ABERDEEN, Wash. - Two meetings will be hosted at Aberdeen's city hall later this month as the Grays Harbor Transit Authority seeks public comment on proposals to fill an $800-thousand budget deficit.
On the line are several budget items including weekend bus runs, portions of the 7-day schedule, and funding for the county's EMS training program. While raising bus fare would not come close to filling the gap, one solution being discussed is a possible sale tax increase to the entire county.
Residents throughout the county, and those affected by changes to the bus routes are encouraged to attend one of two public meetings on the matter, being held at the Aberdeen City Hall, June 20th at 2 PM, and 25th at 6 PM.

ABERDEEN, Wash. - Mayor Bill Simpson said last night that the “Come as You Are” welcome sign will stay at the East entrance to the city. "I have received email after email about the Kurt Cobain sign. Three hundred and fourteen people from across the United States, I had a lady from Hannibal Missouri who has never been to Aberdeen but wants to make sure we keep the sign. As far as I'm concerned at this point and time, ‘Come as You Are’ is not leaving.
The city has taken heat since an article in the Daily World implied that they planned to remove or replace the sign that features the title to a Kurt Cobain song. Simspon said at last night's council meeting that the sign stays.

LONGVIEW – Local citizens are invited to a public meeting Monday, June 17, to learn more about projects that will keep rail passengers and the economy moving. 

The improvements known collectively as Kelso Martin’s Bluff will allow Amtrak Cascades trains to move around slower-moving freight trains, maintain speed and arrive at their destinations on time. 

The Washington State Department of Transportation and Federal Railroad Administration would like to hear from local residents as they begin assessing the project’s environmental impacts. Project maps and displays will be available and project staff will be on hand to gather feedback. 

When: Monday, June 17, from 5 to 7 p.m. 
Where: Cowlitz County PUD, 961 12th Ave, Longview, WA 98632 

OLYMPIA – Washington’s average annual wage grew by 3.4 percent in 2012, to $51,595, surpassing $50,000 for the first time, according to the state Employment Security Department. 

The average weekly wage rose from $959 to $992. 

These figures include only those wages that are covered by unemployment insurance.

Much of the increase was driven by a 6.1 percent increase in the number of insured workers earning more than $75,000. Overall, the average number of workers in Washington covered by unemployment insurance grew by 52,519 in 2012, an increase of 1.9 percent, and total earnings grew by nearly $7.4 billion, an increase of 5.4 percent.   

The three industries with the highest wage growth in 2012 were the company management sector, up 17.6 percent; information, up 11.5 percent; and agriculture, up 11.5 percent.