West Seattle, Washington

02 Friday

53℉

Spotlight Stories


  • Standoff

    POLICE STANDOFF: Suspect surrenders

  • Tide

    LOW-LOW TIDE: First one of the season!

  • WSCGSD

    WS GARAGE SALE DAY: Nine days until 570+ sales!

West Seattle Monday: 4 calendar highlights
February 29, 2016 9:31 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Monday: 4 calendar highlights
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

IMG_5964

We’ve been showered with rainbows these past few days – here’s our Sunday gallery, and now another rainbow sighting over the bay this morning – thanks to Kanit Cottrell for the photo above, from the 7:45 am Water Taxi. Now, on to four things from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar (go there to find even more):

777 ENGINE OPEN HOUSE/CELEBRATION: As mentioned here Friday, the South Seattle College (WSB sponsor) Aviation Maintenance Tech program has received a truly big donation – a Pratt and Whitney 777 engine, courtesy of Boeing, which SSC says has never before donated an engine to a college. An open house is planned (with ribbon-cutting) 1-2 pm, and a reception next door at the Northwest Wine Academy 2-3 pm. All welcome. North side of campus. (6000 16th SW)

PACIFIC NW BOARD GAME LEAGUE: Celebrate Leap Day by doing something new – if you haven’t been playing Monday nights at Meeples Games (WSB sponsor), this might be your chance to jump in. 6:30 pm – explained here. (3737 California SW)

GUN SAFETY FOR FAMILIES: 7 pm at A Child Becomes Preschool (co-housed with Admiral UCC Church), a conversation about kids, guns, and safety. All welcome. (4320 SW Hill)

LAST NIGHT FOR COMPANY BAR: As reported on our partner site White Center Now, popular WC bar Company is closing after tonight. DJ Plantkiller is expected tonight to play it out. (9608 16th SW)

Share This

TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: February finale; megaship watch
February 29, 2016 6:30 am
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(Click any view for a close-up; more cameras on the WSB Traffic page)

6:30 AM: Welcome to the final day of February. A few notes to start:

BIGGEST SHIP EVER TO STOP HERE: If you’re watching for the Benjamin Franklin – it’s just starting to pass north Bainbridge Island, per MarineTraffic.com.

VIADUCT CLOSURE REMINDER: This Saturday is the Alaskan Way Viaduct’s next inspection closure, 6 am-6 pm. Sunday only if needed, as WSDOT told the West Seattle Transportation Coalition last week.

WATER TAXI FARES RISE TOMORROW: March 1st brings a fare increase for the Water Taxi – see the West Seattle rates (new in blue) here.

7:07 AM: Car fire on NB I-5’s “collector-distributor” by Dearborn – could affect traffic north of the bridge. Meantime, the Benjamin Franklin is now in Elliott Bay. We just passed groups of shipwatchers at vantage points including Luna/Anchor Park. Separate story later, but for now, we’ll be updating here.

7:28 AM: It’s now southward, headed for Harbor Island. We’re watching from Jack Block. Check our Twitter feed for photos.

7:54 AM: And it’s now in the East Waterway, arriving at Harbor Island. Our last view from JB Park:

Meantime, rain’s returned.

8:24 AM: Motorcycle vs. semitruck crash reported on Harbor Island, 16th SW and SW Lander.

8:35 AM: Sounds like the motorcycle rider, a 31-year-old man, will be OK – hand and arm injuries, per scanner.

8:59 AM: One more note about the big boat – thanks for the photos! – we’ll be including a gallery with our coverage of the welcoming event that’s coming up at the Port later this morning.

Share This

West Seattle development: 4122 36th SW microhousing; 5247 California, after 3+ years; future of California/Hinds NE corner
February 29, 2016 12:26 am
|      13 COMMENTS
 |   Development | West Seattle news

Three West Seattle development notes tonight:
FullSizeRender (81)
4122 36TH SW APPLIES FOR DEMOLITION PERMIT: The four-story, 20-unit microhousing (“small efficiency dwelling units” or SEDUs) project at 4122 36th SW, north of The Triangle, is advancing. A permit application has now been initiated for demolishing the house that’s on the site now; one was already in the works for building the project, which does not include offstreet parking, and isn’t required to because it’s in a “frequent transit” zone. We first reported the plan last July; the proposal has since gone through “streamlined design review,” which does not require a public meeting. At right in our photo is the house next door at 4126 36th SW, which has a sale “pending” according to online listings; its marketing materials described it as another potential site of 20-plus units.

5251 CALIFORNIA SW: Three and a half years after tenants (including “The Psychic Barber”) were cleared from 5247 California SW – with demolition a short time later – construction has finally commenced.

byephesus

That’s the view behind the canvas-covered chain-link fence that replaced a frequently tagged/vandalized wooden fence at the scene. Records indicate it’s the same small mixed-use building described years ago, described only as three stories, commercial and residential.

FUTURE DEVELOPMENT? While there’s nothing on file yet, looks like something is brewing for the northeast corner of California/Hinds. the listing for a short-term lease at 3280 California SW, former home of West Seattle Curves, says it’s to be demolished for “new development” next year. The site is zoned NC2-40, part of the block-plus that was upzoned in 2010, and county records show it was sold last month for $770,000. Checking next door, we see the same previous owners also sold the parcel immediately north at the same time, for $1.1 million. And state records show that while the individual LLC names are different, the same owners now hold those two sites and the one north, totaling 12,000 square feet, all with the NC2-40 zoning that has enabled other redevelopment further north in the area, primarily Springline.

Share This

West Seattle weather: Thunder, too!
February 28, 2016 9:53 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

9:53 PM: Yes, just in case you’re looking for validation, that was thunder. We’ve had a bit of everything today – rain, hail, wind, rainbows (did you see the photos?) – so probably shouldn’t be a surprise. Checking to see if more’s expected.

10:01 PM: Though it wasn’t in the main forecast, we did find a mention in the 9 pm “forecast discussion” from the National Weather Service – “AND WITH SLIGHT INSTABILITY…CANNOT RULE OUT AN ISOLATED LIGHTNING STRIKE.” (The discussion is published in all caps.) So that MIGHT be all.

10:27 PM: And a weather stat:

Share This

West Seattle Crime Watch: Shooting investigation
February 28, 2016 8:39 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | Puget Ridge | West Seattle news

pugetcops (2)
(WSB photo)

Police were in the 6500 block of 18th SW on Puget Ridge earlier tonight to investigate a shooting. It wasn’t the standard massive fire/police response because the shooting had happened sometime earlier and the victim was no longer at the house. We haven’t been able to obtain details yet, but emergency-radio discussions indicated they were following up on the case of a woman who was dropped off at Harborview Medical Center around 5:30 pm, reported to be suffering from a gunshot wound to the leg, and she has some association with the house where police was following up. We’ll update with anything more we find out, even if it’s not until tomorrow.

Overall, it’s been a busy night for police – two other sizable responses we’ve been asked about include one on 35th and Cloverdale, where police were investigating a report of someone screaming, and found a person having a mental-health crisis, and an investigation at a house near Delridge and 17th, with a report of items being carried out of what was described as a vacant house.

Share This

Megaship CMA CGM Benjamin Franklin off WA coast, due here in 12 hours
February 28, 2016 6:49 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   Port of Seattle | Seen at sea | West Seattle news

A photo posted by Port of Oakland (@portoakland) on

6:49 PM: That Port of Oakland photo from last week resembles what the view will be at Harbor Island’s Terminal 18 around sunset tomorrow – if the sun cooperates (it might). As mentioned here Thursday, the megaship CMA CGM Benjamin Franklin arrives here tomorrow morning, set to dock at T-18 around 7 am, spending one night here and leaving at 8 am Tuesday. With the capacity of 18,000 containers, it’s the biggest cargo ship to visit the U.S. This size of ship is the reason the Port of Seattle wants to expand Terminal 5. Right now, the Benjamin Franklin is approaching the mouth of the Strait of Juan de Fuca, according to MarineTraffic.com; it’s expected in Port Angeles around 3 am to pick up the Puget Sound Pilots who will guide it into Puget Sound, reports the Peninsula Daily News.

MONDAY MORNING UPDATE, 6:19 AM: The ship is just passing north Kitsap County right now – you can track it here.

Share This

UPDATE: Pole trouble in 4800 block Delridge Way
February 28, 2016 3:13 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

IMG_1982
(Added: WSB photo)

3:13 PM: Thanks for the tips – a utility pole in the 4100 block of Delridge is apparently leaning far enough over to be a risk, and one tipster says police are blocking off southbound Delridge there. We’re on our way to check it out.

3:16 PM: Update via scanner – Delridge is being blocked both ways, and traffic is being diverted west to 25th.

3:32 PM: Update – this is actually in the 4800 block of Delridge, just south of Edmunds. Adding a photo. If you are heading southbound, you’ll have to turn onto Edmunds; we’re off to check where it’s blocked on the NB side.

3:44 PM: On the northbound side of Delridge, it’s blocked at Hudson. If you detour to 25th or 26th, please go slow – as Tina points out in the comment section, it’s residential (and 26th is a greenway).

5:33 PM: Still closed but City Light is on scene fixing.

6:36 PM: We just went by one more time, and the work is done, road is reopened.

Share This

Dear Package Thieves: 2 West Seattleites have messages for you
February 28, 2016 1:25 pm
|      14 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Hey, package thieves! If you’re reading this … we have messages from two recent targets. First, JL:

I had an USPS package stolen from our stoop Friday afternoon. We are near 34th Ave SW and SW Andover [map]. It was delivered Friday at 3 pm while we were still at work. I didn’t report it until now because I thought there was a possibility that the package was delivered to the wrong address, as the USPS has been having this growing problem with us and our neighbors the past few weeks. But it’s not looking like that’s the case.

The contents weren’t anything very valuable, just a record from a now-defunct local band. If anything, I’m annoyed that it was a record that took me a little while to find, and even more annoyed that we have someone in the neighborhood whose morals are low enough to steal anonymous packages.

To the thief, if you are reading this: Do me a solid and go sell the record to Easy Street Records. They’ll give you about $5 for it. Then they can turn around and sell it to me for $10. I’m happy to pay it, and you’ll be helping stimulate our local economy and support a West Seattle business. It’s a win-win! You get $5 and I get my record. Come on, buddy.

Just as we were about to publish JL’s report, this one came in, from Rusty:

Wednesday afternoon I had 3 packages delivered to my house (close to 41st & SW Rose St.), each containing cast-iron weights, and each weighing approximately 80 lbs. The mailman parked one house away, delivered the packages, then continued to the adjacent block on foot. When he returned to his vehicle, he noticed that someone had attempted to steal one of the boxes, but only made it 1/2 block before giving up and dropping it on the sidewalk (very close to his truck) and partially ripped open. The other 2 boxes were strewn about close to my door, as if they had tried to move each one.

The mailman left a mail theft notice on my door and I figured out that I was missing one box, so on Saturday I went to the post office and was able to retrieve the missing box. I would like to sincerely thank the conscientious mail carrier for being pro-active, and also let the loser who tried to steal my mail know that they might want to get a set of their own, as they are currently too weak and soft to steal them from others.

Got a message for a criminal? Or even just a basic “here’s what happened” report? Send Crime Watch info to us at ed****@*************og.com – after you have reported to police, of course. Thanks!

Share This

Were you here for the Nisqually Earthquake, 15 years ago today? New info on getting ready for the next one
February 28, 2016 10:00 am
|      20 COMMENTS
 |   Preparedness | West Seattle news

15 years ago this morning, at 10:54 am on February 28, 2001, the 6.8-magnitude Nisqually Earthquake hit. Here’s some of what it did in West Seattle.

Nothing anywhere that big has shaken us since. But someday, sometime, one will. So we’re talking today about being ready. This map can help:

The markers on it – 13 of them now – show you the sites of West Seattle Be Prepared‘s 13 Neighborhood Emergency Communication Hubs. Find the one nearest you – and make sure everyone you care about knows about it. (If there’s not one near you, you can help launch one.) If a huge disaster hits, and the usual communication channels are cut off, these are places you can go to find out how to get help, how to offer help, etc., as explained here (and in even more detail here).

Our area was a pioneer in the “hubs” movement, which has expanded to other areas of our city, and is expected to continue growing. They’re for everyone, whether you’ve been here days, weeks, years, or decades – next month, for example, a hub-training event is planned for one of our area’s bigger new apartment complexes, as the hub in The Junction is finalized, and if it’s successful, it will be repeated for other interested apartment communities in the area.

Being ready, ultimately, is personal – have a kit, have a plan. This isn’t something someone will do “for” you. West Seattle Be Prepared is a volunteer community effort. We checked with its organizers to find out what else is new regarding local preparedness, as we mark the quake anniversary today.

This year, WSBP’s Cindi Barker tells us, is about partnerships and getting connected:

*They’re working with local churches about being partners in preparedness and in response in case it’s needed – including how to become a Red Cross shelter

*You’ll see WSBP at spring/summer community festivals as usual – starting with the West Seattle Bee Festival on May 21st and the Morgan Junction Community Festival on June 18th

*In June, WSBP will host a Business Continuity workshop for members of the West Seattle Junction Association, Barker says, “to teach our local businesses what a Business Continuity Plan is, why it’s important and point them to free-ware so they can either do one with us at a follow-up brown-bag event, or so they can do it on their own.”

*Also in June, some of the West Seattle hubs will be part of a major citywide drill on June 11th, “in loose conjunction with the big Cascadia Rising regional exercise” (which is happening June 7-10th, playing out the scenario of a megaquake/tsunami)

*Potential fall event related to what Barker says “is a training program being released this summer for local medical clinics and personnel, to teach them about their important role in the communities during a disaster.” As she says, the bottom line remains, they’ll be needed!

SPEAKING OF BEING NEEDED:

*Are you a ham-radio operator? Know someone who is? The Auxiliary Communication Service needs more in West Seattle to become part of the team. E-mail se*********@***il.com

*Part of a SNAP (Seattle Neighborhoods Actively Prepare), Block Watch or CERT group? Put yourself on the citywide map to get connected!

SPEAKING OF GETTING CONNECTED:

*Along with the West Seattle Be Prepared website, WSBP has a Facebook group.

P.S. If you didn’t know – there’s an online seismogram at Alki Point; you can check any time for recent quakes around the region by going here.

Share This

West Seattle weather: Sunday rainbows
February 28, 2016 9:05 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle weather: Sunday rainbows
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle weather

geneseerainbow

9:05 AM: Thanks to Paul Panzl on Genesee Hill for the rainbow photo taken moments ago – a rare westward view, as a sunbreak punctuated this morning’s showery weather. Looks as if the mythical “pot of gold at the end of the rainbow” might be a few hundred feet down. Could get windy this morning, the National Weather Service warns, with gusts possibly up to 36 mph.

ADDED: Ron tweeted this photo:

ADDED 4:44 PM: And rainbows to the north this afternoon!

susannarainbow

That one, showing Luna/Anchor Park, is from Susanna Moore from Niederberger Contracting (WSB sponsor); the one below is from Carol Wagener:
carolwagener

Thanks again for the photos – we also showcase West Seattle images in our daily calendar previews – send your pic to ed****@*************og.com (or, if it’s breaking news, text 206-293-6302) – thank you!

Share This

West Seattle Sunday: Giving, playing, sharing …
February 28, 2016 6:57 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Sunday: Giving, playing, sharing …
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

alkiheart
(Seen on Alki this weekend! Photo by Lynn Hall)

From our frequently updated West Seattle Event Calendar, 10 things you can do today/tonight:

FREE WORKOUT: Get moving! Every 4th Sunday, the free “Joyful Fitness: An Introduction to Nia” is offered at the Center for Movement and Healing, as explained here. (7901 35th SW)

WEST SEATTLE FARMERS’ MARKET: 10 am-2 pm in the street in The Junction. Here’s what’s fresh this week! (California SW, between SW Oregon and SW Alaska)

CLEAT/GEAR SWAP DROPOFF: 11 am-5 pm today, it’s the first day you can drop off gently used baseball gear in advance of the first-ever swap event at Second Gear Sports (WSB sponsor), as explained here. (6529 California SW)

JOEY CLAYTON MEMORIAL FUNDRAISER: Noon-3 pm at The Lounge by Duos Catering in Luna Park, come help a family that is dealing with the unimaginable … losing their 8-year-old son to cancer. A donation of any amount at the door is your admission for a gathering with complimentary food and beverages, celebrating Joey Clayton and his family, including his U.S. Marine Corps veteran dad. Here’s the flyer. (2940 SW Avalon Way)

CLOTHES FOR THE CAUSE: Final collection day, 1-3 pm, at the West Seattle YMCA (WSB sponsor), collecting clothes and textiles as a fundraiser for the Y – do some pre-spring cleaning and drop off what you no longer need! Here’s what they’re accepting. (4515 36th SW)

FOLK-ROCK: Live music with Laura Bermes at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), 3-5 pm. (5612 California SW)

SEATTLE PRIDE BASKETBALL TRYOUTS: It’s tryout time for this local AAU-affiliated youth-basketball program; today, girls in 4th, 5th, 6th grades are invited to try out 1-2:30 pm; girls in 7th and 8th grades 2:30-4 pm; boys in 4th, 5th, 6th grades 4:30-6 pm, boys in 7th and 8th grades 6-8 pm. All tryouts are at the Seattle Lutheran High School gym. More info here, including the registration link. (4100 SW Genesee)

OSCAR NIGHT PARTY AT THE PUB: 5 pm at Prost! West Seattle, including free popcorn and Oscars bingo. (3407 California SW)

NERDCORE HIP-HOP: That’s what you’ll get from Death Star during its 7 pm all-ages show tonight at The Skylark. (3803 Delridge Way SW)

HOLLYWOOD TIME TRAVEL: While some of the world celebrates Hollywood as it is today, you can go to historic Kenyon Hall and explore Hollywood as it was a century ago – silent movies, accompanied by organist and vocalists. 7:30 pm – details here, including how to check (ASAP!) if there’s room. (7904 35th SW)

MORE FOR TODAY, AND BEYOND … check out our complete calendar.

Share This

West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day 2016: Eleven weeks away!
February 27, 2016 11:31 pm
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day 2016: Eleven weeks away!
 |   Community Garage Sale Day | West Seattle news

This week, we got the question for the first time this year – twice, in fact – “When is this year’s West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day?” Answer: Eleven weeks from today – Saturday, May 14th. If you’re new here, that’s the day West Seattle becomes the person-to-person-recycling (as we call it) capital of the region, with sales big and small all over the peninsula. This will be the ninth year that WSB has coordinated WSCGSD – after three years under its founders, so it’s the 12th annual sale day – and as usual, we will open registration in early April. Watch for word here and at westseattlegaragesale.com next month!

Share This

UPDATE: Seattle Lutheran HS boys win regional playoff game, head to state
February 27, 2016 8:15 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | WS & Sports

(UPDATED SUNDAY AFTERNOON with info on state games for SLHS, SCHS)

(WSB video: SLHS starters’ introduction)

8:15 PM: We’re at Renton High School, where the first quarter is over and the Seattle Lutheran High School boys are ahead of Columbia Adventist Academy, 15-7, in the regional playoffs. SLHS went out to a 11-0 lead before the Kodiaks got on the board. With tough defense by the Saints, at six seconds left in the quarter, Columbia Adventist ran out of time and notched a shot-clock violation. Winner of this game goes to state, while the other team’s season will be over. We’ll be updating each quarter.

IMG_1977

8:31 PM: Halftime, and the Saints lead the Kodiaks, 31-13. (Photo above, basket in progress by Josh Meyer, midway through the second quarter.)

8:54 PM: End of the third quarter now, and Seattle Lutheran is up 51-26. Highlights during this quarter included two back-to-back baskets by Meyer, including a three-pointer.

9:10 PM: The Saints kept building their lead, and have just won the game 71-32:

They’re headed to the state tournament in Spokane; we should find out tomorrow who they’ll play and when. We’ll add more photos and game stats when we’re back at HQ. (added) Leading scorers: Meyer with 20, Xavier Turner (below) with 19:

turnerbest

Simon Solomon scored 9 points.

ADDED SUNDAY AFTERNOON: The opening round in the state 1B boys’ basketball tournament is set: Seattle Lutheran will play Almira-Coulee-Hartline at 2 pm Thursday, right after Shorewood Christian (which is just east of Arbor Heights) plays Yakima Tribal at 12:15 pm. (Both SLHS and SCHS made it to the state tournament last year, with Seattle Lutheran finishing third, Shorewood Christian finishing fifth.

Share This

Why the Guardian One helicopter was over West Seattle
February 27, 2016 7:58 pm
|    Comments Off on Why the Guardian One helicopter was over West Seattle
 |   Helicopter | West Seattle news

Finally found out from the King County Sheriff’s Office Guardian One helicopter crew why they circled over Sunrise Heights, North Delridge, Puget Ridge, and vicinity for a little while about an hour ago – they were helping look for a missing person. No other details.

Share This

BASEBALL SEASON! Cleat and gear swap @ Second Gear Sports. Dropoffs start Sunday
February 27, 2016 7:30 pm
|    Comments Off on BASEBALL SEASON! Cleat and gear swap @ Second Gear Sports. Dropoffs start Sunday
 |   West Seattle news | WS & Sports

Somebody in your family playing youth baseball this season? Here’s a new way to get geared up – a swap event at Second Gear Sports (WSB sponsor) coming up one week from today. To get ready for it, SGS is accepting gear starting TOMORROW! Here’s the announcement:

Second Gear Sports and West Seattle Baseball are hosting a first annual cleat and gear swap extravaganza on March 5, 4-7 p.m.

Join us to trade in outgrown cleats for newer ones! Get the first shot at this season’s best used and new baseball gear at a special price. This event is open to all families with baseball players.

Before the exchange, bring clean, gently used baseball gear (cleats, bats, mitts, helmets, pants, bags, etc.) to Second Gear Sports for drop-off between Feb. 28 – March 3. Items will be inventoried and gear (except for cleats) will be priced.

During the exchange, every attending family can take free cleats from the swap table. Free cleats will only be available during the event on a first-come, first-served basis. Other baseball gear will be available for sale at great prices, as well as additional in-store discounts, complimentary snacks and drinks.

After the exchange, remaining cleats/gear will move into store inventory, subject to regular consignment terms.

Questions? Contact Second Gear Sports at 206-935-3552 or in**@**************ts.com

Second Gear Sports is at 6529 California SW in Morgan Junction, open 11 am-5 pm Sundays, 10 am-6 pm Mondays-Saturdays.

Share This

Basketball playoffs: Season-ending loss for Seattle Lutheran HS girls
February 27, 2016 5:37 pm
|    Comments Off on Basketball playoffs: Season-ending loss for Seattle Lutheran HS girls
 |   West Seattle news | WS & Sports

Another season-ending loss for a local team this afternoon: The Seattle Lutheran High School girls’ winning season has come to a close, with their regional-playoffs loss to Mount Vernon Christian, 36-24, at Mount Vernon HS. Here are the Saints’ full-season results. (Thanks to Mike Jensen for all the updates!)

P.S. The SLHS boys are playing their regional game at 8 tonight at Renton HS, vs. Columbia Adventist Academy (from Battle Ground in SW Washington).

Share This

West Seattle Crime Watch: Attempted luring near school; 3 other reports
February 27, 2016 2:25 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Four West Seattle Crime Watch reports this afternoon:

MORGAN JUNCTION SEARCH: Not a lot of details on this but it’s happening right now – the AT&T Wireless store at California/Fauntleroy/Morgan reported an iPad was stolen by three “young male” suspects. So if you’re seeing police in the area, that’s what they’re responding to.

LURING ATTEMPT REPORTED: Thanks to the Alki Elementary parent shares this letter that families received last night from principal Shannon Hobbs-Beckley:

Dear Alki Community,

I want to share with you information about an incident in our neighborhood today. This evening, we received information regarding a male stranger in a red truck near Alki Elementary School at the end of the school day. As a student walked by the vehicle, the student was asked if he wanted a cigarette and a ride in his vehicle. The student refused and the driver left. The student immediately reported it to his parents. They notified staff and Seattle Police.

The student did everything right, immediately getting away from the stranger, reporting the incident and giving a specific suspect and vehicle description to SPD. They will continue to investigate.

The safety of our students is a top priority for Seattle Public Schools. You can help your children stay safe by talking to them about personal safety. As a reminder, please talk to your child(ren) about walking in pairs or groups and being aware of their surroundings at all times, as well as not talking to strangers or getting into their vehicles. Having these conversations, especially with younger children, can be difficult. We encourage you to be sensitive to your child. This link to the Seattle Police website offers some valuable information which may help you with your discussions.

We’ll look for the police report on that Monday – the only incident logged on Tweets by Beat that might correspond is a “suspicious person” call from 59th/Spokane last night.

BURGLARY THIS MORNING: A house at 16th and Cambridge was broken into this morning, according to a relative of the victims, who weren’t home at the time. The relative says an alarm was set off and police got there fast, but the burglar made off with a laptop.

CAR PROWL LAST NIGHT: Around 7 pm Friday along 19th on Pigeon Point, a smash-and-grab car prowl happened, with a purse and iPhone stolen. The victim’s friend says they tracked the phone to a gas station on Delridge; they say the suspect (whom they describe as “a black man in his 40s, stocky build, 5’9”) was there trying to use a stolen credit card, in a gold 2005 Elantra, license plate starting with ANW, which police later told them was stolen. As of our last check, they hadn’t heard whether the car and suspect had yet been found.

Share This

AS IT HAPPENED: West Seattle HS girls’ regional playoff game vs. Lynnwood
February 27, 2016 12:03 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS & Sports

(WSB video: Introduction of the starting lineups)

12:04 PM: We’re at the Everett Community College gym, 38 miles from home, where the regional playoff game between the West Seattle High School girls and defending state champ Lynnwood HS has just tipped off. It’s a loser-out game – winner goes to the state tournament. In case you couldn’t make it up here, we’ll be updating live.

evcclexi2

WSHS scores first – basket by #30 Lexi Ioane. Lynnwood ties it at 6:40 to go in the first quarter, 2-2.

12:07 PM: Two more baskets, after many trades of possession, and Lynnwood’s up 6-2 with 4:33 to go in the quarter. WSHS is defending tough, two-on-one under the Royals’ basket. They’ve fouled Lynnwood twice, resulting in one foul shot, and it’s now 7-2.

12:11 PM: Another basket by Ioane, quickly answered by two from Lynnwood, and it’s 11-4. Shortly afterward, Grace Sarver nets a basket, and it’s 11-6:

FullSizeRender (5)

Lynnwood followed (they’re the home team, by the way, for this game), bringing it to 13-6. The Wildcats are doing a good job of rebounding but shooting is a bit of a challenge.

12:15 PM, END OF FIRST QUARTER: With a basket almost on the buzzer by Lynnwood, at the end of the first quarter, they lead 15-6.

12:18 PM: The Wildcats’ first basket of the second quarter is by #3 Izzy Turk, and it’s now 15-8.

12:23 PM: Lynnwood’s now up 21-11 after two unanswered baskets, and WSHS calls a time-out. 4:13 to go in the half.

12:27 PM: It’s been a tough few minutes for the Wildcats, now down 28-13, with the most recent two points on two foul shots by Ioane.

12:32 PM: The Lynnwood girls are slowing down to run out the rest of the half – and then a steal by WSHS. The Royals smothered Ioane as she attempted a shot, and she was fouled. Shooting two, she gets both, and it’s 31-15 with a minute left in the half. … Less than half a minute later, WSHS’s Gabby Sarver gets her third foul, and Lynnwood gets another point out of that, 32-15.

HALFTIME, 12:35 PM: That’s the score at halftime – Lynnwood 32, WSHS 15.

*************

SECOND HALF, 12:46 PM: WSHS opened with the ball but couldn’t convert and Lynnwood scored first, now up 34-15. When players moved back under the WSHS basket, a struggle for the ball ensued, and Lynnwood gets possession on the jump ball. The Royals called a timeout first.

12:52 PM: WSHS continues to have trouble shooting and hasn’t scored yet, more than halfway through the second quarter. Lynnwood’s now leading 36-15 and has just been fouled – making both shots, 38-15 now. Grace Sarver then scores a quick basket, the Wildcats’ first of the second half, 38-17.

evccmcphee

Shortly afterward, #10 Jenna McPhee is fouled. She gets the second of two shots, score now 38-18. Two foul shots for Lynnwood bring it to 40-18.

12:57 PM: With two minutes to go, the Wildcats pick up two points from Turk, who was fouled. 42-20 now. On a subsequent possession, they lose control of the ball by their basket, so it goes back to Lynnwood, now trying again to slow things down, with a minute to go in the third quarter – and then a three-pointer, so they’re now up 45-20.

Grace Sarver, fouled shortly thereafter, gets the second shot, and it’s Lynnwood 45, WSHS 21.

END OF THE THIRD QUARTER, 1 PM: Lynnwood 47, WSHS 21.

1:03 PM: Kelsey Lenzie scores first for the Wildcats in the fourth quarter, with a three-pointer, and it’s 48-24. Lynnwood gets two fast baskets after that, 52-24, and draws a foul, missing the shot.

1:07 PM: Just over six minutes to go in the game, and both Sarvers now have four fouls. Lynnwood just got two foul shots, up by 30 now, 54-24. #32 Lydia Giomi, often the Wildcats’ leading scorer, just now got her first 2 points, on a layup. Lynnwood answered again quickly, and it’s 56-26.

1:11 PM: Another ferocious fight for the ball, and WSHS gets possession. Basket by Rilcy Newsome follows, 59-28 Lynnwood with three minutes in the game. The Wildcats are still battling, but time’s running out.

IMG_1971

Giomi is fouled and makes the second shot (above), 59-29 with two minutes to go. Shortly afterward, Lynnwood calls a timeout.

1:15 PM: Right after that, Jenna McPhee steals, and Lenzie gets a three-pointer, 59-32. One minute to go, and Ioane gets another basket. 59-34, half a minute to go.

1:19 PM: That’s the final score, and the WSHS girls’ excellent season comes to an end. We’ll add game stats shortly. (added) Here they are:

WSHS scoring leaders – Ioane 10, Turk 7, Lenzie 6
WSHS rebound leaders – Giomi 9, Turk 6, Ioane 5

First-year head coach Darnell Taylor‘s team went to 21-0, undefeated in the regular season plus the first offseason game, before their first loss (see the schedule/results here). Today’s game was their only double-digit loss.

Share This

BIZNOTE: My Three Little Birds’ crowd-loan countdown
February 27, 2016 9:36 am
|    Comments Off on BIZNOTE: My Three Little Birds’ crowd-loan countdown
 |   How to help | West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Independent local businesses are more important than you might already know: For one, they’re the businesses creating most new jobs in the U.S.. Supporting your local indies means helping create jobs for your neighbors, and here’s one way to make that happen: Backing another local biz via Community Sourced Capital.

CSC isn’t your standard crowdfunding – it’s more like crowd-loaning; we’ve reported before on local businesses/organizations that used it for a boost, like The Westy two years ago. As mentioned here Monday, the latest is My Three Little Birds (WSB sponsor) in Morgan Junction – a resale boutique, community gathering place, and more – about to celebrate its second anniversary.

To grow and thrive, My Three Little Birds hopes to add an online store – so it can work with local families both in person and online – and to fund that, it’s working with Community Sourced Capital. That’s where you come in, to lend a hand, and a bit of capital that will be repaid – you can be an investor, helping a community business grow, without being a tycoon. Like most crowd-powered campaigns, this one came with a deadline, and My Three Little Birds must hit its minimum goal by the end of this weekend in order to receive any part of what supporters have committed already. Here’s how to be part of it!

Share This

Options for your West Seattle Saturday
February 27, 2016 7:51 am
|    Comments Off on Options for your West Seattle Saturday
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

24360401683_70150b1c0e_k
(From the WSB Flickr group: February rainbow over Delridge Skatepark, by Flickr member Alextutu1821)

Happy weekend! From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

GIVE THE GIFT OF LIFE: 9:30 am-3:30 pm, the Bloodworks NW mobile blood drive will be on the south side of Westwood Village (closed for a break 12:30-1:30 pm). Appointments preferred but walk-ins welcome; more here. (2600 SW Barton)

FREE TAX PREP: The United Way‘s free tax-preparation assistance continues 10 am-2 pm today at the West Seattle Food Bank – details here. (35th SW/SW Morgan)

GRIEFSHARE SUPPORT GROUP: You don’t have to go through it alone. 10 am-noon, the first meeting at Grace Church in a new session of GriefShare, for those mourning a loved one. Details here. (10323 28th SW)

WEST DUWAMISH GREENBELT WORK PARTY: 10 am-2 pm, the West Duwamish Greenbelt Trails group plans a work party – you can drop in for all or part. Info here. (Walk in from 14th SW/SW Holly)

HIGH-SCHOOL BASKETBALL PLAYOFFS: Three local teams have regional playoff games today/tonight. The West Seattle High School girls face Lynnwood at noon at Everett Community College (2000 Tower); also at noon, the Seattle Lutheran High School girls face Mount Vernon Christian, at Mount Vernon HS (314 N. 9th St.); the SLHS boys play Columbia Adventist at 8 tonight at Renton HS (400 S. 2nd St.).

SEATTLE PRIDE BASKETBALL TRYOUTS: This AAU basketball program is expecting its biggest season yet! Girls’ tryouts today, 4th, 5th, 6th graders 1-2:30 pm, 7th and 8th graders 2:30-4 pm. Details here including registration link. Boys tryouts follow: 4th, 5th, 6th grades 4:30-6 pm, 7th and 8th grades 6-8 pm – details and registration link here. Tryouts are at the Seattle Lutheran HS Gym. (4100 SW Genesee)

CRAB-BOIL BENEFIT: Alki Masonic Lodge #152 invites you to its annual crab-boil benefit for the school awards it presents each year. Crabs, clams, potatoes, chowder, salad – check ASAP to see if tickets remain! 4-7 pm at the Alki Masonic Center in The Junction. (40th SW/SW Edmunds)

A NIGHT OUT WITH KILLER WHALE TALES: As previewed here, this event at 7:30 pm at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor) is your chance to learn more about this West Seattleite-led program that has educated thousands of students about Puget Sound’s endangered and beloved Southern Resident Killer Whales. Details here. (5612 California SW)

BLUEGRASS, WITH RYEGRASS: Ryegrass performs at 7:30 pm at Kenyon Hall – details here, including how to make your reservation. (7904 35th SW)

MORE LIVE MUSIC! See the nightlife listings on our complete calendar.

P.S. IT’S SALE SEASON: As spring approaches, so do yard/garage/etc. sales, and some are posted for this weekend in the WSB Forums‘ Freebies/Deals/Sales section.

Share This

PHOTOS: Macklemore and Ryan Lewis return to Easy Street Records
February 26, 2016 9:39 pm
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | WS culture/arts

Among the 100 Macklemore and Ryan Lewis fans who got the chance to meet them tonight at Easy Street Records were mom Michelle and baby Sarah (who we’re guessing might have made the crowd count at least 101). We’re featuring the photo they tweeted – retweeted by ESR – because we weren’t allowed into the signing zone up in the ESR loft. We did catch the grand arrival, in the rain, at dusk:

mack4
(WSB photos from here down – click any image for a larger view)

Just around the corner, the queue stretched along the store’s SW Alaska side:

fansoutside

Macklemore prepared to take photos –

withphone

So did the rest of the “Lucky 100” waiting inside the store:

fansinside

They were the first hundred to pre-order Macklemore and Ryan Lewis’s second album “This Unruly Mess I’ve Made,” officially released today, which was the occasion for the stars’ visit to ESR – before they headed to Capitol Hill for a free concert at Neumos. It was an Easy Street encore for them – we photographed their 2011 signing there, a year before their huge first album “The Heist” came out.

Share This

Southern Resident Killer Whales’ newest baby has disappeared, researchers say
February 26, 2016 8:40 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news | Wildlife

j40j14withoutj55
(J40 and J14 without J55: Center for Whale Research photo by Dave Ellifrit)

After so much relatively good news for Puget Sound’s Southern Resident Killer Whales over the past year or so, some sad news tonight: Their newest calf is missing and presumed dead, the Center for Whale Research announced tonight:

“After an extended encounter with all members of J-pod on February 25, 2016, Center for Whale Research reluctantly announces that the newest member, designated J55, is missing and presumed dead,” said senior scientist Kenneth Balcomb.

J55 was first documented by NOAA Fisheries killer whale researchers on January 18, 2016, in Puget Sound. While exact maternity was never established, the calf was documented swimming in close proximity to both J14 (estimated to be 42 years old) and her daughter J37, a 15 year old mother of one (J49 born in 2012). It is also possible that J55 was the first offspring of J40, a 12 year old, and the youngest daughter of J14.

Prior to February 26, members of the federally endangered Southern Resident killer whales were last seen by Center for Whale Research (CWR) affiliates on January 19, 2016 when Mark Malleson encountered some members of J-pod in the Strait of Juan de Fuca and was able to photo-document fourteen of the whales (including members of the J14 matriline) despite the fact that the pod was widely dispersed across the strait and in less than optimal sea conditions.

“While J55 was not photographed on that day, it is the Center for Whale Research’s policy to wait to announce the loss of an individual whale until a thorough survey of the entire pod can be undertaken, yesterday provided that opportunity,” said CWR Research Director, Dr. Deborah Giles.

“Although the loss of any calf is a blow to the Southern Resident killer whales and a setback to the struggling population, it is not entirely surprising that one of the ‘baby boom’ calves did not survive its first few months; as many as 50% of newborn calves do not survive their first year. Nevertheless, the loss of this calf underscores the need to recover the whales’ primary prey base – Chinook salmon – if the Southern Resident population of whales is to survive and thrive,” said Giles.

Share This

UPDATE: Police ground/air search after hit-run at 3rd/Olson; 1 hurt
February 26, 2016 7:19 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Helicopter | West Seattle news | WS breaking news

shagcops

7:19 PM: If you’re seeing police, a helicopter, and/or traffic east of Roxbury, we’re checking out reports of a search for a hit-run driver after a crash in the 3rd/Olson vicinity (map).

7:37 PM: We’re at Arrowhead Gardens (2nd and Olson), where police have reportedly found one suspect. Another is still being sought. Guardian One is circling overhead; the crash scene is along Olson on the north side of the complex, and tow trucks are on scene – traffic is still getting through both ways, but slowly.

downthehill

Seattle Fire Engine 11 is there and via scanner we’ve just heard them call for SDOT to come out to clean up “a significant amount of oil on the road.” We don’t have details of the crash yet but did see a private ambulance leaving as we arrived.

towtruck2

7:45 PM: Police tell us that two vehicles were involved – the hit-run suspects, who got out and ran (and are reported to have left a gun in the vehicle), were in a dark SUV; they hit a white car. We’ll be adding photos in a bit when back at HQ. Police confirm the suspect they have in custody is male and they are still seeking a female; no further description. They also confirm one person, from the car that was hit, was taken to the hospital by private ambulance. The Guardian One chopper is still circling over Arrowhead Gardens.

Share This