West Seattle, Washington

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day : 09/06/2015 13 results

VIDEO: Congratulations, West Seattle High School Class of 2015!
June 9, 2015 10:20 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Story by Tracy Record
Photos by Patrick Sand
West Seattle Blog co-publishers

The 220+ members of the West Seattle High School Class of 2015 are now celebrating the first night of the rest of their lives, after receiving their diplomas in the breezy sun and shadows of Southwest Athletic Complex, where family and friends filled the stands.

Graduation is a time of “mixed feelings,” as pointed out by valedictorian Tin Vo, who recounted some of the “life lessons” he and his classmates learned.

He closed by wishing them all the “best of luck,” drawing laughs by concluding “May the Force be with you.”

The class’s motto was “Our goal is to influence history, rather than merely observing it.” Toward that end, one of their class advisers, science teacher Jeff Ursino, asked, “What kind of history do you think is worth making?”

He suggested it wasn’t the kind you’ll find in a museum someday, saying that “history is made bravely, and in the company of people we love.” His advice: “Worry less about who you are, and ponder who you want to be.”

Their other adviser, Tom Burggraff, offered advice he suggested he’s known for, “Go out and be somebody.”

Principal Ruth Medsker warned that there will be times along the road that “you’re going to want to pack it up,” but, she said, just “persist … There’s only one you, and you will pass this way but once. Do it right.”

And stop to celebrate the successes, advised School Board director Marty McLaren, just before the presentation of diplomas, as joyful a ceremony as ever, with name-readers calling out each grad’s name loud and proud.

Then one final speaker, Sahra Ibrahim, who observed, “After today, life does not get any easier.”

But it gets different. And so off she and her classmates went, into that new life.

(Video to come – we’ll add it to the story as soon as it’s ready late tonight. P.S. 2 more local graduations to follow.)

ADDED 1 AM: Here as promised is the video – starting with the introduction of valedictorian Vo and continuing through the remaining 53 minutes of the ceremony:

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Why some Seacrest facilities will be closed for two days next week
June 9, 2015 8:06 pm
|    Comments Off on Why some Seacrest facilities will be closed for two days next week
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

Heads up for Seacrest users – here’s what’ll happen during some work next week:

Seattle Parks and Recreation will replace the small craft launch at Seacrest Park after more than 20 years of use. To help increase public safety, part of the park’s parking lot, the bike racks, and the outside seating area on the deck will be closed while work is being performed.

Seattle Parks anticipates the affected areas to be closed from 7 a.m.-3 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday, June 15 and 16.

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UPDATE: Police search in Junction for 2 suspects, both arrested
June 9, 2015 5:11 pm
|      49 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | Helicopter | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

(WSB photos taken between 5 & 5:30 pm)
5:11 PM: Police are searching for a suspect on the north end of The Junction, not sure yet why. Updates shortly.

5:22 PM: The suspect police are looking for is someone wanted on a warrant. They were apparently trailing him near California/Dakota when he bolted.

5:31 PM: Helicopter has headed south. Our crew is out trying to find out more from SPD on the ground.

5:35 PM: Police tell us one person is in custody, found by a K9, another still on the loose.

5:43 PM: Another officer we asked said this involves felony theft warrants. And no, we have no description at all of the person being sought.

7:55 PM: Someone asked us if the search is still active; no, it was wrapping up two hours ago as we left The Junction. The post-search Guardian One tweet says the same thing police told us – it started as police tried to arrest someone for whom they had a warrant. The one arrest happened close to where the search started, in the California/Dakota area.

9:01 PM UPDATE: We checked with Lt. Alan Williams at the Southwest Precinct to see if the second suspect had ever been found; he confirms BOTH suspects are now in custody.

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TOMORROW: Show off your ‘safe travel habits’ along Delridge during SDOT event – rewards may follow
June 9, 2015 3:58 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Delridge | Safety | Transportation | West Seattle news

SDOT director Scott Kubly returns to West Seattle tomorrow – this time to launch a series of “positive reinforcement” events tied to the city’s Vision Zero safety campaign. From 8-8:45 am outside the interim home of Arbor Heights Elementary (5950 Delridge Way SW) on Wednesday, according to the announcement, “Kubly, Seattle Police, and community transportation safety advocates will be out rewarding parents and kids that follow the rules of the road and practice safe travel behavior as the summer school break is days away.” If you’re caught “practicing safe travel habits,” you might get “a $5 coffee gift card and safety swag (all items grant funded),” SDOT adds. This is the first of three events around the city this week; the other two will be downtown at noon Thursday and at the Fremont Bridge on Friday morning.

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UPDATE: 1 arrest as protest ends Seattle Port Commission meeting
June 9, 2015 2:41 pm
|      36 COMMENTS
 |   Port of Seattle | West Seattle news

2:41 PM: Seattle Port Commissioners‘ meeting ended early and abruptly this afternoon after protesters in the chambers started chanting “MUR-DE-RERS.” Because of midday breaking news, we couldn’t leave the desk to go downtown, so we were monitoring via the video feed – which was cut shortly after the chanting began. The commission had not yet gotten to general public comments but had instead gone through its “consent agenda” and a variety of briefings on items unrelated to Terminal 5/Foss/Shell. The only reporter we’ve found tweeting from Port HQ on the downtown waterfront, Sydney Brownstone of The Stranger, reports that police cleared the chambers; she has tweeted a photo showing officers, some with bicycles, on the Port HQ front steps, blocking its doors.

ADDED 3:35 PM: Port of Seattle spokesperson Peter McGraw tells WSB that one person was arrested for trespassing and says one officer was assaulted. And he confirms the meeting was adjourned (and will not resume today).

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PHOTOS: West Seattle military helicopter flyby, on the way to Snohomish County event
June 9, 2015 12:03 pm
|      29 COMMENTS
 |   Fauntleroy | Gatewood | Helicopter | West Seattle news

12:03 PM: Don’t know yet what it was about, but a group of military helicopters flew northbound over the west-facing West Seattle shore a short time ago. Anybody get a photo/video? We ran out the front door with the phone (resulting in this video, but they’re somewhat tiny-looking in the distance). One observer said via Twitter that it looked like four Chinooks and a Blackhawk.

12:24 PM: Thanks to James Bratsanos and to Joe for sending photos so far. The two above are from James – first the wide view of all five, then a closer look at two of the Chinooks and the (Blackhawk?).

12:28 PM: More info in comments – including Jim Clark spotting what might be the answer to the question of what this was about.

12:33 PM: Further verification of what Jim found – a program on that Facebook page says Special Forces from JBLM were to fly by/in (Paine Field in Snohomish County), with “Chinooks x 4.”

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UPDATE: 1 taken to hospital after Highland Park motorcycle/car collision
June 9, 2015 11:46 am
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Highland Park | West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

11:46 AM: A reported motorcycle/car collision at 11th and SW Holden in Highland Park is leading police to detour traffic off Holden. (Westbound traffic is being diverted at 9th, per scanner.) No information yet about injuries or circumstances.

12:07 PM: Police say the motorcycle rider, described only as “male,” was taken to Harborview Medical Center by a Seattle Fire medic unit. Our photo shows the motorcycle, which has already been righted and moved to the roadside. The road likely will be reopened soon, as the victim does not have life-threatening injuries and so the Traffic Collision Investigation Squad will not be called out, we’re told.

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West Seattle Tuesday: Good luck, WSHS Class of 2015! Plus, Admiral, Fauntleroy community meetings, and more
June 9, 2015 11:44 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Aerial view of Monday’s fog, by Long Bach Nguyen)

Should be a great night for a graduation. The WSHS commencement is one of the highlights from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar for today/tonight:

SEATTLE PORT COMMISSION: The Terminal 5 lease is expected to be a hot topic of discussion again during the comment period of this afternoon’s public meeting, 1 pm at Pier 69 on the downtown waterfront.

‘MEDICARE 101’ WORKSHOP: Free workshop, 3-5 pm at Senior Center of West Seattle – info in our listing. (California/Oregon)

(Sunrise, by James Frankovich)
DINNER MADE EASY: Check to see if there are spots tonight at Dream Dinners – West Seattle (WSB sponsor) – 5:30 pm or 6:45 pm – for this “taste” event! (4701 41st SW)

WEST SEATTLE HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION: 6 pm at Southwest Athletic Complex, it’s the sendoff for the WSHS Class of 2015. (2801 SW Thistle)

‘THE PRP FACELIFT’: Free educational presentation about skin rejuvenation tonight at 6 at Glow [natural aesthetics] Medispa (WSB sponsor) – details in our calendar listing. (5400 California SW)

JUNCTION NEIGHBORHOOD ORGANIZATION: Join JuNO at 6:30 tonight for topics including Lezlie Jane‘s art at Spruce and area lighting improvements. Senior Center of West Seattle. (California/Oregon) *Thanks to Diane for catching our error – this meeting is NEXT Tuesday 6/16

ADMIRAL NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION: 7 pm at The Sanctuary at Admiral, with the agenda including “Land Use 101” – if you’ve ever wondered how to make sense of a project in your neighborhood (or elsewhere in the city), it’s a don’t-miss. (42nd/Lander)

FAUNTLEROY COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION: FCA board meeting at 7 pm tonight at the Fauntleroy Schoolhouse meeting room – all welcome. (9131 California SW)

LOTS MORE … on our calendar!

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Speaking of broadband: See what the city’s ‘municipal broadband’ feasibility study says
June 9, 2015 11:23 am
|      19 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle online

We were just talking about broadband options – sort of. Here’s more to consider: Could the city offer it as a municipal utility? The $180,000 study commissioned to look at that question is now out. Here’s the city announcement:

The City of Seattle today released the City of Seattle Fiber-to-the-Premises Feasibility Study, a feasibility study originally commissioned in December 2014 as part of Mayor Ed Murray’s three-part broadband internet strategy.

Read the report here.

And read toplines ahead in the rest of the news release:

Read More

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From the ‘in case you wondered too’ file: Commercial shoot in Gatewood today
June 9, 2015 10:14 am
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   Seen around town | West Seattle news

In case you pass by that truck and several others accompanying a video/film crew on the west side of California SW, north of SW Thistle, sometime today and wonder what’s up … they’re shooting a commercial for Wave Broadband. The crew plans to be on site until around 6 pm. (Side note, since this made us wonder, being fairly close to this location: According to Wave’s website, the service is not available in the zip code where the shoot’s happening. But they’re expanding; we’re asking their HQ, which is in Kirkland, if West Seattle is in their future.)

ADDED: Turns out the company making the commercial, Spin Creative, is “headquartered on Harbor Island at the Harbor Marina Corporate Center,” per a note we received later. They also sent a link to this Flickr gallery of “behind the scenes” photos.

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Tuesday updates; T-5 protesters & bigger police response; truck stall on high bridge
June 9, 2015 7:14 am
|      42 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(Four WS-relevant views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
7:14 AM: Again this morning, protesters are back on the road to Terminal 5 west of the low bridge; SDOT reports “minimal impact to general traffic at this time.” Also of note from SDOT – if you use 1st Avenue South, road work has closed the left lane just north of Spokane Street.

TONIGHT: Congratulations to the WSHS Class of 2015, graduating tonight at 6 pm at Southwest Athletic Complex – so things will be busy in that area.

SATURDAY VIADUCT CLOSURE REMINDER: We’ll be reminding you daily; northbound Highway 99, from south of West Seattle to lower Queen Anne, is one of the roads that’ll be closed around the area Saturday for the Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon/Half Marathon. The 99 closure is scheduled for 5 am-3:30 pm Saturday. See the full list here.

7:30 AM: We’ve gotten some texts about a big Seattle Police presence by the Delridge Community Center:

This is NOT about any incident in that area – it’s staging for the aforementioned protest, and more of the units headed out toward Terminal 5 as our crew stopped to check on the situation. For the past few days of protests, the response has mostly involved bicycles, but as you can see in our photo, this time a sizable number of squad cars are involved too, and you might want to pre-emptively avoid the North Delridge and vicinity approach to the low bridge until we see where all this is going.

7:57 AM: More police are arriving in the protest vicinity at Spokane/Marginal/Delridge/Chelan.

8:10 AM: Here’s an overview from Russ, looking north from the Alki Trail toward the protest zone.

One group of protesters who had been chained together, blocking part of a road, has gotten up and moved. Police are going to each group and warning them they’ll be arrested if they don’t move.

So far, we’ve seen two groups who moved on voluntarily. Russ also sends this view from further east:

8:30 AM: We asked members of the protest group if they planned to be back this afternoon (as they were yesterday). They said no – their focus is on the Port Commission meeting (1 pm, downtown waterfront).

8:37 AM: The situation at and near Terminal 5 may be winding down. Via scanner, police report “unhooking” the protesters who were blocking the flyover ramp from the low bridge.

8:56 AM: Definitely winding down; many of the extra officers have departed and the protester presence on the ground was down to the self-described “Grannies.”

9:23 AM: Traffic problem unrelated to the protest – stalled dump truck on the high bridge:

Thanks to the texter who sent that photo (from the passenger seat, they point out!). This is mentioned in comments, too. No info on how long it’ll take to clear.

9:49 AM: Via scanner, we hear police working on getting that truck cleared.

10:02 AM: SDOT says it’s cleared. Moving on to other news; thanks as always for tips, info, photos – so long as you can safely/legally call/text/send (as a passenger, or a bystander, or after you get to your destination), 206-293-6302, any time, 24/7.

2:18 PM: Postscript on morning protests – we called SPD to doublecheck after seeing at least one regional-media organization report that people were arrested toward the end. SPD spokesperson Det. Drew Michaud says no one was arrested; the six who were taken into custody were interviewed and released, *not* arrested.

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UPDATE: 4 arrested after gunfire on Alki; no victim found
June 9, 2015 12:10 am
|      58 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle police

(UPDATED Tuesday afternoon)

(WSB photos by Christopher Boffoli)
12:10 AM: Big Seattle Fire/Police response for an “assault with weapons” call – possibly 59th/Alki – but police are still trying to find the reported victim. More to come.

12:16 AM: This was reported as a shooting. Police have been tracking a vehicle that was possibly involved, believed to be an SUV, last seen getting onto the West Seattle Bridge and headed eastbound, with four people inside.

12:22 AM: No victim has turned up yet. But police are still tracking what might be the aforementioned vehicle, far from WS.

12:46 AM: WSB’s Christopher Boffoli says police have found shell casings in front of 2650 Alki SW.

Witnesses say they believed they saw someone hit – a black man, described as having dreadlocks, a white shirt, red shorts – but he left, headed southbound, and police haven’t even found blood on the ground. The potentially involved vehicle, however, was stopped in southeast Seattle – police tracked it with the help of a description that sounded as if it originated with an officer who had been at Don Armeni. Four people were reported to have been taken into custody, according to radio traffic. Whether they were subsequently arrested, we might not find out until later this morning. Back at the Alki scene, Christopher says witnesses reported hearing three gunshots.

ADDED TUESDAY AFTERNOON: Police confirm to WSB that the four people detained last night were arrested, and their vehicle (which was *not* stolen, in case you wondered) was impounded. According to SPD, all are juveniles. To date, still no shooting victim.

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More congratulations! Performance Radiator, Windermere win West Seattle Baseball titles
June 9, 2015 12:06 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | WS & Sports

More champions to congratulate! This time, from West Seattle Baseball. First, Pat Galvin shares the report and photo of the Performance Radiator U10 Mustang championship win:

Entering the championship game through the losers’ bracket by winning 5 games in a row, PR won the first game Saturday vs West Seattle Design Build 6-5. That forced a second game. PR was up in the second game, 12-8 in the bottom of the 6th inning; PR allowed WSDB to creep back into the game, making it exciting, but ultimately holding on for a 12-11 victory with the winning run in scoring position.

Front Row: Will Skibitzke, Matthew Hein, Jack Henzke, Marc Christianson Jr, Jason Mai
Middle Row: Adrian Shields Jr., John Langen, Patrick Galvin Jr. Jayven Pham, Brendan Johnson
Back Row: Adrian Shields, Pat Galvin (Manager), Derek Johnson

And from Erik Ricard:

Over in the 8U Pinto Division, Windermere outlasted Husky Deli to win 4-1. Both teams played near-flawless defense with spectacular plays in a game that was tied 0-0 after four innings.

Front Row: Sam Krische, Chase Valdez, Liam Baier, Ford Rains, Brady Murphy, Alex Calvano

Second Row: Quinn Bundy, Ezra Jones, Bridger Kyle, Ollie Ricard, Miguel Rosario-Contratto, Nathan Murphy

Back Row: Tony Rosario, Chad Bundy, Erik Ricard (manager), Dan Krische

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