THURSDAY, JULY 29, 2004

Cowlitz Tribe to conduct year-long Environmental Impact Statement process
    The Cowlitz Indian Tribe will complete an Environmental Impact Statement for its proposed development of 152 acres at the La Center Junction at Interstate 5 and NW 319th Street. The tribe envisions a gambling casino operation on part of the property. The environmental impact process could take up to a year.
    According to Nancy Osborne, tribal spokesperson, "The decision to undertake the EIS, although none is required by law, was made after careful review and consideration of the community and the board of county commissioners' comments on the Environmental Assessment. The EIS process is much more detailed than the Environmental Assessment and will fully explore issues of concern to the community. We realized after reviewing the public's comments on the Environmental Assessment that there is a lot of confusion and misinformation."
    The City of La Center, which has four card-room casinos, opposes any form of gambling casino near the city, and the county commissioners do not support gambling in the county; but the decision is not to be theirs.
    The Cowlitz, who have official status as an Indian Tribe, have asked the Bureau of Indian Affairs to place the 152 acres they own in trust as an Indian reservation. If the BIA approves the land as an official reservation, the tribe is free to develop a gambling casino. If the BIA only approves trust status, the question of whether gambling would be permitted will be up to the state to decide.
    The Cowlitz have formed a partnership with the Connecticut-based Mohegan Indian Tribe for the operation of a gambling casino here.    

Hoang Le and Ashok Modha join the staff of Northwest Surgical Specialists/Rebound
    Hoang Le and Ashok Modha have joined the medical staff of Northwest Surgical Specialists/Rebound.
    Le was trained at the University of Chicago in both spinal and cranial surgeries and has completed a fellowship in minimally invasive and complex reconstructive spinal and peripheral nerve surgery at Stanford University.
    Modha spent a year at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center developing expertise in excising brain and spinal cord tumors. His specialties include  brain tumor resection with the assistance of brain mapping and treating cancer patients.
   Although he is retiring from surgical practice at Rebound, effective Tuesday, Aug. 31,  Jay Miller will continue to maintain an office practice one day a week.

Republicans Mielke and Boldt file for county commissioner races
    State Rep. Tom Miekle (R-18th) has filed as a candidate for Clark County commissioner, District 1. Democrat Betty Sue Morris, who is completing her second term as county commissioner for that district has filed for reelection. State Rep. Marc Boldt (R-17th) has filed as a candidate for Clark County Commissioner, District 2. The position is currently held by Judie Stanton, who, after two terms, is retiring from office. Two Democrats are in the race for Stanton's job, Vancouver City councilperson Jeanne Harris and Camas-Washougal Port commissioner John Hagensen.
    Filing for political offices continues through 5 p.m. Friday, July 30.
   County filings are posted every two hours on the Clark County elections website: www.clark.wa.gov/elections/candidate/filinglist.html.

Ridgefield's downtown boat launch and picnic area to be rededicated
    The Port of Ridgefield will celebrate the opening of its downtown Ridgefield reconstructed boat launch and new picnic facility from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 4.   Grand opening festivities include free hot dogs, soft drinks and cake.
    About two-thirds of the $350,000 construction project was funded through a grant from the Washington State Interagency Committee for Outdoor Recreation. The Port financed the remaining cost by using the money collected through the daily five-dollar boat launch parking fee.
    “We committed to the boaters to reinvest the parking fees back into the boat launch area,” said Port Commissioner Joe Melroy. “We delivered on our promise."
    The new boat launch floats extend some 100 feet out into the Lake River and are now accessible for people with disabilities.  The picnic area is similarly accessible.
    Barbiari & Associates of Vancouver designed and engineered the environmentally fish-friendly launch floats, day dock and picnic area. Stellar J of Woodland completed the on-site construction work, and Topper Industries of Battle Ground built the boat launch floats.

News briefs
    Johnny Martin, known as a local version of the young Frank Sinatra, headlines the Riverview Community Bank Six-to-Sunset Concert at Esther Short Park this evening. Concert goers are advised to bring blankets or low-back beach chairs. Food vendors are in attendance. The concert is free. Parking in the city Park 'N' Go garage at 6th and Columbia Streets is 50 cents an hour. nnn Portland's Wine in the Park, 1 to 11. p.m. Friday, July 30, and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday, July 31, features chamber music and jazz combos, along with arts booths and wine tasting, in the South Park Blocks.

(For the complete story click on the following headlines)

Carved in tradition: white skin, Indian heart--Columbian, Dean Baker

Fruit Valley landfill permit debated--Columbian, Jeffrey Mize

Teachers from across the nation see local history first hand--Columbian, Amy McFall Prince

NPR 5-minute hourly news updates (Audio)

CLARK COUNTY ELECTIONS WEBSITE FOR CANDIDATE FILING INFORMATION

Democratic National Convention website:
www.dems2004.org.

Thursday on the air

Don Carlson-Craig Pridemore political debate (7/26)--5 p.m. CVTV
Seattle Mariners at Anaheim (live)--7 p.m. FSN, KFXX
Albuquerque at Portland Beavers (live)--7 p.m. KKADD
 

The Weather and Town Tabloids  

Bill Woodard announcing Labor Day event. nnn Ed Lynch prophecies mostly fulfilled. nnn Marjorie Cartwright's e-mail address automagically changed. nnn Jeanette Burckhard offering good suggestions. nnn Stephanie Simmons  and Molly Newland rendering can-span act info. nnn Thursday, lazy, hazy day of summer, 86. Friday, cooling clouds, 82. Saturday, mostly sunny, 85. ...