Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891
Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891
Sorted by date Results 1 - 25 of 34
Once again, local officials and residents are unhappy with the slow progress of permitting beach nourishment for eroding beaches on Cape Horn and Puget Island. Residents and county officials are waiting for the US Army Corps of Engineers to finish work on planning for dredging work and permits for right of entry to do the work on private property. The process has dragged on for months, and meanwhile, property owners say erosion continues along their shorelines. They fear significant property loss if sand isn't placed along their shorelines...
Voters in Wahkiakum County and across the state on Tuesday winnowed down the candidates for races on the November general election ballot. In Wahkiakum County's three person race for county commissioner, District 2, incumbent Dan Cothren led the voting in the district's precincts with 183 votes; Bob Jungers finished second with 73, and Matt Barnhill trailed with 47. Cothren and Jungers face off in the general election. In the race for the other county commission seat on the ballot, challenger Greg Prestegard led incumbent Mike Backman 177-123...
Wahkiakum County commissioners on Tuesday signed a resolution to ask voters to approve a property tax levy to supplement criminal justice spending. The levy would be a maximum of 39 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value; it would be a six-year levy starting in 2017. The resolution would also authorize a 1 percent increase--the statutory limit--for the five years following the first year. In justifying the request for the levy, the resolution cites the growing gap between rising expenses and the slower increase in property taxes which...
Wahkiakum County resident Dan Westlind has lived an interesting and varied life. He is well known for making beautiful knives and now he's getting a name for his work in steampunk and industrial age art. He was recently asked to show some of his pieces at the Antique Powerland Museum in Brooks, Ore. "Steampunk is the fastest growing art form in America," Westlind said. "Industrial recycled, machine age stuff. I do a combination of all of it." A former welder and machinist, he was hurt on the...
With all the other stuff that's going on around here, the primary election snuck up on me. it caught up with me last week when I got to sit down with Chris Reykdal, a Lacy resident who's running for the position of Superintendent of Public Instruction (SPI). If the Reykdal name is familiar, yes, he hails from Snohomish and is a younger brother, by 16 years, of Vic Reykdal, who taught and coached at Wahkiakum schools from the late 1980's to the early 2000s. Chris Reykdal also went into education, teaching three years in the 1990s at Mark Morris...
To The Eagle: With Police and Sheriffs being targeted, most probably, we with military police, and civil police training, and experience, should function as a force multiplier, as to, See Something, Say Something! However, with Mark’s work on community policing, we have, and need, the common senses of our county’s citizens, too, also, See Something, Say Something. As former Academy trained, although dated, I know what is important. Based upon the Sheriff’s report, we have a good start on community policing, via Mark’s work on the issues,...
To The Eagle: I attended the meeting of the candidates at the Skamokawa grange last Tuesday evening and was very interested to note that counties that allowed the sale of recreational marijuana received 10 percent of the funds raised in their respective counties. When I questioned the politicos in attendance they said that it was true but Wahkiakum county has refused to allow the business. When further questioned, Dan Cothren stated that he was personally against it. I suppose my next question should have been since when does his personal...
To The Eagle: I don’t know if the voters are aware that the 19th legislative district has an exceptionally well qualified candidate running this year. Teresa Purcell has a working background in politics at the local, state, and national levels. That’s not my opinion, it’s a matter of record. In listening to Teresa Purcell on several occasions, I am impressed by her depth of “been there, know how to make it work”, knowledge on issues relevant to us in the nineteenth district and in the state as a whole. Purcell’s ability to navigate the system...
To The Eagle: I ask your support for Teresa Purcell for State Representative. Getting things done takes working with people. Teresa has a lot of experience in bringing people together to solve problems. She recognizes that "cast-in-stone" political philosophy often gets in the way of answers, and that working with others leads to real solutions of the real problems that we face. Teresa will be a great Representative for all of us in Olympia. Joel Rupley Longview...
To The Eagle: SW Washington lags behind in basic measures of economic opportunity, health, housing, safety and education. We need a change in our politics. Teresa Purcell is just what our district desperately needs now. Teresa is not in this for herself. She was born and raised here. She is well educated and well known as a consultant, lobbyist (American Cancer Society) and activist. She can’t be bought. Example: Why sell off prime land for a handful of jobs when it can be cleaned up and bring in thousands of jobs? Teresa Purcell knows how t...
To The Eagle: As you go through your primary ballot please tick the box for Teresa Purcell for 19th district legislative representative. Good governance has always been the art of the possible and Teresa has the experience, enthusiasm and people skills to make things happen in Olympia and be the next great representative of our district. Only occasionally does someone with real leadership ability rise up to grace our political scene and offer a clear choice on our ballots; someone who honors the past but who also looks forward candidly to...
Matt Barnhill, a Rosedale resident and owner of a roofing business, is running for county commissioner representing District 2. “I’ve lived here for 45 years. I love this place,” Barnhill said on Tuesday. “I want to keep it like it is.” He described himself as a conservative, fiscally conservative. “What experience does Dan Cothren have?” Barnhill responded when asked about his experience. “I’m well known and vocal. I’d like to do positive things for the county. “If we need something I’ll v...
Dan Cothren is running for re-election for the seat on the county board of commissioners he has held since 2001. At a candidate forum last week, he said he is running again largely to finish major projects--working a bill through the state legislature that would expand the county's timber holding and ensure financial solvency in the future. He has been working with other counties, the state Department of Natural Resources and legislators to have the bill ready for the 2017 legislative session. "We've got to have the exchange (bill) or the...
Rosedale resident Bob Jungers wants to serve. He listed his community service at a candidate forum last week: 20 years as a reserve deputy, 20 years on the county planning commission, five years as a diking district commissioner and 12 years as a commissioner on the Wahkiakum PUD board of commissioners. On top of that he's owned and operated Elochoman Millworks for 35 years. Now Jungers is running for county commissioner; if elected he would be a commissioner for both the county and PUD. That isn't a conflict of interest, Jungers said, basing...
NOAA Fisheries research indicates that after accounting for harvest, in some years as many as 45 percent of the salmon tagged in the estuary disappear before reaching Bonneville Dam, according to a presentation in mid-July to the Northwest Power and Conservation Council. In 2010, researchers for NOAA Fisheries, the federal agency that oversees the Endangered Species Act for Columbia River Basin salmon and steelhead, began a research project to better understand what happens to the fish in the 140 miles between the ocean and Bonneville Dam when...
GETTING WARMER--We ended last week with a few showers and some cloudiness, but that was ok, as those extra high temperatures don't thrill me much anyway. However, for all those "want it hot" folks, Sunday began with clear blue skies and warm sunshine right off the bat, so I'm guessing they were mighty happy! If the forecast holds, it looks like Summer is returning this week, so keep lathered up with sun screen and enjoy! Sadly, another child was left in a car in the heat this past week and she is struggling to survive as temperatures rose to...
THURSDAY Cathlamet Fire Department, 7 p.m. Senior Citizen Luncheon, Rosburg Hall, Noon. Senior Citizen Luncheon, Congregational Church, Noon. District No. 4 Fire Department, drill night, 7 p.m. Grays River Fire Department, fire/ambulance, 7 p.m. Skamokawa Fire Department, 7 p.m. Wahkiakum Fire District 2 Commissioners, Skamokawa Fire Hall, 7 p.m. Christian 12-Step Program, Cathlamet Community Center, 101 Main St., 7 p.m. Community Library & Computer Center, GRVC at Johnson Park, 1-5 p.m. West End Food Pantry, GRVC at Johnson Park, 1-5 p.m....
News from Naselle: This is it! Bring the family to Naselle for a fun filled weekend of FinnFest, including speakers, films, music performances, games, dancing and food. The event will take place at the Naselle-Grays River Valley School on July 29 and 30 and will conclude on Sunday morning, July 31 with a worship and closing ceremony. FinnFest takes place every other year in Naselle with free admission (although donations are always welcome and appreciated). This event highlights much of the Finnish culture and daily life over the years, with...
Greetings from the fair office. Wow, the fair is almost here! The Silver Buckle Series was a big hit again this past weekend. Thanks to Val and her crew for a job well done. The Fair Royalty will have a Car Wash at the Bank of Pacific on August 6. Come get your car washed and buy your Fair Pass. This year’s 7 p.m. entertainment is all returning bands from last year. Thursday at 7 p.m. will be the King Brothers, Friday's 7 p.m. show will bring back Country Band Sacred Road, and Saturday night the Journey tribute band TouchN, LoveN, SqueezeN w...
The eighteenth biennial Finnish American Folk Festival will take place at the schools in Naselle this weekend, July 29th-31st. This cultural event presents a feast for all the senses--sight-authentic costumes, folk dancers, exhibits such as art, a museum, historic photos, arts and crafts, Finnish war memorabilia, and genealogy charts. Festivities begin at 10 a.m. Friday at the schools which are located at the junction of SR 401 and SR 4. The Tori (marketplace) is open until 6 p.m. as are all the exhibits and food vendors. The featured film at...
The Care Careers Academy will offer a day Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) program from August 2-4, from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Included are 35 hours of classroom education, 32 hours of skills training and 40 hours of clinical instruction. Becoming a CNA allows graduates to work in a variety of medical settings including nursing homes, doctor’s offices, retirement homes, adult family homes and hospitals, as well as in-home senior/disabled care. CNA training is also a prerequisite for many nursing schools. There is currently a shortage of CNAs l...
The River Rat Tap is standing a little straighter these days thanks to developer Scott Espedal and his son, Jeff. According to Jeff, the Tap came into their hands when the former owner of the old bar contacted his father about a trade. He was interested in several leftover lots that the elder Espedal had after building homes at Glengate Loop. Espedal agreed. "We're from Portland but we love it down here," Jeff said. Jeff has a masters in teaching but wants to keep a hand in the family business....
A Celebration of Life will be held for Elizabeth Zimmerman Saturday, August 6 at 1 p.m., at the Valley Bible Church in Rosburg. Her full obituary was published May 12, 2016....
Phyllis Ann Foster Wika, 86, a resident of Pinole, California passed away Tuesday, July 12th, 2016, at John Muir Hospital in Walnut Creek, California. Phyllis was born in Astoria, Oregon July 5, 1930. Phyllis was an only child raised in the Elochoman Valley of Cathlamet, Washington. In lieu of siblings she had her ten aunts and uncles always at her side. She graduated from Wahkiakum High School at the age of 16 in 1947. She attended Western Washington University and later graduated from Lower Co...
