Hazen basketball: boys roll, girls stumble
December 31, 2009
Hazen High School’s boys basketball team had a successful December. The team went 6-2 overall and 3-2 in conference play.
The girls team found slightly less success, going 3-5 overall and 2-3 in conference play. Read more
Liberty basketball: girls have success while boys struggle
December 31, 2009
The Liberty High School girls basketball team found mixed success in December, going 4-5 overall and 2-1 in conference play. However, the boys basketball team struggled, going 1-7 overall and 0-3 in conference play.
The girls defeated Mount Si 60-45, Sammamish 72-31 and Spanaway Lake 50-42. They lost to Skyline 60-30, Newport 46-39, Bellevue 55-48 and Miramonte (California) 51-36. Read more
Issaquah school board asked to remove Pledge of Allegiance from meetings
December 28, 2009
NEW — 4 p.m. Dec. 28, 2009
The Issaquah School Board may consider eliminating the Pledge of Allegiance at its regular business meetings.
At their Dec. 9 meeting, school board members were asked to eliminate the pledge from their meetings by parent Matthew Barry.
“The words ‘under God’ in the pledge are offensive to your atheist residents in this school district,” Barry said at the meeting. “A study from last year, The American Religious Identification Survey, indicates that 15 percent of Americans aren’t religious. In Washington, which is one of the most nonreligious states, 25 percent aren’t religious. So, I think it is safe to assume there are atheist taxpayers, parents, students and maybe even a few teachers in this school district.”
Hazelwood Holiday Sing-A-Long, Dec. 18, 2009
December 23, 2009
U.S. Census Bureau jobs open on Eastside
December 22, 2009
NEW — 10:15 a.m. Dec. 22, 2009
The U.S. Census Bureau is looking for Eastside residents to help take the 2010 census in East King County. They have temporary paid positions with the bureau beginning in late winter or early spring. The bureau has positions open in Issaquah, Fall City, Snoqualmie, North Bend and surrounding areas.
To apply and test for these positions, call the Bellevue Census Office at 425-749-5111, or go to www.2010censusjobs.gov for practice tests and more information. Walk-ins are welcome, though it is best to call and reserve a space, according to bureau officials.
The next testing times in or near Snoqualmie Valley are Jan. 6 at the KCLS Library Service Center in Issaquah. There is also a Spanish language test at 3:30 p.m. Dec. 29 at Sno-Valley HopeLink in Carnation.
Newcastle police, other agencies plan more DUI patrols
December 17, 2009
NEW — 6 a.m. Dec. 17, 2009
Newcastle police and officers from 25 other law enforcement agencies will increase DUI patrols through the weekend until Dec. 31.
During the stepped-up patrols, known as X-52 patrols, officers will look for people who drive after drinking or using drugs, and arrest them.
King County law enforcement agencies and the Washington State Patrol will work together to conduct DUI patrols on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, as well as Christmas, Dec. 26 and New Year’s Eve.
Newcastle woman faces charges in head-on I-90 crash
December 16, 2009
NEW — 12:30 p.m. Dec. 16, 2009
A crash near Preston caused by a suspected drunk driver sent two people to Harborview Medical Center with life-threatening injuries Tuesday afternoon.
Authorities said the driver, a Newcastle woman, was traveling eastbound in a silver Acura when the vehicle crossed the center median that separates eastbound and westbound Interstate 90. The accident occurred just east of the Preston exit.
A Washington State Patrol trooper witnessed the Acura cross the median, then drive down the hill and continue in the middle westbound lane — traveling in the opposite direction. The driver swerved right to avoid a collision with a tractor-trailer and instead collided with a Honda Civic. The accident occurred at about 12:30 p.m. Tuesday.
The driver of a Honda Civic was rushed to the hospital with life-threatening injuries after a Tuesday crash on Interstate 90 near Preston. — Washington State Patrol
Patriots suffer tough ending to a triumphant season
December 11, 2009
NEW — 11 a.m. Dec. 11, 2009
Liberty High School’s football team came within six points of winning its first state championship in 21 years on Dec. 4.
However, the Patriots were unable to close the gap, falling to the rival Bellevue Wolverines 23-17 in the Tacoma Dome.
“Right now, it’s tough to swallow that we lost,” Liberty quarterback Trey Wheeler said after the game.
The Wolverines came out with guns blazing, taking the ball first, marching down the field, converting on two fourth downs and scoring a touchdown. The 80-yard drive took eight minutes and 55 seconds.
Liberty blocked Bellevue’s extra point, holding Bellevue’s lead to 6-0, but Liberty’s offense immediately stalled on its first drive with three-straight incomplete passes.
On Bellevue’s next drive, it marched down the field once again. This time, Liberty was able to stop Bellevue at the 9-yard line, forcing Bellevue to kick a field goal and only increase its lead to 9-0.
On Liberty’s next drive, running back Chandler Jenkins broke a 72-yard touchdown run on the second play. The extra point brought Bellevue’s lead to 9-7.
Bellevue had no trouble marching 78 yards on its next drive for another touchdown, increasing its lead to 16-7 going into halftime.
City installs new park signs
December 7, 2009
City officials worked with the sign company Trade Marx to install 41 new parks signs (left) in the city. By Tim Pfarr
The signs were distributed across five parks, including China Creek Park, which received a green entrance sign. By Tim Pfarr
During the course of a few rainy November days, workers from the sign and display company Trade Marx installed 41 new signs across five of the city’s parks: Lake Boren Park, Donegal Park, Windtree Park, China Creek Park and Highlands Park. Read more
Newcomers, familiar face elected
December 7, 2009
Rich Crispo, Bill Erxleben and John Dulcich were elected to the Newcastle City Council in the Nov. 3 general election.
Crispo defeated Karin Blakley for Position 5 with 65 percent of the vote. It was the first time either had run for City Council. Read more
