Several hurt in explosion
 At least seven people were transported to hospitals following a New Year’s eve explosion that rocked a home in Hockinson.
Cause of the blast remains under investigation.
The explosion was reported at 9:18 p.m. at 19721 NE 139th St., Brush Prairie, a single-family, 2-story home owned by Dave and Sumer Newhouse. Crews from Clark County Fire District 3 arrived about six minutes later.
Fire District 3 chief Steve Wrightson said 20-25 people were in the home when the explosion occurred in the kitchen area, blowing out windows, walls, skylights, jarring the home from its foundation, and destroying dishes, countertops, cabinets, and virtually everything else in much of the home.
Clark County fire marshal Jon Dunaway said fireworks were involved in the explosion, but the investigation continues into what type of fireworks and how the explosion occurred.
“It’s the first time I have ever seen this kind of damage caused by an explosion in a residence,” said Dunaway. He and Wrightson were amazed that no one was killed or seriously injured.
Arriving crews reported smoke from the roof which turned out to be smoke from an outdoor, wood-heating appliance in the backyard. There was no fire, said Wrightson.
Crews searched the home to determine if all occupants were outside, then identified those who knew they were injured or believed they were injured. The injured were transported to hospitals as ambulances became available. All patients were able to walk to an ambulance.
Wrightson said the explosion was so loud that some people lost hearing, at least temporarily. The owners of the residence were home at the time of the event, said Wrightson.
Owner Dave Newhouse said he was asleep in a back, first-floor bedroom when the explosion occurred. His bedroom was damaged as well, he said. He pinpointed the blast as having taken place in a corner of the kitchen.
One couple suffered burns to their faces and hands, said Newhouse, whose wife was also injured. As of Jan. 4, some people still had hearing loss, he said.
“I don’t honestly know what happened,” said Newhouse, 30, who said he had lived in the home one year.
Newhouse estimated that 15-20 people were in the home at the time. The couple’s children were not in the residence at the time.
One cinderblock wall exploded outward. All cabinets in the kitchen were demolished. Contents of some of the cabinets were blown into the attic. The stainless steel kitchen sink was bent up from the bottom and the faucet was mangled. The sink was outside the home. French doors that had connected the kitchen to the outside were blown in half, although most of the glass was intact. Two skylights above the kitchen were destroyed. Ceiling sheetrock was destroyed in the kitchen and elsewhere in the home.
Fire District 3 personnel estimated the property loss at $265,000, although Wrightson suggested that, due to structural and foundation damage, the house might be a total loss. The house was assessed at $234,200, plus the land value. An insurance inspector was at the home Jan. 4.
Fire District 3 personnel searched the home twice looking for victims. They also used a thermal imaging camera to search a nearby field but found no one. The home was not served by natural gas or propane; crews from Clark Public Utilities cut power at the pole.
Crews left the scene about 10:50 p.m.
Dunaway said Jan. 4 that his office was still trying to locate everyone who was at the gathering that night. He said his staff had ruled out natural gas, propane gas, methane (sewer) gas, and electrical problems.
Dunaway said agents of the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms had visited the site.
Dunaway said cigarettes and candles were possible sources of ignition. Appliances on the counter were examined and ruled out. Outlets were also dismissed as a cause, he said.
Newhouse said a disc jockey had set up in the home. Dunaway said the disc jockey was lucky he was under a table making connections when the blast occurred.
Halberg website
involvement corrected
A story in the Jan. 3, 2007 issue of The Reflector about a memorial service for the late Marion Halberg quoted a minister who referred to the content of a website and praised Halberg for her thinking skills. He referred to the website as “her website.”
In fact, the website was developed by Helena Scheuble, not Halberg. Scheuble is a Battle Ground resident.
Halberg had publicized the website, and paid for advertising to refer people to the website. But it was not Halberg’s website.
The Reflector regrets the error.

BG levy supports smaller classes, more courses
By Brandy Slagle
Staff reporter
Students at all grade levels in the Battle Ground School District would benefit from passage of a proposed maintenance and operations levy that will go before voters on Feb. 6.
The Battle Ground School District is presently the only district in Clark County that does not receive local levy funding. Voters will determine whether that remains a reality next month.
Compared to surrounding school districts, La Center funded $1,077 per pupil in 2006 to $701 in Battle Ground. Evergreen funded $1,213 per pupil and Camas $1,274.
If voters approve, the Battle Ground levy would fund $971 per pupil in 2008.
The levy would cost taxpayers an estimated $1.77 per $1,000 assessed valuation during the three-year period, which would begin in 2008.
The levy that expired at the end of 2006 cost taxpayers about $1.64 per $1,000 of assessed property value.
The new levy would raise $11.8 million in the first year, $12.8 million in 2009 and $13.7 million in 2010.
Dollars working in the classroom
If approved, the levy funding would impact students at all levels, said Kelly O’Brien, public information officer for the district.
At the primary level, assistant principals would be reinstated at each school site.
The role of an assistant principals is to manage facilities, maintenance and operations. They also address parent and staff concerns as well as perform state mandated annual staff evaluations.
“This frees the principal to provide more academic support, perform walk-throughs (in the classroom), make sure students are being taught correctly and teachers are getting the support they need,” O’Brien said.
She said many people think of principals in a more traditional role of disciplinarian. The primary focus of principals in today’s schools is aimed more at organizing educational pathways and providing relevant resources for their staff, she said.
O’Brien said, if approved, the levy would result in reductions in class size.
“At the primary level, many parents don’t understand the need for more funding in the classrooms because Washington state has determined K-3 as a highly critical time for learning and class sizes are kept small,” she said.
Middle school class sizes averaged 30 students for the 2006-07 school year.
If the levy passes, O’Brien said those numbers would drop to an average of 25 to 27 students per class.
Assistant principals would also be reinstated at the middle school level.
“Discipline becomes more of an issue at that level,” said O’Brien. “Here, the assistant principal acts more as a dean of students,” she said, in addition to managing facilities, maintenance and operations.
Reinstating one principal and 12.5 assistant principals throughout Battle Ground Schools would cost about $1.3 million annually with levy passage.
At the middle school level, $55,000 would fund band supplies. Additionally, $110,000 would go toward funding after-school support programs.
Support programs include both intramural sports, art classes and academic intervention and support. Summer school courses are included in support programs.
At the high school level, students could anticipate choosing from a broader range of classes.
O’Brien said the classes would address both students seeking a challenge in advanced placement and those needing more intensive help with their school work.
Teachers could expect to see a start-up day implemented before students return from summer vacation in the fall.
About $163,000 is designated in the levy for the school start-up day.
Superintendant Shonny Bria said she was surprised to see the district lacked a start-up day for teachers.
“Few school districts don’t have a start-up day anymore,” she said. “It’s really the time for the teachers to set a vision and to arm them, and all staff members, for the coming year. A start-up day is about all of the employees, not just the teachers.”
Dollars working in the district
The levy would provide about $1.9 million in the first year for the reinstatement of 33 certificated teachers, said O’Brien. Overall, about $3.6 million of first-year money is designated for hiring 76 certificated people, including nurses, choir teachers and academic intervention specialists.
The levy earmarks $816,000 to school site operating budgets. Included in that figure is $350,000 for computers in classrooms and libraries. Money would also be allocated for paper, photocopies and other supplies.
Of the $542,000 designated for the department operating budgets, $350,000 would go to technology and information services support.
The levy would fund 13.5 additional maintenance, grounds and custodial positions for $1.25 million. The addition of six security personnel would cost $231,000 in the first year.
Levy funding would also support hiring administrators and staff at the new schools, including a new principal. Two new schools are under construction at NW 20th Avenue and 239th Street, Battle Ground.
The levy would approve $1.6 million for school site repairs, including parking lots, roads and roofing.
About $495,000 of the first year’s funding would be used to reinstate four district level administrators, including a director of educational services, a director in human resources, and an assistant superintendent.
Following last year’s levy failure, nine and one-half administrative positions were eliminated.
The levy would approve five and one-half choir teachers in the first year for $150,000. It would also pay for five and one-half counselors for $60,000.
The $1.2 million in levy funding for instructional materials would assist the curriculum department in updating their materials. Primary schools are updating reading materials. Middle schools are updating science materials. High schools are scheduled to update math and language materials. Also the district is updating health and library materials at all schools.
The levy also includes about $1.6 million annually for school site repairs which, said O’Brien, includes parking lot work, new carpets, and repairs to roofs and heating-cooling systems.
In terms of retaining qualified teachers, $684,378 of first-year levy money would be used to compensate teachers for additional work performed outside of their contract. It would also mean a pay increase for all other district employees.
“The teachers here are outstanding,” said Bria. “This is the only way that they can be compensated for the extra work they do.”
In general, said O’Brien, the levy would improve student learning by lowering class sizes, reinstating a highly-capable program, extending learning opportunities for middle school students, updating curriculum and textbooks, expanding media center services, and paying for advanced placement classes.
O’Brien said the levy would improve student health and safety by providing for middle school counselors, nurses and health assistants, and allowing for assistant principals and security personnel.
The two schools under construction will need nurses, secretaries, assistant principals, custodians, maintenance staff and materials, all supported by levy proceeds, said O’Brien.
O’Brien noted that passage of the levy would result in additional money from the state to Battle Ground schools.
O’Brien said construction bonds, such as the one passed by voters in March 2005, are used for building, while a maintenance and operations levy pays for day-to-day operations of the school district.
Ballots will be mailed from Clark County Elections Department on Jan. 19. Ballots must be postmarked on or before Tues., Feb. 6.
Ballots can be dropped off at the Elections Department, 1408 Franklin St., or in the drop box in the center of 14th Street between Franklin and Esther streets between Jan. 19 and Feb. 6. Ballots must be dropped off before 8 p.m. Feb. 6.

County supports
La Center bid for boundary change
Alice Perry Linker
staff reporter
The commission that determines school district boundaries will discuss a request to change the La Center and Ridgefield boundaries on Jan. 11, but it is not known if a decision will be made at that time.
The Regional Commission for School District Organization will meet at 7 p.m. Thurs., Jan. 11, at Educational Service District 112, 2500 NE 65th Ave., Vancouver.
Clark County commissioners have weighed in on the boundary issue, sending a letter supporting La Center’s request for a boundary change to the regional commission.
The letter said that to continue the current boundaries “would be a decidedly inequitable financial outcome for the La Center School District.”
“The Clark County Board of Commissioners has reviewed this petition, supports the petition in its entirety, and asks that your committee vote to change the boundary line,” states the letter, signed by commissioners Marc Boldt, Steve Stuart and Betty Sue Morris.
The county commissioners’ letter notes that the cities of Ridgefield and La Center have agreed on an “expanded urban growth area in the vicinity of the La Center junction along I-5.”
Under the county’s proposed comprehensive plan, the area would be zoned for commercial and industrial use within the La Center boundary.
“...Given the current alignment of the Ridgefield-La Center School District boundaries, Ridgefield schools would receive all of that industrial and commercial tax base, leaving just residential for La Center schools...,” the letter says.
The request for a boundary change came from the La Center School District as a result of the proposed changes in La Center’s urban growth area. Under a proposal before the commissioners, the city’s urban area would extend west of I-5 along La Center Rd., an area that is now in the Ridgefield School District.
Ridgefield has opposed any changes in the boundaries. Interim Ridgefield superintendent John Simpson has said boundary changes would create a hardship for students and parents.
La Center superintendent Mark Mansell has said that the district needs the land that is proposed to be zoned for commercial or industrial use. Without the additional acres, the La Center district will remain without any industrial area.
Mansell has said homeowners would bear a heavy tax burden without commercial and industrial support.
Speaking to the La Center city council Dec. 13, Mansell said the regional commission could delay a decision until the county commissioners complete the comprehensive plan, also known as the growth management process.
County commissioners were to complete the comprehensive plan by the end of 2006, but in late November decided to delay action until some time in 2007 after the state Environmental Protection Act requirements and the capital facilities plan are finished.
School district officials will be given 10 minutes each to present their arguments at the Jan. 11 meeting. Tim Merlino, a spokesman for ESD 112, said the regional commission will review the issues “point by point.”
“There will probably be a lot of questions that the commission will have,” he said.
The regional commission is under no deadline to make a decision, and Merlino said he does not know if a decision will be made on Jan. 11.

Future looks bright for downtown Woodland
 The members of Woodland’s Downtown Revitalization Committee are optimistic about the future of some of Woodland’s oldest commercial buildings.
As renovation proceeds on two early 20th century downtown buildings, the committee is working with grant write Jeannette Scibelli and architect Dave Brittell, both of Longview.
Scibelli is writing an application to the federal Community Development Block Grant program for $16,000, and Brittell is donating time to provide guidance and analysis of the structures and streets that make up old town. The total cost of the initial project is $22,000.
The committee was unsuccessful last year in its effort to acquire a block grant to improve building facades in the blocks between Bozarth and Fifth streets.
Downtown committee member Joy Haasl said more work and organization was needed to prepare the designated area for funding for new facades.
This year’s application for $16,000 will pay for a series of studies to develop and plan the guidelines, Scibelli said.
“It’s a process that includes a series of studies of the structures and buildings,” she said. “As properties are bought and renovated, the design criteria will guide future development.”
Traffic and parking issues will also be analyzed, she said.
“Eventually, we’ll have a historic area,” Haasl said.
As the studies move forward, work on the two-story structure at 147 Davidson Ave. is also moving forward, with completion set for mid 2007. Haasl recently sold a two-story building at 229 Davidson Ave., and she said renovation is expected to begin soon.
“The old bank building at Third and Davidson sold this week,” Haasl said. “What’s so exciting is it’s all happening at the same time.”
Workers restore the front of a 1910 commercial building on Davidson Avenue. Renovation on another building is expected to begin soon.

Homeowner told to remove lake bulkhead
Alice Perry Linker
staff reporter
“Tear down that wall.”
Clark County Superior Court issued the order after the City of Woodland and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife filed complaints against a Horseshoe Lake resident for building a bulkhead into the lake without getting a permit.
Mark Turpin of Air Island Drive built a retaining bulkhead from man-made blocks, according to City Attorney Paul Brachovel. The city staff told Turpin that he was not permitted to build a bulkhead into the lake, Brachovel said.
After completing the bulkhead, Turpin applied for a permit which was denied at the staff level. Turpin appealed to the hearings examiner, who denied the permit, and the homeowner was ordered to remove the wall.
“He did not,” Brachovel said.
The city sued in Clark County Superior Court and was granted an injunction for “immediate abatement of the nuisance.” Turpin was ordered to remove the wall on Dec. 8 and was required to pay a $5,600 fine.
Brachovel said that Turpin paid the fine. Planning asssitant Nancy Malone said that as of early January, Turpin was in the process of obtaining the required permits from the state to remove the wall. Permits are required for any work in the lake, she said.
The state departments of fish and wildlife and natural resources manage the land under the lake and the shore line.
Mark Hart of the state Department of Fish and Wildlife said that homeowners are required to obtain a hydraulics permit before building any structures below the “ordinary high water mark.”
Turpin had argued that his structure was not below the high water mark, Hart said.
“All we wanted was to get the bulkhead removed,” Hart said. “There was no fine.”
Hart said that Horseshoe Lake does not contain salmon or steelhead.
“The predominant fish is hatchery trout that we plant for fishing,” he said.
Hart said the state Department of Natural Resources was also involved.
“DNR felt the bulkhead was trespassing on state lands,” he said.
Turpin could not be reached for comment before The Reflector deadline.