Articles written by Melissa Linquist
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Vikings ground Comets
Photo: Chandler Chapman and Victoria Corona reigned as king and queen of the Naselle High School Homecoming Celebration last Friday. With the reader board flashing the word “Homecoming” to oncoming traffic, spectators crowded around Reuben Pen...
Youth camp residents head east to fight fires
When the fate of the Naselle Youth Camp seemed questionable in recent months, local residents feared a loss of jobs, a hit to the local economy and a decreased enrollment in schools. Residents and local government officials were adamant in the...
Farmstock: All the good things
Tucked just out of view from coast-bound traffic, people from all over the area filled the fields of Fred’s Homegrown Farm – a mock parking lot – and happily progressed from workshops, to cooking, exhibits, and through the farmers m...
Answering calls for 49 years
His first call was within weeks of his 16th birthday. “I assisted my father in transporting an elderly woman to the hospital,” recalled Wally Wright. “We picked her up in the old red Cadillac. It was one of those cars that they used for both the m...
Naselle woman missing, car found on bridge
When Astoria Police found the car at 3:24 a.m. on August 16, the keys were in the ignition and the emergency lights were flashing. The owner, Traci Wirkkala, however was nowhere in sight. Wirkkala, 41, grew up in Deep River and now resides in...
Grange discusses food bank facilities
Members of the Grays River Grange #124 congregated last week for their regular Tuesday meeting. Prior to the 7 p.m. meeting, grangers strolled through the double doors bearing delicately baked treats to share with their neighbors and friends. Followi...
Bank of the Pacific opens Warrenton branch
Almost four decades ago a small group of local businessmen in Long Beach came together to create a bank that would focus on the community. The Bank of the Pacific, which has served generations of Wahkiakum County residents, has recently received...
Wahkiakum school ready for late start
“I support teachers and administrators doing what it takes to make kids ready for a career or college,” State Superintendent Randy Dorn said in a recent press release. “I strongly encourage schools to be bold and creative when finding solut...
Grays River Grange promotes positive change
Pictured right: Darbury Novoselic, Krist Novoselic and Robert Pyle prepare for Tuesday's meeting. Photo by Melissa Linquist. Grays River Grange #124 rests just feet from the highway. It is lined with single piece wainscoting that stretches from...
Dessert benefits cancer patient
While she sat, propped by pillows, in a hospital bed Sunday evening, her friends and family were throwing Brandi (Knowles) Thomas, 35, a bash that she won’t soon forget. “She just had her third radical surgery last week,” explained Lisa Ridou...
WHS cheer squad brings home trophy
The Wahkiakum Cheer Squad poses with awards from their summer camp. From left to right are Chelsea Paulsen, Paris Cothren, Madison LaBerge, Taryn Peterson, Marissa Washington, Kennedi LaBerge, Lainie Ferguson, Megan Perez, and Coach Aztell in the...
Team Depot arrives to help with Naselle park
Home Depot employees showed local residents that they understand the impact of hard work and sweat equity. With the belief in the power of hands-on service, “Team Depot” volunteers joined community members at Lion’s Club Park in Naselle on Thurs...
County fair almost ready to go
The roses are in full bloom, squash blossoms rise from the raised garden, benches boast a fresh coat of aquamarine paint and picnic tables line the walk just waiting for visitors to plop down and enjoy a plate of curly fries and a corn dog. The...
Volunteers upgrading Naselle Lions Park
A new concrete walk weaves its way through Lions Club Park in Naselle. Metallic fish, children’s art and tiny hand prints line the path, highlighting the names of community members who have donated to the Lions Club Park Beautification Project. L...
Pikeminnow station collects fish
A white van sits in the corner of the parking lot, overlooking the still waters of the Elochoman Slough Marina. A banner drapes over the vehicle’s rear-end announcing in red lettering, “Sport-Reward Fishery Registration Station." In a camp cha...
County boards comment on gillnet initiative
Northwest residents are slightly spoiled when it comes to our seafood consumption. With access to Columbia River spring and summer Chinook, there seems an abundance of the local treat. These salmon have brought fame to the Columbia River and are...
Young riders experience Horsmanship Challenge
Local equestrians have been horsing around in mule country thanks to the Wahkiakum County Fair Board and the Island Riders 4-H Club. Grandparents, grandchildren and a plethora of people in between donned cowboy hats and belt buckles last Saturday to...
Timberlands Library serves summer readers
The walk is lined with aquamarine and canary colored flowers, over the entrance a banner boasts ‘Dream Big, Read!’, as the sliding doors open a tree with purple and teal branches holds cosmic ornaments boasting the names of young readers; it is sum...
Georgia Pacific, Clatsop County settle property tax dispute
Georgia Pacific - Wauna Paper Mill contributes greatly to the Wahkiakum County economy, employing residents to help in the production of pulp and paper products. But the company expends much more across the river where Wauna pays a total of...
Three seek county treasurer job
Tammy Peterson For Tammy Peterson, the position of Wahkiakum County Treasurer has always been a goal. “It just feels like a natural progression,” said Peterson who has logged more than 20 years of work in county government. Tammy moved to Cathlamet f...
Hannah to be principal at Harrah
“I loved my time at Wahkiakum,” John Hannah said recently. “I have great friends and family here. Cathlamet will always be home.” Hannah began working for Wahkiakum School District in 1998, as a substitute teacher while working on his Masters...
Family deals with nursing home closure
Robert Belleisle, 72, retired to Cathlamet with a love of the outdoors. The Coos Bay native would spend his free time hunting and fishing so after 20 years of work for Columbia Ford in Longview, Belleisle purchased a pole building and hauled his boat...
St. James receives $71,000 grant for family services
The families of 40 young children in Wahkiakum County will now get the support they need to give their children a great start in life thanks to a recent award from the state’s Home Visiting Services Account (HVSA). Ten home visiting programs a...
Pioneer Deep River church refurbished
When Mark Erickson began the restoration project of the exterior of the Deep River Lutheran Church, he had his work cut out for him. “There was about an inch of moss covering the building,” recalled Erickson who has donated both his time and ene...
Naselle student is delegate to American Legion Boys Nation
Jayson Cooley, 17, a senior at Naselle/Grays River High School, was recently selected as one of the 98 high school student representatives to attend The American Legion Boys Nation in Washington, D.C. He is one of two delegates selected from the...