June 2011

A coalition of housing and homeless non-profit organizations have awarded Sen. Jeanne Kohl-Welles with the 2011 "Housing Hero" award for her leadership and advocacy in promoting policies that work toward fair housing practices and ending homelessness.

The award was presented by representatives from the Washington State Coalition for the Homeless and the Washington Low Income Housing Alliance, along with the Seattle/King County Coalition on Homelessness.

"Sen. Kohl-Welles has a very strong record of advocacy and support for affordable housing and tenants rights," said Michele Thomas of the Washington Low Income Housing Alliance in the press release. "Especially notable is her tireless effort to pass the Fair Tenant Screening Act, which once passed into law, will greatly improve tenants' rights in the state."

By David Rosen

Aside from area Bed and Breakfast spots like the Villa Heidelberg, West Seattle really has had only one option for short term accommodations for many years.
But that option, for many has been less than desirable. Finally, that's about to change and The Grove, West Seattle Inn at 3512 SW Alaska Street will be hosting their open house from 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm on Monday June 27 to show off their completely remodeled facility.

The changes made include:

o 46 newly renovated guestrooms and suites
o 100 percent non-smoking accommodations
o 32-inch flat-screen High-Definition TVs
o 300-thread count linens
o In-room coffee service, mini fridge, and hairdryers

and complimentary continental breakfast and free wi-fi in the lobby.

For many years the hotel was called the Mar-Lyn, and became a Travelodge for brief period, then was purchased and recrhristened the West Seattle Inn. It gained a poor reputation through mismanagement and the frequency of drug dealing and other criminal activity there.

Update for July 8
Synae Araya McMillon-Cooper, 21, Threadgill's co-defendant in the murder case of Jennifer Walstrand, pleaded not guilty as well on July 7. McMillon's case setting is on July 20, same day as Threadgill's.

Update for July 6
According to King County Prosecutors, Daniel Threadgill pleaded not guilty to first degree murder charges on July 5. Threadgill's case setting is scheduled for July 20 (where they decide on a trial date).

Threadgill's co-defendant Synae Araya McMillon-Cooper's arraignment was postponed until later this week.

Update for June 30
Daniel Alexander Threadgill, 23, and Synae Araya McMillon-Copper (referred to as McMillon from here on out), 21, have been charged with first degree murder in the slaying of Jennifer Walstrand in Des Moines in August 2010.

Charging documents released on June 24 by the Superior Court of Washington for King County reveal Des Moines detectives used anonymous tips, witness testimony and wiretap surveillance in building a case against the accused.

After two years of college in Boston, Evan Miglorie, 20, of Fauntleroy had an important decision to make, and followed Yogi Berra's advice. When he came to a fork in the road, he took it.

Miglorie felt disillusioned with school and decided not to continue right away. He acquired a tent, sleeping bag, a little pot, the kind you cook rice and noodles in, purchased an '80's bicycle frame with new accessories at "Bikes Not Bombs", a Boston area shop that is "part of a worldwide movement for peace and responsible stewardship of the earth" and he took off, in the rain, May 15 for Georgia. It was 1,200 miles down the road, and where a college pal lived.

"I don't think being the age of 20 you're supposed to have all your ducks in a row," Evan said in a phone interview from his friend's home in Cumming, Georgia, north of Atlanta where he arrived June 15, one month to the day later. "The apartment, and going to school was definitely a lot of structure. If you're not jazzed going to school every day, then just change it.

Press release from Det. Mark Jamieson with the Seattle Police Department:

On June 22nd, at approximately 12:45 AM, Southwest Precinct officers were dispatched to a report of property damage in the 4800 Block of California Avenue SW. A complainant was preparing to leave work for the night when he heard two loud sounds of breaking glass across the street. According to the witness, he saw two men standing near a business with a large, broken window. The witness did not have a good description of one of the suspects, but did provide officers with a description of the second suspect. He did not see what direction the suspects went prior to calling 911.

Officers arrived to take the report and Seattle Fire Department responded to secure the broken window. Officers then responded to the assault call down the street (see Herald post on that event here). Shortly afterwards, SFD noticed another large window that had been broken at a restaurant in the 4700 Block of California Avenue SW. They also secured that window.

Press release from Det. Mark Jamieson with the Seattle Police Department:

On June 22nd, at approximately 1:10 AM, Southwest Precinct officers responded to the 4500 Block of California Avenue SW to investigate an assault that occured outside a restaurant. The victim, an employee of the business, stated that he was standing outside talking to a patron when two unknown males walked by. The victim noticed that the suspects appeared intoxicated and were talking loudly. The suspects asked the victim what he was looking at. The victim told officers that he tried to ignore the suspects, but without warning, one of the suspects pushed the victim while the other suspect hit him in the face. Both suspects repeatedly punched the victim before running away.

Press Release from the King County Sheriff's Office:

Two men apparently shooting at each other last night (June 21st) left one man injured and no one under arrest. One gun was recovered however.

The incident occurred just after 10:00 p.m.. A 25-year-old man was at Papa’s Pub, 1505 SW Roxbury. He reportedly went outside to have a smoke. There was an altercation, shots were fired, and he was hit at least once. He ran to a nearby minimart, bleeding profusely. Police were called.

Reports from witnesses say two men were shooting at each as they ran down the street. However it is unclear if the injured man was one of the shooters or an uninvolved bystander.

Sheriff’s deputies found a semiautomatic handgun in a dumpster near the shooting scene.

The injured man was taken to Harborview Medical Center for treatment, during which suspected rock cocaine was pulled from his rectum.

There have been no arrests and the investigation is continuing.

In April, Ballard High School student Max Wasser served as a legislative page on the floor of the House of Representatives. Any student (aged 14-17) is eligible to serve as a legislative page in the state House or Senate, where for one week, they deliver messages for lawmakers and learn first-hand about the democratic process. Students interested in serving as a page should contact their local lawmakers.

The Seattle Police announced Tuesday that a young woman was abducted in the early hours of Tuesday, June 21.

Just shortly before 1:00 a.m., officers responded to the 9700 block of Dayton Ave N. to investigate a call about an abduction.

A 19-year-old female stated that she and her 20-year-old friend were walking in the 9700 block of Dayton Av N just shortly before 1 a.m. when 2 hispanic males appeared from a darkened corner of the street.

Suspect 1, grabbed her friend and proceeded to pull her into the darkened area. Suspect 2 grabbed the 19-yr-old victim/witness and also attempted to pull her into the darkened area however, she fought him away.

Both suspects then focused their efforts on the 20-year-old victim and pulled her approximately 30 feet to a parked vehicle and fled the scene.

The vehicle is described as a light colored, newer sedan with Washington plates. The license plate may contain the letters/number L,R and the number 4.

The suspects are described as two hispanic males in their 20′s. Suspect 1 was armed with a handgun and wore a mask or face covering.

CSI and Homicide responded and processed the scene.

CLICK ON PHOTO FOR SLIDESHOW

A picture-perfect backdrop of the setting sun, warmth and a view of the Sound, and supporters greeted King County council member Bob Ferguson at his fundraiser on the back patio of the historic Laurence Colman Estate just south of the Fauntleroy Ferry hosted by residents David and Maryanne Tagney-Jones on June 21.

Ferguson, a Democrat, is running against Republican candidate Reagan Dunn, also on the King County Council, for Attorney General. That seat is being vacated by Rob McKenna, serving his second term as Washington's 17th Attorney General, who announced his candidacy for governor.