West Seattle Crime Watch: Burglars take keepsakes including video; 2 more reader reports
Three West Seattle Crime Watch reader reports: First, Toddy‘s home in Upper Morgan was burglarized, and she’s hoping to get one particular thing back:
We were burglarized on Friday sometime between 10 am and 12 noon. We were out and they jumped up on the back roof of our house, climbed up the roof to the second floor, and slit the screen and jumped in the window that was open. They took our iPad, iPhone, Dell laptop computer, my diamond engagement ring, other jewelry including both of our gold school rings, a sentimental gold lion charm from my mother, my husband’s wallet with credit cards and such, and many other things that they will realize do not mean anything to them but mean a lot to us. All of our photos and videos were on the laptop and are so very special to us.
The police came and basically spent 5 minutes and provided us paperwork and sort of made it seem like “join the club.” We just feel so violated and I hate that someone was in my family home rifling through our things. … (The stolen Dell laptop) has the only (un-backed up) short video of my 97-year-old grandmother saying how she met my grandfather – that is really the
only thing I want back. They can keep the rest.
Two other reports ahead:
Read More
Seal Sitters get help for pup ‘Polo’ on his 4th day of hauling out
(Weekend photo of ‘Polo’ by David Hutchinson)
Just one week after Seal Sitters‘ jubilant “Harbor Seal Day” event at Alki Beach, another situation underscoring the importance of their work: They’ve had to get help for another pup – the third one this year. This update is just in from Robin Lindsey:
We thought your readers would want to know that seal pup Polo (who hauled out numerous times near 53rd and Alki from Thursday through Saturday) was rescued from the beach early Sunday morning.
The pup was in serious distress and taken to PAWS. Polo did survive the night and we will be providing health updates on blubberblog as we receive them.
We want to thank the many people who oohed and ahhed over this beautiful little pup while he stretched and yawned and snoozed. While Polo was very much underweight, he didn’t display any obvious health issues and was coming and going from the beach with vigor. It was a surprise to us all. This just underscores the fact that all of the newly weaned pups are in a daily struggle to survive and their health can take a drastic turn for the worse in no time at all – and so many of them have underlying health concerns. Even more reason to make sure that they are able to rest undisturbed on our shores to gain strength!
And if you spot one (or any other beached marine mammal) – call 206-905-SEAL, so Seal Sitters can come out and keep watch.
Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth ferry schedule to change for 1st time in a decade
(WSF Evergreen State class vessel Tillikum flying Seahawks-fan flags on Sunday; photo by Paul Brannan)
Next June, the Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth ferry schedule will be revised for the first time in a decade. Its permanent boat assignments are changing because of the domino effect of new vessels joining the fleet, and that’s one big reason why Washington State Ferries is working on a revision: Instead of running with two 87-car Evergreen State class ferries and one 124-car Issaquah class ferry, the total capacity will upsize 37 cars, to two 124-car ferries and one 87-car ferry. A draft of the revised schedule is expected to be made public soon, according to WSF’s published timeline; community comments will then be sought to incorporate into a finalized plan available by January so that other transit agencies can make whatever changes they need to make before it takes effect in June 2014. The Fauntleroy Community Association has been engaged in the process through board member and ferry advisory committee member Gary Dawson, who has an update in this month’s FCA newsletter. We’ll publish an update when the proposed revision is out – since this will have traffic impacts on the roads used by vehicles, buses, and bikes coming off and to the dock as well as those who ride the ferries.
Another traffic alert: Roxbury and 8th SW
4:56 PM: Thanks for the tips on a new traffic trouble spot – Roxbury is backed up westbound, from 8th SW eastward.
The signal is flashing 4-way red and police are directing traffic. It seems to involve a Metro bus – we are here trying to find out more.
5:10 PM: Light is working again but situation isn’t clear yet.
Police are talking with someone they say reported the bus (pulled over) hit her, but it doesn’t appear she is hurt.
The list you’ve been waiting for: What they’ll take at Sunday’s ‘Recycle Roundup’ in Fauntleroy
There’s the recycling you put out at the curb … and then, there’s the recycling you have to save up for either a run to the transfer station or … the twice-yearly Recycle Roundup at Fauntleroy Church. When we put out a “save the date” announcement about the latter event coming up next Sunday (September 22), the list of what 1 Green Planet will accept wasn’t available yet, but now it is – so if you’ve been saving stuff in the basement/storage room, or planning to do some sorting/cleaning this week, go here to see what you’ll be able to drop off for free on Sunday, 9 am-3 pm at 9140 California SW (map).
West Seattle traffic alert: Tipped-truck bridge trouble
2:34 PM: The backup on the eastbound bridge right now looks more like 8:30 am than 2:30 pm – and here’s why: A crash by the Highway 99 overpass, involving a tipped semitruck. We noticed the crash callout on the fire log but just found out from a caller (thanks!) that it involves a sideways semi, so that escalated the alert here.
3:19 PM: The backup has eased.
4:08 PM: As noted in comments, the truck was on a ramp rather than the bridge. Adding a photo from Chuck:
City delaying, redesigning proposed Admiral Way uphill bike lane
Another SDOT project update to share: Remember the proposal announced four months ago for an uphill bicycle lane between Olga and Spokane on Admiral Way? The city is putting it on hold and redesigning its proposal, after concerns about parking removal/changes. Here’s the letter sent to nearby residents by SDOT’s Sam Woods:
Dear SW Admiral Way Resident,
As you know, the Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) has been studying how to make the uphill bicycle lane on SW Admiral Way a safer and more inviting facility by widening the bike lane and the buffer from SW City View Street to 80 feet south of 3508 SW Admiral Way.
Last May, we mailed a letter to you explaining the plan and inviting comments. The original proposal was to restrict on-street parking on the east side of SW Admiral Way within this section to allow for the improvement. A number of you voiced concerns about the loss of parking and about the proposed parking-time restrictions. After reviewing the comments, SDOT has decided to delay implementation of this project until 2014 and are working on an alternative that would preserve some on-street parking.
We will be in touch with you early next year when we have more information to share. Thanks for being engaged and we look forward to working with you. If you have additional questions please by e-mail walkandbike@seattle.gov or call 206-684-7583.
As shown on the map distributed with the May announcement, the now-scrapped plan would have removed street parking south of 3508 Admiral Way, and put a 4-hour limit on the shorter section northward from there to Olga. The city had said its repeated visits had shown few cars parked on the longer section, and that half of those that were parked there had been for sale.
Highland Park/South Delridge greenway: City eyeing 17th SW
(Click image to open full-size PDF with the map and its notations)
Hat tip to West Seattle Bike Connections for calling attention to this: Three months after announcing that its east West Seattle drainage/stormwater improvements would be paired with a “greenway” – a route targeted for walk/bike-friendly features – the city is circulating word it’s closer to identifying a route. From SDOT‘s update:
… After analyzing data and reviewing public input, the most-promising greenway route is 17th Avenue SW from Roxbury to SW Kenyon or Holden Streets. More studies will be done to see how to best make the connection north of Graham Street up to the West Seattle Bridge Trail. We will have a meeting this fall to get additional input from community members on this alignment. Potential east-west neighborhood greenway routes are also being considered for implementation in the future.
More details are in this letter sent to nearby residents; it also points out that the project, including the “natural drainage” features, might affect parking:
Natural drainage projects in the public right-of-way are likely to affect some on street parking. Seattle Public Utilities knows that parking and access from the street to the sidewalk is very important to residents and carefully considers and addresses the impacts on every block where a project would be built. Residents’ feedback about concerns regarding on-street parking is one of the pieces of input that help determine where to place natural drainage projects. If your block is identified for rain gardens, you will have opportunities next year to provide input about the design.
No date for the next public meeting, but we’ll publish an update when it’s announced. The project’s infopage on the city website is here.
West Seattle Monday: Books; ‘Beats & Eats’; Sustainable WS; more
The featured photo is from the weekend – some of the spectators who stopped to watch as the crane for 4730 California went up over the course of about eight hours on Saturday (WSB coverage here). One day later, another spectator event on the same stretch of street – the West Seattle Car Show (here’s our coverage of that, with the winners’ list added). But now, it’s a brand-new week, time to look ahead, so here are a few calendar highlights for today/tonight:
AFTERNOON BOOK GROUP: “I Heard the Owl Call My Name” by Margaret Craven is this month’s book; all welcome to join the group at Southwest Branch Library, 2 pm. (35th/Henderson)
BEATS AND EATS: After-school program for teens at Delridge Community Center, 3:30-4:30 pm on Mondays – learn cooking and DJing/music production! Details in our listing. (4501 Delridge Way SW)
MENTOR MIDDLE-SCHOOLERS: It’s something you’ll benefit from too – and you can find out how, at an informational session, tonight at West Seattle (Admiral) Library, 6 pm. (2306 42nd SW)
HOW TO HELP PUGET SOUND: Sustainable West Seattle‘s community forum tonight focuses on what you can do to help Puget Sound – simple actions that can be incorporated into your daily life. Come learn about them, and share them with others. Presenters include “Diver Laura” James with the Tox-Ick.org project. Senior Center of West Seattle, 7 pm. (California/Oregon)
West Seattle education fair October 1st 28th; schools can register now
**NOTE NEW DATE**
Never too soon to start thinking about next year’s education opportunities for your child(ren) – and that’s the thought behind the West Seattle education fair set for 6:30 pm-8:30 pm Tuesday, October 1st, in the gym at Seattle Lutheran High School in The Junction, sponsored by WSB. Free to families who want to attend; nominal fee for schools who want to participate, open to any and all from pre-K through middle school. Registration’s open NOW – schools can sign up online by going here!
SEPTEMBER 29 UPDATE: As noted in comments, Seattle Lutheran has postponed the education fair to October 28th. Watch for an updated story tomorrow (9/30).
TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Monitoring Monday
(Live view from the east-facing WS Bridge camera; other cameras are on the WSB Traffic page)
7:04 AM: No problems of note reported so far in the early going. As for this week’s road work, the closure on SW Orchard between Delridge and Sylvan is scheduled to shift today to the westbound side, as explained on the main page for the Delridge Repaving Project.
7:17 AM: Per the scanner, police are checking out a car blocking eastbound Edmunds at California that might be stalled or otherwise abandoned.
7:36 AM: Steve sends a warning about “flying foam peanuts” on the eastbound bridge – apparently somebody “lost a bag of them and it has broken open, swirling around roadway.”
8:01 AM: In comments, Susan says it’s even worse than that – westbound too and higher volume.
| 17 COMMENTS