Other Headlines

PUD to hike rates 8 percent
Utility blames fed policy, state law for increase
HOQUIAM — It’s going to cost more to leave the lights on starting next month. Grays Harbor PUD commissioners Monday unanimously approved an 8 percent rate hike; the increase will cost the average residential customer $7 per month. The increase takes effect Feb. 1.

“We have no choice but to implement a substantial rate increase,” PUD Commissioner Truman Seely said.

Seely and other public utility district leaders cited several factors outside the district’s control contributing to the need for a rate hike. If one of the factors were to disappear, the rate hike wouldn’t be necessary, Commissioner Tom Casey said.

The increase is the first since major hikes were approved in 2001 and 2002.

Port-a-potty pyro nabbed
MONTESANO — In the Case of the Flaming Feces, police think they’ve got their firebug. Charles E. Such, 21, of Montesano was arrested last week and charged for lighting a string of arson fires burning portable toilets and Dumpsters throughout Montesano.

“It made him feel happy inside, and he liked to watch the flames,” Montesano Police Officer Shane Green said Such told him. “He liked to watch the fire response.”

Such and a 14-year-old Aberdeen boy were found hiding in the bushes watching firefighters extinguish a Dumpster fire around 9 p.m. Jan. 7 in the 200 block of East Wynooche Avenue at the city park and ride, Police Chief Ray Sowers said.

Sick heart solutions
ABERDEEN — Grays Harbor Community Hospital is one of two hospitals in the state flagged for unusually high infection rates on a particular procedure in a newly required state requirement report of some infection rates.

Swedish Medical Center — one of the state’s largest and most prominent hospitals — was the other hospital flagged in the report. Both hospitals have made changes in their procedures and no longer have high central line infection rates.

“We’ve taken corrective action,” Community Hospital spokeswoman Linda Brown said. “That red number will go away (when the state’s report is updated with newer numbers).”

The hospital saw a spike this year in the number of infections following the insertion of a central line — basically an IV inserted into the large veins or arteries near the heart, Brown said.

Monte promotes Powell, old job vacant
MONTESANO — The Montesano City Council approved promoting clerk-controller Kristy Powell to a newly created city administrator position but balked at signing a contract.

The council approved Mayor Ron Schillinger’s proposal 4-2, with Councilmen Rich Klinger and Doug Streeter voting no and Powell’s husband, Councilman Lyle Powell, abstaining.



More Sports

Elma tops Hoquiam
HOQUIAM — A seven-point Hoquiam lead at halftime was erased by a late third-quarter Elma rally that carried over into the fourth, and the Eagles rallied to a 73-63 2A Evergreen Conference boys basketball victory over the Grizzlies, Tuesday, Jan. 12, at Hoquiam Square Garden. Senior Garrett Stoney led the way for Elma with a game-high 30 points for the evening, with 18 of those coming in a crucial second-half rally.

Eagle grapplers control Grizzlies for 47-17 win
HOQUAIM — Registering victories in 10 of 14 matches, including two forfeits, Elma took control of the 2A Evergreen Conference wrestling meet and overcame Hoquiam for 47-17 team win at Hoquiam Square Garden on Thursday, Jan. 7.

Bulldog boys cruise past Spartans
FORKS — Putting up more points than Forks in every quarter, Montesano took a lead and built on it until it turned into a 58-39 1A Evergreen League boys basketball victory, Friday, Jan. 8, at Forks.