Local News
WDFW accepting master hunter applications
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is inviting new applicants to join the ranks of over 1,200 certified master hunters across the state, a news release from the WDFW stated. …
Proposed international surcharge at national parks could generate millions in 2026
With many national parks facing huge backlogs of deferred maintenance — Yellowstone National Park alone is estimated to have more than $1 billion — the federal government is proposing a …
Clatskanie teen charged in Kelso mall shooting plot released to parents
A Columbia County Circuit Court judge ruled Monday that the Clatskanie teen accused of plotting a mass shooting at Kelso’s Three Rivers Crossing could go home under strict supervision and …
Rotschy threatens 'consequences' after Longview port commissioner calls them 'bastards'
A spokesman for contractor Rotschy Inc. threatened to file a formal complaint against Port of Longview commissioner Evan Jones for his referring to the company as "bastards" in a recent news report …
Woodland man’s property stuck in the middle of two problematic developments
On one side of Joe Listek’s property in Woodland exists a construction site that has him concerned about flooding, while on the other side is a rowhouse neighborhood where multiple visible …
Site plans show new Firm Foundation Christian High School Campus off of Battle Ground’s Main Street
In November 2024, site plans were uploaded to the Battle Ground public information portal for a new Firm Foundation Christian High School Campus at the 3100 block of West Main Street. The …
Battle Ground will lower speed limits on key roads by July 18. A map provided by the City indicates that red roads are where the speed limit will be changed to 35 mph. Blue roads will be reduced to 40 mph.

Battle Ground lowers speed limits across key city roads

Drivers in Battle Ground will notice new speed limits being posted on major corridors this month, part of a phased rollout of traffic changes aimed at improving safety and adapting to evolving road …
The Clark County Sheriff’s Office station in La Center will be the home of law enforcement services by the sheriff’s office until at least 2029, when the current contract expires.

Ride-along: A quiet time in La Center

The city of La Center has had policing services provided by the Clark County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) since January 2024, but a five-year contract began in February of this year. The …

Mother sues Cowlitz County coroner after receiving wrong infant remains

A Longview mother is suing the Cowlitz County Coroner’s Office after being told months after burying her 2-month-old daughter that she was given the remains of a different baby. The …

Washington State Parks says budget cuts won’t undermine visitor access or services this summer

Though Washington State Parks, like other parts of state government, did not make it through this year’s legislative session with its budget unscathed, park visitors shouldn’t notice any …
State & Regional News
U.S. Senate Dems from Western states blast Trump budget for cutting federal aid
Members of the U.S. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee differed along party lines at a Thursday hearing about how the U.S. Forest Service should partner with states and how the federal …
Megabill’s elimination of tax credits for clean energy projects could cost Washington state $8.7 billion
Officials are warning that the megabill passed last week will likely raise Washington households’ electricity costs and eliminate thousands of jobs in Washington’s clean energy and …
Supporters, critics weigh in on Trump scrapping Biden’s Snake River dam deal
Less than a month after President Donald Trump issued a presidential memorandum revoking a Biden-era agreement regarding the potential removal of the Lower Snake River dams in southeastern Washington …
Alaska governor’s office says state has no plans to build ‘Bear Alcatraz’ to jail ICE detainees
After a Fox News interview raised the possibility of Alaska building a “Bear Alcatraz” Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facility, the office of Gov. Mike Dunleavy said on …
U.S. Senate GOP under pressure on Trump demand to defund NPR, PBS, foreign aid
WASHINGTON — Congress has just one week left to approve the Trump administration’s request to cancel $9.4 billion in previously approved funding for public media and foreign aid, setting …
Should WA Cares funds be invested in the stock market? Gov. Bob Ferguson says yes
Washington’s Democratic Gov. Bob Ferguson and Senate Republican Leader John Braun have teamed up to persuade voters to let the state make stock market investments with tax dollars collected for …
Federal judge to pause President Trump’s birthright citizenship order
WASHINGTON — A federal judge in New Hampshire Thursday issued a preliminary injunction against President Donald Trump’s executive order that would rewrite the constitutional right to …
Lawsuit blames oil companies for Washington state woman's 2021 heat wave death
In what appears to be a first-of-its-kind lawsuit, big oil companies – including ExxonMobil, Chevron, BP and Shell – are facing a climate change wrongful death lawsuit from the family of …
Gov. Bob Ferguson commits to backfilling Planned Parenthood funding cut by Congress
Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson vowed Wednesday to use state dollars to plug a hole Republicans left by barring Medicaid funding for Planned Parenthood services in their sweeping tax cut and spending …
Why Washington state faces huge fallout from the Medicaid cuts in Trump’s megabill
A rural central Washington hospital is warning of devastating consequences from the Medicaid cuts the Republican-led Congress passed last week.  For years, Astria Health has worked to find …
Opinion
Community
Community calendar
LADY Mad Hatter’s Meeting: 11:30 a.m., Friday, July 11, Brush Prairie Bar & Grill, 14925 NE Caples Road, Brush Prairie. Monthly meeting for the Battle Ground Senior Citizens LADY Mad …
Battle Ground’s first city-approved muralist to begin work at skate park
The Battle Ground Skate & Bike Park is about to get a bold new look, thanks to the city’s first officially approved muralist. On July 7, local artist William Sykes will begin …
Community Calendar
Ridgefield Fourth of July Celebration: 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Friday, July 4, Overlook Park, 113-131 S. Main Ave., Ridgefield. Celebrate the Fourth of July with a day-long event hosted by the Ridgefield …
Letters to the Editor

Letter to the editor: Woodland has all the ingredients to become a competitive and vibrant city

I am compelled to address the critical question of Woodland’s viability as a competitive city in Southwest Washington.  With its exceptional natural beauty, strong community spirit …

Sports
Life

Ridgefield Main Street Day brings new focus on history through community storytelling

Ridgefield’s annual Main Street Day returns this Friday with all the music, dancing and community celebration that’s made it a summertime tradition. But this year, organizers are turning …

Outdoors

In the shadow of Mount St. Helens

An overnight camping trip to the southern side of Mount St. Helens connects one with nature in a way that almost no other place in Southwest Washington can.  Finding a primitive camping …

Obituaries
In Loving Memory Of Gretchen (EK) Muonio: 1951-2025
Gretchen Ruth (Ek) Muonio, 74, passed away peacefully in living faith that her sins were forgiven, on July 8, 2025, in a Portland hospital. Gretchen partook of her last Lord’s Supper on earth …
In Loving Memory Of Keri Tobel: 1956~2025
If you ever called Keri Tobel, you know how hard it was to hang up. She would slip in one more “bye,” then another, until the goodbye felt more like a hug. On June 25, 2025, after decades …
Death notices: July 9, 2025
Marsha Crowder, 60, of Battle Ground, died June 16. Arrangements are under the care of Layne’s Funeral Services, 360-687-3143. Darrel Joy, 68, of Woodland, died on June 16. Arrangements …
Death notices: July 2, 2025
Valentyn Klimovych, 78, of Battle Ground, died June 19. Arrangements are under the care of Brown’s Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 360-834-3692. Nicholas Endicott, 94, of Vancouver, …
Death notices: June 25
Christina Jaeger, 54, of Brush Prairie, died May 30. Arrangements are under the care of All County Cremation and Burial Services, 360-718-7948. Ronald Lahmann, 84, of Battle Ground, died June 6. …
In Remembrance of Joan Kosderka: 1949-2025
Joan Kosderka, of Vancouver, Washington, passed away on May 26, 2025. She was born Dec. 3, 1949, in Boise, Idaho. Joan was an amazing mother, sister, friend and wife. A funeral Mass will be held at …
Death notices: June 18
Kiersten "Kandi" Waldroupe, 61, of Battle Ground, died March 29. Arrangements are under the care of Layne’s Funeral Services, 360-687-3143. Kelly Goodrum, 42, of Battle Ground, died May …
In Loving Memory Of Thana Carr: 1950-2025
On Thursday, May 29, 2025, Thana Carr (Fogg), 75, from Vancouver, WA, passed away from complications due to COPD and congestive heart failure. Always a person who put others’ needs before her …
In Loving Memory Of Gwen Wiebusch: 1937-2025
Gwenyth Faye Wiebusch, of Ridgefield, Washington, passed away into her Lord’s arms on May 4, 2025, at the age of 87. Gwen was born June 21, 1937 in Red Wing, Minnesota, to Carlyle and Delia …