GRAYS HARBOR & PACIFIC COUNTY UNEMPLOYMENT RISES IN OCTOBER

The Employment Security Department has released the county-by-county unemployment data for October and the rate in Grays Harbor is up .5% from September to 12.7%

And once again, that is the highest rate of any county in the state.

The October 2010 rate in the Harbor was 11.7%.

Ferry County was second at 12.4% and Lewis County was third at 12.1%.

In Pacific County, unemployment was up .4% to 11%.  In October 2010 the rate was 11.3%.

OWN A DOG, CAT OR FERRET? RABIES SHOTS WILL BE REQUIRED IN 2012

The State Department of Health says pet dogs, cats, and ferrets must be current on their rabies vaccination starting January 1, 2012.

This new rule aims to reduce the number of rabies exposures in Washington.

DOH says every year in Washington, several hundred people have to get the series of rabies shots because of possible exposure to the rabies virus.

Many cities and counties require rabies vaccinations for some pets, but vaccinations have never been required by the state.

People should talk to their veterinarian about vaccinations and rabies prevention.

ABERDEEN SCHOOL BOARD HOLDING WORK STUDY SESSION SATURDAY ON 2012 LEVY

The Aberdeen School Board of Directors will conduct a work study session from 12:15 to 1:45 p.m. on Saturday, December 3, in the Community Room at Aberdeen High School.

The purpose of the work study session is to discuss the upcoming levy proposal to voters.

A final decision on what to include in the levy and the requested amount is expected at the regular school board meeting on December 20.

For more information, contact the Superintendent’s Office at (360) 538-2002.

 

ABERDEEN AND HOQUIAM “COME TOGETHER” TO BRIDGE THE MYRTLE STREET DIVIDE

Myrtle Street is the dividing line between the cities of Aberdeen and Hoquiam.

But thanks to a unique parnership between the two cities, funds are being received to repair that road.

The Washington State Transportation Improvement Board has awarded $177,900 to widen, repair and enhance Myrtle Street from Cherry to Port Industrial Road.

The Myrtle Street Project was a joint application submitted by Mayor Bill Simpson and Mayor Jack Durney back in August.

Aberdeen will function as the lead agency for the project by providing project engineering and management.

The cities will work together on traffic control, construction of new ADA ramps, new sidewalk, and utility adjustments.

The City of Aberdeen has also received $307,150 from the TIB for improvements on State Street while Hoquiam has been allocated $227,638 to repair 16th Street from Riverside to Broadway.

Hoquiam Mayor Jack Durney says this project is a prime example of teamwork and combining resources during tough economic times.

Mayor Bill Simpson says working together is very important especially in the economic realities of the World.

Both cities have been struggling with adequate funding to improve roads and these grants will make a significant positive impact.

 

TODAY IS “THANK FIRST RESPONDERS DAY”

November 30 is “Thank First Responders Day”, an observance that started the day after the tragic murder of four Lakewood, WA police officers in 2009.

The “Thank First Responders Day” website (http://thankfirstresponder.com/) says people shouldn’t need something terrible to happen to realize how fortunate it is to have such well trained men and women there every single moment of life!

The site also asks that you take just a moment out of your day to “adopt” a police or fire station today.

UPDATE: POWER BACK ON EXCEPT FOR SOME ELMA CUSTOMERS

The latest from Grays Harbor PUD spokesperson Liz Anderson:

The PUD has restored power to all customers in the Montesano area and all but about 300 customers west of Elma. The remaining 300 customers are in the area near the Satsop River. Power is expected to be restored within about 4 hours (about 9:15pm).

The outage was caused when a tree that was reportedly being cut down by someone in the area fell into the PUD lines and broke a cross arm.

 

POWER RESTORED TO COSI HILL & CP

Grays Harbor PUD spokesperson Liz Anderson says power has been restored to the Montesano, Cosi Hill and Central Park areas. A downed power line is believed to have caused the outage impacting more than 5,000 customers around 4:30pm.

The PUD is now responding to two outages impacting about 902 customers in the east Montesano area and about 1,154 customers west of downtown Elma. The cause may be a broken cross arm. A crew is responding to the area. There is no estimated time for restoration of power yet.

 

POWER OUTAGE IN MONTE, CP AND ON COSI HILL

Grays Harbor PUD spokesperson Liz Anderson says crews are responding to an outage impacting 5,594 customers in the Montesano and Central Park areas.

Power is also out on Cosi Hill.

The outage occurred just before 4:30pm.

The cause of the outage has not been determined and there is no estimated time for restoration of power yet.

GENERAL ELECTION RESULTS CERTIFIED – NO RECOUNT IN ABD WARD 6 RACE

The Grays Harbor County Auditor’s office has certified the results of the November General Election and there were no changes in some of the most watched races.

Aberdeen Mayor Bill Simpson gained a few more votes in his re-election bid, and in one of the closest races – Jerry Mills has a four-vote lead over Denny Lawrence.

Elections Supervisor Julie Murphy says that four-vote margin is wide enough that the results can be certified without a recount.

 

ARTIC FIRE STATION BROKEN INTO AGAIN – AID CAR STOLEN

For the second time in less than two weeks, the Artic Fire Station in Cosi was burglarized.

Assistant Chief Karen Lalond says this time their aid car was stolen.

It was recovered on a logging road near the Pacific County line around 5am today.

The aid car sustained minor damage but a number of items were stolen from the car.

Last week thieves stole a ram used with the Jaws of Life from the station and it still has not been located.

If you know anything about yesterday’s break-in or the robbery last week call 911 or the Grays Harbor Sheriff’s Department.