Fire district’s future in the spotlight @ North Highline Unincorporated Area Council next Thursday

May 30th, 2014 at 10:27 am Posted in North Highline Fire District, North Highline UAC, White Center news | 1 Comment »

As the flyer shows, the next North Highline Unincorporated Area Council meeting is less than a week away. And it’s a hot topic in more ways than one, as announced by NHUAC president Barbara Dobkin:

When: Thursday, June 5 – 7 pm
Where: North Highline Fire Station – 1243 112th Street SW

Please plan on joining us for an important community discussion regarding the future of our North Highline Fire District (NHFD). The residents of North Highline will have an opportunity to vote in August on a “Benefit Charge” to provide much needed support our NHFD. Fire Chief Mike Marrs will provide information on the past, present and future of fire district and what impact the Benefit Charge will have on property owners as well as the fire district.

We will also have our White Center Storefront Deputy BJ Myers on hand to provide updates on crime trends – this is a great time to share your concerns regarding community safety.

AddThis Social Bookmark Button

Drurell Collier charged with 1st-degree murder in shooting death of Excalibur Scott

May 29th, 2014 at 3:55 pm Posted in Crime, Top Hat, White Center news | Comments Off on Drurell Collier charged with 1st-degree murder in shooting death of Excalibur Scott

Just in from the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office – 28-year-old Drurell J. Collier is charged with first-degree murder in the Memorial Day shooting death of 23-year-old Excalibur Scott near 2nd and Myers in Top Hat. Here’s our original report; here’s our followup, in which authorities alleged that Scott was going to “record” a fight between Collier and another man. The charging documents just made public say Scott’s phone instead recorded Collier shooting him after shouting, “You want something to film?” Collier is also charged with second-degree assault against the man he was supposed to “fight” that day, and also with burglary for breaking into a nearby home. Prosecutors requested that his $750,000 bail be raised to $2 million. More to come as we review the documents.

ADDED: Here’s the story the documents tell – As noted before, the suspect and victim were walking with people they knew. Another man came up and accused Collier of stealing from a relative of his. The two began to argue, and the group moved on to 2nd on the south side of Myers. The fourth man in the group told investigators that Collier and the other man agreed to solve the disagreement with a fight; he asked Collier to turn over the gun he knew Collier was carrying, but Collier refused. Excalibur Scott pulled out his cell phone to get the fight on video. The fourth man said he was walking away when he heard a gunshot and saw Scott fall to the ground, then saw Collier run away, with the other man chasing him. When deputies arrived, they were told of someone matching Collier’s description running through their yards. They found him a few blocks away in what turned out to be his parents’ home.

A witness to the shooting identified him, and they arrested him, finding seven .22 caliber bullets in one of his pockets; Collier’s parents told deputies a .22-caliber Derringer handgun had disappeared from their home a week earlier, and that they suspected their son of taking it.
Later, investigators discovered that Collier had gone to his brother’s home in the same area just before going to his parents’ home, and had changed his clothes there, leaving behind another pair of pants, this one with two .22-caliber bullets in a pocket.

And they found that a nearby house had been broken into, with a custom-designed sweatshirt missing – one found on Collier when he was arrested.

More to come …

AddThis Social Bookmark Button

Free shredding on June 7th White Center Spring Clean Day during PB&J Textiles open house

May 29th, 2014 at 9:49 am Posted in Businesses, Environment, White Center news | Comments Off on Free shredding on June 7th White Center Spring Clean Day during PB&J Textiles open house

If you have something to shred, you’ll be able to do that for free June 7th at PB&J Textiles, now open at the former South End Florist location at 10728 16th SW. They’re offering free shredding 9 am-1 pm that day in honor of White Center Spring Clean Day, and as part of an open-house event:

Bring (up to 4 boxes per person) of paper you would like to have securely shredded. In addition to the shredding, we’ll be open to show the community all the great things PB&J brings to White Center. Plus, stop in for a special PB&J ice cream cone from Full Tilt Ice Cream. We’ll have goodie bags, drawings and other fun activities.

Here’s a Facebook event you can join if you’ll need a reminder!

AddThis Social Bookmark Button

Followup: Hearing for Top Hat murder suspect; victim ID’d; investigators say he was shot after agreeing to record a fight

May 27th, 2014 at 6:07 pm Posted in Crime, Top Hat, White Center news | 3 Comments »

(WCN photo from Monday)
The man arrested in connection with Monday’s deadly shooting in Top Hat remains jailed after a hearing today, and the King County Medical Examiner’s Office has made the victim’s name public: Excalibur Scott, 23 years old.

King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office spokesperson Dan Donohoe says the 28-year-old suspect did not appear at today’s hearing in a jailhouse courtroom, but the judge ruled there is probable cause to hold him on suspicion of second-degree murder. According to documents presented in the case, based on police reports, the suspect was walking with Scott and another man when the suspect “became involved in an argument with a fourth male … over an alleged theft or burglary. (The suspect and the fourth man) agreed to fight over the allegation and (victim Scott) was to have reportedly recorded this fight.” Before it began, the suspect was said to be in possession of a .22 caliber chrome Derringer handgun. During the fight, the documents say, Scott was shot in the chest and died at the scene. The suspect ran off and was arrested nearby. The investigation continues; a bail hearing for the suspect is set for tomorrow. Records do not show any felony convictions for him in this state, but he spent a day in jail last month related to a warrant for failing to appear in connection with an obstruction-of-justice case from last fall.

WEDNESDAY UPDATE: Bail for the suspect is now set at $750,000. We should find out about charges on Thursday.

AddThis Social Bookmark Button

Video: King County Sheriff’s Office investigating Top Hat killing

May 26th, 2014 at 5:24 pm Posted in Crime, Top Hat, White Center news | 14 Comments »

(WCN photos by Patrick Sand)
5:24 PM: A homicide investigation is under way in the 10700 block of Myers Way S. (map) in Top Hat, east of White Center. Discussion monitored via scanner earlier indicated that a shooting suspect was taken into custody in the 10800 block of 8th S. That’s all we know so far, but the King County Sheriff’s Office’s spokesperson Sgt. DB Gates is en route and our crew should have more information soon.

5:57 PM UPDATE: Sgt. Gates told media at the scene that the suspect and victim, both in their 20s, both live in the area where the shooting happened and had been in a dispute over some kind of “property.” They are still questioning the suspect; the shooting happened outdoors and the victim’s body has not yet been removed from the scene.

7:14 PM: Added video of the full briefing by Sgt. Gates (above).

AddThis Social Bookmark Button

What’s going into the former White Center Blockbuster Video building? Here’s the answer

May 24th, 2014 at 1:29 am Posted in Businesses, Health, White Center news | Comments Off on What’s going into the former White Center Blockbuster Video building? Here’s the answer

Got another question on Friday about what’s going into the former White Center Blockbuster Video at 16th/107th, which closed back in February 2013. County records bring the answer: A dental company from Eastern Washington plans to open a clinic with eight chairs. We’ll be contacting the company to see if we can find out more about the timetable; they just had a “pre-construction conference” with the county three weeks ago.

AddThis Social Bookmark Button

Deputies catch suspected car thief in White Center

May 23rd, 2014 at 3:14 pm Posted in Crime, King County Sheriff's Office, White Center news | Comments Off on Deputies catch suspected car thief in White Center

The King County Sheriff’s Office helicopter Guardian One was back in the general White Center area again earlier this afternoon, and we’ve just confirmed details of what was going on: According to KCSO spokesperson Sgt. DB Gates, deputies briefly pursued a car that had been stolen near Mount View Elementary, in the 12th/108th vicinity. The suspected thief abandoned the car – a Honda CR-V – and ran; he was arrested in the vicinity of SW 98th and 15th SW.

AddThis Social Bookmark Button

Mount View Elementary carnival June 6th: Everybody welcome!

May 22nd, 2014 at 9:37 pm Posted in Fun, How to Help, White Center news | Comments Off on Mount View Elementary carnival June 6th: Everybody welcome!

Save the date – you’re invited to a carnival at White Center’s Mount View Elementary on June 6th, with two schools getting a boost from it! Here’s the announcement:

The public is invited to attend the Mount View Elementary Carnival, benefiting its PTA and its sister school in Honduras.

Money raised at the carnival will go to Light of Esperanza, a non-profit that is renovating the village school in Vega Redonda, Honduras, Mount View’s sister school. A portion of the proceeds will go to the school’s PTA for the 2014-2015 school year.

The carnival will also celebrate the scholastic achievements of Mount View students throughout the school year.

“These students deserve recognition and a reward for all of their hard work,” said Reading Instructor Shoshanna Cohen. “What better way to do so than with a day of fun with the Seattle community.”

Carnival details:
• Mount View Elementary School

• 10811 12th Avenue SW, Seattle, WA 98146

• Friday, June 6

• 5-7 p.m.

Event activities include carnival games and prizes, face painting, circus acts with lessons, live music, art projects, raffle drawing, and more. Carnival game tickets will be $0.50 per game. Many students earned free tickets at school based on good grades and behavior. Raffle tickets will be $1.

AddThis Social Bookmark Button

Music is the universal language: Help White Center Heights Elementary students speak it – with ukuleles!

May 21st, 2014 at 2:26 pm Posted in Arts, How to Help, White Center news | Comments Off on Music is the universal language: Help White Center Heights Elementary students speak it – with ukuleles!

That video is part of a brand-new crowdfunding campaign in hopes of raising money to get ukuleles for students at White Center Heights Elementary School – watch it to get their thanks in advance, and then go here to contribute.

AddThis Social Bookmark Button

Why Guardian One was over North Shorewood/White Center

May 21st, 2014 at 12:41 pm Posted in White Center news | Comments Off on Why Guardian One was over North Shorewood/White Center

Thanks to everybody who has tipped us that Guardian One – the King County Sheriff’s Office helicopter, which assists other law-enforcement agencies too – had been circling in the North Shorewood/White Center/east Arbor Heights area. KCSO spokesperson Sgt. DB Gates tells us they were helping investigate what she describes as an assault case involving people who know each other and were in “a disagreement over money owed.” Patrol deputies are still investigating on the ground, but the helicopter should be gone now.

AddThis Social Bookmark Button

Big day at White Center Library

May 21st, 2014 at 8:45 am Posted in Libraries, White Center news | Comments Off on Big day at White Center Library

After a bit of an unscheduled break, we’re back. Big day at the White Center Library, in case you are looking for things to do – three events on the schedule: Game On! 3-5 pm, Homework Help 5-7, Somali Story Time for all ages, 6:30-7 pm. P.S. All branches of the library will be closed for Memorial Day on Monday.

AddThis Social Bookmark Button

Bike to Work Day on Friday: 2 ‘commute stations’ in White Center

May 11th, 2014 at 8:20 pm Posted in Fun, Transportation, White Center news | Comments Off on Bike to Work Day on Friday: 2 ‘commute stations’ in White Center


View Commute Stations — Bike to Work Day presented by F5 in a larger map

Next Friday – May 16th – is this year’s Bike To Work Day, and as the map from the Cascade Bicycle Club shows, there are two “commute stations” in White Center again this year, at Dubsea Coffee in Greenbridge, and on 16th SW in the heart of the main business district. Click either marker on the map for details on what you’ll find.

AddThis Social Bookmark Button

Invitation: Come shop West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day tomorrow!

May 9th, 2014 at 9:55 am Posted in West Seattle, White Center news | Comments Off on Invitation: Come shop West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day tomorrow!

Just a quick invitation to head north and shop West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day tomorrow (9 am-3 pm Saturday, May 10th) – more than 280 sales of all sizes, just a few miles away. In Arbor Heights and Shorewood, they’re even closer – just to the west – check out the online and printable versions of the map, including classified-ad-style listings for each one highlighting featured items, by going here.

AddThis Social Bookmark Button

Oso fundraiser this Saturday at White Center Eagles

May 8th, 2014 at 9:58 am Posted in How to Help, White Center Eagles, White Center news | Comments Off on Oso fundraiser this Saturday at White Center Eagles

Out of the WCN inbox:

OSO FUNDRAISER at the White Center Eagles, Saturday, May 10th, from 12 Noon to 4 PM. Mod Men will entertain from 2PM to 4 PM (a sixties rock band). Hydro Bob is bringing down his hydroplane simulator – a real hydroplane that you can virtually pilot around Lake Washington for $10 ($5 to Oso fund). We’ll have Roasted Smoked Pig with side dishes for $10 a plate, plus beef ribs or barbequed chicken by the piece. 10245 15th Ave SW, 206-248-1400. Eagle members and your guests, please join us.

AddThis Social Bookmark Button

Sheriff’s deputies search for burglar(s) in White Center

May 6th, 2014 at 3:38 pm Posted in Crime, King County Sheriff's Office, White Center news | 3 Comments »

We got a question about King County Sheriff’s Office activity in the 6th/106th area. Just checked and we’ve learned it was a search for burglar(s) in the neighborhood. Though a K-9 team and helicopter joined the search, no arrests, and some of the units are starting to leave. We’re also seeing via Facebook that Cascade Middle School was in a modified lockdown for a little while earlier this afternoon, and believe that was the same incident.

AddThis Social Bookmark Button

Memorial this Friday for Dick Thurnau, 1925-2014

May 6th, 2014 at 11:59 am Posted in Obituaries, People, White Center news | 3 Comments »

Memorial plans are now finalized for Dick Thurnau, the longtime White Center resident and community activist who died earlier this week. His family shares that news and this remembrance:

Dick Thurnau, 89, a strong advocate for the White Center community, passed away peacefully on May 4, 2014.

He was born February 17, 1925 in Pingree Grove, IL, the 6th son of Alice & John Thurnau. He graduated from Edison Technical Institute in Seattle and served in the Army in the South Pacific in WWII from 1943 to the end of the war in 1946. Upon his return home, he married Helen Grisham of Illinois, on April 25, 1946. On their honeymoon they traveled by train to Seattle where they made their home. Dick worked for Mack Trucks starting as a mechanic and working his way up to Manager of Service Engineering for the Mack Western Division in Hayward, California. He retired in 1980 with 30 years of service, moving back to Seattle & the home he bought in 1948. He loved woodworking and made many beautiful things for family and friends. He worked tirelessly for his group called Friends of Hicklin Lake to clean up the lake water and the surrounding park & neighborhoods. He was also an ardent supporter of TAF (Technology Access Foundation, a school which teaches young people about technology), which is now located at the edge of the Lakewood Park Property. He will truly be missed by many.

Dick had four children, Terry Thurnau, deceased (Wendy Schufreider), Kathleen Dombrowski (Joseph), Marvin Thurnau (Sue) & Cheri Buettner (Gordon), 8 grandchildren, Robert, Jennifer, Todd, Jennifer, Cynthia, Mandy, Samuel, Suzanne, 12 great grandchildren Tim, Kevin, Hayden, Jacob, Sawyer, Trevor, Tyler, Meranda, Crystal, MacArthur, Marshall, Lucas, Abigail and 1 great, great grandchild, Adrian.

He is also survived by Marcia Wollam, a significant partner with Dick and who has assisted him with his community efforts, especially with the Floating Islands that are now part of Hicklin Lake.

A memorial service will be held at 2 pm, Friday, May 9th, at the Technology Access Foundation Building, 605 SW 108th, Seattle, WA 98146. To honor Dick and in lieu of flowers, the family asks donations be sent to TAF at the same address.

AddThis Social Bookmark Button

White Center, West Seattle, South Park nonprofits you can support during today’s GiveBIG event – including ‘Dine Out for Hunger’ for WC Food Bank

May 6th, 2014 at 1:20 am Posted in How to Help, White Center news | Comments Off on White Center, West Seattle, South Park nonprofits you can support during today’s GiveBIG event – including ‘Dine Out for Hunger’ for WC Food Bank

(Also published on partner site West Seattle Blog)

Dozens of local nonprofits are participating in today’s GiveBIG one-day donation drive coordinated by the Seattle Foundation. Whatever money you give TODAY ONLY to any or all of the participating nonprofits is not only a big help all by itself, it also boosts their eligibility for a “stretch pool” of partial matching funds, to be distributed proportionately depending on how much each participating nonprofit raises during GiveBIG, by 11:59 pm tonight. BIG catch: You **must** donate through the special pages all participants have on the foundation’s website, NOT via their own websites. So again this year, here’s our list of those special pages for participating White Center, West Seattle, and South Park-based or -founded/-connected nonprofits. The special links take you to pages on the Seattle Foundation website with background information, as well as the donation links to use for this one-day event. There’s also info below on a White Center-only event tonight – Dine Out for Hunger, raising money for the WC Food Bank.

ART FOR ANIMALS’ SAKEgo here

ARTS CORPSgo here

ARTSWESTgo here

ASSISTANCE LEAGUE OF SEATTLEgo here

DELRIDGE NEIGHBORHOODS DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATIONgo here

DENNY-SEALTH PERFORMING ARTSgo here

DUWAMISH RIVER CLEANUP COALITION/TECHNICAL ADVISORY GROUPgo here

ENVIRONMENTAL COALITION OF SOUTH SEATTLEgo here

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE CENTERgo here

FAUNTLEROY CHILDREN’S CENTERgo here

FRIENDS OF SEALTH – IB SCHOLARSHIP FUNDgo here

HELPING LINK-MỘT DẤU NỐIgo here

HIGHLINE SCHOOLS FOUNDATION FOR EXCELLENCEgo here

KILLER WHALE TALESgo here

KING COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEM FOUNDATIONgo here

KOL HANESHAMAHgo here

MARRA FARM COALITIONgo here

NATURE CONSORTIUMgo here

NAVOSgo here

NEIGHBORHOOD FARMERS MARKETSgo here (gifts of $50 & up will be matched, says NFMA)

NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSEgo here

NONFICTION MEDIAgo here

NORTHWEST CENTERgo here

OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE SCHOOLgo here

PLUMBERS WITHOUT BORDERSgo here

PONGO PUBLISHINGgo here

PROVIDENCE MOUNT ST. VINCENT FOUNDATIONgo here

PUGET SOUNDKEEPER ALLIANCEgo here

SAFE FUTURES YOUTH CENTERgo here

SCHOOL OF ACROBATICS AND NEW CIRCUS ARTSgo here

SEAL SITTERS – This is an unusual path; you need to go to the Associated Recreational Council GiveBIG page, click donate, and then in COMMENTS, you must write that it’s for Seal Sitters (ARC is its fiscal sponsor)

SEA MAR COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTERSgo here

SEATTLE CHINESE GARDEN SOCIETYgo here

SEATTLE GLEE CLUBSgo here

SEATTLE PARKS FOUNDATIONgo here

SEATTLE POLICE FOUNDATIONgo here

SEATTLE PUBLIC LIBRARY FOUNDATIONgo here

SEATTLE YOUTH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRASgo here

SENIOR SERVICESgo here

SOUTH PARK AREA REDEVELOPMENT COMMITTEEgo here

SOUTH PARK INFORMATION AND RESOURCE CENTERgo here

SOUTH SEATTLE COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDATIONgo here

SOUTHWEST SEATTLE HISTORICAL SOCIETYgo here

SOUTHWEST YOUTH AND FAMILY SERVICESgo here

SPORTS IN SCHOOLSgo here

TECHNOLOGY ACCESS FOUNDATIONgo here

THE SALVATION ARMY – KING COUNTYgo here

THE SERVICE BOARDgo here

THE VILLAGE OF HOPEgo here

THE WHALE TRAILgo here

TRANSITIONAL RESOURCESgo here (matching-gift pool from their board, too!)

TWELFTH NIGHT PRODUCTIONSgo here

URBAN ARTWORKSgo here

WEST SEATTLE FOOD BANKgo here

WEST SEATTLE HELPLINEgo here

WEST SEATTLE JUNCTION ASSOCIATIONgo here

WESTSIDE BABYgo here

WESTSIDE SCHOOLgo here

WHITE CENTER COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATIONgo here

WHITE CENTER FOOD BANKgo here – and again this year, WCFB has added events on GiveBIG day. This morning, there’s a donation station at Caffé Delia; then it’s Dine Out For Hunger, as announced by WCFB:

Several fabulous White Center restaurants will host Dine Out for Hunger events by donating a portion of their proceeds (today/tonight) to the White Center Food Bank. Grab a friend, a colleague, or a family member and head out for burgers at Zippy’s Giant Burgers, pizza at Proletariat Pizza, dinner and drinks at Company, ice cream at Full Tilt, or pub fare at Mac’s Triangle Pub. Look for White Center Food Bank staff board members at these locations, and come say hello!

According to the WCFB Facebook page, Meander’s Kitchen also has joined.

WHIT PRESSgo here

YES FOUNDATION OF WHITE CENTERgo here

WEST SEATTLE/FAUNTLEROY YMCAgo to the YMCA of Greater Seattle donation page and write in the comments that it’s for the West Seattle YMCA

YOUTH MEDIA INSTITUTEgo here

YOUTH VIOLENCE PREVENTION NETWORKgo here

YWCA OF SEATTLE-KING COUNTYgo here

AddThis Social Bookmark Button

2 days after county honors, Dick Thurnau passes away

May 5th, 2014 at 10:14 am Posted in People, White Center news, White Center obituaries | 1 Comment »

Just last Friday, we reported here on King County Executive Dow Constantine‘s proclamation of “Dick Thurnau Day” in honor of the longtime community advocate, recently diagnosed with cancer. Sunday morning, Mr. Thurnau passed away, according to North Highline Unincorporated Area Council president Barbara Dobkin. No memorial information just yet but we expect to hear from Mr. Thurnau’s family soon. He was 89 years old.

AddThis Social Bookmark Button

Cattywampus Kids: Pop-up shop in downtown White Center returns today

May 3rd, 2014 at 9:37 am Posted in Businesses, White Center news | Comments Off on Cattywampus Kids: Pop-up shop in downtown White Center returns today

From Lonjina at Center Studio – the monthly pop-up shop in her storefront at 9611 16th SW, Cattywampus Kids, is back today:

From Fisher Price and Strawberry Shortcake to shorts and dress, Cattywampus Kids is popping up, featuring new and resale clothing for children and toys with a vintage twist.

Most of the time you can find us located inside of Center Studio in White Center on the 1st Saturday of the month.

Saturday, May 3rd
12:30-6:30 pm

We have everything from your childhood! Your favorite vintage books and board games, Tonka trucks, Star Wars, classic Strawberry Shortcake, vintage Barbie, tons of Fisher Price stuff and more! This weekend we are clearing out our Winter Apparel – 25% OFF select items!

Find us on Facebook and Instagram (above) or our website: CattywampusKids.com

Cattywampus Kids
9611 16th Ave SW, White Center
1st Saturdays of the Month

Note: See something you want, but can’t make it to the pop-up? Just e-mail us and we will work something out.

AddThis Social Bookmark Button

Most likely spot for a White Center recreational-pot store: 9600 block of 16th SW

May 2nd, 2014 at 8:42 pm Posted in Businesses, White Center news | 4 Comments »

The state Liquor Control Board went public today with its list of how applicants for recreational-marijuana stores placed in the license lottery. Of 44 applicants in the unincorporated area, which is reported to be getting 11 stores, the highest-placing White Center applicants were OSK Enterprises, 9616 16th SW (the Smoke Town storefront), placing #6, and Sound THC, 9640 16th SW #D (site of Northwest Cannabis Market), placing #21. They were followed by Kronic, 9823 15th SW #D, at #33, and right behind that, Green Leaf Care, 9625 16th SW, at #34.

You can download the full statewide list, which has a tab for each area/city, from this page on the state Liquor Control Board website. Licenses are expected to be issued by early July, according to this state FAQ.

AddThis Social Bookmark Button