heather.acheson@camaspostrecord.com
January 10, 2012
Proceed with consolidation cautiously and thoughtfully
The trial consolidation process between the Camas and Washougal fire departments that began in July is approaching the six-month mark.
The trial consolidation process between the Camas and Washougal fire departments that began in July is approaching the six-month mark.
The Camas City Council will likely approve a resolution that exempts the School District from paying thousands of dollars in traffic impact fees for the Woodburn Elementary School project, but they stopped short of agreeing to consider changing city code so that the same exemption would apply to all future projects. During the Jan. 3 workshop, Camas School District Superintendent Mike Nerland and Capital Programs Manager Heidi Rosenberg asked that the city waive approximately $143,250 in TIF fees on the Woodburn Elementary project. Construction began on the district's sixth elementary school, located on a 12.8-acre site just north of Lacamas Park on Crown Road, in August and it will open in fall 2013. Approximately 400 homes are expected to eventually be included in the subdivision surrounding the new school. Rosenberg said the formal request was being made because the district wants to focus its dollars on classroom improvements.
After spending most of his life capturing moments in time with his camera, Stan Hosman will share some of his most treasured images with the community. Hosman, retired Camas School District superintendent and well known locally as a camera buff, will display his photography during a show at the Second Story Gallery in the Camas Public Library. The show, titled "Scenes That Please My Eye," will include 30 photographs. Nearly all of the photos are images that Hosman has taken during the last few years. Some were snapped during travels to Amsterdam, Switzerland and Japan, where Stan and his wife Carol spent 2 1/2 years teaching at Seisan Junior College. Other photographs in the display will have a more local slant, including one of a great blue heron taken at the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge.
Washougal boys basketball coach Malcom Estes is looking for his team to bounce back after being dealt a few tough losses during the past couple of weeks. On Friday, the Panthers (8-3) were handed their third consecutive loss as Kennewick used its strength and speed to put on the defensive pressure and a tough offense to earn a solid 87-37 win on Washougal's home court. On Thursday, the Panthers were overcome 58 to 51 at Centralia after being ahead for most of the game and tied going into the fourth quarter. Estes said in part the lopsided loss against Kennewick can be attributed to the Panthers having to deal with some injuries. Aaron Diester is nursing a sore foot, and Karsten Short is not yet at full strength after injuring his knee in Washougal's win against Camas on Dec. 20. In addition, the team's leading scorer David Crowley has missed the past few games due to a family commitment.
The New Year is just around the corner, and for many it will be a time to get dressed up and celebrate the countdown to 2012.
A one-year contract between the city of Washougal and the International Association of Fire Fighters Local 2444 will save the city thousands of dollars in the coming year.
Tickets are currently available for the 2012 Columbian Economic Forecast breakfast, set for Tuesday, Jan. 10, at The Hilton Vancouver. The event will focus on information to help get Clark County's economy growing again.
Amid all of the holiday cheer that can be found around town -- from Christmas tree lightings and parades to visits from Santa -- it is incredibly sobering to read that two local homeless shelters that serve the Clark County area were packed to their limits on the first day they opened for the winter season on Nov. 1, and have remained steadily busy ever since.
One man was arrested and 5 pounds of dried marijuana seized Friday following a police search at a Washougal business.
A grant from Georgia-Pacific will help the Camas Fire Department purchase new turnouts for its firefighters.
