Top Ten Local Stories of 2013
In the past year, we have posted over 1500 stories online related specifically to Grays Harbor and Pacific Counties, and reported hundreds more on radio alone.
Online, these stories combined for over 2.5 million views.
Thank you to our listeners and readers for using us as your source for local news.
Within the last year, many stories have garnered attention. From a standoff to a whale to Transformers being filmed in our own back yard, we have compiled a list, combined with staff input and votes from listeners, of the stories that impacted residents the most.
Local Top Stories
1. Hoquiam Standoff: The over 20 hour standoff began when a man by the name of Ray Mahailovich shot Hoquiam officer Jeff Salstrom as a warrant was being served, and ended when the man came out of the home shooting at a tactical unit before being shot at the scene.
2. Lake Quinault Closure: The Quinault Indian Nation closed the lake to all non-tribal fishing in April, before closing it to ALL non-tribal activities in June of this year, citing unsafe conditions due to non-tribal residents and visitors.
3. Harbor Paper Closure: Elliot Rust, LLC announced that Harbor Paper would begin hiring in August of 2012. In February, Harbor Paper cut back operation to adjust management. Despite announcing a full restart in April, no sign of activity had been seen at the mill since. Last month, it was announced the facility would go up for auction.
4. Dead infant found in Ocean Shores: In April, police agencies from throughout Grays Harbor were on scene in Ocean Shores after the baby was found in a vacant lot on Fisher Ave. A woman was walking her dog when she noticed a rag hanging from a tree. When she went over to look at the vacant lot, she saw what appeared to be the body of an infant on the ground. The child’s mother and father were both charged.
5. Whale found on Ocean City beach: An Ocean Shores Police Officer a 68-foot male fin whale, 4 miles north of Ocean Shores.
Cascadia Research Collective’s John Calambokidis says the whale had evidence of blunt force trauma.
6. Junction City hit and run death: On December 3rd, a woman’s body was found in Junction City, likely due to a hit-and-run. Identified as Katrina Rugg, officers are still looking for a Chevrolet Van, and could range in year from 2003-2011, with damage to the passenger side headlight and passenger side mirror believed to be responsible.
7. Hoquiam K9 Enno Put to Sleep: Enno’s long battle with cancer ended in Feburary of this year. Hoquiam Police Sergeant Jeff Salstrom said that he made the decision to put Enno to sleep after days of declining health. Salstrom said that “it was time”.
Enno’s treatments for a rapidly growing malignant tumor began in October of last year. This was a tumor that ended his career as a police K9.
Enno was officially “retired” in a Proclamation by the City Council on January 14.
8. Transformers film at Satsop Business Park: Paramount Pictures announced they were looking for local residents to fill roles in the upcoming Transformers: Age of Extinction when they filmed in October at the Satsop Business Park. The film will be released on June 27, when we will get to see how many local residents made it into the final cut.
9. JCPenney closes in Aberdeen: Longtime South Shore Mall tenant JCPenney closed their store on August 3rd. Aberdeen was one of six stores nationwide slated to close in August.
10. Mother’s dead body found near car with daughter inside: In August, a resident walking along a beach in Grayland found a woman’s body on the beach and the woman’s 8-year-old daughter alive inside a car, surrounded by the tide. The girl was not injured.
Alternates
“Come As You Are” sign will stay as it is
Teddy Bryan receives maximum sentence for Favro murder
D&R Theatre closes
A man. A sword. A bus station.
Man arrested for drug charges brings drugs to court
“Weapons of Mass Destruction” trucks seen in Ocean Shores
Hoquiam featured on Jeopardy!
Harbor Weather
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