Nominationsfrom March15-25
March26-April26
Romero’s overtime PK goal leads Montesano to win — B1
Fiber optic internet coming to Ocean Shores
Deal announced at town hall, first customers could be online within six months
Jerry Knaak The Daily World
The city of Ocean Shores conducted a town hall meeting Monday night to announce the arrival of HyperFiber and their commitment and plans to offer every home and business high speed fiber optic internet service.
Westport captain pleads guilty to defrauding Social Security
A 50-year-old resident of Westport pleaded guilty Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Tacoma to Social Security Fraud, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Teal Luthy Miller. Derek Gochanour admitted he failed to tell the Social Security Administration that he was able to work, and illegally collected $126,928 in benefits. Chief U.S. District Judge David G. Estudillo scheduled sentencing for June 9. According to the plea agreementandcivilsettlementagreement, in April 2001, Gochanour applied for disability insurance benefits from the Social Security Administration (SSA) due to his diagnosis of mitochondrial myopathy — a form of Derek Gochanour failed to reveal he was able to work in strenuous fishing charter business
The Daily World
Mayor Frank Elduen, alongside City Administrator Scott Andersen, moderated the town hall that featured three representatives of HyperFiber — President and CEO Dan Kennedy, Senior Vice President of Engineering and Construction Matt Myers and Washington Market Manager Lorie Hills.
See CAPTAIN, Page A3
Deaths
Lauretta McAllister, Shelton, 89
Richele Gottwig, Aberdeen, 67 Bob Best, Kirkland, 97
“(Hills) is the one who contacted us, and talked to us about the opportunities that HyperFiber can bring to the city,” said Mayor Elduen. “It was pretty exciting for Scott (Andersen) and I to listen and so we wanted to make that available for the public to listen and ask questions and such.”
Kennedy discussed the importance of having a symbiotic relationship with the community as they develop a new customer base.
“We’re a company that builds fiber to the home here in the United States. I’ve been doing this for a little over 30 something years,” Kennedy said. “Actually learned how to do this in the military. We, today, are in several states in the Southeast and Midwest and logically expanding our presence throughout the United States. When we build out a community like this our goal is to try to do everything up
Ocean Shores clamoring for firebreak
Potentially flammable vegetation poses risk to property and infrastructure
Jerry Knaak The Daily World
In 2013, a grass fire threatened a dozen homes or more in Ocean Shores. City officials fear a conflagration fueled by oceanic winds
coulddomuchmorethanthreaten unless a firebreak is engineered along the coast.
Many, if not close to all, “beachfront” properties in Ocean Shores are actually separated from the sand dunes, beaches and the Pacific Ocean by a veritable wall of vegetation. Tall, dense flora grows along several miles of coastline and much of it is something called Pacific Wax Myrtle, which can be
extremely flammable when dry. Native Plants PNW states, “Pacific Wax Myrtle is found along the Pacific coast from Grays Harbor, Washington to Southern California, with an isolated population on Vancouver Island.” The USDA’s Natural Resource Conservation Service describes it as “a largeevergreenshruborsmalltree, 10 to 35 feet high.”
According to the United States
Forest Service, “Wax Myrtle stems die quickly. The stems and foliage of southern bayberry contain large amounts of aromatic compounds that are quite flammable, making it a potential fire hazard.”
In order to prevent catastrophic damage from a potential wildfire along the Ocean Shores coastline, city officials are clamoring
Westport close to pact for Alaska cable landing site
SEALink: Second reading set for March 31 after passage of first reading
Jerry Knaak The Daily World
The Westport City Council voted 4-1 at their March 10 meeting to approve a long-term lease agreement with SEALink
Networks, Inc., for use of 3.5 acres at the Westport Water Plant.
SEALink, which is owned by Alaska Power & Telephone Company, plans to develop Westport as a submarine fiber optic cable landing site with a landing station in the Cohasset Beach South area.
According to Westport Municipal Code 3.16, “Before real property is sold or leased for more
than five years the subject shall be discussed at a minimum of two city council meetings not less than one week, nor more than 12 weeks, apart.” That second reading is set for March 31.
A memo from Westport Mayor Ed Welter to the City Council states, “The initial lease is for a 30-year term. The city will receive $.50/square foot/year as rent. The rent will increase by 10% every five
years. After 30 years, the city will have received approximately $2.9 million in revenue from the lease agreement.”
The proposed lease agreement states authorized use of the land includes, “Construction, installation, operation, maintenance, repair, modification, upgrade, and/or replacement of
Ocean Shores Butterclam Wildfire damage in 2013.
Knife attack at the Hungry Heifer Diner in Raymond
Lawenforcementfromthe RaymondPoliceDepartment, South Bend Police Department, and Pacific County Sheriff’s Office responded to a fight in progress involving a knife at the Hungry Heifer Diner in Raymond at 4:10 p.m.onMarch22.
According to Raymond Police Chief Pat Matlock, a man was inside the diner whittling a stick that was gettingwoodshavingsonthe floor. A waitress reportedly asked him if he would kindly stopbecauseitwascreatinga mess.
“Sounds like the aggressor was bad-mouthing the waitress,” Matlock said. “Another customer told the guy to quit being inappropriate. The suspectapparentlyproduced a knife and cut the customer on the arm and then apparentlycuthisownthroat.”
“We are obviously reviewing the footage, but at least there is no one at large,” Matlockadded.
DEATH NOTICES
Lauretta S. McAllister
LaurettaSharonMcAllister,alongtimeSheltonresident and former bookkeeper, died Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025, at Puget Sound Care in Tumwater. She was 89.
A private urn committal will take place at a later date at Masonic Cemetery in Elma. Arrangements are by Twibell’s Fern Hill Funeral Home in Aberdeen.
Richele I. Gottwig
Witnesses at the scene report that there was a struggle between the two men inside the diner over control oftheknife.Duringthestruggle,thevictimwasreportedly slashed on the arm multiple times, and the suspect sustainednumerouswounds to his arms, neck, face and head.
Daniel Christopher LeGouaille, mostly known as just “Chris,” passed away Tuesday March 4, 2025, at the age of 62.
Chris was born in Seattle on Dec. I l, 1962. At the age of six his family moved to Triumph, Idaho. Two years later they moved to Ocean Shores, Washington. After high school he worked as a cook in Seattle and New Orleans and a few other kitchens once he returned to Ocean Shores.
Chris eventually found his way into construction and became an excellent drywaller, house painter and finish carpenter. He took great pride in not only
Raymond Police Officer Ivy Stafford was the first officeronthesceneandwasable to gain control of the suspect
his work but in everything he did. He loved music and enjoyed playing at local gigs even more. He played the acoustic guitar and the bass. He loved to learn new things and loved to teach others things they didn’t know. He
withthevictim’shelp.During the struggle, the suspect spit and flung blood and said he hadAIDS.
ThesuspecthasbeenidentifiedasWilliamA.Forsmark.
Forsmark was transported toWillapaHarborHospitalby a Raymond Fire Department ambulance that was staged in the area. His condition is not yet known, and his injury
DougAmes doug.ames@thedailyworld.com
Wagar360-269-7979
made it a habit to always have a positive attitude and a smile, and he always found a way to crack a joke.
He is preceded in death by his mother Joanna and his brother John. He is survived by his son Daniel, granddaughter Kinsley and brother James.
A potluck memorial service is going to be held this Sunday, March 30, 2025, at the Ocean Shores Lions Club from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Cremation arrangements are by Coleman Mortuary. Please record your thoughts for the family by signing the online register at www.colemanmortuary.net
was stated as “bleeding from hisneck.”
The victim was treated at the scene for lacerations and was not transported to the hospital.
Stafford will be evaluated for blood-borne pathogen exposure.
The incident was captured on the diner’s surveillance system.
Born on Sept. 4, 1942, in Bartersville, Oklahoma, and leaving us peacefully in Montesano, Washington, on March 16, 2025, Carol Kessinger’s 82 years were filled with laughter, love, and purpose. Carol’s work life took a meaningful turn from factory lines to the caring halls of a nursing home, where she poured her heart into her calling, offering care and compassion that resonated with everyone fortunate enough to meet her.
Carol held her Christian faith quietly, finding solace and strength in the traditions that guided her
Aberdeen resident Richele I. Gottwig died at home Saturday, March 22, 2025 at the age of 67. Arrangements are by Harrison Family Mortuary.
Robert ‘Bob’ Best
Robert ‘Bob’ H. Best, a former Cosmopolis resident and former owner of Best’s Heating and Air Conditioning, died March 1, 2025, in Kirkland. He was 97. A celebration of life will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 26, at Immanuel Baptist Church, Hoquiam.
A full obituary will follow in The Daily World Arrangements are by Twibell’s Fern Hill Funeral Home in Aberdeen.
heartfelt life. She was driven by her deep value for relationships,alwayscarvingout time to nurture bonds with family and friends. Those who crossed paths with Carol were often treated to fascinating narratives from her childhood and the adventuresofheradultyears — each story a stitch in the fabric of her rich life.
Her joyful legacy continues through her two daughters Stacy and Tammy, two sons, Frank and Kevin (Jake) each carrying forward her gift for finding humor and warmth in everyday exchanges. Known for
her quick wit, if someone greeted her by “Hi” Carol’s typical greeting, would often be met with her signature twist, “No, but maybe later” leaving a smile on the faces of those around her. She was amazing at crocheting and making beautiful quilts for family and friends. Carol ‘s legacy is woven with love, laughter, and the kind of stories that keep her spirit alive in all of us. Her family would like to expressdeepappreciationto all of her apartment family and friends. Thank you for the kindness and friendship that you showed her.
Daniel Christopher LeGouaille
Carol Kessinger
Jeff Clemens Chinook Observer
JEFF CLEMENS / CHINOOK OBSERVER
A suspect in a stabbing incident is loaded onto an ambulance.
EZRA MCCAMPBELL / FOR THE DAILY WORLD
Multiple Law Enforcement Officers from South Bend Police Department, Raymond Police Department, and one deputy from Pacific County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene of a stabbing at the Hungry Heifer Diner in Raymond and detained a suspect.
EZRA MCCAMPBELL / FOR THE DAILY WORLD
The knife used in the stabbing.
front and work with cities to put the best foot forward when we do this. We’re here to sign up as many customers as we can and the worst thing we can do is have a bad relationship with the city and certainly a bad relationship with the community.”
HyperFiber plans to offer 1 GB download and upload speeds at $85 per month. Currently, the main internet provider in Ocean Shores is Coast Communications and their 1 GB packages run $155 per month for residential and $230 for businesses that provide free WiFi to their customers. CenturyLink, which does offer internet service in Ocean Shores, offers 3 Mbps download speeds at $55. According to HyperFiber’s FAQ, “GIG for Life Pricing is our exclusive offer that guarantees your monthly rate stays the same for life when you select the 1 GIG plan.”
“A lot of our speeds start at 500 meg and go up to two gigs and you get that at pretty much the same rate that you’re going to get from any other provider,” Kennedy said. “Nationally, the majority of our customers take our highest tier. It’s very attractive because of the service level that it offers to the consumer.”
Ed Hewson, the owner of Coast Communications, issued the following statement:
“My family has owned and operated Coast Communications, one of Grays Harbor’s longest running family-owned businesses, where we have provided Internet, Telephone, Cable TV, and most of all incredible local customer service for nearly 58 years. My father and his two partners all climbed poles and strung the first cables. Coast was one of the first locations in the nation to bring in high-speed internet service in the 1990s, and we have continued to increase speeds and offer excellent value ever since. We have 15 technicians, managers, and customer service professionals who are all dedicated to giving our customers in Ocean Shores and the North
From Page A1
muscle disease. In January 2003, a court found Gochanour was disabled, and he began collecting benefits. Just two years later, Gochanour obtained his Merchant Mariner Credential from the U.S. Coast Guard indicating that he was physically able to perform shipboard functions.
In January of 2012, the Coast Guard granted Gochanour a medical waiver that required him to submit neurological evaluations regarding the stability of his condition so that he could keep his Merchant Mariner Credential. Gochanour provided the Coast Guard with several of these evaluations.
In 2015, Gochanour and an associate purchased a 41-foot charter fishing boat. Gochanour served as the captain, piloting the boat
Beach same-day service
99% of the time. Coast also provides a local office if our customers just want to walk-in to talk about their needs, or reach the office locally by phone. I don’t believe any out-of-town provider could ever duplicate the local service we offer, and would especially never try to reach all the out-of-the-way neighborhoods we have built to over those nearly 60 years. The new guys in town would most likely stop constructing once the easy to reach homes and businesses had been connected, and if they were the only operator in town that would leave many of our customers unserved. In all of our service locations we already offer 1 Gig internet service, and already offer fiber-tothe-home in the majority of Seabrook, and we are well on our way to offering similar speeds and products to the rest of our service area including Ocean Shores. Our speeds are increasing to similar levels to what the new guys propose and we are already connected to the entire community’s homes, and we haven’t raised our internet prices in over a decade. We are proud that our customer service can’t be matched. In addition, Coast Communications has and will continue to support other local businesses, schools and nonprofits in the area as we believe that community support is a two-way street. For those reasons, we hope that a new, nonlocal company from the East Coast would choose to invest their money into a different town that is less well-served. Our dedication to bringing the best value and services to our customers remains our No. 1 priority, and we will remain dedicated to staying the kind of ‘Awesome and Local’ business that The Beach has always preferred.”
In order for HyperFiber to offer this service to the residents and businesses of Ocean Shores, miles of fiber optic cable will have to be installed throughout the city, which means digging along roadways and on private property. Kennedy said that HyperFiber will roll out a comprehensive communication plan to inform residents.
“As we grow and build
and helping customers catch fish off of Westport. However, no wages were ever reported for Gochanour’s work on the charter craft.
In the plea agreement, Gochanour admits that since at least 2015, his medication and lifestyle allowed him to work several months per year and he should have reported that to SSA. For example, in 2015 Gochanour sent the Coast Guard a letter from his neurologist stating that he was able to work and perform duties on the job.
However, he never provided that letter to SSA, even though he had received a notice that he needed to inform the agency of any relevant changes — including if a doctor said his health had improved. In 2022, Gochanour submitted a Continuing Disability Review Report to SSA that did not disclose his improved health, his Merchant Mariner
out, I will tell you, I (will) jump on this sword right up front, we will be disruptive to the community,”
Kennedy said. “That means you’re going to see trucks and vehicles and things in your yard but we proactively have a group that stays in front of that, you have direct numbers to call for everything that goes on plastered all over everything, you’ll be communicated through mail, you’ll have a big digital presence that communicates exactly what we do.”
Myers echoed Kennedy’s sentiments regarding the disruptive nature of installing fiber optic cable in a community.
“It’s definitely intrusive. We’re going to hit some sprinklers,” Myers said. “I’m not sure everyone understands the utility easement and the right of way. A lot of times it extends behind the sidewalk and comes up into the yard a little bit, and those are people’s yards, flower beds, and we understand it. We need brand ambassadors and advocates to help us explain that we’re going to fix that.”
HyperFiber plans a twophase approach starting with close to 3,700 single family homes in Phase 1, and then multi-family dwellings and businesses in Phase 2. According to the HyperFiber presentation, the company’s minimum community investment in this project is $5.3 million, with no cost to the city of Ocean Shores. The company is also promising
Credential, or his work as a charter ship captain.
Prosecutors have agreed to recommend a sentence of three months in prison followed by three months of home detention. Chief Judge Estudillo is not bound bytherecommendationand can impose any sentence allowed by law. Social Security fraud is punishable by up to five years in prison.
Inaparallelcivilinvestigation, Gochanour has agreed to pay the government $253,856 of which $126,928 is restitution for the benefits he wrongly received. The remaining amount owed will settle civil claims.
The case was investigated by the Social Security Office of Inspector General and the Coast Guard Investigative Service.
The criminal case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Jessica M. Ly. The civil case was handled by Assistant United States Attorney Katie Fairchild.
to “replace, restore and regrow” as it installs its fiber optic cable.
The company, which is headquartered in Chesterfield, Missouri, plans to use a combination of familiar contractors as well as local labor.
“The contractors that we have we’ve been working with for a very long time, but we also hire local, that’s extremely important to us,” Kennedy said. “The dollars we drive in the community is one thing but the relationships that make us successful are what we do here.”
Myers added that the hiring wheels are already in motion.
“We’re going to hire local engineering partners to the best of our ability,” Myers said. “Washington is an expensive market to build. I’ve already hired a local construction manager south of Seattle, we’ll put another one in place, especially in market, hire local market managers to be our liaison to the community.”
According to Kennedy, HyperFiber will allow users to connect numerous devices with no loss of connectivity or speed.
“The newer equipment
today allows for better coverage, more thorough coverage in your home at higher speeds. That’s really the name of the game,” Kennedy said. “As you (have) multiple devices in your home that want to connect you’re going to see that we give you exactly what we say we’re going to do.”
Residents attending the town hall in person and online had the opportunity to ask questions and offer comments. Questions ranged from the highly technical, trench depth, water tables and drainage ditches to monthly rates, installation costs and environmental impacts.
HyperFiber plans on utilizing Grays Harbor PUD’s backhaul network to supply the bandwidth necessary to fuel their fiber optic internet service. The company says it will pay for any necessary equipment upgrades.
“We just met with the PUD prior to coming here. PUD has a pretty large network that will be able to have a redundancy in here,” Kennedy said. “We’ll pay for the gear to upgrade it, or we’ll pay for the associated redundancy we need, some of it may have to be built, some of it may exist, we always prefer it (to exist). What they’re representing to us is that they have the capacity or the bandwidth
we need.”
Aaron Mefford, the Grays Harbor PUD core services director, said working with HyperFiber will be similar to arrangements with other telecommunications companies.
“The PUD offers what we call a dark fiber model. We lease fiber optic cables that we have left over from the many projects that we have to inter-tie our PUD communications throughout Grays Harbor,” Mefford said. “The PUD has been operating a dark fiber model for the last 20-25 years. We partner with a lot of the different telecommunications companies. We’re excited to work with HyperFiber. It does seem like they’re really doing their due diligence on looking into what it would take to serve the different communities in Grays Harbor.” HyperFiber is planning on starting its design phase next week, and after working through permitting and other procedures hopes to have shovels in the ground within 90 days, and their first customers online within six months. The company promises no installation fees and no contract. It will offer new customers $200 toward contract cancellation fees with existing providers. HyperFiber is looking to work with 22 cities between Ocean Shores and Seattle.
VIDEO SCREENSHOTS FROM NORTH BEACH TV
HyperFiber President and CEO Dan Kennedy
HyperFiber Senior Vice President of Engineering and Construction Matt Myers
to develop a firebreak along much of the peninsula.
According to the Western Fire Chiefs Association, “A firebreak can be a barrier of fire-resistant vegetation, non-flammable materials, or exposing the bare ground to halt the growth and to stop the fire from escaping the burn unit. … There are three categories of firebreaks: Natural, Existing, or Constructed.”
Scott Andersen, the Ocean Shores City administrator, would like to see a firebreak similar to one that wasputinplacealong“hotel row.”
“That growth has gotten extremely thick. It’s like a wall. What we would like to do is create an extension of the same type of firebreak that was put in on hotel row for public safety purposes,” Andersen told KOSW Radio.
“If we get a bad wind on a hot sunny day, we could be looking at a situation like
we saw in Hawaii and California. It could be bad. The only other break is Ocean Shores Boulevard, and then the only one after that is the Grand Canal. Wax Myrtle is extremely flammable when it’s dried out.”
However, as with the hotel row firebreak, the city will have to work with different agencies and seek their
approval before such a firebreak can be engineered.
State Rep. Adam Bernbaum, D-24th District, recently met with Ocean Shores Mayor Frank Elduen, Andersen and Ocean Shores Fire
Chief Brian Ritter to discuss the issue. Rep. Bernbaum’s office is following up with the Washington Department of Ecology.
also give firefighters more maneuverability when combatting a wildfire.
“Ryan (O’Connor), my legislative assistant, has been meeting with (the Washington State Department of) Ecology,” Rep. Bernbaum told KOSW Radio. “I think they have had a handful of meetings to see if there is some opportunity to deal with this issue at the agency level just to see if Ecology can be flexible about getting the city the permission that they need to expand the break and if that doesn’t work we’ll look at something legislative in the next session.”
Chief Ritter explained that a firebreak would not only protect property but
“If you are on the dunes side of the beach, there’s a bunch of vegetation that is unmanaged, some of these trees and plants are 25-30 feet high. It has the potential to become Wildland Urban Interface firefighting where it’s starting to encroach on the condominiums, the hotels/motels and thehomes,”ChiefRittersaid.
“We would like to see a firebreak go from the Chance (a la Mer) approach all the way down to Marine View Drive, hopefully 50 to 100 feet wide if at all possible. That would give us time to set up a defensive fire (tactic) rather than chasing it through homes and things like that.”
According to Chief Ritter, natural environment considerations can be a stumbling block when it comes to working with state agencies and trying to get
Ocean Shores firefighters
What made America great in the Gilded Age
“We were at our richest from 1870 to 1913. That’s when we were a tariff country,” said President Donald Trump recently, and he’s not wrong. But tariffs aren’t the whole story. The genius of the Gilded Age was interstate regulatory and tax competition.
That economy boomed. From 1870 to 1913, America’s GDP grew at nearly 5 percent per year. Even though America’s population nearly tripled during that time, with 30 million immigrants, per capita GDP doubled. Steel production boomed, surpassing Britain, France, and Germany combined. Railway miles quadrupled.
A period that began amid the ruins of civil war ended with America in first place among the world’s great economic powers. Washington collected lots of tariffs then, but little else. Before the 16th Amendment paved the way for federal income taxes in 1913, Congress was spending barely 1% of GDP — compared with nearly 25% today. Meanwhile, the federal power to regulate commerce was limited to transactions that actually crossed state lines, leaving the vast majority of regulation to the states.
States competed for capital and labor by keeping their taxes and regulations light and efficient. As a result, America became the world’s most competitive economy, attracting a flood of foreign capital and workers. It’s no surprise
that the booming economy of the Gilded Age was able to sustain tariffs.
Of course, that period had its dark sides — political corruption, “Robber Barons,” child labor, and environmental degradation. These excesses sparked the progressive movement. The sprawling administrative state created by President Woodrow Wilson was soon dictating prices for nearly every major commodity and service, leading to massive economic distortions.
By the stock market crash of 1929, the economy was no longer competitive.
Take a stand against any additional killing of whales
Under the guise of renewing an ancient tradition, one young gray whale was killed in 1999 with four .577-caliber bullets, three purchased stainless-steel harpoons, modern motorized boats, an armed Coast Guard escort, government-funded helicopters, a small army of federal officers — abundant tax dollars at their disposal. Ancient tradition? Supported with my money?
Such whaling is neither a tradition nor a subsistence hunt, which is why many of the tribe’s elders objected to renewed whaling. Some were harassed for doing so. I read in the paper that Alberta Johnson lost her job when she spoke out against whaling, her house and car were vandalized and her dog was killed. Hardly an expression of traditional native ways, which honor and respect elders.
Importantly, traditional native ethics (almost universally) only permit killing when necessary. Washington natives no longer need to kill whales to survive. (Obviously, since this has not been possible for about 100 years.)
Natives were among those employed on whaling boats in the 19th and 20th centuries; some became wealthy helping to hunt Pacific whales nearly to extinction — natives also carry some of the responsibility for the disappearance of Pacific whales and the resultant international ban on whaling.
Nor is there any reason to renew this hunt based on the 1855 “Treaty of Neah Bay,” which grants fishing, whaling and seal hunting “in common with all citizens of the United States.” It is no longer permissible for any citizen to hunt whales: The treaty does not grant exclusive whaling rights to native peoples.
In any event, not all traditions are worth keeping — we would never permit the renewal of human sacrifice or head hunting, for example, and if granted, native hunting will be difficult to withdraw.
Whales are social and intelligent. When hunted and killed, they suffer not only physically, but also emotionally. The gray whale is protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Both the International Whaling Commission and CITES oppose any renewed whaling (because it is not a subsistence hunt and whales are declining and still
facing the same deindustrialization that Germany and Great Britain are facing today. Even in America’s most innovative sectors — like high technology — warning signs are everywhere. The entire supply chain for semiconductor manufacturing has moved offshore, with only high-end engineering remaining in the U.S. China is already making inroads into these areas, and if America doesn’t act fast, it could soon start falling behind even in the high-tech race. Today, both parties are trapped in the maze of progressive government, a system that subordinates the public interest to special-interest groups seeking protection from competition — from the Jones Act to the sugar program. That is the real swamp, and escaping it will require thinking outside the box, with ideas such as Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency.
A new round of tariffs — the Smoot Hawley Tariff Act of 1930 — devastated the economy, deepening the Great Depression.
Franklin D. Roosevelt’s “New Deal” doubled down on progressivism, dramatically expanding the reach of the federal government. His court-packing scheme coerced the Supreme Court into dismantling the crucial constitutional limits on the federal power to regulate commerce, and the federal leviathan was born.
Progressives viewed interstate competition as a “race to the bottom” and held that it was the
federal government ‘s role to stop it. What this meant in practice was protections from competition for every special-interest group that could hire lobbyists in Washington. Government became a system for wealth redistribution through subsidies, unfunded mandates, and government-created cartels — from the farm program to the National Labor Relations Act to socialized medicine.
America’s private sector remains the world’s most innovative and productive, but a century of progressive policy has driven companies and jobs
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
at risk).
The United States ought to set an example by honoring international law. Our nation has long objected to the unauthorized whaling of Japan, Norway and Iceland. We weaken our voice in the international community when we disregard international laws.
We lose hundreds of gray whales to human activity each year (boat strikes, nets and hunting). Pacific whale numbers have declined since 2016; since 2019 a disconcerting number of gray whales have washed ashore showing nutritional distress, i.e. they are starving.
Climate change and the general collapse of fisheries (overfishing) has put whales at greater risk. Immigrants have done much wrong to natives, but permitting a whale hunt will not undo wrongs done, but only create more wrongs. It is irresponsible to permit any additional killing of whales, and from the whale’s point of view, cruel.
Until May 5, comments to the proposal to permit a renewed whale killing can be submitted through regulations.gov, by mail as described in the federal register notice, or via email to MakahPermit.WCR@noaa.gov. Lisa Kemmerer Ocean Shores
Trump is a dictator
Webster’s dictionary defines a dictator as a person having absolute authority and supreme governmental powers.
A short time back, one had to flee his country (Syria?), family and all, to stay with another dictator, Putin.
In my opinion, Donald Trump falls into this category with love from religious persons across this country.
Donald drove the nail in the coffin for Christian (?) people in this country who want to force their beliefs on the rest of us.
Now some states want to put the teaching of the Bible in schools. Is this why Sir Donald wants to do away with the Department of Education?
Didn’t the peanut farmer teach us anything? A very religious person who kept it out of politics. He taught Sunday School after he left the White House. Separation of church and state is in our Constitution.
offshore. Such policies have proven particularly toxic in areas of low-skill labor, as attested by today’s Rust Belt towns, Appalachian communities, and inner cities.
Investment flows where taxes and regulations are low and production factors like labor and electricity are reliable and affordable.
In all those metrics the U.S. is falling further and further behind much of the world.
In the energy sector, heavily subsidized renewable energy is pushing America’s electricity rates toward European levels. America could soon be
As President Donald Trump recognizes, the U.S. must become once again the world’s most attractive place to do business. Tariffs alone will not get us there. We must free America’s economy from the stifling burdens of progressive government and tax policy, and return to the interstate competition that made America great in the Gilded Age.
Mario Loyola is a Senior Research Fellow for Environmental Policy and Regulation in The Heritage Foundation’s Center for Energy, Climate, and Environment.
If Donald Trump is a religious person, I sure as hell would like to know what church that is. Tell lies, cheat, run everybody else down and tell what a bad job they do or have done. He does not have anything good to say about anybody except those that think he can do no wrong. Boy, am I going to catch hell for this. Bring it on.
Logical common sense, not many people have that anymore.
Think about history or doesn’t that matter any more? Lonnie Yucha Aberdeen
Republican politicians dissing the voters
Anybody besides me happen to notice that our esteemed Republican representatives don’t think it is of any great use of their time to meet with their constituents? Buried at the bottom of page 4 in the March 8, 2025 The Daily World is a notice that after badgering and politicking their way into office they feel no need to meet their constituents face to face in a regular town hall format but will do it via ZOOM, which by the way their big brothers in Washington, D.C. were suggested to do so as to not have to put up with angry people that don’t like the way they are boot licking Trump.
Seems that would be their reason why our esteemed Republican reps are doing it to us. All they have done is try to shove down our throats ideas like changing the way parents interact with their own kids and also tried to pass a law that said we don’t need to be told about their monetary repercussions of any bill put up to a vote by the people. And their newest one is they don’t like the way Washington state takes care of its voter rolls.
Hell, all Rep. Jim Walsh, R-Aberdeen has to do is let go an unprotected sneeze and his name and picture are on the front page.
Oh, I got $10 that says not all that wish to be registered for this outstanding event on ZOOM will be allowed to participate.
Ray Messenger Hoquiam
Michael Wagar Editor
Doug Ames General Sales Manager
Mario Loyola The Heritage Foundation
Dunes
a project like this proposed firebreak accomplished.
“We have some hurdles we need to try to jump through with the Department of Ecology. I do know the part of the Dune Trail does involve some wetland areas, but we’re going to try to work with the Department of Ecology to see if we can come up with some sort
of agreement,” Chief Ritter said. “I think it would benefit the community in a lot of ways. But first and foremost I think public safety, the safety of our tourists and our residents is our primary concern. If you take a look at what happened in L.A., Lahaina, there’s a misconception that that can’t happen here. It’s nerve racking, it’s something I lose sleep over, it’s only a matter of time. It’s not if, it’s when. I think we need to be more proactive.”
Every Independence Day, thousands of people descenduponOceanShores and flock to the beach for an enormous amateur fireworks display. With the city dependent on the revenue tourism brings, and the Forth of July weekend as one of the top annual drivers, there is a fine line between mitigating fire risk and the financial health of Ocean Shores. Chief Ritter said he and his department are well aware of the risk and the city’s reliance on
the holiday.
“We’re going to start planning for the Fourth of July next month. We try to bring in extra resources. It is chaotic out there. A lot of times alcohol is involved,” Chief Ritter said. “It does take a lot of time and resources for the city to host that event. In a perfect world, I would like to see a professional show, maybe invite more families out to the beach in a more controlled environment. Everybody knows it’s a huge
revenue stream for the city and the local businesses and that’s really the rub. I’ve had severe injuries out there. I’ve had lots of emergencies out on the beach, sometimes it’s difficult to locate people in the smoke. Again, it’s a huge revenue stream for the local business owners. We’re a tourist town, we just try to pool our resources and do the best we can with what we have.”
The city of Ocean Shores does impose strict distancing rules when it comes
to Fourth of July revelers and the dunes in order to prevent fires during the festivities. Fire watches and robust communications systems are employed as well. As diligent as the Ocean Shores Fire Department is and tries to be to mitigate fire risk and respond in the event of an emergency, a firebreak all along the oceanside of the peninsula would go a long way in protecting homes and businesses from a catastrophe.
SeaLINK
cable landing stations and related facilities and operations to be developed in conjunction with certain subsea telecommunications and cabling equipment projects.” According to a Jan. 28
press release issued by Alaska Power & Telephone Company (AP&T) upon their acquisition of SEALink, “(SEALink) is currently developing a cable landing station for subsea cables in Westport, Washington. These cables, also known as submarine cables, are fiber optic cables laid on the ocean floor and used to transmit
data between continents or across large bodies of water, including providing connectivity for Alaska to the lower 48 states. … The subsea cables are anticipated to replace aging cables used by AP&T and other carriers, allowing Alaska residents, businesses, and communities to continue to receive high quality services.”
OUR HEARTS GUIDE US
H.G.Spaffordwasasuccessfulbusinessmanandproperty ownerinChicagointhelastcentury.Oneyearhisyoungson died.Thefollowingyearhelostallofhisrealestateholdings intheGreatChicagoFire.Wantingtogetawayfromitallfora while,he,hiswife,andfourdaughters,decidedtotakeacruise toEnglandandjoinD.L.MoodyandIraSankeyinoneoftheir overseascrusades,tobeheldinMerryO’Englandin1873. LastminutebusinessdemandsrequiredMr.Spaffordtostay behindforafewdays.Whileonitswayacrosstheocean,theship onwhichMrs.Spaffordandthegirlsweresailingwasrammed byanothershipcausingtheirshiptosinkinjusttwelveminutes. Survivors,(includingMrs.Spafford),weretakentoWales,where shecabledherhusband,“savedalone”.Shatteredandstricken withgrief,H.G.sailed.HisshipCaptainstoppedtheirvesselover thespotwheretheaccidenthadhappened.Whileontheforedeck, onhiskneespraying,Mr.Spaffordwasoverwhelmedwitha thoughtthatwaslatertransformedintooneofthechurch’sbest lovedandheartmovinghymns.Thesong: ITISWELLWITHMYSOUL Whenpeace,likeariver,attendethmyway, whensorrowslikeseabillowsroll, whatevermylot,thouhastaughtmetosay, itiswell,itiswell,withmysoul Itseemswewouldalldowelltofollowthesongwritersexample andexperience,andthenexttimepainandanguishcome, remember,itcanstillbewellwithoursoul. Afterall,it’sourheartsthatguideus.
SEALink’s proposal also allows for, “Future community buildout of fiber-to-thepremise to provide more
In addition to the cable landing station, fiber backhaul routes from Westport to Olympia and Westport to Chehalis are planned. According to internet infrastructure company Meter, “A fiber backhaul network connects smaller, local networks — like those at mobile towers, broadband accesspoints,andenterprise setups — to core networks or regional hubs, which may then connect to the larger Internetinfrastructure.…It’s the conduit through which data travels between these localpointsanddatacenters, making it possible for information to move efficiently across great distances.”
options for residential and business internet.” If the lease agreement is approved by the Westport City Council during the second reading at the March 31 meeting, construction for the Cable Landing Station project would begin later this year and is expected to be completed in late 2027 or early 2028.
From Page A1
SEALINK
This overview shows the location of the proposed SEALink Cable Landing Station.
GOP’s Walsh derides WA Senate Dems’ $78.5B budget proposal
from 6.5% to 6%.
Brett Davis The Center Square
DemocratsintheWashington State Senate on Monday released a proposed $78.5 billion operating budget for the 2025-2027 biennium, up from the $72.4 billion in the current2023-2025biennium.
The Senate’s proposed budget calls for $6.5 billion in cuts and $16 billion in new revenue,anetof$6.2billionin the 2025-2027 biennium and $9.8 billion in the 2027-2029 biennium.
Theproposedbudget’snew revenue includes a financial assets tax on individuals with more than $50 million in publicly traded assets and a 5% payroll expense tax on
Congresswoman says federal recognition is an essential step toward addressing historical injustices, but that a “messaging” bill would reduce credibility
In mid-March a Chinook Indian Nation social media post stated that U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Skamania, had backed off of her promise to champion federal recognition for the tribe at the mouth of the Columbia River.
The Chinook Indian Nation comprises roughly 3,000memberswhodescend from five Chinookan-speaking tribes: west of Longview, the Clatsop and Cathlamet of present day Oregon and the lower Chinook, Wahkiakum and Willapa of present day Washington. In order to
compensation above the Social Security threshold for employers with $7 million or more in annual payroll. It also allows for larger hikes in property tax rates. While the 1% cap on property tax growth would be maintained, increases based on inflation and population – never to exceed 3% – would be allowed.
The budget also repeals 20 tax exemptions identified as ineffective or obsolete by nonpartisan auditors and lowers the state sales tax rate
According to the budget, funds would be used for K-12 education,healthcare,public safety and social services.
Sen. June Robinson, D-Everett, chair of the Senate Ways & Means Committee, characterized the budget as a middle ground between long-term fiscal stability and preserving essential services.
“Crafting this budget required tough choices, thoughtful conversations and a strong commitment to the people of Washington,” she said in a news release. “An all-cuts approach was neveronthetable–notwhen it meant turning our backs on schools, health care and the basic services people
depend on. This budget is a choice to lead responsibly –to face the reality in front of usandrespondwithsolutions thatarenotjustbalancedand sustainable,butworthyofthe people we serve.”
Rep. Jim Walsh
Rep. Jim Walsh, R-Aberdeen, who is also the chair of theWashingtonStateRepublican Party, was critical of the budget and what he referred to as “zombie tax increases.”
He gave his thoughts on the new taxes in the Senate Democrats’ budget.
“They’ve revived this so-called wealth tax, which is the capital gains tax on unrealized capital gains,” Walsh
said. “So, it’s a tax on money you make selling an asset or investmentwhenyouhaven’t sold the asset or investment.”
He noted “if I lose money on an asset or investment, will they credit me? And the answer is ‘no.’ They want credit here, so it’s a one-way ticket.”
Walsh was critical of the payroll expense tax, essentially a statewide version of Seattle’s JumpStart Payroll Tax.
“Thedefenderssayit’satax on the payroll of highly paid executives,” he said. “That’s not what it is. It’s a higher payroll tax than everybody, and it’s the reason you’ve seen several businesses already moving out of Seattle
and go across the bridge over to Bellevue or wherever.” Walsh saved his harshest criticism for Senate Democrats’ plans for property taxes.
“So, the real dog in the package is the increase in property taxes, and I should add it’s not just the 1% to 3%,” he said. “It’s 1% to 3% plus an inflationfactor,soitwouldbe actually greater than 3%.”
The budget is scheduled for a public hearing in the Senate Ways & Means Committeeat4p.m.Tuesday and an executive session at 4 p.m. Thursday. Lawmakers must negotiate and pass a final budget by April 27, the end of the 105-day legislative session.
Chinook Indian Nation critical of Perez over ‘broken promise’
be a citizen of the Chinook Indian Nation, a person has to descend from those tribes.
Achieving sovereign status would benefit the Chinooks in many ways, including funding and access for their own health care and education service programs as well as the ability to buy land and start businesses. Along with improved economic opportunities, the nation would have better access to natural resources at the mouth of the Columbia River, which they call home.
This is an ongoing fight for the Chinooks — over 120 years.TheChinooksarewithout a reservation but have been able to call their ancestral lands home.
“Our community has heard too many broken promises from representatives of the U.S. Government,” the Chinook Indian Nation stated in the social mediapost.“We’resaddened to share that Marie Gluesenkamp Perez has backed off her promise to champion
Chinook recognition in favor of corporate interests. Her proposed bill amendments would take all vital resource rightsawayfromtheChinook people.”
The post was made prior to Gluesenkamp Perez’s town hall at the Raymond Theatre on Friday, March 14.
The Chinook Indian Tribe Office in Bay Center is just a half hour away, so the post also called on members of the Chinook community to attend and voice their concerns.
In the town hall, Gluesenkamp Perez immediately noddedherheadwhenasked what the plan is to introduce a bill for Chinook tribal recognition.
“So I’ve been really adamant that like this is the morally correct thing,” she said in response. “The Chinook Nation had it. They had it. And they lost it because of a very bad system.”
The Chinooks believed their fight was over when,
in 2001, the Chinook Indian Nation obtained federal recognition from the U.S. government.Thatvictorywas short-lived as their sovereign status was revoked just 18 months later by the George W. Bush administration. On July 5, 2002, a news release by the Bureau of Indian Affairs stated that Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Indian Affairs Neal A. McCaleb signed a reconsidered final determination declining the Chinook Indian Nation’s acknowledgment. The reconsideration found that the January 2001 determination generated from improper interpretation of a 1925claimsact,a1912claims act and a 1911 allotment act.
“It is also the case that we need 218 votes in the House,” Gluesenkamp Perez said at the town hall. “And we need 51 votes in the Senate. And so having the morally correct answer is a big part of that question. But it’s also true that we have to have the biggest team of advocates
possible to do that.”
Gluesenkamp Perez told town hall attendees that she has some concerns.
“Things I’ve read in the media might be misrepresenting a couple of really important questions,” she said. “One of which is, how many tribes are supporting that? What level of tribal support is there to build that threshold? It is really important that we have the biggest team possible.”
She added that a “messaging bill” reduces credibility.
She said that the legislation needs to be supported by neighboring tribes and answer key questions of where the reservation would beandwhatthefishingrights would be.
“Andhavingaclearanswer to those questions is a really important part of having a bill with legs,” Gluesenkamp Perez said, “having a bill that can do the right things. And soIabsolutelysupportrecognitionoftheChinookNation, and the question following
that is, how do we get there? Whatdowedotobuildthat?”
Gluesenkamp Perez said, as a member of the House Democrats who are in the minority, she has been working with Chinook Indian Nation Chairman Tony Johnson and his members in order to introduce the strongest version of a bill that has the greatest chances of passing the House and Senate and being signed into law.
“Federal recognition would grant the tribe a government-to-government relationship with the United States and begin to right the wrongs the Chinook people have endured for generations, from the original seizure of their ancestral lands, to the forced attendance of Chinook children at Indian boarding schools, to the subsequent decades ofdiscrimination,”shestated. “Grantingfederalrecognition totheChinookIndianNation is an essential step toward addressing these historical injustices.”
JOINUSFOROUR MEETTHEBUILDERS EVENTAT SCHAFER CROSSING anewdevelopmentwithatotalof16beautiful 5acrelots.Buildyourownhomeorchooseoneofthe4 premierbuildersrepresented.Findouthoweasyitwillbe tocreatethehomeofyourdreamsononeofthesemagical settings.Exploreyouroptionsandgetreadytolivethelife ofpeaceandtranquilityyou’vebeendreamingof.Therewill bemultiplefloorplanstochoosefrom.Lotsincludedrilled wellandpowerwithfiberopticsforinternet.Locatedbetween ElmaandMontesanonearthesparklingSatsopRiver.Just5 minutestoSchaferStateParkforfishingandcamping. Directions:I-5toWA-8to4thStreetinSatsop.TakeE. SatsopRoadtoWLillieRoadtoRavenLane.
Cade Barker For The Chronicle
Rep. Jim Walsh
Windsoutheast12-25knotstoday.Seas3-6feet.Visibilityunderamileinthunderyrain.Windsouth20-30knots tonight.Seas4-8feet.Acoupleofshowers.Windsoutheast 20-30knotstomorrow.Seas8-12feet.Visibilityunder3 milesinmorningrain.Friday:Windsouth15-25knots.Seas 8-12feet.Visibilityunder2milesinshowers.Saturday:Wind south10-20knots.Seas4-7feet.Visibilityunder3milesin morningrain.
Much of Western Washington could see isolated severe storms that are capable of producing significant hail, lightning and severe wind in the afternoon Wednesday, March 26.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center has identified a 2% probability of a tornado in the severe weather zone. The possibility of a tornado is extremely low,buttheforecastedprobability is rare for the region.
South Beach Regional Fire Authority posted on Tuesday afternoon that
thunderstorms could start popping up in the afternoon and evening of Wednesday, with a 30-50% chance of some thunder and lightning. While tornadoes are unlikely, we can’t rule out a little spin-up here and there. Some storms might get feisty, bringing in hail bigger than 1 inch or winds over 58 mph.
Thefirststormscouldstart showing up on the Olympic Peninsula before 10 a.m., but the real action will roll in from the south after 4 or 5 p.m., just in time to shake up your commute. Watch out for potential impacts near local burn scars, which could lead to debris flows or mudslides.
AfterWednesday,acooler, unsettled pattern will settle in on Thursday and stick around through the weekend. You can expect more rounds of rain (lowland showers and mountain snow), but nothing too crazy is on the radar for now.
If you’re heading to the coast, brace for some high surf on Thursday — waves could reach 20 feet. The elevated sea conditions may hang around into Friday.
The Puget Sound Storm Watch Facebook page stated that central and western Lewis County has the greatest chance to see a tornado as the Significant Tornado Parameter Index labels a 3.55 over
the area. They added that anything more than a 1 on the index is extremely rare for Washington.
The storm prediction center also upgraded the severe weather outlook from a marginal risk to a level two slight risk. Again, rare for the region. The main reason for upgraded risk is due to a rare chance of large hail.
The Washington Weather Chasers Facebook page stated this is the first time in Washington state history
thatasevereweatherprediction center has issued a risk for significant hail.
The weather event forecast for Wednesday is said by many meteorologists to be isolated storms, compared to a widespread storm system, so some areas within the current slight risk zone might see nothing while others are hit by one of the storm cells.
Thegeneralslightriskarea includes the Seattle metropolitan area south to the
Eugene, Oregon area along the Interstate 5 corridor and Cascade mountain range.
The National Weather Service of Portland posted across social media for residents in the region to be weather-ready.
“Check the forecast regularly to see if you’re at risk for severe weather and have multiple ways to receive warnings, watches and alerts,” they stated.
— The Reflector contributed to this report
The Daily World
Can Wilson be the missing link for a M’s breakthrough?
Adam Jude Seattle Times staff reporter
Whether the club fully realized it at the time, the Seattle Mariners had, by fall 1993, already assembled the core cast of characters that would come to define the greatest era of baseball this region has known.
More than three decades later, generations of Mariners fans can still instantly identify each of those characters by a single name.
There was Junior, the precocious superstar, soon to be the face of the sport.
There was Randy, the largerthan-life presence on the mound.
There was Edgar, the best righthanded hitter of his time.
There was Jay, the slugging right fielder and ultimate clubhouse leader.
There was Lou, the irascible and lovable manager.
And there was one missing piece just joining the mix.
That was Dan.
Before they became unforgettable, those Mariners of the 1990s could be equally unpredictable and unnerving. If it felt like the roof was falling in on them at times, well, that’s because the roof was literally collapsing at the Kingdome. There were big personalities, big egos and a big question whether
Romero’s overtime PK goal leads Monte to win
Bulldogs win hard-fought
1A Evergreen League matchup
Montesano matched up with East County rival Elma for another exciting contest between two of the top teams in the 1A Evergreen League as we review Monday’s boys prep soccer games on the Harbor.
BOYS PREP SOCCER
Montesano 1, Elma 0
In what figures to be a tight race for the 1A Evergreen League title, Montesano took a big step forward with a 1-0 win over Elma in overtime on Monday at Jack Rottle Field in Montesano.
The Bulldogs (4-0 overall, 4-0 1A Evergreen) and Eagles (1-2, 1-2) each had their chances in what turned out to be a high energy, back-and-forth game.
Both teams took its shots in a first half, including Montesano
missing on several golden scoring opportunities in the first minutes of the match and a dangerous Elma point-blank header that was deflected away by Bulldogs sophomore goalkeeper Matt Causey.
Montesano had a slight advantage in scoring chances in the second half, including several long throw-ins toward the net by senior forward Felix Romero that created some tense moments in front of the Eagles’ goal. But Elma sophomore keeper Trey Yeager and the Eagles defense steered
away any headers and loose-ball attempts to keep the game scoreless heading into overtime.
Two minutes into the first extra period, an Elma attack penetrated deep inside the Monte third, with the ball dropped back to the foot of the Eagles’ Ivan Rodriguez.
The sophomore midfielder blistered a shot that was heading to the far-high corner of the net, but Causey made a fullyextended, leaping one-handed
the likes of Ken Griffey
could put it all together under Lou Piniella. This isn’t to suggest that the arrival of a little-known backup catcher would catapult the Mariners to their glorious heights in
M’s Brash dazzles in first outing since elbow surgery: ‘I’m back’
PEORIA, Ariz. — Nearly a year later, with his first competitive pitch since major elbow surgery, Matt Brash stepped on the mound at Peoria Sports Complex and fired a 98.5-mph fastball for a first-pitch strike.
“Pretty smooth,” the Mariners’ right-handed reliever said.
In 92-degree desert heat, Brash needed just three pitches to strike out the first batter he faced Monday afternoon. He struck out the next batter looking at a 97.3-mph sinker dotted at the bottom of the zone. It was then that the totality of what he’d been through — a dramatic injury and an arduous recovery — struck Brash on the mound.
“There’s a lot of emotions,” he said. “ … After I struck out the second guy, I kind of took it all in and I was like, ‘Wow, I’m back.’”
Since having Tommy John surgery in May, Brash has largely been ahead of schedule in his rehabilitation.
His first in-game appearance Monday was an important hurdle he had to clear. It was his first time pitching in a game since Sept. 30, 2023. There is no specific timeline for his return, but the club is optimistic he’ll be back with the big-league bullpen around May 1.
“To see Matty come out there after what he’s been through … I know there was a lot riding on today,” manager Dan Wilson said. “And for him to look as sharp as he did coming out of the gate, [that’s a] really good sign.”
After a strong spring camp, Brash had asked Mariners coaches if he could pitch in the final Cactus League game Monday against the San Diego Padres. He had thrown some “live” bullpens against teammates on the backfield here at the Mariners complex, but he wanted the feel of a game
Can M’s starting pitchers — already MLB’s best — be even better?
Mike Vorel Seattle Times columnist
The Mariners have one path to the playoffs.
It’s paved with starting pitching.
As embattled president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto confirmed in a pre-spring video conference Feb. 3: “We did have some conversation around [trading]ourpitchers,particularlywhen there were so many phone calls coming in right around the time of the winter meetings. But it was
always our desire to get to opening day with the five, and that starting five is in place.
“Good health permitting, that’s our five starting pitchers. We’re going to ride ‘em like we always have.”
Before you say it: I agree. There are problems with that plan.
Namely, the good health permitting part. Mariners starters have enjoyed a remarkable run of reliability, leading MLB in innings in both 2023 (901.1) and 2024 (942.2). Four of their five starters topped
175 innings last season — Logan Gilbert (208.2, 1st in MLB), George Kirby (191.0, 9th), Bryce Miller (180.1, 21st) and Luis Castillo (175.1, 31st). Bryan Woo added 121.1 innings as well.
In a sport where dizzying spin rates test an arm’s limitations, it’s unrealistic to expect Seattle’s starters to remain unscathed.
Or, as general manager Justin Hollander said in an interview on 710 AM Seattle Sports on Feb. 24: “I don’t think we found the pixie dust that’s going to allow us to keep
pitchers healthy when the rest of the free world can’t. We’ll have adversity to overcome this year.”
It’s already arrived. On March 7, Hollander announced that Kirby — who went 14-11 with a 3.53 ERA in 33 starts (tied for most in MLB) in 2024 — had been shut down due to shoulder inflammation. The 27-year-old is expected to start the seasonontheinjuredlist,thrusting sixth man Emerson Hancock into the available void.
Granted, Dipoto and Co. want to ride their starting pitching for
a reason. The Mariners’ rotation topped MLB in quality starts (92, 12 more than the No. 2 Phillies), ERA (3.38), opponent batting average (.221), WHIP (1.03), batting average on balls in play (.261), walks per nine innings (1.77), K/ BB ratio (4.81) and opponent line drive percentage (18.2%) in 2024. It was the best rotation in baseball.
But what happens if/when a wheel falls off?
Jr., Randy Johnson, Edgar Martinez and Jay Buhner
Adam Jude Seattle Times staff reporter
BOYS PREP SOCCER See SOCCER, Page B3
PHOTO BY FOREST WORGUM
The Montesano Bulldogs celebrate after Felix Romero (15) scored on a penalty kick in overtime for a golden goal in a 1-0 win over Elma on Monday at Montesano High School.
1995. Dan Wilson wasn’t a leading man. But he was what the Mariners needed. His calm stability, his understated intensity, came at the most important position and at the most important time in franchise history.
He was the backstop who became the connective tissue in the backbone of the team, the final stitch of thread that helped bring everything together in ’95.
Thirty years later, as Wilson embarks on his first full season as the club’s manager, the Mariners are asking him to be that stabilizing presence once again.
Team first
Too good to be true?
Dan Wilson, a traditional Midwesterner at heart, has always carried the Mr. Nice Guy label.
“Always,” Annie Wilson said.
Annie has known her husband since they were in third grade, when her family moved to Barrington, Ill., about an hour’s drive northwest of Chicago.
They became high-school sweethearts,marriedin1992 and raised four children together in Seattle.
“We laugh as a family and we tease Dan all the time because he just has no ego,” Annie said. “He has a fiery, competitive spirit, but it’s never about him. It’s about the team. It’s always about winning, but it’s never about him. He doesn’t like the light shining on him, so we always just tease him about that. Like, he’s just so pure and good, and I love seeing him exalted in this position, because I think he does it for all the right reasons. He never aspired to be a manager. He wasn’t looking for that. He was just staying involved because he really wanted to help the organization, and he was grateful.”
Iron sharpens iron
During his 34-game indoctrination as a bigleague manager last summer, Wilson had one familiar influence guiding him in the dugout.
“I do hear Lou’s voice in the back of my head often,” he said.
Piniella’s voice was a constant for Wilson during his playing days, whether he wanted to hear it or not.
Everyone knew Piniella was tough on his pitchers; he didn’t bother to hide that during his 10-year run as the Mariners’ manger.
Behind the scenes, though, Wilson often bore the brunt of Piniella’s ire, particularly early on in the young catcher’s career.
“Dan definitely took his lumps,” said Rich Amaral, the Mariners’ longtime utility player and one of Wilson’s closest friends. “It was hard on him. I mean, as a catcher you call a pitch, and it may be the right pitch but the location might be just a little bit off, and sometimes you get blamed for it. It’s easy to second guess and say it cost us the game … and I know Dan took that personally.”
Buhner was often the first person to console Wilson with a hug. “You know I love you, right?” Buhner would tell him. “I love you, brother.”
“He played under one of the freaking toughest guys in theworldtoplayfor,”Buhner said. “But he also learned a lot from Lou, because Lou was a brilliant manager; I mean, Lou did everything, and Danny doesn’t miss much. He is really good at being able to sponge everything in.”
In fall 1993, Piniella had asked then-Mariners GM Woody Woodward to trade for Wilson, who had made his major-league debut as a September call-up in Cincinnati during Piniella’s final season with the Reds in 1992. The trade was mostly perceived as a salary-shedding move for the Mariners, who shipped popular
pitcher Erik Hanson and promising young second baseman Bret Boone to the Reds for a backup catcher and a relief pitcher, Bobby Ayala.Themovewasnotwell received in Seattle. (“The Mariners were pillaged,” one local columnist wrote.)
But Piniella had seen the potential in Wilson, and the manager seemed determined to do whatever it took to squeeze that potential out of his catcher.
“I remember him telling me at one point that he was really paying attention to me because he wanted me to be that big-game player,” Wilson said. “And that was a realization for me at that moment that: ‘I get it; I see the purpose behind it.’ There were difficult times as a player, for sure, but I understood.”
Despite the tough love — or maybe because of it — Wilson and Piniella grew close. Piniella came to trust Wilson wholeheartedly; a certain look from his catcher would tell Piniella he’d need to make a pitching change.
“Not everyone could play that position for Lou,” Edgar Martinez said. “It took Dan’s personality and stability to be able to handle that.”
After Wilson retired, the Mariners held a pregame ceremony on the field to honor him early in the 2006 season. Piniella made a surprise appearance and choked up while making a speech.
A decade later, Piniella said he told Mariners executivestheyshouldhireWilson as manager.
“He’s a smart guy, and in his way, he was one of the leaders of the team,” Piniella told The Athletic last August. “Real quiet leader, but a leader. Good guy.” Wilson was inducted into
the Mariners Hall of Fame in 2012. And when Piniella was inducted into the Mariners Hall of Fame in 2014, Wilson gave a speech to honor his manager.
“There’s a proverb that says, ‘Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another,’” Wilson said recently, relaying the theme of his speech. “He had such respect from his players. I always say, he wanted to win more than anybody in that stadium. He just had that strong desire, and he made all of us bring our best every single day. And that is something that I hope I can do — pass that on to our guys now.”
Dan the family man
The VHS tape of baby Sofia arrived during the MLB All-Star break in 1995.
Annie and Dan had rented a cabin in Wisconsin to get away for a few days, and Annie remembered they had to find a video store to watch the tape.
They soon started the adoption process through All God’s Children International, just as Dan and the Mariners were enjoying their breakthrough as the first Mariners team to reach the postseason.
That winter, Annie found out she was pregnant.
“Crazy year, right?” she said.
By the following May, the Wilsons completed the adoption process and brought home 18-monthold Sofia. In August, Josephine was born.
“All of a sudden, we basically had twins,” she said.
In 1998, their first son, Elijah, was born. A few years later, Wilsons went back to All God’s Children to adopt a second son, Abraham.
The large family fit right in with the growing family feel around the Mariners.
“At one point, I think we had over 50 kids on the team,” Annie said.
The Wilsons were close with the Griffey, Martinez,
Buhner and Amaral families. All the kids grew up together, treated each other like cousins. Many of the families lived in Seattle yearround, too, and through the Mariners they became engaged in the community.
Annie, an elementary school teacher, said she was inspired by her mom, a nurse, to give back to others, and she and Dan have been active in charity programs, from Seattle’s First Place School, a private nonprofit K-6 school for children facing homelessness, to Seattle Children’s hospital. The couple served as co-chairs of the 2012-13 United Way of King County annual giving campaign.
“One of the principles we have tried to live by is, ‘To whom much is given, much is required,’” Annie said. “We have been so blessed by this community in so many ways. We feel it is not only an obligation but a joy to give back in any way we can.”
‘Perfect’ for the job
In 1994, during Wilson’s first season with the Mariners, Amaral was his roommate on the road, and their families would become especially close.
The Amaral family also has four kids, three of whom have been married in recent years — and Annie and Dan have traveled to each wedding, including one this winter in Italy.
Amaral, who played eight seasons in Seattle, is now a scout for the Baltimore Orioles. He’s watching the Mariners again with renewed interest because of Dan.
“He’s perfect for the job,” Amaral said. “You look at his baseball background, his baseball IQ, how he communicates, his integrity — he just checks all the boxes.”
Welcome back
Edgar was the first person from the Mariners whom Dan met.
This was in early November 1993, and at the time Dan was playing winter ball in Edgar’s native Puerto Rico. Annie had learned that her husband had been traded to Seattle before he did, and Dan found out about the trade when he called home one evening. Soon after that, the Mariners arranged for Dan and Edgar to meet for lunch. They hit it off right away. Fast-forward to last August, and the first call Dan made after he accepted the Mariners’ managerial job was to Edgar.
Dan asked him to come back as the Mariners’ hitting coach. It’s a demanding role, and one Edgar had done before, from 2015-18. Edgar said he would sleep on it. The next morning, he called Dan back and accepted. He did so, he later explained, largely because of Dan.
“I had a good feeling that this is going to work out,” Edgar said, “and I want to be part of it.” They all want to be part of it again. There was a nostalgic feeling around Mariners camp this spring. More than usual.
Junior, as part owner of the club, pops in and out of camp. Randy, ever the presence, made a rare appearance at camp in early March, holding court with a new generation of Mariners pitchers.
Buhnerwasback,too,and he’s as fired up as anyone for his good friend Dan.
“He is fully frickin’ ready for this,” Buhner said.
Dan and Edgar are mainstays, then and again.
“I knew that Dan could create the stability and the positive message — all the good things you need,” Edgar said. “He put in the hard work, and those 30-plus days [last season], that’s a sign that he can build a really good thing here.”
DEAN RUTZ / THE SEATTLE TIMES
Dan Wilson heads to home plate before the start of a game with San Diego on Feb. 21, at the Peoria Sports Complex, in Peoria, Ariz.
DEAN RUTZ / THE SEATTLE TIMES
Dan Wilson pictured in 2000 with the Mariners.
DEAN RUTZ / THE SEATTLE TIMES
Dan Wilson, left, and Edgar Martinez talk in Arizona. The Seattle Mariners held Spring Training Wednesday, Feb. 19, at the Peoria Sports Complex, in Peoria, Ariz.
save to deflect the ball out of bounds and keep the game scoreless.
Late in the five-minute frame, Elma defender Matthew Wood was called for a controversial foul on a Romero throw-in after Montesano’s Andrew Melendez went down to the ground during some jostling for position inside the Eagles’ goal box.
Monte was awarded a penalty kick, with Romero striding to the line for the potential game-winner. The Bulldogs’ leading goalscorer placed a hard shot into the high-left corner of the net past Yeager for a golden goal, giving Montesano the 1-0 win.
“You don’t like them,” Elma head coach Carson Seaberg said of the foul call and subsequent penalty kick. “But to be 100% fair, we’ll re-watch it on the tape because I was looking up the field and I hear the whistle and look back and (the referee) made the call.”
“I had a tough game altogether. I couldn’t really find the back of the net and I had a couple of chances that were close,” said Romero, who gave credit to teammates such as midfielder Cris Tobar for getting him scoring chances throughout the match. “I just kind of sat there and took in the moment. I’ve been in big moments before and knew what I needed to do. It was just a sigh of relief to not have to go to the real stressful part (a penaltykick shootout).”
“It’s always disappointing when a game comes
down to that,” Seaberg said. “At the same time, we put ourselves in that position, to allow a call like that to be made that late in the game instead of maybe finishing some stuff earlier. … But a lot of the chances were rushed because both teams were playing hard and fast.”
Causey earned his first shutout of the season and was credited by Romero for playing a significant role in the victory.
“Matt Causey is one of the main reasons we were in it,” Romero said. “Matt really stepped up today and our defense played amazing.”
For Montesano head coach Fidel Sanchez, the game was a stark contrast compared to his team’s previous victories this season, which were highscoring affairs with a combined 24 goals in three games.
“We’ve been winning and getting scored on a lot. Now, we don’t give up a goal and struggled scoring, so which one is it?” he joked. “I’d rather have a sound defense, like we did tonight. … We did not give up a goal and that’s the first time we’ve done that this season.”
Both teams will be back in action at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, with Monte hosting Forks and Elma taking on Ilwaco in Elma.
Elma 0 0 0 – 0
Montesano 0 0 1 – 1
Scoring
First half – none. Second half – none. First overtime – 1, Montesano, Romero, 82nd minute.
Other games
Raymond-South Bend 8, Hoquiam 1
‘em. If they want to swing early and put in play, they can. And if I get ahead, that I usually have the stuff to put them away.”
setting against opposing batters.
After the two strikeouts, he issued a four-pitch walk to the third batter and was pulled from the game, having reached his pitch count. It hardly diminished the emotional significance of the moment.
“Super pumped to be in there,” he said. “I got all those emotions and butterflies and all that back, and got my adrenaline going. So just super happy. Everything felt good.” Brash faced three minorleague hitters in the sixth inning, throwing 12 pitches in all. Seven of those pitches were sinkers — a new pitch in his arsenal.
“I mean, the stuff’s there,” he said. “I threw a lot of sinkers today to the lefties, which is something I have not done in the past. And I just feel like it frees me up.
I know the pitch moves a lot and it feels good in my hand. I feel like I can just rip it in the middle [of the zone], kind of like my slider. And I thought it was great.
“It was what I wanted to do — I attacked the hitters. … I just want to go right at
In 2023, Brash was one of the most dominant relievers
in baseball, striking out 107 batters across 70.2 innings. His 78 appearances that season were the most of any pitcher in the majors.
His absence from Seattle’s bullpen last year was
glaring, and his return this season is one reason the Mariners front office did not make a major addition to the ’pen this offseason.
The Mariners left Arizona on Monday evening on a team charter back to
Seattle, ahead of Thursday’s opening day against the Athletics. Brash will remain in Peoria to pitch in at least a couple more minor-league exhibitions. After that, he’ll report to Triple-A Tacoma
for several rehab outings.
“I’m just happy for him that he’s at the point where he can see some of the work that’s gone into it and feel good about it,” Wilson said, “and see light at the end of the tunnel.”
TheDailyWorldisseekingareportertocovernewsinGraysHarborandnorthernPacific counties.We’relookingforawriterwithstrongstorytellingandphotographyskills. Thispositionrequiressomeonewhocanworkbothindependentlyandcollaborativelytogetthe jobdone.Youneedtobeabletoconceptualize compellingstoryideas,identify,collect,verify andanalyzenewsworthyinformationandcraft well-developed,well-toldstories. TheDailyWorld,alongwithit’swebsite TheDailyWorld.com,hasbeentheleadingnews andinformationsourceinGraysHarborCounty formorethanacentury.Wearebasedin Aberdeen,andincludetheOlympicMountains inourcoveragearea. Thepositionisfull-time.Weofferbenefits, includingmedical/vision/dental/life,shortand long-terminsurance,401k,EAPandWellness programs,andpaidtimeoff. Pleaseemailanintroductoryletterandaresumeto:michael.wagar@thedailyworld.com
PHOTO BY FOREST WORGUM
Montesano’s Cris Tobar (background) and Elma’s Ivan Rodriguez compete for possession during the Bulldogs’ 1-0 win on Monday in Montesano.
RYAN SPARKS / THE DAILY WORLD
Elma goalkeeper Trey Yeager (left) makes a save during a 1-0 loss to Montesano on Monday at Jack Rottle Field in Montesano.
RYAN SPARKS / THE DAILY WORLD
Montesano goalkeeper Matt Causey earned a shutout with a 1-0 victory over Elma on Monday at Jack Rottle Field in Montesano.
DEAN RUTZ / THE SEATTLE TIMES
Matt Brash throws a bullpen session in Arizona. The Seattle Mariners held Spring Training Wednesday, Feb. 19, at the Peoria Sports Complex, in Peoria, Ariz.
CLASSIFIEDS TWIN HARBOR
The Mariners failed to prepare for that possibility in a frustrating offseason, declining to add offense to support their robust arms. Shackled by a financially frugal ownership group, Seattle did little while impact free agents — Pete Alonso, Anthony Santander and Christian Walker— signed elsewhere. They also struggled to find teams willing to trade established bats for their pool of long-term prospects.
They could have paved other possible paths to a playoff return.
Instead, they signed Jorge Polanco (a 31-year-old with injury issues asked to play a new position), Donovan Solano (a 37-year-old veteran with 40 homers in 11 MLB seasons) and Rowdy Tellez (a 30-year-old first baseman with a negative WAR in each of his last two campaigns).
So, it’s the same old story.
For Seattle to sniff postseason play, its starting pitching has to be the best in baseball.
Again.
“Each one of these guys comes into spring training, and their idea is to get better. It’s not complacent. They’re not resting on their laurels,” MarinersmanagerDanWilson said March 1. “This is a group that wants to get better and wants to push one another, No. 1, but wants to take this team to a different place.
“They’re always working. To a man, these five guys put their work in and they’re very diligent about how they work. They’re very particular about how they work. But they also push the envelope. They’re trying to invent new pitches. They’re trying to improve the stuff they have. All of that just pushes that bar a little bit higher.”
Of course, it’s possible that senior director of hitting strategy Edgar Martinez and new hitting coach Kevin Seitzer help the Mariners’ offense continue last August and September’s ascent. And it’s possible the return of relieversMattBrash,GregorySantos and Gabe Speier — whose 2024 seasons were sunk by injuries — buoy a bullpen anchored by all-star closer Andrés Muñoz.
But given that the Mariners finished one game out of a wild-card spot in 2024, and did little this offseason to improve their offense, their starting pitchers might need to be even better.
The good news?
It’s also possible — even likely — that those ascending starters continue to improve. Gilbert (Seattle’s opening day starter) has done that all along, overhauling his slider and adding a split-finger fastball in previous offseasons to upgrade his arsenal. Miller, meanwhile, has radically evolved—insertingasweeper, sinker, splitter, cutter and curveball alongside his fastball and slider.
The point is not to change for the sake of doing so.
It’s to beat both the batter, and Bryce.
“It’s kind of unspoken more than anything,” Gilbert said of the competitive spirit shared by Seattle’s starters. “We don’t really talk about anything serious, ever, especially Bryce. But when a guy takes the ball, everybody’s super competitive, even though we joke and have a good time. Even in the offseason I’ll check up on guys and in the back of my head I’m like, ‘What did you add, Bryce?’ Because I want to come back and if he added something, I want to add it, and vice versa.
“Sowekindofcompetewith each other in that way. We’re running out of pitch types, so it’s not about more pitches. It’s justthequalityofthepitchthat we’re executing.”
Besides maybe the 32-yearold Castillo, Gilbert (27), Kirby (27), Miller (26) and Woo (25) are all in their athletic primes. Rather than providing other paths to realistic contention, Mariners ownership has left little margin for error. They’ll either ride their rotation into the ground, or to the promised land.
There’s one path to the playoffs.
Seattle’s starting pitchers have to push the bar.
DEAN RUTZ / THE SEATTLE TIMES
Mariners starting pitcher Logan Gilbert poses for a portrait on Thursday, Feb. 20, at the Peoria Sports Complex, in Peoria, Ariz.
DEAN RUTZ / THE SEATTLE TIMES
Mariners starting pitcher George Kirby poses for a portrait on Thursday, Feb. 20, at the Peoria Sports Complex, in Peoria, Ariz.
DEAN RUTZ / THE SEATTLE TIMES
Mariners starting pitcher Bryce Miller poses for a portrait on Thursday, Feb. 20, at the Peoria Sports Complex, in Peoria, Ariz.
DEAN RUTZ / THE SEATTLE TIMES
Mariners starting pitcher Bryan Woo poses for a portrait on Thursday, Feb. 20, at the Peoria Sports Complex, in Peoria, Ariz.
M’s sign catcher Cal Raleigh to massive extension
Ryan Divish Seattle Times staff reporter
With opening day of the 2025 season on Thursday, the Mariners made sure theircatcherandconscience of their team will be with them for years to come.
Cal Raleigh has signed a six-year, $105 million contract extension to stay in Seattle, multiple MLB sourcesclosetothesituation confirmed Tuesday.
Raleigh, 28, was in the process of taking a physical before signing the contract that also includes a vesting option for a seventh year and could push it to $123 million. He also has a full no-trade clause for the entirety of the deal.
Selected in the third round of the 2018 draft out of Florida State, Raleigh has developed into a foundational player for the Mariners and is on an accelerated path to being the best catcher in franchise history … if he isn’t already.
Last season, he posted a .220/.312/.436 slash line with 16 doubles, 34 homers, 100 RBI, 70 walks and 176 strikeouts. It was the second straight season he’d hit more than 30 homers.
Overhislastthreeseasons, he’s posted a .222/.303/.457 slash line with while averaging 20 doubles, a triples, 30
homersand79RBI.He’salso led MLB catchers in homers each of the last three years. Only Mike Piazza achieved that accomplishment. Behind the plate, he was the best in the American League. He was named the American League Gold Glove and American League Platinum Glove. Raleigh led MLB in games caught (135) and innings caught (1,122). But his performance was about more than just quantity. He provided an elite level of quality while behind the plate. For the second straight season, he led MLB in catcher caught stealing, throwing out 26 runners on stolen base attempts. Since the stat was tracked, only Raleigh, Jim Sundberg (1975-76) and Hall of Famer Gary Carter (1982-83) have led MLB in back-to-back seasons. He led the American League in FanGraphs defensive runs above average (23.9), catcher framing (13) and MLB Statcast’s fielding run value above 100 (14) while tying for the lead for defensive runs saved (16). Raleigh joins Julio Rodriguez, Andrés Muñoz and Luis Castillo as players on the current roster to sign long-term contract extensions to stay with the organization.
Mariners wrap up spring training with worst record ever
Adam Jude Seattle Times staff reporter
PEORIA, Ariz. — In their final tuneup before Thursday’s opening day against the Athletics, the Mariners wound up with a 7-7 tie Monday afternoon against theSanDiegoPadresintheir last Cactus League game. That the Mariners wrapped up the spring with an 11-19-2 record — the lowest winning percentage (.355)overafullspringinthe 49-year history of the team — begs the question: How relevant are spring training results?
The short answer: Not very.
Of course, wins are always preferred over losses — at any time of the year — and Dan Wilson would have likedtohaveafewmorewins inhisfirstspringasMariners manger.
But the bigger picture is more important, he said.
“Yeah, we didn’t probably winalotofgamesdownhere like we wanted to,” Wilson said Monday morning. “But the preparation has always been there. And I think the way that we’ve played here, especially in this last week, I think the at-bats have been good. There’s been a lot of positives throughout the whole camp. And at the end of the day, we are prepared forthisseason,andthat’sthe bottom line. That’s what we were here for.”
With nearly 50 years of franchise records to use as historical perspective, there isnodefinitivecorrelationto be made from spring training win-loss records.
A bad spring record can lead to a bad regular season, as evidenced by Mariners teams in 1977, 1981, 2006 and 2010, to name a few. Or a bad spring record
can lead to a good regular season, as evidenced most notably by 2001 — when the Mariners had one of their lowest spring winning percentages (.406) and then turned around and set a major-league record with 116 wins in the regular season.
Seattle’s worst spring training winning percentages, 1977-2025
2020: .333* (Regular season: 27-33)
2025: .355 (Regular season: TBD)
1977: .375 (64-98)
1981: .379 (44-65)
1995: .385* (79-66)
2006: .393 (78-84)
1980: .400 (59-103)
2010: .400 (61-101)
2001: .406 (116-46)
2007: .412 (88-74)
1987: .414 (78-84)
2003: .419 (93-69)
*shortened spring
The overall conclusion is therearenorealconclusions to draw from spring training win-loss records (or spring statistics in general).
ForWilson,thegoalwasto set a foundation of competitiveness and team-bonding, and create a mindset that every night matters over the courseofa162-gameregular season. And in that regard, he’s encouraged.
“I think that we’re at a point where we’re ready to kind of go and become who we’re going to become,” he said. “I don’t think you can kind of put that into words yet. I think it’s still forming, still in the opening stages, but I’m really excited to see what that looks like as we get into the season, because it’s a really good group, and they’rereallyexcited.They’re really coming together. It’s a great team, and I’m curious to see how it all turns out.”
B.C.
Pearls Before Swine
Pickles
Garfield
Wizard of Id
Frazz
Red & Rover
JENNIFER BUCHANAN / THE SEATTLE TIMES
Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh follows through on a two-run home run during the fifth inning on Sept. 29, 2024 in Seattle.
Grandpa anticipates a delicate conversation to come
Dear Abby: My son just told me his daughter, age 26, is getting breast enhancement surgery. My question is, how do I address that when next I see her, probably in several months? It’s not like commenting on a new hair color or hairdo. Old men commenting on female anatomy, particularly that part, are not looked upon favorably. As I see it, there are two ways that this goes. One, she mentions it to me — probably not likely to happen. So, since she got the surgery to make a visible difference, how should I react? Two, she does not mention it. Without an introduction to the subject, I’m not sure I should make any response. Could my silence be perceived as a negative or as a lack of approval? I’d appreciate your help in formulating a response before it becomes necessary.
—Cool Grandpa in Texas
Dear Grandpa: If your
granddaughter mentions it — and she very well may — tell her she looks terrific. Look her in the eye when you say it. If she does not raise the subject, play it cool and keep your lips zipped.
Dear Abby: For two years, I’ve been having an affair with my married neighbor, “Reed.” All the sudden, his stepdaughter broke up with her boyfriend because he cheated on her, and now Reed has broken it off with me — saying he needs to be a role model to his kids. I’m sorry his daughter is hurting, but if she hadn’t broken up with her boyfriend, Reed would
still want this between us. Please tell me what I should do to get over him.
—Cut Off in Florida
Dear Cut Off: Look inward. Examine the reason you started an affair with someone who was unavailable. While it may have been fun in the short term, if you wanted anything more, it was a sad waste of time. When Reed saw the pain his daughter’s boyfriend’s cheating caused her, I suspect he realized how much his behavior could affect his family. Or, he was tired of sneaking around. By ending this affair, he has done you both a favor. Once you recognize it, you can move on.
Dear Abby: Keith and I met online close to a year and a half ago. We live 400 miles apart and have visited each other a couple of times since. I’m a single mom in my mid-30s and live close to family. Keith’s around the same age and lives very close to extended family of mine. I have recently realized
that I may be in love with him. I would like to confess my feelings and move to where he is if my feelings are reciprocated. How do I approach this subject? I’m tired of going through the motions. I need something good and constant in my life. I don’t want to always wonder “what if?”
—Ready to Take a Step
Dear Ready: Has Keith ever told you that he misses you after these visits? If he has, it would be an indication that your feelings are reciprocated. If he hasn’t, start by telling him how much you have enjoyed your visits and that you miss him. How he responds is important because it may open the door to where you want to take your friendship.
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.
Hoquiam’s state champion wrestler Oliver Bryson honored
The Hoquiam City Council and police department extended a special congratulations Monday evening to Hoquiam’s newest state champion.
“Oliver Bryson’s dedication, perseverance and unmatched skill has truly set him apart on the state wrestling stage. What an inspiration to not only his teammates, but to the community as a whole,” posted the Hoquiam Police Department. “There are a couple former wrestlers at the Hoquiam PD. They know how incredibly difficult it is to make it to the state tournament in the toughest high school sport, let alone win one match. Oliver pinned his way to the state title at 190 pounds. For those that don’t know, there are really strong and tough kids at that weight class.
“Thank you to Mayor Winkelman for his proclamation at last night’s city council meeting. Thank you to Oliver for representing Hoquiam.
“Keep reaching for greatness Champ! You have laid the foundation for an incredible journey.”
How to Play: Each Row, Column and set of 3-by-3 boxes must contain the numbers 1 through 9 without repetition
LAST WORD IN ASTROLOGY
By Eugenia Last
Happy Birthday: Rely on your devices, and you won’t be disappointed. Avoid snap decisions, impulsive purchases and neglecting situations that could lead to unnecessary costs. Take care of red tape issues, expiration dates and matters concerning how you earn, use and invest your money. Don’t neglect your emotional and social needs. Sign up for things you enjoy doing and participate in life, love and the pursuit of happiness. Respect and love yourself. Your numbers are 6, 9, 17, 24, 32, 41, 49 ARIES (March 21-April 19): Choose the path that leads to self-awareness, personal growth and gratitude. Take an energetic approach to whatever you do, and you’ll drum up enthusiasm and a following that supports and encourages your efforts. Refuse to let emotions take over when making financial choices. Focus on routine, stability and economic security. 4 stars
TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Consider your next move and contemplate what’s best for you. Refuse to let anyone talk you into something that doesn’t feel right. Put your energy into adding to your qualifications or picking up skills or knowledge to encourage higher earning potential. Adjust your surroundings to make life easier or less stressful. 2 stars
GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Take inventory and consider what’s essential and what you can let go of. Hanging on to stuff, emotions and spaces irrelevant to your well-being or lifestyle will detract from what you want or are meant to do next. Pay more attention to your needs, desires and lifestyle. 5 stars CANCER (June 21-July 22): Turn up the volume and dance to the rhythm of the music. Choose your path and put your energy into what brings the most joy, and you’ll have no regrets. Complaining wastes time if you don’t follow through and adjust your life to suit your needs. 3 stars
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Steer clear of joint financial ventures or taking on someone else’s burdens. You can offer support without paying for someone else’s mistakes. Take more time to explore interests that excite you, and the people you encounter will help you realize your potential. It’s never too late to try something new. 3 stars
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Participate in groups that share your concerns. The people you encounter will help you find your purpose and encourage you to use your skills in new and exciting ways. The friendships you build will change your perspective regarding life, love and happiness. Live in the moment and explore the possibilities. 3 stars
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Look at every possibility before deciding on what you want to do or where you want to go. Be creative, think outside the box and do what suits you best. You don’t have to accommodate anyone but yourself. Set a course that puts a smile on your face and passion in your heart. 3 stars
SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): A change will do you good. Pick a destination that intrigues you or brings you back to roots that help you remember your dreams, hopes and wishes. Take the time to reach out to people you lost touch with that made you laugh, think and live life to the fullest. 5 stars
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Put your wallet in your pocket. You can’t buy love. If someone asks for too much, know enough to decline. Focus on what matters to you and the people who fit into your lifestyle and cherish the same pastimes and beliefs. Invest time and money into yourself and your surroundings. 4 stars
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Put more energy and effort into meeting new people or relationships that are meaningful to you. Attend a reunion, chat with old friends and revisit old dreams. You are overdue for a change that will put the sparkle back in your eye and encourage you to set new and exciting goals. 3 stars
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Never say never. Don’t underestimate the power of positive thoughts and the ability to make things happen. Let your innovative imagination take over, and you won’t be disappointed with the ideas that sprout. Turn your thoughts into a reality using your skills and ideas to launch something that brings you joy. 3 stars
PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): When
and
and
3
and
The Daily World
HOQUIAM POLICE DEPARTMENT
State wrestling champion Oliver Bryson
Emerald Downs might shut down, have no horse racing in 2026
Emerald Downs is in line tohaveoneofitsbestseasons in a long time when the race meetingbeginsApril27,with the most horses at the racetrack in a nearly a decade, but the 2026 season is in jeopardy, Emerald Downs President Phil Ziegler said.
That’s because fees imposed by the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) are nearly doubling.
“If everyone would leave us alone, we’d be fine,” Zieglersaid.“That’sthecrazy part. Just leave us alone.”
The Auburn racetrack with a great view of Mount Rainier often has crowds of several thousand, with people coming not only for the horses but for promotions ranging from cultural events to corgi races to fireworks shows.
But after operating since 1996, Emerald Downs finds itself in a financial crisis.
The big blow is a change in how fees are calculated by HISA, which was founded in 2020 when Congress passed a bill authorizing it as a private self-regulatory organization to develop national rulesfortheindustry,including on anti-doping, medication control and racetrack safety.
HISA fees are currently calculated on the number of horses competing in races and the amount of money in purses paid out, but beginning in 2026 HISA fees will be calculated strictly on the numberofhorsescompeting at each track.
That means that all racetracks will be paying the samerateforeachhorsethat competes. Because of that, racetracks with the biggest purses (the amount paid to horse owners in a particular race) will have their HISA fees reduced dramatically. Racetracks that offer much smaller purses, such as Emerald Downs, will see their fees take huge jumps to make up for the loss of revenue.
Without help from the state with those fees, horse racing in Washington might no longer be viable. Bills in the state House and Senate to help the industry with the regulatory fees died in fiscal committees without reaching the floor.
The HISA fee structure changed after the New York Racing Association and Churchill Downs Inc., which run some of the nation’s biggest racetracks, sued HISA and threatened a shutdown.
According to numbers from HISA, if the same number of horses competed this year as last year (the numbers almost certainly won’t be the same, but close), Churchill Downs (Kentucky) would save 48% ($2.73 million), Saratoga (New York) would save 58% ($2.21million)andKentucky Downs would save 74% ($1.06 million).
The HISA fees for Emerald Downs would increase by 89%, rising from $712,000 to $1.347 million (before the annual credit for services provided by the Washington Horse Racing Commission, whichincludespostracetesting; the credit for this year is $287,000).
Ziegler said Emerald Downs purses each racing seasontotalabout$6million over a season and with the HISA fee change, he said total regulatory costs would be about $2.5 million, which is 40% of the purse total.
Ziegler said a 40% rate is not sustainable.
Joe Olujic, CEO of the Muckleshoot (Tribe) Development Corp. that oversees Emerald Downs, called the new HISA fee structure unfair.
“DoesithelptheKentucky Derby and Pimlico (which hosts the Preakness Stakes in Baltimore) when they havetheirbigraces?”hesaid.
“Sure, but it really hurts the rest of the industry.”
Another problem for Emerald Downs is that the Washington Horse Racing Commission, which regulateshorseracinginthestate, is running out of money.
“The outlook for the commission operating account over the next biennium is alarming,” WHRC ExecutiveSecretaryAmanda Benton reported at the WHRC’s February meeting.
With revenues remaining where they are currently set, Benton said, “the commission would have a negative fund balance in March of ’27.”
This affects Emerald Downs in two ways.
First, the HISA fees bill comes to the state commission, but if it can’t pay it, the bill goes to the industry.
Under HISA rules, Emerald Downs would pay half, and horse owners, trainers and jockeys would pay the other half.
If the fees are not paid, Emerald Downs would not be allowed to transmit its signal out of state because of HISA rules. Ziegler said that would cost the track more money than the increased HISA fees because of the loss of out-of-state simulcast wagering.
Second, to solve its financial issues, the the state commission will likely need to increase the percentage it takes from internet wagering, which would mean less money for the racetrack and the horsemen.
“The last two years, the Legislature has given us an appropriation that has stabilized our fund balance, but short of them doing that again … the only way for us toraiseourrevenueistotake a larger share away from the track and the horsemen,” said Doug Moore, chair of the horse racing commision. “We certainly can’t rob Peter to pay Paul, because if we take more money, then either the track can’t afford it and they go under, or the horsemen get out of the business because they can’t afford it because of the reduction in purses.”
Things are much rosier for EmeraldDownsthiscoming season, which ends in early September. Not only will it have more than 1,000 horses at the racetrack for the first time since 2016, the state hasappropriated$2.5million to the industry the past two years. Some of that money was used to pay HISA fees in 2023 and 2024, and it will be used again in 2025. The issue will be in 2026 when that money is gone.
Without any support from the state, Washington would be one of just three states (along with California and Colorado) without state investmentorcasinogaming to supplement the horse racing industry.
In November, New Jersey passed, without dissent, a bill that will give the horse racing industry $20 million a year through 2029. Legislative bills in Washington that would have paid for HISA fees garnered support. Senate Bill 5670, which would allow the commission to use equine industry sales tax revenues forfederalregulatorycompliance, moved from the Business, Financial Services & Trade Committee to the Ways and Means Committee with just one dissent.
A companion bill in the House, No. 1703, moved on without dissent from the House Committee on Finance to Appropriations Committee.
But the bills died in fiscal committees.
“I think a couple of things happened,” said state Sen. Claudia Kauffman, D-Kent, the primary sponsor of the Senatebill.“One,isthatthisis a bad economic time for the state budget, and so I know a lot of several proposed legislation could not be considered due to the high fiscal notes. And I believe mine was one of those. The second thing that I believe happened was a resistance fromourstatetosupplement the industry.”
A lot would be lost if horse racing ends in Washington. The racetrack has about 500 full- and parttime employees during the season. Around another 500 — including jockeys and trainers, who are individual
contractors,andsupportstaff hiredbytrainers—alsowork at the racetrack. Those numbers do not include those in the breeding industry.
Ziegler said the financial impact of horse racing in the state is estimated to be $240 millionannually.Hesaidthe only financial help the state has given in the industry is the$2.5millionoverthepast two years.
The Muckleshoot Tribe began contributing to Emerald Downs purses in 2005 — giving $1 million — nine years before it acquired the racetrack. Ziegler said that support has continued since,anditwillprovide$1.2 million this year, bringing its total contributions to $27 million.
Olujic said he believes there is a misperception that the financial help the racetrack is asking for would go tothetribe,insteadofpaying for the increased regulatory fees.
“You know, ‘The tribe owns it, you have casinos so just fund it yourself,’ ” he said. “We fund it heavily already, and every other state [except Colorado and California] provides something to support this industry. I just think the state of Washington doesn’t care about the equine industry, which is sad considering the numberofjobsthatitcreates, not just at Emerald Downs but throughout the state.”
Auburn Mayor Nancy Bachus said Emerald Downs, which had an average attendance of 3,371 last year during its 55-day season, means a lot more to the community than just the financial impact it provides.
“We love Emerald Downs for a number of reasons,” she said. “The horse racing
is amazing, but Emerald Downsisagreatcommunity partneraswell.Idonotwant to see this track go away. I’m certainly willing to lobby or do whatever is necessary to help keep Emerald Downs viable. People love to go out andwatchthehorses,evenif they don’t care for the horse racing. It’s just a great place to gather. It’s a community staple.”
Kevin Van de Wege, a former state senator now lobbyingforEmeraldDowns, stillholdsouthopethatsome aid could come from the state.Aregulatorybillpassed theHouseandwentthrough a public hearing Wednesday in the Senate Committee on Business, Financial Services & Trade. VandeWegesaidit’spossible that funding help could get attached to that bill. Said Kauffman: “We just have to continue to educate people on the need to support this industry. The conversation is not over, because the people who rely on this industry, they really do deserve some meaningful and lasting solutions.” Without a solution, there are not a lot of options.
“You could say what if we just lowered the purses [to pay the HISA bill],” Ziegler said. “Well, why on earth would you come here and run your horse if you can go to Wyoming and run for double the money, or in Minnesota, or anywhere?”
The situation has left the state’s horse racing industry in bad shape, Moore said.
“Without either a secondary revenue stream to support the industry as a whole, or just straight assistance from the Legislature, I don’tseeanywaythatWashington is going to be able to afford its fees,” he said.
Scott Hanson Seattle Times staff reporter
NICK WAGNER / THE SEATTLE TIMES
Jockeys ride their horses out of the paddocks to the track before the Washington Oaks stakes at Emerald Downs in Auburn last August.