OLYMPIA... As this year's election season opens with Filing Week on Monday, June 1, Secretary of State Sam Reed is encouraging citizens to become more involved in their community by running for office.

"There will be hundreds of nonpartisan offices up for election this year throughout Washington, but unfortunately, many of them usually have only one candidate running," Reed said. "I hope more people will consider running for public office as a way to give back and get involved in their community. Whether you have great passion for education or economic development or some other issue, you can put that passion to good use by serving in public office."

A 67 year old Ocean Shores man was arrested on Memorial Day for Theft in the First Degree for allegedly embezzling in excess of $80,000 from the Port Hole Pub during a 3 year period. John Butschky was arrested by Det. Chris Iversen after a 12 month investigation revealed that Butschky, a bookkeeper for the Port Hole Pub, had taken money from the business and gambled at the Quinault Casino. The investigation disclosed that during this 3-year period Butschky had losses totaling more than $148,000 at the Casino. Butschky admitted to a gambling addiction that had increased in severity over the past several years. Butschky currently is in custody at the Grays Harbor County Jail with a bail amount set at $30,000.

The Ocean Shores Police Department wants to remind individuals that if they have a gambling problem they are encouraged to contact the Gamblers Anonymous hotline at 888-GA-HELPS (888-424-3577)

ASTORIA, Ore. - The Coast Guard airlifted a 24-year-old man off a fishing vessel 15 miles from Grays Harbor, Wash., Wednesday due to an unknown medical condition.

The 46-foot fishing vessel Pacific Girl contacted the Coast Guard approximately 10 a.m. to request assistance with a crewmember that was experiencing severe pains.

Coast Guard Air Station Astoria immediately diverted an HH-60 rescue helicopter crew that was on a training flight to assist.

The man was successfully airlifted and transported to the Port of Grays Harbor Airport in Hoquiam, Wash., where he was met by awaiting emergency medical services.  The man was then taken to Grays Harbor Community Hospital in Aberdeen, Wash.

On Saturday evening, May 23, while out on Nighttime Click It or Ticket patrols, Grays Harbor County Sheriff’s officers pulled over a vehicle with an unbelted passenger in the back seat. When retrieving identification of this passenger and others in the vehicle, the officers recognized that the unbelted passenger and one other passenger in the vehicle were the two suspects being sought for the armed robbery.  Both were arrested on unrelated warrants and taken to jail and have since been and charged with First Degree Armed Robbery. The driver was also issued a number of violations including a suspended license and unregistered vehicle.

Also on Saturday evening while out on the Click it or Ticket patrols, in the near vicinity, other Grays Harbor County Sheriff’s officers spotted a vehicle traveling at an excessive rate of speed and radared it at 104 MPH, then 126 MPH and finally 129 mph!  When stopped by a deputy, the driver was cited for two Reckless Driving violations, based on the two earlier radar reports.

ASTORIA, Ore. - The Coast Guard medically evacuated a 38-year-old man from a 58-foot fishing vessel 35 miles west of Grays Harbor, Wash., Tuesday.

The crew of the fishing vessel Melissa Lynn contacted the Coast Guard at approximately 8 a.m. to request assistance for Lawrence Lorton of Hoquiam, Wash., who had injured his hand.

A Coast Guard rescue helicopter crew from Air Station Astoria and a 47-foot motor lifeboat crew from Station Grays Harbor responded to the scene.

The helicopter crew conducted a successful hoist of the injured man and transported him to Legacy Emanuel Hospital in Portland, Ore.