CHINOOK - Local firefighters are fighting off an intense "wildfire near Chinook," according to Director of the Pacific County Emergency Management Agency Scott McDougall. As of Monday morning, there were no closures in place and there were no evacuations. The Chinook Fire is approximately 139 acres with potential for growth with Containment at 43 percent. There is also a smaller fire, the Brix Fire, which is 8.5 acres and is "in patrol status."

BROOKLYN - An 80-year-old man was shot in the arm in the Brooklyn area northeast of Pacific County by a hunter hunting elk in the nearby area. The incident occurred at approximately 5:45 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 10. At press time (Monday), no charges had been filed.

According to Region 6 Enforcement Captain Dan Chadwick of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Law Enforcement Program, "WDFW Officers along with Pacific County Deputies were alerted to an incident that involved a man being shot at his residence." The man "was injured in the arm by a bullet while he was working on a vehicle in his yard." He "received medical treatment for his wound and was released from the hospital later that day."

SOUTH BEND - Raymond multiple murderer Michelle L. Knotek was released from the Washington Corrections Center for Women (WCCFW) in Gig Harbor early afternoon last Tuesday. The Herald was informed by the Washington Department of Corrections at 1:40 p.m. (Nov. 8) "that there has been a change in the custody status of the offender Michelle Knotek. This offender has been released from custody as of November 8, 2022."

On Monday morning, Department of Communications Director Chris Wright told the Herald by phone, "I can confirm that Ms. Knotek was released on November 8."

SOUTH BEND - At Monday's press time, there were still 2,386 estimated ballots left to count in the November 8 General Election, according to the Pacific County auditor's office. The next county ballot count for the 41 precincts was conducted late afternoon Monday. With 319,925 ballots left to be processed statewide, the next vote count was to be tabulated at noon Monday.

Emily Walker, Pacific County Assessor Bruce Walker's wife, is fighting multiple Myeloma cancer and is getting ready to go in for a stem cell transplant. This means that Emily will have to stay in the hospital and both Bruce and Emily will be living near the hospital for up to 3 months.

A special lunch is being served on November 18 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the Treasurer's Office in the Pacific County Courthouse located at 300 Memorial Drive in South Bend.

Veterans Day is this Friday, November 11 and there are some free meals available to our vets.

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.

Weyerhaeuser workers were on strike for 45 days and resolved the strike on October 28. Members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Union in Washington and Oregon will begin working soon with the approval of the new contract with Weyerhaeuser.

The approval of a new contract will result in the restoration of operations of Weyerhaeuser sites by the approximately 1,200 employees.

Myograsp Bodywork is a massage studio opening this week in South Bend. Ramona Shatraw is the owner and massage therapist.

"The studio will open on November 3 and we have an open house on November 5," said Ramona. The open house runs this Saturday from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Ramona is a graduate from the Inland Massage Institute in Spokane, Washington and has moved into South Bend from San Diego, California. Why come to South Bend? "I have three children who are scattered throughout the United States and my daughter and her three kids are here in South Bend," she said.

The massage studio is located at 900 W Robert Bush Dr. in South Bend above the HAVA Thrift Store. Just walk up the hill or park and the entrance is on the right.

Ghosts invade the Riverdale neighborhood right before Halloween. Remember to watch out for trick-or-treaters this coming Monday.

It's a spooky season and there is another scary good time to be had at the Pacific County Fairgrounds. The Pacific County Harvest Festival is scheduled for Friday, October 28 from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. to Saturday, October 29 from 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Pacific County Fairgrounds.