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Gov. Jay Inslee announced Sunday that Washington state will provide $550 payments to 94,555 unemployed Washingtonians who were receiving Federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, which lapsed at midnight Saturday.

Washington House Republicans recently announced their ranking member and House committee assignments for the upcoming 2021 legislative session. Rep. Jim Walsh (R-Aberdeen) was selected as the lead Republican for the House Civil Rights and Judiciary Committee, which considers a wide variety of legal issues. This critical House committee considers proposals dealing with privacy rights; constitutional law; anti-discrimination measures; commercial law; torts; probate; guardianships; civil commitment; forensic mental health; firearms; eminent domain; and other legal matters.

In all the years of writing about the year's events, this is the first year I am wondering if I can fit everything into one paper. This was the year that took all of us by surprise, surprises in ways we would have never thought. Tragedies, businesses lost, and an uproar in our country we have not seen since the 1960s. While the year started out with zero knowledge of a virus, it would soon change everything we know about our world.

We started the year off with hope and excitement, within a few weeks COVID-19 was announced right here in our state. It was in a nursing home that was on lockdown, no concerns. Washingtonians continued to go on about their day, still not concerned for what was to come roaring through. Before long, our lives were going to be altered, not for a week, a month, but for the entire year. February would be the beginning of the changes.

In March, Governor Inslee ordered a "Stay Home, Stay Healthy" order. The ban included no social gatherings and closures of all nonessential businesses. We saw schools go remote, students were no longer in the classroom.

In April, businesses were starting to struggle, we had no idea how long. This is when we started to see an increase in suicides and drug overdoses in Lewis County, being home was killing people.

By the end of May, we saw another change. George Floyd was killed and our big city streets erupted in riots. Businesses were burned down, police were killed. We were also introduced to a new phased opening for businesses during Covid.

June brought car cruises for graduates, as graduation was canceled. It was different for seniors, they could not have commencement ceremonies. Communities came out to support the local seniors. The biggest change was masks were now mandated, while some businesses were partially allowed to open. Black Lives Matter held a peaceful protest in Toledo. For the first time, a foreign area was set up in our state, known as CHOP, "Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone." It was a violent area where two lives were eventually lost. Times have changed, violence has now erupted in our state and our capital.

On December 21, members of the Pacific County Sheriff's Office had the privilege and honor to help spread the joy of Christmas cheer to a local family. Each year the Sheriff's Office participates traditionally in the local Shop With A Cop Event. If you haven't experienced that event, you are really missing out! They usually have a big breakfast, shopping, police vehicle lights and sirens parade and so much more. Many giving and generous people and businesses donate money and time to the event. This year due to COVID-19 restrictions and social distancing that type of event was put on hold.

However, that didn't stop our office or several other people to help and donate to try and make sure one family received some holiday cheer. Thanks to the Pacific County Guns and Hoses group for their more than generous donation as well as Michelle Layman for assisting with behind-the-scenes logistics.

This fall South Bend High School's Family Resource Navigator Kathryn Staats noticed that she was running low on supplies to give to South Bend students in need.

Together with the South Bend High School Key Club, and the South Bend Kiwanis Club, they stepped up to support their community by collecting donations to purchase and deliver the necessary supplies.

The supply drive started on October 26, 2020, and continued for two weeks. They collected donations of money and supplies from the community. Pioneer Grocery donated a $75 gift card along with $117.02 from the community. The Kiwanis Club generously donated $300.