White Center Now: The blog about White Center

You have just one more hour to go see the amazing Jubilee Days car show, on 17th SW south of Roxbury:

This car is dedicated to Seahawk legend Russell Wilson, with highlight audio:

When we finally got over to check it out, we also discovered the street fair is NOT closing 16th SW as the website had said – we found some booths on SW 98th east of 17th, like Oranj‘s very local T-shirts:

We did find one special thing on 16th – this hydro:

At 5 o’clock, the main stage music starts inside Southgate Roller Rink.

Had your pancakes yet? The White Center Kiwanis‘s big breakfast – previewed here last month – is on until noon.

10 am-3 pm, shop the White Center Library Guild‘s Sidewalk Sale.

And then – Jubilee Days! The street fair and car show start at 11, main stage (inside Southgate Roller Rink) music at 5 pm.

(WCN photos)

The White Center Jubilee Days carnival has begun! We stopped by White Center Heights Elementary (10015 6th SW) for a few photos before dusk.

All the carnival faves are there, from rides to treats. Hours are 3-10 pm again today, and the carnival continues through Sunday.

Saturday is the biggest day/night for Jubilee Days, with the street fair, car show, main-stage entertainment, and more – Sunday, of course, brings the parade – but Friday has fun stuff too, including the mayoral announcement (go here to vote – today’s your last chance!).

White Center Jubilee Days 2019 starts tomorrow (Wednesday, July 17th)! If you are wondering:

-Yes, there’s a carnival! White Center Heights Elementary again this year. Hours:
Wed 7/17: 3 pm- 10 pm

Thur 7/18: 3 pm- 10 pm

Fri 7/19: 1 pm-11 pm

Sat 7/20: 11 am-11 pm

Sun 7/21: 11 am-10 pm

-No, there’s not a fireworks show. Used to be part of the carnival kickoff but since the Steve Cox Memorial Park changes have moved the carnival, the fireworks are no longer possible.

Lots more info to come – and check out jubileedays.org!

As announced by the King County Council:

In the wake of decades of Congressional inaction, the King County Board of Health is hosting a groundbreaking two-night summit on the prevention of gun violence. Beginning Tuesday evening, leaders from public health, affected residents, and the health community will join local advocates and policy makers for the most comprehensive gathering of gun violence research, data, and program work in the history of the Pacific Northwest.

Building upon legislation sponsored by King County Councilmembers Joe McDermott and Jeanne Kohl-Welles last summer, the summit will spotlight regional efforts to prevent gun violence through a public health approach.

This is happening at the YWCA Greenbridge Learning Cenner (9720 8th SW), 6-8:30 pm tonight and tomorrow.
Participants: Representatives from the Dept. of Public Health, Harborview, Seattle Children’s Hospital, Alliance for Gun Responsibility, Moms Demand Action, community leaders working with youth, gun violence survivors, and elected officials from King County, Seattle, and surrounding communities.

It’s almost time to start previewing Jubilee Days. But first – another event happening this weekend – the White Center Library Guild Sidewalk Sale on Saturday (July 20th)!

See you there!

Thanks to Gill Loring for the photos and report on this recent community cleanup:

KC Parks held a work party with a small but hard working group to help native plants some planted over the past several years to survive by cleaning out mostly non-native (particularly Himalayan blackberries) at North Shorewood Park. The volunteers were from Facebook. Weather turned out perfect.

This is part of a continuing effort to reclaim North Shorewood Park from overgrowth to open it up while preserving the upper area in its native state. Keep sight lines open so people feel safe using the open field and playground. Of course, there is the dog group which does a great deal to keep it clean and safe or a regular basis.

Both Sean and Steve from KC Parks did a great job setting it up bringing us snacks that another “volunteer” tried getting to just as the cleanup began!

At last month’s meeting, the Community Advisory Committee for Camp Second Chance, the Seattle-sanctioned encampment on Myers Way, hadn’t decided whether to meet this month or not. But they’ve since announced they’ll keep to the usual first-Sunday schedule, so if you have a comment, question, or other interest in C2C, you’re invited to the meeting at the Arrowhead Gardens community room (9200 2nd SW) a few blocks north of the encampment, 2 pm Sunday (July 7th).

1:10 AM: From radio communication: King County deputies are investigating a shooting reported to have happened ear 4th SW and SW 106th. The victim is at the hospital and his injuries are not believed, so far, to be life-threatening. That’s all we’ve heard so far.

10:10 PM: We followed up with KCSO’s Sgt. Ryan Abbott, who tells us tonight:

On 7/5/19 at 12:45 AM, near the 10600 block of 4th Ave SW, a male was shot by a suspect in a vehicle who drove by a house. The male was shot on his side. He had a friend drive him to Highline Hospital prior to Police arrival at the scene. The victim was then transported to HMC; his injuries were not life threatening. People on scene were not very cooperative. This case is open and being followed up by Major Crimes.

From the King County Sheriff’s Office:

King County’s unincorporated communities will get assistance in keeping the Fourth of July holiday safe, with a $25,000 boost in Sheriff funding for increased patrols. Metropolitan King County Councilmembers Joe McDermott, Larry Gossett, and Reagan Dunn announced that funds for the King County Sheriff’s Office were prioritized in the King County Budget. These patrols will be on the lookout for illegal fireworks usage during the Fourth of July holiday.

“With growing concerns over public safety, these funds for the Sheriff are intended to ensure a safe 4th of July celebration for everyone,” said McDermott.

“It is important that residents of our unincorporated areas can celebrate our Independence Day, but do it in a safe and legal manner,” said Gossett. “These increased patrols will go a long way to ensure that.”

$25,000 was prioritized to cover 300 hours of extra emphasis which will be split between the three sheriff precincts; Northeast, Southeast, and Southwest King County. The intent of this action is to ensure deputies can better respond to 911 calls made in response to illegal fireworks.

“My first priority as folks celebrate Independence Day is to help ensure the safety of unincorporated residents,” said Dunn. “I worked hard with my colleagues to get the additional funding that the Sheriff’s Office needed in order to provide a heavier police presence leading up to and on the Fourth.”

“The additional funding that we received from the King County Council is being used to proactively respond to illegal firework calls,” said Sheriff Mitzi Johanknecht. “We want everyone to have a safe 4th of July.”

In unincorporated King County, fireworks may only be discharged on July 4 from 9 a.m. to midnight. Residents are encouraged to act responsibly when using fireworks. Examples of legal fireworks include cone fountains, smoke devices, mines/shells/cakes, wheels, parachutes, roman candles, ground spinners, cylindrical fountains, sparklers, and poppers.

There are a number of free fireworks shows located around King County. The cities of Bellevue, Auburn, Carnation, Des Moines, Federal Way, Kent, Kenmore, Maple Valley, Mercer Island, Newcastle, Mountlake Terrace, Renton, Sammamish, Seattle, and Tukwila are all hosting public fireworks displays on July 4th. (Here’s a list.)

For more information about how to use fireworks safely and legally, go here.

Thanks to Gill Loring for the photos from the sun-graced Greenbridge health fair that kicked off the weekend.

As previewed here earlier in the week, a variety of partners joined forces to present the fair.

(WCN photo)

1:14 PM: Earlier this afternoon, King County Executive Dow Constantine, County Councilmember Joe McDermott, White Center Community Development Association executive director Sili Savusa, and others gathered at WC Heights Park for a big announcement: The county and some of its cities plan to “vigorously accelerate the pace of land conservation over the next year,” proposing to invest $63 million in 61 open-space projects. One catch: Some of the money would come from the King County Parks levy renewal/expansion that’ll be on the August 6th ballot. We asked about any White Center-area specifics; the reply was that they’re working on something but not ready to discuss it publicly yet. We recorded the entire event on video and will add it when ready later. (Meantime, here’s the announcement on the county website.)

P.S. This follows up on two briefings at the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council in the past year – most recently in March.

ADDED 9:31 PM: Two videos – the announcement, and Q&A:

8:59 PM: We’ve been reporting about some modifications planned to the roundabout at 8th SW/SW 108th, and today, King County Roads tweets: “Full road closure on 8th Ave. SW north of the roundabout at SW 108th St. in White Center today, 11 am – 2 pm for pavement work. Flaggers will be present on site. Expect delays.”

ADDED 1:30 PM: We asked for details on the work they’re doing (which continues all week). County spokesperson Brent Champaco replied, “The contractor will be raising the pavement surrounding the roundabout to smooth the “lip” of the roundabout’s apron. This will help to create a more gradual transition for transit vehicles. This work is scheduled to be complete by Friday and is weather dependent.”

You’re invited!

(WCN photo from Sunday)

From the King County Sheriff’s Office this afternoon:

After a series of shootings over the weekend, the Sheriff’s Office wants to assure our White Center residents and business owners that public safety is our top priority and we are taking action to combat violent crime in the area.

King County Sheriff Mitzi G. Johanknecht said, “We are aware that violent crime is trending up. We will be adding deputies for increased emphasis patrols targeting crimes of violence.”

“The patrols will be random and at different times of the day to increase visibility in areas where violent crime is likely to occur,” said Sheriff Johanknecht.

The two shootings this weekend are not related, and so far there is no indication either is gang-related. Here is an update on each shooting:

Outside Hookah Lounge on 17th Avenue SW

On Sunday Morning, 6/23/2019 at 5:30 AM, a 911 call came in with someone hearing shots in the area of SW Roxbury/ 17 AVE SW. A deputy responded but did not hear or see anything initially. After checking for about 30 minutes, he cleared the call.

At 6:13 AM, three males showed up at Harborview Medical Center, each with gunshot wounds. Just before 7 AM, it was determined that this incident had occurred at the 9800 BLK 17 AVE SW. Deputies arrived on scene and located numerous shell casings. King County Major Crimes responded to the scene and located over 40 shell casings. Detectives believe some type of disturbance occurred outside of an after-hours club located in the alley between 16 AVE SW and 17 AVE SW. The disturbance led to a shooting between multiple people. A 28-year-old male was shot in the leg and was treated and released from the hospital. A 30-year-old male remains in critical condition, and a 29-year-old male remains in serious condition. Major Crimes continues to investigate.

1st Avenue SW Shooting

Today, Monday 6/24/2019 at 7:55 AM, a 27-year-old male caller reported he had just been shot near his house at 10600 BLK 1 AVE SW. The male suspect, known to the victim, fled the scene. King County Medics treated the victim on scene for a gunshot wound to the shoulder. The medics transported him to Harborview Hospital; his condition was listed as serious. The victim was not very cooperative with Deputies about what had occurred. At this time it is unknown what led up to the shooting, but this case remains under investigation.

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: