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Stories by Danielle Frost

email icon danielle.frost@camaspostrecord.com

August 27, 2013
Dakota Watson of Camas holds his Polish rabbit, Prince. He has been active in the Washougal-based 4-H R.O.C.K.S club for four years, and has won several awards.

Rising above the obstacles

At first glace, Dakota Watson looks like any other 11-year-old boy. He banters with his sister, loves basketball and is growing out of clothes faster than his mom can buy them.But the fact that Dakota is even alive is a miracle in itself. The Camas resident was born with serious medical complications, including a cross-fused ectopic kidney. By the time Dakota was two days old, he had been through two surgeries. "He wasn't expected to even survive," recalled his mom, Samantha. But Dakota was a fighter and still is, she added. "The doctors thought he would have to get a kidney transplant by the time he was 2," Samantha said. "Every time it sounds really bad, he just finds a way to pull through it."

August 27, 2013
Firefighters work to extinguish a blaze after a truck carrying hay caught on fire on Aug. 20 at Highway 14 in Washougal.

Hay fire shuts down Highway 14

A hay truck fire that closed down both lanes of Highway 14 near the Pendleton Woolen Mills on Aug. 20 is likely due to a mechanical issue. According to Camas-Washougal Fire Chief Nick Swinhart, a hot exhaust pipe from the engine may have ignited the hay, based on observations at the scene. "We do not know the precise cause of the fire and, in fact, we likely will never know, simply because the truck was destroyed," he said. According to witnesses at the scene, motorists on Highway 14 spotted a truck carrying a load of hay that was on fire just before 3 p.m.

August 20, 2013
Woodburn Elementary, the newest school in Camas, will open its doors to students Tuesday, Sept. 3. There is also a back-to-school night on Thursday, Aug. 29.

Camas’ Woodburn Elementary design incorporates nature into the school

After three years in the making, the Camas School District's newest building will open its doors to eager students and teachers. Woodburn Elementary, which can accommodate up to 600 students, is located off of Southeast Crown Road and surrounded by nature. "People ask which classroom has the best view, and I can't really give them an answer," said Jan Strohmaier, principal. "There are fantastic views everywhere." The 12-acre site is adjacent to the Lacamas Creek trail system. To keep with the natural setting, outdoor elements were incorporated into the design.

August 20, 2013
Jill Conley of Washougal gets a chicken pox immunization during a free clinic at Lacamas Medical Group in Camas. Her mom, Bettina Conley, comforts her. "It's a lot worse if they don't get these shots," she said.

Helping students stay healthy at school

Jill Conley's lower lip began trembling as the nurse prepared her chicken pox vaccination."Is it going to hurt?" she asked her mom, Bettina. "A lot less than chicken pox," Bettina replied. Jill, 9, and her younger sister, Isabel, 8, were at the free immunization clinic offered by Lacamas Medical Group last week. It was coordinated for families who are without a regular health care provider. A free immunization clinic will be offered at the Free Clinic of SW Washington, 4100 Plomondon St., Vancouver, on Wednesday, Aug. 28 beginning at 5 p.m., on a first-come, first-served basis.

August 20, 2013

Budgets on the level for new school year

For the first time in several years, school district budgets are looking up in both Camas and Washougal. The Camas School Board adopted its budget last week, while Washougal is set to adopt its on Tuesday, Aug. 27. The biggest change at both districts is the expansion of kindergarten instruction.

August 20, 2013
Visitors from the sovereign state of Georgia, located at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe, spent time doing volunteer work at the Cape Horn Trail.

Cape Horn Trail hosts international visitors

The Cape Horn Trail recently provided the setting for international interaction with individuals hailing from Georgia, a sovereign state located at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe. Four professionals, representing Georgia's Agency of Protected Areas (Imereti Caves, Mtirala National Park and Tusheti Protected Areas) were accompanied by two interpreters. At the trail, the group participated in maintenance and stewardship efforts in removing invasive species. Teresa Robbins, Cape Horn Conservancy president, provided information, strategies and historical context in response to questions. She said several themes emerged though the conversations, including the need for successful collaboration of non-profits and government agencies, the ethic of volunteerism, and "how to" in attracting and engaging volunteers.

August 14, 2013
Junior Scouts create dreamcatchers at Currie Twilight Camp last week. The J.D. Currie Youth Camp is located on 300 acres just outside of Camas and is home to several different youth events during the summer.

Camp Currie gives youth the chance to explore nature close to home

Nestled amid a canopy of towering Douglas firs, with a rustic lodge and cabins, Camp Currie feels like it is a million miles away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.In reality, the 300-acre site is located just five minutes from downtown Camas and has been home to summer youth camps since 1943. The semi-wilderness setting includes a woodland chapel, large natural amphitheater, winding forest trails, covered outdoor eating area, and is home to a variety of wildlife. Last week, the Girl Scouts of Oregon and Washington hosted Currie Twilight Camp, which gave attendees the opportunity to learn outdoor cooking, fire safety, crafts and more. Although the camp is 300 acres, youth organizations only use about 30 of those, with the rest being kept in its natural state.

August 13, 2013
Kids give their creations one final inspection before the Camas Farmer's Market Veggie Derby last Wednesday, while others work on last minute touches. Awards were given out for most use of veggies, fastest/farthest and most creative.

Veggie Derby encourages young participants to build unique cars with vegetables

There was excitement in the air as youngsters assembled zucchini, potatoes, green beans, carrots, radishes, cucumbers and peppers into race cars at the Camas Farmer's Market last week. The Kids Connections booth was overflowing with children and veggie cars in all shapes and sizes during the fifth annual Veggie Derby. The derby is an annual highlight at the market, organizer Marilyn Goodman said. "The market kids look forward to playing with their veggies and making them 'vroom' once a year," she said. "Kids worked very hard making their cars and vying for prizes."

August 9, 2013

Washougal candidates move to general election

Longtime Washougal School Board chairman Blaine Peterson will face challenger Jeanie Moran in the Nov. 5 general election; while incumbent Washougal City Councilman Paul Greenlee will be up against Lisa D. Voeltz.