Rural students in Southwest Washington will be eating more locally-grown food for the 2022-2023 school year. That's because Raymond School District, Hoquiam School District, Aberdeen School District, and Pe Ell School District were all awarded Washington Department of Agriculture (WSDA) Farm to School Grants.

The WSDA's Farm to School Program funds school districts in Washington state to buy local food, educate students about agriculture, and more. 'Our goal is to support expanding economic opportunities for farmers while educating students about the connections between food, farming, health, and the environment,' WSDA's Farm to School Program website reads.

The School District staff are eager to feed kids in remote schools, healthy, local food. School Districts off the I-5 corridor are plagued with supply chain issues, and these funds help strengthen their food offerings.

"The Aberdeen School District is thrilled that the WSDA has once again provided the opportunity to serve our students food from local farms again this year," Jaime Matisons Food Service Director at Aberdeen School District Food Service Department said. "The Southwest Washington Food Hub helps us source locally grown meat, dairy, eggs,veggies, and fruit from Washington state farms."

New homes and apartment buildings built in Washington state must be equipped with electric heat pumps beginning in July. The state Building Code Council voted in favor of the requirement. The switch will reduce carbon emissions and reliance on nonrenewable heat sources. Natural gas is pollutive, contributing to health issues in gas-burning homes and creating greenhouse gases that accelerate global warming.

Electric heat pumps are efficient, and many units can both heat and cool living spaces. Washington state enjoys some of America's cheapest electricity; Seattle rates are 29 percent below the national average. In addition to low monthly costs, electric heat pumps often require minimal maintenance. Electric heat is also safer than gas heat - gas furnaces in disrepair can produce lethal, odorless carbon monoxide.

OLYMPIA - The recreational razor clam season on coastal beaches is postponed effective immediately until further notice, and includes digs from Sunday, Nov. 6 through Sunday, Nov. 13, shellfish managers with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) announced today.

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Name: A Haggerty

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The following facts were revealed during a drug investigation that was brought to the attention of the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Joint Narcotic Enforcement Team by a citizen of Lewis County.

You can help by making a donation or giving blood.

The American Red Cross is working tirelessly to help people devastated by Hurricane Ian. Many communities are unrecognizable after the storm and volunteers from all 50 states and the District of Columbia are helping those affected and will be helping them recover for weeks and months to come.

"People's lives were turned upside down by this massive storm," said Alex Dieffenbach, Northwest Region CEO. "They need your help now. Please consider making a donation to help people affected by disasters or giving blood today (Oct. 4)."

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) shellfish managers confirmed razor clam digging opportunities at Twin Harbors, Long Beach, and Copalis beaches will continue to run through Friday.

The PACT Act is a new law that expands eligibility for U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care for veterans with toxic exposures and veterans of the Vietnam, Gulf War, and post-9/11 eras. The open enrollment period for expanded VA health care began Oct. 1.

PORTLAND, Ore., August 30, 2022 -- Back-to-school season means a new class of fourth graders will soon be eligible to enroll in Every Kid Outdoors, a federal program which provides up to a year of free access to National Forests, National Parks, and other public lands for fourth-grade students and their families.

Beginning Sept. 1, fourth graders, parents, and educators can visit the Every Kid Outdoors website at www.everykidoutdoors.gov and learn more about how to obtain free entry to all federal lands, for fourth graders and their accompanying family members.

Students can obtain passes individually by completing a brief online activity. Educators who work with fourth graders can visit the site to download an educational activity guide, after which they'll be able to obtain vouchers for their students. Once printed, students and their families can also redeem the paper voucher for a durable, plastic pass at any Forest Service office where passes are sold. Passes and vouchers are valid for the entire school year, through Aug. 31, 2023.