Enjoy snapshots of local history written in past issues of the Reflector from 30, 20 and 10 years ago, respectively.
A look back at April, 30 years ago
An undercover sting operation conducted in April 1994 found 63 of 85 stores refused to sell cigarettes to minors. Teenagers aged 13 to 17 attempted to buy cigarettes at north Clark County stores in a program by the Liquor Control Board and the Tobacco Free Clark County Coalition.
A baby owl was rescued by personnel with Fire District 11 after it fell from its nest in the Battle Ground High School District Stadium on April 7, 1994. Zoo officials at the Washington Park Zoo in Portland rehabilitated the baby barn owl and taught it how to survive in the wild. The owl was said to be released back into the wild at District Stadium once able to care for itself.
Reported in the edition for April 6, Clark County commissioners approved a plan that could bring cable television service to areas of rural Clark County. The modified county’s cable television ordinance would allow providers to service areas with less than 32 homes per street mile. An application by Metroplex Communications Corp. of La Center to service areas from La Center to Yacolt prompted the change.
A look back at April, 20 years ago
A Battle Ground High School student completed the junior Iditarod, The Reflector reported in the April 14, 2004, edition. Alana Schlang, 17, raced her team of 10 dogs for over 140 miles for 24 hours over the first leg of the full Iditarod. Shlang was just one of two competitors from the lower 48 states.
A new commercial development planned at the intersection of state Route 503 and Northeast 199th Street, now Eaton Boulevard, was slated to include an eight-screen movie theater, restaurants, athletic club and other amenities. The 35,000-square-foot athletic club would have featured a junior-sized Olympic swimming pool, according to the April 7, 2004, edition.
In the April 7, 2004, edition, planning was underway to widen Northeast 179th Street from Interstate 5 east to Northeast 50th Avenue. Sidewalks and bike lanes would be included in the project. The project included widening Northeast 179th Street to five lanes east to Northeast 29th Avenue and to three lanes east to Northeast 50th Avenue.
A look back at April, 10 years ago
Woodland police arrested Woodland Primary School Principal Mark Edward Houk on April 17, 2014, on three counts of fourth-degree assault. Houk allegedly abused a mentally disabled third grade student on several occasions while at school. A news release stated Houk assisted in restraining the child victim on several occasions with more force than was necessary.
A Battle Ground second grader was sworn in as honorary police chief on April 18, 2014. Chase Getch was sworn in as honorary Battle Ground chief of police at a Junior Deputy Program event to support Getch and children like him who have been diagnosed with chronic illnesses.
A new association was formed to revitalize Old Town Battle Ground, as reported in the April 23, 2014, edition. The group of “enthusiastic community-minded individuals banded together to improve the atmosphere, appearance and mix of businesses in Old Town Battle Ground.”
