Alex Bruell

Decatur High School senior and “American Idol” contestant Iam Tongi sits at home on March 1. His father Rodney spent a bonus from his job as an electrician to buy Iam’s guitar. Alex Bruell / The Mirror

It’s Iam: Federal Way student wins ‘American Idol’

The city of Federal Way is planning a celebration to honor the Decatur High student’s victory

 

Photo by Bruce Honda.
Iam Tongi sings “Courage” during the March 21 Federal Way City Council Meeting.

Will Iam Tongi win it all? Federal Way student competes in ‘Idol’ grand finale

Final episode of ‘American Idol’ Sunday, May 21 for local singer, guitarist from Decatur High School

 

Decatur High School senior and "American Idol" contestant Iam Tongi sits at home on March 1. His father Rodney spent a bonus from his job as an electrician to buy Iam’s guitar. Alex Bruell / The Mirror

Federal Way’s Iam Tongi advances to Top 5 on ‘American Idol’

Decatur High School student shows no signs of slowing down.

 

The Green River, where a swimmer was swept away and drowned the summer of 2022. Image courtesy Enumclaw Fire Department.

Don’t let the heat fool you: Rivers pose cold-water threat this time of year

Advice from local rescue agencies on how to stay safe while cooling off.

The Green River, where a swimmer was swept away and drowned the summer of 2022. Image courtesy Enumclaw Fire Department.
Apple Massage sits in the 28000 block of Pacific Highway South in Federal Way, as seen May 9. ALEX BRUELL, Sound Publishing

Duo charged with promoting prostitution at King County massage businesses

The massage fronts include a location in Federal Way.

Apple Massage sits in the 28000 block of Pacific Highway South in Federal Way, as seen May 9. ALEX BRUELL, Sound Publishing
Patrick Nicholas (right) and his attorney David Montes listen on Wednesday, May 10, 2023 as the jury are polled on their verdict in the case against Nicholas, 59, at the Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent. Jurors found Nicholas guilty of murder in the first degree (felony) and murder in the second degree, but found not guilty on a charge of murder in the first degree (premeditated). Alex Bruell / The Mirror

Nicholas found guilty of 1991 Federal Way murder of Sarah Yarborough

‘Nothing will bring Sarah back, but this is as much justice as we can all expect,’ friends said.

Patrick Nicholas (right) and his attorney David Montes listen on Wednesday, May 10, 2023 as the jury are polled on their verdict in the case against Nicholas, 59, at the Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent. Jurors found Nicholas guilty of murder in the first degree (felony) and murder in the second degree, but found not guilty on a charge of murder in the first degree (premeditated). Alex Bruell / The Mirror
Emilio Torres. Courtesy photo.

Short film directed by Kentridge High graduate to play on Alaska Airlines flights

Emilio Torres shot the film in Federal Way

Emilio Torres. Courtesy photo.
Patrick Nicholas, 59, enters the courtroom Monday, April 17, 2023 at the Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent. He is standing trial for the December 1991 killing of 16-year-old Sarah Yarborough. Ellen M. Banner/The Seattle Times

Trial begins over 1991 murder of Federal Way High School student

Patrick Leon Nicholas is accused of killing Sarah Yarborough, 16, more than 30 years ago.

Patrick Nicholas, 59, enters the courtroom Monday, April 17, 2023 at the Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent. He is standing trial for the December 1991 killing of 16-year-old Sarah Yarborough. Ellen M. Banner/The Seattle Times
Iam Tongi sings “Courage” during the March 21 Federal Way City Council Meeting. Photo by Bruce Honda.

Federal Way’s Iam Tongi breaks into the Top 26 on ‘American Idol’

Decatur High School student and rising star heads back to Hawaii for the next round.

Iam Tongi sings “Courage” during the March 21 Federal Way City Council Meeting. Photo by Bruce Honda.
OLIVIA SULLIVAN, Sound Publishing
Federal Way Discount Guns, 4101 S. 324th St.

Judge rules against Federal Way Discount Guns

The gun store has argued magazine ban is unconstitutional

OLIVIA SULLIVAN, Sound Publishing
Federal Way Discount Guns, 4101 S. 324th St.
Decatur High School in Federal Way. COURTESY PHOTO, Federal Way Public Schools

Decatur High security guard pleads not guilty to sexual misconduct charge

Man allegedly had sex with 17-year-old female student

Decatur High School in Federal Way. COURTESY PHOTO, Federal Way Public Schools
Alex Bruell / The Mirror
Decatur High School senior and “American Idol” contestant Iam Tongi sits at home on March 1. His father Rodney spent a bonus from his job as an electrician to buy Iam’s guitar.

Federal Way singer Iam Tongi advances on ‘American Idol’

Decatur High School student stays alive in competition

Alex Bruell / The Mirror
Decatur High School senior and “American Idol” contestant Iam Tongi sits at home on March 1. His father Rodney spent a bonus from his job as an electrician to buy Iam’s guitar.
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Sound Transit board mulls options for light rail line through south Federal Way

Original preferred route through south Federal Way is incompatible with Tribal cultural resources, agency says.

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Trial starts for man charged in Sarah Yarborough murder

Federal Way High School student was killed in 1991 in Federal Way.

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Decatur High School security officer Derek Aparis. (Image via Federal Public Schools Facebook page.)

Decatur High security guard charged with sexual misconduct with student

Derek Aparis worked for Federal Way Public Schools

Decatur High School security officer Derek Aparis. (Image via Federal Public Schools Facebook page.)
Decatur High School senior and “American Idol” contestant Iam Tongi sits at home on March 1. His father Rodney spent a bonus from his job as an electrician to buy Iam’s guitar. Alex Bruell, Sound Publishing

Federal Way student goes viral on ‘American Idol’

Decatur High School senior amasses more than 100 million views of his performance of ‘Monsters’

Decatur High School senior and “American Idol” contestant Iam Tongi sits at home on March 1. His father Rodney spent a bonus from his job as an electrician to buy Iam’s guitar. Alex Bruell, Sound Publishing
Construction workers work on the final stop of the Federal Way Link Extension light rail route along South 320th Street in Federal Way on Nov. 19, 2021. Olivia Sullivan, Sound Publishing

Light rail service to Tacoma delayed to 2035

Sound Transit studies more options for the train line route.

Construction workers work on the final stop of the Federal Way Link Extension light rail route along South 320th Street in Federal Way on Nov. 19, 2021. Olivia Sullivan, Sound Publishing
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Federal Way likely to abandon plan to remove 9 acres of park land

City looked at building new public maintenance facility at Steel Lake Annex

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The Federal Way Inn and Suites at 1688 S. 348th St., which was formerly the Red Lion hotel. Photo take in February 2023. Alex Bruell / The Mirror

Federal Way Red Lion shelter opening still in limbo after meth clean-up

King County bought the hotel in 2021 to be emergency homelessness shelter

The Federal Way Inn and Suites at 1688 S. 348th St., which was formerly the Red Lion hotel. Photo take in February 2023. Alex Bruell / The Mirror
This photo, shared by Federal Way Mayor Jim Ferrell on Twitter, shows officers working at the Feb. 4 gun buy-back event in Federal Way.

Federal Way gun buy-back event nets 190 no-longer-wanted firearms

Goal to reduce the number of guns in the hands of people who don’t want or shouldn’t have them.

This photo, shared by Federal Way Mayor Jim Ferrell on Twitter, shows officers working at the Feb. 4 gun buy-back event in Federal Way.