Other Headlines

Monte schools adds maintenance supervisor and mechanic; investigation continues
The maintenance crew in the Montesano School District has a new boss, and bus drivers are breathing easier with the hiring of a full-time mechanic — someone they can tell their troubles to.

Scott Martin, a former assistant public works director for the City of Montesano, started work this week as the district’s maintenance supervisor, and James Black, ex-Army and most recently a diesel mechanic for the Greyhound bus line, started work last week as the district’s new mechanic. Both “new hires” are scheduled to be formally approved and their salaries set by the School Board at its meeting Thursday.

Also on Thursday, the board is scheduled to have an executive session to discuss “personnel” matters. Superintendent Marti Harruff said she “cannot discuss executive session matters” and declined to say whether the board would be updated on an investigation launched last week into a “technology” issue at Montesano Junior/Senior High School. An outside investigator was brought to the school to investigate a technology-related matter that was brought to the superintendent’s attention on Friday, March 7. Harruff said she expects a report on the matter to be completed later this month. TheVidette has filed a public records request for access to all materials discloseable under the state’s Open Public Records Act. Although the district won’t reveal the nature of the investigation, The Vidette has learned that the case involves an employee who may have abused his/her position to inappropriately access another employee’s e-mail for personal reasons.

Clinic adding to Monte’s east-end activity
It’s official — the new Montesano Clinic at 319 E. Pioneer Ave. will open its doors Monday, March 24. An open house is being planned later “for the community to come and see,” says its manager, Rae Rose. Date and time for the open house will be announced. Meantime, don’t be confused by some sign-changing going on this week — a new one letting folks know it’s the “Montesano Clinic” is in the process of being constructed and installed.

McCleary’s Carter fifth to declare for county commissioner
Make that five — candidates for Grays Harbor County commissioner, that is. All are vying for the seat of three-term Commissioner Bob Beerbower of Elma, who is not seeking re-election. “Buck” Clinton Carter of McCleary is the fifth to announce he’d like to fill the position. All the candidates are also Democrats, and the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling Tuesday reinstating Washington’s “top-two primary” means the race won’t be decided in the primary election Aug. 19, as it would have been without the ruling had the race included only Democrats. Now, the top two vote-getters in the primary, even if they are both from the same party, will advance to the Nov. 4 General Election.

Other Sports

Tiger baseball claws Eagles in extra frames
ELMA – After Centralia opened with a five-run bottom of the first inning, Elma was forced to play from behind and the Eagles slowly chipped away at the Tigers lead until they were able to tie it at 8-8 with a three-run bottom of the seventh. Centralia reverted to a bit of small-ball in their top half of the eighth inning and posted two runs, while Elma came up empty in the bottom of the frame, allowing the Tigers to nab the 2A Evergreen Conference baseball victory on Tuesday, March 18, at Eagle Field.

Wildcats nip Bulldog soccer
A relentless LaCenter offensive attack continually probed for weaknesses in the Montesano defense, and for the most part was turned away. However, the Wildcats did threaten the Bulldog goal on several occasions, and were able to convert three goals, giving them more than enough to knock off Monte, 3-0, in a non-league 1A boys soccer match-up, on Thursday, March 13, at Rottle Field.

Montesano boys winners at Rainier track meet
RAINIER – Behind the strength of two Jake Vetter wins, the Montesano boys went on to win the team title at the Rainier Icebreaker Invitational track meet on Saturday, March 15, at Rainier.