April 3, 2020
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WATCH: Chief Houck Hosts Coffee with a Cop
Thanks to all who joined us for Virtual Coffee with a Cop this week! Newcastle Police Chief Jason Houck answered your questions about police enforcement during the COVID-19 outbreak, how you can report violations of the state order and even touched on what color belt he was wearing.

A FEW KEY TAKEAWAYS

  • If you're calling to report group gatherings in violation of the Stay Home, Stay Healthy Order, DO NOT CALL 911. You can call the police non-emergency number at 206-296-3311. Our Police Department's current policy is to take an educational rather than enforcement approach to these type of calls.
  • If you want to report a business operating in violation of the order, please report it directly to the state at coronavirus.wa.gov.
  • You can view the whole 20 minute talk on our YouTube channel, so take a listen! We promise it has some of Chief Houck's signature humor on display. Click the video below or go to the link here.
Community News
Governor Extends Stay Home, Stay Healthy Order
Gov. Jay Inslee announced a month-long extension of his  “Stay Home, Stay Healthy”  emergency order Thursday evening. The order, which banned all gatherings and temporarily shuttered non-essential businesses, will continue through May 4.

The order requires you to stay home as much as possible and only go out for essential services. For instance: Go to work (if it's an essential employer). Go to the grocery store. Donate blood. Go home. Walk your dog. Just don’t go on vacation. Don’t take a trip to the beach. Don’t visit Grandma. Don’t play basketball with friends. Don’t have a neighborhood picnic. Don’t have kids over to play with your kids.

We call on every Newcastle resident to follow the directives issued by our local health professionals. PLEASE STAY HOME TO LIMIT THE SPREAD OF COVID-19! Every face-to-face interaction is an opportunity for the virus to spread and impact those most at risk. Staying home saves lives.

Do it for the health of yourselves, your families and your Newcastle neighbors! The more we all make decisions for the good of the community, the quicker we can get through this thing together. Thank you for your assistance and understanding!
Newcastle Cares: Virtual Community Art Showcase
The COVID-19 outbreak is bringing our community together like never before. From art installations in neighborhood windows, to encouraging chalk scenes sprawled on local sidewalks, we can all use a bit of uplifting imagery in our lives right now.

That’s why the City of Newcastle and the volunteer Community Activities Commission are teaming up to host a virtual community art showcase. We’re asking you to get creative and show us artwork that reflects the theme “Newcastle Cares.” Think outside of the box and show us what the theme means to you! 

This showcase is open to Newcastle residents of all ages. We’re seeking all forms of artwork! Show us your videoed dance choreography, short films, literature, poetry, music composition, photography or any visual arts (drawing, painting, etc.). The City will share the submissions on our website and social media accounts and recognize the artists during our summer events. Click the button below to learn more and submit your artwork!
Newcastle Police Blotter
Read Chief Houck's message to the community and get the latest crime updates in our Newcastle Police Blotter!

Chief Houck's Police Blotter is a MUST read for regular crime prevention tips as well as a thorough listing of crimes that occur in our community. Subscribe to the  email newsletter  to ensure you never miss this important news article. Stay informed about what's happening in your neighborhood and learn how you can keep yourself and others safe.
April Public Meeting Schedule
The April 7 Newcastle City Council meeting is canceled, as are the April meetings of the volunteer Community Activities and Planning Commissions. To protect the health of our staff, public officials and residents during the COVID-19 outbreak, the City transitioned all public meetings to the video-conferencing platform Zoom. Under new policy direction from the state, online meetings are still permitted, however, Cities can only conduct business that is considered essentially urgent or related to the COVID-19 response.
Newcastle Living Features City Staff
A new feature in the community magazine Newcastle Living is bringing you behind the scenes of Newcastle City Hall. Meet the men and women who serve you on our City staff! In the April issue, you'll get a chance to meet Surface Water Specialist Kim Jones and learn about the important work she does to keep our water clean.
Newcastle Library Offers Online Programming
The Newcastle Library is closed to the public as we work together to limit the spread of COVID-19. However, the Library is hard at work to bring you resources and programming online! Click the button below to explore the opportunities and if you have any questions or suggestions please contact Vicki Heck at vaheck@kcls.org .
Newcastle Counts: Census 2020
The census provides critical data that lawmakers, business owners, teachers, and many others use to provide daily services, products, and support for you and our Newcastle community. Every year, billions of dollars in federal funding go to hospitals, fire departments, schools, roads, and other resources based on census data. The results of the census also determine the number of seats each state will have in the U.S. House of Representatives, and they are used to draw congressional and state legislative districts.

Make a pledge to fill out your Census form now and ensure our community receives funding for education, transportation, and more. It's easy! Just take 10 minutes of your day and fill out the form at my2020census.gov (You do not need a Census ID to complete the form).

Reminder! Your form may say Renton, rather than Newcastle. Here's why: The address on your census form or advance letter may not list the city name or ZIP code you identify with or are used to seeing on your mail. This is a result of a cost-saving measure that streamlines how the forms are sorted and delivered to you by the U.S. Postal Service. It will NOT affect which city, town or block your household’s responses will be assigned to when we tabulate census results.
Spring Recycling Event Postponed
The April issue of Newcastle Living lists a Spring Recycling Event on April 18. However, the COVID-19 outbreak has escalated since the magazine's deadline and the event is now postponed. We made this decision in accordance with Centers for Disease Control recommendations and in the name of public safety. We apologize for the inconvenience and thank you for your understanding. We'll let you know when we're able to reschedule.
Photos of the Week
A BIG thank you to John Bourdon and the folks at  Sandstone Distillery  for supplying our Newcastle Police Officers with a couple of jugs of hand sanitizer. We appreciate your support! 
Support local restaurants and order your meals #NewcastleToGo ! Last night, Mayor Linda Newing did her part and tried out Newcastle's newest eatery  Loco-Chon Bar & Grill . See a full list of takeout and delivery options for all Newcastle restaurants at  newcastletogo.com !
Helpful Links
City of Newcastle |  newcastlewa.gov  

The Newcastle email newsletter is published before every City Council meeting. Learn more about the newsletter, see an archive of past newsletters and sign up to receive it at newcastlewa.gov/newsletters .

Content submissions/ideas for the newsletter? Email  christinac@newcastlewa.gov .