Camas-Washougal Post-Record

March 5, 2013

Mount Pleasant would pay Washougal approximately $20,000 annually for payroll, technology

The Washougal School District is considering accepting a contract to provide business services to the Mount Pleasant School District. "I was approached by the superintendent of the Mount Pleasant School District to consider a request for a partnership," said Dawn Tarzian, Washougal superintendent. This statement resulted in a few smiles among audience members, as Peter Tarzian, the Mount Pleasant superintendent, is also her husband. The superintendents met with Rosann Lassman, Washougal business services manager, to discuss the proposal.

February 26, 2013

London takes a swing at the pinata during her 90th birthday celebration in August. The trees were decorated with bags, symbolizing her many years cleaning up Washougal River Road.

Betty London’s friends, family remember her sense of adventure, kindness

Sometimes, it is not one extraordinary thing that leaves a mark on this world. It is a number of small ordinary kindnesses, which truly make a difference in the lives of others.Betty London was one of these "ordinary extraordinary" people. Her friends and family describe her in the following ways: Adventurous. Kind. Caring. Good listener. Earth-friendly. Active. Creative. Funny. London passed away recently at the age of 90. Active until the end, she could often be seen tending to a 2-mile stretch of Washougal River Road, picking up bottles, cans and other garbage that was carelessly tossed away by others. She encouraged her friends and family to, "leave this a better place than when you found it." "She had the gift to make the ordinary extraordinary, not only for herself, but for everyone with whom she crossed paths," said son Richard (Rit) London. "She said we had wings, so go fly."

February 26, 2013

John Grall was honored as Youth of the Year for all Boys & Girls Clubs in the Portland metro area. He is a sophomore at Camas High School.

Grall is honored as Youth of the Year

A local teen has been named "Youth of the Year" for the Boys & Girls Club of the Portland metro area. John Grall, 15, is a long-time member and now volunteer at the local Jack, Will and Rob Boys & Girls Club in Camas. He was selected for Youth of the Year based on several different categories, including service to the local club, community and family, academic success, strong moral character, life goals, and poise and public speaking ability.

February 26, 2013

Margaret McCarthy and Rich Blum are members of the Washougal Community Coalition. The organization is hoping to build a stronger community.

Coalition is working together to improve Washougal

A coalition comprised of people from all walks of life will work to curb underage drinking and offer healthy alternatives. The Washougal Community Coalition's goal is to "build a community that is connected and involved, empowered by healthy choices and strong family units." The coalition, formed last May, is a part of the state division of Behavioral Health and recovery's Prevention Redesign Initiative.

February 19, 2013

Trip leaves a lasting impact on CHS grad

A volunteer trip to Costa Rica nearly four years ago changed the direction of Adrienne Engel's life. Engel, of Camas, stayed with a host family in the small village of Herradura. There, she worked alongside other high school students in the community, helping to build a church and a community center. "It was a real collaborative effort," she said. "We spent a lot of time with our host families as well. "I even learned how to milk a cow. I've always had an itch to travel and see how people really live. I thought this would be fun because it was also service oriented."

February 19, 2013

Sondra Grable and Christy Quinn pose for a photo during the Tour de Wyoming cycling event last summer, shortly before Quinn was severely injured in a freak accident.

Local bus driver dedicates marathon to her friend, qualifies for Boston

"Your body will argue that there is no justifiable reason to continue. Your only recourse is to call on your spirit, which fortunately functions independently of logic."-- Tim Noakes, author of "Lore of Running" When Sondra Grable made it to mile 18 of the California International Marathon, she felt done. Grable had been slogging through a series of storms which had dumped 3 to 6 inches of rain in 24 hours. Severe winds rocked the area, making it extremely difficult to move forward. She was exhausted, aching, chafing and her toenails were coming off. Grable desperately wanted to be done. Then she thought of her friend, Christy Quinn, who had been nearly paralyzed in a serious cycling accident over the summer. She remembered how Quinn had to relearn the basics of life most of us take for granted: How to sit up, stand and walk. "I just thought of how she would love to be out here right now, no matter what the conditions," Grable said. "I decided a little windstorm wasn't going to stop me from reaching my goal."

February 19, 2013

Pike introduces Safer Schools Act

State Rep. Liz Pike of Camas has proposed a bill to allow firearms on school grounds. House Bill 1788, the Safer Schools Act, would allow both public and private schools to adopt a policy authorizing employees to possess firearms under certain conditions, as part of an adopted school safety plan. "Recent massacres at 'gun free zones' in public schools prompted me to start a broad community discussion about how we can make our schools more safe in Washington," said Pike, a republican. "This law, if passed, would give school boards the authority to add more flexibility in making their schools safe."

February 13, 2013

Dave Raynor and Patti Jeannotte are getting a second chance at love after decades away from each other. Here, they pose at the Liberty Theatre, where they often went on dates in high school.

High school sweethearts reunite after 42 years

These lyrics to a popular Mumford & Sons song could easily describe the romance between two former high school sweethearts, Patti Jeannotte and Dave Raynor. The two reunited last winter after more than 40 years apart, picking up where they left off. It was almost as if the decades away from each other had never happened. Once again they are like teenagers in love, but with a mature appreciation only life experience can bring.

February 12, 2013

Jemtegaard Middle School students (left to right) Corey Barton, Casey Schulenbarger and Kim Kanning hold signs which accompany a poem for their anti-bullying performance, based on the T.V. show, "What would you do?"

JMS students try a new approach to curb bullying

After a rash of recent tragedies, a group of Jemtegaard Middle School students are hoping to help curb the epidemic of bullying by taking an unusual approach. Instead of having adults talk to students about bullying's sometimes devastating impacts, the students are taking the reigns. They've written and produced a video segment, based on the T.V. show, "What would you do?" "At first, they were thinking it was just another bullying presentation and they didn't think other students would listen," said music teacher Jennifer Snapp. "So I asked them to figure out a way to grab their interest. Most everyone knows about this show, so it will catch their attention."

February 12, 2013

Julie Mueller is the new principal of Lacamas Heights Elementary School. Mueller, a 23-year employee with the district, is currently the associate principal at Liberty Middle School.

Julie Mueller to take the helm at Lacamas Heights Elementary

A 23-year employee with the Camas School District will soon become principal at one of its elementary schools. Julie Mueller, 46, will take the helm at Lacamas Heights Elementary this fall. She will replace Jan Strohmaier, who will serve as principal at the new Woodburn Elementary School. Mueller is a former teacher at Lacamas, and currently the associate principal of Liberty Middle School.