UNION, UTILITY REACH AGREEMENT

Officials of Clark Public Utilities and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 125 have approved a new contract.

A tentative pact was reached about 4:30 a.m. Aug. 4, just hours before a possible strike.

The agreement is for a 30-month period, and provides for wage increases of 7 percent on September 1, 2004, 3.5 percent on March 1, 2005, and 5.25 percent on May 1, 2006.

In addition, the utility will contribute some $235,000 to the 401(k) accounts of union members.

Utility spokesman Mick Shutt said the 7 percent increase in September recognizes that union workers did not receive a pay raise in 2003 following the expiration of the previous contract.

Thus, said Shutt, the new agreement actually covers a four year period--March 2003 through February 2007.

Negotiations between utility and union representatives had taken place for more than a year, with the recent assistance of a federal mediator.

The previous 3-year contract expired Feb. 28, 2003. Union members had continued working under the terms of the prior contract until terminating that plan effective Aug. 4.

"I'm pleased we were able to reach an agreement that provides competitive pay and benefits for our union employees while also balancing the needs of the utility's customer-owners," said utility general manager Wayne Nelson.

Nelson said the utility was prepared to continue operating during a strike and had arranged for replacement workers to fill in for regular employees.

Before the agreement, the utility's highest offer was a 3.5 percent annual increase over a three year period. That plan would have cost the utility about $ 26.2 million (if extended over a four year period for comparison purposes).

Shutt said the union had sought 4.6 percent per year, a plan that would have cost the utility about $ 26.8 million (if extended a fourth year with a 3.5 percent increase).

The cost of the actual settlement will be about $25.8 million, including the contribution to 401(k) retirement accounts, said Shutt.

The new contract will expire Feb. 28, 2007.

Heidi Wallenborn, news director

Any law enforcement officer will likely say that in the back of their minds when they go on duty is the thought that they may not go home after their shift.

The thought is there when they make a traffic stop, when someone approaches their patrol car while they sit inside, when they do night-time bathroom checks in darkened parks, and when they block a street to keep people out.

On July 30, 8-year Clark County Sheriff's Sgt. Brad Crawford, 49, didn't come home.

Robin Schreiber, 43, Brush Prairie, is accused of ramming his full-sized, 4 by 4 pickup truck into the driver's side of Crawford's patrol car as he kept traffic away from a Brush Prairie neighborhood.

It had been evacuated because of a call from Schreiber's live-in girlfriend that Schreiber was suicidal and armed with a rifle.

Schreiber faces charges of first degree murder and vehicular homicide. He is being held without bail in the Cowlitz County jail.

Emergency crews cut open Crawford's mangled patrol car in a thicket of blackberry bushes. Crawford was taken by Life Flight to Legacy Emanuel Hospital.

Crawford died two hours later, family members at his side. He was the first County officer to die in the line of duty in 27 years.

The "brotherhood"

On Aug. 5, law enforcement agencies from Arizona, California, Oregon, Washington, other states and Canada paid tribute in a memorial service attended by thousands.

"We're a brotherhood that has both genders," said state Patrol trooper Steve Schatzel. "We're a different kind of community. We rely on each other for our lives. We have petty difficulties, sure. But when push comes to shove, we're there for each other."

Officers, fire personnel and dignitaries gathered at the Amphitheater at Clark County before a motorcade began.

As helicopters circled overhead, officers in uniforms and suits in somber colors waited.

One woman deputy thanked a group of out-of-state officers for being there. She said it's good to be in a gathering like this, but she wished it was for a different reason.

A detective sporting a long ponytail dressed in a black suit and tie joked that he only wore that suit for funerals and court. He dropped his smile, shook his head and said he wished he was in court that day.

A motorcade of almost 400 patrol motorcycles and cars traversed from the Amphitheater down I-5 and I-205 to New Hope Church in Clackamas, OR. The service was held there because Crawford's home church, New Heights in Vancouver, isn't big enough to hold the expected crowd of thousands.

At every overpass across the highway in Oregon, citizens crowded among fire engines, waving flags, saluting, hats removed or silently standing with hands over their hearts in tribute to the fallen officer.

On one fire truck, a row of firefighters stood shoulder to shoulder in salute. The ladder truck extended a flag from the bridge over the highway.

The single file entourage proceeded with emergency lights flashing on each vehicle, 10 miles long. Hundreds of vehicles pulled off on both sides of the interstates to salute passing officers. Each patrol car had a black strip of tape across the license plate to signify mourning.

One lone woman in a triangle of brown grass near an off-ramp at Salmon Creek stood with head bowed, hand over her heart. Not many officers had dry eyes on the 45-minute trip.

What does this mean to officers who are often hated, whose families are often targets, simply because of what they do?

Schatzel choked up and couldn't answer for several minutes.

"Not everyone loves cops," he finally said. "It's nice to be appreciated."

The service

Officers gathered on the lower floor of the church. Civilians were allowed into an upper balcony. The church was jammed with mourners.

An hour before the service began, several officers sat in pews with arms across chests or bent across knees, faces forward and solemn. An oversized staff photo of Crawford and one of his family at a wedding were on display on the stage.

Honor guards in crisp, buttoned and braided uniforms wearing immaculate white gloves and hats, with shoes shiny enough to reflect starlight took turns "guarding" the photos, motionless, before the service began. They guarded photos rather than a casket, as there was none.

Honor guards from each agency presented their flags from America, Washington, Canada, Oregon and then Arizona and California where Crawford had also served in law enforcement.

County sheriff Garry Lucas gave thanks to all the agencies for their support and shift coverage while the department dealt with Crawford's loss.

Lucas said Crawford was an exceptional individual who literally laid down his life serving others, as his faith in God taught him to do.

"If Brad were here today, I think he would say follow God more closely, love your family more dearly and take care of each other," Lucas said.

Crawford's brother, Bruce Crawford, gave anecdotes about them growing up.

He told of playing whiffle ball in the backyard with his elder by four years. Brad would imitate a baseball announcer as they played. Sometimes the ball ended up over the cinder-block fence into their neighbor's back yard where a rambunctious dog lived.

The duo would determine if the dog was sleeping or anywhere around before Brad would leap over, grab the ball and race the dog to the fence where he hopped back.

"He never once got bitten," Bruce said.

He also told of times spent surfing where they grew up in southern California and taking flattened cardboard boxes to slide down I-5 off-ramps as the new highway was being paved.

In his 20s, Crawford became a follower of Jesus Christ and an example with a changed life, joy and peace, Bruce said.

Crawford hunted, fished, surfed and played the guitar. But most of all, he loved Christ, his family and the deputies he worked with.

"He sent me photos of you guys," Bruce said to those on Crawford's squad. "He was so proud of you."

Crawford's pastor, Matt Hannan, said the officer sometimes felt inadequate as husband, father and sergeant.

Crawford called him for advice, even when it was time to apply for a promotion to sergeant.

Crawford didn't want to move up in the department unless he could to the best job for the community by being there, Hannan said.

The sergeant would also call his pastor to send someone to talk to people he had arrested.

Hannan quoted Crawford as saying he knew they could turn their life around and just needed someone to talk to.

Hannan said Crawford considered his job a calling from God and took it seriously. He was also known to ask those he arrested what they were thinking and whether they had considered their future and the consequences of their actions.

Mourners chuckled when Hannan said several members of his congregation are there because Crawford arrested them, too.

"This is a celebration of the life of Brad Crawford," Hannan said. "But his was too wonderful a life to compress into a few moments. He really cared about people."

Hannan thanked the officers in attendance, and acknowledged how hard it was to be there.

"Many of you are facing your biggest fear," he said.

"Brad worked and lived with honor and dignity," Hannan added. "He is a man to be honored."

Trifolded American flags were presented to Crawford's widow, Linda, and their children, twins Darcy and Cory, 26, and sons Mark, 24, Paul, 22 and Jacob, 12.

Lucas ceremoniously accepted each flag from an honor guard member then kneeled in front of the recipient and spoke personal words to them no one could hear.

In a final salute, a lone bagpiper wandered through the front of the church playing Amazing Grace. A 21-gun salute of seven firearms reporting three times honored Crawford. A lone deputy played Taps beside an open door in the balcony.

Before the flags were retired, a dispatcher relayed a final radio call as if Crawford was on duty.

Twice she called, "One x-ray 68, Sgt. Crawford" with no answer. Muffled sobs and sniffles filled the church. The third call ended with "Gone, but never forgotten."

Memorial contributions may be made to the Brad Crawford memorial Fund at New Heights Church, 7913 NE 58th Ave., Vancouver, WA 98665.

RESIDENTIAL INTRUSION LEADS TO SELLING FARM

Alice Perry Linker, staff reporter

Farms and subdivisions just don't mix, say farmers Laurie and Jim Walker.

"Many people don't understand; they don't know what it's all about," said Laurie Walker.

Farms are not the quiet, idealistic operations that have become the stereotype, the Walkers said. Conflicts with the encroaching urban area have caused the family to give up farming and try to develop the land.

When the Walkers bought the 104-acre property east of Ridgefield 12 years ago, farms were dominant, Jim Walker said.

The picture has changed. Now only one dairy, Mountain View, still operates on NE 10th Ave. near the Walker's place.

Within walking distance from the Walker's farm and surrounded by other farms is a 35-home subdivision with 1-acre lots called Helen's View.

Other properties along Pioneer St. adjacent to 10th Ave. have been zoned for urban use. Several properties across the road from the Walker farm are within the Ridgefield city limits.

"I can't drive my equipment down the road any more," Jim Walker said.

The Walker's son recently endured an example of urban-rural conflict when he was driving a tractor along the public road.

"He had the four-way flashers on, the safety triangle on, and a guy sped around him, gave an obscene gesture," Jim Walker said.

David Callaham, the Walker's partner for development, agreed that conflicts exist.

"It's not fair to the Walkers; it's not fair to the people who live near farms," he said. "The property will go into the urban growth area--whether now or five years from now."

The Walkers and Callaham have agreed to donate 15 acres of the farm to the Ridgefield School District provided the land is annexed into the city within the next two years.

"We've tried to make this a win-win," Callaham said. "If we can help the schools and do something now, it's win-win for everybody."

Five of the 15 acres are earmarked for youth ballparks, Jim Walker said.

"We thought we'd donate land for ball fields, where everybody will be treated equally," Walker said.

The idea to donate land for sports came while the Walkers were watching a Little League baseball game.

Ridgefield city council members indicated support for annexation during a July 22 meeting. The council asked temporary city manager George Fox to write a letter reminding the commissioners that the city is not opposed to the annexation proposal.

Ridgefield planner Kevin Snyder referred to the letter during his testimony Aug. 3 at a county public hearing on growth management, but he did not advocate for a change in the urban growth area.

"The council asked to remind you that it had recommended inclusion," Snyder said. "We're not taking a position of advocacy at this time."

The county commissioners are scheduled to make a decision on the growth management plan on Tues., Aug. 24. If the Walker property is not included in the Ridgefield urban area at that time, there will be a five-year wait until the county's plan is amended again.

The Walkers say they're not holding out the offer to donate land as leverage for quick annexation.

"The city wants to annex," Jim Walker said. "It's up to the commissioners to help the children. Why not give the kids what they need?"

The Walkers say they don't know where they will move when the land is developed, but would like to find a rural area where they can farm.

"When houses surround farms, it's the death sentence for the farms," Jim Walker said. "What are we supposed to do?"

Alice Perry Linker, staff reporter

Appearances may be deceptive. The lush green foliage growing along Gee Creek through Ridgefield gives the winding stream the look of tranquility.

But all is not tranquil or peaceful along the creek's banks from Pioneer St. to the Main St. bridge.

Similar to parts of the East Fork of the Lewis River and other streams in southwest Washington, Gee Creek's shores have been captured by overpowering Japanese Knotweed, and that's not all. Where knotweed is absent, Himalayan blackberries thrive.

Both are a blight on the creek's health, said Justin Cleary, Ridgefield public works director.

Weeds have driven out much of the native, low growing shrubs, said Gary Bock, a member of the city's Gee Creek Enhancement Committee and watershed stewards coordinator for the Clark County Extension Service.

In some places, such as creek banks in Abrams Park, knotweed has grown as high as 10 feet tall.

Ridgefield has received a $12,500 National Fish and Wildlife Foundation grant to get rid of knotweed and blackberries.

Cleary said the city will contract with a private firm to eradicate knotweed, but volunteers are needed to pull and demolish blackberries.

One city employee, Nick Crockford, is licensed to inject the herbicide that will kill the overwhelming knotweed.

Each stem will be individually injected with an herbicide that attacks only the roots of the knotweed and does not affect other vegetation, Crockford said.

Although knotweed and blackberries shade the creek, they "do not provide the solid woody plants" necessary for good fish habitat, Bock said.

Knotweed dies back at first frost, leaving the ground bare, which in a heavy precipitation year can cause silt to drop into the creek, Bock said.

"This is a perennial. It gets huge in one season and will double or more in size in one year," he said. "A chunk of cane that breaks off and floats downstream will produce a new plant."

After professionals finish treating the knotweed--maybe as early as September--volunteers will begin pulling blackberries.

This year's work is part of a larger effort to restore Gee Creek to its natural, native condition.

Consultants StreamFix, hired earlier by the city, have examined the creek from Royle Rd. to the Main St. bridge, Cleary said.

"They wrote an assessment that from Royle Rd. to Pioneer, the creek is in good shape," he said.

A couple of problems exist along the upper reaches, Cleary said. The most obvious and noticeable is an automobile carcass that has rested in the creek for who knows how long.

"We'll go in there with a torch and cut it up," Bock said. "We'll also take out an old water main that's in the creek."

Removing debris and unwanted plants from the creek bank are the first steps in restoration. Next spring, volunteers will plant native shrubs such as red osia dogwood and spirea where weeds once flourished.

Bock said maintenance will be needed for the first couple of years until shrubs are established.

Removing knotweed and blackberries may require more than one treatment, Cleary said.

POLICE SEARCH FOR ATTEMPTED ROBBERY SUSPECT AT BG KFC

A back door left open for a delivery truck at Kentucky Fried Chicken/A & W also let in a would-be robber Aug. 3 who "pistol-whipped" an employee.

At 12:23 a.m., Battle Ground police officer Keith Thompson responded to a report of an audible alarm at the store, 1602 W Main St.

A store employee told him that a black male came in the back door after hours with a gun and demanded money.

The employee reportedly told Thompson that when he tried to get the money out of the safe, the robber accused him of trying to set off the alarm and hit him in the head with the gun.

The suspect then reportedly ordered the employee to lie down in the hallway with his eyes closed.

After the suspect left, the employee set off the alarm. No money was taken.

Clark County Sheriff deputies and two of their K-9 units were called to help conduct a search.

The suspect was not found, and an investigation is underway. Anyone with information may call the police department at 342-5100.

FAMILY DINING ROOM SEATS 50 AND A PIANO

Alice Perry Linker, staff reporter

The dining room at the Bartons' new house in Ridgefield will seat their whole family.

That's no small accomplishment. When all the Bartons gather together, they number 50.

Claudette Barton, mother of five, grandmother of 26 and great-grandmother of six, has always managed to find a place for each family member to sit at family gatherings.

Before she and her husband, Jim, built their 3,595 square-foot house near Ridgefield, adults, children and babies sat in dining room, living room, family room-- anywhere they could fit.

"We always had enough room to seat everybody, but now we can talk to each other," Claudette said.

The dining room in the new house is 21 feet by 38 feet--and that doesn't include an area that leads into a spacious hall.

The room is so big that it comfortably holds two dining tables and a small grand piano, a gift from Jim to Claudette for their 50th wedding anniversary.

A retired pastor, Jim Barton will make good use of the large dining area to entertain fellow pastors and church members.

At Christmas, the Vista Community Church, which Barton and others founded, holds a progressive dinner. Claudette said she's looking forward to inviting the members to her new home.

The Bartons moved into the new house shortly before Easter.

Claudette said she's amazed and thankful that the couple has been able to build the comfortable home, which sits on 5 acres.

"We have been truly blessed," she said. "There were many years when we lived in a parsonage, but they were good years."

The Bartons have lived in southwest Washington for more than 35 years. Jim was pastor at Charter Oak Evangelical Free Church and pastor of counseling at Hazel Dell Evangelical Free Church.

At the time of his retirement, he was pastor at Vista Community Church, part of the Evangelical Free Church.

Barton has been a chaplain at Southwest Washington Medical Center for more than 30 years. He continues that responsibility for the hospital's psychiatric ward.

Barton said he's especially pleased with the new study in his home.

"This is the best study I've had since I became a pastor, and now I'm retired," he said.

The Bartons and their children did quite a bit of the work on the house, with Jim acting as contractor.

Barton's son Jim, who with his brother Craig owns a construction business, framed the house.

"We sat down and drew it out the way we wanted," Barton said. "We had blueprints drawn and away we went. When you're doing a lot of the work yourself you save tons."

Claudette recalled helping grout tile in one bathroom.

"It got in my fingers; it was hard to get out," she said.

She also did much of the sewing on her window treatments.

There are a few final touches yet to be finished, such as putting in a yard. As his guest left, the pastor climbed on a tractor to prepare the ground for landscaping.

SR-500/GHER RD. PROJECT AHEAD OF SCHEDULE, NEARS END

Full closure looms for Fri.-Mon., Aug. 13-16

Heidi Wallenborn, news director

The new interchange at SR-500 and Gher Rd. in Orchards may be fully operational as early as September if the dry, warm weather holds.

The next major step is closing the area to east-west traffic from Fourth Plain Blvd. to I-205 for one long weekend, Fri.-Mon., Aug. 13-16.

The closure will give Tapani Underground and state Department of Transportation crews time to prepare new east-west lanes for traffic on the newly paved overpass bridge, including installing concrete medians and signs.

Doug Roemer, Tapani superintendent of the project, said east-west traffic on SR-500 will resume on Aug. 16.

The current interim roads on the north side of the bridge will be constructed as on and off ramps for access to I-205 and Fourth Plain Blvd. after traffic is diverted to the overpass.

Off ramp work is expected to be finished and the new interchange fully operational by September 24, said state officials.

After traffic shifts to the overpass, new SR-500 eastbound on and off ramps on the south side will be fully functional to take traffic past NE 112th Ave.

After all roads are fully functional, work will subside until spring when landscaping and finishing touches, such as final top-lift paving and lane striping, will take place, say state officials.

"Ahead of schedule, under budget"

The $26.3 million project is funded through the state's "Nickel" package, or 5-cent gas tax.

17th District state representative Deb Wallace (D-Vancouver) was on site touring the new bridge July 29 before it was paved with asphalt.

"This is one of my favorite projects," she said. "It's ahead of schedule and under budget, and it's been long needed. This is fabulous."

Wallace was also impressed that the project is almost finished after being approved in the state legislature, she said.

"We're standing on a nearly complete project," she told state and Tapani officials. "To get this far in two years is incredible. This is exactly what people want to see with their investment."

Leon Winger, assistant area engineer for the state, said the project has been smooth.

"I see how much there is yet to do, then I sit back and see how much has been done in a year," he said. "It's getting done, and done well."

Family of ducks took up residence, keep flaggers cheered

Shortly after a stormwater retention pond was created on the southwest corner of the project in front of the state Patrol building, two Canada geese flew in, said Winger.

Five goslings hatched this spring and still live there. A peek over the overpass showed the now nearly adult geese resting on asphalt, heads tucked under wings while noisy construction and motorist traffic whizzed by.

Flaggers were kept entertained as the young family ventured into traffic and the construction area as they branched out of their surroundings, Winger said.

"We provided assistance and herded them back," he said, grinning. "It's been one of the neater parts of this project."

QUICK FACTS ABOUT THE SR-500/GHER RD. PROJECT

Information provided by general contractor Tapani Underground of Battle Ground

** $26.3 million project funded with the 5-cent state gas tax and the City of Vancouver.

** Project began in August 2003.

** Traffic switched to staging line on November 2003.

** The next traffic switch will be Aug. 13-16, routing traffic into the new mainline and new bridges.

** North ramps (current stage line) will be complete in September and the NE 112th intersection reconstructed.

** Full traffic flow will resume mid-October.

** About 450,000 tons of material was used on the project, with another 50,000 tons expected.

** Base rock placed on project was 40,000 tons, asphalt was 54,000 tons.

** About 90,000 square feet of walls were built.

** Tapani Underground had about 42,000 "man-hours" on the project, at about $30 per hour. Average number of employees assigned was 20. ** The amount of material delivered per shift was 6,000-12,000.

** Length of project: 1 mile.

VANCOUVER LAKE CLOSED TO SWIMMERS

Lake River in Ridgefield is not considered safe

Heidi Wallenborn, news director

Toxic blue-green algae bloom is growing to dangerous levels in Vancouver Lake and has been detected in Lake River in Ridgefield, which drains from the lake.

Clark County Health Department and Vancouver-Clark Parks and Recreation officials have closed Vancouver Lake to swimming, wind surfing and sailboarding until further notice.

Boating and fishing are allowed as long as no contact is made with the water, officials said.

They also advise keeping animals away from the water. Ingesting the water can be deadly to animals.

Although officials have not closed Lake River, they recommend not swimming in it as well.

Tests on the river show similar levels of the toxic algae in its southern portion.

Toxic algae poisoning can result in liver injury, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Some toxins can also damage the nervous system and lead to muscle tremors, paralysis and respiratory distress, say health officials.

Algal toxins on skin can result in irritation or allergic reactions with rashes and blisters around the nose and mouth.

Children should especially be kept away from contaminated water, officials said, because they are more likely to ingest water than adults are.

Symptoms may occur within minutes, hours or days. Those who swam in Vancouver Lake after July 15 or Lake River recently and experience any of the listed symptoms should contact a health care provider, officials said.

What is it?

Blue-green algal bloom is a quick, massive build-up of algae that gives the water a texture and look of thick pea soup or green paint, and gives off an unpleasant odor.

Sometimes it may appear blue, brown or reddish-green, officials said, and form a thick mat or foam along a beach. The algae is also hard to pick up and hold, unlike common green algae with long, bright green strands.

Dead fish, waterfowl and other animals are tell-tale signs of the toxic bloom.

It occurs anytime from May through October during warm weather.

Algal blooms are caused by warm, sunny weather and nutrients such as human, animal and agricultural waste, and phosphorus and nitrogen found in fertilizers.

Cooler weather, rainfall and reduced sunshine will lead to its break-up, but it could take several weeks for the bloom to end and toxins to dissipate.

Citizens who notice toxic algal bloom in other bodies of water are asked to call the Health Department at 397-8428.

Results of water testing will be posted at www.clark.wa.gov/health/environmental/beaches/Vancouver-Lake.html

AUDIO GLITCH GETS NEW TRIAL FOR RASMUSSEN

Heidi Wallenborn, news director

Former Battle Ground public works employee Glenn Rasmussen will get a new trial because the audio portion of a video tape of the June trial in which he was found guilty of theft of time is non-existent.

Without the audio portion, there is no legal record of the trial.

Rasmussen was sentenced in Clark County District Court July 14 to 15 days jail, a $600 fine, about $560 restitution to the city and two years "bench" probation where he would report to a judge.

Rasmussen, 42, was found guilty by a jury of stealing three days worth of time last year by lying on time cards. When judge Kennth Eiesland was told during sentencing that the audio was missing, he declined to grant a new trial pending the outcome of attempted recovery.

As a result, Rasmussen's attorney, Beverly Lavy, asked for an appeal to be heard in Superior Court. Eiesland set the appeal bond at $10,000, of which Rasmussen posted 10 percent, effectively holding off the time he'd have to complete his sentence.

Battle Ground prosecuting attorney Chris Sundstrom said a new trial will likely be set for sometime in August, depending on the court's schedule.

According to Sundstrom, Rasmussen will have a new jury, a new judge, and still be heard in District Court.

The case is being heard through the County rather than Battle Ground because Rasmussen believes he would not receive a fair trial in the city.

BG SCHOOLS PURCHASE SURPLUS FURNITURE

Marcus Brotherton, staff reporter

Battle Ground School District officials recently purchased a load of surplus furniture from the Evergreen School District.

About 750 items including student and staff desks, chairs, file cabinets and cafeteria tables were purchased for $854.

Purchasing the items new would have been about $80,000, say school officials.

About 700 of the items are desk-chair combinations for students. About 100 will go to Prairie High School, the rest to Battle Ground High School.

Battle Ground officials say the furniture is needed to keep up with rising enrollment throughout the District.

"We definitely need all the desks we can get ahold of," said District spokesperson Kelly Keister.

Evergreen public information coordinator Mike Hartz said most of the surplus desk-chair combinations came from Cascade Middle School.

Cascade was recently torn down and remodeled as part of Evergreen's $167.9 million bond effort which passed in 2002.

Hartz said he couldn't comment on the specific condition of the equipment, but described it as "certainly usable."

Evergreen officials deemed much of the furniture surplus after choosing to go with a separated style of chair-table configurations for its new and remodeled schools, Hartz said.

As part of their bond effort, Evergreen will also open a new K-5 campus this fall as well as rebuild two other schools, fix several structural issues within district buildings, and open a new high school and K-5 school in the future.

Friend's suicide causes Battle Ground man to reassess life

Bill Myers, staff reporter

The suicide of a close friend made minutes, even seconds, very important to Battle Ground resident Neil Schilling.

Schilling, 34, said the shock and tragedy of the loss a year ago of a friend of 12 years was up close and personal. He said it altered his outlook on life.

"It made me realize that every second and minute is precious and should be enjoyed to the fullest," Schilling said.

Schilling said the tragedy, combined with a realization that being physically fit is important to living a full life, motivated him to take a disciplined approach to physical conditioning.

After several hours of workouts at the Gecko Triathalon Club in Portland and on scenic roadways and trails throughout Clark County, Schilling set his sights on competing in marathons.

An urge to reach a pinnacle in physical competition led Schilling to enter an Iron Man competition scheduled in November at Panama City, FL.

Iron Man competitors are challenged in three consecutive, grueling events without rest. They swim 2.4 miles, ride a bicycle 112 miles, and run a 26.2 mile marathon.

Schilling said two U.S. Navy Seals stationed in Hawaii started Iron Man competitions in 1978 to settle an argument over which man was in better physical condition.

The sport took root and spread. There are now 16 annual Iron Man events around the world. The top 1,600 finishers meet at a world championship competition in Hawaii.

Schilling, a 1988 Battle Ground High School graduate who wrestled at the University of Oregon before graduating in 1992, said he trains 16 hours each week. Regular exercise and good physical health help him to enjoy life to the fullest. Schilling plans to run in Portland and Chicago, IL marathons in October before the big Florida test comes in early November. He will be among 2,200 athletes who will race from a beach into the Gulf of Mexico for the swim that opens the triathalon. The event will be televised nationally on the Outdoor Life Network.

Schilling wants to compete in one Iron Man competition somewhere in the world each year. Another goal is to be among the 1,600 competitors in Hawaii within five years.

"I don't watch television because it's a waste of time," said Schilling.

Schilling keeps current on news by reading the Wall Street Journal on line at 5:30 each morning.

Schilling said his friend's suicide still bothers him.

"It changed my perspective," he said. "I'm going to do neat things with my life."

Starting an education fund for the orphaned 12-year-old daughter of his late friend

is one of those neat things, said Schilling.

Schilling, who is divorced, also values quality time with his two daughters, McKenzie, 11, and Madison, 8. Both girls have participated in junior triathalons at Blue Lake in Oregon.

Schilling is a regional sales manager for the DeWalt Industrial Tool Co. He started his career at DeWalt 12 years ago after completing college.

Schilling developed a website, www.dwironman.com to provide fundraising and triathalon information.

CONSTRUCTION WILL DROP LAKE LEVELS

Projects include improved ramp, docks at Speelyai

Bill Myers, staff reporter

Lewis River reservoir levels will drop sharply in late August and September in advance /of fall construction projects.

PacifiCorp spokesman David Kvamme said water levels will drop to about 29 feet below full pool at Lake Merwin as work is done along the three-reservoir system.

Work will include power-related projects at Yale Lake and improvements at Speelyai boat ramp on Lake Merwin.

The Speelyai ramp will be extended by 51 feet. Workers will install two, wheelchair-accessible, 100-foot docks on both sides of the ramp. The project will cost about $220,000 and require a significant drawdown at Lake Merwin to provide access for concrete work, Kvamme said.

The ramp extension will expand launching opportunities, said Kvamme. Boat operators will be able to launch boats at water levels 6-feet below the current minimum launch elevation of 232 feet.

Power-generation upgrades include replacement of trash racks at Merwin Dam to protect water intakes from floating woody debris, replacement of power transformers, electronic controls and monitoring equipment at Yale Lake.

Swift Reservoir was the first lake affected as water levels were allowed to drop. Property owners with boat slips were required to remove boats by Aug. 13. Kvamme said the Swift boat launch ramp will remain open.

The Speelyai boat ramp will close in late September. Boats requiring a ramp for launching will not have access to Lake Merwin from late September through mid-November.

Kvamme said boating access at Yale Lake will continue throughout the fall. PacifiCorp officials hope to plan work on the projects between peak recreational season and fall rains.

NOISE STUDIES TO DECIDE CONCERT TRAFFIC ISSUE

Board's limited remand asks for sound checks

Bill Myers, staff reporter

Noise from people leaving the next two well-attended concerts will determine if some patrons can head west after larger events at the Amphitheater at Clark County. With this proviso, County commissioners at an Aug. 3 public meeting upheld a recent decision by hearings examiner Larry Epstein.

Epstein approved an amendment to the Amphitheater's Conditional Use Permit on June 15 that allows limited use of rural roads west of the County Fairgrounds after larger events.

The amendment limits westward exits for up to 20 concerts attended by 9,000 or more patrons.

Under the exit plan, traffic monitors at the NW 179th St. exit would direct up to 700 vehicles hourly 11 p.m.-1 a.m. west on NW 179th St. Barricades and other traffic controllers would move traffic south on NW 10th Ave. to reach NW 134th St. and I-5.

The commissioner's review followed an appeal of Epstein's ruling by Vancouver attorney John Karpinski on behalf of Citizens for Transportation Safety.

In the appeal, Karpinski asked commissioners to appoint another examiner to re-hear the Amphitheater traffic issue.

Karpinski contended the examiner admitted in his written ruling that he based his decision on an illustration of good faith and "a substantial investment" made by Amphitheater operator Quincunx.

Karpinski also claimed that use of narrow, two-lane NW 10th Ave. would create safety hazards.

The attorney argued that noise from vehicles occupied by post-concert frolickers is sufficiently adverse to deny wee-hour exits through residential neighborhoods under County noise standards.

Karpinski said a conditional requirement from the examiner to "educate" patrons by handing out literature about impacts of their behaviors to quiet residential neighborhoods would be ineffective.

Commissioners say no errors

Commissioner chair Betty Sue Morris said the commissioner review was "quasi judicial," with commissioners able to reverse the examiner ruling only if they found factual errors.

Commissioner Judie Stanton said Karpinski lifted Epstein's comment about "a substantial investment" out of context. Other commissioners agreed the comment did not form a basis to overturn the examiner's decision.

Commissioner Craig Pridemore said "substantial evidence" shows alternate roadways are safe enough.

Stanton agreed.

"There is also substantial evidence that cars will travel slowly," she said.

Morris questioned an examiner conclusion that noise between 11 p.m. and 1 a.m. is less detrimental than earlier noise.

Morris said she would like all events monitored for traffic noise for a period of time.

County civil attorney Rich Lowery said monitoring can only work [on rural roads west of the fairgrounds] after events attended by more than 9,000 patrons.

"If noise is excessive, what do you do next?" asked Pridemore.

"That's when permission gets yanked," said Stanton.

Stanton said, "It's all about accountability." She proposed monitoring traffic noise after all events attended by more than 9,000 patrons.

Pridemore said monitoring after two well-attended events, with results reviewed by the hearings examiner, should be adequate.

Stanton agreed.

Morris and Stanton blamed private consulting engineers for errors in estimating traffic consequences at concerts.

"We put our confidence in them and they missed the mark," said Stanton.

Morris said she could approve the examiner's decision with a sound-monitoring and sunset condition.

Pridemore said requiring an examiner review of traffic sound reports after two concerts is tantamount to a sunset provision.

Pridemore said the commissioner's decision should clearly show approval of other examiner rulings to prevent a reopening of other provisions in the Conditional Use Permit.

All three commissioners voted to uphold the examiner decision, with a limited remand ordering examiner review of traffic sound reports after the next two concerts attended by 9,000 or more patrons. Commissioners will review the results.

Might take a year

After the meeting, County project planner Richard Daviau said a limited remand will require Epstein to review traffic sound monitoring reports at a public hearing following the next two concerts attended by more than 9,000 patrons.

Daviau said if two concerts with 9,000 or more patrons do not occur this season, the Examiner review will be delayed until next season. Six concerts remain in the 2004 season.

Karpinski said he can't appeal the commissioner decision pending findings of their review of findings from the limited remand. He said the remand, while limited, is a small victory.

LUTHERAN SCHOOL OFFERS JUMP STARTS

New kindergarten teacher joins staff

Bill Myers, staff reporter

For the first time, Highland Lutheran School will provide "Jump Start" opportunities for kindergarten children.

The school offers preschool and kindergarten classes.

School director Judy Miller said any child scheduled to start kindergarten may attend Jump Start classes planned for Aug. 23-Sept. 3.

The Jump Start program provides children with an opportunity to become familiar with following a routine which accustoms them to being with other children and gets them acquainted with following directions, said Miller.

Miller said children who miss public school cut-offs because of birth dates are welcome at Highland Lutheran School.

A fee of $100 covers registration, tuition, snacks and supplies at the Jump Start program, said Miller.

Miller said the Howard Gardner education program and Love and Logic conflict resolution techniques are used at the school.

New teacher joins staff

Katie Haug, a certified teacher who recently graduated from Washington State University, will teach kindergarten at the Lutheran school.

Haug was born in Page City, KS, and moved with her parents to Long Beach after her sophomore year in high school.

The new teacher graduated from Ilwaco High School and attended Clatsop Community College before majoring in elementary education at Cougarville.

Asked why she decided to become a teacher, Haug said, "I wanted to help young children learn and develop positive attitudes."

BG SAYS COUNTY CAN'T DICTATE TO CITIES

Heidi Wallenborn, news director

Battle Ground city council members and staff appeared grim-faced at an Aug. 2 meeting.

Under discussion was the Clark County commissioners' latest push for a "no net loss" agreement for industrial land inside city limits.

Commissioners are considering adopting a County Wide Planning Policy that will regulate land zoning inside each city.

The "no net loss" proposal means each city government would agree to not rezone industrial land until every 10-year Comprehensive Growth Management Plan update.

If cities rezone outside of that time frame, that same amount of re-designated land would have to be picked up elsewhere.

For example, if 10 industrial acres are changed to commercial, city officials would have to rezone 10 acres of another use back to industrial.

Under current law, zone changes not consistent with the city's Comprehensive Growth Plan are done once yearly. If changes are consistent with what's allowed, they can be done anytime, said Dennis Osborn, deputy city manager.

The question before Battle Ground council members is whether to support the County's planned policy and agree to the "no net loss" idea, said Osborn. If they do, they lose the right to make some zoning decisions within the city limits.

"It should be noted that at present, no other city in Clark County has adopted the proposed County Wide Planning Policy that the County has put forth," Osborn said.

"Let us do our jobs"

City manager Eric Holmes said the issue isn't about rezoning land as much as it is about a city's right to self-governance.

"This centers around the question, "should the County dictate to the city?" Holmes said.

"I feel pretty passionate about this being a local control issue," he said. "This is not a planning issue. We should be able to take full advantage of development opportunities without having to ask permission from someone else."

Council member Alex Reinhold didn't mince words.

"I think this is slimy and backhanded," he said. "If Pat Lee [County long-range planner] and [commissioners] Betty Sue Morris, Craig Pridemore and Judie Stanton want to move into the city limits and run to get elected and are elected, then they can run the city."

"Otherwise," he continued, "they should shut up and let us do our jobs."

Council member Lisa Walters said she is not a "big fan of the County coming in and telling anybody what they can and cannot do."

"I think we should stand our ground," she said. "I'm not in favor of this."

"What if we don't agree?" asked council member Bill Ganley.

"We can go to the County and say 'We don't want to,' and adopt our Comprehensive Plan without it," Osborn said, "and the County may challenge that. They may say we don't comply and send it back."

Brian Wolfe, city attorney, said, "There could be some give and take. We still want a bigger urban growth area."

Last December, city officials locked horns with commissioners regarding three proposed Comprehensive Plan maps that were sent back to be redone. Each time, the map came back with smaller urban borders.

At that time, Osborn said, it was "implied" to city staff that if they changed their stance about the no net loss plan, it may "improve Battle Ground's situation."

Pat Lee told this newspaper then that a change of mind on behalf of the city "may help" when they go to argue "to get some of the land back."

City staff recommended that council members go ahead without agreeing to the no net loss idea.

"The County or a third party may try to challenge the city plan for not being consistent with the County Wide Planning Policy," Osborn said. "However, as noted in staff's report, [we] are not convinced that [they] would be successful in a challenge."

Wolfe cited two state laws that prohibit anything that alters land use powers granted to cities, such as the proposed County policy would do.

"I don't think we should attach on to the policy or agree with it," said Council member Sandra Barnes.

"What about the other cities?" Ganley asked. "Are we going to be one voice?"

"I think we'll be the ones to carry the flag," said mayor John Idsinga. "I pretty much agree with everything that's been said here. We need to stick to our guns."

"This city has changed a lot and grown a lot since our change of government to city manager [in 1997]," Idsinga added. "The County commissioners had nothing to do with that."

Clark County officials will hold three public meetings this month to answer questions about the county's new ordinance government home businesses.

Each meeting will begin at 5 p.m., with a presentation by county officials 5:30-6:30 p.m. A question and answer session will continue until 7:30 p.m.

The meetings will take place Mon., Aug. 23, at the county commissioners' hearing room, 1300 Franklin St., 6th floor, Vancouver; Tues., Aug. 24, at Dollars Corner Fire Station, 21609 NE 72nd Ave., Battle Ground; and Thurs., Aug. 26, at Camas Police Station, 2100 NE 3rd Ave., Camas.

The new ordinance was adopted by the commissioners on June 15.

Home business applications will be accepted beginning Sept. 1, 2004. All home businesses need a permit except those "insignificant enough not to need county review," according to county planner Gordy Euler.

New fees adopted

The County commissioners decided July 6 to change fees for home business permits.

The price of a Type I permit, needed for minor urban and rural businesses, was increased from $84 to $90.

The price of a Type II permit for minor urban and rural businesses located on a private road but without a road agreement was decreased from $2,761 to $1,292.

A major rural Type II permit for a business not located on a private road will now cost $564. Permit fee for a major rural businesses located on a private road with no road agreement is now $1,456. Review of required screening areas adds $392 to the permit fee expense.

County planner Bob Higbie said the reduction in the cost of some fees reflects a lessening of the worked required to review and approve permit applications.

Planner Mike Butts said the new rules are more matter-of-fact, and "you either meet them or you don't." The new rules are less discretionary, he said.

Information, Euler, 397-2375, ext. 4968, Diana Hintz, ext. 4558, Bob Higbie, ext. 4113, Mike Butts, ext. 4137.

ARMSTRONG REPORTS FROM AFGHANISTAN

Tom Armstrong from Battle Ground has sent a report to The Reflector on his volunteer work as a paramedic in Afghanistan.

"Been here almost two weeks," wrote Armstrong last week. "Been very hot, about average of 106 degrees."

Armstrong said the heat and dust have caused him to stay inside more at his base in Mazar e Sharif. "I'm sleeping outside with the bugs on the floor and flies."

"The mosquitos are not so bad," added Armstrong. "I'm not on any anti-malaria medications due to side effects. I had a bad reaction on the summer trip in 2002."

Armstrong, a retired firefighter and paramedic, left July 18 for a fourth humanitarian trip to Afghanistan.

Armstrong made his first trip under the auspices of Northwest Medical Teams, and three subsequent trips as a private citizen and at his own expense.

Armstrong conducts assessments in villages and takes digital pictures. He then meets with doctors in Mazar e Sharif who prescribe medications. Armstrong then buys and delivers the medications.

Armstrong said he has visited three villages so far and found medical conditions the worst in Kashkorsk, a village of about 500 families located 40 kilometers south of Mazar e Sharif where people have no water, electricity or natural gas.

Armstrong reported finding skin infections, eye problems and sick, young children.

Women are assessed in a different part of the village than men, said Armstrong, because women don't want men to know their health problems. "Just like the U.S.A.," he said.

Armstrong also delivers sugar, powdered milk and tea to villages. Village elders provide housing.

"I have found a possible skin cancer and a large, left shoulder posterior mass for operation," wrote Armstrong. "I have not found any dying or starving elders in homes yet, but still looking."

Armstrong spends four nights in a village, then two back in Mazar e Sharif. "I'm far from any police or military response," he said.

Armstrong believes he is the only foreign volunteer doing this kind of medical care work in northern Afghanistan.

When his planned 6-week trip is completed at about the end of August, Armstrong will have spent 6 1/2 months in Afghanistan since 2001.

Armstrong said his wife, Donna, is concerned about his safety but does not discourage him from making public service trips.

To reach Afghanistan, Armstrong traveled from Portland to San Francisco, then to Seoul, South Korea, then to Uzbekistan, and into Afghanistan. Travel time is about 24 hours each way.

Armstrong said the trip will cost him about $4,200. He took several older model 35-mm cameras as gifts to village elders.

CURTIS SAYS HE IS A BUSINESS-FRIENDLY PERSON

Richard Curtis, candidate for the state legislature from the 18th district, told members of the North Clark County Chamber of Commerce last week that he is a business-friendly person.

Curtis said he opposes tax increases, and favors the elimination of the state Business and Occupation tax. He called the Business and Occupation a "penalty tax."

Curtis said businesses pay the Business and Occupation on gross revenues, not on profits. A business that loses money, said Curtis, still must pay this tax.

Curtis said the return of tax money to businesses will result in more business spending and more employment, and ultimately more tax revenue to the state from other tax sources.

Curtis, who works as a fire captain and paramedic in the city of Vancouver, serves on the La Center city council.

Curtis said the next session of the state legislature will deal with a $1 million budget deficit by either raising taxes or cutting services. "I'm not an advocate of raising taxes," he said.

"We have a climate here that is unfriendly to business," said Curtis, giving the example of a La Center business that has paid $60,000 in government fees but is still not open for business.

"We need to work hard to find ways for businesses to be successful," added Curtis. He offered an example of a building contractor who pays $60,000 a year in insurance even though he has never had a claim.

Curtis objected to the state's health care system as overly-generous. "We cannot afford to pay for Cadillac health insurance for everybody," said Curtis. "It comes down to money. How much can we afford?"

Curtis said he disagrees with illegal aliens getting free massage services when they have never paid a dime into the state's health care system. He differentiated between illegal aliens and legitimate migrant workers.

Curtis said his work on the state budget would give priority to core services--education, transportation, police, fire, people with disabilities, senior citizens and "citizen soldiers."

He called for another bridge over the Columbia River either in the vicinity of either Washougal or Ridgefield. And he cited the need to reexamine existing laws every few years to make sure they still needed to be on the books.

"I will work hard to represent the people," added Curtis. Curtis can be reached at 263-7806.

MEDICAL FILES MANGLED IN BURGLARY

A burglary at Massages by Alice in Battle Ground has compromised medical records, according to owner/operator Alice Williams.

Williams said someone broke into her massage business sometime between Aug. 1 and Aug. 4, and examined or disrupted client files. She is uncertain if any files are missing.

While the files do not contain social security numbers, they do have medical information, she said, such as each client's health problems.

Williams asks that all her 600 clients call her office to check on the status of their files. The phone number is 687-0680.

Massages by Alice is located at 408 E Main St., Battle Ground.

Williams said no other offices in the medical complex in the same building were disrupted.

RIDGEFIELD WOMAN SCORES AT TRANSPLANT GAMES

Beth Houser flew home to Ridgefield last week with gold and silver medals from the U.S. Transplant Games in Minneapolis, MN, just two years after she lay in a coma and family members surrounded her bed to say their goodbyes.

Through the Oregon Donor Program, Houser, 31, connected with fellow La Center High School graduate and Clark County resident Laura Ellsworth, and won a gold medal for their 4x100 relay team at the Transplant Games. Houser also brought home a silver medal in the 1,500-meter run-walk, and competed in the 5K run and volleyball competition as part of a Team Oregon & Washington.

In September 2002 on her 30th birthday, Houser was admitted to the hospital with acute liver failure. She slipped into three weeks of unconsciousness.

While in a coma at Oregon Health Sciences University, Houser's lungs collapsed and her kidneys shut down. She was put on full life support and placed on the liver transplant waiting list.

A liver became available, but Houser was too sick to undergo the transplant. The organ went to another patient.

Houser was taken off the waiting list and her family was told to say their goodbyes.

But Houser's body fought back. She improved enough to be put back on the transplant waiting list and seven hours later a liver became available. Within days she regained consciousness.

The liver came from a deceased 25-year-old female.

Houser said she did not know she was sick until she went to the hospital Sept. 13. She had noticed some symptoms in August but felt fine, she said.

Houser said one of the problems with acute liver failure is that people feel perfectly healthy until they become ill.

Houser and her husband, Walt, have committed the past two years to supporting organ and tissue donation. They are supporters of the Oregon Donor Program, a Portland/Vancouver donation coalition that distributes donor cards and encourages organ donation.

"After going through something like this, you feel like you want to get connected with someone who knows what you've gone through," said Houser about becoming involved in the Oregon Donor Program. "And you want to tell absolutely everyone how important it is to become an organ donor."

Ellsworth, Houser's fellow athlete, had a kidney transplant.

Houser held a fundraising dinner event Aug. 7 to raise money for the Oregon Donor Program. The event was held at Bethany Vineyard in Ridgefield, owned and operated by Walt and Beth Houser. The event raises about $9,000 annually for organ and tissue donation education.

Ironically, the Houser's vineyard and winery produced its first wine just days after Houser was hospitalized. Now with a new liver and anti-rejection medication, Houser will never be able to consume alcohol. "That's my only restriction," she said.

Houser said her surgeon, Dr. Susan Orloff, believes the liver failure was brought on by an herbal supplement Houser had taken. The ingredient in the supplement--an energy pill purchased over the counter--contained kava kava, a substance now banned in the United States due to its side effects.

Orloff, who lectures on acute liver failure, told Houser that she has seen 15 cases of liver failure in patients who were taking herbal supplements.

Houser said she will likely never need another liver transplant.

Houser believes that few people in southwest Washington know about the need for organ and tissue donors. Over 85,000 men, women and children in the United States are waiting for an organ transplant. Of these, about 1,900 live in the Pacific Northwest.

OBITS:

MARLENE ERICKSON

Marlene Joan (Lobry) Erickson, 66, died Aug. 7, 2004 in Vancouver.

Erickson was born Oct. 6, 1937 in McDonald, Pennsylvania, and worked as a teller in several banks. She also worked in the Clark County courthouse for 15 years and for Evergreen Memorial Gardens Cemetery. She lived in Battle Ground and Clark County 1942-1999, then moved to Pahrump, Nevada, and to Kalama a month ago.

Erickson loved to read. She enjoyed traveling and working on the computer.

Survivors include son Ron Erickson of Nevada, daughter Mona Chambers of Kalama, brothers Robert Lobry of Vancouver and Roger Lobry of Ocean Park, sisters Anita Rothman of Battle Ground, Grace Luther of Vancouver and Bonnie Reisenauer of Arizona, four grandchildren, and special companion Jack Dawson of Nevada.

Memorial Gardens Funeral Chapel was in charge of arrangements.

RICHARD MAULER

Richard B. Mauler, 69, died Aug. 7, 2004 at home in Battle Ground.

Mauler was born Jan. 25, 1935 in Visalia, CA, and lived in the San Francisco, CA area before moving to Washington.

Mauler enjoyed railroad, Civil War history, and playing board and card games with his family.

Survivors include widow Carol, son Greg Mauler of California, daughters Kathy Jones and Elise Nestor, both of Vancouver, and Jennifer Mauler of Battle Ground, sister Alberta Wilson of California, and eight grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held Thurs., Aug. 12, 11 a.m., at Pleasant View Community Church in Cougar.

GOLDIE DUVALL

Goldie E. (Mower) Duvall, 89, died Aug. 1, 2004 in Vancouver.

Duvall was born Nov. 20, 1914 in Nowlin, SD, and lived in Clark County for 50 years.

Duvall was a member of the Battle Ground Community United Methodist Church, Rock Creek Grange, and AARP. She enjoyed crocheting, knitting, craftwork, gardening and reading. She was a fan of the Mariners and Trailblazers. She enjoyed her grandchildren.

Duvall was preceded in death by her husband, Lester Duvall, in 1983. Survivors include daughter Mary Service of Washougal, sons James Duvall of Camas and Daniel Duvall of Astoria, sisters Verda Blanchard of Bremerton and Phyllis Sykes of Washougal, five grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.

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

JEAN ANDERSEN

Jean (Metricks) Andersen, 87, died Aug. 2, 2004 in Yacolt.

Andersen was born April 29, 1917 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, worked as a licensed practical nurse, and lived in Clark County for 85 years.

Andersen was a member of the Charter Oak Evangelical Free Church and she was involved in the women's ministry. She enjoyed reading, quilting, music, flower gardening and hummingbirds. She knew sign language. She welcomed people to eat at her home and had a gift for hospitality. She was caring for the homeless, needy and ill.

Andersen was preceded in death by son Jack Andersen in 2001. Survivors include husband Leroy "Roy" Andersen, at home, daughters Peggy House of Olympia and Donna Enarson of Canada, son Keith Andersen of Oregon, foster children Clair Vail of Anatone and Tom Vail of New Mexico, 14 grandchildren and several great-grandchildren.

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

ELMORE OISTAD

Elmore John Oistad, 87, died July 28, 2004, at home in La Center.

Oistad was born April 28, 1917, in Winlock, lived in the Seattle area for 80 years, and moved to La Center two years ago.

Oistad graduated from the University of Washington in 1940 and held masters degrees from the University of Washington and Seattle University. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II as skipper of PT 61 and as a harbor pilot. He was a navigation instructor at Officer Candidate School in New York City.

Oistad chaired the math department and coached golf during his 30-year teaching career. He was an avid golfer. He retired in 1975 and served as a volunteer tax preparer with AARP.

Oistad was a member of St. Mary of Guadalupe Catholic Church. He enjoyed travel, sports, music, reading history and biographies and his family.

Oistad was preceded in death by his wife of 60 years, Dorothy, nine months ago. Survivors include daughter Kathryn Lassiter of La Center, two grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

A funeral mass will be held Fri., Aug. 13, 10:30 a.m., at St. Louise Catholic Church in Bellevue, with burial at Holyrood Cemetery in Shoreline. Layne's Funeral Home, Battle Ground, is in charge of arrangements.

KATHRYN STANLEY

Kathryn E. (Nehr) Stanley, 97, died Aug. 5, 2004, in Woodland.

Stanley was born Feb. 8, 1907 in Chicago, IL, and moved to Woodland in 1910. She attended Hayes Schools in Clark County. She worked for Woodland Bulb during World War II. She was a senior luncheon volunteer.

Survivors include sons Frank Stanley Jr. and Eugene Stanley, both of Woodland, twin daughters Dorece Tyrrell of Woodland and Dorene Crocker of Longview, sister Bernice Gilcher of Wenatchee, 11 grandchildren, 21 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren.

Interment was at Hayes Cemetery, with the Woodland Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

KEVIN CHRISTENSEN

Kevin Michael Christensen Sr., 44, died July 13, 2004 in Vancouver.

Christensen was born Oct. 16, 1959 in Plentywood, MT, grew up in Kirkland, and moved to Battle Ground in the early 1990s. He operated a hydro-seeding business, then went into trucking, then demolition, then back into trucking.

Christensen enjoyed his trucking business and the people he encountered on a daily basis.

Christensen is remembered for his sense of humor and warm and humble personality.

Christensen enjoyed the Andy Griffith Show, cooking with his special sauces, watching old movies, fishing and woodworking. He was known as Mr. Fix-It and was always willing to help others in need.

Christensen was preceded in death by his father, Clifford, in 1987. Survivors include mother Margaret Christensen of Bellevue, widow Traci Christensen of Battle Ground, children Emma, Kyle, and Kevin Jr., all of Battle Ground, Alyssa of Abby and Rachel of Spokane, step-children Kristi Goff of Battle Ground and Jeff Goff of Germany, brothers Dennis Christensen of Fall City, Cory Christensen of Elma, Terry Christensen of Aberdeen, Dale Christensen of Marysville, and Hal Christensen of Virginia, and numerous uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

A celebration of life service will be held Fri., Aug. 6, 2 p.m., at the Cedars Golf Club in Brush Prairie. Wherity Family Cremation handled arrangements.

DONALD BLACK

Donald S. Black, 44, died July 18, 2004 in Vancouver, after struggling with mystomic dystrophy.

Black was born Jan. 4, 1960 in Bristol, VA, and lived in Vancouver for 40 years.

Black was preceded in death by parents, Willard and Shelby Black, and brother Delmar Black in 2004. Survivors include brothers Rick Black of Montana and David Black of Virginia, sisters Melissa Black of Virginia and Carol Spisak of New Jersey, case worker Sue Thompson, and close friends.

A memorial service will be held Sun., Aug. 8, 3 p.m., at the Center Point at Meadow Glade, 11117 NE 189th St., Battle Ground, with Evergreen Staples Funeral Chapel, Vancouver, in charge of arrangements.