COMMUNITY
January 2, 2009
Events
The Chamber of Commerce hosts a lunch meeting from 11 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. Jan. 14 at Tapatio Mexican Grill, 6920 Coal Creek Parkway S.E. The featured speaker is Read more
Tutors sought for Hazelwood Elementary School program
January 2, 2009
Hazelwood Elementary School is looking for volunteers to work with students in its
Winter blankets region in snow
January 2, 2009
Traffic snarled, school districts closed

Karina and Lucas Fluegge, of Newcastle, sled on a hill in Lake Boren Park last month. By Dan Hubbell
A fierce winter storm struck Newcastle and Western Washington with a blast of snow Dec. 18, causing an icy commute that snarled morning rush hour Read more
Election forum set for chief candidates
January 2, 2009
The election season is upon us once again. A little less than two months after the Nov. 4 general election, King County voters on
Fire destroys elementary school teacher’s home
January 2, 2009
A Newcastle Elementary School teacher’s house was destroyed in a Dec. 21 fire.

The fire at 4721 192nd Place S.E. destroyed everything, causing about $600,000 in damage. By Chantelle Lusebrink
Jessica Smith, a third-grade teacher, and her family were at a relative’s house having dinner at the time of the fire.
Firefighters battled the fire at 4721 192nd Place S.E. in Issaquah’s South Read more
Legislators detail goals for 2009
January 2, 2009
The Legislature convenes Jan. 12 with the daunting task of closing a projected $5.8 billion shortfall.
Last month, Gov. Chris Gregoire proposed slashing more than $3.5 billion in funding Read more
Obama handily beats McCain in Newcastle
January 2, 2009
Gregoire, Reichert tops among local voters
Color Newcastle blue with a tinge of red politically from the November election. Barack Obama handily defeated
Councilwoman named to Harborview board
January 2, 2009
Newcastle City Councilwoman Lisa Jensen has been named to the board of trustees at Harborview Medical Center.
Jensen was nominated by King County Councilman Reagan Dunn and confirmed by the 13-member Read more
Eagles sink Patriot swimmers in the last event before snowstorms
January 2, 2009
Austin Briggs, Liberty High School junior, swims the breaststroke leg of his winning 200-yard individual medley against Issaquah, taking about two seconds off his personal best time. By Greg Farrar
In the last high school sports event before the harsh winter weather hit, the Issaquah and Liberty high schools’ boys swim and dive teams took to the pool Dec. 16 in what coaches consider one of the more friendly meets of Read more
Liberty athlete signs with Huskies
January 2, 2009
Liberty High School senior Eric Peterson has signed a letter of intent to play baseball for the University of Washington.

Eric Peterson is safe at second with an RBI double during a baseball game in March, as Hazen shortstop Kevin Schwab covered the base. By Greg Farrar
Peterson is the first Liberty High School player to sign with the Huskies sincethe UW signed Liberty graduate Tim Lincecum after he led the Patriots to the 3A 2003 state championship.
In November, Lincecum, now pitching for the San Francisco Giants, was named the National League Cy Young winner.
Peterson said he’s looking forward to taking his game to the college level.
“It’s always been a dream of mine to play Division 1 baseball, and at the University of Washington I’ll also get a good education,” he said.
Last season, Peterson was a first-team selection as a utility player on the All-KingCo 3A team and also earned second-team 3A all-state honors from the Washington State Baseball Coaches Association.
“Eric plays shortstop in high school,” said Ken Knutson, who is entering his 17th year as coach of the Huskies baseball team. “He could end up as a corner infielder or outfielder for us. He’s another very good Read more