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The lack of affordable earthquake insurance has long been an issue in Washington. For example, after having collected over $350 million in revenues within the state over the past decade, the insurance giant State Farm filed for a quake insurance rate increase back in 2014, which was eventually granted. This increase included a 39 percent leap in commercial property rates in King County and a massive 117 percent spike here in Pacific and Grays Harbor counties.

Female-to-male impersonator Ceasar Hart declined to give his real name when he spoke with the Herald last week, saying he likes to keep a distinction between his private life and his stage persona.

The Grays Harbor College Fish Lab, which last year brought an abandoned building back to life and released its first crop of coho salmon into Alder Creek in Grays Harbor, is now slated to begin it's 2016/2017 season.

On Friday, January 27, from 10 a.m.- 4 p.m., Project Homeless Connect (PHC) will be hosting their program at the Aberdeen Eagles Club. Volunteers are requested to help the needy of our community. Please contact Lori Valentine at 360-533-5100 to sign up, or email loriV@coastalcap.org.

Based on discussion at a recent Winlock City Council meeting, it appears a rift has developed between Winlock Mayor Lonnie Dowell and his staff and a majority of the council members.

The regular season is in full swing and every game counts. The Tuesday, Jan. 3, matchup between two teams currently in the top half of the bracket in the 2B Central Division featured the Napavine Tigers defending their home court against the Toledo Indians.

Steamboat Plaza was opened on Saturday, June 25, 2016, in Toledo by Steve Dobosh, mayor of Toledo, and Rachel Phillipps, owner of Phillipps Insurance.

Toledo Elementary School has been recognized as a 2016 Washington State School of Distinction by the Center for Educational Effectiveness (CEE), in partnership with the Association of Educational Service Districts (AESD), The Association of Washington School Principals (AWSP), Washington Association of School Administrators (WASA), Washington State School Directors' Association (WSSDA) and the Washington State Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development (WSASCD). Toledo Elementary joins 93 other Washington schools in receiving this award for sustained improvement in student achievement in Math and English Language Arts over the past five consecutive years. Schools in the top 5% in the state in achievement growth have been recognized over the past 10 years for exemplary achievement.

The City of Vader will be hosting a public meeting for all residents of Vader and the surrounding areas regarding vital neighborhood emergency preparedness. The meeting will be held on Jan. 19, 2017, at 7:00 p.m. at the Vader City Hall building.

Freemasons from Raymond are revealing some of their secrets this month.

A display of memorabilia from a recently opened time capsule has been set up in the Raymond Timberland Library at 507 Duryea Street. It will be available for public viewing through January.

SOUTH BEND - Superior Court Judge Christopher Wickham summarily dismissed James O'Hagan's lawsuit against Pacific County Prosecutor Mark McClain. O'Hagan claimed McClain's use of O'Hagan's booking photo alerting staff to the potentially dangerous O'Hagan constituted defamation. The action took place last Wednesday.

Despite freezing temperatures on Jan. 4, Seattle Seahawks DJ SupaSam and former Sea Gals, Jessica and Gelly, made a stop at Raymond City Hall. The Seahawks organized the "12 Flag Tour," in order for fans to meet Seahawks personalities, as well as get an opportunity to take pictures with the actual 12th Man Flag the players carry on to the field with them on gameday. The group arrived in a Seahawks-themed Toyota Tundra and were met by cheers from a gathered crowd of local Hawks fans. Even in the bitter cold the crowd was impressive, with roughly 60 people in attendance. The Raymond stop was just one of many on the four day tour that began in Renton and ended in Long Beach.

The Willapa Harbor Hospital Administration Board of Directors met on Monday, Jan. 9, for a special meeting pertaining to their tax rates in relation to the newly added Timberland Library tax district, which effectively takes seven cents per $1000 that the hospital would normally receive.

SOUTH BEND - Alan E. Zakel, 28, of South Bend was sentenced to 1 year and 10 months in prison for taking a motor vehicle without permission. The action took place in Pacific County Superior Court Friday afternoon.