City Hall limits staffing, road crews still working priority 1 and 2 streets
January 19, 2012
UPDATED — 1:55 p.m. Jan. 19, 2012
As most of Western Washington continues to dig out of hazardous conditions due to snow and ice, the city of Newcastle will again have limited staffing today.
The city is encouraging residents to call City Hall at 649-4444 to see if the services you need are available if you have questions.
The Public Works Department is working to plow priority 1 and priority 2 streets today.
Coal Creek Utility District’s business offices will close at 2 p.m. today due to inclement weather. CCUD will operate with limited emergency staff only. If you have a utility-related emergency, call 235-9200.
Snowstorm causes major headaches for King County road crews
January 18, 2012
NEW — 3:15 p.m. Jan. 18, 2012
The snowstorm pummeling the Puget Sound region is causing transportation headaches across King County, officials said Wednesday afternoon as road crews attempted to keep major arteries open to traffic.
Officials said no county road is escaping the impact of the latest winter storm.
County Road Services Division crews reported hazardous driving conditions along and several road closures across the region. The county focused mostly on plowing and sanding along the major roadways throughout the county, such as Issaquah-Hobart Road Southeast.
Snow alters Metro Transit, Sound Transit routes for Wednesday
January 17, 2012
NEW — 7:15 p.m. Jan. 17, 2012
The snow-laden forecast prompted King County Metro Transit and Sound Transit to roll out altered schedules and routes Wednesday due to winter weather.
Sound Transit is remaining on snow alert throughout the workweek. Service could be affected due to weather and road conditions, so riders should be prepared for service delays or disruptions. Some buses have also been equipped with chains and must travel at slower speeds.
Metro Transit is keeping buses on snow routing until future notice. The agency is also planning on canceling up to 30 bus routes Wednesday morning due to the snowstorm’s predicted severity.
City Council, Planning Commission meetings cancelled due to weather concerns
January 17, 2012
NEW — 4:55 p.m. Jan. 17, 2012
The Newcastle City Council’s regularly scheduled meeting tonight has been cancelled and rescheduled for 9 a.m. Jan. 20 at The Golf Club at Newcastle due to concerns about severe winter weather.
The City Council will hold an annual retreat during that time which is free and open to the public.
The Newcastle Planning Commission’s meeting scheduled for Jan. 18 has also been cancelled due to the weather, and a new date has not yet been determined.
Metro Transit will use snow routes Tuesday
January 16, 2012
NEW — 4:55 p.m. Jan. 16, 2011
King County Metro Transit will remain on snow routing countywide overnight and Jan. 17. In a statement released today, Metro Transit said there could be some bus trips or routes cancelled on Tuesday with more snowfall in the forecast. Conditions could also change throughout the day on Tuesday depending on the timing and location of the snowfall.
Before traveling, riders should check snow page before leaving. Updates to the online information begin as early as 4 a.m. and continue as needed until travel conditions improve. Sign up for Transit Alerts so you can be alerted when bus service status changes.
Metro Transit warns that even though weather and road conditions in the morning may not be bad in one area, delays and service disruptions can occur in other parts of the county that affects bus service. Buses will also be chained, which means they have to travel at slower speeds.
Waste Management routes delayed due to weather conditions
January 16, 2012
NEW — 11:15 a.m., Jan. 16, 2011
All residential and commercial recycling and garbage routes through Waste Management are running today but are delayed by approximately two hours. Waste Management will not be collecting any yard waste or organics in Newcastle, Renton and Burien.
Waste management asks residents to leave containers out until 5 p.m. If service is postponed, the company will post updates on its website and call customers as needed.
King County prepares for winter weather
November 15, 2011
NEW — 11 a.m. Nov. 15, 2011
With La Niña in the long-term forecast and a steady decline in temperatures, the King County Road Services Division is urging motorists to prepare for driving in wintry conditions.
The agency faces a challenge in the months ahead due to budget cuts.
Because wintry conditions can start earlier at higher elevations, county road crews topped off salt and sand stockpiles to be ready. The latest forecast indicates ice and snow could start any day.
City revenue on the rise, but still below normal
May 6, 2011
The city’s revenue in the first quarter of this year is better than it was last year, which is indicative of a slow economic recovery, at least in the area of development and sales tax revenue, city Finance Director Christine Olson said.
The city has collected $1.45 million in revenue so far this year, which accounts for 24 percent of the $5.95 million budgeted in the general fund for the year. The city has spent $1.44 million so far, which accounts for 23 percent of the $6.38 million budgeted in the general fund for the year.
Olson said $6.38 million is likely higher than what the city will pay out of the general fund for the year, as other city funds will reimburse some expenses.
Sales tax collections for the year are at 19 percent of what was budgeted for the year, which is about 4 percent below what is typically collected in the first quarter. By the end of the year, that could amount to a $31,000 shortfall in sales tax revenue.
Olson said expenses from the city’s contract with the King County Sheriff’s Office could be higher than expected for 2010. When the city’s officers are sick or on vacation, the city must pay to have an additional officer fill in temporarily, and the exact cost of that can often be hard to predict. The city will pay for the 2010 overtime this year.
Crews shift focus to freezing conditions on roads
February 24, 2011
NEW — 12:50 p.m. Feb. 24, 2011
Temperatures should plummet into the teens Thursday night, raising the threat of freezing conditions on roads in Newcastle and surrounding areas.
In the city, crews are working in 12-hour shifts to keep roads clear, said Steve Roberge, interim public works director. Crews have focused on the city’s priority routes, clearing side streets as conditions allow.
He said the priority routes are clear as of Thursday afternoon.
High winds are coming; prepare now for power outages
December 19, 2008
NEW — 12:09 p.m. Dec. 19, 2008
The National Weather Service has issued a high wind warning in effect from 9 a.m. Saturday to 4 p.m. Sunday. This warning upgrades the high wind watch, which had been in effect.
Residents and local officials in the warned area should be prepared for widespread damage and power outages that could last for more than a week.
People need to prepare now for major disruption resulting from this windstorm. Be sure to have enough supplies on hand to last for several days should you be stranded at home. By late Saturday morning, it may be too late to prepare. Read more
