News Briefs

By The Daily World • February 3, 2026 1:30 am
Andrea Watts / The Daily World During the city of Elma City Council meeting on Feb. 2, Mayor Josh Collette swore in Officer Josh Rojas. Before the oath was administered, Police Chief Susan Shultz gave a brief introduction. “In 2021, Josh volunteered as an Aberdeen Police Explorer, where he first received exposure to patrol operations and community engagement,” she said, adding, “Josh chose a career in law enforcement to serve as a positive example and to make meaningful difference in his community. His goal is to become a proficient officer and pursue specialized roles, such as a drug recognition expert and or a canine handler.” Following the oath, his mother, Nancy Moreno, pinned him.
Andrea Watts / The Daily World During the city of Elma City Council meeting on Feb. 2, Mayor Josh Collette swore in Officer Josh Rojas. Before the oath was administered, Police Chief Susan Shultz gave a brief introduction. “In 2021, Josh volunteered as an Aberdeen Police Explorer, where he first received exposure to patrol operations and community engagement,” she said, adding, “Josh chose a career in law enforcement to serve as a positive example and to make meaningful difference in his community. His goal is to become a proficient officer and pursue specialized roles, such as a drug recognition expert and or a canine handler.” Following the oath, his mother, Nancy Moreno, pinned him.

Spend the summer at Olympic National Park being a ‘Marmoteer’

The Olympic marmot is an iconic endemic species in the Olympic National Park, and to make informed management decisions to protect the species, the park needs range-wide population information. Since 2010, volunteer citizen scientists, aka Marmoteers have helped survey marmot colonies annually to determine occupancy. Supported by Washington’s National Park Fund, the park’s marmot monitoring program is one of the most popular volunteer programs in the park.

Applications are being accepted for the summer monitoring program. To learn more about what is required to be a Marmoteer and to apply, visit https://www.nps.gov/olym/getinvolved/olympic-marmot-monitoring.htm. The application period will close May 1 or when all slots are filled, whichever comes first.

Open Grays Harbor Conservation District board seat

A seat on the Grays Harbor Conservation District board is available for appointment by the Washington State Conservation Commission. Conservation district board supervisors are public officials who serve without compensation and set policy and direction for the conservation district. An applicant must be a registered voter in Washington State. Applicants for appointed positions do not have to live within the district boundary to apply.

For more information, please contact Grays Harbor Conservation District (info@graysharborcd.org). To apply, visit (http://www.formstack.com/forms/?1918463-JfwJs6JKCL). Applications and supporting materials must be received by the Commission no later than March 31.

Help restore the riparian area

This Saturday, Feb. 7, the Grays Harbor Stream Team and the Chehalis Basin Fisheries Taskforce are collaborating on a riparian restoration day along Schafer Boom Road when a new bridge was installed last summer.

The event is scheduled from 10 a.m. to noon. All tools, gloves, training, and hot drinks/snacks will be provided. It’s recommended you bring water bottle, and weather-ready clothes and shoes.

Driving directions: Take Simmons Road exit off U.S. Highway 12. Immediately turn right paralleling U.S. Highway 12; take first county road to left, Schafer Boom Road; and park along the road just past the bridge. For questions, contact bdowns@graysharborcd.org.