Local News
Longview community holds vigil after chemical tank disaster
Hours after a deadly chemical implosion in Longview, Washington, killed at least one person and left nine others missing, hundreds of people on Tuesday night met for a vigil in the city’s heart to …
Court documents suggest superintendent strong-armed school staff to suppress news of alleged Mark Morris assaults
Editor’s note: This article first appeared in Lower Columbia Currents, which reports news and opinion about Southwest Washington. It is published, reported and written by award-winning journalist …
Hennrich says there remains a “path to victory” in his effort to unseat MGP
The Brent Hennrich campaign is calling on incumbent Congresswoman Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Skamania, to step aside this election cycle despite Hennrich’s significant fundraising disadvantage. …
Battle Ground is the perfect location for new roofing company
3D Roofing recently opened in Battle Ground, bringing local ownership and a community-focused approach to roof replacement and construction services. The company opened its storefront on March 1 …
Creative Interiors and Design reflects on 20-plus years of service, relationship building
What started as a small artificial floral business operated out of a home has grown into one of Clark County’s longtime interior design destinations. For more than two decades, Heidi and Ryan …
Woodland appoints new councilor as another announces resignation
The Woodland City Council voted unanimously on Monday, May 18, to appoint Aaron Brown to the vacant Position 6 seat, shortly after Councilmember Douglas Freimarck announced his resignation from …
Joseph Gomulkiewicz, with Yacolt Public Works, hangs an American flag on a telephone pole above freshly watered hanging baskets along Railroad Avenue in Yacolt on Friday, May 22.

One complaint threatens Yacolt’s patriotic road display

A patriotic road striping project in the town of Yacolt, intended to celebrate America’s upcoming 250th birthday, has now sparked controversy from one complaint. During a May 11 meeting, town …
Public Works employee Taylor Rowton prepares paint before adding “City of La Center” lettering between two pickleball courts at Heritage Park on Thursday, May 21. City crews completed much of the court striping and surfacing work in-house to reduce project costs.

La Center pickleball courts now open at Heritage Park

La Center’s four new pickleball courts at Heritage Park opened Friday, May 22, following months of weather delays, landscaping work and final striping, meeting the city’s goal of opening before …
The beachfront stretches along the shoreline at Vancouver Lake Regional Park, one of Clark County’s 10 regional parks. Clark County staff told councilors on May 20 that expanding the Greater Clark Parks District could provide funding for regional parks and future trail connections throughout Clark County.

‘33% of our assigned daily tasks go uncompleted’: Clark County weighs long-term parks funding solutions

Clark County officials say the region’s parks system is falling behind as staffing shortages, deferred maintenance and population growth continue to strain available funding. During a …
A trailer is parked in front of the building line at a Battle Ground home on Friday, Feb. 6. At a May 18 study session, city councilors debated whether to reconsider the new RV and trailer parking ordinance after Fire Chief Chris Drone warned that reduced setbacks could increase fire risks between properties.

Battle Ground council to revisit RV parking ordinance over fire safety concerns

The Battle Ground City Council will reconsider its RV parking ordinance following concerns about fire safety raised by local officials. On Monday, May 18, the council unanimously approved a …
State & Regional News
Washington kindergarten teacher placed on leave amid allegations involving girl
An Elk Ridge Elementary kindergarten teacher is on administrative leave as the White River School District investigates allegations of inappropriate conduct with a child, police records and …
Let’s Go WA breaks week-one signature record for income tax repeal initiative
One week into the signature gathering campaign, more than 92,000 Washington voters have signed petitions for an initiative aimed at repealing the new income tax. “There has been record …
WDFW authorizes killing of one wolf after suspected cattle attacks
Washington will permit the killing of a single gray wolf in the state’s northeastern corner following three suspected attacks on livestock. The incidents took place in the Aladdin Valley, a …
Judge sides with Washington in dispute over $4M grant canceled during DOGE era
A federal judge in Seattle on Tuesday ruled the Trump administration wrongfully terminated a $4 million grant for Washington meant to provide services for new migrants. The case is somewhat of a …
Supreme Court rejects Florida lawsuit against Washington over immigrant truck driver licensing
The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday blocked Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier’s attempt to sue California and Washington for licensing an undocumented truck driver accused of killing three …
Washington Secretary of State turns over unredacted attorney client privileged record after appeal
The Washington Secretary of State’s (SOS) Office has turned over unredacted attorney client privileged emails to The Center Square after it appealed the redactions of communication between SOS and …
One year later, how Washington’s controversial cap on rent hikes has been enforced
A year into Washington’s limit on residential rent increases , the state has yet to collect a cent in civil penalties from landlords. That’s not to say some haven’t violated the law.  …
Voting in Oregon is safe and secure, officials say as clock ticks to return primary ballots
As Oregonians turn in their ballots Tuesday, the state’s top elections and legal officers are reasserting confidence in the state’s election system.  Oregon’s elections are safe and …
‘Going green now for who?’ Yakama protest clean energy project on sacred site to power data center
GOLDENDALE, Wash. – High up on the Washington side of the Columbia River near the John Day hydroelectric dam, members of the Yakama Nation gathered to protest a clean energy storage project slated …
States that cover healthcare for immigrants scale back
Budget constraints are forcing liberal-leaning states that spend their own money on healthcare for noncitizens to scale back that aid, as they grapple with federal Medicaid cuts and the expiration of …
Opinion
Community
Community Calendar
Hot Chili, Cool Jazz Fundraiser: 7 p.m., Wednesday, May 27, Woodland High School Commons, 1500 Dike Access Road, Woodland. Raise funds for Woodland Public Schools' music programs during a concert …
Gluesenkamp Perez celebrates service academy appointees
U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Skamania, celebrated the service academy appointments of 11 students from across Washington’s Third Congressional District by hosting a send-off dinner in their …
Community Calendar
Senior Lunch and Learn: 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m., Wednesday, May 20, Battle Ground Senior Center, 116 NE Third Ave., Battle Ground. Learn about elder abuse during a seminar, hosted by Battle Ground Senior …
Letters to the Editor

Letter to the editor: Argument For Voting Democrat

Evan Dudlik claims to be a conservative. He admits that John Braun provided him with excellent service, yet now he feels compelled to vote Democrat. He parrots Democratic talking points, claiming the …

Sports
Life

Adult family homes are a ‘Hidden Gem’ for seniors

After years of working in the healthcare industry, Katie Condon has helped her sister, Anna Massie, find a new purpose for her longtime family home tucked into the countryside northeast of Battle …

Outdoors

A look into the busiest month in a native plant habitat

Spring in a native plant habitat is rarely predictable. From Sunday, April 19, to Sunday, May 17, I wrote down daily notes while managing my 1,600-square-foot native plant habitat certified by the …

Obituaries
Death notices: May 27, 2026
Donald Paulson, 92, of Battle Ground, died May 2. Arrangements are under the care of All County Cremation and Burial Services, 360-718-7948. Marcy Hawes-Paschal, 53, of Ridgefield, died May 5. …
Death notices: May 20, 2026
Ha Ryder, 69, of Battle Ground, died April 28. Arrangements are under the care of Layne’s Funeral Services, 360-687-3143. Stanford Hosman, 92, of Washougal, died April 29. Arrangements are …
In loving memory of Janice Lagler: 7/27/1950 - 3/21/2026
Janice Ellen Lagler passed away March 21, 2026, in Vancouver, Washington. Jan was born in Winfield, Kansas, on July 27, 1950, to Fred and Gertrude Muret. Her father, Fred, a colonel (ret.), had a …
In loving memory of Marjorie Middleton
Marjorie Middleton Saturday, May 30, 2026 Celebration of Life Begins at 2:00pm Reception Follows Woodland High School Commons 1500 Dike Access Road Woodland, Washington 98674
In loving memory of Philip Rainville: 1944 - 2026
Philip Alan Rainville passed away peacefully May 1, 2026, at the age of 81, surrounded by his family. Born in Syracuse, New York, Phil’s journey was one of dedication to his country and his …
Death notices: May 13, 2026
Gary Bender, 73, of Brush Prairie, died April 27. Arrangements are under the care of Layne’s Funeral Services, 360-687-3143. Thomas Dordan, 73, of Brush Prairie, died April 28. Arrangements …
In loving memory of Gary Raymond Ek: 1/23/1948-4/10-2026
Gary Raymond Ek passed away to his heavenly home on April 10, 2026, at the age of 78, after a short battle with cancer. He was born Jan. 23, 1948, in Vancouver, Washington, and lived in Vancouver his …
Death notices: May 6, 2026
Berta Morris, 95, of Woodland, died April 2. Arrangements are under the care of All County Cremation and Burial Services, 360-718-7948. Carrie Winters, 61, of Vancouver, died April 16. …
In loving memory of Gary Raymond Ek: 1948-2026
Gary Raymond Ek passed away to his heavenly home on April 10, 2026, at the age of 78, after a short battle with cancer. He was born Jan. 23, 1948, in Vancouver, Washington, and lived in …