January 2014

Two words come to mind to describe police officer Eric Michl: dedicated and loyal.

Michl has had a long career with the Seattle Police Department and he is trusted as a voice of reason when it comes to driving under the influence.

He recently spoke to over 500 Ballard High School students about the life changing implications of impaired diving. What spurred the talk was the University of Washington’s star tight end, Austin Seferian-Jenkins wanting to talk to students about the dangers of impaired driving after his DUI arrest earlier last year. Michl was the arresting officer.

Michl has been with the SPD for 33 years. Of those 33 years he has dedicated his service to North Seattle, and especially Ballard – the place he was born and lived for most of his life.

“I like to live in the community I work … I lived around the city for most of my career, but I’m most comfortable living in North Seattle,” said Michl.

Born at Ballard Hospital, Michl grew up with service in mind. His father was a firefighter with the North Seattle station for almost 30 years.

By Peggy Sturdivant

To make a long story short: a Ballard family responded to a column I wrote entitled “Dear Santa” and this led to many good things.

The family enjoyed a delicious pancake breakfast and what seemed excessive appreciation when they told the Ballard Senior Center volunteer collecting funds to ‘keep the change.’

Then it got even better when the mother said on the way out, “Why don’t we collect for the Ballard Senior Center at our Christmas party this year?”

And what happened next became one of the most memorable gifts I’ve had since I started writing this column about a hundred years ago (okay, January 2007, I had to Google it).

The long version dates back to the birth of my blog, At Large in Ballard in 2006. I would get lovely comments and emails from a certain “Joel,” also known as Reader #3 in my ranking system of regular readers. Future husband tied up the Reader #1 title.

The annual New Years Day Polar Bear plunge at Alki was larger than expected, possibly by everyone there.

Organizer Mark Ufkes said, “At 9:25 there was practically nobody here but then they just showed up!”

Show up they did to swell the throng to an estimated 500 or more ready to dash into (and out of) the chilly waters of Puget Sound. After a brief 15 second countdown, it was time to dash as many people held hands and ran the 30 steps or so into the 46 degree water. After some splashing, shouting, and getting very cold, the majority rushed back out.

Most people had a crew of helpers with towels and other warming aids and of course Duke’s Chowder House, directly across from the plunge site was providing free cups of their famous hot clam chowder for everyone.

Owner Duke Moscrip was there helping and said, “I’d do it, I’d go in the water…but I have to be here serving chowder! Maybe next year!”

Thousands came out all over West Seattle on New Years Eve to see the T-Mobile fireworks show from the Space Needle. Cars jammed Harbor Ave. S.W. and people crowded into any viewpoint they could to see what was billed as the "largest number of fireworks ever," from the Seattle landmark.

But fog has a way of playing tricks. Just prior to show, about 11:40pm, the fog was hanging near the top of the Needle but a clear view of the city was possible. Twenty minutes later that was gone, replaced by a dense blanket of fog and mist making viewing impossible.

Those gathered at Hamilton Viewpoint in North Admiral were disappointed and a mini traffic jam formed immediately but quickly dissipated.

Photographer David Rosen however knew about the predicted fog and chose to get downtown for a closer look, resulting in our photo of the display.

Happy New Year West Seattle!

Update 6:55pm
The male victim of a shooting near white center on 16th Ave., Southwest New Year's Eve has died according to Seattle Police. SPD provided the following update:
Victim # 1, a man in his 40′s was shot twice in the torso and sustained life threatening injuries. V#2, a 33-yr-old female was shot in one of her hands. Both victims were transported to Harborview Medical Center.

Homicide, Gang Unit detectives and CSI responded and processed the scene. No suspect information available. The investigation continues.

The male victim died of his injuries at Harborview Medical Center.

Original Post
Seattle Police are investigating a shooting that took place just after 11pm New Years Eve near 16th and Barton. The man in his 30's was shot multiple times in the head and was taken to Harborview hospital in critical condition.
Update 10:55am
Seattle Police have provided updated information on the New Years Eve shooting in West Seattle.

by Detective Renee Witt on January 1, 2014