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Stories by Dawn Feldhaus

email icon dawn.feldhaus@camaspostrecord.com

April 24, 2012

Port to receive $1.5 million for Steigerwald Commerce Center

Port of Camas-Washougal Executive Director Dave Ripp said he was elated when he found out the state budget recently approved by the legislature includes $1.5 million for the Steigerwald Commerce Center. The state funding will go toward phase one of the project, formerly known as the East Industrial Park. Phase one is expected to include the extension of approximately 1,500 feet of street from Truman, east into the commerce center.

April 24, 2012

Women of the Washougal City Council share common experiences

Four members of the Washougal City Council recently got together for a social breakfast, to talk about educational options for children, vacations to Hawaii and Florida, the difference between raising boys and girls, and the brew pub that is expected to open on Main Street this summer. They also talked about the experiences they had while campaigning and door-belling last fall, their motivations for running for office, the places where they grew up and the reasons they chose to live in Washougal. Connie Jo Freeman, Caryn Plinski and Joyce Lindsay took their first oaths of office as council members in January, while Jennifer McDaniel has been serving since 2008.

April 17, 2012
Dave and Becky Dotson, and their son David Jr., enjoy playing with Legos at their new store in Washougal, Hero Support. The business, which opened today, buys, sells and trades Pokemon, Yu-Gi-Oh and Magic: The Gathering cards, and sells role playing games and Star Wars, Simpsons and Avengers collectible figures.

Game and toy store opens in Washougal

Dave and Becky Dotson, of Washougal, are very excited to own a game, card and toy store in their hometown. The Dotsons opened Hero Support today. "It's been a work-in-progress for about 2 1/2 months," Dave said. That process included renovating the former County Communications space with new flooring and paint, and the water fountain feature outside has been repaired. "It was the right time and the right opportunity," Dave said. "The building became available for lease four or five months ago."

April 17, 2012
Kirsten Muskat, founder and president of the Camas Camera Club, took this "Family Moment" photo of her husband Richard Kurczak and their border collie Elmo, on Strawberry Island in the Columbia River Gorge, in May 2011. They moved from Tanzania to Camas in 2007. "I looked at this scene before me, and everything had just come together," Muskat said. "I could feel this image before I took it. It gave me the feeling of our little tribe having arrived, of being at home now in a new place that we love."

Camas Camera Club promotes creative photography projects

Individuals interested in improving their photography skills are invited to participate in Camas Camera Club meetings and assignments. The meetings are open to photographers of all skill levels, ages 16 and older. Individuals are invited to bring a couple of recent images to the meetings. The club was officially founded by Kirsten Muskat in June 2011, after she and a few photographer friends had met sporadically along trails, workshops and in local homes. Muskat, who now serves as club president, said the meetings are enjoyable and informative. "It's fun to see everyone's images, watching people's skills grow, seeing some really creative and brilliant work, and we have some great banter," she said. "We have short, informative photo talks every month, and I got some great pointers and ideas on how to present slide shows, new photo editing software and High Dynamic Range photography."

April 10, 2012

Citizens complain about Washougal water rates

Several Washougal residents recently complained about utility rate increases that were approved two years ago. The second year of increases has resulted in a single family residence -- within city limits -- paying an estimated $174.60 for water, sewer and storm water, every two months this year. That compares to $144.59 every two months in 2011. During the April 2 Washougal City Council meeting, Cecil Hopkins complained about the rate increases.

April 10, 2012

C-W Port buys 7th Street property

The Port of Camas-Washougal Commission has approved the purchase of land near its Sixth Street property. The commission voted 3 to 0, April 3, to buy a 10,000 square foot lot at 1111 S. Seventh St., Washougal, from Ron Gustafson, for $190,000. The purpose of the purchase is to add additional, contiguous port property, according to Port Communications Manager Jack Hardy. The port will pay $50,000 at closing. Installment payments will be spread over three years beginning with $50,000 in 2013, $50,000 in 2014 and $40,000 in 2015 at an interest rate of four percent.

April 3, 2012

Waterfront revitalization concepts are discussed

A conceptual drawing has been created, highlighting options that could one day occupy the former Hambleton Lumber Company site. The drawing, developed by staff with the consulting firm Maul Foster and Alongi, is intended to "just give a visual of the possibilities of the site," according to Port of Camas-Washougal Executive Director David Ripp. The possibilities included commercial/mixed use options, ranging in size from 10,000 square feet to 140,000 square feet, as well as restaurants and retail stores of 50,000 to 75,000 square feet.

April 3, 2012

Washougal financial investigation forwarded to county prosecutor

The long-awaited results of an investigation into Washougal financial issues have been sent to the Clark County Prosecutor's Office. Sheriff's Office Sgt. Kevin Allais, with the Major Crimes Unit, said the report prepared by Detective Tom Mitchum, has been completed and forwarded to prosecutors.

April 3, 2012
Elijah "Mentality" Huckins lives with his wife Sheri, and daughters Kayla, 12, and Christine, 3, in Vancouver. Huckins, a former Washougal resident, recorded his CD "Risk It All" at Good Job Studio, in Portland. He hopes his single "Leaf on a Limb" will inspire youth and their parents to talk about the tragic reality of suicide. Several friends and family members participated in the making of the video.

Rapper hopes to educate youth with anti-suicide message

A former Washougal resident is hoping to make a difference, particularly in the lives of youth. Elijah "Mentality" Huckins recently released a suicide prevention and awareness music video "Leaf on a Limb." It is among the songs on his CD "Risk It All." In addition to hoping to reach as many youth as possible, Huckins thinks the video could be a great tool for parents. "Parents could use it to communicate with their children about this tragic reality," he said. "This video shows what is left behind and most importantly that there is help and hope. These are not just actors but people who have really lost someone to suicide."