The East County Journal

09/10/2025

A weekly look at what's making headlines in this week's East County Journal (September 10, 2025). For the complete stories and more, subscribe today and receive the paper each week in the mail for a year. Call 360-496-5993 to subscribe today!

09/03/2025

A weekly look at what's making headlines in this week's East County Journal (September 3, 2025). For the complete stories and more, subscribe today and receive the paper each week in the mail for a year. Call 360-496-5993 to subscribe today!

What’s Happening Sept. 3 – Sept. 11, 2025
Wednesday, Sept. 3
Meet Lewis County Fire District 4 Fire Chief Bill Reynolds, 9 to 11 a.m., Morton Fire Hall, 214 Second St., Morton, 253-951-7598. Coffee served.
Morton TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly), 9:30 a.m., Morton Methodist Church, 427 Main Ave., Morton. For information, call Mary, 360-508-5523 or Penny, 360-492-3006.
Community Craft/Quilt group, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Morton Community Bible Church, 150 Division Road, Morton, 360-496-6881.
Illahee Garden Club, 10:45 a.m. meeting, noon potluck lunch, 1 p.m. program, Randle Methodist Church, 116 Kindle Road, Randle. Jill Prukop will demonstrate harvesting this year’s seeds for next spring planting.
Daily Bread Mineral food bank, noon to 3 p.m., 127 Mineral Road N., Mineral, 360-492-3491.
Timber River Connections Adult Center bingo, 12:30 p.m., Morton Senior Center, 103 Westlake Ave., Morton, 360-496-3230. Total of 15 bingo games for $1. Lunch is $5. Prizes, fun, everyone welcome.
Mossyrock Area Historical Society meeting, 5 p.m., Mossyrock Community Center, 231 E. State St., Mossyrock. Potluck at 5:30 p.m.
Youth Group for sixth-12th grade students, 6:30 p.m., Main Avenue Coffeehouse and Bakery, 210 Main Ave., Morton, 360-496-6881. Hosted by Pastor Josh Austin, Mineral Neighborhood Christian Center and Pastor Matthew Johnson, Morton Community Bible Church.
Alcoholics Anonymous Big Bottom group meeting, 7 p.m., Randle Fire Hall, 9978 Hwy. 12, Randle.

Thursday, Sept. 4
Packwood Women’s Bible Study meeting, 9:15 a.m., White Pass Country Historical Museum, 13068 Hwy. 12, Packwood. Contact Janise Disbrow, 253-772-6643.
Mossyrock Garden Club meeting, 10 a.m. meeting, 11 a.m. program, noon lunch, Mossyrock Grange, 152 Isbell Road, Mossyrock.
Timber River Connections adult coloring books, 1 p.m., Morton Senior Center, 103 Westlake Ave., Morton, 360-496-3230.
No Longer Alone AA meeting, 4 p.m., Packwood Foursquare Church, 112 Lewis Road, Packwood, 360-304-3096.
Packwood Search and Rescue meeting, 6 p.m., Zoom meeting. Contact Martha Garoutte at 360-304-4031 for code.
“There is a Solution” Randle AA open meeting, 7 to 8 p.m., Family Worship Center (east entrance), 10074 Hwy. 12, Randle.

Friday, Sept. 5
Eye Opener Al-anon family group, 9:45 to 11 a.m., Zoom meeting. Call for more information and meeting code at 425-830-0314. Newcomers are always welcome.
Pastor’s Pantry food bank, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., 277 Seventh St., Morton, 360-496-5456.
East End Celebrate Recovery 5:45 p.m., dinner; 6:30 p.m., meeting, Reconciled Christian Fellowship, 130 Morris Road, Randle, 360-496-1166.
Handgun tutoring with certified instructors, 6 p.m., Morton Gun Club, 6603 Hwy. 12, Morton, 360-520-7025. Contact Fred Ahrens.
Burning Desires Narcotics Anonymous meeting, 7 p.m., Packwood Community Center, 12935 Hwy. 12, Packwood.
Randle Big Bottom AA meeting, 7 p.m., Randle Fire Hall, 9978 Hwy. 12, Randle.

Saturday, Sept. 6
First Saturday Community Game Night, 6 p.m., Morton Community Bible Church, 150 Division Ave., Morton, 360-496-6887.
Narcotics Anonymous Reflection group meeting, 6 p.m., Salkum Timberland Library, 2580 Hwy. 12, Salkum.
No Longer Alone AA meeting, 7 p.m., Packwood Foursquare Church, 112 Lewis Road, Packwood.

Sunday, Sept. 7
Praise and Worship gathering, 5:30 to 7 p.m., Morton Community Bible Church, 150 Division St., Morton, 360-496-6881. All are welcome.
Burning Desires Narcotics Anonymous meeting, 7 p.m., Central Lutheran Church, 281 Second St., Morton, 360-304-3096.
Randle Big Bottom AA meeting, 7 p.m., Randle Fire Hall, 9978 Hwy. 12, Randle.

Monday, Sept. 8
Salkum TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly), 9 a.m., 125 Gore Road, Onalaska, 360-978-4894.
Lewis County Cemetery District 4 Commissioners meeting, 4 p.m., Randle Fire Station, 9978 Hwy. 12, Randle, 360-497-7745.
Mossyrock Planning Commission meeting, 5:30 p.m., Mossyrock Community Center, 219 E. State St., Mossyrock.
Packwood Improvement Club meeting, 6 p.m., Packwood Community Center, 12935 Hwy. 12, Packwood, 360-497-7740.
Randle Big Bottom group meeting, 7 p.m., Randle Fire Hall, 9978 Hwy. 12, Randle.

Tuesday, Sept. 9
Linus Quilts meetings, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Central Lutheran Church, 400 Second St., Morton, 360-496-8339. Bring your own lunch. Everyone is welcome.
Lewis County Fire District 4 Commissioners meeting, 5 p.m., Morton Fire Hall, 214 Second St., Morton, 360-496-5183.
Tuesday Women’s craft night, 6 to 8 p.m., Morton Community Bible Church, 150 Division Road, Morton, 360-496-6881.
Lewis County Fire District 3 fire training, 6:30 p.m., Mossyrock Fire Hall, 238 Mossyrock Road East, Mossyrock, 360-983-3456.
Burning Desires Narcotics Anonymous meeting, 7 p.m., Central Lutheran Church, 281 Second St., Morton.
Lewis County Fire District 10 fire training, 7 p.m., Packwood Fire Hall, 12953 Hwy. 12, Packwood, 360-494-4123.
Lewis County Fire District 18 Commissioners meeting, 7 p.m., Glenoma Fire Hall, 8022 Hwy. 12, Glenoma, 360-498-5337.
Mossyrock Area Action League, 7:30 p.m., Mossyrock Community Center, 231 East State St., Mossyrock, 310-902-7777.

Wednesday, Sept. 10
Women’s Community bible study, 9 a.m., Church of the Nazarene, 215 Silverbrook Road, Randle. Hosted by Phyllis Studley.
Salkum Onalaska Mossyrock Ministry Association (SOMMA) food bank, 9 a.m. to noon, 144 Wilcox Road, Salkum.
Morton TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly), 9:30 a.m., Morton Methodist Church, 427 Main Ave., Morton. For information, call Mary, 360-508-5523 or Penny, 360-492-3006.
Community Craft/Quilt group, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Morton Community Bible Church, 150 Division Road, Morton, 360-496-6881.
Daily Bread Mineral food bank, noon to 3 p.m., 127 Mineral Road N., Mineral, 360-492-3491.
Timber River Connections Adult Center bingo, 12:30 p.m., Morton Senior Center, 103 Westlake Ave., Morton, 360-496-3230. Total of 15 bingo games for $1. Lunch is $5. Prizes, fun, everyone welcome.
Lewis County Fire District 9 Commissioners meeting, 4 p.m., Mineral Fire Station, 104 Front St. E., Mineral, 360-492-5942.
Lewis County Water District 3 meeting, 4 p.m., 13173 Hwy. 12, Packwood, 360-494-7631.
Youth Group for sixth-12th grade students, 6:30 p.m., Main Avenue Coffeehouse and Bakery, 210 Main Ave., Morton, 360-496-6881. Hosted by Pastor Josh Austin, Mineral Neighborhood Christian Center and Pastor Matthew Johnson, Morton Community Bible Church.
Alcoholics Anonymous Big Bottom group meeting, 7 p.m., Randle Fire Hall, 9978 Hwy. 12, Randle.
Lewis County Fire District 10 meeting, 7 p.m., Packwood Fire Station, 12953 Hwy. 12, Packwood, 360-494-4123.

Thursday, Sept. 11
Timber River Connections adult coloring books, 1 p.m., Morton Senior Center, 103 Westlake Ave., Morton, 360-496-3230.
No Longer Alone AA meeting, 4 p.m., Packwood Foursquare Church, 112 Lewis Road, Packwood, 360-304-3096.
Lewis County Fire District 14 Commissioners meeting, 5:30 p.m., Randle Fire Hall, 9978 Hwy. 12, Randle, 360-497-7745.
“There is a Solution” Randle AA open meeting, 7 to 8 p.m., Family Worship Center (east entrance), 10074 Hwy. 12, Randle.

08/27/2025

A weekly look at what's making headlines in this week's East County Journal (August 27, 2025). For the complete stories and more, subscribe today and receive the paper each week in the mail for a year. Call 360-496-5993 to subscribe today!

08/12/2025

A weekly look at what's making headlines in this week's East County Journal (August 13, 2025). For the complete stories and more, subscribe today and receive the paper each week in the mail for a year. Call 360-496-5993 to subscribe today!

08/08/2025

Congratulations to Fairlane Armstrong, who was named the 69th Jubilee Queen tonight at the annual coronation.

08/07/2025

08/06/2025

Early Special Election results for East Lewis County

The Lewis County Auditor’s Office released preliminary results from the Special Election on Tuesday, Aug. 5 in which select voters across Lewis County were eligible to vote on a handful of issues.
As of 8:15 p.m., following the closing of the polls on Tuesday night the following results were posted:
Mossyrock School District No. 206 Replacement Educational Programs and Operations Levy
Yes 631 53.16%
No 556 46.84%

White Pass School District No. 303 School Programs and Operations Replacement Levy
Yes 617 55.99%
No 485 44.01%

Lewis County Fire District 4, Morton Bonds to Construct a New Fire Station
Yes 310 66.95%
No 153 33.05%

A total of 5,005 voters cast ballots from 44 precincts. Voter turnout of all registered voters is 24.89 percent. The next ballot count will take place at the Auditor’s Office on Aug. 6. The vote tallies will be certified on Tuesday, Aug. 19.

Source: Lewis County Auditor’s Office

08/06/2025

A weekly look at what's making headlines in this week's East County Journal (July 30 and August 6, 2025). For the complete stories and more, subscribe today and receive the paper each week in the mail for a year. Call 360-496-5993 to subscribe today!

07/27/2025

A weekly look at what's making headlines in this week's East County Journal (July 16 and 23, 2025). For the complete stories and more, subscribe today and receive the paper each week in the mail for a year. Call 360-496-5993 to subscribe today!

07/09/2025

A weekly look at what's making headlines in this week's East County Journal (July 9, 2025). For the complete stories and more, subscribe today and receive the paper each week in the mail for a year. Call 360-496-5993 to subscribe today!

07/09/2025

What’s Happening July 9 – July 17, 2025
Editor’s note: Due to space limitations in this week’s edition of The East County Journal, the complete What’s Happening section did not make it to print. Below is the full version.

Wednesday, July 9
Salkum Onalaska Mossyrock Ministry Association (SOMMA) food bank, 9 a.m. to noon, 144 Wilcox Road, Salkum.
White Pass Country Historical Society Board meeting, 9 a.m., White Pass Museum, 12990 Hwy. 12, Packwood, 360-494-4422.
Morton TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly), 9:30 a.m., Morton Methodist Church, 427 Main Ave., Morton. For information, call Mary, 360-508-5523 or Penny, 360-492-3006.
Community Craft/Quilt group, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Morton Community Bible Church, 150 Division Road, Morton, 360-496-6881.
Story Time, 11 a.m., The Potter’s Grove, 212 Main Ave., Morton, 360-523-8621. The story is “Spike the Spunky Hedgehog” for elementary school-aged children, read by Rhonda Krolczyk. Paint your own ceramic hedgehog ($12.51).
Daily Bread Mineral food bank, noon to 3 p.m., 127 Mineral Road N., Mineral, 360-492-3491.
Timber River Connections Adult Center bingo, 12:30 p.m., Morton Senior Center, 103 Westlake Ave., Morton, 360-496-3230. Total of 15 bingo games for $1. Lunch is $5. Prizes, fun, everyone welcome.
Lewis County Water District 3 meeting, 4 p.m., 13173 Hwy. 12, Packwood, 360-494-7631.
Morton Historical Society and Museum meeting, 5:30 p.m., Morton tourist information center, 194 Main Ave., Morton, 360-496-0070.
Packwood Improvement Club, 6 p.m., Packwood Community Hall, 12935 Hwy. 12, Packwood, 360-508-0470.
Youth Group for sixth - 12th grade students, 6:30 p.m., Main Avenue Coffeehouse and Bakery, 210 Main Ave., Morton, 360-496-6881. Hosted by Pastor Josh Austin, Mineral Neighborhood Christian Center and Pastor Matthew Johnson, Morton Community Bible Church.
Alcoholics Anonymous Big Bottom group meeting, 7 p.m., Randle Fire Hall, 9978 Hwy. 12, Randle.
Lewis County Fire Commissioners 10 meeting, 7 p.m., Packwood Fire Department, 13001 Hwy. 12, Packwood, 360-494-4123.

Thursday, July 10
Timber River Connections adult coloring books, 1 p.m., Morton Senior Center, 103 Westlake Ave., Morton, 360-496-3230.
No Longer Alone AA meeting, 4 p.m., Packwood Foursquare Church, 112 Lewis Road, Packwood, 360-304-3096.
Lewis County Fire District 14 Commissioners meeting, 5:30 p.m., Randle Fire Hall, 9978 Hwy. 12, Randle, 360-497-7745.
Packwood Search and Rescue meeting, 6 p.m., Zoom meeting. Contact Martha Garoutte at 360-304-4031 for code.
“There is a Solution” Randle AA open meeting, 7 to 8 p.m., Family Worship Center (east entrance), 10074 Hwy. 12, Randle.

Friday, July 11
Packwood Business Owners Committee meeting, 8 a.m., Nachos Restaurant, 13016 Hwy. 12, Packwood.
Eye Opener Al-anon family group, 9:45 to 11 a.m., Zoom meeting. Call for more information and meeting code at 425-830-0314. Newcomers are always welcome.
Women’s Bible Study, 10 a.m., Morton Community Bible Church, 150 Division Road, Morton, 360-496-6887. All are welcome!
Pastor’s Pantry food bank, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., 277 Seventh St., Morton, 360-496-5456.
East End Celebrate Recovery 5:45 p.m., dinner; 6:30 p.m., meeting, Reconciled Christian Fellowship, 130 Morris Road, Randle, 360-496-1166.
Handgun tutoring with certified instructors, 6 p.m., Morton Gun Club, 6603 Hwy. 12, Morton, 360-520-7025. Contact Fred Ahrens.
Burning Desires Narcotics Anonymous meeting, 7 p.m., Packwood Community Center, 12935 Hwy. 12, Packwood.
Randle Big Bottom AA meeting, 7 p.m., Randle Fire Hall, 9978 Hwy. 12, Randle.

Saturday, July 12
Men’s free breakfast, 8 a.m., Morton Community Bible Church, 150 Division Road, Morton, 360-496-6887. All are welcome.
Packwood Saturday Market, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Longmire Springs Brewing Company, 112 Norman Way, Packwood.
Narcotics Anonymous Reflection group meeting, 6 p.m., Salkum Timberland Library, 2580 Hwy. 12, Salkum.
No Longer Alone AA meeting, 7 p.m., Packwood Foursquare Church, 112 Lewis Road, Packwood.

Sunday, July 13
Lewis County Fire District 9 Commissioners meeting, 5 p.m., 104 W. Front St., Mineral, 360-492-5942.
Praise and Worship gathering, 5:30 to 7 p.m., Morton Community Bible Church, 150 Division St., Morton, 360-496-6881. All are welcome.
Burning Desires Narcotics Anonymous meeting, 7 p.m., Central Lutheran Church, 281 Second St., Morton, 360-304-3096.
Randle Big Bottom AA meeting, 7 p.m., Randle Fire Hall, 9978 Hwy. 12, Randle.

Monday, July 14
Salkum TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly), 9 a.m., 125 Gore Road, Onalaska, 360-978-4894.
Wonder Junction Vacation Bible School (ages 6-12), 9 a.m. to noon, 1251 Main Ave., Morton, call/text 503-927-2690 for more information. Hosted by Morton Community Bible Church and Morton First Church of God.
Lewis County Cemetery District 4 Commissioners meeting, 4 p.m., Randle Fire Station, 9978 Hwy. 12, Randle. Contact Martha Garoutte: 360-494-4031.
Mossyrock Planning Commission meeting, 5:30 p.m., Mossyrock Community Center, 231 E. State St., Mossyrock, 360-983-3300.
Randle Big Bottom group meeting, 7 p.m., Randle Fire Hall, 9978 Hwy. 12, Randle.

Tuesday, July 15
Al-Anon Mossyrock HOPE (Happy Our Program Exists) meeting, 6:30 p.m., Zoom meeting. For information and meeting code, call 360-983-3033.
Lewis County Fire District 3 general training, 6:30 p.m., Mossyrock Fire Hall, 238 Mossyrock Road E., Mossyrock, 360-983-2356.
Burning Desires Narcotics Anonymous meeting, 7 p.m., Central Lutheran Church, 281 Second St., Morton.
Lewis County Fire District 10 fire training, 7 p.m., Packwood Fire Hall, 12953 Hwy. 12, Packwood, 360-494-4123.

Wednesday, July 16
Salkum Onalaska Mossyrock Ministry Association (SOMMA) food bank, 9 a.m. to noon, 144 Wilcox Road, Salkum.
Morton TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly), 9:30 a.m., Morton Methodist Church, 427 Main Ave., Morton. For information, call Mary, 360-508-5523 or Penny, 360-492-3006.
Daily Bread Mineral food bank, noon to 3 p.m., 127 Mineral Road N., Mineral, 360-492-3491.
Timber River Connections Adult Center bingo, 12:30 p.m., Morton Senior Center, 103 Westlake Ave., Morton, 360-496-3230. Total of 15 bingo games for $1. Lunch is $5. Prizes, fun, everyone welcome.
Youth Group for sixth - 12th grade students, 6:30 p.m., Main Avenue Coffeehouse and Bakery, 210 Main Ave., Morton, 360-496-6881. Hosted by Pastor Josh Austin, Mineral Neighborhood Christian Center and Pastor Matthew Johnson, Morton Community Bible Church.
Alcoholics Anonymous Big Bottom group meeting, 7 p.m., Randle Fire Hall, 9978 Hwy. 12, Randle.

Thursday, July 17
Timber River Connections adult coloring books, 1 p.m., Morton Senior Center, 103 Westlake Ave., Morton, 360-496-3230.
No Longer Alone AA meeting, 4 p.m., Packwood Foursquare Church, 112 Lewis Road, Packwood, 360-304-3096.
“There is a Solution” Randle AA open meeting, 7 to 8 p.m., Family Worship Center (east entrance), 10074 Hwy. 12, Randle.

07/02/2025

A weekly look at what's making headlines in this week's East County Journal. For the complete stories and more, subscribe today and for $30, receive the paper each week in the mail for a year.