Rule of thirds

MVA

Aid 82 on the scene of a motor vehicle accident on the Mt. Baker Highway.

The Spirit Fire

The Nooksack tribe recently cleansed a house that had partially burned a few weeks earlier. All the firefighters from district 1 could do was watch. 

Grass Fire Season

This is the second grass fire in two days!

North Cascades Hw. 20

Hi all,
Our Avalanche Control Team and the Twisp Maintenance Superintendent were planning to do the assessment of the North Cascades Highway on Tuesday and then it was postponed to Wednesday and now the trip is postponed until next week. 
We've got mountain snow forecast through Thursday and the Avalanche crew can't be in two places at once, so they're going to have to stay at Stevens handling the avalanche control there for the rest of the week.  (We did control work from 2 to 6 a.m. this morning and brought down a lot of snow, but there was a lot to bring down - We got 32" of new from 6 a.m. yesterday to 6 a.m. today.)  You may also be aware, it's still snowing along the entire west slope of the Cascades - as I'm writing, Snoqualmie is still closed for avalanche control. (They've been getting more snow than Stevens today as the storm track is heavier to the south and coming in low - Snoqualmie is a 1,000' lower than Stevens, too).
When the assessment happens isn't that critical - as a matter of fact, the later it's done, the more accurately Mike and his snow wizards can make their predictions.  The assessment trip is to determine how soon the clearing can begin and what resources (people and equipment) are going to be needed. 
Oh, in answer to the question you didn't ask - it has been costing around $250,000 for the spring reopening effort.  We are hoping we won't have to rent a lot of the big caterpillars (which WSDOT doesn't own) to keep the price down, but the reopening budget is secure.  Despite the budget cutting the Governor and the legislature have done (are doing) - they all said no to any cuts to winter highway maintenance.
I'll let you know when the assessment trip is rescheduled and then what they found and what it means.
Later!
Jeff Adamson adamsoj@wsdot.wa.gov 509.667.2815

Man shot dead after attacking sheriff's deputy

Suspect killed, sheriff's deputy injured during arrest north of Lynden

THE BELLINGHAM HERALD

A mentally ill man who hit a Whatcom County Sheriff's deputy in the head with an object was shot to death by law enforcement at a home on Clay Road northeast of Lynden Monday morning, Feb. 28.

The deputy, who has not been named, was hit in the head but survived.

"He's conscious and talking," Undersheriff Jeff Parks said of the deputy, who was taken to St. Joseph hospital for treatment.

PHILIP A. DWYER | THE BELLINGHAM HERALD - Officers guard the scene at a house on Clay Road, just northeast of Lynden where a Whatcom County sheriff's deputy was wounded and a man was killed after law enforcement responded to reports of an out-of-control man breaking windows Monday morning, Feb. 28, 2011.

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• Clay Road Shooting

The man, identified as 30-year-old Alejandro P. Martinez, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Sheriff Bill Elfo said another deputy and a U.S. Border Patrol agent fired live rounds at Martinez after he struck the deputy in the head with the object. The injured deputy did not fire at Martinez, Elfo said.

Law enforcement had attempted to use a Taser to subdue Martinez, but that was ineffective, Elfo said. He would not identify who used the Taser.

Elfo also declined to identify the deputy who fired the shots or say how many shots were fired. He said the Bellingham Police Department will investigate the shooting in conjunction with the Whatcom County Prosecutor's Office.

"The investigation will continue," Elfo said. "There's a lot of details we need to find out about."

Martinez's family and police gave conflicting accounts of what happened.

The incident began when family members called 911 about 9:17 a.m. to report Martinez being out of control and breaking windows in the home he shared with his brother and father.

More than a decade ago, Martinez had been ambushed by a man with a bat after a fight and was seriously injured by a blow to the head, said his brother, Jorge Martinez.

Since then, Alejandro had been on medication because he sometimes got loud and appeared aggressive. He'd also had in-patient mental health treatment, Jorge said.

By the time two deputies and a Border Patrol agent arrived about 9:35 a.m., Alejandro had calmed down, his brother said.

The deputies ordered Alejandro to come out of the home. Jorge said he and his father made it clear to deputies that there were no guns or weapons.

Alejandro came out of the home with what Jorge said was a flashlight; Elfo identified the object as a hammer.

"That's when things got aggressive," Jorge said.

A deputy grabbed Alejandro to detain him. Alejandro reacted by hitting the deputy, Jorge said.

"All of the sudden, the cops started shooting him," Jorge said of his brother. He heard multiple gunshots, but didn't know how many shots were fired.

Elfo said Martinez attacked the deputy in a carport adjacent the home; the attack occurred within a few minutes after they arrived at the home. Elfo would not say if his deputies or the Border Patrol agents issued verbal commands to Martinez before they resorted to using force.

Elfo would not say how many times Martinez struck the deputy or where he hit him. He said he visited the deputy in the hospital Monday and confirmed he was conscious, alert and talking. He wasn't sure if the deputy would be released from the hospital that night.

Elfo said the deputy was hired by the Sheriff's Office in 2008, but had 10 years of prior law-enforcement experience with an agency in Skagit County.

"I just thank God our deputy survived this attack," Elfo said. "In 37 years of law enforcement I’ve seen what a hammer can do. I’ve seen a lot of dead bodies because of hammer attacks."

Initial reports were that those on scene were performing CPR, but Jorge said that also was false.

"When I tried to help him (Alejandro) out, they told me to get away from him," Jorge said.

The deputies only rolled him over and handcuffed him, Jorge said.

When the medics arrived, they just checked his pulse and covered him with a blanket, Jorge said.

Jorge said he was sorry his brother hit the deputy, but he doesn't understand why they shot his brother when they knew he didn't have a gun.

Read more:  http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2011/02/28/1890561/officer-injured-during-arrest.html#ixzz1FIwchNv1

Third Structure Fire of the Week

Last night I was able to photograph another structure fire in progress. This time it was a barn fire on the Everson Goshen Road. When I first rolled up it was called out as a second alarm fire, but was quickly reduced to a smoldering hay fire. Firefighters spent hours sifting through the hay taking care of hot spots.

Firefighters face difficult blaze at house on East Pole Road

Yesterday I got a chance to perform a different type of photography than I am used to. I work as a freelance photographer capturing the natural world. On friday I found myself on the scene of a house fire. I know several of the firefighters in my area so I pulled over and grabbed my camera.

Here is  the report generated from this fire.

A fire quickly raced through the roof of a home in the 1000 block of East Pole Road Friday afternoon, Feb. 25, but no one was injured.

Three residents were inside when they noticed light smoke coming from the ceiling, said Will Anderson, a fire investigator with the Whatcom County Fire Marshal’s Office.

They evacuated and called 911 at about 12:30 p.m., but the fire spread quickly, due to the strong winds that were blowing and to the fire’s location between a false ceiling and the roof, said Fire Chief Tom Fields of North Whatcom Fire and Rescue. Anderson said the cause was under investigation.

Fields said firefighters with North Whatcom, Lynden Fire Department, and Whatcom County Fire districts 4 and 7 had difficulty fighting the fire because of the strong winds and because the roof was too unstable for them to enter the home.

The house was owned by Northwest Berry Co-op, which rented it to the residents, Anderson said.

Read more: http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2011/02/26/1886034/firefighters-battle-house-blaze.html#ixzz1F7QkspBz

Eagles

Recently I have been heading up to the local water ways to photograph the eagles. Normally the migration of eagles is latter in the year, however it appears they just could not wait this year. I have been able to get some stunning pictures of the birds. These are some of the easier animals to photograph; they are general easy to find. Most of the time you are able get close enough to these birds to help you out with your shots. Most of my shots were taken in the rain and with poor light.

Cascadecompass Photography

cascadecompass.com is now up and running! This is my photography site; I have been a an amateur photographer for some time now. Recently I have taken steps to enter the competitive field professionally.
Here is a little of what the site says about me.

Josh Scholten in an amateur freelance photographer based out of Washington state. Josh works primarily as a wildlife landscape photographer, but ever his art does not stop there. Josh has done shoots for many theatrical productions, school events, church gatherings, sports, and specializes in low light conditions.

Josh's submissions are sent to a wide range of publishings such as: National Geographic, Backpacker Magazine, Sunset Magazine, REI, National Park Service, National Forest Service, Washington Trails Association, Dordt College, Canon Photography, and other acclaimed names.

His photography has brought him around the country; Josh has done shoots in New York City spending time in Carnegie Hall. Although he is based out of the North Cascades National Park, he has had the thrill of working in the spectacular backcountry of Yellowstone, Rocky Mountains, The Grand Teton, the beautiful Echo Park and Sand Canyon. He has also captured San Francisco and the surrounding area.
Several Professional photographers have reached out to Josh as a second shooter to round out their team at large events.

It is clear that Josh is willing to go great lengths capture the shot with goals of impacting his clients. He works with a full complement of gear that is expanding every day. If you have need for a photographer that is willing to go above and beyond get in contact with Cascadecompass Photography

Stoves

When I started looking at stoves I knew what I wanted. I have used several different types of backpacking stoves, and have never really been happy with what I had. I started with a cheap butane stove, this worked but it had no wind screen and did not produce the energy needed to cook well with. Latter I upgraded to another butane stove. Wile this one worked better, the efficiency was the same, poor. The compressed bottles are not reusable and do not last long. Every time you need more fuel you have you buy a new canister. Another problem I have found with butane is its performance at high altitude. The higher you get the less pressure there is in the canister, this make your performance plummet. I have not beed happy with butane when you need it the most, when the weather is cold. The efficiency of butane goes down the colder it gets. combined this with high altitude and you have yourself a virtually useless stove. I have always used white gas. although the fuel may be heavier I think you get an all around better product. I own a Primus Omni Fuel and have field tested a MSR XGK EX stove and I must say I have fallen in love with them both. The power that both these stoves is seen in operation. Unfortunately it is heard as well but the aren't the loudest stoves on the mark either so I figured its a good compromise.
I have

Packs

Over my years of hiking I have learned many new ways of doing things. Having started down the trail before I could walk I have grown up learning the skills necessary to endure the conditions of Washington State. These skills were challenged when I started hiking the Pacific Crest Trail. I found that a long distance hike cannot be treated the same as a weekend hike. I knew this before I started down the trail of course and I had thought I packed accordingly.
As it turns out, packing this way actually made things more difficult for me. I had the gear that I needed for the trip; the problem wasn't having too much or too little. The problem was simply that my gear was not meant to go out on these kind of excretions.
After completing the first section trail I knew that I needed to change out my technology to accommodate these kinds of trips. I was not about to go ultralight with my gear. Everyone I talk to that uses this method seems to have the same problem, the gear does not last. This is not a surprise to me at all. I look at the design as material used to make these ultra light products and the bottom line is that they are just not built for longterm use, especially in Washington State. My gear would not be used just on the Pacific Crest Trail. I would be taking this stuff into some of the harshest conditions imaginable. I needed something that would last the torment of Washington and fit the need for the Pacific Crest Trail.
I started with my pack, the first thing that I saw with packs nowadays is the lack of strapping on the outside of the pack. Sure this saves weight and clutter, but it sacrifices convenience. with the type of hiking I do I need to be switching gear types all the time. Most of the switches are small, it is inconvenient to tear apart my pack every time I need something. The second thing I looked for was the design of the main compartment, was it functional enough to allow me into my pack without taking all my gear out. I chose the REI Mars pack, this is a mid size pack that is a little bulkier than your average distance pack, but it will and has proven itself time and time again. I have hiked with it in the blistering heat and pouring rain with no complaints.

Mapping High-School

You may know me as the person who has worked hard behind the scenes in the worship and fine arts center striving to make every show run smoothly. You may know we as the person willing to help out when it came to setting up a system for an event. It is true I have put my heart into what I do in the worship and fine arts center this has taken determination. As a leader in this department I have stood firm in my decisions; and I have been given enormous trust and responsibilities because of that. Now although I enjoy working in the worship and fine arts center or the WFAC as it has become known, this is not my true passion.

My passion has always been in the mountains, although I have enjoyed working in the theater and will probably continue doing so, at least to some degree, I am following the map God has laid out for me. I love the mountains, I love the outdoors, I love the features and life in it. Learning about these features has inspired me to pursue them.

In sophomore biology I was the one eager to get involved, especially when the labs took us into the field to get a firsthand look at the topic of study. Going to Wiser Lake, Fish-trap Creek, and the Nooksack River were highlights for me. Washington State History was instructed by Mr. Jasper. He was a man I could relate to when it came to the history of our state; he involved the class and made the story of Washington come alive. I was given the opportunity to teach his class one day, the topic was the history of the Upper Skagit River Valley, a place in our state that has seen everything from the footsteps of Native American Tribes to the Rush of water as Seattle City Light flooded the valley after the completion of Ross Dam

Although I was not officially in Senior Biology I did what I could to follow the topic of study at the time. However because of my plans I decided to take Earth Science instead. If I had to name a class that has influenced me the most this would be the number one! My life will be spent in the middle of all the material covered by Mr. Kredit. I was disappointed when I was not able to accompany the Senior Biology class on the trip to the peninsula, but that is one of the things that I had to face because of my decision to take a class more relevant to my future. I have said a lot about my future, now you are probably wondering what my future holds for me.

I will be attending Skagit Valley College next year, I will be pursuing  two certificates: the first being Parks Service and protection, this program will train and prepare me for visitor and resource operations and protection at all levels of government and private forestry agencies. I will then continue on to The Parks Law Enforcement Academe at Skagit Valley College, one of only nine federally accredited Academies in the country. This Academy will allow me to specialize in parks law enforcement among various agencies in the law enforcement community.
Earth Science combined with Mr. Kredit's experiences working in the National Parks Service has helped guide me to this decision. I have always been in the parks and each time I am in them I feel that this is where I am supposed to be. I decided to pursue the National Parks Service several Years ago, I can't remember exactly when, it may have been before high school; none the less what I have seen and learned in recent years has driven me to this field. Now after four years of study in high school the rest of life’s studies awaits.

During my journey at Lynden Christian I have gotten several opportunities that are unique. Without determination and dedication this would not be possible. I have traveled down the path of high school and will soon travel a new path in college. The trail outlined here is the Pacific Crest Trail, I spent six years traveling down this trail completing it only last summer. When I think back on my life at Lynden Christian I can visualize a trail, filled with obstacles, switchbacks, endless beauty, and pinnacles that allow you to take a glimpse of what lies ahead.
I start my journey along the Pacific Crest Trail at the Columbia River, on the Boarder of Washington and Oregon. When I entered high school knew a little of what to expect, after all my brother Tim had just graduated from it. But like all freshmen I had no clue how things operated in this environment. Before long however I got used to the new routine and started down the trail. Then came my first vista, I went up to the tech-booth. Because of the path that Tim had blazed for me it wasn't long before Mike Vos and Kai Iaconetti had me running systems right along with them. This was the start of my path on the tech crew.
Freshmen year came and went in a flash. I was moving along at a pretty good pace, managing the workload easily, getting on the honor roll for both semesters. I had the opportunity to go on the choir tour down to California, this was another vista of my year. I earned my first letter in Cross Country, and I finished the spring musical. I did track my freshmen year earning myself a letter in that as well. Before I knew it I was finishing the first section of my high school trail selecting the path for the upcoming year.

This was the last year that I would get to work with Mike Vos on the tech crew, I enjoyed working with him on the crew, we would often work during class to get the WFAC ready for the next event. At the time this did not effect my grades, of course it helped that I didn't have to do all the work myself.
The first semester came and went in my sophomore year without much excitement, it would be the second semester that would start to test me, this is where I encountered a bridge that was out.
I had started to notice my grades slipping in two subjects. In biology I could identify what the problem was; the problem was me, I had slacked off and as a result my grades reflected that. I proved to myself that I could work hard and got my grades back where they belonged. The second class was a frustration; math has never been good to me. I saw my grades slipping; the frustration came when I found that I could not control the drop without help. Mrs. Olson came along side me and guided me through the material. I was able to pass the class but only by a slim margin. This was my first taste of a struggle that I still deal with today.
Putting aside the grades I enjoyed my sophomore year. I did not take track, I got board running around in circles, instead I started helping Mr. Kredit at the meets. I was again impressed and inspired by the way Mr. Kredit operates, his ability to lead is something I have tried to model. The musical for the year was The Scarlet Pimpernel, This was Mike Vos' last show and we were determined to make it stand out. I brought a proposal in front of a committee to invest $8,000 in new lighting equipment. This would add to and update the existing fixtures. The proposal was passed and we soon had the control and technology we needed to set us apart from the rest of the high schools and community theaters around Whatcom County. Our efforts played off, Mike Vos and I were awarded a design award from 5th Avenue.
This highlight marked the end of my sophomore year. I had become comfortable with my stride and the pack seemed to be getting lighter.

The next section of trail would be the longest; in my junior year I had several core classes that needed to be completed. I knew what to expect. I was now an upperclassman, although what status that has I'm not sure.

Cross Country had a strong team, we new from the start that we would go far. This was the first team to bring both the boys and girls teams to state back to back. We continued our streak of firsts by bringing home the first ever boy’s team trophy
I was working alone now on the tech crew. I was given a free period to work in the WFAC as not to interfere with my classes. Working alone I designed the sound scheme for the spring musical, the system I would be operating during the show. But my big accomplishment this year was creating a light design that defied a traditional musical like Fiddler on the Roof. Again 5th Avenue Theater recognized me and I was nominated to receive an award for Best Lighting Design in the northwest!
My junior year went out much like my sophomore year did, only this time I was moving on to the last section of trail!

This is the year to remember! My senior year has been filled with many opportunities, everything from actually being in a class with Mr. Kredit to getting the chance of a lifetime, singing on the stage of Carnegie Hall in New York City.
I must mention Cross Country one last time, the team was again strong. However a barrier fell across my trail. The day before the biggest race of the season I was hit with swine flue and was forced to sit out the race. I was not the only one on the team that was forced to watch their last big meet flew past. I made it to state with the team, unfortunately one of my teammates did not; this gave me the opportunity to practice something that I have learned about myself as a leader, encouragement.
I moved on after Cross Country to another monument for me. One word Aida… This would be the biggest musical Lynden Christian has ever attempted to do. I was determined to make it my best show I had ever done, and I can safely say that this became a reality. I spent thousands of hours researching, planning, designing, rigging, and programming this show. Tonight I will find out weather or not I have been nominated or recognized by 5th Avenue Theater!

Yes Aida was a big summit for me, something that I am proud of, but the biggest event and opportunity of not only high school, but of my life came from choir.
The Lynden Christian Concert Choir went on tour, to a city known as New York and while in New York we received the honor of singing on the most famous stage in the world, Carnegie Hall! We worked hard all year to prepare for this trip, in the end every note was worth it!

Now we have arrived to where I am now, standing before you. My trip to the end of the trail is not yet over; there are still a few days left. After i leave this room I am not done with high school. Just as on the trail I am not done until I pass the last mile marker. God has marked every mile of my journey through high school. I look back at my accomplishments and even my shortcomings and can't help but smile, four years ago I wasn't sure how to get through the week, now there are just two left. The next path is waiting for me; it’s about time to start packing.