📰 What's Making News

Jim Whittaker, First American to Summit Everest, Dead at 97

The Pacific Northwest lost a legend this week. Jim Whittaker — the Seattle mountaineer who in 1963 became the first American to stand on top of Mount Everest — has died at 97. Whittaker was also the longtime CEO of REI, helping turn the co-op into the outdoor retail giant we know today. His life was as towering as the peaks he conquered, and his roots in our region run deep. Read the full tribute here.

Ron Francis Steps Down as Kraken Hockey Boss

Big shakeup in Seattle hockey: Ron Francis announced Wednesday he'll step down as president of hockey operations for the Seattle Kraken at the end of this season. Francis has been the architect of the franchise since before its inaugural 2021-22 campaign, overseeing the expansion draft and building the roster from scratch. The move opens a major question about who steers the ship next for our regional NHL team. Here's what we know so far.

Blazers Lose Second Straight, Fall 112-101 to Shorthanded Spurs

Portland's mini hot streak is officially over. The Trail Blazers dropped their second consecutive game Wednesday, falling 112-101 to a San Antonio Spurs squad that was missing key players. Deni Avdija poured in 27 points and Scoot Henderson added 20, but it wasn't enough to overcome defensive lapses down the stretch. The loss stings a little extra given the Blazers had just rattled off three wins in a row. Full game recap here.

Mariners Manage Just 2 Hits in 3-0 Shutout Loss at Texas

Rough night at the plate for Seattle. The Mariners were held to just two hits Wednesday as the Texas Rangers cruised to a 3-0 win. Rangers starter MacKenzie Gore was dominant, allowing only one hit through five innings and keeping Seattle's bats completely quiet. It was the kind of game where you check the box score and wince. See the full box score and recap.

⚡ Quick Bites

Ridgefield Breaks Ground on $11M Fire Station to Shrink Response Times

Clark-Cowlitz Fire Rescue is preparing to build a new fire station in fast-growing Ridgefield, with construction costs expected to top $11 million. The facility is designed to close a critical gap in emergency response coverage as the city's population continues to surge. Read more

EV Chargers Coming to Main Street, Both Community Centers

Vancouver plans to install electric vehicle charging stations on Main Street downtown and at the city's two community centers later this year. Read more

$80 Benefit Cards Available for Seniors at Local Farmers Markets

The Area Agency on Aging & Disabilities of Southwest Washington is now accepting applications for its Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program, which provides $80 benefit cards for eligible older adults to spend on fresh produce at area farmers markets. Read more

Washougal Launches Free Workshop Series for Small-Business Owners April 15

The city of Washougal is kicking off its Gateway to Success Series with free business workshops starting April 15 at the Best Western Plus Camas-Washougal Convention Center. The program, developed with the Washougal Business Association, covers coaching, education, and networking. Read more

Titanic Survivor with PNW Ties Gets the Spotlight in Camas

Local historian Peri Muchich will share the story of Anna Warren, a Pacific Northwest woman who survived the sinking of the Titanic, at a special event this Sunday at the Two Rivers Heritage Museum in Camas. Read more

WSU Names Jon Haarlow Permanent Athletic Director

Washington State University elevated interim AD Jon Haarlow to the full-time role on Tuesday, giving the Cougars front-office stability as they head into a new era with the rebuilt Pac-12 Conference. Read more

📅 Mark Your Calendar

Thursday, April 9

• Teen Songwriting Workshop — Camas Public Library, Camas. Registration required. Details here
• Live Music at The Grant House — 5–7 p.m., Willful Wine at The Grant House, 1101 Officers Row, Vancouver. Free. Details here
• Swing Dancing at The Valiant Ballroom — Beginner lessons 6–7 p.m., social dancing 7–9 p.m., 109 W. Ninth St., Vancouver. $10 drop-in. Details here
• Poetry Street PNW Open Mic — Doors at 6:15 p.m., readings 6:30–7:45 p.m., Camas Public Library, Camas. Details here
• Shamanic Journeying Workshop — 6:30–8:30 p.m., Dandelion Teahouse and Apothecary, Vancouver. $20–$40 sliding scale. Details here
• Disabled American Veterans Monthly Meeting — 6:30–8 p.m., 40 et 8, 2809 NE 78th St., Vancouver. Free. Details here
• Understanding Assisted Living Workshop — 6:30–7:30 p.m., Camas Public Library, Camas. Free; led by Tami Calais. Registration required. Details here
• Science on Tap: Boosting Biodiversity with Insect-Friendly Gardens — Vancouver, WA. Speaker Amy Campion shares how to transform your yard for insect biodiversity. Details here
• Author Talk: Aaron Jones on "The Great Task of Oliver Otis Howard" — Fort Vancouver National Historic Site Visitor Center. Hosted by Friends of Fort Vancouver. Details here

Family & Kids

• Pajama Storytime (Ages 0–5) — 5:30–6:30 p.m., Three Creeks Community Library, Vancouver. Wear PJs and bring a stuffed animal! Details here
• Klineline Kids Fishing Derby — Salmon Creek Regional Greenway. 45-minute time slots available. Details here

Teens

• 2026 SW WA Youth Photo Contest — Sponsored by Vancouver Audubon Society, HD Aluminum Prints, and Columbia Credit Union. Nature photography — urban and wild. Details here
• 2026 Students for Clean Water Video Contest — Middle and high school students can win $500 for a video about protecting water. Details here
• Spring Break Day Camp: Living Traditions of the Yakama Nation — Native youth ages 13–17, Center for Native Arts and Cultures, 800 SE 10th Ave., Portland. Limited to 25 participants. Details here

Saturday, April 11

• Potting Party with Clark Conservation District — 9 a.m.–12 p.m. Help pot bare root native plants for streamside restoration projects. Details here
• Kane Off-Leash Dog Park Volunteer Work Day — DOGPAW's work day at Hockinson Community Park. Details here
• Forest Canopy Walk at Plas Newydd — Guided walk hosted by Abby Braithwaite and David Morgan at Plas Newydd Farm. Registration required. Details here
• Camp Hope Spring Clean Up Day — Volunteer event to spruce up the camp for the season. Details here
• Mountain Bike Trail Work Party — Yacolt Burn State Forest, Upper Thrillium parking area. Tools and food provided by Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance – Southwest Chapter. Details here
• Ivy Pull Volunteer Event at Abrams Park — Ridgefield, WA. Demo at 9 a.m. Collaboration between the City of Ridgefield and the Ridgefield Garden Club. Details here
• Listening to the Landscape: Bird Language Basics — 4600 SE Columbia Way, Vancouver. Learn to read songbird calls, postures, and behaviors. Details here
• Wild About Nature — White Salmon Valley Community Library, 1085 N. Main Ave., White Salmon. Speakers Tessa Ott and Michael Tehan. Free. Details here
• Lacamas Park Spring Hike with WA Native Plant Society — Moderate 4-mile loop, Camas, WA. Catch camas and fawn lilies in bloom! Contact Ron Klump to sign up. Details here
• Weeding Volunteer Event at Grandmother Camus — Vancouver Bee Project stewardship morning. Parking along Q Street. No registration required; bring gloves. Details here
• Heritage Farm Walk with Latinos Unidos Y Floreciendo — Guided walking tour sharing plans for the growing season. Details here

Sunday, April 12

• Forest Walk at Columbia Springs — 12208 SE Evergreen Hwy, Vancouver. Guided walk to discover native plants and wildlife. Great for all ages (trails not stroller-friendly). Details here
• Outdoor Cooking with Dutch Ovens — Learn camp cooking techniques with simple recipes and fresh ingredients. Details here

Tuesday, April 14

• Volcano Outdoor School Virtual Info Session — 4 p.m., free one-hour virtual workshop from Mt. St. Helens Institute for educators and youth-serving groups. Details here
• Forever Young Hikers: Weldon Wagon Road — White Salmon area. Moderate, 5 miles, 1,200 ft. elevation gain. Registration required. Details here

Wednesday, April 15

• Worm Bin Composting Workshop — Cascade Park Community Library. Learn to compost food scraps using red worms. Free; registration required. Details here
• Digging the Dirt: Making Great Soil — WSU Master Gardener Gary Fredricks on soil pH, nutrients, and building a successful garden. Free. Details here

Thursday, April 17

• Ridgefield Dragon Boat Community Paddling — Season kicks off! Free for paddlers 14+. No experience needed. Runs through October 3. Details here
• Nominate a Heritage Tree in Clark County — Deadline April 30. WSU Extension Clark County Master Gardener program seeks nominations for significant trees. Details here

Friday, April 18

• Washougal Beaver Bash 2026 — 10 a.m.–2 p.m., Reflection Plaza, Washougal. All ages. Followed by Beaver Trivia at Kascadia Public House, 3–5 p.m. A collaboration of Cascade Forest Conservancy, Good Year Farms, and Washougal Arts & Culture Alliance. Details here
• Lilac Days at Hulda Klager Lilac Gardens — Opens April 18 and runs through May 10. Daily 10 a.m.–4 p.m. $10 adults, kids 12 and under free. It's the 50th anniversary of the Hulda Klager Lilac Society! Details here
• Potting Party with Clark Conservation District — 9 a.m.–12 p.m. Pot bare root native plants for streamside restoration. Details here
• Klineline Pond at Salmon Creek Regional Park Cleanup — 1112 NE 117th St., Vancouver. Accessible paved trails. All tools supplied. Details here
• Sakura Festival at Clark College — Ceremony at 1 p.m. in the Royce Pollard Japanese Friendship Garden, festivities at 2 p.m. in Gaiser Student Center. Traditional Japanese dance, tea, and more. Downtown Vancouver campus. Details here
• Naturalist Training Program: Reading the Landscape with Cascadia Wild — Build skills in wildlife tracking, botany, ecology, navigation, and more. Details here
• Spring Plant Container Workshop — Hands-on guidance from the Dennis 7 Dees team. Leave with a fully planted container garden. Registration required. Details here
• Bird Walk along Washougal River Greenway — Early morning birding walk with Vancouver Audubon Society. Meet at corner of Yale St. and NE 2nd Ave. Details here

Saturday, April 19

• Nature Resin Jewelry Studio Workshop — 10 a.m.–12 p.m., Columbia Springs. Artist Bri Graw guides you through UV resin techniques with natural elements. Leave with three finished pieces. Details here
• Adventures in Art: Nature Journaling — Fort Vancouver Regional Library, 901 C St., Vancouver. Free drop-in session for adults. All materials provided. Details here
• Renaissance Pointe Park Ribbon Cutting — 2111 SE Columbia River Dr., Vancouver. Celebrate this new community space at the east end of the Renaissance Trail. Details here

Tuesday, April 21

• Forever Young Hikers: Dallas Mountain Loop — Crawford Ranch. Moderate, 6.9 miles, 1,060 ft. elevation gain. Registration required. Details here
• Hydrangeas: Variety and Beauty in Your PNW Garden — Meyer Memorial Trust Community Room. Clark County Master Gardener Carley Wecks shares tips on pruning, variety selection, and color. Free. Details here
• Meet the Wildflowers of the Gorge — Workshop led by local author Ashley Erdely with hike recommendations for early, mid, and late season blooms. Sprint/Baker Gallery Room. Free. Details here

Wednesday, April 22

• Clean & Green: Waterfront Park Cleanup with SOLVE — Waterfront Park parking lot, Vancouver. Help clean downtown and the Renaissance Trail for Earth Day. Advanced registration suggested. Details here
• Washington State Parks Fee-Free Day — No Discover Pass needed! Celebrate Earth Day by exploring Washington's state parks at no cost. Details here