Starting Tuesday, December 3, Willapa Valley schools were closed due to the Valley teachers ongoing strike. After months of negotiations, the Willapa Valley School District and the Willapa Valley Education Association are still disagreeing. A state mediator has been called in.

A special board meeting was called on December 3, Tuesday evening to discuss the difficulties of the negotiations. "The Board Chairman and the Superintendent had a powerpoint presentation with information relating to the issue," said Rex Hutchins who attended the meeting. "Then anyone that wanted to speak for a longer period, signed in and were given 3 minutes, then the floor was open to any comments/questions not to exceed 1 minute."

Raymond HS sophomore Kyra Gardner provided another highlight reel in only the second game of the season while drilling the nets for 30 points during a 60-25 pasting of rival Willapa Valley Thursday night at Tenoski Gym in Menlo. Gardner also snatched 11 rebounds, made 9 steals and handed off 4 assists for the 2-0 Lady Seagulls.

The first weekend in December kicks off the holiday celebration in the Raymond area. Dress warmly and plan to run around on Saturday, December 7.

Start your day off with Breakfast with Santa at the American Legion at 9:30 a.m. Bring the kids down for a hot breakfast. Meet Santa and have your photo taken with him. Breakfast is hosted by Willapa Bay Helping Hands.

SOUTH BEND - After the last ballot count in the November 5, 2019 General Election on November 26, a final total of 7,666 ballots were counted of 15,511 registered voters in Pacific County. The voter turnout was 49.42 percent. There were hardly any close races and many candidates ran unopposed.

In one close race, Donald Richter defeated Michael Turner by 222 votes in the Pacific-Wahkiakum Superior Court Judge Position 1 race. Richter gathered 51.33% of the vote compared to 48.12% for Turner. Richter received 3,541 votes and Turner took in 3,319 votes.

Toni Williams crushed Michael Lignoski 1,805 to 984 for Hospital Dist. 2 Comm. Pos. 1. Williams amassed 64.03% of the votes cast and Lignoski received 34.91%.

"It's the holiday season," said Police Chief Eastham. "Lock your cars."

According to the report Eastman gave to the South Bend City Council meeting on Wednesday, November 13, the reports of car prowling go up starting just before Thanksgiving and continue through to Christmas.

"Don't leave anything valuable in them," he said. "Reports of car prowlers are picking up. We haven't had anything important stolen yet. Just a little cash and change, but if you have something worth money in your car and you do not lock it, it's your fault, plain and simple."

2019 marks the fourth year of the Derik Nissell Toy Drive. Beginning in November each year, the toy drive gives people a chance to help out local children who all need a brand new toy to unwrap for Christmas.

The toy drive was set up to honor South Bend High School Alumni Derik S. Nissell. On February 29, 2016 his premature death shocked the community. He was only in his mid-twenties. While working for the Westport Shipyard, Nissell would donate toys to the shipyard's toy drive. The Derik Nissell Toy Drive continues with this tradition.

"So we're collecting toys for underprivileged children in North Pacific County in our area," said Nissell's mother, Joyce Kidd. "We are hoping people will participate. It is a great cause. We collect a lot of toys."

The toy drive will be collecting toys until Friday, December 13.

SOUTH BEND - South Bend turned in a rewarding first season of 8-man football under first-year head coach Chuck Spoor. The Indians completed a winning season at 5-2, or 6-2 if you count the forfeit against Taholah. Consider the fact that the WIAA wouldn't let South Bend play in a league and get a chance to compete in the postseason, the Indians showed up for every game with a positive mental attitude and ready to play and accounted for themselves with a lot of class.

"I'm very proud of the team and staff for putting together a successful season," Coach Spoor told the Herald. (We) definitely met expectations."

From the first day of practice until the final game, Coach Spoor believed his team progressed.

During a roof repair over Thorbeckes in South Bend, a dangerous structural issue was uncovered, which resulted in the temporary closure of Thorbeckes and the Department of Licensing office.

On a red sign posted on the building is a Do Not Enter notice for 307 E. Robert Bush Drive, South Bend. The notice states that the building is dangerous to enter and occupy. "The building or structure is deemed dangerous under many of the provisions of Section 302 of the Uniform Code for the Abatement of Dangerous Buildings," states the notice.

"This was the 'best' year in terms of pounds collected," said Teen Advocacy Coalition Coordinator Denise Rowlett about the recent Drug Take Back event. "Overall there were 22 community members who disposed of unused/expired medications at Pioneer Grocery."

Over 192 pounds of medications were collected between the Pioneer Grocery site and the permanent drop box located at the Sheriff's Office in South Bend. Other collection sites in Pacific County included Sid's Market in Seaview and the Shoalwater Bay Tribal Center in Tokeland.

SOUTH BEND - After the most recent election ballot count by the Pacific County Auditor's office last Friday afternoon, there were still 400 ballots to be counted. There are 15,508 registered voters in Pacific County and 7,196 ballots were counted. The next ballot count is scheduled for Thursday at noon. The voter turnout is at 46.4 percent.

Donald Richter leads Michael Turner by 216 votes in the Pacific, Wahkiakum Superior Court Judge Position 1 race.

Toni Williams leads Michael Lignoski 1,766 to 953 for Hospital Dist. 2 Comm. Pos. 1.