KBKW News

Eastern Washington Grabs Big Forest Restoration Grant

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 13:00:29 -0000

Colville, WA - Northeastern Washington is getting $968,000 in federal funds for forest restoration work, as part of a larger effort announced on Thursday by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.

Twenty-three projects nationwide will focus on improving forest health and hiring local workers to do it. Washington's winning project is on the Colville National Forest and nearby lands.

Getting the news was a big relief, says Mitch Friedman, executive director of Conservation Northwest, part of the Northeast Washington Forestry Coalition, because the competition for this funding is tough.

Together over the last eight years, our group has fostered more than two dozen successful, on-the-ground, quality forest restoration projects. That's what put us in good position to compete for this million-dollar grant. - Mitch Friedman

The project is part of a multi-year plan that's expected to support more than 500 jobs in Ferry and Stephens counties.

Historical Seaport Invites Public to Roundtable

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 12:40:52 -0000

Aberdeen, WA - The Grays Harbor Historical Seaport Authority, which operates the tall ships Lady Washington and Hawaiian Chieftain, is inviting Grays Harbor residents who remember the early days of the Seaport to a historical roundtable. The discussion is scheduled for noon, February 15 at the Historical Seaport's headquarters, 712 Hagara Street, Aberdeen.

Bring photos, documents, and stories to share as the Seaport prepares for its "25th Birthday Bash!" June 9. The group formed at this event will meet monthly on the 15th of each month through June.

During the one-hour session, participants and Historical Seaport staff will discuss the Seaport's 25-year history, as well as other Grays Harbor history subjects and genealogy. Guests are invited to bring their family trees and stories or historical questions. Participants will also discuss research projects and ways to collaborate with other local history enthusiasts.

Hoquiam High School Cheerleaders Win, After Pro Bowl

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 12:40:00 -0000

Hoquiam, WA - Fresh off the airplane and their trip to Hawaii (Jan 26-30) where they cheered in the halftime show at the Pro Bowl, the Hoquiam High School cheer team learned that they’ve been selected by State Farm Insurance to win a $2000 “Project Ignition” grant, one of only 25 awarded throughout the United States and Canada. The grant, while sizable, also puts the Cheer Team in line to receive another $5000 and a chance to compete with only 24 other schools for national placement and an all-expense-paid opportunity to travel to a national conference.

Funded by State Farm, the Project Ignition grants are managed by the National Youth Leadership Council. Shelton High School’s SADD Club was a winner last year and advisor Gerry Apple and his team recently participated in an all-expense paid trip to Washington D.C. and a luncheon with US Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. SADD stands for Students Against Destructive Decisions.

These girls have proven themselves to be hard workers, dedicated to the ‘anti texting and driving’ message and reliable. They are certainly countering the stereotype that cheerleaders are pure fluff. They are making things happen,

...said Hoquiam High School Principal Jamie Huizinga.

EPA Calls For Burn Ban on Several Washington Reservations

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 12:33:05 -0000

Olympia, WA - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has called a burn ban on all outdoor burning starting Friday, Feb. 3 for the following reservations in Washington due to stagnant air conditions as a high pressure system settles in the region. This burn ban will be in place until further notice.

The burn ban will be in effect for the following reservations:

Nisqually Reservation
Muckleshoot Reservation
Chehalis Reservation
Puyallup Reservation
Colville Reservation
Spokane Reservation
Yakama Reservation

The burn ban applies to all outdoor and agricultural burning, including camping and recreational fires within reservation boundaries. Ceremonial and traditional fires are exempt from the outdoor burn ban.

25 Senators Ask to Reconsider Defunding Planned Parenthood Health Services

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 12:27:50 -0000

Washington D.C. - On Thursday, U.S. Senators Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Patty Murray (D-WA) were joined by 24 of their Senate colleagues in calling on Ambassador Nancy Brinker, Founder and CEO of Susan G. Komen for the Cure, to reconsider her organization’s decision to stop funding breast cancer screenings at Planned Parenthood.

It would be tragic if any woman—let alone thousands of women— lost access to these potentially life-saving screenings because of a politically motivated attack, - the Senators wrote.

Cantwell and Murray were joined by Senators Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Mark Begich (D-AK), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Jon Tester (D-MT), Daniel Akaka (D-HI), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Max Baucus (D-MT), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Al Franken (D-MN), John Kerry (D-MA), Claire McCaskill (D-MO), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Chris Coons (D-DE) and Jeff Bingaman (D-NM).

Governor Gregoire, Commissioner Goldmark Applaud USDA Forest Action

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 12:23:57 -0000

Olympia, WA - Governor Chris Gregoire and Commissioner of Public Lands Peter Goldmark today expressed strong support of a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announcement to accelerate forest restoration. As part of USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack’s restoration strategy, $40 million has been allocated for 20 projects nationwide that will enhance forest health and restore watersheds, including two in national forests in eastern Washington.

This investment is good for our forests, and it’s good for our economic recovery, this funding will help develop new models of sustainable management while creating jobs in rural parts of our state. I commend those involved in developing this proposal. Their collaboration has paid off. - Gov. Christine Gregoire

In December, Gregoire and Goldmark joined the state’s Congressional Delegation in writing Vilsack to urge that he select the Colville National Forest to receive funding under the U.S. Forest Service’s Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration (CFLR) program competition. In January, 33 members of the Washington State Legislature wrote the Secretary, pledging their support.

I have been greatly concerned with the health of eastern Washington’s forests and rural communities, Secretary Vilsack today provided just what the doctor ordered. - Commissioner Peter Goldmark

The CFLR program provides a stable funding source to national forests in which management has successfully reduced conflicts over forest management decisions and made a commitment to forest restoration.

Tsunami Debris Meeting For Pacific County

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 12:19:01 -0000

South Bend, WA - The Pacific County Emergency Management Agency has rescheduled three public presentations to discuss the marine debris generated by the March 2011 Japanese tsunami and its potential to impact the Pacific County coastline.

Presentations are now scheduled for:

February 14, 2012, 6:00 p.m. at the Peninsula Church Center, Seaview, WA

February 15, 2012, 10:00 a.m. at the Ocean Park Firehall, Ocean Park, WA

February 15, 2012, 5:30 p.m. at the Shoalwater Bay Tribal Center, Tokeland, WA

Stephanie Fritts, Pacific County E9-1-1 and Emergency Mgmt Director, tells us the Regional Coordinator for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Marine Debris Program will lead the presentation. In addition, representatives from the Washington State Department of Ecology, the US Coast Guard, Washington State Emergency Management Division, and Washington State Department of Health have been invited to answer questions that might arise specific to their areas of expertise.

The public and local agencies and organizations are welcome to attend any of the presentations, which are intended to be of an informational nature.

Ecology Seeks Input on Aquatic Plant Management Plan

Fri, 03 Feb 2012 11:50:00 -0000

Olympia, WA - The state Department of Ecology (Ecology) invites public comments on proposed modifications to the Aquatic Plant and Algae Management General Permit.

Licensed applicators and other authorized entities must have coverage under the permit to use products to control aquatic plants and algae in fresh waters. The permit also covers treatment of nuisance emergent plants along roadsides and ditch banks.

The permit modifications would allow the use of four additional U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-approved, reduced-risk herbicides. In addition, Ecology developed an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) on the chemicals, also verifying the reduced risk of the products. This EIS can be found on Ecology's website (http://www.ecy.wa.gov/biblio/0010040Addendum1.html).

Another permit modification Ecology proposes would add flexibility about timing of treatments to protect fish.

Traffic Stop Becomes Drug Arrest

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 16:52:50 -0000

Hoquiam, WA - Police seized several ounces of suspected meth and heroin from an Aberdeen resident yesterday, after Sgt Jeff Salstrom stopped a black BMW for a traffic violation in the 2800 block of Cherry Street. Salstrom observed drug paraphernalia inside the vehicle, and impounded it on related charges around 1 am. A search warrant later revealed 3 ounces of suspected methamphetamines, 1/4 ounce of suspected heroin, digital scales and packaging materials as well as an undisclosed amount of cash. Detective Sgt Shane Krohn tells us the 37 year old Aberdeen resident remains in the Grays Harbor County Jail, and could face intent to deliver charges.

Have You Hugged Your Eyes This Month?

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 16:47:21 -0000

Aberdeen, WA – Because February is Low Vision Awareness Month, RehabVisions Occupational Therapy Department has put together these tips about adapting your home if you have low vision.

Increase lighting. Use brighter bulbs or ones that simulate daylight. Put lamps in areas where you do close work. Keep stairways well lit. Use nightlights in the bedroom/hallway/bathroom and be sure light switches are easy to access.

Eliminate hazards. Close closet and cupboard doors and drawers when not in use. Pick up loose items from the floor (shoes, books, clothing, power cords, even throw rugs) to avoid a tripping hazard. Mop up spills as soon as they happen.

Create color contrasts. Put light-colored objects against a dark background or a black switch plate on a light wall. Install doorknobs that contrast the door color and avoid upholstery with patterns that can be visually confusing.

Read more.... that's not a tip, you just need to click "Read More..." to see the rest of this article.