West Seattle, Washington
25 Thursday
(2/1/09 photo by WSB contributing photojournalist Christopher Boffoli)
We have been working most of the night to try to confirm a thirdhand report we received of arrests in the murder 10 months ago of Steven Bushaw – shot to death in The Junction hours after the Super Bowl. Police have not been available for comment and the court-records system is shut down for the night, but we did find three people listed 
on the King County Jail Register who were booked today on suspicion of first-degree murder – and one of our messages seeking comment from family members has just been answered: Steve’s sister Tanya Bushaw confirms that they have been told of three arrests, possibly four. This might be the fourth: We just found an out-of-town news story confirming one person under arrest in Texas (with a name different from the 3 in KCJ) and a mention of three others “sought”: This story from San Antonio names a man arrested there in connection with the Bushaw murder (the victim is not mentioned by name in the story but it describes the case as a Feb. 1 murder in West Seattle). We hope to be able to talk with police and prosecutors later this morning and will publish whatever additional information becomes available. (Photo above right was provided last winter by the Bushaw family, showing Steve with niece Ava in summer 2008.) 9:18 AM UPDATE: We just spoke with Det. Mark Jamieson in the SPD Media Unit. They are not yet ready this morning to release details of the case/arrests, he told me, but hope to later today – it’s still, he notes, “an active and ongoing investigation.” We’ve also checked the online court files but nothing on this is in the system yet – we have an inquiry in to the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, asking for any documents that can be made public at this point. 3:19 PM: PAO spokesperson Dan Donohoe says, “The court documents are under seal because of ongoing investigation.” But he says “some more information” should be available later.
Thanks to all the people who sent us this news today: We hadn’t even heard of the annual Google Zeitgeist list — by that name, anyway — till receiving notes and tweets that WSB was in the Seattle Top 10. Background: Google compiles an annual list of top search terms – you may have heard news reports all day noting that Michael Jackson topped the overall list worldwide. But Google’s announcement also includes breakout lists – such as the top “uniquely local” search terms for major US cities. At right, the top 10 for Seattle – with Sounders FC (scarves up!) at #1 and West Seattle Blog at #5, the only news site on the Seattle list. Just another reason our second year as a business has been even more fun than the first – collaborating with you and the rest of the West Seattle community, informally partnering with the region’s largest news organization, and other highlights. WSB is on track for at least 8 million pageviews for 2009, a 33% increase from last year, 5+ times the year before that. This new way of reporting/sharing/discussing community news has attracted regional and national attention, and this quirky little Google shoutout is just one more bit of proof. Thanks again for being part of this adventure!
FOODISTA COOKBOOK CONTEST: The West Seattleites who run the website Foodista have just launched a contest for people who write about food on blog-format websites. Starting today, and running through the end of February, they’re accepting recipes, photos and links from people worldwide interested in competing for a spot in The Foodista Best of Food Blogs Cookbook. According to an announcement forwarded to us by Foodista’s Barnaby Dorfman, the idea was cooked up during a big event Foodista organized earlier this year – the first International Food Blogger Conference (which included sessions here at West Seattle, at The Sanctuary At Admiral). Find out more about the cookbook contest here
PCC’S NEW CLASS CATALOG: PCC Natural Markets (WSB sponsor) stores don’t just sell food – they present popular classes teaching people how to prepare it – and sometimes those classes book up far in advance. So we’re sharing news that registration just started this week for winter classes – including the free Walk, Talk and Taste classes — here’s where to start.
Thanks to Tim McMonigle from West Seattle Soccer Club for another update on the Hiawatha Playfield renovation work – including that photo of workers on the job in today’s brilliant sunshine:
They have finished gluing the lines and have been waiting for a dry day to spread the rubber pellets. They are out there today spreading the pellets, so hopefully they should be done with that tomorrow, given the forecast for more sun. They spread the pellets with what looks like what you would use to fertilize your lawn, only much bigger and drawn by a tractor. Then the machines in the field have big brooms that help settle the pellets into the turf.
On the east side of Hiawatha (part of the same levy project), they have upgraded the field with long jump, pole vault and shotput areas. I believe the last thing then is to rubberize the top of the track, and it should be open.
We were hoping to use the field for our December games, but I don’t think they will open it up in time. But it looks beautiful compared to what was there before. We are looking forward to using the field next year, along with Delridge, which is supposed to give us two full-sized fields in fall of 2010.
City updates (through mid-November) on the $3.6 million Hiawatha project can be found here.
City reps made the rounds this fall to talk with various community organizations about proposed changes in the Neighborhood Matching Fund – which is relied on to help pay for a multitude of projects around the city, doubtlessly including more than a few near you. But one proposed change drew fire: The city had suggested a category in which citywide projects might be eligible for the money, instead of limiting the fund strictly to projects based in a neighborhood. That idea was strongly opposed at the October meetings of the Southwest District Council (here’s our report) and Delridge Neighborhoods District Council (here’s our report). Tonight, it looks like those concerns were heard loud and clear: The changes for next year have just been announced (read the news release here), and we confirmed with Department of Neighborhoods rep Lois Maag that they do NOT include the “citywide project” eligibility clause. She says that will be reviewed again in the future, but is not part of the changes for 2010. Still have questions? A workshop about the NMF – focusing on its Large Projects Fund – will be here in West Seattle on January 21 – 6 pm at Youngstown Arts Center.
The sun’s just set after a beautiful afternoon, during which we sneaked over to Alki for a bit of Vitamin D, and the photo you see above. According to the National Weather Service, we’ve got two more days of sun. If you’ve heard murmurings about much-colder weather early next week – the NWS doesn’t seem too worried, but then again, hard to accurately predict what’s a week away.
From Liz at the West Seattle Junction Association: They’re looking for donations totaling about a quarter-cord of “clean-burning wood like cedar” for bonfires at Saturday night’s Hometown Holidays Tree Lighting in The Junction. They’d be happy to get multiple small donations totaling a quarter-cord, or if anyone can donate the entire amount, that’s great too. They need it by 2 pm Saturday. Please call the WSJA office at 206-935-0904 or e-mail Liz@wsjunction.org. (The tree lighting is in the Farmers’ Market parking lot at 5 pm Saturday, emceed by Marty Riemer, featuring music by the Endolyne Children’s Choir.)
ADMIRAL SAFEWAY PROJECT: The agenda’s just come out for this Thursday’s Seattle Design Commission meeting, and the group’s 2nd review of part of the Admiral Safeway redevelopment project – required because they’re requesting an alley vacation – is set for this Thursday at City Hall downtown, 2 pm, Boards and Commissions Room. Here’s our report on the project’s last Design Commission review four weeks ago. (As reported earlier, the Admiral Safeway project also has its next Southwest Design Review Board date set – Dec. 17, 8 pm, Youngstown Arts Center.)
ALASKAN WAY VIADUCT/TUNNEL: Also just announced: After a few months off, meetings are resuming for the “working groups” looking at how the tunnel will tie in with the transportation systems at both ends . There are West Seattle reps on both the “north portal working group” and the “south portal working group”; the latter has the most WS-relevant work to do, and its next meeting has just been set for Thursday, Dec. 17, 4 – 5:30 pm in the Puget Sound Regional Council Boardroom, 1011 Western Ave.; the north portal group will meet at 4 pm tomorrow at the Seattle Aquarium. More info at alaskanwayviaduct.org.
WEST SEATTLE 5K: Half a year after the first-ever West Seattle 5K, organized as a benefit for local schools (masterminded by West Seattle High School PTSA but with three other schools participating and more than 1,000 people participating), the date is set for the sequel: Jo Bader sends word that they’ve chosen May 23, 2010. Registration isn’t open yet so the website still reflects last year – but you can set aside the date right now.
Eastbound SW Barton is closed at 26th – the east entrance to Westwood Village – because of an accident. Police at the scene tell us a pedestrian crossing Barton was hit by a car and has been taken to the hospital. 10:22 AM UPDATE: Seattle Fire Department spokesperson Dana Vander Houwen tells us the victim is a woman in her 60s, taken to Harborview Medical Center “with life-threatening injuries.” 11:06 AM UPDATE: Police at the scene tell us they have spoken with the driver, who told them she had visibility problems – that “the sun got in her eyes.” History note – this is the same area where 55-year-old Teri Soike was hit and killed in February of last year (WSB coverage here); that crash happened at night, in the rain. 4:12 PM UPDATE: SPDBlotter has now published a summary of this incident with a few more details, including which way the car was turning and which way the woman was crossing – read it here.
ADMIRAL KIOSKS: Another meeting tonight about the wayfinding markers you’ll see in the Admiral District soon (part of the West Seattle Trails series around the peninsula). Chas Redmond reports, “We’ve made some headway with basic navigation and location of the on-street stanchions, and we’ve made some headway into the kinds of material to go on the historic/geographic/cultural/wildlife back side of the kiosks. There’s still a lot of work and ideas which are needed but the project is actually well along for the short time since we began.” Never too late to get involved, and in fact, tonight’s meeting is later than the last one, to accommodate more schedules. 6:30 pm at Hiawatha Community Center.
“DANGER”-OUS GIFT WRAP: Love to shop, love to gift, but just not into wrapping? Want to be able to say Rat City Rollergirls wrapped your packages? From the RCRGs’ newest e-mail newsletter: Grave Danger skaters will be at Westwood Village Barnes & Noble three nights this week – 7-10 tonight, 7-11 Friday, 8-11 Saturday – to wrap your presents. Their invite: “Come say hi! Tips are appreciated.” (Their sixth season, by the way, is getting closer, with the first bout at KeyArena on January 31st.)
On our way to a “fire in building” call at 7313 Fauntleroy Way (map). 5:08 AM: According to the scanner, the building’s a triplex. Fauntleroy is blocked because of the fire response – that’s significant for traffic to and from the ferry dock, which will have to detour. Everyone is reported to have gotten out of the building OK. 5:21 AM: The fire is under control; it’s in the “void space” between the first and second floors of the building, confirms SFD spokesperson Dana Vander Houwen, who’s now at the scene and confirms everyone’s out OK, nobody hurt. We’re adding a cameraphone photo. 5:31 AM UPDATE: One firefighter suffered minor injuries and will be taken to the hospital. The fire’s now been declared “tapped.” 5:37 AM: Some of the units are pulling out. Not sure how much longer Fauntleroy will be blocked. By the way, if you’re hearing sirens near Alki, separate incident – a few crews are on the way to check out a report of light smoke and detectors going off in the 3400 block of 60th. (Update: “Nothing visible” when they got there.) 6:09 AM: Confirmed, no fire there. Back to the Fauntleroy fire, here’s video of the smoke we saw after arriving at the scene:
Via Facebook, Robert says traffic is starting to get through at the scene. We’ll be heading down the hill to check on that momentarily. 6:37 AM: Fauntleroy Way has officially reopened in both directions.
9:15 AM UPDATE: Seattle Fire Department spokesperson Dana Vander Houwen says investigators have ruled the fire accidental due to overheated electrical wiring. Damage is put at $250,000. Here’s a picture taken at first light this morning.
1:21 PM: Here’s how SFD summarized the fire on its Fireline site.
ORIGINAL 3:02 AM REPORT: Nothing is confirmed – it’s all scanner traffic [assault with weapons call] – but there are multiple indications this is related to the search for Maurice Clemmons, the suspect in the Pierce County police murders: Someone’s been shot in the 4400 block of South Kenyon, south of Beacon Hill, and there’s a huge police response. We’ll add details as we get them; the citywide media is just revving up on this too. (Thanks to the unidentified person who phoned and suggested we turn the scanner back on!) 3:19 AM UPDATE: Mark Rahner from the Seattle Times (WSB partner) reports on Twitter: “Law enforcement source confirms suspect arrested on 4400 block of S. Kenyon was Maurice Clemmons.” Next tweet: “Clemmons said to have challenged police who approached him and was shot.” 3:23 AM: Seattle Police’s media unit just tweeted: “Possible officer involved shooting in the 4400 block of S Kenyon” and noted that they have two people on the way there. 3:50 AM: KIRO and KOMO have both reported — on Twitter, and KIRO did a brief on-TV break-in — that Clemmons is dead, quoting law-enforcement sources including Pierce County Sheriff’s Department. (Added, KING has just confirmed it too.) 3:57 AM: The Tacoma News-Tribune has background on what he was doing in the area where he was killed. 4:14 AM: The citywide media is in full swing now so we’ll point you there for continuing coverage – seattletimes.com in particular; for the latest via Twitter, here’s everybody posting with the #washooting “hashtag” for related coverage.
5:38 AM UPDATE: Since we’re still up because of the Fauntleroy Way fire – a few more notes about this incident. Police are briefing the media now. Among other things, they say that a gun found on Maurice Clemmons when he was shot and killed this morning was taken from one of the Lakewood officers killed Sunday. 1:30 PM: Here’s the SPDBlotter summary of how it unfolded this morning.
Three reports to share this time – first one’s a case of watchful neighbors getting a suspect off the street:
Fairmount Springs coalition of Block Watchers (about a hundred on our list) had a success story last week by reporting a local known problem person who had no reason to be in the neighborhood. The ever-vigilant block watch captain on 41st confronted (the man), who had a very dumb reason to be in the neighborhood (Thanksgiving at a vacant house) and reported him to the police. Thanks to SPD, they showed up and arrested (the man), who is now in jail on numerous charges. This guy has been seen lurking in yards and slowly driving his red Merc down alleys in our neighborhood and is suspected of being the source of some local crime.
According to King County Jail Register records, this is the fifth time this year the man’s been in jail – this arrest came just three weeks after his most recent release. He’s being held for alleged failure to appear to face previous charges, including harassment, trespassing and pot possession. Meantime, we have two more reports to share – a car break-in, and suspected casing – those two reports, just ahead:Read More
Wise holiday decorators are getting their lights up early – who knows how many more mostly dry days you’ll see before Christmas? Putting them up early, however, is one thing – planning your display for months, another. But that’s the story behind the lights-synchronized-to-music display in that real-time video shared by Jim Winder – who worked at the home of friends to make The Helmstetler Family Holiday Spectacular happen at 3908 SW Charlestown (across from the water tower; here’s a map). The video clip is just ONE song – Jim says it’s a six-song set Sundays-Thursdays, 6-8 pm, and they’re planning between 10 and 15 on Fridays and Saturdays, 5-9 pm. Go watch the show — and listen to the soundtrack on 101.9 FM — and you’ll find out from Santa and elves just how many lights this took (Jim does reveal there’s ONE MILE of extension cords involved, with “56 individual channels controlled by my laptop”). As impressive as the video seems, Jim insists, “It is MUCH better in person. The video does not do it justice at all. I use all LED lights, and they are quite vivid.” Thanks, Jim, for sending early word of this seasonal show; we’re spotlighting Christmas lights every night – you can send your own photos/video OR let us know where to find photogenic lights to photograph ourselves (here’s all the ways to connect with WSB) – and will keep a running list of addresses on the West Seattle Holidays page.
City Councilmember Tim Burgess‘s staff sends word that the “chronic nuisance” ordinance – one of two proposals that address some of the problems flagged in the Delridge problem-properties tour last April – has won unanimous approval. Here’s what Burgess wrote about it on his website; read the bill here.
As of this writing, Pierce County police-killing suspect Maurice Clemmons (right) isn’t in custody yet, 
but there’ve been more than half a dozen searches in Seattle today – as shown in this Google Map assembled by @captaingentry, circulated via Twitter (having listened to scanner activity most of today, we can confirm these are locations where police have been). So far, none of these major searches have been in West Seattle, but it’s vital for everyone citywide to be on the lookout, as he could be anywhere. If you are an instant-info fan like we are, you can watch tagged Twitter traffic by using this link – those whose tweets you’ll see include citywide and neighborhood journalists who are or have been at the various search scenes (and you don’t have to have a Twitter account to use that page). Reminder – the tip line is 866-977-2362, and here’s the link for how to help the murdered officers’ families. 5:57 PM – The family of murdered SPD Officer Tim Brenton has issued a statement expressing sympathy and asking for the same support for those families that they have received. Meantime, a new search location is unfolding right now – in Renton – few details yet.
2:51 AM UPDATE: Until there’s more information, we’ll make a quick note here – there’s been a shooting south of Beacon Hill that may be linked to the case. When something is confirmed, we’ll post a separate update.
https://westseattleblog.com/blog/wp-admin/post-new.php
With the first Hometown Holidays weekend coming up, The Junction is getting its holiday trimmings today. (See wsjunction.org for full details on Saturday’s tree lighting, Sunday’s HH fun – including Santa photos – and the ongoing $6,500 giveaway). Meantime, from Fauntleroy, we have a post-Thanksgiving thanks to share, from Carol at Tuxedos and Tennis Shoes Catering:
I would like to extend a big thank you to everyone who donated pies and desserts to the Free Community Thanksgiving Dinner at the Hall at Fauntleroy. We served over 250 people this year. The many delicious desserts were enjoyed by everyone. The room was warm, appetites were satisfied and the spirit of the season was all around. We really appreciate the community support.
If you’re seeing smoke near The Bridge – it’s a truck fire in the 3200 block of 16th SW on Harbor Island (map). Heavy black smoke, as you can see in the cameraphone photo we just received (thanks!). 11:59 AM UPDATE: Via Twitter, @brucecmoore says the smoke’s turned white, so firefighters are getting a handle on it fast. No report of injuries so far. Thanks also to everyone who’s e-mailed reports on this. 12:07 PM UPDATE: Zach sent photos from Pier 56 across the bay:
There are some traffic effects too – @romabit tweets that they’re stuck on Harbor Island. 12:57 PM UPDATE: We can confirm firsthand that at least one path off the island is still blocked by police – the fire scene is under an elevated ramp – here’s what’s left of the truck (the cab in particular was incinerated, but scanner traffic indicated the driver got out OK):
1:33 PM UPDATE: Thanks to Jesse Doerr for a clearer photo of the scene.
Jesse also reports:
Witnesses on the scene say that the truck collided with one of the supports of the overpass onto Harbor Island and caught fire. The driver got out safely and seems to only have minor injuries to his hand. Quite a big fire though, the flames were coming up under the road and visible on top shooting up around both sides.
Traffic on Harbor Island is just now loosening up, as police found a way to route around the fire-aftermath scene.
(During our interview, we asked for “a video message to your fans” – there’s the result)
By Tracy Record
West Seattle Blog editor
Two months ago, West Seattle radio personalities Marty Riemer and Jodi Brothers got axed from their long-running show without getting so much as a chance to say goodbye.
But this duo known for humor as well as music seems to be having the last laugh. Truly.
Some fans are still finding out they’re no longer on The Mountain; the short item we published about the abrupt end to their tenure there, mostly pointing to what our partners at the Seattle Times reported, is still drawing a few new comments each week – apparently thanks to a Google quirk, where the search query “what happened to Marty Riemer?” points you to our blurb first.
But hundreds of fans have long since rediscovered them on Facebook – starting with the day they got the boot, when Marty reported it with this status update:
Since then, on his page, he’s posted videos and invitations to events – including the one they plug in the video clip atop this story – a Marty Riemer Funny Festival that they’re staging wholly independent of any media sponsor. The FB page has even revealed personal news, like his wife’s pregnancy. So, of course, sent our interview request via Facebook, resulting in a rendezvous on a recent rainy afternoon (where you’ll also find Marty emceeing this Saturday’s tree lighting):Read More
From today’s city Land Use Information Bulletin: More than a year after demolition of the big old house at 4532 42nd SW (map) – just north of Capco Plaza — the official city decision is published approving the mixed-use project replacing it (July rendering above) with 35 residential units and 3,000 square feet of commercial development: Read the decision here. The documents say changes were submitted in September to address the concerns brought up at its last Southwest Design Review Board meeting in July (as covered here):
These included an irrigation component as part of the landscape plan, a widened sidewalk along the entire 42nd Avenue SW façade, extending the height of the Prairie Stone bases of the columnar design elements along the 42nd Avenue SW façade, and the insertion of Prairie Stone headers above the windows of the commercial storefronts on 42nd Avenue SW, as well as providing these Prairie Stone headers along both the north and south ground-level facades to be consistently co-extensive with the areas of brick façade. The Director finds that these changes when implemented will adequately address the concerns and meet the recommendations of the Design Review Board as expressed at the July 23, 2009, Board meeting.
Now that the decision’s been published, there’s a two-week period in which appeals can be filed – the deadline is December 14; the official city notice explains how.
This final day of the month is relatively quiet — nothing major on the calendar. But the first public meetings for two West Seattle park projects – both funded by the Parks and Green Spaces Levy – are happening later this week, so here’s an early reminder: 6:30 pm Wednesday night, Fairmount Playfield playground improvements, 
for which $170,000 is budgeted, will be discussed at High Point Library (map). Then at 7 pm Thursday night, the new $3 million Westcrest-adjacent parkland created by the now-under-construction covering of West Seattle Reservoir (right) will be the topic at High Point Community Center (map). Lots more this week too – your next chance to get involved with neighborhood groups including the North Delridge Neighborhood Council, Highland Park Improvement Committee and Westwood Neighborhood Council (check out their remodeled website!) – it’s all on the WSB Events calendar (and all the holiday excitement – revving up for the West Seattle Christmas Tree Lighting this Saturday – is on the West Seattle Holidays page).
ORIGINAL 6:10 PM REPORT: A new development in the search for the man who killed four Lakewood Police officers in a Pierce County coffee shop this morning: Authorities have gone public with the photo at left, saying that 37-year-old Maurice Clemmons is a “person of interest” with whom they want to speak in connection with the deadly ambush. The Seattle Times (WSB partner) has a story about his lengthy criminal history; he is reported to have been in jail until posting bond six days ago, facing charges including child rape. If you have any information about him, the official tip line is 1-866-977-2362. The four murdered officers also have just been identified – here’s the official announcement. The Lakewood Police union’s site has info on how to help their families. 9:00 PM: From left, Officer Tina Griswold, Officer Ronald Owens, Sgt. Mark Renninger, Officer Greg Richards.
9:48 PM: The search for the person of interest has expanded to Seattle – the Leschi neighborhood (which also, you may recall, is the area where SPD Officer Tim Brenton was killed). 12:42 AM: Real-time updates continue courtesy of our fellow independent neighborhood-news service, Central District News, at centraldistrictnews.com. We’re continuing to monitor and will update when there’s something major but otherwise, CD News is where to get the moment-by-moment. 3:10 AM: A briefing at the scene of the Leschi standoff – now in its 7th hour – has yielded new information, including Maurice Clemmons‘ description changing from “person of interest” to “suspect” – this, authorities say, because he was shot. They don’t know if he’s dead or alive. CD News is continuing to add updates to this report. 9:04 AM: He wasn’t there after all. Now the search has moved on to the U-District; here’s the latest from the Times – and the warning to people at the UW is confirmed by a WSB’er who sent us the e-mail alert that went around, saying simply, “Lakeland shooting suspect may be in University area. Police responding. Be alert.” 10 AM: That search is said to have been called off, but there’s another one under way in Beacon Hill.
Along Beach Drive just before sunset, we caught this scene – West Seattle’s most famous holiday light display, in the process of being put up, all the way up to the big star on the tallest tree. If you’re new to the area – it’s the Menashe Family display; we’ve done video profiles each of the past two years (2008 here, 2007 here) and will be checking in with them this year as soon as the display is done. We’ll also feature Christmas lights from all around West Seattle, as we’ve done the past few years (here are our archives; last year was sidetracked in mid-December by snow) – we welcome your photos and/or addresses if no pix – if you’ve already shared the pix via Flickr, Facebook or somewhere else public, just let us know (and tell us it’s OK to republish) – we’ll include the list on the West Seattle Holidays page, too.
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