📰 What's Making News

Fort Vancouver Soccer Claims First Place After 4-1 Rout

Friday night was a big one for the Fort Vancouver boys soccer program. Christian Peralta netted two goals and Jorge Ventura chipped in a goal and two assists as the Trappers rolled past La Center 4-1 in Trico League play — vaulting Fort Vancouver into sole possession of first place in the league standings. If you know a Trapper fan, they're having a great weekend. Read more from The Columbian.

12-Team 2A Greater St. Helens League Locks In Football Format for Fall

The newly expanded 2A Greater St. Helens League made it official Friday, finalizing its football structure and schedule for the upcoming season. The league will roll with a geographic, three-division format across its 12 member schools — a significant shift that will reshape rivalries and Friday night matchups starting this fall. It's the kind of behind-the-scenes move that quietly changes the prep sports landscape for years to come. Full details here.

Burgerville Heads East, Plans Kennewick Outpost

Our beloved homegrown burger chain is stretching its footprint. Burgerville announced plans to open a new location in Kennewick, bringing those Walla Walla onion rings and tillamook cheeseburgers to the Tri-Cities. For those of us who consider Burgerville a point of Pacific Northwest pride, it's fun to watch a Vancouver-born brand keep growing — even if we'd selfishly prefer shorter drive-thru lines at home. Read more here.

Never-Before-Seen Orcas Surprise Seattle Whale Watchers

A pod of orcas that had never been documented in the Seattle area delighted whale watchers with an unexpected visit to Puget Sound. The sighting thrilled tourists and locals alike — a reminder that the Pacific Northwest's most iconic marine residents still know how to make an entrance. It's the kind of only-in-the-PNW moment that makes you want to grab binoculars and head to the waterfront. See the full story.

Weekend Scoreboard: Local Baseball, Softball, Track Results

Friday's prep action extended well beyond the soccer pitch. The full high school scoreboard is in from across Clark County, covering baseball, softball, and boys soccer results. Plus, Saturday brings a loaded schedule — including North Thurston at Skyview baseball and several local track programs heading to the Oregon Relays in Eugene. Check all the scores and schedules here.

⚡ Quick Bites

Vancouver's First Cat Cafe Arrives This Summer

Cat lovers, mark your calendars: Vancouver is getting its very own cat cafe, expected to open this summer in central Vancouver. It's the first of its kind in the city — a spot to sip your coffee while hanging out with adoptable felines. Full story here.

Free Composting, Recycling Workshops Start in April

Clark County's Composter Recycler program is offering a series of free in-person workshops running through April and May. Topics include hands-on composting, green cleaning, smarter recycling, and reducing food waste. Find the schedule and sign up here.

Starbucks Baristas Now Eligible for $300 Quarterly Bonuses

Starbucks announced new performance bonuses of up to $300 per quarter for baristas, along with changes to its tipping structure. The PNW-born chain says the moves are designed to improve the retail employee experience. Details here.

When Must You Stop for a Pedestrian? Doug Dahl Breaks It Down

Washington law requires drivers to stop when a pedestrian is within one lane of their half of the road — not just when someone is directly in front of the car. Columnist Doug Dahl unpacks what that actually means at the crosswalk. Read the full explainer.

Dyeing Easter Eggs? Here's How to Keep Them Safe to Eat

With Easter weekend here, a timely reminder: you can absolutely dye eggs and still eat them afterward, but food-safety steps matter. Key tips include refrigerating within two hours and using food-grade dye. Get the full rundown.

📅 Mark Your Calendar

Saturday, April 4

• RE:collection exhibit at Art at the Cave — New exhibit exploring collecting as a creative act, featuring Kelly Williams and Helen C. White. Art at the Cave Gallery, 108 E. Evergreen Blvd., Vancouver.
• First Friday Art Walk at A Hall Studio — Live music by Nathun Finkhouse plus art by Gene Mason, Jon Kraft, and Keith Russell. Free. A Hall Artworks and Studio, 210 W. Evergreen Blvd., Suite 300, Vancouver.
• Camas First Friday: Spring into History — Historic walking tours, art shows, a black-and-white photo contest, shopping, dining, and more. 5–8 p.m. Downtown Camas.
• Family and Friends Friday Climb — Ages 4+. Unlimited climbing for 1 hour 45 minutes at multiple difficulty levels. No experience needed. $33 resident. Firstenburg Community Center, Vancouver.
• Clark County Historical Museum After Hours — An evening of art, writing, and community featuring Printed Matter Vancouver, part of the First Friday Art Walk. Clark County Historical Museum, Vancouver.
• Mike Smith featured artist at Attic Gallery — Internationally known Camas artist Mike Smith opens his April exhibit with complimentary wine. 5–8 p.m. Attic Gallery, 419 N.E. Cedar St., Camas.
• Society of Washington Artists: The Joy of Letting Go — Abstract fluid art by Allan Oliver and Kimberlee Wixom. Free opening reception, 5–8 p.m. Hilton Vancouver Washington, 301 W. Sixth St., Vancouver.
• Mandala Rock Painting Workshop — Paint meditative mandala designs on stones while sipping tea. All supplies included. $15. Dandelion Teahouse & Apothecary, Vancouver.
• Easter Family Swim — Free admission swim for the whole family, complete with Easter fun. Goldfish Swim School, Vancouver.
• Family Fun Night in Salmon Creek — Games and light snacks, 6–9 p.m. Free. Salmon Creek Grange, 1900 N.E. 154th St., Vancouver. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
• First Friday Open Sculpting at Kilnfolk — Sculpt mugs, vases, gnomes, or animal sculptures with a clay instructor. No experience needed. 6:30–8 p.m. Kilnfolk Clay Studio, 108 W. Sixth St., Vancouver.
• Are You the King? Elvis Impersonation Contest — Do your best Elvis for audience tips and prizes, 6:45 p.m., before Magenta Theater's opening of Four Old Broads at 7:30 p.m. Magenta Theater, Vancouver.
• Union High School presents The Little Mermaid, Jr. — Disney's beloved undersea adventure performed by Union High School students. 7 p.m. $8 students / $12 adults. Union High School, Camas.
• Holy Week Good Friday Tenebrae Service — 7:30 p.m. Free. St. Paul Lutheran Church, Vancouver.
• Candlelight: Tribute to The Beatles — A multi-sensory concert by candlelight. Ages 8+. 60 minutes. Miller Hall, Portland.
• Wild About Nature — Artist Reception and Lecture Series — Artwork by Joy Markgraf plus lectures on nature in the Columbia River Gorge. White Salmon Valley Community Library.
• Ridgefield's Discover Downtown Dash — An epic scavenger hunt through Downtown Ridgefield with challenges, tokens, and prizes. Fun for all ages. Ridgefield.
• Potting Parties with Clark Conservation District — Help pot bare-root native plants for riparian restoration projects. 9 a.m.–12 p.m. Clark Conservation District.
• Burnt Bridge Creek Native Plant Walk — Learn about native plants, stormwater, and local ecology on a 2.5-mile paved walk. Ages 8+. Registration required. 1605 N. Divine Rd., Vancouver.
• Mountain Bike Trail Work Party — Join Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance to repair trails in the Yacolt Burn. Meet at Upper Thrillium Trailhead, 9 a.m. Lunch provided. Discover Pass required.
• WTA Trail Skills Series: Intro to Drainage — Learn trail drainage techniques with WTA and the Cape Horn Conservancy. Great for newer volunteers.
• Renaissance Pointe Park Ribbon Cutting — Celebrate the unveiling of a brand-new community park at the east end of the Renaissance Trail. 2111 SE Columbia River Dr., Vancouver.
• Klineline Pond Cleanup at Salmon Creek Regional Park — Volunteer litter cleanup on accessible paved trails. All tools supplied. 1112 NE 117th St., Vancouver.
• Ivy Pull Volunteer Event at Abrams Park — Help remove invasive English ivy to restore native habitat. Short demo at 9 a.m. Ridgefield.
• Camp Hope Spring Clean Up Day — Pitch in to get Camp Hope ready for the season. A great way to connect with nature and community.

Family & Kids

• Easter EGGstravaganza Friday Fun Night — Easter egg hunt, themed games, gymnastics fun, pizza, and more. Drop-off 6:30–7 p.m., pick-up 9:30–10 p.m. Kids Club Fun & Fitness, Vancouver.
• Spring Beak Nature Walk — Search for spring "beaks" at the Water Center wetlands. Binoculars available. Families with kids ages 6+. Registration required. 4600 SE Columbia Way, Vancouver.
• Klineline Kids Fishing Derby — 45-minute time slots for young anglers. Salmon Creek Regional Greenway.

Teens

• 2026 SW WA Youth Photo Contest with Vancouver Audubon — Nature photography contest (urban and wild) sponsored by Vancouver Audubon Society, HD Aluminum Prints, and Columbia Credit Union. Entries accepted now.
• 2026 Students for Clean Water Video Contest — Middle and high school students can win $500 for making a video about protecting water. Submissions open.
• Spring Break Day Camp: Living Traditions of the Yakama Nation — One-day immersive cultural camp for Native youth ages 13–17. Center for Native Arts and Cultures, 800 SE 10th Ave., Portland.

Adults

• Writer's Workshop at Ridgefield NWR — A fun, reflective writing walk through the Refuge led by Abby Braithwaite. Bring a favorite nature poem. 28908 NW Main Ave., Ridgefield.
• Adventures in Art with FVRL: Nature Journaling — Free drop-in art session for adults. All materials provided, no experience needed. Fort Vancouver Regional Library, 901 C St., Vancouver.

Seniors

• Forever Young Hikers: Lake to Lake Loop via Lacamas Creek — Moderate, 4.8 miles, 500 ft. elevation gain. Camas. Registration required.

Sunday, April 5

• Forest Canopy Walk at Plas Newydd — Explore beautiful trails with hosts Abby Braithwaite and David Morgan. Plas Newydd Farm. Registration required.
• Forest Walk at Columbia Springs — Guided walk to discover native plants and wildlife. Great for all ages (trails not stroller-friendly). 12208 SE Evergreen Hwy., Vancouver.

Tuesday, April 7

• Vancouver Audubon: Katherine Luscher on Tufted Puffins — Monthly meeting with an update on Tufted Puffins in the PNW. 13413 NE LeRoy Haagen Memorial Dr., Vancouver.

Wednesday, April 8

• Columbia River Spring Chinook Season — Last day to fish the main-stem Columbia River for spring Chinook in the early window (season reopens April 28 plus May 2).

Thursday, April 9

• Science on Tap: Boosting Biodiversity with Insect-Friendly Gardens — Amy Campion shares five years of lessons turning a Portland garden into an insect haven. Vancouver, WA.

Saturday, April 11

• Listening to the Landscape: Bird Language Basics — Field class on reading songbird calls, postures, and behaviors this spring. 4600 SE Columbia Way, Vancouver.
• Grow Your Own Strawberries Workshop — WSU Extension Clark County Master Gardeners cover strawberry types, planting, care, pests, and diseases.
• Pollinator Efficiency in Action: The Mason Bee Model — Learn how to welcome Mason bees into your backyard with Anne Bulger of WSU Master Gardeners. NatureScaping Wildlife Botanical Gardens.
• Worm Bin Composting Workshop — Learn to turn food scraps into garden fertilizer with red worms. Free. Cascade Park Community Library.
• Wild About Nature Lectures — Tessa Ott on wildlife monitoring tech and Michael Tehan on Rattlesnake Creek ecology. Free. White Salmon Valley Community Library, 1085 N. Main Ave., White Salmon.
• Outdoor Cooking with Dutch Ovens — Learn hearty camp cooking with simple recipes and cast-iron Dutch ovens.

Seniors

• Forever Young Hikers: Weldon Wagon Road — Moderate, 5 miles, 1,200 ft. elevation gain on the scenic White Salmon route. Registration required.

Saturday, April 12

• Author Talk: Aaron Jones on The Great Task of Oliver Otis Howard — One-hour presentation exploring the life of Major General Oliver Otis Howard, hosted by Friends of Fort Vancouver National Historic Site. Fort Vancouver Visitor Center.

Tuesday, April 14

• Volcano Outdoor School Virtual Info Session — Free one-hour session from Mt. St. Helens Institute for educators curious about bringing students to Mount St. Helens. 4 p.m. Online.