FLU VACCINE NOW OFFERED TO ANYONE

In an effort to get available flu vaccine out to the community before flu season peaks, the Clark County Health Department has dropped restrictions, making the vaccine available to everyone.

As of Jan. 7, about 500 doses of flu vaccine are available in Clark County, scattered among various family and urgent care facilities, medical clinics and pharmacies.

A vaccine shortage prompted health officials to restrict flu vaccine to people at risk of complications or death from flu, including the elderly and people with chronic illnesses.

A drop in demand for flu shots prompted officials to relax those restrictions in mid-December.

The latest action drops the restrictions entirely.

Flu season has been mild so far both in Washington and across the country, officials said.

In addition to the locations listed below, Kaiser Permanente Northwest has about 20,000 doses for its members in both Oregon and Washington.

Benefits of the vaccine take effect in one or two weeks after the vaccine is administered.

The Clark County Health Department, 2000 Fort Vancouver Way, Vancouver, also has some doses of the vaccine. Pharmacists are trained to administer flu vaccinations at the locations listed below. Only the Safeway store at 6711 NE 63rd St., Vancouver, requires appointments.

A current list of locations where vaccine is available can be found at

www.clark.wa.gov/health/doc uments/flu%20vaccine%20inv entory12-30-04.pdf

FluMist nasal spray flu vaccine is available for healthy individuals ages 5-49 at several of the above locations.

Those who should not receive FluMist include people with heart disease, lung disease, asthma, kidney disease, diabetes, anemia, blood disorders and other conditions.

Information is also available by calling 397-8215, 0.

KALAMA STUDENT ARRESTED FOR SCHOOL THREATS

Kalama police officers arrested a 15-year-old male Jan. 6 on felony charges for allegedly threatening Kalama High School students and property.

The charges stem from two incidents that reportedly occurred on Dec. 1 and Dec. 3

According to police reports, the student wrote threatening statements on a school bathroom wall stating, "I'm going to shoot down in 12/10/04," and "I'm going to shoot down the Kalama Schools on 12/10/04. Beware."

Forensic scientists from the state Patrol Crime Lab in Seattle matched handwriting samples from the bathroom wall to the suspect.

The suspect was booked into the Cowlitz County Juvenile Detention Center without incident.

BG SERGEANT TURNS IN STRIPES

Heidi Wallenborn, news director

Effective Feb. 1, Carl Mullen will no longer be a sergeant in the Battle Ground police department. Instead, he will patrol the streets as a regular day shift officer.

Mullen celebrated his 10-year anniversary as sergeant on Jan. 1. However, during a small staff meeting the day before, Mullen tendered his resignation to be effective one month later.

Despite the timing of his resignation, the decision was made by Mullen and was not disciplinary, said chief Ron Johnson.

"This had nothing to do with council member Walters' concerns regarding him," Johnson said. "We made a change in shifts that he could not live with. I made the decision to rotate sergeants last summer."

In June and August, council member Lisa Walters spoke to and wrote letters to city manager Eric Holmes expressing concern over departmental policies and procedures, alleged low officer morale, and reported retaliation from certain managers, including Mullen. She asked for public records information on him as well as others in the department.

In her letter, Walters said she is concerned about reports from citizens and officers about Mullen's behavior.

Police records show he was disciplined for violating police department policies in January 2001 for use of force, contact with the public and off-duty conduct. Records also show discipline for verbal abuse of a fellow employee, a patrol car accident, excessive force, rudeness, and was recommended for counseling regarding improper procedure and unlawful seizure.

Walters recently renewed a second request to see more records and files. She rescinded her original query while awaiting changes and answers, she said. When she did not see evidence of change in the department or get answers to her questions, she wrote the second letter.

On Dec. 16, Holmes declared a third party will be hired by mid-January to investigate the police department's internal affairs.

In a Jan. 3 letter to council members, Holmes explained the decision to step down was made by Mullen, (the day shift sergeant,) when it became apparent he would be moved to night shift sergeant as part of his duties.

"As one would expect, such changes can impact the personal lives of our sergeants,"

Holmes wrote. "Such impact for Sgt. Mullen were sufficient enough that...he submitted his resignation from the position of sergeant, effective when the shift change occurs. Sgt. Mullen will step down to the position of patrol officer..."

Although Johnson said he made the decision to enforce the squad change last summer, he did not notify Mullen until October. Mullen has been day shift sergeant for three years, which is typically a one-year stint as three sergeants rotate.

However, the Department has had two newer sergeants take position who were put on night shift, which enabled Mullen to stay on days, Johnson said.

"I made the decision it was time to rotate sergeants at nights so they could learn day shift sergeant duties," he said.

Day shift sergeants serve in more of an administrative role, he said. They handle case management, code enforcement and other duties as well as "running streets."

"They can get overloaded," he said. "We don't put new sergeants on days."

New sergeants are typically put on nights to get used to the position and manage a squad without the volume of paperwork that is generated during the day, he said.

Sgt. Steve Urban will move to the day shift position. Testing for the open sergeant position has begun, and one will be chosen on Jan. 18 from among six officers who applied and passed an oral board, Johnson said.

"Carl made his own decision based on the needs of his family," Johnson said, "and with an eye toward a future detective position."

Council members approved two new officer positions for the 2005 budget, Holmes said. One of them may be a detective position if the chief chooses.

However, Mullen would have to apply and test for that as well, Johnson said, among other officers who may be interested.

MOHEGAN, COWLITZ TRIBES WOO BG CHAMBER MEMBERS

Heidi Wallenborn, news director

Dave Barnett is committed to putting a high-class Cowlitz Casino Resort near La Center at the junction of I-5 and NW 319th St. on 152 acres owned by the Cowlitz Indian Tribe.

Barnett brought five members of the Connecticut Mohegan Tribe to address citizens and business owners at a Jan. 6 meeting of the Battle Ground Chamber of Commerce.

Barnett, vice chair of the Cowlitz Tribe, is also a developer. He's been in contact with the Mohegans who run a successful, first-class casino resort in Uncasville, CT called the Mohegan Sun.

"We want to emulate the success the Mohegan tribe has in their community," Barnett said. "We want to always give back to the community more than we take. The Mohegans are successful in gaming and working with their community."

Following the Mohegan example, Cowlitz leaders have met with nearly every city in Clark County, some in Cowlitz County, school boards, Port Districts, chambers, tourism, artist groups and more.

"We hope to achieve strategic relationships and partnerships to create tourism and jobs in the region to benefit the community in every way," Barnett said.

Battle Ground mayor John Idsinga and city manager Eric Holmes met with Barnett the day prior to Chamber of Commerce meeting, Barnett said.

Idsinga and Holmes asked him if putting a Home Depot at the junction would be a better use for that land, Barnett said.

Barnett said he told Idsinga and Holmes he would gladly purchase land in Battle Ground to put a Home Depot on, he said, but the La Center area land is more valuable for gaming.

Mark Brown, chairman of the Mohegan Tribal Council,

gave a list of community and statewide improvements and benefits the Mohegans have contributed to, specifically creating a regional water system to alleviate periodic community droughts.

The Tribe pays taxes to the state and other governmental entities, he said, even though Tribes are exempt from doing so under federal law.

When asked, Barnett said the Cowlitz plan to also pay taxes they are exempt from, including property taxes, sales tax in retail stores and restaurants, hotel/motel taxes, and have even pledged to pay $2 per occupied room to a Vancouver tourism agency that is earmarked to promote the Clark County region.

Because the land is in the County's jurisdiction, all revenue will go to County coffers, per a signed Memorandum of Understanding between the Tribe and County commissioners.

Vancouver attorney Steve Horenstein said there are 29 agreements pending with various agencies and organizations--things as simple as speaking to neighborhood associations, and as complicated as contracting with the County Sheriff's Office for services.

"A huge list is underway," he said. "Our goal is to pay our fair share."

The Tribe is also working on plans with the state Department of Transportation for a total reconfiguration of the interchange, including a "flyover" that will take traffic directly to the resort and not affect residential areas.

"Our goal is to mitigate all the negative impacts the property creates," Barnett said.

One man, identified only as a La Center resident, said he is concerned that his city is "getting the short end of the stick" when it comes to proposed Tribal generosity.

Barnett said he believes the reason La Center officials are opposed to the casino resort is that they are reluctant to change.

The La Center man said his city is impacted the most, and would see the least benefit from the plan because all the tax revenue would go to the County, not to La Center.

"These are the concerns that drive La Center," he said, "not changes. We're looking at our livelihood being stripped away, schools crumbling, and more people moving in."

"What can we do?" Barnett replied to him. "Talk to the mayor [Jim Irish] and tell him to get off his rear-end and work with us. There is a whole element in La Center that doesn't want to work with us."

"Here is an example for the city," he added. "You can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink. If they don't want to drink, what can we do? We're trying."

COWLITZ CASINO RESORT: PROJECT DETAILS

The Cowlitz Tribe is waiting for a federal Environmental Impact Statement to analyze and address potential impacts of a proposed casino/resort on 152 acres at the junction of I-5 and NW 319th St. near La Center.

According to tribal spokesperson Dave Barnett, the results, which will likely be available in July this year, will help guide decisions about the size and scope of the proposed facility.

According to a flier handed out at a Jan. 6 Battle Ground Chamber of Commerce luncheon, the Cowlitz plan may ultimately include:

** A casino of up to 160,000 square feet.

** Restaurant and retail stores totaling up to 210,000 square feet.

** Convention and entertainment facilities of up to 150,000 square feet.

** A 250-room hotel.

** Tribal government offices, cultural center and about 10-25 tribal housing units.

** Parking structures for about 8,500 vehicles and RV park for 200 recreational vehicles.

LA CENTER LINKS PARENTS TO SCHOOLS

Web-based system allows parents to check attendance, student progress

Bill Myers, staff reporter

At La Center, moms and dads are "in the loop" on the performance of their children at school.

New computer software at La Center middle and high schools makes it easy for parents to keep in touch with a student's progress.

The La Center School District is the only district in Clark County and one of a handful of districts in Washington using PowerSchool, a parent-friendly, web-based software program.

The program, with passwords and identification numbers assigned to each child, allows parents to keep tabs on attendance, course objectives, school assignments and grades without breaches of security.

Installed last September for parents of high school children, the program recently became available to parents of middle schoolers, said district superintendent Chuck Anderson.

Anderson said the program should be available to parents of elementary students in about two years.

Most school districts in Washington use computer programs which may be accessed only by teachers and staff members, said Anderson.

Records kept up-to-date by teachers enable parents to verify that a child is in school and keeping up with homework assignments, Anderson said.

The program, produced by Apple Computer Co., is compatible with all personal computers. Anderson said the program makes it possible for parents to e-mail questions to teachers, even questions about why a child has a failing grade.

"Parents who care about the progress of their children love the program," said high school attendance secretary Sherrie Mojica.

Mojica said middle and high school students will soon access the same system. By the end of February, students will be able to obtain their own identification numbers and passwords.

BOLDT TAKES COMMISSIONER OATH

Another look at Comprehensive Plan set Jan. 10

Bill Myers, staff reporter

Judge Barbara Johnson administered the oath of office Jan. 3 to newly-elected Clark County commissioner Marc Boldt in Vancouver.

Boldt, a Republican and former state representative in the 17th District, was elected to the commissioner post in November.

Boldt said he left a mixer/driver job at Rinker Materials of Vancouver after seven years of employment to take the commissioner post. He will earn $93,000 per year as a commissioner.

An orientation, which consists of visiting county department heads and lead staff members, will take about a month, said Boldt.

Reading is a big part of the job orientation, said Boldt. He said he reads 4-5 hours each day.

Knowing laws related to land use is important, Boldt said. Eight site-specific land-use appeals will come before the commissioners in the next 45 days.

Boldt said he plans to spend about 9 or 10 hours daily at the job, with a slightly lighter schedule on Fridays.

Comprehensive Plan update gets second look

Boldt said there are currently 13 appeals on record to the update made last year of the county's 20-year Comprehensive Plan.

In 1994, when the Plan was first put in place, there were 90 appeals, Boldt said.

At a Jan. 10 executive sessions, county attorneys reviewed legal options available to commissioners on the Comprehensive Plan update. At the session, commissioners also reviewed appeals to the update.

Boldt said that his opinion that the update left city planners of the loop is no secret. Commissioner Betty Sue Morris also expressed dismay at how the update process ignored city plans.

"There's no sense paying prosecutors to defend something two board members didn't want in the first place," said Boldt.

NEW MANAGEMENT UNDERWAY AT FAIRGROUNDS

Alice Perry Linker, staff reporter

Clark County fairgoers and visitors to the new exhibition hall at the Fairgrounds may not notice much difference, but a new management team is in charge.

The Fairgrounds Site Management Group, formerly the Fair Association facilities committee, has separated from the county fair board and become a non-profit organization. Membership on the committee has remained the same.

"The old group was a subcommittee of the Fair Association," said Doug Johnston, chairman of the Management Group. "We're looking for more efficiency--a more comprehensive approach to management."

The Group will oversee the entire Fairgrounds operation, except for the amphitheater. The Fair Association will work with the Management Group to operate the annual fair.

Tom Musser remains Chief Executive Officer of the Fairgrounds.

"We've had significant changes at the Fairgrounds," said Bill Barron, County administrator. "We have a new amphitheater, and a new exhibition center that will be open all year. The whole character has changed."

Barron said the fair board "thought we should look at a site management agreement."

County Commissioner Betty Sue Morris said the County has worked on the changes "for a very long time."

"When you have a significant element as the expo center added to the Fairgrounds, there are different kinds of structures that you need," she said.

The first exhibition hall event, a classic car auction, is set for March 19. The hall will be finished in early March, with the grand opening set for March 16. More than 16 events have been scheduled for the center in 2005, Musser said.

County commissioners will be more directly involved in management, Musser said.

"They'll take a closer look and work with management," he said. "The County wants this to be successful. They've invested a lot [$18.5 million] in this."

Morris said the commissioners will receive quarterly reports from the Management Group.

"We'll have better accounting, better reports," she said. "You need to adapt to change. We took a long time to make this change, and it's going to be fine."

Johnston said the new management will lead to "more partnership between the exhibition center and the rest of the Fairgrounds."

The operations staff of about a dozen full and part-time employees will not be increased but is being reorganized under the new management, Musser said.

"We hope this will be more efficient," he said. "We've been doing shows year-round for a long time. This new hall is a step up the ladder."

The 100,000-square-foot building will hold 539 booths measuring 10-ft.x10-ft. Musser said. Building rental will range from $1,700 to $5,850.

ALLEGED BANK ROBBER CAUGHT IN KALAMA

Marcus Brotherton, staff reporter

A man accused of robbing a Portland bank Jan. 4 was apprehended near Kalama after eluding law enforcement officials for about 32 hours.

Utah resident Steven Driffill, 56, was taken into custody about 5:10 p.m. Jan. 5 after a citizen discovered him hiding behind a woodshed on private property.

Driffill was described as cold and soaked from an apparent crossing of the Kalama River sometime during his flight. The morning he was apprehended, the temperature had dipped to 18 degrees and daytime temps stayed in the high 30s.

The incident began the day earlier about 9:40 a.m. when Driffill allegedly robbed the Sterling Savings Bank on Sandy Blvd. in Portland.

Shortly afterward, Portland police spotted the suspect's vehicle, a green Ford F-250 pickup, and conducted a high speed chase north on I-5.

Clark County Sheriff's deputy Dave Tendler was injured during the chase when he tried to stop Driffill with his vehicle and the bumpers stuck together. The officer was treated at Southwest Washington Medical Center and released, say reports.

Driffill later abandoned his vehicle near the 1300 block of Modrow Rd. in Kalama and fled on foot.

About 50 law enforcement officials joined the hunt, including representatives from the FBI, Cowlitz Sheriff's Department, Kalama Police Department, Washington State Patrol, Woodland Police, Clark County Sheriff's Department and the Portland Police Bureau.

Volunteers from the Lower Columbia Amateur Radio Association helped provide radio communications.

Search efforts included fly-overs with a fixed wing aircraft and help from several news helicopters. Cowlitz deputies also combed the area on extra shifts and handed out fliers to neighbors with a description of the suspect and warnings to stay inside homes. The area Driffill allegedly fled in is described as steep and rugged.

Driffill was armed with a 9 mm semi-automatic pistol stuck in his waistband at the time of arrest, but no struggle was offered nor any shots fired by either the suspect or Cowlitz County deputies, said law enforcement officials. Driffill was given dry clothes and turned over to FBI agents who transported him to a federal detention facility.

Investigators believe Driffill may also be responsible for two other Oregon robberies in Tigard and Eugene Nov. 24.

Apprehended by citizen

Camas resident Leon Dalsing, 40, who grew up in Kalama, discovered Driffill and held him at gunpoint until Cowlitz deputies Brad Bright and Tory Shelton arrived to arrest the fugitive.

Dalsing was visiting his parents, Bernie and Helen Dalsing, on their 92-acre property located near the 4400 block of Kalama River Rd. He heard his dog, a Springer mix named Buddy, chase someone around the family's woodshed. The shed sits about 100 feet from the family's residence.

The Dalsings had heard news reports about an alleged bank robber in their area and "had a good suspicion it was him," Dalsing said.

"When you live this far out in the country there's little chance of somebody walking on your property that needs to be there," Dalsing said. "I knew he was up to no good."

Dalsing, a plumber who regularly hunts deer and elk, grabbed his loaded 30.06 rifle and confronted Driffill, who said at first that his truck had broken down.

"I told him 'I don't think so--get down on the ground now!'" Dalsing said. "Even if he was the wrong guy, he was going to sit there until somebody could check him out."

Dalsing's parents witnessed the event from the house. His mom phoned 911, while his dad brought Dalsing a cordless phone so he could talk to deputies while keeping the rifle aimed at Driffill.

Driffill tried getting up once, Dalsing said, but Dalsing told him to remain on the ground. Buddy also kept guard.

Dalsing, who has grown up around guns, described the incident as "pretty intense," but said he would have used his rifle if needed.

"My dad always taught me that if you ever pull a gun on someone, you have to be prepared to use it," Dalsing said. "I did what I had to do. If I didn't confront him, he might have hurt someone else, maybe my parents."

Law enforcement officials praised Dalsing's actions.

"This is a good example of the spirit of cooperation between the public and the sheriff's office," said Cowlitz chief criminal deputy Charlie Rosenzweig. "It pays big dividends in solving cases like this."

RIDGEFIELD LAUNCHES NEW WEB SITE

The city of Ridgefield's first official web site is now available for public use.

The city council will be briefed on the city's new electronic image on Thurs., Nov. 13.

The web site is: www.ci.ridgefield.wa.us

The web site offers the minutes of past meetings of the city council, planning commission and parks advisory board, plus agendas of upcoming meetings.

The site also offers information on the city's form of government, its city council membership, and photographs of council members.

Each city department has its own page with information about department function, staffing, activities and projects. Some of the department pages contain license application forms, documents and maps.

The Ridgefield municipal code can also be viewed on-line.

Interim Ridgefield city manager George Fox said the web site is just the beginning of things to come.

"The city's new web site is part of the city council's and staff's on-going effort to update and modernize the provision of services to citizens and customers," said Fox. "We recognize the need to provide multiple avenues for information gathering and believe that the new web site will help us further serve the community."

Fox said the web site is considered first-generation. The site will be expanded over time and will eventually allow people to pay utility bills and purchase permits and licenses on-line.

HOCKINSON VOTERS FACE LEVY DECISION

Voters in the Hockinson School District will decide Feb. 8 on a three-year maintenance and operation levy to replace the current levy that will expire at the end of this year.

If approved, the levy would provide about $2.2 million to the school district in 2006, $2.2 million in 2007 and $2.4 million in 2008.

Richard Minarik, interim superintendent of the Hockinson School District, said levy funds are used for a variety of district expenses, including additional teachers, bus transportation, extra curricular activities, insurance, utilities, learning specialists, and classified personnel.

Minarik said about $230,000 of levy funds is presently used to pay part of the $800,000 Laidlaw bus contract. Without levy "backfill," said Minarik, fewer bus routes would be operated and transportation time would be longer.

About $240,000 from levy funds is now used for extracurricular activities, said Minarik. Athletics would be "next to nothing" without levy funding, he said.

Certificated, remedial teachers and learning specialists are also funded by the levy, said Minarik.

Teachers not funded by the state and paid for with levy funds, said Minarik, helping keep class sizes smaller.

The proposed levy would raise about $270,000 more than the current levy. That money would be used for vocational education ($125,000), K-8 choral programs ($50,000), textbooks ($100,000), and extra currucular programs, among other things, said Minarik.

Hockinson officials estimate the first year of the new levy would cost taxpayers $2.70 per $1,000 of assessed valuation. Taxpayers are currently paying $2.46 per $1,000.

The levy proposal was approved by the Hockinson board of directors who are Sheila Homchick, Erik Mattson, Greg Gospe, Deborah Stavig and Janina Rosenkranz.

MCLAUGHLIN NAMED COWLITZ ASSESSOR

Terry McLaughlin, a 12-year Cowlitz County employee, was appointed Jan. 4 as Cowlitz County assessor.

McLaughlin replaces Dean Takko who served six years as assessor and was recently appointed to an open position in the state legislature from the 19th legislative district.

McLaughlin, 47, worked two years in appraisal and mapping in the assessor's office, then 10 years in mapping in the county's Geographic Information System, the last five years as manager.

McLaughlin said the county is ready to install a new computer software system called Computer Assisted Mass Appraisal which is designed to better manage appraisal information.

McLaughlin said he plans to make no significant changes in the department, and knows all the current staff.

To retain the post, McLaughlin needs to run for election in fall 2005 for the remaining year of the current term, then run again in 2006 for a new 4-year term.

Others nominated by the Democrat party for the assessor's post were former Kelso High School teacher Dick Howell and former assessor Ray Ryan who served as Cowlitz County assessor 1984-1999.

McLaughlin was born in Kelso and has lived in the community his entire life. He and his wife, Denise, have a son, Eric, who is a college junior.

DAVIS MOVES FROM BG TO AMBOY POST OFFICE

"It's like I died and went to heaven," said Marvin Davis about his new position as postmaster in Amboy.

Davis lives one mile from his new post office.

Davis, 54, served 11 years as supervisor in the Battle Ground post office before taking his Amboy assignment last week.

Managing a small post office in north Clark County was in his mind when he joined the U.S. Postal Service in 1980.

Davis began his career at postal service offices in Portland before assignment to the Battle Ground office.

Davis was born in Vancouver and raised near Yacolt. He attended Columbia Adventist Academy in Meadow Glade and graduated from Battle Ground High School. He served in the U.S. Army 1969-71, then worked at the International Paper Mill until it closed in 1979.

Davis said he will be eligible for retirement in 3 1/2 years but is not certain of his future.

Randy Williams had served as Amboy post master for seven years and announced his plans to retire several months ago. His departure was somewhat sudden. Williams left and Davis arrived within a week.

Davis said the Amboy post office has two routes and a total of four employees plus himself. He will work the counter much of the time, he said.

Davis and his wife, Donna, have three grown children and three grandchildren.

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