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Theta Rho Girls Club state president from Monte
As this year’s state president of Theta Rho Girls Club, 14-year-old Cassidy Feist of Montesano will preside over a luncheon and open house in her honor this Saturday, Aug. 30, at the Silvia Center. Members representing Odd Fellows, Rebekah and Theta Rho chapters from all over Washington and Oregon will gather downstairs at the Silvia Center for a luncheon prepared by the Rebekahs, followed by a reception upstairs in the lodge chambers.

City approves new fire department contract
The Montesano City Council approved final contract offers with its police and firefighter unions Tuesday night that offer about 5 percent each year through 2010, according to Mayor Ron Schillinger. The vote — 6-1 on both contracts — ends a long and sometimes contentious 18-month negotiating period for the firefighters, who have been without a contract since December of 2006. The police contract expired on Dec. 31, 2007.

Nothing illegal about the outlandish fun in Elma
An Outlaw Days festival highlight is brunch at 10 a.m. Monday, Sept. 1, with the racecar drivers at the Elma Grange.

Regional Fire Authority ready to talk finances
How much will it cost, and will it reduce the taxing authority of cities? Should there be one group — or individual entities drawing from a pooled funding source? How can both volunteers and paid employees be drawn into the program?

These were some of the questions raised at the second meeting Aug. 21 of the Grays Harbor Regional Fire Authority Planning Committee. Members of a number of cities and fire districts first met July 31 in Montesano consider forming an entirely new entity that could provide emergency medical, as well as fire services, under legislation passed in 2005.