Longtime retired educator Kathy Tully has been appointed the interim superintendent of the Raymond School District through June 30. Tully takes over for Ross Baker, who was terminated by the Raymond School Board after being in the position for less than one year.

Tully has attended many colleges and has received several degrees and certificates including: Central Michigan University (Spanish and Elementary Education); University of Washington (fifth year); University of Portland (Master's in Educational Leadership); and Seattle Pacific University (Principal's Certificate).

During the recent Tokeland Chamber of Commerce meeting on Tuesday, April 12, it was announced that Dollar General was attempting to build a store in Grayland.

Kitty Bryan, a resident of the Grayland community, presented to the chamber that the proposed site is located at 2172 SR 105 across from the Local Bar and Grill on the Grays Harbor County side of the divide in Grayland. This puts it less than 6 miles away from the Westport Dollar General store.

Dollar General targets underserved regions throughout the United States. Bryan pointed out that in the east the chain store is every 6 miles throughout the back roads. One big concern for the Grayland and surrounding community is that they are an artist community and rely on the small stores for survival. The fear is that an incoming chain store will change the unique atmosphere of the area and drive out the smaller businesses.

MENLO - As a result of hard work and dedication, Willapa Valley HS senior Brooklynn Strozyk has earned herself a double scholarship for cross country and track and field to attend the University of Montana Western, located in Dillon, Montana.

"I chose the University of Montana Western because I loved the atmosphere and all the opportunities for my future career," Strozyk told the Herald. "It has all the benefits of a small town and has an up and coming running program."

LONG BEACH - The Long Beach Merchants Association (LBMA) will present a crowd-pleasing line up of festivals for 2022. Included among them are a series of downtown events during the city's 100 Day Centennial Celebration, which was conceived and organized by the LBMA.

"We've spent countless hours planning and are excited to be presenting the 100 days of celebration in honor of our city's centennial so that residents and visitors alike can join in this milestone," said Karla Jensen, president, Long Beach Merchants Association.

The Teen Advocacy Coalition, which offers help to the local teens, has a new coordinator, Paul Karnatz.

Karnatz has a decade of experience as an educator and is familiar to many as the founder of the Willapa Valley Lavender Farm. All of his life's experience has geared him up to succeed at this new position helping the area's youth.

The local successor of Habitat for Humanity, Willapa Harbor H.O.M.E donated $100,000 to PAC The House Homeschool Resource Center. These funds go directly to acquiring a permanent location in the Raymond - South Bend area. They are seeking a large building with room to grow and so far no such location has been acquired.

H.O.M.E. is dissolving as an organization, whose purpose was to build affordable homes, expand, and perform repairs for families in need which make it possible for people to remain in their homes. Unfortunately, only a couple of projects were possible before the pandemic when the organization went inactive. The H.O.M.E. board has found it in their best interest and that of the community to place the funds in various 501c3 organizations that share their passion for the community.

SOUTH BEND - The Raymond-South Bend boys soccer team was defeated by Elma and Tenino, and the Ravens played to a tie versus Winlock last week. Though winless on the young season, the Ravens have shown a lot of improvement over a season ago.

"We have a squad of 23, made up of eighth graders, ninth, 10th and 11th graders," Ravens head coach Joseph Keegan told the Herald.
Last Friday, the Ravens played at Tenino and were defeated 3-1.

"In the first half we gave away three soft goals," Keegan said. "At halftime, we got the boys to be more physical in defending." As a result, Tenino (4-1) was held scoreless the rest of the match.

Vandalism took place at the Cheney Park bathroom sometime late Thursday night or early Friday morning. A trailer that carries a portable pitcher's mound was found in a ditch nearby.

"The bathrooms were vandalized, and this is not the first time this has happened," South Bend Police Chief Lucas Stigall told the Herald Monday morning. "It has happened three or four time in the last six or seven months. We've had it happen with all of our bathrooms, usually when they are not locked."

South Bend Superintendent of Schools Dr. Jon Tienhaara talked with the Herald about the senseless incident.

Farmers Insurance current agency owner Debra Wilson is retiring from the business effective Thursday, March 31.

"Farmers has been a storefront in Raymond since 1945, and happily that will continue," Wilson told the Herald.

Wilson has represented Farmers Insurance since 1990. She became the agency owner at the end of 2013. Wilson said she "has enjoyed working with her loyal customers for many years, and will miss them dearly.

On Friday, March 11 several people held a rally at the entrance to the Naselle Youth Camp. This camp relies on state funding to stay open, but the funding was written out of the budget by a small budget subcommittee. Both the House and Senate voted in favor of Representative Walsh's amendment which was put forth a few days before the subcommittee meeting. Governor Inslee is scheduled to make a decision by April 2 on the supplemental budget.