(Added – photo sent by Erin)

8:30 PM: If you’re seeing smoke to the east – Seattle Fire has a big response arriving at what so far is described as a “fully involved” barge fire on the east side of the Duwamish River. Crews are responding to S. Myrtle in Georgetown (here’s a vicinity map).

(Added – photo sent by Hannah)

8:41 PM: Per scanner, the barge is approximately 150′ by 75′ and contains primarily “crushed cars”; SFD says there have been some “minor explosions.”

8:50 PM: Thanks for the video (above, just texted to us) and photos. (added) Here’s one from Seattle Fire front lines:

9:01 PM: SFD continues battling the fire. They’ve called for a foam truck from Boeing Field, too. (added) Here’s a photo from Kay, from the 1st Ave. S. Bridge:

And this view showing the fireboats on scene:

9:18 PM: The fire’s “knocked down,” per SFD radio, and the barge has developed a “slight list.” Thanks again to everyone who has sent video and photos – this next photo is from Angelique in Kitsap County, showing how far and wide the smoke was visible:

9:28 PM: Thanks to John Bennett for this video showing a fireboat in action at the scene:

And the fireboat from another angle, in a photo from Eli:

9:44 PM: Radio activity has slowed. We’re continuing to monitor. Still no reports of any injuries.

7:33 PM: Thanks to those who sent photos (the one above is from Jamie) – the smoke you are (or were) seeing is from what Seattle Fire has initially described as an RV fire that spread to a building at Colorado and Hanford in SODO [map].

7:37 PM: SFD says the fire’s out and no injuries were reported.

8:28 PM: Since we were in the area, headed back from the light-rail meeting, we checked out the aftermath:

The SFD crew that remained on scene confirmed no one hurt and no significant damage to the building, which is open-faced and holds metal materials.

ADDED 11:56 PM: Bill Gobie sent this video:

This was along his route home.

(Added: State Patrol photo)

2:29 PM: Thanks for the tip about a Highway 509 closure – south of here but just in case you’re headed that way: WSDOT says it’s closed in both directions near Sea-Tac; if you’re headed southbound, you’ll be diverted to S. 160th; if northbound, you’ll be diverted to S. 188th. Per King County Sheriff’s Office scanner traffic, they’re investigating gunfire.

2:33 PM: State Patrol says 4 cars were hit, no injuries.

4:32 PM: The search is currently focused at the south end of 509, at 188th, but the backup on 509 is reported to start much further north, so if you have to head south, we’d advise non-509 routes.

6:25 PM: Via Twitter, the State Patrol has just posted this update: “Reopening NB Sr-509 lanes to normal traffic. The right lane of SB Sr-509 will remain closed while WSP K-9’s search the area for possible evidence.”

Heads up for Lander Street users in SODO: The longterm closure of two blocks for the Lander Street Bridge project starts soon, SDOT has announced:

S Lander St will close as early as the evening of May 22, 2018 as part of the Lander St Bridge Project. S Lander St will be closed to traffic from 1st Ave S and to 3rd Ave S through early 2020 while the new bridge is being built. Pedestrian and bicycle rider access will be maintained, as will access to all adjacent businesses along S Lander St.

As an alternative to S Lander St, use S Holgate St or S Spokane street to move east and west across the BNSF railroad tracks.

Access to S Lander St from Occidental Ave S, on both the north and south sides of S Lander St, will be closed. This closure will be in place during bridge construction and made permanent once construction is complete.

A small portion of 3rd Ave S, at the south side of S Lander St, starting at the north driveway at Republic, will also close as early as May 22. This closure will be in place until summer 2019. During the closure use 4th Ave S to move north and south and access businesses on S Lander St.

For more information on this project and to sign up for email updates, please visit: seattle.gov/transportation/lander_bridge.htm

If you have questions or concerns, please contact the outreach team at lander_bridge@seattle.gov or 206-256-5450.

Because of the strong WS/SODO connection, the project had long been of interest to people on this side of the river, including the West Seattle Transportation Coalition; the project achieved full $123 million funding last year.

(Rendering of PCC Burien store, by MG2)

Every time we mention the new PCC Community Markets (WSB sponsor) store under construction in West Seattle, opening next year, people ask about the opening date for the new one in Burien – and it’s just been announced: May 23rd. For those who plan to travel south to shop until PCC’s new West Seattle store is ready, here’s the full announcement we just received:

PCC Community Markets (PCC), one of Seattle’s original grocers and the largest community-owned food market in the U.S., today announced May 23rd as the opening date for its newest location in Burien. The new store is the first for PCC south of Seattle. Located in the Five Corners Shopping Center at 15840 1st Ave. S., the 25,000 square-foot store will become the area’s first certified organic grocery and PCC’s first location slated to operate on 100 percent renewable energy.

With a long-standing commitment to the neighborhoods in which it operates, PCC will bring more than 100 union jobs to the community with its Burien store. PCC also will expand its charitable giving program through community partnerships with the Des Moines Food Bank and the Highline School District. PCC secured a $5,000 grant to Para Los Ninos as well, through the co-op’s partnership with the Paul Newman Foundation.

“We are always excited to join a new community and introduce all that PCC offers to future members and new shoppers — whether that’s our fresh, sustainably sourced organic foods; community support, food donations and giving; or new job opportunities we add to the economy,” said Cate Hardy, PCC Community Markets CEO. “The passion we’ve seen for Burien PCC through letters, emails and social media posts shows the feeling is mutual, and we can’t wait to welcome everyone into the new store.”

As with PCC’s other locations, Burien PCC will celebrate products that are fresh, local, organic, sustainably sourced and seasonal. More than 95 percent of PCC’s produce selection is organic; its meats are 100 percent organic, non-GMO or grass fed; its seafood is sustainably sourced adhering to Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch standards; and, whenever possible, the co-op sources its products from local producers, farmers, ranchers and fishers. Using those same ingredients, PCC chefs make salads, soups, entrées and side dishes fresh from scratch daily onsite in each store.

Additional highlights of the new store include:

§ New subscription-free, grab-and-go PCC meal kits featuring easy-to-make original recipes — like Sesame-Gochujang Steak with Kimchi Fried Rice & Shirred Egg, and Simple Cassoulet with Chicken and Sausage. Each kit is hand-packed in PCC kitchens and includes fresh, organic produce and non-GMO, locally raised meats along with compostable, recyclable packaging.

§ PCC Pizzeria with fresh-from-the-pizza-oven and take-and-bake pies.

§ PCC Taqueria with pork adobado, beef barbacoa, roasted squash and garbanzos, chicken verde, rice and beans, aguas frescas and freshly prepared salsas.

§ PCC Yogurt Bar featuring PCC Organic Grass-fed Yogurt from Pure Éire Dairy, the only local, organic, non-GMO, grass-fed, animal welfare-certified yogurt of its kind — including the newest flavor on the block: lemon.

§ Handcrafted espresso and tea beverages and freshly baked goods, such as scratch-made breakfast biscuits and the PCC “Crownie,” a chocolate chip cookie, brownie mash-up drizzled with caramel.

§ A carefully curated selection of Pacific Northwest-produced spirits to complement the co-op’s collection of exclusive wines and local beers and ciders.

§ An affordable line of certified organic and Non-GMO Project Verified pantry staples from Field Day, including more than 150 items from canned beans and extra virgin olive oil to peanut butter and oatmeal. PCC also offers a wide selection of bulk items, where shoppers can get just the amount they need while reducing packaging.

§ Free cookbooks to borrow from or donate to PCC’s Little Free Cookbook Library, celebrating the joy of cooking in the community.

Burien PCC was thoughtfully designed to deliver on PCC’s long-standing commitment to environmental responsibility and to help reduce PCC’s carbon footprint. Tracking to LEED v4 certification by the U.S. Green Building Council, PCC has put into place systems and features to reduce lighting use by 25 percent and fresh water consumption by 45 percent annually. The store is planning to operate on 100 percent renewable energy through renewable energy credit purchases after the store opens. Seattle-based MG2 is the architect of record for the new Burien PCC store. The developer is Powell Development Company and the general contractor is Woodman Construction, Inc.

The new location is the first for PCC south of Seattle, serving Burien, Des Moines, Normandy Park, Sea-Tac, White Center and all areas in-between, and will act as the interim go-to for West Seattle shoppers until the store reopens in 2019.

Burien PCC’s grand opening celebration will kick off at 8:45 a.m. and feature an official “pineapple cutting”— the fruit is the universal symbol of welcome and hospitality — with fresh, organic pineapple giveaways for the first 112 people in celebration of PCC’s 12th store. The store officially opens at 9 a.m.

If you can’t get to Burien, remember that PCC grocery delivery continues to be available in West Seattle via Instacart.

It’s been almost 10 years since we first published news of a new burger joint headed this way – Zippy’s Giant Burgers, which almost instantly became mega-popular. It outgrew its original Highland Park location, and after almost three years in operation, announced it was moving to a bigger space in White Center. After three more years came news a second Zippy’s would open in Georgetown. Some months back, a few readers pointed out that location was listed for sale. It’s still for sale, Zippy’s announced today … but in the meantime, it will close at the end of this month. Via social media, proprietor Blaine Cook wrote this morning: “I’ve never claimed to be a business man or a restaurateur. Just a simple man that saw an opportunity and went for it. As the years pass it’s become quite apparent that I don’t have the personality or the temperament to oversee the operations of two restaurants.” March 31st is listed as the last day Georgetown (5633 Airport Way S.) will be open; White Center (9614 14th SW) soldiers on.

Maybe you are – or know – a veteran who could benefit from this event just announced by South Seattle College (WSB sponsor):

South Seattle College’s Georgetown Campus will host the seventh annual Seattle Stand Down on Dec. 14-15, where homeless and at-risk Veterans and their families will be offered free access to a wide array of resources and services.

Seattle Stand Down is a one-stop shop for resources and services available to Veterans who currently lack permanent housing or simply need a “hand up” in order to prevent homelessness. Representatives from local businesses, non-profits, educational institutions, and all levels of government will be on hand with volunteers to provide medical screenings, eye exams, dental services, legal aid, employment opportunities, housing assistance, case management referrals, haircuts, personal hygiene items and meals. The two-day event will offer employment assistance through a partnership with SSC’s on-campus WorkSource Office and the King County Veterans Program. Extensive legal resources will be provided by the NW Justice Project and Davis Wright Tremaine, LLP.

Seattle Stand Down is unique from other stand down events in that it provides designated areas for the safety and comfort of women Veterans. Providers will offer women-specific services including health care, advocacy, counseling, employment and personal care.

According to the King County Veterans Program, at least 1360 Veterans are experiencing homelessness at this very moment within King County. In 2016, the Seattle Stand Down provided services to nearly 350 homeless and at-risk homeless Veterans in need.

The Seattle Colleges District is the host of Seattle Stand Down for the seventh year in a row. The event was founded as a community service project of student Veterans at Seattle Central College, and is organized today by a group of dedicated Veteran volunteers from the colleges and community.

Major funding for Seattle Stand Down has been made possible through a Veterans Employment and Training Service grant from the U.S. Department of Labor. Additional support is provided by the King County Veterans Program, funded by the Veteran and Human Services Levy.

EVENT DETAILS

Location: South Seattle College’s Georgetown Campus as 6737 Corson Avenue South, Seattle, WA 98108. Participants will check in at the Gene Colin Education Hall – Building C.
Please view our Georgetown Campus map
Directions to Georgetown Campus

Time: Running Thursday, Dec. 14 and Friday, Dec. 15 at SSC’s Georgetown Campus, the event opens for registration at 7:00 a.m. on Dec. 14 and services will be available from 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. that day. On Dec. 15, registration begins at 7:00 a.m. with services available from 8:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m.

Parking and Transportation: Free parking passes will be made available to Veterans receiving services.

For both days of the event, King County Metro and Sound Transit have agreed to provide free rides for all Veterans. They must carry one type of four accepted forms of government ID, or the special bus pass Metro has printed for Veterans that lack identification (available at local social service providers). This means that Veterans with any one of the ID forms listed below can travel on any Metro and Sound Transit bus, and both the LINK light rail and the Sounder train.

Forms of identification accepted:
– Veteran Health Identification (ID) Card

– Uniformed Identification (ID) Card

– Veteran designation on driver’s license

– DD-214

Attendees should use “CORSON AVE S & EAST MARGINAL WAY” as their destination if using trip planners. Anyone with questions on the best transit route can call Hopelink Mobility at 425-943-6760.

Here’s the official flyer (PDF).

(U.S. Navy photo: EA-18G Growler landing on a carrier in 2014)

We don’t always get advance alerts about military aircraft in the area, but we just got one for tomorrow so we’re sharing it. This is in a media advisory from the Museum of Flight, which as you probably know is not far east of West Seattle [map]:

Three frontline Navy EA-18G Growler electronic attack jets will fly to the Museum on Oct. 12 to preside over the donation of a 10-foot aircraft carrier model to the Museum. The model will be presented by the officers of VAQ-130 Naval Air Station Whidbey Island to the Museum’s Education Office. The aircraft will arrive at 11 a.m. and depart at 2 p.m. One of the Growlers will be stationed in the Museum parking lot with crew members standing by to meet the public. The other two planes will be parked next to the Museum’s airport fence. The event is free.

The advisory included this background, if you’re interested:

The aircraft carrier model is of the crew’s ship, the USS Eisenhower (CVN-69). It was built by the officers from VAQ-130 for a booth at the annual NAS Whidbey Island Airborne Electronic Attack Ball, where each Growler squadron contributes a booth that includes interactive games or displays of squadron pride. This year, VAQ-130 squadron built the carrier, jokingly referred to as “Low Cost Trainer” for the pilots because it includes a zip line that allows a model plane to be landed on the deck. Lt. Cmdr. Kevin Jones, VAQ-130, said of its donation to the Museum, “We think it will be a great addition to the education department at the museum, and hopefully inspire some young future naval aviators!”

Thanks to Terry for the photo – when we received it a little more than an hour ago, we couldn’t find any info about a fire in the Kitsap area, but now there’s info via Twitter: It’s a fire covering about an acre in the Illahee Preserve area, according to Central Kitsap Fire and Rescue.

Meant to mention this in the daily preview list … that’s a post-game Mariners fireworks show you might have been hearing in the distance just now. They have one more planned this season, September 22nd.

We mentioned at the end of our Highland Park Find It, Fix It Walk coverage that the convergence of city reps had yielded information on other upcoming events. Here’s one: West Seattleite Irene Stewart, who works with the Age-Friendly Seattle program, tells us that there’s still time and room to sign up for a free all-day event downtown one week from tomorrow, on Saturday, June 3rd, “Aging the LGBTQ Way: A Forum on Respect, Equity, and Inclusion.” You’ll find out about research; you’ll help develop recommendations for Age-Friendly Seattle; and you’ll learn about resources for aging well. It’s free to attend, with lunch and dinner provided, 10 am-5:30 pm at City Hall downtown, but they’d appreciate RSVPs – go here to sign up online.

(Photo by Carolyn Newman – smoke visible from Seacrest area, looking north)

8:37 PM: Lots of calls and texts about smoke and/or a smoky smell in north West Seattle – it’s a Seattle Fire marine response all the way from the north side of Elliott Bay – 5100 block of Shilshole NW, in Ballard, according to the SFD log. Citywide news outlets are tweeting that it’s a boat fire.

9:32 PM: Via Twitter, KING says it was a 70-foot wooden boat and that it spread to some “smaller boats” too. SFD tweets that a structure also was involved.

11:16 PM: SFD update:

6:52 AM: Sad news overnight. Music star Chris Cornell has died in Detroit, just 52, after Soundgarden‘s sold-out concert there. His Seattle ties were strong, given his years with that band (and so much more). He lived in West Seattle long ago, as mentioned here in WSB’s early months, when he had a solo hit with the theme from the first James Bond movie starring Daniel Craig. Mr. Cornell also was a philanthropist, forming the Chris and Vicky Cornell Foundation with his wife, “to protect the most vulnerable children.” He is survived by three children of his own. His body was found in his hotel room; the cause of his death is under investigation. (2011 photo, via Wikimedia)

P.S. KEXP is paying tribute all day (90.3 FM/online).

12:02 PM: Authorities in Detroit say Mr. Cornell died by suicide.

There’s help for anyone thinking of self-harm … here in King County, the Crisis Clinic has a 24-hour hotline at 206-461-3222. And here’s what the American Federation for Suicide Prevention says.

11:23 PM: A view of tonight’s biggest tribute:

3:19 PM: Thanks for the tips. There’s a fire in the North Shorewood area, and that’s why smoke (and at least one helicopter) is visible from Arbor Heights. Colby says the fire is at 26th/109th [map], and that roads are blocked in the area, and tweeted this photo:

We’ll be there shortly for updates.

3:33 PM: Our crew has arrived at the fire scene. The house is on 26th SW south of SW 109th. As noted in comments, Seattle Fire has sent units as mutual aid (including Engine 11):

Big response overall – this area is served by the North Highline Fire Department.

One person has minor injuries, we’re told, and was treated at the scene.

3:45 PM: The fire (at 10907 26th SW) is out or close to it, our crew reports, and investigators are on the way to try to find out how it started. We’ll check back at the scene later in the afternoon.

6:12 PM: Just went back. The investigator hasn’t been able to go in because the fire has been flaring up. So firefighters will stay on scene TFN just in case they’re needed.

3:36 PM: We haven’t mentioned this downtown situation sooner (aside from comment discussions) because of the 35th/Morgan crash closure (updates here), but now that the pm commute is starting and the situation is not yet resolved: Some blocks in the heart of downtown are still closed for the investigation of a shooting that injured two Seattle Police officers after a store robbery downtown. Both are at Harborview Medical Center. SPD says it found two suspects and is seeking a possible third. The closures have been affecting Western, 1st, 2nd, from Spring to Madison to Marion, so if you’re trying to get through downtown, heading as far east as you can, before heading south, is a good bet.

3:50 PM: SPD tweeted that they are no longer looking for someone else, “all suspects in custody.” At about the same time, authorities briefing media at Harborview said one officer is in stable condition, one is in serious condition. No new updates on road closures/bus changes.

4:34 PM: Updated road closures downtown, per SDOT: “Western Ave between Spring St & Marion St.; Marion St between Western Ave & 1st Ave.”

4:48 PM: Now SPD says there might be a third suspect after all. Meantime, thanks in advance to commenters sharing any updates on how things are going getting from downtown to West Seattle – Mary took RapidRide and says “no issues.”

(Texted photo – added after incident ended)

3:05 PM: With pm commute time approaching, you might need to know about road closures and bus reroutes related to an ongoing standoff downtown with a man in crisis who is said to be armed with a knife.

Metro says that “buses are rerouted off 3 Av between Spring & Union Sts. Use stops on 3rd Av south of Spring St or north of Union St.” Updates to come.

3:31 PM: SPD says the situation is “static” but acknowledges its negotiators are working on it.

3:58 PM: SPD update:

Officers install fencing as an additional safety measure. If you work downtown, please be aware of traffic impacts during evening commute. pic.twitter.com/sNzP0FZVwt

— Seattle Police Dept. (@SeattlePD) March 28, 2017

4:22 PM: Standoff continuing. (We’re monitoring via scanner as well as via public channels such as Twitter.)

4:25 PM: And now … it’s over. SPD says the man gave up his knife and was taken into custody without incident.

4:33 PM: As police have barricades to remove, among other things, it’ll take a bit for the streets to get back to regular flow, so don’t rush out just yet.

4:55 PM: As of a few minutes ago, Metro says, buses are getting back to normal on 3rd.

5:43 PM: Here’s how the incident was summed up on SPD Blotter, including a photo of the man’s knife.

2:47 PM: If you are in, or headed toward, downtown, avoid 4th Avenue in/through the Yesler vicinity – a major Seattle Fire response has been dealing with a natural-gas leak from a four-inch line. The area is closed off and some nearby buildings have been evacuated. SFD reports the leak has been stopped as of moments ago but they are still monitoring to decide if it’s safe to allow people back into the area.

3:18 PM: SFD says the 100 people evacuated from nearby buildings are in the process of “re-occupying.”

3:30 PM: SDOT says all lanes of 4th have reopened.

9:33 PM: Just got a text from someone in the Alki area saying they felt an earthquake that hit about half an hour ago in the Hood Canal area. Preliminary info indicates it was magnitude 4.2, which is stronger than the mild earthquakes which otherwise aren’t so uncommon in the region. The epicenter is described as west of Belfair. (The US Geological Survey map puts it under Hood Canal.) Will add anything more we find out.

10:26 PM: No damage reported, according to authorities near the epicenter:

10:33 PM: Much further away, but still in our region, another quake tonight – 4.8 magnitude, off northwest Vancouver Island (here’s the USGS page). And we’re reminded that the 16th anniversary of the 6.8 Nisqually quake is next week. So we’re going to take a moment to remind you again of your Emergency Communication Hubs – memorize the nearest one, so you know where to go in case of something big: