News Briefs for Sept. 19, 2019

Lacamas Lake cleanup Sept. 28, Camas police seek historic photos, Buffalo Soldiers dedication planned at Fort Vancouver, new vaping illnesses reported in Washington state

September 19, 2019 5:30 am
News

Lacamas Lake will undergo its annual drawdown through the end of September, with a lake cleanup planned for Saturday, Sept. 28. (Kelly Moyer/Post-Record)

Lacamas Lake drawdown begins, lake cleanup planned

The city of Camas’ Public Works Department began its annual Lacamas Lake drawdown this week, to facilitate the annual inspections of the upper and lower dams and allow time for any necessary dam maintenance.

Water levels at the lake are reduced by about six feet during the drawdown. The minimum lake level will be reached at 8 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 21. Refilling the lake is scheduled to begin Oct. 28 and will take several weeks to complete.

The annual Lacamas Lake Cleanup event, led by Underwriters Laboratories, coincides with the lake drawdown. This year’s cleanup will take place from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 28, at Heritage Park in Camas. Sponsors provide gloves, garbage bags and area maps as well as water, coffee and food. Volunteers are asked to wear waterproof boots and all ages are welcome. There will be prizes at the end of the litter and debris cleanup. For more information, contact Deanna Culley at 877-854-3577, ext. 55630.

Camas Police Department seeks historical photos

The Camas Police Department is seeking historical photos of several former marshals and police chiefs to display at the police station. Following is a list of marshals and chiefs the department hopes to include in the photo display:

William W. Laws (1910 to 1911)

Charles O. Johnson (1911 to 1912)

Frank L. Howes (1912)

James J. Farrell (1913 to 1915)

David E. Frame (1915 to 1917

Benjamin M. Faler (1917 to 1918)

Albert H. Kersey (1918)

Charles K. Cochran (1918 to 1925)

Frank Welch (1925)

Frank Adams (1925)

William H. Lawrence (1927)

Roy E. McCrite (1927 to 1928)

People who may have old photos of these former marshals and chiefs of the Camas Police Department should email Sgt. David Chaney at dechaney@cityofcamas.us.

Buffalo soldier dedication at Fort Vancouver Sept. 21

The Historic Trust will host the Buffalo Soldier Dedication ceremony at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 21, at the Fort Vancouver national historic site. The memorial is located in front of the Infantry Barracks at 705 E. Barnes St., Vancouver.

The installation was spearheaded by Wilson Keller, a 17-year-old Eagle Scout, who recognized the importance of the Buffalo Soldiers’ contributions to the history of this nation and saw their lack of recognition at Fort Vancouver.

“I was inspired by the Buffalo Soldiers’ sacrifices and bravery after a presentation I attended,” Keller said. “I wanted others to share that inspiration. It’s so important to represent the entirety of our armed services history and the Buffalo Soldiers from the 24th and 25th Infantries who served honorably.”

Members of Willie Morehouse’s family, who was a Buffalo Soldier who served in Vancouver, will participate in the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the first African-American memorial in the city of Vancouver.

“We are proud of Wilson, his troop, and all of the partners who made this overdue memorial a reality,” said David Pearson, CEO and president of The Historic Trust. “The Buffalo Soldiers are an important part of U.S. history, as well as to this community’s history. Preserving and recognizing their service at Fort Vancouver is what makes this place special.”

Several entities and individuals assisted with the installation including the National Park Service (NPS), The Historic Trust, The Buffalo Soldiers Moses Williams Chapter, the Community Military Appreciation Committee (CMAC), Boy Scout Troop No. 648, as well as private and business donors. The ceremony will be attended by public officials, the NPS, CMAC members, The Historic Trust staff, Troop No. 648 and Buffalo Soldier veterans.

ReFuel Washougal to host open house on Oct. 2

ReFuel Washougal will host an open house from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 2, at the Washougal Community Center.

At the event, attendees will learn about ReFuel Washougal and its role in serving those within the local community, according to a news release issued by the city of Washougal. Board members will talk about ReFuel Washougal’s programs and training opportunities, lead a tour of the facility and provide registration for the 2020 ReFuel Friday meal schedule.

ReFuel Washougal has been serving the hungry and homeless community since January 2014 by providing free warm meals and shelter during severe weather.

Two new cases of vaping-related lung disease in Washington

Washington State Department of Health (DOH) has confirmed two new cases of severe lung disease linked to vaping in Spokane County. The Spokane Regional Health District reported the new confirmed cases as a patient in their teens and a patient in their 20s.

There are now three confirmed cases in Washington. All three confirmed cases reported vaping prior to illness, but a specific product, device, or additive common to all three has not yet been identified. Investigations into these cases are ongoing.

Vaping devices — also known as JUULs, e-cigarettes, e-cigs, vapes, e-hookahs, vape pens, mods, tanks, or electronic nicotine delivery systems — can contain nicotine, marijuana, or other substances like flavoring agents and chemicals. They are not currently approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a quit smoking aid.

In August, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the FDA launched a multi-state investigation regarding an outbreak of severe lung disease associated with using vaping devices/e-cigarette products. As of Sept. 12, the CDC has reported over 380 confirmed cases of lung illness associated with vaping in 36 states and one U.S. territory, including six deaths. While the investigation into the nationwide outbreak continues, they have not identified a definitive cause. All reported cases had a history of using vaping devices, and patients in the current investigation are reporting symptoms such as cough, shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting and/or fever.

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