Olympia, WA - The Washington State Patrol’s Criminal Investigation Division is asking for the public’s help in identifying a possible witness to a crime that occurred in April 2010.

A stolen vehicle left abandoned and heavily vandalized along State Route 12 near the Black River Bridge left little clues behind.  Images obtained from a Wal-Mart surveillance camera in Chehalis clearly shows a white male enter the store and purchase several items.  Detectives would like to identify this man as a potential witness.  Anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Krista Hedstrom at 360-473-0142. 

Montesano, WA - The National Weather Service in Seattle has issued a Flood Watch for all Grays Harbor Rivers from 4pm today through Thursday afternoon.

Over the next few days the area will see a great deal of rainfall which will cause all rivers and streams to rise.

At this time, NO rivers in Grays Harbor County are projected to reach flood Stage. If flooding does occur later in the week,

it is expected to be minor, impacting only low lying pasture land and roads.

As with any significant rainfall event, there is a possibility that small rivers and streams may overflow their banks, effecting citizens and roadways in the immediate area.

Olympia, WA - Is it enough nowadays to have a dog or cat when you could have a sugar glider, chinchilla or ferret? More people are choosing exotic "pocket pets" like these to be their new best friends. If the critters become too expensive or too much to handle, however, their inexperienced owners often surrender them to animal shelters.

Debbie Leahy, a captive regulatory specialist for the Humane Society of the United States, says her organization is concerned about the "pocket pet" trend.

Many imported animals carry diseases and illnesses, perhaps not yet discovered, Leahy says. For example, last year she says the owner of a kinkajou was hospitalized multiple times for a fungus he got after the animal bit his finger. Leahy points out there is very little regulation of "pocket pets."

Montesano, WA - Flood Insurance rates and plans are about to change for some Grays Harbor residents.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency is meeting this week to discuss the county's preliminary Digital Flood Insurance Rate Map. The updated flood plain maps show areas that would be inundated by a 100-year flood, and will be used by lending institutions and insurance agencies, as well as city and county officials. Wednesday's meeting will take place at Montesano City Hall from 5 to 7pm.

Hoquiam, WA - It turns out the suspects reported themselves in a recent Grays Harbor poaching incident.
After Department of Fish and Wildlife Officer Do received several tips in a North River elk poaching investigation, Do confronted the suspect at a Hoquiam home, and he confessed to killing the elk.

Do also learned that the suspect who confessed was the same person who originally reported the poaching incident.
The man said his family became nervous because they thought the elk had an electronic tracking device, so they decided to call law enforcement and report that they heard a shot and found the animal.

Cosmopolis, WA - Grays Harbor County has a new source for community grants.  Cosmo Specialty Fibers has announced the formation of a Community Grants Foundation, a move they had pledged to get underway early in 2012.  

A committee of Cosmo team members from all areas of the mill will review applications – which will be restricted to non-profit organizations and charities in Grays Harbor County.  All grant and application information is now on their website, www.cosmospecialtyfibers.com.   The first deadline for applications is April 1.

Aberdeen, WA - Fire crews fought back flames from a sizeable structure fire last night in the 1700 Block of West First street. Batallion Commander Damon Lillybridge tells us heavy smoke and flames were venting from the single story home when crews arrived around 9 last night. Lillybridge said one firefighter smashed a finger at the scene of the home, the ocupant said no one was home at the time beside their animals, two dogs and a cat were found dead in the home. With about $133-thousand in estimated damages to the home and contents, Lillybridge said the cause remains under investigation.

Montesano, WA - This week Grays Harbor County is mailing 2012 Listings of Personal Property for taxes payable in 2013. 

This mailing is sent to all businesses within Grays Harbor County. By April 30^th every year  every person in business is to complete and deliver to the Assessor a listing of Personal Property in their possession or under their control as of January 1 of the same year.  Personal Property is subject to the same levy rate as real property.

Listing forms are available at the Assessor’s Office.  This listing must identify all taxable property for each business.  Personal Property includes but is not limited to the following:

Machinery, equipment, furniture, and supplies of businesses and farmers.  It also includes any improvements made to the land leased from the government.