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Example of a graphic rendering of ADU that’s used for Renton’s Permit Ready Accessory Dwelling Unit program. While ADUs are increasingly gaining popularity around the region as codes become less restrictive, the application of this building type in Federal Way is still fairly low. (Courtesy image)

News

Backyard cottages and more could soon be easier to build in Federal Way

City council will vote soon on changes to Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) permitting.

Margaret Reyhner is Federal Way’s Hometown Hero for the month of April for her work to protect Steel Lake in Federal Way. Photo by Keelin Everly-Lang / the Mirror

Life

Steel Lake steward does it all for the love of her community

Margaret Reyhner is the Mirror’s Hometown Hero for April 2025.

Rebecca Martin, CEO of the Greater Federal Way Chamber of Commerce, leads a meeting to create a task force in preparation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be partially hosted in the region. Photo by Keelin Everly-Lang / the Mirror

Business

Federal Way businesses strategize for FIFA 2026

The Greater Federal Way Chamber of Commerce hosts a task force to support preparations for next summer’s World…

Participants had the chance to see some examples of native plants like lupine and lavender at the South King Tool Library event on Saturday, April 5. Photo by Keelin Everly-Lang / the Mirror

Life

Washington Native Plant Society gets their hands dirty in Federal Way

Group also hosts work parties at local parks.

Aerial photo from 2023 of the soccer fields and skate park near Steel Lake where the future operations and maintenance facility for the city’s parks department will be located. Photo courtesy of Bruce Honda

News

Maintenance facility’s public art budget sees challenge

The site is located next to Steel Lake Park on 28th Avenue South.

Many demonstrators spoke about the importance of protecting refugees and immigrants that make up much of the Federal Way community. Photo by Keelin Everly-Lang / the Mirror

News

Hundreds participate in Hands Off rally in Federal Way | Photos

It was part of a nationwide protest against the Trump administration’s actions and policies.

Councilmembers Jack Walsh and Jack Dovey consider the resolution to support Emerald City Behavioral Health, ultimately voting no. Photo by Keelin Everly-Lang / the Mirror

News

FW City Council supports youth psychiatric facility in split vote

In a surprise agenda item, a resolution was passed to support facility operator.

Mayor Jim Ferrell received an award of appreciation and an elaborate loaf of bread from the Ukrainian community of Federal Way at their event on March 30. Photo by Keelin Everly-Lang / the Mirror

Life

‘Laskavo prosymo’ says Ukrainian Community of Federal Way

Group based in Federal Way wants to share culture and build connections.

Senior Advisor for Architecture Yuki Seda-Kane and Executive Project Director Linneth Riley-Hall for Sound Transit at the Federal Way downtown bus loop ribbon cutting on Wednesday, March 26. Photo by Keelin Everly-Lang / the Mirror

News

New bus loop opens for Federal Way riders

Federal Way Transit Center is now the Federal Way Downtown Station bus loop.

Paul Peterson, founder and CEO of OCD Anxiety Centers, licks a trash can as he describes how exposure and response prevention therapy can help people gain higher tolerance to triggers. Photo by Keelin Everly-Lang / the Mirror

Business

Federal Way facility focuses on Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

The OCD and Anxiety Treatment Center held an open house and ribbon cutting on March 20.

The interior of the future Health Through Housing location is officially under construction with phased occupancy to begin soon. Photo courtesy of King County

News

Hotels for homeless to be fully open by fall 2025

The two Federal Way properties will function quite differently.

Retired Washington State educators joined the action to advocate for school funding along with Federal Way Education Association (FWEA) on March 19 in Federal Way. Photo by Keelin Everly-Lang / the Mirror

News

FWEA members fight for students and school funding

This call comes in the wake of federal cuts to education and attempts to dismantle the U.S. Department…

The Fusion Art Gallery was a new addition this year, part of the Art in STEAM. Photo by Keelin Everly-Lang / the Mirror

Life

STEAM Exploration Night brings people together to explore the future

Federal Way Public Schools reports that more than 4,000 attended this year’s event.

Through the trees at the empty facility designed to become a behavioral health crisis center at 822 S. 333rd St., the yellow signs of the roundabout in front of the Federal Way Community Center can be seen (middle right of photo). Council members and community members expressed concern about the proximity of the facility to the community center. Photo by Keelin Everly-Lang / the Mirror

News

FW City Council says no to opening crisis center

Concerns include the location of the proposed center and potential increased police response.

Craig Patrick celebrates receiving the proclamation from the City of Federal Way declaring Irish-American Heritage Week. Photo by Keelin Everly-Lang / the Mirror

News

Federal Way celebrates the Irish with annual flag raising

Another annual tradition that accompanies the flag raising is an award for community members who embody “the spirit…

The lemongrass banh mi is owner Michelle Huynh's favorite. Photo by Keelin Everly-Lang / the Mirror

Business

Honey Bear Vietnamese Sandwiches: ‘The right fluffiness’

The Vietnamese sandwich shop in Federal Way features 12 varieties of banh mi, from more classic options like…

Lamont Styles guides a barber student in finishing up a free haircut for a customer. Life’s Styles offers free haircuts to give back to the community and help students get in plenty of practice. Photo by Keelin Everly-Lang / the Mirror.

Life

Mirror’s Hometown Hero of the Year: Lamont Styles

Lamont Styles has created a platform for positive change through a barber school in Federal Way.

Alyssa Karie is an 8th grade student who shared her experience with Communities in Schools at the organization’s event on March 7. Photo by Keelin Everly-Lang / the Mirror

News

Students and district celebrate impact of Communities In Schools

The point of the CIS program is to make sure that “these young people have a person to…

Master Gardeners Jim and Donna Cox teach community members how to trim blueberry bushes at this free event on Saturday, March 1. Photo by Shelley Pauls

Life

FW volunteers learn how to prune community blueberry bushes

Before the Hylebos blueberry bushes can bear their best berries, their branches need to be trimmed to support…

Growth Manager Mackenzie Barta, Medical Director Dr. Kyle Jasper and public affairs consultant Michael Transue answer council questions about Connections Health Services at the March 4 Federal Way City Council meeting. Photo by Keelin Everly-Lang / the Mirror

News

Crisis center operator seeks opportunity to open in Federal Way

Connections Health Services would take over where Recovery Innovations International left off.