Local News
New average annual wage estimates adjust unemployment insurance, paid leave benefits
Washington’s average annual wage grew by 4.9% in 2025 to $99,810, according to the Employment Security Department (ESD) in a recent news release. The increase was driven by a 0.2% decrease in …
Washington high court: State will strip gun rights after two DUIs
The Washington State Supreme Court has ruled that individuals convicted of two driving under the influence offenses within seven years will be stripped of their Second Amendment rights, which the …
Camden Spiller: Bringing The Reflector home 
Seventeen years ago, after 100 years of local ownership, The Reflector was sold in 2010 to a publishing group that once owned newspapers from California to Washington. Most recently, it was owned by …
WDFW: Beat the rush and complete hunter education now
The Washington state Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) is urging prospective new hunters to complete hunter education this summer so they are ready to participate in upcoming seasons. …
WSP detectives arrest Pierce County man following child exploitation investigation
The Washington State Patrol (WSP) Missing and Exploited Children Task Force (MECTF), in collaboration with federal and state partners, last week arrested a Pierce County man following an undercover …
Summer outdoor concert season kicks off this month at Cascades Amphitheater
Concertgoers seeking tunes under the sun and night sky in Clark County will have no shortage of live music options this summer as Cascades Amphitheater in Ridgefield and the Clark County Fair prepare …
Battle Ground High School Principal Heather Ichimura, left, helps Brianna Hoeflein receive her diploma during the 111th annual commencement ceremony graduating the class of 2026 on Thursday, June 4.

Once a Tiger, Always a Tiger: Battle Ground High School graduates class of 2026 in 111th annual commencement ceremony

More than 420 seniors crossed the stage in their caps and gowns at District Stadium as Battle Ground High School’s 111th annual commencement ceremony graduated the class of 2026 on Thursday, June …

Search begins for next Ridgefield Police Department chief

Ridgefield has opened recruitment for its next police chief as Cathy Doriot prepares to retire after more than 37 years with the department, including three years as chief. Doriot will remain in …
Ridgefield Mayor Matt Cole addresses attendees during the Eastside Elevated Water Reservoir groundbreaking ceremony on June 1. City officials say the new reservoir will improve emergency preparedness and water capacity for future development.

Ridgefield breaks ground on eastside water reservoir to support future growth

Ridgefield officials and project partners broke ground Monday, June 1, on the Eastside Elevated Water Reservoir, a major infrastructure project officials say will help meet the city’s growing water …
Local firefighters harvest beef from the ground during the annual Fireman’s Bar-B-Que at Woodland Planters Days in 2024. The popular community meal held by Clark-Cowlitz Fire & Rescue returns at noon Saturday, June 20, at Horseshoe Lake Park as part of this year’s four-day celebration.

Planters Days celebrates Woodland with patriotic theme

Woodland’s longest-running tradition returns Thursday, June 18, through Sunday, June 21, as the community marks the 104th annual Planters Days. This year’s theme is “Woodland Washington - A …
State & Regional News
Female wrestler sues school district, state over alleged assault by male competitor
Six months after a female wrestler in the Puyallup School District reported being sexually assaulted by a male wrestler who identifies as female during a match, the 16-year-old student and her mother …
Ballmer’s philanthropy commits to funding 10,000 affordable housing units in Washington
The Ballmer Group is committing hundreds of millions of dollars to fund 10,000 new affordable rental homes in Washington state, a dramatic investment focused on keeping families out of …
Oregon resists court order for housing trans prisoners amid federal pressure
As the Trump administration investigates states for incarcerating transgender women in women’s prisons, Oregon attorneys are opposing a recent federal court order that could lead to more trans …
Idaho farmers are hoping Congress can get updated farm bill across finish line
Many of Idaho’s farmers and producers are dealing with skyrocketing costs to do business, but many of the nation’s support systems for them are outdated.  “We have pressure from the …
Large corporate fleets, Amazon, exempt from new road fees for Oregon EVs next year
Oregonians driving electric vehicles will be required to pay hundreds of dollars in new taxes and fees starting next year, sending tens of millions of dollars annually to the State Highway Fund. …
Washington Supreme Court candidates begin pitch to voters ahead of crowded primary
As a crowded August primary looms, Washington Supreme Court candidates are making their pitch to voters ahead of the 2026 election that could decide the fate of a new income tax. The 9.9% tax on …
‘What’s the alternative?’: US Sens. Cruz, Cantwell urge buy-in on college sports bill
A bipartisan pair of U.S. senators promoted their legislation Wednesday to set national standards for college athletes’ compensation, calling the compromise bill the best available option. GOP …
These new Washington state laws take effect Thursday
Over 200 new Washington state laws take effect Thursday.  Among them are tax hikes, enhancements to the state’s Voting Rights Act and guidance for retailers on the penny phase-out. …
Petition campaign to repeal Washington income tax may break records
More than 242,000 Washington voters have signed petitions for an initiative that hopes to repeal the state’s new income tax as organizers seek to break the all-time signature record. Let’s …
Massive clean energy project caught in legal crosswinds at Washington Supreme Court
Washington’s desire to accelerate clean energy development will be in the spotlight Thursday when the state Supreme Court considers whether a state panel and a former governor bypassed permitting …
Opinion
Community
Community Calendar
Woodland Seniors Soul Collage Workshop: 12-2 p.m., Thursday, June 11, Woodland Community Center, 782 Park St., Woodland. Make art alongside fellow seniors during Soul Collage workshop hosted by …
University of Washington honors Battle Ground teacher
The University of Washington honored Battle Ground High School teacher Jonas Fridriksson during an awards ceremony on May 13 with the 2026 Thomas J. and Cameron Pressly Endowed Prize for Outstanding …
Battle Ground Rotary Club holds Old Town cleanup day
Battle Ground Rotary Club volunteers spent Wednesday, May 20, helping beautify Old Town Battle Ground during a community cleanup day. Members swept sidewalks, pulled weeds, cleaned planter areas …
Letters to the Editor

Letter to the editor: Battle Ground meeting delivers win for law-and-order supporters

There were far more losers than winners at the BG City Council’s June 1 meeting in which Mayor Overholser issued proclamations in support of ICE and condemning Antifa. It’s beneficial to review …

Sports
Life

Free haircuts offer foster children a boost of confidence in Battle Ground

On Saturday, May 30, foster children received free haircuts at Parlour ‘73 in the Battle Ground Village through a partnered event between the salon and local nonprofit Cloth and Foster. The …

Outdoors

Exploring both sides of Mount St. Helens

 After the May 18, 1980, eruption of Mount St. Helens, which killed 57 people, the state of Washington declared May Volcano Awareness Month in recognition of its impact.  The volcano …

Obituaries
In loving memory of Kaye Chamberlin
Karen (Kaye) Louise Chamberlin was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt and friend. She passed away peacefully at home June 2, 2026, at the age of 80. Born July 30, 1945, …
In loving memory of Dorothy "Dodi" McCombs
Dorothy “Dodi” Waunneta Starr McCombs squeezed every last drop out of life until it exhausted her on May 1, 2026. She died feeling loved, surrounded by loving notes, cards, photos and art from …
In loving memory of Robert Dean Lahti: 1937 - 2026
In Loving Memory of Robert Dean Lahti 5/26/1937 - 5/20/2026 Robert Dean Lahti passed away May 20, 2026, surrounded by his loved ones. He is survived by his wife, Lorraine; …
In loving memory of Marie Fronk: 1935 - 2026
In Loving Memory of Marie Fronk 4/17/1935 - 5/24/2026 A lifelong Clark County resident, Marie Fronk was born April 17, 1935, in Orchards to Anthony and Rosalie Martell. The third of nine …
Death notices: June 10, 2026
Christopher Ramm, 54, of Woodland, died May 2. Arrangements are under the care of All County Cremation and Burial Services, 360-718-7948. David Dosch, 67, of Battle Ground, died May 20. …
In loving memory of Charles "Chuck"McCabe: 1931 - 2026
  Charles “Chuck” McCabe, 94½, of Amboy, Washington, passed away peacefully in his sleep June 1, 2026. Charles was born Dec. 1, 1931, in Randle, Washington, to Roy and …
In loving memory of Darlene Spillers: 1951 - 2026
Darlene Elaine Spillers, 75, of Hummelstown, Pennsylvania, passed away peacefully Monday, May 25, 2026, with her loving husband by her side. Born April 19, 1951, Darlene grew up in Battle …
In loving memory of Ken Harrington: 1942 - 2026
Ken Harrington, 83, of Battle Ground, Washington, passed away April 28, 2026, from Progressive Supranuclear Palsy. Born Dec. 8, 1942, in Vancouver, Washington, to Rodney and Marianne Harrington, he …
Death notices: June 3, 2026
Harold Ross, 86, of Brush Prairie, died May 7. Arrangements are under the care of All County Cremation and Burial Services, 360-718-7948. Jordan Dearmin, 66, of Yacolt, died May 16. Arrangements …