heather.acheson@camaspostrecord.com
May 7, 2013
Making a difference
Children in Third-World countries often live lives that most of us couldn't even imagine.
Children in Third-World countries often live lives that most of us couldn't even imagine.
Nearly one year ago, the mayors of Camas and Washougal, along with nearly 500 residents of the local communities, embarked on a weight loss challenge and friendly competition between the two cities. "Camas and Washougal on a Diet" began with an event at Capt. William Clark Park. Mayors Scott Higgins and Sean Guard stepped up to do what most of us wouldn't dream of -- get weighed in public, and then have those numbers announced over a loud speaker for all to hear. For that alone, these two people deserve a round of applause.
Following several recent reports of a small bear being spotted in the Camas area, the animal was finally captured by Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife officials on Friday afternoon. According to WDFW Sgt. Jeff Wickersham, after the initial reports wildlife officers set up a trap on the south side of Lacamas Creek. But the bait kept being stolen by raccoons.
Camas-Washougal Fire Marshal Ron Schumacher said Monday that the cause of the blaze that destroyed the two-story home is still under investigation. According to Fire Chief Nick Swinhart, emergency crews from the C-W Fire Department were called to 1524 S.E. Seventh Ave., near the Camas Community Center, at approximately 11:30 a.m., to a report of an "appliance fire." On arrival, crews found a single family dwelling with fire showing from the entire first floor and spreading to the second floor.
On the morning of April 23, emergency vehicles descended onto the scene at the Port of Camas-Washougal offices. "Smoke" drifted from inside the building as firefighters rescued "victims" who were screaming for help inside. It was all part of a scheduled emergency drill, but there were many times throughout the event that it felt very real. "When it feels real like that, it can be stressful," said Port Communications Manager Jack Hardy. "It was real enough that I got a call from a radio station in Portland asking about what happened with the explosion."
The 4-year-olds buzz around the brightly decorated preschool classroom, zooming from station to station.Two students paint pictures of the yellow and purple tulips that are displayed in a vase on a table. Another child sits in front of a tray of plastic toy dinosaurs and reptiles, examining them closely under a magnifying glass. Meanwhile, a few others work on alphabet recognition exercises with a parent volunteer. The calm voice that resonates through it all is that of teacher Maria Lattanzi. One-by-one, she summons each child up to her station. She takes their hand, gently plops it down into a tray of bright yellow paint, then presses the tiny palm and fingers onto a piece of white construction paper. The youngsters lift up their outstretched hand to peek at what they've created -- the petals of a sunflower. The children then dunk the tips of their fingers into brown paint, quickly creating the dots that form its seeds. At the Camas-Washougal Parent Co-op Preschool, all of these activities are part of a curriculum that encourages little minds to experience, grow and change.
Emergency crews from the Camas-Washougal Fire Department battled a house fire today at 1524 S.E. Seventh Ave., near the Camas Community Center.
Our nation's senior citizens, or "older Americans" to use the more politically correct term, are changing the world -- in small ways and big ways -- every day. These men and women are contributing in a variety of ways, from helping to raise their grandchildren and serving as elected leaders, to donating their time to local charities, and volunteering as emergency responders. The list of their efforts really is endless. Each year in May, the contributions of these elder members of our society are highlighted and celebrated. Older Americans Month is "a month to appreciate and celebrate the vitality and aspirations of older adults and their contributions to local communities."
An emergency drill was conducted at the Port of Camas-Wasougal offices in Washougal this morning. Camas-Washougal Fire Department firefighters and paramedics participated in the exercise that involved a scenario where an explosion had occurred in the basement level maintenance shop area of the port offices.
Camas continues to look at possible solutions to the question of how to fund the long-term maintenance of the city's roadways. A recent report suggests that ideally the city should be investing upwards of $700,000 per year in its streets. On April 15, the City Council was presented with the findings of a pavement management program report created by Capitol Asset & Pavement Services, Inc. An $18,500 professional services contract to hire the company was approved in December 2012. Owner Joel Conder completed a survey of 112 miles of asphalt, taking note of every "crack, patch, pothole, depression and distortion." That information was transferred into a pavement management software program, which revealed that on a pavement condition index of zero to 100, with 100 being the best, Camas streets average a 78. "Not too bad -- it really wasn't," he said, although Conder qualified his statement by adding that the newer streets on Prune Hill may skew the average a bit.
