Other Headlines

The Vidette recognized among the ‘best’ in newspaper competition
The Vidette captured six awards in the 2008 “Better Newspaper Contest” sponsored by the Washington Newspaper Publishers Association.

Of special note is the first place award to the entire staff for its extraordinary, “comprehensive news coverage” of the historic, hurricane-force storm that blew in off the Pacific Ocean in December of 2007. The storm not only ripped off roofs, it toppled thousands of power poles and some areas were without power for a week. It also triggered widespread flooding throughout the east county. The Red Cross and FEMA set up emergency shelters and the National Guard scoured the area making sure those who couldn’t leave their homes had water, food and firewood.

The Vidette staff worked through the night to cover the story and managed to publish on time using our laptops in an office made available to the newspaper at the Satsop Development Park.

“There are a thousand untold stories on Grays Harbor about all the people who worked beyond the call of duty to serve the public in the aftermath of the storm, and the staff at TheVidette was no exception,” Dee Anne Shaw, the newspaper’s editor and general manager, said. “But it is still very gratifying when fellow professionals recognize the incredible effort it took for a newspaper our size to publish a paper under the circumstances we had at the time.”

In addition to the first-place award for Comprehensive News Coverage, Vidette reporter Tommi Halvorsen Gatlin won two awards: A first-place award for “Elma vet to ‘star’ in parade,” a feature story about Dick Hermsen, and a second-place writing award for her story about a father and son who teamed up to rescue a man who collapsed while they were making a hay delivery.

The newspaper’s advertising staff won three awards, including:
• A first-place award presented to ad designer Debi Meredith for the “Best Special Section Cover” she created for the 2007 Winter Sports special section;
• A first-place award presented to Meredith, Gloria Kilwien, the newspaper’s advertising manager, and Elaine Rydman, advertising representative for the annual “Dear Santa” section in the competition for “Best Special Section for a Special Event or Festival.”
• A second-place award for Best Use of Clip Art in an ad was presented to Meredith and Rydman for “Fishing,” an ad they teamed up to create for Joan Randall at Prudential Grays Harbor Properties.

The Vidette is owned by Stephens Media LLC. The Washington Newspaper Publishers Association is the professional association that represents more than 130 community newspapers throughout the state. More than 2,800 entries were submitted this year. The Vidette was judged in a category that included the state’s mid-sized weekly publications.

Monte’s budget faces ‘harsh realities’
The city of Montesano’s new clerk/controller, Kristy Powell, warned council members on Tuesday they will confront some “harsh realities” as they head into workshops and hammer out a budget for 2009.

“The U.S. economy is experiencing some of its most challenging economic times in over 20 years,” she said. “Rising unemployment, a housing market crisis, record fuel costs and turmoil in the financial and credit markets have contributed to the lowest consumer confidence index numbers since 1982.”

Hardest of all for local government, she said, is forecasting revenue in such a tumultuous economic climate. The 2008 budget estimates that total general fund revenue will come in at $2.09 million. Powell is proposing the city budget for less revenue next year — $2.03 million.

Wynooche creamery honored
Folks in the Pacific Northwest know how tasty Grisdale Goat cheese is. Now people in Dublin, Ireland, are aware of that fact too — and likely others in various other places in the world, as well. Out of 2,400 entries, Grisdale Goat, produced by the Estrella Family Creamery in the lush Wynooche Valley, was one of only 174 cheeses from around the world to win a gold award Sept. 29 in the World Cheese Awards at Dublin. It was the first time the 20-year-old competition has taken place outside of London, England.

More Sports

River Ridge football trips up Elma, 27-8
LACEY – An early deficit left Elma playing catch up, and while the defense responded, points were sparse for the Eagles and they fell, 27-8, to River Ridge in a 2A Evergreen Conference football match up on Thursday, Oct. 1, at Lacey. A 60-yard touchdown run on the Hawks’ opening series, an Eagle turnover and ensuing touchdown and a 35-yard touchdown run put the Eagles down 21-0 entering the second period.

Aberdeen edges Elma golfers
ABERDEEN – With solid performances from the middle of the line up, Aberdeen slipped past Elma, 213-215, in a 2A Evergreen Conference boys golf match up on Monday, Oct. 6, at the Grays Harbor Country Club in Aberdeen.

Bulldogs blank RockON combine
NAPAVINE – Outshooting the Onalaska-Napavine-Mossyrock combine 28-3, Montesano cruised easily, 4-0, in a 1A Evergreen League girls soccer match up on Thursday, Oct. 1, at Napavine. Montesano’s Ali Ohashi opened the Bulldog’s scoring with a goal in the 25th minute off of a Sydney Bullington assist.