Federal Way police and the Valley Communications Center SWAT team took three suspects into custody at about 5 a.m. May 22 after executing a search warrant just outside city limits in the 4300 block of South 321st Street, near Peasley Canyon Road.
The warrant was part of an ongoing investigation of a suspected auto theft and chop shop ring and methamphetamine lab, police spokeswoman Cathy Schrock said. Evidence supporting both crimes were found at the scene, Schrock said.
The Washington State Patrol lab was called to the scene to process it for methamphetamines, Schrock said. It found evidence of a previously active meth lab and removed harmful materials, she said. One suspect, a women in her 20s, was released from custody the same day. One man, 40, was booked into jail on an escape warrant from the Department of Corrections. The other man, 45, was booked into jail on suspicion of manufacturing narcotics, Schrock said. Police are continuing the investigation.
Iwen Wang goes to Renton
Assistant City Manager Iwen Wang will leave her job with the City of Federal Way to work with the City of Renton.
Wang served with the city for 14 years and as assistant city manager and management services director since March 2007. Wang was heavily involved in managing the city’s budget.
The move will decrease her commute time to work by roughly two-thirds, she said. Wang also said she feels the city is in a stable financial position and has reached a maturity level that will allow long-term staff members to assume more leadership roles.
A replacement for Wang has not yet been named. In Renton, she will hold a similar position, but will be held responsible for management in the local government’s utilities, housing authority, golf course and airport, she said.
“Federal Way has given me a lot of support and opportunities in the past 14 years,” Wang said. “I don’t know if I will ever find the same supportive community again.”
Lockdown at Panther Lake
On May 22, Federal Way police locked down Panther Lake Elementary School in Federal Way after reports of a domestic violence assault. A woman told police that her partner struck her with a handgun, threatened to kill her, then said he was leaving to get his child at Panther Lake Elementary, police spokeswoman Cathy Schrock said. The district reported that students and staff were safe. No further details were available as of press time Thursday night.
Pacific Highway construction
• SCI infrastructure will install the traffic signal mast arms at the intersection of South Dash Point Road and Pacific Highway South on May 28. The intersection will be controlled by a uniformed police officer from 7 a.m. until work is completed at approximately 3 p.m.
• The electrical subcontractor continues to install the new signal components for the South Dash Point Road intersection. When not working on the signal, street lights will be installed. Cable will be installed and the lights will be turned on after the new sidewalks are poured.
• SCI will be installing blocks on the wall slightly north of the South Dash Point Road Shell station and another wall at the south end of the View at Redondo Apartments, 29421 Pacific Highway S., until May 30.
• SCI will be pouring concrete sidewalk through May 30.
• Property restoration work has resumed on the east side of Pacific Highway South. This work will begin at the Mylan restaurant, 29426 Pacific Highway S., and proceed northward for the foreseeable future.
• SCI has begun median pavement removal south of the South 288th Street and Pacific Highway South intersection. Installation of drainage pipe and system storm water vaults in this segment of median will begin after pavement removal, possibly late in the last week of May.
• SCI has begun installing the traffic barrier that will be mounted above the wall near the Soundview Apartments, 28425 18th Ave. S. Placement of reinforcing steel is expected to be complete by May 30. Concrete pours will begin the week of May 27 and are scheduled to continue until the end of July.
• There will be no construction activity on May 26 in observance of Memorial Day.
Expect daytime lane closures for much of this work.
Salmon Bake seeks sponsors
The Federal Way Kiwanis annual Salmon Bake will run 4 to 8 p.m. July 25 at Steel Lake Park, 2410 S. 312th St. The annual event includes plenty of food, local vendors and live music. Tickets are $20 (or $17 for seniors age 62 and up). To learn more, visit www.federalwaykiwanis.org or find tickets at Evergreen Bank and Sportsman’s Warehouse. Also e-mail Steve Smith at ssmith@netcomservicescorp.com.
Global food crisis relief
A pair of Decatur High School teachers seek food donations to ship to places in crisis such as Haiti. Monetary donations will also be accepted through the end of May. To learn more, visit http://operationhaiti.giving.officelive.com.
Meeting with Adam Smith
Ninth District Congressman Adam Smith is looking forward to meeting with constituents during a town hall meeting 7 to 8:30 p.m. May 28 at the Federal Way Community Center, 876 S. 333rd St.
Smith will listen to concerns, answer questions, and discuss issues facing Congress such as the budget, military, health care and more. To register, call (253) 896-3775.
ASPEN IDEAS
Patrick Clay, a student at Thomas Jefferson High School, was chosen to participate in the 2008 Bezos Scholars Program. He was one of twelve students nationwide to be selected to attend the Aspen Ideas Festival this summer.
At the festival, scholars will participate in six days of seminars and informal meetings with international leaders, thinkers and artists. Scholars are selected based on academic merit, demonstrated leadership and community engagement.
To learn more, visit www.aspeninstitute.org/bezosscholars/.
