Tag Archive for: Camas

Camas, WA — Dozens of students, teachers, and parents gathered together Monday evening at the Camas School Board meeting to express their frustration, anger, and concerns about how budget cuts are affecting the Project Based Learning schools (Discovery and Odyssey). 

The attendees heard from school board members about the agony of the cuts, with Board member Connie Hennessey saying “we are short staffed, and we have to cut, it’s a horrible position to be in … it sucks, basically. It’s not a fun time.”

Using the public comments time during CSD’s regular board meeting, students expressed what is happening to their schools, and are worried about the future. 

This video contains an explanation about the cuts from Hennessey and fellow Board member, Cory McEnry, as well as public comments from multiple students. 

Please watch the video report: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S03LB1l5xa4

Camas, WA Officials with the City of Camas announced that four candidates have been invited to participate in the Camas Police Chief on-site recruitment events taking place this week. 

The events will consist of various activities while in Camas, including a Meet and Greet with the community Wednesday, April 19, from 6 – 8 p.m., at the Camas Public Library.

The four finalists are listed below in alphabetical order:

David Abrahamson

Abrahamson currently serves as a Captain for the City of Portland Police Bureau, Portland, OR.

James H. Band

Band currently serves as the Police Chief for the Oregon City Police Department, Oregon City, OR

Tina M. Jones

Jones currently serves as a Commander for the City of Portland Police Bureau, Portland, OR

Ronald D. Schaub

Schaub currently serves as the Police Chief for the City of Pacific Police Department, Pacific, WA

In addition to meeting with the public, each candidate will also have the opportunity to meet with the City Senior Leadership team, community partners and peer subject matter experts.  The top candidates will then be invited to meet with the Mayor.

Police
One Stop
Let the cool furniture at One Stop Home Furnishings transform your home or office. 2140 SE 8th Avenue, Camas, WA 98607. 360-834-1234.

Camas-Washougal, WA — Historic “kit houses” built before 1935 throughout Camas and Washougal will be the topic of the next Camas-Washougal Historical Society (CWHS) presentation on Saturday, April 22 at 2 pm at the Washougal Community Center, 1661 C Street, Washougal.  The community is welcome!

Madeline Mesplay, lead researcher at the Two Rivers Historical Museum (TRHM), will present “Home Sweet Home,” and share her knowledge of local kit houses. 

“These buildings were pre-cut and ordered by mail for delivery to the customer to assemble,” she explained.  “I will also share brief information on some of the first owners of these residences and some pictures of some that were constructed in our area.”  

These buildings were also known as mill-cut, catalog, or ready-cut houses.

Mesplay has been a volunteer at the TRHM for five years. She graduated from New Mexico Highlands University in Art and Education, completed a Counseling Psychology degree from Lewis and Clark University and has lived in Vancouver since 1989. Since retiring she has focused on her interest in research and finds her work at the museum very rewarding.

“What better way to learn how to appreciate the character and charm of an old house and your community by getting to know its history,” she said.

Also at the presentation will be the introduction of the publication “Historic Downtown Washougal,” a walking map taking people past pre-1940s homes and buildings and featuring short introductions of the people who lived and worked there.  The project was made possible thanks to information from Mesplay’s extensive property research which fills five large binders. The map was created by Mesplay and museum volunteers Gretchen Hoyt and Rene Carroll.  It was designed by Lori Reed Creative and supported by City of Washougal lodging tax funds. Copies will soon be available at the museum, City of Washougal, Washougal library and the Camas-Washougal Chamber of Commerce.

The Two Rivers Heritage Museum, 1 Durgan Street in Washougal, is now open for general admission on Saturdays from 11am-3pm through the end of October. Prices are $5 for adults, $4 for seniors and just $2 for students.  Camas-Washougal Historical Society members can visit the museum for free.  

Join the CWHS to help support additional historic presentations and preservation of local history. Membership information will be available at the presentation.  For more information about the museum and volunteer and membership opportunities, visit www.2rhm.com and follow them on Facebook.

Kit
Madeline Mesplay, of Two Rivers Heritage Museum.

CAMAS, WA – The City of Camas will be on display April 24, when officials welcome a delegation from various cities in Poland as part of the Sister Cities program.

Representatives from the Polish cities of Zabierzow, Krapkowice, Morawica, the Opole Province and other dignitaries will visit Camas to meet with elected officials and staff, tour the City and learn more about their American counterpart. 

The visit will culminate with an Open House, Monday, April 24, at 6:30 pm, at the Lacamas Lake Lodge. This event is open to the public and will provide an opportunity for residents and staff to interact with the Polish delegation. 

“We’re excited to welcome members from our Polish Sister Cities to Camas and show them all we have to offer” said Camas Mayor Steve Hogan. “This is also a great opportunity for all of us to see how similar it is running a city, regardless the country.”

For over two decades, the City of Camas has had ties to the country of Poland through the Sister Cities program, which supports cultural exchanges for students and adults.

One Stop
Let the cool furniture at One Stop Home Furnishings transform your home or office. 2140 SE 8th Avenue, Camas, WA 98607. 360-834-1234.

Camas, WA — At Monday’s Camas School District’s (CSD) Board meeting, the five-member board voted unanimously to begin a district-wide layoff process by ratifying Resolution No. 22-04, a Modified Educational Program.

CSD has been working for months analyzing where to make budget cuts to bridge at $7.4 million budget deficit. Monday’s vote gives the CSD cabinet the authority to formally begin the process to make those cuts, which will include layoffs to certificated, classified and administrative employees.

This is the board’s resolution:

WHEREAS, the Camas School District No. 117 (“District”) faces financial issues due to inflation, increased staffing costs, reductions in enrollment and the state funding model;

WHEREAS, all general fund cash reserves and contingency funds have been considered for use by the Board;

WHEREAS, the District formed the Superintendent Budget Committee, sought input from and conferred both collectively and individually with the Camas Education Association (“CEA”), Public School Employees (“PSE”), Camas Association of Educational Office Professionals (“CAEOP”), building administrators, unrepresented employees, and other community stakeholders;

WHEREAS, the District will identify all persons within the CEA, PSE, CAEOP, building administration & unrepresented employees who willingly will agree to a Reduction in Force through resignations, leaves of absence and/or retirement;

WHEREAS, unless corrected, budget and cash flow analysis by the District anticipates a budget deficit of approximately $7.4 million for the 2023-2024 school year;

WHEREAS, the District has determined that unreserved/unassigned cash reserve of approximately $1.4 million should be budgeted for the 2023-2024 school year.

WHEREAS, the Superintendent has recommended that the Board adopt a Modified Educational Program.

NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved by the Board of Directors of Camas School District No. 117 as follows:

  1. The Superintendent is directed to implement a Modified Educational Program; and 
  2. The Superintendent is directed to prepare a 2023-2024 operating budget that reduces expenditures nearly to the level of reasonably anticipated revenues and reasonably available fund balance, subject to unreserved/unassigned cash reserve limitations noted above; and 
  3. The Superintendent is directed to take such action as may be required by law to notify certificated, classified, and administrative employees who will be affected by reductions in positions; and 
  4. The Superintendent is authorized to make such other plans to implement the reduced educational program as are necessary to comply with the legal obligations of the District. 

RESOLUTION adopted this 27 day of March, 2023.

Board members are: Connie Hennessey, Corey McEnry, Erika Cox, Tracey Malone, and Bamini Pathmanathan

The Camas Education Association (CEA), who represents a majority of certificated teachers, responded with this statement:

On March 27, the School Board passed Board Resolution 22-04.  The title of the resolution is “Modified Educational Program.”

The resolution is more commonly known as the RIF (Reduction in Force) Resolution, which directs the Superintendent to begin the process of laying off staff, thereby reducing the amount of support our students receive at school.

During the Public Comments portion of last night’s meeting, CEA Vice President Michael Sanchez urged the Board to reconsider any and all cuts.

Along with the rest of the community, the Camas Education Association is saddened to hear that this resolution unanimously passed.  Cuts always mean that our students are the ones who ultimately suffer the most.

Last night’s meeting was standing room only, with many first-time attendees.  These attendees aren’t necessarily familiar with the machinations of school budgets, and they’re certainly not as up-to-speed as those who deal with this on a regular basis.  

Customarily, members of the Board will discuss among themselves the Motion to adopt a resolution of this magnitude.  

At least, Board members should.  

However, at last night’s meeting, the Board did not see fit to offer any sort of rationale that would be entered into the public record.  For the many people who were attending their very first Board meeting and were there to advocate for their schools, they heard ZERO discussion from their School Board that evening regarding the RIF Resolution. 

CEA finds this especially galling, especially from a District that claims to value transparency.  

The School Board missed an important opportunity to provide those observing the proceedings with insight as to how they arrived at their decision.

We hope that in the future, the School Board will take the time to give even the most perfunctory statements the next time they make decisions with such far reaching consequences. 

-The Camas Education Association Executive Board

Layoff notices will be distributed before this school year ends.

The Camas-Washougal Community Chest and its partners, the Camas-Washougal Rotary Foundation and the Camas Lions Foundation, are pleased to announce the award of 31 grants totaling $140,000 to non-profit organizations delivering services, exclusively, to children and families in Camas and Washougal. The Rotary commitment to Service above Self also adds volunteers to the mix as they work to make a difference for many families. 

The grants will fund such diverse services as emergency food assistance, aid to families in crisis or needing emergency services, safe temporary shelter for at-risk youth, a Safe Stay overnight car park program at St. Anne’s Episcopal Church, a homeless family day center located at Saint Thomas Aquinas in Camas and water quality monitoring in the Lacamas Creek watershed. 

New organizations receiving grants for the first time are offering services such as financial help to cover registration and transportation costs for members of the Camas robotics team, help purchase supplies and maintain equipment for local children attending preschool, help purchase supplies and uniforms for students attending local technical academy, help fund planting of pollinator habitat and beautification along SR14 near Washougal, help fund basic living expenses for individuals in need who are transitioning out of foster care and help fund emergency financial assistance to normally self-supporting people who are unable to work and pay all their bills during cancer treatments. 

Some of the non-profit organizations being funded in 2023 include Inter-Faith Treasure House, Children Home Society’s East County Family Resource Center, Janus Youth Program, Pink Lemonade, Family Promise of Clark County and Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership. First-time grantees include Camas Robotics Booster Club, Camas – Washougal Parents Co-op Preschool, Cascadia Technical Academy. 

Grant
Journey Theatre.

Foundation, East County Citizens’ Alliance, Komak and YWCA Clark County. For a complete listing of the grant awards see the grant summary below. 

Thanks to CWRF, CLF and major donations from the GP Foundation, GP employees, Camas School District employees, City of Camas and Washougal employees, Port of Camas-Washougal employees, Windermere Foundation, and Watercare Industrial Services, CWCC is well on the way to funding these grants. 

To reach its 2023 fundraising goal, however, the CWCC needs additional donations from individuals and businesses in Camas and Washougal. More information and donation forms can be found on the CWCC’s website at www.CamasWashougalCommunityChest.org 

The CWCC, CWRF and CLF are registered 501 (c) (3) non-profit organizations for federal charitable tax deduction purposes. 

2023 Grant Program Summary 

Total number of grants awarded – 31
Total value of grants awarded – $140,000
Estimated number of individual services funded by grants – more than 30,500

Community Programs/Projects Funded in 2023 

Boy Scouts of America – Cascade Pacific Council 

Helps fund Campership Awards so that Camas and Washougal families in need can send their scouts to summer camp. 

Camas Farmers Market 

Helps fund “Produce Pals”, a weekly activities program to educate children about where and how food is produced. Kids completing weekly program receive a $2 token to spend at Camas Farmers Market for locally grown fruits and vegetables. 

Camas Robotics Booster Club 

Helps fund registration and transportation costs for students in financial need to participate in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) classes and activities. Will also help fund STEM education and outreach activities in the Camas and Washougal area. 

Camas Washougal Parent Co-op Preschool 

Helps fund operating budget, including buying classroom supplies and helps with maintaining and upkeeping the preschool in order to provide a safe place for the preschoolers to learn and play. 

Cascadia Technical Academy Foundation (aka Clark County Vocational Skills Foundation) 

Helps students to purchase required uniforms and supplies such as chef jacket for Culinary, scrubs for Applied Medical Science, tools and tool bag for Construction and textbooks. Also helps student’s family to meet emergency needs such as a gas card so parents can get to work, paying for a few nights lodging while temporary housing is found and buying food from CTA’s food pantry.

One Stop
Let the cool furniture at One Stop Home Furnishings transform your home or office.
https://onestophomefurnishings.com 2140 SE 8th Avenue, Camas, WA 98607. 360-834-1234.

Children’s Home Society – East County Family Resource Center 

Helps fund operations at Resource Center. Helps fund parent education groups, youth support groups, emergency basic assistance, behavioral health services and health care services provided by ECFRC or by a partner agency.  

East County Citizens’ Alliance 

Helps fund a native pollinator habitat by planting native wildflowers in a state highway plot 200 feet long and twenty feet wide east of the Washougal River Road / SR – 14 roundabout. This is a first of its kind project in Washington and WSDOT is providing a landscape designer as a coordinator/ advisor. 

Family Promise of Clark County 

Helps fund an expansion of FPCares program that proactively assists families with services that will prevent them from losing their homes and entering the shelter system. Services may include rental assistance, payments for rent in arrears, security deposits, landlord mediation, locating housing and filling out applications. 

Fort Vancouver Regional Library Foundation – Washougal Branch 

Supports the Washougal Community Library’s summer reading program for kids and adults. 

Friends and Foundation of the Camas Library 

Helps fund several 100-year centennial projects including four special exhibit displays in the Second Story Gallery, six speaking engagements in a History Speaks! speaker series and the library will be collecting oral histories throughout the year and posting those stories to a hosted website. 

Friends of the Columbia Gorge 

Helps fund the Explore the Gorge classroom lessons and outdoor environmental education program for sixth graders in Jemtegaard and Canyon Creek Middle schools in Washougal School District. 

General Federation of Women’s Clubs 

Helps General Federation of Woman’s Clubs with purchasing books for all children in Pre-K programs in the Camas and Washougal School Districts. The program is aimed at all Pre-schoolers to grow their reading skills.

Impact CW – St. Matthew Lutheran Church 

Helps buy food and grocery gift cards for families in need in the Camas and Washougal School Districts. 

Inter-Faith Treasure House 

Helps pay utilities (electricity, water, sewer, garbage and natural gas) so IFTH can continue to operate the east county food bank. 

Janus Youth Programs 

Provides funding for outreach efforts and overnight facility stays for Camas and Washougal runaway youth at risk for abuse and neglect. Re-introduces kids to safe housing. Provide case managers to help youth access community services to help them achieve stability. 

Journey Theater Arts Group 

Helps fund a portion of the Washburn Performing Arts Center rental fee to present the March production of Junie B. Jones, the Musical

Kawanis Camp Wa-Ri-Ki 

Helps fund their Outdoor Environmental Education Program by offering campers meaningful outdoor activities that support fun, healthy living, nurturing personal growth plus leadership and nature-based skills. Goals include better physical and mental health, increased self-esteem, respect and kindness for others, ability to lead, community participation and stewardship of natural resources. 

Komak 

Helps fund emergency financial assistance to normally self-supporting people who are unable to work and pay all their bills during cancer treatments. 

Lacamas Watershed Council 

Helps pay for volunteer training and buying water quality monitoring equipment and supplies. Water quality samples will be collected in the Lacamas watershed, including Lacamas, Round and Fallen Leaf lakes and Lacamas Creek. 

Lifeline Connections 

Helps fund youth activities, field trips and transportation costs to Camp Mariposa (they use Kiwanis Camp Wa-Ri-Ki’s facility) for children of families in need or suffering from substance abuse. 

Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership 

Provides classroom lessons and outdoor applied learning programs for youth, including habitat enhancement projects adjacent to Gibbons Creek in the Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge and Campen Creek in Mable Kerr Park. 

Meals on Wheels People 

Helps fund an expansion of the Medically Tailored Meals Program, an evidenced-based nutritional intervention tailored to clients needs. These meals include higher quality food and provide more diversity and variety of foods. 

Pink Lemonade Project 

Helps fund Pink Practicalities, a financial aid and assistance program. Covers costs that health insurance doesn’t, such as groceries, transportation services, lymphedema sleeves, lost wages, rent/mortgage payments, etc. 

REACH Community Development 

Helps buy groceries, baby essentials, cleaning supplies, hygiene products and similar basic household needs. Buys school supplies and holiday food baskets. Serves Gateway Gardens and Towne Square communities in Washougal.

ReFuel Washougal 

Helps buy supplies such as sturdy clamshells, lidded bowls and heavy duty plastic forks and spoons to provide to-go meals during Friday meal nights. Also helps buy heavy duty raincoats for homeless or low income people in need. 

St. Anne’s (Episcopal Church) Safe Stay Program

Helps fund a portion of St. Anne’s Safe Stay program including cleaning of the port-a-potty, use of outdoor electrical outlets, use of the Internet WiFi and use of showers, laundry and church kitchen. 

TreeSong Nature Awareness and Retreat Center 

Helps fund a ductless wall heater and the electrical wiring to complete its installation in the recently completed 30-foot yurt. 

Unite! Washougal Community Coalition 

Helps fund Sources of Strength Suicide Prevention Program at Washougal High School; Positive Community Norms Campaign “Love Your Life” in the Washougal Community; the Support Our Guiding Good Choices Parenting classes and the Support our Ambassador Youth Program

Washougal School District – Principal’s Checkbook 

Helps Washougal school principals provide for basic student needs to give low income or homeless students equal opportunities at school. Funds a portion of Adult Transition Program which trains students with disabilities for transition into appropriate work placement. Funds supplies such as shoes, clothes, hygiene products and food for Panther Den. Funds mobile laptop cart for families without access to technology and internet services. Funds Martin Luther King Jr. commemorative activities on all Washougal District school campuses. 

West Columbia Gorge Humane Society 

Helps fund the following programs and services designed to keep pets and people together during hardship, crisis or emergency: pet food pantry, temporary pet boarding, impound/owner surrender fee relief and veterinary assistance. Also funds a portion of the cost to supply ReFuel Washougal with pet food to distribute to the pets of homeless and low-income people using ReFuel’s other services. 

YWCA Clark County 

Helps fund a portion of the YWCA’s Independent Living Skills Program. The ILS program helps youth transition out of foster care to independent living by providing physical things such as clothes for job interviews, rental assistance, and furniture for new living spaces. The ILS program also provides education and training opportunities to help participants with their transition to independence. 

Camas, WA —  Camas history will be celebrated while ushering in the spring season during the Camas First Friday “Spring into History” event on April 7. This event will run from 5-8 pm and will feature a historic talk and walking tour, a colorful ribbon cutting, art shows, Camas history games, after hours shopping and dining, arts and crafts and more. 

Please note that the event start location will be different this month. Please pick up your passport inside the Fuel Medical building, 314 NE Birch (the building behind Journey where you usually start).

New this Year! Everyone is invited to make some history of their own with the first annual “Capture Camas History” black & white photography contest. Submit your favorite black & white images of Downtown Camas to [email protected] by Friday March 31st

Three winners from each age group (12 and under, 13-18, 18+) will be displayed at First Friday, and attendees will vote for People’s choice. The winner will receive a Camas prize basket. Images will be collected over the years and printed in a “Capture Camas History” album, planned for 2033. For full details about the contest, go to downtowncamas.com/event/april-first-friday-spring-history.

History buffs can learn more about the complex and interesting past of Downtown Camas by attending “Tea with Virginia”  with 98-year-old life-long Camas resident Virginia Warren at Caffe Piccolo (400 NE 4th) from 4pm-5pm. Virginia has established herself as an invaluable keeper of Camas history and enjoys passing her knowledge to younger generations. Tea will be served compliments of the DCA. The educational fun can continue with a historical walking tour led by Brad Richardson, Executive Director of the Clark County Historical Museum. Meet inside Fuel Medical (314 NE Birch) at 6pm to take part in the walking tour.

Camas present and future will be celebrated with the Ribbon Cutting & Grand Opening Celebration at The Pink Room, (223 NE 6th), a new women’s clothing and accessory boutique. Owner Madora Doremus is a Camas High School Graduate and former Camas DECA member and has already shown a flair for combining marketing savvy with local support by enlisting current Camas DECA members as her brand ambassadors. Come see the paper fashion displays and photo ops they will have at the shop that evening.

One Stop
Let the cool furniture at One Stop Home Furnishings transform your home or office. 2140 SE 8th Avenue, Camas, WA 98607. 360-834-1234.

Other First Friday Activities include:

  • Play the “Guess About Camas” history passport game in participating businesses and be entered to win Camas themed prizes. This year’s questions are all about the Camas Public Library, which is celebrating its centennial this year.
  • Make paper in the GP Mill Interpretive Lobby, 401 NE Adams, and learn about mill history including the pictorial mill timeline.
  • Celebrate Spring with Golden Egg Hunt Activities for kids at participating downtown merchants. Eggs will have prizes and tickets to win a spring themed prize basket.
  • Peruse the Camas history displays in the Fuel Lobby and learn why Camas is such an exceptional town.
  • Play the “Historic Camas” games with the DCA in the beautiful Fuel Medical Lobby, 314 NE Birch, and earn tickets to win: GP Toilet Paper Toss, Camas Cornhole, Camas History Plinko and the Camas Prune Drop. Play the “course” and be entered to win a GP paper prize package.
  • As an additional nod to our paper history, local artists will be creating Paper Dresses & Accessories that will be modeled throughout Downtown.
  • Art Shows & Receptions at the 411 Art Collective inside the Lara Blair Art/Photography Studio, 411 NE Dallas St,  Attic Gallery, 421 NE Cedar,  Camas Gallery, 408 NE 4th , Pike Art Gallery, 302 NE 6th and the Second Story Gallery inside the Camas Public Library, 625 NE 4th.
  • Juxtaposition, 425 NE 4th, will be hosting the Easter Bunny and treats from 4-7pm and local author Ernie Geigenmiller, owner of Lacamas Magazine, speaking to the recent history of Camas during the pandemic from 5-8pm.
  • Paper Straw Rockets at Fuel Medical, 314 NE Birch, with Kathy Marty of Camp Windy Hill and talking about Michael Barratt, an astronaut from Camas.
  • Kids Crafts and Toilet Paper Pong at LiveWell Camas, 417 NE Birch, with the Girl Scouts
  • After-hours shopping and dining with so many new offerings for Spring.

“I’m a nearly lifelong Camas resident, and I’m shocked about how little I knew about my hometown!” says Leah Nichelson, staff member at the Downtown Camas Association (DCA). “This event combines historical facts with fun history themed games, hands on activities, awesome after-hours shopping, and awe inspiring art shows. We’re excited to see the submissions for the ‘Capture Camas History’ photography contest, and we’re so thrilled to welcome Madora and The Pink Room to the fabulous selection of Downtown Camas clothing stores. History is made every day, and we hope you’ll make some history and some memories at the “Spring into History” First Friday on April 7th.”

First Fridays are free Art, Activities, Dining, and After Hours Shopping themed family friendly events coordinated by the DCA each month of the year to support downtown and develop community. For more information, visit https://downtowncamas.com/event/april-first-friday-spring-history or the Downtown Camas First Friday Facebook page.

Camas, WA — Join Camas Parks and Recreation for the 32nd annual Easter egg hunt, “The Camas Egg Scramble!”  This special event will take place at Crown Park, on Easter Sunday, April 9 at 1:30 pm.

All egg hunting areas start at the same time, so don’t be late! Candy and prize-filled eggs will be hidden in designated egg hunting areas color-marked for age groups 2-3, 4-5, 6-7, 8-9, and 10-12.  This Easter egg hunt is unique in that all ages start at the same time from their designated areas.

Please provide supervision, as all kids must be accompanied by an adult. Participants should also bring a basket or bag in which to collect their eggs. Adults are not allowed in the hunting areas, except the area for ages 2-3, or to accompany a participant with special needs.  

All abilities are welcome to join us for this fun event. A designated “Egg Stroll” has been developed to prioritize accessibility and enhance this inclusive activity for all ages. If you have needs that the city may help accommodate, please contact Krista Bashaw at 360-834-5307.

Prizes in the eggs will include candy, toys and prize tokens which can be turned in at the event to claim a prize. So, make sure you open all the eggs at the event, and please return the empty eggshells so they can be used again next year. The Traditional Easter Bonnet and Contemporary Hat contest will take place at 2 pm, at the covered shelter. This event will be hosted and sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Cascade Park. And the Easter Bunny will make an appearance at Scout Hall in the park for photographs between 12:30-2:30 pm.

No registration is required for the egg hunt or the bonnet/hat contest.  But please note, this is one of our most popular events, so please allow time for parking, as spaces are limited. In addition, an accessible parking and a drop-off area has been arranged along NE 15th & NE Dallas St. Crown Park is located at NE Everett & NE 17th Ave.

The city could not do this without sponsors, which includes Kiwanis, VFW Post 4278, VFW Auxiliary, and WinCo. 

For details and an event map, visit https://www.cityofcamas.us/parksrec/page/camas-egg-scramble-0 or contact Krista Bashaw at 360-834-5307.

One Stop
Let the cool furniture at One Stop Home Furnishings transform your home or office. 2140 SE 8th Avenue, Camas, WA 98607. 360-834-1234.

Camas, WA — 100 never looked so good, and the Camas Library is in celebration mode.

On April 4, 2023, the Camas Library will officially turn 100 years old, and you can help this Camas gem celebrate all-day and into the evening.

On April 4, 1923, the Women’s Club of Camas formed what is now the Camas Public library and since that date, it’s been bringing joy to this community. Now, 100 years later the Camas Library is hosting a full day of events that will include goodies, treats and a scavenger hunt for kids.

In addition to the festivities, every 100th person to enter the library will receive a special prize in honor of the momentous occasion.

At 4 pm, swing music and dancing will kick-off the evening portion of the festivities, which will also include a free raffle at 6 pm.

According to Camas Library Director, Connie Urquhart, this is a great opportunity to invite the whole community to visit the Library.

“It’ll be a fun time, plus it’s a great chance to look back at history,” said Urquhart. “It also gives the community a chance to remember the good times, and to also think about what the future could hold!”

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

Camas, WA — Camas Police are searching for a homeless man who tried to set up camp inside the Liberty Theatre Thursday night, according to Rand Thornsley, the venue’s owner.

Thornsley said the man, whom police identified as Victor (based on security camera footage), is a local homeless man, who found his way into the theatre after it closed for business Thursday night. He is alleged to have broken into Washougal Times restaurant earlier this week, as well.

“He was discovered on Friday afternoon when the opening manager, Avery, went into the theatre,” Thornsley said. “He was in the balcony area and the other manager, Jakob [Potter], was right behind her, and they had him detained but he got away. He appeared to have stayed the night in the theatre and kept the back door open so it wouldn’t lock. Jakob was the one who tried to detain him.”

Thornsley said the intruder looked like he planned to stay a while.

“We think he left the building after we closed, went and brought his stuff and brought it back into the theater,” said Thornsley. “There are closets upstairs in the balcony area and he moved his stuff up there. Avery and Jakob made the report, provided the security camera images to the police, and they came through and swept through the building and the basement. It looked like he planned to stay there a while. They thought they had the back door secured.” 

Then the intruder returned.

“Friday night he returned and was able to get the back door open and then he broke into the office,” said Thornsley. “He got into the lock up where we keep our cash. He took cash and keys, so we had the whole building re-keyed and put reinforcements on the doors. Jakob is handling things really well. He spent the whole day getting the theatre revamped, and made sure nothing was bothered. We are back to business as usual.” 

Thornsley said police are searching for him. 

“Now that he has some cash I think he’ll get out of the area,” he said. “Thats’s my personal opinion. This is a bummer, but it’s fortunate he wasn’t destructive.”

Police are hoping the public can help them find the intruder. Call 311 during the day, and 911 at night.

Liberty
Liberty’s security camera footage.
Liberty