Friday Night Lights: 5 big wins across Clark County
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📰 What's Making News
La Center's Brody Mills Goes 9-for-9, Throws Five Touchdowns
Sophomore quarterback Brody Mills turned in a flawless Friday night, completing all nine of his pass attempts for 250 yards and five touchdowns as the fifth-ranked La Center Wildcats routed King's Way Christian 56-0 in a 1A Trico League matchup at La Center High School. A perfect passing line at any level is rare — doing it as a sophomore makes it worth circling this kid's name for the rest of the season. Read the full recap from The Columbian.
James Allen Scores Three as Skyview Dismantles Union 49-7
James Allen found the end zone three times and the Skyview Storm defense added a pair of scores of its own in a dominant 49-7 win over Union in 4A Greater St. Helens League play Friday night. When your defense is outscoring the other team's offense, you know it's a good night. The Storm are building serious momentum heading into the second half of the season. Full game story here.
86-Yard Kickoff Return Seals Camas Win Over Battle Ground
Battle Ground had clawed back and was suddenly nipping at the Camas Papermakers' heels — until one 86-yard kickoff return put the game out of reach for good. Camas pulled away for a 42-25 victory in a 4A Greater St. Helens League contest at Battle Ground. Credit to the Tigers for making it a fight before the Papermakers' special teams delivered the knockout blow. Read the full recap.
Heritage Piles Up 56 Points in Rout of Mountain View
Heritage put together its most complete offensive night of the season, racking up yards and points in a 56-27 victory over Mountain View in 3A Greater St. Helens League action at McKenzie Stadium. The Timberwolves' offense clicked on all cylinders from the opening whistle, and 56 points tells you everything you need to know about their night. Full game coverage here.
Week 5 Scoreboard: Every Southwest Washington Result
Beyond the headliners, there was plenty of action across the region Friday night. The Columbian has the complete Week 5 scoreboard with results from every Southwest Washington high school football game, so you can check how your neighborhood squad fared. See the full scoreboard.
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⚡ Quick Bites
Cascadia Tech Teacher Lance Landis Wins $100,000 National Prize
Lance Landis arrived at Cascadia Tech Academy on Tuesday morning to a surprise celebration — and it took him a moment to realize the fanfare was all for him. Landis earned national teaching honors along with a $100,000 prize, a huge win for Vancouver's Evergreen Public Schools.
1,000 Students Trade Classrooms for Excavator Cabs at Dozer Day Career Fair
About 1,000 Clark County high school students headed to the Clark County Event Center at the Fairgrounds on Friday to climb into heavy equipment and hand resumes directly to construction contractors. Full story here.
Portland-to-Vancouver, B.C. High-Speed Rail Plan Moves Forward
Washington transportation leaders are advancing a viability study for a high-speed rail line connecting Portland and Vancouver, B.C. — a route that would run straight through Clark County. Details from The Columbian.
Evergreen Rolls to Fourth Straight Win, Blanks Prairie 21-0
The Evergreen Plainsmen held Prairie to just three first downs in a dominant 21-0 shutout Friday at District Stadium, extending their winning streak to four games. Recap here.
Ridgefield's EJ Rovira Throws for 272 Yards in 31-7 Rout of Columbia River
Spudders quarterback EJ Rovira went 15-for-21 with a 67-yard touchdown strike to Ty Russin as Ridgefield pulled away from Columbia River in Friday night's 2A matchup.
Medicaid Resource Event Coming Thursday for Clark County Residents
Columbia River Mental Health Services is hosting a community panel and resource event this Thursday to help Clark County residents navigate recent Medicaid changes. Get the details and plan to attend.
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📅 Mark Your Calendar
Saturday, October 3
- PCTA Trail Work Project at Mt. Adams – Big Huckleberry Mt. · 8:00 AM · Hike 3 miles and help clean trail drains in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest with the Mount Hood Chapter. Max 7 volunteers; registration required. More info
- BIPOC Series: Beacon Rock Day Trail Work Party · 8:30 AM · Beacon Rock State Park · For folks identifying as Black, Indigenous, People of Color — learn trail building basics and put them to use on trail. More info
- OnPoint Community Credit Union Camas Grand Opening · 8:45 AM · 19542 SE Brady Rd Suite 101, Camas · Ribbon cutting, a $5,000 donation to the Camas-Washougal Community Chest, plus complimentary food and coffee. More info
- Downtown Vancouver Farmers Market · 9:00 AM–3:00 PM · Esther Short Park, Vancouver · Our flagship year-round market with local produce, artisan goods, and all the Saturday morning energy downtown can muster. More info
- BirdFest & Bluegrass Festival · 9:00 AM · Downtown Ridgefield · Celebrate the return of Sandhill Cranes at Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge with guided birding, hikes, crafts, art contests, and bluegrass performances running until 9 PM. Free. More info
- Native Plant Sale · 9:00 AM · Ridgefield · The Ridgefield Garden Club's fall sale features all native plants supporting local birds and pollinators. Funds go to school garden programs and local food banks. More info
- Vancouver Audubon Society's Young Birders at BirdFest · 10:00 AM · Ridgefield NWR Visit Center · Young Birders will be manning spotting scopes — a great chance to learn about the program and see returning migratory birds up close. More info
- Salmon Creek Trail Park Run · 9:00 AM · Klineline Pond and Salmon Creek Regional Park, Vancouver · Free weekly 5K — walk, jog, or run. All ages and abilities welcome (dogs too). First-timer orientation at 8:50 AM. More info
- Curiosity Kids: Sasquatch Science Team · 9:00 AM · OMSI, Portland · Little ones use all five senses to explore and wonder about Sasquatch. Perfect for curious families. More info
- Assisted Bridge: Lesson and Play · 9:15 AM · Vancouver Bridge Club, 6503 E. Mill Plain Blvd. · Free bridge lesson followed by assisted play. Great for beginners. More info
- Open Saturday at Pearson Field Education Center · 10:00 AM–3:00 PM · Vancouver · Free STEAM education through aviation — flight simulators, a vertical wind table, and historic airplanes on display. More info
- Open House: East Vancouver Community Park Concepts · 10:00 AM–12:00 PM · Vancouver Innovation Center · Help design Vancouver's new 14-acre community park near 192nd Avenue and 20th Street. Light refreshments provided; no registration needed. Free. More info
- Bi-Zi Farms Pumpkin Patch & Corn Maze · 10:00 AM · Bi-Zi Farms, Vancouver · Wagon rides, a free pumpkin (any size you can carry!), and corn maze admission included with entry. $14–$16. More info
- Walton Farms Pumpkin Patch · 10:00 AM–5:00 PM · Walton Farms, Camas · Corn maze, train ride, and one pumpkin any size included with $13 admission. Dogs allowed on leash. More info
- Pumpkin Lane at Pomeroy Farm · 10:00 AM–5:00 PM · Pomeroy Farm, Yacolt · Tractor-pulled hayrides past dozens of pumpkin people scenes, farm animals, photo ops, and pumpkin picking. $6–$8. More info
- The Portland MAiZE & Pumpkin Patch · 10:00 AM–5:00 PM · Sauvie Island, Portland · Almost 2 miles of corn maze pathways plus a full pumpkin patch. More info
- Whalen Oaks Farm Fall Fest · 10:00 AM–6:00 PM · 636 Whalen Road, Woodland · Food trucks, drinks, and local vendors on a beautiful 40-acre farm. Free. More info
- The Patch at Whalen Oaks Farm · 12:00 PM · Woodland · U-pick pumpkin field with 60+ varieties of pumpkins, squash, and gourds. Free parking and no admission fee. More info
- Mushroom Foraging with Mt. St. Helens Institute · 10:00 AM · Pine Creek Information Station · Learn to identify wild edible and inedible mushrooms, then harvest and cook them. Registration required. More info
- Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day · 10:00 AM–2:00 PM · EasyCLIMB trail system, Cascade Locks · NW Trails Alliance hosts skills stations, bike games, and a raffle for young riders of all levels. Bring bikes, helmets, and water. More info
- Adaptive Fall Foliage Kayak Tour with Adventures Without Limits · 10:00 AM · Willamette River · Inclusive, accessible kayak tour open to all abilities. Ages 6+. Sliding scale pricing ($50/$85/$115). More info
- Mt. Talbert Loop MAMAzamas · 10:00 AM · Portland · A gentle 2.4-mile family hike with 460 ft elevation gain. Babies, big kids, and partners welcome — bring a carrier for little ones who can't hike yet. More info
- Downtown Longview Harvest Fest · 10:00 AM · Downtown Longview · The Downtowners' annual fall celebration. More info
- Sons of The American Legion Squadron 168 · 9:00 AM–10:00 AM · American Legion Tum Tum Post 168, Amboy · Monthly meeting supporting veterans and families in North Clark County. All welcome. Free. More info
- The American Legion Tum Tum Post 168 · 10:00 AM–11:00 AM · 21400 NE 399th St., Amboy · Monthly meeting. Veterans and community members welcome. Free. More info
- The American Legion Auxiliary Unit 168 · 11:30 AM · American Legion Tum Tum Post 168, Amboy · Monthly meeting supporting veterans, military families, and communities. Free. More info
- Dozer Day · 11:00 AM–4:00 PM · Clark County Event Center, Ridgefield · Operate real construction equipment under expert supervision — excavators, dozers, and more. Kids and adults both get behind the controls. $15. More info
- Old Apple Tree Festival · 11:00 AM–3:00 PM · Old Apple Tree Park, Vancouver · Celebrate the oldest living apple tree in the Northwest, planted at Fort Vancouver in 1826. Fun, food, music, cuttings from the tree, and local history. Free. More info
- Vancouver Pumpkin Patch · 11:00 AM–6:00 PM · Velvet Acres Gardens, 18905 NE 83rd St., Vancouver · U-pick pumpkins, corn maze, hay bale pyramid, hayrides, apple cannon, farm animals, vendors, and food carts. $10–$12. More info
- Luminescence Art Show · 11:00 AM–5:00 PM · Valiant Ballroom, 109 W. Ninth St., Vancouver · Artworks inspired by light from emerging and established Vancouver artists. Free. More info
- Play Bridge (0–150 Points) · 11:00 AM · Vancouver Bridge Club, 6503 E. Mill Plain Blvd. · $10. More info
- La Center Historical Museum · 12:00 PM–4:00 PM · La Center · Free admission. Open the first and third Saturday of each month. More info
- Chelatchie Prairie Railroad Fall Train Rides · 12:00 PM & 2:00 PM · Yacolt · Steam train through a 330-foot rock tunnel with a stop at Moulton Station to visit Yacolt Falls. $16–$24. More info
- La Ratoncita Presumida / The Vain Little Mouse Puppet Show · 12:00 PM · Various FVRL Library Locations · A charming bilingual (Spanish/English) puppet show from Venezuela presented by Melissa and Carlos Bertran. Free. More info
- River Superstars: Salmon and Lamprey · 1:00 PM–2:00 PM · Water Resources Education Center, Vancouver · Hands-on drop-in program exploring the life cycles of salmon and lamprey. Designed for ages 5–12. Free. More info
- The Stuff of Legends Artist Talk at AQUA Gallery · 1:00 PM–2:00 PM · 403 Quayside Place, Vancouver · Meet artists Carson Legree and Abby Ketcham and hear about their mythological paintings and expressive stuffies. Free. More info
- Meet NASA Astronaut Dr. Michael Barratt · 2:00 PM–3:00 PM · OMSI, Portland · Free presentation and meet-and-greet with NASA astronaut Dr. Michael Barratt. RSVP required. More info
- Water for Elephants · 2:00 PM · Keller Auditorium, Portland · The bestselling novel brought to life as a spectacular Broadway musical. More info
- Guys and Dolls · 2:00 PM · Winningstad Theatre, Portland · The classic musical comedy set in Damon Runyon's mythical New York City. $48.25. More info
- The Golem's Gift by Northwest Children's Theater · 2:00 PM · The Judy, Portland · World premiere musical inspired by Jewish folklore about a man made of clay determined to repair the world. Ages 8+. $25–$35. More info
- Steins and Swines Oktoberfest Block Party · 2:00 PM–7:30 PM · Grains of Wrath Brewery, Camas · Award-winning German-style lagers, all-you-can-eat Oktoberfest food, and a festive stein. Three sessions available. $55–$90. More info
- Shriners Children's Hospital Walk for Love: Harvest of Hope · 3:30 PM · Oregon Zoo, Portland · An autumn evening walk through the Zoo supporting children's healthcare. $20–$35. More info
- Birds of a Feather Art Show Opening Reception · 5:00 PM–7:00 PM · Ridgefield Art Gallery, 104 N. Main Ave. · Nature photographer Chris Bidleman plus 12 gallery members and guest artist Jamie Regina. Free. More info
- Unleash Your Heart Gala & Auction · 5:00 PM · ilani, Ridgefield · Cocktail reception, live auction, and fundraiser supporting animals in Southwest Washington. More info
- Live Music: Deni Herrmann at 14 Acres Vineyard & Winery · 5:30 PM–7:30 PM · 2411 NE 244th St., Ridgefield · No cover, no reservation needed. All ages welcome. More info
- Southern Fried Chicken and Biscuits Cooking Class · 5:30 PM–7:30 PM · Class Cooking, 110 E. 15th St., Vancouver · Chef Fabiola Donnelly teaches the crispiest chicken and flakiest biscuits. $100. More info
- Bi-Zi Farm Nighttime Corn Maze · 6:00 PM–10:00 PM · Bi-Zi Farms, Vancouver · Navigate the maze after dark. $7.50–$9.50. More info
- Living History Performance at Lelooska Cultural Center · 6:00 PM–8:00 PM · 165 Merwin Village Road, Ariel · Northwest Coast masks brought to life through traditional stories, songs, and dances in the cedar ceremonial house. Grounds open at 5 PM. $16–$18. More info
- Haunted Theme Park at Oaks Park · 7:00 PM · Oaks Park, Portland · Two immersive haunted houses, a Halloween theme park, food, drinks, and oddities vendors. $25–$33. More info
- Haunted History Walking Tour · 7:00 PM · Clark County Historical Museum, Vancouver · Tales of lingering spirits, forgotten tragedies, and mysterious happenings along Main Street and beyond. $20. More info
- Spirit Tales of the Vancouver Barracks · 7:00 PM · The Grant House, Vancouver · Historian Jeff Davis leads a 1.5-hour walking tour covering 150+ years of haunted history at the barracks. $17–$22. More info
- VanCity's Saturday Social Dance and Beginners Lesson · 7:00 PM · 9212 NE Highway 99, Hazel Dell · 45-minute lesson at 7 PM, social dancing until 10 PM. No partner needed. $10. More info
- Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors · 7:30 PM · Magenta Theater, 1108 Main St., Vancouver · A lightning-fast, 90-minute, gender-bending comedy romp inspired by Bram Stoker. Five actors, a dozen-plus roles, and plenty of laughs. $28–$30. More info
- Saturday Karaoke Night at Pour Choices Pub · 8:30 PM · 1919 Main Street, Vancouver · Let your inner entertainer shine — come solo or bring friends. More info
Sunday, October 4
- Weed Pulling at Grandmother Camus Pollinator Garden · 9:00 AM · Vancouver · Join the Vancouver Bee Project to care for this native and pollinator-beneficial garden. Bring gloves and digging tools. Light refreshments provided. More info
- Sunday Brunch at Sons of Norway Columbia Lodge · 9:30 AM–12:30 PM · 2400 Grant St., Vancouver · Scandinavian pancakes, sausages, scrambled eggs, lingonberries, and a beverage. Free pancake refills. $12. More info
- Preparing Soil for Dahlia Planting in Spring · 10:00 AM · 600 NE 136th Ave, Vancouver · Master Gardeners help you plan ahead — learn tuber selection, planting depth, spacing, and soil prep for amazing dahlias next year. More info
- Kids Throw Free at Firehouse Axes · 11:00 AM · Firehouse Axes, Vancouver · Up to two kids ages 10–17 throw free with each paying adult. Closed-toe shoes required (or rent their crocs). More info
- Autumn Nature Walk with a Master Naturalist · 11:00 AM · Plas Newydd Farm · A relaxed walk exploring fall ecology — migrating birds, dormant plants, and popping fungi. Snacks and beverages provided. More info
- Leaf Plates Hand Building Workshop · 3:30 PM–5:00 PM · Kilnfolk Clay Studio, 108 W. Sixth St., Vancouver · Create autumn leaf plates using real leaves — no pottery experience needed. $55. More info
- Healthy Kids Run Vancouver · 4:00 PM–5:00 PM · Pacific Community Park, Vancouver · Week 4 of a 5-week running series for kids of all abilities, with age-appropriate dashes and distance races. $8–$54. More info
- Teen Creative Crafts: Spooky Painting · 4:00 PM–5:30 PM · Vancouver Community Library · Ages 13–19 can brew up a wicked masterpiece for spooky season. Free. More info
- Beginning Swing and Foxtrot Fusion · 5:30 PM–7:00 PM · Vancouver Fitness Studio, 9212 NW Highway 99 · Four-week series starts today. Couples and singles welcome; no partner required. $15 drop-in or $50 for all four weeks. More info
Monday, October 5
- HOPE Dementia Support: "Meet Me at the Art Workshop" · 11:00 AM–12:30 PM · Vancouver Arts Hub, 1007 E. Mill Plain Blvd. · Guided art projects encouraging expression, connection, and joy for participants with dementia. Free; register at Eventbrite or call 360-513-5754. More info
- Downtown Vancouver Rotary Lunch Meeting · 12:00 PM–1:00 PM · AC Marriott, Vancouver Waterfront · Community members welcome. Free. More info
- Penguin Talks: The Life of a Native Bee · 12:00 PM–1:00 PM · Camas Public Library · Biology professor Steven Clark shares the fascinating lives of Washington's native bees — where they go after September, why they sting, and why most don't live in hives. Free; registration required. More info
- Pairs and Spares Monthly Potluck · 1:00 PM · All welcome aged 50+. Call 360-892-8944 for info. More info
- Tales with Tails · 4:00 PM–5:15 PM · Camas Public Library · Kids in grades 1–5 read to Scamp the therapy dog in 15-minute time slots. Register at CamasPL.org/TalesWTails. Free. More info
Tuesday, October 6
- Vancouver Audubon Society: "Amazing Adaptations — How Birds Survive Stormy Weather" with Dr. Jamie Cornelius · 6:30 PM · 13413 NE LeRoy Haagen Memorial Drive, Vancouver · OSU associate professor Dr. Jamie Cornelius explores the behavioral and physiological strategies birds use to cope with storms, fire, drought, and more. Free and open to all. More info
Wednesday, October 7
- Main Street Promise Reopening Celebration · 5:00 PM · Kiggins Theatre Block, Vancouver · Celebrate the reopening and transformation of Main Street with remarks from community leaders, light refreshments, a performance by Metropolitan Performing Arts, and live music from Liz Joy and Midnight Theory. More info
- FVRL: Backyard Birdwatching · 6:00 PM · Fort Vancouver Regional Library · Learn bird-friendly equipment, safe feeding, identification tools, and common backyard birds to look for. Free; no registration required. More info
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