West Seattle, Washington
10 Friday
ORIGINAL 1:57 PM REPORT: We’re at the King County Courthouse, in the courtroom of Superior Court Judge Chris Washington, who is scheduled shortly to sentence the three teenagers found guilty in connection with last year’s High Point attack that seriously injured Southwest Precinct Officer Jason McKissack one year ago (here’s the report on the verdict a month ago; here’s one of our reports from last year). A 17-year-old boy was found guilty of assault; a 17-year-old boy and 18-year-old girl were found guilty of obstruction of a law-enforcement officer. Five police officers are here in the courtroom so far to observe, in uniform; your editor here is one of two reporters present so far. We’ll publish the sentences (and any other information from this hearing) as soon as they are announced.
2:08 PM UPDATE: Officer McKissack, who is still on leave, is here as well – almost one year exactly after the attack (6/17/08). The three defendants have all arrived — all three in blue jeans, the two boys in white T-shirts, the girl in a gray sweatshirt – with six lawyers at the table with them (some of whom would be prosecutors, of course).
2:45 PM UPDATE: The first two sentences have been announced: For the girl, no detention; 75 hours of community service; 1 year of probation. She spoke briefly to the court, saying she didn’t believe she deserved detention time – but no words of apology. For the older boy (guilty of obstruction), no additional detention (he had already served 59 days, according to his lawyer), 150 hours of community service, 12 months of probation. He told the judge he knew what happened was wrong and what happened to the officer was wrong, but he wanted to say that he was not an evil person. Meantime, the officer’s wife and another relative have both addressed the court, with emotion in one case, emotion and fury in another.
3:29 PM UPDATE: The 17-year-old boy found guilty of third-degree assault has just been sentenced: No additional jail time (he apparently served 30 days electronic monitoring), 1 year probation, 150 hours of community service. This after a lengthy legal argument over the state’s request for an exceptional sentence. There is one more step in this case – a restitution hearing requested by prosecutors.
3:44 PM UPDATE: After a little more than an hour and a half, the hearing just concluded, as lawyers wrapped up paperwork and details. All three of the teenagers addressed the court, though none expressed remorse for what happened. Officer McKissack did not testify; in addition to his wife and another relative who spoke, one of the uniformed officers who were in attendance rose to address the judge before the sentencing ended. Here is our transcription of most of what he said:
We’re sending the wrong message – people have to be held accountable for their actions … I’ve been on the streets for 13 years … We’re getting into more fights, we’re getting assaulted more. At our precinct alone, we’ve had suspects bite officers twice in the past month, and I believe one was a juvenile. … We’re sending the wrong message. People have to understand – now, if you just hit, kick spit on officers, you’re not going to get any significant time … We’re not out there to be punching bags … (But people are) very comfortable, as if they know that minor assault on officers is not going to be held acountable. An assault on an officer is an assault on society. (But) an officer should not have to be stabbed, or have bones broken, for someone to be held accountable … This makes it hard for us out there. For those who [unlike testimony indicated, regarding these three] may truly be bad kids, the word is going to get out … and we have to go out and deal with them
A few more details to come, including the legal sparring between the prosecution and the defense – and ultimately, the judge sided with the defense, suggesting that if it wanted the case sentenced like second-degree assault, why wasn’t it charged as second-degree assault? – and what the officer’s family members told the judge … and the defendants. (By the way, the only other journalist in court with us was from the Seattle Times, and she may have some additional reaction, as she followed the police contingent out of the courtroom while the proceedings were down to the final details, which we stayed for – we’ll add the link to their story when we see it.) ADDED 10:48 PM: More details from the hearing — read on:Read More
Jennifer e-mailed that photo within the past hour with this note:
I just looked out my front window and saw this guy. Any idea what he is? I live in the Alaska Junction.
We had a few guesses but after checking online imagery, can’t reach a conclusion, so hopefully the many expert wildlife-watchers in WSB-land can. Seems a little far from the creeks to be a beaver. Wandering river otter, perhaps, heading quite far uphill from the water? Co-publisher’s vote is for “woodchuck” (groundhog) but we haven’t found evidence yet that they live in this area. 1:53 PM UPDATE: Comment consensus so far – a marmot.
We’re just back from Seattle U.S. Rep. Jim McDermott‘s office downtown, where several local families including members of West Seattle’s CoolMom group visited to ask him to support the American Clean Energy and Security Act (here’s a National Wildlife Federation page about the campaign; here’s more information on the bill from OpenCongress). The congressman wasn’t there but staffers greeted the group and also accepted hand-created items including this:
The proposal, House Bill 2454, also known as ACES, may come up for a vote in the U.S. House later this month. You can share your opinion on this (or any other matter before Congress) with Rep. McDermott, whose district includes the entire city of Seattle, by going here.
(Photo taken mid-May along Alki Avenue)
As we reported from the West Seattle Crime Prevention Council meeting Tuesday night, police say things have been quieter on Alki in the month and a half since the May 1 shooting, but the Alki Community Council is taking nothing for granted. Following up on last month’s discussion with Southwest Precinct police leaders, the ACC held a “working meeting” last night to follow up on public-safety issues, and has come up with an action plan – including some components with which you can help. ACC officer Paul Carr has just published a summary to the ACC e-mail group – read on:Read More
Shellie just e-mailed to share this report and to warn area residents:
Thursday, June 18th between 8am and 1pm a house on 32nd Ave SW, between Roxbury and Barton, was broken into. The thief took jewelry, select checks with a woman’s name on them, and a laptop. They broke into a window where a bar had been located, somehow moving the window around the security bar to get in. The only part of the house ransacked was the one bedroom although oddly two empty jewelry boxes were stuffed under the cushions of the living room couch. No other incidents have happened in the area that we know of but warning to all to lock your windows and doors before you leave. Neighbors please add more…..
This also gives us the occasion to share the “Summertime Security Tips” in the latest edition of Southwest Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator Benjamin Kinlow‘s newsletter – read on (and if you are vacationing any time soon, note the last one):Read More
That video gives you the view from under the portion of the “lid” that’s been poured so far – with all those columns to hold it up – at West Seattle Reservoir, the city water-storage facility at Westcrest Park in Highland Park. Once the 30-million-gallon covered facility (replacing what was an open reservoir holding twice that much water) is complete, an addition to the park will be developed, and that parkland is one of the Westcrest topics that’ll be discussed at a special Highland Park Action Committee meeting Monday night, as chair Dan Mullins just reminded the HPAC mailing list:
On June 22nd HPAC will be sponsoring the Westcrest Park “Mini Summit” on the future of Westcrest Park, one of our area’s most outstanding, yet under-used parks.
We have worked very hard at getting the word out, and we are hoping to have a great turnout at this event.
Our focus for the meeting will be greenbelt and forest restoration, park safety, illicit activity, the new reservoir lid, parking problems, off-leash issues, etc.
If you have something to say about the future of the park, now is the time to say it! Several guests including Council President Conlin and Parks Division Director Robb Courtney will attend.
HPAC’s Westcrest Park “mini-summit” starts at 7 pm Monday at the Highland Park Improvement Club building (11th/Holden – map), following potluck dinner at 6:30.
(The first South Seattle Community College students to graduate with a Bachelors of Applied Science degree in Hospitality Management: Heidi Engeset, Criselda Hermano, Andrea Kwok, Lisa Mantle, Jamilah McWilliams, Khin Naing, Marilyn Peredo, Jaimie Schutter, Soledad Strubhar ,William Schwartze, Celia Waddell. Their instructor and faculty adviser: Tom Mayburry)
Story and photos by Kathy Mulady
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
In the sea of deep blue caps and gowns at South Seattle Community College graduation ceremonies tonight, a small clutch of students stood out, wearing black gowns and waving a banner featuring a pineapple, the symbol of hospitality.
The 11 students are the first to graduate with bachelor’s degrees earned at SSCC – in this case, the Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Hospitality Management.
The program that allows community colleges to award four-year degrees in specific subjects started three years ago.
The hospitality graduates included Soledad Strubhar, winner of one of just three President’s Medals awarded at South Seattle Community College this year.
(WSB photo from May meeting of Delridge Neighborhoods District Council)
That group from Chief Sealth High School is one of three groups that pitched eastern West Seattle projects’ Neighborhood Matching Fund applications at the May meeting of the Delridge Neighborhoods District Council – all described as “remarkable projects” (WSB coverage here). When the council met again last night, Neighborhood Services Coordinator Ron Angeles shared the word that all three projects got some of the money they were seeking. The Chief Sealth group proposed an online news network for underserved local ethnic communities; the other two were Youngstown Arts Center‘s All-Access seeking money for its popular but understaffed afterschool programs and the West Seattle Trails/Feet First wayfinding project seeking money to do in eastern West Seattle what it’s already got on tap on the peninsula’s west side. We don’t have the specific amounts of partial funding granted for two of the projects, but Chas Redmond, on behalf of West Seattle Trails, tells WSB the $54,000 granted for that project will likely be allocated after some more community conversations to figure out which locations would have informational/wayfinding kiosks funded with that money, and which additional spots might be funded by seeking a separate grant. Also at last night’s DNDC meeting: News that a different city grant program would be funding a requested traffic circle at 31st and Henderson; a presentation on the proposal to allow “backyard cottages” to be built citywide (right now they’re only allowed in Southeast Seattle – here’s all the city info on this proposal); and a presentation on the draft feasibility study from the Lower Duwamish Waterway Group (a government/business coalition) regarding cleaning up the Duwamish – June 29 is the deadline for comments.
After last night’s announcement at the Seattle School Board meeting (WSB coverage here) that the district would “recall” 57 of the teachers citywide who’d been told they would be laid off, we asked for specifics on which schools would see cut teachers restored. The district communications team has just provided a spreadsheet with numbers per school – while saying the district would do its best to restore the teachers to the positions they’d previously held. No names or teaching specialties attached, just current school names and numbers at this point, and these are the only West Seattle schools listed: West Seattle High School – 4 recalled; Lafayette Elementary, 1 recalled; Cooper Elementary (which closes after tomorrow), 1 recalled.
(WSB photo from Upper Fauntleroy, December 2008)
The city Ethics (and Elections) Commission issued a short letter to Mayor Nickels late today, saying that in his response for an investigation into whether any aspect of the snowstorm response constituted an ethics violation, “… there is insufficient evidence to charge anyone with a violation of the Ethics Code.” Accompanying that letter, their report on who they talked to and what they found out. See the report here; see the letter here. We’re checking the report now for any West Seattle specifics – you’ll recall, one of the allegations was that extra snow-clearing was done in north West Seattle, where the mayor, deputy mayor Tim Ceis and SDOT director Grace Crunican live. ADDED: Page 3 of the report is where the findings in those allegations begin – read on for our cut-and-paste if that’s easier:Read More
ADMIRAL THEATER: This Saturday night’s “Listening Room” show is also a benefit for the West Seattle Food Bank and White Center Food Bank (which serves West Seattle from SW Myrtle southward) — Admiral entertainment director Dinah Brein McClellan says one thing the WCFB really needs, for example, is bathroom tissue! More on what to bring, who’s performing and how to get tickets here. The show’s at 9 pm and includes live painting as well as music – full details here.
WEST SEATTLE SUMMER FEST: We’ve been updating you on all the plans for West Seattle’s huge three-day summer street festival (a WSB sponsor), coming up July 10-11-12 (most recent update here – another big-name addition to the music slate), including the fact that the beer garden at the Junction Plaza Park site will help raise money to finish the park project. Now Susan Melrose from the West Seattle Junction Association sends an update on that – the percentage has been finalized: 25 percent of the beer garden’s proceeds will go to the park. She’s also looking for volunteers to help staff the park’s booth at Summer Fest – susan@wsjunction.org if you can help.
That’s Mark Tomkiewicz from the Youngstown Arts Center-based Nature Consortium. Usually you’ll find him in the West Duwamish Greenbelt along West Seattle’s eastern slope, leading work parties that have planted tens of thousands of conifers and native plants in the city’s largest remaining greenbelt – but today, he was instead in the Boards and Commissions Room at City Hall, answering questions about a segment of the WDG whose future was once very much in question: The so-called Soundway property, 32 acres that are mostly south of South Seattle Community College. Decades ago, it was earmarked for road/highway development as part of a plan that even envisioned a bridge to Vashon Island; streets were mapped, but the bridge project never happened (here’s some online history). Then just five years ago, the city considered selling part of it to developers (here’s a 2004 story about community opposition and more here). That didn’t happen either – instead, neighbors and open-space advocates won the fight to see the site saved, and today’s Seattle Design Commission hearing was one step toward guaranteeing it will be protected as a greenbelt forever – read on for more on what happened today, and what happens next:Read More
No surprise that an electric utility would get some trucks that run partly on … electricity. Seattle City Light just unveiled two new hybrid diesel-electric trucks that are going into service starting today, and provided the photo you see above — read on for the official news release, which says they’re quieter, too:Read More
That’s the current West Seattle Hi-Yu Festival Junior Court – in a WSB photo from their coronation last July. Now that summer’s here again, it’s almost time to choose a new Junior Court – and if you know a girl who’d be interested, here’s the announcement Diane Szender just sent:
West Seattle Hi-Yu is seeking 2009-2010 Junior Court Candidates
Applications must be received by Tuesday, July 14th, 2009.
The West Seattle Hi-Yu Summer Festival organization is seeking friendly, outgoing, community-oriented girls for the 2009-2010 Junior Court. Young ladies must be between 7 and 11 by Sept 1st of the year they run. The new court will represent West Seattle at many local events and travel with the float to other community parades and festivals.
You can download the Junior Court application by going here. And you can meet current royalty and Senior Court candidates at the upcoming White Rose Reception, June 30th at Fauntleroy Church, tickets on sale now (more info here).
(photo taken Tuesday, looking east from the west side of the site)
We’ve received a couple notes in the past week or so inquiring about the status of what’s been dubbed the “Hole Foods” site at Fauntleroy/Alaska/39th – where construction on a proposed Whole Foods Market/Hancock Fabrics/residential building has been stalled for more than half a year now – like this note from Dorothy:
I don’t see the Whole Foods sign at the dig at (Alaska) and Fauntleroy. Does this
mean they no longer plan to be there? What is the status of that construction site?
First of all – the banner that used to be on the fence there disappeared the day after our most recent report of vandalism (someone cut the W out of the word Whole). But aside from that, we were overdue for a project check anyway; read on to see what we have found out – both about this site, and another site linked to the Whole Foods project’s original developers:Read More
As reported here last month, the 80-year-old former 6th Church of Christ, Scientist, now known as The Sanctuary at Admiral (42nd and Lander; map), is nominated for city landmark status. And now, a date is set for the Landmarks Board to consider the nomination: 3:30 pm July 1st, on the 40th floor of the Seattle Municipal Tower downtown (here’s the official notice, which also includes information on how to comment in writing). Part of the info packet includes this note:
The owner is nominating this property for City of Seattle Landmark status as part of an application for a Conditional Use Permit to establish a non-conforming adaptive reuse of this historic West Seattle community church.
And this interesting bit of history from the church’s past (its congregation merged with the Fauntleroy Christian Science church before the building was sold in 2002):
The church’s first service was held on January 1, 1930. The total cost of construction was under $37,000. However, because Christian Science churches are not dedicated until they are free from debt, the Sixth Church of Christ, Scientist was not dedicated until February 8, 1942. There were initially fourteen charter members of the church.
You can see the entire nomination document, with tons of details about the building and its history (that’s where we found the 1937 photo at the top of this story), here.
Of all the photos we didn’t get around to using during our coverage of the Morgan Junction Community Festival last weekend, that’s our favorite – one of the many festival-going families stopping by to see Anne from Ventana Construction (WSB sponsor), though the youngest member of the family turned her attention elsewhere. This was the fourth time the Morgan Community Association (MoCA) has presented the festival, but the first time for the free food feature “Bite of Morgan” – get a coupon book and walk to area eateries to swap coupons for freebies including pizza and coffee. “Bite” organizer Kate Stineback wanted to share this message of thanks to the participating businesses:
Thank You “Bite of Morgan” Businesses!
Last Saturday the Morgan Junction Community Festival coordinated the first ever “Bite of Morgan Junction”. As part of the annual Festival, the “Bite” was intended to not only feed festival-goers, but to encourage attendees to walk around the Morgan Junction, patronize businesses and get to know their neighborhood.
This year we had eight businesses participate in the event, each donating a substantial amount of food or beverage. Kokoras Greek Grill; Feedback Lounge; Zeeks Pizza; Tully’s Coffee; Abbondanza Pizzeria; Domino’s; Caffe Ladro; and Thriftway.
The Morgan Community Association (MoCA) is happy to report that the “Bite” was a huge success. After tallying up the coupons from all participating establishments, we nearly hit 50% coupon usage – pretty good for a new event! (Caffe Ladro handed out their own coupons at the Park Opening and Thiftway donated proceeds from their BBQ to the Festival!)
MoCA would like to extend our sincerest thanks to these businesses for participating in the “Bite”. In particular, we want to thank them for donating during such a precarious time in the economy. It says a lot about our little business district that eight establishments, both large and small, as well as local and corporate, would come together to serve our community in this way.
As a big neighborhood thank you, MoCA would like to encourage anyone who attended the “Bite” to patronize these restaurants in the coming months. Let’s make sure they know how much we appreciate them!
Click ahead to see Kate’s photos of the friendly folks at six of the venues:Read More
Also from the Seattle School Board meeting: The long-awaited Student Assignment Plan, which will transition the district from “choice”-focused school attendance to neighborhood-focused school attendance starting in fall 2010, has just passed 6-1 (Mary Bass was the lone “no” vote) – after the same vote approved an amendment by board member Sherry Carr creating a transition time so that fewer families face the possibility that siblings will wind up having to attend different schools. Here’s the plan, pre-amendment; here’s Carr’s amendment. ADDED 10:48 PM: While this phase of the plan does not specify boundaries, there’s a board “work session” scheduled next Wednesday (June 24), 4 pm at district HQ, to discuss “how boundaries are drawn” (p.s. for those who’ve asked, yes, that meeting is open to the public, though there’s no comment opportunity). ADDED 11:34 PM: The official district news release just came in – read on to see it:Read More
We’re monitoring the Seattle School Board meeting (live on cable channel 26), where budget boss Don Kennedy has just said they’re cutting the number of teachers they expect to lay off – 103, instead of 160 – districtwide. No word yet what that means to West Seattle schools, but we’ll be checking. $5 million in restored funding is what he said is making this possible – $3 million from the lifting of “restrictions” on “stimulus” money, and most of the rest from savings during the district hiring freeze this year. 8:05 PM UPDATE: Superintendent Dr. Maria Goodloe-Johnson says principals notified the “recalled” teachers today. ADDED 8:29 PM: Here’s the PowerPoint that Kennedy presented, including information about the teacher “recalls.” And the district has just sent an official news release – read on:Read More
(May 4 photo, taken as first RapidRide bus was shown off)
Confirmed by King County Council Chair Dow Constantine‘s office: During a hearing this afternoon, it was revealed that Metro is proposing pushing back the start of West Seattle RapidRide bus service by a year – that would mean it debuts in the second half of 2012 instead of 2011. But it’s not a budgetary matter, according to Constantine’s chief of staff Chris Arkills – it’s because of the construction that will be under way as part of the “South Portal” package of projects related to the Highway 99 corridor, and Metro wouldn’t want to unveil a service as “rapid” when it may well not be, in the midst of construction and changes. Arkills stresses that the increased bus service levels promised as part of mitigation funding for the Viaduct construction WILL still kick in by then, so West Seattle WILL still have more service – including the 54 corridor that RapidRide is to follow. The Constantine team has arranged for us to speak with Metro tomorrow morning to get more details on the proposal and what happens next – so look for a followup.
They’ve been in the same building a while, but what you see above is a new sign – literally – of a permanent relationship. Here’s the news release just in from Kol HaNeshamah regarding an event celebrating its relationship with Alki UCC:Read More
Just received from the Seattle Public Schools communications team, a letter that they say is being sent to all Denny Middle School families, in the aftermath of the attack that sent a 12-year-old boy to the hospital (we were first to report the incident; here’s our most recent story). Here’s the full text of the letter:
June 17, 2009
Dear Denny Students and Families,
I want to share with you information regarding an incident that has affected our school community. I am sending you this letter to update you on the facts and to assure you that we are doing everything we can to support our students and provide for their safety.
On Monday, June 15, an incident occurred during lunch time. Student A swung a backpack at Student B. The backpack hit Student B in the head causing Student B to lose consciousness. The Seattle Fire Department and Seattle Police Department were immediately contacted. The injured student was subsequently transported to the hospital. Fortunately, that student was able to return to school the next day. The Student A has been assigned the appropriate consequence in alignment with school district policy. The Seattle Police Department is currently conducting an investigation into the incident.
I do want to alert you that some media reports regarding this incident are not consistent with the facts as we currently understand them to be. As a result, I would like to assure everyone that all of us at Denny Middle School remain very committed to providing an academically challenging environment here at school—where every student is safe both emotionally and physically. As a reminder, if anyone ever has any information relating to bullying or other potential conflicts that students are experiencing, please share that information immediately with school staff. We will follow up with the appropriate next steps right away.
Sincerely,
Jeff Clark, Principal
That’s Phil and his young sidekick Adam from Longfellow Creek Garden, just after they dropped by the West Seattle Food Bank this afternoon to donate some fresh, clean greens. Their donation happened to come on the same day we got a note about two ways YOU can help WSFB, sent by board president Pete Spalding, who first explains that he and his board colleagues need some reinforcements:
We are looking for new board members for the West Seattle Food Bank’s Board of Directors. Over the course of the last year we have lost some directors due to varying circumstances like moving, job change etc. We know that there are some very dedicated souls out there in West Seattle that are specifically looking for something to do with some spare hours that they have. We know that they may want to do something that is personally fulfilling and this might just be the fit for them.
As most of your readers know the West Seattle Food Bank is committed to eliminating hunger in our area. We try to do this by:
– Securing and distributing quality nutritious food to our clients
– Educating our clients about good nutrition
– Increasing public awareness of hunger in our community
– Coordinating community resources for our clients
– Assuring continuity of services to our clients through a convenient, accessible locationIf anyone is interested in finding out more about this volunteer opportunity they can go to our web site www.westseattlefoodbank.org and download the board application, they can call the West Seattle Food Bank office at 206.932.9023 and speak to our Executive Director Fran Yeatts or they can contact me at 206.579.4373.
That is rewarding in its own way. And if you’re also up for prizes – Pete adds that the annual West Seattle Food Bank raffle tickets have just gone on sale today, $5 each, with these prizes:
Grand Prize – Two unrestricted roundtrip Alaska Airlines tickets
1st Prize – Fresh Water Pearl necklace from Menashe & Sons JewelersBut everyone that buys a ticket is a winner because you can take your ticket stub to:
– Cafe Revo [WSB sponsor]
– Christo’s on Alki
– Elliott Bay Brewery and Pub
– Zeeks Pizza, West Seattle location onlyEach of these restaurants will give a 10% discount on your meal and that is probably more than the price of the ticket.
You can contact any West Seattle Food Bank Board of Director, call the food bank or contact me at 206.579.4373 to buy your raffle tickets. We will also be selling them at our booth at the West Seattle Summer Fest in July. There are only 1,000 tickets for sale.
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