White Center Now: The blog about White Center

Just in from the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council:

North Highline Unincorporated Area Council will not be holding a March meeting.

We hope to see everyone for the next scheduled meeting on April 2nd.

In the meantime enjoy this beautiful late winter weather.

See you all on April 2nd.

Short on money, long on needs. How should county leaders move forward? You have a chance to speak out tomorrow (Wednesday, February 25):

King County Councilmember Claudia Balducci, as Chair of the King County Transportation District (KCTD) Board of Supervisors, is convening a special meeting of that body to look for options to address major underfunding of the county Roads Division and future needs of Metro transit.

“Given the dire state of our roads fund and the future needs of our transit system to make the most of connections to expanding regional light rail, now is the time to move forward with the most-needed funding and to make a plan for the future of the KC Transportation District,” Balducci said. “It is important to surface these issues and to hear from the public now before we vote whether to activate KC Transportation District funding for the first time.”

King County’s Roads Services Division manages roughly 1,500 miles of roads and 188 bridges in unincorporated King County, connecting cities and communities and providing access to trails and natural areas. The Roads Division reports that the system needs about $200 million in maintenance and safety investments each year, while its capital budget is only $6 million for the 2026-2027 biennium. Even with reserves, transfers, and grant opportunities, the Roads fund is woefully short of meeting even basic roadway needs. To make matters worse, December’s flooding caused at least $10 million in damage to county infrastructure.

King County Metro is the largest public transit system in the region, operating about 11,500 bus trips each weekday for a total of about 89 million boardings every year. Metro Connects, the long-range plan to increase transit service to meet the region’s needs, is not fully funded, and Metro is facing funding challenges to continue its current level of operations. Metro now estimates it will face a $1 million reserve shortfall by 2030-2031 and a $755 million reserve shortfall by 2032-2033. In addition, Metro and local communities have expressed the need for more resources for transit safety and security.

Wednesday’s meeting will hear about the extent of the problem, possible options to fill the gaps, and hear public input. A vote on possible funding is expected in March or April. Any proposals would need action at a future Transportation District Board meeting.

This will be a hybrid meeting, hosted at the Issaquah City Council Chambers but livestreaming via KCTV and interested citizens can access it via Webex at https://issaquah.webex.com/issaquah/j.php?MTID=ma3fa3afa78dfd9b768ed1d048f01752e (meeting password 98027) or by calling 1‑206‑207‑1700, enter meeting number (access code) 2493 720 1628#.

WHEN: 5:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 25

WHERE: Issaquah City Hall Council Chambers, 130 E Sunset Way, Issaquah, WA 98027, or livestreaming on KCTV

By Tracy Record
White Center Now editor

As always, plenty of new community information emerged when the North Highline Unincorporated Area Councill hosted its first meeting of 2026 last Thursday at the North Highline Fire Station.

ROAD SERVICES: A trio of King County Road Services reps came to talk about the 16th SW project and what else their department is doing in the area in the months ahead. Here’s their full slide deck – key points below:

Amy Breslear said the 16th SW work from 100th to 107th has been planned in three phases – the 16th/104th pipe replacement, the rechannelization, and now the pedestrian improvements, with final striping expected in spring.

What’s left? Bulbs are going in now, then pedestrian pushbuttons will be added, as will the bike lanes.

Other upcoming WC projects: 26th SW sidewalk repairs to fix tree damage and give trees room to grow; plus projects in spots near Steve Cox Memorial Park (pushbuttons) and near Evergreen High School and Cascade Middle School (raised sidewalks).

Lilli DeLeon from customer service said you can send requests through the 24/7 helpline – someone answering at all times at 206-477-8100, optimally used for urgent issues like a leaning tree or sinkhole. For non-urgent problems, maint.roads@kingcounty.gov It’s checked M-F, 7 am-3:30 pm.

Illegal dumping is an issue too – submit a complaint via kingcounty.gov/illegaldumping.

Best practices for complaint info: Be sure you’re ready to provide contact info, which side of the road, photo or video, exact address – all that will help accelerate the processing. Once you make a request or report, a “service request” is created, a work unit is assigned to investigate.

DeLeon also had a pie chart showing that 480 service requests had been made and closed in this area last year. Illegal dumping was the most common complaint. Do you install “no dumping” signs? someone asked. Breslear wasn’t so sure that would be a deterrent, but suggested requesting it anyway.

Another attendee mentioned a roadside ditch – no curb – that she’s reported repeatedly, along with a fire hydrant that’ in dangerous enough to be in danger of getting hit. Breslear suggested the attendee send in the address for investigating, because it might be on private property, but they’d have to check. Someone else noted that Seattle has a lot more signage, more structures like traffic circles, etc., just over the line north of White Center. “Why don’t we get the same urban treatment that Seattle gets? I feel like White Center shouldn’t be treated differently.” Amy said that new leadership in the county and Local Services might be an opportunity for things to be reconsidered. But it was noted that structures like the stop sign at Delridge/Cambridge (in the city) don’t always improve everything. The flashing-light stop sign by McLendon and Steve Cox seemed to, though, said the attendee. Concern for pedestrian safety was voiced too, as were some other problems – a pothole on 106th, for example. What about areas where asphalt repaving is needed? Amy said those too should be repaired “so we’re happy to come out and look at it,” though funding is tight. Another attendee said the 112th crosswalk is much appreciated.

On a semi-amusing closing note, the Road Services team brought some swag including a brochure about their snow/ice response. “But that’s not happening this year, I’ve decided,” Breslear joked.

KING COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE: Major Coby Hamill, Southwest Precinct commander, was a surprise but welcome guest. He said he had “good news” – in recent months he’d heard a lot of concern about an increase in White Center crime, so they took extra action. For background, the Sheriff’s Office is still short 112 deputies out of 800, “a pretty good chunk of vacancies we have” – the retirement wave is hitting too – “as fast as we’re hiring, folks are retiring” – his staffing is still at 70 percent and they still don’t have the staffing to bring back the White Center storefront deputy. He did bring on a traffic deputy, who is a winner of KCSO Deputy of the Year, Deputy Manjot Singh, whose twin brother works in Burien. He’s been on since April and has made 700+ traffic stops, close to 100 DUI arrests, written about 700 traffic tickets, 100 criminal citations, 50 or so criminal arrests including “some with guns,” and handles abandoned vehicles so that doesn’t take a patrol deputy away … even vehicle-collision investigations. “He’s doing amazing work,” Maj. Hamill enthused.

Now the announcement – he said that after meeting with community members and others who were worried they don’t often see deputies – there are still two covering this area – Maj. Hamill asked the detective sergeant for support, so they brought out an emphasis patrol earlier that day (Thursday, February 5) close to 12 deputies, undercover detectives too. They took 12 people into custody, had “4 more charged via investigation, 45 total contacts in 4-hour period, cited somebody riding a 4=wheeler iproperly” … Maj. Hamill said 60 percent of the day’s arrests were for warrants, 40 percent for on-view including Metro bus stops – participating officers included Metro Transit Resource Officers as well as Bike Squad deputies. He said they’ll do this again on occasion throughout the year, “most of these people were on duty anyway.”

Here’s a doc with the latest crime stats – throughout all three areas, is crime down 24 percent, though some categories like shoplifting have gone up a bit, the emphasis patrol arrested somebody who’d been stealing at Dollar Tree. But the traffic deputy is the big win, he said, for violations including abandoned cars, “they’re taking those outo daily.”

(Side note – reporttosheriff.org is a way to report crime online, provided it’s not urgent/happening now, in which case definitely call 911.)

What about law-enforcement involvement with schools? Resource officers were eliminated so aside from responses to crime reports, not a lot. Maj. Hamill expressed distress about the deadly shootings in Seattle recently, noting that KCSO “got the call initially” because it happened at a bus stop. Why were the resource officers eliminated? He said people were “mad” at law enforcement back around the 2020 George Floyd murder, “sometimes that happens,” though he wished they still were part of the force so kids could have positive exposure to police early.

Does the KCSO have a gang unit? No, they haven’t had money for most specialty units for a while. Also, he said in response to questions, gang activity is dramatically less than it once was. “It’s still out there” but “it’s nowhere near as frequent as it used to be.”

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: Phillip Le chatted informally with the board. He said there’s a new ice-cream shop set for the renovated storefronts on the fire-damaged side of 16th SW south of Roxbury. He said the former Chase Bank building is a target for efforts to activate empty spaces – artist showcase, music – County Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda is pushing for activation of empty spaces. Le said he spends most of his time supporting businesses “so they can stay in White Center” and also via beautification that helps them keep customers coming back.

LIQUOR AND CANNABIS BOARD: Eric Thomas was there for the first time in a few meetings, saying there had been some reorganization a few months back. Now they cover King County with four officers; used to be six; Skyway and Tukwila are now in his portfolio as well as White Center, Burien, and Normandy Park. “Any business that sells liquor directly to the public is my responsibility,” he explained – public safety being the priority – when someone asked exactly what he does. He just offered some general discussion such as that he stresses education rather than punishment. And if you think you know of an establishment committing violations, let the LCB know!

FUTURE TOPICS: What would you like to see NHUAC meetings cover? Board members can schedule topics and invite guests – just let them know what interests you! You can contact the board here.

12:07 PM: Thanks for the tip (text us at 206-293-6302 any time). King County Sheriff’s Deputies converged on the Safeway gas station at 28th/Roxbury after a burglary was reported at 1:30 am. They searched for an hour with a K-9 team on both sides of the city/county line but did not find the burglar, who was described as an “unknown-race male wearing all black, hood up over a red baseball cap, red backpack.” He might have gotten away in a black GMC Yukon with a red stripe on the hood, plate beginning with CP. We’re following up with KCSO on any other details.

3 PM: KCSO tells us there’s no word on what, if anything, was taken, but they suspect the burglar got in by breaking glass.

From information broadcast on Seattle Police radio as an FYI: King County Sheriff’s Deputies have been using a K-9 team to search for a suspect in an order-violation case. The search has been centered in the 10000 block of 19th SW, starting after 10:30 pm Tuesday night.

Our area’s largest political organization, the 34th District Democrats, meet in person this month, and the meeting Wednesday (February 11) begins with a Black History Month presentation. Here’s the announcement:

Please join us for a very special, in-person Pre-Meeting Program on February 11 at 6:00PM, at The Hall at Fauntleroy (9131 California Ave SW, West Seattle. All are welcome! This program will be immediately followed by the 34th District Democrats’ General Membership Meeting.

This Program will align with the commemoration of Black History Month, which is honored in the month of February.

The goal of the program is to uplift, highlight, celebrate, and expand our understanding of a more comprehensive American History (past and present), as shared through the contributions, points of view, perspectives, and lived experiences of a diverse and distinguished group of Black voices from the 34th District and from Seattle.

The format of this program was inspired by a storytelling style called Pecha Kucha (which coincidentally is also celebrated, like Black History Month, in February: February 20 is known as International Pecha Kucha Day), which involves a specific storytelling format and includes slides and accompanying stories. This program brings together storytelling and history in an engaging and informative combination!

Our honored speakers come from diverse backgrounds and bring with them a plethora of subjects and stories, ranging from science, engineering, and the arts, to sports, government, and social justice! Please consider adding this to your Black History Month celebration events and we look forward to seeing you on February 11th at 6:00 pm at The Hall at Fauntleroy!

While continuing to raise money for the work needed to ensure their venue’s survival, the proprietors of TIM’s Tavern in White Center have announced they’re taking on the operation of Slim’s Last Chance in SODO. Here’s what they posted on social media:

Together In Music, the team behind TIM’s Tavern in White Center, is pleased to announce that it will be assuming day-to-day operations of Slim’s Last Chance, a cornerstone of the Seattle music community for more than 20 years.

“We’re honored to carry the torch of a venue that has meant so much to so many,” said Mason Reed, owner/operator of TIM’s Tavern and Together In Music. “As a final gift to the Seattle music scene, Celeste and Michael have made it possible for us to steward Slim’s into its next chapter. We’re deeply grateful for their trust and for the legacy they’ve built.”

Tim’s Tavern in White Center is not closing and not relocating. …

You can read the rest of the announcement here.
Slim’s announcement, also via social media, begins:

We would like to announce that we were able to work out a deal with Tim’s Tavern owner Mason. It is not a typical deal but something completely out of the box that keeps Slim’s in Seattle and also gives him a backup if he is unable to save Tim’s. You all know the fight he has been facing.

We poured our heart and soul into Slim’s and it is really hard to let go of our brand, but the outcry from Seattle has been heard. We needed to find someone we trusted enough to carry it forward with the support and preservation of our amazing long time employees. I believe we have a solid plan for the future. It is risky as he is already juggling so much to save another venue. It will take the support of the community to achieve his goal of preserving live music and Seattle history. It’s rare to have someone who cares about community and history over profit. So the goodbye shows we have planned are now send offs for myself and Michael. …

Read the rest of it here. Slim’s is at 5606 1st Avenue S.

Just in, this announcement of the year’s first North Highline Unincorporated Area Council meeting:

North Highline Unincorporated Area Council Meeting

The Opportunity to Be Informed, Be Involved and Be Heard

When: Thursday, February 5th at 7 pm

Where: North Highline Fire Station Meeting Room, (Parking and Entrance Are Behind the Station)

Greetings and hope everyone is having a good start to 2026.

NHUAC is happy to be back with our first meeting of the new year.

If you have been wondering about all the road work taking place on 16th Ave, now is your chance to find out. We are pleased to be hosting Amy Bresslour, from King County Road Services Division. She will provide updates not only on the 16th Ave project, but also on other planned projects in North Highline. Come prepared because there will be plenty of time for questions.

At the October 2025 meeting we heard from Sheriff Patti Cole-Tindall, who noted that KCSO staffing is still “challenged – 100 vacancies out of 805.” With that said, the White Center Storefront Deputy position remains vacant, but has been promised to be filled when staffing improves. Of course, there are always deputies covering North Highline, and we were reminded to call 911 to report emergencies. Nate Hammock, White Center CSO, provided NHUAC with the most recent crime stats that we will share at the meeting.

Thanks to everyone for showing up and supporting our community.

See you Thursday, Feb 5th at 7 pm.

Questions: Contact bmdobkin@gmail.com

The NHFD station is at 1243 SW 112th in White Center.