December 2009

Washington State University-Vancouver is helping to bring 21st century technology to the 19th century Fort Vancouver National Historic Site.

Brett Oppegaard, a professor in WSU Vancouver's Digital Technology and Culture program, has recently been awarded a $9,000 grant from the Historical Promotion Grants Program to produce multimedia content for mobile technology for the national park.

That means the 800,000 people who visit the Fort Vancouver National Historic Site each year will be able to supplement the brochures and interpretive signage they currently rely on to understand the significance of the site with educational, entertaining, historically based multimedia content. That content will be available to visitors via their cell phones as early as fall 2010.

Two thefts of copper wiring at local sports fields this month underscore a recurring problem and highlights the need for local residents to report suspicious activity to authorities.

On Dec. 22, Vancouver police responded to a report from a city operations employee regarding a backpack in David Douglas Park, 1016 N. Garrison Road, containing 100 pounds of copper wiring. A male was seen carrying the pack but dropped it when he noticed he was being watched by the employee. There is no other suspect information.

It was subsequently discovered the lighting system was inoperable on two ball fields at David Douglas Park, due to wiring missing from the light poles. The affected fields are owned and operated by Columbia Little League.

On Dec.

With the holiday season complete and new computers, DVD players, cell phones, printers and other electronic devices have been given as gifts, there's one question:

What should you do with your old electronics merchandise you no longer use?

Officials at IMS Electronics Recycling have the answer to that question.

"Bring them to us," said Operations Manager David Palenshus. "We are excited to be here, and to offer this service."

Located at 2401 St.

Vancouver Police are searching for a man who stole credit cards and other valuables from a person while they worked out at an area fitness center.

On Dec. 3 Vancouver Police were contacted regarding a theft of a wallet from a locker at the 24 Hour Fitness at 13019 Fourth Plain Blvd. The victim reported that they locked their personal belongings in the locker at approximately 12:30 p.m.