Southwest Washington’s Volcano Rescue Team is better equipped for winter emergencies in the rugged Mount St. Helens region, following the Bonneville Power Administration’s Wednesday donation of a track-driven snowcat to the volunteer rescue group.

Increasing winter recreation has led to a rising number of search and rescue calls for the Rescue Team, including many where a snowcat would have provided faster and safer transportation for rescuers and evacuation for victims. Until now the Rescue Team usually responded to winter emergencies on snowmobiles or foot, with members providing all their own personal equipment.

A project intended to address conditions at the Rainbow Creek stream crossing of Forest Service Road 2203 at Milepost 1.6 proposes the replacement of an existing culvert and fish ladder and establish a road stream crossing structure that would provide for aquatic organism passage.

A letter signed by District Ranger Dean Millett states that while the previous comments were taken into consideration, Millett is withdrawing the previous decision because it would result in the loss of a public access point on the river.

To submit your comments on the project, and for more information, contact;

Aberdeen, WA - The Aberdeen Police Department yesterday announced the hiring of two additional Corrections Officers which brings the total of full time Corrections staff to six.

Andy Stocker will begin his employment on December 26th, 2009 and Dave Christensen is scheduled to begin on January 4th, 2010.

Mr. Dave Christensen comes from the Grays Harbor Sheriffs Office where he served most recently as their Jail Superintendent. Stocker last served with the Washington State Department of Corrections at Stafford Creek.

A press release from the Aberdeen Police Department stated "Both officers come with extensive corrections experience and strong Harbor connections. Our new corrections officers where hired under a U.S. Department of Justice grant for Enhancing Rural Corrections and Jail Operations."

Aberdeen Police Chief Bob Torgerson said "once the two new members of the Aberdeen Police Department become acquainted with the department we will begin work on various new diversionary programs for the Aberdeen City jail."

Raymond, WA - Last Thursday Pacific County Deputies responded to a domestic assault at a residence in the 4400 block of Willapa Road, Raymond, WA. Deputies arrived and spoke with the victim who alleged she had been assaulted by her husband. The victim reportedly fled the residence and called police. The suspect was allegedly armed with several firearms, and possibly suicidal. There were reportedly four young children in the residence. Deputies contacted the suspect by phone but were unable to negotiate an immediate resolution. Multiple deputies responded and set up containment around the residence. After approximately five hours of negotiations by phone, the suspect exited the residence and was taken in to custody without incident.

Michael A. Jones, age 30, of Raymond, WA., was booked in to Pacific County Jail for one count 1st degree assault, domestic violence, four counts of unlawful imprisonment, four counts of reckless endangerment, and one count of obstructing a law enforcement officer. The victim received treatment at a local medical facility. The children were not harmed and were released to family.