West Seattle, Washington
28 Sunday
9:20 PM: Seattle Fire is downsizing the “rescue extrication” response that was dispatched minutes ago to Highland Park Way near SW Portland [map]. But one vehicle’s reported “on its roof.” We’re en route.
9:36 PM: Photo added above. The flipped car is one of two involved. Trying to confirm radio communication indicating one was parked. No serious injuries reported.
9:42 PM: Police tell us that the flipped car was parked when the person driving another car hit it. (added below – photo of that other car)
They confirm no serious injuries, no one taken to the hospital. Highland Park Way is closed at the crash scene right now.
10:25 PM: Per police radio, Highland Park Way is reopening, both directions.
Story and photos by Jason Grotelueschen
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
Ongoing efforts to clean up contamination in and along the Duwamish River took center stage Tuesday night at a community open house featuring several groups and agencies involved with the various multi-year projects.
The event, which we previewed here, was held at South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) on the Georgetown campus, and featured representatives from the Washington Department of Ecology (including Tamara Cardona-Marek, pictured above welcoming attendees), the Environmental Protection Agency and the Duwamish River Cleanup Coalition.
The open house focused on six Lower Duwamish cleanup sites (pictured on the map below), three of which are now in the “open comment” period for public input (one of those periods ends Friday noon):
Two days after we reported on an attempted burglary in which the suspect was shown on security video holding a large knife in one hand while trying a door with the other, a charge has just been filed. 39-year-old Gabriel C. Putnam is charged with attempted residential burglary. The charging document clarifies that the break-in attempt happened in the 4800 block of Beach Drive SW (the police report and Twitter log had conflicting block numbers). It also says:
The Defendant attempted to enter the victim’s home through their front shortly after 4:30 in the morning. His actions were caught on the victim’s Ring doorbell camera, footage which also shows the Defendant trying the door handle of the residence, armed with a large kitchen style knife. Upon realizing the home was locked, the Defendant is seen walking away from the house.
According to the Defendant’s PR interview prior to his first appearance. The Defendant came to Washington three weeks ago after saying with his family in Idaho for 6-8 months, and prior to this he had been homeless. The Defendant admitted to not having a fixed or permanent residence – indicating that he attempts to sleep in the Lake Washington area. The Defendant lacks significant ties to the Seattle and greater King County communities. The Defendant has no Washington State convictions, nor does he have any out of state convictions.
The probable-cause document lists his last-known permanent address as in Huntsville, Alabama. That document also recaps that after the residents of the first house called 911, police found Putnam outside a house in the 6000 block of Beach Drive “inside a pool building which appeared to be part of the home.” After arresting him, police asked him where the knife was; he said it was in the pool building, and that’s where they found it. When filing charges today, prosecutors asked that his bail be doubled to $20,000, and the judge agreed.
Just days after moving out of their former Junction storefront, Thunder Road Guitars and The Bass Shop (WSB sponsors) plan to open their new location this weekend. From TRG proprietor Frank Gross:
After a busy week, we are just about ready to open our Morgan Junction location. We are announcing today that we will be opening this coming Saturday June 22nd in our new home at 6400 California Ave SW. We will resume normal hours and moving forward should be business as usual.
That’s just in time for Saturday’s Morgan Junction Community Festival across the street, 10 am-4 pm Saturday!
From Katherine:
My car was stolen out of my driveway in Highland Park last night or early this morning. It is a green Honda CR-V, 1999. License plate is ANV7277. Has Hillary Clinton and Rat City Brass bumper stickers. Please be on the lookout!
If you see it, call 911.
Thanks to Rosario at West Seattle Coworking (6040 California SW; WSB sponsor) for the tip on a new neighbor – as of today, Delridge-founded Youngstown Coffee Company has expanded, with proprietor Zoe adding a Morgan Junction location at 6032 California SW.
That spot was briefly home to a coffee shop that spun off from the now-closed Harry’s Chicken Joint next door.
And later this summer, Zoe plans to open an eatery in THAT space – it’ll be called Crisp, offering fare such as salads and wraps. More info on that as it gets closer to opening, but for now, you can visit Youngstown’s new Morgan location 6 am-5 pm weekdays, 8 am-5 pm weekends.
We start on the shore again today:
(Great Blue Heron wading in Fauntleroy, photographed by Jim Spraker)
LOW-LOW TIDE: Again today, you can explore while consulting with Seattle Aquarium volunteer beach naturalists, 11:30 am through 2 pm this time, at Constellation and Lincoln Parks. (Today’s lowest tide is -2.0 feet at 12:53 pm)
NEIGHBORHOOD CRIME/POLICING FOCUS GROUP: Live/work in Admiral? Tonight is your focus group to share opinions about crime and policing, 6 pm at West Seattle (Admiral) Library, as previewed here. (2306 42nd SW)
GROUP RUN: 6:15 pm, meet at West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor). Free as always. (2743 California SW)
WORDSWEST FAREWELL: After five years, WordsWest Literary Series – curated by West Seattle authors – is ending, with a “Cake in the Garden” party tonight at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor):
Along with the cake, of course, there will be readings: “an incredible line-up of WordsWest writers from all five years of our existence: Elizabeth Austen, Quenton Baker, Rick Barot, Claudia Castro Luna, Christine Deavel, Lyanda Lynn Haupt, Rachel Kessler, J.W. Marshall, Greg November, Renee Simms, and Ann Teplick.” All welcome. Free. (5612 California SW)
CANDIDATE CONVERSATIONS: The Delridge Neighborhoods District Council already has held one City Council District 1 candidate conversation, last month with Phil Tavel. Tonight, Brendan Kolding and Lisa Herbold are scheduled to appear, as previewed here. All welcome, 7 pm, Neighborhood House High Point. (6400 Sylvan Way SW)
LEFT HAND SMOKE: 9 pm at Parliament Tavern, “folk/pop/Americana.” $5 cover. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)
THAT’S NOT ALL – see the full list on our complete calendar.
Just out of the inbox, from the West Seattle Food Bank:
The West Seattle Food Bank’s Bookcase Program is in need of all kinds of gently used books including children’s picture books, adult fiction & non-fiction, cookbooks, how-to & craft books.
Our Bookcase Program distributes more than 12,000 gently used adults’ and children’s books through generous donations from our community. Our clients love the program; they can take up to 10 books home to keep. Donation hours are Monday – Friday 9 am – 3 pm and we are located at 3419 SW Morgan St. on the corner of 35th & Morgan. Enter through the garage on Morgan, come in, and we have volunteers that can help you with your donation. Thank you so much.
(SDOT MAP with travel times/ Is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE/ West Seattle-relevant traffic cams HERE)
6:57 AM: Good morning! No current incidents/alerts.
STADIUM ZONE TODAY: 3:40 pm Mariners game vs. Kansas City.
FERRY WORK TONIGHT: More work at the Fauntleroy terminal means some late-night Triangle Route cancellations tonight and Thursday night.
FIRST REPORT, TUESDAY NIGHT: We asked police tonight about the incident that led to this email to West Seattle High School families from principal Brian Vance:
As summer approaches, we continue to focus on instruction, a safe and secure school, and timely communications to families.
I want to share information regarding an incident that affected our school community. We are sending you this letter to update you on the facts and to assure you that we are doing everything we can to support our students, and that all students are safe.
This afternoon, school staff were alerted to a stranger on campus who threatened a student and then left campus. Following district protocols, students immediately reported the incident to security staff and the Seattle Police Department was called. SPD was able to find the suspect off campus and take him into custody.
We are very proud of how our students and families responded to this incident and reported their concerns appropriately. I continue to ask for your partnership in reminding your students about safe and appropriate conduct. If students hear about any potentially inappropriate or dangerous behaviors, please have them contact a staff member immediately. Reporting is a responsibility when someone is hurt, in danger or in an unsafe situation.
Please be assured that the safety and security of our students is a top priority. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.
We happened to have a team member at the West Seattle Crime Prevention Council meeting when we received that letter, forwarded by a parent. So we asked Capt. Pierre Davis about the incident. He said the man was outside the school, verbally harassing students, and at one point tried to get in, claiming he was a student, though he is way past high-school age. He is someone with mental-health problems who is known to police, the captain added. We don’t know the suspect’s status yet, though, as we don’t have the case number and haven’t found an obvious match on the countywide jail register but will follow up further tomorrow.
ADDED 2:16 PM WEDNESDAY: The 30-year-old suspect remains in jail. We just received the report narrative from police, which says the call was dispatched just before 1 pm Tuesday:
I was dispatched to 3000 California AV SW (West Seattle High School) to investigate a man who threatened to shoot a student at the high school. The remarks on the call stated, “10 MIN AGO, UNK MALE WAS TRYING TO GET INTO SCHOOL, TOLD COMPL HE WAS A STUDENT BUT APPEARED LATE 30S, THRET TO SHOOT STUDENT, NO WEAPONS SEEN”
In route to the call, Officer Constantin located ARRESTEE standing near California AV SW / SW Hanford ST. When I arrived on scene, (suspect) was detained by Officer Constantin and myself. I patted down (his) waistline but did not find a weapon. Officer Freese arrived to the high school and began talking to VICTIM/( and the other witnesses. The victim and witnesses were all high school students.
E stated the following: He noticed a male (suspect) walk onto the high school campus through the iron entrance gates. (Suspect) began tugging on the locked gym door. The gym was occupied with students at the time. (He) asked (Suspect) if he was a student. (Suspect) replied that he was student.
…verbally challenged the male again. (Suspect) responded to 2 by stating that he was going to go get his gun, come back and shoot . On a scale from 1-10, 1 being not scared at all and 10 being extremely scared, stated that he was a 3. t did not see a weapon on (Suspect)’s person. was transported from the school to (Suspect)’s location and positively ID (Suspect). provided a sworn statement. Three student witnesses with 2 were transported from the high school to (Suspect)’s location individually. (Witness) provided a sworn statement and positively identified (Suspect). (Witness), provided a sworn statement and positively identified (Suspect). (Witness) positively identified (Suspect). W refused to provide a sworn statement. Sworn statements were uploaded to DEMS.
I observed security footage of the incident. (Suspect) is seen approaching the school at 1245 hours. He enters the property from the parking lot located on the west side of the school. He enters through the west entrance of the school. Immediately after entering the school, (Suspect) is seen standing by the gym doors. Then, (Suspect) appears to be having a verbal altercation with someone out of the frame of the camera. The verbal altercation last less than 2 minutes before (Suspect) is seen walking away from the school at 1249 hours. (Suspect) told Officer Constantin (post-miranda) that he was attempting to get into the school’s gym to play basketball and denied threatening
This is the suspect’s third booking into jail this month, according to the jail-register entry’s log. One was related to a hit-run crash, the other related to a failure to appear for a hearing in that case. The log also shows that he spent six months in jail last year, June through December, related to an assault case in which, according to the court document we just downloaded, he punched a Metro driver in the face downtown.
WEDNESDAY NIGHT UPDATE: The suspect’s bail is set at $22,000.
Just in case you wondered:A Seattle Fire “full response” was briefly dispatched for a call in the 6000 block of 30th SW. All units but one were canceled before they even arrived. That last one remains on scene.
(Seattle Police photo)
Checking on recent cases, we discovered that the man arrested in The Junction with the sawed-off shotgun shown above (as reported last week) is now charged. The charge against 48-year-old Michael J. Mullen was filed just two days after he was released from jail on personal recognizance. He is charged with one count of “unlawful possession of a short-barreled shotgun.” The charging documents say it was “heavily altered” and “loaded with what appeared to be a live 12-gauge shell” – and had three more rounds taped to its barrel – when Mullen allegedly brandished it at people in the alley behind the west side of the 4700 block of California SW. The documents also say his criminal history consists of two convictions 20 years ago, DUI and disorderly conduct, and that he lives with relatives west of The Junction. A $15,000 arrest warrant was issued at the time the charge was filed.
Two notices of interest in the city’s latest twice-weekly bulletin of public notices:
WEST MARGINAL SELF-STORAGE: Six months ago, we reported that 6045 West Marginal Way SW had a early-stage proposal for a self-storage facility – what would be the fourth new one, including two planned on Harbor SW and one on Delridge Way. Now the prospective developers have formally filed an application for a land-use permit to build a 4-story facility with 16 offstreet-parking spaces, which opens a comment period through July 1st – this notice (PDF) explains how.
ADMIRAL STATION APPROVAL RE-NOTICE: The city has issued another notice of land-use approval for the 2715 California SW proposal that went through Design Review with the name “Admiral Station,” described as a “4-story, 49-unit apartment building (44 units and 5 small efficiency units) with retail and office. Parking for 46 vehicles proposed.” That sets a new deadline for appeals, July 1st, as explained here (PDF).
ORIGINAL TUESDAY REPORT: We’ve received multiple inquiries about this case and contacted the King County Sheriff’s Office to find out more. Spokesperson Sgt. Ryan Abbott told us a news release would be out shortly, and here it is:
Francisco Carranza-Ramirez, a 35-year-old male from White Center, was just released from jail on June 13, 2019 on a rape charge from a 2018 incident.
As part of his guilty plea, Carranza-Ramirez was issued a sexual assault protection order that stated he cannot have any contact with the victim or her residence. On June 15th, a few days after his release, Carranza-Ramirez violated the protection order by being within 1000 feet of the same victim. The following day, the suspect assaulted the victim, knocking her out of her wheelchair, strangled her, and threatened to kill her. Deputies arrived on-scene but the suspect fled prior to their arrival. He was not located.
Detectives believe Carranza-Ramirez is still in the White Center area and is homeless. He is also believed to still have long hair like his photo. The Sheriff’s Office urges anyone with information of where Francisco Carranza-Ramirez is to call 9-1-1.
According to the court documents in the original case, Carranza-Ramirez and the victim were acquaintances in passing, living in the same WC neighborhood, and then he started stalking her, raping her twice last September, both times with her 2-year-old son in the apartment. He was arrested after the second incident and had been in jail since then, almost nine months, until his release on June 13th after pleading guilty.
THURSDAY UPDATE: KCSO says they now believe Carranza-Ramirez is in Mexico.
Diapers needed! One more week to round some up for WestSide Baby‘s 2019 Stuff the Bus party:
WestSide Baby’s Stuff the Bus collection party is coming up on Tuesday, June 25th! Come on over with the diapers you collected (or any item from our most needed items list) and celebrate the culmination of our 19th Annual Stuff the Bus Diaper Drive!
There will be popcorn, popsicles, and celebration as we fill the bus with diapers, wipes and other hygiene products for children. You, and other members of the community, have collected over 200,000 diapers so far this summer, and we are almost to our goal of 350,000 diapers!
We believe that all children should have the diapers and basic items they need to be safe, warm and dry, and we believe in #diapersforallbabies.
See you on June 25th at our White Center Hub (10002 14th Ave SW) on June 25th from 5-7 pm!
(Seen off Fauntleroy. Photo by Jim Spraker)
From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
LOW-LOW TIDE: Again today, you can explore while consulting with Seattle Aquarium volunteer beach naturalists, now through 1:15 pm today at Constellation and Lincoln Parks. (Today’s lowest tide is -2.3 feet at 12:15 pm)
DUWAMISH CLEANUP OPEN HOUSE: As previewed here, if you have questions about the ongoing cleanups on the Duwamish River, come get answers and updates. 5:30-7:30 pm at South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) Georgetown campus. Open-house format. (6737 Corson Ave. S.)
FREE CLASS: Want to give the gift of life after yours has ended? There’s more to plan than you think. This class will help. 5:30-7:30 pm at West Seattle (Admiral) Library. (2306 42nd SW)
WEST SEATTLE CRIME PREVENTION COUNCIL: 7 pm, Southwest Precinct. Bring your crime concerns and questions. Late word that there IS a spotlight guest tonight, a detective from the SPD Sexual Assault Unit. (2300 SW Webster)
DUFF McKAGAN IN STORE: Live, 7 pm at Easy Street Records. (California/Alaska)
DENNY/SEALTH CONCERT: Choir and mariachi tonight, 7 pm at Chief Sealth International High School Auditorium. (2600 SW Thistle)
MADISON MS CONCERT: 7 pm spring orchestra concert, in the Commons. (3429 45th SW)
JAM SESSION: Monthly “Parliamentality Presents” jam session at Parliament Tavern. 9 pm. No cover. 21+. (4210 SW Admiral Way)
Seven weeks until the August 6th primary election – and only a month until voting starts, as ballots are sent out. Your next chance to see and hear candidates in our area’s highest-profile race is tomorrow. The reminder is from Delridge Neighborhoods District Council chair Mat McBride:
The Delridge Neighborhoods District Council (DNDC) is pleased to present the second round of conversations with District 1 City Council candidates this Wednesday (6/19/19) at Neighborhood House (6400 Sylvan Way SW) from 7-9 PM. Our guests for this event are Brendan Kolding and Lisa Herbold.
The format for this event allows you to make a personal connection with the candidates. Each will share a little information about themselves and then answer questions. Your questions. Casual and friendly, it’s an opportunity to meet the people and not just the positions.
All DNDC meetings are open to the public, and all are welcome.
The other District 1 candidate, Phil Tavel, was featured at DNDC’s May meeting; here’s our coverage, with video.
(SDOT MAP with travel times/ Is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE/ West Seattle-relevant traffic cams HERE)
7:33 AM: No incidents or alerts, but it’s raining.
STADIUM ZONE: Mariners are home, 7:10 pm vs. the Royals.
Tuesday afternoon, the City Council’s Sustainability and Transportation Committee gets a briefing on what SDOT sees as priorities for the Bicycle Master Plan over the next five years. The recalibration is linked to the downscaling of what SDOT expects to accomplish in the remaining years of the Move Seattle levy. Looking ahead to tomorrow’s 2 pm meeting, we read the new BMP Implementation Plan to see what’s in it, and not, for West Seattle.
That’s the “South Sector map” featured on page 20 of the new Implementation Plan.
The plan lists these West Seattle projects – with different types of bicycle facilities – as planned for this year through 2024.
Project #8, High Point Loop (for Safe Routes to School), this year
Project #14, Avalon/35th, under way now and to be completed next year
Project #23, Highland Park connection, (for Safe Routes to School), next year
Projects #10 and #27, West Seattle Neighborhood Greenway, to be finished next year
Project #31, “35th SW alternative – Camp Long connection” to be complete in 2021
Project #55, Delridge Multimodal Corridor (the RapidRide H conversion), to be complete in 2021
Project #70, North Admiral connection (to the West Seattle Greenway), TBD for construction but “planning has begun”
The Implementation Plan also includes, starting on page 49, a list of “projects removed since 2017 implemntation plan.” They include a mile-plus of protected bike lane planned fo Fauntleroy Way, another third-mile stretch that was part of the Fauntleroy Boulevard project (on hold awaiting light-rail planning). Also, one mile of protected bike lane on SW Roxbury was shelved along with the repaving (now on hold until at least after 2024), and a 1.2-mile stretch of bike lane on Myers Way S. was dropped.
One other West Seattle mention in the plan – on page 15, speed-hump replacement is planned this year on 17th and 21st SW stretches of the Highland Park/Delridge greenway.
Tomorrow’s meeting at City Hall will include public comment; it’ll also be viewable via Seattle Channel.
Just five days now until the first full day of summer brings the 2019 Morgan Junction Community Festival, 10 am-4 pm Saturday (June 22nd) in and around Morgan Junction Park (6413 California SW). Your dog is not just welcome, but encouraged, as the festival features the Bark of Morgan:
The Bark kicks off with the Pooch Parade through the Festival Grounds, followed by Canine Contests.
12:45 pm – Pooch Parade:
Leashed dogs and their human should line up by 12:40 pm north of Morgan Junction Park on SW Eddy Street. Costumes are encouraged. The parade will travel through the Festival Grounds back to Eddy Street.
1:00 pm – Canine Contests:
Contests take place north of Eddy Street after the Parade. Categories are:
Cutest Puppy
Loudest Bark
Smallest and Largest Dog
Best Trick
Best CostumeThree winners will be awarded for each contest. Contest winners are based on the audience applause-o-meter as certified by the Master of Ceremonies.
This year The Bark is sponsored by Ventana Construction, with prizes provided by Pet Elements and Puddles Barkery. We gratefully acknowledge them for their support.
Find more festival preview info in our calendar listing.
Thanks to Lynda B for the photo – that’s Desmond Hansen’s latest signal-box portrait, Seattle’s own Sir Mix-A-Lot, at 35th/Raymond near the High Point Library.
3:51 PM: Thanks to the readers who messaged us about this publicly posted security-video clip showing a man trying a door with one hand, sizable knife in the other. Following up, we’ve matched it to an arrest made on Beach Drive early Saturday. The police report says:
I responded to a 911 call for an attempted burglary at 4xxx Beach Drive SW. The Victims … observed via a ring camera, an unknown male suspect, wearing a green jacket with a hood, with light pants, short brown hair and holding a large silver kitchen style knife in his hand. On the camera, the suspect … is seen walking up to the residence, looking into the window at the front door, then trying to open the door. After realizing the door was locked, (he) then walks away on foot in an unknown direction. The residents/victims said they did not recognize (him) and reported no one should have been coming over to their house at that time. Officers contacted (him) several blocks south of the original location. (him) was observed walking down and into another property. Officers found (him) inside of another private building located at 6xxx Beach Drive SW. (He) matched the description and had the knife in his possession. He was taken into custody. … (The suspect) had in his possession, black gloves and a black flashlight.
The 39-year-old suspect is still in the King County Jail. We’re checking with prosecutors to see if he had a bail hearing this afternoon.
7:17 PM: His bail was set at $10,000. No record, so far as we can find.
WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON UPDATE: The suspect, Gabriel C. Putnam, is now charged with attempted burglary. Separate update to come.
Every month, the West Seattle Crime Prevention Council meeting brings the chance to talk with local police about neighborhood concerns. Tomorrow night brings the last meeting before the WSCPC’s summer hiatus, and leader Richard Miller tells us there’s no featured guest – though local police leaders will be there as always – so that means more time than ever to ask questions and bring up concerns. Be at the Southwest Precinct (2300 SW Webster) at 7 pm Tuesday.
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