West Seattle, Washington
25 Thursday
Despite the downpour, a scheduled garden/grounds-beautifying work party went ahead as scheduled at West Seattle High School today – with volunteers from Seattle Pacific University helping at the work party organized by Janet Jones for the third year. Janet’s husband Bryan Jones, who shared the photo, noted “it’s the first year they should have brought snorkel and fins… (but) there are smiling faces amongst the dirt and rain; it’s a hardy and happy group of students that come every year! And Janet is also grateful for the on-site assistance and active help from Seattle Public Schools gardener(s).”
(P.S. This is one of four locations in West Seattle – in addition to many others around the city – where SPU freshmen and transfers were scheduled to help out as part of the school’s annual CityQuest event.)
(Lincoln Park Way and Beach Drive, photographed by Greg Daly)
11:43 AM: The storm’s intensifying, and the National Weather Service now has wind alerts in effect (read them here). Here’s what the NWS says could happen, with a Wind Advisory for the area through 7 pm tonight, and a High Wind Watch for late Sunday afternoon into Sunday evening:
*TODAY: SOUTH WINDS OF 20 TO 35 MPH WITH GUSTS AROUND 45 MPH.
*LATE SUNDAY AFTERNOON AND NIGHT: SOUTHERLY WINDS OF 40 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 60 MPH ARE POSSIBLE WITH A STRONGER SYSTEM.
If you haven’t already charged up your phone, flashlight, etc., now’s a great time, just in case.
1:07 PM UPDATE: More practical advice – check the drains around your home if applicable; we just spent an hour bailing and then digging out the one that is supposed to keep our basement from flooding (which was starting to happen). Above, we’ve added a photo courtesy of Greg Daly, of an overwhelmed drainage-system lid by Lowman Beach – if you see or experience storm-related problems (or otherwise interesting scenes), please send to editor@westseattleblog.com or text 206-293-6302 – thank you!
3:33 PM UPDATE: Nathan tweeted this photo of a tree down in Arbor Heights (thank you!):
He reports that it’s across 35th at 108th.
4:39 PM UPDATE: The wind is really picking up now – with the downpour accompanying it – stay safe!
4:51 PM UPDATE: Also via Twitter, we get a photo of another tree blocking a road, this time 48th at Eddy, just uphill/north of Lowman Beach heading toward Seaview:
(PHOTO ADDED 3:42 PM: Some hardy souls braved the rain for Coffee With The Sallys)
Happy Saturday! Here’s our later-than-usual list of highlights from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
HELP FIGHT HUNGER: Until 3 pm, donate food/money to the West Seattle Food Bank at West Seattle Thriftway (California/Fauntleroy); 10 am-2 pm, same thing for the White Center Food Bank at Roxbury Safeway or the Albertsons on 128th. It’s part of a one-day regional event, as our preview explains.
CHURCH RUMMAGE SALE: Arbor Heights Community Church invites you to come shop, until 3 pm. (42nd/102nd)
WALK FOR OPTIMISM: Advocacy for Parkinson’s Disease is the cause benefited by this first-ever local walk, set for 11 am in Lincoln Park – details in our listing.
REGISTER FOR THE MONSTER DASH: At West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor), you can sign up for next month’s West Seattle Monster Dash by paying only the discounted early-bird fee, without online service charges, during the noon-4 pm registration party. (California/Charlestown)
COFFEE WITH THE SALLYS: The ongoing coffee-chat tour by City Council President Sally Clark and City Councilmember Sally Bagshaw comes to High Point Branch Library today – drop by any time 2:30 to 4 pm to chat with them. (35th/Raymond)
OKTOBERFEST AT PROST! WEST SEATTLE: The pub sends word that they’re celebrating Oktoberfest “all day (today) … We have 6 different Oktoberfest biers on draft including Licher, Ayinger, Paulaner, Weihenstephan, Hofbrau and Georgetown Tomtoberfest! Ace Pumpkin Cider will be flowing along with several traditional German Liqueurs to go along with your Liters of bier. Enjoy a Fest-size Wurst Sampler and Fest-size Bratwurst Sandwich for this celebration only! Lots of fun Oktoberfest swag to give out and Lederhosen and Dirndls always encouraged! Main festivities start around 4:00PM into the evening. Join us!” (3407 California SW)
MANHATTAN SHORT FILM FESTIVAL: The Admiral Theater is the only place to see it in Seattle again this year! Starts at 4 pm – details in our calendar listing.
WEST SEATTLE GREEN SPACE COALITION: As first reported here last Sunday, this group is forming to advocate for more open space in West Seattle – starting with the current Seattle City Light process of deciding what to do with several former substation sights in local neighborhoods; they would like to see it delayed until neighborhoods can explore mustering resources to get the sites preserved rather than sold off for housing or some other development. You’re invited to their launch meeting at 4:30 pm, High Point Branch Library. (35th/Raymond)
RAT CITY BRASS: Our area’s premier Tijuana Brass tribute band will be at Kenyon Hall tonight, 7:30 pm – details on the calendar. (7904 35th SW)
(added) THE SLAGS: Playing Poggie Tavern tonight – free! (4717 California SW)
Please see the calendar for other events – and if you know of one that’s been postponed/canceled by the weather, please let us know so we can share that info – thanks!
9:04 AM: Avoid Highway 99 TFN – WSDOT says it is blocked both ways at the Battery Street Tunnel by a jackknifed semi-truck. More info as we get it.
9:21 AM: Good news – tipster Jonathan says the 99 problem has been cleared – and the camera view appears to verify that. (As does WSDOT via Twitter.)
11:50 AM: Now there’s a crash on the eastbound West Seattle Bridge, before the Delridge on-ramp. Here’s the city camera for the Fauntleroy approach so you can check if the backup’s cleared:
1:39 PM: Commenters report trouble on 99 again. And there are some problems on I-5 too. If you really HAVE TO head out – here’s the custom list of traffic-related Twitter users (including WSDOT, which does tweet on weekends) that we watch. See traffic cameras here.
5:56 PM UPDATE: We’re about to launch a new traffic update for the evening. There’s a crash on the northbound Viaduct – no details, just that it’s on the SFD 911 log as “motor vehicle accident/freeway,” northbound 99 near Seneca. Meantime, the tree blocking 35th by 108th is now cleared.
6:25 PM UPDATE: Evening updates on traffic and weather are here.
One year ago, Metro‘s fall 2012 service changes brought the West Seattle launch of RapidRide and a long list of changes for other routes. Today, Metro’s fall 2013 service changes take effect, with a much shorter list of West Seattle effects – to be specific, three routes are affected this time around: 21 (adding a trip), 22 (route changes), 120 (added trips). The details are in our original report from earlier this month.
(Photo by Buzz Shaw)
A season of sadness for the Seal Sitters Marine Mammal Stranding Network, whose first responder Robin Lindsey reports an overview of pups losing their struggle for survival too many times this season:
I am sad to report that we seem to be having a second season in a row with emaciated pups and lots of mortality. In (recent) weeks, 9 seal pups have died on our West Seattle shores. Many of these pups are those that we have looked after on the beach, most for many days in a row. We thought your readers would want an update about pups they may have seen on the beach. I cannot stress enough that newly weaned seal pups are in a daily struggle between life and death – and we thank the West Seattle community for their continued support in our efforts to protect them. Rehabilitation options are extremely limited and there have been new funding cuts which will virtually eliminate the opportunity for necropsies to determine cause of mortality and further research.
I have included a photo showing the recovery of the body of one of the pups from the Alki platform. This terribly thin pup, nicknamed Angel, was only on shore very briefly one day and then died on the offshore platform. We had to wait several days for a window of opportunity when there were no other seals on the raft to remove the body. While it is not Seal Sitters’ responsibility to remove an animal in this situation, we did not want a decomposing pup to deter other seals to use this safe refuge. Nor did we want the public upset by such a disturbing sight. Thanks to Seattle Aquarium volunteer Jarett Kaplan, a waterfront resident, who alerted us that the opportunity had arisen and who rowed me out to examine, mark with biodegradable paint, and sink the body to nourish other marine life. Seal Sitters’ Buzz Shaw, retired zoologist from the Seattle Aquarium, also participated in the retrieval.
If anyone has a kayak they are not using and would like to donate one to our group, it would be very helpful in situations where we have to make a water response to an entangled animal or retrieval in a situation such as this.
On a brighter note, emaciated seal pup Snapper (rescued from Cormorant Cove in early August) has thrived at PAWS Wildlife Center in Lynnwood. Snapper will be released back to the wild in mid-October. Unfortunately, because Snapper was only a couple of weeks old when taken to PAWS, he did not have the benefit of being taught how to forage by his mom. His chances for survival back in the wild are not as great as a rehabbed pup who had been fully weaned, but we hope this feisty pup beats the odds!
The Seal Sitters’ blubberblog site has more details on the deaths Robin mentions; any time you see a marine mammal on the beach, alive or not, call SS at 206-905-SEAL.
Chief Sealth International High School‘s cheer squad and mascot kept spirits bright despite also being shut out tonight – a 70-0 loss to Bishop Blanchet at Southwest Athletic Complex.
It was the third shutout win for Blanchet in four games.
Next Friday night (October 4th), it’s Sealth’s homecoming game, vs. Franklin, again at SW Athletic Complex.
Photos and summary by Lawrence Kane
Special to West Seattle Blog
West Seattle High School fans arrived in style to cheer on their Wildcats, but unfortunately the Cleveland High School Eagles proved the better team, winning 26-0 tonight at Memorial Stadium downtown.
The Wildcats played tough defense, holding the Eagles to two scores in the first half while blocking both extra-point attempts, but the offense was unable to generate any points.
In the second half, Cleveland scored twice and made a two-point conversion.
Nevertheless, there were some highlights, including an interception by Bailey Wyatt (#50) of a ball jarred loose by Carter Golgart (#12) and fumble recovery by Eric West (#55).
On the offensive there were tough runs by Raphael “Do-E” Jackson (#24), Fynniecko Glover (#22), and Tre Steward (#21).
Next Friday night (October 4th, 7 pm), WSHS visits Rainier Beach at Southeast Athletic Complex.
Courtroom coverage by Katie Meyer/reporter, Patrick Sand/video:
Sentencing Alan Polevia this afternoon, King County Superior Court Judge Ken Schubert went along with the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office recommendation of a six-month sentence – with credit for the three months Polevia’s been in jail since his arrest in late June.
He is the repeat offender who made news for escaping from police custody at Harborview Medical Center in February – while handcuffed; then was spotted in Shorewood on March 5th, leading to hours of helicopter-augmented searching; then was taken into custody three weeks later. He spent three days in jail; shortly afterward, he was charged in a West Seattle burglary case from six months earlier, but didn’t appear for arraignment, so a warrant was issued for his arrest.
Then on June 11th, he was arrested in Arbor Heights – and released less than two weeks later, after his bail was reduced. Within 24 hours of that release, on June 24th, he was arrested yet again, in a case that led to a charge of second-degree burglary, involving a house on 28th SW just south of the city limits that was vacant because of fire damage several weeks earlier. Polevia’s plea bargain includes both that burglary, to which he pleaded guilty, and the West Seattle case from last September, in which the burglary charge was reduced to 2nd-degree theft, with Polevia pleading guilty to that and a 3rd-degree theft charge accompanying it.
This afternoon, his sentencing happened in a relatively empty King County Superior Court room; aside from the judge, deputy prosecuting attorney Darren Thompson and Polevia’s public defender Nikole Hecklinger, Polevia’s sister was the sole family member in attendance. No one in the courtroom spoke up to identify themselves as a victim; no victims’ statements were read.
As part of a plea agreement first reported here September 10th, Polevia had pleaded guilty to one count of burglary, two of theft – one of those reduced from burglary, because it involved an item stolen from out in the open.
His lawyer explained that Polevia’s sister is a social worker, who has discussed their family history with attorney. After Polevia serves this sentence, he will be staying with her (what community that’s in, wasn’t mentioned) and will have social and jail-release services to help keep him out of trouble.
Asked if he wanted to say anything, Polevia said “Nah, I hope you follow the recommendations. I think I learned some things, I’ve been messing up the last couple years” and said it was largely in part because his child’s mother, who had been with him 16 years, left him, after which, he said, he began getting high and messing up. Now, he said, he has had time to think and realizes he has to make things right for some people, including his family. His daughter’s birthday is October 6th, and he said his “favorite thing in the world is being a father.” He added, “Drugs have been a problem in my family for my whole lifetime … I want to raise my kids right.”
Judge noted today’s sentencing includes a no-contact order with the theft/burglary victims, and mentioned three local addresses (near where he was last arrested) as places he is to stay away from. Judge Schubert also imposed a “no illegal/non-prescribed drugs” clause in the conditions of the sentence. Prosecutor Thompson asked for clarification as to whether alcohol was to be included in the prohibited substances; the judge said no, he didn’t see any indication in the files that alcohol was a problem, and he believes Polevia understands not to replace one vice with another.
From West Seattle Thriftway:
With a heavy heart, we regret to inform our community of the sudden loss of a beloved friend and co-worker, Frank Foozer. Frank passed away on September 25th and is survived by his wife and unborn child, and a very large family. Frank was quick with a smile and had a warm heart. We loved him as did the community and he will be sorely missed.
Please Join Frank’s family and friends in a celebration of his life.
Monday, September 30th, at 4 pm.
Lake Ballinger Estates Cabana Building
23503 Lakeview Drive
Mountlake TerraceA memorial account has been set up at the Chase branch within West Seattle Thriftway to help the family with memorial and medical expenses. If you would like to contribute, ask the teller about “Frank’s Fund.”
(The photo of Mr. Foozer, 31, and his wife is courtesy of Thriftway, a WSB sponsor.)
The U.S. Attorney’s Office has sent word of sentencing today for a mail thief whose three-county spree included, we are told, West Seattle crimes. Here’s the announcement:
A mail thief who broke into locked mailboxes to steal checks and identities was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Seattle to 44 months in prison and four years of supervised release, announced U.S. Attorney Jenny A. Durkan. WILFREDO BERMUDEZ, 40, of Seattle, was arrested in November 2012 after 13 months of breaking into mailboxes in the Puget Sound region. BERMUDEZ stole mail in three different counties, including checks, driver’s licenses, and other items by breaking into victims’ mailboxes. He often threw away or destroyed the remainder of victims’ mail, and left the mailbox damaged or unusable in the process.
(Newest site plan for proposed development at 5911 42nd SW; click image for full-size PDF version)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
The big evergreen trees are staying.
That’s one of the messages the West Seattle Church of the Nazarene wants to share with the community about its six-townhouse development proposal, first reported here back on Monday – a plan that would require a “contract rezone” and therefore City Council approval.
We sat down with Pastor Shaun Mattson and associate pastor Terry Mattson Thursday afternoon to talk about it; they shared the updated “site plan” you see atop this story.
The somewhat-sprawling site to the south of the 42nd/Juneau church and its parsonage is zoned as three potential single-family-home lots but is known as “the park,” and used like one – even outdoor movies in summertime. While some of the plan includes keeping it in a park-like condition, the church leaders say that “doing nothing was not an option” – their church’s future depends on it.
While the plan is in the early stages of the relatively long public process, the idea is not a new one.
Once again, we have a stormy weekend forecast – including a “special weather statement” alert from the National Weather Service. Though last weekend didn’t turn out to be as windy and rainy as feared, it’s important to be prepared just in case this round of storminess is the real deal. One small thing you can do that might be a big help, just in case – check the storm drain(s) near your home, office, apartment building, etc., to be sure falling leaves haven’t covered them. We’ll keep watch on the weather throughout the weekend as always, and if anything out of the ordinary happens where you are, you can reach us 24/7 at 206-293-6302, text or voice – thanks!
10:33 AM: Tomorrow brings a special chance to add an item to your grocery list: Fighting hunger. From Judi Yazzolino at the West Seattle Food Bank:
Please come to Metropolitan Market, tomorrow, Saturday, 9/28 from 9 am – 3 pm and purchase and donate to your West Seattle Food Bank for the 21st Annual Mayors’ Day of Concern for the Hungry, in conjunction with the Emergency Feeding Program of Seattle & King County. Please help the West Seattle Food Bank ensure that no one in our community goes hungry!
We will be located outside the main entrance, off the alley, with a food-donation barrel and financial-donation box. Volunteers will be handing out wish-list bookmarks, and we’ll be asking customers to shop and donate to the food bank.
Metropolitan Market is at 41st/42nd/Admiral Way.
ADDED 10:53 AM: Just heard from the White Center Food Bank too – as part of the same regional event, Audrey Zemke says, Key Club members from the Evergreen Campus will collect food, money, and gift-card donations 10 am-2 pm Saturday at Roxbury Safeway and North Burien Albertson’s on SW 128th. WCFB’s coverage area includes south West Seattle as well as WC and vicinity.
Just spotted that beautiful photo of last night’s sunset on the WSB Flickr group home page; thanks to Chris Frankovich for sharing it. Not sure if we can count on anything like that tonight, as showery weather is leading us to the first full weekend of fall. Calendar highlights for today/tonight:
WEST SEATTLE GARDEN CLUB: See the schedule for today’s 10 am-2 pm meeting in our calendar listing, including a talk titled “Awaken Your Inner Farmer”; drop in for all or part of the meeting at Daystar Retirement Village. (2615 SW Barton)
TASTINGS: Wine tasting 1-4 pm at Northwest Wine Academy on the South Seattle Community College (WSB sponsor) campus (6000 16th SW) … Beer, cider, cheese tasting event at Metropolitan Market-Admiral (WSB sponsor), 4-7 pm (41st/42nd/Admiral) … Bin 41 in The Junction has a Friday night tasting as always – details on its website. (California south of Alaska)
RAINBOW BINGO: It’s “crazy hat” theme night for Rainbow Bingo at the Senior Center of West Seattle (WSB sponsor) – details in our calendar listing, including the number to call ASAP to see if reservations remain! Bingo @ 7 pm. (California/Oregon)
HIGH-SCHOOL FOOTBALL: Tonight, West Seattle High School is back at Memorial Stadium downtown with a 5 pm game against Cleveland … Chief Sealth International High School is again home at Southwest Athletic Complex, facing Bishop Blanchet at 7 pm. (2801 SW Thistle)
LOTS OF LIVE MUSIC: Check the calendar to see who’s playing where (and please let us know who we’re missing – thanks!)
Today we welcome a new WSB sponsor, Djaouida Skincare and Sugaring. As is traditional for new sponsors, Djaouida has information to share with you about her business:
Djaouida is known for having magic hands and gives the best facials in West Seattle. She uses all-natural products made by Bella Lucce. These products make her customers come back for more; they are made from real exotic plants, fruits, and minerals. Each facial treatment is made to make your skin look its best, and her wonderful facial massages melt away stress. Her sugaring technique is also quite impressive; she knows how to make anyone feel at ease with little to no pain. Whether you’re looking for great brows, a nice bikini, or full Brazilian, Djaouida has you covered!
Booking with Djaouida is extremely easy and convenient with the online booking system available directly on her website at djaouida.com.
First-time clients are offered an Introductory Facial right now with Djaouida – $69 for an $85 value. This is a wonderful way to try out her services and walk away with gorgeous, glowing, happy skin!
Djaouida Skincare‘s hours are Tuesdays-Fridays, 11 am to 5 pm, and Saturdays, 10 am to 5 pm. You can call Djaouida directly at 206-919-5562 to ask any questions, or you can contact Djaouida by e-mail at djaouida@djaouida.com. Djaouida Skincare is located inside the West Seattle Wellness Center at 2600 SW Barton St., Suite A-24, at Westwood Village.
We thank Djaouida Skincare and Sugaring for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news via WSB; find our current sponsor team listed in directory format here, and find info on joining the team by going here.
(Live view from the east-facing WS Bridge camera; other cameras are on the WSB Traffic page)
No crashes/closures as the morning begins. But the rain’s returning, per forecasters – some today, more tomorrow. And we have weekend alerts:
RAMP CLOSURE: Late tonight into early Saturday, there’s an overnight closure of the northbound I-5 ramp to the West Seattle Bridge one more time, for striping in the zone where expansion-joint repairs are wrapping up.
METRO CHANGES START SATURDAY: Tomorrow brings its next service change, including three routes serving West Seattle.
CITYWIDE ALERTS/REMINDERS: Here’s the SDOT roundup of what might affect traffic around the city this weekend. Not on the list, Sunday’s Beat the Burn 5K in West Seattle on Alki, since it’s NOT closing the road.
11:31 AM: Weekend note for those who drive into downtown via 4th Avenue:
Northbound Fourth Avenue South in the Pioneer Square Neighborhood will be reduced to one lane at South Jackson Street on Saturday, Sept. 28, from 7 a.m. until 5 p.m. and now also on Sunday, Sept. 29, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
1:54 PM: Update from WSDOT: “Tonight’s scheduled closure of the northbound I-5 ramp to the West Seattle Bridge and Sixth Avenue South has been postponed due to rain.”
Thanks to Karin Beck for the photo and update on another win Thursday for the West Seattle High School girls-varsity soccer team: The Wildcats shut out Franklin, 6-0. Karin says: “Goals were scored by the following players: Tess Beck, Madison Brodahl, Charli Elliott, Katherine Gregor, Lindsey Hage, and Kate Veenhuizen. Shutout goalkeepers were Samantha Hemmert and Katherine Gregor.” West Seattle’s next match is 4:30 pm Thursday (October 3rd) vs. Rainier Beach at Southeast Athletic Complex.
11:32 PM: Thanks to everyone who has texted and e-mailed about a helicopter that’s apparently over White Center/Highland Park right now. Not sure yet what’s going on but we’re checking. There was a Seattle Fire dispatch to the 9400 block of 15th SW and the arriving engine reported via scanner that there was no patient at the scene plus “all the deputies and police have gone somewhere else.” If you’re seeing the law enforcement response on the ground, county or city, please let us know! We’ll continue to sleuth.
MIDNIGHT: Guardian One, the King County Sheriff’s Office helicopter that assists other agencies too, says via Twitter that it was “over White Center assisting with a robbery call.” No further details.
What a field trip for Pathfinder K-8‘s Turtle Clan kindergarteners and teacher Jennifer Niemann! We mentioned last night that they were headed downtown to perform on KEXP with West Seattle’s own kid-music superstar Caspar Babypants – and tipster Steve has kindly shared photos and a report:
What a day! The kids had a blast and I think the parents may have had an even better time. John was awesome with the kids and of course Caspar was amazing. We got a tour including a visit from Moby, who was next up on the morning show. The whole staff at the station was just great. And all before 9:45 in the morning.
We found their performance in the KEXP online archives – go here and if you choose to launch the player at 9:15 am, it’ll be right in the middle of a song – or, launch at 9:00 am and listen until they come up.
7:14 PM: We’re at The Hall at Fauntleroy, where about 50 people have gathered for the crime/safety/prevention meeting presented by the Fauntleroy Community Association. In addition to FCA leaders and neighbors, Capt. Joe Kessler (in the top photo), Lt. Pierre Davis, and Community Police Team Officer Jon Flores from the Southwest Precinct are here and will be speaking (and answering questions) shortly, and the West Seattle Block Watch Captains Network is here too. We’ll publish live toplines as news/information of note emerges. It’s not just for Fauntleroy residents – so if you’re interested, come on over to 9131 California SW (in the historic schoolhouse).
7:26 PM: Capt. Kessler is getting to the stats, after going through the SW Precinct org chart. He says 61 burglaries is the monthly average. Last month, one week had 39 burglaries, as widely reported, but the following week, he noted, there were 11 – and that’s because of one arrest. He mentions a recent arrest – “we targeted him and we finally got him.” And he notes that “almost half of the burglars we arrest are a direct result of calling 911. When we say, ‘call 911 if you see something suspicious,’ we really do mean it. … Nothing makes us feel better at night than putting a couple burglars in jail.” Lt. Davis took up the presentation from there, with a slide showing that the yearlong average of car prowls is 45 a month, and another one showing an average of 8 street robberies a month over the past year.
7:38 PM: In Fauntleroy, over the past year, the most common police calls were:
**CLICK AHEAD TO READ THE REST OF OUR AS-IT-HAPPENED COVERAGE**
(Photos by Christopher Boffoli for WSB)
3:48 PM: And another crash that’s being investigated right now – a 6-year-old boy is reported to have been hurt, apparently hit by a car, at California/Lander, the Lafayette Elementary/Admiral Safeway/Hiawatha intersection. That’s all we know – we have a crew on the way.
3:57 PM: Per scanner, the child will be taken to a hospital. More police are headed to the scene to help get information from witnesses.
This is also likely to affect traffic for a while, so avoid the area.
4:32 PM: Southbound California was closed at the scene at last report, and northbound was down to one lane, per WSB co-publisher Patrick Sand. Photo added – though we haven’t confirmed whether the child was riding the bicycle you see in the photo or walking with it. Still trying to find out his condition, too.
4:44 PM: From the scene, WSB contributor Christopher Boffoli reports that traffic is now open both ways. Police told him the investigation is ongoing and they have not determined if the driver will be cited – they did say the driver remained at the scene afterward.
5:21 PM: We just got the first official comment on the child’s condition, from police via Twitter – “minor injuries.” Police confirm he was on his bicycle and describe the driver as a teenage girl.
5:36 PM: And we have heard back from SFD spokesperson Kyle Moore, who says that while the boy was taken to Harborview as a precaution, he had no visible injuries, and was stable when transported. He was wearing his helmet; his mom was with him, Moore said, but was not hurt.
(Update: Stuck vehicles cleared, 99 still closed northbound)
2:58 PM: Just dispatched: Seattle Police and Fire units are going to the scene of a reported crash on Northbound 99 involving a motorcycle and car, not far from last night’s crash that killed a motorcyclist. If you’re heading toward downtown, avoid 99 for now – sounds like it’s about to be blocked off. More as we get it.
3:09 PM: Northbound 99 is now blocked off, per scanner traffic – as far south as, south of the West Seattle Bridge. At least one person is seriously hurt – they have already called for the Traffic Collision Investigation Squad, and that means it’s likely to be closed a few hours (last night’s crash investigation closed 99 for four hours).
3:16 PM UPDATE: Police are now describing this as a motorcycle/guardrail crash, not motorcycle/car. They are continuing to keep vehicle traffic from getting onto 99, but they are also trying to figure out how to get trapped traffic off the highway.
3:33 PM UPDATE: Adding “live” image of West Seattle Bridge, where this is causing a morning type of scene since the northbound 99 exit is closed TFN:
3:39 PM UPDATE: Police say the motorcyclist is dead – second motorcycle rider killed in a crash in this area in 17 hours.
4:50 PM UPDATE: Still closed – refresh this page for updated camera views above, especially the top one, which won’t show cars again on the right side until northbound 99 reopens. Southbound 99 *is* open. Meantime, buses are affected, says Metro: “Viaduct buses heading toward downtown Seattle are currently rerouted … and will travel via 1st Av S or 4th Av S depending upon the route and destination, with no missed stops. Expect delays in transit service.”
6:08 PM UPDATE: Northbound 99 is still closed, no ETA but we’ll be watching, and if you notice it reopened first, let us know, IF you are a passenger or else after you get to your destination.
7:22 PM UPDATE: As of a few minutes ago, as commenters have pointed out (thanks!), Northbound 99 has reopened.
9:32 PM UPDATE: Police have published an update on SPD Blotter, saying the victim was a 52-year-old man riding a 500cc Aprilia motor scooter.
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