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Local News
 Ridgefield appoints two to vacant council seats
Two new members of Ridgefield City Council were sworn in Thursday to fill vacancies left by former councilors who moved out of the city. During its July 22 meeting, council appointed Rachel Coker …
Missing Hockinson man found after days of searching
Vladimir Dubrovsky-Griswold, a 22-year-old Hockinson man who was reported missing on July 17, has been found.  Dubrovsky-Griswold’s aunt Janet Campbell posted on Facebook that he was …
Sheriff’s office seeks help finding missing Hockinson man
The Clark County Sheriff’s Office is requesting the public’s assistance in locating a missing and endangered 22-year-old man, who is on the autism spectrum from the Hockinson …
Clark College plans for in-person classes, won’t require vaccine
Clark College will gradually restore in-person activities and operations with some employees, services and events returning for the fall term as the college plans to welcome students back to its …
Herrera Beutler heralds Columbia, Cowlitz River funding from Congress
U.S. Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler has secured more than $1.2 million in funding for two projects within the Columbia and Cowlitz river systems, a news release from her office stated Wednesday, July …
Washington, Oregon fish and wildlife commissions to discuss Columbia River policy
Members of the Washington and Oregon fish and wildlife commissions will hold a virtual meeting next week to discuss policy for the shared waters of the Columbia River. Four members of the …
Missing hiker at Mount St. Helens found dead
A hiker who was reported missing earlier this week at Mount St. Helens has been found dead. On Wednesday at about 1:50 p.m, hikers in the Mt. Whittier area called Cowlitz County 911 to report they …
Search continues for hiker missing at Mount St. Helens
A hiker remained missing Wednesday in the Coldwater area of Mount St. Helens, according to the Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office.  Brian Yang, 25, was last seen at about noon Sunday at …
Two motorcyclists were critically injured in separate collisions on Sunday
Two motorcyclists suffered significant injuries in two separate collisions reported on Sunday, July 18. The first incident occurred just after 3:30 p.m. in Ridgefield. A news release from the …
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Battle Ground Public Schools has the most heavily contested school board seat in North County, as four seek election to the District 1 seat. Incumbent Mary Snitily faces Devin Scroggins, Chloe …
A hiker is missing in the Coldwater area of Mount St. Helens, according to the Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office.  Brian Yang, 25, was last seen at about noon Sunday at the Coldwater …
A Battle Ground man faces a vehicular homicide charge following a July 11 crash that killed a man from Hockinson. On July 13, Jaxon Jondahl, 20, made his first appearance in Clark County Superior …

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Business
County seeks business community member to serve on the Arts Commission

Clark County is looking to fill a volunteer position on the Clark County Arts Commission. The position is open to all members of the business community. The term is four years in length and begins …

State & Regional News
Officials Report Some Progress Fighting Large Fires, But Worry as Red Flag Warning Remains
A red flag warning remained in place for much of Eastern Washington through Thursday night as firefighters continue to brace for breezy conditions. The National Weather Service said winds of 5 to …
First female grizzly bear in Washington captured, collared, released near Metaline Falls
Federal wildlife managers captured and collared a female grizzly bear, with three cubs, near Metaline Falls in northeast Washington, about 10 miles from the Canadian border on June 17. This is the …
Western Washington’s golden paintbrush flower could be removed from endangered species list
OLYMPIA – A flower in Western Washington and Oregon may be removed from the nation’s endangered species list after decades of work to save it. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service …
Inslee declares drought emergency for vast majority of Washington
Gov. Jay Inslee declared a drought emergency Wednesday for the vast majority of Washington and said that the historic dry spell is being made worse by climate change. “We have to recognize …
One heat-related death reported in Clark County
The Washington State Department of Health has identified one death that was likely heat-related in Clark County, bringing the total statewide to 78 deaths. The unprecedented heat wave that took …
Battle Ground man accused of attacking camper who allegedly got dog feces on him
A Battle Ground man is facing assault charges for allegedly punching a fellow camper who “got dog (feces) on his shirt” at the Mossyrock Park Campground on July 4. The victim reported …
Explosion of home security, game cameras lead to spike in wildlife sightings, experts say
A spate of wildlife sightings — a treed bear, a bathing bear and more — has two things in common. The animals' behavior was, one way or another, influenced by the extreme heat and …
'Shocking and Sobering': Washington's Heat Wave Scorched Shellfish, But Total Losses Are Still Unclear 
Hammersley Inlet, WASH. — Walking onto a beach recently exposed by a receding sea, Eric Sparkman paused and looked at an expanse of sun-baked shells. "Oh, here we go," he said, bending down …
Easing Child Care Shortages: New Law Effective July 1 Adds Nature-Based Programs, Fee Suspension
Preschool kids have a natural classroom in the outdoors to learn, from finding insects to creating art with pine cones. Now, more outside adventures can begin. New legislation affecting child care …
State Regulators Extend COVID-19 Protections for Utility Customers
State regulators have extended protections for electric and natural gas customers experiencing financial hardships as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. The Washington Utilities and …
Opinion
Editorial

From child drug addict to inspiring college grad

The photographs stop you dead in your scrolling. On the left is a police mug shot of a woman with a hollow and diseased face. Her baggy, half-closed eyes droop with addiction and exhaustion. Her …

Opinion

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Community
 Clark County COVID-19: county in range for rollback to Phase 2 next week
Both Clark County’s recent COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations are high enough that the county would move back into Phase 2 of “Healthy Washington” reopening if numbers don’t drop. Clark …
Inslee visits Fort Vancouver to promote ‘Take It Outside’ campaign
Gov. Jay Inslee urged local residents to “Take It Outside” and visit Washington’s state and national parks as a free way to weather the COVID-19 pandemic this summer. In a statement to the …
Inslee warns of ‘COVID 2.0’
Gov. Jay Inslee is warning of “a more powerful and dangerous threat” in the ongoing pandemic that he called “COVID 2.0” while urging more vaccinations in an effort to stop an increase in …

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Letters to the Editor

Letter to the editor: Anti-vaxxers continue to infect themselves, others

Jim Tejeka is the latest anti-vaxxer to whine about how he is being discriminated against because he chose to not be vaccinated against COVID-19 (June 30 letter to editor in The Reflector). We heard …

Letter to the editor: Nobody who worked for Trump had a complaint

I would like to make a comment to Jane Sturm, of Battle Ground, who said in a letter to the editor, “As a Republican, I sold my soul.” First, I would like her to tell me what presidents …

Letter to the editor: Wearing masks is courteous and Christian

Wearing a mask shows concern for the physically weak, the vulnerable, and the immunocompromised. This is courteous and Christian. Not wearing a mask, whatever the reason (the mask mandate violates …
Life, Sports & Outdoors
Life
NW’s Largest Garage, Vintage Sale returns to fairgrounds

Vendors will set up their booths full of antiques, clothing and furniture for the first time since November 2019 as the Northwest’s Largest Garage and Vintage Sale returns this weekend. All …

BG Senior Center reopens to provide in-person events For the first time in 18 months, Battle Ground residents gathered at the senior center on July 12, with help from the Senior Advisory Board. More than 30 participants showed up at the center, 116 …
Guest speakers to discuss relationship between food, aging The Clark County Commission on Aging will host a discussion about ways to use food as medicine for chronic illnesses, as well as mental and physical health. Dr. Neal Barnard, the president of …
Fraud alert: Identifying signs of financial abuse In 2020, the Internet Crime Complaint Center reported that victims ages 60 and older filed 791,790 complaints of fraud, totaling more than $4.1 billion in losses. That’s $300 million more …

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Sports
Ridgefield makes appearance at state after undefeated season

The Ridgefield Little League Intermediate baseball team went 1-2 at the state tournament after an undefeated district championship and regular season. The team, made up of 13-year-olds, traveled …

Spudders finish off 2021 season with slew of awards Four league champions, one district champ and multiple players and coaches of the year marked just some of the awards Ridgefield athletics racked up during a wild 2021 sports year. High school …
BG Little League softball ends season with trip to state The Battle Ground Little League Junior softball team made an appearance at the state tournament last weekend. The team lost against Kirkland on July 10 with a score of 2-20, and once more on July …
Clark County local strides to top of racewalking ranks Dan Nehnevaj’s journey with racewalking only started a few years before he stepped onto the U.S. Olympic Trial stage last month for the 20-kilometer racewalk. Nehnevaj, a Columbia River High …

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Outdoors
The Ape Cave Has Reopened: Take a Trip to St. Helens for Some Bigfoot Lore and Hidden Gems

If you’re looking for some climbing, some slime and some Bigfoot lore, the recently-reopened Ape Cave at Mount St. Helens may be the sweet spot. The pitch-black cave provides a trek into where …

Mount St. Helens beckoned climbers on final day of permit free climbs Neal Kirby, an avid hiker, was among dozens of climbers to take advantage of the last day to ascend to the summit of Mount St. Helens without a permit on March 31.  Kirby, 68 of Centralia, …
Ape Cave to reopen with a new reservation system   Located on the south side of Mount St. Helens, the popular Ape Cave Interpretive Site will reopen to the public on May 18. The site was closed to the public in Spring 2020 in response to the …
Washington State Parks recruiting for permanent and seasonal Park Ranger 1 positions Washington State Parks is hiring for many different Park Ranger 1 positions across the state. Both permanent and seasonal positions are available. Those in the Park Ranger 1 position have the …

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Obituaries
 In loving memory Of Muriel Raz: 1930-2021
Muriel Raz passed away peacefully at home in Ridgefield, Wash., the evening of Saturday, June 12, at the age of 90. Born on September 12, 1930, in Woodstock, Ill., Muriel was the only child of Aart …
In loving memory of Connie Schwarz: 1938-2021
Connie Colleen (Spittler) Schwarz, passed away on June 8, 2021, in her home in Longview, Wash., following a bout with cancer. Connie was born in Hamburg, Iowa, to Cecil Henry Spittler and Fern …
In loving memory of Betty Irene Hein
Betty Irene Hein died peacefully June 23, 2021, at her long term care facility home at the age of 90. She is survived by her husband of 55 years, Gerald Hein and her children, Tracy Hein, David …
James Lloyd Helms: 1946-2021
James Lloyd Helms of Longview, Wash., passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by loved ones at 74 years of age on June 5, 2021. James was born on October 23, 1946, in Hot Springs, Ark., to …
Volney Duane Rogers: 1937-2021
Volney Duane (“Von”) Rogers was born November 27, 1937, to Milton H. and Agnes E. (Bakke) Rogers in Vancouver, Washington. Von was a member of the Meadow Glade Seventh-Day Adventist …
Ed Huffman: 1943-2021
H. Edward (Ed) Huffman passed away on Thursday June 17, 2021. He is survived by his wife of over 50 years, Sherry; and his children, Jeff, Jennifer, Jenell, Morgan, and Adam. Ed was a loving …

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