day : 07/03/2018 12 results

8:57 PM: Thanks for the tips – police are investigating what, according to scanner traffic, is confirmed gunfire in High Point; they have found shell casings. We’re off to find out more.

9:09 PM: Police are on Lanham Place SW, just north of SW Graham, investigating, but not commenting.

10 PM: Police are still there, trying to make contact with someone possibly connected to the incident, and they will be blocking off streets nearby to keep people away until this is resolved.

10:35 PM: Not resolved yet. Meantime, we got a phone call from a neighbor who said she wanted to publicly thank police for their rapid response when she called after hearing the gunfire.

11:08 PM: Officers are still working strategically and deliberately to resolve the standoff.

MIDNIGHT: Standoff continues. We’re monitoring for the duration.

1:08 AM: Standoff continues.

2:13 AM: Five and a half hours now since the original call.

3:01 AM: As best we can tell from monitoring radio, this is wrapping up – an ambulance has been brought in to transport the person police had been working to take into custody. We’ll seek the official report for followup information later this morning.

ADDED 10:53 AM: That followup info just arrived via SPD Blotter:

A 26-year-old man is in custody and several guns have been recovered following an extended call Wednesday night into Thursday morning in the High Point neighborhood in West Seattle.

On March 7th, just before 9:00 pm, officers responded to several reports of shots fired in the 6000 block of Lanham Place Southwest. Officers located bullet damage to a parked vehicle in front of an apartment building. Additionally, it appeared that several items had been thrown from a third-floor apartment onto the ground below. As officers were containing the building, someone threw two handguns out of the window. Officers attempted to make contact with the occupants but to little avail. Officers believed the male suspect inside the apartment was in crisis.

After a prolonged standoff, officers obtained a search warrant for the apartment. With the assistance of SWAT, Gang Unit detectives, and K9, officers made entry into the apartment where the 26-year-old suspect was arrested without incident. Inside the apartment, several additional handgun magazines and ammunition was located and collected for evidence. One of the handguns that was tossed out the window was reported as stolen, while the other had been reported as missing.

The suspect, a convicted felon, was booked into the King County Jail for weapons violation. Detectives will handle the follow-up investigation.

We’ll be checking on the suspect’s background and will add more when we have i.

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WEST SEATTLE LIGHT RAIL: 2 updates on what happens next

March 7, 2018 7:47 pm

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| Transportation | West Seattle news

(WSB photo: Stakeholder Advisory Group at its first meeting last month)

Monday, as we reminded you, was the last day in the first phase of commenting on Sound Transit‘s West Seattle (and Ballard) light-rail plan. We now have confirmation about the time and place of the second meeting of the Stakeholder Advisory Group – which has a major role in considering your comments and making recommendations. It’s one week from tonight, 5-8 pm Wednesday, March 14th, at the Sound Transit board room in (corrected) Union Station downtown. The public’s welcome – but as we learned during the first meeting (WSB coverage here), no spoken comments will be taken, just written. Meantime, there’s a new estimated time frame for the start of “neighborhood forums” – ST spokesperson Kimberly Reason says they’re now expecting these to start in late April, a month later than was tentatively planned. This is all meant to lead to a decision on a “preferred alternative” plan in about a year.

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HAPPENING NOW: Tell city reps what matters to you in the mayor’s Seattle Police Chief search

March 7, 2018 6:07 pm

| 9 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle police

Until 7:30 pm, you’re invited to stop by Southwest Teen Life Center (2801 SW Thistle) and talk with city reps about Mayor Jenny Durkan‘s search for the next Seattle Police Chief. Just a few people were there when we stopped by in the early going, so your comment(s) will certainly be heard. You can read more about the search process here; there’s a quick online survey here; see who’s on the selection committee here.

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WEST SEATTLE ART: Morgan Junction signal boxes painted by Desmond Hansen

March 7, 2018 3:32 pm

| 30 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

(WSB photos)

Morgan Junction has joined the ranks of West Seattle neighborhoods with signal-box art. After spotting this work in progress while passing through California/Fauntleroy earlier today, we went back for a photo. The artist is Desmond Hansen; he described the project on Instagram as “donating my time to the community.” In addition to the Jimi Hendrix portrait, he also painted this box one block north:

Delridge signal boxes were painted in 2013; signal boxes in The Junction were wrapped in 2014.

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BEACHED BUOY: Look what showed up at Lincoln Park

March 7, 2018 2:52 pm

| 2 COMMENTS

| West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news

2:52 PM: Apparently just a coincidence, but on the same day that U.S. Coast Guard buoy-tenders showed up in West Seattle waters, this King County-owned buoy has just shown up on shore. The photos are from a reader who spotted it on the beach at Lincoln Park, by Colman Pool (thanks for sending!).

We recognized it immediately from past stories including this one after it was launched in 2013 to monitor marine water quality, and this one from a beaching the following year. We just contacted Diane McElhany at the King County lab, and she confirms it’s theirs, adding, “We will be dealing with it today.”

5:51 PM: And deal with it they did:

Thanks to Mike Mahanay for that photo!

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ALSO OFF WEST SEATTLE: Orcas, headed southbound

March 7, 2018 1:14 pm

| 5 COMMENTS

| Seen at sea | West Seattle news | Wildlife

1:14 PM: More sightings at sea – this time, whales! Thanks to Kersti Muul for letting us know that orcas are on the west side of the Sound, passing Blake Island, headed southbound. So if you go look – bring good binoculars.

1:40 PM: In a comment below, Jen says it appears they’re turning west, toward Southworth.

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SEEN OFF WEST SEATTLE: U.S. Coast Guard Aids to Navigation Team vessel

March 7, 2018 1:10 pm

| 7 COMMENTS

| Seen at sea | West Seattle news

1:10 PM: Thanks to the texter who tipped us about a U.S. Coast Guard vessel close-in off Alki Beach a little while ago. We went over for a photo and discovered it’s with the USCG Aids to Navigation Team (here’s what they do). We have a message out to the USCG in hopes of finding out what it was up to, so close to shore. Also in the area, according to MarineTraffic.com, two other USCG vessels – buoy tender USCGC Henry Blake (which we last mentioned after receiving a photo in 2014) and USCGC Midgett.

ADDED 7:30 PM: Thanks to Anne Noonan for the photo of the Midgett (and the Olympics). Meantime, USCG public affairs is checking on what the ANT crew was doing so close to shore – check back here tomorrow.

ADDED THURSDAY: From the Coast Guard:

Their crew aboard the 55-foot Aids to Navigation Boat (ANB) was training while they were out. The set out a temporary buoy and simulated servicing it, then ran a few engineering drills.

All of the buoys we’re responsible for are on a regular servicing schedule, where Aids to Navigation (ATON) units will pull the buoy out of the water, check the wear on the buoy itself, the chain and the sinker, either a rock or a dor-mor (sinkers are a large cement block the other end of the chain is attached to. A dor-mor is a pyramid shaped piece of cast iron, these are typically used by the ANT teams, while sinkers are used by the cutters) and replace parts as needed.

Regarding a few points in comments:

There are only four small boats in the entire Coast Guard that have names and all are stationed in our district. Those are the 52-foot Motor Life Boats, Triumph II in Ilwaco, Washington, Invincible II in Westport, Intrepid in Charleston, Oregon, and the Victory in Newport. All our other small boats are referred to by length and type (e.g. 29-foot Response Boat-Medium II). So within the service we just refer to the 55’s and either the 55’s or an ANB.

As for the Midgett, it was not on fire … That was just it working. As for what they were doing, the crew recently wrapped up work on one of the main diesel engines and was conducting a sea trial of it.

They were scheduled to be back out today – though we didn’t make it down to the water, so we didn’t see firsthand.

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Harbor Island power outage; wires down at 1st/Spokane

March 7, 2018 10:45 am

| 5 COMMENTS

| Utilities | West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

10:45 AM: Thanks for the tip about a power outage on Harbor Island. The City Light map confirms 200+ customers out both on Harbor Island and east, around Spokane St. east of Highway 99. SDOT reports downed wires in 1st/Spokane vicinity.

11:01 AM: Eastbound Spokane is blocked west of 1st; stoplights are out on E. Marginal at, and north of, Spokane. The light on Spokane east of the low bridge is out too, though the bridge itself appears to be operating normally.

12:04 PM: Texter says they have power back, and the SCL map confirms the outage is partly resolved.

12:39 PM: The map shows Harbor Island is all back on except for a few spots south of the low bridge.

4:28 PM: Added above, a photo of the power pole that was hit, causing the outage. About two dozen customers are still shown as out, along Spokane between 99 and 4th Ave. S.

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BIZNOTE: Zippy’s Giant Burgers announces its Georgetown location will close

March 7, 2018 10:08 am

| 8 COMMENTS

| Not WS but we're mentioning it anyway | West Seattle news

It’s been almost 10 years since we first published news of a new burger joint headed this way – Zippy’s Giant Burgers, which almost instantly became mega-popular. It outgrew its original Highland Park location, and after almost three years in operation, announced it was moving to a bigger space in White Center. After three more years came news a second Zippy’s would open in Georgetown. Some months back, a few readers pointed out that location was listed for sale. It’s still for sale, Zippy’s announced today … but in the meantime, it will close at the end of this month. Via social media, proprietor Blaine Cook wrote this morning: “I’ve never claimed to be a business man or a restaurateur. Just a simple man that saw an opportunity and went for it. As the years pass it’s become quite apparent that I don’t have the personality or the temperament to oversee the operations of two restaurants.” March 31st is listed as the last day Georgetown (5633 Airport Way S.) will be open; White Center (9614 14th SW) soldiers on.

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West Seattle Wednesday: Run, dance, dine, talk, listen …

March 7, 2018 9:13 am

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| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Downy woodpecker, photographed by Mark Wangerin)

Just a sampling of what’s happening around West Seattle today/tonight – and, as we begin, what’s NOT happening:

SEATTLE PUBLIC LIBRARY FACILITIES CLOSED: Today’s the one-day closure systemwide so staffers can have an “in-service day” – back to normal operations tomorrow.

‘THE GREATEST MOVIES YOU’VE NEVER HEARD OF’: 1 pm today at the Senior Center of West Seattle, the matinee is 1946’s “Notorious.” $1 members/$2 non-members, and free popcorn! (4217 SW Oregon)

DINE OUT FOR DAKOTA: As previewed here last night, five local restaurants – are donating part of their proceeds 5-10 pm to the Urban Homestead Foundation’s continuing quest to buy the former City Light substation site at 50th/Dakota.

FREE IN-STORE CONCERT, DOUBLE BILL: At Easy Street Records, 5 pm, short sets by Barrett Martin Group and All Souls, followed by an in-store signing session. Free and all-ages. (California SW/SW Alaska)

TALK ABOUT IT: 5:30-7:30 pm, be at Southwest Teen Life Center to be part of the West Seattle community conversation about choosing a new Seattle Police Chief. More info here, including an online survey. (2801 SW Thistle)

DANCE TIME! Musician Lauren Petrie plays, you dance. 6-8 pm at the Senior Center. No-host bar available, too. (4217 SW Oregon)

ST. PATRICK’S DAY DASH TRAINING RUN: 6:15 pm, be at West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor) for a free training run looking ahead to this month’s St. Patrick’s Day Dash. Wear green if you want. More info in our calendar listing. (2743 California SW)

SOUTHWEST DISTRICT COUNCIL: Parking, schools, and more are on the agenda, as previewed here. SWDC’s all-volunteer leadership wants to be sure you know that everybody’s welcome to come hear and talk about West Seattle issues – renters, owners, workers, students, whatever your stake in the area. 6:30 pm at the Senior Center/Sisson Building. (4217 SW Oregon)

JIM PAGE: Singer-songwriter performing for you at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 7-9 pm. (5612 California SW)

TRIANGULAR JAZZTET: Live at Whisky West, 7 pm, no cover, 21+. (6451 California SW)

ONLY THE BEGINNING … to see what else is up today/tonight/beyond, browse our complete calendar!

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Wednesday watch

March 7, 2018 7:02 am

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

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

7:02 AM: Good morning! No incidents currently reported in/from West Seattle.

8:25 AM: Just heard via scanner – police are being sent to Delridge/Edmunds to help with traffic because of a truck that’s having some kind of trouble turning.

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UPDATE: Flipped-car crash in Morgan Junction

March 7, 2018 1:03 am

| 20 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS breaking news

(WSB photo)

1:03 AM: Thanks for the tips. California SW is blocked north of Fauntleroy right now because of a flipped-car crash. Everyone is reported to be out of the vehicle. More to come.

1:20 AM: The car is flipped on California between Fauntleroy and Graham, per our crew. Police say one person was inside, a woman, who is being taken to the hospital by private ambulance.

1:37 AM: Photo added. At least one parked car was damaged.

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