The Columbian (Vancouver, WA) articles from March 2007

The Columbian (Vancouver, WA) archives from March 2007

Error, not favoritism, cited in lapse.
March 30, 2007... Byline: John Branton Mar. 30--Last year, the Clark County Sheriff's Office records unit failed to send reports to the state Department of Licensing that detailed the arrest of a Vancouver police officer for alleged DUI. As a result,...

Bills target K-12 math, science instruction.
March 30, 2007... Byline: Kathie Durbin Mar. 30--Lawmakers look to set new standards OLYMPIA -- High school students would be required to take at least three years of math and local school districts would have less discretion to pick math curricula...

Police report: Man allegedly robs bank, fesses up the next day.
March 30, 2007... Byline: John Branton Mar. 30--In a world that sometimes seems to run on half truths and deceptions, if not outright lies, 21-year-old Andrew Lee Lawhern may be an exception. Clark County Sheriff's deputies say Lawhern held up a...

Ex-employee sues Port of Vancouver.
March 30, 2007... Byline: Jonathan Nelson Mar. 30--A former Port of Vancouver employee filed a lawsuit Thursday in Clark County Superior Court that alleges she was fired after raising concerns about possible bid rigging on port contracts. Rebecca...

Save-on Shuts Doors.
March 30, 2007... Byline: Julia Anderson Mar. 30--Popular Woodland grocery store falls victim to reorganization WOODLAND -- Campers heading up Lewis River Road on their way to Merwin and Swift lakes this summer, travelers taking the southern route...

Even dummies talk to these nurses.
March 30, 2007... Byline: Tom Vogt Mar. 30--Jerry wanted to go home, and you can't blame him. After all, who wants to spend his birthday attached to tubes in a hospital bed? So the nursing staff had to do more than just provide the appropriate...

Police recommend no charges against B.G. teacher.
March 30, 2007... Byline: Isolde Raftery Mar. 30--Prosecuting attorney must decide on case Battle Ground police have concluded their investigation into the allegation that a Maple Grove Primary School teacher assaulted a 10-year-old girl and...

Tossed offers bowl lot of variety.
March 30, 2007... Byline: Matt Wastradowski Mar. 30--Why: Tossed, a few doors down from the Vancouver Farmers Market, gives diners the chance to build their version of a perfect salad or wrap by choosing from a list of 47 ingredients. The restaurant sets...

Shorthanded Pioneers fall 5-1.
March 30, 2007... Mar. 30--The Dubuque (Iowa) Thunder scored three goals in the final 10 minutes Thursday to pull away from the short-handed Fort Vancouver Pioneers for a 5-1 win on the opening day of the USA Hockey Junior B National Tournament in Grand...

EDITORIAL: Properly Persistent.(Editorial)
March 30, 2007... Mar. 30--Arts-center advocates know they're right, and they're not about to give up Proponents of a much-needed and long-overdue performing arts center in Clark County deserve credit for one attribute: persistence. They haven't...

EDITORIAL: Remove Condit Dam.(Editorial)
March 30, 2007... Mar. 30--Ultimate benefits are worth the early effects The short-term effects of dismantling 94-year-old Condit Dam on the White Salmon River would not be pretty: Shock waves from possible blasting would kill any fish in the immediate...

Portland promotes Pritchard.
March 30, 2007... Byline: Brian Hendrickson Mar. 30--Architect of last year's draft is Blazers' new general manager PORTLAND -- Expectant eyes were on Kevin Pritchard almost from the moment Steve Patterson resigned from his executive positions with...

The Columbian, Vancouver, Wash., Brian Hendrickson column: Commentary: Aldridge: Blazers' other rookie of year.(Column)
March 30, 2007... Byline: Brian Hendrickson Mar. 30--Imagine for a moment if LaMarcus Aldridge's breakout period had come just two months earlier. What a position the Portland Trail Blazers might have found themselves in by now. Not that the Blazers...

Prep highlights: La Center's Dawson pitches no-hitter.
March 30, 2007... Mar. 30--Mariah Dawson pitched a no-hitter and struck out eight to lead the La Center softball team to a 1-0 win over Kalama in a non-league game Thursday. Five batters each had singles for the Wildcats, and Natalie Deotsch scored the...

Ripe for the picking.
March 30, 2007... Byline: Brett Oppegaard Mar. 30--Vancouver Farmers Market flourishes as more people eat locally Free Entertainment To celebrate the Vancouver Farmers Market opening, the South American instrumental band Group O'Condor will...

Camas man clicks with Legos.
March 30, 2007... Byline: Mike Bailey Mar. 30--Allen Smith of Camas has a strong connection to his hobby. About 60,000 connections, he says, give or take a piece or two. Smith, 24, is a Lego man. Like many of the adults who are taking part in...

School questions delaying projects.
March 30, 2007... Byline: Michael Andersen Mar. 30--Developments in Brush Prairie on hold Before Clark County leaders allow hundreds of new homes and two big commercial projects to go up in an area near Northeast 119th Street south of Brush Prairie,...

OPINION: Casino study is far from impartial.
March 30, 2007... Byline: Gregg Herrington Mar. 30--'Less than significant." That's one important prediction of the impact a sprawling casino near La Center would have on the physical environment and social fabric of Clark County. It's important...

Church rents Portland arena for Easter.
March 30, 2007... Byline: Kelly Adams Mar. 30--During a weekend of services at the Living Hope Church last month, the Rev. John -Bishop announced that a special collection would be taken. The money brought in -during the 21 services at five campuses...

Excuses abound after loss by Blazers.
March 30, 2007... Byline: Brian Hendrickson Mar. 30--Portland wastes Randolph's career night in defeat PORTLAND -- The excuses for the Portland Trail Blazers' 96-92 loss to Memphis Thursday night came in a wide variety. Blazers coach Nate McMillan...

Corrections.
March 29, 2007... Mar. 29--Climate-change bill: A story on Page C1 Wednesday misidentified the House committee that held a hearing on a climate change bill. The hearing on Senate Bill 6001 was held Tuesday by the House Technology, Energy and Communications...

Fisheries conservation group moves to Northwest.
March 29, 2007... Byline: Allen Thomas Mar. 29--A NEW -- and potentially powerful -- player is coming to the Northwest to get involved in salmon management and politics. The Coastal Conservation Association is based in Houston, with 90,000 members...

Prep hilights: Schoenwald tosses no-hitter for Prairie.
March 29, 2007... Mar. 29--Samantha Schoenwald tossed a complete-game no-hitter as Prairie defeated Mountain View 1-0 in a Class 4A Greater St. Helens League softball game on Wednesday. Prairie scored its lone run in the bottom of the seventh inning. ...

Daily roundup.
March 28, 2007... Mar. 28--Vancouver Spring Career Fair set for Thursday at mall Fifteen employers from the Clark County-Portland area will be on hand for the 2007 Vancouver Spring Career Fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday at Westfield Vancouver...

Landslide closes Highway 26 near Oregon Zoo.
March 28, 2007... Byline: Kelly Adams Mar. 28--A landslide that sent mud and trees across the westbound lanes of Highway 26 has closed that side of the road, according to the Portland Police Bureau. The slide occurred about 9 a.m. just west of the...

Spotlight on youth.
March 28, 2007... Byline: Kim Jarvis Mar. 28--Several middle school and high school students in Clark County participated in the regional National History Day at Washington State University Vancouver on Feb. 24. The following participants will advance to...

On the trail: Burnt Bridge Creek Trail.
March 28, 2007... Byline: Justin Carinci Mar. 28--On this small section of trail, it's easy to feel like a bird stumbling upon a slice of prime habitat deep within central Vancouver: How did I get so lucky? From Fort Vancouver High School, cross 18th...

Neighbors speak out.
March 28, 2007... Byline: Pauline Ek Mar. 28--Arnada Neighborhood Do you feel that the proposed Arnada Commons project, five stories high and encompassing a full city block, will be a positive or negative change for the neighborhood? "Positive,...

Marianne Kahlsdorf celebrates 100th year.
March 28, 2007... Byline: Mary Ricks Mar. 28--Parkway East: Marianne Elizabeth Tyler Kahlsdorf is celebrating her 100th birthday today. She got a new perm Friday and tonight will dress up and dine at a local restaurant with family. She was born in Kansas...

You can help.
March 28, 2007... Byline: Pauline Ek Mar. 28--Volunteer Connections provides opportunities through the Human Services Council. For information on the following and other opportunities, call 360-624-9088. naHelp at the Cinco de Mayo Fiesta Benefit &...

Spotted: Osaka Seikei Girls High School Mandolin Orchestra at Cascade Retirement Inn.
March 28, 2007... Byline: Mary Ricks Mar. 28--It was first-class entertainment at the Cascade Retirement Inn March 21 when the 38-member Osaka Seikei Girls High School Mandolin Orchestra performed. Nearly 100 friends and residents of the retirement...

What's up with that? Litter bugs residents.
March 28, 2007... Byline: Justin Carinci Mar. 28--Whom do you contact to complain about litter on Interstate 205? Beginning at the Glenn Jackson Bridge all the way to the Vancouver mall, on both sides of the freeway, it looks like a garbage dump. I...

Why did NICE turn out so badly?
March 28, 2007... Byline: Scott Hewitt Mar. 28--It was a NICE idea that went nowhere. Everybody still seems puzzled over why. October 2005 saw the inaugural meeting of Neighbors Invested in Code Enforcement (NICE), an effort to put volunteers to work...

In the service.
March 28, 2007... Byline: Pauline Ek Mar. 28--RETURNED FROM IRAQ Army Spc. Nicholas Lee Wooten recently returned home to Vancouver after serving as a medic for 18 months in Ramadi, Iraq. His neighbors helped welcome him home, with flags and yellow...

Prep previews: VC?s Shute has been smashing success.
March 28, 2007... Byline: Brian Hendrickson Mar. 28--When Shayna Shute practices to defend her state shot put title this spring, the scene may be surprising. She stands in an asphalt parking lot, using a curb to simulate the edge of the ring, and...

Burdick resigns city hall position.
March 28, 2007... Byline: Craig Brown Mar. 28--The chief architect of Vancouver's downtown renaissance, city economic development manager Steve Burdick, is resigning. "At this stage of my life, I am looking for different experiences and another...

Portland's Sunset Highway reopens after landslide.
March 28, 2007... Byline: Kelly Adams Mar. 28--The Oregon Department of Transportation reopened three lanes of westbound U.S. Highway 26 west of the Vista Ridge tunnel this evening, more than 8 hours after landslides caused mud, rock and trees to spill...

The sewer is coming.
March 28, 2007... Byline: Michael Andersen Mar. 28--Spring is here, and along Northwest 119th Street and 36th Avenue in Felida, construction is hitting a fever pitch. Two new subdivisions. A drainage pipe for the swampy fields near Jefferson Middle...

New Home.
March 28, 2007... Byline: Mary Ricks Mar. 28--North Salmon Creek: Crystal Hubanks, 13, a student at Alki Middle School, wanted a dog who could play and run on the beach with her. She found what she wanted at the Humane Society for Southwest Washington. A...

Neighborhood focus: Mount Pleasant.
March 28, 2007... Byline: Scott Hewitt Mar. 28--SKAMANIA COUNTY -- The dozens of coal-black cows wandering the meadows here enjoy an unparalleled view of the Vista House. That Oregon landmark at the entry to the Columbia River Gorge is due south, just...

House approves 'budget of hope'.
March 27, 2007... Byline: Kathie Durbin Mar. 27--OLYMPIA -- The state House of Representatives passed a two-year, $33.4 billion operating budget Monday on a 62-35 vote after a partisan debate over the state's ability to afford major investments in...

Police: Crash instigator had been drinking.
March 27, 2007... Mar. 27--Vancouver man who allegedly started six-car pileup appears in court A Vancouver man who police said instigated a six-car crackup on state Highway 14 Saturday night made his first appearance in court Monday. Frederick A....

City council favors I-5 transit route.
March 27, 2007... Byline: Jeffrey Mize Mar. 27--Travel times would be only slightly faster than Main Street alignment When it comes to light rail or bus rapid transit, perception might be more important than numbers. Several members of the...

Land trust purchase will protect salmon habitat.
March 27, 2007... Byline: Erik Robinson Mar. 27--Group buys 480 acres on either side of Klickitat River for preservation purposes A 15-mile section of Klickitat River salmon habitat will be swaddled on either side by a permanently conserved landscape...

Clark County Women's Bowling Tournament - Bailey leads going into final weekend.
March 27, 2007... Mar. 27--26th annual event concludes at Allen's Crosley Lanes Robin Bailey leads the singles and the all-events competition among high-average bowlers after the second weekend of the 26th Clark County Women's Bowling Tournament. Her score...

Landslide closes Spirit Lake Highway indefinitely.
March 27, 2007... Byline: Erik Robinson Mar. 27--A rain-saturated slope gave way Monday morning on the Spirit Lake Memorial Highway, blocking the highway that had been reconstructed after the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens. The highway was blocked...

Eight is Not Enough.
March 27, 2007... Byline: Brian T. Smith Mar. 27--Clark College softball team seeks enough players to open season Casey Powers would wake up late at night, covered in sweat. He felt fear, regret, the pressure of the unknown. Sitting up in bed,...

Casino report irks La Center officials.
March 27, 2007... Byline: Jeffrey Mize Mar. 27--Study downplays effect on city's primary revenue stream, they say A federal report saying La Center can afford to lose two-thirds of its primary revenue stream has triggered concern, but little outrage,...

Military ships cast adrift on Columbia.
March 27, 2007... Byline: Tom Vogt Mar. 27--The two get half-mile downstream before bumping into pilings PORTLAND -- When Rachel Doss saw the ships floating by at 5 a.m., "I thought I was imagining things," she said, "so I went back to sleep." ...

Traffic slows Woodland Wal-Mart.
March 27, 2007... Byline: Cami Joner Mar. 27--Several conditions must be met before store can be built WOODLAND -- Before a Wal-Mart SuperCenter can be built here, developers need to do more to fix traffic congestion the store might cause, a hearings...

Prep highlights: Hadenfeld pitches Evergreen to 4A GSHL softball win.
March 27, 2007... Mar. 27--Evergreen scored six runs in the top of the seventh inning to beat Mountain View 7-3 Monday in the Class 4A Greater St. Helens League softball opener for both teams. Lauren Hadenfeld struck out 11 batters and Wai Bucahanan had...

Mountain View High School Scholars - Smart, wise and full of Thunder.
March 27, 2007... Byline: Howard Buck Mar. 27--A Mountain View High School quartet was both smart and wise in capturing the 4A Washington state title in Knowledge Bowl competition Saturday in Camas. Smart, in correctly answering ridiculously tough or...

Police, fire report:.
March 27, 2007... Byline: Kelly Adams and John Branton Mar. 27--Ridgefield man tells police he was carjacked A Ridgefield man told the police he was a victim of a carjacking early Monday morning. Chief Carrie Greene said Derek Vanweerdhuizen,...

Columbia Timbers Red cut down in 13th round of PKs.
March 27, 2007... Mar. 27--South Sound Select Crush wins Championship Cup The 13th round of the penalty-kick tiebreaker was unlucky for the Columbia Timbers Red girls under-12 soccer team on Saturday. The South Sound Select Crush emerged victorious...

Woodland man jailed after 75-mph pursuit.
March 27, 2007... Byline: John Branton Mar. 27--Pickup rams police cruiser, then strikes brand-new SUV WOODLAND -- Ryan Michael Symonds got himself into a heap of trouble, police say, after he allegedly led a sergeant on a reckless, 75-mph pursuit on...

Vancouver woman dies after Oregon accident.
March 27, 2007... Byline: Craig Brown Mar. 27--An 88-year-old Vancouver woman has died after an accident on Highway 26 in Oregon's Coast Range. Julia M. Vorkink died Monday evening near Elsie, on the road between Portland and Seaside. A medical...

Two homeless men are detained after Fox news employee assaulted.
March 27, 2007... Byline: John Branton Mar. 27--Vancouver police detained two homeless men in downtown Vancouver Monday night after one allegedly punched a Fox News 12 employee in the face and the other pulled a knife on a crowd of bystanders. Officers...

High school head-turners grow up - A five day series: Take a challenge and run with it.
March 27, 2007... Byline: Tricia Jones Mar. 27--WASHOUGAL High School's Class of 1973: Zada McClellan 'MOST ATHLETIC' Being named Most Athletic female by the Washougal High School Class of '73 was no small achievement for senior Zada...

EDITORIAL: Saving Wetlands.(Editorial)
March 27, 2007... Mar. 27--Mitigation 'bank' concept is making progress The win-win concept of wetlands banking is making progress in Clark County, good news for two frequent adversaries: developers and environmentalists. A wetland bank allows...

Seasoning leaves Winter Hawks with bad taste.
March 27, 2007... Byline: Paul Danzer Mar. 27--A 52-loss season was not what Portland had in mind They knew it would be difficult to push upper-tier teams such as Everett, but the management of the Portland Winter Hawks didn't anticipate the 2006-2007...

Corrections.
March 27, 2007... Mar. 27--Sales tax: The headline to an article about sales tax on Page C1 Sunday incorrectly summarized a state law. The law requires sales taxes to rise to 8.2 percent in Camas and Yacolt on April 1, even without action by their city...

Community notebook: Skyview High School hosting bodybuilding classic on Saturday.
March 27, 2007... Mar. 27--National champ, professionals to guest star at event More than 100 amateur competitors and 40 fitness exhibitors are expected to participate in the NPC Vancouver USA Bodybuilding Classic on Saturday at Skyview High School. This...

EDITORIAL: Eruptive Fares.(Editorial)
March 27, 2007... Mar. 27--Volcano visitor centers need more money, but proposed formula needs changes What we've got in our back yard is a world-class natural attraction, Mount St. Helens. But the visitor centers for viewing and learning about the...

Hazel Dell bank robbed for fourth time since December.
March 27, 2007... Byline: Kelly Adams Mar. 27--The KeyBank in Hazel Dell was robbed Monday morning, the fourth time since December. Clark County Sheriff's Sgt. Tim Bieber said a young white man walked into the bank at 1217 N.E. 99th St. at about noon....

Hearings examiner finds for Brush Prairie asphalt plant.
March 27, 2007... Byline: Michael Andersen Mar. 27--A proposed 16-acre asphalt plant and office building in the heart of Brush Prairie "will not have a significant adverse impact" on the area around them, a Clark County hearings examiner concluded in a...

Strange brew.
March 26, 2007... Byline: Erik Robinson Mar. 26--As more flushed pharmaceuticals slip through wastewater treatment plants and mingle in the river, scientists find that fish, and possibly even humans, may be facing a prescription for disaster. Battle...

Off Beat... not quite the news: Do world-class bridges have trolls living below?
March 26, 2007... Mar. 26--For the record, the "other" Vancouver has four times as many people and will host the 2010 Winter Olympics. That doesn't prevent people from continually mixing up Canada's third-largest metropolis with the fourth-largest city in...

Series of hazardous-waste collections set.
March 26, 2007... Mar. 26--Clark County residents interested in getting rid of household hazardous wastes will have a prime opportunity beginning next month, with a series of free mobile collection events. The collection events will take household...

Is Steakburger well-done?
March 26, 2007... Byline: Jonathan Nelson Mar. 26--Steakburger developed its iconic status in part from summers that included burgers, shakes and miniature golf at the Hazel Dell business. But this could be the last summer fling if a deal materializes...

One on One with Larry Warner - Owner, Absolute Electric Inc.
March 26, 2007... Byline: Cami Joner Mar. 26--What does you company do? We're an electrical company catering to residential electrical needs. How does that differ from other electrical contractors? It's more of a service-based business. We...

Fatima statue draws the faithful.
March 26, 2007... Byline: Jose Paul Corona Mar. 26--Camas resident Yolanda Marrs had a specific reason for visiting St. Joseph Catholic Church in Vancouver on Sunday. She wanted to thank the International Virgin Pilgrim Statue of Our Lady of Fatima for...

Alcohol may have been a factor in six-car crash.
March 26, 2007... Byline: Jose Paul Corona Mar. 26--Vancouver man arrested after allegedly initiating Highway 14 accident Alcohol is being blamed for a crash involving six cars on state Highway 14 late Saturday night. According to a Washington...

High Schools: All 3 GSHLs play 3 rounds of league games.
March 26, 2007... Byline: Tim Martinez Mar. 26--Three must be a magic number. Or maybe the third time truly is the charm. Baseball and softball teams in Southwest Washington apparently are going to find out what the fascination is with the number...

High school head-turners grow up - A five day series Rough start lit fire in belly.
March 26, 2007... Byline: Tricia Jones Mar. 26--Camas High School's Class of 1969: Gery Ellibee BEST ALL AROUND' Gery Ellibee can't read the words aloud without a catch in his voice. Former Willamette University 800-meter winner Beth...

The Columbian, Vancouver, Wash., Bits 'n' Pieces column: Bits 'n' Pieces: Vancouver touted as a great place to retire by magazine.(Column)
March 26, 2007... Byline: Mike Bailey Mar. 26--America's Vancouver gets a huge splash in the latest issue of Where to Retire magazine. A six-page story by Vancouver freelance writer Stanton H. Patty touts the benefits of retiring here in the...

The Columbian's All-region teams - Boys Basketball: Simply Put: Peavey's a Player.
March 26, 2007... Byline: Paul Valencia Mar. 26--Known for his baseball skills, Bay star gave his all for basketball team Greg Peavey knows that in a few months, it is possible he will cash in on his baseball skills for some really, really good money....

EDITORIAL: Good Moms.(Editorial)
March 26, 2007... Mar. 26--Study shows that working momsare plenty devoted to kids Mommy guilt leads to mommy studies, and a recent one is receiving a collective sigh of relief. Unlike studies that measure the number of hours working mothers spend...

Mock pageant raises big money for hospital.
March 26, 2007... Byline: Dave Kern Mar. 26--What started out as a young woman's senior project at Hudson's Bay High School has blossomed into a formidable fundraising machine for Doernbecher Children's Hospital in Portland. The 12 boys who competed...

The Third Option.
March 26, 2007... Byline: Brian Hendrickson Mar. 26--Aldridge provides mid-range jumper and rebounding LaMarcus Aldridge says he didn't feel any pressure to fill Zach Randolph's role last week. Maybe it's because the Portland Trail Blazers rookie...

Roundball Shootout games truly live up to name.
March 26, 2007... Byline: Paul Valencia Mar. 26--Boys all-star teams combine for 254 points; girls get 166 The small-school stars had it going their way at the Les Schwab Roundball Shootout. The biggest winner, though, was offense. The girls...

Trail Blazers - Report card.
March 26, 2007... Byline: Brian Hendrickson Mar. 26--Last week's record: 3-1 C Offense This was not a tremendous offensive week by any stretch. Portland's loss to Seattle was a narcoleptic showing complete with the final nod-off in a 20-4...

Trail Blazers - Week ahead.
March 26, 2007... Byline: Brian Hendrickson Mar. 26--Chicago Bulls When: Today, 5:30 p.m. (KGW) Where: The United Center (21,711) Record: 41-30, third place in Central Division Last 10: 7-3 Series: Bulls lead, 55-45 Series in...

Awards will honor work on behalf of disabled citizens.
March 23, 2007... Byline: Kelly Adams Mar. 23--People and organizations that have used their talents to make the lives of children and adults with disabilities better will be honored March 31. The fifth-annual Caring Heart Awards is sponsored by...

Vancouver attorney sworn in as magistrate.
March 23, 2007... Mar. 23--Vancouver attorney David Christel has been sworn in to replace retiring U.S. District Magistrate Judge Gilbert H. Kleweno. Christel will take office Saturday. He was sworn in Wednesday by U.S. District Judge Ronald Leighton...