Local trio named to all star rodeo team
The National High School Rodeo Association (NHSRA) has appointed Cole Cameron, Mitch Dove and Mason Chambers to the Wrangler High School All Star rodeo team. The team is fashioned after Wrangler’s Champion Pro team, which includes superstars like Trevor Brazile and Joe Beaver. Dove, Cameron and Chambers earned the appointments based on leadership, academics and athletic achievement.
The trio competes in rodeos around the state, earning points for state rodeo finals to be held in Ellensburg over Memorial Day weekend. They will be in action in Goldendale May 2-4, for the local high school rodeo competition. Dove, Cameron, and Chambers compete in calf roping and team roping. Cameron also rides bulls.
Top performers from the State competition will advance to national competition at Farmington, NM, or Fallon, Nev.
Members of the Wrangler High School All Star rodeo team receive official competition apparel from Wrangler, including embroidered shirts and competition jeans. “It gives us a tremendous sense of pride to associate the Wrangler brand with promising young men and women,” said Karl Stressman, special events manager for Wrangler Rodeo.
The NHSRA owes much of its success to the support of its national sponsors,” said Kent Sturman, general manager of NHSRA.
Pond in plans for Goldendale area at Spring Creek
Andrew Christiansen
Reporter
Goldendale area residents may be in for improved public access fishing, if the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has their way. According to John Weinheimer, region five fish biologist, there are plans to develop a half-acre pond near the Goldendale fish hatchery that would provide trout fishing for residents, with an emphasis on youth and elderly, who have difficulty accessing some areas. The pond would also provide access to those who are confined to a wheelchair or otherwise have difficulty getting around.
The local chapter of Trout Unlimited has agreed to sponsor the project, which would be completed by the summer of 2009, if things go as planned. Weinheimer is also looking for other support for the project and agreement within his agency for management of the pond.
According to Weinheimer, there is much interest in developing more public fishing access near Goldendale due to limited access to the Little Klickitat River and no nearby lake or pond fishing. The pond would be fed by a spring that surfaces near the hatchery and feeds Spring Creek, which would still be the outlet for water from the pond. The hatchery would periodically stock the pond with 8-12 inch rainbow trout. “It has the potential for providing year-round fishing,” says Weinheimer.
City to contract animal control with county
Andrew Christiansen
Reporter
The Goldendale City Council was unanimous in their approval to enter into an interlocal agreement with Klickitat County to provide animal control services in exchange for $15,000 per year, prorated for 2008. The agreement says that Goldendale’s animal control officer will assist the county by “actively patrolling at least two days a week…the unincorporated areas of Klickitat County.”
The officer is to “assist when feasible” with the capture, seizure and transportation of animals by the county, and promote public education regarding animal control issues “relative to the unincorporated communities and citizens.”
The agreement was modeled after a similar agreement entered into with the City of Bingen in January. That agreement called for the animal control officer to work one day per week in Bingen in exchange for $15,000 per year.
The animal control officer will be working in official capacity for the county. The officer is to notify the Sheriff about any animal that is impounded from the unincorporated area. It is the duty of the Sheriff and his staff to contact owners of impounded animals. The agreement says animals are to be housed until the Sheriff or designee directs the animals to be “returned to the owner/custodian or euthanized or otherwise disposed of.”
The agreement also states that “in addition to poundmaster duties, Goldendale shall assist county with general enforcement of state, local and Klickitat County’s animal control ordinances.”
The agreement will be forwarded to the County for their consideration. Police Chief Rick Johnson said the county has indicated they are ready to act on the agreement.
In other business, the council voted to extend a contract with Mountaindale Maintenance for custodial service at city hall, the police department, the wastewater treatment plant and public works. The contract will increase the monthly fee from $800 to $1,000 to reflect increased expense and expanded responsibilties.
The council also agreed to hire Pat Patterson on a part-time basis to provide building plan reviews on commercial property. Patterson will be paid $30 per hour as needed. City administrator, Larry Bellamy expected that to be less than 100 hours per year.
The next council meeting is set for May 5.
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