day : 29/12/2015 8 results

(UPDATED NOON WEDNESDAY – scroll down)

(Photo courtesy Jim)
8:43 PM: A big Seattle Fire response is on the way to the 1300 block of SW Spokane [map], where a boat is reported to be on fire at an address that crossreferences to Jim Clark Marina. More to come.

8:57 PM: Avoid the area – SFD has even asked for the railroad track to be closed by BNSF.

(This photo and those below are by WSB’s Christopher Boffoli, added 10:28 pm)
They’ve had to lay hundreds of feet of hose to get to the burning boat(s), according to scanner traffic.

9:04 PM: The fire is reported to be under control. No word of any injuries. Our archives show it’s been five years since the last major fire at this marina.

9:18 PM: Media crews at the scene, including ours, are being kept behind a safety line; via the scanner, we’re hearing fire crews dealing with dock-safety issues too, and also a “small” flareup on the boat, which, a marina tenant told our photographer, is a 32-footer. We’re told Seattle Fire’s public-information officer is on the way.

9:36 PM: Two vessels are reported (monitored via scanner) to be “a complete loss.”

9:44 PM: The loss of two boats has just been confirmed at the scene by SFD, in a media briefing. (video added, with SFD spokesperson Corey Orvold)

(WSB video by Patrick Sand)
A third boat was damaged. Investigators are on the way to find out how the fire started; the Coast Guard and EPA also are en route to check on whether there’s been a fuel spill or any other environmental effects.

The dock will remain closed tonight, so other boat owners thinking of coming down to check on their boats won’t be able to reach them.

10:21 PM: SFD has just tweeted that the two boats that burned have sunk and that two others were damaged.

ADDED EARLY WEDNESDAY: More views of the fire and how it was fought, on the Duwamish and on the shore. The two photos below are by Aaron Bocchetti, the video by Michelle Edwards.

No announcement yet of how it started.

WEDNESDAY NOON UPDATE: SFD’s Orvold tells us there’s still no word on the cause: “The fire investigators are working with the marina’s owner to bring the boats to the surface so they can further their investigation. This process could take a while.” We were at the marina around 10:30 am and noticed a USCG helicopter circling to inspect the scene from above.

Checking marina fire aftermath from the sky, @USCGPacificNW pic.twitter.com/MnkYGuKoYU

— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) December 30, 2015

Some damage to the boathouse is visible. See this comment below for more information on one of the damaged boats.

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West Seattle weather: ‘Air stagnation advisory’ ahead

December 29, 2015 8:16 pm

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

No rain expected this New Year’s Eve, but the weather isn’t good news if you have respiratory challenges – the National Weather Service has issued an air-stagnation advisory for Seattle and vicinity, in effect 10 pm Wednesday through 10 am Monday. This means, as the advisory notes, that “due to limited movement of an air mass across the advisory area, pollution will increase to dangerous levels.” No burn ban so far, but that could change (you can check here or on the WSB West Seattle Weather page). It’ll be colder than usual, too – highs in the 30s, lows in the 20s.

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West Seattle Crime Watch followup: Video shows gunfire at busy intersection, as investigation continues

December 29, 2015 4:13 pm

| 11 COMMENTS

| Crime | Highland Park | West Seattle news

“I can’t stand that this is happening in my neighborhood. We have kids walking around. Screw these guys.” So wrote Colton Lloyd in the WSB comment that informed us he had uploaded that surveillance video to YouTube, showing the December 15th gunfire outside Seamart at 16th and Holden in Highland Park. We reported on the incident that day, while police were searching; they found shell casings outside the store, and found a possible suspect vehicle in White Center, but we had few other details until now. After seeing the surveillance video that Colton, an employee, posted, we followed up with SPD and obtained the official report, which has more details, including what officers found at the scene besides casings:

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West Seattle development: 1118 Alki, 5448 Delridge plan changes

December 29, 2015 3:08 pm

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| Development | West Seattle news

Our routine check of city files show two sites where plans are apparently changing – one on Alki, one in Delridge:

(King County Assessor’s Office photos)
MORE UNITS FOR 1118 ALKI: When a potential development plan emerged in September at 1118 Alki Avenue SW, it was proposed for five units. Now a new early-stage plan proposes to replace the single-family houses at 1118 and 1122 (95 and 73 years old, respectively) with a six-story, 11-unit building with 17 off-street parking spaces behind the building (which is described on a document as both “apartment” and “condominium”). No formal application yet but we’ll watch the files. Real-estate records show 1118 Alki, listed at $1.9 million, is in the process of being sold “pending feasibility.”

POTENTIAL LIVE-WORKS AT 5448 DELRIDGE: More than a year ago, we noted a plan for this site between Cottage Grove Commons and Martin’s Way – proposing a one-story office building with a “pre-fab metal frame.” Now, a document filed this month seeks “paid coaching” with the city regarding “setbacks, unit count, design review for live-work project.” In the meantime, city files also show the city’s been investigating work at the site allegedly beyond the scope of current permits.

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TOMORROW: West Seattle Get Fit info night to jump-start your 2016

December 29, 2015 1:58 pm

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| Health | West Seattle news | WS & Sports

On New Year’s Eve-Eve, you can jump-start your 2016 fitness plans with West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor). WSR co-proprietor Lori McConnell says they’ve scheduled another info night for their free West Seattle Get Fit couch-to-half-marathon program, tomorrow (Wednesday, December 30th) at 6:30 pm:

We will train participants to complete a half marathon in June (there are several to choose from). Participants will start with one mile on Saturday, January 2nd, at 8 am at West Seattle Runner. This is a program for beginners! It is free. Participants can run as a group on Wednesday nights and Saturday mornings and will get a plan to follow. We will also provide several free clinics along the way to increase knowledge for runners. We do have walkers do the program as well, so walkers and runners are welcome.

WSR is at 2743 California SW.

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NEW IN THE NEW YEAR: Field Trip Society coming to West Seattle

December 29, 2015 11:13 am

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

Looking to learn more in 2016? The Field Trip Society sends word it’s headed this way for the first time. From “field tripper in chief” Cambria Cox:

We offer classes and adventures for curious grownups … a great way to kick off the new year is to learn about fermenting and probiotics at our workshop on January 10th at the Puget Ridge Co-housing Kitchen from 2:00 – 4:00. Hadar Iron from In Ferment will be teaching the class. You can learn more about us and see our winter schedule at fieldtripsociety.com.

P.S. More places you can find classes/workshops in West Seattle:
–WS Community Centers (WSB sponsor)
–Continuing Education at South Seattle College (WSB sponsor)
–Seattle Farm School

(Other suggestions?)

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What’s up for the rest of your West Seattle Tuesday

December 29, 2015 9:18 am

| 2 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Red-breasted merganser, photographed by Matt Olson)

While getting ready for the changing of the calendar – see the New Year’s Eve/Day listings in the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide – there’s plenty to keep you busy today/tonight too. From our regular year-round calendar:

GIVE A LIFE-SAVING GIFT: As previewed here on Monday, today’s the day you can donate blood and help local college student Dennise Lopez, who’s co-hosting the drive, earn scholarship money. 10-noon and 1-4 pm at Holy Family. (20th SW & SW Roxbury)

MORNING MOVIE: “Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day” will be shown at Southwest Library, 11:30 am. Snacks provided! (35th SW & SW Henderson)

‘LET IT GO … LET IT GO …’: Sing along with “Frozen” when the movie’s shown at West Seattle (Admiral) Library, 3 pm. (2306 42nd SW)

DROP-IN CHESS: 4:30 pm at High Point Library, kids/teens of all skill levels welcome.

Q & A 4 FUN: Trivia at Parliament Tavern, 8 pm. (4210 SW Admiral Way)

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Between-holidays Tuesday alerts

December 29, 2015 7:33 am

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| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(Six WS-relevant views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
Good morning! No incidents reported in our area so far this morning.

TRANSIT REMINDER: Metro continues on a “reduced weekday” schedule through Thursday, and then will be on a Sunday schedule for Friday (New Year’s Day).

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