Local News
Abbarno bill improving cooperation between cities and tribes signed into law
Gov. Bob Ferguson signed a bill Tuesday, May 13, that will enable deeper cooperation between cities and tribal authorities when providing public services. House Bill 1039, sponsored by state …
“Stop Elon Musk” rallies in Vancouver slated to continue throughout the month of May
A “Stop Musk” rally in Vancouver near the Tesla showroom on Fourth Plain Boulevard brought roughly 50 people to the intersection of Fourth Plain Boulevard and Andresen Road on Wednesday, …
Battle Ground begins construction of new Tukes Mountain reservoir
The City of Battle Ground has begun construction on a new 106-foot-diameter, 2.5-million-gallon water reservoir on Tukes Mountain. The project will replace aging infrastructure and increase the …
Woodland City Council moves forward with RV park zoning change
Woodland’s effort to bring long-standing recreational vehicle parks into compliance with city code took another step forward Monday, May 5, as the City Council unanimously approved the first …
Battle Ground City Council pushes for lower speeds on Main Street
The city’s push to slow traffic on Main Street took center stage at Monday’s Battle Ground City Council meeting, as officials reviewed the Washington State Department of …
City of Battle Ground debuts new Active Development Map for easier access in finding active private development projects
The city of Battle Ground has joined the city of Ridgefield as the two cities with a new Active Development Map to allow users easier access in finding active private development projects in city …
A large adult American bullfrog, an invasive-problematic species, sits on a log in a manmade pond at the Center for Agriculture, Science and Environmental Education (CASEE) in the Battle Ground Public Schools district on Thursday, May 8.

CASEE Center students and staff celebrate 20 years of annual amphibian survey, share data on the impact of an invasive species

Students from the Center for Agriculture, Science and Environmental Education (CASEE) in the Battle Ground Public Schools district have been putting their skills to work to track trends in the …

Ridgefield landslide project partially funded, other city priorities left waiting in tight state budget

Ridgefield will receive $1.5 million in state capital budget funding to address landslide risks along Pioneer Street, the city’s most urgent infrastructure priority, following the conclusion of …

Ridgefield City Council appoints first youth member to Parks Board

The Ridgefield City Council appointed Elianna Galvan as the first youth representative to the Ridgefield Parks Board during its regular meeting on Thursday, April 24. The new youth position was …
Ridgefield Mayor Matt Cole speaks at a public event. Cole was appointed mayor following Ron Onslow's retirement and is the only one of Ridgefield's four council candidates who was not initially appointed during a vacancy.

Candidates begin to shape November council races across Clark County

Candidate filings for the 2025 local council elections closed at 5 p.m. on Friday, May 9. This early version of the candidate list reflects filings available as of press time, with additional updates …
State & Regional News
Veto or sign? Gov. Bob Ferguson keeps everyone guessing on tax and budget bills
Will Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson sign or veto a pile of tax bills and a state budget dependent on them? It’s anyone’s guess. Lawmakers, lobbyists and business leaders are all …
New protections for Washington state workers facing mass layoffs signed into law 
Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson on Tuesday signed a bill into law that will require employers with 50 or more full-time employees to give a minimum of 60 days’ notice to the state, any union, …
Next stop for Washington state housing: More construction near transit
Noticed apartment buildings cropping up next to bus and light rail stations? More could be on the way. Gov. Bob Ferguson on Tuesday signed House Bill 1491 into law, setting new state …
Trio of immigrant rights laws signed by Gov. Bob Ferguson
Gov. Bob Ferguson signed three bills to protect immigrant rights this week.  These included measures to strengthen state power to inspect private detention facilities, prevent coercion in …
Washington state tries to maintain B.C. ties amid Trump era tensions
When Washington Lt. Gov. Denny Heck arrived in British Columbia last week, he wondered how he’d be received. After all, the past few months have seen the usually strong relationship …
Lawsuit alleges Washington state hospital responsible for 12-year-old's suicide
EDITOR’S NOTE: This story includes discussion of suicide. If you or someone you know needs help, the national suicide and crisis lifeline in the U.S. is available by calling or texting 988. …
A small federal agency was investigating dangers to miners. Then came DOGE
Like his father and his grandfather, Marshal Cummings grew up mining trona, a substance used in everything from glass to pharmaceuticals and baking soda. When he was 22, that meant spending 16-hour …
Abortion services program is in line for steep reduction in Washington state budget
Funding for an abortion care program will be reduced by more than 50% under the state budget plan awaiting Gov. Bob Ferguson’s signature.  Washington created the Abortion Access …
Bids to build new plug-in Washington state ferries come in high
Ferry system managers and state budget writers in Washington took a cold wave over the bow Monday upon opening the bids to construct up to five new hybrid electric ferries. “I don’t …
Natural gas initiative's backers prepare appeal request to Washington state Supreme Court
The Building Industry Association of Washington (BIAW) now has the green light to ask the Washington Supreme Court to consider an appeal of a ruling by a King County judge that struck down an …
Opinion
Community
Community Calendar
BG Senior Citizens Veteran Lunch Club: 11:30 a.m., Friday, May 16, The Prairie Tavern, 14925 NE Caples Road, Brush Prairie. Meet fellow veterans at the monthly lunch club hosted by Battle Ground …
Local law enforcement hosts second annual safety city for students
Dozens of first graders from Vancouver, Evergreen and Ridgefield school districts and local homeschool groups attended the Safety City event this week, hosted at the Washington State Department of …
Community calendar
The Five Keys to Financial Success: 2-3 p.m., Wednesday, May 7, Ridgefield Community Library, 210 N. Main Ave., Ridgefield. Learn personal finance basics for adults from speaker Dr. Annie Cole, a …
Letters to the Editor

Letter to the editor: Losing Friends

What would you think if six of your best friends decided they should no longer visit? I would wonder what I had done and if there was anything I could do to win their trust again. It would be the …

Sports
Life

Vancouver Bee Project prepares to celebrate Bee City USA status with local community

Following a years-long grassroots effort, the Vancouver City Council officially adopted a resolution on April 7 designating the city as a Bee City USA—part of a national movement to protect …

Outdoors

Take a walk on the wild side at the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge

Visitors to the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge now have a couple more seasonal trails to choose from and the ability to step out of their vehicle at the River S Unit until the end of September. …

Obituaries
Death notices: May 14, 2025
Timothy Dennis, 71, of Ridgefield, died April 30. Arrangements are under the care of Laynes Funeral Services, 360-687-3143. Ann Marie Johnson, 77, of Vancouver died May 3. Arrangements are under …
Death notices: May 7, 2025
Richard Person, 84, of Cougar, died  April 3 in Mesa, Arizona. Service will be held at 1 p.m., June 7, at Pleasant View Community Church, 14756 Lewis River Road, Ariel. Robert Fawcett, 64, …
In Loving Memory of Lisa Slawson: 1968-2025
It is with heartbreaking sadness that the family of Lisa announces her passing on April 18, 2025, in Longview, Washington, after a brave and fierce fight from kidney failure. She was 57 years old. …
In Loving Memory of Donnie Ray Hunt: 1946-2025
Donnie Hunt, 78, passed away in a heavy equipment accident on Friday, April 18, 2025. He was born in Waldron, Arkansas, on Sept. 10, 1946, to R.B. Hunt and Edna Richey Hunt. He …
In Loving Memory Jack Elton Ward: 1935-2025
Jack Ward, 90, of Vancouver, Washington passed away on April 21 surrounded by his family. Jack was born to Carl and Mary Ward of Battle Ground, Washington on Feb. 20, 1935. He attended Battle Ground …
In Loving Memory of Virginia Dorothy Bruce: 1936-2005
Virginia Dorothy Bruce, 88, of Battle Ground, Washington, passed away on March 28, 2025. Virginia, better known as Ginny, was born Oct. 23, 1936, to Walter and Dorothy Tylinski in Marathon, …
In Loving Memory of Rick Andersen: 1950-2025
Rick Andersen was born Sept. 24, 1950, in Vancouver, Washington. He lived in Vancouver and Woodland all his life. He left behind Lorry Spring Andersen, married March 9, 1973. They were married 52 …
Death notices: April 30, 2025
Ronald Kennedy, 85, of Ridgefield, died April 11. Arrangements are under the care of All County Cremation and Burial Services, 360-718-7948. Stephen Dail, 78, of Vancouver, died April 14. …
In Loving Memory of Donald Ivanoff: 1952-2025
Donald Roy Ivanoff, 72, of Battle Ground, passed away peacefully at home on April 15, 2025, after a battle with cancer. Don was born in Vancouver, Washington, and attended Kelso High and Clark …