Other Headlines

Railroad offers to help build Elma fire substation
ELMA — The Puget Sound & Pacific Railroad has agreed to help the City of Elma provide a fire substation on the north side of the tracks running east to west through town.

Mayor Dave Osgood told the city council Monday that he’d met with several representatives of the railroad, which is based in Elma, the previous Wednesday, March 31, and they’d formulated a two-phase plan.

An estimated 500 residents live on the north side, including a number of firefighters. But if a structure fire were to occur while a train is blocking fire apparatus from reaching it, Osgood and others, including Fire Chief Wes Jhanson, have said it could be a real disaster since every second counts when battling a raging fire — or getting medical equipment to a heart attack or stroke victim.

Though the railroad could be asked to “break” the train cars apart to let emergency vehicles through, even that could take “15 to 20 minutes by the time they had it broken and opened up for you,” Osgood said in February.

Draft Chehalis flood plan revealed
MONTESANO — The Chehalis River Basin Flood Authority has a draft flood plan that it’s presenting to communities throughout the area. Tuesday, about 40 folks gathered in Montesano to learn what the plan proposes.

Some attending the meeting expressed concern that the plan lacked detail about proposed dike improvements on the Interstate 5 corridor and a pair of proposed dams in Lewis County.

“When is this all going to come together?” Malone area resident Carol Seaman asked, noting planning efforts date back at least to 1997. She expressed concern that the proposed flood control projects in the plan include building levees and dredging.

More Sports

Elma’s Thomas, Stoney garner all-state hoop honors
Following the close of the 2009-10 winter sports campaign, writers from the Associated Press selected All-Washington state basketball teams in all classifications for both boys and girls. And in their recent vote, Elma seniors Brandi Thomas and Garrett Stoney received recognition.

This marks the second year Thomas was included on the Class 2A all-state girls squad. She is also coming off of back-to-back Evergreen Conference Most Valuable Player awards. Thomas, who averaged 18 points, 11 rebounds and two-and-a-half blocks per game and finished with 1,470 career points, is slated to play basketball for Washington State University next season.

Fastpitch Club to host golf tourney
ELMA — The Elma Eagles recreational fastpitch club teams will be hosting a four-player scramble format golf tournament Saturday, April 24, at the Oaksridge Golf Course in Elma.
A shotgun start is scheduled for 8 a.m. The tourney includes prizes for top-four team members, a skills competition and a raffle. Following play, there will be a prize ceremony, complimentary barbecue and a homemade dessert auction at the old clubhouse.
The cost is $45 per player or $180 per team. To pre-register, call the Oaksridge Pro Shop at (360) 482-3511. Day-of-tourney registration must be completed by 7:45 a.m.
The proceeds from the tournament will help defray team travel costs and allow the club to make field improvements to the high school complex off Highway 12. Most recently the club constructed bullpens at the varsity field.

Monte hands out winter sports awards
MONTESANO — At Montesano High School’s recent Winter Sports Awards Banquet, several athletes from the boys and girls basketball teams and wrestling squad were honored.
The full list of award winners is as follows:

Boys Basketball
Most Valuable
Sean McNealley
Most Improved
Jack Aldrich
Most Inspirational
Evan Truax
Mr. Defense
Kale Trimble
Mr. Team Player
Tyler Fry
Mr. Basketball 2009-10
Kale Trimble

Girls Basketball
Most Valuable
Brooke Rydman
Most Inspirational
Kara Trimble
Most Improved
Bobbi Fry
Best Defense
Brooke Rydman

Wrestling
Most Valuable
Dillon Ford
Ryan Campbell
Most Improved
Ryan Wood
Most Inspirational
Zach Anderson
Coaches Award
Michaela Ecklund