.com
CITY TURNS 25 | See inside for Federal Way’s 25th anniversary special section
VOL. 17, NO. 24
MIRROR
F E D E R A L WAY
DIVISION OF SOUND PUBLISHING
OPINION | Editor’s Note: A note to parents before graduation [4] Roegner: Questions for the candidates [4] COMMUNITY | Police chief to recognize Federal Way Shopping Cart Recovery Team [8] SENTENCING | Professional boxer sentenced for training juveniles to rob banks [18]
Sports | Little League teams FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 2015 | 75¢ claim championships [12]
Police nab suspect in fatal shooting BY CARRIE RODRIGUEZ editor@fedwaymirror.com
Tacoma police arrested the murder suspect who police believe fatally shot a man in a Federal Way driveway on May 23. Michael Anthony Espinosa, 26, also known as “Joker,” was arrested in Tacoma when police were doing a random check of a “problem house” in the 3800 block of Mckinley Avenue, according to Loretta Cool, spokeswoman for the Tacoma Police Department. Cool said Tacoma police have been working with the landlord of that house, which is broken up into several apartment units, to resolve some ongoing Michael Espinosa issues the landlord has had with some of the tenants. Police recognized Espinosa as the suspect in the fatal Federal Way shooting. Federal Way police will book Espinosa on a Department of Corrections escape warrant, police said. The shooting happened at approximately 2:10 a.m., when police received multiple 911 calls of shots fired in the area of 1400 S. 304th St. Upon arrival, officers located Martin A. Douglas, [ more POLICE, page 13]
POLICE | Drunken man wields knives, threatens kids [19]
Federal Way Education Association rallies for more funding BY RAECHEL DAWSON rdawson@fedwaymirror.com
“One, two, three, four — Budget’s what we voted for,” rang out from the sea of red shirts Monday afternoon before Jennifer Babcock took the stage. “I am a single mom with two bachelor’s degrees, a masters degree and part of my doctorate done, but I live paycheck to paycheck,” Babcock told the crowd of more than 200 teachers, students, legislators, city officials and community members at the Federal Way Education Association rally at Town Square Park. “In what other profession does that happen?” The community met at Celebration Park before marching with picket signs down South 320th Street to congregate at the rally. A special education teacher at Thomas Jefferson High School for more than 20 years, Babcock shared her struggles and triumphs of her own child who has severe autism. “I know what it’s like to not be able to even run to the store for a gallon of milk because my son is in a rage and is trying to beat his head on the floor,” she said. “In my classroom, I work to teach them that there Over 200 Federal Way teachers, students and others “wearing red for public ed” held up signs urging legislators to properly fund are other ways to communicate. That they basic education and decrease class sizes during the Federal Way Education Association’s rally at Town Square Park on Monday. CARRIE RODRIGUEZ, the Mirror [ more RALLY, page 13]
Federal Way to celebrate 25th anniversary with 4-day carnival BY RAECHEL DAWSON rdawson@fedwaymirror.com
Music, food trucks, a dunk tank, booths, 18 carnival rides and Wilson the 12th Pony with thousands to enjoy it all. Now, that’s a 25th anniversary party. The city of Federal Way is hosting a four-day carnival in celebration of 25 years since it was incorporated in 1990. Organized by Steve McNey with significant help from the Parks Department, the event was created from the ground up and has been in the works for more than four months. “This is not like anything we’ve ever done before,” McNey said when asked how this event would compare to past anniversary
www.eagletire.com
celebrations. “This is more similar to what Federal Way Festival Days used to be.” Running from June 18-21 at Town Square Park and the adjacent empty lot known as the former Target site, Federal Way community members are invited to partake in the festivities. A 35-by-40 foot stage will hold 47 members of the Federal Way Symphony with a 300-seat area for people to watch. The Michelle Taylor band, police band and a cover band called Kalimba will also perform throughout the weekend. More than 20 vendors will be scattered throughout the park, along with pony rides and a bounce house. The carnival will include a six-story Ferris wheel, several kiddy rides and a ride
FEDERAL WAY (253) 838-2424 1515 SO. 344TH ST.
called the “gravitron.” “This happened to be the one weekend out of 12 carnival companies that was available,” McNey said. “They do the Clark County fair, a lot of major events.” But when McNey looked at the available weekend, he realized it was the same weekend as the U.S. Open, a golf tournament taking place at University Place. “Some people might look at that as a negative but it’s actually a positive,” McNey said. “Our hotels in Federal Way are completely booked … Hotels from Vancouver to Vancouver are booked. There are thousands of people in town.” McNey said there’s going to be a lot of people driving through Federal Way on their way to the U.S. Open and a lot of families aren’t
Must present coupon to get this price. Fluid/filter disposal charges only. Most cars & light trucks. Vehicles requiring synthetic or diesel oil filter may cost extra. No other discounts apply. Additional charge for shop supplies may be added. Redeemable only at Eagle Tire & Automotive.
Federal Way Mayor Jim Ferrell kneels with Wilson the 12th Pony, which will be at the city’s anniversary event. Courtesy city of Federal Way going every day, which means they’ll have the opportunity to attend the city’s anniversary event. “This is a great way to highlight Federal Way,” he said. But without a doubt, traffic will increase.
McNey said the Federal Way Police Department “is on it.” Traffic officers will be out to help direct traffic and they already have a flow plan. “It’s going to be a busy [ more CITY, page 9]
THE TIRES YOU NEED. THE SERVICE YOU TRUST.