Local News
New native-plant nursery set to build off owner’s inspirations
A new native-plant nursery in Clark County boasts a broad selection of Northwest plants based on the owner’s inspirations. Nature’s Haven recently opened to the public at the end of …
Clark Public Utilities provides insight into summer cooling, what to expect
Clark Public Utilities is not bracing for an unexpected spike in energy usage this summer but does anticipate an uptick in energy usage for the warmest months of the year, as usual. As spring …
La Center High School seniors pull up to class with “not-a-car” rides
A few La Center High School seniors arrived to their final day of class in style after the school district and Clark County Sheriff’s Office OK’d seniors attending their last day in …
BGHS seniors celebrate annual graduation
The Battle Ground High School Class of 2024 graduates mark the school’s 109th annual commencement ceremony on Thursday, June 6. The class of 2024 started its high school careers utilizing ZOOM …
Area agencies participating in construction zone safety campaign
Because Washington State has surpassed a 30-year high in traffic fatalities, and work zone crashes doubled in 2023, the Target Zero Task Force is partnering with Clark County Public Works and other …
County Solid Waste partners with Ecology to secure vehicle loads
This month, Clark County Solid Waste is partnering with the Washington state Department of Ecology to reduce road waste and secure vehicle loads. The Secure Your Load campaign will aim to reduce the …
Nick Santilli, a Battle Ground High School counselor, was inspired to open a BGHS thrift store for students and staff after working at a school in Southern California. The thrift store opened on May 29, making $81, with each item sold priced at just $1.

BGHS counselor kickstarts student thrift store with everything $1

After working at a high school that had a thrift store in Southern California, counselor Nick Santilli brought the idea to Battle Ground High School. Since it opened in May of this school year, …
Fourth grade Hockinson Heights Elementary School Teacher Renae Skar incorporates activities into her lessons, engaging students in history and science. Her class is currently learning about the Oregon Trail by playing games simulating the difficulty of the journey.

Hockinson elementary teacher receives state award for excellence in active teaching

A fourth grade Hockinson Heights Elementary School teacher may soon receive the highest recognition in public school science teaching in the United States. Last month, Renae Skar was named one …

Commission on Aging to host emergency supply workshop

This month, Clark County’s Commission on Aging will host a workshop on storing emergency supplies. The meeting is part of the commission’s “Prepare in a Year” discussion …
Dianna Perry opened her home decor store, Finishing Touch, on Main Street in Battle Ground five years ago. For its fifth anniversary, the shop will hold a raffle for guests on June 22 after a ribbon cutting at 11 a.m.

Battle Ground home decor business owner excited to celebrate five years

Like other businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic, Battle Ground’s downtown home decor shop faced a series of challenges shortly after opening in 2019. Soon, Finishing Touch will launch its …
State & Regional News
La Center local making waves in Arca Menards Series West
In his first full season in the Arca Menards Series West, a NASCAR touring series, La Center’s Eric Johnson Jr. has secured two top 10 finishes in four races. Johnson finished 10th in the …
In speech, congressional candidate Leslie Lewallen seeks to separate herself from Republican rival
As she seeks to unseat a freshman representative in one of the most hotly contested congressional districts in the country, candidate and Camas City Councilor Leslie Lewallen told a crowd at the …
Joe Kent focuses on immigration, war during town hall
Third District Congressional candidate Joe Kent drove home his conservative priorities on immigration, the war in Ukraine and American politics May 31 at a town hall in Kelso. The Third District …
MGP says Biden must do more at Southern border as president issues executive order
Following months of repeated criticism of the federal government’s immigration policy, Third Congressional District Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Washougal, has renewed pleas for President …
Gluesenkamp Perez backs new ‘right to repair’ legislation
A group of lawmakers has introduced legislation they say would guarantee consumers a right to repair their own products, which they say could result in a savings of roughly $330 a year per household. …
Multiple visitor centers remain open along Spirit Lake Highway after 2023 debris flow
Several recreational sites remain open to explore at Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument following the May 2023 debris flow, known as the South Coldwater Slide, according to a news release …
WDFW Free Fishing Weekend returns to Washington, June 8-9
For one weekend, anglers across the state can fish for various species without a license. This year, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s (WDFW) annual Free Fishing Weekend event …
Co-owner of two Clark County automotive businesses convicted for violating Clean Air Act
The co-owner of two Clark County automotive businesses was convicted on Thursday, May 23, in the U.S. District Court in Tacoma of conspiracy and 11 felony counts of violating the federal Clean Air …
Washington Traffic Safety Commission unveils new messaging amid increase in fatal crashes
The Washington Traffic Safety Commission is changing its messaging regarding its goal of reducing fatal and serious injury automobile crashes. The change comes after Washington state in 2023 …
Mount St. Helens Institute executive director steps down after more than a decade
After 13 years, Amboy-based Mount St. Helens Institute has a new director. Ray Yurkewycz’s last day was April 30, after serving since 2011 as the executive director of the nonprofit that …
Opinion
Community
Ridgefield High School announces honor graduates for 2024
As graduation season for local schools is underway, Ridgefield High School announced its 2024 honor graduates in a recent press release. Honors students have demonstrated academic prowess, leadership …
North Clark County college students earn academic honors
Many northern Clark County college students earned academic honors for the fall-spring 2023-24 terms. Honored students achieved a GPA of 3.0 or greater, depending on the institution. Some …
Find produce, crafts and more at local farmers markets this season
Reap the benefits of local fresh produce, handcrafted goods and more at this season’s farmers markets across northern Clark County. This year, markets are available at Woodland, La Center, …
Letters to the Editor

Letter to the Editor: Gluesenkamp Perez dedicated to needs of southwest Washington

Congresswoman Marie Gluesenkamp Perez has a track record of working hard for her Southwest Washington constituents. The list of her accomplishments is long and impressive. Most notably, she has …

Sports
Life

Pediatricians at Kaiser Permanente urge caution using melatonin for children

Dr. Kirsten Reinecke, pediatric sleep specialist with Kaiser Permanente Northwest, talks about melatonin usage all day with the majority of her patients in the Portland Metro area. A recent …

Outdoors

Natural Garden Tour opens in Clark County

Local gardens that exemplify the beauty of nature and sustainable gardening practices will be on display during the upcoming Natural Garden Tour, hosted by Clark County Green Neighbors. The …

Obituaries
Death notices
William Deschamps, 67, of Ridgefield, died June 4. Arrangements are under the care of Northwood Park Funeral Home & Cemetery, 360-574-4252. Lola R. Schreiner, 87, of Vancouver, died June 2. …
In Loving Memory Of Joan Krebser March 9, 1930 ~ March 31, 2024
Joan Lawrason Krebser was born in Pekin, Illinois and moved to Ridgefield, Washington as a young child. She graduated from Ridgefield High School in the class of 1948. She then moved to Vancouver, …
In loving memory of Stanley Paul Sigrist: 1947-2024
Stanley Paul Sigrist was born to Julian Sigrist and Sybil (Charpilloz) Sigrist on July 15, 1947, in Vancouver, Washington. He passed away at home in Battle Ground, Washington, on March 30, 2024. …
In loving memory of Keith Curtis Hegge: 1988-2024
Keith Curtis “KC” Hegge, 36, of Ridgefield, Washington, passed away suddenly at his family home in Ridgefield on May 14, 2024. He was born March 15, 1988, to Don and Lucy Hegge. …
In loving memory of Heidi K. Leitgeb 1949-2024
It is with heavy hearts and profound sadness that we announce the passing of Heidi Leitgeb, a remarkable woman who touched the lives of all who had the privilege of knowing her.  Heidi …
In loving memory of Kathie Malone 1948-2024
Kathie Malone passed away on April 26, 2024, at home with family.  She was born in California to Dick and Claire Stevenson in 1948. Kathie graduated from the University of Washington and …
In loving memory of Norman Donald MacKay 1945-2024
Norman Donald MacKay was born on July 14, 1935, in Chinook, Montana, to Norman and Margaret MacKay, originally from Stornoway, Scotland. Norman grew up in Havre, Montana, with his two older brothers, …
Death Notices
John Lamar, 97, of Vancouver, died May 27. Arrangements are under the care of Northwood Park Funeral Home & Cemetery, 360-574-4252. Devon Beasley, 75, of La Center, died May 26. Arrangements …
In loving memory of Keith Curtis Hegge: 1988-2024
Keith Curtis “KC” Hegge, 36, of Ridgefield, Washington, passed away suddenly at his family home in Ridgefield on May 14, 2024. He was born March 15, 1988 to Don and Lucy Hegge. Keith …