Hazel Dell
What's Up with That? Vandalized St. Johns interchange headed for cleanup
Last summer, there was a Columbian story about the reconnected Burnt Bridge Creek trail. It said those weird "welded wire walls" near the St. Johns overpass would discourage vandalism. Well, last time I went by there, graffiti was all over the place. To my eye, what was theoretically difficult to vandalise now looks extremely difficult to clean up.
Sacajawea students twist classic tales
Northeast Hazel Dell — Students in Sacajawea Elementary's after-school theater program put a unique and humorous twist on classic stories in "Fractured Fairytales." A six-week program preceded the March 20-21 performances. Some 35 fourth- and fifth-grade students acted out quirky stories featuring original commercials for fictional products from the same unique world: Rapunzel's One Touch Shampoo and Goldilocks' Porridge Cooling System. Popular show tunes were included in the play, which was adapted and directed by teachers Nikki Andres-Bye, Torri Phelan and Tammi Hoffman.
Mr. and Miss Columbia River High crowned
West Hazel Dell — Columbia River High School students gathered more than $105,000 for the Doernbecher Children's Hospital during the school's annual fundraising pageant. The Mr. and Miss Columbia River High School competition saw 15 couples work together as teams to raise money throughout the year to support the hospital's "Kids Helping Kids" program. The winners this year were Oscar Golberg and Giselle Kiraly. They were crowned Mr. and Miss Columbia River High School at the March 16 pageant for raising nearly $16,000. The mock beauty pageant, which featured contestants donning silly outfits, was coordinated this year by senior Emily Scott with help from Katherine Kofoed, Amanda Marchak, Chloe Anson and Morgan Bergerud. "It was fabulous," said Associate Principal Donna Jeffries. "The kids did such an amazing event."
Diorama recalls golden days at the drive-in
Northeast Hazel Dell -- For the past several months, Larry Wakeman, who lives at Prestige Assisted Living, and his friend Trudie Pears have been creating a 5 feet by 5 feet diorama of an old time drive-in movie theatre. They dedicated their "Let's Cruise at the Drive-in Movies" diorama to a local car club. The diorama is on display at 7514 N.E. 13th Ave. or view, http://www.prestigecare.com/slideshows/hddrivein/index.html.
Cheer for Disney-bound cheerleaders
Northeast Hazel Dell -- The Senior Teal Team at All-Star Fusion, a cheerleading training facility at 1417 N.E. 76th St., has been winning competitions all over the area lately. The team reached a major milestone in February when it clinched a first-place win at the Spirit Cheer Nationals, Best of the West competition, and was invited to compete at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Fla., in early May. They'll be participating in "The Summit," a new all-levels competition that will involve facing off on live Varsity TV. The All-Star Fusion parents' Booster Club is now beating the bushes for money to send them there. Visit www.allstar-fusion.com to learn more.
Emergency training classes offered
Clark County Fire District 6 is offering Community Emergency Response Team training at its station on Northeast Hazel Dell Avenue during the evening in April and May.
Teen pleads not guilty in Orchards drive-by shooting
He allegedly fired shots at teen who failed to procure pot
Kevin T. Barsotti, 18, pleaded not guilty today to shooting at another teenage boy Jan. 26 after the boy failed to score marijuana for their group of friends.
State panel to hold veterans' town hall
A governor's advisory group has scheduled a veterans' town hall in Vancouver on Thursday, March 14.
Hazel Dell church lobbies Olympia on behalf of hungry children
Hazel Dell -- True to its progressive form, the First Congregational United Church of Christ led the way to Olympia on Feb. 21 to lobby against cuts in nutrition programs for hungry children in Washington. Many of the 21 members of the church who spoke to legislators were fasting for the day; so was Rep. Jim Moeller, D-Vancouver, who received a visit from the group. All this was kicked off by a carbo-loading mac-n-cheese dinner at St. Andrew Lutheran Church on Feb. 19. Nearly 100 people turned out for the dinner, according to the Rev. Brooks Berndt of the First Congregational Church. "It was truly an evening of full tummies, new friends and miles of smiles," Berndt wrote in his most recent church newsletter.
Parade of Bands registration opens
The 49th annual Hazel Dell Parade of Bands will encourage all kinds of superheroes to participate on May 18. In addition to announcing the theme, the sponsoring Hazel Dell/Salmon Creek Business Association has also named retired Vancouver School District educator Jim Sork as this year's grand marshal.
Hazel Dell apartment blaze displaces woman, two children
A woman and two children were displaced Monday evening when a fire started in a bedroom of their apartment on Northeast Hazel Dell Avenue.
Food bank finishes first cooking course
Andresen/St. Johns — Students in Clark County Food Bank's inaugural Cooking Matters class graduated Feb. 20, six weeks after they first started learning about healthy cooking. During the classes, participants gained not only kitchen skills, but knowledge about nutrition and food safety. A goal was to instill healthy habits in the students, according to the food bank.
Man accused of being driver in drive-by shooting
Target, shooter were allegedly among friends hanging out
A Vancouver man, 21, appeared Monday in Clark County Superior Court for allegedly being an accomplice in a drive-by shooting on Jan. 26 in Hazel Dell.
'He's definitely Joseph; he's all in there'
Joseph Reilly of Vancouver shows signs of progress after being severely injured by a drunken driver Nov. 27
Joseph Reilly recently gave his mother a confused look at she sat by his bed in a Portland rehab facility.
Hazel Dell teen accused in drive-by shooting
He allegedly fired at teen who failed to find them some pot
A Hazel Dell man, 19, is accused of shooting at the feet of another teen during a Jan. 26 marijuana run.
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