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Stories by Heather Acheson

email icon heather.acheson@camaspostrecord.com

July 31, 2012

Camas anticipates results of EMS levy vote

Camas voters have until Tuesday, Aug. 7, to make a decision and get their ballots in the mail on a proposal to increase the city's current emergency medical services levy. If approved, the six-year levy would raise the current rate from 35 cents per $1,000 of assessed value to 46 cents. Starting in 2013, the owner of a $300,000 home would pay $138 per year -- a $33 increase. The current levy expires at the end of the year. The proposed increase is an effort to stabilize the emergency medical services funding stream. In recent years the EMS fund's revenues have dropped, primarily due to a decrease in assessed property values. At the end of 2011 the fund had a shortfall of $55,000, an amount that had to be covered by the city's general operations fund.

July 24, 2012

Changes needed at Mt. Pleasant School

At the administrative level, the Mount Pleasant School District is broken, and it's going to take some dramatic efforts to fix it. The small school district of 50 kindergarten through six-grade students and approximately three teachers has seen more than its share of challenging times in recent years, often involving conflicts between the district's superintendents and members of the School Board.

July 18, 2012

Camas ramps up ‘battle’ with BPA

Camas officials are looking to serve up their opposition to the Bonneville Power Administration I-5 Corridor Reinforcement Project directly to the decision maker at the top: BPA Administrator and Chief Executive Officer Stephen J. Wright.

July 17, 2012

Saving lives after we’re gone

Unless it directly impacts a person's life, organ donation isn't something most people think about on a daily basis.

July 11, 2012

Bodies of drowning victims recovered

The Wasco County Sheriff's Office is investigating the death of two people who drowned Monday afternoon at the main falls of White River Falls Day Use area east of Tygh Valley.

July 10, 2012

Downtown Camas: Its transformation continues

With a recent infusion of excitement and purpose, the downtown Camas area is entering a new phase in its journey from a sleepy downtown without a whole lot to offer into what many hope will eventually be a thriving downtown that is bustling on a daily basis.

July 10, 2012

Health officials lift Lacamas Lake advisory

A health advisory warning against contact with Lacamas Lake and Round Lake has been lifted following a series of clean test results, according to Clark County Public Health. On Friday, it was announced that Lacamas Lake is no longer a threat to the health of people and pets. Officials had first warned against human and animal contact with the water on June 29, after routine test results confirmed the presence of the blue-green algae, also called cyanobacteria, in Lacamas Lake.

July 3, 2012

A little more stability for Washougal?

Last night, the Washougal City Council voted to have Brent Boger join the group as its newest member. Boger, the Vancouver senior assistant city attorney for the past 13 years and a Washougal resident since 2003, has the skills and background to be a high quality councilman. Maybe most telling in this selection process, when it comes to predicting how Boger might fit in with the new group dynamic, is the fact that the vote was unanimous. He clearly gained the confidence of each member of the Washougal City Council -- a government body that has so often been divided on a variety of issues.

July 3, 2012
(Post-Record file photo) Signs posted at various entry points near Lacamas and Round lakes in Camas warn people to avoid contact with the water due to a possible bloom of toxic blue-green algae, which can harm animals and humans, in 2015. The county today issued advisories warning of another potential outbreak in both lakes.

Blue-green algae found in Lacamas Lake

The public is being advised to avoid contact with Lacamas Lake and Round Lake in Camas, including swimming, wading and jet skiing or water skiing, due to high levels of blue-green algae. On Friday Clark County Public Health announced that routine test results confirmed the presence of the algae, also called cyanobacteria, in Lacamas Lake. It can be dangerous to human health, and pose a significant hazard to pets and livestock. "It is especially important to keep children out of the lake because they are more likely than adults to swallow some water," said Dr. Alan Melnick, Clark County health officer, adding that pets are also at high risk. "We want to minimize the chances of illness from water contact so people can have a safe, enjoyable July 4 holiday."