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GUNS N’ DRUGS | Federal agents announce a massive bust in South King County [2]
VOL. 14, NO. 43
Mirror
F E D E R A L WAY
division of Sound Publishing
OPINION | Roegner: Behind the scenes look at a state rep. race [6] Letters: Topics include school levy and candidates [6-8] IN OTHER NEWS | Denture exam leads to sex; county announces green initiative [4] FROM THE MAYOR | Federal Way Mayor Skip Priest addresses budget challenges [9]
SPORTS | J.R. Celski sets a world record. FRIDAY, Oct. 26, 2012 | 50¢ Plus: Swimming and golf updates [17]
Schools reduce tax collection by $10 million
HALLOWEEN HAPPENINGS Fright Fest at Wild Waves: Includes a haunted house, live entertainment and a scare-free area called Booville for kids under 12. Guests can ride their favorite rides and roller coasters in the dark. Wild Waves is at 36201 Enchanted Parkway S. Hours are 6 to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 5 to 9 p.m. Sunday. Visit wildwaves.com. Tricks N’ Treats Funfest: Halloween activities, candy, games and more will run 6 to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 27 at the Federal Way Community Center, 876 S. 333rd St. For ages 2-12. Cost is $6 per child or $8 at the door. Admission for accompanying adults and children under 2 is free. Call (253) 835-6926. Breakfast: Event runs 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. Oct. 27. Cost is $10 per person. Applebee’s will give the St. Francis Auxiliary $5 for every ticket sold. Event includes face painting and treats for children, who are encouraged to wear Halloween costumes. Call (253) 838-1473. Freaky 5k Fun Run: Event begins at 9 a.m. Oct. 27 at the Federal Way Community Center. Costumes are encouraged. Cost is $25 to register ($30 on day of event). All ages welcome. Contact (253) 835-6932. Howl-O-Ween: Park Pals and the Federal Way Farmers Market present Howl-o-Ween from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Oct. 27 at The Commons mall parking lot near Sears. Event features pet vendors and contests. There is a $5 pet contest fee. Proceeds benefit the French Lake off-leash dog park in Federal Way. Contact tammydziak@gmail.com. Halloween Festival at The Commons Mall: Event runs 4 to 5:30 p.m. Oct. 31. Activities include trick or treating, games and prizes. Photos provided by Arthur and Associates. Photo proceeds benefit Federal Way’s Relay for Life/American Cancer Society. Facebook fans who like The Commons page (and prove it with their phone or a printout) can get a free $10 mall gift card at 5 p.m. while supplies last.
[ more HALLOWEEN, p. 16 ] NEWSPAPER RACKS: To see a list of rack locations for the print edition of The Mirror, visit federalwaymirror.com/about_us.
CRIME BLOTTER | Man spreads unknown substance on security camera [15]
By GREG ALLMAIN gallmain@federalwaymirror.com
South King Fire and Rescue Lt. Barry Hassell stands at attention during a ceremony Monday for the Memorial Pike Pole, which honors firefighters who died in the line of duty. ANDY HOBBS, The Mirror
As voters await the fate of a levy to rebuild Federal Way High School, the school district announced substantial savings for taxpayers on a different levy. The Federal Way School Board unanimously approved the “rollback” of $10 million in district tax collections during its Oct. 23 meeting. The district originally sought the extra money in February because of uncertainty in the state Legislature’s ability to work out a budget. The journey started in August 2011, with the
board making a decision about the Educational Programs and Operations (EP&O) levy, which was presented to the voters on Feb. 14, 2012. “That decision that was made in August asked our voters to consider supporting both the current levels of EP&O levy funds of $45 million, and the potential of adding $8 million in local effort assistance (LEA) to that tax collection,” said Sally McLean, assistant superintendent of business services. “That (LEA) funding stream was in jeopardy due to the state’s budget shortfall.” [ more SCHOOLS, p. 23 ]
Pike pole honors South King Top election issues for firefighter who died of HIV WA small businesses
in 1981, and retired in 2000. Waller’s family believed the infection resulted editor@federalwaymirror.com from treating an HIV-positive man who The Memorial Pike Pole honors was bleeding profusely. Despite firefighters in Washington state an initial negative test, Waller did who died in the line of duty. not realize he had contracted HIV On Monday, the honor guard — the virus that causes AIDS — from the Washington State Fallen until about two months before his Firefighters Memorial delivered death at age 59. the pole to South King Fire and The Memorial Pike Pole inRescue. Seven names were added cludes a ribbon for each WashingDoug Waller to the pole this year, includton firefighter who died in the line ing Doug Waller, a South King of duty during the past 15 years. firefighter who died in 2006 as a result of The pole travels to fire districts around contracting HIV. the state. South King Fire and Rescue will Waller’s line-of-duty death from HIV display the pole in the front lobby of its is one of the first recognized cases of its headquarters on 1st Avenue South for the kind in the nation. next 20 days. The state honor guard will Waller joined South King Fire as a take the pole back to Olympia, then to volunteer in 1976. He was hired full time [ more PIKE POLE, p. 27 ] By ANDY HOBBS
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deeply attuned to the effect of politics on job creation gallmain@federalwaymirror.com and the economy,” said Dr. Which U.S. presidential David Rehr of the GWU candidate has the most team that worked on the support among small busisurvey. “Entrepreneurs nesses in Washington: are feeling squeezed Barack Obama or by the tight lending Mitt Romney? BUSINESS environment, and The economy they want their and jobs are the elected leaders to two most pressing curb the influence of issues for Washington money on politics.” state small business owners, The findings include: according to a recent survey • 38 percent of all conducted by Thumbtack. Washington small business com and George Washingowners rated the economy ton University (GWU). and jobs as the single most “Small businesses are [ more BUSINESS, p. 27 ] By GREG ALLMAIN
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