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October 22, 2013
Mike Allen of Washougal and Shawn Garrison of Vancouver have teamed up to offer a free haunted house and yard display to the community. A majority of the static and animated props are handmade.

Fright night

Local residents can experience the fun of a professional style haunted house without a long drive, lines, or expensive pricing.That's because Mike Allen, known as "Coffinguy" to his friends, puts up an elaborate display and walk through haunted house in his Washougal yard. It is free for anyone in the community to attend. "Many of the people that live here simply can't get to or afford the experience," he said. "It's a lifelong hobby of mine that brings a lot of joy and entertainment to the area I call home." Recently, he joined forces with Shawn Garrison of Vancouver, who also had a yard display. She did much of the staging for Allen's haunted house this year.

October 22, 2013

Washougal could use utility rate phase-in strategy

Some Washougal residents who live in single-family homes could see water rate decreases in 2014. According to the final results of a rate study conducted by the FCS Group, 61 percent of the water bills for single family residences with three-quarter inch meters would be lower than current rates. The current average bi-monthly bill for customers who use 10 ccf of water is $60.38. That could decrease to $58.21 next year. A proposed rate for 2015 would be $58.83. One ccf equals 748 gallons.

October 15, 2013

Camas woman to vie for Miss Washington title

A former Camas High School cheerleading captain is preparing for the Miss Washington USA pageant this week. Shelby Meader, Miss Greater Clark County USA, will be among the 75 participants in the pageant Friday and Saturday, at the Highline Performing Arts Center, in Burien. She spent this past Saturday in Seattle with other contestants, practicing wearing high heels from noon to 6 p.m., and enunciating their names and titles in front of a microphone. In case of a technical issue, they have to be prepared to speak "super loud," according to Meader. It was the last in a series of four workshops held during the past month and a half.

October 15, 2013
The Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge, located off of Highway 14 just east of Washougal, remains closed to the public, due to the federal government shutdown that closed all national parks across the country. The government has been partially closed since Oct. 1, and the Oct. 17 debt ceiling deadline is right around the corner. If the US debt ceiling is not raised by Thursday, the Treasury would run out of money and could begin defaulting on its obligations. Today, there have been reports that Senate leaders are working on a deal that could re-open the government soon.

Steigerwald remains closed to visitors

A local National Wildlife Refuge that is home to a trail popular with walkers and bird watchers has been much quieter than usual during the past two weeks. The 1,049-acre Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge remains closed as a result of the federal government shutdown --now entering its 15th day.

October 15, 2013

City council hears potential impacts of Prop. 1

Washougal City Administrator David Scott presented a transition plan during last night's City Council meeting, in the event that Proposition 1 is approved. The measure would change the form of government, from mayor-council with a city administrator to council-manager.

October 15, 2013

Software upgrade will be installed

The Camas Finance Department will be closed for nearly three days as its computer software is upgraded. The closure allows for the installation of new Springbrook software and employee training.

October 8, 2013
Faye Schanilec, a volunteer, sorts donations at the Inter-Faith Treasure House food bank. The Treasure House provides 45,000 to 65,000 pounds of food a month for area families. That includes monthly food boxes, USDA commodities, a backpack home program for children on weekends and meals served at the Lost & Found Cafe. Public and private donations have decreased, and the Treasure House no longer receives goods from the Oregon Food Bank. iWe need food,i said Treasure House Executive Director Nancy Wilson. "Our shelves are very empty now."

Treasure House deals with food bank shortages

There are some empty shelves at the Inter-Faith Treasure House, of Camas/Washougal, and Executive Director Nancy Wilson is hoping area residents will help fill them. "We're really short on food," she said. "If people would just buy one or two extra cans, it would make a lot of difference here in our little town. "We appreciate one can, two cans, a sackful," Wilson added.

October 8, 2013

City names acting city administrator

Camas Mayor Scott Higgins announced last night Human Resources Director Jennifer Gorsuch is serving as the acting city administrator. Gorsuch, who has been with the city since August 2005, will handle the day-to-day operations of the city following the death on Oct. 6 of City Administrator Nina Regor.