In Camas, we have an incredible opportunity to elect a leader who will sit across the table from you. Senator Rivers has been in the Senate eight years but still goes out knocking on doors. She leaves her phone number on fliers so that any constituent can call her, and makes sure to have a town hall or public event with her constituents every quarter, not just during campaign seasons. Not too often do you have the chance to elect a politician who is genuinely service-oriented. My son is an intern for her and I can speak on some of the stories he’s told about her. Trying to direct homeless families to resources, helping people with disabilities get pandemic relief, working as a golf caddy to put her son through college, and of course, giving an opportunity to my son, are all examples of her service that I can testify to.
As a leader, she’s exactly the type of person you want to have a line of communication with. Ann Rivers is the whip of the Republican party and rises above party labels to work on bipartisan bills. No matter who you are, you can count on her to answer your calls, return your emails, and work for you in Olympia. With all the problems we currently face we should not accept anything less than an experienced leader who cares about us. Ann Rivers is the clear choice for the state senate.
Sincerely, Eric Gonzalez
Editor’s Note: While we don’t receive many letters to the editor, we do encourage them. We ask that each letter be civil and respectful. All received will be considered. Please email letters to admin@lacamasmagazine with “LETTER TO THE EDITOR” in the subject line.
https://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/21144306/32BAA4EC-CE45-490D-A656-C256C1B06B50-scaled-e1600724826113.jpeg6461619Ernest Geigenmillerhttps://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/07074147/lacamas_white_2-300x300.pngErnest Geigenmiller2020-09-21 14:53:352020-09-21 15:13:40Letter to the Editor: ‘An Opportunity to Elect a Leader’ Writes a Reader
COVID-19 EXPOSURE update from Clark County Public Health: An employee at Chiro One Wellness Center Salmon Creek, 13800 NE 20th Ave., tested positive for COVID-19 this week. The employee worked while potentially contagious and may have exposed nearly 300 patients who visited the office over four days last week. The employee also exposed the 14 other employees at the wellness center.
All patients who visited the Salmon Creek office Sept. 8, Sept. 9, Sept. 10 and Sept. 11 are considered close contacts who are at risk of contracting COVID-19 and should quarantine immediately. Patients who visited the Salmon Creek office on other days, or visited other Chiro One locations, were not exposed and do not need to quarantine.
Public Health will call each patient to notify them of their exposure and provide additional information about quarantine, but it may take several days to reach all 300 people. Patients who were in the Chiro One Wellness Center in Salmon Creek anytime Sept. 8-11 should quarantine immediately and not wait for a call from Public Health.
Patients should quarantine for 14 days from their most recent visit to the wellness center during that Sept. 8-11 timeframe. Individuals in quarantine should stay home and avoid all contact with anyone who isn’t a household member. They should not go to work, attend church or visit any public places, such as grocery stores.
Anyone who has questions prior to being contacted by Public Health can call 360.386.2140. Public Health recommends all close contacts call their health care providers and request testing for COVID-19, even if they do not have symptoms. Close contacts should quarantine for 14 days, regardless of the test result. Anyone who develops symptoms during the 14-day quarantine, even if they tested negative earlier, should be tested for COVID-19.
https://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/07072944/8508C89C-55ED-40CF-8779-479BB93A07F1.jpeg11731920Ernest Geigenmillerhttps://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/07074147/lacamas_white_2-300x300.pngErnest Geigenmiller2020-09-16 14:08:342020-09-16 14:08:41COVID-19 Exposure Update: Employee At Chiro One Wellness Center Tests Positive
The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) continues to monitor the Big Hollow Fire, which is located approximately 15 miles northwest of Carson and 7 miles southeast of Cougar, Washington. Temperatures will cool by a few degrees from yesterday, with light winds out of the southwest.
Yesterday’s Operations:
The layer of smoke continued to reduce at higher elevations. This resulted in higher temperatures and drier weather at high elevations of the fire. Crews continued firing operations in the southwest area of the fire, moving east along the 57 and 58 roads to secure the fire edge. Containment lines along the 1000 road in the Siouxon block were near completion. Road systems along the eastern edge of the fire were scouted for potential containment opportunities. Crews continued installing sprinklers around the cabins at Government Mineral Springs and conducted some fuel reduction around the structures. The team held a virtual community meeting, which is available for viewing at https://www.facebook.com/GiffordPinchot
Today’s Operations:
In the west, crews will continue firing operations along the 57 and 58 roads. Road prep will occur ahead of the firing operations in order to implement a direct control line along the southern edge of the fire. Crews will continue to construct indirect containment lines and clear fuels north along the 1000 and 6000 roads in the Siouxon block. In the east, crews will monitor fire progress on the ridge west of Wind River Hwy, hold fire on the 201 road, and scout for possible containment opportunities in the northeast. Structure protection work will continue at Government Mineral Springs. Crews will begin to prep the Trapper Creek Trail as a possible containment line should the fire progress southeast. No work will be conducted in the Trapper Creek Wilderness.
The cabins at Government Mineral Springs are under a Level 3 evacuation order. Carson Fish Hatchery is not under an evacuation order. Areas north and west of the fire are under a Level 1 evacuation order, including Yale, Cougar, Northwoods and portions of the towns of Amboy and Yacolt. The Forest Service has issued area closures in the SW portion of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest that include most developed campgrounds, dispersed camping, and most forest roads and trails. The Department of Natural Resources has issued closures for the Siouxon Block and Merrill Lake Natural Conservation Area. The Pacific Crest Trail is open
SIZE: 20,805 acres
COMPLETION OF OBJECTIVES: 15%
CONTAINMENT: 10%
PERSONNEL: 262
CAUSE: unknown
RESOURCES: Hand Crews 8, Engines 9 Masticator 1, Dozers 0, Water Tenders 2
https://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/14094507/DC8CC1FB-3398-461A-AC74-708203D2A8A7.jpeg584864Ernest Geigenmillerhttps://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/07074147/lacamas_white_2-300x300.pngErnest Geigenmiller2020-09-14 09:49:372020-09-14 09:49:43Wildfires 2020 Update: DNR Says Big Hollow Fire at 10% Containment
The Department of Ecology issued a statewide air quality alert Thursday, which continues through the weekend, as smoke from many fires across the region continues to impact the state.
Calmer winds and hazy skies helped to keep large fire growth moderated yesterday and allowed for firefighters to progress in Washington‘s fire danger zones. The Big Hollow fire, however, in Southwest Washington still has active fire behavior with no containment.
The Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) image (featured image) shows the extent of smoke that currently covers most of Western Washington and parts of Central Washington. Smoke is expected to continue its path across the state, impacting Eastern Washington. Overall, air quality is expected to slowly start getting better, from West to East, on Sunday.
With such a large area experiencing poor air quality, the Department of Health recommends people to stay indoors.
Resources:
Forecast information is available on the Smoke Forecast Map. The forecast map attempts to predict a 24-hour daily average, but only for locations that have a regional monitor.
The Northwest Incident Management Team 12 took command Friday at 6 am on the Big Hollow Fire 15 miles northwest of Carson and seven miles southeast of Cougar, Washington. Weather is expected to be partly cloudy and very smokey, with temperatures in the low to mid-70s. Light westerly winds of 7 to 12 mph are forecasted, shifting to southwesterly in the evening.
The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) that indirect control lines are being constructed with heavy equipment and roads to protect the communities of Cougar, Chelatchie and Yale to the west. Structure protection is being implemented to protect cabins at Government Mineral Springs and the Carson National Fish Hatchery. Firefighters are also assessing the risk to structures to the north and east in the fire area.
Closures: The Forest Service has issued area closures in the southwest portion of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest that include most developed campgrounds, dispersed camping, day-use and wilderness areas, and most forest roads and trails within the closure area. DNR has issued closures for the Siouxon Block and recreation sites within the Merill Lake Conservation Area.
Evacuation levels 1 (ready), 2 (set), and 3 (go) are currently in use. Level 2 evacuation orders are in place for the areas around Yale Lake. Level 1 closures have been issued for the areas around Swift Reservoir and south of Lake Merwin. There is an air quality alert in place for southwest Washington and northwest Oregon for unhealthy and hazardous conditions.
https://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/11185149/74552555-E05B-49F8-8981-084DAABDF79E.jpeg672781Ernest Geigenmillerhttps://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/07074147/lacamas_white_2-300x300.pngErnest Geigenmiller2020-09-11 19:12:512020-09-11 19:14:17Statewide Air Quality Alert Continues Through Weekend; Big Hollow Fire Update
Washougal, WA – Late last week, Washougal School District began notifying staff in certain positions that they were being placed in temporary layoff status starting on September 9, 2020.
Temporary layoff status is temporary leave from a work assignment. In temporary layoff status, employees maintain their benefits, such as healthcare, as long as they pay their portion of their premiums. In this status, employees may also apply for unemployment benefits.
“Our goal is to get students back to the classroom as soon as it is safe to do so,” said Mary Templeton, WSD Superintendent. “Many of the staff will be able to return to work as the district begins bringing back groups of students for in-person education. The decision to bring employees back from temporary layoff will be based on need and position.”
“This very difficult decision was made to address budget challenges the district is facing as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Aaron Hansen, WSD Assistance Superintendent of Human Resources and Student Services. “School districts receive funding from the state based on enrollment numbers and bus ridership, both of which have declined.” Additionally, the district has additional unbudgeted expenses because of the COVID pandemic, including providing personal protective equipment, increased costs for postage and transporting classroom materials, and increased technology expenditures to support families in connecting to online coursework.
Positions identified for temporary layoff make up 29.4 full time equivalent (FTE), or about 60 full and part time employees.
“The majority of these staff work in the district transportation department, but the list also includes library assistant, playground assistant, paraeducators and custodial staff members,” said Hansen. “Additional positions may be impacted as we work to align staffing with our enrollment.”
Employees who are being laid off are provided with information about the change and resources to support them in accessing unemployment benefits, as well as guidance on maintaining their health care coverage.
“If we all do our part to stay healthy and avoid the spread of COVID19 virus, we will all be together in our schools more quickly,” said Templeton.
https://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/01180507/0CD700EE-52AE-476D-9774-E1856375EF0A.jpeg4921030Ernest Geigenmillerhttps://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/07074147/lacamas_white_2-300x300.pngErnest Geigenmiller2020-09-10 21:51:412020-09-10 21:51:49Washougal School District Temporarily Lays Off 60 Staff Members
Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has issued Level 1 (Get Ready) and Level 2 (Get Set) evacuation notices from the Big Hollow fire near Yale Reservoir. The DNR’s Level 1 “Get Ready” evacuation notice applies to the north Yacolt and Amboy areas, and the Level 2 “Get Set” notice is for Chelatchie residents.
All residents in the northeastern part of Clark County were notified Wednesday night to be ready for evacuation if the wildfire burning east of the reservoir moves in their direction.
Level 1: READY – Level 1 evacuations are an Alert. Residents should be aware of a danger that exists. Now is the time to “Get Ready”. Residents with special needs, or those with pets or livestock, should take note and prepare for relocating family members, pets and livestock. Refine your evacuation plans and gather the things you will need if you must evacuate.
Level 2: SET – Level 2 evacuations indicate there is a significant risk to your area. Now is the time to be set for immediate evacuation. Residents should either voluntarily relocate to a shelter or designated area or with family/friends outside the area or be ready to leave at a moment’s notice.
Level 3: GO! – Level 3 means there is immediate danger. GO NOW! You are advised to evacuate immediately. Es posible que escuche en las noticias sobre diferentes Niveles de avisos de evacuación … Aquí hay explicaciones de esos
Residents in the area received this message:
This is an emergency message from CRESA nine one one and Department of Natural Resources. Please do not hang up. This message contains urgent safety information. We are responding to the Big Hollow Wildfire in the area of Yale Reservoir. At this time, there is no immediate threat to the area but fire department officials want to make you aware of the situation in case conditions change. Because the situation is not stable and may worsen, you may need to evacuate the area. You are receiving this message because you are in an area that may be impacted. Monitor radio or TV news visit CRESA.911.org or the CRESA Facebook page for further information. No evacuation or other measures are necessary at this point however, you should prepare now to evacuate immediately upon request. Again, please monitor the news for further information about this incident. Avoid using your telephone and do not call 911 except for a life-threatening emergency. Thank you. Este es un mensaje de emergencia de CRESA Nueve Uno Uno y el Departamento de Recursos Naturales. Por favor, no cuelgue. Este mensaje contiene información de seguridad urgente. Estamos respondiendo al Incendio Forestal de Big Hollow en el área del embalse de Yale. En este momento, no existe una amenaza inmediata para el área, pero los oficiales del departamento de bomberos quieren informarle de la situación en caso de que las condiciones cambien. Debido a que la situación no es estable y puede empeorar, es posible que deba evacuar el área. Recibe este mensaje porque se encuentra en un área que puede verse afectada. Supervise las noticias de radio o televisión, visite CRESA.911.org o la página de Facebook de CRESA para obtener más información. No es necesario realizar ninguna evacuación u otras medidas en este momento; sin embargo, debe prepararse ahora para evacuar inmediatamente si lo solicita. Una vez más, siga las noticias para obtener más información sobre este incidente. Evite usar su teléfono y no llame al 911 excepto en una emergencia que ponga en peligro su vida. Gracias.
There are currently no mandatory evacuation orders in place, according to Clark Regional Emergency Services Agency (CRESA).
The notices also affected Battle Ground Public Schools, who announced Wednesday night that Yacolt Primary School and Amboy Middle School will be closed Thursday.
https://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/09225221/606A046A-1D64-4056-B336-1696C77D6BD9.png576978Ernest Geigenmillerhttps://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/07074147/lacamas_white_2-300x300.pngErnest Geigenmiller2020-09-09 23:11:062020-09-09 23:12:08DNR Issues Level 1, Level 2 Fire Evacuation Notices To North Yacolt, Amboy Area
An overwhelming series of fierce, wind-driven wildfires in Oregon have all but destroyed five small towns, leaving a potentially high death toll in their wake, Governor Kate Brown said on Wednesday, as initial casualty reports come in.
Winds of up to 50 miles per hour sent blazes moving tens of miles within hours, engulfing hundreds of homes as firefighters fought at least 35 large blazes across Oregon.
The town of Detroit in the Santiam Valley, as well as Blue River and Vida, and Phoenix and Talent in southern Oregon, were substantially destroyed, Governor Kate Brown said during a press conference.
“This could be the greatest loss in human lives and property due to wildfire in our state’s history,” Brown said.
Wildfires in Clackamas County have destroyed 22 houses and structures since Sunday night and are threatening more than 600 other houses and structures as thousands have been forced to evacuate their homes. The entire county is under some level of evacuation warning, with about half the county, including Estacada and parts of Molalla, under a Level 3 evacuation order, meaning residents are asked to leave immediately.
“Everyone must be on high alert,” Brown said.
The blazes are extremely destructive around Medford, in southern Oregon, and near the state capital of Salem.
At least three people were killed in Oregon fires and a small child died in blazes in Washington state. Brown said some communities were substantially damaged, with “hundreds of homes lost.”
Vancouver, WA — The Vancouver Police Department announced Monday evening they made an arrest in the investigation of a hit-and-run incident that happened Saturday evening following the Aaron “Jay” Danielson memorial at Esther Short Park.
According to Vancouver Police, Charles R. Holliday-Smith, 30, turned himself in, and he was booked into the Clark County Jail for Assault 1 and Felony Hit and Run. The report says Saturday’s hit-and-run indicates the victim, identified as Shane Moon (as indicated by his friends) and a group of friends, identified as the pro-Trump Proud Boys, traveled from downtown Vancouver to Charlie’s Sports Bar & Grill, located at 3315 NE 112th Avenue, where the assault later occurred. The report says the group had reportedly attended the Danielson memorial earlier Saturday. Danielson was killed August 29 in downtown Portland following a pro-Trump rally.
Holliday-Smith allegedly followed the victim’s group from downtown Vancouver and began filming them, which made them feel uneasy. No verbal confrontation occurred inside the bar. Holliday-Smith was asked by security staff to stop filming, and he then he exited the bar. As he left the bar, there were several Proud Boys in the parking lot smoking cigarettes, who had just arrived from the memorial service.
The victim and his friends also went outside where both parties talked to each other, and got combative. Vancouver Police said the suspect got into his vehicle, drove toward the victim, hit him, and then fled from the parking lot. Eyewitnesses say the suspect is a member of ANTIFA.
The victim has sustained serious injuries, including bleeding on the brain, but is expected to survive.
The police say the investigation is continuing and aren’t releasing anymore information at this time.
https://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/09114835/D3DF6B7C-DE83-49DE-B67E-4E53AB5122E1.jpeg9601280Ernest Geigenmillerhttps://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/07074147/lacamas_white_2-300x300.pngErnest Geigenmiller2020-09-09 11:54:192020-09-09 11:54:26Vancouver Police Make Arrest in Hit-And-Run Incident Following Danielson Service
Vancouver, WA — Hundreds gathered peacefully Saturday at Esther Short Park to honor the life of Aaron “Jay” Danielson, the man who was murdered last Saturday in downtown Portland following a Donald Trump re-election rally and caravan.
Organizers of Saturday’s two events — a 4 pm memorial service, and an 8 pm candlelight vigil — said attendance far exceeded the planned 600 for the event. The candlelight vigil had approximately 250 supporters. T-shirts and stickers calling for justice for Danielson were handed out while people grilled hot dogs and hamburgers and friends waved flags.
Danielson, 39, who died just six days shy of his 40th birthday, was a supporting member of the controversial Patriot Prayer group. The group’s leader, Joey Gibson, addressed mourners at both events.
Gibson encouraged people to remove hate. He spoke of Danielson’s love for life, and vowed to keep his memory alive.
“They got everything going up against us, but it doesn’t matter, guys. It doesn’t matter if you fight for what you believe in. If you fight for what you believe in, God will have your back,” Gibson said.
Mourners at the candlelight vigil had the opportunity to speak of their memories of Danielson, and were joined by a local Christian singing group.
“If anybody wants to say anything, we are going to keep this an open forum,” said Gibson. He then opened the vigil with a prayer asking God for peace.
“We are so tired of all the lies, hatred and division, we are asking you to humble us as a nation, humble us an individuals, we apologize for the way we’ve acted as a nation. We apologize for the way we have treated one another. Give us the strength to forgive, and give us the strength to stand up as a voice in this nation … and guide us in the right direction.”
Several people spent the next 45 minutes sharing their experiences with Danielson.
Candlelight vigil at Esther Short Park.
“Jay could light up the day like today at noon with the sun straight above us, bright as hell, he could light that room up, just with his smile,” said one friend.
“I honor him because there was never a dull moment just being around him,” said another friend. “He was very intelligent. A smart man. A patriot. A God-fearing man. What I remember the most is he didn’t have to try to fit in. He would go wherever he wanted to go. I told him he was accepted and the he was my friend. A lot of people turn from others because they are not the same as us. I just want to say that he will be missed …”
The man believed to have killed Danielson was himself killed by law enforcement Thursday when he pulled a gun during an arrest attempt, according the U.S. Marshals Service.
The alleged shooter, Michael Forest Reinoehl, 48, was present in Camas at the BLM rally held on Friday, August 28 described himself in a social media post as “100% ANTIFA.”
This sticker was handed out to supporters.
What is Patriot Prayer?
Patriot Prayer is not an official organization, but the group does attract controversy. Gibson was accused of starting a Portland riot last year and is a frequent target of ANTIFA and other groups.
A close friend of Gibson’s, who was attacked by an ANTIFA group following last week’s Trump rally, explained what the group is about.
“Patriot Prayer is a fight to bring God back into this country,” he said. “This country is founded underneath God. He’s given us all our liberties and rights and freedoms. We have these rights because we were born as human beings because of God. Patriot Prayer is exactly that. We stand up for this country under God because all of us are created equally and we need to remember where that glory goes to. It all goes to God.”
The group says it attends these political events to help persuade to stop hating and to turn to Christianity.
Gibson’s Facebook and Instagram pages were removed by Facebook earlier this week.
“Antifa groups murdered my friend while he is walking home, and instead of the multibillion dollar company banning Portland antifa pages they ban Patriot Prayer and myself,” Gibson said in a statement.
Facebook confirmed the pages were removed due to its “Dangerous Individuals and Organizations” policy.
“They were removed as part of our ongoing efforts to remove Violent Social Militias from our platforms,” a Facebook spokesperson said in a statement, who pointed to the policy that was expanded last month.
Joey Gibson was charged with felony riot for his alleged involvement in a 2019 May Day brawl at a Portland bar called Cider Riot.
The Downtown Camas Association (DCA) officially dedicated the Mill Photo Collage Friday afternoon with a ribbon cutting at the Universal Martial Arts building at the corner of 4th Avenue and Adams.
The collage honors the history of the Camas Paper Mill with original images.
DCA Board President, Caroline Mercury, emceed the event, which was mostly a live-streamed virtual ceremony, providing context about the public art project from concept to construction.
“It’s just our pleasure to dedicate this beautiful photo collage to the city of Camas as a wonderful public art project that the DCA has executed to honor the huge role that the paper mill played in making Camas what it is today.”
Mercury was dressed in a paper dress to honor the occasion and the history. The dress is a replica from a 1940s Paper Festival, which was the precursor to the contemporary annual Camas Days event.
“About four years ago, the design committee at the DCA began incubating the idea for a large-scale mural, collage, of vintage photos from the mill collection, and then entered Anna Fry,” said Mercury.
Former and longtime mill employee Fry was involved in community relations and was the champion of this project through the GP Foundation process.
Big Hook Graphics was the company who put together the giant photo collage following direction from the talented artist, Allan Jeffs.
The Clark County Historical Museum also contributed to the project. Kitchen Electric added dusk to dawn lighting to illuminate the strumming mural. Additional funding came from Riverview Bank and the Clark County Historical Commission.
DCA Executive Director, Carrie Schulstad, explained the collage has a QR code that visitors can scan to get more information. Schulstad thanked Mercury for her daily commitment to making this project come to fruition.
“Her love of the mill is just incredible as you can tell, and we are so lucky to have her in our community,” said Schulstad. “The town is fantastic and it grew up to serve the mill so if you would like to learn more there is a QR code that’s right there on the legend and you can click that and it takes you on a tour of downtown.”
Camas Mayor Barry McDonnell was there, accompanied by the brand-new City Administrator, Jamal Fox.
“Anytime you ask anyone in Camas who has been here for a while they have some sort of connection to the mill, whether they work there, they knew someone that was there … or maybe they just like to catch the toilet paper rolls that get thrown out at the Camas Days parade.”
Following his speech, McDonnell cut the official ribbon.
The photo collage was originally scheduled for its official dedication in April, but due to the pandemic that was delayed.
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