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In case you missed them, here are some of the top stories of the weekend:
When Austin Justin stood for the first time, his mother cried. When he took his first tentative steps, she bawled.
Tabitha Fich’s phone is full of photos and videos of Austin as he’s progressed from sitting to standing to stepping. But unlike most children hitting those milestones, Austin isn’t an infant or toddler. He’s 5 years old.
He was also never expected to walk.
“He’s definitely surprised everybody,” Fich said.
Austin isn’t walking on his own — at least not yet. He relies on braces for his legs and crutches or a walker for stability. But, eventually, the goal is for the sports-loving Brush Prairie boy to be able to walk without assistance, to run the bases of a baseball infield, to lace up ice skates and play hockey.
“If he puts his mind to it, he can do it,” Fich said.
Read the full story: 5-year-old boy not letting genetic condition stop him
While shopping at Fred Meyer recently, Melissa Hansen held in her hand the grocer’s new device to scan goods on the go. But she may as well have been palming the chain’s hope for the future.
The Fisher’s Landing store recently unveiled kiosks near its entrances where customers can pick up small, calculator-looking devices and use them to scan products as they shop — and spend less time in the checkout line.
“It allows folks to come in and take the helm of their own shopping experience and conveniently scan the items in,” said Jeffery Temple, spokesman for Fred Meyer. “We’re continually looking at what our customers want and trying to optimize the experience and give them more choices in how they can shop with us.”
Convenience, for everyone from big chains to independent neighborhood markets, is the new battlefield for grocers. As more people shop online, stores are changing to help shoppers spend less time walking the aisles.
Industry experts say grocers hope to adapt without losing their biggest draw: tangibility. While some items are easily bought online, customers still want to hold and smell fruits and vegetables or try on clothes before putting them in their cart.
Read the full story: Clark County grocery stores embrace technology, remodel for future
The Clark County Council has settled on two finalists for county manager. The council is inviting the public to come meet them at a forum that’ll be held the morning of May 30.
According to a county news release, the county has selected Rick Rudometkin, county manager of Eddy County, N.M., and Shawn Henessee, city administrator for Pleasant Hill, Mo.
The news release states that Rudometkin has 24 years of local government experience and previously served as director of public works in Eddy County, which has a population of 57,578 and is located in the southeastern portion of the state.
According to the release, he holds a bachelor’s degree in business management from Woodbury University in Burbank, Calif. He also holds credentials as a Certified Advocate for Public Ethics and Certified Public Manager through the New Mexico EDGE program, part of New Mexico State University’s Cooperative Extension Service.
Read the full story: Clark County Council picks two finalists for manager
Jack Kolosvary didn’t need many words to explain how significant the win was for the Columbia River boys soccer team.
The senior captain’s look of pride spoke volumes.
“I have goosebumps,” he said. “I’m just so proud of our resiliency, our effort, our heart.”
Not since 2014 has a team other than Archbishop Murphy won the Class 2A state championship.
There will be a new champion this year.
With a 3-1 win over Archbishop Murphy in the state quarterfinals Saturday at Kiggins Bowl, undefeated Columbia River is a step closer to claiming that newly vacated throne.
“Archbishop Murphy has always been the team to beat,” Kolosvary said. “Three-time state champions, it’s not an easy feat to actually dethrone them. Preparation and effort becomes this result.”
Now Columbia River is headed to the state semifinals for the first time. The Chieftains (21-0) face Franklin Pierce of Tacoma on Friday in Sumner.
Read the full story: Columbia River soccer ends Archbishop Murphy’s 3-year title reign
