West Seattle, Washington
23 Saturday
11:37 PM: We’ve been working all evening to find out more about an arrest announced by West Seattle High School principal Brian Vance in an early-evening email to families. (Thanks to the many parents who forwarded it to us.) He wrote: “Earlier today, I was notified of the arrest of one of our instructional assistants by the King County Sheriff’s Office,” Vance wrote, adding that the staffer “was immediately placed on administrative leave by Central Office.” His letter named the man, but he is not charged, so we are not publishing his name at this point. The King County Jail Register showed that the 34-year-old man was booked after 9 pm Tuesday for “investigation of sexual abuse of a child” and released at 7 pm tonight after posting bond. According to the jail register, his bail had been set at $20,000. KCSO told us the arrest was one of seven related to what they announced was “an operation to apprehend subjects who have targeted minors for the purposes of prostitution. … Over the course of the two-day operation, detectives posed as an underage girl and engaged in over 900 texts/voice conversations. The ‘underage girl’ arranged to meet the suspects at a local motel. When the men arrived, they were arrested.” Meantime, Vance’s note to families stressed that “the arrest (was) not directly connected to WSHS.” We will be following up tomorrow with both the district and the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.
ADDED 11:17 AM THURSDAY: Just obtained the probable-cause document from the KCPAO. The potential charge is “Attempted Commercial Sexual Abuse of a Minor.” Investigators say that in communication with a detective pretending to be a 14-year-old girl, he agreed to pay “her” $150 for “unprotected sex.” He was arrested when he knocked on the door of a motel room in Seatac around 7:44 pm Tuesday. The document says that after his arrest, he told detectives he “worked as a special-education teacher in Seattle.” He is due back in court tomorrow.
ADDED 1:18 PM: The district is so far declining to answer further questions such as how long the suspect has worked for SPS and whether he was working at any other schools. His online resumé, which has been removed since we looked at it yesterday, said he joined the district early this decade.
(WSB photos)
For tonight’s West Seattle Christmas lights spotlight, we head back to the north half of the peninsula – Doug and Diane Hintz sent word of their display at 3403 SW Manning.
They’re on a corner, which means multiple sides to admire!
We’ll keep featuring lights nightly through Christmas – now just two weeks away – if you have a suggestion, whether your own display or one you’ve seen, let us know – westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you! (Our archive of previously shown lights is here.)
Finally got a bit of info about the future of 5401 California SW, site of OutWest Bar for eight years until its closure in July. We’ve been trying to rustle up details since we started getting tips a few weeks ago that work was being done in the space. Nothing has turned up in permit files yet, liquor or otherwise. But finally tonight, we spotted someone at work, the front door open, and we pulled over to see if we could find out anything. The person who was there told us it’ll be a bar called The Box, probably not open before March as an extensive remodel is planned. Stay tuned for more.
(WSB photo, December 1st)
The robbery suspects arrested in West Seattle last Friday are now both charged. 18-year-old Omar Upham is charged with one count of first-degree robbery; the 17-year-old, whose name we are not publishing because he is being prosecuted (so far) as a juvenile, is charged with two counts of first-degree robbery and two counts of second-degree assault. Both are charged with robbery in the December 1st holdup at the Lucky 5 gas station/mini-mart at 35th/Henderson; the juvenile defendant is also charged with assault in that crime as well as robbery and assault in a shoplift turned violent at Roxbury Safeway on November 29th.
Upham remains jailed in lieu of $500,000 bail. His charging documents also note that he had gotten out of juvenile detention three months ago and that his juvenile record includes robbery and assault. The police-written probable-cause narrative says that when he was arrested at Southwest Athletic Complex last Friday and taken downtown for questioning, he was wearing the same gray sweatsuit shown in security video of the Lucky 5 holdup. He had a gun in one pocket and was also found to be in possession of the same types of cigarettes and cigars stolen from the mini-mart.
The 17-year-old also remains in custody, according to the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office. His charging documents say he was the robber who jumped the counter at Lucky 5 and started punching and kicking the man on duty, as well as ripping off his gold necklace. After SWAT officers arrested him at his family’s residence in High Point on Friday afternoon, the documents say, a loaded gun was found in a bedroom there, with its serial number scratched off. Police say he claimed he was drunk when he and three others held up the Lucky 5, and that he confessed to six other crimes, including the White Center and Burien phone-store robberies, the Junction alley holdup, a package theft (no date/time listed), a downtown business robbery in September, and the Roxbury Safeway shoplift-turned-robbery.
In the latter incident, investigators allege that he and an accomplice tried to leave the store without paying for food and a beverage that one security officer thought was liquor (but was actually water). When two security officers tried to stop them, the documents say, the 17-year-old pulled a gun on them, after his accomplice beat one officer. He will be arraigned in juvenile court tomorrow; Upham will be arraigned on December 23rd. As for the other cases and other possible suspects, the investigation continues.
Thanks for the tips! The pm commute on the West Seattle Bridge is being backed up by a spinout crash on the westbound bridge’s pre-Fauntleroy curve. No serious injuries – no SFD dispatch.
The best way to end homelessness is to prevent it from happening. One of the agencies devoted to doing that in our area is the West Seattle Helpline. They’ve asked us to let you know they’re seeking help with what they describe as an “urgent need”:
Requests for emergency financial assistance are at an all-time high, up roughly 30% compared to this time last year — that’s an extra 32 families who need help each month. For the first time in four years, we may not be able to support all of our neighbors seeking assistance. We need YOU now more than ever to ensure we can continue to help ALL our neighbors. This season we ask that you join us in stretching yourself to help stop homelessness before it starts.
The assistance provided by the Helpline covers one-time needs, preventing eviction and/or utility shutoffs. These are not giant grants – an average of $281 can keep a family from losing their home, the Helpline says. If you can help with any amount, donate online, or send a check to West Seattle Helpline, 6516 35th Ave SW #204, Seattle, WA 98126.
(May photo by David Hutchinson)
1:30 PM: Early alert from the Port of Seattle regarding the damage at Jack Block Park in West Seattle, first noted here back in May:
Starting as early as January 2, 2020, and going as late as March 6, 2020, the pier at Jack Block Park will be closed for repairs to the pier structure and hand railings.
Work will generally be Monday through Friday, starting as early as 6:00 AM and will end as late as 4:30 PM.
Visitors should expect a reduction in parking spaces near the eastern restroom building, while the ADA parking space will remain available.
The plaza will remain open, but a small portion may be used for staging. We appreciate the public’s understanding while these repairs are being completed.
3:37 PM: Since our archives showed that repairs were made in spring, we asked port spokesperson Peter McGraw for information on exactly what will happen during this closure. His reply:
In the summer of 2019 we completed interim repairs; those repairs allowed us to open the majority of the pier.
A small portion of the pier which we closed about 2-1/2years ago remains closed. That portion will be open again at the completion of the upcoming project.
The upcoming project work includes repairing additional damage from the 2019 impact event that caused the summer 2019 closure.
The project will also complete needed repairs that are simply due to age of the pier.
(WSB photo)
We caught up with the West Seattle Road Runners cross-country-running team earlier this week at Hiawatha as they got ready for a big training session. Once again this year, the Road Runners will be represented at the USATF National Junior Olympic Cross Country Championships in a big way – 19 of them are going to Madison, Wisconsin, for this weekend’s competition. The runners are in the 7/8 and 9/10 age brackets. The Road Runners’ recent achievements include first-ever age-group team titles in regional competitions last month. The program became an official USATF-sanctioned club in 2017 and has been represented at nationals every year. Another achievement: This past September, the Road Runners hosted the first-ever West Seattle Rust Buster meet.
(Squid fishing at Seacrest Pier, photographed by David Hutchinson)
From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, what’s up for the rest of your Wednesday:
WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON MOVIE: “The Hatchet Man” (1932) will be shown at the Senior Center of West Seattle, 1 pm. (4217 SW Oregon)
WRITING CIRCLE: Seattle Writes event at West Seattle (Admiral) Library, 6 pm. Drop in for “writing exercises and motivation”! (2306 42nd SW)
34TH DISTRICT DEMOCRATS: This month’s second-Wednesday gathering of the area’s largest political organization is the holiday party, 6:30 pm at The Hall at Fauntleroy. Potluck! (9131 California SW)
POEMS AND STORIES: The monthly Poetrybridge event at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor) is at 7 pm tonight, with featured readers Sherri Levin and Dale Champlin. All ages. (5612 California SW)
LAUGHTER! Comedy Kitchen hosted by Zack Kitchens at the Pacific Room on Alki (WSB sponsor), 7 pm. (2808 Alki SW)
AT PARLIAMENT TAVERN: Joe Doria’s McTuff featuring Esshan Karimi and Cole Schuster, 9 pm. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)
And since it’s now just TWO weeks until Christmas, this reminder:
LIGHTS, TREES, MUSIC, SHOPPING, SANTA … and more … are all listed in our updated-daily Holiday Guide!
The family of James N. Creighton is sharing this remembrance with the community:
James Nelson Creighton, passed away peacefully on Nov. 29, 2019 in West Seattle, after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease.
Born Oct. 1, 1939 to James and Thelma Creighton in Wadena, Minn., Jim (or “Jamie”) moved with his parents and younger brother, Stuart, to Seattle in 1942. He attended Fauntleroy Elementary, Denny Middle and graduated from West Seattle High School. It was there, in history class, where he met his future wife of 57 years, Diane Finch.
Jim played guard for West Seattle HS, and was talented enough to play football at the collegiate level: first for Everett Community College (All-Coast Conference and All-American Small College), then for the University of Puget Sound, where he also was an assistant coach for one year. He was recruited to play for the Chicago Bears.
Jim graduated from UPS in 1962 with a BA in history and education and became a public school teacher. He completed graduate work in U.S. history, philosophy and constitutional law at the UW, Seattle U., Central and Northwestern University. Jim taught history and coached football, track and basketball first at Grand Coulee, then at Luther Burbank, Ballard and Cleveland High. In 1973, he moved to Seattle’s Garfield High, where he taught and coached for 31 years.
There, he served as Garfield’s history department chair for 15 years, developing the Advanced Placement programs in U.S. history, European history, and American Government and Politics. He was an advisor to the College Board on AP History; his AP study guides were widely used by teachers here and nationwide. Jim was also Garfield’s head football and soccer coach, taking his teams to multiple playoffs and state championships. He concluded his teaching career at Newport High in Bellevue in 2006.
Jim was a member of Kappa Sigma at UPS and a proud member of the Big W Club at West Seattle High. He enjoyed reading, sailing, watching movie all things history and watching football (especially the Huskies).
Jim is survived by his wife of 57 years, Diane (Finch) Creighton; his daughters, Jocelyn (Chris) McCabe and Jennifer Creighton; and grandson Ryan McCabe. He was preceded in death by his parents, James and Thelma Creighton, and his brother, Stuart Creighton.
It is impossible to capture the number of lives Jim impacted as a teacher, mentor, coach, and friend. However, we know all that he did for us as a father and husband, and for that, we are forever grateful.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Northwest Parkinson’s Foundation or Medic One. Special thanks also to the care team at Providence Mount St. Vincent.
(UPDATE) Friends and family will gather to celebrate the life of Jim Creighton on Saturday, March 7 from 1-3 p.m. at Salty’s on Alki. Please RSVP to 360.870.8708 or jmccabe34@hotmail.com to be added to the list of attendees..
(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)
(SDOT MAP with travel times/ Is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE/ West Seattle-relevant traffic cams HERE)
7:15 AM: Good morning.
WEEKEND CLOSURE REMINDER: The 35th/Alaska intersection is scheduled to close this weekend for work, starting at 7 pm Friday. And “as soon as today,” SDOT announced yesterday, turning left from NB 35th onto WB Alaska will be off-limits.
RIDE2 SERVICE ENDING: December 20th will be the on-demand shuttle’s last day in West Seattle, Metro announced yesterday.
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