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By PATRICK L. MYERS

and SCOT PEARSON

PACIFIC COUNTY - The Pacific County Commissioners are taking steps to rekindle assistance for indigent military veterans in Pacific County.

Lewis County Fire District 2, based in Toledo, has scheduled their next first aid/CPR course for Feb. 21 and registration for the event is available now.

Class size is limited, so be sure you register soon, and keep in mind only those who sign up beforehand will be able to take the class. For more information, contact District 2's main office at (360) 864-2366.

The American Red Cross encourages eligible donors to help ensure a sufficient and diverse blood supply by giving blood this February.

Since the beginning of the year, widespread flu and inclement winter weather in some parts of the country have prevented many regular donors from making or keeping their blood donation appointments. Healthy and diverse blood donors are needed to help maintain a sufficient blood supply.

This is Barb Lewis and I just finished one of the best books I've ever read. The title is Unbroken: A World War ll Story of Survivial, Resilence, and Redemption, by Laura Hillerbrand. She spent seven years writing this.

This is the true story of Louie Zamperini, son of immigrant Italians who moved to CA in the 1930's. He had an extremely troubled childhood, which, I think, later helped him during his time as a prisoner of war in World War ll.

Happy February: the shortest month of the year. The first week of the month means the RWCS (Ryderwood Women's Christian Service) ladies will meet this Thursday at 1 p.m. in the Church Annex. The monthly Town Breakfast is on the schedule for this Saturday. This is a major fundraiser for the Veterans' groups here in Town.

The guys serve up an incredible selection of breakfast fare at the best possible prices. There's pancakes, eggs how you like them, ham or sausage and biscuits and country gravy. And this is gravy on steroids - they add generous quantities of sausage! Orange juice and bottomless coffee are always included.

Michelle says: New Life Assembly thanks Toledo for their generous donations of warm coats, socks, blankets and sleeping bags. You blessed many homeless with the practical gift of warmth. May God bless you for your kindness and compassion. Visit www.toledo-new-life.com or call (360) 864-4366.

Toledo Garden Club meets 1:30 p.m. first Thursdays monthly at the Presbyterian Church. Visitors welcome.

May Day 2015 is on its way and community leaders are getting ready to organize the event. Scheduled for May 2 this year, plans are still taking shape and updates are expected in the coming weeks, so look for further details in later columns.

Judy Costello is still accepting donations for improvements to the floral display on the corner of A St. and SR 506. Costello is looking to add benches and additional planters, and those able to contribute toward the goal of $600 can contact her at (360) 295-3036. The plan is to have new fixtures in place by May Day.

The 5th Annual BIG Toledo Community Meeting is scheduled for March 26 at the Toledo Middle School. If you would like to help organize or present something to the community at the BIG Meeting, email mike@morganartscentre.com

Timberland Library has announced they will include the Toledo Community Library location in their out-reach programs. The library continues to see new patrons, and more events being scheduled. There will be a tea party (non-political) held on Valentine's Day.

My husband and I recently took a trip out of the northwest and boy did we get some surprises along the way. We booked a package which included airfare and hotel, if the price seems too good to be true it probably is. The first surprise was when we went to check in online, not only did the discount airline charge us for luggage there was also an additional charge for a seat; this was after we had already paid for what we thought was our seat. Upon arrival to the hotel, it was discovered several things were missing out of our suitcase. This airline charged for everything; carry on medical devices and even water. So, just remember if it sounds too good to be true then no doubt it probably is.

A large portion of the street, running through a residential area just south of Winlock's downtown core, is in considerable need of repaving, and the city is obligated to replace aging water fixtures under the street before repaving can begin.

Though Winlock had begun repairing the road in sections during the last several years, the upgrades stopped in 2013 when then-mayor Glen Cook and members of the City Council were unable to agree on specific elements of the project. That May, in light of the discord, Cook withdrew Winlock from eligibility for a $76,500 repaving grant from the Transportation Improvement Board (TIB), and work has yet to continue since then.

By SCOT PEARSON

The Lady Seagulls hosted the Lady Crusaders of Tacoma Baptist and came away with another win, 55-38, as Raymond celebrated Senior Night for their players.

On the edge of a precipice sits the Toledo High School (THS) girls basketball team. It is a group of very experienced ball players, and this was supposed to be the year they would shine.

Many thought that a move into the 2B Central with smaller schools would allow them more success, instead it is a new challenge every night.

A Winlock teen is safe after driving his vehicle off the road on Feb. 1, according to the Lewis County Sheriff's Office.

The 17-year-old male driver of a 2005 Chevy Malibu had been traveling on the 800 block of Neville Rd., west of Winlock, he his lost control during a turn due to rain on the roadway and struck a telephone box and a utility pole.

Authorities are seeking help solving a burglary taking place in Vader in November.

It is believed, sometime between Nov. 12 and 18, an unknown number of suspects entered a detached garage on the 1600 block of SR 506, west of Vader, and stole a black Craftsman stand-up tool box, a red Century battery charger, wrenches and assorted tools. The estimated loss is around $1,200.

Local fire and EMS calls between Jan. 26 and Feb. 1.

Lewis County residents impacted by the Jan. 5 flooding are eligible for low-interest federal disaster loans from a disaster declaration of the Small Business Administration (SBA).

Disaster loans of up to $200,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $40,000 to repair or replace damaged or destroyed personal property.

The first tournament held by locally-based Gamer's World League (GWL) may not have had the turnout organizers were hoping for, but it at least served as proof of concept that serious gamers are willing to travel to Winlock to test their skills.

Held last Saturday and Sunday at the Winlock Miller Elementary School gymnasium, around a dozen entrants vied for a $1,000 grand prize if they could out-run, out-maneuver and out-score their opponents in Madden 2015. The final rounds were held in the lead up to the Super Bowl itself, with participants and spectators both being able to watch the game live from the gym.