West Seattle, Washington
24 Tuesday
8:16 AM: Rescue extrication callout for 6400 block of West Marginal. UPDATE: This was a 2-car collision, but everyone got out of the vehicles before SFD arrival, so the response was dramatically downsized.
Earlier:
6:00 AM: Good morning! Welcome to Thursday, January 2nd, 2025.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
The forecast suggests afternoon rain with high in the mid-40s. Sunrise/sunset – 7:57 am and 4:29 pm.
TRANSIT
Water Taxi – Regular schedule.
Metro buses – Regular schedule.
Washington State Ferries – 2-boat service on the Triangle Route with M/V Issaquah and M/V Cathlamet, plus M/V Tillikum as the “ghost boat.” Check here for last-minute changes.
TRAFFIC FACTORS
*The Admiral Way Bridge seismic project shifted traffic flow to the outside lanes on Tuesday as planned, and removed the temporary crosswalk at 39th.
*Amazon workers are expected to be back in the office 5 days a week starting today.
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; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are on this WSB page.
See trouble 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!
(Photo by David Hutchinson)
By dusk tonight, all candles on the Torah Learning Center of West Seattle‘s giant menorah at Alki Beach were lit. On the last of Hanukkah’s eight nights, it took Rabbi Eli Duban two tries to get the flames to take – facing toward the south finally worked.
(WSB photos/video from here by Tracy Record)
The rabbi noted that the Hanukkah story shows that even a “small light can dispel a great darkness.”
More than 50 people gathered for the waterfront ceremony organized by Ilana Duban, with music, crafts, and donuts.
After the menorah-lighting, everyone was invited to stay for a “fire show” – a performer dancing with small torches on the promenade.
The Torah Learning Center sponsored other Hanukkah-related activities in the days and weeks leading up to tonight’s gathering, including a story hour and a crafts event.
(Aerial photo by Sly Stewart)
It was as much shrieking as swimming when more than a thousand people ran into and out of Puget Sound along Alki Beach this morning during the 2025 edition of the West Seattle New Year’s Day Polar Bear Swim. Here’s our video of what it looked and sounded like, starting with organizer Mark Ufkes leading the countdown through his trusty megaphone:
(WSB video by Tracy Record)
But if you haven’t done the Polar Bear Swim before, these participants’ faces might tell you more of the story:
(This WSB photo and next five are by Dave Gershgorn)
Many participants “swam” in groups – we found athletes from the Chief Sealth International High School girls’ gymnastic team under a canopy pre-swim with coach Chris Troupe – and a portable heater:
(This WSB photo and next two are by Lora Radford)
And of course organizer Mark went in too, as he always does, and was all smiles afterward:
Not everyone just ran in and ran out, though! Some had to stop and pose in the 49-degree water (nine degrees warmer than the air):
(This WSB photo and next two are by Dave Gershgorn)
And some went for total immersion:
(WSB photo by Dave Gershgorn)
P.S. Special Olympics of Washington is bringing its (unrelated except in spirit) Polar Plunge fundraiser back to Alki this year – set your calendar for March 8.
One of the region’s first babies of 2025 was born to a West Seattle couple before the new year was even an hour old! Providence Swedish shared the photo and announcement with WSB:
Mary and Bill Belcher of West Seattle welcomed their second child – an 8.54-pound, 20.5-inch-long baby boy, named Wilder Oak Belcher – at 12:47 a.m, which earned him the distinction of being the first baby born at Providence Swedish First Hill in 2025.
The arrival of Wilder was preceded by 6,231 births at the 114-year-old, nonprofit hospital in 2024.
The Belchers, who have been married for six years, are also parents of a two-year-old daughter named Willow, who was being cared for by her grandmother, Sharon, while Mary labored and delivered in the hospital. The family shared that Mary’s 60-minute labor went smoothly and included a minute between contractions, which allowed them to experience a memorable countdown to midnight with their Labor and Delivery caregivers. The couple added, “We’re overjoyed with the birth and excited to introduce Wilder to his big sister, Willow.”
On New Year’s Eve, USA TODAY reported, “Babies born in 2025, and for the 14 years following, will make up the newest generation, called Generation Beta. Members of Gen Beta, for short, will be the children of younger millennials and older Gen Zers and by 2035, they are estimated to make up at least 16% of the global population. Additionally, many Gen Beta members will likely live into the 22nd century. Babies born in 2025 will be 76 years old when the year 2101 comes around.”
With everything else going on in the area, we have whales too – multiple tips indicate southern residents southbound and transients northbound off west-facing West Seattle.
(WSB photos by Tracy Record)
11:19 AM: Roxbury Safeway isn’t allowing customers inside right now because of a police standoff. At least eight SPD cars are here (though it’s in KCSO jurisdiction). We’re waiting to talk with police about what happened; employees are going in to work in the south side of the store – the situation, which involved an armed person making threats per an employee, is happening in the north end of the store.
11:31 AM: People showing up to shop are still being told the store’s closed because police are holding the suspect at gunpoint. Employees are clearing out again and an officer with a shield has gone in.
11:49 AM The suspect is in custody. A county fire medic unit has arrived.
1:21 PM: Police have released more information. They say it started “nearby” with “a violent assault involving a female victim” and that he “pulled a knife on the victim and threatened her with violence” while “under the influence of methamphetamine.” He turned up inside the Safeway and when police responded, that’s when the standoff started. They say he was arrested for investigation of “felony assault, harassment, and indecent liberties” and after medical evaluation he’s expected to be booked into jail.
2:40 PM: SPD spokesperson Det. Eric Muñoz just answered our two big remaining questions: #1, despite the store being outside the city limits, this was an SPD call because the original incident happened across the street (9400 block of 27th SW), which is inside the city limits; also, the suspect needed medical attention because he “sustained minor injuries during the arrest; less-than-lethal force was used by officers including a Taser deployment. No other people were injured during the arrest.”
(Stadiums’ New Year’s Eve colors, photographed by Doug Eglington)
Welcome to 2025! Here’s some info we hope will be helpful on your New Year’s Day holiday:
BUSES: Metro‘s on the Sunday schedule. (The free rides were just for New Year’s Eve, so fares ARE being collected today.)
WATER TAXI: Not running today.
FERRIES: Weekend schedule on Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth route – check for alerts here.
MORE TRANSPORTATION NOTES: No charge for street parking in areas of the city with pay stations … West Seattle-relevant traffic cameras are here; see all cameras citywide via this map.
COFFEE AND RESTAURANT/BAR HOURS: This year, we made lists, though closures for New Year’s are far fewer than for Christmas; open coffee shops are here, open restaurants/bars are here.
GROCERY HOURS TODAY: Three grocery notes for today: Trader Joe’s is closed; PCC West Seattle (WSB sponsor) opens later and closes earlier (9 am-9 pm); Whole Foods opens an hour later, at 9 am.
NEW YEAR’S DAY WALKS: Emerald City Wanderers are hosting New Year’s Day walks, starting at St John the Baptist Episcopal Church. The 5- or 10-kilometer walks are noncompetitive, starting between 9 and noon. There is no fee, though contributions to help cover costs are welcome. Hot soup and snacks will be available after the walks. St John’s is at 3050 California Ave SW.
ALKI POLAR BEAR SWIM: You’re invited to join in the annual tradition of running into Puget Sound with hundreds of others at 10 am sharp, from the beach across from Duke’s, or really, anywhere along the sand – here’s our most-recent reminder.
HANUKKAH’S FINAL NIGHT: The Torah Learning Center of West Seattle will light its giant menorah one last time at 4:30 pm east of Alki Bathhouse, all invited.
OTHER NOTES: Seattle Parks closure info is here … Libraries (city and county) are closed … Solid-waste pickups are on one-day delay for the rest of the week.
If you see/hear news, please text/call 206-293-6302 – we appreciate your tips 24/7/365!
Story, photos and video by Jason Grotelueschen
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
Highland Park neighbors of all ages took to the streets on New Year’s Eve to walk in the annual “Not-So-Silent-Night Parade” organized by the Highland Park Improvement Club. The annual event has been going strong since 2009 (except for the COVID shutdown).
Neighbors gathered at the start of the parade route at the Highland Park Corner Store (7789 Highland Park Way SW), drawing a crowd of well over 100:
The group paraded to the Riverview Playfields to celebrate the end of 2024, and to welcome (complete with festive luminarias) the arrival of 2025:
Here is our full video of the paraders: Highland Park New Year’s Eve parade
Here is our full video of the post-parade gathering at Riverview Playfields: Highland Park New Year’s Eve parade at Riverview (includes the lighting and swinging of the “sage comet” in honor of those dearly departed from us in 2024)
After the parade, organizers served hot chocolate and tasty treats:
Parade organizers dressed in festive attire for the occasion:
Every year, this is the one and only “year in review” story we publish – the 10 WSB stories that got the most comments during the year. It doesn’t mean they were the most important, or most read, stories, but the comment totals are a clearly quantifiable component in our publishing system. Last year was unique, with half of the top 10 relating to one ongoing controversy – the eventually scrapped plan to convert former tennis courts in Lincoln Park to pickleball courts. This year, though, the top 10 includes one story related to that controversy, two related to another controversy, and seven others about other unique situations.
#10 – TWO ALTERNATIVE SCHOOL-CLOSURE LISTS UNVEILED
September 11, 2024 – 151 comments
Seattle Public Schools‘ short-lived plan to close schools went through multiple iterations. This one offered two alternative lists. Two West Seattle schools wo schools, Louisa Boren STEM K-8 and Sanislo Elementary, were on both potential lists.
#9 – WILDLIFE ADVOCATES UPSET WITH ALKI POINT HEALTHY STREET PARKING REMOVAL
February 29, 2024 – 153 comments
As the long original headline for this story noted, SDOT originally said Healthy Streets wouldn’t involve parking removal. The Alki Point Healthy Street did, and local wildlife organizations said that would impede their work and general public access to see and appreciate wildlife.
#8 – CANTANNA FEST COMING TO LINCOLN PARK
July 25, 2024 – 156 comments
We learned a music-and-marijuana-appreciation festival had gotten the OK from Seattle Parks to bring thousands to Lincoln Park. The plan didn’t last long, and the festival eventually ended up at a farm in Pierce County.
#7 – MOLLY MOON’S ICE CREAM ON THE WAY TO WEST SEATTLE JUNCTION
April 5, 2024 – 167 comments
A banner in a Junction window revealed the ice-cream mini-chain was headed this way. Since then, it’s switched planned West Seattle locations, and will open in the ex-Cupcake Royale.
#6 – WOMAN SHOT AND KILLED SOUTH OF THE JUNCTION
October 1, 2024 – 174 comments
Though the shooting death of Dr. Tammy Towers at her home south of The Junction was ruled homicide, no criminal charges have ever been announced.
#5 – ALKI POINT HEALTHY STREET OPPONENTS ANNOUNCE COMMUNITY MEETING
May 13, 2024 – 180 comments
This story, like #9, stemmed from local wildlife advocates trying to convince SDOT not to remove parking as part of the Alki Point Healthy Street project.
#4 – LINCOLN PARK PICKLEBALL OPPONENTS SAY CITY HAS OFFICIALLY SCRAPPED PLAN
May 24, 2024 – 195 comments
Last year’s big controversy didn’t come to an official end until this spring.
#3 – POWER OUTAGES FOR 13,000+
November 19, 2024 – 208 comments
It’s not a most-commented list without a power outage and many readers weighing in on whether they’re out or not. This outage drew more comments than usual because Seattle City Light‘s info map was malfunctioning.
#2 – ABOUT THE TRUMP-MERCH TENT IN THE TRIANGLE
February 19, 2024 – 236 comments
Nine lines about a traveling vendor churned up a lot of discussion, almost nine months before the presidential election
#1 – ANNOUNCING A DEATH IN THE WSB FAMILY
October 18, 2024 – 669 comments
17 years after co-founding WSB, Patrick Sand died suddenly, without warning, at home the morning of October 17. We miss him every minute of every day. The work to which he was devoted – thoroughly, accurately, ethically, cheerily covering West Seattle news and events – goes on, led by co-founder Tracy Record, with new collaborators. We will talk with you more in the New Year about the state and future of WSB. For now, we want to thank everyone for the condolences, well-wishes, and support, and the many people who have taught us things we didn’t know about Patrick, by recounting what he meant to them and how they’d interacted. Thank you all so much, and we treasure your continued partnership in community-collaborative news, which we continue to cover 24/7.
PREVIOUS YEARS: Here are our previous most-commented-stories lists, going back to 2011:
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
One more way to spend your New Year’s Eve … exploring the beach at the -2.5-foot 11:13 pm low-low tide!
Rosalie Miller sent photos of what she encountered on the beach at last night’s similarly low tide – a kelp crab, red rock crab, and mottled star.
If you go out exploring, tread lightly!
(WSB photos, this afternoon)
Thanks for the tips. As announced, SDOT switched the traffic flow on the Admiral Way Bridge(s) again today – now it’s one outside lane each way, inside lanes blocked off for the next phase of the earthquake-resistance strengthening project. As also planned, the temporary crosswalk at 39th SW/Admiral Way has been removed as part of the change.
And Fairmount Avenue beneath the bridge remains closed until the end of construction, which SDOT says might not be until early summer.
Preschool-shopping for your little one(s)? One week from tonight, you can meet reps from 15 local preschools, all in one place! The West Seattle Preschool Fair is set for Tuesday night, January 7th, 5:30 pm, and is sponsoring WSB to be extra-certain you hear about it. Here’s the latest:
Looking for the right preschool for your child? Attend the West Seattle Preschool Fair in the Hope School Gym (4100 SW Genesee) January 7th to visit 15 local preschools and learn what each program has to offer your child! No RSVP necessary.
Parking is available on the street or in the parking lot on the corner of 41st & Genesee St (East side of 41st).
Schools Attending:
ARK Preschool
Bloom Preschool
Cometa Playschool
Community School of West Seattle
Fauntleroy Children’s Center
Giddens School
Holy Family Bilingual Catholic School
Holy Rosary Preschool
Hope Lutheran School
Our Lady of Guadalupe Early Learning Center
South Seattle College Cooperative Preschools
Southwest Early Learning Bilingual Preschool
St. Bernadette Early Learning Center
The Cove School
Westside School
The Preschool Fair is a drop-in event, 5:30-7 pm next Tuesday.
Words of thanks, and a renewed invitation, regarding a clothing-donation drive continuing beyond the holiday season:
(At Dave Newman State Farm Insurance’s office: Kristy Hoppenrath, Rodger Tanner)
The West Seattle Food Bank/Clothesline clothing and food drive continues at Dave Newman State Farm Insurance in West Seattle. We have already taken a truckload of clothes to the Helpline, and we’ll drop off another load this Thursday. Our plan is to continue collecting donations of clothing and food through the end of January.
Thanks so much to those who dropped off much-needed cold-weather clothing and food, and thanks to the West Seattle Food Bank and Clothesline for their hard work.
The Dave Newman State Farm Insurance office (one of WSB’s longest-running sponsors) is at 3435 California SW. The office is open for donations Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, 9 am to 5 pm. Tuesdays 9 am to 2 pm, except for holidays.
(File photo, courtesy Westside Neighbors Shelter)
As the year ends, the temperature has dropped, and West Seattle’s only emergency shelter is busy. Manager Keith Hughes shares wish lists periodically, and we just got this, if you’re inclined to help:
Thank you, West Seattle, for continuing to generously support your Community Shelter. We have averaged over 40 people per night for the past month, and that takes a lot of supplies. Needed now:
Dixie Ultra 10″ paper plates and 20 oz bowls
12″ and 18″ aluminum foil
CoffeeMate powdered coffee creamer
jelly
jarred pasta sauce
Sugar, 5#, 10# bags
pancake syrup (quarts)
12 oz hot cups (no lids)
toilet paper, paper towels
Pam Spray
vegetable oil for cooking
raisins (for the oatmeal)…. Big Item Request …. Alpha Camp folding camp cots. I need 10. Maybe a project for a group/organization that can do it together?
The shelter is at 3618 SW Alaska. Info on how and when to donate items, including online ordering/delivery if that works better, is on its website.
(Pink clouds to the west at sunrise – photo sent by Janice Christiansen)
Happy New Year’s Eve! From the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide and year-round Event Calendar, here’s what we have on the list for today/tonight:
FARE-FREE TRANSIT: See this morning’s traffic etc. roundup for info on who’s not charging you to ride today/tonight.
NEW YEAR’S EVE (AND DAY) WALKS: “The Emerald City Wanderers again will host noncompetitive walks on New Year’s Eve and Day, starting at St John the Baptist Episcopal Church (3050 California SW). Different 5K and 10K walks will be offered on each day. On New Year’s Eve start any time between 4 and 7 PM from the Church, and enjoy hot soups and treats afterward in the Church community room. On New Year’s Day start any time between 9 AM and noon, with hot soups and snacks afterward. This is a great way to bid farewell to 2024 and welcome 2025. Donations are requested. Info: Mike Nagan at m.nagan@comcast.net.”
NOT-SO-SILENT NIGHT PARADE: Highland Park Improvement Club will again lead a neighborhood walk/parade with noisemakers on NYE to say goodbye to the old year. Details:
Celebrate the arrival of the New Year with friends and neighbors with an all-ages, family-friendly march through Highland Park. An annual event since 2009 (with the exception of the COVID shutdown), the Not-So-Silent-Night Parade is a community celebration to ring in the new year. All ages welcome.
5:30- 6 pm: Assemble at the Highland Park Corner Store (7789 Highland Park Way SW). The store will be open for mingling, snacks and libations.
6 pm: Parade begins
Bring your personal noise or music makers and festive lighting, and help ring in 2025 as we parade down to the Riverview Playfields for a ceremonial goodbye to the old and welcome to the new!
Tips & Info
We parade via sidewalks primarily on quiet side streets
The route is approximately one mile, with some moderate hills. Folks are welcome to join in at any point.
This is an all-weather event! Light up your umbrella, wear your snow boots, come bundled up for whatever the season brings us.
Don’t feel up to walking? Onlookers are welcome to wave and cheer us on – or meet the marchers at the end of our route to join the ceremony and hospitality table by the Playfields. Route ends at SW Webster and 11th Ave SW. Pets may want to stay home — it can get loud!
NEW YEAR’S EVE SHOW AT TIM’S TAVERN: Seven bands! Doors 6 pm, show 6:30 pm, all ages. Details here. (16th/98th, White Center)
NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTY AT WEST SEATTLE BOWL/THREE9 LOUNGE: 7 pm-midnight, book ASAP. Details in our calendar listing.
NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTY AT MAHARAJA: DJ Kingblind! 8 pm until 2025, at Maharaja in The Junction (4542 California SW).
NEW YEAR’S EVE SHOW AT THE SKYLARK: Live music at The Skylark with Cofgod, Our Ex Parris, Manatee Alchemy, Déjalo, doors at 8, music at 9, 21+. Free champagne toast at midnight! (3803 Delridge Way SW)
NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTY AT REVELRY ROOM: 9 pm-2 am, book ASAP. Details in our calendar listing.
NEW YEAR’S EVE PARTY AT WEST SEATTLE BREWING: 10 pm, DJ Raw One with hip-hop, R&B, Afrobeat. (4415 Fauntleroy Way SW)
NEW YEAR’S EVE AT POGGIE TAVERN: Champagne toast at midnight. (4717 California SW)
NEW YEAR’S EVE DINING: See the Holiday Guide for info, including our list of New Year’s Day restaurants that also are open tonight.
SPACE NEEDLE FIREWORKS, DRONES, LIGHTS: Yes, the Space Needle plans fireworks, a drone show, and a light show again to greet 2025. Ten-minute light shows at 10, 10:30, 11, 11:30, then the big show starts a few minutes before midnight. If you’re going down to the West Seattle waterfront to watch from across the bay, go early to get a spot!
Anything to add/change? westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Family and friends will gather January 10-11 in memory of Paula Mitchell, and are sharing this remembrance now:
Pauline Eleanor Mitchell, born in West Seattle and a graduate of West Seattle High School, died peacefully at Providence Mount St. Vincent at age 94.
Paula is survived by her nine children (Lori, Sue, Duffy, Jeffry, Tom, Tim, Mark, Colleen, and Jenny); their partners; 24 grandchildren; and 21 great-grandchildren. Her husband of 53 years, John, preceded her in death. For more than 15 years she and John moved their growing brood across the country for Boeing assignments. About every two years Paula handled the packing up, moving, and resettlement of the kids in their new schools. Despite the challenges of frequent moves Paula created a loving and welcoming home.
The Mitchell house was “the house” where the neighborhood hung out. The picnic benches at our table always had room for one more. She lived by and taught us “the golden rule.” Paula adored and took an individual interest in each grandchild and great-grandchild. She had a soft spot for the little ones, and they brought her so much joy.
The family is grateful for the compassionate caregivers at the Mount. A Wake/Rosary will be held in the Mount St. Vincent Chapel Friday, January 10, 2025, 6:00-8:00 pm. Paula’s Memorial Mass will also be in the chapel on Saturday, January 11, 2025 at noon; followed by a reception.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts can be donated to Providence Mount St. Vincent Foundation.
(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to westseattleblog@gmail.com)
6:03 AM: Good morning! Welcome to New Year’s Eve 2024 – Tuesday, December 31st.
WEATHER + SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES
The forecast suggests a mostly cloudy day with high in the low 40s, potentially rainy night with low in the upper 30s. The year’s final sunrise/sunset – 7:57 am and 4:28 pm.
FARE-FREE NEW YEAR’S EVE TRANSIT, + FERRIES
Water Taxi – Regular schedule today, but fare-free (New Year’s Eve), then no service Wednesday (New Year’s Day).
Metro buses – Regular schedule today, fare-free to 3 am Wednesday, Sunday schedule all day Wednesday.
Washington State Ferries – Fares WILL be charged; 2-boat service on the Triangle Route with M/V Issaquah and M/V Cathlamet, plus M/V Tillikum as the “ghost boat.” Check here for last-minute changes.
Other transit agencies/services – Here’s a roundup.
ROAD WORK
*Today is the day the Admiral Way Bridge seismic project is scheduled to shift traffic flow to outside lanes. (Please let us know if and when you see this happen, once you can safely text 206-293-6302.)
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; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are on this WSB page.
See trouble 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!
(Photo from comment by ‘Tired’)
11:03 PM MONDAY: Police checking out 911 calls about possible gunfire just before 11 pm in the Westwood area have just confirmed it. Officers told dispatch they’ve found casings at 27th/Thistle [map], near Chief Sealth IHS and Nino Cantu SW Athletic Complex. No word yet of injuries; at least one parked car is reported to have damage.
TUESDAY AFTERNOON UPDATE: The SPD summary of the incident changes the intersection to 27th/Trenton and adds other details:
At 2253 hours, several callers reported hearing the sound of gunfire in the area of 27 Av SW and SW Trenton St. Officers arrived at that intersection to find 13 spent 10mm shell casings on the east side of the intersection, and three spent 9mm shell casings approximately 10-15 yards west of them. A nearby parked and unoccupied vehicle had a round go through both the rear window and windshield. No bullet fragments were recovered. Surveillance footage didn’t reveal anything of evidentiary value. The spent shell casings were photographed and placed into evidence.
Every year, you can count on WSB to be your holiday-info HQ, so a quick reminder if your plans for New Year’s Eve and/or Day aren’t set – this holiday is the grand finale for this year’s WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide, and we have a dozen listings, from New Year’s Eve walking and parading to New Year’s Day polar-bear swimming, plus restaurant and coffee “who’s open?” lists.
P.S. Not too late for any changes or additions – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
The photo and report are from Stewart:
At 11:52 PM on Saturday, December 28, two men stole a convex mirror mounted in front of my building on Harbor Avenue SW. Took them three minutes. One unbolted the mirror, the other kept watch. Taller man wearing dark blue pants.
Screen grab from building security camera. Stolen mirror is on the left in the photo. Has a partial black protective cap.
If anyone saw or knows anything about this, contact Seattle Police at case number below:
24-948624
That coyote-sighting clip sent by Robert, from an exterior home camera alongside a slope in Upper Fauntleroy, is quick, but close up. Same camera caught one back in August. If you’ve missed our previous disclaimers – we feature coyote sightings for awareness, not alarm; one-sheets/infopages like this explain how to increase the chances they and we can keep a healthy distance apart. (Top tip: Don’t leave out food, including unaccompanied small pets and unsecured garbage/food waste.)
(‘Live’ photo from WSF dock cam)
3:29 PM: Just in from Washington State Ferries:
Due to a hydraulic fluid leak at the ferry dock, the Fauntleroy Terminal will be closed for about 2 hours, effective immediately. This closure is necessary to prevent the fluid from leaking into Puget Sound.
The route will continue to run between Vashon Island and Southworth. The Pt. Defiance/Tahlequah route is another option for customers needing to leave Vashon Island.
We are working as quickly as possible to repair the leak and will send an update as soon as we have more information.
4:10 PM: Update from WSF: “In an effort to move displaced traffic, the M/V Issaquah will run an unscheduled sailing to Seattle from Vashon. The vessel will load traffic and depart.”
4:26 PM: We asked WSF what exactly is leaking. We don’t have that info yet but spokesperson Dana Warr did note, “Pipefitters from our Eagle Harbor maintenance facility will assess when they arrive shortly, if not already there, and potentially fix on the spot. Based on the assessment, further impacts may occur, which our customer service teams will provide to the public.”
4:46 PM: Warr says the leak is from “concrete (components) that raise and lower the platform.”
5:28 PM: Repairs are done and Fauntleroy is reopening. We just drove by Lincoln Park and cars were already (or still) lined up more than halfway alongside the park, waiting. No boat at the Fauntleroy dock yet, though – Vessel Watch shows M/V Issaquah about two-thirds of the way back to Vashon (where M/V Cathlamet is) from its Seattle diversion.
2:17 PM: Thanks to Juanita for the tip. Three months after the city cleared the RV encampment along SW Trenton by Westwood Village, new parking-restriction signs are in place, declaring it a four-hour-maximum zone between 7 am and 6 pm, Mondays through Saturdays. The signs are on both sides of Trenton between 26th and 28th.
We have an inquiry out to SDOT for more info.
This isn’t the first area where the city has made changes after clearing an RV encampment – others include Harbor Avenue (overnight-parking restrictions) and SW Andover (bike lane added). This area also has had school-zone-related changes in recent months, with Chief Sealth International High School and Denny International Middle School a short distance north (on the other side of Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex) – speed cushions and a new four-way stop – but these are the first changes directly affecting parking, which is in abundant supply (more than a thousand spaces) at the adjacent shopping center.
6:04 PM: To be a little more precise, WWV has just under 1,300 parking spaces. Nonetheless, SDOT spokesperson Ethan Bergerson says supporting access to the “commercial areas” is a goal of the new restrictions:
The new parking restrictions were added based on community requests relayed to SDOT staff by the Unified Care Team. The changes are intended to support parking turnover and curb access near parks and commercial areas. The parking time limits will apply to a slightly larger area than you mentioned, on the north side of SW Trenton St between 26th Ave SW and 29th Ave SW, and on the south side of the street for most of the block between 26th Ave SW and 28th Ave SW. The paint and posts that you describe are intended to help clarify the areas where parking is not allowed near crosswalks in order improve visibility for people to safely cross the street.
The paint-and-posts are “curb bulbs” we also noticed in the area – here’s one at 26th/Trenton:
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