Local News
Police: Arrests of Southwest Washington teens show 'wave' of school threats across U.S.
Camren Putman’s daughter, an eighth grader at Mt. Solo Middle School, was too anxious to attend classes Friday after a student posted threats against her school and several others online. …
Clark County Adult Drug Court to host 25th anniversary celebration
Clark County Superior Court Adult Drug Court will hold a 25th anniversary celebration at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 25, at Clark College Gaiser Hall, 1933 Fort Vancouver Way, Vancouver. The free public …
Mount St. Helens Visitor Center and Seaquest State Park to temporarily close
Mount St. Helens Visitor Center, located at 3029 Spirit Lake Highway, Castle Rock, and Seaquest State Park, located at 3030 Spirit Lake Highway, Castle Rock, will close this month for updates and …
WDFW to host annual National Hunting and Fishing Day event
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) will host its annual National Hunting and Fishing Day celebration in Cowlitz County soon. The event will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. …
Woodland High School teacher named civics teacher of the year
When Woodland High School social studies teacher Shari Conditt was called down to the floor during a Tuesday, Sept. 10, assembly, she believed she would lead the school’s cheer. Instead, she …
La Center City Council to host public hearing on potential road improvement taxing district
The La Center City Council has scheduled a public hearing to discuss the formation of a new taxing district to fund road improvements. The hearing will take place at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, …
During last week’s Envision Ridgefield 2045 open house, residents wrote how they would like the city to implement the community’s vision themes, including maintaining its small-town charm. Residents have until Oct. 4 to participate online.

City of Ridgefield seeks community feedback for 20-year growth plan

Last week, the City of Ridgefield held its second open house to gather community feedback for Envision Ridgefield 2045, an initiative to update the city’s plan for future growth. Residents …
The existing Ridgefield Waterfront Park features a kayak boat launch in close proximity to Division Street. Some City Council members are concerned that the master plan for a proposed park enhancement will make accessing the boat launch more difficult.

Ridgefield city councilors concerned Waterfront Park master plan will hinder boat launch access

The Ridgefield City Council showed interest in the amenities proposed for a new Ridgefield Waterfront Park master plan, though some councilors raised concerns about access to the kayak launch. …

Ridgefield Parks Board considers pickleball potential

As Ridgefield anticipates a 30% population growth over the next decade, Parks Manager Corey Crownhart expects Washington’s official sport, pickleball, to rise in demand. During a …
During the Harvest Celebration by the Small Acreage Program of WSU Clark County Extension on Saturday, Sept. 21, visitors can learn all about alpacas and maybe even have the opportunity to feed and pet them at the Serendipity Alpaca Ranch in Ridgefield.

From alpacas to vegetables, the 2024 Harvest Celebration will have it all

The Washington State University (WSU) Clark County Extension’s annual harvest celebration continues its tradition of highlighting small acreage farms and educating property owners of what they …
State & Regional News
MGP urges House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee to support rural veterans’ transportation to health care
Third District U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Skamania, testified Wednesday, Sept. 11, at a House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Health legislative hearing in support of her bipartisan …
Statewide ‘One More Stop’ emphasis to honor fallen WSP trooper
The Washington State Patrol (WSP) is holding a statewide emphasis patrol in honor of fallen trooper Christopher Gadd on Friday, Sept. 27. Gadd was killed after being struck by an impaired driver …
Washington State Patrol to conduct statewide ‘One More Stop’ patrol in honor of fallen Trooper Christopher Gadd
On Friday, Sept. 27, the Washington State Patrol (WSP) will conduct a statewide “One More Stop” emphasis patrol in honor of fallen Trooper Christopher Gadd. The statewide emphasis …
Wildlife league, WDFW to host youth pheasant hunt
Youth in Clark County will once again have an opportunity to hunt pheasants this month thanks to an ongoing partnership between the Vancouver Wildlife League (VWL) and the Washington Department of …
Washington to fix accessibility violations at its state parks
Deb Hodge and James Evans arrived at an accessible campsite at Paradise Point State Park in southwest Washington last May and quickly noticed something was off.  The site was very far from …
MGP recovers over $2 million for constituents from federal agencies
Third Congressional District Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Skamania, recently hit a milestone for having recovered over $2 million owed from federal agencies to constituents in southwest …
Gluesenkamp Perez to host service academy open house
Third District Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez announced last week that she will host a Service Academy Open House in Clark County. The event will take place from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. …
18th District candidate aims to improve lives of working families
Deken Letinich, a Democratic candidate running for the 18th District state representative first position seat against Republican incumbent Stephanie McClintock, seeks to champion the needs of working …
WSDOT cautions travelers who will be venturing out Labor Day weekend
Before the return of yellow school buses and all things pumpkin spice, many people plan summer festivities over Labor Day. The Washington state Department of Transportation (WSDOT) encourages people …
Animal sanctuary saves 120 birds in state’s largest cockfighting rescue
Heartwood Haven, an animal sanctuary in Roy, is looking for homes for 120 rescued roosters after they were saved Aug. 1 from a cockfighting operation in Buckley in Pierce County. Representatives …
Opinion
Community
Clark County Fair Results
4H Plant Science 960 Judge’s Choice, Res. Champion Karoline Loose Battleground 961 Champion Karoline Loose Battleground 965 Champion Samuel Dillon Vancouver 966 Res. …
North Clark County college students earn academic honors
Many northern Clark County college students earned academic honors for the spring and summer 2024 terms. Honored students achieved a GPA of 3.0 or greater, depending on the institution. Some …
Battle Ground Public Schools adopts new safety protocols
Battle Ground Public Schools (BGPS) is adopting the Standard Response Protocol system this school year to establish standardized emergency procedures and enhance communication with first responders …
Letters to the Editor

Letter to the Editor: Gas station conversation leaves both sides unhappy

Editor, When my doctor suggested that I should socialize more, including talking with strangers on the street, I doubt she was recommending an “intense” conversation with a MAGA …

Sports
Life

Vancouver program advocates for local pollinator preservation

The Vancouver Bee Project, established nearly four years ago, works with area businesses, schools and residents through workshops to educate the public on how to protect native bees. Kyle …

Outdoors

Fall turkey season opens in southwest Washington

While turkey hunting is often associated with parts of eastern Washington, hunters may be surprised to discover the wealth of opportunities available in southwest Washington this fall with a new …

Obituaries
Death Notices: Sept. 18
Theodore F. Tompkins, 92, of Battle Ground, died Sept. 10. Arrangements are under the care of Laynes Funeral Services, 360-687-3143. Matthew W. Nordquist, 41, of Vancouver, died Sept. 9. …
In Loving Memory Of Anna Marie Reeves : 1942 ~ 2024
Ann passed away at home from cancer at the age of 82 on Sept. 5, 2024, surrounded by family. She was born in Colville, Washington on Feb. 28, 1942 to Walter William Jacob Lotze and Mildred Irene …
In loving memory of Linda Lee Matson: June 20, 1945 - Aug. 25, 2024
Linda was born June 20, 1945, in Vancouver, Washington, to Oren and Clara Heasley and grew up with her sister Joyce on their family farm in east Vancouver, where she would spend the majority of her …
In Loving Memory Of Joan Boullion: 1943 ~ 2024
Joan K. Boullion passed away Aug. 9 at the Woodland Care Center where she resided the last year and a half of her life. She was preceded in death by parents, Angie and Lyle Sumption; husband, Ron; …
In Loving Memory Of Ronald Krause: 1936 ~ 2024
With a heavy heart, we announce we have lost our beloved husband, father and grandfather on Aug. 18, 2024. Ronald B. Krause had a wonderful life and was so loved by his family,  He was born …
In Loving Memory Of Howard Cook : 9/3/1940 ~ 8/28/2024
In loving memory of Howard Cook, beloved husband, son, brother, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, passed away peacefully on Aug. 28, 2024.  He was preceded in death by his son and …
In Loving Memory Of Steven Scheel: 1948 ~ 2024
Steven Duane Scheel, 76, of Vancouver, passed away peacefully on Aug. 5, 2024.  Steve, as he was known to his loved ones, was born on June 13, 1948, to Lawrence and Lois Scheel in …
In Loving Memory Of Tudor Davis: 1924 ~ 2024
Tudor Frederick Davis was born on May 16, 1924, as the oldest son of Tudor and Louise Davis, of Pottsville, Pennsylvania.  At 15, he joined the Civilian Conservation Corps and worked as a …
Death Notices: Sept. 11
Barbara L. Wisdom, 96, of Olympia, died Sept. 3. Arrangements are under the care of Laynes Funeral Services, 360-687-3143. Hudson L. Wilson, 1 month, of Battle Ground, died Sept. 2. Arrangements …