West Seattle, Washington

21 Saturday

54℉

West Seattle news 62294 results

Followup: Ryan Cox pleads guilty, released from jail
February 27, 2010 7:57 pm
|      34 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

We reported yesterday on the latest arrest of Ryan Cox, who had previously been arrested twice in the past 10 months for serial graffiti vandalism, charged with multiple counts of property destruction, then eventually freed when charges were dropped because he was found not mentally competent to stand trial. This time, the charge was “1st degree property destruction, value greater than $50”; it involved tire-slashing, according to the victim, who e-mailed a Crime Watch report about it. According to the King County Jail Register, Cox is out of jail as of less than an hour ago; The Seattle Municipal Court website says he had a hearing today at which he waived trial, then pleaded guilty to the charge, was given a “suspended sentence,” and “referred to the time pay office” for what the court site says was a $5,000+ fine. That’s all the information we have; we won’t be able to find out more from the City Attorney’s Office until Monday. (Previous stories, some of which included photos previously released by police, are archived here.)

Share This

Advocates say “Jason McKissack Act” in danger of dying in Senate
February 27, 2010 1:55 pm
|      15 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle police | West Seattle politics

ORIGINAL 1:55 PM REPORT: We have been following the progress in the Legislature of EHB 1679, the bill that is meant to fix the situation that has left catastrophically injured public-safety personnel and their families without health coverage if they cannot return to work. First, it was heard in the state House Ways and Means Committee (WSB coverage here), and passed the House unanimously; then last Monday, it was heard in the Senate Ways and Means Committee (WSB coverage here). But that committee has to bring it up for a vote to get it to the floor – and Renee Maher, law-enforcement advocate/lobbyist and an officer’s widow, e-mailed us today to say EHB 1679 is in danger of NOT coming up for a vote in Senate Ways and Means. The Senate is also where a version of this bill died last year – before the well-publicized case of Jason McKissack, who was on duty as a West Seattle-based Seattle Police officer, trying to break up a fight a year and a half ago, when he was kicked in the face repeatedly and suffered brain damage. He is unable to return to work and received a letter from the city last month saying his employment was ended; he and his wife testified in the House hearing, but he was not well enough to attend last Monday’s Senate hearing. From Renee Maher:

Somehow EHB 1679 – the Jason McKissack Act – has slipped through the cracks in the Senate Ways and Means committee. We need to get the word out to people to ask them to contact Senate Ways and Means Chair Margarita Prentice, 360-786-7616, and ask her to vote EHB 1679 out of the committee. The deadline is Monday!

The full list of Ways and Means members – with each name linking to the senator’s site and contact info – is here. Among them, West Seattle’s 34th District State Senator Joe McDermott, who had said he’d do everything he could to move this bill this year; we have messages out to him – the committee is in session again today, though this bill is not on its published agenda.

ADDED 4:14 PM: The Seattle Police Officers’ Guild has sent a news release with an open plea to the public to help rescue this bill.

The Seattle Police Officers Guild and the Council of Metropolitan Police and Sheriffs need the public’s assistance. Engrossed House Bill 1679, also known as the “Jason McKissack Act”, which would provide health insurance to Law Enforcement Officers and Firefighters who are catastrophically injured in the line of duty faces the possibility of not passing. This bill passed the House of Representatives unanimously on February 3, 2010. On February 22, 2006, testimony regarding the bill was heard in front of the Senate Ways and Means Committee. Officer McKissack’s wife Kim testified along with the President of the Seattle Police Officers Guild, the President of COMPAS and the Executive Director of COMPAS, stating the importance of this bill, and how the state needs to take care of their law enforcement officers and firefighters, should they ever become catastrophically injured in the line of duty.

If this bill is not voted out of the Senate Ways and Means Committee by THIS Monday, March 1, 2010, the bill will die. Currently the bill IS NOT SET to be voted on, on Monday.

The news release continues after the jump:Read More

Share This

Play ball! Tryouts, draft tomorrow for West Seattle Little League
February 27, 2010 1:43 pm
|    Comments Off on Play ball! Tryouts, draft tomorrow for West Seattle Little League
 |   West Seattle news | WS & Sports

West Seattle Little League has tryouts and draft for majors and minors tomorrow at Bar-S Playfield (map) – here’s the schedule as shared by Cami MacNamara:

Majors Players Check-In:
8:45am at Bar-S Playfield Sign in and receive number from registrar and start warm-up
Players try-out evaluation 9:30am – 11:15am
Draft: 11:30am – 12:30pm

Minors Players Check-In:
12:15pm at Bar-S Playfield Sign in and receive number from registrar and start warm-up
Players try-out evaluation 1:00pm – 3:15pm
Draft: 3:30am – 5:00pm

Try-outs may be cancelled due to weather conditions. If it is raining please check our website for updated information on whether the try- outs are cancelled and rescheduled to our back up date. If the information is not posted please come down to the fields and a decision will be made at the earliest time possible. Please do not assume they are cancelled.

Updates at westseattlelittleleague.com.

Share This

Chile earthquake aftermath: Local tsunami advisory, BUT …
February 27, 2010 12:13 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Safety | West Seattle news

… don’t panic. Even a ripple can be a “tsunami” if it’s considered to have been generated by an event, such as Chile’s 8.8 magnitude earthquake. If any such ripple does show up on our shores, it’s predicted around 4:41 pm this afternoon, according to the latest table from NOAA. It’s moving north and so far no major trouble’s been reported in its path further south. Nonetheless, wariness by the water is probably not a bad thing.

Share This

Be ready for anything: Know your West Seattle Communication Hub
February 27, 2010 9:48 am
|      8 COMMENTS
 |   Neighborhoods | Safety | West Seattle news


View West Seattle Emergency Communication Hubs in a larger map

Watching/reading/listening to news of the Chile quake and the Hawaii tsunami alert – we are NOT under a warning here – you might be inspired to doublecheck to be sure you’re ready for what everyone hopes will never happen. So we’re reminding you about the ONE West Seattle-specific link that not only is laden with the traditional preparedness information, but also shows you where you’d be able to go to get information and help, if you couldn’t find out what was going on any other way: the Emergency Communication Hubs mapped at West Seattle – Be Prepared. Because of a two-year volunteer effort, our area is way ahead of most other Seattle neighborhoods in terms of this kind of preparation, and the volunteer effort includes this great site. The Hubs are part of it – nine sites around the peninsula where volunteers will set up gathering places/information clearinghouses – click on your nearest one on the Google Map above, then find out the full details at this page on the official site. Bookmark the site on your home and work computers – plus your smartphone if you have one – and also remember that you can find the link in the WSB sidebar (look for the mini-graphic of the Hubs map). You also can pick up postcards with the hub map at the Junction and Delridge Neighborhood Service Centers (more on that here).

Share This

Your West Seattle Saturday: Cookies, cleanups, concerts …
February 27, 2010 8:25 am
|    Comments Off on Your West Seattle Saturday: Cookies, cleanups, concerts …
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Photo by Randall G. Hauk)
We showed you the 30,000-box pickup … the decking-out of Walking on Logs … and now, Girl Scout Cookies are finally on sale. The photo’s from Admiral Safeway last night, where Troop #41504 junior Scouts were on duty; if you want to know for sure where and when to find cookie-selling scouts, any time between now and March 14, here’s the online Cookie Locator (put in your zip code and choose “within 5 miles” and you’ll get the whole West Seattle list). Also today: Admiral Neighborhood Association‘s Adopt-A-Street cleanup will gather volunteers outside Metropolitan Market (WSB sponsor) starting at 9 am (more here), and it’s a very busy day for work parties in parks and greenbelts (Green Seattle Partnership keeps the list). Then tonight, along with live music at Skylark Cafe and Club (WSB sponsor) and other regular nightspots, you have a few special concerts to choose from including Westside Blues and the latest Music Northwest presentation. Those are just the highlights; the full list is in the West Seattle Weekend Lineup.

Share This

Don Armeni Boat Ramp to shut down a few days for lot paving
February 26, 2010 9:59 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

Just got word tonight from Seattle Parks and Recreation that West Seattle’s Don Armeni Boat Ramp is going to close for several days for lot repaving, possibly as soon as next week. Parks’ Jason Frisk sent the above photo to show how badly the current asphalt has deteriorated; while Don Armeni is the city’s most-used boat ramp, Frisk says it hasn’t been paved in a quarter-century – since 1984. Parks will be working with Statewide Parking Lot Services to “apply an overlay over the entire asphalt area.” They expect the ramp will be off-limits for 3 to 5 business days, but they have to wait for good weather; optimally, Frisk says, they might be able to close on Wednesday and reopen on Friday. But right now, they just want to get the word out that the lot will close for this work on short notice – signs will be up at Don Armeni on Monday. According to Parks, alternate city-run salt-water boat-ramp access during the closure is at Eddie Vine Boat Ramp, 8001 Seaview Avenue NW (Golden Gardens; here’s a map).

Share This

West Seattle Crime Watch: Another stolen bike to watch for
February 26, 2010 9:09 pm
|      10 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

From Catherine:

BIKE THEFT! REWARD!

My bike was stolen from my front porch last night in the area of 46th Ave SW and SW Maple Way [map]. Between 9 pm 2/25 and 8 am 2/26. I’d love to recover it (but don’t really expect to) but I am posting this on the blog as much to warn my neighbors as anything else.

That said, I’ve attached a picture and here is a description:

15″ Specialized Sworks mountain bike, gunmetal gray
Mavic 217 rims, sunset anodized color, silver Shimano Deore XT Parallax hubs
Specialized Strongarm cranks with RaceFace rings
Time ATAC mountain pedals-red
XTR front derailleur
SRAM 9.0SL wood grain rear derailleur
Specialized Fatboy Slick narrow tires

Please be on the lookout–thanks! If you have any information on the whereabouts, please contact bike8betty@gmail.com

Share This

Tough start in tournament, but Chief Sealth has 1 more chance
February 26, 2010 8:26 pm
|    Comments Off on Tough start in tournament, but Chief Sealth has 1 more chance
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

At Bellevue College in the Sea-King 3A district tournament, the Chief Sealth High School boys’ varsity basketball team played a tight first half, but their inability to hold onto the ball in the second half let the Sammamish Totems overtake them for a 46-39 win tonight – our clip is representative of how things went:

Throughout the first half, the game was tight, and the score was tied 22-all at halftime. But the second half saw the Seahawks score only nine points until late in the fourth quarter. Sammamish took advantage of Sealth’s spotty passing and rebounding to go on a 9-point run. High scorer for Sealth was Tomas Ogbaslassie with 14 points. Sealth gets one more chance, with a Tuesday game against whomever loses the game that followed theirs – Bellevue vs. Seattle Prep (it’s still in the 1st half; periodic updates at @seatimespreps).

Share This

Fauntleroy Schoolhouse purchase finally a done deal
February 26, 2010 6:00 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   Fauntleroy | West Seattle news

schoolhouse.jpgTwo years in the making, the Fauntleroy Schoolhouse purchase is complete, confirms the Fauntleroy Children’s Center, whom we’d contacted after getting this city news release at day’s end. As we’ve reported previously, it became a two-part purchase – first the schoolhouse and part of the site, then more of the site (as OK’d by Seattle Public Schools last month). Lauri from FCC tells WSB, “We will be toasting at our annual auction next weekend” – that’s the FCC annual auction on March 6 – and adds there’ll be a celebration scheduled at a later date. As the city news release notes, the money used for the purchase includes almost $2 million from the state and $1 million from the city; now the Fauntleroy Community Services Agency will have to raise millions more to fix up the building, which the school district had declared “surplus,” leading to it being put up for sale.

Share This

Happening now: “30-Hour Famine” teens walking in West Seattle
February 26, 2010 5:45 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle religion

Anne from Ventana Construction (WSB sponsor) first saw them walking along California SW in Gatewood and called to let us know: Teens from Shorewood Foursquare Church are in the midst of a big walk right now, as part of World Vision‘s 30-Hour Famine awareness-raising event. We caught up with them at the top of the hill, and they explained they’re walking to a store to buy water – “because in Africa, people often have to walk 6 miles to get water.” We had published an item about the 30-Hour Famine on our partner site White Center Now earlier today – Shorewood is inviting you to bring clothing and food donations to the church tomorrow morning – but it didn’t mention the teens’ big hike, so thanks again to Anne for the tip. At least two dozen are walking, carrying signs, so if you see them in southern West Seattle over the next few hours, you’ll know what it’s about.

Share This

Delridge Skatepark update @ Design Commission next Thursday
February 26, 2010 3:18 pm
|    Comments Off on Delridge Skatepark update @ Design Commission next Thursday
 |   Delridge | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

Next step for the Delridge Skatepark project, scheduled to start construction this summer now that funding’s been finalized – the Seattle Design Commission will take a look at the plan next Thursday, according to the agenda just published. SDC meetings are in the Boards and Commissions Room at City Hall downtown and are open to the public; Delridge Skatepark is on the agenda at 1 pm Thursday.

Share This

Admiral/California traffic followup: New “no parking” zones
February 26, 2010 1:41 pm
|      18 COMMENTS
 |   Transportation | West Seattle news

That’s one of the new “no parking” signs just put up along eastbound Admiral Way, in front of the businesses on both sides of the Admiral/California intersection. The city was “considering” parking removal as of last fall, back when we had repeated reports/discussions here about traffic troubles at the intersection. Then today, via Twitter, Revolution Coffee and Art reported, “The parking on Admiral in front of Revolution is officially gone now – please don’t park there.” The signs went up today, Revolution confirms.

Share This

West Seattle Crime Watch: Ryan Cox back in jail
February 26, 2010 10:43 am
|      38 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

First, we’ll start by saying that WSB’s usual policy is not to identify suspects until/unless they are charged, but every story is evaluated on a case-by-case basis – as it was when we worked in “big media” – so sometimes we may digress from that policy. This is one such case: Ryan J. Cox is in jail again, as of about an hour and a half ago. He is the man arrested twice in the past 10 months in connection with serial graffiti vandalism around West Seattle that usually involved a three-word profane, anti-gay slur. Both times, the charges were dismissed because he was found incompetent to stand trial, and he was sent to Western State Hospital for evaluation for possible civil commitment. (We went to Mental Health Court for the most recent hearing on January 20th – here’s our report.) Exactly what happened at Western State in both cases is not a matter of public record because of privacy laws; we had heard recently that Cox indeed might have gotten out fairly quickly after that January hearing, but could not confirm it. Then we received this reader Crime Watch report via e-mail this morning:

I want to remain anonymous, but my tire was slashed this morning by a mentally unstable male this morning on the 4200 block/Raymond St. at 6:40 this morning. The police collected the knife and the male after I did an ID of him. According to police he has a “record” here in West Seattle for malicious acts and graffiti. I had a brief encounter with him in my alley yesterday morning, and this morning at the same time he slashed my tire (he saw me get in my truck yesterday)…I am very concerned for the safety of myself and others. Am glad I wasn’t “on time” this morning. It is only considered and misdemeanor, and is circumstantial as I hear my tire go and looked out to see him walking away, but did not “see” him slash my tire, although it is completely flat, there is a slash and the knife was 10′ away in tall grass.
.
Everything he wears is baggy, white jacket with blue stripes on sleeves, haven’t seen him with his hood down, gray baseball cap, blue jeans, tennis shoes, a backpack, dark blue, and what looks to be a medium-sized shoulder bag black. Blue umbrella..I would keep my eye on him. For everyone’s safety. he looks to be in his late 30’s and of Hispanic ethnicity. (medium colored skin, graying hair, short) about 5’9″.

I just wanted to let you know as I feel I should let someone know as I appreciate West Seattle, have lived here for a long time and feel our safety can only be helped in numbers and watching out for each other. I consider this person dangerous given the circumstances that I see him for the first time yesterday morning and the very next morning at the same time my tire is violently flattened…

Though the description didn’t sound exactly like Cox, the rest of the circumstances sounded similar enough that we started checking around – and have now verified, he was indeed arrested; the King County Jail Register shows him booked on a property-damage charge as of 9:11 this morning. What happens now? We will be checking with the City Attorney’s Office, with whom we spoke extensively in connection with the previous cases, and will add to this story as we find out more. (Side note: The challenges authorities face under current law in cases like this were well-detailed in this report last weekend from our citywide-news partners at the Seattle Times.)

Share This

A little time = a lot of pride: Help clean up Admiral tomorrow
February 26, 2010 8:30 am
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle news

admiralogo.jpgImagine driving through one of West Seattle’s gateway areas and thinking “Looks great, and I was part of it.” If you can spare a little time tomorrow morning, you get the right to feel that way about the Admiral District, by joining in the next Adopt-A-Street cleanup with the Admiral Neighborhood Association. No equipment or special clothing needed – just show up outside Metropolitan Market (WSB sponsor) at 9 am tomorrow (Saturday) – you’ll get city-supplied grabbers, bags, gloves and vests. ANA president Katy Walum says, “We will be covering the Admiral Junction business area on California Avenue SW, south to about Hanford and north to about Walker; and SW Admiral Way, east to about the Admiral viewpoint and west to about 47th SW.” Not a small-child-friendly event, she adds, given the traffic along those streets, “but older kids and teenagers are welcome.” You can also mark your calendar for the next 3 quarterly Adopt-A-Streets: June 5, August 28, December 4.

Share This

Good luck, Seahawks! Chief Sealth in district playoffs today
February 26, 2010 7:55 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS & Sports

After a first-round bye, the Chief Sealth High School boys’ varsity basketball team (14-8) begins district-tournament play today. 4:45 pm at Bellevue College, they face Sammamish (15-9). Here’s a map if you can go cheer them on in person (this campus map shows the gym location); we’ll be there to cover the game, including in-progress updates at our live-events Twitter account, @wsblive. 6:16 PM UPDATE: Game’s over – Sammamish defeated Sealth, 46-39. But Sealth has one more chance. Full story, with video, coming up.

Share This

West Seattle scene: A night to reflect
February 25, 2010 11:06 pm
|      20 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

Christopher Boffoli captured the beauty of downtown Seattle mirrored on the calm waters of Elliott Bay – maybe not for long, as rain is expected back soon.

Share This

West Seattle school news: “Hearty” jumping at Lafayette
February 25, 2010 10:26 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle school news: “Hearty” jumping at Lafayette
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

After school today at Lafayette Elementary, students got to jump not only for joy, but also to help others – it was the annual Jump Rope for Heart event, which happens around the country as a fundraiser for the American Heart Association. Not just jumping – a little careful balancing, too:

Thanks to Edgar from Captive Eye Media for the photos!

Share This

We said “no such thing as too many eagle photos …”
February 25, 2010 6:54 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | Wildlife

… so Gary Jones sent another great photo from last weekend’s sighting of juvenile eagles! Thanks!

Share This

Days left to sign up for West Seattle Soccer Club’s spring season
February 25, 2010 5:37 pm
|    Comments Off on Days left to sign up for West Seattle Soccer Club’s spring season
 |   West Seattle news | WS & Sports

Just a few days left to sign up for the spring season of West Seattle Soccer Club. Tim McMonigle shares the basics:

The 6-Game season will begin on Sunday, April 11 and conclude on Sunday, May 23. (No games will be played on Mother’s Day, May 9.). All Games will be played on Sunday afternoons with game start times beginning at 1pm, 2:30pm, 4pm, and (if necessary) 5:15pm.

Registration is open to players from 5-11 years old (Coed U-6 to U-12). (This year, we have separated the Coed U-7 division into Coed U-6 and Coed U-7 divisions.) The cost is $45/player and includes a “World Cup” jersey.

Monday’s the deadline; here’s the registration page.

Share This

King County Water Taxi: Next phase for new dock
February 25, 2010 2:07 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   King County Water Taxi | Transportation | West Seattle news

With a little over five weeks to go till the new season starts for the King County Water Taxi‘s West Seattle-Downtown Seattle run, construction of its new dock at Seacrest has entered the second phase. After the new pilings were finished earlier this month, the site was quiet for a while, but now the concrete dock itself is going in – the photo above is from about an hour ago. The first day of the new season is scheduled for Monday, April 5th; last Friday, we brought you a close-up sneak peek on board the boat King County has leased for the run, the Rachel Marie (see our story =here). It’s currently at a Ballard shipyard getting freshened up, with the county branding outside, and new seats (among other things) inside – this shot from our Friday tour looks toward the bow on the main deck:

You’re likely to see West Seattle’s new Water Taxi out on training runs starting in a week or two. Meantime, here’s a little more background about the new dock; other changes for the new season include fares and the downtown dock location, which moves south to Pier 50 (which the other county run, Vashon-Downtown, already uses). ADDED THURSDAY NIGHT: Thanks to Brenda C for photos taken as the concrete dock floated in, earlier in the day:

Share This

West Seattle Crime Watch: Car window shattered
February 25, 2010 1:46 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

From Kristine:

I’m UNHAPPY to report that a car parked on California Avenue SW in front of the Lutheran Church at Dakota (map) had its back window COMPLETELY smashed. This happened yesterday (2/24) between noon & 6pm. The back window didn’t have a shred of glass left in the frame and the shattered glass was inside the car but sprayed out into the street leaving us to believe the window was intentionally hit (and hard) from the sidewalk. Nothing was stolen. I hope this hasn’t happened to anyone else as it’s a complete pain in the patoot & expensive for the owner.

Share This

West Seattle’s next pump-station projects: CSO meetings set
February 25, 2010 11:27 am
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   Environment | Utilities | West Seattle news

lowmanwarning.jpg

(Sign at Lowman Beach after Murray Pump Station overflow in 2007)
There wasn’t much turnout last fall when we covered two meetings about upcoming “CSO” – Combined Sewer Overflow – projects that King County is pursuing in connection with two pump stations on West Seattle shores, Barton (by the Fauntleroy ferry dock) and Murray (by Lowman Beach). One recent commenter wondered if perhaps the longer-than-expected 2-year duration of the 53rd Avenue Pump Station expansion project on Alki might lead to more interest in projects like these. With that in mind – here are two meeting dates just announced by King County: 6 pm March 18 for the Barton project, 6 pm March 29 for the Murray project, both at Southwest Community Center. The CSO projects are meant to come up with ways to keep stormwater and sewage from flowing into Puget Sound during storms that overload the system; the county is looking for opinions on the various ways of making that happen – which could even involve building big storage tanks near the existing pump stations (both of which are underground), to store the excess water until the weather eases. Read more about the CSO-control program here.

Share This