Twelve Grays Harbor bridges are included in a Department of Transportation list of bridges deemed structurally deficient.

Governor Chris Gregoire visited Grays Harbor on Monday attending a fundraiser at an East County dairy farm.  Over 100 supporters turned out at the Gordon Farm to speak with governor who says four years of continued economic development is her main goal for the county. 

On Tuesday, Republican candidate Dino Rossi continued to pitch change in the politics of Olympia as the main reason for his election during a campaign swing through Pacific and Grays Harbor counties.

To hear Gregoire and Rossi's comments, click HERE.

The effort to reopen the Cosmopolis pulp mill took another step forward on Monday with an agreement between Evergreen Pulp and the Department of Natural Resources.  That wasn't the only goal that was reached to move the Cosmopolis pulp mill closer to reopening.  Grays Harbor County has signed off on the agreement between Evergreen Pulp and the City of Aberdeen to provide industrial water to the Cosmopolis facility. 

The on going problem of graffiti and damage done to the Pioneer Park Skate Park has the City of Aberdeen discussing drastic steps.  While surveying the damage and realizing some users have no respect for the time and money spent of the facility, Mayor Bill Simpson says he nearly decided to "fill that sucker in".  Simpson's statement is a sign of the frustration felt by the city over damaging and disrespectful acts committed by some users of the facility. 

To hear the story, click HERE.

A major traffic snarl in Aberdeen on Thursday night.  DOT Grays Harbor Assistant Superintendent Randy Moody says during a routine opening of the Heron Street Bridge on Thursday evening, the west Aberdeen side traffic gate missed it's stopping point and became jammed in the down position, blocking traffic. 

The requested fuel surcharge for garbage services in the City of Aberdeen may never come before the city council for a vote.  Public Works Committee Chairwoman Kathy Hoder says if she has her way the request by Lemay's for a 2% increase to cover the rising cost of fuel will never get out of her committee.

To hear the story, click HERE.

The Aberdeen Fire Department is recommending an increase in the amount charged to customers served by EMS responders.  Chief Dave Carlberg says it has been three years since transport rates for ambulance service have been increased.  Carlberg says the various rates for ambulance service will increase anywhere from $100 to $200.

The Aberdeen City Council has approved the special assessment rate for the Downtown Parking and Business Improvement District.  Mayor Bill Simpson says each business will now be charged a $120 per year flat fee when applying for their business license with the money going towards improvements and upkeep of the downtown district.

Aberdeen City Councilman John Erak's attempt to ban fireworks in the city has failed to gain support.

To hear Erak's complaints, click HERE.

The Aberdeen Parks and Recreation Department now has a hard total on the damage done to one of its largest facilities during last December's windstorm.  Parks and Recreation Director Carl Harris says the damage to Pioneer Park was extensive with two light poles snapped in two, 10 more damaged to the point of needing replacement, 184 light fixtures destroyed and a power infrastructure that was decimated.

Blue economic times and the rising cost of gas are being pointed at as the reason for the cancellation of the Saw 'N' Surf Chainsaw Competition in Westport.  The annual event was to have celebrated it's 18th birthday on the weekend of September 5th-7th.

The members of the Chehalis River Flood Control Authority met on Tuesday afternoon to discuss the next step in averting the catastrophic damage like that caused by last Decemeber's flooding.

The Hoquiam police department is investigating a shooting that occurred late last night or early this morning.  Deputy Chief Jim Maloney says the victim was found bleeding from a gun shot wound to the head at 3:30 this morning.

The Grays Harbor County Sheriff's office is asking for the public's help in locating a missing man.  William Holter is 41 years old and is described as 6'3", 240 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes.  Sheriff's Detective Ed McGowan says Holter has not been seen since July 13th.  He was last seen driving a blue 1993 Suburban with Washington plates '515WMU'.  Anyone with any information is asked to call the sheriff's office (249 3711) or Grays Harbor 911.

A male pit bull with a track record of assaulting humans was shot and killed by a Grays Harbor Sheriff's deputy of Sunday afternoon.

Improving weather is sparking hope for the Westport fishing season.  After a wet June, a warm July has improved hope that the season will last longer than expected.

One of the three Starbucks in Aberdeen will be shutting it's doors as a result of the closure of 19 company owned stores in Washington.

You can't say this very often, but this weekend an owl will be celebrated in Grays Harbor.  The Benny Bufano bronze owl sculpture at the Aberdeen Timberland Library is celebrating it's 40th birthday and a small party will take place on Saturday.

An employee of Quigg Brothers construction was airlifted to Harborview Medical Center on Wednesday following a construction accident.

While progress is being made, no announcement is expected today (Thursday) on the purchase and sale agreement between Weyerhaeuser and Evergreen Pulp for the sale of the Cosmopolis mill.  Weyerhaeuser spokeswoman Kristen Sawin says the deadline for the finalization of the sale, originally set for today has been extended.  Under the proposed deal Samoa, California based Evergreen would handle the operations of the pulp mill, employing over 200 people, while the Grays Harbor PUD would operate the two bio-diesel turbines at the facility.

If the senses are in need of stimulation or you're looking for ideas on how to brighten your home garden, the WSU Master Gardeners have the inspiration with the 2008 Garden Tour, scheduled for this Saturday.  The Beach in Bloom will naturally focus on waterside gardens in Ocean Shores.

The Aberdeen School Board has been handed the draft budget for the 2008-2009 school year and there is good news: the nine teacher reduction in force approved in May has been reversed thanks to retirements and resignations.  Business Manager Tom Laufman says the proposed $36.7-million spending plan also anticipates 3161-students in the district next year, about 140 less than in 2007-2008.

Residents, the Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Montesano Police Department are trying to learn what has been killing cats in the East County town.

Downtown Hoquiam business owners and senior citizens came to the defense of the downtown Simpson Avenue parking lot on Monday night, hoping to sway the cities decision to surplus the property in the hopes of selling it to an incoming business.

The City of Hoquiam has entered into an agreement with the Department of Natural Resources to remove two derelict vessels from the shores of the Chehalis River.  The DNR will reimburse the city as it removes the Northern Retriever and the Hallelujah from their current locations at the 28th Street Boat launch and Rennie Island.

A car versus semi colission has blocked the northbound lanes of US-101 at Walker Raod near Humptulips for several hours on Saturday afternoon.  The State Patrol reports that a 16 year odl Aberdeen boy was pulling out of a private driveway and allegedly failed to yield to a southbound semi-truck which sideswiped the boys vehicle.  The boy suffered minor injuries and was taken to Community Hospital.  The driver and passanger of the semi were reportedly not injured.

The Grays Harbor County Commissioners will begin looking for a fulltime employee to manage the Straddleline ORV Park.  Commissioner Al Carter says the current situation of an interim manager is not working and the county will begin to advertise for a replacement.

Lemay's incorporated has proposed a 2% fuel surcharge be added to monthly bills in the City of Aberdeen to help them cope with the rising cost of fuel.

The Hoquiam School Board has begun to review the $20.8-million operating budget for the 2008-2009 school year.  Board President Jon Parker says early analysis leaves him confident that the district will not go over projected totals and that the expected enrollment of 1852-students should be met without difficulty.

It's the start of a new educational era in Montesano.  Superintendent Marti Harruff, teachers, school board members and students came together on Tuesday to turn the first earth in the construction project that in 14 months will create a new Simpson Elementary School.

The physical education program at the Hoquiam School District will be getting a huge financial boost thanks to a three year government grant.  Superintendent Mike Parker says his district has been selected to receive funding from the Carol White Physical Education Program in the amount of $276,832.  Parker says program upgrades throughout the district will be targeted which will swimming and off road biking along with new equipment like exercise machines and climbing walls.

It couldn't have been much more opposite a 4th of July for the Ocean Shores Fire Department when compared to last year.  12 months after a large brush fire covered 40 acres and forced the evacuation of several beach front homes, Ocean Shores did not have one incident on Friday or the remainder of the weekend.

Aberdeen, Hoquiam and Ocean Shores police and fire officials say the holiday weekend was a busy one, but that they were able to keep festival and beachgoers out of harms way.

An Aberdeen woman has been arrested over the weekend in Oregon for driving under the influence... with her four children in the car.

A 72 year old Hoquiam woman was injured in a two vehicle accident on State Route 105 on Saturday night.

A two vehicile accident on SR-12 east of Elma this morning killed one man and will lead to charges of vehicular homicide against an Olympia woman.

One of the final steps has been taken to towards the reopening of the Cosmopolis pulp mill. The Grays Harbor PUD Commissioners approved the purchase and sale agreement for the mill on Thursday evening, allowing General Manager Rick Lovely to move forward towards the final purchase of the two 7.5 megawatt biomass turbines at the facility for the total of $17-million.

A settlement has been reached in a 2006 lawsuit to block logging on 50,000 acres of private timberland to protect the threatened northern spotted owl. The affected parties announced yesterday that a policy working group on spotted owl preservation would be established by the Washington Forest Practices Board.

(AP)

House Majority Leader Lynn Kessler of Hoquiam came down hard on NBA Commissioner David Stern today following the announcement that the Sonics would be leaving Seattle.

To hear the entire interview, click HERE.

The seven candidates vying for the Grays Harbor County Commission Position One seat met yesterday before a crowd of just over 100 voters to discuss their goals and the issues facing the county.

The crackle and pop of fireworks are beginning to fill the skies of Grays Harbor, but for many communities this will be the last year in which the days leading up to the 4th of July will be open to fireworks.

The Splash Festival, Booming Bay Fireworks and Fire O'er the Water displays offer great local entertainment on Independence Day, but many Harborites may be headed out of town.  For those of you braving the roadways, the Department of Transportation has posted the best travel times on this website (CLICK HERE).

The "Lady Washington" and "Hawaiian Chieftain" will be two of the over 30 tall ships to sail to Tacoma for a weekend display.

The seven candidates for the Grays Harbor County Commission Position One race will have a chance to meet the voters in a forum at Elma High School tonight at 6 o'clock.  Buck Carter, Chris Crew, Ken Estes, Earl Hari, Terry Willis, Phil Papac and Chuck Klinger will all be on hand for introductions and a few questions this evening.

To hear the story, click HERE.

A 61-year old British Columbia man suffered a head injury in a one vehicle accident believed to have been caused by spilled oil on State Route 101.

A special meeting of the Grays Harbor PUD Commissioners has been scheduled that may result in action taken on the PUD's involvement at the Cosmopolis mill.

Grays Harbor County is continuing to examine the Industrial Waterline and map out it's uses, needs and future. 

Higher than expected bids to replace the County Administration Building roof have forced Grays Harbor County to reject both bids and split the project up to separate roofing and heating projects.

The City of Montesano recently made headlines when Mayor Ron Schillinger overturned a city council act to ban weapons in city parks.  The East County city was not the first to attempt such action, which begs the question: Can cities ban legal concealed weapons from parks?  Quite a few state lawmakers don't think so.