West Seattle, Washington

04 Friday

57℉

day : 17/12/2013 15 results

Madison Middle School students photographed by man in car, school tells parents
December 17, 2013 9:48 pm
|      30 COMMENTS
 |   Safety | West Seattle news

Another local middle school principal has sent an alert to parents. This time, it’s a recorded message from Dr. Robert Gary, Jr., at Madison Middle School, robocalled and e-mailed this evening, saying that three Madison students reported today that a man drove up and photographed them. We won’t be able to find out more from police or school officials until tomorrow, but we’ve received the audio file from a parent and have transcribed the information with which it begins:

“Good evening, Madison parents. This is Dr. Gary, interim principal at MMS. On December 16th at 2:30 in the afternoon, three Madison students reported that a man in a four-door older model gray car rolled down his window and took pictures of them with a red camera. This incident occurred two blocks north of Madison on Stevens Street. The person is described as a white male with gray hair, age 50 to 60. The students informed their parents when they arrived home and parents contacted the police. The Seattle Police reported the incident to Madison staff yesterday at 4 o’clock pm …”

The message continues from there with safety tips, almost word-for-word what was in the Denny/Sealth letter about the Roxhill Park incident. Dr. Gary’s audio can be heard in its entirety here (MP3). We haven’t seen a written version of it, if any was sent.

P.S. It should be noted, it is not a crime to photograph someone, of any age, who is in a public place or visible from a public place, but since the school was concerned enough to alert its families, we are sharing the information here too, and will update tomorrow with anything additional we find out from police and/or Seattle Public Schools.

Share This

West Seattle holiday giving: Donation dropoffs wrap up @ WestSide Baby
December 17, 2013 8:48 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

WestSide Baby is thanking everyone who’s donated this holiday season, now that pre-Christmas dropoff time is over. And it’s thanking volunteers, too! Here’s an update from WS Baby executive director Nancy Woodland:

Christmas came early to WestSide Baby when the Westside School third grade class delivered handmade blankets Monday! (photo above) These are some of the last item donations of the year as we wind up our 2013 collections tomorrow.

To celebrate a year with record distributions, we honored our regular volunteers today at the newly opened Bridge Tavern.

Just this year, this group of amazing people as well as groups and one time drop ins have given more than 9500 hours of time, with 570 hours from just one amazing woman named Lissa! They keep us rolling and we are so appreciative. Join this team in 2014!

Our last distribution to families in need will go out on Thursday through our 80 social-service-agency partners marking a record number of children served this year as 400 orders head out the door this week.

We want to make sure people know our donation center and drop sites will be closed to item dropoffs starting tomorrow. We are amazed at the community generosity and we will definitely continue to need your gently used and new items as we start filling orders again on January 2. From now until that date, we ask donors to hold onto their amazing used items as we start the counting of every sock, diaper and pacifier in our operations center. Exceptions for those who held a drive and prearranged a delivery with us, like the third-grade class from Our Lady of Guadalupe that is coming on Thursday! (After they have already delivered 4 car loads of amazing donations.)

We apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate our community’s patience as well as your dedication to helping us serve local children. We will very gladly accept items you have after January 2, as we know the need for essentials will continue long past the holiday season.

In the meantime, cash gifts for your 2013 tax deductions are very much appreciated through our website or by mail to 10032 15th Ave SW, Seattle Wa 98146, and we have tables and tickets available for our 13th Annual Benefit Tea on February 9th! Click the graphic:

If you have items that can’t wait, check out the other giving opportunities in the WSB Holiday Guide.

Share This

Where will West Seattle’s marijuana businesses be? More license applications
December 17, 2013 8:19 pm
|      19 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news

The state’s weekly update on recreational-marijuana business-license applications is out, and more West Seattle locations are on the list.

New retailer applications: Stuart Thomas Holding, 9831 16th SW; Owens on the Green, 4220 SW Spokane; two applications at 2218 Fairmount SW, for Advanced Green and Bud’s.

New producer applications: Raspberry LLC, 7938 7th SW, seeking a Tier 3 license; Stone Age Gardens at 5044 Fauntleroy Way SW, seeking a Tier 2 license. (The tiers are explained here.)

The state’s FAQs about licenses are here. Our reports from previous weeks’ lists are here and here.

Share This

High Point murder investigation: Name, cause of death released
December 17, 2013 6:12 pm
|      16 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | High Point | West Seattle news

New information tonight in the High Point murder investigation. The King County Medical Examiner’s Office has officially identified the victim, 46-year-old Nga Thi Nguyen. The Medical Examiner’s announcement says her death was caused by “blunt force head injury and strangulation.” No new information from police on who might be responsible or what the motive is. Ms. Nguyen was found dead inside her residence on High Point Drive around noon Saturday (here’s our first report); police announced hours later that it was a homicide investigation, the first one in West Seattle since the as-yet-unsolved Beach Drive killing of Greggette Guy in March of last year.

If you have any information for police, the Homicide Tip Line is at 206-233-5000.

Share This

Update: Avalon reopens north of Genesee after medic response, gas problem
December 17, 2013 5:02 pm
|      18 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS breaking news

ORIGINAL REPORT< 5:02 PM: A medic response and possible gas leak have Avalon blocked north of Genesee. Buses are being rerouted.

5:10 PM: The area where an odor, possibly gas, is detectable is the same area where a possible leak caused trouble some months back – the former church on the east side of Avalon. We should know more shortly – SFD public information officers have arrived.

5:22 PM: SFD’s Lt. Sue Stangl confirmed to WSB at the scene that this incident involves suicide – the natural gas was running, to the point where it was dangerous outside the apartment where it happened. The air has to clear to a safe level before the road can reopen. Medics tried but were unable to revive the victim. (If you or someone you know considers self-harm, 206-461-3222 is the Crisis Clinic‘s 24-hour line.)

5:41 PM: The road has reopened; Metro has resumed normal routing.

Share This

‘We are fed up and we need help’: WWRHAH’s letter to Mayor-elect Murray, following Roxhill Park rape report
December 17, 2013 4:46 pm
|      43 COMMENTS
 |   Safety | West Seattle news | Westwood

We talked with police again today about the Roxhill Park rape report that first emerged in a letter sent by Denny International Middle School and Chief Sealth International High School principals to their schools’ families, published here Monday afternoon. The Denny student first reported it to a school employee yesterday, saying it happened in the park around 3:30 last Thursday afternoon; police tell us the report then was given to a school-assigned police officer, and the case then was referred to the SPD Sexual Assault Unit, which hoped to have a detective speak with the victim today. With the investigation still at an early stage, no written report is available yet, we’re told. But here’s one thing in writing: The following letter just sent to Mayor-elect Ed Murray from the Westwood-Roxhill-Arbor Heights Community Council, making sure he understands the park’s crime crisis and asking what

As chronicled here previously, West Seattle’s newest community council already had been focused on the park and its challenges – and this just stepped it up further. We’ll let you know what response they receive, and will continue to follow up the investigation as well.

Share This

West Seattle Crime Watch: Frosty the Snowman stolen; 6 other cases
December 17, 2013 4:12 pm
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Wide-ranging West Seattle Crime Watch reader-report roundup today:

DENTAL BURGLARIES: From Tanya:

Two Dental offices were broken into last night, sometime after 9:00. Dr. Sorensen’s and Dr. Joon Kae’s office (Kae Dental). The offices are located in the Dakota building at 4116 California Ave Sw. The thieves gained access through the parking garage in the back of the offices. Dental instruments, intra oral camera, cash, stamps, keys, and sonicares to name a few items. I just wanted to let you know and to see if potentially anyone saw anything.

CLIENT GIFTS STOLEN FROM CAR: From Rob:

I had my Jeep broken into last night and the thieves took off with about 50 small wrapped boxes (silver wrapping) with my client thank you gifts. They were just coffee travel mugs with my logo on them…so no value to the thief, but I would still like to give them away if I could recover them. Wonder if there is a way to put out there for someone to contact me if they find them in a trash dumpster…which is what I would guess they would be put since they have no value to the thief.

Rob’s business is West Seattle Mortgage, so look for that logo and let him or police know if you have spotted any of these items.

CHILD’S BICYCLE STOLEN: From Cailey:

My 12 year old brother had his new mountain bike stolen from our secure fenced back yard on Alki Avenue. The Bike was a “Specialized” Mountain Bike; grey with black handlebars and seat, and silver shocks. My brother and parents noticed it was missing (Sunday). This is really upsetting to all of us because this bike was bought by my brother a few months ago after saving all his lawn mowing and lemonade stand money for the entire summer. This bike was a replacement bike for another bike that was also stolen from our yard last year. My younger brother doesn’t understand why anyone would steal from our back yard feel that they can get away with it. If anyone has anyone information about this bike please let us know through email at cadullum2@gmail.com. This is the holiday time and my younger brother would have the best Christmas if his bike was returned.

Ahead – four more cases, two with video, including thieves making off with Frosty the Snowman, and mail prowlers caught on camera:

Read More

Share This

Construction trailers at Lowman Beach soon for Murray CSO project
December 17, 2013 3:27 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle beaches | West Seattle news

(From county presentation at pre-construction meeting covered here last month)
Though the Murray Combined Sewer Overflow Project – a million-gallon storage tank and its support facilities – is being built across Beach Drive from Lowman Beach Park, construction will affect the park, too, as reminded in this notice sent today:

Later this week, King County’s contractor for the Murray Combined Sewer Overflow project will begin on-site preparation for facility construction. In the next few days, the contractor will install security fencing around the Murray Pump Station in Lowman Beach Park, and two trailers will be installed in the park’s northeast corner. The trailers will serve as the contractor’s office for the duration of the project.

Access to Lowman Beach Park facilities and beachfront will be maintained. Park users are encouraged to access the park through the 15-foot wide pathway north of the contractor project office. This pathway will remain open throughout construction. Parking on the west side of Beach Drive Southwest will be maintained once the trailers are installed.

King County has a project hotline for questions/concerns: 206-205-9186.
.

Share This

Know before you go: State ferries’ new ‘terminal space’ info
December 17, 2013 2:11 pm
|    Comments Off on Know before you go: State ferries’ new ‘terminal space’ info
 |   Fauntleroy | Transportation | West Seattle news

Fauntleroy is one of the Washington State Ferries terminals included in a new feature WSF is testing, showing how many spaces remain in vehicle-holding areas on docks, in hopes that will help people gauge wait time before they arrive. It’s been added to the Vessel Watch page for each terminal, pages where you also will find multiple cameras. Here’s the main page; here’s the Fauntleroy page; here’s the Southworth page. (The Vashon page doesn’t have parking-space information since vehicle fares are not collected there.) WSF emphasizes it’s testing this feature; look for the “Feedback” link on those pages to let them know what you think.

Share This

Update: Fire response at Alaska House in The Junction; turns out to be ‘food on stove’
December 17, 2013 1:03 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | WS breaking news

(Photo by Christopher Boffoli for WSB)
1:03 PM: Big Seattle Fire response on the way to check out a possible fire incident at the Alaska House apartments, 4545 42nd SW, just north of Junction Plaza Park.

(Added: Photo that Charles took as the initial response continued to arrive)
1:08 PM: The response is being scaled back, escept for four units – likely “food on the stove.”

1:17 PM: SFD confirms that. Christopher Boffoli, on scene for WSB, was told by a resident that a maintenance worker saw smoke coming from a unit and called SFD. Thank you to everyone who messaged us on this – including two WSB’ers who saw the specialized SFD units crossing the West Seattle Bridge and knew that was a sure sign of a potentially major call.

Share This

‘Thanks, West Seattle, for your continued sense of community’
December 17, 2013 12:55 pm
|      11 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle people

While this is the type of note that most often lands in the WSB Forums as a “Rave,” it turned up in the WSB e-mailbox instead, and we’re up for some heartening news – so, here’s what Molly reported:

We just wanted to pass along a little holiday cheer that we just encountered in West Seattle (Sunday). We accidentally left a package near Talarico’s, where a good Samaritan found it and drove it to our house in the event that we’d accidentally left behind a holiday present. While the package was empty (the contents were at N.W. Art and Frame), it had contained a print of a painting we’d seen on our honeymoon this summer. My husband, who is a little cynical about the holiday season, was struck by this woman’s kindness and thoughtfulness in driving the package all the way to our house, had it contained a gift. Thanks, West Seattle, for your continued sense of community that truly embodies the spirit of the holidays!

Share This

5 notes for the rest of your West Seattle (and beyond) Tuesday
December 17, 2013 11:47 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news

Since we might not see the sun before today is over, we’re sharing the Monday night photo sent by Chris Frankovich (thank you!). Even when visible, of course, the sunsets are so early this time of year – but have heart, the winter solstice is on Saturday. (Speaking of which, we have added solstice events to the WSB Holiday Guide.) A few things ahead today, before we get too much further:

COTTAGE GROVE COMMONS OPENING CEREMONY & TOURS: The 66-apartment DESC “supportive housing” facility Cottage Grove Commons starts move-ins tomorrow. Today, it’s hosting a 2:30 pm opening celebration and 4:30-7 pm neighborhood open house/tours; details here; our coverage of this past Sunday’s volunteer “Apartment Adoption Day” is here. (5444 Delridge Way SW)

VOLUNTEER NIGHT AT WESTSIDE BABY: 6-9 pm, lend a hand! Details here.

COMMUNITY CONCERT: At 7 pm, small woodwind and brass ensembles, members and friends of the West Seattle Community Orchestras, will be performing Christmas favorites, Scott Joplin and a recently composed “Woodwind Sextet no. 1” by Mark Hedien at the Bridge Park Retirement Living Center. The public is invited. The music will include a unique flute, bells, and piano combination, as well as a trombone quartet, woodwind sextet, clarinet quartet, and brass quintet. (3204 SW Morgan)

FINAL ‘TRIVIA THAT ROCKS’: Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor) is changing its Tuesday programming after tonight’s final edition of “Trivia That Rocks,” which starts at 8 pm. No worries, trivia fans, proprietor Jeff Gilbert says it’ll be back with some changes in February (more later on what’s ahead for Tuesdays). So don’t miss this edition. (6451 California SW)

One more note: Not in West Seattle, but we’re told more than a few West Seattle teens are involved:

‘ANYTHING GOES’! Forwarded by West Seattleite and Center School parent Steve, who says the WS kids in the production would particularly love to see audience members cross the bridge to come support their production:

The Center School – a Seattle Public High School located at the Seattle Center – is hosting their annual play right now at the Center Theater, which is located on the first floor of the Seattle Center Armory (aka The Center House). This year they are doing something completely different and daring for a High School…a musical! Come see their totally inspired interpretation of a timeless classic “Anything Goes”. No fixed ticket price; a suggested donation of $10 is all they ask. Their first show was last night (Monday) but they have two shows left, both starting at 7:30pm. You’ll thoroughly enjoy a lighthearted yet demanding production showcased in a wonderful and intimate venue.”

Share This

West Seattle development: Date for 3210 California’s next review
December 17, 2013 10:59 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle development: Date for 3210 California’s next review
 |   Development | West Seattle news

In addition to the five projects tentatively scheduled for Southwest Design Review Board meetings early in the new year (reported here last week), add one more: The fourth review for 3210 California SW – currently planned as a five-story, 149-unit, 168-parking-space mixed-use building – is on the lineup for 8 pm Thursday, February 6th, at the Senior Center of West Seattle (California/Oregon). Here’s our report on its most-recent review and an ongoing petition drive seeking a non-design-related public meeting.

Share This

Live/work in The Junction/Triangle? JuNO launches holiday contest, ‘waste less’ campaign
December 17, 2013 9:27 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Environment | West Seattle news

The relaunched Junction Neighborhood Organization – JuNO – wants to encourage people to waste less and recycle more – with a fun holiday contest as part of the campaign. From René Commons:

JuNO is participating in the Waste Management Challenge which runs from October through March 2013.

There are two ways to win the challenge. One way is for the community that reduces the most garbage (residential); WM monitors volume. The other way is for community to complete monthly recycling outreach challenges.

Flashmobs, YouTube videos, posters, flyers and meetings … you get the idea. So JuNO members have been active this December, distributing flyers and talking about the challenge to neighbors at the Farmers Market about the Think Green Reuse & Recycling Challenge.

In conjunction with the outreach at the Farmers Market, JuNO is having a contest for neighbors to let their Recycling Creativity Shine!

We are asking for people to create gift wrap, ornaments, and of course best reindeer antlers (pets included)

Juno will have a booth at the WS Solstice Farmers Market on December 22nd. Neighbors can bring their entries and we will select the winners at 1:30.

We hope to win $2,000 by winning the December Challenge, which will help us to kick start the organization and get the word out about JuNO and that there is a neighborhood organization here in the Junction they can join.

Look for a related music video later this week. And if you have a question – e-mail wsjuno@yahoo.com.

Share This

TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Tuesday updates; closure tonight
December 17, 2013 7:30 am
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(More area traffic cams on the WSB Traffic page)
7:30 AM: No major problems reported on the routes out of West Seattle so far this morning. Another reminder: This week’s overnight lane (and more) closures for I-5 through downtown include a full northbound closure tonight into tomorrow morning.

7:51 AM UPDATE: Multiple reports of a crash – no injuries reported or responded to at this point but still multiple cars, blocking a lane – on the eastbound bridge from Fauntleroy.

8:12 AM: Can’t see it from the pedestrian walkover – so if it’s still not cleared, it’s somewhere east of there. Meantime, from comments, a crash reported at Delridge/Andover.

8:37 AM: Both of the aforementioned situations are reported to have cleared. Meantime, here’s a traffic view we hadn’t noticed before, via the city Travelers Info Map:

At right, that’s the former “Hole,” aka Spruce, as the view looks westbound on Alaska from Fauntleroy. We’ll add it to the cameras on the WSB Traffic page, along with anything else we find that we don’t already have.

Share This