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September 17, 2013

School district enrollment numbers increase

The Washougal School District will be hiring additional staff, including a new kindergarten teacher, due to higher-than-expected enrollment numbers in the primary grades. After the first week of school, full-time (FTE) enrollment in the district was 2,975, which is 57 more students than projected. Most of the growth was at the kindergarten through second-grade level at Cape Horn-Skye Elementary School. There will be a half-time kindergarten teacher added, and a full-time teacher for a first- and second-grade combination classroom. "It's an exciting time," said Mary Lou Woody, principal. Enrollment numbers at the high school were also slightly higher than last year. "There weren't any big surprises," said Brian Wallace, district business manager. "We expect enrollment to increase slowly over the next few years. This has been the trend in Washougal the past three years." Enrollment last September was 2,887 FTE.

September 17, 2013

Officials will report on Camas schools, city government, and the C-W port

Citizens invited to attend 'State of the Community' on Sept. 24 The City of Camas, Camas School District and Port of Camas-Washougal will host a joint 'State of the Community' event Tuesday, Sept. 24, from 6 to 8 p.m., at the Camas High School Theatre, 26900 S.E. 15th St. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. for the event, which will include presentations from representatives of the three entities, followed by an open house where the public will have the opportunity to mingle with and ask questions of elected officials and staff.

July 16, 2013
Photos provided by Connie Jo Freeman Freeman described the Home of Love as "an oasis in the midst of chaos." The orphanage provides housing and education for 87 girls, ranging in age from 5 to 18. Chennai, India, is a city with a population of 12 million.

Camas-Washougal residents visit orphanage in India

Ten area residents recently traveled to India to show care and support at an orphanage for girls. The travelers, primarily from Bethel Community Church, in Washougal, included Connie Jo Freeman. They visited the Home of Love, which provides housing and education for 87 girls, ranging in age from 5 to 18. The children are either orphaned or from parents who are too poor to care for them. "Unlike most orphanages, when the children turn legal age they are not turned out to fend for themselves," Freeman said. "They have college to look forward to, financially provided by Home of Love."

July 16, 2013

Public input will help shape waterfront property

The Port of Camas-Washougal is seeking input from area residents as it plans to revitalize some of the former Hambleton Lumber Company site. The plan is to include a park and a trail at 335 S. "A" St., Washougal, that will connect to other area trails in the future.

July 16, 2013

Camas continues efforts to secure C-Tran Board seat

A proposal mentioned at the recent C-Tran Board Composition Review Committee meeting has Camas Mayor Scott Higgins feeling optimistic that a change could be on the horizon. At the end of last Tuesday's meeting Clark County Commissioner Steve Stuart suggested a new configuration of the C-Tran Board that would reduce Clark County's representation, and give Camas, Battle Ground and Washougal their own seats. Stuart proposed that a possible makeup could maintain three seats for Vancouver, and then have two for Clark County, one each for Camas, Battle Ground and Washougal, and one combined seat for the three smallest jurisdictions -- Ridgefield, La Center and Yacolt.

July 9, 2013
David Martschinske, a 2003 Camas High School graduate, is enjoying promoting the Self Balancing Unicycle. He is co-owner of Focus Designs Inc., with Daniel Wood and Rick Johannessen. They recently opened an office in downtown Camas.

Focus Designs opens office in downtown Camas

A Camas company is increasing its exposure on a regional, national and global level. Focus Designs Inc. owners Daniel Wood, David Martschinske and Rick Johannessen have opened an office in downtown Camas. "All the creative stuff happens here," Martschinske said. Research and development occurs in Camas, while manufacturing of the Self Balancing Unicycle happens in China. "Right now, the unicycle encompasses a majority of our efforts," Martschinske said. "We are, however, spending about 20 percent of our time expanding new ways to repackage this technology."

July 9, 2013
Wendell Heim created Japanese-style calligraphy with Noelle Schmidt, a sophomore at Washougal High School. Heim, a veteran of World War II and the Korean War, recently talked about his personal and military experiences with the Japanese class at WHS. "I enjoyed having him in class discussions," Schmidt said. "I learned more about the war and his old life."

Different generations are speaking the same language

A Washougal senior citizen recently provided information about Japan to local students based on his personal experiences. Wendell Heim, 87, was a guest speaker in the Japanese class at Washougal High School. The class is taught by Fuchigami Parker. "He is a great man who cares about a multicultural education for teens," she said. Heim served in the U.S. Army from February 1944 to January 1965. During World War II, he was in India and Northern Burma.

July 9, 2013

Alpha-Tec will build a facility in Camas

A biotechnology company has submitted engineering and building documents to begin construction of a new facility in Camas. According to Paul Dennis, president and CEO of the Camas-Washougal Economic Development Association, Clark County based Alpha-Tec Systems, Inc., plans to construct a 42,000 square foot building on Northwest Camas Meadows Drive. The new facility would initially employ 50 to 55 people, and provide space for the company to grow. "It's definitely being built for them to be able to increase their operations," Dennis said, adding that he has been told the company does not plan to leave its current leased facility at 12019 N.E. 99th St.

July 9, 2013

Washougal defers decisions on ballot items

The Washougal City Council is expected to consider putting a 10 cent levy lid lift before voters, as early as the Nov. 5 General Election. If approved, the lift would be expected to generate $129,000, which could be identified for fire and emergency medical services. The annual cost to the owner of a house valued at $250,000 would be $25.10. The city can contemplate a levy lid lift of up to 24 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation. That would cost the owner of a $250,000 house $60 per year, and it could generate $309,000. Finance Director Jennifer Forsberg has said, with current assumptions, the city could face a $303,651 deficit in 2014. That is based on projected revenue of $10.8 million and expenditures of $11.1 million.