Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891
Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891
Sorted by date Results 76 - 100 of 774
WHAT A STORM — Last week was exciting, and not in a good way. That wind that ripped through really did a number on dozens of trees, destroyed carports, and caused multiple power outages. West Valley wound up with a six-hour outage. Thankfully it wasn't in the midst of freezing weather or a foot of snow. Kudos to the lineman working from Altoona to Puget Island; since the downed trees have to be moved first, it's always a big job. Once again, Mother Nature has given us a heads and has shown us how prepared we are. Considering it is only O...
WET AND WINDY—I hope you have had your wind breakers and your rain jackets handy, along with some boots, as it appears we have had quite the little storm already, with more to come. If you’re like me, you are ready for it to be over! With power bumps, phone outages and internet outages, it’s been a real “fun” start to the week. Here’s hoping the promised weather shows up. Just think: winter has yet to begin, and I’m already moaning about the fall weather—ha! To top things off, my computer opted to update and do an entire change in its lo...
STILL PRETTY DRY--This past week saw temperatures back up in the high 80s, so it was pretty doggone toasty for September but things cooled down over the weekend; just mid 70s here, so that was quite nice. We had some brief drops of rain on Sunday and then a foggy, damp start to this work week so we got a snitch of moisture. Any of that is welcomed by my poor dried up lawn and thirsty plants! It looks like we are going to stay dry this week with those cooler but yet very nice temperatures, so we’ll see if that holds as they mentioned the p...
CLOUDY START--It’s a cloudy Sunday morning here in West Valley, which is certainly a big change from the day before when we woke up to bright sunshine and it wound up being a pretty day with temps in the mid-80’s. It’s a little more comfortable to do yardwork when one isn’t in the direct sunshine, so before the rains come, I hope you were able to take advantage of the dry and cooler temps so you didn’t get burned to a crisp! Forecasters are saying we’ll have a pretty mild week, so I guess I’ll have no excuses not to do some outdoor things prior...
COOLER--As Labor Day begins, it’s cloudy and cool and according to the forecast, looks to last all week so those toasty, hot days that we had last week aren’t likely to reappear. As we all know, we can get a change in our forecast in a hot second. We weren’t supposed to have any rain on Sunday, but we did. We really needed the rain, so when we got some, many of us weren’t too upset, but others, with big plans and outdoor venues were a lot less thrilled to see it arrive. That’s Washington weather for you! SPECIAL DAYS--Those celebrati...
COOLING DOWN--As I begin this column on Sunday morning, it is cloudy, cool and calm and we’re not worried about getting unbearably hot, so that’s okay with me, as those 90 to 100 degree temperatures were too much for me. The forecasters say we may get some rain, so we’ll see how that plays out. Fires are destroying acres of timberland, which is a tragedy for all of us, animals included. As always, be mindful of the fire restrictions that are currently in place in our area. SPECIAL DAYS--Those celebrating birthdays Aug. 31-Sept. 6 are Nanea...
STILL DRY--It looks like our dry streak is continuing but the temperatures have at least gone down to a more bearable range, as those 100 plus degree days we had were just brutal. I hate to wish for rain, as there are several upcoming events that would not enjoy it, but maybe we could get a bit prior to those as we are definitely tinder dry, which considering the fires everywhere right now, is quite concerning. I hope you’ll all heed the burn ban in the county right now. SPECIAL DAYS--Those celebrating birthdays this coming week, from August 2...
HOT ENOUGH?--I hope you were all prepared for the toasty conditions that we are scheduled to receive. It’s no fun being unprepared for scorching temperatures for ourselves and our four legged friends . It was already 80 degrees before 10 a.m. on Sunday.We knew we were in for some heat and more is expected ugh! As the weather is supposed to cool off some by the time you read this, more warm days could always follow, so please keep yourselves and your critters hydrated. We humans also need electrolytes to replenish what we lose when we’re swe...
MIXED WEATHER--While we have some clouds to start this work week, they say we’ll be heating up and drying. Personally, I really enjoyed the cool down. Of course, the cool down wasn’t too severe and our evening hours were still warm and a bit muggy at times. As always, our West Valley weather can be completely different from those just two miles up the road, so we just never know what we’ll run into when we leave the house. I do know that if it really rains mid-week like is forecast, I will be loving it and so will my plants. The heat is suppo...
NEW MONTH--A new month has begun and it’s fairly shocking to realize just how fast the time has gone by. I think my winter chores in January have yet to be accomplished so I’m way behind the eight ball this year! This week looks to be dry with only a hint of cloudiness, and temperatures more to my liking, so I hope you’re enjoying the sunny days. Here’s hoping these 70s stick with us at fair time as that would be nice and comfy. SPECIAL DAYS--Those celebrating birthdays from August 3-9 are Austin Smith, John L. McClain, Brian McClain, Treasur...
END OF ANOTHER MONTH--We’ll wrap up July and begin August on Monday and I’m still not done with my pre-Springtime chores; yikes! Now that it's hotter, the summer chores haven’t been done either as it’s too hot for me to work outside, so I feel for all of you who have to do that. The dampness we got on Monday morning was actually quite refreshing, but the rest of the week is going to be dry and toasty, so here’s hoping you’ve been slathering on the sunscreen and keeping yourself hydrated. Remember to reapply sunscreen every couple of hours or...
WET START--As this work week begins, we are seeing some real rain here in West Valley and I can’t say I’m unhappy about it. My lawn and plants were looking a bit brown and miserable, so this unexpected summer drink was perfectly timed! I’m pretty sure those still in the midst of haying would not agree with that sentiment however, so I feel bad for those folks. Here’s hoping the upcoming forecast comes true and they can salvage those fields that still need to be harvested. Today, I’m thankful for the drink that our forests are getting and the s...
COOLED DOWN--After several very hot days, I was happy to see the morning clouds and much milder temperatures arrive. I heard a lot of folks complaining of sunburns though, so one needs to be careful as while the sun seems like your friend, it really can be dangerous. Skin cancer is real and can be life threatening. Sunscreen has its limitations; it’s not meant for an all day, full blast exposure, especially near the water. So, take care, as I hear clearer, warmer weather is making a comeback this weekend! COME DOWN ON FRIDAY--If you want to g...
TOASTY--The warm Summer weather that everyone was hoping for has arrived and I hope you’ve been able to enjoy them without getting “fried” in the process! Sometimes the nice breeze fools us into thinking it’s not that hot out there but then wind up looking as “red as a beet,” which is not a good thing! With the hottest of this week's temperatures having already taken place, (supposedly) then this coming week's temps scheduled for the low 70s should be just about right! FIRE DANGER--We’d like to thank all of our fire departments and volunteer...
NOT TOO BAD--I was happy to see some dry weather over the weekend. It got up there in the low 80s for a bit, and we had a nice 72 degrees and wind on Sunday, so that was just perfect to me. For all those shopping on Puget Island this weekend during the big PIGYS event, it seemed like a great time for folks who were shopping here and there and maybe even exploring the Island for the first time. DO NOT LEAVE IN HOT CARS!--I shouldn’t have to say this, but will repeat what has to be said to some who refuse to adhere to the “don’t leave child...
WET BEGINNING--Our work week is starting off with a mix of clouds and rain and then some sun breaks and some heavy downpours in between; ugh! We woke up to the low 40s and barely got up to the mid-50s, so this is definitely not swimsuit weather just yet. As summer begins, the forecast is looking to be a bit drier, so we will see how that goes, as around here, the forecast can change in the blink of an eye! SPECIAL DAYS--Those celebrating birthdays from June 22-28 are Lance Britt, Danny Helms, Travis Gibson, Mary Baldwin, Don Speranza, Cliff...
A BIT WET--If you weren’t paying attention, you may have missed the forecast for a chance of a shower or two this past week and if you were in the midst of putting up hay, you weren’t too thrilled to see it actually show up on Friday morning! However, considering things were really drying up around here, and the ground around my place was turning hard as a rock, I was glad to see some of that wet stuff. I know my plants and lawn seemed to perk up as well. The forecast seems to be drying up again, so for all you sun lovers, it looks like it...
NICE, DRY WEATHER--For those folks wishing for some warmer temperatures to go along with some nice dry days, it looks like you got your wish, as it’s been pretty dang decent here lately. I think the wind kept us from being overly hot, so that was a good thing. Then again, it does help dry things out faster so we need to be mindful when it comes to doing any burning of any kind. Just a spark can lead to devastating consequences. SPECIAL DAYS--Those celebrating birthdays from June 8-14 are Ryan Helms, Mike MacLaughlin, Brenden McClain, Terri Elfe...
HERE WE GO AGAIN--It seems like yesterday that I said we were beginning the month of May yet, in the blink of an eye, I’m saying “Welcome to June!” I can only hope this month slows down a bit as I’m already behind on all the things I was going to do during the “slow times” at the beginning of this year! NICE STREAK--Memorial weekend was pretty decent and at least it wasn’t pouring down rain! We had some morning cloudiness and some breezy conditions, but for those of you working in your yards over the weekend, this was the perfect weather for th...
NICE AND BREEZY--This past weekend saw us basking in some sunshine here but thankfully it was not the blistering hot kind and instead, was of the moderate variety with a very good breeze, so I have to admit, it was very much more to my liking than last week. We even got a bit of dampness on Sunday and Monday which I hadn’t expected! The week ahead is looking to be sunny for a couple days when you’ll be reading this and then cloudy for most of the holiday weekend with rain holding off until Tuesday, so that would be nice, as there are many who w...
TOASTY--If you wanted the heat to show up, you certainly got your wish for Mother’s Day weekend as most areas around our parts were sporting temperatures in either the upper 80s or low 90s and that was plenty hot for me! I believe our temperature gauge said 94 and to me, that’s just miserable and it means “hiding indoors in the AC” so it might as well be raining! Anyway, for all you “like it hot” folks, I hope you enjoyed it and didn’t get too sunburned! SPECIAL DAYS--Those celebrating birthdays from May 18-24 are Courtney Helms, Mitch Moonen,...
WARMING UP?--As the weekend comes to a close it’s not pouring down rain. The work week may start with some temps in the low 40s and include a bit of drizzle but the good news is, it’s supposed to warm up. I think we’ll all be happy to see that happen as long it’s a gradual thing and not a 40 to 80 thing! SPECIAL DAYS--Those celebrating birthdays from May 11-17 are Christeena Bassi, Don Nicholes, Bryce McClain, Mike Iverson, Hannah Helms, Shelly Hedges, Kamryn Watkins, Evan Quigley, Stacy Wegdahl, Steve Doumit, Kaelee Dearmore, Stephan...
NICE/HOT/COOL--We've had quite a variety in weather lately, as one day it was just perfect to me; mild temps and easy to work outside, but then the following day we were at 92 degrees at my house; too hot! Sunday morning we were a bit damp in West Valley, so my boots didn’t get soaked but they weren’t dry either! The forecast changes from day to day and from town to town, but supposedly we should be a bit cloudy with no rain until the weekend; we’ll see! THURSDAY--If you’re one of those that gets this paper early on Thursdays, don’t forget th...
READY FOR A CHANGE--By the time you read this, forecasters have promised that we will be in for warmer and drier weather and I sure hope so! I think most of us agree this cold, damp and gloomy weather is no longer welcome and needs to exit the area and bring us some really nice springtime weather. As I’m writing this on Sunday evening, it’s coming down in buckets; enough already! SPECIAL DAYS--Those celebrating birthdays from April 27-May 3 are Ricky Montgomery, Eva Snow, Carol Danker, Anita Hoven, Carrie Backman, Jenna Engle, Darrin Olsen, Con...
SOGGY--After one and a half decent days over the weekend, we seem to be back in that wet pattern, which is bringing the chills to me, as the dampness seems to make these old bones ache, so a ton of rain with some breezy conditions is not really making me too happy. I know that sometimes we have our spring “spring a leak” but hey, enough already; bring us some sunshine please, and the sooner the better! SPECIAL DAYS--Those celebrating birthdays from April 20-26 are Nathan Kincaid, Max Schmitz, Marie Allen, Mike Snow, Susan Kuhn, Kent Mar...
