This past year has been a banner year for news beyond the typical Top 10 stories. Here are a few selections that didn’t quite make the list, but were close:
• South Bend 16-year-old Devon R. Moore faces a charge of aggravated first-degree murder in the death of his father, Timothy W. Moore. Moore went missing in November of last year, but his body was discovered five months later. Moore is expected to stand trial this year.
• The Grays Harbor PUD lost its appeal of the $4.16 million jury verdict plus interest that was awarded to contractor Tim Spradlin for disputed work during and after the severe December 2007 storm. The Grays Harbor PUD is on the hook not just for the verdict and interest but also for attorney fees now.
• The tsunami in Japan spurred renewed interest in tsunami preparedness on the coast, urging city officials in Aberdeen to take another look at their emergency assembly areas and the coast to look into the potential of elevated structures as a way to escape.
• The Grays Harbor Chamber of Commerce and the Grays Harbor Economic Development Council merged into a new entity known as Greater Grays Harbor, Inc.
• Martin A. Jones was found guilty of attempted murder of former State Trooper Scott Johnson, who is now the Pacific County sheriff. Jones was sentenced to 50 years. Johnson also filed a civil lawsuit against Jones.
• The Hoquiam Loggers Playday generated controversy and record T-shirt sales when a new shirt was printed lampooning Osama bin Laden. On the shirt, Bin Laden is tied to a log and is looking up at a logger in desperation. Underneath the picture, it states, “Osama Bin Loggin’.”
• In a story that made national headlines and raised eye brows, Ocean Shores 16-year-old Courtney Stodden married 51-year-old actor Doug Hutchison. The duo are in talks to star in a reality TV show and are frequently in tabloid websites for their antics. There’s even a Halloween mask of Courtney.
