OCEAN SHORES, Wash. - The City of Ocean Shores has made a move to combine the efforts of the Police and Fire departments. Mayor Dean Bunkers said they have placed Fire Chief Jim Hodges on administrative leave - with pay, while they seek to eliminate his position.

Bunkers tells us "This is just what I feel is a prudent financial decision for me to consolidate two positions down into one which will save us a good chunk of money"

A Press Release from the City stated that Bunkers will be asking the city council to reorganize the Fire Chief and Chief of Police Duties into a single position, Bunkers said the city is facing a huge deficit "The failure of the EMS Levy has increased our deficit out there by $687,000."

The recommendation made by the mayor seeks to eliminate the Fire Chief position by December 31st.

 ABERDEEN, Wash. - A signed purchase and sale agreement between Weyerhauser and Willis Enterprises should close the deal by the end of this week, many may not have noticed but the mill has already opened.

Weyerhauser Spokesman Anthony Chavez says there are a few loose ends to tie up "The deal's been signed, it's just a matter of some formalities that have to occur before the deal can officially close. We expect that to happen later this week."

Paul Willis of Willis Enterprises that they have hired most of the employees they need to get started already "We're ready to roll over there, we've leased some area from Weyerhauser a little while ago and have been doing things over there anyhow" Willis said they plan to start small "We're gonna start somewhere between 30 and 50 and work our way up from there"

At it's peak the facility in Aberdeen employed 150. The Plywood mill was closed by Weyerhauser in January of this year citing weak market condition.

OLYMPIA - Clam diggers got the go-ahead to proceed with an evening razor-clam dig starting Saturday, Nov. 14. Tentative dates have also been announced for upcoming digs in December and January.

Twin Harbors will open for digging Nov. 14-17, while Long Beach, Copalis and Mocrocks are scheduled to open Nov. 14-16. Kalaloch Beach will be open for digging on Monday, Nov. 16 only. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) gave final approval after a series of marine toxin tests confirmed the clams were safe to eat.

Digs at all beaches will be held on evening tides, with digging restricted to the hours between noon and midnight. The National Park Service approved the one-day dig at Kalaloch Beach, located within Olympic National Park, to coincide with those at the other beaches.