Morning Press: Small cities; POW/MIA; In-law suites; Give More 24!

What’s on tap for this week’s weather? Check our local weather coverage.

In case you missed them, here are some of the top stories of the weekend:

Small cities on a charm offensive

Ridgefield residents were asked what they think the city is most known and loved for in a 2015 survey. After the results came in, city officials created a word cloud using the answers, and right in the middle of the cloud, in the largest font, is one word: “small.”

The next question on the survey asked residents what they hope Ridgefield will be most well-known and loved for in 10 years, and, again, the word “small” appears large and toward the center of the cloud. This time, it’s placed diagonally from another word displayed equally large: “charm.”

In both questions, the top response from residents was “small-town charm.”

“Small-town charm may sounds cliche, but it’s who we are,” Ridgefield City Manager Steve Stuart said. “It’s what our residents love about this place.”

But how does a city keep that small-town charm while growing?

It’s a big question for Ridgefield, which is facing a projected 266 percent population increase by 2035. And it’s far from alone. Projections anticipate the population of Clark County’s other small cities to surge — by 49 percent in Camas and Washougal, 99 percent in Battle Ground and 146 percent in La Center.

Read the full story: Small cities on a charm offensive

POW/MIA Recognition Day poignant remembrance

More than 50 people tucked under tents Saturday morning to honor those who were prisoners of war or missing in action. Rain fell from the gray sky throughout the hourlong event, but those in attendance didn’t seem bothered by the wet weather.

“Our feet may be wet, our hair flat,” said Anne McEnerny-Ogle, Vancouver mayor pro-tem, “but when you think about why we’re here today, this is nothing.”

“Today, we honor all prisoners of war,” she said. “Today, we unite, and we vow we will never forget the missing.”

McEnerny-Ogle was one of several speakers at the local observance of National POW/MIA Recognition Day, hosted by the Community Military Appreciation Committee.

This year’s event was particularly poignant; just last month, a Clark County family received the remains of a loved one who was missing in action.

Read the full story: POW/MIA Recognition Day a poignant remembrance

Sweet on in-law suites

Someone could mistake the small house off Daniels Street for a garage. And, actually, an old carport was torn down to make way for the 506-square-foot home.

It’s technically an accessory dwelling unit, or ADU. The detached home is being built next to the main house on the property, a 2,047-square-foot home originally built in 1916.

ADUs go by dozens of synonyms, such as granny flat, in-law suite, backyard cottage or, in this case, detached accessory dwelling unit. Sean Steinebach is close to finishing the ADU in Vancouver’s Carter Park neighborhood — the first one he’s ever built.

“It’s very similar to building an addition or a regular house. It’s a stick-built house, it’s just a little smaller,” said Steinebach, who’s been doing construction for more than 30 years. He runs HDC Renovations, primarily focusing on remodeling and additions. “One of the reasons I took this on is I wanted it to be in my portfolio, so people know I can do this.”

While ADUs may not be tough projects, they’re rarely built in Vancouver. Since 2000, the city’s permit office has issued 53 permits for ADUs. In two cases, the building permits expired. Compare that to the more than 300 building permits for single-family residences issued so far this year.

Read the full story: Sweet on in-law suites

It’s that time again: Give More 24!

Clark County’s annual midnight-to-midnight giving spree, Give More 24!, aims to raise $1 million for local charities on Thursday.

Last year, 2,362 unique donors gave 3,639 gifts that raised more than $695,000 for local causes during the 24-hour period; it fell short of the $750,000 target set by the Community Foundation for Southwest Washington, the host and marketing power behind the giving holiday.

Thursday, people will be donating money online at giving stations around the county, or anywhere they can access the internet. The minimum donation is $10. Donations will be tallied in real time on Give More 24!’s website. People can search for agencies by name, cause or county (most are Clark County-based, but there are also Cowlitz and Multnomah county, Ore., organizations). The website — www.give-more-24.org — and social media are a big part of Give More 24! Likewise, online presence has become a big part of nonprofits efforts to reach potential new donors, particularly young adults.

There are more than a dozen $1,000 prizes, nearly $145,000 in matching gifts and a $72,000 “stretch pool” that local nonprofits will be trying to earn.

This year, the main hub of Give More 24! will be set up from 1 to 7 p.m. at Vancouver Mall, at 8700 N.E. Vancouver Mall Drive. The event features crafts and games for children, as well as entertainment from Hello Vancouver! at 4 p.m. Adults can also get beer and cider tastings. For more information, contact Chrissy Trammel at 360-694-2550 orchrissy@cfsww.org.

Read the full story on Give More 24!