West Seattle, Washington
25 Thursday
(WSB photos by Christopher Boffoli, replacing previous traffic-cam image)
9:42 PM: Police are investigating a collision at the east end of the low bridge, at 11th/Spokane, reported (as monitored via scanner) as car vs. pedestrian. The area is blocked off for investigation, and it sounds as if the Traffic Collision Investigation Squad will be called out.
10:19 PM UPDATE: WSB’s Christopher Boffoli reports the male victim was riding a bicycle and that police believe it was a hit-and-run. The east end of the low bridge remains blocked.
12:19 AM: The traffic camera at 11th/Spokane indicates investigators are still there. No word on the victim’s condition; we hope more information will be available from SPD and SFD later this morning.
1:54 AM: Police have just announced (monitored via scanner) that the roadway is open again.
11:33 AM: More info just published on SPD Blotter, including what to do if you have any information:
Police are searching for a motorist who struck a cyclist on Harbor Island on Thursday night and sped away.
Witnesses found the bloodied and seriously injured cyclist lying in the street at 11 Ave. S.W. and S.W. Spokane St around 8:20 PM and called 911.
Seattle Fire Department Medics responded and transported the victim to Harborview Medical Center with serious but non-life-threatening injuries.
Traffic Collision Investigation detectives also responded to the scene and are investigating the case. Detectives believe the victim was struck while riding westbound along Spokane Street.
Detectives are asking anyone with information to please call them at (206) 684-8923 or 911.
ADDED: New information from SPD Friday night: “Detectives have reason to believe the suspect vehicle is light metallic blue and is missing the right side mirror. The vehicle should have damage to the front bumper as well as heavy damage to the windshield. The suspect’s vehicle had been traveling westbound at the time of the collision and likely continued over the lower bridge and into West Seattle. Detectives are asking anyone with information to please call TCIS Detective Andrew Norton at (206) 684-8934.”
(Trailer for “Find Your Way”)
One week from tonight, West Seattle filmmaker Brian Nunes‘s documentary “Find Your Way” will have its Seattle premiere. It’s about buskers – street musicians, “some just trying their hand at busking for the first time and others who earn a full-time living from it.” Plus, says Nunes, it features “some well-known artists who’ve had experience playing on the street (including West Seattle resident Chris Ballew of The Presidents and world-renowned classical violinist Joshua Bell).” He adds that the film “on its surface is a street documentary about the struggles of making it in a world driven relentlessly by the allure of fame, but at its core is an examination of what it means to be successful - a topic we can all relate to.” Last month, “Find Your Way” won Best Documentary at the Houston International Film Festival. Next Thursday (May 29th), you can see it at 6:30 pm at the Jewelbox Theater, after a short live-music preshow with two performers from the film, and a short discussion post-screening. Nunes himself is a former busker. Admission is free but to make sure there’s room, go here to reserve a spot; the Jewelbox is at 2322 2nd Ave. in Belltown.
(WSB file photo of West Seattle Car Show in The Junction)
Though its founder is gone, the West Seattle Car Show is likely to go on. Its future was uncertain after the sudden, early death this past March of Michael Hoffman, who launched the show in 2008 and made it happen each year since, but after reaching out to seek your opinion last month, two local car-care businesses (both WSB sponsors) are moving forward with plans to keep it going – and asking for your help:
Following up on the West Seattle Blog poll regarding the West Seattle Car Show, published April 30, 2014, thank you for the overwhelmingly positive response. It is clear that the car show is an enormously popular community event.
Swedish Automotive, Inc. and West Seattle Autoworks are pleased to announce that we are moving forward with preparations for the West Seattle Car Show, scheduled for September 14th, 2014, to be located in the West Seattle Junction!
There are many details and pieces to put in place between now and then, and this is where we need your help … If you volunteered for the West Seattle Car Show in previous years (or would like to volunteer this year) or have key pieces of information regarding preparation for this event, and you are willing to share yourself as a resource, please email wscarshow@gmail.com with your contact information and a brief description of how you can help. Thank you in advance for your participation!
Watch for updates as the planning continues!
Even before Tuesday night’s West Seattle Crime Prevention Council meeting, Southwest Precinct police leaders had promised that the Roxhill Park/Westwood Village area would be one of three emphasis spots for beefed-up summertime prevention/enforcement efforts. Westwood in particular dominated the discussion, though precinct commander Capt. Steve Wilske said his “summer plan” had not yet won final approval from department leadership.
SUMMER PLAN: With the recent warm weather, “Alki’s starting to get real busy for us,” Capt. Wilske began, saying he plans to have extra officers there on Friday and Saturday nights for starters, as well as increased patrols for Roxhill/Westwood and for Lincoln Park.
One of his strategies, also mentioned at earlier community meetings, is to get officers onto bicycles, at least part-time. He said he’s hoping to have bikes and gear for up to 12 officers. “They’ll be patrol officers, I can’t exempt them from 911 response, (but) they’ll have bikes so when they have down time they’ll be able to get into one of these emphasis areas and start riding.”
WESTWOOD VILLAGE: Community Police Team Officer Jon Kiehn said the recent trouble with shoplifting, threats, and more, tends to involve “the same people over and over again.”
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
On this second consecutive day of Guardian One visits to West Seattle, you might remember a helicopter search near The Junction one night almost four months ago, when a stolen pickup truck was driven through a fence, 
and the suspected driver was found inside a nearby house where he used to live. The man arrested that night, 32-year-old Nicholas Broughton, was charged with hit-run, trespass, possession of a stolen vehicle – and got out of jail two weeks after his arrest, posting bond after his original $100,000 bail was cut to $25,000 by King County Superior Court Judge Catherine Shaffer.
Less than a month after that first arrest – as reported here – more charges were filed against Broughton in a separate case, alleged ID theft involving credit/debit cards stolen in car prowls (with at least one West Seattle victim). Superior Court Judge Patrick Oishi denied prosecutors’ request to raise Broughton’s bail after those charges were filed, even though they told him about Broughton’s lengthy criminal history and record of failing to appear.
So now, three months after that second round of charges, we discovered via a routine check of online files that an arrest warrant is out for Broughton today because of … a failure to appear. Court records show he didn’t show up for a case-setting hearing yesterday. If and when he’s found – the bail amount will be that original $100,000, as approved yesterday by yet another Superior Court Judge, Jim Rogers. We’d assume 911 would want to hear about it if you see him – mention the warrant. (The photo above, originally shown in our March report, is from the state Corrections Department, taken during a previous prison stay by Broughton.)
(WSB photo: Genesee closed on Tuesday, before crew discovered things weren’t working out)
The latest on the road-work saga we’ve been following over the past few days, with the help of neighbors in the work zones: SDOT confirms the work to improve traction on the steep hills of SW Genesee (east of Avalon) and SW Charlestown (west of 46th) is indeed on indefinite hold – because the crews, well, couldn’t get traction. SDOT spokesperson Marybeth Turner elaborates:
The asphalt grinding work to improve traction is on hold until further notice.
The contractor was able to grind the level portion of Southwest Charlestown Street (45-46th), but encountered difficulty with the equipment as the contractor’s crews moved onto the hill (46-47th). The contractor explains that this type of grinding generally takes place on wide, level highways and the equipment was not built with steep grades in mind. The newer, higher power model machine they tried was unable to climb the hill and grind at the same time, even with support from an auxiliary vehicle. The contractor is looking at alternate machinery and methods to see if there is a way to improve traction on the remaining locations on Southwest Charlestown Street, Southwest Genesee Street, and West Dravus Street.
The problem was not encountered in the first work zone, on Olson at the east end of Roxbury, when crews were there last weekend – as you probably know, it’s not nearly as steep.
10:59 AM: Just checked with Seattle Police; the Guardian One helicopter is helping them look for a domestic-violence suspect. That’s all we know so far; thanks for the texts about Westwood/Roxhill chopper sightings.
11:23 AM: No update on the search but the scanner indicates Guardian One is off to another case elsewhere in the city. On their Twitter feed, the helicopter crew describes the West Seattle assignment as having assisted in a case involving a “foot pursuit.” We’re also checking with Seattle Public Schools regarding commenters’ reports of shelter-in-place at Chief Sealth IHS.
11:48 AM: Still trying to get more info on the incident itself, and whether the suspect was arrested, but we did confirm with CSIHS by phone that the brief “shelter-in-place” has since been lifted.
12:15 PM: SPS spokesperson Lesley Rogers tells us Denny IMS and Roxhill Elementary also were in “shelter in place” for about 20 minutes, and that it was lifted an hour ago. (Added: An Explorer West MS [WSB sponsor] parent tells us they got word that school also took precautions for a similar amount of time.)
(Spotted towhee, photographed by Mark Wangerin)
With the holiday weekend in view, things are getting quieter. Almost quiet enough to hear the birds sing in the middle of a busy day (some of them start before dawn – 4:15 am, today!). But we’re still seeing gems on the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, including:
TOUR THE LONGHOUSE WITH THE DUWAMISH TRIBE’S LEADER: 1-2 pm, with discounted admission as part of Museum Week, you’re invited to tour the Duwamish Longhouse with Cecile Hansen, longtime elected chair of the Duwamish Tribe and great-great-great-great-grandniece of Chief Seattle. More info in our listing. (4705 W. Marginal Way SW)
NATURE, AFTER SCHOOL: Explore Camp Long with naturalist Stewart Wechsler, 3:30-4:30 pm, reservations suggested – details on his website. (5200 35th SW)
PITCH IN AT THE COMMUNITY ORCHARD: 5-7 pm Thursdays, you’re invited to tour and help out at the Community Orchard of West Seattle on the north side of the South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) campus, as explained here. (6000 16th SW)
GOOD EVENING, STARSHINE: Checked out the acclaimed production of “Hair” at ArtsWest (WSB sponsor) yet? 7:30 pm is your next chance; info here. (4711 California SW)
LIVE MUSIC: Tonight’s highlights include rockabilly at Salty’s (WSB sponsor), world/funk/acoustic/soul at Skylark Café and Club. (Are your entertainment venue’s listings in our calendar? No? Listings are free – just send the info to editor@westseattleblog.com at least a week in advance – thank you!)
We usually take it directly to recycling (and really should sign up for e-billing, since we always e-pay) but for some reason, when ours arrived this week, we looked at the newsletter – and discovered something we hadn’t heard. It’s small, but if you have routines around bill payment, you might want to know: Seattle City Light is changing meter-reading routes, mostly south of downtown, and that’s changing the billing dates. Go here to read about it and see how/whether yours is changing, either by clicking on a map or entering part of your account number.
(WS Bridge and Highway 99 views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
6:25 AM: The holiday weekend is almost here! First, it’s time for Thursday’s traffic watch.
4:24 PM: Fairly quiet day on the roads, until now. Big emergency response has closed 14th Avenue South in South Park between Cloverdale and Henderson – a driver hit two pedestrians. Neither has major injuries, according to SFD. (Update: It reopened relatively quickly.)
There’s a lot more to the free-parking lots in The Junction than just striped asphalt without pay stations – Junction businesses pay special assessments to maintain them. This Friday, some proposed changes in the rules for those assessments, four years in the making, have the West Seattle Junction Association going before a City Council committee. After spotting the item on the agenda for the Finance amd Culture Committee, with WSJA director Susan Melrose listed as scheduled to speak to councilmembers, we talked to her Wednesday to find out more:
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