Local News

Morning Memo/Wednesday: Cooler … Teen girl shot dead … Teen lost in river

Weather:  We’re returning to what Seattle is really like in May, with temperatures in the mid-60s, at least today. It might only reach 60 tomorrow. We’re certain you enjoyed the sun Monday and Tuesday. We sure did. At least it’s not expected to rain today, but it might Friday. The National Weather Service forecast.

Traffic: The map and cams.

A 17-year-old girl is dead and an 18-year-old boy with her is in critical condition after being shot while in an SUV in Richmond Beach in Shoreline early this morning. We’ll keep you posted on developments.

Swimming in dangerous water: The search for a 16-year-old teen missing in the Chehalis River has been unsuccessful. The teen was with friends when he went under and didn’t surface. Authorities are expected to decide what to do this morning. We’ve said it before: The water this time of year is fast, cold and unforgiving. And why is it that teens appear unable to resist swimming across lakes and rivers?

Viaduct closed this weekend: The Alaskan Way Viaduct will be closed in both directions from 11 p.m. Friday until 5 a.m. Monday so construction crews can shore up a two-block section above what will become the new tunnel. The portion to be closed runs from the north end of the Battery Street Tunnel to the West Seattle Bridge, according to the state Transportation Department. Expect congestion on the roads elsewhere.

The historic Fire Station No. 37 recently sold for $613,000. The station is located at 7300 35th Ave. S.W. in West Seattle. (Photo / City of Seattle)

Historic fire station sold: The old No. 37 Fire Station in West Seattle has sold for $613,000. The city put the property on the market back in September and set the minimum bid at $250,000. The city will net almost $580,000, which will go to into a levy fund. Some of that money is used to upgrade, renovate or replace existing fire stations. Have you ever slid down a firehouse pole? We have …

Malnourished boy: You might remember we told you about the 2-year-old boy in Moses Lake who was found so malnourished that he weighed just ten pounds. Authorities now have more details in the case: the youngster had no hair or muscle tone, and his body temperature was only 89 degrees.

Red Sox sock it to the M’s: As in the Mariners were shut out by in Boston. A bit of offense wouldn’t hurt, hey guys?

Most-read stories this morning on seattletimes.com:

1. Broad new layoffs at T-Mobile USA, 900 jobs cut | Brier Dudley’s Blog
2. Catholic bishops’ newest target: Girl Scouts of America | Nicole Brodeur
3. Drivers fill up with pain as state gas prices soar
4. Hard-edged manager Eric Wedge walks a fine line with fledgling Mariners | Jerry Brewer
5. Wash. man bitten by rattlesnake at Washington Wal-Mart

0 comments | More in Morning Memo | Topics: malnourished boy, Mariners, swimming

2 teens shot in Shoreline; 1 dies

The Associated Press

Two teens were shot early Wednesday in Shoreline in the Richmond Beach area.

1 comments | More in The Blotter | Topics: died, Shoreline, two shot

Morning Memo /Tuesday: Tsunami debris … Harmonica from hell … Gas prices

Weather: Well, it did hit 80 degrees yesterday, and we liked it very much. And we’re so lucky the heat doesn’t come with humidity. It’s going to be perfect weather today with the temperature in the mid-70s. That’s just right for our area, no?  Enjoy now because it’s going to get a good deal cooler tomorrow. The National Weather Service forecast.

Traffic: The map and cams.

Stuff from the earthquake/tsunami in Japan more than a year ago appears to be washing up onshore in the Strait of Juan de Fuca, according to The Peninsula Daily News. Large fishing floats with Asian writing are showing up.

Buskers rattling windows? Downtown street buskers in Spokane must keep their music down, i.e., below the level that could rattle windows, under a resolution just passed by the Spokane City Council. It appears a harmonica player is rattling some downtown business owners. Whoa, that’s some loud harmonic playing …

One thing most of us can agree on and complain about is the high cost of gasoline, and are we seeing skyrocketing prices in our state. See our story and the reasons why. (We’ve always been puzzled by the fact that we have refineries here yet more often than not gas cost more than the national average. Go figure.)

A fire in a Bellevue home did a lot of damage ($100,000), but everyone got out safely because the 18-year-old son discovered the fire, even before the smoke detectors went off, and helped his mom and two brothers get out of the house.

Seattle came in at just 13 in amazon.com’s annual survey of the top 20 most well-read cities. Thirteeth? Cities were ranked on all book, magazine and newspaper sales in print and Kindle format since last June on a per capita basis of cities with more than 100,000 people. Ranking No. 1 was Alexandria, Va. No. 20: Richmond, Va.

Most-read stories this morning on seattletimes.com: 

1. Kathi Goertzen: a mother’s strength, two daughters’ inspiration
2. Wash. man bitten by rattlesnake at Washington Wal-Mart
3. Experts urge caution before investing in prepaid college tuition plans
4. Preppers do their best to be ready for the worst
5. QB Wilson in running to start

1 comments | More in Morning Memo | Topics: gas prices, Japan, Strait of Juan de Fuca

Newman Lake homeowner shoots intruder

The Associated Press

1 comments | More in The Blotter | Topics: dead, intruder, Newman Lake

Husband of slain ranger leaving Mount Rainier Park

The Associated Press

1 comments | More in General news, The Blotter | Topics: Idaho, Mount Rainier, ranger

Morning Memo/Monday: 80 degrees! … Councilman drowns … Preppers

Weather: Hot. It could actually reach that 80-degree mark we’ve been talking about for several days now. (It made it to 78 degrees yesterday.) Don’t get too comfortable, though. While tomorrow and Wednesday will be in the 70s or so, temperatures are expected to drop into the 60s by Thursday, which is typical of this time of the year. Enjoy it while you can. The National Weather Service forecast.

Traffic: The map and cams.

Everett councilman’s drowning death: The tragic death of Drew Nielsen can be a warning to all that even experienced rafters can succumb to fast-moving, early season, cold river water, even when you’re wearing a life vest. There’s a mountain-climbing safety movie called, “The Mountains Don’t Care.” That can be said of rivers, too.

Are you prepared for disasters, say, oh, like the end of the world as we know it? If you ask people like Robert Sarnes, you’re probably not. Mr. Sarnes has stocked 12 cases of peas and beans, seven pounds of powdered milk, 50 pounds of flour, 50 pounds of rice, 20 pounds of frozen chicken breasts, a 4,000-watt generator and some 35 gallons of gas in containers to run a freezer. And, he packs a. 45 in a holster. Let’s say he’s prepared, for anything! See the story about “preppers”  by Seattle Times staff reporter Erik Lacitis.

Veteran pitchers’ duel: It was the Mariners’ 38-year-old Kevin Millwood on the mound versus 39-year-old Yankee hurler Andy Pettitte in the Mariners’ 6-2 win over the Yankees. Veteran, but not old.

Most-read stories this morning on seattletimes.com:

1. Kathi Goertzen: a mother’s strength, two daughters’ inspiration
2. Tall task for Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson
3. Violent criminal on federal payroll as informant
4. Mexico drug war’s latest toll: 49 headless bodies
5. Kevin Millwood steals show as Mariners beat Yankees, 6-2

0 comments | More in Morning Memo | Topics: 80 degrees, end of the world, Green River

Morning Memo/Friday: Sunshine on your shoulders … Road to Mount St. Helens opens

Weather: Five days of sunshine. Could be 80 degrees on Sunday, despite what the chart says. No rain in sight until maybe next Wednesday. With a forecast that far out, who knows what the weather will be. A glorious weekend and Mother’s Day for sure. What are you doing for Mother’s Day? The National Weather Service forecast.

Traffic: Appears to be light this morning. Let’s see, what could be contributing to that? It’s Friday before a sunny and warm weekend… The map and cams.

Spirit Lake Highway to Mount St. Helens to open: The highway that brings you close to the famous volcano is scheduled to open for visitors on Sunday. The road, which closed in January, brings you to the Johnston Ridge Observatory where you can peer into the crater.

Don’t eat shellfish from Korea: The state Health Department says not to eat fresh or frozen shellfish from South Korea because it might be contaminated. Canned shellfish are not affected and no one in our state is reported to have gotten sick.

We’re waiting for the cause of death of the 36-year-old man whose body was found at Golden Gardens Park in Seattle over the weekend.

President Obama reportedly left with some $3 million in campaign funds as he flew out of Seattle yesterday. He was in town you know. (By the way, the home where he had a fundraising brunch used to belong to the Canadian government and has been assessed at more than $17 million.)

Most-read stories this morning on seattletimes.com:

1. U.S. phone subscribers hang up on contracts
2. All 6 Wash. congressional Democrats favor repeal of gay-marriage ban | Politics Northwest
3. Kidnap-slaying suspect kills himself; 2 girls OK
4. Motorcyclist hit by Ride-the-Ducks vehicle files lawsuit
5. Sea-Tac airport shows off $400 million rental-car hub

0 comments | More in Morning Memo | Topics: Mount St. Helens, President Obama, shellfish

President flies out of Seattle, headed to California

President Barack Obama boards Air Force One to depart Boeing Field in Seattle after making fundraising appearances Thursday May 10, 2012. (Photo by Bettina Hansen / The Seattle Times)

The president returned to Boeing Field shortly before 4 p.m. and Air Force One took off at 4:09 p.m., bound for California. President Obama will attend a celebrity-studded fundraiser there at the home of actor George Clooney, an event that is expected to bring in $15 million, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

1 comments | More in General news, Politics | Topics: Air Force One, Barack Obama, California

Serenading the president at the Paramount

Outside the Paramount Theatre this afternoon, a small but devoted crowd of supporters basked in the afternoon sun along the police barricade at Eighth Avenue and Pine Street.

Kept so far from the action at the Paramount, they mainly entertained each other.

Willie Dixon, a homeless man, nonetheless put on a tie and wingtip shoes to meet the president. He brought his acoustic guitar to serenade Obama, too.

He didn’t seem to mind playing for him at such a distance.  ”The president is coming,” he said. “This is the place to be.”

The president’s acknowledgement that he supports gay marriage was on the mind of Rodney Upchurch, 37, who was also among those in the crowd.

He said he suspected Obama embraced gay marriage “for the votes.”

“I don’t think it’s in his heart,” Upchurch said. “He’s from a Christian background. I don’t feel he’s 100 percent behind it.”

But Upchurch, who is black, said the issue was not a deal breaker for him.

“I’m supporting him because he’s black,” he said. “But I don’t like what he said.”

Holly Teige, 37, from Monroe, and her partner,  Nefanton (who uses only one name), brought four of their six children to the Paramount to thank the president for supporting gay marriage.

“We are so grateful,” Teige said, as her children held a glitter-encrusted sign that said “Thank you Obama.”

Teige said she knew it was difficult for the president to take that stance, and didn’t hold any bitterness about how long it took him to arrive at that position.

“I would rather he stay in office in support of our cause,” she said. “If this keeps him out of office, that would be unfortunate.”

0 comments | More in General news, Politics | Topics: Barack Obama, gay marriage, Obama May 10

Obama’s speech at the fundraising brunch

Posted by Jim Brunner / Seattle Times staff reporter

At the Seattle home of Ann and Bruce Blume, where the fundraising brunch for the president is being held, Obama spoke to a small room of donors for about 11 minutes.

(He was introduced by the Blumes’ daughter, Libby.)

The president did not mention gay marriage, which he announced yesterday that he supports. Instead, he gave a standard campaign pitch about getting the economy back on track and ensuring all Americans have the opportunities he had, including access to a college education.

He contrasted his plan with what he says is the Republicans’ “narrow vision” that says: “If I’m doing well, it’s up to everyone else to figure out their own way.”

The president spoke in a casual tone, using a microphone in a small room, which had a view of Lake Washington and the Bellevue skyline .

The media were hustled out of the room after the speech, so reporters were unable to hear a question-and-answer session after Obama’s remarks.

The Blumes’ home is assessed at $17.5 million.

Lake Washington Boulevard through the Denny-Blaine neighborhood is the land of waterfront mansions and high hedges. The Blume house isn’t visible from the road. A steep driveway lined with cypresses curves down from the street. Three police boats were patrolling the lake not far off-shore.

2 comments | More in General news, Politics | Topics: Barack Obama, Blume, economy