February 2011

Editor's note: The West Seattle Herald has been covering news here for nearly a century. Robinson Newspapers (which publishes the West Seattle Herald) have a massive news archive of Herald coverage dating back to 1928. What follows are crime reports and public safety issues from 1929. Although reporters’ names were not included with stories at that time, their original words remain intact. As more historical crime reports are compiled there will be more installments of West Seattle All Time Crimes.

June 13, 1929
W.S. Folks Escape Burning In Plane
Are saved from death by calmness of pilot
A scenic trip above the city on Sunday almost ended disastrously for three West Seattle residents, who were passengers in a monoplane which caught on fire.

The plane, which was driven by Charles A. Rector, a pilot of seven years experience, took off from Boeing Field with the three who were: Peggie and J.R. Hawley, 3052 46th Avenue S.W., and Volmer Jensen, 1106 W. Spokane Street, and circled south over the city. While 2,200 feet above the Jefferson golf course, the gas line broke, and the flame leapt back toward the cabin.

Laura Hall of Des Moines will be a contestant on "Wheel of Fortune" on Wednesday, March 2.
Hall is a huge fan of "Wheel" and has been watching it since she was old enough to read. She works as a health and physical education teacher at a local school.
Hall spends her free time coaching cheerleading and playing on a co-ed softball team.
She has been trying to get on the show since she was 18 years old and was thrilled when she was contacted after attending a Wheelmobile event.
Hall’s appearance will be aired on KOMO-TV, Channel 4 at 7 p.m.
Hall will be appearing during "Great American Cities" week, highlighting to some of our country's finest towns.

Tough economic times and a dwindling job market means many teenagers who usually work over the summer could be out of a job. But Teens In Public Service (TIPS), a Seattle-based nonprofit, is working to help some of these teens find work and give back to their community at the same time as TIPS helps teenagers secure employment at various non-profit organizations such as the Ballard Food Bank.

TIPS selects teens for internships at charitable organizations by matching their talents and interests with the needs of over 75 local non-profits. While teens serve at no cost to the non-profit, they still earn a paycheck through TIPS.

“Our internships give teens the chance to earn money as well as open their eyes to the needs of their community,” says Cathy Michalec, TIPS Executive Director.

“Our hope is that these teens will continue to be involved with their communities long after their internships are over.”

TIPS was founded in 1997 by a Seattle mom Maureen Brotherthon and her daughter, Tia Heim, who wanted to create more rewarding job opportunities for teens.

With the recent shortfalls in the Seattle School District budgets, many schools are facing serious cuts to needed programs. To bridge the funding gap, PTA’s everywhere are stepping in with auctions, fund drives, and even rock 'n' roll shows to raise money to augment school programming.

One such rock 'n' roll show will take place on Saturday, March 5, at Greenwood Elementary School. The school's PTA will host its second annual Rock 'n' Roll Fundraiser for Greenwood children, their parents, and the greater community on Saturday.

“The fundraiser was such a success last year, we’re doing it again! This time we’re reaching out to the larger Greenwood/Phinney Ridge community,” said Kim Dixon, PTA co-president.

“We’ll have pizza by the slice, a bake sale, and even a photographer on hand to document those aspiring young rockers!”  

The Rock and Roll fundraiser was conceived by Jane Mabry-Smith, a local Seattle musician who wanted to bring together her passion for local original music with her love of Greenwood elementary.  

“We have a really great school, and each year the budget gets tighter,” said Jane Mabry-Smith.

Just before 6 p.m. on Feb. 20 a young adult womens’ soccer game turned ugly at Hiawatha Community Center. A dispute over a play escalated when two women from the opposing teams “got into a scuffle.” Suddenly, the victim was overtaken by at least ten members of the opposing team. She was knocked to the pitch, stomped on, kicked in the head, punched, scratched and had her hair pulled. Members of the victim’s team ran into the melee to help out, each getting attacked and beaten when they tried to free their downed teammate. Several witnesses said they also saw the original aggressor’s father getting in on the action, kicking and punching the victim. By the time police and medics arrived the assault suspects had all left. “The scratched and bloody victim” was transferred to Harborview and stated she never lost consciousness during the beating. The owner of the soccer league told police he had contact information for the assault suspects, including the father who stepped in.

When it comes to empowering women, West Seattle's Lisa Skvarla not only talks the talk and walks the walk, she kicks the kick. She co-owns Lee's Martial Arts Academy, a 3,000 square foot gymnasium equipped with an array of punching and kicking bags and safety equipment, upstairs at 3270A California Ave. SW.

A third-degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do, Skvarla teaches classes in Tae Kwon Do to families, and individual children and adults. She also teaches aerobic kickboxing, women’s and kids' self defense, and anti-bullying and rape prevention. She was recently named Chairperson for AWSDA, Association for Women's Self Defense Advancement with nearly 600 members internationally. One might say her persona somewhat reflects Jekyll and Hyde as she seems to have a sweet and gentle way, but, get her near a punching bag and her face tightens as she grits her teeth, boxes and kicks with controlled rage.

By Christy Wolyniak

Seattle’s Convention and Visitor’s Bureau recently released its newest Nordic heritage guide this month in hopes to promote tourism and encourage an interest in Nordic history.

Many Seattleites share a common Nordic ancestry which many communities such as Ballard are proud to recognize. The guide features places of interest and community events around the Seattle area and beyond for tourists to discover. One such event is St. Lucia’s Day, in which a young woman wearing a crown of candles leads a festive procession. Other events and attractions commemorate historic Nordic people and events, providing a rich cultural experience for both tourists and locals.

The guide highlights places of interest such as the Leif Erikson statue at Shilshole Bay Marina and the Nordic Heritage Museum; the only museum in the nation that recognizes all five Nordic countries, according to the guide.

“It is important to us that the guides be reflective of the community, are accurate and culturally sensitive,” said Tracey Wickersham, cultural tourism director for Seattle’s Convention and Visitor’s Bureau.

Des Moines Municipal Judge Veronica Alicea-Galvan recused herself Monday morning, Feb. 28 from hearing the civil complaint brought against two Des Moines police officers.
Deirdre and Chuck Wright have filed a civil criminal complaint against two Des Moines police officers that shot and killed their dog Rosie, when she got loose last November.
The complaint charges Graddon and Weiland with allegedly committing acts of animal cruelty in the second degree and trapping and wounding an animal. Both of these charges are misdemeanors.
After attempts to capture Rosie, or identify her owners failed, Weiland gave Graddon the OK to use deadly force, based on Rosie’s previous aggressive actions. According to the police report and witnesses, Rosie did not make any aggressive moves toward the officers when she was shot. Graddon shot her four times.
The preliminary hearing scheduled Monday morning would have been for the judge to decide if there was enough evidence to try the officers for these charges.

Press release:

Today the Seattle City Council voted 8-1 in favor of C.B. 117101, approving agreements between the City of Seattle and the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT). This action overrides the Feb. 17 Mayoral veto.

The Council vote took place on the 10-year anniversary of the Nisqually earthquake, an event that served as a wake-up call for the region to develop a replacement solution that balances the critical need for corridor safety, freight mobility and economic vitality, while providing transit growth and an opportunity for a visionary waterfront.

“Today’s actions are the outcome of a passionate debate that our region has engaged in through these past 10 years. While there have been differing opinions, the contributions of thousands of thoughtful citizens have brought us to this solution,” stated Council President Richard Conlin. “This Council is proud to confirm the City’s role and commitment to this project.”

Press release:

Today Councilmember Mike O’Brien asked the City Council to refer the agreements between the State of Washington and the City of Seattle to the ballot for a public vote in the August 2011 primary. At 2 p.m. this afternoon, Councilmember O’Brien will introduce the legislation that would allow Seattle residents a vote.

The measure would ask Seattle residents to consider the cost risks that they will have to bear, the significant environmental impacts of this project and approve spending billions on a new highway in an economic climate where important investments in education, health care and the public safety net are being cut.

“If we are serious about creating jobs and protecting our environment, there are better options. For example, we know that a dollar spent on public transit creates 70 percent more jobs than a dollar spent on building roads,” said Councilmember O’Brien.

The City Charter allows the City Council to refer legislation directly to the ballot for Seattle voters.