📰 What's Making News

Columbian's Amanda Cowan Earns Top Honor in 14-State Journalism Contest

Here's one worth celebrating: The Columbian's photo editor, Amanda Cowan, took second place in the feature slideshow category at the 2026 Best of the West journalism contest — a competition spanning 14 states from the Rockies to Alaska and Hawaii. That's Vancouver talent holding its own against newsrooms across the entire western United States. It's a reminder that world-class storytelling is happening right here in our city, and Cowan's eye behind the lens is a big reason why. Read more from The Columbian.

Roni Sasaki Brings Her Olympic Mindset to Washougal Library

Born with one leg and told she might never walk, Roni Sasaki learned to walk on an artificial leg before her second birthday — and she never stopped proving people wrong. Now she's bringing that fierce, inspiring story to a speaking event at the Washougal Library. If you're anywhere near East County, this is the kind of event that sticks with you long after you leave. Details and timing are in the full story. Get the details from The Columbian.

8 Home Runs: Mariners Outlast Cardinals 11-9 in a Slugfest

Saturday's Mariners game was not for the faint of heart — or anyone hoping for a quick nine innings. Seattle beat the St. Louis Cardinals 11-9 in a wild contest that featured eight home runs between the two clubs. Julio Rodríguez, Will Wilson, and Cole Young all went yard, and Leo Rivas delivered a clutch two-run single in the ninth to seal it. If you're a Mariners fan, this one was worth staying up for. Full recap at The Columbian.

Saturday Prep Scoreboard: Baseball, Softball, Track Results Are In

Spring sports season is in full swing, and Saturday was packed with local high school action across baseball, softball, and track and field. Whether your kid plays, your neighbor's kid plays, or you just love following Clark County athletics, the full scoreboard has every result you need. Check it out and see how your school stacked up this weekend. See all the scores at The Columbian.

6 Washington Startups Compete for $200K at Flywheel Conference

Six startups from across Washington state will pitch for more than $200,000 in investment awards next month at the Flywheel Investment Conference in Wenatchee. The event highlights the growing entrepreneurial energy across the state — not just on the Seattle side of things. It's worth keeping an eye on which companies make the cut and what ideas they're bringing to the table. Read more from The Columbian.

⚡ Quick Bites

Battle Ground Students Trek to Toutle for Hands-On Salmon Habitat Work

For the fourth straight Earth Day, around 130 students from Battle Ground's Center for Agriculture, Science, and Environmental Education traveled to Harry Gardner Park in Toutle to study riparian habitats through the Seeds to Salmon program. The outdoor learning day connects classroom science to real watershed restoration along the Toutle River. Read more from The Columbian.

Longview's North Pacific Paper Co. Shuts Down, Leaves One U.S. Newsprint Mill Standing

The North Pacific Paper Co. plant in Longview is closing its doors, leaving a Spokane facility as the sole remaining newsprint mill in the entire country. The Columbian says the closure won't significantly affect its own operations. Read more from The Columbian.

Finally, a Settled Spring Stretch Arrives in Clark County

If your rain boots have been getting more use than your sunglasses, relief is here. The Columbian's Weather Eye column says temperatures are warming and rain is easing off, delivering the kind of comfortable, steady spring weather we've been waiting for. Read more from The Columbian.

Seattle's Car Count Climbs After Years of Flat Growth

New census data shows the number of registered vehicles in Seattle is rising again after years of stagnation — a shift that could ripple through regional commute patterns for anyone crossing the river. Read more from The Columbian.

Target Overhauls Grocery Playbook as Shoppers Pick Sides

More grocery customers are either trading down to bargain chains or trading up to higher-end stores, squeezing middle-market retailers like Target. The chain is revamping its grocery strategy to keep up — worth watching if your local Target run includes a food haul. Read more from The Columbian.

📅 Mark Your Calendar

Sunday, April 26

• Earth Day Field Work at Heritage Farm — Join Latinos Unidos Y Floreciendo for hands-on field prep including mulching and soil amendments. All experience levels welcome. Rain or shine.
• Ridgefield NWR Volunteer Stewardship Event — Help the Estuary Partnership and USFWS remove invasive blackberries at Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge. Pre-registration required.
• Water Resources Education Center BioBlitz — Help document plants, insects, birds, and wildlife in the wetlands and forest edges at the Water Center's annual community science event.
• Making Waves for Music — An evening at Portland Yacht Club supporting K-12 music programs in the Camas School District, hosted by Camas Music Boosters.
• VanCity Saturday Social Dance and Beginners Lesson — 45-minute lesson at 7 p.m. followed by social dancing until 10 p.m. No partner needed. $10. VanCity Ballroom, 9212 NE Highway 99, Suite 110, Hazel Dell.
• Swan Lake by International Ballet Stars — All-new hand-painted sets and over 200 custom scenery elements bring Tchaikovsky's iconic score to life. Newmark Theatre, Portland.
• Every Day is Earth Day Fair — Kindred Vancouver hosts a free community action and education fair with local vendors, upcycled goods, and workshops on composting, recycling, and neighborhood resilience.
• Improv at Magenta Theater — Family-friendly unscripted improv, 7:30 p.m. $10. Magenta Theater, Vancouver.
• Author Talk with Patty Grasher — Friends of Fort Vancouver NHS host Patty Grasher, author of "Explore Vancouver Washington," at the Visitor Center. 8 p.m.
• Sadie Hawkins Dance at Pour Choices Pub — 8:30 p.m. at 1919 Main Street, Vancouver. Music, dancing, and good vibes.
• Lawn Reduction Workshop — WSU Extension Clark County Master Gardener Janis McBride presents planning, methods, and alternatives for reducing your lawn. Free at the library meeting room. 10 p.m.
• Introduction to Flyfishing School — Clark-Skamania Flyfishers' all-day school covering tackle, casting, knots, entomology, and more. Gaiser Hall Parking Lot, 2181–2227 Fort Vancouver Way.
• 2026 SW WA Youth Photo Contest — Vancouver Audubon Society, HD Aluminum Prints, and Columbia Credit Union sponsor a nature photography contest for youth. Urban and wild entries welcome.
• Vancouver Urban Forestry Pop-Up Arboretums — Visit pop-up arboretums at Arnada Park (610 E. 25th St.) and Homestead Park (1800 SE 160th Ave.) to hone your tree ID skills during Arbor Month.
• Nominate a Heritage Tree in Clark County — WSU Extension Clark County Master Gardener program accepting nominations through April 30. Follow the link to see criteria.
• Naturalist Training Program: Reading the Landscape — Join Cascadia Wild for a road trip class covering wildlife tracking, botany, ecology, and navigation skills.
• Lilac Days at Hulda Klager Gardens — Open daily 10 a.m.–4 p.m. through May 10. $10 adults, kids 12 and under free. It's the 50th anniversary of the Hulda Klager Lilac Society!
• City Nature Challenge 2026 — Grab your smartphone, download the free iNaturalist app, and help observe plants, animals, and species across the region. April 24–27.
• Camp Goods Swap at Kindred Vancouver — Community swap co-hosted with Wild Camp Goods. Browse gear at both Kindred Vancouver and Wild Camp Goods at 2213 Main St., Vancouver. Free — take what you need!
• Columbia Hills Natural Area Preserve Hike — WA Native Plant Society Suksdorfia Chapter road trip to Stacker Butte. 4.8 miles, 1,200 ft. elevation gain, with stunning views of Mt. Adams and Mt. Hood.
• David Douglas Community Park Adopt-A-Park Event — Family-friendly morning of litter cleanup and invasive plant removal. Tools, gloves, water, and snacks provided.
• Camas Library Audiobook Walking Club — Bring your audiobook for a 60-minute community walk, plus 30 minutes of social time. Meet at NE Yale Street and 2nd Avenue, Camas.
• Forever Young Hikers: Lyle Cherry Orchard Hike — Moderate 5-mile hike with 1,050 ft. elevation gain. Registration required.
• Pollinators & Pints — Vancouver Bee Project hosts a relaxed evening to connect with others who care about pollinators, native plants, and mason bee check-ins.
• Mt. St. Helens Swift Creek Worm Flows Climb — Join the Mazamas for an early-season ascent. Bring skis or snowshoes. Registration required.
• Ridgefield Learn to Kayak Tour — Paddle Lake River near Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge with Alder Creek Kayak & Canoe. All skill levels. Ridgefield Waterfront Park.
• Sunset Kayak Paddle — Three-hour guided evening paddle north to the Columbia River at sunset with Alder Creek Kayak & Canoe. Ridgefield Waterfront Park. Reservations required.
• Vancouver Neighborhood Tree Stewards Workshops — Learn how to become a Tree Steward and help make your neighborhood greener. Applications open now.
• Camas Field Nature Walk — Free leisurely stroll at Round Lake with the Camas Earth Day Society. Learn to recognize native plants among blooming camas fields. Ages 8+. Limited to 25 — register early. 3016 NE Everett St., Camas.
• Ridgefield Dragon Boat Paddles — Free community paddling, no experience needed. Paddlers must be 14+. Runs through October 3.
• Hardy Hamilton Mountain Loop Hike — Join the Mazamas starting from Beacon Rock State Park's equestrian trailhead for a scenic loop through Hardy Ridge, Phlox Point, and Hamilton Mountain. 12 miles, 3,700 ft. gain.
• Falls Creek Falls Hike — Easy 6-mile Mazamas hike to a stunning 200-foot, three-tiered waterfall in Gifford Pinchot National Forest. 1,100 ft. elevation gain.
• Meadow & Pollinator Hedgerow Care Workshop — Hands-on habitat work with the Vancouver Bee Project at Flat Tack Farm. Weeding, removing invasive blackberries, and replanting for pollinators.
• Adopt-A-Park: Ellsworth Springs East Ivy Pull — Family-friendly morning of invasive ivy removal. Tools, gloves, water, and snacks provided. Youth under 18 need a signed consent form.
• Hiking Clinic — NW Association of Blind Athletes — Open to athletes of all ages and ability levels who are blind or visually impaired. Register on the NWBA website.
• Watershed Stewardship Program — Clark Conservation District's six-week course covering local watersheds, water resources, fish, wildlife, and conservation. Apply now.

Tuesday, April 28

• VPS High School Plant Sale — Hudson's Bay — April 28–30, 8 a.m.–6 p.m. Flowers and veggie starts grown by horticulture and FFA students. Off of Reserve St.

Thursday, April 30

• Prairie High School Plant Sale — April 30, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. (district employees only). Public sale continues May 1–2 and May 4. Prairie HS greenhouses, 11311 NE 119th St., Vancouver.

Friday, May 1

• Grays Harbor Shorebird & Nature Festival — May 1–3 road trip to witness thousands of migrating shorebirds. Guided bird walks, educational programs, and family-friendly activities. Visit shorebirdfestival.com for details.
• White Salmon Wildflower Festival — Month-long celebration in the Columbia River Gorge featuring guided hikes, art shows, wine walks, and live music.
• First of the Month Bird Walk — Casual morning birding with Vancouver Audubon Society. Great for all skill levels. Check VAS website for location details.

Saturday, May 2

• VPS High School Plant Sales — Flex Academy & Columbia River — May 2, 9 a.m.–2 p.m. Flowers and veggie starts grown by students.
• Battle Ground High School FFA Plant Sale — 8 a.m.–3 p.m. at Battle Ground HS greenhouses, 300 W. Main Street. Annuals, perennials, veggies, and hanging baskets grown by students.
• Battle Ground Public Schools Plant Sales — Drop-in, no registration required. A variety of bedding plants, flowering plants, vegetable starts, and hanging baskets.
• Ridgefield Garden Club Plant Sale — Annual fundraiser at the Greely Building in downtown Ridgefield.
• Washougal Studio Artists Tour — May 2–3, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Drive out to the Washougal River Valley and visit the Treehouse Art Studio for nature-inspired art by local artists.
• Ridgefield Spring Festival — 10th Anniversary of Ridgefield First Saturdays! Live music, food, art, vendor market, sidewalk sales, and family-friendly activities in downtown Ridgefield.
• Nature Resin Jewelry Studio Workshop — 10 a.m.–12 p.m. with artist Bri Graw at Columbia Springs. Create pendants, earrings, or keychains using UV resin and natural elements. Leave with three finished pieces.
• Rain Gardens & Ponds Class at Good Year Farms — Learn location planning, soil assessment, design ideas, and what to plant from nursery manager Chelsea. Ponds section includes frog fun and liner tips.

Thursday, May 7

• VPS High School Plant Sale — Fort Vancouver — May 7–8, 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m. and May 9, 9 a.m.–12 p.m. Student-grown flowers and vegetables.