June 2024

"The Lethal Landlord" provides complete picture of gruesome murders
Documentary on Netflix details homicides by Michael Dudley

The murders of Austin Wenner and Jessica Lewis by Michael Dudley got world wide attention in June of 2020 and became the subject of numerous reports. Now the definitive documentary has been released at part of series on Netflix called Worst Roommate Ever

Wenner and Lewis were shot by Dudley and their bodies were dismembered, put in plastic bags and suit cases then dropped in Puget Sound, the Duwamish River and as the film reveals, later along I-90.

It's season 2, episode 4 of the series and through interviews, graphics, simple animation and even interrogations of Dudley himself and a previously unreleased eye witness,  the one hour film details the crimes which went viral on tik tok when the bodies were discovered at Duwamish Head by teenagers using a navigation app.

Dudley was convicted of the murders and is currently serving a 46 year sentence at Walla Walla state penitentiary.

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Steve Hulsman to be memorialized with road and bike lane naming
Beloved bike rider was killed last December; Councilmember Saka sponsoring memorial efforts

Steve Hulsman, a beloved West Seattle bike rider was struck and killed by a driver with a suspended license on Marine View Drive in December of last year. 

Now his family and friends have asked for his memory to be honored by the City and Councilmember Rob Saka has responded.

In a letter to Hulsman's widow Rita and his brother in law John Good Saka said,

"I will be sponsoring a Council resolution to propose a secondary street naming in honor of Steve.  This may take a little time to make it happen but it is my honor to do it... Secondly, I am proposing an amendment in the upcoming Transportation Levy proposal to include a naming of a protected bicycle lane in Steve’s memory. "

The ceremonial sign will be in addition to the existing signage and will appear with it.

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City of SeaTac will offer drone and fireworks show for 4th of July

The City of SeaTac will offer a family friendly Fourth of July celebration at Angle Lake Park.

Drone Show
The evening festivities will kick off with a dazzling drone show will start at approximately 9:45 PM. 200 drones will light up the night sky, in a captivating areal display, performing an illuminated, synchronized show. 

Fireworks Show - presented by Angle Lake Shore Club
Following the drone show, set your eyes to the east end of the lake for a sparkling fireworks display put on by the Angle Lake Shore Club.  The fireworks display will start at approximately 10:10 PM.

Children's Area 
Children's area opens at noon will include inflatables including a slide, bouncy house and obstacle course.  Children's area is free!

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Fourth of July safety: Fireworks banned in unincorporated King County, violators could receive citations

Information from King County

As the July 4th holiday nears, King County Local Services reminds everyone that the use and sale of consumer fireworks are prohibited in the unincorporated areas of King County, including communities such as White Center, Skyway, East Federal Way, Fairwood, and the East Renton area. 

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Waskowitz to be preserved for future generations
Conservation easement will protect land for outdoor education and public use

Information from Highline Public Schools

Highline Public Schools, Trust for Public Land, and King County have agreed to a conservation easement that will preserve Waskowitz Outdoor Education Center and 345 acres of surrounding forest. The agreement will protect the area from development in perpetuity and provide over $7 million to maintain the outdoor education center, fund scholarships and expand public access to scenic trails.

Highline’s outdoor education program is recognized as a statewide model. Since 1947, Highline students have attended outdoor school at Waskowitz. The outdoor education center hosts around 3,000 students a year from Highline and other school districts for four- to five-day sessions. 

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West Seattle takes Little League Majors title
State title game vs. Aberdeen set for Saturday

By Tim Clinton

SPORTS EDITOR

West Seattle won in wild fashion to wrest away the District 7 age 10-12 Major Little League baseball all-star tournament championship.

After battling back from the loser's bracket, the Westsiders had to beat South Highline National twice in championship play.

West Seattle came from behind to beat National, 6-5, in walk off fashion in Wednesday's provisional championship to force the if necessary game Thursday.

West Seattle won that game, 6-2, to claim the title and the state tournament berth that goes with it.

The Westsiders, who played the District 7 tournament on their home turf at the Bar-S complex, will go on the road to Aberdeen for state.

West Seattle will open at 9 a.m. Saturday, July 13 against the District 1 champions.

The winner plays the District 3 champion at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, July 14.

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Public Safety meeting reveals changes and community crime concerns

In the wake of recent gun violence, street racing and more illegal behavior in the Alki neighborhood, Seattle City Councilmember Rob Saka called a Community meeting on the issues to share information and increase dialog about it on Wednesday June 26. The meeting at the Alki UCC church was filled to overflowing as people in the neighborhood came to voice their concerns. In attendance were: Councilmember Rob Saka plus

  • Sue Rahr, Interim Seattle Police Chief  

  • Natalie Walton-Anderson, Director of Public Safety, Mayor’s Office  

  • AP Diaz, Superintendent of Seattle Parks and Recreation 

  • Francisca Stefan, Senior Deputy Director, Seattle Department of Transportation 

  • Venu Nemani, Chief Safety Officer, Seattle Department of Transportation  

Councilmember Tanya Woo and other members of the Seattle Police Department also took part.

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West Seattle High alum Russell named interim head coach for San Jose Earthquakes

 

By Tim Clinton

SPORTS EDITOR

A shakeup at the top has left West Seattle graduate Ian Russell as the interim head coach for the San Jose Earthquakes of Major League Soccer.

Russell was promoted Monday from assistant when the club parted ways with head coach Luchi Gonzalez.

"Ian is a very experienced coach who knows our club better than anyone,"' said Earthquakes general manager Chris Leitch in a press release.  "We're confident that he's ready to lead us, starting with this Saturday's game against LA at Stanford Stadium."

The Earthquakes are hosting the Los Angeles Galaxy in Palo Alto in their 50th anniversary game.

Russell was named one of San Jose's "50 Greatest Quakes" as a player to be honored at that match.

Russell is currently 48 years old and was born in Seattle on Aug. 30, 1975.

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Seismic retrofit work on Admiral Way bridges starting in July
Fairmount Avenue under the bridge will close completely during construction; Detours from and closures of Admiral Way SW will be announced

Information from Seattle Department of Transportation

Earthquakes could have a major impact on Seattle’s infrastructure. To address these seismic risks, the City of Seattle established a bridge seismic program to assess how vulnerable the City’s bridges were to earthquakes, and to retrofit bridges to better withstand the potential impacts of an earthquake.   

As part of the Levy to Move Seattle, 16 bridges were selected for seismic retrofits, including the Admiral Way North and South Bridges. The Admiral Way North and South Bridges are older bridges built prior to modernizing the seismic design code. 

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Sports Watch 6-25-24
Sporting events worth keeping an eye on

 

By Tim Clinton

Sports Editor

 

Baseball

Summer collegiate

The Dub Sea Fish Sticks host the Diamond Sports team for a 6:35 p.m. Thursday game at Mel Olson Stadium in White Center before entertaining the Redmond Dudes at 6:35 p.m. Friday and 6:05 p.m. Saturday.

 

Little League

South Highline National finds itself in control of the District 7 Majors age 10-12 all-star tournament after knocking off West Seattle, 4-1, Monday.

National plays the winner between West Seattle and Rainier District at 6 p.m. Wednesday at the Bar-S complex in Seattle.

National can clinch the title with a win.  A loss forces a second championship for all the marbles Thursday at the same time and place.

Bar-S is also hosting the age 9-11 baseball tournament that opens Friday.

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