day : 19/11/2019 10 results

(WSB photo, September 2017)

Two years after 25-year-old Edixon Velasquez was shot dead in the street outside his Westwood home, the two people charged in his murder are on trial.

After multiple questions about how the trial was going, we were finally able to go to court today, the only way to get that answer.

King County Superior Court Judge Kristin Richardson, a former prosecutor, is presiding over the trial of 23-year-old Anna Kasparova and 21-year-old Abel Linares-Montejo. Kasparova is the victim’s former girlfriend; Linares-Montejo is a subsequent boyfriend of hers, and described in court documents as believed to be the father of the baby she delivered in May of last year, eight months after the murder.

Prosecutors allege that they went to Velasquez’s house on September 19th, 2017, with the intent of robbing him; after Kasparova lured the victim outside, they say, Linares shot him twice. She was arrested the next day; he was arrested two weeks later.

The trial started in late October with jury selection. The prosecution called three witnesses while we were there today. The first was a records custodian from Facebook/Instagram, verifying records the company turned over from social-media messaging allegedly related to the case. The other two were a close friend of Linares and the friend’s cousin, both now 21 years old; they were both residents of an Auburn mobile-home park at the time of the murder. They spoke about visiting Alki earlier on the day of the shooting – not with Linares – but then catching up with him much later, after the shooting, and being present when police arrested him two weeks later. Questioning also centered on whether the alleged robbery attempt was planned, all the way down to a slang term used in messaging that might have indicated a plan.

The trial is expected to last at least through next week, Judge Richardson noted this afternoon. Testimony continues tomorrow morning but it will be a half-day, she also said. The trial briefs filed by both sides show a very short list of possible defense witnesses, including potentially the defendants themselves.

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READER REPORT: Cashbox found, sort of

November 19, 2019 7:50 pm

| 1 COMMENT

| West Seattle news

Just in case it helps solve a mystery – a reader sent that photo and this report: “Found this in the walkway between Talarico’s and Haymaker around 7 am today. When I walked by again ~30 minutes later it was no longer there.” (When a found item seems likely to be crime-related, like this, we’ll feature here on the news page, but for other lost/found items – there’s a specific section in our Community Forums.)

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TRAFFIC ALERT: Trouble for the back-to-West Seattle commute too

November 19, 2019 5:43 pm

| 14 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

5:43 PM: As sluggish as this morning’s outbound commute was – we got to experience it firsthand – inbound tonight isn’t any better. A crash is blocking the 1st Avenue S. onramp to the westbound West Seattle Bridge, for one. Thanks for the tips!

5:48 PM: Just after we published that, the incident was cleared. Of course the residual backup will take a while to clear.

6:15 PM: On the south end, SDOT reports “a blocking vehicle at Olson Pl SW & Myers Way S.”

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How to get a free souvenir chunk of Alaskan Way Viaduct rubble

November 19, 2019 4:15 pm

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| Alaskan Way Viaduct | West Seattle news

The time-lapse video is from WSDOT, as it announces that the four remaining columns of the Alaskan Way Viaduct are about to be demolished. But if you harbor Viaduct nostalgia, this might be even bigger news:

We received many requests for commemorative pieces of viaduct concrete. At long last we have the answer: Yes, you can have a piece.

Small pieces of concrete are available for free at the Waterfront Space at the corner of Western Avenue and Union Street. Friends of Waterfront Seattle runs the space to showcase plans for Seattle’s rebuilt waterfront. Here’s where and how to obtain a piece of viaduct history:

Friends of Waterfront Seattle
1400 Western Avenue (corner of Western Ave and Union Street)
Public hours: Wednesday – Sunday, noon – 5 p.m.

Looking ahead, construction is underway in the space where the viaduct once stood. The City of Seattle is building the two-way bus lanes on Columbia Street that will provide a connection for transit between Third Avenue and SR 99 south of downtown. South of Marion Street contractor crews are also mobilizing to begin early work on the new Alaskan Way surface street. Learn more about what’s to come by visiting Waterfront Seattle’s website or subscribing to their weekly construction email updates.

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DEVELOPMENT: 1250 Alki project finally about to start

November 19, 2019 3:10 pm

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| Development | West Seattle news

The project planned for what was 5 houses – 2 moved – at 1250 Alki SW is finally, really about to start, its developers say. The project has been through not only delays but changes – it was once planned to be a 125-apartment building but will instead be built as 40 condos. Here’s the official notice:

CONSTRUCTION BULLETIN: ALKI BEACH RESIDENCES

Project Description:

Experienced local developer, Vibrant Cities, along with architecture firm, Tiscareno & Associates and general contractor, Alki Builders, will soon begin construction of a new condo building along the Alki beachfront. This 6-story, multifamily residence will contain 40 condo units and two levels of underground parking. Other features of the building include a swimming pool, and a rooftop garden.

Current Timeline for the Project:

This project is expected to be complete in the 1st Quarter, 2021. Demolition activities will begin after building permit issuance, targeting November 2019, with excavation activities running through the 2nd Quarter, 2020. Structural concrete work will begin in Quarter 2 , 2020, with the exterior enclosure being completed by the 2nd Quarter, 2021.

Construction Activity Impact:

Our team prioritizes traffic access for the residents, businesses and visitors in the area. Due to site constraints, the northbound sidewalk on Alki Avenue SW will be closed to pedestrians for the duration of the project. Crosswalks will be set up at both ends of the project site to allow pedestrians to safely cross to the sidewalk along the water. Nearby residents and businesses will be informed of any planned road closures before they occur.

It is our goal to minimize noise impacts in the Alki Beach neighborhood. Construction activities will not begin before 7:00 a.m. during the week, and not before 9:00 am on Saturdays only, unless in emergency situations.

Safety is an Attitude:

At Alki Builders, we hold safety as one of our highest values. It is a moral responsibility to our employees and the community as a whole. Our Safety Program includes not only our team and subcontractors, but also the community members passing by our project each day. Please observe the temporary traffic signage and follow the directions of flaggers. Please stay alert when walking, biking, or driving around the site and look for construction vehicles or heavy machinery entering and exiting the site. Our priority is to maintain a safe work site for our team and for the public.

Project Location: 1250 Alki Avenue SW

Work Hours:

Weekdays: 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Saturdays: 9:00 a.m. – 7:00p.m.

For Construction
Related Questions, Contact:

alkibuilders@gmail.com

They say demolition will start within 2 weeks.

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Washington State Ferries invites you to its first online community meetings

November 19, 2019 1:35 pm

| Comments Off on Washington State Ferries invites you to its first online community meetings

| Transportation | West Seattle news | West Seattle online

In a time when community meetings are often lightly attended unless something mega-controversial is on the agenda, government agencies keep trying new ways of engagement. Washington State Ferries is testing the waters by hosting its first-ever online public meetings next month. The announcement:

Washington State Ferries is hosting a round of community meetings through a new, online webinar in order to share the latest information and engage people in ferry-served communities from Tacoma to the San Juan Islands.

During two live online community meetings, WSF staff will give a brief presentation with updates about 2019 accomplishments and what is next for implementation of WSF’s Long Range Plan. Online participants will be able to ask questions and provide comments.

“We want to hear from the communities we serve, because they are an essential part of our decision making process here at ferries,” said Amy Scarton, head of Washington State Ferries. “I hope even more of our ferry riders and terminal neighbors weigh in with this exciting new format.”

The first round of WSF’s 2019 community meetings in April and May saw nearly 530 attendees at 10 public meetings, one for each route. With the new webinar format, members of the public can attend and participate in a conversation about ferries from a laptop, desktop, or mobile device.

Registration information

Each meeting will cover the same information and participants will need to register in advance.

1. Those interested in attending can choose between two sessions: Saturday, Dec. 7 at 9 a.m. or Tuesday, Dec. 10 at 6 p.m.

2. Registration is available online. Participants must provide a name and valid email address and have access to a computer or mobile device with an internet connection.

3. Once registered, participants will receive an email with detailed instructions on how to log in to the webinar.

Meeting materials and recordings will be available online after each meeting.

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HOMETOWN HOLIDAYS: Decorating The Junction

November 19, 2019 11:54 am

| 1 COMMENT

| Holidays | West Seattle news

ing
Another sign of the season – the West Seattle Junction Association is decorating the heart of the business district today! The decorations on light poles include something new:

The snowflake lights are new – so look for those when you are in The Junction after dark this holiday season. For the full West Seattle Junction Hometown Holidays list, go here – the big event is December 7th, Night Market and Tree Lighting night.

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HOLIDAY GUIDE: Thanksgiving hours/events? Let us know!

November 19, 2019 10:39 am

| 1 COMMENT

| Holidays | West Seattle news

The holiday season is here, with Thanksgiving now just nine days away. Now that the WSB West Seattle Holiday Guide is launched, we’re welcoming listings for any and all seasonal events – but especially that imminent holiday. If your restaurant/coffee shop is open any part of the holiday, please let us know – we’re building that list. Any other seasonal events, from now through New Year’s? Please send the info as soon as you can! westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you.

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West Seattle highlights for today/tonight, featuring #TurkeyTuesday

November 19, 2019 9:00 am

| 4 COMMENTS

| West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Photo by Monica Zaborac)

When we have recent West Seattle Turkey sightings to share – seven months in the neighborhood now! – it’s #TurkeyTuesday, so here we go! Still in the greater Admiral area. Meantime, on with the calendar highlights:

SSC HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT INFO SESSION: 10 am at South Seattle College (WSB sponsor), find out about the bachelor’s-degree program in Hospitality Management.

BABY STORY TIME X 2: 10:30 am at two local libraries – Southwest (9010 35th SW) and West Seattle/Admiral. (2306 42nd SW)

POET @ SENIOR CENTER: 1 pm at the Senior Center of West Seattle, Marjorie Laughlin shares poems from her first collection of poetry. (4217 SW Oregon)

(Photo by Peter Trueblood)

DINE-OUT FUNDRAISERS X 2: 4-8 pm at Chipotle in The Junction (4730 California SW) for the West Seattle Booster Club; 5-10 pm at Circa in Admiral for Louisa Boren STEM K-8. (2605 California SW)

MOMS DEMAND ACTION: Local elected officials are expected at tonight’s West Seattle meeting:

Now that the election results are in, join us at our monthly meeting Tuesday Nov. 19th from 6-8 pm in West Seattle where we will have a fantastic opportunity to hear directly from state and city leaders on what they are doing to help reduce gun violence. We will be joined by West Seattle’s state representatives Eileen Cody, and Joe Fitzgibbon along with Sen. Joe Nguyen. Seattle District 1 Councilmember Lisa Herbold will also join us. To join this special legislative roundtable, email westseattle.momsdemandaction@gmail.com to RSVP and for location information. Bring any questions you have about state and local efforts to curb gun violence.

SINGER/SONGWRITER CONTEST: At the Pacific Room on Alki:

This Tuesday Pacific Room Alki is partnering with Queery to hosts a wholly unique kind of music event.

Tuesday evening 6 artists will have the opportunity to showcase their musical and songwriting skills for a chance to win a $200 cash prize, free food and drinks for the night, and a chance to play a paid gig at Pacific Room Alki.

Winner is audience choice! Come enjoy some fine food and drinks, and cast your ballot for your favorite artist! This event is free to the public. Artists of all genres welcome – Original Songs Only. If you would like to compete, and receive more info, please email: jonny@pacificroomalki.com

(2808 Alki SW)

UNPLUGGED – A MUSICAL GATHERING: Acoustic jam, 7-9 pm at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), all ages, no cover. (5612 California SW)

OPEN MIC X 2: Two tonight – jazz open mic at The Skylark, 8 pm (3803 Delridge Way SW); hosted by Joey V at Parliament Tavern, 9 pm. (4210 SW Admiral Way)

MORE! on our full calendar.

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