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January 31, 2012

Local foundation donates to Maryhill Museum project

A Washougal foundation and a Pendleton Woolen Mills executive are helping the Maryhill Museum of Art realize a goal of expanding. The "Kind Heart Free Spirit Foundation" has provided a $10,000 grant toward the construction of the 25,000-square foot Mary and Bruce Stevenson Wing. The vice-chairman of Pendleton Woolen Mills, Broughton"Brot" Bishop, and his wife Mary, of Portland, have donated $200,000 for the project. Together the gifts bring the museum within $40,000 of the amount needed to secure a matching grant of $400,000 from the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust.

January 31, 2012
Contributed photo The 10 cabins at Camp Lacamas are available as warming shelters for homeless individuals during extreme cold weather conditions, only when other shelters in the area are full. The effort to provide temporary warm housing is coordinated by the Council for the Homeless.

Camas campsite provides warmth in the winter months

A local campsite known for its summer programs has recently started to offer temporary shelter for the homeless, when other facilities in the area are full. Camp Lacamas Retreat & Conference Center includes 10 cabins equipped with electric heat, lighting and bunk beds. There are also two restroom buildings with showers. Offering the facility as a warming shelter is a new venture. "We just felt it was a very good use of our camp during the deep winter months when bookings are slower," said Booking Manager Kalani Culley. "Traditionally, December and January are not times when we are getting the bookings that we normally get during other months. It gives us the freedom to do something more community oriented."

January 24, 2012

Camas unveils new city website

For the first time in more than 10 years, the City of Camas has launched a new website that will offer a variety of unique services and tools. Today the city rolls out the major overhaul that was initiated by Mayor Scott Higgins, who has an interest in technology and saw a need to improve the city's online communications with citizens. City staff, led by Information Systems Director Sherry Coulter, implemented all of the website changes and upgrades. "[Coulter] was very driven and made it happen," Higgins said of the project that began to take shape in May and June. "We have enough talent in house that we could do this internally. That saved us a lot of money."

January 24, 2012
Water rushed across M Street, at 39th Street, from culvert to culvert, on Thursday following rainfall that totalled approximately 3 inches.

Heavy rains douse C-W

Snowfall and heavy rains caused a number of problems with flooding in the local area last week.

January 24, 2012
A new entrance greets visitors to Eagle Rehabilitation At Camas. The facility, formerly named Highland Terrace Nursing Center, is undergoing a $5 million remodel and expansion project.

Eagle Rehabilitation opens at former Highland Terrace site

The facility formerly known as Highland Terrace Nursing Center has a new name, a new administrator and 27 new private rooms. The rooms in Eagle Rehabilitation At Camas are in a short-term rehabilitation wing for patients who want to recover from orthopedic surgeries or strokes. The wing features new furniture, fixtures and equipment. There are also new sheets and bedspreads, flat screen TVs, direct dial telephones, locking cabinets and bathrooms with showers. The intention is to provide rooms for individuals as they "transition from hospital to home," according to Paul McVay, who recently succeeded Bill Swanson as the administrator. Swanson now manages Columbia View Care Center, in Cathlamet.

January 24, 2012
Kurt Hill, a Washougal High School graduate, commands the largest dredge in the world for Great Lakes Dredging & Dock. He was recently featured on the T.V. show, "Heavy Metal Task Force," which airs on the Science Channel.

Kurt Hill enjoys career as captain of the world’s biggest dredge

New York City is a long way from Washougal, but that's where Kurt Hill is turning his dreams into reality. As a kid attending Washougal schools, Hill always wanted to work with his hands when he got older. However, he never dreamed he'd be using those to command the biggest dredge in the world. "I didn't even know this kind of stuff existed before," he said.

January 24, 2012

Washougal council discusses coal trains

Representatives from the Friends of the Columbia Gorge and Sierra Club, as well as other local residents, are concerned about the potential effects of having an additional 20 coal trains travel through Washougal and Camas each day. Currently, there are two coal trains that travel through the local area per day. Coal export terminals are proposed in Cherry Point, Gray's Harbor and Longview, to enable coal companies to transport coal through the Pacific Northwest to Asian markets. Samantha Lockhart, conservation organizer with the Friends, said during the Washougal City Council meeting last night the organization is concerned about the coal trains' effects on the local economy. "They could impact home values," she said.

January 24, 2012

Camas woman plans to run for 18th District seat

Liz Pike, a former Camas City Council member, announced yesterday that she has filed with the Washington State Public Disclosure Commission as a candidate for 18th District State Representative, Position 2 seat.

January 24, 2012
Sarah Russell, an advanced nurse practitioner, saw patients of various ages Saturday, at Bethel Community Church, in Washougal.

Sarah Russell and other volunteers provide free medical services in Washougal

Visitors to Bethel Community Church on the third Saturday of every month are subject to being greeted by several people -- including Pastor Rich Blum and musician Mike Logan. There are also several volunteers at an information table, steering patients toward free medical or massage services. They are all part of the "Compassion C/W" effort to provide services for individuals who do not have access to health care. Logan, a member of the Bethel congregation, plays a guitar and harmonica in the church lobby which serves as a "waiting room" for patients and their families. Blum said the volunteers are from several local churches. "We just host it," he said. "We try to do anything we can to make it special and provide a personal touch.