White Center Now: The blog about White Center

This year’s White Center Block Party is only two and a half weeks away, and organizers have just sent this update of what’s planned:

Excitement is building as Seattle residents prepare for the upcoming White Center Block Party! Taking place on August 26th, 2023, from 11 am to 12 am. The first hour is a sensory hour for our friends and neighbors that may have sensory sensitivities. There will also be sensory bags available at Lariat Bar from Kulture City. We promise a day of fun, entertainment, and community spirit. This year’s block party will take place in White Center’s retail core on 16th Ave SW between Roxbury & SW 100th St.

The White Center Block Party provides an opportunity for attendees to experience and celebrate the community, while supporting local businesses and artisans. This event is Free to attend, Family-Friendly, and packed with activities and attractions for all ages. Blu Grouse will be offering fun family activities!!! It provides attendees with a vibrant showcase of the unique neighborhood of White Center.

One of the main attractions of this year’s block party is live music! Featuring a diverse mix of genres, including hip-hop, rock, and funk! There will be five Stages. The main Stage will feature local community acts highlighting the talent that White Center has to offer. The BoomYard Stage will feature a 2 vs 2 dance battle by Headpin, and will feature an after party with DJ Vincere, DJ Redline, and DJ Ish. Tim’s Stage will have live music by the Salmonberries, Sam Cobra, Medejin, and a special performance by Randy Weeks! The Que Chévere Stage will bring you the best in local Latin Music by such Rock en Español group Frecuencia Acústica and more! Plus a Southgate Roller Rink stage!!!

Back by popular demand! The block party will feature live professional wrestling outside of Lariat Bar promoted by DEFY wrestling. There will be an 8 person tournament to crown the first-ever Lariat Bar White Center Champion. The card will also feature TikTok sensations, the Voro Twins vs Midnight Heat! Also featuring Classic Cody Chhun, Guillermo Rosas, Miles DeVille, Evan Rivers and Amira!!!

Being a community-driven event, the White Center Block Party is all about promoting local businesses. Food, art, clothing, and more will be available from a range of vendors in the area, offering something for everyone! Sap Sap Lao Deli & Cafe “White Center’s newest restaurant serving Lao snacks : egg rolls, beef skewers, and mango sticky rice. A LIVING CANVAS FACE PAINT – face painting for all ages – will be there! Local residents The Barking Bottle will be selling Not-for-profit wine gift boxes benefiting shelter dogs. Do you like to SMASH STUFF!?! Smash(it) Seattle will be there to fill that need. It’s a mobile wrecking room to safely smash things… What more could you want?

Proceeds for the White Center Block Party go to benefit The YES Foundation and Stephanie’s Lifeline. Stephanie’s Lifeline is dedicated to serving less fortunate individuals and families in order to improve the quality of life of those most in need. The YES! Foundation of White Center serves children, youth and young adults through relationship based programs that foster self and social awareness, promote education and repurpose power in an under resourced community

The White Center Block Party is a perfect way to spend an afternoon with family and friends, surrounded by live music, tantalizing food, and an array of activities. It promises to be an unforgettable event for people of all ages.

For more information on the White Center Block Party, visit whitecenterblockparty.com

Two overnight incidents: Just after 1 am, a man was found at Steve Cox Memorial Park with a gunshot wound to the leg. He was taken to Harborview Medical Center. King County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Capt. Cory Stanton says the Major Crimes Unit is investigating. Meantime, we also asked about an incident on the North Highline Fire incident log suggesting a possible gunfire-related incident around 12:30 am near Roxbury Lanes. Capt. Stanton tells WCN, “Witnesses reported someone was seen shooting into the air. There are no reported injuries at this time. A suspect was located and booked into KCJ.”

Thanks to Gill for these photos from the Night Out party Tuesday in the 20th/104th area. Not only did neighbors gather for food and fun, but they had visitors from the King County Sheriff’s Office, too:

Gill says it was the KCSO entourage’s last stop of the night, so they were able to hang out for a while:

Along with food, the party included games:

Night Out celebrates its 40th anniversary next year as a coast-to-coast chance for people to gather with their neighbors and local public-safety personnel for a focus on safety and community-building.

In the race to succeed our area’s King County Councilmember Joe McDermott, here’s how the first round of vote-counting turned out:

Teresa Mosqueda 16,016 54.75 %
Sofia Aragon 11,636 39.77 %
GoodSpaceGuy 1,438 4.92 %

Second round of results is due out this afternoon, most likely between 3:30 and 4:30.

Haven’t voted yet? The optimal way to turn in your ballot is via a KC Elections dropbox, with three in West Seattle (plus one in White Center, one in South Park, and others around the county – here’s the list/map), which you can do up until 8 pm tonight; if you’re sending it via USPS mail, do it early enough to assure it’ll have an August 1st postmark. If you’ve just arrived, you can still register to vote – here’s how. The main race on your ballot is the King County Council District 8 position, which Councilmember Joe McDermott is leaving; candidates are Burien Mayor Sofia Aragon, Seattle City Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda, and GoodSpaceGuy. Top two move on to November. You’re also voting on the countywide Veterans, Seniors, and Human Services Levy. Tonight’s first and only results should be available by 8:15 pm.

Next Tuesday is the annual community-building, crime-fighting event known as Night Out – and you can spend it at Steve Cox Memorial Park! Here’s the announcement sent to us to share with you:

FAMILY NIGHT OUT at Steve Cox Memorial Park on Tuesday, August 1st from 5-7 pm.

The Annual King County Parks Night Out Against Crime Family event is back on Tuesday, August 1st!

King County Parks is thrilled to host families for a quest worthy Night Out at the Playground Picnic Shelter at Steve Cox Memorial Park (1321 SW 102nd St). This year’s activities will run between 5-7pm and feature Fairy Tale themed activities, crafts, piñatas and carnival games. Hot dogs and ice cream treats will be on hand (while supplies last.) Confirmed guests of honor include North Highline Fire Department, King County Parks Patrol, the WC KCSO Storefront, Librarian Destinee from the White Center Library, and a castle full of White Center Teen Program Recreation Aides. And yes, there will be dragons.

All quest challenges can be completed near the playground (no digging required.) Quests begin at 5pm on Tuesday, August 1st and run until all the treasure is found . (One quest per child please!)

Night Out at SCMP is once again sponsored by the teens and staff of the White Center Teen Program. The WCTP offers free recreational, educational, and social enrichment programming to youth ages 12-19 every Tuesday – Saturday from 3-8 pm.

A new street fair is taking over 16th between 98th and 100th this Saturday (July 22nd) – here’s the announcement we just received:

Lariat Bar and other local White Center Businesses have partnered for a street fair event this Saturday July 22nd from 11 am to 5 pm. The purpose of the event is to promote the White Center Neighborhood including local businesses, artists and community wellness.

This is a free, all-ages event being held on 16th Ave SW between SW 98th St and SW 100th St. The block will be closed to vehicle traffic during the event.

DEFY Wrestling returns to White Center for a wrestling showcase! A wrestling ring will be set up on the street and will feature live wrestling matches free to the public including the debut of the Lariat Bar White Center Championship. The main stage of the event will feature a performance from local Rock en Español group ‘Frequencia Acústica’ and live karaoke.

The event will feature an outdoor beer garden hosted by Lariat Bar and Que Chevere (21+ w/ ID) as well as neighborhood food vendors and local artists including local businesses like Puffy Pandy and Beer Star.

Here’s the schedule for Lariat:

11:00 AM Event Kickoff
12:00 PM DEFY Wrestling
1:00 PM Music and Games
2:00 PM DEFY Wrestling
3:00 PM Frecuencia Acústica
4:00 PM DEFY Wrestling
5:00 PM Rat City Rumble Karaoke

From a reader: “Darryl is lost in the White Center area, crossroads SW 100th st and 20th Ave SW. If you see him, please don’t chase or call him as he is very anxious. I can be texted at 206-600-2124. Thank you for your help!”

A White Center store was held up this afternoon and an intensive search ensued for the robbers. We’ve been covering all this in real time on partner site West Seattle Blog because it came to our attention with the search centered on the city side of the line, but we eventually learned it had started with a White Center robbery: The Top to Bottom clothing store, 9651 15th SW, was robbed around 1:30 pm. KCSO says four people with guns were involved and got away with about $500 in merchandise. No injuries. Some of the stolen clothing was recovered in the West Seattle neighborhood a few blocks north where officers, deputies, and the Guardian One helicopter were searching for a while. Two possible suspects were detained but released for lack of evidence; this past half-hour, at least one other person was detained for questioning in White Center, but we don’t know yet how that worked out.

9:58 AM: King County Sheriff’s Deputies are getting assistance from Seattle Police in what’s basically a parking lot standoff just south of (corrected) Bartell Drugs at 15th/Roxbury. They told us at the scene that a man who’s in a parked vehicle was making threats toward passers-by and may be armed, so they’ve closed off 15th south of Roxbury. No other info so far; avoid the area.

10:01 AM: They’re reopening 15th, but 14th will be blocked south of Roxbury.

10:15 AM: Via Twitter, KCSO describes the suspect as experiencing a “mental-health crisis.”

12:29 PM: We’re back in the area to check. The lot is still taped off, with many police vehicles. 14th SW has reopened, so this situation is now confined to the parking lot.

3:59 PM: The person has been taken into custody since our last check in the area.

Midway through the weekend, it’s not too soon to start planning your next one! Now that the White Center Library is open Saturdays, the Library Guild’s upcoming sale can happen on two consecutive days:

The library is at 1409 SW 107th. (The ballot dropbox will be open by next weekend too, so if you’re ready to vote, bring your ballot, which should arrive next Thursday or Friday!)

(Also published on partner site West Seattle Blog)

(WCN photo from April 2021 crash scene)

A South Delridge woman has pleaded guilty to two counts of vehicular homicide in the April 2021 crash (WCN coverage here) that killed an Arbor Heights couple in North Burien. Court documents say Irene Plancarte-Bustos, now 28, was driving drunk, going over 60 mph, with her 3-yeqr-old son in her car, when she slammed into the car carrying 35-year-old Lauren Dupuis-Perez and 38-year-old Kamel Dupuis-Perez. The impact pushed their car into the path of a pickup truck whose driver couldn’t stop before also hitting it, and orphaned the Dupuis-Perezes’ two children. After the crash on the Ambaum Boulevard “S” curve, Plancarte-Bustos drove north a short distance to the Rainbow Mini-Mart, where officers found her. She’s been in jail ever since. In the agreement, in addition to the vehicular-homicide pleas, she pleaded guilty to one gross-misdemeanor count of hit-and-run, while two felony hit-run counts were dropped. She has no record and as part of the plea bargain, prosecutors are recommending the low end of the standard sentencing range, 8 1/2 years plus an extra year for the “enhancement” of having a child in the car. The final sentencing decision will be up to King County Superior Court Judge Averil Rothrock on July 14th. Family and friends have created this website as a tribute to the victims, their work, and their legacy.

Family and friends want to remind all those who knew and loved Leticia Martinez that the community celebration of her life is tomorrow (Saturday, July 1st) in West Seattle. All are welcome at Alki Masonic Center (4736 40th SW) between 1 pm and 4 pm. Leticia, who was 58 years old, has been gone now for three months. The original announcement of her memorial was in her obituary, published here June 5th. As noted then, crowdfunding via the GoFundMe page “Justice for Leticia“ continues, to help support Leticia’s son, legal costs, and memorial expenses.

As noted here in our coverage of the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council‘s June meeting, this is the second year for the fireworks ban in unincorporated King County, first year for enforcement. That does NOT mean deputies will be driving around citing people, however. Here’s the announcement with all the info you need:

The use and sale of consumer fireworks are prohibited in the unincorporated areas of King County. The county will begin enforcement of the fireworks ban and could issue citations to violators. Education about the ban and the reasons for it will still be provided.

Last year, the use and sale of consumer fireworks were officially prohibited in the unincorporated areas of King County, including communities such as White Center, Skyway, East Federal Way, Fairwood and the East Renton area.

The ban marked a big change for some, so King County’s initial enforcement goal was to inform and educate violators about the new rules.

This year, the county will begin enforcement of the fireworks ban, which could include issuing citations to violators. Education about the fireworks ban and the reasons for it will still be provided.

Enforcement will be managed by the Code Enforcement team in the King County Permitting Division. It will investigate complaints it receives about illegal fireworks use/sale only in unincorporated King County. Much like reporting a building safety or nuisance issue, reporting fireworks violations will require giving a specific property address. The person reporting the violation must have evidence and be willing to testify in person or in writing at a hearing in order for the County to take enforcement action.

Below is a list of frequently asked questions to help residents determine whether/how they can report a fireworks violation during the upcoming season:

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Are fireworks allowed in unincorporated King County?

A. No, the sale and use of consumer fireworks in unincorporated King County are strictly prohibited. Note: commercial displays by licensed pyrotechnicians are still allowed with a permit.

Q. I heard the ban went into effect last year – why weren’t citations issued then?

A. King County’s goal during the ban’s first year was to educate fireworks users about the ban. In many cases, potential violators received letters informing them that continued violations could result in citations.

Q. I live in a city like Seattle or Renton. Can I still report violations to King County?

A. No. King County will investigate complaints only for properties located in unincorporated King County. “Unincorporated King County” means outside of city limits.

Q. I know people are lighting off fireworks, but I don’t have a specific address – will you still investigate?

A. No. Code Enforcement will not investigate any complaint it receives for fireworks incidents on private property that does not include a specific address located within unincorporated King County.

Q. I have an address, but do I have to give my name and contact information when reporting?

A. Ideally, yes. While the person reporting isn’t legally required to give their name and contact information, anonymous complaints about fireworks on private property will only result in an informational letter to the property owner.

Q. Will I have to testify about the complaint I made?

A. Much like providing your name and contact information, you are not legally required to testify in writing or in person before a hearing examiner about your complaint. However, a citation with a penalty will only be issued if the complainant is willing to testify. Otherwise, the alleged violator will only be issued an educational warning letter.

Q. What about people who are lighting off fireworks in the street, park, or other public property?

A. Code Enforcement does not investigate complaints about fireworks use on public right-of-way or other public property like schools or parks. In those instances, contact the King County Sheriff’s Office.

Q. Will King County actively patrol for fireworks violations?

A. No. Code Enforcement and the Sheriff’s Office do not actively patrol for fireworks violations. Complaints must be filed through the regular code enforcement channels (see “How to report fireworks violations” below).

Q. What if I see actual or potential danger to people or property from fireworks? Who do I report it to then?

A. In instances where a threat to life, physical injury, or property damage may occur, contact the King County Sheriff’s Office by calling 9-1-1.

Q. Where can I find more information?

A. Go to www.Kingcounty.gov/reportfireworks for more information. You can also direct general queries to our customer support email and phone number at asklocalservices@kingcounty.gov or 206-477-3800.

How to report fireworks violations

Please note: reports made by e-mail or by phone will be responded to the next business day.

Residents can report violators to Code Enforcement:

-Online by visiting www.kingcounty.gov/reportfireworks (Users will have to sign up for our system)

-Online via the King County Permits website (Permits – King County). Select “File a complaint” in the Code Enforcement section. On the new screen, scroll down to “Enforcement” and click on “File a Complaint.” No registration necessary.

-Online via the Accela permit and complaint portal: King County, Washington – Accela. Scroll down to “Enforcement” and click on “File a Complaint.” No registration necessary.

-E-mail: WebComplaints.CodeEnforcement@kingcounty.gov

-Phone: (206) 848-0800

Announced by the King County Council:

The King County Council on Tuesday voted 5-4 to approve legislation to require retail businesses in unincorporated King County to accept cash. The measure, brought by Councilmember Jeanne Kohl-Welles, is meant to ensure everyone has access to the economy, including people who cannot or choose not to access bank accounts, credit cards, and other financial tools.

“This legislation has been an important and sometimes challenging balancing act – trying to protect consumer access, support local businesses, and adapt to a changing world all at the same time,” Kohl-Welles said. “I am very pleased that the legislation as passed addresses this emerging equity issue in a way that is creative, proactive, and collaborative. Further, it signals that as technology continues to rapidly change as we appear to be moving to a cashless society, there is a place for everybody in our local economy.”

During and even before the COVID-19 pandemic, many businesses in the Seattle area and beyond began shifting to cashless operations, leaving people who rely on cash with fewer options to purchase food and other essential consumer goods. Research, however, shows that cashless businesses most impact communities of color, seniors, people with disabilities, immigrants, refugees, kids, the houseless, and low-income communities.

At least 2.1% of Washington residents are unbanked, meaning they don’t have bank accounts, credit cards or other typical financial services, according to the 2021 FDIC Household Survey. Five-year estimates put that number even higher – at 3.1%. More than 17% of residents are underbanked, meaning they might have a bank account but often rely on alternative financial services, such as money orders, check-cashing services, and payday loans.

If applied to unincorporated King County, these figures mean more than 7,000 people could be unbanked and more than 42,000 people could be underbanked.

The ordinance requires that retail businesses in unincorporated King County accept cash, unless exempted, for most in-person retail food and consumer goods transactions, and to not charge higher prices than for another form of payment. The requirement would not apply to a number of situations, such as transactions by mail, phone or over the internet; those when an employee is not present, such as at a kiosk; for transactions in which a deposit is required or for over $200 in a single transaction; or to businesses providing a device to convert cash to a prepaid card. The Executive branch will be required to analyze enforcement and implementation mechanisms and make a recommendation to the Council on an enforcement mechanism and any other implementation measures by December 1, 2024. The law will take effect on July 1, 2025.

To acknowledge safety concerns raised during the committee hearings, retailers will be able to apply to the Hearing Examiner for an exemption from the requirement to accept cash based on the unique hardships a retailer faces, including but not limited to history of theft, distance to a banking institution, home-based businesses, and businesses with only one employee on site at a time.

It’s unclear how many businesses in unincorporated King County have gone cashless, but Kohl-Welles intends the legislation to serve as a proactive tool to protect consumer access as this trend continues.

Of those who still use cash for most purchases, the largest shares are people of color and those with the lowest incomes, according to data from the Pew Research Center.

The legislation garnered a wide range of community support, including endorsements from the ACLU; ARC of King County; Asian Counseling and Referral Services; Banchero Disability Partners; Be: Seattle; CAIR-WA; Chief Seattle Club; El Centro de la Raza; Faith Action Network; Indian American Community Services; King County Sexual Assault Resource Center; League of Women Voters; Low Income Housing Institute; MAPS-AMEN (American Muslim Empowerment Network); Northwest Immigrant Rights Project; Puget Sound Advocates for Retirement Action; Purpose, Dignity, Action (Public Defenders Association); Rainier Beach Action Coalition; Real Change; Seattle/King County Coalition on Homelessness; Solid Ground; Transit Riders Union; UFCW 3000; and the White Center Community Development Association.

Legislation to address this issue has already been passed in New York City, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Washington D.C., and the states of Colorado, Massachusetts, and New Jersey. At the federal level, the bipartisan Payment Choice Act was passed out of the U.S. House of Representatives last year and has not yet been acted upon by the Senate. In addition to this Act, a similar Senate bill has also garnered bipartisan sponsorship.

“[Our vendors] ask you to allow [those] in unincorporated King County to buy a cup of coffee,” said Tiffani McCoy, Advocacy Director at Real Change. “To buy a bagel. To buy lunch. To buy diapers. To purchase whatever it is that they need.”

In response to the final action on the legislation, which included the addition of several amendments, Kohl-Welles said, “To produce meaningful change, compromise is often necessary, and contrary to the popular maxim, the perfect is not the enemy of the good. Even so, as amended, this legislation will promote the equity that our county holds to be its true north, helping real people, many of whom are too often overlooked, to live and engage in commerce in a way that works for them.”

Among those voting “no” was the Councilmember who represents this area, Joe McDermott.

11:05 AM: Big callout right now for King County Sheriff’s Deputies and medics for what’s reported as a stabbing at 15th and Roxbury. More details as we get them.

11:20 AM: Our crew at the scene reports this happened at the service station on the southwest corner of the intersection. The victim has been taken to Harborview Medical Center. A suspect is in custody (and currently on a stretcher).

(A version of this story was also published on partner site West Seattle Blog)

It’s a street party in downtown White Center today, with 16th SW closed to vehicles between Roxbury and SW 100th for the Taste of White Center, benefiting the White Center Food Bank. 32 restaurants and bars are offering $5 “tastes” – some savory, some sweet, like the three cream puffs from Puffy Pandy:

Here’s how it works – find one of the WCFB booths along 16th, and buy $5 tickets, redeemable at the participants of your choice.

You’ll get the map/list with the locations/names of the participating restaurants and bars and what they’re offering. Some non-downtown WC businesses have set up booths on 16th so they can be part of it too, like Dubsea Coffee (strawberry lemonade):

The food spans a variety of cuisines – Mexican, Vietnamese, Chinese, Laotian, Salvadorean, American, and vegetarian/vegan options – Lotus Vegetarian Restaurant‘s booth (fried rice, Singapore noodles, egg roll) among them:

Almost all the venues are offering their tastes until 4 pm. A few have later starts – Tomo, offering strawberry/basil kakigori for dessert, is listed as “1 pm until sold out.” Participating venues we haven’t already mentioned are: Taqueria la Fondita, Best Roasted Corn, Que Chévere, Salvadorean Bakery, Rosticeria el Paisaano, Los Potrillos 4, Taqueria la Quebrada, El Catrin, Li’l Woody’s, Proletariat Pizza, Zeeks Pizza, Pho Thu Thuy, Sap Sap Lao Café, Bok a Bok, The Roll Pod, Lumberyard, Lariat Bar, Tim’s Tavern, Moonshot Coffee, Future Primitive, Full Tilt, Patrick’s Café and Bakery, Nacho Mama, Young’s, Meat the Live Butcher, Can Bar, and Mac’s Triangle Pub. Wherever you get your food, tents are set up at multiple spots with tables and chairs. A DJ’s spinning, too.

(Photo from May visit to Highland Park Corner Store in West Seattle)

It just might be the most famous food truck in the region – and it’s coming to White Center this Saturday. Here’s the announcement from the DubSea Fish Sticks:

The Dick’s Drive In Food Truck will be at The DubSea Fish Sticks game on Saturday, June 24th as the Fish Sticks host the Gumberoos for a 6:05 pm game. Dick’s Drive In will also have a photo booth and merchandise table outside The Fryer (aka Mel Olson Stadium). The food truck will be open from 5 pm-8 pm or until they are sold out.

While outside food and drinks are not usually permitted inside the stadium, the Fish Sticks will be allowing all Dick’s Burgers and Milkshakes inside the ballpark as part of this partnership.

Parking is limited inside of Steve Cox Memorial Park but free street parking can be found on 102nd, 14th Ave SW, and 13th Ave SW. The Fish Sticks do ask that visitors be kind neighbors and do not block local businesses or private driveways. The Metro H line is also a great option that has a stop just outside of the Park.

Tickets to the Fish Sticks game can be purchased online at tickets.gofishsticks.com. Gates open at 5:05 pm.

Happening Thursday online:

The Coalition for Drug Free Youth White Center/North Highline invites the community to learn about preventing youth substance use at its annual Key Leader event Thursday, June 22nd at 5:30 pm-7:00 pm via Zoom.

This annual event brings together key leaders, including parents, community members, schools and more, to further the coalition’s mission to prevent substance use and keep our youth drug-free. The program will include remarks from the coalition and two highly respected keynote speakers, Brad Finegood and Lisa Davidson, who have prepared educational and engaging content on youth substance use, vaping, opioids/fentanyl and how to engage in honest conversations with our youth. While focused on the White Center/Burien communities that the coalition serves, the program is open to all.

This is a great opportunity to come together as a community and learn from one another so that we may continue our mission in preventing substance use and keeping our youth drug-free.

Thursday, June 22nd, 5:30 – 7 pm
Zoom Info: tinyurl.com/CDFY2023

(See a longer version of this story on our partner site West Seattle Blog)

(WCN photo)

Justin Cline, Ann Magyar, and kids Moss (12) and Ruby (6) have 15 reasons to celebrate today – that’s how many years since their family-owned Full Tilt Ice Cream opened its flagship shop at 9629 16th SW in White Center on June 20, 2008. To celebrate, they’re donating today’s profits to the White Center Food Bank. FT is open until 8 tonight.

P.S. Trivia point – Justin was a co-founder of this website, just a few months after launching the shop.