ABERDEEN - Grays Harbor PUD is conducting a financial analysis to determine the local impact of the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) decision announced Tuesday to increase power rates by an average of  7 percent, effective Oct. 1.

"Grays Harbor PUD, along with many of our customers, opposed any BPA rate increase," said Rick Lovely, General Manager of Grays Harbor PUD. "While the increase is lower than the 9.4 percent BPA originally proposed, we believe any increase was unnecessary and will only further depress our already struggling economy."

In May, the PUD's Board of Commissioners decided to delay a possible 4 percent increase in the energy charge on PUD bills, saying that management's cost-savings measures were having a positive impact on the utility's financial condition and they wanted to see what the final BPA increase would be.

OLYMPIA - The sturgeon fishery in the Columbia River estuary has been extended for another three days, beginning Friday (July 24).

Fishery managers from Washington and Oregon announced the joint decision after assessing catch data through July 19.

By their action, the two states will allow anglers to catch and retain legal-size white sturgeon Friday through Sunday (July 24-26) between the mouth of the Columbia and the Wauna powerlines near Cathlamet.

SEATTLE - If you're running a for-profit company that passes itself off as a "humanitarian" charity while operating outside of clear, legal boundaries, you might not want to solicit staff members of the Washington State Attorney General's Office.

That's exactly what happened, according to attorneys at the AG's Consumer Protection Division, who today filed a complaint against Dialogue Direct, Inc. (DDI), a New York-based company that offers face-to-face solicitors for hire.

According to the complaint, DDI is not legally registered to solicit charitable contributions in Washington state. The AG's Office also accuses DDI of failing to make legally required disclosures to potential contributors and giving the strong impression that its paid solicitors are volunteers or employees of a registered charitable organization working on behalf of children.

Olympia, WA - It's not exactly spinning straw into gold, but the potential for making some money from wood waste is there for public or private parties. The State of Washington wants to partner with companies to take wood waste off state land and use it to make biofuel or electricity, and it will select two groups to begin pilot projects.

Public Lands Commissioner Peter Goldmark says the technology is proven and the drivers behind it are strong. It doesn't make sense to pollute the air by burning years' worth of old timber slash piles, he says, when they could be a money-making resource for the state, and prompt a new "green" industry that creates jobs.

"We're very excited about this opportunity to get started on developing our own energy independence while we're improving the health of our forests and cutting back on the risks of wildfires. We're looking forward to forming some great partnerships."

A car versus elk collision this morning in Grays Harbor County didn't turn out so well for the elk, or the car. Just six miles south of Montesano on North 107, a 1994 Ford Escort station wagon was headed northbound when it struck the Elk in the roadway. The elk was found decease at the scene. The driver, a 23 year old Raymond man, was transported to Community Hospital with facila lacerations, his vehicle was totaled in the accident.