Archive
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OPPOSE WILD OLYMPICS
The Grays Harbor County Commissioners have sent a letter to Senator Patty Murray and Representative Norm Dicks in opposition to the Wild Olympics plan that they say has divided our communities. The letter states that the commissioners “cannot condone a proposal that treats communities, industries and the environment as foes.”
In the letter, Commissioners say they see the Wild Olympics proposal as one that threatens jobs on the Olympic Peninsula, which is not consistent with the County’s mission of Economic Development. They oppose any further restrictions that could result in more job losses within the county.
The Commissioners believe the proposal interferes with the current Forest and Fish Law and therefore they request that Senator Murray and Representative Dicks abandon further consideration of the Wild Olympics Plan. Instead, they request they first identify the issues, involve the community from the beginning, and work toward needed goals.
ASSAULT AND ROBBERY ENDS IN FOOT CHASE
A foot chase in South Aberdeen lead to an arrest Tuesday afternoon. Aberdeen Police responded to South Side Swanson’s after a report of a theft of a wallet. Officers were told that a man had assaulted a woman as she stood in the check out stand and stole the wallet that she was holding.
The suspect fled on foot from the store, but was chased by other customers along with the victim’s son who was waiting in a car in the parking lot.
The suspect was caught in the South Side Fire Station parking lot where responding officers took him into custody for Robbery in the 2nd degree.
The suspect is a 33 year old Aberdeen male who is currently in the Aberdeen City Jail.
The investigation is continuing.
ABERDEEN HOLDS PROSTITUTION EMPHASIS
The Aberdeen Police Department held a prostitution emphasis over the weekend after receiving complaints from citizens and local businesses. Captain John Green tells KXRO that officers had confirmed that it appeared there was an increase in prostitution in downtown Aberdeen.
Over the three day period officers made 14 contacts that resulted in 12 total arrests. Officers arrested 5 males ages 30-72 for soliciting a prostitute and made 7 charges of conducting prostitution against four females ages 22-34.
Officers were also able to clear a felony arrest warrant for drugs and three other misdemeanor arrests.
An additional arrest was made inAberdeenon Monday involving a 43 year old Elma man and a 26 year old Elma female.
Green says that Aberdeen Police will continue to do unannounced sweeps in the area.
WEATHERWAX ART PROJECT ANNOUNCES “CALL TO ARTISTS”
The City of Aberdeen Arts Commission and the City of Aberdeen, have announced a “Call To Artists” for the creation of a significant three-dimensional artwork that will be funded by the Grays Harbor Community Foundation. The Simpson Triangle, a highly trafficked site between the business districts of Aberdeen and Hoquiam, will be the location of the resulting artwork. It is intended to honor the legacy of the Weatherwax family and inspire both residents and those that pass through Grays Harbor. The artwork will incorporate salvaged sandstone blocks from the old J.M Weatherwax High School.
This project is open to professional artists residing in Washington, Oregon and British Columbia. An artist selection panel will review all eligible applicant materials and select up to three finalists to develop proposals. The finalists will be paid $5,000 to travel to Aberdeen, develop a proposal, and present the proposal to the selection panel. The panel will review the finalists’ proposals and select one artist for the commission.
For more information email Tamar Benzikry-Stern at tamar.benzikry@4culture.org or (206) 296-8692.
HEAD ON COLLISION SENDS 5 TO HOSPITAL
Hoquiam Police and Fire crews were dispatched to a head-on collision with entrapment in Woodlawn on Saturday.
A 45-year old Hoquiam man driving a one-ton Chevy pick-up northbound had traveled into the southbound lane, striking a Buick Century 4-door head-on. The impact pushed the car backwards and into the southbound ditch. The 32-year old Hoquiam woman driving the vehicle had to be cut out of the car by Hoquiam paramedics. She and the three other occupants of the vehicle: 31-year old Hoquiam man and two children in car seats, ages 4 and 1, were transported to Community Hospital for their injuries.
The driver of the pick-up was arrested for vehicular assault as occupants of the car had suffered serious bodily injury from broken bones. The Hoquiam man consented to field sobriety tests at the scene after crews smelled alcohol on his breath. He was subsequently transported to Community Hospital for a blood draw that Hoquiam Police say will be submitted to the state toxicology lab for testing. The suspect remained at the hospital for treatment as he complained about neck pain; it was later determined the suspect may have suffered a neck fracture.
Hoquiam Police Chief Jeff Myers told KXRO it took two tow trucks, pulling from both ends of the vehicles, to separate the car from the truck as they were stuck together from the force of the collision.
Formal charges will be filed through the Grays Harbor County Prosecutor’s Office pending the results of the lab results. The investigation is ongoing.
HEAD ON COLLISION IN HOQUIAM SENDS 5 TO HOSPITAL
Hoquiam Police and Fire crews were dispatched to a head-on collision with entrapment in Woodlawn on Saturday.
A 45-year old Hoquiam man driving a one-ton Chevy pick-up northbound had traveled into the southbound lane, striking a Buick Century 4-door head-on. The impact pushed the car backwards and into the southbound ditch. The 32-year old Hoquiam woman driving the vehicle had to be cut out of the car by Hoquiam paramedics. She and the three other occupants of the vehicle: 31-year old Hoquiam man and two children in car seats, ages 4 and 1, were transported to Community Hospital for their injuries.
The driver of the pick-up was arrested for vehicular assault as occupants of the car had suffered serious bodily injury from broken bones. The Hoquiam man consented to field sobriety tests at the scene after crews smelled alcohol on his breath. He was subsequently transported to Community Hospital for a blood draw that Hoquiam Police say will be submitted to the state toxicology lab for testing. The suspect remained at the hospital for treatment as he complained about neck pain; it was later determined the suspect may have suffered a neck fracture.
Hoquiam Police Chief Jeff Myers told KXRO it took two tow trucks, pulling from both ends of the vehicles, to separate the car from the truck as they were stuck together from the force of the collision.
Formal charges will be filed through the Grays Harbor County Prosecutor’s Office pending the results of the lab results. The investigation is ongoing.
HOQUIAM TEACHER RELEASED ON BAIL
Hoquiam teacher Wesley A. Phillips was released on bail from Grays Harbor County Jail on Friday after his second hearing in District Court.
41 year old Phillips is charged with Communicating with a Minor for Immoral Purposes and Voyeurism. Both charges are Class C Felonies and each count carries a maximum sentence of 5 years.
In documents filed with the Grays Harbor Prosecutor’s Office, Phillips is said to have sent multiple messages to a 12 year old Hoquiam Middle School student, whom he knew was a minor, for immoral purposes. It is also stated that the defendant on multiple accounts viewed another minor for sexual purposes. These are alleged to have occurred since September of last year.
Hoquiam Police Chief Jeff Myers told KXRO that the department received a complaint regarding the teacher and they began their investigation. A warrant was served for 2 computers, one of which was property of the school district. Myers says that both computers will be sent to the Washington State Patrol High Tech Crime Unit in Olympia to be searched.
The third hearing for Phillips is set for February 16th at 1pm in Grays Harbor District Court #1.
GREATER GRAYS HARBOR INC. ON KXRO LIVE @ 9
Callie White and Tim Gibbs from Greater Grays Harbor Inc. join Pat Anderson and Darwin Sharrah on KXRO Live @ 9 this morning to chat about the merger of the EDC and the GH Chamber and where they’re going from here. Tune in and find out the latest.
GREATER GRAYS HARBOR INC. SUPPORTS M&O LEVIES
Greater Grays Harbor, Inc. voted unanimously last week to support all local school district Maintenance and Operations levies at its meeting. The vote was based on a recommendation from the Government Affairs committee, which heard presentations from school superintendents Dr. Tom Opstad of Aberdeen and Mike Parker of Hoquiam about the effect of the levies on their school districts.
Randy Ross, Co-Chair of Greater Grays Harbor, Inc. says “A strong education system is a critical part of a strong business climate. We need our schools to be able to produce the entrepreneurs and workers of the future, and we are happy to throw our support behind our local districts”.
GRAYS HARBOR EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT THANKS COUNTY
Grays Harbor Emergency Management on Friday sent a letter out showing their appreciation for Grays Harbor County residents during January’s winter storm. Deputy Director of Emergency Management Chuck Wallace said “Thank you, Grays Harbor County. Your patience, understanding, and cooperation during the winter storm…helped to reduce the impact the storm had upon our county.”
In the letter, Wallace points out not only the work that Grays Harbor County road crews, the city and tribal public works departments, and WSDOT road crews did to make safe passage for residents. He also thanked the work of Grays Harbor PUD for “enduring treacherous conditions, to restore power all over the county.”
Wallace also pointed out the work from E911, police, and fire personnel for providing critical services during the storm.
