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Local News
 Cool, moist conditions lift Gifford Pinchot restrictions
Citing cooler and wetter conditions, the U.S. Forest Service is easing public use restrictions in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. Effective Friday, fire danger was lowered from extreme to high, …
Distribution center to host hiring event in Ridgefield
The Dollar Tree and Family Dollar Distribution Center will hold a hiring event in Ridgefield from 3 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 23 at 8400 South Union Ridge Parkway.  A news release stated …
Clark County Public Works seeks applicants for Clean Water Commission
Clark County Public Works is looking for applicants to fill a position on the Clean Water Commission. Applicants can live anywhere in Clark County. Residents with a background and expertise with …
Herrera Beutler takes trip to southern border, commends wall and laments drug trafficking
Southwest Washington’s U.S. Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler visited the country’s southern border late last week, posting about her trip and calling the situation a humanitarian …
Recreational fire ban lifted by Clark County fire marshal
Clark County Fire Marshal Dan Young has lifted the ban on recreational fires, but the county’s ban on land clearing burns remains in place until further notice. Recreational campfires on …
Graham faces Huddleston to keep Woodland School Board seat
One of two Woodland Public Schools Board of Directors races has an incumbent focused on rectifying learning loss facing off against a challenger who wants the board to push back on statewide pandemic …
Bellisle, Burke face off for open Woodland council seat
One of two competitive Woodland City Council seats up for election this year features a former councilor attempting to make a return and a previous seat-seeker making another effort to win the …
Community Calendar, Sept. 22 edition
Give More 24!: Thursday, Sept. 23. The 24-hour online giving marathon raises money for area nonprofits. This year, 200 nonprofits will participate in the event through the Community Foundation for …
Battle Ground Apothecary marks 10 years of business
Battle Ground Apothecary has reason to celebrate next month, as October marks 10 years since owner Diana Davidson purchased the business specializing in supplements, herbs and tinctures. To …
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
Hundreds of state troopers among the thousands who want exemptions to COVID-19 vaccine mandate
OLYMPIA – Thousands of state employees, including hundreds of state troopers and prison guards, are seeking exemptions from Gov. Jay Inslee’s vaccination mandate. The deadline for full …
WDFW announces 62 days of tentative razor clam digs in 2021
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) shellfish managers announced  62 tentative dates for razor clam digs beginning in mid-September and running through the end of the …
As COVID-19 vaccine mandate deadline draws near, unions hurry to reach bargaining deals
OLYMPIA — The deadline for many Washington employees to get a COVID-19 vaccine or face job termination is growing near, and so is the fight over how it will happen. Unions for affected …
With deadline looming, Washington's long-term care benefit and tax draws praise, criticism
It's almost time for Washington residents to decide between a state long-term health care benefit or a private one. Beginning in 2022, Washington workers will see a payroll tax for long-term care, …
Will outdoor events carry on despite the rise in hospitalizations?
For more than a year, the pandemic canceled or dramatically changed nearly all of the major events Eastern Washingtonians love. Hoopfest and county fairs didn't happen. Washington State University …
Here's what you need to know about the statewide mask mandate
OLYMPIA — Masks are back for everyone in Washington. After about three months of freedom from masks for vaccinated people, Gov. Jay Inslee announced Wednesday vaccinated people must join …
2020 was a banner year for outdoor recreation
Outdoor recreation accounted for 2 percent of Washington's total gross domestic product in 2020, according to a study released this month, while the outdoor recreation industry accounted for 2.8 …
State health officials concerned by drop in pre-teen vaccine rates
Washington state’s Department of Health (DOH) is reporting concerning drops in 2020 vaccination rates among preteens. While 4- to 6-year-olds saw a drop in vaccine rates by around 2-3 …
Those with invalid drug possession convictions can petition Inslee to eliminate supervision
OLYMPIA — About 1,200 people on community supervision because of drug possession convictions could have their sentences commuted by Gov. Jay Inslee. The Washington state Supreme Court ruled …
Reykdal wants ultimatum for school employees: Unless you have exemption, get vaccinated or face losing your job
Teachers and staff in Washington's public schools could lose their jobs if they fail to get vaccinations against COVID-19 under a proposal floated Thursday by state superintendent Chris …
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
 Community calendar: Week of July 28
Community events HOPE Dementia Support: 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., Wednesday, July 28 on Facebook Live and YouTube Live. Join international dementia expert, Joao Partel Araujo, for “Answers with …
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 …

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Letters to the Editor

Letter to the editor: I do not want to be taught hate

Why is ESD 112 allowing CRT training to be pushed? I received an email from an employee and the first line kind of shocked me. “Opportunity: Share with appropriate colleagues, and target …

Letter to the editor: We no longer have a constitution that protects our rights

I just returned from having my blood drawn at the Salmon Creek lab at the Vancouver clinic. I am very upset over the conservation I had with the phlebotomist because it substantiated the fact that we …

Letter to the editor: Health care system stretched to its limit

Last Friday, I had the misfortune of being admitted to the local emergency room due to non-COVID-19 health issues. Once admitted, I was wheeled into the already bumper to bumper gridlocked hallway …
Life, Sports & Outdoors
Life
Mark your calendar: WSU Master Gardener online workshops for October

On Tuesdays at noon, and Wednesdays at 6 p.m., the Cowlitz County WSU Master Gardeners present free weekly online programs.  There’s no need to register for the events, but a Zoom account …

Battle Ground Lodge receives $2,000 grant to provide diapers to community Battle Ground Elks Lodge No. 2589 has received a $2,000 grant from the Elks National Foundation that will aid the organization in a partnership that provides diapers to the community.  The …
‘Home Rescue’ for heroes: Local program provides property help for senior veterans A nonprofit arm of a local property management group’s latest program seeks to help senior veterans with upkeep and projects at their homes. Operation Home Rescue launched its first round …
Effective exercises for senior citizens Losing interest in an exercise regimen is a situation many fitness enthusiasts have confronted at one point or another. Overcoming a stale workout routine can be simple for young athletes, whose …

More Life coverage

Sports
Friday night lights: Football is back in full swing

High school football teams around Clark County are preparing for a full lineup of competitions, unlike last spring’s shortened five and six-game seasons. Practices started on Aug. 18. …

Ridgefield local heads to MLB competition Once again, Elizabeth Peery will vie for a top ranking in the nationwide Major League Baseball Pitch Hit & Run competition. In 2019, Peery performed well enough to place third in the country …
‘It was the confidence’: BG softball reflects on undefeated season The Battle Ground softball team continued its legacy of success during the 2021 season, with no signs of slowing down for next year. The shortened season, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, …
Ridgefield High School grad to join collegiate female wrestling team Kinora Hayes found an unexpected sense of family through wrestling. Hayes, a 2021 graduate of Ridgefield High School, was first introduced to wrestling around the age of 6 when she tried …

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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 …

More outdoors

Obituaries
 In loving memory of  Ross B. Hansen: 1959-2021
 Ross B. Hansen passed away Aug. 26, 2021, after a courageous battle with colon cancer.  He is survived by his wife of 27 years Diana; children Eric (Ceres), Dustin, and Heather …
In loving memory of Thomas Floyd Haugen: 1948-2021
 Thomas Floyd Haugen, 73, passed away in Portland, Oregon, on Sept. 4, 2021.  He was born on April 19, 1948 to Alben Haugen and Barbara O'Neill in Malta, Montana. Tom graduated from …
In loving memory of Charles Lane Boling: 1939-2021
Charles Lane Boling was born Dec. 11, 1939, in Upland, California, to Claude Shirley and Alvena Mary (Pointer) Boling. He married Deloris Louise Grow in 1961 and they lived in the southwestern U.S. …
In loving memory of Kathryn Gillette: 1951-2021
 Kathryn “Kathi” Lee Gillette was a loving wife, mother, sister, grandmother, aunt and friend. She passed away peacefully at home on Sept. 14, 2021 at the age of 69. Kathi was …
In loving memory of William “Bill” Wilson: 1935-2021
 William “Bill” Wilson passed away peacefully on Aug. 23, 2021, at the age of 85. Born on Nov. 21, 1935, in Kalama, Washington, to Lloyd M. and Josephine (Thorne) Wilson, he was the …
In loving memory of Mary Donald
 Mary Donald was born in Carrolls, Washington., Oct. 4, 1932. She spent her early years there and in west Longview. Returning to Carrolls in her teens, she graduated from Kelso High School in …

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