Author Archives: jseattle

About jseattle

Justin is publisher of CHS. You can reach him at [email protected] or call/txt (206) 399-5959. Follow @jseattle on Twitter or be best pals on Facebook.

Seattle City Council finalizing 2026 budget with a few challenges for Mayor-elect Wilson

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(Image: City of Seattle)

The Seattle City Council will spend Thursday and Friday finalizing the city’s 2026 budget including dozens or additions and tweaks made by the council members including District 3 representative Joy Hollingsworth.

While the economic forecasts have somewhat improved, the political landscape has also shifted since Mayor Bruce Harrell submitted his budget proposal in September. There will be a new mayor a new mix on the council in 2026. The current council has made a few changes on its way to the door that will impact Mayor-elect Katie Wilson and the new, more progressive council roster in the years ahead.

FINAL BUDGET MEETINGS

  • Nov. 20 at 9:30 AM – Select Budget Committee Meeting with committee vote on budget as amended; written public comment accepted.

  • Nov. 21 at 1 PM – Special City Council Meeting to vote on Budget Legislation; oral and written public comment accepted.

Friday afternoon, the council will convene for its final vote on the entire 2026 budget package.

But first, Thursday morning, the council will review a roster of dozens of budget amendments debated and agreed upon across the past weeks of budget committee meetings.

CHS reported here on the line items and spending initiatives D3 rep Hollingsworth brought to the table including $1.25 million for Central District preservation, a boost for a new Black Advisory Council, $50,000 for rehabilitating Seven Hills Park, and, yes, even money for a revival of the Hilloween kids carnival.

Here is the full roster of 2026 items she sponsored or co-sponsored, according to her office: Continue reading →

Police make arrest in September deadly shooting at 10th and Pike

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From SPD’s arrest report

The Seattle Police Department has used security video provided by nearby Pike/Pine businesses and apartment dwellers plus evidence collected through the city’s traffic camera system by the SPD Real-Time Crime Center to make an arrest in a September deadly shooting on Capitol Hill.

The 27-year-old suspect was taken into custody Monday afternoon in Burien after a foot chase and struggle, police said.

26-year-old Robert Fleeks was shot and killed on September 17th inside a gold Chevy Tahoe he was driving at 10th and Pike, one of two murders in the area in three weeks including an October slaying in front of the nearby Harvard QFC. CHS reported on the lack of updates on the cases Monday as police were making the arrest in the September case.

According to court documents, Fleeks was ambushed by his assailant and three accomplices as he sat in his car on 10th Ave the night of September 17th just minutes after the victim had purchased pizza nearby. Fleeks “still had pizza in his mouth as if he was eating when he was shot,” police say. Continue reading →

CARE Department ‘solo dispatch’ and new Real-Time Crime Center leadership at East Precinct the focus as officials talk Capitol Hill public safety in 2026

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(Image: CHS)

Last year, the focus was a plan for surveillance cameras in Pike/Pine, a new East Precinct headquarters for CARE Department crisis responders, and a new Capitol Hill community safety coordinator. Those all came to pass.

Monday night, the focus for the next big steps in neighborhood safety was centered on growth of the CARE Department to take on more work responding to crisis calls across Capitol Hill, the East Precinct, and Seattle.

Meanwhile, a Seattle Police Department leadership change at the East Precinct and new strategies to address safety for nightlife crowds on Capitol Hill are also making a difference, officials said.

Calling it “inexcusable” for a city not to grow her department faster, CARE Chief Amy Barden told the crowd at Monday night’s Capitol Hill Community Safety Social sponsored by the GSBA chamber of commerce her department of dispatchers and crisis first responders will grow in numbers in 2026 — and responsibility. Continue reading →

‘South Capitol Hill Parks Activation’ — Surveys, community meeting this week gathering feedback on permanent fence proposal as city extends Seven Hills closure

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The city has extended the closures of three city parks including Capitol Hill’s Seven Hills through the end of the year as it prepares to hear from neighbors and parks users about proposed changes including possible new permanent fencing to address concerns about encampments and crime.

With Wednesday night bringing a planned community meeting with city officials to discuss the possible changes to two Capitol Hill parks facing complaints over homelessness and drugs, Seattle Parks and Recreation has also launched surveys to gather feedback.

CHS reported here on the planned Wednesday night session “to discuss priorities and identify “community activation partners and new potential users” for Broadway Hill Park and Seven Hills Park which has been fenced-off since September. Broadway Hill Park remains open but has been a center of complaints and Seattle Police Department activity, officials say. Continue reading →

Suspect charged in October arson that threatened Neighbours

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Recent charges from Tait’s jail registry entry

A man with a troubling history of arson arrests has been charged for a November fire that threatened Capitol Hill’s Neighbours nightclub.

David Tait has been charged with first degree arson for the Sunday night, October 2nd fire police say was set outside the Broadway club and triggered the venue’s fire alarms but fortunately caused no serious damage or injuries. Continue reading →

Three years later, E Olive Way’s guerrilla crosswalk is now legit

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(Image: CHS)

Three years after somebody painted a guerrilla crosswalk at Harvard and E Olive Way — and the city promptly removed it — the Seattle Department of Transportation has installed the real deal.

CHS reported this summer on the construction notice for the project to add the new crosswalk and pedestrian crossing signs and signals, expanded sidewalks at the east corners of the intersection, street markings and flexible posts.

CHS reported here in November 2022 after a guerrilla crosswalk was installed at the intersection and quickly wiped away by the city. “We have heard the message loudly and clearly that the public wants more crossing and safety improvements,” SDOT said at the time. “We appreciate the passion which has driven someone to paint their own crosswalk, however this is not the right way to voice your desire for change.” Continue reading →

No updates from SPD in Pike/Pine deadly shootings

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A fundraiser is hoped to help raise money for Jameson’s headstone

This fundraiser helped raise money to support the family of Rober Fleeks

The Seattle Police Department continues to investigate two deadly shootings that took place within three weeks of each other on Capitol Hill this fall as families have called for justice.

18-year-old Jaydon Jameson was killed and a second victim was shot in the leg in a shooting at Broadway and Pike the night of October 9th.

26-year-old Robert Fleeks was shot and killed a few blocks away on September 17th inside a gold Chevy Tahoe he was driving at 10th and Pike.

Police have released few details in either shooting but have asked the public for help in its investigations. Continue reading →

Capitol Hill’s Bateau making 2026 restart: New paint, retooled menu, and, hopefully, a fair deal with unionized workers

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(Image: Bateau)

Those hoping to track the demise of the Capitol Hill neighborhood by restaurant closings will continue to be confounded by Bateau.

Its rebirth will be part of a small burst of reopenings to start 2026.

Jeremy Price of the Sea Creatures restaurant group says the retooling that led to a shutdown of the E Union steakhouse earlier this year is about to pick up steam with plans to reopen the venue — and reinvigorate its corner on the backside of Pike/Pine — in February.

Price says Bateau is now “in the final phases” of its remodel with painting and new window treatments scheduled this week. New signage will also soon go up. Meanwhile, it is also retooling its business with an overhaul of its menu and its prices, and working out a new deal with unionized workers. Continue reading →

Monday night: Capitol Hill Community Safety Social

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(Image: GSBA)

Officials including the head of the city’s new CARE Department and outgoing Mayor Bruce Harrell’s lead on public safety will be on Capitol Hill Monday night to take part in a “community safety social” sponsored by the GSBA chamber of commerce.

The annual briefing was illuminating last year as each of the initiatives discussed by Deputy Mayor Tim Burgess at the time has taken shape in the neighborhood including approval of new Seattle Police Department surveillance cameras in Pike/Pine, a new East Precinct headquarters for CARE Department crisis responders working in the area, and a new Capitol Hill “community safety coordinator” now part of GSBA.

This year is likely to have a different tone after incumbent Mayor Bruce Harrell’s defeat by challenger Katie Wilson. Continue reading →

Seattle Police investigating as man found seriously injured dies near Freeway Park — UPDATE

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(Image: SPD)

A man was reportedly found down with critical injuries  near Freeway Park and died Saturday night. The Seattle Police Department says it is investigating.

Police and Seattle Fire were called to the area of the park and the Seattle Convention Center near Pike and Hubbell Place just before 6:30 PM where a 911 caller reported the injured man down and apparently the victim of an assault.

According to SPD radio updates, the victim was dead before police could arrive. Continue reading →