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.

SEATTLE, WA—The Attorney General’s Office and the Better Business Bureau today issued a warning that flood damaged cars from Hurricane Sandy are showing up for sale in Washington state.

The AGO and BBB caution consumers to make sure the vehicle you buy does not have flood damage.

"Once the waters recede, scam artists often descend into a flood area," said Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson. “Buyer beware, protect yourself from buying a rebuilt, water-logged wreck. Make sure you check the history of the vehicle and take a close look at the physical condition.”

"Don't be fooled by shiny paint and a ‘new car’ smell,” says Robert W.G. Andrew, CEO of BBB serving Alaska, Oregon and Western Washington. "Unscrupulous sellers will use every trick in the book to clean up and sell totaled vehicles. If buyers aren't careful, the cars they end up with could be loaded with hidden and serious problems."

Flood damaged cars may look normal, but almost always have serious problems including chronic mildew and corroded wires that lead to electrical failure.

HOQUIAM, Wash. - The Hoquiam School District announces the sponsorship of the Simplified Summer Food Program for Children.  Meals will be made available at no charge to attending children 18 years of age and younger

Meals will be served at the following two locations: