West Seattle, Washington
16 Wednesday
(Photo added 12:47 pm)
Second crash today involving a bicyclist and car colliding while both were in motion. This one just happened on 35th at SW Willow (map). We are at the scene, where only one northbound lane of 35th is blocked at this point. According to scanner traffic, the 41-year-old bicyclist is being taken to the hospital by a Medic unit – medics said he was not wearing a helmet and that he “T-boned” a vehicle while he was going about 30 mph and the minivan about 20. His injuries were described as possible facial fractures and a left arm injury. Our crew at the scene says the vehicle was a minivan and the driver is OK.
The folks at Hans VW Repair (6302 35th SW) confirm something we happened onto while browsing city records: They’ve applied for permits to open a coffee stand on their site. They expect going through the permit process to take a few months, so they don’t have all the details worked out just yet, but the process has begun. Their corner is becoming quite the hive of activity – it’s also where High Point Mini Market opened two months ago, and it’s hosted Marination Mobile since the other side of Graham turned into a cleanup site (and potential future home to 90 townhomes and live-work units, as reported here last month).
Just a few hours ago, we mentioned that with Michael Taylor-Judd‘s entry into the City Council race this year, West Seattle has two council candidates. Not any more. Former Highland Park Action Committee chair Dorsol Plants just sent this announcement:
After much thought and consideration, it is with great sadness that I am withdrawing from the 2011 City Council race.
The month after I filed, my grandfather suffered a stroke and after a hard fight, eventually passed away. I can’t begin to describe how much of an inspiration he was to me and the impact his passing has had on my family. My concern is that I will be unable to both uphold my obligations to my family and conduct a campaign worthy of my supporters and the citizens of Seattle. For this reason, I have chosen to withdraw from the race at this time.
This was not an easy decision to reach, and I only felt comfortable making this decision after meeting with a number of the other candidates running for City Council. I did not undertake my run for city council in 2009 or this year out of ambition to hold public office, but a desire to serve my community and to see much needed changes brought to Seattle. We can never be a complete community while some of our neighbors fear to walk their streets at night, lack access to safe and regular transportation choices, and families lack the security of a living wage jobs.
It would be arrogant to assume I am the only one who shares these values, and the coming race will serve as an amazing backdrop to continue the conversations necessary for Seattle to progress. I will continue to work in my capacity as a private citizen within our community and with our elected officials to help bring that change.
We reported Plants’ now-ended run five months ago. (WSB photo above is from last night’s 34th District Democrats meeting)
(1/3/11 High Point-area photo by Deanie Schwarz)
As evidenced in discussions like this and this, potholes are on almost everyone’s mind as we roll down the rutted roads of West Seattle. After hearing the subject came up during the City Council Transportation Committee‘s meeting the other day, we asked the committee’s chair, West Seattle-residing Councilmember Tom Rasmussen, about his take on the holes we love to hate (and wish would get filled). He wrote this reply for WSB (in other words, for you):
All about Potholes and Road Maintenance
Tom Rasmussen
Seattle City CouncilWhen he first became Mayor, Greg Nickels made potholes a priority. His goal was to have them filled within 48 hours of a complaint.
While his goal was laudable, and helped in the short term, the reality is that potholes are a symptom of a much greater problem which is that our roads are deteriorating and the City is not able to keep up with the need to properly maintain them.
On Tuesday, at the City Council Transportation Committee meeting, I asked Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) director Peter Hahn to tell us what the department is doing to repair potholes. You can view the meeting here:
We were told that SDOT has a backlog of about 500 pothole reports compared to the average of 200. Today the new goal of SDOT is to fill potholes within 72 hours.
Because of the backlog, the number of pothole crews was increased from three to nine in December. SDOT has a permanent street maintenance crew based in Lincoln Park that repairs potholes everyday in West Seattle. For this season’s emphasis, one of the added crews will go to West Seattle three to four times a week. The additional crews will continue their work at least through January.
Mr. Hahn stated that “potholes are a symptom” of deferred maintenance. When maintenance is deferred the deteriorating surface allows water to undermine the roadbed. Freeze and thaw conditions create breaks resulting in potholes. This winter has had such conditions.
Mr. Hahn pointed out that spot repairs don’t last very long and will have to be redone multiple times. SDOT is looking at a more enduring way of filling potholes with new equipment which it has tested last year.
Seattle does not have sufficient funds to maintain and repair its streets adequately. In 2006 with the passage of the nine-year, Bridging the Gap levy an additional $365 million became available for transportation maintenance and repairs.
However, since 2008, because of the recession, SDOT has experienced a significant drop in its traditional revenues sources. State Gas Tax revenue has declined by 2% and the General Fund (comprised of sales tax, property taxes, B&O taxes and utility taxes) has declined 21% and Real Estate Excise Tax has declined by 60%.
SDOT’s non-Bridging the Gap revenues (adjusted for inflation) have declined from $81 million in 2008 to $59.7 million in 2010. A decline of 26%.
To help meet the need to maintain our streets the City Council last fall approved the creation of a Transportation Benefit District and approved a $20 vehicle license fee. The vehicle license fee will go into effect this spring and will raise about $6.5 million annually for street repairs and maintenance and other transportation needs.
Please report any potholes or other street maintenance needs you may see by calling the ROAD line at (206) 684-ROAD (7623) or by using the online form at seattle.gov/transportation/potholereport.htm. Those contact methods get the information to Street Maintenance dispatch more directly than other methods.
If you have questions or comments, please write me at tom.rasmussen@seattle.gov
ORIGINAL REPORT, 8:11 AM: Via Facebook, Tina says Delridge is blocked between Thistle and Trenton, and Metro has rerouted the 120 bus, saying it’s because of a crash. According to e-mail from Mary, it involved a bicycle and vehicle. We’re told the Traffic Collision Investigation Squad was called out, which means the road will be closed for a few hours (last crash they investigated in West Seattle was Sunday’s outage-triggering 47th/Charlestown car vs. pole). We’re en route to this scene, but in the meantime, if you travel south Delridge, go around that area.
8:28 AM UPDATE: At the scene. The bicycle, as shown in the photo we just added, is still in the middle of the road. Police tell us the victim is a child, taken to the hospital. A driver was “evaluated” but did not show any “sign of impairment,” according to Det. Mark Jamieson of the media-response unit. They’ll have more information later once the TCI team files an initial report.
8:58 AM UPDATE: According to Lt. Sue Stangl at the Seattle Fire Department, the victim is a 15-year-old boy and has a leg injury. The vehicle is reported to have been a pickup truck.
10:24 AM UPDATE: Delridge is open again at the crash scene. Will add to this story when police release more information as expected later.
11:08 AM UPDATE: SPDBlotter has published additional details:
On January 13th, at approximately 7:07 AM, a 15 year old male bicyclist was travelling westbound on SW Cloverdale Street, heading downhill. At the intersection with Delridge Way SW, the bicyclist did not stop at the stop sign, entered the intersection, and struck the driver’s side door of a 2000 Ford F250 truck, that was travelling south on Delridge.
The bicyclist, who was wearing a helmet, was transported by SFD Medics to Harborview Medical Center with a broken leg and a head injury.
Detectives from the Traffic Collision Investigation Squad (TCIS) responded to the location to process the scene and begin their investigation. The driver of the truck was evaluated at the scene and there were no indications of any alcohol or drug impairment. The driver was interviewed and released pending further investigation.
From left, re-elected chair Tim Nuse, first vice-chair Sabra Schneider, secretary LeeAnne Beres, and second vice-chair David Ginsberg are among the new leadership slate elected at last night’s 34th District Democrats meeting. Others elected:
• King County Committeeman: Jimmy Haun
• King County Committeeman Alternate: Dorsol Plants
• King County Committeewoman: Lisa Plymate
• King County Committeewoman Alternate: Betsy Shedd
• State Committeeman: Chris Porter
• State Committeewoman: Marcee Stone
• Treasurer: Jeff Upthegrove
Also during the meeting of this area’s biggest political group, held as usual at The Hall at Fauntleroy, a previous leader who declined to run again explained he’s got a different campaign in the works:
(Photo by Dina Lydia Johnson)
That’s Michael Taylor-Judd, who, as noted earlier in the day on PubliCola, has decided to run for City Council, though he hasn’t decided which position he’ll seek. Taylor-Judd said the tough financial climate, with governments making painful cuts, inspired him to run – he wants to start conversations about the budget process, centered on why and where the government should spend money, and is also interested in a process of educating people on how the budget process works. After 10 years of community/civic involvement, Taylor-Judd explained, he’s noticed many don’t have that knowledge. He also thinks it’s time for elected leaders and other city officials to “get out of downtown” and go listen to what their constituents really need. He’s the second 34th District Democrats member to declare his council candidacy, after Dorsol Plants.
Toward the start of the meeting, there was a moment of silence on behalf of the Arizona shooting victims; member Karl deJong later announced tonight’s Seattle vigil in their honor, at Westlake Plaza downtown, 7:30 pm (here’s the Facebook invitation).
Three news notes this morning from Chief Sealth International High School: The first of three official tours during this school-choice season is happening today, 1 pm. Sealth principal John Boyd provides an introduction before you meet student leaders, counselors, and teachers, along with a tour of the newly renovated school. RSVP to 206-252-8550. (Other tour dates are 9:30 am February 15 and 1 pm March 3; Sealth’s open-house-style Choices Night is 6-9 pm February 17th; here’s the official flyer.)
One more just-announced event on the Sealth calendar – The school’s Jazz Band 1 is hosting a Big Band Dinner Dance fundraiser on April 15th, 6-11 pm in CSIHS’s Galleria – Italian dinner, swing dancing, and music by Jazz Band 1 and the West Seattle Big Band. $15 adults/students, $7 kids under 10. For tickets, contact Deborah Meyer at dlmeyer@seattleschools.org or Tristan Addington-Ferris at teaf_14@msn.com.
And the Sealth PTSA sends word that this Friday night’s varsity basketball game against Seattle Prep is in the running for KIRO’s Game of the Week. All depends on who wins the vote – you can vote here till 5 pm today.
By Megan Sheppard
On the WSBeat, for West Seattle Blog
From reports on cases handled recently by Southwest Precinct officers:
*Monday afternoon, officers were alerted to an auto theft in progress on Pigeon Point. The thief managed to drive off at high speed northbound on 18th SW. Moments later, a citizen called 911 to report that a pickup truck had crashed through his fence in the 4800 block of 18th and that the driver had fled into a neighboring ravine. Officers were able to recover some items of clothing, as well as several tools typically used by car thieves, but they didn’t find the thief. (The K-9 trail went cold at the 4800 block of Puget Way SW.) The crashed pickup truck, registered in Wyoming, was a stolen vehicle that had been reported to Seattle Police.
*One effect of recent rains proved tempting to a man in his twenties in the area of Fauntleroy and SW Concord. He has been seen loitering, hiding in bushes, and rocking signposts in the rain-softened ground, causing them to break and tilt at angles. Description: He is white, and on Saturday, he was seen wearing a dark hooded sweatshirt, had a bandana covering his lower face, and rode a razor-type scooter.
Five more summaries ahead:Read More
The weather eased just in time for hundreds to come see and hear the Seattle Symphony for free last night at South Seattle Community College on Puget Ridge. It’s an annual tradition for the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle to host the orchestra’s peninsula appearance as part of the symphony’s Community Concerts series. You’ll find more information about that series here (as well as details on last night’s musical program).
It was a new-year celebration of sorts today for the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce, with a capacity crowd – we counted more than 65 people – for its annual meeting over lunch at High Point Neighborhood Center. For one, it marked the changing of the guard; at right, L-R, outgoing board chair Jerome O. Cohen joined CEO Patti Mullen in welcoming new board chair Dave Montoure (West 5). When Montoure asked the lunch crowd how many were attending their first Chamber lunch, more than a few hands rocketed up. The businesses represented in the room ranged from retail to real estate, banks to bars, media to mortuaries, and beyond; they convened small groups to brainstorm ideas for boosting West Seattle’s economic health. That, in fact, should be the Chamber’s number one mission, according to more than half the respondents in a survey the WSCC conducted recently. Comparing the 2010 survey responses to earlier years – 2003 and 2006 – it was clear to see how priorities have changed; strengthening the economy is way up, providing networking opportunities way down. The respondents’ assessment of the Chamber’s relevance to their businesses was dramatically higher, too – less than a fifth of the respondents in 2003 thought it was relevant; now, almost all respondents said its relevance is either high or medium. One big focus for this year is to expand efforts to get the word out, on and off the peninsula, about West Seattle’s businesses and other attributes. You’ll see that online, too, with a tourism-based website (experiencewestseattle.com – not up yet) in the works, and a new Facebook page for the Chamber (ready to be “liked” – just go here). Want to get involved in other ways as the Chamber keeps growing? Membership info’s here.
In its newest e-mail newsletter, Bird on a Wire Espresso confirms that Heavenly Pastry and Cake “has closed its doors completely” in the Admiral location where it had briefly operated the retail storefront that Bird recently took over. But never fear, Bird proprietor Heidi Herr writes, the brewing — and baking – will go on, along with a variety of culinary creations:
If you haven’t heard, Heavenly Pastry has closed its doors completely but has graciously gifted us their Heavenly Raspberry Scone recipe! You can get it at both shops, along with MORE “nest”-baked goods a’la our newly-certified baker, Kayla! Look for new scones, savory bites, bread puddings, quick breads, crepes (Bird Deux only), in addition to our home-cooked soups, sandwiches, quiches, strata, casseroles & more!
We had left a message seeking comment from Heavenly’s owners after getting a WSB’er tip about their closure earlier this week, but so far, no reply.
2 more milestones for the biggest development under construction in West Seattle right now, Harbor Properties‘ almost-finished Link in The Triangle. First, Emi McKittrick from Harbor tells WSB that they are close to locking down the third and final tenant for Link’s business space. Already unveiled are Chaco Canyon Organic Café, opening in April (read about it here) and Bright Horizons child care opening in May (with an info event coming up soon). Now, McKittrick says they are close to agreement with a third tenant – which she describes as a “hot yoga” studio.
(Photo added Thursday, courtesy Harbor Properties)
In the meantime, Link will be ready in March for the first of its almost 200 apartments to welcome their tenants, and pre-leasing starts this weekend. The pre-leasing office will draw some attention – it’s an Airstream “Twinkie,” and it’ll be set up at the Link site (map) later tonight. In the building itself, the model unit is in the final stages of setup for tours, and online, they’re finalizing a new website you’ll also see this weekend. According to McKittrick, Link – which has been under construction since September 2009 – is “a little bit ahead of schedule” and could be ready for move-in as soon as mid-March. (Here’s our last progress report, from early October.) Like Harbor Properties’ nearby Mural (WSB sponsor), Link will feature local art – Junction-based Twilight Artist Collective is in charge of that part of the project, which includes a mural that will be created in the next few weeks. (As reported here night before last, Harbor already is looking to its next West Seattle project, looking to develop land that’s currently a parking lot at 36th/Snoqualmie.)
Our slushy, soggy weather has caused trouble at one local school. According to Seattle Public Schools spokesperson Teresa Wippel, there were two roof leaks at city-landmark Gatewood Elementary this morning, and water affected five classrooms. Four of them are OK to use again, but the fifth – Room 18 – will require repairs, she says: “So children will be relocated from that room to another one (don’t know which one yet) for tomorrow.” The district estimates it’ll take a week to get Room 18 back in service. (Our archives reveal WSB visited that room on Inauguration Day two years ago.)
(UPDATED 8:43 PM with new information from police – scroll down)
We’re in the south Admiral District, where the call “shots fired” crackled across the scanner a short time ago, after police responded to a home in the 3400 block of 44th SW (map). WSB’s Christopher Boffoli has talked with police – the presence at the scene includes precinct commander Capt. Steve Paulsen. It appears to have been a call involving dogs and at least one dog has apparently been shot. No word of any people being injured. Police were talking to two people at the home, including a woman who was clearly distraught. We don’t know at this point what brought police to the house in the first place. This is breaking and we’re still working on details. SPD is sending a public-information officer to the scene. It’s the second time in less than 2 weeks that a dog has been shot in a call involving West Seattle police – the last one involved a pit bull in Fauntleroy on New Year’s Eve. We have not confirmed the breed of the shot dog but at least one of the dogs involved was described as a pitbull on scanner traffic that we heard.
2:57 PM: Yes, the helicopter is related to this incident – channel 7 chopper. Still awaiting police-briefing info.
3:03 PM: From Christopher Boffoli, one of two WSB newspeople at the briefing: Police got the call 1:17 pm as a domestic disturbance. When they arrived, they heard a woman screaming inside the house. The door was unlocked and police went inside. The dogs charged officer, according to Det. Jeff Kappel, who says one dog was killed, one injured. A woman was taken into custody, suspected of misdemeanor domestic assault. Second dog is being treated. No confirmation on breeds. We’ll add video of the briefing once it’s processed.
3:47 PM: A few more details: Police believe the man and woman at the house are brother and sister. She was determined to be the “primary aggressor” in the disturbance – though neither she nor her brother was hurt – and that made it a “mandatory arrest” in terms of the original call, Det. Kappel says; she is to be booked into jail. He said after the “two large dogs” charged officers, one officer shot both. (briefing video in its entirety, added)
4:33 PM: Christopher took photos of the dog that survived, before it was taken to a clinic, and has just processed them. An animal-control officer arrived, and the dog was walking as it was taken away. But because you can see blood on its leg – the only sign that it was injured – we are putting the photo after a jump:
(Fire and police units blocking the north end of California at California Lane)
If you saw/heard the sizable Seattle Fire Department response in North Admiral: WSB’s Christopher Boffoli says firefighters have tapped a garage fire in the 1000 block of California Lane (west of Hamilton Viewpoint – here’s a map). California is closed at that spot – the far north end – right now, but firefighters indicate it may not be closed much longer.
We’re continuing to follow the case of the four people charged with murdering 26-year-old Steve Bushaw in The Junction two years ago. On Monday, just as the trial was about to begin with pre-jury-selection proceedings, one of the two alleged triggermen, 29-year-old Danny O’Neal, pleaded guilty to a reduced charge, second-degree murder. The official document from Monday’s hearing is now available, and there’s an update to O’Neal’s potential sentence: After prosecutors recommend the low end of the 123-220-month “standard range,” whatever the judge decides will have 60 months added to it for the “firearm enhancement,” meaning he faces a minimum of 15 years.
Meantime, the remaining three defendants, Bryce Huber, John Sylve, and Brandon Chaney – all still charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder – returned to court this morning. No additional plea bargains so far, prosecutor James Konat told Judge Joan DuBuque, but they are still in negotiations, and the lawyers asked for a few more days to keep talking. The judge gave them until Tuesday morning, which is when the pretrial proceedings will resume if there is no resolution to the case this week (next Monday is a holiday). It’s alleged that O’Neal and Sylve shot Bushaw after talking with Huber, who met up with him at Talarico’s that night and went outside with him just before the shooting; Chaney is the alleged getaway-car driver. The motive: Huber allegedly suspected Bushaw of involvement in a home-invasion robbery targeting a friend; police have said there was no evidence linking Bushaw to that case.
The weather may be the talk of the town but there’s more on tap today. From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar: The free Seattle Symphony concert at South Seattle Community College, presented by the Kiwanis Club of West Seattle, is tonight at 7 pm, more details here … PCC Natural Markets‘ West Seattle store (WSB sponsor) is celebrating its remodeling project with a 2-6 pm open house this afternoon … The West Seattle Chamber of Commerce‘s annual meeting luncheon is at 11:30, High Point Neighborhood Center … And the 34th District Democrats elect new officers tonight, The Hall at Fauntleroy, 7 pm – here’s who’s running.
(LAST UPDATE, 9:28 AM: Metro just returned to regular routing. No major road problems – but lots of puddling where snow is blocking drains. Forecast warns of urban flooding. Many schools delayed 1 or 2 hours; we are updating the list frequently – see below)
(Refresh for newest pic from WS Bridge [looking eastbound] and Junction; more cams on WSB Traffic page)
The melt-off is well under way. But many will still be affected this morning by the aftermath of last night’s snow:
FORECAST: An urban flooding advisory is in effect because of the melting snow and puddling water as rain continues. Breezy too.
BUSES: **Update, 9:28 am** – Metro has returned buses to regular routing … Sound Transit says Route 560 remains on a “modified snow reroute.” … 8:19 am note: Andy points out the 54 was delayed 10 mins by the low bridge opening for marine traffic.
SCHOOLS: Seattle Public Schools are opening 2 hours late, with buses running on *regular* bus routes (per 5:10 am robocall; read full SPS message on schoolreport.org – and note this means a previously scheduled early release at Madison MS is ***canceled***) … South Seattle Community College in West Seattle is starting 2 hours late. … Holy Family School in White Center is starting 2 hours late. … Vashon public schools are 2 hours late. … Highline Public Schools, 1 hour late … Westside School starts at 9:30 am … Seattle Lutheran High School starts at 10 am … Hope Lutheran School is 2 hours late … Kennedy High School starts at 10:30 am … Shorewood Christian starts at 10 am … NO CHANGES at West Seattle Montessori (we just called) or OLG … Explorer West starts at 10 am … Community School of West Seattle is 1 hour late … Arbor Heights Co-op Preschool morning classes canceled … If you know of a school change we haven’t mentioned here yet, please let us know.
ROADS: Still no trouble reported (as of 6:28 am). Official report from SDOT at 4:43 am:
Two to six inches of wet snow accumulated on Seattle streets between 7 pm and 1:30 a.m. last night and this morning. This morning it is raining and the snow is mostly slush. The West Seattle Bridge and the Alaskan Way Viaduct as well as many arterial streets are bare and wet. Other streets have accumulations of slush and there is standing water in places. SDOT crews have been plowing major arterial streets in Seattle and continue to do so this morning, applying salt where needed to speed the melting of slush. …
More commute reports in the comments (thanks for sharing info!). (added) 9 am SDOT update:
Street Maintenance crews worked throughout the night clearing up to six inches of wet snow and slush from major arterial streets around the city. This morning crews are clearing slush that remains on some arterial streets, especially at the tops of hills. Also, more than 30 SDOT employees are clearing street corners in high priority areas such as around hospitals and in business districts.
SDOT asks drivers to use caution when driving where there is still slush on the roadway making the streets slippery, and to be on the lookout for standing water. Residents and businesspersons are asked to check the drains near their homes and businesses to make sure the drains are not blocked by debris so that water can enter easily. Also, residents and businesspersons are encouraged to clear slush from the sidewalks around their property to enable pedestrians to pass by safely.
TRASH/RECYCLING/YARD WASTE: E-mail from the city at 6:13 am says it’s on REGULAR SCHEDULE today, so if you have Wednesday pickup, put it out as usual. … Allied, though, has some changes.
WEST SEATTLE GOLF COURSE CLOSED: Per tweet from Seattle Parks, too much rain for golfing, too little snow for sledding.
More updates as we get them!
From Christopher Boffoli – Junction scenes comprising a West Seattle video souvenir of the short-lived Tuesday night (and a bit into Wednesday) snow.
Tuesday night’s snow started a little too late to affect the evening’s slate of community-group meetings. At the old Fauntleroy schoolhouse, the Fauntleroy Community Association looked back and looked ahead. More after the jump:Read More
(11 PM TOPLINE: Trouble reported on many West Seattle hills; stalled buses reported, and Metro says all buses are on snow routes. Forecast still says this will switch to rain before you wake up tomorrow. Scroll down for newest info/pictures)
(Refresh for latest images: From left, ‘Walking on Logs’ area, WS Bridge east of 35th, west entrance ‘low bridge’)
8:08 PM: About half an inch of snow on the ground – and on cars (our unscientific measurement above) – in The Junction, where we just left a meeting:
By all accounts, including Facebook and Twitter, it’s snowing pretty much everywhere in West Seattle. En route back to HQ. Bill reports he just saw a salt truck go by at Marine View and 102nd. Keep the snow reports coming!
8:18 PM: Heading slowly southbound on California SW. Now south of The Junction – it’s sticking, albeit lightly and quite driveably so far, on California. The snow is still steady, but not falling that heavily.
8:34 PM: Made it back to HQ. Going up the California SW hill south of Morgan Junction was fine – as long as you drive slowly – the usual snow advice for hills. Meantime, Richard e-mails to say that even by the water, Brace Point area, there’s up to about half an inch on the ground. From High Point, Jennifer tweeted this photo of her dogs out in the snow (Jessie and JoJo):
From Puget Ridge via Facebook, Christina says about an inch of snow has fallen:
No recent forecast updates, but within an hour or so we should hear what the National Weather Service thinks about the prospects this will progress the way most had predicted, with rain arriving overnight.
9:07 PM UPDATE: Added traffic cameras at the top of this item – and a photo immediately above, looking down at Jefferson Square entrance on 42nd, via Twitter from Cindy. Also getting an update on Junction conditions, from Christopher Boffoli: “1-2 inches on the ground here now. No evidence this section of Cali has been salted. People fishtailing and spinning out. Traffic is actually pretty heavy too. Every bus I’ve seen has had chains. They seem to be OK.” That coincides with an advisory just in from SDOT, saying they’re “transitioning to plowing roads.” Also a note from our snow-country-raised co-publisher, who’s heading uphill from lower Fauntleroy: This is “dry” snow.
9:26 PM UPDATE: Co-publisher reports people stuck and spinning out on the California SW hill south of Morgan Junction (as does Kae via comments) and sent this photo:
We also have a report of bus trouble – two of them – on SW Barton in Westwood/Roxhill area – thanks to Dana for this view:
9:49 PM UPDATE: More photos coming in. First, Trick caught this screen grab from one of the SDOT cameras we have “live” atop this story – the “Walking on Logs” spot alongside the southwestbound Fauntleroy end of the West Seattle Bridge – he points out the salt/sand truck!
And from Charles, a look along Avalon, toward SW Yancy (and WSB sponsor Stor-More) on the east side of the street:
Meantime, via Twitter, @reallowvibe warns that the Admiral hill is trouble now too. Again, just about every hill should be avoided right now, unless you happen to have seen a plow. It’s still snowing steadily out there, and the wind direction has not changed in the direction that would portend this ending any time soon. And from Cindi on the SW Morgan hill between 35th SW and Morgan Junction – “From the top of the hill, I’ve already seen cars going down have serious problems, it’s very slick. A police car was spinning his wheels going up – that was about an hour ago.”
10 PM UPDATE: Metro says all buses are now on snow routes. National Weather Service still promises rain by the time you wake up tomorrow:
FORECAST IS FOR THE SNOW TO CHANGE TO RAIN DURING THE NIGHT AND NO CHANGES TO THAT IDEA. THE WHOLE PROCESS WAS A LITTLE SLOWER THAN EARLIER MODELS HAD IT…WITH A LATER ONSET TIME AND THEREFORE A LATER CHANGE OVER TIME. STILL…BY MORNING SNOW WILL HAVE CHANGED TO RAIN JUST ABOUT EVERYWHERE. THE ONLY EXCEPTION MIGHT BE THE WESTERN WHATCOM COUNTY ZONE…WHERE THERE IS A WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT MAINLY BECAUSE SNOW THERE WILL LAST THE LONGEST.
10:31 PM UPDATE: Two video clips in from WSB’ers – top, that’s Alex’s view of The Bridge from the west; next, a view from Fairmount:
Snowflakes are getting bigger here, which our resident snow expert says means the snow’s getting wetter – which would have to happen before the predicted turn-to-rain …
11 PM UPDATE: That photo from Keva shows a plow just south of The Junction. We’ve also heard about a plow sighting in the Alki area. Plus, another bus problem – the westbound 56 reported stalled atop the eastern Admiral Way hill, around 37th and Admiral.
11:25 PM UPDATE: Before the snow makes way for rain – there’s a fun photo – Laura Matheson says her kids Julia and Rebecca were ready to start building a snowman as of about 9 pm, with two inches by then on “High Point Hill.” Looking outside, we seem to have between 2″ and 3″ here in Upper Fauntleroy, but sleet is starting to creep in with the snow – you can hear the precipitation now, and pure snow is usually fairly quiet. But we all saw some, even Beach Drive, where Linda Ann took this photo:
The major concern we’ll be watching for the morning commute … how fast will this all wash away? SDOT’s been working hard on the West Seattle Bridge, so even if there’s still snow around your house, there’s some hope the major commute routes will be OK in the morning.
12:47 AM: We’ll be starting an overnight report shortly, to cover the hours till the morning commute. Meantime, lots of plow and sander activity here by headquarters – have heard the trucks go by numerous times. And a few more photos to share – thanks to SA for Alki’s Lady Liberty, the frosted version, above. (added) We caught one of the plows westbound on Thistle to northbound California; it continued to work California, back and forth, even the non-arterial section south of California, for a while thereafter:
(7:56 PM TOPLINES: NOW it’s snowing notably … will start another update soon, adding some visuals below)
3:38 PM: We’re now kicking off our afternoon “snow or no?” coverage. Above, the snowplow that SDOT has “pre-positioned” in West Seattle, parked at 38th/Alaska when we caught up with it a little while ago. SDOT says it’s ready, WSDOT says (for state highways) it’s ready, Metro Transit says it’s ready.
(Refresh for latest pic from WS Bridge camera, looking eastbound, and Junction cam, more on the WSB Traffic cams page)
3:55 PM UPDATE: Here are the school changes we published earlier. West Seattle Little League president Mark Terao just e-mailed to say tonight’s registration session is CANCELED, because of Seattle Public Schools (there’s another session set for next Tuesday, January 18). Seattle Parks, meantime, says community centers and pools are operating **normally** until and unless weather requires a change in that decision. One event cancellation so far: nrg day spa‘s Grand Opening is postponed till Thursday night, during the West Seattle Art Walk.
4:09 PM UPDATE: Weather analyst Cliff Mass is about to release his “nowcast” – but for starters says, “Nothing is happening right now. No need to rush home, or anywhere else.” (Added) It’s out. He says nothing imminent for at least two hours in the metro area:
Bottom line: you don’t have to rush anywhere if you are living in western Washington. No imminent significant snow for next two hours. The satellite suggests a more intense band offshore that would come in during the evening…but can’t be sure. At the same time it is warming aloft as we speak. Stay at work. Enjoy happy hour. WSDOT doesn’t need to be concerned about a rush-hour mess.
4:43 PM UPDATE: Metro is chaining buses, still just as a precaution. One more cancellation: West Seattle Community Orchestras’ rehearsals/meetings tonight.
5:24 PM UPDATE: The weather’s still calm, at least here in the city. A smattering of snow reports elsewhere – such as Bellingham, Whidbey Island, Hoquiam. Forecasters still say we’ll see some, at some point, but are sticking to the “rain by very early morning.”
6:30 PM UPDATE: A few flakes were falling as we left Fauntleroy bound for a meeting in The Junction, but they stopped mid-Gatewood. Keep us posted with what you are seeing – or not seeing – where you are. (added a few minutes later) Via Facebook and Twitter, we’re getting snow reports from most spots around West Seattle – except, so far, at sea level.
7:56 PM UPDATE: Snowing notably in The Junction. Will add a photo in a moment. Will start a new story soon, too.
He’s been with the Seattle Police Department more than 30 years – and now, he’s about to leave. “I’ve been around for a while,” Southwest Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator Benjamin Kinlow acknowledged, understated as always, while confirming to WSB that he’s decided to retire. His is a civilian position, not investigating crimes, but rather working with the community to help their crime-prevention effort – setting up Block Watches, registering Night Out parties, briefing community groups, offering crime-prevention advice. We talked with him this afternoon by phone; he says, “I can hardly imagine life without working” – but he expects to stay busy, with two grandchildren, volunteering activities, and potentially some “private-sector” interests. He also has words of thanks for WSB’ers who’ve taken an intense interest in crime prevention and information-sharing (including our ongoing Crime Watch reports). While the department cut some coordinator positions this year, and made changes last year that added a second precinct to Kinlow’s responsibilities, he stresses it was his own decision to retire. His last day will be March 15; we are checking with precinct leadership to find out how prevention will be handled after his departure.
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