Probst garners two
business awards in one week
Tim Probst
House Representative Tim Probst
received the Economic Development Council’s 2009 Outstanding
Leadership in Renewable Energy award at the council’s 27th annual
meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 18. In recognition ceremonies on
Thursday, Nov. 12, Probst was also singled out to join other
Southwest Washington leaders in the
Vancouver Business Journal’s Accomplished and Under 40 Class
of 2009.
“I’m honored and humbled to receive this recognition,” Probst stated
yesterday. “Each of these awards is in fact a statement of support
for the important directions that a good many other folks are
backing both to strengthen our economy and to strengthen our
community as a whole.”
The CREDC award hails Probst as a champion for jobs in the
new-energy economy. Specifically, the Southwest Washington lawmaker
was instrumental in the legislative session earlier this year in
supporting a package of measures creating investment incentives for
the photovoltaic industry. “Tim along with his colleagues in the
House and Senate worked tirelessly to ensure Washington has the
tools necessary to meet the challenges we face in this very
difficult economy,” said Bart
Phillips, president of the Columbia River Economic
Development Council.
County previews $12.5
million in proposed budget adjustments
The Clark County Budget Office today outlined potential 2010 General
Fund budget adjustments to the Board of Clark County Commissioners,
which will begin considering adjustments needed next week to prevent
a shortfall in the second half of the current 2009-2010 biennium.
The proposed adjustments, if approved, would be the third budget
reduction in a year. The 2008 mortgage crisis drove an initial $29
million reduction to the construction-dependent General Fund budget
when it was passed last December. The Board made a “supplemental”
reduction of $21 million, effective July 1, 2009.
As
proposed, the adjustment would be $12.5 million, including
approximately 70 full-time jobs. If approved, the Board will have
cut a total $62 million from the General Fund, the county’s largest
and only discretionary fund. The cuts include 270 jobs, fewer than
half of which were filled during the past year.
The proposed General Fund adjustments would break down this way:
· $3.28
million from countywide reductions.
· $3.08
million from departments under the Board.
· $714,720
from Assessor/GIS, Treasurer and Auditor offices.
· $5.42
million from Law and Justice departments.
For more information, visit
www.clark.wa.gov.
Battle Ground boasts best
builders of barges and bridges
Battle Ground’s Captain Strong Primary School “Blue” team,
first-place winner of the barge-building competition at the Nov. 14
elementary-schools Science Olympiad at Clark College.
Battle Ground School District students captured almost half of the
possible awards in the elementary Science Olympiad at Clark College
on Saturday, Nov. 14, including first place in both barge-building
and bridge-building competition.
Battle Ground teams also earned one second-place and four
third-place honors, giving Battle Ground Public Schools a total of
seven place-finishes out of 15 possible in the five events. The
honors were earned by third and fourth graders from Tukes Valley
Primary and Captain Strong Primary, and fifth and sixth graders from
CAM (Character, Academics, Marketplace) Jr.-Sr. High.
“Our
teams did great,” said Mari Hess,
fourth-grade teacher and a Science Olympiad coach at Tukes Valley
Primary. Tukes Valley student teacher-coach
Jodie Housley added, “The
kids were wonderful, and it was a great learning experience for
everyone involved.”
Winners from Captain Strong Primary “Blue” Team were
Kyle Barton,
Everett Buck, Spencer Cloke,
Leah Cortez,
Killian Griffin,
Lauren Hapgood,
Malia Meyer,
Chi Chi Minden,
Gwen Morris,
Colin Ocker,
Alex Perry,
Kylie Sahota,
Marina Stocks,
Makeila Wilson, and
James Young, who all finished
in first place for the barge-building contest.
Winners from Tukes Valley Primary “Green” Team, all of whom took
first place for bridge-building, were
Riley Andersen,
Grace Beetham,
Ben Dhanens,
Reece Dunkin,
Connor Guenther,
Havyn Harding,
Dakota Heikes,
Sara Johnson,
Noura Koskiniemi,
Madelyn Mason,
Skye McLeod,
Brennan Mitsch,
Laney Pham, and
Georgia Tytler.
News Briefs
For those who are looking to share the
spirit of the holidays with those in need, a listing of Clark County
organizations collecting food and gifts can be found at the
Nonprofit Network Southwest Washington website. Each listing
includes the top ten items needed, drop-off location, a contact for
questions, a brief description of the organization and link to their
website, as well as other information. To visit the website,
click here.
<>
The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) and Amtrak
are planning ahead for the upcoming holiday by adding more Amtrak
Cascades
trains during the week of Thanksgiving. To accommodate more
passengers traveling during this holiday week, 10 trains will be
added to the Amtrak
Cascades
route between Portland and Seattle.Visit
www.AmtrakCascades.comk,
or call
800-USA-RAIL
for reservations and information.
Calendar
Free H1N1 vaccine will be
offered to priority groups at a vaccine clinic from 11 a.m. to 7
p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21 and 28, at the Westfield Vancouver Shopping
Center, 8700 NE Vancouver Mall Drive in the upper level of the
former Mervyn’s store, directly across from the food court. The
clinic may close early, depending on vaccine availability. Due to
the limited supply of vaccine, vaccinations will be administered to
priority groups only. To see if you fall under one of the priority
groups,
click here.
<>
A multi-school cast and orchestra numbering about 60 students from
Battle Ground and Vancouver are participating in the ever-popular
show The Music Man at 7 p.m.
tonight Nov. 20, at Prairie High School, 11500 N.E. 117th Avenue,
Battle Ground. To purchase tickets in advance, go to
www.prairiehighschool.org and scroll down the left
column. Prices are $10 for adults and $5 for students and seniors.
<>
Vancouver Farmers Market is having its Harvest Market from 10
a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21, Esther Short Park, 8th and Esther
Streets.
<> A chance to get a picture with Santa is
being offered by Anytime Fitness from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 21,
at 710 Esther Street. Photos are $10, and all profits go to
Heartbeat, which serves wounded soldiers and their families. There
will also be a Giving Tree available. All gifts will be donated to
the YMCA’s SafeChoice Shelter.
<>
Vancouver City Council meets for a consent agenda meeting at 6 p.m.
Monday, Nov. 23, at Water Resource Education Center, 4600 SE
Columbia Way.
<>
Washougal City Council meets at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 23,
for a special meeting, in City Council Chambers.
Friday on the air
Making the Best of Your Medicare Benefits (11-9)—4:45 p.m. CVTV
Clark County Planning Commission (11-19)—6:59 p.m. CVTV
City Minutes – New Humane Society Tour (8-9)—11:18 p.m. CVTV
Community Calendar Links
Friday,
November 20, 2009 Headlines
Links to news of
local & national significance
ClearAcess hits milestone--Columbian, Libby Tucker
Saving two programs funded by state focus of public
forum--Columbian, Kathie Durbin
Washougal officials decline pay hikes--Columbian, Marissa
Harshman
Hedrick selling to raise cash--Columbian, Kathie Durbin
County eyes sheriff's office cuts--Columbian, Michael Andersen
Obama: Below 50 percent approval--USA Today, Susan Page and
David Jackson
Winfrey ending show: '25 years feels right'--USA Today, Gary
Levin
