Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891
Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891
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We have some changes in store for readers of The Wahkiakum County Eagle. By the end of the month, we're going to launch a new website. This will have little effect for readers of our print edition, but for readers who follow us online, we have good and bad new. First the good news: The new website will have more content. It will be easier to navigate. It will have formats for PC's, tablets, pads and phones. We'll be uploading stories and photos more often than we do now. The bad news is that at some point, and even though I hate to do it,...
Wahkiakum County and the US Fish and Wildlife Service have agreed to work together to improve the southern end of Steamboat Slough Road. Jackie Ferrier, manager of the Willapa Wildlife Refuge Complex, proposed that the county support the federal agency in a grant application for funds to upgrade the road. The grant funds are directed toward projects that improve access to parks and public lands, she said. "Steamboat Slough Road is in bad shape," said Wahkiakum County Public Works Director Pete Ringen. The grant, if the application is...
Commissioners of Port District No. 2 thought they were ready to vote on an updated comprehensive park and recreation plan on Tuesday, but last minute details tabled the issue till next month. Commissioners Lori Scott, Kayrene Gilbertsen and Brian O'Connor heard criticism of the plan, and they agreed with some of it, but were ready to approve the plan with the understanding they could amend when they desired. Then Grays River resident Karen Bertroch asked if the board had the most up-to-date version of the plan in front of them. Commissioners...
Wahkiakum County Sheriff's Department marine patrol officers rescued a man who fell off a sailboat Tuesday evening. Sheriff Mark Howie said Wednesday morning that Rosedale residents Dan and Genie Cary noticed the sails on the sailboat suddenly fell to the deck and that a man was in the water. They called sheriff's department at 9:19 p.m., and Undersheriff Steve Marshall and Deputy Sheriff Bill Tawater responded in the patrol boat. The man in the water was wearing a camouflage colored life vest,...
Wahkiakum County and the US Fish and Wildlife Service have agreed to work together to improve the southern end of Steamboat Slough Road. Jackie Ferrier, manager of the Willapa Wildlife Refuge Complex, proposed that the county support the federal agency in a grant application for funds to upgrade the road. The grant funds are directed toward projects that improve access to parks and public lands, she said. "Steamboat Slough Road is in bad shape," said Wahkiakum County Public Works Director Pete Ringen. The grant, if the application is...
Wahkiakum County Sheriff's Department marine patrol officers rescued a man who fell off a sailboat Tuesday evening. Sheriff Mark Howie said Wednesday morning that Rosedale residents Dan and Genie Cary noticed the sails on the sailboat suddenly fell to the deck and that a man was in the water. They called sheriff's department at 9:19 p.m., and Undersheriff Steve Marshall and Deputy Sheriff Bill Tawater responded in the patrol boat. The man in the water was wearing a camouflage colored life vest, and the officers couldn't spot him in the water....
The Cathlamet Town Council adopted its annual 6-Year Street Improvement Plan during a special meeting last Thursday afternoon. The state Department of Transportation requires the annual update of the plan. The plan prioritizes projects which can be started if there is funding available for them. The plan showed no secured funding for any of the six projects on the plan. Listed projects include: 1. 2015, 2nd Street, from Una Street to the Elochoman Slough Marina, rebuilding roadway and improving curbs, sidewalks, drainage and lighting; 2. 2016,...
by Rick Nelson Cathlamet's 33rd Bald Eagle Festival is just over two weeks away; the festival runs Friday and Saturday, July 18 and 19, this year. The theme of the 2014 festival is "Celebrating Old Ways," Ashley Turner, director of the Wahkiakum Chamber of Commerce, said in a recent email. Action starts Friday, July 18, 2:30 p.m., with the Sidewalk Chalk Art Contest in front of the Bank of the Pacific. The Puget Island farmers market will host live music and vendors selling locally produced fruit, vegetables and meats, starting at 3 p.m. A...
Cathlamet's 33rd Bald Eagle Festival is just over two weeks away; the festival runs Friday and Saturday, July 18 and 19, this year. The theme of the 2014 festival is "Celebrating Old Ways," Ashley Turner, director of the Wahkiakum Chamber of Commerce, said in a recent email. Action starts Friday, July 18, 2:30 p.m., with the Sidewalk Chalk Art Contest in front of the Bank of the Pacific. The Puget Island farmers market will host live music and vendors selling locally produced fruit, vegetables and meats, starting at 3 p.m. A trolley will run...
The Cathlamet Town Council adopted its annual 6-Year Street Improvement Plan during a special meeting last Thursday afternoon. The state Department of Transportation requires the annual update of the plan. The plan prioritizes projects which can be started if there is funding available for them. The plan showed no secured funding for any of the six projects on the plan. Listed projects include: 1. 2015, 2nd Street, from Una Street to the Elochoman Slough Marina, rebuilding roadway and improving curbs, sidewalks, drainage and lighting; 2. 2016,...
As Wahkiakum County moves into updating its shoreline and land use ordinances, one may be certain there will be vigorous public input. Two members of the Wahkiakum County Real Property Rights Advisory Board questioned the county board of commissioners Tuesday about plans and processes. County commissioners formed the committee three years ago when a group of citizens objected to including the county in a proposed national heritage area. The board is charged with advising the board of commissioners on issues affecting property in the county,...
Members of the Cathlamet Town Council approved Monday several new documents that could benefit community organizations. The council terminated its long-term lease with Helping Hand Food Bank for a space in Erickson Park for a food bank. Helping Hand had sought the space with intention of placing a pre-fabricated building on it to serve as a food bank and was looking for grants to fund the project. In the meantime, Wahkiakum County Health and Human Services Department has announced plans to remodel and expand its Elochoman Campus and have furthe...
Wahkiakum County commissioners handled a light business agenda and discussed concerns at their Tuesday meeting. Commissioners finalized the new design for the painted mural at the entrance of the Main Street parking lot. The mural has a large painted map showing sights to see in Wahkiakum County. It is based on a mural that was on the building that once occupied the lot where the parking lot and Courthouse Annex are now located. Representatives of the Tsuga Arts Association have volunteered to repaint the mural, which is weathered and peeling....
Wahkiakum County commissioners on Tuesday agreed to register formal displeasure with the Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission over the Department of Fish and Wildlife's (WDFW) handling of elk hoof rot disease. Commissioners also worked on the Critical Area Ordinance update, the Marine Resources Committee work plan, and restoring funding to the Housing and Essential Needs services contract. Commissioner Dan Cothren initially proposed the elk hoof rot disease statement as a press release, but Commissioners Blair Brady and Mike Backman said...
Wahkiakum County Board of commissioners handled a variety of business when they met Tuesday. The board approved amendments to a lease agreement with Hancock Forest Management that will allow NOAA Weather to install data gathering equipment on the KM Mountain radio repeater site. The agency wants to install, at a minimum, a barometer and rain gauge, said Emergency Management Coordinator Beau Renfro. The data will be available to the public, and forecasters will be better able to predict flood and other threats in the area, he said. There is no...
The board of directors of the Wahkiakum Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday asked the Wahkiakum County board of commissioners to appoint a new liaison. Commissioner Mike Backman has been the county commission's representative on the Chamber board since he took office 17 months ago, but Chamber members said Tuesday he's working against them. Backman has wanted to separate economic development activity from the Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber was once separate from the now-defunct Lower Columbia Economic Development Council (LCEDC), but the Chamber...
The introduction to the Cathlamet Downhill Corral (DHC) Festival is a bit calm to describe the three days of action which the festival provides. Over 100 skateboarders from around the world will converge for the sixth edition of the festival which continues to grow in scope and popularity. Male and female racers of all ages will show their style, their ability to sail through the air, their skill in controlling their boards through slaloms, and finally their courage to scream down Cathlamet's hills in the hotly contested downhill race. The...
Commissioners approved a request to waive the county's right of first refusal to purchase land adjacent to the Grays River Valley Center that is being sold. Under a lease agreement with Robert and Lois Burkhalter, the county holds first right to purchase the land along the eastern side of Johnson Park if it comes up for sale. The Burkhalters want to sell the land to a grandson, and they asked commissioners to waive the right because the sale is to a family member. Representing the Burkhalter family, Attorney Tom Doumit noted the lease...
Wahkiakum County commissioners on Tuesday agreed to lobby state and federal officials for action on three local issues. The board agreed to a request from Skamokawa resident Mike Linn to pressure the US Army Corps of Engineers for more public fishing access along Steamboat Slough Road. A contractor is working on a new, setback dike in the area popular with anglers, and the Corps has asked that the road be closed to the public in that area to keep the public out of the way of the contractor and for security of the contractor's property....
Members of the Cathlamet Town Council discussed biosolids, salmon rearing issues, and awarded a Propane supply bid and acted on other issues at their monthly meeting on Monday. The council voted 5-0 to file a friend of the court brief in the Department of Ecology's suit with Wahkiakum County over regulation of the application of biosolids. Biosolids are the product created from treating human sewage. Two years ago, the county passed an ordinance banning the application of all but Class A biosolids, and the state sued, saying it has the...
Wahkiakum County commissioners addressed issues ranging from health care alliances to the forgotten comprehensive plan at their meeting Tuesday. Health and Human Services Administrator Sue Cameron told commissioners that coming re-alignments for mental health, chemical dependency and physical health services could have important implications for county services. The state legislature has mandated changes to alignments, essentially calling for a minimum population in contiguous counties. Wahkiakum is part of Timberlands Regional Support Network...
Officials from Wahkiakum County and the Town of Cathlamet on Tuesday started a two-year task of upgrading their shoreline management plans. Stemming from a 1971 voter approved initiative, the plans are intended to guide human activity on shorelines while preserving the environment and maintaining public access to shorelines. The town and county passed their first shoreline plans in 1975 and last updated them in 1992. The state Department of Ecology has awarded the town and county a $250,000 grant to cover the cost of the upgrade. The grant expi...
Incumbent local political office holders came out Monday to file for election to the offices that they hold. The regular filing period runs through Friday of this week for positions that will be on the summer and fall election ballots. Early filers included: Partisan positions County Commissioner District 3 (4-year term), Blair H. Brady incumbent; precincts--Skamokawa, Deep River, Grays River and Rosburg/Altoona. Assessor (4-year term), Bill Coons incumbent. Auditor (4-year term), Diane L. Tischer incumbent. Clerk (4-year term), Kay Holland...
Wahkiakum County commissioners on Tuesday talked themselves into accepting proposed costs from Wahkiakum PUD for installing water and three-phase power lines at the Puget Island ferry landing. The county needs the water line to supply a potable water tank, and the three-phase power is needed to supply the ferry's power needs which are upgraded from those of the present ferry. Wahkiakum PUD has said the cost of upgrading the electrical service will total $14,557.62 and the cost of adding the water line will be $10,597.22. Commissioners learned...
Wahkiakum County commissioners weren't happy Tuesday with estimates for improving utilities at the Puget Island ferry landing. The county is going to upgrade the landing to accommodate a new, larger ferry which will go into service in 2015. That ferry will require 3-phase power and a potable water line, neither of which are now located at the landing. Wahkiakum PUD has quoted $14,557.62 for the shore power and $10,597.22 for the water line. Those figures seemed high to Commissioners Blair Brady and Mike Backman (colleague Dan Cothren was...
