Camas-Washougal Post-Record

April 22, 2014

Volunteer Marilyn Adler listens to second-grader Trinity Archer read her a story. Adler is one of several volunteers from Columbia Ridge Senior Living who reads with students on a weekly basis. "It's nice to be around the kids and work with them," the retired teacher said.

Community connections

Nearly every Thursday, volunteers from Columbia Ridge Senior Living board a van and make a quick trip to Woodburn Elementary School, a mile away. There, they spend the next hour or so reading with second-grade students. It's a partnership that works well for all involved. "It's a real benefit for both the students and the volunteers," said Melissa Dolan, school counselor. "The kids love the one-on-one attention and the volunteers feel appreciated."

April 22, 2014

Camas pool will have new manager

The Camas Municipal Pool will have a new manager come summer. Last night, the Camas City Council unanimously approved an agreement with Lacamas Swim & Sport to operate the pool. It could open as early as Memorial Day weekend, weather permitting. "Swimming is important for everyone to learn and if the pool doesn't stay open, then it overloads our club," owner Denise Croucher said.

April 17, 2014

Camas kindergartener brought bullets on bus

A school bus was searched following a report of a Camas kindergarten student carrying bullets in a backpack. At about 4 p.m. on Tuesday, the driver of a school bus on a Prune Hill Elementary route was alerted by a student that a bullet was discovered.

April 16, 2014

The Camas High School Science Olympiad team members celebrate after earning their fourth consecutive state title on Saturday at Eastern Washington University.

Science Olympiad top in state

Winning state once? Awesome. Twice? Fantastic. Three times? Almost never. But Camas High School's Science Olympiad teams hit a new record Saturday, taking first-place at the State Science Olympiad Tournament for the fourth year in a row.

April 15, 2014

"Last year we had well over 1,000 children participate. We expect the same this year. The eggs are gone in five minutes, so make sure to give yourself plenty of time to park." -- Krista Bashaw, Camas Parks and Recreation

It’s time to hunt for Easter eggs!

If not for an army of volunteers, Krista Bashaw estimates it would take her two weeks to stuff the 10,000 eggs for the Camas Parks and Recreation annual Easter egg hunt. "That's a lot of work time," Bashaw, recreation coordinator, said. "The volunteers are instrumental in the success of the egg hunt."

April 15, 2014

Hathaway Elementary School fourth-grader Paige Maas stands with U.S. Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler of Camas during a trip to Washington, D.C. to advocate for diabetes research and prevention.

Advocating for a cure

Paige Maas may only be 10 years old, but the petite fourth-grader is making a big impact in the fight against diabetes. Paige, a Washougal resident, has Type 1 diabetes, which requires that she check her blood sugar several times a day and carefully monitor her food and fluid intake. She was diagnosed three years ago.

April 15, 2014

The popular Camas Municipal Pool, located at Crown Park, could be managed by a new operator this summer. The City of Camas is currently in negotiations with Lacamas Swim & Sport to run the facility.

New management proposed for Camas pool

If all goes as planned, the Camas Municipal Pool will have a new manager come summer. Lacamas Swim & Sport is negotiating an agreement with the city to operate the pool, which could open as early as Memorial Day weekend.

April 8, 2014

Don Larson has logged some 16,000 miles since he began walking Heritage Trail 14 years ago. He wears a signature blue hat and waves to everyone.

A trail of friendships

"You use the trail, right? Come here, I have something for you." It's 9 a.m. on a Thursday at Heritage Trail. Spring is in the air, along with the usual crowd of runners, walkers and nature lovers. Don Larson, 85, is passing out handmade bowls and plates in the parking lot, which are carved from wood he's found walking, "here and there." Nearly every trail user is invited to pick one out, free of charge.

March 25, 2014

CHS student presents work at professional science conference

Meghal Sheth's research about hearing loss has allowed her to do things most high school students only dream about. The Camas High School junior presented her findings with mentor Dr. Allison Coffin at the Association for Research in Otolaryngology conference in San Diego last month. The invite came about after Coffin asked Sheth to join her and co-present their research on BPA (Bisphenol-A). "She wanted me to experience going to a big conference and she also wanted me to be able to showcase my research project as first author," Sheth said. "We've spent a lot of time together working on the project and she said that since I did a lot of the work, I should be able to present it."

March 25, 2014

Tami Grant, an American Sign Language teacher at Washougal High School, was recently named Interpreter of the Year for Sorenson Communications. Here, she works with her students on songs for their end of the year show.

An ASL leader

When Tami Grant headed into the offices of Sorenson Communications on March 6, she was expecting a routine staff meeting. But that day was anything but routine. Grant, who works as an American Sign Language interpreter, found out she had been named Sorenson Communications 2013 Interpreter of the Year for the Western Region. Grant is also a full-time American Sign Language teacher at Washougal High School. "I walked into the room, and they announced that someone in our center had won, and that it was me," she said. "There was a lot of emotion. I was totally in shock because I work with some really fantastic interpreters. Being nominated by my peers was awesome."