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February 1, 2011
Two Rivers Heritage Museum volunteer Bernice Pluchos (left) and Volunteer Coordinator Lois Cobb (right) admire one of the newest exhibits that features a doll collection of Presidential First Ladies wearing ball gowns of their era. The museum, located in downtown Washougal, reopened today after displays were cleaned and rearranged.

Rearranging History

The new design elements of the Two Rivers Heritage Museum in Washougal are intended to be lighter and brighter, while showcasing some historic items rarely seen before. The museum reopened this morning, after being closed for more than a month. Members of the Camas-Washougal Historical Society have been deep cleaning artifacts and rearranging some of the rooms. Display cases containing Native American baskets have been relocated from in front of the entryway windows to closer to the entrance, and curtains have been removed from some of the windows. "There is a lot more light here now," said Volunteer Coordinator Lois Cobb.

February 1, 2011

Camas School District resolves Title IX complaint

The Camas School District has entered into an agreement with the United States Department of Education, office of civil rights, over a complaint of discrimination in athletics. The complaint, filed on Aug. 23, alleges that the district is discriminating against female middle and high school students on the basis of gender, by failing to provide them with equal athletic opportunities. Since the district has agreed to report its activities regarding female students in athletics, the OCR will no longer investigate the complaint. It states that, "This agreement resolves the allegation OCR has accepted for resolution as a result of the above referenced complaint and does not constitute an admission by the district of any violation of Title IX...or any other law."

February 1, 2011
Renee Law, an administrative specialist for the East County Family Resource Center, fills a backpack with food items for the Weekend Backpack Program. The program benefits children in need at local schools.

Soroptimist dinner and auction is ‘all ’bout children’

Imagine not knowing if you would be able to eat a meal this weekend. For some at-risk children in the local community, it's a reality. During the week, they receive free lunch at school, but come weekends, many are left to fend for themselves. This is where the Weekend Backpack Program comes in. Its goal is to help alleviate child hunger by addressing the lack of food on the weekends for at-risk children. Currently, the East County Resource Center in Washougal works closely with Hathaway Elementary School to provide these children with basic groceries. The program will be the beneficiary of the Soroptimist International of Camas-Washougal ABC Dinner and Silent Auction this Saturday.

January 28, 2011

Camas terminates employment of fire chief

Fire Chief Leo Leon's employment with the city will be terminated effective Jan. 31. According to a press release, the decision was made because Leon's "leadership of the Camas Fire Department has not been meeting expectations."

January 27, 2011

Marijuana growing operation is found in Washougal

Washougal police discovered a marijuana growing operation over the weekend while responding to a report of a physical disturbance. An officer was dispatched to the 700 block of S. "A" St., Sunday, at approximately 2 a.m.

January 25, 2011

Methodist pastor enjoys community involvement

Rev. Randy Henderson has been considering his career options since the age of 10. A church pastor asked him then if he had ever thought of being a minister. "It planted a seed, and the idea grew on me," said Henderson, 62. He has been the pastor of Washougal United Methodist Church since last summer. Henderson has previously been a minister in Winlock, Pe Ell, Spokane, Yelm and Mill Creek. In 1972, he earned a master's degree in social work at the University of Washington. Four years later, he received a master of divinity degree from Iliff School of Theology, in Denver.

January 25, 2011

House fire in Washougal ruled arson

A fire that recently destroyed a rural Washougal home is now being investigated as an arson case. Richard Martin, Clark County assistant fire marshal, said the fire originated in the garage of the two-story home located at 530 S.E. Blair Road. He declined to provide further details citing the ongoing investigation.

January 25, 2011
The Liberty Theatre, located at 315 N.E. Fourth Ave., in downtown Camas, will re-open with new operators in March. The space has been vacant since September 2009, when the former operator closed up shop. Future plans for the facility include offering food, beer and wine service, and remodeling the smaller second screen theater.

Liberty Theatre to re-open in March

After being closed for more than a year, the Liberty Theatre in downtown Camas will re-open in March with a new operator, a new look and a new business plan. A lease was signed with Rootstock Capital Management, LLC, on Wednesday. The corporation includes Rand Thornsley, who will be the managing director of the Liberty; Thornsley's son Adam, an investor in the business; and Paul Rogers, who is a partner in Rogers Cinemas of Wisconsin.

January 25, 2011

Vancouver Clinic buys land in Washougal

The Vancouver Clinic, Inc., has purchased approximately five acres at state Route 14 and Southeast Second Avenue, in The Crossing development, in Washougal. The sale, involving landowner Killian Pacific, occurred in December. Terms of the sale are not being released. "We purchased the land so we had the flexibility to expand in the future, but we don't have any immediate plans to build on the site," Vancouver Clinic Chief Executive Officer Tom VanSweringen said Monday. He expects a clinic to be built at the site within five years.

January 25, 2011

Council approves changes to vehicle policy

Washougal elected officials may not use city automobiles unless they are traveling to conferences, seminars, training programs or other city-related business trips. The Washougal City Council has amended a chapter in the city's personnel policies, to include language that prohibits the assignment of take home vehicles to elected officials. Questions were raised about the auto usage policy after Mayor Sean Guard used a city-owned vehicle for personal reasons. He returned a vehicle to the city's surplus fleet on Jan. 3. It had been assigned to him in the early part of 2010.