Other Headlines

Willis, Estes leaders in commissioner race
In the first count of ballots in Tuesday’s primary election, some candidates showed strong leads. But only about a third of the ballots sent out to Grays Harbor voters had been returned in time for that tally, meaning a lot could change — or remain the same — in the next count.

Because ballots postmarked as late as the day of the all mail-in election qualify, final outcomes might not be known for a while. The top two candidates in each race, regardless of party affiliation, will advance to the general election.

County Elections Supervisor Julie Murphy said that 34,889 ballots had been mailed to Grays Harbor voters. Ballots received by the Auditor’s Office as of Monday “will be in the count tonight,” she said Tuesday.

Highway 8 repairs may affect traffic in McCleary
McCleary City Administrator Busse Nutley told city council members at their Aug. 13 meeting that the state ’s plans to repair part of Highway 8 this fall might have quite an impact on their town.

The state Department of Transportation plans to complete an “emergency slide repair” on a stretch of the highway’s south shoulder just east of the Summit Grocery that has seriously eroded as a result of last December’s storm.

During the project, which the department expects to take about two months, the outside lane will be closed the entire time, and the state is suggesting that both eastbound lanes be closed from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. for about 35 days, Nutley said.

In case the night closure of both lanes takes effect, the department and city are negotiating a detour through McCleary. The alternate route would be from Highway 8, down McCleary’s Third Street to Highway 108 as far as Kamilche, then south on Highway 101 to Olympia.

The distance is about 11 miles from McCleary to Kamilche and about 16 miles from Kamilche to Olympia. If traffic moves normally, the detour would take about an extra 15 to 20 minutes for those traveling from Grays Harbor to Olympia

More Other Headlines - no sports this week

MHS class of ’58 meets for 50-year reunion
The Montesano High School class of 1958 held its 50th class reunion on Thursday, June 26, at the Little Creek Hotel in Shelton. Classmates visited with old friends that some had not seen in 50 years. A highlight of the evening was a 10-minute DVD slideshow of class photos from the 1945 Kindergarten class through the eighth grade and senior graduation photos. In a photo, front row, from left, were: Ardelle Lockwood. Lois Buckingham, Yvonne Dierick, Vivian Wetzel, Marv Zillyett and Larry McGlothlin. Second row: Loran Reams, Jerry West, Betty Manring, Gale Willis, Darla Stegal, Roy Raines, Shirley Bies, Sue Nermo, Marilyn Hopper, and Kay Guggenbickler. Back row: Bob Vaughan, Jim Jonassen, Stan Barber, Rich Dotson, Ray Vaughan (hiding behind Gale W.) Les Louthan, Billie Chambers, Frank Flink, Bonnie Schumacher, Jack Hollingworth, Dennis Lindley, Bill Puller, Gail Newcomb, Leonard Robertson, (forehead,) Sandy Gilbert, Doris Post and Tina Nermo. (Photo submitted by Larry McGlothlin)

Cummings — Herrick engagement
Joetta and Herb Herrick, Jr. announce the engagement of their daughter Dawn Nicole Herrick of Montesano to Christopher Steven Cummings of Olympia.

The bride-to-be is a 2007 graduate from Montesano High School and attended South Puget Sound Community College and is now employed full time for GHB Insurance in Olympia.

The intended groom is the son of Jeffrey Cummings of New Mexico and Tracy McReynolds of Olympia. He graduated from South Puget Sound Community College with an Associate’s Degree and is self-employed.

The wedding is set for Sept. 20, 2008, in Olympia.