📰 What's Making News

Skyview's Jase Wong Shuts Down Overlake in 6-1 Win

Skyview came out swinging Tuesday night, plating five runs in the first inning and never looking back in a 6-1 victory over Overlake/Bear Creek. On the mound, Jase Wong was dominant — going six innings and surrendering just one hit. The Storm racked up nine hits on offense to cruise to the comfortable win. It's the kind of early-season statement game that puts the rest of the league on notice. Full scoreboard at The Columbian.

Data Centers in Vancouver? A Community Forum Digs Into What's at Stake

Citizens Climate Lobby is hosting a Vancouver community forum focused on the potential benefits and impacts of data centers moving into the area. With Clark Public Utilities and East Vancouver figuring into the conversation, this one hits close to home for anyone watching local growth patterns. The forum will also explore sustainable solutions as demand for digital infrastructure continues to surge. If you've wondered what a wave of data centers could mean for your neighborhood and your power grid, this is your chance to hear the details. More details at The Columbian.

Washington's Quietest National Parks — Worth the Drive?

Not every national park in Washington draws Mount Rainier-level crowds, and that might be exactly the appeal. A new look at visitor numbers reveals which public lands across the state see the fewest visitors, offering a roadmap for anyone craving solitude on the trail. For Vancouver-area hikers who dread parking-lot gridlock, these under-the-radar spots could be your next weekend escape. See the full list at The Columbian.

⚡ Quick Bites

Downtown Vancouver Construction "Essentially Dried Up," City Says

Vancouver's community development director told City Council on Monday that new construction downtown and along the waterfront has stalled as development costs now outpace the financial returns. It's a notable shift for an area that's seen steady growth in recent years. Read more from The Columbian

Washington's Once-Extinct Fishers Reclaim Western Forests

The small, elusive carnivores known as fishers — trapped to extinction decades ago in Western Washington — are expanding into new habitat after a state-led reintroduction effort. Biologists say the population is growing, though long-term monitoring remains essential. Read more from The Columbian

Vancouver Firefighters Help Battle Blaze at Goble Marina on the Columbia

Vancouver Fire Department deployed its fire boat to assist Clark-Cowlitz and Scappoose crews after a vessel and dock fire broke out at Goble Marina on the Columbia River. One boat sank and another was partially submerged during the response. Read more from Clark County Today

Bad Bunny's Tokyo Concert Streams on Spotify Starting Today

Bad Bunny's first-ever Asia concert — a March performance in front of 2,300 fans in Tokyo as part of Spotify's Billions Club Live series — hits the streaming platform today, April 8. Read more from The Columbian

Battle Ground Needs One Resident for Its Independent Salary Commission

The City of Battle Ground is looking for a resident to fill a vacancy on its Salary Commission, the independent body that reviews compensation and benefits for local elected officials through 2027. If you live in Battle Ground and want a seat at the table, applications are open now. Read more from Clark County Today

📅 Mark Your Calendar

Wednesday, April 8

• Children's Organ Transplant Association Restaurant Night Fundraiser — 5–9 p.m. at Grains of Wrath, 230 NE Fifth Ave., Camas. No tickets needed; a percentage of purchases supports COTA in honor of Spencer Porche.
• OMSI: Motion Commotion — 5–6 p.m. at Battle Ground Community Library. Student volunteers use everyday objects to demo the physics of energy, forces, and inertia. Free.
• Spring Beak Nature Walk — at the Water Center, 4600 SE Columbia Way, Vancouver. Search for spring "beaks" on a guided wetland walk perfect for families with kids 6+. Binoculars provided. Advanced registration required.
• Shut Up & Write! Writers Group — 5:15–6:45 p.m. at Vancouver Arts Hub, 1007 E. Mill Plain Blvd., Vancouver. Focused co-writing time for all levels, plus socializing afterward.
• Teen & Adult Japanese Conversation Circle — 6 p.m. at Ridgefield Community Library. Practice speaking Japanese in a relaxed group setting led by a volunteer. Ages 13+.
• Vancouver Audubon Meeting featuring Katherine Luscher on Tufted Puffins — 6:30–8 p.m. at Evergreen Public Schools District Office, 13413 NE LeRoy Haagen Memorial Dr., Vancouver. Social time and bird sightings at 6:30, then a presentation on the collaborative effort to save tufted puffins in the Pacific Northwest.

Saturday, April 11

• Potting Party with Clark Conservation District — 9 a.m.–12 p.m. Get your hands dirty potting bare-root native plants that will later go to streamside restoration projects.
• Klineline Kids Fishing Derby — at Salmon Creek Regional Greenway. 45-minute time slots for young anglers. A beloved tradition backed by decades of dedicated volunteers and sponsors.
• Renaissance Pointe Park Ribbon Cutting — 2111 SE Columbia River Dr., Vancouver. Celebrate the unveiling of this new community space at the east end of the Renaissance Trail, developed through a partnership of public agencies, private organizations, and philanthropic support.
• Lacamas Park Spring Hike with WA Native Plant Society — Moderate 4-mile loop through forested slopes, flowering meadows, and lakefront in Camas. Catch camas and fawn lilies in bloom. Contact Ron Klump at klumpron@gmail.com to sign up.

Family & Kids

• Forest Walk at Columbia Springs — 12208 SE Evergreen Hwy, Vancouver. A guided walk through trails to discover native plants and wildlife. Great for all ages (trails are not stroller-friendly).

Sunday, April 12

• OMSI: Motion Commotion — 2–3 p.m. at Vancouver Community Library. Fun physics demos using everyday objects. Free.
• Listening to the Landscape: Bird Language Basics — at the Water Center, 4600 SE Columbia Way, Vancouver. A field class on decoding songbird calls, postures, and behaviors during peak spring activity.
• Sakura Festival at Clark College — 1 p.m. ceremony in the Royce Pollard Japanese Friendship Garden, followed by festivities at 2 p.m. in Gaiser Student Center with performances, demonstrations, cookies, and tea. A butterfly release at the Andersen Fountain caps the celebration.
• Author Talk: Aaron Jones on The Great Task of Oliver Otis Howard — at the Fort Vancouver National Historic Site Visitor Center. A one-hour presentation exploring the life and legacy of Major General Oliver Otis Howard and his Pacific Northwest connections.

Tuesday, April 14

• Volcano Outdoor School Virtual Info Session — 4 p.m. online. Mt. St. Helens Institute hosts a free one-hour session for educators covering day, overnight, and virtual field trip options at Mount St. Helens.

Wednesday, April 15

• Digging the Dirt: Making Great Soil — WSU Master Gardener Gary Fredricks covers soil basics, pH, and nutrients for a successful garden. Free at the library Community Room.

Thursday, April 17

• Ridgefield Dragon Boat Community Paddling Begins — Free paddling sessions start April 17 and run through October 3 in Ridgefield. Ages 14+. No experience needed.

Saturday, April 18

• Washougal Beaver Bash 2026 — 10 a.m.–2 p.m. at Reflection Plaza, Washougal. A community festival celebrating International Beaver Day, followed by Beaver Trivia at Kascadia Public House from 3–5 p.m. All ages welcome.
• Lilac Days at Hulda Klager Gardens Begin — Open daily 10 a.m.–4 p.m. through May 10. It's the 50th anniversary of the Hulda Klager Lilac Society! Admission $10 adults, kids 12 and under free. Senior Mondays $5 for ages 62+.
• Potting Party with Clark Conservation District — 9 a.m.–12 p.m. Another chance to help pot native plants destined for streamside restoration projects.
• Weeding Volunteer Event at Grandmother Camus — Join the Vancouver Bee Project for a morning of weeding, mulching, and trash cleanup. Plenty of parking on Q Street. No registration needed; just bring gloves.
• Klineline Pond at Salmon Creek Regional Park Cleanup — 1112 NE 117th St., Vancouver. Litter pickup along accessible paved trails. All supplies provided by Clark County Public Works.
• Bird Walk along Washougal River Greenway — Early morning birding walk at the corner of Yale St. and NE 2nd Ave. with Vancouver Audubon Society. Look for Belted Kingfishers, Common Mergansers, and returning spring migrants.
• Mountain Bike Trail Work Party — Yacolt Burn State Forest. Meet at the Upper Thrillium parking area to help the Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance – Southwest Chapter repair trails. Tools and food provided.
• Ivy Pull at Abrams Park — 9 a.m. in Ridgefield. Help remove invasive English ivy to protect native plants and wildlife habitat. A collaboration between the City of Ridgefield and the Ridgefield Garden Club.
• Science on Tap: Boosting Biodiversity with Insect-Friendly Gardens — in Vancouver. Amy Campion shares how she transformed her Portland garden into an insect biodiversity haven — and how you can too.
• Heritage Farm Walk with Latinos Unidos Y Floreciendo — A guided walking tour sharing plans for the growing season, with opportunities to volunteer and connect with the land.

Sunday, April 19

• Forest Canopy Walk at Plas Newydd Farm — Explore some of the most beautiful places on the farm with hosts Abby Braithwaite and David Morgan. Registration required.
• Outdoor Cooking with Dutch Ovens — Learn cast-iron camp cooking techniques using simple recipes and fresh ingredients.
• Wild About Nature — at White Salmon Valley Community Library, 1085 N. Main Ave., White Salmon. Guest speakers Tessa Ott (WA Dept. of Fish and Wildlife) and Michael Tehan (retired NOAA Fisheries) on wildlife monitoring and Rattlesnake Creek conservation. Free.

Adults

• Nature Resin Jewelry Studio — 10 a.m.–12 p.m. at Columbia Springs. Artist Bri Graw leads a hands-on class experimenting with UV resin, pigments, and natural elements to create pendants, earrings, or keychains. Leave with three finished pieces.

Tuesday, April 21

• Worm Bin Composting Workshop — at Cascade Park Community Library. Learn to turn food scraps into garden fertilizer using red worms — a great option if you're short on outdoor space. Free; register online.
• Forever Young Hikers: Weldon Wagon Road — White Salmon area. Moderate, 5 miles with 1,200 ft. elevation gain. Registration required through the City of Vancouver's Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services.

Wednesday, April 22

• Washington State Parks Fee-Free Day — No Discover Pass needed! Celebrate Earth Day by exploring any Washington state park at no cost.
• Clean & Green: Waterfront Park Cleanup with SOLVE — Meet in the Waterfront Park parking lot in Vancouver for check-in and supplies, then fan out along downtown and the Renaissance Trail to collect litter. Advanced registration suggested.