The Mountain News – WA | Serving those who live close to Mount Rainier in body or spirit

Killing of wolf pack sparks growing controversy

Posted on November 8, 2012 by brucesmith49

By Josh Magill

The slaughter of a wolf pack by the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife to assuage concerns of local cattle ranchers in the north-central section of the state has triggered an enormous political backlash. Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Josh Magill, Nature, Politics | 9 Comments

Voting in Frederickson – a personal tale

Posted on November 6, 2012 by brucesmith49

by Josh Magill

No lines or waiting greeted voters on Tuesday afternoon at the polling center set up inside Pierce County’s Maintenance Facility near Canyon Road and 192^nd Street in Frederickson. Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Frederickson, Josh Magill, Politics | 3 Comments

Basic Election Statistics – 2012

Posted on November 6, 2012 by brucesmith49

Editor’s Note: The Pierce County Auditor’s Office, which manages the county’s elections, has sent us a media kit with a plethora of interesting election detail. We thought Mountain News readers would like to see the summary: Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments

Mythologist Michael Meade offers help in a time of crisis

Posted on November 5, 2012 by brucesmith49

By Bruce A. Smith

As Superstorm Sandy upends our world and seems a capstone to a growing list of global disasters like the economic collapse of 2008, local author Michael Meade shares words of advice in his new book, Why the World Doesn’t End – Tales of Renewal in Times of Loss that offers more than just hope. Continue reading →

Posted in Book reviews, Culture, Environment, Events, Folk tales and stories, Nature, People Profiles, Remarkable men and women, Uncategorized, Weather | Leave a comment

State policies on wolves have strong impacts in Cascades

Posted on November 3, 2012 by brucesmith49

By Josh Magill

Washington State Senator Kevin Ranker stated on Thursday that he wants to know the specifics of why the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife (WDF&W) decided to eliminate a pack of wolves known as the “Wedge Pack” in northeastern Washington. Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Environment, Josh Magill, Nature, Pets and livestock | 3 Comments

Wolves – our fears and fascination

Posted on November 1, 2012 by brucesmith49

By Josh Magill

Their eyes are dark, sometimes yellow-tinted, or even a dark orange that some mistake as the color of blood. Those eyes are mysterious and chilling, yet we are drawn to them like a trance and we can’t break free. Continue reading →

Posted in Book reviews, Culture, Josh Magill, Pets and livestock, Politics | 5 Comments

Sandy Update, Wednesday evening, October 31, 2012

Posted on October 31, 2012 by brucesmith49

by Bruce A. Smith

It’s been two full days since Sandy slammed into the New York-New Jersey coast and the impacts are both local and national, physical and emotional, at a scale few have ever experienced before. Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Environment, Nature, Weather | 2 Comments

Campbell weighs in on Pierce County Council Race – supports Rasmussen

Posted on October 30, 2012 by brucesmith49

Special to the Mountain News

Tom Campbell, the former state representative from the 2^nd LD, has sent the Mountain News the following statement on the current race between Marilyn Rasmussen and Jim McCune for the Pierce County Council seat from the 3^rd District, in which Mr. Campbell announces his endorsement of Marilyn Rasmussen. Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Thinking of Sandy and Full Moons

Posted on October 29, 2012 by brucesmith49

By Bruce A. Smith, and photo by Josh Magill

Like many, I was consumed with watching coverage of Hurricane Sandy this evening. Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Frederickson, Josh Magill, Nature, Remarkable men and women, Weather | 2 Comments

Democrats donate Ramtha monies to charity

Posted on October 28, 2012 by brucesmith49

By Bruce A. Smith

In response to tremendous pressure from Republicans to return monies donated by Ramtha channel JZ Knight, local Democrats are grabbing a middle ground and giving the money to charity. Continue reading →