April 2026

Sound Transit Executive briefs West Seattle Chamber on streamlined link extension plans

Brad Owen, Sound Transit’s Executive Director for Capital Delivery, addressed the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce on April 8 to outline significant design refinements intended to close a massive funding gap and move the West Seattle Link Extension (WSLE) toward construction. Owen described the agency's recent efforts as a "cost work plan" exercise to "build a better mousetrap," successfully bringing the project’s estimated cost down from over $7 billion to a range of $4.9 to $5.3 billion. (See WestsideSeattle's previous coverage here)

Significant Design Refinements

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From White Center to Burien: Salvadorean Bakery sisters set to open highly anticipated Tías Café

The sisters behind White Center’s legendary Salvadorean Bakery & Restaurant are preparing to launch a new chapter in their culinary legacy. Ana Castro and Aminta Elgin, who have operated their landmark bakery since 1996, have announced the upcoming opening of Tías Café in Burien.

Located at 13409 Ambaum Blvd SW, Tías Café is described as a "next-generation" project for the sisters. While their original White Center location is a neighborhood institution known for Central and South American pastries, the new Burien concept will offer a broader experience, focusing on a community-centered atmosphere with expanded coffee and brunch programs.

A Modern Twist on a Classic Tradition

Fans of the sisters' original work can expect a menu that blends familiar favorites with new offerings. The café is slated to serve:

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Sports Watch 4-7-26
Sporting events worth keeping an eye on

By Tim Clinton

Sports Editor

The mid-April high school sports calendar is packed with action across several disciplines, including baseball, fastpitch softball, and boys soccer. Fans can look forward to a busy week starting Thursday, April 9, with games running through Wednesday, April 15.

Baseball fans have several marquee matchups to watch, including evening games under the lights for schools like West Seattle and Mt. Rainier. Meanwhile, the fastpitch softball and boys soccer schedules offer a mix of afternoon and evening contests that promise competitive play across the region.

The following is a detailed schedule of upcoming games, including times and host locations (indicated by the "at" team):

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White Center Food Bank Benefit Concert at Tim’s Tavern, May 8

information from White Center Food Bank

Join us for a White Center Food Bank Benefit Concert at Tim’s Tavern on May 8th. We’ll start off the night with the rock and soul of Roxbury Saints, then we’ll move to the high energy ska of The Kings of Seattle and finish the night with the latin soul and warm-weather music of The Pazific.

Come dance with us and keep the community fed.

Doors open at 6pm, show at 7pm, $25 (+fees). Tickets available here

Bring shelf stable food to donate and all proceeds benefit White Center Food Bank.

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Seattle’s $77M transportation investment delivers key safety and mobility wins for Ballard and West Seattle

The City of Seattle has released its 2025 Transportation Levy Annual Progress Report, detailing a $77 million investment that has moved the city closer to its safety and mobility goals. According to the report, most levy programs met or exceeded their planned milestones for the year, with significant infrastructure activity taking place in the Ballard, West Seattle, and White Center corridors.

Ballard: Bridge Upgrades and New Connections

The Ballard neighborhood saw substantial progress on both major infrastructure and local safety enhancements:

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South Seattle College earns national recognition for expanding TRIO-Informed student success across Seattle

information from South Seattle College

South Seattle College (SSC) has been selected as a recipient of the inaugural Council for Opportunity in Education (COE) Award for Institutional Effectiveness, recognizing its leadership in scaling TRIO Student Support Services (SSS) practices to serve students across the institution and community.

Supported by ECMC Foundation, the award includes a $10,000 grant and recognizes institutions that have transformed proven TRIO strategies into institution-wide systems that drive measurable student success: mentoring, academic coaching and holistic advising.

The national award honors colleges that have successfully institutionalized TRIO strategies, such as holistic advising, early intervention systems and student-centered support, to improve persistence and completion outcomes.

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Shattered window and neighborhood unrest: Resident recounts chaotic night at Don Armeni Boat Launch

Sunday evening at the Don Armeni Boat Launch was marked by a familiar pattern of chaos that turned frightening for nearby residents.

Around 8:15 PM, Tom, a 14-year resident of Harbor Avenue, called 911 to report a gathering of cars spinning tires and creating excessive noise. Just ten minutes later, at 8:25 PM, an unidentified object struck and shattered his living room window while multiple mortars and fireworks were being fired in the vicinity.

 

broken window
The break in the picture window came from an impact from outside.

 

The impact broke the outer pane of his 3.5-by-4.5-foot double-pane window, causing Tom and his family to hit the floor in fear that they were being shot at. 

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Jerry's View: April 6, 1930: A great day

By Jerry Robinson

Publisher Emeritius 1920-2014

Excerpted from Listen to your Father, the life story of Jerry Robinson

On my 10th birthday Russell, my big brother, bought me my first bike. April 6th, 1930. What a day. "C'mon, Gerald," he said. "Let's go up to Killingsworth Street."

"Okay," I answered, and we took off. "Where're we going?"

"You'll see." The most exciting place on Killingsworth Street was Darling's Bike Shop. Many times we had feasted our eyes on the row of shiny bikes in the window.

When we turned in there I nearly died. It smelled so good. Rubber-tired heaven.

Russell had already made the choice: a powder blue, 26 inch, balloon-tired baby with steerhorn handlebars. Absolutely the most gorgeous creation from the hand of man. The frame had been broken and brazed down by the sprocket, but I didn't mind.

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Construction underway for SW Barton Street Repaving: What commuters need to know

Construction has officially begun on the SW Barton St Layover Repaving project, with work expected to continue through Fall 2026. This initiative, funded by the Move Seattle Levy and King County Metro, aims to resolve persistent road damage near the Westwood Village shopping center.

 

C Line Route 21

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