Newell trial to begin next week

Judge David Grant dropped one of two misdemeanor charges against Blaine high school principal Dan Newell Tuesday in Whatcom County District Court. The remaining charge goes to trial next week.
The charges stem from Newell’s alleged involvement in warning the mother of a Blaine high school student about an impending drug bust on the Point Roberts school bus in December of 2003. The mother was a member of the Blaine school board at the time Newell allegedly warned her. A year later the Whatcom County prosecutor’s office charged Newell with rendering criminal assistance and obstructing a police officer. On Tuesday, more than a year after the charges were filed and served, Judge Grant dismissed the first charge but said there is sufficient evidence for the second charge to go to trial. Jury selection begins Monday at 1:30 p.m. in Whatcom County District Court.