[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6173825,"mediaKeyId","5377886-2c0e0fa68577c24eec21da850dd67443","parentId",5377886,"title","Residents raise traffic, homelessness and abandoned-animal concerns at Aberdeen council meeting","audioSeconds",1528,"startMs",1394000,"endMs",2922000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5377886-2c0e0fa68577c24eec21da850dd67443&start=1394&end=2922","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5377886-2c0e0fa68577c24eec21da850dd67443/thumbnail_1394000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6173825/Aberdeen/Grays-Harbor-County/Washington/Residents-raise-traffic-homelessness-and-abandoned-animal-concerns-at-Aberdeen-council-meeting","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6173825-4257e871ddacc9a1ea2b5af63ebb60b5/orig.mp4?Expires=1776469988&Signature=XWqJkE9zE2Zw80U27zZkjlj3c4XLVWtWIn98bPfI987o~EGKzVzvV~Ojs~gUH4HUvOcUXSGl35vEuOvs9988oeoV7p81IcoYBE8YhjIQGbf9yGH2tITmzUn5daec-XjiDagjZMY6IyLspddW8fDWyUOhLOoByohGBgM-ZZHuNr0jznSWnr0mT8QRp92BKS6ZmxU9u4Xozx0oq4dQWm3DdcA3OA-f6f0VH0JmPrjIowkh4c4a~m2MiP3sYQPfefoesYAjgzCoaUTwJbxceI~6e1V0gFnu7KGM9RSAlw4ePR5M3suJVfglUA4qnUuX5pu48GXI2Xpx9LEh-cM2iZV3Ng__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Aberdeen, WA","date","2025-07-11T14:57:35Z","article","Several residents used the Aberdeen City Council public-comment period on July 9 to press the council on a range of neighborhood issues including traffic safety, homelessness, abandoned animals and amenities for visitors.

Gabriel, a resident, said drivers have been ignoring a new four-way stop and a nearby intersection by the post office, creating dangerous situations. \"People are flying through,\" Gabriel said, asking the city to monitor the new configuration and consider additional safety measures. Becky Durr urged installation of a marked crosswalk on the east side of the bridge at Aberdeen Crossing, saying the bridge and approaches make it hard for drivers to see pedestrians and wheelchairs needing to cross.

Multiple residents raised concerns about people sleeping in vehicles and camping near homes. Gabriel said he had contacted the police about specific confrontations and garbage left near his property. He also described repeated instances of people leaving belongings around vehicles and encamping in public spaces.

Gabriel and other commenters described repeated incidents of animals abandoned at Sandman Park, noting kittens left in the park and urging more action from animal control. A resident said she had sent photos to the parks-and-recreation director and animal-control staff but wanted more proactive enforcement.

Public commenters also suggested infrastructure and visitor-service improvements. Becky Durr proposed installing public restrooms near downtown attractions, saying other nearby towns provide such facilities and that restrooms would encourage visitors to stop in Aberdeen. Separately, a speaker who described work with a private traffic-pattern analytics firm said the recent World Music Day event brought about 11,600 visitors over three days and that many visitors lingered downtown, which the speaker said suggests opportunities for local businesses.

Library staff members, including Shamus Grabe and Janice Raffi from Timberland Regional Library, reminded residents of summer programs at North End Playfield, Garley Park and the Aberdeen Beebe branch and noted the library’s role in partnering with the YMCA and school district to provide meals and activities.

No council action was taken during the public-comment period; staff and council members acknowledged the issues and staff indicated contact channels for follow-up.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Aberdeen City Council Meeting 070925","oneSentenceSummary","Multiple residents urged the council to address a new four-way stop, add a crosswalk at the bridge, enforce leash rules and animal control, and consider public restrooms; librarians and event organizers also highlighted summer programs and downtown visitor counts.","taxTitle","Aberdeen, Grays Harbor County, Washington","taxId",71677,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6173830,"Big Brothers Big Sisters seeks volunteers, donors in Aberdeen; program offers one-on-one mentoring, forestry career mentoring",478,789000,1267000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5377886-2c0e0fa68577c24eec21da850dd67443&start=789&end=1267","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5377886-2c0e0fa68577c24eec21da850dd67443/thumbnail_789000.jpg","/articles/6173830/Aberdeen/Grays-Harbor-County/Washington/Big-Brothers-Big-Sisters-seeks-volunteers-donors-in-Aberdeen-program-offers-one-on-one-mentoring-forestry-career-mentoring","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6173830-c55c4a1f94bf55587b4d1c3a06d02788/orig.mp4?Expires=1776469988&Signature=OCe0UNYXk366R-KkTtxtWSbf1UYADsFkk6u3eEvgadFyWthBjU4SEQb1JxCwJVteq-v7AzithjWSAR5-BTJzVzCRFmu8~7nUVXqkw6DYaxCXKmfC8fSdRebbwZrw9BContniRYb5TcU15TlhK~KhqoNm--lC4HLZLoxXv4~xRTiNQukpAgAYWzK-naFYCRbB5MbQu4kX7xKHugVLINy2okSvmWfcUkvxtnPMO17GPIfR4isQAYXXOUupk46Rz98to2PPpsDVgOTzZjqykBVuLfTqGp5Qz6tO~RZ2LIXpnfqMOyT-GqGBaisR3jetQfGD-KFiUMJJOdxRDS~2m4CVDg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Ali, a program representative for Big Brothers Big Sisters in Great Harbor, told the Aberdeen City Council on July 9 that the nonprofit is recruiting volunteers and donors as it expands local services.

\"Our mission is to create 1 on 1 mentoring relationships that ignites the power of promise of youth,\" Ali said during a presentation that included an introductory video and program outcomes. She described two program tracks available locally: a community-based mentoring program for children ages 5 to 18 and a Career Mentoring Exploration (CME) program focused on forestry for high-school students.

Ali said the organization served more than 200 children in southwest Washington last year and expects to expand in the Aberdeen area. Volunteers must be at least 18 and have graduated high school; community matches typically meet two to four times a month and the CME program meets monthly at the college from October through June for two-hour sessions.

Ali described screening and volunteer supports: \"We do a full background check. We do state federal. We do driving records. We do social media,\" she said. She added that match-support staff call monthly to check on matches and that the program provides at least one free monthly activity for matched pairs. Ali also invited interested residents to a volunteer mixer next Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m. at Vassal Hall.

Council members and residents asked about the program’s funding; Ali said Big Brothers Big Sisters relies heavily on grants and donations and is currently facing funding challenges. She encouraged individuals and businesses to contribute money or tickets for free monthly activities, noting donations of tickets and small contributions help sustain local operations.

The presentation emphasized volunteer support and local partnerships, and included examples of activities such as fishing, bowling and college exposure through the CME forestry track. Ali provided contact information and flyers for residents interested in volunteering or sponsoring the program.","A representative from Big Brothers Big Sisters described mentoring programs serving more than 200 children in southwest Washington, requested volunteers and donors, and outlined background checks and program supports.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6173837,"Aberdeen council accepts $145,000 DHS grant to buy night-vision gear; city to cover $16,516 overage",147,2573000,2720000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5377886-2c0e0fa68577c24eec21da850dd67443&start=2573&end=2720","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5377886-2c0e0fa68577c24eec21da850dd67443/thumbnail_2573000.jpg","/articles/6173837/Aberdeen/Grays-Harbor-County/Washington/Aberdeen-council-accepts-145000-DHS-grant-to-buy-night-vision-gear-city-to-cover-16516-overage","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6173837-5c450b66ef81373866f3d7440017385f/orig.mp4?Expires=1776469988&Signature=onWarGQuLLM3Z9d0B1pEl-3kDm1mhWCYAy1CqTx-LsVvmBB45vV80AA6H8rudOLHxvMM5iOUE51Mo1TaprMjqqVuCBd0LFCFnV9kjTh8rkL7yGS~lX6vHkMB3MI8UZpbIhrYlxHHlXUIyYpyolNXojrst8Z-1oELAEqQy6sUyEfQi0lhDxXm5kpLAen3l4CHVmW5USTyEAvaUn02XyfJ4mCuxvKZ-s1FtbDW~imgiD7fE8ayP3~Wi7-wB-zQDBeCqFqGlY-G13xAM2QE7ORO3kfGCjtc7BVcVzSbXQ7Ib~O03Wy68SJEzAka4H2V7WjhAVY7RmpxDNlC-f~fMCC4wA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Aberdeen Mayor Douglas Ford and council members on July 9 approved acceptance of a $145,000 Department of Homeland Security grant to purchase night-vision equipment for local public-safety use, and authorized the police department to cover a potential $16,516.21 shortfall from restricted seizure and forfeiture funds.

The council action followed a recommendation from the city’s public safety committee. A staff member told the council the regional Homeland Security office administers the award and that funds are passed through the region to participating cities; staff said there were no additional access conditions attached to the award. Council members voted in favor of accepting the grant.

The safety committee discussion, presented at the meeting, noted that emergency medical calls continued to be the majority of the department’s workload; the committee also proposed the equipment purchase and the funding plan. Council members asked whether the grant carried any operational conditions or outside access requirements. A staff member answered that the grant is administered regionally and that the region passes the funds to the city; staff said there were no special conditions that would grant third-party access to city property.

Formal action recorded at the meeting allows the police department to proceed with the purchase and to use the stated restricted funds if the final purchase price exceeds the grant amount by the identified sum. The council did not specify a delivery timeline for the equipment during the meeting.

The move follows committee-level discussion of equipment needs for first responders and comes as the council considers other public-safety priorities in this fiscal year. The police department and city administration did not provide additional operational details or vendor names during the public meeting.","The Aberdeen City Council approved acceptance of a $145,000 Department of Homeland Security grant to buy night-vision equipment for public safety; council agreed the police department may use restricted seizure/forfeiture funds to cover a potential $16,516.21 shortfall.","actionData","errors"]

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Residents raise traffic, homelessness and abandoned-animal concerns at Aberdeen council meeting

Big Brothers Big Sisters seeks volunteers, donors in Aberdeen; program offers one-on-one mentoring, forestry career mentoring

Aberdeen council accepts $145,000 DHS grant to buy night-vision gear; city to cover $16,516 overage