July 2011

Update for July 28, 12 p.m.: Four pit bulls were recovered from the scene of a suspected dog fighting ring in the North Highline/White Center area.

One of those pit bulls, described as "injured" and "lethargic" in the KCSO press release has been euthanized by King County Animal Services at the advice of a veterinarian, according to Cameron Satterfield, communications manager for King County Executive Services. A necropsy is being performed on the euthanized animal.

The other three have been impounded by Animal Services and are being held as evidence in the ongoing investigation, Satterfield said.

Press release from the King County Sheriff's Office:

Deputies found evidence of illegal dog fighting, including four pit bulls in unincorporated King County last weekend. One man was arrested in conjunction with the investigation.

The incident began on July 23rd about 3:00 AM. Deputies were called to a complex of duplex apartments in the 10600 block of Aqua Way South. Some of the units are empty and some occupied. A resident in one of the units heard footsteps in a unit that was supposed to be empty and called 9-1-1.

Update for July 28, 12 p.m.: Four pit bulls were recovered from the scene of a suspected dog fighting ring in the North Highline/White Center area.

One of those pit bulls, described as "injured" and "lethargic" in the KCSO press release has been euthanized by King County Animal Services at the advice of a veterinarian, according to Cameron Satterfield, communications manager for King County Executive Services. A necropsy is being performed on the euthanized animal.

The other three have been impounded by Animal Services and are being held as evidence in the ongoing investigation, Satterfield said.

Press release from the King County Sheriff's Office:

Deputies found evidence of illegal dog fighting, including four pit bulls in unincorporated King County last weekend. One man was arrested in conjunction with the investigation.

The incident began on July 23rd about 3:00 AM. Deputies were called to a complex of duplex apartments in the 10600 block of Aqua Way South. Some of the units are empty and some occupied. A resident in one of the units heard footsteps in a unit that was supposed to be empty and called 9-1-1.

A single car accident at 41st s.w. and s.w. Morgan, caused a middle aged woman, to flip her car and take out a power pole at the intersection about 9:10 am. The accident closed Morgan Street as Seattle Police and Fire Dept. vehicles arrived on the scene. The woman was put in an ambulance and will likely be taken to Harborview Hospital.

A partial witness Andrew Kirk said, "I was coming through the intersection and I seen the telephone poles fall over and the wires flying through the air and her car tumbling. I pulled over right here and ran over there and she was doing unconscious breathing in and out really heavily, but she wasn't responsive. I had this lady over here (across the street) call 911 but others were calling 911 already. So I waited for them to show up and talked to her a little bit but she wasn't responsive at all." Kirk estimated that the driver, a woman was in her late 40's early 50's. He did not see the actual wreck and did not know the cause.

An investigation is underway.

We have been advised that starting Wednesday, August 3, military aircraft will be conducting flights over the Naval fleet anchored in Elliott Bay to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the U.S. Navy.

Representative military aircraft include EA Prowlers, P3 Orion’s, and Harrier jets—all known to be loud and flying low.

Seattle metropolitan area residents may experience temporary increases in aircraft noise levels from Seafair celebration events and military fly-overs during throughout the first week of August 2011.

Please note the following dates and times:

August 1:

8:10 Blue Angel no. 7 aircraft arrives
noon and 1:30-3 p.m. : Blue Angel no. 7 conducts media flights

August 3:

12 p.m.: Blue Angel media flights
1:45-2:30 military aircraft fly over the Parade of Ships on Elliott Bay

August 4:

Air show practice flights from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1:20 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

August 5:

Air show practice flights from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m.

August 6 and 7:

Air show performances from 1:30 until 3 p.m.

The latest development in the story of Village Green Nursery owner Vera Johnson's foreclosure by Bank of America happens Sunday night at 5:00 pm at the Commmunity School of West Seattle. Johnson and other people facing foreclosure in the community will have a chance to talk to attorney Edgar I. Hall of the Law Offices of Mark McClure P.S. from Kent.

Johnson who has banded with others in a similar situation told the West Seattle Herald that Hall is an expert in this area of law. "I think we all agreed and he actually told me that this is not a potential class action lawsuit because every situation is so different but I think it's just going to provide us with resources for lawyers who can work pro-bono (free). He's going to help us know what to look for and to look for any fraudulent documents. Without (finding) fraudulent documents the banks are just going to get away with it."

Click on image to start the slideshow.

Thousands of people lined the streets in Greenwood to watch the oldest neighborhood Seafair parade in the region.

The summertime tradition featured over 90 entrants including pirates, bands, drill teams, floats, politicians and police men.

This year, the theme was "Greenwood Takes Flight" and Dr. Bonnie J. Dunbar, a retired five-time NASA astronaut, was honored as the Grand Marshal.

For more information about the annual parade, visit the Greenwood-Phinney Chamber of Commerce website at www.greenwood-phinney.com/events/greenwood-seafair-parade.

My 108-year-old homestead needs some modernizing, so I started asking questions. I’ve heard that changing our homes can test our mettle, whether we move, remodel, or in some big way change the place we hang our hats, so I want to be prepared.

I also want to do the right thing for the environment. For most of us, after space and comfort needs, our criteria usually include staying within a budget. But for some of us, an ecological budget is also important. Fortunately, with some long-term thinking and planning, we can have it all – or a lot, anyway.

Design, insulate, reuse
I talked with John Demyanovich, former Ballard guy and owner of West Seattle-based WeBuild, about greener remodeling. He’s not a certified green builder, but he was on the bandwagon before there was one. A contractor since the mid-1980s, he’s well aware of the impact his industry can have on our environment, and he’s worked hard to lessen his.

The Aggressive Driving Response Team is still at it and people keep getting citations. Here's today's report for July 27From the SPD blotter:

Posted by Detective Jeff Kappel

On July 27th officers from the Aggressive Driver Response Team issued the following citations:

SW Admiral Way – 30 mph zone

1 at 61 mph

1 at 51 mph

2 at 48 mph

2 at 47 mph

1 at 46 mph

1 Bicycle at 42 mph

2 Cell Phone violations

Highland Park Way SW – 30 mph zone

1 at 56 mph

1 at 51 mph

3 at 49 mph

2 at 47 mph

3 at 46 mph

2 at 45 mph

1 No Valid Drivers License

3 No Proof of Insurance

West Seattle Bridge – 45 mph zone

1 at 65 mph

2 Bus Lane violations

2 No Proof of Insurance

Aurora Avenue – 40 mph zone

1 at 60 mph

1 No Proof of Insurance

Ground was broken this morning for the Artemis Hotel, the largest hotel in Des Moines history.

The Artemis Hotel will be a four star hotel with 250 guest rooms and nine two-story penthouse suites. It will also feature a convention and banquet rooms as well as a restaurant and a live music bar.

The four star Hotel has a budget of $45 million and is expected to open some time in 2013.

Highline Community College’s Hospitality/Tourism Management program will partner with the Hotel for classes once the hotel opens.

The Artemis Hotel came about in large part to Des Moines Mayor Bob Sheckler’s trips to China promoting development in the City.

The project has brought over $1 million to the City this year in fees, saving two city positions-who are working directly on the Artemis project-that were slated to be eliminated.

A charity event to raise funds for the youth in the community dubbed OpenSazamee is set to take place Friday, August 12th in the parking lot of 9601 35th Ave s.w. in West Seattle. The event begins at 12 noon and will continue until 1:00 am. Music for the event will be provided by performed by local musicians The Ancient Robotz, Only 1 Wizer, Front Street Family and more being booked as the event nears. "It's all clean positive music," said Shane Strohm, event organizer. "Throughout the day and evening we plan to have people giving testimony as to how their lives were changed to becoming more positive for the community."

Tbe music planned will be "Gospel mixed Hip-Hop and R&B" said Strohm.

There will be vender booths with various products from baked goods, music merchandise including cds, t-shirts, and informational packets containing community outreach programs will be available. A BBQ begins shortly after the event begins and Strohm hopes to have customized cars on display as well.

The goal is to reach out to the youth and show them the power in words and positive possibilities available in the community.