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By SCOT PEARSON

Dennis Company is having a little makeover in its paint departments. All stores have been refitted with new technology inserting the Accutinter 1500 latex paint mixing machines.

By GEORGE KUNKE

Willapa Valley HS Superintendent and legendary football coach Rob Friese will be inducted into the Washington State Football Coaches Hall of Fame next Wednesday, January 25 in Everett. The ceremony will be part of the Washington Coaches Association yearly mid-winter conference.

Serving both Pacific and Grays Harbor County a new kid has arrived on the block, but this kid, along with her husband, have been in the business of property management for a combined 50 years.

Raymond HS celebrated its Winter Homecoming Saturday night at the boys basketball game versus Ocosta. From left is the Homecoming Court, including Rayce Newman, Aubrey Boyes, Alex Sida, Queen Cora Sides, Hailee Williams, and Stephen Clevenger.

By SCOT PEARSON

If you haven't noticed, several trees in Fifth Street Park are being taken down.

Centralia College is seeking nominations of an individual or group of people who might be added to its “Clocktower Diversity Project.” The person or group selected would be honored with an engraved plaque placed in the base of the college’s clocktower, located near the center of the campus.

Those nominated must be an individual or group connected to the Pacific Northwest who have, “by virtue of their giftedness, enriched our culture. They will be those whose energy and creativity have allowed us to enjoy life more fully or who have opened us up to new vistas,” according to Randy Johnson, college faculty member and chair of the Diversity Committee. Those who submit nominations are asked to provide as much supporting documentation as possible.

The Winlock Cleanup Committee will be meeting Jan. 28 to discuss preparations for their first official cleanup day Feb. 8.

The first set of projects will focus on the downtown core and will move outward as the group progresses. One idea recently offered has been to commission a mural of a steam engine on the side of old buildings facing the rail tracks, so passers by can take notice of the community.

The Centralia College Foundation and Union Bank of California are bringing the current year economic outlook to Centralia. The presentation will provide local business and industry leaders and members of the public with an expert’s perspective on the fiscal climate and predicted business conditions for the coming year.

The presentation is free and open to the public.

Winlock Officials honored long-time community organizer Stan Taloff during the Jan. 13 City Council meeting for his 27 years of service as director of the Winlock/Vader Food Bank.

Taloff, who stepped down from the volunteer position in November, passing the torch to Chuck Sonner, was given an engraved plaque describing his “outstanding contributions” to the community while being lauded by city officials.

A young Winlock author has released the first of what he plans to be a science fiction trilogy and is scheduled to sign books at the Winlock Timberland Library on Saturday.

Micah Campbell, a 19-year-old and first-time author, has published Badger, a sci-fi epic dealing with genetic manipulation, space travel, and demonic cabals bent on galactic conquest.

Centralia College is currently accepting applications for scholarships intended to help area women pursue higher education.

The Dr. Kate Gregg Scholarship and the Upper Level Scholarship are available to women attending college and the application deadline is Feb. 8.

This is the last opportunity to remind readers of the upcoming Castle Rock School Music Concert on Tuesday, Jan 28, at 7 p.m. The Concert and Jazz Bands, as well as the Chorus, will perform a Gala Concert in the Auditorium. They are always great and it’s well worth attending. We think it’s pretty special that they come all this way to entertain the far reaches of the School District. The public is invited, of course, and there is no charge for admission. The Ryderwood Social Club will provide refreshments following the performance.

Donations of new sports shoes, size three and up (and socks) continue for Sole2Soul. Project enables children in Haiti to attend school, preventing diseases contracted through lack of adequate footwear. Donate at Toledo Middle or High Schools.

Smokey Valley Moonshine, new from Cowlitz River Distillery, joins Bateaux Cellars and St. Helens Brewing to bring locally produced libations to Toledo and surrounding areas. Contact Chad and Cindy Robins, (360) 864-6415.

I have been scratching my head trying to figure out what to write about this week when it dawned on me, I need to write about growing up in Winlock and everything it has given all of us. I can remember when Winlock had a bustling downtown; we would go down to the Rexall Drug Store and have a soda at the fountain that was in the back. That is where I had my first malt, it wasn’t good but it was a first. The high school football field was downtown and the town would turn out in groves for all the events. Winlock has been a great all American small town.

In my search of finding the perfect person to interview for this week, I found Barbara Lewis. I remember Barbara from the many events we had for her daughter Shannon and she was gracious enough to grant me my interview, here goes!

Robert "Bob" J. Cunningham, of Winlock, died Dec. 21, 2013. Born Jan. 21, 1929, he was 84 years old.

He was preceded in death by wife Gerri, wife Dee, brother Tom, sister Maxcine, and half-brother Donald.

He is survived by son Robert, daughter Cheryl, and grandchildren Andrea, Heidi and Austin.

Wilbur Roy Davis, of Centralia, died Jan. 16, 2014. Born in Oilton, Okla., on June 29, 1930, he was 83 years old.

Born to Otho and Arta Davis, he had five siblings and eventually married Faith Davis (nee Chiles). Wilbur was stepfather to Norm Collins and Scott Collins, and had six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Services are scheduled for 11 a.m. Jan. 24 at Bethel Assembly of God Church, with burial to follow at 1:30 p.m. at Winlock Cemetery.

Our Winlock Schools are the heart of our community and provide the vast majority of educational and extra-curricular activities for our youth. Passing the replacement levy will guarantee that these programs continue.

Vote YES to ensure that we receive not only our local levy dollars but state funding as well.

I want to thank Mayor Ken Smith of Vader for his recent position to spearhead efforts for disallowing marijuana production facilities. His following quote is exceptional: "I am convinced that any such benefits [from a recreational marijuana facility] would be far-outweighed by a number of serious social, economic and environmental repercussions, which would negatively impact our citizens and would eventually diminish the quality of life that our residents currently enjoy." (Jan 15 edition)

My own personal background includes much drama and mayhem due to alcohol and drugs among members of my family and friends and I appreciate your efforts to keep this area from being a drug based economy.

Thank you, Toledo, for being so generous in giving to the annual Food Bank Toy Drive.

Christmas was made brighter for more than 235 children in the Toledo community. More than 130 families were able to choose among a wide variety of toys, clothing items, wrapping paper and candy.

Castle Rock has reported they may have an unexpected surplus of around $15,000 in their Police Department budget as they continue to close the books on 2013.

Reported during the Jan. 13 City Council meeting, this excess of funds came amid an anticipated $10,000 shortfall due to recent increases in overtime and equipment use reported by Police Chief Bob Heuer.

A determination by the State Attorney General’s Office that cities can legally ban recreational marijuana does not sit well with developer Brandon Milton, who has been attempting during the last several months to establish a number of marijuana production and processing facilities on industrial property in Vader.

Milton, whose company MPM owns the four parcels of land in Vader’s industrial district, said he believes an opinion released Thursday by Washington Attorney General Bob Ferguson, which asserts a city’s right to ban recreational marijuana in spite of the passage of Initiative-502, will not hold up in court as it does not honor the original intent of the initiative.

By GEORGE KUNKE

Hailee Williams continued her stellar play with a 22-point output to carry Raymond to a 51-48 triumph over Northwest Christian Thursday night at Lacey.

By GEORGE KUNKE

Willapa Valley came back strong in the last three quarters to down South Bend 55-39 Thursday night at Koplitz Fieldhouse

By GEORGE KUNKE

Willapa Valley stayed one game behind Pacific League leading North Beach by ripping apart two inferior opponents last week. The Vikings swamped South Bend 58-35 (Jan. 14) and nuked Naselle 65-38 last Friday.

The Willapa Harbor Herald proudly salutes the Willapa Valley boys' fifth grade basketball team. The young Vikings claimed first place at the Onalaska
Fifth Grade Basketball Tournament Sunday. The Willapa Valley Vikings fought hard to beat the Centralia Tigers 34-29 in the championship game.
The Vikes went 6-0 overall during the tourney. In front from left are Kolby Jones, Grady Christen, Tyler Adkins, and Kaden Ritzman, In back from left are Assistant Coach Jamey Buchanan, Jacob Snodgrass, Beau Buchanan, Joseph Pulsifer, Logan Walker, and Head Coach Tom Walker.

Castle Rock wrestling travels the state, participating in meet after meet, tournament after tournament.

CR athletes spend a lot of time together and many of them consider themselves brothers and sisters of the mat.

A rundown of recent local games.

A 63-year-old Toledo man had been logging on the 200 block of Maw Rd., east of Toledo, presumably using what deputies described as a domino technique to fell the trees by cutting each in a row so, when they fall, they collapse on each other.

It is believed that between 3 and 5 p.m., a gust of wind or other factor may have caused the trees to fall unexpectedly, striking and killing the logger.

A Lewis County Sheriff’s deputy has resigned after being investigated for a recent DUI offence, with Sheriff Steve Mansfield stating the deputy would likely have been terminated, otherwise.

Chris Fulton, 31, of Napavine, resigned Jan. 21, putting an end to an internal investigation regarding his Jan. 4 arrest for DUI while off-duty in Centralia. Fulton had been pulled over for speeding on I-5 near Exit 81 and, after exhibiting signs of intoxication, was arrested for DUI and later found to have a BAC of 0.17— just more than twice the legal limit.

A Winlock man accused of raping a 62-year-old woman pleaded guilty to first-degree burglary and third-degree rape in Lewis County Superior Court on Jan. 15, and is likely facing 57 months in prison.

Rupp W. Freece, 23, had been arrested Nov. 8, on the 200 block of Pine Tree Rd., east of Winlock, for sexually assaulting a family friend after invading, then refusing to leave her apartment.

Updated 01.22.14

An Oregon man has died after a collision in Vader yesterday, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies were called to the intersection of SR 506 and Winlock/Vader Rd., around 11:30 a.m. after it had been reported a man was driving a pickup truck headed south on Winlock/Vader Rd. "at a high rate of speed," according to the report, and drove through the stop sign at the intersection with SR 506, colliding with a concrete barrier on the other side of the highway.

A local teen has been hospitalized with severe head injuries after an ATV collision in Toledo yesterday, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office.

The 17-year-old Toledo boy had been driving his ATV on the 300 block of Grimes Rd., east of Toledo, at around 1:20 p.m. when a rear tire came off the rim, causing the vehicle to flip several times. The driver, who had not been wearing a helmet, struck his head on the pavement, causing severe cranial trauma. When medical aid responded, the boy had to be flown to Harborview Medical Center, in Seattle.

Average retail gasoline prices in Washington have fallen 2.6 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $3.31 per gallon Sunday, according to GasBuddy's daily survey of 2,666 gas outlets in Washington.

Though a few months past their anticipated opening date, the new Valley View Health Center in Toledo is nearly complete and could open any day, according to Valley View officials.

Begun in May with the help of a $644,000, construction on the new clinic, intended to replace their aging facility at 401 Cowlitz St., was expected to be completed by the end of October, with services through the new clinic anticipated to start then, as well.

The South Lewis County Chamber of Commerce has donated nearly $5,800 to local community groups after making the decision to disband at the end of last year.

Struggling with decreasing involvement from local businesses, the chamber made the decision to dissolve as of Dec. 31, ending 31 years of involvement in the Winlock, Toledo and Vader areas.