White Center Now: The blog about White Center

We finally have some information this morning about last night’s SWAT response at a house on Marine View Drive SW in Shorewood. Some thought it was happening at Shorewood Elementary, as some of the King County Sheriff’s Office/Burien Police units were staging there. We monitored scanner traffic for a while in hopes of finding out more; finally, after midnight, the SWAT team went in and discovered one man dead inside the house. What we still didn’t know by that point was why they had gone to the house in the first place. Here’s what KCSO spokesperson Sgt. Cindi West told us this morning in response to our inquiry: “Last night after 9 pm a woman called 911 and said that her husband had threatened to shoot her and himself. The woman was able to flee the residence. When police arrived the man was inside and would did not respond when police told him to exit the house. TAC30 (SWAT) was called and when they eventually entered, they found the man dead (from) an apparent self-inflicted gunshot.”

In reports that involve suicide, we always mention this resource – the Crisis Clinic, which has a 24-hour hotline, 206-461-3222.

As the new White Center Library gets closer to completion, concerns continue for those who wonder what would happen to it if Seattle – which has its own library system – annexes the area.

That’s why the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council invited the King County Library System to send a guest to its December meeting, held at the NH Fire District headquarters last Thursday night.

They got answers straight from the top, library director Gary Wasdin.

First, he provided an update on construction – still on schedule, with the exterior almost complete (as you can see in our photo, taken the morning after the meeting), so the interior work will ramp up after the first of the year. While he cautioned that weather is still a factor, if there are no major storms, KCLS will have an announcement of an opening date sometime in February. Right now, it’s still looking like an April opening, but that will be dependent on factors including how long it will take to stock the library and put in furniture.

Next, the annexation-related concerns. While Seattle and King County had had an agreement that the libraries in North Highline would be turned over to the city if annexation happened, Wasdin said that agreement expires at the end of this month. So without a new agreement, annexation at any point after January 1st of next year would leave the libraries in King County’s hands. He said he’s talked to some of Seattle Mayor Ed Murray’s staff but no talks about a new agreement are under way, so at this point, the libraries will remain King County libraries.

Asked about the fate of the current White Center Library site, Wasdin said it’s on the market.

STORMWATER 101: King County budget analyst Tricia Davis presented what she described as “Stormwater 101,” an overview of how the county deals with stormwater/runoff. She included some discussion of the recent oil contamination in the White Center stormwater-retention pond north of Steve Cox Park; county stormwater employees work with businesses to find best practices for wastewater, too, and she said they have spoken with La Mexicana, which took responsibility for the edible-oil spill that fouled the pond and harmed birds, so they know how better to handle any future situations.

A new stormwater-management fee system is proposed for 2016-2017, said Davis, and they’re gathering information in early 2016 to send to the County Executive before fall 2016 budget hearings.

Asked about plans for further protection of Hicklin Lake, Davis didn’t have a timetable.

CRIME REPORT: Storefront Deputy Bill Kennamer said everything is down except for 4th-degree assaults, which have doubled in the past year. These are the type of incidents, he explained, that involve pushing or shoving or fistfights, the lowest level of assault.

In other issues, he said the bog encampments are gone; the people who had been camping there were served trespassing notices.

REMEMBERING DEPUTY STEVE COX: NHUAC president Barbara Dobkin led a moment of silence in memory of Deputy Steve Cox; December 2nd – the day before the meeting – was exactly nine years since he was killed in the line of duty on December 2, 2006.

NHUAC meets first Thursdays, 7 pm, at the NHFD HQ, 1243 SW 112th. Check northhighlineuac.org for updates.

Will White Center become part of Seattle? The potential process is only in the earliest of stages, but it’s the main topic of this year’s White Center Summit, convened by the WC Community Development Association and continuing until 3 pm at Cascade Middle School.

One year ago, the Seattle City Council put itself on record as taking the initial steps toward potential annexation, mostly as a procedural move that had to be made to keep the city’s options open, especially for a tax credit that would be vital to funding annexation. The city had reps at today’s event, including AJ Cari from the Office of Economic Development:

He was talking about the kind of services that would potentially be available for White Center businesses if the area became part of Seattle. But there are many steps before that would come close to even potential reality. The discussion continues at the White Center Summit for another hour and a half.

SIDE NOTE: In the first-ever election for a West Seattle/South Park-specific City Council member, which is just now finalizing a recount, annexation was one of the points of difference between the candidates. Lisa Herbold, expected to be officially announced as the winner on Monday, is not the unabashed supporter that opponent Shannon Braddock had been. Herbold will be one of four new members on the nine-member council as of the first of the year. One of the other three, Lorena González, is a West Seattle resident who won one of the council’s two at-large seats.

ORIGINAL REPORT, 1:42 PM: Thanks to the reader who tipped us about a law enforcement presence at the White Center licensing office today, which is closed as a result. State Patrol officers were there when we went over to check it out at noontime.

They weren’t commenting; we were pointed to the Department of Licensing, which also isn’t commenting except to say that their reps are there providing “technical support” for whatever sort of investigation is under way, including the “collection of equipment.”

We’re still trying to track down someone who can comment on what’s happening, and will update with whatever we find out. On the agency’s Yelp page, someone claiming to be an employee wrote that the office was closed today “due to incorrect things and I promise you all that this isn’t the end,” while also offering thanks to customers for their support and criticizing the office’s 2013 closure.

4:05 PM UPDATE: Just talked with Cameron Satterfield of King County. He says the county – which is accountable for this office – and state Department of Licensing had been “reviewing the work” of the licensing office in White Center “for a few months,” and sent reps to the office at 7:45 this morning. After interviewing the owner and employee of the office, the reps “served subagency contract termination letters,” and closed the office. It will remain closed until further notice, Satterfield says, and so they are encouraging people to go to other licensing offices in the meantime. He had no specifics about why the office’s contract was terminated but says more information will be available on Monday.

Beignet fans – another change in the food scene on the south end of downtown White Center, an announcement from Mardi Gras Donuts: “We will no longer be serving donuts during the week. Our new hours are Saturday and Sunday, 7 am till 2 pm.”

Happy December! Here’s what’s happening at the White Center Library this month:

CHILDREN & FAMILIES

Play & Learn
Tuesday, December 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29, 11:15am
Newborn to age 5 with adult.
Have fun singing songs, telling stories, reading books, creating art and playing.
Play & Learn is in English and the facilitator is bilingual in English and Spanish.

Star Wars Movie Release Party
Friday, December 18, 3:30pm
Family program, all ages welcome with adult.
Celebrate the release of the new Star Wars movie with Star Wars themed crafts, snacks, games and prizes!

Brick Builders
Monday, December 21, 3pm
Family program, all ages welcome with adult.
The library provides the LEGOs, you provide the fun!

Toy Story Movie Marathon
Monday, December 28, 2pm: Toy Story 1
Tuesday, December 29, 2pm: Toy Story 2
Wednesday, December 30, 2pm:Toy Story 3
Family program, all ages welcome with adult.
Join Woody, Buzz Lightyear and the rest of the gang for this three-day movie marathon.

TEENS

Minecraft Mania
Tuesday, December 1, 4pm
Ages 8 to 14.
Are you a Minecraft fan? Want to meet other Minecraft players? Come for an afternoon of multiplayer fun.

Game On!
Wednesday, December 2, 9 and 16, 3pm
Middle and high school ages.
Play video games at the library, plus board games and snacks too!

Video Game Crafternoon
Thursday, December 3 and 17, 4pm
Middle and high school ages.
Spend the afternoon creating video game inspired crafts. Buttons, ornaments and more!

International Candy Taste Test
Tuesday, December 8, 4pm
Middle and high school ages.
Come and taste test different candies from around the world and decide which is your favorite.

Super Smash Bros Tournament
Saturday, December 12, Noon
Middle and high school ages.
Enter the second annual Super Smash Bros tournament. There will be snacks for all as well as prizes for the top three winners.

Winter Art Lesson with Molly Hashimoto
Saturday, December 19, 1:30pm
Ages 10 and older.
Learn how to draw a winter wonderland with artist Molly Hashimoto.

Teen Winter Break Movie
Wednesday, December 23, 3pm
Middle and high school ages.
Celebrate this winter break with cookies and a funny movie about an elf who goes to New York City to find his dad.

After Holiday Anti-Party
Saturday, December 26, 1pm
Middle and high school ages.
After the holiday come and relax with your friends. Board games, puzzles, arts, crafts and snacks!

New Year’s Event for Teens
Thursday, December 31, 3pm
Middle and high school ages.
Play games and enjoy snacks to celebrate the New Year.

ADULTS

One-on-One Computer Help
Tuesday, December 1 and 15, 6pm
Have computer or software questions? TechTutor Volunteers are here for you. You may bring your own laptop, but TechTutors cannot provide hands-on or hardware assistance.

Computer Class: Microsoft Excel Level 3
Saturday, December 5, 1pm
Learn to use functions such as Average, Max, Min and PMT. Prerequisite: Basic understanding of Excel and experience creating and saving spreadsheets.

Drop-in to Learn about eBooks
Saturday, December 12, 3pm
Get started with KCLS eBooks! Bring your eReader, tablet, phone or just your questions

The library’s at 11220 16th Avenue SW.

Here’s what’s coming up at the North Highline Unincorporated Area Council meeting next Thursday (December 3rd), from president Barbara Dobkin:

North Highline Unincorporated Area Council Meeting (NHUAC)
Thursday, Dec. 3 at 7 pm
North Highline Fire Station (1243 SW 112th Street)

Plan on joining NHUAC for the end-of-the-year meeting with our special guest, Gary Wasdin, Executive Director of the King County Library System. This is an opportunity to hear not only about the progress of the new WCL that is under construction on 107th and 14th Ave SW, but also what the future holds for the library (this new library will replace the current White Center Library that is on 16th Ave, and is being built with funds from the voter approved 2004 Library Bond Levy).

Tricia Davis, King County Budget Analyst, will also be on hand with a presentation on problems with polluted storm water run-off, what the King County Storm Water program does, and issues being considered as they develop the storm water fee for 2016-2017.

Our WC storefront deputy, Bill Kennamer, will provide the latest crime stats and discuss general community safety concerns.

Have you noticed more illegal dumping throughout our community? Find out how you can help and what assistance is available for this problem.

See you there.

Please see NHUAC website for the agenda: northhighlineuac.org
Questions – email: bdobkin@northhighlineuac.org

You don’t have to tackle the early Thanksgiving cooking without your latté, or Americano, or whatever. Our friends at Caffé Delia (9622 16th SW in downtown White Center) sent word that they’re open 8 am-noon today. Happy Thanksgiving!

One more day to make sure hundreds of local families can celebrate the holiday with a traditional meal … First, the White Center Food Bank needs more turkeys, and you can bring them by 8:30 am-7 pm on Wednesday. If you can spare some time, they also need help distributing food Wednesday afternoon/evening:

Volunteers needed Wednesday, 4:30-8 pm. It’s holiday distribution time again at the White Center Food Bank and we are currently short volunteers for the afternoon/evening of November 25 to pass out food to clients. We get set up at 4:30 pm. We distribute food from 5:00 to 7:30 pm and then clean up. Families welcome. If you can help, please call Audrey at 206-762-2848 or e-mail audrey@whitecenterfoodbank.org

WCFB is at 10829 8th SW.

If you’ve seen King County Sheriff’s Office activity around the Evergreen campus today – here’s what happened, according to KCSO spokesperson Sgt. Cindi West:

A 16-year-old student was found tied up in a school bathroom at Evergreen High School this morning. The victim said two females had assaulted her, tied her up and left her in the bathroom.

Deputies responded to the school, located in the 800 block of SW 116th St, around 8:18 am after the student was found tied up in the bathroom.

The victim told police she had been beaten and tied up by two females. The victim was taken to Highline Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

No further details will be released at this time.

Saturday, December 5th, from 8:30 am-2 pm, you’re invited to the White Center Summit, presented by the WC Community Development Association at Cascade Middle School (11212 10th SW). This year, a special focus will be on possible annexation of the area; no full-fledged proposal is pending right now, but that could change at any time, since the city of Seattle took initial steps a year ago. Here’s the summit announcement:

Each year the White Center CDA hosts a community summit to bring neighbors together to talk about the state of their community and plan for White Center’s future – on Dec. 5, the annual summit will highlight the topic of annexation, and the impact of becoming part of the City of Seattle. If White Center residents vote “yes” to annexation, how will public services, education, housing, health, taxes, economic development, and the built environment be impacted? The event will feature speakers from both the City of Seattle and King County weighing in on their perspectives. Currently, White Center is a part of unincorporated King County, meaning it is without city governance and relies solely on the support of the county. In the 2015 White Center Community Survey, 78% of respondents said they either don’t know about annexation, or have heard of the issue but do not understand it.

Residents will have opportunities to ask questions about annexation and then break-out into smaller groups for more in-depth discussion. Youth are highly encouraged to attend as there will also be two youth breakout sessions.

The event will include the following:

*Presentation of the results of the White Center CDA’s community survey and a “data snapshot” including the state of housing, health, and education, and information about White Center’s demographics

*Keynote speakers from the City and County, and opportunity for live-polling feedback and Q&A

*Break-out groups for neighbors to discuss the issues facing White Center in more depth

*For youth, the choice to attend one of two breakouts: “Visual Storytelling – Stories of Immigrants & Refugees” facilitated by Erika Berg or “Anti-junk Food Campaign & White Center’s Food Landscape” facilitated by youth from FEEST

Throughout the event there will be a resource fair with organizations that residents can connect to. These organizations include the local White Center Food Bank, Seattle Art Museum, Airport Jobs, Highline Public Schools, and more. Breakfast and lunch, child care, and interpretation for Vietnamese, Somali, Spanish, and Khmer will all be provided. There will also be local entertainment throughout the day, such as a DJ and photo booth.

Please register for this event via this link: tinyurl.com/WCSUMMIT2015

Thanks to Gill Loring for the photos from the White Center pond cleaned up after a cooking-oil spill, showing the birds were back just a few days after the first 13 cleaned-up ducks were returned. No way to know if any are the same; wildlife authorities told us they were not banding the cleaned-up birds or otherwise tracking them.

On Monday, one neighbor reported seeing the oiled great blue heron that as of last check hadn’t yet been rescued. The Department of Ecology says that if you see any wildlife in distress – please call this hotline: 800-22-BIRDS.

That’s according to owner Miranda Krone, writing on the still-up Meander’s Kitchen Facebook page. This past Wednesday was apparently the last day for the café; things were being moved out later in the week. Krone writes that she plans a new restaurant somewhere else soon – but has not yet said where. Meander’s started in West Seattle in early 2011, moved to the ex-Papa’s Pub spot (now Noble Barton) in White Center in fall 2012, moved to the former San Fernando Chicken spot less than a year later, and then made headlines when staffers announced three months ago that closure was imminent (it wasn’t). Now, though, it’s gone; one more empty spot on 16th SW.

In our video, you see post-cleanup freedom for 13 of the birds captured at the oil-contaminated White Center stormwater-retention pond. A team from PAWS brought them back to the area and joined state and county reps in opening the carriers and watching them go free. We first reported on the pond problem a week and a half ago; last Friday, the state announced that a WC food-manufacturing business, La Mexicana, had taken responsibility. They say the pond is now clean enough for the birds to return to it safely, but they were released Wednesday morning across the street at Steve Cox Memorial Park. As you can see in the video, all 13 brought back by PAWS were mallards; crews have captured 78 in all, a mix of mallards and Canada geese. Four birds did not survive, including two that were euthanized, according to the state Ecology Department.

Ecology spokesperson Larry Altose says oil-recovery efforts wrapped up at the pond Tuesday, as contractor National Response Corporation removed the last cleanup materials. NRC’s subcontractor Focus Wildlife captured the oiled birds and, Altose says, “housed and treated the birds at the Progressive Animal Welfare Society Wildlife Center in Lynnwood,” where, he adds, the state Department of Fish and Wildlife “supplied a bird rescue trailer to provide extra space for the effort.”

Of the 61 birds still in treatment after Wednesday’s release, he adds, 27 are mallards and 34 are geese. All four of the birds that died were mallards. A WDFW spokesperson confirmed that this is the largest bird-rescuing operation in our state in some time, in terms of spill recovery.

Meantime, as for the birds in the first release …

… we last saw them taking a few test flights around the field. If you see oiled or distressed birds, WDFW asks, call 800-22-BIRDS, but don’t “approach or handle the wildlife,” the state asks, adding that “WDFW asks dog and cat owners in the area to keep their pets under control, as oiled birds are less able to escape from animal attacks.”

P.S. In addition to reporting to the state, the federal EPA also tells us they are interested in information about environmental violations – here’s how to report them. (You can also call the local office directly at 206-553-8306.)

Happening right now, late Monday night – deputies are searching for robbers who are reported to have held up people in the 9600 block of 18th SW. We don’t know whether this was a street robbery or home invasion, but the robbers are reported to have fled toward the Holy Family Church/School vicinity, and were reported to have been armed with a gun and knife. Seattle Police are helping with the search. KCSO, meantime, is using a K-9 team.

2:06 AM: That’s the Seattle City Light map for an outage that started about 15 minutes ago, with reports of flashes and booms. It’s affecting more than 4,300 homes and businesses so far, mostly south of downtown White Center, as you can see on the map. We’re monitoring to see what caused it and when SCL hopes to get power restored – the estimates on the outage-info map are generally just guesstimates until they find the cause.

3:08 AM: Still no word on the cause but about one-third of those originally affected now have power back – it’s now down to 2,695 customers.

3:42 PM: Most have been back on for some time but City Light spokesperson Scott Thomsen says about 10 percent of those originally affected remain out – he also updated us on the cause: “A tree fell into wires, which caused a fault current that was big enough that it damaged some of the wire. So crews have been working to replace the damaged wire. There are about 450 customers still out. We estimate having them back in service around 4:15 pm.”

Lakewood Park in White Center is now officially Dick Thurnau Memorial Park. Thanks to Gill Loring for photos from the recent celebration in the Bethaday Community Space that TAF maintains at the park.

Those who attended got to see and hear local student musicians perform:

Mr. Thurnau died in May of last year; you can read about his life in this remembrance we published. Last month, the County Council passed the ordinance renaming the park in his honor; it was sponsored by local Councilmember Joe McDermott.

(November 8th WCN/WSB photo)
One week after dozens of gallons of cooking oil fouled a White Center stormwater-retention pond, coating waterfowl with oil, the local company La Mexicana has taken responsibility, the state Ecology Department just announced:

A food products company has voluntarily accepted responsibility for an accidental cooking oil spill that flowed through storm drains into a nearby stormwater pond.

La Mexicana, Inc., based in the White Center area, has discovered that the oil came from one of its facilities. The company has agreed to pay for cleaning up the spill and rescuing ducks and geese affected by the oil.

The Washington Department of Ecology has been coordinating the response effort, in cooperation with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and the King County Department of Natural Resources and Parks, which owns the pond. A person using a walking path along the pond reported seeing oil on the water and oiled birds nearby late Friday afternoon.

“La Mexicana has made our home in White Center since 1955,” said William Fry, general manager of the business. “We care deeply about our community and our environment. We are committed to protecting our natural resources through the continuous improvement of our processes, products, and services. We love our neighborhood pond and will do our part to assist in its complete restoration.”

Company launched investigation

La Mexicana began an internal review after hearing about the spill and that it involved cooking oil. The company determined that some of the contents of a partially full container of clean salad oil, used in the production of baked goods, accidentally spilled during transport on the night of Oct. 30 at one of the firm’s bakeries, located on 16th Ave. SW. Part of the spilled oil – as much as 200 gallons – entered the county storm drain system on SW 100th St.

The company made this determination on Thu., Nov. 12 and immediately reported it to Ecology, offering its full cooperation with the response and investigation. Ecology followed up with its own investigation, and verified that the accident at the company is the source of the spill to the pond.

Even cooking oil impacts environment

Cooking and other edible oils, while less toxic to wildlife than petroleum products, still cause environmental harm. When birds contact the oil, it coats their feathers so that the animals lose insulation and buoyancy. Oil damages habitat for other aquatic life, reducing oxygen levels and creating physical impacts on the water surface and shoreline.

Ecology last week contracted with National Response Corp. (NRC) to clean oil from the pond. Crews succeeded in preventing oil from draining out of the pond, which flows into nearby Hicklin Lake. Only a few pockets of oil now remain on the pond’s surface, and NRC crews continue to tend containment boom and cleanup materials in those areas.

Wildlife rescue continues

A sub-contractor, Focus Wildlife International, has captured a total of 51 oiled birds and has taken them to the Progressive Animal Welfare Society’s Wildlife Center in Lynwood, where Focus is providing treatment. WDFW has moved its bird rescue trailer to the PAWS facility to provide additional treatment capacity.

One duck was euthanized due to head injuries likely due to an animal attack. Sixteen Canada geese and 34 mallard ducks are receiving treatment at the center. Eleven of these have received cleansings and will remain under the care of Focus Wildlife until they are ready to be released.

Other oiled birds may still be in a fairly wide area around White Center and nearby communities. WDFW asks the public to help in two ways:

* If you see oiled wildlife, please leave it be and call 1-800-22-BIRDS (1-800-222-4737). At the message prompt, give the location, time and a description of the animal’s condition.

* If you own a dog or cat, take extra care to maintain control of your pet. Oiled birds may not be able to escape when chased by animals.

Just in from the White Center Food Bank – how to help ensure that their clients have a happy holiday:

This year the wholesale price of turkey has gone up to $1.29- $1.49, so it’s harder for us to provide our clients with a whole Thanksgiving meal. However, many grocery stores are offering 1-2 turkeys for much less expensive prices (for example, Target has Market Pantry turkeys for $.69/pound, or Butterball turkeys for $.99/pound, each limit two), and so we’re asking our community to contribute!

There are four ways to get a turkey to our clients:

1) Come to the White Center Food Bank (10829 8th Ave SW) tomorrow, Saturday, November 13, between 2-4 pm, to drop off turkeys with our Executive Director Rick Jump; or

2) Stop by the White Center Food Bank during our regular business hours (Monday – Friday 9 am to 5 pm, and Wednesday until 8 pm) to drop off turkeys with our receptionists; or

3) Come by Fauntleroy United Church of Christ (Fauntleroy UCC at 9140 California Ave SW) next Sunday, November 22, from 10 am to 12 pm, to drop off a turkey at our Mobile Food Bank truck in their parking lot; or

4) Financial gifts are always appreciated, and you can donate online at whitecenterfoodbank.org/donate

At auction, the two Burien Haggen grocery stores on 1st Avenue South that used to be Albertsons … have just been acquired by Albertsons. That’s according to UFCW Local 21. No timeline information yet but we’ll be checking back.