🌱 See what opening day on Federal Way’s new light rail looked like

Hi Federal Way! We have the latest buzz right here. Let's keep you in the loop and get this morning started right! ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• See what opening day on Federal Way’s new light rail looked like
• How St. Francis Hospital just expanded care options for Federal Way families
• Where can you drop off donations in Federal Way this winter?

📸 Have a great pic of holiday decorations from around Federal Way? Post it to Federal Way photos of the day! ☃️ 🟢-🟠-🟣-🔴-🟡-🔵 ☃️

Today's riddle: Can February March? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Tuesday: Becoming windier with rain, with a high of 57 and low of 41 degrees.
• Wednesday: Cooler with showers around, temps: high: 47, low: 41.
• Thursday: Rain; breezy in the morning, with a high of 51 and low of 40 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• Sunday Video: Opening Day of the Federal Way Light Rail Extension (theurbanist.org) — Federal Way residents can now ride light rail directly into a new hometown terminus, thanks to Sound Transit’s 7.8‑mile Federal Way Link Extension that opened December 6. A new video captures opening-day celebrations, station scenes in Kent and Federal Way, and what riders can expect along the expanded route.
   

• Project of the Year Finalist, Best Health Care: Virginia Mason Franciscan Health, St. Francis Family Birth Center (enr.com) — Families in Federal Way now have a modern St. Francis Family Birth Center and upgraded neonatal intensive care unit close to home, thanks to a $24 million renovation finished in 2024. The project also freed space for 24 more acute-care beds, boosting the hospital’s capacity to serve South King and North Pierce County patients without sending them to Seattle or Bellevue.
   

• Community generosity powers a season of giving at Valley Cities (federalwaymirror.com) — Several Valley Cities and Columbia Bank locations in Federal Way are collecting toys, coats, clothing, and toiletries to support neighbors facing mental health challenges, housing instability, and financial stress this winter. Residents can drop off items at sites including the Federal Way Police Department or give online to help sustain counseling, recovery, and housing programs serving people across South King County.
   

📸 Around Federal Way

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

🗓 Upcoming Events in Federal Way

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

Wednesday December 17

• Restaurant on Mars: a hands-on family food workshop
  Federal Way 320th Library , 848 South 320th Street , Federal Way
  12:00 pm
• Intro to Adobe Illustrator
  Federal Way Library , 34200 1st Way South , Federal Way
  1:00 pm
• Reading Buddies at Renton Library (Study Zone)
  Renton Library , 100 Mill Avenue South , Renton
  4:00 pm
• Makerspace Independent Study
  Federal Way Library , 34200 1st Way South , Federal Way
  4:00 pm
• After School Club
  Federal Way Library , 34200 1st Way South , Federal Way
  4:00 pm
• Reading Buddies at the Federal Way Library (Study Zone)
  Federal Way Library , 34200 1st Way South , Federal Way
  4:00 pm
• Vision Board Workshop
  Federal Way 320th Library , 848 South 320th Street , Federal Way
  5:00 pm
• Tutors at the Federal Way Library (Study Zone)
  Federal Way Library , 34200 1st Way South , Federal Way
  6:00 pm

📣 Federal Way Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

🗓 Events Nearby

Tuesday December 16

• Intro to the Laser Cutter: Glowforge
  Federal Way Library , 34200 1st Way South , Federal Way
  3:00 pm
• Up and Atom: Family Game Night
  Tacoma Public Library Kobetich Branch , 212 Browns Point Blvd NE , Tacoma
  4:00 pm
• Up and Atom
  Tacoma Public Library Kobetich Branch , 212 Browns Point Blvd NE , Tacoma
  4:00 pm
• Intro to the Sewing Machine
  Federal Way Library , 34200 1st Way South , Federal Way
  4:00 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• How you seen this cat?
  She is scottishfold female cat. Got away in July of this year. She was my deceased daughters cat. I still have hope someone can return her. She… (Nextdoor Marine Hills)
• **SCAM ALERT **
  Post advertising for a driver for elderly lady..I called and they wanted me to send my driver license before receiving the job link. (Nextdoor North Lake)

• Government Jobs posted a job opening for Fitness Attendant in Federal Way. Apply here.
• Target posted a job opening for Overnight Inbound (Stocking) (T1947) in Federal Way. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Federal Way here.

🗞 Nearby News

Des Moines

• Hi-Liners Musical Theatre's 'Beetlejuice Jr.' brings big laughs to the stage in January (b-townblog.com)

Auburn

• Community generosity powers a season of giving at Valley Cities (auburn-reporter.com)
• Two track closures end horse racing in Canada west of the Rockies (animals24-7.org)
• Dear King County District 2 Resident, (thefactsnewspaper.com)

Tacoma

Ok Federal Way! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I don't know, but April May!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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