White Center Now: The blog about White Center

First it was Guardian One, as tweeted below, and then TV following up:

8:04 AM: From radio communication: Deputies are on the scene where a man is reported to have been shot at or near a house on SW 106th between 1st/1st SW. They’ve reported finding a shell casing. No word yet on the victim’s condition.

10:58 AM: KCSO says the victim’s injuries are not life-threatening. No suspect information yet.

5:22 PM: More followup info is here.

Summer vacation finally starts Tuesday afternoon for Highline Public Schools students. Tomorrow is a half day.

9:47 AM: The King County Sheriff’s Office says three men were shot in White Center this morning. The investigation has parts of 17th SW and SW 98th shut down. Detectives tell us they will likely be on the scene all day. The victims are at Harborview Medical Center but no word on their condition yet, nor on the circumstances. We’ll be updating.

10:35 AM: As you can see in that photo, the Major Crimes Unit is on scene. Also just arrived, KCSO’s public-information officer Sgt. Ryan Abbott, so we expect some additional details soon.

10:50 AM: Sgt. Abbott says this is all still being pieced together. Two of the victims were critically injured, one shot in the leg and already out of the hospital. 911 got just one call around 5:30 am of shots fired in that general vicinity. While deputies were looking around, the three victims showed up at Harborview around 6:15. Deputies kept looking and started finding the shell casings in the alley as well as damage to vehicles and buildings. They are also investigating reports of some kind of party in/off the alley early this morning that might have been related. So far they have no witnesses or suspect description so if you saw or heard anything that might help investigators, call 911. (We have his entire briefing on video and will add later.)

1:44 PM: Video added. As Sgt. Abbott noted – and as you can see in our photos – “a lot of gunshots were fired” – around 40, he said they’re estimating. SW 98th is closed between 16th and 18th, and 17th SW for a block north of 98th; we’ll check back later on the closure’s status.

5:17 PM: Just went back to check. The streets have reopened.

ADDED MONDAY EVENING: More followup info is here.

Update from KCSO:

From King County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Sgt. Ryan Abbott :

Francisco Carranza-Ramirez, a 35-year-old male from White Center, was just released from jail on June 13, 2019 on a rape charge from a 2018 incident.

As part of his guilty plea, Carranza-Ramirez was issued a sexual assault protection order that stated he cannot have any contact with the victim or her residence. On June 15th, a few days after his release, Carranza-Ramirez violated the protection order by being within 1000 feet of the same victim. The following day, the suspect assaulted the victim, knocking her out of her wheelchair, strangled her, and threatened to kill her. Deputies arrived on-scene but the suspect fled prior to their arrival. He was not located.

Detectives believe Carranza-Ramirez is still in the White Center area and is homeless. He is also believed to still have long hair like his photo. The Sheriff’s Office urges anyone with information of where Francisco Carranza-Ramirez is to call 9-1-1.

According to the court documents in the original case, Carranza-Ramirez and the victim were acquaintances in passing, living in the same White Center neighborhood, and then he started stalking her, raping her twice last September, both times with her 2-year-old son in the apartment. He was arrested after the second incident and had been in jail since then, almost nine months, until his release on June 13th after pleading guilty.

When 4th Avenue SW south of Roxbury reopened last week after a month of work, the county warned it wasn’t entirely done. And indeed, this Friday will bring a one-day closure – here’s the notice:

Never too soon to start planning! From the White Center Kiwanis:

THE KIWANIS CLUB OF WHITE CENTER 10TH ANNUAL JUBILEE DAYS PANCAKE BREAKFAST, SATURDAY, JULY 20, 2019, AT THE WHITE CENTER EAGLES, 10452 15TH SW FROM 7:30 AM to NOON.

The Breakfast includes pancakes, sausage, eggs, juice, coffee, an assortment of raffle baskets, and availability of the lodge bar. Tickets may be purchased from any White Center Club Member or by contacting Bill Tracy at 206-248-2441 and/or billnancytracy@aol.com — $9 at the door, $7 if purchased in advance, youth 5 and under free with a paying adult.

They will also be available at the Greenbridge Health Fair as well as at our July 3 meeting to be held at Noon in the White Center Pizza and Spaghetti House. The event and fundraiser can also be supported through placemat ads and table sponsorships. For additional information please contact Bill Tracy (same info as above).

Almost half the Coronado Springs complex in White Center is comprised of low-rise cottages – 149 units. And now, three years after an ownership change, they’re in line for renovations. The Washington State Housing Finance Commission recently announced financing for what’s described as “new kitchens, roof, flooring, and water system.” The announcement says it’ll be the first rehabilitation project for the cottages in 16 years.

By Tracy Record
White Center Now editor

Lots of news at Thursday night’s North Highline Unincorporated Area Council meeting, last one before NHUAC goes on summer semi-hiatus.

Headlines included:
-Think White Center’s recent increase in violent crime is gang-related? King County Sheriff’s Office says no.
-White Center Food Bank needs a new home.
-Sen.Joe Nguyen implores you to speak up

But first:
–
MARY’S PLACE UPDATE: Executive director Marty Hartman and White Center site director Kecia Pannell presented the latest – three years after “we started a conversation,” as Hartman put it. They began with a video: “It’s up to our community to say, ‘Stop this crisis’,” Hartman said toward the end of the video, which featured families helped by MP. “You invited us into your community,” Hartman said afterward, saying the WC shelter had helped “hundreds of families.”

She presented stats including one saying that to afford the average two-bedroom apartment in King County, your income has to be almost $27/hour – “most families don’t have that kind of income.” MP handles the King County Community Family Shelter Intake Line, which took 3,915 calls last year alone. “We were able to shelter 41 percent of those families … but we know we can do more … to get to ‘no child sleeps outside’.” Of the families they serve, 94 percent are from Washington state, 83 percent from Seattle or King County. Seventy percent have at least one family member who’s working – and still, they are homeless. The good news: Most families who become homeless experience that only once in their lifetime.

White Center was MP’s second 24/7 shelter; now it has four. It just opened another night center. Almost all are in buildings slated for demolition – “the ultimate in recycling,” Hartman smiled. They also serve single women via their day center, and they have seen a 44 percent increase in seniors among them – “there is a silver tsunami coming,” Hartman said.

Right now, MP has 600 beds, triple what they had four years ago. They also have special programs: Popsicle Place, for homeless families with children have chronic health problems. “Every parent wants to sacrifice for their child’s miracle” – and that may mean a job loss, a home loss. Thirteen rooms for 13 families, increasing to 45 when they move into an Amazon building early next year. (The current 13-family space is at the MP site in Burien, which MP owns, housing 200 families in all; “a couple bought [the four-acre Burien site] for us and we’re paying them back.”) Baby’s Best Start is for pregnant women and new moms; there’s a wing for it at the WC shelter. Also, the Kids’ Club is at all their sites – they work with schools to be sure kids get transportation, care, etc.

Most families are with MP “for about 85 days now,” said Hartman. They work on housing as soon as a family arrives, talking about what barriers might exist and how to remove them. MP works “with landlords and property owners to build relationships and identify available housing options for our families. … Our families are resilient and responsible,” declared Hartman. They also have “diversion” to help some families avoid shelter altogether, moving them directly into housing rom tens or cars – 286 families last year, more than double 2017, the first year they did that.

White Center specific stats:

Panell took over the briefing, first with words of gratitude. Last year, 126 families were served, including 179 children. 29 people got jobs, with the help of an on-site employment specialist; 47 families were moved to “more-stable living situations.” (Asked where they’re finding housing, Hartman said generally to the south – Federal Way and beyond, most often, she said.)

How can you help? Landlords and connections are what they need most now, as well as “your voice …keep talking,” Hartman implored. Volunteer help is big too. From yard work to reading to kids, they can use the help; teach arts and crafts, music, sewing, etc. They also have the Make-A-Home program to furnish homes for families who are moving into housing with very few belongings.

Another tidbit: The food-recovery program, with food donated by Starbucks and Amazon, has helped them bring daily food costs down from $18/person to less than $4.

WHITE CENTER FOOD BANK: Executive director Marélle Habenicht said the WCFB has had a big year, including the conversion to a grocery-store-type model and appointment system. Running more efficiently has enabled them to allow families to come three times a month instead of twice, and their distribution hours have doubled.

They have also worked on a more-dignified way for people to be served.

Their “Grow to Give” garden expanded last year, too. That’s helped them better serve more families with fresh foods. It’s 1200-square-feet now, with a newly installed aquaponics system. This has helped them expand what they grow – they just got four dragonfruit cactuses, for example.

In 2018:

18,491 times families shopped
1458 babies
23,448 adults
17,000+ seniors (who have a special distribution day on Thursdays; they also have a mobile distribution system for residence facilities)
76 percent of the people they serve “identify as a community of color” – a similar percentage of the staff is the same, and they have staff speaking five languages, which helps with intake

857,000 pounds of food distribution
5200 healthy-food certificates that people can take to local markets where they can find culturally appropriate foods

They grew 13,000 pounds of “ulturally relevant and requested foods” last year – items that are often expensive to buy. They rescued 175,000 pounds of food last year that otherwise was landfill-bound. “We’ve made a really big push in the last couple of years to recover food,” Habenicht explained.

She said “volunteers are critical to what we do” – more than 400 people helped out last year. “We couldn’t do what we do without them,” she said.

They’ve been working with One Million Tampons to cover menstrual needs, including partnerships with schools.

About the Hub Project redevelopment: The WCFB will not be part of it after all, because they couldn’t run a big capital campaign for it as well as their own capital campaigns. So “we need a new home,” about three to five years from now. They learned from talking to people that the WCFB needs a more-central location in WC anyway. “We do a lot more than (offer) food … being closer to downtown White Center gives us more opportunities.” They need 6,000 square feet of a building and about half an acre outdoors for garden and parking. “That is what we are hoping for.” They also hope it will be a green building – a company recently offered them solar panels, which will have to wait until they move toa new HQ.

But: “Our ultimate goal is to not be needed … to shut our doors.” So they hope to own their future location, to be self-sustaining, and “so we can give it back.”

A Greenbridge resident brought up something Habenicht mentioned briefly – a problem with the roundabout – she said that she was told the 8th/108th bus route was removed and that “the roundabout is illegal” but another one is going to be built at 8th/102nd. The topic resurfaced multiple times during the meeeting.

SEN. JOE NGUYEN: Having heard about the bus/roundabout snafu, Nguyen leaped to the front and said he had just texted County Councilmember Joe McDermott to say, “What the f*** is going on?” Not specifically his jurisdiction but “it uses state money,” so why not.

He also mentioned his WC roots, with a shoutout to “my librarian from Cascade Middle School” being in the room.

As for the Legislature:

“It was a fantastic year for folks who are more progressive,” Sen. Nguyen said. He said it’s not a case of politics being good or bad – while 400+ bills got passed, more than usual, that’s still only about 10 percent of what was introduced. $47 million for the 34th District, “largely for this area,” including the finishing of 4th Avenue, he said. $2 million to finish the Burien Mary’s Place, too. “You really have to fight for everything …if you have legislators who don’t participate, who don’t show up, you get screwed.” He said it’s why he was “more aggressive than … well, everybody.” He said he doesn’t care if he gets re-elected, he just wants people to be involved.

Education was a big issue for him, he said. Access to education is a big thing, mentioning the Washington Promise scholarship covering tuition for students from families making less than $50,000 a year. He said they lowered the real-estate excise tax for 80 percent of people – “if your property is worth less than $1.2 million.” That tax affects you when your house sells, it was clarified. Asked later about the school-funding situation, Nguyen mentioned passage of the school-levy lift.

Transportation was another big issue for him.

But he said the first thing he noticed in Olympia was “rampant mediocrity.” He noted that it’s a part-time Legislature. And he found himself the legislative tech expert because he works at Microsoft. He shared an anecdote about someone trying to pass a bill that technically “didn’t make any sense, and if I wasn’t there” to say something, it might have passed.

He was brisk and funny and at times of course deadly serious, saying he opposes youth detention and the King County youth-detention center that’s being built. He also mentioned the law he passed clearing marijuana convictions for those who were convicted as adults.

Sen. Nguyen said he’d met with the governor earlier in the day and fixing the justice system was one topic.

He also mentioned $900 million in support for endangered orcas. He said he believes there are ways to boost the orca population without killing sea lions/seals.

He reiterated, “I can’t tell you how important it is to advocate.” Be loud. Speak up. It’s what he says he’s doing.

If you can’t go to Olympia in person, someone asked, what’s the best way to engage?

Email and call, said Sen. Nguyen. He also noted that remote testimony is allowed in the Senate, too. He said he’s doing everything he can, and also expressed his disgust at some – even some who call themselves Democrats – but “don’t do any work.”

Another question had to do with the inequitable distribution of marijuana tax money and stores. Nguyen invited followup conversation with the person who asked.

His election success came up – “we doubled the number of people of color” in the Senate – “how may is that?” “eight” – as did a wide variety of topics, from tax reform to arbitration to family-leave requirements.

Housing and homelessness will be his focus next year – noting that keeping people housed is “three times cheaper” than getting them out of homelessness once it happens.

NHUAC president Liz Giba brought up the correlation between poor health and environmental justice. She said they’ve been trying to get a study done.

CRIME UPDATE: “We had a significant increase in violent crime last month,” said Deputy Bill Kennamer, who is now the community crime-prevention deputy (title change from “storefront deputy,”he said).

Is it gang related? Kennamer said he’d asked.

A detective and detective-sergeant positions have just been advertised for the Gang Unit, but right now, it remains a unit of one, he noted.

“None of the recent WC shootings are gang related or gang motivated,” is what Det. Joe Gagliardi told him, Kennamer said. Certainly “gang-like,” he acknowledged.

No updates on the shooting outside Saar’s Super Saver,but it remains

Burglaries are the same, auto thefts are down significantly.

Crime analyst: 16th/108th arrests of people with guns

10th, 98th/16th another arrest for unlawful gun possession

(Yes, they are “local” suspects – Delridge to Burien – “a lot of them don’t live here but this is the middle”)

He mentioned a couple problem properties – “one on 13th and one on 17th” – are on his radar, and something is going to be done with the latter, a former business property that was bought by what Kennamer described as a property-flipper who’s just seen it for the first time and is working to get it cleaned up so he can bring in a new tenant.

Other points of discussion included noise enforcement. “It’s archaic, the noise ordinance,” lamented Dep. Kennamer.

What about parking? There is no street camping in White Center, Dep. Kennamer declared, while warning “I’m not solving the problem, I’m just moving the problem.” He said he’s “ruthless” about parking enforcement. But, he said, the enforcement is usually related to people “making a mess” – if they don’t, he doesn’t know they’re there.

Back to the roundabout: “We are working with Metro to find a fix,” said a Local Services rep. Metro buses are legally allowed to go over them, but “the passengers are kind of tossed around every time they do that.” But Kennamer noted that the roundabout has achieved the traffic calming long sought

asklocalservices@kingcounty.gov if you have a problem or question.

P.S. We were in touch with Local Services and Metro the day after the meeting to ask about the roundabout situation. The Road Services Division simply acknowledged the situation:

King County Road Services Division is aware that the roundabout at 8th Avenue SW and SW 108th Street – which was recently installed to mitigate a high-collision location – presents challenges for Metro buses. We are working collaboratively with Metro to identify as quickly as possible a solution that serves the community and all users of the intersection in a safe manner.

Metro said the situation’s in its third month:

Route 128 southbound was rerouted in March, serving different stops after we learned our 40-foot-long buses couldn’t safely navigate the left turn through the roundabout. Northbound route 128 trips can navigate a right turn and they remain unchanged on their original pathway. Details of the new stops served were communicated with riders.

NEXT MEETING: In September. But look for NHUAC at the Jubilee Days Street Fair in July.\

It’s the final day of the first-ever White Center Pride celebration, and while the full schedule for today/tonight is here, we wanted to remind you of one big all-ages event: The Sunday Funday Fair at Future Primitive Brewing (9832 14th SW), noon-4 pm. Here’s who you’ll find there.

This came up at last night’s North Highline Unincorporated Area Council meeting (full report to come), and while nobody had the date handy, we found it online, so in case you’ve been wondering:

The 2020 Public Review Draft of potential amendments to the Comprehensive Plan and associated Development Regulations in the King County Code will be released on July 1, 2019. The following flyer summarizes the list of issues being considered.

Following release, King County is hosting five community meetings during the 30-day public comment period in July. At the meetings, you can learn more about the potential changes and have a chance to talk to staff about what they may mean for your area.

The White Center/North Highline meeting:

Thursday, July 25
6:00 to 8:00 pm
Seola Gardens Community Room
11215 5th Avenue SW

With a countdown and a cheer, the rainbow flag was raised tonight for the first-ever White Center Pride celebration. The little park just outside Mac’s Triangle Pub amassed a big crowd for the occasion:

They saw more than a celebration – they saw a show! Including drag performances, by La Saveona Hunt:

And by Old Witch:

And there was ballet, presented by White Center’s own Miss Sheryl:

Speakers too – two gay elected officials, King County Sheriff Mitzi Johanknecht and County Councilmember Joe McDermott:

Tony Vo from the White Center Community Development Association talked about coming out to his family a few years ago, and added that he welcomes WC’s status as the “new gay mecca”:

Community members of all ages were there:

:

White Center Pride continues through the weekend – find the event schedule here.

The White Center Art Walk is on! DJ Jenny C is spinning, and the Art Market is open:

You can check out work by local artists including Dawn Frasier:

And Jamie Nova:

Just go wander! More photos to come.

Just two days away! You can find a list of participating employers and resource providers by going here.

Tonight’s also the first night of the first-ever White Center Pride celebration. The full schedule is here – before Pride Skate at Southgate, be outside Mac’s Triangle Pub (Roxbury/Delridge/16th) for the Pride flag-raising at 7 pm.

Tomorrow night, the White Center Chamber of Commerce is presenting the White Center Art Walk, 6-9 pm – concurrent with the first night of the first-ever White Center Pride, so it’s one big night. Multiple venues in downtown WC, and even across the line in South Delridge, where Nepantla Cultural Arts Gallery is open for the occasion. Among the downtown WC plans, the Chamber’s Sheryl Clinton shares:

DJ’s will be set up on 98th and 16th (Jenny Chhim, Cambodian music) and in front of RJB Photography studio (DJ Top). Same location:

6:30 Miss Sheryl’s Ballet dancers

8:00 Brass Ring Belly Dance

Also:

6:00-7:00 Mama Pixie Face Painting in front of Miss Sheryl’s Ballet Petite location 9650 16th Ave SW

6:00-9:00 Art Market & Raffle at Miss Sheryl’s Ballet Grande Location 9613 16th Ave SW. Raffle benefits future art ventures in WC

See you there!

11:29 PM: Deputies are searching for two suspects after one person was shot near 16th SW/SW 106th. All we have right now is via the scanner – no information yet regarding circumstances or the victim’s condition, but we’re continuing to monitor.

11:58 PM: Update from KCSO: “A male in his twenties located with multiple gunshot wounds. He was transported to HMC by (Medic One) with life-threatening injuries. Major Crimes en route to the scene to investigate.”

11:43 AM UPDATE: Turns out the shooting was actually kitty-corner from Taco Bell, in the supermarket parking lot. An update from KCSO spokesperson Sgt. Ryan Abbott:

On 06/03/2019 at about 11:20 PM, an occupied vehicle with 4 people was in the parking lot of the Saars Market at the 10600 BLK 16 AVE SW, White Center. Two suspects approached the vehicle and at least one started shooting at one of the male occupants inside the car. The victim, an 18 year old male from SeaTac, was struck multiple times. Both suspects fled in a vehicle. Detectives hope to be able to release a vehicle description later today.

The first Deputies on-scene provided first aid to the victim until King County Medic 1 arrived. Paramedics were able to stabilize the victim and they transported him to Harborview Hospital in critical condition. As of this morning, 06/04/2019, the victim remains in critical condition at Harborview.

At this time it is unknown if this was a gang related shooting.

King County Major Crimes detectives continue to investigate this incident.

What are you doing Thursday night? You’re invited to take a little time to soak in a lot of community information and involvement:

North Highline Unincorporated Area Council Meeting

When: Thursday, June 6, 2019 at 7 pm
Where North Highline Fire Station at 1243 SW 112th Street in White Center
(Parking and Entrance are in the Back of the Station)

The Opportunity to Be Informed, Be Involved and Be Heard!

Will you be part of NHUAC’s final community meeting before the summer hiatus? If so, you will learn about North Highline’s government, neighborhoods and meet some neighbors.

(WCN photo, December 2018)

The portion of North Highline west of State Route 509 is in Washington’s 34th Legislative District. NHUAC looks forward to hearing from Sen. Joe Nguyen at our June 6th meeting. Sen. Nguyen was last with us prior to his election to the 34th District’s seat in the state senate. That discussion ranged from cannabis to housing. We’ve asked Sen. Nguyen to share his thoughts about his first session, his next session, and how things are going in North Highline. There will be an opportunity to make comments and ask questions.

(WCN photo, March 2017)

This month’s meeting will also give us an opportunity to hear from two neighbors and important local organizations, the White Center Food Bank and Mary’s Place.

In the two years it has been in White Center, Mary’s Place has rewarded our support by living up to its promises. One of those promises was to keep the people of North Highline informed. Mary’s Place Executive Director Marty Hartman and Kecia Pannell, Site Director at White Center’s Family Center, will join NHUAC.

Did you know that, not far from SeaTac Airport, there was once billboard that read:

“Will the last person leaving SEATTLE –
Turn Out the Lights”?

It was the 1970s. The loss of nearly 70,000 Boeing jobs, during the “Boeing Bust,” ultimately resulted in regional unemployment of 17%. People were struggling. The White Center Food Bank (WCFB) stepped up to help and became an unofficial part of the North Highline community. Over the decades, the WCFB has continued to be an important community member. Come hear the latest news from White Center Food Bank!

Knowledge Is Power
Learn, share and help make North Highline a better place.
June 6th – bring a neighbor

The 12-3 final score was only part of the story as the Highline Bears opened the 2019 season at Mel Olson Stadium in White Center’s Steve Cox Memorial Park on Saturday night. So many other fun touches were part of the night – like home-team players high-fiving fans in the stands as they were introduced (above, catcher Owen Napieralski). Then there were the Shorewood Elementary students who sang the national anthem:

The “unofficial mayor of White Center,” Christine Spencer, threw out the first pitch:

And there was the guest base runner:

Hudson Borg had his own cheering section at home plate:

Mascot Buntly the Bear roamed the stadium:

Other sightings ranged from his between-innings Macarena to a moment where he sat down and checked out our laptop (hard to type with paws, so he moved on). All that and we haven’t even gotten around to the baseball yet. Yes, there was a full nine-inning game between the Bears and the visiting Laces:

That’s #12 Cody Chavis. You can see the full Bears roster here. They all had a lot to high-five about:

The night also included facepainting, live games, the youth league West Seattle Baseball running a 50-50 raffle, and … chair-throwing. See for yourself next home game, which is Friday night (June 7th):

It’ll be National Donut Night on Friday; can’t miss that. Here’s the schedule; here’s where to get tickets. (Kids 8 and under are free!)