Camas-Washougal Post-Record

June 22, 2010

Officials urge residents to celebrate the 4th safely

Although the weather certainly hasn't been indicative of it, the Fourth of July holiday is right around the corner and local officials are gearing up for annual community celebrations and regulation enforcement. Fireworks go on sale Monday. Local police and fire officials say they will be on patrol to make sure residents celebrate Independence Day safely and legally. The city of Camas follows state guidelines when it comes to fireworks laws and regulations. That means legal fireworks can be discharged from Monday, June 28, to Monday, July 5. The Camas fire marshal and police officers will be canvassing the streets on July 4, and a Camas Fire Department brush rig will be making the rounds so that it is readily available in the event of a fire. "We are going to be out combing the neighborhoods looking for violations and making sure people are following the rules," said CPD Capt. Rob Skeens.

June 16, 2010

A day to be a proud parent

The pictures tell the story. For most graduates, the end of their high school careers very likely brings a flood of emotions. From excitement that it's all finally over and relief to at least have a bit of a break from the daily academic grind, to anticipation for what the future might hold and maybe a little bit of fear about making those big decisions that can truly impact the direction their lives will take, the feelings truly run the gamut....

June 15, 2010

A day to be a proud parent

The pictures tell the story. For most graduates, the end of their high school careers very likely brings a flood of emotions. From excitement that it's all finally over and relief to at least have a bit of a break from the daily academic grind, to anticipation for what the future might hold and maybe a little bit of fear about making those big decisions that can truly impact the direction their lives will take, the feelings truly run the gamut.

June 12, 2010

New cell phone, texting laws begin Thursday

Beginning Thursday, Camas police officers will institute a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to ticketing drivers they see violating the new state cell phone and texting laws. On March 26, Gov. Chris Gregoire signed Washington Senate Bill 6345, which makes text messaging and cell phone use without a hands-free device while driving a primary offense. The law takes effect on Thursday. Violators will receive a $124 fine. "Come the 10th, we're not going to cut any slack, basically," said Camas Sgt. Doug Norcross. "It's not something drivers need time to get used to. If you do it, you're going to get a ticket." Another stipulation of the new law states that individuals with an instruction permit or intermediate license (typically drivers ages 16 to 18) may not use a cell phone anytime while driving, even if they have a hands-free device. Washington has had a ban on text messaging while driving and a law against talking on a cell phone while driving without a hands-free device since January 2008, but up until now both were considered a "secondary enforcement law." This means that a driver would only receive a ticket unless he or she had been pulled over for another driving violation.

June 12, 2010

Teen died of accidental drowning

The Clark County Medical Examiner's Office reported Monday that the recent death of a Camas teen was caused by accidental drowning. The body of David William Charles Gilmore was pulled from the waters of Lacamas Creek in Camas on Monday, May 31, after being discovered by two people who were hiking in Lacamas Park. Due to rough water and steep terrain, the challenging recovery operation took more than six hours. Participating agencies included the Camas Fire Department, Vancouver Fire Department and Clark County Fire District 6.

June 12, 2010

Young artists win big at state competition

The artwork of two local students was among just a handful of winners picked from more than 200 entries that came from school districts around the state as part of The Superintendent's High School Art Show competition. There were 11 state winners, including CHS seniors Whitney Austin who took home the Washington Art Education Association Tribute Award for her untitled photograph and Kristi Valentine, whose work "Journal of a Most Peculiar Voyage," was a Jury Choice winner. For being among the state winners, Austin's and Valentine's pieces will be purchased and added to a 36-year collection, which hangs in the Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction building in Olympia.

June 12, 2010

Once youngsters reeled in their catch, Moose Lodge volunteers helped snatch the fish from the water, remove the hook, then clean it.

Reeling in some fishing derby fun

The smiles were absolutely contagious during the annual Camas Moose Lodge fishing derby Friday morning. Boys and girls tossed their lines in the calm waters of Lacamas Lake to try their hands at catching at lease one fish. With 4,000 of the little wiggly swimmers sloshing around beneath the surface of a small netted-off area next to the Lodge's docks, it didn't take long for the youngsters to begin reeling rainbow and brown trout -- one after another. That's when the smiles, laughter and excitement really started. This outing was a special, eagerly anticipated occasion for the nearly 30 students who are all part of the Life Skills programs at Liberty Middle School and Camas High School, and Liberty's TLC program. The curriculum is designed for students with a variety of disabilities, from autism and Down syndrome to more mild health impairments. "They talk about going fishing all year," said Misty Youngblood, a Life Skills teacher at Liberty. "It's good for the socialization. They have fun, it's a challenge, and it's a culmination of the whole year -- the skills that we practice."