Last week marked the completion of the first free-standing tsunami vertical evacuation tower in the U.S. The tower is located near Tokeland before you get to the Tokeland Hotel. The tower was built by the Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe using their funds and a FEMA grant.

The tower is named 'Auntie Lee' after Lee Shipman, the retired emergency manager for the tribe. This is to honor her since she was the driving force behind securing the funding for the tower.

Another round of summer fun begins with a Cattle Sorting Clinic on August 12 put on by the Pacific County Friends of the Fair Foundation 501c3 (FOF). The entertainment continues with Cattle Sorting Practice which is scheduled for August 13 and 14 at the Pacific County Fairgrounds in Menlo.

"We have added a day to cattle sorting," said FOF President Val Rowe. "Friday, August 12 is the Cattle Sorting Clinic. Larry Mielke and Robert Bouffard, professional riders and cattle sorters, have offered to teach a sorting clinic for FOF. The proceeds will go to FOF. Currently the clinic is full with 18 riders from all over the state and a waiting list."

Get primed for festive fun as the annual Willapa Harbor Festival returns at full bore this Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

K.C. Johnson took over as the new Raymond School District Superintendent of Schools July 1.

South Bend native K.C. Johnson is the new Raymond School District Superintendent of Schools. Johnson takes over for Kathy Tully, who served as interim superintendent for the past few months.

Whether it's a mouth-watering pizza, a thick, juicy burger, yummy oysters or mussels for seafood lovers, or the famous Southwest Washington scrumptious stuffed sandwich, C & C Classic Diner continues to be a staple while offering a tradition-rich top line of delicious food at family prices.

C & C Classic Diner will be open for one year August 2 under owners Chuck and Coby Moreno, and the married team is celebrating its one year anniversary this Tuesday with a special for customers by purchasing one stuffed sandwich and getting the second one at 50 percent off. One lucky customer will receive a $100 gift card, and customers can enjoy cookies and cakes "to let them know we appreciate them."

Chuck and Coby Moreno thanked the community for their continued support, "The most rewarding thing for us has been taking over an existing restaurant, especially one that has been a staple in this community, and making it our own with our focus being quality, consistency, customer service, and really listening to our customers suggestions," Coby Moreno said.

The premier wood carving, art show and music festival happening on Aug. 6 - 7

Tokeland -- Woodfest occurs in the quaint and lively village of Tokeland, Washington at the historic Tokeland Hotel and Restaurant is one of the most popular events on the South Beach in Pacific County. Make your plans to join this magical gathering where artists, wood carvers and musicians come together for a great time and good vibes.

"Woodfest brings out the best in folks who appreciate unique and high energy art created by chainsaws while listening to live music," said internationally acclaimed wood artist, Jeffro Uitto of Knock on Wood.

SOUTH BEND - South Bend and Raymond were impacted by a Comcast Xfinity power outage that affected their users from noon Friday through 9:45 am Saturday. The outage shut down the Internet, phones and television, and it also affected several states throughout the country, including at least California, Texas, Florida, New Jersey, Iowa, Illinois, Arizona, Rhode Island, Georgia and West Virginia.

Comcast has not been very forthcoming about releasing information on the matter.

The Pacific County Friends of the Fair Foundation 501c3 (FOF) are excited to announce that they have installed the new arena panels over the weekend at the fairgrounds in Menlo. This is one step closer to the building of a covered arena.

"This is the beginning of a dream some of us have dreamed since we were little kids riding our horses in this same arena," said FOF President Val Rowe.

A 25-year-old Grayland man has been charged with murder in the first degree. Not long after being booked in Pacific County Jail for unlawful possession of a firearm and a drive-by shooting early Thursday morning, Jesse J. Bridges was charged with murder in the first degree Thursday night.