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March 8, 2011
After being closed for more than a year, the Liberty Theatre in downtown Camas was open for the public to take a peek inside during First Friday events. Although no movies were being shown, owner Rand Thornsley (center) and co-managers Jodi Vera (left) and Jim Burns (right) and assistant manager Fabiana Thomas (not pictured) were on hand to greet visitors. The three-day grand opening event will begin Thursday, March 17. The celebration will include movies, live music, food and beverages.

Community gets a sneak preview of the Liberty Theatre

First Friday attendees got a sneak peek at some of the changes that have taken place recently inside the Liberty Theatre, which is slated to officially re-open on March 17. "We've added paint and carpet, cleaned the seats and floors, and added new decor and artwork to sparkle it up a bit," said Managing Director Rand Thornsley, who signed a lease with building owners Gary and Marilyn Webberley of Kirkland, Wash., in January. Although heavy rain put a bit of a damper on the first public open house since the theater's abrupt closure in September 2009, Thornsley said he received a lot positive feedback.

March 1, 2011

State gives Washougal a ‘clean audit’

Former Washougal Mayor Stacee Sellers sent back a city-owned laptop on Dec. 29, 2009 -- six weeks after she resigned from office. Sgt. Brad Chicks received the computer two days later at the Washougal Police station. The laptop had been sent from Maryland. That delay in Sellers returning the computer was recently noted by the State Auditor's Office in a management letter related to an accountability audit of the city for the fiscal year of 2009. The audit results were released yesterday, with a recommendation that the city create formal written procedures to track, monitor and safeguard all assets "including small and attractive items such as electronics, computer equipment and other items at high risk of misappropriation."

March 1, 2011

Camas begins search for new fire chief

The City of Camas has embarked on the search for its next fire chief. Advertising for the job, which pays $97,000 to $120,000 per year -- plus benefits, began last week. Following the closing of the application period on March 31, the top candidates will be brought in to participate in panel interviews, listen to department head presentations, and attend a social event with members of the City Council and a community reception in late April or early May.

March 1, 2011

City seeks feedback on changes to fireworks rules

The Camas City Council will accept public comment on Monday, March 7, regarding a proposal to reduce the number of days and hours fireworks are legal within city limits. The changes that are part of a "preferred option" would make the legal use and sale period run from July 1 to July 3, from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m., and July 4 from 9 a.m. to midnight. The proposal trims the usage period by a total of four days. Currently, for the Fourth of July holiday, sales and use are allowed from June 28 to July 5.

March 1, 2011
Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls will be among the items available to bid on at a silent auction Saturday, March 12, during a dinner fundraiser at the Columbia Gorge Interpretive Center. The museum is experiencing a reduction in revenue, due to a decrease in the number of visitors.

Columbia Gorge Interpretive Center seeks financial support from the community

The executive director of the Columbia Gorge Interpretive Center plans to "tighten the ol' belt," in order to survive current economic challenges faced by the museum. Sharon Tiffany said the estimated shortfall for this year is $25,000. "Donations have not decreased," she said. "Revenues from group tours are down -- all due to the overall economic situation. Many schools are not funding field trips, and the cruise lines have decreased or stopped traveling the Columbia."

March 1, 2011

Phone-a-thon begins tonight in Camas

If you live in the Camas School District and have supported the Camas Educational Foundation in the past, chances are your phone will be ringing at some point the next few nights. That's because the annual CEF phone-a-thon begins tonight and runs through Thursday. Students from Skyridge and Liberty middle schools, as well as Camas High School Key Club members, will be calling between 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. to help secure donations. To volunteer for the event, e-mail [email protected] or call 713-3880. To make donations to the phone-a-thon efforts, browse www.cefcamas.org.

March 1, 2011
Raku pottery artists Dave and Boni Deal stand in front of the triptych they created for the Camas library, which is part of the public facility's permanent collection. A showing of the couple's paintings and pottery will open during a reception on Friday, from 5 to 8 p.m., at the library's Second Story Gallery.

A fusion of art and nature

Accomplished raku pottery artists Dave and Boni Deal have their work in private and public collections across the United States and internationally. In January, the couple was featured on an Oregon Public Broadcasting "Art Beat" program segment filmed in their Camas art studio. But on Friday, the Deals' collaborative work will be featured in an intimate venue that is a little closer to home. First Friday will mark the opening reception for their show at the Second Story Gallery at the Camas Public Library.

March 1, 2011

Washougal school board won’t change sex offender policies

The Washougal School Board is remaining firm in its stance that the district's policy regarding registered sex offenders on campus will not be changed, unless state law someday requires it to do so. During a meeting on Feb. 22 the board heard comments from Washougal resident and parent Bill Stephens, who requested that it reconsider a Dec. 14 decision to not pursue implementing a new more restrictive policy.

February 25, 2011
Max Galekovich, of Camas, enjoyed several slushy rides on a snow saucer in his yard Thursday. He and his siblings Jordan Richards and Emily Rothery (both not pictured) also created a snowman and a "snowkid." The smaller of the snow figures featured a pickle for a nose, because no carrots were available. Schools in Camas and Washougal were closed Thursday.

Snow Day

Local children enjoyed the powder and a day off from school on Thursday.