This week Winlock lost a business owner and friend, Suzanne Smith owner of Grinders for the past 22 years. She passed away on Wednesday, October 30, 2019 in Centralia Washington.

For many, Suzanne was how they started their day. She would fill everyone up with a morning coffee drink, hot or cold. She had a beautiful smile and when you drove up to her window, you were guaranteed to get a smile. She was always happy to see her customers, she made a point of knowing everyone's favorite drink. If you changed it up, she would always ask which drink today.

Suzanne was loved by many in the community, the posting of her passing on Facebook was full of comments.

On Saturday, November 2, the community gathered to plant the Winlock Community orchard to add to the garden at Winlock High School. People from all over town joined together to plant trees for the orchard. Mary Lewin (the "permaculture designer" or garden architect of the project) has big plans for the garden.

The current design depicts pathways, archways, and actual farm crop areas. Saturday was a great step in the right direction. Students led by Lisa Collins started the initial garden planted last school year after idea of providing fresh food for students who may not have enough to meet their needs surfaced. Now it is truly beginning to develop into a beautiful garden and gathering place it was meant to be.

On Thursday evening at 5:30 p.m., the Vader City Council and Mayor Wilson met to hold their budget workshop, a Public Hearing on the budget and finished with a Vader City Council Meeting. The unusual part is, the citizens were involved in all three meetings.

Mayor Lois Wilson started the workshop with a statement asking citizens to ask questions by waiting to be called on, instead of interrupting. Cities typically do not allow citizens to ask questions during a budget workshop; they are for council members only. A city will usually hold a public hearing later for citizens to ask questions.

During the workshop, it was mentioned the reason for the current deficit is due to the second half of property taxes not being received. These funds are typically received in November. It is not unusual for cities that have limited revenue to run a deficit until the funds are received.

The United Methodist Women or UMW of Chehalis is holding its annual Mint City Market on November 8 and 9 at the Chehalis United Methodist Church located at 16 S. Market Blvd, Chehalis. This year's market is coordinated by Dianne Stefanini, who has been involved in the last five yearly markets. You will find a collection of vendors selling local crafts, art, rustic designs, and more. The vendors this year, as with past, are from all over locally with a few from the church.

All funds raised from the market stay local and are distributed and spent down completely on missions such as Eceap, a free preschool, Safe Family Ministries, The Lewis County Gospel Mission, which this time of year focuses on the winter needs of those in need, and students in need.

At 6:30 a.m. on Saturday, October 19, the Winlock Handi Store was robbed at gunpoint by a single gunman. The clerk was not hurt and the gunman escaped. Many law enforcement agencies assisted Winlock Police Department including Toledo Police Department, Lewis County Sheriff's Office and Cowlitz County Sheriff''s Office.

The gunman was a young white male wearing khaki baggy pants, a black hoodie, lace up black boots and also a red bandana across his face.

Along highway 508 heading east, not far past the 4-way light cross section with Jackson Highway you will find a small, quaint little patch on your left. You can't miss it as the first thing you might see is the farmhouse of Barbara Grega who runs the patch. The entire porch is filled with pumpkins of all sizes. That's not all, as there is a whole yard of them as well.

The name says it all! The Pumpkin Patch, located on 518 Goodrich road in Centralia, is open now until November 1. Ran by Tim and Linda Crockett, it is jam-packed with all sorts of things to do but first, let's talk about the pumpkins. They are huge. If you are looking for big ol' pumpkins this is the place to find them. Right at the front and nicely set out in the field for your convenience.

We live in an area where most of us have guns and we have learned over the years how to handle guns safely. Now, Washington State has a new law, I-1639, which was passed in November of 2018. The new law has included issues relating to increasing public safety by implementing firearm safety measures, including requiring enhanced background checks, waiting periods, increased age requirements for semiautomatic assault rifles, and secure gun storage for all firearms. Many in our area voted against this measure and now you have a chance to stand up against it.

ORDINANCE NO. 597

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF NAPAVINE, WASHINGTON, AMENDING SECTION 13.04.020 CONNECTION CHARGES FOR MULTIPLE SINGLE-FAMILY HOME CONNECTIONS OF THE NAPAVINE MUNICIPAL CODE, PROVIDE FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE HEREOF.

ORDINANCE NO. 598

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF NAPAVINE, WASHINGTON, AMENDING SECTION 13.08.145 CONNECTION CHARGES FOR MULTIPLE SINGLE-FAMILY HOME CONNECTIONS OF THE NAPAVINE MUNICIPAL CODE, PROVIDE FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE HEREOF.

PASSED by the City council of the City of Napavine, Washington, at a regularly scheduled open public meeting this 8th day of October, 2019.

The above is a summary of Ordinances 597 and Ordinance 598 may be viewed in its entirety at the Clerk-Treasurer's office, 407 Birch Avenue SW, Napavine.

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