April 2026

Rat City Art Walk returns: A creative explosion in White Center

The vibrant spirit of White Center is set to take center stage this Thursday, April 16, as the Rat City Art Walk officially returns for its 2026 season. From 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM, the neighborhood business core will transform into a bustling hub of creativity, featuring more than 80 local artists across 27 different locations.

Held every third Thursday from April through September, this free, community-driven event invites residents and visitors alike to explore local businesses while enjoying a diverse mix of art, music, and food. Attendees can easily identify participating venues by looking for the signature inflatable rats displayed outside each location.

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UPDATE: Truck jacknifes on West Seattle Bridge at SR 99 on ramp; Now cleared

Update 2;25

The blockage has been cleared

Original Post 1:29pm

SDOT has advised through Alert Seattle of a major traffic disruption - Jackknifed semi on EB West Seattle Bridge before the 1st Ave S exit blocking the right bus lane and the access to NB SR 99 from SW Spokane St.

It was not clear how soon it would be cleared.

To monitor the situation and stay abreast of the traffic in West Seattle visit our West Seattle Traffic page.

https://www.westsideseattle.com/west-seattle-traffic-cameras-current-traffic-conditions

 

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City posts removal notice for Encampment Zone on 35th; Signaling another sweep amid ongoing park enforcement

The City of Seattle has posted a formal “Order to Remove All Personal Property” along the corridor from SW Avalon Way to SW Brandon Street and between 31st and 35th Avenue SW, including Rotary Viewpoint Park marking a scheduled cleanup for Wednesday, April 15 at 9 a.m. The notice, attached to fencing near the site, states that the area is not authorized for storage or shelter and that any remaining belongings will be removed and stored by the city.

The posting comes as the city continues a series of enforcement actions in public parks and rights‑of‑way, including recent operations at Golden Gardens and Magnuson Park. In both locations, city crews and outreach teams cleared long‑standing encampments following reports of fires, drug activity, and public‑safety hazards. Those actions were documented by local outlets and confirmed through city statements describing the sites as unsafe for both residents and park users.

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Armed burglar startled by residents, flees, drops gun and other items in getaway

Information from Seattle Police Blotter

#2026-98640/Southwest Precinct/Third Watch/F1:

At 10:06 pm on Friday April 10, a couple returned home to find a burglar armed with a handgun inside their house in the 6700 block of Delridge Wy SW.

Officers arrived and observed the suspect flee the house before containment could be established. The suspect hopped fences after discarding items at the scene.

The area was contained and two King County K-9’s assisted with the search, but to no avail. Numerous surveillance cameras captured images of the suspect.

The suspect discarded a jacket as he fled, and a loaded revolver was recovered from that jacket. The suspect was observed being barehanded, and recovered stolen items were entered into evidence to be processed for latent fingerprints.

Neighbors reported their houses had just been burgled as well, and items were recovered at the scene which belonged to them.

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Sports Roundup 4-12-26

By Tim Clinton

Sports Editor

The recent rounds of Westside high school sports saw several dominant performances on the diamond, particularly in baseball where West Seattle and Mercer Island secured massive victories. West Seattle overwhelmed Rainier Beach with an 18-1 win, while Mercer Island handed Highline two lopsided losses of 10-1 and 19-1.

Other standout baseball performances included Lindbergh’s 18-2 defeat of Foster and Renton’s 16-2 win over Evergreen. Shutouts were also a theme, with Kennedy Catholic blanking Kentridge 7-0 and Ballard shuting out Cleveland 6-0.

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"One Day is Now": West Seattle’s Avalon Glassworks seeks new owner as Felixes eye retirement

After more than two decades at the furnace, Shannon and Jon Felix, owners of the iconic West Seattle studio Avalon Glassworks, have decided to seek a buyer for their business. The couple, both 56, reached the decision after realizing that the "one day" they had been waiting for to pursue other interests had finally arrived.


Located on SW Avalon Way, the studio has become a cornerstone of the local arts scene, specializing in Northwest-inspired blown-glass art such as decorative vases, ornaments, and their signature glass floats. The business recently celebrated its 33rd anniversary, having been founded in 1993 before the Felixes took ownership in 2003.

Their partnership brought a unique blend of Shannon’s graphic design background and Jon’s scientific expertise in glass chemistry—a skill set honed during his time at Dale Chihuly’s Boathouse.

 

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Seattle’s Moto Pizza crowned world champion; Donates $5,000 prize to West Seattle Food Bank

Lee Kindell and Moto Pizza have secured a world championship title for Detroit-style pizza at the prestigious Las Vegas World Pizza Championship. Often described as the “Olympics of pizza making,” this event is held annually at the International Pizza Expo and is the largest industry event in North America. Kindell triumphed over a field of more than 780 competitors to take home the top honor in his division.

 

Award presentation
The award was presented to Moto founder Kee Kindell in Las Vegas.

 

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Mayor Wilson pushes for 1000 new housing units in Shelter Accelerator Update meeting

By Liz Steen

There were no next steps, website updates, or zoom link available for the city’s shelter briefing as of Wednesday night.

Residents packed the in-person-only briefing Wednesday night, April 8, at City Hall with Mayor Katie Wilson.

Attendees were given a link to comment, Seattle.gov/mayor, and encouraged to join future community meetings. Planners have high hopes for the coordinated effort, which includes a 72-space RV park scheduled to open June 1, 2026 at 7201 2nd Ave SW, near W Marginal Way SW in West Seattle.

This and other projects are part of the city’s push for 1000 new units to shelter unhoused residents.

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From the heights of West Seattle to the roof of the world: A tribute to Jim Whittaker 

Jim Whittaker, the pioneering mountaineer who became the first American to summit Mount Everest, passed away peacefully on April 7, 2026, at his home in Port Townsend, Washington. He was 97 years old and surrounded by his family at the time of his passing. While Whittaker gained global fame for his high-altitude exploits, he remained deeply rooted in the community where his journey began: West Seattle.

Roots in Arbor Heights

Born on February 10, 1929, Whittaker was raised in the Arbor Heights neighborhood of West Seattle alongside his twin brother, Lou. His passion for the outdoors was ignited during his teens in the 1940s while active in the Boy Scouts and Explorer Scouts. He was a proud member of the West Seattle High School Class of 1947, and his formative years in the Pacific Northwest—spent technical climbing with The Mountaineers—laid the groundwork for a life of unprecedented adventure.

 

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Councilmember Rob Saka Calls for urgent city intervention to address escalating violence at West Seattle’s Rotary Viewpoint Park

Councilmember Rob Saka has shared a letter to Mayor Wilson seeking immediate executive sponsorship to address a worsening public safety crisis at Rotary Viewpoint Park in the Triangle neighborhood.

Spurred by a recent "horrific" SWAT response following a triple attack and a pattern of escalating danger, including a separate random stabbing and a prior death in the park, Councilmember Saka formally requests an interdepartmental assessment and response plan. The purpose of the letter is to urge the city to move beyond previous localized efforts and implement a coordinated, sustained response to restore safety, order, and usability to the area while exploring long-term, stable shelter solutions for veterans.

The letter:

April 3rd, 2026

Dear Mayor Wilson,

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