Week of January 8, 2026
Week of January 8, 2026
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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,...
"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...
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...
Donald Robert Seaberg was born Dec. 20, 1948, in Longview to Robert and Margie (Midge) Johnson Seaberg. Don was a lifelong resident of Puget Island. He graduated from Wahkiakum High School in 1967. Don was a truck driver, beginning his career with BG McNally Construction, and later driving for Jerry DeBriae Logging. He was a talented wood worker, an avid historian, and a dedicated member of his family. Don married Cindi Nov. 24,1982. She preceded him in death in 2020. Don is survived by his...
Walter Ray Moman, Jr., 74, passed away peacefully on Nov. 29, 2025, in Tehachapi, Calif., surrounded by the love of his family, the sound of wind in the trees, and with a cat tucked against him. He leaves behind a legacy of kindness, grit, humor, and unwavering devotion. He is survived by his wife, Carole; his children, Mandy Dawson, Melissa Cutting, Rebecca Moman, and Rachel Moman; his grandchildren, Logan, Joseph, Benjamin, Elizabeth, Juniper, and Ivy; his granddogs, Oliver and Hans Solo; his...
To The Eagle, Just thinking about Mr. JB Bouchard's letter Oct. 16, 2025, regarding protecting the migrating geese. His words were so descriptive they captured me. The quiet weekends will be shattered by early morning blasts of shotguns aimed at magnificent innocent migrating geese stopping here on Puget Island to recover from their exhausting migration flight. Many will be shot to death, and geese mate for life, causing disruption of the population of goslings to keep the skein and gaggle strong. I feel and think it's a great idea to declare...
The Clatskanie Tigers varsity boys basketball team opened its season with a 6-0 record. Beginning a five-game road trip on Mon, Dec. 29, Clatskanie fell 60-41 to Willamina. The next night, host Castle Rock would make it two straight losses for the Tigers, beating them 67-51. Leading the Tigers 18-12 to conclude the first quarter, Castle Rock outscored Clatskanie 25-5 in the second to take a commanding 43-17 lead at halftime. Clatskanie would respond in the third, outscoring Castle Rock 27-9 to pull within eight points entering the final...
The Clatskanie girls basketball team followed up a 49-40 loss against Crosshill Christian earlier last month with a 62-32 drubbing of Waldport on Monday, Dec. 22. Taking a 32-20 lead into halftime, the Tigers outscored the Irish 30-12 in the second. Juniors Lacey Willis and Olivia George had 19 points each for the Tigers, followed by 11 from senior Joey Sizemore. The senior’s 16 assists earned her a double-double, and she also had three blocks to lead the team. Willis also led the team in steals with four, while George led the team in...
The beginning of January marked the inception of the new year, and Naselle and Wahkiakum will be plenty busy to open 2026. With multiple games a week, there's plenty of action in store for both the Comets and Mules. Wahkiakum High School Wahkiakum's boys and girls teams have enjoyed sparkling starts to their seasons. Ahead of their Jan. 6 game against Columbia Adventist Academy, the boys have a 7-3 record, including a 3-0 mark in conference play. The girls also jumped out to a hot 3-0 start...
December 29 9:30 a.m. A welfare check was requested on a Puget Island resident. Sheriff’s deputies responded. The subject declined assistance. 10:47 a.m. Sheriff’s deputies and a tow truck responded to a Puget Island address to assist a person who had backed into a ditch. The driver was unable to exit the vehicle due to water. 12:51 p.m. An injured cat was reported in Cathlamet. The situation was resolved before deputies arrived. 1:11 p.m. A welfare check was requested in the Elochoman Slough Marina. Deputies made contact with the person...
FRIDAY TOPS Chapter meeting, weigh-in 9:45am; meeting 10:30am, Alston Corner Assembly of God, Rainier SATURDAY Fox Creek Group AA Meeting, 7-8pm, 305 W 3rd St, Rainier MONDAY Hooks and Needles, 1-2:30pm, Rainier Riverfront Center, 503-556-3889 Bingo, 6pm, Rainier Riverfront Center 48 West 7th Street, Rainier, 503-556-3889 Rainier Parks Committee Meeting, 6pm Rainier City Hall TUESDAY Overcomers Outreach, 6-7:30pm Rainier Riverfront Center, 503-556-3889 WEDNESDAY Chair Yoga, 10am, Rainier Riverfront Center 48 West 7th St, Rainier, (503)...
