Update on Britt homicide
Murder in the first degree charges were filed April 8 against Kent resident Joseph Njonge, 24, in the slaying of Federal Way resident Jane Carol Britt, 75.
Njonge had worked as a nursing assistant at the Garden Terrace Alzheimer’s facility in Federal Way, where Britt’s husband resided, for one year without incident.
Federal Way police arrested Njong on April 3 for investigation of murder, Federal Way police Cmdr. Stan McCall said. Probable cause for a robbery charge was also found, according to court documents.
Britt was found dead March 19 in her car parked outside Garden Terrace. She had visited the center the previous day to see her husband. The cause of death was strangulation by ligature, according to King County medical examiner Dr. Richard Haruff.
The suspect was linked to the case through skin and blood DNA samples police collected from underneath Britt’s fingernails, according to court documents. A Costco card belonging to Britt’s husband was also found in possession of the suspect at the time of his arrest, according to court documents.
The suspect denies slaying Britt or having any contact with her that could have led to his DNA being found on her body.
Decatur choir takes first place in NYC
The Decatur High School concert choir took first place in a national competition in New York City last week.
The National Invitational Festival of Gold is the most exclusive competition held during the International Heritage Music Festival. Twenty-five choirs from high schools throughout the country were invited to compete. The choirs earned spots in the prestigious competition by beating opponents at smaller regional competitions.
The Decatur students have worked hard for the honor — rehearsing at least four days a week during class, some evenings and some mornings before school.
Police visit smoking van
Federal Way police as well as South King Fire and Rescue responded to a report of a suspicious vehicle at approximately 12:30 p.m. April 9 at Starbucks, 2032 S. 320th St.
A Starbucks manager called police when smoke was seen coming from underneath a van parked outside the business, according to the police dispatch record. When police arrived, they discovered the vehicle operated on biodiesel fuel, which is often made from vegetable oil. A propane tank was found attached to the underside of the van, reports said.
Police determined the vehicle and its owner were not dangerous and there were no signs of a fire. The owner was not arrested or cited.
Tip-A-Cop fundraiser
The Tip-A-Cop Law Enforcement Torch Run Campaign will take place from noon to 8 p.m. today, April 12, at the Federal Way Red Robin, 2233 S. 320th St.
Federal Way police officers will serve as waiters and waitresses, collecting tips to benefit Special Olympics Washington. Customers may pay for police to sing birthday songs or handcuff them, said Mary Do, Law Enforcement Torch Run Campaign manager. For more information, visit the Special Olympics Washington Web site at www.sowa.org.
Gregory will challenge Priest for state representative
On April 7, Federal Way resident Carol Gregory announced her campaign for 30th District state representative.
Gregory will run as a Democrat for the seat currently held by Republican Skip Priest.
Gregory is a former elementary school teacher, a former president of the Washington Education Association, former representative on the Seattle-King County Workforce Development Council and a former member of the Small Business Improvement Council for the Governor of Washington. She currently serves as executive director of BuRSST for Prosperity, a program that helps low-income residents in Burien, Renton, SeaTac, Skyway and Tukwila.
Gregory’s primary platforms focus on schools, jobs, traffic and fiscal accountability. She is concerned about workforce education and growing the middle class, she said.
“Most of the education issues that really affect how local school districts can operate, and what decisions are available to local school boards, are made at the state level,” Gregory said. “I think the Legislature is the right place for my skills and experience.”
Gregory said she has not met her election opponent, but added that he has voted against funding for programs that she supports.
Priest is expected to file for re-election to his fourth term, with an official announcement to come. Priest is a former mayor of Federal Way and former chair of the city’s Land Use/Transportation Committee. He is also a member of several local boards, and currently runs his own land management and business-consulting firm, according to a biography at www.houserepublicans.wa.gov.
The election will be held in November.
To contact Carol Gregory, e-mail gilgregory@comcast.net.
To contact Skip Priest, e-mail priest.skip@leg.wa.gov.
