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COMMUNITY | Author completes third historical mystery in novel series [6]
VOL. 17, NO. 53
MIRROR
F E D E R A L WAY
DIVISION OF SOUND PUBLISHING
OPINION | Guest Column: Join the call for change at Wal-Mart [4] Roegner: 2015 political award winners [4] STING | Prostitution sting nets 8 arrests at Federal Way apartment [12] POLICE | Unknown man chases middle schooler [14]
SPORTS | Decatur looking to past CHARGES | 10 charged with child sexual abuse, exploitation in undercover operation [16] FRIDAY, JANUARY 1, 2016 | 75¢ to build future [10]
Woman charged in DUI crash that killed mother, daughter BY CARRIE RODRIGUEZ editor@fedwaymirror.com
A
Renton woman who was driving under the influence when her vehicle struck a stalled car on Interstate 5 in Federal Way — killing a mother and daughter on Dec. 17 — was
Boy Scouts organization votes to close Camp Kilworth BY RAECHEL DAWSON rdawson@fedwaymirror.com
charged with two counts of vehicular homicide on Monday. Rocelle Lynne Harris, 29, was driving to work on Dec. 17 and told police the Honda Civic “came out of nowhere” just before her Ford Mustang struck it at 1:38 a.m., north of South
304th Street, according to court documents. The driver of the Honda, 31-year-old Everlean I. McMillan from Tacoma and 51-year-old Samantha M. Agee from Puyallup, the passenger, were both pronounced dead at the scene. Agee was wearing her
seatbelt and McMillan was not. However, before the crash, a Washington State Patrol trooper said he was advised of the stalled Honda and observed it on the Washington State Department of Transportation traffic cameras in the
second lane with its hazard lights activated. The trooper observed approximately a dozen vehicles pass the disabled vehicle safely prior to Harris, whose Ford approached the Honda at a high rate of speed, the documents continue. The trooper said he did
Town Square Park tree planted
The Pacific Harbors Council Boy Scouts of America voted on Dec. 16 to close Federal Way-based Camp Kilworth, among four other properties. Citing financial difficulties, Scout Executive Ralph Voelker said there’s been a decline in scout membership by almost 40 percent. At the same time, there’s been a reduction in how often their properties are used, however, the facilities continue to need maintenance as they deteriorate. “For us to have that property, to use it only one week of the year, weekends and scattered use throughout, it’s just not making any financial sense at this time,” Voelker said about Camp Kilworth, adding that they lose about $30,000 a year maintaining the 25-acre property. The council had been subsidizing those losses by borrowing money. In addition to Camp Kilworth, the Pacific Harbors Council voted to close Camp Curran in Tacoma, Camp Delezenne in Elma, Camp Hahobas in Tahuya and the Tumwater Service Center, which will be replaced with a smaller rental [ more KILWORTH, page 3 ]
Workers planted Federal Way’s holiday tree that will be used for the city’s official tree lighting in years to come at Town Square Park on Dec. 22. The 22 foot tree was grown in Oregon and sits atop a 4 foot base. Mayor Ferrell and Councilmember Duclos were on-site to watch the tree go in the ground. Courtesy of the city of Federal Way
not see the Ford’s brake lights applied prior to the impact. He observed a “large flash of sparks” as the impact occurred. Harris told police that prior to the crash she was driving northbound in the middle lane when she made [ more DUI, page 2 ]
Year in review: Top stories of 2015 BY CARRIE RODRIGUEZ editor@fedwaymirror.com
Federal Way started off right away in a political quagmire in 2015. Gov. Jay Inslee was tasked with deciding who would fill late Rep. Roger Freeman’s vacant seat in the 30th District, after the Pierce County Council’s decision ended in gridlock. In January, Inslee ulimately appointed school board member Carol Gregory to fill the position. The year ended on a positive note, as the city planted its first official holiday tree — a symbol of community unity, rebirth and the possibility of great things to come for Federal Way. Here is a look back at some of Federal Way’s top stories of 2015: • In January, the city’s new economic development Director Tim Johnson presented the city’s first economic development strategy to bolster the city’s economy. Among initiatives centered around downtown development, replacing Weyerhaeuser when it leaves in 2016 and rebranding the city, were ideas such as free business licenses, a college branch campus and a focus on the Hollywood filming industry. • Federal Way High School’s demolition began in January, as construction crews make way for a new $106 million facility. Major construction is expected to continue through 2016. • The city’s Performing Arts and Event Center garnered nearly 12 headlines this year, from the city’s attempt of vying for federal funding to support the $32.7 million facility, to the hiring of new Executive Director Theresa Yvonne in February and breaking ground on the project in October. Formerly known as the Performing Arts and Conference Center, the city changed the facility’s name in 2015 during their quest for New Markets Tax Credits to increase their chances of receiving federal funding. As of the end of the year, the city has yet to receive this funding. • City and Greater Federal Way [ more REVIEW, page 23 ]