Sorted by date Results 1153 - 1177 of 9450
More than 400,000 health care professionals would be required to provide information on race, ethnicity, gender, and spoken languages under a bill that passed the House and now is under consideration by the Senate. “This is something that we need to do to align our racial and ethnic makeup, and also just understanding better how we can get the workforce that reflects our state,” said Rep. Marcus Riccelli, D-Spokane. “This is needed to help us have a more robust and diverse workforce.” Currently, demographic information is collected for physici...
Rob Garrett is resigning after 11 successful years as the Wahkiakum High School Girls Basketball Head Coach and has much to share about what he's learned over the last decade, about coaching and life. Garrett's lifelong love of basketball and career goals were born in a gym watching another coach, his own father, Bob Garrett. "My love of coaching started at a very young age," Garrett said. "My first influence would be my dad. I remember going to practice when I was still back in Lyle. We moved...
Cathlamet resident Terry Heagy died March 7 in a two-car collision on SR 4 east of Stella. Heagy, 70, was a passenger in a Honda CR-V driven westbound by Chase Heagy, age 20, also of Cathlamet. According the the Washington State Patrol, a Ford F-150 pickup driven eastbound by David Florek, 35, Kelso, crossed the centerline and collided head on with the Heagy vehicle. Florek and the two Heagy’s were taken to St. John Medical Center for treatment, and Terry Heagy was later pronounced dead. The state patrol is investigating. All were wearing s...
Another business is opening on Main Street in Cathlamet on Saturday that promises to be fun for the kids and for the kid in all of us, The Doll House at the Hotel Cathlamet. The proprietor, Sue Scott, is new to the community. She hails from southern California, but lived more recently in the Midwest and Texas, and moved to Cathlamet to be closer to family. "To make a long story short, I'm starting over," Scott said. "Eighty-two years old and starting something. This never entered my mind."...
In their weekly meeting held on March 7, the Wahkiakum County Commissioners considered many items. First was approval for the renewal of the liquor license for Duck Inn in Skamokawa, then accepting the resignation of Robert Ward from the county planning commission then, approving the new Town of Cathlamet representative for the planning commission, Jeanne Hendrickson. They also approved letters requesting support for two CDF (Congressionally Directed Funding) projects to be sponsored by Congressional Representative Marie Glusenkamp Perez. The...
At the Wahkiakum County PUD Board of Commissioners meeting on Tuesday General Manager Dan Kay talked about the ongoing conversation between utilities and Bonneville Power Administration as they negotiate their twenty year, post 2028 contracts. Kay and Commissioner Gene Healy have been closely involved in the process and Kay said the Public Power Council, an organization that represents the interests of utilities in the Pacific Northwest, was thankful for the small utility’s active engagement, a...
Enjoy ukelele music? Want to listen or learn to play? Wahkiakum County enthusiasts strummed along to a Commodores song while diners enjoyed tacos nearby. About 8-12 people are gathering Wednesdays at 6 p.m. at Maria's to practice on the four stringed instrument, which, according to Wikipedia, is a member of the lute family, of Portuguese origin, and known for its connection to Hawaiian culture and music. All levels are welcome. Photo by Diana Zimmerman....
Sex traffickers often manipulate their victims with lies or threats and force them to participate in sexual acts, and the most vulnerable victims are between the ages of 12 and 18. “Sex trafficking is rampant, indiscriminate and insidious, especially among youth, but it’s rarely thought as (of as) such,” said Ria Bahadur, a member of the Legislative Youth Advisory Council at Eastside Preparatory School. “I like to believe humans are good people, and I like to believe when given the right education, we’re stronger and smarter than any pimp out t...
Legislation has passed the Washington State House of Representatives that would address the operation and maintenance deficit of the Wahkiakum County ferry. Rep. Joel McEntire, prime sponsor of the legislation, House Bill 1782, says the bill is not only about getting people to work, but a public safety issue as well. "The ferry operates in the far southwest corner of the state, but is important to many communities. Many workers in Washington and Oregon use the ferry daily for work," said McEntire, R-Cathlamet. "This is also a public safety...
Reproductive health care services including abortion and gender affirming treatment would be protected in Washington State under a bill recently passed by the House with a 59-38 vote. The legislation, House Bill 1469, was sponsored by Rep. Drew Hansen, D-Bainbridge Island. Hansen said it establishes the state’s right to protect the insurance coverage of protected healthcare services, regardless of a person’s location when receiving those services. Other states are free to make their own public policy choices on what is legal or illegal within t...
Puget Island photographer Sarah Lawrence managed to get pretty close to a resident Anna's Hummingbird the other week and captured its iridescent head feathers. "Such a stunning creature!" she commented....
THURSDAY Walking Group, Community Center, Cathlamet, 9 a.m. Free Senior Fitness and Balance Class, Hope Center, 3rd & Maple, enter via door on 3rd, 12:45-1:45 p.m. Food Addicts, Hope Center, 3rd & Maple, Cathlamet, 6-7 p.m. Cathlamet Fire Department, 7 p.m. Senior Citizen Luncheon, Rosburg Hall, Noon. Senior Citizen Luncheon, Hope Center, Noon. Puget Island Fire Department, drill night, 7 p.m. Port District No. 1, 500 2nd St., Noon. District No. 4 Fire Department, 7 p.m. Grays River Fire District No. 3 Commissioners, 7:30 p.m. Grays River Fire...
The Wahkiakum School District Board of Directors learned how a grant was being used for robotics education, how student growth has been affected by the pandemic, and the gains teachers and students are making, and heard other various reports last Tuesday. Wahkiakum County Washington State University Extension Director Carrie Backman and Jessica Vik, who was hired to be a 4-H liaison at WSD talked about a Career Connect WA grant and the robotics program they were involved in at the school...
Members of the community rallied in support of classified staff at Wahkiakum School District, who have been without a contract since August. Classified staff includes paraeducators, office staff, food service, bus drivers, custodians, maintenance, technology, and food service employees. Classified staff are asking the district to increase their wages, which are lower than the pay rates at other similar districts in the state. One position that works closely with students makes $15.17/hour,...
Wahkiakum County officials took steps Tuesday to participate in settlements of two suits against opioid pill producers and distributors. Commissioners also proclaimed March as Red Cross Month, approved letters of support for Wahkiakum PUD's application for a grant to search for an alternate supply for the Puget Island Water System and discussed other items of interest. The county's share for the opioid suit settlements would probably be about $257,842 and be spread over 17 years, about $15,000 per year. The money is to be directed to programs...
A national test given to people who want to be paraeducators in public schools often slows the process and presents roadblocks for bilingual applicants, some educators say. Substitute House Bill 1015, sponsored by Rep. Sharon Tomiko Santos, D-Seattle, attempts to solve these problems. “As many of you are aware, school districts are not only dealing with a significant shortage of teacher applicants but also struggling to fill their para-pro positions,” said Rural Education Center Director Jim Kowalkowski. “While this bill will not compl...
Installing automated vehicle speed cameras and other measures to improve highway safety were approved in separate bills by the state Senate Feb. 23. “Speed kills. Our work zones have lower posted speeds for very good reasons. This helps to prevent collisions with slower-moving work vehicles and helps to protect workers who are often outside of their vehicles,” said Mark McKechnie from the Washington Traffic Safety Commission testifying in support of ESSB 5272. There were 28 fatalities in work zones in the past three years. About 20% of acc...
Victims of domestic violence will get more protection under a package of bills now moving through the state Legislature. Rep. Lauren Davis, D-Shoreline, is sponsoring House Bill 1715. The bill challenges the idea that domestic violence victims need to go into hiding and it holds the abusers accountable, she said. The law would initiate statewide requirements for electronic monitoring with victim notification, it changes the process that requires surrendering firearms and it creates provisions under which a domestic violence victim can terminate...
Children and grandchildren sat on laps and wandered the aisles of the House of Representatives for this year's Children's Day at the state Legislature, and many young observers played with toy dinosaurs as House members voted for a bill establishing an official state dinosaur. House Bill 1020, sponsored by Rep. Melanie Morgan, D-Parkland, establishes a fossil nicknamed "Suciasaurus Rex" as Washington state's official dinosaur. The fossil was discovered in 2012 on Sucia Island in San Juan...
THURSDAY Wahkiakum Fire District 3 Commissioners, 7:30 p.m. Cathlamet Fire Department, 7 p.m. Senior Citizen Luncheon, Hope Center, Noon. Senior Citizen Luncheon, Rosburg Hall, Noon. Skamokawa Fire Department, 7 p.m. Grays River Fire Department, work night, 7:30 p.m. Puget Island Fire Department, drill night, 7 p.m. District No. 4 Fire Department, 7 p.m. Wahkiakum Fire District 2 Commissioners, Skamokawa Fire Hall, 7 p.m. Cathlamet Public Library Board of Trustees, 12:45 p.m. Free Senior Fitness and Balance Class, Hope Center, 3rd & Maple,...
There are good reasons to serve on a school board, but there are also issues that challenge both the local Naselle GRV board members and the community. At the last meeting on February 21, a full agenda and an estimated 20 guests had some long discussions. An on-going issue from the January meeting was the hiring of a new interventionist by the board with funds from Pacific County. Several people from the school as well as the Pacific County Health Department, defended the purpose of the position and clarified her responsibilities. One teacher...
Over spring break in April, four Wahkiakum High School students will travel to Germany with their German teacher and German Club advisor, Don Cox. This year students will spend the week visiting Nuremberg, Rothenburg, and traveling on the Rhine. There are two more opportunities to support the four students, who are now fundraising for some extra spending money that will pay for museum visits, snacks, breakfast, and more on their visit to Europe. They want to earn the money, Cox said, and are...
The Wahkiakum Chamber of Commerce's 37th annual Crab and Oyster Feed at Columbia River Ranch was a big success, according to Chamber Director Monica Budd. "Everybody loved it more than last year," Budd said. "Every year it just improves." This year there were more heaters to keep everyone warm while they enjoy oysters, crab, corn on the cob, coleslaw, potato salad and rolls, as well as desserts provided by The Spar, and beer from River Mile 38 Brewery. DJ Steve Carson of Computer Link NW...
The Town of Cathlamet has a new council member. After interviewing applicants Kaden Anderson, Joseph Baker, Holly McKeen, and Michael Severson, the council voted 3-1 to appoint Baker to the vacant Position #3. Council member Laurel Waller cast the lone dissenting vote. Position #3 is up for election this fall, and Baker will be required to run for election to continue past the nine-month appointment. Baker and his wife relocated to Cathlamet in 2021 after residing in Auburn for many years. He formerly managed the theater at Green River College...
Mule Wrestler Lilian Hale became the first female Wahkiakum Mule wrestler to place in the state tournament. Hale, a junior, took sixth place at 155 at the Mat Classic in the Tacoma Dome over the weekend. See story on Page 12. Courtesy photo...