Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891
Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891
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This Saturday’s (April 26) Wahkiakum Autism Awareness charity walk is set to be the event of the year, pinning our local heroes against each other, all in the name of helping generate Autism awareness and funds to support children with special needs within our community. Initiated by Puget Island Fire Department’s Paul Lawrence, the challenge was set to race in full gear against any other willing participant. Not one to shy away from a challenge or a good cause, Sheriff John Mason threw his hat into the race as well as two courageous dep...
Rodney L. Dittmer, of Cathlamet has departed this life peacefully, ready to step into eternity and embrace Jesus, his parents, and his two sisters. He was born on March 15, 1954, in Vancouver, Washington, and died on April 12, 2025 of a fatal heart attack. He was the son of Lou and Elsie Dittmer and is survived by his wife, Sylvia (Zylstra) Dittmer; his children, Caleb Dittmer, Ryan Dittmer, Hannah (Dittmer) Morrison, and Luke Dittmer; and his grandchildren, Royce Morrison and Stella Dittmer. Rod felt closest to God when surrounded by nature...
WET START. It was a bit damp on Easter Sunday out here in West Valley, but I see folks in various parts of the county who seemed to have a bit more sunshine than we did on this holiday. Anyway, I’m happy that the Easter Egg hunts at the fairgrounds on Saturday wound up having a decent day, albeit a tad bit windy and cool at times, but that beats the rain! It also beats the areas east of us, which had sunshine one day, then snow, and even massive hail storms the next, causing extreme damage to hotel windows and car windshields and closing m...
April 14 8:49 a.m. A concerned citizen reported finding a key fob, keys, and ChapStick after an event at the Pioneer Center and turned them in to dispatch. 11:34 a.m. A caller on SR4 near Bunker Hill Rd. reported a vehicle driving erratically and swerving. 12:25 p.m. The Grays River Fire District responded to transport an elderly Deep River resident who was unconscious to the hospital. 12:42 p.m. A driver on SR4 near Bjorsgard Rd. called to report that a fifth wheel was stuck and was blocking the westbound lane. 1:07 p.m. Sheriff’s deputies a...
Rep. Joel McEntire celebrated a major win for coastal communities today as the governor signed Substitute House Bill 1309 into law. The bill establishes a research program through the Washington State Department of Agriculture to develop sustainable methods for managing burrowing shrimp. This pest threatens shellfish farming operations in Willapa Bay and Grays Harbor. "This is a big step forward for one of our state's most iconic industries," said McEntire, R-Cathlamet. "Burrowing shrimp have...
Last year, the PUD (Public Utilities District) received a grant from the Washington State Department of Health to “complete a feasibility study about consolidating the PUD-controlled Puget Island Water System and Cathlamet’s water and sewer system. The discussion regarding the negotiation of such a consolidation, which has been the subject during several sessions of Town Council, continued as a workshop during Monday night’s session. In a prepared report that was part of the Monday meeting’s packet, Town Clerk-Treasurer Sarah Clark stated,...
When the Wahkiakum County commissioners met Tuesday, April 22, for their regular meeting, they were presented with requests to approve maintenance contracts for county properties. The landscape maintenance contract for the courthouse property with Forrest Mora Landscaping was approved for $5,405 annually. The landscaping contract for county properties with Zack’s Lawn and Property Maintenance was approved for $16,000 annually, a “good price,” according to commissioner Gene Strong. Building Inspector/Planner Dave Hicks presented the commi...
The 79 Main Boutique features handmade goods from about 20 vendors and is located at its namesake, 79 Main Street, in Cathlamet. Every item in the store was handcrafted in Wahkiakum by local residents. This collection of local crafters works together to make the store work, using a consignment-based sales approach and taking turns running the shop during the open season. The idea for the group began around 10 years ago with Made in Wahkiakum, where vendors shared equal space to sell their items...
In a letter addressed to Cathlamet Town Councilmembers, Mayor David Olson, and Town Treasurer/Clerk Sarah Clark Monday, April 21, Councilmember Kermit Chamberlin stated, “Herewith, I resign” from Council Position 2. In recognition of Chamberlin’s resignation, Mayor Olson and Council thanked the former councilmember for his service to begin Monday evening’s session of Town Council. “Kermit has been a champion of the Pioneer Community Association and the Library, and his service is greatly appreciated,” stated Olson in a letter to The Wahkaik...
The Wastewater Treatment Plant is seeking a motivated individual to assist with laboratory and document writing needs. This unpaid volunteer position offers an opportunity to earn community service hours, gain volunteer experience, and explore the science behind wastewater treatment. Ideal candidates should possess computer and typing skills of at least 40 words per minute and have an interest in water or science. Responsibilities will include revising and typing lab requirements, Standard Operating Procedures, and quality control lists. Many...
GENERAL NOTICE Requirements to Control Noxious Weeds The Washington State Noxious Weed Law, RCW 17.10.140 requires; “every owner shall perform or cause to be performed those acts as may be necessary to: Eradicate all Class A noxious weeds designated for control in that region within and from the owner’s property; and control and prevent the spread of all Class B and Class C noxious weeds listed on the county weed list as locally mandated control priorities within and from the owner’s property.” For a full list of both the Washington State N...
The Town of Cathlamet is accepting applications to fill a vacancy on the Cathlamet Town Council for Position No. 2. The term of office will begin immediately upon appointment and continue until a qualified person is elected to fill the unexpired term. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age, a registered voter and a resident of the Town of Cathlamet. Interested parties must complete a Town of Cathlamet Council Vacancy Appointment Application and return it to the Clerk-Treasurer at Town Hall, 25 Broadway Street, PO Box 68, Cathlamet, WA...
FRIDAY- 4/25 River City Strippers Quilting group, 9a.m. - 3 p.m. , 400 Columbia St., Cathlamet. Cathlamet Public Library, 2 - 5 p.m., 115 Columbia St., Cathlamet. Johnson Park Public Library, 5 - 9 p.m., 30 Rosburg School Rd. AA Meeting Hope Center, 6:30 p.m., 320 S. 3rd St., Cathlamet. SATURDAY- 4/26 Redmen Hall noon - 4 p.m., 1394 WA-4, Skamokawa. Cathlamet Public Library, 2 - 5 p.m., 115 Columbia St., Cathlamet. Music Night with Mel & Leah and Friends 4 p.m., 125 Columbia St., Cathlamet. SUNDAY- 4/27 Redmen Hall noon - 4 p.m., 1394 WA-4,...
During its monthly meeting on Wednesday, April 9, the Wahkiakum Chamber of Commerce approved an amount of $35,000 to be invested in the production of Wahkiakum West's (WWest) future TV series "Columbia Coast." During the Feb. 12 Chamber meeting, WWest CEO Ken Johnson announced a pilot episode had already been filmed for the series and that he was in talks with a network to have a 13-episode season's worth of stories that would showcase Wahkiakum and Pacific Counties on the Washington side of...
To The Eagle, Last fall, I did a column lamenting the loss of local news coverage with the closure of the Columbia County Chronicle and Chief newspaper. As someone who spent over seven years working as a reporter, I’ve become all too familiar with the ups and downs of that industry. Almost every news outlet I ever worked for either changed owners or went out of business. Those unfortunate changes and realities eventually inspired me to seek a different career path, even though I absolutely loved what I was doing. I recently had the chance to s...
In partnership with Delphine Criscenzo from the Little Island Creamery, The Cathlamet Public Library is sponsoring the first ever Cathlamet Library Open Mic night. The event will take place at 6 p.m. on Friday April 25, at the Pioneer Community Center (125 Columbia St.). This event is a great opportunity for you to grab the microphone and read some poetry, the lyrics of a favorite song, tell a story, or maybe perform your own rhymey piece that you’ve always wanted to share. Library staff are encouraging folks to come, bring the kids, and read a...
I'm writing this on Monday, April 14. It's an absolutely gorgeous perfect morning. The sun is coming up. Anna's hummingbirds are at the feeder. Golden-crowned sparrows are up front. Mama English sparrow is working on her nest in a house I built. Now there's a good feeling. Birds bringing off broods in a house you built with your own two hands. That and picking apples (or cherries or peaches) from a tree you planted (what's it been) four years ago? It's the little things, my friends. The small...
NICE BEGINNING. As this week begins, it’s a sunny Sunday following a fairly chilly evening and a foggy start, but boy, is it nice to see the sunshine. Better yet, our forecast looks dry for the entire week, so now we’ll keep our fingers crossed that it stays this way. I know the folks organizing Easter Egg Hunts, as well as those dressing in their Sunday best to get to church, would love to see some lovely, dry, sunny days this coming weekend. It would also be great for those who enjoy being out in their yards and sprucing them up a bit, as,...
April 7 4:10 a.m. A caller on E SR4 near the west passing lanes called to report that a fallen tree was entirely blocking the eastbound lane. 7:17 a.m. The Cathlamet Emergency Services responded to assist an elderly Cathlamet resident who was experiencing pain in their arms. 1:41 p.m. A Cathlamet resident called to report seeing suspicious lights on in an abandoned neighboring residence. 4:53 p.m. The Puget Island Fire Department responded to reports of a power outage on W Sunny Sands Road on Puget Island; PUD was advised. 5:43 p.m....
Milford Wayne Free, lovingly known as Butch, passed away from lung cancer on March 24, 2025, in Seattle, Washington. He was 78. Born on August 10, 1946, in Bryan, Texas, to Eileen and Alson Free, Butch was raised in Cathlamet, Washington, alongside his brother Ron. The family first lived in Crown Zellerbach's Family Camp on the logging company's property along the Elochoman River, a setting that instilled in him a love of nature and a spirit of adventure. Butch himself described his childhood...
Clatskanie son, author and poet Raymond Carver once described a signal moment in his development when a stranger offered him a lens to a broader world. “I was just a pup then, but nothing can explain, or explain away, such a moment: the moment when the very thing I needed most in my life—call it a polestar—was casually, generously given to me,” wrote Carver. “Call it a Polestar” is the theme of the 2025 Raymond Carver Writing Festival, which will be held on May 3, 2025 in multiple locations around Clatskanie. The Festival runs from 10 a.m. – 8...
Employment Opportunity The Town of Cathlamet is now accepting applications for the position of Seasonal Lifeguard Manager. This is a part-time position at the hourly rate of $19.44 to $23.10 (DOE), plus paid sick leave at the rate of 1 hour for every 40 hours worked per WA state law. No other benefits are offered in this position. Applicants must be at least 18 years old and hold or obtain a CPR/AED/First Aid and Lifeguard Certification through required training. Applicants must be available to attend any required training when specified. Full...
Employment Opportunity The Town of Cathlamet is now accepting applications for the position of Utility/Maintenance Worker III (WTP Operator). This is a full-time position working 40 hours per week at the hourly rate of $32.63 – $38.79 (DOE), plus 8 hours of paid sick leave and vacation per month, two 8-hour floaters and eleven 8-hour paid holidays per year. Position also includes full family health benefits paid by the Town, including medical, dental, EAP, and employee life and disability with optional “buy-up” plans at full cost of emplo...
Over the past several months, Butler Street has been a source of discussion during sessions of Cathlamet's Town Council. With the street's water main being between 40 and 50 years old and, as noted by Cathlamet Treasurer Sarah Clark, "likely to fail," the question has arisen as to whether the Town should use money from a Transportation Improvement Board (TIB) grant to resurface Butler Street and whether or not some financial support may come for the replacement of the Butler Street Watermain....
HALF AND HALF. The first half of this past weekend was just gorgeous, and I heard a lot of lawnmowers going and trimmers trimming. It was truly a day to get out there and soak up some sunshine… awesome. Then, here comes Sunday, and it was the flip side of the day before: super wet and nasty. Definitely a day to cozy up and watch a bit of television. However, if the forecast holds true, we may have a decent three-day stretch of weather, but even if it’s just two, I’ll be thrilled. For now, it’s time to put away the yard tools and keep those u...
