.com
CRASH | Federal Way woman dies in head-on, texting-related Kent car crash [2]
VOL. 17, NO. 16
MIRROR
F E D E R A L WAY
DIVISION OF SOUND PUBLISHING
OPINION | Editor’s Note: Mirror circulation manager dies [4] Roegner: Mayor’s veto may multiply his problems [4] BUSINESS | Pole Fitness relocates; Comfort Inn celebrates $1.4 million renovation [12-13] POLICE | Woman fights off attackers during strangling [17]
Sports | Todd Beamer closing FRIDAY, APRIL 17, 2015 | 75¢ in on postseason again [10]
SCHOOL | School board signs contract for new superintendent [22]
Decatur High students grieve loss of student who died in crash BY CARRIE RODRIGUEZ editor@fedwaymirror.com
D
ecatur High School counselors were on hand this week to help students grieving the death of a junior who died in an unexplained car accident last Friday. Heidy Morales, 18, drove
her SUV through a guard“Our hearts go out to rail and off the L the family and to all Street overpass into who are suffering rush hour traffic on with this loss,” said Interstate 5 near the Decatur Principal Tacoma Dome on David Bowers in a April 10. phone message the The crash killed district sent out to Morales but her Decatur families on Heidy Morales vehicle did not hit Saturday notifying any other cars. them of Morales’s
death. “As Gators we stand together, mourn together and comfort one another through this difficult time.” The district’s crisis response team was at Decatur throughout the week, providing grief counseling for students at the school library, said Federal Way Public Schools spokeswom-
an Ann Cook. “It’s always difficult, it’s always hard and this [incident] has been so high profile,” said Cook, who was at the school Monday morning and noted some students came to the library to speak with counselors. She said Decatur teachers personally called family
members over the weekend, who were “very devastated.” “Staff and the principal are reaching out to the family to provide whatever assistance they can,” Cook added. “The school will monitor and support kids as needed throughout the week.” [ more STUDENT, page 2 ]
Federal Way man charged in officer-involved shooting BY RAECHEL DAWSON rdawson@fedwaymirror.com
Todd Beamer High School Dance Team placed second in the hip hop category at at this year’s WIAA’s Todd Beamer The Dance/Drill State Competition in Yakima after winning eight state championships in the last 12 years. The scored a total of 285.5, just .5 points under the 1st place score of 286. Prior to the state competition, the dance places Titans Titans won multiple competitions at the USA Dance Nationals in California. Their season ends with an annual and fundraiser called Beamer Breakdown to take place on April 24-25 at Todd Beamer High School. second at state showcase Ticket and concession sales will help fund the team’s travel and costume costs. Courtesy of Laurine Decker
King County prosecutors recently charged the suspect who a Federal Way police officer shot on March 30. Federal Way resident Christopher Leroy Roberson, 19, was charged with second-degree assault and attempted robbery on April 1. His bail was set at $100,000. Court documents allege Roberson approached a man waiting at a bus stop early one morning and demanded money. The two were near the park and ride in the 27200 block of Pacific Highway S. According to court documents, the victim refused to hand over his cell phone or money and the suspect punched him.
Roberson allegedly grabbed the man’s cell phone but the victim was able to get away by using the bus shelter to escape. During this time, court documents state Roberson began punching the shelter with his fists. The suspect ran after the victim as he called 911. Federal Way police officer Benjamin Tseng, a 17-year veteran, and another officer responded to the call. Court documents state Roberson confronted Tseng with a “kitchen, or steaktype, knife” in his fist. “The defendant refused repeated commands by the officer to drop the knife and refused to cooperate with the officer’s directives,” the documents continue. “The defendant ran at the officer [ more SHOOTING, page 3 ]
Graffitied fence prompts city’s first volunteer-based beautification day BY RAECHEL DAWSON rdawson@fedwaymirror.com
A 2,000-foot fence in Federal Way has been catching eyes for years but not for the right reasons.
The fence along 21st Avenue Southwest, just south of Southwest 325th Place on the east side, divides a busy street from residential homes, but the white fence has also been home to taggers and graffiti artists for years. Although city maintenance crews are diligent about painting over the
very public markings, the fence has been “looking blotchy” lately and was in great need of a makeover. “Right now, most of it is covered up,” said city Code Compliance Officer John Fairbanks about the graffiti. “When the weather starts to get nice, there will be an uptick.” In an effort to help keep
Great Buy!
39
$ PASSENGER CAR
99
P155/80R-13
Ultra Z900
OUR BEST! PASSENGER CAR
ON SALE!
Federal Way looking nice and rally the community together, Fairbanks organized Let’s Paint Federal Way, a day-long volunteerbased event to paint the long fence on April 25. The event will be the first beautification/action day in the city’s history. More than 100 volunteers [ more FENCE, page 8 ]
Volunteers will paint the 2,000foot fence located along 21st Avenue Southwest on April 25 for Let’s Paint Federal Way. Contributed photo
All Season Tread Economically Priced Outstanding Tread Life BEST BRAKE VALUE 65,000-80,000 Miles Federal Way • 34415 16th Ave S • (253) 927-1159 • lesschwab.com PROMISE (depending on tire size)