Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891
Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891
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A bill that would have transferred ownership of the former Naselle Youth Camp to the Chinook Indian Nation has died in the Washington State Legislature, leaving supporters frustrated and the site's future uncertain. Introduced by Sen. Jeff Wilson (R-Longview) earlier this year, Senate Bill 5247 never made it to a public hearing before the legislative deadline, effectively halting its progress for this session. The bill aimed to return the long-shuttered youth camp to the Chinook, whose ancestral lands include the site. Despite the setback,...
A recent opinion poll of west Wahkiakum residents/landowners reveals an overwhelming number are opposed to the breaching of dikes. The poll yielded 253 responses and, of the 253 responding, 242 indicated their opposition for dike breaching, while only seven indicated support. Four residents polled indicated they could go either way, depending on the particular project. The Grays River Flood Control District was established to ensure existing dikes along the Grays River are maintained. Owners of properties within the District’s jurisdiction p...
On Monday March 17 members of the Friends of Julia Butler Hansen (FJBH) visited the state capitol to pass out starts from cuttings of Maude Butler's 100-year-old climbing rose. In all they passed out 28 rose cuttings to legislators, senators, the governor and the lieutenant governor. This was done in coordination with several other exciting county events happening later this spring. For more information contact the Chamber, the Town, the Cathlamet Woman's Club, or the Friends of Julia Butler Han...
The Commissioners met on March 25 for their regular meeting, during which they approved the lease agreement with St. James Family Center for the Charlotte House location, which serves as a domestic violence shelter. The commissioners also voted to accept the bid from Bush Whackers LLC for roadside mowing, totaling $72,833 for 2025. During a work session with the Heritage Group Coalition to discuss plans for the Johnson House. The group intends to utilize it as a central point for their planned Heritage Campus, which will encompass the Julia...
The Bubblehead team from Naselle won the SeaPerch Cathlamet Qualifying tournament last Friday in wet and cold conditions. In Seaperch, a team prepares an underwater Remotely Operated Vehicle to move very fast through an obstacle course, and then to precisely move objects between underwater platforms. They also prepare written documentation of their engineering design process. The team that does the best in all three of those tasks qualifies to represent Washington State at the International...
Introducing Appelo Archive Center's new Director, Angela Metcalf It is a privilege to introduce Angela Metcalf as the new Executive Director of the Appelo Archives Center in Naselle. Angela grew up in Cathlamet and is an alumnus of Wahkiakum High School. She met her husband, Brandon, on a blind date, and after their marriage, she moved to Naselle 18 years ago. They have two daughters; their oldest attends Naselle School, while the youngest is being homeschooled by Angela. Her father was a...
The Naselle-Grays River Valley School Board held its monthly meeting on March 18. During public comment, Luke Gardner read a prepared statement expressing his concerns. Gardner stated, “I have asked this administration if they could inform me of any policy that regulates advertising or promoting opinions about political figures and displaying such on or about the school… As everyone in this room is probably well aware, there became a controversy over the appropriateness of a particular pin-up board in the elementary hall… It would be reall...
The Wahkiakum School District Board of Education convened on March 18 and approved the Superintendent's contract, Dr. Ralph Watkins, beginning 7/1/2025-6/30/28. The board accepted the resignations of coaches Jarrod Hague and Andrea Miller and approved replacements Brad Moon as baseball coach and Heidi Snyder as assistant softball coach. The last piece of old business was the first reading of Policy 2413 on equivalent credit opportunities. Principal Leitz introduced the first reading of a policy concerning alternative education pathways. This...
STILL SOGGY. As I write this column, a little later than usual, it’s another soggy day in Skamokawa. I hear that Tuesday is supposed to be nice, though, so I’m holding out hope for at least one decent day as the rest of the week looks pretty doggone-wet to me. Once again, keep the boots and umbrellas handy. If you live in a low-lying area and all this rain hits us, be prepared for possible flooding. However, we’ll keep our fingers crossed that it doesn’t materialize! SPECIAL DAYS. Those folks celebrating birthdays from March 27 through April 3...
A divided state Senate passed legislation Friday that would give more Washington residents the ability to recycle a greater variety of items and to pay less, or nothing, for the service. Producers of consumer goods would need to reduce unnecessary packaging and fund statewide recycling services starting in January 2030. Hundreds of thousands of residents would get curbside recycling for the first time as part of the ambitious effort to cut down on waste going into landfills while creating a sustainable market for recyclable materials. “We a...
Recently I interviewed James Sorensen of Wahkiakum county for our seventh installment of Reader's Fave, a casual talk with someone who shares their favorite book. As we chatted, James shared about his favorite book, East of Eden, by acclaimed author John Steinbeck. James stated right from the start that East of Eden was his favorite book. "I really enjoyed the generational story of it," he said, as Steinbeck writes about three generations of a particular family. The storyline illustrates the...
I often hear people say that the problem with young people today is this, or that, or something else. Following the announcement, I'll be informed of said problem; perhaps, more than one. However, what I don't hear is the solution. Problem, solution? No, sir. Problem, problem. Well, I ain't that guy. Do you want to know what the problem with young people is? No old men. Simple as that. The solution? Old guys. That's right. Get yourself an old guy. Problem solved. How, pray tell, is that a...
With over 50 years of continuous service as a volunteer firefighter, EMT and ambulance driver for Pacific County Fire District 4 in Naselle, Cliff Kilponen has received local recognition. The level of recognition took a big jump recently when Kilponen was informed he had been named as the 2024 Firefighter of the Year by Washington State's Department of the American Legion. Each year, the 148 American Legion Posts within Washington State and their 16,000+ members are invited to submit...
Getting the season's "first marks," the Clatskanie track and field team hosted its Twilight Icebreaker on March 21. "This season, we have around 40 athletes participating and we are excited to have such a large team," said Coach Tim Van Voorst. "We have quite a few new athletes that we are looking forward to seeing how they progress throughout the season." Returning 20 athletes from last year, including four who competed at state in 2024, the team saw plenty of personal records set last Friday....
The Clatskanie High School softball team opened its season with two offensive showings, taking down Rainier 16-6 on Monday, March 17, and outsourcing Umatilla 18-13 on Monday, March 24. The Tigers were led by sophomore Payton Taylor during last week’s win over Rainier, as the right fielder knocked in three runs. Junior Joey Sizemore had the lone home run for Clatskanie, knocking in two runs. Sophomore Emma Parley and senior Karielle Carlson led the Tigers in runs scored with three apiece. Carlson knocked in two runs as well, and junior K...
During the March 5 session of Clatskanie City Council, City Manager Greg Hinkelman addressed agenda item 2025-06, which is the approval of a contract awarded to Lee Engineering for the Conestoga Lift Station. According to the meeting’s minutes, Hinkelman indicated that the bids came in over budget and that he “was originally going to table the project until next budget.” However, after meeting with Interim Public Works Director Dave True, the two determined they “can’t wait.” Looking over the design and engineering specs, True and Hinkelman f...
The last concert of the the Clatskanie Arts Commission’s 35th season is country singer Trevor Panczak in concert Saturday, April 5, at the Birkenfeld Theatre. There is something honest, compelling, and immediately likable about this 6’5” gentle giant, Trevor Panczak, and his music. With a refreshing authenticity that is increasingly rare to find, the Alberta-based, award-winning country entertainer writes, and records songs that speak to one’s heart in a way that is simple, soulful, and with an appeal to a broad array of music fans. Whether...
Journalists and news organizations across Washington are pleading with lawmakers to set aside money to support local newspapers and broadcasters. "Journalism is the work that our democracy relies on," said WNPA (Washington Newspaper Publishers Association) Executive Director Ellen Hiatt. SB 5400 would create the "Washington Local News Sustainability Program," providing annual grants to help employ journalists and strengthen civic coverage in underserved communities. Funds for the program would...
Entering competition with the most athletes the team has had in years, Wahkiakum track and field has two in particular - Sam Dela Cruz and Mayleonna Casey - who return after having made it to state in 2024. Competing as an eighth grader last year, Casey has co-Head Coach Tina Merz's confidence she "will make it" with continued commitment. "Robby Chandler was one place from making it to state in the Javelin and has a fire under him to make it this year," said Merz of yet another of her returning athletes. Another "natural athlete" Merz notes as...
The Mules are back on the basepaths, and growth is the aim for Wahkiakum's softball season. Head Coach Kami Gray is excited about the potential of her team's development, not just this season but into the future. The softball program at Wahkiakum has been developing and building year after year. Gray said that in the past, softball hasn't been a consistent fixture of Wahkiakum High School sports due to low participation numbers, but this season has marked a shift. "This season, we're thrilled...
Over the past few weeks, John C. Thomas Middle School has showcased its school pride and spirit through a creative new project-a vibrant sign now displayed on the fence line facing Wahkiakum High School. The sign reads "Home of the Mules" and is a powerful statement of school pride and community, made possible by the Wahkiakum PTO. The sign is crafted from plastic put-in cups, a material designed to fit into chain link fence openings. In a school-wide collaborative effort, students carefully...
Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson has a plan for about $7 billion in budget cuts, but he and Democrats in the Legislature have a ways to go before they solve a shortfall that may be more than double that size. The governor presented $4 billion in new reductions on Thursday and said he supports another $3 billion in savings former Gov. Jay Inslee proposed in December. This scrub is Ferguson’s first step in addressing an operating budget deficit that Democratic lawmakers say is roughly $12 billion over the next four years. Ferguson pegged the number h...
The Wahkiakum County PUD commissioners met on Tuesday, March 18, and approved Shelby J. Garrett’s appointment as the new director of finance. Erin Wilson, the current director of finance, will retire at the end of April after 21 years with the Wahkiakum PUD. The Puget Island Well Project is running on schedule, and test results for water quality are expected to be ready by the next meeting on April 1. Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), which provides power to Wahkiakum PUD and a third of the Northwest, recently announced it intends to m...
The Town’s Waterfront Park Project began in Sept. 2023. The project’s scope, according to the Town’s website, is the “development and restoration of the last piece of town-owned waterfront property, the former site of the town's sewer lagoons, into a scenic and accessible seven-acre recreational space for visitors to relax and experience the beauty of the Columbia River.” Having received $586,000 in grant funding, the Town budgeted $401,000 in contribution to the project. During the Feb. 18 meeting of Cathlamet's City Council, Cathlamet...
