Level 2 Sex Offender moving onto Eklund Avenue

The Hoquiam Police Department reports that a Level 2 Registered Sex Offender has told them that he will be moving into the 200 block of Eklund Avenue.

42 year old Anthony D. Jenkins was convicted in 1990 of Rape of a Child 3rd Degree in Snohomish County.

Detective Sergeant Krohn told KXRO that Jenkins reported to the police that he was moving to the address, and at this time is not wanted by police for any crime. Registered Sex Offenders are required to register with the Sheriff’s Office if they move.

Jenkins has been previously registered at addresses on both Aberdeen Avenue in Hoquiam and 1st Street in Aberdeen.

The Hoquiam Police Department has no authority to direct where a sex or kidnapping offender may or may not live unless court ordered restrictions exist.

Sex and kidnapping offenders have always lived in our communities; but it wasn’t until passage of the Community Protection Act of 1990 that law enforcement even knew where offenders were living.

There are over 19000 sex or kidnapping offenders who have registered since 1990 in Washington. Approximately 400 of these are registered to Grays Harbor County, and approximately 48 are registered within Hoquiam.

For questions, contact the Hoquiam Police Department Investigations Division at 532-0892 ext 102

Fireworks stands see decrease in Grays Harbor

State Fire Marshal Charles M. Duffy announced that the number of retail fireworks stand licenses issued in 2013 is down 2.5%, or 23 licenses, from 2012. A state license is required before a city or county can issue a permit to operate a fireworks stand in Washington.

Licenses are issued by County; with Thurston County seeing the largest drop in retail fireworks stand licenses issued with nine, followed by King County, eight; and Grays Harbor, five.

Sales of consumer fireworks begin on June 28, 2013, at noon and end on July 5, 2013, at 11:00 pm. A number of city and counties have restricted or banned the sale and discharge of fireworks. Be sure to check with your local jurisdiction before using fireworks.

Attending a public display is a safe and fun way to enjoy fireworks. To learn about a fireworks display near you, visit http://www.wsp.wa.gov/fire/fireworks.htm.

A.J. West plans Special Education classroom upgrade

The Aberdeen School District decided to remodel a classroom at A.J. West Elementary to better support the Special Education students who use it.

Contractors from the Small Works Roster will be used for the minor remodeling of Helen King’s classroom, and it will be expanded from 620 square feet to 910 square feet. This work includes demolition and re-installation of a wall, as well as some electrical and plumbing in the classroom.

The Aberdeen School District tells KXRO that with the equipment that is needed for that classroom an upgrade was needed. The district did look at other options but felt it was best to keep the class in the school where it has been thriving.

Autopsy performed on Federal Way surf fisherman

An autopsy was conducted on Tuesday on 65 year old Antonio Inocencio. A beachcomber found the Federal Way surf fisherman on Sunday in the surf by Iron Springs.

Deputy Coroner Lane Youmans told KXRO that the Forensic Pathologist concluded that Inocencio died as a result of a probable cardiac arrhythmia. Cardiac arrhythmia is the condition in which the heart’s normal rhythm is disrupted, possibly due to being in the cold waters.

The Grays Harbor Sheriff’s Department reminds those on the beach to use caution when in the water. Waves can arrive unexpectedly, and rip tides are common. Waves can be large enough to move vehicles and knock down those along the surf line and carry a person out to sea.

Grays Harbor Transit looking at budget cuts

Grays Harbor Transit is looking for your input on ways to cut their budget.

Following recent budget cuts, GH Transit has been looking at options to reduce their operating costs. Earlier this month, the board looked at options that included cutting weekend services or eliminating some routes within the county.

The board will be presenting different options for their budget, and are looking for public input on how to best serve the area while still reducing costs.

Public meetings have been scheduled to allow residents to see the options and give their opinions.

The first meeting will be held on Thursday, June 20, at 2 pm at Aberdeen City Hall. The second meeting will be held on Tuesday, June 25, also at the Aberdeen City Hall starting at 6 pm.

For more information, visit http://www.ghtransit.com

Aberdeen Police looking for stolen fire department radio

The Aberdeen Fire Department reported that two of their portable radios were stolen on May 29th, and now one has been returned.

On Monday, a woman walked into the Aberdeen Fire Department and returned one of the portable radios.

The woman said she was leaving a local mini mart on Market Street, within a block from a fire station, when a man on a bike came up to her and told her that he had some items for sale. The woman saw the radio had “Aberdeen Fire” engraved on the bottom. The woman paid him the $50 he was asking and the man rode away on his bike.

The woman returned the radio to AFD, and was repaid her money.

The man selling the radio was described as being approximately 20 years old, with dark collar length hair, around 5’7” with a thin build. She said his clothes were baggy and dirty at the time. He was wearing jeans and a dark colored windbreaker jacket with a hood pulled up over his head. He had a bad complexion, “like he had been picking his face”, with no facial hair. He was last seen riding a primer gray colored BMX type bike.

Anyone with information on this suspect is asked to call the Aberdeen Police Department at 533-3180 or the tip line at 538-4450.

Grays Harbor College scholarship deadline

Students looking to receive funding through the E. K. and Lillian F. Bishop Foundation scholarships have to submit their applications by July 1st to qualify.

Started more than 25 years ago by the Bishop Foundation, this scholarship fund is designated for students in their third or fourth years of college, as well as for students in their first two years of graduate schools.

To qualify, applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 as of June 25, and reside in Grays Harbor.

Current college and graduate school students, living in Grays Harbor, are encouraged to apply for the scholarships. Applications are available through Grays Harbor College’s website at http://www.ghc.edu/bishopscholarship.

Applications must be submitted no later than July 1 and recipients will be announced by early August.

For more information about the program, contact Eric Potts at (360) 538-4121 or epotts@ghc.edu .