Ridgefield
Head-on collision clogs I-5
A driver was arrested on suspicion of DUI Tuesday afternoon after her small SUV crashed head-on into a semi-truck on the Interstate 5 off-ramp to the Ridgefield Fairgrounds.
Overtime puts squeeze on local cities' budgets
Firefighters, police officers earn lion's share of extra hours
A rash of late-summer wildfires and other unforeseen events made 2012 a lucrative year for a handful of public employees. Records show the top three overtime earners in Clark County's largest cities made nearly $350,000 combined in overtime.
Landslide closes part of N.W. 179th Street
Clark County has closed a 650-foot section of Northwest 179th Street due to a landslide threatening to undermine the north side of the roadway.
Landslide closes section of NW 179th Street
Clark County has closed a 650-foot section of Northwest 179th Street due to a landslide threatening to undermine the north side of the roadway.
Teen rolls car in Ridgefield
A Ridgefield High School student rolled her Honda Civic off the road in Ridgefield Tuesday morning.
Ridgefield schools broaden learning with mini-grants
Ridgefield — More than $4,300 in mini-grants distributed this fall through the Ridgefield Public Schools Foundation helped teachers provide students with more avenues to learning. The 10 awards ranged from $80 to $500 and were used to purchase teaching tools including a flight simulator for the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) program at View Ridge Middle School and a new ceramics kiln controller for Ridgefield High School. Another round of grants will be awarded to teachers in early spring. Since the nonprofit foundation started its mini-grant program three years ago, nearly $20,000 has been distributed to classrooms across the district. "Students haven't had the opportunity to work with clay in years," said Ridgefield High art teacher Rebecca Carlisle in a press release. "The controller will give students experience creating more types of three-dimensional art."
Battle Ground schools keeping costs down
Ridgefield — An aggressive waste management program in Battle Ground Public Schools impressed analysts for its contribution to keeping costs down in the district. Waste reduction efforts in Battle Ground schools include having kids learn to properly dispose of recyclables in the cafeteria and the district's decision to take much of its own solid waste to a local transfer station instead of paying for a commercial hauling service. Starting in August 2011, consulting firm Expense Reduction Analysts began a two-year study of district operations in 12 nonlabor budget categories to find ways to cut costs. As the study nears an end, Battle Ground schools spokesman Gregg Herrington said analysts found the district could save $57,000 across the categories it examined, including waste management, telephone services and maintenance. The 12 categories totaled about $5.2 million in district spending budgeted for the 2011-12 school year. The firm reported to the district this month it usually finds clients could cut spending by about 20 percent, but in Battle Ground schools it only found about 1 percent to trim so far. Expense Reduction Analysts doesn't charge an upfront fee for its services, but instead contracts with clients to receive 50 percent of the cost savings it recommends, which in Battle Ground will likely be around $28,500. "I was surprised and shocked at how little we found," said Expense Reduction Analysts Director Mike McAlexander in a press release.
Crews work to fix landslide damage near Ridgefield
When a landslide ripped away part of the foundation below a section of state Highway 501 outside Ridgefield late last month, repair crews went to a familiar game plan.
School Safety: Ridgefield School District hires armed guards
Pact with private security firm runs through this school year
With mass shootings fresh in the public consciousness following December's tandem attacks at The Clackamas Town Center near Portland and Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., a Clark County school district is taking measures to make sure something similar doesn't happen there.
Work crews begin Highway 501 repairs in Ridgefield
Construction crews on Thursday began repairing a section of state Highway 501 near Ridgefield damaged by a landslide in late December.
Students learn life skills at Tony's Fine Foods
Ridgefield -- Special education students have been getting important job experience from Ridgefield School District's Life Skills program. Ridgefield students started working at Tony's Fine Foods warehouse in September, spending four hours a week lending a hand at the food distribution company, which also earns them high school credit. The program pairs with other local businesses and agencies, including Loaves and Fishes, Neighbors Helping Neighbors and Ridgefield Physical Therapy. At Tony's Fine Foods, the students learned to review inventory and properly label boxes. They also swept and cleaned up messes. "This program helps us learn the different things we need to know how to do when we're older," said junior Joshuah Weygandt in a press release. Teens can take part in Life Skills until they are 18. When participants turn 21, the Washington State Division of Vocational Rehabilitation steps in with job coaching. "I see the capabilities these students have and want to help them rise to their potential," said Donna Turk, an employment specialist for the school district.
Comedian has passion for the punch line
Vancouver man overcomes fear of public speaking to excel at stand-up
Todd Armstrong's heart pounded in his chest and his hands shook the first time he tried to speak in front of a small crowd.
Landslide forces lane closure on Highway 501 near Ridgefield
A damaging landslide has prompted the closure of one lane on state Highway 501/Pioneer Street near Ridgefield, according to the Washington State Department of Transportation.
Southbound I-5 traffic back to normal following car fire
Traffic is back to normal after an earlier car fire on Interstate 5 southbound near NE 179th Street.
Speed limit reduced on state Highway 501
A loosened guardrail has prompted the Washington State Department of Transportation to reduce the speed limit on a section of state Highway 501 outside Ridgefield. The change took effect Friday.
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