Camas, WA — Following a thorough recruitment process, the City of Camas announced that Shaun Ford will be the next Division Chief of EMS for the Camas-Washougal Fire Department. 

Ford will assume the position effective Feb. 1, 2023. 

Ford was one of four finalists initially brought in to interview for the Fire Chief position. However, after Cliff Free was selected, Ford applied to be the Division Chief.  

According to Fire Chief Cliff Free, Ford stood out as the clear choice for the role.

“Shaun Ford has a passion for EMS; is an accomplished EMS Educator; and has demonstrated the ability to manage a high functioning EMS system,” said Chief Free. “I believe Shaun has the skill set and motivation to guide CWFD’s EMS program in providing the best possible EMS care for our citizens,” he said.

Ford most recently served as Chief of the North County EMS and Clark County Fire District 13 in Yacolt, Washington.  Prior to that, Ford served as the Training Division Chief for North Country EMS and as EMS Division Chief for Clark County. Ford has over 20 years of experience in emergency services. 

Camas, WA – Lara Blair’s newest art collection will debut February 3rd from 4-8 pm in Camas at The Loft art gallery located inside Lara Blair photography. The address is 411 NE Dallas St, Camas, WA. This second show is titled Nostalgic Sugar and features mixed media pieces.

The theme of this current collection came from a look back to the things in Blair’s childhood that made her happy. Donuts, cupcakes, cookies, and oddly, miniature people. It sounds bizarre, but on a gallery wall, it all comes together.

Blair’s ultimate goal as an artist is to delight, amuse and inspire the viewer. She is aware that humans frequently pull from the same nostalgic memory bank to feel joy, especially when enjoying art.

The mediums used in her work are clay, wood, resin, paint, 3D printing and various ephemera to create realistic sweet treats and detailed dioramas.

All work is available for purchase. One piece will be raffled off at the end of the evening on February 3rd.

Blair
Ice cream mini people.
Blair

Kelso, WA — The Camas Boys Swim Team prevails at Saturday’s Kelso Invitational with 593 points with Union placing second (489 points).

Papermaker co-captain Issac Yim and Junior Sahn Kim talk about today’s strengths and challenges with missing two key swimmers.

“We were down two key swimmers,” said Kim. “We only won one event, but we did so well across the team, we ended in first place.”

Senior Henry Webster showed improvements in multiple events.

Union won two relays with powerhouse swimmers Doc But, Owen Robertson, Alex Wahlman, and Steven Empey.  

The boys next face off at Kelso with a dual vs. arch rival Union on January 24.

Swimming
Union Swimmer Owen Robertson.

Camas, WA — “A century in the books!” That’s the slogan that will help the Camas Library celebrate a momentous occasion – turning 100 years old. And, library administrators have organized multiple events to commemorate this milestone. 

The library’s official birthday will be celebrated April 4, 2023; however, the library has a full slate of activities throughout the entire year to mark this amazing feat. And it all starts with a special edition centennial library card, which is only available during 2023. For those that already have a library card, you may swap your current one out free of charge.

Upcoming Events

History Speaks (Speaker Series)

Six speaking engagements will take place throughout the year to inform citizens and to illuminate Camas’ illustrious past. The first in the series is the official kick-off for the centennial year.

Women Who Shaped Camas

Saturday, Jan. 21, 2 pm, Garver Theater

Barbara Baldus, a founder of the Library’s Second Story Gallery; Nan Henriksen, former mayor of Camas; local historian Virginia Warren, and Carrie Schulstad, executive director of the Downtown Camas Association,  will lead a panel discussion moderated by Bradley Richardson, executive director of the Clark County Historical Museum. 

Other Speaking Events (All at the library):

  • The Forgotten Front: Gender, Labor, and Politics in Camas, Washington, and the Northwest Paper Industry, 1913-1918 (April)
  • Will the 2020s Roar like the 1920s? (May)
  • A Promise Not Yet Fulfilled: The Chinook Struggle for Recognition (July)
  • Legendary Locals Author Event with Rene Carroll (September)
  • Whiskey and Wiretaps: The Northwest’s Rumrunning King (November)

The Library Turns 100

Tuesday, April 4, 10 am–8 pm

Stop by the Library anytime during open hours to celebrate the Library’s big day. There’ll be music, goodies and giveaways.

Second Story Gallery

Each of the Library’s six Second Story Gallery shows will have a connection to the centennial in 2023. Read below for the first two shows, covering January – April.

Read All About It (January & February)

This show will consist of reproduced cover pages from the local newspaper, which was originally called LaCamas Post and is now The Camas-Washougal Post-Record. The headlines will be drawn from the first 50 years of the paper’s life, 1908-1958. The reproduced cover pages will reveal to patrons a snapshot of what was happening in our community throughout these years, while also highlighting the local coverage of regional events and reporting on national headlines. The opening reception is Friday, Jan. 6, 5-8 pm.

A Century in the Books (March & April)

This exhibit will showcase a timeline of Library milestones over the past 100 years. From the initial conception for a public library space to the current building on 4th Ave., enjoy a walk-through time to see historical photos and learn interesting facts from the past century. The opening reception is Friday, March 3, 5-8 pm.

This just a sampling of the upcoming year, which will include programs for all ages, events around town, and historical documents you may explore online. Residents interested in taking part can also be on the lookout for upcoming library story and memory requests. 

More information at https://www.cityofcamas.us/library

Working in the media is mostly a lot of fun, but it definitely has its moments. Our First Amendment calls for a free press, and I believe that principle is vital to a successful, free and thriving society.

But, with that comes great responsibility. It’s about getting out correct, accurate and verified information. The business of reporting finds myself with knowledge of good things, fun events, but also negative behavior. 

I find myself with knowledge of negative behaviors (on the part of local respected leaders, educators, influencers, etc.) on a more regular basis (fact checked and verified) and this trend is disturbing — and growing.

It’s a growing trend of narcissism, arrogance, and entitlement — and it happens because so many look the other way. They don’t get involved. They don’t want to rock the boat. They don’t want the fallout.

And, I get that. Often, I won’t publish these headliner stories because I don’t want the personal attacks, the grief, and the unsolicited visits and personal messages that say: “better watch yourself … stop being so negative … we know the car you drive … we know where you work … don’t paint our town to be like that.”

Yes, threats. They’re real and a danger to a free society. But, I’m sure they’ve always been there in our history.

Our town has A LOT of issues we are presently dealing with, and it’s important to be open and honest about what’s happening.

My suggestion is for the caring public to be more involved in civic events. Attend your school board meetings, city council workshops, and work with local non-profits. Listen to your children in school (they know the wrongs being committed). Listen to your friends and peers. Put those closest to you first. And, take time away from yourself and serve others. All these things will help make society a better place.

Camas, WA —  Members of 100 Women Who Care Clark County presented $3,100 to Friends of the Children – SW Washington (Friends) on Wednesday, November 16, 2022, at their fourth meeting of 2022, held at Salud! Wine Bar, Camas. Board member Todd Mitchell accepted the funds on behalf of the organization. The local giving circle selected Friends to receive their donations at the third meeting of the year, held on Wednesday, August 17, 2022 at Salud! 

100 Women member Laura Guerrieri nominated the organization at the August meeting. Camas Farmers Market and Girls on the Run were the other nonprofit nominees at that meeting. 

Todd Mitchell explained that Friends of the Children was started in Portland nearly 30 years ago and the Clark County chapter was established in 2019. 

“Our mission from the outset was to pair children who are at the intersection of poverty, family trauma and other challenges with a paid professional mentor to help them through life, from kindergarten through 12th grade. No matter what,” said Todd. 

The organization currently has 40 kindergarteners enrolled in their mentorship program in Clark County.

Founded in 2018, 100 Women Who Care Clark County is a giving circle that meets quarterly and has donated over $100,000 to local nonprofits since inception. Members who attend are eligible to nominate local nonprofits to be considered for the quarterly donation. Members commit to a $100 donation to the charity voted upon by the members at each meeting.

The next meeting will be held at Salud! Wine Bar, 224 NE 3rd Ave. Camas, on February 8, starting at 6 pm. There is an optional social hour before the meeting from 5 pm. All are welcome to attend these meetings, especially those looking to connect with other philanthropic women in our community. Future meetings will be held on May 10, August 9 and November 8, 2023.

Camas, WA —Following an extended nationwide search, the City of Camas announced that Doug Quinn will be Camas’ next City Administrator.

Quinn will assume the position effective Jan. 4, 2023.  However, Council will have a vote to confirm the appointment at the upcoming Dec. 5, City Council meeting.

Quinn was a member of the Administrator candidate pool from the second recruitment process. Following the most recent search, Camas Mayor Steve Hogan went back through the candidates and determined Quinn was the best fit for the City at this time.

“Doug is extremely well-known and respected in this community, but it’s his dedication to this City that really made him the clear choice,” said Hogan. “I think his familiarity with the City of Camas and his knowledge of the area will be extremely beneficial. And I’m excited to see what he can do for Camas!”

Quinn is a Camas resident and a former City of Camas employee.  He served as Public Works Director and City Engineer from 1990 to 2003, Planning Director and Assistant City Engineer from 1988 to 1990 and served as Interim City Administrator from 1998 to 1999. Most recently, Quinn has served as the Director of Water Services for Clark Public Utilities, working in this role since 2003.

In addition to numerous community service positions, Quinn has also served on the Camas School Board since 2005, and as Board President from 2009-2011 and 2017-2019. He has been a Board Member with the Downtown Camas Association since 2005. Quinn is a licensed professional engineer in Washington and Oregon.

Vancouver, WA — Approximately 4,000 mailed ballots countywide were rejected from last week’s election, the vast majority of which are due to signature matching issues, said the Clark County Elections Office Tuesday. Affected voters were mailed a letter explaining the resolution process.

Greg Kimsey, Clark County Auditor, issued this statement on Monday, which explains how to resolve these signature match problems:

“Voters who have had their ballot rejected due to their signature on their envelope not matching the signatures contained in their voter registration record or because the signature is missing from their ballot return envelope may resolve those issues up until 5 pm on Monday, November 28.

“Signature update forms are sent to all voters with rejected ballots with a letter explaining how they may resolve their signature issue so their ballot can be counted. The letter explains that voters have until 5 pm Monday, Nov. 28 to return the completed form, so their ballot may be counted.

“Elections’ staff understands candidate campaigns are contacting voters regarding rejected ballots. The Elections Office strongly encourages voters to only return their signature update forms directly to the Elections Office, by USPS, or via someone they know and trust. The forms must be received by 5 p.m. Monday, Nov. 28.

“Elections Office staff are not visiting voters at their residences or texting them. If a voter has provided the Elections Office their phone number on their ballot return envelope and have not returned their signature update form, they will be called within three business days before the Nov. 29 certification date to remind them to return their signature update or missing signature form. Phone numbers provided to the Elections Office are exempt from public disclosure and are not provided as part of any public records request.

“Voters may check their ballot status online at https://clark.wa.gov/elections/wheres-my-ballot/ballot-status-tool 

“After entering first and last name and date of birth they may select BALLOT STATUS to learn if their ballot has been accepted or rejected.”

His message concluded, stating that voters may contact the Elections Office at 564.397.2345 or [email protected] with questions regarding the status of their ballot or how to resolve signature issues.

Approximately 3,300 ballots have left to be counted from last week’s election.

Fern Prairie, WA — Residents in the Nakia Creek Fire evacuation zones are free to go back to their homes today, according to Incident Commander, Matt Howard.

He said the fire is 23 percent contained and that weather conditions are favorable. 

Key takeaways:

• No houses were destroyed 

• No injuries or deaths

• Nearly 1,900 acres have burned 

• 500+ firefighters are battling the wildfire 

A firefighter tent city in Fern Prairie is housing 500+ firefighters who are served three meals a day and have all the basic essentials of life.

Although the Nakia Creek fire grew to 1,869 acres overnight, authorities are optimistic that containment efforts will continue to progress over the next few days as more firefighters arrive and aircraft return to combat this blaze that has affected 40,000 people over the last few days.

Dave Larson, Deputy Incident Commander, Assistant Fire Marshall Curtis Evenson, Sgt. Chris Skidmore, of the Clark County Sheriff’s Office, and Natalie Weber, Oregon Forestry Department spokesperson, all addressed media at Grove Field Wednesday.

Larson said “this fire is the number one priority in the nation” given the number of people it is affecting. He said more than 500 firefighters are now at the scene working to contain this fire that ignited on October 9.

Key takeaways:

  • 550+ firefighters are on the scene
  • Sheriff’s deputies made an arrest Tuesday night for trespassing in the fire zone
  • Evacuation zones are shrinking
  • Containment is 12 percent
  • This is the highest priority fire in the nation
  • Aircraft are back on the scene
  • Weather forecast over the next few days is favorable
  • Focus is on level 2 and 3 evacuation zones
  • There’s been a good response to the fire investigation

“Aircraft are back on the scene,” said Weber, “and this is a game changer.”

She reported the fire is 12 percent contained and it burning 1,869 acres at this time.

Evenson, who is leading the investigation into the cause of the fire, said their agency has been flooded with calls and tips about the four persons of interest (two women, two men) who were driving a white Subaru at the scene of the initial spark.

“We encourage you to call us, to talk about this, to sort it out,” he said.

Skidmore said the evacuation zones are shrinking and that they are only focusing on level 2 and 3 zones, and are working to get Livingston Mountain residents back to their homes. He added that a man was arrested Tuesday night for trespassing into the fire zone. It was quickly learned there was a warrant out for his arrest on a prior charge.

Nakia Creek
Aircraft have returned to fight the Nakia Creek fire.