West Seattle, Washington
14 Friday
For a fourth consecutive day, the Seattle Police Aggressive Drivers Response Team was out on 35th SW today, and the roundup is posted on SPD Blotter. The bold-type highlight: 14 driving-while-cell-phoning tickets. There were speeding tickets too; read the roundup here (Admiral Way and the West Seattle Bridge are mentioned briefly too).
(WSB video of the entire 31-minute hearing, unedited, added @ 5:26 pm)
A dramatic sentencing hearing is concluding right now in the courtroom of King County Superior Court Judge Bruce Heller. He has sentenced 59-year-old Thomas Qualls, the Alki resident who pointed an assault rifle at police officers last September, to what prosecutors had asked after a plea bargain to an attempted-assault charge: 24.7 months. 
Two of the three police officers at whom Qualls pointed – if not fired, which was a point of dispute in the case – his rifle spoke to the judge first. Officer Andy Peloquin called the fact the case was plea-bargained to this potential sentence, the maximum possible in the “standard range” for attempted assault with a firearm enhancement, “a slap on the wrist.” (The other officer who spoke was Sgt. Steve Strand.)
We videotaped the entirety of the hearing, including what the officers and Qualls told the court – he and his lawyers blamed alcohol for much of what he did that night – and what the judge had to say. Qualls asked the judge if he could be allowed out of jail (where he’s been since the incident last September) in time for his 40th wedding anniversary, and the judge said no.
The reason for the plea bargain was explained by the prosecution as the fact that the investigation could not prove Qualls ever fired the assault rifle, as had been contended that night. There was no proof yielded by either two audio recordings from that night or a number of field investigations, including a re-creation at his Alki home a few weeks ago.
Qualls – who had no prior record – was shot in the abdomen by police and has been in jail since leaving the hospital less than a week after the confrontation, which started when one of his grown children – both of whom were in the courtroom – had called 911 to say he had threatened suicide after a disagreement with his wife, who also came to court for the sentencing. No family members addressed the judge, but the defense lawyer noted that family and friends had sent Judge Heller letters expressing support. (September 2010 photo by Christopher Boffoli for WSB)
(Photo by Ellen Cedergreen for WSB)
For two of West Seattle’s three biggest high schools, this was the last day of spring break. For Seattle Lutheran High School, this was the annual “Day of Service.” Students fanned out to a variety of locations for a morning of volunteering; above, the group that WSB contributor Ellen Cedergreen found cleaning up and weeding at Junction Plaza Park: Paul Beery, RJ Son, Tony Ostenson, Fred Lisko, Brian Simmonds, and Mathew Hood. SLHS’s Bil Hood shared the next 3 photos – here’s the diaper drive for WestSide Baby outside Safeway in Jefferson Square:
Then there was the crew that worked at the Senior Center of West Seattle:
And an whimsically artistic touch:
ArtsWest, Me-Kwa-Mooks , and still more spots got some TLC too – plus handmade thank-you cards were on their way to “1,000 of our neighbors.” Bil says the day began with an announcement after the morning chapel service that “the students have raised almost $1500 for the Red Cross relief efforts across the world.”
Last night’s Evening Magazine featured the creations of West Seattle “upcycle” artist Russ Morgan, as you’ll see if you watch the KING 5 clip above. And not only was it timely since today is Earth Day – also turns out he’s having a reception today at Hotel Monaco downtown (1101 4th Avenue, 4-6 pm – you’re invited!), according to proud sister Wendy Morgan (also a West Seattleite), who tipped us to the story and the reception. Find out more about Russ’s art at justarumor.com. P.S. Wendy tells us that in West Seattle, his work is available at Capers in The Junction.
Thinking an unannounced festival or fun run was perhaps on the way, we had asked SDOT about those “no parking” signs in the Alki Bathhouse vicinity, but they had nothing on their special-events list. A note just out of the WSB inbox explains the signs: Alki photographer extraordinaire David Hutchinson e-mailed to say nearby residents have received a notice explaining that “Ira Finkelstein’s Christmas” will shoot exteriors in the area tomorrow and Monday. Quoting the notice, “We will be using the beach as a backdrop for Florida.” (The movie’s iMDB summary shines a little light on why.) Beach Drive Blog had reported previously on the crew’s plans to shoot in that area too.
1 PM P.S.: After rooting around for more information about the movie – we’ve added a clip above with some explanatory behind-the-scenes info (found here, where some “rough cut” clips also have been posted), including soundbites from directing/producing team members such as Jennifer Roth, just announced today as the recipient of the 6th annual Seattle Mayor’s Award for Outstanding Achievement in Film.
(WSHS Class of 1960, photographed at the 2010 All-School Reunion by Patrick Sand for WSB)
It just might be our area’s biggest school event each year, and the details for this year just came in. The West Seattle High School Alumni Association‘s All-School Reunion and Open House is set for Friday, June 3rd. It all starts with classic cars on display along SW Stevens at 4 pm, and wraps up with presentations, including scholarships, concluding around 9 pm. Read on for the schedule of what’s planned inbetween:Read More
2 West Seattle Crime Watch reports: First, more details on the burglary arrest announced by Southwest Precinct commander Capt. Steve Paulsen (here’s the Thursday story). The suspect is 31 years old and, according to the incident report, was tracked down after a report of a burglary at a home under construction in the 1500 block of Sunset Avenue (map) in North Admiral. A construction crew member told the responding officer that the burglary was the second one recently – the first time, wiring had been cut and stolen, and that wiring had just been replaced on Wednesday, one day before it was cut and stolen again; water pipes were cut away too. SPD Media Unit Detective Mark Jamieson adds that “information shared between Patrol and detectives matched the M.O. of someone they were aware of,” and subsequent investigation led to the suspect’s arrest as he tried to “recycle”/sell the stolen property. He’s still in jail, not yet charged so we’re not using his name; Det. Jamieson says police found drugs on him as well, so he is facing potential charges for that as well as burglary, according to the jail register. This is all just from the report for this arrest, so too early to say if he indeed will be linked to other break-ins.
And as if to underscore the point that one arrest never solves everything (so don’t stop being vigilant), a few hours later, a burglary was reported at midday – read on for that report:Read More
Having an Earth Day cleanup? Whether it’s one person or one-hundred, you’re welcome to share a photo – as did the proud grandparent who sent this one, noting that it’s “Captain America picking up trash!”
(Photo by Travis Tyler, looking toward West Seattle from M/V Hyak during Monday’s 6 am moonset)
From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:
EARTH DAY IN THE FOREST: This is the “official” Earth Day, and though many celebrated with cleanups and forest restoration last weekend, there’s some today – EarthCorps (Facebook page here) will be helping out in the West Duwamish Greenbelt (16th Ave SW and Brandon), 10 am – 2 pm.
EARTH DAY FREEBIES: Take old vases/jars to Fleurt (NW corner of California/Oregon in The Junction) to recycle, and get a free mini-house-plant. (Tomorrow too!) … West Seattle Thriftway is celebrating Earth Day with a bag giveaway (with $20 purchase) and free baby trees (while supplies last).
GOOD FRIDAY: Looking for a church service? Check the special WSB West Seattle Easter page.
PASSOVER: Fourth night of the festival. No publicly announced special events, but you can check with West Seattle’s Kol HaNeshamah or Torah Learning Center directly.
EGG HUNT: Most of them are tomorrow but tonight there’s one for teens only! Hiawatha Community Center (2700 California SW): Teen Night Egg Hunt for ages 12-18 at 8:15 pm, billed as “the biggest outdoor teen night hunt in West Seattle!” Free, but bring a flashlight and goodie bag. (More egg-hunt info on the WSB West Seattle Easter page.)
DAY OF GIVING: “Day of Giving” for Seattle Lutheran High School – watch for students out and about, doing volunteer work!
SSCC WINE SALE Northwest Wine Academy spring wine sale at South Seattle Community College ((6000 16th Avenue SW), noon-4 pm today and tomorrow. Full details here
WEST SEATTLE GARDEN CLUB: The season’s finally here! Join the club at Daystar Retirement Village (2615 SW Barton, Bldg One) 10 am – 2 pm. A coffee social and registration half-hour precedes the business meeting, a commentary on design and horticulture exhibits and a review of two gardening books by club member Nancy Lechner. Brown bag lunch at 12 noon, with beverages and dessert served by the club. “How to Keep Honey Bees” is the subject of beekeeper Nancy Beckett at 1 pm. Visitors are welcome. Donation $5.
PHOTOS, MUSIC, WINE TONIGHT ON ALKI: At Alki Arts (2820 Alki SW), 6-10 pm, there is a photography exhibit by Brad Wright, blues music by Jeff Hays and Eric “Two Scoops” Moore, wine tasting by O Wines.
BIN 41 TASTING: K Vintners and Charles Smith wines at bin 41 (4707 California Ave SW), 5:30-7 pm.
(October 2010 West Seattle orca sighting; photo courtesy Jeff Hogan)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
Want to help make the next “car-free day” on Alki more of a street party than it’s been before? Want to help save the orcas? Opportunities for both factored into Thursday night’s Alki Community Council meeting, with major topics including Alki’s Summer Streets day (just one month away, May 22nd) and imminent West Seattle milestones for The Whale Trail:Read More
In case you’re doing some spring cleaning this weekend – heads up on a donation event that’s now just about a week away: West Seattle’s Girl Scout/Brownie Troop #40890 asks you to help them “Stuff the Van” to help young hospital patients and homeless families – here’s what they’re collecting and why:
Benefiting critically ill children at Seattle Children’s Hospital and the homeless at Wellspring Family Services:
What: Used children’s DVDs
Gently used BLANKETS
Gently used CHILDREN’S PJsWhen: 3:45 – 5:00 pm on April 27 and 29
Where: Westside Presbyterian Church
3601 California Ave SW
(Look for the black VW Eurovan)Sponsored by Girl Scout Brownie Troop #40890
(2nd Graders from Lafayette, Schmitz Park and Alki Elementary Schools)
ORIGINAL 10: 31 PM REPORT: If you are north of Morgan Junction or in Fairmount Springs, we’re tracking the police search that’s currently under way. We’re not certain about the incident that triggered it but a K-9 unit is involved in the search too. To our knowledge, it hasn’t involved a violent crime, but scanner traffic indicates the search might involve a suspect who is known to police. (No names in the comments, please, in case that turns out only to be speculation.) More details whenever they’re available.
12:57 AM UPDATE: The suspect whose name we heard on the scanner is in jail as of about half an hour ago, according to the King County Jail Register, and the potential charge is listed as fourth-degree assault, domestic violence. The case isn’t in the online court system yet but if it stays in Municipal Court, it’s an official charge, and we’ll report more later this morning. We had been tracking another case involving this suspect – one in which he was due to return to court next week for a status update.
2:40 PM FRIDAY: The suspect, charged in Municipal Court with assault, is Joel Lund. We last reported on him in March, when a judge allowed him out over prosecutors’ objections, after he was charged in connection with an incident involving a stolen catalytic converter. His next hearing in that case had been slated for April 28th; now he’s in jail awaiting arraignment tomorrow in connection with this new charge.
Story and photos by Katie Meyer
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
A new wayfinding kiosk, an update on the Murray CSO Control Project, and the 6th annual Morgan Junction Festivalthis June were some of the topics covered at the Morgan Community Association‘s quarterly meeting last night.
Toplines:
*A wayfinding kiosk will soon go up on the west side of Fauntleroy Way SW across from the tennis courts, with map and information about the area including Lincoln Park and Solstice Park.
*An update on the Murray CSO project was presented by Martha Tuttle from King County: The environmental review has been completed and results will be made public later this month, after which the public has 14 days to comment, then the design phase begins.
*The Morgan Junction Festival will be on June 25th, with 2 different stages for live music from 10:30 am to 7 pm; local vendors, plenty of activities for children, and the “Bite of Morgan” featuring local restaurants.
Traffic-calming concerns, Zipcars, a unanimous re-election, emergency preparedness drills, tips on deterring crime, and more, after the jump:Read More
Another traffic-crackdown roundup from Seattle Police tonight – just published on SPD Blotter minutes ago:
On 35th Avenue SW, a 35 mph zone,
1 at 58 mph
1 at 51 mph
1 at 50 mph
3 at 49 mph
2 at 48 mph
2 at 46 mph
2 at 45 mph12 Cell Phone violations
1 Stop Sign
1 Following Too Close
1 No Proof of Insurance========
On the West Seattle Bridge, a 45 mph zone,
1 at 70 mph
1 at 68 mph
1 at 65 mph
1 at 60 mph
1 at 59 mph2 vehicles for Racing
3 No Proof of Insurance
1 Bus Lane violation
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(U.S. Navy photo)
Most years, the Seattle Mariners’ Salute to Armed Forces Night means a West Seattle flyover – so here’s advance warning, courtesy of SDOT’s weekend traffic alert: Saturday night, just before 6 pm, two Boeing EA-18G Growlers are scheduled for a Safeco Field flyover. They’re a variant of the Super Hornet (think Blue Angels), so it could get loud.
Story by Jason Grotelueschen
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
Interested in a crosswalk at Delridge/Findlay, a growing commercial district in the heart of Delridge? That was one of many topics of discussion as community leaders gathered Wednesday night for the monthly Delridge Neighborhoods District Council meeting, inside the theater at the Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, to discuss ways to improve public safety and increase involvement in local neighborhoods.
The agenda featured an update on the Elliott Bay Seawall Replacement Project, a discussion of Neighborhood Projects Fund ideas, and a presentation about Camp Long’s application for a Large Project Grant.
(White Center Now/West Seattle Blog photo by Deanie Schwarz)
On the day after another medical-marijuana enterprise opened in our area – a branch of the GAME Collective just launched a lounge in White Center – the State Legislature has finalized a bill to regulate it (SB 5073) though Governor Gregoire’s signature is no slam-dunk. Local authorities have said they need state regulation so they know how to deal with these operations, which technically are illegal under state law, though medical marijuana itself won voter approval more than a decade ago. But the governor has said that she’s concerned the bill will leave state employees open to prosecution, and she reinforced that in a statement just sent out by her office:
“I realize the value that medical marijuana has for patients and support the voter-approved initiative. I also agree with the intent of the Legislature to clarify ambiguity surrounding search and arrest as well as concerns around dispensaries and access. We need to create a system that works.
“I asked the Legislature to work with me on a bill that does not subject state workers to risk of criminal liability. I am disappointed that the bill as passed does not address those concerns while also meeting the needs of medical marijuana patients.
“I will review the bill to determine any parts that can assist patients in need without putting state employees at risk. No state employee should have to break federal law in order to do their job.”
But Seattle’s Mayor and City Council are hoping she’ll sign it – their joint statement just came in:
“We would like to extend our greatest appreciation to the Washington State Legislature for passing today SB 5073. The bill would provide a comprehensive regulatory framework for medical marijuana use. This bill spells out precisely how dispensaries and production facilities can operate in a way that provides legitimate patients with medical marijuana, gives local governments the tools we need to help protect the health and safety of our communities, and provides much-needed clarity for law enforcement.
“In particular, we would like to thank Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Welles for all of her hard work and leadership on this bill, and Rep. Eileen Cody for shepherding the bill through the State House.
“We encourage Governor Gregoire to sign the bill, and look forward to working with her and her staff in the coming days.”
The governor’s spokesperson Scott Whiteaker replied to our followup question by saying that’s not a veto statement – she has 20 days to decide how to handle the bill. Meantime, with the GAME Collective opening in White Center yesterday, four medical-marijuana outlets are in operation in West Seattle/White Center, with at least two more on the way (Northwest Patient Resource Center at 35th/Roxbury – WSB coverage here – and Herban Legends in White Center – WCN coverage here).
Some people are so excited about Delridge Skatepark, they are watching every little detail as construction begins – so if that’s you, here’s the latest. We published a photo Monday showing the fencing that had just gone up at the site – then came word that construction equipment had arrived – and today, that equipment is digging in, so you can say the official “groundbreaking” has occurred (no ceremony was planned). Some skateboarding advocates had fretted that West Seattle would never get a skatepark, since the original proposal drew opposition 3+ years ago when it was proposed for Myrtle Reservoir Park – which finally opened last fall and will be dedicated a week from Saturday – but a new site search followed, and North Delridge welcomed it with open arms. The skatepark should be complete and open in late summer.
Just in from the Southwest Precinct – Capt. Steve Paulsen reports a burglary arrest around 7 am this morning in “the north West Seattle area.” Officers arrested the suspect, he says, “after they observed a suspicious vehicle while patrolling for criminal activity. Evidence and information collected from the vehicle may resolve a number of incidents/crimes that has affected this area in the recent past.” He adds, “This is a great example of our men and women sharing information with each other in regard to crime trends and targeting neighborhood hot spots in order to reduce crime.” We’re pursuing more information on the arrest; we had just been working on a story compiling more specifics about the recent “burglary spike” that Capt. Paulsen had announced at Tuesday night’s West Seattle Crime Prevention Council meeting.
Just in from SDOT – don’t look for those paving crews on Sylvan today, after all. But note another location’s on the schedule:
SDOT paving crews plan to lay a new surface of asphalt next week in the eastbound lane in the 2400 block of Sylvan Way SW (at the curve by Home Depot). On Monday April 25, the crews will grind off the old surface on Sylvan Way, and on Tuesday, April 26, if weather is favorable, they will lay new asphalt. One lane will remain open in each direction. Traffic flaggers will assist traffic. (We previously announced that this work would take place this week, but it has now been rescheduled.)
The crews plan to perform spot paving on SW Orchard Street between Delridge Way SW and Dumar Way SW on Wednesday and Thursday, April 27 and 28.
This repair work is needed due to an ongoing pothole problem at these locations.
Sunday morning, we published two reader reports of mystery incidents within a few blocks of each other on Genesee Hill. This morning, a comment from Barbara solves one of the mysteries, and we’re republishing it here since few will check back on a 4-day-old thread:
Thanks for your concern and for those who helped my mother-in-law who wandered from home and fell last Saturday evening on SW Genesee. She was once quite a walker around her neighborhood, but of course, not recently until Saturday. She was quite injured and unable to recall her name for several hours at Harborview. Eventually she managed her name and address and the family was contacted. We have been busy with her medical care and adjustments to her living situation since then so missed the Blog entries. Thanks again to all our neighbors who helped her that evening. We are thrilled that West Seattle still has such heroes.
Thanks to David Hutchinson for sharing that photo of a seagull regaling its own reflection. David is part of the Alki Community Council meeting, which happens to be having its monthly meeting tonight, 7 pm, Alki UCC (6112 SW Hinds), agenda includes the Summer Streets “car-free day” on May 22nd (the day starts with West Seattle 5K – signed up yet?) and The Whale Trail. Also of note:
SYLVAN WAY SPOT PAVING: Scheduled to be done today and tomorrow.
LOW TIDE: Not as low as the past two days, but still a good one for beachwalking – 2:04 pm, -2.1. Thanks to Lisa Stencel for sharing this colorful closeup from her beach visit during yesterday’s low tide:
MAUNDY THURSDAY: Looking for Holy Week church services? That’s part of what you will find on the WSB Easter page (along with egg hunts and brunches). Still not too late to let us know if we are missing something – editor@westseattleblog.com – thank you!
As WSB commenters pointed out, the Aggressive Drivers Response Team was visible on 35th SW again yesterday. Here are the tickets mentioned on the Seattle Police website SPD Blotter:
1 at 49 mph
1 at 47 mph
3 at 46 mph
2 at 45 mph
3 for No Proof of Insurance and 5 Cell Phone violations
Will they return today? They don’t announce their plans in advance, but as the update concludes, they do advise “all motor vehicle operators to be familiar with and obey all local and state traffic laws and to always drive with due regard for all others on the roadway.”
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