News Briefs: Aug. 12, 2021

Toxic algae warning issued at Lacamas, Round lakes in Camas

Clark County Public Health has issued warning advisories for Lacamas Lake and Round Lake due to elevated levels of cyanotoxins from blue-green algae.

Public Health collected water samples from both Camas lakes on Monday, Aug. 2. Results revealed cyanotoxins above the threshold levels recommended by the Washington Department of Health. Warning signs have been placed at public access points at both lakes.

Cyanotoxins can be harmful to people, especially young children, and deadly for small pets that drink the water. Health officials recommend:

• No swimming or water skiing.

• No water contact for animals.

• Avoiding areas of scum when using motorized boats, paddle boarding, kayaking or canoeing.

• No drinking lake water.

• Cleaning fish well and discarding organs.

Public Health will continue to monitor Lacamas and Round lakes and, while blooms are present, take weekly water samples to test toxin levels. Signs will be updated as conditions change.

Public Health is also monitoring blue-green algae blooms at Vancouver Lake. Water samples collected from Vancouver Lake indicate toxin levels are currently below threshold levels set by the state. People and pets should avoid areas of scum in Vancouver Lake.

Blue-green algae can pose a significant health risk if the cyanobacteria or toxins are ingested, inhaled or contact skin. Inhaled bacteria or toxins could cause wheezing, coughing, chest tightness and shortness of breath. Skin contact could lead to rash, itching, blisters and eye irritation.

If water with cyanotoxins is accidentally swallowed, symptoms could include abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, numbness of the lips, tingling in fingers and toes, and dizziness.

Additional information about blue-green algae and current advisories are posted on the Public Health public beach website. To report algae blooms in other bodies of water, visit the Public Health website.

Camas’ 2021 Summer Concerts in the Park wraps up Aug. 17 with Dancehall Days

The city of Camas’ Dancehall Days event, originally scheudled for Aug. 12, was postponed due to the forecast of extreme heat this week.

The show is now set for 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 17, at Crown Park, 122 N.E. 17th Ave., Camas.

Dancehall Days will end the city of Camas’ 2021 Summer Concerts in the Park events with a blast of upbeat, danceable classic tunes from the 1970s and ’80s. The concert is free, open to the public and registration is not required for the event.

To learn more about Dancehall Days, visit dhd band.com/music.

No food vendors will be on site, but picnic dinners are welcome. A few small picnic tables are available upon a first-come, first-served basis. Chairs and blankets are encouraged. Alcohol and dogs/pets are not allowed in the park.

Washington state COVID-19 guidelines are in effect. Masks must be worn by unvaccinated individuals; social distancing is not required. The city is asking all attendees to be respectful of the state’s public health guidelines, event rules and other concert guests.

Camas Vintage & Art Faire returns Aug. 28

The 12th annual Camas Vintage & Art Faire will return to the city’s historic downtown from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 28.

More than 60 vintage and art vendors will fill downtown Camas streets with vintage, antique and repurposed items. The event also will feature several local artists, with a wide array of artwork for sale.

Vintage vendors will showcase a variety of home and garden items and indoor and outdoor furniture and decor as well as vintage clothing, jewelry and accessories. Art selections include professional quality paintings, metal work, ceramics, garden art, photography, handmade jewelry, fiber art, recycled art and more.

The event will be held on Camas’ Northeast Fourth Avenue, near Camas Antiques, 305 N.E. Fourth Ave.

Bret Malmquist will perform jazz guitar music from 10 a.m. to noon, and the Carol Rossio Jazz Trio, with many songs in French, will perform from 12:30 to 3 p.m. In addition to the downtown restaurant choices, fresh food options will include Getta Gyro, BlackDog Hotdogs, Doug’s Kettle Corn and treats by Truly Scrumptious.

“We are so happy to be back, as we truly missed the vendors and this event in downtown last year,” said Downtown Camas Association (DCA) Executive Director Carrie Schulstad. “This fair has such diverse art offerings, and everyone loves the hunt for an unexpected vintage treasure. It has a relaxed, comfortable feel, and people will be delighted at all the new offerings. We have so much local talent. Our local shops are all open as well, so it’s the perfect way to spend the day in beautiful downtown Camas.”

Vintage Vendor registrations are still being accepted and registration information can be found online at downtowncamas.com/event/camas-vintage-art-faire. For more information, visit the 2021 Camas Vintage & Art Faire Facebook event page at facebook.com/events/163159925788830.

The DCA hosts the Vintage & Art Faire, sponsored by Camas Antiques. The DCA works year round to strengthen and promote downtown Camas through partnerships, events, beautification and historic preservation projects, economic development, advocacy and tourism functions. For information on the DCA and other downtown events, visit downtowncamas.com.

3 people injured in Highway 14 crash

Three people were taken to a hospital on Friday, Aug. 6, after a crash that closed state Highway 14 east of Washougal near the Skamania County line.

According to the Washington State Patrol, Ammar Hasan of Vancouver was speeding when he lost control of his yellow Nissan Sentra sedan around a curve near Milepost 22 and crashed into a maroon Ford Edge SUV in the oncoming lane.

Hasan was reported to have been injured, as were two people in the Ford. Driver Renat Eakin of Vancouver, passenger Brent Eakin of Newcastle and Hasan were all transported to PeaceHealth Southwest Washington Medical Center for evaluation and treatment of injuries.

Gorge ride registration closes on Aug. 23
Friends of the Historic Columbia River Highway announced this week that advanced registration will close Aug. 23 for the annual fundraising Gorge Ride, to be held Aug. 28.

This year’s event will follow all Oregon COVID-19 directions in place at that time and will take measures to ensure the health and safety of riders and volunteers at registration and at both rest stops. Registration is available online at gorgeride.eventbrite.com. For more information visit GorgeRide.com. Day-of-event registration available for an additional cost of $10 per person.

Bicyclists will ride on the Historic Columbia River Highway from the Gorge Discovery Center to the Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail in Mosier and continue on to the Senator Mark O. Hatfield West Trailhead east of Hood River and return. This 38.5-mile trip includes the vista at Rowena Crest, travel through the Mosier Twin Tunnels and a rest stop (twice) at the historic Mayerdale Estate.

The Friends group is seeking additional volunteers. People who volunteer for registration or parking can ride for free after completing their shift at 10 a.m. The Friends group also is looking for volunteers at Mosier and Senator Mark O. Hatfield West Trailhead.

The Friends of the Historic Columbia River Highway supports the restoration and reconnection of the historic highway through the Columbia River Gorge. The group’s vision is to educate the public about the historic highway, advocate for the restoration and preservation of the existing drivable portions of the historic highway to their 1920s appearance and link drivable portions with pedestrian and bicycle accessible connections, creating a continuous route through the Columbia River Gorge.

Sponsors of the 2021 Gorge Ride include: Columbia Gorge Discovery Center and Museum, Mayerdale Estate, Oregon Parks and Recreation Department, Portland Bicycling Club, Showers Pass, Oregon Screen Impressions, Double Mountain Brewery, Thunder Mountain Brewery, SPR Bicycle Shop, Sellwood Cycle Repair and Oregon e-bikes.

Sheriff’s office warns of phone scam
The Clark County Sheriff’s Office warned the public this week of a phone scam, in which a caller identifies themselves as a member of the sheriff’s office and says the recipient needs to contact them regarding “a legal matter.”

Though the callers have been using actual names of sheriff’s office employees, local law enforcement officials warn the phone calls are a scam and do not originate with the sheriff’s office.

If people are unsure of the validity of the call or the caller, they can call the Clark County Sheriff’s Office West Precinct at 564-397-6079.

The Clark County Sheriff’s Office would like to remind people that sheriff’s office employees will not ask for cash in person or agree to meet somewhere to exchange cash to alleviate an arrest warrant. The sheriff’s office does not ask for, or take, gift cards as payments for fines.

People who have questions or concerns about having a warrant, money owed for fines or judgments, or other possible legal matters involving the Clark County Sheriff’s Office should call the Clark County Sheriff’s Office Warrants Department at 564-397-2397 or Clark County Court at 564-397-2000.

Fire destroys garage, damages Camas home
A fire that may have been sparked by barbecue ashes left in a metal container destroyed a garage and damaged a Camas home on July 25.

Camas-Washougal Fire Department personnel were dispatched to a house fire in the area of Northwest 41st Circle and Northwest Sierra Drive in Camas around 11 p.m. July 25. When they arrived, fire crews discovered a fully involved garage fire that was threatening a three-story home attached by a breezeway.

The residents, who were home when the fire started and able to evacuate safely, were not injured in the blaze.

Firefighting units from the Vancouver Fire Department and East County Fire and Rescue arrived and helped fight the flames.

The garage and its contents were destroyed, but firefighters were able to stop the fire from also decimating the house. A minor fire did spread to the home’s attic, resulting in smoke and water damage, according to a news release from CWFD.

The homeowner told fire crews they had recently cleaned a barbecue and placed the ashes in a metal container in the garage, according to the CWFD news release.

“While it is unknown if this was the cause of the fire, CWFD officials would like to remind everyone that ashes from barbecues and fireplaces should be placed in metal containers, doused with water and stored outside the home and away from any flammable materials,” the fire department stated.