Christmas decorations are starting to go up and the season of giving has kicked off. This year is the 5th year for the Derik Nissell Toy Drive. Beginning in November each year, the toy drive gives people a chance to help out local children who all need a brand new toy to unwrap for Christmas.

The Derik Nissell Toy House was set up to honor lifelong South Bend resident Derik S. Nissell who passed away in his mid-twenties on February 29, 2016. Derik enjoyed donating toys to kids in need while he worked for the Westport Shipyard. The toy house continues this tradition.

"We were unable to hold any of our fundraisers this year due to COVID, which has impacted the number of toys that we have been able to purchase," said Joyce Kidd, Derik's mother. "We are hoping that the community will continue to support this event with toys or monetary donations. We have no overhead so every penny donated goes to purchase toys for our local kids. Even though times are tough, we want to continue to share Derik's wish that every child has a gift on Christmas morning."

Drop off locations
Raymond:

• Dennis Company
• 7th Street Coffee

South Bend:

• Pioneer Grocery
• Elixir Coffee Shop

If you need your donation picked up, call Joyce at 360-875-6473. Toys are picked up from the drop off locations by Thursday, December 10.

Last week the COVID-19 case count rose to 415 cases since the beginning of the pandemic. There are currently 197 active cases being monitored by public nurses. The current cases bring Pacific County to an average case rate of 1076.7 per 100,000 population over the past 14 days.

On Tuesday, November 24, 55 additional positive COVID-19 cases were reported to the Pacific County Public Health and Human Services. On Wednesday an additional 20 COVID cases were reported. Ten of the current cases have been hospitalized with all other individuals isolating at home. Case investigations and contact tracing are on-going.

"Pacific County has one of the highest rates in the state right now," said PCDOH Director Katie Lindstrom. "With our surge, we are close to 1000 cases per 100,000. It is really, really high. We figured that 1 in 100 people in the county are currently positive. More in certain areas than others. The majority can be tied to either workplaces or social gatherings."

Last week the data for positive COVID-19 cases reported in Pacific County took a huge leap. By Wednesday, November 18, 81 new cases were reported for a total of 246 cases. On Friday, 94 additional positive cases were reported for a total of 340 cases.

This puts Pacific County into the high-risk category with 859 cases per 100k for a rolling 14-day average. Six of the new cases were hospitalized with all other individuals being isolated at home.

On Wednesday, November 18, the ribbon cutting ceremony was held to dedicate the new Riverview Playground at the Grays Harbor College Riverview Center. Right to left: Kathryn Staats, Jewel Hardy, and Mike Geer-Wagenblast cutting the ribbon.

Sunday Afternoon Live sponsored a surprise outdoor performance in Raymond's downtown riverfront amphitheater on November 1. The audience assembled carrying their chairs to enjoy local musician Alfred Beattie playing classical and folk music on his viola during the hour-long concert.

As the flu surges so does the pandemic. If you have flu-like symptoms, you need to be tested to see if you may have been infected with COVID-19. On Tuesday, November 10, the Pacific County Public Health and Human Services received notice of four positive cases of COVID-19 in Pacific County.

The individuals are:
A male between 30-40 years old, linked to a workplace exposure
A female between 50-60 years old, linked to a workplace exposure
A male between 60-70 years old, linked to a medical screening
A female between 70-80 years old, linked to out of county travel

On Wednesday, November 11, six additional positive cases were reported.

The individuals are:
A female between 20-30 years old, linked to a workplace exposure
A female between 20-30 years old, linked to social interaction
A male between 30-40 years old, linked to social interaction
A male between 60-70 years old, linked to social interaction
A male between 70-80 years old, linked to social interaction
A Female between 40-50 years old, unknown exposure

All cases are isolating at home.

Nelia Woods immigrated to the United State from the Philippines in 1976. When she turned 25 in 1978, she went from working for a company that made copy machines in Chicago to joining the U.S. Air Force.

"I was watching TV and saw this commercial 'Join the Air Force and see the world!' I had to join! On June 6, 2978, I was with the 3707 BMTS (Basic Military Training Squadron)."

Basic training was 6 weeks long at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.

Last week, Pacific County saw a major increase in positive COVID cases. 35 cases were reported to Pacific County Health and Human Services bringing the case count from 120 to 155. There are currently 33 active cases being monitored by public health nurses. All cases are confirmed and isolating at home. Case investigations and contact tracing are on-going.

One case is a male, 0-10 years old, linked to a holiday party. Three other cases are males, 0-10 years old, are linked to household positive cases.

Another case is male, 10-20 years old, which is linked to a holiday party. Three other cases are males, 10-20 years old, linked to household cases. Two cases are female, 10-20 years old, linked to household cases.

Another case is a female, 20-30 years old, linked to a household positive case.

The weather stayed sunny for Halloween which kept little ghouls and goblins out and about. The Willapa Harbor Care Center in Raymond on October 31 hosted a socially-distanced, masked costume parade for the children of the care center staff members' children.

Accompanied by their parents, who are also care center staff members, costumed youngsters entertained care center residents. The children strolled around the outside of the facility so the care center residents could watch from their windows

SOUTH BEND - South Bend HS Athletic Director Jon Schray has taken over as head boys basketball coach for the Indians. Schray had successful seasons as the head coach of the Raymond HS girls basketball team. Schray informed the Herald of the decision to take the position Friday afternoon during a phone interview.

"My decision to take over the Boy's program was not an easy one," Schray said. "The reason I stepped down as head coach of the Raymond girl's program was all about my family at home.