Thursday, November 14 , 2024

Stories by Wyatt Stayner

Columbian staff writer

The Eagle Creek wildfire burns in September 2017 on the Oregon side of the Columbia River Gorge near Cascade Locks, Ore.

Wildfire season in Northwest to challenge those sensitive to poor air quality

The Eagle Creek wildfire burns in September 2017 on the Oregon side of the Columbia River Gorge near Cascade Locks, Ore.

June 3, 2019, 6:01am Clark County Health

You can read the headlines in Washington, Oregon and California. Even Florida. Read story

Washington is the first state to legalize human composting. This is a rendering of what a Recompose facility for natural organic reduction could look like. Bodies would be placed in a vessel with mostly wood chips and straw. The vessel is then turned gently over 30 days and a stream of warm air is applied, with about two wheelbarrows worth of soil returned at the end.

Advocates say ‘human composting’ an eco-friendly alternative to burial, cremation

Washington is the first state to legalize human composting. This is a rendering of what a Recompose facility for natural organic reduction could look like. Bodies would be placed in a vessel with mostly wood chips and straw. The vessel is then turned gently over 30 days and a stream of warm air is applied, with about two wheelbarrows worth of soil returned at the end.

May 31, 2019, 6:00am Clark County Health

Grandpa’s old apple tree has a whole new meaning. This year, Washington became the first state in the U.S. to legalize natural organic reduction, a process of converting human remains into soil that has been casually referred to as "human composting." Read story

Darius Roberts, from left, a member of Recovery Cafe Clark County, makes his way through the salad bar at lunchtime as fellow member Cliff McFall shares a laugh with circle facilitator Monte Gantka. Recover Cafe Clark County offers free food to members. The cafe specializes in helping people recover from substance addiction, abuse, past trauma and more. “We don’t determine what recovery is for our members,” said Recovery Cafe Clark County Executive Director Larry Worthington.

Recovery Cafe Clark County provides a safe haven

Darius Roberts, from left, a member of Recovery Cafe Clark County, makes his way through the salad bar at lunchtime as fellow member Cliff McFall shares a laugh with circle facilitator Monte Gantka. Recover Cafe Clark County offers free food to members. The cafe specializes in helping people recover from substance addiction, abuse, past trauma and more. “We don’t determine what recovery is for our members,” said Recovery Cafe Clark County Executive Director Larry Worthington.

May 27, 2019, 6:02am Clark County Health

Laughter rang from the dining room at Recovery Cafe Clark County in Vancouver on Thursday afternoon. Read story

Registered nurse Fabian Woepke, a member of the PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center nurse residency program, pauses to check on an IV for patient Rick Johnson of Vancouver while working at PeaceHealth in Vancouver. The nurse residency program, which is in its second year at PeaceHealth, gives new nurses comprehensive training and support during their first year at the hospital.

PeaceHealth nurse residency program helps new nurses build confidence

Registered nurse Fabian Woepke, a member of the PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center nurse residency program, pauses to check on an IV for patient Rick Johnson of Vancouver while working at PeaceHealth in Vancouver. The nurse residency program, which is in its second year at PeaceHealth, gives new nurses comprehensive training and support during their first year at the hospital.

May 23, 2019, 5:59am Clark County Health

Before Amy Aldridge left a career in law enforcement and became a nurse, she didn’t quite know how involved nursing was. Read story

Vancouver resident Renee Amies retired after 43 years with Weight Watchers this month. “I’m around a lot of people every day, and they are pretty amazing,” Amies said.

In 43-year Weight Watchers career, Renee Amies had an impact on many lives

Vancouver resident Renee Amies retired after 43 years with Weight Watchers this month. “I’m around a lot of people every day, and they are pretty amazing,” Amies said.

May 20, 2019, 6:10am Clark County Health

Flowers, cards and wine. It was very easy to see the love in Renee Amies’ Vancouver household a couple of weeks ago. Read story

Beth and John Moritz sit next to a framed jersey and photo from the college sports career of their son, Zach Moritz. Zach died by suicide in 2015 after more than two years of struggling with the symptoms of Lyme disease. At top from left, Zach at a Super Bowl party a few months before he died; in the outdoors where he felt at home; and in a state high school basketball tournament game at the Tacoma Dome in 2005. He played for Columbia River High School.

Vancouver couple believe Lyme disease played role in son’s suicide

Beth and John Moritz sit next to a framed jersey and photo from the college sports career of their son, Zach Moritz. Zach died by suicide in 2015 after more than two years of struggling with the symptoms of Lyme disease. At top from left, Zach at a Super Bowl party a few months before he died; in the outdoors where he felt at home; and in a state high school basketball tournament game at the Tacoma Dome in 2005. He played for Columbia River High School.

May 19, 2019, 6:05am Clark County Health

As Zach Moritz sat in the shade of the sequoia trees, he could envision the outlines of a new life. Read story

Jesuit High School sophomores Ben Eilers, left, and Cole Odegard, right, stand at second base with Austin Justin, 6, as they wait for the batter to swing during his first Miracle League baseball game at Union High School in April. The Vancouver Miracle League gives children with disabilities an opportunity to play baseball.

For Vancouver 6-year-old, life is a walk in progress

Jesuit High School sophomores Ben Eilers, left, and Cole Odegard, right, stand at second base with Austin Justin, 6, as they wait for the batter to swing during his first Miracle League baseball game at Union High School in April. The Vancouver Miracle League gives children with disabilities an opportunity to play baseball.

May 19, 2019, 6:00am Clark County Life

Austin Justin crawls onto the scratched metal bleachers at Mountain View Ice Arena in Vancouver, ready to take the rink. Read story

Jessica Lowery, a paraeducator with the Washougal School District, left, laughs as DejaRay Smith reacts to not knowing the answer to a math problem during a home school session at her Washougal home. DejaRay spent 79 days in the hospital because of a MRSA infection. She returned to school this week.

Washougal girl back on her feet after 79 days in the hospital

Jessica Lowery, a paraeducator with the Washougal School District, left, laughs as DejaRay Smith reacts to not knowing the answer to a math problem during a home school session at her Washougal home. DejaRay spent 79 days in the hospital because of a MRSA infection. She returned to school this week.

May 18, 2019, 6:05am Clark County Life

Books, loose-leaf paper and a pencil sit on a small table in DejaRay Smith’s Washougal home. Her pit bull, Piston, rests on an ottoman nearby. Read story

A sign at Battle Ground Lake State Park warns visitors of the possibility of increased levels of bacteria in the water in July 2018. Last year the lake was investigated as the potential source of cases of shigellosis bacteria, a bacterial infection spread through fecal-oral transmission. Clark County Public Health advises that kids who aren’t toilet-trained stay out of public bodies of water, even if they have a swim diaper.

Cool off the safe way as weather warms in Clark County

A sign at Battle Ground Lake State Park warns visitors of the possibility of increased levels of bacteria in the water in July 2018. Last year the lake was investigated as the potential source of cases of shigellosis bacteria, a bacterial infection spread through fecal-oral transmission. Clark County Public Health advises that kids who aren’t toilet-trained stay out of public bodies of water, even if they have a swim diaper.

May 13, 2019, 6:00am Clark County Health

Temperatures may have risen into the 80s last week, but that doesn’t mean the water is warm now. Read story

Governor Jay Inslee speaks with the media following his signing of HB 1638 at Vancouver City Hall on Friday morning, May 10, 2019.

Gov. Inslee signs vaccine bill in Vancouver

Governor Jay Inslee speaks with the media following his signing of HB 1638 at Vancouver City Hall on Friday morning, May 10, 2019.

May 10, 2019, 8:07pm Clark County Health Free

Washington Gov. Jay Inslee signed House Bill 1638 into law at Vancouver City Hall earlier this morning. Read story