New executive for fairgrounds  

The Jefferson County Fairgrounds has named Karly Mishko its first-ever executive director. Mishko, with a background in construction management, has a passion for nonprofit management. 

“The fairgrounds are truly a unique space that has the potential to reflect the heart of our community. With its diverse facilities, adaptable spaces and welcoming atmosphere, it’s the perfect place to bring people together for events of all kinds, from family gatherings to large-scale celebrations,” Mishko said. “I’m honored to have the opportunity to help grow the fairgrounds.”

The fairgrounds board of directors engaged in a month-long hiring process, during which Mishko garnered an instant consensus from the board. 

“We are beyond thrilled to have found Karly,” said Tobi McEnerney, the fairground’s secretary. “Her leadership style is ‘listen first,’ but she can make tough calls when needed. Karly’s contribution in helping pull off the Solstice Party, right after beginning her tenure, showed that she understands not just nonprofit and facility needs, but that she is heart-first in the community aspect. We feel very lucky to have her.”

Senator decries firing

U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, gave a rare interview to CNN on Jan. 21 to criticize the firing of Admiral Linda Fagan as U.S. Coast Guard Commandant. Fagan was the first woman to lead any branch of the armed forces. Her hiring followed a years-long investigation by CNN that aired in 2023. The committee learned at that time that the results of “Operation Fouled Anchor,” which ran from 2014-2018 to investigate sexual assault and violence from 1988-2006, had been withheld from Congress. “Issues of sexual assault and sexual harassment at the Coast Guard Academy and at sea, and people covered it up,” said Cantwell. “The only reason we know about it is because CNN broke the news. Now, we get a new Commandant — the first woman Commandant in the history of an Armed Forces of our nation to serve -- she stood up and said, ‘this is a problem and we have to deal with it’ … And today, she’s being fired for [it].”

“I think it’s the wrong decision. It’s the wrong decision by Homeland Security,” said Cantwell. “She did a good job.” 

Should makers pay for recycling?

Washington state lawmakers are considering a bill that aims to improve affordable access to recycling services statewide.

The bill, sponsored by Rep. Liz Berry of Seattle and supported by environmental groups, labor unions, medical professionals and some producers, would establish a system where companies would be required to reduce unnecessary packaging and fund statewide recycling services. Under the program, manufacturers, brands and importers would have to join a statewide “producer responsibility organization,” paying membership fees to cover the cost of a new recycling system. The fees would vary based on the types of products a company uses. Berry said the goal is to allow more people to recycle more types of products and incentivize packaging producers to use sustainable materials.

“Recycling will become really affordable, really convenient and really equitable,” Berry said. “It will create this circular, sustainable economic model for recyclable materials.”

Several states have similar laws, including Oregon, California, Colorado, Minnesota and Maine.

Those in opposition to the bill believe the bill would enact “expensive mandates” that would increase consumer costs. A different recycling bill sponsored by Rep. Jake Fey of Tacoma, requiring producers to register with the Department of Ecology, would create a list of recyclable materials and set new standards for how much recyclable material must be in certain products, is also under consideration. It would also provide recycling discounts for low-income households. 

EJFR says reduce risk

East Jefferson Fire Rescue (EJFR) is participating in Community Risk Reduction (CRR) Week from Jan. 20-26, joining emergency services nationwide to raise awareness about CRR’s role in boosting community safety.

CRR is a process focused on identifying local risks and strategically investing in resources to reduce their impact. In 2023, EJFR responded to 8,042 calls, including 157 fire-related and 5,925 medical calls, many of which could have been prevented through CRR strategies.

The strategies involve education, engineering, enforcement, economic incentives and emergency response. EJFR is working to expand and develop programs that align with CRR, including wildfire prevention, fire extinguisher training, smoke alarm installations, fall prevention education, business code inspections, comprehensive training for career and volunteer firefighters and the deployment of new apparatus and equipment.

Upthegrove pauses harvesting in older state forests 

The newly elected Commissioner of Public Lands, Dave Upthegrove, announced a six-month pause on Washington State Department of Natural Resources timber harvests in some complex, mature forests.

The pause applies to forests categorized as Maturation II, meaning those that have an understory with diverse species growing beneath the canopy and a relatively low amount of large fallen logs or standing dead trees. The pause will allow DNR to work to identify and map the characteristics of the forests to meet their Policy for Sustainable Forests, which is to conserve 10-15% of complex forests. DNR will simultaneously work to ensure a sustainable harvest to support home, hospital and school buildings.

“I will also be using this time to meet with our beneficiaries, Tribes, environmental groups, industry, and the public in a transparent process to get their input and build support for protecting these vital forests,” Upthegrove said. “I know how essential timber is to Washington, and DNR foresters are on the cutting edge of ensuring harvests are done sustainably and responsibly. But with so much contention regarding recent timber sales, it’s apparent we need to stop, take a breath, and revisit how to meet the targets laid out in the agency’s timber management plans. This pause does not mean Washington will harvest less – it will simply lead to a change to where we harvest and the type of forests we conserve.”