day : 24/10/2014 11 results

11:08 PM: We’ve received multiple reports of a helicopter heard in the Seaview and Arbor Heights areas. We’ve checked with Seattle Police, and Lt. Alan Williams says it’s not Guardian One – quiet night for SPD. Still checking, but it’s a mystery for now.

12:08 AM: Just back from tracking it for a while. As noted in comments, it was flying too high for a search. Too dark, of course, to have any idea what it looked like. Not sure if we’ll be able to figure this one out, but we’re still trying.

West Seattle Halloween scene: Swimming with pumpkins

October 24, 2014 9:48 pm

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| Fun stuff to do | West Seattle news

With Halloween/harvest events aplenty in West Seattle for the next week-plus, tonight was the big night for local Seattle Parks facilities, including Southwest Pool, scene of an annual free family swim. Lifeguards were in costume, lights and decorations added to the atmosphere, and swimmers could play with floating pumpkins as well as the usual pool toys.

P.S. This was featured in our Halloween Guide, where you’ll find dozens more events from tomorrow through early November – and we’re adding more tonight (thanks to everyone sending theirs in).

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Vehicle flips in High Point, one person hurt

October 24, 2014 8:49 pm

| 5 COMMENTS

| High Point | West Seattle news

(Photo courtesy Michelle)
One person was taken to the hospital after that flipped-vehicle crash near 30th/Graham in High Point about an hour ago. Thanks to Michelle for the top photo. She reports that, “My husband and I heard a loud crash and then the sound of a car speeding away at a very high speed. We came out and found a car flipped in the intersection, with 1 man inside. The man seems to have some injuries, but was able to climb out of the car with some assistance.” At least one parked car was damaged (at right in the photo). This was originally dispatched as a “heavy rescue,” but the response was scaled back when it was determined the person in the vehicle got out OK.

(WSB photo)
Officers at the scene told us the man did not have life-threatening injuries.

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More Seattle City Light work ahead: North of Morgan Junction

October 24, 2014 6:11 pm

| 2 COMMENTS

| Utilities | West Seattle news

(Click map to see it full-size)
More Seattle City Light modernization work is on the way between The Junction and Morgan Junction. If this affects you, SCL says, you should have received a flyer. In case you didn’t – or otherwise missed it – we’re sharing the news too:

Seattle City Light is continuing to make electrical improvements in portions of West Seattle by increasing capacity from 4 kV to 26kV. The attached flyer was mailed recently and explained the details to affected customers. …

· What is the work? Conversion of service from 4 to 26kV will improve the electrical capacity in a neighborhood north of Morgan Junction. This modernization has been ongoing in different portions of West Seattle since 2008. The work involves replacing old poles with new ones and adding new cross arms, insulators, transformers and wires.

· What is the schedule? Beginning of November for approximately two months. See flyer for details.

· What are the impacts? Affected customers will experience a maximum of three outages during this work. Crews will place a door hanger or make personal contact 48-72 hours in advance of outages. The notification will specify the date, time and duration of the outage.

· Point of Contact? Michael Gabrielson, Electrical Service Representative, at 206-386-4245 or michael.gabrielson@seattle.gov , or visit seattle.gov/light/aboutus/construction

This is separate from the other West Seattle work that City Light announced earlier this month, cable maintenance via silicon injection in Fauntlee Hills and Sunrise Heights.

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West Seattle Weather Watch: Mountain snow; storm alert canceled

October 24, 2014 4:24 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

Look what’s back! Gary Jones shares the photo of snow on the Olympic Mountains, first major sighting from West Seattle this fall. Other weather news: The “special weather statement” suggesting possibly strong wind tomorrow has been dropped. Areas east of Seattle are under a wind advisory for tonight/tomorrow, but the forecast for our area is now back down to just rainy and breezy through Saturday night. For Sunday’s West Seattle Junction Harvest Festival (next big preview later tonight), things still look calmer still – cloudy with only a chance of showers.

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West Seattle (Athletic) Club update: Closure continues

October 24, 2014 3:33 pm

| 81 COMMENTS

| West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

(SATURDAY MORNING UPDATE: Club has yet to reopen)

What appears to be a transition at West Seattle (Athletic) Club continues, with the fitness center closed again today, as announced in e-mail Wednesday and posted on the doors Thursday, both saying it will reopen tomorrow. We went by after a tip that police were called there at midday. No officers there when we arrived, but we did see the truck shown above and exercise equipment sitting outside.

SPD told us the call was about “a disturbance,” but did not lead to arrests. Today was the court-ordered deadline for club owner Sam Adams to pay property owner John Pietromonaco $1.1 million or face eviction; when contacted earlier this week, Pietromonaco told WSB that he had “a plan” if that didn’t happen. We asked the King County Sheriff’s Office if it had or was planning to serve eviction papers; spokesperson Sgt. DB Gates said the “writ of restitution” issued October 6th in the unlawful-detainer (eviction) case has been assigned to a detective, but they don’t comment further on specific plans for serving paperwork (or not).

ADDED 9:33 PM: Commenter John sent a photo of the drained pool, visible from the sidewalk:

If you plan on going there first thing tomorrow morning, please let us know (comment, e-mail, phone/text, whatever works) what you find – open, closed, etc. Thank you!

SAT. MORNING, 8:43 AM: We won’t be able to go look for a while longer but as of a short time ago, a caller says, closed and locked, same sign.

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Followup: New information, as West Seattle’s Senior Center mulls going independent

October 24, 2014 1:11 pm

| 11 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

The Senior Center of West Seattle has gone through one big change and is contemplating another. And today, we have more context for both.

One week ago, we published the announcement of a meeting at which center supporters hope to hear what you think about its relationship with the citywide nonprofit Senior Services, as they ask “Should We Stay or Should We Go?” – with “go” meaning, breaking off and operating independently.

This follows months of behind-the-scenes uncertainty that followed Senior Services’ firing in July of the West Seattle center’s longtime executive director Karen Sisson. (While SS does not own the center, it provides staffing and other services.)

SS has not commented on the reason for Sisson’s firing, but she has said it was about an e-mail she mistakenly circulated more widely than she intended, expressing concerns about a possible change in its relationship with West Seattle and other centers.

She has asked us to share that e-mail with you. And we have talked with a Senior Services spokesperson to find out what they are considering and why.

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Crime Watch followup: Christopher A. Brown pleads guilty in Roxbury rape/beating attack

October 24, 2014 11:28 am

| 20 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news | White Center

Just discovered this in the court files:

The man charged in last March’s rape and beating of a 58-year-old woman near 22nd/Roxbury has pleaded guilty. The attack drew regional-media attention as deputies went door to door searching for clues to solve the exceptionally violent attack. 25-year-old Christopher Anthony Brown was found via a DNA match, arrested in Oklahoma in June, charged with rape and assault, and extradited. Investigators said Brown had been visiting this area when he attacked the victim as she waited for a bus – asking her for a cigarette, then offering her money for sex, and when she declined, dragging her into nearby shrubbery, choking her until she was nearly unconscious, beating her, raping her, robbing her, and threatening to kill her and her family if she reported it.

According to documents in the online files, prosecutors will recommend a sentence that would put Brown in prison for 171 months – just over 14 years. Brown pleaded guilty last week to one count each of rape, assault, and robbery. King County Superior Court Judge Julie Spector is scheduled to sentence him on November 14th.

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West Seattle Friday: Halloweekend #1; Ye Olde Curiosity Shop @ Log House Museum; Fall Falcon Fest; Highland Park square dance…

October 24, 2014 10:39 am

| 2 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Thanks to Bradi for the photo of Johnnie the cat admiring Thursday’s rainbow!)
From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar – first event, actually, was just announced last night and never even made it into the calendar:

YE OLDE CURIOSITY SHOP AT LOG HOUSE MUSEUM: With part of the downtown waterfront closed for seawall work, one of its iconic businesses, Ye Olde Curiosity Shop, is getting a special spotlight at the Log House Museum. That starts with an opening reception this afternoon, 2 pm, featuring members of its founding family – full details on the LHM website. (61st/Stevens)

Next, this is definitely Halloweekend #1; though October 31st is a week away, the biggest fun starts this afternoon/evening, and it’s in our West Seattle Halloween Guide, including:

RAINBOW BINGO: 6 pm, doors open for Halloween Rainbow Bingo at the Senior Center of West Seattle. Fun, food, cash prizes! Wear your costume! Must be 18 or older. Featuring Sylvia O’Stayformore and guest bingo callers. Follow the link to check ASAP if reservations are still available. (California/Oregon)

ALKI HALLOWEEN CARNIVAL: Carnival at Alki Community Center, 6:30-8:30 pm. $.25 per game or $7 per unlimited bracelet. (5817 SW Stevens)

HIAWATHA HALLOWEEN CARNIVAL: Carnival at Hiawatha Community Center, 6-8 pm. 25 cents a ticket. (2700 California SW)

SOUTHWEST POOL SPOOKY SWIM: Free Halloween Family Swim at Southwest Pool, 7-8 pm. “Bring your little ghosts and goblins to the pool and take a dip with the pumpkins! Join in with a penny dive, bobbing for apples and other activities. Anyone under 18 yrs old must be accompanied in the water by an adult or guardian.” (2801 SW Thistle)

‘GHOST GAME’: The Cabiri in ‘Ghost Game VIII: 13 Witches’ at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, 8 pm. Tickets and details here. (4408 Delridge Way SW)

Back to the regular calendar – some of tonight’s other highlights:

FALL FALCON FEST: 5-8 pm, the first festival at newly reopened Fairmount Park Elementary School – alumni are encouraged to come, too, and special tours are part of the plan. Details in our preview from earlier in the month. (38th/Findlay)

HIGHLAND PARK ELEMENTARY SQUARE DANCE: 6 pm, dinner (free!), 7-9 pm, square dancing with live music, and more – including free pumpkins to take home, while they last! – presented by the Highland Park Elementary PTA. (1012 SW Trenton)

PEACE ON THE BEACH: As part of Seattle Parks’ Week Without Violence, teens are invited to the Alki Bathhouse at 6 tonight for pizza, discussions, and s’more-making. (2701 Alki SW)

SWEET, SWEET MUSIC, FEATURING ALICE STUART: 7:30 pm at Fauntleroy Church, the high-energy blues artistry of Alice Stuart is spotlighted in the latest edition of Sweet, Sweet Music.

TOTAL EXPERIENCE GOSPEL CHOIR’S MICHAEL JACKSON TRIBUTE: 7:30 pm at Kenyon Hall – read about it here! (7904 35th SW)

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Fauntleroy salmon: Drumming on Sunday; watch starts Monday

October 24, 2014 9:38 am

| 3 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | Wildlife

(WSB photo from last year’s Fauntleroy Creek gathering to call the salmon home)
Last year, they were a no-show; the year before, a record run. What will this year bring for coho salmon in Fauntleroy Creek? Steward Judy Pickens says would-be salmon spectators are already showing up at the creek but should know, no one’s seen any yet, and the official volunteer-powered salmon watch won’t start until Monday. Once they see one, she’ll share the news with us, and you’ll be welcome to come down and try to get a glimpse any time a salmon-watcher is on duty. Meantime, the symbolic start to the season is this Sunday, 5 pm, when you are invited to join in the annual “calling the salmon home” gathering at the Fauntleroy fish ladder (Fauntleroy/Director, across the street from the ferry dock, up the embankment) – bring something to drum with if you can, but not mandatory.

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Friday updates; weekend (& beyond) previews

October 24, 2014 6:21 am

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(WS bridge and Highway 99 views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
Happy Friday! Traffic watch is on. And so are our previews for the weekend and beyond:

LOTS OF HALLOWEEN: This weekend is arguably bigger for Halloween events than October 31st. Preview them in our West Seattle Halloween Guide. And take extra care out there tonight and tomorrow night.

WEEKEND TRAFFIC ALERTS, CITYWIDE: See SDOT’s roundup for this weekend here.

HARVEST FESTIVAL ON SUNDAY: Junction streets are closed and buses are on reroute for Sunday’s 10 am-2 pm festival – the closure starts first thing in the morning, as participants (including us!) will be loading in, as will Farmers’ Market vendors.

WATER TAXI SCHEDULE CHANGE ON MONDAY: The 7-day-a-week, all-day West Seattle Water Taxi schedule ends Sunday. Then on Monday, the 5-day fall/winter schedule begins – preview it here.

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