Jan. 2023

• 5 teens charged after robbery, police chase ending at The Commons: The year began with a bang when five teenagers faced felony charges after allegedly robbing a man in Seattle, then leading police on a car chase ending at The Commons mall on Jan. 5. The suspects were ages 13 and 14, along with three 15-year-olds. King County prosecutors rush filed felony cases against each suspect after a week and argued for the teens to be held in juvenile detention. The Mirror does not name juvenile suspects.

Feb. 2023

• Federal Way gun buy-back event nets 190 no-longer-wanted firearms: Federal Way Police collected nearly 200 firearms at the city’s gun buyback program on Feb. 4, from 3D printed guns to revolvers and antique sporting shotguns and rifles. A total of $25,000 in gift cards were handed out to participants, funded through the police department’s budget in the general fund, Mayor Jim Ferrell said. Several people chose to turn in firearms without receiving compensation, and others chose to leave after they stopped handing out the gift cards. The voluntary event was advertised for residents in and around Federal Way, but open to anyone with a firearm they wanted to turn in.

A student at Green Gables Elementary celebrates their successful egg drop with South King Fire driver-engineer Adam Joyner. The egg drop is an annual event to learn about physics and have some fun while they are at it. This year the event took place on June 13. (Photo by Alex Bruell / The Mirror)

March 2023

• First two South King firefighters give birth, prompting policy changes: In October 2022, South King Fire and Rescue (SKFR) Lt. Ann Hoag and Firefighter Amanda Weed posed for a photo wearing bunker gear in front of an engine at Station 63. They each held up an ultrasound photo, bellies rounded. On March 9, the two first responders posed for a similar photo — this time holding their babies, who were born just a week apart the month prior. “As soon as I found out, I was emailing HR … because there wasn’t a policy. We did not have a policy on pregnancy,” Hoag said while holding her son, Flynn, in a baby blanket covered in red fire engines. South King Fire’s original policy, Hoag said, was geared more toward male firefighters and fathers: if a child was born while the firefighter was on shift, they were able to take the rest of the shift and their following shift off. While accommodating fathers, the policy did not address female firefighters becoming pregnant or giving birth while employed with the department.

• Decatur security guard charged with sexual misconduct with student: Decatur High School security guard Derek Aparis was charged with first-degree sexual misconduct in a case alleging he had an inappropriate relationship with a student at the school. Aparis, 46, turned himself in the morning of March 8 to the Federal Way Police Department. He had also been placed on leave from his employment with the district. Aparis entered a plea of “not guilty” at his arraignment hearing. Prosecutors allege in Aparis’ charging documents that he abused his supervisory position with a then 17-year-old student for sex. His omnibus court date has been pushed to Jan. 9, 2024.

April 2023

• City talks trips to D.C., Korea, Japan: Federal Way city leaders were all over the globe this year, visiting the nation’s capital at the end of March and heading out again later in April for a weeklong visit to Federal Way’s sister cities in Korea and Japan. They discussed those trips and more city business during the April 4 Federal Way City Council meeting. Ferrell and council members Linda Kochmar, Susan Honda, Lydia Assefa-Dawson, Jack Dovey and Jack Walsh spent March 26-29 in Washington, D.C., advocating for several local issues and seeking funding for several city projects. They met with Washington Rep. Adam Smith and Sens. Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell during the visit.

Youth Director Fiona Okech and IT Administrator Buthaina Al habsi work together to fill water buckets for volunteers. They are part of the African Young Dreamers Empowerment Project International (AYDEPI). Toddlers, teens and parents worked together to rescue native trees from invasive ivy plants at Lake Geneva Park on Aug. 26. Fiona Okech and her mother Beatrice Kiraguri started AYDEPI in 2019. Okech said that when struggles faced by African youth in her South King County community culminated in multiple suicides, she saw an unmet mental health need and decided to do something about it. Today the group has over 300 members. (Photo by Keelin Everly-Lang / The Mirror)

May 2023

• First-ever Health and Resource Fair brings support for seniors: Approximately 200 people attended the first annual Senior Health and Resource Fair, hosted May 11 by the Federal Way Senior Advisory Commission. Held at the Performing Arts and Event Center, dozens of vendors, nonprofits and resource organizations from the city, county and state had information available for seniors and their families. The commission made it a point to include a vast range of diverse resources among the 48 vendors — from legal and financial service providers to clutter control and library services to resources such as GenPride, the first LGBTQIA+ senior-focused organization in Washington, and the Auburn Survivors of Suicide organization.

• Duo charged with promoting prostitution at King County massage businesses: A pair of King County residents were charged with promoting prostitution and operating nearly a dozen Washington state massage businesses as fronts, including one in north Federal Way. The defendants, 47-year-old Gerald “Jerry” Emtage and 51-year-old Jing Emtage, were charged with leading organized crime, money laundering and 10 counts of promoting prostitution in the second-degree. They were taken into police custody May 2. “Over the course of two years, Gerald and Jing Emtage owned and operated an extensive criminal enterprise spanning four counties in Washington State and it appears that they may have been planning to expand their business to other states,” prosecutors allege in court documents. “During that time [they made] significant profits from the commercial sexual exploitation of dozens of women.”

• Nicholas gets nearly 46 years for murdering Sarah Yarborough: Patrick Nicholas was sentenced to 45 years and 8 months in prison on May 25 for the 1991 first-degree murder of Federal Way High School student Sarah Yarborough. His sentence — met with emotion and a single “whoop” in the courtroom — is what prosecutors asked for. The jury had found that Nicholas was sexually motivated in killing 16-year-old Sarah, which allowed for a longer, or “exceptional” sentence. Prosecutors pointed to Nicholas’ criminal history — which included the rape of two women and attempted rape of another — in asking for the nearly half-century prison stay. “It’s important for me to say this,” Judge Josephine Wiggs said: “There will be accountability, no natter how many years it takes. And today is that day. Today is the day, Mr. Nicholas, for you to be held accountable for what you did.”

A member of the Federal Way High School’s Pacific Islander Club stars as the main dancer in the Taualuga dance. The group performed at the Taste of Federal Way event on Sept. 23, hosted by the Federal Way Farmers Market. The market celebrated its 20th year in 2023. (Photo by Keelin Everly-Lang / The Mirror)

June 2023

• Arts Explosion goes off with a bang: More than 70 artists presented their work to hundreds of attendees at Federal Way’s inaugural “Arts Explosion” the first weekend in June. The event brought in just shy of 600 people over June 3 and 4, plus another 120 or so during a preview June 2. Arts commissioner Iveta Felzenberg, who first dreamed up the Arts Explosion event and guided its development, said the show was “very successful” and said she didn’t expect so many people to attend. She thanked her fellow arts commissioners and city for their creativity and cooperation in making the event possible. Arts Explosion gave awards to artists in photography, paintings and three-dimensional art like sculptures and jewelry. Winners earned up to $1,000 in the awards ceremony.

• Federal Way Police Department tries out new car tracking technology: The Federal Way Police Department began conducting a trial run of new vehicle tracking technology in June that aims to prevent dangerous police chases. The StarChase system is advertised on their website as an “alternative” to high-speed pursuits. Federal Way Police Officer Jordan Ellis said that following the passage of state laws that restrict when police can engage in a high-speed pursuit, he has encountered more people fleeing from traffic stops in the last year than in the previous 20 years of his career. Ellis, who has been the sole FWPD officer testing out the StarChase system, said the technology can help police track vehicles without having to engage in a high-speed pursuit that puts vehicles and bystanders at risk of injury or even death. It works by launching a GPS-tracked object from the grill of the police car that attaches to a vehicle with an adhesive that Ellis said was designed to not do damage to the vehicle.

• Paul McDaniel appointed to FW City Council: Small business owner and Marine Corps veteran Paul McDaniel was appointed to the Federal Way City Council in June. The council appointed McDaniel in a 5-1 vote on June 26 to fill Position 2 on the council, which was vacated abruptly on May 16 by former councilmember Erica Norton. McDaniel is a third-generation Federal Way resident and president of 7th Power Inc., an independent technology consulting company working primarily in the medical and construction fields. He and five other candidates were asked six questions to gauge their approach and skill with governance during a June 26 special council meeting.

The Federal Way Warriors under-14 team (purple) played a hard-fought game March 25, but ultimately fell to the Rainier Highlanders. They youth rugby team is in its second year, and founders say the game teaches life lessons and helps the kids foster connections. (Photo by Alex Bruell / The Mirror)

July 2023

‘American Idol’ champ Iam Tongi honored by King County Council: Decatur High School graduate and “American Idol” champion Iam Tongi was honored July 18 by proclamation from the Metropolitan King County Council. The honor was presented by District 7 councilmember Pete von Reichbauer to Tongi and his mother, Lillie. “We’re recognizing Iam, but I also want to recognize … the inspiration of his father. And none of us would be out here without the incredible persistence of his mother Lillie,” von Reichbauer said. “We’re very proud of the creativity, the culture, the economic, the social development that we all gain by the Islander (community).” Months earlier, the Federal Way City Council proclaimed March 21 to be “Iam Tongi Day” in Federal Way to honor him for being a contestant on the show.

• Corey Nettles brought Federal Way together — and inspired a new book for grieving youth: Corey Nettles brought a community together. He was an expressive, mostly non-verbal young man cherished by his Federal Way community of Special Olympics athletes, theater performers and school district friends. Corey was a Pokémon Go fanatic, the life of the party and a gentleman who ran ahead to open doors for people. But in 2018, a medical emergency landed Corey in the hospital for 50 days, a long fight that ultimately ended with his death at age 23. As family and friends grieved Corey’s unexpected death, family friend Chris Buchanan — who works with young people as a speech-language pathologist — sought a book that would help some of those grieving young adults with limited reading skills. She couldn’t find one. So around two years ago, she started writing one. Last summer, she released that graphic novel: “RIP Corey: My Friend Died and It SUCKS!” The graphic novel offers guidance via comics, journal entries and plain-language advice, all told through the story of one of Federal Way’s most beloved residents.

King County Councilmember Pete von Reichbauer stood with Beverly Kelly, a descendant of John N. and Mary L. Conna, as she was overwhelmed by emotion during the unveiling of the Conna Family mural. In 1885, the Connas settled on 157 acres near Panther lake, near what is now the Weyerhaeuser Aquatic Center in Federal Way. They later donated that land to the city. On Oct. 13, a King County Metro bus stop mural celebrating their life and contributions was unveiled in a ceremony. (Photo by Keelin Everly-Lang / The Mirror)

Aug. 2023

• Sounders and Lamar Neagle help open new soccer mini pitch at Olympic View: Olympic View K-8 is looking a lot different for the 2023-24 school year than students may remember it. Together in a partnership with the Seattle Sounders, Delta, the Rave Foundation and Black Players For Change, the Federal Way Public Schools opened its first free to play soccer mini pitch at Olympic View on Aug. 23. The Olympic View pitch is one of 26 that the Sounders and partners plan to build leading up to the 2026 World Cup. “We want to provide communities with a free place to play,” Sounders team brand ambassador Brad Evans said.

• Community’s quick action saves life of drive-by shooting victim: At 7:30 p.m. Aug. 17, Stephanie Abken and her 15-year-old daughter were focused on the nature walk they were about take and the cold drinks they were about to purchase at a gas station. Youth football players were practicing at the Lakota Middle School playfield nearby. The peaceful evening was shattered by shots fired from a car, hitting Stephanie in the upper thigh and causing an immediate threat to her life. Her daughter was not physically injured, but witnessed her mother’s injury at close range. The owner of the Arco gas station nearby had a clear view across the street, called 911 and left his store to check on her as she waited for aid. Other community members stayed with Stephanie and her daughter until aid arrived. “I was outside at one of the gas pumps when I heard it,” Jesse Amon, owner of the Arco gas station nearby, told The Mirror. “I thought it was a flat tire, but then I saw her drop.”

FUSION founder Peggy LaPorte speaks at the Aug. 2 gala, which raises money every year to benefit homeless families in the Federal Way area. (Photo by Keelin Everly-Lang / The Mirror)

Sept. 2023

• City council candidate charged in hardware store case: Denise Yun, the candidate for Federal Way City Council accused of shoplifting hammers from Federal Way’s Trinity Ace Hardware, was charged with third-degree theft. Yun was charged Aug. 17 by the Kent city prosecutor, who was handling the case instead of Federal Way’s city prosecutor in order to avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest because Yun was running for city office.

Oct. 2023

• ‘A driver’s license can change the life of a woman’: When Jacqueline Garcia Castillo held her first cohort of instructional driving classes for women in her community in 2013, none of the participants knew that she too was getting her license for the first time. She moved to the United States from Michoacan, Mexico, where she was a dentist. Now she is celebrating the ten-year anniversary of her role as executive director and founder of Mujer Al Volante, a nonprofit in Federal Way that provides driving instruction for women who are refugees, immigrants and asylum seekers. The organization now has a permanent home in Federal Way, but for many years, they held class wherever they could. At one point she taught 30-40 women in the hallway of a church.

• FW police arrest purse-snatching suspects: On Oct. 28, Federal Way police officers arrested two juveniles who fled in a stolen car that was suspected of being involved in a recent string of purse-snatching cases in Federal Way and the surrounding jurisdictions. The cases often involved elderly women in parking lot grocery stores. Federal Way Police Chief Andy Hwang supported the arrest of the juveniles when he happened to hear the pursuit on his radio and be in the right place at the right time on a day off.

Two acrylic and marker pieces by artist Rodney King on display at the Arts Explosion event. The event was held for the first time this year during the first weekend in June. (Photo by Alex Bruell / The Mirror)

Nov. 2023

• Federal Way renters seek more protection from city: A group of Federal Way residents asked for the city to immediately require a six-month advance notice in writing to tenants of any and all rent increases, and also cap late rent fees at no more than $10 a month. The Federal Way Rent Stabilization Committee (FWRSC) is made up of Federal Way residents and local public services workers who are trying to stop homelessness before it starts by pushing the city to enact protection measurements for tenants. They advocated for changes through public comment at multiple events and through communications with city leaders in November. Tenants within Federal Way city limits actually have less protection than those in nearby unincorporated East Federal Way. In unincorporated King County, landlords are required to provide 120 days notice if the rent increase is greater than 3 percent, and late fees are capped at 1.5 percent of the rent. Federal Way did adopt eviction protections in 2019, but landlords must only provide 60 days notice of an increase in rent, and there is no restriction on late fees.

• Federal Way local hosts fifth annual Ebony Fashion Week: Luxurious and vibrant designs lit up the runway of the fifth annual Ebony Fashion Week with Estee Lauder on Nov. 12 at Washington Hall in Seattle. The event brought together designers, hairstylists and fashion lovers to celebrate Black beauty and expression. This year’s event also launched the Fostering Fashion campaign that “will grant foster/at-risk youth access to mentorship and mainstream fashion opportunities.” The campaign plans to feature one family a month, the first of which shared some of their story at the Nov. 12 event. This mission aligns with the life story of founder and host of Ebony Fashion Week, De’Vaughnn Williams. Williams moved to Federal Way and reunited with her biological family when she was 11 years old after spending time in foster care. She and her family have lived here ever since.

Dec. 2023

• State patrol opens new toxicology lab in Federal Way: A backlog of 14,000 death and DUI cases should start to decrease with the official opening of the Washington State Patrol’s new toxicology laboratory in Federal Way. The new lab began processing samples in October and held its official ribbon cutting on Dec. 7. This backlog represents families in Washington state who are waiting to hear results about a loved one’s death or the result of a possible DUI charge. Before the addition of this new location, these samples all had to be processed through the single toxicology lab in Seattle. Finding results through the Federal Way location means the justice system can do its work, said Chief John Batiste of Washington State Patrol. “It gives closure to the families, for one thing,” said Batiste at the lab’s dedication and ribbon cutting at 33810 Weyerhaeuser Way South. “Those who have been victimized by the actions of an irresponsible person, it brings about accountability that family wants to see happen, and it brings about closure. It sends a message to offenders and potential offenders.”

• Students want safer school crossing on Pacific Highway: Early in the morning of Dec. 18, more than 50 Federal Way High School students crossed 308th Street repeatedly with signs and safety vests advocating for changes to protect them. After a student was hit by a car in the crosswalk near Federal Way High School at 6:55 a.m. Nov. 29, her friends and peers have organized around the need for increased safety. The Mirror heard some of their concerns and the story behind their efforts in a meeting with seven Federal Way High School students. “It struck a personal chord with us because it’s one of our closest friends,” Meeghan Meagher said as the group expressed their agreement. “This has been fifth or sixth time and the second time in the last six months that this has happened in that same intersection, so obviously, there’s something that can be changed about the safety of that.”