West Seattle, Washington
06 Wednesday
(State-provided map, obtained via Flickr. Pink counties [all of WA] = drought)
You might be wondering how Governor Inslee‘s statewide drought declaration will affect you. Not much in terms of routine water use, according to the city. Here’s what Seattle Public Utilities is saying:
Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) said today there are no plans at this time to raise drinking water rates in the event conservation efforts, prompted by a statewide drought, cause a decline in Utility revenues.
Earlier this year, Seattle City Council adopted a two-year plan that holds water rate increases to 1.7 percent for 2016 and 2.7 percent for 2017. SPU Director Ray Hoffman said that unless there is a gigantic drop in water usage, that rate plan will not change.
“Unlike much of the rest of the state, Seattle has been able to hold lots of water in our mountain reservoirs, and we have told our customers they can expect a normal water summer,” Hoffman said.
“As always, we are asking people to use water wisely, but even if our revenues decline dramatically as a result of conservation efforts, the rates adopted for the next two years are protected by a $28 million contingency fund designed to bring predictability and stability to water bills,” Hoffman said.
Seattleites already use less water than most cities in the country. In the unlikely event of a large decline in water usage, SPU’s first action would be to tap into its rate stabilization fund. Beyond that, options for meeting that long-term fixed revenue requirement could include canceling capital improvement projects or raising rates.
Nonetheless, that doesn’t mean you should just use water with abandon. Here are some easy ways to use less.
ORIGINAL REPORT, 12:15 PM: New on SPD Blotter: A 52-year-old man arrested in North Delridge “after he menacingly harassed two women on the street, and tried to bite an officer as she took him into custody.” It all started in the 4000 block of 26th and ended in the 2600 block of SW Yancy, police say. Here’s the full story.
ADDED 12:24 PM: Picking up where the SPDB story left off – we’ve just looked up the suspect on the jail register. He remains behind bars; while his initial bail from last night’s booking shows on the register at $2,000, an online court docket shows that an increase to $50,000 was granted at his bail hearing this morning.
ADDED 12:40 PM: We’ve just learned more about the suspect and are identifying him as he is a registered sex offender – because of a rape conviction – Randy Gene Stark. In 2010, he made regional news for attempted child luring. He’s registered with a downtown address. (Photo from King County sex offender lookup website)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
If you were at the South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) Georgetowm campus last night, you saw and heard nine candidates in three races as part of a two-section forum. If not – we have it all on video:
That’s the longer section of the forum, co-presented by three local Democratic organizations – the 34th District Democrats of West Seattle/North Highline/Vashon/Maury, and the 11th and 37th DDs – and moderated by
John Burbank. It was the first in this area to feature the candidates for the two “at-large” positions that will be part of the newly reconfigured Seattle City Council (along with seven geographical-district positions) – you’ll see them on your August 4th primary ballot as well as the District 1 (West Seattle South Park) race. Candidates for both positions, 8 and 9, were questioned at the same time, as you’ll see; from left at the table, Lorena Gonzalez (P-9), Bill Bradburd (P-9), Alon Bassok (P-9), John Roderick (P-8), John Persak (P-8), Jon Grant (P-8), Tim Burgess (P-8), and moderator John Burbank at the podium. The candidates in attendance represented all who had filed for Positions 8 and 9 as of the forum’s start, except for Alex Tsimerman (P-9).
Preceding that hour-plus round of questioning was a shorter round featuring the two candidates for Seattle School Board Position 6, representing West Seattle and South Park.
From left, they are Marty McLaren, seeking a second term, and Leslie Harris.
After the jump (if you’re reading from the main WSB page), some notes (primarily on the school-board forum, since it’s geographically specific) if you don’t have time to listen/watch:
(2013 photo: West Seattle Bee Festival parade)
Big weekend ahead. Tomorrow’s third annual West Seattle Bee Festival, at the WS Bee Garden in High Point, is part of it, and a new event has just been announced: The Lunchbox Cookoff. From the Events Committee of the High Point Open Spaces Association, which is presenting the festival:
Chef Chad Brown from Whole Foods Market has created three recipes just for the Bee Festival. He will demonstrated these easy-to-make, delicious, nutritious and fun lunchbox recipes for your family. You can sample his dishes and vote on which one you like the best. Come to the Events Committee table on the north side of Neighborhood House’s High Point Center [6400 Sylvan Way SW]. Get your free ticket for 11:30, 12:00, 12:30 or 1:00 demonstrations. Servings are limited.
Also happening at the Bee Festival:
*Come to the Honey Run at 9
*Make your own bee costume at 10, march in the parade at 11.
*Visit the Information Fair at 11:30 or tour the WS Bee Enclosure at 12.
*Enter the Bee-Ball Tournament or play Field Games at 12.
Find out more at westseattlebeegarden.com; the garden is at 31st/Graham, on the north side of High Point Commons Park.
(Four WS-relevant views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
5:44 AM: We’re launching traffic watch earlier than usual because Northbound 99 is still closed in the stadium zone after an overnight car-motorcycle crash. TV crews there say one lane might be open soon – but for now, you can’t use 99; your options are I-5 or surface streets instead. Buses that use 99 have been diverted. Here’s the “live” camera view:
We’ll of course update. SPD says the crash was caused by a wrong-way driver hitting a motorcycle rider, who has life-threatening injuries.
Also this morning:
(Added: WSB photos. Commute station included WS Bike Connections with info on ‘5-way intersection’)
BIKE TO WORK DAY: It’s Bike To Work Day around Puget Sound, and if you are riding your bicycle this morning, make time to stop at the special “commute station” open until 9 am under the high bridge, co-presented by West Seattle Bike Connections and DIY Bikes.
(At right, Stu Hennessey of DIY Bikes)
More on that here.
Alerts for the next few days:
SATURDAY & MONDAY PROTESTS: Saturday is most likely to bring congestion around Don Armeni Boat Ramp and Seacrest Park with kayakers gathering for an on-the-water demonstration because of the Shell rig Polar Pioneer‘s arrival; Monday, an early-morning on-land demonstration is planned, going from the fishing bridge to Terminal 5, which might affect commute-hour travel on and around the low bridge.
SUNDAY, WEST SEATTLE 5K: The first and biggest run/walk of the season on Alki is happening Sunday morning, 9:20 am, with Alki Avenue closed to vehicles (and heed the “no parking” signs) until 11 am or so. Once again, NO “car-free day” festival afterward, for the first time in many years, so the road will fully reopen afterward.
6:01 AM UPDATE: One lane of northbound 99 is now open.
6:48 AM: Both lanes of NB 99 are now open.
Congrats Mr Nelson for winning Lee McNeil Mentoring Award #stemteacher @seapubschools @westseattleblog @Denny_OST pic.twitter.com/jTHQrlGWMQ
— Patricia J Rangel (@dennydolphinap) May 11, 2015
Congratulations to Denny International Middle School teacher Will Nelson – his colleagues are so proud of his mentoring award, we heard about it as a tweet (above) from assistant principal Patricia Rangel and in the note below from principal Jeff Clark:
Please join me in congratulating Mr. Nelson on winning the Lee McNeil Mentoring Award presented by the Marine Technology Society for his years of mentorship with our underwater robotics program. Way to go, Mr. Nelson! Go Dolphins!
(Telekinesis, one of the bands playing Hood-To-Hood Day in West Seattle)
One week ago, we reported the date, and a few details, for the Hood-To-Hood Challenge victory party that KEXP is throwing in West Seattle – because people here gave more money to the station during that specific donation drive last year than residents of any other local neighborhood. Today, KEXP revealed more about who’s playing and what’s happening:
After winning KEXP’s annual Hood-to-Hood Challenge by a razor-thin margin of $100 in 2014, West Seattle will host KEXP’s Hood-to-Hood Day on Friday, May 29.
KEXP welcomes music lovers from all neighborhoods to join us from noon to 6:00 p.m. for a free live broadcast of The Midday Show with Cheryl Waters and The Afternoon Show with Kevin Cole, featuring live performances by John Darnielle of the Mountain Goats, Australian band Miami Horror, Hop Along, and Telekinesis, plus a free street festival with bands, booths, and a beer garden.
After 6:00 p.m., KEXP DJs will take over bars and restaurants throughout West Seattle, spinning diverse, upbeat sets until the night concludes with a showcase at the Skylark Lounge featuring SISTERS, Fauna Shade, and Bod, as well as the Feedback Lounge with artists TBA.
The street festival will be in The Junction, with California closed to vehicles between Oregon and Alaska for the occasion. Last year was the first time in five years that West Seattle won the Hood-To-Hood Challenge.
ADDED 11:14 PM: A few more details are on KEXP’s website, including the band schedule for the live broadcasts during the day.
One spotlight stop tonight:
Cheryl Robinson is the featured artist at Click! Design That Fits (WSB sponsor) in The Junction. See and read about her paintings and ceramics on the official West Seattle Art Walk website. (Click! is at 4540 California SW, and Art Walk is on until 9 pm – see the full venue list/map in today’s daily preview.
One day remains in the official 2015 candidate-filing season – so by this time tomorrow, the field will be more or less set for this fall’s elections. Here’s the list of who’s filed for what so far; in offices of West Seattle note, District 8 County Councilmember Joe McDermott has filed for re-election and has no opponent at this point; in the District 1 (West Seattle/South Park) City Council race, six candidates have filed so far – Pavel Goberman, Chas Redmond, Arturo Robles, Phillip Tavel, Shannon Braddock, and Lisa Herbold; we know Amanda Kay Helmick, who’s been collecting signatures in lieu of the four-digit filing fee, plans to file tomorrow, so that means a field of at least 7 in this race. We’ll update tomorrow. (Side note: As we write this, we’re at South Seattle College‘s Georgetown Campus to cover the forum for at-large Council Positions 8 and 9 and School Board Position 6 – the WS/SP seat in which Marty McLaren and Leslie Harris are the two filers so far – coverage including video, coming up later.)
(Added: Photo by Admiral 935, looking north on California SW as PP passed)
1:29 PM: We’re launching as-it-happens coverage now that the Polar Pioneer is close to Seattle – destination: West Seattle’s Terminal 5 – and media as well as spectators are getting in place. We’re starting at Seacrest, where TV crews are converging, as well as some drilling opponents who say they plan to “unwelcome” PP; they’ve put up red “warning” flags on the pier and some kayakers are in the water.
Also spotted: City Councilmember Mike O’Brien:
Meantime, after slowing to a near-stop for a while across the Sound from Shoreline, Polar Pioneer and its accompanying vessels are on the move again. Updates to come.
1:39 PM: Texter says it’s in view in the distance from Alki Point. We’re setting up near Anchor/Luna Park to see it when it rounds the bend. Photos? editor@westseattleblog.com – thanks!
Coming into view by West Point pic.twitter.com/5N19bncQeM
— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) May 14, 2015
1:47 PM: Visible now coming up to West Point. (Added)
(Photo by Gary Jones, taken from Alki Point as Polar Pioneer passed West Point)
Kayakers head out past Duwamish Head pic.twitter.com/8nSImk4N58
— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) May 14, 2015
Kayakers are off Duwamish Head. As mentioned in our earlier coverage when it left Port Angeles around 1:30 am, the rig has four Foss vessels with it – Andrew Foss, Garth Foss, Lindsey Foss, and Pacific Star – and, since then, has added three Coast Guard vessels.
2 PM: A police boat has taken up position near the navigation marker off Duwamish Head. The kayakers are still floating just offshore. (added) The police boat came over for a closer look at them:
the @seattlepd boat giving kayakers a look-see pic.twitter.com/h6kqxNfIR1
— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) May 14, 2015
2:25 PM: It’s in Elliott Bay now, traveling at 7 knots, 13 hours after leaving Port Angeles. Meantime, that’s NOT a TV helicopter circling over us on the Duwamish Head shore, that’s Guardian One.
3:01 PM: We’ve been on Twitter (and live on Periscope) for the past half-hour as the Polar Pioneer passed Duwamish Head. Lots of spectators.
Helicopters overhead, kayakers, Coast Guard, other vessels on the water.
3:16 PM: Co-publisher Patrick Sand has headed east/southeast to Don Armeni, where a protest sign is about to be hoisted or floated. He sent this photo:
(added) Here’s what it looked like – yes, it was tethered:
(added) Chief Seattle’s great-great-grand niece, Duwamish Tribe chair Cecile Hansen, watched with her daughter from Jack Block Park. Thanks to Ann Anderson for this photo:
Ann also shared this one, in which you can see a tribal canoe out with the group on the water:
Speaking of sending photos, thanks to everyone who’s done that – just starting to check them. Polar Pioneer remains stopped in the bay.
@westseattleblog here's a stevedores view pic.twitter.com/ECBrRbEyXg
— Justin Hirsch (@justindhirsch) May 14, 2015
3:44 PM: It’s on the move again, heading south, toward the port. We’ll see if it goes all the way to T-5, where, as we reported yesterday, the city says it would be in violation of the Port’s permit and could be cited.
Polar Pioneer and the #Seattle city skyline. #shellno @westseattleblog pic.twitter.com/BkyMYxSwIW
— Kevin Freitas (@kevinfreitas) May 14, 2015
4:36 PM: Kevin‘s tweeted photo shows the Polar Pioneer as it rounded the bend and headed into the mouth of the Duwamish River, where it’s arrived at T-5:
Polar Pioneer at the dock.@westseattleblog pic.twitter.com/l1PPcv6I13
— Joe Conley (@Kawnliee) May 15, 2015
We’re back at HQ right now getting ready for some evening coverage (unrelated) and will be adding more photos.
(Thanks to Scott for this view from Riverside, looking toward the “low bridge”)
5:08 PM: For some, seeing it might be their first word about all this – we were reminded of that by a phone call. Same way that the shutdown of T-5 last summer surprised some who didn’t make the connection until they saw the vast, empty stretch. But no, it’s NOT here to drill in local waters. It’s scheduled to stay here for a matter of weeks before leaving for the offshore Arctic drilling for which Shell recently won a key federal approval. But first – opponents are continuing with their plans for a “festival of resistance” this Thursday through Saturday. We talked today with Seattle Police to ask about their plans; they acknowledged a briefing this morning but said that on the water it’s Coast Guard jurisdiction, on port land it’s Port Police jurisdiction – they’re just standing by to see if anything happens outside those two areas. We are awaiting the port’s answer to our questions about whether they are planning any different access policies at Jack Block, for example. Meantime – it’s been three months since the Port’s CEO announced the signing of the lease with Foss, which said it in turn had a deal to bring the Shell vessels here.
ADDED EARLY FRIDAY: David Hutchinson photographed the Polar Pioneer, docked, with the latest “kayaktivist training” class, which had headed out from Seacrest earlier in the evening.
That was billed as the last training class before Saturday’s long-scheduled on-the-water protest. More on that later today.
We start with news from along Fauntleroy Way:
FAUNTLEROY/JUNEAU DEMOLITION: Within the past week, the teardowns to make way for the 5915-5917 Fauntleroy Way SW townhouses/rowhouse development have happened.
ANOTHER FAUNTLEROY CORNER ROWHOUSE: Rowhouses are popular on Fauntleroy. An early-stage filing proposes a six-unit rowhouse with five on-site parking spaces for 5601 Fauntleroy Way SW, right across Findlay from a relatively new rowhouse.
And from today’s Land Use Information Bulletin:
2626 ALKI AVENUE APPLICATION: 14 residential units, 5 live-work units, commercial space, and 23 parking spaces comprise this project, which isn’t done with Design Review yet but has filed for its Master Use Permit – that’s why a new city sign has just gone up on the west side of the site. (Here’s our coverage of its second Design Review meeting last July – no date yet for the third and possibly final.)
5608 23RD SW: This Land Use application proposes building a new single-family house in an “environmentally critical area” (ECA).
4564 53RD SW: This notice announces city approval of permission sought to build a three-story house in an ECA.
PUBLIC COMMENT OR APPEAL: The notices linked above all include links to information on how to reach DPD if you’re interested in either of those options.
Topping the list of what else is going on today/tonight – it’s the May edition of West Seattle Art Walk, 6-9 pm. Here’s the map/venue list:
Plan your evening by browsing the artist/venue previews on the official WS Art Walk website.
Four more highlights from the calendar (just a few of MANY things, so please follow that link to browse the full list):
CANDIDATES’ FORUM: Though it’s not IN West Seattle, it’s co-presented by the 34th District Democrats – a candidates’ forum for the two at-large City Council positions (8 and 9) and the local School Board seat (6). Doors at 6:30, forum at 7, on the South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) Georgetown campus. (6737 Corson Ave. S.)
ALKI ELEMENTARY PTA MEETING: 6:30 pm tonight at Alki Elementary – be there for the budget presentation. (3010 59th SW)
FRANK FEST: The seventh annual celebration of Frank Sinatra, 7 pm at Feedback Lounge. (6451 California SW)
ANGRY HOUSEWIVES: A few tickets remain for tonight’s 7:30 pm performance at ArtsWest (WSB sponsor) – did you hear it’s been extended one more week, to the end of the month, too? (4711 California SW)
Today is the second-to-last-day of filing week for this fall’s candidates, so by the end of tomorrow, we’ll have the official list of who’s in the District 1 (West Seattle/South Park) City Council race. Some have already filed, and one person has just announced he’s out: George Capestany. The statement he sent:
Today, George Capestany, active community volunteer, “goat guy,” and longtime West Seattle neighbor, is withdrawing from the race for Seattle City Council, District 1.
“After much thought, have decided to not pursue the seat for City of Seattle, District 1,” said Capestany. “When I began this quest I truly felt that I could win. Tom Rasmussen was a opponent I could really separate from and define a distinct difference in political and economic views. While I still believe West Seattle residents have been left out of virtually everything that goes on at City Hall, I have been impressed by the many good candidates who have filed. And, once the districts take effect, I believe West Seattle will be well served.”
Campaign Treasurer, Ron Sullivan stated, “While many citizens of this community think George would have made an excellent representative in City politics, we respect his decision to end his campaign.”
“I sincerely want to thank all of my supporters for their help and support,” added Capestany.
Capestany had entered the race last November; Councilmember Rasmussen announced his decision not to run in January. Meantime, if you’re interested in tracking who’s filed so far, the countywide list – updated at least twice a day – is here. The voting begins in mid-summer, with the primary election on August 4th.
(WSB file photo)
Looks like the classic annual forecast for Sunday’s West Seattle 5K on Alki – partly sunny, comfortable temperatures. If you haven’t signed up yet, today is your **last chance** to do it the most convenient way – online. Here’s an update from race director Jeff Mensing:
Online registration for the West Seattle 5K Run/Walk ends tonight at midnight. Don’t delay, register today and take advantage of discounted fees. We will also be at the new West Seattle Runner location (2743 California SW) from noon to 6:00 on Saturday for registration and race packet pickup or at the Alki Bathhouse starting at 8:00 am Sunday the 17th. The race starts at 9:20 am.
The West Seattle 5K is presented by, and benefits, the West Seattle High School PTSA; we’re proud to be among the co-sponsors again this year. It’s the biggest 5K of the year on Alki, running/walking in the temporarily closed-to-vehicles street on Alki Avenue, with runners/walkers of all ages every year. See you there!
(Four WS-relevant views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
Nothing out of the ordinary in/from West Seattle so far this morning. Alerts/reminders:
BRIDGE WORK: Today is the last announced day of off-peak work on the outer lanes of the bridge.
THIS WEEKEND: Anti-drilling demonstrations on sea and land Saturday are expected to bring crowds to Seacrest, Don Armeni, and Jack Block Park … On Sunday, Alki Avenue will be closed until about 11 am for the West Seattle 5K. More on both later today.
Now, our weekly look back:
TRAFFIC THROWBACK THURSDAY: This week’s featured image is NOT from the Seattle Municipal Archives, much as we love them. It’s courtesy of the Sheppard Family, who granted us permission to use the view of Admiral/California, from the southeast corner looking north:
(Click for a larger view)
While asking WSB contributor Megan Sheppard if we could use the photo, we forgot to ask the year. Guesses?
(SCROLL DOWN for updates)
(Thanks again to Port Angeles Chamber of Commerce for permission to publish webcam images these past few weeks)
2:19 AM: As expected, the Shell oil drilling platform Polar Pioneer has left Port Angeles, headed for West Seattle’s Terminal 5, despite the city interpretation that it shouldn’t be docked there under terms of the Port of Seattle‘s current permit (previous update here). We noticed it on the move just after 1:30 am, via MarineTraffic.com, and just after 2 am, as shown in the screengrab above (in which PP is in the distance at right, the ferry Coho docked at left), the Port Angeles Chamber of Commerce webcam showed it heading eastward. Accompanying it right now, all at about 6 knots, are four Foss vessels (fleet info here): 106-foot Andrew Foss, 155-foot Garth Foss, 155-foot Lindsey Foss, and 98-foot Pacific Star. We’ll be updating as they approach. This chart we found puts T-5 about 70 nautical miles from Port Angeles.
SIDE NOTE: Almost exactly four years ago, all eyes were on another platform arriving in West Seattle waters, the SBX (Sea-Based X-Band Radar), which came in under its own power late May 10th, 2011, for work at Vigor. Polar Pioneer is considerably taller – 25 percent taller, we noted here last month.
7:33 AM: The Polar Pioneer and accompanying vessels are about to pass Port Townsend, at about 3.5 knots. That’s about halfway between here and where they started six hours ago.
9:09 AM: Thanks to Jason Mihok for sending the photo above, as the vessels passed PT. MarineTraffic.com now shows the USCG vessel Osprey right behind them.
NOON: Now three Coast Guard vessels are following the Polar Pioneer and the four Foss tugs; they’re now in the Kingston vicinity, per MT.
(WSB photo)
One week after they stood on a Beacon Hill street corner with the mayor, announcing the revised Transportation Levy to Move Seattle, City Councilmember Tom Rasmussen and SDOT director Scott Kubly pitched it to the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce.
They were the guest speakers at the Chamber’s monthly lunch meeting on Wednesday at The Kenney (WSB sponsor).
The conversation wandered around to non-levy transportation topics too.
Councilmember Rasmussen, who chairs the Council’s Transportation Committee, talked about the $930 million levy in general, noting the big addition for West Seattle – the Fauntleroy Boulevard project, currently funded only through design, is now in the levy. Kubly gave more of an overview of SDOT’s mission, especially its multimodal intent, and its view that the future has arrived, with the increasing use of carsharing (Car2Go) and ridesharing (Lyft, Uber) in the big picture as his department also factors in existing infrastructure and neighborhood needs.
As for the levy process, he recapped the input SDOT had gathered so far, particularly via the online survey – with 8,000 respondents – and hundreds of comments, while explaining they also looked forward to events like this one where they could hear from people face-to-face.
When Kubly invited questions, a few did address points in the levy – how much money is West Seattle-specific (no numbers beyond the $16 million or so for Fauntleroy Boulevard) and why some of the levy was going to what seemed like basic needs like crosswalk repainting (state tax-revenue constraints were cited). But more of the questioning was along the lines of long-running West Seattle transportation issues:
-The increasing perception of a parking crunch and its effect on businesses. Kubly said people need transportation options, and reiterated his view of the importance of car-sharing among other such options.
-The challenge of limited options for heading outbound from West Seattle, which drew some mutters of agreement. This led Kubly to mention the city advocating for making sure West Seattle would get something out of the next Sound Transit ballot measure (aka Sound Transit 3).
-Concern about the likely rechannelization of 35th SW, in the face of increasing neighborhood population. Kubly said SDOT expects that 35th will become safer and more efficient.
The question of cost arose, specifically the cost of the levy ($275/year for the owner of a $450,000 home) and last year’s voter-approved transit-funding measure ($60 more on car tabs starting this summer). One attendee observed that the latter is still leaving deficiencies in local bus service, including the Alki area.
So, Kubly was then asked, is SDOT working on further efficiencies, in general as well as in light of the levy? He cited one example, working with utilities to reduce the amount of street-digging-up that’s been going on.
And then a question he was asked at a previous West Seattle meeting – what happens if the levy doesn’t pass?
It would mean cutting SDOT’s budget, Kubly replied.
Next steps for the revised levy: It’s going through the City Council, which ultimately will vote on whether to send it to the ballot (a November vote is expected).
P.S. Regarding the 35th SW project – this Saturday morning is the walking tour, and SDOT’s project page has details on where you can catch up with it if you don’t want to go along for the entire three-hour tour.
2 West Seattle Crime Watch notes – an incident this evening plus an SPD stats/trends update:
GATEWOOD BURGLARY: A neighbor texted us (206-293-6302 any time) about that big police response near 41st/Elmgrove in Gatewood [map] around 6 pm. When we went over to check, police told us they were checking out a burglar alarm but hadn’t yet found evidence of a break-in; no one was home. Later, though, it was confirmed as a burglary, according to neighbors and to SPD’s automated Tweets by Beat. That was the first confirmed West Seattle burglary, per TBB, since one reported at noon yesterday in the 8400 block of 12th SW.
STATS/TRENDS: Today’s edition of the every-two-weeks SeaStat SPD-wide briefing includes a page of year-to-year and week-to-week stats for the Southwest Precinct, which includes West Seattle and South Park – scroll through this slide deck to the very last page. Year-to-year – January 1st through May 9th this year, compared to the same period last year – every category except aggravated domestic-violence assault is up. (Though there’s no breakdown per precinct sectors, we know that the breakdown in one category – no 2014 homicides in West Seattle and none so far this year; the one 2015 homicide listed for the SW Precinct was in SP.) In the week-by-week stats for the past month, all categories are trending downward (or holding at zero) except for larceny, which was up from 12 in the third week to 13 in the fourth week.
After years of talk about whether it would be healthier to start school later for older students, given their bio-clocks, Seattle Public Schools has been circulating proposed bell-time changes … and you have just a few more days to have a say in this round of discussion.
This has been a fairly quiet public-outreach process, focused more on localized small-group meetings as part of an initiative dubbed “Neighbor To Neighbor.” Last night, though, the district offered a meeting at a major regional location – Chief Sealth International High School.
The background info is on this district website.
They’re focusing right now on whether to follow one of these three paths:
) Keep the bell time schedule the same
2) [aka “Modified Flip”] – Modify the bell schedules so that Elementary Schools start at 8 am or 8:50 am, High schools start at 8:50 am, and Middle/K-8’s start at 9:40 am.
3) [aka “Extended High School Day”] Allow high school students to start their six period day at either 7:50 am or 8:40 am. All other bell times are unchanged.
Full details on the options are here.
The meeting started with the viewing of a district-provided video:
Then – discussion. No one disputed the research that suggests more sleep for older students would be optimal; the discussion on possibly starting school later centered more on what happens after school – with field availability for activities, for example, as is a challenge at West Seattle High School, where adjacent Hiawatha Playfield is shared with Seattle Parks, and other issues such as transportation.
One parent wondered: Where do the middle schools fit in? For all the talk about high schools, the parent wondered, how would kids of that age be affected? Much talk, but no conclusions, ensued.
Though the district is focused on the three options mentioned above, there are others, according to someone who circulated flyers at the meeting and said she had been on the district’s bell-times task force. The flyers mentioned the “Two Tiers” option and said it would start elementaries at 8 am and middle, high, K8s at 8:50 am. Whichever option you prefer, the official district survey is only scheduled to be open a few more days – go take it here, now!
WHAT’S NEXT? Once the results of this round of discussion result in a proposal, it’s scheduled for more outreach this fall, and then a School Board vote for a plan to be implemented starting with the 2016-2017 school year.
The 23-year-old man arrested after an employee of the Westwood Village McDonald’s was stabbed early Sunday is now charged.
We’ve obtained the documents detailing the second-degree-assault charge filed by the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office this afternoon against Daniel Jacob Stevens. The charging papers say he went into the restaurant and – after ordering and receiving two McGriddles – “inexplicably” started shouting insults at the victim. While being escorted out just before 4:30 am Sunday, according to prosecutors and police, Stevens shoved the victim, who punched him. During the clash, he then is reported to have “punched the victim, pulled out a knife, and pounced on top of the victim,” subsequently “punch(ing) him six times in the face and head, and then head-butt(ing) him twice” before trying to stab him in the side, “with the victim suffering a small puncture wound.”
The police report says a customer was able to disarm Stevens, who left the area but was found by King County Sheriff’s Deputies in White Center about 40 minutes later; police say he claimed he used his knife in self-defense. Court documents say Stevens, an Arbor Heights resident, has no felony criminal history, though the King County Jail register says he spent two days there earlier this month in connection with a reckless-driving case; he remains jailed in lieu of $150,000 bail while awaiting arraignment in two weeks.
(May 4th image courtesy Port Angeles Chamber of Commerce webcam)
4:59 PM: While the oil-drilling platform Polar Pioneer is no longer in view on the Port Angeles Chamber of Commerce’s webcam, it’s still in the PA harbor – but apparently not for long. The Peninsula Daily News reports that the Polar Pioneer will be towed to West Seattle’s Terminal 5 tomorrow. That, despite the city Department of Planning and Development declaring that mooring Shell’s rigs at T-5 is not covered in the Port’s existing permits, and despite the Port Commission’s vote yesterday afternoon (WSB coverage here) to formally inform T-5 interim tenant Foss of that. Foss, meantime, as reported here last night, has filed its appeal of the DPD “interpretation”:
The Port Commission, as also noted in our Tuesday report, voted to appeal the ruling of the DPD, whose director Diane Sugimura answered questions at yesterday’s meeting. Meantime, Foss also expects Shell’s drillship Noble Discoverer, now starting its second day docked in Everett, to move on to T-5. And Arctic-drilling opponents are continuing to plan for an on-the-water protest Saturday plus one on land Monday.
6:11 PM UPDATE: Wondering what the city might do if the Shell rigs really do show up despite the DPD interpretation? We sent that question to Mayor Ed Murray‘s office. The reply:
The mayor expects the Port to have the proper permits in place before an off-shore oil drilling rig comes to Terminal 5. The Port Commission is also on record saying a rig should not come to Elliott Bay before the proper permits are in place.
Should Shell bring the rigs to Terminal 5 before the appropriate permits are in place, Seattle’s Department of Planning and Development will evaluate the situation and could issue a notice of violation. There are monetary penalties associated with operating without the necessary permits. … Foss and the Port have said they intend to file an appeal. Even after an appeal is filed, the City is not prevented from moving ahead with enforcement actions.
1:42 AM THURSDAY: We’ve been checking MarineTraffic.com all night and it looks like Polar Pioneer and its accompanying tugs are finally headed out of Port Angeles, as of minutes ago.
Speaking of traffic … ready to see if it’s possible to experience less of it? You have a few more weeks to sign up for Metro’s “Communities In Motion” program:
Want to earn a free, ORCA card good for two weeks of unlimited travel and qualify for other prizes – in exchange for driving less? King County Metro is in the last few weeks of its “Communities in Motion” program in South Park, West Seattle and White Center and looking for people who want to trade daily driving for more biking, walking and busing.
Through June 6, people who live or work in those three areas can sign up online and help reduce traffic congestion and boost the health of their community. The Metro In Motion team will be at events in your neighborhood soon and are happy to visit work and community centers upon request. Visit us online kingcounty.gov/inmotion.
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Thanks for the tips – Avoid the eastbound bridge from Fauntleroy for a while; a multi-vehicle crash has closed at least one lane. No indication of injuries so far – it’s not even on the 911 (Seattle Fire response) log, but we have multiple reports (thanks to Rachel, Jissy, and Brian).
3:41 PM: Can’t tell the status from off-bridge vantage points and SDOT hasn’t been reporting on this, but EB bridge traffic does appear to be moving, albeit slowly.
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