Hoquiam, WA - As many as 5,000 men, women and children are expected to descend upon Hoquiam’s Olympic Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 18 for the first-ever Grays Harbor Convoy of Hope outreach.

A historic one-day outpouring of compassion and assistance to thousands of less fortunate men, women and children will take place at the first-ever Grays Harbor Convoy of Hope outreach on Saturday, Sept. 18.

Dozens of local church congregations, businesses and community organizations are uniting to organize the event set for 10 a.m., rain or shine, at Hoquiam's Olympic Stadium. Thousands of "honored guests" will be served with more than $40,000 worth of free food, goods and services.

Based on similar Convoy of Hope events held around the nation, local organizers anticipate somewhere between 3,000 and 5,000 persons will likely attend the Grays Harbor outreach. Those in attendance will receive free groceries, lunch, healthcare services, family photo portraits, haircuts, job information, entertainment, games and activities for the children, and more.

On September 25, 2010, DEA will coordinate a collaborative effort with state and local law enforcement agencies to remove potentially dangerous controlled substances from our nation’s medicine cabinets. Collection activities will take place from 10:00 a.m. through 2:00 p.m. at sites established throughout the country.  The National Take-Back Day provides an opportunity for the public to surrender expired, unwanted, or unused pharmaceutical controlled substances and other medications for destruction.  These drugs are a potential source of supply for illegal use and an unacceptable risk to public health and safety.

This one-day effort is intended to bring national focus to the issue of increasing pharmaceutical controlled substance abuse. 

• The program is anonymous. 
• Prescription and over the counter solid dosage medications, i.e. tablets and capsules accepted.
• Intra-venous solutions, injectables, and needles will not be accepted.
• Illicit substances such as marijuana or methamphetamine are not a part of this initiative.  

Find collection site(s) near you
Please check back often as new collection sites will be added daily.

Montesano, WA - September is National Preparedness Month. On Wednesday September 15^th, the All Hazard Alert Broadcast (AHAB) Sirens will actually wail with the true siren at 10:15am. Grays Harbor County Emergency Management will also be activating the Grays Harbor Notification System at 9:00 am to test our ability to communicate with the public via text, e-mail and a phone call. The sequence of events will be as follows:

09:00 am - Grays Harbor Notification System test will be activated (Only persons who have signed up for the notifications will receive it)

10:15 am – The AHAB Sirens in Grays Harbor County will wail with the true siren along with a test voice message. The Siren is DESIGNED TO BE HEARD OUTDOORS ONLY!

10:15 am – All schools will be following the Drop, Cover and Hold On earthquake procedures.

10:15 am – The Tsunami Warning Calling Tree will be activated via Grays Harbor County Emergency Management and Grays Harbor 911.

10:15 am – Television and radio stations will activate their Emergency Alert Broadcast test messages.

10:15 am - The All Hazards Weather Radios will activate with the NORMAL weekly test procedures. ALL HAZARD WEATHER RADIOS ARE DESIGNED FOR EMERGENCY NOTIFICATION OF PERSONS WHO ARE INDOORS!

*** Just a reminder that every weather radio may not activate during this test. Many radios will not sound unless there is an actual event but will have an indicator light and a test message on the screen. ***

Olympia, WA - Forest Supervisor Dale Hom announced today that permit sales for salal will begin at 9:00 AM on Wednesday, September 15, for a harvest period that runs from September 15 through November 9.  Permits will be issued from the Olympic National Forest offices located in Quilcene, Forks, and Quinault.  Salal (Gaultheria shallon) is an understory shrub commonly used in the floral industry.  It grows in dense thickets throughout forests in western Washington and Oregon.

A limited number of permits will be issued.  A lottery will be used if the demand for permits exceeds the supply.  Each permit will cost $150 and can be used for up to two months.  A valid United States picture identification will be required at the time of purchase and those buying the permits must be at least 18 years of age.  Cash or checks will be accepted, but no credit cards or debit cards will be accepted.

A new-to-the-market product is the Quinault Pride canned tuna and smoked salmon.  If you haven't had your tuna sandwich made with Quinault Pride tuna, you have such a taste experience waiting.  This is loin cut, no preservatives added.  It will spoil you for any other product.  Looking for a great gift to ship?  These cans are easy and always welcome