If you take a look around the room, you’ll notice that you already see in 3D. Yet, something changes once you start to watch a movie or view an image that causes everything you see there to take on a two-dimensional appearance. New technology has transformed how you can enjoy a movie today by offering the ability to wear special glasses that create a 3D experience. Naturally, being able to put on a pair of glasses and see things differently sparks curiosity. Whether you’re wondering how 3D glasses work or are preparing to teach a science or technology class, it’s fun to delve into the details of what makes this magical experience happen.

Start By Understanding How Normal Vision Works

The first thing you’ll want to know is that the human head already functions like a 3D viewer. Although it’s a part of your face that barely gets much thought, the space between your eyes plays an important role in how you see the world. This gap helps you to see items that are in the distance while also being able to judge the general location, depth and shape of the things that you see in your field of view. The reason why you only see things from a 2D perspective in a movie or picture is because the image is taken from only a single camera rather than how things would be perceived through two eyes.

Get a Basic Overview of How 3D Images Work

To make a 3D photo or image, the creator uses multiple angles that are eventually superimposed on each other. Since your eyes currently operate as a 3D viewer, this causes the 3D images to appear blurry and unfocused when you view them without the special glasses. Adding the right type of 3D glasses gives the images depth and distance so that your eyes can process them properly again.

Interestingly, the history of 3D cinematography involved creators considering adding special views to the floor of theaters to allow people to view the movies from there. Unfortunately, the installation process was too expensive for the average theater to feasibly include in their budgets. The good news is that the ability to create individual glasses for people to wear helped to make 3D movies affordable for theaters to show and more enjoyable for the typical moviegoer.

Know the Difference Between Polarized and Anaglyph Glasses

You might have noticed that various theaters and other entertainment sources sometimes have different 3D glasses that they hand out. Exploring how the two most common types of 3D glasses work gives you more insight into why you may want to pick out a specific pair.

Anaglyph glasses are the typical cardboard glasses that you’ve seen in theaters that have one red lens and one cyan, or blue, lens. The simplest way to understand how these glasses work is that the red lens serves as a filter that takes out the redness in an image while the cyan lens does the same for blue. When this happens, the image takes on greater shape and depth that is capable of being processed by your eyes. Despite the lenses in these glasses filtering out the colors, you’ll notice that your eyes make up the difference in colors to allow you to see all of the hues in the images.

Polarized glasses look similar to sunglasses, but they have a slight tint on the lenses. At first glance, it may be difficult to tell how these could ever function as 3D viewers. But, it makes a lot of sense once you understand the technology behind them. To work, polarized 3D glasses only allow light waves to pass either vertically or horizontally through them. These types of 3D movies are made using two different images that are meant for each eye, and the polarization ensures that your eyes only see the specific image they are meant to. This has the effect of creating an illusion of depth.

Now that you understand how 3D glasses work, you’ll be able to take a moment to appreciate the effects when you watch a movie or view an image. In fact, it’s fun to pick up both types and conduct a brief experiment to see how each one works as you view different types of images and movies. Now that you understand how your vision changes in response to lenses that reflect colors and light in unique ways, you’ll be ready to tell everyone you know about how amazing this type of technology is for enhancing your favorite movies.

By: Katherine Robinson, a writer for American Paper Optics

Over the winter months, you might have noticed parts of your property starting to degrade. Or, you might have big dreams for your backyard that you can’t wait to start working on. When you love DIY projects, it’s hard to wait for the winter to end. But, the recent warm weather serves as a reminder that sunny days are just around the corner. While you might still have a few weeks to wait before you can dig into your project, you can take steps now to prepare for your upcoming springtime renovations.

Start With An Overview of Your Project

Now is a great time to start creating strategies for your spring projects. Whether you’re planning a small update such as hanging string lights or a major landscaping overhaul, getting a plan in place helps you know what arrangements you’ll need to make in a few weeks. This is also a good time to brush up on any skill sets that the project requires. Reviewing how to sand wood or install a water feature gives you a head start on your seasonal updates. Since you’re starting out early, consider putting the plan into writing. You can also draw a general outline of what you plan to accomplish. Bringing your outline with you when you shop for supplies helps you get everything on your list.

Recruit Assistance With Heavy Lifting

If you’re planning a large-scale project, then you might need assistance as you work. For instance, building a shed could involve lifting heavy panels or boxes. Take a moment to review your plans and identify any areas where you might need help. Then, reach out to your family, friends and others who might be able to assist you with doing the work safely. As you work through this process, you might also need to connect with special service providers such as electricians.

Prep Your Truck For Hauling Materials and Tools

Owning a truck makes these kinds of projects easier, and you’ll be able to leave rental vehicles out of your budget. Yet, you’ll also want to consider how your project can impact your truck’s value. If you plan on hauling branches, heavy materials and other supplies for your project, then now is a good time to make sure the bed is up to the task. Choosing a truck bed liner requires thinking about your preferences for the final results, and you’ll be glad you put in the effort to update your vehicle when it’s time to throw heavy tools in the back.

Determine Your Preferred Disposal Method

If you have a solid truck bed liner in place, then you might be able to haul away trash and debris on your own to save on disposal costs. But, you might also prefer to contact your local trash services company to find out if they pick up large objects on specific days for free or if there are any community clean-up days hosted by your HOA that offer this service. If not, then you can also explore dumpster rentals for bigger projects such as tree removals that you know will generate large amounts of debris.

Establish Safety Protocols at the Project Site

After you have the main plan in place, you’ll be ready to finish up by focusing on a few of the easier details. For instance, you might want to pick up some caution tape, cones or other safety warning signs that let people know to stay away from the area while you work. This is especially important if you share the yard with children who might be curious about what is happening during the project. If your plans involve pouring concrete, then erecting barriers can also ensure that no one accidentally walks across the new surface until it is fully dried.

Taking some time now to plan for your spring projects helps you to break through the winter doldrums with thoughts of sunny weather in the future. You’ll also enjoy knowing that you have time to tackle smaller projects that are better to do before you begin the bigger ones. From maintaining your tools to updating your work truck, you’ll be ready to get to work on the first spring day with perfect weather for working outside.

By: Katherine Robinson, a writer for Brumleve Industries

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-03) and Rep. Neal Dunn (FL-02) introduced the bipartisan REPAIR Act. The legislation will ensure vehicle owners have access to important repair and diagnostic data needed for auto repairs.

Vehicle owners and small automotive repair shops must pay a fee to the vehicle manufacturer to access repair data generated by their car or truck, making it increasingly difficult and costly to fix one’s own vehicle or take it to a preferred local shop. The REPAIR Act would affirm that this data belongs to the vehicle’s owner, not the manufacturer, making high-quality repairs more proximate for rural Americans and less expensive, while empowering more Americans to undertake their own repairs.

“Americans are tired of lip service about lowering prices or respecting the trades. We want to be able to fix our own stuff and to be stewards of our stuff and not reliant on a stream of cheap disposable crap. But auto manufacturers have made it increasingly difficult to exercise real agency,” said Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez. “It’s time for Congress to listen to ordinary Americans and pass right to repair legislation.”

“American consumers deserve full control over their vehicle repair and maintenance data to ensure they can find the best service for their vehicle at a reasonable price. Unfortunately, vehicle manufacturers are standing in the way of American consumers accessing their own data to use the repair shop of their choosing, limiting consumer choice,” said Rep. Dunn. “For far too long, manufacturers have championed anti-competitive practices by withholding crucial maintenance information, squeezing their customers and independent repair shops. Your vehicle belongs to you, not the manufacturer. I am introducing the REPAIR Act to provide a binding, workable solution to anti-competitive behavior in the auto repair industry to reaffirm consumer control over their vehicle maintenance data and empower them to work with repair shops big and small.”

“Americans want a car repair market that guarantees choice and protects accessible, affordable, and safe vehicle repairs,” said Justin Rzepka, Executive Director of the CAR Coalition. “We commend Rep. Neal Dunn and Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez for their leadership in upholding consumer rights and promoting a free and fair car repair market. Today’s reintroduction of the Right to Equitable and Professional Auto Industry Repair (REPAIR) Act marks an important step forward in limiting unfair repair restrictions and empowering consumers to fix their vehicles on their own terms.”

“We sincerely thank Dr. Dunn for his leadership in tackling this existential threat to consumers and standing up for the rights of vehicle owners and vital businesses,” said Bill Hanvey, President and CEO of the Auto Care Association. “The REPAIR Act gained significant support and momentum in the previous Congress, demonstrating the broad, bipartisan recognition of the need to protect consumers’ right to repair their vehicles. Lawmakers, industry leaders, and everyday drivers understand that fair access to vehicle repair data is essential for competition, affordability, and consumer choice. With its reintroduction, we have an even greater opportunity to get this critical legislation across the finish line.”

“NFIB is excited to work with and support Rep. Dunn on this important legislation. The REPAIR Act is a much-needed piece of bipartisan legislation to increase competition in the automotive repair industry,” said Andrea McGee, Principal of Federal Government Relations at the National Federation of Independent Business. “Almost 90 percent of NFIB members support right to repair, making it one of NFIB’s top ten priorities. NFIB thanks Rep. Dunn for his tireless work on this issue that impacts so many small businesses across all industries.”

“MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers thanks Congressman Dunn for reintroducing the REPAIR Act. This bill is a critical step toward protecting consumer choice, competition, and innovation in the automotive aftermarket,”said Paul McCarthy, President of MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers. “Ensuring fair access in a cybersecure way to critical repair and maintenance data allows aftermarket manufacturers to continue innovating and providing high-quality, affordable parts to consumers. Without this access, competition is stifled, costs will rise, and consumer choice will be diminished. MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers strongly supports this legislation to protect a vibrant and competitive aftermarket that benefits drivers, repairers, and manufacturers alike.”

Full text of the bill is available here.

Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez previously helped introduce the legislation in the 118th Congress and it passed a House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee markup.

Washougal, Wash — Washougal School District early learning program applications are open now for the 2025-26 school year. Families of children aged four or younger as of September 1, 2025 are invited to apply to Transition to Kindergarten, Developmental Preschool, the Early Childhood Education Assistance Program (ECEAP), or Birth to Three programs in Washougal School District. These programs are free to families and provide high-quality learning experiences that will prepare early learners for a great start to kindergarten. The district is also surveying interest in restarting the tuition based Community Education preschool program.

Transition to Kindergarten (TK)

TK is a free kindergarten readiness program for four-year-old students. TK students attend five full days of learning per week beginning in late September. The TK curriculum is built around purposeful play, active learning, and low student to staff ratios.  Students benefit from art, music, library, PE, and more in a fun, hands-on learning environment. This early learning opportunity is in high demand and seats are filling quickly. Families are encouraged to apply now for the 2025-26 school year. 

Transportation is provided for students outside of the walking boundary of their local school. Students can also participate in the school meal program as well as recess and other school opportunities. Programs are located at each Washougal elementary school.  Interested families can fill out an interest survey on the district’s website https://www.washougal.k12.wa.us/transitional-kindergarten/

Developmental Preschool

Washougal’s Developmental Preschool is a free early learning program for students aged 3 and 4 with identified developmental delays. The program is for students who qualify for additional support in the areas of cognitive development, motor skills, social skills, behavior, speech, language, hearing, or vision needs. The program is tailored to the needs of each student, working with specialists and the students’ family to make decisions about ways to best serve the child. Transportation is provided for students in the developmental preschool. The Developmental Preschool program is located at Hathaway Elementary School.


The Developmental Preschool program supports students with a half day of learning, four days per week.  If you have concerns with your child’s development, reach out about a Child Find Screening appointment by calling 360-954-3831.

Birth to Three Program

Washougal School District partners with Educational Service District 112 to screen students aged three and younger to determine if they would benefit from additional support and services through the Birth to Three program. You can learn more about the program by visiting the ESD 112 webpage, which includes information about how to contact program staff and create a referral.

EOCF ECEAP (Early Childhood Education Assistance Program) at Hathaway

Early Opportunities for Children & Families and Early Childhood Education Assistance Program The EOCF ECEAP Preschool program at Hathaway invests in young learners by providing a free comprehensive school day preschool model to eligible families serving three- and four-year-old students. The program operates from September to mid-June. Visit the EOCF page or call 360-567-2720 to learn more about these programs and how your child and family may qualify based on current enrollment factors.

Tuition-Based Community Education Preschool for 3 & 4 year olds

Washougal School District is surveying families of three and four year olds to determine if there is enough interest to restart the Community Education Preschool program.  The Community Ed Preschool program is a tuition-based program which would serve students in a half day program four days per week, with a low student to instructor ratio, with an estimated monthly cost of about $600 per student.  If you have a three or four year old, and would be interested in this program which would start in September, let us know using our interest survey.

Washougal

Washougal, WA — The Two Rivers Heritage Museum (TRHM) will welcome back visitors Saturday, March 1 after its annual winter maintenance closure.  Open each Saturday through October from noon to 4 pm, the museum is located at 1 Durgan Street in downtown Washougal, across from the Pendleton Woolen Mill. TRHM is operated by Camas-Washougal Historical Society (CWHS) volunteers and features a wealth of photos, artifacts and information about the people, places, and businesses prominent in the early years of Camas and Washougal. 

Thanks to the efforts of volunteers during the winter closure, guests will enjoy improved displays that bring local history to life in new and interesting ways. Recently, museum leadership prepared for reopening with a volunteer training session and a clean-up day to make sure the space shines.

“We are excited to welcome visitors back and to share the updates we have made,” said Dick Lindstrom, CWHS President.  “Our volunteers have put in many hours during our closure to make sure our exhibits are informative, engaging, and reflect the incredible heritage of our community. There is also a lot of volunteer effort all year long behind the scenes to manage artifact donations, update our archive database and to work on building maintenance.”

Popular displays include artifacts and information on Native American baskets and stone tools, early physicians, the fishing, lumber and farming industries, a 30s style kitchen, woodworking tools, early mining, military uniforms and wartime artifacts, teddy bears, items from historic Fern Lodge, traveling loom, household items, toys and more.

One of the newest exhibits, “Pieces of History: An Artifacts Timeline,” was dedicated in May 2024.  

“It is filled with stories and images recounting monumental moments and everyday events of our history and is inspired by items from the museum’s collection,” said Karen Johnson, TRHM Display Committee Chair. “It has quickly become a favorite among visitors.”   

“There is just so much to see and learn here,” said Lindstrom. “Our space is bigger than most people think it is.  We have around 6,000 square feet of displays! We joke that we are the ‘best kept secret’ in the area. We get more visitors from out of town than from our own community.  We hope more locals will come in.  We are sure they will see items that stir up some memories.”

The museum gift shop offers a selection of postcards that feature historic photos of Camas and Washougal and images of artifacts in the museum, beautiful rugs woven onsite with Pendleton wool fabric trimmings, a variety of surplus antiques as well as many books about local history by local authors.

The Two Rivers Heritage Museum admission is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors, $2 for students and free for children under 5 and all CWHS members. Group tours for eight or more are available any day of the week (by appointment only).  Leave a message at 360-835-8742 for scheduling.

CWHS is always looking for volunteers and new members to join and help support the preservation of local history. More information about the CWHS and the Two Rivers Heritage Museum can be found on their website at www.2rhm.com.

The Two Rivers Heritage Museum, 1 Durgan Street, Washougal, opens its doors for visitors on Saturdays through October starting March 1, from noon to 4 pm. Admission costs are $5 for adults, $4 for seniors, $2 for students and free for children under 5 and all Camas-Washougal Historical Society members.

About Two Rivers Heritage Museum:

The Two Rivers Heritage Museum is dedicated to preserving and sharing the rich cultural and historical heritage of the Camas-Washougal area. Through exhibits, artifacts, and educational programs, the museum provides a glimpse into the past, celebrating the people and events that shaped the area.

Two Rivers

SKAMANIA COUNTY, WA – On Thursday, Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-03) and Skamania County leaders held a press conference at the Mt. Pleasant School to urge Congress to reauthorize the Secure Rural Schools (SRS) program to ensure rural communities can continue to access vital funds for infrastructure and schools.

During the press conference, the leaders laid out the dire impacts to schools, public safety, and infrastructure that will occur if the program is not soon extended, and Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez discussed her efforts in Congress to fight for reauthorization.

Video of their remarks can be found here.

Earlier this month, Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez joined a bipartisan effort to reintroduce the Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization Act to extend the program and enable retroactive payments. In January, Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez urged House Leadership to immediately prioritize an SRS extension, following a September letter urging reauthorization before the end of 2023. 

The SRS program is a historically bipartisan lifeline for rural communities who rely on timber revenue that has been limited by federal action and are highly impacted by tax-exempt federal lands. According to the Forest Service, reauthorization needed to have been completed by the end of January in order for the program to stay on schedule without delays to payments.

Since its enactment, SRS has provided $7 billion in payments to more than 700 counties and 4,400 school districts across 40 states. In 2023, Cowlitz, Lewis, and Skamania Counties received significant amounts of funding through SRS. In Skamania County, only 1.8 percent of land can generate revenue for public services, and SRS funding accounts for 5.1 percent of the county’s budget.

More details about the local impacts of not reauthorizing SRS can be found here.

“Our kids had access to all sorts of programs, all [the] resources that they needed, and that has dwindled and dwindled. … We’re trying to hang onto as much of that as we can so our students can stay and have the skills and the abilities that they need to go out and have living-wage jobs in our community. And if they do decide to go outside of the community to get education and training and come back, we want them to have something to come back to. Our schools cannot degrade that experience to the point that that isn’t preparing them for the future,” said Stevenson-Carson School District Superintendent Dr. Ingrid Colvard in her remarks. “This is what happens because of these essential funds: Students in our district can access a therapist, a counselor, a support person immediately if they’re in crisis. In our county, that is very difficult to do … Our students have access to a post-high school counselor … Each learner has the support they need to be able to read and perform mathematics at grade level. … Those things are at risk. Those are people that work and mentor our students to make it happen. Our teachers, our paraprofessionals, our custodial staff that’s already cut to the bone – it’s cut into the bone. … This extra money, this additional five percent – it’s in our budget, and we have to have it to continue these things. Opportunities to learn job-ready skills, like welding and carpentry, the Congresswoman was able to see that in action. Our kids can walk in and go to work and we have all of these other opportunities happening like Forest Youth Success, preparing them for their futures. We don’t want to lose that. … Our learners, our community, they count on the promise that was made to our county. … I ask you and implore you to please support our future, our kids. … Our kids are worth it, they deserve it, and opportunity comes with these funds.”

“In February 2024, we had two inches of ice and negative wind chills. Water pipes burst in the school, and during repair, we discovered that we had asbestos. Our cost of repairs after insurance was $72,000. Additionally, our HVAC is failing. Over the last two years, we have spent approximately $25,000 on repairs, and we anticipate replacing the unit soon. Mt. Pleasant is one of only 43 districts in the state of Washington to receive a perfect 4.0 financial health score in 2022-2023. We are careful stewards of our funding. However small districts like Mt. Pleasant are unduly impacted by not having the services of a large district and having to contract for those services,” said Mt. Pleasant School Board Member Liz Wilber in her remarks. “We are committed to doing everything we can to make cuts furthest from the classroom, but without SRS funds, we will be left to cover budget deficits with levy dollars and reserves – both of which are extremely tenuous. If we were to close, our taxpayers would become part of the Washougal School District, paying significantly higher taxes.  … For small, rural districts like mine, these monies are absolutely vital.”

MGP

“I want nothing more than our county to regain our independence through responsible timber harvest. However, relying on an unpredictable handout from the federal government for our county to survive has been a forced hand we’ve been made to accept. Without SRS funding, the future of Skamania County, and specifically public safety, is bleak. In 2025, the Skamania County Sheriff’s Office was forced to cut two patrol deputy positions due to the lack of SRS funds,”  said Skamania County Sheriff Summer Scheyer in her remarks. “Over the past 15 years, due to the continued reduction in SRS funds, the Sheriff’s Office was forced to cut animal control, a narcotics detective, detective sergeant, chief criminal deputy, telecommunicators, corrections officers, and patrol deputies. If SRS funds are not reappropriated, public safety in Skamania County will not be sustainable as we currently operate. Further personnel cuts will be required, creating a detrimental reduction in patrol deputy response for criminal activity and traffic enforcement. … Response times to assist those utilizing the recreational aspects of the Forest Service-managed land may be delayed so significantly the mission that would have been a rescue transforms into a deadly recovery.”

“SRS is a financial ray of hope for the people of Skamania County. SRS helps fill the gaps between the funding that Skamania County and our schools should be getting from the timber harvest of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest and what is actually being harvested,” said Skamania County Commissioner Brian Nichols (District 1) in his remarks. “It means family wage jobs for Skamania County. It means improved safety for the people of Skamania County. And it means a local government that is better able to serve the people of Skamania County. And it means greater opportunities through education for our greatest treasure – our kids and our grandkids.”

“When I came into office, one of our predecessors had always talked about how Skamania County only had 1.8 percent of land taxable for the support of school functions and all of the other county functions. And as I listened to that, I thought, ‘what does that really mean?’” said former Skamania County Commissioner Tom Lannen (District 2) in his remarks. “Well, it means that back in 1990, we averaged about 364 million board feet off of the Gifford Pinchot forest every year. And that delivered to the county and the schools about $10 million a year. That’s equivalent to $22 million in today’s market. That’s greater than our county’s entire budget.”

“One of the programs I oversee is Forest Youth Success, which is a workforce development program for our local teens. … We provide basic job skills in a paid work setting while we help our youth participants to develop and enhance their life skills, and that increases their long-term employability, [and] to learn the importance of environmental stewardship, as well as the fundamentals of forest ecology and management through real-world opportunities. They develop a sense of responsibility for themselves, the forest, and their communities,” said WSU Extension 4-H Program Coordinator Somer Meade in her remarks. “We are able to offer this annual program due to Secure Rural School funds and the support we have from our dedicated community partners at the Skamania County Board of Commissioners, the Stevenson-Carson School District, and a variety of agencies and organizations like the Forest Service.”

“Our success is tied directly to the SRS funds that support our school. These funds are not a luxury, they’re a necessity. As we strive as board members to keep our school fiscally sound, give the students and teachers the resources they need, and stay compliant with the myriad and ever-changing requirements from the state, we depend on this essential funding. Without it, Mt. Pleasant faces cuts to programs, staffing, and even the long-term sustainability of the school itself,” said Mt. Pleasant School Board Vice Chair Tanis Morris in her remarks. “I urge lawmakers and decision makers to continue supporting the Secure Rural Schools Act, because when we fund rural schools, we don’t just preserve history, we build a stronger future.

The following are Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez’s full remarks:

“Access to education, a level playing field for our kids, economic agency – these are all the things that SRS represents to us. I live here in Skamania County with my husband and my young son – he would go to one of these schools if he were old enough to be in class. And I am so grateful to be standing here with such an incredible team of leaders and people who have fierce loyalty to place, who really know what’s worth fighting for in life and know how lucky we are to live in a place rich in natural resources and culture, and who are going to stand up to make that level playing field that SRS represents happen for us.

The sad truth is that we are now past the January deadline to extend this program and keep payments on track. It’s why we are holding this press conference today. In Skamania County, only 1.8 percent of our land base can generate the revenue for vital public services, and that’s due to the abundance of tax-exempt federal land.

I come from a line of folks who worked in the woods, and I know how important our harvest rates are to preventing wildfire – which was one of the largest emitters of CO2 in our state last year – to keeping small businesses, family businesses operating and viable.

If you’re worried about consolidation of timber land, stalling these sales, putting us in a hole – that’s not a way to create an efficient, competitive market where family businesses can compete. And as a result of all of these blows compounding damage to our economy, we’ve seen a loss of jobs, we’ve seen a loss of wealth in our community, we’ve seen a loss of families – to small businesses. Our communities have been stopped from exercising this self-sufficiency due to interminable litigation and federal inaction. 

Part of the deal with SRS is that these federal funds would backfill our budget shortfalls that we have been prevented from generating ourselves due to the timber revenue declines. It is also the fundamental American principle that your Zip Code should not determine the caliber of education you receive. And [that we should] help folks who choose to stay and fight and be loyal and get buried on the same land they were born on.

Our rural schools and counties have already faced decades of painful cuts to our basics, consolidating schools and considering a four-day school week – and this is even with SRS funding and a dedication to fiscal responsibility. Failing to reauthorize this SRS funding would devastate our schools, our jobs, their trade programs in these high schools which are often the first thing to get cut, and here at Mt. Pleasant School, these funds keep the doors open – it’s as plain and simple as that. And the same goes for the Stevenson-Carson School District, where the budget is already set and they would have to make drastic cuts to staff and empty out funds for maintenance to old buildings.

We are not talking about luxury programs here – we are talking about having heating and cooling and an A/C system in our schools at a time when the classroom temperatures can reach 85 degrees on the inside. This is craziness. We will not go quietly along with this inattention from federal agencies and the federal government.

I’ve had the opportunity to visit the shop class at Stevenson High School and these are incredibly bright, gifted kids, and they deserve a fair shot to have the skills to graduate with the resources to start their own businesses, have economic self-determination, to have real economic power, political agency, choice in where they live and how they make that living. Not to mention, programs like WSU Extension’s Forest Youth Success which give kids the opportunity to build the skills and nurture the gifts that they were born with.

It’s also about our county operations and Sheriff’s Departments and roads and schools up in Lewis County and Cowlitz County that will cost us more down the line. This is penny wise and pound foolish. The backlog of maintenance on these programs, our roads, our infrastructure, is not cheap, and it’s not fiscally responsible.

And beyond Southwest Washington, there are more than 700 counties, 4,400 school districts, and 40 states [that] have relied on SRS. While Washington, D.C. experiences, frankly, an atrophy of awareness of what it’s like to live in rural America, to send your kids to a rural school, this vital program is now running behind schedule. These are the schools that my son would go to as I mentioned.

I’ve repeatedly pressed leadership to bring this vote to the House floor. We recently introduced bipartisan legislation with colleagues I respect and know and who are eager partners in this fight with me to retroactively provide this funding authorization.

This has historically been a bipartisan, commonsense bill, so we’re working to build support – and part of that is being here today and ensuring that federal electeds are hearing the local voices of the communities who are most closely impacted by this. Last year, this program cost about $253 million, and I think Congress could find that sort of money at the same time we’re spending hundreds of millions of dollars a year on literally empty office buildings of federal agencies.

I refuse to let federal inaction undermine the opportunities our kids have, so I’ll keep fighting for this in D.C., and I’m incredibly grateful to all the folks up here and all of you for being partners in this work.”

The House Technology, Economic Development, and Veterans Committee held a public hearing on Tuesday for Rep. David Stuebe‘s first bill as a Washington state legislator.

House Bill 1625 would create a grant program to support backcountry search and rescue organizations and volunteers.

“I’m happy to see this bill receive a hearing because we need to help the agencies and responders who answer the call to rescue people in emergency situations,” said Stuebe, R-Washougal.

The Washington State Military Department Emergency Management Division estimates that approximately 1,000 search and rescue missions occur annually in Washington.

“Natural disasters and other emergencies are becoming more common, especially, when people head out to explore wilderness areas in Washington,” added Stuebe. “This grant program would create a way to help fund these backcountry search and rescue efforts and prevent the state from taking on more expenses.”

HB 1625 would create the Backcountry Search and Rescue Account and a mechanism to fund the grant account through legislative appropriations, donations, grants, or funds from other public or private sources. Sen. Keith Goehner, R-Chelan, introduced a companion bill in the Senate, SB 5631.

The Washington State Military Department would administer the program, creating the account in the state treasury.

If the legislation passes, the new rescue grant program would provide grants to search and rescue organizations for backcountry search and rescue volunteers’ planning, equipment, training, exercise, and operation costs. It would also allow counties, cities, and towns to recover backcountry search and rescue costs that are not reimbursed through other sources.

“This bill makes sense for everyone involved,” said Stuebe. “If we can use this program to fund these emergencies, rescuers would have a better chance of saving people in need. This program would provide better training, better resources, and better outcomes.”

The bill now waits for a vote by the committee.

PUGET ISLAND, WA – Last week,Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-03) held a roundtable with log truck operators, visited the Puget Island Alternate Water System Project, and toured Grays River priorities.

During Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez’s roundtable with Southwest Washington log truck drivers, the group discussed the need to make it easier to run or start an independent operation and hire apprentices, make common sense adjustments to federal regulation, and ensure more young people have the training necessary to pursue these careers early and safely.

“Being able to harvest and move timber is an important part of being able to prevent wildfire, build houses, and support family wage jobs. Hearing from our log truck operators, a decline in timber and complicated red tape can make it difficult to run a small, family operation, much less get one off the ground,”said Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez.“We had a productive discussion about ways to ensure federal regulations actually make sense for independent operators and to get more young people the skills they need to build these careers as the workforce ages. Having operated an auto repair and machine shop before coming to Congress, I know how difficult it can be to hire an apprentice, yet these opportunities remain a critical pathway to the middle class.”

Last month, Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez’s provisions were signed into law to extend eligibility for the Forest Service’s Good Neighbor Authority (GNA) for federal forest restoration and management projects to Tribes and counties to increase opportunities for cross-boundary restoration.

Afterward, Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez spoke with Wahkiakum PUD about local utility priorities and visited the site of the Puget Island Alternate Water System Project.

In March, Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez secured $959,752 of federal funds for the project as one of her Community Project Funding (CPF) requests. The funding makes the project possible without rate impacts to Wahkiakum PUD customers.

“Nearly a quarter of Wahkiakum County lives on Puget Island, and they’re served by a single water supply. Right now, three of four fire hydrants don’t have adequate water flow, so I secured funds to build an alternate, reliable water source to keep folks safe and protect their livelihoods and reliable access to clean water. By bringing our federal tax dollars home, we’re avoiding a rise in utility rates to get this done,” said Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez. “Wahkiakum PUD has a small but mighty team that takes immense pride in doing high-quality work in house. I’m glad I could see their skilled work firsthand as this critical project rapidly gets underway.”

The Congresswoman has helped bring home more than $12.9 million for water and wastewater projects across Southwest Washington. An interactive map of community investments she has supported can be found at gluesenkampperez.house.gov/invest.

Gluesenkamp Perez

It’s the first time since 1983 that the Papermaker’s have won the team title.  

The team won a total of 14 individual medals.

Freshman Micah Bennett, freshman Arthur Jarrell, sophomore Kannon Freschette, junior Simon Jarrell, and senior Luke Webb all take home gold medals. 

Senior Beau Harlan takes home a silver medal and junior Alec Fraser wins Bronze. 

On the women’s side, Jasmine Cha wins a silver medal and Avery Vega Padilla wins her second Clark County title!

Vancouver, WA –The Building Industry Association of Clark County (BIA) has officially broken ground for the 2025 GRO Parade of Homes, set to take place at The Nines at Camas Meadows. This year’s event marks the first time since 2019 that the GRO Parade of Homes has returned to Camas. The showcase will feature six homes, each offering a unique interpretation of luxury living.

“We are excited to present a diverse array of home styles for this year’s GRO Parade of Homes,” stated Alexa Lee, the 2025 GRO Parade Homes Committee Chair. “With the return of a seasoned builder and the debut of three new builders, we anticipate fresh designs, innovative ideas, and inspiring concepts that are sure to captivate the public.”

The 2025 GRO Parade of Homes will feature projects by NR Construction, NW Fortune Development, Pacific Lifestyle Homes and Urban NW Homes. This annual event celebrates craftsmanship and design innovation, providing community members and potential homebuyers with an opportunity to explore the latest trends, developments, and design features. Visitors can engage with builders, learn about cutting-edge techniques, and gain insight into modern homebuilding.

“As we begin our fourth year as the title sponsor of the GRO Parade of Homes, we are proud to have been part of such an impactful event,” said Garret Hergert, owner of GRO. “This event celebrates the incredible design and craftsmanship of our local builders, and we look forward to seeing this year’s showcase continue the tradition of excellence while inspiring the next chapter in homebuilding.”

Now in its 47th year, the BIA’s GRO Parade of Homes continues to bring together developers, builders, suppliers, and sponsors to create an immersive home show experience for the community. Over 13 days, the event aims to draw more than 10,000 visitors, including industry professionals, realtors, potential homebuyers and guests. Highlights include special event days such as Hero Day, honoring first responders, military and educators, and Builder & Realtor® Day, which will foster industry conversations for local professionals and guests.

“This year’s GRO Parade of Homes brings a fresh mix of design and luxury to Camas for the first time since 2019,” said Danielle Kilian, BIA Event Director. “With six incredible homes on display, visitors will explore a variety of single-family homes along with an attached home, offering a glimpse into the different levels of luxury available at The Nines at Camas Meadows. It’s an exciting opportunity to experience a range of styles and craftsmanship in one location.”

For more information regarding the Building Industry Association of Clark County or about BIA home shows email danielle@biaofclarkcounty.org or visit www.biaofclarkcounty.org or www.groparadeofhomes.com.