Newcastle selected as a Tree City USA community for sixth straight year
April 12, 2013
NEW — 3:30 p.m. April 12, 2013
The Washington State Department of Natural Resources has recognized 82 cities — including Newcastle — that have been chosen as a Tree City USA for their efforts in keeping urban forests healthy and vibrant. It is the sixth year Newcastle has been recognized as a Tree City.
Washington celebrated Arbor Day on April 10. There are events in communities throughout the state during the month of April to celebrate Arbor Day.
To be acknowledged as a Tree City USA by the Arbor Day Foundation, a city must designate staff to care for trees, appoint a citizen tree board to advocate for community forestry, establish a tree ordinance, spend at least $2 per capita on tree care and celebrate Arbor Day.
Learn how to properly plant and care for new trees by going to the International Society of Arboriculture website at www.treesaregood.com.
Coal Creek Family YMCA celebrates Healthy Kids Day
April 12, 2013
NEW — 1:10 p.m. April 12, 2013
On Saturday, April 27, the Coal Creek Family YMCA is celebrating YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day with a free community event to get more families moving, learning and living healthier.
Healthy Kids Day, a national initiative of the Y, features fun, educational activities, obstacle courses, archery, tumbling, rock climbing and more. Group Health, Youth Eastside Services, Usborne Books, Waste Management, Seattle Children’s Hospital, Cummins Chiropractic and Hope Heart Institute will be in attendance.
“At YMCA’s Healthy Kids Day, we are focusing on health and education to ensure fewer children are at an increased risk for childhood obesity and more children succeed in school,” said Kim Von Wald, Family Programs director at the Coal Creek Family YMCA. “But it’s not just a single day of fun, active play and learning – it’s a kick off to helping parents get a jump on creating a healthier summer.” Read more
Liberty students explore history’s newsmakers
April 12, 2013
NEW — 12:40 p.m. April 12, 2013
Liberty High School freshman Tania Nambo-Escobar could literally talk for hours about the history of Che Guevara.
“I love presenting about Che Guevara in general,” she said. “Ask me a question and, whether you like it or not, I will give you a full speech about it.”
Nambo-Escobar knows a lot about the subject, after she spent months researching and putting together an exhibit to enter into the local History Day competition.
At the end of March, Nambo-Escobar and a handful of her classmates took their projects to the regional competition at Green River Community College. Eight student projects did well enough to advance to the state contest held at Bellevue College in May. Read more
Katie Nicole Tinnea
April 11, 2013
Katie Nicole Tinnea, 30, of Snoqualmie, passed away peacefully April 4, 2013, after courageously fighting cancer for two years.
She is survived and will be missed by her husband Ryan, daughter Kennedy, parents Tony and Jocelyn Aldridge, and many extended family members and friends.
She will be remembered for her love, positivity, grace, energy and humor. Katie was an inspiration to many as a well-respected teacher at Newcastle Elementary School, and as a spokesperson for colon cancer prevention, research and awareness. Her passions included her family, her students, holidays, the Seahawks and shopping!
A public memorial service to celebrate Katie’s life will be held at First Presbyterian Church of Bellevue, 1717 Bellevue Way N.E., Bellevue, WA 98004, on Sunday, April 21, at 2 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Katie’s name can be made to the Colon Cancer Coalition.
Mayor delivers State of the City address
April 11, 2013
NEW — 1:00 p.m. April 11, 2013
Rich Crispo
Newcastle Mayor Rich Crispo assured residents that the city is in relatively good shape, with people clamoring to live in the quaint community, during his 2013 State of the City address.
“We are the most popular place on the Eastside right now to live,” he said. “You look around and you find houses for sale, there aren’t many.”
The speech, given before residents and the business community at the Newcastle Chamber of Commerce’s April 10 luncheon, addressed the city’s financial health, community events and the council’s new Community Activities Commission. Read more
Crispo will run for re-election
April 11, 2013
NEW — 12:50 p.m. April 11, 2013
Mayor Rich Crispo announced that he will file for re-election this spring, when he addressed the audience at the Newcastle Chamber of Commerce’s April 10 luncheon.
“I am going to run again,” he said. “I really like the people in the city, I really do. I’m involved in a lot of stuff and I meet a lot of folks and I just love it.”
Crispo was elected to the Newcastle City Council in 2009. He became the mayor in 2012.
He currently occupies Position No. 5 on the council. His current term is set to expire at the end of the year.
Election Day is Nov. 5. The deadline for candidates to file for election is May 17.
Learn more about the upcoming election in the May edition of the Newcastle News.
Council says gas tax should fund 520 budget shortfall
April 9, 2013
NEW — 4:25 p.m. April 9, 2013
The Newcastle City Council unanimously passed a resolution urging the state legislature to increase the gas tax in order to cover the $1.4 billion shortfall for the project to replace the state Route 520 floating bridge.
The resolution, which was passed at the April 2 council meeting, offered an alternative to the proposed tolling of Interstate 90 as a means to finance the rest of the 520 bridge replacement.
“My mind is, we tell Judy Clibborn and the state legislature to get on the stick and do what they should do and pass a 10-cent gas tax and pay off the $1.4 billion that way and forget the tolling on I-90,” Councilman Bill Erxleben said. Read more
Renton School Board selects new superintendent
April 9, 2013
NEW — 11:40 a.m. April 9, 2013
Dr. Merri Rieger
Just a week after she spent a day in the district, meeting with staff and community members, the Renton School Board chose Dr. Merri Rieger as the district’s new superintendent.
“We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Merri Rieger as our new superintendent,” said Board President Lynn Desmarais in a statement. “Merri has the depth of experience and sense of vision that make her a perfect fit for the Renton School District.” Read more
Newcastle residents race for Renee
April 8, 2013
NEW — 3:30 p.m. April 8, 2013
Washington State Patrol Trooper Renee Padgett doesn’t live in Newcastle, but with a storied history that includes the successful creation of a program to put photos of missing children on blank semi trucks, it’s no wonder that locals have stepped up to support her as she courageously fights cancer.
In May 2012, doctors diagnosed Padgett with a rare cancer called multiple myeloma, which is a cancer of plasma cells, a type of white-blood cell present in bone marrow.
“It’s not a curable cancer, but she is one of the most positive people I know,” said Marcella Egan, Padgett’s friend and caretaker. “I wouldn’t be able to go through what she’s going through. She doesn’t let anything get her down.” Read more
