Camas-Washougal Post-Record

September 28, 2010

State audit faults Washougal’s financial reporting

The Washington State Auditor's Office has determined there were significant deficiencies and material weaknesses by the City of Washougal, in 2009. An audit released today refers to the state Route 14 pedestrian tunnel project. The finding mentioned the city's internal controls were not adequate to ensure compliance with cost principles and the Davis-Bacon Act. The city spent $1.08 million in Highway Planning and Construction federal grant funds in 2009. The project was administered by the Washington State Department of Transportation and funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

September 28, 2010

Washougal mayor plans to freeze wages

The Washougal City Council will soon be asked to freeze the salaries of all of the city's non-represented employees, effective Jan. 1, 2011. Mayor Sean Guard is also requesting two of the city's employee unions reopen their collective bargaining contracts a year early. His announcement is in response to growing deficits in the city's general fund, resulting from rising employee costs and diminished revenues. The initial projected deficits for 2011, 2012 and 2013 - as forecast in July this year - were $1.3 million, $1.45 million and $1.6 million. The projections have decreased due to cost reduction measures, and additional reductions are being identified as part of the 2011 budget process.

September 28, 2010

Acid hoax case heads to Vancouver court Wednesday

The Washougal Safeway employee who has admitted to police she applied acid to her face is expected to make her first appearance in court Wednesday. Bethany Storro, of Vancouver, is scheduled to appear in front of Judge John Nichols, at 8:45 a.m., in Clark County Superior Court. She is facing three counts of second-degree theft by deception. They include aggravating circumstances against Storro because they involved Good Samaritan donations of more than $750.

September 23, 2010

Washougal police investigate armed robbery at Smead’s Pub

Smead's Pub is open for regular business, following an early morning armed robbery Thursday. The robber, described as a white male with gray hair, thin build and approximately 6 feet tall, remains at large. He was wearing a wig, a gray sweatshirt over a light blue flannel shirt, blue jeans and white tennis shoes.

September 21, 2010

Theft charges are filed in acid hoax case

The woman who claimed that a stranger threw an unknown substance on her face is facing three counts of second-degree theft by deception. They include aggravating circumstances against Bethany Storro because they involved Good Samaritan donors of more than $750, according to Tony Golik, Clark County deputy prosecuting attorney with the major crimes unit. The victims, listed in a Clark County Superior Court document filed Monday, include Safeway ($3,000), Anytime Fitness ($800) and Michael Kite, of California ($1,000).

September 21, 2010

Newly formed Clark County Arts Commission includes two local residents

A former Port of Camas-Washougal commissioner and an opera singer are among the members of a new Clark County Arts Commission. Donna Roberge Nozel and Martha Martin have been appointed by the Clark County Commission to serve four-year terms. Nozel, a port commissioner from 1998 through 2000, describes herself as "a total amateur in oil painting and photography," as well as "a true opera lover but not a singer."

September 14, 2010

Debra Hoff-Frye prepares Washougal High School student Sam Sharp for a senior portrait session at Fireworks Photography studio. The session continued at the Port of Camas-Washougal marina, Parker's Landing Historical Park and the Washougal pedestrian tunnel. Hoff-Frye owns Fireworks Photography with her husband Stephen Frye, near downtown Washougal.

Fireworks Photography is inspired in Washougal

Debra Hoff-Frye has more than 30 years of experience behind a camera, and some examples of her work can be seen at Fireworks Photography, in Washougal. Debra and her husband Stephen Frye purchased Fireworks Photography five years ago from the business' original owners Brian and Anne Knoll. Debra worked as a freelance photographer when the company was located in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. Fireworks Photography is located at 1436 "A" St., Ste. 106. For more information, call 904-1466, e-mail FireworksPhotography@comcast.net or visit www.FireworksPhotography.com.

September 14, 2010

Tiffany Personett, of Camas, holds one of her foster kittens as another 5-month old plays with a toy nearby. "I just believe that anyone who has ever wanted cats or any animal should get involved with this, if they've got the space and the time," she said. "It's not that hard and complicated - just giving them love and attention." A dinner and auction, to benefit the West Columbia Gorge Humane Society, are planned for Saturday, at 5:30 p.m., at Heathman Lodge, 7801 N.E. Greenwood Drive, Vancouver.

Fostering for the future

For Tiffany Personett and her mother Brenda, an early summer picnic near the former Riverside Bowl in Camas led to new volunteer opportunities as foster pet parents for the West Columbia Gorge Humane Society. While eating lunch, they noticed a woman drop off a box behind the former bowling alley. Tiffany and Brenda retrieved three kittens found near the box after the woman left.

September 14, 2010

Port considers capital projects

The construction of two rows in the Port of Camas-Washougal marina could be the largest capital projects expenditure in the port's 2011 budget. "G" and "H" rows would be located near the Puffin Cafe. The construction of eight covered and 16 uncovered slips is listed at $615,000. The permitting and design process is expected to be completed this year.

September 7, 2010

The $1.8 million renovation of Bethea Park Estates, renamed Gateway Garden Apartments, in Washougal, is among the "Top Projects," named by the Vancouver Business Journal. Other honored local developments include Hayes Freedom High School, Doc Harris stadium, Immelman Hangars at Grove Field, phase one of Northwest Leadbetter Drive improvements, 192nd Avenue Plaza and the addition and remodel of Dorothy Fox Elementary School.

C-W developments are among the ‘Top Projects’

The rebuilding of Doc Harris Stadium, in Camas, is among the local developments named as "Top Projects" by the Vancouver Business Journal. The Bethea Park Estates renovation in Washougal will also be honored. The 32-unit complex was renamed Gateway Garden Apartments, in June.