OLYMPIA - The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) recently completed an upgrade to the walking trail at the Chehalis River Surge Plain Natural Area Preserve (NAP). When this interpretive walking trail was established in 2001, the final compacted gravel cap for a large section of the trail was not completed. The project just completed provides a 6 foot wide compacted gravel trail surface for the entire 3.5 mile length of the trail. The informal parking and fishing access area at the end of Preacher's Slough Road was also improved, and no longer has a large puddle.

Simroe Contracting1, Inc., a local contractor, completed the work on the trail.  This project helps to implement public access goals outlined in the recently completed management plan for the site, available by request from DNR's Pacific Cascade Region, at  360-577-2025.

SEATTLE - The Coast Guard responded to a sinking fishing vessel in the Quileute Marina in La Push, Wash., Thursday.

At approximately 4:30 a.m., while underway for a bar patrol, a 47-motor lifeboat crew from Coast Guard Station Quillayute River, Wash., discovered the 48-foot fishing vessel Miss Clarissa sinking at its pier.  The motor lifeboat crew took the vessel in tow and relocated it away from the harbor entrance. 

In this photo released by the Coast Guard, the fishing vessel Miss Clarissa sits below the surface after it sunk dockside at the Quileute Marina in La Push, Wash., July 2, 2009. (Coast Guard photo/Air Station Port Angeles)

In this photo released by the Coast Guard, the fishing vessel Miss Clarissa sits below the surface after it sunk dockside at the Quileute Marina in La Push, Wash., July 2, 2009. (Coast Guard photo/Air Station Port Angeles)

On Tuesday 6/30/09 at 10:30 p.m. Grays Harbor County deputies and Hoquiam officers executed a search warrant at a home in the 2200 block of Sumner, in Hoquiam.  The search warrant was obtained as the result of a month long investigation by Grays Harbor County deputies in which the man was suspected of selling marijuana out of the house.  Law enforcement began the investigation thanks to the tips and complaints from residents of Hoquiam.

With the Fourth of July upon us, we remember that the Declaration of Independence was likely drafted - in part - at a tavern by our founding fathers, including Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin, who also were home brewers. So, as you toast to our nation's independence, remember to do so responsibly and always make a designated driver part of your plans. Carol Clark with Anheuser-Busch is quoted in the attached audio.

Mason County Deputies have been asked to assist in the investigation of the disappearance of 10 year old Lindsey J. Baum of McCleary.  Four detectives from the Sheriff's Office Special Operations Group are currently assisting the McCleary Police Department and Grays Harbor County Sheriff's Office in following up on a large number tips coming in about the disappearance.  Mason County Detectives have also assisted the investigation by verifying addresses and providing information to the investigation about registered sex offenders in west Mason County.

Lindsey went missing on Friday evening June 26, while walking home from a friends house about ten blocks to her home on Mommsen Road.  This should have been roughly a 10-minute walk. But something happened in that short distance, and she never arrived home.