West Seattle, Washington
15 Tuesday
6 AM: Good morning! It’s Thursday, February 2nd.
WEATHER
Mostly cloudy, high around 50.
TODAY’S TRANSIT STATUS
–Metro is on its regular schedule, but still canceling some trips/suspending some routes, so keep watching notification channels such as @kcmetroalerts for trip cancellations and route suspensions. (We have an inquiry out to Metro asking how the bus repairs are going.)
-Regular schedule for the West Seattle Water Taxi.
–Washington State Ferries‘ Triangle Route continues on a two-boat schedule – check here for alerts/updates.
TUNNEL CLOSURE
Maintenance closure for the Highway 99 tunnel, both directions, 10 pm Friday-6 am Saturday.
SPOTLIGHT CAMERAS
Delridge cameras: Besides the one below (Delridge/Oregon), cameras are also up at Delridge/Genesee, Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Orchard, and Delridge/Henderson.
High Bridge – the camera at the top:
High Bridge – the view from its southwest end (when SDOT points the 35th/Avalon/Fauntleroy camera that way):
Low Bridge – looking east to west:
1st Ave. S. Bridge – the south route:
Highway 99: – the northbound side at Lander.
MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: See all working traffic cams citywide here, most with video options; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are also on this WSB page … Are movable city bridges opening for vessels? Check the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed.
If you see a problem on the bridges/streets/paths/water, please text or call us (when you can do it safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities if needed) – 206-293-6302.
Five West Seattle High School athletes are signing college commitments, and four joined in a ceremony in the WSHS Commons this afternoon – the fifth was off with teammates competing for the state championship. From left above are Elijah Brady, who’ll play football at the University of Montana; Mason Kallinger, going to Midland University for football; Owen Earls, headed to Columbia Basin College for baseball, and Alli Bennett, who’ll play soccer at Long Island University. Also committing but unable to participate in the ceremony was Jasmine Bachmeier-Emswiler, who will bowl for William Woods University; today and tomorrow she’s in Tukwila, bowling for WSHS at the 3A State Championships.
They call themselves the Silent Book Club – but they’re a roaring success. Last month almost 200 readers gathered in five West Seattle locations on Silent Book Club night – just to sit and read for an hour, followed by an optional chat time if you want to. “The ideal introvert happy hour” is how organizers describe it. Tomorrow’s the next Silent Book Club West Seattle night, and this time they’re meeting in six locations:
The Nook (2206 California SW)
Otter on the Rocks (4210 SW Admiral Way)
Good Society Brewing (California/Lander)
Easy Street Records (California/Alaska)
C & P Coffee (5612 California SW)
Beveridge Place Pub (6413 California SW)
As noted in our calendar listing, you can show up as early as 7, read from 7:30 to 8:30, then chat if you feel like it (or keep reading).
Two milestones for one of West Seattle’s one-of-a-kind businesses – Avalon Glassworks in the Luna Park neighborhood. Here’s their announcement:
Avalon Glassworks is celebrating 30 years of business and 20 years for current owners Shannon and Jon Felix. To commemorate, the studio has created a blown glass Anniversary Float, signed AGW 2023 “30” on the sealing button.
It is a 4″ sphere in transparent burgundy red with accents of sparkly gold flecks. It can be purchased online at their Etsy store or in-person at the West Seattle location at 2914 SW Avalon Way. Avalon Glassworks’ new hours are Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, 12-4 pm.
Even if you don’t work for Boeing, you’ve probably heard a lot about the last 747 to be built. Today, Steve Rice photographed the above view of the jet after it left Everett for Cincinnati and delivery to Atlas Air and shared the photo with WSB. Here’s the Boeing take on its takeoff:
And she's off!
The final 747 took off this morning to join @AtlasAirWW's fleet. #QueenOfTheSkies pic.twitter.com/pZvX9AkKGw
— Boeing Airplanes (@BoeingAirplanes) February 1, 2023
3:28 PM: As noted in today’s event list, Southwest Pool was to be closed today for natural-gas conservation. Now the pool has announced it’s open for limited operation the rest of the day:
Limited Operation for the remainder of Wednesday, Feb 1st.
Lap 3-4:30
Lap 5-6:30
Deep WX 7-8 – No instructor
Earlier, the pool’s announcement had explained, “In an agreement with Puget Sound Energy, some high volume business users are required to stop using Natural Gas to ensure an adequate supply for residential customers. Today is one of those instances.” The update warns this might happen tomorrow, so look for updates in the morning.
6 PM: Seattle Parks spokesperson Rachel Schulkin says the pool will be open tomorrow (Thursday).
(WSB photos)
As noted in our daily preview, today is opening day for Ali Brownrigg‘s new shop Swan Dive in The Junction. We reported on her plan two weeks ago. Swan Dive is at 4537 California SW, in the spot occupied by Virago until recently, and selling merchandise including vintage clothing:
You’ll also find new wearables including shoes, courtesy of a partnership with Clementines, with whom Swan Dive has long partnered on the other side of the bay.
Swan Dive’s hours for starters are noon-5 pm weekdays, 11 am-5 pm Saturdays, 11 am-2 pm Sundays, or by appointment – email swandivevintage@gmail.com to set something up.
Congratulations to the West Seattle High School girls-varsity bowling team – after winning their fourth consecutive Metro League championship last weekend, they are bowling in the state-championship tournament starting today in Tukwila. (Thanks for the tips!) Here’s who’s in the tournament:
State roster:
Jasmine Bachmeier-Emswiler
Malia Barker
Lauren Ellingson
Justice Jenkins
An Le
Kritsana Nathan
Ellen Torres
The state 3A tournament continues through tomorrow at Bowlero.
Thanks to Anne Higuera from longtime WSB sponsor Ventana Construction for that cool aerial view looking northeast across our peninsula and beyond. (If you’re viewing WSB on desktop/laptop, you can click the photo to open a larger version.) Meantime, here’s what’s happening around, and of interest to, the peninsula today/tonight:
FLOAT DODGER 5K DISCOUNT SIGNUPS: As announced last month, registration opens today for the July 22nd West Seattle Float Dodger 5K, presented by West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor), benefiting the West Seattle Food Bank. Discount rate if you sign up today!
SOUTHWEST POOL CLOSED: This word from the city-run indoor pool:
Southwest Pool and most other Seattle Parks pools will be closed today, Wednesday, February 1st.
In an agreement with Puget Sound Energy, some high volume business users are required to stop using Natural Gas to ensure an adequate supply for residential customers. Today is one of those instances.
Currently, Meadowbrook and Rainier Beach Pools are planning to operate today.
We’ll have a separate update on this later today.
NEW STORE OPENS: It’s opening day, starting at noon, for Swan Dive (4537 California SW), the new shop we told you about two weeks ago.
FREE INDOOR PLAYSPACE: Toddler Gym weekday afternoons at the Salvation Army Center (9050 16th SW), ages 2-6, 3:30-5 pm.
WEST MARGINAL WAY PROTECTED BIKE LANE: It’s a major topic at tonight’s monthly meeting of the city-convened Bicycle Advisory Board, so if you’re interested, go to City Hall or watch online starting at 6 pm – the agenda explains your options, as well as how to comment.
TRIVIA x 6: At 6 pm, Locust Cider (2820 Alki SW) now offers trivia … at 7 pm, you can play trivia at the West Seattle Brewing Mothership (4415 Fauntleroy Way SW); Larry’s Tavern (3405 California SW) hosts Wednesday-night trivia starting at 7:30 pm; there’s 7:30 and 8:30 pm Sporcle Pub Quiz at The Lodge (4209 SW Alaska); trivia starts at 8 pm at Beveridge Place Pub (6413 California SW); at 8:30 pm, trivia at Talarico’s (4718 California SW) with Phil T.
INJURY PREVENTION TALK FOR RUNNERS: 6:30 pm at West Seattle Runner (2743 California SW; WSB sponsor).
LIVE AT OTTER ON THE ROCKS: Jazz Night starts at 6:30 pm. (4210 SW Admiral Way)
LIVE AT EPHESUS: Kimball & The Fugitive Trio now plays Ephesus Greek Restaurant (5245 California SW), 6:30 pm Wednesdays.
LIVE AT LOCOL: Locöl (7902 35th SW) spotlights live music 6:30-8:30 pm Wednesdays, no cover, 21+, rotating artists.
MUSIC BINGO: Play weekly at The Good Society (California/Lander), 7 pm.
SKYLARK OPEN MIC: 7:30 pm signups @ West Seattle’s longest-running open mic – no cover to watch. (3803 Delridge Way SW)
Planning an event – meeting, performance, reading, tour, or … – that could be featured on West Seattle’s only comprehensive event calendar? Tell us about it! Please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
Family and friends are remembering Jane Kennedy Leyva and sharing this with the community:
Jane Kennedy Leyva passed away January 31, 2023, with her daughters Lisann and Jen present in loving support.
Jane was a pioneer for Title IX sports. She played softball, basketball, volleyball, and soccer. She was accepted into college at the University of Washington for her grades and athletics with plans to major in physical education back in 1968. Instead she became a role model to her daughters showing them what women can do. She became a much-loved coach and foster mom to young people throughout the WS community. Her house was always loud and crazy, and full of laughter and love.
Jane is survived by her daughters, Jen, Lisann, and Megan, her son-in law Len (Jen), her grandchildren Quentin (Meg) and Lexi (Lisann), and all the extended Kennedy clan. A celebration of life is planned for March 2023.
(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 February – it’s Wednesday, February 1st.
WEATHER
Some sun is expected again today, high in the upper 40s. (Tuesday’s high was 41, eight degrees below normal for that date.)
TODAY’S TRANSIT STATUS
–Metro is on its regular schedule, but still canceling some trips/suspending some routes, so keep watching notification channels such as @kcmetroalerts for trip cancellations and route suspensions. (We’re checking this week on how the bus repairs are going.)
-Regular schedule for the West Seattle Water Taxi.
–Washington State Ferries‘ Triangle Route continues on a two-boat schedule – check here for alerts/updates.
SPOTLIGHT CAMERAS
Delridge cameras: Besides the one below (Delridge/Oregon), cameras are also up at Delridge/Genesee, Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Orchard, and Delridge/Henderson.
High Bridge – the camera at the top:
High Bridge – the view from its southwest end (when SDOT points the 35th/Avalon/Fauntleroy camera that way):
Low Bridge – looking east to west:
1st Ave. S. Bridge – the south route:
Highway 99: – the northbound side at Lander.
MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: See all working traffic cams citywide here, most with video options; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are also on this WSB page … Are movable city bridges opening for vessels? Check the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed.
If you see a problem on the bridges/streets/paths/water, please text or call us (when you can do it safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities if needed) – 206-293-6302.
The Community School of West Seattle (9450 22nd SW) is hosting another community vaccination clinic this Sunday – here’s the announcement:
COVID/Flu Vaccine Clinic
Community School of West Seattle
Feb 5, 2023
11 AM-4 PMAll approved COVID vaccines for 6-months+ olds! Pediatric (starting at 6 months) and adult flu vaccines, but no high-dose geriatric flu vaccines available.
Preregistration encouraged: tinyurl.com/2p8yz32m
We just checked at that link and plenty of appointments are available. If you prefer QR codes, there’s one on this event flyer. They say walk-ins will be welcome, too.
On Monday morning, we published Scott‘s report about his stolen Subaru. Tonight, he says it’s been found, and he has advice for others:
This car was recovered. Police notified me of the location at 8th Ave SW & SW Trenton, next to Westcrest Park. It had a lock between the clutch and steering wheel as if the thief intended to return and continue driving it. The lock had wear that makes me believe this isn’t the first time it has been used. The ignition and door locks were undamaged. Please let others know, if their car is stolen, to look around Westcrest Park area, I did not do that when I looked for this car.
Some vehicles stolen in West Seattle stay here; others turn up many miles away. Police said recently that more than 100 have been found at the notorious 2nd/Michigan encampment; Harbor Avenue SW seems to be a popular place lately too, with four auto-recovery calls logged in the past day and a half.
(Rendering from design packet by LDG Architects)
That’s one of the design concepts in the final packet for Thursday night’s Southwest Design Review Board online meeting about the mixed-use building proposed for 7617 35th SW, between SW Holden and SW Ida. As reported here previously, this is a new plan for the site, where a smaller-scale plan went part of the way through the process four-plus years ago. This time the proposal is, as described on the city website and in the packet, for a building with six stories, 130+ apartments, ground-floor commercial spots, and ~50 offstreet-parking spaces. See the packet here; see information on attending the 5 pm online meeting and commenting here. Remember that this is the Early Design Guidance portion of the process, which means the review is primarily focused on the size and shape of the building as well as its placement on its site. (This meeting will be followed by the board’s separate 7 pm review of the Aegis Living proposal for 5252 California SW.)
Thanks to Joey Richards for the report and photo:
For the 4th season in a row, the Chief Sealth International High School Girls Wrestling Team has taken first place in the Seattle Metro girls tournament.
The team currently has 4 girls ranked top 10 in the state of Washington, and is shooting for a top 10 team placement at the State Tournament at the end of February.
We previously reported on two future Westwood Village businesses based on permit files. Now, new confirmation:
HAPPY LEMON: We reported one month ago that Vatsana’s Thai Restaurant had closed and the international boba-and-more tea chain Happy Lemon would move in. Passing through WWV today, we noted Happy Lemon now has window signage up, saying it’s expecting to open in spring.
FITNESS 19: We reported last week that sign-permit documents indicated this gym chain would take over the two-years-vacant 24-Hour Fitness spot at WWV. It wasn’t listed on the official WWV directory at the time, but it is now. We’re still waiting to hear back from the company about its timeline.
West Seattle’s longest-running bakery is about to end its storied run. A few readers told us in recent days that they’d heard The Original Bakery in Fauntleroy was planning to close – we’ve been working to confirm it, and today bakery proprietor Bernie Alonzo‘s daughter Anna Alonzo confirmed it to us shortly before she made this public announcement:
It is with heavy hearts that we are announcing that The Original Bakery will close its doors at the end of February. Our last day will be Sunday 2/26/2023.
After nearly fifty years of doing business, Bernie is retiring. He says it’s been a good run. We have seen so many kids, employees and customers, growing up before our eyes. We have experienced so much joy seeing those grown-up kids bring their children to enjoy their favorite bakery treats. We truly have appreciated the love and support from our community over the years. The Original Bakery’s history dates to the 1930s. Our family has had the pleasure of being the fourth generation of families to run this business. We had hoped to sell the business and pass the baton. I may open a bakery café sometime down the road when my daughter is grown up.
The bakery’s space is slated to be rented and developed by Peter Levy of Chow Foods/Endolyne Joe’s.
Come say farewell. We will miss the bakery and the people more than we can say in just words. For me, Bernie’s daughter, it’s been like a second home growing up. I look forward to relaxing and vacationing with my Dad more in the near future!
You can’t rush down to 9253 45th SW today – the bakery’s open Wednesdays-Sundays, 7:30 am-3 pm. As noted here, the bakery was founded in 1936; the Alonzo family has owned and operated it since 1975.
(Photo from landmark-nomination packet)
Back in October, you might have seen West Seattle journalist and historian Clay Eals‘ “Now & Then” Seattle Times column about the Cettolin House in West Seattle. Now it’s going before the city Landmarks Preservation Board for consideration of proposed landmark status. The stucco-clad house – potentially in the path of the light-rail line – was built by Italian-immigrant steelworker Fausto Cettolin in the 1920s and ’30s. Here’s the official notice; below is the city announcement sent this morning:
Seattle’s Landmarks Preservation Board will consider the nomination of the Cettolin House, located at 4022 32nd Avenue SW, at its meeting on March 1, 2023 at 3:30 p.m. Members of the public can attend the meeting in person at the Boards & Commissions Room (L2-80) of Seattle City Hall, located at 600 4th Avenue. The meeting can also be accessed using the WebEx Event link or telephone call-in line provided in the agenda that will be posted to the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods website one week prior to the meeting.
The public is invited to participate in the meeting and make comments regarding the nomination. You may sign up to address the Landmarks Preservation Board for up to 2 minutes on matters on this agenda. Online sign-up will begin two hours before the 3:30 p.m. meeting start time and will end at the start of the Board meeting. Members of the public who wish to speak can either use the call-in number, the WebEx link, or they may speak in-person at the meeting’s physical location. The agenda for this meeting will be sent one week prior to the meeting and will be posted on the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods website.
Written comments are also accepted and should be received by the Landmarks Preservation Board by 3:30 p.m. on February 28, 2023. Written comments can be submitted:
–Via email: erin.doherty@seattle.gov
–Via US Mail: Seattle Landmarks Preservation Board, Seattle Department of Neighborhoods, PO Box 94649, Seattle WA 98124-4649
A copy of the Landmark Nomination is posted (online here).
A landmark nomination provides a physical description of the building, object, or site, and information on its history, current and historic photos, site plans, maps, drawings, and more. To learn about the nomination and designation process, (go here).
The nomination document also goes into area history, so regardless of your views on the nomination, it’s worth a look. Other landmarked homes in West Seattle include the Bloss House in northeast Admiral and the Satterlee House (“Painted Lady”) on Beach Drive – this map shows landmarks (homes and otherwise) around West Seattle and the rest of the city.
(Mount Rainier, photographed Monday by David Hutchinson)
Here’s the list of possibilities for the rest of your Tuesday, mostly from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
POSTCARDS TO VOTERS: Long-distance political-advocacy group meets at 10:30 am at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor).
CHESS CLUB: Tuesdays 1:30-3 pm at the Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon): “Are you looking for a new activity to keep your brain sharp and clear? The Senior Center Chess Club welcomes both novice and experienced players. Join us at 1:30 p.m. for lessons, short tutorials and chess for all levels of expertise. For more information, contact Conwell: conwell@conwelld.net.”
CITY COUNCIL: 2 pm this afternoon, it’s the full council’s weekly meeting, online or at City Hall (600 4th Ave.). See the agenda here; the meeting is also viewable via Seattle Channel.
HAND-DRUMMING WORKSHOP: 2:30 pm at the Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon): “Experience relaxation, energy and well-being when you join Kenny Mandell’s popular workshop. No experience necessary. Drums and/or rattles provided, but if you have your own, please bring them.”
FREE INDOOR PLAYSPACE: Toddler Gym weekday afternoons at the Salvation Army Center (9050 16th SW), ages 2-6, 3:30-5 pm.
DEMONSTRATION FOR BLACK LIVES: Longrunning weekly sign-waving demonstration at 16th/Holden. 5-6 pm. Signs available if you don’t have your own.
SCRABBLE NIGHT: 6-10 pm, you can play Scrabble at The Missing Piece (9456 35th SW).
TRIVIA X 3: Three places where you can play Tuesday nights – 7 pm at Ounces (3809 Delridge Way SW), 7 pm at Admiral Pub (2306 California SW), 7:30 and 8:30 pm Sporcle Pub Quiz at The Lodge (4209 SW Alaska).
BASKETBALL: Home game for Chief Sealth International High School boys varsity tonight, 7:30 pm vs. Nathan Hale. (2600 SW Thistle)
BELLE OF THE BALLS BINGO: Play bingo with Cookie Couture at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW), 8 pm. Free, all ages!
You can always look into the future via our event calendar – if you have something for us to list, please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
6:03 AM: Good morning! It’s the end of the month – Tuesday, January 31st.
WEATHER
Mostly cloudy, high in the low 40s. (Monday’s high was 39, ten degrees below normal for that date.) 7:55 AM: Snow flurries!
TODAY’S TRANSIT STATUS
–Metro is on its regular schedule, still with fewer buses and fewer drivers – keep watching notification channels such as @kcmetroalerts for trip cancellations and route suspensions.
-Regular schedule for the West Seattle Water Taxi.
–Washington State Ferries‘ Triangle Route continues on a two-boat schedule – check here for alerts/updates.
SPOTLIGHT CAMERAS
Delridge cameras: Besides the one below (Delridge/Oregon), cameras are also up at Delridge/Genesee, Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Orchard, and Delridge/Henderson.
High Bridge – the camera at the top:
High Bridge – the view from its southwest end (when SDOT points the 35th/Avalon/Fauntleroy camera that way):
Low Bridge – looking east to west:
1st Ave. S. Bridge – the south route:
Highway 99: – the northbound side at Lander.
MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: See all working traffic cams citywide here, most with video options; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are also on this WSB page … Are movable city bridges opening for vessels? Check the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed.
If you see a problem on the bridges/streets/paths/water, please text or call us (when you can do it safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities if needed) – 206-293-6302.
(November 2022 photo via Twitter, by @i8ipod)
Two bills to keep boats further away from endangered Southern Resident Killer Whales are making their way through the State Legislature, with West Seattle legislators among the co-sponsors. The bills both seek to keep boats further away from the endangered orcas, as recommended by a state report noted here last month. The State Senate version, SB 5371 – with co-sponsors including 34th District Sen. Joe Nguyen of West Seattle – got a hearing today in Olympia, before the Senate Water, Natural Resources, and Parks Committee. Here’s video via TVW (when you click “play” it’ll start with the orca bill, an hour in):
Among those testifying was West Seattleite Donna Sandstrom, executive director of The Whale Trail and member of Governor Inslee’s task force on orcas. Here’s part of what she told the senators:
We fully support this bill, which builds on the progress the State has made, and extends it based on the science we now know. A 1,000 yard setback will make it easier for orcas, especially females, to find and catch their prey. This matters not just for individual health, but because when orcas catch a salmon they share it. Mothers share food with their offspring. Older males share food with their mothers. Vessel noise and disturbance makes all of that harder.
There are seven calves under five years old in the population, and five of those are female, including Tahlequah’s newest calf. The future of the population is already here. Their ability to survive and thrive into adulthood depends on the actions that we take today. One perimeter for all boaters will be easier to communicate, comply with and enforce. Apps like Whale Alert can help boaters know when southern residents are near, and how far away is 1,000 yards.
Please advance this bill and give J, K and L pods the space they need to eat, so they have a chance to go on. It’s as simple, and as necessary, as that. Future generations may not know our names, but if we get this right there there will still be southern residents to watch, and be awed by. On the long road to recover the whales, this is the next step, and Washington State is leading the way.
The House version of the bill, HB 1145 – with co-sponsors including 34th District State Rep. Joe Fitzgibbon of West Seattle – is in the House Agriculture, Water, Natural Resources, and Parks Committee, with no hearing scheduled yet. “This is the first step on the journey from bill to law,” Sandstrom tells WSB. “We will need everyone’s help to ensure it passes this session. Here’s how people can support: Contact your legislators and let them know you support these bills. Contact by phone, email, or comment directly on the bill.” West Seattle legislators are Sen. Nguyen, Rep. Fitzgibbon, and newly elected Rep. Emily Alvarado.
ORIGINAL MONDAY REPORT: Another special election will be ahead in April if the King County Council votes Tuesday – or shortly thereafter – to send a $1.25 billion behavioral-health levy to voters. The meeting preview says the measure would create a nine-year property tax levy to fund “four key goals,” listed as follows:
*Create five new regional crisis care centers: Distributed geographically across the county, the centers would provide walk-in access and the potential for short-term stays to help people stabilize, depending on needs, with one center specifically serving youth.
*Preserve and restore the dramatic loss of residential treatment beds: In 2018, 355 beds providing community-based residential care for people with mental health residential needs existed in King County. Today, only 244 of these beds are available.
*Grow the behavioral health workforce pipeline: The proposal would create career pathways through apprenticeship programming and access to higher education, credentialing, training, and wrap-around supports. It would also invest in equitable wages for the workforce at crisis care centers.
*Provide immediate services while centers are being constructed: The proposal would also use initial proceeds to quickly create mobile or site-based crisis behavioral health services that can operate until the first crisis care centers open. This bridge strategy would complement recent state and federally-funded-mobile crisis teams.
The need for these services has expanded greatly in recent years, according to sponsors. They elaborate in the full text of the proposal going before county councilmembers at 1 pm Tuesday, which you can read here (page 50). If passed as written, the levy would cost the owner of a median-priced King County home – $694,000 in 2021 valuations – $10 a month in 2024. You can comment to the council before or during the hybrid (online and in-person downtown) meeting; the agenda explains how.
TUESDAY AFTERNOON: Per a statement from the County Executive’s Office, the county council did indeed approve sending the levy to voters in April.
Four reports in West Seattle Crime Watch tonight:
(Reader photo via text)
THEFT-TURNED-ROBBERY: Thanks for the tips/questions about police at the West Seattle YMCA (WSB sponsor) in The Triangle around 5:30 pm. Officers were gone by the time we got there, but this was dispatched as a theft-turned-robbery – dispatch told officers that someone was trying to steal from lockers, and when confronted, pulled a knife and made threats. Description given over police radio: Unknown (race) male, 30s, 5’10”, medium to heavy build, black backpack, black sweatpants, dark Jordans (shoes) with orange highlights. No injuries, the Y staff told us. SPD incident # is 23-028726.
Three more reader reports received today (in addition to the two published this morning):
HOME/CAR BREAK-IN ATTEMPT: The report and security video are from Chaucey:
Last night (Jan-29-23) at 11:30 pm, a man approached our home on Roxbury (between Roxbury Lanes and 35th) and attempted to break in through our front door. He then proceeded to attempt to break into my car through the passenger side door. This was bold as we have a flood light pointed toward the front of our house, a full security system and have a working streetlight directly in front of our home.
We captured this event on camera, but unfortunately the motion detection only kicked in to catch him from the backside; however, what we did get is clear and may have a few distinguishing features that may be identifiable to the broader community. I have attached a video and am hoping that you can post it with this incident report, in the hopes that someone may be able to identify this person and at the very least so others can be aware and on the lookout for this person attempting to break in on their property.
CONSTRUCTION SITE BREAK-IN: From Scott:
We are the owners of a lot on the corner of 60th Ave SW and SW Charlestown St, where we are slowly building a new house (started in spring/summer of 2021). We were (burglarized) several times in the first 18 months but (not) since we had our windows and doors installed in late fall 2022.
My son and I had brought a large spool of copper wire on site for wiring the panels and subpanels on Sunday 1/22, but didn’t end up getting to that work and left the spool in the garage. On Wednesday early morning, my neighbor confronted someone leaving our house with a bicycle with saddlebags.
They eventually realized Saturday that “the spool for our wire had been taken apart, and the wire was missing, along with other things that we’ve been figuring out are gone over the weekend. I put the full list of what was missing in the police report … if anyone has information about who was coming and going from our lot, sure would be nice to either get some stuff back or at least not get (burglarized) again any time soon.” SPD incident # is 23-901796.
CAR VANDALISM/PROWL ATTEMPT: From management at City Watch Apartments in The Junction:
The (above) individual followed behind someone to get into our garage this morning and broke out a window of a car parked here at CW between 8:45-9 am. He was startled when someone approached close to him after he shattered the window and left in a hurry. Fairly clear images of the suspect and his car. Looks to be early to mid-40’s, goatee, balding with eye glasses, Caucasian with a tan coat and baggy pants. The vehicle looks like an older-model Toyota Tercel with rear L back door severely damaged with a broken rear qtr window that has a white cloth covering it up. We can’t make out the license plate.
SPD incident # is 23-028454.
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