COUGS END LOSING STREAK TO HUSKIES

Klay Thompson scored 25 points and Washington State upset No. 18 Washington 87-80 yesterday to pick up a big win in its quest for an NCAA tournament bid. Reggie Moore
added 18 points and five assists for Washington State, which held Washington to 36 percent shooting and broke a four-game losing streak to its rival. Isaiah Thomas had 19 points for the Huskies, who fell into a tie with Arizona for first in the Pac-10. Thomas
made 3 of 14 field goals. Washington was trying to open 8-1 in league play for the first time since 1984.

FIVE INJURED IN SR 109 HIT AND RUN

Five people were injured in a hit and run DUI accident Saturday evening at 7:00.  The State Patrol reports that the vehicle driven by 36 year old Jason Flemming of Aberdeen was southbound on SR 109 when it crossed the centerline two miles north of Ocean Shores and struck a northbound vehicle with five occupants, spun and struck a second vehicle.  The two occupants of the second vehicle were uninjured, but all five occupants of the first vehicle struck, including two one year old children were transported to Community Hospital.  After the accident, the State Patrol says Flemming fled the area on foot, but was apprehended at 11:00.  He now faces charges of Driving Under the Influence and Felony Hit and Run.

GOVERNOR TO ATTEND PONTOON GROUNDBREAKING

Gov. Chris Gregoire and Washington Transportation Secretary Paula Hammond will visit Grays Harbor in two weeks to join the community in a groundbreaking celebration for the SR 520 pontoon construction project.  The event is scheduled at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 12, at the former Aberdeen Log Yard.  Construction is expected to begin as soon as mid-February. The first order of work is to build a casting basin on the 55-acre property that will allow workers to construct 33 concrete pontoons for the SR 520 floating bridge. The pontoons will be available for emergency replacement of the floating bridge or stored until needed to form the backbone of a new SR 520 floating bridge scheduled to open by the end of 2014.

KXRO TO MOVE TO 101.7 FM

Exciting news as KXRO reveals the station will move from 107.5 to 101.7 on the FM dial. “It’s something that will allow KXRO to bring the latest news to the community in a new way”, says Operations Manager Pat Anderson.  Ian Cope and Darwin Sharrah will be taking the show on the road every Monday for the 5 weeks to celebrate. Next Monday they will broadcast at America’s Diner.

START-UP WORK CONTINUES AT COSMO MILL

It’s a site Cosmopolis residents have been waiting for for the last four years: smoke is coming from the pulp mill stacks, a sign the facility is on the road to reopening. Along with the gradually filling parking lot and the traffic in and out of the gates, another sign of the mills activity will come this weekend as the company blows steam through the powerhouse pipes twice on Saturday and twice on Sunday. Mayor Vickie Raines says her office has been told this is a routine part of the mill process, but one that may be alarming to the community since it is accompanied with loud bangs that sound like jet engines. Cosmo Specialty Fibers Public Affairs Director Robert Buchan says the weekend will allow the business to test out equipment and make sure they are ready for their targeted start-up date of May 1st.

GRIZZLIES DEFEAT RAINIER, AWAIT #2 ONALASKA

BOYS BASKETBALL

     Hoquiam 62, Rainier 38
 
     Raymond 51, Naselle 32
   
     South Bend 77, Ocosta 48
    
     Willapa Valley 91, North Beach 69

 GIRLS BASKETBALL

     Aberdeen 64, Centralia 49
  
     Elma 52, Tenino 39

     Rainier 47, Hoquiam 28

 SATURDAY

 #2 Onalaska (10-0) at #3 Hoquiam (9-1), 7:30 on ESPN Radio 1490 KWOK and KXRO.com

NEW SIGN WELCOMES VISITORS TO HOQUIAM

A kind welcome is an important gesture for a city to make to visitors as they enter. Since the December 2007 storm, the electric “Welcome to Hoquiam” sign has hung dead over Sumner Avenue. On Thursday, the sign was finally replaced with a new sign, part of a partnership between the city and the Hoquiam Development Association. The new sign reads “Welcome to the Hoquiam. The Friendliest City”, with grey letters on a crimson background. Mayor Jack Durney says the sentiment is very important as is the need to let people know they have left Aberdeen and entered another community. Durney says he hopes to see the city improve the signage along Emmerson Avenue and the western entrance to the city.

CHAMBER PRESIDENT LEROY TIPTON TO RETIRE

LeRoy Tipton has announced he will retire in December after heading the Grays Harbor Chamber of Commerce for over two decades.  In his 23 years at the Chamber, Tipton instituted Leadership Grays Harbor program, the trade show (which has turned into EXPO Grays Harbor and the Bite of Grays Harbor), and the annual Legislative Send-Off along with other programs. He is also well-known for leading motivational and leadership classes and for building a strong relationship with the Coastal Caucus.

HOQUIAM POLICE FEAR FOR MISSING MAN

Hoquiam Police are asking for the publics help in locating a man they believe may be in some danger. 50 year old Ronald Thornton has not been seen since January 12th. He reportedly has a past that involves alcohol and depression and officers are concerned for his well being. Detective Sergeant Shane Krohn says Thornton’s wallet, cell phone and belongings were all inside his 8th Street apartment. He is described as a white male, 5’9″, 150 pounds with blue eyes and brown hair with some graying. Anyone with information is asked to call 532 0892, ext 102.

HOQUIAM MEN RISE TO #3 IN AP POLL

The Hoquiam men have risen to #3 in the latest AP 1A Basketball rankings. The Griz battle for a league title against #2 Onalaska on Saturday night at Hoquiam Square Garden and on ESPN Radio 1490 KWOK and KXRO.com.