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Stories by Dawn Feldhaus

email icon dawn.feldhaus@camaspostrecord.com

October 16, 2012
Wilson Cady, environmental education coordinator for the Columbia Gorge Refuge Stewards, views the damage to the Steigerwald refuge boardwalk. While 148 acres burned, approximately 20,000 shrubs and trees survived. "Wildlife is coming back," Cady said Friday, as American goldfinches flew overhead. He also spotted fresh mounds of dirt as evidence of recent mole activity.

Steigerwald manager seeks funding to replace boardwalk

The Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge remains closed to the public, primarily because the boardwalk entrance is heavily damaged. The Oct. 5 grass and brush fire damaged 148 acres at the refuge. Refuge Manager Jim Clapp is applying for $100,000 for burn area restoration from the Department of the Interior. It could take four to six weeks to find out if the funding is approved. The boardwalk will need to be replaced before the refuge can be reopened. "I don't know how long it will take to replace it," Clapp said by phone Monday. "We'll do our best to get the refuge reopened soon." For information about volunteer opportunities, contact Clapp at 835-8767, email volunteer@refugestewards.org or visit www.refugestewards.org.

October 10, 2012

Retired Washougal Fire chief dies

Former WFD Chief Basil "Booj" Taylor died Wednesday. His career included working for the WFD and the Camas Fire Department.

October 9, 2012
Washougal resident Steve Carroll captured this image on Saturday of the burned area at Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge. The fire, believed to have been started by a discarded cigarette, consumed approximately 140 acres.

Wildlife refuge fire claims 140 acres

The Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge is closed to the public until further notice, after a brush and grass fire consumed approximately 140 acres near Washougal. The cause of the fire on Friday is under investigation by the Department of Natural Resources. Camas-Washougal Deputy Fire Marshal Randy Miller said it appears the fire started on the shoulder of state Route 14, which likely points to the careless discarding of a burning or smoldering object by a passing vehicle.

October 9, 2012

Officials discuss C-TRAN measure

Opinions vary among local leaders, regarding the potential sales tax increase to pay for a light rail extension from Portland to Vancouver. C-TRAN Proposition No. 1, to be voted on in the November 6 General Election, would also pay the operations and maintenance costs of the Fourth Plain Boulevard Bus Rapid Transit project between downtown Vancouver and Westfield Vancouver Mall. If approved, it would increase the sales and use tax by 0.1 percent, or one penny on a $10 purchase. The measure would raise an estimated $4.6 million annually, to fund the operations and maintenance cost for C-TRAN's share of light rail transit through downtown Vancouver. After those projects are completed, $1.2 million estimated annual savings from eliminating duplicated bus service would be reinvested in the system. The light rail extension would be located between the Portland Expo Center and Clark Park & Ride (across the street from the Marshall Community Center, 1009 E. McLoughlin Blvd.). Light rail trains would travel on the I-5 replacement bridge (Columbia River Crossing).

October 2, 2012
Individuals participate in a variety of weight lifting, gymnastics and cardio activities at CrossFit North Pacific, in Washougal. The business, owned by David and Polly Albright, opened in June.

Powered by CrossFit

Two businesses in Washougal hope to improve the fitness levels of local residents. They offer CrossFit workouts which can include gymnastics, running and weight lifting.

October 2, 2012
A photograph taken by Lara Blair features four women enrolled in an equine program in west Texas. Blair's "Horse Girls" fine art prints will be on display Friday through the end of October, in the Elida Field gallery, in downtown Camas.

Lara Blair to exhibit photography in downtown Camas

A Camas woman is preparing to show a collection of fine art prints that celebrates the connections between girls and horses. The exhibit, featuring art by Lara Blair, will begin with a First Friday reception, from 5 to 8 p.m., at the Elida Field gallery, 421 N.E. Cedar St., in downtown Camas. Live music will be provided by Robin Smith-Jackson, of Terre Bonne, Ore., and Blair will be available to talk about horses.

October 2, 2012

Pendleton reaches settlement with L&I

Representatives from Pendleton Woolen Mills, in Washougal, and the State Department of Labor & Industries have agreed to settle an appeal regarding citations of workplace violations. The settlement states the Sept. 13 agreement is entered into for the "purpose of expediting the abatement of workplace hazardous exposures and precluding protracted and expensive litigation." The total assessed penalty has been reduced from $93,300 to $46,650. This summer, the State Department of L & I notified Pendleton officials about 21 violations in several categories. An inspection was opened on Dec. 19, 2011.

September 25, 2012
Dawn Feldhaus/Post-Record Jan Wyninger shows her most recent painting to instructor Nancy Ryan and Barbara McHenry, as Dolly Jendro works on her own artwork at the Washougal Community Center. The Washougal Watercolorists will host an opening reception Friday, from 5 to 8 p.m. "The purpose of the show is to share with the community the joy of watercolor and to complete the process of creation," Ryan said. "Part of creation is having others appreciate and enjoy it."

Washougal Watercolorists show opens Friday

Senior citizens with varying levels of artistic experience are discovering or rediscovering the joy of creating watercolor paintings. A free class is taught by volunteer Nancy Ryan, Mondays, at 1 p.m., in the Washougal Community Center, 1681 "C" St. Ryan describes herself as a self-taught artist. She studied drawing and earned a bachelor's degree at Syracuse University. Ryan has also taken many workshops and classes in the San Francisco Bay area and has received awards. She began painting 30 years ago and has been in many shows. This year, Ryan taught a class at Elida Field's studio, in downtown Camas. Some of her work is currently on display at Ballard & Call, a gallery and fine art store, also in downtown Camas.