West Seattle, Washington
19 Tuesday
Police say stolen cars are often abandoned relatively close to where they were taken – so there’s a chance this car could be somewhere in West Seattle. Mike e-mailed tonight to get the word out about the theft:
Our locked vehicle was taken from near the intersection of 41st Ave SW and SW Hinds at some point between late Tuesday night and Wednesday morning. There wasn’t really anything in the car, and the vehicle isn’t worth that much, but we’re hoping folks might keep an eye out for it, since my commute to work is a little complicated without it. A police report has been filed.
Basic details: It’s a white, two-door 1994 Honda Civic. It has a black bra on the front and a missing vertical strip along the driver’s side window.
As police say when they tweet stolen-car reports like this, if you see it, call 911.
(THURSDAY MORNING UPDATE: Adding info from Tukwila PD re: injured officer, more)
(Crash scene on westbound bridge curve, photo by Christopher Boffoli for WSB)
6:59 PM: Thanks for all the tips about a big police/fire response on the westbound bridge near the Admiral exit – it’s on the 911 log as a crash -working to find out more.
(Part of the search scene off the bridge near Admiral/Manning, photo by Patrick Sand)
7:03 PM: This was a pursuit involving a pickup truck, we’ve learned, and the suspect reportedly went down the bridge, which is why police are searching beneath it, near where Avalon meets the bridge. We’re told the crash scene appears to involve a police vehicle.
7:10 PM: Comments have more information about what was seen unfolding and confirm the police vehicle involvement. There also is at least one helicopter in the area.
7:20 PM: Access is blocked off for some of the neighborhoods beneath the bridge – Bradford, Manning.
7:33 PM: From our crew covering this – the truck involved in the crash was stolen and had rammed a Tukwila Police vehicle. As commenters are saying (read below), the truck was seen dodging between vehicles on the westbound bridge, with officers in pursuit, before the crash.
(Photo by Christopher Boffoli for WSB)
7:41 PM: The bridge is closed westbound before Admiral because of this – you will have to get off via Delridge.
7:50 PM: With the SPD Traffic Collision Investigation Squad investigating this, chances are the bridge will be closed westbound for a few hours, so if you are headed this way any time before late evening, plan an alternate route.
7:55 PM: An update from Seattle Police via Twitter:
Collision occurred after @KingCoSheriff , Tukwila PD pursued stolen car, car collided with police car. Suspect is in custody.
— Seattle Police Dept. (@SeattlePD) January 30, 2014
8:01 PM: As noted by commenters, it’s believed the white truck that was being chased hit at least two other vehicles. No word of major injuries so far. Also an update from commenters: The closure is now after the Admiral/Harbor exit- you can get off there now.
8:19 PM UPDATE: Just talked to SPD’s Det. Mark Jamieson. He says a Tukwila Police officer was hurt, apparently in the foot chase that followed the crash. SPD is handling the crash investigation, but the rest of the case involves King County Sheriffs/Tukwila PD – Jamieson did not know where the pursuit began. No details yet on the person who is in custody.
(WSB video from back seat while going eastbound past investigation/crash scene)
9 PM UPDATE: Adding more photos. We just headed eastbound on the bridge for a passing glimpse at how it’s going, and the bridge remains closed just west of the Admiral exit, with investigators working at the scene. The previous search scene below the bridge is clear and open again, by the way, in case you weren’t sure. Also, though some comment discussion wondered about a suspect jumping off the bridge, no, Det. Jamieson said, their understanding was what we had reported – the suspect fled down the ramp.
10:28 PM UPDATE: Police have announced via radio communications that the bridge is reopening. Meantime, our partners at The Seattle Times report that this began in the Southcenter Mall area; Tukwila Police began pursuing the stolen vehicle northbound on I-5 and continued westbound onto the West Seattle Bridge.
8:37 AM THURSDAY: We’re checking with Tukwila PD for any additional details. For starters – spokesperson Mike Murphy tells us the officer who was hurt “is fine” and already out of the hospital. Otherwise, this news release excerpt from overnight is all TPD has so far:
Tukwila Officers responded to the Westfield Mall/Southcenter area to reports of a stolen vehicle. Officers located the stolen vehicle, and attempted to make a high-risk stop. The vehicle failed to stop for the officers and started northbound on Interstate 5.
Officers continued to follow and attempt to stop the stolen truck as it traveled on Interstate 5 towards Seattle. The fleeing vehicle then continued onto the West Seattle Bridge. The truck then lost control and crashed on the bridge. As the police vehicles were arriving, the stolen truck drove at one of the police vehicles, and rammed it. The suspects in the stolen truck then fled on foot after ramming the police vehicle, and all were quickly apprehended. All suspects are in custody.
9:31 AM: And a little more info about the two people arrested – a 26-year-old woman from Federal Way was driving and faces charges, Murphy says, including felony eluding and possession of suspected methamphetamine. The passenger, also facing charges, is a 23-year-old man from Seattle.
4:35 PM: Just announced by SDOT:
The Spokane Street Bridge to West Seattle will be closed to motor vehicles, bicyclists and pedestrians on Friday night, Jan. 31, from 8 p.m. to midnight. The closure will allow a contractor working for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to dredge the channel where silt has accumulated. Drivers are advised to use the high-level West Seattle Bridge during this time.
The contractor will begin dredging tomorrow (Thursday) night, but will not need to close the bridge to motor vehicles until Friday night to finish the work. The channel will remain open for marine traffic.
ADDED 5 PM: Thanks to David and Bob for tipping us to this alert also just announced: “SPD will conduct rolling slowdowns on the SR 99 Alaskan Way Viaduct for filming operations. The rolling slowdowns will take place between the West Seattle Bridge and the Western Ave Exit from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Sunday, February 2, 2014.”
ADDED THURSDAY: From an SDOT rep in response to the question of whether there will be any type of transportation to get people on foot/bikes around during the closure – since they can’t use the high-level bridge as an alternative – short answer: No. But the contractor might be able to take less time than the four-hour window. We’ll monitor the situation as best we’re able to on Friday night so we can publish an update when the bridge is back to regular operations.
This afternoon we welcome a new WSB sponsor, Well Medical Arts. As is our tradition, we offer new local sponsors the chance to tell you about what they do:
Make 2014 the year for you! Come visit us at Well Medical Arts and learn how to treat yourself every day of the year. Learn about our vitamin-deficiency testing or our fabulous new Laser resurfacing for your face. No matter your concern, Dominique Well, ARNP, addresses your issue with total quality treatment and a great value for your money. For new patients, we have a special offer of 5 free units of Botox if you purchase 20! Do schedule your free consultation soon and see exactly what happens within the healing walls of Well Medical Arts, a unique boutique of Inner Health, Outer Beauty.
Well Medical Arts has four special events coming up: Tomorrow (Thursday, January 30th), introducing our special CLEANSE Series, 6 pm-8 pm; Thursday, February 6th, HCG Diet Clinic, 6 pm-8 pm; February 14th and 28th, come learn about the new semi-permanent filler Aretfill (by appointment only). Call now to reserve your spot! 206-935-6789.
Well Medical Arts is at 9025 35th SW, and online at wellmedicalarts.com.
We thank Well Medical Arts for sponsoring independent, community-collaborative neighborhood news via WSB; find our current sponsor team listed in directory format here, and find info on joining the team by going here.
We’ve had some bouts of hard rain this afternoon – don’t know if that figured into this, but a vehicle wound up on its side in a crash at 4th 5th Place SW/Roxbury this past hour. Thanks to Sherrie for sending the photo (Brian sent one too). Seattle Fire spokesperson Kyle Moore tells us no injuries were reported – the 19-year-old driver was unhurt.
No, it won’t COST $1,000 … that sum is the crowdfunding target for Westwood resident Dan Tracy‘s campaign to raise money for Seattle production of the “Cat Fishin‘ Toy,” demonstrated in his official Kickstarter pitch video above – featuring jumping cats, of course.
Tracy explains, “It’s similar to feather-on-a-stick dangler toys but way more durable because it’s made with rip stop nylon.” He moved to West Seattle two years ago from Maui, saying this is a more hospitable place for inventors: “I had lived there for 13 years and needed a better location to start up fun projects. Hawaii is great for vacation but it can be difficult for business because the cost of living is so high.” Why $1,000 to produce something this simple-looking? we asked. Tracy’s reply: “$1000 gets us started so we can buy material and start production but we’re hoping to raise more. We’ve already started networking with local pet shops and they’re excited to try Cat Fishin’ Toys.”
The calendar for today was a little skimpy, so we didn’t publish a preview roundup, but we do want to remind you that there is one major meeting on the list for tonight: The requested-via-petition meeting for the city to take general comments on 3210 California SW, the block-long mixed-use building proposed for the east side of the upzoned block in South Admiral. Here’s our most recent report, including a link to the newest design proposal, which is the focus of a separate meeting February 6th. Tonight’s meeting is at 6:30 pm, upstairs at the Senior Center of West Seattle (enter off SW Oregon just east of California).
11:15 AM: More changes for Seattle Police leadership. Newly promoted Capt. Pierre Davis has been leading the Southwest Precinct since former commander Joe Kessler‘s recent promotion to Assistant Chief, but he had warned it might just be interim, and an announcement just out from SPD indicates that’s the case: Capt. Davis’s permanent role has been announced as East Precinct commander, while the new Southwest Precinct commander is Capt. Steve Wilske. So far, research indicates Capt. Wilske’s past roles have included leadership of various SPD units including SWAT, Homicide, and Robbery/Fugitive/Gang. More information as we get it.
ADDED 4:57 PM: Capt. Wilske currently leads the department’s Force Investigations Unit. He’s been with SPD more than 20 years.
Once again this year, your State House Representatives Eileen Cody (D-West Seattle) and Joe Fitzgibbon (D-Burien) are hosting a “Telephone Town Hall.” According to the announcement, it’s set for 6-7 pm Wednesday, February 5th (one week from tonight):
34th Legislative District residents should receive a call from their legislators at about 6:00 PM on the February 5. To participate, simply pick up the phone and follow the prompts. Reps. Cody and Fitzgibbon will deliver short opening thoughts and then will open up for questions. If you have a question for the lawmakers, simply press *3.
If for some reason you don’t receive a call, you can call 877-229-8493 and enter 18646 to participate.
P.S. We asked a followup question about where the phone list comes from, since so many people don’t have conventional “land lines” any more. Reply: The list is provided by the Secretary of State’s Office – the phone number you listed when you registered to vote.
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
“It’s going to be a good thing.”
That’s how longtime West Seattle entrepreneur Leon Capelouto sees his second Junction development project, 4505 42nd SW, which makes its Design Review debut tomorrow night.
We first wrote about it almost four months ago. The site holds an old house, hidden behind hedges and fencing, on the southwest corner of 42nd and Oregon, across the street from the almost-complete Oregon 42, across the alley from the Senior Center of West Seattle (where the Southwest Design Review Board will meet to consider the project at 6:30 pm Thursday).
The site also happens to be adjacent to one of the West Seattle Junction Association‘s free parking lots, which Capelouto has supported for decades as a longtime Junction retailer and stockholder in Trusteed Properties, the lots’ ownership.
4505 42nd is proposed for fewer parking spaces than units – as is allowed in the area because “frequent transit” is nearby – but Capelouto says everyone who needs a parking space will get one, because he has parking to spare in his first Junction development, just down the block. This project – proposed for 7 stories, 50 units, and 16 offstreet spaces – is less than a block north of 2009-opened Capco Plaza, built with more than 360 spaces for the 160+-unit Altamira Apartments and the building’s retail tenants, more than zoning required when it was built (and far more than would be called for today).
Before we get into more about the 4505 42nd SW proposal – whose design packet can be seen here – a little more about its developer.
(West Seattle’s #10 Spenser Elder, Sealth’s #12 LJ Burns and #40 Evan Moe)
In the last scheduled game of the year between the boys-basketball teams from our area’s two biggest high schools, the home team won last night – West Seattle 69, Chief Sealth 56. The Wildcats’ #22 DeAndre Love led all scoring with 31 points:
More photos ahead:
Hoping for a less-congested commute than Tuesday, we begin with three “live” views (refresh this page for the latest) – the bridge, above and below:
And the northbound Alaskan Way Viaduct, from the elevated section’s south end:
Find more cameras, and other info, on the WSB Traffic page.
TRANSPORTATION NEWS: A few links to share in case you hadn’t seen these stories yet –
*Online petition launched for long-sought 35th SW safety measures
*Block Watch Captains’ Network briefing on neighborhood traffic calming
*February 4th hearing on ballot measure to raise Metro/roads money
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
Deb Greer and Karen Berge, founders of the West Seattle Block Watch Captains’ Network, launched its first meeting of 2014 by announcing proudly that WSBWCN is starting its fifth year.
They have always noted that you don’t have to be a captain, or even a Block Watch member, to attend, and in fact, about a third of the ~15 attendees said they were not – though some were getting ready to organize one. Others, meantime, identified themselves as longtime captains.
Also on hand for the meeting in the Southwest Precinct‘s meeting room: The precinct’s current top two leaders, new commander Captain Pierre Davis and Operations Lt. Ron Smith.
Capt. Davis told the group that Block Watches are the first step to “helping us catch the bad guys” and that the setup here in West Seattle is “second to none,” a “true partnership.” Lt. Smith echoed the appreciation and reiterated, “If you see something suspicious, report it.”
Centerpiece of the meeting was an appearance by Stephen Padua of SDOT, talking about the city’s Neighborhood Traffic Operations program – making clear he’s taking about neighborhood streets, not arterials. (Volume defines which streets are arterials and which are not – there’s a different process for arterials.)
New information about the West Seattle Cup soccer tournament that’s being planned for June 14-15, as reported here last week, described by organizer Terry Kegel as follows:
The West Seattle Cup aims to engage and build community by creating opportunities to play, teach, learn, and connect across generational and cultural differences. The free event will bring together teams of 448 elementary-age children and their parents representing different countries to participate in a World Cup-style tournament that celebrates soccer, culture, and community.
We’ve learned that for the West Seattle Cup to happen, more local businesses and organizations must sign up as sponsors by the end of this week. Choose one of two levels, $500/$100, and make a commitment online. Volunteers are urged to sign up ASAP too – here’s where you can do that (check out the wide variety of things you can help with, starting now!).
Thanks to Jon Barker at Holy Rosary School for the photos and report:
Catholic schools around the country are celebrating Catholic Schools Week this week and today Holy Rosary’s focus was on community appreciation. The school collected canned food, coats, socks, hats, gloves, diapers, and general clothing to donate to places of need. Here are a few pictures of students bringing the items into the church …
The 4th graders were also delivering Thank You certificates to local businesses; a tradition we started about 20 years ago!
That photo is from Sunday night – another crash on 35th Avenue SW, this time a motorcycle rider waiting to turn, rear-ended by a driver. Just eight days earlier, a memorial walk organized by local transportation-safety advocates called for action by the city, following the death of James St. Clair, hit by a driver while crossing 35th. As reported in our story about the post-walk discussion, similar calls had resounded for years – so far, none bringing much action.
So today, an online petition drive has launched to amplify the call for change. As its introduction notes, a deadly crash brought fast action in a north-end neighborhood last year, so why not, after five deaths in seven years and dozens of other crashes, here?
West Seattle cannot wait any longer – we need safe streets now! We the undersigned ask the Mayor, City Council, and Seattle Department of Transportation to fund and construct rapid improvements as they did in the case of the NE 75th St tragedy.
If you want to sign the online petition, go here.
Two West Seattle Crime Watch reader reports – one, an alert for local businesses about an potentially prolific shoplifter; second, yet another report of a mysterious doorbell ring that in this case preceded a crime – read on:
(WSB photo from Sunday morning)
Sunday morning’s fire at a Roxhill-area home was far more devastating than it looked. Even the damage estimate Seattle Fire announced later – $300,000 – doesn’t tell the whole story of how hard this family was hit.
We heard this morning from Kristine Elliott, whose mother, father, and sister – Eileen, Greg, and Catherine Riddle – are the three residents who escaped the fire, along with the family dog. Even before the fire, the family was dealing with an indescribable challenge: Kristine’s dad is fighting lung and liver cancer.
They are talking with their insurance company now to sort things out, but they need some immediate help. For one – they need a home to rent in West Seattle, one-story rambler type so it’s not tough for Kristine’s dad to get around, two bedrooms so there’s room for her parents and her 23-year-old sister, pet-friendly for their dog.
They also are accepting monetary donations through a GoFundMe account online – find it here – and through an account at Sterling Savings Bank (tell Sterling you want to donate to the Riddle Family Trust). Kristine says her family will need some household items, too, since they lost pretty much everything when the fire spread so quickly through the attic of their home, but they’re not entirely sure what yet; nonetheless, they are collecting donations at Boulevard Park Place in Burien, owned by a friend of the family.
If you have any rental suggestions, please comment or let us know via e-mail and we will forward to Kristine.
(Sunshine! Seen on Sunday; Lincoln Park photo by JayDee)
Some of what’s up today/tonight (please see our calendar for even more):
AFTER-SCHOOL NATURE HIKE: Naturalist Stewart Wechsler has a new series of after-school nature hikes in Lincoln Park, starting at 3:15 pm – pre-registration requested but you can check to see if there’s last-minute room; full details in our calendar listing. (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW)
SOUTH PARK GREEN SPACE: For those who work and/or live in South Park, it’s time to speak out about a greener future – a 5-8 pm event tonight:
South Park provides a ripe and exciting opportunity for the creation and enhancement of parks, trails, and green spaces. Today, the neighborhood has fewer parks per than many other communities in the city, and public access to the Duwamish River is limited.
However, this is poised to change. Through the South Park Green Space Vision Plan, neighbors are coming together to collectively envision a different future for their shared public spaces. The South Park Green Space Vision Plan is engaging residents, businesses and workers to identify needs, opportunities and priorities for improved public spaces, such as parks, playgrounds, trails, greenways, viewpoints, dog parks and sidewalks. Based on community feedback, a vision plan for a network of connected public spaces will be developed for South Park, as well as designs for the top priority opportunities.
5-6 pm open house, 6-8 “fun and interactive design game.” Refreshments and child care. South Park Neighborhood Center. Also: Online survey, here. (8201 10th Ave. S.)
HEALTHY FOOD FOR WOMEN IN DELRIDGE: Community workshop presented by the city, 6-7:30 pm at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center – come talk about ways to improve access to healthy food in eastern West Seattle. Dinner and child care provided. More details on the flyer you’ll see here. (4408 Delridge Way SW)
LAFAYETTE KINDERGARTEN OPEN HOUSE: Have a kindergartener going into West Seattle’s most populous elementary school next year? Kindergarten open house tonight at Lafayette Elementary, 6 pm. (California/Lander)
WEST SEATTLE BLOCK WATCH CAPTAINS’ NETWORK: 6:30 pm at the Southwest Precinct meeting room, come find out about neighborhood traffic safety – how to help improve yours – and also share information on crime (etc.) concerns. You don’t have to be a BW captain, or even in a BW (though every neighborhood should have one!), to come – all welcome. (Delridge/Webster)
FREE LEGAL HELP: Community legal clinic tonight at the Senior Center of West Seattle. By appointment – our calendar listing explains how to get one. 7 pm. (California/Oregon)
‘BLUES TO DO,’ WEEK 4: Fourth week for the new Tuesday series at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor), live blues, streamed online too. Tonight it’s Rod Cook & Toast, 8 pm. Full details in our calendar listing. (6451 California SW)
The Seahawks‘ trip to the Super Bowl isn’t just about sports. For local students, it’s about … writing! Last week, a local elementary teacher shared students’ thoughts on the now-legendary Richard Sherman interview. Now, teacher Kathy Saxon from Denny International Middle School shares the “persuasive essay” written by sixth-grade student Della (photo at right) – as a letter to Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning, explaining why the Seahawks deserve to win. It came in as a scanned PDF so we’re publishing it in the reader window below (or, click here to download):
Thanks to Della and teacher Kathy for sharing! More West Seattle Super Bowl updates to come today. P.S. In case you missed it last night – here’s our story about what’s billed as the world’s largest 12th Man flag, going up in West Seattle Thursday (and you’re invited to be there).
6:45 AM: So far, nothing out of the ordinary reported on West Seattle’s main outbound/inbound routes. Here are the bridge cams:
And the northbound Alaskan Way Viaduct view:
Find more cameras, and other info, on the WSB Traffic page. We’ll update as always if/when we get word of anything you need to know.
7:56 AM: Police are checking out a report of a possible crash on the eastbound bridge near the 1st Avenue South offramp. Let us know if you’re on a passing bus or carpooling and see anything.
8:10 AM: Via scanner, we’re hearing police have confirmed this, and are saying two lanes are blocked.
8:20 AM: Thanks to Ben Blain for e-mailing the photo showing the lane-narrowing (with flares) right before the 99 overpass:
In comments, Lura reports a tow-truck sighting.
8:38 AM: Low bridge not a good alternative at the moment, as it’s closed to vehicles, so marine traffic can go through.
8:45 AM: Via Twitter, Kim says Admiral Way traffic is “backed up past the top of the hill.”
8:50 AM: Also via Twitter, Mike says Delridge Way traffic is backed up to Youngstown. Joe says the bridge crash cleared but police still have a lane blocked off; that’s believed to be for cleanup, as a small spill was reported at the crash scene. Meantime, the low bridge is open again for non-marine traffic.
9 AM: The bridge lanes are reopening – Jessica tweeted that an officer was clearing the flares minutes ago.
9:37 AM: In comments, “Enough” says there’s now an incident blocking the left lane by Nucor. Meantime, photo added above was sent by Ben Maldonado – showing the traffic-times sign a bit earlier on Fauntleroy Way. (added) Another reader sent this helmet-cam video showing how tempers flared on the bridge during the earlier backup:
10:07 AM: For bus riders – interesting Seattle Times story, asking the question about whether RapidRide has worsened local service rather than improving it.
1:48 PM: Small crash on the westbound bridge, off to the right lane, no injuries reported. Thanks to Vanessa, Lura, and Patrick for the tip.
Two thefts in West Seattle Crime Watch tonight:
STOLEN BICYCLE: Watch for Callie‘s black Vilano road bike, stolen from outside 24-Hour Fitness at Westwood Village between 5 and 6 pm tonight. It’s been reported to police, so please let them know if you see it.
STOLEN PURSE: Danielle hopes the thief/thieves who took her purse out of her car might have just cast it aside, with her glasses still inside. Her car was broken into in an alley near her home by Fairmount Park Elementary, now being expanded for fall reopening:
The only item stolen was my purse and I am interested to know if anyone has maybe come across it. There was no cash inside and I canceled the credit/debit cards within 2 hours of the theft. The police officer told me that whoever stole it would probably have ditch the purse once the cards were canceled. The two purchases the thieves made I know of were made at the Shell gas station on Fauntleroy and the Rite Aid on California at 3:29 PM and 3:56 PM respectively. My eyeglasses were inside my purse and I need them to assist me with driving at night so I would be extremely happy if I could get them back.
The purse was an off white/cream color with a long arm strap. It was a fake leather type of texture with one small zipped-up pocket on the outside and a zipped-up wallet compartment on the other side of the purse (on the outside as well). The inside was black with one zip pocket. There were other items inside that I would love to get back that include my driver’s license and a pair of dark brown leather gloves. Any information would be greatly appreciated. I simply cannot believe this happened right outside my house and in the middle of the day! I had only been home for one hour and planned on leaving again soon so I didn’t bother to bring in my purse. I thought it was safe, but never again, I guess……
NEIGHBORHOOD CONCERNS? Bring them to Tuesday night’s West Seattle Block Watch Captains’ Network meeting, 6:30 pm, Southwest Precinct (Delridge/Webster).
Though they’re still not saying what exactly shut down the Highway 99 tunnel machine – the pipe, the boulders, or something else – tonight WSDOT has announced that it expects tunneling to resume this week. According to tonight’s update, it’ll go two more feet, and then will stop for evaluation. If it gets the green light to continue after that, the next milestone is 500 feet down the line, where it would be stopped for maintenance before going under the Alaskan Way Viaduct – which, as first reported here last April, is expected to be closed while the tunnel machine crosses underneath. The machine has been stopped for seven weeks.
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