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Spotlight Stories

State robotics tournament brings hundreds to Louisa Boren STEM K-8
February 29, 2020 1:48 pm
|    Comments Off on State robotics tournament brings hundreds to Louisa Boren STEM K-8
 |   Delridge | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

(WSB photos)

Huge event continuing all day at Louisa Boren STEM K-8 – the state championships for VEX IQ Robotics! Hundreds of people are filling the gym for the competition:

More than 30 elementary teams (listed here) and a similar number of middle-school teams (listed here) have students participating.

The winners qualify for the national championships in Louisville!

You’re welcome to stop by the STEM K-8 gym and watch – finals are at 3 pm, awards at 3:45 (here’s the schedule).

The school is at 5950 Delridge Way SW; the gym’s on the south side of the building.

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West Seattle weekend scene: Tool Library’s big almost-spring garage sale
February 29, 2020 12:49 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Delridge | West Seattle news

Need tools? Get over to the West Seattle Tool Library‘s big almost-spring garage sale! The WSTL’s Christina sent the photo and tells WSB, “We had a big rush this morning, but there are still so many tools looking for new homes! We’re going till 3 or so.” The nonprofit Tool Library – celebrating its 10th anniversary this year! – is on the northeast side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center, 4408 Delridge Way SW.

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UPDATE: West Seattle teen’s bicycle-donation drive
February 29, 2020 12:04 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle news

(WSB photos)

12:04 PM: Got a bike, parts, and/or accessories you don’t need any more? Bring them to the lot behind Hope Lutheran (42nd/Oregon in The Junction) by 1 pm for the Bike Works drive that Spencer Mueller is hosting!

40+ bikes so far.

12:29 PM: Added photos. Spencer attends school and church at Hope Lutheran and explained that a service project is required as part of confirmation – he’s “always been passionate about bicycling” and thought about trail-building but decided to do this instead, so Bike Works could fix up donated bicycles and get them to people in need. And thanks to generous WSB readers – Spencer’s dad told us he’s been asking donors how they heard about it, and most cited WSB.

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Water break in High Point
February 29, 2020 11:05 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   High Point | Utilities | West Seattle news

Thanks for the tip. If you’re in the High Point area and without water service, that’s why – a break near the library. A Seattle Public Utilities crew is now on scene but has no estimate on how long repairs will take.

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14 things to do on your Leap Day West Seattle Saturday
February 29, 2020 6:03 am
|    Comments Off on 14 things to do on your Leap Day West Seattle Saturday
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Hooded Merganser, photographed at High Point Pond by Mark Wangerin)

Happy Leap Day! Here are the highlights:

STATEWIDE ROBOTICS TOURNAMENT: 8:30 am-4 pm (updated end time), Louisa Boren STEM K-8 is hosting the Washington State VEX IQ Robotics Tournament, with more than 40 schools competing. Spectators are welcome. (5950 Delridge Way SW)

GIRL SCOUT COOKIE SALES CONTINUE: First weekend! Find your nearest cookie sellers here.

TOOL LIBRARY GARAGE SALE: 9 am-3 pm (updated end time), visit the West Seattle Tool Library on the northeast side of Youngstown Cultural Arts Center for some great deals. (4408 Delridge Way SW)

BIKE DONATION DRIVE: 8th grader Spencer Mueller is hosting a donation drive for Bike Works. Donate bikes, parts, accessories. 10 am-1 pm in the lot behind Hope Lutheran.(4456 42nd SW)

CROFT FOREST RESTORATION: 10 am-2 pm, join DNDA in the forest outside Croft Place Townhomes. Help the Longfellow Creek watershed! (Delridge & Holly)

3010-3014 AVALON PROJECT MEETING: 11 am at Delridge Community Center, your chance for early design feedback on a planned eight-story, 87-apartment building. Informal meeting, with coffee and cookies. (4501 Delridge Way SW)

WYATT’S JEWELERS OPEN HOUSE: Noon-3 pm at the locally owned jewelry shop (WSB sponsor) in Westwood Village, meet the new owners and the pugs! (2600 SW Barton)

ICE-CREAM PARTY: 2-4 pm, hang out with Delridge Grocery Cooperative in the under-construction store space, enjoy ice cream, find out what’s up with the store and how to help get it open. (5444 Delridge Way SW)

PARENTS’ NIGHT OUT: Enjoy a night out and leave the kid(s) in the care of West Seattle High School students who are doing this as a fundraiser. Details in our calendar listing. (3000 California SW)

AUTHOR EVENT: At Paper Boat Booksellers, 6 pm, Matt Kracht, author of “The Field Guide To Dumb Birds Of North America.” (6040 California SW)

WEST END GIRLS: 7 pm drag spectacular at The Skylark. $13 admission. 21+. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

‘BOOGIE WOOGIE WIZARD’: That’s what they call Arthur Migliazza, who’s at the Kenyon Hall Steinway tonight, 7:30 pm. Ticket info’s in our listing. (7904 35th SW)

‘THE BOOK CLUB PLAY’: Second night for Twelfth Night Productions‘ play: “Loads of laughter and literature collide in this smart hit comedy about books and the people who love them.” 7:30 pm at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center. Tickets here or at the box office. (4408 Delridge Way SW)

BRAZILIAN CARNIVAL: 8 pm-midnight at Pacific Room on Alki:

Come party with us Brazilian style! En Canto is throwing a Brazilian Carnival featuring the irresistible dance rhythms of Northeast Brazil: Forró, Baião, Xote, and yes, even some Samba! Live music with En Canto, Seattle’s own Brazilian orchestra, and guest artist Felipe Hostins Accordion- a brilliant New York-based musician known for his tour-de-force performances. Daniel Santos of Bahia In-Motion will bring the spirit of carnival to the dance floor, leading everyone in fun moves. Joe Ferreira, “the Rio dancer” of Portland will perform a playful samba de malandro, and Lara Diniz of Forró in Seattle will give a lesson in forró dancing, and will also lead a carnival dance line! During band breaks, Lara as DJ will treat us to her top picks for dance songs. (Oh, and did we mention caipirinhas?!)

Get your ticket here. (2808 Alki SW)

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UPDATE: House fire in Seaview, 1 to hospital
February 29, 2020 12:21 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Seaview | West Seattle fires | West Seattle news

(WSB photo)

12:21 AM: A Seattle Fire response is on the way to a house near 47th and Graham in Seaview. Updates to come.

12:24 AM: Units arriving confirm it’s a “working fire.”

12:28 AM: One person brought out of the house is being evaluated.

12:30 AM: The fire is reported to be under control.

12:42 AM: One person is being taken to the hospital by private ambulance (which indicates non-life-threatening injuries).

12:54 AM: The scene commander tells us that what caught fire in the house was “rubbish” and damage wasn’t major – lots of smoke, and smoke inhalation is why a man who was inside is being taken to Harborview to be checked out.

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UPDATE: About the Admiral Way emergency response
February 28, 2020 10:55 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle police | West Seattle traffic alerts

10:55 PM: Lots of questions about the big emergency response in that area, with Admiral Way blocked at the bridge over Fairmount Ravine. Please avoid the area. Police are dealing with a person in crisis.

11:31 PM: The person is reported to be safe now. The scene isn’t clear yet, though, so continue avoiding that section of Admiral Way.

12:30 AM: The scene is clear and the road fully reopened.

A reminder: 24-hour crisis help is available via Crisis Connections, 866-427-4747

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CORONAVIRUS: First King County cases
February 28, 2020 10:37 pm
|      19 COMMENTS
 |   Coronavirus | Health | West Seattle news

10:07 PM: Tonight health authorities announced two new presumed cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) in our state, including the first one in King County. So it’s time for us to start reporting on it. First, here’s what’s new. From the Public Health/Seattle-King County announcement:

Today the Washington State Department of Health announced a positive test result for novel coronavirus (COVID-19) in a King County resident. The individual, a woman in her fifties, had recent travel to Daegu, South Korea. The resident is in home isolation and has mild illness.

Public Health – Seattle & King County is working to identify and contact those who may have come in contact with the confirmed case.

This is the first known case of novel coronavirus in King County.

Authorities did not say where in King County the patient lives. Also announced at tonight’s briefing, a new presumed case in Snohomish County, described as a juvenile patient whose school, Jackson High School in Everett, is closing for three days for cleaning. They don’t know how the teen was exposed to the virus.

The two cases announced tonight are the second and third in our state.

QUESTIONS? The state Health Department has set up “a call center to address questions from the public. If you have questions about what is happening in Washington state, please call 800-525-0127 and press #.

The state’s news release includes this advice:

How can you prevent the spread of COVID-19? Prevention starts with practicing good personal health habits:

-Wash your hands often with soap and water,
-Stay home when you’re sick,
-Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue,
-Clean frequently touched surfaces and objects.
-Getting plenty of rest, drinking fluids, eating healthy foods, and managing your stress can help you prevent getting COVID-19 and recover from it if you do.

Authorities stress that so far, risk is low, and – as with the aforementioned King County case – most cases are mild. Common questions are answered hee; The main Public Health-Seattle/King County infopage about the coronavirus situation is here. Lots of info from the state Health Department can be found here.

P.S. We’re creating a new coverage category, so any coronavirus (COVID-19)-related story we publish will be findable here.

11:25 AM: More King County cases are being announced today, including a death (on the Eastside, according to The Times).

1:25 PM: From today’s news release (we’ll likely publish a daily update later):

Public Health – Seattle & King County, Washington State Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are reporting today four presumptive positive cases of novel coronavirus (COVID-19), including one person who died.

Two of the confirmed cases are associated with LifeCare nursing facility in Kirkland, King County, Washington:
– One is a health care worker from LifeCare. She is a woman in her 40s, is currently in satisfactory condition at Overlake Hospital, and she has no known travel outside the United States.

– The second case, a woman in her 70’s, is a resident at LifeCare and is in serious condition at EvergreenHealth Hospital.

In addition, over 50 individuals associated with LifeCare are reportedly ill with respiratory symptoms or hospitalized with pneumonia or other respiratory conditions of unknown cause and are being tested for COVID-19. Additional positive cases are expected.
The death occurred in a patient at EvergreenHealth Hospital but was not a resident of the long-term care facility.

Public Health – Seattle & King County is current working with LifeCare to provide care for ill patients while protecting uninfected patients. The CDC is sending a team of epidemiologists to King County to support our efforts to identify, isolate and test all of those who may be at risk because of these new cases.

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VIDEO: 8-year-old bowls to help West Seattle Food Bank knock down hunger
February 28, 2020 9:26 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle people

That’s Nathan Tavel, an 8-year-old second-grader at Arbor Heights Elementary School, who tore up Lane 10 at West Seattle Bowl tonight with pretty much two nonstop hours of bowling to raise money for the West Seattle Food Bank. His proud dad and mom Phil and Gina were among those cheering him on:

Phll told us Nathan’s been bowling since he was four years old. He’s been known to bowl at such a lightning pace, he can pack 32 games into an hour. Tonight, as previewed, he challenged teams to bowl against him for one or both hours – if his pin total beat theirs, they promised to donate at least $100 to WSFB. No word yet on the results but three lanes were competing with him while we were there!

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WEST SEATTLE WEATHER: Sunset sunbreak, and what’s ahead
February 28, 2020 7:53 pm
|    Comments Off on WEST SEATTLE WEATHER: Sunset sunbreak, and what’s ahead
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

James Bratsanos caught tonight’s sunset sunbreak in the view above; below, @WestSeaWx explained it via Twitter:

As for the weekend ahead, the forecast suggests a varied menu – breezy overnight, more rain off and on, maybe even some thunderstorms tomorrow.

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SALES START: Where to find Girl Scout Cookies in West Seattle
February 28, 2020 5:31 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   How to help | West Seattle news

As noted in our daily highlights, this is Day One of this year’s Girl Scout Cookie sales. And the return of the rain is NOT getting in the way:

Thanks to @patrickgerding for tweeting that photo from Seacrest, where Troop 44428 is selling cookies right now. Meantime, while out on errands, we found Troop 41196 at West Seattle Thriftway (WSB sponsor) – Mira and Margaret were by the south door:

Many other locations – use the lookup to find locations and times. New cookie this year, if you haven’t heard – Lemon-Ups have joined the lineup. This year’s cookie sales continue through March 15th.

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EARTHQUAKE ANNIVERSARY: 1 quick prep step to take before the next one
February 28, 2020 3:54 pm
|    Comments Off on EARTHQUAKE ANNIVERSARY: 1 quick prep step to take before the next one
 |   Preparedness | West Seattle news

Marked on those map are West Seattle’s Emergency Communication Hubs, designated sites where volunteers would coordinate communication in case of a catastrophe that disrupted normal methods. On this 19th anniversary of the 6.8-magnitude Nisqually Earthquake, memorizing your nearest Hub location – and ensuring your family knows it too – is one quick preparatory step you can take to prepare in case of The Really Big One. Not seeing one near where you live? Here’s how to change that.

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DEVELOPMENT: See the design packet for mixed-use 9037 35th SW
February 28, 2020 2:11 pm
|      13 COMMENTS
 |   Development | West Seattle news

That’s the design packet (PDF) by JW Architects now posted for the mixed-use project planned at 9037 35th SW [map]. It’s going through Administrative Design Review, so no public meeting, but it is open for public comment.The project is described in the packet as:

The project team is proposing to demolish an existing single family residence, in order
to construct (1) 13,919 sf apartment building with (25) SEDU units and 839.24 sf of commercial space on the ground level. Vehicle Parking provided in on-grade garage, with bike parking provided in centrally located secure bike room.

Height: 55’
Parking: (6) Vehicle Stalls
(25) Bike Stalls – Long Term
(2) Bike Stalls – Short Term

SEDU means Small Efficiency Dwelling Unit, the city’s term for microapartment. Wayne Farrens is the assigned city planner, so if you have feedback, send it to wayne.farrens@seattle.gov. We noted the project’s previous phase of Design Review in June 2018; HALA MHA has upzoned the site from 40′ to 55′ in the meantime.

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Celebration of Life planned March 16 for Morgan Herzog, 1981-2020
February 28, 2020 12:19 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Obituaries | West Seattle news

March 16th is when family and friends will gather to celebrate the life of Morgan Herzog, The Beer Junction‘s founder, whose passing was reported here last month. Here’s the remembrance his family is sharing with the community:

Morgan Herzog died peacefully at his West Seattle home on January 30, 2020 from Multiple Myeloma.

Born on May 29, 1981, Morgan was the youngest son of Rick and Diane Herzog. He attended King’s Elementary, Lake Forest Park Elementary, Kellogg Middle School, and graduated from Shorecrest High School in 2000. In high school, Morgan worked as a landscaper and saved to buy a truck to start his own landscaping business, which he continued while he attended college at the University of Washington.

Morgan graduated from UW with a BA in Business in 2004 and a Masters of Accounting in 2005. After graduating college, he moved to West Seattle, where his father and his aunt had been raised and where he had fond memories of visiting as a child. He began his career working at the accounting firm KPMG and earned his CPA license in 2009. At KPMG, Morgan would meet some of his closest friends and fall in love with his future wife, Allison. He was known for his sense of fun and the parties that he would throw on his deck near Alki. His time at the firm furthered his analytical thinking and patient leadership style, and he had deep respect for the partners and managers who mentored him.

After five years at KPMG, he continued to think back at the fulfillment he had running his own landscaping business. After a January day sampling beer at the Porterhouse in West Seattle with Allison, he thought about how there wasn’t a place to buy packaged craft beer in his neighborhood. By the end of March, he had signed a lease for a storefront, and on July 3, 2010, he opened The Beer Junction at its original location. For the first year, he ran the store largely by himself. He worked long hours and took a risk, combining his love for beer with his desire to run his own business, and he made his dream come true. Morgan would continue to grow The Beer Junction, moving to a larger location and adding draft beer in 2012. He treasured the friendships he developed in the Seattle beer community and the West Seattle community as a whole.

Morgan was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma in 2017. He underwent treatments on and off since his diagnosis, but he wanted to continue his life as normal as possible. In late January, Morgan’s prognosis suddenly became grave. He took great comfort in the company of his loving family, and in being able to return to the home which he loved one final time. Allison and his brother, Nate, were there by his side at the moment he left us.

Morgan will be remembered for his sense of humor and endless knowledge of Seinfeld trivia, his laugh, his work ethic, and his kindness. He loved tennis, traveling, camping, grilling, his deck, 80’s movies, sandwiches and beer. He is loved and missed.

Morgan is preceded in death by his parents, Rick and Diane Herzog, and uncle, Dennis Drain. He is survived by his wife, Allison; brother, Nathan; and aunts and uncles Deborah & Steven Bessette, Dave Drain, Marsha Drain, and Dale & Tina Drain; as well as many cousins.

A celebration of Morgan’s life will be held at West Seattle Christian Church on Monday, March 16 at 4:30 p.m. Remembrances may be given to Fred Hutch for Multiple Myeloma research or Southwest Youth & Family Services.

(WSB publishes West Seattle obituaries by request, free of charge. Please e-mail the text, and a photo if available, to editor@westseattleblog.com)

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Cookies, cider, bowling, new neighborhood open mic, more for your West Seattle Friday!
February 28, 2020 10:30 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Red-necked Grebe, photographed by Matthew Olson)

Here’s what’s happening for the rest of today/tonight – highlights from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar (where you can always see even more):

WEST SEATTLE GARDEN CLUB: Today’s meeting at Daystar (WSB sponsor) is just starting, 10:30 am-2 pm, but you are invited to stop by for any part of it, including the featured discussion about carnivorous plants. (2615 SW Barton)

COUNCILMEMBER’S OFFICE HOURS 2-7 pm at the Senior Center of West Seattle, you can drop in to talk with City Councilmember Lisa Herbold. (4217 SW Oregon)

CIDER SALES: 4-5:30 pm near the Fauntleroy ferry line/south end of Lincoln Park, look for Taproot School students selling cider to raise money for Immigrant Families Together. (Fauntleroy Way SW/SW Cloverdale)

GIRL SCOUT COOKIE SALES BEGIN: This afternoon! Find your nearest cookie sellers here.

2ND GRADER BOWLS TO FIGHT HUNGER: As previewed here, tonight at West Seattle Bowl, 6-8 pm, it’s 8-year-old Nathan Tavel‘s bowling challenge to help the West Seattle Food Bank. (39th SW/SW Oregon)

OPEN MIC LAUNCH PARTY: Tonight you can be part of the first-ever edition of Highland Park Improvement Club‘s new Open Mic, doors open 6:30 pm, performances 7-8:30 pm, with your host Dina Lydia. (1116 SW Holden)

GARY BENSON: 7-9 pm, live music at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), all ages, no cover. (5612 California SW)

‘THE BOOK CLUB PLAY’: Opening night for Twelfth Night Productions, promising: “Loads of laughter and literature collide in this smart hit comedy about books and the people who love them.” 7:30 pm at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center. Tickets here or at the box office. (4408 Delridge Way SW)

NICOLE WALTERS: Live music at the Pacific Room on Alki, 8-10 pm. Show and cover info here. (2808 Alki SW)

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YOU’RE INVITED: Madison Middle School’s Roaring ’20s Gala
February 28, 2020 9:00 am
|    Comments Off on YOU’RE INVITED: Madison Middle School’s Roaring ’20s Gala
 |   Fun stuff to do | How to help | West Seattle news

*NEW DATE: MAY 1ST*

Got plans for Saturday night next weekend? Go back in time and help local students get ahead! Here’s the invitation:

Madison Middle School’s Roaring ’20s Gala

Come Join Us For an Evening of Fun, Food, and Fundraising!

Saturday, March 7th from 5:30-11:00 PM at the beautiful The Sanctuary at Admiral- we’d love to have you participate!

Visit our website for tickets, to make a donation, and learn more about our mission.

Thank you for supporting our group and our goals!

for questions, email: fundraising@madisonptsa.com

Fun fact– Madison Middle School & The Sanctuary both opened in the 1920s!!

(The venue is a former church, designated a city landmark in 2009.)

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Friday watch
February 28, 2020 7:10 am
|    Comments Off on TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Friday watch
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(SDOT MAP with travel times/ Is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE/ West Seattle-relevant traffic cams HERE)

7:10 AM: Good morning! No alerts or incidents to report.

TUNNEL REMINDER: The SB Highway 99 tunnel is scheduled to close 10 pm-8 am tonight into Saturday morning for repair work.

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Looking at LEAD, exploring the Department of Neighborhoods, and more @ HPAC
February 27, 2020 11:10 pm
|    Comments Off on Looking at LEAD, exploring the Department of Neighborhoods, and more @ HPAC
 |   Delridge | Highland Park | Neighborhoods | West Seattle news

Toplines from last night’s meeting of HPAC, the community council for Highland Park, Riverview, and South Delridge:

DEPARTMENT OF NEIGHBORHOODS OVERVIEW: Osbaldo Hernandez Sahagun is the South Region community-engagement coordinator for this city department (one of 4, where years ago there were 14). He presented overviews of key DoN initiatives such as the department’s funding opportunities – Your Voice, Your Choice (more on that later); the Healthy Food Fund (funded by the Sweetened Beverage Tax), Small Sparks Fund (for small community-building projects up to $5,000), Community Partnership Fund (up to $50,000, three application deadlines a year). Leadership training, too:

Read More

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WEST SEATTLE CRIME WATCH: Gym theft; garage break-in; shoplifting; Midas incident followup
February 27, 2020 8:53 pm
|      27 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Four West Seattle Crime Watch notes tonight:

GYM THEFT: Just in from Natalie:

I had my contents (credit cards and cash) from my wallet stolen tonight between 6:45- 7:30 while working out at LA Fitness in West Seattle. The lock was not broken so I’m assuming they had picked the lock. As I was leaving the gym, my credit card company called me to report possible fraud. They tried to use my card at QFC to buy gift cards (I’m assuming) in the amount of 680 and 200. I have 2 credit cards and they tried both for the same amount. Just wanted to get the word out there.

GARAGE BREAK-IN: Thomas sent the security-camera photo and report of what happened at his Harbor Avenue condo:

We had a break in Sunday morning 1:00 am to 1:30. A man was in our garage stealing small items from cars and broke an elevator emergency box off the wall.

SHOPLIFTERS: Justin at Sound and Fog sends this next report and security-camera image:

These three individuals shoplifted at least once from my store. If they’ve done it to me they’ve probably hit other shops in West Seattle. If you see them, please call the police and reference incident number 20-73345.

He says all three were there February 14th and at least one returned this past Monday.

MIDAS SCARE FOLLOWUP: We asked SPD for the report on the incident at the closed Midas that closed Fauntleroy Way SW in The Triangle Wednesday afternoon.

(WSB photo, Wednesday afternoon)

The available report says this started as a burglary call, largely along the lines of what we reported at the time. The officer writing the report mentions the two people (“complainants” in police terms) who called in after they arrived to “fix a hole in the building,” then continues:

According to C(omplainant) 1, he told our dispatchers that he heard some type of banging coming from inside of the shop prior to our arrival. He advised me that this was approximately a ten-fifteen-minute time delay.

Both Complainants walked into the garage office area and heard (possibly) a door shut. Once they heard that they exited the facility and contacted police.

When we arrived, I noticed a painted-over black Chevrolet pickup with items inside the bed. I looked into the window and it appeared as if the vehicle was in disarray. I eventually found the ignition switch of the vehicle hanging from wires underneath the dashboard. There was another white Buick LeSabre Sedan … and a trailer … The trailer was parked at the Northeast corner of the facility. The Buick sedan was parked at the Southwest area of the facility. According to C1, the vehicles were not there (one day earlier) when they came to do an assessment of the hole located at the rear of the shop.

We did a search of the facility and did not discover anyone inside of the facility. … The access area was approximately two feet in height and approximately two feet in width. It appeared that the unknown suspect(s) left (via) the rear door located in the north part of the shop.

According to witnesses at the adjacent apartment complex, they were cleaning the window at the apartment complex from the outside on a ladder. One person stated that they heard what was a large bang that came from the complex. He believed that sound came from a door that was closing. He then advised officers that the unknown suspect was a white male approximately twenty-thirty years of age. He was wearing a black baseball cap along with a black jacket, approximately five foot ten inches in height.

We advised both complainants if there were items that was taken from the shop in back of the pickup truck to start taking them off of there. In doing so they located a small (bag) that contained what possibly were explosives. (Two sergeants) were advised of the situation and notified Arson and Bomb Squad.

The burglary report also says the Community Police Team was asked to work with building owners/management to get a trespass contract so they can deal more quickly with anyone found at the site. And it notes that the black pickup “that had the possible stolen items” was impounded so burglary detectives could deal with it, while the contractors were advised that they could have the mystery white sedan towed “at the owner’s expense” if they chose to. No further info, though, about the items the contractors described as grenades.

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35TH/ALASKA/AVALON PROJECT: Next phase in paving
February 27, 2020 6:14 pm
|    Comments Off on 35TH/ALASKA/AVALON PROJECT: Next phase in paving
 |   Transportation | West Seattle news

An update from SDOT:

We are wrapping up work on the north side of SW Alaska St between 35th Ave SW and 36th Ave SW. As early as this evening, we will be opening up driveways and alleys onto SW Alaska St. Next week, we will demolition and repaving on the south side of SW Alaska St between 35th Ave SW and 36th Ave SW, as well as, the west side of 35th Ave SW, south of SW Alaska St.

Upcoming lane shifts:
As soon as Monday, March 2, we will shift traffic and begin demolishing the south side of SW Alaska St.

Please expect:
Access to 36th Ave SW from the south side of SW Alaska St to be closed. This closure will be in place for a few weeks. Residents, please use 37th Ave SW and SW Edmunds St to reach your homes on 36th Ave SW.

36th Ave SW to be local access only at SW Edmunds St

Driveway closures during work hours while we demolish existing pavement. We will place a steel plate on driveways overnight to facilitate access.

Driveway impacts as we rebuild and pour concrete panels. Before work begins, we will provide updates to community members who will experience these impacts.

We anticipate work in this zone to take several weeks. Please note that this work is weather dependent and may be rescheduled.

For a big-picture look at the project, see our report from January.

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FOLLOWUP: Which West Seattle bus stops are staying and which are going
February 27, 2020 4:14 pm
|      34 COMMENTS
 |   Transportation | West Seattle news

<(WSB photo, November 2019)

A reader tip about that bus-stop sign back in November led to the discovery that Metro was proposing seven stops for removal in an effort to “rebalance” Route 50. They asked for input – though there was no wide announcement before our story – and promised an update when the final decisions were in. Today, we got that update. Metro plans to remove 5 stops – including one that was not on the original list – and keep 3. The ones that are staying:

-Both stops at California/Stevens (31900, 31940), both with the same reason to keep: “Feedback regarding adjacent PCC grocery store supports keeping this stop”

-Westbound stop at Admiral/Waite (15570), three reasons to keep:

-Feedback regarding adjacent assisted living facility supports keeping this stop
-Stop is adjacent to an intersection with crosswalks
-Stop has clear, newly constructed sidewalk to enter and exit bus

Here are the ones that Metro will remove – for all routes that use them, not just 50:

-Both stops at California/Charlestown (31861, 31980), reasons to remove:

-Other stops available one block to the north and south.
-Stop to the north at SW Spokane St has a bench.
-Stop to the north at SW Spokane St has 75% more riders.

-Both stops at California/Dakota (31840, 320000), reasons to remove:

-Other stops available one block to the north and south.
-Stops to the north and south have similar, but higher ridership.

-Westbound stop at Admiral/46th (15560, not on original list), reasons to remove:

-Other stop available one block to the west
-Stop to the west is adjacent to an intersection with crosswalks

The removals will take effect with Metro’s March 21st “service change.” The bus system’s other planned changes for this cycle will be announced in about a week and a half.

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Explorer West Middle School students go to Olympia to support sustainable-packaging bill
February 27, 2020 3:59 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   Environment | West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

Five students from Explorer West Middle School (WSB sponsor) visited Olympia to make the case for a sustainability bill. EWMS’s Dawn Fornear sent the photo, report, and link to video of their testimony:

Every year, eighth graders at Explorer West Middle School, with Social Studies teacher Tim Owens, tackle their choice of social issues and complete group projects aptly named “Change The World.” They present their findings to all grades and to a panel of social advocates.

This year, one of our student groups is tackling the issue of sustainable packaging, and this group was invited by Senator Mona Das to attend a hearing in Olympia. Our students researched Bill 6213, which would expand the ban on polystyrene products. Primavera Faggella, Christoph Lawrence, Mac Peterson, Hans Rehkopf, and Maji Williams offered their well-researched testimony and opinions, which can be viewed here. We are so proud of their hard work!

The committee that heard the students’ testimony on Tuesday, Environment and Energy, is chaired by – as you might have noticed in the video – 34th District Rep. Joe Fitzgibbon of West Seattle. The bill currently is still before his committee for consideration.

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UPDATE: Late-night testing at Boeing Field broke noise rules, county says; company apologizes
February 27, 2020 1:57 pm
|      14 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news

(777X test flight in early February, photographed by David Hutchinson)

1:57 PM: With two major airports nearby, things get noisy around here sometimes, but late-night noise this past Tuesday broke the rules. Checking on a Twitter tip from Andrew, we learned from King County spokesperson Cameron Satterfield that an explanation was posted on the Boeing Field website. Here’s more info:

What happened: The Boeing Company was approved by airport management to perform engine run-up testing of their new 777X aircraft on Tuesday, February 25 between 6 and 9 p.m. However, for unknown reasons, Boeing did not begin this testing until about 9:30 p.m. It continued until airport operations staff were able to make contact with Boeing representatives to shut the testing down at about 12:30 a.m. on Wednesday.

This event was in violation of the airport’s noise abatement policy, which restricts when activities like engine testing can take place. (In general, the curfew runs from 10 p.m. to 7 a.m.) Engine run-up testing of the 777X has been put on hold, and King County has been in contact with Boeing leadership to ensure an incident like this never happens again.

Residents who are concerned about noise from King County International Airport – Boeing Field can file a report online at kingcounty.gov/airport, send email to KCIANoise@kingcounty.gov, or call the Noise Hotline at 206-205-5242. Airport management is also considering holding a community meeting regarding this incident. We’ll provide details when those plans are firmed up.

5:50 PM: Boeing has issued an apology, added to this item on the county website.

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