Another win last night for the West Seattle High School girls-varsity basketball team, 61-46 over visiting Holy Names Academy (here’s what our partners at The Seattle Times wrote). And that’s not the only news as their strong season continues. Head Coach Sonya Elliott tells us they finished third at the recent MaxPreps Holiday Tournament in Palm Springs, with Lydia Giomi and Lexi Ioane chosen for the All-Tournament Team; the two also led their team last night, with 20 points and 9 rebounds for Giomi, 13 points and 10 rebounds for Ioane, who also was featured recently as a KING 5 Western Washington Girls Basketball Performer of the Week.

UP NEXT: The WSHS girls are on the road Friday night at Eastside Catholic; your next chance to cheer for them at home is Wednesday (January 14th) at 7:30 pm, vs. visiting Cleveland.

West Seattle Bridge traffic alert: Eastbound crash

January 8, 2015 5:48 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

In case you’re heading eastbound sometime soon – be aware there’s a two-vehicle crash on the West Seattle Bridge near the 4th Avenue exit, apparently causing some backups. Police and fire are on it now; injuries are reported. Thanks to the person who just called from a passenger seat to let us know (206-293-6302, text or voice, any time, if you’re not driving!).

Happening tonight: First West Seattle Art Walk of 2015!

January 8, 2015 4:00 pm

| 5 COMMENTS

| West Seattle Art Walk | West Seattle news

Every quarter, the West Seattle Art Walk changes up its poster art and venue list – some new, some continuing – and so, with two hours until this month’s WSAW begins, we present the new versions of both.

So which artists will you see when you go out to tonight’s Art Walk, 6-9 pm? Check out the previews on the official website, where you’ll also find the full-size venue list. (And if you’re looking for what else is up tonight, check our calendar.)

Speaking of pits: Hwy. 99 tunnel-machine-access digging resumes

January 8, 2015 3:30 pm

| 7 COMMENTS

| Alaskan Way Viaduct | West Seattle news

For the first time in more than two weeks, we have an official update on Seattle’s most closely watched pit – the one intended to reach the Highway 99 tunnel machine, so its cutterhead can be retrieved and repaired. WSDOT published the update this afternoon, saying that its contractor Seattle Tunnel Partners resumed digging today, and that: “Settlement levels near the pit have remained stable for more than six weeks.” The pit is 3/4 of the way to the 120-feet depth at which STP says it will pour a platform for the front of the machine to rest on, after it is turned back on to advance a short distance into the pit. Timeline? Nothing new yet, says WSDOT; you might recall, the most recent ballpark-guess tunnel-opening date was August 2017.

P.S. Reminder that seawall-and-tunnel-related work downtown will result in access changes at Colman Dock and Water Taxi Pier 50 starting tomorrow.

West Seattle scene: Lowman Beach pit pour, phase 2

January 8, 2015 2:58 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| Environment | West Seattle news

2:58 PM: Once the sun came out, we went over to the Murray Combined Sewer Overflow Control Project across from Lowman Beach for a look into the million-gallon storage-tank pit, during the second phase of big concrete pours. We’re checking with the county to see if they’ve set a second pour date yet, since this is a postponement from last month, and the second date also was originally in December. (If you’d like a slightly wider, though lower-resolution, view of today’s work in the pit, we have one on Instagram.)

5:06 PM UPDATE: Doug Marsano from King County says that while no date is firmed up yet, “the contractor wants to pour early next week.” So we won’t know any sooner than tomorrow (if not later) when the next big pour will be.

Update: Police search after Alki-area burglary, suspect in custody

January 8, 2015 1:12 pm

| 11 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

(Added: Photo courtesy Patrick C)
1:12 PM: Getting calls and texts about a big police search near 63rd/Admiral in the Alki area. We just called SPD media relations to ask about it and here’s what they told us: An apartment in the 6000 block of SW Stevens was broken into, and a citizen was following a suspect. Police have converged on the area, including a K-9 team. The suspect was last seen running around the area but hasn’t yet been caught, though police are reported to have found some items that might have been among the loot. The only description they have so far is a Hispanic man around 20 years old, unshaven, with a white baseball cap and black ponytail, puffy jacket (though he might have ditched it), and black pants.

(Photo courtesy Sarahjean)
1:14 PM UPDATE: Literally two minutes after we published this, police took a suspect into custody in the 6200 block of SW Admiral Way, according to scanner discussion.

ADDED: One more postscript – a reader report that the SW Stevens burglary was preceded by mail/package thefts on 55th SW, with the suspect caught on camera:

The reader who provided the screen grab from surveillance video says, “He got a fanny pack, burgundy leggings, a Paris tank top, protein powder & women’s multivitamins” – and the items were recovered. The police, meantime, got the video.

FRIDAY AFTERNOON NOTE: We hope to write a separate followup later, but in the meantime, a bail hearing for the suspect, who is 32 years old, was held this afternoon. Bail was set at $20,000. He has a record – and had a warrant out for his arrest. The case has also landed on SPD Blotter.

Followup: Arbor Heights appeal hearing date pushed back

January 8, 2015 10:30 am

| 4 COMMENTS

| Arbor Heights | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

(Added 1 pm: Site work continuing at Arbor Heights today)
Quick note from today’s Land Use Information Bulletin: The hearing date for the third Arbor Heights Elementary appeal has been pushed back, “due to a problem with the notice.” Today’s notice says the Hearing Examiner will hear it February 2nd. As first reported here last month, this appeal involves issues including zoning exceptions and the fate of two trees. The construction was already scheduled as a two-phase project, resuming this spring.

Update: Woman found dead in the water off Beach Drive SW; police are not investigating as a homicide, so far

January 8, 2015 6:52 am

| 50 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS breaking news

(UPDATED 11:20 am with video of SPD media briefing at the scene)

(Photo tweeted by Aloysha)
6:52 AM: Fire and police are headed for Beach Drive SW and Oregon, for a report of someone in the water, possibly face down, about 20 feet offshore.

7 AM: By all accounts (via scanner), this is confirmed to be a body, brought ashore, and most of the rescue response has been canceled.

7:06 AM: First evaluation is that this is a woman around 50 years old, per scanner. The Medical Examiner is on the way. Our crew should be arriving shortly to find out more.

(WSB photo: Police have taped off the scene)
7:15 AM: At the scene, we’ve learned the body was spotted by two people out for a walk. Police are declining comment, referring us to the media-relations unit. This all happened near the stairway that goes from the sidewalk down to the lower part of Emma Schmitz Overlook, across from Me-Kwa-Mooks Park.

7:35 AM: An SPD spokesperson is apparently headed to the scene to talk with us and the TV crews that have arrived. As already noted in comments, if you’ve been here since at least 2012, you probably immediately recall the unsolved murder of 53-year-old Greggette Guy; her body was found in the water about half a mile north in March 2012, her car was found near where all this is unfolding today. But again, there’s NO information yet on how the woman found this morning died. We’ll update as soon as police have an official statement.

(WSB photo: King County Medical Examiner crew arrives)
8:24 AM: SPD spokesperson Sgt. Sean Whitcomb has briefed us. This is NOT currently being investigated as a homicide and is (corrected) NOT considered a “suspicious death”; so SPD is investigating with the Medical Examiner, which has a crew on scene. The woman is believed to be in her 50s but that is just a guess so far – apparently no ID on her; they will be checking missing-persons records to try to find out who she is. Police are likely to be at the scene another hour or so, but the woman’s body will be taken away by the ME shortly.

11:20 AM: Above this line, we have added the video of Sgt. Whitcomb’s briefing, in its entirety. Questions were asked by the four crews who were there – ours, and three of the four local TV-news organizations. SPD Blotter has just published a post about this, but there’s no new information.

ADDED FRIDAY, 5:29 PM: The King County Medical Examiner’s Office identifies the woman found off Emma Schmitz Overlook as 69-year-old Carolyn Arnold. According to the KCME’s afternoon media-hotline recording (a daily list of cases they investigate), the cause of Ms. Arnold’s death has not yet been determined, pending toxicology tests (which can take weeks).

TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Thursday updates

January 8, 2015 6:51 am

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(WS high/low bridges and Highway 99 views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
So far no major problems reported. We’re about to separately report on a rescue response on Beach Drive SW.

7:45 AM: Our ongoing coverage of that situation is here; SFD cleared the scene quickly but you’ll still see police and now the Medical Examiner.

TRANSPORTATION NEWS: Last night, West Seattle Bike Connections reported on SDOT’s presentation to the Bicycle Advisory Board regarding options for the notorious 5-way intersection west of the low bridge … Avoid the south end of Beach Drive today – the next concrete pour for the Murray CSO storage tank will bring dozens of trucks throughout the day … Road-restoration work by the Barton Pump Station next to the Fauntleroy ferry dock is planned next week.

8:48 AM: Police and fire are checking out a reported two-vehicle crash at 30th/Thistle, which is just west of the Sealth/Denny school zone. (Update: A texter says it’s blocking traffic; in case you were wondering, classes have already started at both schools.)

9:26 AM: Just back from the crash scene. It’s been cleared. No serious injuries.

West Seattle traffic alert: Murray CSO concrete pour Thursday

January 7, 2015 8:31 pm

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| Utilities | West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

The twice-postponed concrete pour at the Murray Combined Sewer Overflow Control Project will start tomorrow (Thursday), according to an announcement this evening from the King County Wastewater Treatment District. This one will bring up to 10 trucks per hour into the Lowman Beach area, starting at 7 am, according to KCWTD’s Doug Marsano. They might work into the evening, past the general 6 pm end time, if necessary. Marsano’s alert says, “The site will be very busy while the pour occurs, so please avoid the east of the 7000 block of Beach Drive SW to the extent possible.” If you have questions or concerns, with this or any other part of the million-gallon-storage-tank project, the hotline is 206-205-9186.

Update: 1 stabbed, 1 arrested at 35th/Morgan

January 7, 2015 7:28 pm

| 40 COMMENTS

| Crime | High Point | West Seattle news

7:28 PM: Police and fire are responding to an “assault with weapons” call at 35th and Morgan. More to come.

7:33 PM: One person is reported in custody in connection with the incident. Most of the SFD units have been canceled.

7:36 PM: A 17-year-old girl is reported (via medical communications on the radio) to have been stabbed. She’s being taken to Harborview.

8:37 PM: Via SPD Blotter – the suspect arrested at the scene outside the 35th/Morgan convenience store is a 54-year-old woman. The circumstances of the stabbing are described as “a fight.” The victim’s injuries are described as non-life-threatening.

Fire Station 29’s new temporary location: Triangle by church

January 7, 2015 4:22 pm

| 46 COMMENTS

| Safety | West Seattle news

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

The city has changed its mind about where to move Fire Station 29 while the Admiral District station is undergoing renovations this year.

Instead of moving it to the same Harbor Avenue spot that housed Station 36 during its recent overhaul, they plan to put the temporary station on a vacant triangle of city-owned land just south of Admiral Congregational Church.

Since getting a tip about this possibility, we’ve been working to confirm it with the city, and that confirmation finally came today. From Cyndi Wilder:

During the construction period for the seismic upgrade at Fire Station 29, the interim station will be located on a City-owned parcel at 44th Avenue SW and SW Hill Street. While we are still going through the process to finalize this location, we are far enough along to be able to confirm and announce the site.

Before we could proceed with this location for the interim site, we needed confirmation from Seattle Public Utilities that its water testing equipment currently on-site could be relocated in the required timeframe. We now have that confirmation.

This afternoon, staff from the Seattle Fire Department and the Finance and Administrative Services Capital Development and Construction Management Division will be conducting door-to-door community outreach, as we do for other projects, informing neighbors of the interim site plans and the timeline for the seismic project.

The site was chosen because of its proximity to Fire Station 29, and keeping the engine and crew in the service area will allow fire crews to maintain their current emergency response times. We expect activity at the interim site as early as this month, with the temporary station active as early as February, and lasting for approximately 12 months.

Here’s the letter that is being distributed to neighbors:

This triangle of land is technically SDOT right-of-way, which came to light most prominently back in 2008 during the controversy over potential changes to nearby California Place Park, the grassy site by the California SW bus stop east of the church. At the time, it was suggested that Seattle Parks might take over management of this triangle.

The $1.8 million contract for the Station 29 renovation was recently awarded to Par-Tech Construction. It’s one of two West Seattle fire stations that will be in temporary locations soon. The other is Station 32, whose Triangle building will be demolished and replaced with a brand-new station; its interim site is future parkland on 40th SW, south of SW Alaska. Station 11 in Highland Park also is being upgraded, but its crew is staying on-site during the work.

Followup: Researchers say baby orca J50 is female

January 7, 2015 3:51 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| Seen at sea | West Seattle news | Wildlife

(Photo courtesy Center for Whale Research: Mom J16 and newborn J50)
One week after announcing the birth of baby orca J50, the Center for Whale Research says J50 is female – especially good news provided she beats the odds and survives, since that pod in particular has been short on breeding-age females. In a release on its website, the center also says it hasn’t quite sorted out the questions about which orca is J50’s mom – you’ve probably heard that while she was originally believed to be the calf of 43-year-old J16, experts have reasons to suspect that J16 might actually be J50’s grandmother. Whoever her mom is, ~2-week-old J50 was seen with her family, doing well, today in the northern Strait of Georgia in British Columbia

West Seattle Crime Watch: See where cars were stolen & shots fired in past month, on SeaStat maps

January 7, 2015 3:33 pm

| 10 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

Two new maps of note from SPD’s latest SeaStat stats/trends briefing, just made public:

That’s the citywide map of auto thefts in the past four weeks. Precinct-by-precinct breakouts weren’t released (we’re trying to take a WS count from the online police-report map), but citywide, the number totals 291 – that’s almost 10 per day – and it’s the one crime category that was at its highest level of the month, citywide, in late December/early January. SPD also released a map of auto theft “hot spots” but no place in West Seattle was on that map.

Another citywide map made public – shots-fired incidents in the past four weeks:

We haven’t matched all of the West Seattle locations to specific incidents – but one would definitely be this New Year’s Eve incident that left two bullet holes in a Morgan Junction business window. No other Southwest Precinct info of note in the slide deck made public by Seattle Police; the SeaStat briefings for department leadership are generally held every other Wednesday – past decks are here.

West Seattle salmon: Egg-delivery day at local schools

January 7, 2015 3:06 pm

| 4 COMMENTS

| Environment | West Seattle news | Wildlife

Before local students show up at Fauntleroy Creek in the spring to set salmon fry free, they spend months tending to and studying in-school aquariums – and today’s the day it all begins anew. Volunteers Judy Pickens and Phil Sweetland have spent the day ferrying more than a thousand salmon eggs from a regional hatchery to 10 schools in West Seattle and South Park. We caught them at the first one they visited, Our Lady of Guadalupe:

As they made each delivery, disinfecting the eggs in an iodine bath before they could be placed in their hatching tanks, they talked with students, who were fascinated to see what would eventually hatch into coho:

From OLG, they went to nearby West Seattle Elementary, where their visit was shorter, since they volunteer at WSES regularly. But this school has something extra-special – a tank and ornate base, courtesy of Phil:

We had to photograph it before the students crowded around, so you could see the art.

Judy and Phil live on Fauntleroy Creek, and have a deep devotion to this program – almost four years ago, we reported on their resolve to keep it going despite state budget cuts. As explained at the time, it’s not that this is making a big dent in the salmon population, but it is helping keep fish and creeks top of mind every year for a new group of students who will grow into the adults on whose actions the fish’s fate will rise and fall. Meantime, these eggs will hatch soon, and the fish will grow for a few months in the tanks in school hallways and classrooms, before creek releases in spring.

West Seattle Crime Watch: Seen this stolen VW Passat?

January 7, 2015 12:51 pm

| 7 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

Another stolen car to watch out for: Taken last night from Beth‘s driveway near Lincoln Park, a dark blue 2004 VW Passat with a Sun Valley sticker on the back. WA plates, AKD2678. As @getyourcarback advises, call 911 if you see it.

UPDATE, EARLY FRIDAY: Found in Beverly Park! (See comments.)

West Seattle traffic alert: Road restoration by Barton Pump Station

January 7, 2015 11:56 am

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| Fauntleroy | West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

Heads up for another road-work project next week. Just announced:

Starting as early as Monday, January 12, crews will replace four concrete panels in the southbound curb lane of Fauntleroy Way SW in front of the Barton Pump Station construction site. This work will occur daily from 8 am to 3:30 pm until Friday, January 16. This work is weather-dependent and may be postponed in inclement weather.

All lanes on Fauntleroy Way SW will remain open. Flaggers and a police officer will shift traffic to the east around concrete work during the day. Crews will use steel sheets to cover concrete work at night.

Traffic headed for the Fauntleroy ferry dock next door will be assisted with flaggers and a police officer, the county says. (Though these are city streets, it’s a county project because they run the pump station that’s been undergoing upgrades/expansion.)

West Seattle holiday-giving postscript: What you gave to Helpline via Dave Newman’s office & other participating businesses

January 7, 2015 11:16 am

| 1 COMMENT

| Holidays | How to help | West Seattle news

(Car full of donations, unloaded upon delivery to Helpline)
Throughout the just-wrapped-up holiday season, countless West Seattle businesses, schools, organizations, and individuals gave generously to local nonprofits, in so many ways. Today, before the holidays are too far back in the rear-view mirror, we have a wrap-up of one drive that lasted beyond Christmas, all the way through New Year’s Eve, headquartered at the office of State Farm agent Dave Newman (WSB sponsor), who writes:

The annual coat and cold weather clothing collection for the West Seattle Helpline was a great success!

Special thanks to local businesses such as Berkshire Hathaway, Mirsepasy Law Office, Chelan Café, Alki Key and Lock, Wiseman’s Appliance, Admiral Starbucks, Swedish Automotive, Foreign Car Workshop, Auto Buff, and Les Schwab. With their help, and the help of other local supporters, we collected seven large barrels of cold-weather clothing for our less-fortunate friends and neighbors. A heartfelt thanks to fellow citizens who made it possible by their generosity and giving nature.

Let’s all hope for a pleasant 2015.

So what happens to all that clothing?

That photo is courtesy of WS Helpline, whose Anna Fern notes that the WSH clothing bank Clothesline “is open three days this week with 25 families scheduled to come to ‘shop’ for free clothing and coats! Over the last two months (November and December) we have given away over 162 coats! Clients have been very grateful! One commented, ‘What a great gift – the gift of warmth and comfort’.”

P.S. You can help Helpline any time of year, with clothing or money.

West Seattle Wednesday: Dept. of Neighborhoods director at SW District Council; ‘Green Meeting’; story time; sports; music; more

January 7, 2015 10:08 am

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Tuesday sunset photo by Long Bach Nguyen)
Here in the middle of the day, the fog just looks gray – but toward sunset last night, it brought beauty, and we have two more views to share, along with the Wednesday calendar highlights:

IF YOU SEE AN AIRCRAFT CARRIER … it’s the USS Nimitz, whose impending move from Everett to Bremerton – possibly as soon as today – was noted here on Tuesday.

GET OUT OF THE HOME OFFICE! First co-working/home-office meetup of the year at West Seattle Office Junction (WSB sponsor), noon. Bring your lunch, meet others who work in unconventional settings, share ideas and support! (6040 California SW)

SOMALI STORYTIME: 5 pm at High Point Branch Library, all welcome! (35th/Raymond)

(Tuesday sunset photo by David Hutchinson)
NEIGHBORHOOD GREEN MEETING: 6:30 pm at Admiral Bird, first and third Wednesdays of the month, you’re invited to “Neighborhood Green Meetings” co-hosted by Sustainable West Seattle and Green Party of Seattle. Major topic: Climate change and what can be done about it. (2600 California SW)

SOUTHWEST DISTRICT COUNCIL: 6:30 pm at the Senior Center of West Seattle, featuring a visit from Department of Neighborhoods director Bernie Matsuno. All welcome; if you’re interested in background, here’s our report on December’s SWDC meeting. (Oregon/California)

MUSIC AT C & P: Cozy coffeehouse concerts continue in this still-new year at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), with singer/songwriter Jim Page scheduled tonight, 7-9 pm. (5612 California SW)

HIGH-SCHOOL BASKETBALL: Tonight’s home games feature the girls-varsity teams: 7:30 pm, the West Seattle High School girls take on Holy Names (3000 California SW); also at 7:30 pm, the Chief Sealth International High School girls get a visit from Garfield. (2600 SW Thistle)

MORE NIGHTLIFE: Open microphone, trivia, karaoke, and yet more live music – see the times, venues, etc., by going directly to our calendar!

Will sign stop rulebreaking dog owners? Pigeon Point NC hopes so

January 7, 2015 9:09 am

| 101 COMMENTS

| Pets | Pigeon Point | West Seattle news

The photo is courtesy of Pigeon Point’s Pete Spalding, who explains:

One of the issues the Pigeon Point Neighborhood Council has been looking for ways to address has been the ongoing issue of folks letting their dogs run loose at the fields at Pathfinder School. One of the ideas discussed at our last meeting was putting up a sign. Here is the sign.

West Seattle’s official off-leash area is at Westcrest Park (map and info here).

TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Foggy Wednesday

January 7, 2015 7:02 am

| 4 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(WS high/low bridges and Highway 99 views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
Still foggy in spots, so take care out there. No problems otherwise on the routes through/from West Seattle, so far this morning.

TRANSPORTATION NEWS: Two stories of note, in case you haven’t seen them yet – 2 new crosswalks planned for Delridge; changes on the downtown waterfront starting next week, including access to the Water Taxi dock at Pier 50.

9:01 AM: From the scanner, traffic hazard in the right lane on the Alaskan Way Viaduct – a couch cushion.

9:24 AM: And another problem on northbound 99 – a crash blocking the right lane near the stadiums. Here’s a cam showing the backup (looking south toward the northbound traffic, but south of the crash):

No indication of injuries in this incident – Seattle Fire was not dispatched.

9:56 AM: Backup should be clearing by now – the vehicle(s) involved have been moved off to the shoulder.

High-school basketball: West Seattle boys beat visiting O’Dea

January 7, 2015 1:03 am

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Getting back to the regular season after their holiday tournament win, the West Seattle High School boys-varsity basketball team beat visiting O’Dea on Tuesday night, 54-51. Wildcats’ #1 Nate Pryor had a big night, 24 points.

(Added 8:51 am, additional recap info from WSHS):

It was the first time WSHS beat O’Dea in boys’ basketball since 2008. (Pryor also) grabbed 10 rebounds in the winning effort. He was helped by junior Melvin Arrington (#2, photo above), who scored 5 points in the fourth quarter and sophomore Akili Kasim, who provided key rebounds down the stretch. The Wildcats improve to 6-4 on the season and 4-2 in league play.

(WSHS #24 Carter Golgart)
(back to original 1:03 am report) The WSHS boys play next at Eastside Catholic on Friday night; the girls varsity team is home tomorrow night, 7:30 pm, hosting Holy Names.

High-school basketball: Chief Sealth boys host Garfield

January 7, 2015 12:11 am

| 1 COMMENT

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

School’s back in session and high-school basketball is back in all-out mode:

That reader-contributed video clip shows a big basket by Chief Sealth International High School‘s #22, senior Hafid Yassin, in the Seahawks’ home loss to visiting Garfield tonight, 96-55.

The Bulldogs got out ahead early, 30-14 by the end of the first quarter, and Sealth was unable to catch up.

(Sealth’s #1 Khaleef Griffin and #12 LJ Burns)
The Garfield girls will be at Sealth tomorrow (Wednesday) night, with the varsity game at 7:30 pm. The Sealth boys’ next game is on the road at Seattle Prep, 8 pm Friday.