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In case you missed them, here are some of the top stories of the weekend:
Drive east in search of outdoor adventure this year, and you’ll find your options limited. You may have trouble parking your car before you go exploring your parks.
“The Eagle Creek Fire of 2017 damaged most of the Oregon trails in the Columbia River Gorge,” says a statement from Washington State Parks. Nearly all parks and trailheads on the Oregon side between Troutdale and Wyeth State Park are closed to visitors, at least through this summer.
For good and for ill, Oregon’s loss is Washington’s gain. For some reason — maybe lots of waterfalls, maybe Multnomah Lodge, maybe groovy towns such as Hood River — the Oregon side has always been more popular with hungry adventurers than our side. “We have more rolling hills and carpeted meadows of wildflowers, but our hikes are less hardcore,” said Washington State Parks spokeswoman Meryl Lipman.
It’s going to be a tough year” in the Gorge, Lipman said. “We don’t want to discourage the public from visiting, but we do want people to stay safe and have an enjoyable experience. We hope people will be patient.”
Here’s our patient, practical guide to the Washington side this year, with a special eye toward the hidden gems that most visitors overlook as they crowd the famous sites. “We want people to get to know the hidden Gorge,” Lipman said. “Visit the alternative trails that nobody knows about. You may have them to yourself.”
Read the full story: Hike the Washington side of the Columbia River Gorge
Shannon Sathre was supposed to have the day off, but a staff shortage and the prospect of time-and-a-half pay lured her from her couch into the intensive care unit at PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center.
Hours into that Dec. 20 overtime shift, one of Sathre’s patients lashed out, kicking the 49-year-old registered nurse multiple times in the chest, according to a Vancouver Police Department report. As other staff rushed into Room 5108 to help, the patient allegedly began swinging her arms and spitting at anyone who tried to restrain her.
After the adrenaline wore off, Sathre realized how much pain she was in. Her chest was sore, the left side of her neck was tight and she developed a severe headache, according to the police report. Still, 45 minutes after the incident, Sathre returned to the room to continue caring for the 47-year-old woman who allegedly attacked her, according to the report.
Workplace violence isn’t unique to PeaceHealth Southwest; Legacy Salmon Creek Medical Center recorded 91 incidents last year. And, at both hospitals, those only account for the incidents reported by staff. Hospital officials suspect the number of actual incidents of violence is greater.
Read the full story: Health care workers’ safety increasingly at risk
A 2015 city ordinance allows camping on sidewalks, but only between the hours of 9:30 p.m. and 6:30 a.m.
City staff and police go out several times a month and tag tents in violation of the code. If the tents are still there the next day, police ask those campers to leave. If the site is abandoned, city staff pack up the belongings and take them to storage for future retrieval.
Campers who refuse to leave are issued a citation.
Chavers said at the overpasses near the waterfront, most people move without issue.
“It consumes a lot of my time,” he said. “And I’ve worked with many of the homeless folks to get their property back.”
There was some discussion among city staff as to how Vancouver should handle campers moving forward. Maybe different rules are needed. But Chad Eiken, Vancouver’s community and economic development director, said the city ultimately plans to stick to just enforcing the existing ordinance. It’s possible the ordinance will change at some point.
Read the full story: Vancouver homeless campers stretch resources
Officer wins award for her volunteer work
Last week,Vancouver police officer Julie Ballou learned that the National Association of Police Athletic/Activities League, Inc., chose her as its April Law Enforcement Officer of the Month.
“Every day Officer Ballou goes above and beyond, with a contagious passion for helping her community,” the national league said in a news release.
She flew to Miami, where the organization is having its annual conference this week, to be honored for her volunteer work as part of the local Police Activities League.
When she joined the league, often shortened to PAL, about 10 year ago, its then-mostly civilian board was trying to bring in officers to participate in decision-making.
“When I got started, it was really in its infant stages,” Ballou said.
Read the full story: Officer wins award for her volunteer work
