King County deputy found asleep in patrol car is fired
July 17, 2014
NEW — 12:45 p.m. July 17, 2014
King County Sheriff John Urquhart has fired a deputy who was arrested in Newcastle on New Year’s Eve.
The deputy, who was found on-duty and asleep in his patrol car, had prescription drugs in his system, according to a previous report from the Bellevue Police Department.
No details were released on the termination this week of Deputy Whitney Richtmyer, pending the release of paperwork outlining the findings.
Urquhart said he fired Richtmyer after meeting Tuesday with the deputy in a so-called Loudermillhearing, where deputies are allowed a final opportunity to plead their case. Read more
Newcastle City Council roundup — July 15
July 16, 2014
NEW — 2 p.m. July 16, 2014
The Newcastle City Council held its second meeting of the month July 15. Here is the Cliffs Notes version of what happened at City Hall. View the full meeting agenda online here.
Energize Eastside
For the second straight meeting, the Newcastle City Council had a full audience, as neighbors gathered to hear another presentation about Puget Sound Energy’s Energize Eastside project.
This time, the citizen group Coalition of Eastside Neighborhoods for Sensible Energy (CENSE) had the chance to offer its own presentation about the project. Read more
Weeklong traffic snarl starts Friday on I-90
July 16, 2014
NEW — 6 a.m. July 16, 2014
One westbound lane will close for seven days
Drivers of westbound Interstate 90 should ready themselves for significant delays due to a $1.6 million construction project that begins July 18.
Westbound I-90 will be reduced to one lane near Bellevue Way for seven days as the Washington State Department of Transportation replaces the expansion joints on the East Channel bridge, which connects Mercer Island to Bellevue over a small channel of Lake Washington.
Prepare for traffic backups June 18-25 as workers repair two 92-foot-long expansion joints that are deteriorating on Interstate 90 near Mercer Island.
County report, Energize Eastside and more on July 15 City Council agenda
July 14, 2014
NEW — 5 p.m. July 14, 2014
If you want a seat at Tuesday’s City Council meeting, you’d better make it down to City Hall early.
Council chambers will likely be packed for the second meeting in a row, as the Newcastle City Council hears a citizen presentation about Energize Eastside.
The Coalition of Eastside Neighborhoods for Sensible Energy (CENSE) will offer its thoughts on Puget Sound Energy’s project and what it means for the community.
At the July 1 meeting, the Olympus Homeowners Association spoke about the project and encouraged the Newcastle City Council to stay engaged in the process. Read more
