West Seattle, Washington
07 Tuesday
About 15 people gathered at West Seattle’s Chelan Café to plot the next steps in the search for 24-year-old Jeremy Peck, last seen in the early-morning hours of December 24th. Among them, in the next photo L to R, a longtime friend of Jeremy’s, Ben Doty, who graduated West Seattle High School with him in 2005, and Jeremy’s birth father Stephan Peck:
Though Jeremy was raised by his uncle John Peck, Stephan came to West Seattle more than a week ago to help search for him; tomorrow he has to go home to Wenatchee.
“I am trying to think positive about this. But, sometimes, I … I’d just like him to come home. Or just show up anywhere.”
And Jeremy could be anywhere at this point. Parks have been checked, it was noted at the meeting, like Schmitz Park and Me-Kwa-Mooks, but volunteers acknowledge they could use more coordination. WSB contributor Deanie Schwarz, covering the meeting, reports that they say only one or two people were covering each of these areas; they feel as if they need to search all of them again with many more people scouring the brush and hillsides. “We’re not professionally trained and the areas are so vast, and some are steep hills … We need somebody to coordinate those search efforts,” Doty said.
If you can help with that, look for signup sheets at this Sunday’s vigil (starting at 4:30 outside Admiral Pub, where Jeremy was reported to have last been seen).
Also in the works, an account (at Wells Fargo) where money can be donated for the search efforts, which have now grown into an operation with its own checklists – flyers, banners, posters, a lawyer (to get cell-phone records made public), search dogs, private detective, psychic. And they’re working to set up a website where information will be available as well as a PayPal account for donations, in addition to the “Find Jeremy Peck” Facebook page.
If you’ve missed the original coverage or need a reminder: Jeremy is 6’2″, about 177 pounds, has medium brown hair and brown eyes, and was last seen wearing blue jeans, tennis shoes, and a black waist length coat over a gray hoodie sweatshirt.
An anonymous tip line has been created for anyone with information: 206-478-4905.
ADDED MIDDAY WEDNESDAY: The group has sent an official news release about Sunday’s vigil – after the jump:Read More
Story and photos by Ellen Cedergreen
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
A big celebration at Roxhill Elementary today as it received a total of 4 grants, all from the Seattle Education Foundation, awarded in a dignitaries-laden ceremony that also marked grants for schools elsewhere in the district.
Roxhill teachers applied for and were selected for the grants after they submitted proposals to Seattle Education Foundation’s board. Up to $20,000 in grant money is distributed annually among Seattle Public Schools, whose superintendent Dr. Maria Goodloe-Johnson was among those at Roxhill this morning for the presentation.
Last year, Roxhill was given $1,000 (the foundation’s maximum allowance for a single grant) for audio library books and equipment. This year, they’ll get to expand the impact with grants going to fund a variety of areas including: physical education, kindergarten, and reading intervention.
Today’s ceremony at Roxhill happened during the morning assembly. Students carried out their regular assembly business items; student of the month awards, reminders to be persistent and responsible, school chant, and birthdays. But the end portion of the assembly brought a big surprise in the form of a really big check.
Students got to hear a short and humorous presentation by Roxhill alum and foundation board member, Jim Oftebro, who shared a story from his tenure as a PE teacher at Roxhill. Then Dr. Goodloe-Johnson, and School Board member Steve Sundquist helped present the check along with the general manager at SEF’s Foundation House, Farron Bernhardt. Bernhardt told WSB he’s gratified to see the whole process go full circle, all the way from Foundation House back to the schools. Roxhill students gave big cheers at the prospect of more field trips, PE, and art.
Read on for more about the specific grants, and the Seattle Education Foundation:Read More
Final scores are in from tonight’s two high-school basketball games in West Seattle – in a #1-vs.-#2 division matchup, Chief Sealth International High School fell short after a thriller vs. Rainier Beach, 67-63 (more to come, including video); meantime, West Seattle High School lost to visiting Lakeside, 68-61.
ADDED: Notes from the Sealth-Rainier Beach game, and a video clip, after the jump:Read More
Thanks to Sha’ari from Inner Listening for sharing that photo from tonight’s Westside Symphony rehearsal, during the first West Seattle Community Orchestras sessions of the year. That’s founder Toni Reineke conducting, at top left. Sha’ari says, “Lots of strings but we still need another French horn, trombone, a couple trumpets, another bassoon, two oboes, a bass trombone and a couple celli. No more flutes please – we’ve got a whole cocktail already. It’s fun! Join us next Tues.” The orchestras rehearse on Tuesdays, Chief Sealth International High School – the schedule can be found, with lots more info, on their website.
If you think Alki should have an active Community Council, this is the time to step up. Shared by Larry Carpenter on behalf of the ACC:
What: Alki Community Council Meeting
When: Thursday, January 20, 7:00-8:30 PM
Where: Alki UCC Church Parlor, corner of 62nd Ave & Hinds
Who: ACC Members and Residents of AlkiAgenda: Open Forum on Future Course of the Council
Declines in ACC membership and increasing costs associated with producing a quarterly newsletter and holding monthly meetings have created a dire fiscal situation for the Council. The main agenda item will be a presentation of the current financial situation followed by discussion of possible options:
a. Raise dues to cover expenses or continue as is until treasury is exhausted
b. Discontinue mailing the Beacon but continue to maintain website at reduced cost and distribute minutes electronically
c.. Discontinue monthly ACC meetings, with ACC board continuing to meet monthly/bimonthly and the Council meeting 1/2 times a year for family social event and election of board
d.. Seek merger of ACC with a nearby neighborhood group with similar goalsPlease try to make this meeting if you think it’s important that the Council continue to play a role in Alki. A quorum of 15 members is needed to make decisions on the Council’s future.
This will be the ACC’s first meeting in two months. Here’s our report on the previous one.
(WSB photos by Christopher Boffoli)>
Today officially marked the start of the second week of murder-trial proceedings in the case of the deadly West Seattle shooting two years ago of Steve Bushaw – though the case hasn’t even gone to jury selection yet, and might not for a while, depending on how things proceed. Previously, two of the four original defendants – the two accused of actually shooting Bushaw along California SW between Alaska and Edmunds late Super Bowl Sunday night in 2009 – pleaded guilty to the reduced charge of second-degree murder. Danny O’Neal entered his plea eight days ago, as proceedings began; John Sylve pleaded guilty last Friday. The other two were in court today – from left, alleged mastermind Bryce Huber and alleged getaway driver Brandon Chaney:
They remain charged with first-degree murder and with conspiracy to commit murder. After a brief session this morning, King County Superior Court Judge Joan DuBuque recessed court until 1:30 this afternoon to review some of the information that had emerged; the afternoon session was even shorter, and she recessed the case until 9 tomorrow morning. While there were many twists in this morning’s open discussion involving lawyers, the prosecutor and Judge DuBuque, the most noteworthy one involved the statement given by Sylve as part of his plea agreement. It was indicated that his statement might conflict with the one that the other confessed triggerman, O’Neal, gave days earlier. And that, the prosecutor said, might change the deal to recommend the low end of the sentencing range for him. We’ll find out what’s next when court resumes tomorrow morning.
So what REALLY happened to bring Marty Riemer back to The Mountain, 15-plus months after they booted him? This morning, that topic came up while we were visiting Riemer’s West Seattle-basement-based podcast – the guests were past and present co-workers Shawn Stewart (also a West Seattleite) and John Fisher. And as you can hear in our top clip, Riemer offered an assessment you may not have heard before. As we reported Sunday night/Monday morning, he returns to the station on the afternoon shift next Monday, and will continue with his podcast. The station’s made some other tweaks too, involving the music, as you’ll hear in another clip after the jump:Read More
Almost a year after first word of a “ropes course” coming to West Seattle’s Camp Long, the plan is advancing, and Seattle Parks has just sent word of a community meeting where you can find out more about it:
Seattle Parks and Recreation is hosting a public meeting for the community to learn about the new ropes course coming to Camp Long; it takes place from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, January 27 at Camp Long, 5200 35th Ave SW.
Last year, Seattle Parks and Washington State University 4-H entered into a Memorandum of Understanding to bring a ropes challenge course to Camp Long.
Parks’ news release continues after the jump:Read More
(The table was only empty for presentation logistics – all the others were full)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”
With that quote from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., longtime West Seattleite Mike Heavey opened his presentation this afternoon to the Rotary Club of West Seattle‘s weekly lunch meeting at Salty’s on Alki. The topic: The much-discussed case of Amanda Knox – “a 20-year-old kid, from the University of Washington, from West Seattle” at the time of her arrest in Italy in 2007, which as you almost certainly have heard led to a murder conviction which is now being appealed (with proceedings continuing next Saturday).
That image of brant in West Seattle waters is courtesy of Danny McMillin, who often shares photos of beautiful birds you can see around here almost every day. Though we’ve all seen them and may even be able to identify them by name – how much do we really know about them? An expert is making two presentations in West Seattle today and tomorrow; the first one is less than an hour away, so notice might be short, but there’s plenty of time to arrange to see the second one. The expert is Woody Wheeler of Conservation Catalyst; at 1 this afternoon, he speaks at Merrill Gardens-West Seattle (4611 35th SW; if you want to go, just RSVP to Colleen at 206-932-5480); then tomorrow at 7 am, he’s the featured speaker at the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle‘s next meeting. Here’s the announcement they asked us to share:
Expand your awareness of our connection to nature by learning about the wild birds in our midst. No better way to connect kids and families, neighbors and friends than to appreciate the birds around us. West Seattle is blessed as a stopover for birds flying elsewhere, and is home to many beautiful birds on our beaches and backyards. Come hear Woody Wheeler’s informative, fun, visual presentation of our beloved, sometimes ruffled winged friends. You may even want to take a birding tour to learn more first hand. Kiwanis of West Seattle is 80 years old. Come have breakfast, see Kiwanis in action (and members having fun) at a weekly meeting; and hear this informative presentation. Consider joining Kiwanis to apply your talents in making our community the place you want it to be. Our goal: Helping communities, one child at a time.
The Kiwanis meeting is at 7 am tomorrow (Wednesday), Be’s Restaurant in The Junction (4509 California SW).
It’s been a while since this was announced – but tomorrow’s the first night, so SDOT is out with a reminder today:
Work to widen the Spokane St Viaduct requires closure of the structure’s westbound lanes just west of I-5 for six nights: from 10 p.m. – 5 a.m. this week and next on Wednesday , Thursday and Friday nights – January 19, 20, 21, and 24, 25, 26. During the closures, the bridge weight will be shifted onto a new column; a barrier will be set up on the Harbor Is. ramp; and pavement repair needs will be determined. No work is scheduled and all lanes will be open Saturday and Sunday nights. During this work, southbound I-5 traffic will exit at Forest St to access surface streets. Northbound I-5 traffic and westbound traffic from Columbian Way will be detoured to surface streets at 6th Ave S.
The Spokane Street Viaduct is the section of the West Seattle Bridge between Highway 99 and I-5.
(WSB photo looking south toward the crash scene on Saturday afternoon)
The King County Sheriff’s Office has sent an update this morning on last Saturday’s Shorewood truck-pedestrian crash, which shut down 26th SW south of SW 106th (map) for several hours and sent a teenager to Harborview Medical Center:
A 14 year-old boy was seriously injured when struck by a pick-up truck about 12:30 PM on Saturday, January 15th. The accident occurred in the 10800 block of 26th Ave SW, which is in unincorporated King County just south of Seattle.
Investigating detectives believe the boy came running out of a driveway and into the street. He was hit by a 2005 Dodge Ram pick-up driven by a 21 year-old man, who was not able to stop or avoid the boy. The man lives several blocks from the scene of the accident.
Detectives do not believe there were any contributing factors in the accident, such as alcohol or drugs.
10:37 AM UPDATE: According to KCSO spokesperson Sgt. John Urquhart, the boy was reported this morning to be in serious condition. The case isn’t entirely closed, though; he tells WSB, “The case is still under investigation and there have been no arrests or citations issued.”
(Photo shared by JJ – looking south from Constellation Park, south of Alki Point)
From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar: West Seattle Little League‘s first in-person registration of the year was “snowed out” last Tuesday, but the weather looks fine for tonight, West Seattle High School library, 6-8:30 pm, full details at WSLL website …Two major community meetings on the list: Sustainable West Seattle‘s Community Forum (Senior Center of West Seattle, 6:30 pm, preview here), and West Seattle Crime Prevention Council (Southwest Precinct, 7 pm, preview here). … West Seattle Community Orchestras practice tonight at Chief Sealth International High School for the first time in the new year details here … Sanislo Elementary‘s PTA meets at the school tonight, 6:30 pm … Are you the (unpaid) caregiver for a loved one, dealing with stress and relentless demands on your time? A course called “Powerful Tools for Caregivers” will be offered at the Senior Center of WS (California/Oregon), 1-3 pm Tuesdays from today through Feb. 22nd, free; call to register – 206-932-4044.
UPDATE 7:05 pm: The Sustainable West Seattle meeting is moved to Coffee To A Tea, in the Alaska Junction. Happening now! (until 9pm)
If you are not part of the local writing scene, you might know West Seattle poet Nicole Hardy best for her work at Circa in the Admiral District. One week ago, a national/international audience got to know her because of her essay published in the New York Times, “Single, Female, Mormon, Alone.” Tonight, Nicole Brodeur of the Seattle Times (WSB partner) follows up with Hardy and reports that the essay was received so sensationally, she now has an agent and a new book deal. (She’s already published two books of poetry, which you can read about on her website.)
Many people spent this MLK Day as they spent previous ones – volunteering in ways big and small. Some joined in organized events; some came up with their own, as did Annabelle Allen, Hayden and Anne Wainwright, and Molly Allen: Sharing the photo, Mark Wainwright described their efforts as an “impromptu … Day of Service,” explaining:
They picked up a bunch of trash along California from Charlestown to Hinds. Great work, kiddos! (And thanks to the moms, Jane and Shana, for the encouragement!
Two West Seattle Crime Watch reports out of the WSB inbox tonight. First one is about a truck-trailing package thief; second a quick note about an attempted break-in. Read on:Read More
As the CD release party for Pearl Jam‘s “Live on Ten Legs” got going at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor) less than an hour ago, it was so wall-to-wall, we barely had room to get Shawnte, Mollie, and Melissa to pose with their newly purchased copies of the CD and vinyl versions. Easy Street Records is there selling the album, Ten Club is there selling merchandise, and The Feedback has on-loan rare PJ memorabilia on display (in addition to their existing collection):
We’re told the party continues the rest of the night. Or till closing, whichever comes first. Next special event, Fiasco plays live, as a benefit for a nonprofit helping multiple-sclerosis patients, January 29th.
We took that photo tonight after Judy forwarded us the e-mail she received about the upcoming closure of Museum Quality Framing in the Admiral District (2352 California SW). Though the sign says it’s “moving,” the e-mail announcement says the store is “closing” and invites customers to patronize a South Lake Union location after this one closes January 27th. This will leave West Seattle with at least four framing stores by our unofficial count – Artistic Framers, Northwest Art and Frame, U-Frame-It, and Wallflower Custom Framing. (P.S. Yes, the store that’s closing is the same one a car drove into last May.)
(One of the underground rooms at Lowman Beach’s Murray Pump Station, from a tour last June)
And another preview for the week ahead: The Morgan Community Association only meets quarterly, so when they get together, the agenda is info-packed. On the agenda for Wednesday night, 7 pm, lower level of The Kenney, hot topics from street changes along California SW and 48th SW, to planning this year’s Morgan Junction Community Festival, to the recent recommendation for how to reduce combined-sewer overflows (CSO) into Puget Sound at Lowman Beach’s Murray Pump Station (above). As we reported in early December, the county is recommending a Murray solution that will require the purchase of private property across from Lowman Beach Park (we followed up with MoCA’s response); King County’s Martha Tuttle is scheduled to be at Wednesday night’s meeting with an update on where it stands and how the recommendation was reached. MoCA also will talk Wednesday night about its new Facebook page (you can “like” it here), and soon-to-retire Crime Prevention Coordinator Benjamin Kinlow will discuss neighborhood safety. See the full MoCA agenda here.
Continuing our look ahead to the post-holiday week: Volunteering opportunities like tabling at the West Seattle Farmers’ Market – where Micah Summers (above) led a home-brewing demonstration yesterday – are part of what Sustainable West Seattle will discuss at its monthly Community Forum tomorrow night (6:30 pm Tuesday, Senior Center of West Seattle, California/Oregon). Lots of other projects you can get involved with, including the forthcoming SWS film series. Other planned presentations include the West Seattle Wildlife Habitat Project and the Salish Sea Transport Co-op.
As this MLK Day holiday Monday winds up, we’re looking ahead at some of what’s in store for the rest of the week. Tomorrow, for the first time in 2 months, the West Seattle Crime Prevention Council meets (7 pm Tuesday, Southwest Precinct, Delridge/Webster). In addition to police updates on local crime trends, WSCPC has a guest speaker on the agenda; Robert Gant, who works with local youth as part of the staff at Southwest Youth and Family Services.
Once again this year, local law-enforcement leaders will be part of the Polar Plunge at Alki Beach, raising money for Special Olympics/Washington. WSB is proud to be co-sponsoring the Polar Plunge again in its second West Seattle year. Just got word from organizers today that Seattle Police Chief John Diaz will be taking the plunge again this time – and Southwest Precinct 
commander Capt. Steve Paulsen confirms to WSB that he will follow in his predecessor Capt. Joe Kessler‘s water-shoed-footsteps by doing the same. You can form a team or go it alone to be part of Polar Plunge on Saturday, January 29, plunging at noon, after awards at 11:15 am, and a pre-plunge performance from the Seahawks’ Blue Thunder drum line. If you register and raise the $50 minimum, you get a T-shirt and a cup of Ivar’s chowder – sign up now by going here; we’ll see you there!
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