West Seattle, Washington
03 Thursday
If you love local music – Easy Street Records was the place to be this Valentine’s night, as the West Seattle duo SISTERS rocked the shop with an in-store show to celebrate their debut album “Drink Champagne,” which their website says “depicts a teeming musical landscape, vast and alluring, occupied by restless creatures longing for connection and humble protagonists searching for salvation. Songs play out like glistening vistas whizzing by a car window, all kinetic motion and mystery, contiguous but discrete. Every instrument, from a squadron of guitars and a slew of synths to hammer dulcimer and marimba and cowbell, tells its own story.” The musicians who comprise SISTERS are Andrew Vait …
… and Emily Westman:
If you weren’t at the show, we recorded a bit of the performance:
“Drink Champagne” is available, of course, at Easy Street.
ORIGINAL REPORT, 9:57 PM: Thanks to everyone who texted about a big police response near 63rd/Alki. Most of the units had cleared, along with a Seattle Fire engine that had responded, before we got there, but we spotted one last police car in the area and tracked down an officer to ask. They say it started with a report that a man was going through employees’ belongings at Cactus. They were told he was harassing one employee in particular. Witnesses told us about a loud argument/confrontation of some sort out in the street. Then when police arrived, officers tell us, the man claimed he had ingested drugs, so he was eventually sent to Harborview to be checked out. No one was physically hurt, we’re told.
UPDATE, 10:35 AM WEDNESDAY: We’ve requested the report narrative from SPD and hope to have it soon.
11:49 AM: After talking up with police, we have just one more major detail to add – after treatment at Harborview, the 24-year-old suspect was booked into King County Jail.
(WSB photos by Patrick Sand)
ORIGINAL REPORT, 7:01 PM: We’re at the Chief Sealth IHS gym, where the West Seattle High School boys just won their district-tournament game against Ballard HS, 62-44. The Wildcats led after each quarter; here’s how the first half ended, before they went into halftime ahead 25-18:
WSHS boys run up a 25-18 lead over Ballard going into halftime. Here's how the half ended: pic.twitter.com/pG8bTjcLw1
— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) February 15, 2017
The WSHS boys’ next game in districts is Thursday at Bellevue College, 8:15 pm, vs. the winner of tonight’s game between Nathan Hale and Eastside Catholic.
10:57 PM: Photos added:
#22 Yusuf Mohamed ended the night with 19 points; next was #1 Nate Pryor, with 17:
#3 Tyler Lenzie had 9, and #13 Cass Elliott netted 6.
If you’re going to the 8:15 pm Thursday game, you’ll be cheering for the Wildcats vs. Nathan Hale, in a rematch of their recent Metro tournament faceoff. And however that turns out, WSHS is guaranteed a berth in the state tournament as a result of tonight’s win.
At halftime, Garfield girls 34, West Seattle 27. Video – McPhee three from 2nd quarter. (Not shown but big, Turk 3 @ halftime buzzer) pic.twitter.com/LZgeOsh9Fs
— West Seattle Blog (@westseattleblog) February 14, 2017
(Video added: Jenna McPhee three-pointer during second quarter)
FIRST REPORT, 4:36 PM: We’re at Bellevue College, where the West Seattle High School girls-basketball team has just pulled out a thriller of a district-playoffs win, 64-63 over Garfield HS. The Wildcats were behind for the entire first half, took the lead for the first time midway through the third quarter, but never pulled away, and the fourth quarter was a nailbiter, but when the buzzer sounded, WSHS took the win. Photos, video, and more details later.
ADDED 6:48 PM: The first quarter was not a good one for West Seattle – Garfield led the entire way, pulling out to a double-digit lead within a few minutes, and ending the first quarter on top, 22-13. They kept the lead for the second quarter too, but the real turning point of this game was probably the West Seattle three-pointers that bookended halftime: Izzy Turk sank one at the buzzer that ended the half, so what had been a 10-point deficit for the Wildcats was cut to 7, 34-27. Then the first scoring of the second half was a three by Jenna McPhee that trimmed the Bulldogs’ lead to 34-30.
Two minutes into the third quarter, WSHS tied Garfield 34-34. The two teams fought especially hard in the second half, and foul shots abounded. WSHS took the lead 38-36 with three and a half minutes to go in the third quarter on a basket by #20 Grace Sarver. Just a few minutes later, Turk was knocked down and had to leave the game. But her teammates fought on. The lead was traded multiple times; Garfield had it, 42-40, at the end of the third quarter.
A WSHS foul early in the fourth quarter gave Garfield more opportunities at the free-throw line, and shortly thereafter, same went for WSHS. Then a Garfield bucket took the Bulldogs’ lead to 45-41; WSHS’s Jasmine Gayles answered quickly to cut the lead to 45-43, with six and a half minutes left. After a couple more intense minutes, WSHS tied Garfield 45-45, and more lead-trading ensued. Back-to-backs by Sarver and Fiso opened a four-point lead for the Wildcats – three-fourths erased by a Garfield three-pointer – and the scoring was fast and furious from there. They were tied again, 59-59, with just a minute and a half left; within the final minute, they had a three-point lead, cut to one by Garfield with seconds to go, and WSHS held on for the 64-63 win.
Next up in districts, head coach Darnell Taylor‘s Wildcat girls will play another 3 pm game at Bellevue College (3000 Landerholm Circle SE) on Thursday (February 16th), vs. the winner of tonight’s game vs. Bellevue and Seattle Prep.
Last October, we reported on a survey asking your opinion on proposed additions to late-night Metro bus service in Seattle. Today, the plan was officially announced, and the West Seattle components are the same ones in the draft plan from last fall:
*Additional late-night service at about 2 a.m. on Route 120 serving Delridge, White Center and Burien
*Hourly all-night service on the RapidRide C, D, and E Lines, which currently operate all night but with less than hourly frequencies
The full list of additions to late-night bus service in Seattle would cost about $730,000, with two-thirds coming from the city via the voter-approved Transportation Benefit District. If the County Council gives its final approval, the changes would take effect in September.
The latest in West Seattle Crime Watch:
STABBING SUSPECT ARRESTED: As promised, we added followup information yesterday to our report on a stabbing in The Junction. And today, another update: The suspected attacker is in jail. Seattle Police tell us that the 44-year-old woman is “well-known to the (Southwest Precinct) bike officers” and they arrested her on suspicion of felony assault after spotting her yesterday near 44th SW/SW Alaska, not far from where the 16-year-old victim was stabbed early Sunday. Online files show she has an extensive misdemeanor record, with more than 50 cases in Seattle Municipal Court dating back to 1992. (TUESDAY NIGHT UPDATE: The suspect’s bail hearing this afternoon resulted in a judge setting her bail at $220,000. She is due back in court Thursday.)
NORTH DELRIDGE BURGLARY: Joane reports a break-in on Monday afternoon:
Our neighbor, who works from home, noticed that there was a white van in our communal townhouse driveway around 12:15 yesterday. About 10-15 minutes later she noticed that the van was gone, but that our other neighbor’s garage door was left open. After texting with our other neighbor, it was apparent that they were not expecting anyone at their house, and that whoever was in the white van had used some sort of a universal car/garage door opener to get into their garage. Thankfully, nothing was stolen (the door from the garage into the house was locked) but they were in the garage doing something for at least a few minutes. The police were called and they came out to take the report of what happened. After looking around, they noticed that several houses on our street have white chalk markings at the end of the driveway near the sidewalk. The police officer stated that they did not look like city markings or anything he’d ever seen before, and we’re now assuming that they have something to do with the break in.
Joane added, “We caught about 30 seconds of video on our Ring device of the van/man in question. Not a super clear picture, but it’s something.”
NORTH ADMIRAL CAR PROWL: From Tracey in the 2200 block of California SW: “We had our car rummaged through (Sunday) night. It was locked and (I) woke to an alarm but didn’t think it was mine. Nothing was taken but what was weird is there was no damage. They have the equipment to unlock the doors.”
WEST SEATTLE CRIME PREVENTION COUNCIL: This month’s WSCPC meeting is one week from tonight, 7 pm Tuesday, February 21st, at the Southwest Precinct. WSCPC’s Richard Miller says the active-shooter expert who was unable to appear last month due to a sudden illness has re-committed for this month. WSCPC is also your chance to bring neighborhood crime/safety concerns directly to local police. The precinct is at 2300 SW Webster.
The King County Assessor has announced that this year’s property-tax bills started going out today. Recent elections have added new taxes, as you are probably well aware, and so here’s what the Assessor’s Office wants you to be aware of – plus a few myths to debunk, and an exemption that some are eligible for:
King County Treasury began sending out the annual property-tax bills on February 14. King County collects property taxes on behalf of the state, the county, cities, and taxing districts (such as school and fire districts), and distributes the revenue to these local governments.
Voters have approved several property-tax increases that will make much-needed investments in child and youth development, public safety, and transportation, including more Sound Transit rail and bus service throughout much of King County. In some parts of King County, as much as 50 percent of the property tax bill is the result of voter-approved measures.
New levies approved in 2016 for collection this year include:
· Sound Transit 3 (ST3), which will connect the region’s cities with mass transit including 62 new miles of light rail; bus rapid transit on the north, east and south of Lake Washington; expanded passenger capacity on Sounder south line trains; and parking, bike and pedestrian access improvements at stations throughout the system.
· School levies in the Auburn, Federal Way, Tukwila, Seattle, Renton, Mercer Island, Kent, Vashon Island, Lake Washington, and Highline school districts.
· Renewal of the Low-Income Housing levy in Seattle.
· Public safety levies in Normandy Park, Snoqualmie, and Shoreline.
“Voters are saying yes to spending money on valuable government services, such as schools, fire protection, and transportation improvements. But we know that can be especially tough for those on fixed incomes,” said King County Assessor John Wilson. “That’s why we’ve been aggressively reaching out to seniors, veterans and disabled homeowners with the property tax exemption program.”
Low-income seniors, veterans and disabled homeowners may qualify for a property-tax exemption offered by the Assessor’s office. Information on how to apply for an exemption, along with other property-assessment-related information, can be found at kingcounty.gov/assessor. Nearly 5,000 King County homeowners applied for the exemption last year.
Property taxes vary depending upon property location, the assessed value of the property, and the number of jurisdictions levying taxes (such as state, city, county, school district, port, fire district, etc). In recent years, our schools have become more dependent on local levy dollars, and numerous special levies have been passed to fund services that were once funded out of state general tax revenue.
With property taxes going up 8 percent on average, that means countywide property tax billings will be $4.8 billion in 2017, up from $4.5 billion last year. Aggregate property values in King County increased by nearly 11 percent, going from $426.3 billion in 2016 to $471.5 billion in 2017.
The majority of property tax revenue – 52 percent – pays for schools. It also pays for police, fire protection, parks, and libraries. The county receives less than 18 percent of the property tax revenue it collects. While many people naturally assume that the county’s revenue increases as property values rise, that’s actually not the case. A state law limits the amount of additional revenue counties receive from an existing property tax to no more than 1 percent each year. One exception is revenue generated from new construction. As a result, the revenue that supports the county’s General Fund does not keep up with inflation and the increasing demand for services as our population grows.
Property owners can find tax levy rates and more property related information by visiting eReal Property Search on the King County Assessor’s website or by calling 206-296-7300.
To avoid interest and penalties, the first half property taxes must be paid or postmarked by May 1, 2017. The second half property taxes must be paid or postmarked by Oct. 31, 2017.
(Valentine sunrise – photo by Jim Borrow)
Happy Valentine’s Day! Some highlights and other notes:
VALENTINE’S DAY AT FLEURT: Fleurt (WSB sponsor) is open extended hours – until at least 6 pm – to help you with flowers and/or gifts for your valentine. You can order by phone – 206-937-1103 – or online (fleurtseattle.com) or go to the shop. Also, pop-up shops today – details here. (4539 California SW)
HIGH-SCHOOL BASKETBALL PLAYOFFS: As previewed here yesterday, West Seattle High School’s varsity teams both play today. The girls face Garfield at Bellevue College (3000 Landerholm Circle SE), 3 pm – the boys face Ballard at Chief Sealth (2600 SW Thistle), 5:30 pm.
SISTERS, LIVE IN-STORE: Local indie-pop duo Sisters is celebrating its album release with a 7 pm in-store show at Easy Street Records – free, all ages! More info in our calendar listing. (California SW/SW Alaska)
NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL MEETINGS *NOT* HAPPENING TONIGHT: Second Tuesday is usually the meeting night for the Fauntleroy Community Association board and the Admiral Neighborhood Association, but both have postponed. FCA meets TOMORROW (Wednesday, February 15th), 7 pm at Fauntleroy Schoolhouse; and as noted here last night, ANA plans to meet 7 pm Thursday, likely at PCC Natural Markets (2749 California SW; WSB sponsor), to review the newest version of the mixed-use project planned at PCC’s site.
NEIGHBORHOOD COUNCIL MEETING THAT *IS* HAPPENING TONIGHT: If you are interested in the new authorized encampments in the area, tonight’s South Park Neighborhood Association meeting might be of interest, as the city’s director of homelessness George Scarola is a guest. SP has interest in two of the encampments, Myers Way and Georgetown. SPNA meets at the South Park Neighborhood Center. (8201 10th Ave S.)
FAMILY STORY TIME: 7 pm at Delridge Library. (5423 Delridge Way SW)
THE BILLY JOE SHOW VALENTINE’S DAY SPECTACULAR: 8 pm at Parliament Tavern, featuring Billy Joe Huels of The Dusty 45s along with Robin Cady, Rod Cook, and Kohen Burrill. No cover. (4210 SW Admiral Way)
MORE TO LOVE … on our complete-calendar page.
That’s the musical invitation for you to help local students while enjoying a fab night of music and food – full details in this announcement:
Funding for public education may be stuck in Olympia, but here in West Seattle the music still swings, and our talented high school students want to share a few tunes with you at the annual Big Band Dinner Dance!
Tickets are on sale, and the community is invited. This evening of entertainment will feature West Seattle High School’s two jazz bands and the West Seattle Big Band. Delicious appetizers, dinner and desserts will be prepared and served by our students with the school’s cutting-edge Culinary Arts Program.
The night showcases of our students’ talents, and raises money to support the West Seattle High School Music Program — whose public funding does not even cover the annual cost of sheet music.
So dine, dance, applaud and enter to win restaurant certificates and other exciting raffle prizes at this annual celebration of West Seattle’s next generation of gifted musicians.
WSHS BIG BAND DINNER DANCE
West Seattle High School Commons (3000 California SW)
March 3, 6:00 pm
Tickets: $20 in advance, $22 at the door
Purchase online (no ticketing fee) at www.WSHSMusic.org
All tickets purchased online by February 15 will receive reserved seating and priority dinner service!
(SDOT MAP with travel times/video links; is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE)
(Click any view for a close-up; more cameras on the WSB Traffic page)
6:48 AM: Good morning! No incidents reported so far in/from West Seattle.
8:01 AM: Still incident-free.
8:48 AM: Had to run an errand downtown for the second consecutive day. This time, leaving just after 8 am, we got to the south end of downtown via the bridge to 4th in just under 40 minutes. Noticed the port trucks backed up on the outside lane westbound, past the 99 overpass. Currently parked on 1st South just north of the West Seattle Bridge onramp/offramp and noticing that 1st northbound is quite sluggish. 4th was better.
9:02 AM: Just crossed the westbound bridge – a tow truck is there for the aforementioned stalled vehicle, and a dump truck is stalled (or otherwise pulled over) right in front of it, so the situation at the 99 offramp is more of a snarl now. Police are on scene.
The West Seattle neighborhoods that didn’t get their regular Monday solid-waste pickup because of last week’s snow day were invited to put out double this week to make up for it. That made for a longer day, according to some WSB commenters who mentioned late-arriving trucks. And one of those trucks ended the day with a breakdown. Ann Anderson sent photos and the story of how it was rescued:
I always find the behind the scenes of city works to be really interesting. Don’t know how many others do, but on my way home tonight about 8:30 pm, the neighborhood was all lit up by what I thought were fire engines. Turns out all the oncoming glare and flashing lights were due to Garbage Truck No. S297S, disabled on SW Atlantic St. in North Admiral.
So I wondered – when a fully loaded, 20-ton truck breaks down, who ya gonna call?
Michael, the tow truck driver, answered my questions while finishing a fairly involved procedure needed to prep the garbage truck for towing. This required him to lie down beneath 200 tons of steel-encrusted garbage hoisted several feet off the ground directly above him. He said that when the garbage trucks break down on the road, they call the City’s towing contractor, Quality Towing, for whom Michael works.
Lifting and hauling away behemoths like garbage trucks is quite a production and takes some time. The tow rig is 40 feet long and is so big that it makes a hulking garbage truck actually look small.
The rig is equipped with a whopping 550 hp that can yield 100,000 lbs. of lift, so hoisting 40,000 lbs. of garbage truck is only a moderate workout.
I asked Michael how often garbage trucks break down. He said that it happens almost every day. He then added, “there are a LOT of trucks out there”.
It seems it takes going without, even for a short time due to inclement weather, for us to appreciate city services (like curbside garbage pickup) as well as the wide range of service workers who consistently ensure they happen for us – often at all hours of the day and night.
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