Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891

Articles written by Chinook Observer


Sorted by date  Results 1 - 7 of 7

  • EO Media Group announces changes to newspaper operations

    The Chinook Observer|Jun 20, 2024

    EO Media Group is making substantial changes across the company, including layoffs and reductions in print frequency at several newspapers. EO Media Group, a fourth-generation, family-held media company, operates 12 newspapers in Oregon and Washington, including the Chinook Observer and the regional agriculture publication Capital Press. During the past year, advertising revenues have dropped and operating expenses have increased substantially. As a result, the company needs to make these changes to stabilize its operations. Despite the cuts,...

  • Coach praises the 'Fierce Five'

    The Chinook Observer|Jun 20, 2024

    As the dust settles on Naselle's WIAA state track accomplishments, coaches are already looking ahead. Some middle school-age athletes contributed to high school successes, including points that helped the Comet team become District track champions. Two advanced to the 1B state meet, where June Miller earned three medals and Halle Miller placed well in two events. June set a school record of 26.61 seconds placing third in the 200 meters final. But earlier in their own middle school competitions,...

  • PSP toxin pauses Willapa shellfish harvest

    Chinook Observer|Jun 13, 2024

    WILLAPA BAY — Commercial shellfish harvesters on Willapa Bay are hoping for a quick improvement in conditions after a harmful microorganism in coastal waters caused a surprising spike in the toxin that causes Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP). The Washington State Department of Health initially decided last week to close Willapa Bay and the entire Washington coast to the recreational harvest of shellfish. This came after shellfish samples were found to be high in the PSP biotoxin sometimes p...

  • Broadband development for rural counties

    Jim Cupples Chinook Observer|May 1, 2024

    The United States is currently engaged in a nationwide project aimed at providing high-speed and reliable internet access to every household, known as the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program. This initiative, reminiscent of the Rural Electrification Act (REA) of 1936, seeks to improve the quality of life and support businesses in rural America by connecting them to the digital world. BEAD, funded by the federal government and implemented by states, has significant potential to benefit agricultural communities across the...

  • WDFW exploring strict fishery on Naselle

    Jeff Clemens for the Chinook Observer|Apr 10, 2024

    The Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife held a North of Falcon meeting on March 28 to discuss salmon fishing rules for the 2024-25 season in Willapa Bay. Escapement estimates continue to be below goals, a factor certain to influence this year’s fishing seasons. The significant development from the meeting and presentation is an extra effort to conserve fish in the Naselle River. One option being explored is requiring any fish snagged between Aug. 1 and Oct. 15 to count toward an angler’s daily limit. “The intent of this idea is re...

  • Forestland, salmon streams transferred to Willapa refuge

    Brandon Cline for The Chinook Observer|Feb 29, 2024

    The Willapa National Wildlife Refuge received a significant boost earlier this year when more than 2,000 acres of industrial timberland and a network of salmon streams came under its protection. Last month, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service received a 2,366-acre transfer from Western Rivers Conservancy, a conservation group that acquires lands along rivers throughout the West to conserve critical habitat and improve access for public use. The land in question, the Willapa Coastal Forest,...

  • Ilwaco residents told to stay indoors

    The Chinook Observer|Jan 25, 2024

    Ilwaco residents were advised to stay indoors with doors and windows closed as possibly hazardous smoke boiled from an industrial fire on the waterfront. As the fire consumed the large wooden dock at the former Ilwaco Landing facility now owned by a Bellingham company, witnesses heard the tires on workers' vehicles explode in the flames. A forlorn car horn sounded for a while. All workers were safely evacuated. Triage responders on the scene were treating exhausted Ilwaco and Long Beach firefighters, as a fresher crew from Pacific County Fire...