Aberdeen man stabbed during assault

Aberdeen Police responded to the area of 2nd and A Streets on Sunday afternoon regarding a robbery complaint. When they arrived they found a 25 year old Aberdeen man who had been stabbed and struck several times with a pistol.

The man was transported to Grays Harbor Community Hospital for treatment.

Aberdeen Police are continuing the investigation.

Grays Harbor retail sales figures higher than state average

Statewide taxable retail sales increased 3% to $103.8 billion in 2011according to the Washington State Department of Revenue.

According to the report, Grays Harbor taxable retail sales increased 10.61% in 2011 while Pacific County increased 1.13%.

The 3% state gain for 2011 compares to a 0.1% drop in overall sales in 2010 and an 11.2% drop in 2009.

Statewide among major industries, construction was down 1.7% but still much better than the 12% decline in 2010.

Fireworks lead to arrests in South Aberdeen

Fireworks in South Aberdeen are believed to have caused a police response that ended in two Aberdeen residents being taken into custody.

Aberdeen Police with the assistance of Cosmopolis Police responded to a call in the 1100 block of Lindstrom Sunday evening after a resident called to report shots fired.

Aberdeen Corporal Casey Wagonblast tells KXRO that a resident reported the sound of “pops” in the area. A neighbor says that the sound of fireworks woke him up and they sounded like mortar shells.

2 Aberdeen residents, one man and one woman, were taken into custody on unrelated charges.

Police could not confirm that a gun was involved. The case is still under investigation.

It is illegal to light fireworks within Aberdeen city limits.

Final clam dig of the season was approved

State fishery managers have approved a razor clam dig at Twin Harbors May 5-7 after marine toxin tests confirmed that the clams on the beach are safe to eat.

All other coastal beaches in Washington will be closed to razor clam digging until a new season is announced in fall, said Dan Ayres, coastal shellfish manager for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.

“This is the last chance to dig fresh razor clams until this fall,” Ayres said.

Twin Harbors beach extends from the mouth of Willapa Bay north to the south jetty at the mouth of Grays Harbor. The proposed opening is scheduled on morning tides; no digging will be allowed after noon.

Morning low tides will be as follows:

• May 5, Saturday, 6:32 a.m., -1.5 feet
• May 6, Sunday, 7:19 a.m., -2.1 feet
• May 7, Monday, 8:07 a.m., -2.3 feet

For best results, Ayres recommends that diggers arrive at the beach an hour or two before low tide.

“With digging restricted to one beach, I’d recommend arriving early and getting your clams before it gets too crowded,” he said.

Ayres reminds diggers to avoid signed upland beach areas at Twin Harbors, which are closed to protect nesting western snowy plovers. The closed areas are located from just south of Midway Beach Road to the first beach-access trail at Grayland Beach State Park.

Under state law, diggers can take 15 razor clams per day, and are required to keep the first 15 they dig. Each digger’s clams must be kept in a separate container.

Diggers need a valid 2012-13 fishing license to participate in the upcoming opening, since all 2011-12 licenses expired March 31. The exception is young people under age 15, who may fish for free.

Licensing options range from a three-day razor clam license to an annual combination fishing license, which can be purchased on WDFW’s website (https://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov) and from license vendors around the state.

City of Hoquiam to review signage laws

The City of Hoquiam plans to review laws adopted regarding business signage. The laws, adopted in recent years, prohibit the use of signs projecting off of businesses and the use of signs off business premises.

In a release from the city, Hoquiam City Planner Alissa Thurman says the changes are due to a review of the zoning code.

Signs projecting over a public sidewalk will be allowed under the updated ordinance. Thurman states “As the downtown continues to flourish and grow, the projecting sign will be a vital mechanism to allow businesses to advertise.” These signs cannot project over an alley or extend more than 10 feet from the business.

The new rules would also allow businesses to use signage off site with a conditional use agreement. This would allow businesses having on site sales to direct traffic toward their location. The signs would be limited to basic information such as business name and simple directions.

The Hoquiam Planning Commission held a public hearing on the changes has voted to recommend that the changes be approved and adopted by the City Council. These changes are set to be discussed at the May 14th city council meeting

Opening day of lake fishing is Saturday

Anglers preparing for tomorrow’s opening day of fishing can expect over 20,000 trout that are one-third bigger than they were last year.

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife released 3 million hatchery-reared trout into lakes across the state.

Since March, over 4000 Rainbow Trout were released into Duck Lake in Ocean Shores, almost 6000 tout into Failor Lake, 4500 into Lake Aberdeen, 4000 into Lake Sylvia, and 4000 into Vance Creek.

“We have made some changes in our trout hatchery rearing programs in response to the feedback we heard from anglers who really enjoy catching larger fish,” said WDFW Director Phil Anderson. “With these fish, our state’s biggest fishing day of the year just got better.”

Anglers must have a current Washington freshwater fishing license valid through March 31, 2013. Licenses can be purchased from a dealer, online at https://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov, or by telephone at 1-866-246-9453.

For vendor locations, visit http://wdfw.wa.gov/licensing/vendors/.

For updated fish stocking details, by county and lake, visit http://wdfw.wa.gov/fishing/plants/statewide/.

Hoquiam Police investigate counterfeit money

Hoquiam Officers responded to a call from a Simpson Ave. hotel manager who told them he was cleaning a room of a tenant and discovered what he believed to be counterfeit money in a dresser drawer.

Deputy Chief Don Wertanen tells KXRO that officers entered the room with the manager who showed them the alleged counterfeit currency. A search warrant was obtained to search and seize any evidence related to forgery.

The items are believed to be the property of the of the 46-year old Aberdeen man currently being held in the Grays Harbor County Jail on Forgery charges.

This case is still under investigation.

4 local parks search for volunteers to serve as hosts

The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission is seeking volunteers to serve as hosts at state parks throughout Washington.

These openings include host positions at Ocean City, Pacific Beach, Schafer, and Twin Harbors parks.

The Washington State Parks Host Program offers volunteers the chance to stay in the park while gaining experience in park operations and visitor services. Hosts are needed year round in state parks all across Washington.

Hosts represent state parks by greeting the public and helping set the tone for visitors. They assist park staff and perform a variety of tasks depending on the park and the type of host assignment. Hosts receive free camping and hookups in exchange for performing these duties. A typical host assignment is 30 days, but may be extended up to 90 days at the park manager’s discretion. Hosts must provide their own RV and camping equipment.

For a complete list of volunteer and host openings, visit www.parks.wa.gov/volunteers or stop by the State Parks booth from May 3 through 6 at the Puyallup Fair and Events Center in Puyallup.

Camp Host Opportunities. This file will be updated weekly.

FOSLS to hold grassroots event for Discover Pass

The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission and the Friends of Schafer and Lake Sylvia State Parks announced grassroots sales events for the Discover Pass in and around Grays Harbor, beginning this weekend.

Staff and volunteers will be on hand to sell the $30 annual Discover Pass at the following locations:

Saturday and May 5 and 12: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Pick Rite Thriftway store in Montesano
May 5 and 6: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Old Timer’s Fair, Mary Knight School

The Discover Pass, which is now transferable between two vehicles, allows visitors to enjoy millions of acres of Washington state-managed recreation lands, including state parks, water-access points, heritage sites, wildlife and natural areas, trails and trailheads.

“Washington state parks are a treasure, and we all need to do our part to help keep them available for generations to come,” said Gregory Johnson, president of the friends group. “We hope the public will come out and show their support by purchasing a Discover Pass.”

In addition to these special sales events, the Discover Pass may be purchased where state fishing and hunting licenses are sold, online at http://www.discoverpass.wa.gov or by phone at (866) 320-9933.

For more information, visit the FOSLS page on Facebook.

Hunters wanting special permits have until May 18

Hunters have through May 18 to apply for special hunting permits for fall deer, elk, mountain goat, moose, bighorn sheep, and turkey seasons in Washington.

Winners will be selected through a random drawing conducted by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife in late June. The special permits qualify hunters to hunt at times and places beyond those authorized by a general hunting license.

Applications may be purchased from license vendors or on WDFW’s website at https://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov/wdfw/special_permits.html.

Applications must be submitted on that website or by calling 1-877-945-3492.

Before applying for a special-hunt permit, hunters must purchase an application and any necessary hunting licenses and transport tags for each species they wish to hunt. All are available online, by phone, or from a licensed dealer.

Most special hunt permit applications cost $6.60 for residents, $110.00 for non-residents, and $3.30 for youth under 16 years of age.

Winners will be notified by mail by mid-July.