Other Headlines

Two McCleary clerks placed on leave
McCLEARY — Two City of McCleary clerical employees have been placed on paid administrative leave while the city investigates “potential irregularities in some financial transactions,” according to Mayor Gary Dent.

Utilities accountant, Ardyce Taylor, and deputy clerk, Christiane Mercer, were placed on leave last Friday “while we further examine certain situations,” Dent said Tuesday. “We’re looking at potential irregularities in some financial transactions.”

Taylor has worked for the city since 1996 and Mercer fulltime since 2006, according to the city’s clerk-treasurer, Wendy Collins.

Dent said he “personally told (the employees) that if this works out, then that’s fine. They’ll be invited back. But if it doesn’t, then it goes to other processes.” He said he was referring to a potential grievance process.

City ponders disputed road vacation
MONTESANO — There’s a deep ravine beside the houses on Kennaston Road. There’s an even deeper rift between some of the neighbors.

The Montesano City Council is acting as arbitors in a dispute over a house built too close to a road that exists only on paper. The platted road crosses the creek ravine. It’s the city that initially granted the permit allowing Patti Ambrose to build her house on an undersized lot too close to the paper road.

Neighbors complained and a city hearings examiner in March 2009 agreed that the city erred, ordering Ambrose to stop work on her partially completed home.

The roof and walls are up, sealed in blue plastic that’s starting to wear while she and her children live with a friend in Olympia.

More Sports

Bulldogs take two from Beavers in double dip
MONTESANO — Showing their versatility, Montesano won a pair of similar, but different 1A Evergreen League baseball games against Tenino on Friday, March 9, at Vessey Field.

Both games saw Bulldog pitchers throw well and hold down the Beavers. However, the 2-1 game-one win could be attributed to defense, while the 8-2 nightcap victory was more of an offensive show.

Penalty kicks help Dogs put away Tenino
MONTESANO — A 4-3 edge in penalty kicks gave Montesano a 1A Evergreen League boys soccer victory over Tenino on Thursday, April 8, at Rottle Field.

Following a scoreless regulation, the Bulldogs used keen attention to detail and a quartet of scorers to seal the win.

Montesano’s James McCulloch, Kellen Church, Ty Ridout and John Spearin all hit goals in the shootout, while a Tenino shooter, who was not listed in the official’s roster, was barred from the shootout. His goal was nullified when Monte coach Eric Stanfield alerted officials. The replacement shooter missed, helping the Bulldogs secure the win.

With the win, Montesano improved to 4-1 in league play and 4-2 overall for the season.

Aberdeen baseball prevails over Elma
ABERDEEN — Breaking out with a six-run fourth inning, Aberdeen topped Elma 8-2 in a 2A Evergreen Conference baseball matchup Friday, April 9, at Aberdeen’s Pioneer Park.

Combining five hits with an Eagle error, the Bobcats plated six runs in the fourth frame to take control of the game. Aberdeen pitcher Devon Thornhill tossed a three-hitter and struck out 12 to hold the Elma offense to a minimum.

Elma’s Trevor Wollen had two hits and both of the Eagles RBIs, as he plated Hayden Merkt twice.

With the loss, Elma falls to 0-3 in league and 2-4 overall for the season.