Camas, WA — Papermaker Pride, Lara Blair Photography and Lacamas Magazine are working together on a project called “The Little Town That Does: These Are Our People (Let’s Take Care of Them)” as a way to highlight positivity as our community continues to navigate the coronavirus pandemic.

The purpose of this project is to bridge gaps and reduce polarization in a harshly divided world.

“Camas always seems to find its own way through crises,” said Ernie Geigenmiller, Editor & Publisher of Lacamas Magazine. “We did it through the McCleary battle two years ago, avoiding a teacher’s strike, and we can do it again — the Camas Way. We can’t change what’s happening, we can’t suddenly make the pandemic go away, but we can find positive ways to deal with it. And, we also invite our friends in Washougal and Vancouver to participate.”

Lacamas Magazine is inviting people to come in at the 411 Studio in Camas — one or two at a time — to have their photo taken on a white background, and then participate in short interview to discuss resilience, patience, kindness, respect, teamwork, and apply those attributes to working through this pandemic.

The goal is to get about 60 participants, and then show these short videos periodically to gain perspective on how people are managing things. When it’s all done, the objective is to place all these photos on a movie poster and provide some encouragement in the community.

“It’s about telling their stories,” said Geigenmiller. “And having it on the record in photos and videos. What we are going through as humans is painful, yet fascinating.”

The first two town participants are Camas High School seniors Jack Harris and Dave Peddie, who are also champion swimmers.

Peddie addressed patience.

”For me, patience means being proactive,” he said. “Over the last few months there were a lot of things I couldn’t do as far as my swimming went. I couldn’t go into the pool, I couldn’t hit the gym so my friends and I had to find ways to stay fit so we went swimming in the lake and did workouts like running and so really just finding ways to still reach your goals and do what we would usually do with what we have. It’s important.”

Peddie’s short video and photos will be part of the town project, and he, along with Harris, will be part of a movie poster with stills of all the participants.

If you’re interested, please send an email to [email protected] with “Little Town That Does” in the SUBJECT line.

Hope to hear from you!

Town
From left: Dave Peddie and Jack Harris, both Camas High School swimmers.
Town
www.lilyatelier.com

Clark County Public Health reported today that another 37 people have tested positive for COVID-19 in the last 24-hour reporting cycle. To date, 1,717 Clark County residents have tested positive. 

“The current incidence of new COVID-19 cases in Clark County is 96.4 cases per 100,000 residents over 14 days,” the department said in a statement. “The target rate is less than 25 new cases per 100,000 residents.”

Currently, 18 COVID-19 patients and nine persons under investigation (awaiting test results) for COVID-19 are hospitalized. 

Governor Inslee Extends Pause Indefinitely 

Governor Jay Inslee extended the pause on counties seeking to advance to the next phase of the “Safe Start” plan indefinitely. Clark County will remain in Phase 2.

Inslee also provided additional details on the restrictions announced last week. 

Here are some of changes:

  • The changes for weddings and funerals go into effect Aug. 10 (extended from Aug. 6)
  • Outdoor ceremonies (weddings, funerals) are limited to 30 people and at least six feet of physical distancing between households is required. 

Please click on this link for further details: https://www.governor.wa.gov/sites/default/files/Memo%20SafeStart%20Ghanges%207.28.pdf?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery

Inslee also provided an update on virus case loads in Yakima County.

“A month ago, Yakima had one of the highest COVID-19 rates in the country,” Inslee said. “Today, they have bent the curve and are one of the few counties in WA heading in the right direction. What changed? They went from 65 percent to 95 percent of people wearing masks.”

COVID-19
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CAMAS, WA — The public is invited to participate in a survey and weigh in on ways to improve safety on State Route 500, also known as Northeast Everett Street, near Northeast Robinson Road and Northeast 3rd Street, about four miles north of Camas. Rapid growth and development in the area have resulted in increased traffic and run-off-the-road crashes at these two intersections.

To inform future cost-effective improvements to help reduce fatal and serious injury crashes along the corridor, the Washington State Department of Transportation is seeking input from community members, area business and daily users of the corridor. 

The public is invited to provide feedback in the online survey from Monday, July 27, until Friday, August 7. Those interested in participating can also request a hardcopy of the survey by calling 360-905-2076.

Community input is integral to the safety study process. The ideas and comments gathered via the survey will help shape the project design, which is scheduled for construction in summer 2022. The current estimated cost of the project is $2.5 million.

For more information visit the project web page: www.wsdot.wa.gov/projects/sr500/ne-robinson-ne-3rd/home

Economic
www.electlarryhoff.com
Survey

OLYMPIA — Governor Jay Inslee announced Thursday a series of rollbacks and restrictions on bars, restaurants, fitness centers, weddings and funerals as new confirmed coronavirus cases continue to rise statewide.

Here’s a breakdown of some of the changes:

Weddings and funerals — Effective Aug. 6

  • Receptions are prohibited (ceremonies permitted)
  • Occupancy is limited to 20 percent capacity or 30 people, whichever is less. People must be able to maintain physical distance of six feet.

Restaurants and bars — Effective July 30

  • Alcohol sales must end at 10 pm
  • Table size reduced to five people and total occupancy to 50 percent capacity in phase 3
  • Game areas must close
  • Bars will close indoor service
  • Limiting indoor dining at restaurants to members of the same household. People meeting from different households can still dine outdoors.
  • No indoor service at any bar, brewery, tavern, winery or distillery, regardless of whether food is being served.
  • For counties in the third phase of the four-part plan, restaurant table sizes must be reduced to five people, and indoor occupancy to 50 percent.
  • Restaurants must also close down game areas, such as for video games, pool tables and darts, until their county has reached the fourth phase.

Gyms and fitness centers — Effective July 30

  • Phase 2: Indoor fitness services limited to 5 people (not including trainers and staff)
  • Phase 3: Total occupancy limited to 25 percent capacity

“We do not take these steps lightly,” Inslee said. “We know every prohibition is a challenge for individuals and business owners. But we know that if we fail to act, we will expose thousands of people.”

Inslee
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Secretary of Health John Weisman also announced today new guidance on face mask requirements.

His new order mandates that face coverings are worn in all indoor common areas, not just public spaces. His new mandate includes elevators, hallways, apartment buildings, college dormitories, hotels, motels, universities, assisted-living facilities and adult family homes.

The new mask mandate goes into effect Saturday.

CAMAS, WA – Mayor Barry McDonnell is excited to announce the appointment of Jamal Fox as the next Camas city administrator.

Fox comes with a wealth of experience in local government, most recently serving as the deputy chief of staff for Mayor Ted Wheeler in Portland, Ore., and as the property and business development manager for Portland Parks and Recreation prior to that.

“I am honored to be selected to serve the City of Camas as the next city administrator. I am looking forward to leading a strong and high-performing team of professionals and partnering with Mayor McDonnell in taking the City of Camas to the next level with a focus on the three C’s for sustained organizational performance and success: Core, Culture and Communications,” Fox said.

Before moving to the Pacific Northwest to be with family, at the age of 25, Fox became the youngest person ever to be elected to the Greensboro City Council in North Carolina. He represented District 2 (northeast Greensboro) and was later reelected, serving until 2017.

Previously, Fox worked for the City of Greensboro in the City Manager’s Office and in the Department of Planning and Community Development. Fox is also a former North Carolina A&T State University political science adjunct professor and Guilford County Schools high school teacher.

“I feel very fortunate to have Jamal as our new city administrator,” said Mayor McDonnell. “His background and skillset will be valuable in helping the City engage with the community to shape a vison for my three core priorities—land, people and honesty—while at the same time inspiring the next generation of Camas leaders and strengthening our community so everyone feels heard, empowered and welcome.”

GOW
www.annrivers.com

Fox and his wife, Jaimee, have one son, Jamal Jr., who is 14 months old. Fox is a proud father, husband and member of the Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Inc. Fox and his family are looking forward to moving to Camas and becoming active members of the community.

City Council will consider Fox’s appointment and contract at the Mon., Aug. 3, 2020, meeting. The proposed start date is Aug. 31, 2020.

The public is invited to learn more about Mr. Fox and the selection process in this video discussion: https://youtu.be/WgtFlswtHFg

For more information, visit www.cityofcamas.us

The owners of Nuestra Mesa announced today that a restaurant family member tested positive for COVID-19, and that they will temporarily close.

“A MESA family member tested positive,” said Todd Moravitz, co-owner of MESA. “We care about the community, and we’re taking all the same safety precautions as Grains of Wrath. All of our employees will be tested early this week, and our restaurant will be professionally cleaned. We hope to re-open soon, but we first must address this.”

Moravitz has been in contact with Brendan Greenen, partner and General Manager of Grains of Wrath, and both establishments plan to use the same mobile COVID-19 testing unit, which is able to show results within 15 minutes. 

“Our restaurant follows all COVID-19 health and safety protocols,” said Moravitz. “Our customers have supported us through this entire pandemic, and we appreciate your patience as we do our due diligence to ensure everyone’s safety.”

MESA closed abruptly Sunday afternoon notifying guests of the situation, and will keep the public updated as more information becomes available.

On Saturday, Grains of Wrath discovered a direct employee of theirs tested positive for COVID-19, and abruptly closed, as well. Both restaurants are very stringent with following CDC and state mandated coronavirus safety and health protocols. Customers are required to wear face coverings upon entrance, and all employees wear them while preparing and serving food.

MESA
https://www.lesschwab.com/store/?storeId=714

Camas, WA — Upon learning a Grains of Wrath (GOW) employee tested positive for COVID-19 Saturday afternoon, the downtown Camas brewing company immediately closed its doors.

“We take these matters seriously, and we acted immediately,” said Brendan Greenen, GOW partner and General Manager. “The safety of our staff and customers comes first.”

A mobile COVID-19 testing unit is coming to GOW in the next day or so, and the results will me made known 15 minutes after each test is completed.

Greenan said they will quarantine any employee who tests positive, do a very deep professional cleaning early in the week, and then announce a re-opening date.

“I was eating lunch, and they very professionally let us know they were closing because an employee tested positive for COVID,” said Lisa Le, a local real estate agent. “They covered our lunch, I finished my beer and they closed.”

GOW
www.annrivers.com

GOW issued this statement:

To our GoW friends and family,

“Just moments ago we were notified one of our employees tested positive for COVID-19 and is now on their way to self-quarantine.

“We do not know how or when this person contracted the virus. That being said, we are not taking any chances. GoW will be closing until every employee undergoes testing. We will be organizing and covering all expenses. Additionally, our entire facility will be receiving a deep clean by hired professionals.

“The safety of our staff, families, and guests is our top priority. As we know more, we will keep you updated via social media and our website. In the meantime, please support all your local bottle shops, taprooms, and restaurants.”

Stay safe and healthy,
Grains of Wrath Brewing

Governor Jay Inslee announced at Thursday’s press conference he is restricting gatherings in Phase 3 from 50 to 10 people to help curb the spread of the coronavirus and said multiple times that another stay-home order is possible. 

Counties in modified Phase 1 or Phase 2 of the state’s Safe Start plan may continue to have social gatherings with five people or less. However, counties in Phase 3 can now only have social gatherings with 10 people or less. Previously, counties in Phase 3 could have gatherings up to 50 people. 

The governor said the changes are in direct response to the rising numbers of COVID-19 cases across Washington. As of today, the seven-day rolling average is 629 cases per day and the state is averaging 115 cases per 100,000 people.

“We have a problem that can be addressed by individual action, and too many aren’t exercising the caution necessary,” said Inslee. “The disease is spreading at social gatherings that are happening sporadically across the state, and we don’t want to look like Arizona or Texas. We cannot let our guard down even as we engage in more activities.” 

The state is also prohibiting all live indoor and outdoor entertainment to help curb the spread of COVID-19.  These new rules will go into effect Monday. The new rules, however, will not impact weddings, funerals and spiritual services.

Inslee said as citizens venture out and have small social gatherings, they need to wear face masks and continue to physical distance from each other. He also recommended having gatherings outdoors over indoor ones.  He also said multiple times he’s not ruling out another stay-at-home order if individuals don’t mask up and follow the mandates.

Washington continues to see a rise in coronavirus cases and it’s most commonly spread at social gatherings, according to Secretary of Health John Wiesman.

Inslee
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Wiesman said during the week of June 26-July 2, the state averaged 629 new COVID-19 cases every day. He said it’s the highest rate of COVID-19 cases since the pandemic began. 

There are currently 43,046 confirmed cases of coronavirus in Washington state, including 1,421 deaths.  A total of 733,886 people have been tested for the coronavirus and of those, 5.9 percent of the tests came back positive for COVID-19. 

“You can only be with five people outside your household,” Inslee said. “Doing things outside are safer than inside. Keep wearing masks. We’ve had a significant surge in COVID cases with young people and we are seeing an explosion of this virus during this pandemic.”

Answering a reporter’s question, Inslee said: “If trends continue we have to look at what is least essential to our economy. We could limit restaurants, bars, by we have to be confident our mask requirements will be enough to reduce this rate. At the moment, school opening is in great question. Something has to change dramatically so we don’t have to issue another stay-at-home order.”

Carolyn Long Campaign Announces Over $682,000 Total Raised in the Second Quarter of 2020

Vancouver, WA — Today, the Long for Congress campaign announced that its total raised during the second quarter of 2020 is $682,000 — bringing their total raised for this cycle to $2.29M — and that it has over $1.58M in cash on hand.

The campaign said this quarter their team was able to raise these funds from thousands of contributions — 91 percent of which were low-dollar contributions, and over 77 percent of which were local — reflecting what they say is “a strong, sustained grassroots support for Carolyn’s candidacy and her campaign to represent Southwest Washington in Congress.”

The Long for Congress campaign hasn’t taken any corporate PAC money. 

“This impressive fundraising quarter is another demonstration of the incredible grassroots support for Carolyn Long here in the district — and a testament to the fact that Southwest Washington is ready for new leadership,” said Abby Olmstead, Campaign Manager. “In these incredibly difficult times, folks in our communities recognize that we can’t go on with business-as-usual politics in DC. We need a leader who will put people first, fight to protect health care and lower the cost of prescription drugs, and ensure that our path to economic recovery prioritizes small business and working families. Carolyn is that leader — and together, we will build a better future for Southwest Washington.”

Congresswoman Jaime Herrera Beutler’s campaign team hasn’t released their second quarter campaign numbers yet.

Long will be conducting an interview with Lacamas Magazine next week. Stay tuned.

To learn more about the Long campaign, click here: https://electlong.com

To learn more about the Hererra campaign, click here: https://www.votejaime.com

OLYMPIA, WA — Governor Jay Inslee announced Tuesday that the current statewide pause on counties reopening will continue through July 28, possibly longer.

Today’s news comes as COVID-19 cases statewide continue to spike, and Inslee said that this time is a pivotal in determining what conditions will look like in September when students — at all levels — are expected to return to the classroom.

“We have to find somewhere to break that chain of looming disaster,” Inslee said.

Inslee also issued an advisory that Washingtonians shouldn’t be surprised if some pandemic restrictions are rolled back over the course of the pandemic. He said this may include things like indoor seating in businesses, but that will be determined in the upcoming days and weeks. New restrictions will also be determined by how many people wear face masks and practice physical distancing in public.

The governor also praised residents for adhering to the mandatory statewide order to wear face masks. He said today’s announcement is designed to keep the virus from spreading.

“We are not in as bad a state as others,” Inslee said, naming Arizona and Florida, that have been struggling in recent days to stop a massive virus case spike. “We can’t overstate how important this moment is in addressing the pandemic.”

The state’s mandatory face mask rule went into effect on June 26. Under the order, violators can be punished with misdemeanor criminal penalties and businesses are asked to refuse service to customers who are not in compliance with the order.

COVID-19
www.artfuljuxtaposition.com

Inslee said the face mask order is having a positive effect on fighting COVID-19.

“What we know is this effort is working,” Inslee said. “Washingtonians are masking up.”

Exemptions to the face mask order include:

  • People who can’t wear masks because of existing medical conditions.
  • Children 5 years old and younger.
  • People who are deaf or need to have their mouth uncovered in order to communicate.
  • When it is onerous to do so, including customers who are eating out at a restaurant.

“We have to look at where we’re going to be, not where we are,” the governor said.