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Spotlight Stories

Gigabit Squared high-speed Internet service deal reportedly ‘dead’
January 7, 2014 2:18 pm
|      32 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle online

The plan for a startup called Gigabit Squared to bring high-speed Internet to neighborhoods including part of West Seattle is dead, the Puget Sound Business Journal says this afternoon. This comes days after GeekWire reported that Gigabit Squared wasn’t paying a $52,000 bill it had racked up for city engineers’ time, and shortly after Publicola pointed out a Chicago report that GB2 was on the rocks there. Last year, then-Mayor McGinn announced in his 2013 State of the City speech that the plan would expand to include part of West Seattle, and GB2 announced its pricing plan in July, but there had been no updates since then.

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Pre-construction meetings, survey for Westwood, Sunrise Heights ‘roadside raingardens’ sewer-overflow-control project
January 7, 2014 12:37 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Environment | Sunrise Heights | West Seattle news | Westwood

King County’s next major combined-sewer-overflow-control project, the Barton basin “green stormwater infrastructure” roadside raingardens on 15 streets in Westwood and Sunrise Heights, is close to starting construction. So the county has just announced two pre-construction community meetings:

Join King County at one of two community meetings to prepare the neighborhood for upcoming construction activities. At the meeting, you can:

· Learn more about the construction schedule and sequence of activities
· Meet representatives from the construction contractor, Goodfellow Brothers
· Hear how King County works with neighbors during construction
· Learn about anticipated construction impacts
· Bring the kids! A kids activity table will be set up in the main room both days

Thursday, January 23, 6:30 – 8:00 pm, Westside School, 7740 34th Ave SW
Saturday, January 25, 10:00 – 11:30 am, High Point Neighborhood House, 6400 Sylvan Way SW

Checking the project website, we also found this online survey for those in the neighborhoods affected.

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Followup: Denny, Sealth principals’ note about flasher incident
January 7, 2014 11:18 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

As reported here very early today, another local student has reported encountering a “flasher.” Her mother e-mailed us late last night, reporting that it happened while her daughter was walking from Denny International Middle School on Monday afternoon when it happened a few blocks west. Denny principal Jeff Clark just shared this letter he and adjoining Chief Sealth International Middle School principal Aida Fraser-Hammer are sending to families:

January 7, 2014

Dear Denny International Middle School and Chief Sealth International High School Students and Families,

We are writing with an important safety update regarding walking to and from school.

An incident occurred yesterday, Monday, January 6: A Denny student was walking home between the times of 2:30 and 2:45 PM when a man in a car exposed himself to her. This lewd incident occurred near the intersection of 30th Avenue Southwest and Kenyon.

Our student did a great job by running away and calling her mother, who quickly informed the police, who are now actively investigating the incident. Today, Seattle Public Schools security staff will be in that same area after school during both Denny and Sealth dismissal times.

We would like to encourage all of our families to discuss personal safety walking to and from school with your child. Notifying parents, school staff, and the police right away is very important and is very much appreciated any time anything of concern happens. We are all here to help with whatever the situation might be. Thank you for all that you do in support of our students.

Sincerely,

Jeff Clark, Denny International Middle School Principal
Aida Fraser-Hammer, Chief Sealth International School Principal

So far, as noted in our first story, there is no description of the man.

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West Seattle wildlife: River otter sightings near 35th/Avalon
January 7, 2014 9:59 am
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | Wildlife

After two reports in the past half-hour, we’re putting this out as an alert. While river otters spend a lot of time on land, they’re not usually seen as far from the water as 35th/Fauntleroy/Avalon. One report was from Erin, who wrote, “I SWEAR I just saw a river otter running through the 7-11 parking lot on 35th and Avalon!” shortly after we got a note from Cait that began, “I know this might sound crazy but I’m pretty positive I just spotted an otter alone on Fauntleroy next to the WS Bridge.” So if you’re in that area – be on the lookout!

P.S. If you haven’t seen a river otter before – here’s what they look like. Learn more about them via another great state-produced Living With Wildlife info-sheet.

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West Seattle restaurants: Saigon Boat Café closed by health inspector
January 7, 2014 9:53 am
|      51 COMMENTS
 |   Health | West Seattle news | West Seattle restaurants

9:53 AM: Just in from King County Public Health:

Saigon Boat Café, located at 2632 Alki Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98116, was closed by a Public Health food inspector on January 6, 2014 at 5:00 pm for the following food safety violations:

Potentially hazardous foods at unsafe temperatures
Improper cooling of potentially hazardous food
Foods not protected from cross-contamination
Poor personal hygiene practices: handwashing
Equipment/utensils not properly sanitized
Handwashing facilities inaccessible and not working

The establishment will be reopened once the inspector confirms that all issues have been resolved.

We’ll check back, and you can also watch its status at the county website.

(Side note – the restaurant is located in a building set for replacement by a development project that goes to Design Review next month.)

ADDED 11:30 AM: A commenter reminded us that this is not the first time a Public Health inspector has closed Saigon Boat Café – the closure in February 2010 was attributed to a lack of proper permits/plans; the restaurant reopened two months later.

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West Seattle Tuesday: From co-working to claymation to community-council meeting…
January 7, 2014 9:22 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

Untitled

(Photo by Brandon Husby, taken at Seacrest, shared via the WSB Flickr group)
Caught up yet? It’s starting to get busy. From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

FREE CO-WORKING: 10 am-3 pm, bring your computer, your work, your lunch to West Seattle Office Junction ‏(WSB sponsor) and co-work for free. (5230-B California SW)

CLAYMATION FOR TEENS: At Southwest Teen Life Center, teens can learn claymation for free, in a new series of classes starting 4:45 pm today; details in the calendar listing. (2801 SW Thistle)

WWRHAH: The Westwood-Roxhill-Arbor Heights Community Council meets tonight at 6:15 pm at Southwest Branch Library, with an agenda including followup on last week’s Roxhill Park/Westwood “transit hub” walking tour. (35th/Henderson)

WEST SEATTLE BIKE CONNECTIONS: Monthly meeting at 6:30 tonight – details in the calendar listing on the WSBC site.

HIGH-SCHOOL BASKETBALL: Chief Sealth International High School boys host Lakeside, varsity game at 7:30 pm; West Seattle High School boys are on the road at Seattle Prep.

‘BLUES TO DO’ DEBUT: First night of the new Tuesday series at Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor), 8 pm, live blues, streamed online too. First in the lineup: Polly O’Keary & The Rhythm Method with special guest Seattle Slim. Full details in our recent preview. (6451 California SW)

BIZNOTE: The Wash Dog (WSB sponsor) in Morgan Junction is closed today through Thursday for annual maintenance.

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Tuesday updates, including bridge-crash backup
January 7, 2014 5:58 am
|      110 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(Latest bridge and Viaduct views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
5:58 AM: No ice to worry about this morning – it’s been rainy overnight and well above freezing. Today’s traffic advisory is for anyone who drives along the downtown waterfront: Starting this morning, Alaskan Way surface traffic between Madison and Pike shifts to the new temporary road under The Viaduct, to make way for seawall-replacement work. It’s all explained here.

7:09 AM: ‘Fender-bender’ on the eastbound bridge, says a tipster. No fire/medic callout.

7:36 AM: As commenters are noting, major bridge backup. And now there’s an aid callout.

8:01 AM: To clarify – the aid callout is for a DIFFERENT crash. The “fender-bender” was earlier and did not involve a fire/medics callout. Then came this one, which is just west of the exit to 99, and DID require a callout. If you haven’t left the house yet, and can wait, we highly suggest you do.

8:11 AM: One of the bridge cams is focused on the crash but we don’t know for how long, so here’s a screengrab for posterity:

8:20 AM: Tow truck spotted headed that way. Live traffic cam currently shows fire and police staged across three lanes, routing traffic around to the right. Commenters note that buses were not routed off the high bridge for some time.

8:23 AM: And until the camera pulled back again, it appeared the scene was clearing! (few minutes later) Police are still in the bus lane.

8:33 AM: Hate to be the bearer of bad news but now there is apparently a stalled vehicle parallel with Nucor, blocking a lane, per police, heard on the scanner.

8:43 AM: Per comments, that’s in the left lane. Meantime, just for the record – One commenter says it took an hour to get from Upper Fauntleroy to the Trader Joe’s vicinity; to the south, no better, @catfishianne said via Twitter that it took more than a hour to get from Roxbury Safeway to 99.

8:53 AM: Looks like the crash scene before the 99 exit is clear after about an hour and a half – here’s a screen grab of the camera a few minutes ago:

No update on the stalled car.

9:02 AM: The low bridge was open for marine traffic and is now reported to be back open to vehicles. One more note IF you commute beyond 99 onto Elliott along the north downtown waterfront and beyond – there is a rollover crash at Elliott/Harrison (map) that emergency crews are dealing with right now.

9:15 AM: If you waited to leave – note from the cameras (more views on our Traffic page) that it’s still very busy, even without new incidents to complicate things, and it’s still raining. Wait a while longer if you can; if you can’t, drive slowly and safely! We will continue to update here IF any additional incidents happen – the daily traffic update is always linked atop the “TOP STORIES” list on the WSB sidebar.

10:02 AM: On the peninsula, a school bus was involved in a collision at 12th/Henderson. (Added – photo courtesy of Keith – note the pickup on the sidewalk under the tree:)

No reports of injuries – fire/medics were NOT called out.

11:02 AM: An exchange of note via Twitter, involving newly inaugurated Mayor Ed Murray:

4:26 PM: A crash has closed the 1st Avenue South onramp to the westbound West Seattle Bridge, though it doesn’t sound like it will be closed for long.

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Another ‘flasher’ reported
January 7, 2014 2:04 am
|      17 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

ORIGINAL REPORT, 2:04 AM: This note came in late Monday night. Though it corresponds to a “lewd conduct” call showing in the SPD log, we won’t be able to follow up with police for further details until later this morning, so we are passing the info along as-is for now, since families in the area might want to alert their kids:

My daughter attends Denny International Middle School. (Monday) she was on her way to meet me. She was walking up Kenyon toward 35th and when she got to 30th [map] a man in a 4-door silver or grayish sedan tried to get her attention. When she looked over the man was naked from the waist down and masturbating. I arrived literally a minute later. We called 911. He wasn’t apprehended. Just wanted to share this information with my community.

Thanks,
Anonymous Concerned Mother

No further description in the note – but again, we will follow up with police later this morning and publish an update with anything more we find out.

9:28 AM: Here’s what else we have found out – from ACM, it happened at about 2:37 pm. From the police report – They got the call at 2:40 pm and the first unit arrived in the area at 2:55 pm, at which point the vehicle was nowhere in sight; it apparently left shortly after the girl arrived in the area, as she is reported as having heard its engine start up. The car is described in the police report as “small, medium-sized four-door car with round headlights, round door mirrors, tinted front windows, and possibly no front grille.” The passenger door was open and the man was leaning back/reclining, so his upper body was not in view, according to the report, which says he tried to get the girl’s attention by calling out, “Pssst, pssst.”

11:38 AM: We have just published a separate followup including a letter to families from the Denny/Sealth principals.

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West Seattle biznotes: Vidiot soft-opens in Admiral; Edie’s closing Junction store; Beni Hoshi mystery; Ventana obliges Hawks fans
January 6, 2014 9:30 pm
|      16 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle businesses | West Seattle news

Four West Seattle biznotes tonight:

VIDIOT OPENS IN EX-SHIPWRECK TAVERN: You might call it a “barcade” – you can play AND sip at Vidiot, which is in a soft-opening phase at 4210 SW Admiral Way, vacant since the Shipwreck Tavern closed more than a year ago. A new-liquor-license flyer had been up in the window for a few weeks; then Friday, Vidiot soft-opened, according to co-proprietor Tony Mitchum, with whom we spoke tonight. Its centerpiece: Games, some there now, more to come. On the main floor, you’ll find older arcade games such as Pac-Man and Defender (photo above); pinball machines are coming in later this week; the upstairs loft will have classic Atari and Nintendo consoles, as well as board games. Vidiot is open 5 pm-2 am nightly, cash only for starters.

EDIE’S SHOES CLOSING IN JUNCTION, CONTINUING ON CAPITOL HILL: In the window at Edie’s Shoes in The Junction is a hand-lettered sign reading “END-OF-LEASE SALE.” When that sale is over – no firm date yet – proprietor Erin says, she will close the 4310 SW Alaska shop after nine years, and focus entirely on her Capitol Hill location.

BENI HOSHI TERIYAKI OUT OF BUSINESS? After WSB Forums member BubbleGumMom posted that question earlier tonight, we went over for a look.

Indeed, as BGM posted, the signs are gone (or turned over), except for the sign-board slogan; the phone number is disconnected. Nothing in public records offers a hint about why – but we do recall this story from two years ago. At the time, now-former City Councilmember Richard Conlin wrote that the city was studying the possibility of public/private development on the site, a former substation (NOT one of the ones on the current “surplus” list). So City Light is one source with whom we’ll follow up tomorrow to try to find out what happened and/or what’s next.

VENTANA CHANGES WORKSHOP DATE – THANKS TO SEAHAWKS! WSB sponsor Ventana Construction has changed the date for its next free remodeling/custom-building workshop, by fan demand – Seahawks fans! The workshop WAS planned for next Saturday, but then the Seahawks’ playoff game was scheduled, so now the workshop is set for the next day, 2 pm Sunday, January 12th, at Ventana’s offices (California/Findlay). RSVP if you’re interested – 206-932-3009.

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First community-council meeting of 2014: WWRHAH, tomorrow
January 6, 2014 8:07 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   Arbor Heights | West Seattle news | Westwood

(WSB photo from December 30th, alongside ‘Wall of Buses’ by Roxhill Park)
Eight days after leading a tour of the Westwood Village “transit hub” and its challenges (WSB coverage here), a followup discussion will be part of the Westwood-Roxhill-Arbor Heights Community Council (WWRHAH) meeting tomorrow (Tuesday) night, 6:15 pm at Southwest Branch Library. Here’s the agenda just sent by chair Amanda Kay Helmick:

6:15-6:20: Introductions & Community News:
6:20-6:25: Review Bylaws
6:25-6:35: Infrastructure Committee Update: Update from Committee Leader, Chris Stripinis.
6:35-6:50: Metro & Stakeholders December 30th Walk Update: With Amanda Kay Helmick, and Joe Szilagyi
6:50-7:40: Roxhill Park Updates: Updates on efforts to clean up the park; Rehydrating the bog; lighting; Grants
7:40-7:45: Wrap Up: Breakdown the room; library locks up promptly at 8 pm.

The library is at 35th/Henderson; all are welcome.

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Update: Extension cord blamed for Sunrise Heights house fire
January 6, 2014 5:56 pm
|      11 COMMENTS
 |   Sunrise Heights | West Seattle fires | West Seattle news

5:56 PM: Seattle Fire crews are in the 3100 block of SW Webster (map) at a house-fire call. Arriving crews are seeing smoke from the eaves, per an SFD tweet. More to come.

6:01 PM UPDATE: The fire is “knocked down,” per radio communications (and then a moment later, “under control”). No injuries reported. (Yes, that’s a TV helicopter overhead checking it out.)

(Photo by Tony Bradley)
6:17 PM UPDATE: Our crew at the scene says the fire was confined to one room of the house, but they’re not sure what started it, and they’re going to keep watch for a while in case of flare-ups or hot spots. The couple who live there got out OK, per SFD.

7:39 PM UPDATE: It’s been a busy night for fires around the city (though this is the only major incident in West Seattle so far), so the on-duty fire investigator has just arrived.

9:31 PM UPDATE: SFD says the fire was caused by an “overheated extension cord,” and estimates damage at $45,000.

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Video: See the City Hall inauguration ceremony; read the speeches
January 6, 2014 3:39 pm
|      24 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

(UPDATED 7:55 PM – archived ceremony video now substituted in the embedded player)

ORIGINAL REPORT, 3:39 PM: Not at City Hall for the ceremony inaugurating Mayor Ed Murray and Councilmember Kshama Sawant, as well as re-elected Councilmembers Mike O’Brien, Sally Bagshaw, and Nick Licata, and City Attorney Pete Holmes? Watch live via Seattle Channel by clicking the “play” button above, which takes you to the live SC feed (which will move on to other programming afterward – we’ll replace it with the archived event video when that’s available later *update, archived video now live as of 7:55 pm*).

You’re also invited to a City Hall reception starting around 4:30 in the Bertha Knight Landes Room (street level from the 5th Avenue entrance) and the inauguration celebration at 7 pm at Benaroya Hall; Councilmember Sawant is also having a party (6 pm, SEIU HQ at 215 Columbia), with a suggested donation for retiring campaign debt but, she says, “no one will be turned away.”

5:15 PM: The inauguration ceremony is over, wrapping up just after the top of the hour. The oath of office was administered by former Gov. Gary Locke:

Earlier in the day, new Councilmember Sawant tweeted photos from her first council meetings, starting with the morning briefing:


Again, we’ll substitute the archived video from this afternoon’s ceremony when it’s available.

5:36 PM: Seattle Channel says that might not be until tomorrow. CM Sawant’s speech text was just sent. Read on (update: other speeches’ texts/links added, too):

Read More

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Hearing tomorrow for microhousing-rules-related challenge – parts of which have been dismissed
January 6, 2014 2:47 pm
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   Development | West Seattle news

(3266 Avalon Way microhousing project, photographed today)
Neighborhood activists face off against the city Department of Planning and Development tomorrow before the city Hearing Examiner, in their challenge of a ruling related to the proposed city rules about “microhousing.”

As reported here two months ago, the challenge is to the department’s “determination of non-significance” – a ruling that the proposed rules do not need a separate environmental-impact review. More than 50 documents are already in the case’s online file; among them is deputy Hearing Examiner Ann Watanabe‘s dismissal of parts of the appeal. The challenge is led by an advocate from elsewhere in the city, but as noted in November, the 10 groups supporting the appeal include two West Seattle groups, Morgan Community Association and SeattleNERD (Neighbors Encouraging Reasonable Development). The hearing examiner usually issues a ruling within two weeks of a hearing.

The city mentions the appeal in a DPD-website update about the microhousing rules, published last Thursday, saying, “This process must be complete before we can begin discussing the new rules for micro-housing with City Council. But as soon as it is completed, we will work with the Council to begin briefings.” The DPD update projects the rules could be adopted by March. They would not affect projects already on the drawing board or under construction, which in West Seattle number at least three, 3266 Avalon Way SW (under construction), 5949 California SW (for which permits are issued but construction has not yet begun), and 3050 Avalon Way (proposed but no recent activity), in addition to built-and-now-leasing Footprint Delridge.

Tomorrow’s hearing, open to the public, is scheduled to start at 9 am on the 40th floor of the city Municipal Tower downtown.

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Comcast trouble in West Seattle? Should be over, or soon
January 6, 2014 1:37 pm
|      14 COMMENTS
 |   Utilities | West Seattle news | West Seattle online

Several have asked about Comcast trouble in the past hour-plus. Via Twitter, @ComcastWA said a few minutes ago “Washington state customers whose services were affected by issues should be back up or coming back up.”

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Looking for preschools? West Seattle Preschool Fair 1 week away
January 6, 2014 10:57 am
|    Comments Off on Looking for preschools? West Seattle Preschool Fair 1 week away
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Current or future preschooler(s) in the house? One week from tonight, you’re invited to the fifth annual West Seattle Preschool Fair, announced by WS Preschool Association president Renee Metty:

The 5th Annual Preschool Fair hosted by the West Seattle Preschool Association is planned for Monday, January 13th, from 5:30-7:30 pm, at St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church, 3050 California SW.

For families visiting the fair, admission is free and children are welcome. There is an elevator to accommodate strollers. Please check our website frequently as information will be added as we receive it and (added) schools attending will be listed.

For schools still interested in participating, we have a couple spots still available; Please call 206-923-2683 or e-mail info@westseattlepreschoolassociation.com.

The participant list so far numbers more than 15 preschools, including WSB sponsors Westside School and West Seattle Montessori School.

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West Seattle Monday: What’s on the calendar for today/tonight
January 6, 2014 9:45 am
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Sanderlings photographed Sunday at Constellation Park by Matthew Olson; click image for larger view)
If you’ve been off on holiday break – welcome back! It’s been busy. Today, the schedule’s relatively low-key. From the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:

‘THE HAPPINESS PROJECT’: Four-week session starts noon today at West Seattle Office Junction (WSB sponsor) – details here – free, but check before going to see if there’s still room to sign up, since space is limited. (5230-B California SW)

INAUGURATION DAY: Not in West Seattle but of citywide interest – in the grand lobby at City Hall, 3:30 pm today, it’s the formal inauguration for new Mayor (and former West Seattleite) Ed Murray (who actually took the oath of office at home on New Year’s Eve), new Councilmember Kshama Sawant, re-elected councilmembers Sally Bagshaw, Nick Licata, and Mike O’Brien, and re-elected City Attorney Pete Holmes. Details here; the public’s invited – get there early! – as is the case with the inauguration celebration tonight, 7 pm at Benaroya Hall. If you’re not going, you can see this afternoon’s ceremony live via Seattle Channel, online as well as via cable.

OIL-PAINTING CLASSES AT ALKI BATHHOUSE: 6 pm, a new series of classes begins – more info here. Check directly with Alki Bathhouse re: registration. (60th/Alki)

‘RIGOLETTO’ PREVIEW: Going to the Seattle Opera‘s new production? Check out the preview at the West Seattle (Admiral) Branch Library tonight at 6:30. (2306 42nd SW)

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West Seattle back-to-school scene: Madison luminarias
January 6, 2014 9:04 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle back-to-school scene: Madison luminarias
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Greeting Madison Middle School students returning today after the two-week holiday break – luminarias! Thanks to Al for sharing the photo. (Last time we featured a luminarias-at-Madison photo, it was BEFORE the break, two years ago.)

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Back-to-school/work/etc. Monday
January 6, 2014 6:03 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(Latest bridge and Viaduct views; more cams on the WSB Traffic page)
6:03 AM: School is back in session after winter break, which in turn means family-vacation time is over, so just about everyone will be back on the roads, the buses, the sidewalks, the trails, etc. Be careful until everyone’s used to each other again! If you see a problem, text or call us *if/when you can do so legally and safely*, not while behind the wheel – 206-293-6302. Thank you!

TRAFFIC ALERTS THIS WEEK: Late-night/early-morning I-5 closures – details here.

7:14 AM UPDATE: Multiple commenters are warning about icy/slick roads. WSDOT too, regionally, via Twitter:

7:35 AM UPDATE: Not really a traffic update but if you see police in the Beach Drive/Richey Viewpoint/Weather Watch Park vicinity, they’re doublechecking on what some people called in as possible gunshots – one officer said over the radio that he was in the area, heard it, and is fairly sure it was fireworks.

7:41 AM: Back to those slick roads. Co-publisher Patrick Sand is just back from an errand and reports California SW through Gatewood is among them. We also have multiple reports about Sylvan Way, including this one from Linda in comments: “… Incredibly icy going up Morgan to 35th then down Sylvan way where a car had already spun out. A bit icy down Highland Park way, hit a patch making the right at the bottom of the hill and didn’t hit clear roads until I was on the freeway towards Burien.”

7:56 AM: Some consolation for the return to school, bridge traffic, etc. – a beautiful sunrise:

Thanks to Lise Thivierge for the photo from the Water Taxi dock at Seacrest.

8:18 AM: From the scanner – police have been called to check out someone sleeping and/or intoxicated on a Metro bus by Roxhill Park.

9:08 AM: Annie warns via Twitter that there’s debris as you head off southbound I-5 and onto the westbound West Seattle Bridge – some kind of “metal pipe.” As we noted on Twitter, when you can safely make a phone call, please report a hazard to 911 or (if a city roadway) 206-684-ROAD.

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Trial about to start for murder suspect Lovett Chambers, charged in 2012 Morgan Junction shooting death of Travis Hood
January 5, 2014 10:13 pm
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

Almost two years after 35-year-old Travis Hood (left) was shot and killed outside Morgan Junction Park, his accused killer, 69-year-old Lovett Chambers (right), is about to go on trial. Tomorrow (Monday, January 6th) is the official start date, though opening statements might not happen for more than a week. According to the official assignment made this past Friday, King County Superior Court Judge Theresa Doyle will preside over the trial, starting Monday morning with motions.

As reported here last August, the charge against Chambers has been reduced to second-degree murder; the original charge filed days after the shooting was first-degree murder. We have been following the case as it proceeded through the system for these many months. Court documents say Chambers contends he acted in self-defense, saying that Hood and his friend, who had been at the nearby Feedback Lounge at the same time he was, were making racial slurs, and that Hood tried to get into his car. Chambers was arrested at his Gatewood home one hour after the shooting; police were given his name quickly because he was a regular at the bar.

Chambers’ case also is described in numerous documents as pursuing a “post-traumatic stress disorder” defense. Some of the most recent court filings involve arguments over whether statements that Chambers made to police the night of the shooting can be admitted as evidence. The court calendar has set aside a month for the trial. Prosecuting Attorney’s Office spokesperson Dan Donohoe tells WSB that jury selection is expected to begin after a few days of motion hearings, and an estimated two weeks of testimony will follow that.

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Two Chief Sealth students honored in cultural-arts competition
January 5, 2014 6:25 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

(Photo by Luke Garlock)
Two students from Chief Sealth International High School were among students from around the city honored at a Seattle Center ceremony today, according to Sealth PTSA president Ted Reed:

Every year, Chief Sealth participates in the national Reflections Program, a National PTA and WSPTA cultural arts competition.

The purpose is to provide an opportunity for students to use their creative talents by expressing themselves through their own original works.

Believe, Dream, Inspire, is the 2013-14 Reflections program theme.

Nine students from CSIHS submitted photographs and for the first time ever, a Sealth student has advanced to the state level of competition.

Congratulations to Lucas Garlock for placing as a finalist with ‘Geographic Girl.’ (top photo)

Also: Allison Steele has been recognized with an honorable mention for her photograph, ‘Reflecting on Reflections.’ (below)

Congrats to Lucas, Allison, and all the students who participated.

Heartfelt thanks to Sarah Martin, Art/CTE Teacher and Lori Douglas, Dean of Students, for promoting and advocating for our students.

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Health-care reform, Legislature updates Wednesday @ 34th District Democrats’ first 2014 meeting
January 5, 2014 4:00 pm
|    Comments Off on Health-care reform, Legislature updates Wednesday @ 34th District Democrats’ first 2014 meeting
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle politics

It’s made headlines, but are you wondering about details of how the health-care-reform rollout is going in our state? It’s on the agenda for the first 2014 meeting of our area’s largest political group, the 34th District Democrats, this Wednesday. From the group’s chair Marcee Stone-Vekich:

Our program focuses on the rollout of the Affordable Care Act in Washington state. Our panelists will give us a progress report on the rollout: how we’re doing compared to other states, website issues, who’s joining, and the future ahead. Moderated by Lisa Plymate, M.D., Washington State Director, Doctors for America; Copello Fellow, National Physicians Alliance, and State Committeewoman for the 34th LD Democrats. With panelists: Emily Brice, J.D., Senior Health Policy Advisor at the Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner; Janet Varon, J.D., Executive Director of Northwest Health Law Advocates (NoHLA,); non-profit consumer health-advocacy organization, and coordinator of Healthy Washington Coalition’s Low-Income Populations Workgroup; and Representative Eileen Cody, Chair of the Healthcare and Wellness Committee in the State Legislature.

Rep. Cody will also join 34th District State Sen. Sharon Nelson, now the Senate’s Democratic leader, for a legislative update, and the 34th DDs will present their annual awards to Bill Schrier (Lifetime Achievement Award) and Cecilia Palao Vargas (PCO of the Year). The meeting starts at 7 pm at The Hall @ Fauntleroy (9131 California SW).

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See revised design ‘packet’ for 3078 Avalon Way, before Design Review Board return
January 5, 2014 1:44 pm
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 |   Development | West Seattle news

The revised design proposal is now public for the first of seven projects going before the Southwest Design Review Board in the next month and a half — 3078 SW Avalon Way, 102 apartments and 60 parking spaces (in a zone that does not require any), scheduled for review on January 16th. The neighbors north/northeast of the project, in the single-family neighborhood mostly along 32nd SW, have been intensely involved in the process of vetting this building, with big turnouts at both preceding meetings, in September 2012 (WSB coverage here) and in November 2013 (WSB coverage here), and forming an advocacy group. The new “packet” – which you can see in its entirety here – says 3078 Avalon is now proposed to be three feet shorter than previously proposed, and: “The courtyard has been redesigned and increased privacy and interest have been added at the street level, as well as facing the single-family neighbors.” The 3078 Avalon review is first up in another doubleheader, 6:30 pm January 16th, at the Senior Center of West Seattle (California/Oregon).

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West Seattle whale-watching: Orcas off Lincoln Park
January 5, 2014 12:18 pm
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 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news | Wildlife

12:18 PM: Whale-watching alert on this sunny Sunday: Orcas are back in central Puget Sound and headed southbound past West Seattle – Trileigh Tucker just called from Lincoln Park, where she has them in view.

12:33 PM: Donna Sandstrom from The Whale Trail just called with an update; she’s also watching the orcas from Lincoln Park and says they are headed “slowly south” – they’re now south of the Fauntleroy-Vashon ferry lane.

ADDED EARLY MONDAY: Alisa Lemire Brooks, expert whale-watcher and photographer, shared this video via the Orca Network Facebook page, from the Sunday visit:

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