Local News
La Center mayor hosts annual Halloween haunted maze
Every Halloween, La Center Mayor Tom Strobehn gives families and trick-or-treaters an experience more terrifying than city government by transforming his home into an interactive haunted maze. …
Closure on Pioneer Street to last until Nov. 11
Pioneer Street is closed between Discovery Drive and 56th Place effective Friday, Nov. 1, and will remain closed until 11 p.m. Friday, Nov. 11. The road is closed to allow for city contractors to …
No work planned for Yale Bridge in WSDOT’s six-year budget
Washington state Department of Transportation (WSDOT) crews completed a project Oct. 22 to patch a hole on the deck of the Yale Bridge, connecting Clark and Cowlitz counties on state Route 503. …
Longtime friends reunite to honor veteran at Ridgefield post office
A pair of old high school friends from Alabama, Judith Wyatt and Tamara Gebelt, reunited in Ridgefield to pick up their friendship where they left off in 1973 and to honor Gebelt’s father in a …
Clark County appoints Donna Goddard as county fire marshal
The Clark County Council recently appointed Donna Goddard as the county’s fire marshal. Goddard has served as the interim fire marshal since June 2024. “I am honored to accept this …
Hockinson School District board approves $87 million bond for February vote
Next year, the Hockinson School District will seek voter approval to fund a new elementary school, expand job readiness programs, and make security upgrades to its facilities. On Monday, Oct. …

Local stakeholders take action on Vancouver Lake algae concerns

Recurring harmful algae blooms (HABs) in Vancouver Lake have become an ongoing issue, affecting other channels, including Lake River, Vancouver Lake’s primary flushing channel. The blooms, …

County seeks applicants for Animal Protection and Control Advisory Board

Clark County Manager Kathleen Otto is seeking applicants for the Animal Protection and Control Advisory Board, which advises the County Council on issues related to animal protection and control …

County seeks volunteers for Railroad Advisory Board

The Clark County Council is seeking applicants to fill up to five seats on a 15-person board that advises the county on matters related to the Chelatchie Prairie Railroad. Applicants with …

Woodland City Council plans to sell public works building

The Woodland City Council plans to sell the city’s current Public Works building at 236 Davidson Ave. up for sale, nearly three years after it was purchased for municipal use. At a Monday, …
State & Regional News
Tips sought in ballot box fires, cash reward available
The Portland Police Bureau is asking for the public’s help in locating the suspect and suspect vehicle involved in intentionally setting fires at ballot boxes in Southeast Portland and …
Clark County auditor releases update on damaged ballots
Clark County Auditor Greg Kimsey has released photos of the ballots burned in a fire in the ballot drop box located at the Fisher’s Landing C-Tran Transit Center, 3510 SE 164th Ave., Vancouver, …
First part-time shoulder lane now open to state Route 14 travelers
Drivers on state Route 14 in the Vancouver-Portland metro can avoid traffic during peak congestion with the opening of a part-time shoulder lane. The Washington State Department of …
Yelm student denied permission to use restroom after having period in class
A Yelm Middle School eighth grade student is still recovering from an incident she described as stressful and embarrassing. Byllie Eighinger-Lemm, 13, asked her teacher if she could use the …
Mask requirement at Washington county’s auditor's office produces standoff
An Island County elections observer was escorted out of the Auditor’s Office on Monday for refusing to wear a facemask. The masking requirement came from Island County Auditor Sheilah …
Studded tires allowed on Washington roadways beginning this week
As the cold winter weather prepares to rear its ugly head, studded tires will once again be allowed on Washington’s roadways beginning this week. Under state law, the tires, which cause …
State investigates Longview paper mill as possible source of September's mysterious odor
The mysterious odor people reported from Kelso to Portland last month may be tied to Longview's WestRock mill, according to a spokesperson from the Washington Department of Ecology . Brittny …
Gluesenkamp Perez and Kent spar as poll shows rematch is a dead heat
Democratic U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez and Republican Joe Kent’s contrasting personalities and policies came into sharper focus during a debate Oct. 7 as a new poll showed their race to …
Gluesenkamp Perez highlights importance of I-5 Bridge Project meeting constituents’ needs
U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Skamania, hopes the Interstate 5 bridge replacement is built to reflect the people who use the river crossing every day. The Third Congressional District …
Cowlitz Tribe artist aims to show culture is alive, thriving with new mural
Without opening a history book, it can be hard to see the presence of the Cowlitz villages that once dotted the Cowlitz River. Now, a vibrant reminder of the area’s first inhabitants is …
Opinion
Community
Local school faculty and volunteers honored as 2024 ‘Learn Here Heroes’
School faculty and volunteers across northern Clark County recently received the “Learn Here Heroes” award by Identity Clark County. The award is part of the Learn Here Project, an effort …
Battle Ground Public Schools announces October employee awards
Battle Ground Public Schools announced the October winners of the Employee Recognition Awards in an Oct. 28 press release. The awards highlight staff members who “embody the …
Ridgefield High School presents dark comedy ‘Arsenic and Old Lace’
Ridgefield High School will perform its fall dark comedy play, “Arsenic and Old Lace,” through Nov. 9 at Ridgefield High School Performing Arts Center, 2630 S. Hillhurst Road, Ridgefield. …
Letters to the Editor

Letter to the editor: Use civil discourse to communicate, not poor behavior

This election has brought out the worst in many people here in Clark County. Campaign election laws are ignored (false information in flyers against opponents a la 45; large signs in medians or in …

Sports
Life

Mini-horse duo delights Clark County community

Since February, mini-horse duo Mystical and Pearl have become beloved local celebrities in Clark County, bringing joy to hundreds during their visits to schools, libraries and senior centers. …

Outdoors

Mount Rainier National Park announces winter recreational access for 2024-25 season

Mount Rainier National Park announced updates to the winter 2024-25 recreation access schedule. Beginning Tuesday, Nov. 12, the park will open vehicle access to the Paradise area four days per week, …

Obituaries
Death Notices: Nov. 6
Paul R. Wyman, 93, of Battle Ground, died Oct. 28. Arrangements are under the care of Laynes Funeral Services, 360-687-3143. Robert H. Webberley, 82, of La Center, died Oct. 28. Arrangements are …
In Loving Memory of Laurie Allen Wolk: 1959-2024
Allen Wolk passed away on Oct. 8, 2024, in Everett, Washington, at the age of 65. Allen was a devoted husband, father and “Opa,” and will be greatly missed by his family, friends and …
In Loving Memory Of Cynthia Mason: 1951-2024
Cynthia Dawn Mason passed away on Sept. 19, 2024, in Ridgefield, Washington. She was 73 years old. Cindy was born on Jan. 4, 1951, in The Dalles, Oregon. She graduated from Fort Vancouver High School …
Death Notices: Oct. 30
Thorman Ulestad, 86, of Battle Ground, died Oct. 20. Arrangements are under the care of Northwood Park Funeral Home & Cemetery, 360-574-4252. Marian Moyer, 97, of Vancouver, died Oct. 20. …
Death Notices: Oct. 23
Charles Cooper, 87, of Vancouver, died Oct. 17. Arrangements are under the care of Northwood Park Funeral Home & Cemetery, 360-574-4252. Cynthia D. Webb, 53, of La Center, died Oct. 14. …
In Loving Memory Of Irma Blomquist: 1931 ~ 2024
Irma Elizabeth Blomquist, 92, passed away peacefully on Aug. 8, 2024, surrounded by loved ones. She was born Nov. 25, 1931, to Christian and Elizabeth Foley in Spearfish, South Dakota. She moved to …
James Matthew Clayton Kellar: June 19, 1939 - October 2, 2024
James Matthew Clayton Kellar, born June 19, 1939 in Mandan, N.D., passed into the arms of Jesus, his loving family at his side, on October 2, 2024. Jim often reflected on his life, continually …
In loving memory of Jerry Arvi Kouvo: June 10, 1948 - Oct. 2, 2024
Jerry Arvi Kouvo was born on June 10, 1948, at St. John's Hospital in Longview, Washington. He died on Oct. 2, 2024, at his home In Woodland, Washington. He was born in 1948 to father Robert Henry …
Death Notices: Oct. 16
Mildred I. Olin, 81, of Battle Ground, died Oct. 7. Arrangements are under the care of Laynes Funeral Services, 360-687-3143. Jane E. Wilson, 90, of Amboy, died Oct. 6. Arrangements are under …