Doyle’s condition improving

By GEORGE KUNKE

Caleb Doyle, the 15-year-old Raymond HS boy who was seriously burned (Feb. 6), is improving. Saturday Doyle began breathing on his own. He is still in the Intensive Care Unit at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle after suffering third degree burns to the upper part of his body Feb. 6.

Jake Myers, owner of Everybody’s Market Place, received a plaque recognizing him as Donor of the Year.

By GEORGE KUNKE

A scoring drought cost Raymond a trip to the Class 2B Girls’ State Basketball Tournament. After being tied 30-30 with about four minutes to go play, the Lady Seagulls scored nary a point and their season was over. A great season it was nonetheless with a final record of 22-4. Raymond lost its Class 2B Region II game 43-30 against longtime nemesis Pe Ell Friday night at Mark Morris HS in Longview.

By GEORGE KUNKE

A 26-year-old Astoria, Ore. woman was killed last Wednesday morning when her car left the roadway on Highway 401 (milepost 5) and crashed into a tree head on eight miles south of Naselle. Found deceased at the scene was Jessica Marie Rath. A State Trooper arrived on the scene at 8:51 a.m. after two men saw the vehicle, a 2007 Dodge Caliber, in the wooded brush area and called for help around 8:30 a.m. It is believed that the accident happened sometime after midnight.

RAYMOND THEATRE – A gathering of family, friends and business associates visited with Rebecca (Becky) and Frank Watson at the Raymond Theatre Friday night to bid farewell to the theater manager. Rebecca Watson has managed theater operations since 2004.

Winlock bus driver Heidi Ross-Ghazali was just driving to work the morning of Jan. 18 when she encountered two men brutally injured in an accident on Toledo-Vader Rd.

A pickup belonging to a 49-year-old Winlock man was overturned in the middle of the road and both he and his 16-year-old son had suffered serious head trauma. Despite the severity of the injuries and the impassability of the wreck, Ross-Ghazali didn’t simply pull to the shoulder and wait for help to arrive, she got out and attempted to stop what bleeding she could and spoke with the victims while emergency responders were on their way.

Toledo High School students in the Family and Consumer Science class took the opportunity to compete in a “Life Smarts” competition held in Tumwater on Feb. 11.

The team of Ryan Reed, Kyle Pellitier, Ronnie Boone and Alex Palermo took first place after five rounds of competition. The students answered questions on a variety of consumer issues during the contest.

Toledo First Baptist hosts Ugandan Orphans Choir 6:30 p.m. Wednesday Mar. 6 with traditional African dances and music. Everyone invited to this spectacular presentation. Offering benefits orphans in Uganda and other areas. Check out the blog: http://ugandanorphanschoir.wordpress.com/ Contact mikes@toledotel.com or (360)864-2550.

10-week Computer Class (Internet) at Toledo Senior Center 9:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. begins Mar. 6 with Margie Linn. $31 registration fee at first class. Contact Diana, diana.haug@lewiscountywa.gov or (360)864-2112, or Margie Linn, (928)446-1580.

A sincere farewell to Lois Wilson who will be facing surgery and a long recuperation. Her contribution to the Vader community has been valuable and a huge thank you for all the hours of work she has done.

It looks like another business might emerge in Vader, we will have to wait and see. Are you curious?

Carl L. Mahan, 78, a longtime Raymond resident, died Wednesday, February 6, 2013 at the Fir Lane Health and Rehabilitation Center in Shelton. He was born

Dear Community,

From the Family of Brad Blum of Winlock ~ we would like to thank friends and community members for their kind words, flowers and donations in Brad’s memory. Your support as we grieve the loss of Brad has brought us tremendous comfort."

Melisa Blum

Toledo Liquor Store owner Jerry Pratt is considering closing up shop after 11 years in business due to a sharp decrease in revenue after the passage of Initiative 1183.

Pratt, who is also Toledo’s mayor, said he will wait and see what his bottom line looks like at the end of March and then determine if his business is to remain within Toledo or remain open at all.

Resident Sharron Ross has been selected as the next Vader City Council Member after a tiebreaker vote that took place during the council’s Feb. 19 meeting.

Nominated by Council Member Kevin Flynn, Ross was not available to be sworn in that night due to a sudden death in her family, but is expected to take the oath of office March 5. The need for a new council member arose after Lois Wilson resigned Feb. 5 due to ongoing health concerns, and Ross will be expected to serve on an interim basis until the position is filled during the November elections.

The Winlock Boys Basketball Association (WBBA), soon to be the Winlock Basketball Association, purchased a "Shoot-A-Away" for the basketball program. The equipment enhances shooting skills through repetition and allows efficient management of shooting drills.

"This is such a big achievement for such a small group," said WBBA President Mark Velasco. " I hope this will generate some more excitement with our basketball program at all levels."

There is a certain amount of pressure in the regional round of WIAA State playoffs, but Toledo treated their opportunity correctly in a 57-48 victory over Mount Baker. They got out fast and held; At times, they even enhanced their lead.

As usual, it was the duo of Brennan Rakoz and Austin Trafelet that led Toledo, but neither of them will deny it wasn't a complete team effort. Trafelet finished with 20 points while Rakoz contributed 17 points and 10 rebounds.

In a welcome upset, the Winlock boys basketball team has progressed to the state tournament after beating Adna 44-38 in the WIAA Regional playoffs at Mark Morris High School Saturday evening.

Most surprised were the folks clad in white and their black-clad fans in the stands (Toledo) who were recently crowned District IV Champions. After all, Toledo took care of Winlock twice in the regular season 65-52 at home and 66-62 at Winlock.

Two Winlock suspects were arrested after a collision near Napavine Feb. 18, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office.

Luke L. Nordman, 20, and a 16-year-old male were arrested after deputies responded to a 1994 Ford Thunderbird that had driven into the ditch after failing to stop at a stop sign at the intersection of Koontz Rd. and N. Military Rd., south of Napavine. Nordman was found with the vehicle and insisted he had been the only occupant, but the 16-year-old was located nearby and found to be intoxicated.

Months of investigation have led to the arrest of a Toledo man suspected of playing a significant role in local drug distribution.

Lake A. Gregson, 23, was arrested Feb. 16 along with father David A. Gregson, 48, after deputies with the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant on the 100 block of Conifer Ln.