Thanks, Black Friends of the Yesler Library: 50 years ago, the Central District’s Douglass-Truth Library got its fitting new name

Posted on by
Reply

Millie Russell speaking at Douglass-Truth Library renaming, December 5, 1975 (Image: Seattle Public Library: Seattle Room Digital Collections)

Fifty years ago, the Central District book lovers and neighbors made a decision that would forever change the identity of their local library. They voted to shed the name of a city pioneer in favor of two icons of Black liberation. Now, the Douglass-Truth Library is inviting the city to celebrate the 50th anniversary of that historic renaming — a moment when the building finally caught up with the community it served.

While the branch at 23rd Ave and E Yesler Way has been par of the neighborhood since 1914, for its first six decades, it was known as the Henry L. Yesler Memorial Library. It wasn’t until December 5, 1975 following a community-led initiative that the branch was officially rededicated to honor abolitionists Frederick Douglass and Sojourner Truth.

ā€œThe renaming celebration will be a wonderful opportunity to learn about and honor the rich community histories of the Douglass-Truth Branch and its collection,ā€ said Brian Den-Hartog Lindsey, curator of the branchā€™s African-American Collection. ā€œThere will also be opportunities to help us dream about Douglass-Truth’s next 50 years.ā€

To mark this milestone, theĀ Seattle Public Library is hosting a celebration presented in partnership with the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Delta Upsilon Omega Chapter and the Black Heritage Society of Washington State. Continue reading →

Seattle Fire investigating after 12th Ave apartment blaze

Posted on by
Reply

The Seattle Fire Department was investigating after a fire damaged an apartment building at 12th and Spruce early Saturday morning.

SFD reports it was called to a fire inside a 6th floor unit of the Plymouth Housing Building around 2:30 AM Saturday. Continue reading →

This week in CHS history | Voodoo arrives on Capitol Hill, Time Warp debuts, ‘No’ victory in Sawant Recall

Posted on by
Reply

Here are the top stories from this week in CHS history:

2024

 

Monster Dogs is legit but county has begun crackdown on Pike/Pine ‘unpermitted mobile food vendors’


Continue reading →

911 | Players say pick-up opponents pulled guns on Cal Anderson basketball court

Posted on by
23

See something others should know about?Ā Email CHSĀ orĀ call/txt (206) 399-5959. You can view recent CHSĀ 911 coverageĀ here. Hear sirens and wondering whatā€™s going on? Check out reports fromĀ @jseattleĀ or join and check in with neighbors in theĀ CHS Facebook Group.

  • Cal Anderson pick-up robbery: Police were investigating after a pick-up basketball game on the court at Cal Anderson Park turned nasty Sunday when two players pulled guns on their opponents. According to the SPD brief on the 5:30 PM incident, two players told police they had finished a game and said they were done playing when their opponents strongly objected to the end of the night’s competition:
    The suspects reacted angrily and threatened to take their portable speaker, claiming they would shoot the victims if they did not comply. One suspect grabbed the speaker, prompting the victims to defend themselves, leading to a physical altercation with one of the suspects. At that point, one of the suspects pulled out a handgun from his waistband and pointed it at one of the victims, threatening to shoot. The victims, fearing for their safety, backed away. The second suspect then pulled out another handgun from his waistband and pointed it at the victims.
    Police say the suspects were last seen headed toward Broadway. There were no arrests and no reported injuries. Continue reading →

After Executive win, Zahilay nominates three Black women to take his King County Council seat

Posted on by
7

With Girmay Zahilay’s Seattle-powered victory in November’s King County Executive race, the county council member’s District 2 seat representing a major swath of the city including portions of Capitol Hill and the Central District is open. In a process that has thrown open questions about how vacancies should be filled on the council, Zahilay has announced three nominees to fill his seat through next year’s election:

Cherryl Jackson-WilliamsĀ is a seasoned community leader committed to building thriving, equitable communities-with a focus specifically towards Unincorporated Communities. With more than 30 years of experience spanning Behavioral Health, Social and Human Services, and Family and Community Engagement, she has dedicated her career to fostering authentic partnerships between youth and families, government agencies, nonprofits, and private-sector partners. Her work is rooted in the belief that when communities lead, systems can transformā€”and collective action becomes possible. Continue reading →

For first time since pandemic and staffing crunched services, Seattle Police will roll out DUI squad for holidays

Posted on by
10

A driver was busted for DUI after crashing their car into a construction site at MLK and Union in 2016

The Seattle Police Department has announced it will roll out a DUI emphasis team for the first time in the city since 2019.

SPD says the effort will run through the holiday season in December and will mean a DUI squad active on the city’s streets nightly from 6 PM to 4 AM.’

ā€œWe hope our community makes safe driving choices this holiday season. Make a plan, use rideshare or a taxi, or use a designated driver,ā€ supervisor Sgt. Tom Heller said in the announcement. ā€œPro tip: the designated driver needs to be actually sober, not just the least intoxicated person in the car.”

In late 2020 facing staffing issues, SPD disbanded its DUI squad, which had been in operation for 50 years. The officers from the unit were reassigned to regular patrol duties. Continue reading →

Once a hotel at the base of Capitol Hill above downtown, Avia Apartments on Pike is now open

Posted on by
7

(Image: Avia Apartments on Pike)

Three years ago, CHS broke the news on a company’s $60 million bet against the future of business travel to convert a hotel at the base of Capitol Hill into apartments.

New residents are now moving into Avia Apartments on Pike.

“Live where Seattleā€™s energy meets effortless sophistication,” the pitch goes. “AVIA Apartments brings you newly renovated, pet-friendly homes with chic modern design, luxe finishes, and the option to go furnished or unfurnished. Perfectly placed near everything you love ā€” from buzzing coffee spots to Lake Union views ā€” our First Hill Seattle apartments make upscale living feel natural, comfortable, and totally you.” Continue reading →

Knee High Stocking Co. — the quiet end of a speakeasy’s 16 years on Capitol Hill

Posted on by
2

(Image: Alex Garland/CHS)

Capitol Hill bars with 16 years of business in the neighborhood don’t usually close without loud lamentations but it is probably not surprising that E Olive Way speakeasy joint Knee High Stocking Co. has come to a secretive end.

The online listings show the venue as “permanently closed.” The Seattle Times included the bar in its most recent morbid countdown of recent city food and drink shutdowns.

Knee High’s owners didn’t call the Times back, either.

The bar debuted in 2009 as a pioneer in Seattle’s speakeasy revival with secret doors and buzzer-door locked entry at the street level of the 1914-built Belvedere Apartments. Reservations were highly recommended. At the time, CHS called Knee High’s founder Jack Valko “a retired tech IT guy.” Continue reading →

43rd Rep. Scott unveils ‘Well Washington Fund’ proposal that would spread Seattle’s JumpStart tax across state

Posted on by
7

(Image: @scott43ld)

43rd District Rep. Shaun ScottĀ has unveiled his proposal for a new “Washington Wealth Tax” modeled on Seattle’s JumpStart payroll tax that would raise more than $2 billion a year across the state.

Scott said this week his “Well Washington Fund” proposal is needed to counteract the latest budget cuts and federal tax package “passed by Congressional Republicans and Donald Trump.”

Under Scott’s proposal, Washington companies with more than 50 employees, payroll above $7 million, and gross receipts of more than $5 million would be taxed 5% on workers who earn more than $125,000 a year.

Seattle employers who already pay the city’s payroll tax would be exempt. Continue reading →

After November election loss, Nelson bill takes swing at paid political consultants at Seattle City Hall

Posted on by
2

Lame duck Seattle City Council president Sara NelsonĀ is introducing new legislation as she heads for the door that takes a swipe at the city’s professional political consultants — and possibly reveals some of the fractures between Nelson and Mayor Bruce Harrell as they both prepare to exit City Hall.

Nelson’s proposed ethics bill is set to be debated Thursday afternoon in a special meeting of the council’s Governance, Accountability, and Economic Development Committee. Continue reading →