June 2016

Suspect found sleeping with handgun on shuttle

Officers Michael Sudduth and Todd Wiebke boarded a shuttle bus on the 1600 block of Harbor Avenue S.W. around 3:15 p.m., Thurs., June 16 to find a passenger who had fallen asleep. When asked to leave, the man waved them off and went back to sleep.

After officer Wiebke tried to rouse the man again, shaking his shoulder, he only rolled over onto his side— revealing a handgun in his waistband. The police quickly arrested him and took his gun.

Although someone had tried to scratch off the serial number on the weapon, officers were still able to decipher it, which helped them discover that the gun was reported stolen last year in Kent. Police also learned the suspect is a convicted felon, unable to legally possess firearms. They booked the man into the King County Jail for unlawful possession of a firearm.

Attempted robbery at vacant house

The nefarious Seafair Pirates have announced their return for 2016 with their takeover of Alki Beach set for June 25. The event will run from 10am to 6pm and is regularly one that attracts thousands of people. The Pirates are scheduled to land at approximately 2pm depending on the tides.

The Pirate's landing is much more than just their arrival of course and will feature live music, kid’s activities AND live “Pirate Play” demonstrations like bullwhip stunts, swordplay, and general swashbuckling with fully costumed characters.

Because it kicks off Seafair, Seattle's annual maritime festival it attracts media attention too and public officials, Seafair princesses, and more are expected to attend.

Schedule

11:00 PM - Zumba with the West Seattle Health Club

12:00 PM - West Seattle School of Rock http://locations.schoolofrock.com/westseattle

1:00 PM - Sonic Medicine https://www.facebook.com/sonicmedicine/

2:00 PM - Pirates land and present the new Captain to the Mayor

3:30 PM - Skates! https://skates.bandcamp.com

4:30 PM - Big Wheel Stunt Show https://www.facebook.com/thebwss/

Seattle City Councilmember Lisa Herbold shared this update on the public hearings on the potential North Highline Annexation.

This Monday and Tuesday evening the King County Boundary Review Board held public hearings regarding the annexation of North Highline and White Center. The Review Board is made up of 11 members. four are appointed by the King County Executive, three appointed by the Cities of King County, three by Special Purpose Districts, and one by the Governor. You can find the roster here.

In 2009, Burien annexed a portion of North Highline, but in 2012 when Burien attempted to annex the rest of the area, voters overwhelmingly turned it down. Since then Burien has removed North Highline and White Center from its potential annexation area.

Information from Highline Public Schools

Thirty-nine Highline parents, students, and community members spent the last 10 months studying and deliberating about the need to improve or replace schools in Highline. The result is a long-range facilities plan and a recommendation for a bond to fund new school construction.

Co-chairs Rose Clark, a former Burien city council member, and Danielle Houle, a SeaTac resident, presented the group’s recommendations to the school board on Wednesday evening. Many members of the Capital Facilities Advisory Committee (CFAC) attended the board work session.

CFAC’s plan lays out three phases of improvements over 15-18 years. Each phase would require a voter-approved bond to fund construction.

The committee identified four top-priority problems to be solved in Phase 1:

• Elementary capacity – With growing enrollment and state funding for smaller class sizes, more elementary classrooms are needed.
• Middle school capacity – Current middle schools do not have room to accommodate growing enrollment and the addition of sixth grade.

information from South Seattle College

South Seattle College’s Class of 2016 graduates were honored at the 46th Annual Commencement Ceremony held on June 16 at Benaroya Hall. More than 900 graduates were celebrated on the night, and they move into their future with a vast array of degrees, certificates and diplomas in hand.

“Be proud of this moment and take time to salute yourself,” South Seattle College President Gary Oertli said to the graduates at a near-capacity Benaroya Hall as family, friends and college staff cheered them on. “I want this to be a moment you won’t forget.”

This year’s commencement address was delivered by three-time Olympian and two-time Olympic gold medalist Mary Whipple, who was the coxswain for the United States Women’s 8+ Rowing Team in the 2004, 2008 and 2012 Olympics.

Cancer survivors, caregivers, volunteers, and community members will unite at West Seattle stadium starting at 6pm June 18 for the annual American Cancer Society Relay For Life of West Seattle to help save lives from cancer. The Relay For Life movement is the world’s largest fundraising event to fight every cancer in every community, with four million participants in 6,000 events worldwide in 2016.

Dollars raised help the American Cancer Society save lives by funding groundbreaking cancer research, providing free information and critical services for people with cancer, and supporting education and prevention programs. Participants walk around the track for 24 hours to raise funds and awareness.

The event will carry on overnight from Friday, June 17th – Saturday, June 18th
6-6:30 p.m. – Opening Ceremony and a celebratory cancer Survivors Lap at 6:30 p.m.
Beautiful and touching Luminaria Ceremony, where candles are lit in honor and memory of locals who have battled cancer. At 10pm the luminaria will be lit around the track.

2016 Event Schedule:
4pm: Registration Opens
6—6:30 pm: Opening ceremony

The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) has completed the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the Burke-Gilman Trail Extension Project (Missing Link) and has made the document available for public comment. The DEIS evaluates four alternatives for connecting two existing portions of the Burke-Gilman Trail between the intersection of NW 45th Street and 11th Avenue NW, and the Ballard Locks.

SDOT will hold two public hearings to provide information about the DEIS and to solicit public comments. The public hearings will be held at Leif Erikson Hall, 2245 NW 57th Street on:

• Thursday, July 14
6 – 9 p.m.
Presentation at 6:15 p.m.; public comments: 7 – 9 p.m.

• Saturday, July 16
10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Presentation at 10:15 a.m.; public comments: 11a.m. – 1 p.m.

By Lindsay Peyton

A cross-country tour kicked off in Seattle this week -- with a double-feature screening at the Northwest Film Forum on Thursday, June 2.

Two childhood best friends turned filmmaking business partners are setting off on their next great adventure – and celebrating the epic path life has taken them so far.

In 1982, Chris Strompolos, 11, connected with Eric Zala, 12, over comics and a mutual love for the film “Raiders of the Lost Ark.”

Not long after they met, the kids, both residents of Ocean Springs, Mississippi, decided to take on a massive project -- a scene-by-scene remake of their favorite movie, copying every shot, stunt and line of dialogue.

They would spend the next seven summers on the endeavor – transforming their homes into sets and their friends into extras. They made their own props, staged elaborate fires and produced special effects galore with the help of their creative sidekick Jayson Lamb.

The trio built the Ark, painted hieroglyphics and collected costumes – all while going through adolescence, graduating high school, experiencing their first loves and figuring out what their next steps in life would be.

information from South Seattle College

South Seattle College will celebrate its 2016 graduating class on Thursday, June 16, at Benaroya Hall at 7:30 p.m. They will recognize the achievement of over 900 graduates this year, and the commencement address will be given by three-time Olympian and two-time Olympic gold medalist Mary Whipple, who was the coxswain for the United States Women’s 8+ Rowing Team.

Commencement ceremony begins at 7:30 p.m., doors open at 6:15 p.m. The event is free and no tickets are required, so all are invited to come support your friends, community members and classmates who are graduating.

By Tim Clinton
SPORTS EDITOR

West Seattle fivesome signs

Five athletes from West Seattle High School signed on for college scholarships this week.
Lexi Ioane will play basketball and run track at Adams State University and Olivia Williams will play soccer at Chico State, while Gabby Carufel will swim for Loyola Marymount University.
Lani Taylor will compete in track at Seattle Pacific University and Chaaka Trahan is also accepting a track scholarship.

Kela still on disabled list

Chief Sealth graduate Keone Kela remains on the 60-day disabled list as a relief pitcher for the Texas Rangers after undergoing elbow surgery.

Brett has yet to play for Bulls

Ryan Brett, a Highline High School graduate, is still on the disabled list for the Durham Bulls -- the Class AAA affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays.

Barnette here with Rangers

Thomas Jefferson graduate Tony Barnette is in town this weekend as a relief pitcher for the Texas Rangers as they take on the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field.