Aberdeen, WA - Fire crews quickly dowsed a small structure fire in the 1300 block of Morgan street this morning. Fire Chief Tom Hubbard reports no injuries "little, looks like a 10 by 10 garden shed, older and who knows what was in it. Right now we're just doing overhaul."

Black smoke, then white smoke, then only two walls remained after just minutes before 7 this morning. The home's address is on Morgan street, the fire was in the backyard alongside Division street. Hubbard said a utility pole, and siding on the home across the street suffered some minor heat damages.

OLYMPIA – The state’s BEACH Program will soon begin testing the state’s most popular saltwater beaches for bacteria to prevent people from getting sick from playing in the water.

The federally funded, state-run BEACH (Beach Environmental Assessment, Communication and Health) Program notifies the public when beaches are a health risk, and educates people about ways to avoid getting sick from playing in saltwater.

Contact with fecal-contaminated waters can result in gastroenteritis, skin rashes, upper respiratory infections, and other illnesses. Children and the elderly may be more vulnerable to waterborne illnesses.

Sources of bacteria on beaches include sewer overflows, discharges from unmaintained septic systems, wastewater treatment plants, sewage spills, and feces from dogs, wildlife, and birds.

“The BEACH program is the best source of information for saltwater beach health in the state of Washington,” said Christopher Clinton, acting coordinator of the BEACH Program.

Clinton added: “Our partnerships with local health departments, universities, local volunteers and tribes are the strength of the BEACH Program.”

The local partners collect weekly samples to look for fecal pollution and the BEACH Program notifies the public when there are problems.

The program is jointly coordinated by the state departments of Ecology and Health. The annual May – September project is implemented by local health agencies, tribal nations, university coordinators, non-profits, and volunteers.

OLYMPIA – Great trout fishing throughout Washington gets under way April 27, when several hundred lowland lakes – stocked with millions of fish – open for a six-month season.

Hundreds of thousands of anglers are expected to turn out for the big day. Although many waterways are open year-round, the last Saturday in April marks the traditional start of the lowland lakes fishing season.

“The start of the lowland lakes season is the biggest fishing day of the year,” said Phil Anderson, director of WDFW. “Lakes in every county are well-stocked, so families can keep travel costs down by enjoying good fishing close to home.”

To participate, anglers must have a current Washington freshwater fishing license valid through March 31, 2014. Licenses can be purchased online at https://fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov; by telephone at 1-866-246-9453; or at hundreds of license dealers across the state.

For details on license vendor locations, visit the WDFW website at http://wdfw.wa.gov/licensing/vendors/.

Freshwater fishing licenses cost $29.50 for resident adults 16 to 69 years old. Fifteen-year-olds can buy a license for $10.25, and seniors 70 and older can buy an annual freshwater fishing license for $7.50. Children 14 years of age and younger do not need a fishing license.

Aberdeen, WA - The Washington Coastal Marine Advisory Council will hear updates on marine spatial planning projects including viewing a new interactive website and progress on developing a data viewing tool during their April 26, 2013, meeting in Aberdeen. 

The public meeting will be held from 1:30 to 4 p.m. in the Rotary Log Pavilion, 1401 Sargent Road, Aberdeen. The meeting agenda has been posted by the Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology).

Ecology formed the marine advisory council to advise the State Ocean Caucus, a team made up of state agencies with a management role or expertise in ocean and coastal issues.

The unpaid advisory council provides local perspectives on and solutions to marine resource issues, projects and conflicts.

During their April 26 meeting, members also will consider nominees for a vacant seat to represent coastal tourism interests and discuss reports and recommendations from subcommittees.