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July 31, 2012

State Auditor issues ‘finding’ against Camas

For the first time in more than 30 years, the Washington State Auditor has issued a finding following an audit of city of Camas financial records. A report released to the public yesterday states that a recent accountability audit of records from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2011, found that the city "does not have adequate support for its allocation of shared costs, resulting in a shift of general government costs to restricted funds," and that the city "is unable to show documentation that it complied with state laws that prohibit shifting restricted resources to other funds."

July 31, 2012

Camas anticipates results of EMS levy vote

Camas voters have until Tuesday, Aug. 7, to make a decision and get their ballots in the mail on a proposal to increase the city's current emergency medical services levy. If approved, the six-year levy would raise the current rate from 35 cents per $1,000 of assessed value to 46 cents. Starting in 2013, the owner of a $300,000 home would pay $138 per year -- a $33 increase. The current levy expires at the end of the year. The proposed increase is an effort to stabilize the emergency medical services funding stream. In recent years the EMS fund's revenues have dropped, primarily due to a decrease in assessed property values. At the end of 2011 the fund had a shortfall of $55,000, an amount that had to be covered by the city's general operations fund.

July 31, 2012

Brewing company seeks property in Washougal

While renovation efforts are underway to prepare the future site of Amnesia Brewing, at 1834 Main St., in downtown Washougal, another company also plans to open a microbrewery in the local area. Mark Zech, one of five owners of Washougal Brewing Co. LLC, is interested in purchasing property near Bi-Mart, 3003 Addy St., in Washougal. There are six available pads of land, owned by DM Stevenson Ranch. "We're in the process of talking to the realtor," Zech said yesterday, by phone. "We have not closed on anything or come to any decisions yet. We're a brewery without a building."

July 31, 2012

Pendleton Woolen Mill to celebrate centennial

Free concerts, along with a "Kids & Kritters" parade and equestrian demonstrations, will be among the highlights of a celebration of the Pendleton Woolen Mills' 100 years in Washougal. The historic occasion will be commemorated by Pendleton, the Two Rivers Heritage Museum and the City of Washougal. The festivities will kick off Friday, at 10 a.m., at the Pendleton Mill, Two Pendleton Way. Presentations and remarks will be made by Charlie Bishop, vice president of mill operations, as well as Washougal Mayor Sean Guard.

July 25, 2012

Investigation reveals theft, questionable transactions

An investigation into the Mount Pleasant School District has uncovered more than $1,000 worth of stolen gasoline and $4,000 in "questionable" transactions over a 3-year time period by former employee Cheryl Randall. The report, released last week by the Washington State Auditor's Office, includes an investigation into reimbursements for mileage, hotel, registrations, certification fees and insurance co-payments, along with fuel purchases made with a district credit card while in Randall's possession.

July 24, 2012

Burgerville adds live music to its menu

Camas Burgerville is now offering free live music every Saturday through Sept. 1. The "Summer Songwriter's Showcase" continues this week with Vagabond Tramp, playing "He and She Americana" style music.

July 24, 2012

Lacamas Credit Union begins 192nd Avenue branch remodel

Lacamas Community Credit Union is remodeling its 192nd Avenue Branch at 19200 S.E. 31st St., in Camas. The remodel coincides with expansion of the credit union's 24/7 service access, including mobile banking, remote deposit capture, ATM upgrades, live chat and other electronic services.

July 24, 2012

Riverview allocates $100 million for lending

Riverview Community Bank announced Friday that it has allocated $100 million for local lending in an effort to make a difference during the persistent economic slump throughout the region.

July 24, 2012
Contributed photo Kelsey Lynch, of Washougal, graduated from Washington State University, in Pullman, in May. This month, she traveled to South Africa, to begin cultural and language training with the Peace Corps. Lynch, a 2008 Camas High School graduate, plans to teach science and HIV/AIDS prevention.

Local grad joins the Peace Corps

A former Camas High School varsity swimmer is now making a difference with the Peace Corps in South Africa. Kelsey Lynch, 22, recently left Washougal to begin pre-service training as a volunteer science teacher. After graduating from eight weeks of cultural and language training, she will begin teaching science to primary school children and teaching HIV/AIDS prevention. Lynch said she was inspired to join the Peace Corps because of her family. "My mom's brother died from AIDS before I ever got the chance to know him," she said. "Growing up, I became very interested in the education and prevention of the disease because of what my family had gone through. I wanted to help other families that were affected by the disease and help teach younger generations how to protect themselves."

July 24, 2012

Washougal explores option to outsource public works

The potential outsourcing of public works responsibilities in Washougal has attracted some skepticism, regarding whether any potential cost savings would be worth it. The city is looking at a private/public partnership for operation, maintenance and management of water, wastewater and storm water utilities and possibly facility upgrades of the wastewater treatment plant. Residents are in their second year of a five-year overall increase of 122 percent for water, sewer and storm water rates. The increases were required to pay for water and sewer infrastructure improvements, in order to meet state and federal regulations. They include the $15 million upgrade of the city’s wastewater treatment facility.