Weekend Update: Murder Verdict, Police Hiring, and Community Events

Good morning, this is Seattle Local Pulse for Saturday, May 17th, 2025. We start with breaking news from downtown, where the King County Superior Court has sentenced Patrick Cooney to just over 40 years in prison for the murder of community activist Elijah Lewis and the injury of his young nephew. This verdict closes a painful chapter for the South Seattle community and reminds us of the ongoing struggle for safety on our streets. In city hall news, Mayor Harrell is celebrating a significant milestone this week: a notable increase in police hiring for 2025. This move comes as city leaders continue to address public safety concerns and aim to restore community trust. Looking to the skies, we have a classic Seattle Saturday ahead. Expect periods of rain throughout the day, with highs around 57 degrees and overnight lows dipping into the mid-40s. If you have plans outside, bring a rain jacket and maybe an umbrella. Tomorrow, we can expect some clearing, with temperatures rising into the upper fifties and a bit more sunshine. The Rainier Community Center is hosting a Community Health Fair today from noon until 4 p.m. on Rainier Avenue South. This event offers free health screenings, wellness tips, and resources focused on managing blood pressure. It’s a great spot to check in on your health and connect with neighbors. Music lovers should know that Robert Glasper is performing this weekend at Jazz Alley. For sports fans, the Seattle University Redhawks baseball team notched a high-scoring win last night, besting UT Arlington 10 to 5. Meanwhile, the Mariners got a boost from three home runs to top the Padres 5 to 1 at T-Mobile Park. If you’re job hunting, Seattle’s technology and healthcare sectors remain strong, with hundreds of new positions posted this week. On the real estate front, homes are selling in just under two weeks on average, with prices holding steady around $825,000 citywide. Rental inventory is tight, especially near South Lake Union and the U District. New business activity is picking up as well. Several local restaurants are opening up in Capitol Hill and Ballard this month, while a few longstanding cafes in Queen Anne have announced plans to close by summer. For families, don’t miss the anniversary concert at Tabernacle Church tomorrow. And a heads-up for high school seniors in King County: a $1,500 scholarship is now open for applications, with a deadline of June 4th. Finally, a feel-good note to end our week: after months on the move, the Tent City 4 homeless encampment has found temporary refuge at the Lake City Community Center, thanks to local efforts to provide shelter and support for those most in need. That’s your Saturday in Seattle. This has been Seattle Local Pulse. We’ll see you tomorrow with more local updates. This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI.