GRILL OKAYED TO SERVE ALCOHOL

Yacolt Inn owner will wait

Heidi Wallenborn

news director

Lloyd's Grill in Battle Ground is now approved to offer beer, wine and other spirits to its patrons.

Owner Lloyd Taylor anticipated serving alcohol as early as Tues., March 21.

In a special Saturday morning meeting on March 18, Battle Ground School Board members signed a Good Neighbor Agreement with Taylor that will allow him to serve alcohol at his restaurant after 4 p.m. when school is in session.

Taylor, the owner of Lloyd's Grill, opened his eatery in December 2005 without a liquor license after school board members unanimously denied giving approval for the state to issue one.

By state law, government officials must be notified if a business applies for a liquor license within 500 feet of a school, church, or other public building. If they object, the server doesn't get a license.

However, on March 6, governor Chris Gregoire signed a bill amending the law. Instead of the distance being measured from the front door of the business to the school property line, the 500-foot rule is now the distance from door-to-door. The Grill is more than 1,300 feet from the entrance of nearby Maple Grove Primary and Middle schools.

Although the new law will go into effect on June 6 and the Agreement would be null and void, Taylor plans to honor it anyway.

"The subject is safety." Taylor said. "I'm not opposed to serving after 4 p.m. The kids are gone by then."

"I know I can get a liquor license anyway," he added, "but because of what's gone on, I'll keep it the same."

When school board members mulled the liquor license issue last fall, a series of meetings was held for public comment. Concerns were that drunk drivers would plow into children walking or riding on bicycles, or school buses, or through the 8-foot concrete wall and into the playground.

Other fears were that children would scale the wall to the other side, or see the restaurant from the athletic field behind the school. Increased traffic on narrow roads was also mentioned. Some said children need a safe and nurturing environment, and that a place that serves alcohol doesn't offer that.

Taylor said that because he wants to be a good neighbor in the the community, he will honor patrons' concerns and stick to the Agreement even though he doesn't have to under the new state law.

"It's important the community embraces me," Taylor said. "I want to stay on the good side of the community. I feel this is a win-win for everybody."

The board was also faced last year with a decision regarding the Red Fir Inn, a tavern across the street from Yacolt Primary School.

Owner Dave Ayres had applied for an upgrade on his license that allowed selling beer and wine only. He planned to open a family-style restaurant and needed a license to sell spirits.

After he watched the uproar over Lloyd's Grill and saw the board's decision to deny the application, Ayres withdrew his request from the state.

He considered a Good Neighbor Agreement, he said, but decided it wasn't feasible.

"I already can serve beer and wine from 6 in the morning until 2 in the morning," Ayres said. "It doesn't make sense to not serve it until after 4 in the afternoon."

With the latest change in state law, Ayres has decided to wait it out and reapply after June 6.

"What's another two months?" Ayres said.

Ayres has no doubt he passes the distance rule.

"I had somebody out here the other day to measure it," he said. "We're 633 from their front door."

A man who stole a car which contained a handgun and ammunition eluded Woodland police March 17.

At about 7:15 a.m., a resident on Tsugawa Court in Woodland reported that his car had just been stolen from his driveway.

The resident had left the car unlocked and warming up in the driveway when he heard the engine rev up. He ran outside to see the car being driven away. He called 9-1-1.

Woodland police officer Wall saw the stolen car going east on Lewis River Rd. at I-5. Wall tried to stop the car which fled across the East CC St. bridge into Clark County, then eastbound on NW Hayes Rd.

Wall pursued the car a few miles up Hayes Rd., but ended the pursuit when speeds became too dangerous to continue. Wall estimated the fleeing vehicle reached speeds of 90 to 100 miles per hour.

The victim described the suspect as a while male in his 20s, 6-ft. 1-in. tall, 170 pounds, with spiky brown hair, and wearing a brown jacket.

The stolen vehicle is described as a silver 2004 Subaru Imprezza, 4-door sedan. The vehicle has a trunk lid spoiler, with Washington license 254-TVW. If the vehicle is seen, the public is asked to call 9-1-1 and not try to approach or contact the driver.

When stolen, the vehicle contained a handgun and ammunition.

STUDENTS DITCH GAY/STRAIGHT, MULL DIVERSITY CLUB

Heidi Wallenborn

news director

For the last month, student leaders at Battle Ground High School have discussed a compromise to the recent disapproval of a Gay/Straight Alliance Club.

Rather than sanction a club for only gay and straight students to meet, students searched for a way to create a club for diversity.

As a result, ideas for an Anti-discrimination Club came forth that would cover racism, sexism, religious bias, and homosexuality.

The proposed club would work to stop discrimination in the school, create a sense of unity, and promote acceptance.

Associated Student Body (ASB) leaders will take votes in Connections classes on March 21.

There is one ASB representative per Connections class. They will take that classroom's "yes" or "no" vote to an ASB meeting, where everyone votes by a show of hands. There are about 120 members.

On Jan. 17, the final result for a Gay/Straight Alliance was to deny the club official ASB sanction. An appeal was filed, which led to student discussions about the newer, more diverse club.

If approved, the Anti-discrimination Club will be official that same day, with permission to meet during school hours, access to ASB funds, a free appearance in the yearbook, use of the public address system and bulletin boards, and a place in ASB leadership.

So far, the proposed club looks promising, said Kelly Keister, District communications consultant.

"It's a way for them to meet a lot more needs," Keister said. "We haven't had any official feedback from Connections classes, but I haven't heard any uproar. That's a good indication."

Almost two months to the day after it was installed, a median barrier on NE 199th St. in Battle Ground was removed.

The barrier prohibited left-hand turns into the Gardner Center development at SR-503 and NE 199th St., a commercial center that houses Battle Ground Cinema, Lloyd's Grill, Gentle Dental, and other businesses.

Gardner Center developer Elie Kassab said he ordered removal of the median barrier March 15 following a near accident in which a truck drove over the median and a vehicle had to swerve to avoid a collision. The barrier was removed March 16.

Kassab said the barrier had resulted in unsafe vehicle movements that included u-turns around the barrier, cars driving in and out of the nearby Maple Grove School parking lot, and vehicles driving over the barrier.

In a March 3 letter to Clark County transportation department manager Steve Schulte, Kassab described the observed unsafe vehicle movements, concerns expressed about student safety by Maple Grove School officials, and his willingness to accept access restriction once it is actually needed.

In a March 14 email, Clark County commissioner Marc Boldt advised Schulte to approve removal of the barrier. Boldt said he himself had witnessed unsafe vehicle movements at the location, including u-turns in the school when children are getting on buses.

But the county had not issued formal approval of barrier removal before Kassab ordered it taken away.

The near accident on March 7 was the last straw, said Kassab.

"That's what got my juices flowing," said Kassab. "Do we wait until someone is killed?"

"My concern for public safety made me authorize removal," said Kassab. "I told the contractor to remove it."

Kassab was in Nevada at the time, where he was placing orders for equipment for a new theater in Oregon.

"People are upset over the barrier," said Kassab. "Tenants are upset. They must survive."

Since installation of the barrier in January, new traffic studies have been done and submitted to the county, said Kassab.

A study by Kittleson & Associates concluded that, "It does not appear than an interim eastbound left turn access into the Gardner Center project would directly contribute to any additional crashes at the SR-503/NE 199th St. intersection based on the crash data review."

Kassab said the new access at Scotton Way and SR-503 improved traffic circulation in the area.

"I acted in haste for my concern for public safety," said Kassab. "I believe in my heart we had met the requirements" (for county approval of barrier removal).

"If they put me in jail, so be it," added Kassab.

Schulte said formal approval of removal of the barrier was imminent, and could have come March 17 or 20. "We got to the same place," said Schulte, even though Kassab acted without actual approval.

Schulte said certain details were under consideration, delaying issuance of a final approval letter. Those details included the conduct of a program to monitor the operation of the intersection after removal of the barrier, and how the roadway would be signed and striped with the barrier gone.

Schulte said the county retains the decisionmaking authority to have the barrier reinstalled when safety so dictates. He said businesses and residents in the area should anticipate that the barrier will be needed in the future.

Schulte said officials of the Gardner Center understandably concluded they had approval to remove the barrier based on email exchanges with the county commissioners.

Heidi Wallenborn

news director

Tommy Lee Russell Jr., former head volleyball coach at Prairie High School in the Battle Ground School District, pleaded guilty March 14 to having sex with one of his teenage volleyball players.

Russell, 31, appeared before Superior Court judge Robert Lewis and was sentenced for second degree sexual misconduct.

Russell will serve 90 days in jail, register as a sex offender for 10 years, and surrender his teaching certificate. He has resigned from his teaching and coaching job at the high school.

Russell admitted that he and a 17-year-old student engaged in sexual relations in November 2005.

In a victim impact statement to the judge, the victim's mother pleaded for a strict sentence.

The victim's self-esteem is shattered, she's depressed and has suicidal thoughts, sleep and eating patterns are disrupted, and she's not the same person, the mother said.

The victim has missed several days of school, her relationships with peers and teachers are strained, and she feels humiliated, her mother said. It's her daughter's senior year.

The family's relationship with their daughter is damaged, the mother said, and the volleyball team has been affected.

"Twelve other families have also been subjected to much of the same pain that we have experienced," the mother said. "We all feel angry and betrayed."

"Tom Russell was entrusted with our priceless children," she said. "His crime is the ultimate breach of this trust. He operated toward [my daughter] from a position of power and authority and used his position to manipulate and victimize [her]...His actions were cold and calculating."

Russell was hired by the Battle Ground School District in 2003 and taught special education in the Resource Room at Prairie High School. He also served as head volleyball coach.

In prior years, he taught 1999-2000 in Pasco at McLoughlin Middle School as a special education teacher. He taught 2002-2003 at Gresham High School in Oregon and coached volleyball at Warner Pacific.

Russell is married and has a 2-year-old son.

Part of the terms of his release is that he is not to have unsupervised contact with minors without an adult present who is aware of his conviction, except for his 2-year-old son.

In a letter to judge Lewis, Ralph Cassel, a pastor at Crossroads Community Church, spoke on Russell's behalf.

"For obvious reasons, the choices Tom made will affect his life for a long time," Cassel wrote. "Tom is truly repentant for what he's done and willing to live with the consequences. From what I can see, he is sorry for the pain he's caused."

Bill Myers

staff reporter

A panel of senior citizens will share memories of vintage Ridgefield Sat., March 25, during the annual Ridgefield Heritage Celebration.

Panelists Shirley Arndt, John Burrow, Harlan Jones, Lloyd Nelson, John Rose, Nettie Ross and Phyllis Snead will reminisce and answer questions about local history in the Ridgefield Community Center, 210 Main Ave.

Clark County Historical Museum director Susan Tissot will moderate the discussion of the historical roles of area businesses. The event begins at 1:30 p.m.

Panelists contacted March 23 recalled an easy tempo, walking children to school on wet or dusty roads, horses and buggies, model A and T Fords, and a village where everyone knew everyone.

Burrow, born in 1915, spent his first 5 years on a Bachelor Island farm across Lake River from Ridgefield.

At age 6, Burrow moved with his parents to a farm northeast of Ridgefield. He was 17 when the family moved to Ridgefield, and "the first home I lived in with electric lights."

Nettie Ross, also born in 1915, was raised in the Enterprise area near the Ridgefield I-5 junction.

Ross said her grandfather owned a farm where the Cowlitz Indians hope to build a casino.

Ferry trips to Portland, recalls Ross, began at Hales Landing west of Paradise Point on the south side of the East Fork of the Lewis River.

John Rose, born in 1918, attended an old, 3-story school that burned down one night in 1927. Rose said he heard that school records also burned, apparently making it difficult to disprove claims of graduations.

Phyllis Snead, 86, was reared in the Sara area south of Ridgefield. She remembers walking 2 miles each way to attend the Lambert School on 11th Ave. The school site has since become the Neighbors Helping Neighbors Food Bank.

Snead's fond memories include family trips to town for ice cream cones in a 1932 Chevrolet.

Harlan Jones, born in 1923 in Battle Ground, moved to Ridgefield while in high school. He remembers a small village where it seemed like everyone worked for the Brattlie Brothers Mill Company, a maker of wood shingles.

Lloyd Nelson, 77, said he was 11 years old when he had his first driving experience.

Nelson said an older acquaintance, Joe Williams, was known for liking life in the fast lane.

Nelson recalled that Joe invited him to sit in the driver's seat of an idling Model A Ford.

Nelson said Williams, who had moved to the passenger seat, yanked the Ford into gear without warning. "Now steer!" yelled Williams.

Nelson said he looked for a way to jump clear of the car as it gained speed until Williams finally took control.

Ross said a Plymouth car salesman from Vancouver taught her to drive when she was 16. She said her mother made a deal with the salesman. "Mom told the salesman that she would buy a new car from him if he would teach me to drive," said Ross. The Ross family soon had a new 1932 Plymouth.

Shirley Arndt, born in 1932, attended the Lambert School until 7th grade. Students at the school were merged into Ridgefield schools.

Arndt remembers helping her dad, a commercial fisherman, at nearby boat docks.

Other rich, vivid flashbacks by reminiscing panelists might include "cathedral radios" and the music of big bands in the 1930s and 40s, or square dances at "the old log cabin" on Germantown (now Carty) Rd.

Topics might touch on recollections of 1920s town marshall George Funkhauser, who never wore a uniform, but carried a badge in a pocket. Funkhauser's duties also included fixing streets and water leaks.

Doctors remembered could include Ralph Stryker, a surgeon during World War I who practiced in Ridgefield in the 1920s and 30s and brought Burrow into the world.

Ross recalls legendary Woodland physician Dr. Carl Hoffman who delivered her. Hoffman used a horse and buggy for decades to reach rural patients.

RIDGEFIELD SCHOOLS WILL TRY AGAIN

Smaller high school, higher assessments drop tax rate

Bill Myers

staff reporter

Ridgefield school board members decided March 9 to ask voters to approve a scaled-back version of a funding proposal defeated last November.

The measure would fund construction of a new high school and other school upgrades.

Voters will decide the fate of the measure at a May 16 special election.

The May ballots will contain two propositions.

Proposition I would authorize $49.5 million in bond financing to build a 174,000 square feet, 1,000-student high school. The new proposal scales back plans for a 1,200-student high school rejected by voters last year.

The new school will contain regular and special education classrooms, science labs, wood and metal shops, other vocational space, commons area, a 400-seat auditorium, library, gymnasiums, central kitchen and fields for physical education.

State matching funds, impact fees and interest would add about $14 million to the high school project.

The measure would also convert the existing high school to a middle school.

Proposition I would cost taxpayers about $1.62 per $1,000 of assessed value, an annual tax increase of $324 on a $200,000 home.

Proposition II, which will pass only if voters approve Proposition I, authorizes additional bond debt of $7.5 million for safety and circulation improvements at Union Ridge Elementary/View Ridge Middle and South Ridge Elementary schools.

District superintendent Mary Vagner said the funding would upgrade sewer systems, roadways, parking, playfield and storm-water management systems at each school.

Funding would also be used to re-pave play areas at South Ridge and repair an external gymnasium wall at Union Ridge.

Proposition II would cost property taxpayers about 23 cents per $1,000 of assessed value, or about $46 a year on a $200,000 home.

The combined tax rate of both propositions would be about $1.85 per $1,000 of assessed value, about $370 per year on a $200,000 home.

New proposal scales back high school plan

A $56 million measure rejected in 2005 proposed a larger, 192,000 square-feet, 1,200-student capacity high school.

The failed measure also slated funds for repairs listed in the 2006 measure as Proposition II.

The 2005 proposal would have boosted property taxes in the district by about $2.24 per $1,000 assessed value.

Vagner said higher property valuations (total assessed valuations went up 21.8 percent in the district the past year), combined with plans for a smaller high school, make the new funding proposal more affordable for taxpayers.

School officials in October 2005 said all schools exceeded capacity.

Last fall, 966 students enrolled at two elementary schools designed for 850. A middle school designed for 300 students held 304.

The high school, with 619 students, was designed for 475.

A recent study by a Portland, OR consultant waved more red flags.

In an enrollment projection update completed in early March, consultant Judith Barmack said Ridgefield schools are over capacity and getting more crowded.

Overall enrollment, flat for several years, climbed 4 percent this school year, said Barmack. She said elementary enrollment in the past two years surged by nearly 15 percent.

Barmack estimated that student population will surge 31 percent over the next six years. She said Ridgefield High School will have about 896 students by then.

BURNS FAMILY WINS TREE FARM AWARD

Bill Myers

staff reporter

Clark County Farm Forestry Association officials have presented the 2006 Tree Farm of the Year award to owners of the Burns Family Tree Farm.

The Tree Farm of the Year award recognizes outstanding forest management practices.

A Burns family tradition of land stewardship in southwest Washington can be traced to 1910.

In that year, John P. Burns homesteaded in the McCloskey Creek area of the upper Washougal River.

Burns sold the homestead in 1919 and bought 160 acres on the North Fork of the Washougal River where he operated a dairy.

John's land was transferred to his son, Lester, in 1929. Lester had purchased an adjacent 160 acres in 1929.

Lester's sons, LeRoy and Robert, grew up on the farm which expanded to raising beef cattle. They attended a one-room school house and "milked cows by hand."

LeRoy graduated from Eastern Washington College and taught high school in Clark County for three decades.

Robert earned a degree in forestry management from Washington State University and began a career in forest management.

Both men served in the U.S. Marines.

LeRoy and Robert purchased the property in 1969. They leased fields and woodland pastures for grazing. Their land contained about 200 million board feet of timber.

From 1975-1994, the brothers cleared brush, planted trees and bought adjacent property.

By 1994, the Burns family formed a limited partnership. The family owned 202 acres at the family tree farm, with 1,080 million board feet of timber.

In 1996, the Burns family established a forest stewardship plan.

Today, the Burns Family Tree Farm has almost 2,000 million board feet of timber.

Family members plan to continue the family tree farm through the next couple of generations.

"The Burns family have been members of the Clark County Farm Forestry Association for several years and served as models of forest land stewardship," said CCFFA president Carl Ruestig.

LeRoy Burns is a retired widower living in Vancouver. Grown children are Kent in Amboy, Keith in Cathlamet, Karrie in Alaska and Katheryne in Vancouver. He has two grandchildren.

Robert Burns remains active as a forest management consultant. He lives with his wife in Ridgefield. Three grown children are Stephen in Bend, OR, and Scott and Heather, both in the Olympia area. They have three grandchildren.

COWLITZ UTILITY WINS COURT TEST ON INSURANCE

Cowlitz County Public Utility District had valid insurance coverage on its failed Swift No. 2 hydroelectric project, according to the U.S. District Court in Tacoma.

Judge Ronald B. Leighton said the losses were covered by insurance policies with the Federated Rural Electric Insurance Exchange and TIG Insurance Company.

Both insurance companies had denied that the canal embankment failure was covered by their policies.

"This is a big win for Cowlitz PUD and its customers," said Utility general manager Brian Skeahan. "The court granted all of the points we made and clearly established that this is a covered loss."

Added Skeahan, "We have fought hard in court on behalf of our ratepayers to make sure they receive the benefits we believe they are entitled to under these policies."

The hydroelectric project, located on the North Fork of the Lewis River just east of Cougar, was damaged April 21, 2002, when its canal embankment failed, sending water, soil and rock over SR-503 and into the adjacent powerhouse.

An estimated 800 millions gallons of water drained into the Yale Reservoir.

In February 2004, Federated Rural Electric Insurance Exchange and TIG denied coverage for the Utility's loss, contending the damage was caused by an excluded peril. Cowlitz PUD filed an answer in U.S. District Court in May 2004, and made counter claims.

On March 3, 2006, the District Court ruled in favor of the Utility. A trial date has been set for Sept. 6, 2006, to determine the monetary damages owed by the two insurance companies.

Judge Leighton concluded that the event was caused by a sinkhole, and that a sinkhole collapse is specifically listed as an insured item in the policies.

Leighton's decision document states that all parties agree that "piping" had created a network of passages beneath the Power Canal. Piping is a form of subsurface earth movement and earth movement is excluded under the policy.

The sinkhole formed as a result of piping, the judge concluded, and a sinkhole collapse is a covered peril. Piping may have contributed to the loss, said Leighton, but did not lead inevitably to the canal collapse.

A third insurer, Lloyd's of London, acknowledged covered of the loss and provided $70 million to the Utility in 2004.

Skeahan said re-construction work on the plant has not been completed, and the final cost of repairs has not been determined. Costs are expected to exceed the previous estimate of $113 million, said Skeahan.

Utility spokesman Dave Andrew said remaining work involves landscape planting, bank stabilization, and taking steps to assure the embankment does not leak.

Andrew said the plant began generating electricity Feb. 1, 2006. The plant has an average output of 230,000 megawatt hours a year, said Andrew, which represents 10-15 percent of the Utility's needs for residential, commercial and small industrial customers.

With rebuilt turbines, the reconstructed plant could be 2-5 percent more efficient than the damaged facility, said Andrew.

Since the plant was damaged in 2002, the Utility has purchased power from Pacific Power and on the open power market. The extra costs of buying that power, said Andrew, are included in the total loss estimate.

The Utility is in the process of relicensing the plant, said Andrew, with a new license expected to be issued this year.

The two insurance companies could ask the District Court to reconsider the matter and could appeal the court's decision, said Andrew.

TEN TO VIE IN MISS CLARK COUNTY PAGEANT

For the first time in the history of the Miss Clark County Scholarship Pageant, two titleholders will be named. Miss Clark County and Miss Greater Vancouver will each receive a $4,000 scholarship, plus gift packages worth an estimated $5,000.

Pageant executive director Nichola Reynolds said ten young women will compete for the two titles.

The event is set for Sat., March 25, 6 p.m., at Fort Vancouver High School auditorium, 5700 E 18th St., Vancouver.

One of the 10 contestants will receive an in-kind scholarship from the International Air Academy valued at $6,500. In all, over $33,000 is scholarships and gifts will be awarded.

Each contestant is guaranteed a $400 minimum scholarship for participating.

Judging is based on interview (25%), talent (35%), evening gown (15%), swimsuit (10%), casual wear (10%), and on-stage question (5%).

The top two scorers will be awarded titles of Miss Clark County and Miss Greater Vancouver and both will move on to the Miss Washington competition in Tacoma in July.

The 10 entrants are:

Rachelle Kays, 19, daughter of Janet and Randy Kays of Vancouver, a student at Clark College. Talent: jazz dance.

Rachel Kirschenmann, 22, daughter of Bobbi and Stan Kirschenmann of Vancouver, a student at George Fox University. Talent: jazz dance.

Heather Laible, 21, daughter of John Laible of Vancouver, a student at Washington State University Pullman. Talent: vocal.

Lacey Lingle, 17, daughter of Deborah and George Lingle of Battle Ground, a student at Battle Ground High School. Talent: jazz dance.

Lauren Price, 17, daughter of Cynthia and Russell Price of Vancouver, a student at Columbia River High School. Talent: vocal.

Breanne Scott, 18, daughter of Bev and Don Scott of Camas, at student at Clark College. Talent: belly dance.

McKinley Smith, 17, daughter of Karen and Kevin Smith of Vancouver, a student at Prairie High School. Talent: ballet.

Robyn Southard, 21, daughter of Jan and Bob Southard of Ridgefield, a student at Willamette University. Talent: vocal.

Darci Merz, 22, daughter of Debbi Scott and Daniel Merz of Vancouver, a student at Washington State University Vancouver. Talent: monologue.

Christina Orefice, 17, daughter of Cheryle and Rocky Orefice of Battle Ground, home schooled. Talent: vocal.

The event is an official local pageant connected with the Miss Washington and Miss America programs.

Tickets are $20, available the day of the pageant at the high school.

Doris Hayes Clark, Miss Washington 1980, will emcee

the show.

Information, Nichola Reynolds, 907-7487.

MUSEUM FEATURES NATIVE AMERICAN VIEW OF LEWIS AND CLARK

The Lewis and Clark expedition and the events that followed are the subject of an art exhibit on display now through May 31 at the Clark County Historical Museum, 1511 Main St., Vancouver.

Native Perspectives on the Trail is an exhibition of contemporary art prints by 15 American Indian artists.

The traveling exhibit is provided by the Missoula, MT Art Museum.

Some of the art is not complimentary to the Lewis and Clark expedition and events that followed, according to Susan Tissot of the Museum.

One artwork deals with diet and diabetes that followed Lewis and Clark; another with smallpox.

Another artwork focuses on development and land use following Lewis and Clark. Another deals with women's issues and contends that Sacajawea did not get enough credit for the role she played with the expedition.

Tissot said the artworks challenge the images of Lewis and Clark as heroic discoverers. "The art contains some strong images, but it is not offensive," said Tissot.

A lecture series on the exhibit is scheduled for the first Thursdays of each month, April 6 and May 4, at 7 p.m.

The exhibition also features items from the Museum's Native American collection. Artifacts span the era from 1200 AD to the 1950s, with basketry, beadwork, and stone, wood and ivory creations.

Another exhibit to follow

Museum officials have announced a follow-up show to the Native Perspectives on the Trail.

The "after-the-journey" exhibit will feature artwork from any artist in southwest Washington or the Pacific Northwest, dealing with the Lewis and Clark era.

"It will be another viewpoint," said Tissot of the planned show.

Artists are invited to express their impressions of the Corps of Discovery and the decades that followed. Submission inquires are invited.

Museum hours are Tues.-Sat., 11 a.m.-4 p.m., and first Thursdays until 8 p.m.

Admission is $4 adults, $3 students and senior citizens, $2 children ages 6-18, free for children under age 5, and $10 for a family of four.

For more information, call 993-5679, or visit

www.cchmuseum.org

BG SCHOOLS DIGEST LEVY COMMENTS

"We are listening," said Shonny Bria, superintendent of the Battle Ground School District as a levy content meeting got underway March 15.

Bria opened the first of two public meetings on the planned March 16 maintenance and operations levy, attended by about 45 people.

District spokesperson Kelly Keister asked those attending to comment on the basic elements of the levy, to help prioritize levy spending, and to give their thinking on actions the board has taken since the Feb. 7 levy election failure.

The meeting was held at Laurin Middle School, followed by a similar meeting March 16 at Amboy Middle School.

Here are the specific comments offered by attendees March 15:

School site repairs

Laurin breezeway, clean up Battle Ground High School including buildings in front, repair leaky roofs, maintain employees, add fire sprinklers at Laurin, upgrade fire system district-wide, maintain parking lot repairs, don't take step back in technology.

Add security cameras, fix asphalt cracks, repair Laurin parking lot, add outside lights at Laurin, repair black top on grass at Laurin, resurface Maple Grove parking lot, use assistant principals to help with security, deal with trouble-making students more quickly, use security guards and crossing guards, maintain or increase funding for highly capable program, reconfigure Laurin parking.

Staffing, class size

School need to be clean, need more than one person for 750 students, add as enrollments grow, 30-40 teachers would be lost without levy, fall behind rest of state, outsourcing: free market to charter schools at lower costs, don't make classes larger, 22 is still a large class in primary, need half time assistant principals in every school.

Curriculum and instruction

Need middle school sports and middle school music, new text books, extended learning and WASL help, comply with mandates, add media center books, no social engineering, continue to fund everything, after school curriculum assistance, increase middle school counseling, increase staff development, increase fine arts, increase technology, increase band funds, decrease funding for choir.

Proposed tax rate

Those attending also offered comments on the proposed tax rate of $2.39 per $1,000 of assessed value.

Some said the rate was too high and that it was not enough adjustment from the $2.59 proposal that filed in February.

Some said the proposed rate would be hard to sell to voters.

One person said voters had approved a rate of $2.02 per thousand three years ago, and that $2.39 was not that much higher. Another noted that assessed values had increased since that time.

Bria asked for comments on what information the District needed to supply to the public, and offered to meet on that topic following the levy content discussion.

Process explained

A 25-member levy committee is slated to meet March 20 to consider ideas generated at the March 15 and 16 community forums.

The levy committee will prioritize levy spending.

Two focus groups--a staff group and a community group--will meet March 21 to evaluate the spending priorities.

The levy committee is set for meet again March 27 to finalize levy prioritize and submit information to the school board at its March 28 meeting.

Membership of the levy committee and focus groups had not been finalized at press time.

Keister can be reached at 904-1233.

REMODELED COMMUNITY CENTER SERVING 200 WEEKLY

Alice Perry Linker

staff reporter

A few months after reopening, the Woodland Community Service Center is going full swing.

Sheri Monge, development and public relations coordinator for the center, said some 200 emergency food boxes are given out each Monday.

The center gives enough food for one meal, and some clients return every week, she said.

More than half of the food boxes--111--go to people older than 50, Monge said.

"A good chunk are retirees," she said. "These are people who have worked their whole life. That's probably the saddest part."

The center, located at Sixth and Davidson streets, also serves a high number of families who work but "need a little boost," Monge said.

"Our goal is to fill in the gaps," she said. "If we see a need we try to fill it."

The center survives on donations, many of which come from clients, especially those who use the warehouse to find clothing or household supplies.

The warehouse is open noon-5 p.m. Monday-Friday.

"Almost everybody gives a donation," Monge said. "It's amazing."

After a zoning issue with the city, the center closed Aug. 30. Struggling with finances, it finally reopened in November. Two donations, $10,000 from Merle Lane and $10,000 from the Monge family of Woodland, helped the center get back on its feet.

Individuals and businesses have continued to donate. Recently, Save-on-Foods announced a $297 donation to the center.

"Save-on-Foods is really great," Monge said. "They give bread, dairy products. They're a constant supporter."

Holland America Bulb Farm of Woodland is another business donor, giving $500 monthly, Monge said.

"They believe in what we do," she said. Benno and Klazina Dobbe have generous hearts."

In addition to distributing food, household supplies and clothes, the center is offering various classes, including a Medicare Part B Class on Wed., March 23, 10 a.m., at the center.

Classes on healthy eating are also planned.

The center has scheduled a breakfast auction May 20 as its major fundraiser for the year. The silent and live auctions will take place from 8 a.m. to noon at the Woodland Middle School Commons.

Each fall a canned food drive takes place.

The center is part of the Cowlitz County Food Bank. Rose Cervantes is the community center director.

"We've completely remodeled the inside," Monge said. "We invite people to come in and look."

WOODLAND SCHOOL LEVY BARELY PASSES

A Woodland School District four-year levy with no increase in property taxes gained voter approval March 14, but just barely.

"If this were a presidential election, 60 percent would be a landslide," said Superintendent William Hundley.

Traditionally, Woodland voters have narrowly approved property taxes, and the 60.62 percent "yes" votes guarantees operation and maintenance money for the next four years.

"In Woodland, the last levy was approved by 62 percent. This is not a number I'm uncomfortable with," Hundley said. "I think the community has always taken care of us."

State law requires that at least 60 percent of school district voters approve any property tax levy or bond issue.

In September the voters passed a $3.75 million, 20-year bond.

The $2.13 per $1,000 levy will generate $2.25 million in 2007, and by 2010 will raise $2.8 million for operations and maintenance.

Hundley said earlier that the district must improve classroom technology to meet state standards. The cost of installing a document camera, a projector and a laptop computer in each room will exceed $300,000, he said.

WOODLAND COUPLE ARRESTED FOR MURDER

Heidi Wallenborn

news director

A Woodland couple is being held without bail in the Multnomah County Detention Center in Portland for their alleged role in the 1999 death of 62-year-old Edward Gregory of Portland.

Angela Soon He Kim, 39, and Norman Earl Schlunt of 193 Marty Loop, Woodland, were placed under arrest after Woodland and Portland police served a warrant and searched their home on March 10.

Prior to 1999, Gregory lived with Kim and Schlunt in Portland while the couple ran an Internet business together, said Rob Underhill, Multnomah County deputy prosecuting attorney.

Gregory was found dead in his bed in 1999. Because of his health history, law and medical officials had no reason to believe his death was suspicious, Underhill said.

The current murder case opened when an informant came to police on March 8 with information that Gregory may have been murdered, Underhill said. Insurance money may have been the motive.

OBITS:

JON JOLLY

Jon Sidney Jolly, 50, died March 14, 2006, of a massive heart attack while driving near his home in Ariel.

Jolly was born Aug. 26, 1955 in Vancouver. He lived on his homestead property in Ariel. He worked as a self-employed house painter for several years.

Jolly loved the great outdoors and the easy country life. Family members say his spirit was compassionate and full-hearted, and that he brought joy to all he met. Jolly is survived by his widow, Sue Jolly, of Woodland, daughter Stefanie Jolly of Vancouver, father Stephen Jolly Sr. of Ariel, mother Bertha Helseth of Vancouver, brothers Bruce Jolly and Stephen Jolly Jr., both of Vancouver, and Tony Jolly of Ariel, sisters LouAnne Hamilton of Woodland, and Melody and Monica, and two grandsons.

A potluck in his memory will be held at the Hazel Dell Grange on Hazel Dell Ave. and NE 78th St. on Sun., March 26, 1 p.m. In lieu of flowers, bring canned food to be given to the Clark County Food Bank.

Woodland Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Reuben B. Uskoski, 86, died March 14, 2006, in Brush Prairie.

Uskoski was born Sept. 3, 1919, in Gackle, ND, and moved with his family to Clark County when he was three months old. He lived in his current home in Brush Prairie for 37 years.

Uskoski graduated from Battle Ground High School. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II and was discharged as a sergeant.

Uskoski retired from Pacific Northwest Bell Telephone Company.

Uskoski was preceded in death by his first wife of 54 years, Marguerite, in 2000. Survivors include widow Millie Markanen Uskoski, at home, sons Ken Uskoski of Kennewick and Chuck Uskoski of Spokane, daughters Corki Mraz of Richland and Debra Rose of Kelso, brothers Alvin Uskoski and Frank Uskoski, sisters Helen Uskoski and Evelyn Divine, nine grandchildren, three great-granddaughters and numerous nieces and nephews.

Burial was at Elim Cemetery, Brush Prairie, with Layne's Funeral Home, Battle Ground, in charge of arrangements.

LEONA RIECK

Leona Alice (Pubantz) Rieck, 77, died March 17, 2006, in Salem, OR.

Rieck was born Oct. 16, 1928, in Leduc, Alberta, Canada, and lived in Battle Ground for 45 years before moving to Salem three years ago.

Rieck was a lifetime member of the Rebekkah Lodge. She liked playing cards, square dancing, ballroom dancing, bingo, flower gardening and going to the beach.

She also enjoyed visiting people and feeding them. She had worked as a waitress and cook at Battle Ground restaurants.

Rieck was preceded in death by her first husband, Johnny Granlund, in the late 1950s, second husband, Bob Rieck, in 1995, and brother Gordon Pubantz in 1995. Survivors include sons Douglas Rieck, David Rieck and Robert Rieck, all of Oregon, daughter Nancy Dykes of Battle Ground, brother Arnold Pubantz of Canada, sister Lydia Perrin of Canada, eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Memorial services will be held Thurs., March 23, 2:30 p.m., at Layne's Funeral Home Chapel, Battle Ground. Viewing is set for Wed., March 22, 4-8 p.m., at the funeral home. Private committal will be at Memory Memorial Park Cemetery, Vancouver, with Layne's Funeral Home, Battle Ground, in charge of arrangements.

Edith Lois (Stewart) Loucks, 88, died March 16, 2005, in Amboy.

Loucks was born Feb. 25, 1918, in Chanute, Kansas, lived in Green River, WY, and then 50 years in Depot Bay, OR, before moving to Yacolt in 1994. She was a member of the Alpine Heights Ward of the Church of Latter-day Saints.

Loucks was preceded in death by her husband, Leonard A. Loucks, in 2000, and son Howard Loucks in 2001. Survivors include daughters Beverly Sivits of Yacolt and Betty Thomas of Oregon, brother A.E. Stewart of Kansas, sister Dorthy Edwards of Oregon, 13 grandchildren, 39 great-grandchildren, and eight great-great-grandchildren.

Memorial services will be held Sat., March 25, 2 p.m., at Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 14809 NE 259th St., Battle Ground, with Layne's Funeral Home, Battle Ground, in charge of arrangements.

RICHARD FULLER

Richard Eugene "Dick" Fuller, 82, died March 16, 2006, at home in La Center.

Fuller was born March 31, 1923, in Des Moines, Iowa, graduated from North High School in Des Moines, and joined the Army Air Corps. He attended flight school to become a pilot. He flew for six years training gunners for the war, and in China for the Central Intelligence Agency.

Fuller served in the Air Corps for 18 years. He also worked as an aviator mechanic, a partner in a furniture store, and an electro mechanic.

Fuller lived in Tacoma 1946-1961. He moved to California in 1961 and to La Center in 1970. He worked for Frito Lay and for National Can, and as a dairy farmer.

Fuller enjoyed working with his hands, fixing radios and tinkering with electronic equipment. He could fix anything.

Fuller was an exhibition roller skater.

Fuller was preceded in death by brother Robert Fuller in 2004, and sister Grace Baxter in 2005. Survivors include widow Lilly Fuller, at home in La Center, sons Daniel Fuller of California and Andy Fuller of La Center, daughters Sue Easter and Judy Canter, both of La Center, 13 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren.

Memorial services are set for Tues., March 21, 11 a.m., at Woodland Presbyterian Church, 751 Park, Woodland, with Northwood Park Funeral Home in charge of cremation and other arrangements.

Goldie Fay (Sheldon) Hall, 86, died March 13, 2006, in Vancouver.

Hall was born May 25, 1919, in Chase County, Nebraska, graduated from the University of Nebraska, and worked as a teacher for 33 years, mostly in Goldendale. She taught in a one-room grade school at Horseshoe Bend and then Goldendale Primary School.

Hall retired in 1968 and moved to Canada. She moved to Battle Ground in 2005 to be near family members.

Hall was a member of the Williams Lake Baptist Church in Canada.

As a girl, Hall taught herself to play the harmonica. She took violin lessons and could play other instruments. She gave tatting lessons for years, collected dolls, and had a green thumb for growing things.

Hall was preceded in death by her husband, Virgil Hall, and sister, Pearl Lee. Survivors include son Jerry Hall of Vancouver, daughter Leona Marx of Battle Ground, sisters Willa Kealiher and Wilma Friday, both of Colorado, four grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

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