Tag Archive for: Camas

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CSD Asst. Superintendent Williams Accepts Position at Evergreen Public Schools

Camas, WA — On Wednesday, Camas School District (CSD) Assistant Superintendent, Dr. Charlene Williams, a champion of student equity programs, announced via email she has accepted a position as Deputy Superintendent at Evergreen Public Schools. She has been employed by CSD since 2016.

This is her email: 

Dear Camas Family,

“It has been my honor and pleasure to work and serve alongside you these last few years. I have learned so much with and from you. I will be serving as the new Deputy Superintendent for Evergreen Public Schools and wishing the best for each of you as we continue on our journey to see and serve each and every student.

With love and gratitude,

Dr. W

Williams received WASA’s 2022 Columbia River Region Award of Merit for effective leadership.

“Dr. Williams has been a tremendous champion in the Camas School District, as well as Clark County, ensuring that our students and families experience equity in access and opportunities,” Camas School District Interim Superintendent Doug Hood said in a news release. “She understands the power of coming together to learn by listening to our students and families who have been historically marginalized, and by engaging our community in a dialog to reflect on our own beliefs, deepen understanding, and work together to create equitable systems and practices.”

Camas High School is also seeking to replace its principal, Tom Morris, who is returning to his role as Associate Principal at CHS.

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5 Ways to Spend Time in Your Backyard This Summer

After a long, dreary winter, it’s refreshing to spend time outside without having to wear a parka. Summer is the perfect time to get active with your friends and family—and you don’t have to go on a long trip to enjoy the weather. With these ways to spend time in your backyard this summer, spending time in the sunshine will be easy and fun.

Outdoor Movie Night

Get that old-fashioned drive-in movie experience without searching for the nearest theater. Set up a projection screen in the yard, bring out some blankets and camping chairs, and watch your favorite movie together as the sun sets.

Camping Out

Rough it in your yard for a night or two! Set up tents and blankets, and if you’ve got a fire pit, get a campfire going. Bring your best spooky stories and plenty of marshmallows for roasting. Spend time as a family under the stars.

Backyard Game Day

Think about your favorite games to play at a family cookout or barbecue. Croquet, ring toss, and cornhole are great—and low-stakes—ways to flex your competitive spirit. Elevate the game experience with professional cornhole gear or a high-end croquet set, and offer tantalizing prizes (Gift cards? Homemade treats?) to the winners.

Karaoke Party

If it’s been a while since your last try at karaoke, bring the music outside and have a laughter-filled time with family and friends. Making and listening to music together is a uniquely entertaining experience when enjoyed outdoors.

Play With Your Pets

Your four-legged friends love spending time outdoors just as much as you do! Let your pup loose in the yard and play a rousing game of fetch. Even cats can enjoy that direct sunshine from a secure area as they watch the critters outdoors. Keep an eye on your animal pals to prevent them from wandering off while enjoying their companionship on warm summer days.

Feel the sunshine on your face as you plan fun summer activities. There are plenty of memories you can make in your own yard! Let these ways to spend time in your backyard this summer inspire you to go above and beyond the classic cookout.

Backyard
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What You Should Know About Marine Piling

The state of Washington is fortunate enough to have some of the most beautiful waterfront properties in North America. If you live on the water and want to build a dock for your boat, you must familiarize yourself with marine piling. 

In this guide, you will learn what marine piling is, why it matters, and what the process entails. Here is what you should know about marine piling. 

It Creates Support for Marine Structures

Unless you want your marine structures to sink underwater, they will need adequate support to withstand the oceanic conditions. Many industries use piling to create ample support before constructing large structures. Marine piling is perfect for building bridges, piers, docks, and floating pontoons. Marine piling requires workers to drill underwater to create a strong foundation in the seabed for piles. 

Marine Piling Uses Numerous Materials

There are a few different materials you can use for marine piling. Some examples include wood, concrete, steel, and composite materials. 

No matter which type of material you decide to use, you must make sure it is treated for aquatic conditions. You don’t want it to rust or corrode over time. High-density polyethylene is a durable plastic material and is one of the best options for piling, which explains why the future needs HDPE plastic marine piles. However, each type of material has different strengths, weaknesses, and treatment processes.

Marine

It Keeps You Safe

Preserving the integrity of any oceanfront structure comes with its risks. As the tide rolls in and smashes waves against your marine structure, its materials will start to wear down over time. 

Whether it’s a pier or a dock, someone could get hurt if they were standing on it while it sinks underwater. Marine piling ensures that you won’t have to worry about this outcome because it is the strongest foundation available for any aquatic structure. 

Overall, marine piling can turn your waterfront property into a dream home, whether you have a boat or not. After learning what you should know about marine piling, you should consider using it for your next home renovation project. 

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CW Chamber Honors Citizen & Business Person of the Year, Students, Teachers

Camas, WA — Dozens gathered together at Camas Meadows Golf Club Wednesday evening at the Annual Camas Washougal Chamber of Commerce Awards banquet to honor students, teachers, as well as the Citizen of the Year and Business Person of the Year.

Lori Reed, president of the chamber emceed the event, which first paid tribute to two local seniors who won $1,000 college scholarships. Mary Lendvoyi was the Washougal scholarship recipient. Lendvoyi is an excellent student and athlete, and plans to attend college in Idaho.

Savannah Stephens won the college scholarship representing Camas (Camas Connect Academy). She will be attending Brigham Young University this Fall.

The Washougal Teacher of the Year is Cheryl MacIntyre, who was honored for her work as the District Math Coach. Camas nominated three teachers — Jenn Scott, Brooke Hansen and Melissa Butler — for their amazing work in the Science of Reading Team. The three teachers have helped students diagnosed and cope with dyslexia and other reading issues. Their work has been instrumental in helping kids with reading difficulties. 

Retired Staff Sergeant John Kaiser was named Citizen of the Year for his work helping local veterans. He started fishing with his dad at the age of 6. In 1997, Kaiser enlisted in the Army where he served in Kuwait, Mosul and Baghdad, where he was wounded. He medically retired in 2008. After struggling with PTSD fishing became a therapy. After fishing with an Army Buddy, Kaiser realized there are therapeutic benefits of being outside surrounded by nature and quietly fishing. 

Chamber
John Kaiser won the Citizen of the Year award.

Kaiser began to take veterans fishing and quickly became the Northwest Veteran Outreach Coordinator for Veteran Outdoors, a Texas-based organization dedicated to providing hunting, fishing and outdoor activities to wounded veterans. 

And, Marilyn Reed was honored as Business Person of the Year for finding creative solutions to grow her business — Lily Atelier — which is a women’s boutique store.

The CW Chamber Citizen of the Year award started in 1955.

Chamber
Savannah Stephens won a CW Chamber college scholarship.
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Family Promise of Clark County Receives Support of 100 Women Who Care

Giving circle presents funds to organization helping homeless and low income families achieve sustainable independence.  

CAMAS, WA — Members of 100 Women Who Care Clark County presented $3,000 to Family Promise of Clark County on Wednesday, May 11, 2022, at their second meeting this year. Board president Dave Cole accepted the funds on behalf of the organization. The local giving circle selected Family Promise to receive their donations at the first meeting of the year, held on Wednesday, February 23, 2022 at Grains of Wrath in downtown Camas.

Jacilyn Margeson, board member of Family Promise and part of the 100 Women Advisory Board nominated the organization at the February meeting. Office Moms and Dads and Friends of the Washougal Library were the other nonprofit nominees at that meeting. 

Dave Cole explained that Family Promise of Clark County operates an emergency shelter program and works closely with the families it serves to help them find permanent housing. The organization also provides on-going case management services which can include resources for employment and financial literacy. 

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 May meeting was held at Salud! Wine Bar in Camas and the group hopes to continue with in-person meetings throughout 2022. The next meeting will be held at Salud! Wine Bar, 224 NE 3rd Ave. Camas, on August 17, starting at 6 pm. There is an optional social hour before the meeting from 5 pm. 

Women
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CW Chamber Names Reed, Kaiser as 2022 Business Person, Citizen of the Year

Camas, WA — The Camas-Washougal Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with Riverview Community Bank, has named Marilyn Reed, owner of Lily Atelier the 2022 Business Person of the Year, and John Kaiser as the 2022 Citizen of the Year.

On Wednesday, June 1, the CW Chamber will host the Annual Awards Banquet at the Camas Meadows Golf Club, 4105 NW Camas Meadows Dr in Camas. This event is open to the public. The cost to attend is $45 per person. Please contact the C-W Chamber at info@cwchamber.com or by phone at 360.834.2472 for ticket information. The CW Chamber Scholarship Winners and the Teachers of the Year from both the Camas School District and the Washougal School district, will also be honored on June 1st. For more information or for questions call 360.834.2472.   

2022 Businessperson of the Year: Marilyn Reed, Lily Atelier

Reed purchased Lily Atelier in November 2019

  • As an active board member on the C-W Chamber she regularly sponsors events and donates a gift basket to the Gift Basket Luncheon. She also serves on the Camas Days Committee.
  • Reed is an active member of the Downtown Camas Association (DCA) and supports almost all of their events. 
  • Reed supports and participates in many fundraising events for several local organizations including, Ten Grands, Dinner in White, Jack Will and Rob Center, Assistance League, Camas Educational Foundation, Camas High School Deca Program and Pink Sista’s.
  • And, she supports the education of our young community members through bi-annual internship programs run by Cascadia Technology Academy

2022 Citizen of the Year: John Kaiser

Chamber
John Kaiser

Retired Staff Sergeant John Kaiser started fishing with his dad at the age of 6. In 1997, Kaiser enlisted in the Army where he served in Kuwait, Mosul and Baghdad, where he was wounded. He medically retired in 2008. After struggling with PTSD fishing became a therapy. After fishing with an Army Buddy, Kaiser realized there are therapeutic benefits of being outside surrounded by nature and quietly fishing. 

Kaiser began to take veterans fishing and quickly became the Northwest Veteran Outreach Coordinator for Veteran Outdoors, a Texas-based organization dedicated to providing hunting, fishing and outdoor activities to wounded veterans. 

Last year, Kaiser took out over 100 veterans on the Columbia River from Astoria to Roosevelt Lake to fish. Later this year, he will take two female army vets to the Salmon Derby in Astoria. Their only expense will be the fishing license. 

Kaiser explained that these are “not just fishing trips but also opportunities to share the healing effects being outdoors has on the physical and mental struggles of veterans.” 

Administrator
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Saturday’s Alleged Carjacking Suspect Appears in Court Monday

Vancouver, WA — The teen who allegedly stole a woman’s vehicle at gunpoint Saturday in Vancouver and ended up being surrounded by police near Camas Safeway appeared in Clark County Juvenile Court today. 

Jamarion L. Croxton is facing charges of first degree robbery, second degree unlawful possession of a firearm, and resisting arrest. His hearing will be reviewed to determine whether he will be released from juvenile detention.

The Vancouver police said they responded at 4:30 pm Saturday at the 12900 block of Northeast 28th Street to reports of a carjacking. The 64-year-old woman told police she was unloading groceries from her vehicle when someone approached her at gunpoint telling her to give him the car keys. That boy would later be identified as Croxton.  He then sped away. 

At 5:20 pm Camas police officers found the stolen Nissan Altima at the Camas Safeway parking lot, court records state. Officers saw Croxton walking near the car. After officers approached him, Croxton ran off, according to court documents.

Dozens of law enforcement vehicles arrived at the scene and blocked off the area, and called for Croxton to surrender. See the video:

Police found Croxton about 90 minutes later hiding in the backyard of a house in the 700 block of Northeast Second Avenue. Law enforcement had the entire blocked surrounded and repeatedly called for the suspect to surrender. Officers found a handgun hidden in the weeds after he surrendered, court records say.

The woman identified Croxton as the person who stole her car, court records say.

For more than 90 minutes, Camas residents gathered to witness the scene, and rumors circulated that it was an ATM robbery. We later learned it was a carjacking.

This story will be updated.

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City of Camas Announces 4 Finalist for City Administrator Position

Camas, WA —The City of Camas has announced that four finalists have been named in the search for the City’s next Administrator.

Under the authority and direction of the Mayor, the City Administrator assumes full management responsibility for all City operations, while also implementing policy decisions made by City Council, preparing recommendations, and advising on matters requiring legislative action.

The four finalists and their brief biographies are listed below, in alphabetical order:

Jeff Niten

Jeff Niten has served as the City Manager for the City of Shelton, Washington since 2019. Prior to his time in Shelton, Niten was the Community Development Director for the City of Ridgefield, Washington and spent nine years at Clark County, Washington in various planning roles. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science degree from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and an Executive Master of Public Administration degree from the University of South Dakota.

Kira Peters

Kira Peters has served as the Community Services Administrator/Library System Director in the City of Scottsdale, Arizona, for the past four years. Prior to her current role, she held multiple positions for the City of Scottsdale, including the Parks and Recreation Manager. Peters holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology degree from Arizona State University and a Master of Organizational Leadership degree from Northern Arizona University.

Administrator

Keith Stahley

Keith Stahley currently serves as the Assistant City Manager for the City of Olympia, Washington. Prior to serving as the Assistant City Manager, Stahley served as the City of Olympia’s Community Planning and Development Director. He holds a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture from Syracuse University, a Master of Public Administration from Florida Atlantic University, and is an International City/County Management Association Credentialed Manager (ICMA-CM).

Mike Thomas

Mike Thomas currently serves as the City Manager for the City of Amity, Oregon. Prior to his time in Amity, Thomas served as a Lieutenant Colonel and Squadron Commander in the United States Air Force. Thomas holds a Bachelor of Science in Management degree from the United States Air Force Academy, a Master of Business Administration degree from Trident University International, a Master of Military Operational Art and Science degree from Air University, and a Master of Public Administration degree from the University of Oregon.

The candidates will partake in a two-day interview process with various groups in and around the City, including department heads, City Council members and members of different community groups.

The public is also invited to meet the candidates and provide feedback. The Community Meet and Greet will take place, Thursday, May 12 from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m., at the Lacamas Lake Lodge.  Attendees will be able to mingle with the candidates in a more casual setting, and then provide their feedback to the City at the event, or electronically. 

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CHS Completes JV Baseball Racial Slur Investigation; Confirms Micro-Aggressions

Camas, WA — A weeklong investigation following allegations of racial slurs from Camas High School (CHS) JV baseball players against a black Skyview athlete concluded today confirming micro-aggression behavior occurred at an April 20 game. For a week, rumors have swirled about when it happened, if it happened, if it was intentional, how long the actions took place, and why the game wasn’t stopped.

A micro-aggression is a statement, action, or incident regarded as an instance of indirect, subtle, or unintentional discrimination against members of a marginalized group such as a racial or ethnic minority. CHS students have been saying on Lacamas Magazine social media sites the school does have issues with students and faculty who regularly put down racial minorities, and are frustrated administrators don’t take any action.

Camas parents who attended a 4 pm team meeting today with CHS administrators said Skyview’s claims stem from comments overheard during pre-game warmups. As the Papermakers were doing grave digger exercises they were chanting “grave diggers” as they regularly do. Skyview said the Camas players were yelling “grave n——s,” a racial insult aimed at a black Skyview baseball player.

Camas players insist they didn’t say that harmful word, but Skyview stands by their claims. Camas players felt today’s statement was rushed, and didn’t give players an opportunity to be heard. Several left the meeting feeling slighted.

Although CHS Principal Tom Morris and Athletic Director Rory Oster didn’t go into specifics in their statement, they did confirm evidence of racial slurs.

Morris and Oster issued this statement today, which was authored by Dr. Charlene Williams, Assistant Superintendent of Camas Schools:

Dear Camas Community,

You may be aware of allegations made about racist actions that took place at a JV baseball game between Skyview HS and Camas HS last week. Below is a message from Camas HS that was shared with Skyview High School athletics and administration today. 

Now that the investigation is complete, we want to share this with you in an effort to keep you informed. Please know that we cannot share information about student discipline. 

This is not how we want to be represented in our community, and we continue to be committed to our equity work.

Rory Oster, Athletic Director

Tom Morris, CHS Principal

Dear Skyview Baseball Team and Administration,

After a week of investigation, while we were not able to confirm all allegations, we do know that our players engaged in racial micro-aggressions at the April 20, 2022, JV baseball game. Their actions and the inaction of the athletes who witnessed these acts, clearly illustrate that a problem exists in our team. We are deeply sorry this occurred and apologize for the harm our players caused to Skyview team members.

Therefore, all JV games will remain canceled until the situation with Skyview and Camas JV baseball teams is resolved. Looking ahead, Camas staff will be working with its students to determine how the harm they caused can be repaired. Our plan is to engage with you to restore relationships and build a path forward. Additionally, WIAA recently created a policy around halting games when racist acts are reported; we will ensure all staff and athletes are aware of this policy and how to respond to and interrupt racist acts.

We condemn all forms of racism and will continue our work to eliminate racism in our system.

Sincerely,

Rory Oster, Athletic Director

Tom Morris, CHS Principal

Racial
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April 28 Fundraiser to Assist With Camas-Washougal Skate Park Renovations

Camas, WA —The only outdoor skate park in East Clark County, is ready for a refresh. Built in 2002, the Camas-Washougal Skate Park, while currently functional, is desperately in need of renovations.

Camas Parks and Recreation is currently working with a host of partners to design plans for multiple new features at the park.  But with new features, come new costs. To help offset those costs, the City is working with the Camas Parks Foundation to kick off a month-long fundraising campaign, starting with a classic skate movie at Liberty Theatre, April 28.

Join the Camas Parks Foundation, and Camas Parks & Recreation at the Liberty Theatre, Thursday, April 28, at 7:00 p.m., doors open at 6:30 p.m., for the showing of “Bones Brigade: An Autobiography” (rated PG for some strong language). Bones Brigade is a classic skateboard movie featuring skateboard stars Tony Hawk, Rodney Mullen, Steve Caballero, Lance Mountain, Tommy Guerrero and Mike McGill.

Admission is $7.50, and tickets will be pre-sold, and seats pre-selected by visiting: https://www.camasliberty.com/movie/129019/Bones-Brigade-An-Autobiography  All ticket proceeds will be donated towards the Camas-Washougal Skate Park improvements! 

In addition, the month-long fundraising effort will also include an on-line silent auction which will begin April 28 and run through June 4, culminating with a skate event at the Camtown Youth Festival! Check out the amazing auction items, stay up to date with the progressive fundraising efforts, or donate directly on the “Donate to the Skate Park” button at:  https://www.camasparksfoundation.org/skatepark 

Major contributors to this project include Camas Parks Foundation, Collective Concrete, Grains of Wrath, Liberty Theatre, Live Well Camas, Lunch Money, Nest & Love Photography, Poler, Parks Foundation of Clark County and Yew Skateboards. You can view all the donors, sponsors and contributors by visiting the Camas Parks Foundation web page at: https://www.camasparksfoundation.org/skatepark 

For questions or more information contact: Krista Bashaw at 360-817-7991 or kbashaw@cityofcamas.us

For questions or information related to the on-line fundraiser, contact: Vicki Kerr at 503-730-5300

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