The Columbian

Countys Stormwater Plan Faces Challenge

Environmentalists will challenge Clark Countys unusual new plan for managing stormwater runoff. Three conservation groups appealed Clark Countys new stormwater rule Monday, saying the agreement the county reached with the Washington Department of Ecology violates the federal Clean Water Act, wont protect natural resources and will force taxpayers rather than developers to pay for the damage that runoff does to fish- bearing streams.

New Police Officer Positions Jeopardized

The citys ailing budget may jeopardize a $2.58 million federal grant that pays for 10 Vancouver police officer positions, Police Chief Cliff Cook told the city council Monday. The Community Oriented Policing Services, or COPS, grant was awarded to Vancouver in July and provides salary and benefits for 10 officers for three years. Its only stipulation is that Vancouver must retain the positions for at least one year after the federal money runs out.

Police, Fire Report: Neighbor Extinguishes Duplex Fire

John Francis Ammons Level 3 sex offender

Mayor, Council Spar Over Span

TROY WAYRYNEN/The Columbian Vancouver City Council members Monday afternoon announced concerns about Mayor Tim Leavitts outside meetings on the proposed new Interstate 5 bridge.

City Name Fuss Lures Today Crew to Vancouver

Fort Vancouver National Trust President Elson Strahan is interviewed Monday by Jenna Wolfe from NBCs Today show for a segment set to run during the Winter Olympics. ---

Portland Mayor Backs Off Independent Analysis of Crossing

Portland Mayor Sam Adams has directed his citys staff to suspend an independent analysis of the Columbia River Crossing project. Portland city officials last week had requested reams of engineering documents from the bistate crossing office. In a front- page story on Wednesday, The Columbian reported that Portland intended to design a bridge as small as six lanes potentially no bigger than the existing twin spans of Interstate 5.

Gregoire Urged to Reconsider Larch Closure

Legislators from Southwest Washington met with Gov. Chris Gregoire on Monday and asked her to reconsider her decision to close Larch Corrections Center. The governor made no promises, but did agree to consider lawmakers concerns, said Rep. Deb Wallace, D- Vancouver. The meeting came as the countys mayors, fire chiefs and county commissioners also joined in pressuring Gregoire to hold off on the closure of the minimum-security prison, citing fire safety concerns if the inmate firefighting crew...

Camas Boys and Girls Club Receives $1m for Endowment

A recent gift of $1 million will help keep the memorial to Jack, Will and Rob Warren open and memories of the Camas boys alive. The Community Foundation for Southwest Washington announced Monday the creation of an endowment for the Jack, Will and Rob Boys & Girls Club in Camas. The endowment was created with the donation of $1 million from Henry Hank Swigert and the Swigert Foundation. Swigert was the great-uncle of the three Prune Hill boys who died in a plane crash in November 1999.

Civil Suit Filed in Murder-for-Hire Case

George Ardizzone Sentenced to 14 years in prison