📰 What's Making News

Final Razor Clam Digs of Spring Start Thursday at Long Beach

If you've been meaning to get out to the coast with your clam gun, this is your last call. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife confirmed that the final coastal razor clam digs of the season will run Thursday through May 6 at Long Beach, Twin Harbors, Copalis, and Mocrocks beaches. That's barely a week to squeeze in one more trip before the season wraps. Conditions have been green-lit, so grab your shellfish license and make a weekend of it. Full details from The Columbian.

Luke Jenisch Pitches Columbia River Into Sole Possession of First Place

Columbia River's Luke Jenisch put the team on his back Monday night in Ridgefield, throwing a complete game and going 2-for-2 at the plate with two walks as the Rapids rallied past the Spudders 7-5. The win moves Columbia River into sole possession of first place in the 2A Greater St. Helens League baseball standings — a big statement with the regular season winding down. It's the kind of gutsy, do-it-all performance that makes spring baseball so fun to follow around here. Read the full recap.

Monday's Full High School Scoreboard: Baseball, Softball, Soccer, More

It was a packed Monday across Clark County fields and courts. The Columbian's full scoreboard covers results from baseball, softball, boys soccer, track and field, girls tennis, and girls golf — so if your kid's team played last night, the scores are all in one place. Spring postseason seeding is taking shape, making every result count right now. Check all the scores here.

Demond Williams Jr. Returns to Huskies With Renewed Focus

Washington quarterback Demond Williams Jr. is back in Seattle and sounding like a different player. After briefly entering the transfer portal — a move he now calls a mistake born from "really bad advice" — Williams is channeling that experience into becoming a more vocal, intentional leader for the Huskies this spring. It's a mature pivot for a young QB, and UW fans in the 'Couve will want to keep an eye on how he develops heading into fall. Read more from The Columbian.

💬 Community Buzz

Grays Harbor Getaway Worth Bookmarking for Kid-Free Weekends

If the nest is empty (or you're just craving a grown-up escape), Clark County Talk put together a handy roundup of festivals, food events, and coastal fun happening over in Grays Harbor this season. Think Seabrook food festivals, beachside events, and all the reasons to finally plan that couples' trip you keep talking about. It's only a few hours from Vancouver, which makes it an easy overnight without the hassle of a big travel day. Check out the full guide here.

⚡ Quick Bites

42nd Ride Around Clark County Opens Registration for July 25

Saddle up — the annual Ride Around Clark County is back for its 42nd year, starting and finishing at Fort Vancouver National Historic Site on Saturday, July 25. Registration is open now, so mark your calendar before spots fill.

Tri-Mountain Golf Course Stays Public, Seeks New Operator

Clark County is pursuing a long-term management agreement for Tri-Mountain Golf Course in Ridgefield instead of selling the property, following a failed deal with ilani Casino Resort. An RFP is in the works to find a new operator and keep the course running beyond 2026.

UW Doubles Dental Students in Spokane, Targets Rural Shortages

The University of Washington's Spokane dental program doubled its class size in the past year, aiming to funnel more new dentists into underserved rural communities across the state. It's a pipeline play that could eventually benefit smaller Clark County-area clinics too. Full story here.

Boeing 737 MAX Engine Smoke Risk Draws FAA Scrutiny

A government watchdog is pushing the FAA to address a 737 MAX engine feature that has twice filled cabins with smoke. Given Boeing's deep roots in the Pacific Northwest, this one's worth watching — read the details.

📅 Mark Your Calendar

Monday, April 28

• Monday Trivia Night at Pour Choices Pub — 6:30 PM at 1919 Main Street, Vancouver
• Bingo Night at Firehouse Axes — 6:30–9 PM at Firehouse Axes, Vancouver
• Vancouver Urban Forestry Pop-Up Arboretum Month — Visit pop-up arboretums at Arnada Park (610 E. 25th St) and Homestead Park (1800 SE 160th Ave) through April
• Lilac Days at Hulda Klager Gardens — Daily 10 AM–4 PM through May 10. $10 adults, kids 12 and under free. Monday is Senior Day ($5 for 62+)
• VPS High School Plant Sale — Hudson's Bay — April 28–30, 8 AM–6 PM, off Reserve St., Vancouver
• Nominate a Heritage Tree in Clark County — Nominations through the WSU Extension Master Gardener program due April 30
• 2026 SW WA Youth Photo Contest with Vancouver Audubon — Youth nature photography contest sponsored by Vancouver Audubon Society, HD Aluminum Prints, and Columbia Credit Union
• Ridgefield Dragon Boat Community Paddles — Free paddling through October at Ridgefield; ages 14+, no experience needed

Wednesday, April 29

• Pollinators and Pints — Vancouver Bee Project — Casual community hangout and mason bee check-in. Check link for time and location

Thursday, April 30

• Prairie High School Spring Plant Sale — 9 AM–5 PM (district employees only), 11311 NE 119th St, Vancouver

Friday, May 1

• Prairie High School Spring Plant Sale — 3–6 PM at 11311 NE 119th St, Vancouver
• Grays Harbor Shorebird and Nature Festival — May 1–3. Shorebird viewing, guided bird walks, and family-friendly activities. Visit the listing for details
• White Salmon Wildflower Festival — Month-long celebration of wildflowers in the Columbia River Gorge with guided hikes, art shows, and live music
• Mt. St. Helens Swift Creek Worm Flows Climb with Mazamas — Registration required; check link for details

Saturday, May 2

• Ridgefield's Spring Festival — 10th Anniversary of Ridgefield First Saturdays with music, food, art, and a vendor market in downtown Ridgefield
• Prairie High School Spring Plant Sale — 9 AM–2 PM at 11311 NE 119th St, Vancouver
• Battle Ground High School FFA Plant Sale — 8 AM–3 PM at Battle Ground HS greenhouses, 300 W. Main St
• VPS High School Plant Sale — Flex Academy and Columbia River — 9 AM–2 PM
• Ridgefield Garden Club Annual Plant Sale — At the Greely Building in downtown Ridgefield
• Washougal Studio Artists' Tour — May 2–3, 10 AM–4 PM at the Treehouse Art Studio in the Washougal River Valley
• Nature Resin Jewelry Workshop at Columbia Springs — 10 AM–12 PM with artist Bri Graw. Create pendants, earrings, or keychains with natural elements
• Adopt-A-Park Ivy Pull at Ellsworth Springs East — Morning volunteer event removing invasive ivy. Family-friendly; tools and snacks provided
• Rain Gardens and Ponds Class at Good Year Farms — Learn rain garden design, soil infiltration, and pond building with nursery manager Chelsea

Sunday, May 3

• Camas Field Nature Walk — Free guided stroll among blooming camas at Round Lake, 3016 NE Everett St, Camas. Ages 8+, limited to 25 registrants
• Meadow and Pollinator Hedgerow Care Workshop — Hands-on habitat care with the Vancouver Bee Project at Flat Tack Farm

Monday, May 4

• Prairie High School Spring Plant Sale — 3–6 PM at 11311 NE 119th St, Vancouver

Thursday, May 7

• Dog Mountain Hike with Mazamas — Stunning Gorge views and spring wildflowers; 6.9 miles, 2,750 ft gain. Registration required
• VPS High School Plant Sale — Fort Vancouver — May 7–8, 8:30 AM–5 PM and May 9, 9 AM–12 PM

Friday, May 8

• First of the Month Bird Walk with Vancouver Audubon Society — Casual morning of spring birding. Check VAS website for location

Saturday, May 9

• WSU Extension Master Gardener Mother's Day Plant Sale — Shopping appointments available; check link to sign up
• Clark County Parks Fee-Free Day — International Migratory Bird Day — Free access to Clark County regional parks
• Grand Opening of the Ridgefield NWR Community Nature Center — Ribbon cutting and celebration at 28908 NW Main St, Ridgefield
• Adopt-A-Park Event at St. Helens Park — Morning volunteer event removing ivy and spreading mulch. Family-friendly; tools and snacks provided
• Hardy Hamilton Mountain Loop Hike with Mazamas — Scenic loop from Beacon Rock State Park. Registration required
• Cape Horn Trail Hike with WA Native Plant Society — 5 miles round trip with spring wildflowers and stunning views. Email Ron Klump to register
• Plant and Seed Swap with Kindred Vancouver — Bring plant starts, seeds, or just yourself at 2213 Main St, Vancouver
• Falls Creek Falls Hike with Mazamas — Easy 6-mile hike to a stunning 200-ft waterfall in Gifford Pinchot National Forest. Registration required
• Ridgefield Learn to Kayak Tour — Paddle the Columbia River Water Trail near Ridgefield NWR with Alder Creek. All levels welcome at Ridgefield Waterfront Park
• Thrillium Mountain Bike Trail Maintenance Work Party — Volunteer trail work at Larch Mountain trailhead in Yacolt Burn State Forest. Bring water and lunch
• Plant Sale at Northlake Elementary — Lower Columbia School Gardens — Longview, WA

Sunday, May 10

• Conboy Lake NWR Hike with WA Native Plant Society — 3.8-mile loop along open marsh with views of Mount Adams, north of White Salmon
• Nature Walk: Wildflowers of Jewett Creek — Free walk with local author Ashley Erdely at White Salmon Valley Community Library
• Spice of Life: Growing Herbs — Free class with WSU Master Gardener Terrie Phillips on planting, growing, and harvesting herbs
• The Resilient Yard: Change at Home — Free library presentation on reducing your carbon footprint yard by yard
• Forest Canopy Walk at Plas Newydd Farm — Monthly nature walk hosted by Abby Braithwaite and David Morgan. Registration required

Monday, May 11

• Ridgefield Bachelor Island Circumnavigation Kayak Tour — Full-day 10-mile paddle around Bachelor Island with Alder Creek
• Sunset Kayak Paddle — 3-hour guided evening paddle to the Columbia River at Ridgefield Waterfront Park. All skill levels; reservations required
• Wildcrafting as Stewardship: Harvesting Edible and Medicinal Invasive Plants — Morning plant walk at Sam's Walker Day Use Area near Skamania with Kristin Currin and Missy Rohs