The Reflector

BG WOMAN FACES CHARGES AGAIN FOR DOG VIOLATIONS

Six pit bulls seized from home, daughter arrested for obstructing

Heidi Wallenborn, news director

A Battle Ground woman sentenced in November 2004 for violating several animal laws was arrested and charged with similar violations March 30.

Monica Hanson, 48, 305 NE 16th Ave., Battle Ground, was also charged with littering when several flattened cardboard boxes covered in dog feces, along with garbage containing her personal identification, were reportedly found behind Safeway on W Main St. by an employee who reported it to police.

In Battle Ground Municipal Court on March 31, Hanson pleaded not guilty to six counts of animal abuse, littering, and two counts of animal license violations.

Last August, five of Hanson's pit bulls escaped her yard and attacked a 6-year-old boy and 27-year old man in the neighborhood.

In November, Hanson faced charges of dog at large, unlicensed kennel, cruelty to animals in failing to provide minimum care, and animal license violations. Battle Ground code only allows for three licensed dogs per home.

Hanson reached an agreement with the court then to license and keep only three dogs, and give the city a surety bond of $50,000 from her homeowner's insurance, according to court records.

Hanson also agreed to provide an adequate, roofed kennel, and to keep the dogs leashed and muzzled when not in the kennel or in the home, the records state.

However, in early March this year, Battle Ground police began receiving complaints from neighbors that Hanson had more than three dogs in the home, the dogs were unrestrained when in the back yard and lunged at the fence when people came by, and that dog feces on top of cardboard boxes could be seen on her garage floor when the door was open.

One neighbor said she walked by Hanson's home one time and saw a "deep pile" of feces. At that moment, Hanson arrived home and drove her car right over the piles in the garage, the neighbor said in police reports.

At least two neighbors said Hanson seemed to "rotate" different dogs in and out of the home during late night hours, the reports said, noting that witnesses reported there was a distinct difference in barks.

Neighbors complained of constant barking coming from the home from more than three dogs.

Hanson reportedly told one neighbor she had in her possession a litter of puppies that had Parvo virus.

Police served a search warrant on the home March 28.

According to reports, when police arrived, they reportedly heard barking and "loud, vicious fighting noises" coming from inside.

Hanson reportedly opened the door, kicking back one dog as she squeezed through the front door. She was allowed to go back in and secure the dogs so the officers could investigate.

Code enforcement officer Robert Scott reported dog feces in several rooms, including the master bedroom and shower stall.

Police removed and impounded two dogs at the Humane Society for Southwest Washington, allowing Hanson to keep three licensed dogs and one puppy until further notice.

Hanson was cited for animal cruelty and license violations. A report by Sgt. Carl Mullen stated that Hanson said she knew she was only allowed three dogs, but had an opportunity to take in others. She took them in because she felt sorry for them, the report said.

When Hanson appeared in court March 31, she met with prosecuting attorney Chris Sundstrom who advised her he would ask judge Steven Sowards for the remaining dogs to be impounded because of living conditions.

While waiting in the courtroom, Hanson left and returned about 10 minutes later. Suspicious, officer Scott saw that Hanson's vehicle was no longer in the parking lot. He said he suspected Hanson's daughter, Jamie Hanson, had gone to remove the dogs from the home and hide them elsewhere.

Scott alerted officers who reportedly arrived at the Hanson home and found Jamie Hanson putting two pit bulls into her mother's car. Two others remained inside. Hanson was arrested for obstructing justice, police said.

Hanson was released with the condition to not have any dogs in her possession and to return for a readiness hearing before trial on May 26.

SON ACCUSED OF KILLING DAD NEAR YACOLT

Heidi Wallenborn, news director

A 44-year old Battle Ground man arrested in California March 24 is believed to have brutally stabbed his 69-year-old father to death in a one-room cabin just south of Yacolt.

James David Karnath, 16323 NE 236th St., was transported from Siskiyou County jail March 31. He made a first appearance April 1 in Clark County for the charge of first degree murder with aggravating circumstances.

Aggravating factors are premeditation and deliberate cruelty to the victim, court records state.

While in the California jail, Karnath reportedly told a Siskiyou County deputy that he killed his father, James George Karnath, 69, in a "very vicious way" and that he "butchered" his father.

Karnath appeared before Superior Court judge Roger Bennett April 1.

Karnath's feet were shackled and his wrists strapped to a black security restraint belt around his waist. His hair appeared unwashed and uncombed.

Bennett read Karnath his Miranda rights and asked if he wished to be represented by an attorney. Karnath said he tried to contact one and hadn't heard back. Bennett asked if he wanted a court appointed attorney. Karnath replied he wanted his first choice.

Bennett explained that his first choice wasn't on the court appointing list.

"Can't I just plead guilty and get this thing over with today?" asked Karnath.

Bennett said "no," and that in order to plead guilty, he needed an attorney. Karnath said he would follow the judge's recommendation from the list. Jeff Barrar was assigned the case.

Karnath is being held without bail because of the seriousness of the alleged crime and because he is reported to be a flight risk.

Karnath fled to California

Officials believe Karnath murdered his father and a family dog March 20-24 at a cabin near Moulton Falls, about two miles south of Yacolt, then fled south toward California in his father's vehicle, according to reports.

On March 24, a hitchhiking Karnath was picked up by a couple near Dunsmuir, CA, a report said.

After the man stopped for gas and went into a store, Karnath reportedly jumped into the driver's seat, pushed the woman out the passenger door and drove away.

California Highway Patrol officers caught up with him a few minutes later and arrested him.

On the way to jail, Karnath reportedly said he'd killed his father and left his body in a cabin near Battle Ground and gave directions to the cabin.

While in jail, Karnath wrote notes on inmate request slips, the court record states. He reportedly wrote that his sister knew he'd killed their father and "I intended to murder her in the same, vicious, evil, butcherous way, and then my brother."

When a deputy visited him to ask how he was doing, Karnath reportedly "spewed" his information about the crime, reports said.

Karnath gave details about the condition of his father's body, which later were verified in a medical examiner's report which revealed manual strangulation, blunt force trauma to the head, multiple stab wounds to the neck and eyes. The right eye was missing, said the report.

Karnath reportedly was upset because his father would not let him have an Internet romance with a Russian woman, and his father had threatened to turn him into mental health officials.

Karnath's father reportedly begged his son not to kill him, Karnath said, but he ignored his father's pleas.

During a subsequent interview, Karnath reportedly said he killed his dog with a pocket knife in the cabin to lure his father to help him look for his missing dog.

Karnath reportedly said he used two knives to kill his father, one of which was used on the dog.

California officials reportedly recovered the elder Karnath's vehicle as well as the two knives.

Before Karnath's extradition, the State of California dropped the auto theft charge against him.

Karnath is set to plead to the charge on April 22, 9 a.m. in Superior Court.

LA CENTER GETS NEW SUPERINTENDENT

Alice Perry Linker, staff reporter

Mark Mansell, superintendent for two small eastern Washington school districts, was hired March 29 to lead the La Center School District.

Mansell, one of five finalists, was hired by La Center school board members and will begin his new job July 1.

Other finalists were La Center High School principal David Holmes, Richard Conley of Springdale, Thomas Lockyer of Ilwaco and Rick Winters of Naches.

When his current tenure ends, Mansell will have served five years as superintendent of the St. John and Endicott school districts.

Laurie Kansanback, secretary to the superintendent, said board members chose Mansell because he "was all about the kids."

"The board felt that all the candidates were excellent," Kansanback said. "But they felt that the leadership he displayed--he's all about the kids--set him apart from the others."

Mansell will face increasing enrollment in the District, a situation opposite the issue facing districts in eastern Washington.

"We've been dealing with declining enrollment," he said. "But I think the problems are similar. People have certain expectations, and a lot of the factors involve the same skills."

In both situations, short- and long-term plans must be developed, he said.

"You need to deal with planning, staying ahead of what happens," he said.

Mansell said he applied to the District because he and his family were looking for a place "as special as where we are."

"They have done wonderful things," he said about the District. "At the same time, there's good work to be done there."

A native of southern Idaho, Mansell calls Spokane "home." He graduated magna cum laude in 1989 from Eastern Washington University and holds a master's degree in education from Heritage College. He is studying for a doctorate in education at Washington State University.

Mansell's wife of 25 years, Debbie, is a radiologic technologist. Their son, Brent, 20, is serving in the Coast Guard, and their daughter, Jessie, 17, is a junior in high school.

After spending most of his life east of the Cascade Mountains, Mansell is looking forward to the change in scenery.

"I guess I'll have to buy a raincoat and some overshoes," he said.

VANCOUVER WOMAN IS MISS CLARK COUNTY

Alice Perry Linker, staff reporter

Kelly Backous, 20, of Vancouver, has been crowned Miss Clark County 2005.

The award carries a $4,000 scholarship.

Backous is a junior at Washington State University (WSU) Vancouver, majoring in human development.

Lindsay Price, 20, also of Vancouver, was first runner-up in the March 26 pageant and received a $1,500 scholarship. She is a senior at WSU Vancouver, majoring in elementary education.

Other finalists were Heather Laible, 20, of Vancouver, second runner-up, Angelica Lewis, 18 of Camas, third runner-up, and Aleigha Rieger, 19, of Vancouver, fourth runner-up.

Tara LaGesse, 20, Vancouver, was awarded a $6,000 scholarship by the International Air Academy. Contestants were asked to submit an essay.

Katie Allen of Battle Ground and Jillian Southard of Ridgefield were contestants.

Backous will compete for the Miss Washington title in June.

DUNAWAY IS NEW COUNTY FIRE MARSHAL

Clark County officials have hired Jon Dunaway to be the new fire marshal.

Dunaway has been employed with the Fire Marshal's Office for 13 years and has some 20 years experience in the fire protection field.

Dunaway has served as interim fire marshal since September 2004 when former marshal David Lynam moved to Oregon.

Prior to stepping into the head position, Dunaway served as senior deputy fire marshal where he acted as program lead in areas of new construction, existing occupancy inspections and fire investigation.

Dunaway earned an associate of applied science degree in fire protection technology from Portland Community College, and is working toward a bachelor of arts degree in fire administration at Eastern Oregon University.

A certified fire inspector, Dunaway is also a plans examiner with the International Code Council.

In 2004, the Fire Marshal's Office completed more than 2,000 inspections in existing occupancies, reviewed 900 plans for code compliance, and investigated 170 fire incidents.

Rich Carson, County Community Development Director, said he hired Dunaway because he is "very respected by his peers as a fire marshal. He also understands the County's philosophy in terms of us being here to help our citizens and our customers."

WOODLAND MAN DROWNS IN TOUTLE

Heidi Wallenborn, news director

A 56-year-old Woodland man died March 26 while crossing the rain-swollen Toutle River on his pack mule about one mile upstream from the Hoffstadt Bridge.

Robert Ferneding, his 17-year-old son Daniel, and a friend, Jess Seekins, 28, of Amboy, had been scouting for elk on a camp-out near Mount St. Helens.

About 11 a.m., the three attempted to cross the river. The mule Ferneding rode either slipped or fell, said Cowlitz County Sheriff's captain Mark Nelson, and Ferneding was thrown into the river.

Daniel Ferneding and Seekins tried to follow the man downstream, but lost sight of him. They searched for nearly an hour, said Nelson, then rode back to their vehicle and drove to Hoffstadt Bluff Visitor's Center, about 15 miles west of Mount St. Helens, where they called 911.

County sheriff deputies and about 25 volunteers from Cowlitz County Search and Rescue and County Dive/-Rescue responded. Ferneding's body was found about 5:30 p.m. nearly one mile downstream from where he fell into the river, said Nelson.

METH FOUND IN WOODLAND TRAFFIC STOP

Heidi Wallenborn, news director

Woodland police confiscated nearly $6,000 worth of freshly manufactured methamphetamine in a March 26 traffic stop.

A Cowlitz County Fire District 1 firefighter was on his way into Woodland March 26 about 8:12 a.m. when he spotted what seemed to be someone driving under the influence westbound on Lewis River Rd.

The firefighter followed the vehicle, keeping Woodland police officer Brent Murray up-to-date on its location until the officer arrived.

Murray stopped the driver, Mary Benita Saccomanno, 42, of Colorado, and passengers Yolinda Marie Moreno, 39, and Desederio Aleman-Vargas, 28, both transients.

Murray arrested the driver on suspicion of DUI. During a routine search, Murray reportedly found "a large quantity" of methamphetamine under the front passenger seat.

All three subjects were arrested, and the Cowlitz County Drug Task Force was called to help investigate. The vehicle was seized because it was used in the alleged commission of a crime--transporting narcotics.

The methamphetamine was reportedly still moist, indicating it had recently been made, officials said. It weighed a little less than six ounces and had a street value of $4,000-$6,000.

Moreno and Aleman-Vargas were booked into the Cowlitz County jail for possession of methamphetamine with the intent to deliver, and bail set at $25,000 each. An Immigration and Naturalization Services detainer was issued for Aleman-Vargas.

Although Murray determined that Saccomanno was not driving under the influence, she was ticketed for driving without a valid operator's license and without identification.

SELF-SERVICE MAILING NOW AT BG POST OFFICE

Marcus Brotherton, staff reporter

Forget standing in line.

The Battle Ground Post Office now has a new machine that allows customers to mail packages by themselves.

"It's really simple," said postmaster Connie Lightner. "Just one, two, three and you're done."

The self-service mailing device operates similarly to an automated teller machine found at a bank.

Customers lay packages on the machine's scale and touch prompts on a screen. A series of large-print messages walks a customer through the process.

The first screen asks a customer what needs to be mailed. Parcels, large envelopes--anything that needs weighing--can be mailed with the machine, which also sells stamps in books of 18.

The second screen asks customers for the destination zipcode. If the customer doesn't know, an option to check zipcode listings is available.

The third screen gives a customer options for mailing such as parcel post, priority or express mail. The screen lists how much each option costs and how long it will take to get there.

On the fourth screen, customers can purchase additional mailing services such as insurance.

The fifth screen asks customers to pay with a credit or debit card. Simply swipe the card in the machine's reader; payment is taken and a receipt is printed.

Once paid for, a label emerges from a slot which customers affix to their package. With the label attached, customers drop packages in a secure drop bin next to the machine, or leave their packages on the front desk of the post office.

Clerk May Herrington said the machine has received a warm response since its installation in early March.

Customers find the machine easy to use and convenient, she said. Similar machines are available at post offices in Vancouver and Portland.

"It's a really easy piece of equipment to use," Herrington said. "Just like an ATM. Very simple."

The Battle Ground post office lobby is open 24 hours daily, seven days per week, so the machine is always available.

A video camera installed in the machine acts as a security device.

Customer Duane Williams said he had seen the machines before in other cities, but never used one until it came to Battle Ground.

"This is great," Williams said. "Very convenient."

HOCKINSON FIRE RECEIVES AMBULANCE

Marcus Brotherton, staff reporter

Fire District 3 in Hockinson now has an ambulance on site thanks to a March 21 donation of a refurbished vehicle from American Medical Response.

Previously, ambulances were dispatched from Vancouver. The donation enhances the Fire District's capability to respond to some medical emergencies, Steve Wrightson. The ambulance company donated the vehicle as part of a contract with Clark County's Emergency District, which was renegotiated October 2004.

The company negotiated a six-year contract with the District, with three possible, two-year extensions.

American Medical Response is the ambulance provider for fire districts 3, 6, 11, 12 and the Vancouver Fire Department.

With the vehicle also comes $40,000 annually from the company for District 3 to help staff the ambulance, which is a 2002 Ford E 350.

The vehicle came out of the company's fleet and has been repainted to match District 3's colors.

C-TRAN SERVICE BOUNDARY TO SHRINK

C-TRAN officials voted unanimously March 29 to reduce the agency's bus transportation service boundary.

Unless changes are made in the plan, service will be provided only to incorporated cities and the urban area around Vancouver, with non-service corridors between cities.

Buses will not stop in rural areas or between incorporated cities.

The Clark County commissioners have 30 days to veto the new boundary plan. The incorporated cities have 60 days to withdraw.

C-TRAN's sales tax will not be collected in areas outside the new service boundary.

The change in service boundary does not mean that service will actually be provided to areas remaining inside the boundary.

Bus service has not been provided to Ridgefield, La Center or Yacolt for years, and may not be provided even with the boundary change.

C-TRAN spokesman Scott Patterson said service to these cities is dependent on the agency garnering additional revenues through a tax increase.

Continuing service to Battle Ground is not a sure thing either, said Patterson.

A service reduction plan, slated to take effect in September 2005, would eliminate several fixed routes, including the Battle Ground route.

New tax vote possible

Patterson said voters may be asked by September to approve an added sales tax to support C-TRAN operations.

Voters rejected a tax increase in November 2004.

Only voters inside incorporated cities would vote during another tax increase election because of the change in service boundary.

Patterson said the November 2004 tax increase failed by a closer margin inside incorporated cities, and lost by larger margins in rural areas.

Thus the change in service boundary would give a second tax increase attempt a better chance of passage.

Patterson said the C-TRAN board will consider June 14 whether to again seek voter approval of a tax increase.

After losing about 40 percent of its budget when the vehicle excise tax was dropped in 2000, C-TRAN officials have made changes to stabilize the agency's budget.

A fare increase is set to take effect May 1, 2005, management salaries were frozen for 2005, and the agency was reorganized, reducing departments from five to three.

State Rep. Deb Wallace (D-Vancouver), herself a former C-TRAN employee, has urged that instead of service cuts, the agency continue to use reserve funds to balance the budget.

Wallace said C-TRAN can exist several years without tax increases or service cuts because of its existing $59 million reserve fund.

C-TRAN officials have said that much of the reserve fund is earmarked for construction projects.

APPLICANTS SOUGHT FOR OPEN WOODLAND BOARD SEAT

Applications will be taken until Fri., April 15, from those interested in serving on the Woodland School Board.

A vacancy on the board was created with the March 23 resignation of Julie Nicholsen. Nicholsen plans to move to Oregon, vacating her seat May 1.

Candidate interviews are set for Wed., April 20, with the person selected to be seated May 11.

The appointment expires in November. The position will be subject to election for a four year term at that time.

The vacancy is from Director District 5 which is generally the portion of the school district that lies east of Little Kalama River Road. Specific boundaries and other information are available by calling the school district, 225-9451.

TRANSPORT GROUP VOTES TO KEEP HOV LANE

Managed lane approach, southbound HOV lane in Oregon on table

Bill Myers, staff reporter

Officials in a bi-state transportation think tank March 31 voted to urge Washington transportation officials to continue a high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lane pilot project on southbound I-5 from Hazel Dell to Vancouver.

The pilot project was scheduled to end in February 2005.

Members of the Bi-State Coordination Committee, formerly the Bi-State Transportation Committee, made the decision after hearing results of an October 2004 study of HOV lane results.

The October HOV evaluation, completed by consultant Parsons Brinckerhoff Quade and Douglas, was the sixth review of HOV results since diamonds were painted on the roadway in October 2001.

The inside southbound lane of I-5 from NE 99th St. to the Interstate bridge were--and remain--restricted to carpool and transit on weekdays 6-8 a.m.

Washington Department of Transportation Southwest Region engineer Chad Hancock said the HOV lane is now carrying more people than either adjacent lane during peak two-hour morning commute hours.

Use of the lane is constrained by the level of bus service and park-and-ride spaces along the corridor, said Hancock.

Trends related to other goals, such as HOV lane travel time, impacts to traffic on other roads, increasing carpools, vanpools and transit ridership, maintaining safety and appropriate enforcement, are either stable or favorable, he said.

A public opinion poll was not conducted for the October evaluation, said Hancock. He said the Department has received about 25 citizen comments, mostly negative, since the last opinion survey in January 2003.

In voting to continue the pilot project, committee members supported operation of an HOV lane in Oregon as part of an I-5 Delta Park project.

Oregon transportation officials are completing an Environmental Assessment on I-5 improvements between Delta Park and Lombard St. A key improvement would add a third lane to southbound I-5 between Delta Park and the Columbia Blvd. entrance ramp.

Committee members urged a joint effort with Oregon to examine prospects for using a "managed lane" approach to traffic flows.

Managed lanes include HOV lanes and are often designated for additional uses. Their purpose is to maximize effectiveness of a freeway corridor consistent with policy objectives of a state and region.

Managing a lane in the I-5 corridor could benefit all users by reducing impacts on general purpose lanes, said Hancock.

A managed approach could allow lane use by hybrid vehicles, small delivery trucks and toll-paying, single-occupancy vehicles.

Don Wagner, southwest regional administrator for the Washington Department of Transportation, said Federal Highway Administration officials will evaluate and review HOV lane data.

They can make the lane permanent, do away with it, or allow us to continue to gather data, Wagner said.

Committee members at the meeting were chairman Rex Burkholder, Metro councilor; Addison Jacobs, Port of Vancouver; Robin McArthur, Oregon Department of Transportation; Lynne Griffith, executive director of C-TRAN;

Larry Haverkamp, Gresham, OR, city council member; Bill Wyatt, Port of Portland; Royce Pollard, mayor of Vancouver; Fred Hansen, general manager of TriMet; and Wagner.

PLANKHOUSE WELCOMES DONORS, VIPS

Replica of Chinook home will open soon

Bill Myers, staff reporter

It was a fitting occasion for the anniversary of a first visit by explorers Lewis and Clark to a Chinookan town.

Donors, public officials and native Americans attended the March 29 ceremonies and guided tour of a replica

Cathlapotle Plankhouse constructed in Ridgefield.

Located a mile from the village first visited by explorers in 1806, the plankhouse was reproduced as a Legacy project by the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Committee.

Highlighted by presentations, tribal drums and singing, the event was hosted by officials from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Chinook Tribe, Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Committee and Portland State University.

Members of several native American tribes attended.

Located in the Carty Unit of the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge about a mile north of downtown Ridgefield, the cedar Chinookan-style house is 37-feet wide, 78-long and 21-feet tall.

Lewis and Clark explorers found 14 plankhouses when they first visited the Chinookan home of Cathlapotle people near the confluence of Lake River, Lewis River and the Columbia River.

Located in two rows end-to-end, the plankhouses were occupied by about 900 people. Occupants were related family members, said Chinook Tribe cultural committee spokesman Tony Johnson.

Johnson said ranking tribal members occupied quarters in the back of a house. Persons with lower ranking lived closer to the front door.

Upright posts that support a plankhouse are symbolic, said Johnson. The image of a man in a cedar upright at the rear of the house represents the high ranking person in the house, he said.

Other posts could symbolize ancestors or spirit power, Johnson said.

Johnson said Chinookans normally married members of other tribes.

The term Chinookan refers to members of several closely- related nations who lived along the Columbia River from The Dalles, OR to the river's mouth on the Pacific Ocean.

Plankhouse villages along rivers were not uncommon when early explorers arrived. A population of 1,200 native Americans occupied Clakstar, a village near St. Helens, said U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service archaeologist Anan Raymond.

Carbon tests show that such villages date back thousands of years, said Raymon. Tests done of charcoal found on Bachelor Island date back 2,500 years.

Raymond said the plankhouse, unlike other Lewis and Clark memorial projects, will have lasting benefit. He said structure tours will convey the story of area native Americans to future generations.

The plankhouse will open to the public sometime in early summer after volunteers are trained to serve as tour guides, said Raymond.

Hosts presented donors with prints of a painting of the plankhouse by Ridgefield artist Gene Ellis.

Major donors included the Hugh and Jane Ferguson Foundation, National Park Service, Meyer Memorial Trust, M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust, Gladys Hare, state Deptartment of Transportation and the state Historical Society.

Officials of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife say more than 50 donors contributed $575,000 to construction. Contributions included in-kind donations of 246 western red cedar logs. More than 100 volunteers donated 3,500 hours to the project.

Current information about volunteer opportunities and the exhibit is available at

www.plankhouse.org, and at 887-4106.

HISTORICAL USE CRITICAL TO NEXT ROUND OF STOREDAHL HEARINGS

Marcus Brotherton, staff reporter

Another round of legal wrangling has begun on a proposal to crank up surface mining operations at a site north of Daybreak Park owned by J.L. Storedahl & Sons, Inc.

Central to the debate this time is the historical use of the 349-acre site west of NE Bennet Rd. and bordering the East Fork Lewis River.

Storedahl representatives have proposed to rezone about 100 acres in order to expand gravel mining on about 178 acres of the site.

Representatives from both sides of the issue squared off March 29 before hearings examiner Daniel Kearns.

Under scrutiny is whether the Storedahl proposal meets nonconforming land use criteria.

A nonconforming use means the mine may not necessarily conform with existing regulations, but complied with regulations at the time it was established, said Clark County planner Josh Warner.

Pro: It's always been a mine

Storedahl attorneys Sandy Mackie and John Dentler believe the scope of proposed activities is consistent with the historic practices on the site.

At the hearing, the attorneys offered a detailed chronology of uses and permitting for the site including the following:

** The site has been used for mining activities since before 1968;

** Formal permits were in place with the Department of Natural Resources by 1971;

** In 1980 County zone language allows mining as a permitted use; and,

** A 1994 rezone that removed a surface mining overlay from the bulk of the site rendered any continuing mining activity on lands without the surface mining overlay nonconforming.

Central also to the discussion is whether Storedahl abandoned mining efforts from 1995-2004 when the company stopped mining for a time on the site.

In this case, "abandoned" is a technical term that, if proved, means Storedahl would not be able to claim nonconforming rights.

Mackie and Dentler said Storedahl ceased mining during those years because the company had exhausted materials in a 71-acre mining area and had begun to reclaim the site. New permits were sought during this time to mine outside the 71 acres.

Storedahl also continued accessory mining actives such as rock crushing onsite during those years.

Con: Hasn't been legal for years, and it's certainly unsafe under current code

Attorneys David MacDonald and Svend Brandt-Erichsen, who represent two fish recovery groups, Friends of the East Fork and Fish First, said two core problems exist in the nonconforming rights issue.

First, they say that the site has not been legally used since 1973 after Shoreline permits were required under County zoning changes in 1980 and 1995.

Second, they say that from 1991 to 1995, Storedahl effectively abandoned their intent to mine the site because they "did nothing to get a new permit," MacDonald said.

Storedahl may have been importing rock to crush on site during those years, MacDonald said, yet regardless, that activity required a conditional use permit which Storedahl didn't have to begin with. "They were growing Scotch Broom," MacDonald said. "We have no [legal] record of their interest to expand operations or continue mining on the site. That's abandonment. County Code only requires six months cessation to be determinative. "

MacDonald characterized the concept of nonconforming rights as "a gift," and typically not favored by law.

"The purpose of the law is to eliminate them as much as possible," MacDonald said. "Then we can create uses that coincide with current code."

No quick decision

Kearns approved the Storedahl proposal last November after about six years of legal battle.

County commissioners, however, overturned Kearns' decision in February and sent it back to him.

Commissioners found that a conditional use permit, site plan review, shoreline permit and other associated permits met approval criteria, but that the requested zone change did not.

Because the request was denied, Storedahl representatives must now attempt to rely on nonconforming use rights to move forward with the proposed use.

Testimony can be submitted to the County until Tues., April 12. Parties can respond April 12-26. Final rebuttals will be allowed April 26-May 3. Kearns' decision is expected about two weeks after May 3. Appeals of Kearns' decisioin to commissioners will be allowed.

Only testimony related to nonconforming rights is now allowed.

Submit testimony to Josh Warner, Public Service Center, Department of Community Development, 1300 Franklin St., PO Box 9810, Vancouver, WA 98666-9810, 397-2375, ext. 4898.

AMBOY MAN DIES IN MISHAP

Timothy W. Krussell, 18, died in a one-car accident April 2 in the 20800 block of NE 399 St., Amboy.

According to the Clark County sheriff's office, Krussell was westbound on NE 399th St. when his vehicle crossed the center line and left the south side of the road, striking a fence and then a tree.

Crews from Fire District 10 used the Jaws of Life to extricate passenger Julia Runyon, 16, Vancouver, who was then transported by Life Flight helicopter to Southwest Washington Medical Center.

Officials reported that both Krussell and Runyon were wearing seat belts in the 1:21 a.m. mishap, and airbags did deploy.

Excessive speed was a factor in the accident, according to reports.

OBITS:

LEONARD RUSSELL

Leonard Allen Russell, 93, died April 2, 2005 in Woodland.

Russell was born June 17, 1911 in White Salmon, and lived his entire life in Washington, mostly in counties along the Columbia River.

Russell worked as a carpenter. He graduated from Vancouver High School in 1929.

Russell owned several business in the White Salmon and Husam area in the 1930s. He worked for the Wartime Housing Authority during World War II, building housing and facilities for Kaiser shipyard workers.

Russell served on the Battle Ground city council in the mid-1950s. He volunteered with the North County Social Services, Meals on Wheels, and Salvation Army. He did security guard work past his 90th birthday.

Russell loved nature, camping, picking huckleberries, and spending time at the beach. He enjoyed RV traveling.

Russell was the last surviving charter member of Silver Star Lodge, F&AM, Battle Ground. He was a past patron of the former Silver Light Chapter OES, and a member of Martha Washington Chapter OES in Vancouver. He was a 58-year member and past master of Manor Grange. He was a member of the Clark County Pamona Grange, and state and national granges.

Russell was preceded in death by his wife, Ethel, in 1997. Survivors include daughter Donna Simpson of Nebraska, son Calvin Russell of Battle Ground, four grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, eight great-great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be held Fri., April 8, 10 a.m., at Cherry Grove Friends Church, 9100 NE 219th St., Battle Ground, with interment at Park Hill Cemetery, Vancouver.

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

HARVEY EMETT

Harvey Dewayne Emett, 79, died April 3, 2005, in Vancouver.

Emett was born Nov. 17, 1925 in Harrisburg, Utah, grew up in Utah, and moved to Tacoma in 1943 where he worked as a welder in the shipyards.

Emett served in the U.S. Navy in the Asiatic-Pacific theater, taking part in the liberation of the Philippines during World War II.

After the war, Emett drove logging trucks in Utah, then moved again to Tacoma where he worked for Harvey Aluminum and then Martin Marietta. He had worked in Norway, Japan and Canada, and remained in the aluminum industry until retirement in 1986.

Emett enjoyed hunting, traveling, fishing and gardening, sharing the fruits of his labors with neighbors. He had a great sense of humor. He made many friends. He made walking sticks for friends and family.

Survivors include widow Vaunda of Yacolt, daughter Verlynn Harris of Yacolt, son Eugene Emett of Oregon, sister Jacqueline Idonna of California, nine grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

Memorial services will be held Fri., April 8, 2 p.m., at Yacolt Cemetery, with Layne's Funeral Home, Battle Ground, in charge of arrangements.

TERRELL GULLOCK

Terrell "Terre" Lynn (Peterson) Gullock, 60, died March 25, 2005 in Vancouver.

Gullock was born Feb. 28, 1945 in Martins Ferry, Ohio, worked as an apartment manager, and lived in Battle Ground for 18 years before moving to Vancouver three years ago.

Gullock enjoyed gardening, craftwork, decorating, reading, and her Maltese dog, Max Mackie.

Gullock was preceded in death by her husband, Bill Gullock, in 1996. Survivors include mother Kathy Peterson of Nevada, daughters Karen Myatt of Arizona and Donna Everett of Vancouver, sons Brian Baird of Vancouver, and Shawn Baird, Scott Baird and Bill Gullock, all of California, sisters Michelle Bridgman of Vancouver, Candy Conley of Nevada and Dawn Inlow of Oregon, one grandchild and five step-grandchildren.

Interment was at Northwood Park Cemetery, Ridgefield, with Layne's Funeral Home, Battle Ground, in charge of arrangements.

HAROLD THORSON

Harold "Swede" Thorson, 78, died April 2, 2005, at home in Battle Ground.

Thorson was born May 17, 1926 in Kermit, ND, and moved to Vancouver in the late 1940s. In 1968 he moved to Battle Ground.

Thorson worked as a longshoreman and was a member of the International Longshormen Workers Union Local #4, retiring in the late 1980s. He enjoyed farming, collecting tractors, auctions and traveling. He enjoyed going to the threshing Bee in Crosby, ND.

Thorson was preceded in death by brothers Arne Thorson in 1970, Rodger Thorson in 1980 and Gordon Thorson in 2002, and by former spouse V. Marlene Baxter-Summers. Survivors include widow Nordine Thorson of Battle Ground, daughters Kristi Pawul of Eatonville, and Kolleen Brown, Karen Falk and Kelly Nuff, all of Oregon, sons Kenneth Thorson, Keven Thorson and Kyle Thorson, all of Battle Ground, step-sons James Kee of Oregon and Robin Bonesteele of Battle Ground, step-daughter Sherra Duran of Vancouver, former spouse Marilyn Fuccini, 15 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

A celebration of life will be held Sat., April 9, 1 p.m., at the Battle Ground Kiwanis Club, 422 SW 2nd Ave., Battle Ground, with the Vancouver Funeral Chapel in charge of arrangements.

ANN BIRRER-MILLER

Ann Joan (Jackson) Birrer-Miller, 96, died March 30, 2005 in Vancouver.

Miller was born Aug. 14, 1908 in Kellogg, Idaho, and lived in the Glenwood area of Vancouver for over 75 years.

Miller was a member of St. John's Catholic Church. She loved her family and farm, and enjoyed gardening, flowers and sewing.

Miller was preceded in death by husbands John Birrer and Joe Miller, and grandson Donny. Survivors include daughter Joan Mixer of Vancouver, sons Donald Birrer and John Birrer, both of Vancouver, and George Birrer of Colorado, 16 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren.

A rosary is set for Mon., April 4, 9:30 a.m., at St. John's Catholic Church, 8701 NE 119th St., Vancouver, followed by a funeral mass at 10 a.m. Interment will be in St. John's Catholic Cemetery, with Hamilton-Mylan Funeral Home, Vancouver, in charge of arrangements.

ANN BIRRER-MILLER

Ann Joan (Jackson) Birrer-Miller, 96, died March 30, 2005 in Vancouver.

Miller was born Aug. 14, 1908 in Kellogg, Idaho, and lived in the Glenwood area of Vancouver for over 75 years.

Miller was a member of St. John's Catholic Church. She loved her family and farm, and enjoyed gardening, flowers and sewing.

THOMAS HARALSON

Thomas James Haralson, 69, died March 24, 2005, at home in Yacolt.

Haralson was born June 5, 1935 in Chicago, IL, and lived most of his life in Clark County.

Haralson worked for 39 years as an automotive painter for Freightliner. He enjoyed fishing and being outdoors, and riding motorcycles and ATVs. He was a street rod hobbyist and a 17-year member of AA.

Haralson was preceded in death by a son, David Haralson, in 2003, sister Jody Crapeau, and brother Paul Haralson. Survivors include widow Robbalee Haralson, at home, daughters Toni Puranen and LeeAnn Lester, both of Battle Ground, and Elizabeth Brown and Christy Sperling, both of Vancouver, sons Tom Haralson Jr. of Vancouver, Michael Haralson of Battle Ground and Perry Olson of Wyoming, daughter-in-law Jennifer Haralson of Ohio, sister Shirley Petree of Illinois, 18 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Memorial Gardens Funeral Chapel, Vancouver, was in charge of arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to Northwest Medical Teams, 14150 SW Milton Ct., Portland, OR 97224.

ROBERT FERNEDING

Robert Alan Ferneding, 57, died March 26, 2005 in a drowning accident in the Toutle River near Mount St. Helens.

Ferneding was born Oct. 20, 1947 in Vancouver. He lived in Clark County his entire life, the last 29 in Woodland.

Ferneding was a machinist in the logging equipment manufacturing industry.

Ferneding was a Vietnam veteran, having served in the U.S. Army. He attended Yacolt Evangelical Free Church, and was a member of the National Rifle Association. He enjoyed hunting, back country riding, trapshooting, muzzle loading, reading and reloading.

Ferneding enjoyed helping neighbors and was never without a smile, said family members.

Memorial services were held with private internment in Frank Able Cemetery in Woodland. Layne's Funeral Home of Battle Ground was in charge of arrangements.

Memorial donations may be made to the missions program at Yacolt Evangelical Free Church, 509 W Cushman, Yacolt, WA 98675.

JUDITH DEERY

Judith Ann (Guerra) Deery, 55, died of cancer March 28, 2005 in Battle Ground.

Deery was born March 20, 1950 in Vancouver, worked for the Bonneville Power Administration, and lived in Vancouver from 1970 to 1989 before moving to the Heisson area.

Deery enjoyed gambling in Reno, NV and Lincoln City, OR. She also enjoyed antiquing.

Survivors include widower John F. Deery Jr., daughters Heather Worrall of Battle Ground and Joslynn Wells of Vancouver, and six grandchildren.

Burial was at Evergreen Memorial Gardens Cemetery, with Memorial Gardens Funeral Chapel, Vancouver, in charge of arrangements.