Climbers die in fall at Horsethief Lake butte
The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission confirms that two climbers were killed in a climbing accident Sunday afternoon at the Columbia Hills State Park - Horsethief Butte in Klickitat County.
The victims were identified as 30-year-old Tony Silva and his sister-in-law, 26-year-old Laura Silva, both from the Gresham area. Tony Silva, an officer with the Gresham Police Dept., was declared dead-at-the-scene, while Laura Silva was taken to The Dalles Hospital and later died.
News reports state the two fell approximately 35 feet and were not wearing helmets, State Park rangers were notified by Klickitat Sheriff's dispatch at 12:57 p.m. An investigation is ongoing to determine the cause of the fall, but initial information suggests the deaths were accidental. A large number of climbers were at the popular climbing and hiking park at the time of the accident.
Washington State Parks is leading the investigation with assistance from the Washington State Patrol. The area where the accident took place is closed until the investigation is concluded.
City tables cabaret license application
The City of Goldendale voted to table the decision on a cabaret license presented by Ben Scribner for the Golden Lanes Bowling Alley, Monday night. Scribner had planned to present a burlesque show last week before city officials intervened due to lack of proper licensing.
The Council added the request to its Monday night agenda and were presented with floor plans and general description of Scribner's intentions. Scribner described the show as a "PG-13 rated performance not unlike what can be viewed on network television." Scribner said he was approached by a group that saw possibilities for the show to fit the throw-back era nature of the bowling alley themes. He also stated that it was hard to pay bills with just bowling income. He said there was demand for this type of entertainment, which he planned for Friday nights perhaps on a monthly basis.
Police chief Rick Johnson said that the description of the layout was consistent with the cabaret license requirements, but he questioned whether or not a burlesque show was actually covered by the cabaret ordinance or adult entertainment ordinance.
The decision was tabled until the next meeting to allow Johnson to study the proposal and better inform the Council on the licensing issues.
In other business, there was no public comment about the Transportation Benefit District (TBD) proposal that deals with funding transportation issues inside Goldendale. The Council determined that the public is not fully aware of the proposal and voted to table the issue until the May 4 meeting.
"We need the public input on this," said Mayor Arletta Parton.
The public hearing notice for the TBD was published in last week's Sentinel under "notices." Administrator Larry Bellamy will work to develop more media coverage on the issue.
Also, a revised park code dealing with uses of Ekone' and World War II parks was passed with no opposition, and the Council voted to approve the request of up to $2,500 to pay for establishment and maintenance of the flower beds at the entrances to town and the barrels along Main Street.
Plans are progressing for the Community Planning session, April 25. The Council agreed to split the expense for the public meeting with the Goldendale Area Chamber of Commerce.
The next meeting of the Council is April 20, 7 p.m.
Unique partnership benefits Maryhill Museum
Maryhill Museum of Art announced a donation of concrete by Cannon Power Group, to create a new parking area, curbs and walkways outside the museum. The value of the concrete is estimated to be $20,000.
In addition to the creation of a new paved parking area, improvements also were made to the museum's existing parking spaces for those with disabilities. Several new walkways and crosswalks also were installed, providing visitors with safe and easily navigable routes to and from the museum.
"Cannon Power Group has a long-time commitment to keep as much investment in the local community as we can," said Kurt Humphrey, northwest area manager for Cannon Power Group. "We are very proud of this unique partnership and to be affiliated with such an important fixture in the Goldendale community."
"This is a wonderful example of a private company, stepping up, even in this tough economy, to help out a nonprofit institution. It is good for Maryhill and Cannon Power Group, and in this case, it is also good for the public, as Maryhill is one of Washington's most treasured attractions," says Washington State Senator Jim Honeyford (R-Sunnyside).
In January, Maryhill announced a partnership with Cannon Power Group to site 15 wind turbines on the eastern end of the museum's 5,300-acre property as part of the company's Windy Point/Windy Flats project. Anticipated to generate over $100,000 in revenue for the museum each year, the project is believed to be the first wind energy project in the United States to generate revenues for a nonprofit museum, according to the American Wind Energy Association, .
The concrete work was also made possible by GN Northern of Yakima, who donated the concrete design services. Engineering was done by Pioneer Engineering and Survey and work was completed by Gunkel Construction of Goldendale with help from Schuepbach Builders and Custom Concrete, Hood River.
|
