Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891
Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891
Sorted by date Results 3130 - 3154 of 9907
On May 18, Pacific County Deputy Health Officer, Dr. Steven Krager and Grays Harbor County Health Officer, Dr. John Bausher issued a joint letter to the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) indicating their support for a resumption of the recreational razor clam season on May 21, 26, and 28. Dr. Krager also issued, as part of his phased order, a specific order that allowed the season to resume with agreement from WDFW. On May 19, a decision was made at the state level that “razor clam digs bring thousands of people to travel to t...
As Wahkiakum County moves into a Phase 2 opening from covid-19 restrictions, the county's two port districts are taking different steps in allowing camping at their facilities. Port District 2 is allowing day use only at Skamokawa Vista Park, with a possibility of allowing overnight camping later this month. Port District 1 has started allowing camping at the Elochoman Slough Marina but had ribboned off County Line Park for day use only going into last weekend. Lee Tischer, a member of the Port...
Local church leaders have been embracing new technologies to bring messages of comfort to parishioners who are longing for communion with their church family while staying home to protect them during a pandemic. Ken Cummings, pastor at River of Life Assembly of God in Cathlamet, is enjoying the challenge, learning how to use Facebook Live, Zoom, and more to keep his church members engaged and together, even if it is from home, in front of their computers. “We’re all getting a crash course in...
As of Tuesday night, four people had tested positive for covid-19 in Wahkiakum County, according to the Washington State Department of Health website. Sixty-five people have been tested. Pacific County had nine positive cases and one death reported. Cowlitz County has 66 reported cases. Across the river, Clatsop County reported 33 cases, while Columbia County was at 15. On Monday, Chris Bischoff, the Director of Wahkiakum Health and Human Services, said he had recently spoken with the Secretary...
Wahkiakum County officials discussed Tuesday their next moves to deal with covid-19 virus, issues ranging from the fate of the county fair to installation of sneeze screens in courthouse offices. Even with news that the state Department of Health has approved the county moving to a Phase 2 re-opening, the officials are wary of a continuing threat of the pandemic. "It seems like we will go to Phase 3 faster than any other place in the state," said county Health & Human Services Director Chris Bischoff, "if we can keep our cases under control and...
Candidates have begun filing for 2020 elections; the regular filing period ends tomorrow (Friday). Wahkiakum County positions on the ballot include County Commissioner #1, County Commissioner #2, Wahkiakum PUD Commissioner #1, and all Precinct Committee Officer (PCO) positions for both the Democratic and Republican parties. Also on the ballot are District 19 senator and representatives, US House of Representatives, Pacific/Wahkiakum Superior Court, and state Supreme Court. As of Tuesday, filings included: County Commissioner #1, Mike Backman,...
As Wahkiakum County enters a Phase 2 opening for covid-19 virus precautions, restaurants and other eating establishments may resume dining in premises under state guidelines. According to a news release from the governor's office, through the Washington "Safe Start" plan, more businesses and activities will re-open in subsequent phases with adequate safety and health standards in place. Each phase will be at least three weeks — metrics and data will guide when the state can move from one phase to another. Through the Safe Start approach, c...
Due to the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak, all county buildings are closed to the public and meetings and events usually listed here have been canceled or changed to online participation until further notice. The Eagle was advised of the following events: Online Recovery Meeting, Lower Columbia River Refuge Recovery. Mondays 6:30 p.m. Zoom ID 960 8413 9102....
If it were up to Wahkiakum County commissioners, stay at home restrictions on business and society in general to prevent the spread of covid-19 virus would be largely lifted. The county now has just three cases, and the economy needs to restart, they say. On Tuesday, commissioners authorized Health and Human Services Director Chris Bischoff to prepare an application to the state Department of Health (DOH) to move the county into a Phase 2 physical distancing order which permits small gatherings, partial re-opening of restaurants, more...
Wahkiakum County Health & Human Services has announced that the state Department of Health has approved the county's move to Phase 2 covid-19 re-opening. Following is the press release containing the announcement on Monday: Wahkiakum County Health and Human Services (WHHS) has received approval from the State Department of Health to proceed to Phase 2 of Governor Inslee’s Phased Approach to Reopening Washington Plan. None of the Phase 2 activities/businesses can begin until state officials have issued guidance for that activity/ business and t...
Last Friday, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee announced a four-phase plan to ease restrictions from the state's coronavirus stay-at-home order. While more activities are allowed starting Tuesday, May 5, the stay-at-home order would be extended through at least May 31. The first phase starting Tuesday allows retail curbside pickup, automobile sales and car washes by mid-May. Ten counties such as Wahkiakum with a low numbers of cases and deaths may be able to open parts of their economy sooner if...
Light from the setting sun illuminated newly budded grape vine leaves. Photo by Rick Nelson....
The Wahkiakum PUD Board of Commissioners opened their meeting on Tuesday morning with a public hearing on a matter they are considering, a financial consolidation of their three systems--the Electrical System, Western Wahkiakum Water System, and Puget Island Water System. Currently, each system has its own budget, based on the income it generates. On November 26, 2019, the commissioners approved the budgets for the 2020 year, with expected expenditures of $4,348,380 for the Electrical System,...
Filing for elected positions on the 2020 primary and general election ballots starts next Monday and runs through the rest of the week. Candidates for local offices may file with their county auditor. Candidates should contact those offices to learn how to file as office access is restricted because of covid-19 virus protection measures. The Wahkiakum County staff is working with the office of the Secretary of State to create an online registration process. "We will be available for candidates to file in person, essentially treating our front...
As of Tuesday night, the total number of confirmed cases of covid-19 in Wahkiakum County remained at two. On Wednesday morning, the number changed to three. As of this time, the first two are considered to be recovered. According to the Washington State Department of Health website, 59 people in the county have been tested. There are now 60 positive cases in Cowlitz County, according to DOH, which also reported four positive cases in Pacifiic County on Tuesday. Chris Bischoff, Director for...
Due to the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak, all county buildings are closed to the public and meetings and events usually listed here have been canceled or changed to online participation until further notice. The Eagle was advised of the following events: Online Recovery Meeting, Lower Columbia River Refuge Recovery. Mondays 6:30 p.m. Zoom ID 960 8413 9102. Cathlamet Library Board of Trustees, May 7, 1 p.m., Zoom meeting. Open public meeting....
Wahkiakum Superior Court and District Courts and the County Clerk office continue to monitor the COVID-19 pandemic, and to collaborate with state officials and the Wahkiakum County Health Department to ensure the health and safety of the courts, the judicial community, and the public. All jury trials have been cancelled through July 6. While access to the courthouse remains restricted for health and safety during the pandemic, functions at the courthouse are still available during normal business hours, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday....
Internet hotspots are a big topic right now, especially in an underserved county like Wahkiakum, in the midst of a pandemic, with students, teachers, and many other people working from home. While Wahkiakum School District has extended their wifi to their entire campus for student use, and provided as many mobile hotspots as they can to families that need them, Steve Carson, of Skamokawa Internet Service has partnered with The Duck Inn to put in another hot spot in Skamokawa for anyone who...
“St. James Family Center continues to provide services to children and families in our community,” Director Beth Hansen wrote in an email recently. “We have been working with our state partners to modify services and how we provide them. At this time our childcare program remains open to provide services for first responders, healthcare workers and essential workers in our community. Attendance is low, but we will do our best to continue to have childcare available.” Hours have changed. St. James is currently open from 8:00 a.m to 5:00 p.m. St...
In a split vote, members of the Cathlamet Town Council on Monday agreed to proceed as lead agency in a grant application to install an electric vehicle (EV) charging station. Under the plan proposed by Council Member David Olson, the town would locate a Level 3 charging station in a park yet to be developed at the intersection of Main and Butler streets. Council Member Bill Wainwright, while saying he supports electric vehicles, questioned the value of the station to the town and its cost. He said he had conducted an informal poll of residents...
Wahkiakum County Health & Human Services Department has announced the discovery of a fourth covid-19 patient in Wahkiakum County. Following is the news release making the announcement: Wahkiakum County Health and Human Services (WHHS) has received a positive test result notification for a 4th COVID-19 case in a Wahkiakum County resident. The individual is in self-quarantine and while symptomatic they do not require medical care currently. This case likely represents the first known person to person spread in the County. We are working to...
The Columbia River spring Chinook fishery is scheduled to open for four days through mid-May, state fishery managers announced today. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) jointly manage the river through the Columbia River Compact process, which met Friday and laid out proposed fisheries for spring Chinook and sockeye. Anglers will be able to fish for spring Chinook on the river both above and below Bonneville Dam on May 5, 7, 9, and 13. Sockeye retention will open on a portion...
Wahkiakum County commissioners dealt with a variety of issues related to impact of the covid-19 virus when they met Tuesday via the internet. With about $250,000 state covid-19 relief funding coming to help cover pandemic response expenses, health department personnel presented a couple of requests for screening equipment for the courthouse and other county buildings. One was a scanning thermometer to take the body temperature of people as they filter through security lines. The cost to purchase and set up would be approximately $3,360,...
No PIGYS, Finn Fest in 2020 Compiled by Rick Nelson Organizers of community festivals and events are struggling to decide what to do in response to the corona-19 virus pandemic and resulting social distancing. This week, organizers announced the cancellation of two events, the Puget Island Garage and Yard Sale (PIGYS) in late June and the Naselle Finnish-American Folk Festival (FAFF) at the end of July. "We have decided that it is too risky to hold the festival this summer," Anita Raistakka, one of the FAFF organizers said this week. "We will...
As of Tuesday night in Wahkiakum County, the number of positive cases of covid-19 remained unchanged at two, with the first person testing positive on April 3 and the second testing positive on April 4. So far, 50 residents have been tested for covid-19. In Pacific County, four people have tested positive for covid-19. Across the river in Clatsop County, there have been six positive cases, and in Columbia County, there are 14. In neighboring Cowlitz County, they stand at 39, while in Clark...
