Local News
Investigation into interim Cowlitz Tribe police chief’s sex offenses against minor complete after he dies by suicide
The Clark County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) has concluded its investigations into the Cowlitz Indian Tribal Public Safety Department’s former Interim Chief Charles Gardiner’s suicide …
Free Fishing Weekend returns to Washington June 7–8
Washington’s Free Fishing Weekend returns June 7-8, allowing anglers the opportunity to fish for many species without a license, according to a news release from the Washington state Department …
MGP urges House  committee to include military right to repair legislation in National Defense Authorization Act
U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Skamania, testified in front of the U.S. House Armed Services Committee to request that her Servicemember Right-to-Repair Act be included in the National …
Plas Newydd Farm Arts Initiative to host fine art show
The Plas Newydd Farm Arts Initiative will host its first fine arts show, Creating Space, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, May 24–25, at the historic Plas Newydd Farm, located at …
Abbarno bill to provide stability to private utilities amid natural disasters signed into law
Gov. Bob Ferguson signed a bill sponsored by state Rep. Peter Abbarno, R-Centralia, on Monday, May 19, that gives more financial flexibility to utility companies to respond to certain emergencies. …
Gluesenkamp Perez urges House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to Southwest Washington priorities
U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Skamania, this week testified in front of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to underscore priorities for Southwest Washington for the …

MGP honors local officers in Washington, D.C., during National Police Week 6a6z5s

U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Skamania, welcomed local law enforcement officers from Southwest Washington to Washington, D.C., last week in honor of National Police Week. In the same …

Sen. Jeff Wilson bill to test for harmful chemicals in certain fertilizers signed into law 3v6611

Gov. Bob Ferguson signed a bill sponsored by Sen. Jeff Wilson, R-Longview, on Monday, May 19, launching a testing program to identify forever chemicals in the state’s food supply. Senate …

Man who trafficked victims in Washington, Oregon and across the country sentenced to 11 years in prison 2d2dc

A 35-year-old Washington state man was sentenced this week in U.S. District Court in Tacoma to 11 years in prison for sex trafficking of a minor, Acting U.S. Attorney Teal Luthy Miller announced in a …

MGP helps introduce bipartisan bill to ensure minimum wage reflects local cost of living 61s1o

U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Skamania, and Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pennsylvania, recently introduced the bipartisan Fair Wage Act. The legislation is aimed at indexing the federal …

The Reflector May 21, 2025 27f1b

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State & Regional News
Idaho lawmakers urge feds to move Small Business office from Seattle to their state
All four Idaho Republican congressmen want the U.S. Small Business istration , or SBA, to move its Pacific Northwest regional office from Seattle to Idaho. In March, SBA Kelly …
Seven vetoes Gov. Bob Ferguson made in the Washington state budget
Before Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson signed the next state budget on Tuesday, he vetoed a few dozen spending provisions scattered throughout its 1,366 pages. The plan he approved lays out $78 …
Critics of new state student rights law predict enrollment declines, failed levies
 Critics of a new law concerning student rights and privacy protections at school say the fight is far from over, but note the damage has been done. Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1296 was …
Gov. Ferguson vetoes bill to study cost drivers for homeownership, rental housing in Washington state
A bill that was approved by overwhelming majorities in both chambers of the Legislature to study the primary cost drivers for home ownership and rental housing in Washington state has been vetoed by …
Funding cut for programs that help Washington state foster children navigate school
A nonprofit organization helping foster children in Washington graduate from high school just saw its state funding chopped.  In the current two-year budget, which runs through June 30, …
U.S. Postal Service reminds customers to maintain mailboxes during National Mailbox Improvement Week
With National Mailbox Improvement Week lasting from May 18 to May 24, the U.S. Postal Service is encouraging customers to inspect, maintain and upgrade their mailboxes to help ensure safe, secure and …
Drills help people prepare for Washington state's real wildfire season
When the only way out of a heavily treed neighborhood on a normal weekday is called “Dysfunction Junction,” wildfire preparedness is essential. A fire evacuation drill on Saturday …
Ferguson partially vetoes bill to expand Washington state Clemency and Pardons Board
 Gov. Bob Ferguson vetoed key provisions of a bill related to Washington state’s Clemency & Pardons Board (B).  Engrossed Second Substitute House HB 1131 , signed partially …
What Medicaid cuts ed by U.S. House could mean for Washington state
Washington leaders are warning that at least 194,000 people in the state stand to lose Medicaid coverage under a Republican-backed budget bill that ed the U.S. House early Thursday. Only …
Union hit with fine for failing to report $430K in Washington state campaign contributions on time
A powerful statewide labor union was fined $6,000 on Thursday for failing to report more than $430,000 in contributions to candidates and political committees days ahead of the 2024 election. …
Opinion
Editorial

Our Views: ing Pope Francis, a shepherd who never walked away 4t4a1o

Pope Francis smiles and waves in this photo from 2014.

The world feels quieter today. Not because a man has died, but because a voice — steady, grounded and full of grace — has gone silent. Pope Francis is gone, and for those of us who …

Community
Community calendar
Senior Lunch and Learn: 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m., Wednesday, May 21, Battle Ground Event Center, 912 E. Main St., Battle Ground. Learn about brain health and aging in a seminar, hosted by Battle Ground …
The Reflector’s Best of the Best highlights Clark County’s community excellence
The Reflector staff hosted the first “Best of the Best” awards ceremony highlighting outstanding businesses, organizations and individuals that heavily contribute and impact Clark County …
Clark College Orchestra to perform final concert under longtime director
The Clark College Orchestra will present its Spring Concert on Sunday, June 15, marking the final performance under longtime music director and conductor Dr. Donald Appert. Appert will retire at the …
Letters to the Editor

Letter to the editor: Why the disparate treatment of refugees? 4ki11

The white minority government in South Africa imposed a system of racial segregation and discrimination against non-white citizens from 1948 to the early 1990s.  The legacy of that barbaric …

  • Letter to the editor: Governor must veto out of control taxation 1t2x2p

    I woke from a dream and realized the state Democrats have taxed Washington state citizens into …

  • Letter to the editor: Separating children from their parents as a policy is never a good idea 5k4y3c

    I attended the La Center School Board meeting addressing the gender policy the Washington state Office of …

  • Letter to the editor: I was sympathetic to the school levy, until I learned … 3k4k4u

    In response to your “Battle Ground students plead to preserve programs” article, I …

  • Letter to the editor: Losing Friends 4k284b

    What would you think if six of your best friends decided they should no longer visit? I would …

Sports

Prairie track and field thrower chasing history in shot put and discuss events 6x1e3s

  • All three north county high school soccer teams in district tournaments lose out 5s6p1d

  • Three north Clark County high school teams advance to state tournaments 4v36c

  • Hockinson baseball makes deep district tournament journey, falls short of remarkable state tournament bid 5u1y1y

  • Battle Ground overcomes rough non-league slate to secure solo second in 4A GSHL o494y

  • Prairie Falcons obliterate Battle Ground Tigers’ senior night with 16-4 win 2h6c3

  • Hockinson boys soccer lose at home, go to losers bracket for state title hopes 2k1j4b

  • Ridgefield earns dramatic win over Centralia to extend season 3rv4a

  • Prairie Falcons sweep Kelso for 3A GSHL baseball title 6t441e

Life

City to host senior center ribbon-cutting; seniors to celebrate 50th anniversary with events 1o3v2s

The Battle Ground community will soon mark two major milestones for its senior population, with one event hosted by the City of Battle Ground and another organized by Battle Ground Senior Citizens …

  • Clark-Cowlitz Fire Rescue officials address myths surrounding home fire sprinklers 4p683o

    Clark-Cowlitz Fire Rescue officials are working to set the record straight on a technology they say is …

  • Business on the road to Mount St. Helens say closure signs hurting traffic f36s

    Sitting in the gravel parking lot of North Fork Survivors in Toutle is a camouflage Humvee. The …

  • Coldwater visitor center opens at Mount St. Helens; Spirit Lake Highway roadwork to start next spring 6313d

    The road leading to Johnston Ridge Observatory and the visitor center itself remains closed two years …

  • Vancouver Bee Project prepares to celebrate Bee City USA status with local community 7x69

    Following a years-long grassroots effort, the Vancouver City Council officially adopted a resolution on …

  • Local artists converge on La Center’s Holley Park for celebration of the arts 53203n

    The La Center Arts Fair has reached annual status in its second year of bringing together artists …

  • After two years, Mount St. Helens camera back online 2y2y3c

    After nearly two years, the camera at the site of the 1980 Mount St. Helens eruption is back …

  • Readers Lens: Stunning morning views from above Mount St. Helens 57575x

    Mount St. Helens is pictured from above at about 6 a.m. May 2 in these photos captured by Shawn …

  • 45th anniversary of the 1980 Mount St. Helens eruption to be marked  1723

    Scientists and preparedness experts will be at the Science and Learning Center at Coldwater on May …

Outdoors

Native flowers dot the landscape in backyard habitats this month 4e3j6f

There were 20 different blooming flowers native to the Pacific Northwest in this Clark County backyard habitat on Tuesday, May 13. The flora endemic to the Pacific Northwest in the habitat …

  • Take a walk on the wild side at the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge 4t3r65

    Visitors to the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge now have a couple more seasonal trails to choose from …

  • Celebrating Earth Day with wild scenes from Southwest Washington 2b1m4e

  • Lowland lakes fishing season kicks off with 10th annual Trout Derby u3n4k

    The wait is almost over for anglers across Washington as the lowland lakes fishing season opens on April …

  • Signs of spring abundant with high water and early spring plant life q533

  • Road to 100: Bird photography goal sits one shy of 60 during first quarter of 2025 283v44

  • A furry friend takes a peek at human life from its home 534z45

    A field mouse with a family of four peeks out from its nest in a tree stump in north Clark County …

Obituaries
Death notices: May 21
Jerry Turney, 64, of Vancouver, died May 7. Arrangements are under the care of Layne’s Funeral Services, 360-687-3143. Mary Carter, 91, of Vancouver, died May 7. Arrangements are under the …
In Loving Memory of Allie Mattson: 1927-2025
Allie Graham Mattson ed away peacefully on April 29, 2025, in Vancouver, Washington, at age 98. She was born to Finnish immigrant parents, Victor and Katri Salonen, in South Bend, Washington, on …
Death notices: May 14, 2025
Timothy Dennis, 71, of Ridgefield, died April 30. Arrangements are under the care of Laynes Funeral Services, 360-687-3143. Ann Marie Johnson, 77, of Vancouver died May 3. Arrangements are under …
Death notices: May 7, 2025
Richard Person, 84, of Cougar, died  April 3 in Mesa, Arizona. Service will be held at 1 p.m., June 7, at Pleasant View Community Church, 14756 Lewis River Road, Ariel. Robert Fawcett, 64, …
In Loving Memory of Lisa Slawson: 1968-2025
It is with heartbreaking sadness that the family of Lisa announces her ing on April 18, 2025, in Longview, Washington, after a brave and fierce fight from kidney failure. She was 57 years old. …
In Loving Memory of Donnie Ray Hunt: 1946-2025
Donnie Hunt, 78, ed away in a heavy equipment accident on Friday, April 18, 2025. He was born in Waldron, Arkansas, on Sept. 10, 1946, to R.B. Hunt and Edna Richey Hunt. He …
In Loving Memory Jack Elton Ward: 1935-2025
Jack Ward, 90, of Vancouver, Washington ed away on April 21 surrounded by his family. Jack was born to Carl and Mary Ward of Battle Ground, Washington on Feb. 20, 1935. He attended Battle Ground …
In Loving Memory of Virginia Dorothy Bruce: 1936-2005
Virginia Dorothy Bruce, 88, of Battle Ground, Washington, ed away on March 28, 2025. Virginia, better known as Ginny, was born Oct. 23, 1936, to Walter and Dorothy Tylinski in Marathon, …
In Loving Memory of Rick Andersen: 1950-2025
Rick Andersen was born Sept. 24, 1950, in Vancouver, Washington. He lived in Vancouver and Woodland all his life. He left behind Lorry Spring Andersen, married March 9, 1973. They were married 52 …