WDFW Retirees Association News and Updates
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Retirees’ Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping retired employees stay connected with each other and provide a means for employees planning for retirement to learn about our Association. To accomplish this, the Association publishes a quarterly newsletter for paid up members and maintains this website to inform retirees of news items that cannot wait for the newsletter. Membership is open to current employees that are within two years of retirement. Employees planning retirement and new retirees receive one newsletter free and then establish membership to continue receiving Association benefits. The Association conducts its business through an elected Board of Directors that meets quarterly. A summary of the meetings are published in the newsletter. Members are welcome and encouraged to use the link at this website to have news items posted and give us feedback as to how we can improve. We welcome members sending in photos about their family, travels, fun and exciting events. Members are given user name and passwords to access the photo website. Membership is now $20 per year. Only paid up members receive the newsletter and are eligible to vote in conjunction with the 4th quarter newsletter. Thank you for visiting this website.
For the year 2010
02/02: Final details of memorial service for Sgt (Ret) Shelly Ralston: I talked with the family this afternoon and learned that there will not be a formal funeral service for Sergeant Ralston (Ret.). However, the family is planning on having an informal memorial service starting at 1 PM Saturday February 6th at the Ralston home located at 23669 Road J NE, Wilson Creek, WA, for all co-workers, retired employees and family. Sergeant Ralston, who retired in 1993, had been fighting leukemia for the past couple of years. Chris Anderson
01/31: Just wanted to let you know I just received a phone call from Chris Anderson advising me that Shelly Ralston, retired Enforcement Sergeant, Ephrata passed away this morning. He had fought leukemia for quite some time. Will advise you when I hear about funeral arrangements. Tim Ford.
01/15: Flooding Rescue Performed: Officers conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for lane travel. They learned that the drivers daughter was on a school bus stuck in deep water on a flooded county roadway. The driver led the Officer to the scene near Royal Lake where the Officer found a school bus stuck in the middle of a flooded road. The Officer observed a pickup that was also stuck in the water after it ran off the roadway attempting to get to the school bus. The water was up to the windshield of the pickup. A woman seated in the vehicle told the Officer that she was okay and she could wait. There were about 10 parents standing on the roadway watching their children yelling for help. The majority of the students were very young and scared. Officers waded out to the bus in waist-high water, moving ice chunks along the way to reach the bus. Officers then backed up our patrol vehicle to the school bus and proceeded to load students into the bed of the patrol vehicle. After three trips, all 33 students and one bus driver were safely off the school bus and on dry land. Officers returned to the pickup to assist the woman, but she had gotten out of her vehicle and swam to shore. WDFW Enforcement Program.
01/10: Goodbye: After working for this agency for the past eleven years, I have decided to follow another career track. I recently accepted a Fish Hatchery Superintendent position working for the State of Wyoming with their Game and Fish Department. I have really enjoyed my time working for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife however this opportunity was one I couldn’t past up. I will surely miss working with the many fine people in our agency that I call my friends. Before I leave, I would also like to give a special thanks to some outstanding hatchery supervisors that taught me a great deal and I owe much of my experience and know how to them. This includes: Mike Wilson, Brodie Antipa, Ron Warren, Larona Newhouse, Mark Johnson and Rich Watson. I’m very grateful and privileged that I have had the opportunity to work for this agency. I wish the agency and all of you the best in the future. Thanks Again, Guy Campbell
01/05: Fishing Report. 2009-10 Hanford Reach Steelhead Fishery – November Report: An estimated 1,080 steelhead were caught during November. Of these, 811 hatchery steelhead were harvested and 119 wild steelhead were caught and released. Effort and catch has begun to slow as winter approaches. Since the fishery opened on September 22, 2009, 2,952 steelhead have been caught and 2,054 steelhead have been harvested. WDFW
01/04: Special need. Hello! My name is Sonja Hirsch and I will be participating in the Big Climb - a stairclimb up 69 flights of stairs - on March 21st. While I'll be gasping for air, the real challenge is to help fight blood cancers. All proceeds benefit The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS).
Please view my personal page for more information. Please support me by going to http://www.bigclimb.org/ and clicking donate. Type in my name and then donate to my cause. It's that easy! Thanks for supporting me in the fight against blood cancers! Sonja works at CJTC in Burien. FWO Isabel Van Vladricken
12/30/2009: Retirement Notice: GregHueckel is retiring after 30years of state service! WHEN: February20, 5 p.m. WHERE: VFWHall 2902 Martin Way E,Olympia The costis $25 each and includes dinner, soda, beer, wine, cake and gift. PleaseRSVP (by February 1) to Lynette Wickett at 902-2532 rlynette.wickett@dfw.wa.gov. Cash orchecks accepted; please make checks payable to Barb Christensen and hand deliveror mail to: WDFW-Lynette Wickett,mailstop 43143 600Capitol Way N, Olympia WA98501-1091