day : 25/02/2014 12 results

IN CASE YOU WONDERED: Thanks to Guy for tipping us to a large police presence today at noontime at the former Life Care Center (47th/Admiral)/future Aegis Living site. The last officer leaving told us they were checking out an alarm – but they found no one, and no signs of break-in. Since it’s a big campus, there was a big initial response.

HOME BREAK-IN: Greg (40th and Hudson; map) says he saw a “smash-and-grab”-type home break-in in his neighborhood this afternoon, and wants people to be on the lookout. He first noticed “2 or 3 guys in a light tan or light goldish colored compact car. They stopped their car in front of my neighbor’s house. One of the guys slowly walked around back of the house. I thought it was odd seeing him walk directly around back, but was wondering if it was a workman assigned to do some kind of work. … Shortly after this I thought I heard a loud sound from the direction of the house, but wasn’t sure if it was some kind of work commencing or what.” Then he noticed at least one other person was still in the car, and its engine was still running. The first person came back to the car “with some object like a box or a stereo receiver of some type,” and they left. He still wasn’t certain something was wrong, since his neighbor usually is home during the day and it might have been a pre-scheduled delivery – but he found out otherwise when police arrived later. He says, “The crooks seemed to have gotten away with a small safe box of some sort.” The only description information he had was that both suspects were male and African-American – the one who got out of the car was about six feet tall, wearing a dark cap.

CAR BREAK-IN: Lisa reported her husband’s car was broken into in the Target parking lot at Westwood Village early last Saturday.

P.S. We were at tonight’s West Seattle Block Watch Captains Network meeting, featuring new precinct commander Capt. Steve Wilske – no new crime revelations, but watch for our report tomorrow on the discussion centering on how SPD can better collaborate with citizens on neighborhood safety.

Share This

Update: Pedestrians hit by drivers in Junction, Westwood areas

February 25, 2014 8:57 pm

| 8 COMMENTS

| Safety | West Seattle news

ORIGINAL REPORT, 8:57 PM TUESDAY: That photo is from Christopher Boffoli, who is just back from 45th and Glenn (map) on the west side of The Junction, where there was a sizable Seattle Fire medical callout after a pedestrian was hit by a driver. Christopher says the driver’s Prius was apparently headed north onto 45th from Glenn. The pedestrian’s injuries turned out not to be life-threatening, so SFD called for a private ambulance to take him to the hospital.

ADDED 1:39 PM WEDNESDAY: We have also confirmed that an incident near Westwood last night was also a case of a driver hitting a pedestrian. SFD spokesperson Kyle Moore says the victim was a 17-year-old girl, who did not suffer life-threatening injuries. Medics transported her to Harborview Medical Center in stable condition. Moore also says the victim in the Junction crash was a 45-year-old man who was in serious condition when transported.

Share This

WWRHAH transit-hub-tour followup: Metro terminal/layover changes to start Saturday

February 25, 2014 8:02 pm

| 7 COMMENTS

| Transportation | West Seattle news

(WSB photo from December 2013)
The 25th SW driveway dangers on the east side of Westwood Village were among the problems noted when the Westwood-Roxhill-Arbor Heights Neighborhood Council led a December walking tour of challenges in the evolving transit-hub zones around the shopping center (WSB coverage here). Tonight, chair Amanda Kay Helmick shares this update from Metro:

“We’re planning to shift the Route 60 starting this coming Saturday, moving the terminal on 25th Ave SW at SW Henderson by the Bank, up to the north end of the block by Staples. SDOT is updating the curb striping along here this week, so there will be room for the extra bus. SDOT will also extend the layover zone south of Henderson, used by Route 560, so that there will be more clearance and better visibility at the Westwood Driveway when there are two buses parked here. SDOT is able to work around the Metro coaches so there shouldn’t be any need for detours and there also shouldn’t be much impact to riders with this change other than when the 60 arrives at Westwood they would get off at Staples instead of the Bank. We will continue to use the stop by the Bank as a boarding zone for riders but it will no longer have any buses parking there.”

Helmick had early word of some of this in an update at this month’s WWRHAH meeting (WSB coverage here). She adds one more update: “In regards to the 70′ no-parking area west of the crosswalk at the Rapid Ride, Metro was asking SDOT today about the time frame.” So, watch for more updates, and check out WWRHAH’s March meeting next week.

Share This

3 local schools get $310,000 grants from Families and Education Levy

February 25, 2014 6:41 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

The city has just announced four schools will get grants of $310,000 each from the 2011 Families and Education Levy for next school year – and three of them are from this area: West Seattle Elementary, Sanislo Elementary, and Concord International Elementary. The “Elementary Innovation” grants “will fund after-school tutoring programs, family support services, and in-school academic support,” according to the official city announcement, which also mentions new Summer Learning grants for six sites around the city including Southwest Early Learning.

Share This

Do you know anything about this neglected, hurt dog found in West Seattle? $5,000 reward

February 25, 2014 3:14 pm

| 47 COMMENTS

| Pets | West Seattle news

Just in from the Seattle Animal Shelter – a plea for information about that dog, found neglected and injured in Highland Park:

The Humane Society of the United States is offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to the identification, arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the neglect and abuse of a dog found in West Seattle last week. The dog showed clear signs of neglect and has been treated for a serious wound from a severely embedded collar.

On Thursday, Feb. 20, the dog pictured was found in the 8600 block of 8th Avenue Southwest. As the dog was extremely frightened, it took 20 minutes of coaxing for a Good Samaritan and Humane Law Enforcement Officer to lure the dog out of hiding. The dog’s collar had cut so far into the dog’s neck that it was not visible on exam and had to be surgically removed. Animal neglect such as this is animal cruelty and it is a crime.

Details of where the dog has been for the past several weeks are unknown. If you recognize the dog or know where this dog has been, please call Seattle Animal Shelter Manager of Field Services Ann Graves at (206) 386-4288. Please reference case number 14-13914. Any information about the dog’s previous whereabouts is vital to solving this case.

“Neglecting an animal to the point that no one loosens a collar that is literally cutting into the flesh of the animal’s neck is unconscionable and a clear violation of our state’s animal cruelty statutes,” said Dan Paul, Washington State Director for The Humane Society of the United States. “We are grateful that this dog is now safe in the good hands of the Seattle Animal Shelter staff, and hopeful that this reward brings forward anyone with information about this heinous act of cruelty.”

First-degree animal cruelty is a Class C felony punishable by five years in prison, a $10,000 fine or both.

The Seattle Animal Shelter enforces both SMC 9.25.081 and RCW 16.52.205, which make it illegal to abuse or neglect an animal. If you feel that an animal is being neglected or abused, please contact the Seattle Animal Shelter at (206) 386-7387.

SAS spokesperson Julie Moore says the dog originally came to authorities’ attention because a resident (same one mentioned above as a Good Samaritan) called to report this dog was lying in their yard.

Share This

West Seattle businesses: Longtime local attorney Sharon Best retiring, inviting you to the party

February 25, 2014 2:34 pm

| 6 COMMENTS

| West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

After a quarter-century, West Seattle attorney Sharon Best is retiring – sort of – but part of her practice will carry on. Here’s her message:

I would like to give a sincere and resounding Thank YOU to all of my clients, and clients who have become dear friends, for their growing and continuing support of my law practice over the years. Many people know that I retired to West Seattle in 1988 after serving 20 years in the Army. I set up my little law practice here in 1989, focusing on real estate and estate planning, despite being assured by other lawyers that I couldn’t make it without including family law or personal injury law.

25 years later, I’m here and they are not. Well, I need to stop practicing at this point so I can provide a needed presence to my partner of 30 years who is suffering from a disease diagnosed as Primary Progressive Aphasia. I want to be here with her as long as she can be here with me, and this means stopping my practice of law. While I may still do an occasional legal thing for friend or family, and I will be here to answer any background questions that the inheritors of my practice may have, I need to focus on my personal responsibilities at this time.

In the meantime, I wish everyone well, all my great clients, all of the real estate agents who have given us their trust to handle escrow transactions of all sorts, Heather de Vrieze, Elizabeth Carney, Kailei Feeney (the lawyers in deVrieze|Carney who still practice great law) and Cindy Benedict and Joline Fullwiler, my wonderful escrow staff, who have just been approved to handle escrow transactions as Best Escrow, LLC:

Best Escrow LLC is throwing me a retirement party and combining it with an Open House to celebrate their new status on Friday, March 7, 2014, from 3:00 to 7:00 pm at THE WHITE HOUSE, 3909 California Ave SW. I hope my clients and friends will stop by to see me off and welcome the new kids on the block.

Share This

You can help! Early alert for 22nd annual Fairmount Ravine Cleanup

February 25, 2014 12:06 pm

| 7 COMMENTS

| How to help | West Seattle news

(WSB photo by Nick Adams, from 2013 Fairmount Ravine cleanup)
Even if you don’t live in the Fairmount Ravine neighborhood – that’s the ravine running under the eastern Admiral Way Bridge, from east Alki up to Admiral – you might consider helping out with neighbors’ upcoming annual cleanup. From Sarah Schieron:

Please mark your calendars for the 22nd (!) anniversary of our neighborhood’s annual clean-up of the Fairmount Ravine. This local natural treasure needs the loving care of our community to help remove garbage and invasive plants each year. Please join us to give this special greenbelt the TLC it deserves.

*Saturday, March 15th, 8:30 am (stay as little or as long as you can)

*Meet at the top of the hill at Fairmount and Forest – directly east of Hiawatha Park

*Refreshments provided

*Please wear gloves, boots and old clothes as we remove garbage and invasive plants

*All ages welcome – my two kids (5 and 2) truly enjoy this experience each year.

*Rain or shine

*We hope to see some of you soon!

Seldom a dull cleanup – here’s our report from last year, and the 2012 wrapup.

Share This

New 5K along Alki this year: Earth Day Run on April 19th

February 25, 2014 10:44 am

| Comments Off on New 5K along Alki this year: Earth Day Run on April 19th

| West Seattle news | WS & Sports

10:44 AM: Add another 5K to the lineup of run/walk events on Alki this year. The Earth Day Run is set for Saturday, April 19th. Seattle Magazine launched this annual run last year at Myrtle Edwards Park and is moving it across the bay to Alki this time around. Start is listed as 9:30 am, round trip from Alki Bathhouse, with other events including an awards ceremony and beer garden. Part of the proceeds benefit EarthCorps. More info on the Earth Day Run is here. (Could be a good warmup for the West Seattle 5K four weeks later, on Alki May 18th!)

2:02 PM: This run will close Alki SW until 11:30 that morning, except for residential access, we have confirmed with Seattle Magazine’s Katie Williams – some 5K events just travel on the path/trail, so we wanted to verify this for anyone wondering.

Share This

West Seattle Tuesday: From dinner to development, and beyond…

February 25, 2014 9:40 am

| 7 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Photo by Trileigh Tucker)
Morning through night, today’s calendar is overflowing – and here are nine of the highlights:

DREAM DINNERS SALE: Longtime WSB sponsor Dream Dinners-West Seattle invites you to stop by and get great buys today on three- and six-serving dinners, sides, and desserts, 11:30 am-1 pm and 5:30-7 pm, no minimum purchase, first-come, first-served. “Lots of 30-minutes-or-less dinners and meals perfect for the crockpot,” says DD’s Leslie Thomson. Call 206-938-5999 with questions. (4701 41st SW, outer Jefferson Square, corner of 41st/Alaska)

‘THROWIN’ SAMOAN’ JACK THOMPSON @ SSCC: Free this afternoon? Come to South Seattle Community College (WSB sponsor) to hear former WSU and NFL quarterback Jack “The Throwin’ Samoan” Thompson talk about “his football career, life after football and his roots in White Center,” as announced by SSCC; the event is sponsored by the school’s Asian American-Native American-Pacific Islander program. 1 pm in Olympic Hall on the south end of campus. (6000 16th SW)

WHY THE EVERY-OTHER-WEEK TRASH-PICKUP IDEA WAS SCRAPPED: 2 pm today is the City Council Public Utilities and Neighborhoods Committee discussion that was scheduled before the mayor’s “we’re not doing it” announcement. (City Hall)

IMPROVING INTERSECTION SAFETY: City Councilmember Tom Rasmussen sends word of a 4:30-5:30 pm SDOT tour of the five-way intersection at Chelan, Delridge, Spokane, and West Marginal, as safety improvements are discussed. Meet at the Chelan Café. (3527 Chelan SW)

FAIRMOUNT PARK ELEMENTARY INFO NIGHT: 6-8 pm at Alki Elementary, come meet planning principal Julie Breidenbach and find out more about the expanding/reopening Fairmount Park Elementary – details in our listing. (3010 59th SW)

WEST SEATTLE BLOCK WATCH CAPTAINS NETWORK: Tonight’s monthly meeting brings a chance to talk with new precinct commander Capt. Steve Wilske, 6:30 pm, Southwest Precinct. (Delridge/Webster)

WEST SEATTLE SEE DOGS: 6:30 pm at The Kenney (WSB sponsor), the guide-puppy-raising group invites you to come see what’s involved with raising a future guide dog, as previewed here. (7125 Fauntleroy Way SW)

TOWNHOME-REZONE MEETING: 7 pm tonight, West Seattle Church of the Nazarene hosts a community meeting about the six townhomes proposed on part of its “park” site south of the church. Here’s our preview, which links to our previous reports about the project. (42nd/Juneau)

PUBLIC HEALTH CAFE: Come to Chaco Canyon Organic Café and find out what you don’t know about microbes, 7 pm; details in our listing. (38th/Alaska)

LOTS MORE! on the calendar.

Share This

You can help! WSHS sophomores’ charity-benefit tournament needs basketball players, volunteer refs

February 25, 2014 9:04 am

| Comments Off on You can help! WSHS sophomores’ charity-benefit tournament needs basketball players, volunteer refs

| West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

Know a 6th-through-12th grader who loves to play basketball? The West Seattle High School Class of 2016 hopes they’ll sign up (ASAP!) for an upcoming charity-benefit tournament. Sophomore-class rep Gabby Carufel shares the invitation – and says they’re looking for volunteer referees, too:

The West Seattle High School Sophomore class is hosting a 3 x 3 Basketball tournament “206 BANG OUT” on Saturday, March 15th which will benefit Treehouse and help improve lives of foster kids in our community.

This event is for 6th – 12th grade kids, with open divisions for all skill levels, Saturday, March 15th, from 9-3 pm in the WSHS Gym. Cost is $20 dollars per team.

To sign up, please contact: 206bangoutrsvp@gmail.com Entry deadline is March 3rd.

We are also looking for experienced people who would like to help with refereeing at this event.

Bring your friends, bring your family and take it to the hoops!

Download the registration form here (PDF).

Share This

TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Tuesday travels

February 25, 2014 6:56 am

| 3 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(More cameras, and other info, on the WSB Traffic page)
Another quiet start to the morning commute. And another reminder about this weekend’s Highway 99/Alaskan Way Viaduct inspection closures – details here.

IN CASE YOU MISSED THE METRO NEWS: Two stories on Monday – first, news that the state will extend Highway 99-related “mitigation” money for at least a year and a half, which holds off June cuts that would have hit our area the hardest; second, the tax measure to hold off even-more-drastic cuts countywide is officially going to the April 22nd ballot.

TEMPORARY COMMUTER REPORT: Continuing our temporary commuter status, going downtown Mondays-Thursdays while the Morgan Junction murder trial continues – took the bridge to 4th Avenue once again. This time, reverse of the day before – the bridge was sluggish but 4th moved fast. Left at 8:15 am, ten minutes later than the day before, but it still was just under half an hour to our courthouse-vicinity, earlybird-discount parking garage. Hoping to try an alternate commute before the week’s out, but it requires extra planning and time; catching a bus from here to The Junction will require walking out the door around 7:30 am.

Share This

Morgan Junction murder trial: 5 more witnesses on the stand

February 25, 2014 2:04 am

| 15 COMMENTS

| Crime | West Seattle news

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

More challenges with witness-wrangling logistics led to a short Monday in the trial of Lovett “Cid” Chambers, the Gatewood man charged with second-degree murder in the deadly Morgan Junction shooting two years ago.

The trial technically is in its second month, having started weeks of motion hearings in early January, followed by jury selection, but presentations did not begin until last Wednesday, after the jury was seated, so Monday was the second day of witness testimony.

Today’s five witnesses included three Seattle Police officers with various roles in the police operation after Chambers, now 69, shot 35-year-old Travis Hood (photo at right). The shooting itself is not in dispute; jurors are being asked to decide if it was a crime, or, as the defense contends, self-defense.

But the day began with another former member of the staff at Feedback Lounge, where Chambers and Hood (accompanied that night by friend Jamie Vause, expected to testify later this week) had both been drinking – though nowhere near each other – before the shooting up the block.

Share This