Yesterday, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), chair of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, praised the unanimous passage of her landmark veterans’ employment bill, the Hiring Heroes Act of 2011 (S. 951). Chairman Murray’s bill is the first of its kind to require broad job skills training for all service members returning home. Having unanimously passed the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, the bill will now go to the full Senate for consideration.

Gifford Pinchot National Forest officials remind visitors that forest roads 23 and 25, among others, remain blocked by snow; however, many lower elevation campgrounds, trails and other recreation sites are open and ready for the holiday weekend. Call or visit the local Ranger District office to find out what sites are open and accessible. The use of all fireworks and other pyrotechnic devices is prohibited in the forest, regardless of weather conditions or holidays. Forest visitors must ensure that all fires are extinguished and cold to the touch before leaving them. For more information, visit the Gifford Pinchot website or call Ken Sandusky at 360-891-5007.

Share, Open House Ministries, The Salvation Army and Friends of the Carpenter were recently recognized for their participation in Homeless Court with the “Access to Justice” award. Homeless Court, operated by the Clark County Volunteer Lawyer’s Program, is a specialty court allowing homeless people to convert misdemeanor fines to community service. The court is recognized as an essential part of reducing homelessness and is written into Clark County’s 10-year plan to end homelessness. Judge Darwin Zimmerman was the first presiding judge of Homeless Court.

The Access to Justice Board was established by the Washington State Supreme Court in 1994 to oversee the delivery of legal aid in the state. Its community partnership award is given to community agencies that partner with legal aid providers. Share is the primary provider of emergency shelters in Clark County. Open House Ministries is a faith-based transitional housing program. The Salvation Army serves low-income people with its Food Bank. Friends of the Carpenter is a faith-based organization that provides a friendly outreach to homeless people through its woodworking facility.

For the second year, First Independent Bank is sponsoring the Fort Vancouver Regional Library (FVRL) Summer Reading Program. Along with a $15,000 donation, employees of First Independent will volunteer at events throughout the region that encourage children and youth to read during summer months. This year’s theme is “One World, Many Stories.”

The program occurs at library sites throughout Southwest Washington and includes board games, reading events, prizes, performances, reptiles, comedy, dancing, ponies and more. For a full schedule of activities, go to www.fvrl.org and click on “Events.” Reminders of where employees are volunteering will be posted on First Independent Twitter and Facebook pages all summer long.

A full-service community bank with assets of nearly $1 billion, First Independent serves Southwest Washington and Portland with 11 branches and offices and a variety of online and mobile banking services. Headquartered in Vancouver, First Independent celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2010. For more details, visit www.firstindy.com.