West Seattle, Washington

19 Friday

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month : 09/2013 320 results

Madison Middle School sign fight ends: Hearing Examiner approves zoning exception; neighbors ‘disheartened’
September 5, 2013 11:52 am
|      34 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

An illuminated messaging signboard is slated to go up on the front of the Madison Middle School gym, six years after the school PTA started pursuing money and approvals for one.

With the school surrounded by single-family homes, the signboard could not be installed without the city granting a zoning “departure” (exception). A group of neighbors’ fight to keep that from being granted has ended; the city Hearing Examiner ruled against their challenge and the neighbors tell WSB in a statement that they are “disheartened and frustrated” but that they will not take it to court. (You can read their full statement later in this story.)

Hearing Examiner Sue Tanner required conditions based on the neighbors’ concerns to be added to the official text of the zoning exception:

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West Seattle Thursday: SLHS football fundraiser; Rosh Hashanah; more
September 5, 2013 11:12 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Thursday: SLHS football fundraiser; Rosh Hashanah; more
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Photo by Don Brubeck)
Before we get too much further into Thursday – seven highlights from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

DISCOVERY SHOP: The American Cancer Society-benefiting thrift shop in The Junction starts its “Division Sale” today, with everything half-price. Open today until 4:30 pm. (4535 California SW)

ROSH HASHANAH WITH KOL HANESHAMAH: Events this morning/afternoon are listed on Kol HaNeshamah (WSB sponsor)’s website.

SEATTLE LUTHERAN FOOTBALL/CHEER FUNDRAISER: NFL and college veteran players are the guest speakers at a 6 pm dinner tonight raising money for the Seattle Lutheran High School football/cheer programs. All welcome – ticket information and other details here. (SLHS gym; 41st/Genesee)

PARKS LEGACY PLAN MEETING: Interested in the process that’s leading up to the next Seattle Parks levy to go to voters? The citizens’ advisory committee meets 6 pm tonight at Parks HQ downtown, starting with a public-comment period as usual; details are on the city’s Parkways site. (100 Dexter Ave. N.)

ROSH HASHANAH WITH WEST SEATTLE TORAH LEARNING CENTER: 8:15 pm prayers followed by dinner, RSVP for location, contact info here.

NORTH HIGHLINE UNINCORPORATED AREA COUNCIL: Just outside West Seattle, but the topics planned for the 7 pm meeting at North Highline Fire District HQ might be of interest to the North Highline area’s northern neighbors – including upcoming health-care changes. See the agenda on the NHUAC website. (1243 SW 112th)

As always, there’s lots more on the calendar, including tonight’s live-music highlights!

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Seattle Police horses plan field trip to Westwood this Saturday
September 5, 2013 9:47 am
|      13 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle police

(January 2013 photo taken at Westwood Village by Tammy Wooley)
We’ve already previewed the upcoming open house at the Seattle Police Mounted Patrol‘s Highland Park headquarters on September 22nd – and now Sgt. Jim Scott tells us you’ll get a chance to see them even sooner: This Saturday (September 7th), they’ll be at Daystar Retirement Village (2615 SW Barton, across from the south side of Westwood Village) 12:30-2:30 pm, and then at WV itself, in the east parking lot near Starbucks, 2:45-4:15 pm. (We’ve noted Westwood sightings in the past – like the one in the photo above – as the horses are taken out to be acclimatized to people and places, but never before with advance notice.)

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Back-to-school week continues
September 5, 2013 6:14 am
|    Comments Off on TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Back-to-school week continues
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(Live view from the east-facing WS Bridge camera; other cameras are on the WSB Traffic page)
6:14 AM: Today, most schools will be settled down to their routines. But the rain is back as of this writing – and we’re hearing thunder, too – so drive carefully! (The flood-watch alert kicks in at noon.) Two road-work notes: The eastbound SW Orchard closure between Sylvan and Delridge continues; see the detour map and details here. And the intersection of Morgan and 42nd is closed.

10:15 AM: Southbound Battery Street Tunnel is closed because of a crash.

1:30 PM: From SDOT:

This afternoon, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., there’ll be a “Tell Scott Walker Not in Our State” protest in downtown Seattle.  The protest is being held against the visiting Wisconsin Governor’s stance on labor relations and advocates for workers’ rights to organize and bargain collectively. The organizers of the event expect an estimated 1,000 participants.  Seattle Police will be on hand to monitor the activities. 
 
The march will close Sixth Avenue between Union and Pike streets adjacent to the Sheraton Hotel.  The approach to the nearby entrance for the northbound I-5 on-ramp at Sixth Avenue and University Street could be impacted, as well as adjoining streets including Fifth and Fourth avenues when traffic begins diverting off of Sixth. The Seattle Department of Transportation advises motorists to plan ahead to avoid this potential disruption to the afternoon commute.

                                                           

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PHOTO GALLERY: West Seattle students start school!
September 5, 2013 1:28 am
|      11 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Thanks to everybody who answered our call to share Back To School photos from the past two days! First one, above, is from Leighellen: “I thought I’d share my 3 boys … one of which is less than thrilled with this ritual!! Luke (3rd grade) & Jacoby (5th grade) attend Hope Lutheran School. Zac (10th grade) goes to Seattle Lutheran High School.” Next, Pathfinder K-8 7th grader Pride, quoted as saying “It will be a year of skirts”:

“The Bear Boys,” an Arbor Heights Elementary 5th grader and Denny International Middle School 7th grader, struck a pose:

Kahina started third grade at Hope Lutheran this week:

Here’s Grayson:

Amy says, “West Seattle High School sophomores Shea and Irina have started school together every year since kindergarten!”

From Jen: “Here’s big brother Theo (3rd grade) and little brother Nate (kindergarten) heading off to Schmitz Park”:

At Holy Rosary on the first day of school Tuesday, here are Elena, Morgan, Veronica, Grace, and Lizzie:

Dylan started pre-K at Westside School (WSB sponsor):

Here’s Lexi starting third grade at Gatewood Elementary:

Atticus is now in 2nd grade at Lafayette Elementary:

At Schmitz Park Elementary, 4th graders Rhiannon and Cassidy:

It’s the second year at K-5 STEM for fifth-grader Max and second-grader Sam:

Chloe‘s a first-grader now!

Thanks to Alice for the next photo:

Sophie is new at K-5 STEM:

Karin‘s guys are both at Lafayette – a kindergartener and third-grader:

Susan explains, “Grace had her LAST first day of elementary school (Wednesday)”:

In the next photo, says Christine, is her “kindergarten kid Sarah with her school cone and the STEM school mascot Owl. Btw, the big cone is filled with candy and small toys (German tradition).”

In the classroom at Schmitz Park, a photo shared by Greg:

Thanks again to all 20 of our photo-sharers! We wish you a successful and pleasant school year … let us know when there’s news to share here with your West Seattle neighbors, from events to achievements and more – editor@westseattleblog.com, and 206-293-6302 (text or voice) when something is urgent.

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Quick note: No landmark status for Arbor Heights Elementary
September 4, 2013 9:05 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Arbor Heights | West Seattle history | West Seattle news

As Arbor Heights Elementary approaches teardown and rebuild, it had to be reviewed for potential city-landmark status. As originally reported here last month, that review before the Landmarks Board was set for today – and tonight, one of the board’s newest members, Deb Barker of Morgan Junction, mentioned at the Southwest District Council meeting that the board decided unanimously NOT to consider AH for landmark status.

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First community meeting of fall: Southwest District Council
September 4, 2013 8:21 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Southwest District Council | West Seattle news

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

The fall meeting season – after a summer break for many neighborhood/district councils – is off and running, with the Southwest District Council just wrapping up its September meeting, tackling topics from trees to Junction parking/development.

Co-chair Susan Ruppert, from the Genesee-Schmitz Neighborhood Council, led the meeting at Southwest Teen Life Center. Other organizations represented were the Admiral Neighborhood Association, Fairmount Community Association, Fauntleroy Community Association, Junction Neighborhood Organization, Morgan Community Association, the Senior Center of West Seattle, and the West Seattle Junction Association.

What you should know about what was discussed – ahead:

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West Seattle road-work alert: Morgan/42nd repaving
September 4, 2013 7:25 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Transportation | West Seattle news

Sorry we didn’t hear about this repaving project in advance, so we couldn’t share a heads-up – just spotted the work this afternoon at 42nd/Morgan north of West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor), and then heard from tipster Linda, who provided this scanned copy of a paper notice circulated in the area:

She added, “In passing by tonight, they have the east side of 42nd between Morgan and Fauntleroy completely dug up, a large hole in Morgan street east of 42nd and a third hole on 42nd south of Morgan. They were covering all the holes with plastic when we went by.” We hope to hear more about this from SDOT tomorrow.

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New interim CEO for West Seattle retirement center The Kenney
September 4, 2013 6:11 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   The Kenney | West Seattle news

Three months after The Kenney (WSB sponsor) announced it was exploring the possibility of “sponsorship” by Wesley Homes, there’s no final decision on that yet, but one change has just been made – a new interim CEO is in charge. Here’s the announcement:

William (Bill) Lange is named as the new interim Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for The Kenney, effective October 1, 2013. Mr. Lange assumes this interim role at the time that Ed Mawe, current interim CEO, leaves to take a new position with another retirement organization. Mr. Mawe is an employee of Ontrac Management Services and he was hired in July 2012 to act as an interim CEO. Mr. Lange is also an employee of Ontrac and has been working in a supportive operations role with Mr. Mawe, the Kenney board of directors, and staff over the past year.

“Bill is not a new face to the residents and staff at The Kenney,” said Moraine Byrne, President of Ontrac Management Services. She added, “His knowledge of the current operations and the strategic direction of The Kenney make for a smooth transition as Ed leaves to take his new career opportunity.” Mr. Mawe has accepted a position as Chief Operating Officer of Horizon House, a large retirement community located in [downtown] Seattle.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Car, bikes, purse stolen; 2 found items
September 4, 2013 4:12 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Here’s a round of recent West Seattle Crime Watch reader reports. First, yet another vehicle theft (besides the 2 reported here on Tuesday). From Andy:

Our car was stolen (Monday) night from in front of our home. We live a block off California on 44th, near the West Seattle Nursery. It’s a 1995 black Honda Civic hatchback, license number ACY9729.

(added 4:31 pm) Just got word from Nicole of a burglary today:

Just a heads up to let you know there was a burglary on the 5400 block of 46th SW at around noon today. My parents’ place was broken into while my mom was away for about 20 minutes to run an errand. House was locked.

(back to original report) Kathleen warns of car prowling at Jack Block Park (the incident happened last Thursday night):

…I wanted to let you know my purse was stolen out of my car at Jack Block last night (super quick smash and grab). I really want to report it not only to bring attention to be hyper-vigilant in this area (and not leave your purse in the car — duh) but really, I loved my purse so I am wanting to see if anyone in that area on a walk, etc. saw it. If anyone does see it, if they can let me know, that would be great. (“Roots” brand, tan nice leather “messenger bag” style with long thick strap and 2 pockets.) Hoping they tossed it in the bushes. BTW, I had 3 cards and they tried all 3 at Shell Station on CA and at Delridge Mini Mart. The Port police said it is the same place they have used others, so they think they know who it is.

And bikes both stolen and found – starting with Brianna‘s report of a stolen bike Sunday morning in The Junction:

… My bike was stolen from outside Great Harvest Bakery in the Alaska Junction. It was a 45-46 cm Raleigh women’s Revenio road bike, with it was a bright blue helmet. The bike is mostly black with blue and white details.

Sue is hoping to find her bike stolen 3 weeks ago:

My beautiful blue/black carbon Lemond Zurich T- 04 woman’s road bike was stolen from a secure condo garage along Beach Drive, where it hung bolted and locked on a concrete wall. Serial #WL3149448, registered with the police on 1/14/2005. Blue Bontrager tires, Terry gel saddle, lights, bag, pump, U lock, etc. I rode hundreds of miles in events like Cycle Oregon and loved this bike. It fit me like a glove. Please watch out for it and tell your friends to do the same. Thanks!

Ahead, a found bike and found scooter – might or might not be crime-related – both with photos:

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‘Drug-trafficking conspiracy’ behind raids this morning in South Park, Highland Park, authorities say
September 4, 2013 1:50 pm
|      23 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | South Park | West Seattle news

(Photos by Scott, taken from inside a bus, showing law enforcers outside Juan Colorado’s [at right] in South Park)
The U.S. Attorney’s Office and Seattle Police have just gone public with more information on raids/arrests this morning. We received scattered tips of FBI/SPD sightings in Highland Park and South Park this morning, and the agencies said they would release information as soon as the raids were over – now, they’ve sent this:

In coordinated arrests this morning, the FBI, ATF, U.S. Postal Inspection Service and Seattle Police Department took eight people into custody for a wide ranging drug trafficking conspiracy, announced U.S. Attorney Jenny A. Durkan. Members of the conspiracy maintained drug stash houses throughout the Pacific Northwest. Search warrants were served today in Vancouver, Covington, Puyallup, SeaTac, Tukwila, Seattle and Tacoma, Washington. Some of the drug traffickers conducted their deals at a Mexican restaurant in the South Park neighborhood of Seattle: the Juan Colorado.

The restaurant was closed today while law enforcement searched the premises. The defendants will make their initial appearances at 2:00 PM today in U.S. District Court in Seattle.

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Prayers for peace in Syria (and elsewhere) Saturday in West Seattle
September 4, 2013 1:06 pm
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle religion

Thanks to Vince for sharing the announcement:

Holy Rosary Catholic Church in West Seattle has scheduled five hours of prayer this Saturday, September 7, in response to the call by Pope Francis for a day of prayer and fasting for peace for Syria.

All are invited to join in the Holy Rosary prayer service from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. The church is at 4210 SW Genesee.

The service will coincide with a prayer vigil being led by the pope at St. Peter’s Square from 7 p.m. to midnight Vatican time. Francis has invited Catholics, other Christians, those of other faiths and non-believers to join together on Saturday to invoke the gift of peace for Syria and other areas of the world where there is conflict.

Both houses of Congress are expected to vote next week on whether to support U.S. strikes in Syria; a Senate committee passed a related resolution today.

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West Seattle Weather Watch update: Now it’s a ‘flood watch’
September 4, 2013 12:00 pm
|      17 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

ORIGINAL REPORT, NOON: Might want to doublecheck your gutters/storm drains/etc. before tomorrow. A “special weather statement” issued by the National Weather Service (read it here) says up to two inches of rain is possible in this area Thursday/Friday, with the heaviest rain likely to start around midday Thursday.

3:55 PM: The NWS now has upgraded it to a “flood watch,” starting noon tomorrow. Read the new alert here.

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West Seattle back-to-school 2013: Schmitz Park Elementary’s flag ceremony, with new plaque from the Schmitz family
September 4, 2013 11:05 am
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

(Photo courtesy Eric)
It is a stirring first-day-of-school tradition at Schmitz Park Elementary – a flag ceremony that includes members of the school’s namesake family, who donated the land on which it was built as well as forested Schmitz Preserve Park nearby, and other West Seattle treasures.

(Photo courtesy Sean)
This year, not only did the family present a new flag, but there’s also a new plaque on the flagpole, presented by descendants of Ferdinand and Emma Schmitz.

(Photo by WSB’s Patrick Sand)
Here’s the text, shared by Vicki Schmitz Block:

In honor of Alan F. Schmitz, a new flag is presented to Schmitz Park School by the Schmitz Family.

Alan F. Schmitz (1934 – 2012) attended the opening day/flag raising ceremony at Schmitz Park School for over 30 years, representing the Schmitz Family, who donated the land for this school.

This tradition began in 1962 when the school building opened. At that first opening-day ceremony, Alan’s father, Dietrich G. Schmitz (1890-1970), participated for the Schmitz family and for many years thereafter.

Today, Alan’s son Dietrich Schmitz continues this wonderful and historic tradition, providing a link between West Seattle’s rich history and today’s children at Schmitz Park School.

(Added 11:43 am) Here’s Dietrich Schmitz at this morning’s ceremony with SP principal Gerrit Kischner:

(Photo courtesy Sean)
P.S. We’re continuing to receive WSB readers’ back-to-school photos from all over West Seattle – editor@westseattleblog.com – and will be assembling a gallery later today. Thanks!

ADDED 8:48 PM: Clay Eals from the Southwest Seattle Historical Society also was there this morning, and has published comprehensive coverage – including video of Dietrich Schmitz’s speech – on the SWSHS website. You can see it all here.

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West Seattle Wednesday: More schools start; Rosh Hashanah begins; Southwest District Council; more…
September 4, 2013 10:03 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Wednesday: More schools start; Rosh Hashanah begins; Southwest District Council; more…
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

Our photographer caught a sunbreak early this morning, looking toward north Vashon Island from a bluffside in Upper Fauntleroy. Busy, busy morning – even if you don’t have a student in the family, you’ve likely encountered school buses, crossing guards, and other signs that thousands more students (and the teachers and school staff who work with them) are back in class. P.S. We’re gathering back-to-school photos – if you want to share one, editor@westseattleblog.com – thanks! We’ll start the gallery later today. Meantime, also of note: Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year observation, begins tonight. Now the highlights from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

BACK TO SCHOOL: Parochial schools started classes Tuesday, Seattle Public Schools and most secular independent schools started today. But some are beginning with half-days and other staggered schedules, so you might encounter buses, walking/bike-riding students, and pickup/dropoff activities at times besides the normal morning start/afternoon finish.

ARBOR HEIGHTS LANDMARK NOMINATION: 3:30 pm today at the Municipal Tower downtown, the city Landmarks Board considers the landmark nomination for Arbor Heights Elementary, submitted as part of the process for the construction of a new school on the site where the old one sits now. Details and map in our calendar listing.

CLOTHESPIN ON A WIRE: Pop-up shopping at Bird on a Wire Espresso, 6-9 pm, details in the calendar listing. (35th/Henderson)

SOUTHWEST DISTRICT COUNCIL: 6:30 pm tonight, the council with representatives of community groups and organizations from around western West Seattle meets at Southwest Teen Life Center; public welcome. Neighborhood district coordinator Ed Pottharst shares agenda highlights: “City staff from SDOT will talk about urban forestry/street trees. Then the Genesee-Schmitz Neighborhood Council will discuss City Light surplus properties (City Light presented on that at our July meeting), and the Junction Neighborhood Organization (JuNO) would like to talk about its plans to form a land use review committee.” (2801 SW Thistle)

ROSH HASHANAH WITH KOL HANESHAMAH: 7 pm tonight, Kol HaNeshamah (WSB sponsor)’s Erev Rosh HaShanah event, followed by Honey Cake Oneg, is at St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church. (California/Hanford)

ROSH HASHANAH WITH WEST SEATTLE TORAH LEARNING CENTER: 7:30 pm prayers followed by a meal, RSVP for location, contact info here.

(added 10:22 am) WATER TAXI TONIGHT: Just added this to the daily traffic/transit tracker but should also note here too – if you are going to the soccer game downtown tonight, the West Seattle Water Taxi is on an extended schedule, per a reminder just texted by the county.

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This bill stinks! Puget Sound Energy’s warning for customers
September 4, 2013 9:22 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Safety | Utilities | West Seattle news

If you receive paper bills from Puget Sound Energy, your next one will come with something that stinks – though the good news is, that won’t happen unless you activate it, but when you do, it will be a great teaching tool, at the very least! Here’s the utility’s announcement:

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: 2nd of 2 back-to-school days
September 4, 2013 6:03 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(Live view from the east-facing WS Bridge camera; other cameras are on the WSB Traffic page)
Yes, school is ON – if you missed the coverage last night, Seattle Public Schools teachers ratified new contracts. SPS schools start classes today, as do most secular independent schools; parochial schools started yesterday. Some staggered schedules, though – half-days, late starts, etc. But in general – watch out for buses, bicycles, pedestrians, dropoff drivers, anywhere there’s a school.

Meantime, it’s day 2 of the eastbound SW Orchard closure between Sylvan and Delridge; see the detour map and details here, and keep in mind that it may be slower going on Delridge itself in the area as a result.

LOOKING AHEAD: Reminder of the bike and truck safety fair at Terminal 25 this Friday morning, starting at 6:30 am – details on West Seattle Bike Connections‘ website.

10:20 PM UPDATE: The King County Water Taxi sends a reminder: “The West Seattle route will be on an extended service schedule (tonight) for the Sounders vs. Chivas USA soccer match.”

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Looking for a preschool? Openings @ Hiawatha Community Center
September 4, 2013 5:25 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

West Seattle’s city-run community centers are home to many more programs than you might realize – including preschools! One of them, Bright Beginnings at Hiawatha Community Center in the Admiral District, is still accepting students for the coming school year – read on for the announcement:

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West Seattle back-to-school scenes: Barbecue & Big Band at Lafayette
September 3, 2013 11:23 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

At right, that’s new Lafayette Elementary principal Robert Gallagher, one of the half-dozen new principals leading West Seattle public schools as classes begin tomorrow. Assistant principal Karmen Nordhougen was with him, making the rounds of the playground, at tonight’s Night Before School Barbecue.

Other schools might have barbecues too, but this was the first time we’d ever seen one with live music from the West Seattle Big Band:

This year’s enrollment stats won’t be available for a while, but for the past few years, Lafayette has been West Seattle’s most populous elementary school, with about 550 students listed as the official 2012 enrollment. P.S. If you missed it, we interviewed new principal Gallagher earlier this year, after his appointment was announced.

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West Seattle traffic alert: Tree topples onto Fauntleroy Way
September 3, 2013 9:30 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle traffic alert: Tree topples onto Fauntleroy Way
 |   Safety | West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

That tree was blocking northbound Fauntleroy Way by the south end of Fairmount Playfield as of the top of the hour – don’t know if it’s cleared yet (we’ll check back), but when we were there, it was quite a hazard – no illumination, no police or flares or road crews. No injuries or damage.

ADDED: Finally was able to go back and check around midnight. Tree had been cut up and moved off the road.

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Update: Seattle teachers approve new contract; school starts tomorrow
September 3, 2013 7:36 pm
|      16 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

(Scroll down for latest updates – contract ratified; reaction coming in …)

ORIGINAL REPORT, 7:36 PM: We’re watching news from the Seattle Education Association membership meeting downtown and will update here as it comes in. They’ve just updated via Facebook/Twitter that “Debate on the certificated staff contract has started” as of a few minutes ago – that means the teachers. Two smaller workgroups’ contracts were approved, according to SEA, by voice vote. Updates to come – and we’re embedding the union (and other key sources’) tweets here so you can follow along.



(Refresh the WSB home page to make sure you’re seeing the newest tweets.)

8:04 PM UPDATE: As you can see in the tweetstream above, the union says all contracts have been ratified. (Post-vote tweets continue, as the stream remains “live.”)

8:14 PM: Quick statement e-mailed to news media by district Superintendent José Banda:

I want to thank everyone involved for their hard work and dedication in negotiating this agreement. I appreciate each and every one of our staff members, whose work contributes to the academic success of our students. All of us at Seattle Public Schools look forward to welcoming our students and families to a new school year tomorrow.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Truck theft/car-ramming suspect Donald Plute back in jail, held on $260,000 bail
September 3, 2013 7:09 pm
|      15 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Four weeks after his August 6th arrest for allegedly stealing a truck on Alki and then using it to ram two cars – one a Seattle Police cruiser – 23-year-old Donald M. Plute is back in jail. (Thanks to commenter Tophat Topcat for the tip!) You might recall that Plute spent only one day in jail because, as reported here August 8th, a judge ruled there wasn’t enough probable cause to hold him. Compounding matters, a warrant for his arrest in another case was issued the day of that ruling – but it didn’t show up in the system until after Plute was released from jail.

On August 16th, prosecutors charged him in the truck theft/ramming case, and a $250,000 warrant was issued – but that was just a piece of paper until he could be taken into custody again, which happened sometime yesterday. We don’t have any information on circumstances of his arrest, but Plute is jailed in lieu of $260,000 bail – the quarter-million for the August 6th incident, and $10,000 for the other warrant. We’ve obtained court documents from that case, which involves an incident in White Center one year ago today, in which a King County Sheriff’s Office deputy tried to stop Plute after he allegedly ran a stop sign on his motorcycle at high speed, without a helmet. The documents say he ditched the bike and bolted; when the deputy caught up with him, he wrote, Plute advanced toward him with clenched fists, and was subdued with a Taser. The charges in that case are reckless driving and failure to obey a police officer. He’s due back in court on September 11th. (WSB photo above is from Plute’s arrest in Gatewood on August 6th)

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Council to vote on proposal to prevent ‘bulky low-scale development’ in urban areas
September 3, 2013 4:44 pm
|      17 COMMENTS
 |   Development | West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

There’s overdevelopment – and then there’s underdevelopment. The proposed one-story, 14,000 standalone pharmacy at 4722 Fauntleroy Way SW – first reported here in July – is considered by some to be a potential case of the latter, along with two similar projects we mentioned in that story, one in Wallingford, one in lower Queen Anne, since they are planned on sites where much bigger developments could be built. City Councilmember Richard Conlin has announced a proposal that would prohibit these types of projects in certain urban areas in the future:

Councilmember Richard Conlin introduced interim controls legislation today that sets a minimum density requirement for new buildings in pedestrian-oriented Neighborhood Commercial zones in Seattle’s urban villages and urban centers. Councilmember Conlin developed the legislation in response to neighborhood concerns about one-story, suburban-style projects proposed in various Seattle urban villages.

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