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Washougal School District Shuts Down From March 16 Through April 24

Washougal WA — Washougal School District, along with other Clark County school districts, are closing all schools Monday, March 16 through April 24, to help our state and nation combat the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19). 

“We take any decision to close schools very seriously, recognizing that closures can pose difficulties for families, disrupt children’s education and create hardships in our community.  However, these measures will reduce exposure to COVID-19 by limiting the number of people gathering in our buildings,” said Dr. Mary Templeton, WSD Superintendent, in a letter to parents. 

The letter shared the following information:

  • Effective immediately and throughout the closure, athletics and afternoon/evening school activities will be canceled.
  • Parents, students and staff should take home medication and personal items on Friday, March 13. Otherwise, items may be picked up on Monday, March 16 between 9:00 am and 3:00 pm. 
  • For those with a need, WSD will provide food to distribution centers. The district will inform families on Monday about the locations and distribution times.
  • Nine of the ten missed school days will be made up using the planned snow day and additional days at the end of the school year. The make-up days will be: 
    • May 22
    • June 10, 11, 12, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19
    • The district will apply with the state to waive additional days. 

Updates to families will be sent via the following channels: E-mail, phone calls, WSD website updates and social media. 

“We appreciate the understanding and patience from families as we address this unprecedented situation,” Templeton said. “We are committed to the safety and well-being of our students, their families, our staff members, volunteers and community. Please continue to take care of yourselves and one another. We are a resilient community, and I know that we will get through this challenging time together.”

Green
www.VixonCabinets.com
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Juxtaposition Open House + Ribbon Cutting Event Starts at 5 Today

Juxtaposition, a new home furnishings store in downtown Camas, is having their Open House & Ribbon Cutting Celebration today from 5-6 pm. The public is invited to attend.

The ribbon cutting, officiated by the Downtown Camas Association, the Camas-Washougal Chamber of Commerce, and the City of Camas, begins promptly at 5:30. The address is 425 NE 4th Avenue, Camas, in the former Post-Record building.

“We are so excited to officially open the store,” said Suzanne Ferguson, owner. “There’s a lot to see here with so many beautiful things. Juxtaposition is about transitional to modern home furnishings, and we already feel so welcome here in historic downtown Camas.”

“We understand some may desire to stay home due to the coronavirus, and we totally respect that. We look forward to seeing you when this all passes.”

The evening will include live music from the Opus School of Music with food being catered by Natalia’s, with wine from the Birch Street Lounge, beer from Caps and Taps, live art by Elida Field, and flowers from Acorn and the Oak. Juxtaposition will also be giving away small prizes throughout the evening.

To learn more, visit www.artfuljuxtaposition.com or follow their Facebook (@juxtaspositioncamas) and Instagram (@juxtapositioncamas)

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Camas Crime Scene: Man Dead Following Disturbance Call Response

According to local authorities, on March 12, 2020 at approximately 9:16 pm, members of the Camas Police Department and Washougal Police Department responded to a disturbance call involving a weapon in the area of NE 2nd Avenue and Joy Street in Camas (near Louis Bloch Park). 

Upon arrival, officers made verbal contact with an male adult.  The subject was initially non-compliant and was observed to have a handgun.  During the incident, a Camas Police officer fired his weapon at the suspect.  Medical attention was given a the scene and the suspect was transported to PeaceHealth Southwest, where he was pronounced dead.

The investigation is being conducted by members of the Regional Major Crimes Team.  No further information will be released at this time.  

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COVID-19 Update: Camas Schools Stay Open, Limit Travel, CEF Gala Postponed

Camas School District Superintendent, Dr. Jeff Snell, said there are no new reported COVID-19 cases in Clark County and that the district’s absentee rate is 1% higher than a year ago. He made the following statement today:

Dear Camas Community,

Thank you for your patience over the past few weeks.  Things continue to rapidly evolve as we receive new information and direction from state leaders. Today, Governor Inslee issued another proclamation closing schools in King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties effective March 17 through April 24.  The criteria shared for the Governor’s decision was the amount of community transmission of the virus. Clark County has not met that threshold with one confirmed case (Clark County Public Health).  I understand that there are a lot of different perspectives about closing or not closing schools and appreciate the responsibility.

As a region, we are meeting frequently to review any new information and discuss ways to best support our community.  As of this evening, we are suspending any school-related travel beyond Clark County. We are also postponing public events in our schools that could exceed more than 250 people.  This will include concerts, informational nights, etc. (Canceled/postponed events).  The CEF gala scheduled for this Saturday has also been postponed. 

Coronavirus
www.clarkcountyrelocations.com

In the event that schools are closed, we want to assure you that we are committed to still providing services such as food for students in need, emergency child care and learning opportunities in some form.  We will not be able to replicate our current programming with teachers and students in schools. Our support staff members are prioritizing their time and energy in contingency plans.  

We understand there are multitudes of questions that are out there.  Know that we are paying attention to each one and doing our best to address them.  We will continue to provide regular updates to you.  

Jeff Snell, Superintendent
Camas School District

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Camas School District Superintendent Lays Out Coronavirus Plan

Camas School District Superintendent Dr. Jeff Snell provided an update today about the the school district’s coronavirus plan. This is his statement, with some information from Friday, as well:

While there are no cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) associated with any Camas School District schools, the Clark County Health Department announced the first confirmed case of COVID-19 in Clark County over the weekend. The confirmed coronavirus case is a male in his 70s. He has been in isolation, pending test results, and remains in isolation. The health department will release additional information as it becomes available. 

The health department is not recommending any changes to the steps we are already taking to prevent the spread of illness. We are closely monitoring the evolving situation and in regular communication with state and local health department officials and with other districts in the region.  We will rely on public health guidance/recommendations to make the best decisions for the health of students and families. 

Steps the district is taking to keep students and staff healthy and safe:

  • We are evaluating student and staff participation in events that require travel outside of the district on a daily and case by case basis. In general, the district follows the lead of the host organization, and any additional guidance from public health officials regarding the cancelation of events. Parents and guardians always make the final decision on whether their students will attend events outside of our district. 
  • We are reviewing planned district events through the end of spring break. We have a lot of events each day in the district. Some of those events are very difficult to reschedule, other events can be moved. The district and individual schools will be providing updates on an ongoing basis, so please watch for changes. Our goal is to reduce opportunities for exposure while continuing to provide events for students. It’s a difficult balance. Currently, the recommendation from public health is not to cancel events. Postponing events when possible seems to be a prudent path forward. 
  • We are creating contingency plans should the situation in Southwest Washington and in our district dramatically change. We will, of course, keep you informed about any developments. If the COVID-19 illness spreads more broadly, we will follow the guidance and recommendations of public health officials and share this information with staff and families as quickly as possible.  

Determining these plans has not been easy. Our goal is to minimize exposure while still providing education for our students. There are no easy solutions, and the plans we make are fluid as information changes. I will frame our plans in a series of questions and answers.

What happens if one of our schools has a known exposure to the virus?
Most likely the school would be closed for a minimum of two days while we do a deep cleaning and follow any additional guidance from health officials.

What about extra-curricular activities?
We will continue student activities such as clubs and athletics as long as school is still in session. Activities that take place away from schools will be assessed. Individual student participation is a decision made by families.

What about events/competitions put on by other organizations? 
We will continue to follow the lead of the organization and any direction from health officials. Individual student participation is a decision made by families.

Coronavirus
www.clarkcountyrelocations.com

What about community events we host such as school carnivals or movie nights?
Events that bring the community, students, and staff together and are not time-bound will be postponed, possibly until after spring break, when we will reassess the unfolding situation. We realize that this can be challenging; however, limiting exposure when we can is important. Specific information about events will be coming out from both school and district levels.

As we watch the world around us, it seems inevitable that the coronavirus will continue to impact our operations. There are opportunities for us all in these moments to demonstrate the care and compassion that make our community such a wonderful place to live. We will continue to update you as situations change.

To learn more, visit www.camas.wednet.edu

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Camas School District Superintendent Issues Statement on COVID-19 Virus

Dear Camas Community,

The safety of our students and staff is a top priority, and we want to share some important information regarding the coronavirus COVID-19 that has been confirmed in Washington and Oregon. Camas School District, like all districts, is closely monitoring this evolving situation. What we learn about the virus is evolving almost daily, and we will continue to work with local and regional health authorities to stay informed. In the meantime, please remember those simple preventative measures to help stop the spread of germs, including COVID-19: 

  • Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
  • Avoid touching eyes, nose, or mouth with unwashed hands
  • Avoid contact with people who are sick
  • Stay home while sick and avoid close contact with others
  • Cover mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing, then throw the tissue in the trash and wash hands
COVID-19
www.MyHeavensBest.com

What CSD is Doing

  • We are increasing the frequency of our standard cleaning and disinfecting procedures of common contact surfaces, sinks, kitchens, restrooms, windows, and buses.
  • Students and staff are being reminded to wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or to use hand sanitizer with 60% alcohol if handwashing isn’t possible.
  • We are making contingency plans in the event COVID-19 is confirmed in our community. 
  • We are continuing to take precautions, monitor schools, follow the recommendations of the local and state departments of health and make adjustments as needed.

What Parents Can Do

  • Make sure that you have provided up-to-date contact information to your child’s school so that you can receive updates.
  • Keep sick children at home as appropriate and notify the school.
  • Encourage your children to practice good hand-washing.
  • Make a plan for childcare in the event that health officials direct schools to be closed to minimize the spread of the disease.

For more information on the coronavirus, please visit the Washington State Department of Health website or call 800-525-0127 and press #.

Sincerely,

Jeff Snell, Superintendent
Camas School District

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DeVore Sees Growing Demand For Dog Walking, Pet Care Services

Camas resident Heather DeVore loves to work hard, but she’d rather work outside — rain or shine — than sit at a cubicle or desk all day long. So, after a career commuting to Portland, DeVore has traded in the laptop for a dog leash, and she’s not looking back.

“Once the company I worked for closed down, I realized I should be taking care of pets all the time,” DeVore said. “So, I took an online first aid CPR course for cats and dogs. It’s been great! I now have several clients.”

Why pets? 

“I love animals, especially dogs,” she said. “I rescued an older German Shepherd from the Humane Society. My son suggested we should adopt older dogs to give them a good ending. We had him four years, and he was just 10 when he passed away. He was a big dog! His name was Max. We called him Maximus Prime. His last days were great. We went to the park, he had steak and ice cream from Top Burger, played with all his best friends. He was so happy. I feel like he knew the end was there.”

Her service, which is called Heather’s Hounds Dog Walking & Pet Care, is about giving care to pets during the day while they’re cooped up in crates or kennels. DeVore said she feel so much better working outside.

“People have to work, and they don’t like leaving their dogs alone without exercise during the day, so that’s where I come in,” said DeVore. “We’re just having the best time. With most clients, I go over to their homes, let them out, and play with them in the backyard everyday. Some clients I take their dogs out on walks. It’s good for them.”

She also enjoys the different personalities. At one client’s house, Cash, a German Shepherd pup doesn’t want his sister, Adrienne, to have any attention. 

DeVore
Heather walking dogs as it begins to rain. She walks them rain or shine.

“Adrienne just stares at you. We’re working on being calm when he goes into the crate, and calm when I put him in. Each dog has their own personality. I have one dog at home, Miss Myla, who is a German Shepherd. I’ve also had another pup stay at my house for the weekend.” 

DeVore usually starts her morning with her own dog, and then at 11 she tends to clients. There seems to be a growing demand. 

She’s also an avid wood worker. 

“I build shelves, shiplaps, tub trays, and lots of cool things. I just looked stuff up and decided to start making things.”

More on that next time.

Contact Information

Facebook: Heather’s Hounds Dog Walking and Pet Care

360-635-1122

[email protected]

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Divorcing After 55: Healthcare Coverage Before Medicare Eligibility

Getting divorced at any age is destabilizing and has consequences far beyond simply ending your legal marriage.  Often, one spouse relies on the other for health insurancecoverage.  The end of a marriage, therefore, also may result inthe end of that coverage.  

When the spouse losing coverage is over 55, however, losing health insurance coverage may not be an option. With Medicare eligibility up to 10 years away, it is important for anyone going through a divorce to proceed carefully and take whatever steps possible to maintain coverage. 

In Oregon, lawmakers have sought to bridge that gap. If you are 55 years or older and divorced, you may be able to continue your existing coverage until you are eligible to enroll in Medicare or another group coverage. To take advantage of that, the law requires you to notify the insurance plan administrator within 60 days of the entry of the dissolution judgment. You must then elect continuing coverage with whatever form the plan administrator provides. More information can be found here.

In Washington, however, no comparable law exists. Without such protection provided by law, you—with the help of your attorney—will want to consider more creative solutions for guaranteeing continuing coverage.

Jordan Jeter is an attorney at McKeanSmith.

For example, if you are negotiating a settlement with your spouse, consider asking for them to keep you on their health insurance plan until you are eligible for Medicare. If your spouse is unwilling or unable to continue coverage for you, consider asking—either in negotiations or at trial—for a higher monthly support amount or greater share of the marital assets to offset your increased healthcare expense amount.

Although a more unorthodox approach, some couples even choose to remain legally married so that one spouse can continue accessing the other’s health insurance coverage. These couples reach an agreement as to all the terms of their divorce but choose to put off finalizing the divorce until Medicare eligibility. 

If all creative problem-solving has failed, and you find yourself needing to obtain coverage after your divorce, you may be eligible for continuing coverage under the Federal COBRAlaw. COBRA allows a person who is divorced to continue theirexisting coverage for 36 months. Depending on how close you are to the age of Medicare eligibility, that 36 months might fill the gap. COBRA coverage, however, is expensive, and it is generally recommended that you try to get health insurance from other sources instead.

For more information on healthcare resources, please visit WAHealthPlanFinder.org or OregonHealthCare.gov. 

Contact the law firm of McKean Smith today for a consultation. Visit McKeanSmithLaw.com.

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New Furniture Store, Juxtaposition Camas, Opens Its Doors This Friday

Camas, WA — Juxtaposition, a home furnishings store located in the heart of downtown Camas, is officially opening its doors Friday, February 28 at 11 am.

Suzanne and Rick Ferguson have converted the former Camas Post-Record building on 4th Avenue into a very stylish store filled with art, décor, mirrors, lighting, area rugs, and stunning furniture. The higher-end product at Juxtaposition is inspired by art and architecture with a transitional to modern look.

“We filled Juxtaposition with quality, timeless pieces and on trend artful accents that give the store a curated feeling,” said Suzanne. “I love the organic shapes; the dishes and I love that we have that mix. We’ve worked hard to create a total home concept with multiple lines for furniture, decor, home fragrance, stoneware, textiles, gifts, games, and lighting.”

Some of Juxtaposition’s brands include American Leather, Interlude Home, Ambella Home, Burton James, and John-Richard, which are made in the USA. American Leather is a line of high-quality sofas, chairs, recliners, and sleeper sofas — with a 30-day delivery guarantee from the time of order. 

“I’m choosing vendors that are environmentally responsible, and this is really important to us,” said Suzanne.

The Interlude Home product line is inspired by fashion. We have several frames in their Quick ship program that can deliver in home in about 3 weeks. 

During the renovation they were able to maintain some of the historical aspects of the building (which used to house a printing press) and have created a space that’s very inviting. People will want to hang out here.

Their official Grand Opening will be held March 13 at 5 pm. Stay tuned for details.

Lighting
Juxtaposition Camas has a lighting showroom.

Location:

425 NE 4th Avenue, Camas, WA 98607

Phone:

360-834-1810

Hours:

11 am – 8 pm Monday through Friday.

Saturday 10 am – 8 pm

Sunday 10 am – 6 pm

Website: www.artfuljuxtaposition.com

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Camas Police: Security Threats Against Camas High Not Credible

The Camas Police are in full force at Camas High School today and during their investigation have found no credible threats against the students, school, or staff, says Camas School District (CSD) Communications Director, Doreen McKercher.

“We continue to work with CPD,” said CSD Superintendent, Jeff Snell said in an email to parents. “They have increased the number of officers here.  We have also increased district office staff to help with phones and attendance.  Please help us during lunch of being out and about and supporting students – thank you!

“Based on the tension, we will not be supporting a student walkout today.  If you could share with students that we understand their frustration, but given the day I would appreciate them going to class at the end of the second lunch.”

Announcements from CHS Administration:

  • The College and Career Fair scheduled for this evening at Camas High School is canceled. We will work to identify a date and time in the future to support this event. 
  • Knowledge Bowl at Washougal HS is still set to occur.
  • A number of families have elected to excuse their student from school today. Because of the high volume of traffic, and to best facilitate these family requests, students are being permitted to sign themselves out of school today. These absences will only be excused retroactively if we receive a voicemail or email from a parent. Please connect with your students or check their attendance in Skyward if you are unsure whether or not they are here.
  • If students are absent today and have athletic events, they will still be allowed to participate. If the event is away, they will need to back at CHS in time to ride the bus. 
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