10:37 PM: We’re not sure yet about the reason for the search, but police are looking for a suspect in the Schmitz Park Elementary area, and per scanner communication, the Guardian One law-enforcement helicopter is on the way, so you will likely hear it soon if you’re in that area. We have a crew on the way; more information when we get it. The description mentioned over the air is a white man, early 20s, six feet tall, hoodie and long, dark-colored shorts.
10:47 PM: Police tell our crew in the area that they are looking for a domestic-violence suspect. No other details. They’re bringing in a K-9 to help search on the ground.
10:51 PM: We’ve learned that the original scanner traffic on this incident mentioned possible harassment and vandalism – tire-slashing – as part of why they’re seeking the suspect.
11:14 PM: The search in the original area – centered on a home near 49th/Hinds – did not pan out, but they’re following other leads, including one that the suspect might have headed east, toward California SW. If you see anyone matching the description, call 911.
11:19 PM: Sounds like they may have a suspect in custody. Will verify when we can.
11:27 PM: Precinct verifies the arrest. We’ll seek out additional information tomorrow when the report’s available.
As we showed you here on Monday, construction has officially begun at the site of DESC’s 66-unit Delridge Supportive Housing project in the 5400 block of Delridge Way SW. A neighbor tells us he just found a flyer in his driveway for a briefing/Q&A session that the contractor Walsh Construction is offering to neighbors – at mid-afternoon tomorrow (3 pm Wednesday, Delridge Library), billed as an opportunity for them to ask questions and get answers about the work. Before hearing about the meeting, we had asked DESC executive director Bill Hobson about the status of the work, and he had confirmed that the contractor had just begun “mass excavation, meaning digging out the hole that will be the underground parking and doing foundation prep work.”
Tonight as rock fans remember Jimi Hendrix on what would be his 70th birthday, if he were alive, there’s a unique tribute at West Seattle’s Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor) – Hendrix memorabilia shown by another legend, Pat O’Day, who’s there in person:
O’Day’s signing his book “It Was All Just Rock ‘n’ Roll,” including stories from his broadcasting career.
Hendrix was two months short of 28 years old when he died in 1970 – gone 42 years yet still remembered as one of the greatest guitarists ever.
(WSB photo from July 2012)
Breaking this evening – news that City Councilmember Tim Burgess is officially running for mayor. He filed paperwork today; the first big interview is on The Stranger‘s website. The news release just arrived in the WSB inbox. Burgess has visited West Seattle several times this year, including July’s joint Southwest District Council/Delridge Neighborhoods District Council meeting at the Southwest Teen Life Center, during which we took the photo above. He’s launched a campaign website here; you might recognize some West Seattleites’ names on the endorsements list, particularly in the right column. Burgess – midway through his second term on the council – is the second to declare, after Charlie Staadecker; McGinn has not made a formal announcement that he’s running, but hasn’t made any indication he isn’t. The primary is still nine months away, on August 6, 2013.
(Photo provided by Seattle Parks) Seattle Parks says it’s hired a crew to cut 22 trees along SW Jacobsen, which runs east from Beach Drive at the south end of the Emma Schmitz Viewpoint waterfront. Spokesperson Dewey Potter explains:
This is to let you know that Parks is hiring a contractor to remove some hazardous alder trees along SW Jacobsen Rd., which runs through Me-Kwa-Mooks natural area. There are 22 trees identified for removal; all have either dead tops, advanced decay, severe leans and/or compromised structure. All have been rated at 11 points out of 12 on the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA): http://www.isa-arbor.com/ hazard evaluation form.
The trees have had signs on them for several months indicating that they are to be removed. One neighbor responded that she was concerned about migratory bird nesting, so Parks delayed the project until well after nesting season. In the field, several neighbors have expressed concerns about the trees because of falling branches or failing trees, and are happy that we are taking action. There is parking along the road and frequent pedestrian and vehicle traffic, which is endangered by falling limbs or whole tree failures. There have been several whole tree failures across the street in the past several years. The tree crew has done clearance and hazard mitigation pruning within the past year, but based on their aerial inspections, they report that the trees had defects that pruning could not correct. Given the species and conditions of the trees and site conditions, our professional arborists think that removing these trees is a necessary action to protect people and property.
Parks bid out the project, and the successful bidder is Asplundh Tree Expert Co. The contractor will be responsible for traffic control and chipping and removing logs.
Clint Hewitt and Conrad Hill are pleased to announce that after meeting with Zippy’s Giant Burgers owner Blaine Cook this morning, the “Holidays 4 Hope” toy drive will have a donation bin at Zippy’s! The two Chief Sealth International High School seniors are collecting toys to brighten the holiday of local children. The next time you head to Zippy’s for one of their amazing burgers and vintage sodas, remember to take a new toy, book, or game to donate!
Zippy’s Giant Burgers at 9614 14th SW is the newest local site hosting a toy donation bin, joining the Original Bakery at 9253 45th Avenue Southwest, JC’s Deli at 9007 35th SW, as well as Chief Sealth International High School and Shorewood Christian School.
Please help us make a positive impact on the lives of local children and families for this holiday season! We are excited and grateful for the community support we are receiving for Holidays 4 Hope! Thank you to everyone hosting our holiday donation bins and bringing donations for the kids! We really appreciate every contribution!
For additional information on Holidays 4 Hope, contact Clint Hewitt at c.hewitt206@gmail.com or Conrad Hill at crhill2013@gmail.com
As the students write – it’s up to you now … fill those donation bins!
Four weeks till Christmas, and five nights till the West Seattle Junction Hometown Holidays Tree Lighting this Saturday night! Today we have the lineup, so you know what to expect (and so you know you won’t miss the actual lighting if you can’t get there immediately, though the park fills up and you won’t want to wait unless you absolutely have to!):
The event’s official start is at 5 pm. The Starlite All-Stars, local musicians featured at Shadowland‘s Tuesday night singer/songwriter showcase, will start playing before then, and will continue till a few minutes after 5. That’s when Doug Baldwin from the Junction Association (and Windermere West Seattle) will introduce the emcee returning for a 4th year, West Seattle-residing radio personality Marty Riemer. He’ll be followed by ArtsWest executive director Line Sandsmark introducing a number by the “Winter Wonderettes,” the ArtsWest holiday show. They’ll be followed by the Endolyne Children’s Choir, introduced by director Amy Stagno Bokanev. You’ll also hear from West Seattle Christian Church‘s pastor Dan Jacobs (long active in Junction events – including volunteering to run the projector for summertime West Seattle Outdoor Movies) and WestSide Baby executive director Nancy Woodland. Then at about 5:40 pm, emcee Marty introduces the West Seattle Hi-Yu Festival Junior Court, who will count down and light the tree. That will lead into more music by the Starlite All-Stars, as the event wraps up around quarter till six.
Please note that times are approximate – we’ve covered this since 2007 (even emceed it in ’08) and it can go a lot faster, or a little slower. Hope to see you there right from the start.
This is just one of dozens of holiday events and notes in the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide, updated at least once a day as the season continues – see it here.
That’s the helmet-cam video of bicyclist Jeff‘s trip to and through West Seattle’s first “bike box,” originally linked in the discussion following our Sunday report on the addition to the north/eastbound side of Andover at Delridge. Commenters had several followup questions, as did we, and as promised, we took them to SDOT, whose Marybeth Turner researched and responded. Ahead, our eight questions and SDOT’s eight answers, including what’s next for this project site and whether any more are in the works:
(ADDED: Video of orcas @ Vashon’s Point Robinson, by Kelly Keenan via Orca Network on FB) 11:18 AM: Just got a text that orcas are again headed this way – off Bainbridge Island a short time ago, and moving south. Alki Point and Beach Drive are likely the best places to go now – or Lowman Beach and Lincoln Park in a bit. Let us know if you see them! (Here’s our coverage from last Saturday’s sightings. P.S. Whether it’s whales or any other type of breaking news, text us at 206-293-6302 any time!)
11:56 AM: At Lincoln Park. Nothing visible with unaided eye, but wildlife photographer/writer Trileigh Tucker tells us she saw them with strong binocs. (P.S. We saw Trileigh at the park a bit later, and want to thank her publicly for sharing the binocs – we got a glimpse too!)
We spotted the garland-hanging crew in The Junction earlier this morning – getting ready for Hometown Holidays (co-sponsored by WSB again this year) starting this weekend (schedule here!) This IS another good day for decorating if you can, since the rain might be back by tomorrow. Here are a few highlights for today from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar and the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide:
AUTUMN POTPOURRI FESTIVAL: “A little of this ’n that” at Senior Center of West Seattle (California/Oregon) now till 1 pm. Gift items, jewelry imports, collectibles, decorations, crafts, desert plants, Santa Claus, bake sale, jazz with the Ellis Brothers, lunch at 11:45 am.
PEPS ORIENTATION: 1:30 pm for new/expectant parents at Bright Horizons (38th/Alaska, lower floor of Link). Details here.
OPEN ARMS ‘SHORT AND SWEET AUCTION’: West Seattleite Sabrina Urquhart is on the board of Open Arms Perinatal Services, which helps low-income women and their families, with results including increased breastfeeding-initiation rates, decreased C-section rates, and fewer cases of low-birthweight babies, and shared the news that they are raising money through an auction and entertainment event at 6:30 tonight at SANCA in nearby Georgetown – details here.
WEST SEATTLE STEM ELEMENTARY PTA MEETING: 7 pm tonight at the school (aka K5 STEM at Boren), 5940 Delridge Way SW. More info on the PTA website.
4TH ANNUAL JIMI HENDRIX TRIBUTE: Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor) welcomes you tonight to celebrate the rock legend. Special guest: Another local legend, Pat O’Day, with his personal collection of rare Hendrix photos. 7 pm, 6451 California SW – more info here.
(WSDOT image showing underside of deteriorating expansion joint – explained here)
Monday, we reported on the Spokane St. Overcrossing/Timber Bridge project ahead for Highway 99 south of the West Seattle Bridge (here’s the story). Today, we have new information on another new WSDOT project that will affect local drivers starting early next year – currently known as “Spokane Street Interchange Vicinity – Special Bridge Repair.” This one involves replacing more than two dozen deteriorating half-century-old expansion joints on and around the West Seattle Bridge/I-5/Columbian Way interchange (here’s an aerial view of the segments), and it will require a series of weekend closures involving various ramps.
We’ve been watching this one for a while and just got word from WSDOT that the closure schedules are now online. See them here, along with detour maps. The closures are currently scheduled to start with the weekend of January 4-7, late Friday night through early Monday morning, when WSDOT will close the I-5 northbound, I-5 southbound, and Columbian Way ramps to West Seattle Bridge. Subsequent weekends will NOT be the same pattern – every weekend closure has a slightly different configuration. As you’ll see on the closure-schedule page, this is expected to continue into next spring; it’s a $4.5 million project, to be led by Eastside-headquartered Mowat Construction.
A famous bakery is going against the grain: While the trend has more typically been for successful businesses from other Seattle neighborhoods to expand west, West Seattle-founded Bakery Nouveau is expanding to the northeast, six years after its low-key arrival here. Our friends at fellow independent neighborhood-news service Capitol Hill Seattle have broken the news this morning that BN “has launched plans for a new shop on Capitol Hill.” No, it’s not moving there – it’ll be a second location, according to the CHS story, for which editor Justin Carder interviewed BN proprietor William Leaman. Read all about it here. (2011 WSB photo)
(Live view from the only WS Bridge camera currently in operation; see other cameras on the WSB Traffic page) 6:50 AM: Another chilly morning – but dry, at least until tonight, according to the forecast. No problems on the routes from/through/to West Seattle so far. Reminder for bus riders: Till 8:30 this morning, Metro says, its reps are on hand near four northbound bus stops to listen to your thoughts about West Seattle service – as noted here.
ADDED 11 AM: We stopped by the northbound California/Fauntleroy station just before the mingling window ended at 8:30 am and found KCDOT’s Ashley DeForest:
She hadn’t kept count of how many people she’d spoken with but said things had been pretty busy. Also there, interviewing her: Transportation reporter Mike Lindblom from The Seattle Times (WSB news partner) –
Reminder from the West Seattle Hi-Yu Festival team: “The Hi-Yu Junior Court will be at the Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast, Saturday, December 1, 7 am-11 am. Add or start your collection by getting your unique blown-glass ornament for $20. Ornaments will also be available for purchase at certain store locations, Junction Hometown Holidays events, and online. Check out westseattlehiyu.com for details.” Ornament sales benefit Hi-Yu programs. And one more reminder that applications are being accepted for this year’s Senior Court until Friday – more info in our story from last month.
Today we have the lineup, so you know what to expect (and so you know you won’t miss the actual lighting if you can’t get there immediately, though the park fills up and you won’t want to wait unless you absolutely have to!):
A famous bakery is going against the grain: While the trend has more typically been for successful businesses from other Seattle neighborhoods to expand west, West Seattle-founded 
Reminder from the
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