Click here for how to contact the folks who will decide on Dean Bunkers replacement, mayor for the next two years.

STATE TROOPER SEEKS WITNESSES TO SHOOTING OF TROOPER

Tip line 1-800-283-7808

(Naselle)—The Washington State Patrol is seeking witnesses to the shooting of a trooper early this morning in the coastal community of Long Beach.

Anyone who witnessed or has information about the shooting is urged to call the state patrol tip line at 1-800-283-7808.

The incident occurred shortly before 1:00 a.m. along State Route 103 near 12^th Street, as Trooper Scott Johnson was inventorying the contents of a vehicle about to be towed. A subject walked up, and there was a short verbal exchange between the subject, Johnson and the tow truck driver. The assailant then pulled a small caliber handgun and fired twice.

Johnson suffered two gunshot wounds, one to the head. He was able to return fire at the fleeing suspect but it is unknown if the suspect was hit.  Johnson was first transported to Ocean Beach Hospital in Long Beach, and then transferred by ground ambulance to Oregon Health Sciences University in Portland.

A State Championship is the Super Bowl of high school. Eleven North Beach wrestlers and the girls and boys basketball teams continue their title pursuits in the coming days.

After finishing fourth or better in the sub-regional tournament last weekend, Jennifer Law, Dominic Deibel, Sawyer Reed, Anthony Tignino, Kevin Braden, Kaleb Towery, Joey Franklin, Robert Buck, Robby Patton, Tyler Reed and Alex Cadle will wrestle tomorrow  in the Regional tournament. It takes place at Tacoma Baptist High School, starting at 9 a.m.

The boys basketball team’s 67-47 “Senior Night” win over Raymond last night qualifies them for the District tournament; they squeaked into the tournament, but could be dangerous. The girls team had qualified earlier, with a terrific 15-4 regular season.

Technically, he is still mayor until midnight. In reality, the era has ended, as Dean Bunkers has cleared his desk and left City Hall; he resigns less than two years after becoming Ocean Shores’ first elected “strong” mayor. To summarize what many are saying: “He did his best, but he inherited a mess.”

The sun is out . . . will it last for this triple-threat weekend on the beach? President’s Day has the Shilo and other hotels booked solid, there’s also the Antique & Collectibles Show at the Convention Center, and Valentine’s Day should have restaurants hopping on Sunday night . . .

The Friends of the Roundabout invite visitors to enjoy our new circular intersection, the best thing to hit Ocean Shores since sliced clams!

The North Beach High boys basketball team cranks up a big win at home against Raymond. Hyaks seniors Tres Pope, Derek Frigaard Moore and Cody James (pictured) lead the way.

At this morning’s Readers Input Group, there was a bit of confusion over who can be the mayor. Jackie Farra, the council member whose conference room RIG was using, put a call into city attorney Art Blauvelt. She quoted his answer: “. . . The council has the power to appoint the mayor. It can be from the council, or a citizen.”

CORRECTED: Art Blauvelt just called the newspaper, apologizing for quoting from memory to Jackie Farra (he was driving at the time). To be appointed mayor, in his interpretation of the state law: “You’ve got to be a resident of the city for a year, and you’ve got to be a registered voter in the city.”

But he did confirm that the appointed mayor does not have to be a council member. Council can appoint “any qualified person. “

The National Weather Service has issued a High Wind Warning for the Southern Washington Coast beginning at 4pm today and lasting thru midnight tonight. Sustained winds are expected to be 35-45mph with gusts exceeding 70mph. The strongest winds are expected to begin between 5 & 8pm with a 2 hour period of the most powerful winds following.

This week, the North Coast News asks the Readers Input Group (“RIG the Paper”): Who should be the Mayor of Ocean Shores, for the next two years? More important than just “who,” you back this person for what reason? What qualifications should this individual have?

RIG will meet Thursday at 10 a.m. in the conference room at 114 E. Chance a la Mer NE (across from the IGA).

Shaun, Blythe and Cody Beebe will be opening for Josh Turner on Feb. 16t at the D & R Theater in Aberdeen. Shaun is an Ocean Shores Police officer, Cody is his nephew and Blythe his daughter, a freshman at North Beach High School.

Jonathan Olson photo from one of their performances together  (at the Connection):