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.
https://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/07074042/25297C63-7BEA-4B0E-9D29-3F33CE5203C5.jpeg421600Ernest Geigenmillerhttps://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/07074147/lacamas_white_2-300x300.pngErnest Geigenmiller2020-03-13 04:46:042020-03-13 05:03:10Camas Crime Scene: Man Dead Following Disturbance Call Response
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.
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.
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.
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.
https://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/07074046/B4A1F284-E937-4001-AAD1-D5B19FE5A7FC.jpeg9001600Ernest Geigenmillerhttps://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/07074147/lacamas_white_2-300x300.pngErnest Geigenmiller2020-03-09 16:42:522020-03-09 16:42:58Camas School District Superintendent Lays Out Coronavirus Plan
Many of you love the game CLUE and now is your chance to play the First Friday version! Join in the “Case of the Missing Snickerdoodles”, Friday, January 3rd from 5-8 pm. Dress in CLUE inspired game suspects attire and get extra tickets to win!
First Friday Activities:
Find fun clues in participating merchants to solve the “Case of the Missing Snickerdoodles” and earn tickets to win prizes!
Get a FREE snickerdoodle from Cake Happy when you solve the mystery!
Art Receptions & Shows
Fun Kid’s winter crafts and Lego table
Get 5 free tickets to win if you dress like one of the characters in the Parker Brothers “CLUE” game!
Take a selfie with CLUE characters throughout town and enter to win for each that you find
“CLUE” will be showing at the Liberty Theatre at 8 pm
Earn extra tickets to win with every $10 spent in downtown!
Start your night at the DCA tables at Journey at 4th and Birch.
**Are you ready to create? We will have the last Little Art Camas 2020 panel pick up at Journey Church that night from 5-8pm. It will be so much fun and a great way to show your creativity!
Come put your sleuth hat on and see if you can figure it out! Start your night at the DCA tables at Journey at 4th and Birch.
https://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/07074150/608101AC-B132-48A4-A443-BDC1E49E3755.jpeg394700Ernest Geigenmillerhttps://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/07074147/lacamas_white_2-300x300.pngErnest Geigenmiller2020-01-02 12:19:362020-01-02 12:19:45CLUE ‘Case of the Missing Snickerdoodles’ Focus of Camas First Friday
As I produced the 2019 Year in Review video, it caused me to think about the major events that defined us, made our eyes pop, or just simply made one grateful to live in this community. So, I compiled a list of Top 6 stories that stirred up those reactions in my heart.
Mayor’s Race + Prop 2
Without a doubt, the Fall election results were both stunning and eye opening. Never in all my years have I seen a proposition go down in such flames (90-10) or have a sitting mayor (Shannon Turk) get voted out by a write-in candidate (Barry McDonnell) with zero political or public service experience.
Proposition 2 was doomed to fail for several reasons, the first of which was the price tag, but it also didn’t go through the proper processes. Voters saw it as rushed and ill-conceived, and didn’t reflect the findings of a months-long pool committee. City workers did their best to come up with a plan under very rushed conditions, and ultimately a series of options were presented to council that allowed voters to make the ultimate decision.
The price tag ($78 million) presented by former City Administrator Pete Capell was something that City Councilor Ellen Burton warned “is all the voters will hear.“ Her words were prophetic.
It’s telling because it shows me that in a society riddled with partisanship we CAN agree on something 90-10. The anti-Prop 2 movement shows us that people of all political persuasions can rally and work together. The synergy created by that movement was enough to generate a wave that upended Camas leadership.
The Camas 2019 Fall election stories are akin to a 100-year storm. You probably won’t see this again in our lifetime.
Anastasia McDonnel, forefront, listens to her husband, Barry McDonnell, at the Camas Mayoral debate.
Small Business Revolution
When the Small Business Revolution (SBR) team visited Camas in January, Mill Town rolled out the red carpet. When we made Top 6, a town united. It was refreshing to see so many people work to get out the vote. Merchants, students, teachers, civic leaders and athletes all rallied to help Camas become the SBR focus of season 4 of their Hulu show, “Main Street.”
We fell short of the goal, but it was beautiful to see people working together for a common cause. It was fun to cover all the SBR stories.
Small Business Revolution — Main Street host, Amanda Brinkman, visits with the team at Lily Atelier in Downtown Camas.
Camas Produce Accident
I remember sitting in my office when I got the alert that a vehicle had plowed into Camas Produce. I remember thinking this is the kind of thing that happens in OTHER towns — certainly not here. Arriving at the scene I saw the significant damage done to the quaint and popular store.
The driver was cited with DUI and reckless endangerment, and it took the majority of the year to get the store back online. Each week for months, people inquired about when the store would open, and what they could do to help. We did our best to keep pushing out stories related to this accident, and it’s nice to have the store back.
Damage at the front.
Love for the Lintons
When Camden Linton was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor, the owners at Natalia’s Cafe were asked to help raise money for their family. Erica Slothower, owner of the cafe, along with Wendy Delbosque, worked with Kristen Gardiner, to organize a carnival and silent auction. In a single day, they raised tens of thousands of dollars!
Many hours were spent organizing the event, and it’s a tribute to Natalia’s Cafe and the entire town to see so much love pour into one family in need. I broke down in tears when I witnessed Erica present a can filled with cash. It was one of the stories that define a town.
Erica Slothower presents Kristen Gardiner with a can of cash.
Stuff The Bus
For the first time, I saw firsthand the behind-the-scenes work of the annual Stuff The Bus campaign. I met with organizers, traveled with students and volunteers to witness the donations be collected and ultimately delivered — and those were reflected in our stories. I also saw the promotions that went into it, and was moved by the video we produced featuring Washougal and Camas School District Superintendents Mary Templeton and Jeff Snell. Seeing two Ph.D’s running through Safeway with carts was both hilarious and priceless. The entire Stuff The Bus campaign shows the generosity of two towns dedicated to lifting up their neighbors.
Camas High School Football Wins State Championship
It was a surreal and special moment when I stood next to the young Papermakers as they clinched the 2019 State Title! I’d watched for months (really years) as these boys dedicated themselves to winning — and representing a grateful town.
The boys aren’t perfect, but they’re also unlike any other football team I’ve ever covered. They have character and focus. They have love and respect. They have discipline and drive. They will go down in history as one of the greatest teams to ever represent Camas. The victory is forever theirs.
I can’t wait to release the Revenge Tour documentary later this month.
We look forward to covering the stories of 2020. Stay tuned.
Camas 2019 Football team at the State Championship.
https://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/07074353/BA31E3AE-D8F0-4D03-89AB-684C119BFFA6.jpeg5581280Ernest Geigenmillerhttps://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/07074147/lacamas_white_2-300x300.pngErnest Geigenmiller2020-01-01 19:24:172020-01-01 19:49:06Top 6 Local Stories That Moved a Town, Defined Who We Are
In 2019, Lacamas Magazine published more than 1,000 stories, videos, and social media posts, so we put together a Year in Review video report that spotlights about half of them in 1 second images.
From sports to politics, dining and news, our company has worked hard to bring current stories in a timely manner.
2019 (January 2, to be specific) started off with the Small Business Revolution (SBR) tour of Camas for two days. Several members of the SBR team, including the show’s star, Amanda Brinkman, started their 10-city tour in Mill Town getting to know merchants and held a town celebration at Grains of Wrath. They filmed several segments at local stores and restaurants, and brought the attention of local news stations.
In December, the Camas High School football team won the 4A State Championship defeating Bothell 35-14 at Mt. Tacoma Stadium. The boys named the season “Revenge Tour” and finished with a perfect 14-0 record.
In between, there were major accidents, a contentious Fall election, sports championships, along with tragedies and triumphs.
Washougal, WA — ‘Tis the season for giving and this year that giving extended to two Washougal community partners. The Camas-Washougal Historical Society recently bestowed a vintage sleigh to City of Washougal to add to its annual holiday celebration.
“We were excited to accept the gift of this beautiful sleigh,” said Molly Coston, Washougal Mayor. “It makes the perfect ride for Santa and Mrs. Claus on their yearly appearance at our Lighted Christmas Parade! It is so quaint and nostalgic and in great condition.”
“When our museum Display Committee reviewed the Carriage House for winter maintenance and updates, it was decided that the sleigh took up a lot of space and there was no real local story attached to it,” said Karen Johnson, CWHS display committee volunteer “It really did not get much attention where it sat up in the rafters.”
The antique wooden sleigh is a beautiful forest green with silver decorations and plush red horsehair padded seats. It was originally donated to the CWHS by the estate of Emory Donald Heberling in 2007. The gift also included a black doctor’s buggy and a small covered wagon which remain on display at the museum’s Carriage House facility.
“We are pleased that this beautiful piece is going to a home that can share it with the community during the holidays,” said Johnson.
https://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/07074205/753E3DEF-5081-4658-9A66-76B2CA0C8B28.jpeg7091280Ernest Geigenmillerhttps://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/07074147/lacamas_white_2-300x300.pngErnest Geigenmiller2019-12-26 17:36:282019-12-26 17:36:34Vintage Sleigh Gifted to City of Washougal — Part of Annual Holiday Celebration
Washougal, WA — First grade students at Cape Horn-Skye Elementary learned the joy of giving by creating toys and blankets for dogs and cats residing at the West Columbia Gorge Humane Society (WCGHS).
“This experience was about empathy, caring for those less fortunate, in this case, animals,” said CH-S first grade teacher Darcy Hickey. “The students have been so excited for this project. It has become a first-grade tradition at CH-S.”
Students in Taryn Tedford’s and Nichol Yung’s first grade classes also participated.
Cathi Parent, Community Engagement Manager with WCGHS, came to CH-S to collect the gifts and talk with students about the shelter and their animals. She discussed ways that cats and dogs end up there, the foster program, success stories for animals, and volunteer activities. She also brought Purrgie the cat, a three-year-old tabby, who was a big hit with students.
“We love seeing children and youth of any age wanting to get involved in helping their local community and give back,” said Parent. “Their interest in helping animals is very heart warming. Many of these pets may have come from unwanted homes or were strays and never knew real love before. Living in a shelter situation, even though they are being taken very good care of and loved on by volunteers, can still be stressful. Having items like the blankets and toys that were made by the students, can help make their time at the shelter that much better.”
Students also learned about the importance of microchipping pets in case they get lost, spaying and neutering to control the pet population, and the process they go through to help pets get adopted. Parent made sure students were calm, quiet, and moved slowly as they approached Purrgie, who let anyone who wanted to meet her provide ear rubs, back scratches, and pets.
“The project also helps to meet a Washington State standard in Social and Emotional Learning (SEL),” Hickey explained. “This work provides an opportunity for students to consider others and show a desire to contribute to the well-being of our community”
Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) is broadly understood as a process through which individuals build awareness and skills in managing emotions, setting goals, establishing relationships, and making responsible decisions that support success in school and in life.
First grader Jojo Stevenson thought it was fun to make blankets and toys for these animals. “I hope these gifts make them happy,” she said. “I want them to stay warm and stay alive.”
The timing of this challenge was not a coincidence. “We wanted to send kids off on their two-week break thinking about the joy of giving and that giving of yourself can bring as much joy and excitement as receiving,” Hickey explained. “We are so proud of these students.”
https://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/07074217/213B0571-6E8E-4545-8437-9251D0F02306.jpeg7821280Ernest Geigenmillerhttps://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/07074147/lacamas_white_2-300x300.pngErnest Geigenmiller2019-12-26 13:05:572019-12-30 23:20:55Cape Horn-Skye Students Create Toys, Blankets for Local Humane Society
Each year, many Washougal School District high school and middle school band students apply to be a part of regional and state honor bands. These bands select the top musicians from the region or state, and students spend several days together rehearsing and performing under the baton of conductors from major universities and professional ensembles. Congratulations to these Washougal schools students that have been selected to be a part of these ensembles.
Washington Music Educators Association All-State Honor Groups:
– Amara Farah, clarinet (Chamber Orchestra)
– Barret Hemminger, trumpet (Wind Symphony)
Pacific Lutheran University Northwest High School Honor Band:
https://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/07074222/0B0E1EFF-8C5D-473C-BA8F-C7BF53F026D3.jpeg5751280Ernest Geigenmillerhttps://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/07074147/lacamas_white_2-300x300.pngErnest Geigenmiller2019-12-26 12:09:292019-12-26 12:18:36Washougal Band Students Join Regional, State Honor Bands
Holiday Circle: Reflect & ReInvent is coming to Camas on Monday December 16 from 6-8 pm at Salud Wine Bar, and is an invitation for women to reinvent themselves, says event organizer, Christie Ribary, who founded 100 Women Who Care Clark County.
“Don’t let another year ago by without being the woman you want to be, feeling empowered to actually become her, and having the plan to reinvent your life to achieve it,” says Ribary.
The Holiday Circle costs $60 and includes a glass of wine, 40-page full journal workbook, two-hour live event guided by Ribary, a one-hour live video conference on Dec 30th at 6 pm PST, and six email journal prompts from Christie focused on the themes of mindfulness, alignment and reinvention.
“If you are ending this year frustrated because you lost sight of your dreams in the ‘busyness’ of life, or your self care was non-existent, if the demands of family or friends came entirely before yours, or if overall things are ‘good’ but you want incredible in 2020, or if you feel plain stuck then you need to join us,” says Ribary. “If you daily reality aka your ‘status quo’ doesn’t align for you anymore than we want you to join our circle of disrupters — women who are intentionally planning to make big and little changes in their lives for 2020 so that they can live bigger, better, and more joyfully.”
“In our time together you review your life in 2019 and start planning, dreaming, and scheming for 2020,” she says. “You will be taking your life out of autopilot and REDESIGNING it exactly like you dream for it to be next year.”
Ribary insists the evening will have no judgment, and will simply be a room of supportive, caring and like-minded women who want to make positive changes in their lives.
https://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/07074346/7B0BBE21-F6C7-4493-9A95-C25569736A27.jpeg6191233Ernest Geigenmillerhttps://cdn.lacamasmagazine.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/07074147/lacamas_white_2-300x300.pngErnest Geigenmiller2019-12-02 16:05:162019-12-02 16:05:24Holiday Circle: Reflect & ReInvent Coming to Salud on December 16
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