New owners Chuck and Coby Moreno of C&C Classic Diner (formerly Slater's Diner) had their ribbon cutting ceremony on July 27th. You may have noticed the new paint on the building or the new sign as you passed by.

Raymond Superintendent Ross Baker brings an eclectic background to the Raymond School District (RSD). Baker was hired as the new superintendent on July 1 - taking over for Dr. Stephen Holland, who retired after 18 years at RSD.

The premier wood carving, art show and music festival happens on Saturday & Sunday, August 14 and15 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

The Willapa Harbor Golf course is now owned by Dr. Daniel Hamilton and his wife, Heather Hamilton. The Hamiltons purchased the property from Kosses USA, Inc. (Bong Hyun Back) on July 9, 2021.

The annual Willapa Festival takes place Saturday (8:00 a.m.) and Sunday (9:00 a.m.) at a new location - the Riverfront Park in historic downtown Raymond. At press time, Monday morning, there were at least 20 vendors signed on for the festival. The musical entertainment is primarily local talent providing an array of styles.

Some of Saturday's prime events include the Classic Car Show (at the far end of the field), music from several bands, the co-ed softball tournament, a silent auction and bake sale, the beer garden, and much more.

The Willapa Festival is co-chaired by Michelle Layman of Willapa Printing, Jeff Karnatz of Alder + Co, and Chrystle Nordin of Pacific Seafood, and will share the venue with the Northwest Carriage Museum, Willapa Seaport Museum and the newly opened Alder + Co.

"In year's past, the park was used solely for the classic car show," Layman said. "This year the groups look forward to building their events together."

After a couple of months of reprieve from the pandemic, COVID-19 cases are rising in Pacific County. Over the past 2 weeks, there have been some new hospitalizations, a death, and more cases.

COVID-19 Stats Update July 28, 2021
Cases

• New cases over the last 14 days: 42
• Case rate per 100k over last 14 days: 194.1
• Active cases: 29
• Total cases since start of pandemic: 1,138

Hospitalizations

• New hospitalizations over the last 7 days: 2
• Total hospitalizations since start of pandemic: 47

Deaths

• Total deaths since start of pandemic: 14

When the COVID-19 lockdown happened last year, it threw a monkey wrench in Mission Creek Christian School's plans for their annual missionary trip to Peru. After a series of rescheduling and cancellations, the school finally went on their trip ... to Honduras.

"We did not go to our usual destination in Iquitos, Peru this year and we didn't do an international mission in 2020 due to COVID-19," Mission Creek Christion School Principal Mary Nell said. "We have missed an international mission only one other year since 2006. The border was closed in Peru at the time we could go so we went to Honduras instead."

On May 3, 2021 the school made its way to Honduras. They partnered with Pan American Health Services whose goal is to rehabilitate starving children.

After obtaining translators, the team started visiting local communities. The group witnessed families living in extreme poverty that is not commonly seen in the United States.

Pacific County Health and Human Services Department Director Katie Lindstrom took time out of her busy schedule to provide insight about a handful of questions from the Herald about COVID-19 vaccinations.

Herald: Are you satisfied with the number of people that have been vaccinated in north and south Pacific County?

Lindstrom: We are happy that half of 'all' residents have received the vaccine (57 percent of those over age 16). I would love to see that number increase. The goal would be for at least 70 percent of residents to be vaccinated if possible.

It is almost cattle sorting time at the Pacific County Fairgrounds in Menlo. This is the 6th annual cattle sorting practice and riders from all over Washington attend this event. If cows and horsemanship are your thing, then this is the event to come to. It is fun and open to the public for participation or spectating.

MENLO - This year's Pacific County Fair will probably be a little more low-key than in past years, largely because of the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. Pacific County Fair Manager Bill Monohon updated the Herald with the latest developments about the 2021 fair.