Update: House fire in 11200 block of Marine View Drive
(video added 10:48 am)
ORIGINAL 9:48 AM REPORT: Crews are at the scene of a “fire in single-family residence” call in the 11200 block of Marine View Drive (map). According to the scanner, there is a fire of some type – which has just been reported “under control.” We are en route; updates to come. 9:58 AM UPDATE: Co-publisher Patrick is at the scene; he reports smoke still coming from the house in several spots. 10:10 AM UPDATE: According to the incident commander at the scene: The fire appears to have started in a bedroom, though the cause hasn’t been pinpointed yet; nobody was home; there’s substantial damage, at least $20,000 worth. We’ll add pictures shortly; most of the units are wrapping up and moving on, so traffic should be able to get through that section of Marine View Drive before too long. ADDED 10:45 AM: Video clip at top of story; photos below with neighborhood perspective and section of home with the most damage visible from the front:
We’ll keep checking with the fire department till there’s word of the fire’s cause. 4:21 PM UPDATE: And here’s that information: “Accidental electrical fire” – something was left on an electrical cord, and that sparked the fire, according to Seattle Fire spokesperson Helen Fitzpatrick, who says the damage estimate is now at $150,000.
Denny Middle School celebrates “International School” status
Denny Middle School principal Jeff Clark says his school’s new designation as an “International School” will be formally announced at tomorrow night’s School Board meeting; it’s been mentioned in the “letter to 5th grade families (considering Denny)” posted on the school website, and is detailed in this flyer he sent, including:
We are making this transition to become an International School with the big picture in mind: Kindergarten through Twelfth-Grade. A major focus for Denny Middle School continues to be preparing all of students for future success in the Chief Sealth High School International Baccalaureate program. We are working with Sealth staff to align curriculum and programs with this goal in mind.
As a whole community, we are striving to create a neighborhood school Kindergarten through Twelfth-Grade pathway that is rigorous and globally-focused while preparing every student for success in college and life.
When Denny moves into its new building on the Chief Sealth campus in two years, and sixth through twelfth grades will be co-located, though the district has said repeatedly that they will be operated as separate schools. Seattle Public Schools that already have International School status include John Stanford (elementary) and Hamilton (middle). Program specifics, according to the Denny flyer, include an increased emphasis on language instruction, and education with “global, cultural, and ethnic perspectives”; here’s a document that discusses “model guidelines” for the program in the district. Denny’s next tour is this Thursday, 8:15-9:15 am, no appointment required.
West Seattle Weather Watch update: Newest forecast
All’s quiet here as of 4 am but the latest “forecast discussion” came out less than half an hour ago and includes:
PRECIP SHOULD SOON DEVELOP ALONG THE COAST AND SPREAD INTO THE INTERIOR AROUND OR JUST AFTER SUNRISE. THE AIR MASS IS SUFFICIENTLY COLD RIGHT NOW TO SUPPORT SNOW OVER NEARLY ALL OF WRN WA …
4 am temp at both Sea-Tac and Boeing Field, nearest “official” major weather stations, was 32 degrees. If you need to check traffic cameras, the ones of relevance to West Seattle are on the WSB Traffic page; the citywide system is here; the WSDOT cams page for the entire region is here.
Your first look at the “preferred plan” for the Denny site’s future
Tonight’s meeting of the Design Team for the Redevelopment of the Denny Middle School Site – whose efforts we’ve been chronicling since September – was a momentous one. What you see above is the “preferred plan” for the site, drawn after many meetings in which community members, school employees, district consultants debated what to do with the site, with just three main prerequisites: It needed to have a softball field and tennis courts, to replace the ones removed on the current Chief Sealth campus as it transforms into the joint campus of Sealth and the future Denny, plus it’s supposed to hold space open for a possible elementary school some years down the road – read on for more details on this plan, and what happens next:Read More
Pigeon Point Council: Greenbelt cleanup; snowstorm ratings …
(from left, Chief Sealth students DJ, Holly, Sara)
Tonight’s Pigeon Point Neighborhood Council meeting included an appearance by student reps of a project we’ve heard about at several meetings in the past few weeks: Chief Sealth High School students working with Cooper Elementary students to document and clean up the nearby section of the West Duwamish Greenbelt. This meeting, of course, had special significance, since Cooper is where the PP group meets. The students are looking for people who can help them compile neighborhood history, too. Another agenda item: Debbie Goetz from the city’s neighborhood-preparedness team led some post-mortem discussion of the December snow (even as some February flakes are falling). She asked attendees to rate the snowstorm on a scale of 1-10, with 10 being “extreme inconvenience” – most gave it a 7 or 8, and many voiced concerns about the bus troubles that happened throughout the storm; Debbie reiterated what’s been said at recent city meetings — Metro’s being brought into planning for future weather problems. She also passed out flyers for the next SNAP (Seattle Neighborhoods Actively Prepare) session in West Seattle, 6:30 pm March 12 at the Admiral Library branch.
Two more items discussed: Pete Spalding voiced concern about maintenance and vandalism (including tagging) on Pigeon Point-area staircases. Neighbors agreed to assess the staircases and contact the city for repair materials; maintenance trouble spots include railings that are in bad shape. Plus, the future Delridge Produce Co-Op came up (as reported here last week), with lots of enthusiastic discussion, and questions about whether parking strips can be used for edible gardens and fruit trees. (The next meeting for everybody interested in the Co-Op, by the way, is this Thursday, 6:30 pm, Delridge Library.)
Gathering of Neighbors ’09: Applications now available
We’ve mentioned a few times that the popular Gathering of Neighbors – on hiatus since founding organization Megawatt shut down more than a year ago – is coming back this year — April 4th — coordinated by the Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association. And tonight, the official announcement of application availability has just landed in the inbox:
Gathering of Neighbors returns!
Joining neighbors and businesses in 2009.
Come be a part of the Gathering of Neighbors: Businesses and Community organizations from across the West Seattle Peninsula , all together, one day, one place, as “one community”.
April 4th, 2009 marks the return of the Gathering of Neighbors, this year sponsored by the Delridge Neighborhood Development Association (DNDA) and the West Seattle Chamber of Commerce. The combination of both community and businesses participants promises to have Chief Sealth High School (at Boren) bursting at the seams with booths full of information.
More than 400 people attended the last Gathering of Neighbors, with more expected this year, Attendees will experience, in one place and time, the tremendous wealth of services and goods available to them in their own neighborhoods right here in West Seattle. Entertainment and refreshments will be part of the celebration.
Are you part of a group or business who would want to participate? Download applications and more info at www.dnda.org or contact Suzanne Nevan, suzannen@dnda.org , (206) 923-0917 x122
Gathering Of Neighbors:
Date: Saturday, April 4th, 2009
Time: 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Location Chief Sealth High School,
5959 Delridge Way SW
West Seattle Weather Watch: Be ready for anything
Just got a message from Karen via Facebook, saying hail and freezing rain just moved through her area (26th/Hudson; map). The weather experts say a “convergence zone” is happening again tonight, like last night, though that technically affects mainly the south Snohomish/north King County area. The next official forecast should be out within about two hours, and we’ll add an update then. 8:57 PM NOTE: Sleet here in Upper Fauntleroy – standing outside, you can hear it, more than see it. Cliff Mass posted another update within the past hour and says there’s a CHANCE we could see substantial snow tomorrow morning; temps are right on the edge.
West Seattle Crime Watch: Bullet holes found in house, car
New information about the suspected gunshots reported last night by residents northwest of The Junction: This afternoon, evidence was found that shots indeed were fired. First word came from Stacy, who posted this comment on the original report:
Contrary to popular belief, the noises heard on the 4100 block between Dakota and Genesee last night around 8:30 were actually gunshots. At approximately 3:30 today, eight shell casings were found on the ground along with three bullet holes – two in a parked car and one in a neighbors house. Police were called and just finished their investigation.
Officers who investigated last night didn’t find anything, but we just confirmed Stacy’s report with Lt. Ron Smith at the Southwest Precinct, who says an officer indeed went back out this afternoon to investigate bullet holes in a car and house. No one was hit. (Later note: We have a followup question out regarding the exact location, as well as whether there is any indication of random vs. target.)
West Seattle snow aftermath: Trash rebate details made public
On New Year’s Eve, while at City Hall for Mayor Nickels‘ post-snowstorm briefing, we reported to you that he promised a rebate for some who’d missed multiple trash pickups, though no details were given at the time. An e-mail question this past weekend from a WSBer reminded us that it’s long past time for a followup, so we asked Andy Ryan at Seattle Public Utilities if the rebate details had been announced. He just sent them to us, in this customer Q-city A format:
Q: Can I get an adjustment for my missed garbage pickups during the December 2008 snow storm?
A: Yes, if your collection was missed twice. The storm started late on Wednesday, 12/17/08 and lasted through 12/26/08.
Residential accounts missed twice will receive a one-time $5 adjustment for this weather-related event. Commercial accounts (dumpsters) missed twice will receive a $10 adjustment. However, customers whose pickup day was Wednesday were only missed once (on Dec. 24), so they are not eligible for an adjustment. Neither are COFN accounts.
Q: How were the $5 and $10 amounts derived?
A: These amounts align with an adjustment already applied to the accounts of customers whose garbage collection was missed twice in one year.
Q: When will I see the adjustment, and how will it look on my bill?
A: This adjustment will be applied to eligible accounts with a bill date of 2/17/09 forward, until all accounts served during the storm period of 12/18/08 – 12/26/08 have billed. The adjustment will appear as a line item referring to the December 2008 snow event.
So keep an eye on your next bill.
Monday afternoon notes: From annexation vote to float followup
COUNCIL SAYS “NO” TO ANNEXATION AGREEMENT: We’re working on continuing coverage for this at partner site White Center Now, but it’s worth a note here: The Seattle City Council has just voted 8 to 1 to *not* endorse the recent agreement reached with Burien and two fire districts, setting a framework for the potential annexation process over the next few years; the agreement basically gave Burien first rights of refusal on the southern half of the North Highline unincorporated area, and Seattle first rights on the north half (including most of White Center). We’re continuing to add details from the council discussion to the WCN report here. (5:14 pm note: Added a comment from Seattle mayoral spokesperson Alex Fryer, saying, “The MOU with Burien took some time, but we had an agreement that made sense for all the parties. With the City Council decision today, we’re done with the issue for this year.”)
HAPPENING TONIGHT: Last reminders about three events of note, all on the WSB West Seattle Events calendar: The Pigeon Point Neighborhood Council meets at Cooper Elementary, 7 pm; the Denny Site Redevelopment Design Team meets at the Denny Middle School Library, also 7 pm; and the ARK Park benefit concert (raising money for a privately funded new park on land owned by Arbor Heights Community Church) is happening at Roosevelt High School, also at 7.
“HAVE A HEART” FINAL TALLY: Heather at Illusions Hair Design (WSB sponsor) tells us yesterday’s event (WSB coverage here) brought in more than $1,700 for West Seattle Helpline and Pencil Me in for Kids.
HI-YU FLOAT HOME SEARCH: West Seattle Hi-Yu Festival president Tim Winston reports that the float has a reprieve (following this item over the weekend) but it’s not forever:
Harbor Properties has once more been gracious and extended our storage of the float through February. However, their project will need us to be out after that.
Regarding use of other currently empty buildings – they are looking for contacts, so even if you don’t know for sure whether something might be available, if you have a contact and can provide that info to Hi-Yu, please call Tim at 206-938-2088.
West Seattle restaurant watch: Zeeks Pizza’s target date
(December 2008 WSB photo)
After reporting a week ago that the future Morgan Junction location of Zeeks Pizza had applied for its beer/wine license, we checked with Zeeks vice president Greg McClure to see how they’re progressing toward that planned spring opening. (Greg’s the executive who first confirmed to us last September that Zeeks would be taking over the space where Corner Inn abruptly closed in June.) Heard back from him this morning:
We can’t wait until the West Seattle store opens and we think it is going to be a great fit for the neighborhood. That corner is going to be a really great place- you’ll have the Beveridge Place Pub, Feedback once it opens, and Zeeks Pizza to round it out. … To all those who are wondering when we’ll be open, we are estimating a May 1 opening date. If anybody is interested in being on our mailing list for a grand opening, you can go to our webpage and click on the feedback link and let us know to add your name and mailing address or e-mail address.
Here’s the page he mentioned; we just tested, and you can ignore all the lines that aren’t relevant to “add me to the mailing list” – enter your e-mail address and write in the comment box that you’d like to be on the list for news of the West Seattle restaurant, and you’re done.
Update: First night of I-5 work postponed
Re: the previous item about the start of pavement work on I-5 — WSDOT just announced it will NOT start tonight after all, because of the weather. Here’s the new announcement:
Grinding work scheduled to start tonight on northbound I-5 in Seattle has been postponed one day due to freezing temperatures expected overnight. The work will now begin Tuesday, Feb. 10. Long weekend closures begin Friday, Feb. 13.
This is the first week and weekend of our major I-5 pavement rehabilitation work.
Crews will close:
· Up to three lanes at night on northbound I-5 from Corson Avenue to the West Seattle Freeway Tuesday, Feb. 10 through Friday. Feb. 13.
· Lanes closures begin at 7 p.m.. Three of four lanes will be closed by 11 p.m. All lanes will reopen at 5 a.m.
· Up to three lanes at night on southbound I-5 from Stewart Street to I-90 Wednesday night, Feb. 11 through Friday morning, Feb. 13. Lane closures begin at 8 p.m. All lanes will reopen at 5 a.m.
· Up to three of four lanes on southbound I-5 between Stewart Street and just south of I-90 from Friday, Feb. 13 through Monday, Feb. 16. Lanes close at 8 p.m. on Friday and reopen at 5 a.m. Monday. Feb 16.
· The Howell Street and Union Street ramps will be closed during all southbound closures. A signed truck and vehicle detour is in place.
Seattle School District running two hours late
The Seattle School District issued the following statement.
February 9, 2009: All Seattle Public Schools will start two hours late today and buses will operate on regular routes. Due to weather concerns, all schools will start two hours late today. Buses will operate on regular routes. There will be no door-to-door service, no Head Start and pre-school, and no half day a.m. kindergarten or half day p.m. kindergarten. Full day kindergarten classes will be in session with a two-hour start delay. There will no before school breakfast service available.
West Seattle Gas Price Watch: 30 cents up, though oil’s down
Within the past few days, the last of the sub-$2 gas prices have vanished. Ahead, for the first time in 2 months, we have surveyed all West Seattle gas stations (except for Exxon at 35th/Barton, where the pumps are cordoned off – we’ll check tomorrow on whether that’s temporary or permanent), and found most prices up more than 30 cents a gallon in that timespan, even though the price of oil is lower:Read More
Police investigating loud noises northwest of The Junction
We’ve received multiple reports of what residents say sounded like gunshots – keep in mind, that COULD mean fireworks – northwest of The Junction, including 45th/Dakota vicinity (map). One report, from LG, e-mailed at 8:26 pm:
We just heard 7-8 rapid sounds in the area and saw our neighbors up and down Dakota (between 44th & 45th) all go to their windows too. Don’t know how close they were, but could hear it over the Grammys.
Police are in the area searching for the source. More as we get it; please share any information you have. 9:21 PM UPDATE: Just wanted to let you know we are still listening, and checking, but no additional info. No aid calls anywhere in the vicinity, at least. 11:06 PM NOTE: We drove around the area while out on our gas-price check (story to come) travels in the past hour – no police seen. We should be able to find out tomorrow morning what (if anything) their investigation revealed, and we’ll post a separate update when we get that information.
Fire claims Morgan Junction locksmith’s business, 11 months later
Thanks to WSBers Mike and Amy for e-mailing to point out that Puget Sound Key and Lock has disappeared from its storefront in the 6000 block of California SW. Even if you haven’t used a locksmith in years, the name may be familiar; it’s the business gutted 11 months ago by a still-unsolved arson attack. The morning it happened, owner Mike Dein told us he had no insurance — “They just killed my life” was the quote in our headline — this photo showed him with the building landlord, surveying the damage:
Within hours, his plight moved WSB Forum members to action – they organized a fundraiser a month later to help him get back on his feet. Finally, on August 11th, he reopened the shop … but now, it’s gone. We reached Mike by phone this afternoon and asked what happened. “I just couldn’t make it,” he said. “The losses were too great.” He wanted to be sure everyone who helped him and offered support knows he remains grateful; he’s sold the mobile business to his former partner, who he says is using it exclusively to handle AAA contracts to help drivers. And he’s moving on to the next chapter in his life – half of which he says he has spent locksmithing, though he’s only 31.
Benefit for shooting victim’s family: “We’re overwhelmed”
That’s what Stacey Bushaw told us about an hour ago, looking around at what she called “the second wave” of people filling Talarico’s for this afternoon’s benefit, raising money for the family of her cousin Steve Bushaw, shot outside the Junction restaurant one week ago tonight. “Half the people here, I don’t even know!” Stacey marveled. In addition to the capacity crowd inside, some gathered outside — among them, two police officers, a reminder that Steve’s killers have not yet been caught. Near the back of the restaurants, photos and tributes – some originally created for the streetside memorial last Monday – were set up steps away from the stage:
Under that table, people had placed bouquets of flowers – and a soccer ball, in tribute to the sport in which Steve excelled:
Stacey told us that Talarico’s covered the cost of both the pizza and the music, so all proceeds for the afternoon – and what she described as many generous extra donations – would go toward the benefit. All in all, she said, it’s been a weekend full of people showing support and love – she said the private funeral at Forest Lawn yesterday also drew an overflow crowd, more than 400 people. A video tribute to her cousin was shown twice during this afternoon’s benefit, and a printed copy of the eulogy was posted in the memorial area by the stage:
Stacey explained that the video closed with a line also seen on the poster for the benefit – “Our circle of love will never be broken” – because of family significance: It was a line of solace on the printed memorial program when the cousins lost their grandmother several years back, and Stacey says Steve had it tattooed across his chest, with his surname on one arm, his mother’s maiden surname on the other. She remarked again about how grateful their large extended family was for this weekend’s outpouring from friends, relatives, and other community members: “All this, for my little cousin.” Meantime, we are checking daily with police for any word of a break in the case.
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