White Center Now: The blog about White Center

As first reported here a week ago, a proposal to annex White Center and vicinity has suddenly surfaced before the Seattle City Council. This Monday (December 15), they’ll vote on whether to take the first step toward calling for residents of the potential annexation area to vote on the idea. One big caveat, though: As pointed out in the council memo, the main reason this has jumped to the forefront is that Seattle leaders want to make sure the annexation tax credit doesn’t expire – since they plan to ask for even more incentive, because of how much it’ll cost the city to provide services to the area, among other costs. So the resolution that’ll be considered Monday says this is NOT a commitment that they’ll pursue the process to the end:

… the City and King County intend to request additional financial assistance from the state to bridge the financial gap between revenues and the spending needed to serve the North Highline Annexation Area. Although this resolution initiates an annexation election, the City will continue to evaluate the advisability of such annexation pending the state’s decision regarding increased financial assistance.

The council meeting starts at 2 pm in Seattle City Council chambers at City Hall downtown, and traditionally begins with a public-comment period.

One week ago tonight, the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council heard from King County Sheriff John Urquhart. Above, you can watch our video of his almost-40-minute appearance. His topics included staffing – hopes of increasing it in unincorporated North Highline, for example – and working on diversity. “I have a white male police department right now,” he declared. “I cannot have a successful police department unless I mirror the community … but it’s difficult, it’s difficult recruitment.” Among other things, he talked about changing county policies so that candidates who speak a second language, for example, get more civil-service points.

He talked about the beat cop being the ultimate model of law enforcement, and joined NHUAC in paying tribute to the late Deputy Steve Cox, who was killed eight years ago. Deputy Cox had exemplified the ideal model of law enforcement, the “beat cop,” noted Sheriff Urquhart.

Two members of his force who focus on specific beats spoke next – Joe Winters, who is lead deputy on park patrol, and new White Center storefront Deputy Julian Chivington, who talked about crime stats, including an increase in residential burglary:

One more note – NHUAC members are working on getting a memorial in Lakewood Park in honor of Dick Thurnau, who lived nearby and devoted so many years to advocating for the park’s beleaguered Hicklin Lake. They are even talking to local legislators to see if there’s a chance the park could be renamed in his honor.

Watch the NHUAC website for word of the council’s next meeting and other information between meetings.

The bond vote failed. So now what? Highline Public Schools wants to hear from you. Its announcement includes a few options – see the links within (note the deadline TOMORROW AFTERNOON to sign up for the “telephone town hall”):

Highline Public Schools is asking all families, staff, and community members to participate in an online survey and a live Telephone Town Hall meeting about the recent bond proposal, which garnered 59.3 percent of the vote but failed to reach the supermajority needed to pass.

Highline is gathering community input as district leaders determine when to run another bond measure and what, if any, changes should be made to the bond package.
Highline faces critical challenges after last month’s bond measure fell just short of the 60 percent approval required for passage. The need to replace aging schools and to address overcrowding and growing enrollment is still urgent.

“In our state, school construction and repairs are funded by local bonds, so the only way to solve these two challenges is to pass a bond measure,” said Superintendent Susan Enfield. “We need to hear from the community and come to a solution that is in the best interest of all of our students.”

All are invited to register for a live Telephone Town Hall meeting that will be held on Tuesday, December 9 at 7:00 p.m. Superintendent Enfield and School Board member Bernie Dorsey will ask for input and answer questions participants have about the urgent need to replace aging schools and build new schools to address overcrowding and growing enrollment.

Participants can register online. The deadline to register for the event is 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 9.

Community members are also invited to take a brief online survey. The online survey is easy to access and is a convenient way to share input and ideas. Families and community members who have provided the district with their email addresses will receive email invitations to participate.

The survey is also accessible for all via the YourVoice section of Highline’s website. The survey is confidential and secure. Survey results will not be tied to individual participants. Once the survey has closed on January 1, Highline will share results with the community.

11:16 AM: Major parts of North Highline are caught up in another widespread power outage – more than 9,000 homes and businesses in all, according to Seattle City Light, which is currently projecting restoration around mid-afternoon. See the latest map of the outage locations here. (Screen grab above was taken from that same page just before 11 am.)

11:58 AM: Per City Light, everyone’s back on. (If you’re not, please let them know!)

Just spotted on the Seattle City Council’s Introduction/Referral Calendar – a proposal to ask White Center and the rest of unincorporated North Highline to vote on annexation. Documents accompanying the resolution say that it’s not likely the vote could be held before 2016, because of the Boundary Review Board process that would have to lead up to it. No date set yet for this to come before the council. Since posting the first short item on our partner site West Seattle Blog, we’ve learned that the discussion started in the council’s Education/Governance Committee two days ago, as detailed in this memo by a council staffer. It is time-sensitive – unless Seattle takes a step like this before the end of the year, the state tax credit that’s been in place several years as an annexation incentive will expire. More to come …

In case you were hoping to use your fireplace or woodstove sometime soon – it’s now OK again. The Puget Sound Clean Air Agency has lifted the King County burn ban as of this afternoon – no current restrictions.

It’s “Giving Tuesday” and this is the perfect way to give – help local students AND have a great dinner. All details on the flyer above – thanks to Uncle Mike’s BBQ for sharing it on Facebook so we could in turn share the details here.

(WCN photo by Patrick Sand)
6:36 PM: Westbound Roxbury is closed between 15th and 16th SW (map) while Seattle Police investigate a hit-run crash that sent a woman to the hospital. Police told us at the scene that she was in the crosswalk when hit by what witnesses described as a blue SUV. We don’t yet know her condition. The road will be closed for a while; SPD’s Traffic Collision Investigation Squad has been called in. If you have any information about this crash, please call 911.

MONDAY MORNING, 10:48 AM: No word yet from Seattle Police on whether they have found the hit-run driver. We asked Seattle Fire for more information on the victim; they say she is 35 years old and was in stable condition when taken to the hospital, where she was expected to be checked for possible internal injuries.

(Update – FOUND!)

BURN BAN: As of 1 pm today (Sunday), a Stage 1 Burn Ban will be in effect for all of King County. That means no fireplace/woodstove use unless you are certified as having no other “adequate source of heat,” and no outdoor fires. This will be in effect, says the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency, until further notice.

SNOW VIEW: Belated thanks to Gill for sharing this view of snowy White Center on Saturday:

No more snow in the forecast – but below-freezing temps are hanging around!

Two White Center coffee shops have announced they’re open this morning – Caffe Delia downtown, and Dubsea Coffee in Greenbridge. 8 am-noon for both, so wherever you are, you can get local coffee to go with your Thanksgiving breakfast.

One week from tomorrow, North Highline Unincorporated Area Council‘s December meeting will feature Sheriff John Urquhart (raincheck from last meeting) and Deputies Julian Chivington (new storefront deputy) and Joe Winters (who patrols parks). Here’s the official agenda, from president Barbara Dobkin:

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

King County Sheriff’s Office
7:20 pm Sheriff John Urquhart
7:50 pm Deputy Julian Chivington – White Center Storefront Deputy
8:00 pm Deputy Joe Winters – South End Park Patrol

8:10pm Pat Price and Liz Giba – Discussion regarding Lakewood Park

8:20 pm Bong StoDomingo – King County Community Service Area Liaison – Update on Graffiti in North Highline

8:30 pm Committee Reports

The meeting will be at 7 pm Thursday, December 4th, at the North Highline Fire District HQ, 1243 SW 112th.

Zippy’s Giant Burgers in White Center had to close early Monday, according to its Facebook page, after a key part in its hood broke – and it’s still scrambling for a replacement. So they’re not sure when they’ll reopen. We’ll keep an eye out for an update.

Two notes today – first, King County Sheriff’s Office is circulating surveillance photos of a burglar:

Also this afternoon – a reader report: Veronica hopes you can help her find her stolen car, and what was inside it:

It was stolen this past Saturday November 22 from Coronado Springs Apartments in White Center around 6-7pm. It is a dark green 1996 Honda Accord, 4 door, plate # AOE7527. It has chipped paint and a Seahawks logo on the back window. Please, I am so stressed over this. It had my daughter’s seat, stroller, personal portraits and just so much sentimental value.

Call 911 if you see it.

Can you spare a turkey or two? Maybe some stuffing too? The White Center Food Bank needs that (and more) and is open special hours today for pre-holiday donations, 11 am-2 pm, 10829 8th SW. Our partner site West Seattle Blog has more on how to help WCFB (which has a regional client base beyond WC).

7:47 AM: If you just can’t wait to get your tree up for the holidays – even with Thanksgiving still a week away – McLendon Hardware tells us they’re expecting their first delivery today. According to manager Matt, “We will be carrying Douglas Fir, Grand Fir, Noble Fir, and Nordmann Firs all of various sizes ranging from 2 ft. to as tall as 9 ft. New additions to our selection this year include a 5-6 ft. sheared Douglas Fir, and a 5-7 ft. Natural (un-sheared) Noble Fir.” The store’s at 10210 16th SW.

11 AM UPDATE: Matt now tells us they’ve had a delay and the trees are expected on November 24th – next Monday.

Until 6 am tomorrow, no fireplace or woodstove use unless it’s your main source of heat – a Stage 2 Burn Ban just took effect at noon. Details here.

(also published on partner site West Seattle Blog)

The King County Sheriff’s Office has just announced that it’s arrested “a juvenile male … for burglary and possession of stolen property” and that he “may be related to other burglaries since November 2nd.” KCSO spokesperson Sgt. DB Gates elaborates that the teen is in custody in connection with the White Center Heights Elementary break-in.

As reported here earlier this week, those hit by a recent string of burglaries include Dubsea Coffee, broken into at least three times. After a two-day closure, Dubsea reopened this morning, with supporters crowding inside:

WCH Elementary teachers were among them – one teacher was our original source for news of the repeated burglaries. Dubsea staff confirms a security system is being installed there today.

Have you seen Sarah? She was last seen on Route 120, and since that passes through White Center, we’re sharing the flyer. Added info from friends: “Sarah Calflooking has been missing since November 6th – her husband, children, and extended family are desperate for information about her whereabouts and safety. Please, if you see Sarah Calflooking or have any information, contact Seattle Police Department #5876 Detective Boggs at (206) 386-1850 regarding Missing Person Incident # 14.378377 and her husband Hiram Calflooking Jr. at (206) 851-1840. Sarah was last seen heading to downtown Seattle on the 120 bus, wearing a green Old Navy hoodie, black stretch pants, green shoes, and a red/black backpack.”

Following up on Wednesday’s story about repeat burglaries at Dubsea Coffee in Greenbridge, the shop was closed again today, so we inquired to see when it’ll reopen. The answer:

Dubsea will re-open tomorrow (Friday Nov 14), with slightly shortened hours from 7 am-5 pm. We will resume regular hours once things normalize.

Tomorrow is also Dubsea’s 5th birthday. We truly look forward to spending it in the company of our guests.

We appreciate … all the care, kind words, and support from our neighbors. We love this community. We are here to stay.