day : 16/05/2022 9 results

FOLLOWUP: After second shooting, Councilmember Herbold asks mayor’s office to ‘consider prioritizing’ Andover encampment for action

(WSB photo, last Friday)

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

Every Monday afternoon, City Councilmembers offer individual updates at what’s known as the “briefing” meeting – what they’re working on, what are issues of concern in their district, among other things. We watched today to see if West Seattle/South Park Councilmember Lisa Herbold would mention Friday’s shooting alongside the SW Andover RV encampment. She did, as you can see/hear starting at 19:01 into the video recording of the meeting.

Herbold said she had talked with Southwest Precinct commander Capt. Martin Rivera recently and asked for a report on police responses in the area around the Andover encampment. She didn’t summarize that report in her remarks, but we requested and received it from her immediately after the meeting. You can see it here; it is dated April 30th, though the councilmember reported obtaining it last week – before the shooting – and if you’re familiar with the area, you’ll note that it covers a multi-block radius, stretching up to Avalon on the west, for example.

Herbold also said she had been in contact with the mayor’s office again, now that it’s been announced full enforcement of the 72-hour parking rule will resume. In our post-meeting email, we asked for clarification on what she had asked them to do regarding Andover, and she forwarded us the email she’d sent earlier this afternoon to Deputy Mayor Tiffany Washington (whose portfolio includes homelessness) and city Public Safety Director Andrew Myerberg:

I am writing to you regarding the ongoing situation at SW Andover Street around 26th Ave SW. A shooting took place there on Friday afternoon. This is the second recent shooting in this area, and has resulted in significant community alarm. I’ve been contacted by numerous constituents since Friday afternoon.

This location has been one that RVs have been parking at for at least 3 years, if not longer. I regularly hear reports of crime from constituents in this area, and have discussed this with SW Precinct Captain Rivera, and his predecessor, on numerous occasions. These reports have increased during the last several months, including from constituents who rarely contact me about crime-related issues. Please see the attached document for a summary provided to me last Thursday by Captain Rivera, upon my request.

I understand that the work the Mayor’s Office is doing regarding the 72 hour parking law includes working to develop prioritization criteria for the various areas throughout the city where nearly 400 RV are reportedly parked with people residing in them. I understand that you must look at the city as a whole in determining where to take action. I am restating the request that I have made verbally in meetings with you since the start of this administration, that you consider prioritizing this location for engagement and enforcement, as the public safety-related issues here appear to be escalating.

(The first paragraph of the email includes two links to WSB coverage, including linking “significant community alarm” to our report from last Friday with 150+ comments.) Nucor‘s top priority is the safety of our team and the community where we operate. This specific encampment on Andover along the southern fence-line of our mill has been the source of serious safety concerns that we have shared with city officials over the past several years. We are continuing to engage with our neighbors in hopes that city officials will soon identify a solution for addressing this proven public safety issue. Meantime, the encampment has long been a concern for the large businesses on both sides of it, including the Nucor steel mill. We asked for comment today and received this response tonight from the mill’s vice president/general mayor Matthew J. Lyons:

Nucor‘s top priority is the safety of our team and the community where we operate. This specific encampment on Andover along the southern fence-line of our mill has been the source of serious safety concerns that we have shared with city officials over the past several years. We are continuing to engage with our neighbors in hopes that city officials will soon identify a solution for addressing this proven public safety issue.

Meantime, no arrest in Friday’s shooting so far, SPD told us today, and we haven’t been able to get information on the victim’s condition.

ADDED TUESDAY MORNING: While no current condition/status is available without knowing the victim’s name, we have since learned from SFD that he is 39 years old and was in stable condition when transported on Friday. (Added Wednesday, for the record, we’ve also learned that police say the victim is a “resident of the encampment.”) We also have an update from Councilmember Herbold, who forwarded a reply she received this morning from Deputy Mayor Washington:

The Nucor site is currently scheduled for remediation for June 16th. This date is tentative and can be changed if circumstances shift but you should start to see a surge of outreach efforts to prepare vehicle owners prior to remediation day. Outreach will advise owners to get back in the habit of regularly moving vehicles to avoid a possible warning and citation. Our goal is to get as much compliance as possible or to offer services to those whose vehicles are not operable prior to the 16th.

The city Human Services Department and county Regional Homelessness Authority are supposed “to schedule outreach efforts as soon as possible.” But the question remains whether this “remediation” – the third in a little over half a year, after the ones in December and April – will result in anything more than temporary junk removal.

WEST SEATTLE WILDLIFE: Seen at low-low tide

As mentioned here earlier, this week brings low-low tides to West Seattle beaches. Tonight we have three photos from Rosalie Miller, whose photos of tiny plants we’ve featured previously. Above, a Lined Chiton; below, an Opalescent Nudibranch:

And here’s an Anemone:

“Gorgeous day at the beach,” Rosalie reports.

Five West Seattle places to eat/drink Tuesday while supporting local students

May 16, 2022 5:16 pm
|    Comments Off on Five West Seattle places to eat/drink Tuesday while supporting local students
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants | West Seattle schools | WS beverages

Advance alert if you haven’t already seen them on the calendar – three dine-out benefits are happening tomorrow (Tuesday, May 17th), involving five food/drink establishments:

AMPERSAND CAFE: 6 am-3 pm, you can enjoy the view (2536 Alki Avenue SW) and coffee, baked goods, and/or sandwiches, with part of the proceeds benefiting Alki Co-op Preschool.

BEBOP WAFFLE SHOP, CIRCA, MISSION CANTINA: These three Admiral District establishments are supporting the West Seattle High School Class of 2024 “Dine-Out Day” fundraiser tomorrow. Bebop is at 2600 California SW and open 7 am-3 pm; Circa is at 2605 California SW and open 9 am-10 pm; Mission Cantina is at 2325 California and open 4-10 pm.

MIOPOSTO: Dine in or take out on Tuesday – 2139 California SW, 4 pm-9 pm – and support Madison Middle School Music.

WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: 3 weekend incidents

Three incidents from the weekend – starting with two from police summaries:

CONFIRMED GUNFIRE: Just before 1 am Sunday, officers checked out a report of suspected gunfire heard near 27th/Roxbury. Witnesses reported seeing people firing handguns “into the air” from two or three vehicles subsequently “seen leaving the area at a high rate of speed.” Police found shell casings “spanning the length of the block,” but no injuries or property damage. If you have any information, this incident is # 22-121619.

EARLY-MORNING ASSAULT: Also early Sunday, just after 2 am, police responded to a reported assault in the 9000 block of Delridge Way SW. The victim told them he was taking out his trash when a man approached him, accused him of theft, and then “brandished a firearm.” The attacker subsequently hit the victim several times, and a female accomplice approached from behind to hit him in the head with a shoe. No descriptions in the summary, but the incident is # 22-121685.

READER REPORT: Jessica says someone vandalized her car late Friday or early Saturday and wonders if anyone saw anything:

My Mazda CX-5 was keyed from driver’s side door all the way to the gas tank. It happened either Friday (May 13th) night or early Saturday. It happened behind Spiro’s on 44th (intersection with SW Hinds).

We don’t have the incident number on this one, but if you have any information, we can connect you.

P.S. In case you’re wondering, SPD says no arrests so far in last week’s major West Seattle incidents, the Thursday carjacking and Friday shooting; we’re working on a separate followup regarding the latter.

FOLLOWUP: West Seattle ultra-runner Riley Nachtrieb conquers Olympic Discovery Trail

(Photos courtesy Riley Nachtrieb)

On Friday, we previewed 20-year-old West Seattle-based ultra-runner Riley Nachtrieb‘s plan to run the Olympic Discovery Trail, which she last attempted in 2019, forced to stop two-thirds of the way along the 132-mile trail because of an injury. She started early Saturday morning and this time, made it all the way – 41 hours, according to her Instagram updates. Supporters dropped in from checkpoints along the way:

The Olympic Discovery Trail runs from Port Townsend to LaPush – you can see maps here.

FOLLOWUP: Seattle Public Schools cancels plan to go to three-tier schedule

Just in from Seattle Public Schools – the much-decried plan to change to a three-tier start schedule, which would have had some schools starting as early as 7:30 am and some as late as 9:30 am, has been scrapped, for now. Just published on the district website:

We have heard from many families who are concerned about the proposal to change school start times.

Superintendent Jones has determined Seattle Public Schools will continue the two-tier transportation system for the 2022-23 school year. This means elementary, K-8, and middle schools will not change their start and end times in September. Some high schools may see a 10-minute change in start time.

This determination will allow us to keep the current structure as we continue to find ways to improve transportation services.

The national bus driver shortage continues to affect our ability to provide full service to all students who are eligible for transportation.

It is likely we will begin the 2022-23 school year with the same reduced bus service that has been in place since last fall. We will continue to explore whether we can restore the routes that have been suspended. Consistent with our strategic plan, SPS prioritizes systems to serve students of color and those furthest from educational justice.

In the coming months, there will be more opportunities to share your feedback and input as we continue to study available options for reliable transportation services. We are committed to ensuring that students arrive at school on time and ready to learn.

Thank you to everyone who sent feedback. If you have questions or comments, please share them with us on our Let’s Talk feedback form.

The three-tier proposal had emerged suddenly, after enrollment decisions for next year – in the district and elsewhere – were made; the district claimed it was necessary because of a shortage of school bus drivers. It was on a rush schedule for School Board votes this month until the superintendent pulled it from the May 4th agenda, acknowledging the need to “slow” the process.

WEST SEATTLE BEACHES: Low-low tides this week

If you enjoy exploring the beach at low tide, this is your week. The chart shows low-low tides through Friday. Today at 11:44 am, it’ll be out to -2.9 feet; Tuesday at 12:27 pm, -3.5 feet; Wednesday at 1:13 pm, -3.7 feet; Thursday at 2:03 pm, -3.4 feet; and Friday at 2:56 pm, -2.6 feet. The Seattle Aquarium‘s volunteer beach naturalists don’t start their seasonal schedule for a few more weeks, so you’ll have to explore on your own, but please remember to tread lightly, as the low-low tides expose animals and plants that spend most of the year underwater. You can also appreciate the revealed shoreline by observing from overlooks/sidewalks/trails including Duwamish Head, Constellation Park, Emma Schmitz Memorial Overlook, and Lincoln Park. If you can’t get out this week (or if the weather gets in the way, which it might on Wednesday), next month will bring even-lower low tides – three days at or below -4.0, starting June 14th.

COUNTDOWN: Get in on 2022 Loop the ‘Lupe

Sun’s out, sky’s clearing, yes, summer really is approaching. So it’s a great day to jump into the 5K obstacle-course-and-more Loop the ‘Lupe:

IT’S TIME TO GET IN THE LOOP: Race Director Brian Callanan has a friendly reminder about signing up for Loop the ‘Lupe, Our Lady of Guadalupe’s annual obstacle-course 5K, which is happening June 4th at Walt Hundley Playfield. You can register right up through race day, but with the order for t-shirts going TODAY, participants are invited to sign up as soon as possible!

The Loop, now in its sixth year, will feature its traditional four events: the 5K obstacle course, the 5K run/walk, the Youth Dash (1K, kids 8 and younger with parental supervision) and the Senior Saunter (a flat, 20-minute timed walk). There are prizes from Avalon Glassworks, City Sweats, RowHouse, Peel & Press, and more for top finishers and Best Costume/Team Name. New this year: all entrants will receive a participation medal (see it at right) along with their tech race t-shirts.

The first event for the Loop kicks off at 11 a.m. on 6/4, and participants are invited to stick around for live music from West Seattle School of Rock, a BBQ, and a beer garden (21+) sponsored by Georgetown Brewing. Go here to register!

(WSB is media sponsor for Loop the ‘Lupe.)

TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER: Monday begins

6 AM: Good morning and welcome to Monday, May 16th.

WEATHER

The National Weather Service predicts a partly sunny day, high near 60.

BUSES, WATER TAXI, FERRIES

Metro is on its regular weekday schedule, but watch @kcmetroalerts (new account) for word of reroutes/trip cancellations.

No midday West Seattle Water Taxi service – possibly through Thursday, as announced.

Ferries: WSF continues using the two-boat schedule for Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth. Check here for alerts/updates.

BRIDGES AND DETOUR ROUTES

784th morning without the West Seattle Bridge.

Low Bridge: Automated enforcement cameras remain in use; restrictions are in effect 5 am-9 pm daily – except weekends; the bridge is open to all until 8 am Saturday and Sunday mornings. (Access applications are available here for some categories of drivers.)

1st Avenue South Bridge:

South Park Bridge:

West Marginal Way at Highland Park Way:

Highland Park Way/Holden:

The 5-way intersection (Spokane/West Marginal/Delridge/Chelan):

Are movable city bridges opening for vessels? Check the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed; 1st Ave. S. Bridge openings are tweeted by @wsdot_traffic.

All city traffic cams can be seen here; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are also on this WSB page

Trouble on the roads/paths/water? Text or call us (when you can do so safely) – 206-293-6302.