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CRIME BLOTTER | Man slaps a woman, then tries to evade police officers [5]
VOL. 14, NO. 49
Mirror
F E D E R A L WAY
division of Sound Publishing
OPINION | Roegner: A rare political opportunity reaches South King County [6] Johnson: Still killing after all these years [6] PUBLIC OFFICE | FW City Council seeks applicants for two vacant positions [7] CALENDAR | Check out the tree lighting event and holiday entertainment [12-13]
SPORTS | Local soccer team wins FRIDAY, Dec. 7, 2012 | 50¢ prestigious San Diego tournament [15]
Police prepare for state’s new marijuana law
Comedian visits FW during his weekend meltdown By ANDY HOBBS
By GREG ALLMAIN
editor@federalwaymirror.com
As part of a wild weekend in the region that ended with his arrest, comedian Katt Williams raised hell at local hotels and squeezed in a shopping spree at the Federal Way Farmers Market. The eccentric comedian, rapper and actor’s local troubles began Thursday night. Katt Williams Williams failed to show up, without explanation, for the first gig of a two-night engagement at the Paramount Theatre in Seattle — stranding a packed theater full of angry ticket holders. Then around noon Friday, Williams and his entourage visited the Federal Way Farmers Market’s winter bazaar at The Commons Mall. Williams spent several hundred dollars among the market’s vendors, according to Rose Ehl, a market organizer. He paid $110 for two pairs of gloves that cost about $10. He spent $140 on soap. He also bought a jade necklace, paying for the jewelry with three $100 bills, Ehl said. “It just buzzed our [ more WILLIAMS, p. 22 ] NEWSPAPER RACKS: To see a list of rack locations for the print edition of The Mirror, visit federalwaymirror.com/about_us.
COLORING CONTEST | Kids can win a prize in The Mirror’s coloring contest [14]
gallmain@federalwaymirror.com
For 12 years, Federal Way resident Melissa Vess has brightened her home and neighborhood with holiday lights. Anyone with information on the vandalism may call (253) 835-6700. COURTESY PHOTO
Holiday vandals hit house twice By ANDY HOBBS editor@federalwaymirror.com
Melissa Vess refuses to let vandalism dampen her Christmas spirit. For 12 years, the Federal Way woman’s holiday lights have brightened up her home and neighborhood on South 288th Place. Last Friday, she discovered that the light cords had been severed. Vess repaired the display to make it “better and brighter,” she said. However, someone returned the next night and slashed the lights again. This time, the wires were cut in eight places. “We’ve never had a problem,” said Vess, adding that it takes about a month
to install hundreds of dollars worth of Christmas lights. “It’s heartbreaking.” Vess now has fewer lights on her house and yard. She’s afraid to rebuild the display to its former size for fear that the culprit will come back. “Repairing strands and strands of lights or buying them new, that gets expensive,” Vess said. “I don’t know why someone would do that. Maybe we have a Scrooge.” She thanked Federal Way Police Officer Nick Wong for his support in handling the vandalism report. In the end, all she wants to do is spread a little holiday cheer for the neighborhood. “Do I want to put the whole thing up again? Yes.”
Even though Washington state says marijuana is now mostly OK, the federal government still sees the drug as illegal. With the implementation of Washington’s new marijuana law on Dec. 6, city attorney Patricia Richardson and Federal Way Police Chief Brian Wilson gave a quick report on the impacts of the new law during the Federal Way City Council’s meeting on Tuesday. Wilson said it’s going to be a process for Federal Way police to learn how to correctly handle marijuanarelated incidents. “The police department stands ready to follow the law. I will say that over the last couple of weeks, looking at the law, and where we are, there’s a tremendous amount of ambiguity, and misunderstanding within the public, about what this law means,” he said. “I’ve had individuals say ‘We can’t wait to come in front of City Hall and light up.’ That will probably be a problem.” Richardson reiterated the
A single bud of high-grade marijuana. COURTESY PHOTO important parts of the new law. “Initiative 502 becomes effective on Thursday, December 6. What this means is that under state law, the recreational use of marijuana is legal if individuals are 21 or older,” Richardson said. “The allowable amounts of marijuana are one ounce of marijuana, 16 ounces of marijuanainfused product in a solid form, or 72 ounces of marijuana-infused product in liquid form.” For those under 21, possession of marijuana will still be a crime, Richardson said, unless proof can be provided that it’s for medical use. Along with that, Richardson noted that medical marijuana users can exceed the allowable amounts for possession under I-502. [ more MARIJUANA, p. 5 ]
Orion takes economic potential to Auburn Boeing supplier needed access to public transit By ANDY HOBBS editor@federalwaymirror.com
Orion Industries will move to a new location in Auburn next year after nearly 20 years in Federal Way. Federal Way’s loss is Auburn’s gain. As a top supplier of parts for
Boeing aircraft, Orion’s economic Orion employs 265 workers and future brims with promise. reports 20 percent growth for the Boeing set a record for past 10 years. The non-profit year-to-date deliveries and manufacturing company net orders for the 737 Next specializes in job training SPECIAL Generation Aircraft. That and placement for people model’s replacement, the with disabilities. 737 MAX, will be built in Orion, which also Renton. Boeing predicts the operates a call center, has world’s total airline fleet will double outgrown its Federal Way facilities from 20,000 to 40,000 by 2031, with on 9th Avenue South. Asia as the biggest market. Orion wanted to build a
REPORT
100,000-square-foot location in an area zoned light industrial, all within walking distance of the Federal Way Transit Center. More than half of Orion’s employees rely on public transit. The idea was to eliminate a bus transfer that added 30 minutes of travel in each direction. “Transportation is the largest barrier to employment,” said John Theisen, president and CEO. [ more ORION, p. 11 ]