Ray Miller-Still, Enumclaw Courier-Herald Journalist Profile

Articles

Carbon River Fairfax Bridge closed; SR 165 access to Mount Rainier cut off

1 week ago | courierherald.com | Ray Miller-Still

The Washington State Department of Transportation has closed the Carbon River Fairfax Bridge to all traffic. According to the state, the single-lane bridge located three miles south of Carbonado has suffered new deterioration of its steel supports, necessitating its immediate closing on April 14 before additional inspections of the bridge are performed in coming weeks. Without being able to cross the 495-foot bridge, access to Mount Rainier National Park via State Route 165 is effectively cut off.
My kid will go to Kibler. I want the heater working when he does | The Ginger Journalist

1 week ago | courierherald.com | Ray Miller-Still

The power to improve the Enumclaw School District is now in your hands. I mean that very, very literally. By this point, you should have received your April 22 special election ballot; on it is ESD’s Prop No. 1, which proposes an additional 37 cent property tax levy per $1,000 in assessed property value. I’ve been reporting on this levy for months – and the structural issues at ESD facilities for what seems like years now.
EPCA, other Plateau organizations receive Alan M. Painter grants

1 week ago | courierherald.com | Ray Miller-Still

A couple of Enumclaw-area organizations received thousands of dollars for various community projects. The King County Department of Local Services announced April 2 that $90,000 Alan M. Painter grants were awarded to 46 nonprofits, senior centers, art installations, and other groups for projects that promote engagement with unincorporated residents, enhance their community, and educate locals about issues that affect them, among other goals.
EPD credits year-old drone program with drop in car thefts

2 weeks ago | courierherald.com | Ray Miller-Still

Happy birthday, Enumclaw police drones. The Enumclaw Police Department’s drone program turned one last March, and said it has been a success not just for the Enumclaw community, but other nearby law enforcement departments. The department started with seven drones in March 2024, costing the department roughly $35,000 — but it was paid for by the EPD’s drug seizure fund. The fleet currently consists of nine drones.
The Plateau protests: “Hands Off”

2 weeks ago | courierherald.com | Ray Miller-Still

Hundreds of Plateau residents gathered at the corner of Porter Street and Griffin Avenue last weekend, joining countless others around the country for the “Hands Off” protest against President Donald Trump, Tesla- and X-owner Elon Musk, and the current administration. Reasons for attending were myriad and often all-encompassing.
Plateau hit with 3.7 magnitude quake and several smaller ones

2 weeks ago | courierherald.com | Ray Miller-Still

The Plateau was shaken by a 3.7 magnitude earthquake over the weekend, following couple of smaller quakes. The quake, recorded east of Greenwater near the ghost town Lester, was detected on Sunday, April 6, around 8:15 a.m., according to the Pacific Northwest Seismic Network. It was roughly 5.75 miles deep. Two smaller quakes — one at a 1.3 magnitude and another at 1.2 — were reported at 11:04 a.m. and 5:04 p.m. on the same day.
Stolen dog found, returned to owner

3 weeks ago | courierherald.com | Ray Miller-Still

Vanny, the black Pomeranian that was allegedly stolen off an Enumclaw trail in mid-March, has been found and returned. On March 18, Daniel Rebollar said he was hiking with Vanny off-leash on the Cal Magnusson trail up to Mount Peak when a man coming down on the trail grabbed the dog. Rebollar said the man made comments like “you don’t deserve this dog” before leaving the parking lot. Two weeks later, Enumclaw local Marilynn Nelson found the dog in her neighborhood on Mud Mountain Road.
Pierce County Executive Mello visits Buckley leaders

3 weeks ago | courierherald.com | Ray Miller-Still

Correction: In the print version of this article, the Courier-Herald misreported that Pierce County’s Business Accelerator program helped 600 businesses open in 2024. This is incorrect; 600 businesses have opened in the last three years. The article has been updated. Ryan Mello has been to Buckley many times as a conservationist to keep the area beautiful — but his visit last Thursday was his first as the new Pierce County executive.
Enumclaw wants to hear from public about BESS facilities

3 weeks ago | courierherald.com | Ray Miller-Still

The Enumclaw City Council is holding a public hearing on Battery Energy Storage Systems next month. This follows the council passing a year-long moratorium on accepting any business licenses or applications for land use regarding BESS facilities — and specifically, those that use lithium-ion batteries — during its Feb. 24 meeting.
Enumclaw celebrates pool project completion

3 weeks ago | courierherald.com | Ray Miller-Still

The city of Enumclaw celebrated the completion of its pool upgrades last week. On March 24, elected officials, county representatives, city business leaders and pool staff cut the ribbon to mark the end of a year-long project to make the pool more modern, accessible, and, of course, fun for the whole family. Most of the construction was completed last November, but the city wanted to wait for a ribbon cutting until all the finishing details were complete.