📰 What's Making News

Rocky Torres-Morales Takes the Helm at Vancouver Public Schools

Vancouver Public Schools officially has a new superintendent. Rocky Torres-Morales took the oath of office Wednesday during a ceremony at district headquarters, marking the start of a new chapter for the region's largest school district. The hire caps a months-long search, and Torres-Morales steps into the role with the community watching closely to see what direction he charts for VPS students, families, and staff. Read more from The Columbian.

Feds Clear I-5 Bridge Environmental Review — Construction Phase Awaits

The Interstate 5 Bridge replacement project just cleared one of its biggest remaining hurdles: federal sign-off on the environmental review. That milestone pushes the massive project into its construction phase, a moment bridge planners have been working toward for years. Whether you commute across it daily or simply dread the merge, this one affects just about everyone in Clark County. Read more from The Columbian.

150 Years and Still Grinding: Cedar Creek Grist Mill Celebrates a Milestone

Built in 1876 — the same year as the Battle of the Little Bighorn — the Cedar Creek Grist Mill near Woodland is marking its 150th anniversary and still drawing visitors from as far as Romania, New Zealand, and Ukraine. The mill, maintained entirely by community volunteers, remains one of the Pacific Northwest's best examples of living history, giving schoolchildren and families a hands-on look at how grain was milled before electricity. If you haven't visited, this sesquicentennial year is the excuse you've been waiting for. Read more from Clark County Today.

Free Summer Meals for Kids at Six Clark County Locations

Boys & Girls Clubs of Southwest Washington is serving free lunch and snacks to anyone 18 and under at six sites across Vancouver this summer — no registration required. The program runs through the USDA's Summer Food Service Program, and it's designed to make sure kids stay fed even when school cafeterias are closed. Locations include Burton Elementary and five other club sites around the county, so there's likely one near you. Spread the word to any family who could use the help. Read more from Clark County Today.

Fourth of July Fireworks? Your Dog Is Already Dreading Them

With the Fourth just two days away, a post gaining traction on the Vancouver WA subreddit is resonating with local pet owners. One dog parent shared how their pup was so traumatized by fireworks last year that she refused to go into her own backyard for months afterward. The thread is full of tips from fellow Vancouverites — thunder shirts, white noise machines, calming treats, and keeping pets indoors well before sundown. If you have a noise-sensitive pet, now's the time to prep your game plan. See the conversation on Reddit.

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⚡ Quick Bites

Fourth of July Traffic Could Break Records Statewide

Planning a beach trip or weekend getaway? Washington roads are expected to see record-breaking Fourth of July travel volumes this year. The Columbian breaks down the best and worst times to hit the road so you can dodge the worst of it.

24 Washington Employers Land on National "Best Companies" List

U.S. News & World Report released its annual best-companies-to-work-for rankings, and two dozen Washington-based employers made the cut — though some big names were notably absent. See who made it and who didn't.

Washington's Population Shifts: Boomers Up, Kids Down

New Census Bureau data covering 2020–2025 paints a picture of a graying Washington state, with boomer-age residents surging and the number of children declining. Here's what the numbers look like.

Suquamish Tribe, U.S. Navy Ink Treaty-Rights Deal for Drydock Build

The Suquamish Tribe and the U.S. Navy signed an agreement Saturday to honor the tribe's treaty rights during construction of a new drydock at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton. Read more about the agreement.

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📅 Mark Your Calendar

Thursday, July 2

• Longview Go 4th Festival – 9:00 AM at various Longview locations. Kick off the Independence Day weekend early with a vendor marketplace, cardboard boat regatta, Kids Fest, timber show, and more running all day. Free. More info
• East Vancouver Farmers Market – 10:00 AM–2:00 PM at Columbia Tech Center, 17701 SE Mill Plain Blvd, Vancouver. Over 50 small businesses offering farm-fresh produce, prepared foods, and artisan goods. Free parking. More info
• Providence Academy Tours – 10:00 AM–2:00 PM at Providence Academy, Vancouver. Free self-guided tours available Wednesday–Friday inside one of Vancouver's most stunning historic buildings. More info
• Go With the Flow: Wastewater Treatment Plant Tour – 10:00 AM–11:30 AM at the Water Resources Education Center, Vancouver. Ever wondered what happens after you flush? Find out on this free indoor-outdoor walking tour. Ages 8 and up; closed-toed shoes required. More info
• Tiny Art Show at Camas Public Library – 10:00 AM–6:00 PM at Camas Public Library. The beloved Tiny Art Show is back for its sixth year — stop by all month long to see miniature masterpieces created by the Camas community. Free. More info
• Advanced Competitive Bridge Bidding – 10:00 AM at Vancouver Bridge Club, 6503 E. Mill Plain Blvd, Vancouver. A six-week class for beginning and intermediate players with Ruby Life Master Michael Walker. $10–$50. More info
• The Craft of Writing: Workshop & Writers Group – 10:30 AM at Vancouver Community Library. Aspiring or published writers are welcome for writing prompts, craft discussion, and workshopping. Free. More info
• Garrison Flag Raising at Fort Vancouver – 11:00 AM at Fort Vancouver National Historic Site. Watch the historic Garrison Flag — traditionally flown only on Memorial Day — raised to fly through Independence Day weekend. Free. More info
• Crown Park Grand Reopening – 11:00 AM–4:00 PM at Crown Park, Camas. Celebrate the reopening of one of Camas's most beloved parks with a ribbon cutting, a blessing from the Cowlitz Tribe, food, games, a bike rodeo, and more — all part of the America 250 celebration. More info
• America 250 Flag Raising – 11:00 AM at Fort Vancouver National Historic Site. The Fort Vancouver Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution and the Sons of the American Revolution host a Garrison Flag raising ceremony. Free. More info
• Kites for Youth 2026 – 12:00 PM. A free community event from Odyssey World International Education Services — bring the kids outdoors to fly kites and watch their imaginations soar. Free and open to the public. More info
• Card Making Club at Craft Warehouse – 1:00 PM at Craft Warehouse, 9307 NE Fifth Ave, Hazel Dell. Explore new paper crafting products, try out techniques, and bring a recent project to share. Door prizes, too. Free. More info
• Discover The Culinary Collective — Ribbon Cutting – 4:00 PM at 1012 Washington Street, Suite 120, Vancouver. Welcome Vancouver's only dedicated kitchen store to the neighborhood — explore premium kitchenware, unique ingredients, and gifts just in time for the holiday weekend. More info
• Teen Hangout – 4:30 PM–6:30 PM at Vancouver Community Library. Games, crafts, chatting, and snacks provided by Friends of Vancouver Community Library. Ages 13–19. Free. More info
• Tween & Teen Tabletop Role-Playing Game Adventure – 4:30 PM–6:30 PM at Cascade Park Community Library. Create a character and dive into Dungeons & Dragons with other players. Ages 9–19. Free. More info
• Road Cycling 101 – 5:30 PM. Join Vancouver Bicycling Club ride leader Charla Burke for a fun, beginner-friendly group ride exploring trails and neighborhoods. 5–10 miles at a 10 mph pace on flat terrain. More info
• Finishing Salts Workshop – 6:00 PM–7:00 PM at Vampire Unicorns, 3510 NE Third Ave, Camas. Learn blending techniques, flavor pairing, and take home your own finishing salts. $35. More info
• Macro Photography Online Workshop – 6:00 PM. Wildlife photographer Brian Magnier covers gear, camera settings, and framing for stunning close-up nature shots in this Bird Alliance of Oregon program. More info
• Drawing Wildflowers from Photographs — Online – 6:30 PM. Botanical artist Crystal Shin leads a colored pencil drawing session focused on summer wildflowers, hosted by the Washington Native Plant Society. More info
• Family Bingo at McMenamins Kalama Harbor Lodge – 7:00 PM (doors at 6:00 PM) at Old 97, Kalama. Free, all-ages bingo with fun prizes — win the blackout round and score an overnight stay at the lodge. More info
• Descendants of a Revolution: An Evening with the Fort Vancouver DAR & SAR – 7:00 PM at Fort Vancouver Visitor Center, 1501 E. Evergreen Blvd, Vancouver. John Russell and Peri Muhich share family connections to the Revolutionary War and how to trace your own ancestry. Presented by the Clark County Historical Museum. $5. More info

Friday, July 3

• Federal Public Lands Fee-Free Day – All day. No entrance fees at federal public lands nationwide in honor of Independence Day weekend. A perfect excuse to explore! More info
• Enhance Fitness Classes – 8:30 AM and 10:00 AM at Bethel Lutheran Church, 12919 NE 159th St, Brush Prairie. Evidence-based group exercise for adults age 60-plus. Wednesdays and Fridays. More info
• SW WA Victory Garden Work Party – 9:00 AM. Spend a Friday morning outdoors doing good with Urban Abundance at the SWWA Victory Garden — community gardening for a great cause. More info
• Summer Reading Kick-Off: Happy 250th Birthday America! – 10:00 AM–11:30 AM at La Center Community Library. Games, crafts, trivia, and prizes for all ages to launch summer reading. Free. More info
• HOPE Walk at Salmon Creek Trail – 10:00 AM at 800 NE 117th Street. A gentle, welcoming walk open to everyone — families, friends, care partners, and people living with dementia. RSVP encouraged. More info
• 60+ Senior Community Meal – 12:00 PM–1:00 PM at Calvary Chapel Vancouver, 6503 E. Mill Plain Blvd. Free lunch for low-income seniors age 60 and up, sponsored by the 5&2 Food Pantry. More info
• Vancouver Celebrates America 250 – 12:00 PM at the Fort Vancouver Parade Grounds. Live music, family games, food vendors, guided tours of Marshall House, historic weapons demonstrations, and an evening screening of "A League of Their Own" (PG) under the stars. Free. More info
• America 250 Celebration with The Historic Trust – 12:00 PM–5:00 PM at Fort Vancouver Parade Grounds. Patriotic pet costume contest, live music, food vendors, and family-friendly fun all afternoon, with city-sponsored activities continuing into the evening. More info
• NAMI Art Group – 1:00 PM–3:00 PM at NAMI Southwest Washington, 4201 NE 66th Ave, Suite 105, Vancouver. A weekly creative art session. Free. More info
• Washougal Community Market – 2:00 PM–6:00 PM at Reflection Plaza, 1703 Main St, Washougal. Small businesses, artisans, bakers, food vendors, and live music. Free. More info
• Kids Create – 3:30 PM–4:30 PM at Washougal Community Library. Drop-in creative projects for ages 5–9. Free. More info
• Tween Hangout – 4:00 PM–5:30 PM at Vancouver Community Library. Games, crafts, and snacks for ages 9–12. Free. More info
• Alderbrook Park Friday Night Cruise-In – 4:00 PM–8:00 PM at Alderbrook Park, 24414 NE Westerholm Road, Brush Prairie. Classic cars plus disc golf, train rides, mini golf, bounce houses, pool, and more. $5–$10 admission. More info
• Battle Ground America 250 Celebration – 4:00 PM–10:00 PM at Maddox Industrial Transformer, 1601 SE Commerce Ave, Battle Ground. Free hot dogs, ice cream, cotton candy, food trucks, a Little Patriots Zone with bounce houses and crafts, costumed actors portraying founding fathers, and fireworks at 9:45 PM. Free. More info
• Nature Lovers Book Group – 4:00 PM, in-person and virtual. Discuss "Flight Paths" by Rebecca Heisman. Free. More info
• First Friday Art Walk — Downtown Vancouver – 5:00 PM–8:00 PM across downtown Vancouver galleries and art-centric businesses. Free. More info
• One Community, Many Hands: Celebrating America's 250th — Downtown Camas – 5:00 PM in downtown Camas. Carnival-inspired games, community service opportunities, art shows, after-hours shopping, dining, and music. Free. More info
• ZooNights at Oregon Zoo – 5:00 PM at the Oregon Zoo, Portland. Live music, food carts, keeper chats, animal encounters, and summer vibes in the forested grounds. $13–$26. More info
• RedDoor Gallery First Friday Party – 5:00 PM–8:00 PM at RedDoor Gallery, Camas. Complimentary beverages, American birthday cake, charcuterie, and chocolate truffles while you wander two floors of fine art. Wear your red, white, and blue! Free. More info
• Attic Gallery presents "America the Beautiful" – 5:00 PM–8:00 PM at Attic Gallery, 419 NE Cedar St, Camas. Opening reception with live music, free cupcakes, and wine. Free. More info
• Celebration of Youth Art – 5:00 PM–8:00 PM at Vancouver Arts Hub, 1007 E. Mill Plain Blvd. Art by creators ages 6–26, hosted by theARTScentered, with lemonade slushies by Sourpuss Lemonade. Free. More info
• Live Music at El Coyote Tacos y Tequila – 5:00 PM in downtown Vancouver. Flywheel Trio and Midnight Theory perform as part of First Friday Art Walk. More info
• Community Dragon Boat Paddle – 5:30 PM at Ridgefield Public Boat Launch. Free, no experience needed, equipment provided. Ages 14 and up. More info
• Rendezvous Days 2026 in Yacolt – 5:30 PM at the Town of Yacolt. Opening ceremonies, awards, and much more to kick off a weekend of community celebration for America's 250th. Free. More info
• Family Fun Night at Salmon Creek Grange – 6:00 PM at Salmon Creek Grange, Vancouver. Board games, light snacks, and laughter for the whole family. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Free. More info
• Star-Spangled Banner Contest at Drop the Mic Karaoke – 6:00 PM (sign-ups at 5:00 PM) at 224 NE Third Ave, Camas. Sing the national anthem for a chance to perform at local sporting events and win a $25 gift card. Free. More info
• Good Times and Wine at English Estate Winery – 6:00 PM–8:00 PM at 17806 SE 1st St, Vancouver. Live music by Sparrow Wren with food by Venue 1903. Free admission. More info
• First Friday Open Sculpting at Kilnfolk Clay Studio – 6:30 PM–8:00 PM at 108 W. Sixth St, Vancouver. No pottery experience needed — an instructor will guide you through sculpting your own creation. $50. More info
• Live Music on the Patio at Farrar's Bistro – 7:00 PM at 12514 NW 36th Ave, Vancouver. Enjoy food, cocktails, and local wine with live music on the pet-friendly patio. First come, first served. More info
• Movie in the Park: "A League of Their Own" – 9:00 PM at Fort Vancouver National Historic Site. Bring blankets and lawn chairs for this PG film under the stars, sponsored by Kaiser Permanente. Free. More info

Saturday, July 4

• The Elbow Room First Anniversary – Festivities begin at midnight (the night of July 3) until 2:00 AM, then brunch starting at 11:00 AM. Vancouver's James Beard Award-nominated cocktail bar celebrates one year under the new ownership of chefs Monique King and Paul Rosenbluh and bartender Toby Maloney. More info
• Paul's Restaurant One-Year Anniversary – Brunch and celebration at Paul's Restaurant, Vancouver. Enter to win one of three $100 gift certificates. More info
• Ridgefield Fourth of July Celebration – 8:00 AM–5:00 PM at Overlook Park, Ridgefield. Parade at 11:00 AM, plus a fun run, outdoor entertainment, contests, games, food trucks, and artisan vendors. Free parking at Ridgefield Costco with shuttle service. More info
• Birding Walk at Ridgefield NWR – 8:00 AM at the Carty Unit. Join experienced guide Ron Escano for a relaxed birding walk — great for newcomers and seasoned birders alike. More info
• Downtown Vancouver Farmers Market – 9:00 AM–3:00 PM at Esther Short Park. The flagship year-round market with fresh produce, prepared foods, and local goods. More info
• Curiosity Kids: Design and Discover at OMSI – 9:00 AM at OMSI, Portland. Hands-on engineering challenges for ages 3–5 and their families. Bilingual STEAM programming. More info
• Salmon Creek Trail parkrun – 9:00 AM at 800 NE 117th St, Vancouver. A free, friendly weekly 5K — walk, jog, or run. All ages and abilities welcome, dogs too. Register at parkrun.us for your barcode. More info
• Assisted Bridge: Lesson and Play – 9:15 AM at Vancouver Bridge Club, 6503 E. Mill Plain Blvd. Free lesson followed by assisted play. More info
• Classic 7 MX Series Event – 10:00 AM at Washougal MX Park. Motocross racing action. $20–$40 admission. More info
• Farm Days & Kids Fest at Pomeroy Farm – 10:00 AM–5:00 PM at Pomeroy Farm, 20902 NE Lucia Falls Road, Yacolt. Hands-on fun for kids with farm activities, demonstrations, and more. $3 ages 6+; free for ages 5 and under. More info
• Open Saturday at Pearson Field Education Center – 10:00 AM–3:00 PM at Pearson Field Education Center, Vancouver. Flight simulators, a vertical wind table, and historic airplanes on display. Free for all ages. More info
• Yacolt Freedom Parade and Party in the Park – 10:00 AM in Yacolt. Celebrating America's 250th — parade route runs from Railroad Avenue through downtown. Kids, bring bags for candy! Awards for Most Patriotic, Most Original, and more, followed by a community party. Free. More info
• Independence Day: America 250 at Two Rivers Heritage Museum – 12:00 PM–4:00 PM at 1 Durgan St, Washougal. Explore local history dating back to 1776, plus a History's Mysteries scavenger hunt. Free. More info
• The La Center Historical Museum – 12:00 PM–4:00 PM at La Center Historical Museum. Free admission — explore local history and artifacts. More info
• Chelatchie Prairie Railroad Summer Train Rides – 1:00 PM departing from Yacolt. Ride through the tunnel, across the East Fork of the Lewis River, and stop at Moulton Station to visit Yacolt Falls. $18–$24; lap children under 3 ride free. More info
• Family Fourth at the AC Hotel Vancouver Waterfront – 5:00 PM on the patio. Bounce-N-Battle games, face painting, bubbles, a caricature artist, and live music by Baz Moto at 7:00 PM. No cover charge; restaurant reservations recommended at 360-993-8895. More info
• VanCity Ballroom Saturday Social Dance – 7:00 PM at 9212 NE Highway 99, Suite 110, Hazel Dell. A 45-minute beginner lesson followed by social dancing until 10:00 PM — no partner needed. $10. More info
• Battle Ground Lake Interpretive Program: Owls – 7:00 PM–8:00 PM at Battle Ground Lake State Park. Columbia Springs volunteer Ellen M. Wilson discusses owl adaptations and local species. Free (Discover Pass required for parking). More info

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