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January 18, 2011
Landslide blocks Highway 14 on Sunday
After a barrage of constant rain over the weekend, a landslide closed both directions of Highway 14 on Sunday.
After a barrage of constant rain over the weekend, a landslide closed both directions of Highway 14 on Sunday.
A small-scale handmade pipe organ recently made its public debut at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, in Camas. The musical instrument was constructed by Scott Powell, a 2010 Washougal High School graduate, and Alan Boehlke, a Camas resident who enjoys carpentry as a hobby. Powell, a University of Washington freshman, worked on the pipe organ for his high school senior project. "I had tried to find an organ builder in the Portland area, but no one was interested," he said. "I knew Alan built other instruments. Before I gave him some drawings, Alan visited 10 websites and watched 20 YouTube videos about building pipe organs. He was very interested from the first minute."
In January 2010, officials from the cities of Camas and Washougal, and the Port of Camas-Washougal, came together during a public forum to discuss how the entities might work together to create economic development opportunities that would benefit the greater community. Today, nearly one year later, progress is being made with that goal in mind as the finishing touches are put on a draft "request for professional services" document. It is among the initial steps in the hiring process for an economic development director who will lead a proposed Camas-Washougal Economic Development Association. "I think this entire process has been deliberate," Washougal Mayor Sean Guard said Monday. "It has been focused on getting to a goal."
Washougal School District Superintendent Teresa Baldwin has announced her retirement. Baldwin, 63, will make it official at the School Board meeting tonight. Her retirement will become effective in July. "Washougal has been the most wonderful place for this phase in my career," she said. Baldwin began working in the district in 2005 as assistant superintendent to then-Superintendent Bob Donaldson.
The Washougal City Council is looking at a proposed update to the city's current auto usage policy that would prohibit elected officials from taking city vehicles home, while the Cowlitz County Prosecutor's Office is reviewing the law enforcement impersonation case involving Mayor Sean Guard. The draft language in the auto usage policy presented during last night's council workshop mentions officials may use city automobiles for official city business such as conferences, seminars, training programs and other city-related business trips.
A new year is being welcomed with a juried art exhibit Friday, in downtown Camas. The theme of the Camas Winter Art Show is "Celebrate Camas," and includes works that highlight the City's natural setting, rich history and interesting architecture. As part of the First Friday event, downtown merchants will showcase the talents of local artists from 5 to 8 p.m., and the artists will be on hand to discuss their work and their inspiration.
Washougal Mayor Sean Guard announced during last night's City Council meeting he has returned a car issued to him, after concerns were raised regarding him using a city-owned vehicle for personal reasons. A charge of second-degree criminal impersonation has been referred to the Cowlitz County Prosecuting Attorney's Office. A report has been sent from the Washington State Patrol to Chief Criminal Deputy Michelle Shaffer.
A longtime Washougal resident has been tapped to help lead the district office of Third District Rep.-Elect Jaime Herrera Beutler. Herrera Beutler (R-Camas) announced yesterday that Shari Hildreth will be the deputy district director. The district office will open Thursday, the day after Herrera Beutler is officially sworn into office in anticipation of the beginning of the second session of the 111th Congress. Joining Hildreth in Vancouver will be District Director Ryan Hart, former Clark County Republican Party chairman.
Washougal Mayor Sean Guard is accused of using emergency lights on a city-owned vehicle to persuade highway traffic to move out of the left lane on Christmas Eve.
Firefighters and paramedics make their livings in a profession that has them coming to the aid of people who are facing some of the most difficult events of their lives. In helping victims of house fires, car wrecks and other crisis situations, these men and women have seen it all. And in Camas and Washougal, each year during the holiday season these same emergency personnel further extend that helping hand to assist in a very different way. Through the Christmas Activities Relief Organization Limited, for more than 50 years local emergency workers have been collecting, boxing up and delivering food and toys to brighten local families' holidays.