White Center Now: The blog about White Center

Thursday night, join your area’s community council to talk and hear about health and safety. From the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council, the agenda for the June meeting, coming up Thursday:

When: Thursday, June 1, 2017 at 7 pm
Where: North Highline Fire Station at 1243 SW 112th Street in White Center (Parking and Entrance in the Back of the Station)

Please join North Highline’s volunteer community council at our June 1, 2017 meeting.

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

Natural Resources Are Vital to a Healthy Community: Surroundings that don’t encourage daily exercise or provide clean air and nutritious food too often lead to depression, obesity, diabetes, asthma, and heart disease. King County’s Land Conservation Projects Manager, Charlie Governali, will tell us about the County’s Land Conservation Initiative. The Initiative is an effort to conserve 60,000+ acres, including natural areas, trails, urban greenspaces, farmlands, and forestlands. Which natural resources around North Highline should be protected? Should they be used for walking trails, garden areas, parks or ???

Our Neighborhoods Matter: Carlos Marquez, a Community Service Officer with the KCSO, will be joining us to share two important ways we can help deal with some of the issues facing North Highline. Carlos will explain the importance of Block Watch, how Block Watch works, and the fundamentals of organizing a Block Watch. He will also educate us about the upcoming Citizen’s Police Academy and the different topics it covers. Don’t miss this chance to learn how you can be empowered to help our community!

Our community certainly matters to Deputy Bill Kennamer. Deputy Bill will join us once again to help increase our awareness of what is happening in North Highline.

Good of the Order: Do you have something of community import on your mind? Join us and share!

See you Thursday, June 1st at 7 PM – Because Knowledge Is Power!

A building with quite a past has just stepped into its future. It’s opening night for Beer Star, on the southwest corner of SW 98th and 16th SW in downtown White Center. 700 bottled and canned beers…

48 on tap …

Even a kids’ play area.

The building’s past identities include the Epicure Restaurant and, more recently, The Wall, The Hang-Around, a medical-marijuana lounge, and the Rose Petals restaurant. The team behind Beer Star, per Eater, is headed by James Weimann and Deming Maclise, who have venues elsewhere in the city, and the space will soon include a Li’l Woody’s burger joint – you’ve probably seen the sign on the east side of the building; Li’l Woody’s already has a WC tie, making its shakes with Full Tilt Ice Cream.

Meantime, if you want to be part of Beer Star’s first night, it’s expected to be open until 10 pm.

You got first word of it from the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council … and now one more reminder from King County has just arrived in the inbox, with this event now less than two weeks away:

You are invited to attend the 2017 King County Community Service Area Town Hall and Community meeting for residents of North Highline and White Center. The Town Hall meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, June 7 from 7 to 9 PM at Seola Garden-Providence Building, 11215 5th Avenue SW.

The meeting will provide residents of unincorporated King County and other interested residents an opportunity to meet and discuss issues of concern with Councilmember Joe McDermott, Rhonda Berry of the County Executive’s Office, Sheriff John Urquhart and key officials from King County Department and Branches including Transportation, Natural Resources and Parks, Permitting and Environmental Review, the Assessor’s office and others.

It’s the annual chance to bring your concerns and questions directly to the county officials who are accountable.

If you use Highway 509 – you’ll want to know about this. From WSDOT:

Construction season is in full swing and in Burien, a project to repave northbound State Route 509 will soon join the mix.

Contractor crews working for the Washington State Department of Transportation will repave more than 3.5 miles of the highway between South 168th and South 112th streets to create a smoother driving surface. They will also repair and replace portions of guardrail. The $4.6 million project begins Sunday, June 4.

“Driving this section of SR 509 is no picnic. The pavement is worn and rough,” said WSDOT Project Engineer Aleta Borschowa. “Some of the guardrail is also in need of repair, so we will actually replace it with concrete barrier, which is easier to push back into place following a collision.”

Also known as the Burien Freeway, this section of northbound SR 509 is cracked and rutted from years of vehicle traffic. Approximately 28,000 vehicles use this section of roadway each day, which was last repaved in the mid-1990s.

Plan for travel delays during construction

· Drivers should expect single lane, ramp and shoulder closures on northbound SR 509 during daytime and nighttime hours for paving work.

· Crews will need to close the left lane of northbound and southbound SR 509 for a total of three weekends and occasional weeknights to repair and replace the guardrail in the median.

Know before you go

· For more information on scheduled lane reductions and detours, visit the King County construction page.

WSDOT contractor, Tucci & Sons, Inc., expects work on the $4.6 million project to wrap up in fall 2017.

When we published the King County Sheriff’s Office request for help yesterday in finding murder suspect Billy D. Williams, we didn’t have the documents detailing the charges against him.

Now we do.

Williams, 30, is charged with first-degree murder and first-degree unlawful gun possession; the latter relates to a robbery conviction dating back to 2004.

If and when he’s caught, the warrant sets his bail at $1 million, saying he “executed” victim James Little “without provocation.” The charging documents detail what’s already been reported – that Little was among those trying to break up a fight that started in the Taradise Café and spilled out into the street. But they have a few more details of the circumstances, saying that Little was shot while talking to a woman who had been in the bar and had gone back to her car; he approached her, she told investigators, and knew her name, and started to talk to her when she heard a “pop” and saw Little fall to the ground. Both she and another witness saw the shooter get into a car and leave the scene. Surveillance video confirmed what they saw, and showed, according to the charging papers, that, “prior to the shooting, there appears to be no interaction or altercation between Little and the suspect.” A third witness identified the shooter as Williams, saying he had known Williams for years.

The vehicle believed to be used in the getaway, a white 2000 BMW, was found somewhere in West Seattle on May 11th, according to the charging papers. It had damage consistent with the car shown in security video, and inside, investigators found a Seattle SuperSonics hat that Williams was believed to be wearing at the time of the shooting.

As for where he is – still a mystery so far as we’ve heard; we just checked the jail register and he’s not there yet. If he’s in custody by June 1st, that’s the date set for his arraignment, the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office tells us. Meantime, call 911 if you have any information on Williams’ whereabouts.

(Also posted on partner site West Seattle Blog)

Can you help find a murder suspect? The King County Sheriff’s Office has just identified a suspect in the May 7th murder of James Little in White Center, and released his photo, asking for your help to track him down:

A Murder 1 warrant has been issued for Billy D. Williams, 30, of Oregon, for the May 7th murder of Seattle resident James Little, 30.

Little was attending a birthday party at a bar in the 9800 block of 16 Ave SW when a group of women got into a fight. The fight ended up outside and the women eventually separated.

Little approached a group of people across the street when Williams, who was in the group, pulled a gun and shot him in the head, killing him.

Detectives have not released a motive for the shooting but said Williams has ties to Albany, Oregon and Seattle. Williams is described as a black man, 30, 5’8”, medium build.

If you have information regarding the whereabouts of Williams you can call 911 or you may remain anonymous and be eligible for a reward of up to $1000 by calling Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).

That’s the mailer sent out by King County Road Services Division with an update on the upcoming sidewalk construction on the south side of SW Roxbury between 28th SW and 30th SW. Here are the key points:

Work scheduled from late May-July, if weather cooperates

· Area is SW Roxbury Street between 28th Avenue SW and 30th Avenue SW

· One lane of road will be closed from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., each day

· Flaggers will direct two-way vehicle traffic

· Pedestrians will be detoured

· Roxhill Elementary bus loading areas will be moved to west edge of the school property

· Businesses along this section of SW Roxbury Street will remain open and access provided at all times. Access points will be provided for the gas station, the auto parts store/latte stand and auto repair shop.

Showers or shine, how about some bargain-hunting today? It’s West Seattle Community Garage Sale Day – 13th year overall, 10th year we have coordinated it through our parent site West Seattle Blog – and we have four North Highline sales among this year’s 300+ sales.

First: The interactive online map is here, while a printable/downloadable PDF version is here.

The sales in North Highline are:

Sale 303: 10727 25th Avenue SW

Sale 307: 10323 28th Ave SW (benefit sale in Grace Church parking lot)

Sale 311: 3010 SW 109th St

Sale 313: 10611 22nd Ave SW

The official sale hours are 9 am-3 pm, today only (Saturday, May 13th).

The annual GiveBIG one-day mega-donation drive, coordinated by the Seattle Foundation, is under way! Again this year, we’ve put together a local list, with each organization name linked to its GiveBIG info/donation page – we’ve reshuffled it a bit from original publication on our partner site West Seattle Blog, so that the White Center-based organizations are at the top, below:

Westside Baby
White Center Community Development Association
White Center Food Bank
White Center Library Guild
YES Foundation of White Center

Alki Co-Op Preschool
Ancora (women’s choir)
Arts Corps
ArtsEd Washington
ArtsWest
Blue Earth Alliance
Concord International School Greening Project
Delridge Neighborhoods Development Association
Duwamish River Cleanup Coalition/Technical Advisory Group
Duwamish Rowing Club
Duwamish Tribal Services
Education First
Empower Mentoring Program
Explorer West Middle School
Fauntleroy Children’s Center
FEEST
Free2Luv
Friends of the Animals Foundation
Furry Faces Foundation
Gender Diversity
Holy Rosary School
Khambatta Dance Company
Killer Whale Tales
Kol HaNeshamah
Legal Counsel for Youth and Children
Navos
Opera On Tap
Orca Conservancy
Plumbers Without Borders
Pongo Publishing
Reel Grrls
SafeFutures Youth Center
Seattle Chinese Garden Society
Seattle Green Spaces Coalition
Seattle People of Color Salon
Seniors Creating Art
Somali Family Safety Task Force
South Seattle College Foundation
Southwest Seattle Historical Society
Southwest Youth and Family Services
Technology Access Foundation
The Kenney Foundation
The Service Board
The Village of Hope
The Whale Trail
Totem Star
Transitional Resources
Twelfth Night Productions
Urban Homestead Foundation
West Seattle Block Watch Captains Network (the link goes to the Seattle Neighborhood Group – in “comments,” specifically mention that it’s for WSBWCN so they will receive the $)
West Seattle Community Orchestras
West Seattle Food Bank
West Seattle Helpline
Westside Unitarian Universalist Congregation
Wheelchairs For Nigeria
Whit Press

The donate-a-thon is on until 11:59 pm tonight. While the Seattle Foundation is not offering a “stretch pool” this year – as explained in its FAQ for donors – it’s offering other incentives.

Thanks to Gill for the photo – on Monday, he spotted that repaving project in progress on SW 107th between 22nd SW and 25th SW. He says a nearby resident told him the surface is meant to improve traction in a crash-prone stretch. The King County Road Services website says this was a one-day project and that it’s over.

A few days before Sunday morning’s White Center murder, crime concerns were in the forefront at the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council‘s May meeting.

A King County Sheriff’s Office gang expert was rescheduled for the meeting but was sidetracked again, this time because of an incident shortly before the meeting, an incident in Burien that was reported to have turned up five guns.

KCSO was represented at the meeting by Major M.G. Johanknecht and Capt. Scott Somers, right and left in the photo above, as well as storefront Deputy Bill Kennamer.

In the crime stats, “Part 1” crimes – from homicide to burglary to arson and more – are down from this time last year, 62 in the area this April, 75 in the area last April. “Part 2” crimes, a longer list, are up, 114 this April compared to 96 a year earlier. Auto theft is up a bit, 18 in April 2017, 15 in April 2016. Burglaries are down – forced-entry residential burglary, for example, 4 this April, down from 10 a year earlier.

The major mentioned that she’ll be working to start a Citizens’ Academy for the White Center area soon.

PREVENTING YOUTH MARIJUANA USE: Vilia Wang and Maddison Story started off the night. They got a $10,000 grant to work with kids to deter early marijuana use, based on some stats they gathered talking to Cascade Middle School 8th graders. Their responses indicated more had tried marijuana and alcohol in comparison to statewide averages. The program plans a 3-5:30 pm open house at White Center Library to talk about resources for youth and to show the phone app they’re working on – here’s the flyer.

QUESTIONS FOR THE COUNTY MEETING: As mentioned last month, King County’s unincorporated service-area town halls are coming up, including 7-9 pm June 7th at Seola Gardens. NHUAC president Liz Giba reminded those in attendance that it’s an excellent opportunity to bring up concerns with county leaders – Council Chair Joe McDermott, Sheriff John Urquhart, and Deputy County Executive Rhonda Berry are scheduled to be at this one. Here are some of the issues NHUAC wants to hear about from county reps:

– Economic diversity and housing policy so that there’s no further concentration of poverty in the area. –

– Regarding marijuana policy – how much tax money has been taken in overall and from the NHUAC area specifically; how much was generated in North Highline and what’s coming back

– What’s happening with the county’s share of Myers Way?

– What’s happening with the proposal for safe-injection sites?

– Gangs

– The West Point sewage spill

– What’s happening with annexation from the county’s side?

– How can the Sheriff send more officers, especially with new big developments – especially with the big development in Top Hat?

FAMILY SHELTER: Mary’s Place announced that the shelter has reached the first-phase capacity, 30 people – eight adults and 22 kids. As the community wanted to see, those who have arrived so far have kids in Highline Public Schools. So they’re taking “the next step,” it was announced, to increase the number of people served to 70.

They’ve arranged with the Evergreen Aquatic Center to use showers there, since there’s still a shortage of those facilities at the shelter building itself, though they’re working on that. An open house for the public is also planned, and they’re looking for volunteers – you can stop by to ask about opportunities. The Mary’s Place website is the best source for lists of what donations are needed but it was mentioned at the meeting that plus-size clothing and hygiene products are needed.

The North Highline Unincorporated Area Council meets first Thursdays most months, 7 pm, at the NH Fire District HQ.

Update just in on the Sunday morning murder, from King County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Sgt. Cindi West:

Detectives said a birthday party was being held at a bar in the 9800 block of 16 Ave SW Saturday night into Sunday morning. About 1:30 am a fight broke out between two groups of women inside the bar. The fight ended up outside and numerous people were either watching or participating in the disturbance.

After the altercation was over, the victim, a 31-year-old Seattle man, walked across the street with a woman who had been in the altercation. He stood with a group of people for moments before a man in the group pulled a gun and shot him in the head, killing him. The suspect then ran southbound, got into a vehicle and drove off.

Detectives believe the suspect vehicle is a white, 99-01 BMW station wagon. The suspect is described as a black male, and was last seen wearing a dark colored hoodie.

Anyone with information or who may have taken cell phone video before, during or after the shooting is asked to call the King County Sheriff’s Office at 206-296-3311. Additionally anyone who may have been driving in the area or picked someone up from the area is asked to call. You may also be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000 and remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477)

6:49 AM: 16th SW is closed between 98th and 100th as King County Sheriff’s Office deputies investigate a deadly shooting early today. Our crew says the Medical Examiner is there right now as is the victim’s family.

More information to come.

7:25 AM: We’ve just talked with another KCSO investigator at the scene. She says the victim is a man believed to be in his 30s. They found him after responding to a “shots fired” call around 1:40 am. He was near the sidewalk on the west side of 16th by the former restaurant space just south of the future Beer Star. No arrests reported so far.

8:33 AM: Checking our archives, this is the first shooting-with-a-victim case in the area in more than a month, since this one (which was not fatal).

9:13 AM: Just heard back from KCSO spokesperson Sgt. Cindi West, who says this is reported to have started with a conflict at Taradise Cafe:

Details are sketchy.

Started out as a fight among women in the women’s bathroom that was pushed out into the main front area of the bar and then out into the street.

A man at the bar who went out to talk to one of the women involved in the altercation was shot.

Witness said the suspect calmly shot the victim in the head as he stood out on the street. We don’t know if the suspect had been at the bar or not.

Very little suspect info. Wearing a hoodie but no other details.

As of just before 9 am, the street was still closed.

NOON UPDATE: We just went back to check again; the street is now open again and investigators are gone.

7:23 PM: A tribute to the victim, who friends say was known as “Bookie” and actually went out to try to stop the fight, is in place at the scene:

Friends and family gathered there this evening for a vigil.

Still no word of an arrest.

(Adapted from original as-it-happened coverage on partner site West Seattle Blog – smoke was visible for miles around)

Thanks to Colby for that photo, the first we received from a house fire this afternoon near 26th SW and SW 109th.

The smoke had subsided by the time our crew arrived at the fire scene – thanks to those who tipped us via text and voice on our hotline (206-293-6302). This is in the North Highline Fire District’s jurisdiction; other departments including Seattle Fire sent units as mutual aid (including Engine 11):

Big response overall.

One person suffered minor injuries, we’re told, and was treated at the scene. By 3:45 pm, the fire (at 10907 26th SW) was out or close to it, our crew reported, and investigators were on the way to try to find out how it started.

Got a text about a sizable response of deputies and medics this afternoon. Checked with King County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Sgt. Cindi West, who explained that it started around 3:15 pm as a “report of a male trespassing at a business in the 1700 block of SW Roxbury. He was described as possibly being high.” One of the deputies who responded radioed that he was fighting with the suspect; other deputies arrived and made an arrest, but Sgt. West adds, “Apparently one of the deputies was poked with a needle too.”

Just in, North Highline Unincorporated Area Council president Liz Giba‘s announcement for the May meeting, coming up next Thursday:

North Highline Unincorporated Area Council Meeting

When: Thursday, May 4, 2017 at 7 pm

Where: North Highline Fire Station at 1243 SW 112th Street in White Center. (Parking and Entrance are in the Back of the Station)

Please join North Highline’s volunteer community council at our May 4, 2017 meeting.

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

Neighborhoods Matter: Eighth graders in the Highline School District have at higher risk of drug use than students in King County overall. The Coalition for Drug-Free Youth addresses youth drug use by educating, inspiring and empowering us to create a healthy environment in North Highline. Maddi Story and VeeVee Wang will introduce us to the Coalition’s “I Know What’s Right for Me” marijuana and vaping prevention campaign.

The Bad News: Detective Joe Gagliardi of the King County Sheriff’s Office was not able to make last month’s meeting.

The Good News: Detective Gagliardi will be joining us this month. Detective Gagliardi is an expert on gangs. Have you wondered whether the graffiti you’ve been seeing is gang related? Have you heard stories about local gang activity? Join us on Thursday and you’ll surely learn somethings about gangs.

More Good News: Deputy Bill Kennamer of the White Center Storefront will be joined by Captain Somers and our new Precinct 4 Commander Major Mitzi Johanknecht. Join us in welcoming her!

Good of the Order: Do you have a suggestion for King County’s upcoming Community Service Area meeting? Something of community import on your mind? Join us and share!

See you Thursday, May 4th at 7 PM – Because Knowledge Is Power!