The Pacific County Emergency Operations Center is increasing drive through testing days in South Bend and Long Beach. Appointments can be made by calling the EOC at 360-875-9407 or 360-642-9407.
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Vol. 42, Issue 23
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June 3, 2020
Same person arrested GNWFCU lobby in pharmacy vandalism By Karen S. Carter
By GEORGE KUNKE Different smashed-in windows, same person arrested. Another Raymond business had large double pane windows smashed in by the same suspect. Saturday morning at approximately 6:56 a.m., dispatch advised the Raymond Police Department of another malicious mischief incident, this time at Raymond Pharmacy. Borden's Auto Parts was vandalized on May 24 early in the morning by the same suspect, Jordan Patterson, who was arrested near the scene after smashing in four windows. Patterson admitted to breaking all those windows and was booked in Pacific County Jail for that incident. Corporal Ristow of the RPD said he spoke with Patterson last Wednesday morning after he was informed by RPD Officer Fuller about Patterson's actions and whereabouts. “At about 8:20 (a.m.), I met up with him at the 8th Street Park, where he was watching (Patterson), who was sitting on a park bench,” Corporal Ristow said in his police report. “Officer Fuller advised he found two rocks
near a fire hydrant on the back side of Raymond Pharmacy. He said they looked out of place. “I contacted (Patterson) and advised him of his rights,” Ristow continued. “He advised he understood his rights and would speak with me. I asked if he broke the windows at Raymond Pharmacy, he advised he did. I asked what he broke them with, he said a rock. I asked where the rock he used was. He said he put two rocks on the back side of the building near the fire hydrant. He advised he gets in the mood and gets some rage and said he needed to get rid of it. He said after he does things like this he said he feels stupid about what he did.” Patterson was arrested and booked in county jail for malicious mischief in the second degree. Corporal Ristow added, “Officer Fuller went to (Patterson's) residence and got his medication from his grandmother, who he lives with and brought it to the jail.” Raymond Police Chief Chuck Spoor told the Herald on May 24, it “appears he (Patterson) may have some mental health issues.”
Traffic stop ends with narcotics bust SOUTH BEND – A minor traffic job turned into a heroin and methamphetamine possession arrest last Wednesday in South Bend. A South Bend police officer pulled over a driver for a minor traffic violation and discovered that the driver of the vehicle had a suspended driver's license. The Pacific County Sheriff's Office narcotics K9 squad was deployed to inspect the vehicle, and after alerting the vehicle, the deputy applied for and was granted a search warrant. A Raymond Police officer also responded to assist on the call. After searching the vehicle, a large amount of heroin and methamphetamine was found with an estimated street value of $15,000. “The South Bend Police Department is proud of our partnership with our neighboring agencies and know without this collaboration these successes may not happen,” South Bend Interim Police Chief Lucas Stigall said. “It is a good day when we remove any amount of illegal narcotics off the streets of our communities.” Chief Stigall added that it was a “great job” by the “South Bend Police Department officer, the Raymond Police Department, the Pacific County Sheriff's Office deputy and K9 Kreed.”
Pacific County Courthouse and offices to re-open
Government facilities are considered an essential business, which means that Pacific County is re-opening its building to the public soon. Changes are currently being made to make sure the health and safety of residents, visitors, and employees are safeguarded. On Tuesday, June 2 the north county facilities were opened and on Monday, June 15 the south county facilities will re-open. Here are some of the changes you will see: You will be required to
wear a mask while visiting county offices. You will be required to follow social distancing guidelines. There will be a limit on the number of people allowed in the county facilities at any one time. You will only be able to enter the Courthouse through the rear door. If you have questions please call the office you plan to visit. Check our website at www.co.pacific. wa.us/directory.htm for a list of office phone numbers and other details.
Washington unemployment benefits down from previous week
During the week of May 17-23, there were 48,445 initial regular unemployment claims, down 65% from the prior week, and 1,497,591 total claims for all unemployment benefits filed by Washingtonians, according to the Employment Security Department (ESD). ESD believes the decrease was in large part due to significant fraud prevention measures that were put in place over the past two weeks. “Our priorities from day one of this crisis have been to get benefits out to Washingtonians who need them quickly and expand eligibility so those impacted can get the help they need,” said ESD Commissioner Suzi LeVine. “In recent weeks, at the same time we have taken aggressive measures to tackle the increase of imposter fraud in our system, we have stayed laser-focused on helping every Washingtonian with a valid claim get the benefits they deserve. Meanwhile, our team continues to work with federal law enforcement to go after the criminals perpetrating the fraud, help the victims and recoup the money. The dramatic decline in initial claims this week is a strong signal that the additional steps we are taking to address imposter fraud are working. We’ve already recovered and stopped the payments of hundreds of millions of dollars in fraudulent claims in the past two weeks, and we will continue to reclaim every dollar we can.”
One of the changes that have affected many people during phase 1 was the closures of bank lobbies, which causes traffic jams in the drive-up window. Now that Pacific and Grays Harbor County have moved into phase 2, Great NorthWest Federal Credit Union is one of the first financial institutions to reopen their lobbies to the public. On Thursday, May 28, the lobby doors were unlocked and a greeter wearing a mask stood by the door ensuring that people did not crowd into the lobby. “Great NorthWest FCU has been operating via our drive-thru only since mid-March,” said GNWFCU President/CEO Doug Page. “While the lobby was closed, we were very busy behind the scenes preparing for the eventual re-opening. The main issue was the availability of the needed materials. Overall,
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reopens as essential business
Photo by Karen S Carter Staff at Great NorthWest Federal Credit Union practice social distances and other precautions to keep members safe.
with the lobbies closed, it allowed for a slow implementation.” The branches have taken steps to ensure a safe, clean environment for members according to CDC guidelines. “Inside our lobbies, you’ll notice sneeze guards, floor stickers (appropriately spaced for social distancing), staff members utilizing PPE and we have ordered sanitizing stations for
members which we hope to have soon,” said Page. “We are also limiting the number of people inside each of our branches to ensure proper social distancing. Staff is and has been, sanitizing high-touch areas, limiting touch areas, pens are not re-used, signature pads are being wiped clean, and counter spaces are sanitized multiple times a day.” Social-distancing and
occupancy limits need to be observed while in the lobby. Look for a greeter at each branch. “That’s one of the biggest changes going into this,” said Page. “Each branch layout is different, so there’s not a set number allowed, just enough to make sure that we are keeping our social distance. Our greeter is your friendly See GNWFCU Page A3
Courtesy Photo Bonnie Ryan, director of the North Pacific County Food Bank in Raymond, holds a plaque she received as the Willapa Harbor Chamber of Commerce Person of the Year. With Mrs. Ryan, from left, are food bank volunteers Bubba Madrid, Jayden Madrid, Grayson Pearson, Dawn Pearson, Bob Ryan, Ann Clevenger, Ryan Pearson, Peggy Pearson, Michelle Machado, honoree Mrs. Ryan, Betty Gazor, Janice McClellan, Barbara Bennett, Paul Delau, Sherry Aust, Byrl McClellan, Trish Belcher, Rich Pearson and Barbara Hannah.
Chamber of commerce members adapt to COVID-19 limitations, look forward to phase 2 re-opening By Vivian Edersheim Pacific County is under Phase 2 of the state’s COVID19 re-opening plan, which means a lot of local businesses are able to open their doors again. But it doesn’t exactly mean business as usual. During Phase 1, only essential businesses – grocery stores, pharmacies, hardware stores, health clinics and similar services – were allowed to remain open. According to Michelle Layman, director of the Willapa Harbor Chamber of Commerce, local business owners became innovative. For instance, restaurant restrictions
closed many favorite eating places, but also sparked takeout services unlike anything seen in recent times. “Our members are resilient,” Layman wrote in an email. “While times are tough, they are adapting. Some have taken time to regroup, others have made a shift to their businesses and have strengthened their online presence, while some of the restaurants have offered take-out and delivery.” During the “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” initiative, group meetings, including church services, were See CHAMBER Page B2
New business added at Randy’s Landscaping By GEORGE KUNKE SOUTH BEND – A new local plant nursery recently opened for business last month started by Kim Coates, who is the coowner, along with partner Randy Johnson, of Randy's Landscaping and Nursery. “We own Randy's Landscaping, same location, 47 Raymond South Bend Road (the old South Bend highway) in Raymond, even though it is closer to South Bend,” Coates said. Popular demand was reason enough to add a nursery department to what is now Randy's Landscaping and Nursery. “Randy has a landscaping business and a lot of his customers were needing plants, so this made it easier and it grew from there,” she said. Coates' philosophy of running the new area of the business is simple, to “bring in as many plants that people want at a good price to the community.” Products for sale in the nursery include a variety of trees, shrubs, rhododendrons, azaleas, and more. “We will get more things as we go,” Coates said. “The nursery business offers plants and trees, etcetera, different size goldfish, and soon pond plants as well.”
Photo Courtesy Kim Coates Randy’s Landscaping and Nursery now offers a nursery with a variety of trees, shrubs, rhododendrons, azaleas, plants, goldfish and much more.
Coates talked a little about what all is involved with running and opening a nursery business. “Besides getting licences etcetera, we do a lot of running to get the plants, then we have to inventory and price what we brought in, and then hope to sell,” Coates said. “In between bringing in and selling, there is lots of watering, pricing and taking care of plants. It's all new, we are learning more all the time. The nursery currently employs one (other) person who used to work in the garden department at home depot and knows more than myself.” Coates is a 1983 Ray-
mond HS graduate, and she has two children from a previous marriage, and now has “three beautiful grandsons.” She is a full-time cashier at Pioneer Grocery in South Bend. Johnson started Randy's Landscaping by himself in 2015, which is on Facebook, where there are hundreds of positive posts. “He does most commercial businesses around town, plus numerous private customers,” Coates said. “He's very busy and
not taking any new customers at this time.” Johnson is a 1980 South Bend HS graduate, and his favorite hobby is beautifying their yard. “Drive by and you will be impressed!” Kim said. “He is very good at what he does. It is definitely his calling. You can check out some of his work on the Facebook page. He comes highly recommended.” After graduating from high school, Johnson held See RANDY’S Page A2
If you are reopened or opening soon, give the Willapa Harbor Herald a call and place an ad to let people know. Call 360-942-3466 ext. 210.