West Seattle, Washington

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Spotlight Stories


  • Gunfire

    GUNFIRE: More than 100 shots, police say

  • Crash

    DEADLY CRASH: Rider killed on bridge offramp

  • Beach

    SUMMER CLOSING TIME: This year’s Alki plan

BIZNOTE: West Seattle Runner seeking ‘Fast Ambassador(s)’
March 24, 2025 11:45 am
|      0 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news | WS & Sports

Run fast? West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor) could use your help. The shop offers free group runs every week and wants to take them to the next level. Here’s the announcement they asked us to share:

West Seattle Runner is looking for a Fast Ambassador (or 3!) to round out our line-up of offerings for our run group!!! This has been an idea in the works for almost our entire 15 years in business. And so we are now officially on the search.

What we are looking for: Fast Ambassadors to help support and grow a fast contingent to our run group. We have a wonderful group of runners already. We have the middle of the pack paces well covered. We have a Walk Ambassador, Rita, who has welcomed, encouraged and supported our Walker contingent. It has been lovely and we look forward to the continued growth there as well. Over the years, we have experienced folks expressing to us that where we don’t meet their needs is that we don’t have fast enough folks in our group. So, we think the time is ripe to grow this aspect of our running group to better serve all people.

What would our Fast Ambassadors do exactly? We would like to have the Fast Ambassadors share run-group duty in order to be here to run with the fast folks. It’s simple. We would like to be able to post your distance and pace ahead of run group initially to ensure confidence in folks that there will be someone their pace to run with. Over time, this will naturally build a wider range of faster paces as the faster folks come and see that they can have run partners here. The most important thing to cover is group runs on Wednesday and Saturday.

What is in it for our Fast Ambassadors? Other than our extreme gratitude, you will be able to be a leader in our community, will create more runner friendships and enjoy the feeling of helping build something special in our run community by carrying out the West Seattle Runner vision and mission. Practically speaking, we will be able to offer shoes and gear rewards as a thank you.

Who should apply? We want nice people only, no egos. Those who are about something bigger than themselves/service-oriented. Someone who understands that our mission at West Seattle Runner is to continue to build the running community of West Seattle and this happens by helping and supporting others and accepting everyone, no matter where they are on their journey. We want someone who will support the principles of training that we stand for since they are sound and time-tested. Willing to respect what we have built here and understand that others come before self. We do not have hard and fast (pun intended) rules on what pace you have to run in order to be considered. We know we need to start somewhere, and we will likely have a few ambassadors with a pace range, and that is great, over time this will expand.

Reach out with your questions, interest in becoming a Fast Ambassador and any input: lori@westseattlerunner.com. We are super pumped about the future of this!!

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13 notes for your West Seattle Monday
March 24, 2025 9:49 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Latest image from SDOT ‘live’ camera in The Junction – refresh page for updates)

Here’s our “what’s happening” list today, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

COFFEE/COCOA WITH COPS: Drop in to talk with local police during a casual conversation event at QED Coffee in High Point (6070 35th SW), 10 am-noon.

BABY STORY TIME: Canceled today at Southwest Library.

CITY COUNCIL BRIEFING MEETING: See City Councilmembers preview what’s ahead for the week and get briefed on current issues such as what’s happening in the Legislature, 2 pm. The agenda explains how to watch (no public-comment period at this meeting).

HOMEWORK HELP: Drop-in time for students to work with volunteer homework helpers at High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond), 4-5:45 pm.

ALKI STANDBY GENERATOR MEET-AND-GREET: 4:30 to 5:30 pm, “rain or shine,” the team for this upcoming project at 63rd/Beach Drive will be on site to explain the planned work and answer questions, as previewed here.

GET CRAFTY: 6-10 pm, Monday is “Crafting and Creativity Night” at The Missing Piece (9456 35th SW), info here.

D&D: Weekly D&D at 6:30 pm at Meeples Games (3727 California SW). All welcome, first-time players included!

LISTENING TO GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP: 6:30 pm at Mama Be Well Healing Studio with Listening to Grief. (4034A California SW).

MEDITATION AT ALKI UCC: Every Monday, doors open at Alki UCC at 6:45, meeting is from 7-8:30. (6115 SW Hinds)

MONDAY NIGHT TRIVIA: Four Monday night places to play! … Music quiz at Easy Street Records, 6:30 and 7:30 pm (4559 California SW), free, all ages … 7 pm at The Good Society (California/Lander); 7 and 8 pm Sporcle Pub Quiz at Three 9 Lounge (4505 39th SW); 7:30 pm with QuizFix at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW)

MEDITATION IN FAUNTLEROY: Another location for Monday night meditation – free weekly Zen sitting/meditation in the chapel at Fauntleroy UCC (9140 California SW), 7 pm-8:30 pm.

MUSIC AT THE ALLEY: The Alley features music on Monday nights – jazz with The Westside Trio, 8 pm at The Alley (behind 4509 California SW), 21+, no cover.

MONDAY KARAOKE 9 pm Monday nights, it’s your turn to sing during 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!

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YOUTH SPORTS: Registration open for Wildcats Junior Football and Cheer. Or – can you coach?
March 24, 2025 9:00 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS & Sports

This morning, we have a two-part announcement from West Seattle Wildcats Junior Football and Cheer:

Calling all young athletes and spirited cheerleaders! The West Seattle Wildcat Junior Football & Cheer league is thrilled to announce that registration for our 2025 season is now open! We proudly serve grades K-8, offering tackle football and cheerleading programs that focus on fun, teamwork, and personal growth.

As we gear up for another fantastic season, we’re also on the lookout for dedicated volunteer coaches who are passionate about working with young athletes and helping them reach their full potential. If you’re interested in making a difference in your community and shaping the lives of young athletes, we’d love to hear from you!

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to join the West Seattle Wildcat family! Register today and let’s make the 2025 season one to remember. Sign up now at our website westseattlejrfootball.com or contact us at westseattlewildcats@gmail.com for more information. Roar with the Wildcats!

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TRAFFIC, WEATHER, ROAD WORK, TRANSIT: Monday info, with no West Seattle Water Taxi
March 24, 2025 6:00 am
|      0 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:00 AM: Good morning! It’s Monday, March 24, 2025; first Monday of spring.

WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES

Warmer forecast – breezy, more rain, high in the upper 50s … upper 60s are predicted for the next two days!. Today’s sunrise/sunset – 7:03 am and 7:28 pm.

TRANSIT TODAY

Water Taxi – No West Seattle service today or tomorrow, so repairs can be made at Seacrest.

Metro buses – Regular schedule.

Washington State Ferries – Regular service on the Triangle Route, with M/V Kittitas and M/V Cathlamet, plus M/V Sealth serving as the “bonus boat.”

ROAD WORK

-In White Center, the 16th SW closure at 104th continues, with detours.

SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS

High Bridge – Here’s the main camera, followed by the Fauntleroy-end camera:

Spokane Street Viaduct – This view usually looks westward, with eastbound lanes at left and westbound lanes at right:

Low Bridge – Looking west:

1st Avenue South Bridge:

Delridge cameras: Besides 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!

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Rocks, responders, rezoning, much more discussed @ Alki Community Council’s March meeting
March 23, 2025 10:32 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   Neighborhoods | West Seattle news

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

Don Armeni Boat Ramp rocks!

(Photo by Stewart L.)

Or, you can call them “boulders.” That’s how they were described in a wide-ranging Alki Community Council meeting this past Thursday, facilitated by ACC president Charlotte Starck.

DON ARMENI IMPROVEMENTS: Seattle Parks didn’t have a speaker at the meeting but ACC had been in contact and learned that the boulders were placed to discourage drivers from going up onto the grassy area. More are planned. And more speed bumps to slow drivers inside the park. Parks has also added a gate, so both the entrance and exit are gated. They’ve also reinstalled “parking signs after they keep getting removed.” Parks also has been coordinating with SPD regarding consistently clearing out the park at 10 pm.

POLICE UPDATE: Year-to-date for Alki, said Officer German Barreto, sexual assault is the only category of crime that’s gone up. He didn’t have exact numbers. (Update: We’ve since received the numbers – two rapes reported in the Alki area year to date, compared to zero in the Alki area a year earlier.)

CARE COMMUNITY CRISIS RESPONDERS: CARE Department spokesperson Sean Blackwell was in attendance (as he usually is). He recapped the mayor’s West Seattle briefing a day earlier (WSB coverage here) about CARE Community Crisis Responders‘ expansion into Southwest and South Precinct areas. He explained the kind of call to which CARE Responders might be sent – maybe a person in crisis, walking in the street – he also explained that the team started with six responders and has now expanded to 24. Right now, they’re dispatching South and Southwest out of SODO, but (as we have reported) are working on a Southwest space. Their on-duty hours for potential dispatch are noon to 10 pm. Any particular geographic areas of emphasis in our area? They’re working right now to get the lay of the land on that, as well as walking the streets. “Please call 911 … if you see any kind of emergency,” and the people who answer will decide who to send.

Read More

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TRAFFIC ALERT: Another West Seattle Bridge crash
March 23, 2025 10:24 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

Thanks for the tip on this one. It’s also on the westbound bridge, but not what some refer to as “the usual spot” – this is between the crest and the Delridge exit.

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WEST SEATTLE WEEKEND SCENE: Couple’s gift transforming into community food garden
March 23, 2025 8:59 pm
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   Gardening | West Seattle news

(WSB photos)

Yes, the sun really did appear for a while on Saturday, and our photos from West Seattle’s newest community garden are proof. A work party at “Beyers’ Bulldog Garden” at 54th/Edmunds – a block inland from Beach Drive – was on our Saturday event list, and we stopped by to see how things were going. We just missed the biggest wave of volunteers, but there’ll be more events to come. The site has a heartwarming backstory (read it here) – Margi and Bill Beyers used to garden there, and after they died, bequeathed it to GROW. Some of their plants remain – we noted these artichokes:

That’s a hint at what Kristin Parker from GROW explains as the site’s destiny – a community-tended “food forest” including existing fruit trees, some espaliered. Donated raspberry plants are going in, too.

Though this will be operated in connection with the city’s P-Patch program, it won’t be following the model where individual gardeners sign up for individual plots – it’ll be collectively tended. You can sign up to help with this via the P-Patch website; here’s how. Part of it will be used as a “giving garden” – a shed the Beyers installed on the west side of the lot will be used to grow tomato starts!

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REMINDER: No West Seattle Water Taxi service Monday, Tuesday
March 23, 2025 6:54 pm
|      0 COMMENTS
 |   King County Water Taxi | West Seattle news

(King County Metro photo)

A reminder in case you missed the original announcement last Friday – The West Seattle Water Taxi will NOT be in service for the next two days (Monday-Tuesday, March 24-25). Metro says the two-day break is needed for work at the dock at Seacrest, “to repair damage caused by recent weather. The repairs include refastening pile guides to the docking float and replacement of pile guide bushings.”

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UPDATE: Crash at 35th/Edmunds
March 23, 2025 5:18 pm
|      0 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

Yet another crash of note today – this one is blocking one lane each way on 35th SW at SW Edmunds. No major injuries reported but traffic is affected, so you might consider avoiding the area for a while. (Thanks for the tip!)

6:11 PM: Just went over to check; all clear.

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GIVING: More West Seattle ‘Scouting for Food’ success
March 23, 2025 4:00 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle people

Another local Scout troop has reported in with results of their “Scouting for Food” community donation drive. Here’s what Troop 282 asked us to share with you:

In the annual Scouting for Food project, Troop 282 scouts show how well they can work together for the better of the community. With the help of the adult volunteers, the Scouts were able to collect an impressive 863 pounds of food donations, which were then sorted out and transported to our local food bank.

The Food Bank’s generous support ensures that these contributions will go to families in need, thus making the project a huge success. This achievement is only made possible by the dedication of the participants, the Scouts and adults. This is because their efforts are in line with the values of service and kindness that Scouting embraces. If you didn’t get a chance to join in this year, there are plenty of opportunities to contribute in the future during Scouting
for Food. Thanks to everyone who made a difference – you have made a lasting impact in our community!

Troop 282 meets every Tuesday at 7:30 pm at West Side Presbyterian Church. If you’re interested in seeing if scouting is for you, stop by and join us.

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VIDEO: ‘The U.S. Mail is not for sale,’ declare protesters at Westwood Village Post Office
March 23, 2025 1:21 pm
|      44 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle protests


1:21 PM: As previewed in our daily list, the National Association of Letter Carriers (postal workers’ union) called for rallies across the country today to oppose any attempts to dismantle or privatize the U.S. Postal Service, and the regional gathering for Seattle is at the Westwood Village Post Office. We’re there and so are more than 100 protesters.

1:43 PM: The speeches are concluding – along with chants such as “The US Mail is not for sale’ – and they’re planning a march around the Post Office building.

1:54 PM: They’re actually marching around the Westwood Village perimeter, on the sidewalk. Video when we’re back at HQ.

2:58 PM: First, here’s that video, as the march left the Post Office vicinity:

The marchers walked east along Trenton, then south on 25th, turning west on Barton, and that’s when we had to move on. Earlier, speakers ranged from a Westwood Village postal worker to regional labor leaders, plus union-solidarity songs from the Seattle Labor Chorus:

(We panned the crowd toward the start of that video, as they ringed the Post Office’s customer lot.) As for what to do next, speakers suggested focusing on members of Congress as those with the power to “save the Postal Service.” The message was a mix of saving the Postal Service and also reminding people that USPS employees have been working without a contract.

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UPDATE: Crash on westbound West Seattle Bridge
March 23, 2025 12:29 pm
|      43 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

12:29 PM: An emergency response toward the southwest end of the westbound West Seattle Bridge is for a flipped Jeep, per a reader.

12:58 PM: Log shows SFD cleared fairly quickly, indicating no major injuries.

2:29 PM: Thanks to Jackie for sending the photo, which shows that this happened in what’s been a crash-plagued spot; SDOT has said it’s “monitoring” that location, so we’ll check again tomorrow.

6:45 PM: Added above, another reader photo. Meantime, SFD tells us that firefighters/medics “assessed” a 65-year-old man but he did not need to be taken to the hospital.

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5 YEARS AGO: West Seattle Bridge’s sudden shutdown happened March 23, 2020. Here’s our annual check-in
March 23, 2025 12:00 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle Bridge Safety Project | West Seattle news

(WSB photo, March 2020),

Many news outlets have been looking back at the pandemic-related closures, five years later. If you were here in 2020, you know another shutdown compounded the shock for West Seattleites: On March 23, 2020, the city announced the West Seattle Bridge had to be shut down for safety reasons, and hours after the announcement, it was. (Here’s our as-it-happened coverage of the announcement.) No one knew that day how long the closure would last; the bridge didn’t reopen until two and a half long years later, on September 17, 2022. Those years went by with drivers clogging detour routes, particularly through Highland Park on the way to the 1st Avenue South Bridge (and if not for people working and studying at home, it would have been worse). To mark today’s shutdown anniversary, we asked SDOT this past week about the bridge’s status and condition. Here are the results of our email Q&A:

WSB: When was its most recent inspection and how did it do?

SDOT: The most recent inspection was completed in January 2024. The findings from this inspection report did not identify any changes from the previous inspection. With these positive findings we moved the frequency of bridge inspections back to a 24-month routine inspection cycle consistent with Federal guidelines for routine bridge inspections. Data from the monitoring system that was installed on the bridge will continue to be reviewed and compared with past data to see if there are any changes.

WSB: Has anything changed?

SDOT: Nothing has been observed that would trigger any follow up evaluation.

WSB: Any new cracks or other situations you’re watching?

SDOT: There are no new cracks identified. Existing cracks that were previously noted show no signs of progression.

WSB: What’s the status of the planning for the replacement someday? Is that just on the shelf or does it get taken out for an update meeting now and then so it’s always standing by?

SDOT: Based on inspections and data from the monitoring system since the repairs were completed, the bridge is performing as expected and is anticipated to continue doing so for the foreseeable future. We will continue to inspect and monitor the bridge and perform any necessary maintenance work to keep the bridge operational. The pre-planning replacement work that was completed during the design phase for the repairs is filed and remains readily available as foundational reference material if future corridor needs arise, including addressing functional obsolescence or determining if replacement is necessary.

March 23, 2020, was also the day that – two and a half hours after the West Seattle Bridge shutdown announcement – then-Gov. Inslee announced his stay-home order. (If you want to see the entirety of what we covered that day – dominated by pandemic-related info – you can scroll through this one-day archive.)

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WEST SEATTLE WEEKEND SCENE: Kiwanis Club’s seed giveaway at Farmers’ Market
March 23, 2025 10:42 am
|      0 COMMENTS
 |   Gardening | Kiwanis Club of West Seattle | West Seattle Farmers' Market | West Seattle news

(WSB photo: Denis and Mike from the Kiwanis Club with a booth visitor)

Classic showery spring weather brings thoughts of gardening to come. The Kiwanis Club of West Seattle is hoping to make it happen for more classrooms and families with its annual seed giveaway; today’s the day, at the Kiwanis booth at the south end of the West Seattle Farmers’ Market. Though the pickup of vegetable and flower seeds is geared for the teachers and parents who responded to the invitation we published last fall, they have some extras too, first-come first-served. Supporting youth is a cornerstone of what the Kiwanis Club does, and this is part of that. The seed pickup is scheduled to continue until about 1 pm.

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UPDATE: Olson Place crash
March 23, 2025 8:53 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

8:53 AM: Thanks to Collin for the photo and report that one lane is blocked southbound at Olson/3rd.

9:47 AM: No SFD callout, which indicates no injuries of note.

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WEST SEATTLE SUNDAY: 18 things to do (updated)
March 23, 2025 6:07 am
|      0 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Photo by Dave Gershgorn)

From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, here are possibilities for your Sunday:

CANCELED – RAIN WEST SEATTLE LITTLE LEAGUE JAMBOREE: 9 am-6 pm at Bar-S Fields (6425 SW Admiral Way), cheer for WSLL players as they start their season! Details in our calendar listing.

WESTIES RUN CLUB: Today’s run leaves from Highland Park Corner Store (7789 Highland Park Way SW), 9 am.

AMERICAN MAH JONGG: Meet up with other players – all levels – 9:30-11:30 am at The Missing Piece. (35th/Roxbury)

WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: Open 10 am-2 pm, with early-spring produce (root vegetables! greens! cabbage! apples!) plus beverages, flowers, cheese, yogurt, fish, meat, prepared hot food, baked goods, nuts, dried peppers, garlic, candy, condiments, more. (California SW between SW Alaska and SW Oregon)

SEED GIVEAWAY AT THE MARKET: 10 am-1 pm, the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle will be there (near California/Alaska) with free seeds both for those who ordered them and for others interested.

DUWAMISH TRIBE LONGHOUSE & CULTURAL CENTER: The Longhouse is open for visitors, 10 am-5 pm. (4705 W. Marginal Way SW)

KINDIE WEST MUSIC SERIES: The Sunday morning family-music concerts are back! First of five concerts, 10:30 am at Fauntleroy Schoolhouse (9131 California SW), this time starring Harmonica Pocket.

FREE NIA CLASS: 10:30 am Sundays, first class free if you pre-register. Inner Alchemy Sanctuary/Studio (3618 SW Alaska)

READY FREDDY PREP PARTY: 11 am at Southwest Library (9010 35th SW), preparedness coach Alice Kuder shows you how to get started with getting ready – our calendar listing has registration info.

TILDEN SCHOOL BOOK FAIR: Last day! Make a purchase at Paper Boat Booksellers (4522 California SW), mention Tilden School (WSB sponsor) at checkout, and part of the proceeds will benefit the school.

WEST SEATTLE TOOL LIBRARY: Need a tool to get your project going, or to finish assembling a holiday gift? Borrow it from the Tool Library, open 11 am-4 pm on the northeast side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center. (4408 Delridge Way SW)

SAVE THE POSTAL SERVICE: Regional protest as part of a nationwide demonstration against dismantling/privatizing the U.S. Postal Service, 1 pm outside Westwood Post Office (2725 SW Trenton)

WEST SEATTLE INDIVISIBLE: The resistance group has a meeting for newcomers at 1:30 pm, for everyone else (newcomers welcome to stay) at 3 pm, both at South Seattle College‘s CAB cafeteria at center of campus, enter from north and park in north lot. (6000 16th SW)

VISIT NEPENTHE: Big afternoon at the little shop (9447 35th SW):

Art Show featuring glass artist Judy Popky
Open house
*Food * Drinks * Chair massage*

2-5 pm.

WELCOME ROAD WINERY: Enjoy your Sunday afternoon at this West Seattle tasting room open 2-5 pm, kids and dogs welcome. (3804 California SW; WSB sponsor)

NATURE JOURNALING: Nature journaling with Alma at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor) – register here.

SPRING EQUINOX YOGA & TAROT WORKSHOP: With Natalie, at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW), 6:30 pm. $50. Register here.

LIVE MUSIC AT THE ALLEY: Sunday night music – the Triangular Jazztet at The Alley (behind 4509 California SW) – 8-10 pm.

Are you planning, organizing, and/or publicizing something that should be on our community event calendar – one-time or recurring? Please email us the basic details – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Gunfire investigation in church parking lot (updated Monday)
March 23, 2025 12:41 am
|      20 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

12:41 AM: Police are on both sides of SW Roxbury around 18th SW after a report of gunfire. So far it sounds like they’ve confirmed bullet damage along the parking lot on the south side of Holy Family, including at least three vehicles, and at least 19 shell casings. Officers told dispatch that witnesses reported three people getting out of a white Tesla, opening fire, then getting back into it and leaving. No injuries reported so far.

12:46 AM: Officers just told dispatch there are two scenes in the parking lot, and the second one has at least 15 “handgun rounds.” They’ve mentioned finding “rifle casings” too. But now another witness is telling police the Tesla was dark, not white.

12:54 AM: Police report finding a “bullet fragment” inside a building adjacent to the church lot. (Note that this is an SPD investigation despite Holy Family being south of Roxbury; the city limit jogs south there to keep the church campus inside the city.)

ADDED MONDAY AFTERNOON: We asked SPD for report narrative – which would provide the most details made publicly available until and unless someone is arrested and prosecuted. Here’s the entirety of the redacted report we received:

On 03/23/2025 at 0024 hours I was working uniformed patrol as 3F2. I was dispatched to 94XX 18 Av SW for a report of shots being fired. I arrived with multiple officers and was notified by people at a large event at the XXXX that the shots were fired further south. The scene was located at 96XX 20 Av SW in the parking lot to the south.

Officers arrived and were advised by witnesses that four suspects were firing shots from handguns and a rifle. Witness XXXX stated that he had XXXX of the incident. Officers provided XXXX with the XXXX XXXX. The four suspects that were shooting and one driver fled the scene in a dark colored, unknown plate XXXX, southbound in the alleyway.

Suspect #1 Unknown race male, black puffy jacket hood up, blue jeans. Suspect #2 Unknown race male, XXXX. Suspect #3 Unknown race male, XXXX. Suspect #4 Unknown race male, black hoodie and XXXX. Suspect #5 Unknown race male was driving the Tesla.

No victims were located at the scene or surrounding area. Multiple vehicles were struck in the parking lot and damaged. Approximately XXXX and live rounds were located at the scene. There were no indications that this was a hate crime associated with the Ramadan event taking place nearby. GVRU and the Duty Captain were notified. GVRU responded and processed the scene.

The Ramadan event is a reference to a mosque on the other side of Roxbury, where the gunfire was clearly heard, but there was no indication any actually happened there (there was some initial police response while officers sorted out what had happened and where). GVRU is short for SPD’s Gun Violence Reduction Unit.

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UPDATE: Flipped-car crash at Westwood Village, 2 hurt
March 22, 2025 9:33 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | Westwood | WS breaking news

(Added: Photo sent by Jessie McClurg)

9:33 PM: SPD and SFD are responding to a report of a flipped-car crash in the Westwood Village parking lot near QFC and Rite Aid. The car is described as a “blue Hyundai sedan.” One person is reportedly trapped, one ejected, per dispatch. Updates to come.

9:39 PM: The flipped car is described as “in the bushes” and firefighters told dispatch that one person is indeed in the vehicle – they’re working to cut that one out – one outside. Neither is believed to have life-threatening injuries, in early assessment.

9:47 PM: Added a reader photo just sent. Firefighter have told dispatch they’ve gotten the trapped person out of the car (further described as a Hyundai Sonata). SFD describes both injured people as in stable condition.

(Added: Photo sent by Tim Durkan)

9:50 PM: Added another photo we just received. Meantime, an officer at the scene has just told dispatch, “This will be a medically related collision.”

ADDED SUNDAY MORNING: SFD tells us the 56-year-old woman rescued from the vehicle was taken to a hospital; the other injured person, a 43-year-old woman, did not need that level of treatment.

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Westside Neighbors Shelter changing to year-round overnight operations
March 22, 2025 9:31 pm
|      15 COMMENTS
 |   Triangle | West Seattle news

By Anne Higuera
Reporting for West Seattle Blog

As warmer temperatures arrive, Westside Neighbors Shelter announced this week that they are changing what has been a cold-weather-only overnight shelter to one that is open year-round, at a lower capacity.

The shelter, in the American Legion Post 160 building (3618 SW Alaska), was already providing a daily “warm-up” service every morning, but has only consistently offered a place to sleep overnight from November to March.

Operator Keith Hughes told WSB that the ability to do this is a case of the “stars aligning … It’s been my goal since I opened the shelter. There just wasn’t enough staff to do it.” Now volunteer Tim James is stepping up to be the shelter’s operations manager 4 1/2 days a week, which will free up Hughes and make it possible, with the help of other volunteers, to provide dinner and cots for three dozen people who would otherwise be sleeping outside in spring and summer.

Hughes says this year there was more need for shelter over the winter than they could sustain, despite being able to physically fit everyone in the building. “We had 60 people or more for more than 6 weeks [over the winter]. We put people where we could put them.” But the impact of everyone seeking help spilled over into the neighborhood, causing a variety of complaints and accusations from neighbors about everything from garbage and drug use to too many people at nearby bus stops. “We didn’t have the staff to manage that many people,” Hughes acknowledged, adding that they are working to be sensitive to the neighborhood with the changes they are making.

One of the biggest changes is that, as of last Wednesday, the shelter has been limiting overnight beds to 36. They also have new protocols for checking people in and are continuing to adjust things as needed, while still focusing on providing a safe, dry, and warm place for unhoused people in the community. “Some of the things that were happening in January have been fixed: No garbage on the property, no one living on the front porch. We don’t have 60 people occupying the bus stops when we close at 11 am. We have a more stable group of people here now.”

With stability, there’s the opportunity to bring help directly to people who either stop in for the morning warm-up or who are there overnight. Hughes is in the process of talking with two other nonprofits that he says should be able help transition people from simply finding a place to stay overnight to getting off the streets permanently. “We should have services in house to move them into temporary housing, and then into permanent housing. We never had the ability to do that until now.” And some of that is already happening. Hughes says just last week one person was able to move out of the shelter into low-income housing, while two others are currently in rehab.

While the expansion in services at the shelter is happening at the same time the city has started making CARE Community Crisis Responders available in West Seattle, Hughes says that timing is entirely coincidental. He said they have only had a CARE team visit the shelter once, and it remains to be seen how frequently those services will be needed for people at the shelter, but potentially, “We will have a way to get more people more help.”

Hughes is still working out how to pay for the expansion. The vast majority of the shelter’s funding comes from individual donations from people in the community. Just the morning warm-up services cost $4,000/month, so additional fundraising will be needed with 8 new months of dinners and showers to support. With the full program in the winter, the shelter costs $12,000 a month to run. Hughes hopes more people see the value of what he and other volunteers are doing and pitch in. “Homeless people don’t evaporate. All they do is change places.” He says when shelters are only open part of the year, it’s difficult to provide meaningful support that will get them off the streets. “If you run them out of your park, they go to another park in another neighborhood. You can either help me support these people in my shelter or you can have them sleeping in your doorway.”

Westside Neighbors Shelter accepts donations of food and other supplies listed on its website 7 days a week from 7 am to 11 am and 5 pm to 10 pm. Here’s the most-recent wish list sent to us:

Instant hot chocolate packets
Instant oatmeal packets
ground coffee (don’t need to be fancy, Folgers is fine)
Powdered coffee creamer (like coffee mate canisters)
20 oz cups (like Dixie Ultra)
heavy-duty plastic spoons and forks
paper napkins and paper towels
Swiffer wet jet refill liquid and cleaning pads
Stocking caps, gloves, sweatshirts/hoodies, socks, men’s underwear and T-shirts

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CONGRATULATIONS! West Seattle High School cheer teams win All-State championships
March 22, 2025 7:43 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

Congratulations to the West Seattle High School Cheer Squad – member Alice Herron sends the photo and news that their teams won Washington State Cheer Coaches Association championships today!

We competed today at the WSCCA All-State competition and both teams from WSHS won first place!

In All-Girl Intermediate Stunt, Alice Herron, Ava Murray, Sophie McNamara, Amaya Stagi came in first for their division!

In Coed Advanced Stunt, Christiano Solis, Mia Casillas, Sadie Stover, Eva Tatman came in first for their division!

Both are coached by Nadine Nguyen at WSHS.

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SUNDAY PREVIEW: West Seattle Kiwanis seed giveaway at Farmers’ Market
March 22, 2025 6:11 pm
|      0 COMMENTS
 |   Gardening | Kiwanis Club of West Seattle | West Seattle news

Last fall, the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle said it would again give away vegetable and flower seeds in spring so that educators and parents could help kids learn about growing plants. Spring is here, and Kiwanis members have announced that they will be at the market tomorrow with the seeds:

Free seeds will be distributed this Sunday, 3/23, at the Farmers’ Market from 10 AM to 1 PM, as part of the Kiwanis Seed Project. Those who requested seeds in November and December can pick them up. There are extra seeds for those who would like to grow vegetables and teach youngsters how food is grown. Seeds for classrooms will be distributed also.

Look for their booth at the south end of the market, California and Alaska.

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SUNDAY PREVIEW: West Seattle Indivisible’s two-part meeting
March 22, 2025 4:54 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

The leaders of West Seattle Indivisible say their membership is continuing to grow, so they’ve announced a two-part meeting for tomorrow (Sunday, March 23):

West Seattle Indivisible Meeting
Sunday, March 23
South Seattle College CAB cafeteria [campus map]
Newcomers: 1:30-3:20
General Meeting (newcomers welcome!) 3-4:30
Use north entrance
Free parking in North Lot
Free, but donations are needed and welcome

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About the emergency response at Seacrest
March 22, 2025 4:15 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news

The photo is from Dave, who was first to report an emergency response at Seacrest around 11:15 am today. We’ve since confirmed that it involved a diver, but he was already at the surface when he suffered a medical problem, so it was not dispatched as a “water rescue.” SFD spokesperson Kaila Lafferty tells WSB, “Crews were dispatched to the 1600 block of Harbor Ave SW for a report of a diver onshore having a medical emergency. The diver had been doing exercises in the water prior to the incident. Crews treated an approximately 54-year-old male in critical condition. The patient was transported to the hospital by medics.”

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