Federal Way Mirror’s top 12 web stories in 2012

Here are the top 12 most viewed stories on the Federal Way Mirror's website for 2012, according to Google Analytics.

December 21, 2012 1:56 pm
On a warm July morning
On a warm July morning

Here are the top 12 most viewed stories on the Federal Way Mirror’s website for 2012, according to Google Analytics.

1. “Two stabbed at Old Country Buffet” (Feb. 2012): Two people were stabbed at the Old Country Buffet restaurant after a bloody fight broke out among a large family group. According to the police report, the victims were brothers. A witness said one of the suspects attacked the brothers with a small paring knife from his front jean pocket. The situation allegedly stemmed from ongoing disputes among the family members.

2. “Fake service dogs: Pet owners exploit ADA loophole” (April 2012): When is a service dog not a service dog? The proliferation of pet owners who try to pass off their dogs as service animals is seen as a threat to the validity of genuine service dogs. Some pet owners bring their non-service dogs into public establishments like restaurants and grocery stores, and easily get away with it. Several websites sell “identification packages” that help pet owners create the illusion of a trained service dog. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) makes it unlawful to require proof of a disability or identification for the service dog.

3. “Federal Way call center ACS will hire 660 employees” (Nov. 2010): This story was first posted two years ago, when Affiliated Computer Services (ACS) announced a plan to hire 660 employees at its Federal Way call center. ACS provides business process outsourcing and IT solutions to clients worldwide.

4. “Busting a myth: Do cats kill babies?” (Sept. 2008): This story was first posted more than four years ago. It’s a warning that’s been passed down to new mothers for generations: Keep the family cat away from the baby or risk death by smothering. But do cats really smother babies and kill them? Local animal experts say no. One expert said the myth is a result of ancient beliefs that cats are symbols of evil. Some cultures in the 13th and 14th centuries believed that cats would steal a baby’s soul.

5. “Ex-boyfriend found in shed | Federal Way crime blotter” (Oct. 2012): At 11:13 a.m. Oct. 2 in the 3000 block of South 288th Street, the reporting party notified police that he had found his sister’s ex-boyfriend in a shed on their property. According to the report, the ex-boyfriend did not have permission to be on the property, or in the shed.

6. “Federal Way teen drowns at Steel Lake” (Aug. 2012): Federal Way High School student Tope Akinlosotu, 15, died after being rescued from Steel Lake. Hundreds of people attended a community vigil and a public memorial service. In July, another Federal Way teen, 17-year-old Prabhakar Kumar, drowned at Steel Lake.

7. “Man finds dumpster full of mail | Federal Way crime blotter” (Jan. 2012): At 3:08 p.m. Jan. 16 in the 34000 block of Pacific Highway South, a business owner reported finding a bag in one of his dumpsters full of other people’s mail. According to the report, the bag contained mail meant for at least 20 other people. Video surveillance captured a white van dumping the mail, but was unable to capture a license plate number. The mail was turned over to a USPS postal inspector.

8. “Murder charges: Federal Way man stabbed girlfriend over 100 times” (July 2012): First-degree murder charges were filed against a 29-year-old Federal Way man in the grisly death of his girlfriend. Kenneth “Kenny” Mace was accused of stabbing 20-year-old Melinda “Mindy” O’Meara more than 100 times on July 6 at the Camelot Square Mobile Home Park on South 288th Street.

9. “Federal Way chiropractor accused of sexual contact” (Nov. 2012): A Federal Way chiropractor’s license was suspended over charges of sexual contact with three female patients. “We believe that the charges will be dismissed as groundless,” according to an attorney for Dr. Greg Summers.

10. “HomeGoods opens Sunday in Federal Way | PHOTOS” (June 2012): HomeGoods made its debut in Washington state by opening stores in Lynnwood and Federal Way. The Federal Way store is at the Seatac Village Shopping Center, 1718 S. 320th St., and employs 60 people. HomeGoods features discounted high-quality merchandise such as furniture, lamps, picture frames, pillows, kitchenware and seasonal home decor.

11. “Federal Way attorney dies after car plunges off overpass” (Aug. 2012): Scott Jablon, 58, lost control of his Ford Taurus on State Route 509. The car plummeted 32 feet off the overpass and landed on Interstate 705. Jablon was an attorney who was active in Republican politics in the Federal Way area.

12. “PHOTOS: Cop wakes up drinking buddies on BPA Trail” (July 2012): Dozens of walkers and joggers passed a pair of 18-year-old men who were “sleeping” Wednesday morning on the BPA Trail in Federal Way. A few passersby were concerned for the health and safety of the two snoring men, who were out cold. A Federal Way police officer on a motorcycle responded to the call for help. The officer awoke the groggy guys, who said they had been drinking.