Local News
State ecology department threatens enforcement on Bi-Zi Farms’ water usage
A historic Brush Prairie farm now faces fines if it withdraws water over a relatively small limit as issues regarding water rights have come to a head. On Sept. 16, the Washington state …
Woodland council, school district candidates face off in forum
Candidates for one Woodland City Council seat and one Woodland Public Schools seat made their cases for why they should be elected last week during the first of a series of candidate forums ahead of …
La Center council, school board candidates make their cases for election
La Center’s candidates for the November general election provided the public with their insights on how city government and the public school district should be run last week. During a …
Cowlitz Tribe, others receive more than $1.2 million in energy grants
The Cowlitz Indian Tribe is among three local governments and nonprofits to receive part of $35.4 million grants announced by the Washington State Department of Commerce to plan and install solar and …
Camas city councilor running for Third Congressional District seat as Republican
A challenger for Washington’s Third Congressional District could complicate things next year as Republican Leslie Lewallen has officially kicked off her campaign against fellow GOP member Joe …
County jail renovation contract pushed back over process concerns
A nearly $13 million contract to start the process of renovating the Clark Count y Jail hit a snag as county councilors questioned what they were signing up for. During the Sept. 19 meeting, the …

New I-5 bridge replacement group seeks to benefit community

The project to replace the aging Interstate 5 bridge over the Co lumbia River has another advisory group within its planning structure, with the newest addition focused on how the project benefit the …

Ridgefield Police Department recognizes Breast Cancer Awareness Month with pink patches

Ridgefield is joining public safety agencies in Clark County and across the nation by participating in the “Pink Patch Project” for the sixth consecutive year this October. According …

County approves plan to accept railroad ties for Chelatchie Prairie Railroad

Rehabilitation of the Chelatchie Prairie Railroad is set to have more material support as the Clark County Council approved an agreement to accept railroad tie donations to help with the county-owned …

La Center High School volleyball finds themselves in WIAA 1A top 10

The La Center High School volleyball team won Thursday, Sept. 28 in three straight sets over Columbia-White Salmon High School, adding to the season’s 30-1 total of sets won. Earlier last …
State & Regional News
WSU professor part of a global fight to end rabies in humans
One Washington State University associate professor is dedicating his work toward eradicating rabies, the world’s deadliest infectious disease, in countries like Tanzania in eastern Africa. …
Rep. Jim Walsh calls on legislators, governor to address rising gas prices
Washington state Rep. Jim Walsh, R-Aberdeen, has again called on the Legislature and governor to address the state’s rising gas prices. “In my district, and all around the state, …
Union representing Larch workers sues Department of Corrections over closure
The union representing Larch prison workers filed a lawsuit against the state Department of Corrections in Clark County Superior Court earlier this month over the imminent closure of Larch …
Gluesenkamp Perez one of four backing agricultural right to repair legislation
Four Democrats in Congress last week introduced the Agricultural Right to Repair Act to increase the ability of farmers to fix their own belongings. Currently, some manufacturers of agricultural …
Washington officials remove heat pump mandate, maintains natural gas ban
The Washington Energy Code Council has removed a mandate for heat pumps in new houses and apartments, though the delayed update still maintains certain regulations that building industry advocates …
WA Attorney General: $42 million recovered from fraudulent unemployment claims
An innovative legal effort has enabled Washington to recover $42 million originally paid out in fraudulent unemployment claims during the COVID-19 pandemic, state Attorney General Bob Ferguson …
Public comment period for proposed Western gray squirrel uplisting extended
The Reflector The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has extended a public comment period about the department’s proposal to change the state listing status of the Western …
WDFW invites public comment on rule making to offer incentives for chronic wasting disease testing
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) invites the public to attend a virtual hearing and submit input on a proposed rule change that would allow WDFW to offer an incentive to hunters …
Help that elk: Residents can slow disease spread by reporting hoof deformities, limps
Little is new under the Southwest Washington overcast. On Sept. 11, Cory Montgomery posted to a Packwood community Facebook page a photo of an elk with hoof deformities. All four of the …
Washington to use drones to track pygmy rabbits
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is planning to look for pygmy rabbits using drones over the next year. WDFW said in a news release Tuesday that its staff would fly drones over …
Opinion
Community
Community calendar, Oct. 4, 2023 edition
The Columbia Mothers of Twins Club monthly meeting: 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 5, at St. John Lutheran Church, 11005 N.E. Highway 99 Vancouver. Contact 360-573-3318 for more information. Daughters …
Ridgefield Lions donates, welcomes new members
The Ridgefield Lions organization also made four large monetary donations to the community. These donations included $1,250 each to Compassion 360 and the Ridgefield Family Resource Center for …
Youth nature photography workshop slated at Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge
The Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge will be hosting a free youth nature photography workshop from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 15 at the refuge’s main office located at the Carty Unit. …
Letters to the Editor

Letter to the editor: Jan. 6 events meet definition of insurrection

Defining insurrection. I disagree with Mr. Nelson’s analysis. To me, it is difficult to define insurrection — in a legally actionable manner   — within the context of a cable …

Sports
Life

Serendipity Alpaca Ranch demonstrates the diverse uses of fiber

Cheasanee Hetherington For The Reflector The soft, luxurious fiber alpacas produce is inspiring creativity at Serendipity Alpaca Ranch. The 5.5-acre ranch was created in 2009 by …

Outdoors

Goat Marsh Trail not just a hike but an immersive experience

The Goat Marsh area near Mount St. Helens on the north side of Gifford Pinchot National Forest is a research natural area full of biodiversity. Old growth combined with new growth firs and pines …

Obituaries
Death notices, Oct. 4, 2023
Jennifer Olsen, 53, of Battle Ground, died Sept. 25. Services are under the care of Northwood Park Funeral Home & Cemetery, 360-574-4252.   Miranda L. Anderson, 36, of Yacolt, died …
Death notices, Sept. 27, 2023
Tony Piedra Jr, 65, of Battle Ground, died on Sept. 19. Arrangements are under the care of All County Cremation and Burial Services, 360-718-7948.   Victoria H. Castillo, 92, of …
In Loving Memory Of Rodica Radu 1967 ~ 2023
Rodica Radu of La Center, Washington, passed away on Sept. 13 at Kaiser Sunnyside Medical Center in Clackamas. She was only 55 years old. Exactly one week before her death, she had just been …
In loving memory of Gerald Edwards: 1936-2023
Gerald “Gerry” Lee Edwards was born March 14, 1936, in Battle Ground, Washington. He died on Sept. 4, 2023, at his home in Vancouver, Washington, surrounded by family.  Gerry …
In Loving Memory Of Lorraine Spurling 1937 ~ 2023
Lorraine Roberta Spurling passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of Sept. 14, 2023.  She was born on June 17, 1937, to Robert and Alice Cresap of Battle Ground, Washington. …
In Loving Memory Of Albert Matson 1962 ~ 2023
Albert James Matson, 61, of Yacolt, Washington, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his dear ones, on Sept. 13, 2023, after a short battle with pancreatic cancer.  Albert James Matson was …
In Loving Memory Of Jerry Sutton 1937 ~ 2023
Jerry Wayne Sutton, 86 of Yacolt, Washington passed away peacefully on Friday, Sept. 15, 2023. He was born on June 24, 1937 in Mattoon, Illinois. He is preceded in death by his wife Theresa Sutton; …
In Loving Memory Of Frances Drake 1954 ~ 2023
Frances “Frankie” Drake was born on Feb. 6, 1954, in Fontana, California, to Leslie and Keitha Crowell. Frankie attended Bonita High School in LaVerne, California. She passed away …
In Loving Memory Of Rita Mary Dietrich 6/10/1927 ~ 7/21/2023
Rita Mary Dietrich, beloved matriarch of our family passed away July 21, 2023, at the age of 96 at her home in Brush Prairie, surrounded by her loving family. Rita was born in Sioux City, Iowa, to …