Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891
Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891
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Following a brief executive session Tuesday, Wahkiakum County Commissioners Dan Cothren and Lee Tischer adopted Resolution No. 05-26, appointing candidate Mark Letham as successor to Wahkiakum County Commissioner Gene Strong, who retired from the position over District No. 3 effective Jan. 1 of this year. Opting not to "go to the governor's office," Tischer and Cothren noted the decision was tough but were also glad the position would only be held for the remainder of the year. "This is short...
Wahkiakum Public Utility District (PUD) has officially completed the consolidation of water and wastewater services with the Town of Cathlamet and has assumed full ownership and operational responsibility of the Town’s water and wastewater systems, effective Jan. 2, 2026. The consolidation marks the culmination of a collaborative effort between Wahkiakum PUD and the Town of Cathlamet to ensure the long-term reliability, regulatory compliance, and financial sustainability of essential utility services for the community. “With this tra...
Tax hikes on big business and rental cars. Unemployment benefits for workers on strike. Those are just a few of the changes to state law taking effect in Washington on New Year’s Day. Some bills passed in 2025 became law earlier in the year, while others will take years to go into effect. The next legislative session, lasting 60 days, begins Jan. 12. Here’s a look at some of the new laws on the books starting Thursday. Unemployment for striking workers One of the most contentious laws legislative Democrats pushed through this year gives wor...
Today is Thursday, Jan. 8, the eighth day of 2026. There are 357 days left in the year. Today in history: On Jan. 8, 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson, in his State of the Union address, declared an “unconditional war on poverty in America.” Also on this date: In 1790, President George Washington delivered the first State of the Union address in New York City. In 1815, the last major engagement of the War of 1812 came to an end as U.S. forces defeated the British in the Battle of New Orleans, not having received word of the December sig...
In response to December’s catastrophic flooding that displaced hundreds of families across Washington, global stay and experience platform Airbnb is providing 700 free nights of temporary housing to support households and first responders in urgent need of safe, stable shelter. This rapid housing initiative is being coordinated by United Ways of the Pacific Northwest (UWPNW) in partnership with United Way of Pierce County. The two groups are working closely with county emergency management disaster case managers who are working directly with a...
I was invited to Darbury Novoselic's studio in Deep River for a sneak peek at the embroidered tapestries she'll be showing at the Grays River Grange Saturday and Sunday, Jan. 24-25. Living on the east end of the county, my trip to Deep River usually involves a quick cross-county jaunt. However, soon after leaving State Route (SR) 4, I found the Deep River spilling over the road meant to hold it, rushing across the pavement and into the fields. I decided not to risk it. I didn't want to be one of...
What began as a playful Facebook comment has quickly grown into Rosburg's premier New Year's Day event. The second annual Grinch Parade stretched from Rosburg Hall to the Burkhalter dairy and back, filling the route with laughter and holiday cheer. The event was sparked by an offhand Facebook post last year by Susan Burkhalter. After placing a stuffed Grinch at the corner of Barr Road and Altoona Pillar Rock Road, Burkhalter joked that the Grinch was "waiting for a parade." Friends took her at...
I recently interviewed Chance Toteff for our 45th installment of Reader's Fave, a casual interview with someone who shares their favorite book. Chance and his family live on Puget Island. "I wasn't a reader until I met my wife, Nancy," Chance said. "I was a TV watcher. I remember, when I was young, we had this bookshelf in our house, and I never took a book off [it]. I don't remember my dad being a reader - maybe my mom on occasion - and my sisters were not readers at that time. I do recall in...
Rainier City Council met on Monday Jan. 6. The executive director of Columbia 9-1-1 was scheduled to present but had to cancel and is being rescheduled for the March meeting. Mayor Cole took a moment of silence to honor former Rainier Police Chief Ralph Painter, who was killed in the line of duty on Jan. 5, 2011. City Administrator Scott Jorgensen read submitted visitor comments that included a request for stop signs at 3rd and D streets to replace current yield signs to which the mayor and Police Chief Griffith said they would look into. A...
Columbia County Parks is pleased to acknowledge a recent grant award supporting trail restoration efforts at Camp Wilkerson County Park. The Oregon Community Foundation has awarded $2,500 to Oregon Equestrian Trails (OET) to assist with improving and reopening overgrown trail sections surrounding the park’s horse camp and recreation areas. The grant was awarded through the Shelton H. and Mary I. Duff Fund of the Oregon Community Foundation. In partnership with the County, OET volunteers will work on restoring trail corridors that have become di...
Start 2026 with smooth vocal stylings of the A Cappella Queens of Alaska, the Pipeline Vocal Project (PVP). This event takes place at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 23, inside the Birkenfeld Theater (75 S. Nehalem St.) in Clatskanie. A Cappella Queens of Alaska needs no crowns or scepters to sway the audience with its original, innovative arrangements of pop songs, show tunes, 1940s boogie-woogie, and classics. These top-notch performers involve the crowd in rhythmic and harmonic participation, bringing sunshine and joy to January in Clatskanie....
Columbia Economic Team (CET) abruptly announced the shuttering of its operations mid-December, laying off staff and closing its doors by mid-January. CET was a nonprofit organization focused on developing business and industry in Columbia County and featured membership and representation from leading businesses of industry and elected politicians. The organization was financially supported via paid membership and grants. In addition to focusing on economic impact, such as recruiting companies to the area, CET also housed other organizations...
The Rainier Parks, Recreation and Education Committee is holding a public meeting at City Hall at 6 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 12, to hear visitor comments and discuss proposed budget and fundraising avenues to update the existing skate park. The organizers of the initiative are working with Grindline Skateparks, Inc. out of Seattle, and the project has an estimated cost of approximately $619,000. An initial schematic has been drafted of the proposed area and features which include curbs, “pyramid hip,” “dorito gap,” “euro gap,” ledges, pool-style...
"The World Through Your Eyes" Those words appear on the back cover of a new book written by April Vokey. On the same cover, Vokey describes herself as a "mother, storyteller, and outdoorswoman who believes the best adventures begin with wonder." The book is perfect for ages three to seven, and for grown-ups who need a reminder to slow down. Forgive me, as I'm getting ahead of both you and myself. No "newcomer" to the world of the outdoors and outdoor education, Vokey is the founder of Anchored O...
Tsuga Gallery welcomes new member, Debbie Patana. Debbie moved from Southern California to Long Beach, Wash., in 1968. She loved the ocean and the landscape around the coast and the colors. Debbie dabbled with art for a few years and, in 1985, she got serious when she got involved with stained glass. She loved the colors, distorted light effects, and the endless creative possibilities that stained glass gave her. In 1992, Patana opened an art gallery and art supply store in Chinook, Wash. She...
Community members are invited to participate in the 2026 Wahkiakum Common Ground Workshop Series. You should consider attending if you are interested in learning more about making Wahkiakum County's watersheds more friendly to people and fish. The four half-day workshops will provide an in-depth look into cooperative approaches to stabilizing streambanks, removing fish passage barriers, improving public safety, and mitigating high-water events. Workshop participants will hear directly from...
During his final session of Town Council, former Mayor David Olson had a pretty full slate. Signing the PUD interlocal agreements for both the water and sewer transfer and general cooperation, Olson also deferred to Council to vote on and approve the adoption of the 2026 budget and salary scale and the finalization of the Wahkiakum PUD franchise agreement. At various points of the meeting, former Councilmember Laurel Waller, participating in her final meeting as well, asked Olson if he intended...
During the Wahkiakum County Commissioners meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 23, VFW Post 5297 Commander Bill Tawater and VFW Post 5297 Quartermaster Justin Tawater presented Wahkiakum County Sheriff’s Office 911 Dispatcher/Telecommunicator Aric Cothren with a plaque from Washington State VFW and a certificate of recognition from National VFW for the 2024-2025 911 Dispatcher/Telecommunicator of the Year. Cathlamet Fire Department EMT Will Lutz was presented with a plaque from Washington State VFW and a certificate of recognition from National VFW for t...
Looking back. Looking ahead. Let me assure you, I won’t be so “maudlin” as to say, “Well, another year in the books,” but - and with my apologies - here we are. It’ll likely be a month spent writing the wrong year atop checks and any and all paperwork requiring both signature and date. Maybe I’ll have it right by June. It’s been a good year; a typical year. Highlights with few downturns. I enjoyed the company of an excellent class of seniors, the Class of ’25, here at Wahkiakum #200. I’m so proud of my granddaughter, Adrionna, who was c...
Today is Friday, Jan. 2, the second day of 2026. There are 363 days left in the year. Today in history: On Jan. 2, 2016, a heavily armed group led by brothers Ammon and Ryan Bundy seized the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Oregon, beginning a 41-day standoff to protest the imprisonment of two ranchers convicted of setting fires on public land and to demand the federal government turn over public lands to local control. Also on this date: In 1890, President Benjamin Harrison appointed Alice Sanger as the first female White House staffer at...
The Wahkiakum Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce an upcoming workshop that could prove beneficial for businesses and the community. Covering the theme of grant writing, this workshop will take place at Skamokawa Vista Park in the Annex Building on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026, at 10 a.m. The Chamber is happy to partner with the Cowlitz-Wahkiakum Council of Governments to present this training. At times, access to these types of funds is crucial for small businesses, government agencies, and the non-profit sector. “Our goal is to give folks t...
Happy New Year! With all the busyness of the holidays, I don’t have much to write about this week. Still, I want to thank everyone who contributed to my column over the past year. Coming up with topics to write about every week can be tough, and input from all of you helps keep me motivated. I look forward to sharing more about fun community events, historical stories, and interesting human-interest topics in the year ahead. I do my best to stay updated on upcoming events through Facebook, but hearing about events and story ideas directly w...
HELLO. Welcome library members, readers, and Wahkiakum residents to our monthly update. NEW PASS. We now have the Rice Museum of Rocks and Minerals (Hillsboro, Ore.) pass, available for free for all Cathlamet library cardholders. This pass provides access for two adults and four children. Go check out this museum, as their displays are very kid friendly. PODCASTS. We will be on the following podcasts: Talk of Our Towns, hosted by Donna Quinn, and The Human Beat, hosted by Roger Rocka. Each podcast is listed and hosted by KMUN radio, so check...
Looking back. Looking ahead. Let me assure you, I won’t be so “maudlin” as to say, “Well, another year in the books,” but - and with my apologies - here we are. It’ll likely be a month spent writing the wrong year atop checks and any and all paperwork requiring both signature and date. Maybe I’ll have it right by June. It’s been a good year; a typical year. Highlights with few downturns. I enjoyed the company of an excellent class of seniors, the Class of ’25, here at Wahkiakum #200. I’m so proud of my granddaughter, Adrionna, who was c...
During the Wahkiakum County Commissioners meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 23, VFW Post 5297 Commander Bill Tawater and VFW Post 5297 Quartermaster Justin Tawater presented Wahkiakum County Sheriff's Office 911 Dispatcher/Telecommunicator Aric Cothren with a plaque from Washington State VFW and a certificate of recognition from National VFW for the 2024-2025 911 Dispatcher/Telecommunicator of the Year. Cathlamet Fire Department EMT Will Lutz was presented with a plaque from Washington State VFW and a...
