month : 05/2009 445 results

We reported earlier this year on the big backlog at Seattle City Light – report a burned-out street light, wait weeks, maybe months, for it to get fixed. The mayor says he’ll take that on – news release ahead:Read More

Port of Seattle candidates’ forum in South Park June 3rd

May 27, 2009 1:28 pm

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| Announcements

Just out of the WSB inbox:

Port of Seattle Commission Candidate Forum
Wednesday, June 3rd, 7-9pm
South Park Community Center
8319 8th Ave South
Map
Facebook page
Moderated by: Kristen Young, former Seattle PI reporter

Q: What do Burien’s jet ghettos, Duwamish River PCBs, cruise ship dumping in Puget
Sound, Georgetown’s diesel truck pollution, development of Ballard’s Fisherman’s
Terminal, and audit investigations in Olympia have in common?
A: Your elected commissioners at the Port of Seattle.

Q: What do rental car parking garages, SODO’s industrial lands development, Lora
Lake apartments, religious profiling, truck traffic on Marginal Way, and the people
serving lunch at the airport have in common?
A: Your elected commissioners at the Port of Seattle.

Q: Who will you vote for Port Commissioner on August 18th?
A: Inform your decision by attending the biggest port candidate forum of the year,
as two dozen community, environmental, and labor organizations combine efforts to
educate voters about port issues and the candidates.

Sponsored by: ACORN of King County * Citizens Against Sea-Tac Expansion * Council on
American-Islamic Relations-WA * Coalition for Clean and Safe Ports * Community
Coalition for Environmental Justice * Equal Rights Washington * Friends of the Earth
* FUSE * Georgetown Community Council * LELO- A Legacy of Equality, Leadership and
Organizing * King County Conservation Voters * Martin Luther King County Labor
Council * Minority Executive Directors Coalition * Municipal League of King County *
Puget Sound Alliance for Retired Americans * Puget Sound Harvesters Association *
Puget Sound Ports Council * Puget Sound SAGE * Real Change * Sierra Club * South
Park Neighborhood Association * Teamsters Local 174 * Teamsters Joint Council 28 *
UFCW 21 * Unite Here Local 8 * and more…

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Seattle Lutheran HS closes for rest of the week; flu precaution

May 27, 2009 12:54 pm

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| Swine flu | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Thanks to Andrea and Tamara for the tip, which we subsequently found confirmed on the Seattle Lutheran High School website:

**We are sending the students home immediately. We had a student that roomed with someone that has a confirmed case of the swine flu. The school will be closed the remainder of the week, we will reopen on Monday.***

We are calling the school – if anyone’s in the offices – to find out more. 1:03 PM UPDATE: Just talked with Jenny in the SLHS office. The school was closed Friday anyway, because of the trip to the state softball tournament (as reported here), so in the “better safe than sorry mode,” they decided to just shut down now. Jenny says the “rooming” mentioned in the online announcement was during a trip that student took. And she says that school personnel who aren’t making phone calls right now are busy cleaning, just as a precaution.

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This weekend: West Seattle Rock Club’s Gem and Mineral Show

May 27, 2009 11:42 am

| 2 COMMENTS

| Fun stuff to do | West Seattle news

Click To Play

Just about time to look ahead to next weekend, so in that spirit: For the second consecutive year, the West Seattle Rock Club has joined WSB as a sponsor to help get the word out about its ever-bigger annual Rock and Gem Show. 10 am-5 pm both days this weekend, at the Alki Masonic Hall (4736 40th SW: map), you’ll see not only rock displays, but also demonstrations of jewelry and lapidary techniques (as shown in our video clip above, from the 2008 show). Vendors will sell rocks, minerals and jewelry; kids’ activities include “make your own gem tree” and a “hands-on rock table.” And something new this year – come to the show on Saturday for details on how to join a free guided rockhounding field trip Sunday hunting for agates and jasper. Did we mention, admission to the show itself is free too? You can see past photos on the club photo page; full show details here.

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Jill St. Onge death investigation: Two updates

May 27, 2009 11:05 am

| 3 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle people

3 weeks after the death of 27-year-old West Seattle resident Jill St. Onge in Thailand (first reported here), there are new reports about the investigation into what killed her: The Phuket Gazette reported this week (scroll about two-thirds of the way down this page) that “microbial infection” possibly linked to food poisoning has turned up in “preliminary tests” of both Ms. St. Onge and the other tourist who died during a stay at the same guest house, 22-year-old Julie Bergheim of Norway. (You may recall, a very early report suggested food poisoning.) However, two days before that story appeared, the family/friends-maintained “About Jill” site had a post reading in part, “Also we DID get the tissue samples this week and they are now in the proper hands. I won’t go into much detail as everything is still extremely preliminary, but the very very early results do seem to coincide with something affecting the lungs.” As the writer points out, that’s what Ms. St. Onge’s fiance Ryan Kells had wondered about (here’s his story from earlier in the month). Kells is now with his family in California, according to this Los Altos account from a week ago.

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Seattle School Board: Cheryl Chow won’t run again

May 27, 2009 10:13 am

| 11 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

She doesn’t represent the “district” including West Seattle — Steve Sundquist does – but in the general election, all board seats are voted on citywide, so this is notable: Cheryl Chow just announced she’s not running for re-election to the Seattle School Board. (She’s also a former city councilmember.) One candidate who’s already announced for that seat is Charlie Mas, who we know has some West Seattle ties (former Lafayette Elementary parent, for one). He already has the stirrings of a campaign website here.

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Washington State Ferries’ future: Community meetings planned

May 27, 2009 10:02 am

| 4 COMMENTS

| Transportation | West Seattle news

Washington State Ferries just announced a round of community meetings – in case you want to attend, the closest one to the Fauntleroy terminal will be June 3 on Vashon – read on for the announcement and list:Read More

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Delridge demolition: “Problem property” now pile of debris

May 27, 2009 9:49 am

| 1 COMMENT

| Delridge | West Seattle housing | West Seattle news

Thanks to North Delridge Neighborhood Council’s Mike Dady for sending word that 4117 Delridge (map) is no more. It’s one of the five sites he included on the “Delridge problem properties” tour that drew two City Council members and a delegation of other high-ranking city reps a month and a half ago (WSB coverage is here and here). We reported 11 days ago that its demolition permit had been granted, to close a city-violation “unfit premises” case; also in that report, we noted that one of the councilmembers who attended the tour, Sally Clark, is taking comment on the concept of making it easier for houses like this to be demolished even if the owner doesn’t have a replacement plan.

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Today/tonight: Conservation, libraries, green jobs, health …

May 27, 2009 6:03 am

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| Environment | Health | High Point | West Seattle news

Hot topics all over West Seattle (and beyond) today/tonight. First, three events in High Point: 7:30 am, hard-hat/sturdy-shoe construction-site tour of the LEED-Gold-to-be Neighborhood Center (more here); 4 pm, you can tour High Point neighborhoods with a focus on “how green energy initiatives create jobs, better communities, and a safer world.” More here. 6 pm at High Point Library, the King Conservation District wants to hear from you; here’s why. Speaking of libraries, at the big one downtown, the Seattle Library Board considers those behavior-policy changes, 4:30 pm (details here). And at 7 pm, be at Fauntleroy Church (WSB sponsor) to talk about universal health care after watching the documentary “Sick Around the World.” More events for today/tonight/beyond here.

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West Seattle wildlife: 1 more round of low-tide sightings

May 26, 2009 11:24 pm

| 15 COMMENTS

| Seen at sea | West Seattle beaches

Yesterday and today saw the lowest tides of the year so far — but in four weeks, they’ll be even lower. Thanks to Charley Biggs for sharing another round of photos – above, a ~~razor~~ boring (according to Minette in comments) clam; next, a purple sun star:

Two more photos ahead:Read More

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$250K for Delridge Skatepark gets Parks Levy Committee OK

May 26, 2009 9:12 pm

| 7 COMMENTS

| Delridge | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

Update from the Parks and Green Spaces Levy Oversight Committee meeting downtown (the committee includes West Seattleites Neal Adams, Cindi Barker and Pete Spalding): The committee unanimously approved what the Skatepark Advisory Committee recommended earlier this month – moving $250,000 to the Delridge Skatepark project, from the levy’s designated funding for a future “skatespot” at the Myrtle Reservoir park site. City Council approval is needed next. The Delridge project originally was supposed to have $700,000 funding in this year’s state budget, but that got cut at the past minute; with community enthusiasm running high for Delridge Skatepark, though, the Parks Department has been trying to find the money somewhere else, and this will be added to $500,000 that materialized when the Hiawatha Playfield improvements came in way under budget. Lots of other interesting info here tonight about plans for the park-levy money: Parks executive Kevin Stoops says that the prices for acquiring land are so favorable right now, the department could move quickly to acquire more than a few sites around the city – from greenbelts to future neighborhood parks to garden sites. (Photo from last week’s Seattle Design Commission review of the skatepark’s “schematic design”; WSB coverage here.)

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At Parks Levy Committee meeting: More possible P-Patches

May 26, 2009 8:31 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| California Place Park | Gardening | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks | Westwood

View Larger Map

We’re at the Parks and Green Spaces Levy Oversight Committee meeting, awaiting a discussion of whether the committee will go along with the Skatepark Advisory Committee‘s recommendation to transfer money to the Delridge Skatepark project, from the unpopular-with-neighbors Myrtle Reservoir Skatespot proposal. In the meantime, we’ve heard some West Seattle news – starting with four possible P-Patches that might be funded with the $2 million “community garden” funds coming from the levy – including the site shown in Google Street View above, 34th/Barton. We reported three months ago that this 12,000-square-foot site at 34th/Barton, just east of the Exxon/Propel station, had been identified as “surplus” by the city, and comments were being sought regarding what to do with it. Many people in the comment thread following our report suggested using it as community garden/P-Patch land — and that’s exactly what’s under consideration now. The three other West Seattle sites mentioned for possible acquisition were the West Seattle Christian Church site that already is being turned into the Genesee P-Patch (which just won a Neighborhood Matching Fund $15,000 grant, by the way), a parcel in High Point, and California Place Park (we’ll be following up, but we believe they mean the “southern triangle” discussed in the recent design workshops as a possible garden site). More on these as they move through the process, and more from this meeting when the skatepark funding decision’s in. ADDED 12:52 AM: Read on for a few more details on these 4 West Seattle P-Patch sites, from the document made available at Tuesday night’s meeting:Read More

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County Executive candidates’ forum on public safety

May 26, 2009 7:05 pm

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| Announcements

Just announced by the King County Police Chiefs Association:

CANDIDATE FORUM
FOR THE POSITION OF KING COUNTY EXECUTIVE

THE STATE AND FUTURE OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE IN KING COUNTY

Police Chief Organization Hosts Exec Candidate’s Forum

The King County Police Chief’s Association is hosting a County Executive Candidate’s Forum on Thursday, June 11th. The candidates running for King County Executive are invited to the forum, which is open to the public and press.

The Police Chief’s Association is comprised of the 34 King County police chiefs, the Sheriff, corrections professionals, as well as state and federal criminal justice partners.

The goal of the candidate’s forum is for each candidate to present their vision for public safety and the criminal justice system in King County. Questions from the chiefs will be asked of the candidates.

WHEN: Thursday, June 11, 2009
10:00 AM to 11:30 AM

WHERE; Criminal Justice Training Center’
19010 – 1st Avenue South
Burien, WA

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“Summer Streets” on Alki this Sunday: The practical details

May 26, 2009 6:36 pm

| 25 COMMENTS

| Environment | Fun stuff to do | Transportation | West Seattle news

(September 2008 photo)
Last year, it was “Car-Free Day” and it was in September; this year, it’s “Celebrate Seattle Summer Streets” and it’s in May (three weeks before summer technically kicks in). Whatever you call it, this Sunday is the day when most of Harbor/Alki will be closed to most vehicles – from California Way to 63rd SW – and there are some changes this year, so we checked with the city this afternoon regarding some of the practical details. Here’s our Q/A – the questions were asked by WSB, the answers are from SDOT:

Q (TR from WSB): Will there be robo-calls again this year?

A (Dawn Schellenberg, SDOT): To help make sure everybody knows about the Alki Seattle Summer Streets and invite them to participate, approximately 1,500 calls to businesses and residents in and adjacent to Alki Avenue SW between 63rd Avenue SW and California Way SW are scheduled to go out Wednesday, between 5 and 8 PM.

Q: When will no-parking signs go up?

A: No Parking signs are scheduled to arrive Wednesday. Cars parked along Alki within the event area will be fliered Wednesday evening notifying them of the event and making them aware of the parking restrictions.

Read on for yet more Q/A: Read More

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Arbor Heights fire semi-followup: Cause still not known

May 26, 2009 4:32 pm

| 9 COMMENTS

| West Seattle fires | West Seattle news

(Monday photo by Tony Bradley)
In case you were wondering – we have checked with the Seattle Fire Department to see if investigators had determined the cause of Monday afternoon’s Arbor Heights fire (original WSB coverage here). Not yet, according to SFD spokesperson Helen Fitzpatrick – they need to speak with the 34-year-old fire survivor. We don’t know how soon he’ll be doing well enough for that to happen; without his name, media can’t get information on his condition, because of privacy laws. Fitzpatrick did add that the damage estimate is now up to $300,000.

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Girl Scouts offer special summer-camp scholarships

May 26, 2009 4:06 pm

| 3 COMMENTS

| How to help | Not WS but we're mentioning it anyway

Girl Scouts of Western Washington asked if we could help spread the word on this, even though it’s not West Seattle-specific, since the camps start running next month. Scholarships of any kind are always big news, so check this out:

Girl Scouts of Western Washington is offering a scholarship to girls in grades K-12 who are daughters of disabled military personnel. This applies to girls with one parent who is disabled in some way and was or is currently serving in the military. This scholarship covers any of our camps – one or two week programs, day or resident camps. Girls needn’t be a Girl Scout to apply. You can find more details on our website: girlscoutsww.org/news/DisabledMilitaryScholarship

If you know someone who might be interested, please forward – remember that you can use the “Share This” link below any WSB post or page to forward a link in many ways, including e-mail, Facebook, Twitter, and more.

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Downtown traffic alert: Westlake protest over Prop 8 ruling

May 26, 2009 3:38 pm

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| Not WS but we're mentioning it anyway

Just in case you work (or commute through) downtown and hadn’t heard about this already – or if you hadn’t heard and might want to attend – we’re the downtown bureau today as we’ve already covered two stories here with West Seattle ties and there’s one more to go (if you participate in this event, by the way, please consider sending photos – editor@westseattleblog.com):

Up to 2,000 protesters are expected to demonstrate this afternoon (May 26) in response to the California Supreme Court ruling on the Proposition 8 issue. The event is scheduled for 5 p.m. at Westlake Park. Streets adjacent to Westlake Park—Fourth Avenue and Pine Street—may be affected.

Here’s a Google News link to the latest stories from around the country regarding today’s ruling (upholding California’s anti-marriage-equality ballot measure) and reaction to it.

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Update: Jan Drago joins the race for Seattle Mayor

May 26, 2009 2:49 pm

| 2 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

Saying not only – as you can hear in that clip — “I’m ready,” but also that she wants to be mayor of “all of Seattle,” with shoutouts including one for West Seattle (and South Park, which had an excited supporter shouting back from the sidelines), Councilmember Jan Drago has officially kicked off her not-exactly-a-surprise run for mayor. We were at the announcement outside the Seattle Art Museum earlier this afternoon; two of her fellow councilmembers were there to show their support — Council President Richard Conlin and Councilmember Bruce Harrell – while Harrell joined the group flanking Drago at the podium, Conlin stayed on the sidelines (he’s in the white shirt at right, in this next photo):

We saw Councilmember Sally Clark shortly afterward at the Endangered Historic Properties announcement event and asked her if she’s endorsed a mayoral candidate yet — her quote, “I’m hangin’ back for a bit,” at least until the June 5th filing deadline passes. The latest list of candidates who HAVE announced so far is on this frequently updated city webpage. Drago and her husband live in Pioneer Square; here’s her official campaign biography. ADDED 3:17 PM: She took a few questions after the formal announcement – the setting was noisy but here you can hear her field a couple from tv reporter Chris Daniels, regarding the snow response and how she differs from the incumbent:

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Update: Alki Homestead on new “Endangered Properties” list

May 26, 2009 1:15 pm

| 2 COMMENTS

| Alki Homestead | West Seattle history | West Seattle news

Washington Trust for Historic Preservation has just officially announced its 2009 list of the “state’s most endangered historic properties,” which includes the fire-damaged Alki Homestead – one of four Seattle “resources” on the list, along with the P-I Globe. Washington Trust sent media organizations a preview of this for planning purposes last week and we honored its requested “embargo” of the list until this afternoon’s planned announcement, which explains:

Inclusion in our annual list is intended to raise awareness of the challenges and opportunities facing historic resources across the state and to encourage collaboration with all stakeholders to develop preservation strategies. In numerous instances, Most Endangered status has worked to facilitate solutions that promote the historic significance of sites while retaining important resources as viable, functional components of our neighborhoods and communities.

So what else does today’s announcement mean for the Homestead? We are at the media briefing right now and will add more later. Meantime, it’s been 4 months since the fire — blamed on an accidental electrical malfunction involving Christmas lights — that closed the Homestead. City records do not yet show an application for repair permits, but they do show that the complaint filed because of roof and window areas “open to weather” was resolved earlier this month and the case is closed.

ADDED 2:30 PM: Video from this afternoon’s announcement – starting with a special sign noting the Homestead’s inclusion, then to comments from Andrea Mercado from the Southwest Seattle Historical Society:

Afterward, she told us the group has been in touch with Homestead owner Tom Lin through an intermediary, and is working with him to make sure he has all the available information regarding potential financial help for restoration. Also at today’s announcement, West Seattle-residing King County Council Chair Dow Constantine – who is on the Washington Trust board – with a few words about the Homestead and more about a Vashon property on the list, the Vashon Elementary Gym:

Read on for the full text of today’s announcement, including the complete list:Read More

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June 13 concert Total Immersion concert at Youngstown

May 26, 2009 11:19 am

| Comments Off on June 13 concert Total Immersion concert at Youngstown

| Announcements

Just out of the inbox:

EMC is proud to announce Total Immersion 2 on Saturday June 13th 2009, a
surround sound concert showcasing members of the Electronic Music Collective
LIVE with a unique performance by StringStation.

Total Immersion 2 is an adventure into the new world of downtempo
electronic and electro acoustic music by cutting edge Seattle artists
performing live surround-sound music to striking triple-screen visuals.

Special guest StringStation presents a futuristic new instrument that
involves 40 strings, digital sound modeling technology and adventursome
performance techniques . Played by its inventor, Jim Bartz, the
StringStation is sure to open eyes and ears to new music possibilities – an
amazing addition to the sound and melodic depth of this event.

EMC aims to support and work alongside the local community by providing
a very unique surround-sound experience. Part of the proceeds of this event
will be donated to MusiCares who provides a safety net of critical
assistance for music people in times of need. EMC is also working in
affiliation with ‘The Body Bar Day Spa’ who will be providing chair massage
during the performance and will be handing out $25 gift certificates to the
first 20 people through the door.

It is also part of EMC’s goal to educate the general public to the tools
and techniques involved in the creation of such an event. Artists will
therefore be introducing you to some of the behind-the-scenes technologies
that go into creating, experiencing and understanding surround-sound and
their individual crafts.

The EMC Artists performing at this event:

David Miles Huber (DMH) is a professional musician in the downtempo
dance genre, who has produced CDs that have sold over the million mark. His
latest music and latest collaborations can be heard on the 51bpm label and
his myspace page. He has authored numerous books on the subjects of
recording and electronic music. His most prominent book Modern Recording
Techniques www.modrec.com is the standard recording industry text worldwide.

Henta is a singer/songwriter and recording artist, originally from the
UK, who works with a wide range of producers and writers. She released her
latest dream-pop/electronic album ‘Daisy Dancing’ in March 2008 which
recently became ‘Grammy Eligible’ and she is about to release her third
album focusing on relaxation/meditation and chakra activation.

Marcell Marias is a Hungarian-born musician, sound designer and producer
living in Seattle. His style could be described as visual electronic music
and includes ambient, downtempo, house, breaks, IDM, and drum & bass.
Several film and video productions feature music and sound design by Marias.
For his live performances, Marias uses several controllers hooked up to
Live, usually performing in surround with visuals.

Ludington GT a Seattle based DJ, Producer, Composer and Electronic
Artist who has been focusing in recent years on the production and
performance of his own original house music. Ludington GT is a regular
fixture on the west coast regional Burningman performance circuit where he
DJs and performs live PAs of his original music on laptop, keys, effects,
and vocals.

Concert details: Total Immersion 2 will be held on Saturday, June 13,
7-10 pm (with intermission) at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center 4408 Delridge
Way SW, West Seattle.

Event Tickets : $10 donation (includes a “free” EMC compilation disc).
‘The Body Bar Day Spa’ will also be handing out a $25 gift certificate to
the first 20 people through the door on the night. Advanced Tickets are
available through Brown Paper Tickets – Limited seating available so please
book early!

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Skyelar Hailey back in jail

May 26, 2009 10:57 am

| 30 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

Side note to one of two incidents from last night that we reported thanks to WSB’ers’ notes (before the Alki car-in-water): We’ve now learned that one of the two men booked into jail after being caught inside a stolen vehicle on Harbor Ave is 18-year-old Skyelar Hailey. You may recall, he is the repeat offender most recently arrested and jailed last month after allegedly fleeing police who tried to arrest him on warrants. Days after all that, on April 24, he was sentenced (WSB coverage here) for a trespassing conviction resulting from an Admiral case last November, and received “community service” provided he stayed out of trouble; he was released from jail May 2. This morning, we are told he was a passenger in the stolen Ford Explorer stopped on Harbor Ave after 9:30 last night; just after 2 am, he was booked into jail, and the register shows he’s there on a “probation hold” (linked to the November Admiral case). We’ll be checking with prosecutors to see what happens next. (Photo by Christopher Boffoli, from Hailey’s April 24 sentencing)

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Reminder: Parking restrictions for Fauntleroy work start today

May 26, 2009 10:12 am

| 7 COMMENTS

| Transportation | West Seattle news

Thanks to Sue for that photo of the no-parking signs up along the northernmost stretch of the Fauntleroy Way repaving zone, where the city had planned to start work today (we’re heading back out shortly to check what is or isn’t going on). While the entirety of the project will run from roughly SW Edmunds to SW Holly, the first round of restrictions is posted for Edmunds to SW Findlay, today through June 15th. Here’s our report from last week with details of the plan for the start of construction (with more details on the repaving and “rechannelization” that will happen as part of the project, as first announced by the city late last year).

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Video: Car goes into the water off Alki Ave, driver survives

May 26, 2009 2:32 am

| 38 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle video | WS breaking news

(video added 4:47 am, wrecked Porsche after it was pulled out of water and up over seawall)
ORIGINAL 2:32 AM REPORT: “Water rescue” call right now in the 1100 block of ~~Harbor~~ Alki Avenue. Here’s what we are hearing on the scanner: Somebody drove into the water and his car — a Porsche Carrera, unless what we are hearing on the scanner is a joke — is about six feet under; divers are going in to make sure the driver’s alone, which is what he has told them. More as we get it. 2:37 AM UPDATE: Divers have confirmed nobody’s in the submerged car. 3:10 AM UPDATE: We’re at the scene – the car really is a Porsche and really is less than 10 yards offshore, underwater; it went over the seawall in the condo zone.
(video added later, best shot we could get of the car, submerged:)

The driver’s been taken to the hospital – the medic unit passed us as we were arriving here about 20 minutes ago (TV crews are here too). Police have reopened the road; City Light’s also here because the car took out a power pole before going over the wall. Now police are strategizing with a tow crew how they’re going to get the car out. 3:54 AM UPDATE: Two police divers are in the water, where they will attach cables from a bigger tow truck that’s come in; we’re with TV crews awaiting the big pullout attempt – might be about 10 more minutes. If you’re seeing this “live,” KIRO does news at 4:30 am so that may be the first place you see video. Lt. Ron Smith has spoken with us at the scene, by the way, and says the driver, in his 50s, was taken to Harborview Medical Center for observation, and will be tested for possible intoxication. (Added later, clip from Lt. Smith’s briefing:)

(this clip also added later) Seattle Fire Department spokesperson Dana Vander Houwen was at the scene for a while too — she explains what SFD rescuers saw and did upon arrival:

4:24 AM UPDATE: The mangled Porsche is out. We’re on our way back to upload video from HQ. 4:59 AM UPDATE: Adding clips, as promised. Atop this post, it’s the car right after pullout; here, the last haul up over the wall:

Also added a few clips in the middle. To fill in one of the blanks: The car was heading north/eastbound on Alki when it “went straight where there’s a curve,” as Lt. Smith put it. As for the driver’s condition, no formal word, but as SFD’s Vander Houwen said, he did NOT have “life-threatening injuries.”

10:28 AM UPDATE: SPDBlotter has summarized the incident briefly with a few additional details: The driver was 54 and is described as having ultimately determined to have been “uninjured”; the item says, “Investigators believe drugs and/or alcohol in addition to speed may have contributed to the collision” (pending test results). Plus, specifics on the car: A 1991 Porsche 911.

11:09 AM NOTE: A comment recalls a deadly crash in the area a few years ago. To be specific – according to this brief item from WSB’s first year – 2 people were killed in September 2006 when their car went into the water across from 1238 Alki, less than a block west of this morning’s crash site.

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