Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891
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Rental property wasn't really in Ryan and Melissa Garrett's plans. They had just purchased a home in Wahkiakum County, where they both grew up and went to school and were now raising their kids, with the intention of flipping it. What they didn't see coming was the torrent of response from people who were looking for a home to rent. "We hadn't advertised that we had purchased it," Ryan Garrett said, "but for that many people to contact us in need of a rental, it really got us thinking about how...
Dozens of business owners — from restaurant owners to bowling alley managers — told state officials that continued COVID-19 restrictions place small businesses at risk of permanent closure, but state healthcare officials said a rush to reopen businesses puts the public at risk during a pandemic that has yet to to be controlled. In all, more than 1,500 Washington residents convened online Jan. 20 to debate a bill before the Legislature that would ease government limits on indoor dining and entertainment. Sponsored by both Democrat and Rep...
On Tuesday, the Cathlamet Town Council declined to pass a motion to "approve The Spar restaurant's right-of-way permit subject to agreed upon terms" in a 3 to 1 vote, which gives outdoor dining on Main Street a bleak future. In the same council meeting, the first reading of an amended fire code ordinance was passed which would allow River Mile 38 Brewing Co. to expand its operation at the marina without needing sprinkler systems. Other items discussed include an update on the covid-19 sewer test...
As of Tuesday, 71 Wahkiakum County residents had tested positive for covid-19, with 18 cases considered active, and 1,155 tests conducted so far. This is an increase from 64 on Tuesday of last week. Pacific County added nine new cases on Friday, for a total of 649 cases. Of those, 31 are considered active, and seven deaths have been attributed to covid-19. Cowlitz County is reporting a total of 3,308 cases, with 328 considered active, and 32 deaths. Across the river, Columbia County has had...
The Wahkiakum County PUD Board of Commissioners on Tuesday heard reports, talked about energy assistance and succession planning, and adopted a resolution to enter into an interlocal agreement with Wahkiakum County that would provide $10,000 to customers who are struggling to pay their bills because of the pandemic. “We were able to work through the little storm last week pretty quickly,” General Manager Dave Tramblie said during his report. “In 12 hours we had everybody but two people back...
To The Eagle: The assault upon the seat of our government last Wednesday was an insurrection of the affluent. As key figures who invaded the Capitol have been steadily identified over the last five or six days, it’s remarkable how many had traveled from upscale zip codes. Trump’s insurgents could afford to fly in to join the rebellion. That explains a lot. It explains why the Republican Party, locked in its long downward moral spiral, lost its mind when America elected its first Black president. It explains why so many people look for con...
To The Eagle: It is troubling to see how divided we've become as a society over this past year. One half of America was trashing the Federal Courthouse in Portland six months ago because of one man's actions, and now the other half has trashed the U.S. Capitol because of one man's words. People have been killed over the mask issue. Careers, friendships, and reputations have been ruined over the election issue. Even our little community hasn't been spared the gall of divisiveness, if the war of words on these pages is anything to go by. We've...
To The Eagle: I emailed to The Longview Daily News to cancel my subscription. They replied back with the cancellation notice signed by a person with its “business card,” a circulation rep from the Mid-Valley Media Group, the Democrat Herald/Gazette-Times/Lebanon Express. No wonder, it’s a democrat newspaper and would only praise themselves but criticize the republicans, conservatives, independents and patriots with propaganda and bias. President Trump promised an orderly transition on Jan. 20. He stated: “Even though I totally disagree with th...
To The Eagle: Last week we were treated to a ponderous editorial political polemic based on the elemental journalistic principle “size matters” (18½ inches). In counterpoint, here’s a more modest factoid collection: The insurrection-style violence at the capitol was planned three weeks in advance on social media. The FBI knew about it and notified other agencies including the Capitol and D.C. Metro Police, who were nonetheless unprepared. Antifa and BLM types apparently lead the charge, and one, John Sullivan, was taped describing his Trump...
To The Eagle: I can understand why the editor has tired of political fiction. A recently published letter promoting the thoroughly disproved electoral fraud conspiracy is a prime example. Repeating over and over again that 2 + 2 = 5 will never make it so, regardless of President Trump’s hopeless arithmetic. Let’s get back to the real world now, shall we? Grace Ling Puget Island...
On Tuesday, the Wahkiakum School District Board of Directors got an update on the budget, some of the superintendent’s thoughts about ways to fund renovations at the high school, and plans to return more students to a more regular schedule next week. Following a brief discussion about who might attend a Washington State School Directors’ Association’s legislative conference in February, Business Manager Shelby Garrett gave an update. “The general fund balance is a little lower than last month,...
Wahkiakum County Port 1 Board of Commissioners discussed maintenance, rates, and more at their meeting last Thursday. Maintenance Manager Todd Souvenir, who has been working on a project to install LED lighting in the storage units, recently received a second bid from Dynamic Energy Solution. The project will take a little longer, but cost less, and create less of a hassle for customers, because the port will replace the lights themselves. “It’s pretty crazy that you went from one company tha...
Just when residents of Washington will have access to a COVID-19 vaccine depends on how many doses the federal government delivers and how many the state can administer in a day. Currently, the state is receiving 100,000 doses per week and administering 14,000 doses per day, but Gov. Jay Inslee acknowledged Monday that there have been major bumps in the road so far. "I have to be forthright with Washingtonians," Inslee said. "Patience is going to be one of the most important assets for us in...
Formerly incarcerated people would automatically regain their right to vote if a proposed bill in the Washington State Legislature is approved. Rep. Tarra Simmons (D-Bremerton), the first formerly incarcerated person to serve in the Legislature, testified in favor of HB 1078 Jan. 14 and said earning her right to vote helped her engage with and serve her community. “This is really about reentry. It's not about the punishment. The punishment has been taken into consideration during the prosecution,” she said. Simmons was sentenced to 20 mon...
Gov. Jay Inslee’s proposed budget for the upcoming biennium calls for $570 million in new education spending, but many parents and educators have expressed frustration that the governor’s budget does not adequately fund additional transportation and special education needs fueled by COVID-19. Of the education spending, the governor proposed $400 million for schools to expand learning opportunities and potentially add instructional time for their students. Additionally, the budget also includes $79 million to support broadband connections for...
A different take on Gov. Jay Inslee’s capital gains tax, less broad and friendlier to small family-owned businesses, will likely be introduced later in this year’s legislative session. “We are considering proposals similar to what the House has considered in years past,” said Rep. Noel Frame, D-Seattle. “So, for instance, the filing threshold has been higher in the past House versions, so that's one major difference. Also what we have had the last several years is an exemption for bona fide family owned businesses.” Frame emphasized the goal of...
NICE START--As this week begins, it's actually a pretty decent day after a somewhat cloudy and dampish beginning but the sun popped out this Sunday and gave us a very nice break. Last week, I turned in my column prior to all wind and rain that crashed down upon us and boy, it was really something! From mudslides to high water closing multiple roadways, it was quite the sight. Once again, we got a chance to see how prepared we were as some couldn't leave their houses until the waters receded and others found themselves "trapped" in places they d...
Due to the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak, meetings and events usually listed here have been canceled or changed to online participation until further notice. The Eagle was advised of the following events: Online Recovery Meeting, Lower Columbia River Refuge Recovery. Mondays 6:30 p.m. Zoom ID 960 8413 9102. Community Center, Mon. 9-12 & 1-5. Tues-Thurs. 9-1. Friday by appointment. Cathlamet Library T-F 2-5 p.m. Covid restrictions enforced. Community Integrated Health Services, Monday, 6-8 p.m., Video Link: https://cihealthse...
On January 26 from 12-12:45 p.m., WSU Master Gardener Karen Adams will teach how to make homemade paper. You may purchase a paper making kit for only $6, and follow along with Karen as she demonstrates on Zoom how to make paper with embedded flower seeds. Purchase your paper making kit here: https://www.ticketsource.us/booking/t-agnnpv The demonstration will be followed by the opportunity to ask questions about the topic. No need to register, just pop in. Connection information (you must have a zoom account--sign up for one at zoom.us), then...
Wahkiakum County law enforcement officers and emergency response personnel handled a variety of reports during the past week, including: January 11 — 8:39 a.m. A Cathlamet resident said that she had been informed that someone had her social security number, an old address, and license and was trying to get a Target credit card in her name. She had contacted the bank and wanted to file a police report. 12:55 p.m. A caller reported a suspicious vehicle with two occupants parked on a Grays River road. 1:50 p.m. A caller witnessed a man on East Bir...
Darrell bids farewell My health issues are preventing me from doing the job you [The Eagle] engaged me to do. I have wanted to stop writing for a couple of months, but thought these issues would pass, and they haven't. I'm sorry for such a short notice, but it has become too difficult for me to continue. I thank you, Rick Nelson, for the opportunity you gave me. Good luck in the future with The Eagle. Darrell Alexander We at The Eagle are sorry to see Darrell end his tenure as our Westend/Naselle correspondent. He has produced some fine...
Commissioners of Port District 2 boosted salaries and picked out two candidates to fill a vacancy on the three-person board when they met Tuesday. Commissioners Brian O'Connor and Austin Burkhalter recessed into executive session at the end of their meeting to consider applicants to fill the vacancy created by Lee Tischer's resignation to assume a position on the county board of commissioners. When they returned to open session, attorney Tim Hanigan announced that the board would interview two candidates, Mike Backman and Allen Bennett, at the...
Former WSU Master Gardener Nancy Chennault will explain everything you wanted to know about the care and operation of a hobbyist greenhouse. You will learn how to get started, what to buy regarding size, temperature control, lighting and ventilation. Nancy will also talk about yard placement, supplies, what to plant and when and even some alternatives to a greenhouse. If you are interested in gardening and own a greenhouse or are thinking about building or buying one, then this is the program for you. A free 1 hour presentation will be...
Paul Martin Pedersen, 76, of Cathlamet, died at the Hospice Care Center in Longview on January 16, 2021. He was born October 16, 1944 in Pasco to William and Ruby (Fleury) Pedersen. He was raised in Richland, graduated high school in 1962 and entered the Air Force in 1963. On September 3, 1966 he married Pamela Boness and they raised their two children in Eastern Washington. Paul worked for the Department of fish and Wildlife as a fish culturist for 26 years. In 1999 Paul retired and they moved to Cathlamet in 2002. Paul and Pam enjoyed family...
Alan "Al" John Thayer, 88, left this world peacefully at home on January 6, 2021. His loving wife of 62 years was by his side. Al was born in Providence, RI. He received a Forestry degree from the University of Montana. After serving in the U.S. Air Force, he moved his young family to the Northwest and began his forest management career with Crown Zellerbach Corporation. There he made lifelong friends in communities such as Molalla, OR, Seaside, OR and Cathlamet, WA. After retiring in...