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December 27, 2007
Always listens, always fair |
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David Foscue’s 22-year career as a Grays Harbor Superior Court judge ends, and Aberdeen’s Dave Edwards takes the bench on Jan. 2.
By Dee Anne Shaw
Vidette Editor
This is a story about a small-town judge who rides to work on a motorcycle. He lives on a few acres outside of town where he keeps horses, putters in the yard, or, when it’s raining, holes up with a good book.
He’s an accomplished actor and something of an absent-minded professor with a wise-cracking secretary who adores him and likes to match wits with him.
He works long into the night when there’s a trial going on and has been known to order attorneys to court as early as 7 a.m. so that when members of the jury arrive they aren’t kept waiting while the finer points of admissible evidence are argued.
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A view of the historic murals in the Grays Harbor County Courthouse, with retiring judge Dave Foscue inset at left, incoming judge Dave Edwards inset at right. (Photos by Dee Anne Shaw.)
When ordered by his doctor to lose 20 pounds, he takes up walking around town during the noon hour with padded earphones so he can listen to books on tape.
His idea of getting away from it all is to ride horses deep into the wilderness, or, more recently, motorcycle with his wife through Argentina and Chile in areas so remote they arranged for a fuel truck to meet them at certain locations.
This judge has a statewide reputation as a hardworking legal scholar who is a stickler for details and ethics. Locally, attorneys say they respect him because he always listens and is always fair.
He lives in a close-knit Wynooche Valley neighborhood out the Black Creek, but has been known to avoid neighborhood events if the relatives of any of his neighbors are involved in a court action.
His neighbors still chuckle about the time a few years back when he naively drove down a flooded road and one of them rode a horse out to get him from his marooned Volkswagen van. Don’t get them started on his mechanical abilities — or lack thereof.
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| Montesano Scout completes ramp for Eagle project |
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Only about five percent of those who enter scouts reach this honor.
By Zachary Harris
Vidette Intern
As a long distance runner and a state champion power lifter, Christopher Riso of Montesano is accustomed to keeping his eye on the goal and going for distance. Those traits have served him well as he worked toward becoming an Eagle Scout. Riso, 16, is a senior at Montesano Jr./Sr. High School. He’s been a Scout since he was in grade school, part of Troop 15, sponsored by the Montesano VFW, where he usually meets once a week with his fellow troop members.
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Christopher Riso of Montesano. (Photo by Zachary Harris.)
For his Eagle project, Riso worked with Rebuilding Together – a non-profit organization based out of Aberdeen – to build a wheelchair ramp at a mobile home park off Poplar Road. Riso supervised the project and had to help draw the layouts, order the material, and build the ramp. This project was especially appreciated, since a ramp has been talked about in this area for a long time, Riso said.
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| Tenino drought leads to Monte victory |
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Things remained tight all throughout the first half
By Jerrad Kellogg
Vidette Reporter
Neck-and-neck through halftime, it was shaping up to be a nail-biter come the fourth period, but Tenino went ice-cold from the floor during the third quarter, allowing Montesano to nab a large enough lead to keep the Beavers at arm’s-length for the rest of the game.
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Montesano senior post, Sadie Bennett rips the ball away from a Tenino player and turns to kick-off a Bulldog fast-break in the early goings of Montesano’s 46-35 victory of Tenino. (Photo by Jerrad Kellogg)
The result was a, 46-35, 1A Evergreen League girls basketball victory for the Dogs on Thursday, Dec. 20, at Montesano’s Bo Griffith Memorial Gymnasium.
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Other
Headlines
Storm aid now tops $8 million
Since a federally declared disaster was announced for Washington earlier this month, more than $8.58 million in federal Individual Assistance has been approved, and more than 6,200 families or individuals have already registered for assistance. Those needing help are advised to call the Federal Emergency Management Agency as a first step. Residents and small business owners in the nine designated counties, including Grays Harbor, who suffered damage from the severe storms, flooding, landslides and mudslides are encouraged to apply for assistance by calling FEMA’s toll-free number, 1-800-621-FEMA (3362), from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (local time) Monday through Sunday until further notice. Persons already registered can call the number for updates on their cases by choosing option 2 to reach the FEMA Helpline. Those with speech or hearing impairments may call TTY 1-800-462-7585.
Aberdeen’s Dave Edwards takes the bench on Jan. 2
Here comes the judge — the new judge, that is. Aberdeen attorney David Edwards will become the new Grays Harbor Superior Court judge Jan. 2, replacing Judge David Foscue, who will leave the bench the same day to begin his retirement. State Supreme Court Chief Justice Gerry Alexander, Edwards’ friend of 25 years, will officiate at the swearing-in ceremony at 9 a.m. at the Grays Harbor County Courthouse in Montesano. “I’m very honored by that,” Edwards said. Gov. Chris Gregoire appointed Edwards to fill the vacancy, but it will be up to the voters to decide next fall whether he will remain there. Jean Cotton, an Elma lawyer, had also hoped for the appointment.
Downtown Monte eatery closing Friday
A Montesano establishment, where folks have headed when they were hungry for a hearty breakfast, a light lunch or a more substantial Friday dinner — or just to spend some time with friends and neighbors chatting over a cup of coffee — is closing its doors. When the Main Street Eatery closes Friday, Dec. 28, it will be for the last time. After owning and operating the business at 115 S. Main Street for eight and a half years, Pam Boerner says she’s “just tired.”
Toxicology tests returned in SR 12 fatality
Based on toxicology test results, the Washington State Patrol has determined that alcohol was a “contributing factor” in the cause of the tragic collision that took the lives of two young Elma men Dec. 1, Rod Rowe Jr. and Miles Zepp. Both 18-year-olds graduated from Elma High School last June. Although the legal blood alcohol limit for adults operating motor vehicles is 0.08, the limit for those under 21 years of age is 0.02, said Lt. Steve Smeland of the State Patrol. And though neither teen had any illicit drug in his system, both were above the 0.02 blood alcohol limit, Smeland said.
More Sports
Beavers heat-up late to down Dogs
Tenino trailed by one point at halftime, but a hot-shooting second half — spearheaded by Travis Neer — lifted the Beavers to a, 73-62, 1A Evergreen League boys basketball victory on Thursday, Dec. 20, at Montesano’s Bo Griffith Memorial Gymnasium.
Bulldog boys bounce back against Ocosta
WESTPORT — A steady Montesano attack through the first three periods put the Bulldogs in good shape to put away Ocosta, 54-45, in a non-league boys basketball match-up on Friday, Dec. 21, at Westport.
Monte’s Lane earns soccer All-State nod
When the Associated Press recently selected their 1A All-State Soccer Team, Montesano sophomore Becca Lane was included on the first-team as a defender. Also honored by the Associated Press was Montesano’s sophomore midfielder, Ali Ohashi, who was selected to the All-State second-team.
Monte’s Tyler Fry All-State for football
Three Bulldogs received some sort of post-season recognition when a state-wide panel of sports writers and reporters recently selected the 2007 All-State Football Team. Leading the way is Montesano senior linebacker Tyler Fry who was named to the first-team.
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2007
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