they have no further information, though the investigation remains open and active.
ADDED 4:45 PM: The victim adds that he has more descriptive information for the white suspect: “He had short brown hair, stood about 5’10,” and was of stocky to heavyset build. He was wearing a white t-shirt which I believe had some text or image on it. I could see that he had some kind of suitcase, bag, or backpack with him, and a device a few feet long with a claw on one end that you open and close by squeezing a handle on the opposite end.”
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