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Willapa Harbor Kayak Day is just around the corner.

Below are the times and locations of local Memorial Day services open for both veterans and residents to attend.

Those seeking to help with these events are encouraged to meet at the Veterans Clubhouse in Winlock (575 Nevil Rd.) at 8:30 a.m., while others may join the ceremonies as they are able.

Vouchers for free disposal of up to 1,000 pounds of household refuse are available now through Sept. 30 for Lewis County residents.

Offered annually through the Solid Waste Division of Lewis County Public Works, both homeowners and renters are eligible, though the voucher application process is different for each.

More than 260 kids gathered around Wallace Pond Saturday for the Toledo Lions Club's annual Kids Fishing Derby, doubling attendance over last year. While the previous record of a 28.75-ounce trout was not broken, 9-year-old angler Inara McNew was able to at least match the weight and took home a brand new rod and reel, among other prizes awarded that day.

Winlock High School has again placed first in their division at the Southwest Washington Small High School Massed Band Festival held in Adna on May 12. Organized by the Washington Music Educators Association, the event featured more than 225 students from high schools in Winlock, Adna, Onalaska, Toledo, Pe Ell, Wakiakum, Toutle, Napavine, Forks, Mossyrock, Raymond, and Ocosta performing both individually and as a group.

Everyone seems to have survived the very busy Craft Fair weekend. It was bigger than ever before and all went very smoothly. Serving food at the Café made a huge difference, and the weather cooperated so that everyone visited all the venues. Next time, there will be a sign for the Quilt Show.

The good news for all the volunteers who have made this and the Garage Sale weekends so successful is that things will be relatively quiet for a while. That is, until the 4th of July comes around. More on that later.

Don't forget to order your box of Krispy Kreme donuts to help support May Day 2016. Boxes are $11 apiece and will be delivered by Friday, June 5. To place your order, contact Janet Charlton at (360) 295-3011 Judy Costello at (360) 295-3036. Funds raised will be used toward supplies and trophies for May Day 2016.

Fundraising has also been going strong for the community Fourth of July celebration, with organizers reporting close to $2,000 raised so far. Head fireworks technician Reggie Smith said the show this year is expected to last at least 30 minutes, while area vendors including craftspeople, restaurants and horticulturists are expected to take part. Vendor spaces remain available, as well as donation opportunities, and those interested are encouraged to contact Judy Costello at (360) 295-3036. Organizers are also seeking a family-friendly band for the event and interested parties should inquire, keeping in mind organizers are planning to offer a paid gig.

Memorial Day is upon us this Monday and I sincerely hope you get the chance to memorialize those who served our country and also those who have gone before us. As I have stated in my previous columns, this is the time of year I always try to remember my family members who have a special meaning. As many of you know that is my Grandmother, she was always so full of wonderful sayings. Her favorite saying when it was time for dinner was "I am so hungry, I could eat the horse and chase the driver," or when I would get dressed up she would say, "You look like Astor's pet horse." I will never forget her and her many words of wisdom.

Linda Allen of Winlock, passed away May 12 at Riverside Nursing Home.

There have been many letters to the editor concerning Medic One. Pulling at the Public Heart Strings by implying we are all going to drop dead at any moment and no one is coming to help simply cloud the facts. Inference that citizens pay an EMS Levy and money goes elsewhere is incorrect. By statute the money must go for Emergency Medical issues.

Ron Zimmer continues his commitment to refurbish South Bend's public benches.

The results are in, and there are a number of well-contested races for public office in the local area.

As of Monday, 54 candidates have filed for 33 open positions within South Lewis and North Cowlitz Counties, with five (Mayor of Toledo, Mayor of Vader, Vader City Council No. 4, Winlock School Board Director No. 1, and Lewis County Fire District 2 Commissioner No. 1) headed to the August Primaries with at least three candidates filed for each.

The City of Castle Rock has been awarded a $70,000 grant from Cowlitz County's Rural Development Fund to install free wi-fi access for visitors throughout the downtown and uptown areas.

Announced during the May 11 Castle Rock City Council meeting, Public Works Director Dave Vorse said the grant was part of a package of funding Castle Rock had requested for city improvement projects, which also included installation of a sound system throughout downtown and lighting upgrades. Though only the wi-fi project has been approved so far, Vorse said the city is still satisfied a major portion of their request went through.

The Vader City Council has been informed on an ongoing rate study for their sewer system, which is intended to analyze how the city is expending funds versus how they are charging customers.

Discussed during a workshop held by the council on Thursday night, RosAnna Noval, an environmental rural development specialist for California-based non-profit Rural Community Assistance Corporation (RCAC), gave the council a brief overview of what the study would entail and how the city would be involved.

The Winlock Fastpitch team is all finished with their season, but one cannot say with complete certainty it was without talent. Senior Kennedi Collins has been an all-league player in previous years and during this, her senior campaign, she proved to be a team leader again.

"I have been playing fastpitch or t-ball since I was 3 years old when my parents had me play at the YMCA in Longview," said Collins about her deep love for the game.

Castle Rock Baseball

The Rocket boys lost their first round game to Hoquiam in the District IV Baseball Tournament but turned around to defeat Kalama 9-2. Shawn Godinho went 5 1/3 innings of successful pitching to hook the Chinooks. The Rockets kept their chances alive with a 2-1 victory over Tenino. In the 3rd/4th seeding game, Montesano dropped CR 19-10, which send the Rockets to face Connell in Moses Lake Saturday.

The annual Washington State Traffic Safety Commission's seatbelt emphasis program is going on now through May 31, with a focus this time on children who are not properly restrained in car seats or with seat belts in vehicles.

The Centralia, Chehalis, Morton, Toledo and Winlock police departments, as well as the Lewis County Sheriff's Office and the Washington State Patrol, will participate in extra patrols during the next few days to ensure motorists and their passengers are traveling safely.

A Winlock woman has been charged with introducing a controlled substance to a jail facility after being booked on a separate drug charge over the weekend, according to the Lewis County Sheriff's Office.

Joanna M. Withrow, 29, had been arrested late Friday night by the Toledo Police Department for possession of methamphetamine and, while being searched Saturday morning by staff at the Lewis County Jail, was found to be in possession of a small vial containing a substance that field-tested positive for heroin.

Authorities are seeking help investigating a burglary taking place earlier this month in the Chehalis area.

Sometime between May 12 and 13, an unknown number of suspects broke into a residence on the 200 block of Chehalis Valley Drive and, in addition to causing significant damage to the home, stole two safes, diamond earrings, $2,000 cash, a Phillips big screen television and a Samsung big screen television. The estimated loss is more than $5,400.

Authorities are continuing to investigate the sudden death of a Winlock man after he lost consciousness and later died during a May 9 altercation, with a report from the Coroner's Office indicating foul play was not a factor.

The victim was identified Monday as 47-year-old Kelly Westley, with Coroner Warren McLeod stating Westley likely died due to a "medical event", though he is awaiting further lab results to officially confirm a cause of death.

Cowlitz County Fire District 6 Commission Chair Monte Martinsen (left) officially swears in Chief Bill LeMonds (right) May 11, ending the search for a permanent chief that began two years ago after former chief Eric Koreis resigned to work for the Longview Fire Department.

The Coast Guard is asking for the public's help to put a stop to the vandalism of aids to navigation throughout the Pacific Northwest.