Other Headlines
Teacher allegation investigated
A kindergarten teacher at Beacon Elementary School in Montesano has been on paid administrative leave since Feb. 9, while “an allegation of misconduct” is being investigated.

“I was informed of an incident that occurred today, Feb. 6. The incident is an allegation of misconduct,” Principal Craig Loucks wrote to the teacher.

The alleged incident took place at the school, Montesano School District Superintendent Marti Harruff said Tuesday.

As part of an outside investigation on behalf of the district, “you will be given notice of the specific allegation(s) and an opportunity to respond,” Loucks’ letter says. “The administrative leave itself is not a form of discipline, but rather an opportunity to clarify the situation,” the letter notes.

The investigation’s status was uncertain Wednesday, but a report is expected soon, said Pam Banks, human resources officer.

The teacher has a master’s degree and 17 years of experience, according to her contract.

Alleged car thieves caught
Two Elma men were arrested Tuesday morning for allegedly stealing a car. The Elma Police Department received a report of a stolen Toyota at 4:10 a.m., followed by a separate report at 4:45 a.m. of a stolen 1992 Honda Accord, Chief Jeff Troumbley said. Officer Steve Beck checked a dead-end road on the edge of town where stolen vehicles occasionally are abandoned. As Beck was leaving, he saw the Honda head down the road with two occupants, Troumbley said.
Beck blocked the roadway and called Reserve Officer Mark Graff and sheriff’s deputies, who responded with a canine unit.

The suspects, age 34 and 38, were tracked and apprehended. One of the men was bitten by the dog after apparently failing to comply with orders, Troumbley said. Charges were expected to be filed Wednesday afternoon against the two men, who were booked into the county jail Tuesday. They allegedly were in possession of items from the Honda and shaved Toyota and Honda keys, which can be used to open and start vehicles.

News briefs:
• The Grays Harbor County project to pave, widen and straighten the gravel road from the Wynooche Valley to the Wishkah Valley, known as “13 corners” for its twisting route, tops the list of local projects in line for federal stimulus money.

The project is ready to go within the timeline to qualify, county engineer Russ Esses said. If the state agrees, the county would get $750,000 in stimulus money. The state already has promised $1.2 million in state funds. The rest of the $2.2 million in construction costs would be covered by the county.

A smaller project to repave Hoquiam sidewalks also tops the list.

• Feedback on the latest draft of the county’s proposed Critical Areas Ordinance will be sought in coming weeks as a consultant meets with interested parties to bring them closer together.

In a rural area like Grays Harbor, which has just 5 percent of the population density in King County’s urban areas, the burden of tough environmental protections is spread over fewer people, Commissioner Terry Willis said Feb. 23.

“We don’t need HOV lanes, just like we don’t need big buffers,” Public Services Director Paul Easter added.

• The Montesano City Council approved the purchase of a pickup from Five Star Ford for $22,442 to be used by the Public Works Department.

• Parametrix engineers have begun a $32,000 survey of Montesano’s Seely Court area to determine how to address the neighborhood’s flooding problem.

More Sports

Monte’s Ecklund earns second in state at girls tournament
TACOMA – In just the second wrestling campaign of her career, Montesano junior Michaela Ecklund has her second state place to match. Ecklund who placed sixth last year at 160-pounds as a member of Elma’s squad, topped that accomplishment by finishing second at the same weight in a Bulldog singlet at Mat classic XXI on Saturday, Feb. 21, at the Tacoma Dome. Ecklund emerged from the middle of the bracket Friday with a pair of dominating pins on day-one, keeping her in the hunt for the championship come Saturday.

Montesano’s Alefteras brings home fourth from Class 1A state
TACOMA – Bumping heads with the top 189-pounders in the state, Montesano senior Ira Alefteras returned home from Mat classic XXI with a well-deserved fourth place finish on Saturday, Feb. 21, at the Tacoma Dome. All went according to plan in the first match as Alefteras handily beat Goldendale’s Kurt Wilkins 15-7. The Bulldog senior then ran up against state runner-up Russell Whitley of Chewelah and lost 14-2. Whitley then topped Chelan’s Davey Anderson in the semifinals, sending Anderson into the consolation bracket directly into the third/fourth place match.

Monte girls still alive, face Rainier tonight for state
LONGVIEW/ROCHESTER – After suffering an opening round loss to Ilwaco, Montesano rebounded with a victory over league-rival Forks in the District IV Class 1A Girls Basketball Tournament, and now has a chance to play for a state tournament berth against Rainier tonight in Kelso. Up 38-26 entering the final quarter of play, things seemed to be well in Montesano’s hands, however, Ilwaco exploded for 21 points - including the final 16 of the game – and edged the Bulldogs 47-45 at Mark Morris High School on Thursday, Feb. 19.