Bonneville Lock reopens after 3-week closure
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced it was reopening the Bonneville Lock on Friday at 8 p.m., allowing the clogged commercial barge traffic to flow again after three weeks.
The Bradford Island Visitor Center and Bradford and Robins islands recreation areas on the Oregon side of the river will reopen Saturday, the Corps also announced Friday.
The reopening comes three days earlier than the Corps predicted, and good weather helped speed the process while workers waited for concrete sill to cure.
Workers discovered a crack in the old sill on Sept. 6 after noticing issues with the locking gate. They shut down the lock for emergency repairs.
Vancouver Chamber gives out 6 awards
The Greater Vancouver Chamber of Commerce gave out six awards Wednesday during its annual Business & Leadership Awards Recognition Ceremony. A fundraising event during the ceremony raised $11,500 for a Small Business Saturday Grant program, which distributed the grant money to its chamber members in November.
Arch Miller, who founded the International Air and Hospitality Academy, won the John S. McKibbin Leadership Legacy Award. Miller was the board chairman for the chamber in 1987 and the former president of the Port of Vancouver USA, Vancouver Rotary Club and the Vancouver Tourism Office.
Vancouver Mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle won the 2019 Community Statesman Award for her leadership in economic development, community relations and transportation.
Corwin Beverage Co. won the Community Champion Award for contributing to groups such as the Boys & Girls Club of SW Washington, the Clark County Food Bank, Share Vancouver and Northwest Association for Blind Athletes.
WellHaven Pet Health won the Start-Up to Watch Award. The Vancouver-based veterinary practice opened in 2017 and is set to have 50 facilities by the end of the year. The business participates in school career days, the Vancouver Farmers Market and sponsors the Humane Society for Southwest Washington.
Nom Nom Restaurant & Bar won the Small Business Award for growing its business, sponsoring school cooking programs and cooking for homeless shelters.
The Ginn Group won the Large Business Award for its success in developing land and its contributions through the Ginn Gives program that donates to nonprofits.
