Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891
Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891
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Hunters across Wahkiakum and Pacific counties say they have reached a breaking point as financial giants make their way of life increasingly expensive and dangerous, and county commissioners are taking notice. But as nearly-unreachable global timberland investment giants have moved in and blocked off access to tens of thousands of acres of forest land — including state and private lands where hunting is still allowed — commissioners across Wahkiakum and Pacific counties say they are running out of options. These investment companies aren’t cont...
During the Monday, March 16 session of Cathlamet Town Council, Clerk-Treasurer Sarah Clark prepared a report to discuss bills for commercial stormwater accounts in Cathlamet. The discussion had begun during the Tuesday, Feb. 17 session, and Clark was asked to come back with more information. During her report, Clark mentioned she had gone over rates, as well as used Google Maps to "look at each individual property to determine the distance from storm drains, direction of water drain, and roof direction" in order to "help reduce commercial...
During Tuesday's meeting of the Wahkiakum County Commissioners, Public Works Director Chuck Beyer requested a call for bids for two roadside mowings in 2026. According to Tuesday's packet, $70,000 was budgeted in the Road Fund for 2026. The commissioners unanimously approved Beyer's request. Wahkiakum County Department of Emergency Management Coordinator Austin Smith presented before the commissioners for the approval of an interlocal agreement with the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) for a virtual coordination center. No...
One of my favorite aspects about the outdoors is introducing new people to it; those unaccustomed to the activity at hand. Not necessarily, mind you, nimrods in the whole of the outdoors. Unfamiliar, one might say, with Mother Nature. No, just new to whatever 'this' or 'that' might be. Over the past quarter century, I've had the opportunity to play a role in any number of such introductions. My wife's first Canada goose, whitetail buck, rooster pheasant, wild turkey, and channel catfish. Still,...
The fourth annual KM Robotics Cup was completed Thursday, March 19. This is a culminating competition between middle school students in Wahkiakum and Naselle school districts. A total of 15 robots battled it out through a double-elimination tournament in which Wahkiakum's team of Leo and Carter placed first, Dylan and Keely placed second, and Phillip and Xander placed third. After the tournament was completed, we held some "battle royales" with seven "roboto" from Naselle and eight from...
I recently interviewed Puget Island resident Tonia Brown for our 56th installment of Reader's Fave, a casual interview with someone who shares their favorite book. Tonia began our discussion with author Nora Roberts. "She's my go to," Tonia said. "My mom would clean houses and I'd go along to help. There was this one lady who had all these Nora Roberts books and let me take them to read as I wanted. Her books are a quick read. They stick out to me the most, but it's not always obvious where the...
The time of year has come when those pesky weeds begin to pop up around the county and in people’s yards. The Wahkiakum Noxious Weed Control Board wants you to know that we are available to help landowners and land managers with information, services and resources to deal with invasive, non-native plant species. Our program is responsible for identifying noxious weeds that are impacting our county resources, agricultural products, forestry products, native habitats, fisheries and recreation. Noxious weeds affect property values and cost all of...
Adding organic matter to gardens Organic matter is a valuable addition to all gardens. It improves soil textures and adds nutrient holding capacity to the soil. The stimulation of biological life as the material breaks down can reduce disease problems. However, adding organic matter can tie up nitrogen for some time. This can hurt plant growth, especially annual flowers and vegetables. The degree of tie-up relates to the relative amounts of humus and un-decomposed residues in the material. If the material has completely composted, there is...
During the Naselle Grays River Valley School Board meeting on Tuesday, March 17, Karen Nelson, who serves as head of the K-12 music program, provided a tour of the department's curriculum. Nelson explained that students in kindergarten through fourth grade “focus on general music, learning foundations of notation and singing through instruments like ukuleles and recorders.” Nelson also noted that Band, as a class, begins in fifth grade and “is now a chosen elective rather than a requirement.” Nelson reported the high school band has grown to 21...
The following is a guest editorial put together by the Clatskanie Farmer Collective: A proposed industrial development along the Columbia River near Clatskanie has entered a key stage of federal review, with a public comment period now open through April 20. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers recently released a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the proposed NEXT Renewable Fuels refinery at Port Westward. The document evaluates the potential environmental, economic and community impacts of constructing and operating the facility,...
There are 2 Easter egg hunts scheduled this year. From Monday, March 30 through Sunday, April 5, the Clatskanie Chamber of Commerce is hosting an Easter egg hunt throughout local participating businesses. A poster on the door will let you know they are a part of the hunt. Each business will hide Easter eggs within their business for customers to find. The following rules apply: one egg per customer a day; the eggs can include treats and discount coupons; everyone is encouraged to get out, join the fun, and celebrate our local businesses and...
United Way of Columbia County is proud to announce an exciting new chapter in its mission to strengthen local communities through a regional merger with United Way organizations in Clatsop and Tillamook counties. This collaboration marks a significant step forward in expanding impact, increasing efficiency, and better serving individuals and families across the three-county region. As part of this transition, United Way will distribute $180,000 in unrestricted grants to 19 local nonprofit social service agencies in 2026. These flexible funds al...
Every year, the town of Rainier gathers to celebrate the trek Oregon pioneers made and their lives in 1853. The reenactment includes members of the community dressed as figures from the time, including local farmers, shopkeepers, blacksmiths, Native Americans, and more. These reenactors recreate different historical events like weddings, dances, school, and military ceremonies. During the event, buildings are also made up to look like they came from the 19th century to represent military outposts, tents, and stores. The reenactment also...
Columbia County’s Solid Waste Program works to protect public health and the environment by providing responsible waste management services and promoting waste reduction, recycling, and reuse throughout the county. Its Reuse Program has diverted nearly 18,000 pounds of usable materials from the landfill since launching in fall of 2025. The effort helps keep usable materials out of the landfill while returning them to the community through local non-profit partners. The program operates at the Columbia County Solid Waste Transfer Station and f...
In March the Public Works Department completed the redesign of the disc golf course at the city park. The layout of the course was altered to make it more user friendly and to limit the disruption to other park activities. Improved signage was added to help players navigate the course more easily. These disc golf course improvements were previously approved by the City’s Parks Committee and Council and were done at a minimal cost to Rainier residents. Efforts are still underway to raise funds for improvements to the skate park facility, w...
During Kelso’s City Council meeting on Tuesday, March 17, Public Works manager Devin Mackin took the stand to share the department achievements for 2025. Public Works added seven new employees to assist with long-term stability in water, sewage, and traffic. Within the Parks Division, staff maintained eight parks and over 50 acres of land, with 43 percent of labor dedicated to mowing and landscaping. A highlight for the city was the reopening of the Catlin Rotary Spray Park after it had been inactive for several years. Public Works also s...
At its meeting on Tuesday, March 17, the Cowlitz County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) scheduled a call for bids on a countywide pavement overlay project, as well as a bid for 28 sheets of scrim reinforced polyethylene geomembrane. Both bids are set for Monday, April 13 at 1:30 p.m. A call for bids on pipes is scheduled for Monday, April 6 at 1:30 p.m. During Tuesday’s meeting, the board awarded a bid to Sterling Green Crushing, Inc. in the amount of $421,216.49 for aggregate rock for summer road work. Washington State has extended the c...
Welcome library members and everyone to our April update. NEW PASS We now have Northwest Forest passes at the library. This pass is honored at all Forest Service day-use or entrance fee sites in Washington and Oregon. We have two of these passes and they will be available beginning Saturday, March 28. Limit one per family. PATTY CAKES BOOK CORNER Check out our library book corner in Patty Cakes. You may contribute any amount for your chosen book. This enables you an opportunity to directly...
At the beginning of the monthly meeting of Cathlamet Town Council Monday, March 16, Mayor Nicholas Sevald announced Councilmember Mike Severson has recently moved out of Cathlamet town limits and is no longer eligible to hold Position 5 on Town Council. According to Town Clerk Sarah Clark, the Town “will accept applications until it has a sufficient number for review,” after which “the council will conduct interviews and make their decision.” As part of the regular business portion of Monday’s meeting, interlocal agreements with Wahkiakum Count...
During its meeting Tuesday, March 17, the Wahkiakum County Commissioners voted unanimously to approve a letter of support for the Cowlitz Tribe’s request for an alternative funding arrangement from the Environmental Quality Incentive Program for the Grays Headwaters Restoration Project. According to the letter, the Tribe “has been intensely focused on restoring floodplain connectivity in the Grays River headwaters since 2018.” The letter also states the Tribe “has purchased $2.5 million of local timber, placed nearly 9,000 whole trees, and ins...
For a few minutes on Monday, March 9, the Washington State Senate paused its usual pace of debate and votes to recognize something older than the state itself. The Senate passed Resolution 8690 honoring the Chinook Indian Nation and acknowledging the Nation's history and continuing presence along the Lower Columbia River and the Pacific Coast of Southwest Washington and Northwest Oregon. In the chamber to hear it were Chinook Chair Tony "Naschio" Johnson, Vice Chairman Sam Robinson,...
An investment company co-founded by a 21st -century German prince is joining other timber industry goliaths in gobbling up and shutting down access to hunting land in Wahkiakum and Pacific counties. The change comes as Pacific Northwest timberland values are rising, making the region attractive to European investors who value the cheap, privately owned land — unlike in much of Europe. In 2024 alone, companies affiliated with Constantin Prinz zu Salm-Salm (AKA Prince Constantin) spent more than $100 million on roughly 12,000 acres of t...
I recently interviewed Cathlamet resident Kermit Chamberlain for our 55th installment of Reader's Fave, a casual interview with someone who shares their favorite book. Kermit, with a library shelf filled with C.J. Box books said, "It was probably years ago I was listening to NPR and they had a weekly show where they talked about books and C.J. Box was mentioned. I've read every book he's written. He's a great writer. I love his stuff, especially the 'Joe Pickett' series, but I intended to talk...
During its meeting Thursday, March 12, Longview City Council approved Ordinance 3572. The ordinance addresses the city’s sewer pretreatment policy, which regulates how waste water is removed from businesses within the city. Because they rarely produce harmful wastewater, retail stores were removed from the list of regulated sources. Council members noted adopting this policy helps the city remain compliant with state requirements and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Ordinance 3573 and Resolution No. 2608, focusing on ambulance t...
