What's Making News

85°C Bakery Café Opens in Salmon Creek
The Taiwanese chain 85°C Bakery Café has opened its doors at 14019 N.E. 10th Ave. in Salmon Creek, bringing fresh pastries and coffee to the area. They're in "soft opening" mode through the end of March (10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily), with the official grand opening set for March 27. This marks another exciting addition to Vancouver's growing food scene.

Vancouver Bears Basketball Debuts Tonight
Vancouver's professional basketball team has rebranded as the Vancouver Bears and tips off their season tonight at Hudson's Bay High School. The team joins the United States Basketball League, bringing pro hoops back to our community. It's exciting to see professional sports putting down roots here.

Evergreen Girls Basketball Makes History
The Evergreen Plainsmen girls basketball team finished sixth at state — the best finish in program history. Coach Dexteur Lesueur credited the entire community's support, saying "when you have that type of culture of uplifting, anything is possible." What a proud moment for our local athletes.

Washougal Rail Crossing Gets Major Upgrade
Washougal has selected an overcrossing design for the 32nd Street Rail Crossing Project, which will finally address those frustrating train delays that block traffic. The project aims to improve safety and reduce the traffic backups that anyone who's been stuck waiting for a BNSF train knows all too well.

Barbie Takes Over Washougal Museum
The Two Rivers Heritage Museum in Washougal is hosting a Barbie exhibit that's taking over their northeast wing. She's been an astronaut, surgeon, and president — and now she's bringing some nostalgic fun to our local museum scene.

Community Buzz

Apple Production Peek Behind the Curtain
Local residents got an inside look at Columbia Fruit Packers, where apples float through water baths, roll under cameras, and get packed for destinations around the world. It's fascinating to see how our local agricultural products make their journey from orchard to global markets.

Recycling Confusion Gets Clarity
Ever wonder what actually belongs in that blue bin? A new guide breaks down recycling rules and explains how to properly handle items like Styrofoam and old paint that need special recycling handling. This should help cut down on "wishcycling" — that guilty feeling when you're not sure if something belongs in the bin.

Fireball Lights Up Northwest Sky
Did you catch that flash in the sky Tuesday night? A "fireball" meteor streaked over Western Washington and British Columbia, creating a brief but spectacular light show. Mount Vernon resident Heather Argyle described the sky flashing for just a fraction of a second — nature's own fireworks display.

Columbia River Fishing Update
The latest Columbia River fishing report shows 14 salmon boats and nine Washington bank rods were counted during the Feb. 28 flight survey between Rocky Point and Bonneville Dam. Spring fishing season is ramping up for those ready to cast a line.

Quick Bites

High School Hoops Continues: Several Clark County teams wrapped up their state tournament runs over the weekend.

Car Safety Feature Backfires: "Rules of the Road" explores why wider windshield posts in newer cars — designed for safety — may actually be reducing visibility and causing more crashes.

JCPenney Leadership: Michelle Wlazlo, former Target executive, is now leading JCPenney's turnaround efforts in retail.

Spring Museum Exhibits: Seattle museums are launching new spring exhibitions for those planning a day trip north.

Economic Event Success: The Columbian's 40th annual economic forecast event drew strong community attendance this year.

Your Weekday Ahead

Tonight, March 7: Vancouver Bears basketball season opener, Hudson's Bay High School

Ongoing through March: 85°C Bakery Café soft opening, 14019 N.E. 10th Ave., Salmon Creek, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. daily

March 27: 85°C Bakery Café grand opening, Salmon Creek location

Ongoing: Barbie exhibit, Two Rivers Heritage Museum, Washougal