Morning Press: Holiday lights, county commissioners, service dog

Check out the weekend forecast.

Commissioners decline to protect county departments

A proposal by Clark County Commissioner Tom Mielke to cement county departments in advance of a new charter taking effect failed Tuesday, as Commissioner Jeanne Stewart said she could see the merits of the idea but couldn’t give her support.

Commissioner David Madore, who had earlier stated objections to Mielke’s proposal, reiterated Tuesday that voters approved a home-rule charter in November to establish a new form of government. That includes giving executive authority over departments to a county manager, he said.

The charter takes effect Jan. 1.

Mark McCauley, the current county administrator, will become county manager.

Learn more about the board’s vote.

National trust acquires Academy building

One of the most historic buildings in the Pacific Northwest has entered a new era, with the Fort Vancouver National Trust acquiring the Academy building in downtown Vancouver.

“It’s a treasure in the middle of town,” said Ed Lynch, chairman of the national trust’s Academy campaign.

Learn more about the Academy.

Dog gives ailing Battle Ground teen new leash on life

Losing part of a leg at age 16 hasn’t been easy for Justin Carey.

The Battle Ground High School student has had to relearn how to walk, this time on a prosthetic leg. He takes an hour longer to get ready in the morning and has had to learn to drive with his left foot. But the biggest change he’s had to deal with is letting go of his dreams of one day joining the military — a heartbreaking reality he’s still facing.

The lower-leg amputation led Carey into a deep depression that left him questioning life itself.

In recent months, however, Carey has slowly started to come out of the dark place. His mother, Janette Chumley, said her son has started going on hikes with his dad and four-wheeling with his family.

But what finally got Carey back to his usual bubbly self was a four-legged girl named Shiva.

Read more about Justin and Shiva.

Vancouver man, doctor fight against breast cancer

Jarrett LeClaire and his wife, Ilene, were newlyweds trying to start a family when Ilene discovered a small tumor in her right breast.

A biopsy led to the 42-year-old’s diagnosis of Stage 1 breast cancer. The Vancouver couple were dealt a series of blows over the weeks that followed. Misread tests led to a false diagnosis of inoperable Stage 4 cancer and recommendations to begin planning Ilene’s funeral.

The LeClaires were relieved to learn the original diagnosis of Stage 1 breast cancer was correct. Ilene underwent mastectomy surgery in early June 2009 and assumed she would finally be free of the cancer that had shaken her world for months.

Two days later, the LeClaires learned Ilene would need another surgery. The surgeon wasn’t able to get negative margins — a certain amount of cancer-free tissue surrounding the tumor — to ensure the cancer was completely gone.

Read more the new breast cancer tool.

Blazers Notebook: Robinson a surprise starter

PORTLAND — There was much speculation about who would replace injured Portland Trail Blazers center Robin Lopez in the starting lineup. Head coach Terry Stotts refused to reveal his selection prior to Wednesday’s game against the Bucks.

Blazers players were mum and seemingly on alert to not divulge what the coach decided. Minutes before tip-off, the screens inside the Moda Center which had Joel Freeland listed as the starter changed to reveal Thomas Robinson as the starter.

Wednesday was Robinson’s first start in his three-year career.

Robinson was asked Tuesday about whether he saw an opportunity to play more with Lopez out.

Catch up with the Blazer’s season.

Holiday lights bright on Clark County homes

The nights are bright with festive cheer now that Clark County residents have flipped on their holiday lights.

From elaborate displays featuring Christmas characters to bulbs that seem to dance along with music, local homes are as dazzling as ever this season.

The following residents invite you to drive or walk by their homes to spread the holiday cheer.

Find holiday lights displays.