📰 What's Making News

Old Evergreen Airport Site Adds Two Dealerships, Hotel to East Vancouver Skyline

The former Evergreen Airport keeps reinventing itself. Developers have plans for two more car dealerships and a hotel on the east Vancouver site, which would bring the total dealership count to six — all neighbors to the area's In-N-Out Burger. It's the latest chapter in a decades-long transformation that's turning a once-quiet airstrip into a commercial hub. If you drive that stretch regularly, expect the landscape to keep shifting. Read the full story.

Vancouver Girl Scout Earns Medal of Honor for Bravery

A Vancouver girl has earned the Girl Scouts Medal of Honor — one of the organization's highest recognitions for courage and quick action. The award honors scouts who live out the promise to "help people at all times" and embody the Girl Scout Law's call to be "courageous and strong." It's the kind of hometown story that reminds you great kids are being raised right here in Clark County. Read her story.

I-5 to I-205 Ramp Closes Tonight Through Sunday — Plan Your Detour Now

Heads up if your weekend route involves the southbound I-5 connection to I-205: the ramp at Exit 7 closes fully starting at 10 p.m. tonight (July 31) and won't reopen until 10 a.m. Sunday, August 2. Kerr Contractors is wrapping up concrete pavement work, guardrail installation, and lane striping. WSDOT recommends checking the real-time travel map or the WSDOT mobile app before you head out. This is billed as the final closure, so relief is in sight. Get detour details.

Three Festivals, One Weekend: Washougal, Ridgefield Pack the Calendar

This weekend is stacked with reasons to get out and explore Clark County. The Washougal Arts and Music Festival, Get To-Gather Farm Day, and Ridgefield's Day of Festivals are all on the calendar — spanning live music, local art, and community gatherings across the region. If you've been looking for a low-key excuse to finally check out a neighboring town, this is it. See the full roundup.

What 785 Square Feet Looks Like on a $1,500 Budget in Vancouver

A new analysis puts a number on what Vancouver renters get for $1,500 a month: roughly 785 square feet. It's a useful benchmark whether you're renting, thinking about investing in rental property, or just curious how the local market stacks up. The data offers a snapshot of where things stand right now in Vancouver's rental landscape. See the analysis.

Raptors Drop Rubber Game to Corvallis, 11-3

It was a tough night for the Ridgefield Raptors, who fell 11-3 to the Corvallis Knights in the rubber match of a three-game series. Ridgefield battled back to within 6-3 in the top of the sixth, but Corvallis answered with a five-run bottom half that put the game out of reach. Four Knights pitchers combined to hold the Raptors to just six hits. Summer ball rolls on — catch the Raptors at their next home series. Read the recap.

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⚡ Quick Bites

Vancouver Farmers Market Names First New Leader in 15 Years

Nat West, a Portland-based entrepreneur and civic leader, takes over as executive director of the Vancouver Farmers Market, succeeding longtime director Jordan Boldt. It's the organization's first leadership transition in a decade and a half — a big changing of the guard for one of downtown's anchor institutions.

Washington Seniors File Record Number of Financial Aid Applications

High school seniors across the state submitted more college financial aid applications this year than ever before, a milestone for families navigating the cost of higher education. Read the full details here.

Gas Prices Drop From Spring Peak, Still $1 Above National Average

Washington drivers are seeing relief at the pump after prices eased significantly from their 2026 highs in late spring — but we're still paying roughly a dollar more per gallon than the rest of the country. Here's where things stand.

State Seeks $76 Million for Flood-Damaged Highways

Washington has filed for an estimated $76 million in federal reimbursements to repair highways damaged during December's historic flooding. The request covers multiple routes impacted statewide.

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📅 Mark Your Calendar

Friday, July 31

• Enhance Fitness Classes – 8:30 AM at Bethel Lutheran Church, Brush Prairie. Evidence-based group exercise for older adults (age 60+), held Wednesdays and Fridays with sessions at 8:30 and 10 AM. More info
• Volunteer Gleaning Opportunities: SWWA Victory Garden – 9:00 AM at 2311 NE 68th Street, Vancouver. Help keep the community garden growing — harvested produce goes to LULAC to share with neighbors across Clark County. More info
• ROAD TRIP: Family Mt. Bike Ride Days at Timberline Lodge – 9:30 AM at Mt. Hood, OR. Kids and teens 17 and under ride free with an adult day ticket or season pass. Bike and gear rentals available on-site. More info
• Summer Craft & Play with Drip Drop Art Studio – 10:00 AM at Drip Drop Art Studio, Vancouver. Maker Station fun for kids over 5 with recyclables, pom poms, wood items and more. $18. More info
• Drip Drop Art Craft & Play – 10:00 AM at Drip Drop Art Studio, Vancouver. Sensory bins and art projects for ages 1–5, plus a Maker Station add-on for ages 5+. $24. More info
• A Positive Approach to Dementia Care – 10:00 AM at The Foundation Family Resource Center, Vancouver. Hope Dementia Support presents practical strategies for communicating with individuals living with dementia, led by Mike Davis of Highgate Senior Living. Free. More info
• 60+ Senior Community Meal Program – 12:00 PM at Calvary Chapel Vancouver. Free lunch for low-income seniors age 60+, served noon to 1 PM, sponsored by the 5&2 Food Pantry. More info
• NAMI Art Group – 1:00 PM at NAMI Southwest Washington, Vancouver. Drop in for creative expression every Friday from 1 to 3 PM. Free. More info
• Kids Hero Quest for Young Adventurers – 1:30 PM at Three Creeks Community Library. A beginner-friendly tabletop adventure for ages 5–9 — kids team up with a caregiver to battle monsters and discover treasure. Free. More info
• Teen Art Roulette at Camas Public Library – 2:00 PM at Camas Public Library. A fast-paced art challenge for teens (6th–12th grade) where canvases keep changing and every round brings a new surprise. Free. More info
• Washougal Community Market – 2:00 PM at Reflection Plaza, Washougal. Browse small businesses, artisans, authors, bakers and food vendors with live music, 2 to 6 PM. Free. More info
• Kids & Tweens Favorite Wizard's Birthday Party – 3:00 PM at La Center Community Library. Find your house, make a wand, tackle a Harry Potter escape room and test your wizarding trivia. Free. More info
• Kids Create – 3:30 PM at Washougal Community Library. Drop-in creative projects for ages 5–9 — use your imagination and try a new artistic skill. Free. More info
• Tween Hangout at Vancouver Community Library – 4:00 PM at Vancouver Community Library. Games, crafts, snacks and hangout time for ages 9–12, 4 to 5:30 PM. Free. More info
• Parkersville Heritage Fair – 4:00 PM at Parker's Landing Historical Park, Washougal. This year's theme is "Shared Roots & Legacy," featuring the Van Vleet Detective Quest, local history displays and the first 200 finishers earn a treasure bag. Free. More info
• Alderbrook Park Cruise-In – 4:00 PM at Alderbrook Park, Brush Prairie. Gates open at 4 PM with disc golf, train rides, mini golf, bounce houses, pool and more included in admission. $5–$10. More info
• Family and Friends Friday Climb – 5:00 PM at Firstenburg Community Center, Vancouver. Ages 4+ can tackle multiple difficulty levels for an hour and 45 minutes of unlimited climbing — no experience necessary. $3–$41. More info
• ZooNights – 5:00 PM at Oregon Zoo, Portland. Live music, food carts, keeper chats, animal encounters and elephant ears — plus local beer and wine for the grown-ups. $13–$26. More info
• Tornadoes Swim Club Mystery Meet: Christmas in July – 5:00 PM at Clark County Family YMCA, Vancouver. Swimmers won't know their event until it's drawn from the Mystery Bucket — donate to sponsor an event and support the Tornadoes Swim Club. More info
• Camas Lions Club Beer Garden – 5:00 PM at Port of Camas-Washougal. All proceeds support charitable causes including vision programs, hunger relief, youth scholarships and more. Pairs with the Summer Concert at Marina Park. More info
• Into the Crater Hike with MSHI – 5:00 PM. A bucket-list adventure into the crater of Mount St. Helens with expert geologists and mountain guides — see the youngest glacier in the world up close. More info
• Community Dragon Boat Paddle – 5:30 PM at Ridgefield Public Boat Launch. Try dragon boat paddling for free — no experience needed, equipment provided, ages 14+. More info
• 2026 AMC Rendezvous Car Show: Friday Nite Cruise-In – 6:00 PM at Prairie Tavern, Brush Prairie. Open to all AMC heritage vehicles including Nash, Hudson, Rambler and AMC through 1987. More info
• Good Times and Wine at English Estate Winery – 6:00 PM at English Estate Winery, Vancouver. Enjoy live music from singer-songwriter Raeann Phillips plus an on-site food truck, 6 to 8 PM. Free admission. More info
• Laser Red Hot Chili Peppers – 6:00 PM at OMSI Kendall Planetarium, Portland. A heart-pounding laser show set to the Chili Peppers' high-energy sound. More info
• Summer Concert at Marina Park – 7:00 PM at Marina Park, Washougal. Five Guys Named Moe perform live from 7 to 10 PM with food vendors on site starting at 4 PM. Free. More info
• Journey Theater Arts presents Into the Woods – 7:00 PM at Heritage High School, Vancouver. The beloved Sondheim musical follows a Baker and his wife, Cinderella, Jack and more on a journey through the woods. $22–$26. More info
• Live Music on the Patio at Farrar's Bistro – 7:00 PM at Farrar's Bistro, Vancouver. Enjoy food, cocktails, local wine and live performances on the pet-friendly patio. More info
• Sunset Kayak Paddle – 7:00 PM at Ridgefield Waterfront Park. A three-hour guided paddle north to the Columbia River to watch the sunset and share snacks on the beach. All skill levels welcome — reservations required. More info
• Pour Choices Pub Summer Concert Series presents Benj – 7:30 PM at Pour Choices Pub, 1919 Main Street, Vancouver. An intimate evening of original music. 21+. More info
• ROAD TRIP: The Bird Days of Summer — Birds, Bats & Bugs – 8:00 PM. Watch birds settle in for the night, then switch gears as bats emerge overhead and moths gather at a UV light sheet. Features a bat detector so you can hear echolocation. More info

Saturday, August 1

• Mt. St. Helens Summit Climb with MSHI – 6:00 AM. A single-day non-technical scramble to the summit with professional mountain guides — designed for novice hikers and experienced mountaineers alike. More info
• Birding Walk at Ridgefield NWR – 8:00 AM at the Carty Unit. Join Ron Escano for a relaxed but thorough morning walk — perfect whether you're new to birding or looking for a group to explore with. More info
• Downtown Vancouver Farmers Market – 9:00 AM at Esther Short Park. Vancouver's flagship year-round market, open 9 AM to 3 PM Saturdays. More info
• Washougal Arts and Music Festival – 9:00 AM at Reflection Plaza, Washougal. Twenty local and regional artists selling original artwork plus live music from the Washougal Songcraft Festival and a children's activity area. Free. More info
• Free Clothing Event – 9:00 AM. The 12th annual free clothing event with used clothes in all sizes from infant to plus. More info
• Ridgefield Day of Festivals – 9:00 AM in Downtown Ridgefield. Five events in one day: City Days, Ridgefield Farmers Market, Paddle for Life Dragon Boat Races, Children's Entrepreneur Market and the Washington Duck and Goose Calling Championship. Free admission with free C-Tran shuttle between locations. More info
• Curiosity Kids: Sasquatch Science Team at OMSI – 9:00 AM at OMSI, Portland. Kids ages 3–5 and families use their five senses to explore and wonder about Sasquatch. Bilingual program. More info
• Salmon Creek Trail Parkrun – 9:00 AM at Salmon Creek Trail, Vancouver. A free, fun weekly 5K — walk, jog, run or just spectate. Register online to get your personal barcode. More info
• Marine Park Beach Clean-Up – 9:00 AM at the Water Resources Education Center, Vancouver. Help remove plastic, Styrofoam and litter from the beaches to keep the Columbia River clean. All tools provided; all ages welcome. Free. More info
• Volunteer Gleaning Opportunities: Blueberries in La Center – 9:00 AM. Bring the whole family to glean from 230 blueberry bushes — harvested fruit goes to neighbors across Clark County. More info
• Assisted Bridge: Lesson and Play – 9:15 AM at Vancouver Bridge Club. Free assisted bridge session with a lesson from 9:15 to 10:30 AM. More info
• Farm Days / August Jamboree at Pomeroy Farm – 10:00 AM at Pomeroy Farm, Yacolt. Live music, farm animals, children's activities and food on the historic farm grounds. $3 for ages 6+; free for ages 5 and under. More info
• Open Saturday at Pearson Field Education Center – 10:00 AM at Pearson Field Education Center, Vancouver. Explore flight simulators, a vertical wind table and historic airplanes. Free. More info
• Dandelion Wish Fair – 10:00 AM at Dandelion Teahouse & Apothecary, Vancouver. A summer makers market with local vendors selling skincare, plants, jewelry, quilts and more. More info
• Battle Ground Lake: Little Land of Lichen Hike – 10:00 AM at Battle Ground Lake State Park. Park ranger Ryan Reynolds leads a one-mile walk discovering the surprising story of lichen. Free. More info
• The Stuff of Legends at AQUA Gallery – 10:00 AM at AQUA Gallery, Vancouver Waterfront. Vibrant paintings of mythological characters by Carson Legree alongside expressive stuffies by Abby Ketcham. Free. More info
• American Legion Post 14 Poker Run – 10:00 AM at American Legion Post 14, Vancouver. Cars, trucks and motorcycles welcome — three stops, poker cards at each, then lunch and prizes back at the post. $20. More info
• Get To-Gather Farm Day – 10:00 AM at Get To-Gather Farm, Washougal. Hayrides, farm equipment demos, excavator rides with Farmer John, cookie decorating and local artisan vendors. Free. More info
• Free Writers Workshop – 10:00 AM at Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge Community Nature Center. Clark County Poet Laureate Susan Dingle leads a walk-and-write session on the trails — no writing experience necessary. Free. More info
• Angel Ocasio's Comedy, Magic and Stuff – 11:00 AM at various FVRL Library locations. Silly antics, magic, juggling and audience participation for a fun, wacky show. Free. More info
• Northwest Children's Theater Alumni presents Robin Hood – 11:00 AM at The Judy, Portland. A wildly fun, laugh-out-loud take on the classic tale featuring NWCT alumni on stage and behind the scenes. $20–$25. More info
• Parks Foundation Cornhole Tournament – 11:00 AM at Esther Short Park, Vancouver. Register as a two-person team and compete in a bracket format — all skill levels welcome. Beer and wine garden on site. More info
• MagenTOTS: The Not-So-Mysterious Disappearance of Cinderella – 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM at Magenta Theater, Vancouver. A humorous retelling of Cinderella written especially for children — this time, Cinderella goes missing and everyone's a suspect. $10. More info
• Northwest Seafood Boil at Social Kitchen – 11:30 AM at Social Kitchen, Vancouver. Chef Kaleena Bliss serves the meal that beat Bobby Flay — Dungeness crab, prawns, mussels, clams and more. Watch the episode while you eat. $150. More info
• La Center Historical Museum – 12:00 PM at La Center Historical Museum. Free and open the first and third Saturday of each month, noon to 4 PM. More info
• Chelatchie Prairie Railroad Summer Train Rides – 12:00 PM departing from Yacolt. Ride through the tunnel, across the East Fork of the Lewis River and stop at Moulton Station to visit Yacolt Falls. $18–$24. More info
• Water Resources Education Center Drop-In: Amazing Aquifers – 1:00 PM at the Water Resources Education Center. Drop in anytime during the program — all ages welcome, no registration required. Free. More info
• Saving Grace Church Baking and Becoming – 3:30 PM in Battle Ground. Kids of all ages learn the basics of baking and enjoy a pasta bar dinner. Free. More info
• Preschool Puppet Party at Camas Public Library – 4:30 PM at Camas Public Library. A special puppet show with Mr. Elliot featuring fun puppets and interactive games. Free, no registration required. More info
• Ridgefield Art Association presents Wonderland – 5:00 PM at Ridgefield Art Gallery. Opening reception for an exhibit featuring the work of Rose Jubb with guest artist Holly Minnich, 5 to 7 PM. Free. More info
• Saturdays in the Park: The Filament – 6:00 PM at Sternwheeler Park, La Center. La Center's family-friendly concert series features The Filament (alternative rock), 6 to 8 PM. Free. More info
• Shoot to Thrill AC/DC Tribute Band at O'Keefe Farms – 6:00 PM at O'Keefe Farms, Brush Prairie. Concert in the Sunflowers with food carts and beer and wine. Gates at 4:30 PM, music at 6 PM. $30. More info
• VanCity Ballroom Saturday Social Dance – 7:00 PM at VanCity Ballroom, Hazel Dell. A 45-minute beginner lesson followed by social dancing until 10 PM — no partner needed. $10. More info
• Harry Potter and the Cursed Child – 7:30 PM at Keller Auditorium, Portland. Broadway's six-time Tony Award-winning spectacle brings the next chapter of the wizarding world to the stage. More info
• Free Family Movie Night: The Parent Trap – 7:30 PM at The Daily Paper. Games, activities, raffle, food, drinks and s'mores. Free. More info
• Saturday Karaoke Night at Pour Choices Pub – 8:30 PM at Pour Choices Pub, 1919 Main Street, Vancouver. Let your inner entertainer shine — come solo or bring friends. More info

Sunday, August 2

• ROAD TRIP: Community Kayaking at Timothy Lake with AWOL – 8:45 AM. Adventures Without Limits hosts an inclusive and accessible community kayak trip at Timothy Lake. More info
• Free Outdoor Fitness Bootcamp – 9:00 AM at Northwest Personal Training, Vancouver. Meet at the studio before heading to scenic Vancouver locations for a full-body workout. All fitness levels welcome. Free. More info
• Crater Glacier Overlook Hike with MSHI – 9:00 AM at Mt. St. Helens. An awe-inspiring journey into the breach of the crater to a special viewpoint overlooking one of the world's youngest glaciers. More info
• Building Soil & Style in Your Space: Lawn Be Gone! – 10:00 AM. Good Year Farms and Lydia Cox from Radish Gardens teach you how to convert lawn into lush planting beds, with a hands-on demo and step-by-step planning guide. More info
• Binteeji — Vintage Japanese Car Show and Asian Market – 11:00 AM at The Waterfront Vancouver. Classic Japanese cars, Asian market, craft vendors and music. Free. More info
• Kids Axe Academy – 12:00 PM at Firehouse Axes, Vancouver. A 90-minute session for ages 10–14 learning the ins and outs of axe throwing, ending with a tournament. $15. More info
• CCVLP Garden Party & Auction – 1:00 PM at Jacquot Vineyard. An Alice in Wonderland–inspired afternoon fundraiser with food, tea, silent auction and family-friendly fun, supporting free civil legal services in Clark County. More info
• Sip & Paint at Pour Choices Pub with Coiya J. Art – 3:00 PM at Pour Choices Pub, Vancouver. Paint a botanical design on the patio while enjoying a drink — no experience needed. More info

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