Local News
Traffic cameras under consideration in BG
Rick Bannan rick@thereflector.com Discussions about out-of-state plates among Battle Ground residents has shifted toward talk of implementing traffic cameras in school zones. During …
Saturday morning crash on 503 west of Yacolt leaves one dead
A single-vehicle crash off of state Route 503 left a 19-year-old motorist dead after going off the road, police say. At about 8:45 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 23, the Washington State Patrol reported …
BGPS, teachers union reach tentative agreement
The end of monthslong negotiations on a new contract for Battle Ground Public Schools teachers is in sight, as the district announced it and the teachers union had reached a tentative agreement Sept. …
Union representing Larch workers sues Department of Corrections over closure
The union representing Larch prison workers filed a lawsuit against the state Department of Corrections in Clark County Superior Court earlier this month over the imminent closure of Larch …
Waning crescent moon glows behind clouds
The waning crescent moon is seen glowing behind the clouds from Prairie High School on Thursday, Sept. 21. The glow of the Sagittarius moon remained orange throughout the night.
Ridgefield’s Birdfest and Bluegrass Festival returns with festivities on the refuge and in downtown
The Birdfest and Bluegrass Festival is an effort to bring awareness to the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge by both the Friends of Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge and the City of Ridgefield. …

Clark County seeks volunteers for Law and Justice Council

The Clark County Council is seeking applicants for two seats on the five-member Clark County Law and Justice Council.  The Law and Justice Council is established by law to help coordinate …

State health department changes model for sharing virus information

Clark County health officials are not providing regular updates on COVID-19 activity in the county, which they have made for more than two years, following a change in the Washington State Department …

BG, Hockinson fire chief available to talk levy failure

Clark County Fire District 3 Chief Scott Sorenson wants to hear from residents about why they did not support a levy “lid lift” in August. Clark County Fire District 3 ran a vote to …

Leaves progress into fall colors around northern Clark County

State & Regional News
Gluesenkamp Perez one of four backing agricultural right to repair legislation
Four Democrats in Congress last week introduced the Agricultural Right to Repair Act to increase the ability of farmers to fix their own belongings. Currently, some manufacturers of agricultural …
Washington officials remove heat pump mandate, maintains natural gas ban
The Washington Energy Code Council has removed a mandate for heat pumps in new houses and apartments, though the delayed update still maintains certain regulations that building industry advocates …
WA Attorney General: $42 million recovered from fraudulent unemployment claims
An innovative legal effort has enabled Washington to recover $42 million originally paid out in fraudulent unemployment claims during the COVID-19 pandemic, state Attorney General Bob Ferguson …
Public comment period for proposed Western gray squirrel uplisting extended
The Reflector The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has extended a public comment period about the department’s proposal to change the state listing status of the Western …
WDFW invites public comment on rule making to offer incentives for chronic wasting disease testing
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) invites the public to attend a virtual hearing and submit input on a proposed rule change that would allow WDFW to offer an incentive to hunters …
Help that elk: Residents can slow disease spread by reporting hoof deformities, limps
Little is new under the Southwest Washington overcast. On Sept. 11, Cory Montgomery posted to a Packwood community Facebook page a photo of an elk with hoof deformities. All four of the …
Washington to use drones to track pygmy rabbits
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is planning to look for pygmy rabbits using drones over the next year. WDFW said in a news release Tuesday that its staff would fly drones over …
Bill could do away with personal-use permits for huckleberries, other forest products
Reps. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Washougal, and Lori Chavez-DeRemer, R-Oregon, last week introduced legislation that would make it easier to harvest special products from national forests such as …
Tenino sculptor’s book to feature 15-year struggle to place 9/11 memorial
Wherever you were on Sept. 11, 2001, Americans from coast to coast w ere affected by the terrorist attacks unleashed on the World Trade Center and Pentagon, even if they had no personal connection. …
USDA Forest Service seeking public input on Lewis River Recreation Area plan
Gifford Pinchot National Forest managers are seeking public input and ideas on actions the Forest Service can take to improve the visitor experience in the Lewis River Recreation Area. The Lewis …
Opinion
Community
Community Calendar, Sept. 27, 2023 edition
Battle Ground Senior Citizens, Inc. Game Day: 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 27, Battle Ground Senior Center, 116 N.E. Third Ave. The Battle Ground Senior Citizens group will hold their new Game Day …
Skydiving great-grandma from Battle Ground shares her thrill for skydiving
Battle Ground’s Shirley Romig now has six skydives under her belt with a tentative birthday jump slated for next year when she turns 78 years young. Previously reported in The …
Battle Ground-Opoly available at Walmart
A Battle Ground-themed Monopoly game titled “Battle Ground-Opoly” is available for purchase at Battle Ground’s Walmart. The Reflector is seeking information on the background of the …
Letters to the Editor

Letter to the editor: Efforts to prevent litter are appreciated

A positive trend! Saturday, Sept. 10, the Adopt A Highway volunteers were out again picking up trash on State Route 503. You may have seen the white bags on the highway north of Battle Ground? This …

Sports
Life

Clark County Wellness and Apothecary in Battle Ground now offering yoga

Battle Ground’s Clark County Wellness and Apothecary has begun offering yoga classes from two separate instructors at Studio 312. The yoga classes at Clark County Wellness and Apothecary …

Outdoors

Goat Marsh Trail not just a hike but an immersive experience

The Goat Marsh area near Mount St. Helens on the north side of Gifford Pinchot National Forest is a research natural area full of biodiversity. Old growth combined with new growth firs and pines …

Obituaries
Death notices, Sept. 27, 2023
Tony Piedra Jr, 65, of Battle Ground, died on Sept. 19. Arrangements are under the care of All County Cremation and Burial Services, 360-718-7948.   Victoria H. Castillo, 92, of …
In Loving Memory Of Rodica Radu 1967 ~ 2023
Rodica Radu of La Center, Washington, passed away on Sept. 13 at Kaiser Sunnyside Medical Center in Clackamas. She was only 55 years old. Exactly one week before her death, she had just been …
In loving memory of Gerald Edwards: 1936-2023
Gerald “Gerry” Lee Edwards was born March 14, 1936, in Battle Ground, Washington. He died on Sept. 4, 2023, at his home in Vancouver, Washington, surrounded by family.  Gerry …
In Loving Memory Of Lorraine Spurling 1937 ~ 2023
Lorraine Roberta Spurling passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of Sept. 14, 2023.  She was born on June 17, 1937, to Robert and Alice Cresap of Battle Ground, Washington. …
In Loving Memory Of Albert Matson 1962 ~ 2023
Albert James Matson, 61, of Yacolt, Washington, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his dear ones, on Sept. 13, 2023, after a short battle with pancreatic cancer.  Albert James Matson was …
In Loving Memory Of Jerry Sutton 1937 ~ 2023
Jerry Wayne Sutton, 86 of Yacolt, Washington passed away peacefully on Friday, Sept. 15, 2023. He was born on June 24, 1937 in Mattoon, Illinois. He is preceded in death by his wife Theresa Sutton; …
In Loving Memory Of Frances Drake 1954 ~ 2023
Frances “Frankie” Drake was born on Feb. 6, 1954, in Fontana, California, to Leslie and Keitha Crowell. Frankie attended Bonita High School in LaVerne, California. She passed away …
In Loving Memory Of Rita Mary Dietrich 6/10/1927 ~ 7/21/2023
Rita Mary Dietrich, beloved matriarch of our family passed away July 21, 2023, at the age of 96 at her home in Brush Prairie, surrounded by her loving family. Rita was born in Sioux City, Iowa, to …
Death notices, Sept. 20, 2023
Albert J. Matson, 61, of Yacolt, died Sept. 13. Arrangements are under the care of Laynes Funeral Services, 360-687-3143.   Stephen W. Smith, 68, of Woodland, died Sept. 8. …