Sheriff adding a deputy

Sheriff Mark Howie labored over the budget this year in order to free up funds to create another deputy position. His hard work has paid off. With support from the Wahkiakum Board of Commissioners, he has announced that the sheriff's office will be hiring a sixth deputy in 2015.

Howie said the office has had difficulty covering the night and early morning hours since 2009 when two of seven positions were cut due to “budget constraints.” Because of Howie’s work on the budget, there will be no extra cost to the county for the new position, which should be filled in the spring.

“The additional deputy will add more hours on patrol in the communities and a more immediate response to calls that at times, have had to hold for hours in order for a deputy to log on to duty," Howie said.”