Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891

Articles written by Kirk Mcknight


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  • Middle school receives bomb threat

    Kirk McKnight|Dec 4, 2025

    According to Wahkiakum County Sheriff John Mason, at approximately 11:15 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 2, his office "received report of a bomb threat made to the middle school." The call coming from an out-of-state number, the person issuing the threat stated, "A bomb would go off at 1 p.m." When asked for comment on the incident, Mason said, "Sheriff’s deputies and troopers from the Washington State Patrol responded to the scene. Fire and emergency medical responders were mobilized and staged by the emergency management coordinator. A local volunteer...

  • Superintendent informs Council of upcoming levy

    Kirk McKnight|Dec 4, 2025

    During Monday's session of Town Council, Wahkiakum School District Superintendent Ralph Watkins discussed an upcoming tax levy which renewal will strongly affect the schools and will be on a special election ballot Feb. 11, 2026. Coming from Alaska, Watkins noted this is his first experience with a levy. "In Alaska, our school district had a really strong relationship with our municipality," said Watkins. "One of my goals is to make sure that I foster that same type of relationship with our municipality. In Alaska, municipalities have a...

  • Commissioners' Report

    Kirk McKnight|Dec 4, 2025

    Prior to Tuesday's Wahkiakum County Commissioners' meeting, a public hearing was held at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 1 to discuss "revenue sources for the current expense budget." Among these was "consideration of a property tax increase." Following public hearing on the issue, the commissioners voted unanimously on a 1 percent property tax increase. During Tuesday's meeting, the commissioners signed a letter of support regarding the Cowlitz Indian Tribe. According to the meeting packet, the tribe "requested a letter of support from the Wahkiakum...

  • Clatskanie students present Matilda the Musical Jr.

    Kirk McKnight|Dec 4, 2025

    Starting next Thursday, Dec. 11, more than 30 Clatskanie Middle High School students will be presenting "Matilda the Musical Jr." inside the Donavon Wooley Performing Arts Center Auditorium. Inspired by the Roald Dahl classic, "Matilda the Musical Jr." brings the familiar cast, including Miss Honey, Trunchbull, Mr. and Mrs. Wormwood and, of course, Matilda. "Every other year, I try to do a big show incorporating as many age groups as possible," said Performing Arts Director Jaime Erwin. "We...

  • Sevald, Hillard ready themselves for mayoral roles

    Kirk McKnight|Nov 28, 2025

    Cathlamet Mayor Elect Nicholas Sevald will soon take his seat, but he won't be the only young, new face taking such an office on the western side of Washington. Pacific County's Ilwaco recently had a mayoral election as well, and candidate Eddie Hillard defeated incumbent Mayor Mike Cassinelli by a staggering 53.5 percent margin. Cassinelli has been serving as Ilwaco's mayor since 2022 and, before that, served in the position from 2010 to 2017. Hillard, who is 24 years old, was born and raised...

  • Commissioners' Report

    Kirk McKnight|Nov 28, 2025

    During Tuesday's meeting, the Wahkiakum County Commissioners unanimously approved three agreements with Tyler Technologies: an e-filing and defendant access payment processing agreement, a payment processing license and services agreement for Wahkiakum District Court, and the defendant access opt-in agreement. According to the meeting's agenda "there is no financial impact unless the agreements are not approved," and "there are no funds needed" for the agreements." A public hearing was then held regarding a resolution to change the name of Barr...

  • Town terminates PCA contract

    Kirk McKnight|Nov 20, 2025

    During the Monday, Nov. 17 regular meeting of Cathlamet’s Town Council, Councilmember Robert Stowe asked for a motion to be put on the meeting’s agenda. Stowe’s motion was “to terminate the contract between the Town of Cathlamet and the Pioneer Community Association (PCA), effective Dec. 31, 2025.” On May 17, 2010, PCA and the Town of Cathlamet (TOC) entered into a real estate lease agreement regarding the Cathlamet Pioneer Church on 125 Columbia Street. In the agreement, the church was labeled “a property of major historical, architectural and...

  • Commissioners' Report

    Kirk McKnight|Nov 20, 2025

    During the Wahkiakum County Commissioners meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 18, the commissioners voted unanimously to sign the settlement agreement regarding Hikma Opioid. According to the report, "Washington joined in national litigation against the manufacturers and distributors of prescription opioids." Since the settlement is "for a national total of between $34,720,371 and $57,490,976 to be spread out over years." Over the years this will results in a one-time payment of $678.91. The commissioners then approved Health Care Authority (HCA)...

  • Perfect season comes to an end for Clatskanie football

    Kirk McKnight|Nov 20, 2025

    For the team's first 10 games, including its postseason opener, the Clatskanie Tigers varsity football team had never been on the losing side. The Tigers had trailed at a couple of points throughout the year but never when the fourth-quarter clock showed "all zeros." Playing on a neutral field against defending state champion St. Paul, Clatskanie matched the Buckaroos first-quarter touchdown with one of their own in the second. Sophomore quarterback Will Van Voorst connected with junior wide...

  • Naselle volleyball ends season on high note

    Kirk McKnight|Nov 20, 2025

    The Naselle girls volleyball team had some momentum heading into the state tournament, but, unfortunately, they ran into Wilbur-Creston-Keller. Winning the first set 25-18, the Comets lost three of the next four (20-25, 25-21, 16-25, 6-15) to dash their hopes of a state title. However, the girls won three straight consolation games against Northport, Wahkiakum, and Taholah to finish the tournament in seventh place. In the loss to Wilbur-Creston-Keller, Naselle was led by Jessie Smith's 42...

  • County, mayoral races becoming more official

    Kirk McKnight|Nov 13, 2025

    By Kirk McKnight The votes for the general election were most recently tabulated last Friday, Nov. 7, at 10:45 a.m. As of Friday, a total of 1,998 ballots were counted out of 3,661 registered voters in Wahkiakum County, with only an estimated 40 ballots left to count. The voter turnout of 54.58 percent was greater than that of neighboring Pacific County, which had 41.23 percent voter turnout. The ballots for both of these counties included Joint Resolution 8201. According to the Washington State Legislature website (leg.wa.gov), Joint...

  • Clatskanie football escapes with narrow win over Colton

    Kirk McKnight|Nov 13, 2025

    Clatskanie's perfect season continues, as the Tigers held off Colton 22-20 at home last Friday. The Vikings were the first of the two teams to reach the scoreboard, courtesy of a 40-yard touchdown pass. The ensuing two-point conversion attempt failed, leaving the score 6-0 Colton. Clatskanie would respond with a 25-yard touchdown throw from sophomore quarterback Will Van Voorst to senior wide receiver Daylon Gutierrez. Junior kicker Gunner Engen's point after attempt was no good, so the score would remain 6-6 going into the second quarter. A tw...

  • Tigers volleyball falls to Eagles in title game

    Kirk McKnight|Nov 13, 2025

    For the first time in the school's history, the Clatskanie girls volleyball team made it to the championship match at state. Though they would fall in three straight sets (19-25, 10-25, 8-25) to Turner's Crosshill Christian Eagles, the Tigers had two hard-fought matches in both the quarter and semi finals to set up their unprecedented arrival at the championship match. Facing off last Friday against Myrtle Point, Clatskanie was able to sweep the Bobcats in three straight sets (25-23, 25-17,...

  • Naselle volleyball sweeps into postseason

    Kirk McKnight|Nov 13, 2025

    Naselle’s girls volleyball team had two impressive wins to begin its postseason last week, starting last Wednesday. Hosting Willapa Valley, Naselle was able to win in three straight sets (25-20, 25-22, 25-17). Jessie Smith led the way with 34 assists and five aces, while Sophia Colombo led the team in digs with 21. Mylee Dunagan had 13 kills to lead the team, while Haylee Rose and Kaitlyn Steenerson co-led the team in blocks with three each. Rose also had nine digs, while Steenerson managed six kills in the win. Rounding out the stats for N...

  • Election results begin to come in

    Kirk McKnight|Nov 6, 2025

    On Tuesday, Nov. 4, at 8:04 p.m., the Washington Secretary of State’s website released the results, thus far, for the general election. According to the website, 1,492 ballots had been counted and an estimated 400 ballots were left to be counted. In the race for Mayor of Cathlamet, Nicholas Sevald has 65.99 percent of the votes (130), and Laurel Waller has 33.5 percent of the votes (66). Prior to the election results, Sevald said, “Come what may, I love this community. Win or lose, I always will. I promise to keep striving to help this tow...

  • Commissioners' report

    Kirk McKnight|Nov 6, 2025

    Following public comment at the Nov. 4 Wahkiakum County Commissioners’ weekly meeting, Public Works Director Chuck Beyer brought before the commissioners a request for an easement on county-owned parcel PID #1490 on Clover Street. As the item was simply a request, no motion was made, but the commissioners expressed their approval for the easement. The appreciative owner of the parcel said she will talk with her attorneys and bring it back before the commissioners at a later date. Julie Johnston from Health & Human Services then requested the p...

  • Tigers finish regular season undefeated

    Kirk McKnight|Nov 6, 2025

    Clatskanie High School's varsity football team ended its regular season last Friday, beating Nestucca 18-6. Senior running back Lucas Andreasen led off the game's scoring with a 17-yard touchdown run in the first quarter. Sophomore quarterback Will Van Voorst would extend the Tigers' lead with a four-yard rush in the third quarter. Clatskanie's 12-0 lead entering the fourth quarter was certainly uncharacteristic for a team that averaged over 42 points a game all season. Nestucca cut the lead in...

  • Clatskanie volleyball begins postseason strong

    Kirk McKnight|Nov 6, 2025

    The Clatskanie Tigers girls volleyball team suffered a three-set sweep (17-25, 20-25, 14-25) at the hands of Astoria last Tuesday, but they quickly shrugged it off Saturday with a three-set sweep of their own (25-15, 25-9, 25-12) over the 11th seeded Oakridge Warriors. "I am so proud of the team and how they played tonight," said Head coach Amanda Baker. "An all around team effort on defense is exactly what we needed to play at this next level. They cleaned up and toughened up on serving a team...

  • Naselle volleyball opens postseason with win

    Kirk McKnight|Nov 6, 2025

    Naselle’s girls volleyball had a good start to its postseason run with a three-set sweep (25-14, 25-13, 25-11) over Battle Ground’s Firm Foundation Monday, Nov. 3. “[The] girls came in and executed well,” said Assistant coach Hanna Higginbotham. “Sets were moved around to all our threats and it was a complete team effort.” Naselle was led by Jessie Smith, who had 26 assists, four aces, and three digs. Haylee Rose led the team with six aces and co-led in kills with Mylee Dunagan, as each managed six. Rose, along with Brooke Davis, co-led in bloc...

  • Council discusses preliminary 2026 budget

    Kirk McKnight|Oct 30, 2025

    During the Monday, Oct. 20 session of Cathlamet Town Council, Town Clerk/Treasurer Sarah Clark presented a preliminary budget proposal for 2026. The proposed budget totals $3,726,265, which, according to Clark "is approximately 16 percent lower than the comparative adopted budget" for the current year. "Budgeting is a comprehensive planning process for the future of the Town, setting forth the maximum expenditures of a particular fund while ensuring that expenses do not exceed revenues," stated Clark. "A conservative budget supports the fiscal...

  • Wahkiakum County Commissioners' report

    Kirk McKnight|Oct 30, 2025

    During their meeting Tuesday, Oct. 28, the Wahkiakum County Commissioners had plenty of new business on their agenda. The first item was a claim for damages sustained by John Dent’s 2020 Toyota Tundra in the amount of $3,409.32. The truck was damaged while on the ferry, and the total included $2,988.81 in auto body damages and $420.51 paid by Dent for vehicle rental. The motion to approve was seconded and voted unanimously. The commissioners were then presented with Amendment No. 6 to the Lower Columbia Fish Recovery Board Interlocal A...

  • Clatskanie girls volleyball ends regular season as district champs

    Kirk McKnight|Oct 30, 2025

    After being swept in three sets by Portland Christian, the Clatskanie girls volleyball team won its final two matches to end the regular season as district champions. The first win came at home against Gaston on Friday, Oct. 24, as the Tigers swept the Greyhounds in three straight sets (25-23, 25-14, 25-15) in a #2 vs #3 district playoff match. Senior Joey Sizemore led the team in kills with 20 and co-led the team in blocks with junior Lacey Willis as the pair managed one apiece. Willis also...

  • Tigers varsity football wins close one to remain undefeated

    Kirk McKnight|Oct 30, 2025

    Clatskanie remained undefeated following its 21-14 victory last Thursday at Knappa. Quite the contrast to last week's 55-26 victory over Neah-Kah-Nie, all three of Clatskanie's scores came through the air. The first score of the game by way of a 26-yard touchdown pass from sophomore quarterback Will Van Voorst to junior wide receiver Michael Simpson in the first quarter. Van Voorst would connect on a 17-yard touchdown pass with senior wide receiver Daylon Gutierrez in the second quarter to...

  • Naselle splits games awaiting playoffs

    Kirk McKnight|Oct 30, 2025

    Naselle’s girls volleyball team split its two games last week, first sweeping Lake Quinault in three straight sets (25-12, 25-14, 25-10) and then falling in five sets to Neah Bay (21-25, 26-28, 25-23, 25-22, 4-15) on Saturday, Oct. 25. During their victory over Lake Quinault on Thursday, Oct. 23, Jessie Smith led the team in assists with 17 and digs with eight. Smith, along with Brooke Davis and Sadie Kilponen, co-led the team in aces with four. Along with Hayley Rose, Smith co-led in blocks as well with one. Rose also led the team in kills w...

  • Commissioners' Report

    Kirk McKnight|Oct 23, 2025

    The Wahkiakum County Commissioners held their weekly meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 21. During public comment at Tuesday's meeting, Elochoman Valley resident Rick Selby spoke on road safety. Recently while driving, Selby's vehicle was struck by a person riding an electric scooter who had veered over the double yellow line into his lane. Citing Washington State laws regarding pedestrians, Selby noted the person riding the scooter did not receive a citation. "Are we warning these people to commit suicide or die at the expense of the motorist," said Sel...

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