Camas-Washougal logo tag

News

October 9, 2012

Officials discuss C-TRAN measure

Opinions vary among local leaders, regarding the potential sales tax increase to pay for a light rail extension from Portland to Vancouver. C-TRAN Proposition No. 1, to be voted on in the November 6 General Election, would also pay the operations and maintenance costs of the Fourth Plain Boulevard Bus Rapid Transit project between downtown Vancouver and Westfield Vancouver Mall. If approved, it would increase the sales and use tax by 0.1 percent, or one penny on a $10 purchase. The measure would raise an estimated $4.6 million annually, to fund the operations and maintenance cost for C-TRAN's share of light rail transit through downtown Vancouver. After those projects are completed, $1.2 million estimated annual savings from eliminating duplicated bus service would be reinvested in the system. The light rail extension would be located between the Portland Expo Center and Clark Park & Ride (across the street from the Marshall Community Center, 1009 E. McLoughlin Blvd.). Light rail trains would travel on the I-5 replacement bridge (Columbia River Crossing).

October 2, 2012
Individuals participate in a variety of weight lifting, gymnastics and cardio activities at CrossFit North Pacific, in Washougal. The business, owned by David and Polly Albright, opened in June.

Powered by CrossFit

Two businesses in Washougal hope to improve the fitness levels of local residents. They offer CrossFit workouts which can include gymnastics, running and weight lifting.

October 2, 2012

Camas City Council approves contract with consultant

Camas Mayor Scott Higgins is hoping a $23,000 contract with a consulting company to conduct the search for a new city administrator will lead to a better result than the last effort. On Monday night, the Camas City Council approved the agreement with Waldron, a human resources consulting firm with an office in Portland. The company has expertise in conducting job recruitment efforts with public, private and non-profit entities.

October 2, 2012
A photograph taken by Lara Blair features four women enrolled in an equine program in west Texas. Blair's "Horse Girls" fine art prints will be on display Friday through the end of October, in the Elida Field gallery, in downtown Camas.

Lara Blair to exhibit photography in downtown Camas

A Camas woman is preparing to show a collection of fine art prints that celebrates the connections between girls and horses. The exhibit, featuring art by Lara Blair, will begin with a First Friday reception, from 5 to 8 p.m., at the Elida Field gallery, 421 N.E. Cedar St., in downtown Camas. Live music will be provided by Robin Smith-Jackson, of Terre Bonne, Ore., and Blair will be available to talk about horses.

October 2, 2012

Pendleton reaches settlement with L&I

Representatives from Pendleton Woolen Mills, in Washougal, and the State Department of Labor & Industries have agreed to settle an appeal regarding citations of workplace violations. The settlement states the Sept. 13 agreement is entered into for the "purpose of expediting the abatement of workplace hazardous exposures and precluding protracted and expensive litigation." The total assessed penalty has been reduced from $93,300 to $46,650. This summer, the State Department of L & I notified Pendleton officials about 21 violations in several categories. An inspection was opened on Dec. 19, 2011.

October 2, 2012
Approximately $75,000 to $100,000 in damage was caused by a fire that started on the back deck of a home where cigarette butts were kept in a plastic container. The residents were alerted to the blaze by the sound of the crackling fire and were able to exit the home before it spread to the interior of the house. No injuries were reported.

Cigarettes cause fire that damages local home

Cigarette butts left in a plastic bucket are believed to be the cause of a fire that seriously damaged a Washougal home. At approximately 1:40 a.m. on Monday emergency units from the Camas-Washougal Fire Department and East County Fire and Rescue responded to a single story house fire in Washougal at 1290 Fairway Drive. The fire started on the back deck where the homeowner was using a plastic bucket for her cigarette butts.

October 2, 2012

Tarzian takes the helm at Mount Pleasant

Peter Tarzian's retirement didn't last too long. He was recently named as part-time superintendent at the Mount Pleasant School District, after retiring in 2011 from a superintendent position in Oregon. He and his wife, Dawn Tarzian, relocated to the area after she was named superintendent of the neighboring Washougal School District in July 2011. The Mount Pleasant School District has been embroiled in turmoil over the last several months, after it was discovered a longtime employee had been stealing fuel from the district. Board members were at odds with each other over the situation, and Superintendent Linda Slattery resigned in August, saying she felt threatened and harassed.

September 25, 2012

Lacamas Community Credit Union’s 192nd Avenue branch was remodeled

Lacamas Community Credit Union will host a grand re-opening event following the remodel of its 192nd Avenue Branch in Camas. The event will be held Tuesday, Oct. 9, at 9:30 a.m., at the branch located at 19200 S.E. 31st St. It will include a ribbon cutting ceremony, branch tours, XBOX competitions, as well as opportunities to meet credit union staff. A continental breakfast will also be served.