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March 14, 2012

Camas approves resolution focusing on coal trains

The Camas City Council recently approved a resolution that outlines a series of concerns about the potential impacts of coal trains on the city and its residents. The resolution, approved by six of the seven members of City Council, states that an increase in the number of coal trains passing through the area could increase train noise, cause traffic congestion that could delay emergency vehicles, and negatively impact public health.

March 13, 2012

Camas Farmer’s Market earns New Seasons grant

The Camas Farmer's Market was one of 29 non-profit organizations to recently receive a grant from New Seasons Market. According to Camas Farmer's Market board member Carrie Schulstad, the $2,000 grant will be used as matching funds for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, in an effort to increase access to fresh, healthy foods for low-income families receiving assistance. It would be the first S.N.A.P. match program in Clark County. The S.N.A.P. program allows consumers to purchase farmers market items with electronic benefit transfer cards. According to the grant application, the project would provide matching S.N.A.P. tokens up to $5 per week for an average of 15 S.N.A.P. customers per week during each of the 18 weeks of the Camas Farmer's Market season.

March 13, 2012
Rand Thornsley hopes more people will view movies at the Liberty Theatre, in downtown Camas. Thornsley, managing director of Rootstock Capital Management, LLC., signed a five-year lease on the theater in January 2011. Green lights have been added to the theater's entryway this month, to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. Anniversary festivities are scheduled for this week.

Liberty Theatre will celebrate anniversary this week with sing-a-longs

The audience will be invited to participate as the Liberty Theatre celebrates its first anniversary, under the ownership of Rand Thornsley. He signed a five-year lease on the theater in January 2011. A sing-along version of "Hairspray" will be shown Friday and Saturday, at 5:30 p.m. The 2007 movie featured John Travolta, Nikki Blonskey and Queen Latifah. It is rated PG for language, some suggestive content and momentary teen smoking.

March 13, 2012

Whooping cough cases surface in Clark County

The Clark County Health Department recently announced that several cases of whooping cough in area schools and other community settings have been reported. Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, is a highly contagious disease spread through the air by coughing.

March 13, 2012
The former AAA Pawn store site, at 1834 Main St., in downtown Washougal, will become the second location for Amnesia Brewing. Crews from R & H Construction are demolishing the interior of the 5,500-square foot space.

Microbrewer will expand to Washougal

A microbrewer located in North Portland is planning to open this summer in Washougal. An announcement was made Saturday that Amnesia Brewing will expand to 1834 Main St., in downtown Washougal. The 5,500-square-foot site was formerly occupied by the AAA Pawn shop. The new facility will include a tasting room, pub and brewhouse. "The expansion will allow Amnesia to greatly increase their production capacity and expand their customer base and distribution," said Adam Taylor, a representative with Lone Wolf Development.

March 13, 2012
Bob Peake, of Washougal, has a print of the USS Dixie -- one of the ships he served on while in the Navy during the Korean War. He also has two framed pieces of wire fence previously located in the Demilitarized Zone between North and South Korea.

Stories to tell

Bob Peake, of Washougal, has a few momentos that remind him of his time served in the Navy during the Korean War. Peake, 80, served 1 1/2 years each on three ships -- a destroyer the USS Higbee, an unnamed LSSL-116 transported from Astoria, Ore., to the South Korean government, and the USS Dixie. He has a print of the USS Dixie, shown at sea accompanied by destroyers. Peake, a former quartermaster second class, also has two framed pieces of wire fence that used to be located in the Demilitarized Zone at the 38th Parallel between North and South Korea. One of the framed pieces was provided by the Vancouver Korean Society, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the beginning of the Korean War in 1950. The other framed piece of wire fence was delivered by Stan Nystrom, a Washougal resident and former Camas insurance agent. Nystrom's son-in-law Elton served in Korea. The keepsake was provided by the Republic of Korea in gratitude to American soldiers.

March 13, 2012

CFD chief could be appointed interim leader of consolidated departments

The Washougal and Camas city councils could decide in a few weeks to appoint Camas Fire Chief Nick Swinhart as interim chief of the consolidated departments. The decisions, expected April 2, would change Washougal Fire Chief Ron Schumacher's title to deputy chief of fire prevention and fire marshal for the departments. A trial consolidation is in effect through Dec. 31, 2013.

March 6, 2012
Contributed photo Megan Stump climbed Glen Pass, which is just under 12,000 feet elevation, in the Sierra Nevada last fall. Stump, a 2001 Washougal High School graduate, is raising money for the American Lung Association through its "Climb for Clean Air" program.

Fundraiser for the American Lung Association

A former Washougal High School valedictorian who loves to spend time outdoors is involved in the American Lung Association's "Climb for Clean Air" program. Megan Stump, a 2001 WHS graduate, enjoys hiking, backpacking, snowshoeing and camping. She is hoping to raise $3,000 by June 1, in order for the association to sponsor her summit attempt of 12,276 foot Mount Adams with professional guides in August. Stump said the program, recently named "Reach the Summit," encourages individuals to set ambitious physical and fund raising goals, with the proceeds going to the American Lung Association's mission of saving lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease. She began hiking extensively in 2010 and summited Mount St. Helens, in September.

March 6, 2012
Student volunteers phone patrons in the Camas School District seeking pledges to support the local grant programs. The 10th annual phone-a-thon raised $22,000.

CEF phone-a-thon raises $22,000 for local school programs

The 10th annual Camas Educational Foundation Phone-A-Thon was deemed a "major success," raising thousands of dollars in pledges from Camas School District households. When it was over, the phone-a-thon raised $22,000, a 22 percent increase over the original goal of $18,000. "I am amazed at how generous Camas parents and teachers are with their time and money," said Roopa Pathak, event chair. "That is what is so special about the Camas School District. I am equally impressed with the kids who so enthusiastically did all the phone calls with so much politeness and professionalism." The funds raised go to Camas schools for innovative curriculum enhancements, such as the mobile iPod Touch lab. Organizers said one student volunteer told a caller who asked about the grants that his class uses the technology every day and to complete specific projects. These programs would not exist without CEF supporters.