West Seattle, Washington
25 Sunday
We’re continuing to track various West Seattle crime cases through the court system, and have three updates:
WESTCREST PARK MURDER CASE: The trial date for the three defendants in last September’s Westcrest Park murder of 15-year-old Derek Juarez-Lopez has been changed again. Now Diego Carballo-Olivares, Elizabeth Cabrera-Aparicio, and Jonatan Islas-Martinez are scheduled for trial in July, depending on how a trial-readiness hearing goes on May 11th. Court documents say defense lawyers requested the extra time because they have dozens of potential witnesses – including law-enforcement personnel – to interview.
ADMIRAL STABBING CASE: A new trial date also has been set for Kierra Ward, charged with two counts of assault in the October stabbing of a woman walking with her baby. Ward is now scheduled to go on trial April 25th, depending on how her next trial-readiness hearing goes – that’s set for April 13th. She remains in King County Jail, in lieu of $400,000 bail.
WARRANT FOR BURGLARY/CAR PROWL SUSPECT: Four weeks ago, we reported on charges filed against Nicholas Watson, arrested in mid-February at an Upper Morgan one-time nuisance house that had since been renovated and readied for sale, found with what was described as loot from car prowls. It was his fourth arrest this year but first time he’d been charged. Checking on his case, we found court documents showing that Watson requested a bail reduction at his March 1st arraignment and was released from jail, on grounds he would participate in the CCAP program. Now a warrant is out for his arrest. Terms of the program included reporting for classes every weekday; court documents say he stopped reporting five days after he was released.
Over the weekend, West Seattle artist Desmond Hansen painted a tribute portrait on a fourth local signal box. This time, it’s Layne Staley of Alice in Chains, and it’s on the northwest corner of the Avalon/Harbor/Spokane intersection. That follows Jimi Hendrix at California/Fauntleroy (featured here March 7th), Bruce Lee at 35th/Morgan (featured here March 10th), and Chris Cornell at 35th/Alaska (here’s the artist’s Instagram photo). Hansen also launched a crowdfunding page to raise money for supplies, and it’s already past its goal; in a video accompanying it, he says he might even take the project citywide.
(All ages made blankets to comfort sick children through Project Linus. Photo by Monika Lidman)
Thanks to Judy Pickens for sending the photos and sharing the report:
Today the second annual Worship Without Walls at Fauntleroy Church drew 120 adults and children to a morning of service, volunteering an estimated 200 hours to Food Lifeline, Friends of Lincoln Park, West Seattle Elementary, Project Linus, and refugee support through the International Rescue Committee.
(Church volunteers repackaged sufficient food for 2,133 meals; here they ready portions of pasta for area food banks. Photo by Bill Zoellner)
The first-ever WWW last year saw volunteers involved with four projects that day.
(March 2014 WSB photo)
That was the spectacular sunset on March 20, 2014, as seen from West Seattle’s Solstice Park, during NASA Solar System Ambassador Alice Enevoldsen‘s spring-equinox event. Our archived coverage shows that was the most-recent time the sun cooperated with Alice’s spring sunset watches – but the forecast for the next one, 6:30-7:30 pm Tuesday (March 20th), looks promising! You’re invited to join Alice for the free and fun informational all-ages gathering Tuesday night – here’s how to get to Solstice Park (7400 Fauntleroy Way SW, uphill from the tennis courts) if you haven’t been there before.
P.S. Spring officially arrives at 9:15 am our time Tuesday. While the official sunset time will be around 7:20 pm, Alice has noted over the years that the moment of disappearance behind the Olympic Mountains is usually about 10 minutes earlier.
The photo above shows Chief Sealth International High School Jazz Band members on the pedestrian bridge over the Clark Fork River in Missoula, Montana. It’s from parent chaperone Debbie Taylor, who explains:
They returned yesterday from a four day trip there to compete in the Buddy DeFranco Jazz Festival. The festival is in its 38th year and takes place at the University of Montana. The band was able to take this trip through the generous donations made to and support from the Denny-Sealth Performing Arts (DSPA) Boosters. The Jazz Band is conducted by Dr. Marcus Pimpleton and Brittany DeLong (not pictured). The Chief Sealth Jazz Band brought home the Buddy DeFranco Jazz Festival Outstanding Soloist Award, and at least seven medals awarded for outstanding musicianship to individuals in the Jazz Band.
West Seattle Crime Watch reader report from Linda:
Stolen truck: 1990 Dodge Dakota – 4X4 – 2-tone brown. Last seen on Friday, March 16th in the 5200 block of California Ave. in the back parking lot. The plate number is B68460L.
If you see it, call 911.
As we first mentioned a week and a half ago, next weekend brings what just might be the last of the Alaskan Way Viaduct‘s twice-yearly inspection closures. It’s officially scheduled for two days as usual – 6 am-6 pm Saturday, March 24th, and 6 am-6 pm Sunday, March 25th – but these closures have tended in recent years to just need the first day.
For history fans, summaries of the inspections going back more than 15 years can be read here. As for why we note that this might be the last semiannual inspection, yet another briefing last Thursday (like this one three weeks ago) suggested the AWV might be out of service before October arrives.
(Cooper’s Hawk in Seaview sunshine, photographed by Jeremiah Holt)
From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: See what’s fresh at the last market of winter – spring starts Tuesday morning. 10 am-2 pm in the street in The Junction. (California SW between SW Oregon and SW Alaska)
RUN CLUB: Kid- and dog-friendly run leaves Ounces in North Delridge at noon on Sundays. All levels welcome. (3809 Delridge Way SW)
SIGN-MAKING FOR THE MARCH: Looking ahead to next Saturday’s March for Our Lives, you’re invited to Admiral UCC to make signs, 12:30 pm-1:30 pm. (4320 SW Hill)
JAMTIME: Live music at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 1-4 pm. (5612 California SW)
SOUTHWEST STORIES: The speaker series presented by the Southwest Seattle Historical Society and Seattle Public Library returns with curator Phil Hoffman talking about the Log House Museum’s new “Navigating to Alki” exhibit. 2 pm at West Seattle (Admiral) Library.
GOT SOMETHING FOR THE CALENDAR? editor@westseattleblog.com – as far in advance as possible – thank you!
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