Raymond Elementary School has been recognized as one of only 48 schools in the state to receive the Title I Improvement Award. The school staff decided that the cash award of $3,500 will be used to support writing improvement. The funds have been provided through the No Child Left behind education improvement act.

Raymond Elementary was selected based upon the students' performance on the Washington Assessment of Student Learning (WASL). Specifically, the school has received Title I funding for the past three years, made Adequate Yearly Progress for the past three years and showed overall improvement and significant gains in closing achievement gaps.

In the award letter addressed to Principal Joan Leach, Bob Harmon, Assistant Superintendent of Special Programs at the State education office, wrote "It is not often that I have the opportunity to provide a monetary award to our schools for their outstanding efforts in working with our children. I thank you and your entire staff for the great work you have done in supporting your students."

SALEM – Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs Director Jim Willis announced today the signing of the new GI Bill for Oregon veterans. The bill significantly expands education benefits for veterans and was praised by Governor Ted Kulongoski.

"In Oregon, we've done a lot to help our veterans with education benefits," the Governor said. "This new GI Bill keeps the faith with those who serve our country and will make an invaluable investment in our future."

The new GI Bill has been likened to that of the GI Bill offered to World War II veterans in that it provides for nearly all the costs of attending school. "One of the reasons the World War II generation is the greatest generation is because they came home from war, went back to school, and then began leading our nation," Willis said. "With this bill, we can make another great generation of future leaders."

The following are the highlights of the new GI Bill:

-- Service members no longer will have to "buy-in" to the program by paying $1,200 to sign up. Instead, eligibility is based on months of active duty post 9/11.

-- For most veterans, the program pays full cost of tuition and fees at any public institution, a living stipend, and a $1,000 per year book stipend.

-- The average value of the benefit will rise from $9,900 to $18,815.

-- The time limit for using the New GI Bill increases from 10 years to 15 years after discharge.

"I have been supporting this effort to expand the GI Bill since the legislation was drafted," Willis said. "Ensuring that our veterans can have the best education our nation has to offer is the right thing to do," he said.

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Puyallup, Wa. – Severe flooding, earthquakes, windstorms, volcanoes, missing hikers or aircraft. Each citizen of Washington State has the potential of disaster striking in a very personal way. When disaster strikes, it is natural to look for help. The Washington State Wing of the Civil Air Patrol (CAP) spent the last week of June training to be one of those sources of aid. Since it was established in 1941, members of CAP have been involved in rescue and disaster recovery in many ways. But to be effective when the need arises, the volunteers of CAP spend hours each month training to become skilled in the different tasks required to respond to most emergencies. They also work with the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center (AFRCC) to develop training missions for learning new skills and testing the ones that have already been practiced.

According to CAP's Washington Wing Commander, Col David Maxwell, "Washington Wing Is Prepared! In order to maintain a high level of readiness, CAP's volunteer members undergo training exercises which are often conducted in partnership with other emergency service providers such as the Salvation Army which provided excellent food services for this weekend's activities. Washington Wings Incident Command Staff faced unknown simulated missions, which they performed as if they were actual missions. During this exercise the scenarios included aerial imagery of critical infrastructure such as bridges and rail lines, aerial and ground searches, disaster relief and support for Federal, state and local agencies. I am extremely proud of the cadets and seniors of Washington Wing. These individuals consistently give their time and talent to support the community, state and nation when called upon in times of need."

Over one hundred CAP volunteers from all over the state gathered at Thun Airfield in Puyallup to participate in a practice exercise guided by the AFRCC that consisted of several mock emergencies. One of the emergencies was the scenario of an aircraft that was reported missing in Western Washington. While aircraft and ground crews were searching for the "downed aircraft", another mock emergency was reported as a missing hiker in an area north of Mt. Rainier. Another aircrew and ground team was dispatched to search that area. A more long term mock emergency had been created the week before in the guise of an earthquake, and aircraft flew over 20 times during the week, taking digital photos of structures that would be sensitive to earthquake damage.

The participants of these types of exercises are both teen-aged Cadets and adult Senior Members. The Cadets learn skills that allow them to become part of search and rescue ground teams, participate in radio communications, direct air traffic on the airport flight line and other critical functions during missions whether they are mock or real. The Senior members also have many tasks to perform from the pilots who fly the missions and their passengers who would be their "eyes" in a search to the administrative jobs that must be performed to support the rescue or relief efforts. The Cadets and Senior Members of Washington Wing who braved the long hours of heat for this training mission came away better prepared to help when emergency strikes their community, whether it is a national disaster like the flooding of December 2007 or a more personal disaster like a missing hiker or aircraft. The volunteers of CAP are dedicated to being available to their communities whenever the potential of disaster becomes a reality.

Civil Air Patrol, the official auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force, is a nonprofit, congressionally chartered organization with more than 56,000 members nationwide. CAP performs 90 percent of continental U.S. inland search and rescue missions as tasked by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center and was credited by the AFRCC with saving 103 lives in fiscal year 2007. Its volunteers also perform homeland security, disaster relief and counter-drug missions at the request of federal, state and local agencies. The members play a leading role in aerospace education and serve as mentors to the nearly 22,000 young people currently participating in CAP cadet programs. CAP is an incredible force multiplier for National, State and Local government agencies due to their many capabilities which include a huge fleet of ground base vehicles, ground and aerial reconnaissance and communications equipment, Search and Rescue and Disaster Relief equipment, well trained volunteers and the largest organized fleet of civilian aircraft in the world. CAP has been performing missions for America for more than 67 years.

For more information about CAP, visit www.CAP.gov or call 1-800-FLY-CAP


Attached Media Files: Approved_Operation_Silver_Viper_Article_For_Release.pdf , Operation_Silver_Viper_Release.jpg

Lake Oswego, OR –West Coast Bancorp (NASDAQ:WCBO) will hold its quarterly earnings conference call on Monday, July 21, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. The company will discuss second quarter results, strategic progress, and earnings expectations for 2008.

● Date: Monday, July 21, 2008
● Time: 11:00 AM Pacific time
● To Listen Live:
 Via Phone: (877) 604-2074. Conference ID#: 51095353

 Via Webcast: Access the Company website at www.wcb.com
1. Click on "Investor Relations".
2. Click on "2nd Quarter 2008 Earnings Conference Call" tab.
● To Listen to Access the Company website at www.wcb.com
Archived Conference 1. Click on "Investor Relations".
Call (Replay) 2. Click on "Quarterly Conference Call" tab.
Available July 22 3. Click on "2nd Quarter 2008 Earnings Conference Call" tab.

West Coast Bancorp, one of Oregon Business Magazine's 100 Best Companies to Work For, is a Northwest bank holding company with $2.6 billion in assets, operating 64 offices in Oregon and Washington. The company combines the sophisticated products and expertise of larger banks with the local decision making, market knowledge and customer service of a community bank. For more information, visit the Company web site at www.wcb.com.

The Aberdeen School Board has scheduled summer meetings as follows:

One meeting will be held in July on July 15th at 7:00 p.m. A work-study session will precede the meeting beginning at 6:00 p.m.

In August the Board will meet for goal setting with the Superintendent on August 8th from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. and on Saturday, August 9th from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

A Budget Hearing is planned for August 12th at 7:00 p.m.

The regular meeting in August will be held on August 19th beginning at 7:00 p.m. and a work-study will precede the meeting at 6:00 p.m.

All meetings will be held in the Community Room at the Aberdeen High School.

In September the Board will resume their regular meeting schedule on the first and third Tuesday of each month. Meetings begin at 7:00 p.m. Work-study meetings usually precede the regular meeting at 6:00 p.m. Meetings are open to the public and a time is set on the agenda to receive public comment.

Two Washington State men were arrested Tuesday morning when Oregon State Police (OSP) troopers found about 8 pounds of marijuana in a pickup during a traffic stop on Interstate 5 near Ashland.

On June 24, 2008 at approximately 6:20 a.m. an OSP senior trooper stopped a 2003 Chevrolet Sonoma pickup displaying Washington license plates for a speed-related violation northbound on Interstate 5 near milepost 10. The two pickup occupants were identified as driver BRYAN BANNING, age 24, from Lake Stevens, Washington, and passenger GRIFFIN THOMPSON, age 20, from Marysville, Washington.

Subsequent to the traffic stop, troopers found a small amount of marijuana in the pickup's passenger compartment. With the assistance of an OSP drug detection canine, troopers discovered approximately 8 pounds of marijuana inside a large tote in the pickup bed area. Estimated value of the seized marijuana is nearly $25,000.

BANNING and THOMPSON were both taken into custody for Unlawful Manufacturing, Possession, and Distribution of a Controlled Substance – Marijuana. Both were lodged at Jackson County Jail.

Photograph Sources:
Seized Marijuana – Oregon State Police
Suspect Photographs – Jackson County Sheriff's Office

### www.oregon.gov/OSP ###


Attached Media Files: Banning.jpeg , thompson.jpeg , 062408.I5mp10.mj.1.jpg

Lake Oswego, OR ––The West Coast Bancorp (NASDAQ: WCBO) Board of Directors today declared a quarterly cash dividend of 13.5 cents per share.

The dividend will be payable on July 31, 2008, to shareholders of record on July 11, 2008.

West Coast Bancorp, one of Oregon Business Magazine's 100 Best Companies to Work For, is a Northwest bank holding company with $2.6 billion in assets, operating 64 offices in Oregon and Washington. The company combines the sophisticated products and expertise of larger banks with the local decision making, market knowledge and customer service of a community bank. For more information, visit the Company web site at www.wcb.com.

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Lake Oswego, OR— West Coast Bank President & CEO Robert D. Sznewajs will speak at the Keefe, Bruyette & Woods 8th Annual Community Bank Investor Conference on Tuesday, July 29, 2008, at 11:00 a.m. ET. The conference will be held in New York City.

During the conference, the webcast can be viewed at http://www.kbw.com/news/conferenceCommunity.html. The presentation will also be archived at this site for 60 days after the event.

West Coast Bancorp, (NASDAQ: WCBO), one of Oregon Business Magazine's 100 Best Companies to Work For, is a Northwest bank holding company with $2.6 billion in assets, operating 64 offices in Oregon and Washington. The company combines the sophisticated products and expertise of larger banks with the local decision making, market knowledge and customer service of a community bank. For more information, visit the Company web site at www.wcb.com.

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Centralia, WA—Presenting Sponsor West Coast Bank will offer seminars on business succession planning, identity theft, cash management solutions and the ABC's of a trust relationship at Advantage 2008, a day of workshops for business professionals and retirees. The Advantage 2008 event will be held at Centralia College Washington Hall at the corner of Washington and Walnut from 7:00 a.m.-2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 18, 2008.

Free blood sugar, cholesterol and blood pressure checks will be offered from 7:00-8:00 a.m. along with other health, wealth, business and technology workshops throughout the day.

For more information or to register, contact West Coast Bank Centralia Branch Manager Arnie Guenther at 360.736.0722.

West Coast Bancorp, (NASDAQ: WCBO), one of Oregon Business Magazine's 100 Best Companies to Work For, is a Northwest bank holding company with $2.6 billion in assets, operating 64 locations in Oregon and Washington, including 9 branches in the Puget Sound area. The company combines the sophisticated products and expertise of larger banks with the local decision making, market knowledge and customer service of a community bank. For more information, visit the Company's web site at www.wcb.com.

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A Spanaway, Washington resident died Monday afternoon when the pickup he was riding in struck a parked box truck parked on the shoulder of Interstate 5 about eight miles south of Albany. Oregon State Police (OSP) troopers investigating the fatal crash are looking at fatigue as a contributing factor.

According to OSP Trooper Casey Hunter, on June 9, 2008 at approximately 4:30 p.m. a 1997 Ford Ranger pickup driven by BRIAN C. STEWART, age 20, from Graham, Washington was northbound on Interstate 5 near milepost 223 in the left lane when STEWART reportedly fell asleep. The pickup drifted to the right across the northbound lanes and collided with the left rear of a box truck stopped on the right shoulder. The pickup overturned on its top and came to rest on the east shoulder. The box truck was pushed forward and came to a stop on the east shoulder.

The pickup's passenger, DANIEL VINCENT RIEDSTRA, age 19, from Spanaway, Washington died at the scene.

STEWART received non-life threatening injuries and was transported by air ambulance to Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center in Corvallis.

Both occupants were using safety restraints. They were returning to Washington from California where they visited relatives of the victim.

The driver of the stopped 2002 Chevrolet 3500 box truck had stopped to check some papers and had just returned inside the passenger compartment when it was struck by the pickup. LARRY T. NIXON, age 34, from Albany, was in the process of putting his safety belt on when his vehicle was struck. He was transported by ambulance to Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center with non-life threatening injuries.

OSP troopers from the Albany Area Command office are continuing the investigation. Upon completion, it will be reviewed with the Linn County District Attorney's Office.

ODOT and firefighters from Halsey Shedd and Albany fire departments assisted at the scene. One lane was closed until about 8:00 p.m.

Photograph Source: Oregon State Police

### www.oregon.gov/OSP ###


Attached Media Files: 060908.fatal.i5mp223.1.jpg , 060908.fatal.i5mp223.3.jpg

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Board of Directors of Educational Service District 113 will meet at noon on Wednesday, June 11, in the Board Room of the ESD 113 headquarters at 601 McPhee Road SW, Olympia.

The regular meeting agenda includes routine items such as the monthly financial report, staff changes and contracts.

John Molohon, ESD 113 assistant superintendent, will present the proposed preliminary budget for 2008-09. Copies of the proposed budget will be available for public inspection later this month.

Educational Service District 113 is a regional service agency for the 44 school districts in Thurston, Lewis, Grays Harbor, Mason and Pacific counties.

EVERETT, Wash. – The ATF Violent Gang Task Force, along with the Everett Police Department's Anti-Crime Team (ACT) and the Snohomish County Regional Drug Task Force (SRDTF), executed numerous federal and state arrest warrants and two federal search warrants during the "Snohomish County Gang Project" announced Special Agent in Charge Kelvin N. Crenshaw of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Seattle Field Division. The individuals arrested allegedly operated an intricate narcotics trafficking business in and around the city of Everett. They were arrested on both federal and state firearms and drug charges.

Five defendants – charged with federal firearms and federal drug violations – were arrested without incident this week, capping a nine-month investigation. Investigators recovered firearms, a including machine gun, and significant amounts of narcotics. Eleven defendants were arrested on state drug charges. At this time five defendants remain at large.

"ATF's primary concern is the safety of our citizens. By removing these violent gang members from our streets, we can reclaim our neighborhoods so our residents and children can enjoy their freedom without fear of injury or drug dealers", Crenshaw said. "ATF and our law enforcement partners will strive to make our streets safer by targeting these violent armed criminal organizations and put their vicious members in prison".

"The recently completed ATF/Everett PD investigation of drug, illegal weapons and gang activity in the Casino Road area of Everett resulted in the arrest of numerous individuals who have negatively impacted the lifestyles of all who live in south Everett," Chief Jim Scharf of the Everett Police Department said. "These investigations are manpower and time intensive which require federal assistance for successful outcomes. We are very appreciative of the support we received from the ATF and look forward to future cooperative investigative partnerships."

The ATF Violent Gang Task Force is a coordinated effort by the Seattle Police Department, King County Sheriffs Office, Kent Police Department, Washington Department of Corrections and ATF.

The public is reminded that all persons arrested are only alleged to have committed a crime. A defendant is presumed innocent of the charges and it is the government's burden to prove a defendant's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

More information on ATF and its programs can be found at www.atf.gov.