day : 28/02/2023 11 results

SPORTS: Chief Sealth International High School celebrates winter athletes, college signers

Hours after classes ended for the day, the Chief Sealth International High School galleria had a full house Tuesday night, with students, families, and educators gathered for the winter sports banquet. They celebrated student athletes for a variety of achievements – first, Luke Sketchley and Ryan Moore, signing letters of intent to play college baseball – Sketchley at Bellevue College, Moore at Wenatchee Valley College:

Then came the honors for recipients of the Seahawk Award, which ‘epitomizes attitude, effort, work ethic, and being a total team player.” Violet Beck was honored for flag football:

Valentina Minoprio Boffi, for cheer:

Elsa Chao, for bowling:

Owen Dortero, for swimming:

Declan Golan, for (corrected) basketball (below, with head coach Richard Stephens:

Jay Johnson, for wrestling:

Eden Lopez, for wrestling:

Giana Moore, for gymnastics:

And Maryann Passmore, for basketball:

One more plaque was presented – this one for a 2021 winner – no sports banquet that pandemic year. The honoree was Delaney Sipila, for basketball:

Congratulations to all!

CRIME WATCH FOLLOWUP: Delridge hit-run murder case ends with plea bargain

(WSB photo, August 24, 2020)

Two and a half years after the Delridge hit-run death of 34-year-old Derrick Lacomb, his accused killer has pleaded guilty to reduced charges. 40-year-old Steven J. Abrahamson was originally charged with second-degree murder for hitting and killing Lacomb in the 6500 block of 25th SW, near Longfellow Creek, on August 24, 2020. Prosecutors said the two knew each other and that Abrahamson hit Lacomb with his Crown Victoria after some kind of argument. Abrahamson’s car was found in Highland Park three days after Lacomb was killed; Abrahamson wasn’t arrested until November 2020, more than a month after he was charged, and has been in jail ever since. We’ve been checking on the case periodically and just discovered tonight that Abrahamson was in court last Thursday, pleading guilty to reduced charges of first-degree manslaughter and felony hit-and-run. Prosecutors are recommending a sentence of 9 1/2 years, which is the top of the “standard range,” when Abrahamson is sentenced by Superior Court Judge Nicole Gaines Phelps on March 31st.

BIZNOTE FOLLOWUPS: Westwood McDonald’s reopens; Dué Cucina West Seattle about to open

Two food followups:

WESTWOOD McDONALD’S REOPENS: Multiple readers, including Thomas – who sent the photo above – report that the Westwood Village McDonald’s is now open. The entrances were still coned when we went by around 9:30 am today, so the opening happened sometime after that. As noted here again Monday, the restaurant’s been closed almost six months for a “transformation.”

DUE CUCINA OPENS TOMORROW: Thanks for the texted tip that the new Italian restaurant in The Junction (4437 California SW) has announced tomorrow as its opening date, a week and a half after installing the exterior signage. We couldn’t find any info about what time, though, so we went over to look, and found one staff member who told us they’re expecting to open Wednesday around 11 am. This will be the fourth restaurant for the regional mini-chain, after Roosevelt, Capitol Hill, and Totem Lake. We first reported the West Seattle expansion plan six months ago.

WEDNESDAY: First in-person District 1 Community Network meeting

February 28, 2023 5:27 pm
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 |   Neighborhoods | West Seattle news

Some community groups continue to meet online, some have moved to “hybrid” (in-person and online) meetings, and a few have gone back to just meeting in person, Tomorrow, the District 1 Community Network will meet in-person for the first time in three years. It’s a coalition of community advocates and organization/group representatives from around West Seattle and South Park, now ready to broaden the reach since the district has grown too. Everyone interested is invited to attend. D1CN is meeting at 7 pm Wednesday (March 1st) at Neighborhood House High Point, 6400 Sylvan Way SW.

VIDEO: West Seattle Chamber of Commerce members take public-safety questions to local leaders

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

Amid a wave of persistent crime affecting local businesses, the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce convened a public-safety forum for its members last night.

Seattle Police Chief Adrian Diaz, King County Prosecuting Attorney Leesa Manion, and District 1 City Councilmember Lisa Herbold – who chairs the Public Safety and Human Services Committee – answered questions for about an hour with more than 20 people in attendance at ArtsWest (WSB sponsor) in The Junction. On behalf of the Chamber’s Government Affairs Committee, restaurateur Dan Austin moderated, asking questions submitted in writing in advance.

First, here’s our video of the hour-long event:

If you can’t or don’t want to watch, here’s our summary of how it went:

First question, what’s being done about burglaries and other crimes happening at businesses?

Read More

WEST SEATTLE SCENE: Film crew at Don Armeni Boat Ramp

From the “in case you wondered too” file – several people have mentioned a film crew at Don Armeni Boat Ramp today. We haven’t been able to get there to check but the reader who sent that photo reports that they’re working on a “Taco Time commercial.” Taco Time has shot in West Seattle before – here’s our mention of a shoot 14 years ago.

ELECTION 2023: Phil Tavel officially announces Seattle City Council District 1 campaign

The fourth candidate to announce a campaign for the Seattle City Council District 1 seat is the first one who’s run for it before. Twice, in fact. Phil Tavel has just announced he’s running again. In 2015, Tavel finished third in the nine-candidate primary; in 2019, he made it to the general-election ballot, but Lisa Herbold won a second term. Now she is leaving the council and Tavel is making a third run for the job. He is a lawyer and administrative-law judge and former small-business owner who lives in Arbor Heights. According to his announcement (which you can read in full here), Tavel says he would “bring a deep passion for neighborhood small businesses to City Council, as well as nearly 20 years of working in the Criminal Justice System helping those in need. … As an Administrative Law judge and public defense attorney, I’ve seen how local government is failing all of us – especially our most vulnerable. Seattle City Council needs to stop saying ‘yes’ to everything and re-focus on the basics, like keeping our neighborhoods clean, safe, and prosperous for all. … Seattle deserves a City Council that is committed to delivering on its most fundamental promises.” His announcement notes that a new contract with Seattle’s police union “is now more than two-years overdue and must be finalized before we can even start to rebuild our police force.” In the announcement, Tavel also says, “The City must repair its broken system of public outreach and neighborhood councils so that City Leaders can more easily hear the concerns and thoughts of those people that they are meant to be serving.” We plan to talk with Tavel later this week for our next Council Candidate Chat – watch for that Sunday night (March 5th). He’s also having a campaign-kickoff event at Admiral Pub (2306 California SW) at 6 pm Friday, March 10th.

Tavel is the fourth candidate to send an official campaign announcement, after Rob Saka earlier this month and Maren Costa and Preston Anderson last month. Formal filing week is May 15-19, so the field of candidates won’t be finalized until then; the primary election is August 1st.

WEST SEATTLE TUESDAY: Highlights for this afternoon/evening

(Barred Owl, photographed near Schmitz Park by Maria Johnson)

Looking ahead for the rest of today/tonight:

DONATE SOCKS: Last day for the sock drive – new, please – at West Seattle Grounds (2141 California SW), open until 4 pm.

CHESS CLUB: Tuesdays 1:30-3 pm at the Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon): “Are you looking for a new activity to keep your brain sharp and clear? The Senior Center Chess Club welcomes both novice and experienced players. Join us at 1:30 p.m. for lessons, short tutorials and chess for all levels of expertise. For more information, contact Conwell: conwell@conwelld.net.”

CITY COUNCIL: 2 pm this afternoon, it’s the full council’s weekly meeting, online or at City Hall (600 4th Ave.). See the agenda here; the meeting is also viewable via Seattle Channel.

FREE INDOOR PLAYSPACE: Toddler Gym weekday afternoons at the Salvation Army Center (9050 16th SW), ages 2-6, 3:30-5 pm.

DEMONSTRATION FOR BLACK LIVES: Long-running weekly sign-waving demonstration at 16th/Holden. 5-6 pm. Signs available if you don’t have your own.

‘WRITING WITH THE DUWAMISH RIVER’: Not West Seattle, but of local interest: The four-week course previewed here starts tonight, 5-7 pm, at Hugo House on Capitol Hill (1634 11th Avenue). More info in our calendar listing.

SCRABBLE NIGHT: 6-10 pm, you can play Scrabble at The Missing Piece (9456 35th SW).

TRIVIA X 3: Three establishments where you can play Tuesday nights – 7 pm at Ounces (3809 Delridge Way SW), 7 pm at Admiral Pub (2306 California SW), 7:30 and 8:30 pm Sporcle Pub Quiz at The Lodge (4209 SW Alaska).

BELLE OF THE BALLS BINGO: Play bingo with Cookie Couture at The Skylark (3803 Delridge Way SW), 8 pm. Free, all ages!

You can always see the future via our event calendar – if you have something to include on it, please email info to westseattleblog@gmail.com – thank you!

WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Stolen black Wrangler

The report and photo are from JP:

My 1995 Jeep Wrangler was stolen from the carport of my apartment building at 4301 SW Mills St. early Friday morning around 3 AM. It is painted with black truck-bed-lining enamel so it is not shiny. License CCN9198. SPD incident # 2023-52484.

Memorial service planned March 12 for Phillip J. Morris, 1940-2023

Family and friends will gather March 12 to remember Phillip J. Morris. Here’s the remembrance they’re sharing with his community:

Phillip J. Morris, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and loyal friend passed away suddenly at the age of 82 on February 9, 2023.

Phil was born on November 13, 1940 to James and Marjorie Morris. He grew up in West Seattle and graduated from West Seattle High in 1959. He was a member of the first Little League team in West Seattle. He graduated from Central Washington University and during his career he worked for Boeing, Pfizer, and spent many years at Todd Shipyard. He loved to ski (which he did until he was almost 80), hike, travel, working on home improvement projects, and was an avid fan of the Seattle Mariners.

He is survived by his wife Baiba, son Brad (Glynis), step-daughter Laila (Scott), grandchildren Ty, Malia, Ruby, and Micah Morris, and Lauren and Jenna Collins.

Memorial service will be held on March 12th at 3 pm at Fauntleroy Church, 9140 California Ave. SW.

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries and memorial announcements by request, free of charge. Please email the text, and a photo if available, to westseattleblog@gmail.com)

TRAFFIC, TRANSIT, WEATHER: February’s finale

February 28, 2023 6:00 am
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 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

6 AM: Good morning! It’s the last day of the month – Tuesday, February 28th.

WEATHER

As predicted, we got some snow overnight. Not major. , rain showers later, high in the 40s.

TRANSIT TODAY

Water TaxiRegular schedule.

Metro is on its regular schedule, but still canceling some trips, so check notification channels such as @kcmetroalerts.

Washington State Ferries‘ Triangle Route continues on the 2-boat schedule; check here for alerts/updates and use Vessel Watch for boats’ locations.

SPOTLIGHT TRAFFIC CAMERAS

Delridge cameras: Besides the one below (Delridge/Oregon), cameras are also up at Delridge/Genesee, Delridge/Juneau, Delridge/Orchard, and Delridge/Henderson.

High Bridge – the camera at the top:

High Bridge – the view from its southwest end (when SDOT points the 35th/Avalon/Fauntleroy camera that way):

Low Bridge – looking east to west:

1st Ave. S. Bridge – another route across the river:

Highway 99: – the northbound side at Lander.

MORE TRAFFIC CAMS: See all working traffic cams citywide here, most with video options; West Seattle and vicinity-relevant cameras are on this WSB page.

BRIDGE INFO: Are movable city bridges opening for vessels? Check the @SDOTBridges Twitter feed.

If you see a problem on the bridges/streets/paths/water, please text or call us (when you can do it safely, and after you’ve reported to authorities if needed) – 206-293-6302.