West Seattle, Washington
23 Tuesday
Though a suspect is behind bars, the investigation continues into Saturday night’s deadly shooting by Morgan Junction Park (original WSB coverage here; yesterday’s court coverage here). Given that the shooting happened near a busy nightlife area barely a block from a major intersection, police believe there may be more witnesses out there, and would like to talk with them. They’re asking that anyone with information contact the Seattle Police Homicide Division: You can leave a message any time on the tip line at 206-233-5000, or you can speak to someone by calling 206-684-5550 (answered 8 am-11 pm).
(January 16th WSB photo, de-icer truck during “the calm between the storms“)
Just wrapped up at the City Council Transportation Committee‘s meeting, chaired by West Seattle-residing Councilmember Tom Rasmussen, the first preliminary briefing on how the city handled last week’s snow/ice storm. SDOT reps summarized it as a “really challenging week.” By the numbers:
$2.2 million = city’s budget for storm response
$1.35 million = projected total cost of storm response
($1.18 million costs confirmed so far)
55,353 = gallons of liquid salt brine used
(46,000 gallons kept in stock year-round)
5,015 = labor hours
3,941 = hours of equipment usage
3,372 = tons of rock salt used
946 = lane miles plowed/de-iced/etc.
100+ = emergency calls handled by SDOT from SPD, SFD
$100 = how much a ton of rock salt costs the city
Other notes from the briefing, ahead:Read More
It’s calm right now – and the forecast doesn’t call for the wind to kick up till evening – but you should know in case you haven’t heard yet, the National Weather Service has another wind advisory up, in effect till 3 am.
Days after the snow stopped, the ripple effects continue. We have two rescheduling notes this morning:
CHIEF SEALTH OPEN HOUSE, TOUR RESCHEDULED: The open house scheduled at Chief Sealth International High School tomorrow night has been pushed back, plus there’s a new date for a tour canceled during the wintry weather. Just received from activities coordinator Sam Reed:
Due to the inclement weather this month, and then the resulting schedule changes, we’ve made the decision to push back the date for our annual Prospective Student Open House (formerly Choices Night). Originally scheduled to be this Thursday, January 26th, it will now be held on Thursday, February 9th instead. The schedule of activities will remain the same as will the start and end times. [flyer]
In addition, the cancelled tours available for current Madison and Pathfinder 8th graders has been rescheduled for February 14th from 10-11:30 am.
WSUU PARENTING LECTURE: THURSDAY is the new date for a lecture rescheduled because of weather woes. Westside Unitarian Universalist Congregation presents “Parenting with Courage and Connection,” 6 pm Thursday (January 26) at the church, 7141 California SW. Admission free; presenter is Jody McVittie, M.D. (who can be reached with questions at jody@encouragingsolutions.net).
No obvious incidents – and we know it’s the late edge of the commute anyway – but multiple WSB’ers are suddenly reporting that bridge traffic is “worse than usual.” So we’re publishing this just to say that if you go in late – you might want to wait a while.
(From Flickr user “Old Desolate,” via the WSB Flickr group pool)
From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:
PARTIAL FURLOUGH DAY FOR SEATTLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS: Because of a “partial furlough day” to save money, Seattle Public Schools will dismiss students three hours early – please check with your individual school for the exact bell times.
STORM-RESPONSE REVIEW: The City Council’s Transportation Committee gets a preliminary briefing on how things went during last week’s snow and ice. 9:30 am at City Hall, or live on the Seattle Channel (cable 21; seattlechannel.org).
MEMORY LOSS SEMINAR : Early Stage Memory Loss Seminar: If memory problems are affecting your life, attend this seminar to learn more about Early Stage Memory Loss. This seminar provides information specific to those experiencing memory loss and dementia. 10 am-1 pm, West Side Presbyterian Church (free but pre-registration requested, call 206-529-3868 or e-mail anita.souza@alz.org to see if there’s room).
JOB SEARCH GROUP: “Notes from the Job Search” help and networking group meets 11 am Tuesdays at C&P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor; 5612 California Ave SW), 11 am.
WEST SEATTLE COMMUNITY ORCHESTRAS: The new year is under way for WSCO, with some changes – all detailed here for returning AND new musicians; rehearsals at Chief Sealth International High School (2600 SW Thistle).
WEST SEATTLE LITTLE LEAGUE SIGNUPS: Second in-person registration session for West Seattle Little League, 6-8:30 pm at West Seattle High School, more info here
WEST SEATTLE THUNDER SEEKING PLAYERS: One more sports note:
West Seattle Thunder Fastpitch 12U and 14U teams are each looking for 1 or 2 girls to complete their rosters for the upcoming tournament season. If your child was born in 1997, 1998, 1999 or 2000 and are interested, please contact Greg Kormanik at gkormanik@comcast.net for more information and to schedule a tryout.
FINANCIAL SAVVY FOR FAMILIES: Free presentation by Len Skiena, in association with the Community School of West Seattle (WSB sponsor), which will provide free child care for attendees. 6 pm at CSWS, 9450 22nd SW. Questions? (206) 275-2700.
HOW TO DESCRIBE A SUSPECT: West Seattle Blockwatch Captains Network meeting, 6:30 pm, Southwest Precinct (Webster/Delridge). From the announcement: “Do you know how to give a good description of a suspicious person? What should you observe and take note of? Would police be able to identify the correct vehicle, person, or group of people based on your description? This month’s presentation: Skills training from SPD to help us provide better descriptions.” (All welcome, whether you’re a blockwatch captain or not.)
NIGHTLIFE: Open-mike night, acoustic/poetry/comedy, 7 pm at Skylark Café and Club … Rock music/pop culture trivia every Tuesday night at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor), 8 pm .. Trivia at The Bridge, $2 registration beginning at 8 pm and play starting at 8:30 pm … Starlite songwriter showcase, Shadowland, 9 pm … Karaoke at Talarico’s, 9:30 pm.
On the shore at Lincoln Park Monday, lessons in life and death. First – a California sea lion was discovered dead on the shore. Above, RyAnn shared the photo above, which she described as “three little explorers, the seal, and a gentle man who works at the aquarium.”
Cathy also sent us a report about the dead sea lion, which she said was being checked out by a Seattle Police officer while she was there. But she also spotted a baby seal on the beach: “Seal Sitters were there watching over him and I had a wonderful time chatting with the husband and wife team that was ‘on duty’.” Here’s her photo:
That may not have been the only seal pup on shore Monday, according to an update on the Seal Sitters‘ “blubberblog” site, which mentions a pup visiting Lincoln Park twice, and another (or MAYBE the same) pup visiting a “private beach” elsewhere in West Seattle.
ADDED 12:41 PM: From Robin Lindsey of Seal Sitters:
Seal Sitters Marine Mammal Stranding Network (SSMMSN) discovered the California sea lion yesterday, took photos and submitted them to our consulting WDFW marine mammal biologist. The animal will be necropsied by a WDFW Marine Mammal Investigations Unit team tomorrow with assistance of SSMMSN volunteers. In the meantime, people need to stay back from the carcass – marine mammals (dead and alive) can transmit diseases to both humans and dogs. Please respect the biodegradable tape perimeter that will be re-established today.
The sea lion will be secured with a rope to the logs on the beach so that the body is not washed away by high tide before tomorrow’s necropsy.
ADDED 4:08 PM: We asked Robin about suspicion the sea lion might have been shot, given the appearance of a couple photos we received (too graphic to publish). Her reply:
> Rumors about the animal being shot are strictly that – rumors. Often what people assume are bullet holes are nothing of the kind. In reality, according to our consulting expert biologist, bullet wounds are usually quite small and difficult to identify on a large, decomposing animal. And locating a bullet that is embedded in hundreds of pounds of muscle and tissue is a difficult endeavor. The wound that folks are speculating about may just be where the animal has been scavenged by birds, pecking through the flesh. However, this is not to say, it is absolutely not an entry wound that has been enlarged by scavenging. This is the reason the stranding network performs necropsies whenever possible – to try to determine the cause of death and keep an eye on the health of our marine mammal populations.
It is indeed a sad fact that too many sea lions and seals are shot each year, unjustly blamed for dwindling fish stocks – when they are just trying to survive in the wild with less and less resources to support them.
We will keep everyone updated as to the necropsy findings tomorrow.
8:38 PM: This was scheduled long before the snow days, and the district has said it could not be canceled to make up part of that time, so just a reminder for Seattle Public Schools families – tomorrow is a “partial furlough day” with students to be dismissed three hours early. (And if you missed it, Friday is no longer a “between the semesters” offday, it’s a school day to make up for one of the three days lost to snow.)
11:43 PM: We’re finding out late tonight that some of the furloughed teachers will be rallying in The Junction tomorrow afternoon.
You may have heard the news from Olympia – the State Legislature now has the votes to pass legislation that would make Washington the seventh state to legalize same-sex marriage. (Here are details from our partners at the Seattle Times.) West Seattle’s legislators support it, and so do other local political leaders. Read on for what they have to say:Read More
2:49 PM: The 67-year-old Gatewood man suspected in Saturday night’s deadly shooting in Morgan Junction has just appeared in a King County Jail courtroom for a bail hearing. The judge set his bail at $1 million, the amount requested by the prosecution, though the defense had asked for $50,000. Prosecutors say that he has a criminal history including armed robbery; the defense says that his record was in the ’80s, and his wife, who described him as disabled, told the court that he hasn’t had anything worse than a traffic ticket in the nearly 20 years they have been married. WSB and Channel 7 were the only media crews to cover the hearing; the judge ordered us not to show the suspect’s face (which would be against WSB policy until he is charged, anyway). No further details of the case were described in the hearing, but we expect probable-cause documents to be provided by the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office shortly.
4:32 PM UPDATE: The “probable cause” documents are in. A transcription, ahead:Read More
(Photo by JayDee, taken near The Junction last Wednesday)
Tomorrow morning, the City Council’s Transportation Committee, chaired by West Seattle-residing Councilmember Tom Rasmussen, is scheduled for a preliminary discussion of how the city handled last week’s snow and ice. How do YOU think it went? You are of course welcome to discuss it here, but most importantly, there’s a simple way to share your opinion with the city – just go here. P.S. While Councilmember Rasmussen’s focus is on issues such as keeping major streets passable, there are other city services you might want to discuss: For example, the city’s Chief Technology Officer Bill Schrier (also a West Seattleite) has written about “Tech Lessons from the Seattle Snowstorm.” This was the first tryout, for example, for the “which streets have been plowed/de-iced” map. Back to tomorrow’s discussion – the committee meets at 9:30 am (agenda here).
Some of the big SDOT projects had to change schedule because of the snow/ice – and the first rescheduling news is in:
The overnight closure of the eastbound lanes of the Spokane Street Viaduct, previously scheduled for January 19, has been rescheduled for tonight, Monday, January 23. The travel lanes will be closed from 9 p.m. tonight until 5 a.m. Tuesday morning, and will be closed from just east of the First Avenue S off-ramp to I-5. The First Avenue S off-ramp will remain open during the closure, with motorists able to use the eastbound S Spokane Street lower roadway as a detour to access I-5 or onto Columbian Way S.
The eastbound lanes of the Spokane Street Viaduct will also be closed on Thursday evening, January 26, from 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. Friday morning. Again, the First Avenue S off-ramp will remain open during this closure. Also on Thursday night from 9 p.m. until 5 a.m. Friday morning, Sixth Avenue S will be closed at the north side of the intersection with S Spokane St. Traffic traveling east on S Spokane St or north on Sixth Avenue S will still be able to access the I-5 on-ramps or Columbian Way S.
Finally, the same eastbound lanes of the Spokane Street Viaduct will also be closed this coming weekend, Friday, January 27 from 9 p.m. until Monday morning, January 30, at 5 a.m. During the weekend closure, either the First Avenue S off-ramp or the Fourth Avenue Loop ramp will remain open, permitting motorists to use the eastbound S Spokane Street lower roadway to reach either the I-5 ramps or Columbian Way S.
These eastbound lane closures will enable the contractor working for the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) to remove the zipper barrier that has separated east and westbound traffic on the old structure and to shift the eastbound travel lanes from the south side of the existing structure to the north side, the first of a number of traffic shifts occurring over the next few months. The lane shift is needed in order to begin the repair and repaving of the old structure.
Remember, the Spokane Street Viaduct is the official name for the section of West Seattle Bridge between 99 and I-5.
(Jerry Vandenberg and friend. Photos courtesy Nicole Vandenberg, via SWSHS)
This morning, the Southwest Seattle Historical Society is providing more information on a big event this Saturday (you might have seen the Seattle Times [WSB partner] preview this weekend): “Come Home to Riverside,” noon Saturday at 17th SW/West Marginal Place (map). Riverside is a historic neighborhood by the bridge, an early West Seattle fishing community dating back more than a century. With descendants of those original families (many of them Croatian immigrants), SWSHS has created the Riverside Memorial Plaza, which will be dedicated at the event. From the announcement:
The project is the idea of Frank Zuvela, Joe Popich, and Mike Budinich, all sons of first-generation Riverside residents.
The property was donated by businessman Mike Budinich. The design and labor was contributed by Jerry and Ron Vandenberg, who grew up in Riverside in the 1940s.
Zuvela and Budinich both were born in Riverside; the Vandenbergs moved there in childhood. Here’s a photo of the Budinich store in Riverside, one of two grocery stores in the area, which extended credit, vital at the time because fishermen did not have year-round income and needed to borrow during the inbetween times.
Ahead, the full text on the memorial plaque, as provided by SWSHS:Read More
(Saturday night photo by WSB’s Patrick Sand)
9:22 AM: We finally have official confirmation this morning that the man shot Saturday night by Morgan Junction Park did not survive. Harborview Medical Center and Seattle Police have both confirmed the death of the man identified by friends and family as 35-year-old Travis Hood. Friends say he had moved here just four months ago from Jacksonville, Florida, looking to live somewhere safer. His accused killer, a 67-year-old Gatewood man, is in the King County Jail; we’re awaiting word on whether he will be scheduled for a bail hearing today, at which time we should find out more about what investigators believe led to the shooting. Police have not commented yet on the circumstances, but as reported in our previous coverage, a friend of the victim, Jamie, told WSB on Sunday that he was with him when a man they didn’t know opened fire as they prepared to drive away after leaving a nearby bar; he says he drove his friend to Providence Mount St. Vincent, where police and medics found him, because he thought it was a hospital.
10:16 AM: The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office confirms the suspect is scheduled for a bail hearing this afternoon.
11:29 AM NOTE: In case you wondered: This is the first homicide this year in West Seattle. The peninsula had two last year – the February 2011 murder of entertainer Hokum W. Jeebs in Fauntleroy (accused killer Angelo Felice is currently set to go to trial in March), and the murder-suicide of an Admiral couple in October.
7:39 AM: David DeSiga e-mailed us to sound the alert for East Marginal Way – but we discovered firsthand it’s not an isolated spot; you may encounter a little residual iciness here and there. (P.S. Sidewalks and parking lots too.)
9:01 AM UPDATE: Delridge/Sylvan/Orchard is one spot that folks have warned about. Can’t say for sure if it’s ice-related, but emergency crews are responding to word of a crash there right now.
9:54 AM UPDATE: Short note from SDOT: “This morning between 5 am and sunrise, a sort of ‘flash freeze’ occurred across south Seattle. SDOT used granular salt and salt brine on slick spots.”
Just announced … the date and details for this year’s Chief Sealth International High School benefit dinner/auction:
“Passport to Excellence”
Doors open at 5:00 pm
Festive Attire
Presented by: Chief Sealth PTSA, Chief Sealth Athletics, and Chief Sealth Performing ArtsSeahawk Spirit Auction 2012
Saturday, March 03, 2012Please join us for another fun-filled evening in West Seattle at the Hall of Fauntleroy, on Saturday night, March 3, 2012. Featuring local celebrity auctioneer Brad Goode, this year’s all-school event is our largest and most important fundraiser for academics, athletics, and the performing arts. This exciting evening features multiple silent auctions, a dynamic live auction, dessert dash, raffles, and a fabulous plated dinner from Tuxedos and Tennis Shoes Catering and Events!
Menu, ticket info, and other details ahead:Read More
On the heels of the snow/ice/slush, it’s been windy off and on for a couple days – just check out Erik Jaderquist‘s dog Ralph, photographed at Alki on Saturday! – but there’s good news tonight. The latest wind advisory has ended a couple hours ahead of the original projection. No warnings in effect at the moment except for a mention that it’ll get rainy again by mid-week.
Come celebrate young musicians and the artists who have been mentoring them! Next Saturday is Super String Saturday in south West Seattle – here’s the official announcement:
On Saturday January 28 from 10 a.m.- 1 p.m. young violin, viola, cello and bass players from South West Seattle schools will fill the Chief Sealth High School auditorium with the sound of their hard work and dedication. The second annual South West Seattle Super String Saturday showcases elementary and middle school string players who have been working with professional string musicians hired by the Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestras in their instrumental music classes. These musician “coaches” lead small group and individualized instruction to deepen the quality of the students’ musical skills. Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestras (SYSO) provides the coaches free to the following schools: Concord, Roxhill, Sanislo, Arbor Heights, Gatewood, and Highland Park elementary schools and Denny International Middle School.
At Beveridge Place Pub and Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor) right now, the rescheduled two-site silent auction/raffle/benefit “mini pub-crawl” 
for Teri Ensley and her animal-advocacy/rescue organization Furry Faces Foundation is under way right now. It’s been almost two weeks since a fire damaged Teri’s West Seattle home and killed her beloved cat Pouncer, along with seriously injuring Jared, one of the rescue cats for whom she was caring (he’s the one getting oxygen treatment from a firefighter in a photo we published the day of the fire). A short time ago, we talked with Teri (right) briefly at BPP, where the event continues till 6 (and at FL till 7); she says Jared will eventually be ready to find a forever home. Her home, meantime, has a few months of work ahead before she can move in; she is staying with friends, but recovering from something like this still requires a lot of help, and that’s what tonight’s events are about. Dozens and dozens of auction items are available – we suspect the one on the left below is a hot ticket:
Both locations are on the west side of California SW in the block just north of Fauntleroy.
ADDED: At the Feedback, during hour 2:
From organizers via Facebook, after it was all over: “Thank you so much for everyone that came out tonight!!! The support was amazing!! I will have an official total tomorrow, and let me just tell you it is unbelievably amazing!! Thank you so much!”
This hasn’t been announced to the media yet, so big thanks to Kevin McClintic for scanning and sharing the postcard he received this weekend: 
The community meeting promised by Seattle Public Utilities regarding upcoming water-main upgrades is set for this Thursday (January 26), 7-9 pm at Arbor Heights Community Church (4119 SW 102nd). As first reported here last month, water mains totaling two-thirds of a mile will be upgraded this year, as part of a process that began when last August’s big house fire called attention to problems in the system. (That day, firefighters had to run hose almost half a mile to access an adequate firefighting supply.) That process also has included hydrant upgrades; here’s our report on that, from November. (August 27 photo by Katie Meyer for WSB)
Back to the daily preview, post-snow/ice. You can always peek ahead by going to the WSB West Seattle Events calendar at any time (and watch soon for a VERY long-overdue format upgrade!), but unless breaking/developing news gets in the way, we also publish a quick list every morning of notable events ahead that day/night. So here goes:
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: During the market last week, the snow was just beginning; this week, it’s gone! 10 am-2 pm, 44th/Alaska in The Junction. (P.S. West 5 is back with hot soup – chicken tortilla today, per FB.)
‘BABY DRIVE’: 11 am-12:30 pm, a local Camp Fire group is collecting donations for babies served by an organization in nearby South Park. Here’s the preview we published yesterday – with the list of items they’re collecting.
OPEN HOUSE: A Child Becomes Preschool open house, 2-4 pm. 4320 SW Hill.
‘ALL THROUGH THE NIGHT’: At ArtsWest, 3 pm matinee. Purchase tickets online, or through the ArtsWest Box Office: 206-938-0339.
TWO-SITE BENEFIT FOR TERI ENSLEY AND FURRY FACES FOUNDATION: Rescheduled benefits at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor) and Beveridge Place Pub for West Seattle animal advocate Teri Ensley and her organization Furry Faces Foundation, recovering from a fire earlier this month. Silent auction, raffle, more. Beveridge time: 4-6 pm; Feedback time: 5 to 7 pm. See facebook.com/terisfirefund for more.
CONCERT: The Seattle Glee Clubs presents a “Concert for the New Year” – a concert by the women of the Seattle Metropolitan Glee Club. They’re collecting donations of new or “gently used” women’s clothes to support Mary’s Place and the Church of Mary Magdalene, a day shelter for homeless women. 4 PM, Peace Lutheran Church, 8316 39th Ave SW. Admission by donation, $10 suggested.
(UPDATED SUNDAY AFTERNOON – scroll down)
(Photos by WSB co-publisher Patrick Sand)
9:59 PM: Police and fire are in the 4800 block of 35th SW after a report of a shooting. The scanner says the suspect vehicle MIGHT have been a blue BMW, license plate starting with 478, “last seen northbound on California.” Scanner traffic also indicates the victim is a 46-year-old man shot four times. Our crew will be at the scene shortly.
10:10 PM UPDATE: According to scanner traffic, the man was shot somewhere else and taken to Providence Mount St. Vincent, where police found him. CPR is under way.
10:18 PM UPDATE: Minutes before the victim turned up at The Mount, we had a report of gunshots heard in Morgan Junction – and indeed, police are reporting that’s where the shooting happened, in the 6400 block of California SW. According to SPD via Twitter, he “drove himself” to The Mount, which is not a public hospital but rather a nursing home/retirement facility. He has since been rushed to Harborview Medical Center.
10:37 PM UPDATE: The scene is apparently closer to Morgan Junction Park, according to a witness who told us a vehicle associated with the victim – which we also saw at The Mount – was parked by the construction equipment outside the park. Police are there investigating – we’ve added a photo above.
10:58 PM UPDATE: The photo immediately above this line is the truck in which the victim is reported to have arrived at Providence Mount St. Vincent. We’ve also substituted a clearer photo of the shooting scene by Morgan Junction Park.
2:10 AM: No updates from police so far. We’ll keep following up.
7:13 AM: According to Southwest Precinct Lt. Alan Williams, one person was arrested overnight in connection with the incident. But he said further details would have to come from the SPD Media Relations team (which has not yet published its account of the incident).
7:34 AM: Police have JUST updated SPD Blotter. Here’s what they write:
On 1/21/12 at approximately 9:45 p.m., officers were dispatched to a shots fired call in the 6500 block of California Av SW. The call was updated with the suspect and the victim leaving northbound in separate cars.
Several witnesses were located and interviewed. The victim and his car were located in the 4800 block of 35 SW. The victim was shot 4 times in the chest.
Utilizing good investigative techniques, patrol officers were able to locate an address for the suspect. The Anti Crime Team & Gang Detectives responded to the suspect’s address. The suspect was arrested and the gun recovered. Homicide and CSI responded and processed the scene. As of 2:00 a.m., the 36-year-0ld male victim was still alive at an area hospital. His injuries are life threatening. The suspect, an adult male was booked into King County Jail for Investigation of Assault.
Police had gone to a Gatewood address in search of one person whose name they mentioned over the radio as a possible suspect. That name is not currently on the King County Jail Register, however.
3:32 PM UPDATE: Now it is. A 67-year-old Gatewood man is the suspect jailed in connection with last night’s shooting near Morgan Junction Park.
The status of the 35-year-old victim is not clear; a friend tells WSB his mother in Florida told them he did not survive, but authorities are so far not confirming (or denying) that, and Seattle Police spokesperson Det. Renee Witt told us, “I don’t anticipate any additional information being released today on this case.” The King County Jail Register lists the suspect as being held on suspicion of assault, not homicide, at this point.
One friend, Jamie, who says he was with the victim when he got shot and is the person who drove the victim to Providence Mount St. Vincent, thinking it was a hospital, has told us his story, by phone. (He has participated in the comment discussion, below.)
Caveat from your editor here: While there is no certain way to confirm that someone calling you by phone is who they say they are, saw what they said they saw – nor, frankly, is that sort of confirmation available if you talk to someone at a crime scene who says they are a witness – we will say that details Jamie mentioned include information that we heard police discuss by radio, but did not include in our published story. So here’s what he told us:
First, “Mount Costco” – now, “Mount Westwood,” and a determined (?) driver. Thanks to Johnston for the photo.
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