📰 What's Making News

Prairie Blocks Punt for Safety With 2 Seconds Left, Stuns Heritage

If you weren't at McKenzie Stadium on Friday night, you missed one of those "did that just happen?" moments. Prairie scored 10 unanswered points in the fourth quarter, capped by a blocked punt that resulted in a game-winning safety with two seconds on the clock, stunning Heritage 16-14. It was Prairie's first victory of the season — and the kind of finish that makes high school football worth braving the October chill. Full story from The Columbian.

Ridgefield's Ty Russin Hauls In 3 TDs, 165 Yards in Spudders Rout

Ty Russin put on a show for Ridgefield on Friday, catching four passes for 165 yards and three touchdowns as the Spudders built a commanding 35-7 lead and cruised to a 42-20 win over Mark Morris in 2A Greater St. Helens North play. When one receiver is averaging more than 40 yards per catch, good luck scheming against that. Ridgefield keeps rolling with one of the most explosive playmakers in the league. Read the full recap.

Owen Paulsen's Return to Form Sparks King's Way Past Stevenson 50-36

Owen Paulsen did something Friday night he hasn't been able to do all season — call his own number. With his mobility finally returning, the King's Way Christian standout helped ignite a 50-36 win over Stevenson. It's the kind of difference-maker that shifts the energy of an entire roster, and the Knights looked like a different team because of it. Read more at The Columbian.

Washougal Sophomore QB Matteo DiGiacomo Throws 4 TDs in 41-13 Win

A sophomore doing this? Washougal quarterback Matteo DiGiacomo threw for 272 yards and four touchdowns and added a rushing score as the Panthers dominated Columbia River 41-13. DiGiacomo is just a tenth grader, which means Clark County defenses will be dealing with him for two more years. Washougal looked in complete control from start to finish. Full game story here.

Seton Catholic Edges La Center 14-7, Eyes Trico League Crown

Physical, tense, and low-scoring — the Seton Catholic-La Center rivalry delivered exactly what it always does. Seton Catholic came out on top 14-7 in a defensive slugfest that took a big step toward clinching the 1A Trico League title. This matchup has become one of the most reliable rivalries in the area, and Friday's game lived up to every bit of the billing. Recap and video at The Columbian.

Week 7 Scoreboard: Skyview Stays Unbeaten, Battle Ground Holds Off Union

Across the county, Skyview stayed perfect at 7-0 with a convincing 35-7 win over Camas, while Battle Ground edged Union 33-26 in a game that was closer than expected. The full Week 7 scoreboard — with standings, scores, and next week's matchups — is your cheat sheet heading into the final stretch of the regular season. See the complete scoreboard.

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⚡ Quick Bites

Kismet Brings Fine Dining to Downtown Vancouver

Chef Eric Gallanter and his wife, Kim Sinclair, have opened Kismet in downtown Vancouver, drawing on Gallanter's decades of culinary experience. The Columbian calls it a new high-water mark for the local dining scene.

East Fork Lewis River Flows Free Again After Two-Year Restoration

The Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership celebrated the completion of the East Fork Lewis River Reconnection Project near Ridgefield on Thursday, returning a 3-mile stretch to its pre-European settlement condition — on time and within budget. Read more here.

Vancouver Office Space Now Rivals Portland on Price, Beats It on Demand

Office rents in Vancouver have climbed to match Portland's, but Vancouver is seeing stronger demand, according to a new report. Building owner Todd Stryker, who bought downtown office space a decade ago, has watched the market shift firsthand. Full story from The Columbian.

Heritage Sophomore Graydon Burns Earns Player of the Week Honors

Heritage quarterback Graydon Burns — just a sophomore — went 16-of-24 for 256 yards and two touchdowns in a win over Union, earning The Columbian's Week 6 Player of the Week nod with 243 of 552 votes cast. See the full results.

Friday Night Lights Roundup: Skyview Stuns Camas, 35-7

Skyview senior David Dudko put on a two-way show — three touchdowns, two interceptions, and relentless tackles at linebacker — as the Storm rolled past the Camas Papermakers. Hockinson freshman QB Evan Foerstner threw for 185 yards and three TDs in a 48-9 win over Hudson's Bay, and Kelso's Zephaniah Rutherford gashed Mountain View for 220 rushing yards in a 40-18 victory. Catch all the recaps.

Latest Clark County Health Inspections Now Posted

Health inspection results for Oct. 5-10 are available for restaurants and food establishments across Clark County. Look up your favorite spots here.

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📅 Mark Your Calendar

Saturday, October 17

• Clark County Parks & Nature Fee Free Day: National "Take a Hike" Day — 7:00 AM. Enjoy free access to all Clark County regional parks in honor of National Take a Hike Day. No heavy pack or rugged mountain required — just find a trail near you and soak up the mental and physical health benefits. More info
• IABCA Dog Show — Evergreen Autumn Sieger — 8:30 AM–5:30 PM at Clark County Event Center, Ridgefield. Watch top-quality dogs compete in premier international-style showing. Continues Sunday. More info
• Downtown Vancouver Farmers Market — 9:00 AM–3:00 PM at Esther Short Park, Vancouver. The flagship Saturday market, running strong since 1990. More info
• Curiosity Kids: Design and Discover — 9:00 AM at OMSI, Portland. Little engineers ages 3+ work with their families to build, test, and improve through playful hands-on challenges. More info
• Free Community Play Day at Columbia Play Project Children's Museum — 9:00 AM–12:00 PM at The Arts Centered, 1007 E. Mill Plain Blvd., Vancouver. Free hands-on exploratory play for children and caregivers. More info
• Secret Spaces Tour: Post Hospital — 9:00 AM–2:00 PM. Tours at 9 AM, 11 AM, and 1 PM starting at the Historic Red Cross Building, Vancouver. Explore one of Vancouver's most talked-about landmarks — the 1903 Post Hospital, one of the first in the nation with purpose-built x-ray rooms. Ages 12+. $35. More info
• Salmon Creek Trail Park Run — 9:00 AM at Klineline Pond and Salmon Creek Regional Park, Vancouver. A free weekly 5K — walk, jog, or run at your own pace. All ages, all abilities, dogs welcome. First-timer orientation at 8:50 AM. More info
• Ivy Pull Volunteer Event — 9:00 AM–12:00 PM at Abrams Park, Ridgefield. Help protect native plants and wildlife habitat by removing invasive English ivy from Ridgefield's oldest park. All ages welcome; volunteers 13 and under must be with an adult. More info
• Ivy Removal at Behrens Woods — 9:00 AM. Join the City of Vancouver's Naturespaces volunteers for a morning of removing invasive plants. Training, gloves, tools, water, and snacks provided. Family-friendly and great for teens. More info
• Adaptive Silver Falls State Park Hike — 9:00 AM. Adventures Without Limits leads an inclusive stroll through scenic Silver Falls State Park, open to people of all abilities. More info
• Assisted Bridge: Lesson and Play — 9:15–10:30 AM at Vancouver Bridge Club, 6503 E. Mill Plain Blvd., Vancouver. Free bridge lesson followed by assisted play. More info
• Howloween at the Oregon Zoo — 9:30 AM at Oregon Zoo, Portland. Bring costumed kids for Halloween fun, keeper chats, live entertainment, and the annual Squishing of the Squash at 1 PM. 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. All ages. More info
• Bi-Zi Farms Pumpkin Patch & Corn Maze — 10:00 AM at Bi-Zi Farms, Vancouver. Wagon ride, pick-your-own pumpkin, corn maze, and more. $14–$16. More info
• Zombie Dash Fun Run — 10:00 AM at Pittock House, Camas. A free, all-ages 1.25-mile loop where you dodge zombies and complete obstacles. Keep your flags and survive the apocalypse! Presented by Camas Parks and Recreation. More info
• The Halloween Ball with Northwest Children's Theater — 10:00 AM (also 12:30 PM and 3:00 PM) at The Judy, Portland. Costume parade, interactive storytime, dance party, and sing-along. Most enjoyed by ages 4+. $16. More info
• Pumpkin Lane at Pomeroy Farm — 10:00 AM–5:00 PM (last admission 4 PM) in Yacolt. Hayride through dozens of pumpkin-people scenes, pick the perfect pumpkin, enjoy farm animals and kids activities. $6–$8. More info
• (Not So) Scary Nature Day at Columbia Springs — 10:00 AM–1:00 PM at Columbia Springs, Vancouver. Hands-on science exploring creepy, crawly critters — fun for all ages from preschoolers to adults. Free. More info
• Trail Trackers — 10:00 AM at Water Resources Education Center, Vancouver. A beginner-friendly class where you'll learn to identify animal tracks, scat, and feeding marks along the wetland trails. Free. More info
• Washington State Toy Show — 10:00 AM at Clark County Event Center, Ridgefield. Vintage and modern toys, comics, action figures, LEGO, video games, and collectibles from local vendors. $5–$10. More info
• Walton Farms Pumpkin Patch — 10:00 AM–5:00 PM in Camas. Corn maze, train ride, and one pumpkin (any size!) included with $13 admission. Dogs allowed on leash. More info
• Learning to Prune Deciduous & Evergreen Shrubs — 10:00 AM–12:00 PM at CASEE, 11104 N.E. 149th St., Brush Prairie. Professional gardener Christofer Robison teaches methods for beautiful, healthy shrubs — classroom instruction plus hands-on demos. $15. More info
• AAUW Women-Owned Small Business Panel — 10:00–11:30 AM at Salmon Creek United Methodist Church, Vancouver. Hear from the owners of Eryngium Papeterie, Melba's Vegan Bakery, and HiThere Juice Co. Open to the public with snacks and coffee. Free. More info
• Clark College Native Plant Center Fall Sale — 10:00 AM at 1933 Fort Vancouver Way. Stock up on native plants — remember, fall is the best time to plant outdoors! More info
• Mini-Basket Weaving Class — 10:00 AM. Led by Erin of Frog & Twig, learn about locally harvested fiber plants and basketry techniques including pairing weave, 3-rod wale, and twined handles. More info
• Bear Creek Riparian Restoration Work Party — 10:00 AM on the North Fork Toutle River. Join Lower Columbia Fish Enhancement Group, Cascade Forest Conservancy, and Mt. St. Helens Institute to plant native vegetation and build Beaver Dam Analog structures. More info
• Mushroom Foraging with Mt. St. Helens Institute — 10:00 AM at Pine Creek Information Station. Learn to identify wild edible and inedible mushrooms, then harvest and cook them into delicious dishes. More info
• Autumn Stitching on the Farm — 10:00 AM at Plas Newydd Farm. Join fiber artist Nicki Eybel to stitch an 8"x8" autumn landscape with sky, river, and land. More info
• Intro to 3D Design — 10:30 AM–12:00 PM at Battle Ground Community Library. Learn the basics of free TINKERCAD software and start creating your own objects for 3D printing. Free. More info
• Disney on Ice Presents: Jump In — 11:00 AM at Veterans Memorial Coliseum, Portland. Dazzling effects, mesmerizing projections, and all the Disney magic you could imagine. Starting at $37.30. More info
• Vancouver Pumpkin Patch — 11:00 AM–6:00 PM at Velvet Acres Gardens, Orchards. Pick-your-own pumpkins, corn maze, hayrides, apple cannon, farm animals, and food carts. $12. More info
• Birds of a Feather Art Show — 11:00 AM at Ridgefield Art Gallery. October exhibit featuring nature photographer Chris Bidleman plus work by 12 gallery members and guest artist Jamie Regina. Free. More info
• La Center Historical Museum — 12:00–4:00 PM, La Center. Free admission to explore local history displays and artifacts. More info
• Chelatchie Prairie Railroad Fall Leaves Special — 12:00 PM and 2:00 PM departures from Yacolt. Steam train through a 330-foot rock tunnel and across the East Fork of the Lewis River with a stop at Yacolt Falls. $16–$22. More info
• Anime Wonder Tradeshow — 12:00–6:00 PM at Clark County Event Center, Ridgefield. Exhibitors, artist vendors, anime and video game voice actors, cosplay competitions, and main stage entertainment. Continues Sunday. More info
• The Patch at Whalen Oaks Farm — 12:00 PM in Woodland. Over 60 varieties of pumpkins, squash, and gourds on 40+ acres. U-pick field, activities, and no admission fee. More info
• River Superstars: Salmon and Lamprey — 1:00–2:00 PM at Water Resources Education Center, Vancouver. Drop-in program for kids ages 5–12 with hands-on activities exploring the life cycles of salmon and lamprey. Free. More info
• Artists Talk: Open Studios Tour Preview — 1:00–2:00 PM at Art at the Cave Gallery, 108 E. Evergreen Blvd., Vancouver. Meet several artists from the upcoming Clark County Open Studios Tour (Nov. 7–8). Free. More info
• Mermaid Experience at Kids Club — 1:30 PM at Kids Club Fun & Fitness, Vancouver. Ages 6–12 enjoy supervised pool time with mermaid-style movements, dolphin kicks, and underwater challenges. More info
• Artist Talk with Candace Pratt — 1:30–5:00 PM at William Scofield Gallery, 1059 Officers Row, Vancouver. Hear exhibiting artist Candace Pratt discuss her work in the current exhibit, Accumulation. Free. More info
• Guys and Dolls — 2:00 PM at Winningstad Theatre, Portland. The perfect musical comedy — gambler Nathan Detroit, missionary Sarah Brown, and all of Damon Runyon's mythical New York. Starting at $48.25. More info
• Swan Lake — 2:00 PM at Keller Auditorium, Portland. Oregon Ballet Theatre performs Tchaikovsky's hauntingly emotional classic with live orchestra. Starting at $75. More info
• Leaving Iowa with Starbird Theatre — 2:00 PM at Sherman Auditorium, Washington State School for the Blind, Vancouver. A heartfelt comedy about family road trips and the journey to find the perfect resting place for Dad's ashes. $23–$25. More info
• Silver Buckle Youth Equestrian Center Halloween Carnival — 2:00–4:00 PM in Brush Prairie. Carnival games, sack races, cookie decorating, costume contests for kids and horses, and prizes. $10. More info
• Stranger Sounds: Spooky Concert — 2:00–4:00 PM at Skyview High School Concert Hall, Vancouver. The Vancouver Community Concert Band, Jazz Orchestra, and Symphonic Band perform music from Beetlejuice, IT, Stranger Things, and more. Costumes encouraged. Free. More info
• Family Movie at Ridgefield Community Library — 3:00–5:00 PM, Ridgefield. Bring the family for a free movie and free popcorn. More info
• Teen Bejeweled Ghosts — 3:30 PM at Camas Public Library. Teens (6th–12th grade) create sparkly bejeweled ghost coasters. All materials provided. Registration required. Free. More info
• Vancouver Station Night Market — 4:00–10:00 PM at 1817 S.E. 164th Ave., Vancouver. Food carts, live DJs (DJ Molino and DJ Og Too), pop-up retail from local artisans, and community vibes. Free. More info
• Bunco Night — Woodland Beaver Boosters — 5:00 PM at Rusted Roots Apparel & Gifts, Woodland. Halloween-themed Bunco benefiting Woodland students. Food and drinks provided. High school age and older. $20. More info
• Live Music: Aslin at 14 Acres Vineyard & Winery — 5:30–7:30 PM in Ridgefield. All ages welcome, no cover, no reservation needed. Wine by the glass and bottle for the grown-ups. More info
• Moroccan Cuisine Cooking Class — 5:30–7:30 PM at Class Cooking, 110 E. 15th St., Vancouver. Chef Fabiola Donnelly teaches braised saffron chicken, Moroccan salad, and spiced rice. $100 includes all ingredients. More info
• Bi-Zi Farm Nighttime Corn Maze — 6:00–10:00 PM at Bi-Zi Farms, Vancouver. Navigate the maze after dark. $7.50–$9.50. More info
• Jesus and Friends: Acoustic Christian Music — 6:30–8:00 PM at Gathering Church, 2500 N.E. 78th St., Vancouver. Modern Christian music on acoustic instruments. Free; donations encouraged. More info
• Haunted Theme Park at Oaks Park — 7:00 PM at 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 starting at Clark County Historical Museum, Vancouver. Tales of lingering spirits and strange happenings along Main Street and beyond. $20. More info
• VanCity Saturday Social Dance & Beginners Lesson — 7:00 PM at VanCity Ballroom, Hazel Dell. A 45-minute lesson followed by social dancing until 10 PM. No partner needed. $10. More info
• Spirit Tales of the Vancouver Barracks — 7:00 PM. Historian Jeff Davis leads a 1.5–2 hour walking tour through the haunted history of Vancouver Barracks, from 1849 to 2011. Meet at the Grant House parking lot. $17–$22. More info
• Cinema of Horrors Drive-In Movies — 7:30 PM at Clark County Event Center, Ridgefield. Drive-in horror with Hollywood-quality monsters, in-car audio, and food and drinks. Starting at $78.22. More info
• Magenta Theater Improv Show — 7:30 PM at Magenta Theater, 1108 Main St., Vancouver. Family-friendly improv games and unscripted comedy fueled by audience suggestions. $10. More info
• Karaoke Night at Pour Choices Pub — 8:30 PM at 1919 Main St., Vancouver. Let your inner entertainer shine — come solo or bring friends. More info

Sunday, October 18

• Photography Hike: Autumn at Mt. St. Helens — 10:00 AM at Hummocks Trail. Join professional photographer Patrick Aalto and Mt. St. Helens Institute guides for a hike among the hummocks with stunning crater views. Bring your camera! More info
• Mushroom Hunting for Beginners — 10:00 AM. Fort Vancouver Regional Library hosts a beginner-friendly workshop emphasizing the skills and tools you need for accurate mushroom identification. Free. More info
• Boo Bash at School of Rock Vancouver — 12:00–4:00 PM at 1825 S.E. 164th Ave., Vancouver. Live student performances, hands-on music stations, trick-or-treat fun, and creative activities. Costumes encouraged. Free. More info
• King's Way Christian High School Open House — 1:00–3:00 PM at 3606 N.E. 78th St., Vancouver. Meet staff and students and learn about academic, personal, and spiritual growth opportunities. Free. More info
• Encore Screening of Our Mr. Matsura — 2:00–4:30 PM at Kiggins Theater, Vancouver. Vancouver filmmaker Beth Harrington's award-winning documentary about Frank Matsura, a photographer who shaped Okanogan County's story. Q&A with the filmmaker. $15. More info
• Southwest Washington Wind Symphony: New Frontiers — 3:00–4:30 PM at Union High School Performing Arts Center, Camas. The 22nd-season opener honors the bold spirit of the American West, featuring Seattle composer Megan Vinther's Farallones. Free. More info
• Chamber Music Piano Extravaganza — 3:00 PM at First Presbyterian Church, Vancouver. Vancouver Symphony Orchestra USA presents pianists Michael C. Liu and Kathy Charles performing Schumann, Bernstein's West Side Story dances, and more. $30. More info
• Sunday Ballroom and Latin Group Classes — 4:00–6:00 PM at Dance Fusion/Northwest Classical Ballet, Vancouver. Beginning class at 4 PM, advanced at 5 PM. Ages 12+. $15. More info
• Distinctly Bronze Handbell Concert — 4:00–5:30 PM at Hilton Vancouver. 115 advanced handbell musicians from around the country perform classical and contemporary repertoire conducted by Griff Gall of Boston's Back Bay Ringers. $5. More info

Monday, October 19

• Finding Balance: Self-Care in Birding — 4:00 PM. An open community discussion with Birdability Captains Eric Clow and Jayme Boucher exploring what self-care means when birding with a disability and how birding communities can create access for everyone. More info

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