Capturing a picture-perfect moment

August 1, 2008

Matt Dalton takes a photo of his son Kai, 3, during the opening of Windtree Park last month. For more on the new park, see story, page 12. Photo by Jim Feehan

Matt Dalton takes a photo of his son Kai, 3, during the opening of Windtree Park last month. For more on the new park, see story, page 12. Photo by Jim Feehan

Gun-wielding bandit robs two fast-food restaurants

August 1, 2008

A brazen armed robber who held up two restaurants in broad daylight last month, one while customers were present, remains at large.

The first robbery was at 1:30 p.m. July 3 at Papa Read more

Council approves condemnation measure for Transit Center

August 1, 2008

After voicing concerns about the process of open conversation, the City Council unanimously approved a measure to authorize condemnation proceedings to make room Read more

Newcastle Days entertainment lined up

August 1, 2008

Timeless Soul, Nathan Chance & North Coast among acts returning

A few bands that performed in this summer’s Concerts in the Park series will return for Newcastle Days. 

Timeless Soul, a band Read more

YMCA breaks ground in Newcastle

August 1, 2008

Newcastle residents will soon find it’s fun to stay at the YMCA.

Last month, the Lake Heights Family YMCA reached its $2.6 million fundraising goal for its Coal Creek YMCA project, and clearing began on the 49,000-square-foot Read more

City struggles with repeat graffiti problem

August 1, 2008

Vandals repeatedly spray painted this fence along Newcastle Way earlier this year, prompting a City Council member to ask about a graffiti ordinance. Photo contributed

City Councilwoman Carol Simpson is upset with the graffiti in Newcastle, so she has asked city staff to research antigraffiti ordinances.

Vandals have hit a high traffic area frequently this year. Between 5 p.m. May 4 and 8:20 a.m. May 5, graffiti appeared on a fence in the 12300 block of Newcastle Way. The property owner immediately removed the graffiti.

The following day, between 5 p.m. May 5 Read more

Chamber seeks Diamond Awards nominees

August 1, 2008

Alex Bell (right) and his mother, Jayne Bell, pose for a photo at last year’s Diamond Awards ceremony. Photo contributed

Alex Bell is a young man who doesn’t know when to quit, and that is very good for everyone whose life he touches. From building homes in Mexico to organizing a fundraiser for Ugandan children, Bell reaches beyond Newcastle to make a difference.

For his efforts, Bell, a senior-to-be at Liberty High School, was named last fall as one of the recipients of the Diamond Awards, a “special honor for ordinary people who do extraordinary things.”

Bell is an Eagle Scout and member of the National Honor Society. He is active in three sports at Liberty and still finds Read more

Windtree Park opens for business

August 1, 2008

Kai Dalton, 3, rides some of the new playground equipment during the opening of Windtree Park last month. By Jim Feehan

Liz Thompson enjoys the proximity of Newcastle’s newest park. Windtree Park opened for business last month after several years in the making.

Mylar balloons, miniature rubber ducks and pinwheels adorned the park in the Windtree neighborhood.

Park goers were treated to lemonade, iced tea and cupcakes during the grand opening.

“I love the natural setting of the park and the fact that it fits so well into the neighborhood,” said Thompson, a Windtree resident and member of the Newcastle Planning Commission.

Going to the park will no longer require a drive to Lake Boren Park for Thompson and her two sons: Corban 4, and Liam, 19 months.

“I’m so excited to have a park to walk to,” Thompson said.

Windtree resident Matt Dalton was an early supporter of the park in his neighborhood. Dalton said the Read more

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