Seattle, WA

Seattle principal arrested for DUI and domestic violence after car flips

Published

1 year ago

February 5, 2025

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Seattle principal arrested for DUI and domestic violence after car flips

West Seattle principal arrested for DUI, domestic violence

The principal for West Seattle’s Chief Sealth High School is out after a shocking arrest over the weekend.

SEATTLE – The principal of West Seattle’s Chief Sealth International High School has been forced out after a domestic violence DUI incident over the weekend.

FOX 13 Seattle previously reported that Seattle Public Schools sent a letter to parents, saying police took Ray Garcia-Morales into custody for driving under the influence and reckless endangerment early Sunday morning.

According to a police report obtained by FOX 13 Seattle, Garcia-Morales said, “Do you want to die?” to a woman driving the car he was in, before grabbing the wheel of the car and causing it to flip over.

Traffic camera snapshot of Garcia-Morales’ arrest (left, SDOT) Ray Garcia-Morales (right) (SDOT // FOX 13)

Dig deeper:

When the police arrived at the scene, Garcia-Morales was the only one there. Garcia-Morales told police he was driving, and he had not been drinking, according to the report.

However, police said Garcia-Morales’s eyes were bloodshot, and 911 callers reported seeing a woman flee the scene.

Police were able to track down the woman, since she owned the car that was involved in the crash.

What they’re saying:

The victim told police she ran away from the crash because she was afraid of Garcia-Morales, according to the report.

She told officers that she and Garcia-Morales were at a party about ten miles away from the crash.

The victim told police Garcia-Morales was drinking at the party and then fell asleep. When she asked if he wanted to leave, he got aggressive with her.

At first, Garcia-Morales was behind the wheel, the victim said. She told police she was recording him driving because she was afraid. The report states officers saw the video.

Eventually, the victim and Garcia-Morales switched seats, and she drove the rest of the way back to West Seattle, she told police.

During the drive, Garcia-Morales opened the car door then grabbed the steering wheel, which led to the car flipping, according to the victim.

The victim also told police Garcia-Morales had been verbally abusive to her in the past, and abused their family dog.

What’s next:

However, the police tell FOX 13 Seattle the victim is refusing to move forward with the case. No charges have been filed, but the case is still under review.

Seattle Public Schools sent this letter to students and teachers following the incident:

“Dear Chief Sealth International families and staff,

We are writing to share some important personnel information with you. At approximately 3 a.m. Sunday, Principal Ray Garcia-Morales was arrested by the Seattle Police Department for driving under the influence and reckless endangerment. He was immediately placed on administrative leave until further notice.

According to court records, no charges were filed, and the case has been closed. As this is a personnel issue, further details are confidential to protect privacy rights. Assistant Principal Hope Perry will be stepping in to serve in his absence. Please feel free to reach out to her with school-related questions. As other questions arise concerning this sensitive matter, please send them to publicaffairs@seattleschools.org.”

FOX 13 Seattle reached out to Garcia-Morales for comment, but we have not heard back.

The Source: Information comes from original reporting by FOX 13 Seattle reporter AJ Janavel.

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I’m a New Yorker who went to Seattle for the first time. Here are 9 things that surprised me.

Published

9 hours ago

April 14, 2026

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I’m a New Yorker who went to Seattle for the first time. Here are 9 things that surprised me.

Situated next to the coast in Downtown Seattle, Pike Place Market is an iconic outdoor market with more than 200 stores and restaurants. I’ve been hearing about it for decades, so I spent my first afternoon in Seattle perusing the 9-acre shopping hub.

On a sunny Thursday afternoon, the market was crowded with locals and tourists alike. I shuffled my way through what felt like a line to get a peek at the fresh seafood. When I needed a break from the mob, I found refuge inside a used bookstore.

Every so often, a delivery truck would drive through, dividing the crowd into two tightly packed globs, but most cars weren’t allowed to drive through Pike Place Market. This made sense to me, since each passing vehicle halted the pedestrian flow.

But I was surprised to learn that the open-air market’s cobblestone streets are normally open to all cars — the city is testing a ban on cars aside from vendors, delivery drivers, and those with disabilities, The Seattle Times reported in August 2025. The temporary ban began in April 2025 and is set to continue through spring 2026.

I was lucky enough to inadvertently schedule my trip during the ban. I couldn’t imagine what it would be like if cars could freely move through the already crowded market.

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FOLLOWUP: Seattle Parks’ official announcement of this year’s beach and boat-ramp hours

Published

22 hours ago

April 14, 2026

Press Room

FOLLOWUP: Seattle Parks’ official announcement of this year’s beach and boat-ramp hours

(WSB photo, Saturday night)

As we first reported last month, some of Seattle Parks‘ “summer” hours this year are starting on May 1 – and this past weekend, we photographed illuminated signage announcing that along Alki, while noting the city had yet to make a full detailed announcement. Today, it’s finally out, including info on beach-fire season, which will start the Friday before Memorial Day:

With the summer season approaching, Seattle Parks and Recreation is reminding visitors of summer park hours, boat ramp access, and beach fire rules at Alki Beach and Golden Gardens.
Below are key details to help you plan ahead, including summer hours and beach fire season dates.
Summer Hours at Parks and Boat Ramps
This summer, starting Friday, May 1, 2026, the permanent summer hours will be in effect at select parks and boat ramps across Seattle:
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Alki Beach and Golden Gardens:
Summer Hours (May 1, 2026 — September 30, 2026): 4 a.m. – 10:30 p.m.
Non-Summer Hours (September 30, 2026 — April 30, 2027): 4 a.m. – 11:30 p.m.
Don Armeni and Eddie Vine Boat Ramps:
Summer Hours (May 1, 2026 — September 30, 2026): 4 a.m. – 10:30 p.m.
Non-Summer Hours (September 30, 2026 — April 30, 2027): Open 24 hours
These seasonal hours help support safe, enjoyable use during peak visitation while aligning with staffing and safety resources.
Beach Fire and Park Rules
Starting Friday, May 22, 2026, beach fires will be permitted at designated fire pits at Alki Beach and Golden Gardens seven days a week on a first come, first served basis. Bringing your own fire pit is not allowed, and no propane fire pits/rings are allowed.
-Fires must be extinguished by 10 p.m.
-Fires allowed 7 days a week starting Friday, May 22 through Tuesday, September 1.
-Staff will be on-site to manage and assist with putting out fires at 10 p.m.
-Parking lot gates will be locked and the park will close at 10:30 p.m. for summer hours.
-Please only burn clean (natural, bare, dry cord-wood) wood and douse your fire completely before leaving.
-Light a fire ONLY in one of the installed fire containers
-Use only clean, dry firewood
-Please douse your fire with water, not sand
-Fires are not allowed during air pollution alerts; we will post sign
-Please don’t remove any materials from the park, beach or dunes
-Please dispose of trash and ashes in the containers provided for each. (SMC 18.12.260)
-Be considerate of others–please, no loud or amplified music! (SMC 18.12.170)
-Remember, no alcohol or smoking are allowed, and parks are drug-free zones.
-Beach fire rules are outlined in detail in the Seattle Municipal Code section 18.12.270 and in our Beach Fires Policy.
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If you see an illegal fire, call 911. For current burn ban and air quality questions, contact Puget Sound Clean Air Agency.
Fire pits at Golden Gardens and Alki are unlocked by 5:30 p.m. Please extinguish all beach fires (using water, not sand) by 10 p.m. in order to ensure that all fires are completely extinguished in ample time before the park’s closure.
We’re committed to providing a safe and enjoyable experience for all that visit Seattle parks! Thank you for doing your part to follow park guidelines and help keep these spaces welcoming for this summer.

Summer plans on Alki are expected to be among the topics at the Alki Community Council‘s monthly meeting Thursday (April 16), 7 pm at Alki UCC (6115 SW Hinds).

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Slog AM: A Missing Beaver in Seattle, Trump Fights With the Pope, Hungary’s Right Wing Prime Minister Loses Election Handily – The Stranger

Published

1 day ago

April 13, 2026

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Slog AM: A Missing Beaver in Seattle, Trump Fights With the Pope, Hungary’s Right Wing Prime Minister Loses Election Handily – The Stranger

Answers: Authorities believe that those 21 skinned canine carcasses that washed ashore on Guemes Island around two weeks ago were foxes, not dogs. The fox carcasses were being transported to be used in a commercial fishing operation as bait. According to the Skagit County Sheriff’s office, they were bought out of state, legally, and brought to Washington. But the boat they were on experienced mechanical difficulties that somehow dumped its cargo in the water. It’s unfortunate when your cargo is 21 skinned fox carcasses that then wind up on a small community’s shores and they think there’s a dog serial killer in their midst. Nope, nope, just fishing bait.

While you were sleeping this weekend there was a swarm of 18 offshore earthquakes near the Juan de Fuca Ridge. Shh. Go back to sleep. They pose no threat to land. It’s just the tectonic plates moving apart.

In Other Animal Carcass News: People found a decapitated cougar partially submerged in Idaho’s Lake Pend Oreille. Park rangers say the cougar died of natural causes and, even though its head was clearly cleanly severed by a human, there was no foul play. Stealing a cougar’s head from its carcass is perfectly legal under Idaho salvage laws. Finders keepers?

Beaver Missing: Someone stole Capitol Hill’s Waxon Spa’s taxidermy beaver mascot. The stuffed beaver wears pink bunny ears, purple heart sunglasses, and has pink painted nails. The waxers there need this beaver in order to wax other beavers. “Please help bring our baby home,” the spa pleads in a missing poster. They are offering a $400 reward

ICYMI: The new Ichiro Suzuki statue the Mariners unveiled Friday had a hard time uh, keeping it up.

A Gas Works Facelift: A new hazard correction order from Seattle’s Department of Construction and Inspections may force the parks department to take out “unsafe ladders, piping and catwalks by May 15.” A teen died last summer after climbing—and falling—from Gas Works’ structures. Two others have died in similar incidents since 2012. The SDCI order breaks through a six month stalemate between parks and the Landmarks Preservation Board which has blocked any attempt to remove hazards from the park for fear of it altering history.

The Weather: Overcast, rainy, but not too rainy.

A WEAK on Crime Pope: Donald Trump sent out a Truth Social screed against Pope Leo XIV, calling him weak on crime, terrible for foreign policy, and weak on nuclear weapons. After that, Trump shared an AI-generated photo of him as Jesus healing the sick. The Jesus pic crossed a line for some evangelicals.