Morning Press: Drama teacher arrested, American Idol contestant, Christensen Shipyard

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This week’s top stories and some news you may have missed

Evergreen drama teacher accused of raping high school student

A drama teacher at Evergreen High School was arrested Tuesday afternoon for allegedly raping a high school student.

Stephanie Erin McCrea, 35, was arrested without incident on suspicion of four counts of rape of a child, according to Kim Kapp, Vancouver police spokeswoman. McCrea is scheduled to make her first court appearance this morning in Clark County Superior Court.

“Since the victim is a juvenile, information will be limited,”‘ Kapp said.

The Children’s Justice Center is handling the investigation.

According to a letter distributed Tuesday afternoon by Evergreen Public Schools, “Evergreen High School administrators were initially informed about the possibility of unprofessional conduct between McCrea and a student earlier this month. McCrea was immediately placed on administrative leave and the Vancouver Police Department was contacted.

“Honestly, seeing so many people show up to see one person, that’s insane,” Velasquez said. “I’m just really excited for him … music is seriously his life.”

Daniel, a student at Union, auditioned for “American Idol” in San Francisco after missing out on the Portland auditions. He said he was from Portland, like many Vancouver residents who avoid the inevitable confusion with the “other” Vancouver when out of the area.

See more about Seavey’s Idol audition.

Christensen Shipyards appears to be struggling financially

Christensen Shipyards, the Vancouver-based builder of custom yachts, appears to be struggling to pay its bills.

On Dec. 3, as rumors circulated of a temporary closure and layoffs, the company issued a statement saying, in part, that it was “currently working on a multipart ownership restructure.”

At the time, answers were few.

Since then, however, at least one of Christensen’s suppliers is concerned it won’t get paid for construction materials it provided, public records show. Likewise, another creditor, Umpqua Bank, is worried about securing what it’s owed.

Meanwhile, speculation continues about the role Henry Luken — the deep-pocketed Tennessee businessman and investor in Christensen — may be playing in the ownership changes.

In an email Monday to The Columbian, Joe Foggia, president of Christensen, said an estimated 50 workers are on temporary layoff and that “we are striving to bring them back as work allows.” He said Christensen will pay its suppliers and the bank.

Learn more about the shipbuilder.

Labor and Industry fines Waste Connections, contractor

The state Department of Labor & Industries said Wednesday it has fined two Vancouver area companies a total of $177,600 for multiple safety violations at the West Vancouver Material Recovery Center.

Waste Connections Inc. of Washington-Clark County — which offers solid waste collection, transfer and recycling services — was cited for 23 serious violations and fined $100,000. Leadpoint Business Services — a staffing agency that provides contracted workers to Waste Connections — was cited for 22 serious safety violations and fined $77,600.

“Many of the violations centered around unsafe entry and work in confined spaces,” L&I said in a news release. Attempts by The Columbian to reach both companies Wednesday afternoon were unsuccessful.

The companies have 15 working days to appeal the citations, L&I said.

The individual fine amounts levied against the two companies ranged from $2,400 to $7,000, public documents show. Under one serious violation carrying a $7,000 penalty, L&I alleges Waste Connections didn’t use control procedures to protect employees from “potentially hazardous energy.”

Read more about the violations.

Shift takes place in Clark County hires

When Clark County named Bob Stevens its new director of General Services earlier this month, it marked a subtle shift in the way the county hires department heads.

The hire happened through an internal appointment, which has often been the case for leadership positions in the past. And while Acting Manager Mark McCauley, who made the choice, had the blessing of county councilors, he didn’t necessarily need it. That’s because McCauley has new executive discretion under the home-rule charter that took effect Jan. 1.

McCauley said he kept county councilors in the loop on the hire because the two branches of Clark County’s new government have strived to work as a team. Councilors David Madore, Tom Mielke and Jeanne Stewart have said the same in public meetings.

“We don’t want surprises,” McCauley said. “We don’t want to ambush each other.”

The charter gave new executive power to McCauley when he became county manager this month. The county commissioners — who used to hold legislative and executive power — became county councilors with less authority.

Learn more about new county hires.

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Super Bowl postcard: Entertainment meets football

Katy Perry won over the room with one well-timed quip.

Standing before about 1,000 journalists during a press conference for her Super Bowl halftime show, the pop star was asked a hard-hitting question.

Would she, now that she’s single, be eyeing any football players during Sunday’s game?