KBKW News

Mobile Home Fire Displaces East County Family

Fri, 24 May 2013 12:00:57 -0000

Montesano, WA - An East County fire yesterday displaced a family of five, who luckily weren't in their mobile home early Thursday morning.
Fire Chief Leonard Johnson tells us Grays Harbor County's Fire District 2 responded at 02:31 a.m. Thursday to a report of a residential structure fire at an address in the Hidden Valley Mobile Home Park.
The initial report was received from a neighbor to the residence and it was unknown if the residence was occupied. Upon the arrival of initial firefighting personnel, it was determined that the structure was not occupied. The fire spread from the interior of the structure to an attached porch and initially threatened an unattached carport and storage area, along with another residence.
Fire crews quickly confined the fire to the residence and it took approximately 35 minutes to extinguish the fire. Fire crews remained on-scene throughout the morning checking for hot spots and assisting investigators.
Currently, the fire is under investigation and a cause has not been determined. The investigation is being conducted by the Grays Harbor County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from Grays Harbor Fire District 2 personnel.
Grays Harbor Fire District 2 responded with 3-structural engines, 3-ambulances, a rescue unit and 15 personnel. Montesano Fire Department assisted the Fire District as well with a structural engine and 3 personnel.
The residence suffered heavy fire damage and is not able to be occupied by the family, which includes 3 children. The Red Cross and the Fire District’s Chaplin have been contacted for assistance.

Grays Harbor College Human Services Club Delivers to Youth Shelter

Fri, 24 May 2013 11:58:57 -0000

Aberdeen, WA - Earlier this week, members of the Grays Harbor College’s Human Service Club delivered enough supplies to the Grays Harbor Youth Shelter to last the facility for about three months. The student club has been fund-raising and collecting donations in recent months to support the Aberdeen Youth Shelter.
The group collected and purchased necessary items such as blankets, pillows, socks, healthy snack foods and personal supplies, to be used by youth staying at the shelter and those contacted during the center’s outreach efforts.
Elena Mettler was chair of the committee, with members including Stephanie Hollandsworth, Jessica Barragan, Cher Keller, Stephanie Becker, Vanessa Cree, Victor Sawyer, Robert Hawks and Kathy Voshell. Chandra Miller-Starks is the program instructor and club advisor.
According to Mettler, the group would especially like to thank students at Stevens Elementary School, the Dennis Company, Twin Star Credit Union and Dollar Tree, plus College faculty, staff and students for their participation.
Grays Harbor College offers a two-year Associate degree in Human Services, plus a direct transfer degree for The Evergreen State College and other four-year bachelors programs. A one-year certificate is also available at GHC. Students studying Human Services may plan on careers with social service agencies, drug and alcohol dependency counseling, criminal justice and corrections, plus many other job opportunities. For further information about Human Services classes, contact GHC Workforce Education at 360.538.4011

Windermere Real Estate Announces Change of Ownership

Wed, 22 May 2013 18:53:15 -0000

ABERDEEN Washington - Windermere Real Estate, the largest independent real estate company in the West, announces the change in ownership of the Aberdeen office of Windermere Real Estate.
Harbor native Tom Quigg, owner and designated broker has announced that he has reached agreement to sell the Windermere Aberdeen office to Travis and Jill Jelovich. Travis approached Tom a couple of months ago, and agreement was reached whereby the Jelovich’s will purchase the Aberdeen office. The plan is for Quigg to remain as designated broker for a period of time, while
Travis transitions into full management. Pat Oleachea has assisted Tom in the management of the Aberdeen office and will remain in sales.
Tom established the original Windermere Real Estate office in Aberdeen in 1991. Tom intends to remain with Windermere in Aberdeen and Ocean Shores.. “I love being in the business and am looking forward to continuing to be actively involved in real estate sales. I am not retiring. This gives me the ability to transition out of management, while remaining active in listing and sales of real estate. It is going to be a great opportunity for Travis and Jill.”
Quigg will continue to own the Ocean Shores office. “The Ocean Shores market is growing and this change will allow me to put a little more focus on that growth, while still serving my Aberdeen and Hoquiam clients.”
As for the Jelovichs, they are both natives of Aberdeen. Travis says, “This kind of an opportunity doesn’t come along very often, and we’re thrilled to take over a business as well established as the Windermere Aberdeen office. We have hoped for some time to re-establish our Harbor roots, and this will provide us that possibility.” Travis does not plan any operational changes in the foreseeable future. The office, staff and brokers will continue business as usual. The only change will be the name and owner. The company name will change to Windermere Real Estate Aberdeen.

Grayland Man Vandalizes Aberdeen Police Department

Wed, 22 May 2013 18:37:30 -0000

Aberdeen, WA - A Grayland man took out his frustrations with county authorities on the planters in front of the Aberdeen Police Department and Municipal Court entrance early this morning. Police Captain John Green tells us at about 12:34 Wednesday morning Aberdeen Officer Jeff Weiss was in his marked police car which was parked in the APD parking lot. He saw a red Chevrolet Camaro drive through the lot and then park in front of the police department.

Officer Weiss saw the driver get of the car and walk to the front door and then to the staff door of the station. The reporting officer saw that the man walked with an unsteady gate and appeared to be talking to himself.

The man then walked back to the front of the station. Officer Weiss discovered that the man had placed a bench up against the front doors of the station along with a flower planter. A second planter had the plant pulled out and thrown across the ground.

Officer Weiss and Officer Perkinson contacted the man in front of the station. He explained to the officers that he had called the GH Sheriff's Office to his home in Grayland over an alleged DV incident involving his father. The suspect, identified as a 21 year old male from Grayland, said he was mad that the deputies did not arrest his dad. He said he drove to the Aberdeen Police Department to complain about that and to see if we would go to Grayland to arrest his father.

The man was told the GHSO had already responded and investigated his complaint and that he was now under arrest for driving while under the influence and for malicious mischief.

The Grayland man was booked into the City of Aberdeen jail without incident.

Shelton Man Stabbed During Alleged Robbery

Wed, 22 May 2013 17:25:37 -0000

Shelton, WA - Police investigated a possible robbery at knifepoint last night in Shelton, Lieutenant Les Watson tells us at about 9:26pm on May 21,2013 Shelton Police were dispatched to the 100 block of West Cota Street for a robbery in which the victim was reportedly stabbed. Officers arrived on scene and made contact with the victim, a 53 year old male, who was conscious and alert. The victim had a non-life threatening laceration to his right hip area for which he was ultimately transported to Mason General Hospital for treatment and released. There are no suspects in custody.

No further information is available at this time as this matter remains under investigation.

Elma Mother and Son Duo Assault Arresting Officers

Wed, 22 May 2013 14:26:34 -0000

Elma, WA - Just after 2:00 am Tuesday morning, deputies were called to a Domestic Violence situation at the Greenwood Mobile Home park just outside of Elma. A 55 year old woman said that her 49 year old live-in boyfriend had just punched her in the face. While responding, dispatchers could hear a male subject yelling in the background of the 911 call that he was going to harm the female.
When officers attempted to intervene, the man assaulted the officers by kicking and biting, he eventually was subdued but not before his 69 year old mother attempted to come to his aid and assaulted the officers as well. Both subjects were eventually arrested. The man was taken to Summit Pacific Hospital in Elma where he continued to yell profanities at the hospital staff. He was eventually booked into the Grays Harbor County Jail for Assault 3rd degree on the officers, Domestic Violence Assault 4th degree on his girlfriend, and resisting arrest.
The girlfriend received minor injuries from being hit in the face by the man. The officers’ injuries were also reported to be minor.
Chief Criminal Deputy Steve Shumate tells us the man from this assault was the subject of a death investigation back in 2006. In August of that year, deputies responded to an incident where then 43 year old Mallory Quinn had sustained severe burn injuries. This victim was the girlfriend to this man at the time and eventually died at Harbor View Medical Center as a result of the burns. The incident had occurred at a campfire on the D-line of Capitol Forest in Grays Harbor County. The man alleged that the female had poured fuel on several objects, including herself, due to an argument they were having. The female then sat next to the campfire and ended up catching on fire. There were no witnesses to this event. Investigators eventually submitted the case to the prosecutor’s office for review however charges were not filed.

BBB Warns of Tornado Charity Scams

Wed, 22 May 2013 14:00:00 -0000

DuPont, Wash. – In the wake of the massive tornados that touched down in Oklahoma this week, Better Business Bureau (BBB), the Washington State Attorney General’s Office (AGO) and the Secretary of State (SOS) are warning of opportunistic fraudsters. Cons follow the headlines and can easily create bogus charities under the guise of helping victims.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with all of those affected by this disaster,” said Robert W.G. Andrew, CEO of BBB serving Alaska, Oregon and Western Washington. “Everyone wants to do their part to help, but without being careful a meaningful donation can easily end up in the wrong hands.”

Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson joins the BBB in cautioning donors to exercise restraint before sending money.

“I join the Better Business Bureau in expressing sympathy to the families who’ve lost loved ones or their homes in this disaster,” said Attorney General Bob Ferguson. “I know many share my concerns and want to provide assistance right away—but it is important to exercise caution and make sure your money helps those who truly need it.”

Move Over Slow Down: A Refresher From The Washington State Patrol

Wed, 22 May 2013 13:40:00 -0000

Bremerton, WA - The original Move Over Law was passed in 2007 in an effort to protect emergency workers who were stopped on the highways conducting their business. Since 2007, the number of collisions involving emergency vehicles and workers has increased. In 2010, legislation was submitted and passed to amend the old law to include an “Emergency Zone.” The Emergency Zone Law was passed in the aftermath of growing numbers of police, emergency technicians, tow operators, and Department of Transportation workers being killed or struck during routine traffic stops, collision/accident response, impounding/towing vehicles, and highway construction projects.

An Emergency Zone is defined as the adjacent lanes of the roadway 200 feet (10 car lengths) before and after a stationary emergency vehicle with flashing lights, a tow truck using red lights, an emergency assistance vehicle using warning lights, or any police vehicle using emergency lights.

Sgt Scott Gordon of WSP Bremerton says that a DOT worker that he knows mentioned an interesting phenomenon that the worker witnessed while working the highways. “Motorists will change lanes for troopers on traffic stops but then change right back into the other lane-even when we have DOT trucks working with warning lights ahead on the shoulder”. “There seems to be some confusion with the public on what constitutes emergency vehicles” Sgt Gordon said.

Celebration recognizes official transfer of North Head Lighthouse to Washington State Parks

Wed, 22 May 2013 13:00:00 -0000

Olympia, WA - The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission and Keepers of the North Head Lighthouse invite the public to attend the 115th anniversary of the North Head Lighthouse at Cape Disappointment State Park in Ilwaco.

The celebration commemorates the official title transfer of the lighthouse from U.S. Coast Guard ownership to Washington State Parks and also is in conjunction with Centennial 2013, the 100th birthday of the state park system in Washington.

The celebration is scheduled for 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, June 8, at the North Head Lighthouse at Cape Disappointment State Park, 244 Robert Gray Drive, Ilwaco. At noon, visiting dignitaries and participants will gather on the grounds of the nearby historic lighthouse keepers’ residences to share remarks about the lighthouse and the title transfer. Following the speaker program, participants will move to the lighthouse for a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

“The North Head Lighthouse is an iconic structure, and we’re very excited to have this historical landmark in our care,” said State Parks Director Don Hoch. “We’re grateful to the Keepers group, which has worked hard to help preserve this significant piece of our state and national history.”

Washington receives $250,000 allocation to address marine debris

Wed, 22 May 2013 12:19:29 -0000

OLYMPIA – The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has allocated $250,000 to Washington State to address marine debris issues associated with the 2011 Japan tsunami.

The allocation comes from $5 million in funds provided to NOAA by the government of Japan in 2012 to help with clean up of marine debris from the tsunami. NOAA anticipates providing an initial sum of $250,000 to each of the impacted states (Alaska, Washington, Oregon, California and Hawaii), and will then hold the remaining funds in reserve. Remaining funds will be distributed on a case-by-case basis, as needs arise.

Washington Governor Jay Inslee said: “Our state deeply appreciates Japan’s friendship and the generous gift of $5 million in goodwill to the United States to support tsunami debris response efforts. We continue to offer our condolences for the March 11, 2011, tragedy that claimed so many lives in Japan, and admire the strength and resilience of the Japanese people. Japan is under absolutely no obligation to provide this type of assistance, and the nation's generous gift is yet another demonstration of Japan’s continued contributions to the international community.”