day : 17/08/2011 10 results

(Photo by Deanie Schwarz for WSB/WCN)
8:09 PM: The Seattle Times (WSB news partner), quoting KING 5, reports one arrest in connection with yesterday morning’s murder of 23-year-old Sweetheart Failautusi at 15th/Roxbury in White Center. We’ve been working to confirm this, since getting reports of police activity in Highland Park, about half a mile north of the shooting scene, but haven’t heard back yet from SPD (who would have jurisdiction in that area) or King County Sheriff’s Office (who are handling the murder case). More information as we get it; earlier today, surveillance video was released showing what investigators described as 3 suspects in the case.

9:15 PM: People who live in the Highland Park neighborhood where police activity was reported earlier tell WSB/WCN contributor Deanie Schwarz that one man was arrested – but there is no official information yet linking that arrest to this case, so we’re not going into any further specifics, nor has KCSO yet officially announced an arrest.

10:16 PM UPDATE: A homicide suspect has been booked into King County Jail within the past hour – and his first name is the same one that was mentioned to us at the aforementioned arrest scene in Highland Park. The homicide suspect’s online court records include 30 incidents, including theft and drug cases.

11:23 PM UPDATE: The suspect was most recently in jail for four days in March after an arrest for DUI and driving with a suspended license, according to the jail register. The online court-records site that provides most detailed information is shut down for the night, so there’s some research we won’t be able to do till morning. We also will find out tomorrow how soon a bail hearing will be scheduled.

11 AM THURSDAY: KCSO has finally sent a news release confirming the arrest:

Yesterday afternoon at around 4:30 PM, a 25-year-old man was arrested for his role in the White Center homicide that occurred early Tuesday morning.

Detectives from the Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit, along with members of the TAC-30 SWAT team and the Gang Unit all assisted in the peaceful apprehension of this suspect at his home, which was not far from the shooting scene. The identification of the suspect was made through deputies and detectives that work the White Center area, along with tips generated through the release of the surveillance footage.

“The citizens and business owners of White Center were upset to hear of this tragedy in their area,” according to Major James Graddon, Commander of the Sheriff’s Office West precinct. “They have been working hard with us for many years to improve public safety in their neighborhoods. This incident will ultimately be resolved through the continued support of the community and the efforts of the deputies and detectives.”

There are still two suspects outstanding in this incident. Any information that the public may have on any of the three suspects is still needed. Tips may be phoned in to (206) 296-3311 or 9-1-1.

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West Seattle wildlife: Here’s how to handle coyote sightings

August 17, 2011 6:40 pm

| 10 COMMENTS

| Coyotes | West Seattle news | Wildlife

From AJ, who followed experts’ advice:

Coyote sighting (Tuesday) morning at 9:08 am in our backyard at 9800 block of Marine View Drive. Very close to the house. This is our third sighting of what we think is the same coyote. First time in the morning, usually we see him in the evening. Based on info we’ve read on the blog we scared him off by banging on the window. Very beautiful creature; should have taken a picture before we scared him off.

That advice, and more, is in the state Fish and Wildlife Department’s “Coexisting with Coyotes” info.

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Prosecution close to resting its case at Bushaw murder trial

August 17, 2011 4:06 pm

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| Crime | West Seattle news

Update from the King County Courthouse: Prosecutor Jeff Baird may rest his case tomorrow in the murder trial of 2 of West Seattleite Steve Bushaw‘s alleged killers. This afternoon, the jury heard from a woman who said she had a romantic relationship with defendant Bryce Huber, saying he had told her about the night Bushaw was shot, and previously, about his desire for revenge in the home-invasion robbery/assault of a friend, and his belief that Bushaw had arranged it. The prosecution’s next witness will be the main SPD detective on the case. When it is defense lawyer Jim Roe‘s turn, he says, he expects to call his client, Brandon Chaney, to testify. More details in a longer report tonight; our coverage is archived, newest to oldest, here.

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Memorial service Sunday for West Seattle artist Debbie Numoto

August 17, 2011 3:02 pm

| 34 COMMENTS

| Obituaries | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

A memorial service and reception are planned this Sunday for longtime West Seattleite Debbie Numoto, whose family shared this tribute:

Deborah Dawn Numoto passed peacefully on Saturday, August 13, 2011 from cancer, at the age of 49. She is survived by her husband Phil Numoto, father Harold Willard; mother Janice Mize; children; Jorge Muratalla (Ginny), Tami Oden (Tony), and grandson A.J.; sister Sharon Nark (Joel), nephew Conrad and niece Julia; Uncle Chuck Mize (Kathy) and Aunt Nadine Geister (Don). Jorge Muratalla, James Sansburn and family. She was preceded in death by her grandparents and her good friend Steve. Our family and her friends miss her so much. It is too early for her to join the angels.

Debbie was born in Yakima, WA and was raised in West Seattle. She graduated from West Seattle High School in 1980. She has been a manager/gift buyer at West Seattle’s Northwest Art and Frame for 26 years. Many have stopped there to enjoy special gifts to share with others.

Her passion was creativity and art, and her compositions expressed her love of nature, flowers, the ocean, and her connectedness with special friends; there were many.

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Followup: More homeless families helped by Family Promise of Seattle; your turn Friday!

August 17, 2011 2:16 pm

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| How to help | West Seattle people

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

“Goodbye” is a good thing at Family Promise of Seattle.

They are about to bid farewell to another one of the newly homeless families they have helped since reopening their unique community-partnership shelter program two months ago.

This Friday, though, they hope to say “hello” to you – and your family – as Grammy-nominated musician Justin Roberts (with his Not Ready for Naptime Players) comes to West Seattle for a benefit concert. A big fall benefit is on the drawing board, too, we learned in a conversation with FP’s executivedirector Norman Schwamberg, to see how things have been going since they reopened.

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White Center murder: Do you know who these men are?

August 17, 2011 11:57 am

| 23 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news | White Center

That’s a video file just provided by the King County Sheriff’s Office (we uploaded it to YouTube for playback), which detectives hope might help solve yesterday morning’s shooting death of 23-year-old Sweetheart Failautusi. KCSO spokesperson Deputy Travis DeFries explains the video as follows:

There are still 3 suspects at-large and all are described as being black males in their early-to-mid 20’s.

Video surveillance footage from nearby businesses has been reviewed by detectives with the Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit. All three suspects are captured on video and we are now asking for the public’s help in identifying them. Portions of the video have been blurred out to protect the identities of the witnesses and victim.

As it says at the start and finish of the clip – call 911 if you have any information about the suspects. (Meantime, memorials for the victim continue growing, both online and at the scene.)

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West Seattle Junction Car Show: Early-signup deadline nears

August 17, 2011 11:48 am

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle festivals | West Seattle news

That’s the just-released updated poster design for this year’s West Seattle Junction Car Show, shared by show organizer Michael Hoffman of Liberty Bell Print and Design (new name!). The car show (with co-sponsors including WSB, and a special appearance by members of the “Deadliest Catch” cast) is coming up 8 am-4 pm Sunday, September 18th, just one month from tomorrow, but if you want to enter a car and get the early-registration deal – $15 instead of $25 – September 1st is the signup deadline. You’ll find the form on the left side of this page.

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Overnight construction under way by Fauntleroy ferry

August 17, 2011 11:13 am

| 9 COMMENTS

| Fauntleroy | Utilities | West Seattle news

A few residents near the Fauntleroy ferry dock have e-mailed/called, wondering about late night/early morning construction work that’s under way this week. We doublechecked; it’s part of the electrical upgrades mentioned here a week and a half ago, for the nearby Barton pump station (prelude to this), for construction of a RapidRide bus stop, and for an electric-vehicle-charging station. The official Seattle City Light notice (see it here) did warn that the work hours would shift to 7 pm-4 am this week when the project moved to the immediate vicinity of the ferry terminal, to avoid conflicts with traffic during the busiest hours for ferry use. The project is scheduled to last at least two more weeks.

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West Seattle Wednesday: Traffic alert; sleep; veggies; kayaking

August 17, 2011 9:47 am

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| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:

TRAFFIC ALERT: Tonight is the second of three nights with the Spokane Street Viaduct (West Seattle Bridge between I-5 and 99) scheduled to be closed WESTBOUND overnight. Full details here.

FOR TIRED PARENTS:: The author of “The Sleep Book for Tired Parents” will talk about ways to prevent sleep problems for babies, ways to approach sleep problems for toddlers, answer questions about your little one’s sleep. Offered by Parent-Infant/Movers Class through South Seattle Community College in West Seattle. Free; bring your little one, of course! Noon, SSCC Room RAH 201. Rsvp: behunt51@comcast.net

MUSIC AT THE LIBRARY: Family activity: High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond) presents The Brian Waite Band: The Land That Rock Forgot, 2 pm.

BUY IT WHERE IT’S GROWN: Weekly High Point Market Garden Farm Stand, open 4-7 pm, 32nd SW and SW Juneau, selling seasonal fresh organically grown produce right in the garden where the produce is grown.

SEE THE DUWAMISH: The 2011 Summer Community Kayak Tour series by Duwamish River Cleanup Coalition continues tonight, 5:30-8:30 pm: RSVP to Alki Kayak Tours (206) 953-0237. Full details here; tonight’s tour leaves from Duwamish Waterway Park (7900 10th Ave. S. in South Park).

HISTORY TOUR: Historian Peder Nelson, host of the “MOHAI (Museum of History and Industry) Minute” series, will lead “The Life and Times of Frances Farmer,” a tour through West Seattle’s Admiral neighborhood, childhood home of the tragic star. 6 – 8 pm. Details on the MOHAI website.

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2 for Friday: WS Helpline’s ‘Gallery of West Seattle History’; 34th District Democrats’ Garden Party

August 17, 2011 1:58 am

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| How to help | West Seattle history | West Seattle news

Art, history, and generosity will come together Friday night at Alki Arts, on behalf of West Seattle Helpline, during a unique fundraiser, the “Gallery of West Seattle History.” Helpline’s executive director Tara Byrne explains that you’ll be able to enjoy live music, drinks, and food while learning more about West Seattle’s history, courtesy of displays provided by the nearby Log House Museum. Singer/guitarist Sue Quigley, who’s played gigs from Hollywood to SXSW to KeyArena at Storm halftime, will perform. And if you haven’t been to Alki Arts lately – this is also a great chance to see the amazing art they’re displaying and offering for sale. Tara says the money raised will go to help local students through Pencil Me In For Kids, and that donors to make it a great party include Pegasus, Celtic Swell, Elliott Bay Brewery, Bamboo Grill, and Tuxedos and Tennis Shoes – as well as Alki Arts donating the space. You can get your $30 ticket right now online, at westseattlehelpline.org.

Also Friday night – who says you can’t make it to both? – it’s the 34th District Democrats‘ annual Garden Party and Auction at West Seattle Nursery. On the website for this area’s largest political organization, you’ll find a list of what’s been donated for the auction so far – a very long list including myriad chances to hang out with local political leaders, plus gift certificates for local faves, and adventurous outings including a visit to an alpaca farm. The auctioneer is West Seattle expat New York Vinnie, visiting his old stomping grounds for the occasion. The night’s theme is Mediterranean, including music from Croatia; the party’s 6-9 pm Friday, $34/ticket or $60/couple.