Morning Press: Crestline plea; Benton probe; Hammer conviction; Oil train data; Elk hoof rot; Pot store

Here are some the many noteworthy events that happened this week.

Teen pleads guilty to Crestline School fire

A 17-year-old Vancouver boy pleaded guilty Thursday to setting the fire that destroyed Crestline Elementary School in February 2013.

Dylan Mork appeared with his parents in Clark County Juvenile Court to plead guilty to second-degree arson, a felony. He will be sentenced July 7.

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Auditor’s Office investigates complaint over Benton, county

The Washington State Auditor’s Office has opened an investigation into Clark County and state Sen. Don Benton, who serves as the county’s director of environmental services.

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Railroads release new oil train data

Data released Tuesday show that 18 loaded BNSF oil trains can roll through Clark County in a single week — a figure shedding new light on a subject that railroads and regulators have been reluctant to discuss publicly.

BNSF Railway and Portland and Western Railroad were among the carriers that submitted reports to the Washington Military Department in response to a federal order. BNSF provided county-by-county train counts during a seven-day period, which tallied 18 crude oil trains in Clark County from May 29 through June 4.

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State expects to euthanize crippled elk

Elk in Southwest Washington showing severe symptoms of crippling hoof disease likely will be euthanized, the state Department of Fish and Wildlife says.

“At this point, we don’t know whether we can contain this disease,” said Nate Pamplin, wildlife program director for the agency in Olympia. “But we do know that assessing its impacts and putting severely crippled animals out of their misery is the right thing to do.”

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Marijuana moves into Uptown Village

When Bonnie Brasure heard a week ago that one of Vancouver’s first marijuana shops would soon be opening across the street from her bakery, she was shocked.

“My jaw fell to the ground,” she said.

Brasure has owned Bleu Door Bakery on Main Street for just over two years and has watched the area of Uptown Village evolve during that time. She doesn’t think Main Street Marijuana, which is tentatively set to open July 8 with Mayor Tim Leavitt in attendance, fits with the charm of Uptown Village.

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