During the summer months Mason County residents are often treated to the sight of Orca Whales in our Puget Sound and Hood Canal Waters.  The Mason County Sheriff’s Office would like to remind all residents and recreational boaters to give the whales a wide birth.

State law requires boaters to stay at least 100 yards away from orca whales.  Boaters who find themselves unexpectedly too close are required to stop immediately and allow the whales to pass.  These regulations apply to tour boats, private powerboats, sailboats, kayaks, canoes, personal watercraft, and personal floatation devices.  Federal law also provides for broad restrictions against disturbing or harassing any marine mammal.

Seattle, WA - August was the second hottest month in 30 years for planet Earth, and will now be drenched, according to researchers, who also advise Washingtonians to look for a soggier-than-normal fall. A new report blames these extremes, at least in part, on the warming climate.

From the floods in Pakistan to the wildfires in Russia, severe weather events have made news headlines worldwide this year, notes Anastasia Schemkes with the Sierra Club. Her organization sees these events as reasons to move more quickly to curb global warming pollution, she says.

"These events are all sort of sounding this alarm and providing us with warnings - the same warnings that scientists are really trying to tell us so we can prevent the worst impacts in our state."

Seattle, WA - The University of Washington Huskies and Seattle Seahawks will take the field this weekend for their home openers while King County Troopers take the streets looking for impaired drivers. Extra patrols will be out this weekend with help from the King County Target Zero Team and Mobile Impaired Driving Unit (MIDU).

The University of Washington Huskies and Seattle Seahawks will take the field this weekend for their home openers while King County Troopers take the streets looking for impaired drivers. Extra patrols will be out this weekend with help from the King County Target Zero Team and Mobile Impaired Driving Unit (MIDU).

The State Patrol wants everyone to have fun this weekend while remembering to be responsible by having a designated driver if you plan on drinking. Remember, you don’t have to be “falling over drunk” to be arrested for DUI.

Montesano, WA - The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is now accepting public comments on digging days, catch limits and other management options for the upcoming razor clam season.

Suggestions for the 2010-11 season, tentatively set to begin in early October, can be sent via email to razorclams@dfw.wa.gov or by Postal Service to: RazorClams, 48 Devonshire Rd., Montesano, WA 98563.

Comments regarding initial digging opportunities must be received by Sept. 17, although WDFW will consider other suggestions throughout the season. Information about current razor-clam stocks, marine toxins and digging options is available on WDFW’s website at http://bit.ly/aoIfnQ.