Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891
Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891
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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...
Wahkiakum County Fire District 3 serves the West End of the county, operating stations in Grays River on N. Hull Creek Road, Rosburg on Raistakka Road, and a small station on Salmon Creek Road. Their coverage area extends from KM Hill in the east to the Pacific County line in the west, including the portions of Salmon Creek that fall within Wahkiakum County. The department consists of approximately 25 volunteers, with eight to ten of them regularly responding to calls and attending training...
May 26 5:21 a.m. A driver on SR4 near Miller Rd. called to report that they had struck a deer, but there were no injuries and they did not need emergency services. 11:14 a.m. A Puget Island resident called to report that three known individuals broke into their home while they were away and stole items valued at up to $6,000. The resident only wanted to document the situation and did not want the individuals charged. 12:34 p.m. Sheriff’s deputies assisted a Cathlamet resident who locked their keys in their vehicle. 3:06 p.m. The Cathlamet A...
There have been several recent posts on one of the Grays River Valley history pages that serve as a great reminder of the constant changes in our community. Change is inevitable. Even if we long for the "good old days," time marches on, technology advances, and new ideas lead to more efficient ways of doing things. Over 100 years ago, access to the valley was mainly limited to boats navigating various waterways. Steamships traveled up Grays River to W.N. Meserve General Store, located along the...
At the beginning of the season, Naselle Head Coach Randy Lindstrom and the Comets set their goals sky-high. The program sought a return to the state finals and, though they fell just short in the semifinals, the season was still a success, decided by the finest of margins. "When we started, we set our goals very high and checked almost all the boxes," Lindstrom said. "Baseball is such a funny sport. You can play well and almost perfect all year, but all the pieces of the puzzle have to fall...
On Thursday, I attended a meet-and-greet with local author A.S. Martin as part of the Appelo Archives Author Series. It was an informative afternoon discussing his debut book, Chasing Shadows, the first installment in the Whispers of the Forgotten series. The book's back cover synopsis provides a glimpse into the story: "Secrets never die; they wait. When Evelyn Hart inherits her grandmother's bookstore, she expects a quiet life filled with childhood memories. However, a hidden letter changes ev...
Wahkiakum baseball and Naselle softball have seen their seasons come to an end, with the Mules dropping in the state quarterfinals and Comets softball falling in the opening round. Meanwhile, the Comets' baseball team has continued to light it up, and they have just one game standing between them and the state final. Naselle's quarterfinal was "bittersweet" Naselle earned its spot in the baseball state semifinals with a big 25-4 win over Northport on Saturday, May 24. However, Northport entered...
Wahkiakum beat Ocosta in a nailbiter, while Naselle dominated Oakville on May 14, which set up a rivalry matchup between the Mules and the Comets for the 2025 District 4 1B Baseball championship. Naselle ended up walking away the winners, but both teams earned a state berth, cementing themselves as two of the top 12 teams in the state. District tournament The Mules and Comets could not have had more different state-clinching games. Both teams were in a "win or go home" situation when they lined...
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time dedicated to increasing public understanding of mental health and reducing the stigmas associated with mental illness. This month also celebrates the importance of mental well-being and encourages individuals to seek help when they need it. Unfortunately, stigma surrounding mental health continues to cause discrimination and social isolation, leading many to feel ashamed and unworthy. In any given year, one in five American adults experiences some form of mental illness, and one in every 20 adults...
On Saturday evening, I attended the final performance of The Drowsy Chaperone, Jr., presented by the Naselle Drama Club. The Naselle School Commons was packed for closing night, with family, friends, students, and faculty coming out to enjoy the show. A total of 32 cast members took to the stage, delivering an engaging and creative production. The Drowsy Chaperone, Jr. is a story within a story. The nameless Man in the Chair, played by Arin Sabey, sits off to the side of the stage, listening to...
One self-service library, high school, and grocery store serve the 519 people of Naselle, Washington. The piles of felled logs along the roadsides dwarf the passing cars, signaling to drivers that this town was built on logging. Many Naselle residents have family roots in the forestry sector, allowing them to be intimately familiar with its demands. They also do not often push back on timber harvests that pose no threat to endangered species or their habitats. But an upcoming harvest will fell trees surrounding one of two creeks that supply...
Just like that, the regular season for 1B baseball has come to a close. While it might feel like the spring season has flown by, the biggest games are still to come, and both Naselle and Wahkiakum's baseball programs have a swing at qualifying for the state championships this month. While Naselle has enjoyed resurgent form after a slow start, Wahkiakum's season has been something of the inverse. After starting hot, the Mules have ended the regular season on a cold spell. The following provides...
After being out of town for a week, we returned to a vibrant spring landscape. Areas we hadn't mowed yet had grass growing two feet tall, blackberry bushes were thriving, and the trees had fully leafed out. We spent Sunday afternoon on the mower and tractor cleaning up our property. While I was writing my column today, temperatures soared into the 80s. If the weather continues like this, we may be in for a long, hot summer. On Sunday, we attended the chicken dinner fundraiser at Rosburg Hall...
My grandpa, Edwin Wirkkala, was one of the most important men in my life. A few years before his death, since I was living in Colorado, I committed to visiting him at least every six months. Thankfully, with the support of my husband, a job that allowed me to travel, and sufficient financial resources, I was able to keep that promise. The last time I saw him in person was in Feb. 2020. I had planned to visit again in March with my brother, sister-in-law, and sister, but due to the pandemic, we...
