The Wahkiakum County Eagle - Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891

What an absolutely wonderful week we had with our kids, grandkids and dogs last week. They must have brought the sun from California and taken it back with them when they left. At least it’s not cold. For the first time our grandkids didn’t want to go home. They all learned how to drive a stick shift car while they were here, learned how to shoot a .22, how to build a brick fire pit, went swimming in the river, picked salmon berries and they all got along with each other. That was quite an accomplishment in my book of raising kids.

News from Naselle:

Thirty-one students participated in the summer swim program from June 20- July 1 provided by the Astoria Aquatic Center and the Naselle-Grays River Valley School District. This is a great opportunity for our kids every year. In an area with so much water every child should learn how to swim. Swimmers ranged from the classification of Lil’ Shrimp to Orca Whales. The children had a great time.

The Wildwood Rally held last weekend at the Deep River Camp on SR4 and sponsored by the Pacific County Chapter of ABATE was a huge success. Lots of motorcycles took part in the fun weekend.

Other news from the Westend:

There will be a community CPR class on July 20 at 6 p.m. The class will be held at the Valley Bible Church. For more info contact Mary Steller at 465-2493. This is a great opportunity to learn or brush up on your CPR skills. Since we are a rural community it is important that many of us learn the proper techniques that could save the life of one of our neighbors or a loved family member.

I had a call from Geri Lee of Grays River and she wanted to thank Bobby Olson for a great barbecue at his home on July 3. Other attendees at the event were Eddie Wirkkala, his son Warren and his girlfriend and daughter, Ralph Olson of Naselle and his friend Susie from Long Beach, Junior Johnson from Vader and Bob and Geri Lee. She also said that the food was wonderful and that everyone had a great time.

I hope everyone has had a chance to view the KATU-Channel 2 news special which aired last Thursday at 11 p.m., regarding the spreading of septic sludge on land in the flood plains next to Grays River. Investigative reporter/anchor Anna Canzano did an excellent job of getting the information out about this issue. If you haven’t seen the report, you can go the KATU website and see the written version, and I have it recorded on our DVR and if you would like to see it just give me a call. Very informative stuff. Thank you to Anna Canzano and KATU-Channel 2 for your efforts on behalf of the local landowners.

As I finish up this column, another meeting is in session at the county commissioners meeting room with WDFW, Department of Ecology, and Columbia Land Trust, the county and Grays River Habitat Enhancement District commissioners. These meetings started out months ago to reach some sort of a decision on what to do with the Kandoll Road project which is causing major damages on Seal Slough dikes due to the velocity of water moving through the two 13 foot culverts placed under the county road. All the meetings so far have ended with another meeting being scheduled. Landowners are hoping that this time, some kind of a decision will be made on what CLT is going to do to prevent any further damages to property.

Sheriff Dearmore has let me know that there is a new officer being trained at the Sheriff’s Department. Her name is Dakota and she is being trained as a narcotics detection K-9 and will be living with and handled by Deputy Gary Howell. All of her training, vet bills, food, etc. will be taken care of through donations.

I’m sure every kid in the county remembers Digger the Drug Dog who was part of Sheriff Dearmore’s family for many years as well as a friend to many of our children. This is a great program coming back to life for our community and I want to personally thank my cousin and his wife Tom and Tina Hammonds for the generous donation of this beautiful nine month old Labrador retriever puppy for such a good cause. Dakota is doing very well with her training so far, and I’m sure she will also become a welcome part of the Howell family and our community.

The Wednesday Senior Lunch Bunch that meets at Rosburg Hall will enjoy a yummy chicken casserole, veggies, hot rolls and dessert on the 20th. Won’t you join them for good food and good friends?

On Tuesdays and Thursdays the Rosburg Senior Community Lunches are also served at the Rosburg Hall. Menus for the coming week include: Thursday, the 14th-chicken and dumplings, broccoli spears, spinach salad and apricot bars; Tuesday, the 19th-beef stroganoff, egg noodles with kale, cauliflower and peas, peaches and berry crisp; Thursday, the 21st- lasagna, garlic bread, Caesar salad, sliced oranges and carrot cake.

Birthdays being celebrated this week include Eric Hendrickson, Joel Fitts, Kenneth Tyyska, Terry Tarabochia, Doug Larson, Susan Gradt, Courtney Peters, John W. Wirkkala, Bryan Torppa, Lori Gollersrud, Barbara Donlon, Emily Gudmundsen, Fran Noll, Kendra Leeland, Bailey Olson, Katherine Herrold, Carolyn Badger, David Klinger, Edwin Wirkkala, Haley Bryant, Adam Cash, Ken Tetz and Levi Wasmundt. Happy Birthday to each of you.

Happy Anniversary wishes go out to the following couples this week: Lorne and Marilee Wirkkala, Pete and Barbara Donlon Galbraith and Steve and Vanessa Leamy. Wishing you many more.

A very special Happy Birthday to my husband Delvin on his 73rd birthday. Hopefully he will take a little time off for something fun on his day. Wishing you a wonderful day, with love from your whole family.