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Stories by Kelly Moyer

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May 15, 2025
A notice of proposed development sign stands on the city of Camas’ Well 13 property off Southeast Cramer Lane on Thursday, May 8, 2025. A Camas hearings examiner will oversee a public hearing at 5 p.m. May 29 at Camas City Hall to consider the city’s plan to build a treatment facility on the Well 13 site to remove toxic PFAS, known as “forever chemicals,” from the public drinking water well. (Kelly Moyer/The Columbian)

Camas well tainted by PFAS to return to service

To meet increased water demand during the summer months, the city of Camas plans to bring Well 13 back online this week, even though it has the city’s highest levels of toxic “forever chemicals.”

May 8, 2025
Instructor Sarah Ratcliff, clockwise from left, works with students Sonny Lapeze, 5, Jack Davis, 3, and Weston Lumley, 4, during art class Wednesday, April 23, 2025, at Opus School of the Arts in Camas. The school recently expanded into a second, adjacent building and now offers a “one-stop shop” for Camas-area families seeking youth arts classes in music, theater, dance and fine art. (Taylor Balkom/The Columbian)

Opus School of the Arts expands

A Camas business known for its music lessons is quickly becoming a “one-stop shop” for youth art classes in east Clark County.

May 8, 2025
Crowds gather at the Downtown Camas Association’s 2024 Camas Plant and Garden Fair in downtown Camas. This year’s fair, set for 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, will feature nearly 100 vendors selling a huge array of plants, flowers, vegetable starts and garden art. (Courtesy of the Downtown Camas Association)

Camas Plant & Garden Fair returns to downtown this Saturday

One of the Downtown Camas Association’s most popular springtime events, the 26th annual Camas Plant & Garden Fair, will fill downtown Camas streets with a huge array of plants, vegetable starts, fruit trees, flowers, planters, garden art, outdoor furniture and everything a person might need to spruce up their gardens this year.

May 1, 2025
Krista Bashaw, here at Falling Leaf Lake Park, is retiring after a 30-year career organizing special events for the Camas Parks and Recreation Department. (Taylor Balkom/The Columbian)

‘She will be sorely missed’

Ask any Camas resident what they love most about their city and the response is likely to include the city’s “hometown feel.”

May 1, 2025
Construction crews install playground equipment at Crown Park in Camas on Friday, April 25, 2025. City of Camas leaders hope to reopen parts of the historic park, including the new inclusive playground, to the public this summer. (Kelly Moyer/Post-Record)

Crown Park remodel makes progress

Construction is still in full swing at Camas’ historic Crown Park, but city leaders say the end of the extensive, $6.3 million park remodeling project is finally in sight.

April 24, 2025
Hayes Freedom High School junior Alex Weeks, right, approaches an OnPoint Community Credit Union table during a career fair held inside the school on Thursday, April 17, 2025. (Kelly Moyer/The Columbian)

Lack of jobs frustrates teens

Camas High School junior Talulah Rodrigue was already feeling a bit frustrated when she arrived at Hayes Freedom High School’s first career fair Thursday.