Enjoy these snapshots of articles written in past issues of The Reflector from 30, 20 and 10 years ago, respectively.
A look back at this month, 30 years ago
• An estimated 400 to 500 horse riders, livestock owners, enthusiasts and supporters organized the first-ever Horseman Rally and Horse Trailer/Truck caravan, on Feb. 5, 1994, throughout Clark County. The event’s goal was to urge the preservation and protection of lands for equestrian and livestock use.
• The city of Woodland received a $1.2 million loan from the Public Works Trust Fund to help improve land proposed to be annexed. The proposed annexation of 260 acres was adjacent to the western boundary, extending south of Guild Road and north of Dike Access Road, in 1994.
• The Battle Ground City Council approved a zone change of 3.5 acres from agricultural residential to multiple family residential during a Feb. 7, 1994, council meeting. The zoning change occurred between state Route 503 and South Parkway Avenue, north of 199th Street (Eaton Boulevard).
• The Battle Ground Police Department and Clark County Sheriff’s Office detectives were “baffled” after a headless body was found in a sleeping bag behind Food Pavilion on Valentine’s Day in 1994. The body was found in the sleeping bag with the head and both hands sawed off.
• On Feb 17, 1994, roughly 50 Ridgefield residents discussed the future of the city with consultants. Developing the waterfront and adding more schools were mulled. Jack Collins, from the Northwest Small Cities Service, said, “Ridgefield has more assets than 95 to 98 percent of places I’ve been in.”
• Funding to widen and realign state Route 503 between Battle Ground and Brush Prairie passed 46-2 in the state Senate on Feb. 18, 1994. Local senators said the stretch of roadway “has become a death trap” and “this highway needs to be updated to make it safer.”
• Prairie High School’s Dawn Kisselburgh overcame an ankle injury to take first place in the state gymnastics competition on Feb. 19, 1994. She scored an all-around 37.75 to take first place, while the Falcons took third place for a second-straight year with a 173.47 team score.
A look back at this month, 20 years ago
• Clark County commissioners hosted a public hearing on Feb. 10, 2004, for a proposed memorandum of understanding between the county and the Cowlitz Indian Tribe. The hearing focused on future land uses, including the idea of a gaming casino on 151 acres of land purchased by the tribe west of La Center and north of Ridgefield.
• Above average rainfall at the end of January 2004 caused area rivers to prompt flood preparedness throughout Clark County at the beginning of February. Yacolt resident Phil Akely measured 5 inches of rain in three days.
• Road issues stalled the approval phase of a $10 million movie theater complex in Battle Ground. Vehicle access to Northeast 199th Street (Eaton Boulevard) and state Route 503 was not permitted nor proposed in the development plan. The developer hoped for Scotton Way to be extended west to state Route 503 for highway access.
• The North Clark County Food Bank opened at 17 NE Third Ave. in Battle Ground on Feb. 2, 2004. The building was the former planning department office and was purchased for $165,000. A garage sale fundraiser occurred from Feb. 26 to Feb. 29 to help with lease payments.
• Former Trail Blazers star Bill Walton met fans on Feb. 7, 2004, at the site of the future La Center Library. Walton spoke about his career and signed autographs. The library was also accepting donations for the purchase of books before its summer opening.
• Railroad operator Eric Temple worked on an interim lease agreement for freight service on the county-owned 33-mile Lewis and Clark Railroad that runs from Chelatchie Prairie to the Lakeshore area. Temple and county officials were also negotiating a dinner train on the railroad.
• Music World doubled its size and moved from the Battle Ground Plaza to the Old Town area of Battle Ground. Complications during the moving process included a fall off a ladder, a bout with the flu and even a heart attack, but owner Jim Detchman opened for business at the current location in 2004.
A look back at this month, 10 years ago
• The Port of Ridgefield and City of Ridgefield awaited a decision on the Miller’s Landing Waterfront subdivision. The 44.27 acres of available property on the Ridgefield waterfront was to be divided into seven tracts, ranging in size from 1.5 to 23.26 acres. The available parcels would allow for approximately 820,000 square feet of buildings and 2,800 available parking spaces.
• In a Feb. 12, 2014, press release, Walmart announced it would be hiring around 300 employees for its Battle Ground store. The majority of the new employees were slated to start work in April.
• The City of Battle Ground’s 2005-25 Transportation System Plan was proposed to add an additional right-in/right-out access point to state Route 503 and Northwest Fifth Street that would be extended across the northern boundary of Battle Ground High School to North Parkway Avenue. Councilor Philip Johnson said, Feb. 18, 2014, that he supported the project and thought the alternative connecting to Sixth Street instead of Fifth Street would be best.
• Battle Ground Tigers alumnus Jake Belford’s second season for Davidson College’s basketball team showed improvement. The 2012 BGHS graduate contributed 11 points, four rebounds and one block in a 62-43 victory at home against Citadel on Feb. 1, 2014, in Davidson, North Carolina.
• Over 1,000 people attended the 10th annual father/daughter ball in Woodland on Feb. 22, 2014 at Woodland Primary School. The event was hosted by Grace Community Church as a community service.
• Hockinson resident Lindsay Aho was one of 12 contestants to compete in season 21 of the Golf Channel’s reality show “The Big Break.” The first episode aired on Feb. 24. 2014. In July 2013, Aho won her first professional golf tournament, the Pepsi Northwest Women’s Open.
• The Battle Ground boys basketball team won three consecutive loser-out games to break their Final 16 drought in the state tournament in February 2014. The win solidified the first time Battle Ground advanced to the Final 16 since 2002, when 16 teams qualified for the state tournament.
