day : 16/02/2017 13 results

Just got word from the King County Wastewater Treatment District that this afternoon’s power outage caused a ~330,000-gallon overflow from the 63rd Avenue Pump Station in South Alki. The pump station usually sends stormwater and wastewater flows to the Alki Combined Sewer Overflow facility at Alki Point. That facility has an emergency generator on site, and the county says crews brought that generator to the pump station, but it wasn’t needed for long, since the outage lasted less than an hour.

… King County has reported the overflow to health and regulatory agencies. King County employees will post signs in the vicinity of the pump station at first light on Friday, Feb. 17, and employees with the County’s Environmental Lab conducted water quality monitoring.

The Alki facility itself had a quarter-million-gallon overflow just four weeks ago.

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SAFETY: 2 days of free car-seat checks next week at Swedish Automotive in West Seattle

February 16, 2017 9:30 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| Safety | West Seattle news

Next Monday and Tuesday, you have the chance to have your infant/child car seat checked, free, at Swedish Automotive (WSB sponsor). Both days, 10 am-2 pm, certified child-safety passenger technician Victor Gonzales will be checking seats to be sure they’re properly installed. Just stop by Swedish Automotive during those hours, those days (February 20-21), 7901 35th SW (corner of Kenyon). Questions? Call Swedish at 206-539-1984.

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Stabbing suspect charged; package thief in pickup; car prowler gets in

February 16, 2017 7:02 pm

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| Crime | West Seattle news

Three notes in West Seattle Crime Watch:

STABBING SUSPECT CHARGED: The woman accused of stabbing a 16-year-old girl in The Junction early Sunday is now charged with second-degree assault. 44-year-old Tillie J. Lee remains in the King County Jail, with bail still set at $220,000. The charging documents tell the same basic story as the probable-cause documents on which we reported – saying the suspect became enraged because the victim hugged Lee’s boyfriend. Lee allegedly stabbed the girl in the shoulder and then took off. Prosecutors say in the charges that Lee has been booked 64 times since 1996 and has had 88 warrants for her arrest. Two of the convictions are felonies, both from the early ’00s, for vehicular assault and second-degree theft.

PACKAGE THEFT IN ARBOR HEIGHTS: From Erik this evening:

My neighbor just had a couple packages taken from their front porch. They were taken from 99th & 35th around 5:15 in Arbor Heights. Police were called.

The vehicle is a mid-2000s red Toyota 4-door truck. No plate on front bumper & damage to front bumper as well. Blue tarp covering items in the bed of truck. Be on the lookout. 2 white males with beards, probably mid to late 30s.

CAR PROWL IN ADMIRAL: Rick reports this happened early Wednesday in the 4000 block of California SW:

There are 4 townhomes facing California, 3 facing the alley. In between the 4 in front and the 3 in back is a communal driveway. Our car is parked about 5 feet from our back door. All townhomes can easily see the driveway from their windows; there are bright motion-sensing lights. … I saw my driver-side door was open (I know I locked it night). Inside the car, the glovebox was open and had been rummaged through. Looks like they got away with an old GPS from the glovebox, and a phone charger that was plugged into the cigarette lighter. No damage as far as I can tell. Seemed similar to the North Admiral Car Prowl mentioned here so I thought I’d report it, as it looks like they may be making their way south down California.

REMINDER: The next West Seattle Crime Prevention Council meeting is next Tuesday (February 21st), 7 pm, at the Southwest Precinct (2300 SW Webster).

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HIGHLAND PARK WAY SLIDE: SDOT expects to reopen road by Friday pm commute

February 16, 2017 4:55 pm

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(WSB photo of cleanup work this morning, taken via long lens from top of hill)

Just in from SDOT: Highland Park Way is expected to reopen “by late afternoon Friday.”

Full update from Norm Mah of SDOT:

Highland Park Way SW will remain closed today and is expected to reopen by late afternoon Friday for the PM commute.

SDOT crews have removed 90% of the material that came down from the hillside on to the roadway, about 2400 tons.

Crews will remove the remaining material tomorrow and will place approximately 50 concrete Ecology blocks (6’ long x 2’ wide x 2’ high) along the western edge of Highland Park Way SW to buttress the hillside.

SDOT thanks the public for its patience while this work is being completed.

The slide happened just before 5 am on Wednesday; no one was hurt, but it caused a 2,008-customer power outage for a few hours.

Meantime, we have photos with a closeup look at the slide zone from pre-cleanup, courtesy of Joe Finelli, Jr.:

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UPDATE: West Seattle power outage – 4,800+ homes and businesses, back on within an hour

February 16, 2017 4:21 pm

| 56 COMMENTS

| Utilities | West Seattle news

4:21 PM: Thanks for all the texts – the Seattle City Light map confirms a big power outage in West Seattle, more than 4,800 homes/businesses. No word yet on the cause. More to come.

4:30 PM: Via Twitter, SCL says they “have reports of a downed pole,” though we haven’t heard where. Evan, via Twitter, reports having seen transformer trouble and sparks near High Point Pond Park. There was a short-lived SFD call near 29th/Findlay. Meantime, remember that non-working signals are all-way stops.

4:57 PM: New estimated restoration time – 5:50 pm. (Could be sooner, could be later.)

5:12 PM: Thanks for all the updates! Took the City Light map a few minutes to catch up but it confirms, outage is over.

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BASKETBALL: West Seattle High School girls will play for district title after beating Bellevue

February 16, 2017 4:19 pm

| 5 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

(UPDATED 9:07 PM with details, photos)

FINAL: West Seattle HS girls beat Bellevue, 47-37. (Video: 4th Q basket by Jasmine Gayles) pic.twitter.com/rr9j46bGYf

— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) February 17, 2017

(Video: 4th-quarter basket by WSHS’s Jasmine Gayles)

FIRST REPORT, 4:19 PM: “Championship game, here we come!” yelled a West Seattle High School fan, as the Wildcat girls beat defending state 3A champs Bellevue HS 47-37 moments ago at Bellevue College. They play for the district championship at 8:15 pm Saturday, again at Bellevue College, vs. the winner of tonight’s game between Bishop Blanchet and Cleveland at Chief Sealth. Photos and details from today’s game, coming up.

ADDED 9:07 PM: Photos and game summary ahead: Read More

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DAY WITHOUT IMMIGRANTS: White Center, South Delridge closures

February 16, 2017 1:47 pm

| 33 COMMENTS

| West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

Thanks to Jen Calleja for the tip – multiple White Center businesses are closed today for the Day Without Immigrants protest against the federal crackdown on immigrants. We stopped by some of the businesses she mentioned – above, the sign at Greenbridge Café; below, the signs at Salvadorean Bakery and Best Roasted Corn:

And Jen sent this collage of other businesses she found closed, including Deli Garcia in South Delridge:

We haven’t seen/heard of any other West Seattle closures – if you have, please let us know – editor@westseattleblog.com or 206-293-6302.

Meantime, there’s news about the court fight over the presidential order on immigration – according to a news release from state Attorney General Bob Ferguson, saying a federal appeals court was notified that “the President intends in the near future to rescind the Order and replace it with a new, substantially revised Executive Order” to eliminate constitutional concerns. Ferguson’s reaction: “Let’s be clear: Today’s court filing by the federal government recognizes the obvious — the President’s current Executive Order violates the Constitution.”

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West Seattle history: Transit token turns up

February 16, 2017 1:07 pm

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| West Seattle history | West Seattle news

You never know what you’re going to find when you dig in!

The photos are from Anne Higuera at Ventana Construction (WSB sponsor), who says, “While finishing up the last piece of our large expansion project at West Seattle Nursery (replacing the sidewalk and removing paving from the planting strip in front of both businesses), one of our employees found (this) in the dirt. … The street there has a brick base, so there are many layers of history in that street. The back, with the trees, says “good for one fare” and the front says “Seattle Transit” and the name of the director — looks like Beckett — along the bottom.” The token is smaller and thinner than a penny, she noted:

(Here’s a look at a cleaned-up version of a similar token.) At first they thought it was a token from the trolley days. Online research revealed that Seattle Transit was what the bus system was once known as. Evro M. Becket – who died in 1960 – was on the Seattle Transportation Commission in the ’40s, so the token likely dates back about 70 years. You can find out more about the Seattle Transit System via its annual reports, some of which are available as PDFs through the Municipal Archives. (1940, for example, is hailed as “a year of almost complete changeover from rail to rubber” – as the streetcar system was dismantled. The report features many photos, of buses, streetcars, and examples of streets where the tracks were paved over. And it includes the dates when streetcar runs changed to buses – you’ll see some West Seattle runs listed on page 13. Relevant to the token discovery, page 21 mentions the average Seattle Transit fare was six cents in 1940. The last page, 34, shows the city’s route map.)

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West Seattle Thursday: Basketball; weddings; celebrating WSHS freshmen; PCC-project review; Alki CC; ‘Rock for Standing Rock’; more

February 16, 2017 11:33 am

| Comments Off on West Seattle Thursday: Basketball; weddings; celebrating WSHS freshmen; PCC-project review; Alki CC; ‘Rock for Standing Rock’; more

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Sanderlings on Alki, photographed by Mark Wangerin)

What’s ahead for the rest of your West Seattle Thursday:

HIGH-SCHOOL BASKETBALL: District-playoff games at Bellevue College – West Seattle High School girls vs. Bellevue HS at 3 pm, WSHS boys vs. Nathan Hale HS at 8:15 pm. (3000 Landerholm Circle SE, Bellevue)

‘HONORING WEDDING TRADITIONS ALONG THE SILK ROAD’: Planning a wedding? Free event with vendors including food, photography, more – details in our calendar listing. 5:30 pm-8 pm at The Sanctuary at Admiral. (42nd SW & SW Lander)

WEST SEATTLE HIGH SCHOOL FRESHMAN CELEBRATION: It’s all about the 9th-graders and their families tonight at West Seattle High School, 6:30-8 pm. From the school’s weekly newsletter:

The first year of high school can be challenging. We thought organizing an evening of sharing, caring, and building community around this idea would benefit everyone – students, parents, guardians, teachers, and administrators. Students will speak and share their thoughts about what they find challenging and likewise, rewarding about their first year in high school. The Teen Health Center and other community organizations will be available for families to learn about their community services. Dinner will be served.

(3000 California SW)

MADISON MIDDLE SCHOOL EVENING TOURS: 6:30-8 pm, prospective families are invited to visit Madison Middle School tonight. (45th SW & SW Spokane)

ALKI COMMUNITY COUNCIL: 7 pm meeting at Alki UCC – agenda includes:

1) Update on Seattle Noise Ordinance, Jesse Robbins
2) SDOT Paving Plan (discussion)
3) Discussion of alignment between ACC and Seattle City Council goals

(6115 SW Hinds)

PCC PROJECT @ ADMIRAL NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION: As previewed here, you’re invited to get a look at the newest version of the mixed-use project at the PCC Natural Markets (WSB sponsor) site, before it goes back to Design Review in two weeks. Tonight’s special Admiral Neighborhood Association meeting is at 7 pm at St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church‘s hall. (3050 California SW)

ROCK FOR STANDING ROCK: 8 pm-11 pm benefit performances at The Skylark, to help the Standing Rock Sioux’s challenge to the route planned for the Dakota Access Pipeline. Details in our calendar listing. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

WEST SEATTLE SONGWRITERS’ SHOWCASE: 8 pm at Parliament Tavern – “a night of Seattle singer-songwriters featuring Candice Rose, Amanda Navares, and David Rodriguez.” (4210 SW Admiral Way)

MORE! on our complete-calendar page.

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SATURDAY: You’re invited to annual Black History Month Community Dinner

February 16, 2017 10:47 am

| Comments Off on SATURDAY: You’re invited to annual Black History Month Community Dinner

| West Seattle news | Westwood | WS culture/arts

(Photo from 2016 Black History Month Community Dinner)

Thanks to Chief Sealth International High School Black Student Union senator Khaim Vassar for sharing the photo and invitation:

The Chief Sealth International High School Black Student Union will be hosting our 2nd Annual Black History Month Community Dinner at Southwest Teen Life Center on Saturday, February 18th, 2017 from 5:00 pm-7:00 pm (doors will be opening at 4:45 pm). All are welcome. Free to attend.

We encourage our community to come together and celebrate the accomplishments of Black People locally, nationally, and globally.

“Unity is Strength, Division is weakness” ~ Swahili Proverb

Southwest TLC is in the same building as Southwest Pool – 2801 SW Thistle.

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UPDATE: $1.5 million improvement project planned for Don Armeni Boat Ramp

February 16, 2017 9:13 am

| 2 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

ORIGINAL REPORT, 9:13 AM: At 9:30 this morning, the City Council’s Parks, Seattle Center, Libraries, and Waterfront Committee agenda includes a Parks Department request for approval to seek state grants for three boating-related projects, including one at West Seattle’s Don Armeni Boat Ramp. From the slide deck for the meeting, here are the details:

The grant would cover two-thirds of the $1.5 million cost; the city funding comes from the voter-approved Park District levy. You can watch the discussion live during this morning’s committee meeting via Seattle Channel, online or on cable channel 21, and you can find more details of the meeting via its agenda, here.

10:56 AM: The council-committee meeting is over. Parks got approval to pursue the grants. The briefing included an explanation that of the three projects for which those grants are being sought, Don Armeni – the only one in West Seattle – is the highest priority, because waves have caused so much damage to the old floating docks. So even if the grants aren’t received, the committee was told, the Don Armeni project will happen anyway.

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Remembering Elizabeth LaVerne Thorneycroft, 1923-2017

February 16, 2017 9:00 am

| 4 COMMENTS

| Obituaries | West Seattle news

A celebration of the life of Elizabeth LaVerne Thorneycroft is planned on March 4th. Here’s the remembrance her family is sharing with the community:

Elizabeth LaVerne Thorneycroft, 94, entered Heaven’s gates on Thursday, February 2, 2017 in West Seattle. Born January 2, 1923, in Ketchikan, Alaska, she was the daughter of the late Alden and Betty Harvie. LaVerne married the love of her life, Norman Henry Thorneycroft, in February 1941. They resided in West Seattle where she and Norman welcomed their daughter Marilyn Anne.

LaVerne’s life can be summarized in four words: Faith, Family, Friendship, and Philanthropy. LaVerne had a kind spirit and sharp wit. She was a faithful servant who shared her love for Christ through her actions. As a longtime member of Fairmount Church and Admiral Congregational Church in West Seattle, she delighted in women’s fellowship, made friends everywhere she went and had a huge heart for those less fortunate. Knitting hats for the homeless was part of her 30-year stewardship with the Seattle Milk Fund, all while making sure every member of her family had a warm hat of their own. When she wasn’t knitting, setting up church luncheons or playing pinochle, she enjoyed traveling the globe and spent some of her most memorable years at Hood Canal with her family.

As a wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, LaVerne was the matriarch of her family. Whether it was dinner shared around her kitchen table, or baking her classic banana cream pie and cookies, she loved cooking for her family. Fittingly so, as the rock of her family, LaVerne will lay to rest next to her husband at the Rock of Ages area at Washington Memorial Cemetery.

LaVerne is survived by her daughter Marilyn Anne Shoemaker, grandson Christopher Norman Shoemaker, granddaughter Keri Anne Patashnick (Lyle), and great-grandchildren, Seth Henry Patashnick and Emery Anne Patashnick. We will remember her smile, her warmth, her tenacity, her love of the Lord, family and friends. She made a difference in the lives of many.

A celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, March 4, 2017, 11:30 am, at Admiral Congregational United Church in West Seattle. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to the Seattle Milk Fund at seattlemilkfund.org and the Senior Center of West Seattle at 206-932-4044 or online sc-ws.org.

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)

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THURSDAY TRAFFIC/TRANSIT: Highland Park Way closure continues; other updates

February 16, 2017 5:04 am

| 9 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(UPDATED 11:20 AM with latest from Highland Park Way – scroll down)

5:04 AM: We’re starting traffic/transit coverage early because of the continuing Highland Park Way closure between West Marginal Way SW and SW Holden, now in its second day after a slide around this time yesterday. SDOT‘s most-recent update said the closure is expected to continue “through (today).” The closure also affects Metro Route 131; here’s the most-recent information on its reroute.

(SDOT MAP with travel times/video links; is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE)

If anything changes with Highland Park Way this morning, we’ll update here, along with any other traffic notes as the morning continues.

6:32 AM: Still no other incidents reported. We’re not the only area affected by a slide; there are slides elsewhere in the region including one closing westbound I-90 in Issaquah and another forcing cancellation of Sounder train service.

6:39 AM: And now we have an incident – eastbound West Seattle Bridge. Conflicting reports between a texter and scanner dispatch; the former says it’s after the Fauntleroy ramp, the latter said it’s “midspan.”

6:48 AM: We have another verification that this is on the eastbound bridge from Fauntleroy, parallel with Nucor. (Backup on Fauntleroy ramp just past 35th is also visible on the travelers’ map video feed.) So if you’re bridge-bound shortly, getting on someplace further east is likely a better choice.

7:04 AM: The feed shows traffic on the Fauntleroy approach is flowing again, so though we haven’t had an official update, it appears the reported crash/stall has cleared. One of SDOT’s bridge cams, the one that can see the west end, is down right now, so that’s complicating things.

7:11 AM: New problem – WSDOT reports a stalled vehicle partly blocking the ramp to I-5 northbound from the eastbound West Seattle Bridge.

8:05 AM: Multiple reports that Delridge is backed up again today, apparently a domino effect from the Highland Park Way closure (we’ll be going over for a look a bit later).

8:15 AM: Bus trouble in Admiral. Metro just sent a 40-minute-late alert saying that the 7:38 am Route 57 “did not operate.” We got a concurrent text from someone saying: “There’s no 7:50 57 or 8 am 56 yet at 47th and Admiral … 25ish people waiting here for a bus, any bus, to downtown.”

11:20 AM: Our photo above is from the Highland Park Way slide scene, earlier this morning. We just checked in with SDOT; no new info on how soon it might reopen, and they’re still expecting that it’ll likely be closed for the rest of today, so for now, plan on an alternate PM route. We’ll publish a separate update before the PM commute.

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