Eastside students invited to join Senate page program
December 26, 2014
NEW — 3:15 p.m. Dec. 26, 2014
Students between the ages of 14 and 16 are invited to participate in the Senate page program, where each year hundreds of students from throughout Washington state get a firsthand look at how the legislative process works.
“The page program is an incredible educational opportunity and a great chance to learn from other students from different parts of the state,” said Sen. Steve Litzow, who represents Mercer Island, Bellevue, Beaux Arts, Issaquah, Newcastle, Renton and Sammamish. “Being able to participate directly in the legislative process can inspire our state’s future leaders.”
Students spend one week in Olympia, where they attend page school, hear directly from state lawmakers and other officials, and assist with proceedings on the Senate floor during debate and voting.
Interested students living in the 41st District are encouraged to apply by submitting an application to Litzow’s office for the 2015 session that runs from January through April.
Learn more or get an application by calling the Legislative Information Center at 800-562-6000 toll free; go to SenatorLitzow.com and select “Page Program;” or email SenatePageProgram@leg.wa.gov.
Editorial — Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus
December 24, 2014
In 1897, Dr. Philip O’Hanlon was asked by his then-8-year-old daughter Virginia whether Santa Claus really existed. O’Hanlon suggested she write to The Sun, a prominent New York City newspaper at the time.
Virginia’s letter became the introduction to an editorial in The Sun, and is reprinted here. Merry Christmas one and all!
Dear Editor,
I am 8 years old. Some of my little friends say there is no Santa Claus. Papa says, “If you see it in The Sun, it’s so.” Please tell me the truth. Is there a Santa Claus?
Virginia O’Hanlon
115 W. Ninety-Fifth St. Read more
Newcastle Police seeking dog owner
December 22, 2014
NEW — 5:50 p.m. Dec. 22, 2014
The Newcastle Police Department is asking for the public’s help to find the owner of a dog seen roaming around the city over the last three days.
The dog, which appears to be a black, female miniature pinscher, is not wearing a collar and was seen near Newcastle City Hall and Coal Creek Parkway.
The Newcastle Police and Regional Animal Services of King County have made extensive efforts to catch the dog to no avail.
If you are missing a dog matching this description, or know someone who is, call the police non-emergency police number: 206-296-3311.
New principal named at Hazelwood Elementary
December 19, 2014
NEW — 12:15 p.m. Dec. 19, 2014
Tracey Naylor
Hazelwood Elementary School has a new principal.
Tracey Naylor will take over the permanent position currently held by interim-Principal Judy Busch.
Naylor, a graduate of Columbia University and American University, comes to Hazelwood from Campbell Hill Elementary School, where she served as the assistant principal. Read more
City hires new public works director
December 18, 2014
NEW — 4:25 p.m. Dec. 18, 2014
Newcastle City Manager Rob Wyman announced that the city has hired Jeffrey Brauns as its new Public Works director.
Brauns comes to Newcastle from the city of Sammamish, where he served as city engineer and the senior transportation program manager.
Prior to that, he worked for various private sector engineering firms as well as the Washington State Department of Transportation.
Wyman said Brauns is very plugged in with other cities and regional organizations and currently serves as the American Public Works Association’s Transportation Committee chairman. Read more
Community Advisory Group makes Energize Eastside route recommendation
December 12, 2014
NEW — 9 a.m. Dec. 12, 2014
The Community Advisory Group working on Puget Sound Energy’s Energize Eastside transmission line upgrade project has made its final route recommendations and both include lines through Newcastle.
The panel – comprised of neighborhood, business and civic leaders – selected routes Oak and Willow at their final meeting Dec. 10. The advisory group’s final recommendation is based on its work over the last year, including discussion of community feedback collected throughout 2014.
Of the 20 advisory group members and residential alternates present at the meeting, 17 supported the final recommendation. Of those 17, eight expressed preference for the Oak route and five expressed preference for the Willow route, while four supported either route.
Three advisory group members had a dissenting opinion and supported none of the routes. One of those was Olympus resident Sue Stronk. Read more
Prepare now for potential windstorm
December 10, 2014
NEW — 3:30 p.m. Dec. 10, 2014
Puget Sound Energy encourages residents to download its mobile app to report outages and check restoration times ahead of a windstorm.
The Puget Sound region is bracing for a damaging windstorm set to cause havoc on Thursday. Read more
A Very Newcastle Christmas Celebration
December 9, 2014
Electrical customers to receive a credit from Puget Sound Energy
December 9, 2014
NEW — 2:05 p.m. Dec. 9, 2014
Puget Sound Energy customers will receive a one-time credit on their December and January electrical bills. The average electrical customer should receive about $40.
The credit comes from the sale of PSE’s assets in Jefferson County in 2010.The total amount to be paid to PSE customers will be $59.2 million. That includes interest that has accrued.
All 1.1 million electrical customers, business and residential, in Island, King, Kitsap, Kittitas, Pierce, Skagit, Thurston and Whatcom counties will get the credit that will appear automatically on their power bills.
Because of different billing cycles, most customers will see a portion of the credit on their December statement and the remainder on their January bill. Read more
Hazen defeats Liberty, 74-53, on the court
December 9, 2014
