POST SET AS PLANKHOUSE WORK BEGINS

A Nov. 1 pole-raising ceremony marked the beginning of construction of the Cathlapotle Plankhouse, a replica of Chinook Indian Tribe plankhouses that once stood on the area that is now the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge in Ridgefield.

The inaugural pole measured about nine feet tall, and was placed in a 3-foot hole along one wall of what will be a structure measuring 37 feet by 78 feet.

The house will be located on the Carty Unit of the Refuge, just north of the city of Ridgefield.

Chinook tribe member Greg Robinson, a resident of Moclips, heads the construction work.

With side walls about chest high and 24-foot center poles, said Robinson, the roof will be steep.

Robinson dug the first pole hole himself, and said he may personally dig about 24 more.

Robinson said plankhouses generally had one or more fires burning at all times, with ventilation through a hole in the roof. This house, he said, will be constructed with one fire hole.

Yvette Donovan, spokesperson for the Refuge, said the cedar Plankhouse will become a destination for tourists who are expected to follow the Lewis & Clark Trail during the 200th anniversary of the explorers' adventure.

Donovan predicted that people will visit the legacy Plankhouse for generations to come. Donovan said Lewis & Clark paddled past the area on Nov. 5, 1805, and were greeted by canoes of Chinook Indians. They returned on March 29, 1806. Their diaries recorded the existence of a plankhouse.

Donovan said subsequent work by the Portland State University archaeology department has confirmed the one-time existence of 14 plankhouses on the Refuge, varying in size up to 200 feet long. The replica plankhouse, said Donovan, is about mid-size of its predecessors.

Donovan said Indian plankhouses at the Refuge disappeared due to weather and flooding. Some houses could be taken apart and moved, she said.

The floor of the plankhouse will be about 18 inches below ground. The site was excavated prior to the pole-raising.

The center ridge posts will be about 24 feet long, set three feet in the ground. Some concrete will be used to avoid settling.

Planks and poles will be bound with cord which will be created by volunteers using braided cedar withes.

Volunteers work Sundays on various aspects of the project, including cedar sorting and splitting, and cord braiding. Volunteers need no experience.

The pole-raising ceremony attracted Chinook tribal leader Gary Johnson from Oregon, Ridgefield mayor Tim Thompson, Clark County commissioner Betty Sue Morris, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service regional director David Allen.

A seafood luncheon fundraiser followed the pole-raising ceremony.

A Nov. 16 workshop will be held on basketweaving, beginning at 10:30 a.m. Volunteers are needed at all Sunday workshops, generally 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Donovan said the Plankhouse is scheduled for completion by fall 2004.

The Chinook Tribe, headquartered in Chinook, WA, is not recognized by the federal government as an official tribe.

Indian plankhouses contained baskets, hides, mats, stored food, paddles, bows, arrows, spears, fish nets, and trade items.

Robinson said more donations of cedar logs are needed, especially logs 36 inches or greater in diameter, and "the longer the better."

One special cedar log measuring 48 feet long is also needed, probably from a standing tree, said Robinson. This log must be no less than 19 inches in diameter at the smaller end.

The wall planks will be about three inches thick, said Robinson, while the roof will be created with lapped cedar wood, split to about two inches thick.

Robinson expressed gratitude to the volunteer work of Adam McIsaac of La Center, Lyle Deschand of View and tribal member David Elliott.

Information is available from Donovan, 887-4106, and Robinson, 887-3537.

NEW PROGRAM TO AID SALMON FISHERMEN

Commercial salmon fishermen can receive financial payments from the federal government under a new program called Trade Adjustment Assistance.

According to Sandra Starbuck of the Farm Service Agency in Brush Prairie, the program is designed to aid agricultural producers who have been hurt by low-cost imports of agricultural products.

Starbuck said the program is related to the North American Free Trade Agreement.

Starbuck said salmon fishermen are the first category of agricultural producers to qualify for the program in Washington. Once a category of producers are accepted into the program, then individual producers can apply for assistance.

Salmon fishermen can be eligible for reimbursement of half of their losses after 20 percent. A producer who suffered a price drop from $100 a ton to $75 a ton, for example, would be eligible for a payment of $2.50 a ton--half of the loss after the first $20 (20 percent) price drop.

Losses and payments are calculated on the 2002 marketing year experience.

Benefits apply to both farm-raised salmon producers and fishermen in open waters.

Salmon fishermen have until Jan. 20, 2004 to submit applications under the program. Technical assistance and training are also part of the program benefits, providing producers with better fishing or marketing skills.

Starbuck said that timber farmers and raspberry producers might be in line for program approval as well.

Officials of the Foreign Agriculture Service in Washington, D.C., said applications have not been received from timber or raspberry farmers. Applications pending approval involve blueberries in Maine, and various kinds of shrimp and catfish elsewhere in the country.

Officials said the program is not a true subsidy because it makes up only a portion of a producers losses.

Information, Starbuck, 883-1987, ext. 2.

Lagging science scores have prompted curriculum changes in the Woodland School District.

Woodland curriculum director Jim Imhoff said a new Prentice Hall curriculum is now in place for grades 7-9.

That curriculum emphasizes the scientific method and problem solving rather than specific facts, he said.

Only 17.6 percent of Woodland's eighth graders and 15.9 percent of Woodland's tenth graders met state standards in the Washington Assessment of Student Learning (WASL) test administered last spring.

In Woodland, 134 tenth graders took the test, while 11 did not.

Woodland's science scores were about half of the state average and well below neighboring districts.

Imhoff said changes in science curriculum focus on applying the scientific method and the process of scientific inquiry rather than on content and facts.

"We really need to correct our direction," said Imhoff, emphasizing the change from content to process.

"We have been heavy in content, fundamentals and facts," said Imhoff. Instead, Woodland students will focus on how to apply scientific inquiry.

Imhoff said the WASL test challenges students to solve problems, with a lesser emphasis on facts.

Students will be given problems and asked to design a process to solve it.

In grades K-6, Woodland uses science instruction kits acquired through Educational Service District 112. The new Prentice Hall curriculum is designed for students in grades 7-9. Specialty science classes will continue to be available for grades 10-12, said Imhoff.

In grades K-6, science is taught for six weeks three times a year, alternating with social studies.

Imhoff said students in grades 7-8 have science instruction in 80 minutes blocks every other day, which is 90 days a year.

No changes are planned in science class schedules for primary or middle school students, said Imhoff.

High school students have science in 80 minutes blocks, every day for one semester. Two science credits are required for high school graduation, said Imhoff, which can be satisfied with two semesters of science.

Thus a high school student could complete required science work in the freshman year.

One high school chemistry class is taught for 45 minutes for a full year, said Imhoff.

Imhoff said consideration is being given to changes in the high school science instructional schedule, but such changes are in the early "discussion" stages. "We are looking at all possibilities," he said.

Imhoff said 25-30 students usually enroll in physics, given in the fall semester. More students take chemistry, he said, than physics.

According to Shirley Skidmore, communications director for the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, test items measure how well students have mastered the concepts embedded in state standards in life, earth/space and physical sciences.

The test also measures thinking skills and students' ability to design scientific solutions to human problems.

Other results

Students in six area school districts scored higher than state averages on the WASL science test, while area tenth graders lagged behind their peers statewide.

Eighth grade students performed better than tenth graders, with more eighth graders achieving the state-mandated standard.

In the tests, students responded to multiple choice, short answer and extended response items.

Among area school districts, Hockinson, Green Mountain, and La Center had the top eighth grade scores, with La Center and Ridgefield leading among tenth graders.

Hockinson superintendent Barry Gourley attributed his district's success to a hands-on approach to teaching science. "It's very difficult to teach science from a textbook," said Gourley.

Hockinson, La Center and Green Mountain all use science teaching kits available through Educational Service District 112.

In La Center, superintendent Chuck Anderson attributed strong science scores to a new science curriculum developed with the aid of a grant from Hewlett-Packard, and the use of the ESD 112 teaching kits.

Anderson said hands-on science instruction has been enhanced with special training for science teachers in grades 1-6.

Anderson said science is taught in La Center with less emphasis on facts and more on theory.

"This was the very first time the test was given," said Anderson. "We thought our kids would do fine," said Anderson, because of the new curriculum and teaching methods.

Green Mountain superintendent Michael Grubbs credited the good showing to strong support network among students, parents and teachers.

Grubbs said Green Mountain puts a focus on science, with science instructional kits from Educational Service District 112 and visits by the Oregon Museum and Science and Industry.

Grubbs said science is taught with hands-on method, not "dry" textbooks.

Green Mountain had 13 eighth graders last spring.

The ESD 112 science kits are returned after use, refurbished, and used again.

Statewide results

Across the state, a higher percentage of white (40.8 percent) and Asian (39.9) students met the eight grade standards than black (13.7 percent), Hispanic (14 percent) or American Indian (18.3) students.

Eighth grade girls outscored boys 37.4 to 34.4 percent.

Among tenth graders, white students scored higher (36.3 percent) than Asian (32.7 percent), black (9.2 percent) and Hispanic (11.1 percent) students.

Tenth grade boys outscored girls 32.6 to 30.9 percent.

LIBRARY WILL ADD FILTERS TO INTERNET COMPUTERS

The Fort Vancouver Regional Library District will expand its Internet filtering to comply with a new federal law.

The library's board of trustees voted Sept. 20 to comply with the federal Children's Internet Protection Act which became law in 2000 and was declared constitutional by the U.S. Supreme Court in June 2003.

The board's decision to comply will result in basic Internet filtering for all library card holders. Parents of users ages 0-16 will be able to select "enhanced" filtering but cannot override or eliminate the filtering plan.

People ages 17 and above will be able to remove the filter with a one-time, electronic request, a key provision in the Supreme Court's decision on constitutionality.

Under current library policy, which will remain in effect until the new plan is implemented sometime next year, parents of children ages 0-12 can choose to override the library's filtering system and allow unfiltered access.

And under current policy, Internet access is not filtered for ages 13-17, although parents can require filtering.

At present, parents have removed the Internet filter for 34 library users ages 12 and under.

The library system has 27,375 users age 0-12, and 24,905 users ages 13-17.

Current Internet filtering policy was adopted in August 2003.

Sue Vanlaanen, director of communications for the library district, said the library's existing Internet-management software will accommodate the change in policy, although some technical work will need to be undertaken before the new policy can be implemented.

The new law requires compliance by June 30, 2004.

The new law requires that all library computers, including staff computers, be filtered for legal obscenity, child pornography and material deemed "harmful to minors," for ages 0-16, said Vanlaanen.

Vanlaanen said "basic" filtering blocks sites with sexual depictions and child pornography. "Enhanced" filtering also blocks sites that contain hate and violence material.

Had the library district not complied with the new federal law, it would have faced loss of federal "e-rate" subsidies and Internet-related grants. For the Fort Vancouver Regional Library, that funding currently totals about $1,200.

"The financial impact of compliance for our district is relatively small," said Bruce Ziegman, library district executive director. "The issues about compliance the board considered were primarily philosophical rather than financial."

Ziegman said he recommended compliance with the new law to the library board. The vote was 6-1, with Elena Smith of Klickitat County the lone dissenter.

Ziegman told the board that software filtering systems had improved. He said he did 30 searches of 50 sites each on topics such as teen suicide, sexuality, breast cancer and sexually-transmitted diseases--sites that should not be blocked.

Of the 1,500 sites examined, the library's filter inappropriately blocked only 14 or about one percent of the sites.

"I thought that was pretty good," said Ziegman. "The filters do what they are supposed to do."

Ziegman also told board members that three branches of the federal government supported the new law. "I would be hard-pressed to argue against that," said Ziegman.

Ziegman said the new law struck a fair balance between the rights of adults and the protection of children.

Ziegman said he had received no public response, pro or con, when the library instituted filtering in August.

Ziegman said he is satisfied with the new filtering plan and board decision. "I recommended it," he said.

Candy Morgan, an associate director of the library system, had testified as an individual against the new law during court hearings leading to the June 2003 decision affirming the new law as constitutional.

IRS REFUND CHECKS ARE UNDELIVERED

Almost $3 million in refund and advanced child tax credit checks destined for taxpayers in Washington have been returned to the Internal Revenues Service as undeliverable.

Officials say that the checks will be on the way when new, updated addresses are available.

The IRS website IRS.gov helps taxpayers track both their refund and their advance child tax credit, said IRS spokesperson Judy Monahan. Help is also available by calling (800) 829-1040.

Monahan said taxpayers can avoid undelivered refund checks by having refunds deposited directly into a checking or savings account.

Taxpayers who have moved since filing their last tax return are urged to correct their address by filing Form 8822. The form is available by calling (800) 829-3676.

Monahan said 5,388 refund checks are waiting residents or former residents of Washington .

Here is a list of area residents or former area residents who have refund checks waiting at the IRS:

Ariel: Anna Foss.

Battle Ground: John and Lisa Bishop, Robin Bowen, Jeffrey Bushaw, Keri Fortenberry, Dean Lee, Kirk Lee, Dean and Sandra Olin, Timothy and Pamela Seppala, John and Janie Wainwright.

Brush Prairie: Donovon and Debra Mattern, Cheyanne Mortek, Thomas Myers, Brandon Neville, Daniel and Kathryn Tilkin, Curtis and Bonnie Wharton, Marian Williams.

Ridgefield: Jason Vogan.

La Center: Mathew and Julie Kelly, Tara Slack.

Woodland: Santiago Avendano, Matthew Moistner, Rafael and Josefina Najar, William and Vickie Rolison, Cody Zuercher, Troy and Marissa Zuercher.

Yacolt: Robert and Pamela Brooking, Rafael Cortada, Timothy and Andrea Kysar, Tamra Lee, Fred and Pamela Skube.

FIRE DESTROYS HOME IN BATTLE GROUND

Heidi Wallenborn, news director

Eric and Becky Branstetter and their three children lost their home and pet dachshund, Sparky, to fire at 1002 SE Grace Ave., Battle Ground, the evening of Oct. 29.

According to Fire District 11 chief Dennis Mason, the double-wide, manufactured, three-bedroom home was destroyed and declared a total loss valued at about $80,000.

Deputy fire marshal Curtis Eavenson said the cause of the fire was a candle left burning in the computer room.

According to family friend Cathy Wells, Eric, a carpenter, was at work, and Becky had just left the house to run errands with her daughter, Erica, 15. Wells said the two boys, Nathaniel, 18, and Jordan, 13, were outside at the time of the blaze which began at about 4:30 p.m.

Two fire engines from District 11 and an engine from Fire District 3 worked for about an hour to contain the fire. An air unit from Fire District 6 supplied the firefighters with extra oxygen. Most crews left the scene at about 7:30 p.m., Mason said.

However, the home smoldered for several hours, Mason said, and crews were called back at about 8:30 p.m. to put out hot spots.

Clark County chaplain Landis Epp and American Red Cross volunteers were on the scene to assist the family and firefighters.

"The family lost everything, everything," Wells said. "We're just thankful no one was in the house."

Two bright spots out of the tragedy are that Becky, who is deaf, was wearing her hearing aids rather than leaving them at the house, and that she found her wedding ring intact inside the charred remains of a jewelry box, Wells said.

The family is currently staying with friends in Battle Ground.

Wells has set up an account for donations in the Branstetter name at any Washington Mutual Bank branch.

Household item donations and clothing may be taken to the Battle Ground Chamber of Commerce Building at 912 E Main St.

AMBOY FIREFIGHTERS GET MORE ROOM

Bill Myers, staff reporter

Fire District 10 firefighters will soon have more elbow room.

District officials intend to transfer administration offices to the former Amboy Post Office building, purchased last year by the District for $95,000.

Captain Gordon Brooks said District officials applied to Clark County for an occupancy permit after recent inspection approvals of septic and water systems.

The 940 square foot building, constructed of concrete blocks, will need new double-pane windows, carpet and lights, said Brooks.

Brooks said he, office manager Cheryl Vincent and fire chief Sam Arola will have office space in the building. Work space may also be available for Clark County Sheriff's deputies.

Drive-in advantage

Brooks said firefighters are no longer forced to block traffic on SR-503 when they back fire engines into their bays.

Engine drivers now enter the driveway at the left side of the former post office building, turn left past the fire station, and then back the engines into the bays.

SEABEE VET REMEMBERS PACIFIC

Bill Myers, staff reporter

Yacolt resident Pete Paladeni, now 88-years-old, enlisted in the U.S. Navy in May 1942.

Because of previous work experience with heavy equipment which included four years in the Civilian Conservation Corps, Paladeni was assigned to a newly formed 16th Naval Construction Battalion. Members of his unit, and sailors in similar units, became known as Seabees.

After training in Norfolk, VA, Paladeni's unit was assigned to Port Hueneme, a U.S. Navy base under construction in southern California.

Weeks later, the 16th was shipped to Pearl Harbor, where its members helped repair ships, build warehouses, living quarters and water supply systems.

In the fall of 1943, Paladeni and members of his Seabee unit boarded a transport vessel and sailed into harms way.

After several days at sea, the unit landed at Funafuti, a remote island in the Ellice Islands chain south of the Gilbert Islands. The Seabees transferred to a Landing Ship Tank (LST) vessel which pitched and rolled its way to Nanumea, another island further north in the Ellice Island chain.

The Seabees were ordered to build two airfields to support upcoming invasions about 600 miles north of Nanumea in the Gilbert Islands. The foremost target was the island of Tarawa.

When the Seabees landed, the island natives were transferred to another island for their safety, said Paladeni. The Americans expected Japanese air raids.

They came soon. Japanese pilots bombed Nanumea almost every night in an effort to prevent construction of the airfields, said Paladeni.

The ground shook, but the raids were ineffective, Paladeni said. The island was blacked out and the Seabees stayed in deep, log-covered bunkers during the raids.

On the island, Paladeni operated a drag line machine to pull coral, used for airfield construction, from island lagoons. Dynamite charges were used to loosen coral. After some blasts, dozens of dead, brightly colored coral snakes would rain down around the Seabees, said Paladeni.

Paladeni said the Japanese didn't bomb the island after Tarawa was secured by Marines in November.

Members of the 16th saw more duty on nearby island chains, and were shipped back to Pearl Harbor in 1944.

Afflicted with asthma and stomach ulcers, Paladeni was honorably discharged in March 1945 after treatment in Seattle Naval Hospital. He had received a letter of commendation and achieved the rank of Machinists Mate First Class.

Following his military service, Paladeni worked 21 years for the state Department of Natural Resources and grew several tree farms. He married his wife Margaret in 1944. They have three surviving children, 21 grandchildren and 39 great-grandchildren.

BOXELDER BUGS INVADE HOMES

Lady beetles another uninvited guest

Michele Bloomquist, staff reporter

Western boxelder bugs are back.

An increasing number of calls to the Washington State University-Vancouver master gardener answer clinic is proof.

Master gardener Carolyn Tecklenburg received several calls within a few hours about bugs swarming the sides of homes and sneaking inside.

"They're looking for a place to overwinter," Tecklenburg said.

Boxelder bugs, are flat and slender, about one-half inch long and one-fourth inch wide with dark grey to black wings with bright red lines.

The bug's body, exposed in flight, is also red. Legs and antennae are black.

According to a WSU Cooperative Extension bulletin, Western boxelder bugs are native to the state.

Although the bugs are annoying, they won't bite or cause damage to homes, clothing, food or people, Tecklenburg said.

"You really don't have to worry about them," she said. "But they can seem overwhelming."

Tight seals around windows, doors and crawlspaces will keep boxelder bugs from coming inside homes for the winter, she said.

If they do manage to get inside, control individual bugs by capturing and killing them. Masses of boxelder bugs can be collected with a vacuum and then discarded.

Boxelder bugs tend to collect on warm siding on the southern or western sides of homes, sometimes by the hundreds.

Although the sight of swarming bugs can be alarming they won't damage the home, Tecklenburg said. Remove them with a broom or vacuum.

In spring, boxelder bugs that have entered the home may be seen clinging to windows as they try to get out.

Host plants where boxelder bugs lay eggs in spring include boxelder, almond, apple, ash, cherry, elderberry, grape, honey locust, mulberry, maple, peach, plum and pear trees, she said.

"Maple appears to be the bug's preferred host plant," she said.

Ladybugs also make an appearance

Ladybugs, or lady beetles, are also looking for a warm place to spend the winter.

Unlike boxelder bugs, homeowners should take a "catch and release" approach with this garden friend, Tecklenburg said.

Ladybugs are helpful in the garden where they feed upon aphids and other harmful pests, she said.

Individual ladybugs can be captured and deposited outside away from the home, she said.

Masses of ladybugs can be collected by placing a knee high pantyhose sock over a vacuum hose and securing tightly with a rubber band. When the vacuum is turned on, the sock will invert into the hose, preventing the critters from going into the vacuum bag.

When the sock is full, take it outside away from the home and empty it, Tecklenburg said.

Again, tight seals at doors and windows help keep ladybugs out, she said.

Like box elder bugs, ladybugs will not bite or damage homes, clothing, food or people.

Beetles that have overwintered inside will emerge in the spring and collect on windows as they try to get outside.

Insecticide use is not recommended as dead ladybugs in walls can attract carpet beetles which damage rugs and clothing, Tecklenburg said.

For more information about these and other insects and what to do about them, contact the master gardener answer clinic at 397-6060 ext. 7724.

RIDGEFIELD SCHOOLS REINSTATE LOST HOURS

Marcus Brotherton, staff reporter

Ridgefield School Board members voted Oct. 28 to reinstate hours cut last school year due to budget shortfalls.

The hours were reinstated Nov. 1.

According to District superintendent Mary Vagner, higher enrollment numbers for 2003-2004 have brought more state apportionment dollars to the District. With the extra money, restoring lost hours is the District's first priority.

District staff found themselves in a dollars crunch last year due to lowered legislative funding, increased money needed to run various District operations such as utilities, and less money from the state due to a drop in enrollment.

To meet the challenge, District staff slashed spending across the board; 16 work-hours weekly were cut from maintenance, District office, elementary school and high school positions. In addition, office supplies, library materials, vehicle maintenance, swimming lessons, field trips, and programs involving music, dance and cheer all took a hit.

Reinstating work hours was the only action taken at an Oct. 28 meeting.

District staff calculated this year's budget based on projections of 1,722 full time equivalent (FTE) students showing up. The District receives about $4,000 per student from the state. October's count showed a higher number at 1,751 FTE. District business managers say enrollment numbers typically drop as a school year progresses. Budgets are created over summer months and often address fewer students than initially show up.

Last year District staff built their budget for 1,738 FTE students but only 1,729 were counted in October 2002. Numbers fluctuated throughout the year and climbed to meet original projections by year's end.

Vagner called reinstating lost hours a step in the right direction.

WOODLAND PLANNING TO HEAR VIEWS ON SIGN CODE ORDINANCE

Michele Bloomquist, staff reporter

When it comes to signs for businesses, how big and tall is enough without being too much?

Woodland planning commission members, business owners and citizens will wade through that question during a Wed., Nov. 12 public hearing.

Woodland planning assistant and code enforcement officer Nancy Nersten said the proposed changes have been in the works for some time.

"Our sign code has been pretty hard to interpret," she said. "Business owners approached us requesting more leniency and consistency."

Proposed changes include increasing sign height from 25 to 30 feet in all zones, increasing the limit of signs per business from one to two depending on zoning, allowing school signs to increase from 30 to 60 square feet, and allowing one sandwich board sign per business in all commercial and industrial zones.

Other proposed changes include easier to read code language, an expanded definition section and a new section for abandoned and illegal signs.

Loren Swanberg, owner of Hayes Cabinets in Woodland's industrial area, said he's happy to see the issue addressed, but said the proposed changes won't help him.

Although his company's primary business is cabinet manufacturing, Swanberg said a showroom draws retail customers as well--customers who often have trouble finding the business.

"I'd like some signage that can be seen from the freeway," he said. "My building is tall enough that I could put a sign on it and draw more business into Woodland."

Bill Behrens, owner of Equity Network Services, said he would like to see city officials be bolder.

"I don't think it goes far enough," he said.

Behrens would especially like to see taller and larger signs, even digital billboards, allowed in highway commercial zones along the freeway.

"Some 60-65 thousand cars go by every day on the freeway," Behrens said. "That represents a lot of buying power."

With the city's budget stretched thin, sales tax generated by luring some of that traffic off the freeway to shop and eat in Woodland could help, Behrens said.

"We're a freeway town," he said. "But we are not putting signs out to get people off that corridor to spend money here."

Behrens noted the large sign at the Oak Tree Restaurant, grandfathered in before the original sign code, as an example of how signs can help businesses be seen and succeed.

"When you say Woodland, people think, `The Oak Tree,'" he said. "It's effective. I don't see why other businesses can't take advantage of that."

Behrens said Woodland officials can't assume that passerbys will know all that Woodland has to offer if it isn't advertised.

With Kalama, La Center, Ridgefield, Battle Ground and other communities also vying for freeway dollars, "Woodland has to be competitive," Behrens said.

Nersten said that although the average Woodlander may not give sign codes much thought, the topic is a hot one for businesses.

"This is their livelihood and how they get people to come to their businesses," she said.

Copies of the proposed code can be picked up at the Woodland city hall annex, 230 Davidson Ave.

The public hearing will give business owners and residents a chance to go on record with their opinions of the changes, pro or con, city officials said.

The hearing will be held Wed., Nov. 12, 7:30 p.m., city hall chambers, 100 Davidson Ave.

After the hearing, planning commission members will consider the issues and make a recommendation to city council members.

For more information, call (360) 225-7999.

POACHERS STRIKE ON KELLY ROAD

Two bucks shot near residences

Bill Myers, staff reporter

A poacher with a spotlight or night sight aimed a high-powered rifle Oct. 26 toward a field and home at 32413 NE Kelly Rd., west of Yacolt.

The poacher shot a blacktail buck as it paused to feed. The poacher left the animal and drove away.

Another poacher, possibly the same person, shot and left another buck on the same property about three weeks earlier. The culprit may have returned later to take antlers from the deer, officials said.

State Department of Fish and Wildlife enforcement officer Rick Webb said the incidents are among a rash of reported poaching during recent weeks between Yacolt, Amboy and Lewisville Park. Webb said all incidents are under investigation.

Evidence in such crimes may include shell casings, bullets retrieved from carcasses and witness accounts, said Webb.

Cooperative citizens often help catch poachers, said Webb. If a citation is issued after a citizen's report, the informing citizen receives either a $100 cash award or 10 credit points good for special hunt drawings from the state agency.

Too close to home

Kelly Road resident Renee Klein said her main concern is for the safety of her family. Klein lives with her husband and two young children on the property where the two poached deer were found.

"Bullets from rifles shot from the road could easily hit our home, a family member or one of our pets or livestock," said Klein.

Webb said poachers can pay fines of "thousands of dollars" for violating hunting regulations, discharging a firearm from a road, using a spotlight, and endangering homeowners.

Anyone who sees a poaching incident in progress should call the state Patrol at 260-6333. Citizens should report incidents not in progress or other information to the state Department of Fish and Wildlife, 696-6211.

Heidi Wallenborn, news director

A slice of north county history is on display in photographs and artifacts behind glass cases in the Clark County Historical Museum through February.

Laundry on a clothesline, handcarved butter presses, an antique bicycle and a dairyman's yoke to carry full buckets of milk from cow stalls to containers harken back to life as it was in the late 1800s.

The dairy display depicts life in Hockinson, which began as a Scandinavian settlement with homes high on a rise of land which became known as Finn Hill, say historians.

Photos show Meyer's Creamery facing west on the main street, now NE 182nd Ave. In front of the creamery, the dirt road is clogged with women, children and wandering cows, two buggys pulled by horses, and workers lined up on a porch overlooking the street. One man is shown bringing in milk cans on a wooden pallet/sled pulled by a horse, and another is in the middle of the roadway carrying a bucket overflowing with foamy milk.

The Battle Ground section in the Museum shows a solitary building on what is now E Main St., surrounded by a muddy field, towering firs and a swollen Woodin Creek in the foreground. On display are a leather horse collar and antique saddle, perhaps depicting the most common way of traveling through mud-choked roads at that time.

The Yacolt/Amboy display is full of logging history and a variety of rusty, antique hand saws.

Photos show a Yacolt Hospital built by Weyerhaeuser to serve injured loggers, and people gathered along an upper balcony of the Yacolt Hotel.

There is also a picture of the old 125 ft. high Weyerhaeuser logging trestle known as High Bridge pulling 25 flat cars of felled timber. Area historians claim the bridge was destroyed by fire when ignited by sparks from an engine. Legend has it that the bridge collapsed just as the last of the train reached safety.

One photograph taken about 1900 shows an overflowing mill dam on Cedar Creek near Amboy built by settler Amos Ball, a logger from Wisconsin and a Civil War veteran. Ball's lumber mill began operating in 1887 and supplied planks for roads throughout Chelatchie Valley, historians say.

La Center's history comes alive in photos that show a steamboat anchored in the E Fork Lewis River bottoms near town, and a plank road flanked by the River View Hotel, a blacksmith shop, general store, drug store, a general store and two saloons.

Ridgefield's case in the museum displays a sepia view from Ridgefield Heights looking over a cluster of homes in what is now the southeast section of the city. The Ridgefield Mercantile building, still standing, was photographed perched alone on the corner of N Main Ave. and Pioneer St. A lone male clerk in an apron stands leaning against a porch post, looking at the camera.

Photos of Hazel Dell and Orchards in the early days round out the historical display.

According to Museum collections manager Eileen Trestian, there are more than 3,000 photos on file of life all over Clark County available for patrons to look over; the north County display shows only a portion. Although photocopying is not allowed, pictures can be scanned for a fee, she said.

The Museum is located at 1511 W Main Ave., Vancouver. Hours are Tues.-Sat., 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Admission is free, donations are accepted. For more information, contact Trestian or research librarian Kathy Klinger at 993-5679.

Heidi Wallenborn, news director

A public hearing about adopting Battle Ground's 2004 budget will be held during a city council meeting Mon., Nov. 17. Citizen comments and suggestions are welcome.

Battle Ground city council members are currently looking over expenses and income in a preliminary draft budget created by staff.

The 2004 general fund is targeted at nearly $7.4 million, up more than 19 percent from this year's $6.2 million budget.

The increase is reflective of city's growth and increased departmental expenses, said city manager Eric Holmes, with plans for 300 new housing starts and conservative estimates on new non-residential construction.

Last year's budget planned for 225 new homes to be constructed in 2003.

However, actual growth this year was about 500, which took the population from 11,110 at the end of 2002 to more than 13,000 by the end of October.

With the 300 home construction forecast, city officials say the population will be 14,392 by the end of 2004. Extra revenue from unanticipated growth this year resulted in paving Horsethief Canyon near SW 20th Ave., paying off a contract with Clark County for building permit services through August, and funding a traffic signal and intersection at SR-503 and NE Onsdorff Blvd., said Holmes.

Some highlights under consideration this year are:

** Addition of seven full-time employees including one traffic patrol police officer, five positions in public works and an information services technician in the finance department;

** Purchase of a new fire engine, two police cars, a radar trailer that police and public works will share for engineering work such as traffic counts and police work such as speed control;

** Start of engineering design for a S Parkway improvement project;

** Sustain, operate and maintain city sewer, water, drainage, parks and facilities; and

** Development and use of an economic development program.

Last chance for citizen input will be during a public hearing Mon., Nov. 17, 7 p.m., city hall, 109 SW 1st St. Copies of the draft budget are available at city hall.

City council members are expected to adopt the final budget Mon., Dec. 1, during a council meeting.

For more information call 342-5000.

Marcus Brotherton, staff reporter

A draft environmental impact statement for a proposed hot mix asphalt plant at 12506 NE Caples Rd., Brush Prairie, was issued Oct. 21 by Clark County Department of Community Development.

The 141-page document plus appendices contains a detailed description of the project as well as reports on potential impacts to soil, water quality, traffic and pedestrian safety.

Lakeside Industries of Issaquah is the potential site developer. The site is located between NE Caples Rd. and NE 151st St. about 2,000 feet east of SR-503. Current heavy industrial zoning at the site allows a development such as the plant to be built.

Lakeside's proposal calls for a 9-acre asphalt manufacturing plant to be built on the 16-acre site. Rock and asphalt cement will be brought in by trucks or railway car, heated with natural gas, mixed, stored and shipped out by truck.

Neighbors and industry representatives have debated the merits of the asphalt plant project for more than two years.

Neighbors believe the plant will cause noise, dust and transportation safety problems. Lakeside representatives believe the plant will provide an additional quality source of asphalt for county, city and state projects.

Consistent with environmental statements, the draft also contains descriptions of potential alternative developments at the site.

One alternative involves having the asphalt plant use truck traffic but not rail traffic. Another alternative imagines what the site would look like with a fabricated metal product manufacturing facility. A third alternative is a description of the site if nothing is built.

Findings of the environmental statement include the following, if the plant is built:

** Air quality would be acceptable but the plant would generate some odor. Odor would be detectable in one off-site commercial building to the west;

** With treatment and dilution, stormwater runoff to nearby tributaries of Salmon Creek would meet water quality standards;

** Construction activities would generate noise but would meet acceptable day and night-time noise limit levels at neighboring properties;

** Berms and vegetation around the plant's perimeter would help mitigate sight and sound impacts. Lighting on the site would be similar to commercial and industrial lighting along NE Caples Rd. in the center of Brush Prairie; and

** Turning radius, sight restrictions and stopping sight distance conditions are adequate for truck traffic movement. The plant would generate about one additional traffic accident every 19 years, contrasted to one every four years if the proposed alternative fabricated metal product manufacturing facility is built.

Lakeside representative Forest Lane said safety measures are always a high concern for his company. He preferred to let the document speak for itself.

Brush Prairie Neighborhood Association representative Lloyd Handlos, who heads up the Asphalt Plant Watch Dog Group, could not be reached for comment.

Public review and comment on the draft is welcome until 5 p.m., Thurs., Nov. 20. Comments may be submitted to Terri Brooks, Public Service Center, Clark County Department of Community Development, 1300 Franklin St., P.O. Box 9810, Vancouver, WA, 98666-9810.

Full copies of the draft statement can be purchased for $29.83 at the County's Public Service Center, 1300 Franklin St., Vancouver, or can be viewed at the Fort Vancouver Regional Library, 1007 E Mill Plain Blvd., Vancouver, Battle Ground Community Library, 12 W Main St., Battle Ground, or on line at: http://www.co.clark.wa.us/comdev/devservices/lakeside-eis.pdf

For more information about plant proposal progress, e-mail Brush Prairie Neighborhood Association representative Lloyd Handlos at Lhandlos@aol.com or contact County planner Terry Brooks at 397-2375, ext. 4885, or Lakeside representative Forest Lane at 425-313-2656.

OBITS:

JAMES WOOLDRIDGE

James Stuart Wooldridge, 67, died Oct. 26, 2003 in Vancouver.

Wooldridge was born July 22, 1936 in La Center, worked as a boilermaker, and lived in Clark County his entire life.

Wooldridge served in the U.S. Army. He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Ridgefield Ward. He was also a member of the Walleye Club of Lower Columbia and the Ft. Vancouver Antique Equipment Association. He enjoyed working with antique equipment and metal. He was involved with renovation and operation of the Cedar Creek Grist Mill. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, reading and music. He played the violin, harmonica, guitar and mountain dulcimer. He was a commercial pilot and enjoyed flying. He carved pine knots.

Wooldridge was preceded in death by his daughter, Joyce Wooldridge, in 1959, and step-daughter Kim Beers in 1982. Survivors include widow Diana Wooldridge, at home in Ridgefield, son Jeff Wooldridge of Vancouver, step-son Vern Christenson of Ridgefield, sisters Jackie Andersen of Vancouver and Marjorie Riley of Portland, brothers Richard Wooldridge of Battle Ground and Corley Wooldridge of California, six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Committal was at Lewisville Cemetery, Battle Ground, with Layne's Funeral Home, Battle Ground, in charge of arrangements.

PETER JANULEWICZ

Peter David Janulewicz, 49, was killed by gun shot Oct. 23, 2003 in Philipsburg, Montana.

Janulewicz was born March 4, 1954 in Vancouver, worked as a diesel mechanic in truck repair, and lived in Clark County his entire life, last at Brush Prairie.

Janulewicz was a jazz musician and loved playing bass. He liked motorcycles, fishing and boating. He could fix anything and enjoyed doing it. He loved children and would always help a stranger.

Survivors include mother Betty J. Janulewicz of Brush Prairie, son Chris Polland of California, sister Patty Caldwell of Oregon, and brother Mike Janulewicz of Brush Prairie.

Committal was at Finn Hill Cemetery, Brush Prairie, with Layne's Funeral Home, Battle Ground, in charge of arrangements.

CHRISTOPHER REA

Christopher Darrell Rea, 25, died Oct. 31, 2003 in Vancouver.

Rea was born March 19, 1978 in Portland, worked as a marine mechanic in machinery repair, and lived in Clark County for 22 years, last at Amboy.

Rea attended Battle Ground High School. He enjoyed hunting, working on things and being around his family.

Survivors include mother Debby Rea and step-father Tom Hughes of Amboy, aunts Cary Whiting of Auburn, Marie Rea of Arizona and Jenny Rea of Vancouver. uncles Danny Norris of Portland, Milton Norris and Mike Norris, both of Vancouver, Milo Mainella of La Center and Scott Hirka of Auburn, grandparents Darrel and Sharon Norris of Kelso and Jim and Sandie Rea of Arizona, and 12 cousins.

Layne's Funeral Home, Battle Ground, was in charge of arrangements.

"RED" SHANHOLTZER

Wayne Monte "Red" Shanholtzer, 63, died Oct. 29, 2003 at home in Battle Ground.

Shanholtzer was born April 2, 1940 in Klamath Falls, OR, and graduated from Klamath Falls Union High School.

Shanholtzer worked at Crater Lake Meat Packing Company, a Weyerhaeuser mill, and a dairy, all in Klamath Falls.

Shanholtzer moved to Portland in 1962 and worked processing milk and ice cream for Fred Meyer. He moved to Battle Ground and started Red's Rock Sand and Gravel in 1964, while continuing to work for Fred Meyer at night.

Shanholtzer owned a gravel pit and crusher near Cherry Grove. He liked meeting customers and all aspects of the rock business.

Shanholtzer was a member of the Battle Ground Elks, Ocean Park Eagles and Ocean Park Moose. He enjoyed fishing, old cars and old trucks. He had a helping hand and smile for anyone. He enjoyed his friends and family.

Shanholtzer was preceded in death by brothers Leo Shanholtzer and Willard Shanholtzer, and sister Beverly Keyes. Survivors include widow Janet Shanholtzer, at home, sons Tobias Shanholtzer and Nolan Shanholtzer, both of Battle Ground, and Brett Shanholtzer of Wenatchee, daughters Lynn Gray of Battle Ground and Annette Shanholtzer of Ridgefield, first wife Michell Shanoltzer of Battle Ground, brothers Glenn Shanholtzer of Oregon and Tom Shanholtzer of Poulsbo, sister Carol Chevez of Oregon, and five grandchildren.

A celebration of life service will be held in December at the Battle Ground Elks Lodge, with Autumn Cremation & Burial Service, Tigard, OR in charge of arrangements.

MARY GIBSON

Mary Hilma (Anderson) Gibson, 92, died Oct. 28, 2003 in Woodland.

Gibson was born April 4, 1911 in Oakland, CA, moved to Aberdeen at age 4, then to Napavine where she attended grade school. She moved back to Aberdeen and then to Grayland in the 1930s. She moved to Woodland in 2002.

Gibson worked as a maid for area families. She was also a crab shaker and owned and operated cranberry bogs in the Grayland area. In 1990 she won an award for "The Best Berries of 1990."

Gibson was a member of the United Finish Kaleva Brothers and Sisters No. 9, Aberdeen. She attended the Lutheran church. She enjoyed knitting, crochet, yardwork, playing pinochle and going to the beach.

Gibson was preceded in death by her husband, Eddie Gibson, in 1982, sisters Eva Chambers in 1998 and Edna Chamber in 1970, and grandson Eddie Webster in 2002. Survivors include son George Webster of Woodland, daughter Ruth Hiler of Woodland, sister Helen Roberts of Westport, five grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, and 10 great-great-grandchildren.

No service will be held, with inurnment at Fern Hill Cemetery, Aberdeen. Fern Hill Funeral Home, Aberdeen, was in charge of arrangements.

Norbert K. Weiss, 89, died Oct. 25, 2003 at home in Vancouver.

Weiss was born May 1, 1914 in Drake, ND, and moved with his family to Oregon when he was a young boy. Weiss worked for Zeller Office Equipment.

Weiss enjoyed his family, golfing, farming his property, and spending his winters in Arizona.

Survivors include widow Grace, at home, sons Norville Weiss of California, Lowell Weiss of Vancouver and Marvin Weiss of Kirkland, brothers Clarence Weiss and Earl Weiss, both of Oregon, sisters Hildegard Weiss and Bette Weiss, both of Portland, seven grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.

Davies Cremation & Burial Services was in charge of arrangements.