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Stories by Heather Acheson

email icon heather.acheson@camaspostrecord.com

September 4, 2012

Be cautious of school buses and children

Traveling into work this morning, there is a noticeable difference in the scenery. It's the first day of school for children in the Camas and Washougal school districts -- those big yellow buses are everywhere and children are once again bicycling and walking to school. As we've all become used to our summer driving routines, the influx of pedestrian and school bus traffic can have an unexpected impact on local traffic flow and speed. It's a change we all need to be aware of and take seriously.

September 4, 2012

CWFD hires SAFER Grant employees

The Camas-Washougal Fire Department recently welcomed to its ranks three new employees whose salaries and benefits are being funded through a federal grant. Eric Bridges, Katie Linton and Matt Baldwin were all hired by the local department thanks to a $489,818 Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Grant, administered through the Department of Homeland Security, aimed at providing funding directly to fire departments to help increase the number of trained, front line firefighters. Fire Chief Nick Swinhart said applications for the positions were received from more than 200 men and women, a figure that is actually lower than the number received during past recruitment efforts. He suggested the reduction could be due in part to requirements this time around for at least two years of fire fighting experience and a minimum EMT level certification.

August 28, 2012

Keeping senior citizens safe

Readers of the Camas-Washougal Post-Record know that we often have articles about accomplishments of local men and women, high school sports coverage, local city and port news, and a little bit of everything in-between. Like any small community in America, our cities have their issues but overall most of us likely feel these communities are safe places to live. But once in a while, we are unfortunately reminded that there are some truly bad people out who take advantage of others.

August 28, 2012
Volunteers with the Assistance League of Southwest Washington work briskly to set up for the "Teen Day" at the Department of Health and Human Services in Vancouver last week. On Thursday, children in foster care were able to attend the event and select two complete outfits in preparation for the start of the new school year. Approximately 220 children ages 10 to 18 participated.

Assistance League of Southwest Washington volunteers help

For the past three months, a group of dedicated local women has been busy shopping at local stores for children's clothing as kids prepare to head back to the classroom after a long summer break. But these clothes are not for their own sons and daughters. Instead the boys and girls who are on the receiving end of the new outfits are part of the foster care system, and if it wasn't for the work of the volunteers with the Assistance League of Southwest Washington many of them would be without something special to wear for the first day of school on Sept. 4. "We know that oftentimes teenaged kids in foster care are in special need of clothing, and by working with the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services we can provide necessary items," said Jeanne Lightburn, Assistance League chapter president. "After all, what better way to kick off a new school year than with a new outfit?" DSHS Children's Administration Program Consultant Peggy Hays explained the impact that something as simple as a new item of clothing can have on a child in foster care.

August 28, 2012

Pike appointed to fill 18th Legislative District seat

A Camas woman has been appointed to serve in the 18th Legislative District Position 1 State Representative seat. On Thursday with a 4-2 vote, commissioners from Clark and Cowlitz counties appointed Republican Liz Pike to the Washington State House of Representatives position. She was then sworn in by Cowlitz County Superior Court Judge Michael H. Evans. Pike, who is running for the State Representative Position 2 seat against Democrat David Shehorn in the Nov. 6 General Election, is now filling the unexpired term of Ann Rivers, R-La Center who was appointed in late June to replace former Sen. Joseph Zarelli, R-Ridgefield. He resigned May 31.

August 21, 2012

Gearing up for fall

Please, oh please, say it's not so. Just last week the weather seemed to indicate that summer was finally here. With temperatures reaching into the upper 90s, the Washougal River was packed with people looking to cool off. The Camas Municipal Pool hit capacity. Youngsters gathered at Hamllik Park to feel the refreshing spray of water sprayed from the local fire department's fire hose.

August 21, 2012

City officials will sit down with BPA decision makers

Camas city officials are one step closer to getting what they have been hoping for -- a face-to-face meeting with BPA decision makers. Last night City Administrator Lloyd Halverson announced that a meeting had been scheduled for Wednesday, Sept. 12 -- in Camas. BPA officials in attendance will be Bill Drummond, deputy director; Larry Bekkedahl, vice president of transmission, engineering and technical services; Liz Klumpp, government affairs representative; and Mark Korsness, project manager. City representatives on hand will include Halverson, Mayor Scott Higgins, Community Development Director Phil Bourquin and one member of the City Council.