Other Headlines
Fire Dist. 12 in rural McCleary seeks support; funding needed to contract for ambulance service
Grays Harbor Fire District 12 in rural McCleary is one of two fire districts in the county that will have levies for emergency medical services on the Nov. 4 ballot. But it’s important to note, stresses Jerry Banks, chairman of District 12’s Board of Commissioners, that his district’s levy not be confused with Fire District 5’s levy. District 12’s levy is only to provide District 12 residents with emergency medical services, he emphasized. Fire District 12, which has about 1,400 residents, has 856 “active” voters, those who will receive ballots in the General Election, according to Julie Murphy, the county’ elections supervisor.

Collins resigns council seat
Saying he has too many irons in the fire and not enough time to help the city put out its fires, Albert Collins resigned from the Montesano City Council on Tuesday.

“I apologize,” he told fellow council members, saying he knows the city is heading into a tough couple of months trying to put together a budget for 2009. He serves on both the finance and public works committees, but said he actually thinks the city will be better off with a freshman member than a member who is barely making it to meetings.

Elma will extend sewer service
The Grays Harbor County Commissioners approved a $100,000 grant for the City of Elma that has all involved feeling “flush.” The grant helps the city complete a funding package to extend the sewer system west to Elma Elementary School, the industrial park and other properties zoned for industrial use. In a Sept. 26 letter to the commissioners, Mayor Dave Osgood asked for $50,000.

More Sports

Clam digging opens Oct. 16 at most ocean beaches
OLYMPIA – The first razor-clam dig of the fall opens today, Oct. 16. Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife officials approved the dig following marine toxin tests that showed the clams are safe to eat. Other clam digging opportunities are also slated through mid-December.

In October three evening digs are planned at Twin Harbors, Copalis and Mocrocks beaches Oct. 16-18, with Long Beach scheduled for two evening digs on Oct. 17 and 18. Digging will be restricted to the hours between noon and midnight. With low tides later in the evening, people should take lights or lanterns with them, said Dan Ayres, coastal shellfish manager for state. He also recommended checking weather and surf forecasts before heading out.

Harvesters are allowed to take no more than 15 razor clams and must keep the first 15 they dig, regardless of size or condition. Each digger’s clams must be kept in a separate container. A license is required for anyone age 15 or older. Any 2008 annual shellfish/seaweed license or combination fishing license is still valid. Another option is a razor-clam only license available in annual or three-day only versions. Descriptions of the various licensing options are available on the state’s website at fishhunt.dfw.wa.gov. Clam diggers are not required to display their licenses on outer clothing.

Dates and evening low tides in October are:
• Thursday, Oct. 16 (8:30 p.m. -1.5) Twin Harbors, Copalis, Mocrocks
• Friday, Oct. 17 (9:17 p.m. -1.5) Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis, Mocrocks
• Saturday, Oct. 18 (10:08 p.m. -1.2) Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis, Mocrocks
Tentatively scheduled digs through December are:
• Thursday, Nov. 13 (6:27 p.m. -1.6) Copalis, Mocrocks
• Friday, Nov. 14 (7:15 p.m. -1.8) Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis, Mocrocks
• Saturday, Nov. 15 (8:04 p.m. -1.6) Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis, Mocrocks
• Sunday, Nov. 16 (8:54 p.m. -1.2) Long Beach, Twin Harbors Copalis, Mocrocks
• Thursday, Dec. 11 (5:23 p.m. -1.1) Copalis, Mocrocks
• Friday, Dec. 12 (6:13 p.m. -1.5) Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis, Mocrocks
• Saturday, Dec. 13 (7:02 p.m. -1.6) Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis, Mocrocks
• Sunday, Dec. 14 (7:50 p.m. -1.4) Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis, Mocrocks
Beaches scheduled to open are:
• Long Beach, which extends from the Columbia River to Leadbetter Point.
• Twin Harbors Beach, which extends from the mouth of Willapa Bay north to the south jetty at the mouth of Grays Harbor.
• Copalis Beach, which extends from the Grays Harbor north jetty to the Copalis River, and includes the Copalis, Ocean Shores, Oyhut, Ocean City and Copalis areas.
• Mocrocks Beach, which extends from the Copalis River to the southern boundary of the Quinault Reservation near the Moclips River, including Iron Springs, Roosevelt Beach, Pacific Beach and Moclips.

Bulldogs topple Cardinals in three games
Montesano got the drop on Winlock – easily taking the first two games – and then coasted in the third game to a, 25-9, 25-9, 25-15, 1A Evergreen volleyball victory over the Cardinals on Tuesday, Oct. 14, at Montesano’ Bo Griffith Memorial Gymnasium.

Monte wins three team golf match
CENTRALIA – With superior depth, Montesano emerged from a three-team boys golf match up as the top squad with a, 218-237-275, non-league win over LaCenter and Centralia on Thursday, Oct. 9, at Centralia. Shawn Dierick paced the Bulldogs with a 39, while LaCenter’s Tanner Roggenkamp took medalist honors with a 38.