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WEDNESDAY, DEC. 19, 2007

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Cops help kids from abusive family
situations shop for Christmas

Vancouver’s Kids and Cops Program made it possible for 46 children of domestic violence families to shop for Christmas this year. Vancouver police officer Robert Woodrun. Above, helps one of those shop in Wal-Mart store. Wal-Mart contributed $7,000 in gift cards and checks for the program run by the Vancouver Attorney’s office, Clark County Prosecuting Attorney’s office and the YWCA. Vancouver and Camas policemen and county sheriff’s deputies helped the youngsters buy gifts.

BPA offering Clark Public Utilities
$11.5 million rebate from IOU subsidy

Clark Public Utilities could receive as much as $11.5 million in 2008 as its repayment share from subsidies the Bonneville Power Administration provided investor-owned utilities under a residential exchange program, utilities spokesperson Mick Shutt reports.

The repayment, originally thought to have been $9.5 million, would amount to about 3 percent of the utilities’ 2008 revenue.

According to Shutt, the board of commissioners has not decided on how to use the prospective payment if it is accepted.

The residential exchange program was struck down in court as being too generous to private utilities. BPA is considering how to restructure the program that gives a share of lower public power costs to residential customers of private utilities, such as PGE and PacifiCorp.

Clark Public Utilities is expected to end 2007 several million dollars in the black mostly as a result of advantageous power purchases and sales.

Vancouver’s sustainability program takes
next step by measuring carbon footprint

As a major first step of Vancouver’s developing sustainability program, the city has hired a consultant to help measure the city’s “carbon footprint.” Good Company, Eugene, has been awarded a $35,000 contract to measure greenhouse gas emissions of the city’s day-to-day operations, in addition to communitywide greenhouse gas emissions.

“We are forging ahead on our commitment to make sustainability a priority for our community,” said city manager Pat McDonnell. The inventory will set a baseline for the city’s efforts to meet the U.S. Mayors’ Climate Protection Agreement, which seeks to reduce global warming pollution levels at least 7 percent below 1990 levels by 2012. Vancouver Mayor Royce Pollard is a signatory to the agreement.

Green Thunderbots advancing to
Oregon Lego robotics competition

The Woodland Middle School’s Lego Robotics team, Green Thunderbots, has won the regional Lego Robotics competition and will move on to the Oregon State tournament Saturday, Jan. 19, in Liberty High School, Hillsboro, according to teacher Tim Brown, student technology supervisor.

Student captains Katelyn Hendrix and Natasha Lamb led the Green Thunderbot team in development, programming and construction of an automated Lego robot from standard Lego pieces attached to four sensors and three motors.

Substance Abuse Advisory
Board members sought

Applications for open positions on the Clark County Substance Abuse Advisory Board are being sought by the board of Clark County Commissioners, reports Cleve Thompson, Clark County Alcohol and Drug Program manager.

The board advises and makes recommendations to the county commissioners regarding alcoholism and drug addiction programs.

Letters of interest and resumes should be sent no later than February 1 to the Clark County Board of commissioners, P.O. Box 5000, Vancouver, WA 98666. For further information, call 397-2075, extension 7823.

People

Division fire chief Dan Monaghan is retiring from the Vancouver Fire Department after 28 years of service. A retirement party is 1 to 3 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 27, in Fire Station 81, 7110 NE 63rd Street.

Calendar

The Women Entrepreneurs Association of Washington’s dinner and holiday party begins at 5 p.m. networking hour today in the Heathman Lodge. <> The annual Kids Christmas Party sponsored by the NE Hazel Dell Neighborhood Association and the Sarah J. Anderson PTA is 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 20, in the Sarah J. Anderson Elementary School, 2215 NE 104th Street.

Headlines Wednesday, Dec.19, 2007
City approves sale of Monterey Hotel site to Killian Pacific for office building--Columbian, Jeffrey Mize
Ginger and Fred--A movie piece by Dennis Grunes
Sherborne Investors claims control of Nautilus--Columbian, Jonathan Nelson
Sara produces special memories--Columbian, Tom Koenninger
Retired school teacher not "Waddling Bandit" after all--Oregonian, Kimberly A. C. Wilson and Bryan Denson
House approves measure to spare millions from alternative minimum tax; Bush expected to sign bill--New York Times, David Stout
Stocks end volatile session with slight loss; Dow stood at 13,207.3 at the close--USA TODAY, MarketWatch, Kate Gibson
How 2007 predictions panned out--Seattle Times, AP

Click above for latest regional news releases,
traffic information!

                            Wednesday on the air

   Clark College Orchestra: South of the Border—4 p.m. CVTV
   Vancouver Urban Forestry Commission (11/14)—6 p.m. CVTV
   Toronto at Portland Blazers (live)—7 p.m. CSN, KXL
   Northern Colorado at OSU (live)—7 p.m. FSN, KPAM
   Veterans Day Parade (11/10)—7:15 p.m. CVTV
   Clark County Planning Commission (11/15)—10 p.m. CVTV
   Clark County Land Use Hearings (12-13)—11:15 p.m. CVTV

CVTV programming on demand: http://www.cityofvancouver.us/cvtv/cvtvindex.asp

Town Tabloids and the weather

Jennifer Petersen partying as the seasons change. <> Paul and Karen Liberty’s television reception improving. <> Kathy Condon greeting the season. <> Jordan Meade keeping connections. <> Justin Myers joining the A team. <> Jim Sanders’ birthday celebration comes on Boxing Day. <> Wednesday, rainy and windy, 42-48. Thursday, mostly rain, 34-43. Friday, mostly cloudy, 34-42. Click here for additional local weather information.