November 2024

Delfino Lopez-Morales was sentenced to 136 months in prison on November 8th for the deaths of Riley Danard and Kahlea Theouk, who were killed in a wrong-way collision on the West Seattle Bridge on March 22, 2023. King County Superior Court Judge Angela Kaake presided over the sentencing hearing.

Lopez-Morales was charged with two counts of vehicular homicide and one count of reckless driving on June 5th. According to charging documents, Lopez-Morales was driving a white pickup truck eastbound in the westbound lanes of the West Seattle Bridge with no lights on at the time of the collision. Multiple witnesses called 911 to report his reckless driving, and some had to take evasive action to avoid being hit. Witnesses estimated Lopez-Morales was driving at speeds between 70 and 90 miles per hour.

By Tim Clinton

SPORTS EDITOR

Playoff time has arrived for the Kennedy Catholic, Chief Sealth and Foster football teams.

The Lancers of Kennedy enter the  multi-district playoffs as the North Puget Sound League Class 4A division champions for the sixth year in a row.

They posted a 7-0 record in division play and stand at 9-0 overall going into 7 p.m. Friday action against Mount Si at Highline Memorial.

The winner advances to state next week and the season is over for the loser.

Kennedy Catholic capped off its regular season with a 62-11 Friday win over Mount Rainier.

Chief Sealth's Seahawks and the Foster Bulldogs both go on the road for 2A multi-district action that also sends the winner to state and the loser home.

Chief Sealth won a 42-31 game at Renton last Friday to advance after going 6-1 as a 2A team in the mostly 3A Metro League's lower division.

Information from Seattle Parks and Recreation

For safety reasons, the contractor for the Don Armeni Boat Ramp Replacement project, Bellingham Marine Industries (BMI), will remove all the concrete floats except those connected to the abutment on both the north and south side at Don Armeni Boat Ramp on Thursday, November 7, 2024.  The boat ramp opened in March 2024 and over the past 8 months the hinges between the floats have been failing and the concrete on the floats is spalling and cracking.

The nightwalk, light and audio experience called Astra Lumina is back in West Seattle after it's local debut here last year. It's presented on the grounds of the Seattle Chinese Garden at South Seattle College. It officially opened Oct. 17 but now that daylight savings time is here, it's more fully experienced after dark. It does involve walking, up and down hills so dress warmly and wear the right shoes.

Here's our coverage from last year if you'd like a preview.

The official press release follows:

The holidays, specifically the West Seattle Junction Hometown Holidays have scheduled a series of events that should go on your own calendar.

Nov 30th – Shop Small Saturday: shop at West Seattle’s small businesses and show your support for the community

Dec 5th - Shop Late with Santa's Elves, Live Music with The Silver Belles and Better Than Brass playing holiday favorites plus it's the first Thursday of the month so you can join one of the participating merchants for West Seattle Book Club

Dec 7th – Holiday Festival including a Night Market, Tree Lighting, Pet Costume Contest, Entertainers, Live Music, Santa, Metropolitan Singers, Beer Garden and more on SW Alaska St between 42nd and California Ave SW, including Junction Plaza Park

Dec 10th-14th - Selfies in Santa Land at Curious Kids Stuff noon - 5pm

Seattle City Councilmember Rob Saka has announced his priorities for the 2025-26 biennial budget, focusing on public safety improvements, community investments, and support for working families in District 1 and across the city.

Among the most significant public safety investments is $1.8 million for non-school zone speed cameras, including installations planned for Alki and Harbor Avenue, areas known for excessive noise and safety disturbances. While the funding has been secured, Saka noted that additional steps, including data collection and new implementing legislation, will be required before deployment can begin.