BG FLOAT WINS IT ALL IN PORTLAND

The Battle Ground entry in the 2006 Portland Grand Floral Parade claimed the sweepstakes award, the topic prize offered in the prestigious event.

The sweepstakes trophy was not only the highest award Battle Ground has won in its 51 years in the parade, but the first time in the modern era when an entry in the under 35-foot category has ever won the top prize, besting floats of all sizes.

"Musical Magic" was the theme of the Battle Ground float which depicted a grand piano atop a rotating pedestal with a ribbon of black and white piano keys trailing the entire 35-foot length.

The theme of the 2006 Southwest Airlines Grand Floral Parade was "In Grand Style."

Several of the piano keys went up and down as if being played, while piano music, created by Rich Rubin, emanated from the float.

The black seeds from Niger thistle were used to cover the piano and black piano keys, while white rice was used on the white keys.

Red roses outlined the keyboard.

Four young women rode the float in the parade: Rachel Wiese, a junior at Prairie High School, and Julia Martin, MacKenzie Strong and Kristen Marini, all juniors at Battle Ground High School.

Don and Marlene Brown co-chaired this year's Battle Ground rose float committee.

The Battle Ground High School marching band accompanied the float in the Portland parade.

Battle Ground has entered a float in the Portland parade every year since 1955 when a horse and buggy entry earned an honorable mention.

The float is built entirely by volunteers. Marlene Brown said no records are kept of the number of volunteer hours required to build the project, but estimated the number in the thousands.

Supplies for the float are purchased with money raised through the sale of fireworks.

This year's float included laurel cut from the yard of the late Florence Robison who was active with the float project for many years.

The "Battle Ground Bee," a 3-foot bumblebee, rode on the grand piano bench. The bee has appeared on each Battle Ground float since 1990.

Fred Cavazos headed the 20-member construction crew which created the overall appearance of the float. Cavazos and Alex Reinhold drove the float in the parade.

Cavazos said the judges paid a lot of attention to every small detail. "They asked how many roses were on the float," said Cavazos, who told them 2,500.

Marlene Brown suggested that the judges found the float to be elegant, primarily in black and white with red accent.

"It made a hugh statement," said Don Brown.

Brown said the float cost about $11,000, notably less than the $25-50,000 price tags of other floats.

The Battle Ground float was the only one in this year's parade not constructed by the Studio Concepts company in Portland.

Marilyn Clint of the Portland Rose Festival Association said the judges knew that the Battle Ground float was the sweepstakes winner as soon as they saw it. She praised the organized Battle Ground volunteer program.

Clint also praised the animation features of the Battle Ground entry.

Clint said she hoped that the Battle Ground success would inspire other communities to enter floats in the parade.

Steve Streissguth built the grand piano. Marla Polos co-chaired the 16-member decorating crew. Chaperons, seamstresses, float guides and "a whole bunch of people" had a hand in the float project, said Brown.

Streissguth, Darrell McClellan and LeRoy Helyer walked alongside the float in the 4.3 mile parade dressed in tuxedos.

Doug Aberle created the original float drawings, clay model and computer renderings.

The Battle Ground float will be spruced up with fresh flowers for its appearance in the Battle Ground Harvest Days parade on July 15.

The rose float is a project of the Battle Ground Chamber of Commerce.

More volunteers are always needed. Work begins on the 2007 float by Feb. 1, 2007. Information, Marlene Brown, 921-7029.

Other winners in festival

The Battle Ground High School band took second place in the category of out-of-state bands with 99 or fewer musicians.

In the junior parade on June 7, the Maple Grove Middle School marching band and drill team, Battle Ground School District, took first place in the category of out-of-state bands with 99 players or fewer. Jim Hill directs music programs at Maple Grove.

Also in the junior parade, the Hockinson Middle School band took first place in the category of out-of-state bands with 100 or more players.

NEWS

JURY HEARS WITNESSES TO SERGEANT'S DEATH

Heidi Wallenborn

news director

Eight women and four men began hearing testimony June 5 regarding the July 30, 2004, death of a 49-year-old Clark County Sheriff's Sergeant.

Robin Schreiber, 45, is accused of purposely ramming his 7,000 lb. Ford F-250 truck at 50 miles per hour into the driver's side of Sgt. Brad Crawford's unmarked patrol car as the officer was parked, protecting a Brush Prairie neighborhood.

Schreiber is charged with aggravated first degree murder, the state's only capital offense. Although the crime is eligible for the death sentence, prosecutors will not pursue it.

"He suddenly turned with determination"

On that night two years ago, Schreiber's girlfriend, Kim Mortensen, called police when she found Schreiber in their bedroom, drunk and loading a shotgun, according to court documents. She took the gun away, and he tried to get a rifle out of the closet.

Mortensen feared Schreiber was suicidal, documents state, and a 911 operator told her and anyone else in the house to get out, records state.

Sheriff's deputies, a SWAT team, and K-9 units surrounded the home. Officers said they saw Schreiber kick out window screens in the upper level of the house and peer through the site on his hunting rifle toward groups of officers.

Det. John O'Mara testified at the trial that he was stationed on the north side of the house. Using binoculars, he said he saw Schreiber standing at a window with what appeared to be a beer can in his hand.

"He walked to the east, facing east and stood there staring," O'Mara said at trial. "Then he suddenly turned with determination and walked hurriedly away from the window."

O'Mara testified that, moments later, he heard over the police radio that Schreiber was crawling military-style with a rifle toward his truck in the driveway. The he heard the suspect was driving across a field and headed westbound on NE 114th St. with officers in pursuit.

Then he heard the emergency code call for an officer down, O'Mara said, fighting back tears.

O'Mara drove his patrol car through a barbed wire fence to get to the scene and saw Crawford's vehicle had been smashed through blackberry bushes and jammed against a telephone pole.

The driver's seat was compressed to about 7 inches. The front winch on the truck was stuck in the car. Officers struggled to free the sergeant who had been pushed into the passenger side and partially out the side window.

Civilian witness Kyle Robbins testified that he and his wife were traveling in their pickup northbound on NE 124th Ave. when two or three patrol cars passed them with lights and sirens on.

As the couple approached the L-shaped intersection, they saw Crawford's patrol car speed to the corner and park on the shoulder facing south.

"He stopped, and I turned my head and saw a truck coming down the road," Kyle Robbins testified. "It was a big truck moving fairly fast, it was accelerating and going real fast until impact."

Robbins said Crawford had parked only seconds before impact. One officer testified he saw Crawford trying to get the patrol car in gear before he was struck.

Defense attorneys say Schreiber didn't intend to hurt anyone, and that the truck brakes failed because the brake line had been sliced open by barbed wire when Schreiber raced across a pasture.

The trial is expected to last until the end of June. If convicted, Schreiber faces a mandatory sentence of life in prison without the possibility of parole.

RIDGEFIELD PLANNING OFFICIAL RESIGNS

Bill Myers

staff reporter

City of Ridgefield community development director Kevin Snyder will leave his position with the city on July 5.

Interim city manager Justin Clary announced Snyder's decision at a June 8 city council meeting.

Snyder said he will join the Vancouver engineering firm Maul Foster & Alongi.

Snyder performed his duties in an excellent manner, said mayor Gladys Doriot. "For the first time ever, I was tempted to refuse to accept a resignation," she said.

Before joining Ridgefield in March 2004 as head of the Community Development Department, Snyder worked as a senior planner for the City of Battle Ground. He previously worked as chief planner for Spokane Valley in eastern Washington.

Snyder said he was leaving because it was time for a change of pace. He said his decision was not about money.

PROBE STARTS ON RIDGEFIELD ALLEGATIONS

Bill Myers

staff reporter

A law enforcement consultant with 25 years in police work will investigate allegations surrounding suspended Ridgefield chief of police Bruce Hall.

Interim city manager Justin Clary announced June 8, after an executive session of the city council, that the city will engage William T. Curtright of Lacey.

Curtright's resume lists 25 years as a commissioned officer for the Olympia Police Department, including services in interim and deputy chief positions.

The resume also lists consultant services for several Washington law enforcement agencies, including the Washington State Patrol.

A Professional Services Agreement sets compensation for services at $75 per hour, with $30 per hour charged for travel time, plus expense reimbursements, including reimbursement for mileage at the existing statutory rate.

City officials placed Hall on paid leave last month pending an investigation of "allegations" having to do with management of the police department. Details of the allegations are being withheld pending investigation.

COLUMBIAN SUES TO OPEN RIDGEFIELD RECORDS

Bill Myers

staff reporter

An attorney for the Vancouver Columbian newspaper pressed for open records in Ridgefield at a June 9 Clark County Superior Court appearance.

Following up on a complaint she filed on June 2, Seattle attorney Michele Earl-Hubbard told judge Roger Bennett that records related to the termination of Ridgefield police officer Carl Mealing and the suspension of city manager George Fox should not be shielded from public view.

Reporters with the Vancouver Columbian have been requesting information since May 15, said Michele Earl-Hubbard.

Earl-Hubbard said state law requires City officials to disclose all public records except those which fall within a specific exemption such as attorney-client privilege.

The attorney contended in her complaint that state law defines "public record" as any writing containing information relating to the conduct of government or performance of any governmental function.

Ridgefield city attorney Mike Wynne said Seattle attorney Eileen Lawrence, defending the City against a lawsuit filed in federal court by Mealing, had a court conflict and could not be present.

Wynne said Lawrence was on vacation last week, and that he had no information pertaining to the federal law suit.

Copies of transcripts from Civil Service Commission hearings related to the termination of Mealing were given to the Vancouver Columbian earlier in the week, said Wynne.

Wynne said information requested by the newspaper pertains to an ongoing investigation that the City believes is confidential and subject to an attorney "work doctrine."

Wynne said the newspaper also requested copies of depositions from federal and state litigation that never existed.

Bennett asked Earl-Hubbard if she thought that concerns about safety, livelihood and persons who spoke to investigators with an understanding that they could remain anonymous should effect the court's opinion.

Earl-Hubbard said information in this case should not be exempt from public view because Lawrence was serving dual roles for the city, as an attorney and as an advisor on personnel matters. This dual purpose destroys her ability to claim privilege, she said.

Officials should not promise confidentiality during such investigations, added Earl-Hubbard.

Earl-Hubbard asked the court to fine the City a statutory maximum of $100 per day fine starting May 17, two days after the initial request for information.

Wynne said potentially sensitive information came from several law enforcement agencies involved in investigations, including La Center, Battle Ground, the Clark County Sheriff's Office, and the Kirkland Police Department.

Bennett said he would study the issues and attempt to have a ruling by June 12.

In an announcement following the court hearing, City officials said City workers, on short notice and tasked with "responding to various motions and pleadings filed by the Vancouver Columbian," provided the court with information requested.

The announcement said the newspaper obtained a court order without sufficient notice to the City and without participation from the City or its representatives.

"The City regrets the approach the Columbian has taken in this matter...," said the announcement.

A closing statement in the announcement said the City supports the importance of open government and the media's role. But, said the statement, the City "does not support a litigious approach to often complex issues faced by cities in dealing with employee and witness privacy issues, exemptions for investigative reports and privileged documents."

STRAWBERRIES DESCRIBED AS "GORGEOUS" CROP

Wet spring weather has resulted in a "gorgeous" crop of strawberries at area farms.

That's the assessment of Joe Beaudoin, owner of Joe's Place Farm in Vancouver.

"The plants look really nice," said Beaudoin, adding that he has some ripe raspberries as well and cherries are showing color.

On June 7, Beaudoin had 70 flats of strawberries in his store at 701 NE 112th Ave., Vancouver. In addition, u-pickers took away some 300 flats on the same day.

Beaudoin said he has an adequate number of workers and more waiting to be called.

In past years, said Beaudoin, people would come to his farm looking for work in April and May, and he would tell them to come back June 1. Sometimes, however, such workers would be employed elsewhere by June 1, or their phone numbers would not be good.

This year, Beaudoin said he hired 20 people earlier than usual, all full time. He will hire more later, he said.

"I hired as many as I could," said Beaudoin, noting that, following strawberries and raspberries, he will need crews to pick cucumbers, green beans, cherries and other crops.

Prices have not changed this year, said Beaudoin, despite rising fuel costs. A flat of picked strawberries, weighing about 10 pounds, sells for $17.95. U-pickers pay about $1 a pound.

Beaudoin said he pays an hourly wage which equates to about 45 cents a pound. He struggles against imported berries and fruit, such as raspberries from Chili. "The only thing we can do is try to be more efficient," he said.

When school is out, Beaudoin said he will hire people as young as 14 years, mostly from Russian families with some hispanics. But no Americans are interested, he said, or have a work ethic.

Bizi Farms needs workers

Bill Zimmerman of Bizi Farms in Vancouver suddenly finds himself with insufficient numbers of people to harvest produce.

Zimmerman said he has 5-6 employees who work most of the year. When the harvest season arrives, Zimmerman relies on his regular workers to find crew members.

This year, said Zimmerman, his permanent crew could not locate people who were unemployed. Calls to those who had applied for work earlier in the year did not result in enough workers.

Zimmerman said he has been able to hire about 12 people, but he needs 25. "I sure hope we get more people coming in," said Zimmerman.

Zimmerman confirmed that this year's strawberry crop "looks real good." He credited moderate April and May rainfall and warmer than usual temperatures with vibrant plant growth which supports more berries.

Zimmerman said his farm layout does not lend itself to u-pickers.

Zimmerman said students are generally out of school too late to be helpful in strawberry harvest. In addition, work restrictions imposed by the government hamper what young people are able to do, he said.

Zimmerman has increased his retail price for strawberries by $1 to $15.95 per flat to cover fuel and labor costs.

Zimmerman said raspberry and blackberry production look good also, and harvest seasons could overlap with strawberries which would put further pressure on the need for sufficient staff.

Bizi Farm store at 9504 NE 119th St., Vancouver, is open Mon.-Sat., 9 a.m.-6 p.m., and Sundays, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Bizi Farm can be reached at 574-9119.

Annie's: too soon to tell

At Annie's Berry Farm in La Center, foreman Jim Powell said it's "hard to tell" how good the strawberry crop will be. "It's not ready yet," said Powell, noting that strawberries ripen a little later in the season in north La Center than in southern parts of the county.

Annie's is presently selling berries picked in other fields, said Powell. Prices are unchanged from last year, he said, at $13 per flat weighing 10-11 pounds.

Powell said both raspberries and blueberry crops look very good. Raspberry plants are already drooping with a heavy crop, he said.

Powell said the farm has the same crew as in past years, even though it is now under the ownership of Tony Cozzetto.

Annie's Berry Farm can be reached at 263-2289.

LUCAS WILL SEEK FIFTH TERM AS CLARK COUNTY SHERIFF

Garry Lucas will seek a fifth term as Clark County sheriff.

Lucas, a Republican, will complete 16 years as sheriff this year. He joined the sheriff's office in 1968.

The filing period for office is the last week in July; to date, no candidate has announced plans to oppose Lucas for the post.

Lucas, 62, said fraud, forgery and identify theft are the fastest growing crimes in the nation and in Clark County. His first priority in another term, he said, would be to continue partnerships and approaches to counter these crimes which are often connected to methamphetamines, he said.

Lucas cited the need for additional jail beds, and said he will approach the county commissioners for jail funding.

A new jail population analysis is underway, said Lucas, to determine long-term jail needs.

A study done five years ago forecast the needed for 1,200 jail beds by 2010. The county presently has 745 beds, with about 800 jail inmates, said Lucas.

Sixty additional beds will be available soon at the Work Release Center on Lower River Road in Vancouver. Those beds will provide some relief at the current jail.

The new study will include an analysis of the kinds of beds needed in the future, said Lucas, for different levels of security.

Contracting for jail beds, said Lucas, would result in jail construction eventually.

Lucas said he continues to look for alternatives to incarceration.

The county commissioners recently authorized nine new deputy positions, and those employees are being sought, said Lucas. More deputies will be needed as the county grows, he said.

Lucas said technology is being used to make up for staffing shortfall, such as Mobile Data Computers in cars and a new vehicle locator system that allows dispatchers to automatically identify the closest police car to an incident. Law enforcement in the county and cities are all joining the locator program, said Lucas.

Lucas expressed concern about the sex offender program and the need for additional staff to monitor sex offenders who are required to register.

At present, said Lucas, one deputy and one support staff person monitor some 1,400 sex offenders. Changes in state law put additional requirements on the sex offender program, he said.

Lucas said consideration will be given to co-locating the Vancouver and Clark County sex offender monitoring programs.

"The backing of the community and ability to partner with citizen leaders has made my past four terms successful and rewarding," said Lucas.

"I continue to be challenged by the job," said Lucas in explaining his reasons for seeking a fifth term. "I have great people working for me."

The Lucas campaign, headed by Joe Dunegan, can be reached at 606-5948.

EDITORIAL:

WOODLAND EASES SPRINKLER RULES

Alice Perry Linker

staff reporter

After listening for 35 minutes to business owners and residents, the Woodland City Council voted to write a new ordinance easing requirements for automatic sprinklers in commercial buildings.

Members of the Woodland Chamber of Commerce have repeatedly asked the city council to allow smaller businesses to operate without indoor automatic sprinklers. Under the current ordinance, buildings of 3,000 square feet and larger must have working sprinkler systems.

The matter was not on the agenda, but at the end of the public meeting on June 5, John J. Burke moved to exempt buildings of less than 5,000 square feet from the sprinkler requirement.

Until a new ordinance is adopted, the city will operate under existing regulations. The council's action asks City Attorney Paul Brachvogel to prepare an ordinance.

A motion to exempt buildings of 7,500 square feet or smaller was defeated 3-2.

Some members of the Chamber and the business community asked that commercial buildings up to 10,000 square feet be exempt from the sprinkler requirement.

Fire Chief Tony Brentin told the council that the fire department can "live with" the increase to 5,000 square feet, but he said that he would prefer that certain buildings, such as convalescent homes or firms using chemicals or flammable materials, be evaluated separately.

Brentin said Ridgefield and La Center have a 5,000 square foot limitation.

A citizens' committee has been studying the sprinkler requirement, and Mayor Doug Monge said the committee may have a report prepared by the June 19 council meeting.

"We're looking at options, something to help the downtown," Monge said.

Council member Erica Rainford asked Monge to present the committee report, despite the council's vote.

"The committee might be even more lenient, or more understanding to downtown," she said.

Last month, business and development interests successfully persuaded the city council to abandon its idea of imposing transportation impact fees on new development.

Representatives of builders and the Chamber of Commerce argued that the fees would restrict business growth and impose a hardship on developers.

FORMER MAYOR, 91, WEDDED 69 YEARS

Bill Myers

staff reporter

Former Battle Ground mayor Marvin Brothers, born May 20, 1915, near Battle Ground, remembers dirt roads, horses and buggies and sandlot baseball.

When Brothers was born, the area north of what is now Lewisville Park was a small commercial center. Area logging and log mills were bustling.

Brothers said he was born in a house at the Brothers Lumber Co., a log mill about three miles north of the East Fork of the Lewis River. His grandfather owned the company in addition to Brothers Railway, a logging railroad.

Brothers graduated from Battle Ground High School in 1936. While in school, at age 17, he began playing baseball. After high school, Brothers continued to play "every position but pitcher" on area semi-professional teams for about 20 years.

Brothers met his wife, Mabel, at a Saturday night dance at the Fargher Lake Grange Hall. He said he first saw Mabel, a girl born in Montana and raised in South Dakota, sitting during an intermission at the dance.

A fellow logger dared Brothers to ask her to dance. He did and the dance triggered a love affair that has lasted almost 70 years.

Brothers and Mabel were married on Jan. 8, 1938.

After years of working in the woods, Brothers took college courses, including real estate law studies at Pierce College. He worked in real estate and then became a safety inspector for the Washington state Department of Labor & Industries. He worked for the state for about 17 years.

Brothers served on the Battle Ground city council for several years. He was elected mayor in 1993 and served from 1994 until spring 1997 when the city changed to a city manager form of government.

Marvin and Mabel have two grown sons. Jim teaches at Amboy Middle School. Merlyn recently retired from teaching at Sela in central Washington.

The Brothers have eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. They live in Battle Ground, in a home they have owned since 1958.

Alice Perry Linker

staff reporter

A Woodland City Council member has asked for a public meeting to discuss the impact of a Wal-Mart store proposed to be constructed on Dike Road.

During the June 5 council meeting, Jim Tone asked city attorney Paul Brachvogel to research the legality of the council's sponsoring a public meeting.

Wal-Mart plans to build a 163,055-square-foot super center, including grocery and tire stores and an 823-vehicle parking lot, on 18.5 acres.

Zoning in the area allows commercial use outright, and a determination of non-significance has been issued by the city.

The only public hearing required would be an appeal of that determination, said planning assistant Nancy Malone.

A copy of the determination may be seen in the city hall annex, and public comments on the document are being accepted until June 21.

Appeals, to be heard by the city's hearings officer, must be submitted by June 27.

Tone said that he is concerned about transportation, lighting and overnight parking.

Malone said that the city has control over the streets.

"The owner must satisfy state and city code requirements," she said. "We have a list of standards. As for overnight parking, we can condition that."

Until recently, Wal-Mart allowed overnight parking in at least one of its Vancouver parking lots.

A group of residents including Darlene Johnson of Woodland Trucking and Pat and Bob Nelson of Big Deals has formed a committee and will meet to discuss the issues surrounding the Wal-Mart proposal. A schedule of meetings has not been released.

According to information submitted to the city by Wal-Mart representatives, a round-about will be constructed at the intersection of Dike Road and Schurman Way.

The store will also have an access off Dike Road between Schurman Way and Robinson Road. Another access will be located off Robinson Road 285 feet north of Dike Road. Still another access, primarily for truck traffic, will be located off Robinson Road and about 700 feet north of Dike Road.

Fourteen conditions have been set by the city, including wetlands mitigation and monitoring and storm water detention and treatment. The developer is also required to build the streets sufficiently wide to accommodate truck traffic.

NEW HOME MIGHT LURE PARROTS

Green birds expand nesting areas in Yacolt

Bill Myers

staff reporter

Officials of Clark Public Utilities may soon invite parrots in Yacolt to exchange nests on power poles for new housing.

A utility official said June 7 that placement of a new 30-foot pole on private property might lure nesting parrots from a Hubbard St. power pole.

Placement of the pole, in the yard of citizen Joy Tindall, would be subject to town council and neighbor approvals. Town rules require neighborhood consent for conditional use permits.

Town council member James Weldon said he will present the proposal at a June 19 council meeting.

Utilities director of operations Andrew Huck said the pole could be built with utility materials not being used. He describe the new nesting site as an empty cable spool mounted atop a 30-foot wood pole.

Huck said the pole concept was suggested by members of a wildlife conservation group in Connecticutt.

Relocation of the birds, which appeared almost two years ago, could be a daunting task.

In recent weeks, utility workers dismantled two nests on Hubbard Ave. The determined birds began reconstructing the nests as soon as the utility truck pulled away.

Utility officials believe the parrots might prefer to nest near warm transformers.

More nests are appearing. The parrots now have three nests on Hubbard Ave., and another one is under construction on Yacolt Ave. near the town center.

Weldon, who wants to prevent any harm to the birds, said other citizens are also willing to volunteer yard spaces for more poles if the experiment works.

Huck said Utility workers were advised by officials of the state Department of Fish & Wildlife that the birds, known as Quaker parrots, are an "invasive" species.

Huck said he has since learned that natural predation will probably control the parrot population.

Thousands of the birds are reportedly nesting in Florida and Connecticutt. There is also a colony of them near the Portland Airport.

Weldon, who lives near the first and largest nest on Hubbard Ave. at Twin Falls St., said he has counted as many as 16 birds near the nest.

Huck said 7,200 volts run through equipment at the top of the transformer.

The greatest risk, said Huck, is that a stick placed by a bird could short out a high-voltage wire and blow a fuse.

Huck said there is a low risk of fire because of relatively low heat generation at the Hubbard Ave. generators. Transformers which generate more heat increase the risk, he said.

But potential power outages, which are costly to people who work in their homes, justify efforts to relocate the nests away from power equipment, said Huck.

About 50 Yacolt citizens in recent weeks have signed petitions asking that the parrots be safely moved to new nesting sites.

Huck said that if the birds won't move, utility workers could trim back the nests to reduce potential fire hazards.

Huck said unauthorized persons should not attempt to capture the parrots near transformers or other power equipment. This is trespassing, said Huck, and violates state Labor & Industry laws which prohibit unauthorized persons from getting within 10 feet of such power equipment.

REVERED DAD TURNS 90

Bill Myers

staff reporter

Yacolt resident Virgil Wallace, writer, philosopher and

father of five, celebrated his 90th birthday on June 11.

A prominent north County resident, Wallace is the son of Oregon pioneers whose ancestors creaked in covered wagons over the Oregon Trail in the 1800s.

Known by hundreds of friends and in his books as "The Old Woodsman," Wallace lived and logged for several years near Mount Hood wilderness areas as he and his late wife raised their children.

Wallace's oldest daughter, Sharon Gillette, was born in Battle Ground, but remembers growing up in Estacada, OR.

"After a hard day of logging work, Dad always brought a surprise home in his lunch pail," said Gillette.

The surprise, presented to the children, would be a colorful leaf, a flower, a pretty piece of wood, or even part of an egg shell left by a hatching bird, said Gillette.

"Dad would always educate us about what he brought," said Gillette.

Gillette said her father often took the family to a forest on weekends to show them something especially beautiful or exciting.

"I remember a hummingbird's nest and a place covered with wildflowers known as Indian Pipes and Lady's Slippers.

On Saturdays, Wallace would often pitch balls to his own and other children, recalled Gillette. "He always got close and pitched real slow so the ball would hit the bats of the smallest children," she added.

Wallace, in a recent interview, said he learned things about being a Dad from his own father.

"He never spanked me," said Wallace. "Instead, he would say, 'You know better than that,' or 'You won't get anywhere that way.'"

With characteristic homespun humor, Wallace said, "It took me 50 years to figure out what he meant."

Wallace remembers other advice. He said his father told him to "stay sober and always do a good job."

"Dad would say that I could out-fight, out-run, out-think or out-smart anyone that drinks, and that gives me four choices," said Wallace.

Wallace said he stressed education and a thirst for knowledge as his children grew. He spoke with pride about the successes of all his children, and remembers helping to pay for college educations, including out-of-state tuition.

Sharon graduated from the University of Oregon. Son Jerry Wallace graduated from Oregon State University. Daughter Christine McKinley graduated from Seattle Pacific University. Son Michael spent 10 years in military service and now builds roads. Daughter Linda Sprouffske attended Clark College and completed nursing school in Colorado.

Wallace writes about being a father in Head Faller, one of several books he has authored. In the book, he recalls the "kindness and patience" of his grandfather. Then he reflects on his own parenting experiences.

Wallace describes the ultimate pleasure of being a father as being, "to watch them grow, learn, play and work, and then spend long hours sharing their accomplishments..."

In another work, Rambling Along with the Old Woodsman, letters from daughters Christine and Linda recall their father spending time with them.

As Virgil Wallace and his children know, being a good

father is all about time.

A widower, Virgil Wallace has five grown children, 14 grandchildren and 24 great- grandchildren.

Wallace's books, loaded with horse sense and history, are sold at the Porterhouse Family Diner, 206 Railroad Ave., Yacolt, and at the Countree Kitchen and Timbers Saloon, 39813 NE 216th Ave., Amboy.

STATE PLANS START ON SR-501 REPAIR

Bill Myers

staff reporter

Officials of the state Department of Transportation (DOT) say work to restore SR-501 east of Ridgefield will start during the week of June 12.

A section of the roadway began to settle after mud flows gushed from the southern slope of the road about three months ago.

Scarsella Brothers, a Seattle firm approved by state officials to be on an on-call list to handle emergency work, was hired to perform the work for $450,000.

State project engineer Allen Hendy said the project will require excavation of debris caused by mud flows on the south side of the state highway.

Placement of a wall of boulders about 10-feet thick along an estimated 100-feet of slope south of the highway will also be needed, said Allen.

State DOT spokesperson Sylvia Ross said work on the project required environmental studies which were recently completed.

Hendy said a permit was required from the state Department of Fish & Wildlife for the work. The agency requires restoration of the area to conditions that existed before the mud slide.

A tributary effected by the mud flows drains into fish-bearing Gee Creek.

Hendy said be believes the mud flow was caused by pressure created by heavy rains combined with an artesian well.

Traffic along SR-501 near the project will be controlled by flaggers during the day, and a traffic light at night, said Hendy. He estimated the work could be done in about two weeks.

OBITS:

LELA SANBORN

Lela Ruth (Dimick) Sanborn, 97, died June 4, 2006, in Battle Ground.

Sanborn was born June 5, 1908, in Vancouver, graduated from Columbia Academy in 1928, and lived in Clark County for 25 years, the past eight years in Battle Ground.

Sanborn worked as a news compiler in the newspaper industry. She enjoyed cooking, canning, crocheting and knitting, and kept a diary.

Sanborn was preceded in death by her husband, Charles Sanborn, in 1986, brother Carlos Dimick in 2001, and sister Vada. Survivors include son Arland Sanborn of Oregon, daughter Angie Austin of Vancouver, four grandchildren, two step-grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and two step-great-grandchildren.

Burial was at Mt. Hope Cemetery, College Place, with Layne's Funeral Home, Battle Ground, in charge of arrangements.

JESSIE JOHNSON

Jessie June Johnson, 90, died June 6, 2006, in Vancouver.

Johnson was born Aug. 27, 1915, in Baker City, OR, and lived in Portland and Pendleton, OR, before moving to Battle Ground two years ago.

Johnson worked in the retail industry. She was a longtime member and served on the Altar Guild at the Episcopal Church of the Remeemer in Pendleton. She enjoyed reading magazines, looking at old photos, dogs, teddy bears, sweet treats, and listening to her great-granddaughter play the piano.

Johnson was preceded in death by son David Johnson in 2003. Survivors include granddaughter Cindy Brown of Yacolt, grandson Colin Johnson of Vancouver, and great-granddaughter Johannah Brown of Yacolt.

Graveside services were held at Mt. Hope Cemetery, Baker City, with Brown's Funeral Home, Camas, in charge of arrangements.

JAY BERGREN

Jay Steven Bergren, 56, died June 6, 2006, in Vancouver.

Bergren was born July 30, 1949, in Vancouver, and lived in Clark County all his life, residing in Brush Prairie.

Bergren was a factory worker in paper products. He was a musician. He enjoyed hiking and his cats. He graduated from Hudson's Bay High School and attended the University of Washington for two years.

Survivors include parents William and Carol Bergren of Brush Prairie, brothers Tom Bergren and Don Bergren, sisters Jeanne Peters and Debbie Mather, and numerous nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held Sun., June 18, noon, at Elim Lutheran Church, Brush Prairie, with Layne's Funeral Home, Battle Ground, in charge of arrangements.

SHIRLEY JOHNSON

Shirley June (Redinger) Johnson, 76, died June 11, 2006, in Battle Ground.

Johnson was born June 22, 1929, in Lead, SD, and lived in Clark County for over 14 years, last at Battle Ground.

Johnson was a registered nurse. She was a member of the Old Apostolic Lutheran Church. She enjoyed gardening, handwork and visiting with family and friends.

Johnson was preceded in death by her husband, Larry Johnson, in 2002, brother Robert Redinger in 1984, sister Karen Schlecht in 1964, and sister Lillian Redinger. Survivors include son Brian Johnson of Portland, brothers Earl Redinger of Oregon and Bill Redinger of Kirkland, sisters Arlis Stringfellow of Montana and Ruth Worden of Alabama, and two grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held Thurs., June 15, 11 a.m., at the Old Apostolic Lutheran Church, 16603 NE 142nd Ave., Brush Prairie, with visitation at the church Wed., June 14, 6-8 p.m.

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

CALVIN ALLEN

Calvin David Allen, 91, died June 6, 2006, in Grand Coulee.

Allen was born Sept. 5, 1914, in Monument, OR, and grew up in Oregon. He worked as a "gandy dancer" for Union Pacific Railroad, and in the Portland shipyards. He moved back to Irrigon, OR, and worked at an Army Depot.

Allen served in the U.S. Navy. He got rheumatic fever and was transferred to a Navy hospital in California.

Allen worked on the McNary Dam, The Dalles Dam, and the Priest Rapids Dam. He also worked on the Mayfield Dam in California, the Lower Monument Dam, John Day Dam, Little Goose Dam, and the California aqueduct project.

Allen also worked in Hawaii, and on a fishway project near Wenatchee.

Allen was assistant project manager on the third powerhouse at Grand Coulee. He later worked on other dam projects.

Allen was preceded in death by bothers, Raymond Allen and Eldon Allen, both of whom earned purple hearts, and Adren Allen, and sisters Margaret Lillard and Roweena Love. Survivors include widow Virginia Allen, at home in Electric City, WA, son Kenneth Allen of Electric City, brothers Bill Allen of Oregon and Hugh Grim Jr. of Spokane, sister Ella Mae Watson of Walla Walla, granddaughter Jamie Allen of Battle Ground, grandson Jason Allen of Ariel, and two great-grandchildren.

Interment was at Spring Canyon Cemetery, Grand Coulee, with Srate Funeral Home, Grand Coulee, in charge of arrangements.

KENNETH JELLEY

Kenneth James Jelley, 48, died June 3, 2006, in Portland.

Jelley was born July 4, 1957, in Cottage Grove, OR. He served as a paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne. He graduated from Sam Barlow High School in Gresham, OR, and had lived in Gresham, Portland, Roseburg, OR, and Anchorage, AK. He was a private pilot and a gardener. He enjoyed studying the Bible, French, Greek and mathematics. He was a member of the Lifegate Baptist Church in Portland.

Survivors include parents James and Carol Jelley of Vancouver and formerly of Battle Ground, and sisters Kathleen Wirth and Karin Day, both of Oregon.

No services were scheduled, with the Crown Memorial Center, Portland, in charge of arrangements.

GAIL PLUMMER

Gail Hope Plummer, 45, died June 5, 2006, in Vancouver.

Plummer was born April 19, 1961, in Petaluma, CA, attended school in Petaluma, and moved to Woodland in 1990.

Plummer enjoyed horseback riding, camping, baking, cooking, making jewelry and crocheting. She was a member of the Woodland Lions Club, Rainbow Girls and Order of Eastern Star.

Plummer was preceded in death by her father, Gerald Plummer, in 1980. Survivors include mother and step-father Stella and Wayne Cole of Woodland, half-sisters Joy Piener and Jean Morenzoni, both of California, and grandmother Clara Shipp of Oregon.

No services are scheduled, with Dahl-McVicker Funeral Home, Longview, in charge of arrangements.

HELEN STACKABLE

Helen Margaret (Peters) Stackable, 90, died May 29, 2006, in Oakland, CA.

Stackable was born June 24, 1915, in Seattle, grew up on a dairy farm in Issaquah, and graduated from the University of Washington in 1937. She worked for Northern Life Insurance in Seattle and transferred to San Diego, CA.

Stackable lived in Oakland for 40 years. She was a Girl Scout leader, Sunday School teacher, school room mother, and a life member of The King's Daughters. She returned to Washington in 1983 and moved to Battle Ground in 1992.

Stackable enjoyed nature, sunsets, wildlife and life's simple pleasures. She was an avid reader and lifelong learner. She attended Elderhostels and belonged to the Battle Ground Library book club. She was a member of the American Association of University Women, PEO Sisterhood and the La Center Garden Club.

Stackable was preceded in death by her husband, Jack Stackable, in 1976, and brothers C.W. Peters and Stuart Woodside. Survivors include daughters June Densmore of Canada, Peggy Stackable of Oakland and Barbara Carroll of Battle Ground, four grandchildren and one great-grandson.

A celebration of life will be held Sat., June 24, 3 p.m., at the Carroll family home in Battle Ground, with the Clarence N. Cooper Mortuary, Oakland, in charge of arrangements.

Kenneth James Jelley, 48, died June 3, 2006, in Portland.

Jelley was born July 4, 1957, in Cottage Grove, OR. He served as a paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne. He graduated from Sam Barlow High School in Gresham, OR, and had lived in Gresham, Portland, Roseburg, OR, and Anchorage, AK. He was a private pilot and a gardener. He enjoyed studying the Bible, French, Greek and mathematics. He was a member of the Lifegate Baptist Church in Portland.

Survivors include parents James and Carol Jelley of Vancouver and formerly of Battle Ground, and sisters Kathleen Wirth and Karin Day, both of Oregon.

No services were scheduled, with the Crown Memorial Center, Portland, in charge of arrangements.