Here is our list of the most popular stories of 2014:
No.1: Marijuana in the Harbor
The news about the growth of marijuana took a literal foothold in the Port of Willapa Harbor. Many items formulated in and around the marijuana industry during the past year, labeled the possible liberator for the Harbor.
When the industry started looking for places to cultivate the industry, Raymond and South Bend stood up and took notice. Quickly vacant tenant lots within the Port of Willapa Harbor, were rented and a few jobs started to be generated from early harvests.
As recreational marijuana producers and processors quickly started setting up shop, the medical marijuana industry also broached the Harbor and the first Medical Marijuana access point opened its doors.
"This can be a life changing industry for the area," said Richard Montoure from his new port warehouse and recently licensed Good to Grow medical marijuana dispensary.
Since that initial story which ran in the March 26, Issue if the Willapa Harbor Herald, Good to Grow has entered into partnership and is operating under the new business name of Affinor Growers, still operating exclusively in medical marijuana.
With both Raymond and South Bend feverishly updating their city codes to accommodate both sides of the marijuana industry, the port entered into discussion to sell an approximate 20 acres of land to one large-scale marijuana investor.
Slowly we have seen some impact to the area both in exposure in the media about Pacific County and its acceptance of the industry, a few people gaining employment new residents moving in and some charitable contributions.
With marijuana lottery winners announced in May of 2014, Raymond was the first city in Pacific County with a recreational marijuana store, Mr. Doobees opened Nov. 3. Another store is scheduled to open South Bend in the very near future.
The 2015-year looks to bring in more marijuana related business, a few more jobs and we should see a boost in tourism.
No. 2: Bodle receives Purple Heart
Our No. 2 story is one that is close to home. Evin Bodle, a 2004 South Bend High School graduate and one of those students that were undecided about their future at the time, made the adult decision to join the armed forces of the United States and entered into service with the United States Marie Corps.
Bodle had initially entered under the delayed entry program for the military and finally made basic training in 2012.
After his initial training Bodle was assigned to an Abrams Tank Platoon and deployed to Afghanistan in 2012.
Bodle was off-duty after just completing his daily assigned tasks, when a mortar attack hit his compound catching Bodle and many of his company "out in the open".
"It was a hard decision for the corps men on the scene. We lost a large number of our company," Bodle said. "They did the best they could under the circumstances."
Bodle was awarded the Purple Heart by President Obama for his injuries that he sustained during that attack.
Bodle has reported that he lost approximately 20 percent of his brain tissue ans was suffering from very traumatic brain injury, In addition Lance Corporal Bodle spoke of limited vision during our story in the Jan. 8 issue of the Willapa Harbor Herald.
In an effort to assist with expenses that families have incurred, Chelsea Lane Linnabary, the wife of Marine Corporal Daniel Linnabary, who lost his life in the same attack, took the proceeds from her North Carolina "Purple Heart Tattoo" shop grand opening in 2013 and sent money to all of those involved in the attack. To send notes of encouragement to Lance Corporal Evin Bodle, cards and letters can be addressed to: Marine
Lance Corporal Evin Bodle, c/o Walter Reed Hospital, Building 62, 8901 Wisconsin Ave., Bethesda, Maryland, 20889.
To thank Chelsea Lane Linnabary for her contributions or to send notes of encouragement you can look up; Purple Heat Tattoo on Facebook.
No. 3: Belcher sentence sends shock waves throughout county
This report by Kayla Camenzind and George Kunke of the Willapa Harbor Herald staff drew a lot of attention and is best served with a direct re-print of a part of the article that ran in our July 2 issue:
SOUTH BEND - In a case that has shocked the county, former South Bend Court Clerk Trisha Belcher, who embezzled $15,690 over the course of four years, was sentenced to pay $35 per month for 36 years, totaling $15,120, and 30 days of jail time. If she is too medically frail, her jail time will be substituted for community service.
According to South Bend Clerk/Treasurer Dee Roberts, Belcher worked for the city for five years, from 2007 to 2012. When her co-workers began to suspect that she was using drugs in May 2012, she was given a drug test, which she failed, and was put on administrative leave. With raised suspicions, Roberts then contacted the State Auditor's office to report a potential misappropriation of funds.
The State Auditor's ininvestigation revealed that Belcher had stolen approximately $15,000 over the course of four years, from 2008 until she was placed on administrative leave in 2012. The audit report explains that duties at the court were not segregated and that Belcher alone was in charge of all receipting, depositing of funds, and making account adjustments. With this autonomy, Belcher was able to pocket cash payments unnoticed.
Upon notification of the misappropriation in December 2013, the city responded to the state that it would be seeking the recovery of the missing funds, Belcher's wages ($28,000+) and the state's investigation fees of $9,202 from the former court clerk.
Although Belcher was given a lightened sentence due to her medical frailty, Roberts explained that she was not medically ill when she was employed by the city. The charges are "very much too lenient," Roberts said.
In order to ensure that a situation of this sort doesn't happen again, the city has segregated the job duties of the court clerk. "Everything in the court is now checked, doubled checked, and checked again," Roberts explained, "which is very difficult in a small office, but we're making it work."
No. 4: Raymond Track
2014 would be a banner year for Raymond High School Track and Field as they captured the Class 2B Boys' State Track and Field Championship.
Not only had the Seagulls delivered the school the honor that it had not seen in 45 years, they also set new records.
"It was an amazing weekend for the Raymond track team," Raymond HS Head Track and Field Coach Mike Tully told the Herald in the June 4 issue. "We had two state champions, two school records, and a team championship."
Raymond scored 110 points to defeat second place Liberty Bell's output of 94 points; North Beach was third at 92. Willapa Valley was 22nd and South Bend 31st. Hannah Dykes of Raymond and Mkenzie Russell also won titles in the girls' competition.
"Hannah Dykes started the weekend by taking control of the triple jump competition with an opening jump of 35-1 to take the lead and never looked back," Tully said. "On her third jump, she leaped 35-2 for her winning mark. It was a great accomplishment for Hannah. She had taken fifth in the triple jump the previous three years; so it was nice to see her hard work pay off."
Rayce Newman brought home four medals for the Seagulls, including a first, second, fourth, and eighth. Newman also broke a school record in the 200 meters, and Ally Phansisay rewrote his own school record in the triple jump.
"The boys trip to the title started on Friday with Rayce Newman in the long jump," Tully said. "Rayce popped a 1-foot PR in the long jump (21-2) to take second. Rayce continued his excellent meet the next day by winning the 200 in a school record time of 22.68. The previous record of 22.82 was set by Jesse Buchanan in 1994. Rayce also ran fourth in the 100. "Ally Phansisay also came away with a new school record in the triple jump, breaking his week old record of 44-1 by leaping 44-8 to finish second," Tully noted.
No. 5: Pud
Just edging out the Mayor of Raymond series, the Pacific County Public Utility Department #2 seemed to always in the front of news. With so many high profile projects, everything seemed to come to a halt when marijuana came to town and priorities became realigned for the majority of 2014.
Leading out the 2014 news year, the PUD had announced that they were moving forward with their plan to energize Tokeland in our story titled - PUD moves forward with power to Tokeland, Jan. 1.
Having just passed the budget for the 2014 year by a vote of 2-1, The PUD was looking to advance a 15-year old project that was now being rejuvenated and awarded a $13 million infusion.
By March the PUD was shopping for a new bond on the open market and put on the table a $15 million option that would secure projects through the 2017 fiscal year. Resolution 1348 was passed on a vote of 2-1 by the Port Commissioners.
"I have always voted against the expansion into Tokeland," said PUD Commissioner Mike Swanson. "They already have power and I do not see a need for this PUD to replace that service. I also voted against this year's budget due to the fact that it had items in it that was associated to the project."
The 2 0 -y e a r b o n d scheduled out to year 2033, is estimated to provide $15,545,000 to the PUD, which over time will cost just over $22 million with interest.
Through the year the PUD went about other business and found PUD Commissioner Diana Thompson elected to the position of President for the Washington State Public Utility District Association.
"It is an honor and a privilege to serve the Washington PUD Association," said Thompson.
Things were shifting for the PUD as they were getting request from the Port of Willapa Harbor tenants for increased power consumption. The staff at the PUD drew up what is called the "Large Load Plan" in October of 2014.
As the year started to close out less and less was mentioned about the Tokeland project and it was left as a back-burner issue as planning had stopped due to increased priorities for local port customers.
No. 6: Raymond Mayor
The Raymond City Council has really had its ups and downs this past year, in the order of who is coming to dinner.
Coming into replace a vacated city council position local business owner Kaley Hanson was selected to fill in the slot evacuated by resident Jason Dunsmoor.
Announced in the March 6, issue of the Willapa Harbor Herald, Hanson was quick to adapt to the city council and right away made his presence known to the assembly.
"I believe that Raymond is on the right track and hope to bring in a few new ideas with a new way of thinking about things," said Hanson after his first official meeting, March 17.
Hanson has been very involved in the community helping promote various tourism activities to assist in brining in additional revenue to local business.
Six months later in September, Mayor Jungar announced his retirement to the city council that left another hole in the system that needed to be filled as quickly as possible. "After serving the city of Raymond for four years as a city councilman and almost nine years as a mayor, I feel it is time for me to step down from public service. I have enjoyed my time in office and have done my best to make the city a better place than when I had found it. The staff has been wonderful to work with over the years, and any success I have had accomplishing my goals has been a result of their hard work. In addition it has been wonderful to work with a city council that is very capable. Working with them has made this city a better place to live. I feel it necessary I resign my position effective October 15," said Mayor Jungar in a letter of resignation in our mid September issue.
Filling the temporary hole for the city, Mayor Pro Tem Vicki Flemetis took the helm for the next few meeting as the city sought a replacement for the Mayor position.
During solicitation of the open position, resident Jason Dunsmoor put his name in the hat along with current city council member Ray Robinson. After interviews Dunsmoor was selected to head up the city council and finish the term left open by Jungar. The decision keeps all positions intact until the end of 2015 when a new election will be held for at least three city council positions and Mayor.
No. 7: Mill Street Fire
The early evening fire broke out on Saturday Nov. 29 on Mill Street on Raymond engulfing a long standing home of the area.
Raymond and Pacific County Fire Districts responded and had to watch as the fire was too intense and unsafe to enter the home.
"We were dispatched to an unknown type fire, and as we were rolling out the County Dispatch received several more calls of the same location," said Raymond Fire Chief Todd Storzyk.
The house was vacant at the time, and the cause is still under investigation. No persons were hurt during the fire.
"Initial crews that responded reported that the flames went about 30 feet out of the windows and threatening homes on the back side of the property."
Fire crews worked the exterior of the area to help protect neighboring homes that were under threat of catching fire from the Mill Street house fire.
Homeowner Tom Arnold was at the scene of a place that he visited as a child.
"My parents use to stay in the home, but as they got older it got too big for them. I relocated them to a double-wide on the other side of the house. They had kept some antiques in the house over the years," said Arnold.
After the fire was extinguished Arnold wanted to be an example for the community to be more vigilant in the neighborhoods.
"When I started looking at the cost to take down the house, it surprised me," said Arnold, "I just thought I might pass the word so others will understand what a home fire costs."
"With the cost of heavy equipment and the cost of having an on-site dumpster, that is only just the start," said Arnold.
The home will also have to be checked for possible asbestos and be professionally removed if any found prior to actual demolition of the home.
No. 8: Can Man
Many people help the community, but for Bob Dzutsoff his contributions in collecting money for kids will crest the 30-year mark with the coming of the New Year.
Making our Top Ten because of his sheer determination and dedication to his cause, 91-year-old Dzutsoff has been making a difference behind the scenes and is a man that defines the word "community".
Raymond resident Dzutsoff, travels both Pacific and Grays Harbor County seeking out aluminum cans that he cleans and recycles for cash to donate to Seattle's Children Hospital.
"I have always been a friend to the Seattle Children's Hospital. They have done me a favor, now it is my turn," said Dzutzoff. His donations go directly to children with cancer and he has been doing it for as long as he can remember. At first using his own money, his wife, Vivian, got him started collecting cans and using that money for the charity.
"She told me, why not go out and get them cans, they are all around. And with the money that you get you can give it to the hospital for the kids."
It times Dzutsoff calls on the local schools to assist when he has a large collection of cans that he needs to put through his process, and the schools respond in sending students to help the man sort and clean the cans so that he can turn them into cash for the kids.
"The hospital has a special collection can just for me, and a few business' pitch in and call me when they have some ready to go. I can always get help from the school students, so I can use more cans for the kids."
Dzutsoff continues with his efforts and can be seen on the side of the roads collecting cans from the trash that people toss out, some in the community dedicate a separate can just for Dzutsoff to stop by and pick-up when he travels through the area.
If you are traveling in the area be conscious of the Can Man and give him a wave and a can, if you have an extra empty that he can turn into cash for the kids.
To help Mr. Dzutsoff and donate your cans you can call him at 942-2569.
"I just love children, that is why I do it."
No. 9: Titans
As the 2014 - 2015 school year was getting underway a new football team was being formulated that brought two schools together to form the Titans of the 2B Central League.
Coming out this past football season, the Titans under coach Josh Fluke surprised many contenders when they finished the season with a third place Central League finish in their first season as a combined team of Pe Ell and Willapa Valley High Schools.
"Students from Willapa Valley and Pe Ell voted to select a new team name/mascot for the combined Pe Ell-Willapa Valley teams for football, baseball and fastpitch. Students chose from Spartans, Titans, and Patriots, and they could also write in a suggestion. After tabulating the votes, the announcement was made that the winning team mascot is the Titans! Go Titans!" the Willapa website announced.
After the Pe Ell and Willapa Valley school boards passed the sports combine, the merger swiftly got under way. "The process has been moving along quickly. Even for just football there is much to be done, and it's all new with many questions still to decide," Willapa Valley Superintendent Rob Friese explained.
The colors of the new team will be red, white, and navy blue, very similar to the original colors of both schools.
"Combining in all sports will not be a huge added expense to the district," noted Friese
"We are planning to have a combined fundraiser to cover some of the start-up costs. The rest will need to be divided between the ASB and the district. Most all expenses will be divided equally between the districts," he continued.
As for baseball/softball season, Pe Ell will supply the equipment, although new uniforms will need to be purchased.
Getting into the first round of State playoffs, the newly formed gridiron Titans could not get past The Hyaks of North Beach ending their first season in a 27-12 game in Aberdeen.
"It was an excellent year, I am very happy with the way it turned out," said head coach Fluke after the North Beach game.
No. 10: Ciko/Deko
In our final look at stories that shaped us in 2014 the addition of two police K-9's in Pacific County are busy with training and already making an impact on the community.
In our January 15 issue we help introduce Ciko a 1-year-old German Shepard imported from Slovakia who joined the Pacific County Sheriff's Department.
Ciko was matched up with Deputy Justin Kangas as a partner and handler.
Later in the year, Raymond Police Department was able to obtain Deko, a 2 ½ -year old German Shepard imported from Poland.
Deko was matched up with Raymond Police Officer Rob Verboomen as a partner and handler.
Ciko and Deputy Kangas have finished their 10-week training course and Deko and Officer Verboomen are still waiting fr their training date to arrive.
With the addition of two K-9's into the Pacific County area, the community will have a much faster and safer patrol team available to help protect the residents and law enforcement agencies. Both dogs will be available as needed for any circumstance that should arise in the Pacific County jurisdiction.
"We had a few dogs to choose from," said Officer Verboomen, "But Deko was the one who had the most tracking ability, was the strongest and to me had the most drive of K-9's available at the time."
To help Deko ease into his new work environment, Officer Verboomen has been taking him around to meet the Raymond City Council and introducing him to areas that he will work like the local schools.
"We are getting him use to the new environments, just walking him through some of the hallways and the grounds," said Raymond Police Chief Chuck Spoor.
Contributions from local business made it possible to obtain Deko and helped offset the cost of training.
Good luck to both new police recruits and welcome to the community.
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