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January 3, 2008
2007: The year that just blew by |
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Some of the top news events that took place in East Grays Harbor County during 2007:
By Tommi Halvorsen Gatlin
Vidette Reporter
Horrendous wind and rain storms early in December plunged more than 33,000 Grays Harbor PUD customers into darkness and left a disastrous wake of downed trees and power lines and record flooding. All Bonneville transmission lines for western Grays Harbor were lost.
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Looking westward down Pioneer Ave., the destruction left from the “December to Remember” storm is plainly visible. (Photo by Montesano Police Department)
For most, it was days, nearly a week for some, even more than that for a few, before the power was restored. Many roadways, including highways, were impassable. The widespread devastation prompted Gov. Christine Gregoire to declare an emergency and seek federal assistance.
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| Landmark walnut tree out Wynooche Valley topples during storm |
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Elk found shade and shelter beneath its branches.
By Dee Anne Shaw
Vidette Editor
For 130 years or more, an English walnut tree growing in a hayfield in the Wynooche Valley weathered floods, drought, snow, ice and everything else Mother Nature could throw at it. It thrived despite the gouging it sustained from the bull a former owner used to tie to it. In modern times, those traveling the Wynooche Valley Road would pull over to enjoy the peaceful, pastoral scene.
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The Wynooche Valley’s record-setting English walnut tree was blown over Dec. 3. The owners are exploring how best to remove it. (Photo by Dee Anne Shaw)
It took the “December to Remember” storm to topple it — arguably the worst wind and rain storm to hit this area since 1962. (That’s not to mention storms that were even worse earlier in the century. The 1930s in particular had several record-breaking weather events.)
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| 2007: Year in Review in Sports |
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State title runs grab headlines in 2007
By Jerrad Kellogg
Vidette Reporter
When taking a look back at the year in sports 2007, a few outstanding championship performances leap out of the pack to highlight another successful year by East County athletes.
Topping the list are the state title winners – a pair of track athletes and both the Montesano boys and girls powerlifting teams make that list.
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The state championship Montesano power lifting team. (Photo by Dee Anne Shaw )
Capping off state title winners is the Montesano power lifting program which garnered its unprecedented fourth straight state championship on both the boys and girls sides.
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Other
Headlines
Bilsland retiring from Mark Reed Hospital board position
After serving for 12 years as a commissioner on the board of Grays Harbor County Public Hospital District No. 1, Bill Bilsland decided the time had come for him to retire.
Newest government officials sworn-in
Newly appointed Grays Harbor Superior Court judge, David Edwards, right, was sworn in by Washington State Supreme Court Chief Justice Gerry Alexander Wednesday morning at the Grays Harbor County Courthouse in Montesano, and Montesano City Clerk Linda Wolverton administersed the oath of office to the new mayor, Ron Schillinger in a ceremony Friday, Dec. 28, at Montesano City Hall.
More Sports
Two from East County win Monte Invite titles
Montesano’s Brent Phillips and Elma’s Mike Bowe each garnered individual titles at the Montesano Invitational Wrestling Tournament, on Saturday, Dec. 29, at Monte’s Bo Griffith Memorial Gymnasium.
Elma tops Monte, falls to Mark Morris in multi-school meet
Elma took on both Mark Morris and Montesano during a double dual meet and split the difference, losing to the Monarchs, 43-33, and then beating the Bulldogs, 51-24, on Friday, Dec. 28, at Montesano’s Bo Griffith Memorial Gymnasium.
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2007
The Montesano Vidette.
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