County’s unadjusted employment
rates improve during November

Clark County’s unadjusted unemployment rate for November stood at 4.8 percent, compared to 4.9 percent for October and 5.7 percent in November a year ago, according to the state Employment Security Department.

According to the department’s monthly report, 196,000 people were employed in Clark County last month, compared to 191,500 in October. The department reported that 196,700 were working in Clark County in November 2005.

Statewide employers added 4,900 new jobs in November, but the seasonally adjusted employment rose to 5 percent in November, up from 4.8 percent in October.

Professional and business services led job growth, adding 1,900 jobs across the state in November. According to Evelina Tainer, chief economist for the Employment Security Department, 32,000 job openings are currently posted online at www.go2worksource.com.

Electric rates remain the same,
water rates to go up in 2007

Clark Public Utilities’ commissioners this morning adopted the 2007 electric utility budget that leaves current electric rates unchanged. However, rates for water service to about 30,000 customers will go up just over 10 percent starting Jan. 1.

The electric system is expected to have sales of $367,013,424 in 2007. The utility’s generating plant is expected to have sales of $154,540,228.

The water system’s 2007 income is expected to be $12,426,507. Residential water customers will pay a minimum charge of $7 per month, up from the current $6 per month. The water rate will increase from $1.25 for 100 cubic feet to $1.38 for 100 cubic feet.

College foundation trying to meet
anonymous donor’s challenge

To fulfill the requirements set down by an anonymous donor who has offered the Clark College Foundation $100,000 by Dec. 31, the foundation must raise another $15,000, reports foundation executive director Lisa Gibert.

So far, the community has responded with donations totaling nearly $85,000.

According to Gibert, contributions toward the challenge grant can be designated to benefit various academic programs, athletics, the library and scholarships offered at Clark College.

For information on how to make a gift to the Clark College Foundation, call 992-2104, or go to www.clarkcollegefoundation.org.

Oaths of office to be given
to 14 office holders Jan. 2

Fourteen elected and newly re-elected Clark County office holders will be sworn into office during a 9 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 2, ceremony in the County Auditor’s office, reports county auditor Greg Kimsey.

Taking oaths of office will the following: Linda Franklin, county assessor; Kimsey, auditor; Sherry Parker, county clerk; Steve Stuart, county commissioner; Art Curtis, county prosecuting attorney, Doug Lasher, county treasurer; Carol Curtis, Clark Public Utilities’ commissioner; and county district court judges Kenneth R. Eiesland, John P. Hagensen, Richard A. Melnick, Vernon I. Schreiber, James Swanger and Darvin J. Zimmerman.

Great last-minute gift, new
county road atlas now available

The Clark County road atlas, updated annually and perennially a last-minute Christmas gift item, is now on sale in the GIS Map Store in suite 232 in the Public Service Center, 1300 Franklin Street.

The atlas is priced at $22, including state sales tax.

In addition to displaying public and private roads, and hiking trails, and showing 200-foot contours and locations of airfields, boat ramps, public facilities, the atlas contains such valuable information as to where the highest point in Clark County is.

The highest point in the county is 4,108 feet high on the western flank of Sturgeon Rock. The peak of Sturgeon Rock, 4,120 feet, in in Skamania County.

News brief

Woodland School District superintendent, William Hundley, will end his 33-year career in education at the close of the 2006-2007 school year. Hundley announced his plans to retire by June 30, 2007 at last night's school board meeting. He has been with the district for seven years. During Hundley's tenure with the district he guided curriculum updates, helped build a foundation for continued instructional improvement, and helped pass two operations levies and a bond issue for high school property.

Calendar

Clark County commissioners meet in an informal session at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 20.

Tuesday, Dec. 19 headlines

Mount St. Helens steam plume drawing attention--Columbian, AP

Marketplace: Housing too hot to not cool down--Columbian, Julia Anderson

Oregonian local news briefs

Vancouver study says investing in downtown pays off--Oregonian, Allan Brettman

White House reports no fight with joint chiefs of staff over consideration of more troops in Baghdad--USA TODAY, AP

Wholesale prices surge by largest amount in 32 years; housing starts jump--USA TODAY, AP

Bush plans to increase size of U.S. Military, Washington Post, Peter Baker

Cheney to be defense witness in CIA case--Washington Post, Carol D. Leonnig