West Seattle, Washington
25 Thursday
(May 1, 2011, WSB photo by Patrick Sand)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
One morning back in May, we published a short story with two photos (including the one above) of Seattle Police investigators on the “low bridge” – which they had shut down for a short time to gather evidence. No one would comment about which case they were investigating.
This afternoon, we know what case it was: They were investigating the disappearance and death last winter of 24-year-old West Seattle resident Jeremy Peck. You will likely recall the huge search for him in early January, and then the discovery of his body on a Bainbridge Island beach:
(January 2011 photo by Tristan Baurick/Kitsap Sun; used with permission)
He was reported to have been last seen the morning of December 24th at the Admiral Pub.
Seattle Police picked up the investigation, which has been classified only as a “suspicious death.” After doing an autopsy, and receiving toxicology reports weeks later, the King County Medical Examiner told WSB they might never know how he died, unless new evidence emerged.
But now, SPD confirms that a search warrant has been unsealed, and we have obtained the documents including that search warrant, which was for a West Seattle residence. The narrative accompanying the search warrant details why police have reason to believe that Peck may have been killed, including a tip about two men seen putting something heavy into the water from the “low bridge” not long after the time that Peck was last seen. Police tracked down a car linked to that sighting. After it was tested for blood, the documents say, DNA testing matched it to Peck’s blood.
The search warrant was sought in early June. Police tell WSB no one has been arrested, and our check of both court records and the jail register for the two men mentioned in the warrant, so far, does not indicate any charges have been filed either. (WSB policy is to generally not identify suspects until they are charged.) “We have been investigating from day 1, and we continue to investigate,” SPD Sgt. Sean Whitcomb tells WSB. He reiterated that for now, this remains a “suspicious death” and has not so far been classified as a murder.
Just in from SDOT – the overnight closures of the westbound Spokane Street Viaduct (the West Seattle Bridge between I-5 and 99) have been delayed:
The westbound lanes of the Spokane Street Viaduct will not be closed overnight tonight as originally planned. The dates for overnight closures have changed to July 15-17. Also, July 14 a single westbound right-lane of the Spokane Street Viaduct (I-5 to SR 99) will be closed. Details are as follows:
• July 14 (11:30 p.m. to 5 a.m.): One westbound right-lane of the Spokane Street Viaduct (I-5 to SR 99) will be closed
• July 15-16 (11:30 p.m. to 7 a.m.): The westbound lanes of the Spokane Street Viaduct will be closed completely and the I-5 off-ramps to the Spokane Street Viaduct will be closed. Southbound SR 99 to westbound West Seattle Bridge will remain open.
• July 17 (10 p.m. to 5 a.m.): The westbound lanes of the Spokane Street Viaduct will be closed completely and the I-5 off-ramps to the Spokane Street Viaduct will be closed. Southbound SR 99 to westbound West Seattle Bridge will remain open.Also, July 18 – 28, Sixth Avenue S at S Spokane Street will be closed overnight, from 9 p.m. each day until 5 a.m. the next morning. See www.seattle.gov/spokane for more details on this project.
ORIGINAL REPORT, 2:54 PM: Katie took that photo of an injured gull and explains, “I wanted to report an injured seagull on the beach between Cormorant Cove and Rocky Beach. His wing is badly injured and just hanging limp. I called Sarvey Wildlife Rescue, but they don’t have the resources to come out and help. They do have info about dropoff centers if someone wants to take on the task of capturing and transporting him. I am unable to do so, so I wanted to put the word out for anyone that might be able to help. Sarvey’s phone number is 360-435-4817.” We also suggested she call PAWS, but she says they had basically the same message. So if anyone’s able to help – the gull was still there last time she looked. (Cormorant Cove is the park in the 3700 block of Beach Drive, just north of the Harbor West out-on-pilings condos.)
9:10 PM UPDATE: Denise has the good news, after pitching in – “The gull was rescued – Michelle was awesome. She doesn’t even live in West Seattle and she came down to help! She threw a netting over him and we were able to get him in a cardboard box with a lid. He was in the same location as you posted – got a little spooked when we first showed up and tried to go back into the water, but then quickly realized that wasn’t a good idea and came back to land. Dropped him off at the Burien emergency vet. Sarvey will pick him up tomorrow and keep me posted on his status.” (She’s also posted an update in the comment section.)
(March 2011 photo of Village Green’s Vera Johnson during West Seattle for Japan fundraiser)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
Driving to Village Green Perennial Nursery from the south edge of West Seattle, there’s a yellow sign about a block before you get there, pointing to a property involved in a foreclosure auction.
Village Green owner Vera Johnson is fighting tooth and nail to keep a sign like that from appearing outside the 26th Avenue SW site where she has lived, worked, and organized community events for eight years.
Vera took her struggle public a few nights ago, by launching an online petition at change.org and asking for support. But this is not a tale of “woe is me, somebody save me.” This is a tale of an entrepreneur who is also a longtime community advocate, and with those instincts, trying to make sure her battle yields help and support for the many others she is learning are going through the same thing.
It is also a tale of fighting against a big bank that she says has frustrated and complicated her attempts to do the right thing and get her loan “modified” while she struggles to get on her feet after a life change that suddenly slashed her household income.
When photographer/musician extraordinaire Trileigh Tucker told us she’d heard a Google Street View car was in West Seattle today, we didn’t believe it until Meredith shared the photo via Facebook (the picture’s from Pigeon Point). Trileigh’s suggestion is that we all go put “I (Heart) West Seattle” signs outside our homes/apartments/whatever just in case the GSV car drives past. (We know they’ve been here in a previous July – if you look up California/Edmunds, the view you see includes West Seattle Summer Fest tents and road-closure barricades!)
Prime time for West Seattle Hi-Yu Summer Festival activities is just about here. First – today’s the deadline for girls to apply for the Hi-Yu Junior Court, whose new queen and princesses will be chosen this Friday, and coronated as part of Friday’s Hiawatha Fun Fest activities. Here’s the form (which explains the requirements and expectations, too). The Fun Fest, by the way, is noon-3 pm this Friday at Hiawatha Community Center (usually out on the east lawn), with lots of activities.
Then on Saturday, it’s the Hi-Yu Community Breakfast – 9 am to noon at Admiral Congregational Church Hall, California/Hill, $6 adults/$3 kids, proceeds benefit the Hi-Yu Scholarship Program. (Donations also will be accepted for WestSide Baby and West Seattle Food Bank.) And on Tuesday, July 19th, it’s the Hi-Yu Concert in the Park with West Seattle Big Band on the east lawn at Hiawatha, 7-8:30 pm. (Plus you’ll see the Hi-Yu float, royalty, and volunteers in the West Seattle Grand Parade at 11 am July 23rd, along California SW from Lander to Edmunds! Our photo, by WSB contributor Stephanie Chacharon, shows the Sparkling Seattle Hi-Yu float at West Seattle Summer Fest last weekend.)
(WSB photo from July 2010)
In case you haven’t already seen it in the WSB West Seattle Events calendar – the city just sent a reminder that the High Point Market Garden Farm Stand opens for the season tomorrow afternoon. Every Wednesday through September, you can buy fresh produce there – grown and picked just feet away – from 4 till 7 pm. According to the city Department of Neighborhoods‘ announcement, what’s fresh right now includes “spinach, carrots, leafy greens, new onions, peas, turnips, and radishes.” The High Point stand is at 32nd and Juneau (map) – be sure to peek through the fence at the beautiful mini-farm/garden while you’re there.
(Barred owl fledgling at Westcrest Park, photographed by Lisa Stencel)
Give a hoot – go to your neighborhood council meeting. Maybe yours is one of the three meeting tonight. Or, perhaps you have something to say about Metro funding – in which case, go downtown. From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar, here are today/tonight’s highlights, also featuring a big road closure:
WESTBOUND SPOKANE STREET VIADUCT CLOSED OVERNIGHT: As part of the ongoing Spokane Street Viaduct Widening Project, the westbound SSV – the West Seattle Bridge between I-5 and Highway 99 – will be CLOSED overnight, 11 pm-5 am, for three nights starting tonight. That also means the WS Bridge ramps from I-5 are closed.
$20 CAR-TAB FEE? OR BIG METRO CUTS? That’s what County Executive Dow Constantine says the choice is. Got something to say about it? Tonight’s public hearing is the closest one to West Seattle, of the three special evening hearings that are being held. 6 pm, county council chambers at the courthouse downtown (516 Third Avenue, 10th floor). Details here.
JUNCTION NEIGHBORHOOD ORGANIZATION: 6:30 pm, Ginomai (corner of 42nd/Genesee), with the agenda including the Fauntleroy Expressway seismic-retrofit project (here’s our update from yesterday) and West Seattle In Motion (signed up yet? freebies and deals, for trying transportation alternatives now and then).
ADMIRAL NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION: 7 pm, Admiral Neighborhood Association meeting, 7 pm, Admiral Church lower-level meeting room (California/Hill), with the agenda including an update on the upcoming Summer Concerts at Hiawatha series.
FAUNTLEROY COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION: 7 pm, Fauntleroy Community Association board meeting, all welcome, Fauntleroy Schoolhouse, 9131 California SW.
ROTARY DISTRICT 5030’S YEAR AHEAD: The Rotary Club of West Seattle‘s own Ann Liberato is this year’s District 5030 Governor and will be talking about her plans for the 2011-2012 year, with other District Governors expected to be in attendance, at their weekly lunch meeting, noon at Salty’s on Alki.
TRIVIA ROCKS: Rock music trivia tonight and every Tuesday night at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor), 8 pm
(Photos courtesy Jared of Road Samaritan Towing)
Turns out there was a lot more to the story of the truck-trailer trouble that caused the massive, multi-hour traffic backup on the westbound Spokane Street Viaduct (and beyond) Monday afternoon. Having first noticed the scene on a drive back from the Eastside at 2:20 pm, thinking it would be clear soon since a flatbed tow trucks was there, we were surprised when notes started coming in two hours later about the worsening problem during afternoon rush hour, indicating it hadn’t yet been cleared. Then bits and pieces of information started emerging in comments – and with Jared of Road Samaritan Towing responding to our followup questions and request for photos, we have the full picture of what happened, stretching on into late-night hours! More photos ahead:Read More
EDITOR’S NOTE: Belly dancers delighted West Seattle Summer Fest crowds last weekend and will welcome you to the annual Mediterranean Fantasy Festival in the park around Hiawatha Community Center next Saturday and Sunday (July 16-17), plus they have a monthly showcase at Skylark Café and Club. With all that, we sent WSB contributor Keri DeTore out in search of the people behind West Seattle’s belly-dancing mecca status.
By Keri DeTore
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
If you’re interested in watching a belly-dance performance, or taking classes, you might be surprised to find that you need look no further than right down the street.
Our own West Seattle and White Center neighborhoods boast a large community of belly dancers who perform and teach classes locally. In fact, when local belly dancer and costume designer Dina Lydia> was asked for an interview for this WSB story, she quickly gathered three other dancers for what became something of a panel discussion regarding our local community of dancers, its history and opportunities for involvement.
Joining Dina Lydia were Adriene Rice and Julia Demarest of Troupe Hipnotica and Imei, who performs solo.
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
Within a few minutes of the scheduled start of tonight’s North Delridge Neighborhood Council meeting, more than 25 people were in the small meeting room at Delridge Library – more than double the usual NDNC turnout. (Our photo shows only about half the room.)
The biggest, and first, topic: The proposed 75-unit homeless-housing project that Downtown Emergency Service Center (DESC) wants to build on Delridge, a stone’s throw from tonight’s meeting site.
Read on for highlights of that discussion and other issues/matters talked about tonight:Read More
Five weeks till the August 16th primary – which will narrow down the field in some races, and will decide the City of Seattle tunnel-related referendum. For your calendar-marking reference, three candidate/issue events are coming up in West Seattle in the next few weeks:
First, this Wednesday night, it’s the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce/Greater Seattle Business Association co-sponsored candidates’ reception at The Hall at Fauntleroy, 5:30-7:30, register here ($10 members/$15 nonmembers and students).
Second, a week from Thursday, the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce presents a “Just The Facts” forum on tunnel-related city Referendum 1, with two referendum opponents from Protect Seattle Now and two referendum supporters from Let’s Move Forward, plus your editor here as moderator – that’s 6 pm July 21st in the West Seattle High School theater. (Admission free.)
Third, a combination ice-cream social/election forum presented by a new coalition of local neighborhood and community advocates, “Voice Your Voice,” 6:30 pm July 28th at South Seattle Community College‘s Brockey Center, with city, county, port, and school-board candidates, plus Referendum 1, all scheduled to be part of the program. According to organizer Karl de Jong, the candidates will be on ice-cream-scooping duty before the “moderated debate-style forum.” (Admission – and Husky Deli ice cream! – free; donations will be accepted for West Seattle Food Bank.)
For the second time today, there’s trouble if you’re trying to head back to West Seattle via southbound I-5. A crash is reported at/on the ramp to the westbound West Seattle Bridge from SB I-5.
(Photo by Ellen Cedergreen for WSB)
Two West Seattle Crime Watch items – this first one, from within the past hour. We received a note asking about a big police response to the Junction QFC. WSB contributor Ellen Cedergreen was there and says some kind of argument/confrontation was involved, apparently involving someone known to frequently hang out outside the store. He had to be subdued, Ellen reports, and a woman who was with him was yelling at officers; Ellen says the two were taken away, as were the dogs they had with them, and that SPD says they’ll be considered to be trespassing if they return to the store. We have an inquiry out seeking more information from police. No injuries reported.
1:18 AM UPDATE: Southwest Precinct Lt. Alan Williams says, “At about 8:07 p.m. officers were dispatched to remove a group of six trespassers from the QFC … At least one of the trespassers also made some threats against the complainant who had called 911. One of the trespassers, an adult male, was uncooperative and threatened the officer’s life. The officer placed him under arrest but had to struggle with the suspect in order to take him in to custody. A second suspect, an adult female who was part of the group of trespassers, obstructed the officer while he was making the arrest so she too was arrested by back-up officers. In addition to the threat charge and resisting arrest, the male suspect will be booked on an outstanding felony warrant. The female suspect will be booked for obstructing the officer. No medical attention was required by anyone involved.”
(back to original 9:12 pm story) Second item:
As reported here on Friday, police say car thieves have been busier than usual lately. Here’s another theft. From J:
My blue 1965 Volkswagen Beetle was stolen from in front of my house … in Fauntlee Hills between 10 pm and 6 am Sunday night/ Saturday morning. If you see this car anywhere else, it is not where it is supposed to be. If anyone does see it give a call to the SPD. They have been contacted and a report has been filed. License plate is 062 zvk. Thank you.
The second of three King County Council hearings on “the future of Metro“ – and the closest one to West Seattle – is at 6 pm tomorrow night downtown. If you missed the backstory: King County Executive Dow Constantine says that either Metro needs to raise more money, or cut service. The current proposal on the table for more money is a $20 car-tab fee. Constantine has asked that the county council simply approve the fee, which would require a two-thirds vote; so far, it appears the council may fall one vote short, which would mean it couldn’t be approved without going to voters. Before the council makes its decision, it’s having three hearings – starting with one last week in Kirkland – to hear from citizens. (After tomorrow night, the third and final hearing is 6 pm July 21st at Burien City Council chambers.) Since our first report on this, the county has come out with more documentation on potential cuts – including this map showing how some routes might be affected – and a table showing the list of potentially affected routes can be seen here. If you can’t make either upcoming meeting, you can send written comments by going here.
4:30 PM: Avoid the westbound Spokane Street Viaduct – truck trouble has backed it up to I-5. We’re trying to find out if it’s the same truck we tweeted about while stuck in traffic in the same spot two hours ago. Anyway, bottom line, avoid the I-5-to-99 section of the bridge TFN.
4:41 PM: Thanks to those who are sending photos, including Brad, whose pic we just added. Looks like the same spot where a truck was stuck in the 2 pm hour.
On Twitter, one driver says it’s truly a dead stop … and some people are out of their cars (as seen in the photo tweeted by Rob, added above).
4:56 PM: WSDOT says via Twitter that the stuck semi is FINALLY being towed off the Spokane Street Viaduct – still will take the backup a while to clear, though. The truck apparently lost a wheel (we had noticed a flat while passing it in 2 pm hour). Thanks to Ashley for the photo above showing the truck (and tow crew).
6:13 PM: Sounds like all’s getting back to normal – let us know if you’re experiencing otherwise. Meantime, just added the photo above this paragraph, taken by Danny McMillin – note the skateboarders on the new construction alongside the jammed-up road. (Click to see a larger version.)
West Seattle’s next major road project, the Fauntleroy Expressway seismic retrofit, is getting closer to construction. This involves the southwesternmost section of the West Seattle Bridge. Since our last update in January, the timetable moved further back into the year, but the city is now starting to make the rounds to get the word out, beginning with tomorrow night’s meeting of the Junction Neighborhood Organization. We had been working on an update, and here’s what we found out from SDOT: The project includes steel-column jacketing, reinforced-concrete “girder seat extensions,” reinforced-concrete footings, and bearing pads. It went out to bid in March; CA Carey Construction is the winning bidder, at $2,388,477, which SDOT says is more than $100,000 under their estimated cost. The money comes from the 2006 Bridging the Gap levy. There will be traffic effects, but the city says mostly during off-hours:
When construction begins traffic operations on the Fauntleroy Expressway will be unaffected during the day, especially during the a.m./p.m. rush hours. However, in order to make some of the necessary seismic improvements, we will close segments of the Fauntleroy Expressway and its on-/off-ramps periodically throughout the project. Those closures will occur during the night, early morning and weekend hours.
During closures:
* A minimum of one on-ramp and one off-ramp to and from the Fauntleroy Expressway/West Seattle Bridge will always remain open.
* The Delridge Way SW on- and off-ramps will be open.
* Signed detour routes will be posted and utilize existing arterials to minimize residential cut-through traffic.
* Uniformed police officers will be used, at times, to keep traffic moving.
“Significant construction activity” is expected to start in September and to last through the first quarter of 2012. You can find out more during the presentation at tomorrow night’s Junction Neighborhood Organization meeting (6:30 pm at Ginomai, southwest corner of 42nd/Genesee).
Just announced on various city websites including this one (with news conference video) – $3 million more to prevent SDOT job cuts and fix roads. Which ones? We’re checking. (Official news release here.)
In case you aren’t following the comments on last night’s report about the medical emergency toward the end of the day at West Seattle Summer Fest – though official information is not available because of medical-privacy laws, a commenter has provided this update on the man who collapsed and received “citizen CPR” before medics rushed in:
I am friends with the man and his family. He suffered a massive heart attack. He made it through the night and is in stable condition today. The doctors are optimistic about his condition. His wife is keeping us up to date. My thanks to everyone who helped out.
Comments on the previous story also have included more information about learning CPR – thanks to everyone who’s contributed information – as this shows, you never know when it could save a life.
From Beth:
I saw a VERY big coyote outside my window at 9:20 am on the 3600 block of 47th Ave SW [map]. The animal was in stalking pose and appeared to be alone. He was heading west out of my yard. I emailed my direct neighbors to get their animals inside but wanted everyone else to be aware as well.
Coyotes may be old news to some, but not to all, and that’s why we keep publishing sighting reports when we receive them. If you’ve never seen one, scroll through our archive of reports – last one included a very clear photo.
(Photo tweeted by @cpatchworks)
We’re not sure if this is the helicopter that’s been flying low over parts of West Seattle this morning, from Alki to Fauntleroy – haven’t gotten a close enough look yet – but in case you missed the advisory we published on Friday, here it is: A chopper based at Boeing Field is flying over local urban areas to get a baseline reading on “normal” radiation levels, not related to the Japan disaster, but as part of a two-year-old federal project. If you get a close look at the low-flying chopper, you can compare it to the photo on this page.
From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:
HELP FOR CAREGIVERS:Are you a caregiver? Chances are if you’re doing one or more of the following for an older adult relative, neighbor, or friend you are in fact a caregiver: Bringing them food or groceries, driving them to appointments, running errands, helping with yard work, checking in on someone, doing a load of laundry for them, visiting them on a regular basis, assist someone with household chores or paying bills, or organizing someone’s medications. Caregiver advocate Amanda is available to be consulted 8:30 am-2 pm Mondays at Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon St), Mondays, to help you connect to in-home services, housing options, Medicaid eligibility, respite, adult day health, support groups, counseling, legal options, transportation, nutrition, and more.
NEW AFTERNOON EXERCISE CLASS: Starting today, Monday and Friday afternoons, also at Senior Center of West Seattle (4217 SW Oregon St), Mondays and Fridays (July 11-29, August 12-22nd, 3 pm – no class except Aug 1, 5 & 8). Cost: $35 for 10 sessions paid in advance. Instructor: Alicia Jean Demetropolis M.E.S. Includes seated/standing activity.
NDNC MEETS: North Delridge Neighborhood Council meeting, 6:30 pm. The council is meeting outdoors this summer as weather permits – this meeting is scheduled for the park alongside Delridge Community Center.
BALLROOM AND SALSA: New dance classes launching with Balorico at Kenyon Hall. Call 206 679-7229 or e-mail balorico@gmail.com.
SING IT: Monday night karaoke with Kelli at Skylark Café and Club (WSB sponsor), 9 pm.
Story and photos by Ellen Cedergreen
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
This is a month to celebrate gardens and gardeners – with the West Seattle Garden Tour (co-sponsored by WSB) next Sunday, and two tours with West Seattle stops this past Saturday, including the grand-opening celebration for the Community Orchard of West Seattle on the north side of the South Seattle Community College campus on Puget Ridge.
First, we take you to a stop along the Seattle Tilth-sponsored Chicken Coop and Urban Farm Tour, which was citywide, but with some West Seattle stops, including author Lyanda Lynn Haupt‘s Gatewood home.
They use a byproduct from roasting coffee beans called “chaff.” It looks like hamster bedding and is nitrogen-rich, making it a good material for composting. As a bonus, it can be acquired free from local coffee roasters – just inquire with your favorites. Lyanda took visitors into the coop, where she picked up her chickens, allowing visitors to touch them.
From left to right: Adelade, Ethel, and Ophelia. Ethen is a Barred Rock; the other two are Buff Oringtons, a favorite breed of Lyanda’s. She says she’ll get an egg a day from each when they start laying, which should happen shortly. Also at her stop, visitors examined a coldframe in the yard.
Saturday’s other major tour was the Community Harvest of Southwest Seattle-presented Edible Garden Tour.
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