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Willapa Harbor Herald 1.50 $
Vol. 41, Issue 34
USPS 455960 August 21, 2019
Your Independent Community News Since 1890
First Shoalwater Bay Safety Fair a success By Jeff Clemens The Shoalwater Bay Police department held its first Safety Fair on Thursday, August 15 at the Shoalwater Bay Gym working with agencies from across Pacific and Grays Harbor Counties. Hard Work brings agencies and communities The fair was organized by Shoalwater Bay Police Department Officer Sarah Boggs who wanted to create an event that would bring agencies along the coast together, and get to know one another and also allow citizens to interact with them as well. “It all took a lot of work to organize,” Boggs said. “It was three long months of jam-packed work. There were calls and emails and follow ups. Then I had to get permission from the tribe, and had to present it to the council.” Safety Fair kicks off The event began at 10:00 a.m. with booths set up by over a dozen agencies including South Bend Regional Fire Authority (SBRFA), Pacific County Sheriff’s Office, Pacific County Emergency Management Agency, U.S. Marshals Office who set up outside the gym. Another dozen agencies set up booths inside the gym including Crisis Support Network, Washington State Parks Department and many others. At approximately 12:30 p.m the first of two scheduled helicopters rumbled through the sky with the noise sending attendees charging out the door to watch. SBRFA Chief Dennis Benn set up strobes in the landing zone area located in a grassy field next to the gym. Benn also held up a strand of caution tape to allow the pilot and co-pilot a visual of the wind direction as they landed. The helicopter made three passes before it finally touched down and was rushed by attendees anxious to see the helicopter and meet its flight crew. The crew introduced themselves and gave a few speeches about water safety and the importance of being prepared in the water and along local beaches before taking questions about themselves and the helicopter. Airlift Northwest was scheduled to arrive at 1:30 p.m. with a helicopter but never made an appearance
Photo by Jeff Clemens The U.S. Coast Guard lands a MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter at the Shoalwater Bay Police Department Safety Fair on Thursday, August 15.
at the fair. It was unclear if they were diverted to an emergency, but it was highly expected to be the case. Photo by Jeff Clemens Airlift Northwest is the largest and busiest emergency South Beach Regional Fire Authority Chief Dennis Benn speaks over the radio with the pilots of the Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk air response agency in Washington State. See safety Page A5
Helicopter during the landing.
Golf course neighbors ask county for help Carlson steps down as HAVA director; By Allie Bair separately, but about the also provided aerial photos The Pacific County same issue: the RV Park of the area for the commis- McKayla Smith named successor Commissioners held their at the Willapa Harbor Golf sioners. regularly scheduled bimonthly meeting on Tuesday, August 13 at 9:00 a.m. in the Commmissioner’s Meeting Room at the Pacific County Annex. After opening Public Comment two Pacific County residents addressed the commissioners
Course. Both Cecilia Risch and Mike Lignoski live near the golf course and both were allowed by the commissioners to speak for longer than the normally allotted three minutes in order to comprehensively air their grievances in regard to the RV Park. Lignoski
“When the Runges put [the RV park] in, it was nice and it was an asset to the community,” Lignoski said mentioning that he originally was supportive of the addition. “People came to golf and then they’d leave. The [owners] now
See county Page A3
By Jeff Clemens Longtime HAVA Shelter Manager Lisa Carlson resigned on Tuesday, August 13 due to a personal health problem. Carlson had given several years of dedication and service to the shelter, and now handed the shelter duties over to new Manager McKayla Smith, who previously served as the volunteer and cat adoption coordinator. Carlson, according to HAVA Member
Dee Roberts, had been planning for her eventual retirement from the position and had already been training Smith as her successor. The only part of the plan that changed was it happened two years early. Smith is poised to take over the new role and introduced two new volunteer and cat coordinators, Crystal Seay and Shayne Moseley, who took over the positions Saturday, See hava Page A5
Fair bringing in blend of unique acts, distinctive displays, skillful music
Amber Sweeney
By GEORGE KUNKE There's a feeling of “Carnival Lights & Country Nights” excitement in the air for this year's rendition of the Pacific County Fair, which promises to bring in excellent entertainment, exclusive displays to experience, along with a renewal of all the traditional items and events that are commonplace to fairs of all sizes. Opening Ceremonies is today at 10:00 a.m. this morning. The carnival opens at 5:00 p.m..
Pacific County Fair Manager Bill Monohon has made some changes in his first year with hopes of revitalizing more interest in the fair. On opening night, today only, two shows, 10:30 a.m, 2:00 p.m, will be Reptile Isle & The Ring of Torti. Don Riggs, a zoologist, has been involved with exotic animals for more than 16 years and has appeared on Evening Magazine, Animal Planet and Bill Nye to name a few of his television ap-
pearances. The hands-on educational programs are an hour in length and cover a broad range of reptiles. Reptile Isle houses the largest tortoise in the Northwest and the only two-tailed monitor in captivity and many of the rarest animals in the world. The Butterfly Encounter will be offered for your delightful entertainment with a magnificent assortment of butterflies today through Saturday. Louie Foxx's One-Man Side Show appeared on America's Got Talent and Evening Magazine. Foxx is a two-time Guinness World Record Holder. He performs astounding magic tricks, cowboy tricks, comedy, hand shadows, and much more. Jeremiah Johnson, The Throw Zone performs all four days with his juggling mastery and audience comic-interaction. You'll be amazed with his trickery and balance. There will be plenty of very good musical entertainment for your listening enjoyment, including Joe Stoddard, who entertains with his quirky style of music and comedy. Stoddard takes the stage Wednesday and Thursday. Stoddard said he has “worked with such greats as The Beach Boys, Ricky Nelson, The Oak Ridge Boys, and Rich Little” and said he has “performed with people like Loretta Lynn, Pat Boone, Jim Stafford, Mickey Gil-
ley, Jan & Dean, and many, many others.” Amber Sweeney offers top notch talent with her great voice and stage presence and has been compared to Sheryl Crow. Sweeney, who performs Wednesday, has released several CDs. Sweeney is very popular in the Pacific Northwest and is currently touring in the Northwest and Midwest. The Dog Walkers perform Thursday playing country, folk, swing, blues, etc. Jessica Lynne performs Friday with her rare blend of country gospel rock. Gypsy Roadhouse performs Friday and Folk, Country & Beyond will be on stage all four days. Spike and the Continentals entertain with the sound of classic 50's, 60's and 70's music on Saturday. Also on Saturday performing country music with story telling is the Robert Henry Band. Taking the stage Saturday are Dusty Mojo, and the Puget Sounders Chorus. The Museum of Curious Things is open Wedneasday through Saturday. It's filled with interesting facts and specimen from around the world. It has a lot of cultural artifacts, unusual taxidermy, crypto-zoological samples, anatomical oddities and historical mysteries. It is housed in a 27-foot vintage Airstream Trailer and was quoted by Seattle Magazine as, “The coolest thing at the event.”
Robert Henry Band
Photo by Gary Peterson Photography
There's also the Road Warrior Paintball Target Range Wednesday through Saturday. Daily general admission fees into the PCF are: Adult (daily, 18 and older, $7), Seniors (60 and older, $5), Kids (first grade thru 12th grade, $5), Preschool (free), Nursing Home Residents (free). Wristband season passes are $12 at the gate and $10 if bought before
noon, August 19. Free entry days to the fair are Friday, August 23 for Veterans and Seniors, and Saturday, August 24 for kids 12 and under. The buildings close at 9:00 p.m. each day and the entertainment, concessions and grounds close at 10:00 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday and at 11:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. See fair Page A2