Followup: SWAT-arrested drug suspects out of jail
(WSB photo from 8800 block of 24th SW search scene Tuesday afternoon)
Following up on this Tuesday report: The man arrested by SWAT officers inside an Alki restaurant is out of jail tonight, as is his brother, also arrested yesterday. Police would say only that both arrests are related to an investigation that’s been ongoing since March. According to probable-cause documents we obtained from the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office after today’s bail hearing for the two suspects, the man arrested while dining at Pegasus Pizza with a child is a 29-year-old man whose address is listed as the 24th SW residence where we photographed SWAT officers about an hour later (photo above). We don’t know the identity of the handcuffed person in our 24th SW photo from Tuesday’s story; the court documents say the 22-year-old brother was arrested at his residence in Magnolia. Both were held for investigation of drug violations.
The documents say that the vehicle and residence search related to the older brother arrested on Alki yielded more than $13,000 cash as well as 100 oxycodone and percocet tablets, plus a loaded gun. Vehicle and residence searches related to the younger brother arrested in Magnolia were reported to have yielded 75 tablets of the same drugs, as well as $1,000 cash, multiple guns, and a bulletproof vest. The King County Jail Register shows that both got out this evening after posting bond – the older suspect’s bail had been set at $25,000, the younger one’s at $20,000. No charges filed yet (which is why we are not identifying them) but we will continue to check on the case.
PACK YOUR BAG! Day 8: Holding off hunger
How’s your “Go Bag” going? In honor of Washington State Disaster Preparedness Month, we’re leading you through the process of putting one together, one day/item at a time, with the help of Cindi Barker from West Seattle Be Prepared. The next item on the list:
Back to food items – today put 3 cans of fruit and 3 granola/trail bars per person in your kit. Fruit can be applesauce or good old fruit cocktail; you are adding variety and different vitamins with the fruits. The trail bars can be the energy bars as well, and it’s fine to have more than 3 – they can provide lots of calories in a small package.
Remember that the disaster most likely to strike in our area is an earthquake – smaller ones happen frequently, and if you need a reminder, check the U.S. Geological Survey website – as we write this, we see that site showing a string of quakes in California – none big, but quake prediction remains elusive, so all you can do is be prepared.
Catching up? Our previous PACK YOUR BAG! installments are archived here, newest to oldest.
West Seattle traffic alert: Bridge lane closures Sunday
From SDOT, word of lane closures on the easternmost section of the West Seattle Bridge this Sunday morning:
A Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) Roadway Structures crew will perform a regular maintenance inspection of the deck of the Spokane Street Viaduct eastbound on Sunday morning, October 13. The work, which will take place between 6 am and 11 am, will require lane closures eastbound on the Viaduct between E Marginal Way and the I-5 ramps. Two lanes will be closed at a time for the inspections. Work will begin with the closure of the two left lanes and then those will reopen and the two right lanes will be closed. The on-ramps to SR 99, the off-ramps to First Avenue S and Fourth Avenue S as well as the I-5 onramps will remain open throughout the operation. Motorists should plan on slowing through the work zone.
Skylark Café/Club open house tomorrow: Meet the new owners
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
The new owners of Skylark Café and Club in North Delridge are finally ready for their closeup.
They weren’t quite ready to talk back when we reported Skylark’s founders had sold it to them. But now they’ve been running Skylark for five weeks – they took over on September 1st and reopened it on September 3rd – and would like to invite you to get to know them, so, tomorrow, they invite you to an open house to get to know the new Skylark – which so far isn’t that much different from the old one, just continuing to evolve.
We sat down with new proprietors Matt Larson and Janna Richards to talk about what’s not changing, what is, and their hopes for the food-and-music venue:
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West Seattle Monster Dash: Last day for discount registration
Midnight tonight is your last chance for discount-priced signups for the West Seattle Monster Dash on October 26th – the price goes up $5 tomorrow. Race co-directors Milyssa and Trish say, “We welcome runners and walkers of all ages and speeds, and strongly encourage costumes!” Prizes and treats (including bagels from WSB sponsor Zatz A Better Bagel!). Register online here. P.S. If you want to be part of it but don’t want to walk/run, e-mail westseattlemonsterdash@gmail.com to find out about volunteer opportunities. The WSMD benefits the SSCC Cooperative Preschool program.
Video: Shutdown ‘literally taking food out of babies’ mouths,’ say King County leaders
That’s our video of King County Executive Dow Constantine and Councilmember Joe McDermott (who chairs the county Board of Health) in White Center at noontime today, speaking out against the federal-government shutdown as it threatens a program that serves 38,000 pregnant women, new mothers, and young children. Layoff-warning notices went out today to 82 King County employees who work on the Women/Infants/Children nutrition program, since federal funding expires October 31st if the situation doesn’t change. “It’s time for Congress to stop holding America’s future hostage,” declared Constantine. Also speaking to reporters at the media briefing was Crystal Ruegger, a WIC client and spouse of a furloughed federal employee.
With microhousing debuting in West Seattle, it’s comment time for proposed city rules
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
The city has formally gone public this week with its proposed new rules for so-called microhousing, though they won’t affect the two projects already well under way in West Seattle or two others in the works, which are:
*4548 Delridge (3 stories, 16 sleeping rooms, 2 “dwelling units,” top photo)
*3266 Avalon Way (5 stories, 56 sleeping rooms, 7 “dwelling units,” photo below)
*3050 Avalon Way (5 stories, 110 sleeping rooms, 14 “dwelling units,” not yet under construction)
*5949 California SW (4 stories, 38 sleeping rooms, 5 “dwelling units,” not yet under construction)
Those four are all on the citywide microhousing-projects list that is part of the package accompanying the proposal, which debuted in the most recent edition of the city’s twice-weekly Land Use Information Bulletin.
“Dwelling units” refers to how many shared kitchens the microhousing buildings have – up to eight “sleeping rooms” can share one. But the “dwelling unit” count is what has allowed many of these projects to move below the radar for design review among other things – it’s been difficult in some cases to comb through documentation to find that an “eight-unit” development is really a place where 80 people will live.
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Followup: Driver in Roxbury crash jailed for reckless driving and pre-crash incident
New information about last night’s crash at 26th/Roxbury: We now know why one person was in handcuffs at the scene. Cuffed doesn’t always mean arrested, and no further information was available last night, but we followed up with Seattle Police today and have found out that this began as a reported domestic-violence incident. The police report says it started with a domestic disturbance in the 1300 block of SW Cambridge; a passerby “witnessed a male break down the front door to the house and yell at the people inside.” At the scene, a woman told police that her 25-year-old son – who had left before officers arrived – is having a hard time finding a job, and a hard time controlling his anger, which was touched off by an out-of-state traffic ticket, with a sizable fine, arriving in the mail. She said he was taking out his anger by repeatedly slamming the front door, with damage compounded by a real-estate lockbox getting caught in the door frame with each slam.
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West Seattle coyotes: Sighting near Fairmount Playfield
Thanks to Shawn for sharing news of this sighting:
I just wanted to inform everyone that at 6:45 am this morning I ran into a coyote at the corner of 36th & Brandon [map]. It headed toward Fairmount (Playfield). Please let the neighborhood know to keep their pets indoors.
We share sighting reports not to stir fear but just to be sure people are aware that coyotes are pretty much everywhere in our area, even if you’ve never seen one. Here’s the state’s advice on what to do if you see one, and how to reduce the chances they’ll want to hang around your house, among other things.
High-school sports: Yet another shutout win for WSHS soccer
The West Seattle High School girls-varsity soccer team keeps rolling on. Thanks again to Karin Beck for photos and an update on the latest game – a 2-0 win over Ingraham on Tuesday afternoon. Karin reports:
Katie DuLong and Lindsey Hage scored goals, and Sarah DuLong was the shutout keeper.
Next up for the Wildcats, a big game against Nathan Hale on Thursday, Oct. 10, 3:30P.M. at Addams Playfields. (11051 34th Ave NE)
West Seattle weddings: Congratulations, David and Jim!
Congratulations to David Clarke and Jim Ryburn, announcing their wedding:
My partner and I were married on August 17th, 2013, on an absolutely perfect West Seattle evening! After almost twenty years together, we were thrilled to finally be able to make it official. I’m truly the luckiest guy in the world and I look forward to many more happy years of marriage to a wonderful man.
We were honored to have our ceremony officiated by one of our very dearest friends, Sharon Tucker, who flew all the way up from Dallas with her partner Tina to be with us. A big thanks to our good friend, MIcheline Sierer,who did a fantastic job reading the wedding poem adding just the perfect touch to the ceremony. We wanted to also give a special thanks to our friend Jeannie Warner for recording the ceremony so we could send it to Jim’s parents in Texas who could not make it up here for the wedding. Also, thanks to our friend Julie Hooker for doing a great job managing the music!
We’d like to also thank the creative and energetic folks at Prop Gallery – especially Andrew! – for helping us to create a beautiful setting on the rooftop deck of our condo building for the evening. In addition, the wonderful people at Tuxedos and Tennis Shoes Catering did a fabulous job with the food and bartending, and Donna and her amazing staff at Stuffed Cakes here in West Seattle made the coolest wedding cake ever. Finally, thanks to all of our friends and family who celebrated with us and made this the most special evening ever!
Wedding to announce? Text/photo, editor@westseattleblog.com
PACK YOUR BAG! Day 7: More ‘MacGyver’ items
So we’ve been talking for more than a week now about what to put in your “Go Bag,” to achieve a certain level of preparedness one day at a time … how about what NOT to put in your bag?
Thanks to Mat McBride for sharing the clip!
Meantime – today brought another “natural” reminder of the topic at hand. Lightning, thunder, downpour, yet again – no cataclysmic events that we know of in West Seattle, but imagine that kind of downpour lasting for hours and hours and hours, as happened recently in Colorado … it’s another scenario for which you need to be ready. Today is Day 8 of Go Bag-building in honor of Washington State Disaster Preparedness Month, and here’s the next item, thanks again to Cindi Barker of West Seattle Be Prepared:
This time we’re adding to your MacGyver equipment: basic tools, pliers, screwdrivers, hammer, gloves, disposable dust mask, camping or utility knife. Check around your garage for odd tools lying around; they are perfect for the kit. Also, around this time of year, some of the hardware stores have very nice basic tool kits that go on sale for the pre-Christmas sales season. Just don’t overdo it; you will need to lift this pack at the end.
Cindi also reminds us that a “Go Bag” isn’t a use-it-all-at-once-or-nothing item – once you have yours in place, you will know where to find one or two or three items you might need for specific situations like short-term power outages!
Catching up? Our previous PACK YOUR BAG! installments are archived here, newest to oldest.
West Seattle traffic-alert update: Roxbury reopens after crash
6:41 PM: We’ve just arrived at the scene of another crash on SW Roxbury – this time just east of the Safeway entrance. Two vehicles has collided, and one has some smoke coming from its engine compartment – so Engines 11 and 37 are both here along with police. The response has SW Roxbury completely blocked, so if you’re heading this way, you can’t get west of 26th or east of the store, for now.
6:48 PM UPDATE: No indication of serious injuries. We’re told the smoke might have been from one vehicle’s battery – extremely acrid-smelling, we can attest.
7:28 PM UPDATE: Per the scanner, police are now reopening Roxbury.
West Seattle road work: Delridge detour will NOT change tomorrow
Yesterday, SDOT said it would reverse the current South Delridge repaving-project detour. Now – that plan is on hold, so the detour remains the same TFN:
The plan to reverse the Delridge Paving Project phase five detour is delayed. The Seattle Department of Transportation is working with the contractor to ensure safe implementation of the change. Until further notice, Delridge Way SW southbound traffic between SW Henderson to SW Roxbury streets will continue to be detoured at SW Henderson Street. Northbound traffic will continue to be maintained.
We apologize for any inconvenience this alteration in plans causes! Safety is SDOT’s primary goal and the reason behind the detour reversal delay. More information will be released as it is confirmed.
West Seattle Crime Watch: Police operations in Westwood, Alki
Police are not commenting, so we don’t know if these are related, but there have been at least two high-profile arrests in West Seattle this afternoon, and we’ve received lots of messages about them, so here’s what little we know: Above is a photo we took about an hour and a half ago at 24th and Barton, where we had gone after a tip that Seattle Police SWAT officers had been trying to get somebody to come out – we’ve blurred the suspect’s face because we have no idea if he is charged with a crime. Police on the scene would confirm only that it was related to a warrant, and that’s all the information we’ve been able to get so far.
Earlier on Alki:
That’s one of several photos tweeted to us with reports of SWAT officers arresting or detaining someone in the 2700 block of Alki SW. Tipster Scott says an officer at the scene told him it was a “drug bust”; we haven’t been able to get any comment from police at all, but will keep trying to follow up.
WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON: Police tell us the man arrested at Pegasus was one of two brothers arrested yesterday, “part of an on-going investigation that began back in March.” We’re told the other one was arrested in Magnolia, so we still don’t know if the Westwood arrest had anything to do with the same case.
Mystery boat on Alki Beach: No, it’s not abandoned
1:16 PM: Starting with a note from Jennifer in the 5 am hour, we’ve received several tips and questions about that beached boat at Alki (near 57th SW), and finally have some information to share. Here’s what Joelle Hammerstad at Seattle Parks found out for us: “Apparently, the owner was coming around the point, got into some mechanical trouble, and came ashore right there. There has been an insurance adjuster out looking at it. They are waiting for high tide to get it out of there.” (High tide hits about 11 feet at 7:16 tonight and 9:08 tomorrow morning.)
8:38 PM: Still there at sunset:
Thanks to Guy Olson for the photo!
Meet your new Neighborhood District Coordinator: Jenny Frankl
(Photo by WSB co-publisher Patrick Sand)
If you don’t recognize at least two of the people in our photo – you probably aren’t involved with a local neighborhood council or project (yet!). Just as this morning’s storm hit its peak, we were visiting the city’s Neighborhood Service Center at Southwest Teen Life Center (2801 SW Thistle) after getting word that a new Neighborhood District Coordinator had joined the South Region team. That’s her at right – Jenny Frankl, with, from left, Yun Pitre and Ed Pottharst. Their work for the city’s Department of Neighborhoods involves serving as liaisons between community groups/members and city government, and a LOT more – explained here. You might know Jenny already from the long list of Department of Neighborhoods programs on which she’s worked since 2008.
‘Tis the season to snag a spot at HPIC’s holiday bazaar
Chilly storm moves through, a little ice from the sky … In the holiday mood yet? Highland Park Improvement Club hopes so – Christie Sjostrom is organizing this year’s Holiday Bazaar for Saturday, November 9th, 10 am-3 pm, and looking for vendors, $20/table, $15 for HPIC members, handmade arts/crafts only (no commercial items) – e-mail her ASAP to snag your spot, csjostrom@hotmail.com.
West Seattle Weather Watch: Tuesday thunderstorms
(Photo added: M/V Kaleetan off Alki with storm advancing from the north, around 10:15 am)
10:59 AM: Lightning, thunder, downpour, then hail – all in the past 15 minutes or so! How is it where you are?
11:19 AM UPDATE: We stand corrected – technically not hail. Some kind of ice pellet, sleet, frozen rain, etc. See/hear for yourself in our Instagram clip from inside the car. (If you can’t see it above, go here.) The National Weather Service’s “short-term forecast” alert said this would last until about 11:15 am, and since the rain has eased up a lot, they seem to be right!
1:25 PM UPDATE: And the wild weather is back – after a sunbreak, the rain resumed, then a few minutes ago, thunder and now it looks like that icy rain/sleet/etc. again …
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