Top Stories: Longview paper mill tank ruptures, religion and business converge in Battleground, Vancouver couple finds home ownership out of reach
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Here are some of the top stories on columbian.com this week.
1. 9 missing after Longview paper mill tank rupture and officials say there's no hope of survivors
Crews resumed the grim search Wednesday for nine people presumed killed at a Washington state paper mill where a chemical tank ruptured a day earlier in one of the deadliest U.S. workplace accidents in years.
The likely death toll rose to 11, including the missing, after another person who was injured died, authorities said Wednesday.
* Officials say it's likely death toll will reach 11
2. Religion, power and business converge in Battle Ground
On a recent afternoon, families, young adults, older couples, church ladies and business people filled Al & Ernie's Bakery, a popular new addition to downtown.
Customers waiting for orders there receive buzzers that cite a Bible passage: "Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him."
The bakery, along with a new indoor farmers market nearby, belongs to brothers Camden and Mac Spiller, whose rapidly expanding and religiously inspired real estate empire worries some in the small city of 23,000 residents.
* Are brothers who own Maddox Industrial Transformer investing in community - or trying to spread their conservative Christian views?
3. 'Nothing is ever enough': Despite two incomes, Vancouver couple find homeownership out of reach
Before filling their cars' gas tanks, Morgan and James Curtis of Vancouver do the math. Can the family stretch half a tank until next payday? At the grocery store, their shopping cart is often filled with only items on sale. Family outings with their 2-year-old are often to parks and other free attractions. Nonessential purchases are a thing of the past.
The Curtises' earnings as a teacher and restaurant worker don't stretch far enough to sock away money to buy a home, they said, and that's meant they have put other goals on hold.
For many Clark County residents, housing and living costs have turned life's milestones into moving targets. According to a November report from Coldwell Banker, the real estate franchise, 71 percent of aspiring homeowners said they've postponed at least one major life decision, such as having children or pursuing career goals, until they can afford to purchase a home. That's the case for the Curtises.
* Rising cost of living derails plans, they say
4. L&L Hawaiian Barbecue opens in Vancouver
A Hawaiian restaurant that recently opened in Vancouver serves traditional mixed plates to those who yearn for the islands.
L&L Hawaiian Barbecue, at 8720 N.E. Centerpointe Drive near Costco off Northeast Padden Parkway, will be open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.
The Honolulu-based casual dining chain serves traditional Hawaiian barbecue plate lunches of rice, macaroni salad and a generous serving of protein entrees, including chicken katsu, kalua pork and fried shrimp.
* Casual dining chain offers large portions of traditional island fare
5. Ridgefield parents, teachers push back on district's elementary schedule changes
Forthcoming schedule changes across Ridgefield School District's three elementary schools, which will reduce student time in existing specialty classes and recess, have drawn criticism from some parents and teachers in the district.
In the new schedule, students will see a 15-minute-a-week reduction in art, music and physical education class time, from an hour to 45 minutes. Recess will be cut by 5 minutes a day, except for fifth graders, who will get 5 minutes more than they do now.
* Time spent in art, music, PE set to be reduced for students
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