March 2025

Sound Transit outlined Link Extension plans to Seattle Council amid budget concerns
The project now faces a $3 billion shortfall

On March 18, Sound Transit representatives presented an update on the West Seattle and Ballard Link light rail extensions to the Seattle City Council Transportation Committee, outlining project timelines and benefits while acknowledging significant budget challenges, particularly for the West Seattle project. The meeting, chaired by Council Member Rob Saka, aimed to inform the committee and the public about the status of these major transit investments and discuss the city's role in their implementation.

Category

Parking and development take center stage at West Seattle Trusteed Properties meeting

The annual meeting of West Seattle Trusteed Properties (WSTP) shareholders, held on March 27th, centered on the ongoing evolution of parking operations in the West Seattle Junction and the long-term vision for the trust's real estate holdings. While financial details were reserved for a later board meeting, discussions heavily emphasized enhancing the parking experience and exploring future development opportunities in collaboration with the West Seattle Junction Association (WSJA).

President Joe Erickson opened the meeting by highlighting the trust's mission, which includes continuing to provide parking that supports the West Seattle Junction business district and maximizing the value of their assets. A significant portion of the discussion revolved around the impact and potential improvements to the current paid parking system.

Category

Dow Constantine elected as new Sound Transit CEO

The Sound Transit Board of Directors convened its meeting on March 27, 2025, and in a unanimous vote, approved the agreement to employ Dow Constantine as the agency's next Chief Executive Officer. Constantine's term is set to run from April 1, 2025, through December 31, 2026, with two potential one-year renewal options at the board's discretion.

The selection process, led by recruitment consultant Greg Moer, was described as in-depth, deliberate, and methodical, involving engagement with over 50 different stakeholder groups and individuals. Moer presented a list of 15 qualified candidates to the CEO selection committee, which was later narrowed down to three finalists who underwent extensive interviews involving board members, community members, and Sound Transit employees. The process emphasized confidentiality to attract a wider pool of candidates though Constantine's name was previously made public by a story published in the Seattle Times.

Category

Sports Watch 3-27-25

 

By Tim Clinton

SPORTS EDITOR

 

High schools

Baseball

Highline hosts Tyee for 6 p.m. Friday action with Foster entertaining Sammamish at 3:30 p.m. and Evergreen getting a 4 p.m. visit from Interlake.

West Seattle will be home against O'Dea at 7 p.m. that day with Chief Sealth going to Cleveland at 3:30 p.m. and Ballard to Garfield at 4 p.m.

Kennedy Catholic drops in on Lincoln of Seattle for a 10 a.m. Saturday contest and Chief Sealth visits Washington at noon.

Scheduled for 3:30 p.m. Monday are Chief Sealth at Franklin, West Seattle at Roosevelt, Foster at Renton and Tyee at Cedar Park Christian.

Ballard gets a 4 p.m. visit from O'Dea as Highline goes to Interlake and Evergreen entertains Lindbergh.

Mount Rainier hosts Kentwood at 4 p.m. Tuesday as Kennedy Catholic gets a visit from Tahoma.

Category

Calling all artists!  T-Shirt design sought for 2025 Alki Art Fair

Alki Art Fair is requesting artists to submit a design for the 2025 Alki Art Fair T-Shirt!  The winning submission will receive a $200 award and recognition on the Alki Art Fair website.  The design will be featured on the 2025 Alki Art Fair T-Shirt and may also be used for posters and other marketing materials for the fair.

Category

The "hailstorm" that wasn't; Lighting, thunder and rain but the star of the show was missing

The warnings issued in advance by many meteorologists called for lightning (we got that and thunder) heavy rain (to be honest it did rain heavily for a little while) but the most dramatic prediction was for everything from quarter size to two inch size hail. 

Broadcast outlets talked about how hail is formed. Car dealers were interviewed about facing potential large scale damage. People were told to stay indoors. Winds were predicted to be as high as 58 mph.

Acting on that prediction people across the area sought protection for vehicles, seeking garage storage, blankets, car covers, put away all loose objects and then we waited. 

The lightning showed and yes a bit of hail did fall south of Seattle and possibly elsewhere. It was a bit breezy. But no huge gusts in Seattle. So it looks like we collectively dodged a hailstorm. There was a power outage south of White Center for 150 people expected to be fixed relatively soon.

Category

Plunge for Patterson on Alki will raise funds for medical research March 30
Phoenecia Restaurant participating too with cold plunge event

You have the opportunity this coming Sunday to do something fun that truly helps people. 

The Plunge for Patterson will see as many as want to participate in a dash into Puget Sound to raise funds for the-EB Research Partnership, a global non profit organization dedicated to finding a cure for Epidermylosis Bullosa.

- WHERE: Alki Beach, Seattle, WA

- WHEN: Sunday, March 30th @10AM

- HOW TO JOIN: There is a minimum donation required to join the Alki Plunge. Plungers aged 13 and up must donate at least $25 per person to plunge. Donations can be made online in advance or at check in on March 30.

Category

Teen brandishing a gun threatens others

Information from Seattle Police Blotter

#2025-78984/Southwest Precinct/Third Watch:

At 10:52 pm on Monday the victim was playing football with other juveniles at the 7500 BLK of 35th Ave SW. (All parties involved are juveniles.) The suspect walked up and pointed a firearm at the victim’s face and the victim was afraid for his safety.

The suspect got inside a car and left the area. The victim stated that the suspect pointed a gun at him because he heard that he was talking stuff about a juvenile who was shot at Chief Sealth HS last year.

All individuals involved attend Chief Sealth H.S. The suspect’s firearm had an extended clip, and video was retrieved that showed the incident.

The suspect wasn’t located, and his full name is unknown at this time.

Category

Efforts to curb catalytic converter theft start in April

Beginning in April 2025, Washington State will implement what is being described as its strongest ever protections against catalytic converter theft. This development comes as a result of the passage of ESHB 2153, a bill that was a top legislative priority for King County Prosecuting Attorney Leesa Manion.

Over several legislative sessions, the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office actively collaborated with the Washington State Legislature to develop and secure the passage of legislation aimed at combating the increasing problem of catalytic converter thefts, which have significantly disrupted the lives of residents in King County and across Washington.

Category

Wednesday looks to be a wild weather day
Thunderstorms and high wind gusts are possible

Coming on the heels of mostly warm and sunny day on Tuesday, the National weather service is predicting a probability of thunderstorms on Wednesday starting in the afternoon.

toonder storms

 

NWS Storm Prediction Center Norman OK 0222 PM CDT Mon Mar 24 2025 Valid 261200Z - 271200Z ...

THERE IS A MARGINAL RISK OF SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS IN PARTS OF OR/WA/NORTHERN ID...

SUMMARY... Isolated severe thunderstorms are possible across parts of the Pacific Northwest on Wednesday afternoon into the evening. ...

Pacific Northwest...

Category