January 2026

Highline Public Schools navigates $8 million budget gap; Calls for community input on strategic future

Highline Public Schools has launched a district-wide initiative to gather community feedback as it prepares to navigate a projected $8 million budget reduction for the 2026–27 school year. While the district remains financially stable due to years of disciplined fiscal management, leaders are taking proactive steps to address a growing gap between rising operational costs and state funding, which has failed to keep pace.

Strategic Goals Remain Constant Amid Financial Shifts

Despite the looming budget cuts, district leaders do not anticipate altering Highline’s four core strategic goals, its priority areas, or the foundational "Highline Promise". Recent polling indicates that the community continues to show strong support for the district's overall direction.

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Weekend Ski Report: It's a mixed bag

By Ethan MacNamara

The Alpenglow Effect

Sunny Skies and hardpacked groomed runs will be the story of this weekend. Temps have decreased, but the area has not seen any new snow, so most off piste terrain is closed across Western Washington. There may be a little bit of snow on our horizon next week!

Summit at Snoqualmie

Weekend Weather- Temps: 37°/19°

Sunny Skies with some clouds, no precipitation on

the forecast this weekend, but some snow may fall on Monday!Springlike conditions are continuing at Summit, along with the rest of the PNW. There has not been any snowfall throughout the week, so expect the groomers to be packed down and off piste terrain to be limited.

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Morgan Community Association discusses park expansion and public safety at first 2026 quarterly meeting
$700,000 in funding announced for a Skate Dot at Morgan Junction Park

The Morgan Community Association (MoCA) kicked off its first quarterly meeting of 2026 on January 21 at the Alki Arts gallery, welcoming neighbors both in person and via Zoom to discuss vital community developments, including the Morgan Junction Park expansion and local crime statistics. Deb Barker, President of MoCA, opened the meeting by thanking gallery owner Diane Venti for the use of the space, noting the gallery's "strong tradition of giving back to the community".

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West Seattle residents invited to shape park upgrades; Survey reveals strong demand for climbing and teen spaces

Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) is moving forward with two major neighborhood improvement projects and is calling on the West Seattle community to help refine the designs. Residents are invited to attend a public meeting on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, from 6:30 to 7:45 p.m. at the Delridge Branch Library Meeting Room to provide feedback on the Westcrest Park South Restroom Renovation and the Southwest Teen Life Center (SWTLC) Play Area Renovation.

The meeting, held in conjunction with the Highland Park Action Coalition, offers a first look at early concept design options.

December 2024 Survey Results: A Vision for Play

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Mayor Katie Wilson unveils new leadership slate for Seattle city departments

Mayor Katie Wilson announced a series of pivotal leadership appointments today, signaling a new direction for several key city departments while retaining veteran expertise in others. Expressing high confidence in her newly assembled team, Mayor Wilson stated that the collective talent and expertise of these leaders will allow the city to accomplish "extraordinary things".

New Faces in Key Roles

The announcement introduces several new leaders to the city's executive cabinet:

• Quynh Pham has been named the Acting Director of the Department of Neighborhoods. Formerly the Executive Director of Friends of Little Saigon, Pham brings 14 years of nonprofit development experience focused on cultural preservation and equitable development. Pham noted that her work will sit at the "intersection of community and government".

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White Center celebrates opening of the HUB: A new era of Hope, Unity, and Belonging

White Center is preparing to mark a major community milestone with a two-day ribbon-cutting celebration for the new Hope, Unity, and Belonging (HUB) building. The festivities are scheduled to begin on Saturday, January 24, 2026, with a second day of events focused on community and families on Sunday, January 25. Both days of the celebration will commence at 11:30 am at the project site located at 10829 8th Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98146.

Grand Opening Festivities

The White Center Community Development Association (WCCDA) and the HUB Team invite the public to explore every corner of the new facility while enjoying delicious local food.

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Sports Watch 1-20-25
Sporting events worth keeping an eye on

By Tim Clinton

SPORTS EDITOR

 

High schools

Boys basketball

*Friday, Jan. 23

*Kennedy Catholic at Tahoma, 7 p.m.

*Mt. Rainier at Auburn-Riverside, 7 p.m.

*Highline at Newport, 7 p.m.

*Hazen at Foster, 8 p.m.

*Inglemoor at Tyee, 8 p.m.

*Evergreen at Sammish, 8 p.m.

*Ingraham at Ballard, 8:30 p.m.

*Chief Sealth at Franklin, 8:30 p.m.

*O'Dea at West Seattle, 8:30 p.m.

 

*Saturday, Jan. 24

*Lakeside at Foster, 5:30 p.m.

*West Seattle at Eastside Catholic, 6 p.m.

*Hazen at Tyee, 7:15 p.m.

*Highline at Interlake, 7:15 p.m.

*Evergreen at Inglemoor, 7:15 p.m.

 

*Monday, Jan. 26

*Auburn-Riverside at Kennedy Catholic, 7 p.m.

*Mt. Rainier at Kentwood, 7 p.m.

 

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Alki Community Council issues urgent "Accountability View" to city leaders

The Alki Community Council (ACC) has delivered a formal set of recommendations to the Seattle Mayor’s Office and Seattle City Council, backed by new survey data revealing deep local concerns regarding public safety, traffic violence, and the loss of community spaces.

The move comes after the council conducted the 2026 Alki Neighborhood Priorities Survey between January 12 and 17, 2026, which collected directional feedback from 173 respondents to inform City decision-making.

Survey Reveals Safety and Livability Crisis

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West Seattle Nursery customers help raise more than $13,000 for Solid Ground

A local community effort blossomed into a significant windfall for Seattle’s Solid Ground this holiday season, as the West Seattle Nursery and its generous customers turned a modest $3,000 goal into a total donation of $13,178.74.

The fundraiser began with the nursery suggesting a $5 donation from customers, with the business pledging to match up to $1,000. However, the response from the community far exceeded expectations.Customers donated a total of $5,589.37, leading the nursery to write a check for $6,589.37 after their match was included. Because the funds were delivered before a December 31st deadline, the amount was matched again, bringing the grand total to over $13,000.

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