The Willapa Harbor Festival is only a week and a half away and Willapa Harbor Chamber of Commerce Director Michelle Layman is hard at work putting the finishing touches on the annual event. The festival will take place at is the normal location at 3rd Street Park in downtown Raymond with other events held around the downtown area.

Washington has been barraged with some of the 'wackiest' weather over the past year and meteorologist are predicting it may get even wackier. The El Nino pattern is expected to dissipate over the next few months with forecasters and forecasting models predicting the possibility of a 'neutral' pattern on the horizon. The problem: neutral normally means wild in meteorologist lingo.

The abnormal year thus far

The El Nino pattern that developed late in 2018 has become one of the weakest in recent memory for the Pacific Northwest according to Pacific County Emergency Management Agency Director Scott McDougall and several meteorologists. El Nino typically means warmer-than-normal temperatures over the winter months along with dryer conditions.

Willapa Valley HS senior Hallee Layman finished in fourth place in the shotput at the USA Track & Field Region 13 Championships (July 6), which qualifies her for the USATF Junior Olympic meet in Sacramento, California.

Pacific County and most of the Pacific Northwest was drenched by a rare July Abnormally Wet System, also known as JAWS, last week. Another potent storm is expected to impact the area late this week possibly as soon as Thursday, July 18 or Friday, July 19.

July has already received above normal rainfall for the month, and according to University of Washington Atmospheric Science Professor Cliff Mass, will be well above normal after the next system impacts the area. Some good has come from the drenching according to Mass, who mentioned the recent rainfall has pushed the fire danger to low for most of western Washington and to moderate on the eastern side of the Cascade Mountains.

The Butte Creek Picnic Area is nearing completion after a lengthy 12 year closure. The Washington State Department of Natural Resources has spent the past few months repairing the entire area including fixing up picnic tables, laying new gravel, repairing the bathroom, and clearing the area of debris. The picnic area is set to officially open with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Monday, July 1.

Washington state is set to implement stricter gun laws beginning on July 1. Gun shops around the state have been overrun for the past month with transactions by firearm enthusiasts looking to complete purchases before the change commences. For some the time has already run out while others are still looking to make a few more purchases before the clock strikes 11:59 p.m. on June 30.

Time has run out for some

Handgun purchasers who currently hold a concealed pistol license (CPL) are still able to make same day purchases for handguns but those who don't are running out of time. Anyone without a CPL has to fill out a form that is sent to their local law enforcement agency who runs a background check to ensure the purchaser is eligible for a firearm on top of the standard NICS background check through the FBI.

Once either cleared by the local agency or a ten day waiting period has passed, the purchaser can pick up their firearm. Time has now run out for the 10 day waiting period for those without CPL's wishing to buy a handgun before July 1. They are now at the mercy of the speed of their local agency. Any purchases not finalized before July 1 will be referred to the new law with the entire process possibly restarted according to firearm dealers.

The Pacific County Fair has chosen Chloe Konigsberger from the Willapa Valley School District to be the inaugural Fair Ambassador. This will be the first time in over 100 years that the fair will not have a king and queen. Residents throughout the county have had a mixed reaction after hearing the news.

SOUTH BEND - There are more significant changes at South Bend School District than some chameleons offering colors in terms of teachers and athletic coming and going, curriculum revamps, building renovations, and yes, even a new track surface for the 2019-20 school year. South Bend Superintendent Dr. Jon Tienhaara caught the Herald up to speed and many of the transformations.

For starters, the athletic department will feature major changes. Tom Sanchez, Steve Lazelle, Gary Wilson, Manuel Rangel and Jim Bleecker are retiring.
Sanchez served as athletic director for several years and also was the head coach of the football team before retiring two years ago, and he also was an assistant coach on the girls' basketball team. Sanchez, who coached the Indians to the Class 2B State Football title in 2010, will stay on in his teaching position.

A brief Pacific County Board of Commissioners meeting was held on Tuesday, June 11, at the commissioner's meeting room in South Bend.

Aside from approving a couple of resignations and subsequent appointments within the county, the first commissioner meeting of June was uneventful.