Sally Williams named to
medical center board

2008

Sally E. Williams, a Vancouver Clinic physician, has been appointed to the board of directors of Southwest Washington Medical Center and Southwest Washington Health System, parent company of the medical center.

Williams is an infectious disease medical specialist. An Ohio native, Williams earned her medical degree from the University of Cincinnati. She moved to Portland to complete her residency and fellowship training in infectious disease medicine.

The Medical Center, celebrating its 150th year of service, includes the medical center, health plans, physician practices and other integrated services throughout Clark County.

 

Economy down;
enrollment up

Challenging economic times have created an enrollment surge at Clark College, officials say.

The winter head count of students has increased more than 11 percent at Clark College, reports president Bob Knight. The total student head count for the current winter quarter has increased from 10,373 last year to 11,356 this year. Full-time equivalent student numbers have increased from 5,790 to 6,433.

Clark is offering three new class options to prepare students for associate degrees in two years.

One of the new programs requires students to attend classes only two days a week. Another program is almost entirely on-line. Last year, over 1,300 students were online students. Students may also earn community college degrees by attending classes only on weekends, one weekend per month.

For further information, go to https://www.clark.edu/online_advising, or elearning @clark.edu.

Vancouver Schools project a $4 million
shortfall based on governor's budget

Vancouver Public Schools superintendent Steve Webb reports that Gov. Chris Gregoire’s proposed budget would result in a deficit of approximately $3.8 million for the district in 2009-10. The impact in 2010-11 might be higher.

When the state legislature convenes on Monday, the House and Senate will begin crafting their own versions of the state budget, which currently has a $6 billion shortfall.

In a worst-case scenario, Vancouver schools face a potential loss of $20-24 million in state funding to the district for 2009-10 based on the state Office of Financial Management’s Priorities of Government, according to Webb.

Webb says that the district has no practical way to cut $3.8 million and avoid the loss of direct services to students.

Clark College Mental Health series renewed

Clark College’s “Mental Health Mondays” series, offering insights and advice on social issues, returns this year, opening at noon Monday, Jan. 12, in the Penguin Student Lounge.

The series is free. Guest speaker for the first session is Stephanie Spak, who will discuss behavior, addiction and the brain. For further information, call 992-2921.

Fairgrounds Neighborhood poll
elicits status quo preference

The results of a recent of Fairgrounds Neighborhood Association membership survey showed that those responding favored the status quo by 58 percent rather than becoming part of either Vancouver or Ridgefield.

When asked what city they would like to be a part of if that were the only alternative, 34 percent opted for Ridgefield, 23 percent said Vancouver, 18 percent suggested creating a new city.

The Fairgrounds Neighborhood includes homes and businesses in the vicinity of the I-5, 179th Street interchange.

News briefs

Major Washington state rivers are rapidly rising, including those near Centralia and Chehalis adjacent to Interstate 5 in Lewis county. According to the Washington State Department of Transportation, portions of Interstate 5 could be underwater as early as this afternoon. WSDOT crews are monitoring the entire I-5 corridor and will immediately take the necessary measures to close the road if it becomes unsafe for vehicles. Plans for rerouting traffic are also underway. <> Battle Ground School District director of communications Gregg Herrington reports that in November 2007, from a pool of 10,463 students, 3,294 were eligible for free or reduced-price meals, based on family income. One year later, the pool had increased by 118 students to 10,581, but the number eligible for free or reduced-price lunches was up 600 to 3,894.

Calendar

The first of two Running Start Information Nights at Clark College is at 7 p.m. this evening in the O’Connell Sports Center on the southwest corner of the main campus on Fort Vancouver Way. High school juniors and seniors interested in the accelerated college program are urged to attend. The next session will be at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan, 21. Further information is available at www.clark.edu/runningstart. <> Vancouver’s Downtown Association meets at 7:45 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 8, in the Hilton Vancouver, Washington. On the agenda are community policing activities and election of board officers. <> The Three Creeks Advisory Council meets at 10 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 8, in Clark Regional Wastewater offices, 8000 NE 52nd Court. Newly elected Clark County commissioner Tom Mielke will be in attendance. Under discussion is planning for the Mill Creek and Highway 99 areas. <> Clark County Communicators are holding a no-host luncheon meeting at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 8, in the Mint Tea, 2306 Main Street. For further information, call Sue Vanlaanen, 699-8835.