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Vigil and Funeral Services Annouced for Slain Camas Woman

Camas, WA — Vigial and funeral services for slain Camas woman, Luz Guitron, will be held this Tuesday and Wednesday in Milwaukie, OR at the St. John The Baptist Catholic Church.

The vigil begins Tuesday, March 27 at 6 pm and lasts all night — until 8 am.

Funeral services begin Wednesday, March 28, at noon with the Rosary starting at 11 am.

Guitron was born November 4, 1982 to her parents, Luz and Roberto Guitron, in Jalisco, Mexico.
She was murdered in her Camas home on March 18, and the primary suspect is still at large, according to Camas Police.

She will be remembered by her three children, family and friends. Luz worked at the Moda Center and she had her own food establishment during Camas Farmer’s Market.

Each week during the Camas Farmer’s Market, patrons would see Guitron’s quality Mexican food for sale — including yummy tacos and tamales. And, if you knew Spanish, it was fun to speak with her in her native tongue while making your dinner purchase.

A financial account has been created to help her three children:

https://www.gofundme.com/support-luz-guitron-family

Her family said the following: “Let her Rest In Peace and let the light shine wholeheartedly for her in the glory of God.”

This is the location of the services:

Saint John the Baptist
Catholic Church
10955 SE 25th Ave
Milwaukee, OR  97222

 

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Track and Field: Camas Sweeps Titles At Wet, Cold, Windy Tiger Invite

Battle Ground, WA — Not only did the Camas Boys and Girls Track and Field teams sweep Saturday’s Tiger Invite, but they also may deserve endurance medals for lasting hours in the cold, wet, and windy conditions that are common in Spring Pacific Northwest meets.

Athletes wore double-layered warm-up suits, hats, and gloves, and repeatedly went to the restrooms to use the hand dryers to warm hands, dry out wet socks, and simply stay out of the elements.

The Papermaker boys scored 118 points, significantly outpacing rival, Union, who earned 75 points.  The Papermaker girls scored 134.5 points — again far ahead of Union, who earned 97.

”It’s been different to stand out here in the cold, and not be moving,” said Papermaker High Jump Coach, Grayson Anderson (Camas class of 2013) who is new to the job. “The athletes have performed well.”

Papermaker Daniel Maton won the 800 event while Papermaker Jackson Lyne earned the individual title in the 1,600. The Camas boys also won all three relays  — the 4×100, 4×400 and the DMR.

The Camas girls won several individual events: Ellie Postma — 800, Emma Jenkins — 1,600, Madison Child — 3,200, Lucy George — 100 hurdles, and Madison Peffers — High Jump. The girls also won the DMR.

”We have a lot of young talent,” said Camas Head Coach, Jon Eagle. “And, it’s so great to have three new, young coaches on the team.”

Trey Knight, of Ridgefield set two Tiger Invitational meet records in the shot put (63 feet, 3 inches) and discus (177-7).

More Boy’s Track victories:

  • Ridgefield’s Kyle Radosevich (3,200)
  • Ridgefield’s Bryan Tavera (triple jump)
  • Prairie’s Caleb Sagert (110 hurdles)
  • Evergreen’s Jeremy Harju (300 hurdles)
  • Hockinson’s Bailey Jones (javelin)
  • Skyview’s Ethan Gould (high jump)

Girl’s Track Victories:

  • Evergreen’s Vanessa Brunkow (100)
  • Union’s Logan Nelson (200)
  • Union’s Brooklyn Jackson (400)
  • Prairie’s Valerie Schmidt (300 hurdles)
  • Prairie’s Abigail Brotherton (shot put)
  • Mountain View’s Mykala Preston (discus)
  • Columbia River’s Giovanna Rhoads (triple jump)

The Papermaker Track and Field athletes next compete this Thursday at Skyview, starting at 3:30.

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Student Wellness Series: Teens and Their Screens — March 26

This information about the Student Wellness Series is provided by the Camas School District.

The public is invited to attend THE STUDENT WELLNESS SERIES: TEENS & THEIR SCREENS – MARCH 26.

Please join us for a free parent education night with Yshai Boussi of Portland Family Counseling talk about how electronics are affecting student brains. He has become the areas’s go-to counselor on navigating the challenges of teens and devices.

The event – which is geared toward an adult audience – is coming up Monday, March 26, from 6:30 to 8:00 pm, at Hayes Freedom High School. We welcome parents and guardians of students of every age to join us for this valuable information. There is no admission fee.

 

Up Next:

On Tuesday, April 10, from 6:30-8:00 pm in the CHS Theatre, Licensed Professional Counselor Howard Hiton will be speaking on “Competition and High Expectations: Supporting Your Children to be Independent and Resilient.”

We thank Camas Educational Foundation for the grant that helped make these opportunities possible in conjunction with the newly founded Student Wellness Program of Camas School District. Stay tuned for even more events!

*PLEASE SHARE WITH FRIENDS & NEIGHBORS – ALL ARE WELCOME*

Contact jennifer.mcmillan@camas.wednet.edu with questions or for more information.

For more on the Student Wellness Program, see Camas-Washougal Post-Record’s March 3 article here: http://www.camaspostrecord.com/news/2018/mar/01/camas-schools-prioritize-wellness/

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Washougal City Councilor Dan Coursey Announces Resignation

Washougal, WA — Dan Coursey announced his resignation from his Washougal City Council seat late Wednesday, which will be effective March 31.

The first-term council member, who was elected in 2016, faced the Washougal Mayor Molly Coston last fall, and lost.

The network engineering consultant said he wants to devote more time to his business.

”I’ve enjoyed meeting all the people I’ve met,” said Coursey. “During the mayoral campaign I knocked many doors. It’s a great way to find out what people think. Your learn a lot by doing that.”

During his two-year tenure on the city council, Coursey said he’s pleased that he was able to put a spotlight on street maintenance.

“I’m also glad I participated in trying to keep our budget in line,” Coursey said.

Coursey’s Official Resignation Letter

His letter is as follows:

Dear Mayor Molly Coston and Administrator David Scott,

Please accept my resignation effective March 31st, as Washougal City Council Member, Position Seven.

It has been an honor to serve the great people of Washougal for the past two years.

Currently, I have considerable professional business opportunities which are taking up more of my time now and more so in the future. So, I am resigning my City Council seat to better take advantage of that and allow another to serve our wonderful city. Both I and my wife love our little city and look forward to assisting in the future as time allows.

Thank you sincerely,

Dan Coursey
Washougal City Council

What’s Next?

Mayor Coston accepted his resignation and will follow Washington state law to replace him. Following Coursey’s departure, the city will accept public applications for the city council seat, and then the council will vote from those applicants. This recently happened in Camas, and is a rare event. But, it will happen twice this year, as incumbent Washougal City Council member, Joyce Lindsey, is resigning her seat effective end of May.

To learn more, visit www.cityofwashougal.us

 

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Local Firefighters Converge at Camas City Council — Request Greater Funding

Camas, WA — Local firefighters packed Camas City Hall Monday night requesting city officials to provide greater funding for more personnel at three fire stations in Camas and Washougal.

Current and former Camas-Washougal firefighters, spouses, and concerned citizens used the City Council meeting’s public comments period to express concerns about inadequate staffing in the wake of a February 14 Camas residence fire that left one citizen dead.

That house fire off Northwest 27th Avenue was responded to by fire engine personnel — two firefighters — who went into the home to rescue an elderly man in an attached garage area. Technically, firefighters aren’t supposed to enter a burning home or building with less than three onsite. The first responders did so anyway, rescuing the man who died days later from smoke inhalation. Nobody is blaming his death on the first responders.

The firefighters and IAFF Local #2444 union president, Adam Brice, expressed the need to have, at minimum, three firefighters per engine, per shift.

For Camas fire chief, Larry Larimer, said “We want the city to find funds for three firefighters per engine.”

Tricia Proctor, whose husband fights fires, said she’s “worried about the rules of engagement for the safety and security of firefighters.”

”We’ve been vocal for over the years that having two on the scene isn’t enough,” said Kevin Bergstrom, of IAFF Local #2444. “Four are required on the scene to take out a fire. The industry standard is four people per engine. Three gets you by. We are currently stretched too thin.”

At present, three engines are staffed, but the two cities own five engines total. To adequately fund personnel to meet their requirements would require 12-15 new hires.

Brice filed a formal complaint with the Washington Department of Labor and Industries in late February, calling the current situation an “unsafe working environment” that has “substandard minimum apparatus staffing levels” at the Camas-Washougal Fire Department (CWFD).

“There is a daily threat to the working firefighters that they will be forced to face hazards and perform in hazardous environments,” Brice stated in the complaint.

Camas City Administrator Pete Capell responded publicly:

“First and foremost, we would like to express how very proud we are of the hard work performed by all our emergency responders every day. They are a tremendous part of our community,” he said. “It is important to emphasize that no laws have been broken and no disciplinary action was or is going to be taken against the responders … we continue to welcome a conversation with both the East Clark Professional Fire Fighters as well as our Camas community.”

To fully meet union demands would cost the city an additional $1.5 million per year.

“We will work for strategic solutions,” said Camas Mayor, Scott Higgins. “I am set to meet with Adam, and move forward.”

To learn more, visit www.cityofcamas.us

Firefighters

Addressing the Camas City Council.

 

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Camas Junior Basketball 5th Grade Team Wins State Championship

Spokane, WA — The Camas Junior Basketball 5th grade girls team won the Washington State Championship Gold Division on Sunday by defeating Lake Washington, Skyline, Inglemoor and Bothell in pool play, which advanced them to the championship game against Woodinville.

“Throughout the weekend defense was their calling card,” said Head Coach, Scott Thompson. “They held teams on average to 22 points, by far the lowest of any team in the 5th grade division.”

In the championship game Woodinville started out hot, hitting three straight jump shots for a 6-0 lead. Despite early offensive struggles, the Camas girls kept it close at the half, down 15-12. The second half was all Camas. The girls held Woodinville to 7 points in the 2nd half and brought the championship home with a 33-22 victory.

The girls had a great fan base at the three-day tournament, which hosted 400 teams.

”Spokane is basketball heaven,” said Thompson. “It was a really cool experience for the girls. We told them to keep it as a team, but then crowd erupted. It was so loud.”

The junior basketball team was formed in November as part of a league that serves as feeder program for the high school.

”It’s very well run,” said Thompson. “And it’s exclusively Camas. They do an incredible job with this program.”

 

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Camas Mayor Higgins Proclaims April as City’s #MSDKindness Month

Camas, WA — Camas Mayor Scott Higgins officially proclaimed April 2018 as the city’s #MSDKindness Month at Monday night’s City Council meeting. The proclamation is in honor of the shooting victims at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida, and urges all citizens to honor those lives be performing random acts of kindness.

Higgins used his mayor’s time on the council agenda to bring attention to Lacamas Magazine’s #MarchKindness campaign, of which he was a part. The campaign encourages readers to report acts of kindness or service, which have been reported daily during the month of March.

“Out of that has become an interesting movement where not only are other cities looking at naming Kindness months, but states have done so, as well,” said Higgins. “If I understand correctly, Utah has done it for next month, and I think other states are following suit, as well. It’s really a neat, national thing that has its roots in Camas, WA, so we wanted to just play a part in that, and will have a proclamation read.”

When the campaign was officially adopted by Utah, it was renamed #MSDKindness and continues to spread.

The proclamation pays tribute to the victims:

  • Alaina Petty, 14;
  • Alex Schaffer, 14;
  • Alyssa Alhadeff, 14;
  • Cara Loughran, 14;
  • Gina Montalto, 14;
  • Jaime Gutenberg, 14;
  • Martin Duque Anguiano, 14;
  • Luke Hoyer, 15;
  • Peter Wang, 15;
  • Carmen Schentrup, 16;
  • Helena Ramsay, 17;
  • Joaquin Oliver, 17;
  • Nicholas Dworet, 17;
  • Meadow Pollack, 18;
  • Scott Beigel, 35;
  • Aaron Feis, 37;
  • Chris Hixon, 49

“Whereas, the victims of this tragedy living exemplary lives of selfless service and showing love toward others, and Whereas, on behalf of the citizens of Camas, we pay tribute to these victims’ courageous acts of valor, their many acts of service, their kind natures and the many contributions to society they made during their lives. NOW THEREFORE, I, Scott Higgins, Mayor of the City of Camas, do hereby proclaim April, 2018, as #MSDKindness Month in the city of Camas, and urge all citizens to honor those lives by performing random acts of kindness.”

Washougal Mayor, Molly Coston, issued a similar proclamation last week for her city. She proclaimed April 2018 as #MSDKindness Month.

Citizens are encouraged to perform acts of service and kindness throughout the month and to report good things they see on social media accounts using #MSDKindness.

”We believe showing acts of service or kindness will help us get to the source of so many problems,” said Ryan Petty, the father of Alaina Petty, who was killed in the Douglas High School shooting. “It’s one part of resolving these senseless shootings.”

To learn more, visit www.MSDKindnessMonth.com

 

#MSDKindness

The council listens to information from city employees.

 

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Camas Track & Field: When Papermakers Return to Coach Papermakers

Camas, WA — With significant Camas Track and Field leadership changes this season, it created openings for new coaches, and an opportunity for three Camas graduates to return to the very track on which they once competed.

The timing was perfect for Seanna Pitassi (class of 2010), Michelle Pilette (class of 2010) and Grayson Anderson (class of 2013) to be among the younger generation of Papermaker athletes.

”They approached me to come back, and I had to wait on a few things to make a decision,” said Anderson, who competed in the High Jump (2nd in State), 100, 200, and 4×400 Relay as a Papermaker. “Three weeks later, the timing worked and here I am coaching High Jump. I’m really surprised by the maturity of the athletes here at Camas. We treat them like young adults.”

He said the size of his High Jump team is perfect.

”We have 12,” he said. “It’s enough to contribute to the team effort, and it’s not too much where I can’t have a good relationship with each athlete. It’s just like a classroom.”

Anderson is working to wrap up his Construction Management/Architecture degree from WSU Pullman, and is also a highly successful YouTube Channel owner.

 

The team has been practicing for three weeks in preparation for the 2018 season.

Papermaker Maddie Peffers enjoys Anderson’s coaching, and is trying to hit 5’ 8” in the High Jump this season.

”I’ve been doing this since sixth grade,” Peffers said. “And I love how peaceful this sport is.”

Pitassi ran track at CWU for years while getting her Teaching degree. She’s taught at Heritage High School in Vancouver, and just recently switched over to teach at Liberty Middle School, in Camas.

”I’m here because of Alisa Wise (former Girls Head Coach),” said Pitassi. “She told me ‘you’ve got to take this job’ and so we made it work. I’m so excited to be here. I knew Camas is a great program. We’re looking forward to the competition.”

Track

Coach Pitassi at practice — with Sebastian Harb photo bombing.

Pitassi speaks fondly of her years running as a Papermaker, and she loved competing at Oregon Relays.

“I can’t wait to get back to the Oregon Relays,” she said. “It’s weird that it’s not that weird to be back. I just feel so passionate about this.”

Pitassi ran the 400 and competed in three relays events as a Papermaker, and she was part of the team that placed second at State in 2010.

”We love it when they come back,” said brand-new Track and Field Head Coach, Jon Eagle. “I like their passion and expertise. We like their youth because the Camas coaches aren’t getting any younger. Our team this season is young, we have great members, emerging talents, and we have two State champions in the mix — Daniel Mason and Maddie Peffers.”

Track

2010 Camas graduate, Michelle Pilette, now coaches jumps at CHS.

Pilette, who wasn’t available for alumni pictures, ran relays as a Papermaker, and is coaching the long jump and triple jump events this season. She works at Camas High School.

When we caught up with her another time, she was getting her jump teams ready for their first competition — which is today at Cardon Field. She, too, is happy to be back.

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

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Camas Homicide: Woman Found Dead; Police Search for Primary Suspect

Camas, WA — Local police are on the hunt for alleged homicide suspect, Guillermo Juarez, after police were dispatched Sunday afternoon following the discovery of a 35-year-old Camas woman.

Susan Schur, of the Camas Police Department, released the following statement:

On 3-18-2018, at 1:35pm, Camas Police were dispatched to a call at the 2100 block of NE Everett St. Upon arrival, police discovered a deceased adult female, identified as 35-year-old Luz Guitron. Inside the house were signs of a struggle and it is believed that Guitron was the victim of homicidal violence.

The suspect is identified as Guillermo Juarez, a Hispanic male/5’9”/170lbs/black hair and brown eyes. Juarez and Guitron have been in a dating relationship for years and have a child in common.

Juarez has fled the area. Detectives are pursuing an arrest warrant.

It was originally suspected that a 6-year-old child was missing in this investigation, but that 6-year-old child and other children related to the family are safe and with other family members.

Camas Police were assisted in the investigation by the Washougal Police and the Regional Major Crimes Unit.

This is an ongoing homicide investigation. No other information is available at this time. An update will be given if the suspect is located and/or apprehended.

At this time, Camas Police would like to emphasize that there is no immediate threat to the public.

For any tips or leads regarding this case, please call 360-834-4151 or call 911.

To learn more, visit www.cityofcamas.us

Homicide

Guillermo Juarez is the primary suspect in this homicide case.

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Camas High School #NeverAgain Walkout a Moving Tribute to Parkland Victims

Camas, WA — Adult administrators, teachers, and observers stood quietly as approximately 500 students walked out of class at Camas High School Wednesday at 10 am to honor the victims of last month’s senseless Marjory Stoneman Douglas shootings in Parkland, Florida.

The student-led Camas walkout was a peaceful one, organized by Papermakers Abigail Jiang and Monica Chang, to call for common sense gun law reform, kindness, peace, and a better tomorrow. It was part of the national #NeverAgain movement, which has been criticized for having a political agenda — but this event was barely political. It was a moving tribute to innocence lost, and a clarion call for kindness to each other. It was a moving tribute filled with respect.

Adults in the audience simply observed — allowing the students to speak and pay their respects.

The students started filing out of the front door quietly, in an organized and somber way, and then listened to 20 minutes of personalized tributes to the 17 victims at Douglas High School.

There was a call for gun law reform at the beginning, and the student leaders asked for the students to sign a letter to Congresswoman Jaime Herrera Beutler calling for action on several items.

Walkout

A moment of silence.

”We call for common sense gun reform that will help ensure that a mass shooting like this never happens again,” said Jiang, in the walkout opening statement. “Enough is enough, and as students we demand tangible action to ensure our safety in school. Although some of us may not be of voting age, we have a voice in our community, in our nation. This is a chance for our generation to speak up. Today, one month after the horrific events at Parkland we will be honoring and remembering the 17 victims of this shooting by talking about their lives and giving them each a moment of silence.”

The walkout leaders then read touching tributes about each of the following victims (not necessarily in this order):

  • Alaina Petty, 14;
  • Alex Schaffer, 14;
  • Alyssa Alhadeff, 14;
  • Cara Loughran, 14;
  • Gina Montalto, 14;
  • Jaime Gutenberg, 14;
  • Martin Duque Anguiano, 14;
  • Luke Hoyer, 15;
  • Peter Wang, 15;
  • Carmen Schentrup, 16;
  • Helena Ramsay, 17;
  • Joaquin Oliver, 17;
  • Nicholas Dworet, 17;
  • Meadow Pollack, 18;
  • Scott Beigel, 35;
  • Aaron Feis, 37;
  • Chris Hixon, 49
WalkOut

Peaceful assembly. Photo by Blake Schnell.

Some of the Tributes

“Joaquin Oliver had just become a US citizen in 2017. He loved sports of all kinds and was a huge fan of the Venezuelan national soccer team and loved basketball and football. Joaquin was a big fan of Dwayne Wade. He was buried in Dwayne Wade’s jersey. He loved urban graffiti and listened to hip-hop music.”

“Meadow Pollack, 18, was a student excited for the future, planning to attend Wynn University in the Fall, she was loving and kind — her family calling her the light of their lives. She was motivated to achieve great things, and would have achieved so much.”

”Aaron Feis, 37 years old,  was an assistant football coach at Stoneman Douglas. He threw himself in front of a group of students to protect them during the shooting. He died after being rushed into surgery for a gunshot wound. Students always saw that Feis put himself second, and he died this way, too. As a hero …”

“Peter Wang, 15 years old, was a student at Stoneman Douglas. He was a member of the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps Program at the high school. On the day of the shooting, Peter was in his ROTC uniform and did not run. But held open a door to help others escape. He was shot while doing so.”

Ryan and Kelly Petty, the parents of Alaina Petty, sent a statement about their daughter, which was read by Jiang at the conclusion of the tributes.

“We ask that you honor her memory by taking a moment each day to say hello to someone you don’t know, by doing something kind for someone who you think may least deserve it, and to lift those around you with kind words.”

A long moment of silence ensued.

”Everyone just feels like enough is enough,” said Chang. “So, this walkout is a national walkout. We got together and organized things individually because we felt we had to do something. We finally united.”

Students behaved very respectfully during the walkout, and when it was done they quietly went back to their classrooms. The leaders promised to WALK UP after the walkout to reach out to students who feel isolated, marginalized, or just a need an emotional lift.

”That was a moving event,” said CHS math teacher, Alisa Wise. “We do have a bright future.”

Camas is a the center of a national #MSDKindness, which started with our current #MarchKindness campaign. We ask that you visit www.msdkindness.com to learn how you can help.

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Photos by Blake Schnell

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