West Seattle, Washington
12 Tuesday
10:57 PM: Thanks to everyone for texts, e-mails, other messages about a car flipped on 60th south of Alki SW. The driver was not seriously hurt. Earlier, a flipped vehicle in the Battery St Tunnel backed up NB 99, and an SUV overturned on the eastbound WS Bridge. DUI is suspected in this one. More to come.
11:20 PM: Just back from the scene. Added a photo from a reader who asked to be anonymous, adding, “Car turned on to 60th and hit a parked car and flipped on 60th …,” also pointing out how narrow that stretch of road is. We’ll check our photos shortly. A tow truck had arrived, so 60th – closed between Stevens and Alki – should reopen before long, if it hasn’t already.
It wasn’t just a safety lesson, but also a chance for friendship, between kids and local firefighters, today at Delridge Library. From the Seattle Fire Department station next to the bridge, Station 36 personnel were on hand – to show off gear like what’s worn for Marine Rescue (above), and to demonstrate how it’s put on:
But even more than showing what they use to put out fires, they attempted to light a fire, if you will – reading aloud to their young audience:
The book, “No Dragons for Tea,” conveyed fire safety in a way meant to appeal to preschoolers, who are most at risk of injuries if fire breaks out. Fire Chief Gregory Dean (seen in our first clip) read to the kids, too:
This was the second of seven events citywide in which firefighters will visit Seattle Public Library branches to promote fire safety and literacy. And this event was preceded by an extra announcement regarding the latter – with a special appearance by Mayor Mike McGinn, visiting West Seattle for the fifth time in nine days:
He was there to talk about “Read and Rise,” to offer training to parents to help their kids meet the goal of literacy by third grade. It’s explained here.
Thanks to CAPERS in The Junction for sharing that photo of work by their featured artist tonight during the West Seattle Art Walk, continuing till 9 pm: You might know Machel Spence best for her photography, but she also makes these beautiful boxes. CAPERS is at 4525 California SW, one of the many venues listed on the official WS Art Walk site. More to come!
(Photo added, by Joanne Murray of Murray’s J2 Photography)
4 PM: Not a good afternoon on the roads. Now there’s word of another “heavy rescue” call, which we’re told is a rollover crash on the eastbound bridge near Walking on Logs. Two people tell us via Twitter that it’s a flipped vehicle.
4:15 PM UPDATE: Adding a traffic-cam view that currently shows the scene. Again, avoid the eastbound bridge from Fauntleroy. We *believe* the entrances further east are unaffected.
5:11 PM UPDATE: The eastbound bridge has reopened – we were at Fauntleroy/35th when the two SPD cars who had been blocking it pulled away and traffic started using it again. Still checking for other information about the crash and whether anyone was hurt.
7:04 PM UPDATE: Added a photo shared by Joanne Murray. Seattle Fire spokesperson Kyle Moore says the vehicle driver got out without assistance and was not hurt.
3:05 PM: If you are headed downtown – we’d suggest avoiding northbound 99 for a while. There’s a “heavy rescue” response on NB 99 at the Battery Street Tunnel – and we’re seeing backups on the cameras on our Traffic page.
4:09 PM: Traffic is moving again on NB 99, according to a commenter. Here’s some preliminary information from police about what happened.
1:45 PM: Firefighters are responding to a house-fire call in the 3900 block of SW Arroyo Drive (map), in southwesternmost West Seattle.
1:55 PM: There’s still smoke, according to radio communications.
Commenters and a caller reported black smoke initially, turning white after firefighters arrived and started putting water on the fire. Our crew should be there shortly. (Photo added above, courtesy of commenter Joel)
2:03 PM: The fire is reported to be under control. No word of any injuries so far.
2:11 PM: Our crew on the scene says the fire is in a building behind the home on this property, and the damage and smoke are clearly visible.
2:25 PM UPDATE: Our crew just talked to the incident commander, who in turn had been talking with the property owner. Nobody was home at the time; no injuries. The building had been used for storage, and its contents are heavily damaged. The cause is not yet known – we’ll update the story later when investigators make a determination.
Good news today, five days after the mystery incident in which someone seriously injured a runner – whether accidentally or on purpose, we still don’t know – in Fairmount Ravine. This update from the victim’s family came in today via a comment on our first followup:
I am a member of the family of this victim. Please let me thank you for the family, for your kind support. It is humbly accepted and returned with love for you all!
The victim (I’ll call her Red), is slowly improving. She has been moved from ICU to acute care. She opened her eyes on Monday. She recalled her name and recognized family for the first time on WED.
She suffered a head injury, and an adominal injury. plus road rash. Thankfully, no broken bones. She had surgery on sat afternoon.
Thank you again for your concern and prayers. I will attend the run and take some pictures for Red so she can see your love!!
“The run” refers to the “Run to REFLECT” event organized by Athena Frederick and Julie Ambrose, the Good Samaritans who summoned help for the woman after finding her unconscious along Fairmount Avenue under the Admiral Way Bridge around 7 am Saturday, while they were heading down to the water for their own early-morning run. Even if you are not a runner, you are invited to join to show support for the victim and for safety in the area – here’s the invitation again:
We will meet at the bottom of Fairmount (on the Alki Beach side near Salty’s) starting at 6:30 am. Please bring some type of reflective gear, object, caution cone, etc. to donate (you may be able to retrieve it after Saturday, but not guaranteed). We will be placing these reflective items along the side of the road going up through Fairmount. Please feel free to bring them even earlier than 6:30am. Businesses that would like to donate any reflective type gear, please contact us. We are doing this to raise awareness over the weekend for drivers to SLOW DOWN on that stretch of road.
Starting at 7 am, we will run a 5K on Alki to show our support of the 54-year-old woman and her family. Please invite friends, family and join us to either “light up Fairmount” OR for the 5K run or walk.
No breakthroughs reported yet by SPD, but we have an inquiry out to doublecheck. If you saw or heard any vehicle of any kind in that area around 6-7 am last Saturday morning, please call 911 or Det. Korner at (206) 684-8927.
In case you haven’t seen them in the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar (where you’ll find even more), three Father’s Day weekend events, with food, to which you/Dad/Granddad/etc. are invited:
DELRIDGE COMMUNITY CENTER BARBECUE, DAY BEFORE FATHER’S DAY: On Saturday (June 15th), 10 am-3 pm, the Advisory Council at Delridge Community Center is raising money for youth scholarships with a barbecue. Hamburgers and hot dogs off the grill, $5 suggested donation; baked 12″ pizzas, $10 (or $3/slice); fresh salad, $3; bake sale too! (4501 Delridge Way SW)
BRUNCH AND FUN AT MERRILL GARDENS: 11:30-1:30 on Sunday (June 16th) at Merrill Gardens-Admiral Heights (WSB sponsor), you’re invited to “brunch and fun to honor the special men in our lives,” especially dads and granddads. $20 includes brunch, professional photography, roundup carnival games, and a “gift for all dads.” Menu includes grilled salmon, buffalo sliders, barbecue chicken, corn on the cob, hush puppies, sarsaparilla floats! RSVP ASAP – 206-938-3964. (2326 California SW)
ADMIRAL CHURCH BARBECUE: Everyone’s invited to the Father’s Day barbecue/”summer kickoff” event Sunday at Admiral Congregational Church, noon-2 pm. Cookout with hot dogs and summer games on the lawn – indoor if there’s rain. (4320 SW Hill)
(This spring’s poster/postcard art for WS Art Walk is by the late Emily Williamson)
It’s West Seattle Art Walk night – and much more! From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
FIREFIGHTER STORY TIME: 11:30 am at Delridge Library, firefighters from Station 36 (by the bridge) will read to kids – details here. (Delridge/Brandon)
WEST SEATTLE ART WALK! 6-9 pm, with art and artists and refreshments … Find the full venue list along with previews of many venues’ art and artists by going here: wsartwalk.com.
BEE GARDEN BENEFIT: The brand-new West Seattle Bee Garden is up and running, but still needs some $, so a benefit silent auction at West Seattle Office Junction is happening during tonight’s Art Walk – stop by! Details here. (5230 California SW)
WINE CLUB AT C & P: The second Thursday of the month is Wine Club night at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 6-8 pm, with music. (5612 California SW)
RATCITY ARTCITY FILM FESTIVAL: Short films during tonight’s White Center art walk – 6-9 pm at Herban Legends. See the lineup here. (9619 16th SW)
SIDEWALK SHOW: That’s what’s happening tonight at Nepenthe Massage north of Morgan Junction – details here. 6-9 pm. (6016 California SW)
DESIGN REVIEW FOR TWO PROJECTS: As previewed here Tuesday, two projects are on the Southwest Design Review Board agenda tonight. The 6:30 pm meeting is for 4435 35th SW, which has changed since its first Design Review meeting in 2009, so it’s returning to Early Design Guidance with a a six-story building including 170 apartments and 187 parking spaces; see the “packet” here. The 8 pm meeting might provide final recommendations for 3829 California SW, 29 apartments and 30 parking spaces; see its “packet” here. Both meetings are open to the public; Senior Center of West Seattle (WSB sponsor), California/Oregon.
GENESEE-SCHMITZ NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL: Potluck meeting tonight including updates on the 48th/Charlestown park site recommended for Parks/Green Spaces Levy funding and the new school on the Genesee Hill Elementary site. 6:30 pm at West Side Presbyterian Church. (3601 California SW)
OPEN MIKE NIGHT: Diva Espresso in The Triangle is starting up a weekly open-mike night, 7-9 pm on Thursdays, and tonight’s the first night. Signups start at 6 pm. (4480 Fauntleroy Way SW)
SOCCER! The WPSL team based in West Seattle this summer, AC Seattle, plays its second game tonight, 7 pm, Southwest Athletic Complex. (2801 SW Thistle)
The Duwamish River Cleanup Coalition reminds us that today is the deadline for commenting on the EPA’s draft cleanup plan for the Duwamish River on West Seattle’s eastern border, and shaping a plan that will affect lives in this area for decades to come – from cleanup jobs to the health of the river and the people who use it. If you can spare a few minutes to have a say, all the links you need, from the plan to the comment form to DRCC’s opinion, are at this link.
(Live view from the east-facing WS Bridge camera; other cameras are on the WSB Traffic page)
Here as always is the bridge-camera view, as the commute begins.
Our area’s 2013 high-school graduations wrapped up Wednesday night with the Chief Sealth International High School Class of 2013 ceremony at Southwest Athletic Complex, right across the street from the school.
That’s Seattle Public Schools Superintendent José Banda, concluding his first year on the job, helping send off Sealth’s more than 250 graduates. In the stands, celebratory signs included this beyond-life-size photo:
And graduation night didn’t just mean farewell for the students – longtime assistant principal Lupe Barnes is retiring:
According to the program, this year’s Sealth grads were awarded more than 400 scholarships.
Congratulations to the more than 240 members of the West Seattle High School Class of 2013, now on to their post-high-school lives after Wednesday evening’s graduation ceremony at Southwest Athletic Complex. And congratulations, too, to the adults who helped them along their way:
On behalf of the district, West Seattle’s school-board member Marty McLaren accepted the class:
According to the Westside Weekly newsletter, this year’s graduating class had a record number of scholarships and awards (listed here):
While seniors finished classes last Friday, this coming Friday is the final day of school for everybody else.
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