day : 31/07/2013 12 results

Thanks to Beach Drive Blog for first word of this – a new buoy off Lincoln Park that’s gathering water-quality information around the clock. After seeing BDB’s story this afternoon, we asked the county if it had an announcement to share:

A new marine water quality monitoring buoy launched this week by King County will provide a wealth of data about water conditions on Puget Sound to scientists and the public alike.

At more than seven and a half feet in diameter and standing three feet tall with a seven-foot-tall mast, the yellow, donut-shaped buoy is firmly anchored in about 550 feet of water just less than half a mile off Point Williams in West Seattle. The buoy was deployed July 30th by staff with the King County Environmental Laboratory’s Field Science Unit.

The water quality monitoring system on the buoy consists of water temperature, salinity, dissolved oxygen, turbidity, chlorophyll, nitrate and depth sensors that collect data measurements every 15 minutes.

These sensors are suspended about three feet below the buoy. Collected data are sent via a cell phone in near real-time to the County’s marine mooring webpage where the public can access the data, at green.kingcounty.gov/marine-buoy/default.aspx.

Water quality sensors and communications equipment were repurposed from a former monitoring system that stopped functioning about one year ago.

The new water quality monitoring system is one of four locations in Puget Sound that collect data every 15 minutes.

Collected data are integrated into the County’s monthly marine monitoring program in order to provide a more comprehensive picture of marine water quality dynamics.

The county link doesn’t seem to be working right now, but this one from the BDB report is – just click the green circle off West Seattle.

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Election 2013: Mayoral candidate Sen. Ed Murray speaks in West Seattle

July 31, 2013 10:24 pm

| 23 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

With less than a week until voting ends and vote-counting begins in the August 6th primary, one of the 9 candidates for Seattle Mayor came to West Seattle tonight to speak to supporters. State Sen. Ed Murray, a former West Seattleite, campaigned tonight at the Alki Masonic Temple on the east edge of The Junction. We arrived mid-event, noting about 60 people on hand, so can only note a few points from his speech: Critiquing the incumbent mayor, Murray repeatedly referred to contentiousness – “frayed relationships with regional partners,” “arguing” with the City Council – and framed himself as someone who “brings people together.” Regarding a contentious issue from his last sessions in Olympia, Murray said he was hopeful an agreement for transportation funding would be worked out with legislators before year’s end, or, almost certainly in the next session of the Legislature, because Eastside legislators, he said, don’t need Metro cuts any more than we do on this side of Lake Washington. After he finished speaking, his former fellow state senator, this area’s King County Councilmember Joe McDermott, took the microphone to close the event.

So far as we know, Murray is the only mayoral candidate with a final-days-of-voting event planned in West Seattle (this one, by the way, was organized by local supporter Nils von Veh, not by the campaign); if you know of anyone else, please let us know so we can include it in the calendar and also cover it – even if it’s just informal campaigning, from doorbelling to sign-waving – editor@westseattleblog.com.

Whoever you’re voting for, next Tuesday night is the deadline to get your ballot in – and if you don’t want to mail it, as noted here two weeks ago, ballot dropoff vans will be available this Saturday, Monday, and Tuesday at West Seattle Stadium and Greenbridge – details here.

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Remembering Dorothy Mae Olding, 1913-2013

July 31, 2013 8:46 pm

| 5 COMMENTS

| Obituaries | West Seattle news

Dorothy Olding lived to just five months shy of 100 years old, and her family wants to be sure those who know her have heard the news:

Dorothy Mae Olding
December 22, 1913 – July 24, 2013

Dorothy grew up in West Seattle and graduated from West Seattle High School in 1932. She is preceded in death by husband, Elmer “Shorty” Olding and son, Terry Olding (WSHS ’71). She is survived by her children, James (Carol) Olding (WSHS ’54), Donna (Dick) Bennett (WSHS ’55) and Sally Renee (WSHS ’63). She is also survived by 11 grandchildren (including Scott Davis – WSHS ’76, Ron Davis – WSHS ’78 and Jacki (Davis) Equall – WSHS ’79), 17 great grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren with another on the way.

At Ms. Olding’s request, there will be no service.

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Followup: Hit-run survivor Sarah says recovery ‘scary’ & ‘humbling’

July 31, 2013 7:12 pm

| 6 COMMENTS

| How to help | West Seattle news

(Message chalked on Fairmount Avenue during run to show support for Sarah, one week after she was hit)
Two weeks ago, we reported on the crowdfunding campaign to help Sarah – previously known only as “Red” – the runner hit and left by the side of Fairmount Avenue early one June morning, seriously injured, found by two West Seattle Good Samaritans. It was started by Sarah’s friend Ed Lorah, who today sent a message directly from Sarah and her husband:

With very full hearts, David and I want to thank you all for your overwhelming kindness and support. We are deeply and profoundly touched by the warmth and generosity extended to us in this unexpected challenge and chapter.

I am home now and at least able to take on short walks around the house (versus long runs through West Seattle or large work challenges). This recovery is a very slow, sometimes scary, and very humbling process, but with all of the love, patience, and generosity that is being sent our way, I feel better-equipped to meet the challenges. Thanks again for your support and encouragement!

Sarah

More than $8,000 has been raised so far; donations toward Sarah’s medical bills are still being accepted here. The case remains unsolved.

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Driver in deadly Delridge rollover charged with vehicular homicide, reckless endangerment

July 31, 2013 4:35 pm

| 5 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

43-year-old William Kelly Edmon is now charged with vehicular homicide and reckless endangerment in connection with last Saturday night’s deadly crash at Delridge and Kenyon. Prosecutors say he was allegedly under the influence while driving the 1988 Chevy S-10 truck that ran a red light at a witness-estimated 50-60 mph, collided with a Honda CR-V, and rolled over, ejecting 43-year-old Michael Fisher, who had been riding in the back of the pickup, and was pronounced dead at the scene. Two other people were hurt in the crash, as we reported Saturday night; one was the CR-V’s 55-year-old driver, the other a 40-year-old riding in the pickup’s passenger seat.

Edmon’s bail remains set at $1 million, according to the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, which says his arraignment is set for August 14th. As noted in our Monday followup, Edmon has a record including DUI arrests. More details when we get the full paperwork on this shortly.

ADDED 5:31 PM: The court documents say the bail request is because Edmon is considered a “grave danger to the community and a flight risk.” His record includes 13 instances of driving with a suspended license, dating back to 1990; he was convicted of DUI in 1998 and 2010, with an amended DUI in 2007; other cases listed on the court documents include inattentive driving, ignition-interlock violation, reckless driving, property destruction, harassment, hit-and-run, malicious mischief, and several “failure to appear” charges along the way. Regarding the license suspension, the charging document says, “The defendant’s privilege to drive has been suspended for quite some time.”

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West Seattle Crime Watch: ‘Car break-in, purse theft, shopping spree’

July 31, 2013 2:48 pm

| 45 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

How fast do criminals move? This fast, reports Rich, sharing that surveillance photo with the subject line we used in the headline – car break-in (followed by) purse theft (and) shopping spree:

My wife’s car was broken into this morning around 8:00 am in front of the Link Building in The Triangle, and the thief made off with her purse. In the time it took to notify all of the authorities, she and her male accomplice had already run up thousands of dollars in charges in Westwood and White Center businesses. She and her partner hit Target, Bed Bath & Beyond, Staples, O’Reilly Auto Parts and the Safeway on Roxbury, each time buying several hundred dollars in gift cards and other items (computers, seat covers, floor mats, Kindle covers, framed art…)

The thief is a white female, mid to late 20’s, about 5’5″, with straight shoulder length auburn hair. She’s wearing plaid pajama bottoms and a black hoodie sweatshirt. The most distinguishing item the store clerks have mentioned, because it’s so out of place, is the expensive handbag she’s carrying (my wife’s stolen bag), which is a large brown leather Michael Kors. The male accomplice appears to be late 30’s to early 40’s, balding, with what looks like a beard. He’s wearing jeans and a gray short sleeve collared shirt.

If you have any information on these reprobates, please contact the Police Department at 206-233-2623, and reference case number 2013-272983.

We asked Rich how he got the surveillance images so fast: “When we were shutting down the cards, the credit card companies were telling us where they were active. I found out 25 minutes after they hit O’Reilly, and contacted the manager there. He jumped right on it and found the perps.” He says video from two other stores confirms it, too. P.S. Besides the number he gave – if you see these people, you can also call 911, if it’s a current sighting.

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West Seattle businesses: Howden-Kennedy Funeral Home getting its new location ready

July 31, 2013 12:50 pm

| 21 COMMENTS

| West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

The only business that is moving because of the 4755 Fauntleroy Way (Whole Foods, etc.) megaproject – Howden-Kennedy Funeral Home – is getting its new location ready. Howden-Kennedy’s Len Burton-Hardin told us during West Seattle Summer Fest, when the Rotary Club of West Seattle (which he leads as its current president) joined us in the Info Booth, that HK had just received the keys to its new home at 35th and Ida in the Gatewood area (formerly Michael’s Barber Shop, whose owner retired), and today he sends word that sign work has begun at the new location, adding, “We hope to be in the temporary location by August 26th.” It won’t be an exact replica in size or scope; Burton-Hardin explains that the funeral business is changing, as families’ needs and interests change, and the need for a large chapel is no longer what it was, so they’ll be focusing the new Howden-Kennedy facility more on life celebrations than somber memorials. They will be opening their office first at the new location, and then adding new facilities on the site. Howden-Kennedy is just seven years short of its centennial!

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Ultramarathon benefiting injured Marines to go through West Seattle and South Park Aug. 11th

July 31, 2013 12:32 pm

| 8 COMMENTS

| How to help | West Seattle news

View Larger Map

That map represents the West Seattle/South Park leg of a run we have just learned about via this announcement:

Residents are invited to cheer Marines from Always Brothers as they run 100 miles Aug. 10 and 11 from Seattle to Orting and back to honor military heroes from Washington State and to raise money for research of brain diseases and injuries experienced by veterans.

A group of Marines and civilians, some local and some from other parts of the U.S., will depart Leschi at 6 a.m., Aug. 10, and run through Mercer Island, Renton, Maple Valley, and Enumclaw before stopping at the Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs Soldiers Home in Orting. After a short break there they’ll continue along the outskirts of Puyallup and on through Sumner, Auburn, Kent, Tukwila, South Park and West Seattle, where they will be joined by a police escort as they cross the West Seattle bridge and finish, as a group, at CenturyLink Field at 9 a.m., Aug. 11.

This is the third year Always Brothers, a non-profit fraternal organization made up of Marines, other veterans, and their supporters, has hosted a 100-mile, 24-hour ultramarathon to benefit Marines and their families. This ultramarathon, unique in that it is not a race, will raise money for One Mind for Research™, a Seattle nonprofit dedicated to curing brain diseases, including traumatic brain injury (TBI) and post-traumatic stress (PTS).

“My original inspiration for working to improve diagnostics and treatments for brain injuries was the incredible number of soldiers returning from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan with TBI and PTS,” says ONE MIND’s CEO Gen. Pete Chiarelli (Ret.), Seattle native and former Vice Chief of Staff of the United States Army. “We are proud to be supported by veterans’ organizations like Always Brothers to aid our mission of dealing with these ‘invisible wounds’ in both the military and civilian populations.”

Some runners will run the entire 100 miles while others will run as part of a team, with each team member running 5 to 25-mile legs. No matter the distance each participant runs, the ultramarathon is not a race. Participants will stick together the entire way, raising awareness of brain diseases and the stigma associated with them.

“Running 100 miles in 24 hours won’t be easy, but it’s nothing compared to what soldiers with PTS and TBI face,” says Marine Dan Neilsen, Maple Valley resident and vice president of Always Brothers. “We invite anyone and everyone to cheer us along the route, come to the north plaza of CenturyLink Field at 9 a.m. on Aug. 11 to watch us finish, or support the run financially at active.com/donate/AlwaysBros100OneMind.”

People interested in supporting virtually, or following the runners online can receive social media updates using the hashtag #100forONEMIND on Aug. 10 and 11.

As you can see in the map above, the West Seattle leg will primarily be on West Marginal Way SW, and organizers estimate they’ll be in the vicinity around 8 am August 11th, a week from this Sunday.

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Wildlife notes: Harbor-seal birth on video; octopus decision Friday

July 31, 2013 11:43 am

| 13 COMMENTS

| Seen at sea | West Seattle news | Wildlife

Two notes of interest to sea-life lovers:

HARBOR-SEAL BIRTH: If you haven’t already seen that video – which we first noticed on the website of our friends at KING 5 – it might be of interest: The surveillance system at Elliott Bay Marina, across the bay in Magnolia, recorded a harbor seal giving birth to a pup this past Monday. (In case you wonder before hitting “play,” the video is taken from a distance and does not seem graphic or intrusive, at least to us, and we’re fairly sensitive/squeamish.) KING quotes the harbormaster as saying the mom and pup headed into the water about three hours later. Harbor seals, of course, are the primary species with which West Seattle-based Seal Sitters deal; one more reminder that they have a beach cleanup coming up 9 am-noon this Saturday – this post on their Blubberblog explains how to RSVP and participate.

OCTOPUS-PROTECTION DECISION: This Friday in Olympia, the state Wildlife Commission is scheduled to make its decision about whether/how the Great Pacific Octopus should be protected. Here’s the 44-page presentation that commissioners will review – proposing options from no protection to a complete moratorium on any octopus fishing in Puget Sound. This traces back to last November’s controversy over an octopus caught in West Seattle waters. The young diver who caught it subsequently advocated in Olympia for protecting the species. The decision is scheduled to be made at 1 pm; the meeting will be live on TVW.

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West Seattle Wednesday: Politics; produce; performing; more

July 31, 2013 9:45 am

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

Thanks to Dan for the photo of the “disappearing” crane (at Spruce, formerly “The Hole,” Fauntleroy/Alaska) as seen, or not seen, on this foggy Wednesday morning. Five highlights for the day/night ahead:

MOBILE BLOOD DRIVE: The Puget Sound Blood Center‘s Bloodmobile is at Our Lady of Guadalupe today, 1-7 pm (closed for a break 3-4 pm), with walk-up donations welcome. (35th/Myrtle)

CIRCUS 101: For ages 6-11 – “spend an hour learning the basics of juggling, balance, slapstick, and clowning with teaching artists from Teatro ZinZanni” at High Point Branch Library, 2-3 pm, free, no registration required. (35th/Raymond)

HIGH POINT MARKET GARDEN FARM STAND: 4-7 pm every Wednesday, buy organic produce just steps away from where it was grown. Info in our calendar listing. (32nd/Juneau)

ED MURRAY CAMPAIGN RALLY: The only mayoral campaign rally we have heard of in West Seattle in the days before primary election day is happening tonight, on behalf of State Sen. Ed Murray, who grew up in Alki. All are welcome, organizers say, and there is no cost; more info here. 6:30-8:30 pm at the Alki Masonic Hall in The Junction. (40th/Edmunds)

OPEN-MICROPHONE NIGHT RETURNS TO MIND UNWIND: 9 pm at Mind Unwind in the Admiral District, it’s the return of the last Wednesday of the month open-microphone night, hosted by Jasmine Azpiri: “Come share your musical talents, poetry, spoken word, story telling, comedy or your sideshow talents!” (2206 California SW)

Lots more on the calendar!

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Wednesday updates; alerts for later this week

July 31, 2013 7:11 am

| 4 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(Live view from the west-facing WS Bridge camera; other cameras are on the WSB Traffic page)
If you’re heading southbound on 99 from north of West Seattle, there’s a problem at the 1st Avenue South Bridge. Otherwise, the major outbound routes are OK – aside from the fog. If you are driving California SW in the Morgan Junction area, it’s the second day for repaving work between Fauntleroy and Graham. Then tomorrow and Friday, crews will move to the 1200 block of Alki Avenue SW.

I-90 BRIDGE CLOSURES AHEAD: If you missed the note last night – though this year’s Seafair air show is Blue Angels-less, it still will require I-90 bridge closures each day, this Friday through Sunday. The times are a bit different, too, says WSDOT: 1:15 pm-2:40 pm each day.

TUNNELING UNDER WAY: No traffic effects at this point but “Bertha,” the Highway 99 tunnel-boring machine, is now officially on the job, as of late yesterday. This WSDOT webpage breaks down the sections in which the work will be done.

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Police say body found in railroad car at West Marginal Way plant, but ‘not suspicious’

July 31, 2013 2:44 am

| 5 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle police

Officers are in the 5400 block of West Marginal Way SW right now, waiting for the Medical Examiner to come for a body found in a railroad car, according to the Seattle Police Twitter feed:

Deceased man found inside railroad car at cement factory. Death appears to be accidental –NOT SUSPICIOUS. … Body appears to be several days old … it’s possible death did not occur in Seattle. Identity of the deceased & cause of death to be determined & released by the medical examiner. No indications of foul play.

The address given by police, and shown on the Seattle Fire 911 log, cross-references to the Lafarge plant. SPD also tweeted that the railroad car has been in Eastern Washington recently, so that’s why they say the death might have occurred elsewhere.

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