Other Headlines

Weight restrictions freeze business
The recent big chill froze more than toes and pipes, it also froze heavy trucking in Grays Harbor County.

The county imposed emergency weight restrictions on all county roads effective Tuesday morning at midnight. The restrictions will remain in effect until the ground thaws enough that trucking won’t damage county roads, likely about a week, county roads engineer Russ Esses said.

“This was a severe event,” Esses said. Similar restrictions haven’t been imposed in about 15 years, he said. Temperatures were well below freezing for more than a week, causing the ground to freeze more than a foot down, he said. As it thaws, roads become more susceptible to damage than usual, Esses said.

Senior Center lunch leader faces misdemeanor
MONTESANO — The winner of the 2009 Senior Center Volunteer award lost her position as head of the center’s lunch program and is facing a misdemeanor theft charge for allegedly stealing from the non-profit organization.

Janell K. Mullins, 61, of Montesano pleaded not guilty last month in municipal court to a charge of theft. A pre-trial hearing was scheduled for Feb. 23 after an initial pre-trial conference Dec. 8.
She is accused of using the center’s debit card last spring and summer to purchase food and other items for herself and the East Grays Harbor Rotary breakfast, for which she is the head cook. She allegedly spent nearly $200 of the senior center’s money on unauthorized purchases.

Mullins denied she’d intentionally misappropriated the center’s money, saying in her statement to police that she may have accidentally mixed her purchases into the center’s groceries. In her statement, Mullins explained that each of the contested purchases — things like yogurt, bacon, coffee and other miscellaneous food items — had a valid purpose for the center or was an accidental purchase.


More Sports

Raceway champions honored at season end banquet
ROCHESTER — At the annual Grays Harbor Raceway Championship banquet, the 2009 season champions in all classes were officially crowned, while other drivers were honored with various awards at the Lucky Eagle Casino on Saturday, Dec. 12, at Rochester. It was a set of new faces for the most part at the podium this season, as four first time series champions received their trophies. This was the first season that Montesano’s Josh Muller reached the top spot after 17 years of racing. He accepted the trophy for the Shipwreck Beads Modified class. Muller was also awarded the Sportsman of the Year distinction.

Bulldogs blow by Wildcats in non-leaguer
MONTESANO — Overwhelming the Wildcats on both the offensive and defensive ends of the court, Class 1A Montesano routed Class B Ocosta 63-27 in a non-league boys basketball matchup Friday, Dec. 11, at Bo Griffith Memorial Gymnasium. The outcome of the game was in little doubt following the opening whistle. Montesano embarked on a 21-0 run to begin the contest, with 6-foot-7 senior Jack Aldrich leading the way with 12 points in that stretch.

Elma booster B-ball tourney planned
ELMA — The Elma High School Boys Basketball Booster Club will host its annual Blue Buzzsaw basketball tournament on Saturday, Feb. 6 in Elma. There are three age brackets including fifth/sixth-grade, seventh-grade and eighth-grade. The cost to participate is $175 per team and limited to eight teams per division. For more information call Elizabeth at (360) 482-6800.

Mad Dogs wrestling Club earns victory
YELM — The Montesano Mad Dogs youth wrestling club recently notched a team win over White River at Yelm Middle School.
The Mad Dogs topped the Hornets 90-46, as Ty Ekerson, Carson Pierce, Dustin Newburry, Tyler Izatt, Carson Klinger and Justin Marsh registered pin-fall victories for Montesano.
With the win, Monte opens with a 1-0 record.