Week of March 20, 2025
Week of March 20, 2025
Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson has a plan for about $7 billion in budget cuts, but he and Democrats in the Legislature have a ways to go before they solve a shortfall that may be more than double that size. The governor presented $4 billion in new reductions on Thursday and said he supports another $3 billion in savings former Gov. Jay Inslee proposed in December. This scrub is Ferguson’s first step in addressing an operating budget deficit that Democratic lawmakers say is roughly $12 billion over the next four years. Ferguson pegged the...
The Wahkiakum County PUD commissioners met on Tuesday, March 18, and approved Shelby J. Garrett’s appointment as the new director of finance. Erin Wilson, the current director of finance, will retire at the end of April after 21 years with the Wahkiakum PUD. The Puget Island Well Project is running on schedule, and test results for water quality are expected to be ready by the next meeting on April 1. Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), which provides power to Wahkiakum PUD and a third of the Northwest, recently announced it intends to...
The Town’s Waterfront Park Project began in Sept. 2023. The project’s scope, according to the Town’s website, is the “development and restoration of the last piece of town-owned waterfront property, the former site of the town's sewer lagoons, into a scenic and accessible seven-acre recreational space for visitors to relax and experience the beauty of the Columbia River.” Having received $586,000 in grant funding, the Town budgeted $401,000 in contribution to the project. During the Feb. 18 meeting of Cathlamet's City Council,...
Today in history: On March 20, 1995, in Tokyo, packages containing the deadly chemical sarin were opened on five separate subway trains in a domestic terror attack by members of the Aum Shinrikyo cult, causing 14 deaths and injuring more than 1,000. Also on this date: In 1815, Napoleon Bonaparte returned to Paris after escaping his exile on Elba, beginning his “Hundred Days” rule. In 1852, Harriet Beecher Stowe’s influential novel about slavery, “Uncle Tom’s Cabin,” was first published in book form after being serialized in the...
The people of Wahkiakum rely on the small businesses in the area for everyday needs unless they’d like to make the drive to Longview or Astoria. However, businesses in rural towns like Cathlamet face unique challenges compared to big cities. A recent PR Newswire article for rural businesses in “underserved populations” states that the most significant hurdles impacting startup and growth lie in three primary areas: access to labor, connectivity (internet service, updated technology), and capital. The article also states, “Rural...
The Wahkiakum County Commissioners met on Tuesday, March 18. The commissioners began the meeting approving the liquor license renewals for Skyline Golf Course and Cathlamet Mini Mart. The commissioners then voted to approve the appointment of Heath Yob to the Real Property Rights Advisory Board. Public Works Director Chuck Beyer presented the commissioners with a request to call for bids for landscape maintenance. HHS Operations Manager Duncan Cruickshank requested approval for funds for door replacements at the Elochoman Campus in building...
We had a wonderful time attending two amazing community events this past Saturday. The lasagna dinner fundraiser hosted by the Wahkiakum Fair Foundation at Rosburg Hall was absolutely delicious. That was the best lasagna I’ve ever had! It was a delight to meet all the fantastic volunteers who pour their hearts into planning and organizing events at the fairgrounds. Their dedication keeps the fairground facilities filled with activities all year round. About 40 people came out to the Grays...
Thanks to Serenity Veterinary Care, a mobile clinic based out of La Center, residents of Wahkiakum County will soon have a unique opportunity to access affordable veterinary care for their pets. Known for their commitment to community service and their passion for providing care to patients in the comfort of their homes, Serenity is expanding its outreach to Wahkiakum County this spring. Since 2020, Serenity Veterinary Care has served the greater Vancouver area through partnerships with programs like Meals on Wheels, ensuring that pets...
Resident health keeps Wahkiakum County Health & Human Services (WCHHS) staff busy competing for grants for utility and housing assistance, picking up vital services like WIC and employment services that other organizations can’t, and developing new programs like Kid’s Connection. Addressing the complexity of health outcomes, WCHHS devotes staff time to programs that affect lives in Wahkiakum County like mental health, substance use, housing, food insecurity and nutrition, public safety, transportation, and public and environmental health....
ANOTHER WET WEEK. This whole week looks wet and soggy except for one day, and I am pretty sure “spring sprung a leak,” A big one. I wish someone would plug it up. It’s nice to get some rain, but every day seems like a bit much. Though I’ll take the rain over the horrible weather that is happening East and Southeast of us, some areas wound up with a ton of snow, which caused huge accidents and shut down freeways. Of course, the massive number of tornadoes and fires that have just ravaged areas from Oklahoma to Mississippi up to...
Local history comes alive again at Little Island Creamery when local historian and author Janine Klint Davidson presents the “History of Ocean Beach Highway.” Hundreds of vehicles travel the route between Naselle and Longview/Kelso daily. Still, many don’t realize the history that this highway has shaped or the economy that has boomed due to its installation. Cathlamet is the county seat, the hub of the community, so to speak, and early highway planning nearly passed the town by. The Little Island Creamery will present “The Highway...
The Writers Guild of Astoria is delighted to announce the 2025 North Coast Writer’s Residency. Now in its seventh year, this jointly sponsored residency affords both established and emerging writers the time, space, and solitude needed to work uninterrupted on a project of their choosing. One selected writer-in-residence will have the opportunity to spend one week in the meaningful pursuit of creative work. The residency provides time and space in an idyllic setting to make substantial progress on a significant writing project. Writers of...
As Pacific Northwest gardeners eagerly anticipate spring planting, one tried-and-true technique can help ensure a strong potato crop: chitting. Pre-sprouting seed potatoes before planting can lead to an earlier harvest and higher yields, especially in our cool, wet climate. Chitting involves placing seed potatoes in a bright, cool, frost-free space for a few weeks before planting. This encourages them to sprout sturdy shoots, giving them a head start once in the ground. Gardeners should choose firm, disease-free seed potatoes and set them in...
Recently, I interviewed former teacher Linda Wright of Wahkiakum County for our sixth installment of Reader’s Fave, a casual talk with someone who shares their favorite book. As we chatted, Linda shared that her favorite author, at least recently, is Louise Penny, and her favorite books are Penny’s “Inspector Gamache” series. This mystery novel series is now up to 19 books, and Linda has read them all. She remembers being given the first book, “The Still Life” as a Christmas gift when visiting her daughter in Alaska. Linda then...
It seems there’s always a lot going on in the great outdoors, and this week is no exception. Smelt… again An editor of mine for whom weekly ‘smelt updates’ are a necessary evil wrote me recently saying how happy he’ll be when smelt season is over, and the weekly updates are a thing of the past. This got me thinking that perhaps you folks grow weary of my weekly updates de eulachon, eh? If that’s the case, we have but this one and the season will be done. The Washington Department of...
Migrating birds are now returning to Wahkiakum County, including turkey vultures. This homage is for them Wonderful experiences often occur in the simplest and most serendipitous of circumstances. I had a bit of hamburger tucked back in the refrigerator that went sour and, as I live in the country and there isn’t the formality of a garbage can here, I tossed it out of its package and into the nearby woods, not 100 feet from my house. Within the half-hour, to my delight, there were eight...
Get your spring hats and fancy tea outfits ready! The Friends of Skamokawa invite you to our third Annual Spring Tea Event on May 3 at 1 p.m. at the River Life Interpretive Center/Redmen Hall (1394 W. State Route 4, Skamokawa). This festive tea party will be filled with fun, friendship, raffle prizes, and door prizes. This event fills up quickly, so make your reservations as soon as possible, as seating is limited. The cost is $30 per person. Reserve your seats by calling (360) 795-3007 on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. For...
On Monday, March 10, the American Legion in Clatskanie celebrated its 106th birthday. Local veterans were able to come together to talk, eat, and enjoy the event. Jerry Simmons gave an award from the Department of Oregon to Roger Jolma for being a member of the American Legion for 50 years. Around 45 people attended this birthday celebration. The legion’s auxiliary (Louis Larsen Unit #68) served spaghetti, green beans, corn, salad, rolls, and cake. The group sang some patriotic songs to end...
The Kiwanis were ‘Shamrock-in’ the luck of the Irish at the American Legion Hall Monday Night, hosting a stew feed as a community outreach. Offering free food, games, corn hole, prizes and even Leprechaun bingo the event was a huge success. The free dinner consisted of stew, rolls, cake, Chex-mix, coffee, tea and punch. “There were 40 people that attended and monetary donations were more than expected,” said Kiwanis Secretary Sandra Davis. “Also, this was the first event like this in over 15 years and wasn’t meant as a...
The 2025 Science Fair was held at Clatskanie Middle High School on Wednesday, March 12. According to Principal Laurie Maughan, hundreds of elementary, middle and high school students “packed the gymnasium to present their scientific endeavors and take learning to new heights.” Awards and scholarships were presented to different category winners at the end of the night. “Last year’s science fair was so successful that we’ve had to expand our awards and make more room for all the...
The Clatskanie girls softball team opened its season Monday with a statement 16-6 win at Rainier. Coming off last year’s 20-8 record, all but one Tiger returned from the previous season’s roster with two new Tigers. “We have a lot of experience and have only had to fill that one spot,” said Coach Teauna Hughes. “We are really getting to play the girls in different spots to try and find the perfect fit. They are doing great with the changes and are willing to do what is best for the team.” So far, the roster looks promising, not...
The Wahkiakum High School baseball team has the bats cracking in the early season, as they have started the year with two wins in which they outscored their opponents 18-9 between the two contests. It's been an impressive 2-0 start for the Mules, as they defended home turf in their season opener against Winlock on Mar. 12 and followed that with a dominant road win versus Raymond/South Bend on Mar. 17. Wahkiakum Head Coach Matt Mogush is ready to get back in the dugout and for his players to be...
The Area Agency on Aging and Disabilities of Southwest Washington (AAADSW) honors the people in Cowlitz and Wahkiakum counties who serve older adults. A senior hero is a person who serves older adults with excellence and compassion. This prestigious annual award program brings together county, city, and civic leaders to honor the people in our communities who serve older adults. This is the third year Senior Heroes has presented awards specific to Cowlitz and Wahkiakum Counties. The honorees...
Fourth and fifth-grade students from J.A. Wendt Elementary recently embarked on an exciting educational adventure at the Columbia River Maritime Museum. Over two days, students engaged in an interactive scavenger hunt and hands-on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) activities while learning about the Columbia River's historical significance. A highlight of the trip was the museum's newest exhibit, This is Our Place, created in collaboration with the Chinook Nation. While...
The Wahkiakum School District Board of Education is pleased to announce Dr. Ralph Watkins’s appointment as the new superintendent. Dr. Watkins brings a wealth of experience in educational leadership and a passion for student success to the district. Dr. Watkins comes from Angoon School District in Angoon, Alaska, a rural fishing community similar to Wahkiakum. Before Angoon, he served as the superintendent at Hoonah City Schools and as a principal at Bering Strait School District. He has managed a $5 million budget and has experience...
As of March 3, 8.33 million pounds of Dungeness crab were landed statewide this season, including 5.03 million pounds harvested between the Columbia River north to Westport, or 60%. "Overall, it's been low volume but a good price — it's been nice weather, too," commercial crabber Ross Kary said. February accounted for the heaviest landings, including 3.61 million pounds on the south coast, Willapa Bay 928,000 pounds, and Pt. Chehalis north to Pt. Grenville 1.02 million pounds. The 2024-2025 Washington commercial crab season officially...
Students at Julis A. Wendt Elementary were in for a delightful surprise during their monthly character assembly. Teachers took center stage in an unforgettable "Masked Reader" event for Read Across America Week. Dressed in inflatable costumes, including a zebra, axolotl, alien, unicorn, and polar bear, the staff entertained students while reading excerpts from their favorite books. The lively assembly was filled with laughter and excitement as students tried to guess which teachers were behind...
To The Eagle, That old bit of wisdom that "you don't know how much you will miss something until it's gone" will almost certainly be the case if current proposals for the United States Postal Service are carried to fruition. Privatization of the USPS is a very real possibility. The irony is that this will disproportionately hurt rural areas and small towns, the very places that have routinely voted overwhelmingly for conservative candidates whose mantra is to cut government spending and regulation power to nil in favor of business interests....
March 10 5:38 p.m. A Deep River resident called to report that their water was off on Rangila Rd., PUD was notified of the outage. 7:18 p.m. Sheriff’s deputies responded to reports of an erratic driver headed onto SR409 from SR4, the vehicle was reported to be driving all over the roadway. March 11 3:39 p.m. A caller on SR4 reported an erratic driver near the S curve in the westbound lane who was weaving through traffic and going between the lanes; WSP was notified and pulled over the driver. 5:01 p.m. A Cathlamet resident called to report...
This page was created in response to Gov. Inslee's amending proclamation to the Open Public Meeting Act and Public Records Act: "Whereas, transparency in state government and all of its political subdivisions is an important state policy, such that all statutes related to open public meetings and public records are the business of the state; and there are a plethora of electronic, telephonic and other options that make it possible for the public to attend open public meetings remotely."...
