Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891
Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891
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HELLO. We finished-up our Summer Reading & Story Time programs for the year. We will begin Story Time once again this fall in the Pioneer Community Center’s lower room. AUGUST POP-UPS. Do you like ice cream, ice pops, bubbles, and music? Starting Aug. 7, the library will be having fun and lighthearted pop-up events down in front of the building. With activities such as face painting, paper airplanes, bubble play, marshmallow towers, and chalk drawing, each pop-up is a little different. This month’s pop-ups are Aug. 7, 9, 13, 14, 16, and 30 fro...
July 28 6:35 a.m. A caller on Altoona Pillar Rock Road called to report a water leak under the road. 8:21 a.m. A concerned citizen reported seeing an individual walking down the street who seemed confused and in need of help. Deputies located the individual and stayed with them until a family member arrived to pick up. 8:32 a.m. A Cathlamet resident called to report that an immediate family had taken their mail and would not return it. 9 a.m. The Cathlamet Ambulance transported a Skamokawa resident to the hospital for a rapid heart rate, pain i...
In the coming weeks, I will be highlighting some of the fantastic vendors who make the West Wahkiakum Farmers Market a vibrant part of our community. From fresh produce and honey to original artwork and flowers, our area is home to an inspiring group of individuals who pour their hearts into their crafts. One of those individuals is Jamie VanBuhler, a market organizer, grower, photographer, and off-grid homesteader. The farmers market is run through the nonprofit charitable organization Altoona...
On July 12, 2025, the Washington American Legion Department named Naselle resident Cliff Kilponen its 2025 Firefighter of the Year at the annual department conference in Spokane Valley. As his name was announced by Law and Order Committee Chair, Tank Tanksley, Kilponen was escorted to the dais by the Master-at-Arms while some 100 to 150 legionnaires in the audience clapped in unison in a traditional walking cadence. "As of July 1 of this year, Cliff Kilponen began his 52nd year of service to...
With an eye toward maintaining and growing business relevance and sustainability within an ever-changing and challenging environment, a lot of thinking outside of the box has been going on within Wahkiakum West Communications, largely driven by CEO Ken Johnson. That thinking has resulted in the entry by Wahkiakum West into the video production field. As the company's expertise grew and gained recognition, it caught the attention of the Washington Filmworks Incentive Program as well as tourist ag...
HELLO. We now have 1,547 members at our Library – you're making it happen. Thank you! AUGUST POP-UPS. Do you like ice cream, popcycles, bubbles, and music? In August, the library will be having fun and light-hearted pop-up events down in front of the library building. With face painting, paper airplanes, bubble play, marshmallow towers, and chalk drawing, each pop-up is a little different. Come and see. Pop-ups are from 2-5 p.m. on Aug. 7, 9, 13, 14, 16, 30. POKEMON CLUB. Want to join a new P...
July 21 1:13 a.m. A Cathlamet resident was transported to the hospital for shortness of breath and chest pain. 7:05 a.m. A driver on SR4 called to report an individual pushing a shopping cart along the side of SR4 near Maple Ridge Road. 8:02 a.m. A Rosburg resident called to report that they heard a loud boom, “like a cannon,” followed by a power outage on Raistakka Road. 1:37 p.m. A Cathlamet resident called to report that their cat had been missing for several days from Jacobsen Road. 2:55 p.m. A caller reported a pedestrian on w SR4 who was...
Last week, I shared about our first summer cleaning up our property in Grays River. When we were planning our move, the question we heard most often was, "You know it rains a lot there, right?" Of course, we were aware of that. It's the Pacific Northwest; everyone knows it. However, knowing about it in theory and experiencing it firsthand are two entirely different things. In Sept. 2021, the rain began, and for months, it felt as though it would never stop. Locals even mentioned that this...
July 14 7:45 a.m. A driver on SR 4 called to report that a tree was down and blocking both lanes west of County Line Park. 8:19 a.m. A caller in Cathlamet called to complain that an alpaca and donkey were blocking the roadway on Beaver Creek Road. 4:18 p.m. Someone found a wallet on SR4 and Welcome Sough Road and turned it into the Sheriff’s Office. The owner was identified later and it was returned. July 15 9:20 a.m. Sheriff’s deputies responded to assist with a vehicle accident after a county vehicle hit a deer and went off the road into a d...
In September 2020, Mark and I took a trip from Colorado to the Grays River Valley to find property to build an RV park. This was our dream, and we were dedicated to making it a reality. With the help of Mike Swanson, we were able to purchase the property on Hull Creek Road, where the Schmand dairy farm once held a prominent status in the community. It had been at least 50 years since the dairy closed, and as often happens in the Pacific Northwest, nature had reclaimed the landscape. After...
On June 30, Naselle School Superintendent Lisa Nelson shared a video on her personal Facebook page that marked her final walk through the halls of the school holding the office. In the video, she reflected on her long history at the school. "Here we go," Nelson said in the video. "I'm making my final exit from the Naselle-Grays River Valley School District. I started in this district in kindergarten, went through K-12, worked here for another 17 years, and now I say, 'over and out.'" As she...
July 7 9:25 a.m. A concerned citizen called to report yelling that was happening nearby a Cathlamet business and had been going on for the last ten minutes. Sheriff deputies advised the caller that the yellers were not breaking any laws and suggested they could leave the area. 9:40 a.m. The PUD performed an emergency power outage from Nassa Point to the County Line Park for a tree that needed to be removed due to fire. 10:50 a.m. Sheriff’s deputies responded to reports of a transient asleep in the boat that sits outside the Cathlamet museum. T...
This past weekend, the Knappton Cove Heritage Center was alive with the vibrant spirit of history during its annual Lewis & Clark Encampment, skillfully presented by the Pacific Northwest Living Historians (PNLH). This immersive living history event gave visitors a unique chance to interact with authentic character portrayals of members of the legendary Lewis and Clark expedition. Set against the backdrop of the center's beautiful front lawn, the encampment featured authentic, white, pitched...
June 30 4:35 a.m. A Grays River resident called to inform Sheriff’s deputies of a vehicle that looked to be a log truck with red and blue lights on it like an emergency vehicle driving on N Hull Creek Road. 4:25 p.m. A Skamokawa resident called to report a junk vehicle on Elochoman Valley Road. 9:10 p.m. Sheriff’s deputies assisted a driver parked at a Cathlamet Business who had locked their keys in their vehicle. 9:44 p.m. A Skamokawa resident reported that a person known to them stole their vehicle and that they hit another car on East Val...
This past Sunday, I had the privilege of being one of several descendants of Carl and Amanda Hansen to visit what remains of the town site of Frankfort, on the Lower Columbia River. On our way to the town site we caught views of the river, the Astoria Megler Bridge, the surrounding valleys, filled with blooming foxglove. At the end of the road, we hiked along a well-kept path to reach the lush spot by the river where we spent the afternoon. I did some research with Angela Metcalf from the...
June 23 4:33 p.m. Sheriff’s deputies performed a wellness check on a Cathlamet resident who had not been seen in several days. The resident was found alive and well. 9:50 p.m. The Cathlamet Ambulance responded to assist a Puget Island resident who was severely ill and having trouble breathing. June 24 1:33 a.m. Cathlamet Emergency Services responded to transport an elderly Puget Island resident to the hospital for difficulty breathing and severe hand pain. 9:13 a.m. A Skamokawa resident called to report receiving a scam text about an u...
On July 4, 1944, World War II was at a pivotal time in Europe, marked by the fierce Battle of Normandy and the intense fighting in the Cotentin Peninsula and around Caen. Just shy of a month after D-Day, the millionth Allied soldier landed in Normandy. Amidst this backdrop, my grandfather, Eddie Wirkkala, took a few precious moments to write a letter to his mother, sharing his thoughts and experiences. "July 1, 1944 Dear Ma, Hi! Here it is, July already. What are you going to do on the 4th?...
Last week, the Naselle-Grays River Valley High School Robotics team competed in Atlanta at the National SkillsUSA competition in the Robotics and Automation Technology event. During the competition, the two-member team of Andy Rojas-Meliton and Logan Wirkkala-Scheller had eight hours to design, construct, wire, and program a robot work cell with controlling PLC to move objects, test them with sensors and a camera for flaws, and place them into the correct bins. After the event, the judges said...
To The Eagle, In the earlier years of Timberland Regional Library, I was invited to give an inspirational address at their All-Staff Day in Tumwater. Presumably this was because of my outspoken love and support for books, libraries, and the people who love them both, a devotion shared by TRL's founders, staff, and directors of the day. It's a long way from there to now, when TRL's Public Information Officer feels impelled to write my local paper to call me a liar. It's also a sad tale of serious mission drift. As chief flak for the "New...
The Grays River Grange Barter Night was a notable success, attracting over 40 participants who joined the private bartering group to present and exchange their distinctive farm, kitchen, and agricultural products. The evening began with a potluck-style meal, where a variety of homemade dishes created a welcoming atmosphere for those who attended. After the meal, participants received instructions from one of the event's organizers, Kelly Shumar, who outlined the evening's agenda and explained...
To The Eagle, I am writing on behalf of Timberland Regional Library in response to incorrect assertions made by Dr. Robert Pyle in his column, "Two down, one to save" published on June 12, 2025. TRL has previously addressed Dr. Pyle's concerns regarding the Naselle library at length in a letter published on September 29, 2024, in the Chinook Observer, a version of which is also available on our website as a press release. Dr. Pyle's most recent statements regarding plans for South Bend, Raymond and "other small branches" are similarly false....
To The Eagle, My wife Dee and I, here at the Finnish Line in Deep River, are proud to endorse John Mason for Wahkiakum County Sheriff. He is a quality individual with over 12 years of experience as a deputy and later as a sergeant in the County Sheriff’s office. He has a strong record of leadership and excellent decision-making rooted in an impressive level of situational awareness. It is recognition of his experience and abilities that resulted in his appointment by the Board of County Commissioners as Sheriff upon Mark Howie’s ret...
Before moving to the area, I would often visit and make several trips to see family while attending the Finnish American Folk Festival (FAFF) in late July. When we finally decided to relocate here, one of the things I looked forward to the most was getting involved in the festival. Now, four years later, I have completed a festival in 2022 as the chair of the Tori (the marketplace). In January 2023, I also took on the role of treasurer. Since 1982, the festival has been held every other year...
I recently interviewed Carol Ervest for our 18th installment of Reader's Fave, a casual interview with someone who shares their favorite book. Carol lives in Deep River and is known throughout our county for her volunteer work and support in various endeavors. Carol shared the book "Deep River" by author Karl Marlantes, a historical saga about immigrants who leave Finland in the 1900s to get away from Russian authorities and come to the Pacific Northwest. When asked why she was drawn to this...
Libraries are at the beating heart of our culture, what there is of it. Especially in these times of book banning and institution wrecking, our libraries and librarians stand between all of us—whatever political persuasion—and barbarism. Many years ago, my late wife Thea spearheaded election initiatives to create a library district in Wahkiakum County so we could join Timberland Regional Library. Both successive attempts—first for the whole county, then just for the West End—went down, the latter by three votes. I hate to say it, but now I t...
