Recent Articles

Go to any event in north Pacific County and look around, you will probably spot James Samplawski flying his drone taking photos of the event. Samplawski is a sole proprietor based out of South Bend. But Willapa Harbor Drone is going away and Midnight Frog Studio is taking its place.

The VFW Pacific Post 968 has been in the area for 101 years as a post, but on September 13 the members voted to Surrender the VFW's Charter

The Lewis County Economic Alliance has been under fire by PUD Commissioner Mike Hadaller for pursuing hydrogen power at the soon-to-be former site of the TransAlta steam plant. The questions Commissioner Hadaller posed have brought up even more questions. The most important being: Why are two of the three Lewis County Commissioners signing Non-Disclosure Agreements and why can't the public receive a copy of those Agreements? The Lewis County News requested the NDAs through the public records portal and the records came back that they could not be located.

Meyers Meadows is a new development in Winlock that has been marked by several issues. Now that the property is almost fully developed, new issues are arising for those who live in homes near the apartments and townhouses.

SOUTH BEND - Raymond-South Bend blasted Ilwaco 41-14 on homecoming for Seagull students at RHS Friday night. Ferrill Johnson exploded for 202 yards rushing and 2 touchdowns for the Ravens who netted 402 yards on the ground. Johnson also caught a TD pass good for 33 yards for 235 yards of total offense.

SOUTH BEND - The South Bend Police Department recently received three grants, including an awarded grant from USDA for two patrol vehicles, according to Police Chief Lucas Stigall.

The Winlock School District has a new Resource Officer and he is known to most of us. Randy Pennington who retired from the Toledo Police Department answered the call of duty and this time, it's for our kids. Randy has always been an asset in the community, working as a fire commissioner and also as a member of the paramedic team in Winlock for many years. He's a stand up guy that all of us respect!

During Egg Days, a longtime Winlock resident, Freda Steveson, who is 89 years old, tripped on the sidewalk in front of the former Nichols Wilson building, now owned by Mayor Brandon Svenson. Freda has contacted the City of Winlock and the insurance company, who hung up on her.

MENLO - Maegan Skoubo joins the Willapa Valley School District as a middle-high school math instructor with more than two decades of teaching experience. Skoubo has returned to the area after having taught in Raymond up until a couple years ago.

Katie Carlyle and Linda Lemco are the latest additions to the Raymond Elementary School teaching staff. Carlyle is a third grade teacher, and Lemco will instruct special education for grades 7-12.

SOUTH BEND - Lifetime Pacific County resident Tim Bale has joined South Bend School district as the only new hire for the 2023-24 academic year. Bale, who said he has "lived in the Raymond area my entire life," was hired last spring for the Career & Technical Education (CTE) department. He has experience in and will instruct welding, fabrication, metal shop, and horticulture, and he will be the new welding/metals/horticulture teacher, according to South Bend Superintendent of Schools Dr. John Tienhaara.

Does our Lewis County 911 center have an emergency? I believe they do, it is called funding. Currently funding for the center is achieved mainly through fees paid by the various agencies that are dispatched by the center, our fire depts, local police, LSCO etc. Currently our center basically has the same radio capabilities, regarding radio transmission sites it had during the 80s when I was employed there. To say the 911 infrastructure is outdated is a huge understatement. This is mainly due to lack of funding.

Winlock's annexation plan will be open to public discussion at 6:00 p.m. on Friday September 8. All those interested in the annexation are encouraged to attend to hear and comment on the code changes, tax assessment, law enforcement, fire protection, and infrastructure costs associated with the annexation. This may be the last opportunity for residents in the area taken by the annexation to make a record of their concerns.