CESSNA CRASHES NEAR BG

Heidi Wallenborn

news director

A Cessna 210 airplane crashed into trees May 18 along the 18100 block of NE Cramer Rd. southwest of Battle Ground.

Pilot Anthony J. Diamond, 81, of Meadow Glade, suffered first and second degree burns to his arms and legs and a laceration to his face, and was taken to Legacy Emanuel Hospital.

His passengers, Jo Diamond, 46, of Meadow Glade, and Kyle Klemetsen, 40, of Maple Valley, were uninjured and declined medical attention.

Diamond, 81, attempted to land on his private grass strip named Buzzard Flats Airport about 8 p.m. at 18120 NE Cramer Rd. in Meadow Glade.

Diamond reported that he made a final approach from the west. After landing, the airplane "took a hop" into the trees and he was unable to stop it from crashing at the end of the runway.

The three occupants escaped the burning plane as it turned trees to torches.

When Fire District 11 personnel, American Medical Response and Clark County Sheriff's deputies arrived, the plane was in flames and the fire was burning up trees along the roadway.

Crews quickly contained the fire, a report said.

Buzzard Flats Airport has been in use since the early 1940s, according to County Sheriff Sgt. Craig Hogman. Diamond has owned the property since 2001.

RIDGEFIELD SUSPENDS POLICE CHIEF

City official declines details pending probe

Bill Myers

staff reporter

Ridgefield police chief Bruce Hall was placed on paid administrative leave May 18, said interim city manager Justin Clary.

Clary said chief Bruce Hall will remain on leave pending an investigation into "allegations from multiple sources."

Clary said he could not provide more information. He said the City will hire an outside agency to complete an impartial investigation of the allegations.

Hall, with a monthly salary of $6,985, is the second Ridgefield official in recent months to be placed on paid leave pending an investigation.

City officials suspended city manager George Fox on Dec. 1, 2005, pending an investigation into allegations that Fox had Hall fire African-American police officer Karl Mealing because of race. Fox has a monthly salary of $11,892.

Mealing subsequently sued the city in federal court, charging racial discrimination.

Fox has asked a federal mediation court to rule on the status of his employment contract.

A Clark County Superior Court judge ruled last month that Fox's four-year contract term violated state law. Judge Roger Bennett said other terms of the contract could be subject to rulings by an arbitration court.

Mealing investigation complete, but under wraps

Clary said an investigation surrounding Mealing's dismissal was completed recently. He said details of that investigation are confidential and in the hands of attorney Eileen Lawrence who will represent the City in the Mealing lawsuit.

AMBOY MIDDLE SCHOOL PROJECT HITS SNAG

Heidi Wallenborn

news director

The voter-approved Amboy Middle School expansion/remodel project will cost at least $200,000 more than planned and likely be delayed about three months.

The reasons are two-fold, said Kelly O'Brien, Battle Ground School District spokesperson.

"Fill dirt" has been discovered in some areas where construction will take place, and questions about the ability of the current septic system to handle future capacity has been taken over at the state level.

The discovered fill dirt is unstable because it is filled with debris, such as roots and twigs, according to GeoTech Inc. of Vancouver.

The top three to four feet is good, the report said, but about seven to 11 feet underneath, the ground becomes unstable.

The septic issue has been taken out of Clark County officials' hands for permitting because the amount of proposed increased demand takes it to the state level for permits, O'Brien said.

No district patrons attended a May 17 meeting to give input on the issues.

As a result, officials have sent surveys to Amboy patrons and are seeking other ways to gather comments, O'Brien said.

Times change

The lower building of the middle school was built in the 1950s and needs to be replaced, officials said.

In 1962, more property was purchased and the upper campus building was constructed later. A gym followed in 1981.

Eight years ago, "dirt studies" became required, and four years ago, the rules became "much more stringent," O'Brien said.

With various environmental laws regulating construction today, plans to renovate the upper building in 2007 have hit this snag.

The $10 million renovation will be done, O'Brien said, but it will cost more because of the septic and fill issues. Those figures are unknown at this time.

Funding will be through a bond that District voters approved in March 2005 to renovate old schools and build new ones.

The plan is to build a 45,000-square-foot addition at Amboy and remodel the existing upper building, add a commons area, and remove the lower building entirely.

Classrooms, the library, offices and cafeteria all currently housed in the lower building will be moved to added space on the upper campus building, O'Brien said.

The only added space on campus so far is a commons area that will be northeast of where the lower building sits. Alternates are being considered that would add additional square footage depending on the school board's decision on using additional state funds.

The project is the first phase of two in what is called the Amboy Campus Planning.

The second phase is to conduct studies and surveys in preparation to build a 120,000 square foot north Clark County high school campus on nearly 52 acres located west, across the road from the middle school.

In March 2005, voters nixed funding for the high school. The current bond dollars can pay for preliminary work, O'Brien said.

The existing middle school has served it's useful life and needs to be replaced, officials said.

Improvements are needed to handle student capacity along with planning for future growth as the District increases, O'Brien said.

Input is welcome. Call 885-5337 or e-mail communications@bgsd.k12.wa.us

NEIGHBORS WIN METAL FAB APPEAL

A Clark County hearings examiner has upheld an appeal of the proposed Harris Metal Fabrication home business east of Battle Ground.

Pending appeal to the county commissioners or Superior Court, the decision means Tom Harris would cease metal fabrication work at his rural home at 19217 NE 219th St., Battle Ground.

Hearings examiner Richard Forester concluded that the Harris property was too small to qualify for the metal fabrication use.

The seven appealing neighbors, represented by Vancouver attorney David Phillips, argued that county rules require home businesses such as the Harris metal fabrication shop to be located on 2.5 acres, whereas Harris actually has about 1.9 acres.

County planner Travis Goddard applied a rule that allows 10% variation from standard, meaning the lot would need to be 2.25 acres.

Forester concluded that Goddard had "creatively tried to squeeze the lot under the 10% de minimus exception. In doing so," added Forester, "the staff fudged whether the lot was 2.2 or 2.3 (acres) using yet another unrelated section of the code."

Goddard had added land under contiguous roads, both 219th St. and 192nd Ave., to qualify the site for the 2.5 acre designation.

Goddard said that if the roads were ever vacated, ownership of the land would pass to land owners who front the roads.

Phillips had argued that the county had acquired land for the two roads from other people and, if the roads were ever vacated, ownership would revert to the heirs of those people, not to Harris or other fronting land owners.

The Harris application for a home business permit followed a code enforcement action.

Harris moved to the site, built a building and started metal fabrication work prior to applying for a home business permit.

Complaints by neighbors about noise brought code enforcement officials to the site.

Forester noted that Harris had made an investment in a building, perhaps relying on statements by county staff as to suitability of the lot for his intended use.

Had Harris applied for a home business permit before making improvements, wrote Forester, the issue of lot size would have become known and he would have been spared expenses. "Thus...Mr. Harris' resulting hardship is self-created."

Forester did not accept appeal arguments related to the need for stormwater treatment and compatibility with neighboring land uses. He cited the lot size issue as the only impediment to approval of the application.

Goddard said county officials have not yet decided whether the county would appeal the hearings examiner's decision to the county commissioners.

If county staff appeals, said Goddard, it would be to obtain direction on the way county codes in the Harris matter, and similar matters, are being interpreted.

Alternatively, said Goddard, Harris could appeal to the county commissioners.

Harris could also apply for a Type I permit, said Goddard, which, if approved, would result in a reduced-scale business activity.

Goddard said it was his belief that Harris could continue to operate his business until the 14-day appeal deadline passes. Goddard was not sure if Harris could continue to operate after an appeal was filed and before a hearing or decision was reached.

In the event that the county commissioners reverse his decision, Forester added three conditions of approval: That Harris resubmit a site plan based on actual dimensions of property available for use; that Harris adhere to state noise regulations; and that Harris identify 22 square feet of "outside activity area" to be removed from business use.

The last requirement is based on a calculation of the portion of the building in which work is being done which governs the size of the outside activity area.

Conversely, wrote Forester, Harris could build an addition to the building to increase the size of the activity area.

Harris did not return phone calls from The Reflector.

KASSAB SELLS GARDNER CENTER

Elie Kassab of Prestige Development, Vancouver, announced last week that he has sold the Gardner Center in Battle Ground and properties he owned in downtown Vancouver, including City Center Theaters.

Kassab said he will continue to operate Battle Ground Cinema as a tenant at Gardner Center.

Kassab said he had not planned to sell the Gardner Center, located at NE 199th St. and SR 503, when he developed the upscale commercial area over the last two years.

But, he said, he received an offer from the Walcker Family Trust, a California investment company, along with Clark County-area investors Bob Bernhardt and Chuck Mulligan.

Sale of the cinema building and two others buildings at the Gardner Center is expected to close May 31.

"It was not part of my plan," said Kassab. "I wanted permanent financing. A good offer came in."

Mike Jenkins, broker with Coldwell Banker Commercial Jenkins-Bernhardt Associates of Vancouver, handled the transaction.

Jenkins said pads remain available at the Gardner Center. Those interested may contact him at 823-5102.

IQ Credit Union had previously committed to a pad at the Gardner Center, said Kassab. Three other pads are available.

The transaction in downtown Vancouver included the City Center Theater building and the Murdoch Executive Plaza, both on "C" Street, Vancouver.

Kassab said the City Center Theater is operated by Regal, not by his company.

Kassab said he is developing cinemas in other locations, including Washougal, Chehalis and Independence, OR. He said he prefers to develop cinemas because they bring traffic to downtown and other commercial locations in off hours.

Kassab said he has land in downtown Vancouver for a "good sized project" which would be mixed use--offices and residential.

Kassab said he may consider a development in downtown Battle Ground. "I know what is needed out there," said Kassab.

Kassab installs monument

Earlier this month, Kassab installed a welcome to Battle Ground monument measuring 30 feet wide and eight feet tall near the corner of the Gardner Center.

The monument is constructed of textured concrete block, similar to buildings at the Center. The project included landscaping, and water and electrical utilities.

Kassab said the city of Battle Ground will install three flags on the monument.

Kassab put the price of the new monument at about $20,000.

"It was built as a gift to the city of Battle Ground," said Kassab. "The community deserves to have a prominent sign."

The monument sign is located near the present Battle Ground city limits at NE 199th St. and SR 503.

TRAIN RIDES COULD START IN JULY

Agreements between Clark County, Columbia Basin Railroad, and the volunteer group Battle Ground, Yacolt and Chelatchie Prairie Railroad (BYCX) could have the volunteers back on the tracks by early July.

The BYCX had hoped to start tourist rides by Memorial Day.

Bryan Baker, who heads the BYCX, said May 17 that no agreement or contract has yet been signed.

Baker said he had talked to county attorney Lori Volkman and discussed changes to draft agreements.

Baker said it is his understanding that only a few details remain to be resolved.

Officials of Clark County plan to lease back the northern portion of the county-owned rail line from Columbia Basin Railroad of Tacoma, then least that portion to the BYCX for tourist rides.

The BYCX has not had access to the track for tourist rides for 17 months, with the exception of Christmas tree rides last December.

Baker said some track work remains to be done, including the removal of trees that have fallen over the rail line. Certain inspections also have yet to be completed, he said.

Baker said tourist rides could begin by July 8.

Volunteers needed

Baker said the interruption in tourist rides resulted in the loss of volunteers.

Volunteers are needed, he said, to serve as tour guides, handymen, events coordinators, phone managers, fundraisers, gift shop clerks, and secretaries, as well as engineers, conductors, brakemen and track laborers.

Anyone willing to donate time in any of these areas is urged to call Baker, 686-3879.

BG LEVY CLOSE, BUT

While some ballots continued to arrive at the Clark County elections office and officials worked to resolve problem ballots, the latest vote tally shows the Battle Ground School District levy going down to defeat.

As of Mon., May 22, the Clark County elections office reported 9,546 (59.2%) votes in favor of the levy, and 6,588 (40.8%) opposed.

A 60% approval margin was needed for passage.

Clark County elections supervisor Tim Likness said the number of ballots arrived in the mail had dwindled to 34 on May 18, xx on May 19, and xx on May 22.

As of May 16, said Likness, staff worked to resolve 57 "problem ballots"--ballots that either were not signed or for which the signature did not match records.

In those cases, said Likness, voters were contacted by mail to either sign a copy of the outside return envelope or verify that signature as their own.

By May 22, only xx problem ballots remained, said Likness.

"So close," said district board president Sam Kim. "If I were a school supporter and I forgot to vote, I'd be feeling really bad right now."

Kim said the district will have to deal with 18 months of reduced or no levy money.

He said another levy vote will be taken at the earliest opportunity, which would in February 2007. If approved, proceeds from that levy would come to the district by spring 2008.

"It's the dollar amount; it's the money," said Kim in explaining the levy loss.

But, Kim suggested, a lesser levy amount would not meet district needs.

Kim said levy expenditures will be reduced during the rest of this year, leaving some money for 2007.

"We have to buckle down," said Kim, "and keep our eye on the sight. We need to continue to make the progress we have been making."

Kim sighted operational and academic achievements the district has made in recent years as important to continue.

Kim said some staff members will work extra hours without additional pay to maintain district programs in the wake of the levy loss. He said staff could not do that permanently.

Kim said organizations such as booster clubs will help moderate the impacts of the levy loss.

Kim said he was encouraged how the community came together to support the levy.

"We've done the best we can," said Kim. "We put our all into this.

"We can't stop. We must continue the work we have done."

Kim cited a strong district communications effort as contributing to district success. He said the district must continue its current communications work.

Kim noted that Battle Ground is a bedroom community. "We don't have (manufacturing) plants to pay for the levy."

Russ Wadleigh, a community activist who monitors school district programs and expenditures, placed blame for the levy failure on the school board.

"I think the school board got greedy," said Wadleigh. "They had $1.64 (per $1,000 of assessed valuation). They gambled the $1.64 on the chance they could get more. It was too much money."

Wadleigh said the board was gambling with children's education.

"They waste money in the first place," said Wadleigh. "They transfer levy money into another pocket."

Wadleigh accused the school district of using levy money for purposes other than items advertised in a levy proposal.

Wadleigh said the school board recently borrowed $2.5 million and then $1.7 million, planning to pay the debts with supplanted levy dollars.

Wadleigh said the district should be more forthright in exactly how levy money is used.

For example, said Wadleigh, district officials had planned to raise the salaries of coaches had the levy passed. While he supports higher salaries for coaches, said Wadleigh, the district should have announced that intended expenditure.

Wadleigh was also critical of administrative salaries.

Wadleigh said he and others plan to monitor district cuts following the levy failure to assess whether they are designed to hurt children while not saving much money.

Cuts on the way

Subject to board approval, items paid for by the current levy could go away, including

about 33 classroom teachers paid for under the expiring levy.

The current levy also pays for counselors, 33 secretaries, 11 assistant principals, and various textbooks and instructional materials.

The failed levy would have kept the above items in place, and been used to add counselors, nurses, specialized teachers, secretaries, and more assistant principals.

SCHOOL DISTRICT INVITES BIDS ON HOUSE, BARN

The Battle Ground School District wants to sell a house and metal barn located at the site of planned new schools.

Anyone interested in house or barn at 11107 NE 239th St., Battle Ground, is invited to submit bids by Wed., May 31.

The house is described as 1,450 square feet with three bedrooms. Minimum bid is $100.

The barn is located at the same address and also carries a minimum bid of $100.

Both house and barn must be removed from the site by June 26.

Also offered are various landscaping plants and bushes with a minimum bid of $1 each. Plants and bushes are to be removed by June 7.

An open house and inspection of the house and barn is set for Wed., May 24, 10 a.m.-noon.

Various rules apply to the form of payment, performance bonds, deadlines, and removal of debris.

Information is available from Mary Beth Lynn, 885-5311.

DEDICATION OF DYNES MEMORIAL SET JUNE 4

Bill Myers

staff reporter

Members of the Ridgefield Lions Club will dedicate a memorial bird-viewing blind on June 4 to the late Ridgefield resident David Dynes.

Participating organizations include the Community of Christ Church, Friends of the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

All citizens are invited to attend the dedication at 2 p.m. on the River S unit of the Refuge.

Parking near the memorial blind is limited. Motorists should park at the first station near the refuge entrance and car-pool to the memorial site.

David Dynes, who died Nov. 9, 2003 at age 65, grew up in Ridgefield and graduated from Ridgefield High School in 1957.

After completing his education at Graceland College in Iowa, Dynes taught at Union Ridge Elementary School for 30 years until retiring in 1998. Dynes was a founding member of Friends of the Refuge, a member of the Ridgefield Lions Club and an elder at the Community of Christ Church.

He was also an unforgettable friend to many people who say he devoted countless hours to developing the refuge and other worthwhile endeavors.

The blind honoring Dynes was designed and constructed with Lions Club supervision at the site of a previous bird-viewing site. Citizens donated both labor and materials to build the handicapped-accessible blind.

Lions Club president Dick Carlson said Lockett Construction Co. workers, led by Scott Hanson, did much of the work.

Help also came from members of the Lions Club, Community of Christ Church, Friends of the Ridgefield National Refuge and U.S. Fish & Wildlife employees, said Carlson.

RIDGEFIELD REVISES CONSTRUCTION HOURS

Bill Myers

staff reporter

Ridgefield city council members decided May 11 to allow construction work on holidays, but not during early morning hours.

New rules allow construction between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Saturday, Sunday and observed city holidays.

Permitted construction on other days is allowed from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

The decision amends city Ordinance No. 839 which allowed permitted work on any day from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. except on legal holidays.

Citizen complaints about construction noise on holidays, including recent Christmas, New Years and Martin Luther King days, prompted council members to reconsider construction work rules.

At a public hearing April 27, Steve Madsen, attorney for the Building Industry Association of Clark County, asked that work be allowed on holidays. "Development is important to Ridgefield," he said.

In an e-mail to city officials, Karen Beall, a resident near the Hillhurst subdivision, said she can't enjoy her yard because of construction noises which include yelling and swearing by workers.

Beall asked city officials to allow work 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekdays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays, and no work on Sundays.

The council vote was 3-0. Council members David Standal and Scott Hanson were absent.

CAR DEALER EMPLOYEE ACCUSED OF FRAUD

A used car manager employed by Lewis River Motors of Woodland was arrested May 7 on 10 counts of fraud and one count of first-degree theft.

Stanley French, 48, Longview, was in charge of appraising vehicles that came to the dealership for trade-in.

Between March 2005-2006, French reportedly bought and sold 10 used vehicles for profit from the dealership by forging the signature of the owner of Steve Leach Motors of Portland. Leach is a used car broker that Lewis River Motors uses.

The Lewis River dealership was defrauded by about $6,000 when French sold cars privately for more than low Kelly Blue Book recommendations, according to a Woodland police report.

In late March this year, someone who thought they'd purchased a vehicle via Steve Leach Motors contacted Leach to ask about papers they had not received after the sale, the report said.

Leach told the customer he'd never sold any vehicles to French in the past several years--if at all, the police report said.

Leach contacted Lewis River Motors owner Eric Schei and asked for a list of vehicles that were allegedly purchased by Leach between May 2005 and March 2006.

According to the police report, French called Leach to admit he'd forged the man's signature and asked to "work out a deal."

On April 12, French reportedly admitted to Schei that he forged documents to make it look as if Leach had purchased the vehicles. Schei fired French that day, reports said.

After he was fired, French reportedly called Leach to make amends and offered a 1990 Chevy S-10 pickup as a way to say he was sorry.

Leach reportedly declined the offer.

After conducting interviews with people who bought vehicles from French, Woodland police officer Jeff Leak arrested French at home without incident.

Bail was set at $15,000 while awaiting arraignment in Cowlitz County Superior Court.

Heidi Wallenborn

news director

A 34-year-old man with an alleged reputation for troublemaking at Woodland girls softball games was ticketed for assault on May 2.

Adam Gene Burhop was charged with fourth degree assault after reportedly head-butting a coach and hitting him in the face with his fists at the bottom of the fourth inning during a game at the Woodland Little League fields.

Woodland police responded to a report of an assault at the fields along Green Mountain Rd. at Old Pacific Highway.

The coach, 30-year-old Daniel Boughner of Woodland, reportedly told police that Burhop assaulted him after he asked the man to leave the dugout.

The coach reportedly told officers that Burhop was bothered that his daughter had a hard time catching the ball in her position as catcher.

According to a police report, several witnesses told police that Burhop took his daughter out of the game and got into an argument with the coach. One witness said Burhop tore the catcher gear off his daughter before yelling at Burhop.

After Burhop reportedly head-butted the coach to the ground and hit him with closed fists, the umpire and other parents intervened, the report said.

Burhop, his wife, and daughter then left the fields.

Contacted later, Burhop reportedly admitted he'd tried to take his daughter off the field and Boughner told him he couldn't.

Burhop told police the coach poked him in the eye, so he head-butted the man, according to the report, but he denied hitting Boughner.

The report said Burhop became argumentative when told about witness statements, saying that no one would have been able to see inside the dugout from outside.

Thomas Olmstead, Lewis River Little League president, asked police to ban Burhop from the fields because of other alleged incidents with parents and coaches.

Alice Perry Linker

staff reporter

The developer of three residential subdivisions has said he will donate 15 acres near a 112-unit project to Woodland for a park.

If the Riverfront Village subdivision is approved, the donated land will be added to an existing five-acre city park.

The proposed park land lies within the floodway along the Lewis River and no structures may be built there, but it could be developed into trails or other recreational uses.

Riverfront Village, one of three subdivisions proposed by Pacific Development Associates, is expected to cost $22.4 million to develop.

The project will require one public hearing before the city's hearings officer. Woodland public works director Rob VanderZanden said the hearing has not been scheduled.

According to the application, the subdivision, located about a mile east of I-5, will be made up of duplexes and triplexes with a total of 112 single-family houses on the northern 11 acres.

The development will be bordered by the proposed park and Insel and Lewis River roads. Access to the subdivision will be off Insel Road.

The application says that homes will face interior streets, but those with rear entrances on Lewis River Road will have matching back and front entrances.

Setbacks will be 12 feet for most houses but some will have five-foot backyard setbacks.

Riverview, another Pacific Development project, will have 109 lots on about 27 acres at 2215 Lewis River Road.

The Riverview subdivision will contain single-family houses on standard city lots.

A wetlands area will separate Riverview from the Lewis River, according to the application.

Riverview, Riverfront Village and the third Pacific Development project called Woodland Creek, combinined with about 300 homes in Meriwether subdivision adjacent to Insel Road, could create more than 600 new homes in Woodland in the next few years.

The city requires developers of new residences to pay school and fire impact fees, but recently, the city council voted down transportation impact fees on new construction.

RIDGEFIELD VOTES SCUTTLE SCHOOL BONDS

Bill Myers

staff reporter

Ridgefield School District voters turned down a bond measure May 16 for a new high school and other school improvements.

Unofficial final results indicate about 50.7 percent of voters, far less than a required super majority of 60 percent, approved the $49.5 million bond measure to finance construction of a new high school. A similar percentage of voters approved a $7.5 million financing measure for safety and circulation improvements at elementary and middle schools.

About 47 percent of eligible voters cast ballots.

Last November, general election voters were almost evenly split (49.9 percent-yes, 50.1 percent-no) on a $56 million financing proposal that combined construction of a new high school with other school improvements.

School board chairperson Chris Swindell said he was surprised by the almost even split of voter sentiment. "We hoped to see a significant increase in yes votes," he said.

"Our bond committee was one of the best ever," said Swindell.

Swindell said he doesn't understand why voters would approve financing to buy a new high school site a few years ago, and then reject measures to pay for construction.

With construction costs going up at least 10 percent per year, the costs of a new high school and other capital improvements will just keep going up, said Swindell.

The voters have spoken, Swindell said. "We work for them, so all of us will have to live with what we've got."

Superintendent Mary Vagner also praised bond committee chairperson Jeff Vigue and committee members.

They devoted great amounts of time and effort to this election, said Vagner.

Vagner said school board members will need to look at the timing of future levy and bond elections.

Next year, district voters will vote to renew or discontinue a maintenance and operations levy.

VOLUNTEERS POLISH HISTORIC CEMETERY

Association members seek donations

Bill Myers

staff reporter

Members of the Venersborg Cemetery Association are sprucing up the Venersborg Cemetery.

Volunteers started clearing brush and trimming trees at the historic cemetery in 2005. The picturesque site, on an east slope overlooking a forested valley, is on NE 232nd Ave between NE 189th and NE 199th streets.

At last count, the cemetery was a final resting place of 186 citizens.

Kelso boy scout Jared Kullberg, whose grandparents Merle and Lois Kullberg are Association trustees and whose ancestors are buried at the cemetery, tackled a cemetery challenge for his Eagle Scout project. He compared grave inscriptions with a cemetery map to positively identify grave occupants, including those without current markers. Another work party marked corners of each grave lot with donated bricks.

Other scout volunteers painted numbers on some bricks so the lots could be identified with maps.

In September, volunteers planted about 100 donated iris bulbs across the front of the cemetery. Association members are seeking donations of daffodil bulbs and hope to plant them in October across the east side of the cemetery.

Merle Kullberg oversaw the construction and installation of a steel frame near the cemetery entrance. The frame supports a windowed enclosure containing a cemetery map and lists of persons buried at the site.

Future projects will include pressure washing the front fence and maintenance chores.

Association secretary Lois Kullberg is putting bylaws and past Association minutes into a computer database. She also compiled lists of persons buried at the cemetery, including information from obituaries where possible.

All cemetery lots are occupied or reserved.

The cemetery is located about seven miles southeast of Battle Ground on NE 232nd Ave.

According to a historical record provided by Lois Kullberg, the Association first met in August 1913 to plan a land purchase for a cemetery site.

Kullberg said the Association purchased an acre of land from the Swedish Land & Colonization Company with a downpayment of $10. She said a fundraiser raised $14.75, and 28 lots were sold at $1 each.

According to cemetery records, the oldest grave dates back to October 1913 and contains the remains of Elmer Ludvig Engstrom, who died at age 17.

The most recent grave is occupied by the remains of Clarence John Strom who died at age 95 in June 2005.

Cemetery Association members plan to place cemetery and grave site information on the Clark County Genealogical Society website.

Merle Hullberg said that as he completes cemetery records, he needs to talk with lot owners about lot maintenance. He is trying to locate heirs of David Sundberg (1853-1937), Eric Nelson (1867-1944), Ingrid Nelson (1870-1963), Ruth Berg (1901-1976), Albin Berg (1895-1978) and Ida Johnson (1876-1939).

Hullberg said he is also trying to find lot owners Randy Starkey and R.P. Kennan.

Anyone with information may contact Merle or Lois Hullberg at 573-2274.

The Hullbergs may also be contacted about donations of labor or materials.

Heidi Wallenborn

news director

Bill and Marie Seufert rarely bat an eye about wildlife on their property near Rock Creek Rd. north of Battle Ground.

They are familiar with deer, coyotes, squirrels and myriad wildlife that pass through all year.

Last year, a bear made an appearance on their back deck. The year before, they enjoyed watching wild turkeys--a rooster and two hens.

In fact, for three weeks the fowl were so friendly they followed the Seuferts around the yard and pecked on the glass back door to be let in the house.

As soon as the sun set, they flew about 20-30 feet straight up to roost in Douglas fir trees for the night, Bill Seufert said.

But this year, the couple have been watching what appears to be a bobcat family take up residence.

Seufert noticed a "large cat" sitting on a squirrel feeder attached to a fir tree. But on closer inspection, the tufted ears gave it away as a bobcat.

As Seufert watched from his back door, the bobcat caught unsuspecting squirrels coming to feed. The cat disappeared for about 15 minutes, he said, and came back for more. This happened over several days.

Over that same time frame, Seufert's neighbor reported seeing a large bobcat staking out a place on his property.

Suefert believes the cats may have a den nearby and are feeding kittens.

The wooded area behind the Seufert's home is fairly dense, he said, and the little squirrel-nabbing bobcat disappears into the undergrowth.

The couple have lived in their home since 1989. They've seen an increase in wildlife, except for ring-necked pheasants that were fairly common then. Seufert hasn't seen any pheasants in quite awhile, he said.

But the joy of watching wildlife outside his back door is coupled with amazement that so much goes on at his place fairly close to busy SR-503.

"We're happy to see all this," he said. "It's been kind of like a zoo out here lately."

La Center man succumbed to illness

Heidi Wallenborn

news director

The first norovirus outbreak in March and April in Vancouver retirement centers missed north Clark County care facilities.

But on May 9, a new outbreak in a private adult family home in La Center claimed the life of an 85-year-old man.

His death brings the total to four the number of deaths blamed on the norovirus flare-ups that affected about 220 people this spring, including emergency and health care workers who treated the sick.

The viral illness has also hit Parkway North Care Center in Battle Ground.

As of May 18, 26 residents of Parkway North and seven staff members were ill with the debilitating virus. The facility has 70 residents and 86 staff members.

At Echo Ridge Adult family Home in La Center where the 85-year-old man died, three other residents in their 80s and three staff members were affected by the illness. The home is licensed to care for five adults.

High absentee rates have also been reported in three public and one private school across Vancouver.

In addition, the VA Nursing Skilled Care Unit in Vancouver has reported 41 cases, including 21 residents and 20 staff. Two residents were hospitalized and one death is being investigated to determine if it is associated with the outbreak, said Clark County Health Department spokesperson Don Strick.

Department officials have recommended that facilities limit visitors and not accept new admissions or transfer patients.

"Clean hands save lives"

Noroviruses are a group of viruses that cause gastrointestinal illness in victims. They are found in the fecal matter and vomit of infected people, health officials said.

People become infected by ingesting contaminated food or beverages, touching contaminated surfaces or objects and placing hands in the mouth, and having direct contact with another person who is infected and showing symptoms.

Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and some stomach cramping. Some people may have a low-grade fever, chills, headaches, muscle aches, and a general sense of tiredness, health officials said.

The illness often begins suddenly, with the infected person feeling very sick. The illness is usually brief, with symptoms lasting one or two days.

Infected people are especially contagious during the 48 hours of symptom onset, and can remain contagious until 48 hours after the last symptoms, health officials said.

Sometimes victims are unable to drink enough liquids to replace what is lost because of vomiting and diarrhea and become dehydrated to the point of needing hospital care.

Dehydration is mostly seen among the very young, elderly, and those with weakened immune systems.

The elderly people who died had underlying health and medical issues, health officials said.

Keeping hands clean is imperative to avoid sickness and spreading germs to others, health officials said, and in fact, it can save lives.

They recommend washing hands with soap and clean running water for 20 seconds, or using an alcohol-based hand product to kill germs.

Recommended household and facility control measures are frequent cleaning of doorknobs and other surfaces with a solution of one-half cup bleach to one gallon of water, health officials said.

Questions? Call the Health Department at 397-8000.

OBITS:

ANDREW WUITSCHICK

Andrew P. Wuitschick, 74, died May 17, 2006, in Vancouver.

Wuitschick was born May 6, 1932, in Selfridge, ND, lived in North Dakota until 1953, then Tacoma and Portland, until moving to La Center in 2001.

Wuitschick worked as a fuel driver for Montag Oil in Portland for over 20 years. She was self-employed in upholstery for 20 years.

Wuitschick enjoyed his grandchildren, traveling and gardening. He was a member of the Eagles Lodge of North Portland. He also enjoyed playing the piano, accordion and guitar.

Wuitschick was preceded in death by his wife Donna in 1999, brothers Oscar in 1990, Joseph in 1998, Andrew in 1923, and Carl in 1998, and sister Katherine Bonagofski in 1993. Survivors include widow Chris Wuitschick of La Center, son Brian Wuitschick of Indiana, daughters Renee Raglione of Yacolt, Tammie Schwartz of Portland and Robyn Myers of Battle Ground, sisters Rose Kraft, Margaret Weigel and Joan Riehl, all of North Dakota, Liz Kraft of Tacoma, Walberga Horsman of Arizona, and Magdaline Feist of California, brother Arsenius Wuitschick Jr. of Tacoma, eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

Interment was at Evergreen Memorial Gardens Cemetery, with Evergreen Staples Funeral Chapel in charge of arrangements.

ORVILLE KENNARD

Orville Andrew Kennard, 91, died May 17, 2006, in Vancouver.

Kennard was born Nov. 24, 1914, in Wells County, CO, and lived in Clark County for 63 years, the last 30 at his home in Vancouver.

Kennard was a 30-year member of New Heights Baptist Church and a member of Gideons Society. He enjoyed fishing, working on cars and fishing things. He had worked as an automotive body man.

Kennard was preceded in death by his first wife, Doris, in 1975. Survivors include widow Frances Kennard, at home, daughters Helen Powell, Carol Glanz and Wilma Brown, all of Vancouver, Sharon Shelton of Brush Prairie, and Reta Heller of Washougal, step-children Paul Johnston of Portland, Kathy Johnston of Vancouver and Linda Sailing of Battle Ground, brother Oscar Kennard of Vancouver, nine grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, five step-grandchildren and seven step-great-grandchildren.

Graveside services were held at Mt. View Cemetery, Amboy, with Layne's Funeral Home, Battle Ground, in charge of arrangements.

BERNITA SMITH

Bernita Diane (Johnson) Smith, 77, died May 15, 2006, in Battle Ground.

Smith was born May 10, 1929, in Ames, Iowa, and moved to southern California in 1941 where she graduated from San Fernando High School in 1947.

Smith was a 4-H clothing leader in California and a charter member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church where she taught Sunday School. She was employed by House of Fabrics until retirement. She loved sewing for family, crafting gifts, reading, Big Band music, ballroom dancing, and her many pets, including dogs Sheba, Snapper and Chipper, and cats Calico, Snowball and Fat Cat.

Smith lived in Battle Ground since 1988 where she was a member of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church.

Smith was preceded in death by son Michael Smith in 2003, grandson Thad Smith in 1996, brothers Don and Dennis Johnson, and sister Karen Mach. Survivors include widower Clyde Smith, at home, daughters Sandra Jones of Battle Ground and Brenna Dornbrock of Vancouver, brother Larry Johnson of California, sister Janice Kops of Nevada, six grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.

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

MARGARET DIXON

Margaret Marie (Johnson) Dixon, 85, died May 22, 2006, in Vancouver.

Dixon was born Dec. 4, 1920, in Centralia, and lived in Clark County most of her life, the last 54 years in Ridgefield.

Dixon graduated from Ridgefield High School in 1939. She was a past member of the VFW. She enjoyed needlepoint, playing bingo, and traveling to Reno. She was once a blackberry farmer. During World War II, she worked as a tool shorter at the shipyards.

Dixon was preceded in death by her husband, Allen Dixon, in 1995. Survivors include daughters Susan Dixon of Burien and Dixie Petersen of Winthrop, sons Michael Dixon of Ridgefield and Douglas Dixon of Vancouver, seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Graveside services will be held Fri., May 26, 11 a.m., at Ridgefield Cemetery, with Layne's Funeral Home, Battle Ground, in charge of arrangements.

ZORA RAFANAN

Zora Evelyn (Gilbert) Rafanan, 94, died May 14, 2006, in Woodland.

Rafanan was born June 19, 1911, in Bucoda, attended Wapato schools, and helped her husband run a dairy farm in California and farm in the Wapato area. She also was a mental health worker in California. She lived in Woodland for 21 years.

Rafanan served in the U.S. Army, stationed in Tacoma. She was a member of the Ridgefield Nazarene Church. She loved children and had taken care of Indian children. She enjoyed gardening, reading westerns, and going to garage sales.

Rafanan was preceded in death by her husband, Gelis Rafanan in 1992, son William Adams in 1990, four brothers and one sister. Survivors include daughters Antonia Thompson of Woodland and Eleanor Romero of California, 10 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Burial was at Frank Abel Cemetery, Woodland, with the Woodland Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.