White Center Now: The blog about White Center

Announced by the King County Library System:

A library design Open House for the new White Center Library will be held on Thursday, July 18, from 6:30 – 8 PM at Mount View Elementary School. This meeting is an opportunity for the community to meet the architects and library staff who will be working on the project and to offer input on the design of the library. Please come and share your thoughts!

The latest KCLS newsletter for this area also mentions this:

The White Center Library Guild will be hosting their annual sidewalk sale on Sunday, July 21st starting at 10 am. The sale is held in the parking lot at 10009 16th Avenue SW. The guild will have lots of books and other fun stuff to shop.

Mark your calendar! Here’s the official poster:

What a Tuesday night that was! But after the rain, the wind, the lightning … came rainbows. Thanks to Gill for sharing photos.

Heads up – the National Weather Service says thunderstorms are possible again this afternoon and evening!

Just in case you’d started to wonder, with the 4th of July just a week from Thursday: Fireworks sales are still legal in unincorporated King County, and they start at noon Friday (June 28th) this year. And fireworks are still banned in the cities around White Center – Seattle, Tukwila, and Burien.

The Technology Access Foundation‘s facility in Lakewood Park is one example of the kind of partnerships the county is trying to embrace and increase, and so a special event last night honored TAF and other partners. Here’s the official news release:

Dozens of past Community Partnerships and Grants recipients joined King County Parks this week to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the innovative program aimed at creating new or enhanced public recreation facilities.

Community partners representing a variety of King County user groups, sports associations, recreation clubs and other non-profit organizations gathered together Thursday, June 20, for a special recognition dinner to reflect on the achievements of their partnerships with King County Parks that resulted in new or better facilities such as mountain bike trails, a birdloop trail, community meadows, a boathouse, and turf sports fields.

“Getting behind Community Partnership Grants and embracing the passion and energy of our community partners makes sense for the County,” said King County Councilmember Larry Phillips. “The results speak for themselves: In the past decade, more than 50 community based projects have been completed with a public investment of over 14 million dollars that was amazingly matched by over $40 million dollars in private funding.”

In 2003, the CPG Program was established as a public/private partnership initiative to empower community-based organizations to develop public recreation facilities and run programs on King County land, which would not be possible with Parks current funding.

King County contributes use of land and capital improvement grants for successful partnership proposals. Community partners contribute the necessary additional capital and in-kind resources to develop the new or enhanced facility, as well as operations, maintenance, and programming, which is typically accomplished through volunteers and/or revenue-based programs or other resources.

Popular outcomes of the CPG Program include the active Duthie Hill Park, a partnership with the Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance that brought more than 20,000 hours of volunteer labor to build the impressive network of mountain biking trails; the recently completed lacrosse turf field at Big Finn Hill Park in partnership with Kirkland Lacrosse; and the Technology Access Foundation’s Bethady Community Learning Space at Lakewood Park, a beneficial resource to thousands of students with learning labs and an accessible community room that was the fitting venue to host the CPG Program recognition dinner.

“I am honored to be here with you tonight to celebrating the 10th anniversary of the CPG program and to recognize and celebrate you and your organizations, as representatives of the thousands of park users and volunteers,” said King County Councilmember Joe McDermott. “The CPG program is unique and innovative and being here tonight at TAF’s Bethaday Community Learning Space – a building that embodies the CPG program. It is a testament to the hard work, energy and passion that each of you bring to the Community Partnerships and Grants Program.”

As each group stepped forward to accept their partnership recognition awards presented by Kevin Brown, director of King County Parks, a series of photos in the background displayed images of shovels breaking ground, hard hats in construction zones, ribbon cuttings and many smiles across the faces of people of all ages; all in part to their vision, passion and commitment to the greater community.

Learn more about the Community Partnerships and Grants Program: http://www.kingcounty.gov/recreation/parks/partners/cpg.aspx

Receiving partnership recognition awards Thursday night were:

· Discovering Open Spaces

· Eastside Audubon Society

· Eastside Football Club

· Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance

· Friends of Cedar River Watershed

· Friends of Dockton Park

· Friends of Maury Island Marine Park

· Hollywood Hill Saddle Club

· Issaquah Little League

· Kent Youth Soccer Association

· Kirkland Lacrosse

· Marymoor Velodrome Association

· Middle Green River Coalition

· Mirrormont Community Association

· Northwest Paragliding Club

· Preston Community Club

· Ravensdale Park Foundation

· Redmond North Little League

· Sammamish Rowing Association

· Seattle Preparatory School

· Technology Access Foundation

· Vashon Forest Stewards

A WCN/WSB reader was concerned that perhaps the King County Sheriff’s Office had more information than they were releasing regarding the potentially connected incidents near 3rd/104th. Today, the reader talked with KCSO Sgt. Cindi West, who shared this as a result:

The attempted child abduction from 2 weeks ago and the recent burglary “may or may not” be related. Given the facts that within 2 weeks, on the same street, a man grabbed a child in a front yard and on the second incident a man tried to gain entry into a room (where a child was sleeping), we felt it important to alert the public in case the two are connected. We, of course, do not know if the two crimes are related.

We also do not know yet if the stolen truck leaving the area is related or not, but since the deputy saw it in the neighborhood not long after the Burglary it is a possibility. We have released information hoping to get tips on who might have been driving the truck.

Our detectives are working hard on these cases and are following up on all tips and leads.

We are continuing to keep the public informed so that our community remains vigil(ant).

Remember you are the eyes and ears of our community! Please remain aware and call 911 to report anything suspicious.

Just in from King County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Sgt. Cindi West:

A residential burglary attempt of an occupied house occurred on Sunday night on the same street as an attempted abduction of a 3 year old child last week. Detectives believe it may be the same suspect in both cases.

In the latest incident, the suspect attempted to enter a bedroom window of a house in the 10400 block of 3 Ave SW just after 10 pm. A 1 year old child was sleeping in the room and the child’s mother had stepped out of the room for a moment but returned and saw the suspect pushing on the window screen. The child’s mother screamed and the suspect fled.

A relative who was home at the time jumped out the window and chased the suspect losing him near SW106th and 2 Ave SW. The suspect was wearing a grey hoodie and tan shorts.

When deputies arrived in the area they saw a red Mazda Pickup driving quickly out of the area. When deputies tried to stop the vehicle, a female passenger exited the vehicle and the vehicle sped off. The vehicle crashed a short distance away and the suspect fled on foot. The suspect was wearing clothes that matched those of the burglary suspect and was described as “tall and skinny.”

The vehicle was determined to have been stolen from Seattle on May 31st.

The previous incident on the street was on June 2nd when a suspect attempted to abduct a 3 year old child from his yard. The child’s mother was able to fight with the suspect to keep him from taking the child.

In the first incident is the suspect was described as a male, approximately 6’0 tall, and skinny. He wore a full mask, dark gloves, and all black clothing including a tight dark shirt, dark pants, and dark shoes.

Here’s our story from the previous incident two weeks ago.

Several WCN readers asked us over the weekend about what appeared to be a pursuit and/or search in the White Center area. Here’s what we found out today from King County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Sgt. Cindi West:

On Saturday night around 11:20 pm in the area of SW106th St and 1st Ave SW a small red truck that sped by one of our deputies. The driver also ran a stop sign. The deputy initiated a traffic stop on the vehicle near S. 108th and 1 Ave S. The vehicle stopped and it appeared as though the driver ordered the female passenger out of the car. The driver then fled in the vehicle as the deputy attempted to stop him again. The vehicle went west on S 108th and then turned south onto 1 Ave SW. When the vehicle turned onto 1 Ave SW there were some people standing next to a vehicle in the roadway. The suspect narrowly missed the vehicle and people. The deputy had to slow to avoid striking the people or vehicle in the roadway. The deputy could see the vehicle ahead making a westbound turn onto SW1 10th. The deputy lost the vehicle.

Shortly thereafter, another deputy found the vehicle crashed into a fence trying to pull into a driveway near the 10600 block of 3rd ave SW. The driver fled on foot. A K-9 track of the area was unsuccessful.

The truck had been reported stolen out of Seattle on May 13th. No arrests have been made yet.

Thanks to our tipsters – you are welcome to text or call us any time, around the clock, at 206-293-6302.

From the WCN inbox, news of the next storytelling session presented by Trusted Advocates:

Friday, June 21st 2013

At The White Center Community Cultural Center
9421 18th Ave SW – Hillborn Room

6:00 pm Light meal from presenter’s culture/heritage

6:30 pm Storytelling Program
– followed by Q/A segment

Our Special Guest this month:
Gina & Marcelas Owen – YOUNGBLOOD’s HEALTHCARE ADVOCACY

Six years ago Marcelas Owens & his Grandmother Gina, claimed the healthcare spot-light at the greatest personal cost. Tiffany Owens, (Marcelas’ mother) was constantly ill & unable to work, therefore lost her health coverage. Her plight, as like many hard working Americans who hover at the edge of financial obscurity became the message that brought the face of discrepancies in healthcare to the foreground. Marcelas was 8 years old when his reality struck and ever since then he’s continued his mothers work. His voice & story has taken him from Olympia to Washington DC. Come hear their continued & combined efforts to fight for healthcare for all.

BIO:
Marcelas Owens has now graduated from Madrona Middle School. Gina Owens; who is a continued Grassroots Leader/Lobbyist for Washington CAN and has been a member of the Joint Policy Advisory Committee at Seattle Housing Authority-Joint Policy Advisory Committee. Before her daughter’s passing, Gina had already advocated for Healthcare Reforms. She continues her efforts alongside her grandson.

PLEASE FORWARD THIS INVITE TO YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS! YOU ARE A PART OF A COMMUNITY, BE HERE. WE’LL SEE YOU ON FRIDAY, JUNE 21ST!!!

Questions: Nancy Calos-Nakano 206.795.0833 or trustedadvocates@gmail.com

EDITOR’S NOTE: We reported the big news that broke during this month’s North Highline Unincorporated Area Council meeting as soon as it happened – word that the King County Executive was committing to proposing continued funding for the White Center storefront deputy – but that’s not all that happened; here are the other highlights.

By Tracy Record
White Center Now editor

The NHUAC meeting began with an ending – Ron Johnson retired from civic involvement. He had been on NHUAC since 1996, he said, retiring once before – in 2003, “for a whole year” – before jumping back in. James Bush gave him a certificate on behalf of King County Executive Dow Constantine.

Johnson said, “I’ll be out there.”

OFFICER ELECTIONS: Barbara Dobkin was re-elected unanimously as president. Liz Giba was elected unanimously as vice president. Pat Price won unanimous election as secretary, and Christine Waldman as treasurer.

KING COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEM UPDATES: Angie Benedetti was announced as the new King County Library System regional manager, now in her second month in that role. Bill Ptacek called her a “legend” in the system – someone responsible for “buying almost all the books in the system.” As for the new White Center Library to be built on 107th between 14th and 16th, he said the property purchase is almost complete, with what amounts to a 60-year loan with zero interest. He reiterated that the library won’t use the entire site, so KCLS is looking for “another partner” to share the site. They are casting a wide net to find that partner – preferably another nonprofit, he indicated. When will construction start? Depends on where the library will go on the site – and a “public process” is required before that is settled, he said. “The beauty of the site is that along with being right across the street from a school, it’s right at the head of 15th, and could be a beacon to the start of the business district.” He said ideally they’d like some visibility from 16th but if they move it too far west, it might not be visible from 15th. They can’t pick a partner until they decide where on the site the building will be sited. Meantime, they’ve chosen NBBJ as the architect, from a field of about a dozen. He noted that the principal architect of the Burien Library is now with that firm. The first meeting between KCLS and NBBJ happened today; the first public meeting about siting is likely to be in mid-July, date and location to be set. Nothing’s happening with Boulevard Park right now – there’s no formal date for the 2004 bond money to be used on it, Ptacek said, though they’d like to have the project under way by next year.

Giba wondered what would happen if Seattle annexed White Center, including the new library site. “(The annexation issue is) going to be up in the air for a while,” Ptacek observed, but, as that line of discussion proceeded, he noted that members of the community were the ones who evangelized this site, “which just seemed like the right site for the library.”

A bit later, White Center business owner Elizabeth Gordon asked Ptacek why this location is better than the current one. The reasons he cited were its proximity to a school, its position at the “head end of the commercial district,” the fact the current library will be able to stay open until the new one is up and running, and that it was a “really good deal.”

Postcards will be sent out as part of the notification of upcoming meetings on this project.

Rachael Levine of the White Center Library Guild pursued the line of questioning about why the current library site is being scrapped – many “felt it had served well,” she said. NHUAC president Dobkin pointed out that the meeting in which the site was chosen was a 5 pm meeting in Issaquah. Ptacek was taken to task by the next person to speak from the audience who suggested the community still doesn’t fully trust the library system management and its board. “I’m hearing it and I hope you’re hearing it – I don’t think this has been a straight-up process so far, and I think it needs to be from now on.” Some applause followed that.

Now-former councilmember Johnson said, “We paid (taxes) for a King County Library – if annexation (to Seattle) happens we still want it to be a King County library,” though he acknowledged he’s not sure how that could happen.

Without comment on the last two points, Ptacek’s part of the meeting ended.

METRO: DeAnna Johnson was on hand, talking about the possible financial crisis faced by the transit service. Asked why fares couldn’t be raised to cover the potential gap, she said it would take $4-$4.50 each way to cover it.

Why did so much service move from White Center to Westwood in last fall’s service change? Dobkin asked Martin. Westwood is “a great hub … with more connections to more places,” she replied. “It’s a transit hub with no park-n-ride,” Dobkin countered. “We’ve heard that request from a lot of people,” Martin acknowledged, then saying “there’s nothing planned at this point … with the current financial situation, it’s hard to invest” in that sort of thing.

KING COUNTY TRANSIT RESOURCE OFFICER: Bill, who’s been with Transit Police for many years, is involved with a new program – Transit Resource Officers, and he’s hoping there’ll be five of them. His area ranges from the West Seattle Bridge and miles south, as a liaison with police regarding bus stops with trouble. “I have a lot of resources .. it’s against the law to do anything but sit there politely on a bus and ride the bus. … Our biggest teeth is the suspension program.”

Late-night drinking, any kind of a bus-stop issue – he can look into it. He works 10-6, Monday-Friday. There are 69 Metro Traffic officers if they’re fully staffed, which currently they’re not, he says. “The bulk of our business happens between 1 pm and 11 pm,” with a sharp dip around 7:30-8 pm, people going home, or going to shelters. 239 bus routes, 9,000 bus stops, 1280 buses on the road, only about 400 have cameras. He said he spends the “vast majority of (his) time” in front of Bartell at 15th/Roxbury. He says in his view, and that of other police, the “high-octane fortified beer and wine” is White Center’s #1 problem – “people get drunk and want to fight.”

What if you see graffiti? He suggested reporting it to 911. (Wilson suggested contacting Metro customer service.)

STOREFRONT DEPUTY PETITION: P.S. to the previously mentioned commitment for Constantine’s budget to propose continued funding – NHUAC points out it’s not a sure thing till the budget is finalized later this year, so more signatures on their online petition would be welcome.

TO TABLE AT JUBILEE DAYS OR NOT TO TABLE? NHUAC will, its members decided. And that’s where you can see them in July – their meetings, otherwise, are on hiatus till September 5th.

We mentioned here recently that Cu Van Truong‘s trial had begun for the murder of Jason Saechao at Seattle Roll Bakery in White Center in the final days of 2011. Today, a jury returned a verdict, according to this update on the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office website:

Deputy Prosecutors Alex Voorhees and Jennifer Worley have secured a conviction against Cu Van Truong, who was accused in the shooting death of Jason Saechao after an argument in White Center on December 28, 2011. Truong, 27, was convicted by a jury of Murder in the First Degree with a Firearm Enhancement. The trial was before Judge Catherine Shaffer. A sentencing date has not yet been set. Truong is facing a possible sentence of 40 to 50 years in prison.

They asked for short films – they got ’em – and tonight, you can see them! The RatCity ArtCity Film Festival is happening, 6-9 pm, at Herban Legends (9619 16th SW) – full lineup on their website.

Two events of note this week – first, the two-part White Center Chamber/WCCDA get-together on Tuesday. From the invitation:

One agenda. Two locations.

Join us for lunch or dinner to discuss issues concerning the White Center business community.

June’s discussion will include:
-Health care for Chamber members
-Chamber business

Times & Locations:

12 p.m. @ Young’s – 9413 16th Ave SW
6 p.m. @ Mac’s Triangle Pub – 9454 Delridge Way SW

And at 7 pm Friday, the WC BOSS happy hour:

Come join us for BOSS Happy Hour!!

Meet other business owners, mingle with the neighborhood, and stay for Salsa dancing! Lessons and music start at 9 p.m.

(no host bar)

Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Chemo’s – 10230 16th Ave SW

King County’s fire investigator is working to find out what caused a house fire in the 10600 block of 17th SW; thanks to the readers who messaged us about it. It’s out now. Nobody home when it happened, and no injuries were reported, the North Highline Fire District incident commander told us.

Lesley recorded video while smoke was pouring from the house:

From Mark Ufkes:

Union Gospel Mission is assisting in coordinating Tacos in the Park for our White Center homeless population this summer, to continue their important outreach work to the White Center homeless population who they have been serving on Saturday evenings for over two years.

Tacos are scheduled for every second Friday of the month at noon. In June, tacos are planned for Friday, June 14 (Flag Day), again on Friday July 12, and again on Friday August, 9, 2013. Taco Time Northwest continues to support our lunch effort as we reach out to homeless folks and let them know that we care for them and want them to be healthy.

A second church group from a Burien church has expanded its lunch outreach to our homeless population on two Saturdays each month, and Holy Family (from Seattle) continues their outreach and free lunch on one Saturday each month. Our Second Friday of the Month effort continues to average over 40 participants, and we serve over 100 tacos during the 90 minute event. White Center business owners are encouraged to send the homeless from their block to the free lunch next Friday.

As they say, “There but by the grace of God, go I”

Breaking news from the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council meeting under way right now – president Barbara Dobkin has read a letter just received from King County Executive Dow Constantine, committing to keep funding for the King County Sheriff’s Office White Center storefront deputy position in the 2014 budget. There had been concern the funding was in jeopardy, and Sheriff John Urquhart had asked the council to help with a show of support, so they launched an online petition, as first reported here last month. After Dobkin read the letter, the 20-plus people in the room applauded. More from the meeting a bit later.

You’re invited tonight – 7 pm, North Highline Fire District HQ at 1243 SW 112th, as the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council takes on this busy agenda:

7:00 pm Call to Order – Flag Salute – Roll Call –
Approval of Agenda – Approval of Minutes
7:05 pm Public Announcements
7:10 pm Public Comment
3minutes for Individuals
5 minutes for Groups

7:15 pm Election of Officers

7:20 pm Bill Ptacek, King County Library System Director

7:40 pm Deanna Martin, Community Relations Planner
King County Department of Transportation

8:00 pm Deputy William Kennamer, King County Sheriff’s Office
Special Operations Section

8:10 pm Committee Reports

8:15 pm Unfinished Business/Old Business
• Jubilee Days
• Storefront Deputy Petition

8:20 pm New Business
• Napa Building – 16th Avenue

Thanks to those who tipped us about the big law-enforcement response in downtown White Center tonight, in the alley between 15th and 16th SW. A King County Sheriff’s Office sergeant on the scene told us it basically came down to a fight between two suspected drug users; one suffered a head injury and had to be taken to the hospital.

12:22 PM: If you’re seeing King County Sheriff’s Deputies out in the 10400 block of 3rd SW and vicinity, they’re following up on a reported kidnapping attempt last night. King County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Sgt. Cindi West says a family was outside their home around 6 o’clock last night, having a barbecue, children playing, and the mom was running around keeping track of them when she felt someone brush by her – and suddenly saw a stranger with her 3-year-old son in his arms. She thought for a moment maybe it was a relative, and then realized something was wrong, and chased the man, who eventually fell down, at which time she struggled with him and eventually wound up lying on top of her child to keep the man from resuming the kidnap attempt. He kicked her repeatedly, Sgt. West says, but then just fled. The family in turn went indoors, locked up, closed the windows, and called 911.

Deputies brought out a K-9 but could not find the would-be kidnapper. KCSO is back in the area today trying again to pick up any track, since, Sgt. West said, this kind of brazen kidnap attempt from private property is so unusual. The only description she has is tall, lanky, dressed in black with a black ski mask over his face.

ADDED 2:25 PM: Sgt. West has just issued a news release about this. It’s all the same information we’ve reported above, with one addition: “If you have information about this crime you are asked to call the King County Sheriff’s Office at 206-296-3311.”

We’ve been tracking two White Center murder cases for some months now, and have updates on both:

DECEMBER 2011 BAKERY MURDER: Trial is now under way in King County Superior Court for Cu Van Truong, the man charged on December 30, 2011, with murdering Jason Saechao days earlier at Seattle Roll Bakery in downtown White Center. Prosecutors allege Truong shot Saechao to death in a spat involving a necklace and a woman. King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office spokesperson Dan Donohoe told WCN the case could go to closing arguments within the next week or so.

NOVEMBER 2012 STABBING: Brodie Lamb, charged last November with stabbing his 69-year-old mother Margaret Ryan to death at her White Center apartment, is at Western State Hospital, according to court records. After being found incompetent to stand trial, he was committed to Western State in early April for a 90-day attempt to restore competency through treatment. A hearing is scheduled in early July to see where the case stands.