West Seattle, Washington
09 Monday
2:55 PM: A bail hearing for the 25-year-old man arrested on Wednesday in Highland Park in connection with Tuesday’s White Center murder has just ended in a King County Jail courtroom. WSB co-publisher Patrick Sand reports from KCJ that bail was set at $1 million; the suspect waived his right to appear in person, so was not there. Next step in the case will be a King County Prosecuting Attorney decision on filing charges (Monday’s the deadline), and of course two suspects remain at large – as the King County Sheriff’s Office noted in its official confirmation of the arrest (added today to our story from last night that first reported the suspect had been booked into jail).
3:22 PM UPDATE: A few more details have arrived in the probable-cause documents from prosecutors. Among them: Gang rivalry is believed to have caused the fight that led to the shooting of 23-year-old Sweetheart Failautusi. And this suspect (whom we won’t identify until he is charged) is alleged to have fired the deadly shots; we’ve transcribed the probable-cause allegation in our report on White Center Now.
The Grouchos are back. They’re tougher to see than during their previous appearances on the north-facing slope alongside the eastbound West Seattle Bridge (our photo is from 2007) – but, as Patt posted on the WSB Facebook wall today, they’re back. Until last year, they seemed to appear magically each spring. This year, it turns out, they actually reappeared a few weeks ago, according to West Seattle writer Mark Bourne, who had chronicled them in the past; we contacted him this afternoon to mention the new sighting, and he pointed out he’d already written about it (with new photos showing they’ve multiplied!). Who puts them there? Still a mystery.
One of our area’s most distinctive nonprofit performing groups is the victim of a crime – and hoping you can help solve it. Just out of the WSB inbox:
The Cabiri is a nonprofit organization based in West Seattle. We offer aerial arts classes for adults at Youngstown Cultural Arts Center and provide performances at community events and festivals throughout the Seattle area. We perform at a wide variety of benefit events and provide scholarships for nearly 20% of our students and we need your help.
On Monday night, August 15th, our vehicle was broken into in front of our house in the Highland Park neighborhood of West Seattle and a bag was taken that contained some of our teaching aerial apparatus.
The bag was a standard issue military seabag about 42″ long and it contained two trapezes, multiple aerial tissu, several black steel locking Omega Pacific carabiners, several 18″, 36″ and 72″ Polyester Roundslings (spansets) with “Cabiri” written on them in black marker, multiple Petzl rescue swivels, multiple CMC steel rescue eights, a can of Tuf Skin spray rosin and an iPod connector cable.
Attached are sample images of the equipment for distribution.
If you see any of this equipment or anyone approaches you about purchasing the equipment, please be aware that it is stolen and is property of The Cabiri. Contact the police and then notify us. We have filed a police report and would very much like to get this expensive equipment back, which we cannot afford to replace at this time. Total value of the stolen equipment is approximately $2,500.
If you would like to make a donation to help us replace this stolen equipment, we welcome you to do so on our web site: anunnaki.org/page.php?page=contribute or in person at the Arts In Nature Festival this weekend at Camp Long in West Seattle. We and our students will be there performing all weekend on both Saturday and Sunday.
We are devastated at the loss of this essential equipment and thank you in advance for helping us spread the word in hopes that it will make a safe return to us.
Sincerely,
Charly McCreary
Managing Director
The Cabiri performance troupe
http://www.cabiri.org
Besides the southbound Alaskan Way Viaduct closure from 11 pm Friday night through 5 am Monday morning (at the latest), there are other traffic advisories around the city this weekend – so as usual, we’re sharing the official SDOT roundup (which includes, in West Seattle, Picnic at the Southwest Precinct, 1-4 pm Saturday, and in South Park, the “Lucha Libre” Mexican-wrestling spectacular street party 4-8 pm Saturday) – read on!Read More
That’s a 2010 clip of LeRoy Bell and His Only Friends, the group that headlines Summer Concerts at Hiawatha tonight – one of the highlights from the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:
TRAFFIC ALERT: The westbound Spokane Street Viaduct is scheduled to be closed again overnight tonight, starting earlier than the past two nights – 10 pm-5 am.
KENNEY BARBECUE: Family, friends, and neighbors are invited to the annual summer barbecue on the Seaview lawn at The Kenney (WSB sponsor), 5 pm. Bring a donation for West Seattle Food Bank.
SHOP LATE THURSDAYS: Another edition of Shop Late Thursdays in The Junction, till 9 pm; participants’ list here – check with your favorite shops to see if they’re offering Thursday-night deals!
SUMMER CONCERTS AT HIAWATHA: Tonight, the fourth of six concerts in this summer’s series (with co-sponsors including WSB) – get a taste of LeRoy Bell‘s music in the clip above; show’s at 6:30 pm on the east lawn of Hiawatha Community Center; bring your own blanket/chair.
FREE PARENTING WORKSHOP: 7 pm at Alki Arts: “Creating a Whole and Healthy Family,” with Bill Dean, free. This is for parents who are concerned about their kids who may be … struggling, or who just want to find out how to assist their children as they begin to traverse the slippery slope of adolescence.
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
The prosecution might rest its case today in the trial of the two remaining defendants in the February 2009 West Seattle murder of Steve Bushaw.
We were in court for the afternoon session on Wednesday, which included the end of testimony by another of the detectives in the case, talking about cell-phone records – which are key to the prosecution’s case – and the testimony of a woman who says defendant Bryce Huber, with whom she had been romantically involved, drove to see her in the Tri-Cities the day after the shooting.
If you’ve seen it, you will probably remember it – the motorcycle in the front of that photo, a purple 1994 GS500 with lavender rims. Patrick e-mailed us on behalf of its owner, his friend Mary, who asked him to help get the word out that it was stolen from her West Seattle home a few nights ago. If you see or hear about a bike like this – either firsthand or perhaps offered for sale (or being “parted out”) somewhere, they ask that you report it to the police or e-mail Mary (mcbrainard at hotmail dot com) or call her at 206-607-9963. Oh by the way – the similar GS500 in the photo belongs to Patrick, and he says, “I will not be riding my purple bike for a week or two so there will be no confusion when a purple bike is seen (I have another one to ride). Purple is rather rare.”
That’s a clip from “Come and Get It,” featuring West Seattle-raised movie star Frances Farmer, who came back to the city for its premiere in 1936. Seventy-five years later, she remains a local legend and source of curiosity – which brought about 20 people out for a Museum of History and Industry-sponsored walking tour in Admiral last night.
(Photos by Ellen Cedergreen for WSB)
Its guide was Peder Nelson, the local historian/musician who also put together a Frances Farmer tribute three years ago at the city-landmark Admiral Theater – where last night’s tour began. WSB contributor Ellen Cedergreen went along for part of the tour.
The generosity of West Seattleites has meant success for so many fundraisers. One coming up next month asks you to open your heart and pocketbook for people in crisis on the other side of the world – many with families that have fled to the U.S. and are living in our community. Here’s why High Point residents are planning a fundraiser September 9th:
Historically, Somalia was a nation with a socialist dictatorship government that could provide for its people. With power comes thirst for more power and in 1991, tribes wanting their turn at leading the country ousted the Somali government led by Siad Barre. In the ensuing Civil War; thousands of people, including children, the elderly, and mothers died at the hands of brutal militiamen. Thousands of Somalis walked and hitchhiked for weeks and months to find freedom, to find water and basic necessities, thousands dying in that journey for survival.
After 19 years of insecurity, and a weak transitional government, famine in Somalia has now destroyed the lives of nearly 12,000,000 people in the Horn of Africa. After years of drought, the crisis has now hit a tipping point. Famine has been officially declared in five regions of Somalia. The United Nations expects the famine to spread across all regions within two months. The famine is the result of crop failure, livestock death, and prices in local markets that are too high for most people to buy what is needed to feed their families. In addition, a weak government battling a militia group called Al-Shabab has created one of the worst humanitarian crises of our lifetime.
United States officials and aid agencies reported that the drought and now famine has taken the lives of 29,000 children under the age of five. We have heard countless stories, seen unforgettable images, and the situation worsens. In Somalia, children are starving to death before their mother’s eyes as they trek to Somalia’s capital Mogadishu or refugee camps. Without any time to grieve, a mother of five walked to save her only surviving child, racing against time only to die at the refugee camp.
In these tough economic times, we are all strapped for cash and have families to feed. But at the end of the day, it is up to us to do something because children and innocent victims are suffering. High Point residents are hosting a fundraising event to make a difference. In an effort to provide support to World Vision, residents are planning to raise $20,000. High Point residents have families in Somalia that are dying by the dozens. This tragedy is not only affecting the lives of innocent people in Somalia, but our clients, our neighbors, our friends and families. Those dying in the middle of the road, in bushes, and in refugee camps, are not nameless. Let’s take a moment to remember their lives at this event.
This fundraiser will benefit Islamic Relief or Mercy Corps. Your donation will help save a life.
When: September 9, 2011 at 6pm
Where: High Point Neighborhood House Center—6400 Sylvan Way SW
(Photo by Deanie Schwarz for WSB/WCN)
8:09 PM: The Seattle Times (WSB news partner), quoting KING 5, reports one arrest in connection with yesterday morning’s murder of 23-year-old Sweetheart Failautusi at 15th/Roxbury in White Center. We’ve been working to confirm this, since getting reports of police activity in Highland Park, about half a mile north of the shooting scene, but haven’t heard back yet from SPD (who would have jurisdiction in that area) or King County Sheriff’s Office (who are handling the murder case). More information as we get it; earlier today, surveillance video was released showing what investigators described as 3 suspects in the case.
9:15 PM: People who live in the Highland Park neighborhood where police activity was reported earlier tell WSB/WCN contributor Deanie Schwarz that one man was arrested – but there is no official information yet linking that arrest to this case, so we’re not going into any further specifics, nor has KCSO yet officially announced an arrest.
10:16 PM UPDATE: A homicide suspect has been booked into King County Jail within the past hour – and his first name is the same one that was mentioned to us at the aforementioned arrest scene in Highland Park. The homicide suspect’s online court records include 30 incidents, including theft and drug cases.
11:23 PM UPDATE: The suspect was most recently in jail for four days in March after an arrest for DUI and driving with a suspended license, according to the jail register. The online court-records site that provides most detailed information is shut down for the night, so there’s some research we won’t be able to do till morning. We also will find out tomorrow how soon a bail hearing will be scheduled.
11 AM THURSDAY: KCSO has finally sent a news release confirming the arrest:
Yesterday afternoon at around 4:30 PM, a 25-year-old man was arrested for his role in the White Center homicide that occurred early Tuesday morning.
Detectives from the Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit, along with members of the TAC-30 SWAT team and the Gang Unit all assisted in the peaceful apprehension of this suspect at his home, which was not far from the shooting scene. The identification of the suspect was made through deputies and detectives that work the White Center area, along with tips generated through the release of the surveillance footage.
“The citizens and business owners of White Center were upset to hear of this tragedy in their area,” according to Major James Graddon, Commander of the Sheriff’s Office West precinct. “They have been working hard with us for many years to improve public safety in their neighborhoods. This incident will ultimately be resolved through the continued support of the community and the efforts of the deputies and detectives.”
There are still two suspects outstanding in this incident. Any information that the public may have on any of the three suspects is still needed. Tips may be phoned in to (206) 296-3311 or 9-1-1.
From AJ, who followed experts’ advice:
Coyote sighting (Tuesday) morning at 9:08 am in our backyard at 9800 block of Marine View Drive. Very close to the house. This is our third sighting of what we think is the same coyote. First time in the morning, usually we see him in the evening. Based on info we’ve read on the blog we scared him off by banging on the window. Very beautiful creature; should have taken a picture before we scared him off.
That advice, and more, is in the state Fish and Wildlife Department’s “Coexisting with Coyotes” info.
Update from the King County Courthouse: Prosecutor Jeff Baird may rest his case tomorrow in the murder trial of 2 of West Seattleite Steve Bushaw‘s alleged killers. This afternoon, the jury heard from a woman who said she had a romantic relationship with defendant Bryce Huber, saying he had told her about the night Bushaw was shot, and previously, about his desire for revenge in the home-invasion robbery/assault of a friend, and his belief that Bushaw had arranged it. The prosecution’s next witness will be the main SPD detective on the case. When it is defense lawyer Jim Roe‘s turn, he says, he expects to call his client, Brandon Chaney, to testify. More details in a longer report tonight; our coverage is archived, newest to oldest, here.
A memorial service and reception are planned this Sunday for longtime West Seattleite Debbie Numoto, whose family shared this tribute:
Deborah Dawn Numoto passed peacefully on Saturday, August 13, 2011 from cancer, at the age of 49. She is survived by her husband Phil Numoto, father Harold Willard; mother Janice Mize; children; Jorge Muratalla (Ginny), Tami Oden (Tony), and grandson A.J.; sister Sharon Nark (Joel), nephew Conrad and niece Julia; Uncle Chuck Mize (Kathy) and Aunt Nadine Geister (Don). Jorge Muratalla, James Sansburn and family. She was preceded in death by her grandparents and her good friend Steve. Our family and her friends miss her so much. It is too early for her to join the angels.
Debbie was born in Yakima, WA and was raised in West Seattle. She graduated from West Seattle High School in 1980. She has been a manager/gift buyer at West Seattle’s Northwest Art and Frame for 26 years. Many have stopped there to enjoy special gifts to share with others.
Her passion was creativity and art, and her compositions expressed her love of nature, flowers, the ocean, and her connectedness with special friends; there were many.
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
“Goodbye” is a good thing at Family Promise of Seattle.
They are about to bid farewell to another one of the newly homeless families they have helped since reopening their unique community-partnership shelter program two months ago.
This Friday, though, they hope to say “hello” to you – and your family – as Grammy-nominated musician Justin Roberts (with his Not Ready for Naptime Players) comes to West Seattle for a benefit concert. A big fall benefit is on the drawing board, too, we learned in a conversation with FP’s executivedirector Norman Schwamberg, to see how things have been going since they reopened.
That’s a video file just provided by the King County Sheriff’s Office (we uploaded it to YouTube for playback), which detectives hope might help solve yesterday morning’s shooting death of 23-year-old Sweetheart Failautusi. KCSO spokesperson Deputy Travis DeFries explains the video as follows:
There are still 3 suspects at-large and all are described as being black males in their early-to-mid 20’s.
Video surveillance footage from nearby businesses has been reviewed by detectives with the Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Unit. All three suspects are captured on video and we are now asking for the public’s help in identifying them. Portions of the video have been blurred out to protect the identities of the witnesses and victim.
As it says at the start and finish of the clip – call 911 if you have any information about the suspects. (Meantime, memorials for the victim continue growing, both online and at the scene.)
That’s the just-released updated poster design for this year’s West Seattle Junction Car Show, shared by show organizer Michael Hoffman of Liberty Bell Print and Design (new name!). The car show (with co-sponsors including WSB, and a special appearance by members of the “Deadliest Catch” cast) is coming up 8 am-4 pm Sunday, September 18th, just one month from tomorrow, but if you want to enter a car and get the early-registration deal – $15 instead of $25 – September 1st is the signup deadline. You’ll find the form on the left side of this page.
A few residents near the Fauntleroy ferry dock have e-mailed/called, wondering about late night/early morning construction work that’s under way this week. We doublechecked; it’s part of the electrical upgrades mentioned here a week and a half ago, for the nearby Barton pump station (prelude to this), for construction of a RapidRide bus stop, and for an electric-vehicle-charging station. The official Seattle City Light notice (see it here) did warn that the work hours would shift to 7 pm-4 am this week when the project moved to the immediate vicinity of the ferry terminal, to avoid conflicts with traffic during the busiest hours for ferry use. The project is scheduled to last at least two more weeks.
(Stand-up paddleboarders last night off Seacrest, ©2011 Eric Shalit – tubulocity.com)
From the WSB West Seattle Events calendar:
TRAFFIC ALERT: Tonight is the second of three nights with the Spokane Street Viaduct (West Seattle Bridge between I-5 and 99) scheduled to be closed WESTBOUND overnight. Full details here.
FOR TIRED PARENTS:: The author of “The Sleep Book for Tired Parents” will talk about ways to prevent sleep problems for babies, ways to approach sleep problems for toddlers, answer questions about your little one’s sleep. Offered by Parent-Infant/Movers Class through South Seattle Community College in West Seattle. Free; bring your little one, of course! Noon, SSCC Room RAH 201. Rsvp: behunt51@comcast.net
MUSIC AT THE LIBRARY: Family activity: High Point Library (3411 SW Raymond) presents The Brian Waite Band: The Land That Rock Forgot, 2 pm.
BUY IT WHERE IT’S GROWN: Weekly High Point Market Garden Farm Stand, open 4-7 pm, 32nd SW and SW Juneau, selling seasonal fresh organically grown produce right in the garden where the produce is grown.
SEE THE DUWAMISH: The 2011 Summer Community Kayak Tour series by Duwamish River Cleanup Coalition continues tonight, 5:30-8:30 pm: RSVP to Alki Kayak Tours (206) 953-0237. Full details here; tonight’s tour leaves from Duwamish Waterway Park (7900 10th Ave. S. in South Park).
HISTORY TOUR: Historian Peder Nelson, host of the “MOHAI (Museum of History and Industry) Minute” series, will lead “The Life and Times of Frances Farmer,” a tour through West Seattle’s Admiral neighborhood, childhood home of the tragic star. 6 – 8 pm. Details on the MOHAI website.
Art, history, and generosity will come together Friday night at Alki Arts, on behalf of West Seattle Helpline, during a unique fundraiser, the “Gallery of West Seattle History.” Helpline’s executive director Tara Byrne explains that you’ll be able to enjoy live music, drinks, and food while learning more about West Seattle’s history, courtesy of displays provided by the nearby Log House Museum. Singer/guitarist Sue Quigley, who’s played gigs from Hollywood to SXSW to KeyArena at Storm halftime, will perform. And if you haven’t been to Alki Arts lately – this is also a great chance to see the amazing art they’re displaying and offering for sale. Tara says the money raised will go to help local students through Pencil Me In For Kids, and that donors to make it a great party include Pegasus, Celtic Swell, Elliott Bay Brewery, Bamboo Grill, and Tuxedos and Tennis Shoes – as well as Alki Arts donating the space. You can get your $30 ticket right now online, at westseattlehelpline.org.
Also Friday night – who says you can’t make it to both? – it’s the 34th District Democrats‘ annual Garden Party and Auction at West Seattle Nursery. On the website for this area’s largest political organization, you’ll find a list of what’s been donated for the auction so far – a very long list including myriad chances to hang out with local political leaders, plus gift certificates for local faves, and adventurous outings including a visit to an alpaca farm. The auctioneer is West Seattle expat New York Vinnie, visiting his old stomping grounds for the occasion. The night’s theme is Mediterranean, including music from Croatia; the party’s 6-9 pm Friday, $34/ticket or $60/couple.
(UPDATED 11:56 PM with more reaction)
King County Elections has just released its first, and only, round of results for the night (we’ll add reaction/analysis notes and links later tonight):
Seattle Referendum 1 (tunnel-related): 60% yes, 40% no
REACTION: Mayor McGinn just broke his silence via Twitter: “I worked to give the public a direct vote on the tunnel. The public said move ahead with the tunnel, and that’s what we’re going to do.” Also-anti-tunnel Councilmember Mike O’Brien told our partners at the Seattle Times, “…I will accept the tunnel.” But the Times quotes tunnel opponent Elizabeth Campbell as calling the vote “far from a decisive victory.”
Seattle City Council Position 1: Jean Godden* 45%, Bobby Forch 24%, Maurice Classen 16%, Michael Taylor-Judd 13%
City Council Position 9: Sally Clark* 71%, Dian Ferguson 22%, Fathi Karshie 5%
REACTION: Via Facebook, Clark said, “71% is a great vote of confidence.”
King County Council District 8: Joe McDermott* 67%, Diana Toledo 27%, Goodspaceguy 5%
REACTION: Via Facebook – McDermott: “I am gratified by our strong showing in the Primary and look forward to a vigorous campaign through the General Election.” Toledo: “Now the hard work begins; on to the General Election!!!”
Seattle School Board District 6 (West Seattle area): Steve Sundquist* 43%, Marty McLaren 30%, Joy Anderson 21%, Nick Esparza 5%
King County Veterans/Human Services Levy: 66% yes, 34% no
REACTION: In an e-mailed statement, King County Executive Dow Constantine said, “”The citizens of King County have demonstrated their respect for our veterans and compassion for our neighbors most in need by voting to renew the Veterans and Human Services Levy.”
Full King County results here; next count, tomorrow afternoon.
(EDITOR’S NOTE: After several WSB’ers e-mailed – thank you! – to point out the daily lines outside West Seattle Coins in The Junction, we asked Keri to check out the story.)
Story and photo by Keri DeTore
Reporting for West Seattle Blog
There’s gold in them thar garages! And in drawers and old boxes, and … With gold prices at their highest point in years, people are cashing in at West Seattle Coins, leading to frequent lines outside their California/Oregon storefront.
The shop doesn’t open until 10 am, but the first customer in line was there at 8:30 this morning, and had brought a book to read while he waited. As of 9:30, four more people were in line and explained they came early in order to avoid the wait once inside the shop.
After voting this afternoon to put a $60/year car-tab fee on the November ballot, Seattle city councilmembers – as the Transportation Benefit District (STBD) board – came to West Seattle to explain it. They had originally scheduled the Delridge/Holden news conference for 12:30 pm – but the discussion back at City Hall wasn’t even over by then, so it was well past 1 when they were finally able to cross the bridge and meet the media. (Accompanying them were some community advocates, including Gatewood resident Chas Redmond, second from right in our photo, representing Feet First.)
Here’s what it’s all about: The vote in November will be the next step in a process that began months ago. Remember back in April, when we shared a question for you from the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce – about our area’s top transportation priorities? The results of that informal survey went to the Citizens Transportation Advisory Committee, which later had a series of meetings around the city, including this one we covered in May at the Southwest Library. (They also had an online survey.)
Then CTAC brought recommendations to the council/STBD, which in turn is now going out to voters with a request for money, and an outline of what would be done with it. The district could have asked voters to approve up to $80, as authorized by the State Legislature for a total fee of up to $100 ($20 already has been put into place). (Keep in mind – and we know this is confusing – this is a CITY-charged $20, and the ballot measure would be a CITY-charged $60, separate from the unrelated new COUNTY-charged $20 that was making news yesterday.)
So in November, it’s up to you to decide whether to approve the $60 added tab fee for transportation projects; it would raise about $20 million a year, and here’s how it would be spent, with the largest single category of spending, $4 million, going to fix roads. Here’s complete video of the City Council’s news conference on Delridge, led by West Seattle-residing Councilmember Tom Rasmussen, who chairs the council’s Transportation Committee:
(We recorded video too and will check to see if the sound quality is any better.)
(Photo by WSB/White Center Now contributor Deanie Schwarz)
Another update on this morning’s deadly shooting at 15th/Roxbury in White Center: The 23-year-old victim is from High Point, according to a woman who told WSB/WCN contributor Deanie Schwarz that she’s her cousin. She says the victim’s name is “Sweetheart“; no formal identification is expected any sooner than mid-afternoon. More details on White Center Now. Still no word of arrests; the latest on the investigation is in our morning report.
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