The City of Vader Parks Board is excited to be hosting its first Christmas Tree Lighting and Holiday Bazaar Event.

"I'm really excited to have all of our communities come down and enjoy a small town holiday celebration with some Christmas lights," said Kelly Schey from the Vader Parks Board. "Buying a cup of hot cocoa helps support the parks program and shopping from a local vendor helps our community members! Plus the kids will get a free stocking surprise as well!"

Many of us understand the meaning of Thanksgiving and where it came from, the original pilgrims eating with the native Americans. The 1612 Harvest Feast shared by English colonists (Pilgrims) and the Wampanoag People (native Americans) was how Thanksgiving started. The American holiday is rich in legend and symbolism, and the traditional Thanksgiving meal typically includes turkey, bread stuffing, potatoes, cranberries and pumpkin pie.

It is not clearly known if they were eating turkey or other type of fowl, since it was more prevalent to kill what you ate that day so, it could have been ducks or geese. Approximately 90 or some Native Americans arrived and brought venison and other food, which could have also included fish, eels, shellfish, stews, vegetables and beer.

Around 7:25 p.m. on Tuesday, November 8, Winlock Fire and Rescue were dispatched to a reported structure fire at 104 SE Front Street in downtown Winlock. The Haunted Hostel, one of the last historic buildings left in the downtown area, was on fire.

The national, state and local elections were held on Tuesday, November 8, 2022 and the prediction of a red wave did not occur. On a national level the Republicans seem to have taken the House and the Democrats the Senate. If this does not explain the divide in the country I don't know what does.

On the state level, Patty Murray surpassed Tiffany Smiley to keep her seat. Murray is leading with 56.99% of the vote versus Smiley's with 42.79%. Next, the 3rd Congressional District seat.

Veterans Day is this Friday, November 11. There are several different programs throughout the week put on by our local Veterans of Foreign Wars out of Winlock.

Veterans Day is a tribute to military veterans who have served in the US Arms Forces, those still alive and those killed in our country's wars. This observance originated in 1919 on the first anniversary of the 1918 armistice that ended World War 1 and was known at that time as Armistice Day. It was commemorated in 1921 with the burial of an unknown soldier from World War I at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington Virginia. Arlington Cemetery is a cemetery like none other.

On Wednesday, November 2 at 8:40 a.m., the Centralia Police Department was dispatched to a residence in the 300 block of S. Pearl St. for a reported 26-year-old found unconscious and not breathing by his roommate. The male was declared deceased by the medics present, there were signs it was a drug overdose.

They started a Controlled Homicide Investigation that was immediately initiated by Centralia PD Detectives. Due to the suspicion of fentanyl, assistance from the Joint Narcotics Enforcement Team (JNET) was requested.

South Lewis County has always helped those in need in our area, this time it is a family who has helped others when they are in need. Justin and Holly Terry are a young couple with a 15-month-old son, Lukas. Holly is a young mom, she has her fears and concerns about having a liver transplant but we know the community will be behind her all the way.

Jamie M. Walsh, the wife of State Representative Jim Walsh, died in a traffic accident Monday, October 24.

At 10:40 a.m. Monday, a fatal traffic collision in Grays Harbor County closed Cosi Hill for several hours. The accident occurred near milepost 79 on Hwy 101.

Halloween is just around the corner and there are several events to sweeten your teeth or to dress up like a pirate. Since COVID-19, Trick or Treat has changed to Trunk and Treat. What this means is, people show up to one location and decorate the trunks of their vehicles. They also hand out candy and it's a great time for all.

Toledo Halloween activities:

October 28: Toledo Senior Center Halloween Bash - After lunch, they will have bingo, prizes for best costumes, birthday celebrations and more.

October 31 at 5:00 p.m.: Toledo Fire District 2 will be handing out candy.

In July of 2022, after receiving a tip, JNET (Joint Narcotics Enforcement Team) started an investigation into Robert Nelson for allegedly selling drugs. During the investigation it was uncovered that Robert and his brother Daniel were allegedly involved in defrauding several victims through an alleged business scam. JNET is made up of members from multiple law enforcement agencies. JNET was involved in the investigation because the brothers were allegedly distributing Adderall to others without a prescription. Of note, a family member of Sheriff Snaza is engaged to Daniel Nelson. Additionally, Snaza's department initially refused to investigate the criminal actions of fraud until it was brought to the Lewis County Prosecutor's Office.