Notes from Newcastle
March 5, 2015
A ‘shout out’ to local volunteers
The city of Newcastle honored a group Feb. 26 that far too often goes unnoticed — volunteers.
Each year, volunteers devote countless hours to city events. It is volunteers that help plan summer activities, care and advocate for the city’s vast trail network and protect Newcastle’s history.
About 50 volunteers and summer event sponsor representatives gathered at The Golf Club at Newcastle Feb. 26, where they were treated to snacks, an orchestra and a personal thank you from Newcastle Mayor Steve Buri and City Manager Rob Wyman.
Volunteerism is a big part of what makes Newcastle one of the best small cities in the country. So, here’s a special shout out to some of the groups and people that willingly offer their time to better the city: Read more
KeyBank celebrates its third anniversary
July 28, 2013
NEW — 10 a.m. July 28, 2013
The Newcastle KeyBank branch will celebrate its third anniversary with a community barbecue July 29.
KeyBank will provide hamburgers, hot dogs, popcorn, treats and refreshments at its branch from 11 a.m to 4 p.m.
The bank’s mascot KeyToon, will also be on hand for the celebration. KeyBank staffers will be available to answer all of your banking questions, too.
The bank is at 6917 Coal Creek Parkway S.E.
Ex-UW football player Luther Leonard accused of Newcastle bank robbery
July 23, 2013
NEW — 5:30 p.m. July 23, 2013
Fingerprints found on a discarded water bottle led police to arrest two men on Monday who had been dubbed the “Big Top Bandits” in connection with a series of take-over style bank robberies, according to a probable-cause statement outlining the police case against the men.
King County District Court Judge Mark Chow on Tuesday set bail at $1 million for Jeffrey Pool, 48, a Texas fugitive who fled to the Seattle area after committing armed robberies in that state. Chow ordered Pool to be held on investigation of five counts of first-degree robbery and on a fugitive warrant from Texas.
Pool’s alleged accomplice, Luther Ray Leonard, 23, was ordered held on one count of investigation of first-degree robbery, with Chow setting his bail at $100,000. Leonard is a former University of Washington football player, according to the probable-cause statement. Read more
Newcastle bank robberies connected to series of incidents
July 8, 2013
NEW — 3:40 p.m. July 8, 2013
King County Sheriff’s Office
Two masked men rob the Newcastle Bank of America July 1.
Detectives from the King County Sheriff’s Office, Seattle Police Department and the FBI’s Safe Streets Task Force are investigating a series of five armed, takeover-style bank robberies, two of which occurred in Newcastle.
Concerts in the Park lineup is set
July 1, 2011
The city has rounded out its Concerts in the Park lineup for the summer.
Lake Boren Park will host six concerts on Wednesdays throughout the summer, beginning July 13. Each concert — beginning at 7 p.m. — will be an hour and a half.
The Golf Course at Newcastle and KeyBank will sponsor the series.
City rounds out Concerts in the Park lineup
June 18, 2011
UPDATED — 4:15 p.m. June 27, 2011
The city has rounded out its Concerts in the Park lineup for the summer.
Lake Boren Park will host six concerts on Wednesdays throughout the summer, beginning July 13. Each concert will be an hour and a half, beginning at 7 p.m. *
The Golf Course at Newcastle and KeyBank will sponsor the series.
New photos released of Newcastle bank robber
May 6, 2011
The King County Sheriff’s Office released new photos March 29 of the man who robbed KeyBank, 6917 Coal Creek Parkway S.E., on March 18.
After robbing the bank, the man fled on foot across the parking lot to Safeway, 6911 Coal Creek Parkway S.E., where he entered the store through the south entrance. He took off his jacket, cap and glasses in the store and left through the north entrance.
The man who robbed the Newcastle KeyBank was caught on camera inside Safeway, 6911 Coal Creek Parkway S.E., just after the robbery. Contributed
Surveillance cameras at Safeway recorded the photos.
The man robbed KeyBank at about 12:20 p.m. that day. He walked inside and delivered a handwritten note to the teller explaining that he was robbing the bank, sheriff’s office spokesman Sgt. John Urquhart said. The teller did not see a weapon, but he gave the man money from the till and tripped the bank’s alarm.
The man was white, about 6 feet tall and thin. He wore a black cap, black jacket, light-colored blue jeans and black-rimmed glasses. Police searched the area but did not find the man, Urquhart said.
If you recognize this man, call the sheriff’s office at 206-296-3311 at any time of day, or call 911.
