West Seattle, Washington
17 Sunday
(Added 10:09 pm: Photo by Tom Marx)
(NOTE: We’re keeping these updates “pinned” to the top of the home page while the warning’s in effect – so there’s newer news BELOW this story on the home page – scroll below this story to see it.)
5:21 PM: Six hours after the National Weather Service upped its alert to a High Wind Warning – see it here – it’s officially in effect. The forecast is for wind picking up this evening, “increasing from the south at 20 to 35 mph, with gusts of 50 to 60 mph.” Rain continues too, and our area is under a Flood Watch until noon tomorrow. Updates to come.
6:03 PM: Evening’s first traffic problem – a crash reported on the downhill side of Roxbury/Olson/4th. Uphill side had a mishap earlier (see our photo on Twitter).
7:49 PM: Roxbury seems to be the trouble nexus tonight. Now there’s a report of vehicle/bicycle collision on the county side around 26th/Roxbury. Meantime, check the comment section for weather analyst MetPatrick‘s updates and other discussion on how the storm is turning.
8:37 PM: Traffic note – Kim says via Twitter that there’s a median crash on Admiral Way, a few blocks east of California. No medics dispatched, per 911 log. Meantime, the weather experts are starting to say the winds will NOT be so strong because of where the “low” made landfall – see MetPatrick’s comment below, and see weather analyst Cliff Mass‘s update.
9:29 PM: The National Weather Service’s evening “forecast discussion” is up. NWS also mentions a diminishe(d) threat but says it’s not ready to drop the warnings yet (caps theirs): “BESIDES THE INCREASING PRESSURE GRADIENTS…THERE ARE SOME STRONG WINDS JUST OFF THE SURFACE WHICH COULD MIX DOWN IN THE UNSTABLE AIR BEHIND THE FRONT.”
10:47 PM: First downed-tree report we’ve had since Saturday:
That tree’s down along the sidewalk by the drop-off mailboxes outside the Junction Post Office – note the Hi-Yu mural in the background. Thanks to Jamie Hanley for the photo.
11:25 PM: Via text – a tree branch is down on the road in the Orchard/Dumar/Myrtle vicinity just east of Delridge.
11:56 PM: And a new problem – a crash on Highland Park Way hill, between Holden and West Marginal Way, is closing it off both ways; apparently they need to call City Light in for a pole problem.
2 AM: The wind warning has been downgraded to a wind advisory, in effect until 6 am.
Seahawks game is over – the potential windstorm is a few hours away – perfect time to get out and go wish Diane Venti well, on the final day for the original location of Alki Arts, which she and husband Tom Wyrick opened more than three years ago. It was expected to be “temporary” – but then suddenly, there they were, celebrating one year in business, then marking two years in business, and gaining fans not only for the art, but also for events both public and private. But two months ago, Diane announced they’d been notified the “temporary” lease was finally ending, and today is their final day – drop by before 7 pm, and/or catch up with them in the future at their other “temporary” location – Alki Arts at Harbor Steps (55 University St. downtown).
Family and friends of Bob Gramm will gather next Saturday at The Kenney to celebrate his life. Here’s the remembrance shared with us by his daughter:
Robert “Bob” Gramm died September 9, 2013, at 95 years old. He was born in Seattle, August 2, 1918, to Paul and Genevieve (Barnecut) Gramm. He was a lifelong resident of West Seattle, graduating from West Seattle High School in 1936.
He worked as an airplane mechanic at Boeing, until joining the Army Air Corps just as World War II was ending. He served in the occupation forces in Japan and the Philippines. He returned to Boeing and became a cost estimator, retiring after 35+ years.
In 1944, he married Barbara Jacobson and they enjoyed skiing, hiking, and traveling. Bob loved salmon fishing and boats, made wine, flew kites, and tinkered inventively.
The rain hadn’t yet returned when hundreds hit the walkway/trail at Alki this morning for the 2013 edition of “Beat the Burn” – the run/walk presented by Port of Seattle Firefighters to raise money for burn survivors. This year, the firefighters ran with everybody else, and behind the runners, there was a sizable group of walkers:
The Port’s Engine 2 sounded the siren that got the event started at 9 am:
And after all the other runners and walkers, one firefighter entered the course, geared up:
A separate fun run for kids was scheduled to follow the main event. The specific beneficiary of Beat the Burn is Camp Eyabsut, a free (thanks to fundraising like this) annual summer-camp experience for hundreds of young Northwest burn survivors.
(EDITOR’S NOTE: This story included updates and additions into mid-afternoon, including several crashes – scroll through)
We’re tracking weather and traffic again today – and, in a separate update later, will do so tonight too. First:
WIND WARNING FOR TONIGHT: The National Weather Service’s alert just intensified while we were typing this – now it’s a High Wind Warning, in effect 5 pm-4 am. See it here. The strongest winds are expected to be north of us, but overall, the NWS warns, “This has the potential to be one of the strongest September windstorms on record.” The alert says the wind will be “increasing from the south at 20 to 35 mph with gusts of 50 to 60 mph.”
TRAFFIC SO FAR TODAY: The Admiral exit from the westbound bridge was closed a while because of this crash at the bottom of the hill that the exit leads to (technically, the 3400 block of 30th SW):
We drove past it and tweeted about it last hour; no injuries that we know of – no medic dispatch. Also, while we didn’t get an alert at the time, it should be noted there was ANOTHER northbound Highway 99/Alaskan Way Viaduct crash this morning, in the 8 am hour. …
ADDED 11:50 AM: Problem at the east end of the westbound West Seattle Bridge, possible spinout/crash as Columbian Way leads to Spokane Street. Not sure about traffic effects.
ADDED 12:40 PM: Thanks to Devon for the tip – crash at Fauntleroy/Edmunds is blocking at least part of the road; no serious injuries reported.
Thanks to the person who texted that photo!
ADDED 1:58 PM: Two-car crash at 42nd/College in the Admiral District. Big response as it’s a “heavy rescue” call.
(Photo by Christopher Boffoli)
2:20 PM UPDATE: Heavy-rescue response canceled. No serious injuries. At least one parked car involved. SW College is closed from 41st to 42nd, which is just north of the West Seattle (Admiral) Branch Library.
9:50 AM: Seattle Fire is responding to a possible house fire in the 6500 block of 32nd SW. We are en route.
10:02 AM: Call closed before we arrived, last fire engine pulling away.
10:46 AM SIDE NOTE: To explain “closed” – on the live log of Seattle Fire Department 911 calls, a call that is “open,” still active, shows in green; when a call is closed – meaning no units are assigned to it any more – it turns blue. One other side note: If a call like this gets a big initial dispatch with lots of units, even if they all still show as “green,” it does NOT mean all those units are still on scene – the display does not allow unit-by-unit color change. A medic response might even show “green” without ANY unit remaining on scene, because it doesn’t close until a unit that has taken someone to the hospital is done with that part of the call.
Highlights from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
BEAT THE BURN 5K: You’ll hear a siren on Alki at 9 am -that’ll mark the start of the Beat the Burn 5K, raising money to help young burn victims. Full schedule of the morning is in our calendar listing; if you haven’t registered already, you can come to the beach (near the bathhouse/Statue of Liberty Plaza) as early as 7:30 am. Shortly after 10 am, there’s a free kids’ dash. This race does NOT close the road, by the way. (60th/Alki)
WATCH THE GAME: Seahawks are on at 10 am and your viewing options include venues that open early – such as Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor), open at 9 am with a breakfast special (6451 California SW), and OutWest Bar (California/Brandon), which announced recently it’s opening by 9:30 am on game mornings, and serving brunch. Skylark Café and Club (3803 Delridge Way SW) also has the game on its big screen, and brunch on the menu. Go, Hawks!
WEST SEATTLE CYCLERY SALE: Shopping opportunity today: “West Seattle Cyclery (WSB sponsor) is offering final markdowns on 2013 model bikes! All bikes in stock are 35 to 50 percent off original prices. The sale is limited to remaining bikes on hand, so hurry in for the best selection!” (4508 California SW)
LAST DAY FOR ALKI ARTS AT THE BEACH: The original 2820 Alki SW location of Alki Arts is closing after today (as first reported here last month), so stop by to say goodbye – and buy art! Details in our calendar listing. 11 am-8 pm.
GRETCHEN’S GRAINS: West Seattle foodpreneur Gretchen Evans is demonstrating her frozen cooked Gretchen’s Grains at PCC Natural Markets-West Seattle (WSB sponsor) 11 am-2 pm today. She says they are now carried in more than 230 stores! (California/Stevens)
ROSE TASTING: Stottle Winery invites you to come try a holiday-intended rosé, noon-6 pm, details in the calendar listing. (3400 Harbor SW)
DELRIDGE CIDERPRESSING: It’s a fall tradition and it’s scheduled again today at the Delridge P-Patch – bring your apples and make cider with a hand-crank press from the West Seattle Tool Library. 1-4 pm. (5078 25th SW)
ALL-AGES OPEN MIKE: 3 pm at Skylark Café and Club: “People of all ages can sign up, get on our stage, and show us what they got! Full sound system, lights, our own sound person to dial them in, and a 16-track digital recording of their performance is available for purchase. Fun for the whole family!” (3803 Delridge Way SW)
KIM VIRANT WITH JEFF HASS: Performing live tonight at Feedback Lounge, 8:30 pm, benefiting animal-advocacy nonprofit AARF.
The faces and voices of the World War II era are disappearing from among us as time goes by and takes its inevitable course. Those who are still here are making sure the stories and memories aren’t lost – like Georgie Bright Kunkel, the 93-year-old West Seattle writer/performer/activist who not only was a “Rosie the Riveter,” but is also continuing to work to find others. She sent us this message to share with you:
Since the West Seattle Rosie the Riveter group was started by Georgie Bright Kunkel (photo right), there have been many Rosies “discovered” in our area. The blog reported on the first program held at Mt. St. Vincent several years ago. Of the original group, only two are left. There are more Rosies out there who haven’t been discovered yet, so if you read this and were working at a WWII job* please let Georgie know.
The Washington Women in Trades organization has been a mentor to the Rosies and honors them at a banquet every year.
E-mail Georgie at gnkunkel@comcast.net and join the ranks of Rosies. Each one needs to be chronicled so all Rosies will go down in history.
*Or, of course, if your mom, grandma, great-grandma, or a friend/acquaintance was a Rosie – get her in touch with Georgie. Meantime, if you missed the 2009 WSB story to which she alludes above, featuring the stories of West Seattle “Rosies,” check it out here; we have indeed since published obituaries for two of the women featured in that story – here and here.
(Photos by Donna Ryan of City Mouse Studio)
How about some heartwarming news on a chilly, damp night? WestSide Baby‘s executive director Nancy Woodland says their Friday night cocktail benefit was a high-flying success:
Last night WestSide Baby raised $75,000 when 300 guests gathered for our “Shake, Rattle, and Fly” 3rd annual cocktail benefit at Emerald City Trapeze Arts in SODO.
(Nancy with emcee Ian Lindsay)
The evening included a trapeze show that started with a surprise amateur trapeze trick by WestSide Baby Board member Phyllis Nomura, before the professional artists took over with amazing aerial feats. West Seattle’s Feedback Lounge held a cocktail battle with West 5 with a St. Basil versus Mai Tai showdown. Local band Not Dead Yet added awesome music for a crowd ready to celebrate after the auction and raise-the-paddle giving generated funds to support WestSide Baby’s effort to expand delivery of essential children’s items throughout greater Seattle. We are so grateful for the generosity of those who attended to support local children in need.
5:58 PM: We’re launching an evening update for weather/traffic related problems – starting with another crash on the northbound Alaskan Way Viaduct – so once again, avoid northbound 99!
6:05 PM: Added “live” image from traffic cam on northbound 99 – showing gridlock right now. Meantime, from our earlier coverage – the tree across 35th SW at 108th is cleared. Going to check shortly on other blockages reported earlier. Keeping an eye on City Light outage map – so far in West Seattle, only two reported, each listed as one customer (let us know if you know of any NOT on the map). 206-293-6302 text/voice for any weather problems or other breaking news.
6:09 PM: Via scanner, hearing of a tree vs. pole/lines problem on California Way near Hamilton Viewpoint Park.
7:16 PM: Just back from going out to check on a few things. The tree is cleared from California Way, so no problem going up or down the hill between Hamilton Viewpoint and Seacrest. Adding a photo of the big pothole reported earlier on Delridge near Oregon – northbound lane, parallel with Southwest Youth and Family Services. It’s right in the middle of the vehicle lane, not that well lit, with a trash can “marking” it along with a couple cones – you’ll have to use the center lane to get around:
And from the “live” image above, it looks like the 99 problem is clear. Storm’s calmed a bit, for now.
11:52 PM NOTE: The alert for tomorrow hasn’t changed, in case you were wondering – along with the general forecast for rain (increasing again Sunday in the daytime), a “high wind watch” in effect 3 pm Sunday-3 am Monday.
Despite the downpour, a scheduled garden/grounds-beautifying work party went ahead as scheduled at West Seattle High School today – with volunteers from Seattle Pacific University helping at the work party organized by Janet Jones for the third year. Janet’s husband Bryan Jones, who shared the photo, noted “it’s the first year they should have brought snorkel and fins… (but) there are smiling faces amongst the dirt and rain; it’s a hardy and happy group of students that come every year! And Janet is also grateful for the on-site assistance and active help from Seattle Public Schools gardener(s).”
(P.S. This is one of four locations in West Seattle – in addition to many others around the city – where SPU freshmen and transfers were scheduled to help out as part of the school’s annual CityQuest event.)
(Lincoln Park Way and Beach Drive, photographed by Greg Daly)
11:43 AM: The storm’s intensifying, and the National Weather Service now has wind alerts in effect (read them here). Here’s what the NWS says could happen, with a Wind Advisory for the area through 7 pm tonight, and a High Wind Watch for late Sunday afternoon into Sunday evening:
*TODAY: SOUTH WINDS OF 20 TO 35 MPH WITH GUSTS AROUND 45 MPH.
*LATE SUNDAY AFTERNOON AND NIGHT: SOUTHERLY WINDS OF 40 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 60 MPH ARE POSSIBLE WITH A STRONGER SYSTEM.
If you haven’t already charged up your phone, flashlight, etc., now’s a great time, just in case.
1:07 PM UPDATE: More practical advice – check the drains around your home if applicable; we just spent an hour bailing and then digging out the one that is supposed to keep our basement from flooding (which was starting to happen). Above, we’ve added a photo courtesy of Greg Daly, of an overwhelmed drainage-system lid by Lowman Beach – if you see or experience storm-related problems (or otherwise interesting scenes), please send to editor@westseattleblog.com or text 206-293-6302 – thank you!
3:33 PM UPDATE: Nathan tweeted this photo of a tree down in Arbor Heights (thank you!):
He reports that it’s across 35th at 108th.
4:39 PM UPDATE: The wind is really picking up now – with the downpour accompanying it – stay safe!
4:51 PM UPDATE: Also via Twitter, we get a photo of another tree blocking a road, this time 48th at Eddy, just uphill/north of Lowman Beach heading toward Seaview:
(PHOTO ADDED 3:42 PM: Some hardy souls braved the rain for Coffee With The Sallys)
Happy Saturday! Here’s our later-than-usual list of highlights from the WSB West Seattle Event Calendar:
HELP FIGHT HUNGER: Until 3 pm, donate food/money to the West Seattle Food Bank at West Seattle Thriftway (California/Fauntleroy); 10 am-2 pm, same thing for the White Center Food Bank at Roxbury Safeway or the Albertsons on 128th. It’s part of a one-day regional event, as our preview explains.
CHURCH RUMMAGE SALE: Arbor Heights Community Church invites you to come shop, until 3 pm. (42nd/102nd)
WALK FOR OPTIMISM: Advocacy for Parkinson’s Disease is the cause benefited by this first-ever local walk, set for 11 am in Lincoln Park – details in our listing.
REGISTER FOR THE MONSTER DASH: At West Seattle Runner (WSB sponsor), you can sign up for next month’s West Seattle Monster Dash by paying only the discounted early-bird fee, without online service charges, during the noon-4 pm registration party. (California/Charlestown)
COFFEE WITH THE SALLYS: The ongoing coffee-chat tour by City Council President Sally Clark and City Councilmember Sally Bagshaw comes to High Point Branch Library today – drop by any time 2:30 to 4 pm to chat with them. (35th/Raymond)
OKTOBERFEST AT PROST! WEST SEATTLE: The pub sends word that they’re celebrating Oktoberfest “all day (today) … We have 6 different Oktoberfest biers on draft including Licher, Ayinger, Paulaner, Weihenstephan, Hofbrau and Georgetown Tomtoberfest! Ace Pumpkin Cider will be flowing along with several traditional German Liqueurs to go along with your Liters of bier. Enjoy a Fest-size Wurst Sampler and Fest-size Bratwurst Sandwich for this celebration only! Lots of fun Oktoberfest swag to give out and Lederhosen and Dirndls always encouraged! Main festivities start around 4:00PM into the evening. Join us!” (3407 California SW)
MANHATTAN SHORT FILM FESTIVAL: The Admiral Theater is the only place to see it in Seattle again this year! Starts at 4 pm – details in our calendar listing.
WEST SEATTLE GREEN SPACE COALITION: As first reported here last Sunday, this group is forming to advocate for more open space in West Seattle – starting with the current Seattle City Light process of deciding what to do with several former substation sights in local neighborhoods; they would like to see it delayed until neighborhoods can explore mustering resources to get the sites preserved rather than sold off for housing or some other development. You’re invited to their launch meeting at 4:30 pm, High Point Branch Library. (35th/Raymond)
RAT CITY BRASS: Our area’s premier Tijuana Brass tribute band will be at Kenyon Hall tonight, 7:30 pm – details on the calendar. (7904 35th SW)
(added) THE SLAGS: Playing Poggie Tavern tonight – free! (4717 California SW)
Please see the calendar for other events – and if you know of one that’s been postponed/canceled by the weather, please let us know so we can share that info – thanks!
9:04 AM: Avoid Highway 99 TFN – WSDOT says it is blocked both ways at the Battery Street Tunnel by a jackknifed semi-truck. More info as we get it.
9:21 AM: Good news – tipster Jonathan says the 99 problem has been cleared – and the camera view appears to verify that. (As does WSDOT via Twitter.)
11:50 AM: Now there’s a crash on the eastbound West Seattle Bridge, before the Delridge on-ramp. Here’s the city camera for the Fauntleroy approach so you can check if the backup’s cleared:
1:39 PM: Commenters report trouble on 99 again. And there are some problems on I-5 too. If you really HAVE TO head out – here’s the custom list of traffic-related Twitter users (including WSDOT, which does tweet on weekends) that we watch. See traffic cameras here.
5:56 PM UPDATE: We’re about to launch a new traffic update for the evening. There’s a crash on the northbound Viaduct – no details, just that it’s on the SFD 911 log as “motor vehicle accident/freeway,” northbound 99 near Seneca. Meantime, the tree blocking 35th by 108th is now cleared.
6:25 PM UPDATE: Evening updates on traffic and weather are here.
One year ago, Metro‘s fall 2012 service changes brought the West Seattle launch of RapidRide and a long list of changes for other routes. Today, Metro’s fall 2013 service changes take effect, with a much shorter list of West Seattle effects – to be specific, three routes are affected this time around: 21 (adding a trip), 22 (route changes), 120 (added trips). The details are in our original report from earlier this month.
(Photo by Buzz Shaw)
A season of sadness for the Seal Sitters Marine Mammal Stranding Network, whose first responder Robin Lindsey reports an overview of pups losing their struggle for survival too many times this season:
I am sad to report that we seem to be having a second season in a row with emaciated pups and lots of mortality. In (recent) weeks, 9 seal pups have died on our West Seattle shores. Many of these pups are those that we have looked after on the beach, most for many days in a row. We thought your readers would want an update about pups they may have seen on the beach. I cannot stress enough that newly weaned seal pups are in a daily struggle between life and death – and we thank the West Seattle community for their continued support in our efforts to protect them. Rehabilitation options are extremely limited and there have been new funding cuts which will virtually eliminate the opportunity for necropsies to determine cause of mortality and further research.
I have included a photo showing the recovery of the body of one of the pups from the Alki platform. This terribly thin pup, nicknamed Angel, was only on shore very briefly one day and then died on the offshore platform. We had to wait several days for a window of opportunity when there were no other seals on the raft to remove the body. While it is not Seal Sitters’ responsibility to remove an animal in this situation, we did not want a decomposing pup to deter other seals to use this safe refuge. Nor did we want the public upset by such a disturbing sight. Thanks to Seattle Aquarium volunteer Jarett Kaplan, a waterfront resident, who alerted us that the opportunity had arisen and who rowed me out to examine, mark with biodegradable paint, and sink the body to nourish other marine life. Seal Sitters’ Buzz Shaw, retired zoologist from the Seattle Aquarium, also participated in the retrieval.
If anyone has a kayak they are not using and would like to donate one to our group, it would be very helpful in situations where we have to make a water response to an entangled animal or retrieval in a situation such as this.
On a brighter note, emaciated seal pup Snapper (rescued from Cormorant Cove in early August) has thrived at PAWS Wildlife Center in Lynnwood. Snapper will be released back to the wild in mid-October. Unfortunately, because Snapper was only a couple of weeks old when taken to PAWS, he did not have the benefit of being taught how to forage by his mom. His chances for survival back in the wild are not as great as a rehabbed pup who had been fully weaned, but we hope this feisty pup beats the odds!
The Seal Sitters’ blubberblog site has more details on the deaths Robin mentions; any time you see a marine mammal on the beach, alive or not, call SS at 206-905-SEAL.
Chief Sealth International High School‘s cheer squad and mascot kept spirits bright despite also being shut out tonight – a 70-0 loss to Bishop Blanchet at Southwest Athletic Complex.
It was the third shutout win for Blanchet in four games.
Next Friday night (October 4th), it’s Sealth’s homecoming game, vs. Franklin, again at SW Athletic Complex.
Photos and summary by Lawrence Kane
Special to West Seattle Blog
West Seattle High School fans arrived in style to cheer on their Wildcats, but unfortunately the Cleveland High School Eagles proved the better team, winning 26-0 tonight at Memorial Stadium downtown.
The Wildcats played tough defense, holding the Eagles to two scores in the first half while blocking both extra-point attempts, but the offense was unable to generate any points.
In the second half, Cleveland scored twice and made a two-point conversion.
Nevertheless, there were some highlights, including an interception by Bailey Wyatt (#50) of a ball jarred loose by Carter Golgart (#12) and fumble recovery by Eric West (#55).
On the offensive there were tough runs by Raphael “Do-E” Jackson (#24), Fynniecko Glover (#22), and Tre Steward (#21).
Next Friday night (October 4th, 7 pm), WSHS visits Rainier Beach at Southeast Athletic Complex.
Courtroom coverage by Katie Meyer/reporter, Patrick Sand/video:
Sentencing Alan Polevia this afternoon, King County Superior Court Judge Ken Schubert went along with the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office recommendation of a six-month sentence – with credit for the three months Polevia’s been in jail since his arrest in late June.
He is the repeat offender who made news for escaping from police custody at Harborview Medical Center in February – while handcuffed; then was spotted in Shorewood on March 5th, leading to hours of helicopter-augmented searching; then was taken into custody three weeks later. He spent three days in jail; shortly afterward, he was charged in a West Seattle burglary case from six months earlier, but didn’t appear for arraignment, so a warrant was issued for his arrest.
Then on June 11th, he was arrested in Arbor Heights – and released less than two weeks later, after his bail was reduced. Within 24 hours of that release, on June 24th, he was arrested yet again, in a case that led to a charge of second-degree burglary, involving a house on 28th SW just south of the city limits that was vacant because of fire damage several weeks earlier. Polevia’s plea bargain includes both that burglary, to which he pleaded guilty, and the West Seattle case from last September, in which the burglary charge was reduced to 2nd-degree theft, with Polevia pleading guilty to that and a 3rd-degree theft charge accompanying it.
This afternoon, his sentencing happened in a relatively empty King County Superior Court room; aside from the judge, deputy prosecuting attorney Darren Thompson and Polevia’s public defender Nikole Hecklinger, Polevia’s sister was the sole family member in attendance. No one in the courtroom spoke up to identify themselves as a victim; no victims’ statements were read.
As part of a plea agreement first reported here September 10th, Polevia had pleaded guilty to one count of burglary, two of theft – one of those reduced from burglary, because it involved an item stolen from out in the open.
His lawyer explained that Polevia’s sister is a social worker, who has discussed their family history with attorney. After Polevia serves this sentence, he will be staying with her (what community that’s in, wasn’t mentioned) and will have social and jail-release services to help keep him out of trouble.
Asked if he wanted to say anything, Polevia said “Nah, I hope you follow the recommendations. I think I learned some things, I’ve been messing up the last couple years” and said it was largely in part because his child’s mother, who had been with him 16 years, left him, after which, he said, he began getting high and messing up. Now, he said, he has had time to think and realizes he has to make things right for some people, including his family. His daughter’s birthday is October 6th, and he said his “favorite thing in the world is being a father.” He added, “Drugs have been a problem in my family for my whole lifetime … I want to raise my kids right.”
Judge noted today’s sentencing includes a no-contact order with the theft/burglary victims, and mentioned three local addresses (near where he was last arrested) as places he is to stay away from. Judge Schubert also imposed a “no illegal/non-prescribed drugs” clause in the conditions of the sentence. Prosecutor Thompson asked for clarification as to whether alcohol was to be included in the prohibited substances; the judge said no, he didn’t see any indication in the files that alcohol was a problem, and he believes Polevia understands not to replace one vice with another.
From West Seattle Thriftway:
With a heavy heart, we regret to inform our community of the sudden loss of a beloved friend and co-worker, Frank Foozer. Frank passed away on September 25th and is survived by his wife and unborn child, and a very large family. Frank was quick with a smile and had a warm heart. We loved him as did the community and he will be sorely missed.
Please Join Frank’s family and friends in a celebration of his life.
Monday, September 30th, at 4 pm.
Lake Ballinger Estates Cabana Building
23503 Lakeview Drive
Mountlake TerraceA memorial account has been set up at the Chase branch within West Seattle Thriftway to help the family with memorial and medical expenses. If you would like to contribute, ask the teller about “Frank’s Fund.”
(The photo of Mr. Foozer, 31, and his wife is courtesy of Thriftway, a WSB sponsor.)
The U.S. Attorney’s Office has sent word of sentencing today for a mail thief whose three-county spree included, we are told, West Seattle crimes. Here’s the announcement:
A mail thief who broke into locked mailboxes to steal checks and identities was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Seattle to 44 months in prison and four years of supervised release, announced U.S. Attorney Jenny A. Durkan. WILFREDO BERMUDEZ, 40, of Seattle, was arrested in November 2012 after 13 months of breaking into mailboxes in the Puget Sound region. BERMUDEZ stole mail in three different counties, including checks, driver’s licenses, and other items by breaking into victims’ mailboxes. He often threw away or destroyed the remainder of victims’ mail, and left the mailbox damaged or unusable in the process.
(Newest site plan for proposed development at 5911 42nd SW; click image for full-size PDF version)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
The big evergreen trees are staying.
That’s one of the messages the West Seattle Church of the Nazarene wants to share with the community about its six-townhouse development proposal, first reported here back on Monday – a plan that would require a “contract rezone” and therefore City Council approval.
We sat down with Pastor Shaun Mattson and associate pastor Terry Mattson Thursday afternoon to talk about it; they shared the updated “site plan” you see atop this story.
The somewhat-sprawling site to the south of the 42nd/Juneau church and its parsonage is zoned as three potential single-family-home lots but is known as “the park,” and used like one – even outdoor movies in summertime. While some of the plan includes keeping it in a park-like condition, the church leaders say that “doing nothing was not an option” – their church’s future depends on it.
While the plan is in the early stages of the relatively long public process, the idea is not a new one.
Once again, we have a stormy weekend forecast – including a “special weather statement” alert from the National Weather Service. Though last weekend didn’t turn out to be as windy and rainy as feared, it’s important to be prepared just in case this round of storminess is the real deal. One small thing you can do that might be a big help, just in case – check the storm drain(s) near your home, office, apartment building, etc., to be sure falling leaves haven’t covered them. We’ll keep watch on the weather throughout the weekend as always, and if anything out of the ordinary happens where you are, you can reach us 24/7 at 206-293-6302, text or voice – thanks!
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