📰 What's Making News

Regence, Legacy Health Restore In-Network Access for Clark County Patients

If you carry Regence insurance and have been sweating your access to Legacy Health, exhale: the two organizations reached a new agreement Wednesday that puts all Legacy hospitals, clinics, urgent cares, and services back at in-network rates for Clark County residents. The dispute had left thousands of local families in limbo over where they could affordably seek care. With Legacy Salmon Creek being one of the most-used facilities on this side of the river, the resolution is a big deal for anyone juggling prescriptions, specialist visits, or upcoming procedures. Full details from The Columbian.

Heritage Teacher Adam Strong Publishes Debut Novel 'Bella Vista'

Adam Strong's classroom door at Heritage High School reads "Dream Factory" — and now he's living the proof. The longtime teacher just published his debut novel, Bella Vista, making him one of the rare educators who gets to show students what following a creative dream actually looks like in real time. Strong's colorful classroom has long been a fixture at Heritage, and the book release adds a new chapter (literally) to his role in the Evergreen Public Schools community. Read his story at The Columbian.

Payton Miller's 8th-Inning Walk-Off Double Caps a Thriller at Prairie

Thursday's 3A Greater St. Helens League softball matchup between Prairie and Heritage went to extras — and Payton Miller made sure it ended on her terms. Miller ripped a walk-off RBI double in the eighth inning to give the Falcons a 7-6 victory. Prairie pitcher Mackenzie Moore was electric, striking out 17 Heritage batters across a complete-game effort despite the Falcons committing four errors behind her. It's the kind of white-knuckle high school game that reminds you why the spring sports calendar matters. Box score and highlights at The Columbian.

Seton Catholic's Kylie McMaster Named Columbian Athlete of the Week

Kylie McMaster of Seton Catholic softball earned The Columbian's Week 24 Prep Athlete of the Week honor, pulling in 171 of 363 votes cast — nearly half the total. The recognition, sponsored by Killer Burger, puts a well-deserved spotlight on one of Clark County's standout spring athletes. If you haven't been tracking Seton Catholic's softball season, McMaster's name is a good reason to start. Watch the video feature at The Columbian.

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⚡ Quick Bites

East Vancouver Arts Center Unveils First Renderings

The proposed performing arts center in east Vancouver just got a lot more real — architectural renderings are now public, moving the project from concept to something the community can actually picture. Full story here.

$14 Million Paving Blitz Targets 100+ Lane Miles This Summer

Vancouver's 2026 pavement season is ramping up with work planned across neighborhoods including Fisher's Landing East, Cascade Highlands, and Vancouver Heights. Streets like Mill Plain Boulevard, St. Johns Road, and NE 172nd Avenue are on the list, along with new protected bike lanes and ADA curb ramp upgrades. See the full project map.

Southbound I-5 Rebuild Runs Through Summer

WSDOT and contractor Kerr Contractors Oregon LLC are rebuilding 2.2 miles of southbound I-5 near NE 179th Street using a crack-seat-and-overlay method. Expect lane closures through summer 2026 — plan your commute accordingly. Details on the timeline.

Big Mama the Humpback Whale Spotted in the San Juans

The iconic humpback known as Big Mama has completed her roughly 3,000-mile migration from Hawaii to Boundary Pass in the San Juan Islands, according to the Pacific Whale Watchers Association. She's one of the most recognized whales in the Pacific Northwest. Read more.

Washington's Gray Wolf Count Hits Record High

After a one-year dip in 2024, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife's 2025 count shows the state's gray wolf population has reached its highest number since monitoring began in 2008. See the numbers.

Who's Moving Here? Census Says California, Oregon Lead the Way

Census data from 2020 to 2024 shows California remains the top source of new Washington residents, with Oregon close behind — and the surplus consistently favors our state. Washington did see a net loss of more than 20,000 residents overall to other states during that period. Dig into the data.

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📅 Mark Your Calendar

Friday, May 8

• Rotary Club of Three Creeks — Free meeting for guests and prospective members. Columbia Ridge Winery, Ridgefield.
• Summer Gardening for Beginners at Pomeroy Farm — 5:30–7:30 p.m. Hands-on workshop covering tomatoes, marigolds, basil and green beans. $45; bring gardening gloves. 20902 N.E. Lucia Falls Road, Yacolt.
• Cascade Park Kiwanis Meeting — 5:30–7 p.m. Justin Kittman presents on AI. Free; guests welcome. Leonardo's Pizzeria, 16505 S.E. First St., Vancouver.
• Inspire Vancouver Information Sessions — 6 p.m. Learn about the new $6-million-a-year grant program for arts, culture, heritage and science. Free. Vancouver Arts Hub, 1007 E. Mill Plain Blvd., Vancouver.
• HOPE Dementia Support: Meet Me at the Theater — 7 p.m. Dementia-friendly dress rehearsal of Footloose by Metropolitan Performing Arts. Free; register on Eventbrite. Magenta Theater, 1108 Main St., Vancouver.
• Fort Vancouver Rose Society May Meeting and Ice Cream Social — 7–9 p.m. Roundtable presentations on exhibiting in the May 30 Rose Show. Open to the public. St. Luke's-San Lucas Episcopal Church, 426 E. Fourth Plain Blvd., Vancouver.
• Clark County Historical Society Speaker Series: Lawrence B. A. Hatter — 7 p.m. WSU historian discusses the contradictory legacy of the Revolutionary era. Fort Vancouver Visitor Center, 1501 E. Evergreen Blvd., Vancouver.
• National Day of Prayer — 7–8 p.m. All are welcome to gather in prayer. Free. GracePoint Christian Church, 7300 MacArthur Blvd., Vancouver.
• Family Bingo at Kalama Harbor Lodge — Doors at 6 p.m., bingo at 7 p.m. Fun prizes including an overnight lodge stay for the blackout round. Free. McMenamins Kalama Harbor Lodge, Kalama.
• Columbia Mothers of Twins Club — 7:30–9 p.m. Free. St. John Lutheran Church, 11005 N.E. Highway 99, Vancouver.
• Best Medicine Comedy Night with Andrew Sleighter and Jeff Epstein — 7:30 p.m. $15; doors open at 6 p.m. for food and drinks. Reservations recommended. The Cedars Public House, 15001 N.E. 181st St., Brush Prairie.
• 2026 SW WA Youth Photo Contest with Vancouver Audubon — Youth nature photography contest expanding beyond Steigerwald Lake NWR for the first time. Sponsored by Vancouver Audubon Society, HD Aluminum Prints and Columbia Credit Union.
• Lilac Days at Hulda Klager Gardens — 10 a.m.–4 p.m. daily through May 10. Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Hulda Klager Lilac Society. $10 adults, kids 12 and under free. Woodland.
• Fort Vancouver High School Plant Sale — 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m. (also May 9, 9 a.m.–noon). Flowers, veggies and more from VPS horticulture and FFA students. Fort Vancouver High School.
• Keep It Wild Collaborative Art Show — Opening Night — 5–7 p.m. Creativity and conservation in the Gorge, part of the White Salmon Wildflower Festival. Arrowleaf Workshop, White Salmon.
• Ridgefield Dragon Boat Community Paddling — Free paddling sessions on Fridays through October 3. Ages 14 and up; no experience needed. Ridgefield.

Saturday, May 9

• Cascadia Wild Naturalist Training: Reading the Landscape — Part of an 8-class series covering wildlife tracking, botany, ecology, navigation and more.
• White Salmon Wildflower Festival — Guided hikes, art shows, wine walks and live music celebrating the Gorge's spring blooms. White Salmon.
• Beacon Rock Trail Day Work Party — Volunteer with Washington Trails Association to maintain trails at Beacon Rock State Park. Camping available Saturday evening for two-day volunteers.
• Thrillium Mountain Bike Trail Maintenance Work Party — Help Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance maintain trail tread in Yacolt Burn State Forest. Bring water and lunch. Larch Mountain Trailhead.
• Adopt-A-Park Event at St. Helens Park — Morning volunteer event removing ivy and spreading mulch. Tools, gloves, water and snacks provided. Family-friendly; teens welcome. Vancouver.
• WSU Extension Master Gardener Mother's Day Plant Sale — Shopping appointments available. Clark County.
• Mt. St. Helens Swift Creek Worm Flows Climb with Mazamas — Early-season ascent from Marble Mountain Snow Park. Permit fee included in registration.
• Cape Disappointment Coastal Forest Loop Volunteer Vacation — Week-long trail-building trip with Washington Trails Association. Stay in historic Fort Columbia lodging.
• Berms and Boats Adaptive Sports Weekend — Mountain biking and boating adventure in Central Oregon with Oregon Adaptive Sports.
• Cannon Beach Fat Bike Festival — Beach rides, challenges and community gatherings for all skill levels. Fat bikes, trikes, e-bikes — if you can pedal it on sand, you're in. Cannon Beach.

Sunday, May 10

• Birding and Wildflower Festival at Silver Falls State Park — Mother's Day weekend tradition with early bird walks, guided hikes and more. All activities free. Silver Falls State Park, OR.
• Plant and Seed Swap with Kindred Vancouver — Bring plant starts, seeds or extras to swap. Nothing to bring? Come browse anyway — everyone's welcome. 2213 Main St., Vancouver.
• Bloom Where You Are Planted Multicultural Festival — Hosted by the Fourth Plain Five neighborhoods on the Fourth Plain Corridor. Vancouver.
• Clark County Parks Fee-Free Day — International Migratory Bird Day — Free access to Clark County regional parks to celebrate migratory birds.

Monday, May 11

• Bird Walk with Vancouver Audubon Society — Spot Bullock's Orioles, Western Wood-Pewees and spring migrants along the Columbia River. Captain William Clark Park, Washougal.

Tuesday, May 12

• Learn to Kayak Tour with Alder Creek — Paddle the Columbia River Water Trail near Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge with an experienced guide. Ridgefield Waterfront Park.
• Spice of Life: Growing Herbs — WSU Master Gardener Terrie Phillips covers planting, growing, harvesting and preserving popular herbs. Free. Community Room.

Wednesday, May 13

• Gardening with Compost Workshop — Waste Connections of WA teaches fertilizer-free gardening using Bokashi, vermicompost and more. 9411 N.E. 94th Ave., Vancouver.
• Online Watercolor Painting with Ronna: The Burrowing Owl — Bird Alliance of Oregon hosts a fun online watercolor class painting this charismatic ground-dwelling owl.

Thursday, May 14

• Vancouver Neighborhood Tree Stewards Workshop — Learn to be a Tree Steward for your neighborhood. Apply online. Vancouver.
• Clark College Spring Native Plant Center Plant Sale — Pick up pollinator-friendly plants and get ideas for your habitat garden. Reserve St., Vancouver.

Saturday, May 16

• Conboy Lake NWR Hike with Washington Native Plant Society — 3.8-mile loop along the marsh edge with views of Mount Adams and diverse wildflowers. North of White Salmon.
• Nature Walk: Wildflowers of Jewett Creek — Local author Ashley Erdely introduces you to wildflowers on a short walk from the White Salmon Valley Community Library. Free.
• Upper Swale Creek Canyon Wildflower Hike — Washington Native Plant Society leads a hike along the Klickitat Rail Trail through balsamroot-carpeted slopes.
• Ridgefield Bachelor Island Circumnavigation Kayak Tour — 10-mile full-day paddle around Bachelor Island with Alder Creek. Birds, wildlife and Columbia River beauty. Ridgefield.
• Cape Horn Trail Hike with Washington Native Plant Society — Moderate-to-strenuous 5-mile round trip with 700 feet of elevation gain, lush woods and spring wildflowers. Email Ron Klump to register.
• Volunteer Land Stewardship at Baker Bay with Columbia Land Trust — Two days of habitat tending at conserved forested wetlands near Chinook, WA.
• Plant Sale at Northlake ES — Lower Columbia School Gardens — Support school gardens serving Longview and Kelso elementary schools. Longview.
• Cascades Pika Watch Training Workshop — Learn to locate and map pikas in the Columbia River Gorge as a citizen scientist volunteer.

Sunday, May 17

• Forest Canopy Walk at Plas Newydd Farm — Monthly nature walk exploring some of the farm's most beautiful spots with hosts Abby Braithwaite and David Morgan. Plas Newydd Farm.
• Watershed Stewardship Program with Clark Conservation District — Six-week course covering watersheds, groundwater, local wildlife and conservation. Clark County.

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