📰 What's Making News

Faith Smith, Abbey Hite Power Ridgefield to 5-Inning Rout

What a Friday night for Ridgefield softball. Pitcher Faith Smith tossed five shutout innings while Abbey Hite went a perfect 4 for 4 at the plate as the Spudders rolled past Columbia River 10-0 in a 2A Greater St. Helens League matchup. The run-rule victory in just five innings says everything about how locked in this squad looked. If you haven't been tracking Ridgefield softball this spring, now's the time to start paying attention. Full recap here.

Friday Night Scoreboard: Baseball, Softball, Soccer, Tennis Results

Ridgefield wasn't the only local team in action Friday. Scores rolled in across baseball, softball, boys soccer, and girls tennis from around Clark County. Whether your kid plays for Union, Camas, Battle Ground, or anyone in between, this is your one-stop look at how the night shook out. Check the full scoreboard here.

Blazers Fall 120-108 as Spurs Take 2-1 Series Lead

Tough night for Portland. Even without Victor Wembanyama in the lineup, the San Antonio Spurs leaned on a 33-point explosion from Stephon Castle to beat the Trail Blazers 120-108 on Friday and grab a 2-1 playoff series lead. Portland now faces a must-respond Game 4 situation, and the pressure is squarely on the home team to even things up. Read the full game story.

George Kirby Keeps Rolling, Mariners Edge Cardinals 3-2

George Kirby has quietly become one of the most reliable arms in the American League this April. He picked up his third straight win Friday night as the Mariners held off the St. Louis Cardinals 3-2, with Josh Naylor adding a solo homer for insurance. Seattle's pitching has been carrying the load early this season, and Kirby is leading the charge. Here's the recap.

⚡ Quick Bites

Pikeminnow Season Opens May 1 — Cash Rewards Start at $6 per Fish

The 2026 Northern Pikeminnow Sport-Reward Fishery kicks off May 1 along the Columbia and Snake rivers, with registration available by mobile app. Last year's top angler hauled in 15,715 fish and pocketed more than $159,000. Launch points include the Washougal Boat Ramp and The Dalles Boat Basin. Full details here.

Two Rivers Heritage Museum Plant Fair Runs May 16 Through June 14

Volunteers from the Camas-Washougal Historical Society are already digging up plants from Thor Larsen's historic Carriage House property near Cape Horn for the annual fundraiser at Two Rivers Heritage Museum. Expect Camas lilies and other locally rooted varieties. Learn more here.

270 Gray Wolves Now Roam Washington — a Record High

State biologists counted 270 wolves across 49 packs, a 17.4% jump from 230 wolves in 2024. Most packs are concentrated in eastern Washington and the North Cascades, though range expansion continues toward the Southern Cascades and Columbia Basin. Read the full report.

Prairie High School Hosts Extra-Innings Bazaar on May 2

Dozens of vendors selling handcrafted goods, artisan foods, and greenhouse plants will set up at Prairie High School on May 2 to support the Falcon Baseball Academy and student programs. Admission is free. Get the details here.

Ridgefield Kindergarten Info Night Set for May 19

Ridgefield School District is hosting a districtwide Kindergarten Information Night on May 19 at the Ridgefield High School Performing Arts Center. Families can meet teachers, learn about registration for the 2026-27 school year, and access Spanish and Russian interpreters on-site. More info here.

Costco Recalls Socks Nationwide Over Burn Hazard

Federal officials issued a recall for socks sold at Costco Wholesale stores across the country due to a burn hazard. If you grabbed a pair recently, check the details and find out whether yours are affected. Here's what to know.

📅 Mark Your Calendar

Friday, April 25

• City Nature Challenge 2026 — Grab your smartphone and the free iNaturalist app to document plants, animals, and species around the region. Runs April 24–27. Details here
• Vancouver Urban Forestry Pop-Up Arboretum — Hone your tree ID skills at Arnada Park (610 E. 25th St.) or Homestead Park (1800 SE 160th Ave.) during Arbor Month. Free and open all April. Details here
• Vancouver Lake Community Paddle Trip — Free family-friendly canoe paddle in 29-foot Big Canoes with the Lower Columbia Estuary Partnership. 4911 NW 122nd St., Vancouver. Details here
• Community Dragon Boat Paddle — Free dragon boat paddling at the Ridgefield Public Boat Launch. Ages 14+, no experience needed, equipment provided. Details here
• Every Day Is Earth Day Fair — Free community action and education fair at Kindred Vancouver. Local vendors, upcycled goods, composting demos, and community flea market vibes. Details here
• Camp Goods Swap at Kindred Vancouver & Wild Camp Goods — Free community gear swap at 2213 Main St., Vancouver. Browse camping treasures at both locations and take home what you need. Details here
• Spring Paddle Fest at Vancouver Lake — Alder Creek Kayak & Canoe's one-day festival with on-water classes, free demos of kayaks, SUPs, and canoes, plus clinics with Thule and Kokatat starting at 10 a.m. Details here
• Water Resources Education Center BioBlitz — Help document plants, insects, birds, and wildlife in the Center's wetlands and forest edges. Guided walks available. Vancouver. Details here
• Lilac Days at Hulda Klager Gardens — 50th anniversary of the Hulda Klager Lilac Society! Gardens open daily 10 a.m.–4 p.m. through May 10. $10 adults, kids 12 and under free. Woodland. Details here
• CASEE Center Spring Plant Sale — Native plants from Battle Ground Public Schools horticulture students, 10 a.m.–3 p.m. at CASEE greenhouse, 11104 NE 149th St., Brush Prairie. Details here
• Introduction to Flyfishing School — All-day school with Clark-Skamania Flyfishers covering tackle, casting, entomology, and more. Gaiser Hall Parking Lot, 2181 Fort Vancouver Way. Details here
• The Rusty Iron Outrigger Canoe Race — Pacific Outrigger Canoe Club race at 9612 NW Lower River Rd., Vancouver. Adults 18+ welcome. Details here
• Adopt-A-Park at LeRoy Haagen Community Park — Morning of ivy removal and mulching at 13200 NE LeRoy Haagen Memorial Dr., Vancouver. Tools, gloves, and snacks provided. Family-friendly. Details here
• Adopt-A-Park at Ellsworth West Urban Natural Area — Spring cleanup removing invasive ivy from trees. Tools and training provided. Vancouver. Details here
• Adopt-A-Park at David Douglas Community Park — Morning litter cleanup and invasive plant removal. Tools, gloves, water, and snacks provided. Family-friendly. Vancouver. Details here
• Ridgefield NWR Volunteer Stewardship Event — Help remove invasive blackberries at Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge with the Estuary Partnership and USFWS. Pre-registration required. All ages welcome. Details here
• Earth Day Field Work at Heritage Farm — Hands-on field prep day with Latinos Unidos Y Floreciendo. Tasks include mulching, amendments, and spring farm work. All experience levels welcome. Details here
• Earth Day in the Gardens — Lower Columbia School Gardens Earth Day festival in Longview, WA. Details here
• Pick Up the Burn 2026 — Volunteer cleanup of Yacolt Burn State Forest. Trash containers at Jones Creek ORV Trailhead and near 4 Corners. Also open Sunday, April 26. Details here
• Thrillium Mt. Bike Trail Maintenance Work Party — Join the Southwest Chapter of Evergreen Mountain Bike Alliance at Larch Mountain trailhead in the Yacolt Burn State Forest. Bring water and lunch. Details here
• Washington Coast Cleanup (Road Trip) — Join Washington CoastSavers and WA State Parks for the annual beach cleanup along the Washington Coast. Details here
• Columbia Hills Natural Area Preserve Hike (Road Trip) — WA Native Plant Society Suksdorfia Chapter hike to Stacker Butte. 4.8 miles, 1,200 ft. elevation gain, stunning views of Mt. Adams and Mt. Hood. Details here
• Lawn Reduction Workshop — WSU Extension Clark County Master Gardener Janis McBride presents planning, methods, and alternatives for reducing your lawn. Free at the library. Details here
• Forever Young Hikers: Lyle Cherry Orchard Hike — Moderate 5-mile hike with 1,050 ft. elevation gain. Registration required through Vancouver Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services. Details here
• Dia del Niño: Celebration of Spring — Free bilingual family celebration at Clark College Gaiser Student Center, 6–9 p.m. Arts and crafts, dancing, snacks, and performances by Angel Ocasio, Ballet Folklorico, and Mariachi Tradicion. Details here
• Fort Vancouver Antique Equipment Association Monthly Meeting — Dinner at 6 p.m. at Old Town Burgers and Breakfast, 813 Main St., Battle Ground. All rust-lovers welcome. Details here
• English Country Line Dancing — Beginners and experienced dancers welcome at Fern Prairie Grange in Camas. $5/person or $10/family. Details here
• Bingo Night Fundraiser at Cloverlane — 7–11 p.m. at Cloverlane Mercantile & Event Center, Brush Prairie. Proceeds support Type 1 Diabetes summer camp for Aliyah Bumala. Details here
• Friday Live Music at Pour Choices Pub — Free show with Water Lobby and Bee and Friends, 7:30 p.m. at 1919 Main St., Vancouver. 21+. Details here
• Pollinators & Pints — Vancouver Bee Project community hangout with mason bee check-in. Casual, no formal presentation. Details here
• Friends of Trees End-of-Season Celebration — Free party with music, food, beverages, games, and prizes at 3117 NE MLK Jr. Blvd., Portland. Registration required. Details here
• Kids Fish-In at Lake Sacajawea — Free kids fishing event at Martin Docks, Longview. Each participant receives a rod and reel to keep! Details here

Family & Kids

• First Time Climb Friday — Ages 6–13. Beginner climbing at Firstenburg Community Center, Vancouver. $19–$24, no experience or gear needed. Details here

Saturday, April 25 – Sunday, April 26 (Ongoing)

• 2026 SW WA Youth Photo Contest — Vancouver Audubon Society, HD Aluminum Prints, and Columbia Credit Union sponsor a youth nature photography contest. Submissions accepted through the contest period. Details here
• Nominate a Heritage Tree in Clark County — WSU Extension Clark County Master Gardener program accepting nominations through April 30. Details here
• Vancouver Neighborhood Tree Stewards Workshops — Interested in urban forestry? Apply to become a Neighborhood Tree Steward through the City of Vancouver. Details here
• Watershed Stewardship Program — Clark Conservation District's six-week course on local water resources, wildlife, and conservation. Details here
• Naturalist Training Program with Cascadia Wild (Road Trip) — Eight-class series running spring through fall covering tracking, botany, ecology, navigation, and survival skills. Details here

Saturday, April 25

• Camas Library Audiobook Walking Club — 60-minute community walk plus 30 minutes of social time. Meet at NE Yale St. and 2nd Ave., Camas. All paces welcome. Details here
• Falls Creek Falls Hike with Mazamas — Easy 6-mile hike to a stunning 200-foot waterfall in Gifford Pinchot National Forest. 1,100 ft. elevation gain. Registration required. Details here
• Mt. St. Helens Swift Creek Worm Flows Climb with Mazamas — Early season ascent via Marble Mountain Snow Park. Registration required; permit fee included. Details here

Monday, April 27

• Lilac Days Senior Citizen Day at Hulda Klager Gardens — Discounted $5 admission for ages 62+ on Mondays. Gardens open 10 a.m.–4 p.m. in Woodland. Details here

Tuesday, April 28

• Hudson's Bay High School Plant Sale — 8 a.m.–6 p.m. (runs April 28–30). Flowers and veggies from Vancouver Public Schools horticulture and FFA students. Off Reserve St. Details here

Thursday, April 30

• Prairie High School Plant Sale — 9 a.m.–5 p.m. (district employees only April 30; public sale May 1–2). Prairie HS greenhouses, 11311 NE 119th St., Vancouver. Details here

Friday, May 1

• First of the Month Bird Walk with Vancouver Audubon — Casual morning birding walk, great for all experience levels. Check VAS website for location. Details here
• Grays Harbor Shorebird & Nature Festival (Road Trip) — May 1–3 in Hoquiam. Guided bird walks, educational programs, and family-friendly activities. Visit shorebirdfestival.com for details. Details here

Saturday, May 2

• Flex Academy & Columbia River High School Plant Sales — 9 a.m.–2 p.m. at both schools. Flowers and veggies from Vancouver Public Schools students. Details here
• White Salmon Wildflower Festival — Fourth annual celebration throughout May featuring guided hikes, art shows, wine walks, and live music in the Columbia River Gorge. Details here
• Ridgefield Learn to Kayak Tour — Guided paddle through the Columbia River Water Trail near Ridgefield NWR with Alder Creek Kayak & Canoe. Ridgefield Waterfront Park. Details here

Thursday, May 7

• Fort Vancouver High School Plant Sale — 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m. May 7–8 and 9 a.m.–12 p.m. May 9. Details here