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Eggleaf spurge, also known as oblong spurge or Balkan spurge, is a Class A weed. This weed is native to Turkey and Southeast Europe, is toxic to humans, and is on the Washington State quarantine list. Eggleaf spurge was first introduced as a garden ornamental and escaped cultivation. It is closely related to and exhibits invasive and competitive strategies like leafy spurge, which is listed as a Washington State Class B noxious weed. This plant is an upright perennial, growing to about three feet tall from a woody, branched taproot. Plant...
The Clatskanie Arts Commission is kicking off its 36th Performing Arts Series with the annual free concert Big Band in the Park on Labor Day (Sept. 1) from 2-4 p.m. at Clatskanie City Park (35 Park St.). Thanks to the generous support of Donna Garlock, the North Coast Big Band will again be performing. Performances at the Birkenfeld Theatre in Clatskanie will begin on Saturday, Oct. 4, at 7:30 p.m. with a performance by JACA. The award-winning clarinet/guitar duo combines world music, virtuosity, and humor to bring an adventurous, passionate, a...
During the Rainier Chamber of Commerce monthly luncheon June 11, Workforce economist Shaun Barrick presented labor market information from the State of Oregon Employment Department. According to the department, the unemployed persons per job vacancy in Oregon has been higher than the U.S. average, with the discrepancy growing wider since winter 2021. Most recently, according to the statistics put out by the department, winter 2025 "had the second-lowest level of job vacancies in Oregon since summer 2020." Clarifying, Barrick said, "When we...
Strong Family Dentistry has taken up residence in the former dental office of Dr. Evans, a long-standing service provider for Rainier who recently retired. Strong Family Dentistry in Rainier is the latest business move by owner, Brad Strong, DDS, who took over the Rainier location on West B. Street in March of this year. Prior to purchasing the Rainier location, Strong operated two locations in Clatskanie and Longview. "Dr. Evans was getting ready to retire and I was tired of having two offices...
Tuesday, July 1 marks the one-year anniversary of House Bill 4156, or the Modernization of Oregon’s Anti-Stalking Law, going into effect. The original law was drafted in 1995 and made no allowance for use of electronics, internet harassment and cyberstalking, doxxing, nor expansion of the law to include proxy stalking or engaging a second person (or more) to participate in stalking, harassment, or surveillance activities. A survey by the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates 1...
I recently had the opportunity to interview Marianne Burkholder from Puget Island. We met in the Cathlamet library and discussed her role as a volunteer through the Woman's Club, for the Area Agency on Aging and Disabilities of SW Washington (AAADSW). Their vision is for every older adult, adults with disabilities, and their family members to have access to information, programs, and services to help them thrive in the setting of their choice. AAADSW is part of the aging services network created...
Last week, Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-03), along with Reps. Glenn Grothman (WI-06), Marlin Stutzman (IN-03), and Ed Case (HI-01), introduced the bipartisan “Stop the Baseline Bloat Act” to bring more transparency to the federal budget process by removing emergency spending from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) baseline. Currently, the CBO includes emergency spending in its annual baseline projections, relied on by lawmakers. This practice distorts long-term fiscal projections, skews the baseline budget toward higher spending, all...
In the early 80s, Kiwanis took the reins on the annual community parade in St. Helens. This year's parade took place on Saturday, June 21. According to Kiwanis Vice-President Judy Johnson, the parade saw a "die hard participation" with entries both local and out of town stretching "about a mile long." The parade's theme was "Show off your wheels" and, according to Johnson, brought big wheels, little wheels, trucks, racecars, mini coopers, vintage autos, a crane, backhoe, cement truck, pedal...
When the Wahkiakum Chamber of Commerce agreed to invest $35,000 in Wahkiakum West's (WWest) television show "Columbia Coast" during its April 9 meeting, WWest CEO Ken Johnson promised to film at least one of the show's 13 episodes locally. With his crew being spotted in Skamokawa, Puget Island, Downtown Cathlamet, and the Elochoman Marina last week, Johnson lived up to his end of the bargain. "Columbia Coast," which cast member Mark Justice describes as "very experiential and hands on,"...
For months, the community has discussed the fate of the tree at Strong Park. With themes centering around the safety of the walkway path that connects with Birnie Creek Bridge, the Town had discussed the possibility of removing the tree since its roots have created fissures and cracks in its adjacent sidewalk, thus precluding the walkway from ADA compliance. As both the park and the tree sit on the Wahkiakum County Historical Museum's property, the Society’s Executive Board, on Aug. 5, 2024, delivered a letter to Town Council members that s...
The Westport/Wahkiakum Ferry is celebrating 100 years of operation between Oregon and Washington this Saturday, June 21 from 3-5 p.m. and everyone is invited. Carrying dignitaries and special guests, the ferry will arrive on Puget Island from Westport, where these guests will then travel to Little Island Creamery (448 E Little Island Rd.) where the day’s real fun begins. This party is for everyone along the Lower Columbia River. If you have worked on the ferry, ridden the ferry, or just admired it from a distance, you are especially invited. M...
Today is Thursday, June 19, the 170th day of 2025. There are 195 days left in the year. This is Juneteenth. On June 19, 1865, Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, with news that the Civil War was over and that all remaining enslaved people in Texas were free — an event now celebrated nationwide as Juneteenth. Also on this date: In 1910, the first-ever Father’s Day in the United States was celebrated in Spokane, Washington. (President Richard Nixon would make Father’s Day a federally recognized annual observation through a procl...
The Wahkiakum County PUD commissioners met for their regular meeting on Tuesday, where General Manager Dan Kay gave an update on the Town of Cathlamet Consolidation. “We’re looking at August 7 as the official date for the PUD to take over operations of the TOC water systems.” Said Kay. Two former Town water system personnel have been hired onto the PUD staff. The Skamokawa sewer district has requested to merge with the Wahkiakum PUD during a meeting attended earlier this month by Kay, Commissioner Dennis Reid, a Skamokawa Sewer District commi...
This summer, Wahkiakum County 4-H is sponsoring a youth sewing school called “Sew For Fun.” Classes will be held at the Johnson Park Sewing Room (30 Rosburg School Road, Rosburg) on Monday, July 14 through Wednesday, July 16. Times will vary, depending on the youth’s age and experience. Classes start at 9 a.m. for all and go until 11:15 a.m. for younger students. Older or more experienced sewers will go an extra hour, ending at 12:15 p.m. Students will learn basic straight stitching, hand sewing, how to use a simple pattern, and details about...
CLOUDY BUT DRY. As this week begins, it’s a bit cloudy, but at least it’s not raining... not yet, that is. However, by the end of this week, the chances of rain showers are looking to increase. While we may not like to see that happening so late in June, I’m thankful it will help deter the chances of wildfires here. Many areas are currently reeling from these fast-spreading wildfires. I really won’t complain about the rain, as it adds to our water systems and waters my plants, so I don’t have to. SPECIAL DAYS. Those celebrating birthdays...
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...
Once again, folks, there's a lot going on courtesy of Mother Nature, so we'll dive right into it this week. I'm writing this on Father's Day, so a Happy Father's Day - albeit belated by the time this article publishes - goes out to all the dads out there, including my very own, Captain Michael E. Johnson (U.S. Army, Vietnam 1965-66). Trump administration pulls out of PNW salmon restoration agreement Given the significance of salmon to the people, the culture, the history, and the wallets of...
Located on Hwy 30, Rainier’s Oregon Indoor Organics has unique plant treasures residents and passers by may not be aware of behind its door. The business originally started on Rainier's A Street in 2009, selling hydroponic equipment catering to the emerging cannabis market and individual growers. The owner, Steve Knebel, grew up around plants. "My grandfather had Herman seed and floral in Portland when I was little so it was kind of in my blood," said Knebel. "I did commercial floor covering f...
During last week's Rainier Chamber of Commerce meeting, WorkSource Oregon (WSO) Area Manager Angeline Chan-Pepper explained to attendees how the organization provides employer services. An equal-opportunity agency, WSO, according to its website, is "a one-stop resource for businesses." Specifying WSO is "not an employment agency," Chan-pepper said, "If you post a job with us, it reaches a huge audience. We will do that for you without any cost...Instead of trying to pay some money to Indeed [or] LinkedIn, we can help you post the job." As part...
In March 2020, the school system of Oregon was forever changed. The spread of Covid-19 was a historic event that forced the shutdown of entire school districts and made conservative teachers switch up their teaching techniques to fit Covid-19 restrictions. All classes were moved from in-person at school to online, which damaged the mental health of both the students and teachers. During the height of the pandemic, teachers suffered from unprecedented levels of burnout and health concerns during the unusual pandemic times. Nearly 93 percent of...
In Clatskanie, the homeless population is on the rise, affecting both adults and children. The increase is straining local sources within Oregon and Clatskanie's limited resources available for both adults and kids, as it becomes an escalating concern. Officials and a concerned group of individuals look to address the problem. Clatskanie, with a population of 1,800, is experiencing a surge in homelessness, following the statewide trend. According to data from the Oregon Department of Education, nearly four percent of K-12 students in Oregon wer...
nie Middle/High School. While it hasn’t seemed to be a large problem in the past, it recently has become a big issue at Clatskanie School District. Not only does litter slowly hurt the environment around the school, the school has gotten complaints about students littering off school grounds during lunch and after school. Many students go off campus to local establishments during lunch and, as a result, leave a trail of litter behind them. Also, those students who remain on campus for lunch eat outside, and some fail to take care of their garba...
The Cathlamet Library’s summer reading and adventures program will run from June 26 through July 31. This weekly event takes place every Thursday from 1 - 2 p.m. at Erickson Park (581 Columbia St.) and presents summer adventures and reading challenges for kids of all ages. This is a family-friendly activity for the summer months and a great way to get the kids out of the house and enjoy some hands-on library activities. For more info on the summer reading and adventures program, call the Cathlamet Library at 360-795-3254. The library is l...
Hundreds of flatbed loads of honey bees are trucked into Washington every spring, enabling the production of apples, cherries, pears and berries in the state. The pollinators are estimated to add at least $18 billion in value to crops throughout the U.S., yet the past year has been catastrophic. "We are in the middle of a colony collapse disorder like we haven't seen since the early 1990s," said local beekeeper Dawn Beck, who has a master beekeeper certificate from the University of Montana and...