Local News

Kimsey, Stuart propose reorganized Clark County government

Snohomish County model would work best, officials say

Two Clark County officials behind a "Team ClarkForward" movement revealed their plan today, suggesting a reorganized county government based closely on Snohomish County.

Southbound I-5 closed at Rose Quarter exit

Southbound Interstate 5 is closed at the Rose Quarter exit after a counterweight fell off of a truck.

Clark College's commencement speaker replaced

Caroline Heldman will replace Byron Pitts

Byron Pitts, ABC News anchor and chief national correspondent, cancelled his keynote address at Clark College Commencement. Pitts has been called to an emergency assignment and is unable to attend the Thursday ceremony.

Chkalov flight's 76th anniversary to be observed

National Park Service Ranger Luda Leksunkin will offer a bilingual lecture Saturday to celebrate the 76th anniversary of the record-setting Chkalov flight.

Trust seeks volunteers for July 4 festivities

The Fort Vancouver National Trust is seeking 300 volunteers to help out during Vancouver's July 4 celebration.

Yard sales unite neighborhoods

From Rose Village to La Center, events have gained popularity in Clark County

Rose Village's first neighborhood yard sale on June 8 gave people a chance to clear out unneeded items, raise money for good causes and share some neighborly pride.

Vital Statistics

Births, marriage dissolutions, marriage licenses, court sentencings

Golf invitational answers call to halt sex trafficking

Camas Meadows -- This year's annual invitational golf tournament held by the local Brigham Young University Alumni Association was a fundraiser for Called to Rescue, a Vancouver-based nonprofit organization that rescues children from sex trafficking, violence and abuse. The event was held May 30 at Camas Meadows Golf Club and there were approximately 100 golfers, netting about $6,000 for Called to Rescue. Participants and planners included folks from Crossroads Church, King's Church, Clark County Sheriff's Office, Vancouver Police Department, Evergreen Public Schools, Seventh Day Adventist Church, Holy Redeemer Catholic Church and many individuals who just wanted to help. A speech was given by Called to Rescue founder Dr. Cyndi Romine.

Students 'Imagine Tomorrow' with energy tracker

Camas — A team of Union High School students impressed judges in the Imagine Tomorrow problem-solving competition held May 17-19, winning first place for designing a device that can control and track energy use at home. The annual Washington State University competition asks high school students to design technology plans based around renewable energy. The Union High School team, with guidance from adviser Adam Schmierer, won first place in the technology challenge, one of four categories in the competition. Each member won $1,000, while $5,000 was given to their school. Other winning Clark County schools include: Hudson's Bay High School, second place in "Technology"; Camas High School, third place in "Behavior" and fourth place in "Biofuels"; Vancouver iTech Preparatory, "Best Project from a Newly Competing School."

Spudders end year with silly 'Olympics'

Ridgefield — Ridgefield High School's "Spudder Olympics" on May 31 added some silliness to the standard end-of-the-school-year festivities. The graduating class of 2013 and others celebrated the beginning of summer with wacky events that included Human Bowling and Competitive Food Eating. More than 150 students and a handful of teachers took part in the yearly event, which culminated in a championship tug of war competition. "The leadership class always impresses me with their ability to organize complex events like the Spudder Olympics," said leadership teacher Kim Allais in a press release.

Teen's art garners Best in Show

Battle Ground -- A 17-year-old home-schooled student won Best in Show at the annual Battle Ground Art Alliance show for her piece titled "Sprung has Spring." Nearly 600 students from across Clark County entered the exhibition, which promotes the Southwest Washington art scene while raising money for the nonprofit alliance. Ruby Newton's winning entry used a splash of watercolor paint to add color to a pencil drawing of a woman's face. Newton is also planning to start a student-led art group for high-schooled students. She's been perfecting her art since she was 11, said Newton's mother Traci. "I took the television away and she had to find something to do."

Salmon Creek church grows garden to feed nearby residents

Salmon Creek -- The Salmon Creek United Methodist Church started a community garden in 2012, after the pastor chatted with the manager of a nearby manufactured home park and heard the residents don't have access to fresh, affordable produce. So the church built 12 raised beds; this year they doubled that. Tomatoes, squash, lemon cucumbers, green beans, cilantro and peppers are among the garden's main crops, which the church group would distribute in the residents every Saturday morning. "It took a few weeks before the residents trusted that we would be back the next week," said organizer Carol Peterson. "We also took boxes of used books which adults and children appreciated. Some of the women would share recipes." This year the church will team up with the new Chuck's Produce store in the area to add other foods to its fresh-from-the-soil offerings.

Legacy nurses raise money with flower badges

Salmon Creek -- Two local nurses transformed discarded medicine vial caps into flower-shaped badge holders which they sold to raise hundreds of dollars for charity. Legacy Salmon Creek Medical Center emergency room nurse Maureen Palensky and critical care nurse Kelly Brady recently teamed up to design and sell special identification badge holders, which have become a hit at their hospital. The team has already raised more than $650 by selling the decorations at $3 each. The colorful creations are now for sale at the center's gift shop, with all proceeds going to the Legacy Salmon Creek Child Abuse Assessment Team.

Vancouver Police get cozy on two wheels

Hudson's Bay -- Vancouver Police officers recently trained with mountain bicycles to prepare for two-wheel patrols this summer. Officers took two Saturday classes in early June where they studied bicycle maintenance, repairs and road rules. They also practiced special drills and off-road riding. The city's bike patrol officers will have a presence at various community events this summer.

Rose Village cleans up K Street

Rose Village -- More than 40 volunteers turned up June 1 to trim overgrown vegetation and clean the west side of K Street between 33rd and 37th streets. Neighbors, area high school students and city of Vancouver employees all contributed to the effort, which was along a litter-attracting street adjacent to Interstate 5. Rose Village Neighborhood Association president Scott Carroll also extended thanks to the Central Park Burgerville, Julia's Bakery and the Safeway on Main Street for donating food to the "small army" of volunteers.