Top Stories: C-Tran condemning properties, PeaceHealth lawsuits, Maddox owners buy newspaper
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Here are some of the top stories on columbian.com this week.
1. C-Tran opts to condemn properties needed for Purple Vine construction
For the first time in its history, C-Tran is moving forward with condemnation proceedings on three properties the transit agency says are needed to continue construction of the Purple Vine bus rapid transit line. The C-Tran board unanimously approved a resolution to begin the condemnation process at its Tuesday meeting.
"When we started, we had 30 right-of-way files total. We've closed on 27 of those. These remaining three, we've been in negotiations with them for quite some time and just can't seem to get there, so we're at an impasse with them," Randy Parker, chief capital projects and planning officer, told the board.
* Attempts to negotiate with property owners were unsuccessful
2. PeaceHealth accused of denying worker's paid time off
When Vancouver resident Leslie Daniels returned to work at PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center after three weeks of medical leave last year, she was stunned to find that her employer had nearly wiped out her paid-time-off balance.
"I thought I calculated it wrong," Daniels said. "But then I worked it out, and I'm like, 'No, they took my PTO.'"
Last year, employers violating the federal Family and Medical Leave Act paid employees $1 million in back wages for lost compensation, benefits or unapproved pay deductions, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.
* 'It was a mess,' patient access representative says; medical center says it complies with all laws
3. Vancouver woman sues PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center, alleging medical negligence
A Vancouver woman has filed a lawsuit against PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Center that alleges medical negligence left her paraplegic after a bacterial bloodstream infection was improperly treated for three days.
In the complaint filed June 1 in Clark County Superior Court, Adrianna Mello argues she wasn't treated promptly last year for a bacterial bloodstream infection called Methicillin-Susceptible Staphylococcus Aureus, also known as MSSA bacteremia.
* Lawsuit says she was left paraplegic after bacterial bloodstream infection improperly treated
4. Maddox Industrial co-owners acquire Battle Ground newspaper The Reflector
Maddox Industrial co-owners Camden and Mac Spiller announced Wednesday they have acquired The Reflector newspaper.
The Battle Ground-based newspaper hasn't been locally owned since 2010. It was most recently owned by Chad and Coralee Taylor. The Taylors' company, CT Publishing, owns two other newspapers in Western Washington.
The news release said the paper's current seven-person staff will have to apply for positions under the new ownership.
* Brothers Camden and Mac Spiller say paper is for north Clark County, not them
5. WinCo employees sue grocer alleging they didn't get breaks, weren't paid wages owed
A group of WinCo Foods employees is suing the grocer for allegedly neglecting to give them breaks and pay wages owed.
The group filed the lawsuit, brought by lead plaintiff Ryan Jezierski, on June 1 in Clark County Superior Court.
The lawsuit argues the Idaho-based retailer didn't provide the Clark County employees with legally required meal and rest breaks nor pay them for all hours worked.
* Lawsuit also alleges company failed to pay overtime and minimum wage
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