The first-ever girls' soccer match for the combined team from Raymond and South Bend high schools resulted in a historic win for the Riptide when they defeated visiting Ilwaco 2-1 after 80 minutes of play last Tuesday (Sept. 4) at the Raymond HS football field. It was also the inaugural soccer match for Ilwaco. Kyra Gardner, a ninth grader from RHS, scored both goals for the winners.

Local teachers and school districts have kept a close eye on other districts in the state that have ended up in courtrooms over teacher strikes. In a surprising chain of events a Tumwater judge ruled a Tumwater School District teacher strike to be illegal while another judge in Longview ordered Longview teachers back to work.

Monday, Sept. 10 at approximately 2:54 p.m. the South Bend Fire Department, Raymond Fire Department, South Bend Police, Raymond Police, and Washington State Patrol responded to a three vehicle accident at US 101 and Ferry St. in South Bend.

The South Bend branch of the Timberland Regional Library (TRL) has temporarily closed it doors and its staff relocated to the Raymond Library for the time being. Timberland Regional Library executives decided to close the library in an abundance of caution after several building concerns arose.

The Washington State Department of Labor and Industries was brought in at the request of Timberland Regional Library to look at several issues with the building. The final report is expected to be ready in the coming weeks. L&I has been looking at foundation supports, wall leakages, and several other structural concerns that have yet been specified.

Willapa Caring Hands is a brand new baby in Pacific County. This non-profit is forming in the hope of helping those in need. They will be hosting a free laundry day at the Raymond Laundromat on Sept. 9 to help local families get set for the new school year.

The group's main focus will be on families with kids in North Pacific County to help make sure they have the tools they need to be successful in school, but will also help out the rest of the community as much as possible.

Friday, August 24 the Raymond Fire Department along with Pacific County Fire District 3 responded to a report of a fully engulfed residence at 1234 Water Street in Raymond.

Once on scene crews observed a fully engulfed structure along with several vehicles according to the Raymond Fire Department. The crews also observed nearby homes and structures were under immediate threat of the fire and crews took a defensive stance against the fire.

A single 48 year old male occupant and his dog were able to escape the fire uninjured. The home is considered a complete loss along with 7 vehicles parked at the home. A neighbor's home also sustained some minor damage from the fire.

Valley View Clinics newest addition Doctor William Dienst's medical license has been suspended by the Washington State Department of Health with a number of charges stated as the reason.

The Herald published an article on August 22 regarding Valley View welcoming a new doctor to the area. Raymond Valley View Clinic Manager Sharon Smith reached out and requested the Herald to withhold the article as Dr. Dienst would be out some time with a "family emergency," but the newspaper had already gone to press.

A concerned local resident contacted the Herald after reading the article to inform the newspaper of the allegations against Dr. Dienst. This same day, August 22, the Department of Health issued a press release regarding Dr. Dienst with the title, "Okanogan County physician suspended; charges say he is unable to practice with reasonable skill and safety."

Subsequent information through the DOH database yielded approximately five malpractice claims against Dr. Dienst of which one patient ultimately passed away with his care being stated as a contributing factor.

The McCleary Bill has allotted millions of dollars to be directed towards assisting teachers to get pay raises this year and local school districts are in the midst of negotiating just how much.

The funding was designed in response to the McCleary Decision in which the state was ordered to fully fund K-12 public schools as it was found the state consistently failed to fulfill its constitutional obligation to student educations.

The Pacific County Sheriff's Office responded to residence in the 1000 block of Pine Street in Grayland to a report of suspicious person at a well known residence to the sheriff's office.