May 17, 2019
National Public Works Week is May 19-25
May 19-25 is National Public Works Week and the City of Newcastle joins towns, counties and states across the nation in recognizing the vital role Public Works professionals play in keeping communities safe, livable and functioning. 

You could call our Public Works Department the City’s unsung heroes. The work they do behind the scenes to keep your roads safe, your parks and trails beautiful, your stormwater system clean, and much, much more, is an important part of what makes Newcastle one of the best small cities in America.

Click the button below to learn more about the unsung heroes of Newcastle's Public Works Department!
Community News
Fiscal Sustainability Plan
On Tuesday, the Newcastle City Council received its first look at a draft of budget strategies to address Newcastle's financial challenges.

During the May 14 Fiscal Sustainability Workshop, Management Partners Consultant Steve Toler shared the details of the City's current financial landscape and suggested strategies to resolve the projected budget deficit.

The materials from that meeting, including the audio and a copy of the presentation, are now available. Click the button below to view them.
Newcastle 25th Anniversary Poster Contest
Calling all Newcastle artists! We’re seeking your vision, creativity and skill to create a special poster honoring the City of Newcastle’s 25th anniversary. The theme is Honoring Our Past, Shaping Our Future.

The contest is open to Newcastle residents of all ages. Get creative and use any art medium! Submissions are due June 10. Click the button below to view full contest rules and submission information.
Sign Code Summaries
The Newcastle City Council adopted a new sign code in April. Take a moment to familiarize yourself with the new rules regulating signage in our community. For example, signs are no longer permitted in any street medians.

Community Development Director Steve Osguthorpe prepared a few handouts summarizing the highlights of the new code. Click the button below to learn more.
May 27: Historic Newcastle Cemetery Tour
Have you ever wanted to explore the Historic Newcastle Cemetery? One of Newcastle’s greatest treasures sits on a forested hillside overlooking Lake Boren. It stands as a reminder of the city’s rich coal-mining past, but it’s easy to miss, hidden behind a fence and closed to the public to keep out vandals.

This Memorial Day (May 27), visitors are invited to visit the historic location and learn a little bit more about its significance. Newcastle Historical Society member Vickie Olson, whose ancestors worked in the Newcastle mines, will lead a narrated hike of the cemetery at 1 p.m. The cemetery is at 7811 129th Ave. SE. We hope to see you there!
Get Involved: Newcastle Days
Preparations are well underway for the annual Newcastle Days celebration on Sept. 6-7 at Lake Boren Park. This year is set to be extra special as the City commemorates its 25th anniversary. We need your help to make it happen! We're seeking a few individuals and/or groups with unique talents to bring a new element to the festival.

Do you know how to make balloon animals? Are you a master magician? We're seeking those talents and more to serve as wandering park entertainers throughout the day on Saturday, Sept. 7.

If you're interested, please email pattim@newcastlewa.gov
Read about the latest police happenings in our Newcastle Police Blotter, written by Police Chief Jason Houck. In this edition, Chief Houck offers a final update on the armed prowler.

The Newcastle City Council will welcome King County Councilmember Reagan Dunn to the May 21 meeting. They'll also discuss the Town Hall, a Public Engagement Strategy and more.

King County’s project team invites you to meet the team and learn about the Coal Creek Sewer Upgrade Project. The next community meeting is May 29 from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at the Newcastle Library.

The Council approved amendments to Newcastle parking regulations at the May 7 meeting. The action comes after the City received various citizen complaints regarding vehicles parked in areas for more than 24 hours.

It's that time of year again. We've received several reports of bear sightings across the community. We've compiled some tips and info about co-existing with bears!

Thank you to all the people and pups who joined us at our dog resource fair, organized by our youth board! View pics from the event on our Instagram page.

Photo of the Week
Posted on May 15 - Peace Officers Memorial Day (a date that pays special recognition to those law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty)

"On this Peace Officers Memorial Day, the City of Newcastle and the Newcastle Police Department have Deputy Richard Herzog and his family in our hearts and minds. Thank you for all you did for this community, Rich."

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