Memorial service for Jim Simpkins Sunday
January 14, 2011
NEW — 12:05 p.m. Jan. 14, 2011
James Delzon Simpkins of Bellevue passed away peacefully Jan. 6. A Celebration of Jim’s life will be held at 3 p.m. Jan. 16 at the Newport Hill Pool Clubhouse, 5464 119th Ave. S.E., Bellevue.
Jim was born Nov. 22, 1932 in Bronxville, N.Y. Jim grew up in New York and was an Eagle Scout. Jim served as Corpsman in the Navy. He graduated from Columbia University with a degree in pharmacy in 1956 and then worked for Burroughs Wellcome where he covered the entire state of Montana.
State minimum wage increases to $8.67 for 2011
January 13, 2011
NEW — 5:45 p.m. Jan. 13, 2011
The state minimum wage increases 12 cents to $8.67 per hour for 2011.
The minimum wage applies to workers in agricultural and nonagricultural jobs, though 14- and 15-year-old employees may be paid 85 percent of the adult minimum wage, or $7.37 per hour.
The state Department of Labor & Industries adjusts the minimum wage each year in September as required by Initiative 688.
Snow forecasted for this afternoon
January 11, 2011
NEW — 10:30 a.m. Jan. 11, 2011
Snow is forecast to start falling after 4 p.m. today — just in time for the afternoon commute.
National Weather Service forecasters said the Newcastle area could receive 1 to 3 inches of snow tonight. The chance of precipitation is 90 percent.
Residents should also brace for strong winds, including gusts up to 29 mph.
The weather service has issued a winter weather advisory for the area from 4 p.m. Tuesday until 4 a.m. Wednesday.
Meteorologists said the temperature and the snow level should rise Wednesday. Expect rainy conditions for the rest of the day and Wednesday night.
Police Blotter for Jan. 10
January 10, 2011
NEW — 6 p.m. Jan. 10, 2010
MySpace attackers
Police responded to Southeast 88th Street and 116th Avenue Southeast just before 7:30 p.m. Dec. 23. A man had jumped from a moving white, four-door Toyota Corolla and been pepper sprayed. The man said he had met two women on MySpace and met them at a Bellevue mall. Together they drove to Newcastle, and the women stole the man’s cell phone — worth $21 — and told him they were going to kill him. As the car slowed, the man jumped from the car, and one of the women got out and sprayed the man in the face. Witnesses came to help the man, and the women drove away.
