TWN

May 2023

Journal of the Washington Newspaper Publishers Association

Community turns out to honor Eagle publisher

With a just a short time to live, Rick Nelson bids readers farewell

By Patrick Webb Chinook Observer

CATHLAMET — Rick Nelson is making news his newspaper staff would give anything not to have to print.

His oncologists say no further treatment is possible.

And Nelson has written a candid farewell column for the Wahkiakum County Eagle.

Nelson

“It is strange when your cancer doctor tells you that your cancer has conquered your body and you have what may be days to live,” the editor-publisher wrote to neighbors who have read his columns for years.

“That’s where I am. It’s a slow moving lymphoma, and I’ve been under treatment since September 2001. It has now attacked my bone marrow and I’m not producing platelets and hemoglobin.

“We established a treatment regimen that should keep me going long enough to take care of last-minute business and get set up at home to die.”

Welcome home Monday, the streets of Cathlamet filled with 150 people as word spread of a lunchtime arrival home from Oregon Health & Sciences University hospital in Portland; some brought lawn chairs to wait for the Toyota Highlander containing their ailing local hero and family members.

An escort was arranged by Wahkiakum County Sheriff Mark Howie as they pulled off State Route 4 past Gragg’s General Store. Before the impromptu motorcade went to Main Street, it drove past Wahkiakum High School, where most of the student body lined up outside to cheer as Nelson — a 1969 graduate — made what may be a final pass in front of his alma mater.

Downtown sidewalks were packed; one observer amid the balloons and flags noted that Nelson leaned out the passenger window and waved.; another said he offered a broad smile.

See NELSON Page 5

B&O tax bill signed into law

Newspapers will not pay a dime in state Business and Occupation taxes for the next 10 years, thanks to new legislation signed by Gov. Jay Inslee on May 3.

The measure was approved by the Legislature with broad bipartisan support.

“Hopefully it keeps local journalism alive in Washington as long as possible,” said state Sen. Mark Mullet, an Issaquah Democrat who sponsored the measure.

It took two years of effort by press champions in the Legislature to get it done. An earlier push by Mullet and state Rep. Gerry Pollet, fell short last year, after it failed to advance.

This year the bill was

See TAX Page 2