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CRIME BLOTTER | Longtime friend pushes woman out of a moving car [2]
VOL. 14, NO. 1
Mirror
F E D E R A L WAY
division of Sound Publishing
OPINION | Editorial board: School levy proposals are worth your vote [4] Roegner: Look forward to a juicy year in politics [4] SHOPPING CARTS | Volunteers clear rusty shopping carts from a swampy grave [3] BUSINESS BUZZ | The Ram is planning to open a brewpub in Federal Way [7]
SPORTS | Decatur wrestlers win SPSL FRIDAY, JANUARY 6, 2012 crowns. Plus: Game of the week [10]
COMMUNITY CALENDAR | Check out Federal Way happenings and events [8]
Inside Federal Way’s motels Gov. proposes gay marriage
Cops crack down on crime along Pacific Highway By ANDY HOBBS
making a lifetime commitment,” Gregoire said. “For all couples, a state marriage Gov. Christine Gregoire license is very important. announced Jan. 4 that she It gives them the right will introduce a bill to legal- to enter into a marriage ize same-sex marriage in contract in which their legal Washington. interests, and those of their “It’s time, it’s the right children if any, are protectthing to do, and I will ed by well-established introduce a bill to do civil law.” it,” Gregoire said. “I Rachel SmithSTATE say that as a wife, a Mosel, a Federal mother, a student Way resident who’s of the law, and above married to her partall a Washingtonian ner under Canadian with a lifelong commitand California law, said the ment to equality and freegovernor’s announcement dom. Some say domestic was a long time coming. partnerships are the same “It’s a long time we’ve as marriage. That’s a version been waiting for equality of the discriminatory ‘sepa- under the law,” she said. rate but equal’ argument.” “We are like any other comIf Gregoire’s bill is passed, mitted married couple in Washington would become Washington.” the sixth state to allow Smith-Mosel, who has same-sex marriages, joinadopted children and foster ing Massachusetts, Conchildren, said Gregoire’s necticut, New Hampshire, announcement was a big Vermont and New York. positive to her children. Washington, D.C., also al“They felt she was speaklows same-sex marriages. ing to them,” Smith-Mosel “Our gay and lessaid. “Our kids were elated, bian families face the same and we were elated. This hurdles as heterosexual is protection and equality families — making ends under the law. No one is meet, choosing what school losing. We’re only gainto send their kids to, finding more stability for our ing someone to grow old families.” with, standing in front of [ more MARRIAGE, page 9 ] friends and family and By Greg Allmain
editor@federalwaymirror.com
Three motels along a short stretch of Pacific Highway mark the Main Street of transient life in Federal Way. The motels SPECIAL house the homeless and people who are down on their luck. They attract illegal activities like prostitution and drug dealing, or perhaps serve as a haven for fugitives — including accomplices in the 2009 murders of four Lakewood police officers. “When we first started the police department in ‘96, we were in and out of those three hotels and others constantly,” said Officer Chris Norman. “They were a huge thorn in our sides.” Norman recalls a Craigslist prostitution sting at one of the motels, in which undercover female officers “offered services” to potential johns trolling the Internet. “People were coming in from all of Puget Sound to meet our girls,” he said, noting that drug and prostitution activity “has gone down dramatically over the
gallmain@fedwaymirror.com
REPORT
NEWS
New Horizon Motel on Pacific Highway South at South 330th Street is among a handful of motels that are closely monitored by Federal Way police for criminal activity. Down the street is the Stevenson Motel (pictured) and the Eastwind Motel. ANDY HOBBS, The Mirror years” because of targeted enforcement. “There’s been a steady decline in crime. That’s no accident.”
Motel life Although some motels have undergone remodeling, such as the New Horizon Motel, their overall quality differs drastically from the corporate hotels near the freeway.
Inside one room at the Stevenson Motel, the armpit-like stench is overpowering. A few bugs crawl on the grimy walls, and the air feels thick and stale. On the outside, the motel is decaying. Old TVs, phone books and
generic trash are woven into the landscape. Some vehicles in the parking lot look as though they were left for dead years ago. The motels on Pacific Highway in Federal Way are often the last stop [ more MOTELS, page 18 ]
137 pounds later, woman leaves obesity behind Federal Way resident Pansy Claxton is shown before and after her dramatic weight loss. COURTESY PHOTOS
By ANDY HOBBS editor@federalwaymirror.com
After losing 137 pounds, Pansy Claxton has learned a new way of living. The Federal Way resident, who maxed out at more than 306 pounds, had been overweight nearly all her life. Two years ago, Claxton couldn’t run, let alone tie her shoes. She had to crawl to a chair or table in order to pull herself up off the floor. Feeling defeated, she turned to the popular Weight Watchers program. The fat soon melted away, week after week. At one point, Claxton phoned her sister upon reaching a
personal milestone — the moment she was finally able to get up off the floor herself. Nowadays, she exercises and competes in long-distance running events. “Now I’m able to do those things. They might be small things for people, but to me, it’s a big deal,” said Claxton, 42, reflecting on her weight loss success. “I didn’t even think about how much weight I wanted to lose. I just wanted to get healthy.” Claxton was recently named one of 100 first-prize winners in the nationwide Weight Watchers Inspiring Stories Contest. Weight Watchers provides members with [ more WEIGHT LOSS, page 19 ]
A poll on The Mirror’s website asked: If Federal Way had light rail service to the airport and Seattle, would you use it often? 76 percent said yes.