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.