January 2014

By Matt Wendland
Normandy Park Police responded to 911 calls on Saturday, January 25th, to find an elderly man dead and one woman in critical condition. 

Two calls came in to dispatch on Saturday evening. The first call, at just before 3pm, asked police to come to a home on Normandy Terrace because a woman, later to be determined was the granddaughter of their neighbor, had been severely beaten and that she had escaped to the caller's yard where she had collapsed. The second call came in just minutes later. This call was to report a shooting that took place just a few doors down from where the first call was made.

When Normandy Park Police arrived on the scene, they found an elderly man who had been shot. King County medical personnel declared the man deceased. The second victim, the woman who had been beaten, was transported to Valley Medical Center where she was last reported to be in stable condition. 

The Duwamish Tribe celebrated its 5th Anniversary of the building of the first Duwamish Longhouse since the last one was burned down in West Seattle in 1894 for the purpose of pushing the Duwamish off their land according to the tribe. The Longhouse is located at 4705 W. Marginal Way S.W.

The event featured a reception, and concert by Master Salish Artist Roger Fernandes.

In 1851, there were over 90 Duwamish Longhouses. All were removed or destroyed leaving the Duwamish tribe member no gathering place. Cecile Hanson, descendant of Chief Sealth explained what the anniversary means and how the longhouse came to be built.

Tuesday, Jan. 21
Boys basketball
Franklin 84, Chief Sealth 56
Khaleef Griffin tallied 25 points for the Seahawks on Tuesday but they still fell to Franklin, 84-56.
Shorewood Chr. 71, Puget Sd. Adv. 25
Jordan King led Shorewood Christian of West Seattle to a 71-25 victory over Puget Sound Adventist this past Tuesday, scoring 17 points.

Wednesday, Jan. 22
Boys basketball
Renton 61, Evergreen 41
Gaige Early was the top scorer for Evergreen of White Center on Wednesday with seven points.

Girls basketball
Chief Sealth 53, Franklin 43
Lani Taylor finished with a team-high 14 points Wednesday in a 53-43 Seahawks victory over Franklin.
Renton 67, Evergreen 15
Caroline Tupa scored seven of Evergreen's 15 points in Wednesday's loss.
Ev. Luth. 37, Sea. Luth. 30
Hailey Meyer topped the Seattle Lutheran scorers with 12 points in Wednesday's close loss to Evergreen Lutheran, which is now located in Puyallup but used to be in Des Moines.
Emily Holder swished in 16 for the victorious Eagles.

By Paul Moseley

The Chief Sealth Seahawks girls hosted the Rainier Beach Vikings for a Metro-Sound division match up friday night. The 3-7 Seahawks are working to move up to 2nd place currently held by Bainbridge (5-5), The 0-11 Rainer Beach girls were looking for their first win of the season.

The lady Seahawks set the pace for the game, holding Rainier Beach to three field goals in the first half and three more in the second. The Seahawks, working the the trisecta of Allison Hadaway, Lebrea Denson and Bella Cruz De Bonar took down the Vikings 66-24.

Playing aggressively from the tip-off, Chief Sealth drove the ball and dominated the boards in the first quarter, going up 15-3. Seahawk guard Labrea Denson's lighting quick feet kept the ball in the Seahawk paint throughout the first half. A late 3-pointer by Keisha Jones sent them to the locker room with Chief Sealth up 37-11.

Federal Way's Vincent Thompson is venturing deep into the heart of steelworker country, Bethlehem, Pa., to fight the biggest bout of his boxing career tomorrow.

Thompson is matching up against the WBA's No. 9-ranked fighter, Travis "My Time" Kauffman -- who has lost once in 28 fights (20 KOs) -- in the 10-round heavyweight main event on Saturday night at the Sands Casino Event Center in Bethlehem.

"I'm gonna punish him; I'm not going to be clowning around," said Thompson via cell phone from Bethlehem Friday night. "I'm going to come on strong and beat him."

Thompson (13-1, 2 KOs) is coming off a heartbreaking loss to unbeaten Los Angeles fighter Charles Martin, the first of his career. He suffered a high-ankle strain in the second round of the fight, which took away his mobility, and his strong suit as a counterpuncher.

Thompson has since healed and has been champing at the bit for competition.

"I was in a boot for six weeks and had to elevate it," Thompson said, of his injury. "I thank my wife (ShaVonne). God bless her heart for putting up with me."

By Paul Moseley

Seahawks can claim moral victory in 103-52 loss to Nationally Ranked Rainier Beach Vikings.

The Seahawks may be celebrating tonight.

The unbeaten Rainier Beach Vikings travelled to West Seattle to take on the winless Chief Sealth Seahawks friday night. The Vikings, ranked number 2 nationally by MaxPreps, handed the Seahawks a 100-28 clubbing the last time they met. The Seahawks, with nothing to lose, came in looking intent to prove they could play on the same court as one of the best teams in the nation. In spite of the score they proved tonight they have huge heart and nearly doubled their output from the last game with Rainier Beach.

The Vikings jumped out to a 12-4 lead in the first quarter, setting the tone of the game with fast breaks, crisp passes and sheer athleticism. The Seahawks answered, pulling within 6 at 14-8. The crowd engaged and went 12th man when the Seahawks Weston Reed pinned a Viking shot on the glass. It was subtle, but the Vikings looked surprised at the energy of the Seahawks and their ability to get into the paint.

Congressman Jim McDermott (WA-07) will host a “Coffee with Your Congressman” on Saturday, January 25, at 3pm. McDermott will give a Congressional update and take questions at the coffee, which will be held in Ballard.

WHAT: “Coffee with Your Congressman”

WHO: Congressman Jim McDermott (WA-07)

WHEN: Saturday, January 25, 2014
3pm-4pm

WHERE:
Hattie’s Hat
5231 Ballard Ave. NW
Seattle, WA 98107

NOTE: Please RSVP to Amber Macdonald at Amber.Macdonald@mail.house.gov

Information provided by the City of Seattle.

The City of Seattle is conducting a national search to find an experienced, well-respected, and accountable executive for the Seattle Police Department (SPD). Community engagement is essential to selecting a leader who can manage police reforms and build officer morale. During January and through mid-February 2014, the City of Seattle Mayor’s Office will encourage the people of Seattle to join in a conversation about the qualities they would like to see in Seattle’s new Police Chief.

The Mayor’s Office invites the community to comment on desired qualities for the new Police Chief. There are several ways to participate:

· Visit the City of Seattle website to learn more at
www.seattle.gov/spdchiefsearch
· Sign up for our email listserv on our website
· Discuss your views online at our online town hall http://spdchiefsearch.mindmixer.com/
·Attend a community workshop:

Tuesday, 1/28 6-8 p.m. University Heights Center
Wednesday, 1/29 6-8 p.m. Garfield Community Center
Thursday, 1/30 6:30-8:30 p.m. Youngstown Cultural Arts Center

Dear Editor,
I wanted to thank Jeremy Martin, Suzanne Tennant, and the West Seattle
Herald for all the great West Seattle Basketball coverage this season.
It is truly appreciated.

Thanks so much!

Coach Sonya Elliott

Girl's Basketball
West Seattle High School

By Gerardo Bolong

KENT - Poor shooting and late game weariness against a powerful inside presence were the core components against state fifth-ranked Mount Rainier in a 68-53 girls 4A basketball loss to No. 7 Inglemoor in the 2014 King Showcase presented by Ram Restaurant and Brewery held at the ShoWare Center on Mon., Jan. 20.

Leading by a wafer-thin 45-44 margin after three quarters, the Rams fell back for good in the face of an 11-2 Viking assault that was keyed by seven straight points from six-foot, four inch Deja Strother who had picked up her fourth foul midway through the third quarter.

"I've just learned how to play better when I'm in foul trouble," Strother said."I just keep playing through it."

Strother closed out with 22 points and 12 rebounds.

Like a continually rising tide, Inglemoor overwhelmed the tremendously tired Mount Rainier squad in posting the final score. The Mount Rainier squad closed within 55-51 before a Strother goal ignited a 13-2 Inglemoor rush to the finale.