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UPDATE: Southbound 99 reopens after 9-hour closure caused by overturned semitruck full of salmon
March 24, 2015 2:39 pm
|      141 COMMENTS
 |   Alaskan Way Viaduct | West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(SOUTHBOUND 99 IS OPEN AGAIN AS OF 11:40 PM)

2:39 PM: All lanes of southbound Highway 99 are blocked by an overturned semi-truck in the stadium zone. More to come.

2:55 PM: The southbound Viaduct is now closed at the north end of the Battery Street Tunnel, so if you are headed that way from north of downtown, you’ll have to exit on Denny Way. Otherwise, to head south from downtown, you’ll need to take I-5 or surface streets such as 1st or 4th. We’ll keep updating this since we’re heading into the pm commute.

3:14 PM: This is affecting buses too:

3:22 PM: For those stuck on the Viaduct when this happened, here’s what’s being done:

We have another view of that courtesy of Chi Krneta:

3:43 PM: Still closed. And southbound I-5, we’re told, has a stall on the south side of downtown. Another alternative for getting back to West Seattle: The Water Taxi. Its afternoon schedule is just now starting up:

Here’s the schedule. Meantime:

And a view texted to us:

We’re still trying to find out if there’s any ETA for this being cleared. For now, just assume it’ll be hours, and plot your homeward alternative (or don’t leave until you hear it’s clear).

4:07 PM: SPD says a tow truck’s on the case – but that still doesn’t mean it’ll clear fast:

4:19 PM: Keep in mind that there’s a domino/spillover effect in many other places. For example, if you click around on the live video cameras in the general downtown area accessible via the SDOT Travelers’ Map (lower right) – you’ll see scenes such as vehicles STILL clearing off the Viaduct backward – right now at the Columbia onramp, a bus can be seen backing toward 1st, and someone is directing traffic. Also, via Twitter, SDOT says they’re hoping to have at least one lane open within a half-hour or so.

5:40 PM: SPD now says two tow trucks are on scene.

5:45 PM: And the problem has finally been explained – “a very large load of fish” is what the semi was carrying.

6:11 PM: The Sounders FC/Club Tijuana match has been pushed back to 7:23 pm. And SPD has an update on the semitruck’s driver:

6:33 PM: Latest tweet from the scene – “Responders have separated the tractor from the overturned trailer and are attempting to put the trailer back on its wheels again now.”

6:57 PM: Making progress:

7:12 PM: After 4 1/2 hours, the truck is right-side up again:

7:47 PM: Now they’re moving on to cleanup.

8:19 PM: And that’s not so easy, tweets SDOT: “Trailer contents have shifted, making it unstable to transport. They will detach trailer from truck and pull it off roadway.”

9:30 PM: Now going on 7 hours since this happened. The trailer has to be unloaded before it can be moved. We asked via Twitter, just out of curiosity, what kind of fish? Answer: Salmon.

10:05 PM: Still closed while crews work with the trailer.

10:47 PM: According to discussion just monitored via scanner, the problem is that the trailer remains unstable. It’s about a third empty now and they might try to move it again once it’s half empty. We are now in hour 9 of the total southbound 99 closure from the Battery St. Tunnel southward.

11:34 PM: They’re about to start reopening southbound 99, now that the truck and trailer have been moved successfully. They’re reopening starting at Denny, and then from Columbia.

11:40 PM: Official confirmation, 9 hours after the closure began:

That’s almost twice as long as the much-dissected 5-hour closure in June of last year following a head-on crash south of the West Seattle Bridge. Different circumstances here – no life-threatening injuries, but the wreckage posed a major challenge to clear. Some of what was promised in reports following the June incident (most notably this one) has been implemented, notably longer coverage hours in the city’s Traffic Management Center. We’ll be following up on this tomorrow, and certainly we won’t be the only ones.

11:16 AM WEDNESDAY: We did indeed inquire with SPD this morning. No direct response but they’ve published a long report on SPD Blotter which includes photos and tweets from yesterday (some of which we featured in real-time in this report) – we’re writing a separate story on this.

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District 1 City Council race: Dave Montoure no longer running
March 24, 2015 2:18 pm
|      31 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

2:18 PM: Thanks for the tips: West Seattle entrepreneur Dave Montoure has announced via Facebook that he is no longer running for the District 1 City Council position. That leaves 10 candidates. We are seeking comment; more to come.

3:01 PM: Via e-mail, Montoure confirms his withdrawal, and also gave us permission to republish the statement he posted on his personal FB page:

Friends, family and fellow small business owners. A little over six-weeks ago, I entered the campaign race for Seattle City Council District 1. It’s been a great experience and I have learned a lot from talking to old friends and new acquaintances. However, it is with regret that inform you that I have decided to withdraw from the campaign.

My passion for issues that affect small, independent businesses and the greater prosperity of West Seattle is strong as ever, and I have come to believe that right now, I’m a better advocate as a private citizen than as a politician. I look forward to rolling up my sleeves and getting to work as simply, Dave.

Thank you for your continued support and encouragement.

3:37 PM: Added photo from Montoure’s original campaign announcement. And for the record, here’s where the District 1 race stands now:

CANDIDATES: David Ishii (back as of 3/9/2015), Pavel Goberman (declared 3/5/2015), Tom Koch (declared 2/19/15), Lisa Herbold (declared 2/11/15), Shannon Braddock (declared 2/11/15), Brianna Thomas (declared 2/11/15), Phillip Tavel (declared 2/4/15), George Capestany (declared 11/11/14), Amanda Kay Helmick (declared 10/20/14), Chas Redmond (declared 12/20/13). Filing deadline is May 15th; primary election is August 4th. Along with voting on the D-1 position, West Seattle/South Park also will vote on the two “at-large” spots, Positions 8 and 9.

The next District 1 Candidates’ Forum is scheduled for the 34th District Democrats‘ meeting on April 8th (7 pm, The Hall at Fauntleroy).

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AS-IT-HAPPENED COVERAGE: Port Commission again hears comments on Terminal 5 lease; commissioners say they won’t seek to cancel it
March 24, 2015 1:16 pm
|      12 COMMENTS
 |   Environment | Port of Seattle | West Seattle news

1:16 PM: We’re back at the Sea-Tac Airport Conference Center for the Port of Seattle Commission‘s regular meeting. Nothing regular about the meetings lately, as the public-comment period two weeks ago ran more than 3 hours, with almost 80 people commenting about the port’s controversial lease with Foss to host part of Shell‘s Arctic-drilling fleet on part of West Seattle’s Terminal 5. The gallery is full again today – more regional media has shown up than two weeks ago, too – and we will chronicle as it goes.

Public testimony is first on the agenda. #1 – A representative of the Building and Construction Trades says they support the lease because of the jobs it will provide and “the dreams of the future. … We would hope the port follows through with this lease so we can build for the future …” #2, Jordan Royer, representing the Pacific Merchant Shipping Association, terminal operators and shipping lines. “This is important because it allows you to reinvest into the terminal, to be competitive on the world stage. … We lose the port, we lose manufacturing … My biggest concern is that if for some reason political winds take your eye off the ball and your core business, that it will be difficult to get other maritime businesses to look at this port as competitive.” #3, Emily Johnston from 350.org, refers to the taped comments by Commissioner Bill Bryant published by The Stranger: “‘You silly people,’ leave these decisions to the grownups – that is in effect what (supporters) are saying. … (But) the so-called grownups have failed us … Scientists have told us this is a catastrophic project and the regulatory bodies have failed to step in.” She mentions that the Obama Administration is likely to give permission for Arctic drilling, maybe even today. She says the lease is “supporting catastrophic climate change … You are all addicts, and this is your intervention. … All lives are on the line.” First applause of the meeting. #4, Cameron Williams, with ILWU Local 19, saying he represents about 3,000 dock workers. “I commend the commission for (moving forward with) the lease.”

#5, Paul Stevens, president/CEO of Foss, thanking the commissioners. He notes that 164 are “working to support our project at T-5,” including “101 at the facility,” a dozen of them Foss employees. “We have contributed $3 million in revenue to the port since signing the lease.” He mentions that they expect to bring non-Shell projects in, as well. And he says maritime competition is tough and faced by this area – and that the competitiveness is enhanced if there’s certainty that political pressure won’t affect deals. #6, a man identifying himself as an Edmonds resident. He says opposition to this and to drilling is “alarmism.” #7, Beth Smith of Foss says having local oversight of this project will make a difference. #8, a woman wearing a red T-shirt reading “The People vs. Shell.” She says Greenpeace has a ship in the Pacific “keeping an eye on Shell’s massive drilling ships as they head north” and promises to “shine a light on one of the most dangerous drilling projects in the world.” #9, Zarna, in the same T-shirt, saying she’s with the Alliance for Jobs and Clean Energy. She acknowledges that jobs matter, but “Shell and oil workers around the country are striking, and have been striking for 2 months, for health and safety reasons.” She says she has spoken to workers in Anacortes who told her about deaths on the job. “When you say this is about jobs, it’s not true – it’s about money” and says Commissioner John Creighton received campaign contributions from executives of Foss and its parent company Saltchuk. “How much money will it cost to buy you back?” she yells, and presents the commission with a symbolic “blank check.”

#10, another man in the same T-shirt. He says he apologizes to his brothers and sisters in labor, “but jobs go up and down, and particularly with wise leaders, we can increase jobs with good jobs, quality jobs, but the climate is on a descent straight down.” He says Commissioner Bryant’s remarks included ridiculing his kayak, and says he’s sorry that commissioners no longer seemed to be supporting the reasons he voted for them. “I have only a few more years to live. It’s not about me … (future generations) are going to live with (the results of this). We have a blessing here, and we’re destroying it for money – Shell profit. I like Foss, Foss has been around a long time, has done a good job, but Foss has sold their name to Shell.”

AS-IT-HAPPENED COVERAGE CONTINUES AFTER THE JUMP:
Read More

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VIDEO: West Seattle YMCA preschoolers show off healthy-food know-how for high-ranking visitor
March 24, 2015 12:24 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Health | West Seattle news

(WSB photos/video by Patrick Sand)
Are West Seattle kids getting enough healthy food? Kevin Concannon, the USDA’s Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services, visited this morning to find out. We caught up with him at the West Seattle YMCA (WSB sponsor) Preschool (with him in the photo above is Emilia Holbik from the Y). They made a smoothie for him.

And here’s what he had to say about it:

The Y’s focus is on food as well as fitness, so they showcased this as an example of nutrition-focused activities in which their students regularly participate.

After his stop at the YMCA Preschool, Under Secretary Concannon was headed to West Seattle Elementary.

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West Seattle scene: Wondering what’s being filmed in Admiral?
March 24, 2015 11:07 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Seen around town | West Seattle news

Thanks to everyone who tipped us on this one: Yes, there’s a film/video crew in West Seattle today. They’re working on a commercial, shooting at multiple Admiral spots, including West Seattle Coin Laundry and Shanti as well as the future home of Mioposto. We weren’t able to procure extensive details but did get an answer to the big question: A crew member said he was allowed to say it was a commercial for Virginia Mason.

P.S. We did subsequently contact VM’s marketing/media department to ask what they could tell us about it. Answer: Nothing right now; it’s top-secret. But they promised to let us know when they’re ready to tell the world.

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West Seattle Tuesday: Block Watch Captains talk bike patrol, cybercrime; 2 schools’ dinner benefits; more!
March 24, 2015 10:53 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Photo by James Bratsanos – Olympic Mountains in the early-morning light)
From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar, some of what’s up for the rest of today/tonight:

AUTHOR AT MADISON MS: Two assemblies today at Madison Middle School with best-selling young-adult author Marissa Meyer, as previewed here. First one was earlier but second one (families are welcome to attend too) is at 1:30 pm. (45th/Spokane)

PORT COMMISSION MEETING: 1 pm at Sea-Tac Airport, of local note because the Terminal 5 lease is expected to take centerstage in the public-comment period again. The agenda also includes a draft motion related to future decisions about the lease, and procedures regarding other future decisionmaking – see it here. (Conference Center at south end of Sea-Tac)

SCHOOL BENEFIT DINNERS: Two chances tonight to dine out while supporting local schools! 4-8 pm it’s Madison Middle School night at Marination Ma Kai (1660 Harbor SW); 5-8 pm, it’s a taco bar benefiting Hope Lutheran School at Pecado Bueno. (4523 California SW)

BLOCKWATCH CAPTAINS HEAR ABOUT BIKE PATROL, CYBERCRIME: 6:30 pm tonight at the Southwest Precinct, join the West Seattle Block Watch Captains’ Network for the monthly meeting they’re previewing as follows:

1. Our special guest will be Sgt. Jim Britt who oversees the expanded SW Precinct Bike Patrol program, which will “roll” out any day now. He will talk about the program and what they hope to accomplish. He’ll also talk about which officers will be involved and which areas they will focus on. Bring your questions for him, as well as any issues you think the Bike Patrol might be able to help resolve.

2. Cybercrime is a growing issue for all of us and those we care about. Our second presentation will be about online safety by Community Police Team Officer Jon Kiehn. Learn about the latest crimes that are happening and how to stay safe online.

You don’t have to be a captain or even part of a Block Watch to attend – all are welcome. (Webster/Delridge)

GLOBAL READING CHALLENGE: Good luck tonight to the two local teams in the finals of the Seattle Public Library‘s Global Reading Challenge – the Reading Warriors from West Seattle Elementary in High Point and the Rad Radical Hyperactive Jellyfish from Lafayette Elementary in Admiral! You can cheer them on (but be warned, the seats fill fast) at 7 pm at the Central Library downtown. (1000 4th Ave.)

NIGHTLIFE … Tonight’s lineup includes the blues, karaoke x 2, and singer/songwriters – see the listings/venues here.

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West Seattle Easter, Passover, & more: This year’s page up
March 24, 2015 9:35 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Easter, Passover, & more: This year’s page up
 |   Holidays | West Seattle news

From egg hunts to religious services to brunch, the first draft of our annual page is live – you’ll see the link in our lineup of navigation tabs below the sunset header photo, or just go here. If you have any information to add – including restaurants for Easter brunch/dinner – please e-mail us so we can add it, editor@westseattleblog.com – thank you!

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: What you need to know for Tuesday
March 24, 2015 7:07 am
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(Four WS-relevant views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
7:07 AM: The aftermath of a car-fire call at 35th/Fauntleroy, by the entrance to the bridge, is still causing a backup, we’re told via Twitter. The car-fire call itself is closed but if you’re heading to the bridge that way, you might wait a bit until the scene is completely clear.

Two advisories, meantime:

SEATTLE SOUNDERS FC HOME GAME TONIGHT: 7 pm vs. Club Tijuana at CenturyLink Field, 39,000 people expected, so be aware of extra evening traffic/transit in the stadium zone.

VIADUCT/99 CLOSURES NEXT WEEKEND: Between the West Seattle Bridge and Battery Street Tunnel, the inspection closure is scheduled for 6 am-6 pm both days, Saturday and Sunday. But a stretch of 99 north of the tunnel will be closed around the clock late Friday to early Monday. Full details here.

7:20 AM UPDATE: What remains of the earlier incident is a car on the right shoulder of Fauntleroy just east of the entrance lane from northbound 35th, and a police car right behind it with its rollers going, so vehicles entering the bridge there are having to swerve a bit to the left to get around it, as shown on the live-video feed from the SDOT Travelers’ Map.

7:25 AM: Tow truck has arrived, so this should be clear shortly.

7:32 AM: All clear!

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Congrats and good luck! Local students Jean-Pierre Dufour and Aiden Houlette are also State Geography Bee-bound
March 24, 2015 5:31 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle people

We now know at least three local students will be competing for the state Geography Bee championship this weekend:

Congratulations and good luck to Westside School (WSB sponsor) 6th grader Jean-Pierre Dufour. His dad Rene says this is Jean-Pierre’s second year in the competition! Read more about his achievement on the Westside website.

Also Bee-bound, Schmitz Park Elementary 5th-grader Aiden Houlette:

Congratulations and good luck to Aiden, who won the schoolwide competition at SP. Aiden’s mom Sarah says, “He has always had lots of questions about different regions of the world, been interested in maps, and enjoys his school’s ‘Passport’ program. For now he’s busy studying his geography books!”

Earlier, we featured Jack Crowley, a Madison student who’ll be competing at the state Geo Bee too. It’s happening this Friday (March 27th), 9 am-3 pm at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma. The state champ will go to the national competition May 11-13 in Washington, D.C.

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High-school baseball: West Seattle HS vs. O’Dea at Hiawatha
March 23, 2015 11:45 pm
|    Comments Off on High-school baseball: West Seattle HS vs. O’Dea at Hiawatha
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

Thanks to Caryn Johnson for this report on today’s West Seattle High School varsity baseball game on a showery afternoon at Hiawatha:

Sophomore Carson Wright started on the mound and pitched 5 2/3 innings. He pitched well against a big-hitting O’Dea team. Giving up 11 hits, but only giving up 6 runs (4 earned). He struck out 3, hit one, and didn’t walk any. Freshman Anthony Coats came into pitch in the 5th inning and pitched the remaining of the game not giving up a hit.

Jamie Maples led the team on the offensive side of the ball with 4 hits and 2 RBI’s. Morgan McCullough also had a good outing with 3 hits and 1 RBI. As a team they had 9 hits.

Defense had their first test of the season against the big bats of O’Dea. Everyone on the field got into the action and recorded outs. The highlight on the defensive side was a 6-4-3 double play in the top of the 7th inning by Morgan McCullough, Jack Page and Alex Pastrana. This closed out the top of the 7th and gave West Seattle one more shot to score some runs. In the end they fell a little short, losing to O’Dea, 6-4.

WSHS is on the road for its next game, Wednesday against Cleveland at Rainier Beach HS.

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West Seattle transportation updates: SW Roxbury project briefings, 35th SW enforcement, and more
March 23, 2015 8:35 pm
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   Transportation | West Seattle news

Once again, there’s West Seattle news in the periodic report that SDOT director Scott Kubly will be presenting to the City Council Transportation Committee. His report for tomorrow’s committee meeting (9:30 am, City Hall) has been added to the agenda since its draft publication last week. Included in the report, some work updates including 19th/Webster stairway cleaning (before/after photos above) and dates for news on what the city plans to do to make Roxbury safer:

SW Roxbury Street:

*SDOT will announce preferred alternative and project implementation schedule at Westwood-Roxhill-Arbor Heights Community Council meeting on April 7
*SDOT will host an open house about the recommended changes on April 9
*Implementation set for the week of August 17

Two other updates: Regarding enforcement on 35th SW – a big topic in discussion of what was presented at the two most-recent meetings (WSB coverage here and here) – Kubly’s report says, “SDOT grant funds will provide extra safety patrols on 35th – currently developing MOA with SPD for more than 100 hours of OT patrols on 35th SW.” Also, regarding the Fauntleroy Boulevard project, he reports, “CM Rasmussen did a tour of the site with Deputy Director, Barbara Gray, and Jorge Carrasco, Director of City Light.” That would be regarding including undergrounding in the project, for which construction funding is still not certain – it’s NOT in the Transportation Levy to Move Seattle proposal unveiled by the mayor last week (WSB coverage here). Read Kubly’s full report, including updates from around the city, here.

P.S. Kubly and other SDOT reps will be at the West Seattle Transportation Coalition‘s meeting this Thursday (March 26), 6:30 pm at Neighborhood House’s High Point Center (6400 Sylvan Way) – bring your questions.

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RIP, ‘familiar friend in The Junction,’ Don Smathers; memorial April 1st
March 23, 2015 5:31 pm
|      52 COMMENTS
 |   Obituaries | West Seattle news | West Seattle people

(WSB photo, July 2012)
Sad news about someone we’ll miss seeing around The Junction. Even if you didn’t know his name, you’ve probably seen Don Smathers, shown at center in our photo from 2012, when Southwest Precinct officers helped him with one of the tasks he’s handled over the years – putting up the flags for the 4th of July. We got word today from Susan Melrose at the West Seattle Junction Association that Don has died:

Don Smathers has been a familiar friend in The Junction for many years. This morning he passed away peacefully in his home in the Campbell Building, where he had lived for 25 years. We will have a memorial in Don’s honor, but for now, we can take a moment to remember this kind soul.

We’ll let you know when that is scheduled.

ADDED SUNDAY: 5 pm Wednesday, April 1st, in Junction Plaza Park (42nd/Alaska).

APRIL 1, 12:52 PM UPDATE: Because of weather uncertainty, this will be at Easy Street Records (California/Alaska) instead.

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Followup: Comment deadline for port’s decision that upgrading Terminal 5 is environmentally non-significant; see neighbors’ letter
March 23, 2015 3:50 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Port of Seattle | West Seattle news

Back on Friday, thanks to a tip, we reported on the looming deadline for telling the Port of Seattle what you think about a Terminal 5 issue that’s not directly related to the Shell drilling-fleet controversy: The fact the port has declared the long-term modernization project will be environmentally non-signficant and therefore doesn’t require an environmental-impact study. Some West Seattleites disagree and are sending in their comments by today’s deadline, including a letter that we’re told represents more than two dozen residents in East Admiral, just upslope from T-5. One of their points:

The road traffic resulting from simultaneously unloading two post-Panamax ships will cripple the already congested West Seattle bridges. We do not have an answer to this, nor does the Port. Therefore, we recommend an environmental impact study be done to understand the traffic solutions before reaching the point of no return.

They also suggest the port is gambling a quarter-billion dollars or so on this without knowing whether the market might change irreversibly in the few years T-5 will be closed. Here is their full letter:

They’re also sending it to city and county leaders and asking for their support. As explained in our Friday report, the documents about the “non-significance” decision are here, and comments can be sent to SEPA.p@portseattle.org.

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3 pieces up, one big piece to go for Highway 99 tunnel machine
March 23, 2015 3:11 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Alaskan Way Viaduct | West Seattle news

(WSDOT photo)
A third big piece of the Highway 99 tunneling machine was lifted up from the repair-access pit today – and that means just one BIG lift to go, the cutterhead, for which Seattle Tunnel Partners will use that large red assembly you’ve been seeing next to the Viaduct. It’s shown in this next photo shared with WSB by Gatewood photographer/pilot Long Bach Nguyen (taken before today’s lift):

The previous two lifts were on Thursday – with the big half-circle piece you see toward left center of the LBN photo – and on Saturday. No exact date announced yet for the cutterhead to be brought out. STP has said that if repairs go well, it hopes to be tunneling again in August.

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VIDEO: Alki shooting, fight recorded by witness who hopes ‘this will show … why we need more police’
March 23, 2015 12:06 pm
|      78 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

When we first reported on Sunday about the early-morning shooting on Alki that left one person hurt, we had little information. We have since been contacted by a witness who recorded almost a minute of the chaos and gunfire and wanted to make it public, saying, “I believe that this will show many why we need more police and why our youth/young adults should be monitored closely at these hours of the night.”

ALERT: This is unedited phone video (except to fix it from vertical to horizontal fit) and you will hear lots of profanities in the audio **if you choose to play the clip.** The gunshots are audible and muzzle flashes are seen, but the person who was shot is not:

In a long text conversation with the witness who recorded that while at a restaurant/bar across the street, we agreed to keep them anonymous (we don’t even know their name). They had already shown the video to police, who, they say, showed up quickly, within “three or four minutes” of the gunfire.

From the witness’s view, it started as “a very large group of young adults yelling and using derogatory terms as well as throwing things at this vehicle, which led to a fistfight in the middle of the street.” Then, the witness says, one person kicked off the black car’s driver’s-side mirror, and another punched out a passenger side window, followed by shots from a passenger, and then toward the end, someone “returned fire” after the black car sped off westbound.

As noted in our Sunday report, there was no “assault with weapons” large Seattle Fire medic response, because police found no victim at the scene. Seattle Police say they were later contacted by Everett Police after a 17-year-old boy with a gunshot wound to the leg turned up at a hospital there. Police have since talked to the victim; on Sunday, they told us he was “uncooperative” with investigators. The incident also is now detailed on SPD Blotter.

As far as we can tell from WSB archives, this is the first incident in 2 1/2 years in which someone has been shot in the Alki area. Not the first case of gunfire, but the first case with a victim, since this case in August 2012.

Even before this, local police had promised more presence at the beach this year via both the new Southwest Precinct bicycle patrols and a new mobile-precinct vehicle that is on the way after the precinct went years without a replacement for the one SPD lost in an arson attack. That is what the lifelong West Seattleite who shared video of Sunday’s shooting is hoping for: “I hate that these hoodlums are ruining my neighborhood.”

ADDED 2:11 PM: A few additional details are in the Southwest Precinct summary of what happened, which we obtained from precinct Operations Lt. Ron Smith:

On 3/22/15 at 0109 hour, Officers were dispatched to a fight disturbance/shots fired incident in the 2600 block of Alki Av SW (just west of Marine Av SW & Alki Av SW). Initial report to 911 has it that: two people were down and that someone has a leg wound.

Upon officers arriving in the area, the suspects involved in the fight/shots-fired were GOA [gone on arrival], possibly in vehicle/s. There was no “scene” other than the spot where the incident occurred. Officers checked the area and did not locate any evidence such as shell casings or blood to indicate that someone has been shot. A baseball cap was located and submitted into evidence. During a canvas of the bar across the street, an officer located a witness who had recorded the shots fired incident on his cell phone. The video was sent to the police and submitted into evidence.

Based upon the on-scene investigation, it appears that at least 6 people were surrounding a vehicle. One of the 6 people kicked the vehicle’s left rear view mirror and damaged it. The front passenger from the vehicle fired at least 3 shots at the 6 people as the 6 people were surrounding it. The 6 people then scattered, running away. A white male is then seen getting into the driver’s seat of the vehicle and drove it away, on Alki Av SW.

At 0345 hour, Everett PD called SPD 911 and reported that they have a “victim” with a non-life threatening gunshot wound in the leg. The “victim” was uncooperative and was with his girlfriend. The Everett PD Officers will complete a report under their case number, DD 15-5308. This incident was screened by phone with our Homicide/Assault unit.

Lt. Smith, who is acting precinct commander, confirms that patrols, including officers on bicycles, will be increased. The mobile-precinct vehicle has not yet been delivered.

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BIZNOTES: West Seattle Brewing update; EcoBeauty closes
March 23, 2015 11:24 am
|      13 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Two biznotes this morning, the first one a followup on an item from our Friday mega-roundup of food/drink notes:

WEST SEATTLE BREWING UPDATE: After its abrupt, unexplained closure some days ago, we had inquiries out, as noted in the aforementioned Friday roundup. Early this morning, we heard back from West Seattle Brewing‘s Drew Locke, who tells WSB via e-mail that it will reopen:

I am working on implementing espresso to our offerings and closed while we use the opportunity to finish employing/testing our 7BBL brew system (quintuple the production capacity we’ve employed since our inception), prepping for the addition of wine/cider & food as well, and finishing some construction elements that have gone to the wayside as I’ve had to bartend 60 hours/week over the past year.

No timeline was mentioned – we’re asking in a followup.

ECOBEAUTY SALON-SPA CLOSES: Thanks to Rick for the tip that this salon north of Morgan Junction has closed after more than 4 years; its website confirms the closure, and “For Lease” signs are already up at the 6040 California SW location. Proprietor Christina said on Facebook that she’s joining CoCo and Co. and that other stylists are “going to fabulous new salons in West Seattle.”

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West Seattle Monday: USS Stennis sails by; 4 calendar highlights
March 23, 2015 9:45 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

Thanks to Gary Jones for the photos of the aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis, passing Alki Point this morning as it headed out for training (as previewed here on Friday) – you can see Coast Guard escorts in the top photo, and a nearby Washington State Ferry below:

From our calendar, a few events coming up later today/tonight:

FREE ART ACTIVITIES … 11 am-12:30 pm, bring toddlers and preschoolers to the Family Center in Neighborhood House’s High Point Center. More info in our listing. (6400 Sylvan Way SW)

HIGH-SCHOOL SPORTS: Varsity games on local fields include West Seattle HS baseball vs. O’Dea at Hiawatha, 3:30 pm; Chief Sealth IHS softball vs. Garfield at Southwest Athletic Complex, 4 pm; Chief Sealth IHS soccer vs. Nathan Hale at SWAC, 4 pm;

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS Monday night is BIG for everyone who loves a good quiz: There’s trivia at Christo’s on Alki (7:15 pm, 2508 Alki SW), trivia at OutWest Bar (7:30 pm, California/Brandon), Quiz Night at Skylark (7:30 pm, 3803 Delridge Way SW), plus pub quiz at Shadowland (8 pm, California/Oregon).

EVENING MEDITATION: 7:30 pm Buddhist-meditation class at Sound Yoga (WSB sponsor). See the center’s full weekly schedule here. (5639 California SW)

PREVIEW THE WEEK AHEAD … by browsing the calendar!

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: First Monday of spring
March 23, 2015 6:57 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(Four WS-relevant views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
As always, we start with what you should know while on the move this week:

STATE FERRIES’ NEW SCHEDULE IN EFFECT: The spring schedule started Sunday.

CONTINUING ROAD WORK: Most notably, the Delridge/Andover/23rd and 47th/Admiral projects.

VIADUCT/99 CLOSURES NEXT WEEKEND: Between the West Seattle Bridge and Battery Street Tunnel, the inspection closure is scheduled for 6 am-6 pm both days, Saturday and Sunday. But a stretch of 99 north of the tunnel will be closed around the clock late Friday to early Monday. Full details here.

SPEAKING OF HIGHWAY 99 … the second of four big lifts for tunnel-machine pieces happened Saturday night.

EARLY-RELEASE DAY FOR SPS THIS WEDNESDAY: It’s not road work but it’ll mean different schedules for school buses and school-zone cameras/lights, and extra care to be taken, earlier, for kids/families on the move – Seattle Public Schools has a two-hour-early-release day this Wednesday.

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Congratulations! 13-year-old girls-basketball champs ‘The Storm’
March 23, 2015 12:56 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | WS & Sports

Congratulations to The Storm, the basketball team from Hiawatha Community Center that won the 13-year-old Girls Competitive Division Championship on Sunday! Mike Jensen shares the photo, reporting, “They played another team from Hiawatha in the championship game (Sunday) afternoon and won a close one, 22-17 … to cap off an undefeated season.” Left to right in the photo are Cami, Ruby, Hannah, Jackie, Madi, Nina, Jaeley, Maddie, Mikayla.

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West Seattle Crime Watch update: 2 vehicles stolen from 1 house in 3 days, found in same place
March 22, 2015 9:18 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | Gatewood | West Seattle news

9:18 PM: Auto thieves have hit one family in Gatewood twice in the past three days. The vehicles taken from their driveway/carport are a taupe 2006 Volvo XC70, license plate AMR4548, stolen Friday morning, and a silver 2006 Nissan Frontier 4-door pickup, license plate B31289L, gone since early today. The vehicles’ owners say there was nothing about the first theft that facilitated the second – no key left in either car, for example. If you see either vehicle, please call 911.

9 AM MONDAY: The vehicles’ owner says they both were found in an apartment-building parking lot in the 6500 block of 35th SW, less than a mile away from where they were stolen: “Someone in the apartments called to report the Volvo as a suspicious vehicle. When we arrived, we saw the truck parked in another stall. The Volvo was driven more than 150 miles and contained a lot of drug and DNA evidence. Unfortunately, there were no clean prints. The truck had more of the same drug evidence, it wasn’t driven more than 20+ miles.”

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Myrtle Reservoir retrofitting going out to bid, likely to start in fall
March 22, 2015 8:23 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Gatewood | Utilities | West Seattle news

(West side of Myrtle Reservoir site, where work is likely to be staged)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor

Nine months after Seattle Public Utilities discussed the earthquake-resistance retrofit needed for West Seattle Reservoir in Highland Park, we know what’s in store for our area’s other underground water facility, Myrtle Reservoir.

Myrtle was covered in 2008, West Seattle in 2010. Then in 2012, their designer, MWH, told the city about “possible seismic deficiencies” in their work – not potentially catastrophic, but not something that could be ignored, either. Analysis and testing ensued, and in June of last year, we reported on the retrofit/strengthening plan for WS Reservoir, interviewing reps from SPU and its consultants.

At the time, they didn’t know exactly what would need to be done to Myrtle Reservoir, a relatively small reservoir (5 million gallons) at the city’s highest point on the east side of the Gatewood neighborhood. Now they do.

Read More

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Spring cleaning? West Seattle shredding, recycling dates to save
March 22, 2015 5:44 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Environment | Fauntleroy | High Point | West Seattle news

For everyone who’s asked if any free shredding events are coming up in West Seattle – we FINALLY have word of one: 1-4 pm Sunday, April 19th, at High Point Branch Library (35th/ Raymond) – details here. Then, to recycle what you can’t put at curbside, it’s Fauntleroy Church‘s spring Recycle Roundup – 9 am-3 pm Sunday, April 26th; yes/no list here.

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PHOTOS: Biggest-ever West Seattle High School Diversity Dinner
March 22, 2015 4:59 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS culture/arts

Thanks to West Seattle High School teacher Rebecka McKinney for sharing photos and info on a big event this past week – the biggest-ever Diversity Dinner organized by the WSHS Diversity Club, with more than 200 people attending, the largest turnout ever, and performances including members of the wider community as well as students:

The night started at 6 p.m. with a wide variety of cultural food that people brought to share. There were many cultures represented with a variety of dishes that included pad Thai, injera, lasagna, pupusas, pan dulce, rice and beans, lumpia and many more.

“It was a great turnout, even more than I expected,” said senior Diversity Club co-president Emily Fiso. “It was a great atmosphere, seeing different cultures interact with each other.”

After everyone got food, the entertainment began with the WSHS Latino Club.

They performed the punta dance. This group included WSHS seniors Shaneen Walter-Edwards, Brian Silva and Maaza Tsegai.

“It meant a lot to me to be able to perform because there’s not very many Hondurans in Seattle,” said Walter-Edwards. “I was happy to share my culture.”

Next was an Eritrean dance group that performed a Tigrinya dance.

This group included three WSHS students as well.

After the Eritrean dance, the WSHS Chinese class performed a traditional Lion Dance.

Chinese teacher, Su-Chun King, put this performance together.

Mahelet Wondie from Chief Sealth High School followed this with a spoken word piece on Africans and Americanization.

WSHS senior Kate Longabaugh followed that with a traditional Irish dance piece:

Next up was a local mariachi band that was made up of students and adults, some of who attend Chief Sealth:

The Mt. Rainier and Kennedy High School Pacific Islander Club followed this up with two Samoan dances and one Hawaiian dance.

“It was nice to be able to see my own culture represented,” said Fiso, a Samoan student who invited the club to perform. “I like how they brought a different energy to the crowd and everyone was involved.”

The final group of the night was the Northwest Tap Connection African class performing the kuku. This group included performers from age 5-17, led by Ms. Lakema Bell.

“I thought it was really nice that the African dance class could incorporate that type of dancing with people of all ages,” said senior attendee Shaheeda Kariko.

The night ended with a cultural fashion show that represented many of the cultures of WSHS.

This included Irish, Filipino, Somalian, Ethiopian, Yakima Nation, Samoan, Nigerian, Namibian, Eritrean, Moroccan, and Mexican.

“I was really happy to help bring different communities together,” said junior Diversity Club co-president Meron Mulu. “This was the first year we reached out to connections our students had outside of West Seattle. It’s not only important to celebrate culture, but it’s fun.”

See a list of WSHS’s many cultural, service, and interest groups/clubs on the school website.

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