Other Headlines
Elma Council meets in secret to discuss policy on no nepotism waiver
ELMA — A request on the agenda of a special meeting Monday, June 1, of the Elma City Council may not have been addressed legally, including its discussion in a questionable closed-door session.

The meeting included an “executive” session attended by Mayor Dave Osgood, City Attorney Dan Glenn and council members Jim Hill, Jim Sorensen and Jim Taylor. Council members Debbie Thurman and Harry Henneck were absent.

The closed session’s purpose was to discuss “personnel policies,” Osgood said before he and the others filed out of the council chambers to meet behind closed doors.

Library cuts budget
Hours reduced, fines imposed for overdue items
MONTESANO — Come October, you’re going to want to return your library books and other items on time.

Timberland Regional Library Board members met May 27 at Montesano’s W.H. Abel Memorial Library. Agenda items included addressing how to continue meeting the costs of keeping the five-county library system viable in a deeply troubled economy. One action was instituting overdue fines in October.

The good news: “At this point, it doesn’t look like we’re going to close any libraries,” Timberland’s executive director, Jodi Reng, said.

Folks such as Margaret Nevills of Montesano were happy about that. “I wouldn’t have a life if I didn’t have the library,” she said.

To continue providing the myriad services the library system is known for, yet balance its general fund, the board approved major cuts at its April meeting. They also voted last week to begin charging fines for overdue items and a fee for copying from library computers.

8 county staff retire
Eight county employees retired early last month as part of commissioners’ plan to cut next year’s budget by offering an early-retirement incentive package.

The men and women took a wealth of institutional knowledge with them. Co-workers celebrated at a handful of parties scattered throughout the county buildings where the men and women worked.

The retirees are: John Kirkwood, Dave Anderson, Teresa Olson, Becky Waters, Bev Lofgren, Oscar West, Ted May, Ed Fleming.

More Sports
Thomas repeats as state champ
TACOMA — Elma junior Brandi Thomas successfully defended her Class 2A girls triple jump crown at the state 2A-3A-4A track and field championships last weekend at Tacoma’s Mount Tahoma High School. Thomas bounded 37-feet-2 to retain the title, which was 1-foot-1.5 better than her winning leap last year. Her nearest competition came from Archbishop Murphy’s Sarah Schireman at 36-feet-5.

Bulldog girls finish second at 1A golf
RICHLAND — Behind a pair of top-20 finishers, Montesano’s girls took second place in the team standings at the 36-hole, two-day Class 1A girls state golf tournament last week at the Columbia Point Golf Course in Richland. Montesano’s Alyssa Hartman was the top Bulldog at state, taking 12th overall with consistent play. She carded 94 on both days to total 188.

Elma’s Keating in top-five at 2A golf
YAKIMA — Elma freshman Alexis Keating concluded her first high school golf campaign with a fifth place finish at the 36-hole Class 2A girls state golf tournament at the Apple Tree Resort last week in Yakima. On the first day of competition Keating shot a front five-over-par on the first day, which included an even-par 36 on the back nine, for a total of 77. On day-two Keating began in third place, but slid to fifth with a round of 83, which gave her 160 for the tourney. Bellingham’s Claire Rachor took the title with a 148 (76-72), 14 strokes up on Keating, who missed second by just four shots.