West Seattle, Washington
15 Thursday
3:38 AM: A 22-year-old woman is dead and a block of 15th SW is closed off just south of Roxbury (map) after a shooting in White Center early this morning. So far, no arrests, according to the King County Sheriff’s Office, which is investigating the case. We have ongoing coverage on partner site White Center Now.
8:38 AM: Still no arrest(s) reported; we expect a more formal update from KCSO later this morning. 15th SW has reopened, though.
11:39 AM UPDATE: Official news release in from Deputy DeFries, who briefed us and TV crews at the scene early today – note that it changes the victim’s age:
A 23-year-old female is dead and detectives are working leads in a shooting incident that occurred overnight in the White Center area of King County.
This morning, at about 12:20 AM, deputies were called to the area of SW Roxbury St. and 15th Ave. SW by a passing witness for a fight disturbance. When deputies arrived they met with a small group of females, including the now-deceased victim of the shooting. Deputies were told that the disturbance was minor and that the other group, which consisted of 3 black males, had left the area. The group of women declined to speak further about the incident.
Deputies stayed in the general area and began to walk on foot to increase their visibility and to try to prevent further violence from erupting. Just before 1:00 AM these deputies heard several gun shots coming from the area of the original disturbance. When the returned they found the victim lying in the middle of 15th Ave. SW with at least one gunshot wound. Witnesses said that at least 2 of the original 3 black males had returned and one then fired on the victim. The suspects then fled the scene on foot.
At this point, no suspects are in custody and no weapon has been recovered. Detectives from the Major Crimes Unit are investigating. We have not been able to rule out if this was gang-related or not. Detectives from the Sheriff’s Office Gang Unit will be assisting, as needed.
2:08 PM: We’ve just published a new update, with what a relative has told us about the victim.
10:27 PM: Police are at the Baskin-Robbins ice-cream shop on Admiral Way, where an armed robbery was reported. Nobody hurt. No description(s) so far. We have a crew there; more as we get it.
11:30 PM: Officers have been talking with employees and checking for prints; they told us they’re still “sorting out” what happened. WSB contributor Katie Meyer says the original scanner call mentioned three suspects.
TUESDAY MORNING UPDATE: We have just spoken with SPD and will put details in a separate update – bottom line, no one arrested so far.
Golden pre-sunset light filled the LIncoln Park shelter where Sustainable West Seattle members and friends gathered for the group’s summer picnic tonight. They ate and talked and relaxed – and stopped for a few minutes to honor a hero:
With SWS’s Patrick Dunn (left), that’s South Seattle Community College‘s Michael Ryan (right), the college’s Dean of Culinary, Pastry, Wine, and Landscape/Horticulture, among other things. “All the good stuff,” he smiled. “My worst day at work is better than most people’s best day!” As SWS announced last week, Ryan was chosen the group’s 2011 “Sustainability Hero,” for championing so many sustainability-related projects, including the West Seattle Tool Library and Community Orchard of West Seattle. (Added: Video of his acceptance, and Dunn’s introduction:)
After speeches and applause, it was back to celebrating a perfect summer night, and even enjoying Puget Sound:
That’s Greg Whittaker from Alki Kayak Tours and Mountain to Sound Outfitters (WSB sponsor), who brought paddlecraft for picnickers to try out. (Tomorrow night, by the way, is the big event his businesses are co-sponsoring with Alki Crab and Fish at Seacrest – a standup-paddleboarding movie’s local premiere following the Tuesday night SUP races; details here.) Meantime, watch Sustainable West Seattle’s website for details soon on their September program; the third Monday of the month is their usual night for community forums/gatherings.
By a vote of 7 to 2, King County Councilmembers have just approved the $20-a-year-for-two-years car-tab fee that is supposed to save Metro from drastic bus-service cuts. “We have made a giant step toward saving our Metro,” declared council chair Larry Gossett, right after the vote.
If you’ve been offline for a few hours, you might say, “well, isn’t that what was expected to happen, after the big deal announced last week?” Yes – until some multi-hour, last-minute drama: Preceding the vote, the council convened in early afternoon as scheduled – and then went into more than four hours of closed-door caucusing, according to multiple updates from citywide news organizations (including Slog and PubliCola) that also reported rumors the two Republican (officially nonpartisan) councilmembers who supported the fee last week, Jane Hague and Kathy Lambert, might change their minds. But before tonight’s vote, both spoke publicly to reiterate their support for it. Six “yes” votes were required to finalize the fee. All five Democratic (officially nonpartisan) councilmembers, including West Seattle’s Joe McDermott, voted for it too; McDermott acknowledged it’s a “regressive” tax, but pointed out it’s the only option the State Legislature gave them for raising money to cover the budget gap.
P.S. Another, separate car-tab-fee vote is ahead tomorrow – this one **for the city only**. Seattle City Councilmembers, sitting as the Transportation Benefit District Board, will vote on whether to send to voters in November a car-tab fee to fund transportation projects. They’re expected to vote at 11 tomorrow morning, and then they’re planning a news conference on Delridge to talk about it. The fee could be up to $80/year.
ADDED 9:04 PM – MORE ON TONIGHT’S COUNTY COUNCIL VOTE: The council’s official news release, after the jump:Read More
After receiving notes about what appeared to be motorcades – law-enforcement motorcycle escorts and all – traveling on the West Seattle Bridge, we checked with the Southwest Precinct. As suspected, it’s multi-agency training, as has happened here in years past.
Unless the district announces a community meeting before then, looks like one of the first public opportunities to see Chief Sealth International High School‘s new principal Chris Kinsey in action will be at next week’s South Delridge/White Center Community Safety Coalition meeting. That’s according to an announcement from the group, which meets at 6 pm Thursday, August 25th, at the former St. James Church-turned-community center (9421 18th SW). Here’s our recent interview with Kinsey, who comes to Sealth from an assistant-principal role at Cleveland High School; he succeeds John Boyd, who is moving to an executive position with Highline Public Schools, focused on that district’s northern area, which includes White Center.
As noted here eight days ago, the southbound Alaskan Way Viaduct will be closed this weekend, scheduled for 11 pm Friday-5 am Monday. ONLY the southbound side. The official announcement, with a reminder about the looming nine-day October closure, is out this afternoon – read on:Read More
That video from Wellspring Family Services features West Seattle-residing rocker Chris Ballew, who in his Caspar Babypants kindie-rock mode is once again offering a once-in-a-lifetime prize as part of a fundraising contest that has two weeks to go. It’s the annual “Kids Helping Kids” coin-collecting drive. Wellspring helps homeless kids and families around King County; everybody who turns in donations via “Kids Helping Kids” gets entered in the drawing for Caspar B to write a custom song about them. (In the video, you’ll hear part of “Happy Heart,” inspired by 7-year-old Rena Mateja, who collected more than $500 for Wellspring.) Deadline is September 1st; donations can be turned in to Wellspring directly or via CoinStar machines. Information on how to sign up and how to donate is in the links on the right sidebar of this page.
Two updates for the court files (speaking of which, if you are following the Steve Bushaw murder trial, it’s in recess till Wednesday):
(June 28th photo courtesy Kathryn)
GATEWOOD ARSON: September 7th is now set as the trial date for 40-year-old John C. Siegel, arrested at the scene of the June 28th arson at a home he co-owned near Orchard Street Ravine and charged days later with setting it as an act of domestic violence, as well as with violating a court order. Court documents indicate that Siegel, who is a lawyer, is now representing himself in the case (though he has requested “standby backup counsel”). He’s due in court this Friday morning for a hearing to determine if everyone involved is indeed ready to go to trial. Siegel also has filed a handwritten motion seeking a separate jury proceeding on the “aggravating factor” that is alleged in the crime – that he committed it shortly after being released from jail (as reported here previously, he got out May 20th after a plea bargain on charges involving domestic violence and threatening a judge). Siegel contends that having the “rapid recidivism” aspect brought up in the main case would be prejudicial to that jury; prosecutors have responded that they believe the issue should be “reserved for the trial court” to decide. Siegel remains in jail, in lieu of $1 million bail.
Another case we’ve been following is now closed – plea made, time served:
(June 17th photo by Christopher Boffoli for WSB)
JUNCTION THREAT: 20-year-old Chriss Arce, arrested on June 17th for an incident that started in West Seattle Computers in The Junction and ended with him allegedly pulling a gun on the store’s owner, was sentenced last Friday, after a plea bargain in July. Arce was originally charged with assault; according to court records, he pleaded guilty July 20th to a reduced charge of harassment. The sentence ordered by Judge Patrick Oishi on Friday: 34 days in jail, which is equal to the time he served between his June arrest and being released on July 22nd.
A truckload of excitement arrived at Lafayette Elementary over the weekend. Luckie shared the photo (thank you!) and explained that on Sunday, “a small group of Lafayette volunteers unloaded all the disassembled parts of the new playground structure, moving it from the delivery truck to the onsite storage container. It was exciting to finally have our hands on the ladders, spinners, slides, and everything else that will come together to make this fabulous play area! There’s a community work party on August 27 for anyone who wishes to have a hand in building it.” (Here’s our coverage of the last one on June 25th; the work is the latest in a multi-phase, multi-year project to renovate the playground of West Seattle’s most populous elementary school.) The school building itself has had some work done over the summer:
The new metal cafeteria doors are on the south (SW Lander) side of Lafayette – Luckie shared that photo too. They’re part of a $705,000 levy-funded project, replacing windows and doors at the school with newer, stronger, energy-conserving versions. P.S. The first day of school for Seattle Public Schools is September 7 (three weeks from Wednesday).
It’s happening in nine days – on Wednesday, August 24th – at Chief Sealth International High School, but it’s an offer for EVERY student in this area, no matter where they’re enrolled: Get a free heart screening, a painless 25-minute test that is especially recommended for athletes. It’s a life-saving test that could detect the kind of previously undetected problem that, without warning, killed 16-year-old Nick Varrenti, the namesake of Nick of Time Foundation, which is offering the free screenings in conjunction with Seattle Public Schools. The screenings will be offered 7:30 am-3 pm on August 24th. E-mail now to get an appointment time, appt@nickoftimefoundation.org, and read on for the full announcement, including what info to provide :Read More
Skateboarding or snowboarding? The Delridge Skatepark photo shared by Mike captures the sentiment of our not-very-warm-or-sunny summer. On the bright side, you’ll have something to talk about for years, provided this isn’t the “new norm.” Anyway, here’s some of what’s up on this third Monday in Aug-tober – from the WSB West Seattle Events calendar (send YOUR event to editor@wsb.blackfin.biz):
YOUR VOTE! Already sent your ballot in? Tomorrow’s the deadline. You can mail it as long as it’s postmarked by then – or, get it to a dropbox (none in West Seattle or White Center, still, but here’s the list – downtown is closest).
COUNTY COUNCIL’S “$20 FOR METRO” VOTE: The agreement announced last week will come up for a vote today, 1:30 pm at council chambers in the county courthouse at 516 3rd Avenue downtown. The actual proposal starts on page 89 of this document.
AT THE LIBRARIES: Afternoon Book Group at the Southwest Branch (35th/Henderson), 2 pm – this month’s title is “The Amateur Marriage” by Anne Tyler … High Point Library (35th/Raymond) has a Family Story Time at 7 pm.
WEST SEATTLE COOKING CLUB: West Seattle Cooking Club meets, 2 pm at Beveridge Place Pub. This week’s theme: Sandwiches.
PICNIC IN THE PARK: Sustainable West Seattle Annual Community Picnic, Lincoln Park. 7-9 pm, details here.
Heads up! This Tuesday has a confluence that might be a bit problematic between here and downtown. The Mariners and Sounders BOTH have 7 pm (ish) home games this Tuesday night (Sounders schedule here; M’s schedule here). If either runs really long, or if you hang out in the stadium zone afterward, remember Tuesday’s also the first of three scheduled late-night westbound closures for the Spokane Street Viaduct (as SDOT announced here), aka the West Seattle Bridge between 99 and I-5.
(Photos by Patrick Sand for WSB)
Jack Miller brought just one flavor to today’s Log House Museum ice-cream social in honor of his Junction-headquartered Husky Deli:
Husky Flake.
“You could LIVE on Husky Flake,” Jack insisted, during a brief break between scooping ice cream for partygoers.
Off to the side, in the museum’s cozy courtyard, on behalf of the Southwest Seattle Historical Society, Clay Eals was interviewing young attendees, also heard to be enthusing about Husky Flake:
And if the Fire Department is there, with no emergency in sight, it’s gotta be good:
That’s Engine 29 and crew from North Admiral.
Speaking of numbers, today’s event was in honor of Husky Deli’s 79th anniversary. When exactly is the anniversary date? we asked Jack Miller. He said no one’s certain – possibly sometime in October. But 1932 was definitely the year his grandfather Herman Miller bought the Edgewood Farms Store and started making ice cream in the window, as Lori Hinton writes in “West Seattle 101.” Five years later, the name changed to Husky, after a popular dipped-ice-cream creation the store made and sold, and the rest is, of course, history.
And the Log House Museum is all about history, so what better place for this afternoon’s party?
2nd-oldest business in West Seattle, Eals noted (after Alki Lumber, founded in 1921). P.S. You can learn more about WS history Thursdays-Sundays at the museum (hours and location here).
You don’t have to wait for Night Out to have a block party … tonight, we got word of two in West Seattle. First note in announced the 2nd annual Seaview Swine-Que – last year’s edition was in September (just as well they didn’t wait this year, at this rate we may have fall snow). Can’t have a Swine-Que without the swine:
Joel Hagman provided the music.
Thanks to Shelly for the tip again this year; she says they procured a Beer Junction sponsorship once again too.
Not long after her note came in, we got word from Patrick in North Admiral that HIS neighborhood had its second annual block party under way:
Neighbors in the Walnut/College area hit the street to celebrate. Like Seaview, they had a bouncy house:
No pig here; the North Admiral party was potluck. P.S. Next organized “block party” type event on the West Seattle calendar is just six days away – Picnic at the Southwest Precinct next Saturday (August 20), 1-4 pm on SW Webster between Delridge and the south Home Depot entrance!
Two West Seattle Cooper’s Hawk tales: First, Tom Furtwangler shares the top photo of a juvenile hawk spotted outside his Gatewood home – sighted by his wife, who happens to be urban-nature author Lyanda Lynn Haupt. Tom says it was there just a few minutes, and quotes Lyanda as saying, “I think it’s a male because it’s small for a Cooper’s, but that’s just speculation. It’s a hard time of year for newly fledged birds because they are just learning to hunt. I hope he makes it!” This provides the perfect lead-in to two other Cooper’s Hawk photos shared this week by nature photographer/writer Trileigh Tucker:
Trileigh explains:
The first photo shows a young Cooper’s Hawk practicing her landing skills on a snag in Lincoln Park, and although the second photo (a different young female) looks like she’s showing off her new jewelry, she’s actually just getting ready to scratch her nose.
She continues:
The bands they’re wearing were put on as part of an eight-year study being conducted to learn about Cooper’s Hawks’ nesting ecology and winter site fidelity. So readers should look carefully and see if they can find banded hawks in West Seattle! Sightings can be reported to the Washington Ornithological Society’s research page at wos.org/research — look for the instructions for “Accipiters and Merlins” at the top of the page.
Trileigh is now writing about her sightings, and celebrating “the beauty and power of next-door nature,” online here. She says her site “focuses on local natural history (especially Lincoln Park, of course!), and what we can learn both about nature and about ourselves from being attentive to the natural world in our backyards and beyond. Come take a look!”
(Photo courtesy Pokémon World Championships)
6:42 PM: This’ll be a great “what I did on my summer vacation” story: We mentioned last night that David Cohen, a 16-year-old student at Seattle Lutheran High School in West Seattle, was in the final 16 at the Pokémon card-game world championships in San Diego. This afternoon, he won the title in the Masters’ division (click the tab for that division to see his progress). Here’s a photo from the official website.
ADDED 11:03 PM: We are reminded in the comment section that West Seattle was home to a world champ four years ago too – Jeremy Scharff-Kim.
Hope your vehicle never gets stolen. If it does, we’re happy to help get the word out to folks to be on the lookout (of course, report it to police first!). Samantha says her car was taken from the 8800 block of 24th SW, near Westwood Village, late last night/early this morning:
It’s a gray 4-door Toyota Camry hybrid, 2007, with WA license plate 725VOA. Identifying marks: There’s an obvious, medium-sized dent in the rear bumper on the driver’s side. There’s also a scratch near the bottom of the back passenger side window that’s a few inches long. There was a brown Britax car seat in the back seat, but that’s probably gone by now.
At West Seattle Nursery, the Dog Days of Summer started with Furry Faces Foundation‘s Teri Ensley and King County’s Rebecca Cleveland-Diel tapping a donated keg of Manny’s. Till 4 pm, it’s a beerfest, with hot dogs, but it’s also a pet-adoption-fest:
That’s volunteer Kory with two dogs hoping their new forever homes might be found today – the little white one he’s holding is a “special needs” pet, with eye trouble. Or if you’re looking to add a kitty to the family, here’s one in classic nonchalant cat mode:
West Seattle Nursery is having a sale, too. Meantime, your dog (leashed) and/or cat (carrier) are welcome to join you at Lien Animal Clinic till 2 pm, for the 60th anniversary open house – we found a few visitors there this morning:
And of course, there’s anniversary cake!
Lien is on SW Alaska between 37th and 38th, in The Triangle.
Two reasons to get to The Junction if you’re not there already:
Outside and inside West 5 till 4 pm, it’s “Brunch for Boobies” fundraiser day for the 3-Day for the Cure walkers who comprise Team Tracy – including namesake Tracy Dart, fourth from left. These women are so busy raising money (and awareness!) before the big event, tirelessly, you might wonder if the inspirational-and-intense walk itself (September 16-18) will feel in comparison a tiny bit like a stroll in the park. Anyway, if you can’t make it to West 5 today, you can donate here.
If you’re not up for three days on your feet, but maybe a little more foot-powered exploring around West Seattle, go to the WS Farmers’ Market before 2 pm:
That’s Chas Redmond at the Sustainable West Seattle booth, where you can get the new West Seattle Walking Trails map.
(Side note: Make your walks, bike rides, bus trips, etc., count even more by signing up for West Seattle In Motion!)
In case you spotted some new boxes atop poles/light fixtures in The Junction: WSB contributor Katie Meyer spotted a crew installing this one near California/Alaska – SDOT crew but, one crew member told her, related to GPS for Metro buses. We checked with Metro to see if this means the long-awaited GPS-for-buses system is closer to reality, to enable even more accurate bus arrival-time reports than the current means of measurement. From Rochelle Ogershok at Metro, it was:
… installation of the fiber infrastructure and traffic signal upgrades along the RapidRide C Line. (As you know, we are adding service to the Route 54 starting in October, as part of the mitigation for the Alaskan Way Viaduct construction.) There will be 8 Transit Signal Priority (TSP) signals installed along the Route 54 and 6 TSP signals on First Ave S. As soon as regular Route 54 buses are equipped with GPS equipment, they can begin using the signal priority feature. We anticipate that will be in early 2012.
Route 54 is what the RapidRide “C” Line is scheduled to replace, in fall of next year.
From history to theater, lots to do on a mid-August Sunday. From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:
HAPPY 60TH, LIEN: Open house at Lien Animal Clinic to celebrate 60 years of operation. 10 am-2 pm, 3710 SW Alaska. Dogs on leashes and cats in carriers are welcome as well as people. Here’s what’s in store:
– Tours of the clinic
– A teddy bear clinic (bring in your broken teddy bear and we’ll stitch’em up)
– Photo of your pet
– Teeth Brushing/Dentistry Demonstrations
– Ultrasound Demonstrations
– How-To’s for Pet Parents
– Free refreshments
– Prizes and giveaways
For more information visit www.lienanimal.com.
TEAM TRACY FUNDRAISER: “Brunch for Boobies” at West 5, 10 am-4 pm, part of the proceeds fight breast cancer through the Team Tracy 3Day Walk-ers. Full details on this Facebook event page.
FARMERS’ MARKET: West Seattle Farmers’ Market, today and every Sunday, 10 am-2 pm, The Junction (44th/Alaska).
DOG DAYS OF SUMMER BEERFEST: At West Seattle Nursery, noon-4 pm, fundraiser and adoption event for Furry Faces Foundation. Details in this WSB Forums post.
(WSB photo from Alki on Saturday)
FESTIVAL CONTINUES: Festival of India at Alki, noon-8 pm both days, schedule here
GONE SWIMMING OUTDOORS YET? Open at noon, Colman Pool continues its 7-day-a-week summer operations – but only a few weeks to go! (Pool schedule/other info here.)
LONGFELLOW CREEK WALK: 1 pm, meet at Greg Davis Park, corner of Brandon Street and 26th SW for a neighbor-led walk along Longfellow Creek. Organizers say, “Everyone can attend, bring your kids, your dogs, your neighbors or visiting relatives. We’ll be walking for about 45 minutes, so please dress appropriately and bring yourself a bottle of water.”
ICE-CREAM CELEBRATION: Celebrate Husky Deli‘s 79 years with an Ice Cream Social at the Log House Museum (61st/Stevens) 1-3 pm – Jack Miller himself will scoop Husky Deli ice cream for just $2/scoop. Plus music!
Two theater matinees today:
(Tyler Webster in “Starmites.” Photo by Michael Brunk, courtesy ArtsWest)
FINAL PERFORMANCE: “Starmites,” put on by the ArtsWest Summer Musical Apprenticeship Program, concludes its run with a 3 pm matinee today (details and ticket-buying link here).
(Photo courtesy Twelfth Night Productions)
BRING SCHOOL SUPPLIES FOR ‘OLIVER!’: Twelfth Night Productions presentation of “Oliver!” with a school-supplies drive for Treehouse (which helps foster kids). 3 pm at West Seattle High School Theater. More details here.
(August 2010 photo by Christopher Boffoli)
Two weeks from today, Alki Avenue SW will fill with runners and walkers – more than 1,100 last year – for the Alki Beach 5K, raising money for Northwest Hope and Healing‘s work to help breast-cancer patients. Starting at 9 am Sunday, August 28, participants will head east from the Alki Bathhouse vicinity to Anchor Park on Duwamish Head, and back, as detailed on the official website. Something special this year: NWHH director Shari Sewell says participants will hear from “Warrior Marathon Runner” Carol Dellinger, who’s finished 253 marathons – 19 since being diagnosed with breast cancer, including one less than three months after a mastectomy (scroll down this page for her story). You can register for the Alki Beach 5K now – at West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor) or CAPERS, or online by going here. Click ahead for the official news release with even more info:Read More
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