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Spotlight Stories

West Seattle weekend scenes: ‘Alki From Above’ stairway walk
October 20, 2012 6:18 pm
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   Transportation | West Seattle news

Thanks to West Seattle walkers/writers Jake and Cathy Jaramillo for sharing photos from this afternoon’s “Alki From Above” stairway walk, the third in a three-walk series presented by Feet First and West Seattle InMotion. They report about 20 people joined them; above, the group walked along Alki Avenue below the Bonair stairs; uphill, here they are on the 53rd SW stairway:

And on 51st SW past College Ravine:

The Jaramillos publish the Seattle Stairway Walks website, and have written the Seattle Stairway Walks book, due out in February.

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New rental (and classes!) venue: Dakota Place open house a hit
October 20, 2012 5:46 pm
|    Comments Off on New rental (and classes!) venue: Dakota Place open house a hit
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

Even in the mid-afternoon rain, the historic California Avenue substation building – part of Dakota Place Park, which itself was dedicated three years ago – drew a crowd to its open house today. And it wasn’t just the free barbecue –

– though that was a hit too! Hiawatha Community Center is organizing some classes here through Seattle Parks, but it’s also available to rent for parties and meetings. As Hiawatha’s Tiffani Melake showed us, the big room has two screens, and the smaller room had a wall-mounted flat screen – there’s sound equipment too.

With the 1930 building – capacity up to 215 – all spruced up, the park is now complete. Here’s how to find out about renting it: For banquet rentals Fridays-Sundays, call Seattle Parks at 206-684-7254; for weekday rentals, Hiawatha CC is handling them at 206-684-7441.

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Followup: Dog that bit North Delridge woman deemed ‘dangerous’
October 20, 2012 1:06 pm
|      31 COMMENTS
 |   Pets | Safety | West Seattle news

Last weekend, we reported on a North Delridge case involving a woman bitten in the face by a neighborhood dog – injured so badly, she had to go to the hospital. The Seattle Animal Shelter had not cited the dog’s owner at the time, pending more investigation; we just talked again with SAS’s enforcement supervisor Ann Graves, who says they determined the animal met the criteria to be deemed a “dangerous dog” and cannot be allowed to stay in city limits. She says her agent just went out this morning to check back, and verified with the owner that the dog is no longer in the residence or in the city. If it comes back, Graves says, the owner will be charged with a criminal misdemeanor (here’s the full text of the city law) – so if neighbors see it back in the neighborhood, they should report it. (She added that the 10-day in-house quarantine of the dog, to check for rabies, “ended without incident.”)

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Happening now: Learn, watch, hang out @ ‘Reach Out’ emergency-preparedness
October 20, 2012 11:11 am
|      2 COMMENTS
 |   Preparedness | West Seattle news

11:11 AM: Fun morning so far at “Reach Out” – the volunteer-organized preparedness event happening till 2 pm at Arbor Heights Elementary (3701 SW 104th). We and others who are tabling and talking are in the school cafeteria; next door in the gym, presentations are happening almost continuously – here’s what’s still ahead:

Now till noon – JoAnn Jordan with SNAP! (Seattle Neighborhoods Actively Prepare)
Noon-12:30 pm – Lunch break (Bigfood has a truck outside, selling lunch)
12:30-1:15 pm – Seattle Red Cross
1:15 pm-1:35 pm – Seattle Animal Shelter
1:35 pm-2 pm – Seattle Fire Department

Many other organizations are here too – including the volunteers behind the West Seattle Be Prepared Emergency Communications Hubs:


View West Seattle Emergency Communication Hubs in a larger map

Each of those locations is a “hub” where preparedness volunteers will set up in case of disaster – know your nearest one, so you can go there and find out if all other channels of communication are down. Again, this is on till 2 pm – and we’re told a fire truck just arrived (for visits, not crisis) – looking out the window, we see it’s Engine 37 from Sunrise Heights:

More to come!

11:57 AM: Just wrapping up, the SNAP demonstration with JoAnn Jordan:

SNAP is a city-sponsored program with workshops around the city all year – keep an eye on their calendar to see when one’s coming to West Seattle. Back outside, Engine 37 continues to be a hit:

12:50 PM NOTE: Still time to come visit – the event’s on till 2, and the “preparedness with pets” presentation from the animal shelter at 1:15 pm is up next.

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West Seattle Saturday: ‘Reach Out’; Halloween carnival; Scream & Skate; more
October 20, 2012 8:32 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Saturday: ‘Reach Out’; Halloween carnival; Scream & Skate; more
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Friday photo by Nick Adams for WSB)
Will we see orcas again today off West Seattle shores? Impossible to say – until and unless somebody reports a sighting. Whales can’t be scheduled – but lots of other things can, and here are some of them, from the WSB West Seattle Events Calendar (note, these are just highlights – follow the calendar link for MUCH more):

RESCUE THE ROSES! 9 am-3 pm, an event previewed here earlier this week – about 60 rose bushes remaining in what was a long-beloved rose garden at 61st and Beach Drive are offered for $10 each (raising money for a church group) – you dig.

EMERGENCY REACH OUT! Many reasons to come to this community-volunteer-organized West Seattle preparedness expo at Arbor Heights Elementary 10 am-2 pm today – demonstrations, life-saving info, and from 10 am-noon, a free espresso cart with treats. We’ll be there covering it “live” – preparedness is one of our favorite topics.

WESTSIDE SCHOOL OPEN HOUSE: Interested in attending independent K-8 Westside School (WSB sponsor)? You’re welcome to visit 10 am-noon today. Details and map here.

SEATTLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS FAMILY SYMPOSIUM: Workshops, resource fair, and more, for families attending any schools, any grade. Free! 10 am-3 pm at Chief Sealth International High School (2600 SW Thistle) – details here.

DUWAMISH ALIVE! The twice-yearly mega-work party happens at five sites on and near the river today, 10 am-2 pm. If you want to show up as a last-minute volunteer – the sites are listed/mapped on the official website.

SKI AND SNOWBOARD SWAP: 10 am-6 pm at the VFW Hall in The Triangle, presented by Mountain to Sound Outfitters.

FAMILY FUN AT HIGH POINT COMMUNITY CENTER: Louie Foxx’s One-Man Side Show is the featured Family Fun entertainer at 10:30 am – $5/person at the door.

MUSICAL STORYTELLING – AND EDUCATORS’ DAY – AT BARNES & NOBLE: Two special events today at the Westwood Village bookstore – 11 am, musical storytelling with Katy Webber of Musikal Magik. Rhythm instruments are provided so you can dance and play along! … Also, Educators’ Appreciation Day, noon-4 pm: “Lots of freebies for the classroom, a raffle, the opportunity to learn about fundraising, and info about Nook!”

ALKI STAIRWAY WALK: Third of three guided West Seattle walks with Feet First, 1-3 pm, meet at the bus stop near 49th and Spokane – this one is guided by Cathy and Jake Jaramillo of Seattle Stairway Walks.

DAKOTA PLACE PARK OPEN HOUSE – INDOORS! The newly renovated historic substation building is ready for classes as an extension of Hiawatha Community Center, and ready for rentals too – come see its makeover! 2-5 pm open house today (and we’re told there’s a catered barbecue, too). California and Dakota.

NON-TOXIC HOUSE CLEANING: 2 pm workshop at Delridge Library (Delridge Way just south of Brandon).

OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE HALLOWEEN CARNIVAL: 4-8 pm in and around the school hall (34th and Myrtle), all welcome! Details on activities (from bingo to bouncy houses) here.

SCREAM AND SKATE! Pathfinder K-8 fundraiser skating session 5-7 pm at Southgate Roller Rink in White Center – prizes for the best costumes! More info here.

TURKEY DINNER: You’re invited to join in at the West Seattle Eagles‘ Hall tonight, 5:30 pm, $8, proceeds benefiting the Children’s Hospital Guild. More info here.

WHITE CENTER FOOD BANK HARVEST DINNER/AUCTION: Tonight’s the year’s biggest fundraiser for the WC Food Bank, whose service area includes part of West Seattle as well as WC and surrounding areas, at South Seattle Community College’s Brockey Center. Sold out! (But you can donate to WCFB any time by going here.)

ANGELS ON THE RADIO, AN EVENING OF WINE, WIT, AND SONG: Music and Siren Song Wines (WSB sponsor) at Mind Unwind in The Admiral District, 6 pm, featuring Seattle band Willow & The Embers and writer Nicole Hardy. Details here.

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Dakota Place Park: Get the inside story on Saturday
October 19, 2012 11:24 pm
|      6 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle history | West Seattle news | West Seattle parks

Many big events tomorrow (Saturday) – including a sneak peek inside a newly remodeled building that belongs to YOU:

(Photo courtesy Tiffani Melake/Hiawatha Community Center)
The city-landmark substation building that is part of Dakota Place Park (California/Dakota north of The Junction) is finally fixed up and now featuring classes and events as a satellite of Hiawatha Community Center. It’s also available for rentals, and on Saturday you can explore for yourself during its first public open house – 2 to 5 pm on Saturday. Read about the substation’s history here. (The park itself, minus the then-awaiting-remodeling building, was dedicated almost exactly three years ago; the substation building had been empty for almost three decades, since the last power equipment was removed.)

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West Seattle Crime Watch: Another stolen car’s been found
October 19, 2012 6:30 pm
|      12 COMMENTS
 |   Crime | West Seattle news

We have a few more West Seattle Crime Watch items to share later tonight but here’s a quick bit of good news for starters. You might remember the reader report earlier this week from Rebecca, whose car was stolen just days after she moved to West Seattle. It’s been found:

The car was found today 5 miles from the house, in Burien! Absolutely no damage, only some CD’s taken. They didn’t take the iPhone charger (?).

That isn’t as puzzling as it might seem – most cars are taken, SPD says, as “temporary transportation for common criminals.”

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High-school football: Senior Night for Chief Sealth, vs. Ingraham
October 19, 2012 5:21 pm
|      1 COMMENT
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

(Photos by Nick Adams for WSB)
No high-school football tonight – this week’s games were played last night. It was Senior Night at Southwest Athletic Complex last night as Chief Sealth International High School played its last regular-season home game of the football season. Here’s Sealth’s Clint Hewitt, bringing his family flowers:

While the Seahawks lost to visiting Ingraham, 39-34, they are going to postseason play. The rain made umbrellas a popular accessory on the sidelines. It also made for a tough game and slick field:

That’s Sealth’s Greg Tauti clearing the way for Marquise Givens. More game scenes from WSB contributing photojournalist Nick Adams, ahead:
Read More

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Tomorrow: Get ready! Stop by ‘Emergency Reach Out’
October 19, 2012 3:12 pm
|    Comments Off on Tomorrow: Get ready! Stop by ‘Emergency Reach Out’
 |   Arbor Heights | Preparedness | West Seattle news


(Click image to get full-size flyer [PDF])
Tomorrow’s the day – whichever part of West Seattle you’re from, come on over to Arbor Heights Elementary (3701 SW 104th) and be part of “Emergency Reach Out.” The preparedness event is happening 10 am to 2 pm, but you can drop by for whatever amount of time you can spare, four minutes or the full four hours. The day starts with free espresso cart/treats 10 am-noon. You can stop by tables to meet, talk with, and/or gather information from organizations including: American Red Cross, CoolMom.org, Make It Through, Seattle Animal Shelter, Seattle Fire Department, Seattle Neighborhoods Actively Prepare (SNAP), Seattle Police Department‘s Living Room Conversations, Seattle Public Utilities, West Seattle Be Prepared, West Seattle Blockwatch Captains’ Network, and the YMCA.

And us! (If you saw our previous story, one note: Our WSB-branded ice scrapers were held up at the factory, so we won’t have them tomorrow – sorry – but we hope to get them in time to bring them to our Pumpkin Bowling booth at next weekend’s Junction Harvest Festival.) Here’s the schedule, so far (doublecheck when you get there)

10:00 – 10:30 West Seattle Be Prepared
10:30 – 10:45 West Seattle Block Watch and Seattle Public Utilities
10:45 – 11:00 Break
11:00 – 12:00 SNAP (Seattle Neighborhoods Actively Prepare)
Noon – 12:30 Break
12:30 – 1:15 Red Cross
1:15 – 1:35 Seattle Animal Shelter
1:35 – 2:00 Seattle Fire Department

Also planned: The FREE latte and pastry cart from 10:00 to noon; snacks and grilled items available for purchase from BigFood Truck; raffle prizes and gifts. A fast, fun way to learn about being ready for big trouble from winter storms to earthquakes and beyond. AH neighbors got a city grant to put this on – so come get a life-saving lesson or two! Here’s a map – see you there!

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Happening now: Schmitz Park’s 2012 Move-A-Thon
October 19, 2012 2:46 pm
|    Comments Off on Happening now: Schmitz Park’s 2012 Move-A-Thon
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Also winding down as the school day approaches its end – Schmitz Park Elementary‘s around-the-playground fundraiser, the 2012 Move-A-Thon, is too. This year’s fundraising goal is $30,000. Kids don’t have to collect pledges or bring donations, but they do all get to go out and spend part of their day on the eighth-of-a-mile course. Along with the volunteers and staff, they had an audience – younger kids who might be participating someday:

Schmitz Park also has an online donation option – here.

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Happening now: Lafayette Elementary’s 2012 Walk-A-Thon
October 19, 2012 2:15 pm
|    Comments Off on Happening now: Lafayette Elementary’s 2012 Walk-A-Thon
 |   How to help | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

This morning’s rain stopped just in time for the two West Seattle schools with all-day outdoor fundraisers. Here’s the scene at Lafayette Elementary, whose 540-plus students will each spend about 45 minutes going around the playground by the time today’s annual Walk-A-Thon ends toward the end of the school day. On the sidelines, camera-clutching parents have been tempted by a bake-sale fundraiser:

They’re hoping to raise at least $65,000 this year to pay for programs and materials listed on this webpage, which also includes a link for online donations.

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9 days till Junction Harvest Festival: Can you volunteer?
October 19, 2012 1:18 pm
|    Comments Off on 9 days till Junction Harvest Festival: Can you volunteer?
 |   Holidays | West Seattle festivals | West Seattle news

Just two more volunteers needed to finalize the team for the first-ever West Seattle Junction Association-presented Harvest Festival, coming up on Sunday, October 28th. In case you’ve missed previous mentions, it’s a huge mashup of four major features – the traditional business-district trick-or-treating BUT for the first time with the streets closed, as requested by the community; the West Seattle Farmers’ Market out in the street instead of in its traditional corner; free fun carnival-type activities set up and presented by local organizations/businesses (for example, we’re teaming up with West Seattle Bowl – “WSB x 2” – for pumpkin bowling); and a costume parade. This is all unfolding 10 am-2 pm on 10/28 (schedule’s on the official webpage). And you can volunteer WITHOUT having to miss out on festival fun – they need two people during the setup time, 6 am-9:30 am, that day. Contact susan@wsjunction.org if you can help. Thanks!

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West Seattle Whale Watch: Orcas visit again!
October 19, 2012 9:53 am
|      27 COMMENTS
 |   Seen at sea | West Seattle news | Wildlife

(1st two photos by Gary Jones, added @ noon)
ORIGINAL REPORT, 9:53 AM: Thanks to Jeff Hogan from Killer Whale Tales for the alert that orcas have been spotted off Magnolia, headed southbound. Let us know if you see them – murky out there today but then again, black fins against silver water might be more visible. (Just last week, orcas in West Seattle waters led to beautiful photos – both from WSB contributing photojournalist Nick Adams, here, and from community contributors, here.)

10:46 AM UPDATE: They are reportedly visible now from North Admiral’s NW-looking blufftops.

11:21 AM UPDATE: Now reported to be passing Alki Point. Jeff says they are residents, J-pod.

NOON UPDATE: First two photos added, courtesy of Gary Jones (thank you!), taken near Alki Point. As commenters are saying, they’ve been spotted off Blake Island – we were just down at Lowman Beach and saw two TV choppers overhead, though not the whales (we did see them from the earlier Admiral blufftop stop).

(Photo by Mike Russell)
12:38 PM UPDATE: Still getting scattered sighting reports. Will be linking this story shortly from the BIG STORIES list on the sidebar so you can find it again even as we start adding other stories to the top of the site.

1:26 PM UPDATE: They were seen on the Fauntleroy-Vashon-Southworth run around 1 pm.

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West Seattle Friday: School fundraisers; Ski Swap dropoff; Halloween Rainbow Bingo; more
October 19, 2012 9:09 am
|    Comments Off on West Seattle Friday: School fundraisers; Ski Swap dropoff; Halloween Rainbow Bingo; more
 |   West Seattle news | WS miscellaneous

(Gull resting on Alki, by Doug B via the WSB Flickr group pool)
Happy weekend-is-almost-here day! From the WSB West Seattle Events Calendar (and elsewhere) for today/tonight:

FIRST – WEEKEND TRAFFIC ALERTS, CITYWIDE: No West Seattle closures but if you’re heading out of West Seattle at any point this weekend, here’s what you’re facing (including a 520 bridge closure)

LAFAYETTE WALK-A-THON: West Seattle’s most-populous elementary school has its annual rain-or-shine benefit (with sponsors including WSB) will be under way throughout the school day, 9:45 am-3:20 pm. Proceeds will pay for tutors, library books, and more; if you haven’t pledged, you can donate online.

SCHMITZ PARK MOVE-A-THON: West Seattle’s second-most-populous elementary school also will be out raising money in a rain-or-shine benefit (with sponsors including WSB) throughout the school day. And SP also has an online-donation option – go here.

(If YOUR school’s annual fundraiser is seeking business sponsors, be sure to let us know!)

GEAR DROPOFF FOR WEST SEATTLE SKI SWAP: Noon-6 pm today, any ski, snowboard, outdoor gear you’d like to sell in the West Seattle Ski Swap this weekend can be dropped off at the VFW Hall in The Triangle. Details here.

BALLROOM DANCING: Third Fridays mean dancing with Lauren Petrie at Delridge Community Center, 1:30-3:30 pm.

HALLOWEEN BASH AT THE LITTLE GYM: 4-7 pm (check for which age groups are welcome when) – food drive, too! Details here.

STORYTELLING: The monthly cultural-storytelling event at White Center Cultural Center (9421 18th SW in south West Seattle) features Seattle chef Sam Ung – meal at 6 pm, stories at 6:30; find out more here.

HALLOWEEN RAINBOW BINGO! Tonight at the Senior Center of West Seattle (WSB sponsor) – treats at 6, bingo at 7; call for a reservation ASAP. Details in the calendar listing.

(P.S. Check out the WSB Halloween page for seasonal events in the days/nights ahead!)

RESTORATIVE YOGA: At SoundYoga (WSB sponsor) 6:30 pm tonight. Details here.

MOVIE NIGHT AT HIGHLAND PARK IMPROVEMENT CLUB: Doors open 6:30 pm, movie at 7 (hint: Dorothy and Toto too!), free, but bring $ for concessions. HPIC is at 12th/Holden.

FRIDAY NIGHT PAINTING: Watercolor class taught by J. Conrad Nivens, 7 pm at Mind Unwind in The Admiral District – more info here.

LIVE MUSIC/NIGHTLIFE: Sid Law, 6-8 pm at C & P Coffee Company (WSB sponsor) … The Heels, Spy Device, Fonzarelli at Skylark Café and Club, 8 pm … Jazz with Barbie Anaka at Salty’s on Alki, 8 pm … Not Dead Yet with The Visitors, Feedback Lounge (WSB sponsor), 9 pm … Steven Martinelli and the Teflon Mind, Satellite 4, Rabbit Skin Glue at the Benbow Room, 9 pm.

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High-school football: West Seattle’s rainy road game @ Hale
October 19, 2012 9:00 am
|      4 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

For our area’s two public-high-school football teams, Thursday was football night this week, as the regular season came to an end. And it coincided with the return of major rain. Above, hardy West Seattle High School fans headed north last night to cheer on the Wildcats against Nathan Hale; final score, Hale 36, WSHS 13. Even the school flag was turned into something of a rain shelter:

From the field, here are the stats, published by The Seattle Times (WSB partner) – Daniel Sullivan is credited with both WSHS touchdowns.

We’ll update when the brackets are in for postseason play. (P.S. WSB coverage of last night’s Sealth-Ingraham game is coming up a bit later this morning.)

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TRAFFIC/TRANSIT TODAY: Friday reports, all day long
October 19, 2012 6:46 am
|      13 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle traffic alerts

(Live view from the only WS Bridge camera currently in operation; see other cameras on the WSB Traffic page)
6:46 AM: Breezy out there right now, following an intensely rainy night. Also as the commute starts to build, there’s a medic response on northbound I-5 downtown, described on the 911 log as parallel with Spring Street. Thanks again for sharing your reports on the roads, the buses, etc., throughout the day.

7:13 AM: Via Twitter, WSDOT warns of a big backup from the aforementioned I-5 incident:

7:40 AM: The scene is now clear, so the backup should ease:

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High-school sports: Sealth cross-country going to districts
October 19, 2012 12:57 am
|      3 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools | WS & Sports

Thanks to Lynn for sharing the news that, after a Thursday meet, both Chief Sealth International High School cross-country teams have qualified for the district meet. It’s scheduled next Thursday (October 25) at Lower Woodland. Lynn also shared the photos, showing both teams at/toward the start of Thursday’s races.

She says it’s been at least seven years since the Sealth boys’ team has qualified for districts. Congratulations!

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The other Seattle-SF matchup: Gatewood Elementary won!
October 18, 2012 11:06 pm
|      7 COMMENTS
 |   Gatewood | West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

Though the Seahawks didn’t quite pull it out tonight against the 49ers, in a parallel competition, their semi-surrogate – West Seattle’s own Gatewood Elementary – won! We first heard last weekend about P.E. teacher Alex Beaty‘s $1,000 Donors Choose funding request for a sound system making it into a promotional vote tied to tonight’s Thursday Night Football game, up against a San Francisco school – and tonight multiple Gatewood supporters messaged us to say Gatewood won; congratulations! (By the way, the other school gets 50 percent of its funding request, so it’s not winner-take-all.)

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FAA’s flight pattern, aircraft noise meeting postponed
October 18, 2012 8:49 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   Neighborhoods | West Seattle news

Next Tuesday’s planned meeting for Seattle’s south communities to talk with the FAA about aircraft noise and flight-pattern changes has been postponed, with no new date yet. So reports The Seattle Times (WSB news partner); we’ll check with the FAA tomorrow and let you know when there’s a new date. The meeting was announced a month ago following Mayor McGinn‘s request last month for a south-side meeting, after the FAA closed the comment period on the Greener Skies plan despite having meetings only in Ballard (WSB coverage here) and Federal Way.

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Medic response during cross-country meet at Lincoln Park
October 18, 2012 5:36 pm
|    Comments Off on Medic response during cross-country meet at Lincoln Park
 |   West Seattle news | West Seattle schools

If you saw the fire and medic units responding to Lincoln Park this afternoon – Ari did, and e-mailed us to ask what happened – here’s what we have found out: During the high-school cross-country meet under way at the park this afternoon, three runners were “treated for overexertion,” according to Seattle Fire spokesperson Kyle Moore. He says all three are girls; one, 14, was taken to Children’s Hospital “as a precaution,” according to Moore, while the other two “were examined but did not need transport.” That’s all the information available so far.

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Followup: Charges dropped in alleged theft case
October 18, 2012 5:22 pm
|      5 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news

5:22 PM: Thanks to the person who just called to tell us about this: Charges have been dropped in a widely reported case (here’s our August story) in which the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office charged Alki resident Mary C. Park with theft, alleging that she stole money and jewelry from a Holocaust survivor for whom she worked as a caregiver. Today’s dismissal is confirmed in a court document we have obtained online; since it has no victim or witness names (which WSB generally does not publish), we are linking it here so you can see it in its entirety. The document says, in part, “… the State is unable to proceed at this time; additional investigation must be conducted before the State can determine whether it can proceed on this case.” We have a request out seeking comment from the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, but may not hear back until tomorrow.

5:38 PM UPDATE: Our news partners at The Seattle Times are covering this too, and their update includes statements from the KCPAO and from Park’s lawyer.

8:24 PM UPDATE: We have since received a reply from KCPAO spokesperson Dan Donohoe, who tells WSB, “As with any criminal case, there is ongoing investigation post charging. There will be ongoing law enforcement investigation, and we will make a determination at a later date on whether or not to re-file charges.”

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Followup: Man missing in Duwamish River turns up alive
October 18, 2012 5:04 pm
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   West Seattle news

It’s a popular sport to question the value of online comments/discussion. Certainly, some discussions take questionable turns, but many more bring the community a chance to share important information and observations – and to reveal new developments in a story. The latest such case involves an incident we covered Monday night – a bicyclist believed to have fallen or jumped off the “low bridge” into the Duwamish River. The bridge was closed for hours and marine traffic was kept off part of the waterway while an intensive search continued, including Seattle Police and Fire divers.

While police had no further information Tuesday about the aftermath of that search, the story continued in the comment section these past few days. We heard there late Wednesday from the missing man’s wife, wondering if anyone saw anything. Today, she posted in the comment thread again – reporting that he had survived and found his way home. Worried friends and relatives have commented, too.

This afternoon, police confirmed to WSB that they have been notified the man is no longer missing; it became their case when the search turned to a “recovery” operation. Since this was reported to be intentional, we will close out this update with a number we share when reporting on such matters – the Crisis Clinic is always there, 24 hours, 206-461-3222.

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Spokane Street Viaduct project: Westbound surface road now partly open; speed-limit update
October 18, 2012 3:47 pm
|      9 COMMENTS
 |   Spokane St. Viaduct project | West Seattle news

Two updates this afternoon related to the city’s almost-complete Spokane Street Viaduct Widening Project:

WESTBOUND SURFACE SPOKANE STREET PARTLY OPEN: SDOT says that for the first time in three years, westbound S. Spokane St., under the widened SSV, is now open between 4th and 6th Avenues. Project spokesperson Paul Elliott says in an update e-mail, “It is hoped that the remainder of westbound surface S Spokane, the segment from 4th Avenue S to East Marginal Way S, will be reopened to motorists before the end of October.”

SPEED-LIMIT UPDATE: We also have an update from Elliott about the city’s timetable for revisiting the speed limit on the SSV itself, now that work on the bridge deck is done. It came up in the WSB Forums this week; we had checked with SDOT a month ago, at which time Elliott told us the city Traffic Engineer would be taking a look “after giving motorists some time to adjust to the new configuration.” Checking back this week to find out about that timetable, we got this reply:

As to … when the City Traffic Engineer will be evaluating the speed limit on the structure, he expects this to happen in the spring. We need normalized operating speeds along with some collision data (of which we currently have little). The spring timeframe will give us about six months of baseline collision data, with which to better assess the safety impacts of any change in the speed limit.

The project itself has now been under way for about four years (here’s one of our earliest stories, from spring 2008).

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