June 2014

John Macy was the victim of a hit and run crash on May 22 and after some painstaking investigation police are hoping to get the public's help to solve this case. For Macy the road to recovery is a long one and he and his family are seeking closure, and justice.

The incident took place around 8:20pm near 11th Ave. S.W. and S.W. Spokane Street, just past the end of the lower level Spokane Street Bridge. Macy had been on his way home to West Seattle from a class he was taking at Seattle Central College. But he remembers virtually nothing from that night aside from heading toward his Avalon Way home westbound on Spokane Street. His next memory is being awakened in the hospital surrounded by his family and doctors. Because he suffered both extremely serious injuries and apparently traumatic amnesia it makes the case far more difficult to solve.

Seattle Police investigators have determined the type of car driven by a suspect, a Saturn S series car. The car is painted metallic blue and after the crash was missing it’s passenger side mirror. A section of the bumper was also left at the scene of the crime.

A new sports/comedy and reality competition TV show will be shot at The Bridge in West Seattle on June 24. Hosted by Chris Cashman and Fred Northup, NW Sports FAN2SEE is part sports comedy show and part competition to find the biggest NW sports fans in the land. There's still time to take part in the show and the producers are urging the most over the top sports fans to show up Tuesday, June 24th for the 7:00 PM taping. The Bridge is located at 6301 California Ave. S.W.

Filmed before a live audience in a different Seattle-area neighborhood sports bar each week, the promo materials say that "NW Sports FAN2SEE is ultimately an hysterical interactive series where real local fans demonstrate the reasons they deserve to represent their team as the new FAN2SEE Guest Co-Host of the show - as voted online by their peers."

This Sunday June 22 at the Sunset Tavern Puget Power, Small Plans and Parade Schedule will rock out hard starting at 8 p.m. Cover is $6 at the door. Beware of face melting...

For more information click here.

Peggy Sturdivant is off this week, however she wishes to thank all her readers and longtime reader Gerry Hansen for this gift. "The flowers did make my day." Peggy, At Large in Ballard since 2007

On May 24th I received a surprise flower delivery from a woman named Gerry Hansen. I've never met her. Her beautifully handwritten note read:

I'm a life long Ballard resident who enjoys your Ballard News-Tribune articles. You have a real feel for good "Old" Ballard. Thanks!

I hope these flowers will make your day and bring a smile to your face. 

Thanks again and best wishes,

Gerry Hansen

information from South Seattle College

South Seattle College celebrated the achievements of its 2014 graduating class at the 44th Commencement at Benaroya Hall on June 18. All told, over 800 graduates received degrees and certificates surrounded by cheering family, friends and South faculty.

“From academics to professional-technical, our student-oriented staff strives to help our students reach their professional dreams,” South Seattle College President Gary Oertli said to the full Benaroya crowd. “And to our graduates, I’m truly proud and honored to share this special occasion with you. Your hard work, drive and commitment have helped you earn this special day.”

This year’s commencement address was delivered by Super Bowl Champion and Seattle Seahawk Derrick Coleman. He shared words of inspiration and encouragement with the graduates.

“There’s only one voice that matters. Listen to what is inside you. You call your own plays. Use your own God-given talent to overcome any obstacles,” Coleman said. “How hard you work will determine how far you go.”

An introduction to Year Up, an intensive, free, one-year program for low to moderate income young adults aimed at skill development is coming to White Center on July 10. According to organizers the program combines a supportive learning environment with hands-on skill development, 27 college credits, and internships and some of America's top companies.

Their materials say, " Students are well prepared for success in careers in IT and business communication, or to pursue higher education. 90% of Year Up graduates are employed or attending college full time within four months of graduation, and earn an average of $15 per hour or $30,000 per year.

The community gathering for Year UP is set for July 10, from 5:30 to 7pm at the Bethaday Community Learning Space (at Lakewook Park) 605 SW 108th Street.

An RSVP is requested but not required to JNorouzi@Yearup.org .

The first ten people at the event will get a $5 Starbucks card.

Crews from the Seattle Department of Transportation will perform maintenance this week on the Ballard and University bridges affecting their availability to open for marine traffic.

Thursday, June 19: The centerlock motor on the Ballard Bridge will be replaced on June 19. The Coast Guard has granted a one hour extension of the morning closed period (for marine traffic) to 10 a.m. After 10 a.m., one span of the bridge may be opened, provided the bridge is given a one hour notice so that equipment and personnel can move safely off the bridge. All work should be finished no later than 4 p.m.

Friday and Saturday, June 20 and 21: Inspection of the University Bridge gear reducers, and replacement and flush of the oil, will take place over three weekends. The first is scheduled to start at 11 p.m. on Friday June 20, and finish about 6 a.m. on Saturday June 21. During this work, the bridge will only open one leaf. Openings will be delayed while personnel move to safe locations for the one-span opening.

By Ed Shepherd
SPORTS CORRESPONDENT

Big outs early on and patient plate appearances and rally hitting all served South Highline National well in a huge 14-13 comeback win over Renton in semifinal action of Tournament Of Champions Minors action at Normandy Park City Hall Park Sunday.

Reds manager Chad Parker made one thing pointedly clear.
"We came back as a team," Parker said.

A team of good Reds hitters were good not just for hitting the ball but for taking pitches just as Parker and coaches Gildo De Simone and Bjorn Jackson asked of them at the plate, for many walks. That really was the story of the game as Renton led, 9-3, going into the top of the fourth inning.

That's when the action started.

The Reds began their fourth down by six runs with a walk to Cole Fenton. Then a Tanner Jackson fielder's choice hit ball to shortstop got Fenton out at second base, so things looked good for Renton, getting the lead runner out after the inital walk to start the inning.

By Ed Shepherd
SPORTS CORRESPONDENT

As far as games go, one has to believe it doesn't get much more exciting than the Pac-West Pirates' 7-6 comeback, walk-off victory over West Seattle's Cubs in opening round Tournament of Champions Majors action at Normandy Park City Hall Park Saturday.

"South Highline National was up, 6-1, in their game played before ours, and Rainier came back and beat them," said Pirates manager Scott Magee. "When we were down, 6-1, I told them, 'Hey, that's what happened the game before, we can do that, too.' And, they believed and they did it."
West Seattle controlled things early, and there could not be much faith in a comeback, after having watched West Seattle score two runs in the first inning and four in the second. But, Magee spoke the aforementioned words and Pac-West took that big deficit to heart and to bat as that Cubs 6-1 lead became something these young guys believed they could overcome.

By Ed Shepherd
SPORTS CORRESPONDENT

After Pacific Junior High eighth grader Brianna Clark sang beautifully our National Anthem in the morning and players from Pac-West's Pirates came to the Tournament Of Champions stoked following a rousing come-from-behind win over West Seattle's Cubs, things just didn't go their way in a 12-1 loss to Rainier in Majors action at Normandy Park City Hall Park Sunday.

"Our bats have been strong all year, he was throwing blazing speed but we have hit fast pitchers all season," said Pac-West manager Scott Magee. "I think they were tired. They had All-Stars tryouts yesterday and it was an emotional big win the day before. The kids were flat."
Following the big 7-6 win over West Seattle's Cubs, there would be no fireworks ending to this one as all the fire was displayed by the Seattle area team of Rainier.

Rainier was to play Seattle Central in the TOC Majors championship game Monday and none of the local charters' regular season champions made it either.

South Highline National lost in the first round, 13-8, to Rainier, and, South Highline American, lost, 7-6, to Renton.