West Seattle, Washington
22 Thursday
6:32 PM: Seattle Fire is sending a “rescue extrication” response to the 7900 block of 16th SW. Avoid the area. First engine on scene says it’s a “car on its top.” Updates to come.
6:36 PM: The callout is being downsized because nobody’s trapped after all – one person was in the vehicle and got out OK, firefighters told dispatch. Power lines might be involved, so they’re contacting City Light.
6:49 PM: Photos added. Responders are talking to the driver. No indication yet if they’ll have to go to the hospital, nor of how this happened. (Added) One more component of the scene – a leaning utility pole:
7:02 PM: Police just told dispatch they’re moving the closure boundary to 16th/Holden “because of a high-voltage line that came down.”
7:22 PM: Note that Metro Routes 125 and 128 are routed off 16th SW in the area. See here for alternate routing.
8:39 PM: SFD says the driver, in his mid-40s, was taken to a hospital in stable condition by AMR ambulance. … Also, both affected bus routes have resumed regular routing, indicating the street has reopened.
(Texted photo)
5:51 PM: Thanks for all the tips. The big column of black smoke visible a short time ago is from a vehicle fire on Northbound Highway 99 in the 14th Avenue South vicinity in South Park. (Update) All NB lanes of 99 are closed at the scene. Adding a WSDOT camera image:
6:04 PM: WSDOT says (and the camera verifies) that they’ve opened one northbound lane.
6:16 PM: Both lanes are now open again. No injuries reported but we’re doublechecking with SFD.
(WSB photo, August 7, 2016)
Six years have passed since that juvenile humpback whale stranded and died by the Fauntleroy ferry dock. It’s something we’ll never forget seeing – and hearing, as the 39-foot-long whale took her last breaths while people tried to save her. Later this month, the whale will be teaching posthumous lessons as part of a “walkshop” in nearby Lincoln Park. We received the announcement today from the Henry Art Museum, which invites you to the September 24th event “Care for the Stranded“ as part of its “Learning Endings” series:
On August 7, 2016, a juvenile humpback whale died on the beach just south of Fauntleroy Ferry Terminal in West Seattle. This animal was one of hundreds of marine mammals that strand every year on the northwest coast of the Pacific. These ocean-dwelling animals are mostly hidden from humans during their lifetimes, but in a stranding death, they reveal themselves to us, and call on us to care. This care can take many forms — from traditional ceremony, to scientific necropsy, to community vigil. Join Learning Endings collaborators for a forest and shoreline walk of storytelling, conversation, participation, and performance as we collectively consider what the death of the Fauntleroy humpback can teach us about the lives of these animals, those who care for them, and the entangled futures of humans and oceans.
Care for the Stranded is part of Learning Endings, a multi-part project by artists and researchers Patty Chang, Astrida Neimanis, and Aleksija Neimanis. Through a series of events, gatherings, research, and discussions, Learning Endings brings together local communities, scientists, artists, and humanities researchers to consider ecologies of care in a time of endings, with a focus on stranded marine mammals. For this Shoreline Walkshop, the Learning Endings collaborators will be joined by regional knowledge keepers Ken Workman, member of the Duwamish Tribal Council, and research biologist Jessie Huggins, as well as Canadian-based audio artist Anne Bourne.
Participants will meet at 9:30 am Saturday, September 24th, by the north parking lot of Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW), and will be together for about three hours. There is no fee, but you need to register here (look for the “tickets” link). The Fauntleroy humpback was one of three whale strandings we covered on local shores last decade, along with a gray whale in The Arroyos in April 2010 and a fin whale at Seahurst Park in April 2013.
3:59 PM: Just in case you’ve forgotten, it’s holiday-weekend-getaway time, and that’s why the shared TV-news helicopter is circling Fauntleroy right now – taking a look at ferry traffic. It’s nothing unusual, per the most-recent update from Washington State Ferries – the #2 boat is running about half an hour behind schedule.
4:15 PM: It’s moved on, for now.
Last month, we reported on a Seattle Parks briefing at a City Council committee meeting, proposing increased spending to keep the parks’ “comfort stations” (freestanding restroom buildings) up and running, Arson and other vandalism were listed as costing at least half a million in repairs each year. Today a local park is the latest one affected – Parks says the EC Hughes Playground (2805 SW Holden) comfort station was damaged by fire and will be closed until work can be completed next year. A portable restroom has been placed at the park in the meantime. We don’t know when the fire happened – there’s no SFD call logged there this week – so we have a followup question out to Parks.
(WSB photos)
City crews, with the assistance of tow trucks, are clearing the 26th/Juneau RV encampment right now. Thanks to area resident Ryan for the tip; he’s been leading neighborhood communication imploring the city to take action. He reported that a Seattle Public Utilities rep told him at the site earlier this week that 26th/Juneau was about to be addressed and that 29th/Brandon is scheduled for action after Labor Day. Our city contact wouldn’t confirm dates – saying they’re always subject to change – but noted that “in recent days … public notices were posted in this area stating that the City’s 72-hour parking limit will be enforced, and that unauthorized encampments will be removed in the coming weeks.” Multiple city departments are on site for this, including SDOT/Parking Enforcement, which told us they expects one more RV to be removed within a few hours. Police are there too.
This follows a city assessment team’s visit to the area two weeks ago, as reported here.
(WSB photo from last week’s media tour of bridge)
16 days until the scheduled reopening of the West Seattle Bridge on September 18th, two and a half years after its sudden shutdown. As previously noted, no giant party – but the reconnection will be celebrated and commemorated in other ways. This one has a role for you, if you’re interested: The “West Seattle Best Seattle” community coalition would like to invite you to be part of a video shoot. Here’s the announcement:
It’s a casting call! We’d like to invite any and all West Seattleites to be the stars of a video we’re putting together to spread the excitement about the reopening. It’s purely for entertainment, but we hope to create something fun and interesting that people inside and outside West Seattle will watch and engage with. The basic idea is to celebrate the reopening, attract people back to West Seattle, and help support neighborhoods/businesses that have suffered through 900+ days of the bridge closure.
We’re working with local filmmaker Ryan Cory to shoot a short video on Wednesday, September 14th. We’ll be shooting clips at four locations through the day, with a culminating group shot on the west end of the West Seattle Bridge (which we’ve cleared with SDOT). We’re asking people to come as they are (no clothing with profanity allowed), and we can’t provide transportation or guarantee parking. The optimal number of people in the first three locations would be 100 (though we’d happily take more), with a special focus on having at least 200 (or more!) for the final bridge shot (big drone camera finish). We’ll do our best to include everyone who shows up. We’re working with the visual concept of, “Wow, I just got a message that the bridge is going to reopen, and I’m so excited, I’m going to meet up with others and celebrate,” and so having people bring their phones would be great.
Here’s the schedule for September 14th, and showing up a bit early is encouraged, because we’re on a tight timeline:
11:45 am Alki Beach by the Statue of Liberty
12:45 pm Admiral Theater
1:45 pm Alaska Junction by Easy Street
2:45 pm at the bridge’s west entranceThe video would be used across all social media platforms and websites affiliated with West Seattle, and will be sent to as many media outlets as possible. We’re working on releasing short clips before/during the reopening, with a longer version, about two minutes long, available by September 30th. Participants must be able to follow directions onsite and be quiet and respectful when the director is speaking through the megaphone. There may be some hurry-up-and-wait type of moments, so we’re asking for some patience, too. There will be no payment, in-kind gifts, or actor credits given.
The link for you to register for one or all of the locations is here. Questions about the project can be directed to wsbestseattle@gmail.com.
(Port cranes in this morning’s fog, photographed by Kevin Freitas @kevinfreitas)
Here’s what’s happening today/tonight:
RETURN OF THE BLOCK DROP: DIY cleanup equipment is available at Alki Elementary (59th/Stevens) until 6 pm – that’s also where you can drop off what you clean up, as part of closing the Block Drop loop!
ART HOP & SHOP REGISTRATION: Quick reminder that today is the deadline for artists to register for this first-ever West Seattle event.
MOUNTAIN TO SOUND OUTFITTERS SALE: As previewed last night, this is day 1 of the big clearance sale at Mountain to Sound Outfitters (3602 SW Alaska, WSB sponsor), open 11 am-6 pm.
HIGH-SCHOOL FOOTBALL: Today/tonight brings the first games of the season for the Chief Sealth International High School Seahawks and the West Seattle High School Wildcats, both at Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex (2801 SW Thistle) – CSIHS plays Franklin Pierce at 4 pm, WSHS plays Renton at 7 pm.
WADING POOL OPEN: With a sunny, warm afternoon expected, the city plans to open its still-in-operation wading pools today, including Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW). Plus Highland Park Spraypark at 1100 SW Cloverdale is open 11 am-8 pm, too.
COLMAN POOL: The outdoor pool at Lincoln Park is open to the public today, noon-7 pm.
MUSIC AT THE COFFEEHOUSE: Blue Mercy performs at C & P Coffee (5612 California SW; WSB sponsor), 7-9 pm.
MUSIC AT KENYON HALL: Rebecca Kilgore & the Ray Skjelbred Trio live at Kenyon Hall (7904 35th SW), 7:30 pm, tickets available at the door last we heard.
SPELLING BEE AT THE SKYLARK: 8 pm, as announced last month, it’s the debut of Spelldown After Dark – an adult spelling bee. Check to see if there’s room for participants/spectators! (3803 Delridge Way SW)
Have something to add to our Event Calendar? Email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
6:01 AM: Good morning! Welcome to Friday, September 2nd, as we head toward Labor Day weekend.
WEATHER
WEEKEND ALERTS
*As previewed here, the Spokane Street Viaduct’s eastbound lanes will close 8 am-4 pm Saturday.
*SDOT plans to mark two intersections 9 pm tonight to 7 am Saturday:
-1st Ave S/East Marginal Way S and 2nd Ave SW/Highland Park Way SW. Traffic lanes will be closed as needed and will be restored after the intersection markings have been painted.
FERRIES, BUSES, WATER TAXI
Ferries: WSF continues the 2-boat schedule for Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth. Check here for alerts/updates. Labor Day will be on a Sunday schedule.
Metro buses are on their regular weekday schedules; watch @kcmetroalerts for trip cancellations/reroute alerts. Labor Day will be on a Sunday schedule.
The West Seattle Water Taxi is on its regular schedule. Labor Day will be on a Sunday schedule.
BRIDGES AND DETOUR ROUTES
894th morning without the West Seattle Bridge. 16 days until the day SDOT expects to reopen it – September 18th.
Low Bridge: Automated enforcement cameras remain in use until the high bridge reopens; restrictions are in effect 5 am-9 pm daily – except weekends; the bridge is open to all until 8 am Saturday and Sunday mornings.
1st Avenue South Bridge:
South Park Bridge:
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, many with video options; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are also on this WSB page
Trouble on the roads/paths/water? Please text or call us (when you can do so safely) – 206-293-6302.
Summer’s not over yet, but fall’s in view, and the change of seasons will bring the annual change in focus at Mountain to Sound Outfitters (3602 SW Alaska; WSB sponsor). First – they’re announcing a big week-plus sale that starts tomorrow, so you can get gear for enjoying the remaining summer and early fall:
Mountain to Sound Outfitters is having an Overstock Clearance on Kayaks and Stand-Up Paddleboards and accessories starting 9/2 (Friday) through 9/11 (two Sundays later). This ensures people who are out of town for the holiday weekend still get a shot at gearing up. We also have used gear from Alki Kayak Tours available.
We are receiving ski and snowboard gear so we really need to clear out the space before it goes into storage for the winter season and we shift our focus on having one of the best ski and snowboard shops in the NW!
Fall is a great time to paddle and some of the clearest days are coming. As the wildlife migrates south, we see more sightings of salmon, sea lions, migratory birds, and even larger marine mammals in the upcoming shorter days.
You can shop Mountain to Sound Outfitters regular hours through the holiday weekend and beyond – 11 am-6 pm Friday, 11 am-5 pm Saturday and Sunday, 11 am-6 pm, Mondays/Wednesdays/Thursdays, closed Tuesdays.
As reported here in July, the city is getting a grant to repave the older lanes of the Spokane Street Viaduct – the continuation of the West Seattle Bridge between the Highway 99 overpass and I-5. The next step in planning that work will result in a closer of the eastbound SSV this Saturday. Here’s the announcement from SDOT:
Plan for a closure of all the eastbound lanes on the Spokane St Viaduct from SR 99 to I-5 between 8 AM and 4 PM on Saturday, Sept. 3.
We’re closing all the eastbound lanes so crews can complete a survey of the bridge surface. The survey will help us develop an accurate surface map of the Spokane St Viaduct bridge deck and inform future paving of the bridge.
Detours will be in place, directing traffic to streets in the SODO neighborhood. Both eastbound and westbound lower Spokane St will be open during the closure. The westbound lanes of the Spokane St Viaduct will remain open during this work on the eastbound lanes.
The paving project is expected to happen sometime in the “next few years,” SDOT told us in July.
(Reader-contributed image, Monday morning)
As noted briefly here earlier, the man accused of a window-sashing rampage at Morgan Junction Starbucks early Monday is now charged. But 48-year-old Gerald R. Hochstadt isn’t in jail right now, because he had to be released last night, after the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office didn’t get the information they needed in time to rush-file charges. That information in turn has to come from SPD, which was able to obtain it today. Hochstadt is charged with one count of first-degree malicious mischief, a felony. The KCPAO and SPD had been trying to get a damage estimate from Starbucks; today’s charging documents indicate that estimate was in excess of $10,000 for the four double-pane windows – double the minimum amount to qualify for the charge that was filed. Along with using metal furniture to break the windows, Hochstadt allegedly removed plants from pots outside the store and used them to hit the door, locked by Starbucks staffers after they had managed to get him outside. A $15,000 arrest warrant was issued when the charge was filed; that’s the amount of bail requested by the KCPAO, and it’s what Hochstadt will be held on if/when arrested. We’d mentioned in earlier coverage that he had a criminal trespass conviction for which he spent more than three months in jail earlier this year; the charging documents also list a second such conviction plus one for third-degree malicious mischief.
(SDOT image via Twitter)
5:17 PM: Thanks for the tip. Here’s why there’s a bus backup trying to head from Spokane Street up to northbound Highway 99: There’s a stuck bus at the head of it all.
5:34 PM: A texter says ramp traffic is moving again.
The first pop-up is on its way to the former Bellevue Rare Coins space on the ground floor of the Senior Center of West Seattle – and mural-painting is happening outside, to get ready! The announcement is from Diane Venti:
Alki Arts is doing a pop up art show in the West Seattle Senior Center Annex at 4500 California Avenue next week.
The shop will be open Tuesday September 6th through Sunday September 11th from Noon to 5 pm each day, plus Art Walk Thursday evening the 8th from 5 to 8 pm!!
Since the window replacement has been delayed for the Senior Center, I have enlisted the help of 2 local artists to paint the plywood on the windows:
Brooke Borcherding is here today painting the SW Oregon side window (photos attached) and on Mon the 5th artist Steffanie Lorig will be painting the window on California Ave.
If anyone is interested in purchasing the panels after the windows are replaced they can contact me at dianeventi@gmail.com Proceeds from the art panel sales will be split between the artist and the Senior Center! Yay for fundraising while neighborhood beautifying! 😁
We will pack a lot of local music and art demos into our one-week stay at the Pop Up! Artist Reeve Washburn will be helping me run the shop and doing live painting inside on several days!
Andy emailed us after seeing that a WSB reader helped find the stolen bicycle reported here Wednesday:
In a very similar incident, my son Jack had his bike stolen from the bike rack at West Seattle High School on Tuesday afternoon while he was at football practice. The cable lock was seemingly cut with bolt cutters in broad daylight. The bike was a Cannondale Catalyst 3, 27.5″, charcoal gray, and had “JACK” written in red paint-pen on the down tube about 6-8″ above the pedals. Any help that you can provide would be wonderful. If anyone has any info, you can please share it with us by texting 206-529-7970 or 206-637-1935.
Two weeks after “The Great West Seattle Float Hunt” was launched by the volunteers behind the West Seattle Best Seattle efforts celebrating the peninsula’s businesses as the bridge reopening nears, more than a dozen custom glass floats remain hidden and waiting. That’s the latest today from organizers. Specifically, they say, 15 of the original 50 floats have yet to be found – 8 are indoors, 7 are outdoors, and the only area NOT to look is Alki – they say people have found all the floats hidden there. Here’s our original report with basic details, if you’re just jumping in on this now. The floats are all locally made – hand-blown by Avalon Glassworks in Luna Park – and about 4.25″ in diameter,
11:44 AM: If you saw the big police response in Highland Park a short time ago, officers responded to a report of an armed robbery at the 16th/Holden 7-11. A suspect was stopped quickly nearby and was reported to be in possession of “a blowtorch shaped like a handgun.” No other incident details so far; we hope to add an update later.
2:45 PM: We followed up with police. They say that after further investigation, this turned out to be a misunderstanding – “the ‘suspect’ pulled out a gun-shaped lighter while retrieving items from their pockets. They then made an approximately $40 purchase. They did not appear to point the lighter at anyone or make any demands.”
Thanks to Beverly Molenda at New Finishes for the photos – she says, “West Marginal Way is looking forward to upcoming relief!! Counting down the days!!!”
Her business is at 4235 W. Marginal. Meantime, SDOT reiterated again this week that they’re still on track for the announced September 18th reopening. As of last week’s media tour, they hadn’t set an exact time, probably early in the morning.
Beverly Molenda
New Finishes, Inc.
4235 W. Marginal Way SW
(Green bottle fly on blue hydrangea, photographed by Jerry Simmons)
Here’s the list for today/tonight – there’s more on our West Seattle Event Calendar:
UNDERSTANDING MEDICARE: 11 am presentation at Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon) – our calendar listing explains how to register.
WADING POOLS, SPRAYPARK OPEN: The sun’s expected to emerge later, so the city plans to open the still-operating wading pools, including< Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW), noon-7 pm. Highland Park Spraypark at 1100 SW Cloverdale will be open as usual, 11 am-8 pm.
COLMAN POOL OPEN: Noon-7 pm, go swimming in the saltwater pool on the shore at Lincoln Park (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW).
ULTIMATE AT FAIRMOUNT: 6 pm, Thursday night summertime Ultimate pickup games are back at Fairmount Playfield (5400 Fauntleroy Way SW).
ROBOTICS OPEN HOUSE: As previewed here, Skunk Works Robotics invites families to its open houses tonight and next Thursday, 6:30 pm at 11427 3rd Ave S. – not far from West Seattle, and the organization has lots of WS participants.
BOARD GAME NIGHT: Go play at Meeples Games (3727 California SW), starting at 6:30 pm.
BENBOW GOES COUNTRY: Thursday “Nashville Nights“ continue at the Benbow Room (4210 SW Admiral Way), 9 pm. 21+.
Have something to add to our calendar? Email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!
9:40 PM: Two-car crash reported at Highland Park Way/2nd, possible injuries. Police and fire are responding.
9:56 AM: And a crash on NB 509 at Kenyon.
============
Earlier:
6:03 AM: Good morning! Welcome to Thursday, September 1st.
WEATHER
BACK TO SCHOOL
Today’s the first day for 1st through 12th graders in Highline Public Schools immediately to our south. Here’s our list of who’s already started and who’s coming up.
FERRIES, BUSES, WATER TAXI
Ferries: WSF continues the 2-boat schedule for Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth. Check here for alerts/updates. Labor Day will be on a Sunday schedule.
Metro buses are on their regular weekday schedules; watch @kcmetroalerts for trip cancellations/reroute alerts. Labor Day will be on a Sunday schedule.
The West Seattle Water Taxi is on its regular schedule. Labor Day will be on a Sunday schedule.
BRIDGES AND DETOUR ROUTES
893rd morning without the West Seattle Bridge. 17 days until the day SDOT expects to reopen it – September 18th.
Low Bridge: Automated enforcement cameras remain in use until the high bridge reopens; restrictions are in effect 5 am-9 pm daily – except weekends; the bridge is open to all until 8 am Saturday and Sunday mornings.
1st Avenue South Bridge:
South Park Bridge:
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, many with video options; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are also on this WSB page
Trouble on the roads/paths/water? Please text or call us (when you can do so safely) – 206-293-6302.
The Seattle Public Schools educators’ union just announced its members decided tonight to vote on authorizing a strike. The Seattle Education Association‘s board already approved a vote and then tonight the membership “agreed decisively” to do it, according to a statement just sent by the union. SEA president Jennifer Matter is also quoted as saying, “No educator wants to strike but we know educator burnout and being unable to meet student needs are larger problems that SPS must urgently address. SPS can come to agreement with us at any time and has chosen to force us on this path.” SEA says the strike authorization vote will be taken online tomorrow through Sunday and that they’ll announce results Tuesday morning. In the meantime, members “will continue reporting to work.” The union says support for special and multilingual education is a major sticking point, and the most-recent district statement ackknowledges those issues “have caused a delay in progress.”
(WSB photo, Monday morning)
The 48-year-old man arrested Monday morning after a window-smashing rampage at the Morgan Junction Starbucks got out of jail tonight. The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office told WSB they had hoped to receive enough information for a charging decision today – but a key piece of evidence was missing: Seattle Police detectives needed a damage estimate from Starbucks, and couldn’t get it. KCPAO spokesperson Casey McNerthney says that’s “a required element to prove that the damage was a felony crime. Even though that seems obvious, the court needs that information under the law.” He says the KCPAO “also tried to loop in contacts from victim business (at the corporate level) to get that necessary information by the 2 p.m. deadline.” But they didn’t have any luck either. Without charges being filed, the suspect had to be released. But McNerthney adds that “SPD is still working on the case right now. We appreciate their great work, and we’re hopeful to have that required damage estimate and case referred this week. We know it can be difficult for businesses to get that required info within 72 hours too – those are frustrating constraints in the law and court system. King County prosecutors will act on this case immediately when we get the case referral from police.”
The document from a probable-cause hearing in the case on Tuesday summarizes what a Morgan Starbucks representative wrote in a comment on our original story, that the man came into the store and became agitated. They offered him water; he refused. He “then began to yell and escalated into an aggressive behavior. Employees of the store were able to usher the suspect out of the door successfully and locked the doors … to deny access to the suspect. The suspect tried to regain access to Starbucks by pulling the main doors multiple times. The suspect noticed that the doors were locked, and this caused him to escalate his behavior even further. The suspect infuriated grabbed a metal table that was located outside and property of Starbucks. The suspect then used the table to break 4 double-paned 8×8 windows.” It was recorded on video; this frame grab was sent to us anonymously:
No injuries were reported. The suspect has one King County conviction, a criminal-trespass case in Auburn, for which he served more than three months in jail earlier this year.
THURSDAY 2:41 PM UPDATE: A felony charge has just been filed, one count of malicious mischief, against the suspect, Gerald R. Hochstadt. He remains out of custody, released just after 6 pm last night, but now there’s a $15,000 arrest warrant. Separate story to come.
From Jon:
My son just had his bike stolen in front of LA Fitness today (8/31) around 4 or 4:30 pm. It was locked along with another bike and the bike thieves cut the lock and took both bikes. It’s a 2012 Dark Green Diamondback Mission that was custom built with specific parts. It is also a custom frame with the nickname “Jonny Diamond” laser-etched on the top tube above the upper shock mount. This is a unique bike that should not be hard to spot. If you see anything please contact me at (206) 399-0585. Thanks.
THURSDAY UPDATE: Found – see comment.
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