White Center Now: The blog about White Center

(Also published on partner site West Seattle Blog)

(WCN/WSB photo by Torin Record-Sand)

As we first reported in June, the ex-KFC/A&W at 10050 16th SW is becoming a Wendy’s. A spokesperson for the franchisee just sent us the announcement of the opening date:

The new Wendy’s location, situated on the corner of 16th Avenue and SW 102nd Street, is scheduled to open on Friday, August 29, bringing Wendy’s signature “Fresh, Famous Food” to even more guests in the community.

The new restaurant is designed with the modern customer in mind, featuring:
-Digital ordering kiosks
-Dedicated mobile and delivery pick-up points
=An enhanced pick-up window experience …

In addition to serving great food, Wendy’s proudly supports the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption®, which works to dramatically increase the number of adoptions of children waiting in North America’s foster -care system.

Dave Thomas was the founder of Wendy’s, which started in 1969. The franchisee that will operate the White Center restaurant, WTC Ventures, has more than 90 other Wendy’s, including the one in Burien.

King County Road Services says it’s postponing tonight’s planned restriping-related road closures, with wet weather expected to move in.

Future Primitive‘s original White Center location (9832 14th SW) is the starting point this Saturday for Tour de Pints!

Join the Cycling Cicerone for a new Tour De Pints: West Seattle edition on Saturday, August 16th.
We’ll start at Future Primitive Brewing in White Center, then ride about 18 miles, stopping at Ounces, Beveridge Place Pub, Good Society Brewing, and finally ending at The Beer Junction!

Free registration and route are live now at linktr.ee/tourdepints

21+ Only

Another road-work alert from King County Roads, this time for next week:

Intermittent Overnight Closures: 16th Ave SW between SW 100th St and SW 107th St

Crews will begin overnight intermittent closures for lane striping on 16th Ave SW between SW 100th St & SW 107th St on Thurs. Aug. 14 and Fri. Aug. 15, from 6 p.m. to 4 a.m. Businesses will be open.

Expect delays for northbound and southbound traffic delays between 10-20 mins. There will be shorter delays for eastbound and westbound traffic.

All traffic is encouraged to use alternate routes, including 15th Ave SW. This work is weather dependent and may be rescheduled due to crew or equipment availability.

Once the crew completes the striping work, the paving portion of the project will be complete. We anticipate the final phase of the project will begin this fall when the remaining safety improvements are installed.

Just before the first shower arrived on Tuesday night, hundreds of people were enjoying Night Out parties, meant to strengthen neighborhoods. We have photos from two – first, WCN/WSB contributor Jason Grotelueschen visited the King County extravaganza at Steve Cox Memorial Park:

The “superhero” theme was evident here and there:

The real-life heroes of the King Couty Sheriff’s Office were there for a while:

Kids got to enjoy a “foam party”:

Photo booth too!

Meantime, Gill Loring sent photos from his neighborhood party:

They had quite the potluck:

The deputies stopped there too:

Night Out is always the first Tuesday in August, so you can set your calendar right now for next year – August 4, 2026.

Two results of local interest in the first vote count released from the August 5 election:

KING COUNTY EXECUTIVE: No incumbent in this race.

full results

Girmay Zahilay 103,471 40.39%
Claudia Balducci 77,590 30.28%
Derek Chartrand 32,085 12.52%
(John Wilson 23,897 9.33% – “suspended” campaign too late to be removed from ballot)
Rebecca Williamson 6,072 2.37%
Amiya Ingram 4,707 1.84%
Bill Hirt 4,701 1.83%
Don L Rivers 2,674 1.04%

And a county ballot measures being decided in this election:

KING COUNTY PARKS LEVY RENEWAL: Passing with 70% approval

These represent just under 19 percent of county voters’ ballots; so far the county has received 24 percent of voters’ ballots. Next round of results, Wednesday afternoon.

Not having your own block/building party for Night Out tonight? You’re welcome at this one:

Annual Family Night Out Against Crime
Tuesday, August 5, 5-7 p.m.
Steve Cox Memorial Park

King County Parks is thrilled to host families for an epic Superheroes vs Villains showdown at the Playground Picnic Shelter at Steve Cox Memorial Park (1321 SW 102nd).

This year’s activities will run between 5-7pm and feature action packed carnival games, crafts, pinatas, an infinity stone hunt, and a RAINBOW foam party courtesy of the King County Library System. Hotdogs 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, White Center Librarians, and a super league full of White Center Teen Program Recreation Aides. And yes, there will be super suits.

It’s primary-election day and you’re running out of time to vote, which more than 80 percent of King County voters haven’t done yet. King County Elections dropboxes close at exactly 8 pm tonight. (It’s pretty late to guarantee that postal mail ballots will get postmarked with today’s date, which is mandatory for ballots returned that way.) The big races on your ballot:

nCANDIDATES (listed/infolinked here)
King County Executive (7 candidates, no incumbent)

Top two candidates will face off in the November general election. Meantime, the one below, as is always the case with ballot measures, will be a final decision:

BALLOT MEASURE
King County Proposition 1 (6-year County Parks Levy renewal)

Tonight’s first and only round of results should be out around 8:15 pm.

Found an intact black & white male around 1 year old that followed me home from North Shorewood Park. No collar, tags or chip.

My name is Anthony – you can contact me at (206)666-9986

Three months away, but that time will fly, so if you’re interested, here’s an announcement we were asked to share:

Vendor Applications Now Open – 2025 Shorewood Craft Bazaar

The Shorewood PTA is thrilled to invite vendors to participate in our upcoming Craft Bazaar on November 8th. This event is such a fun, longstanding community event! Interested, please fill out the form here: forms.gle/T22ckFjmWy8ZgjJR9

This is a Seattle city project, but it’s in a spot where drivers/riders coming from White Center and vicinity might be affected too:

See the notice in PDF by going here.

It was announced as a sidewalk sale, but the White Center Library Guild decided to move indoors because of the morning drizzle and uncertainty about what was ahead. Wise move, considering they have many books to sell:

And who would want soggy quilting supplies?

Good idea not to have flags out in the rain, too:

There’s an amazing array of stuff – including these fun felted bags:

Sequined jewelry caught our eye as well. Get over to the library (1409 SW 107th) before 4 pm today, 11 am-4 pm Saturday, and help the guild raise money to support community programs there.

If it’s not already on your calendar, here’s the announcement of a big event two weeks from tomorrow!

Get ready for The Back to School & Health Fair is just around the corner, and we can’t wait to celebrate with you! Join us on Friday, August 8, 2025, from 4 PM–6:30 PM at Greenbridge Plaza (9800 8th Ave SW) for an afternoon full of fun, food, and community connection. This FREE, family-friendly event is hosted by WCCDA and Neighborhood House, and it’s our way of helping local families get ready for the new school year with the support and joy they deserve. Whether you’re coming for the school supplies, the delicious eats, or just to hang out with your neighbors, there’s something here for everyone!

Here’s what you can expect:

-Free food — Banh Mi, Burritos, Halal Sandwiches & drinks

-Youth activities for all ages

-Free backpacks & school supplies (child must be present)

-Health & community resources

-Info from over 30 amazing vendors & organizations!

Totally free and open to everyone — Highline School District families especially welcome!

-Save time by registering ahead: tinyurl.com/CDAB2School2025

-Expect good vibes, great music, and a whole lot of community love. Let’s kick off the school year together!

(Security video framegrab included in the charging document)

The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office has charged 23-year-old Augustino Palepale Jr. of Kent with second-degree murder and first-degree assault in last weekend’s double shooting in White Center that killed 52-year-old James Sears and injured his 26-year-old son Jaymaht Sears. The charging documents go into exhaustive detail of what various people involved in the night’s events told investigators, but the basic accusation remains the same as previously reported: that it all started with a suspected DUI crash and escalated to deadly gunfire. We’ll add more notes from the narrative when we can; Palepale, who apparently has no record, remains jailed in lieu of $2 million bail.

You shop, the library benefits! The White Center Library Guild‘s next big fundraising sale is set for this Friday and Saturday (July 25-26), 11 am to 4 pm both days:

The weather should be perfect for browsing and buying!

(Reader photo, early Sunday)

The 23-year-old man arrested after Sunday morning’s double shooting at 16th/98th remains in jail with bail set at $2 million after his first court appearance today. He is not yet charged; what’s below is the police narrative from the hearing document, with names of suspect, victims, and witnesses redacted:

King County Deputies responded to the location of 9808 16th Ave SW, Seattle for a reported non-injury accident. While the reporting party was on the phone with King County 911 Dispatch, multiple gunshots were heard in the background. The reporting party advised that shots had been fired, and the suspect was getting into a blue sedan vehicle.

Deputies arrived on scene and observed one male on the ground with a gunshot wound to the abdomen, who was later identified as (victim #1, 52 years old). Another victim was located inside Whateke Sports Bar with a gunshot wound to the shoulder area and to his back, this male was later identified as (victim #2, 26 years old).

Witnesses on scene informed Deputies that the shooter, who was later identified as (suspect, 23 years old), was inside the blue Honda Accord. Deputies contacted (suspect) who stated his gun was under the seat and was placed into custody without incident.

(The victims) were both transported to Harborview Medical center, where (victim #1) was later pronounced deceased and (victim #2) was listed as stable condition.

(Suspect) was later transported to Burien Police Department and placed into a holding cell until Detectives could arrive. Det. McGrath and I conducted an interview with (suspect), where I advised that he was being audio and video recorded and also read (suspect) his rights from my department issued card. (Suspect) stated he understood his rights and wanted to talk to Det. McGrath and I.

(Suspect) stated that he was hanging with his two cousins throughout the day and later in the night had followed his cousins to the location of 9808 16th Ave SW. (Suspect) said he was driving the blue Honda Accord, and his cousin was driving the Chevy Malibu, which his cousin had pulled over by the Whateke Sports bar. (Suspect) said he looked over and saw that his cousin in the Chevy Malibu had fallen asleep at the wheel and crashed his car into a parked vehicle.

(Suspect) said he got out of the Honda Accord to check on his cousin because (victim #2) was trying to wake his cousin up. (Suspect) stated (victim #2) had grabbed the key to the Chevy Malibu and was demanding (Suspect) wake his cousin up. (Suspect) stated he woke his cousin up and made his cousin get into the back seat and (Suspect) got into the driver seat. At that time, (Suspect) stated (suspect #1) started to reach into the Chevy Malibu trying to get (Suspect) out of the vehicle by grabbing on his shirt and “throwing punches”. (Suspect) stated the males were telling him that they were going to “beat his ass” and one stated he was going to “Blow him away”. (Suspect) stated he opened up the center console of the Malibu and retrieved his Glock 23.40 cal handgun and exited through the front passenger side door. The males were on the driver side area of the Malibu and then (Suspect) stated both males started to run away towards the Whateke Sports bar and that’s when (Suspect) fired multiple rounds from his gun, unknowing if he struck anyone. (Suspect) said that he then got into the Honda Accord and put his gun under the driver seat and that was when Deputies arrived on scene and placed him into custody.

Later, (a 31-year-old man), who is the son of (victim #1), returned to the scene and spoke with Det. Cougan and Det. P. Thompson. (He) stated he was working as a security guard at Whateke Sports Bar and his father and brothers came to hang out. (He) stated he was told that there was an accident outside in the street area and went outside to find his father and brother (victims #1 and #2) trying to wake up the driver in the Chevy Malibu, because the Malibu has crashed into (victim #2)’s vehicle. (He) stated he observed (Suspect) walking from the Honda Accord and towards the Chevy Malibu. (He) stated that (Suspect) help remove the driver from the driver seat to the back seat and (Suspect) then got into the driver seat of the Chevy Malibu. (He) stated that (victim #2) punched (Suspect) as he was in the driver seat because (Suspect) was trying to leave the scene and was yelling at them. (Suspect) then tells them to back of or he was going to “pop” them. (Suspect) then pulled out a gun from his waistband and put the gun on his lap. (He) stated that (victim #1) was standing by the driver’s side door taking photographs and that’s when (Suspect) starts firing his gun and strikes (victim #1) first. (He) stated that (victim #2) started to run away, and (Suspect) started firing multiple rounds in the direction of (victim #2), striking him in the back area. (victim #2) was able to get inside of Whateke Sports Bar where Deputies were later able to provide AID until fire and medical arrived on scene.

(Suspect) was later transported to King County Jail and (held for) Investigation of Murder in the Second Degree and Assault in the First Degree.

A charging decision is expected by Wednesday, when the suspect is scheduled to return to court.

ADDED TUESDAY AFTERNOON: The King County Medical Examiner’s Office has identified the victim as 52-year-old James E. Sears.

PHOTOS BY DAVE GERSHGORN FOR WCN AND WSB

Gleaming cars graced downtown White Center on Saturday, lining 16th SW in a new location this year for Eazy Duz It Car Club‘s show, under the banner “Chrome and Community.”

For WCN and partner site West Seattle Blog, photojournalist Dave Gershgorn shows us the people as well as the vehicles. First: Rigo DeLeon and son Rigo Jr. of the 206 Riderz, between a Chevy Impala and Cadillac on hydraulics.

From left, Serena, Sergio, and Carissa Henriquez of the Lifetime Car Club, in front of a Chevy Impala:

Next, another Chevy Impala – Lucy and Sonny Devera (also from Lifetime CC) show off their ’65, passed down from his dad and driven by everyone in his family:

Here’s Tony Chiodo (also Lifetime CC) with his Ford Mustang:

Next, Thomas and Patty Maciel (also Lifetime CC) in front of their recently purchased 1937 Chevy Master Deluxe. “We’ve got a piece of history,” Thomas remembers telling Patty when they loaded the car on their trailer after the purchase:

Emilio Villarreal and Mando Nunez from Hi-low Custom Hydraulics, in front of a Chevy Monte Carlo:

Brody Disciple brought his 1979 Cadillac Opera Coupe, a version of the Cadillac Seville. He estimates 200 are left of the 500 that were originally made:

Below, Daniel Tiburcio gets under the hood of the mid-century Chevy he brought to the event:

The all-day show also featured performances and vendors.

11:16 AM: Thanks to Kellie for the photo. That was the scene early this morning as King County Sheriff’s Office deputies investigated a double shooting. KCSO tells WCN:

At approximately 00:40 am today, KCSO deputies were dispatched to a shooting incident in White Center. The initial dispatch was related to a vehicle accident and/or road-rage allegation occurring in the 9800 block of 16th Ave SW. Deputies discovered two injured adult males at the scene and rendered emergency first aid while the area was secured. Local medics arrived, continued medical treatment, and transported the victims to local hospitals. Their current conditions are unknown although at least one wound appeared serious. KCSO deputies were able to identify and arrest the alleged shooter who remained at or near the scene.

4:35 PM: KCSO’s update confirms one shooting victim did not survive:

KCSO can confirm that one of the shooting victims died soon after arrival at Harborview Medical Center. The second shooting victim’s injuries are not life-threatening. The incident began when an alleged DUI driver crashed into a parked car along the 9800 block of 16th Ave SW in White Center. An altercation (leading to shots being fired) began when the parked vehicle’s owner confronted the seemingly DUI driver. An associate of the DUI driver is the shooting suspect. Detectives have booked the sole shooting suspect in to the King County Jail for investigation of Murder and Assault 1st Degree. The DUI driver was cited and released for a DUI offense. The KCSO Major Crimes Unit continues to investigate this open/active investigation.

We’ll be following up with the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office tomorrow, when the suspect is likely to have an initial hearing.

Next big event of the summer, the Eazy Duz It Car Club returns to the heart of White Center on Saturday (July 19) for the “Chrome and Community” car show and more. It’s set for 16th Avenue between 100th and Roxbury from 11 am to 7 pm. Advance registration is closed for cars but the Eazy Duz It website says you can show up and register on site! For spectators, entertainment and vendors will be there too.