Mossyrock to hold work session on local laws for owning livestock, living in RVs and more
Members of the Mossyrock City Council convened for their regular monthly meeting on Wednesday, April 15, and though a number of ordinances were on the agenda, they were all tabled - with councilors instead choosing to schedule an open public workshop to gather input from community members on the proposals.
The move to schedule the workshop came after nearly a dozen Mossyrock community members attended Wednesday's meeting.
Most were concerned about Ordinance No. 520, which pertains to amendments to existing city code regarding owning livestock within the city, and Ordinance No. 514 regarding amendments to the code prohibiting living in RVs in city limits.
Also on the agenda was Ordinance No. 518, which revolved around regulating conditional use permits for shipping containers, and Ordinance No. 523, which consolidates and updates the city's fee schedules.
The ordinances are still in the draft phase, with recommendations from the Mossyrock Planning Commission expected first before the council moves to vote on them.
Members of both the Mossyrock City Council and Planning Commission are expected to be in attendance at the workshop, scheduled for April 27, from 3 to 7 p.m. inside the Mossyrock Community Center.
Since residents were most concerned about the livestock ordinance, discussion of it will not begin until 6 p.m. at the workshop in order to give residents who work a chance to make it.
Information concerning the ordinances will be made available on the city's website along with being available at Mossyrock City Hall.
The workshop is strictly informational. No vote will be taken on any ordinances until the council's next regular meeting scheduled for May 20.
During the meeting, Mossyrock Mayor Randall Sasser also swore in Mark Thompson to fill the council vacancy after he was appointed to the position during last month's meeting, as previously reported by The Chronicle.
Additionally, Mossyrock Area Historical Society member Buddy Rose announced that so far, over 70 copies of the "Red Book" have been sold.
Officially called "Memories from Family Albums of School District #206," it colloquially became known as the "Red Book" due to its bright red cover.
Rose spearheaded efforts to republish the book, which was originally compiled in 1976 by Mossyrock Grange #355 members to celebrate the nation's bicentennial birthday. Now, it's part of Mossyrock's official contribution for America250, the nationwide collaborative celebration of the United States' 250th birthday this year.
With more than 450 pages transcribed by Rose over hundreds of hours throughout this past winter, the "Red Book" features the histories of the East County communities of Salkum, Silver Creek, Harmony, Mayfield, Mossyrock, Ajlune, Riffe, Nesika and more, along with local churches, post offices and fire departments, photos and East Lewis County family genealogical history.
It also contains stories of residents like Daniel Shaner, U.S. Civil War Union Army veteran who had made his way out west after the war - and who just happened to be one of President Abraham Lincoln's guards, relieved of duty for the night less than half an hour before Lincoln was assassinated at Ford's Theater on April 14, 1985.
Reprinted copies of the "Red Book" cost $50 each and can be purchased at each regular monthly meeting of the Mossyrock Area Historical Society, which meets on the first Wednesday of each month starting at 5 p.m. at the Mossyrock Community Center.
For those who can't make it to a historical society meeting, contact Mossyrock Area Historical Society member Jim Myers at 360-492-8686 to arrange a purchase.
A total of 300 copies of the "Red Book" have been reprinted, though Rose stated more will be ordered from Gorham Printing if they sell out. Sales benefit both Mossyrock Grange and Mossyrock Area Historical Society.
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This story was originally published April 18, 2026 at 11:24 AM.