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Spotlight Stories

West Seattle Crime Watch: Police find bicycles, seek owners
July 21, 2016 8:50 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

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ORIGINAL REPORT, 8:50 PM THURSDAY: We often publish photos of bicycles found around West Seattle, likely stolen and dumped. Most of the time, those photos are from readers. Tonight, the photos are from Seattle Police. Detective Scotty Bach says, “On Monday, we arrested a couple of criminals in a stolen vehicle. They had these two bicycles which were likely stolen near the Morgan Junction.” He’s hoping to find the owner(s): “To claim, email scotty.bach@seattle.gov – I will need the owner to provide a police report number, serial number or receipt of purchase.”

UPDATE, 10:26 AM FRIDAY: Det. Bach says this report has led police to “the owner of the red Cervelo. The bicycle was stolen from a vehicle in the 7400 block of California Ave SW. We are still looking for the owner of the white Pinarello.”

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Design Review doubleheader, project #1: 9021 17th SW apartments approved
July 21, 2016 7:51 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Delridge | Development | West Seattle news

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We’re at the Sisson Building in The Junction, where the Southwest Design Review Board – meeting for the first time in more than a month – has just recommended final approval for a proposed 4-story apartment building in South Delridge, “The Edric,” at 9021 17th SW [map]: 32 units, 32 underground vehicle-parking spaces, and 15 bicycle-parking spaces. Here’s the design “packet” with the renderings that were shown; this was the third review for the project.

“The project has come a long way,” observed SWDRB chair Todd Bronk, who had criticized the original early design last October as a “mini-fortress.” Presenters from Blue Architecture pointed out changes made in response to previous feedback include removal of some “articulation” on the building’s sides, addition of blue accents, “softening” the appearance of the retaining wall, as well as enlarging its “amenity space,” adding seating area and changing the landscaping to add some lawn area nearby. They’ve also improved visibility for the parking-garage entrance/exit. Each floor is expected to have four 1-bedroom units and four 2-bedroom units.

Without public comment or major new criticisms, this project review ended early, after barely an hour. Up next at 8 pm, the board’s first look at 2749 California SW, the mixed-use project with 112 apartments and a new PCC Natural Markets (WSB sponsor) store on the site of the current one.

P.S. Regarding 9021 17th SW – you can still comment until the permit’s issued; contact assigned city planner Tami Garrett (who was at tonight’s meeting), tami.garrett@seattle.gov.

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SDOT finally goes public with SW Admiral Way changes
July 21, 2016 5:33 pm
|      73 COMMENTS
 |   Safety | Transportation | West Seattle news

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After more than a year, SDOT has just gone public with what it’s decided to do on SW Admiral Way, between Admiral Junction and Alki. Here’s the full text of the e-mailed announcement, including plans for “walk-and-talk” meetings on August 20th:

We’ve spent the last few months incorporating feedback into a street design that will reduce speeding and crashes and preserve parking where it’s in high demand.

We heard during public engagement that people are driving too fast along SW Admiral Way, crashing into parked cars, and residents are afraid to cross the street. In fact, one mother choked up at our first public meeting at the thought of walking her children across SW Admiral Way.

When we started the project data showed there had been 71 vehicle crashes, two bike crashes and one pedestrian crash between 2011 and 2014. From January 2015 through May 2016 an additional 34 crashes have occurred. This statistic shows that crashes along Admiral Way SW have increased by nearly 28% in the past 1 ½ years. The neighborhood has people who’ve lived here for decades, new families, and visitors enjoying Alki Beach. Each person deserves safe travel whether walking, biking or driving.

After sharing a few designs with the neighborhood, studying on-street parking occupancy during the summer, and talking with community members, (the map above shows) what will be installed.

You may be wondering how the new design improves safety. We have proven success throughout the city that narrower travel lanes reduce the speeds people drive and the number of crashes.

We are also adding buffered bike lanes. Adding buffered bike lanes makes the street operate more predictably by giving everyone a space; and makes biking more comfortable, which can encourage more people to give it a try.

Here is how your input was included:

· Parking study. We conducted an on-street parking study during the month of August. Study times were 5-7AM, 1-3PM and 5-7PM on a sunny Saturday and Tuesday. The study confirmed what you told us. Parking spaces on the west end of the street with convenient access to Alki Beach are in high demand.

· Center turn lane. At our first public (meeting) you suggested we remove the center turn lane rather than impact on-street parking, so we did in the high-demand parking area.

· Left turn access at 57th and 59th Avenues SW. At the second public meeting, you requested left turn access to help reduce the risk of being rear-ended. We’ve included the access. To make room for them, about nine on-street parking spaces will be removed on the south side.

· Crosswalk at 61st Ave SW. We asked if you would like a new crosswalk in this location and one is included in the project.

Here is what we were not able to include and why:

· All-way stop at 59th Ave SW. You suggested we change the pedestrian activated signal at this location to an all-way stop. Unfortunately, studies showed that an all-way stop at this location did not meet guidelines. However, we have agreed to look at it again in the future.

Finally, we heard you want improved pedestrian crossings and supplied information on where. We’ll conduct a second round of outreach on August 20 in the form of “Walk and Talks” to gather site-specific input and talk about low-cost opportunities (visit web site for more details). The Walk and Talks will build off of comments collected through the first phase of outreach. Any improvements identified would be installed as a second phase of construction.

Our project web site at seattle.gov/transportation/swadmiralwaysafetyproject.htm has information on the walk and talk; and a flier with similar information will be mailed early August. Construction information will be shared as soon as available. However, work to restripe the street is expected to be completed before October 2016.

BACKSTORY: The first version of the plan was unveiled in April 2015 at an Admiral Neighborhood Association meeting. Ten months have passed since the second and final community meeting held by SDOT – which wasn’t planned until community members demanded it.

Datapoint regarding one assertion in the city news release: The “mother who choked up at (the) first public meeting at the thought of walking her children across Admiral Way” was reacting to what the city was proposing at the time, removing parking on the side of the street where her family lives, as noted in our coverage of that meeting.

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CRIME WATCH FOLLOWUP: 3 suspects remain jailed after West Seattle Bridge fight
July 21, 2016 5:21 pm
|      26 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Following up on Wednesday’s arrests in High Point in connection with a fight on the shoulder of the east end of the West Seattle Bridge:

Hearings were held for three of the suspects today. Bail was set at $225,000 each for two men, 18 and 20; a juvenile-court judge ruled that a 17-year-old boy should remain in detention. The fourth person taken into custody yesterday, 19, was not booked into jail. Probable-cause documents include more information on what police found out:

(At 2:19 pm Wednesday), officers were dispatched to an accident scene where the parties involved were fighting. This was happening westbound on the West Seattle Bridge just off the exit ramp from southbound I-5. Witnesses said 4 guys (were) beating up another and trying to throw him off the bridge. Vehicles involved were a silver car and a red car. …

(At 2:22 pm), complainant advised that the red car sped past him onto Fauntleroy SW from the bridge. The victim tried to follow the suspects throughout West Seattle but lost them at 36 SW and SW Snoqualmie. The victim gave the suspect-vehicle plate … The victim advised he was standing by at that location.

Police say the victim had a bloody face, possible broken nose, and badly chipped front tooth.

Read More

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From the ‘in case you wondered too’ file: West Seattle bus-shelter updates
July 21, 2016 3:50 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   Transportation | West Seattle news

Just in case you see either of these and wonder – thanks to tips, we’ve already checked them out:

RAPIDRIDE SHELTER AT FAUNTLEROY/ALASKA: Christine Deppe from West Seattle Office Junction (WSB sponsor) sent the photo and wondered about the removal of the shelter next to Les Schwab:

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Metro’s Jeff Switzer responded to our inquiry: “The small shelter was removed today and will be upgraded to a larger shelter, to be installed tomorrow (Friday, July 22nd).

BROKEN GLASS AT 45TH/ADMIRAL: Al sent the photo:

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Since we were already asking about the Triangle shelter mentioned above, we asked about this too. Switzer says, “Thanks for the heads-up. Staff are submitting a work order to repair the glass at that shelter.”

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WEST SEATTLE CAR SHOW 2016: Remember, this year it’s in August, and on a Saturday!
July 21, 2016 2:49 pm
|    Comments Off on WEST SEATTLE CAR SHOW 2016: Remember, this year it’s in August, and on a Saturday!
 |   Puget Ridge | West Seattle festivals | West Seattle news

West Seattle Car Show sponsors Swedish Automotive and West Seattle Autoworks (also WSB sponsors) want to remind you that this year’s show is a little more than five weeks away!

Saturday, August 27th, 10 am-4 pm, South Seattle College (WSB sponsor)

Registration’s open NOW – go to this page on the official website. See the list of trophy categories here – this is NOT just about the typical “classic” cars.

First 200 vehicle registrations get dash plaques

What’s planned so far:
*Live music and a DJ
*Kids’ activities
*Hydroplanes
*Seattle Fire Department
*50/50 raffle
*Drawing for a donated drone
*Food trucks
*Vendors

SSC will have its Northwest Wine Academy open on West Seattle Car Show day for tours and purchases, as well as beer sales. You’ll also be able to tour the SSC Automotive Technology and Auto Body programs. If you’d like to join the list of Car Show sponsors or vendors, find the applications here.

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High Point brush fire provides safety reminder: This can happen fast
July 21, 2016 1:51 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   High Point | West Seattle fires | West Seattle news

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We happened to be driving 35th SW less than an hour ago when we noticed Engine 37 heading to a “brush fire” call a block away, so we followed. A patch of tall, dry grass was burning on the vacant, to-be-developed lot on the north side of Graham at 34th SW. As we tweeted while standing there, it was out literally within two minutes of the Seattle Fire crew’s arrival.

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Seemed too small to mention here, but we heard High Point management just put out a notice about it, so in case you were worried, this is what happened.

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FOLLOWUP: Aegis Living expects 4700 Admiral Way demolition within weeks
July 21, 2016 12:10 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   Health | West Seattle news

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Thanks for the tips about the construction-office trailer arriving on the west side of the site of the future Aegis Living West Seattle project, at 4700 SW Admiral Way, wondering if that means demolition is finally near. Last time we checked in with Aegis, they expected to get their demolition permit in June. They do have the permit now, spokesperson John Yeager tells WSB, and: “We will mobilize the first week of August. We’ll start demolition on August 8th, give or take a few days.”

The former Life Care Center building has been empty for more than three years; Aegis bought the site in late 2013 and got Design Review approval last February for a three-story center with 80 assisted-living and memory-care units.

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‘No-discharge zone’ in Puget Sound? State asks feds to make it happen
July 21, 2016 11:25 am
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   Environment | West Seattle news

The state has formally asked the federal government to declare Puget Sound – and some contingent waters including Lakes Union and Washington – a “no-discharge zone.” Right now, vessels can discharge sewage into the Sound in some situations; this proposal – which would be phased in over several years – would ban that. The Department of Ecology‘s news release has details; this DOE page explains the process, now that the state has officially petitioned the EPA.

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West Seattle Thursday: Summer Concerts @ Hiawatha; Design Review x 2; more…
July 21, 2016 10:57 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Thursday: Summer Concerts @ Hiawatha; Design Review x 2; more…
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

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(Spotted towhee, photographed by Mark Wangerin)

Our calendar has A LOT going on today/tonight, so please check it out in addition to considering these five highlights:

LOW-LOW TIDE: 11 am-2 pm, Seattle Aquarium beach naturalists are out at Constellation and Lincoln Parks for the last time until the end of the month. Today’s low-low tide is -1.8 feet at 12:34 pm.

SUMMER CONCERTS AT HIAWATHA: First show of the season! 6:30 pm on the east lawn at Hiawatha Community Center, a free concert with Smokey Brights. Bring your own blanket/chair, everyone welcome. Here’s our report with the full season lineup. (Walnut/Lander)

DESIGN REVIEW DOUBLEHEADER: Two projects will be reviewed by the Southwest Design Review Board at the Sisson Building/Senior Center tonight, meeting for the first time in a while – 6:30 pm, 9021 17th SW apartments (design packet here); 8 pm, 2749 California SW, the new mixed-use proposal (design packet here) for the PCC Natural Markets-West Seattle (WSB sponsor) site. Both reviews will include time for public comments. (California SW/SW Oregon)

ALKI COMMUNITY COUNCIL: 7 pm at Alki UCC, with the agenda highlights in our calendar listing. (6115 SW Hinds)

SHAKESPEARE IN THE PARK: Greenstage presents “The Merry Wives of Windsor,” 7 pm in Lincoln Park, free. Our calendar listing includes information on the exact location in the park. (8011 Fauntleroy Way SW)

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VIDEO: Neighborhood advocates gather in wake of District Council dissolution by ‘a mayor who has vilified volunteers’
July 21, 2016 8:40 am
|      62 COMMENTS
 |   Delridge District Council | Southwest District Council | West Seattle news

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Story by Tracy Record
Video/photos by Patrick Sand
West Seattle Blog co-publishers

“Let’s not throw out the whole system – let’s make it better.”

That was the theme last night for a gathering of longtime community volunteers who were, at times, furious:

“We are owed an apology. In a city known internationally for volunteerism, we have a mayor who has vilified volunteers … it’s inexcusable.”

At times, gracious:

“What resonates in this room is the hope and optimism you all bring to the table.”

And at times, incredulous:

“The news last week was a surprise.”

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That last declaration is how Mat McBride, chair of the Delridge Neighborhoods District Council, began last night’s gathering, a dramatic expansion of what was supposed to be a routine, “sleepy” monthly edition of the DNDC’s meeting, and instead, because of a mayoral decree a week earlier, became a rally of reps from the city’s 13 NDCs. Here’s our video of the entire gathering, in two parts:

The objective, as McBride described it, was to show that the “13 District Councils … are representative of more than the narrative we are currently being cast by … that a bad decision has been made, and that bad decisions can and should be reversed.”

That “narrative” was the July 13th mayoral declaration that the groups should be thrown on the scrap heap (WSB coverage here), replaced to a yet-to-be-outlined “engagement” system with an appointed “Community Involvement Commission,” because members are allegedly mostly older white homeowners. (The survey that made the proclamation has been called into question, as has the inference that the volunteers should be cut loose because of their age, race, and economic status.)

“Right now if you read the [regional] press, you’ll see a story that district councils have 15 people … tend to be white, tend to be old, tend to own houses. (But) when a district council gathers, hundreds, thousands of people are represented at the table … we are a representative democracy. It is not true, the story that’s currently being told.”

We counted at least 60 people in the room at Highland Park Improvement Club; McBride greeted them all in DNDC style – cheering and hand-waving – calling out the names of each Neighborhood District Council that was here, and then asking for a show of hands from those representing other groups, such as the community councils that feed into the ND councils.

He acknowledged that some of what’s in the report – the need to expand the groups’ means of outreach – are things that district council members agree with, things they’ve been suggesting, requesting, for years.

So what is it these groups DO do?

Read More

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Thursday watch, and previews
July 21, 2016 6:57 am
|      18 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(SDOT MAP with travel times/video links; is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE)

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

6:57 AM: Good morning! SDOT reported a collision in the 3100 block of Harbor SW this past half hour; the medic response was canceled quickly, so we don’t know if there’s any aftermath. Nothing else in the area so far this morning. Otherwise:

NO BRIDGE CLOSURE: SDOT canceled the plan for Fauntleroy Expressway closures last night and tonight; no new dates yet.

SATURDAY REMINDERS: We’ve been reminding you about Saturday (July 23rd) road closures and parking restrictions (the signs are out now) for the West Seattle Grand Parade, Kiddie Parade, and Float Dodger 5K; California SW south of SW Admiral Way, to The Junction, will be closed from early morning into early afternoon, and some side streets along the way have parking restrictions, too, posted for 7 am-3 pm. (added) … The bus reroutes for Saturday are now published – see them here.

8:35 AM: Trouble on the westbound bridge:

10:24 AM: Some sort of incident east of the low bridge is causing some truck backup on the westbound side but eastbound is going OK with SPD help.

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West Seattle restaurants: Kizuki Ramen soft-opens; official opening Monday
July 20, 2016 9:58 pm
|      17 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants

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On the same night that much-awaited Dumplings of Fury opened a few blocks away, another much-awaited new Junction restaurant had a very quiet “soft opening” – Kizuki Ramen and Izakaya (4203 SW Alaska).

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We only noticed because of a reader tip that Kizuki might finally – after months of promising “soon” – be opening this week; then while running an errand this evening between coverage of unrelated stories, we detoured over for a look, and discovered they were allowing potential customers in.

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“Irasshaimase!” could be heard from outside, every time someone stepped in – that’s Japanese for “welcome!” We subsequently sent in our photographer, who learned the official opening day will be next Monday (July 25th). From thereon out, they’re expecting to start with 11 am-2:30 pm lunch hours and reopening at 5 pm for dinner. It’s been almost a year since first word that Kizuki – at the time called Kukai – was on the way; many reader questions about its progress in the ensuing months led us to bring you multiple updates, like this one in February with a sneak peek at the design (compare to the photos in this story that we took tonight).

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Why the governor and county executive were in West Seattle today
July 20, 2016 7:09 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Health | West Seattle news

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If you’ve never been closer to the Navos Mental Health campus on SW Holden than driving, riding, or walking by, you might not know those townhouse-style residences are part of it. They were shown off this afternoon during a visit by Governor Jay Inslee and County Executive Dow Constantine, a progress report of sorts on a task force they launched almost two years ago.

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It’s the Community Alternatives to Boarding Task Force – an effort to help people find their way out of the mental-health-hospital system when they’re ready. “We ARE making progress,” the governor said, while acknowledging “a lot of work” remained. He said mental-health facilities have “more inpatient beds” and “more treatment options,” to get people “the right help at the right time … getting people out of locked wards.” The director of the programs spotlighted at Navos is Ravenna Candy, a West Seattle resident:

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She spoke of the six “village-style townhouse units” in which 24 adults live. Around South King County, she said, “300 adults get low-barrier housing through Navos,” as an alternative to longterm hospitalization. The “people who should not live in the shadows,” as the governor called them – people like the resident who told her story, Sandra Anderson:

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She said she had spent five years in Western State Hospital, and had also been homeless – 40 percent of people experiencing homelessness are dealing with mental illness, Navos says – as well as having been an addict and a prostitute. Now, she said, she’s been “clean and sober” for 12 years, and is living in her own apartment for the first time ever, at age 52. (It’s in Federal Way, after she spent time living on the Navos campus.)

After a short peek inside one of the “village” living units, media and other tour participants heard again from the governor and county executive. Constantine said, “Too often, people wind up where there’s space, rather than where they need to be” – that space sometimes even turns out to be the King County Jail. He and Inslee promised to pursue, in their budgets and other ways, more support for supportive housing like this. Here’s the news release with details on the task-force recommendations their visit was meant to spotlight.

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SATURDAY! West Seattle Grand Parade 2016 countdown continues
July 20, 2016 6:29 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle Grand Parade | West Seattle news

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We noticed this evening that the no-parking signs have arrived for Saturday’s West Seattle Grand Parade – both the parade route itself, down California SW from Lander (in The Admiral District) to Edmunds (in The Junction), and side streets. Take note of the signs so you aren’t caught by surprise on Saturday – all the ones we saw today are marked 7 am to 3 pm, and tow trucks DO get called out on parade morning for vehicles whose drivers ignore the signs.

As we’ve been mentioning, the parade has more than 70 floats, bands, groups, performers, and characters signed up. The official start time is 11 am, but the motorcycle drill teams – Seattle PD, and Vancouver, B.C., Police, who come to West Seattle as a Puget Sound exclusive – take off as early as 10:30 am.

New participants this year include Pacific Science Center and the Southwest Seattle Historical Society, whose executive director Clay Eals is this year’s Orville Rummel Community Service Trophy winner – honored at last night’s Concert in the Park – and will ride toward the start of the parade, as will the Grand Marshals, the Schmitz Family.

Find your spot along the route – or, participate in the fundraising, costumes-encouraged Float Dodger 5K (9:30 am – sign up here!) or Kiddie Parade before the WSGP (show up at California/Genesee, where the Kiddie Parade starts at 11). The parade is presented by the West Seattle Rotary‘s Community Foundation.

THURSDAY P.S. Jon asked in comments about the bus reroutes. They are now on the Metro site and will be in our remaining previews as well as parade-day coverage.

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UPDATE: Arrests in High Point following West Seattle Bridge ‘dispute’
July 20, 2016 2:55 pm
|      52 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | High Point | West Seattle news | West Seattle police

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2:55 PM: Police are in High Point right now searching for someone believed to be related to an incident they described on Twitter as starting with a “dispute/fight between drivers on the West Seattle Bridge.” One person was hurt and treated by Seattle Fire in The Triangle.

3 PM: We are near the scene a few blocks east of the High Point Library as more police continue to arrive.

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3:01 PM: A person police were looking for is reported to be in custody, having emerged from a residence into which they say they saw the person go.

3:09 PM: Police were looking for a “mid-’90s Crown Victoria” and traced the car here, a lieutenant tells us.

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He confirms they took one man into custody and that they believe he is “party to aggravated assault.”

3:14 PM: Talked to Southwest Precinct Capt. Pierre Davis near the scene. He says it apparently began with a “fender-bender” on the bridge; one person was attacked, and somebody showed a gun – possibly a rifle – before taking off, and that’s when they started tracking the suspect vehicle. He confirms there might have been others involved. (Added 9:48 pm – A reader texted this photo of the incident, which was at the east end of the westbound bridge – we don’t know what role in it the person seen outside the red car played:)

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4:04 PM: That’s why police are still in High Point. If you’re heading home from work or elsewhere, the center of activity has been near 29th/Raymond, and you might find closed roads. SWAT is involved, too.

4:54 PM: More arrests, per this SPD Blotter report just published:

Officers arrested four men in the High Point neighborhood Wednesday after a motorist was injured in a suspected road rage incident on the West Seattle Bridge.

Witnesses called 911 around 2:15 PM and reported that a group of men had stopped their vehicle on the westbound side of the West Seattle Bridge, pulled a motorist from his vehicle and assaulted him and then fled. Witnesses also reported the suspects had been armed with a rifle or shotgun during the incident.

The victim, who chased after the suspects in his own vehicle, also called 911 following the assault provided information about the suspects.

Officers found the victim, who suffered a bloodied nose, and immediately called for Seattle Fire Department medics to treat his injuries.

Police found the suspects’ red Ford Crown Victoria in the 6000 block of High Point Dr. SW and surrounded a home. The four suspects eventually surrendered to police and were taken into custody for assault.

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West Seattle scene: Roxhill Park cleanup
July 20, 2016 2:02 pm
|      13 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle police

When Mayor Murray‘s Find It, Fix It Community Walk comes to the Westwood/Roxhill area next Monday (here’s the map and schedule), it will end at Roxhill Park, which got some extra cleanup attention today:

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Southwest Precinct Community Police Team officers were joined by participants in an SPD-coordinated city summer youth employment program.

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This area on the south side of Roxhill Park has been the scene of unauthorized camping as well as illegal dumping.

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Items found and trucked away included a wheelchair, bicycle, sleeping bags, clothing, and furniture, as well as this drum set:

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On site were CPT officers Jon Flores (above) and John O’Neil (below, talking with local community advocate Amanda Kay Helmick):

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The cleanup ran from about 9:30 this morning until noon. The Find It, Fix It Walk starts at the Longfellow Creek P-Patch next Monday night at 6:30 and will head east, through Westwood and then to Roxhill.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Burglary, car-theft victims looking for witnesses
July 20, 2016 12:36 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Three reader reports in West Seattle Crime Watch today – two sent in hopes somebody saw something in relation to the two crimes:

HOME BURGLARIZED – ANY WITNESSES? A resident in the 4000 block of 35th SW [map] reports a burglary on Tuesday and hopes somebody saw something:

I want to report the brazen theft of personal property in broad daylight yesterday to see if anyone was a witness to the crime. The (burglar/s) entered through a side window and stole jewelry, money, passports, alcohol, etc. sometime between ~8 am and 4 pm on July 19th. The (burglar/s) then walked out the front door, leaving it wide open to boot.

CAR STOLEN, FOUND – ANY WITNESSES? From Linda:

WSB Friends: My silver 2004 Volvo XC70 was stolen from my home on Dawson Street in the Alaska Junction early Friday morning, badly damaged, and abandoned in the 3000 block of 48th Ave. SW. I was working out of town, so the vehicle was ticketed and towed about 9:40 Saturday morning from where it was found. I didn’t realize this until I returned home about midnight on Sunday. I recovered the car (Monday) and it might be a total loss. A neighbor saw a black van with its lights blinking idling in front of my house about 2:15 a.m. on Saturday. If anyone heard or saw anything that might relate to this, will you please comment so we may be in contact? I thank you in advance for your help.

And a followup:

STOLEN CAR FOUND: Last Friday, we published Nita’s car-theft report; her son’s 1999 Civic was taken from outside their home near 35th/Cloverdale. It’s since been found, she tells us, “abandoned at a condo in Burien. Thanks to the King County and Seattle Police, great teamwork. They ripped out the stereo system, stole my daughter’s north face jacket, west they took my 8-year-old son’s football gear.” But they did get a sentimental item back – the tag from their dog, who died recently.

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UPDATE: Pickup goes sideways after colliding with car at Delridge and Trenton
July 20, 2016 11:05 am
|    Comments Off on UPDATE: Pickup goes sideways after colliding with car at Delridge and Trenton
 |   Delridge | West Seattle news | WS breaking news

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(WSB photo)

11:05 AM: Seattle Fire is sending a “heavy rescue” response to Delridge and Trenton [map], for a reported two-car crash, one on its side. More to come.

11:10 AM: First crews on scene report that “all occupants are out,” which means they won’t need the full “heavy-rescue” response to remove anyone, and many of the responding units are being turned back. Avoid the area, though, for a while. They’re calling for a private ambulance.

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(Reader photo, courtesy Rene)

11:18 AM: Our crew says the two vehicles in the photo are the only two involved. Two people are being checked out by medics. (added) The woman driving the black car will be taken to the hospital but her injuries aren’t believed to be major; the man driving the pickup was not hurt. Police are directing traffic through the intersection one direction at a time.

12:06 PM: Just verified that the scene is now clear. Police told us that they were investigating the possibility the crash happened because one of the drivers was having “a medical issue.”

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VIDEO: Alki Homestead’s neon sign readied for restoration
July 20, 2016 11:02 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   Alki Homestead | West Seattle news

As part of the Alki Homestead / Fir Lodge restoration and remodeling, the former restaurant’s neon sign has finally been taken down, to await its part of the facelift. The sign had been vandalized before the operation to bring it down. The video was published late last night by Clay Eals of the Southwest Seattle Historical Society, who included this information in the extended caption:

On Monday morning, July 18, 2016, Alki Homestead owner Dennis Schilling, his son Matt and five-member crew removed the building’s iconic neon sign so that it can be restored as part of the landmark building’s overall renovation and restoration. The removal took just shy of two hours.

The sign restoration will cost $25,000 to $30,000, and the Southwest Seattle Historical Society, which secured city landmark status for the building 20 years ago, helped Schilling in 2015 to obtain a $15,000 grant from 4Culture for the project. … The neon sign is being stored temporarily inside the Alki Homestead. (The restoration work will cover up the graffiti with which vandals defaced the lower portion of the sign in late June 2016.)

The rest of the restoration work has been proceeding through the city system; a construction permit was granted in May, after the city Landmarks Board OK’d the “rehabilitation” plan for the 112-year-old building – heavily damaged by a 2009 fire that closed its restaurant operation.

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West Seattle Wednesday: Neighborhood volunteers’ show of strength; Morgan Community Association; poetry; more!
July 20, 2016 10:08 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Wednesday: Neighborhood volunteers’ show of strength; Morgan Community Association; poetry; more!
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

PileatedWP0716-02
(Woodpecker Wednesday! Pileated woodpecker, photographed by Mark Wangerin)

Here’s some of what’s up for your West Seattle Wednesday, from our event calendar (where you can look into the future any time – days, weeks, months):

FIREFIGHTER STORY TIME: 10:30 am, guest readers from the Seattle Fire Department teach preschoolers about fire safety at Southwest Library. (35th SW/SW Henderson)

LOW-LOW TIDE, WITH BEACH NATURALISTS: Today’s tide is out to -1.8 feet at 11:54 am, and Seattle Aquarium Beach Naturalists are out at Lincoln and Constellation Parks until 1:30 pm.

HIGH POINT MARKET GARDEN FARM STAND: Fresh produce, grown steps from where it’s sold, 4-7 pm. (32nd SW/SW Juneau)

THOSE NEIGHBORHOOD VOLUNTEERS THE MAYOR WANTS TO CUT OFF … are meeting tonight at Highland Park Improvement Club. As we’ve reported here and here, what was to be the monthly meeting of the Delridge Neighborhoods District Council has expanded to a gathering of neighborhood-district-council participants, supporters, and anyone else interested, from all over the city, not to decry Mayor Murray‘s plan to cut off city support, they say, but to talk about what they’ve accomplished and could accomplish with more support instead of less. All welcome. 7 pm. (12th SW/SW Holden)

MORGAN COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION: 7 pm quarterly meeting at The Kenney – agenda is in our listing. All welcome. (7125 Fauntleroy Way SW)

POETRY AT C & P: 7 pm at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor), “join City Artist grant recipient Katy Ellis and four talented young writing students from the public and home school community for an evening of poetry that explores familial relationships as they relate to animal instinct, animal affection and a sense of where and how we belong to one another.” (5612 California SW)

NIGHTLIFE X 5: See the listings on our complete calendar.

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Alki Art Fair this weekend! See who’s performing
July 20, 2016 9:32 am
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 |   West Seattle festivals | West Seattle news

(WSB file photo, Alki Art Fair Busker Stage)

The music schedule is out for this weekend’s Alki Art Fair, 10 am-6 pm Saturday and Sunday on the promenade, with music continuing until 9 pm Saturday, 8 pm Sunday. Two stages – the main stage is by the Bathhouse, and we’re sponsoring the “Busker Stage” further west, closer to the picnic-shelter area. See the schedule here. The fair is free to attendees; you’ll find artists showing and selling their work, as well as kids’ activities, a silent auction, and more. Plus: A free shuttle from the West Seattle Bridge park ‘n’ ride and from Admiral Junction – details are on the Alki Art Fair home page.

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Wednesday updates; bridge closures canceled
July 20, 2016 6:52 am
|    Comments Off on TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Wednesday updates; bridge closures canceled
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(SDOT MAP with travel times/video links; is the ‘low bridge’ closed? LOOK HERE)

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

6:52 AM: Good morning! No incidents in or from West Seattle so far. What you need to know:

NO BRIDGE CLOSURES AFTER ALL: SDOT has postponed its plans to close the Fauntleroy Expressway tonight and tomorrow and says it’ll reschedule.

SATURDAY REMINDERS: This Saturday (July 23rd) brings the West Seattle Grand Parade, Kiddie Parade, and Float Dodger 5K; California SW south of SW Admiral Way, to The Junction, will be closed from early morning into early afternoon; watch for signage on some of the immediate side streets too, for parade staging and dispersal.

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