White Center Now: The blog about White Center

3:01 PM: Much of White Center is without power in an outage affecting more than 11,000 Seattle City Light customers, from southeast West Seattle east to South Park and south into Burien. No word yet on the cause. Updates to come. (Remember that intersections where traffic signals have gone dark are all-way stops.)

4:13 PM: Now down to just under 5,000. White Center is one of the areas where it’s back on. No word yet on the cause.

5:09 PM: Under 3,000 still out.

8:33 PM: Down to under 500, mostly in the Boulevard Park area. The exact cause hasn’t been disclosed yet – “equipment” problem of some kind, SCL says.

12:30 PM MONDAY: We followed up today with SCL spokesperson Jenn Strang, who says, “The exact cause of (this) outage in still under investigation but there is a possibility that it was caused by a bird. The resulting fault caused two lines to wrap together, resulting in the larger impact of the outage.”

8:41 PM: An air and ground search is under way in north Burien right now after a pursuing following a carjacking in West Seattle. The pursuit went through White Center, south West Seattle, and other parts of Burien before two suspects were reported to have abandoned a stolen car – not the car taken in the carjacking – near 18th/116th. Police pursued two suspects through south West Seattle, White Center, and Burien after a carjacking. While the stolen vehicle is reported to be a white Audi, officers pursued another vehicle believed to be related, a dark gray Hyundai Tucson reported stolen from Federal Way. The Guardian One helicopter has been assisting; the suspects reportedly abandoned the Hyundai in north Burien, with a ground search ensuing too.

8:46 PM: They’ve taken one suspect into custody in the Salmon Creek Ravine area and are still searching for the other. The original armed carjacking happened in an alley off 35th SW in West Seattle just north of SW Roxbury.

9:14 PM: While the search continues, officers have just radioed that they’re closing streets in the area of 18th/116th.

11:03 PM: We weren’t able to monitor the end of the search live but here’s what we have since gleaned from archived audio: The second suspect apparently was bitten by a police dog and taken for treatment. Police have found various items of evidence in the area where the suspects ran, including a stolen gun, a backpack, and ski masks. The originally carjacked white Audi has been impounded (found thanks to a tracking device). We’ll be following up with police and prosecutors Monday and will add any other information that emerges sooner.

Set your calendar!

By Jason Grotelueschen
Reporting for White Center Now

Neighbors, leaders, and guests met last Thursday to discuss issues of youth involvement, neighborhood safety, and cleanups at the April meeting of the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council (NHUAC).  The event was held online and was facilitated by NHUAC president Liz Giba and vice president Barbara Dobkin.

Meeting highlights:

“ALTERNATIVES TO VIOLENCE” PROGRAM AT EVERGREEN AND INNOVATION: First on the agenda was a presentation about the Alternatives to Violence Project (AVP), which has been the cornerstone of a new set of trainings and programs this year at Evergreen High School and Innovation Heights Academy (formerly New Start High School), sponsored by Highline Public Schools. AVP describes its school-based programs as promoting “social emotional learning and community building in schools” to “reduce fighting, violence, and bullying.”

At the beginning of the school year last fall, about 300 Evergreen 9th-grade students and 100 staff members participated, and the following week at Innovation about 90 students and 20 staff participated. The program involves facilitator-led sessions, small-group discussions and games, and for most students and staff it’s their first interaction with their school colleagues before the school year begins. Some aspects of the program have carried throughout the school year, with additional classes and recurring discussion groups.

Roger Kluck, director of the area AVP chapter Projects for a Civil Society, said the project was originally started in the mid-1970s by a group of people in Greenhaven prison (New York), with a focus on addressing trauma and violence, based on the concept that “hurt people hurt people.” The program was successful and grew quickly, and is now offered in more than 50 countries in prisons, schools, churches, businesses, and shelters.

“Trauma alienates you,” Kluck said, citing the well-known Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE) Study which found that one-third of school kids have experienced some sort of significant trauma (abandonment, abuse, parent in prison) that has an impact on their education. Kluck added that after COVID lockdowns, there was a lot of delay in kids’ social-emotional development, and his group is “working with schools to build back community building and connection.” He said the training usually starts with teachers (“a lonely business,” Kluck said), especially new teachers, followed by a 2- to 3-day workshop for students at the beginning of the school year.

Kluck said the benefit is that students build relationships and self-esteem and “go into the school year knowing people, which heads off bullying and cliques, and reduces the chance of alienation.”

Also in attendance on Thursday night was Bertram (Bert) Calcote, a long-time facilitator for AVP and the Recovery Navigator Program, who shared his own experience of getting involved with AVP and meeting Kluck at the WA state reformatory prison in Monroe.

Calcote noted that he was originally a skeptic — “I said, ‘this crap doesn’t work,’ but I went back and participated and got comfortable and realized how wrong I was.” He said that on a personal note, the program taught him how to be aware of the trauma, to rebuild relationships he had broken and to “stop playing the victim.” Calcote said his passion is talking to young people, especially young men, and showing them how to more effectively communicate and listen.

The group is also having a community meeting on April 23^rd at 5:30 pm at the Burien Library, focused on bringing people together and reducing violence. Details here: projectsforacivilsociety.org/meeting-notice

Kluck said they’re always looking for helpers, and it only takes 4 weekends of training to become a facilitator. “We’re a ‘Johnny Appleseed group, we don’t want to do it all, we spread it and let it go where it goes.” Anyone interested should contact NHUAC chair Liz Giba via email at liz_giba@comcast.net.

NEIGHBORHOOD CLEANUPS (INCLUDING WHITE CENTER): 

Next up was a presentation (see the slides here) by Erik Bell from A Cleaner Alki, who has been spearheading cleanup events throughout the peninsula for the past decade, including a massive recent cleanup event in White Center in late March involving about 100 volunteers and yielding 2.5 tons of trash (yes, really).

Bell described that gathering as the first event in a new All-Hands Neighborhood Cleanup Series in cooperation with
Seattle Public Utilities’ Adopt a Street program. He noted that he and the city considered the event to be a huge success (especially because the plans and promotions came together in only two weeks), but that he also viewed it as “just the start for an area that could use a lot of help on both sides of Roxbury.” Much of the event’s cleanup activity involved the area at/near the former Bartell Drugs building (currently listed for lease) and the surrounding blocks, and Bell noted that the Rozella Building area has been a recent focus for the group as well.

Bell said that his personal involvement with neighborhood cleanups began in 2010, when he started meeting his brother on Alki Beach for Saturday morning walks, and they began cleaning up garbage that they found along the way. In the years that have followed, more volunteers have become involved, and the group began working more formally with agencies such as SDOT and Seattle Parks. Bell said it’s been gratifying to engage with the community to make a difference, and to help “create a new culture” with partner agencies who benefit greatly from the extra volunteer effort.

Bell said his group held over 500 cleanup events in 2023, and cleared 50,000+ pounds of trash and other dangerous materials out of the local environment. He characterized the group’s efforts as generally falling within three categories:

• Trash cleanups: Generally 2 hours in length and with specific trash-pickup goals in mind.
• “Spruced” cleanups: Clearing sidewalks, overgrowth and line-of-sight issues (and then collecting trash that becomes visible).
• “Block Drop” cleanups: Involves leaving buckets and “trash grabbers” in targeted areas for a day, and inviting the community to use the supplies to clean on their own time. It began as a Girl Scout project (involving Bell’s daughter).

The effort of scouting for new cleanup opportunities has identified a number of “hot spots” that Bell said deserve focused cleanup work that would improve the neighborhood and “restore a sense of safety and care in the community.”

Bell said that for cleanups in unincorporated King County, one of the main problems his group has faced is the lack of a program for reporting the collected piles of trash and getting it all picked up at the conclusion of the event. For the recent White Center cleanup, for example, his group had to haul all of the bags of trash (again, 2.5 tons of it) north of Roxbury street and into Seattle city limits, where the Adopt-a-Street crews could then pick it up that same afternoon.

Several attendees of the meeting on Thursday night, including NHUAC’s Barbara Dobkin, shared ideas with Bell for contact people and resources to potentially help bridge those gaps. One of those people mentioned, Bong Sto. Domingo (who works for King County), then joined the Zoom meeting and helped make some additional suggestions and connections. Bell expressed his gratitude for the information, noting that this is the type of cooperation that is crucial for making programs like this work in a sustainable way.

Bell emphasized that his group is always looking for new volunteers, who can connect with his group via their website or Facebook page.

UPDATE FROM KING COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE: Detective Glen Brannon was also in attendance at the meeting to answer questions and provide updates about community concerns.  Some discussion points:

• White Center cleanup: Regarding Bell’s recent cleanup efforts, Det. Brannon said “the timing was incredible” because he had recently talked to some constituents (including Dr. Perez at Sea Mar health center) about the Bartell’s property and the excess trash, and then “miraculously it disappeared!” Brannon and Giba said that they had expected attendance from Bartell’s staff at the Thursday meeting, but that it didn’t happen. He noted that there needs to be agreement from the property owner in order to (for example) pursue prosecution for people committing crimes on the property. Brannon mentioned other community-supported events to clean up areas (such as an encampment cleanup on March 13^th).  “A lot of our chronic areas are getting cleaned up now, and it’s because of the community getting together, saying ‘I know somebody who can help,’ so everybody should pat themselves on the back for that” but he added that there is always work to do.
• Drug Bust: Attendees discussed the late-February drug bust by the Precinct 4 Special Emphasis Team (WCN coverage here).  Brannon said “we are blessed in Precinct 4 to have group of detectives able to work at the cartel distribution level — one of top groups making busts.” He added that the sheriff’s office works with lots of groups to help support the effort, he “can’t talk too much about it, but it’s a great group” and the recent bust yielded impressive results:
  • 71,000 M-30 Fentanyl Pills
  • 31 pounds of Methamphetamine
  • 2.76 pounds Fentanyl powder
  • 1.12 pounds of Heroin
  • $7047 cash seized
  • 1 car seized
  • 2 individuals were booked into the Federal Detention Center (FDC) pending federal charges.
• Gun Incidents: Attendees talked about recent events such as the late-February bullets at Patrick’s Bakery and Café, and the early-March shooting near Evergreen.
• Encampments: Brannon asked the group for input and observations regarding issues with public camping, noting that his office is always working to get affected people access to services, and they’ve seen increased participation (one particular encampment dropped from 30 people down to 6, recently).
• Neighborhood Cooperation:
  • Brannon said his team was recently able to go to a property and recovered a stolen car and stolen motorcyles based on tip from someone, and he encouraged neighbors to report what they see. Neighbors happy with cleanup, found a car, was towed away.  Det. Brannon said Dep. Steve Johnson initiated cleanup.
  • Neighbor Leo said that he noticed that a person named “Jessica” (familiar to Brannon) and her family seem to be back in the area — they had been associated with issues such as prowling and street theft in the past. Brannon said he would be surprised if that was the case because she had been “doing really well — had found a job” but that he would follow up.
  • Attendee Roslyn Hyde (who owns property in White Center) mentioned to Brannon that she has a friend with a yoga studio on 152^nd in Burien, and there was a recent incident in which a dead person was found, possibly related to people congregating and camping in the area. Brannon confirmed that he is working closely with Burien’s crime reduction unit on similar issues, because “Burien has a reputation for being a good place to be homeless” and there are “political hot-potato” discussions happening. He mentioned another example of a strip mall owner who is dealing with and encampment. Hyde also noted that her property in White Center was hit with graffiti on an old garage, and Brannon said he will follow up.
  • Other neighbors asked about occurrences in their areas (such as street racing on 1st Avenue, gunfire incidents, etc) and Brannon gave responses when possible.
• Information Sharing: Brannon said that he continues to work with community contacts in area schools and boys and girls clubs, especially with summer coming up and more youth out and about. He also talked with meeting attendees about ideas for sharing information via electronic and physical message boards and kiosks, to keep the community informed.

COMMUNITY EVENTS:

Det. Brannon noted that Saturday, April 27th, is National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day, and that Steve Cox Memorial Park is one of the participating sites — dropoffs are encouraged from 10am-2pm. (editor’s note: the SPD Southwest Precinct at 2300 SW Webster in West Seattle is also a participating site)

Brannon also said that the next Coffee With a Cop event will be Wednesday, April 17^th, at 10 am at Starbucks in White Center, and that there is an upcoming job fair June 1^st from 1:30-6pm.

Darlene Sellers from King County Parks shared details about events at the White Center Teen Program (Log Cabin):

• JobLaunch – Pathways to Healthcare for ages 16-24 on Wednesday, April 17 from 3:30-5 pm (Online event with viewing parties at the Log Cabin in WC & the Skyway Library.)
• Annual PNTH Job Fair (30 employers) and Basketball Tournament on Wednesday, June 5 at Steve Cox Memorial Park.

Sellers also shared a recap of Cultural Connection Night, held March 22nd at the Log Cabin: posted online here.

Meeting attendee Roslyn Hyde (who owns property in White Center) invited everyone to a free networking event on Thursday, May 9^th from 7:45 am-9:15 am, focused on entrepreneurs and local business owners. Event details here.

NEXT MEETING: NHUAC meets most months on the first Thursday, online at 7 pm, so the next meeting will be May 2.

Just out of the WCN inbox:

WHITE CENTER SPRING CLEAN
Saturday, April 20 and Saturday, April 27

White Center needs Our Help!!

The White Center Community Development Association (CDA) is organizing its 21st annual Refresh/ Spring Clean. If you love White Center, then volunteer to help us clean it up. Volunteers who give three hours working to clean up White Center will get the latest version of the famous “I Love White Center” T-shirt.

Volunteers have two Saturdays to choose from; April 20 and April 27.

Saturday, April 20, 2024 (Meet at 9 am at 98th and 15th)

To honor our wonderful Cambodian/American neighbors, who will be celebrating the Cambodian New Year the next weekend (Saturday, April 27), on April 20 we will focus on covering graffiti and cleaning up the downtown area around SW 98th between 17th and 14th, where the Cambodian New Year celebration will be.

We need crews to help cover graffiti, touch up murals, paint the front of buildings, pick up trash, and clean the windows of local businesses. Our goal is to make the area beautiful again for the Cambodian New Year celebration that occurs the following weekend. We will provide paint, brushes, and equipment to sweep and clean windows.

We also need crews to go to the four “Welcome to White Center” signs that each say “Welcome” in 10 languages, to clean them up, add flowers and bark around each sign, paint the brick foundations and poles if needed, and rake the areas surrounding each sign. These signs are located at Roxbury/18th , Roxbury/10th, SW 108th/4th, and Delridge/18th. For these crews, bring brooms and gloves, we will provide flowers, bark, paint, sign cleaner, and bags for trash.

Saturday, April 27, 2024 (Meet at 9 am at the Saars Parking lot)

We will continue removing graffiti in areas around White Center and support Evergreen students to help us touch of their previous great art on the north side of Saars market and on both sides of SW 108th between 16th and 17th. We will also have crews walking throughout White Center covering graffiti and picking up trash. After our clean up effort, we can all go celebrate the Cambodian New Year!!

Sign up by email or text. Tell us your group size, and shirt sizes. We can make White Center beautiful again, if you help us.

Contact: markufkes@comcast.net, or Text to (206) 595-7124

Announced this morning:

In Fall 2024 – King County Road Services will repair sidewalks in two areas of White Center:

SW 108th Street between 4th Avenue SW and 1st Avenue SW
26th Avenue SW between SW 106th Street/SW 107th Way and SW 112th Street

We originally planned for these repairs to occur fall 2023 and then rescheduled to spring 2024. However, due to crew availability the work has been rescheduled to fall 2024. When we know when we’ll be in your neighborhood, we’ll be back in touch.

Details about the work

Damaged sidewalks can make it challenging for people’s mobility. Sidewalks can buckle and break in part due to tree roots. To fix these sidewalks, the county also will remove trees that are causing the sidewalk to lift and crack. We will work with the Department of Natural Resources and Parks to plant replacement trees in nearby locations.

This work is part of our ongoing sidewalk repair program to improve mobility for walkers, wheelchairs, and strollers.

It is informed by our Americans with Disabilities Act, or ADA, plan. To find out more about our Accessibility Program, visit: Roads’ ADA Transition Plan and Accessibility Services – King County.

We know trees are an important part of the community. We will replace or exceed the canopy provided by the original trees in nearby community parks.

(WSB/WCN photo of Justin, Ann, and kids Moss and Ruby last year, when Full Tilt marked 15 years)

Five weeks after the death of Justin Cline, who founded Full Tilt Ice Cream in White Center in 2008 with wife Ann Magyar, she just sent us the announcement that their flagship store and wholesale operations will close:

Dear Full Tilt family,

Justin founded Full Tilt with the hope he could work for himself and be part of the neighborhood in a positive, fun way. He wanted a place for music and art and for families to play. We opened on June 20, 2008 and were floored from day one at how much the community embraced us. We met so many people and made so many friends that we still hold dear. We loved watching kids learn to play pinball and Pac-Man and beg to stay just a little longer. So many artists and musicians and chefs have shared our space and we’ve been honored to be part of those journeys. Full Tilt was never just about the ice cream. But now Justin is gone, and it just isn’t the same without him. It’s time for Full Tilt as we know it to end.

Our wholesale operations will stop at the end of April. The last day for the White Center shop will be May 26th. The Columbia City shop will remain open but they do not accept gift cards, coupons, or birthday party certificates from other locations. You can find more info about that shop at www.fulltiltcolumbiacity.com.

I’m beyond grateful for the love and friendship and support these past 16 years. It’s truly been the best years of my life. Thank you to everyone who has been part of this craziness. Thank you White Center.

With love,
Mrs. Full Tilt

Justin Cline was just 49 when he died last month, four weeks after a heart attack. Among his many community contributions in White Center besides operating the business, he also was a co-founder of this website the same year he and Ann launched Full Tilt.

Now less than two months left until the DubSea Fish Sticks‘ 2024 season! You can buy your single-game tickets starting now, according to this announcement from the team:

The DubSea Fish Sticks summer collegiate baseball team launched its single-game ticket sales for the 2024 season today as part of National Fish Sticks Day.

The team hosts their events at Mel Olson Stadium, which is located inside of King County’s Steve Cox Memorial Park in White Center, nicknamed “The Fryer.”

The team is known for antics including throwing out a ceremonial first fish, where the honoree flings a fish toward home plate instead of a baseball; the recreation of the Mariners’ Bullpen Boat; and during non-league games, the team also runs an open raffle for a random fan to sign a one-day contract and lead off in the game for the Fish Sticks as the “Fan Batter of the Night.”

The Fish Sticks recruit players from colleges across the country to come and play for the months of June and July. The 2024 summer roster is composed of players from 30 different colleges. The players report in late May and play with the team to hone their skills and hope to one day play professionally.

“We’re not in the baseball business, we’re in the fun business where there happens to be a baseball game going on. Our goal is that this is the most fun you’ve ever had inside a baseball stadium. From the music, great food, beer and crazy promotions, this will be something you’ll never forget,” promised team president Justin Moser.

In 2023, the Fish Sticks sold out five different games and expect that number to grow to ten or more this year.

Single-game tickets for DubSea Fish Sticks games are only $13.50 and Opening Night on Saturday, June 1st, is expected to sell out quickly. Flex Ticket Packs with options ranging from three- to ten-game packages are also available. The team will host 27 home games this summer, including every Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening from June 1st – August 3rd.

The Fish Sticks also partner with youth organizations and nonprofits to run ticket fundraisers at every game.

You can find more information and secure your tickets for Opening Night on June 1st at The Fryer online at GoFishSticks.com/tickets

Announced by the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council:

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

Where? North Highline Unincorporated Area Council Meeting

When? Thursday, April 4, 2024, at 7 pm

Join Zoom Meeting:
us02web.zoom.us/j/81553270155?pwd=MzdQVkxncFZXRG90ZjFTbG1LenYwZz09

Meeting ID: 815 5327 0155
Passcode: NHUAC2024 (case sensitive)

Unable to join by Zoom? Please call: 253 215 8782

Meeting ID: 815 5327 0155
Passcode: 476621393

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

You are invited! Please join NHUAC on Thursday, April 4th at 7 pm via Zoom. Join us and learn about what is happening in the White Center (North Highline) community. This month’s meeting will begin with Sandy Hunt, who will share the latest information about the Alternatives to Violence Project that the Highline School District is sponsoring at Evergreen High. Learn about new ways to get involved, including an in-person forum later in the month.

Sandy will be followed by Erik Bell of A Cleaner Alki. A Cleaner Alki is a volunteer organization focused on reducing waste and blight with weekly cleanup and sprucing activities. Erik will share the background and news about A Cleaner Alki, including a project in White Center. Thanks to Erik and A Cleaner Alki!

We’ll also be joined by Detective Glen Brannon. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn about what the King County Sheriff’s Office has been dealing with in our area and share your concerns.

Knowledge Is Power. Learn, share, and help make North Highline a healthier community.

Thursday, April 4 at 7 pm – Invite Your Neighbors!

You won’t vote on it until next year – but King County is collecting early feedback before drafting the next version of the parks levy, so you’re invited to answer a survey now, and/or attend an online community meeting. Here’s the announcement:

The King County Parks Levy is a voter-approved property tax that keeps both city and regional parks, trails, and open spaces available for everyone. No matter where you are in King County, the Parks Levy goes to support local parks and trails. The current levy is in effect through 2025.

What should be in the next (2026-2031) levy to improve the parks and outdoor spaces in your community? King County Parks would like to hear from you. Your input will help shape parks and trails for years to come.

–Take a 10-minute survey (and enter to win two tickets to any concert at Marymoor Live!).

-Register to attend a virtual community meeting on April 9 (5-6 pm) or April 23 (6-7 pm). To request interpreter support for the April 23 meeting, send email to Helen Potter (hpotter@kingcounty.gov) with the name of the language no later than April 11.

Deadline for the survey is April 29.

(WCN photo – ex-Bartell Drugs building; we’ve processed the photo to distort the tags)

When the Bartell Drugs store at 15th/Roxbury in White Center closed six months ago, the next step wasn’t clear – would the site’s California-based owner sell it, or seek another tenant? We’ve been watching the commercial real estate listings ever since, and the building has finally appeared there – listed as available for lease. The (currently extensively vandalized) 12,000-square-foot building on a 32,000-square-foot is touted in the leasing brochure as a “prime retail location in the heart of White Center” with “easy access and great visibility.” And while the brochure sings the praises of Seattle (“a picturesque metropolis”), it also notes that since this site is just south of the city line, “The benets of the subject property’s location include not being subject to the Seattle minimum wage requirement and the 1.75 cent/ounce soda tax.” Interested? The listing agent’s contact info is here.

Get your wheels on and go support White Center Pride tonight at Southgate Roller Rink! The event is the Queer Skate Prom, and it starts at 8:30 pm.

The Log Cabin at Steve Cox Memorial Park is the place to be Friday night (March 22):

King County Parks Cultural Connection Night at the Log Cabin is coming up on Friday, March 22nd from 5-7:00 pm!

The White Center Teen Program (aka the Log Cabin) is excited to invite the community to the premiere of Cultural Connection Night on Friday, March 22nd from 5-7:00 pm at Steve Cox Memorial Park (1321 SW 102nd St). Join the WCTP for an evening of Cultural Performances along with a Visual Art Gallery featuring the artwork of local artists ages 12-19. In addition, attendees are welcome to wear cultural attire to participate in the inaugural Log Cabin Cultural Fashion Show. Additional event details available at 2024 Cultural Connection Night – White Center Teen Program . The full schedule of performing groups and roster of participating artists will be updated accordingly.

Teens ages 12-19 are encouraged to submit visual art celebrating community and culture through March 20th. Visual Art Forms accepted include Drawing, Painting, Photography, Digital Design, Mixed Media and Ceramics. Art will be displayed during the event and voted on by event attendees. Trophy prizes for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place. Each artist will also be entered into a drawing for a gift basket prize. For any questions or technical challenges, please reach out to Peanutt at pngeth@kingcounty.gov or 206.482.1910

Cultural Connections Night is sponsored by the teens and staff of the White Center Teen Program. The WCTP offers free recreational, educational, and social enrichment programming to youth ages 12-19 between Tuesday – Saturday from 3-8pm. Art supplies and performance coaches currently available every Tue – Sat from 3-8 pm at the WCTP.

10:16 PM: Thanks to the reader who emailed to ask about a large emergency response around 8:30 pm at 16th SW/SW 107th. According to recorded dispatch audio, a 66-year-old man walking at that intersection was hit and injured by a pickup-truck driver. His injuries were not initially reported to be life-threatening, but he was being taken to a hospital and was described as in stable condition. We’re following up with KCSO to see what they can tell us about the circumstances.

ADDED MONDAY MORNING: KCSO says the driver was not arrested/cited as there “was no crime.” The pedestrian’s injuries were not life-threatening.

We received this notice from the contractor working on the White Center HUB project:

Upcoming Construction in Your Area – White Center Hub Housing

Community Roots Housing is seeking coverage under the Washington State Department of Ecology’s Construction Stormwater NPDES and State Waste Discharge General Permit. The proposed project, White Center HUB Housing, is located at 10821 8th Ave SW in Seattle in King County. This project involves 2.81 acres of soil disturbance for Residential construction activities. The receiving waterbody is Hicklin Lake.

Any persons desiring to present their views to the Washington State Department of Ecology regarding this Application, or interested in Ecology’s action on this Application, may notify Ecology in writing no later than 30 days of the last date of publication of this notice. Ecology reviews public comments and considers whether discharges from this project would cause a measurable change in receiving water quality, and, if so, whether the project is necessary and in the overriding public interest according to Tier II anti-degradation requirements under WAC 173-201A-320.

Comments can be submitted to:
ecyrewqianoi@ecy.wa.gov, or
ATTN: Water Quality Program, Construction Stormwater
Washington State Department of Ecology
P.O. Box 47696
Olympia, WA 98504-7696

With spring now less than a week away, we’re talking today about summer … jobs. We have an announcement from the DubSea Fish Sticks baseball team, which plays home games at Steve Cox Memorial Park (1321 SW 102nd):

The DubSea Fish Sticks summer collegiate baseball team is holding a job fair Sunday, March 17, 2024 at Mel Olson Stadium inside King County’s Steve Cox Memorial Park. The job fair will run from 11 am-3 pm.

The team is currently looking to hire 50-60 part-time employees for the months of June and July. High school and college students are welcome to apply with select positions being available to those 14 years of age and older. There are select positions such as the concession manager, beer garden servers and security that do require the applicant to be 21 years of age or older.

The job fair will allow those interested in working for the Fish Sticks to find out more information about each position, apply, and interview on site. For those that are interested but cannot attend the job fair they can apply online at GoFishSticks.com/jobs. Positions that are currently available include mascot performer, concession manager, concessions, ticketing, merchandise, game day operations, beer garden servers, and security. The Fish Sticks also have multiple summer internships in digital marketing, and video production.

The DubSea Fish Sticks’ season begins on Saturday, June 3rd, and runs through August 3rd. They will host 27 different home shows (games) this summer at Mel Olson Stadium (aka The Fryer) at King County’s Steve Cox Memorial Park. The team hosts upward of 40 college players from around the country for the summer; they will play 45 games throughout the Pacific Northwest.

(Added: WCN photos)

3:10 PM: Thanks for the tips. The Guardian One helicopter, and deputies on the ground, are searching after what the 911 log describes as a shooting near Evergreen High School. Other schools in the area have been on lockdown/shelter in place, including Cascade Middle School and West Seattle Montessori. We’re working to find out details.

3:37 PM: The school lockdowns have been lifted and Guardian One has left the area. We’ve sent a reporter to a designated media meetup location with a King County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson, so we hope to have some details shortly.

4:25 PM: We spoke in person with media-relations Sgt. Eric White. We’ll add the video of his briefing shortly, but here’s what he said: 911 got a call about a shooting just before 2:30 pm. Near 11th SW and SW 114th [vicinity map], they found a man who had been shot in the back. He’s been taken to the hospital. Sgt. White did not have information on the circumstances that preceded the shooting, nor a description of the shooter, nor the victim’s condition. He did confirm that helicopter and K-9 searches have ended for now, and school lockdowns (including Cascade MS and West Seattle Montessori) have been lifted. (And as you can see from our photo, at least 12 casings were found.) Anyone with information is asked to call 206-296-3311.

ADDED: Here’s our video of what Sgt. White told us:

6:29 PM: From the recorded dispatch/deputies audio shortly after the first report – at least one witness saw the shooter running from the scene, but could only describe him as an unknown-race male, 5’8″, black hoodie, gray sweatpants, tucking a handgun into his pants as he fled the scene. We don’t have any additional information about the victim but his injury was initially assessed as serious. The KCSO case number is C24-008652.

By Tracy Record
White Center Now editor

Though neither was an official agenda item, two longtime issues were addressed during Thursday night’s North Highline Unincorporated Area Council meeting, held online and facilitated by NHUAC’s Liz Giba – an encampment in the “White Center Bog” area, and noise concerns from outdoor music at Tim’s Tavern.

Here’s how the meeting unfolded:

HIGHLINE FOREST: Sandy Hunt and Andrea O’Ferrall from Defenders of Highline Forest spoke to NHUAC first. “Mature trees are really important to us,” Hunt began, explaining the group’s purpose – explained on their website kctreeequity.org. It began in defense of North Sea-Tac Park, facing the port’s development plans for it and trees that would be removed as a result. “With Highline as the geographical effort, we’ve worked on expanding our efforts … and what we want to do,” in areas including Des Moines, SeaTac, Tukwila, north Boulevard Park, Normandy Park, and Burien. “We are a small but mighty crew,” able to accept donations, talking to neighbors about potential tree loss. The port’s new land-stewardship plan doesn’t “eliminate the destruction of trees that’s in the works,” Hunt warned, so they are keeping up the pressure and encouraging people “to fight for the trees in their neighborhood.” O’Ferrall says that as they canvass neighborhoods, “people are shocked because they don’t know what’s going on.” Life expectancy is lower in the airport-adjacent communities, and removing trees isn’t going to help that. In Q&A, one person said they’d talked to a county official who said that tree maintenance is costly. Giba observed that the county Housing Authority seems to have “taken out a lot of trees.” NHUAC’s Barbara Dobkin noted that aircraft noise has increased in White Center, and that’s one way the port affects residents this far north. She also pointed out that developers have “clear-cut” various properties in recent years.

JOHN TAYLOR: This King County official, a frequent NHUAC guest, came to this meeting wearing a different hat. Until a month ago, he led the Department of Local Services – and now he’s in charge of the much-larger Department of Natural Resources and Parks, pending County Council confirmation. He didn’t have “major updates” but noted that Local Services has again launched the participatory-budgeting process. The “community needs list”-related engagement is on hold because this is the “short” budget year – one year – rather than a biennial budget. For DNRP, after a few weeks on the job, he said, he’s still learning the basics – otherwise: He noted a “problematic” encampment in the White Center Bog that was being removed. “That’s a stormwater facility … the biggest reason (not to allow an encampment) is water-quality issues.” (Later in the meeting, the topic came up again, with more details.)

On the topic of trees, he said the funding crisis limiting street trees is a real thing – they need to be watered until they’re well-established, for example. He also addressed the “clear-cutting” to which Dobkin had referred – it’s not a violation of code, he explained, because the county code wasn’t written to differentiate between rural and urban sensibilities. But a study is in the works, to be delivered later this year “that will hopefully have some code changes recommended to deal with trees … in the rural context and the urban context.” The county has a goal of planting 3 million trees and already has planted 1 million, he added. “It’s very much on our minds at King County.”

In Q&A, Giba asked if Taylor was “surprised” by the new job. “I wasn’t surprised, because I applied for it … when (predecessor) Christie True stepped down,” he replied. Dealing with the balance of natural and built environments is a passion of his, he added. The department includes wastewater, trash, parks – “some of the parks I’m proudest of are in White Center” – and much more. “It’s about 2,000 people, $3.5 billion budget – quite a bit bigger than the Department of Local Services.” And, he said, it’s well-resourced because much of its funding comes from sources other than property taxes. Hunt asked about the ivy choking trees all over the county and wondered if there’s been a study. “I’m not an arborist,” said Taylor, but: “I’m aware … that it’s not good for our forests, that it’s invasive, but it’s not classified as a noxious weed.” But there’s no plan to deal with it? Hunt asked. Bottom line – no. Later, someone else brought up having heard previously of a volunteer group taking action against ivy.

Another attendee asked whether the county had a way of tracking “informal stormwater management” like roadside ditches. Taylor said that sort of thing is probably in the county’s inventory, provided it’s not on private property. The attendee said he was indeed wondering about something on his own property; Taylor speculated that would have been built at the same time as his house, and he could consider himself lucky to have that in place to deal with the runoff. Other questions had more to do with Taylor’s past job than current one; Giba wondered if a section of 102nd would ever get a sidewalk. Taylor was noncommittal but did say that the county had devoted more to pedestrian needs recently than before, particularly in White Center and Skyway. (The new director of King County Roads is Tricia Davis; Taylor suggested inviting her to a future NHUAC meeting.)

KING COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE: Det. Glen Brannon elaborated on what Taylor had mentioned: “We no longer have a homeless encampment on 13th – took care of that today.” That operation was three months in the making, he added. For a long time the camp had been somewhat “under control,” until he went on vacation for a while, and then it got “out of control,” with a realization that it was a threat to water quality, so that’s why the decision was made to remove it. About 10 campers were left; none have yet accepted shelter, he said, so they might be moving to other parts of the area. “My goal is to get these people off the streets,” he insisted. Meantime, he had stats that Giba had previously suggested. In a three-year analysis, he said, major crimes are down from 2020-2021, while less serious crimes are “holding steady.” “On average, we’re doing better on the violent crimes” – down about 30 percent – and not so bad on the less-violent crimes. Giba wondered why; Brannon didn’t have a clear explanation. “What else is new?” Giba asked. Brannon said that besides the encampment clearance, the alleyway off 16th/17th is a focus, and they need property owners’ help.”Little Caesar’s has been an epicenter of stuff going on,” he said, adding that he intends to talk to the business’s ownership/management.

The recurring topic of noise concerns from live music at Tim’s Tavern then was brought up. Basically, nothing new, said Brannon, but he intended to work nights and check out the situation. Was code enforcement involved? Maybe, Brannon speculated. It was subsequently noted that Tim’s had been served with a code-enforcement letter more than a month ago; Brannon explained that usually that starts a process in which the recipient has time to come into compliance. Then a surprise: Co-proprietor Matt from Tim’s Tavern turned up online, offering to answer questions. “We’re just doing what we’ve always done,” he said. “The shows vary in volume because the bands vary in style.” Regarding the early-February code enforcement letter, he said the county sent it to their property management company, and it wasn’t routed to them until February 6th, close to the response deadline, and they’ve been “playing phone tag with the county guy” ever since. “We’re willing to meet with him and see what compliance issues we have, if any.” Until they hear back, “we’re kind of in this limbo area.” Matt said they’ve been working on finding sound-muffling curtains, as discussed at a NHUAC meeting last year, and just got them but they need some alterations and hanging, which should take about two weeks. Then, he said, they’ll be hung on the west side and in front, in hopes that’ll control some of the sound from “bouncing off the buildings.” Brannon offered to stop by the venue Friday and talk with them in person. They also invited anyone from the community with concerns to come meet with them. Co-proprietor Mason said “it’s definitely not our intent to offput anyone with our audio.” Giba then said that county code does not allow outdoor music; the Tim’s duo said they weren’t aware of a rule like that.

Returning to other KCSO topics, one attendee wondered about the regional uptick in carjackings. Brannon said yes, it’s a thing, but he doesn’t have “scientific proof” of why – he speculates it might have to do with “incarceration rates.” He noted that there were two that day alone in Seattle (in the Skyway area). He also noted the State Legislature’s passage of a bill lifting some restrictions on police pursuits – right now they’re allowed in armed carjackings but now that will apply to auto thefts or other types of crime too. Another question was from someone who thought they heard gunshots the other night. Does it help to report them? Do they get followed up on? Brannon said yes, and in fact KCSO now has a Gun Violence Reduction Unit (as does Seattle PD, for that matter). He said that increased gang activity likely plays into it. Regarding reporting, “yes, please report it,” he stressed. He said they do analyze the casings they find – and can cross-reference them between incidents around the region. “It helps us solve these crimes, helps us find out who these people are … The vast amount of these shootings are being done by a very small number of people … maybe 20 in King County.”

Price said there are ongoing issues in the White Center Library parking lot. A Library Guild volunteer recently got fuel stolen from a vehicle while there. What could the library do? Cameras? Signs? Brannon said KCLS has not participated in some of the programs KCSO has suggested, such as trespassing people who cause trouble, and that’s been limiting what deputies can do.

FULL TILT LOSS: Before adjourning, Giba offered a tribute to the late Justin Cline of Full Tilt Ice Cream, remembering him as a “real community advocate (who) really cared about the White Center community” and a “great guy.”

NEXT MEETING: NHUAC meets first Thursday, 7 pm, online, most months, so the next meeting will be April 4.

If you like books but aren’t all that social – the Silent Book Club is for you. The West Seattle chapter has expanded southward in recent months and again tonight, one of their meeting locations will be in White Center, at Dubsea Coffee (9910 8th SW). From the announcement:

Silent Book Club West Seattle meets the first Thursday of each month at local cafés, bars, and wine tasting rooms. The agenda: bring your own book, read for an hour, and chat (if you want) with fellow book lovers. Bring a book and a friend for the ideal introvert happy hour.

7:00 — 7:30 Settle in
7:30 — 8:30 Silent reading hour
8:30 — 9:00 Chat or keep reading

We recommend coming a bit early if possible to get a seat. Visit www.instagram.com/silentbookclubwestseattle for event updates/locations.

(Among the locations this month)

Dubsea Coffee: discounted tea and coffee drinks for readers, and other beverages and treats; open just to readers this evening; patio seating available; woman-owned

(not far – in South Delridge)

2 Fingers Social: cocktails, beer, a small selection of wine, tamales, hotdogs, & pretzel sticks; open just to readers this evening; patio seating available; family-owned

The next meeting of the community council for White Center and vicinity is just a few days away – online – and here’s what’s planned:

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

Where? North Highline Unincorporated Area Council Meeting

When? Thursday, March 7, 2024, at 7 pm

Join Zoom Meeting:

us02web.zoom.us/j/83514652969?pwd=UDlJSlJ3MnF3UzBkaHIzNHRPQXc2UT09

Meeting ID: 835 1465 2969
Passcode: NHUAC2024 (case sensitive)

Unable to join via Zoom? Please call: 253 215 8782

Meeting ID: 835 1465 2969
Passcode: 258392147

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

You are invited! Please join NHUAC on Thursday, March 7th at 7 pm via Zoom. NHUAC aims to keep you in touch with the people who are doing things and making decisions that affect the White Center/North Highline community. This month’s meeting will begin with Sandy Hunt and Andrea O’Ferrall. They will share information and answer questions about Defenders of Highline Forest. Never heard of Highline Forest? Join us and learn!

Andrea and Sandy will be followed by John Taylor, director of King County’s Department of Local Services from its beginning in 2018 until last month. Local Services’ responsibilities include managing land use, issuing permits, enforcing code, and maintaining roads. The county’s news release about John’s transition to the Natural Resources and Parks department describes him as a “proven leader to reinforce King County’s reputation as a trusted environmental steward and manage one of the largest metropolitan natural resource agencies in the country.” We look forward to hearing what John sees in the future for our community and its interactions with these two important connections to our local government.

We have a lot to ask Detective Glen Brannon about from gunfire that hit Patrick’s Café and Bakery to a major drug bust that included 71,000 M-30 Fentanyl pills, 31 pounds of Methamphetamine and 1.12 pounds of heroin. Don’t miss this opportunity to share your concerns and thanks with Detective Brannon.

Knowledge Is Power.

Learn, share, and help make North Highline a healthier community.

Thursday, March 7 at 7 pm – Invite Your Neighbors