SEATTLE - One of the hottest issues on the upcoming ballot in Washington is Initiative 1033, which would hold the state, cities and counties to strict limits on the amount of income they can raise through taxes. Backers say it's a way to force state and local governments to spend less money, because they'll have much less to spend.



At least 200 organizations, from business and labor to consumer groups, are opposed to I-1033, including AARP Washington. State Director Doug Shadel says a similar initiative in Colorado was suspended by that state's legislature because of its effects on public services and the economy.

OCEAN PARK, Wash. - On 10-07-2009, acting on a citizen tip, PACNET Deputies located a marijuana growing operation at a residence in Ocean Park.



PACNET visited the residence after an alert citizen notified Deputies that there was marijuana growing next to the residence on V Street in Ocean Park. Deputies located growing marijuana outside the residence.

GRAYS HARBOR COUNTY, Wash. - Grays Harbor College and Grays Harbor College Foundation have 24 scholarships available this fall. Certain scholarships have different criteria; these range from gender to program of study. Because some donors have designated their scholarship donation for students in those specific categories, you will be asked questions in the application about your race, gender, if you or a family member has a disability, and if you are a dislocated worker. These questions are asked to make sure you are considered for all of the scholarships available to you. If you do not wish to disclose this information, there will be an option for you to indicate this. By using this option, however, you will not be considered for those scholarships.

Applications MUST be completed by the applicant. Under no circumstances can parents, teachers or counselors complete a scholarship application for a student. By submitting this online scholarship application, you are certifying that all information you have provided is true and complete to the best of your knowledge.  You are also authorizing the release of information on this application and other necessary financial and academic information to the GHC Foundation, individual donors and selections committees.

The Scholarship application process is available: Thursday, October 1st – Thursday, October 22nd for the 2009-2010 academic school year. Most of the Fall scholarships are for specific areas of study or for individuals with specific backgrounds or needs. Please see scholarship listing for details.  Applicants will be considered for all scholarships for which they are eligible, assuming all required materials are included.

OLYMPIA - The Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) is providing $6.3 million in legislatively approved grants to 70 cities and counties in the Puget Sound region to help modernize their existing shoreline policies and development regulations, also called "shoreline master programs." To view the full list of grants: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/sea/sma/SMPgrants_10012009.pdf

COSMOPOLIS, Wash. - The Washington Department of Ecology invites you to read and comment on the proposed amendment to Weyerhaeuser Cosmopolis’ National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit.

We are accepting public comments from October 12 to November 12, 2009. Citizens can request a public hearing to ask questions and submit verbal comments on this permit. If this is something you are interested in, please contact: