Due to incliment weather The Reflector website was not updated for the week of January 6-13. Some of the stories that ran in that week's issue are included with this weeks leading stories.

Crews from the Clark County Public Works Department worked around the clock last week to clear roads of ice and snow.

Pete Capell, who heads Public Works, said crews worked 12 hour shifts to clear roads, using 35 snow plows. A blower was used on Mt. Norway.

Capell said crews added gravel from several storage sites to icy streets. The county stores 2,000 tons of gravel in several sheds, said Capell.

Capell said roads in unincorporated Clark County were "for the most part in better shape" than roads in other communities.

One Public Works employee slipped on ice and fell on his elbow, said Capell, causing a minor injury.

SNOW FOLLOWS YEAR OF AVERAGE RAINFALL

Most area weather watchers measured near-average rainfall in 2003, overshadowed somewhat by snowfall during the first week of 2004.

The yearly totals came on the heals of a year with below average rainfall.

In 2002, area meteorologists measured below average rainfall at all reporting locations.

As usual, Jerry Olson had the highest rainfall readings during 2003, with 17.43 inches in December pushing his yearly total to 114.91 inches, about average for the Yale area.

Olson measured 14 inches of snow in December, with 20 inches on the ground by Jan. 4. He operates a tractor-mounted snow blower.

Snowfall at Yale was below average, said Olson, with a total of 17.5 inches compared to his 25.4 inch average.

On Kelly Hill, Yacolt, Phil Akely measured 20 inches of snow in three days in January 2004.

In Brush Prairie, Mark Watrin measured 55 inches of rain in 2003, five inches above average. He reported a wet spring and a dry summer, with high temperatures about two degrees above average May-October.

Watrin recorded 3.1 inches of rain on Jan. 31, 2003.

Don Gaines in Hockinson measured rain on 164 days in 2003. Gaines recorded the lowest average high temperature in December (57.2 degrees) compared to any December since he began keeping records in 1990.

In Hazel Dell, Pat Timm measured 10 inches of snow in early January 2004, and predicted more cold weather with snow at the end of January or early February.

Rainfall was above average in December 2001 and 2002 at most area locations.

WEATHER TOPS NEWS IN NEW YEAR

Snow, ice and wind plagued the first week of 2004, as the weather got the best of government and business.

Virtually all public and private schools closed Jan. 5-7, along with Clark College in Vancouver.

Westfield Shoppingtown Vancouver, formerly called Vancouver Mall, closed at 1 p.m. Jan. 6, remained closed Jan. 7, and reopened at noon Jan. 8.

Clark County government closed its doors Jan. 7, and remained closed Jan. 8. City council meetings were canceled and rescheduled in Battle Ground and Woodland. The state Department of Transportation sent home "non-essential workers" Jan. 7.

The "State of the City" address by Battle Ground mayor John Idsinga was postponed to Thurs., Jan. 15, 11:30 a.m., at the Cedars Golf Course.

The weather even affected area restaurants. Rocky's Pizza in Battle Ground closed early afternoon Jan. 6 and remained closed all day Jan. 7. But the Silver Dragon restaurant in Battle Ground maintained its regular hours and did a brisk business during the evening of Jan. 6.

Snow began falling on New Year's Day, with reports ranging to 20 inches in Yacolt and Yale. Weather watcher Pat Timm measured 10 inches of snow in early January at his Hazel Dell home. Others reported 3-6 inches throughout southwest Washington.

Rain began falling Jan. 6, but with temperatures hovering around 20 degrees, the rain froze on impact and created icy conditions. The rain and ice formed a crust over snow and made walking virtually as dangerous as driving.

Icicles formed on the eves of buildings as escaping heat melted some snow.

Meetings of all kinds were canceled or postponed.

C-Tran continued to run all 26 of its bus routes, although ridership was down as more people stayed home.

Scott Patterson, spokesman for C-Tran, said buses did well on the dry snow, but when the freezing rain arrived, chains were installed on buses. That resulted in slower speeds which caused delays. "The times were out of whack," said Patterson.

Buses on nine of 26 routes were on snow routes.

As some streets cleared, said Patterson, chains broke on some buses.

Power outages

In Clark County, 20,000 homes were without power Jan. 7, although some only briefly.

Mick Shutt, spokesman for Clark Public Utilities, said 10,000 customers were without power Jan. 7 for only four minutes, and 3,000 for only a few minutes.

Once crews made repairs and reduced the number of homes without power to about 1,000, more lines went down due to heavy ice-covered tree branches falling into power lines.

By the afternoon of Jan. 8, some 7,200 customers were without power, said Shutt, mostly located west of SR 503 and stretching from the Columbia River to Woodland.

Trouble spots include Cedar Creek Road and Dobler Hill Road in northeast Clark County.

Reports of bright flashes in the sky could have been due, said Shutt, either to a blown fuse in a transformer, or a tree branch touching power lines.

Cowlitz County

The Ariel and Cougar areas of Cowlitz County were without power Jan. 7, said Dave Andrew of Cowlitz County Public Utility District.

Then on Jan. 8, outages took place in the Woodland bottoms area.

A bright side

It wasn't gloom everywhere, however, as snow structures sprouted before the freezing rain arrived.

In Amboy, Scott Davis and his future brother-in-law Ray Curry made an 11-foot snow lighthouse complete with an attached caretaker's house. The duo used a step-ladder as they piled snow blocks made from 10-inch deep snow in Davis' parents' front yard.

Why a lighthouse? "It started out as a really big snowman and didn't work out," said Davis.

In Battle Ground, Ben Norwood and his daughters, Skyler and MyKela, built a snowman and then decided he needed a heart. The red "heart" was made of crawdads.

Snowmobiles traveled the streets of Battle Ground Jan. 7, legally or illegally.

Chad Newton and his sons Shawn and Brandon drove their four-wheel Hondas into Battle Ground, one pulling a trailer. "I've got to go to the store," said Newton.

As the region gradually thawed out, officials warned of possible flooding. A mixture of rain and melting snow could lead to flooding in some areas, officials said.

IS IT BEAUTY OR SOMETHING ELSE?

While snowfall provides a romantic blanket of white that covers up imperfections in the landscape, it can also impede people in the performance of their daily tasks and make life uncomfortable.

The following people responded to the question, "Is it beauty or something else?"

Dan DuPuis, Yacolt tree farmer

"I don't look at this as a problem. It's normal. I like it."

Denton Harlan, funeral director, Battle Ground

"I find it fascinating. It changes the appearance of the environment. It cleans things up and makes us realize that somebody else is in control. It makes us realize how small we really are. I like the change. I get perked up. It's an imposition but we must roll with the punches."

Bob Hamel, auctioneer, Battle Ground

"It's an inconvenience. I can't get out. I have things I've got to do. I can't do anything. It was pretty the first day or so, but now I want to be done with it."

Heidi Wallenborn, reporter, Battle Ground

"I love snow, but this is ridiculous."

Kelly Keister O'Brien, communications, Battle Ground Public Schools

"Life is an adventure. To me, it's beautiful and it's dangerous. I guess I'm an optimist. There's has got to be a huge benefit in anything that happens. I see a mother sliding down a hill with her children. It's a miracle."

Jerry Kolke, businessman at Cenex, Battle Ground, fire commissioner

"It's beauty with opportunity and challenges attached. I enjoy it. It's beautiful. With the patches of sun last Sunday (Jan. 4), oh, that was gorgeous."

Fred Pickering, tree farmer, Yacolt

"It's pretty. I kind of like to get snowed in for a couple of days. In another couple days, I will have had enough of it. I thought it wasn't so good until they got the power back on." (No electricity for about eight hours).

Alex Reinhold, city council member, Battle Ground

"It's looks pretty but it's a pain in the butt to get my work done. It's more of a problem than it is pretty. And people don't know how to drive in this weather."

Fred Lane, restaurant manager, Battle Ground

"It's beautiful but it's hard on business."

Bruce Wiseman, Christmas tree grower, Ridgefield

"I'm sure glad it didn't happen a month ago. I don't mind this right now. I was born and raised in Nebraska. I rode a horse to school for seven years in this weather."

Walter Hansen Sr., auto dealer, Woodland

"The beauty is it might kill a few bugs. I've seen worse weather than this around here but not for quite awhile. With the east wind blowing, I use all the heaters and finally got the house up to 70 degrees." (Temperature had been 55 degrees in the Hansen home with electricity; power went out twice).

Harold Tellock, certified public accountant, Battle Ground

"I think it's nice looking, but it gets to be old hat after awhile. It paralyzes a lot of driving. If I want to see snow, I'll go to the mountains."

Terri Tweedell, Chamber of Commerce manager, Battle Ground

"I see it as a nuisance, but conquerable. It is beautiful if you just look at it, but it's a nuisance, believe me."

Ron Johnson, police chief, Battle Ground

"You gotta' love it. The part of it that is not fun is for friends and loved ones who must travel in it. But for the rest of us, it's a reminder that we're not in as much control as we think we are. As far as the officers are concerned, people have behaved pretty well. We're here to take care of the community. The officers get to talk to people. It goes back a little to a quieter time. I'm ready to be done with it."

SNOW CLAIMS AGING BARN

A century-old barn on the former Austin farm in Vancouver saw its last day Jan. 1 when heavy snows were too much for the aging structure.

On Jan. 2, the 50-ft. x 75-ft. barn collapsed from the weight of the snow.

Built about 1900 or earlier, the barn was used for the dairy farm operated by Chester and Gertrude Austin at 13508 NE 99th St., Vancouver.

The Austins acquired the farm from Chester's aunt, Alma Kruger, about 1908, when it was known as the Kruger farm. Chester and his brother, Elwin, had come west from Maine with their grandparents in 1889, settling on 99th Street. The road was then known as Towle Road after Chester's grandfather, Elija Towle.

Even while dairying, Chester Austin worked at a cannery to make ends meet.

Chester and Gertrude Austin died in the mid-1970s, and their son, Harold Austin, took over the farm. Harold and Ellen Austin ran cattle on the 90-acre farm and used the barn for hay storage.

Members of the Austin family theorize that hay, stacked both on the floor and in the loft, helped hold the aging barn up.

After Harold's death in 1995, the farm was divided between his two adopted children, Ruby Kelly and her brother, William Summers. William Kelly's son, Stan Summers, ran cattle on the place for a few years, but the barn has not been used for hay storage since about 1995.

Stan Summers said the barn had been in a state of disrepair for many years. Family members were surprised the barn survived the Columbus Day Storm in 1962, he said.

Currently living on the family properties are Ruby and Forrest Kelly, and their daughter and son-in-law, Cheryl and Jim Mockford. A cousin by marriage, Perry Nedrow, lives nearby.

Mockford said that in recent years, blackberry vines took over the barn, but could not hold the building up any longer.

Mockford said a hay elevator still stands, leading to nothing.

ICE CREATES MAYHEM ON AREA HIGHWAYS

Crashes on Jan. 4 believed record for County

Bill Myers, staff reporter

Mangled cars and trucks were common sights on roadways Jan. 4-8 when frigid

temperatures converted light drizzle to treacherous ice.

According to Clark Regional Emergency Services Agency (CRESA) dispatch records, 116 traffic accidents were reported in Clark County during the frigid five-day period.

In what CRESA data specialist John Lorentz believes may be a one-day record for fender-benders, 49 collisions were reported to 911 on Jan. 4. The 911 center received 16 collision reports on the same day last year.

On the five icy days starting Jan. 4, 2004, CRESA 911 dispatchers received 148 calls reporting collisions.

State Patrol busy

Collisions on state or interstate routes reported to 911 are recorded by CRESA operators and referred to the Washington State Patrol. The Patrol, with its own Dispatch Center, also receives calls that are not tallied by CRESA dispatchers.

A Washington State Patrol log shows that by 11 a.m. Sun., Jan. 4, troopers had already responded to 38 collisions in Clark County on that day.

The log shows trooper responses to 202 collisions involving 11 injuries during the five day period in Clark County and the Woodland area.

Patrol spokesman Garvin March said chain reaction smash-ups involving automobiles, large trucks and trailers were not unusual.

March said during the five day event, seven patrol cars parked alongside highways were struck and damaged by skidding autos or trucks.

March described a Jan. 8 event on I-5 as an example of mayhem caused by excessive speed on slick roads.

At about 8 p.m., said March, southbound Vancouver motorist Francesca Rehrig, 45, spun out on the southbound lanes near NE 179th St.

An unidentified driver in another southbound vehicle skidded into Rehrig's auto and knocked it into a ditch near the freeway.

Patrol trooper Jason Gainer arrived. With his patrol unit overhead lights flashing, Gainer parked his vehicle on the side of the interstate as he called a tow truck and investigated the accident.

A tow truck soon arrived. It was driven by Rian Luscher, 25, of West Linn, OR. With the truck overhead lights flashing, Luscher pulled Rehrig's auto from the ditch.

March said Gainer was in his car completing the incident report when a southbound auto driven by Asael Rodriguez-Tzintzun, 35, Portland, spun out of control and struck the tow truck, Gainer's patrol car and Rehrig's auto.

Next, two more drivers in southbound autos, apparently trying to slow when they saw emergency lights, collided with each other just north of the accident scene.

Just north of the two colliding vehicles, said March, another southbound motorist spun out of control and rolled over.

Incident reports, including identifications of drivers, were not yet available on the last two collisions.

BATTLE GROUND LAKE OFFERS SOLITUDE

Heidi Wallenborn, news director

Karl Hinze watched an American bald eagle soar above ice- encrusted fir trees at Battle Ground Lake during the area's recent winter storm. About one-half inch of ice encapsulated snow on branches from the freezing rain that had fallen the night before.

"I stood there about 10 minutes watching him go after the ducks," Hinze said. "Eagles aren't that common around here. And I was the only one here to see it."

Area residents likely don't think about visiting the circular, tree-fringed lake surrounded by the state park except in summer for fishing and swimming.

But there are a host of year-round activities, park ranger Hinze said, including camping in two cabins available for rent.

Hinze said now is a good time to get one or both for a getaway on open weekends and weekdays January through April.

The one-room cabins have electricity, heat, beds with mattresses, lamps, a table, chairs, covered porch area for cooking and an outdoor fire pit. Cooking and smoking are not allowed inside.

"They're pretty cozy," Hinze said. Rent is $38.40 per night, with tax.

For those with recreational motor homes, power and water hookups are available at 33 campsites. Until March 31, the sites are $15 each per day.

Fishermen and women enjoy the lake year-round as well, Hinze said. Gasoline powered boats are not allowed on the lake, which lends to the restful atmosphere. Rowboats, kayaks, canoes and rubber rafts can be launched at no charge.

Anglers who choose not to try their luck catching rainbow trout and steelhead from the middle of the lake can meander out to the end of dock that was refurbished and widened last summer.

The lake was most recently stocked with fish in early December, Hinze said.

The lake is surrounded by a series of walking and horseback riding trails, and in snowy weather, ideal for snowshoeing and cross county skiing. The day after the Jan. 6 snow and ice storm, Hinze noticed ski tracks around the park.

Some renovations are currently underway that will be available to park visitors about late February, Hinze said.

A handicap parking area at the bottom of the road nearest the lake in under construction, as well as a handicap lake access area.

Handicap- accessible restrooms are under construction at the beach area, which will have flush toilets, hot water, soap, potable water, a diaper changing area and an outdoor swim shower with rinse off sections with two shower heads and controls.

The "comfort station" replaces two port-a-potties on the lawn.

The park also has 89 picnic sites and three picnic shelters. A group day-use area with a kitchen shelter is also available.

The park is open 8 a.m.-dusk daily, and is located at 18002 NE 249th St., just northeast of Battle Ground. There is a $5 day-use fee. For more information, call 687-4621.

SAMARITAN BROKE BACK TRYING TO HELP

Family seeks help with medical costs

Bill Myers, staff reporter

A Yacolt woman fractured two vertebrae in her back when she fell through a gap between lanes on an I-5 bridge while trying to reach an accident victim.

Jennifer Lewis said she, her husband Richard and son, Andy, were driving to a family visit in Oregon before dawn on Christmas morning.

As they neared NE 179th St., said Lewis, they saw a southbound car enter the northbound I-5 exit ramp.

Lewis said her husband called 911 to report the errant car as she drove under the freeway and entered the southbound lanes.

She was soon pacing the errant motorist, described by Lewis as an elderly man who "seemed confused by oncoming lights and was driving about 40 miles per hour."

Lewis said the errant car suddenly struck a barrier and overturned between NE 134th St. and NE 99th St.

Lewis stopped her car on the shoulder of the interstate. As she called 911 to report the accident, her husband disappeared into the darkness, running to the overturned vehicle.

After the 911 call, Lewis instructed her son to stay in the car. Then she headed directly toward the overturned car in the northbound lanes. She vaulted a barrier and, not knowing she was on a bridge, plunged through a four-foot gap between the north and southbound lanes.

Lewis said she fell about 30 feet into thick blackberry bushes.

Two other motorists who had stopped to help also fell through the gap. Robert Jussila, 58, of Castle Rock, died after hitting a gravel path. Oregon motorist Sheila Williams, 31, suffered a broken arm.

"It was pitch black, adrenalin was flowing and we never saw the gap," said Lewis. Lewis said her husband, a railroad construction worker, realized they had stopped on a bridge and had left the bridge to safely cross to the other lanes.

The motorist in the overturned auto, Miles Mattson, 88, Brush Prairie, was reportedly unhurt.

When asked if she would hesitate if it appeared that a motorist might need her help in the future, Lewis said, "not for a second."

Medical recovery fund

Released from Southwest Washington Medical Center after seven days, Jennifer Lewis wears a back brace and is mending in a hospital bed at home. She said she hopes to recover in six to eight weeks.

Richard Lewis said he created the Jennifer Lewis Medical Recovery Fund at First Independent Bank to help pay for uninsured home health care visits by a nurse.

Donations to the fund can be made at any First Independent Bank or mailed to First Independent Bank, 1408 SE 164th Ave., Vancouver, WA 98693.

OFFICIALS SAY COW DISEASE RARE, DEADLY

Bill Myers, staff reporter

Federal, state and county health officials agree that human forms of "mad cow disease" are rare, but deadly.

In cattle, the disease is not as rare, but also deadly. Known clinically as Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE), the disease attacks the central nervous system and creates sponge-like holes in the brains of animals.

While about 180,000 cases of BSE have been recorded worldwide, the disease was not known to exist in the U.S. until recently.

On Dec. 23, U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Ann Veneman announced that remnants of a non-ambulatory Holstein cow slaughtered Dec. 9, 2003 in Moses Lake tested positive for the disease.

Following the event, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) officials said the brain and spinal column of the cow were separated from the animal before meat was cut for shipment, and there is an "extremely low likelihood" that diseased meat entered the meat supply.

U.S. and Canadian officials recently confirmed that the diseased cow came to the U.S. in 2001 with 74 other cows from Alberta, Canada.

Officials are trying to trace the other cows. USDA spokesman Ron Dehaven said that based on experience in England, there is only a small likelihood that any of the other cows were infected.

USDA officials believe the infected cow, and another cow diagnosed with the disease in May 2003 in Alberta, were born months prior to an August 1997 ban on cattle feed containing any remains, including bone meal, from grazing animals.

Creutzfeld-Jakob Disease

The human form of "mad cow disease" is known as Creutzfeld-Jakob Disease. According to federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) research reports, the classic form of Creutzfeld-Jakob Disease (CJD) was named after doctors Hans Gerhard Creutzfeld and Alfons Jakob who discovered the illness in the 1920s.

While causes of most CJD cases remain a mystery, CDC reports say it is known that the classic form of the disease can be inherited or transmitted by contact with infected brain or cerebrospinal tissue or fluids.

Classic CJD is endemic throughout the world and afflicts about one in every one million people each year. Victims are usually 50 to 75 years of age.

A newly discovered form of CJD, known as "new variant" Creutzfeld-Jakob Disease (vCJD), tends to afflict younger people.

A Dec. 31 fact sheet from CDC says 153 victims were claimed by the malady worldwide as of Dec. 1, 2003, and numbers are rising. Patients have a median age of 28 and most lived in the United Kingdom between 1980 and 1996 during an outbreak of BSE among cattle in England.

Scientists suspect prions

For several years, scientists suspected that an unidentified virus caused BSE.

The CDC report said scientists now believe protein pathogens, known as a proteinaceous infectious particles, dubbed "prions," are able to convert normal molecules into deadly ones, causing a destructive chain reaction in central nervous systems in animals and humans.

Cattle feed containing contaminated meat and bone meal is believed responsible for the outbreak of "mad cow disease" in England. Many scientists suspect a subsequent outbreak of variant CJD was caused by human consumption of infected meat.

Human victims normally don't exhibit symptoms of CJD forms for years because incubation periods of the diseases are measured in years or decades.

Symptoms described

Clark County health officer Dr. Karen Steingart said the state Department of Agriculture and the USDA are the lead agencies working on the BSE problem.

Steingart said research indicates that only one person in the United States, a young woman who moved to Florida from England in 1992, has ever been diagnosed with vCJD.

A major health focus, said Steingart, is on vCJD because of the theory that the disease might be associated with the consumption of infected meat.

Existence of vCJD is confirmed only by autopsy examination of brain tissue, Steingart said.

Steingart said symptoms could include depression, schizophrenia, sticky skin, unsteady motor abilities and dementia.

USDA spokesman Dr. Daniel Engeljohn said symptoms of the disease resemble Alzheimer's disease, but there is no evidence the diseases are linked.

Other symptoms listed in the CDC report are insomnia, confusion, personality and behavioral changes, and problems with memory, coordination and sight.

Most patients reportedly die within a year of the onset of symptoms.

More information about the disease may be obtained at the Centers for Diseases Control website, http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/diseases/cjd/cjd_fact_sheet.htm.

SMALL MEAT MARKETS SURVIVE MAD COW NEWS

Bill Myers, staff reporter

Dennis Hayes, executive director of the Northwest Meat Processing Association (NMPA) in Portland said small meat markets are "doing okay" in spite of mad cow news.

Hayes said NMPA has about 300 members, most of them owners of small meat markets in Oregon and Washington.

Members report that business has slowed, but beef sales are normally slower during the winter, said Hayes.

The federal government has complete control over this and USDA officials are doing it right, said Hayes. "They've been aware for a long time that these problems can happen," he said.

Slaughter houses must have federal licenses, with USDA inspectors on hand during all slaughtering operations, Hayes said.

Hayes said a vast majority of small meat market owners get beef from suppliers other than Oregon distributors Willamette Valley Meats and Interstate Meat Distributors. Both are large processors and were named by USDA officials as potential recipients of affected meat from Moses Lake after it was processed by Midway Meats in Centralia, WA.

Small meat markets make hamburger from cuts of meat that would not be infected, Hayes said.

State and county inspectors examine small meat suppliers frequently, Hayes said.

Walt Houser, owner of Walt's Wholesale Meats in Woodland, said his slaughtering and distribution are unaffected. Houser said he buys and sells only prime beef and doesn't receive cattle from distributors named in the mad cow incident.

Greg Bauman, owner of Premium Smoked Meats in Woodland, said he was not affected by the incident because he gets only prime beef from the IBP Processing Company in Vancouver.

Kathy Mayer at Mayer Custom Meats Inc. in Vancouver said their company never acquires meat from dairy cows or "downer" animals.

"We only buy meat from beef cattle, mostly from Iowa, that are 18 months to three years old, said Mayer.

Mayer said hamburger from Mayer Custom Meats is always ground from whole chuck and never from scraps of meat.

"This mad cow incident could really help small meat companies like us," said Mayer. "People have a right to know where their meat comes from."

Recent USDA actions

U.S. and Canadian officials are attempting to trace animals that entered the U.S. with the sick cow.

A new USDA rule prohibits the slaughter and commercial use of animals that can't walk. USDA officials announced Jan. 5 that a herd of 450 calves in Sunnyside, WA containing an offspring of the sick cow that was slaughtered on Dec. 9 would be killed.

Officials said the offspring calf could not be identified, and the slaughter is a precaution against the unlikely chance that the disease could be inherited.

Federal officials continue to insist that it is highly unlikely that U.S. meat supplies are hazardous.

AREA GROCERS AFFECTED BY BEEF RECALL

Michele Bloomquist, staff reporter

Area Fred Meyer, Safeway, Alberstons and Winco grovery stores recently asked customers to return some beef products in connection with the nation's first case of mad cow disease.

The requests are in response to a voluntary recall from Vern's Moses Lake Meats of Moses Lake, the plant where an infected cow was slaughtered Dec. 9.

The recall affects all 10,000 pounds of beef processed at the plant that day, said United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) officials.

The meat was distributed from Vern's Dec. 12 through Midway Meats of Centralia to Interstate Meat Distributors of Clackamas, OR, and Willamette Meats of Portland, officials said.

From there, some potentially affected meat was distributed to grocery stores in the Clark County area.

Fred Meyer officials said they received 96 packages of ground beef patties from Interstate Meats which may have been sold at 75 regional stores, including all Clark County locations.

The prepackaged, 85 percent lean, fresh ground beef patties carry a sell-by date of Dec. 25, officials said.

Fred Meyer removed all Interstate Meat products from shelves Dec. 24, including remaining unsold packages subject to the recall, said spokesperson Rob Boley.

Safeway officials asked customers to return 98 pounds of fresh ground beef patties from Interstate Meats and 69 pounds of beef hearts from Willamette Valley Meats from all Oregon and four Washington stores.

Washington stores impacted include Camas and Kelso, which recalled fresh beef hearts with a sell-by date of Dec. 22-30, Longview Safeway at 2930 Ocean Beach Highway, and the Vancouver Safeway at 6711 NE 63rd St. which recalled 85 percent lean ground beef patties with a sell-by date of Dec. 23.

Albertsons officials did not specify the amount of meat affected, but asked customers in Washington, Oregon and Northern Idaho to return prepackaged one and two pound quantities of 85 percent lean ground beef with a sell by date of Dec. 25, and prepackaged 85 percent lean ground beef patties with a Dec. 25 sell-by date.

Albertsons also asked customers to return 91 percent lean ground beef purchased from the Butcher Block service case Dec. 16-23.

Winco Foods asked customers to return 1,500 to 1,800 pounds of extra lean ground beef labeled 14 percent maximum fat sold Dec. 15-23. The request applies to all of the chain's 42 stores in five states, said spokesperson Mike Read.

Customers can return the beef to the store where purchased for a full refund.

USDA officials emphasized the mad cow illness is not contagious from person to person or animal to animal.

Mad cow disease, or bovine spongiform encephalopathy, is only spread from eating the brain, spinal cord or lower intestines from an infected animal, they said.

All of the spinal, brain and intestinal tissue from the infected cow was collected for testing and not sent for processing, USDA officials added.

The risk of contracting the human form of the illness, called Creutzfeldt-Jacob Disease, from eating other meat portions from an infected cow is virtually non-existent, officials said.

For more information about the illness and what steps customers can take to protect themselves, see www.usda.gov or call 1-888-MPHotline.

COWLITZ RESIDENTS LOST ELECTRICITY

About 700 homes in the Ariel-Cougar area of Cowlitz County were without power for about five hours Jan. 6 when a tree fell on power lines near the Ariel Substation, according to Dave Andrew, spokesman for Cowlitz County Public Utility District.

More than 400 Utility customers were without power 2:40-5:52 a.m. on Jan. 7 in the Dike Road area at the north end of the Woodland Bottoms. On Jan. 8, 20 outages affected a total of 2,209 customers in the Woodland area. The largest outage occurred throughout the Woodland Bottoms and the Insel/Gun Club Road neighborhood.

Andrew said the Utility responded to 120 outages across the county Jan. 6-8. Some 9,000 customers lost power during the period, of which about 3,500 lost power two or three times.

INMATE WORK HELPS OFFSET JAIL COSTS

Bill Myers, staff reporter

Work by jail inmates offsets about $2.3 million of jail costs in Clark and Cowlitz counties each year, according to a state official.

Offender Work Reports for 2002 produced by the state Jail Industries Board credit Clark County inmates with offsetting $2 million of incarceration costs. Cowlitz County inmate workers are credited with offsetting $295,706 of such costs.

Work done by inmates reduces the costs of government services, said Board executive director Jill Will.

Clark County jail administrator Joe Dunegan said county inmates work at the main jail as well as at a separate Jail Work Center.

In 2002, 47 main jail inmates and 54 Work Center inmates clocked 290,586 hours, said Dunegan.

Working inmates are rated as minimum security risks by classification processes. Many of them had traffic or misdemeanor domestic violence offenses, and were subsequently sentenced for failing to fulfill a court requirement, said jail industries Sgt. Dan Plotner.

Work performed by Clark County inmates includes maintenance of the county pistol range, preparation and deliveries of meals for adult and juvenile inmates, janitorial work, landscaping, general labor, sewing and vehicle washing.

Clark County Jail Work Center officials recently joined Computer Reuse and Marketing (CREAM), a non-profit consortium designed to divert usable computers from landfills.

Selected inmates at the Work Center inspect donated computers and other office equipment for refurbishing or recycling. The recycling process keeps toxic materials such as lead and mercury from landfills, said Plotner.

Plotner said the Work Center has received more than 5,000 computers or other electronic devices since August 2003. Trained inmates inspect each item. Computers in good condition are reconditioned by area technical school or college students and donated through Salvation Army Family Services. Computers considered unfit for reconditioning are dismantled for recycling.

Cowlitz County inmates work at the jail and for various government and non-profit organizations.

The 2002 Offender Work Report credits 54 inmate workers with 152,222 hours of work at the jail, county, state and non-profit facilities.

In addition to offsetting incarceration costs, work done by Cowlitz County inmates for government agencies other than the jail was credited by the report with producing $747,775 worth of tax-reducing labor.

Giving them chances

Will said it makes good sense to provide inmates with meaningful work.

"Jail inmates today will be our neighbors tomorrow," she said. "It makes sense to give them chances to make positive changes [such as] working, learning new skills, developing a work ethic and helping to repay some of their costs." Inmates allowed to do meaningful work begin to build a solid foundation for their futures. This is important to them and to all citizens, Plotner said.

Anyone who wishes to donate a computer may bring it to the Work Center at 5197 NW Lower River Rd., Vancouver, Mon.-Thurs., 9 a.m.-11:30 a.m. and 1-4 p.m. Hard drives are erased or destroyed for confidentiality reasons. Information telephone is 696-8186.

Marcus Brotherton, staff reporter

An area gravel company has applied for a zone change from Clark County as the final step toward expanding mining operations adjacent the East Fork Lewis River, but attorneys for area fish-protection agencies think the application is premature.

Representatives for the J.L. Storedahl & Sons gravel mine used a federal environmental impact statement in late December to apply for a rezone of some 100 acres along the river.

If approved, the shift would switch the land's zoning from Agriculture 20 to a Surface Mining Combining District. Storedahl officials also requested approval of a site, wetland and habitat conservation plan.

Pending potential appeals to County commissioners, county-level approval is the final hurdle before gravel mining operations could be started gravel on about 161 acres at the 291-acre Daybreak site.

Storedahl has operated a gravel processing plant at Daybreak since the late 1980s. Excavations have resulted in five ponds. Currently, off-site material is processed at the site but no active mining takes place.

If approved, the on-site mining activities are expected to occur over 10-15 years, depending on market conditions.

Process steps

According to County planner Josh Warner, the County is using a federal impact statement as part of its documentation because Storedahl needed to apply for incidental take permits from two federal agencies--the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Opponents state that mining at the site could affect nine endangered/threatened species such as Chinook salmon and bull trout.

Portland attorney Karl Anuta, who represents the environmental protection group called Friends of the East Fork, questioned the County's use of the federal statement, calling it "premature."

The problem stems from a comment period on the statement which was extended until Jan. 28. In Anuta's opinion, the document is not final yet.

"Why would the County want to step in before a federal document is approved?" Anuta said. "It's potentially wasting taxpayer's money if [the statement] is not approved in the end."

But according to Fisheries representative Laura Hamilton, even though a comment period is not resolved, the statement was deemed final November 2003.

Hamilton said a supplemental statement could be issued if any substantive information not addressed in the final impact statement emerges during the comment period, but the current statement is still considered final.

Hamilton said she did not know if County agencies typically used federal documents before extended comment periods are resolved, but that the process did not raise any red flags for her.

Warner said his understanding of the document was that it is "effectively final."

Plans for area

Storedahl representatives say their plan differs from past mining projects that have happened on the site.

The company plans to build ponds that are further away from the river, take measures to decrease turbidity of water released from their holding ponds into the river, better monitor and manage fish, and implement several water quality and quantity management measures.

Storedahl representatives say the expansion is needed because of rapid area growth and an increased need for aggregate which is used in asphalt and concrete.

Concurrently, and following completion of the mining, reclamation and enhancement projects are proposed to occur throughout the entire area of the Daybreak site. The proposed plan will remain in effect for 25 years to ensure reclamation and monitoring is completed.

The $11.6 million reclamation project includes reforesting sections of the property, reconfiguring roads and wetland areas, donating water rights to protection groups, and monitoring a variety of renewal and protection projects involving frogs, fish and vegetation.

After the reclamation project is completed, a $1 million endowment fund will be established and dedicated to monitoring and managing the site.

Regardless, Anuta considers Storedahl's plan dangerous.

"Their proposal is fancy," Anuta said. "But you can dress a pig up and it's still a pig. The bottom line is it's a bad thing to be mining in this area. There's just some things that don't belong."

Clark County hearings examiner Larry Epstein is scheduled to decide rezone request and plan approval at a public hearing Tues., March 16, 7 p.m., Public Service Center, suite 680, 1300 Franklin St., Vancouver.

Funeral services for Mark and Marge Mattila, along with their children Max, Katie, Marci and Adam, will be held Thurs., Jan. 8, 11 a.m., at Crossroads Community Church, 7708 NE 78th St., Vancouver. The caskets will be closed during the funeral service.

The six members of the Mattila family died in a motorhome accident Dec. 28 near Salt Lake City, UT.

A meal will be served at the Hockinson Apostolic Lutheran Church, 16108 NE 192nd Ave., Brush Prairie, following the funeral service. Everyone is invited to attend.

Those who wish to pay their last respects are invited to attend the calling hours Wed., Jan. 7, 7-9 p.m., at the Hockinson Apostolic Lutheran Church, when the caskets will be open. Coffee and refreshments will be served there.

A public memorial service and private burial will take place in the Tri-Cities area at a later date.

Donations are invited to any US Bank branch, account 153555445698, to benefit the children of Mark and Marge Mattila.

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

Work on the plankhouse project at the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge will continue in the new year with a work party set for Sun., Jan. 11, 8:30 a.m., at the old shop on the River S Unit.

A volunteer appreciation barbecue will take place that day as well.

Volunteers will carry out various tasks involving processing logs into planks, posts and other components for the replica plankhouse.

Those interested in becoming plankhouse volunteers are invited as well.

Past, present and future volunteers will take part in a barbecue lunch in appreciation of their time, skills and enthusiasm.

Organizers urged volunteers to dress for the weather. No experience is necessary, although volunteers are urged to bring planers, mauls, hammers, sledgehammers, drawknives, wedges, chainsaws, safety goggles, and hearing protection, along with sturdy shoes and gloves.

Various programs were held in 2003 to train volunteers how to make cordage, wedges, baskets and mauls. Upcoming workshops will focus on carving techniques, mat creaser construction, mat making, flintknapping, stone-adze making, and nettle and cattail collecting.

A post-raising ceremony took place Nov. 14.

Beginning in late January, work parties will be moved from Sundays to Saturdays.

Those attending the barbecue are invited to make their plans known by calling Virginia Parks, (503) 625-4377, or the Refuge, 887-4106.

The work site can be reached from Hillhurst Road south of Ridgefield and following signs to the River S Unit on the Refuge. Continue straight ahead to the Old Shop at the junction of the auto loop drive.

REMEMBERING 2003

Marcus Brotherton, staff reporter

In 1905, American philosopher and poet George Santayana wrote, "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it."

One hundred years later, area residents may do well to heed Santayana's counsel and remember the past--to reminisce, count blessings and gain insight.

The following is a summary of some of the top stories in 2003 as published by The Reflector:

** Crime and punishment

Who could forget the tragedy that shook Clark County in January as 10-year-old Emilee Randall died in her home after a gun went off in the hands of her 13-year-old brother, Matthew?

The story was further complicated because the gun belonged to the children's father, Clark County Sheriff's Sgt. Craig Randall.

Matthew pled guilty to first degree manslaughter in February and was sentenced in March to four years and two months incarceration. In June the sheriff's department issued a new policy mandating gun storage in lockable safes.

Another 2003 story involved the sentencing of Battle Ground resident Michael Kienholz, 35, who pled guilty to charges of first degree child rape in July.

Clark County Superior Court judge Diane Woolard threw the book at Kienholz, who had a prior conviction in 1988 for a similar crime. Kienholz was sentenced to life imprisonment without parole.

** People's court

America is known as a country of litigation, and county residents were not exempt from the practice in 2003.

In February a civil liberties group sued the city of Battle Ground after city police allegedly stopped and questioned pedestrians with little cause. The suit was later dropped.

In March, County commissioners overturned a hearing examiner's decision and approved development of a Yacolt rock quarry. Neighbors and quarry owners became tangled in legal action for the rest of the year.

An African-American corrections offer at Larch Corrections Center near Yacolt sued the state in March, alleging racial discrimination; another officer filed a race-related claim.

One story that ran for several months involved Battle Ground High School baseball parent Russ Wadleigh.

Wadleigh took legal action against the Battle Ground School District, claiming that boys were being discriminated against because girls had playable ball fields at Battle Ground High School and boys did not.

Wadleigh used state-level gender equality laws to fight his case, similar to the federal Title IX federal laws. A judge agreed with Wadleigh, and the fields were fixed.

Farming halted in a La Center strawberry field after neighbors complained of chemical sprays. Neighbors and field owner Annie Baker are set to appear in court January 2004.

A group of Battle Ground neighbors sued a developer in an effort to stop a 33-acre housing development called Tuxedo Junction. The case is still tied up in the legal system.

** Readin' 'Ritin' 'Rithmetic Schools seem to always be in the news no matter what the year--people either have children in schools, pay for children in schools, or both.

In February, employee hours were cut in Ridgefield schools due to budget limitations, prompting an outcry from teachers and community members.

Debate continued over the next several months as patrons alleged an overall lack of communication from District officials. Several new communication programs were established as a result. Lost hours were reinstated in October. Voters ousted two incumbents from the Ridgefield School Board in the November general elections.

Absentee-ballot voters decided the outcome of a replacement levy for Battle Ground Schools in a February special election. The levy needed 60 percent approval to pass and hovered around that mark for a few days after the election. In the end, the levy squeaked over the line with 60.18 percent support.

About 80 students at Amboy Middle School boycotted physical education classes in May after the reinstatement of a physical education teacher who was accused and later exonerated of inappropriate behavior.

In spring, a group of Battle Ground parents and community members who live on the border of the Battle Ground and Hockinson school districts jumped into state-level political fray after their request to change boundaries was denied. After months of phone calls, letters and trips to Olympia, the group helped create legislation that broadens laws dealing with changing school boundary.

In September, a new $15 million, 1,200-student high school opened in Hockinson. The race for seats on the Battle Ground School Board heated up in October as newcomer Leslie Jones battled incumbent Karen Lehman.

During election forums, Jones cited a laundry list of problems with the District including violations of conflict of interest and sexual harassment laws. Lehman won the election in November with 62 percent of the vote.

Lewisville math teacher Kim Ellett won a national award for teaching excellence in November. Fewer than 2,000 teachers nationwide have won the award since the program's inception in 1985.

In December, Battle Ground School Board members approved a recommendation to ask voters for a $55 million bond in spring 2004. If passed, the bond will pay for two new K-8 schools, land for a new high school near Amboy and more.

** City gesticulations

In April, La Center came close to running out of sewer connections, prompting a moratorium on growth until a new plant is built, likely mid-2004.

In May, workers broke ground on the 900,000 square foot Dollar Tree regional distribution facility at NE 10th Ave. near the I-5 junction in Ridgefield. The facility neared completion at year's end.

The West Main Street project in Battle Ground began in May. Workers widened a one-mile stretch of highway through the city's core. The project affected some 40 businesses and snarled traffic throughout the summer. Additional road work took place throughout Battle Ground at the same time, including the widening of NE 199th St. near the Maple Grove school campus.

Talk continued throughout the year between state and federal politicians, La Center city officials and Chinook tribal members regarding land use near the I-5 junction. Tribal members said development of a casino is one possibility for the area.

Throwing candy during parades, blocking sidewalks with fire hydrants and basketball hoops, and serving liquor on a sidewalk in front of a restaurant occupied Battle Ground city council discussions in August.

In September, work wrapped up on a $10 million project in downtown Woodland involving new streets, sidewalks and lamps. During construction, workers found a 1893 dime buried underneath a former street surface.

Debate continued over what to do with the vacant Meyer's Marketplace building in Battle Ground as members of the Living Hope Church proposed to develop the center.

Battle Ground city council members said zoning problems existed with the property but eventually passed an interim ordinance approving the request by church officials.

A citizen-based group lobbied votes for a new mayor and council members in Woodland. Newcomers Doug Monge and Chris Haughee won in the November general election.

Battle Ground city council members shifted plans to construct a new city hall/public safety complex. City staff vacated two 50-year-old buildings on E Main St. and moved into the new $5 million, two-story Sierra building on SW First St., renaming it City Hall.

Longtime Battle Ground city council member Bill Crego was unseated in the November general election by newcomer Chris Regan.

Longtime La Center mayor Liz Cerveny stepped down and Jim Irish became La Center's new mayor.

Ridgefield officials anticipated an influx of money in its proposed 2004 budget, primarily due to five new area subdivisions set for development.

Ridgefield city officials also found themselves under investigation in December by state and federal agencies for alleged improper removal of lead-based paint from city hall in June 2002.

** Regional gesticulations

Some 125 workers at the Southwest Washington Health District went home Dec. 31, 2002 and returned to work Jan. 1, 2003 as Clark County employees. The former independent agency became the County's fourth largest department.

The county's new Public Services Center opened in January at 1300 Franklin St., Vancouver, consolidating most services under one roof.

A 5 cent state gas-tax increase was passed that will widen I-5 near NE 134th St. and build a new I-5 interchange at NE 219th St.

In May, ground was broken in Salmon Creek for a new $220 million Legacy Health Systems hospital, expected to be completed by summer 2005.

County commissioners heard an earful from area residents throughout the year regarding updates to the County's 20-year comprehensive plan and a home occupations ordinance.

In July, county and state officials banned outdoor burning throughout southwest Washington as below-average rainfall was reported. Area residents were able to comfortably wear short-sleeved shirts and sandals until mid-October.

Fort Vancouver Regional Library officials voted to roll out a new Internet access system in August which automatically filters the Internet for children under age 12.

In October, Cowlitz County officials discovered they may need to pay $200,000 after errors were found in an eight-year process of revoking some 700 septic permits.

Debate continued through 200 over development of a hot-mix asphalt plant proposed for Brush Prairie. Site use allows for industrial zoning but neighbors think the plant is a bad idea.

Arsenic was found in well water in north county in November. County Health Department workers urged water testing and mailed letters to potentially affected homeowners. Higher than average numbers of a rare disease called Guillain-Barre Syndrome were found in the area.

** Called to serve

Area men and women were overseas mid-year as the Persian Gulf war heated up.

The Reflector ran profiles of more than 35 area soldiers headed for war.

** Entertainment and good times

Cowboy singer Michael Scott McCormic, 5, was voted Entertainer of the Year at Battle Ground's annual Harvest Days festival.

An estimated 10,000 people attended the inaugural concert of the new Clark County Amphitheater, ushering in a new era in Clark County entertainment. Pop musicians Counting Crows and John Mayer were the first performers.

Battle Ground rope and ladder expert Tom Croley rescued several cats from trees.

COMMISSIONERS TO STUDY GROWTH PLAN

The Clark County commissioners will consider specific aspects of the draft update to their growth management plan Wed., Jan. 14, 10 a.m., at the Public Services Building, 6th Floor, 1300 Franklin, Vancouver.

Pat Lee, director of long-range planning for the county, said the commissioners will likely make decisions on urban growth boundaries at the work shop, then direct staff to prepare a capital facilities plan.

The commissioners may also take up various requests from landowners who seek zoning changes for lands inside growth boundaries.

No changes in land use policies are contemplated, said Lee, for lands outside urban growth boundaries.

The public is invited to attend the work session. Information, Pat Lee, 397-2375, ext. 4112.

Feds investigate environmental crimes

Heidi Wallenborn, news director

"This was not done with the intent of saving money or wrongdoing," said Ridgefield mayor Tim Thompson.

Thompson added that council members would not have authorized repainting city hall had they known of a problem with lead-based paint.

City officials are under investigation by an environmental crimes task force made up of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and state Department of Ecology officials regarding alleged improper removal of lead-based paint from city hall in June 2002.

Investigators with the Clark County Sheriff's Office are assisting with interviews, said Sheriff's Sgt. Mike Cooke.

Allegations include violations of the state Water Pollution Control Act, state Clean Air Act and state Hazardous Waste Disposal Act, which are gross misdemeanors.

Witnesses reported seeing paint chips fly into the street and paint dust coating various places, some of which was carried into city storm drains by water from a pressure washer used by the painting crew from Drake's Quality Painting.

Thompson said he was unaware of laboratory results showing lead in paint on city hall.

However, minutes and a recorded tape from a council meeting July 26 2001 reveal Thompson speaking about hiring someone to remove the lead-based paint.

In the tape, Thompson said the city had received no answers to a call for bids for lead abatement and repainting that was published July 11, and mentioned $20,000 had been set aside in the budget for the job.

Thompson recently said he "could have been listening to someone" at that time who believed there was lead-based paint on the building, but doesn't recall seeing proof.

Thompson also said he doesn't recall council approval to direct then interim city manager Tevis Laspa to authorize then public works superintendent Paul Snoey to scrape paint chips off the building and send them to Coffee Laboratories in Portland for analysis.

A taped council meeting from August 2001 recorded Thompson asking Snoey if the report had been received yet.

"I'm looking for the lead content report from Coffey," Thompson told Snoey. Snoey said he expected the report the next day. Thompson told Snoey to call him at the office and call Laspa with the results.

Snoey also said he would begin putting out bid requests for two separate contracts--one for lead abatement and one for repainting.

"If there's no lead, we're lucky," Thompson said.

The Coffey Lab report showing lead-based paint in several areas on the front of city hall was sent to then assistant public works superintendent Ben Hasson in August 2001.

No further mention of the project is made in city council minutes until September 2001 when Thompson asked other council members if they received a bid in their packets to remove lead-based paint.

"Correspondence--did everybody get the bid for removing lead paint and repainting?" Thompson asked. "Boy, that's a lot of money. At some point we'll have to talk about that."

Thompson did not publicly mention the company or dollar amount of the bid at that time.

However, Thompson recently said he did not recall seeing a bid or the report from Coffey Lab, or a phone call from Snoey to confirm lead in the paint.

"I certainly do not recall a discussion about seeing a bid or a lab report," he said. "Of course, that was two and a half years ago. I frankly don't remember."

A recent inquiry by this newspaper for copies of the bid and lab report at city hall was unsuccessful. But copies of both were obtained from other sources.

Dale Foes of Foes and Sullivan, the company that submitted the bid, said he sent one in and was not contacted by city officials afterward.

In fact, Foes said he submitted two bids.

The first, directed to Laspa, was sent in September 2001. The scope of work was to "safely remove lead paint to original surface by using sand blast or chemical stripping materials to be done under negative air enclosure and performed by Certified Abatement workers in accordance with federal, state and local regulations."

The cost estimate for the front of the building was $24,500. Foes' subcontractor, Keystone Contracting who performs lead abatement, included their bid of $15,900 for a total cost of $40,400.

Foes said he received no acknowledgement of the bid. Laspa said he doesn't remember a bid.

According to Foes, another bid was sent to newly hired city manager Randy Bombardier in November 2001. After consulting with Bombardier, Foes came back with a different estimate to cover the lead without abatement with Elasto coat, Hardi Plank siding, and metal as needed for siding, and to prime and paint all new sided and coated areas for $32,800.

In December 2001, Foes sent a fax to Bombardier "just checking to see," and asking for an update on the project. In part, the fax read, "Never have heard about city project? We have sent over several proposals. I will fax over last copy."

There is no record of response from city hall, Foes said.

Thompson said a number of things could have happened to the paperwork during that time because the city was seeing an influx of new employees such as a city clerk, a relatively new police chief, and a new city manager, and the city was under investigation for drinking water and sewer mismanagement.

"I'd be surprised if more didn't get lost," he said.

Thompson also said Snoey was put on paid administrative leave around that time and may not have gotten back to the council about the results of the test.

"I really don't remember," Thompson said.

Bombardier began work in October 2001. Snoey wrote in his Oct. 11 staff report to the council about the Foes and Sullivan bid. He recommended putting $45,000 in the 2002 budget for the project.

Eight months later, Thompson and Bombardier announced in a council meeting they had received "zero" bids.

"No one wants to paint city hall," Thompson quipped in an April 2002 recording of the council meeting.

Gary Holmberg, who was sworn in as the newest council member in January 2002, asked if a "lead survey" had been done on the paint.

In the tape, Bombardier said the call for bids that was published that month had mentioned nothing about lead-based paint.

"We decided to scrape and get a good seal," he told Holmberg. "Paint over, see how long it will last. The cost [for lead abatement] is exorbitant and couldn't justify spending that much money."

Bombardier also said what the building really needed was a good primer using a paint called Kilz or oil based paint.

"Is that okay with [environmental agencies]? Holmberg asked.

"As long as we're not removing lead paint there's no problem," Bombardier said. "We'll cover it."

In the tape, council directed Bombardier to find someone to do the job and negotiate a price. He hired Drake's to perform the job for about $4,500.

However, a copy of the work contract for Drake's signed by Bombardier shows the painter intended to power wash the building, scrape, sand, patch and caulk the building before putting on two coats of paint. No mention was made of primer or lead.

Drake said he was not told about any report from a laboratory that showed lead-based paint on city hall.

"The issue isn't about the question of whether there was lead in the paint," Bombardier said. "I don't recall a report, I think someone told me. The issue was painting over it and getting the paint to stick."

Bombardier said he remembers conversations with Drake about applying primer and that requirement may not have been in the contract.

"The issue was painting without removing the paint," Bombardier said. "Simply painting is not abatement. We wanted to encapsulate by painting over it. But I thought it likely the paint that was peeling wasn't lead based."

Bombardier also said he discovered that EPA officials call lead paint debris non-hazardous in an on-line Dec. 18, 1998 news release.

However, that release and another EPA article do not say lead-based paint debris is non- hazardous.

The article is about a proposal to make getting rid of lead paint waste easier and less expensive for families who renovate pre-1978 homes. Officials called for letting individuals dispose of lead paint debris in a specialized, non-hazardous landfill such as those used for construction and demolition.

Hazardous waste disposal sites are often cost-prohibitive, officials said, and this proposal was to encourage getting rid of lead-based paint debris and reducing children's risk of exposure to it at an affordable cost.

"The goal of this proposal is to encourage an increase in removal activities to further protect children from the risk of exposure to contaminated dust, paint chips and deteriorating lead based paint in older homes," EPA officials wrote.

However, Bombardier remains confident the city is clear of wrongdoing.

"I'm just pointing out that EPA on one side says it's not hazardous waste and on the other side it is," Bombardier said. "Is this good science or bad politics? I think it's both. It's hazardous when they want it to be."

"This [investigation] isn't going anywhere, Bombardier said confidently. "If the EPA calls this non-hazardous waste and there is a state statute that says normal painting is not abatement, I can't see how this is a criminal act."

"I think it's pretty clear we were open and above board," Bombardier added. "There was no intent to skirt the law. We did our civic duty and took the best care we could."

"I have nothing to hide, I didn't do anything wrong here," he said. "I stand by our action."

"We'll get through this," Thompson said. "If it comes down to harm being done, it was done out of stupidity or lack of knowledge. And I'm speaking for the council."

RED CROSS ANNOUNCES BLOOD CAMPAIGN

Bill Myers, staff reporter

The American Red Cross will host 37 blood drives in January throughout Clark County.

Red Cross community relations director Shawna Burkholder said donors must be 17 years or older, weigh at least 110 pounds and be in good health. Donors are encouraged to eat and drink a healthy meal at least four hours before donating.

A healthy person can donate blood about every 56 days, said Burkholder.

Burkholder said blood supplies in the Portland/Vancouver areas go to 80 hospitals. An on-going need in the area is for about 1,000 pints of blood per day, she said.

Blood supplies often reach critical levels during winter months because adverse weather prevents potential donors from participating in drives, said Burkholder.

Blood donations will be accepted at the Clark County Blood Center, 6300 NE St., James St., #107, Vancouver, on dates and at times shown below.

** Fri., Jan. 9, 7:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

** Sat., Jan. 10, 8 a.m.-1 p.m.

** Mon., Jan. 12, 1-7:30 p.m.

** Thurs., Jan. 15, 8 a.m.-noon, by appointment only; call 693-8522.

** Fri., Jan. 16, 7:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

** Sat., Jan. 17, 8 a.m.-1 p.m.

** Mon., Jan. 19, 1-7:30 p.m.

** Fri., Jan. 23, 7:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

** Mon., Jan. 26, 1-7:30 p.m.

** Fri., Jan. 30, 7:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

Other blood drives in mid and north Clark County are as follows: ** Tues., Jan. 13, Battle Ground Physical Therapy, 2312 W Main St., Battle Ground, 3:30-7:30 p.m.

** Wed., Jan. 14, St. Johns Lutheran Church, 11005 NE Hwy. 99, Vancouver, l:30-6:30 p.m.

** Fri., Jan. 16, Clark County Fire District 10, 21705 NE 399th St., Amboy, 2-6 p.m.

** Mon., Jan. 19, Clark County Fire District 11, 21609 NE 72nd Ave., Battle Ground, 1-6 p.m.

** Sat., Jan. 24, Messiah Lutheran Church, 905 NW 94th St., Vancouver, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

** Fri., Jan. 30, John L. Scott Real Estate, 10000 NE 7th Ave., Vancouver, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., by appointment only; call 693-8522.

NEW MAYOR, COUNCIL MEMBERS TAKE OATHS AT LA CENTER

Bill Myers, staff reporter

A new mayor and two new council members took oaths of office Dec. 30 following a La Center city council meeting.

City clerk/treasurer Janice Fillman administered oaths jointly to mayor-elect Jim Irish and newly elected council members Dale Smith and Linda Tracy.

Irish, who narrowly defeated city council member Richard Curtis for the mayoral post in November, took the oath and replaced retired two-term mayor Liz Cerveny.

Smith, who defeated opponent Bill Birdwell Jr. in November, was sworn into the position 4 council post vacated by retiring council member Jay Cerveny.

Tracy, who defeated incumbent council member Linda Rivard, took the oath for the position 5 council post.

Marcus Brotherton, staff reporter

Clark County health officials say there is no data at present to suggest this is a more severe flu season than other years, but just listen to the check-out line banter in any store and you'll hear otherwise.

It seems everyone has got a cold or knows someone who is down for the count.

The flu season started early throughout the nation, said County Health Department officer Dr. Karen Steingart. Influenza A was confirmed in the area Nov. 17 and there is now "widespread influenza activity" in the county, she said.

Demand for the flu vaccine this year has drained supplies, but more is expected within the new few weeks, Steingart said. Those interested are encouraged to contact health care providers.

Getting inoculated against the flu is not a guarantee one will not get sick, say health professionals. However, reports show vaccines are 70-90 percent effective in adults under age 65.

If people are vaccinated and do get sick, their symptoms are often more mild, reports say.

Steingart said the predominant strain of this year's flu is Fujian, which this year's vaccine does not protect against.

This year's vaccine does, however, inoculate against a "cousin-strain" of the Fujian flu, which may provide some effectiveness, Steingart said, although it's too early to know.

Regardless, Steingart said four priority groups should seek inoculation: adults over age 65, infants 6-23 months, pregnant women in their second to third trimesters, and any age person with a chronic medical condition.

Avoiding the flu

Flu viruses are spread when a person who has the flu coughs, sneezes or speaks and spreads the virus into the air. Others inhale the virus.

Viruses can also be spread when a person touches a surface such as a door handle that has one of the flu viruses on it, and then touches his or her nose or mouth.

When viruses enter the nose, throat or lungs, they begin to multiply, causing flu symptoms.

Symptoms include fever, headache, extreme tiredness, dry cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose and muscle aches. Gastro-intestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea are more common among children than adults.

In addition to getting vaccinated each fall, the following steps may help prevent the spread of the flu, Steingart said:

** Frequently wash hands with soap and hot water for 15-20 seconds, or frequently clean hands with an alcohol-based cleaner;

** Limit exposure to crowds of people indoors, especially for young children;

** Cover sneezes and coughs with tissue or upper sleeve;

** If possible, stay home from work, school and errands when sick.

For all colds and flu, Steingart recommends of getting rest, drinking liquids and avoiding alcohol and tobacco. Medications can relieve flu symptoms, but children or teenagers should avoid aspirin unless under doctor's supervision.

For flu, four antiviral drugs have been approved. All must be prescribed by a doctor. Antiviral treatment lasts 5 days and must be started within the first 2 days of illness.

Marcus Brotherton, staff reporter

A quilt that went through three owners, two states and more than five decades before it was made will be auctioned for charity.

The quilt had its beginnings during the 1940s or 1950s. The late Emma Shimeall, a Santa Paula, CA, resident, cut all the pieces, rails and borders, and hand-appliqued all the iris flowers.

When Shimeall's eyesight failed, the quilt was put aside and lay hidden in a box in her linen closet until she died in 1975 at age 83.

Shimeall's niece, Mary Cadwell, found the unfinished quilt and brought the box to her home in San Clemente, CA, thinking she would finish it.

Other projects intervened. Cadwell died in 2000, and the quilt remained untouched.

Cadwell's daughter, Battle Ground resident Cathy Artherton, brought the quilt pieces to a group of friends at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in 2003. An informal church crafter's club brought the quilt to life.

Janet Klein did about 90 percent of the handiwork, while Marilyn Ancil, Linda Williams and Arlene Klug worked on the border.

Klein said it took a little luck to get it started as the group puzzled over how to fit the pieces together. Pieces were cut in unusual, six-sided diamond shapes. A photo from a quilt show and instructions discovered in a book about to be thrown away allowed the work to begin.

The quilt top is made from all the original materials. The backing and batting are new. The border, true to its beginnings, was hand stitched while the rest was machine quilted.

Group members will raffle the quilt on Valentine's Day this year, then send the proceeds to the Orphan Grain Train, a humanitarian organization that provides food, clothing and medical supplies world-wide.

Raffle tickets are $1 each and available from Janet Klein, 674-5103.

BG GIRL TO RACE IN ALASKA'S JR. IDITAROD

Marcus Brotherton, staff reporter

A Battle Ground High School junior and National Honor Society student will leave for Alaska Feb. 1 to take part in the junior version of one of the world's most prestigious dog sledding races.

Alana Schlang, 17, will race her team of 10 Huskies some 160 miles in the 2004 Junior Iditarod, a two-day competition from Wassila to Yetna Station and back again. The race is the first leg of the full-fledged Iditarod race.

In the Junior Iditarod, racers make a 10-hour stopover between race legs where they camp without tents in the snow, battling winter wilderness conditions that can include temperatures as low as minus 30 degrees Fahrenheit.

Schlang dresses in up to five layers of clothing when she races and carries a variety of protective gear including two pounds of food for each dog, military food packets for herself, a cooker to melt snow, an axe and a snow shovel.

On long races there is no cell phone coverage, leaving her all alone in the wilderness. She camps with a snow tarp and a sleeping bag rated to minus 60 degrees below fahrenheit.

As a relative newcomer to the sport, Schlang said she will find herself at a disadvantage compared to the other 14-17-year-olds in the competition. Schlang has raced since she was 13, but most of the other racers will be from families native to Alaska who have raced for generations.

Undaunted, her motivation for competing in the Junior Iditarod is more to fulfil a personal goal than to win.

The sport is about following dreams as much as winning, she said. Over the past few years she has worked on another project which ties into her sport--speaking to younger students around the Battle Ground School District.

Schlang has spoken in about 12 elementary classrooms, she said. Her message is for younger students to follow their goals and dreams. She also answers questions about dogsledding and arctic climates. She first dreamed about being a dogsledder when she was 7.

In training for the Junior Iditarod, Schlang and her dog team covered about 600 miles. In early December Schlang ran a 200 mile race in Minnesota called the Moccasin run. She will also compete in a 100-miler in Montana prior to the big race in Alaska. Dogs average 10-15 miles per hour.

The two-day Minnesota race was a good eye-opener to serious race conditions, she said, with long hours on the trail and winter temperatures.

Schlang wasn't afraid of getting lost in the wilderness, just afraid of quitting. She completed the race.

Rick Schlang, her father, will drive to Alaska with her for the race. They will camp in a rustic cabin with no electricity or running water for one month. Her mom, Linda, and younger brother, Evan, will fly up to watch the race.

Schlang plans to compete in the full-fledged Iditarod after she completes college in 2012 or 2013.

For more information about Alana Schlang's dogsled racing, log on to:

www.goldenicekennels.com

BG MAY BARGAIN WITH COUNTY OVER LAND

Heidi Wallenborn, news director

"We're trying to negotiate with the commissioners," said Battle Ground mayor John Idsinga. "We're going to work on the definition until it's what we'd like it to be."

At issue is the Clark County commissioners' idea of "no net loss" for area cities that are creating capital facilities plans as part of the state mandated Growth Management Act.

Loosely defined, the county commissioners want city officials to promise to never rezone industrial land within city limits to some other use, or if they do, make up the loss by zoning the same amount of land for industrial use somewhere else in the city.

The real issue, Idsinga said, is that County officials are poking their noses into Battle Ground's business.

In a letter to commissioner Craig Pridemore, Idsinga wrote "It appears...that the County is very committed to the no net loss issue as Battle Ground is to the issue of self-governance. However, there may be room here to move on the issue at hand that may provide resolution."

What city officials propose is that commissioners create a specific description of what no net loss is so staff has something to work with while creating a capital facilities plan.

County planners and commissioners have thrice rejected Battle Ground's plan for expanding the Urban Growth boundaries which would include taking in lands zonedfor industrial uses.

The latest change stripped away