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Heather Acheson

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Camas picks its new city administrator

The current city manager of Cloverdale, Calif., will likely become the next Camas city administrator.

Camas Mayor Scott Higgins announced yesterday that Nina D. Regor had been selected to succeed the retiring Lloyd Halverson. She is expected to start Friday, Jan. 25, the first day of the city's annual planning conference. Her salary will be $10,651 per month, plus benefits.

"I believe she will be a good fit," Higgins said. "I believe we have found the right person who will help us go further into the future."

Camas picks its new city administrator

The current city manager of Cloverdale, Calif., will become the next Camas city administrator.

New marijuana law is still hazy

Marijuana possession is now legal in Washington, but local officials say there are still many more questions than answers surrounding the implementation of this controversial ballot measure passed by voters in November.

"There's still a lot about the new law that is pretty cloudy," said Camas Police Chief Mitch Lackey of the impacts of Initiative 502, which deals with recreational marijuana use. "People are not sure what it means and how to enforce it."

As of Dec. 6, it became legal for adults older than 21 to possess up to an ounce (28 grams) of marijuana. And although I-502 also establishes precedent for growing, processing and retailing recreational marijuana, it provides the state's Liquor Control Board until Dec. 1, 2013, to create the system that will ultimately regulate it. The new system would be similar to the one used to control alcohol.

"We expect that it will take the full year to craft the necessary rules which will provide the framework for the new system," the WSLCB said in a statement. "As we develop the rules we will keep in mind our top priority, public safety."

Camas names city administrator finalists

On Wednesday, four applicants hailing from Washington, California and Idaho will begin an interview process that will ultimately result in one of them being selected as the next Camas city administrator.

Leaders are taking the port in the right direction

Port of Camas-Washougal leaders have been making many important, strategic and smart decisions during the past few years, and recently agencies beyond the borders of Camas and Washougal have taken notice.

It was announced last week that the Port of C-W had been named "Port of the Year" by the Washington Public Ports Association, which consists of 76 port districts across the state.The award, voted on by the six-member WPPA executive committee, was presented during the organization's annual meeting in Seattle. It recognizes the C-W Port's strategic planning, acquisition and development milestones.

City administrator interviews will be held in Camas next week

Finalists who hope to become the next Camas city administrator will go through the interview process next week.

After initially receiving 70 applications, consultants from Waldron -- firm hired by the city to help with the effort -- has narrowed the pool to the top 10 applicants.

A selection committee, made up of Mayor Scott Higgins, Human Resources Director Jennifer Gorsuch, City Administrator Lloyd Halverson, retired Public Works Director Monte Brachmann, and Councilman Greg Anderson, are in the process of reviewing the qualifications of the top 10 and will select the four to six people who will be invited to Camas for formal interviews.

Expect delays on Highway 14 near Camas Saturday

Drivers planning to travel State Route 14 near Camas on Saturday will encounter delays during an inspection of the West Camas Slough Bridge.

Volunteers will Walk & Knock on Saturday

Volunteers will Walk & Knock on Saturday

In Clark County’s largest food drive on Saturday, thousands of pounds of food will be collected in an event that is made possible by the efforts of thousands of volunteers.

Inside today's Post-Record, readers will find a Walk & Knock grocery bag that can be filled with non-perishable food and left on front doorsteps Saturday by 9 a.m.

From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., volunteers will go door-to-door to collect the bags, and deliver the food to one of 10 drop-off locations, including the Tidland Corp. parking lot in Camas.

Stuff the Bus: Neighbors helping neighbors

Stuff the Bus: Neighbors helping neighbors

An annual food drive that brings together hundreds of kids to help generate thousands of pounds of food for the needy is underway.

Stuff the Bus, organized by the Camas-Washougal Business Alliance, is a friendly competition between Camas and Washougal high school students. Each and every school in both cities’ school districts participate by collecting donations.

Last year, 61,000 pounds of food was raised, and organizers are hoping to top that this year.

Shop local this holiday season

Most of us of us have seen the deluge of national commercials advertising “door buster sales,” and heard catchy slogans designed to lure shoppers to buy, buy, buy. It’s holiday shopping season, and the multi-million dollar companies are all competing for the money in our pockets.

BPA selects ‘Central Alternative’

The Bonneville Power Administration announced Wednesday that it has identified the “Central Alternative” using Central Option 1 as its preferred alternative for the I-5 Corridor Reinforcement Project.

“We have heard from many people their desire for us to identify a preferred alternative sooner rather than later,” said BPA Administrator Steve Wright. “The preferred alternative represents a healthy balance of our accountability to the region, particularly to those who participated in the public process; our responsibility to manage costs for regional ratepayers; our role as responsible environmental stewards and our goal of operating a reliable transmission system.”

To view a map of the alternatives and the draft environmental impact statement, visit www.bpa.gov.

Burglary suspect apprehended by police

The suspect in a Camas burglary has been captured and booked in jail on multiple charges following a manhunt on Monday that lasted several hours.

Camas Police Department Sgt. Scot Boyles said the incident came to a close just after 1 p.m. when a resident called 911 to report that the suspect had been spotted in a backyard at the 2500 block of Quartz Street. A chase with officers ensued and the man, identified as 24-year-old Bradley Eric Jensen, of Arlington, Wash., was caught. “The K-9 unit got him,” Boyles said, “and the officers were able to apprehend him.”

Camas burglary suspect apprehended by police

A suspect in Camas burglary has been captured following a manhunt today that lasted several hours.

Camas school levies will appear on February ballots

Camas voters will be asked to approve the replacement of two expiring school levies in early 2013.

CID Bio-Science ready to unveil American Legion remodel project

CID Bio-Science ready to unveil American Legion remodel project

After five months of construction work, the newly remodeled American Legion building in Camas will be unveiled to the public next week.

The building's new owner and occupant, CID Bio-Science, Inc., will host an open house Tuesday, Nov. 20, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

"We are excited to share our new space with the residents of Camas and Clark County who have expressed an interest in seeing the inside of the building," said Suzy Truitt, order administrator with CID Bio-Science.

BPA announces preferred alternative for I-5 Corridor Reinforcement project

The Bonneville Power Administration announced today that it has identified the Central Alternative using Central Option 1 as its preferred alternative for the I-5 Corridor Reinforcement Project.

Project breathes new life into old American Legion Hall

Taking something old and making it new again.

It’s a mantra many Pacific Northwesterners have come to understand and appreciate as part of the area’s “reduce, reuse, recycle” frame of mind.

2012 General Election Results

Mielke and Madore winClark County Commissioner races

Moose Lodge remodel lands on 2013 budget

Nearly 13 years ago, the City of Camas purchased a five acre parcel of property, which included the 4,800 square foot Moose Lodge building located on the shores of Lacamas Lake.

Right from the beginning, the intent was that the site would eventually be home to a new recreation facility.

But years went by, and the Moose continued to rent the building at 227 N.E. Lake Road from the city as several different efforts aimed at generating support and identifying funding channels for such a facility failed. The reasons ranged from lack of money and hesitation from some elected city leaders to a poor economy.

But current Camas Mayor Scott Higgins said the possibility of taking advantage of some creative financing options recently inspired him to work to make some form of this long-held dream a reality.

Highway 14 project is nearly finished, but more work is ahead

A couple of weeks ago, elected officials from nearly every level of government, from local city council members and the mayor to representatives from Congress and the governor’s office, descended on Highway 14 in Washougal to mark the completion of the $52 million safety improvement project. Construction work had been going on for 1.5 years, but the lobbying and planning for this endeavor started many years before.

Daylight saving time ends Sunday

Before going to bed Saturday night, remember to set clocks back one hour in preparation for the end of daylight saving time. The time change officially begins at 2 a.m. on Sunday.

Eastbound Highway 14 ramp to I-205 will close Friday and Saturday nights

The ramp from eastbound State Route 14 to northbound Interstate 205 (SR-14 exit 6) will be fully closed overnight on Friday, Nov. 2 and Saturday, Nov. 3.

Upgrades allow City Council to go paperless, offer streaming live video of meetings

Upgrades allow City Council to go paperless, offer streaming live video of meetings

Citizens who are unable — or unwilling — to attend the Monday night meetings of the Camas City Council at City Hall now have quick access to live and archived video of those events.

Real-time online video streaming of the twice-monthly City Council meetings and workshops, as well as archived videos of past meetings since Oct. 1 -- all integrated with the agendas -- are available at the click of a mouse through the city's website: "http://www.cityofcamas.us."

The technology upgrades have led to some visible changes inside the council chambers at City Hall where there are now several video cameras capturing meeting discussions, an updated audio sound system, two 60-inch flat screen monitors for use during presentations, and a mini video control center where the system can be regulated by city staff.

Concert will highlight the expansion of pipe organ at St. Matthew Lutheran Church

Concert will highlight the expansion of pipe organ at St. Matthew Lutheran Church

Thirty-five years ago, Gary Ritter helped design the first pipe organ installed at St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Washougal. And today, as one of the church organists, he is celebrating the expansion of that instrument into one that can now produce rich, complex tones.

"It's a wonderful way for us to have so much more capability," Ritter said. "This church really has a history of honoring the musical heritage of the Lutheran church, so it was important to them to have a good speaking instrument."

The new installation consists of a Dutch built Johannus electronic organ connected to the existing pipes to produce a hybrid instrument of greater scope than before, Ritter explained. Pipes and speakers combine to add strength to each component's qualities, the strength and beauty of the pipes and the greater tonal resources of a large instrument.

"One of the things that is the beauty of an instrument like this is that it can do a lot of the things a traditional organ would never have been able to do," he said.

Highway 14 will re-open Wednesday

Federal, state and local officials will be in Camas today to cut the ceremonial ribbon that will officially re-open to traffic a newly built section of Highway 14.

Officials expected to attend the event include Shari Hildreth representing U.S. Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler’s office; Schuyler Hoss of Gov. Chris Gregoire's office; 18th District Rep. Liz Pike, Camas Mayor Scott Higgins, Port of Camas-Washougal Executive Director David Ripp and former 18th District Sen. Joe Zarelli.

Ripp said the 16-month construction process has produced good results.

"It is very exciting to see this project almost completed," he said. "I am amazed how quickly it came together and how much it is going to improve the flow of traffic along SR-14."

Reject Proposition 1

C-Tran’s Proposition 1 has been one of the more contentious and debated issues to land on a General Election ballot in several years. Opinions about why it should be approved or rejected run across the board. On this measure that proposes to fund light rail in Clark County, the Post-Record is recommending a ‘no’ vote.

Sister city friendships span the test of time

A delegation of students, educators and city leaders from Japan will arrive in Camas on Saturday.

The group from the town of Taki, sister city to Camas, will spend five days in the area. In addition to 20 middle school students, the delegation will be led by Taki Mayor Yukio Kubo, and will include a high school principal, an English teacher, city clerk, travel guide, and an interpreter.

Cigarettes cause fire that damages local home

Cigarettes cause fire that damages local home

Cigarette butts left in a plastic bucket are believed to be the cause of a fire that seriously damaged a Washougal home.

At approximately 1:40 a.m. on Monday emergency units from the Camas-Washougal Fire Department and East County Fire and Rescue responded to a single story house fire in Washougal at 1290 Fairway Drive. The fire started on the back deck where the homeowner was using a plastic bucket for her cigarette butts.

A fresh start for Mount Pleasant

Following a tumultuous year, the rural Mount Pleasant School District appears to be making some good headway in its efforts to “right the ship.”

Camas stomps Skyview 42-17

Camas stomps Skyview 42-17

In front of a huge hometown crowd that packed Doc Harris Stadium tonight, the Papermakers earned their first Class 4A Greater St. Helens League win.

Human remains discovered in western Skamania County

Human remains discovered last weekend in western Skamania County are now in the hands of forensic examiners.

Detectives raid Camas house

One man was arrested this morning following a police raid on a Camas house.

Girls Night Out aims to entertain, inform and educate

Girls Night Out aims to entertain, inform and educate

Saturday’s third annual Girls Night Out, being billed as a celebration in support of women and local cancer charities, will offer educational workshops in the afternoon followed by an evening that will include a rally for women, survivor stories and a fashion show.

"This event is an exceptionally fun way to celebrate with your friends, be inspired to be more proactive, and raise funds for valuable local charities," said Carrie Schulstad, chairwoman of the event committee. "We have some fun new activities this year, and it is always a blast to spend time with your 'girlies' in our charming downtown."

The event is hosted by the Downtown Camas Association. According to organizers this year the event, sponsored by PeaceHealth Kearney Breast Center, will offer a broader education component with sessions focusing on awareness and action. Three options will be offered from 1 to 4 p.m.

See the candidates in action

With just more than five weeks left until the Nov. 6 General Election, candidates are ramping up their campaigns and doing their best to get voters’ attention — mostly in the form of political ads, mailers and phone calls.

Camas takes a position on collective medical marijuana gardens

The city of Camas finds itself in the middle of state and federal laws when it comes to the legality of medical marijuana collective gardens, and in response the City Council has passed a resolution that effectively makes them illegal within city limits.

Last night in a 6-0 vote the Camas City Council passed the resolution that recognizes the city's existing adopted code and language requiring all permitted uses to be in compliance with local, state and federal requirements.

Councilwoman Linda Dietzman was absent.

The language of the resolution is similar to one adopted by the Pasco City Council in June, which makes collective marijuana gardens illegal because its municipal code does not allow any use which is in violation with local, state or federal laws, regulations, codes or ordinances.

Brush fire sparks along Leadbetter Road in Camas

Brush fire sparks along Leadbetter Road in Camas

Emergency crews battled a brush fire along Southeast Leadbetter Road in Camas on Thursday.

Help keep C-W beautiful

It’s late summer days like today — sunny with temperatures that are expected to reach 90 degrees — that make you realize how great it is to live in the Pacific Northwest. And Camas and Washougal are especially beautiful areas where a premium is placed on making sure there are plenty of parks, open spaces and recreational areas where people can enjoy the outdoors.

Mother Nature does her part, but as citizens we must also take an active role in keeping our communities beautiful places to live, work and play. With that in mind, a number of service and community clean up events are scheduled in the coming weeks.

Grinder truck overturns on Highway 14

Grinder truck overturns on Highway 14

An overturned construction vehicle closed both lanes of Highway 14 near Second Street in Washougal today.

Brush fire sparks along Leadbetter Road in Camas

Brush fire sparks along Leadbetter Road in Camas

Emergency crews battled a brush fire along Northeast Leadbetter Road in Camas on Thursday.

A touching tribute to a tragic loss

A touching tribute to a tragic loss

Camas-Washougal Fire Department Capt. Larry Saari participates in a moment of silence to remember the New York City firefighters who died as a result of the Sept. 11, 2001,

Highway 141 Fire near White Salmon is 85 percent contained

The Highway 141 Fire Complex between Husum and White Salmon has burned nearly 1,700 acres as of this morning, and recent cooler temperatures and lighter winds are expected to help emergency crews get a handle on the blaze that began burning last Wednesday.

Emergency crews now have the fire 85 percent contained, with 100 percent containment expected by the end of today. No structures were reported damaged or lost — although hundreds of homes were threatened in subdivisions near White Salmon. Approximately 120 people had to be evacuated, but those orders were lifted Monday morning. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Only one injury has been reported; a firefighter sustained a broken ankle Monday.

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  • by By Heather Acheson Post-Record Staff
  • September 11, 2012

The importance of remembrance

This morning, the Camas-Washougal Fire Department held its annual ceremony commemorating the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. The heartfelt event held in Camas, thousands of miles away from the East Coast where the attacks were focused, is an illustration of the widespread impacts of these events on the United States as a country. Similar ceremonies took place around America yesterday and this morning, from Vancouver to New York City.

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.

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.

Cascade Locks man arrested on assault charge in Camas

A Camas resident was injured after he was assaulted by a man with a knife in the parking lot of the Walgreens store in Camas on Sunday.

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.

Assistance League of Southwest Washington volunteers help

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.

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.

Cascade Locks man arrested for assault in Camas

A Camas resident was injured after he was assaulted by a man with a knife in the parking lot of the Walgreens store in Camas on Sunday.

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.

Find all Camas & Washougal businesses on 360.columbian.com.

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