Week of March 26, 2026
Week of March 26, 2026
Hunters across Wahkiakum and Pacific counties say they have reached a breaking point as financial giants make their way of life increasingly expensive and dangerous, and county commissioners are taking notice. But as nearly-unreachable global timberland investment giants have moved in and blocked off access to tens of thousands of acres of forest land — including state and private lands where hunting is still allowed — commissioners across Wahkiakum and Pacific counties say they are running out of options. These investment companies...
During the Monday, March 16 session of Cathlamet Town Council, Clerk-Treasurer Sarah Clark prepared a report to discuss bills for commercial stormwater accounts in Cathlamet. The discussion had begun during the Tuesday, Feb. 17 session, and Clark was asked to come back with more information. During her report, Clark mentioned she had gone over rates, as well as used Google Maps to "look at each individual property to determine the distance from storm drains, direction of water drain, and roof direction" in order to "help reduce commercial...
During Tuesday's meeting of the Wahkiakum County Commissioners, Public Works Director Chuck Beyer requested a call for bids for two roadside mowings in 2026. According to Tuesday's packet, $70,000 was budgeted in the Road Fund for 2026. The commissioners unanimously approved Beyer's request. Wahkiakum County Department of Emergency Management Coordinator Austin Smith presented before the commissioners for the approval of an interlocal agreement with the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) for a virtual coordination center....
One of my favorite aspects about the outdoors is introducing new people to it; those unaccustomed to the activity at hand. Not necessarily, mind you, nimrods in the whole of the outdoors. Unfamiliar, one might say, with Mother Nature. No, just new to whatever 'this' or 'that' might be. Over the past quarter century, I've had the opportunity to play a role in any number of such introductions. My wife's first Canada goose, whitetail buck, rooster pheasant, wild turkey, and channel catfish. Still,...
The fourth annual KM Robotics Cup was completed Thursday, March 19. This is a culminating competition between middle school students in Wahkiakum and Naselle school districts. A total of 15 robots battled it out through a double-elimination tournament in which Wahkiakum's team of Leo and Carter placed first, Dylan and Keely placed second, and Phillip and Xander placed third. After the tournament was completed, we held some "battle royales" with seven "roboto" from Naselle and eight from...
I recently interviewed Puget Island resident Tonia Brown for our 56th installment of Reader's Fave, a casual interview with someone who shares their favorite book. Tonia began our discussion with author Nora Roberts. "She's my go to," Tonia said. "My mom would clean houses and I'd go along to help. There was this one lady who had all these Nora Roberts books and let me take them to read as I wanted. Her books are a quick read. They stick out to me the most, but it's not always obvious where the...
The time of year has come when those pesky weeds begin to pop up around the county and in people’s yards. The Wahkiakum Noxious Weed Control Board wants you to know that we are available to help landowners and land managers with information, services and resources to deal with invasive, non-native plant species. Our program is responsible for identifying noxious weeds that are impacting our county resources, agricultural products, forestry products, native habitats, fisheries and recreation. Noxious weeds affect property values and cost all...
Adding organic matter to gardens Organic matter is a valuable addition to all gardens. It improves soil textures and adds nutrient holding capacity to the soil. The stimulation of biological life as the material breaks down can reduce disease problems. However, adding organic matter can tie up nitrogen for some time. This can hurt plant growth, especially annual flowers and vegetables. The degree of tie-up relates to the relative amounts of humus and un-decomposed residues in the material. If the material has completely composted, there is...
During the Naselle Grays River Valley School Board meeting on Tuesday, March 17, Karen Nelson, who serves as head of the K-12 music program, provided a tour of the department's curriculum. Nelson explained that students in kindergarten through fourth grade “focus on general music, learning foundations of notation and singing through instruments like ukuleles and recorders.” Nelson also noted that Band, as a class, begins in fifth grade and “is now a chosen elective rather than a requirement.” Nelson reported the high school band has...
The following is a guest editorial put together by the Clatskanie Farmer Collective: A proposed industrial development along the Columbia River near Clatskanie has entered a key stage of federal review, with a public comment period now open through April 20. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers recently released a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the proposed NEXT Renewable Fuels refinery at Port Westward. The document evaluates the potential environmental, economic and community impacts of constructing and operating the facility,...
There are 2 Easter egg hunts scheduled this year. From Monday, March 30 through Sunday, April 5, the Clatskanie Chamber of Commerce is hosting an Easter egg hunt throughout local participating businesses. A poster on the door will let you know they are a part of the hunt. Each business will hide Easter eggs within their business for customers to find. The following rules apply: one egg per customer a day; the eggs can include treats and discount coupons; everyone is encouraged to get out, join the fun, and celebrate our local businesses and...
United Way of Columbia County is proud to announce an exciting new chapter in its mission to strengthen local communities through a regional merger with United Way organizations in Clatsop and Tillamook counties. This collaboration marks a significant step forward in expanding impact, increasing efficiency, and better serving individuals and families across the three-county region. As part of this transition, United Way will distribute $180,000 in unrestricted grants to 19 local nonprofit social service agencies in 2026. These flexible funds...
Every year, the town of Rainier gathers to celebrate the trek Oregon pioneers made and their lives in 1853. The reenactment includes members of the community dressed as figures from the time, including local farmers, shopkeepers, blacksmiths, Native Americans, and more. These reenactors recreate different historical events like weddings, dances, school, and military ceremonies. During the event, buildings are also made up to look like they came from the 19th century to represent military outposts, tents, and stores. The reenactment also...
Columbia County’s Solid Waste Program works to protect public health and the environment by providing responsible waste management services and promoting waste reduction, recycling, and reuse throughout the county. Its Reuse Program has diverted nearly 18,000 pounds of usable materials from the landfill since launching in fall of 2025. The effort helps keep usable materials out of the landfill while returning them to the community through local non-profit partners. The program operates at the Columbia County Solid Waste Transfer Station and...
In March the Public Works Department completed the redesign of the disc golf course at the city park. The layout of the course was altered to make it more user friendly and to limit the disruption to other park activities. Improved signage was added to help players navigate the course more easily. These disc golf course improvements were previously approved by the City’s Parks Committee and Council and were done at a minimal cost to Rainier residents. Efforts are still underway to raise funds for improvements to the skate park facility,...
During Kelso’s City Council meeting on Tuesday, March 17, Public Works manager Devin Mackin took the stand to share the department achievements for 2025. Public Works added seven new employees to assist with long-term stability in water, sewage, and traffic. Within the Parks Division, staff maintained eight parks and over 50 acres of land, with 43 percent of labor dedicated to mowing and landscaping. A highlight for the city was the reopening of the Catlin Rotary Spray Park after it had been inactive for several years. Public Works also...
At its meeting on Tuesday, March 17, the Cowlitz County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) scheduled a call for bids on a countywide pavement overlay project, as well as a bid for 28 sheets of scrim reinforced polyethylene geomembrane. Both bids are set for Monday, April 13 at 1:30 p.m. A call for bids on pipes is scheduled for Monday, April 6 at 1:30 p.m. During Tuesday’s meeting, the board awarded a bid to Sterling Green Crushing, Inc. in the amount of $421,216.49 for aggregate rock for summer road work. Washington State has extended...
Welcome library members and everyone to our April update. NEW PASS We now have Northwest Forest passes at the library. This pass is honored at all Forest Service day-use or entrance fee sites in Washington and Oregon. We have two of these passes and they will be available beginning Saturday, March 28. Limit one per family. PATTY CAKES BOOK CORNER Check out our library book corner in Patty Cakes. You may contribute any amount for your chosen book. This enables you an opportunity to directly...
Elaine Ursula Edwards, 91, of Las Cruces, N.M., died on Tuesday, March 17, 2026 at Arbors Memory Care in Las Cruces 10 days before her 92nd birthday. She was a beloved mother, grandmother, and great grandmother and an unforgettable bright light to all of her many friends. Elaine was born on March 27, 1934, in St. Helena, Calif., to Christopher Panagus (Skountges) and Lenore Elvestia Scott. She spent the first four decades of her life in Napa, Calif., where she attended Napa High and Napa Junior...
Brandon Sause, age 42, of Portland, Ore., passed away on Feb. 20, 2026. He was born in Portland on May 4, 1983. Brandon was known for his genuine care for others, particularly his friends and family. His curiosity was evident from a young age, often seen taking things apart just to learn how they worked. This trait carried into his adult life, particularly in his career as an automotive technician, where his passion for modifying cars and anything with wheels was well recognized. He attended...
Daniel Stephan 89, of Rosburg WA died on March 16, 2026 in Astoria Or. Full obituary to...
To The Eagle, Shortly after Rick Nelson’s demise, a reader commented “what a relief that the new editor seems to have ended all that opinion letter drama.” Some letters must have struck a nerve among folks who considered it best to not think too deeply about too much or share those thoughts in print. An in-house employee commented to me during the Nelson era that “our tracking indicates it’s the opinion page that has energized and increased readership” yet the Eagle’s new regime has eviscerated the vitality an opinion page...
From the editor, In his letter, J.B. Bouchard stated, “The Eagle’s new regime has eviscerated the vitality (sic) an opinion page widely known for its thought provoking local and interstate commentaries.” A few months ago, Bouchard submitted a letter to the editor that stated the following: It’s time for the county and the town to diversify and adapt by embracing our new MAGA sociopolitical realities. Private prisons are an incredibly profitable enterprise. Their construction and staffing create jobs. They provide an important public...
To The Eagle, My husband and I moved to Puget Island around six years ago and built a home here. We chose this area to retire for its beauty, peaceful atmosphere and slower lifestyle (plus we both enjoy fishing). We have a nerighbor who has allowed, over these last 5-6 years, numerous individuals to live in a dilapidated motorhome in the rear of their property. Not a good thing, as there is no sewer or septic back there. We try to live by the motto ‘live and let live,’ so we did not say anything. I didn’t know we would soon be living...
There are still plenty of showers darkening the skies this month, but the green shoots of the spring season have been cropping up. One of the best indicators of this time of year is the return of high school baseball and softball to the basepaths. Naselle and Wahkiakum have already gotten their seasons underway, so there's plenty to catch up on. Wahkiakum preview Mules baseball and softball have each had some success in the early season, and the main goal for both programs has been the same:...
March 16 7:13 a.m. The Grays River Ambulance transported an elderly Rosburg resident to the hospital after they fell and hurt their leg. 3:31 p.m. A driver on SR4 called to report that a truck in front of them, driving westbound, had a back right tire pop near Nassa Point. 3:34 p.m. A local business in Cathlamet reported that a customer was being verbally abusive and threatening towards the staff. 8:13 p.m. The Grays River Ambulance transported an elderly Rosburg resident to the hospital for breathing difficulties. March 17 12:24 p.m. The PUD...
