Forks Forum, October 22, 2015

Page 1

THURSDAY

OCT. 22, 2015 Opinion ��������������Page 4 Community News ���Page 5

New Stadium/ Field?

Halloween Activities

Page 17

Page 13

Sports ���������������Page 7 Classifieds ���������� Page 16 SERVING THE WEST END SINCE 1931

Volume 84 No. 6

• WWW.FORKSFORUM.COM •

Bear in the area

Mushroom Hunter Lost and found

On Monday Oct. 12 at approximately 6 p.m. Nichole and Mark Vanderschelden of Forks went mushroom picking in a wooded area about 10 miles north of Forks. Shortly after the outing began Mark and Nichole became separated. Nichole subsequently lost her way in the woods and Mark began searching for her himself. Nichole was dressed in lightweight clothing and poorly equipped to spend a night in the woods. When Mark failed to locate his wife he called the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office and Deputy Ed Anderson was dispatched. After conferring with Mark, Deputy Anderson contacted the Search and Rescue (SAR) unit of the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office.

Headed up by Detective Jim McLaughlin the SAR unit responded with a group of 10 volunteers to come to Forks to search for Nichole. Rayonier security officer Tim Pinard provided access to the wooded area where the hike began by opening gates. The SAR unit searched the area using four teams of two persons. Nichole was located after about an hour of searching. She was found cold but in good health standing in shallow water of the SolDuc River. The terrain was rugged and steep and it took the teams until after 1 a.m. to bring Nichole out of the woods to a safe and dry spot. SAR volunteers provided Nichole with dry clothing, food and water to assist her in recovering from this incident before she went home.

Error in Voter’s Guide

The Voter’s Guide incorrectly states that Patty Birch has dropped out as a Candidate for Forks Community Hospital Board Commissioner. That statement is not true. She is still running as a Write-In Candidate. The Forks Forum has verified this information in a conversation with Clallam County Auditor Shoona Riggs. Birch is running against two-term incumbent Don Lawley.

LAPUSH

BEAVER

CLALLAM BAY

SEKIU

NEAH BAY

PRSRT STD US Postage Paid Permit No. 6 Forks, WA

FORKS

While it most likely is not in the job description of a Forks Police Officer, quite often the FPD finds themselves herding elk off the road. Usually it is the herd that resides near the Forks airport that needs wranglin’. More recently an officer was called into action along Calawah Way. Photo Kathy Cunningham

ECRWSS - BOXHOLDER

Many residents in the Elk Creek area are reporting seeing a bear, and maybe two. The bear(s) have been raiding apple trees and climbing, clawing and breaking branches. One person estimated the bear was 300-350 pounds. If you live in the area be advised to keep an eye on small animals and pets. Bear activity has also been reported on Gaydeski Rd. Apples were the draw there too. The statewide black bear population in Washington likely ranges between 25,000 and 30,000 animals. Bears usually avoid people, but when they do come into close proximity of each other, the bear’s strength and surprising speed make it potentially dangerous. Most confrontations with bears are the result of a surprise encounter at close range. All bears should be given plenty of respect and room to retreat without feeling threatened. The Department of Fish and Wildlife responds to cougar and bear sightings when there is a threat to public safety or property. If it is an emergency, dial 911.

Elk Wranglin’


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