White Center Now: The blog about White Center

Because of last night’s windstorm, all Highline Public Schools are closed today.

The report and photo are from the King County Sheriff’s Office:

More stellar police work (and K9 Quinn work) means more drugs taken off the streets.

On November 15th, our Special Emphasis Team served a narcotics search warrant on a drug trafficker known for selling fentanyl powder, fentanyl pills and heroin from White Center to Mount Vernon. After many months and 100-plus hours of surveillance our detectives and deputies seized:

• 5.12 pounds Fentanyl powder
• 13,620 Fentanyl M30 pills
• 1 pound of heroin
• More than $2000 in cash

They also booked a suspect on one count of investigation with intent to distribute and one count of conspiracy
Estimated street value of all these narcotics: $286,000

The Comprehensive Plan is meant to envision King County’s future – and your feedback matters, county leaders say. Tuesday you have a chance to participate in a major public hearing about it:

The Council will accept public testimony on the 2024 Comprehensive Plan package, including the changes to the 2024 Comprehensive Plan and the Countywide Planning Policies, on Tuesday, November 19, 2024, beginning at 11:00 a.m. No votes will be taken at this meeting. This meeting will allow for in person or virtual public testimony. Information on how to participate in this hearing is available at this website.

The Council is expected to vote on the 2024 Comprehensive Plan package at the December 3, 2024 meeting, which will begin at 1:30 p.m. The agenda for this meeting will be issued on or around November 27, 2024, and any additional materials or amendments will be posted to the Council’s Comprehensive Plan website as they are made available.

Also: Written comments on the proposed plan are welcome at any time during the Council’s review. Comments can be submitted electronically by emailing CouncilCompPlan@kingcounty.gov.

No official alerts, but the wind has kicked up here in the early-morning hours, and the Seattle City Light outage map shows 14 customers in Greenbridge have lost power, near 8th/98th.

Just look for the signs – they’ll lead you to the White Center Library Guild‘s Holiday Bazaar and Book Sale on its second day tomorrow (Saturday, November 16). Thanks to Gill Loring for photos from the first day:

Merchandise of course includes holiday items as well as items you might give as gifts:

Tomorrow’s hours are 11 am to 4 pm; the library’s at 1409 SW 107th.

Announced by the White Center Library Guild for this Friday and Saturday:

All ages welcome.
Shop for books, gently used household treasures, and white elephant holiday gifts. All proceeds benefit the programs for the White Center Library.

By Tracy Record
White Center Now editor

The second in-person meeting post-pandemic for the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council happened tonight at the North Highline Fire Station. NHUAC had to wait for the station’s renovations to be complete before it had a meeting place again.

NHUAC president Liz Giba facilitated.

KING COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE: First up, she introduced Precinct 4 KCSO commander Major Koby Hamill and Capt. Chris Przygocki, brand-new at the precinct as of October after being promoted within KCSO. This was his third community-council event, Hamill said. They asked about questions/concerns – including the recent departure of Sgt. Glen Brannon from the storefront deputy possession. Hamill said that like most police agencies, KCSO is dealing with an officer shortage. “Unfortunately … we’re at about 67 percent staffing in the KCSO Southwest Precinct … same number as the other unincorporated precincts … 72 vacancies and 60 to 70 deputies in training … So we have another 60 to 70 bodies, but (because of training) they’re not deployable bodies.” But he just filled the Greenbridge housing deputy position “that’s been vacant for years.” That deputy can help out when needed. He thinks the storefront position “will be vacant a little while longer” because they had some fill-ins who didn’t work out. They have a few potential internal candidates, and will broaden recruiting if that doesn’t work out. “It takes a certain deputy to be a storefront deputy … I’m not going to give you just anybody off the shelf.” Most of the time, he said in response to a question, WC has two deputies on patrol. Burien deputies back them up when needed, Hamill said, and vice versa. He said he has a commitment that in early January they’ll get this precinct back up to 70 percent. They apportion staffing via a periodic “draft,” he explained. … The new storefront deputy isn’t likely to be a local resident, he said, because most live someplace cheaper – “even White Center is expensive,” he noted.

Attendees asked about recent incidents. Re: the car-wash shooting, and the quick arrest thanks to security video, the Captain said he was taken into custody and they recovered the gun, but he apparently was having a mental-health issue and believed the victim was someone he was not. They found the suspect in a play area at an apartment complex nearby. The victim survived. … Re: the recent pedestrian fatality, a man hit the pedestrian and didn’t know it until he “felt a thump.” He wasn’t impaired, said the captain, and reported it immediately to 911. There were no particular circumstances that the KCSO duo was aware of regarding why it happened. … They didn’t have additional info about the recent attack on a Metro driver; Maj. Hamill said those are so common that some drivers don’t even report it (in police talk, “don’t want to be a victim”).

He also talked about what a different world this is and why store staff don’t want to engage with someone committing a crime – “you don’t know who you’re dealing with any more,” they might be dealing with someone who’s armed and/or dangerous. … Maj. Hamill also touched briefly on the booking restrictions that result in misdemeanor suspects not being booked into jail. “There’s a lot behind the scenes that you don’t know about,” he said. He also said there’s a push to increase penalties. But overall shoplifting, for example, isn’t a big problem except at Roxbury Safeway. They do help empower businesses to grant officers the right to trespass people – they’ve been dropping off forms that need to be filed out, Przygocki said. … “How are we ever going to get back to civility?” agonized one woman. Just because they don’t jail/charge anyone immediately doesn’t mean they won’t ever refer the case for charges. But “there’s only so many people they can prosecute, so first-time offenders” – in some cases – “might get off.” In talking about the spread of crime into many areas, Hamill mentioned he lives “in rural Pierce County” and his block has been rocked by multiple-victim shootings. … City and county officers can cooperate, he noted, and can make arrests and search for suspects on both sides of the city-limit line. … WC has gentrified, too, it was observed by both an attendee and Hamill – it used to be a lot rowdier, among other qualities.

Other topics that came up included the noise of modified mufflers … The Halloweentown block party on 16th went smoothly; KCSO sent a couple extra deputies … Three extra deputies are working tonight on a “special project” for KCSO, Hamill said … Another attendee asked if mom-n-pop shops get priority over corporate-owned stores in terms of responses. “No, it all depends on when the call comes out,” said Hamill, or if it’s a Priority X (major) call, for example. … Maj. Hamill said unincorporated King County does not have high-tech innovations like Flock cameras that can track suspects long distance – yet … An attendee who lives near White Center Heights Park said he wants to see speed bumps to slow the reckless drivers near his house – reply: ask King County Road Services (which reports to Local Services, whose director was in earshot) … What’s the biggest thing happening in the area that we all should be concerned about? asked another attendee. “No one theme,” said Maj. Hamill. “Just general awareness.” The commander then veered into an endorsement of home security cameras. “Be vigilant. And (when you need to), call us. That’s what we’re here for. Don’t ever hesitate to call us.” Call 911 and they’ll transfer you if it’s not an emergency, he added. … NHUAC’s Giba asked about the Tim’s Tavern music issue, which she said was supposed to be handed over to KCSO, but Hamill said it hadn’t come to his attention, yet, and noted that noise complaints are a low priority. … What about budget cuts? Personnel cuts in KCSO were focused on civilian positions as far as he knows, said Maj, Hamill.

DEPARTMENT OF LOCAL SERVICES: Road issues were addressed first – a sidewalk problem is blamed on tree roots and they’re trying to figure out how to do that “without killing trees” … The traffic-calming feature in front of Victory Church in Top Hat is being evaluated after complaints it’s dangerous … Bumpy spot on outside lane of eastbound 107th by Taco Bell – it’s been determined it needs some work and it will be taken care of … Bumpy spot at 4th/116th is “actually in Burien” so that city’s appropriate department has been notified … Permanent puddle at 4th/108th: It’s been evaluated and appears to be a water-main leak, so Seattle Public Utilities has been notified (one attendee said they already knew about it) … Those were all previously surfaced issues; some new ones came up too, including a ditch problem at 3rd/110th, 15th/98th damage, 16th/107th has a sidewalk problem with a “cutout” … These will all be looked at, the Local Services team promised. … Another attendee brought up a traffic problem on their street, 17th SW “right off 16th, 100th to 104th” … NHUAC’s Barbara Dobkin noted that big tractor-trailers are parking in that area and causing a hazard too. The rechannelization of 16th could complicate matters, it was observed. … David Daw from Local Services said he’d try to get a Roads rep to come to the next NHUAC meeting to hear/talk about some of these situations firsthand.

What about the kiosk situation? asked NHUAC’s Pat Price. After a recent survey, they’re working on design, the county reps replied. Nothing to show yet. But otherwise it’s all dependent on budget; $100,000 was requested in King County Executive Dow Constantine‘s budget proposal … Price asked about road dumping; notify the county, was the reply.

Then Daw mentioned that it has been determined Tim’s Tavern “can’t operate the way they’re operating now” with outdoor music and an “unpermitted structure.” They should have received a letter notifying them to stop, but “they do have the ability to appeal to the King County Hearing Examiner,” he said. If an appeal fails, then they face a penalty every time they get caught violating the rules. “The current use is not allowed” – an outdoor venue – repeated Daw. Who’s dealing with it right now? The hearing examiner will hear it soon, Daw added. … There was also some discussion of the recent block party, which was advertised as “until 2 am” though permitted (for the street closure) for midnight – the 2 am was just a reference to the establishments’ hours, it was clarified.

So what about the 16th SW project? “Moving forward as designed,” said Daw, with the bicycle lanes. Is White Center Food Bank OK with it? Yes, they’re gaining spaces, replied Daw … What about the King County Comprehensive Plan, with a final hearing coming up November 19th? asked the same attendee. It’s been discussed before, said Dobkin.

Daw also had a reminder for business owners: Unincorporated King County’s minimum wage will be $20.29 starting on January 1st. He also mentioned community grants are open for applications until mid-December, and that participatory budgeting voting wrapped up, and the winners will be announced on November 11th – next Monday. “White Center turned out!” he said, with more than 2,500 votes cast.

LIQUOR/CANNABIS BOARD REP: They have pulled some stings recently, sending in an underage person to try to make purchases. No big headlines from that. But if you have a particular concern with a retailer, contact the board (look for agent Eric Thomas, whose turf is from south of Roxbury to SeaTac). Any word on the Unicorn Bar? No liquor-license application yet, Thomas said. … Any update on the ex-KFC building or the ex-Chase Bank? No one had any intel.

COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS: 4:30 pm next Tuesday (November 12), there’s a pet-painting party at the White Center Library (1409 SW 107th) … Also at the library, the White Center Library Guild‘s Holiday Bazaar happens November 15-16 … The White Center Kiwanis Club‘s nut sales are under way again, $25 per box …

NEXT MEETING: NHUAC usually meets first Thursdays, 7 pm, now in-person at NH Fire Station (1243 SW 112th). (They’ll be taking January off, said Giba.)

Just in from the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council:

You are Invited to Experience

The Opportunity to Be Informed, Be Involved and Be Heard

At the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council (NHUAC) Meeting!

When: Thursday, November 7. 2024, at 7 pm

Where: North Highline Fire Station in White Center at 1243 SW 112th Street
(Parking and Entrance are in the Back of the Station)

Please join NHUAC’s second in person meeting since 2020! The meeting will take place in the newly remodeled North Highline Fire Station at 1243 SW 112th Street in White Center.

Last month’s meeting introduced Leon Richardson, the new Director of King County’s Department of Local Services (DLS). DLS is responsible for providing essential services such as permitting, zoning, code enforcement and road services to North Highline and the other unincorporated areas of King County.

Mr. Richardson said that he would get back to us about several items that were brought up in October. Unfortunately, he has a scheduling conflict with NHUAC’s November7th meeting. However, David Daw, External Relations Director for DLS, will stand in for Leon Richardson. We look forward to hearing from him.

White Center Now: The blog about White Center » Archive » In-person discussion with new Local Services director @ North Highline Unincorporated Area Council’s October meeting

The King County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) has also been making some changes in the people who work with Precinct 4, which includes our area. Our last Storefront Deputy, Glen Brannon, was not at October’s meeting because he is no longer assigned to North Highline. This month we will be joined by Captain Chris Przygocki. We’re looking forward to meeting him and learning when we will have a Storefront Deputy and how North Highline will be protected until then.

Do you have questions or something you want to share – perhaps an idea for a future meeting? Come, share and bring a friend!

Knowledge is power. Learn, share and help make our community a better place.

November 7, 2024 at 7 pm

Bring a Neighbor!

Reported by a reader:

I found this dog 10/31/2024 at 112th and 28th Ave SW near Shorewood.

I kept her all day and night, but no one claimed her. I have found someone to foster her while we try to fine her owner. We have a very elderly dog and it will be hard to introduce a new pet.

Based on where she was found I would need to take her to Kent to the Regional Animal Services of King County (206) 296-7387.

(Also posted on partner site West Seattle Blog)

The first big event of the night has 16th SW closed to traffic between Roxbury and SW 100th, as White Center’s “Halloweentown” welcomes trick-or-treaters, among others – actually “trunk or treaters,” with decorated low-rider cars on the west side of the north block:

Go admire the decorated trunks and grab some candy.

Even well before dark, the ghosts and goblins were out marauding.

Individual venues have activities too – travel through the scary-clown inflatable arch at Big Mario’s Pizza/Alpine Diner (WSB sponsors) and you’ll find pumpkins to paint:

More grownup fun is part of the party later in the evening too – Halloweentown is in the spirit until 2 am.

A reader reported 16th SW blocked near 107th this morning. We asked King County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Deouty Mike Mellis what happened: “It looks like there is an ongoing investigation related to a fatal vehicle vs pedestrian accident in the area. Our Major Accident Response and Reconstruction Unit (MARR Unit) is investigating. I do not have any additional details for release at this time.”

2:37 PM: A 19-year-old woman is in the King County Jail this afternoon for investigation of homicide after another woman was found dead in a White Center apartment. Here’s what King County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Deputy Mike Mellis tells us:

At 7:15pm on Friday, October 25th, 2024, the King County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) Communications Center received a 911 call regarding a possible homicide having just occurred.

The location was a small apartment building in the 9800 block of 15th Ave SW in the White Center area … Upon arrival, KCSO deputies contacted several individuals and located a deceased adult female inside one of the rooms of the residence. Another adult female was arrested at the scene. The KCSO Major Crimes Unit detectives were called to the scene to take over the investigation. The female suspect was booked into the King County Jail at approximately 1:30 am (this) morning. The King County Medical Examiner’s Office will release the victim’s name, cause of death, and manner of death per their protocols. The King County Prosecutor’s Office will review the case reports and make a filing decision. This case remains an open and active investigation.

If you have any information, the KCSO case # is C24036038.

EVENING UPDATE: The suspect’s bail was set today at $2 million.

7:54 PM: We just got the court document from the bail hearing. Here’s the narrative, with some redactions:

(The suspect) is a tenant residing at the address of 9834 15 Ave SW, Seattle, WA 98106; a multitenant structure comprised of separate rooms rented out on a per room basis by the 73-year-old property owner… (suspect) has resided at this location, renting a room for approximately one year.

On 10/25/2024 at 7:15 pm the suspect’s brother-in-law … called the King County Sheriff’s Office Communication Center to report that (she) had told them she had killed someone and had shown (the victim’s) body in a video phone call. …
King County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to the scene. Meanwhile, the King County Sheriff’s Communications Center called (the suspect, who) initially told the call receiver that said she did not do this and that it was all a joke and that she was “all the way in Everett” with ‘a friend’, denying that she had done anything. When she was then asked about the video call she made(, she) responded, “I killed her…not the friend…the one that I showed to my sister.”

The suspect subsequently told detectives that the dispute involved back rent she owned. The brother-in-law said the suspect had been threatening to kill her landlord since last month but they didn’t take her seriously.

The White Center Eagles just sent word of their second annual Trunk or Treat, happening today (Saturday, October 26), at 10452 15th Ave SW: “It is open to the public for all the fun, rain or shine. 1-3 in the parking lot, food will be inside.”

Via a reader tip and Seattle Police regional bulletin, we learn that King County Sheriff’s Deputies are investigating an attack on a Metro bus driver. It happened in the past hour or so (after 9 am) at 15th/Roxbury. A reader says it was a northbound RapidRide H Line bus. The bulletin said the attacker broke a glass bottle over the driver’s head. They were described only as a Black man, tall, thin, in a black hoodie. If you have any information on the attack, call 911.

The new Rat City FC soccer club, formerly Cultures United, has announced it’s offering free Saturday night soccer clinics for kids 5-19. Just show up at Steve Cox Memorial Park (1321 SW 102nd), 5-7 pm.

2:58 PM: It’s Thursday, October 17 – go celebrate Hallo-month at tonight’s Rat City Art Walk, 5-8 pm. Participating locations are listed here.

6:43 PM: Thanks to Susan for sending this photo. We believe it’s from Nepantla in South Delridge:

10:37 PM: A few people have asked why the Guardian One helicopter is over White Center right now. It’s been trying to help bring in a stolen vehicle, detected by a Lojack signal. In this case, the vehicle is occupied and on the move, refusing to stop, and it sounds like deputies don’t plan to pursue it further on the ground, though the helicopter still has eyes on it.

10:43 PM: The driver is reported to have ditched the car in Top Hat and bolted. A ground search is ensuing.

10:55 PM: The area where they’ve been searching is actually northeast White Center, 1st SW & SW 102nd. They’ve just taken someone into custody. The helicopter will be clearing the scene.

5:25 PM: According to an FYI bulletin just circulated on Seattle Police emergency radio, King County Sheriff’s Office deputies are investigating a shooting. One person is reported injured in the shooting at/near the Saar’s Super Saver Foods grocery store in the 10600 block of 16th SW. Deputies are said to be looking for a suspect described as a Hispanic man in his 20s, 5’7″, short brown hair, black clothing, with a backpack, carrying a black helmet. According to King County emergency radio, the victim is seriously injured with “multiple gunshot wounds.” (Added: Shot four times.) If you have any information, call 911.

5:47 PM: As shown in our photo, the scene appears to be at the car wash north of the store – at least, that’s where the victim was loaded into a medic unit; they’re now on the way to Harborview Medical Center. A possible suspect was found blocks away but we haven’t heard yet whether they’ve been arrested.

We’ll add anything more we find out.

6:31 PM: KCSO says they did take that suspect into custody – no other details, though, regarding the circumstances, the victim, or the suspect.

(WCN photo from 2021 holiday bazaar at White Center Eagles)

Yes, already! First bazaar of the year. Here’s the announcement:

Annual Holiday Bazaar at the White Center Eagles

Saturday, October 19th, 10 am to 4 pm

10452 15th Ave. SW

Handmade items – Art, Jewelry, Accessories, Pottery, and Lunch

We wrote about this initially on our partner site West Seattle Blog because the Guardian One helicopter started its west-side visit over West Seattle, but are making a note here too because of what it then did over White Center: The helicopter crew picked up a Lojack signal around 11 pm Friday, indicating a stolen Jeep Wrangler was somewhere on the ground in north WC. They found it near Holy Family, and circled while deputies approached on the ground. They determined the car was empty, and the helicopter moved on