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year : 2016 3703 results

TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Monday updates and alerts
January 11, 2016 6:03 am
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 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6:03 AM: Good morning. No incidents in or from West Seattle so far, as the commute begins for the second full week of 2016.

HIGHWAY 99 LANE-CLOSURES REMINDER: One week now from the start of long-term lane closures on Highway 99 north of downtown – all the info’s on this WSDOT webpage.

7:16 AM: Still no incidents. Meantime, a reminder for this Wednesday (January 13) – Seattle Public Schools will be out two hours early.

7:24 AM: Commenter Sam-C says the overnight work at 22nd/Andover on Pigeon Point – and on 22nd north and south of the intersection – was NOT done by 5 am as Seattle Public Utilities had said it would be, and was still ongoing as of the top of this hour. We’ll head over shortly for a look.

8:06 AM: The icy rain that’s been moving north from the South Sound is here.

8:15 AM: Confirmed – Andover is still closed at 22nd (and 22nd on both sides) while the sewer work that was supposed to end or pause by 5 am continues.

12:48 PM: Multiple reports of traffic-light trouble at California/Oregon – steady green one way, flashing red another. It’s been reported to SDOT.

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TRAFFIC ALERT: Overnight work closes Andover/22nd on Pigeon Point
January 11, 2016 12:05 am
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 |   Pigeon Point | West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

12:05 AM: Just a reminder that 22nd SW and SW Andover – and 22nd on both sides of the intersection – is closed overnight for Seattle Public Utilities‘ emergency sewer work. They adjusted the end time to 5 am after hearing concerns from area residents worried about getting out to work/school/etc. If the work isn’t finished tonight, SPU said, they’d have to continue Monday night, so we will check later this morning to see if that’s planned, or not.

8:21 AM: As commenter Sam-C noted earlier, this did NOT wrap up at 5 am after all. We just drove to Pigeon Point to see if it’s still continuing – and verified that it is, so these closures still apply. We’re checking with SPU to see about an estimated reopening as well as whether more work will be happening tonight.

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WSHS graduate DeAndre Coulter accompanying SPD chief to D.C. for State of the Union address
January 10, 2016 7:55 pm
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 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle people

(Photo courtesy DeAndre Coulter, at center, with Mayor Ed Murray at left, Chief Kathleen O’Toole at right)

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

“I can’t describe how excited I am!”

That’s what DeAndre Coulter, a University of Washington student who graduated from West Seattle High School in 2012, said today when we talked with him about his impending trip to The White House, where he’ll be during President Obama‘s final State of the Union address on Tuesday.

We found out about Coulter’s trip when Seattle Police announced this afternoon that Chief Kathleen O’Toole had been invited to D.C. to join First Lady Michelle Obama for the speech, and that Coulter would accompany the chief to the capital:

… At the invitation of Mayor Murray, DeAndre Coulter, a Mayor’s Youth Employment Initiative Intern who participated in the Summer of Safety, the city’s coordinated approach to public safety providing jobs for youth and young adults, will accompany Chief O’Toole to Washington, D.C.

Coulter told us he has had the internship since last summer, working primarily on communications initiatives via the city Office of Economic Development and Office of Film and Music. His career aspirations include public relations and marketing. He’s also been working on some of that already for a family business – we had heard from him recently when he sent information about his mom Tara Scott‘s new restaurant in White Center, Taradise Café.

His trip to D.C. will be brief – leaving Monday morning, returning Wednesday. A special reception is part of the schedule. Coulter is quoted in the Seattle Police announcement as saying he hopes that his achievements will inspire other young people, including his siblings. He told us that he has two younger brothers, 12 and 15 years old, one of whom is a student at Denny International Middle School.

For anyone else considering an internship, he enthuses, “I say, go for it! This has brought me so many great connections and so many work experiences – apply to as many (internships) as you can. (Last summer) when I got this, I had no idea what great experiences I would have … more than I could have imagined.”

And as for the trip to D.C., he adds, “I’m super-excited and super-honored that the mayor suggested me.”

The State of the Union speech will be at 6 pm our time Tuesday (January 12th).

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ELECTION 2016: Online voter registration deadline tomorrow for February 9 vote on Seattle Public Schools levies
January 10, 2016 6:11 pm
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 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

Another election is now less than a month away: The February 9 vote for two Seattle Public Schools levies. Proposition 1, the Operations Levy, would bring in more than three-quarters of a billion dollars over three years; you can read the details here. Proposition 2 is the six-year Buildings, Technology and Academics Capital Levy (BTA), raising more than $475 million for projects in the district including these in West Seattle, as we reported in November:

*$6.7 million for EC Hughes upgrades to enable it to reopen as a 550-student elementary school (to which, the district has said, it will move the Roxhill Elementary program)
*5.4 million for Gatewood Elementary, most of that for HVAC, also some $ for cladding work
*1.8 million for athletic-field lights at Southwest Athletic Complex (ID’d in the documents as Chief Sealth IHS, which is across the street)
*$1.5 million for the roof at West Seattle HS
*94,000 for doors at Sanislo Elementary

Both are replacements for expiring levies, though at higher sums. If you’re not registered to vote, tomorrow’s the deadline to register online, with a later deadline for signing up in person – details on the King County Elections website. Ballots will go in the mail January 20th.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Car prowlers break window
January 10, 2016 3:24 pm
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 |   Crime | West Seattle news

From Hilary:

Last night someone busted our car window in. It was parked in our driveway in the alley behind Graham St., nearest cross-street 30th Ave SW. The alarm never went off, strangely. We will look at camera footage tonight. Unclear if anything of value was stolen from it yet. High Point people, be vigilant!

P.S. We checked in recently with West Seattle Crime Prevention Council president Richard Miller, who confirmed the group WILL resume meetings this month – your chance to, among other things, hear from and ask questions of local police. 7 pm Tuesday, January 19th, at the precinct (Delridge/Webster).

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Admiral Neighborhood Association’s first meeting of the year Tuesday. Want to step up and be a leader?
January 10, 2016 2:55 pm
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 |   How to help | Neighborhoods | West Seattle news

Tuesday night, the Admiral Neighborhood Association meets for the first time this year – and it’s a big one, as ANA president David Whiting reminded the ANA mailing list in his announcement: “Your attendance would be really helpful as we need to accept nominations and elect new officers for ANA and a voting quorum is required. We certainly welcome anyone to step forward to be nominated as president, vice-president, secretary and treasurer.” The organization’s bylaws limit terms, and so Whiting and the others currently on ANA’s executive committee must step aside for new leadership. Here’s more information about what it entails; here’s more information about the group’s 2015 accomplishments; and here’s the full preview of Tuesday’s meeting (7 pm, The Sanctuary at Admiral, 42nd SW and SW Lander), also including an update on what’s next for the former site of interim Fire Station 29.

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What’s up for the rest of your West Seattle Sunday
January 10, 2016 9:53 am
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 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

OUR CALENDAR SPONSOR IS MEEPLES GAMES:


Seahawks-watching is no doubt the top event of the day, and if you’re not watching at home, you’re no doubt ensconced in your favorite place by now. But it’s not the only thing on the agenda:

WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm, see what’s fresh. (California SW between SW Oregon and SW Alaska)

‘GAINS FOR GOOD’ TO SUPPORT THE SMERSHES: 10 am-4:30 pm competition at CrossFit LOFT in The Junction, benefiting the fund for John and Frances Smersh dealing with her recent diagnosis of early-onset Alzheimer’s. The Gains for Good website explains, and includes various ways to help. (4142 California SW)

‘CELEBRATION OF WOMEN COMPOSERS’: At 3 pm, that’s the theme for the Ladies Musical Club concert at the West Seattle (Admiral) Library. Instrumental and vocal performances of work by Viardot, Bonis, Chaminade, Kinkel, Lang, Tailleferre, Beach, Mari. Admission’s free but space is limited so, be early to be sure you get a seat! (2306 42nd SW)

ALLISON PREISINGER, LIVE: 3 pm at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor):

Allison Preisinger; a local singer-songwriter that performs folk pop/rock. Northwest musicians and fans have described Seattle singer-songwriter Allison Preisinger’s music as raw and honest. Her writing and performances provide a combination of the sincerity of an unplugged Eric Clapton with the melodic poetry of a solo Joni Mitchell.

(5612 California SW)

TROY NELSON AT SHADOWLAND: DJ Troy Nelson is at Shadowland in The Junction 9-11:30 pm Sundays. (4458 California SW)

ROAD CLOSURE ON PIGEON POINT SUNDAY NIGHT: Reminder that work is scheduled ~6 pm tonight to ~5 am tomorrow along 22nd SW in Pigeon Point, repairing the sewer line north and south of Andover. Not only will 22nd SW be closed for the work, so will the 22nd/Andover intersection, says Seattle Public Utilities. If the work isn’t done by 5 am, a second closure will be necessary Monday night. Look for the detour signs along Delridge and Andover; people who live off Andover east of 22nd will need to access their homes via SW Oregon, per SPU.

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BREAKING NEWS UPDATE: Standoff north of The Junction resolved without injury
January 9, 2016 7:52 pm
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 |   Crime | West Seattle news | West Seattle police | WS breaking news

(Added: WSB photos)

7:52 PM: Thanks for the texts about a big police response north of The Junction. We’re just arriving in the area where police have converged, near California/Dakota. We know they’re focused on an apartment building with a possible suspect inside but we don’t yet know why. Updates to come.

7:58 PM: More police vehicles in the northbound lane of California just south of Dakota, and through traffic is having to go through the center lane to get around it. Avoid this area if you can. Police at the scene aren’t saying what the suspect is wanted for.

8:09 PM: From the scanner – the man on whom police are focused is believed to have a gun.

8:18 PM: California/Andover and vicinity is blocked off by police, so if you have to get to/through this area, take the side streets to the west – this is all happening east of California. It does appear from our vantage point, though, that diverted traffic is traveling along 42nd, including a Metro bus.

8:33 PM: We’ve finally been able to obtain information on what started this. “Person in crisis” situation – armed person threatening self-harm, according to Det. Patrick Michaud with the media-relations unit, reached by phone.

9:05 PM: SWAT officers are arriving to assist. The new “mobile precinct” vehicle (photo above) has been in the area for a while, too.

9:43 PM: Officers are in contact with the man now. Awaiting word that he’s in custody. We have a crew at the scene as well and asking them to confirm. All indications from radio traffic is that the situation is now under control. An ambulance is being brought in and police are going in to “clear the residence.”

9:51 PM: Our crew confirms that the man is out of the apartment and this has been resolved peacefully. California is going to stay closed for a while, per scanner, but Andover will be reopened soon.

10:15 PM: Our crew has just talked with a sergeant at the scene. The man was in the apartment by himself all along. California SW is likely to reopen within half an hour – right now they’re waiting for the SWAT officers to pack up and clear out.

ADDED MONDAY MORNING: As a commenter points out, when stories involve suicide or threats of self-harm, we usually include info about the Crisis Clinic, which is always there to help, including a 24-hour hotline at 206-461-3222.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Second round of Bumble theft
January 9, 2016 3:36 pm
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 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Sara sends this sad sign:

She writes, “Last night someone stole a SECOND Bumble from our yard (North Admiral). This was a replacement Bumble from the one I reported stolen on Dec. 2nd. We strapped this one down pretty good…but some a–holes brought scissors and cut him down.” Seen a Bumble suddenly show up in or near your house/apartment/garage/cave? He has to be somewhere.

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HIGH-SCHOOL BASKETBALL, REPORT #2: West Seattle HS girls beat Eastside Catholic
January 9, 2016 1:26 pm
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 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

The West Seattle High School girls-varsity basketball team remains undefeated after last night’s home-court win over Eastside Catholic, 54-36. Above, Lexi Ioane was a triple threat – steal leader with 8, second-leading rebounder with 7, number-three scorer with 9. Fellow senior Lydia Giomi led those last two categories:

She had 20 points and 17 rebounds on the night. Big night also for Grace Sarver:

She was the second-leading scorer with 10 and second in steals with five.

Head coach Darnell Taylor‘s league-leading team is on the road for the next two games, starting at Cleveland HS on Wednesday, 7:30 pm.

P.S. The WSHS Band was in the house for last night’s game. Check out our quick clip of the tuba solo:

In the background, that’s WSHS music director Ethan Thomas. Also from Instagram, by the way, the final seconds of the JV girls’ victory:

The WSHS JV girls, too, are undefeated.

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West Seattle weekend scene: Three Tree Yacht Club race
January 9, 2016 12:26 pm
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 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news

(UPDATED 3:46 PM with more photos)

12:26 PM: Thanks to Chris Frankovich for the photo – the sailboats are out today for the Three Tree Point Yacht Club‘s Duwamish Head Race. It’s the second of four races in the 2015-2016 Southern Sound Series.

3:46 PM: More photos in – thank you! First, another from Chris:

Two from Trileigh Tucker:

This one’s from Jim Spraker:

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HIGH-SCHOOL BASKETBALL REPORT #1: Chief Sealth girls beat Seattle Prep
January 9, 2016 11:49 am
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 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

Victory at home last night for the Chief Sealth International High School girls-varsity basketball team – 45 to 42 over Seattle Prep. Sealth’s record is 3-6 as the midpoint of the regular season approaches.

Head coach Katie Jo Maris definitely had reason to smile.

Next up, the Seahawks host nearby Shorewood Christian on Monday night (January 11th), 6 pm.

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West Seattle weekend scene: WTIA’s ‘polar plunge’ in frosty fog
January 9, 2016 11:20 am
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 |   Fun stuff to do | West Seattle news

That’s one of the 10 takers the Washington Technology Industry Association had for its version of a post-New Year “Polar Plunge” this morning at Alki Beach. Frosty fog had just lifted at the beach, but was still visible around Duwamish Head:

The water – 50ish – was warmer than the air – 40ish.

This was just one event on a very busy calendar for WTIA – see it here.

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West Seattle Saturday: What’s up today and tonight
January 9, 2016 8:04 am
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 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(OUR CALENDAR SPONSOR IS MEEPLES GAMES)

Good morning! Our regular event calendar will be back when this weekend’s technical overhaul is done. In the meantime, here’s our list of what’s happening today and tonight:

REMINDER – PILE-DRIVING AT THE PORT: As reported on Thursday, the Port of Seattle plans to start pile-driving work today at West Seattle’s Terminal 5 as part of this “testing” announced before Christmas, preparing for its modernization project – “about 27 piles … at the edge of the Terminal 5 wharf.” Today’s work is scheduled between 9 am and 5 pm.

POLAR PLUNGE: 9:30 am near the Alki Statue of Liberty, the Washington Technology Industry Association is presenting a Polar Plunge. They’re inviting “WTIA members, non-members, friends, and family 18 and up.” RSVP via the link toward the bottom of this page. (61st SW & SW Alki)

TILDEN SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE: 10 am-noon at K-5 Tilden School (WSB sponsor): “We invite interested parents to a casual open house; chat with teachers and specialists, visit classrooms, and ask questions.” (4105 California SW)

NW MONTESSORI OPEN HOUSE: 10 am-noon open house for prospective parents at Northwest Montessori, which serves 2 1/2-6 year-olds. (7344 35th SW)

LONGHOUSE ANNIVERSARY 10 am-5 pm at Duwamish Longhouse and Cultural Center:

Open house, concert, and reception. Celebrate the heritage of Greater Seattle’s First People, Chief Seattle’s Duwamish Tribe. Open house, 10-5, visit exhibit areas and art gallery. Festivities include: 11 am Film — Princess Angeline, 12 pm Film — Chief Seattle’s Speech. 1-2 pm Artist Reception — Katrina Lane: Unique Native Vision. 2 pm Concert — Stories by Roger Fernandes. Duwamish Heritage Group will invite friends to join in song and dance.

This marks “the 7th Anniversary of the building of the first Duwamish Longhouse since the last one was burned down in West Seattle in 1894 to push the Duwamish off their land. In 1851, there were over 90 Duwamish Longhouses. Opened in 2009, the Longhouse is a traditional cedar post and beam structure designed in the Puget Salish Longhouse style. It houses a Native Art Gallery, Duwamish History Museum, Gift Shop, Duwamish Tribal Offices, and traditional Longhouse. Admission and parking are free, donations to support the longhouse’s ongoing operation are always welcome.

(4705 W. Marginal Way)

HIGH-SCHOOL BASKETBALL: The West Seattle HS boys-varsity team hosts Stadium HS at 6:30 pm. (3000 California SW)

MUSIC AT PARLIAMENT TAVERN: Starting at 9 pm:

Cross Rhythm Trio featuring Ben Bloom, Jason Gray and Grant Schroff of Seattle’s afro-psycho-beat band Polyrhthmics. No cover.

(4210 SW Admiral Way)

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BREAKING NEWS: 3 to hospital after SW Graham ‘heavy rescue’ crash
January 8, 2016 9:48 pm
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 |   West Seattle news | WS breaking news

9:48 PM: Seattle Fire has a big “heavy rescue” response at California/Graham. More to come.

9:58 PM UPDATE: We’re almost there. Texter says rescuers are cutting people out of a van on its side on the sidewalk and Graham is blocked west of California.

(Photo tweeted by Dan Brown, @kapitolphoto)
10:03 PM: Per scanner, one person is being taken to the hospital.

10:09 PM: The rest of the SFD responders are being dismissed. Police remain at the scene.

(WSB photos – this and next – by Christopher Boffoli)
10:18 PM: More info we’ve learned at the scene – 3 people in all went to the hospital, one via medic unit, two via private ambulance.

(updated Saturday morning) The vehicles collided when one was headed northbound from an alley onto Graham, where the other was headed eastbound.

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YOU CAN HELP! Sustainable West Seattle seeking board members
January 8, 2016 9:27 pm
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 |   How to help | Sustainable West Seattle | West Seattle news

From Sustainable West Seattle‘s Stu Hennessey:

Sustainable West Seattle has board of director positions open for 2016. The board members meet once a month to plan the activities and events, like the Green Life Festival that Sustainable West Seattle is known for. The board members also take part in the management of the various projects they partner with such as the West Seattle Tool Library and the Community Orchard of West Seattle.

Being involved with Sustainable West Seattle can be great for experiencing the building of community and hope. Please join us!

The annual membership meeting for Sustainable West Seattle will be held on MLK Day of Service, January 18th at the Admiral Bird Café, located at the corner of California Ave. SW and SW Admiral Way. The meet and greet starts at 6:30 pm and the meeting starts at 7 pm.

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OBITUARY: Memorial on Monday for Eugene T. Kord, 1931-2016
January 8, 2016 7:14 pm
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 |   Obituaries | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

A memorial service is planned Monday at Holy Rosary for Eugene Kord, whose family is sharing this remembrance:

Eugene Thomas Kord was born July 9, 1931, in Tacoma, the second child born to Alice and Leo Kord. He is preceded in death by his parents and brother Richard Kord and is survived by his wife, Virginia Kord, and their children: Cathy Peda, Lori Clark, Mary Ballanger, Margie McGillis, and Mike Kord.

Gene moved with his family to West Seattle when he was a toddler and attended Holy Rosary Elementary School. He went on to graduate from O’Dea High School in 1949 and Seattle University in 1953. He was a dual-major: Business Marketing and Education.

Gene enlisted in the United State Army during the Korean War, which ended around the time he was shipped overseas. Among his duties was teaching basic courses to young soldiers, helping them to earn their GEDs. After his tour of duty, Gene took a job with the United States Department of Labor.
In 1958, Gene married Virginia Trautmann. The newlyweds settled into a small, one-bedroom apartment near Lincoln Park. Less than a year later, Gene and Virginia moved to Tacoma, where the first of five children, Catherine Anne, was born in 1959. Two more daughters followed shortly thereafter: Lori Marie in 1961 and Mary Ellen in 1962. All were born at St. Joseph’s Hospital—like their father.

Gene’s work then took the family to Spokane. With three daughters already in tow, the next two children to join the family, Marjorie Jean and Michael Eugene, were born in 1963 and 1969, respectively. While in Spokane, Gene also became one of the first-ever lay lectors at Assumption Church. In 1973, the Kords moved back to West Seattle, where Gene continued to work for the Department of Labor. In 1988, he retired as the Area Director of the Wage and Hour Division with more than 30 years of service.

Retirement brought the opportunity to embark on a passion close to Gene’s heart: volunteer work. A devout Catholic, Gene volunteered for St. Vincent de Paul, tutored children at local grade schools, served on parish councils and school boards, taught religious education—and even served as a probation officer.

All the while, Gene’s passion for God, family, reading, and sports never wavered. He attended mass almost daily. By the mid-2000s, the family had grown to include four sons-in law, a daughter-in law, and 12 wonderful grandchildren, and Gene never missed an opportunity to join the numerous family gatherings. Gene was also an avid reader who enjoyed the morning paper and books and magazines after dinner–unless there was a baseball game on TV. Gene’s interest in baseball grew as a young boy in the post-Depression-Era, following the local legends of the Seattle Rainiers. This passion continued for many years as a Seattle Mariners fan, and those who knew Gene are well aware that idle conversation was frowned upon when the ball was in play. As a young man, he enjoyed playing in a Spokane-area bowling league and golfing at local courses—never mind that uncontrollable slice. Later in life, Gene and Virginia took to playing bridge with friends, traveling to Spring Training, and let’s not forget the nightly walks with the family dog, Heidi.

Gene is remembered as a quiet, dignified man who always carried himself with nobility. In the mid 2000s, he received the Distinguished Alumni Award from Holy Rosary Elementary School. He was empathetic and a great listener. His love for wife Virginia was constant.

Funeral services will be held Monday, January 11, at 11 am at Holy Rosary Church in West Seattle. A reception will follow immediately after. A burial service is scheduled for 3 pm at Holyrood Catholic Cemetery (205 NE 205th St., Shoreline). In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Holy Rosary St. Vincent de Paul or the Providence Mount St. Vincent Foundation.

You’ll find Mr. Kord’s online guestbook at emmickfunerals.com.

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HAPPENING NOW: Words, Writers, West Seattle spotlights student authors
January 8, 2016 6:10 pm
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 |   West Seattle books | West Seattle news

You have until 7 pm to get to Barnes and Noble/Westwood Village to celebrate the work of 14 young authors from Chief Sealth International High School and Madison Middle School, during this month’s edition of Words, Writers, West Seattle, presented by the Southwest Seattle Historical Society. Read more about the event on the SWSHS website.

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TECH OVERHAUL STARTING: Find WSB at our backup site
January 8, 2016 6:07 pm
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 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle online

Our technical overhaul is starting – even if you can still see this! – so starting a little later tonight, you’ll find WSB coverage at westseattleblog.wordpress.com while the work is under way at our regular “address.” Thanks for your understanding!

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TRAFFIC ALERT UPDATE: Eastbound West Seattle Bridge ramp to NB 99 reopens after hour-plus closure
January 8, 2016 4:01 pm
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS breaking news

4:01 PM: If you’re heading eastbound toward downtown – the offramp to northbound Highway 99 will be closed for a bit. Smoke was coming from a stalled car, and Seattle Fire says the ramp will be blocked while they checked it out, with police on the way too, and a tow company being called.

5:19 PM UPDATE: SDOT just announced it’s open again:

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Student attacked after getting off a bus
January 8, 2016 3:29 pm
|      14 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | Highland Park | West Seattle news

We finally have some information on the assault case that brought police to 15th/16th/Elmgrove/Kenyon and vicinity this morning: The reader report is from Hilari:

Today just after 11 a.m., my nephew got on the 128 at South Seattle College to return home from classes. He sat in the back of the bus and noticed a man staring at him. He didn’t think much of it in the moment.

He exited the bus at 16th SW and Kenyon. The man who had been staring at him exited just after.

Once on the sidewalk, the man approached my nephew and asked him if he wanted to get “knocked out.” Before my nephew could respond, the man punched him hard across the face and then proceeded to walk briskly south on 16th SW.

A construction worker nearby called 911. Fire and police came. My nephew’s nose isn’t broken, but he was pretty freaked out by all of the blood. Police tried to find the suspect but were unsuccessful. A case # has been filed, and I am hoping that bus cameras will be used to identify the man exiting the bus.

He was African American, mid-20s, wearing a gray beanie and either a gray or navy hoodie. He was about 5’10” or 5’11”.

If you have any information for police, the case to refer to, per Tweets by Beat, is 16-008602.

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Brief shelter-in-place at Sealth, Denny today: Letter to parents
January 8, 2016 1:35 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Chief Sealth International High School and Denny International Middle School had a brief shelter-in-place earlier today when police were checking out a report of possible shots fired in the area. We heard a bit about it and quickly learned from police – who were a few blocks to the east, investigating an unrelated assault case – that it was an unsubstantiated report. Nonetheless, the schools’ principals have sent this letter to families, and we’re sharing it:

Dear Denny and Sealth Scholars and Families,

We want to share with you information right away regarding a very short Shelter-in-Place that occurred at our schools this morning.

At 10:00am, Seattle Public Schools Security received a notification of a report being made of shots fired in the Denny/Sealth neighborhood. Both schools went into a Shelter-in-Place as an immediate precaution. A few minutes later, Seattle Police Officers came to school to let us know that they found no evidence of shots being fired, therefore the situation was cleared and we could end the Shelter-in-Place. Announcements were made at both schools ending the Shelter-in-Place and returning to a normal school day.

For your information, a Shelter-in-Place is used when there is a potential danger in the surrounding community. When this happens, all scholars are brought into the school building and all exterior doors are locked. Inside the building, classes continue as planned.

As always, safety is our top priority. Please let us know if you have any questions.

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WEEKEND WORK ON WSB: Where to find the news while we’re overhauling, starting tonight
January 8, 2016 11:58 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle online

As we noted briefly last night, WSB has some work coming up this weekend, and a curtain will go up while the overhaul’s under way. **WE’LL STILL BE COVERING THE NEWS!** You’ll just find it someplace different until the work’s done. So once the overhauling begins around 6 pm tonight, you’ll see a page here pointing you to our temporary backup site at westseattleblog.wordpress.com (which we haven’t had to use in a couple years). As we add stories, whether breaking or not, we’ll also publish the links on our main social-media sites, facebook.com/westseattleblog and twitter.com/westseattleblog (so if you aren’t among our 21,000 FB followers and 37,500 Twitter followers – consider joining, at least temporarily!). Our technical team’s not sure how long it’ll take to move our decade of data – which this creaky old shell just can’t handle any more – but once it’s over and we’re back at the regular address, we’ll send messages too.

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