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.

SPD makes quick arrest in Capitol Hill dumpster fires

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The Seattle Police Department says it arrested the suspect in a small series of arson fires around Capitol Hill Wednesday morning.

Multiple dumpster fires were reported on the morning including a fire at 14th and Pike reported just before 9 AM and another in the 1200 block of Boylston around 9:22 AM,

SPD reported the suspect appeared to be circling the area on foot setting the fires, according to East Precinct radio updates.

Police were able to track the suspect down thanks to 911 callers. The 45-year-old was booked into King County Jail for investigation of reckless burning.

Seattle Fire says its crews were able to quickly handle the dumpster fires without significant damage or injuries.

 

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Wilson, Evans, and Foster: Not big names but first serious challengers to Seattle City Hall incumbents step forward — UPDATE: Rouse, too

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There is now a fuller team of serious challengers to Seattle’s slate of City Hall incumbents but so far the 2025 election season isn’t shaping up to be a big name battle.

Mayor Bruce Harrell’s most significant political threat so far in his race for reelection is set to be progressive activist Katie Wilson who has worked with organizations like the Transit Riders Union, helped lead minimum wage and renter rights campaigns around the region.

Wilson announced her campaign this week.

“Everything TRU has achieved has been possible because we built strong coalitions,” the Transit Riders Union co-founder said in launching her run. “Leadership is not about one person or one organization. It’s about bringing together competent, motivated people around a shared vision, making a plan, being smart about strategy and politics, making hard choices when necessary, and getting results. That approach will guide my administration in City Hall.”

Wilson’s “This is Your City” campaign will have some catching up to do with the incumbent. Continue reading →

感謝 — With Taku closure, Chef Shota says goodbye to Capitol Hill (and maybe Seattle?)

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(Image: @chefshota)


 

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After five years on E Pike and a decade of his work in the neighborhood, celebrity chef Shota Nakajima is kissing his latest Capitol Hill creation — and maybe the Hill and the city — goodbye.

“After an incredible run, it’s time to officially say goodbye to Taku. The sign may say ‘temporarily closed,’ but let’s be real—it’s time to turn off the lights, toast one last drink, and close this chapter,” Nakajima posted this week.

Nakajima’s 2020-born, Osaka-inspired karaage bar had been closed in recent weeks as the chef announced he was hosting a series of pop-ups inspired by his first Capitol Hill creation — the meticulous 10-course Japanese kaiseki joint Naka at 15th and Pine where Kedai Makan now lives.

This goodbye seems to ripple beyond business.

“The past 10 years have been a wild, beautiful, rain-or-shine, wouldn’t-trade-it-for-anything kind of ride. The late nights, the shared meals, the community—Seattle, you’ve given me more than I could ever ask for,” Nakajima writes. “But this isn’t goodbye forever. Just like the hunt for the best foraged finds, change is part of the journey—I can’t wait to share what’s next 🍄‍🟫.”

CHS is checking in to make sure we fully got the chef’s drift — but this sounds like goodbye. Continue reading →

Capitol Hill grocery stores have been doing it for years — Now, the city is looking at one Seattle Safeway to see if closing off second entrance is unsafe

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The 15th/John Safeway (Image: Google Maps)

The companies behind Capitol Hill’s grocery stores will be watching as the city considers a complaint against a Seattle Safeway over the practice of closing off second entrances as the big chains try to deter shoplifters and thieves.

A “Notice of Violation” over city code was issued first in January to the 8340 15th Ave NW Safeway over a complaint about the grocery’s shutdown of one of its two entrances. Continue reading →

The self-pour taps will reopen as Nomadic Wine Dispensary begins new journey on North Broadway

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Rapport’s wine taps will not rest


 

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Neighbors and regulars of a popular nearby hangout that suddenly went dark to start the year on North Broadway are jumping into the wine business and reviving the space.

Nomadic Wine Dispensary will open soon in the former home of “self-pour” wine bar Rapport. Owners and first-time hospitality entrepreneurs Bonnie Donovan and Tim Sale say they weren’t looking to become part of Capitol Hill’s food and drink economy but could not bear to see the comfortable cafe space go empty. Continue reading →

Seattle vote on $45M Democracy Voucher program renewal planned for August primary

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(Image: City of Seattle)

Mayor Bruce Harrell will be collecting Democracy Vouchers this year as he mounts his reelection campaign.

This week, his office put forward legislation to renew the program first approved by voters in 2015 in hopes of helping to dampen the power of large campaign donors in the city’s politics.

CHS reported here on 2025’s place as a big year for the future of the program. In 2025, the program will support the widest field yet with candidates in the race for Seattle Mayor, City Attorney, and City Council Positions 2, 8, and 9 all eligible for the funding program.

Later this year, voters will also be asked to renew the program. The proposal from Harrell’s office would expand the program with a $45 million property tax over 10 years, “costing the median assessed value Seattle homeowner about $12.20 a year,” according to Harrell’s announcement.

The original $3 million a year program was estimated to cost the typical homeowner around $8 a year. Continue reading →

911 | SPD says 17-year-old busted in series of armed robberies including hold-up at a Central District Domino’s

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An image from security video showing the February armed robbery of the S Jackson Domino’s as the 17-year-old holds a gun on employees while his accomplices keep watch

See something others should know about? Email CHS or call/txt/Signal (206) 399-5959. You can view recent CHS 911 coverage here. Hear sirens and wondering what’s going on? Check out reports from @jseattle or join and check in with neighbors in the CHS Facebook Group.

  • 17-year-old armed robbery suspect arrested: SPD says the teen gunman suspected in a series of armed robberies including a February hold-up at a Central District Domino’s pizza has been arrested in Redmond:
    Community tips as well as physical, video, and digital evidence helped Seattle police detectives in the Robbery Unit track down the suspect. The 17-year-old suspect was arrested for robbery on March 6 in Redmond. The arrest was made in partnership with Bellevue and Redmond police departments. Continue reading →

Residents booted to make way for ‘Substantial Rehabilitation’ of Capitol Hill’s La Quinta apartments

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A rendering of the planned new building and the neighboring landmark La Quinta

Thanks — and sorry — to the La Quinta resident who alerted CHS to the notice

Residents of Capitol Hill’s La Quinta apartments have been issued a 90-day notice to vacate as a planned redevelopment of the landmarked property including plans for a new twin apartment building behind the old one at 17th and Denny moves forward.

The March 5th issued notice cites “Substantial Rehabilitation” for the order. Permits to enable demolition of two neighboring houses to make way for the new construction are also in motion.

CHS reported here in 2022 as DEP Homes, a small real estate investment firm that lists an address near Judkins Park in the Central District, purchased the property including the landmarked building and the two neighboring houses for $4.2 million and set about a planned redevelopment that would add a twin five-story apartment building behind the 98-year-old La Quinta structure.

DEP Homes did not respond to CHS’s messages about the notice and the company has not responded to any of our inquiries over the past three years. DEP owner developer Cao Huynh is a prolific Seattle real estate investor. Capitol Hill firm S+H Works is DEP’s architect on the project.

(Image: Viva La Quinta/Jesse L. Young)

Continue reading →

Community raises funds for family of student killed by runaway SUV as officials look at street safety around Washington Middle School

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The community around Washington Middle School is raising funds to support the family of the student who was hit and killed by a reported runaway SUV last week at the Central District school.

Meanwhile, questions about safety around the school and nearby streets remain amid new details from the investigation into Thursday’s deadly incident.

“The Washington Middle School community experienced an indescribable loss on March 6, 2025. A 12-year-old girl lost her life when an unoccupied car rolled down the hill suddenly. This tragic accident has left the whole community shaken,” the Washington Parent Teacher Student Association said in the fundraiser. “To support her grieving family during this difficult time, we are asking for donations big and small to support them through this horrible loss.”

More than $15,000 had been pledged as of Saturday morning. You can give here.

Washington students took part in a memorial walk Friday to remember the 12-year-old.

“Students came together to comfort each other and share heartfelt remarks,” a statement from the school district reads.

The student has not yet been publicly identified.

Police say the driver of the SUV was not arrested and did not show signs of impairment. She was evaluated for driving under the influence at the scene. Continue reading →

Where Rancho Bravo once reigned, 24-hour Burritos California coming to Capitol Hill

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Thanks to Ruben for the E Pine scoop

It is time to credit the CHS Facebook Group with another scoop.

Neighbor Ruben reports a new era is beginning on E Pine. It is time for Burritos California.

“RIP KFC & Rancho Bravo & Teto’s. Hello 24 hour tacos & (breakfast) burritos,” Ruben says.

Capitol Hill’s platform for affordable Mexican food on the go is making another change with the bright red and yellow markings of Burritos California joining the Pike/Pine mix across from Cal Anderson Park. Continue reading →