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Willapa Valley HS ninth grader Rilyn Channell earned an Athlete of the Week Award by the WIAA for Week 34, during the period from April 30 through May 6.

Below is what the WIAA posted on its website about Channell.

"Rilyn Channell of Pe Ell-Willapa Valley, helped the Titans sweep a twinbill from Raymond-South Bend for a share of the Pacific League championship May 2 with the winning hit, a 2-run double. On May 1 versus North Beach, Channell ripped 3 hits, including a home run and triple and drove in 4 runs. Channell, a ninth grader at Willapa Valley HS, is an Honor Roll student."

Last Thursday The Raymond and South Bend Schools had a lock-in as a safety precaution to threatening phone calls to schools throughout SW Washington. The phone calls implied that a person with a rifle was seen on the school grounds. Some schools received reports of shots fired at a neighboring school.

Around 11:00 a.m., Raymond and South Bend schools locked their campuses down as a precautionary measure to protect the students and staff. During the lock-in the students remained indoors for meals and free periods. During this time no one was allowed to enter or exit the campuses.

This act was in response to phone calls that went out through multiple districts.

Willapa Valley did not lockdown their campus but kept a close eye on the situation.

Tampered Evidence?

What if a critical fact Sheriff Snaza has reported to the public about the killing of Aron Christenson and his dog Buzzo was fabricated? Dr. Brandy Fay, who first examined Buzzo at the request of the Sheriff's office, determined that Buzzo did not die of a gunshot wound. Dr. Fay reported to the Sheriff's Office that Buzzo had been stabbed to death.

On Thursday, May 11, 2023, Roger Morningstar was placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of an investigation by the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission. Morningstar is the Chief of Police for Morton, Mossyrock and PeEll. Morningstar has had his share of controversy since taking over the police department in Morton, usually due to his political views and staff issues.

Anyone driving through Raymond can spot the construction going on over by the fire department. On June 24, 2021, the Joint Pacific County Housing Authority broke ground on the Willapa Center project. The building will contain apartments, and a daycare when finished.

"The Willapa Center is tentatively scheduled to finish in late July, early August," Said Chief Executive Officer of the JPCHA Jennifer Westerman. "We had several delays on the project, some due to complications in the soils, Covid delays and Supply Chain delays. The waiting list for this project has not yet opened. We intend to open the waiting list in approximately early July. This opening will be broadcast in local newspapers, on the website for both HOSWWA and JPCHA (www.hoswwa.org and www.pacificcountyhousing.org ). We will also be working with several organizations to assist in outreach."

MENLO - Voters in the Willapa Valley School District passed its replacement Educational Programs and Operations Levy by a margin of 54.7% to 45.3%. A total of 925 votes were cast with the final vote count 506 to 419.

On May 3 at approximately 8:46 a.m., two individuals, wearing masks and gloves, entered the Shell Station at the Vader exit to rob the store. During the robbery, a struggle ensued with the gun and 30 year old Navjot Singh was shot and killed.

Dennis Lee Korpi passed away on March 31 at the age of 75. The Winlock community lost a great man.

Vader May Day is this weekend, May 6, and the City of Vader is ready for their big event.