Category: District

Mayor Murray issues statement on U.S. District Court immigration injunction

Mayor Murray issued the following statement today after a U.S. District Court judge issued an injunction on President Obama’s immigration executive orders:

“Like many, I am disappointed by yesterday’s decision by the Texas district court and am confident that as it goes through the appeals process, the President’s policy will be, in the end, upheld. I believe that President Obama acted within the scope of his executive powers when he proposed expanding protections for the millions of immigrants who are here working and building a better life for their families. This is the right thing to do. It will keep families together, allow young immigrants like DREAMERS to get a college education and grow our economy. This is the right thing to do for our nation, and Seattle.”

Earlier this month, Mayor Murray joined 33 other mayors in signing onto an amicus brief in the case of Texas vs. United States. The Mayors come from cities that account for approximately 28.2 million people, including 7.5 million immigrants. Seattle Police Chief Kathleen O’Toole also signed a similar amicus brief with chiefs of police and sheriffs from 27 other cities and counties across the country.

Late last year, Mayor Murray joined Rep. Adam Smith and immigrant rights advocates at a rally outside the Federal Building, on the eve of Obama’s executive action, to demand further steps toward immigration reform.  Mayor Murray also participated in an Immigration Summit convened by Mayor Bill de Blasio, which brought together more than 20 Mayors to New York City to discuss local strategies for immigrant integration. In late December, he spoke to several hundred participants of a community education event about administrative relief organized by leading immigrant rights organizations.

Detectives Investigating Early Morning Break-Ins In University District

Seattle police are investigating a series of early-morning break-ins near the University of Washington campus.

Police responded to 911 calls from three different houses between 4:25 and 4:45 AM Tuesday from residents in the 4700 blocks of 18th and 19th Avenue NE and 5000 block of 19th NE.

In one case, a woman awoke to find a man opening her bedroom door. When she confronted the man, he fled.

In a second case, two roommates called 911 after they heard someone walking in their hallway early this morning.

Officers also received a call from a woman, who reported someone had removed the screen from her bedroom window.

No one was injured in the incidents, and police don’t believe anything was stolen.

It appears the suspect or suspects in this morning’s incidents may have entered—or tried to enter—homes through unlocked doors and windows.

Detectives are reviewing this morning’s cases, as well as other recent break-ins in the area, for any possible connection. Detectives are asking anyone with information to call 911, and would like to remind Seattle residents to always report suspicious activity, and to secure doors and windows at home.

SPD’s Crime Prevention Coordinators can also provide information about securing your home. Find out more here.

Sewer cleaning and temporary lane closures on NE 100th Street, 1st Ave NE, and 5th Ave NE

Seattle Public Utilities

Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) will clean a main drainage line in the area of the Thornton Creek Water Quality Channel and the Northgate Transit Center in preparation for Sound Transit’s Northgate Link Extension construction and other future development. This is a proactive approach to protect Thornton Creek and improve the integrity and capacity of the drainage system.

LOCATION

Preparation work lasting 1-2 days will occur at the intersections of 1st Ave NE/ NE 100th St., and 5th Ave NE/NE 103rd St. For the remainder of the project, SPU’s contractor will access the pipe from maintenance holes along NE 100th Street, within the Thornton Creek Water Quality Channel, and along 5th Avenue NE.

SCHEDULE

The project is expected to begin the week of August 11 and take approximately 3-4 weeks to complete. Normal work hours will vary between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

CONSTRUCTION IMPACTS

  • Temporary lane closures on 1st Ave NE, 5th Ave NE and NE 100th St.
  • Temporary loss of some on-street parking.
  • Increased noise from water pumps, trucks, and cleaning equipment.

 

Man Attacks Bus With Stick, Earns Ride to Jail

Officers arrested an agitated man in the South Beacon Hill neighborhood after he broke a glass door on Metro coach with a four foot lance stick.

Initially, police were called to the area of 51 Avenue South and Rainier Avenue South for property damage done to a bus. Moments later another person called 911 reporting there was man in front of her house yelling and dueling with a stop sign.

Officers arrived at the South Beacon Hill home and detained the man. A witness verified that this was the suspect from the earlier property damage.

Officers believe that the man’s quixotic battle with the bus was more likely inspired by the ingestion of illicit drugs rather than appreciation for classic literature. Officers booked the man into King County Jail, providing an apt dénouement to this piece of metatheatre.

Seattle’s first Street Scrabble tournament to be held on August 12

Will be played at University, Union and Boylston intersection on First Hill

Triple word score for First Hill! Seattle’s first Street Scrabble Tournament will be held in the First Hill neighborhood on Tuesday, Aug. 12 from 4-7 p.m. Scrabble enthusiasts will play using a handcrafted, life-sized board at the intersection of University Street, East Union Street and Boylston Avenue, which will be closed for the event.

Sixteen participants will be chosen by lottery to play in the speed Scrabble tournament. Each round will last 20 minutes and a referee will be onsite to ensure the rules of the game are respected. To sign up for the player lottery, please e-mail streetscrabble@gmail.com.

This event will help promote the First Hill Public Realm Action Plan – a collaborative effort led by the Seattle Department of Transportation, the Department of Planning & Development, Seattle Parks and Recreation and supported by the First Hill Improvement Association. The action plan seeks to develop a new public space network on First Hill.

This particular intersection has been identified as a potential park space and gateway for a new neighborhood greenway on University Street. More information about the First Hill Public Realm Action Plan will be available at the event, including interim design concepts for this intersection. To learn more about the action plan, please visit http://www.seattle.gov/DPD/cityplanning/completeprojectslist/firsthill/whatwhy/default.htm.