PORTLAND — Authorities arrested the leader of a right-wing group on the eve of a rally that’s expected to draw people from around the U.S. to Portland today, prompting Patriot Prayer’s Joey Gibson to urge his followers to “show up one hundred-fold” in response.

Self-described anti-fascists have vowed to confront the right-wing groups at the downtown rally and the arrests of Gibson and five other right-wing supporters appeared to be intended to send a signal from police to organizers to remain peaceful or stay away.

Gibson, who is not involved in this weekend’s event but organized similar rallies in 2017 and 2018 that erupted in clashes, surrendered Friday on an arrest warrant for rioting. He was at a confrontation that broke out on May 1 outside a bar where members of the so-called “antifa” movement had gathered after a May Day demonstration.

In a video he livestreamed on Facebook, Gibson accused the police of playing politics by arresting him and other right-wing members but not the masked demonstrators who beat up conservative blogger Andy Ngo at a June 29 rally.
A video of that attack went viral and led the Proud Boys, who have been designated a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center, to organize Saturday’s event.

“What I’m saying to everybody who’s listening to this (is) they’re trying to shut you guys up. They want you to not show up in Portland, they want to put fear in your hearts. When a government pushes back like that, we don’t bend the knee,” he said, as he walked to the jail.

“We show up ten-fold, one hundred-fold,” he said. “If you believe in freedom and you’re against this political charging that they’re doing, show up tomorrow but be peaceful. Force them to arrest you for being peaceful.”

A Portland Police spokeswoman declined to comment about specific arrests but said generally police continue to investigate several incidents from clashes on May 1 and June 29 and are politically neutral.

Members of antifa often cover their faces with masks, making it harder to identify them.

“We receive criticism no matter what. It’s either too much, not enough, you arrested this group and not this group,” said police spokeswoman Tina Jones. “It seems like some people are keeping score and that’s not what it’s about on the law enforcement side. One hundred percent, it’s about public safety.”
In addition to the Proud Boys, the white nationalist American Guard and the Three Percenters, a far-right militia, have all said they will have members in Portland.

Hate group watchdogs say the Daily Stormers, a neo-Nazi group, are also expected.

The Oath Keepers, another far-right militia group, said in a statement late Thursday they were pulling out of the rally because organizers have not done enough to keep white supremacist groups away. The group’s founder, Stewart Rhodes, said while he agreed with the rally’s goal of opposing antifascists, he was concerned about the violent rhetoric posted online that could cause legal problems for those who attend.

“It would be best for the patriot/conservative cause if this August 17 rally were simply canceled,” he wrote. “Those who want to protest the way Portland coddles Antifa should start over, with a clean slate.”

Police and city officials spent Friday finishing preparations. More than two dozen different local, state and federal law enforcement agencies are expected, some at the rally and some in support roles, Jones said.

Authorities asked residents not to call 911 unless it’s a life-threatening emergency and to stay away from the heart of downtown. Some city streets were already closed Friday and a major bridge connecting the east and west sides of the city will close before dawn Saturday.

Aug. 11

Daily Agricultural and
Educational Display Awards

4-H Pigeon Release, Agriculture and Education Winner.

Open Class Photo – Cameras Through the Years, Educational Display Award.

Open Class Needlework – Clark County Quilters, Agricultural – Special Award.

4-H Dairy – Fitting and
Showing

Senior

Grand Champion, Josie Uskoski, La Center.

Reserve Champion, Trace Morris, Battle Ground.

Intermediate

Grand Champion, Peyton Rosin, Vancouver.

Reserve Champion, Samuel Hartrim-Lowe, Battle Ground.

Junior

Grand Champion, Harrison Hartrim-Lowe, Battle Ground.

Reserve Champion, John Souders, Battle Ground.

Blue

Madelyn Hartrim-Lowe, Battle Ground.

Ian Dunning, Ridgefield.

Meredith Meats, Battle Ground.

Grace Shirley, La Center.

Rose Knoedler, Ridgefield.

Shane Uskoski, La Center.

Ayrshire Show

Grand Champion, Junior Champion, Ian Dunning, Ridgefield.

Holstein Show

Grand Champion, Reserve Champion, Junior Champion, Senior Champion, Peyton Rosin, Battle Ground.

Junior Reserve Champion, Josie Uskoski, Battle Ground.

Jersey Show

Grand Champion, Shane Uskoski, La Center.

Reserve Grand Champion, Meredith Meats, Battle Ground.

Senior Champion, Grace Shirley, La Center.

Reserve Senior Champion, Meredith Meats, Battle Ground.

Junior Champion, Shane Uskoski, La Center.

Reserve Junior Champion, Meredith Meats, Battle Ground.

Brown Swiss

Junior Grand Champion, Reserve Junior Champion, Samuel Hartrim-Lowe, Battle Ground.

4-H Dairy Judging

2 Blue

Josie Uskoski, La Center.

Samuel Hartrim-Lowe, Battle Ground.

Raegan Boyse, La Center.

Peyton Rosin, Vancouver.

Blue

Riley Shirley, La Center.

Trace Morris, Vancouver.

Madelyn Hartrim-Lowe, Battle Ground.

Ian Dunning, Ridgefield.

Grace Shirley, La Center.

Meredith Meats, Battle Ground.

Rose Knoedler, Ridgefield.

Shane Uskoski, La Center.

Hunter Souders, Battle Ground.

Harrison Hartrim-Lowe Battle, Ground.

John Souders, Battle Ground.

4-H Pet Pals

Fitting and Showing

Senior Champion, Daniella Magnusson, Vancouver.

Senior Reserve Champion, Jeanette Magnusson, Vancouver.

Intermediate Champion, Heather Christianson, Ridgefield.

Junior Champion, Rosalie Bauer, Battle Ground.

Pet Judging

Senior Champion, Jeanette Magnusson, Vancouver.

Red

Daniella Magnusson, Vancouver.

Rosalie Bauer, Battle Ground.

Pet Evaluation

Judges’ Award, Rosalie Bauer, Battle Ground.

Superintendent’s Award, Heather Christianson, Ridgefield.

4-H Dogs

Agility – Open, 12” Grand Champion, Taylor Rhodig, Washougal.

Agility – Pre-Novice

12” Grand Champion, Taylor Carey, Battle Ground.

8” Grand Champion, Daniella Magnusson, Vancouver.

8” Reserve Grand Champion, Gracie Shoemaker, Woodland.

Agility – Elementary

20” Grand Champion, McKenna Hobson, Vancouver.

8” Grand Champion, Jacinta Henkels, Vancouver.

4” Grand Champion, Maddie McCarty, Battle Ground.

Agility – Beginner, 16” Grand Champion, Morgan Schram, Vancouver.

4-H Public Presentations

Senior

Champion, Sydney Dean Ridgefield.

Reserve Champion, McKenna Kessinger Vancouver.

Judges’ Awards

Jordan Mann, Vancouver.

Riley Shirley, La Center.

Special, Bridgette McCarthy, Washougal.

Superintendent’s Award, Benjamin McCarthy, Vancouver.

Intermediate

Champion, Cami Sundstrom, Battle Ground.

Reserve Champion, Naomi Wainwright, Ridgefield.

Judges’ Award, Heather Christianson, Ridgefield.

Special Award, Salali Michael, Vancouver.

Suprintendent’s Award, Steven Jacka, Vancouver.

Junior

Champion, Evie Grabenkort, Camas.

Reserve Champion, Ryker Polka, Camas.

Special Award, Mary Vernon, Vancouver.

Superintendent’s Award, Grady Gardner, Ridgefield.

Draft Horse

Log Skid

First, Duane VanDyke, One Mile Shire, Yamhill, Ore.

Second, Jessica Nolan, Mt. View Clydesdale, Cornelius, Ore.

Third, Chris Humberg, McInnis Classic Clydesdale, Reedville, Ore.

Unicorn

First, Jessica Nolan, Mt. View Clydesdale, Cornelius, Ore.

Second, Chuck Meeuwson, One Mile Shire, Yamhill, Ore.

Pony Barrels

First, Deneal Hunter, Cornelius, Ore.

Second, McKenzie Lynd, Cornelius, Ore.

Four Up

First, Jessica Nolan, Mt. View Clydesdale, Cornelius, Ore.

Second, Duane VanDyke, One Mile Shire, Yamhill, Ore.

Third, Mike McInnis, McInnis Classic Clydesdale, Reedville, Ore.

Six Up

First, Duane VanDyke, One Mile Shire, Yamhill, Ore.

Second, Mike McInnis, McInnis Classic Clydesdale, Reedville, Ore.

Drill – Short Program

First, Latigo n Lace, Brush Prairie.

Second, Gold Rush, Brush Prairie.

Drill – Freestyle Program

First, Latigo n Lace, Brush Prairie.

Second, Gold Rush, Brush Prairie.

Drill – Quad, First, Latigo n Lace, Littles Brush, Prairie.

4-H Sheep

Market Lamb

Champion Club Group, Elite Livestock, Battle Ground.

Reserve Champion Club Group, Hoof Beats, Battle Ground.

Grand Champion, Kai Cook-Luna, Ridgefield.

Reserve Grand Champion, Trinity Caldwell, Battle Ground.

Champion, Home Grown, Hunter Babcock, Heisson.

Reserve Champion Home Grown, Hallye Byford, Amboy.

Lad and Lassie Lead

Junior Champion, Gracelynn Caldwell, Battle Ground.

Junior Reserve Champion, Sharon Clark, Camas.

Intermediate Champion, Kaitlyn Hann, Battle Ground.

Intermediate Reserve Champion, Lanelle Clark, Camas.

Senior Champion, Abigail Forrester, Brush Prairie.

4-H Poultry

Top Feather, Jena Beachner, Vancouver.

Reserve Top Feather, Seth Hartrim Lowe, Vancouver.

Superintendent’s Awards

Jena Beachner, Vancouver.

Maddy Scott, Vancouver.

Tristan Tavison, Brush Prairie.

Elaina Tavison, Brush Prairie.

Best of Show, Gavin Besteman, Vancouver.

Reserve Of Show, Clara Smith, Battle Ground.

Leader Avian Bowl, Kierstin Lindeman, Stevenson.

SCCL

Champion, Everett Jackman, Ariel.

Reserve Champion, Gavin Besteman, Vancouver.

RCCL

Champion, Gavin Besteman, Vancouver.

Reserve Champion, Sara Beachner, Vancouver.

AOCCL, Champion, Reserve Champion, Emily Scott, Vancouver.

Feather Legged

Champion, Clara Smith, Battle Ground.

Reserve Champion, Nahla Vilenberg, Ridgefield.

Game

Champion, Sally Michael, Battle Ground.

Reserve Champion, Mylee Whitney, Vancouver.

Turkey

Champion, Emily Scott, Vancouver.

Reserve Champion, Brooke Jackman, Ariel.

American

Champion, Gavin Besteman, Vancouver.

Reserve Champion, Jena Beachner, Vancouver.

English

Champion, Jena Beachner, Vancouver.

Reserve Champion, Joslyn Grek-Porter, La Center.

Mediterreanean, Champion, Reserve Champion, Zoey Wyant, Vancouver.

Continental, Champion, Emily Scott, Vancouver.

AOSB, Champion, Jena Beachner, Vancouver.

Continental, Reserve Champion, Sara Beachner, Vancouver.

AOSB, Reserve Champion, Maddy Klemz, Battle Ground.

Asiatic, Champion, Clara Smith, Battle Ground.

Waterfowl

Champion, Clara Smith, Battle Ground.

Reserve Champion, Gavin Besteman, Vancouver.

Guinea, Champion, Reserve Champion, Nahla Vilenberg, Ridgefield.

Showmanship

Senior Champion, Gavin Besteman, Vancouver.

Senior Reserve Champion, Benjamin Michael, Battle Ground.

Intermediate Champion, Sterling Rowland, Battle Ground.

Intermediate Reserve Champion, Emily Beck, Vancouver.

Junior Champion, Elise Christensen, Woodland.

Reserve Junior Champion, Lydia St. Clair, Vancouver.

Novice Champion, Seth Hartrim-Lowe, Vancouver.

Novice Reserve Champion, Malia Smith, Wahkiacus.

Light Goose, Champion, Reserve Champion, Gavin Besteman, Vancouver.

Heavy Duck

Champion, Nahla Vilenberg, Ridgefield.

Reserve Champion, Gavin Besteman, Vancouver.

Light Duck, Champion, Reserve Champion, Gavin Besteman, Vancouver.

Bantam Duck

Champion, Clara Smith, Battle Ground.

Reserve Champion, Nahla Vilenberg, Ridgefield.

Large Fowl

Champion, Gavin Besteman, Vancouver.

Reserve Champion, Emily Scott, Vancouver.

Bantam

Champion, Gavin Besteman, Vancouver.

Reserve Champion, Sally Michael, Battle Ground.

Avian Bowl

Senior Champion, Gavin Besteman, Vancouver.

Senior Reserve Champion, Maddy Klemz, Battle Ground.

Intermediate Champion, Sterling Rowland, Battle Ground.

Intermediate Reserve Champion, Emily Beck, Vancouver.

Junior Champion, Tristan Tavison, Brush Prairie.

Junior Reserve Champion, Elise Christensen, Woodland.

Novice Champion, Seth Hartrim-Lowe, Vancouver.

Novice Reserve Champion, Elaina Tavison, Brush Prairie.

Judging

Senior Champion, Everett Jackman, Ariel.

Senior Reserve Champion, Clara Smith, Battle Ground.

Senior Third, Benjamin Michael, Battle Ground.

Intermediate Champion, Sterling Rowland, Battle Ground.

Intermediate Reserve Champion, Elijah Austen, Battle Ground.

Intermediate Third, Mylee Whitney, Vancouver.

Junior Champion, Elise Christensen Woodland.

Junior Reserve Champion, Narah Austen, Battle Ground.

Junior Third, Tristen Tavison, Brush Prairie.

Novice Champion, Maddie Messner, Yacolt.

Novice Reserve Champion, Seth Hartrim- Lowe, Vancouver.

Novice, Third, Malia Smith, Wahkiacus.

Parent Bowl

Champion, Steven Beachner, Vancouver.

Reserve Champion, Allison Klemz, Battle Ground.

4-H Sheep

Wether-Sires

Reserve Ewe, Blue, Jonah Cady, La Center.

Champion Ewe, Blue, Kai Cook-Luna, Ridgefield.

Best Pair, Blue, Zachary Coder, Battle Ground.

Blue, Hallye Byford, Amboy.

Crossbreeds

Champion Ewe, 2 Blue, Willow Babcock, Heisson.

Reserve Champion Ewe, Blue, Gracelynn Caldwell, Battle Ground.

Natural Colored

Champion, Blue, Hallye Byford, Amboy.

Reserve Champion Ewe, Blue, Scarlett Perin, Battle Ground.

Best Pair, Blue, Hope Roberts, Amboy.

2 Blue, Faith Roberts, Amboy.

Supreme

Champion Ram, Lane Roberts, Amboy.

Reserve Champion Ram, Clay Roberts, Amboy.

Champion Ewe, Jonah Cady, La Center.

Reserve Champion Ewe, Kaitlyn Hann, Vancouver.

Romney, Champion Ewe, Reserve Champion Ewe, Best Pair, 2 Blue, Hallye Byford, Amboy.

Southdown, Champion Ewe, Reserve Champion Ewe, Best Pair, 2 Blue, Jonah Cady, La Center.

Hampshires

Champion Ram, Blue, Lane Roberts, Amboy.

Reserve Champion, Ram, Blue, Clay Roberts, Amboy.

Reserve Champion Ewe, Blue, Faith Roberts, Amboy.

Champion Ewe, Best Pair, 3 Blue, Kaitlyn Hann, Ridgefield.

Wensleydale

Champion Ewe, Reserve Champion Ewe, Best Pair, 1 Blue, Madeline Coder, Battle Ground.

2 Blue, Reagenne Perin, Battle Ground.

Showmanship

Junior Champion, Aiyana Hann, Vancouver.

Junior Reserve Champion, Jonah Cady, La Center.

Intermediate Champion, Best of Show, Kai Cook-Luna, Ridgefield.

Intermediate Reserve Champion, Reserve of Show, Lanelle Clark, Camas.

Senior Champion, Hallye Byford, Amboy.

Senior Reserve Champion, Clay Roberts, Amboy.

Open Class Dairy Goats

Recorded Grade, Grand Champion, Reserve Champion, Mariah Acton, Vancouver.

Lamancha, Grand Champion, Reserve Champion, Ardis Lyons, Vancouver.

Nubian, Grand Champion, Reserve Champion, Brenda Yoho, Brush Prairie.

Nigerians

Grand Champion, Nancy Lamont, Rochester.

Reserve Champion, Amanda Hanson, Amboy.

AOP Grand Champion, Reserve Champion, Gavin Besteman, Vancouver.

AlpinesGrand Champion, Reserve Champion, Virginia Triplett Brush Prairie.

4-H Pigeon

Showmanship

Novice Champion, Elise Christensen, Woodland.

Novice Reserve Champion, Braelynn Christensen, Woodland.

Junior Champion, Reserve Fancy Pigeon, Best Crossbreed, Naomi Klemz, Battle Ground.

Intermediate Champion, Best Fancy, Sterling Rowland, Battle Ground.

Intermediate Reserve Champion, Emily Beck, Vancouver.

Senior Champion, Madison Scott, Vancouver.

Senior Reserve Champion, Best Sport, Best of Show, Andrew Mellin, Ridgefield.

Reserve Sport, Reserve of Show, Alyssa Mellin, Ridgefield.

Craft

Junior Reserve, Naomi Klemz, Battle Ground.

Junior Champion, Kanna Mellin, Ridgefield.

Intermediate Reserve, Alyssa Mellin, Ridgefield.

Intermediate Champion, Marah Klemz, Battle Ground.

Senior Reserve Craft, Champion, Maddy Scott, Vancouver.

Special

Elise Christensen, Woodland.

Karina Mellin, Ridgefield.

Judges’ Choice, Emily Beck, Vancouver.

Overall Reserve Champion, Karina Mellin, Ridgefield.

Overall Champion, Maddy Scott, Vancouver.

Equipment, Champion, Maddy Scott, Vancouver.

Best Oral Reasons

Junior, Elise Christensen, Woodland.

Intermediate, Marah Klemz, Battle Ground.

Senior, Gavin Besteman, Vancouver.

Judging Contest

Junior Reserve Champion, Elise Christensen, Woodland.

Junior Champion, Naomi Klemz, Battle Ground.

Intermediate Reserve Champion, Emily Beck, Vancouver.

Intermediate Champion, Sterling Rowland, Battle Ground.

Senior Reserve Champion, Maddy Scott, Vancouver.

Senior Champion, Andrew Mellin, Ridgefield.

Top Loft

Reserve Champion, Naomi Klemz, Battle Ground.

Champion, Maddy Scott, Vancouver.

Jim Cooper will appear first on the ballot in the November election for District 1 on the Washougal school board.

After no one applied to run for the seat during filing week, Clark County Elections held a special three-day filing period to seek candidates. Cooper was one of two to apply for the seat along with Bill Durgan.

On Friday, the elections office held a special drawing to determine the order in which the two candidates would appear on the ballot. After filing week, the office holds drawings for each race, Clark County Elections Supervisor Cathie Garber said.

The drawing consisted of reaching into a bag of tiles; the candidate with the lower number tile would appear first. An elections staffed pulled number 104 for Cooper and 178 for Durgan.

Clark County Auditor Greg Kimsey said the effect ballot order has on elections has been a much discussed topic, although it’s hard to really determine how much the order plays a role.

“Anything in elections is difficult to come to conclusions,” he said. “Every election is different. Every candidate is different. It’s not like medical stuff where you can have side-by-side comparisons.”

Still some studies have looked at ballot order. Kimsey said he and Jack Burkman, a former Vancouver city councilor, have looked at some, and found that ballot order matters more in lower level races where voters might not know as much about the candidates or position.

Darren Grant with the department of economics and international business with Sam Houston State University found something similar when he looked at the effect ballot placement has on elections in a May 2016 paper. He determined that “while the ballot order effect is indeed small in high-profile races, such as those for U.S. Senator, it is larger elsewhere; in down-ballot judicial elections it can be 10 percentage points or more.”

Local first responders will soon have a four-legged method of coping with high-stress calls.

American Medical Response of Southwest Washington has been training Apollo, a 7-month-old brown labradoodle, as a therapy dog. The ambulance service provider hopes Apollo can earn a therapy dog certification and begin responding to calls next year.

AMR’s National Therapy Dog Team formed in the wake of the 2016 Pulse nightclub shooting as first responders continue searching for ways to cope with emotional stress. Dogs have responded to several mass incidents since then, most recently the shooting in El Paso, Texas.

Apollo is the 13th member of the program, which now involves 21 canines. He is also the first to be stationed on the West Coast.

Therapy dog visits can reduce blood pressure, heart rate and anxiety while increasing endorphin and oxytocin levels, according to the National Center for Biotechnical Information.

“Our crews are getting busier with more calls,” said Kanessa Thompson, AMR community relations coordinator and Apollo’s handler. “We thought he could be a good addition.”

Apollo — a name chosen by the AMR staff to replace his original designation, Alfred Hitchcock — was bred at Trail’s End Labradoodles in Sandy, Ore. Dogs bred there “come from champion bloodlines and are selectively bred for brains, beauty and great temperament,” according to the breeder’s website. Labradoodles are a cross between a Labrador retriever and a standard poodle.

When Apollo was eight weeks old, Kanessa and Scott Thompson, Clark County AMR supervisor, took him into their home and became his permanent handlers. Initially, Apollo behaved like a normal puppy — chewing furniture, urinating on things and showing other typical canine behaviors.

His handlers were soon surprised by the puppy’s intelligence. Apollo learned how to shake hands, for example, in one day.

“People can’t believe how well he’s doing at seven months old,” Kanessa Thompson said.

When it’s time to work, Apollo wears a vest that serves both as a uniform and a signal for him to focus on tasks ahead. After work, when the vest comes off, his demeanor shifts.

“It’s great when he gets home to see him be a dog,” Kanessa Thompson said. “You take his vest off and he gets to be a puppy and play.”

At 12 weeks old, Apollo spent 12 days training at Enzo’s Acres dog training in Battle Ground. The Thompsons hope he will earn an obedience certificate by the end of the year and the therapy dog certification before he turns 1 1/2 years old.

In the meantime, Apollo spends most of his time in AMR’s Hazel Dell operations center as well as at schools, fire and police stations, nursing homes and community events.

“He’s been doing phenomenal with all of the things we’ve exposed him to,” Kanessa Thompson said. “He’s brought a lot of smiles to people and just changes the entire atmosphere of the operations.”

Among other events, Apollo spent time at a Clark County Fire District 6 open house. His people skills stood out, district spokesman Dave Schmitke said.

Those skills will be helpful for those responding to high-stress calls, especially ones involving children, Schmitke said. A 2017 study by the Ruderman Family Foundation, a Boston philanthropic organization, found that first responders are more likely to die by suicide than in the line of duty and that stigma can often be a barrier to seeking help.

“We would probably be more willing to let our guard down to a dog than other people,” Schmitke said. “They don’t ask sensitive questions. They’re just there.”

Once fully certified, Apollo will be on-call all day, every day and live full time at the AMR operations center. He will respond to calls with the company’s critical incident stress management team, typically activated three to four times per month, Kanessa Thompson said.

“I don’t wish tragedy on people,” she said, “but I’m excited to see him go to work.”

Prosecutors have amended charges in the case against a man accused in the beating and fatal shooting of Raymond Brandon, whose body was found in April 2017 in a shed at a Hockinson residence.

Neil Allen Alway, 41, appeared Friday in Clark County Superior Court to address the state’s amended charges. He’s the last of five co-defendants to maintain a not-guilty plea.

The amended charges against Alway include first- and second-degree murder, two counts of first-degree kidnapping, two counts of first-degree robbery and first- and second-degree unlawful possession of a firearm.

Senior Deputy Prosecutor Anna Klein said an earlier kidnapping charge was separated into two counts — one for the alleged unlawful detainment of Brandon, 34, and another for Brandon’s girlfriend Allison Fields. Klein said the language of the robbery charge was also changed.

The charges have been adjusted now that four co-defendants have entered into plea agreements with the state. Alway is scheduled to be arraigned Tuesday on the amended charges; his trial is set for Jan. 6.

Prosecutors say Alway conspired with four co-defendants to lure Brandon and Fields to the residence at 15308 N.E. 172nd Ave., to settle a debt over a Subaru Forester he was driving. Brandon’s body was found April 27, 2017, nearly a week after he was killed there.

Alway’s co-defendants are John Michael West, 45, Ashley Lorraine Barry, 33, Ashley Wideman, 25, and Traci Lynn Mendez, 43, court records show.

According to a probable cause affidavit, Brandon and Fields arrived at Mendez’s house on the morning of April 20, 2017, and were ambushed by the group. A chaotic confrontation ensued, and Alway and West led Brandon outside where he was attacked and fatally shot in the chest. Fields was forced to stay with the group or risk being killed herself.

Afterward, Mendez drove the group and Fields in her SUV to a farm off Northeast 119th Street, and Fields eventually escaped, court records say.

West, Mendez and Wideman have entered into cooperation agreements with the state. Their agreements stipulate that they testify against their alleged accomplices. They won’t be sentenced until the remaining defendant, Alway, is tried.

For West, Mendez and Wideman, the state is recommending sentences of about 18 years, 11 years and time served, respectively.

Barry’s agreement does not require her to testify. The prosecution is recommending a sentence of about 12 years in prison; sentencing is set for Aug. 26.

Jerzy Shedlock: 360-735-4522; jerzy.shedlock@columbian.com; Twitter: twitter.com/jerzyms

Drivers on Highway 99 should expect intermittent single-lane closures between 78th and 134th streets due to road construction starting Monday. Road crews will be doing pavement repair and crack-sealing work 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. through Friday.

According to a Clark County press release, the work is fast-paced, and delays should be brief. The project is expected to be completed later this fall.

These improvements are the first phase of a $4.3 million project to improve accessibility and mobility along the heavily traveled corridor.

Later this year, some work will require nighttime closures of some intersections while road crews update sidewalk ramps to be ADA compliant. The next paving work will continue in the same area.

Information about this and other projects can be found at www.clark.wa.gov/public-works.

Orchards — The Orchards Evergreen Lions recently accepted a donation of new shoes from Big 5 Sporting Goods. The Lions are collecting shoes for children in need at Fircrest Elementary School, and are looking for new or slightly used shoes. They are asking for kids’ shoes sizes 5 to 7. Donations can be dropped off at the Clark County Family YMCA, 11324 N.E. 51st Circle, Vancouver. The Lions are collecting shoes for the rest of the month. Anyone with questions can call Rosann Grzesiowski with the Lions at 360-601-8410, or the school at 360-604-6925. The Lions meet at 7 p.m. the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at the YMCA.

ORCHARDS — Two teams from Heritage High School’s Future Business Leaders of America received awards at the FBLA National Leadership Conference, held July 2 in San Antonio. They competed against 78 teams from around the U.S. and five countries. Victoria Thornton and Elvia Santos-Dominguez placed second in a Partnership with Business Project, while Matthew Lipinski and Daniel Adams took ninth place with their American Enterprise Project. Both teams made a seven-minute presentation and wrote a 15-page report for judges regarding their collaboration with iQ Credit Union. The presentations detailed how FBLA members at Heritage High School taught their classmates about personal finance at a Financial Reality Fair.

ESTHER SHORT — Furry Friends, a nonprofit, volunteer no-kill shelter, raised $940 at the Recycled Arts Festival in June. The organization successfully microchipped 14 dogs and cats, and also held a raffle to win a sculpture. Microchips help reunite lost pets with their owners. Additionally, five adoption applications were filled out for cats. Funds will help with medical supplies for cats and kittens. The group’s mission is to help abused, relinquished and homeless cats by providing spay and neutering services, medical care and foster shelter for as long as it takes for a pet to find a home. For more information about Furry Friends or to see available cats, visit www.furryfriendswa.org, email information@furryfriendswa.org or leave a message at 360-993-1097.

Bagley Downs — The Free Clinic of Southwest Washington was selected as the Clark County Newcomers Club’s charity for 2019. Throughout the year, the club held various activities to raise money for the clinic, which provides free health care for children and adults who aren’t able to afford it. This year is the club’s 65th anniversary. The club handed over a check for $2,000.66 to the clinic earlier this summer.

There was no wait at the Clark County Courthouse’s front entrance shortly after its doors were unlocked Friday morning. On busier days, a line of people can stretch down the steps to the sidewalk along Franklin Street.

Small groups milled around the lobby. Three people stood at the public information desk just beyond the courthouse’s metal detector, asking where to go.

A volunteer at the information desk directed the lost souls. Robert G. “Bob” Weller, who has volunteered at the desk for two decades, said there are things that courthouse visitors need to know to avoid a hassle.

“The main problem always seems to be anything that will cut,” said 80-year-old Weller. “That can include a manicure set. There are a lot of blue collar guys coming in with knives. Any kind of metal can set off the detectors, even enhanced drivers’ licenses.”

All visitors are required to pass through one of the two checkpoints at the courthouse.

Here’s what the courthouse rules say: No aerosols, weapons or sharp objects, including scissors, silverware, knitting needles, pocket knives or nail clippers are permitted.

“If you have an item which is not allowed, you will need to take the item back to your vehicle; otherwise, it will be confiscated upon entry,” the courthouse warns on its website. Confiscated items are not returned.

Just earlier this week, a woman stood in line for a not insignificant amount of time while a security guard fished for a fork in her purse. She did not get it back.

Knives have been among the most confiscated items so far this year, according to data provided by G4S Secure Solutions, the private security company that the Clark County Sheriff’s Office hires to serve the courthouse. From January to July, guards took 346 knives from visitors. That’s a lot of knives, but it should be noted that more than 267,000 bags of personal belongings have passed through two X-ray scanners over the same period of time, according to the data.

The largest category of confiscated items is “tools/miscellaneous,” which totaled 928, according to the data.

Weller said he has never seen anyone coming through security checkpoints become violent. People who aren’t used to the procedure can get aggravated; others stomp off and don’t come back.

“I’ve seen some people who appeared to be under the influence; they’re usually just told to leave,” he said.

Clark County sheriff’s deputy Sgt. Brent Waddell said that if a person is especially unruly, deputies will step in and remove them from the courthouse. He was unaware of anyone being taken into custody at security, but said it’s probably happened. That doesn’t include people coming in to court who have warrants, are spotted by deputies and cuffed.

Weller, who volunteers at the courthouse through the Retired Senior Volunteer Program, said he spends 70 percent of his time directing visitors to courtrooms, or the correct window to pay traffic fines. The remainder of his work goes into helping people get particular issues solved, but sometimes, they’re in the wrong building, he said.

Property and tax issues are handled at the Clark County Public Service Center, across West 13th Street from the courthouse. Marriage licenses are handled there, too.

“Other people come in here with multiple issues, some of which can’t be addressed. There are even more that come in and think they can get legal counseling on any number of issues. A lot of people come in to deal with property and taxes, and they get sent right next door. Most of them are stressed out,” he said.

More information the courthouse, taxes and marriage licenses can be found at clark.wa.gov.

I went to college with a lot of people who became TV journalists, and one of the things we liked to talk about was George Carlin’s “Seven Words You Can Never Say on Television.” Thinking back, I now realize that we print journalists had our own dirty word: “partnerships.” As in, newsrooms need to remain more independent than McMurdo Station in the middle of the winter in order to maintain their integrity.

That notion seems archaic these days. Certainly, we need to maintain integrity. But we realize we are part of the community we cover, and we’ve been working hard in our newsroom to forge new partnerships on a variety of fronts.

Probably our most simple partnership is sharing stories and photography with other news organizations. Our most frequent partner is The Daily News in Longview. A decade ago, we considered them a competitor; now we share several times per week. It’s improved our coverage of Woodland and Mount St. Helens, to name two.

The partnerships don’t end there. You’ve likely seen Columbian photos and/or stories on KATU-TV and occasionally other Portland news stations. On Thursday we published the first of what is planned to be several articles on the local Patriot Prayer group and its charismatic leader, Joey Gibson.

These stories are being produced by a new online news startup serving Oregon called underscore.news. It was spun out of a Seattle online news organization, InvestigateWest, and is being advised by veteran Portland journalist Lee van der Voo. I’ve known Lee for more than a decade; it’s fair to say she is one of my heroes. She is a four-time winner of Oregon’s top award for reporters, the Bruce Baer Award. The reporter on the Patriot Prayer story, Sergio Olmos, is a long-form journalist who has spent more than a year following Gibson, who has given him access to the group. We will contribute some photography to the series, as will Pamplin Media Group, the owner of the Portland Tribune and a major partner in the story. John Schrag, Pamplin’s executive editor and another journalist I’ve long known and admired, edited the first part of the series.

Without these kinds of partnerships, we would be missing out on opportunities to bring local journalism to our readers. I’m hoping we will be able to leverage more partnerships like this.

Seen at the fair

Did you go to the fair this year? If so, you might have seen a completely different kind of newsroom partnership. Working with Darren Conerly, the superintendent of Open Class Photography, we contributed a non-judged exhibit. Each of our three photojournalists submitted three of their favorite prints. We also provided some of our page proofs, showing how their photography is used in the newspaper. In addition, the team was at the first day of the fair to talk with amateur photographers. It seemed to go well, we learned a lot, and we hope to be back next year.

Another example of a new partnership for the newsroom is our summer reporting intern. You’ve seen Jeni Banceu’s byline all summer. She is a student at Clark College, and she will be the editor-in-chief of the student newspaper, The Independent, this fall. Earlier this year, Clark’s journalism professor, Beth Slovic, reached out to create a Dee Anne Finken Endowed Internship in partnership with The Columbian and the Clark College Foundation.

Jeni has been with us for almost three months; her internship ends next week. She’s been game to tackle any assignment; I sent her to the fair to write a first-person story about what it’s like to wash a pig. She might become a journalist someday, but I don’t think she will raise hogs.

All of these successes have made me rethink what I learned in school. Used well, partnerships can increase the quality and quantity of our journalism and give our work a wider audience. We still won’t be using George Carlin’s seven words, however.

For more than two decades, Alan Schurman’s famous Iron Ranch wowed people of all ages with its extensive collection of historic machinery and relics of a now-passed industrial age. The Rural Heritage Fair has drawn thousands of visitors to this sprawling property over the years to check out vintage cars, decades-old farm equipment and hundreds of other oddities.

That era, however, has come to an end. Schurman died in February. He was 76 years old.

“In restoring old tractors, Alan’s skills were legendary; both as an engineer, and as a machinist and welder,” reads Schurman’s obituary at Evergreen Memorial Gardens. “He was loved and deeply appreciated by those that knew him, and respected by all who shared his passion for old machinery.”

And to those who do share that passion, now’s the opportunity to start or add to a collection of your own. Schurman’s family is auctioning off most of the pieces, and welcomed people to the property on Saturday to take a look at what’s available.

Aumann Auctions, an Illinois-based company that specializes in vintage power, is conducting an online auction of more than 2,900 lots, likely containing more than 5,000 individual items.

“Alan’s collection is one you would think exceeds a normal collection,” said Jodi Reynolds, operations manager for the auction.

That’s one way to put it. Schurman’s collection is massive. Dozens of spark plugs fill glass display cases. Model cars line the walls of a large shop. Soda memorabilia, porcelain gas station signs and a neon flashing display reading “popcorn” are scattered around. Rusty gears, chains and other bits and bobs are piled atop pallets to be sold in heaps.

The tractors

Then, there’s the tractors. Oh, the tractors. Dozens of them, and other farm equipment, too, set out on the lawn for curious onlookers to consider.

And there’s the crown jewel of the collection: the great blue Corliss steam engine. The 600-horsepower device, named for inventor George Henry Corliss, was once used to power industrial logging activity. The engine would have powered five or six saws on top of other finishing machines in its heyday.

“We’ve had to peel back layer by layer, like an onion,” said Reynolds of the collection. “It’s overwhelming, what he had.”

Jason Morris and Melissa Merrell and their son, Archer, were perusing the grounds Saturday. The couple bought a small farm in the area recently, and like Morris puts it, it’s just begging to have “a rusty old piece of metal” on the property.

“To show off!” quipped Archer.

Morris has fixed up a few cars over the years, and Merrell’s on the hunt for an old-fashioned spinning wheel for her fiber arts.

They’d never been to the property before, but Morris was in awe of the size and scale of the collection.

“The gentleman must have been an amazing individual,” he said of Schurman.

Greg and Jody Wilcox, meanwhile, were on the hunt for a tractor or another piece of farm equipment. Greg Wilcox is a collector of farm equipment himself, and is looking to restore an old piece.

“It’s about getting that thing to turn on,” he said, motioning a key in an ignition. “It gives you a high, that’s for sure.”

The couple live in Longview, and Greg Wilcox grew up on a farm driving tractors himself. The way he puts it, with these old machines — built to last forever — you don’t truly own any of it. It owns you until it’s ready to be passed on to the next generation of collectors.

“We’re keeping history alive,” said Jody Wilcox.

Aug. 11

Open Class Beef

Murray Grey

Champion Heifer Calf, Reserve Senior Champion Female, Champion Cow/Calf, Diamond G Farms: George and Cheryl Germaine, Vader.

Reserve Champion, Heifer Calf, Grand Champion Female McCully Mtn. Murray Greys, Steve and Kathy Walker, Lyons, Ore.

Junior Champion Heifer, Reserve Champion Heifer, Senior Champion Female, Reserve Champion Cow/Calf, Bull Calf Champion, Reserve Bull Calf Champion, Junior Champion Bull, Reserve Junior Champion Bull, Grand Champion Bull, Reserve Grand Champion Bull, MLJ Ranch, Michael and Leona Jimenez, Ridgefield.

Reserve Grand Champion Female, McCully Mtn. Murray Greys, Natalia Walker, Lyons, Ore.

Black Angus

Champion Heifer Calf, Reserve Champion Heifer Calf, Junior Champion Heifer, Reserve Senior Champion Female, Grand Champion Female, Reserve Grand Champion Female, Champion Cow/Calf, Reserve Bull Calf Champion, Reserve Grand Champion Bull, Tri Mountain Angus, Dallas Martin, Ridgefield.

Reserve Junior Champion, Heifer Blue Sky, Bill Kennedy, Ridgefield.

Senior Champion Female, Bull Calf Champion, Grand Champion Bull, G Bar S Ranch, Lisa Spiesschaert, Forest Grove, Ore.

Mini Zebu

Champion Heifer Calf, Junior Champion Heifer, Reserve Senior Champion Female, Reserve Grand Champion Female, Senior Bull Champion, Grand Champion Bull, AH-Misk Farm, Lisa Beaver, Vader.

Reserve Champion Heifer Calf, Reserve Junior Champion Heifer, Senior Champion Female, Grand Champion Female, Champion Cow/Calf, Bull Calf, Champion, Smokey Valley Farm, Michelle Shannon, Toledo.

All Other Breeds

Champion Heifer Calf, Junior Champion Heifer, Reserve Junior Champion Heifer, Senior Champion Female, Grand Champion Female, Reserve Grand Champion Female, Champion Cow/Calf, Bull Calf Champion, Grand Champion Bull, Reserve Grand Champion, Bull Robb Farms, Blake Robb, Vancouver.

Reserve Champion Heifer Calf, Reserve Senior Champion Female, G Bar S Ranch, Lisa Spiesschaert, Forest Grove, Ore.

Reserve Bull Calf Champion, Diamond G Farm, George and Cheryl Germaine, Vader.

Maine Anjou

Champion Heifer Calf, Junior Champion Heifer, Senior Champion Female, Grand Champion Female, Reserve Grand Champion Female, Champion Cow/Calf, Bull Calf Champion, Reserve Bull Calf Champion, Grand Champion Bull, Reserve Grand Champion Bull, 4P Ranch, Terry and Kim Primley, Ridgefield.

Reserve Champion Heifer Calf, Reserve Junior Champion Heifer, Reserve Senior Champion Female, Reserve Champion Cow/Calf, Hauser Farms, Betty Hauser, Ridgefield.

Mini Hereford

Champion Heifer Calf, Reserve Junior Champion Heifer, Reserve Senior Champion Female, Smokey Valley Farm, Michelle Shannon, Toledo.

Junior Champion Heifer, Reserve Grand Champion Female, Smokey Valley Farm, RJ Shannon, Toledo.

Senior Champion Female, Grand Champion Female, Smokey Valley Farm, Kierra Shannon, Toledo.

Hereford

Champion Heifer Calf, Junior Champion Heifer, Senior Champion Female, Grand Champion Female, JNS Cattle, Taylor DeJong, Lebanon, Ore.

Reserve Champion Heifer Calf, Bull Calf Champion, Grand Champion Bull Eldred Herefords, Lindsay and Andrew Eldred, Ridgefield.

Reserve Junior Champion Heifer, Reserve Champion Cow/Calf, Reserve Bull Calf Champion, Reserve Grand Champion Bull, JMS Herefords, Jody Schlecht, Oregon City, Ore.

Reserve Senior Champion Female, Reserve Grand Champion Female, Champion Cow/Calf, JNS Cattle, Jerry and Staci DeJong, Lebanon, Ore.

Junior Bull Champion, JG Herefords, Mike Graves, Oak Harbor.

Youth Showmanship: Age 11 and Under

First Place, Margie Harris, Myrtle Point, Ore.

Second Place, Logan DeJong, Lebanon, Ore.

Third Place, Kierra Shannon, Toledo.

Youth Showmanship: Age 12-14

First Place, Emma Walsh Molalla, Ore.

Second Place, Taylor DeJong, Lebanon, Ore.

Third Place, Macy Wilson, Lebanon, Ore.

Youth Showmanship:
Age 15-18

First Place, Hunter Ball, Ten Mile, Ore.

Herdsmanship: Large Herd

First Place, 4P Ranch, Terry and Kim Primley, Ridgefield.

Second Place, MLJ Ranch, Jimenez Family, Ridgefield.

Third Place, JMS Herefords, Jody Schlecht, Oregon City, Ore.

Herdsmanship: Small Herd

First Place, McCulley Mt. Murray Greys, Steve and Kathy Walker, Lyons, Ore.

Second Place, Diamond G Farm, George and Cheryl Germaine, Vader.

Third Place, Robb Farms, Blake Robb, Vancouver.

Supreme

Supreme Female, Supreme Cow/Calf, JNS Cattle, Taylor DeJong, Lebanon, Ore.

Supreme Bull, Robb Farms, Blake Robb, Vancouver.

4-H Cavies

Cloverbud Award, Hastin Polka and Tristan Schoening.

Best of Breed, Best in Show, Lee Fromm.

Reserve Best in Show, Best of Breed, Kate Bias.

Best of Breed

Rielei Polka.

Sara Chamberlain.

Rykker Polka.

Annabelle Fisk.

Junior Fitting and Showing

Champion, Alyssa Franklin.

Reserve Champion, Rykker Polka.

Blue, Lee Fromm and Sara Chamberlain.

Intermediate Fitting and Showing

Champion, Rielei Polka.

Reserve Champion, Heather Krause.

Blue, Kieran Schoening.

Senior Fitting and Showing

Champion, Kate Bias.

Reserve Champion, Annabelle Fisk.

Judging

Junior Champion, Alyssa Franklin.

Junior Reserve Champion, Rykker Polka.

Blue, Sara Chamberlain and Lee Fromm.

Intermediate Champion, Rielei Polka.

Intermediate Reserve Champion, Heather Krause.

Blue, Kieran Schoening.

Senior Champion, Kate Bias.

Senior Reserve Champion, Annabelle Fisk.

Top Oral Reasonings

Intermediate, Heather Krause.

Senior, Kate Bias.

Aug. 13

Draft Horse – Pulling

Light Weight

First, Randy Dodge, Albany, Ore.

Second, Jerry Lee Jr., Sandy, Ore.

Heavy Weight

First, Randy Dodge, Albany, Ore.

Second, Don Lee, Estacada, Ore.

4-H Rabbits

Junior Fitting and Showing

Champion, Lucy Becker.

Reserve Champion, Evelyn Grabenkort.

Intermediate Fitting and Showing

Champion, Makenna Conner.

Reserve Champion, Victoria Labadorf.

Senior Fitting and Showing

Champion, Autumn Richardson.

Reserve Champion, Erin Marble.

Junior Judging

Champion, Viena Johnson.

Reserve Champion, Cheyenne Coss.

Junior Oral Reasons

Champions Evie Grabenkort and Morgan Gramm.

Junior Breed ID, Cheyenne Coss.

Intermediate Judging, Shayla Konency.

Reserve Champion, Montanna Coss.

Intermediate Oral Reasons, Champion, Shayla Konency.

Intermediate Breed ID, Montanna Coss.

Senior Judging, Ella Konency.

Reserve Champion, Kate Bias.

Senior Oral Reasons Champions, Anne Bias and Erin Marble.

Senior Breed ID, Ella Konency.

Overall Oral Reasons, Evie Grabenkort.

Superintendent’s Award, Erin Marble.

Lucky Rabbit’s Foot Award, Bella Dahl.

4-H Shooting Sports

Archery Fitting and Showing

Senior Champions, tie, Natalie and Sydney Dean, Ridgefield.

Senior Reserve Champion, Randi Richards, Ridgefield.

Intermediate Champion, Elizabeth Ogle, Vancouver.

Intermediate Reserve Champion, Colton Jenks, Vancouver.

Junior Champion, Clara Johnston, Vancouver.

Blue

Kristina Padget, Battle Ground.

Evalea Natterstad, Ridgefield.

Steven Gretchen, Vancouver.

Archery Shoot Recurve Bow

Senior Champion, Sydney Dean, Ridgefield.

Senior Reserve Champion, Natalie Dean, Ridgefield.

Intermediate Champion, Elizabeth Ogle, Vancouver.

Archery Shoot Compound Bow

Senior Champion, Randi Richards, Ridgefield.

Intermediate Champion, Evalea Natterstad, Ridgefield.

Intermediate Reserve Champion, Colton Jenks, Vancouver.

Junior Champion, Clara Johnston, Vancouver.

Air-Rifle Fitting and Showing

Senior Champion, Jordyn Richards, Ridgefield.

Senior Reserve Champion, Randi Richards, Ridgefield.

Senior Red

Corina Gamboa, Vancouver.

Kayelyn Murray, Vancouver.

Kristina Padget, Battle Ground.

Intermediate Champion, Elizabeth Ogle, Vancouver.

Intermediate Reserve Champion, Colton Jenks, Vancouver.

Junior Champion, Clara Johnston, Vancouver.

Air-Rifle Shoot

Senior Champion, Jordyn Richards, Ridgefield.

Senior Reserve Champion, Randi Richards Ridgefield.

Senior Blue

Kayelyn Murray, Vancouver.

Corina Gamboa, Vancouver.

Senior Red, Kristina Padget, Battle Ground.

Intermediate Champion, Evalea Natterstad, Ridgefield.

Intermediate Reserve Champion, Colton Jenks, Vancouver.

Intermediate Blue, Elizabeth Ogle, Vancouver.

Junior Champion, Clara Johnston, Vancouver.

4-H Robotics Individual Project without Using Kit

Junior Special, Reserve Champion, Micah Hwang, Vancouver.

Junior Special, William Bullock, Woodland.

Junior Judges’ Award

Carl Lindell, Battle Ground.

Ella King, Battle Ground.

Harrison Hartrim-Lowe, Vancouver.

Intermediate Reserve Champion, Sam Hartrim-Lowe, Vancouver.

Senior Special, Joshua Sieng, Vancouver.

Design and Display

Junior Reserve Champion, Wyatt Howard, Vancouver.

Junior Champion, Carl Lindell, Battle Ground.

Junior Special, Wyatt Howard, Vancouver.

Intermediate Reserve Champion, Acacia Hwang, Vancouver.

Intermediate Champion, Sam Hartrim-Lowe, Vancouver.

Senior Champion, Tyler Minden, Battle Ground.

Senior Reserve Champion, Judges’ Choice, Cyndi Johnson, Battle Ground.

Senior Superintendent’s Award, 3 Specials, Ashton Minden, Battle Ground.

Special, Logan Femling, Vancouver.

Group Project Without Using Kit

Junior Reserve Champion, ElectroBots, Battle Ground.

Junior Champion, BlasterBots, Battle Ground.

Senior Champion, Reserve Champion, Steel Hearts, Camas.

Reserve Champion, Brain Bots, Battle Ground.

4-H Dairy

Jerry Warner Memorial Award, John Souders Inspirational Award, Harrison Hartrim-Lowe, Battle Ground.

Fred Griffith Memorial Trophy, Madelyn Hartrim-Lowe, Battle Ground.

Fitting and Showing

Junior Champion, Harrison Hartrim-Lowe, Battle Ground.

Intermediate Champion, Peyton Rosin, La Center.

Senior Champion, Josie Uskoski, La Center.

Top Yearline Replacement Heifer, Best Exhibitor, Best Breeder, Shane Uskoski, La Center.

Judging Contest

Junior Champion, Shane Uskoski, La Center.

Intermediate Champion, Samuel Hartrim-Lowe, Battle Ground.

In the wee morning hours yesterday, a few light showers fell around the county. However, officially, Vancouver only recorded a trace. I don’t see another chance for sprinkles or light rain unless the decaying weather system Wednesday night holds together. If not, no rain in sight.

Highs will inch upward today toward 80 degrees and remain in the 80s all of this week. Tuesday looks like the warmest, with highs in the upper 80s to near 90. Perhaps Tuesday we will raise our tally of 90-degree days from six to seven for the season.

August is usually a warm month, but so far we have had seven days with highs only in the 70s. That might repeat today. Most lows this month have been in the upper 50s and low 60s. Mild nights.

The full Sturgeon moon was awesome this week if you had a chance to see it. The Perseid meteor showers were great, too, despite some cloudiness here and there.

I’m getting emails about the signs of autumn showing up. Many say the leaves are falling early and trees are showing some color. I do think our dryness attributes to that somewhat. We are losing about three minutes of daylight a day now. It’s all downhill into autumn. Nothing exciting weather-wise for the remaining days of August.

July rainfall was generally between .40 of an inch to .75 of an inch in most communities of the county. However, officially, Vancouver had just under one inch at .98 of an inch. I had two reports of over one inch. Jim Knoll of Five Corners had 1.19 inches and Rob Star of Cougar, 1.26 inches.

You could call the upcoming work at St. Paul Lutheran Church a sort of barn raising. The downtown church will get a makeover thanks to the collective efforts of the community.

Congregation Kol Ami, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, other Lutheran Churches and Alcoholics Anonymous groups are joining forces to make improvements to the sanctuary building originally built in 1949. A new roof, air conditioning and heating, a ramp to make the building accessible to people with disabilities, new landscaping and a fresh coat of paint are among the planned projects. The church has already removed trees that were encroaching on the sidewalk, building foundation and roof.

“So many people are coming together,” said Geri Hiller, lay minister at St. Paul.

The church is hosting two upcoming work days: one on Saturday, Aug. 24, to prepare for painting and another Saturday, Sept. 7, to paint. They’re open to whoever wants to help. Vancouver Mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle will provide lunch both days for volunteers.

The weekend of Sept. 7 happens to be when Lutherans around the United States will volunteer their time and talents in their communities.

Hiller is impressed by willingness of different faith groups to work together. Then again, they do so every winter at Winter Hospital Overflow shelters.

During the cold months, St. Paul hosts a shelter for homeless men, which is staffed by volunteers from faith communities across Clark County. Due to a recent fire at Share House, the men’s shelter a few blocks away, the church is currently hosting displaced shelter residents.

Hiller said St. Paul applied for money from the city’s Affordable Housing Fund to keep its shelter open year-round. Some improvements are planned for that space, including adding another shower and bathroom and replacing windows.

Monday

Camas City Council, City Hall, 616 N.E. Fourth Ave., Camas.

– 4:30 p.m., workshop: cross boundary service area overlay agreement, Workforce Southwest Washington presentation, interlocal agreement for monitoring of registered sex offenders, 2020 budget readoption process and 2020-2025 financial forecast assumptions.

– 7 p.m., regular meeting: 2019 citywide asphalt overlay project bid award.

Port of Camas-Washougal Board of Commissioners, port offices, 24 S. A St., Washougal

– 4:45 p.m., closed-door session on personnel evaluation.

– 5 p.m., regular meeting: Steigerwald levee restoration update; waterfront development discussion; approve on-call duty policy; approve holiday, sick, annual and bereavement leave policy update; accept as complete Phase 2 of railway improvements; accept as complete natural play area; CEO, staff and commissioner reports.

Vancouver City Council, City Hall, 415 W. Sixth St., Vancouver.

-4 p.m. workshop: Shared Micromobility Programs, WSDOT Transportation System Management and Operations.

– 6:30 p.m., regular meeting: final construction acceptance on 39th Street water main replacement, approval of Webber Building fourth lease extension, approval of claim vouchers, public hearing on new CDBG Project: Lifeline Connections Women’s Recovery Home, multifamily tax exemption: Mill Plain Center phase II and multifamily tax exemption: VW 10 Apartments. Executive session to follow on city manager performance evaluation.

Battle Ground City Council, City Hall, 109 S.W. First St., Battle Ground.

– 6 p.m., study session: fire annexation.

– 7 p.m., regular meeting: utility tax, Vancouver Housing Authority presentation.

Woodland City Council, Council Chambers, 200 E. Scott Ave., Woodland.

-6 p.m., reception: Cowlitz County sheriff presentation in honor of Deputy Justin DeRosier and recognition of Woodland Police Department.

– 7 p.m., regular meeting: appointment for unexpired term for council Position No. 7, authorize purchase of vehicle for Water Treatment Plant, school capital facilities plan and impact fees, Horseshoe Lake Management Committee, authorize staff to prepare an ordinance prohibiting retail marijuana and cooperatives.

Yacolt Town Council, Town Hall, 202 W. Cushman St., Yacolt.

– 7 p.m., regular meeting: council appointment discussion, council comments on draft proclamations against Initiative 1639, council meeting procedures.

– executive session to discuss potential litigation.

Tuesday

Clark Regional Wastewater District Board of Commissioners, district offices, 8000 N.E. 52nd Court, Vancouver.

– 7 a.m., regular meeting: commissioner reports, general manager reports on annual update of Strategic Workforce Development Plan and update of 2020 Strategic Business Plan.

Clark Public Utilities Board of Commissioners, utility office, 1200 Fort Vancouver Way, Vancouver.

– 9 a.m., regular meeting: report on NoaNet, a nonprofit wholesale broadband and telecommunications provider, consider resolutions of intent to form two local utility districts, report on June financials, report on June wholesale operations, report on water revenue bond sale.

Clark County Council, Public Service Center, 1300 Franklin St., Vancouver.

– 4 p.m. Planning Commission interviews in Conference Room B.

– 6 p.m. regular meeting: public hearings on Road Vacation Northeast 35th Avenue, code amendment for solid waste enforcement, Interstate 5/179th Street area funding option and development agreements.

Vancouver Hearing Examiner, City Hall, 415 W. Sixth St., Vancouver.

– 6 p.m., land use hearing: public hearing on Columbia Shores Subdivision project dividing 0.92-acre lot into 15 attached single-family residential lots, public hearing on Crowe’s Bait project requesting conditional use and site plan approval to convert single-family residence to commercial use.

Wednesday

Clark County Council, Public Service Center, 1300 Franklin St., Vancouver.

– 9:30 a.m. Planning Commission interviews in Conference Room B. Executive session to follow to evaluate qualifications of Planning Commission applicants. Council vote on appointments to follow.

– 1 p.m. council time in Conference Room 698 followed by executive session on pending litigation.

Vancouver Parks & Recreation Advisory Commission, City Hall, 415 W. Sixth St., Vancouver.

– 3 p.m., regular meeting: recreation program update, PIF rate amendment public meeting, Vancouver Public Schools report, Evergreen Public Schools report, Parks Foundation report.

Clark County Commission on Aging, Public Service Center, sixth-floor hearing room, 1300 Franklin St., Vancouver.

– 4:30 p.m., regular meeting: PeaceHealth’s Palliative Care program will discuss the importance of seniors advocating for themselves and the resources available to plan for future health care needs, such as completing a health care directive and durable power of attorney.

Port of Camas-Washougal Board of Commissioners, port offices, 24 S. A St., Washougal.

– 5:30 p.m., special “Coffee Talk with the Commission” meeting to allow informal questions and discussion with port commissioners.

Thursday

Southwest Washington Accountable Community of Health Board of Trustees Meeting, Clark College Columbia Tech Center Campus, Room 144, 18700 S.E. Mill Plain Blvd., Vancouver.

– 9 a.m., regular meeting.

Vancouver Housing Authority Board Of Commissioners, 2500 Main St., Vancouver.

– 9:30 a.m., work session: 2020 move to work plan. n 10 a.m., regular meeting: approval of pre-development funds for Central Park Place, approval of pre-development funds for Plum Meadows, approval of pre-development funds for Esther Short, approval of land acquisition from Vancouver Public Schools.

Ridgefield City Council, Ridgefield Administrative Civic Center, 510 Pioneer St., Ridgefield.

– 5:30 p.m., study session: 2020 baseline budget presentation.

– 6:30 p.m., public hearing: on previous action taken regarding emergency moratorium about gasoline stations in Commercial Neighborhood Business zone.

The Salvation Army is removing its donation trucks from Portland-Vancouver area Fred Meyers at the end of the month.

Alexa Morris, director of communications and marketing for The Salvation Army Cascade Divisional Headquarters, said the nonprofit has an opportunity to restructure the thrift store model to lower costs.

In Clark County, this change will shutter the donation trucks at 7411 N.E. 117th Ave. and 16600 S.E. McGillivray Blvd. in Vancouver, and 401 N.W. 12th Ave. in Battle Ground.

Service at the donation trucks will end Aug. 30, impacting 21 employees. Morris said employees who do not find other jobs in other Salvation Army programs will receive severance pay commensurate with their years of service and help finding other jobs.

Fred Meyer has for the past 10 years been a partner of The Salvation Army, a faith-based nonprofit offering a variety of programs and services to people in need.

“We’re thankful for the years they provided space for our donation trucks in their local parking lots,” Morris said in an email.

After the donation truck closure, people can still drop off donations at The Salvation Army Family Stores:

• 11808 N.E. Fourth Plain Blvd., Vancouver.

• 2990 S.E. Hogan Road, Gresham, Ore.

• 10174 S.E. 82nd St., Happy Valley, Ore.

• 642 Lancaster Drive N.E., Salem, Ore.

The Vancouver store opened in March 2015 after its former location on Northeast Highway 99 closed to make room for a Fred Meyer fueling station.

News of the donation trucks’ closure comes a couple of weeks after the nonprofit said it would close its Northeast Portland drug and alcohol rehabilitation center for men in September, affecting 72 employees.

Thrift store proceeds have supported The Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Center in Portland. With the program change, proceeds will be used to support social service programs operated by The Salvation Army.

Different transportation initiatives are underway or planned in Vancouver, from replacing the Interstate 5 Bridge to launching ferry service from Vancouver to downtown Portland.

More than 50 people attended Vancouver’s Downtown Association’s transportation panel discussion last week at the Hilton Vancouver Washington to hear about these and other projects.

The discussion ranged from replacing a critical component on the I-5 Bridge, used by more than 130,000 vehicles a day, to operating an all-electric van that would provide two-hour tours of Vancouver’s top historical sites.

Interstate 5 Bridge

Ron Arp, president of Identity Clark County, heralded recent developments after the Columbia River Crossing crashed and burned in 2013.

Those include the 2019 Legislature allocating $17.5 million for a project office and $17.5 million for planning and pre-design of a new bridge. Last week, Oregon appointed eight state legislators to a bridge committee and agreed to provide $9 million for the project office.

“We are going to replace this I-5 Bridge,” Arp said. “It’s going to take a lot time. It’s going to take a lot of work.”

“Edison didn’t invent the light bulb the first time,” he said. “And Microsoft didn’t invent Windows the first time.”

More information: www.fix5now.com.

Bridge trunnion

No one knows when the I-5 Bridge will be replaced, if ever. Not so for a major repair project coming up in 13 months.

In September 2020, the I-5 Bridge’s northbound span will be shut down to replace two trunnions, part of the lifting mechanism that allows taller vessels to pass under the bridge’s twin spans.

The mechanism includes sheaves, or wheels about 12 feet in diameter, cables and trunnions, which are axles that help turn the sheaves and lift and lower the span for marine traffic below.

In 1999, a crack was found in one of the trunnions on the northbound span’s south tower, just two years after the span was shut down to replace the other two trunnions in September 1997.

Ellen Sweeney, community affairs coordinator for the Oregon Department of Transportation in the Portland area, said the replacement will require closing the northbound span for up to two weeks in September 2020.

All vehicle traffic will be switched over to the three-lane southbound span. As was the case during the 1997 closure, a reversible lane will be used to create two travel lanes to accommodate rush hour traffic into Portland in the morning and two lanes for afternoon traffic to Clark County.

Jessica Bull, a program manager with JLA Public Involvement, said if drivers do not change their travel habits during trunnion replacement, backups could stretch for 4 miles on either side of the Columbia River and congestion could more than double, from 7 hours to 16 hours a day.

More information: www.interstatebridge.org.

C-Tran

CEO Shawn Donaghy reviewed a number of initiatives his agency has underway, including expanding The Vine bus rapid transit system onto Mill Plain Boulevard, which would provide high-capacity transit between downtown Vancouver and a planned transit center west of 192nd Avenue.

In September, C-Tran will provide its first direct service from the Fisher’s Landing Transit Center to Portland International Airport, Donaghy said.

C-Tran also is looking to expand its “bus on shoulder” program, which currently operates on a section of state Highway 14. The new service would be on Interstate 5 southbound, from 99th Street to the I-5 Bridge, Donaghy said, adding that the agency wants to have the project running before trunnion replacement in September 2020.

Donaghy said his agency’s Youth Opportunity Pass has seen “a ridership explosion” since it was expanded to provide free bus passes to all students. When the program was available only to low-income students, it provided between 20,000 and 30,000 rides a year, he said. Now that it is open to all students, it provides more than 250,000 rides a year, he said.

More information: www.c-tran.com.

Ferry service

Susan Bladholm, president of Friends of Frog Ferry, said her group proposes to create an all-passenger ferry with no vehicles that would serve commuters, local residents, visitors and tourists, and emergency responders.

“This is not a vanity project,” she said. ” ‘Isn’t this cute and fun?’ I have zero interest in that.”

Bladholm said she is a big supporter of transit and “the bridge,” an apparent reference to replacing the I-5 Bridge.

“We need the bridge,” she said. “However, this is something we can do in the next three years.”

The Federal Transit Administration provides grants to support ferry service in urban areas, Bladholm said, adding that Oregon is one of only 10 states that have not tapped the federal program for ferry dollars.

Frog Ferry service could begin in 2022 or 2023, starting on the Willamette River before expanding to Vancouver, she said. Ferries could whisk commuters from Vancouver to downtown Portland in as little as 38 minutes, she said.

“I feel very confident standing before you today saying this will happen,” Bladholm said.

More information: frogferry.com.

Rethink your drive

Shara Wokal, chief financial officer at LSW Architects, said Rethink Your Ride, or ryd, has been doing 18 months of beta-testing to meet niche transportation needs in downtown Vancouver.

The program allows people to avoid parking hassles and receive free service at ryd stops in downtown Vancouver during non-peak hours, Wokal said. Those who use the subscription plan can receive unlimited service in the ryd zone in downtown for a monthly fee, she said.

The program uses distinctive vehicles that look like elongated golf carts and are 100 percent electric powered, she said.

The program partners with several local companies and organizations, including LSW Architects, Clark Public Utilities, C-Tran, Columbia River Economic Development Council and the city of Vancouver.

More information: ryd.green.

The TourVAN

Imagine being able to take a 2-hour tour of the top historical attractions in Vancouver.

Two proponents of such a project describe it as a transportation anomaly: an all-electric vehicle carrying the smallest number of people traveling at the slowest speed possible with multiple stops.

Well, not exactly the smallest number of people. Richard Burrows, director of community outreach and engagement for The Historic Trust, said the TourVAN would seat 14 people.

Brad Richardson, executive director of the Clark County Historical Museum, said the museum had done walking tours, but this would take that effort to the next level.

“For the first time, all of our historical narratives can be told,” he said.

Following four Vancouver police shootings — three of which were fatal — the city has ordered an independent assessment of the police department’s use-of-force protocols and training, and will explore the possibility of a body-worn and dash camera program.

The city entered into a contract with the Police Executive Research Forum, a nonprofit, national law enforcement membership organization, to conduct a use-of-force assessment, according to an Aug. 1 email from City Manager Eric Holmes to the city council.

The nonprofit provides management services, technical support and executive-level education for law enforcement agencies.

“(Police Executive Research Forum) helps to improve the delivery of police services through the exercise of strong national leadership, public debate of police and criminal justice issues, and research and police development,” Holmes’ email to the city council reads.

Community tensions ran high following the spate of shootings, which occurred between Feb. 5 and March 7. Two of the fatalities involved people of color and the third involved a homeless man previously diagnosed with schizophrenia. The shootings prompted an online petition calling for police body-worn cameras, an impassioned Vancouver Neighborhood Alliance meeting and public forum, and a “March for Justice” rally.

Initially, Police Chief James McElvain said he was not planning an official review of the department’s use-of-force policies. But in a reversal weeks later, he said he was considering having the Police Executive Research Forum review the department’s use-of-force policies.

Community feedback has ebbed since the shootings, McElvain said Thursday, but police routinely meet with groups such as Vancouver’s National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and League of United Latin American Citizens, who were interested in keeping the conversation going.

McElvain said there are a couple reasons his department wants an outside assessment of its use-of-force policies.

“While we think we’re doing a good job, we are always looking at how we do business — whether through our policies, training or procedures. If we can be providing better practices to our community, we want to ensure we are employing those,” McElvain said. “The second reason is we heard from the community they wanted to understand what we’re doing and how we’re doing it. This sounded like an opportune moment to be able to review how we do it from an outside perspective, an impartial perspective versus us saying, ‘We think we’re doing a good job.’ ”

Components of the review

McElvain identified the Police Executive Research Forum “as a likely candidate organization to do this work for the city based on his knowledge and understanding of their depth of experience in matters such as this,” Holmes wrote in an email to The Columbian. The group was hired, however, following a competitive request for proposals process. Three groups submitted proposals, McElvain said.

“The Police Executive Research Forum has a very strong reputation in our country, being able to impartially review what police departments do and fair about how they approach their process,” McElvain said.

The organization will conduct its review for a flat fee of $98,750, according to the group’s proposal.

According to Holmes, the assessment will focus on:

• Reviewing the department’s organizational culture surrounding use of force.

• Reviewing the department’s policies and procedures on use of force.

• Reviewing the reporting, documentation, and supervisory roles and responsibilities in use of force incidents.

• Reviewing the department’s training, tactics and tools.

• Analyzing and summarizing the department’s use-of-force incidents and case files.

• Evaluating existing verbal de-escalation training.

McElvain said his department has already sent the organization a series of reports to review on use of force, as well as its policies and procedures. Police Executive Research Forum staff will be in town the week of Sept. 9 to conduct meetings — some one-on-one and others with groups — to include everybody in the department, as well as city councilors and the city manager, to get feedback from various perspectives.

The Chief’s Diversity Advisory Team — which includes community members representing communities including Latino, Asian-Pacific Islander, Slavic, Native American, Islamic, Sikh, African American, Vietnamese, Korean and Jewish, as well as organizations that serve people throughout Vancouver — will be used as a focus group. The Police Executive Research Forum will also meet with the department’s training unit to address what officers do and how they do it, McElvain said.

The organization will come back with recommendations for the department; the entire review process will take roughly nine months.

Camera programs

In the meantime, the department has been researching best practices, program development, and cost and labor implications for deploying body-worn and dash camera programs. McElvain said best practices show body-worn and dash camera programs complement each other and enhance officers’ overall performance.

“It provides for that transparency to what your local police department is doing, it increases the trust factor in the community and our credibility to the community,” he said of police camera programs.

Assistant Chief Troy Price, with a small work group, has been looking into body-worn and dash camera programs. McElvain said Price is preparing to draft a preliminary report on the costs.

Holmes told the city council that establishing a camera program will “entail significant start-up and ongoing operating costs.”

In an email to The Columbian, he said there’s also more to consider.

“While costs are certainly a major consideration, introducing a camera program also raises issues of privacy, community relationships, data stewardship and officer concerns, all of which are all factors we will need to consider and balance,” he wrote. “There are also a range of expectations around each of these facets we will need to take into account as we consider this tool as a way to better serve the community.”

Holmes said the goal is to hold a general work program in the next several weeks “that will allow us to engage the city council in a decision in time for the 2021-22 biennial budget.”

But in response to Holmes’ email to the city council, Councilor Erik Paulsen wrote: “The feedback I’m hearing from citizens specific to body-worn cameras is that the city has been slow to respond/take action. The time line you outline in your update supports this perspective.”

Paulsen said he understands there will be significant costs to consider for a camera program but thinks “it would be helpful, and show better responsiveness to citizen concerns, if we were to come forward with a preliminary estimate of start-up and operating costs as soon as possible.”

His response added, “At least this would help citizens understand with concrete numbers why council may be slow to move forward, if at all.”