February 2026

By Ken Robinson

Managing Editor

Over time, friends come and go. But some people stay with us, no matter how long it’s been since we last met. Once we were friends, it was forever.

Jack Jones was one of those people.

Jack died last week. He was 82.

We met in 1972, when we were both 28, through his wife, Darla, who worked with me at the town’s weekly newspaper.

We both had two sons, close in age. I took some photos of the Jones family—young, energetic, and full of life. Those photos are treasures, and I’ve shared them with the family.

A few images rekindle the friendship:

 Dear editor 

As a proud union member, I believe everyone in our community deserves the opportunity to pursue their dreams, no matter what they look like or where they come from. But our upside-down tax code means that working families like the ones my union represents are paying more than what they owe in state and local taxes while the ultra-wealthy aren't paying enough. Our elected legislators have the opportunity to pass a Millionaire's Tax in 2026 to fund the core programs that union members and our neighbors rely on for work, to access healthcare, and to send our kids to school, while making our tax code more equitable and sustainable. 

Sincerely,
Corina Yballa

Information from King County Metro

Planning on joining up to a million of your closest friends in downtown Seattle on Wednesday, Feb. 11?

Get ready to celebrate with the Super Bowl winning Seattle Seahawks by taking transit to be part of the festivities!

Sound Transit is asking state lawmakers for permission to issue bonds with maturities of up to 75 years, a major shift in how the agency finances its projects and one that could directly affect the timeline for bringing light rail to West Seattle.

The proposal, introduced by Senate Transportation Chair Marko Liias (D‑Edmonds), (Senate Bill 6148) would change state law to allow Sound Transit to take on ultra‑long‑term debt. The agency currently operates under a 30‑year limit. Sound Transit officials have been in Olympia in recent weeks urging lawmakers to approve the expanded authority.

For West Seattle residents watching the long‑promised ST3 extension inch forward, the request signals the financial pressure the agency is under. Construction cost estimates for the West Seattle–Ballard Link Extension have climbed sharply over the past several years, and Sound Transit faces a long‑term funding gap that could force delays without new financing tools.

By Tim Clinton

SPORTS EDITOR

Boys basketball

Chief Sealth 56, Nathan Hale 52

The Seahawks scored a home victory Friday.

Roosevelt 55, West Seattle 52

The Roughriders trampled the Wildcats this past Friday.

Kennedy Catholic 67, Mt. Rainier 59

Kennedy Catholic rallied by the Rams on Tuesday.

Granite Falls 74, Tyee 57

Granite Falls swept Tyee aside last Tuesday.

Franklin 59, Ballard 54

Ballard fell to Franklin on Tuesday.

Rainier Beach 107, West Seattle 39

Rainier Beach blasted the Wildcats in a Tuesday clash.

Lincoln 75, Chief Sealth 61

The Lynx pounced on Chief Sealth last Monday.

The West Seattle Food Bank has announced a special clothing drive to stock the shelves of its new West Seattle Clothesline location at 5444 Delridge Way SW, Suite 100.

The community is invited to donate new or gently used, season-appropriate clothing for both adults and children. While all clean items are welcome, organizers noted that menswear is especially needed at this time. The donation events are scheduled for Saturday, February 7; Tuesday, February 10; and Thursday, February 12, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m..

The West Seattle Clothesline is a program dedicated to providing free clothing to neighbors experiencing hardship. By offering essential items for daily life, the program aims to provide local residents with dignity, choice, and access to necessary resources. These upcoming donation days are critical to ensuring the facility is prepared for its official reopening to clients on Tuesday, February 17.