Police bust car prowler
March 10, 2010
NEW — 4:15 p.m. March 10, 2010
Newcastle Police arrested a car prowler the morning of March 4 for possession of stolen property. Most of the stolen property in the man’s possession was linked to car prowls that had been committed several hours earlier in the Olympus and Highlands neighborhoods.
Also among the items police found in the man’s possession was a unique purse, but the owner of the purse has not been identified.
If your car was broken into the night of March 3-4 and you have not filled out a police report, do so by calling police at 206-296-3311.
Eye surgeon charged in murder plot awaits trial
March 8, 2010
NEW — 6 a.m. March 8, 2010
Newcastle man Michael Mockovak — who pleaded not guilty to two counts of criminal solicitation to commit first-degree murder — appeared in court Feb. 18 for a case setting hearing. Another case setting hearing has been scheduled for May 27.
King County prosecutors said in charging papers that Mockovak, an eye surgeon for Clearly Lasik, sought to have his business partner, Joseph King, and former Clearly Lasik President Brad Klock killed.
After his arrest, Mockovak paid his $2 million bail. Although he remains out of prison while he awaits trial, he is prohibited from contacting King and his family, and Klock and his family.
The state Department of Health also suspended Mockovak’s medical license.
District names new Newcastle Elementary principal
March 4, 2010
NEW — 3:10 p.m. March 4, 2010
Apollo Elementary School Principal Marla Erath will be the next principal of Newcastle Elementary School.
Erath will start at Newcastle in July, and the news was announced in a letter sent to families March 3.
“This was a very difficult decision for me to make. I will miss everyone at Apollo tremendously,” Erath wrote. “However, I am following an important life lesson that we try to teach all of our students: Challenge and change are often necessary for growth and fresh perspectives.
KCLS details plans for Newcastle Library
March 4, 2010
The Newcastle Library, which will be at the corner of Newcastle Way and 129th Avenue Southeast, will be 11,000 square feet with several distinguishing features, including a grand entryway. Drawing contributed by KCLS
King County Library System officials released detailed plans for the Newcastle Library last month. The library will be 11,000 square feet with 44 parking stalls, and most of the stalls will be in an underground parking garage beneath the library.
Levy voter turnout exceeds 40 percent
March 4, 2010
The election to determine the financial future of the Issaquah School District attracted more than 22,000 voters, final King County Elections results released last week show.
Turnout reached 40 percent — or 22,629 ballots cast — as voters approved three levies meant to supplement district coffers with more than $214 million by 2014. The levy package included $172.5 million for maintenance and operations, $1.7 million for transportation and $38.4 million for technology and critical repairs. Read more
Revenue 11 percent less than predicted
March 4, 2010
City officials recently released finance statistics from the fourth quarter of 2009. During the past year, the city collected a total of about $5.75 million, 11 percent less than the city had budgeted. Read more
Transit center functional, awaiting final installations
March 4, 2010
The Newcastle Transit Center is now fully operational, with King County Metro Transit routes 240, 114, 219 and 925 making stops.
Routes 240 and 114 began stopping at the Newcastle Transit Center Feb. 6, but routes 219 and 925 had previously made stops at the location prior to the construction of the transit center. Read more
Newcastle man sentenced for leading identity theft ring
March 4, 2010
Gabriel Jang, 37, of Newcastle, was sentenced in U.S. District Court Feb. 5 to eight and a half years in prison, five years of supervised release and $466,622 in restitution for leading an identity theft ring run from a Newcastle post office box.
The identity theft ring brought in more than $3 million during a seven-year period. Read more
Council passes developer stimulus
March 4, 2010
The City Council has unanimously passed a developer stimulus ordinance that will help certain development projects in the city withstand the economic recession, by deferring fee collection and allowing more time to obtain permits and city approvals. Read more
Hazen High School receives bomb threat
March 4, 2010
An 18-year-old Hazen High School senior who called in a bomb threat to Hazen High School Feb. 12 has been expelled, said Randy Matheson, Renton School District spokesman. He said the man has not been charged, and district officials are working with the student to find another school at which he can finish high school. Read more
