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In case you missed it, here are some of the top stories of the week:
A familiar face has filed an unexpected application for Clark County manager as the county council considers how best to fill the job.
Lisa Ross, a conservative Republican who unsuccessfully ran for Vancouver port commissioner last year, submitted her application for county manager early Monday afternoon to the councilors and the county’s human resources director. Ross, a certified public accountant who in her résumé lists no experience with managing government agencies, did not respond to The Columbian’s request for comment.
Read what the acting county manager has to say.
WASHOUGAL — Cory Soderberg said he used to be awakened in the middle of the night by a tap on his window or a flashlight shining into his Dodge Caravan.
“I’ve been chased out of everything 20 times, and all the cops know me by name,” said Soderberg, who’s been living in his van for nine months.
Now, the 52-year-old sleeps soundly, knowing he won’t be bothered in the parking lot of St. Anne’s Episcopal Church in Washougal. He’s one of nine people staying in cars and small mobile shelters at the church through the Safe Car Camping Program, which is still in its infancy in Clark County. St. Anne’s is the only church in the county allowing people to park vehicles overnight, at least in this formal capacity, though program organizers aim to expand the program to other willing congregations.
Learn more about the church’s plans to help the homeless.
Voicing support for improving treatment options for teenagers struggling with drug addiction, the Clark County council unanimously approved a zoning change that will allow residential care centers in rural centers.
Under Tuesday’s decision, residential care facilities with 11 beds or more can now be placed on parcels that are 2.5 acres or larger in rural centers like Brush Prairie and Dollars Corner. Previously, only residential care homes, which can support 10 beds or fewer, were allowed in rural centers.
Read more about the treatment center.
A new Parkrose Hardware will be opening in a central Vancouver shopping center that is getting an upgrade as well as a new name.
The Parkrose Hardware will open at the center that until now has been known as Garrison Square, at East Mill Plain Boulevard and Garrison Road. The center’s owner, the Vancouver-based Killian Pacific development firm, said this week that the center will now be known as The Mill.
Parkrose Hardware will open the 16,000-square-foot store this fall following renovation of the building that until recently housed an Ace Hardware store. Killian Pacific did not renew the lease for the Ace Hardware store.
Learn more about the new hardware store.
When Rick Jarvis was wheeled through the emergency department doors at PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center, his prognosis was grim.
“I’ve been doing trauma for 10 years or so,” said Dr. Shad Pharaon, the trauma surgeon on duty that October morning. “I can pretty well tell if someone is going to make it. I thought he was dead.”
But on Thursday morning, Jarvis walked into an auditorium at PeaceHealth Southwest, with only the help of a cane, to personally thank the dozens of people involved in his care and recovery. Personnel from emergency medical services, the emergency department, intensive care unit, imaging and rehabilitation applauded as Rick Jarvis and his wife, Charlotte, made their way to the front of the room. The 75 or so providers had spent the previous hour reviewing Rick’s trauma case.
Read more about the accident and Jarvis’ recovery.
In high school, Duane Wilson snagged a job building rowboats for the owners of a marina on Lacamas Lake. By building at least 10 of the boats at the same time, Wilson realized the time-saving value of cutting and assembling many parts at a time.
It’s a lesson Wilson put to good use in later life as founder of a business empire that now encompasses DeWils Industries, an Orchards cabinet maker with an international market, and DeWils Interiors, a Vancouver retail cabinet and appliance store.
Learn more about Duane Wilson’s life.
