ABERDEEN, Wash. - The Grays Harbor Community Foundation is proud to announce a new fund for Public Art Projects/Works in Grays Harbor. The fund creation, initiated by Tom Quigg and Pat Oleachea was stimulated by the new “Breaker” three-dimensional public artwork at the Weatherwax Triangle.

Quigg has long been a proponent of community self-esteem, and highlighted the many successful individuals from Grays Harbor, in his book, “A Culture of Success.” The book was developed years ago by Mr. Quigg to inform the community that there are many from Grays Harbor that have accomplished much in their community, state, nationally, and internationally. It provides short descriptions of the success of many individuals with roots in Grays Harbor in their field of endeavor, and is available free of charge online at: http://tomquigg.withwre.com/the-harbor-a-culture-of-success.

Tom put his community pride to work as a member and now as President of the City of Aberdeen Arts Commission. Tom was instrumental in the development of Aberdeen’s newest public art piece, “Breaker” by Adam Kuby of Portland, Oregon.

Being involved from the beginning, and learning much about the process has motivated Mr. Quigg to approach the Gray Harbor Community Foundation with a significant donation to establish a fund to support the development of permanent public art works in Grays Harbor. Several other community members have already committed to contributions as well.

OLYMPIA, Wash. - With boating under the influence continuing to be a major factor in accidents and deaths on our nation’s waterways, thousands of officers with local, state and federal agencies will again team up for Operation Dry Water (ODW) in a coordinated effort to be on the water providing heightened enforcement and awareness about the dangers of boating under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Operation Dry Water 2013 is June 28-30, just before the Fourth of July, a holiday known for drinking and boating, and deadly accidents. Operation Dry Water is a nationwide education and enforcement initiative launched by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) in partnership with the U.S. Coast Guard.

Since the launch of Operation Dry Water in 2009, the percentage of boating fatalities with alcohol listed as a contributing factor has decreased from 19% to 17% in the United States. Despite the decrease, Boating Under the Influence (BUI) still accounts for a disproportional number of on-the-water deaths. In 2011, alcohol was a contributing factor in just 8 percent of boating accidents overall, but figured in 17 percent of boating fatalities .

A former Amanda Park, Washington resident who operated a shingle mill as a cover for distributing methamphetamine was sentenced today to 10 years in prison, announced U.S. Attorney Jenny A. Durkan. Naur Sanchez, 35, was arrested in June 2012, following a lengthy investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, U.S. Customs and Border Patrol, the Tahoma Narcotic Enforcement Team, the Grays Harbor Drug Taskforce, and the Quinault Tribal Police. Naur Sanchez pleaded guilty in March 2013. At sentencing, United States District Judge Benjamin Settle described the methamphetamine that the defendant possessed as “poison” that quickly leads to addiction.

“These defendants, who have ties to Mexican cartels, sought to spread their poison and influence on tribal land and in our rural areas,” said U.S. Attorney Jenny A. Durkan. “I am grateful for the good work of the Quinault Nation Narcotics Enforcement Team and Grays Harbor Drug Task Force who were key partners with federal law enforcement in this prosecution.”

According to records filed in the case, in the course of the investigation, law enforcement seized multiple pounds of methamphetamine. Two members of the smuggling ring were arrested and indicted following their arrest in May 2012 with six kilograms of methamphetamine hidden in the spare tire of their car. The men were tracked to a drug lab in Stockton, California, and were arrested by police on their return trip to Washington. 

HOQUIAM, Wash. - The attached presentation for law enforcement/ fire/ dispatch will be in the Hoquiam City Council Chambers on Monday, June 24^th in conjunction with the regular City Council Meeting starting at 1800 hours (workshop) prior to the regular Council meeting at 1900 hours. 

As there are no pending criminal charges with the death of the suspect, this is a unique opportunity to review the investigation regarding this critical incident.  Usually a presentation of this nature would not be possible.

We believe this will be informative as to the impact such an event has on an agency, the regional law and fire partners as well as the training, equipment and resources needed to respond to such situations.  As I have said before, basically one man with a gun brought our area to a standstill for over 20-hours (not to mention the subsequent investigation and impact to involved personnel). 

 The work of the Region III Critical Incident Investigation Team (CIIT) was very detailed as they documented every available aspect of the event.

 Please distribute the flyer to your personnel, politicians or members of the public who would be interested in this program.

Jeff Myers 
City of Hoquiam Chief of Police
Phone: (360) 532-0892

HOQUIAM, Wash. - The Hoquiam Police Department received a report from a citizen of a sighting of two cougars in the 400-block of Chenault Avenue early Monday morning, June 3, 2013 at 0535 hours.

According to the citizen, one of the cougars was apparently eating a raccoon. Both cougars were last observed heading into the brush behind a vacant residence toward the north. The state department of Fish and Wildlife was notified of the sighting, but at this time it does not appear there was any interaction with citizens or domestic animals.
The department is advising citizens of this information as a reminder we live adjacent to several natural areas in the city where wildlife may reside or regularly travel. Citizens should account for their pets and not leave food or garbage outside where it could attract wildlife, including raccoons and other scavengers.
The police department cannot take action against wildlife unless the animal poses an immediate risk and threat to public safety, but otherwise works with the Department of Fish and Wildlife to attempt to address concerns if a particular animal becomes a nuisance.