WOODLAND COUPLE FACE MURDER CHARGE

Both enter not guilty pleas in Portland

A Woodland couple pleaded not guilty to killing a Portland man in 1999 at a March 21 arraignment in Portland.

Angela Soon He Kim and Norman Earl Schlunt, both 39, of 193 Marty Loop, Woodland, are both charged with aggravated and first degree murder in the wake of a March 16 grand jury indictment.

The couple is charged with killing Edward Gregory, 62, while they shared a house with him in Portland.

Multnomah County deputy prosecutor Rob Underhill said Kim and Schlunt were friends and business partners of the deceased.

Underhill said Gregory was found dead in his bed. He said an initial Medical Examiner report ruled death was from natural causes. The body was cremated. The prosecutor said new evidence indicates death was not by natural causes.

Underhill said he was not able to provide more specific details.

In Oregon, a death sentence can result from a conviction for aggravated murder, such as a murder committed for money, said Underhill. The maximum penalty in Oregon for first degree murder is life imprisonment.

Kim and Schlunt are being held without bail, pending a bail hearing, at the Multnomah County Detention Center in Portland. The court will also hold a hearing to determine a trial date. Dates were not set for the hearings.

EMS ACTION SAVES YACOLT GIRL

Bill Myers

staff reporter

Decisive action by emergency medical and fire responders on March 23 is credited with saving the life of a six-year-old Yacolt girl.

A North Country EMS ambulance and Fire District 13 unit rolled within seconds of a 911 dispatch call at 8:23 p.m.

Yacolt resident Amber Daniels, the mother of six-year-old Savannah Hylton, reported that Savannah had stopped breathing.

Daniels, trained in CPR, attempted to revive her daughter.

Paramedic Ron Stewart and emergency medical technicians John Hyde and Kevin Wiladson arrived first. Fire District 13 captain/EMT Ben Peeler was close behind. EMTs Levi Knapp and Manuel Elmanzar also responded.

"The home was less than a mile away and we got there in about a minute," said Stewart.

Stewart and Wiladson were in action first. Wiladson applied a breathing bag valve to help Savannah breathe.

Stewart asked mom about medical history and applied an intravenous tube for medication. He intubated Savannah to help her breathe by placing a tube into her trachea.

Savannah's heart rate slowed. Stewart administered medication through the IV. The heart rate improved, but dropped again. The girl went pulseless.

Stewart administered CPR and another medication. The heart started.

Hyde and Knapp were tending the IV and administering medications as Elmanzar readied a breathing medication.

Peeler was securing a gurney and preparing the ambulance for Savannah's ride.

Together, the rescuers placed Savannah on the gurney and hurried her to the ambulance.

With Stewart, Knapp and Hyde tending the patient, Elmanzar drove to Legacy Salmon Creek Hospital.

When they reached the hospital, Savannah was showing signs of consciousness.

Stewart said he was gratified by congratulatory responses of hospital personnel. "You did the right things," they said.

Hospital physicians transferred Savannah to the pediatrics unit of Legacy Emanuel Hospital in Portland where she remained for two days.

Savannah was released in good condition with a tentative diagnosis of allergic reaction. More tests are scheduled, said Daniels.

Daniels said she was impressed by the professional team that saved her daughter. "Everyone needs to know how good they are," she said.

"Some wonder why we do this work," said Stewart. "We got an answer on March 23rd."

HIGHWAY LANE CLOSED IN RIDGEFIELD

Bill Myers

staff reporter

State transportation officials closed the eastbound lane of SR-501 in Ridgefield on April 3 after a landslide adjacent to the highway.

The lane closure is four miles west of I-5 near Symthe Creek Rd.

A Washington Department of Transportation (WSDOT) advisory said the westbound lane will remain open with portable traffic signals directing traffic in both directions.

WSDOT crews began monitoring the section of roadway in March when area resident Tom Humphrey reported large mud flows from wash outs in a canyon west of the roadway.

Transportation officials say monitoring increased to 24-hours a day April 1 when a 12-foot drop appeared at the south edge of the highway.

Cracks in the roadway had appeared and were getting wider in March, said Humphrey. He said the road appeared to be potentially dangerous, especially for school busses and other heavy vehicles.

Humphrey said state officials may learn that fill at a new housing development east of the highway trouble spot changed the topography and is causing large water flows to run downhill alongside of SR-501.

State crews will drill in the slide area to determine the cause of the landslide, sources of water and soil types, said the advisory.

Warning signs will be posted ahead of the closure, said WSDOT officials. Motorists are asked to slow down and use caution when driving through the area. Minor delays are likely.

GRIZZLY VISITS PRAIRIE POOL

Bill Myers

staff reporter

Brutus, a 650-pound grizzly bear, was a recent guest at the backyard pool of a Brush Prairie pool and spa contractor.

Mike Myers and his wife, Sheryl, owners of Silver Falls Construction, invited the bear's trainer to bring Brutus to their pool for a dip after the bear's appearance in February at the Sportmens Expo in Portland.

While taking Brutus back to his Idaho home, the trainer accepted the invitation.

The four-year-old grizzly pounced into the pool and had quite a dip, said Sheryl. "He played like a big kid and didn't even scratch the tiles with his claws," she said.

Sheryl said the bear seemed a bit disconcerted in deep water. Unable to touch bottom, Brutus clung to the side of the pool and moved one paw at a time sideways on the pool's edge until he reached shallow water.

A new logo, "Brutus Tested," now adorns Silver Falls Construction advertisements.

Myers, in the custom pool and spa business for 20 years, builds in-ground gunite pools to stay.

Typical construction starts with an excavation and placement of a network of steel reinforcement rods. The rods anchor and support an eight-inch concrete shell.

Six to eight inches of gunite are then applied to the concrete shell.

Pools are often individualized with scenic mosaics at the bottom and sides of the pool, which can include figures of dolphins, beach balls, star fish, gekkos or other designs of a customer's choosing.

The designs are permanently set into the gunite material.

Colorful tile, selected by customers, is set at and above the waterline, and concrete decks with brick coping are used to complete outer pool edges.

Sheryl said pool technicians are also able to add water falls to a pool environment, including spectacular level, sheer descent falls, and fibre optic lighting.

Optional pool covers, operated electrically, and help keep pools clean, and minimize heat and chemical uses.

Silver Falls Construction workers are able to handle all pool sizes.

One of the company's accomplishments is the Olympic-sized pool at the Lacamas Swim Sports Center, said Sheryl.

She said custom spas can fit almost any yard, and make great entertainment centers.

Silver Falls Construction, Inc., also operates Silver Falls Pool Accessories and Supplies next to the Brush Prairie Store at 15320 Caples Rd., Brush Prairie.

The company may be reached at 604-1102.

OFFICIALS EXPECT CASINO REPORT APRIL 14

Bill Myers

staff reporter

A first draft of an environmental report on a proposed tribal casino project near La Center may be ready Fri., April 14, for public viewing and comment.

Planners say the draft environmental impact statement (DEIS) will be placed in the Federal Register that day.

Prepared by the Analytical Environmental Services (AES) of Sacramento, CA, the DEIS discusses expected impacts--and proposed mitigation--of a planned Cowlitz Indian tribal casino/hotel complex west of I-5 on NW 319th St.

The document was prepared with oversight by officials of the Federal Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA).

If schedules are met, the document will available to the public on-line by April 14 at www.analyticalcorp.com.

Copies of the document will also be on hand at the La Center Community Library, 1402 E Lockwood Creek Rd., La Center, and at the Ridgefield Community Library, 210 N Main Ave., Ridgefield.

Once the document is available, citizens will have 90 days to submit comments.

ASSESSMENTS SPIKE IN 2006; SCHOOL LEVY RATE DECLINES

The assessed valuation of properties in the Battle Ground School District increased more than 22 percent in 2006, the highest rate of increase since 1993.

As a result, the school levy rate declined from $1.89 in 2005 to $1.64 in 2006, resulting in a levy tax increase of about 1 percent for an average-priced home.

Officials of the Clark County Assessor's Office said about a quarter of the spike in assessed valuation was due to new construction, while three-quarters was due to value increases of existing homes and properties.

The sharp increase in assessed values could continue. Mike Webber of the Assessor's office cited "extraordinary increases in real estate values in 2005," sales information that will become part of the 2007 assessed valuation data.

The current Battle Ground levy expires at the end of this year. Battle Ground voters will cast ballots May 16 on a proposed replacement levy that would fund operation and maintenance of schools 2007-2010.

School District officials forecast growth in the district's assessed valuation at 8 percent per year which would maintain the new levy tax rate at $2.39 per $1,000 of assessed value.

If total assessed valuation increases faster than 8 percent, the levy rate would go down.

School board president Sam Kim noted that zoning changes planned in northern Vancouver could add thousands of high-priced homes in the near future in Battle Ground schools. That, he said, would push levy rates down.

Officials note that increasing home assessments do not provide more money for schools.

Kim said that voters approve a fixed dollar amount when passing levies, not a rate of dollars per thousand. Thus when assessments go up, the levy rate per thousand declines and taxpayers pay about the same in total levy taxes year-to-year.

For example, in 2003, voters approved a 3-year levy of $7.5 million in 2004, $7.9 million in 2005 and $8.5 million in 2006.

During that period, the actual property tax rates declined because total assessments in the district rose. Actual tax rates declined from $1.96 per $1,000 of assessed value in 2004, to $1.89 in 2005 and $1.64 this year.

The total assessed value in the Battle Ground School District increased more than $1 billion between 2005 and 2006, and presently stands at about $5.15 billion.

"Schools only collect a set amount," said Kim. "Increasing assessments don't result in more money for schools."

The May 16 levy proposal seeks more local tax support than the expiring levy.

Kim said the increase is necessary due to new schools, new academic programs and actions taken to accommodate anticipated growth.

New schools require more assistant principals, more nurses and more custodians, said Kim, all expenses not covered by money from the state.

Voters will face two propositions on May 16. Together the two propositions would raise about $13.3 million in 2007, $14.4 million in 2008, $15.5 million in 2009 and $16.8 million in 2010.

The planned opening of the Cresap schools in fall 2007 will result in students being moved from Chief Umtuch, Captain Strong and Lewisville schools to Cresap. The expenses of new schools are not covered, said Kim, when students move to a new facility.

"More families doesn't mean more money for the school district," said Kim. "There is no extra local money just because new families, bringing new students, come to the school district."

More students do result in added money from the state.

For 2005-6, Battle Ground schools received about $5,500 from the state for each enrolled student.

But state money covers only about 80 percent of the district budget, with the local levy making up about 13 percent and federal funds and other sources providing the balance.

Homeowner tax statements show a "State School" tax that goes into the state general fund. For 2006, the State School tax was $2.47 per $1,000 of assessed valuation.

RIDGEFIELD WOMAN NAMED DAIRY AMBASSADOR

In an April 2 ceremony at the Lewis River Golf Course, Kayla Rietdyk of Ridgefield was named 2006 Clark County Dairy Ambassador.

Rietdyk was chosen for the role by the Clark County Dairy Women's group. She will represent the dairy industry at events throughout Washington.

Rietdyk follows outgoing ambassador Laura Groat of Ridgefield, who plans to compete in the state dairy ambassador competition in June.

Rietdyk is the daughter of Leonard and Joni Rietdyk of Ridgefield and granddaughter of Betsy Rietdyk and the late Segert Rietdyk, a long-time area dairy family.

Alice Perry Linker

staff reporter

The cost of doing business in Woodland is too high, Woodland Chamber of Commerce members told the city council April 3, and they urged the city to lower those costs.

An ordinance imposing transportation impact fees was presented for a second reading, but after objections from builders, real estate representatives and chamber members, the council voted to delay a decision.

In a Jan. 21 letter, the Chamber asked the city council to have a joint workshop to discuss three issues--requirements for sprinklers, full use of a downtown parking lot, and more public input at council meetings. The work session began after the regular meeting ended.

When more than a dozen chamber members arrived at the meeting, they wanted to talk about impact fees -- the city fees for fire, parks and schools imposed on new development -- and they asked the council to discuss the impact fees at the joint work session.

The city's most recent impact fee proposed to cover additional roads needed to support new development has been consistently opposed by a few developers and the downtown business community.

Mayor Doug Monge, however, declined to discuss the impact fees during the work session, saying that the chamber had requested only a discussion of the three items included in the letter.

During the regular council meeting, tempers flared as chamber member Darlene Johnson loudly accused the mayor of going back on his word.

"We talked the whole time at lunch about impact fees," she said.

Johnson and Monge met during lunch to discuss the work session. Monge agreed that the two had discussed impact fees, but he said the council's agenda called for discussion of the three matters -- not impact fees.

City council member Erica Rainford expressed her support for the business community during the work session and said the city has not been friendly to businesses.

"These people say they want our downtown to prosper," she said. "We have not been encouraging businesses who want to move here. We want to loosen some of these requirements."

Over the objections of council member Jim Tone, the council voted 3-2 to delay any further discussion of transportation impact fees until May 17, the next council meeting.

The original amount proposed for transportation impact fees was reduced by 15 percent and approved on first reading at the March 21 meeting. Final approval or rejection comes after the second reading.

"Why table?" Tone said. "At the last meeting we changed the amount. This will be an extreme hardship on the city."

Rainford disagreed.

"It won't hurt the city if we don't collect fees," she said. "I think their (the business community) sentiments are pretty clear. To see healthy growth, we need more businesses. The fees would stifle business growth."

Council member Bruce Summers said he is concerned about putting development costs "back on Joe Citizen."

New construction and development pay impact fees to help reduce stress on existing infrastructure, such as parks, schools and transportation.

Woodland developers and business owners repeated their objections to transportation impact fees, saying the cost would drive businesses away from Woodland.

A number of Clark County cities, including La Center and Ridgefield, impose impact fees on new development.

During the joint work session after the meeting, chamber members said that the cost of adding a sprinkler system to a business will drive businesses away from Woodland. The issue of city impact fees crept into the discussion from time to time as chamber members complained about the cost of doing business.

The city requires new or remodeled commercial buildings of 3,000 square feet or more to install a sprinkler system.

Chamber members said they would like for the city to adopt the International Building Code requirements for sprinklers.

After hearing objections to the city's sprinkler regulations for more than an hour, the council decided to have the public safety committee review the present code and make recommendations for any changes.

Todd Wade of Windemere Realty said that under the international code, structures as large as 11,000 square feet could be exempt from having sprinklers depending on the building materials and the use.

"This results in small buildings, less than 3,000 square feet," Wade said.

Monge said that the city's concern is for public safety, as well as the safety of firefighters.

"I want to make it as safe as I can for these guys who volunteer their time," Monge said. "If we make it more difficult, I don't know how excited they'd be about volunteering."

Woodland resident Jeff Leuthold said some risk must be expected.

"You have to assume some risk so you'll have a vibrant, alive business community," he said. "If you stifle that, you won't attract a vibrant residential community. We have to have a balance."

Leuthold said that the business community has a "vested interest in not allowing structures to burn."

Leuthold and others who said they oppose the transportation impact fees said that the fees and the costs of building in Woodland are harming small businesses.

Chamber members also expressed concerns about a lack of customer parking downtown, but they agreed with Monge that the cost of building a garage is prohibitive.

Monge suggested that the city and businesses could create a partnership and investigate buying property for downtown parking.

POWER OF ATTORNEY, HEALTH CARE DIRECTIVE MAY HELP FAMILY MAKE CHOICES

Alice Perry Linker

staff reporter

Although many people prepare for the future by writing wills, they forget about preparing for a time when they may not be able write checks or pay bills.

"They don't think about 'what if something happens?'" said Vancouver lawyer Elizabeth Perry.

Perry and Battle Ground lawyer Jill Kurtz suggest that people prepare durable powers of attorney to designate somebody to pay their bills and make the doctors' appointments when they're no longer able.

"They can be either immediate or effective in the future," Kurtz said.

Both attorneys recommend that a lawyer be asked to prepare the power of attorney.

"Attorneys know the language that you have to have in there; what happens to your assets when you're still alive," Perry said.

A durable power of attorney is different from a health care directive.

"A health directive is your statement of what to do if you are unable to tell the doctor," Kurtz said.

The directive follows state law and does not require a lawyer to write. Forms are available at some hospitals, such as Kaiser Permanente and Southwest Washington Medical Center.

"It says, 'I do not want hydration; I do not want nutrition,'" said Susan Schmidt, Perry's legal assistant. "It's an actual 'pull the plug' document."

The health care directive allows doctors to stop administering artificial life support under certain conditions. The form must be witnessed by two people who are "not interested in your estate," Kurtz said.

People who have written wills sometimes go through changing circumstances.

"I find in talking to clients it seems to be a mystery as to what issues dictate re-looking at the estate planning they may have done a long time ago," Perry said.

Changes include grandchildren, changes in assets such as homes, divorce, and moving to a new state.

In some cases, a married couple may choose to prepare a community property agreement that allows the surviving spouse to inherit property owned together and separately.

"A community property agreement might avoid probate," Perry said.

Kurtz said she encourages people to write wills "in case something happens to both; so they can say who will take over if both are gone."

A will "provides for the orderly disposition of the estate," she said.

WETLANDS ORDINANCE GOES TO PUBLIC

The Clark County commissioners will conduct a public hearing Tues., April 18, on proposed revisions to the county's wetlands protection ordinance.

The new ordinance was recommended by the county planning commission. Planning Commission member Lonnie Moss described the draft ordinance as "a lot more complicated" than the version now on the books.

The draft ordinance is designed to protect the functions and values of wetlands. It requires wetland evaluations before construction or land clearing work is done. It also provides for buffers around wetlands, and quantifies a system for replacing damaged wetlands on ratios up to 50 to 1.

The new ordinance applies in more situations than current law.

With some exceptions, the draft applies to all building and land-disturbing activities whether or not a county permit is required.

The draft applies to single family home building permits, grading permits, forest practices conversions, conditional use permits and zoning variances, as well as subdivisions, planned unit developments, site plans and shoreline permits.

County planner Pat Lee said the new ordinance does not preclude the construction of a single-family home on a legal lot, but can limit the size and location of the house, as well as the removal of vegetation.

The draft also applies to agricultural activities.

Whereas existing agricultural activities not associated with riparian corridors are exempt, the draft applies to other existing agricultural activities and to new agricultural endeavors as well.

Lee said if someone wanted to create cropland, for example, the new ordinance would apply.

The draft deletes an exemption for prior converted croplands that are regulated by the federal Corps of Engineers.

A new county habitat ordinance also under development applies to agricultural activities as well.

The draft creates a new mechanism for evaluating wetlands.

According to county planner Brent Davis, the existing ordinance evaluated wetlands on the basis of observed vegetation and habitat. The proposed ordinance, he said, evaluates wetlands on how well they function in contributing to water quality, water quantity, flood reduction and habitat.

The draft also evaluates wetlands on their relationship to the surrounding landscape. If wetlands in the vicinity are of high quality and plentiful, said Davis, the subject wetland would not have as much value as a wetland located in an area of damaged wetlands.

"It's quite technical," said Davis, who suggested that even wetland experts will need a day of training to be able to calculate wetland values.

Davis said the new evaluation system will move some wetlands into higher priority categories and others lower.

The draft also provides formulae for calculating amounts of mitigation or replacement wetlands should they be damaged in a construction project.

The ordinance states that higher quality wetlands are difficult, but not impossible, to replace.

Whether such things as ditches along roads and farm ponds are considered wetlands depends on their history, said Lee.

Moss said the new ordinance could result in smaller buffers near low-quality wetlands.

County staff will review maps and other information when presented with a building permit application, said Davis. If it appears the project could impact a wetland, the application will be sent to Davis for examination.

Agricultural barns for which permits are not needed would come to the attention of county wetland staff only through complaints, said Davis.

Davis said people can request a wetland pre-determination before submitting development applications. The fee for that is $443, he said.

For a single family residence where the home or driveway encroaches on a wetland, county staff can conduct a wetland evaluation as a Type I permit, said Davis.

The public hearing is set for April 18, 10 a.m., at the County Public Services Center, 1300 Frankin St., Vancouver. Lee can be reached at 397-2375, ext. 4070, and Davis at ext. 4152.

RHINE WITHDRAWS FROM HOUSE RACE

Roy Rhine announced last week that he will not seek election to the state House of Representatives, challenging incumbent Deb Wallace (D-Vancouver).

The announcement came after Paul Harris said he would seek the same position. Rhine, who has conducted two unsuccessful campaigns for the state legislature, cited family interests and the demands of his employment as reasons for pulling out of the race.

Rhine is a state patrol trooper.

Harris, a Vancouver businessman who operates Cascade Paints, said Wallace does not represent the 17th District residents.

"Frankly, I don't believe she's a good fit for the district," said Harris. "It appears to me her interests are far more focused on issues of the 49th District than the district she was elected to represent.

Harris said he knows the struggles of small business operators. "I know the regulatory burden business must bear," said Harris.

Harris served 11 years on the Evergreen School Board.

"My main concerns include transportation, education, business regulation and crime," said Harris. "I believe I bring a better perspective because of the greater diversity of my background."

"I eagerly seek out the diverse points of view that make up the tapestry of the 17th District," added Harris. "I'm looking forward to a spirited contest."

EDITORIAL:

OBITS:

WENDALL JOHNSON

Wendall Duane Johnson, 55, died of a heart attack April 6, 2006, in Portland.

Johnson was born April 7, 1950, in Vancouver. He lived in Ridgefield for 47 years.

Johnson worked as a welding instructor and served as industrial department chair at Mt. Hood Community College in Oregon.

Johnson enjoyed horses, excavating and trucking. He was a member of the Mt. View Christian Center, Ridgefield.

Johnson was preceded in death by daughter Wendy Johnson in 1984, and by father, Alvin Johnson, and mother Edith Johnson. Survivors include widow Phyllis Johnson of Ridgefield, son Gerald Day Johnson of Ridgefield, daughters Jodi Gerrish and Jaime Sanchez, both of Vancouver, and Julie Johnson of Ridgefield, and three grandchildren.

Services are set for Fri., April 14, 10 a.m., at Mt. View Christian Center, 2810 NE 259th St., Ridgefield, with interment at Memory Memorial Park, Vancouver. Evergreen Staples Funeral Home, Vancouver, is in charge of arrangements.

BYRON COPENHEFER

Byron West Copenhefer, 93, died April 8, 2006, in Woodland.

Copenhefer was born Feb. 4, 1913, in Goldendale. He moved with his family to Klickitat County where he graduated from Bickleton High School.

Copenhefer farmed in the 1930s, worked in the Wishram railroad shop, and ran a dairy farm. He lived in Centerville for 12 years, working for Union 76 Bulk Plant. He spent six years as District Court and City Municipal Court Judge before retiring to Woodland.

Copenhefer was a lifelong member of the First Baptist Church, a 40-year member of the IOOF Lodge, and a member of the Lion's Club. He spent several years on the Centerville school board. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and snowmobiling. He also enjoyed traveling by motorhome to Arizona and Alaska.

Copenhefer was preceded in death by brother Martin Copenhefer and sister Gloria Gepke. Survivors include widow Pauline Copenhefer, at home in Woodland, daughters Linda Goetz of Woodland, Karen Gustafson and Brenda Hoctor, six grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held Sat., April 15, 1 p.m., at Green Mountain Baptist Church, 8314 NE Spurrel Road, Woodland, with a graveside service Sat., April 22, 1 p.m., at the IOOF Cemetery in Goldendale. Woodland Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

MERRILYN DANNALS

Merrilyn Jane (Ragland) Dannals, 58, died April 7, 2006, in Battle Ground.

Dannals was born April 17, 1947, in Staten Island, NY. She moved to Clark County 20 years ago and had lived in Battle Ground for the past 17 years.

A substitute teacher, Dannals was interested in children's education and the International Star registry. She was a member of Cherry Grove Friends Church and a member of the church missionary program. She was a member of Beta Sigma Phi sorority and enjoyed music, reading, racquetball, gardening, hiking, and camping.

Survivors include husband Earl Dannals of Battle Ground, mother Myrtle Ragland of Mathiston, MS, daughter Amber Dannals and son Brandon Dannals, both of Battle Ground, and brother David Ragland of Mathiston.

A memorial service will be held Fri., April 14, 6 p.m., Cherry Grove Friends Church, Battle Ground. Layne's Funeral Home Chapel of Battle Ground is in charge of arrangements.

RAYMON CARR

Raymon Jay Carr, 15, died April 5, 2006, in La Center.

Carr was born Sept. 7, 1990, in Chehalis. He was a lifelong resident of Clark County and lived in La Center for 2 1/2 years.

Carr was a ninth grader at Battle Ground High School and enjoyed reading, building things and ROTC swimming.

Survivors include father, Gerald Carr, and mother, Sharon Crafton, both of La Center, brothers Jonathan Bump and Domenoch Carr and sisters Lydia and Sharell Crafton, all of La Center, grandfather Stewart Hazen of La Center, and numerous aunts and uncles.

A memorial service will be held Thurs., April 13, 3 p.m., the Central Shelter, Lewisville Park, Battle Ground. A potluck will follow the service. Layne's Funeral Home, Battle Ground, is in charge of arrangements.

Ola Mae (Lewis) Thomas, 93, died March 24, 2006, in Battle Ground.

Thomas was born July 29, 1912, in Athens, TN. She moved to Clark County five years ago and lived in Brush Prairie before moving two Battle Ground two weeks ago.

Thomas was a past member of the Church of God in Oceanside, CA. She was a Sunday school teacher for 65 years. She was also a Girl Scout and Brownie leader. A homemaker, she was interested in foot reflexology and enjoyed gardening, walking and reading.

Thomas was preceded in death by her husband, Leroy W. Thomas, in 1993, and a brother, Leon George Lewis, 1979. Survivors include son Norman E. Thomas of Battle Ground, daughter Carol Montague of Brush Prairie, brother William K. Lewis of Portervile, CA, two grandchildren, and a great-granddaughter.

A memorial service will be held Sat., April 15, 2 p.m., Bethel Methodist Church, Ridgefield. Layne's Funeral Home Chapel, Battle Ground, is in charge of arrangements.

JEANNIE DIETEL

Jeannie Yvonne (Chambers) Dietel, 66, died April 5, 2006, in Battle Ground.

Dietel was born March 20, 1940, in Randle. She lived in Clark County for 37 years and in Battle Ground the past six years.

Dietel was a member of the Battle Ground Community United Methodist Church and the Red Hat Society where she was Queen Mum. She belonged to the Battle Ground Garden Club, Solos (a widow's group), and volunteered at Pomeroy Farm. A homemaker, she enjoyed stamping, crafts, traveling, playing bingo and spending time at Campers Hideaway.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Ronald R. Dietel, in 2000. Survivors include daughter Lee Ann Johnson of Battle Ground, sons Richard Dietel of Yacolt and Todd Dietel of Kalama, sisters Opal Azevedo and Dorothy Howelett, both of Portland, Cara Wahlman of Hammond, OR, and Val Emery, and 12 grandchildren.

Mausoleum entombment was in Memory Memorial Park Cemetery, Vancouver, with Layne's Funeral Home, Battle Ground, in charge of arrangements.

FLOYD YOUNG

Floyd Louis Young, 78, died April 5, 2006, in Brush Prairie.

Young was born May 30, 1927, in Nampa, ID, where he attended school. He served in the U.S. Navy 1944-46 and piloted a Sterman open cockpit plane.

Young worked on construction of the Haggerman Dam in Idaho and as an operator on the Swan Falls Dam.

Young moved to Montana in 1953 and to Spokane in 1958 where he worked in a nutrition store, sold insurance, and joined the Adventist Church.

Young moved to Monroe in the early 1960s and worked for Bankers Life and Casualty. He moved to Camas in 1971. He worked for Bankers until 1979.

Young remarried in 1973 and moved to Meadow Glade. He worked in carpentry and maintenance at Columbia Adventist Academy 1979-89. He drove a school bus and repaired buses for Meadow Glade Elementary School. He mowed fairways at a golf course in Portland until 2000.

Young enjoyed mountain climbing and had climbed the nine major peaks of the Cascade Range. He climbed Mt. Hood at age 55.

Young is remembered as a hard worker. He was skilled at repairing automobiles. He was a member of the Meadow Glade Seventh-day Adventist Church.

Young was preceded in death by son Marvin Young in 2004. Survivors include wife of 31 years Maxine, at home, son Russell Young of Michigan, daughter Renee Pinette of Michigan, step-sons J. Trent Castner of Vancouver, Corey Castner of Oregon, and Jason Castner of Battle Ground, step-daughter Krista Dyer of Oregon, first wife Patricia Hansen of Kettle Falls, sister Darlene McLean of California, brother Daniel Young of California, 15 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Young donated his body to BioGift for medical research.

Services will be held Sat., April 15, 4 p.m., at Meadow Glade Seventh-day Adventist Church, Battle Ground, with inurnment at Brush Prairie Cemetery. Layne's Funeral Home, Battle Ground, and Wherity Family Funerals, Oregon, are in charge of arrangements.

Betty Lou Palmer, 79, died April 5, 2006, in Vancouver.

Palmer was born May 27, 1926, in Akron, Ohio, and lived in Clark County for 60 years.

Palmer was a member of the Hazel Dell Seventh-day Adventist Church. She attended Columbia Academy and was a member of the Red Hat Society. She enjoyed flower gardening, ladies' outings, crossword puzzles, going to the coast, and reading. She enjoyed her independence in her automobile.

Palmer worked as a special education teacher's aide.

Survivors include six cousins.

Memorial services will be held Sat., April 15, 3 p.m., at Whipple Creek Seventh-day Adventist Church, 302 NW 179th St., Ridgefield, with Layne's Funeral Home, Battle Ground, in charge of arrangements.