Local News
Washington state Democrats seek to redesign state flag without George Washington 
Democrats in the Washington state Legislature have introduced House Bill 1938, which would create the Washington State Flag Redesign Committee to lead efforts to create a new flag. The process …
Abbarno bill promoting city-tribal partnerships passed by state House
A bill sponsored by state Rep. Peter Abbarno, R-Centralia, passed out of the Washington state House of Representatives on Thursday, Feb. 13, with unanimous support. HB 1039 would allow some …
Gluesenkamp Perez introduces bill to limit  use of capital gains tax loophole
U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Skamania, introduced a bill Thursday, Feb. 6, that, if signed into law, would put an end to what she calls a “loophole” that allows wealthy money …
Snowstorm brings power outages and snarled traffic to region
Thousands were left without power in Clark County last week while the snowy conditions also made driving a challenge.  According to Tyler Mode with the Battle Ground Weather Facebook group, …
‘Likely the male would not have survived’: Ill-equipped Ridgefield man rescued at Coldwater Lake
First responders rescued a 67-year-old Ridgefield man who got lost and disoriented in the snow during a hike at Coldwater Lake near Mount St. Helens the night of Feb. 7. The man was unprepared …
Local student musicians awarded at Clark College Jazz Festival
Student musicians from school districts across northern Clark County were awarded for their musical achievements during the 61st annual Clark College Jazz Festival, held from Jan. 30 through Feb. 1. …

Rotschy acquires local aggregate and manufacturing companies

Rotschy Inc., a Vancouver-based construction company, announced the acquisition of J.L. Storedahl & Sons Inc. and Nor-Tech Fabrication, LLC on Feb. 10. The companies will continue independent …

Feral rabbits shot by blow darts in Vancouver, $5,000 reward offered

Eight rabbits have been euthanized after at least 10 were penetrated by blow darts in a Vancouver neighborhood in incidents dating back to November.  The Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF), a …
Three wooden boards with spikes inscribed with “Kent” and a swastika symbol were found between Feb. 5-7 on Yacolt roadways inside town limits.

Spikes with “Kent” and a swastika symbol found on roadways in Yacolt

Residents of Yacolt are urged to use caution and awareness on the town’s roadways after three sets of wooden boards with nails inscribed with the word “Kent” and a swastika symbol …

Vancouver man jailed for tax fraud targeting immigrants

Saul Valdez, a Vancouver business owner and unlicensed tax preparer, was sentenced to prison for nine months for tax fraud in the U.S. District Court on Feb. 10. Valdez targeted immigrants and filed …
State & Regional News
Bill dubbed by critics as the 'initiative killer' passes out of Washington state Senate committee
Washington Democrats on Tuesday passed a bill out of the Senate Government, Tribal Relations and Elections Committee, dubbed by critics to be the “initiative killer.” SB 5382, …
30 Bonneville Power workers get jobs back amid hundreds of layoffs and buyouts
After an uproar over staffing cuts at the Bonneville Power Administration, the Trump administration is trying to rehire a handful of staffers it laid off last week.  Bonneville, a federal …
Washington state officials: Lessons to be learned from California’s high speed rail ‘disaster’
As California’s high speed rail project lays its first tracks after spending billions of dollars since 2006, Washington officials are already looking at lessons to be learned on how to avoid a …
Washington state House passes hate crime bill amid concerns over ‘absolute freedom of conscience’
The Washington state House has passed a revised version of a bill that would expand the state’s definition of a hate crime, though concerns were raised by some lawmakers despite amendments …
How Republicans want to fix Washington state’s affordable housing shortage
Getting more homes on the market and making housing less expensive for Washington residents is a priority for many state lawmakers this legislative session.  But not everyone agrees on how …
States, tribes and fire chiefs are preparing for a fire season with minimal federal support
ISSAQUAH — President Donald Trump’s moves to slash the federal workforce have gutted the ranks of wildland firefighters and support personnel, fire professionals warn, leaving communities …
Washington state bill would set new standards for wood stoves
A Washington state Senate committee advanced a proposal Friday morning to update the rules around wood stoves. Democratic supporters of the bill argue it will promote better air quality, while …
Educators and parents call on Washington state lawmakers to up school funding
Hundreds of Washington students, parents, teachers and other educators demonstrated at the state Capitol on Monday, calling for increased funding for the state’s public school system. …
Push for inspections at Tacoma immigration detention center reemerges in Washington state Legislature
Following multiple lawsuits involving the Northwest ICE Processing Center in Tacoma, state lawmakers are pushing again for greater transparency at the for-profit immigrant detention center.  …
MGP assigned to leadership of Blue Dog Coalition, pushes for bipartisan budget work
The Blue Dog Coalition announced its leadership positions Monday, Feb. 10, including U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Skamania, who will serve as co-chair. The same day, the coalition sent a …
Opinion
Community
Community Calendar
Commission on Aging Healthy Food Seminar: 4 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 19, Clark County Public Service Center, 1300 Franklin St., Vancouver. Join the Clark County Commission on Aging for a seminar on …
Amboy Middle School announces first semester honor roll
Amboy Middle School announced that 174 students achieved academic excellence and were listed on the honor roll during the first semester of 2024-2025 on Feb. 12. An asterisk denotes a student with a …
Clark College Jazz Bands to swing into winter concert
The Clark College Jazz Bands will bring a vibrant mix of American jazz and Cuban rhythms to their Winter Quarter Concert, to be held at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, March 8, at the Clark College Gaiser …
Letters to the Editor

Letter to the editor: Ridgefield should become a Dark Sky community

I have been a Ridgefield resident for 30 years now. My draw to this area, like most residents and visitors, were the vast open fields, wildlife and dark skies to stargaze. As Ridgefield …

Sports
Life

Home concierge owner shares advice for staying organized

For those struggling with home organization, Kathy Boyd, owner of Tailored Tasks LLC, offers practical advice on creating and maintaining an orderly space. Boyd, who runs a lifestyle concierge …

Outdoors
Obituaries
In loving memory of Peter Chester Mackiewicz: 1957-2024
Peter Chester Mackiewicz, 67, died Dec. 10, 2024. He was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, on July 23, 1957. His family moved to Southern California when he was 13. He enjoyed high school …
In loving memory of Gladys Irene Hill: Nov. 23, 1935 - Jan. 12, 2025
Gladys Irene Hill, affectionately known as "Glady," passed away peacefully on Jan. 12, 2025, at the age of 89. Glady was the beloved mother of two children, Raymond and Shannon, a devoted …
In loving memory of Donna Mae Wallace Bowling: 1939-2025
Donna Mae Wallace Bowling, age 85, passed from this life on Jan. 27, 2025. She was born on Nov. 11, 1939, in Sidney, Montana, and was the oldest child of Pearl and James Wallace.  A beloved …
In loving memory of Butch Blue: 1946-2025
Clois Murrell Blue Jr., better known as Butch Blue, 79, passed away on Jan. 29, 2025, in Spirit Lake, Idaho.  Born on Dec. 5, 1946, Clois dedicated his life to his family and coaching. …
In loving memory of Lorraine Leola Northrup: 1939-2025
Lorraine Leola Northrup (Osgood), born on July 28, 1935, in Watertown, South Dakota, entered eternal rest on Jan. 29, 2025, in Battle Ground, Washington.  A devoted mother of nine children …
In loving memory of Donna Mae Wallace Bowling: 1939-2025
Donna Mae Wallace Bowling, age 85, passed from this life on Jan. 27, 2025. She was born on Nov. 11, 1939, in Sidney, Montana, and was the oldest child of Pearl and James Wallace.  A beloved …
Death notices: Feb. 5
Dennis R. Marvin, 82, of Vancouver, died Jan. 29. Arrangements are under the care of Laynes Funeral Services, 360-687-3143. Lorraine L. Northrup, 89, of Battle Ground, died Jan. 29. Arrangements …
In Remembrance — Peggy Sartain: 1945-2024
Peggy Jane Sartain, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend passed away peacefully at  home on Dec. 24, 2024, in Henderson, Nevada. She is survived by her husband, six …
Death notices: Jan. 29
Nancy V. Snow, 84, of Battle Ground, died Jan. 21. Arrangements are under the care of Laynes Funeral Services, 360-687-3143. Dean T. Bruckelmyer, 72, of Battle Ground, died Jan. 20. Arrangements …