Local News
Clark County Sheriff John Horch to host town hall in Ridgefield
Clark County Sheriff John Horch will discuss Clark County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) updates and public safety during a public town hall from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 16, at …
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 …
Moulton Falls Regional Park Trailhead and parking lot reopen
The upper parking lot and trailhead at Moulton Falls Regional Park at 7781 NE Lucia Falls Road, Yacolt, have reopened to the public. The Moulton Falls Bridge will remain closed as repair and …
WSU Vancouver opens registration for career and internship fair
Business representatives are invited to connect with Washington State University Vancouver students and alumni at an upcoming Career and Internship Fair. The event will connect employers with WSU …
Third Congressional District remains ‘tossup race,’ according to new polling
Freshman U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Skamania, and Republican challenger Joe Kent remain in a dead heat for the Third Congressional District, according to new polling released by the …
Clark County encourages residents to properly dispose of fallen leaves
Clark County is reminding residents to properly dispose of their fallen leaves as cooler temperatures usher in the arrival of autumn. Residents should avoid raking or blowing leaves into the …

County begins repair work on six railroad bridges

Clark County Public Works contractors have begun repairs on six bridges along the Chelatchie Prairie Railroad to address damaged or missing timber elements, including piles, posts and braces. …
Ridgefield Garden Club members clear the flower beds in Davis Park to make space for native plants. They planted about 20 native species last week to support pollinators.

Ridgefield Garden Club begins native planting at Davis Park

The Ridgefield Garden Club returned to its roots Tuesday, Oct. 1, as members teamed up with the City of Ridgefield to plant native flowers, shrubs and ferns in the flower bed surrounding the Davis …

Woodland seeks 2025 Comprehensive Plan survey responses

The City of Woodland is seeking responses to its 2025 Comprehensive Plan survey. Responses will help inform the City Council as it moves towards updating its Comprehensive Plan by Dec. 31, 2025. …
Participants of the Vancouver Audubon Young Birders Club use binoculars to spot birds during a field trip. Locals can learn more about the club and bird-spotting tips at the World Migratory Bird Day celebration held by Vancouver Audubon.

World Migratory Bird Day celebration set for McConnell Park

Battle Ground residents can soon learn about local bird conservation efforts at McConnell Park as Vancouver Audubon is set to host its first-ever World Migratory Bird Day celebration. The event …
State & Regional News
Database: More than 13,000 gender reassignment procedures on minors between 2019 and 2023
Sex reassignment procedures and surgeries on children have gained national prominence in recent years, and half of U.S. states now have laws passed either restricting or banning them. Newly …
Earthquake activity at Mount Adams increased last month, USGS reports 
September saw an increase in earthquake activity at Mount Adams, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Cascades Volcano Observatory and the Pacific Northwest Seismic Network. A total of …
Gluesenkamp Perez, Kent spar during first debate ahead of general election
If there was any question of the interest in the Third Congressional District, the collection of state and national media who traveled to Longview Wednesday for a debate between freshman Democratic …
National campaign committees unveil latest ads in Third Congressional District race ahead of debate
As Third Congressional District candidates U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, the Democratic incumbent, and Joe Kent, her Republican challenger, prepare to face each other in a debate at Lower …
New Interstate 5 bridge expected to reduce crashes, traffic congestion
The proposed new Interstate 5 bridge could lead to a 13% to 17% reduction in crashes by 2045, according to projections. On Friday, Sept. 20, the Interstate Bridge Replacement (IBR) Program …
Pungent, mystery stench that burned nostrils in region remains unidentified
The cause of a mysterious stench, a suspicious smell, an odor described as “funky,” “foul,” “putrid,” is still unidentified by experts. The rancid air event …
Interstate Bridge Replacement program releases draft supplemental environmental impact statement
Two in-person and two virtual public hearings will be held in October in response to the Interstate Bridge Replacement program’s draft supplemental environmental impact statement, which was …
Reichert strikes different tone in second debate with Ferguson
When the two men vying to be Washington’s next governor debated last week in Seattle, Republican Dave Reichert seemed rattled and unprepared, stumbling through answers and unable to respond to …
WA districts are banning student cellphone use. Here’s how it’s going
When a school district in southwest Washington began a cellphone ban this year, superintendent Asha Riley said teachers and administrators saw positive results right away. Students were talking …
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. …
Opinion
Community
Woodland community paves way for Columbia Elementary’s new running track
After a year of tireless community efforts, more than 300 students at Columbia Elementary now have access to a new, durable running track, thanks to the hard work and generosity of local families, …
United Methodist Church to host pumpkin contest for LGBTQ+ students
LGBTQ+ students, allies and other community members are invited to join a pumpkin-decorating contest from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 23, at Battle Ground Community United Methodist Church, …
Community Calendar
LADY Mad Hatter’s meeting: 11:30 a.m., Friday, Oct. 11, Los Pepe’s, 1207 SE Rasmussen Blvd., Battle Ground. Monthly meeting for the Battle Ground Senior Citizens LADY Mad Hatters. …
Letters to the Editor

Letter to the Editor: Context matters in political campaigns, voting

Editor, Contexts matter. In the campaign for president between Donald Trump and Kamala Harris, each has a political theory, or internal context with which they will govern, especially in the …

Sports
Life

County programs aim to reduce landfill food waste

Through legislation passed in 2022 and 2024, Washington has affirmed its commitment to reduce landfill-disposed organic material by 75% by 2030. To meet this goal, Clark County Public …

Outdoors

Earthquake activity at Mount Adams increased last month, USGS reports

September saw an increase in earthquake activity at Mount Adams, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Cascades Volcano Observatory and the Pacific Northwest Seismic Network. A total of …

Obituaries
Death Notices: Oct. 9
Michael L. Pitman, 72, of Battle Ground, died Oct. 2. Arrangements are under the care of Laynes Funeral Services, 360-687-3143. Chris Demos, 94, of Vancouver, died Oct. 1. Arrangements are under …
In loving memory of Beverly Ann Thurlow: Feb. 24, 1947 - Sept. 23, 2024
Beverly Ann Thurlow, age 77, passed on Sept. 23, 2024, from ovarian cancer. She was born in Bangor, Maine, Feb. 24, 1947. She graduated from Ridgefield High School in 1965. Beverly attended …
In loving memory of Dennis Author Baxter: Oct 5, 1944 - Sept. 9, 2024
Dennis (Deni) Author Baxter, 79, passed away Sept. 9, 2024, at his home in Apache Junction, Arizona, surrounded by family and friends from Alzheimer’s. Deni was born on Oct. 5, 1944, to Lewis …
In loving memory of Judith Ann Oja: 03/10/1945 - 09/26/2024
Judith Ann Oja passed away peacefully, beautifully and on her terms on Sept. 26, 2024, after a short battle with brain cancer. She was born to Ed and Venita (Mitchell) Neely in Portland, Oregon. Judy …
In loving memory of Thomas Lee Harris: Jan. 11, 1951 - Sept. 17, 2024
Thomas Lee Harris, longtime resident of Battle Ground, Washington, passed away on Sept. 17, 2024, at the age of 73. He was born on Jan. 11, 1951, in Vancouver, Washington. Tom grew into a man known …
In loving memory of Jane Bononocini: 1953-2024
It is with profound sorrow that we announce the passing of our beloved Jane, wife, mother, grandmother, daughter and sister. She was born July 16, 1953 in Salt Lake City, Utah. She moved to …
Death notices: Oct. 2
Berta A. Ortega, 92, of La Center, died Sept. 24. Arrangements are under the care of All County Cremation and Burial Services, 360-718-7948. Charles R. Helkenn, 74, of Brush Prairie, died Sept. …
In loving memory of Roberta Gapsch: 3/10/1925 - 9/18/2024
On Sept. 19, 2024, Jesus came to take one of his precious angels on earth with him to her new home. She had been waiting for him for a long time. Roberta Ellen (Davis) Gapsch was born in …
In loving memory of Sidney ‘Sid’ Lewis: Aug. 29, 1946 - Sept. 16, 2024
Sidney “Sid” Lewis passed away peacefully with his three daughters and loving wife at his side on Sept. 16, 2024.  He was a truck driver, then went to dispatch and ended up as a …