West Seattle, Washington
25 Thursday
11:27 PM: We’d been waiting to hear back from the precinct after asking about a report of police at Denny International Middle School earlier. This new update from SPD Blotter is apparently the answer:
On June 5th at approximately 3:49 p.m. officers responded to a middle school in the 8400 block of 30th Avenue SW after school security received an interior burglar alarm trip. School security was able to hear banging and breaking glass, and eventually saw the juvenile male suspect inside the office area of the school breaking things.
After establishing containment, officers entered the premises and found fresh damage to the office area including smashed glass panels in the doors. Officers then saw the suspect running in an interior courtyard. When they cut off his avenue of escape, the suspect turned and ran in another direction through the complex. After a brief foot pursuit, officers took the suspect into custody.
Officers secured the suspect and finished searching the rest of the building complex. Officers then photographed and documented the damage and collected evidence.
The suspect, a 13-year-old male, was transported to the Southwest Precinct where he was released to the custody of his father.
There are no other suspects outstanding or believed to be involved in the burglary and property damage to the school. Southwest Precinct Burglary detectives will be handling the active and ongoing investigation.
No word on how/if this affects school tomorrow – we’re checking.
7:31 AM MONDAY: Principal Jeff Clark says the damage “is not extensive.” He adds, “The district facilities department did a great job replacing several broken windows in the library and main office last night. We are all set to have a normal student day here at school.”
6:35 PM MONDAY: We asked the school district about a dollar value on the damage done; spokesperson Teresa Wippel says the only damaged items that had to be replaced were broken windows, costing $732 for labor/materials.
(WSB photo of Rachel Marie, from last month)>
7:53 PM: Just in from King County:
Over the weekend, the Water Taxi crew discovered a small crack in the hull plating of the Rachel Marie. The King County Marine Division has made arrangements to use another vessel, the Victoria Express, while the Rachel Marie is being repaired. The Victoria Express is a mono-hulled vessel of similar passenger capacity to the Rachel Marie and Melissa Ann, but it travels at slightly slower speeds and its length is better suited for the Vashon dock than the Seacrest dock in West Seattle. So beginning on Monday, June 6, the Victoria Express will be put into service on the Vashon Island/Downtown Seattle route, and the Melissa Ann will provide service on the West Seattle/Downtown Seattle route.
ADDED 8:09 PM: The issue of a backup vessel is one the county had been working on since other recent problems that pulled the Rachel Marie out of service, according to Michelle Allison from the office of King County Councilmember Joe McDermott (who is King County Ferry District board chair). We had also asked her recently about the status of the plan for the county eventually to have new boats built for the West Seattle and Vashon runs:
We recently wrapped up an expert review panel and expect the final report soon. This was an important step for us in discussing what elements our new boats should include – the number of passengers, technical specifications, etc. Once the Board receives the final report, they will spend some time reviewing and then they will develop the detailed procurement documents needed to secure a builder.
Background on the RM and its recent history of trouble, ahead:Read More
If you’re in the Don Armeni vicinity around 3:30 pm tomorrow and see a knot of activity, probably including TV trucks, here’s what it’s about: Mayor McGinn, Seattle Police Chief John Diaz, and other SPD leadership (among others) will be discussing a new plan for “citywide late-night public safety emphasis patrols.” The media invitation that arrived minutes ago describes this as: “City will promote uniformed police visibility in areas with high concentration of people enjoying Friday and Saturday nightlife opportunities.” What does that specifically mean for West Seattle? We’ll have details as soon as that’s available. (This time last year, the mayor and police chief announced these types of patrols for several non-WS neighborhoods.)
Story and photos by Bill “Hutch” Hutchison
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
The new Junction restaurant/lounge Bang Bar has chosen its opening date: Next Friday (June 10).
We learned that in an interview Saturday with Bang Bar owners Kay Fuengarom and Aom Tiacharoenwat and their chef, who goes by “Chef Jahn.”
As the owners of two other Thai restaurants (Zab Thai in Everett and Chaiyo Thai in Northgate), they were attracted to the former site of Tom Yum Koong (which closed in February) for a few reasons.
Kathleen sent the photo, explaining the kids are in the 5400 block of 36th SW:
They want to donate all proceeds to Kitty Harbor kitten rescue. Fair Trade Organic Homemade lemonade, homemade zucchini bread, shave ice. They’re selling until the lemonade’s gone.
Planning a lemonade stand? Or a formal gala? Let us know in advance!
A few days ago, after receiving a handful of notes from local providers who wanted to get the word out that their summer day camps still had room, we published a short update, and invited anyone else with openings to send them along. Since then, the list has grown fivefold, to 20 camps/workshops, including one we’ve mentioned before, the Chief Sealth Basketball and Life-Skills Camp, plus others at schools, fitness facilities, community centers, and more. So if you’re still planning summer for a child or teen – check out the expanded list of programs that reported some room remains (subject to change at any time, though, so if you find out one of these is now full, please suggest they let us know – thank you!)
Thanks to a text, we’ve found out Zippy’s Giant Burgers is closed today. According to the recording that answers the Zippy’s phone, it’s because they’re out of food after selling a “crazy, crazy amount of burgers” their first five days in the new White Center location, but they expect to reopen tomorrow. ADDED 2:20 PM: It’s been pointed out to us (via Krista on Facebook) that, also in WC, Proletariat Pizza is now open Sundays, as of today.
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
Pathfinder K-8 PE teacher Lou Cutler has spent 15 years fulfilling wishes in his spare time.
Today, he has a wish you can help fulfill: Support for his 12th annual birthday run around the school playfield – which for eight years has been a fundraiser for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, which works to make wishes come true for seriously ill children.
This year’s run is tomorrow morning. Lou started the tradition when he was on the brink of 50, and now he’s soon to turn 60, so he’s taking 60 laps. Many of the school’s students will join him on the field for all or part of it. Here’s our video from last year:
This year, we thought it might be fun to talk to Lou ahead of time, so we went to Pathfinder last Thursday afternoon toward the end of the school day to find out more about his mission:
Another day full of sunshine – but without as full a slate of events as Saturday (when we photographed that pirate kite on Alki)! Still a few things of note. From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:
TAI CHI ON THE BEACH: Martial-arts instructor Lao-Shi (Caylen Storm) leads a group at Alki (every Sunday morning), 9 am, $1.
PLANTS AND PETS: Furry Faces Foundation fundraiser plant sale, with adoptable dogs on site. 10 am-4 pm, 3809 46th SW, flyer with full detailsat furryfaces.org
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: Market manager Catherine Burke says today’s special features and new arrivals include cherries, morel mushrooms, music by Farm Report, and kids’ tent activities courtesy of Junction toy store Curious Kidstuff. 10 am-2 pm, 44th/Alaska.
ADOPTABLE CATS: Side trip while you’re at the Farmers’ Market, perhaps? West Seattle-based Friends of the Animals Foundation is at Next to Nature in The Junction, 11 am to 2 pm, with adoptable kittens and cats. All have been spayed/neutered and are up-to-date with routine shots.
SWIM IN THE SUNSHINE: Colman Pool at Lincoln Park, our area’s only city-owned outdoor pool, is open on the pre-season-weekend schedule again, with sessions starting at noon (here’s the schedule and other info – and take note that a computer upgrade means they’re not taking plastic after 4 pm, today only).
BEACH NATURALISTS: Seattle Aquarium naturalists will be on the beach near Colman Pool and south of Alki Point, 12:30-3:30 – the low tide is back on the rise but still notable, -1.6 just before 2 pm (here’s the chart for the entire month).
CRASH SURVIVOR BENEFIT: Benefit for the motorcyclist who survived an April 30th crash in the Luna Park business district, 1-10 pm at Brickyard BBQ with live music and more(details here).
SEATTLE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL AT THE ADMIRAL: Four movies will be screened today at the Admiral Theater as SIFF begins its final week: First one is at 1 pm; full schedule is here.
WIN YOUR WAY INTO THE WORLD SERIES OF POKER: Free Texas Hold Em’ @ the Heartland Café. 1:30 and 3:30 pm, more information here.
LIVE MUSIC: Buildings on the Moon and Hausfrau tonight, 7 pm, Skylark Café and Club (WSB sponsor), all ages.
‘PATRIOT GUARD RIDERS’ SCREENING: On Memorial Day, we reported on West Seattle filmmaker Ellen Frick‘s documentary about the motorcycle riders who serve the families of fallen American military members. Tonight is its first official Seattle showing, 7 pm at Northwest Film Forum as part of STIFF – info at the end of our report.
WEST SEATTLE TARGET’S GROCERY GRAND OPENING: As previewed here Thursday, the added grocery section at Target in Westwood Village is complete, and the store is celebrating its “grand opening” all day, open to close, with giveaways and specials.
If you have an engraved brick in place at Alki Statue of Liberty Plaza – you have something no one else can get from here on out. The Alki Community Council has announced that the plaza brick sale has ***ended***, so they are not taking any more orders. From the ACC: “We wish to thank all of you who contributed over the years to the success of this project. Since the ACC assumed the responsibility of selling the remaining bricks and plaques in 2009, over 600 bricks and 7 Tribute Plaques have been ordered. The Council is allowed to retain a small fiscal sponsor fee and pays the cost of engraving the bricks and casting the plaques. More than $47,000 has been turned over to Seattle Parks & Recreation for future Statue and Plaza maintenance needs.” Now, as for those two bronze Tribute Plaques that are still available – you can find out more about how to order one by calling Eilene at 206-933-8352 or e-mailing her at libertyplaza@msn.com. (Photo by David Hutchinson)
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