Political sign placement must obey state law

As the August election approaches, candidates and their supporters are reminded by the Washington State Department of Transportation that campaign signs are not allowed in the state highway right of way.

Because it’s not always easy to know the boundaries of a right of way, there are a few clues:

• Utility poles are typically located inside the right of way; so no signs between the pole and the state highway.
• Many locations also have a fence line separating the right of way from private property. Signs are not allowed between the fence and the state highway.

That means that many signs placed on power poles or fences go against state law.

Under the Washington Administrative Code, political signs are allowed on private property visible from state highways. However, the property owner must consent and the sign must comply with the law, as well as any local regulations.

Local cities may have additional regulations, which could differ from city to city and county to county.

For questions determining the boundary lines for a state highway right of way, contact WSDOT Outdoor Advertising Specialist Pat O’Leary at OLearyP@wsdot.wa.gov or by calling 360-705-7296.

Example of political sign placement along a street. Image from http://www.uprinting.com

Accident on 101 kills South Bend man

A 56 year old South Bend man died, and 2 others were sent to the hospital after an accident on Highway 101.

According to the Washington State Patrol, Saturday morning just before 9 am, 56 year old Vilath Nhotsoubanh was travelling north on 101, around 9 miles north of Raymond in a 1997 Dodge Ram with a 32 year old woman and 7 year old child.

As Nhotsoubanh was driving north, a possible medical emergency forced the van off the side of the road and into a tree.

The South Bend man was taken to Harborview Medical Center where he was pronounced dead. The 32 year old woman and 7 year old girl, both related to the man, were transported to the Willapa Harbor Hospital for their injuries.

Their condition is not currently known.

Lauren Kuhn named as Miss Massachusetts

Former Miss Grays Harbor Lauren Kuhn was crowned as Miss Massachusetts on Sunday, achieving her dream of now competing for the title of Miss America.

Kuhn is a 2009 Aberdeen High School graduate currently attending Harvard Dental in Boston. She competed this weekend in the statewide competition as Miss Collegiate Area, representing the Harvard campus and surrounding area.

Kuhn is the 75th Miss Massachusetts, earning the title against 20 other girls from the state.

“I’m just so excited. This is really surreal for me,” Kuhn told beautypageantnews.com after her crowning. “Miss America has been going on for more than 90 years. To be part of that tradition and represent the commonwealth is really exciting,” she said.

Kuhn was Miss Grays Harbor 2013 and Miss Grays Harbor’s Outstanding Teen 2008. She also competed for the Washington state title two other times while still in the state as Miss Tahoma 2010 and Miss Seattle 2011 following her graduation from AHS

Kuhn is a student at the Harvard School of Dental Medicine and her platform is “The Opportunity of Education: Encouraging Today’s Young Women.”

Photos from beautypageantnews.com

Man arrested after firing shotgun at Travelodge

2 streets in Aberdeen were shut down this morning. One for the Founders’ Day Parade, and one because a man fired a shotgun off inside a room at the Travelodge.

Aberdeen Police tell KXRO that this morning around 5:20 am, a man and a woman were inside a room at the motel when a shotgun was fired.

According to the woman, during a conversation the man brought out the shotgun. When the shot was fired, she was able to get to the motel lobby unhurt and report it to police.

Aberdeen PD, with assistance from Hoquiam and Cosmopolis Police, and the regional Crisis Response Unit (CRU) arrived and closed off Wishkah.

Using the new APD armored vehicle, police were able to block the entrance to the room and use a loudspeaker to contact the man.

The man came out of the room without incident and was taken into custody for Assault 1 and booked into jail.

Police have re-opened the street and are continuing the investigation.

Willapa River Bridge returns to 2 way highway traffic

Drivers crossing the Willapa River Bridge on State Route 6 will soon be able do so both at highway speed and in either direction.

The return to 55 mph across the bridge on Thursday, July 3, comes nearly a year to the day after the Washington State Department of Transportation issued a notice for the temporary reduction. On July 1, 2013, WSDOT reduced the speed limit to 35 mph as a safety precaution while crews replaced the old bridge.

The speed-limit adjustment nearly coincides with the onset of two-way traffic across the new bridge. Since it opened earlier this year, traffic has been restricted to an alternating, one-way lane with the use of a temporary signal. Crews removed the signal June 25, allowing simultaneous traffic across the bridge in each direction for the first time.

The $6.3 million project is one of five WSDOT bridge-replacement projects currently underway in Pacific and Lewis counties.

McCleary man falls asleep and rolls his car

Falling asleep at the wheel is being blamed for an accident outside of McCleary.

A 23 year old Oakville man was driving west on SR 8, 1 mile south of McCleary, when he fell asleep driving. His 1989 Oldsmobile Cutlass left the road before entering the ditch, driving through a chainlink fence and a road sign, rolling, and coming to rest on the roof.

The driver was taken to Summit Pacific Medical Center for his injuries and the vehicle was totaled and impounded.

Drugs and alcohol were not involved.

Tips from the public shut down a Hoquiam drug house

On Thursday, detectives with the Grays Harbor Drug Task Force, along with officers from the Hoquiam Police Department and Grays Harbor County Sheriff’s Office, served a search warrant in the 200 block of K Street in Hoquiam.

During the search warrant regarding small-scale methamphetamine sales, a 34-year old Hoquiam woman was arrested for multiple counts and booked into the Grays Harbor County Jail on pending felony drug charges.

A 28-year old Hoquiam man who was staying at the home was arrested on an outstanding DOC felony warrant for probation violations. Suspected methamphetamine was also found on him. He was booked at the Hoquiam City Jail and may face additional felony drug charges.

Other people staying at the home were checked for outstanding wants and released.

The investigation stemmed from numerous neighborhood complaints to the Hoquiam Police Department of heavy foot and vehicle traffic to and from the home. These complaints were forwarded to the Drug Task Force, who initiated an undercover investigation.

Police Chief Jeff Myers tells KXRO, “One of our three Department Focus Points is targeting drug dealers and drug locations. The Drug Task Force took on this location based on citizen concerns and developed a case which will hopefully resolve the problem.”

Given the conditions of the home, including the fact there was no electrical service, it will be condemned by the Hoquiam Building Department. Anyone who returns will be arrested for trespassing.

Battalion Chief Bill Mayne retires after 36 years

At last night’s Aberdeen City Council Meeting the Council, Mayor Bill Simpson and Fire Chief Tom Hubbard honored Battalion Chief Bill Mayne who is retiring after 36 years of service.

Mayne thanked the city for his time as an employee and said the fire department and the city is in good hands.

Mayne’s last day with the department will be June 30th.

Aberdeen Police recovered a Ford Explorer, stolen from a firefighter

This week, 911 got a call about an Explorer with a volunteer firefighter license plate driving recklessly near Jack in the Box matching the description of one reported stolen in the City of Elma.

Officers did not locate the vehicle in the area, but continued the search and found the Explorer near Market and A Streets being driven by a woman.

The 20 year old woman was taken into custody for Possession of a Stolen Vehicle and booked into the City of Aberdeen jail without incident.

Elma Police responded to assist and the vehicle was processed and returned to the owners.

The investigation is continuing.

Founder’s Day set to continue for years to come in Aberdeen

The Aberdeen City Council passed a resolution last night that will set July 2nd as Founders Day from now on.

Aberdeen Mayor Bill Simpson read the resolution that declares July 2nd to be henceforth known as Founders Day.

Sam Benn first came to Aberdeen on May 28, 1868. On February 6, 1884, Benn recorded the Town of Aberdeen, and on May 12, 1898, Aberdeen was officially incorporated.

The inaugural Founders Day Parade is this weekend and Parks and Recreation Director Karl Harris reminded the council that roads will be closed for the event.

Market Street from Alder to G Street will be closed starting around 6 am to around 12:30.

Portions of Broadway will be closed from 8 am to 11 pm for the parade and other events for the day.