Other Headlines

‘Technology issue’ at
Montesano High School still under wraps
The outcome of an investigation into a “technology issue” at Montesano Junior/Senior High School remained undisclosed as of Wednesday this week.

The Vidette reported in the March 13 edition that an investigation was under way at the school. Superintendent Marti Harruff said an outside investigator was being brought in to ensure objectivity. Meantime, two employees were on paid leave at the time — the suspect and his victim — apparently on the advice of the district’s attorney while the investigation was being conducted. Both are now back on the job.

The Vidette on March 12 submitted a public records request for access to the report and other documents related to the investigation. The district responded with a letter stating the it could take until Monday, March 31, to decide what should be made public. Last week, the newspaper reported that no additional information was available, but that the case involves a district employee who may have abused his position to inappropriately access another employee’s e-mail for personal reasons. The Vidette has not named the suspect pending the outcome.

On March 27, in response to a March 12 Public Records Request, the Montesano School District released a notice of Disciplinary Action against Tim Trimble. A complete story appears on the April 3 front page of the web Vidette.

Grisdale project beginning; expect road closures
The first of two phases of construction on the Camp Grisdale Road — also known as the Wynooche Valley Road — began in mid-March. This phase is expected to be complete by the fall of 2009, with work ceasing this year by mid-November. Beginning about 17 miles north of Highway 12, approximately 11 miles of the roadway from the end of the pavement to about six miles before the Wynooche Dam will be worked on, at times causing delays and even closures.

Resident pleads with Montesano Council to fix 10th Street
A stretch of 10th Street near the new Woods at Sylvia Creek subdivision in east Montesano is “beyond deplorable” according to the 54 residents who signed a petition urging the City Council to fix it. Emery Haggin submitted the petition to council members at their Tuesday meeting. He said his niece has a new car and after her last visit she told him she wouldn’t be back until the road was paved. The road “is an embarrassment to the residents who live here and most certainly should be to you,” Haggin said. Residents have been patient for three years, he said, having been told that once the area was developed the developer would replace the road. But now the subdivision has grown in size “and this answer is unacceptable as it could take many years for this to happen,” Haggin said, reading from the petition. “We feel something must be done immediately. Since the city owns the roadway it is your responsibility to see it is replaced in a timely manner.”

Hospital commissioner named
The Mark Reed Health Care District, which includes the Mark Reed Hospital and Health Care Clinic in McCleary and the surrounding areas of McCleary, Elma, Porter and Malone, has a new commissioner. Drew Hooper, an Elma resident and New York Life Insurance agent, was appointed March 18 to the position Bill Bilsland retired from in December.

Other Sports

Elma boys contingent finishes second at Tumwater meet
TUMWATER – Even with four event wins from Christian Stark, the Eagle boys just missed out on a meet win as Tumwater edged Elma, 67-65, in a three-school track & field event on Wednesday, March 19, at Tumwater. The Thunderbird girls also took their portion of the meet, besting the Eagle girls, 89-64.

Bulldog fastpitch sweeps Winlock in league double header
TUMWATER – The Eagles pounded out 10 hits as Elma cruised to a, 9-3, 2A Evergreen Conference baseball victory over Black Hills on Wednesday, March 19, in Tumwater. Elma starter Jace Shelton, had given up only one-run through the first four innings and then came in for a short relief appearance in the sixth to pick up the win. Bryndon Ecklund drilled a bases-loaded double and scored on a wild pitch as part of a four-run sixth that boosted the Eagles out to a 7-1 lead.