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November 13, 2012
Tamara Scharfenkamp, executive director of the West Columbia Gorge Humane Society, plays ball Friday with Kira, a 4-year old female terrier mix available for adoption, in November. A dispute over noise between the Humane Society and its construction firm neighbor continues even after city of Washougal employees installed an Acoustifence screen around part of the dog shelter to reduce the noise level.

City installs acoustic screen after neighboring company uses air horn to reduce barking

In an effort to reduce the sounds of dogs barking and a nearby air horn activating, City of Washougal employees have installed an acoustic screen around part of the West Columbia Gorge Humane Society dog shelter. The cost of the Acoustifence screen, $3,500 plus delivery and tax, was paid from the city's animal control budget for building maintenance and the building capital facilities fund, according to City Administrator David Scott. The installation of the screen occurred Thursday and Friday. Washougal Police Chief Ron Mitchell said Thursday the city was working on reducing the noise levels coming from the kennel. By that time, someone from the shelter's neighbor, Northwest Underwater Construction LLC, had told Mitchell they would remove the air horn.

November 13, 2012

Open house highlights I-5 bridge height, study results

The results of a comprehensive analysis of various bridge heights for the replacement Interstate 5 bridge will be shared and discussed at a public open house Wednesday, in Vancouver. The event will be held from 4 to 7 p.m., at the Red Lion at the Quay, River Room, 100 Columbia St. As part of the Columbia River Crossing project's ongoing work to prepare a bridge permit application for the replacement I-5 bridge, project staff conducted further analysis of a mid-range (95 to 110 foot) bridge identified in the "Locally Preferred Alternative." In addition, staff completed new analyses of the feasibility of 115, 120 and 125 foot bridge options.

November 6, 2012

Moose Lodge remodel lands on 2013 budget

Nearly 13 years ago, the City of Camas purchased a five acre parcel of property, which included the 4,800 square foot Moose Lodge building located on the shores of Lacamas Lake. Right from the beginning, the intent was that the site would eventually be home to a new recreation facility. But years went by, and the Moose continued to rent the building at 227 N.E. Lake Road from the city as several different efforts aimed at generating support and identifying funding channels for such a facility failed. The reasons ranged from lack of money and hesitation from some elected city leaders to a poor economy. But current Camas Mayor Scott Higgins said the possibility of taking advantage of some creative financing options recently inspired him to work to make some form of this long-held dream a reality.

November 6, 2012
Julia Schlaht (lower left), of Vancouver, made Christmas cards Sunday, in Washougal, at Sew Desperate -- a new venture started by Anna Davis. The rental space provides tables for crafters to complete their projects.

Area crafters bond at ‘Sew Desperate’ in Washougal

A local woman has developed a space for crafters, scrappers and sewers to work on their creations for a day or two at a time.Anna Davis, of Washougal, spent Sunday with her sister Linda Hinsvark, of Scappoose, Ore., and other friends at "Sew Desperate" -- a place with no guys, kids or TVs. Davis rents the space at 1324 "E" St., Washougal, and provides tables and chairs for crafters to complete their various projects on Saturdays and Sundays, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. The cost to craft there is $15 per person, per day. In the past, the women worked on their craft projects once a month at various rented locations throughout the year. "All the ladies here have been together for five years," said Barbara York, of Washougal. "I love it. It's a place I can spread out. At home, I'm bothered by the phone and laundry. Here, it's truly very relaxing. It's hard to spread out this much in your own living room." For more information about Sew Desperate or to register for the LEGO event, contact Davis at 835-7030 or [email protected].

November 6, 2012

Washougal mayor proposes economic development initiatives

The mayor of Washougal is hoping City Council members will see the value of several ideas in the 2013 proposed budget. Sean Guard said during the Oct. 22 council workshop he would like to "kick start" commercial development activity by introducing a "fee holiday" for 2013. It would eliminate most of the fees for commercial and mixed use development. Traffic impact fees and utility system development charges would remain. "The goal of the 'fee holiday' is to incentify development to get started sooner, to add to our property tax base and increase sales tax revenue," Guard said. "Preliminary program parameters would require construction to be started in 2013 and completed by the end of 2014."

October 30, 2012

Harvest restaurant to open next to Camas Hotel

An Irish-born chef plans to prepare local, fresh and creative dishes in downtown Camas. Tim McCusker, owner of the Rustic Palate (a catering company), will open Harvest restaurant, next to the Camas Hotel, at 401 N.E. Fourth Ave., within the next two months. "We've always been very fond of main street," he said. "It is picturesque. Everyone has been very warm. "Even when you pass a stranger, someone gives you a smile," McCusker added.

October 30, 2012

Washougal Sport & Spine expands to Camas

Washougal Sport & Spine Physical Therapy has opened a second location at LaCamas Swim & Sport. The expansion to Camas provides exercise and cardiovascular equipment and a private treatment area for modalities such as ultrasound, electrical stimulation and manual therapy techniques. Treatment is provided for conditions such as muscle and joint injuries, post-surgical rehabilitation, work injuries, auto accidents and spinal pain. In addition to standard physical therapy treatments, aquatic therapy in the pool is available.

October 30, 2012
Mark Zech (left) and Kurt Williams (right) plan to open Mill City Brew Werks, at 339 N.E. Cedar St., in downtown Camas, by next summer. It will include a brewery (approximately 5,000 square feet) in the basement. Zech and Williams anticipate hiring 15 to 20 employees.

Brewery and restaurant to locate in downtown Camas

Two co-workers at Plexsys Interface Products, Inc., in Camas, expect to open a brewery and restaurant in the downtown core by next summer. Mark Zech, of Washougal, and Kurt Williams, of Battle Ground, are among the owners of Mill City Brew Werks, which will be located at 339 N.E. Cedar St. Zech's wife, Francisca, and Williams' wife, Susan, will also be involved in the venture. Previous occupants of the space have included Momo's Wholesale Designer Clothes and Stewart Title. A silent partner with Mill City Brew Werks is in the process of purchasing the building from Sandi Fischer. The purchase is expected to be completed in November. Terms of the transaction are not being released. The building includes tenants Edward Jones and Kop Chai -- both of which will remain open in their current locations.