West Seattle Blog…

Update: White Center shooting suspect arrested

New information just in from the King County Sheriff’s Office – a suspect is now in custody in this morning’s deadly shooting at Seattle Roll Bakery in White Center, and the motive was not robbery after all. Full details on White Center Now.

Seattle officers help search for suspect in White Center shooting

12:47 AM: We’ve been covering a post-midnight shooting on partner site White Center Now, but we’re also hearing that Seattle Police are helping search, since the suspect was last seen headed this way, so we wanted to make sure you knew that ongoing coverage is here.

2:21 AM: We’ve updated the WCN story with video of King County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Sgt. Cindi West confirming the victim was killed, and that it apparently happened during a robbery at Seattle Roll Bakery. No arrest so far, but there were witnesses, so Sgt. West is hopeful there will be a description to share later this morning.

5:30 AM: Once that new information is out, we’ll have updates here and on WCN. TV crews are live in WC for the morning newscasts, but the reports we’ve seen so far haven’t had anything more than what we all learned from Sgt. West three-plus hours ago.

Two from White Center Now: Holiday heartwarmer; sign search

In case you haven’t checked out our partner site White Center Now lately … we wanted to call your attention to two stories:

‘CHICKEN FRIDAY CHRISTMAS’: “Sometimes the good guys wear black,” concludes Joe Heisler’s story about this bighearted holiday event that gave the White Center Food Bank a Christmastime helping hand (and then some). Read it here.

WHATEVER HAPPENED TO THE SKATE-BOOT SIGN? WCN published a call for clues/ideas about what became of the skate-boot sign that adorned the now-Southgate Roller Rink decades ago. Read it here (and see the photo).

You can check White Center Now’s headlines right here on WSB any time – click the tab under the header that currently says “WC” (and expands to “White Center” when the line of tabs is a little less crowded) – here’s the direct link.

Help for the holidays: White Center Food Bank needs helping hands

With less than two weeks till Christmas, the giving trees, food drives, diaper drives, etc., all acquire a new sense of urgency – as does the need for volunteer help at some local nonprofits. One of them is the White Center Food Bank – which, remember, serves part of West Seattle too – and Ann just sent this request:

We are still looking for volunteers for our holiday distribution on Monday, December 19 from 12:30 – 3:30. Volunteers will assist clients that have signed up for holiday distribution by assisting clients to gather foods from our distribution line during this time period. Best for adults, volunteers will be on their feet for the time period and should dress warmly. If anyone can assist, contact Audrey Zemke at 206-762-2848 or email audrey@whitecenterfoodbank.org. Thank you!

Please take a minute when you can and scroll down the West Seattle Holidays page for some of the other giving opportunities around our area.

Video: White Center celebrates its 2nd annual tree lighting

This weekend’s second local tree-lighting ceremony (after Our Lady of Guadalupe on Friday) is now history, and festive history at that! With a trilingual countdown, the lights went on at Veterans’ Triangle Park (16th/Roxbury), as the White Center community celebrated its 2nd annual tree lighting. Last year, a longrunning effort to get power to the mini-park finally succeeded in time for the first tree-lighting ceremony (as reported on our partner site White Center Now). This year’s tree arrived just two days ago, as we showed you on Friday. Detailed coverage with more photos is in the works on White Center Now; we’re also adding this tree to our updated-daily map of local holiday lights – find it here or on the WSB West Seattle Holidays page.

Video: White Center Christmas Tree goes up in Delridge Triangle

A stalwart group of Santa’s helpers, including White Center business-community leaders, just achieved a milestone in the WC/South Delridge holiday season – raising the official Christmas tree in the Delridge Triangle mini-park (16th/Roxbury) for the second year. As you can see in our video, bright sunshine and good cheer certainly helped. All are welcome to the tree lighting this Sunday night at 5 pm. Santa himself will be there, along with carolers, we hear. (More WC/West Seattle holiday-event info here.)

Happening now: White Center Food Bank turkey drive

Till 7 pm, White Center Food Bank‘s turkey drive continues – frozen turkeys, chickens, other kinds of holiday food; WC Food Bank executive director Rick Jump told us when we dropped by a while ago that they had about 150 turkeys but need 700. They also need cereal, cake mix, crackers, cookies, among other types of “trimmings” (longer list in our original announcement). The White Center Food Bank – which serves southern West Seattle as well as WC and environs – is at 10829 8th SW (map). If you can’t make it to WC, the West Seattle Food Bank at 35th/Morgan is accepting turkeys today too, 4-5 pm.

Update: Feds explain DEA raids on medical-marijuana establishments, including White Center’s GAME Collective

1:52 PM: We’re outside the GAME Collective medical-marijuana “lounge” in downtown White Center – where the Drug Enforcement Administration has a significant presence at the moment. The DEA tells us it’s part of an “ongoing operation” and that they will have a statement “in a few hours.”

Regional-media sources (here’s KING 5‘s story; here’s The Olympian’s story) are reporting a series of raids at medical-marijuana operations all over the region; we’re checking on the status of others in West Seattle/White Center. More to come.

2:32 PM: We have just driven by three West Seattle medical-marijuana dispensaries, including the GAME Collective’s California SW location; no sign of current police activity at any of them.

5:54 PM: Statement just in from the DEA, in its entirety:

DEA SPECIAL AGENT IN CHARGE MATTHEW G. BARNES STATEMENT REGARDING MARIJUANA ENFORCEMENT

It has never been our policy to target individuals with serious illnesses. However, there are those operating commercial storefronts cultivating, selling or distributing marijuana under the guise of state medical marijuana laws and exploiting such activities to satisfy their own personal greed. The DEA remains committed to the enforcement of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA) in all states.

The coordinated enforcement actions of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and our state and local law enforcement partners involve violations of both federal and state law.

The DEA will exercise its investigative authority to pursue criminal actions for any violation of federal law, when warranted. This includes investigating organizations or individuals that grow, manufacture or distribute any illegal drug to include marijuana, and those who rent or maintain a property to facilitate drug trafficking.

8:58 PM UPDATE: We also have received a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office:

Today Drug Enforcement Administration agents and local law enforcement executed search warrants in four ongoing federal investigations in Western Washington relating to illegal drug distribution and other crimes in violation of federal law. Each of the investigations targets commercial enterprises that purport to operate as “medical” marijuana establishments but also fail to comply with applicable state law.

Click to read the rest of Update: Feds explain DEA raids on medical-marijuana establishments, including White Center’s GAME Collective…

Help for the holidays: White Center Food Bank turkey drive

The White Center Food Bank not only serves our neighbors to the south in its namesake community, it also serves people in West Seattle as far north as SW Myrtle. So you’re helping people in both communities if you can respond to this request, just received (note it’s actually two requests in one – for turkey donations, and for volunteer holiday-distribution help):

On November 19 from 9 am until 7 pm, White Center Food Bank will be holding a Turkey Drive to collect donated frozen turkeys and chickens for their upcoming Thanksgiving holiday distribution. White Center Food bank expects to serve over 1,000 families for the holiday. This year’s turkey shortage combined with high wholesale prices (currently $1.25 a pound) make it difficult for the food bank to purchase turkeys at normally deep discounts. Starting (today), local sales and deals on turkeys will be posted on the White Center Food Bank’s Facebook page. Other meal items that are needed include: olives, cranberry sauce, pickles, cookie or cake mixes, cool whip or whipping cream, pumpkin, any type of canned milk, muffin mixes and pie crust mixes.

To donate, any turkey or chicken should be frozen. White Center Food Bank located at 10829 8th Avenue SW will be open November 19 until 7 pm to accept any donation. Other times to drop off are available; please call 206-762-2848. Volunteers are still needed to assist with holiday distribution as well including Monday through Wednesday, November 21-23 from 12:30-3:30 pm.

Here’s the WC Food Bank’s post this morning about turkey deals (got one to add?). P.S. We’re compiling requests for holiday help – here’s how to send one.

Update: Three people hurt in 3-car 3rd/Olson crash

(Photo by Deanie Schwarz for WSB)
3:56 PM: Big emergency response to 3rd SW/Olson Place (map) just past the east end of Roxbury – there’s a crash that went out as an “automobile rescue” call. Our crew is there and we’ll have more shortly – for now, though, avoid the area, which is a busy route to and from Highway 509.

4:44 PM: From WSB contributor Deanie Schwarz – Three people were taken to the hospital with serious injuries. The road is not likely to clear any time soon.

(Photo by Katie Meyer for WSB)
5:19 PM: A total of three vehicles were involved, according to WSB contributor Katie Meyer. She says fire crews had to cut the top off one car to get the patient out safely. Still no word when the road might reopen.

8:38 PM: If you haven’t seen this in comments already – the road has reopened.

10:32 PM: It apparently then closed again – but is now reported as reopened. Meantime, police have published their account to SPD Blotter:

On November 11th at approximately 3:23 p.m. officers responded to the area of Olson Place SW and SW Cambridge Place for a multiple-vehicle head on collision with life-threatening injuries.

Preliminary investigation indicates that a 51-year-old male was driving westbound in his Nissan Pathfinder. The driver crossed the centerline and struck a 1999 Saturn head on. The driver of the Saturn, a 22-year-old male, was transported to Harborview Medical Center by SFD medics with non-life-threatening injuries.

The Pathfinder then spun around and was struck on the driver’s side by an eastbound, on-coming Toyota Camry. The Camry was being driven by a 63-year-old female, who was subsequently transported to Harborview Medical Center by SFD medics with life-threatening injuries. The driver of the Pathfinder was transported to Harborview Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries.

Officers evaluated the driver of the Pathfinder for signs of impairment due to alcohol and/or drugs. A blood draw was performed and the laboratory results are pending further investigation.

There were no citations issued at the scene, which is standard procedure in traffic incidents involving serious injuries, and that subsequently require collision reconstruction and extensive follow up investigation.

Traffic Collision Investigation Squad detectives responded to the scene and continue to actively investigate.

The road was closed in both directions and traffic re-routed so detectives could effectively conduct their on-scene investigation.

Halloween Eve: Pumpkin-carving contest in Delridge Triangle

The first-ever White Center Pumpkin Carving Contest is in the judging phase till about 8 pm; drop by and pick your fave! Five pumpkins were on display when we dropped by just after 7 – including John Tarrant‘s “Angry Birds” entry, above. You’ll find the pumpkins under a canopy right in front of Mac’s Triangle Pub on the north side of Delridge/16th/Roxbury – and the entries will be on display during White Center business-district trick-or-treating (5-8 pm) tomorrow night, too. (See a few more photos on our partner site White Center Now.)

From White Center Now: Dozens arrested in big WC raids

(Added 12:53 pm: Video of some of the seized drugs, guns)
Our partner site White Center Now had first word yesterday of the big raids focused on two WC sites described as “hubs” for crime – and contributor Deanie Schwarz is covering the new information today, with federal, state, county, and other authorities briefing the media at Steve Cox Memorial Park.

(Photo by Courtney Blethen Riffkin, SEATTLE TIMES/Republished with permission)
Here’s the latest, with word of dozens of people arrested, dozens of guns seized, and confiscated drugs. We’ll be adding more details there throughout the afternoon.

From White Center Now: New storefront deputy announced

From our partner site White Center Now – King County Sheriff’s Office has made the decision about who will fill the newly restored position of storefront deputy. It’s not the deputy who used to have the job, though he was reported to be a candidate for the position. Details here.

White Center annexation: Burien takes the first major step

From partner site White Center Now: After talking about it at literally every meeting for the past few months, the Burien City Council has finally taken a vote on whether to proceed with potential annexation of White Center, Boulevard Park, and most of the rest of what it didn’t vote to annex two years ago – and that vote was “yes.” The annexation process still has a long way to go, though; if it does go all the way, instead of Roxbury being the city/county border (in most spots), it would be the Seattle/Burien border. Here’s the full story on WCN.

Medical-marijuana ‘farmers’ market’ for downtown White Center

From partner site White Center Now: Downtown WC is about to get its third medical-marijuana business. This one will be a “farmers-market-style” operation, Northwest Cannabis Market, at 9640 16th SW, open only on weekends for starters. Full details on WCN.

New life for historic White Center/West Seattle veterans tribute

(Photo by Deanie Schwarz for WSB and White Center Now)
Tonight, a new, properly illuminated flag flies over a small, decades-old tribute to veterans, re-dedicated today in the Delridge Triangle, where White Center and West Seattle meet. It’s the result of efforts by the White Center Chamber of Commerce. A full report on this afternoon’s re-dedication ceremony is on our partner site White Center Now.

WestSide Baby: Volunteer help welcome today, and carseats!

(Photo courtesy WestSide Baby)
Today’s the big kickoff drive for WestSide Baby‘s expanded car-seat-recycling effort – and to get ready for that, an army of volunteers descended on their HQ on Friday, according to executive director Nancy Woodland:

WestSide Baby had an amazing crew from Microsoft Office Product Marketing Group here through the United Way Day of Caring. Twenty men and women showed up (Friday) morning and worked like crazy to sort clothes, match bottle pieces, bundle diapers and dismantle car seats for recycling. This is just in time for our big Re-Ride Car Seat Reuse and Recycling event (today), 10 am-2 pm in WestSide Baby’s back yard @ 10032 15th Ave. SW. The “wrecking crew” separated all the car seat parts so that out of about 100 seats, we will send only 1 garbage bag to the landfill. Amazing impact from a great group of people. We can use more volunteers (today) Saturday from 10-2 for all kinds of similar projects if folks have extra time.

Or at least, bring your car seat – no matter what condition – to be recycled. (Here’s our preview from earlier this week.)

WestSide Baby expands car-seat recycling: They’ll take ‘em all

WestSide Baby has accepted car seats for recycling before – but usually, just the ones in good enough shape to reuse. Starting this Saturday, they will accept ALL used car seats – 10 am-2 pm on Saturday, bring yours to their donation HQ in White Center, 10032 15th SW (map) – so if you have one, in any condition, in the basement, the attic, the closet, the garage, bring it over! For the new campaign Re-Ride: Car Seat Reuse and Recycling for Local Children in Need, WS Baby is now partnering with recyclers Total Reclaim to enable acceptance of any and all car seats (if yours can’t be reused, they request a $5 minimum donation to help cover the cost of recycling its materials). WS Baby says they are only able to fill about HALF the requests they currently get for car seats, so widening the recycling program will hopefully help them fill more. P.S. If you can help them dismantle car seats in preparation for recycling, please contact Shana Allen at shana@westsidebaby.org or 206-767-1662.

Video: 9/11 tribute at Holy Family, with Firefighters’ Prayer

As he did while helping search the 9/11 rubble in New York a decade ago, retired fire captain Rudy Alvarado wore a red/white/blue bandanna this morning, leading the day’s first formal 9/11 tribute in the West Seattle/White Center area. As the Holy Family Community Street Fair began for the day, he read the Firefighters’ Prayer:

Alvarado’s memories were featured in this Redmond Reporter story last week. Our longer version of this story on partner site White Center Now includes another video clip, with Alvarado leading the Pledge of Allegiance today, and Holy Family School (WSB sponsor) assistant principal Anca Wilson singing the national anthem. The Holy Family fair continues until 4 pm, at 20th/Roxbury, on the south side of the school/church campus; meantime, our list of other 9/11 tributes today/tonight is here.

West Seattle Friday: Benefits; road work; football; music…

(Thanks to Brenda C for Thursday photo of the “Spring Hill” demolition site – here’s our Wed. story)

Today’s preview, from the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:

ROAD WORK ALERTS: Again today, city crews are scheduled to repair cracked pavement in the bike lanes on the south end of 16th SW, as explained here … And again tonight, the westbound Spokane Street Viaduct is scheduled to be closed for construction work overnight; details here.

ZUMBA LAUNCH AT YOUNGSTOWN: Friday morning Zumba classes (at 9:30 am) start today at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center (4408 Delridge Way SW). Taught by certified Zumba instructor Jennifer Cepeda. Evening classes will be added to the schedule later this fall. Web page with more info is here.

MOVIE CREW IN WHITE CENTER: The rescheduled filming for “Eden” is set for this afternoon, this evening, and into the night in downtown White Center. Here’s the latest update from partner site White Center Now.

SWYFS GALA: Fundraising auction/gala for Southwest Youth and Family Services, doors open 5:30 pm at The Hall at Fauntleroy.

SOMALIA FUNDRAISER: High Point fundraiser for famine relief in Somalia, 6 pm at Neighborhood House, details here.

‘SONGS OF SUMMER’ AT C & P: Local musician Trevor Ras will play a solo show at C&P Coffee (WSB sponsor), tonight from 6-8 pm. The show is free and all ages and the theme is “Songs of Summer,” with “summer-inspired original songs” from his three recent releases plus summer-themed classics.

HIGH-SCHOOL FOOTBALL: Chief Sealth at Ingraham (Northwest Athletic Complex), 7 pm; West Seattle hosts Nathan Hale (Southwest Athletic Complex), 7 pm; Seattle Lutheran at North Beach, 7 pm.

ONSTAGE IN THE JUNCTION: “Amy’s View” continues at ArtsWest Playhouse in The Junction, 7:30 pm.

Video: White Center murder suspect pleads not guilty

We’re at the King County Courthouse, where Anthony Haroldlee Smith has just appeared for arraignment in the August 16th murder of 23-year-old Sweetheart Failautusi, shot early that morning at 15th/Roxbury (original White Center Now coverage here). Our video above (shot through the glass that separates the gallery from the judge/lawyer areas of this particular courtroom) shows the brief hearing in its entirety, after Judge Ronald Kessler denied Smith’s lawyer’s request to keep the media from photographing his face, ending before witness names were mentioned in terms of a no-contact order. Smith only spoke to acknowledge his identity; his lawyer formally entered the plea of “not guilty.” Media reps (TV and radio were also here) were asked by an advocate not to photograph the two members of Sweetheart’s family who came to watch the hearing. Smith remains in jail in lieu of one million dollars bail.

Village Green foreclosure fight: Bank of America announces a decision

(Photo added 7:17 pm: Vera and daughter Johanna)>
3:12 PM: Looks like tonight’s support rally may turn into a victory party. Just received from Bank of America, and confirmed by someone who answered the phone at Village Green Perennial Nursery (Vera was not available):

I wanted to make you aware of a final decision in regards to Vera Johnson’s mortgage modification.

As soon as we learned of Vera Johnson’s concerns, Bank of America employees at our Seattle Customer Assistance Center began working closely with her to understand her financial situation and collect the necessary paperwork. Based on the financial documents she provided and some last minute issues we identified and were able to help her resolve, Fannie Mae extended to Ms. Johnson a permanent modification.

We are pleased to be able to offer her this permanent modification that should allow her to stay in her home and keep her business.

Britney W. Sheehan
Media Relations

Again, as previewed here this morning, the 5-9 pm event tonight is at Big Al Brewing, 9832 14th SW

5:32 PM UPDATE: Just talked with Vera at the event. She says that B of A announced this so quickly after calling her, she hasn’t seen paperwork yet, and nothing’s final till it’s final.

ADDED 7:20 PM: Here’s our brief chat with her, on video:

And the party/rally at Big Al’s continues – with more signs of community generosity – In addition to the list mentioned in our morning preview, Delgado’s Upholstery donated a chair:

The event continues till 9 pm.

THURSDAY MORNING NOTE: A detailed story on the party is on our partner site, White Center Now.

West Seattle Wednesday: River tour; new store; art on Alki…

That’s Alki Kayak Tours‘ Greg Whittaker in the hat, coaching would-be paddlers at last weekend’s Duwamish River Festival. Your chance to explore the river, from that same starting point, is tonight – one of the highlights from the WSB Events calendar:

2ND-TO-LAST COMMUNITY KAYAK TOUR OF THE DUWAMISH: Every two weeks, all summer, Duwamish River Cleanup Coalition has presented the tours, in partnership with Alki Kayak Tours – meets 5:30 pm at Duwamish Waterway Park, 7900 10th Avenue S. in South Park; RSVP to (206) 953-0237. Tours cost $45 per person; $5 donation per person to DRCC also requested. All equipment, instructions, and guiding are provided. More info.

(Photo by WSB’s Patrick Sand, added 10:47 am)
NEW STATE LIQUOR STORE NOW OPEN: As of minutes ago, it’s the first day of operation for the new Junction liquor store, on the northwest corner of 41st/Alaska (here’s our video-tour preview from yesterday).

VILLAGE GREEN PERENNIAL NURSERY SUPPORT/FORECLOSURE-AWARENESS RALLY: As previewed here earlier this morning, the event is 5-9 pm at Big Al Brewing, 9832 14th SW in White Center (full details here).

METROPOLITAN MARKET WINE TASTING: 5:30-7:30 pm at the Admiral store, taste wines to complement the fruit offered at Metropolitan Market (WSB sponsor) during the ongoing Peach-O-Rama.

JAPANESE ARTISTS PERFORM ON ALKI: Word of this came in late last night – note the weather caveat:

4 very talented artists and entertainers will be performing at Alki Beach, August 31 6:00pm near the Statue of Liberty.

They said they would like as many people to view their performances since they are here for only a short period of time.

1. Bosshiko is a high-profile artist in Asia winning various awards. He will be performing a live painting using black sumi ink on Japanese washi paper. The painting will be enourmous and will be done in 30 minutes.

2. Sayoko Hirano is an artist from Kyoto learning under Bosshiko. She will also be performing a live painting.

3. Chiaki is a professional dancer and will perform a powerful martial arts inspired contemporary dance.

4. Gon is one of the few traditional Japanese storytellers left even in Japan. His storytelling always gets the crowd laughing even if you don’t understand Japanese.

They will cancel the performance if it rains.

BUY IT WHERE THEY GROW IT: High Point Market Garden farm stand, 4-7 pm, 32nd Ave SW and SW Juneau. This is a weekly Farm Stand selling seasonal fresh organically grown produce right in the garden where the produce is grown.

BUDGET-CUT CLOSURES: Seattle Public Schools is on a systemwide furlough day, and district employees aren’t even supposed to answer e-mails … Seattle Public Library‘s now-annual budget-cut closure continues today (the system reopens next Tuesday, after the Labor Day holiday following the closure week).

SEASON EBBING AT COLMAN POOL: Colman Pool continues its 7-day-a-week summer operations through Monday, and then, after one last “post-season weekend,” it’s closed till next year. Pool schedule/other info here.

EARLY REGISTRATION DEADLINE FOR CAR SHOW: If you want the early-registration $15 fee for the West Seattle Junction Car Show (co-sponsored by WSB) on September 18th, you have to get your registration in by tomorrow – details here.