OLYMPIA – The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will close Preachers Slough Road near Montesano for two weeks beginning May 13 for road maintenance and repairs to the parking area. The State Department of Natural Resources tells KBKW the road off Hwy 107, southwest of Montesano, will be closed at the bridge. There is still access to the old interpretive trail. The project supports continued public access improvements at Chehalis River Surge Plain Natural Area Preserve, which is managed by DNR.

The road and parking area work is part of a 3-year project to improve public access and habitat in the area. DNR is developing a shoreline trail that will lead from the parking area to fishing spots on the river bank that are popular with area residents. In 2013, DNR will also install a car-top boat launch for hand-carried boats such as canoes, kayaks and other small boats.

Montesano, WA - The Grays Harbor County Sheriff’s Office, in conjunction with the Montesano Fire Department, will offer a free boater education course open to all Washington boaters, from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Saturday, June 16, at the Montesano Fire Hall located at 310 E. Pioneer St., in Montesano.

All boat operators between the ages of 12 and 35 are required to carry a Boater Education Card when operating a boat in Washington State. Cards cost $10 and never expire. The law applies to operators of motorboats of 15 horsepower or greater.

For class information or to pre-register, contact Deputy Brad Russell at (360) 580-7634 or e-mail brussell@co.grays-harbor.wa.us

For information on the Mandatory Boating Safety Education Program, visit online at parks.wa.gov/boating.

Silverdale, WA - Drivers making really poor decisions were out in force Friday night. Kitsap County troopers had to maintain a high level of situational awareness during a wild two-hour period early Saturday morning. The fun started at around 0202 AM when a trooper attempted to stop a speeding vehicle traveling east bound on Bucklin Hill Rd. The trooper checked the vehicle speed at 75 mph in the 35 mph zone and attempted to overtake and stop the 2002 Acura. This attempt to stop the speeding vehicle, now failing to yield, eventually turned into a pursuit with speeds of 80+ mph reached on Bucklin Hill Rd. The pursuit ended at the intersection of NW Fairgrounds Rd and Central Valley with the suspect vehicle crashing into a dirt embankment. The 25 year old driver of this vehicle, alone in the car, was taken into custody for Felony Eluding and DUI and eventually booked into the Kitsap County Jail.  

At approximately 0255 AM while troopers and CIU detectives were investigating the pursuit collision, a 2004 Infinity sped through the scene requiring the on-ground troopers to take evasive action to avoid getting struck. The 24 year old female driver was stopped by one of the troopers and arrested for DUI and Reckless Driving. She was also booked into the Kitsap County Jail, refusing the breath test. 

Hoquiam, WA - The Hoquiam Police Department, Hoquiam School District and the Grays Harbor Target Zero Task Force teamed up together to present the “Every 32-Minute” program at Hoquiam High School on Wednesday May 8^th, 2013 with the final assembly on Thursday May 9^th, 2013.

 The timing of this program coincides with the end of the school year and graduation.  The intent of this two-day program is to show the emotional and human impact of driving while intoxicated or distracted while driving.  In this country, someone dies as a result of impaired driving every 32-minutes.

The following is a synopsis of the program from Susan Bradbury of the Grays Harbor Target Zero Task Force:

 What this project does is put students as close to an impaired driving fatality as you can get without it actually happening. 

 Statistics show that every 32-minutes someone in our country is killed by an impaired driver. Previously every 15-minutes…so we are making progress.

 Students have been selected in advance with parental permission and involvement.  Parents and students have been meeting with staff so they fully understand their roles and the delicate nature of the program.