Local News
Woodland schools to cut $3 million out of budget if levy fails
If the replacement levy for Woodland Public Schools is not approved by voters in April the district stated dozens of positions would be cut and a wide range of programs would be reduced or outright …
Fire districts aim for fully-staffed fairgrounds station this summer
Fire Station 151 at the Clark County Fairgrounds will have round-the-clock crews if plans for the two districts who jointly oversee the station go into effect this year. The station, housed at 505 …
BGPS receives $320,000 through legal settlement with vape company
Battle Ground Public Schools will receive hundreds of thousands of dollars from a legal settlement against an e-cigarette manufacturer after joining onto a lawsuit with hundreds of other school …
Aaron Alderman appointed to Woodland City Council
The Woodland City Council filled its last vacant seat with a new councilor who grew up in the community. During a special meeting on March 13, the city council voted 5-1 to appoint Aaron Alderman …
Clark County Jail update to focus on inmate population
The Clark County Jail isn’t currently at capacity, but improvements to facilities are still in the works. During a March 15 “council time” meeting, the Clark County Council heard …
Battle Ground, Ridgefield officials visit D.C. to push for local projects
Councilors and managers from North Clark County cities recently made their way from one Washington to the other as they visited the nation’s capital in order to advocate for local …

Facts contested in Jenoah Donald’s wrongful death lawsuit

Attorneys representing the family of a 30-year-old Black man who was fatally shot by a Clark County sheriff’s deputy are heralding the withdrawal of a motion by the county’s lawyers as a …

Spring runoff provides picturesque scenes in North Clark County

Battle Ground middle schoolers meet with state lawmakers

Students on the DREAM Team at Chief Umtuch Middle School in Battle Ground had a chance to meet state legislators in Olympia on March 6 as they discussed topics impacting students across the …

Clark County’s recent COVID-19 activity declines

COVID-19 activity in Clark County decreased in nearly every metric in the latest update. Clark County Public Health’s March 16 report included 38.5 COVID-19 cases per 100,000 population over …
State & Regional News
State Sen. Jeff Wilson testifies before committee on catalytic converter bill
On Tuesday, 19th Legislative District state Sen. Jeff Wilson, R-Longview, testified before the Senate Law and Justice Committee in favor of his catalytic converter bill, known as Senate Bill …
WDFW approves 10 days of razor clam digs beginning Friday as tentative dates announced for April
OLYMPIA – Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) shellfish managers on Tuesday confirmed coastal razor clam digging reopens at Twin Harbors and Copalis on Friday, March …
More bills from North Clark County lawmakers survive session deadline
The Washington State Legislature’s 5 p.m. cutoff on March 8 for bills to pass their chamber of origin put an end to many potential pieces of legislation, but lawmakers representing North Clark …
State House passes bills to ban assault weapons and require background checks, safety training for gun purchases
After years of attempts, Democrats in the Washington House of Representatives passed a ban on assault weapons late Wednesday. The measure was approved one day after the House voted 52-44 requiring …
Washington State House votes for more funds to combat auto theft
On the same day that the Washington state House of Representatives refused to consider a bill that could reform the state's police pursuit law, it approved a bill making more funds available for …
With Washington House bill broken down, Senate passes police pursuit reform
After the state House of Representatives refused to move on police pursuit reform by the Wednesday cutoff to get a bill out of its chamber of origin, effectively dooming its chances, the Senate acted …
Coastal razor clam digging at Mocrocks starts Friday, Copalis opens Saturday
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) shellfish managers on Monday confirmed coastal razor clam digging reopens at Mocrocks Friday, March 3, followed by opportunities March 5 and March 7. …
School funding bill sponsored by 19th Legislative District Rep. McEntire passed out of committee
A school funding bill sponsored by state Rep. Joel McEntire, R-Cathlamet, was passed unanimously by the House Capital Budget Committee last Monday ahead of a key committee deadline.  "This is …
State Senate unanimously passes wind turbine recycling bill sponsored by Sen. Jeff Wilson
Senate Bill 5287, sponsored by state Sen. Jeff Wilson, R-Longview, was passed out of the state Senate by a vote of 48-0 on Monday. The bill, aimed at “holding green energy to green …
Local lawmaker proposes harsher penalties for catalytic converter theft
A Southwest Washington lawmaker is leading the charge in proposing harsher penalties for those who buy and sell the precious metals extracted from stolen catalytic converters. State Rep. Greg …
Opinion
Community
Community Calendar, March 22 edition
Kiwanis Club meeting: 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 23. Join the Kiwanis Club for its club meeting at the Kiwanis Park building at 400 SE Second Ave., Battle Ground. It will feature a potluck dinner …
Ridgefield School District honors its March employee, students of the month
Ridgefield School District officials recognized its March employee and students of the month at the regular board of directors meeting on March 14. Kristen Sullens, a kindergarten teacher at Union …
Community Calendar, March 15 edition
Property tax exemption event: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday, March 17. Join property tax exemption specialists from the Clark County Assessor’s Office to get more information and enroll in the …
Letters to the Editor

Letter to the editor: Opinion page is not the place to learn about COVID or vaccines

There are two back-to-back letters on Feb. 22 that created such a “miasma of misinformation,” specifically about COVID vaccines, that I felt the need to respond. I will limit myself and …

Sports
Life

Face Forward Esthetics provides skin care, lash services at Parlour 73 in Battle Ground

At the age of 20, Ashley Venneri, opened Face Forward Esthetics last month at Parlour 73, which is located in Battle Ground Village. Venneri got her inspiration for the business by watching …

Outdoors

Three days of razor clam digging starts Friday on Copalis Beach

Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) shellfish managers on Wednesday confirmed razor clam digging reopens at Copalis Beach on Friday, Feb. 3, followed by additional opportunities on Feb. …

Obituaries
In loving memory of  Mary Catherine Nevels 
Mary Catherine Nevels passed away Feb. 28, 2023, surrounded by loved ones.  She was an amazing, generous and loving mother with a strong passion for family and friends.  Mary was …
In loving memory of Hugo Wiebusch: 1932 - 2023
Hugo Martin Wiebusch, of Ridgefield, Washington, peacefully passed away on March 10, 2023, at the age of 90. Hugo was born Nov. 18, 1932, in Red Wing, Minnesota, to Martin and Martha …
In loving memory of Judith Nydegger 
Judith Lillian Nydegger (Oldham) passed away surrounded by her children, Lisa and Danny, and her dear friend of many years, Becky Mickel.  A longtime Battle Ground resident, Judy was known by …
In loving memory of Mary ‘Yvonne’ Hadley: 1939-2023 
Mary "Yvonne" Hadley, 83, passed away on Feb. 16, 2023, after a two and a half year battle with cancer.  She was born in 1939 in Milwaukie to Forrest and Madeline Bair. They relocated to the …
Death notices, March 1, 2023
Belinda C. Rhodes, 62, of Battle Ground, died on Feb. 15, 2023. Arrangements are under the care of All County Cremation and Burial Services.
In loving memory of Sharon Huffman: 1952-2023 
Sharon Rae Huffman, 70, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Feb. 11, 2023.  She was born in Vancouver, Washington to Donald and Joan Tangen, graduated from Woodland High School …
In loving memory of Lori Homola: 1972-2023
Lori Raydene (Reddig) Homola gained her victory early Sunday morning on Jan. 29, 2023, surrounded by loved ones at the age of 51. Lori was born in Vancouver, Washington to David and Juanita …
Death notices, Feb. 22, 2023 edition
Loren G. Edwards, 78, of Amboy, died on Feb. 11, 2023. Arrangements are under the care of All County Cremation and Burial Services.   Gene L. Jacobs, 97, of Ridgefield, died on Feb. 8, …
In loving memory of Jim Carner: 1932-2023
We are heartbroken. Jim (Bus) Carner passed away on Feb. 6, 2023, at home in Battle Ground surrounded by family. He will be remembered forever. We will miss him. He was born on July 15, 1932 in …