West Seattle, Washington
15 Sunday
Just a reminder – that’s what you’ll see at the west end of the West Seattle “low bridge” across the Duwamish River, officially the Spokane Street Swing Bridge, now closed for at least a week of emergency repairs. SDOT’s sudden shutdown of the 27-year-old bridge – one of a kind – was announced just a few hours in advance. Discussion following our first story published this afternoon includes some helpful information and reader-to-reader Q&A about getting around; SDOT advises bicycle riders to use the 1st Avenue S. Bridge:
From West Seattle:
Detour signs are placed at the West Seattle Bridge Trail, to head south along West Marginal Way; crossing SW Michigan St onto 1st Ave S
From SODO:
Detour signs are placed along 1st Ave S to continue south, to SW Michigan St
If you are on foot or on two wheels, the West Seattle Water Taxi also will get you across the bay – here’s the schedule.
TRAFFIC INFO DURING THE CLOSURE: We track traffic/transit every morning and will be keeping even closer watch during this closure, starting earlier in the morning as of tomorrow. And as we’ve been mentioning since last weekend, remember that SB Highway 99 will be closed between downtown and the West Seattle Bridge from Friday night until Sunday morning. And you can check West Seattle-relevant traffic cams on this WSB page any time.
SOUTH DELRIDGE BURGLARIES: On Sunday and Monday, we reported on early-morning burglaries in the South Delridge area while people were home. No one asked police about them at last night’s West Seattle Crime Prevention Council meeting, so we asked Capt. Pierre Davis if police believed they were related, and he said no. We heard from a worried neighbor this afternoon and she said police are now telling them otherwise – that at least two have similar MO’s, with the burglar coming into the resident’s bedroom. There have been at least four: Two reports in the 9400 block of 13th SW, early Sunday and early Tuesday; one in the 9200 block of 12th SW early Tuesday; and the one we detailed, early Sunday in the 9000 block of 11th SW.
CAR PROWLS: At least two overnight in 40th SW and SW Charlestown vicinity, per a brief texted reader report.
Two repeat-offender updates:
GREGORY L. THOMPSON: The Puget Ridge resident is now charged in the fish-theft case as well as with alleged witness intimidation, and he remains in jail with bail set at $325,000, a combination of current and previous cases. Charging documents tell the same story about the intimidation charge that we reported from probable-cause documents earlier this week – Thompson is accused of going to the home of the owner of a vehicle he is charged with stealing, and shooting out the vehicle’s window. But the charging papers also include new information about the saga of the stolen fish. Police found it while searching his house on a warrant related to the other case. Police say a purple Ford Explorer associated with Thompson left his house around 3 am Thursday and didn’t return until about quarter till 8 am (the fish theft is reported to have happened around 7:30). Early Friday, they served the search warrant at his house, but, the documents say, they actually arrested Thompson in White Center. At his house, the documents say, hundreds of rounds of ammunition were found as well as bb and Airsoft guns. Plus: “Detectives also located several large Styrofoam boxes marked Seattle Fish Company and at least 2 boxes containing 4 large cans of crabmeat stacked in the garage.” The charging document says this happened when Thompson was questioned about the fish:
Thompson initially denied ever being at the company. He later changed his story saying he was there and was with a friend named “Alex Harris” who had allegedly made a deal for the product. Later his story changed saying “Alex” was not with him. Thompson admitted to taking and loading several boxes into his truck and taking them to “Alex’s” place stating none of the product would be at his house. Thompson even went so far as to agree to recover the seafood from “Alex” if he called him.
When confronted with the fact detectives had located boxes of products from the Seattle Fish Company stacked in his garage and would like his consent to recover them, Thompson replied saying he would give consent if he could go home rather than being booked into KCJ, but otherwise no. A King County Superior Court addendum to the search warrant was completed and approved to recover the stolen seafood.
Thompson, police say, was never able to connect them with the mysterious “Alex,” who he said looked a lot like him. He remains in jail as of last check, and is due to go to trial later this month in connection with other cases.
NICHOLAS D. WATSON: When last we mentioned this repeat offender in a comment discussion, there was a warrant out for his arrest. Looks like police finally caught up with him. He is jailed in connection with three failure-to-appear warrants in two stolen-car cases and one burglary case, bail set at $125,000.
7:33 PM: Thanks to those who sent photos (the one above is from Jamie) – the smoke you are (or were) seeing is from what Seattle Fire has initially described as an RV fire that spread to a building at Colorado and Hanford in SODO [map].
7:37 PM: SFD says the fire’s out and no injuries were reported.
8:28 PM: Since we were in the area, headed back from the light-rail meeting, we checked out the aftermath:
The SFD crew that remained on scene confirmed no one hurt and no significant damage to the building, which is open-faced and holds metal materials.
ADDED 11:56 PM: Bill Gobie sent this video:
This was along his route home.
Thanks to Todd for the photos from this afternoon’s crash at 46th SW and SW Massachusetts [map] in North Admiral. The call was at some point upgraded to “rescue extrication” (formerly “heavy rescue”) because the white car’s driver had to be extricated.
We couldn’t get to the scene in the early going because we were en route to cover the light-rail Stakeholder Advisory Group meeting; we did get someone there before the scene totally cleared and they tell us one man went to the hospital, with injuries not believed to be life-threatening.
3:38 PM: Thanks for the tip. SDOT has finally just confirmed that the West Seattle “low bridge” will close starting tonight for emergency repairs. So far, just a tweet – we’re seeking more details – sources from whom we heard say it could last for days.
4:03 PM: SDOT has just provided more information, confirming that the closure is expected to last a week or more:
During a routine inspection, our bridge operators discovered a hydraulic fluid leak on the Spokane St Swing Bridge (aka West Seattle Low-Level Bridge).
To protect the safety of travelers and mitigate potentially costly cumulative damages, we will be conducting emergency repairs starting at 8 PM tonight, 6/20/18. The bridge will swing out of commission for a week or more and will be closed to vehicle traffic but open to marine vessels.
The leak is in one of the cylinder seals, shown above. To determine the extent of the damage, the bridge must be swung out in its open position and remain there during repairs.
… It’s hoped the repair will be complete by the middle of next week, but that cannot be confirmed until the cylinder is opened and more thoroughly investigated for damage.
Detour information is here, including word of van service *tonight only* for bicycle riders, to get them across the Duwamish, and detour maps for tomorrow and beyond.
6:07 PM: The detour points are now listed as text bullet points in the SDOT post:
Vehicle Detour Routes will begin at 8 PM and be clearly marked at the following locations:
Chelan Ave SW
1st Ave S
E Marginal
Harbor✔ Bike Riders:
From West Seattle:
Detour signs are placed at the West Seattle Bridge Trail, to head south along West Marginal Way; crossing SW Michigan St onto 1st Ave S
From SODO:
Detour signs are placed along 1st Ave S to continue south, to SW Michigan St
6:44 PM NOTE: Since we’ll be heading back from downtown (light-rail meeting coverage) around the time the bridge is scheduled to close, we’ll be going that way for an update on whatever’s happening.
Four years after the city bought it, the Morgan Junction Park addition site is finally closer to its intended use. So Seattle Parks has a few questions for you, such as – how should it be configured? Like Option A above, or Option B below?
As we mentioned in our coverage of last Saturday’s Morgan Junction Community Festival, the city opened the polling there and is continuing it online. You’re also invited to choose 10 elements from this list of 36 – and/or suggest something else you’d like to see:
1. Community Classroom
2. Pavilion/Band Shell
3. Mounded Play
4. Movable Furniture
5. Tree Grove Planting
6. Reading Room
7. Sustainable Streetscape
8. Food Cart/Truck Access
9. Event Venue
10. Natural Play Elements
11. Pollinator Plantings
12. Outdoor Fitness Area
13. Catenary Lighting
14. Woonerf/Festival Street
15. Signature Specimen Tree
16. Table Tennis
17. Group Dining Area
18. Bocce Ball
19. Edible Landscape
20. Swing/Hammock Seating
21. Sculptural Play
22. Shuffleboard
23. Outdoor Cinema
24. Checkers/Chess
25. Craft Fair/Market
26. Rain Garden Planting
27. Buffer Planting
28. Large/Iconic Play
29. Tricycle Track
30. Native/Adaptive Planting
31. Signature Lighting
32. Shade Area
33. Platform Seating
34. Built-In Lounge Seating
35. Pet Relief Area
36. West Seattle Trail Map/Communication Kiosk
You can see images of the potential elements on the survey page – go here to let Parks know your choices. The addition is expected to be built in 2020; the city demolished the commercial building on the site in 2016.
Reader report via text:
SDOT is on the scene to remove a huge downed tree branch on SW Willow St between 37th and 38th. The branch broke sometime after 10 pm last night. I noticed it down this morning. They said they have to clear the sidewalk.
Falling branches can result from heat stress, as we noted when another reader reported a Fauntleroy Park problem the other day.
(WSB photo from 2017 parade)
We are now exactly two weeks away from the 4th of July, and so we’re reminding you about West Seattle’s one-and-only Independence Day parade – the 4th of July Kids’ Parade. It’s been happening in North Admiral for almost a quarter-century but it draws families from all over the peninsula. No registration needed – just show up! The parade starts at 44th and Sunset at 10 am on Wednesday, July 4th, and winds a few blocks through surrounding neighborhoods before crossing California SW and heading to Hamilton Viewpoint Park for games and concessions. While local businesses sponsor activities and help with some of the costs, this community-organized event needs a little extra help to cover expenses such as permits – so if you can help, consider chipping in a bit here. Meantime, organizers want to thank sponsors including:
School of Rock (*)
SSCC Co-op Preschools (*)
A Kid’s Place Too (*)
Limber Yoga (*)
T-Mobile (*)
Lil Bug (*)
WestSide Baby (*)
FIT4MOM West Seattle (*)
Dream Dinners (*)
Dave Weitzel Construction
Barre3
Ounces
Admiral Theater
(*) Businesses with an asterisk plan to host a kid craft/activity at Hamilton Viewpoint Park.
Whether you’re planning to participate or just be a spectator, we’ll see you at the parade!
Congratulations to the South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) Class of 2018! Here’s the college’s announcement following last night’s commencement ceremony:
South Seattle College’s Class of 2018 graduates were honored at the Seattle Colleges “A Promising Future” Commencement Ceremony on June 19, 2018 at Safeco Field. Over 800 South graduates were celebrated, having earned a wide variety of degrees, certificates, and diplomas to support their future endeavors.
South Seattle College is part of the Seattle Colleges District which includes Seattle Central College, North Seattle College and the Seattle Vocational Institute. Students from all four institutions were joined by family, friends and Seattle Colleges faculty and staff for the celebration.
“Today we celebrated a wonderful class of South Seattle College graduates who will carry the pride of this moment with them forever, inspiring their next steps and future careers,” said South Seattle College Interim President Peter Lortz. “I’d like to thank our new alumni for the dedication they exhibited in getting to this moment, and thank our faculty and staff for supporting our students every step of the way. These graduates are the inspiration for South’s mission to improve lives through education.”
Outgoing Student Body President Angel Delker, a South graduate who will transfer to the University of Washington’s School of Social Welfare this fall, spoke during commencement.
“It wasn’t an easy road getting here,” Delker said. “Thankfully, I found my way to South Seattle College. Here, I found my support system. There were people who believed in my dream. They helped me find the resources I needed to keep going on this path. They knew I was valuable, and knew I would make a positive difference in the world.”
South Seattle College conferred a total of 806 awards this year, including:
· 438 associate transfer degrees that enable graduates to transfer to four-year colleges and universities in Washington and beyond to complete their bachelor’s degrees.
· 207 associate degrees and certificates that prepare graduates to enter the workforce immediately.
· 102 high school diplomas or equivalents, allowing graduates to take a significant step toward future educational and career opportunities.
· 59 bachelor’s degrees, taking graduates’ careers to the next level and increasing their earning potential.
Graduation season continues tomorrow night, with our area’s two biggest high schools both holding Thursday evening graduations at Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle) – Chief Sealth International High School at 5 pm, West Seattle High School at 8 pm.
(Photo by Tony Welch)
From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar for today/tonight:
BABY STORY TIME: 11:30 am at High Point Library, for little ones up to 12 months old and their parents/caregivers. (3411 SW Raymond)
LUNCH AND LEARN: The Equity in Education Coalition presents another “Lunch and Learn” event at Bethaday Community Learning Space in White Center: “Often equity, anti-racism, and equality get ‘buzzworded’ – they are superficially used by powerful people, organizations, and institutions to indicate some small measure of ‘hey, I swear we’re not racist.’ Not only is this confusing for everyone, but this misuse actually undermines the work and scholarship of racial-justice movements. We wanted to take a moment to break down what these concepts mean and illuminate their actual applications with community leaders and equity advocates.” Starts at noon. (605 SW 108th)
LIGHT RAIL STAKEHOLDER ADVISORY GROUP: 5-8 pm at Sound Transit‘s board room on the south end of downtown, the SAG is into the second “level” of reviewing potential routes/station locations for the West Seattle and Ballard light-rail extensions. Public welcome, but note that there’s no comment period. Here’s the agenda. (401 S. Jackson)
WORDSWEST LITERARY SERIES – EARLY START TIME: 6 pm at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), kids are the focus at the Summer Reading! edition of WordsWest – here’s our preview. (5612 California SW)
JUNCTION TRUE VALUE LADIES’ NIGHT: 6-8 pm – details in our calendar listing. (4747 44th SW)
DELRIDGE NEIGHBORHOODS DISTRICT COUNCIL: 7 pm at Highland Park Improvement Club – no guest this time, but if you live/work in east West Seattle, you are invited to come talk and learn about your community! Here’s the agenda. (1116 SW Holden)
From the WSB inbox this morning, three bicycle reports:
STOLEN BLACK BICYCLE: Ender says this Specialized bike was stolen in an Alki shed break-in Monday night:
This happened near 61st and Admiral. Any info, contact police and email enderbgm@hotmail.com. (Added: Here’s the SPD incident # – 2018-223799.)
ANOTHER STOLEN BLACK BICYCLE: From Jessica:
We had a stolen black ‘Jaunt’ bike stolen last night or early this morning before 4:30am from our yard in the Gatewood neighborhood. It has silver accents with a rack on the back, black plastic fenders and a flower on the seat. It also had a small bag on the back with some bike wrenches and a combo lock… not in use at the time.
FOUND BLUE BICYCLE: Jean reports this one’s at 59th/Admiral:
We don’t have police-report #’s in any of these cases yet but will add any we receive on followup.
(SDOT MAP with travel times/video links; is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE)
7:02 AM: Good morning – no incidents reported so far in/from West Seattle.
SCHOOL YEAR ENDING: Most if not all independent/parochial schools are out already. Today is the last day for Highline Public Schools, just south of here; Friday is the last day for Seattle Public Schools (with one-hour early dismissal).
WEEKEND ALERT: Another reminder – southbound Highway 99 will close between here and downtown from 9 pm Friday to 6 am Sunday, for tunnel-related work.
A local high-school student wanted to let the community know what happened when a school project resulted in her becoming a teacher, temporarily. She sent the photo and announcement:
West Seattle High School student Kalli Gallegos went to Genesee Hill Elementary School to teach a group of fifth-grade classes about physical fitness for her final health project.
“Kids don’t get enough physical fitness,” Kalli said. “My goal was to show kids that playing on electronics wasn’t the only fun thing to do after school.”
Each day during the activity, Kalli talked to the kids about a different component of fitness and played a game with them focusing on that component. For example, Monday was muscular strength day, and they did a wheelbarrow race. “It was super fun! During all the activities the kids got really competitive and gave it their all.”
Genesee Hill gym teacher Shawn Cudney said, “I was very excited when I learned Kalli was interested in teaching, especially teaching about living a healthy lifestyle.” Overall, Kalli said, “This was a super fun project and it was a great opportunity for me to get involved in my community, and hopefully I made a difference in at least one child this week!”
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