Erin Middlewood
Staff Reporter
Email: erin.middlewood@columbian.com
Call: 360-735-4516
Twitter: Follow @col_trends
Erin covers family issues and sustainability
Recent Stories
Ridgefield in growth spurt
City the 5th fastest growing in state; Woodland population dips slightly
Ridgefield was the fifth fastest growing city in Washington between 2011 and 2012, according to U.S. Census Bureau estimates released late Wednesday. City leaders say years spent laying the groundwork for business and residential development helped Ridgefield bounce back quickly from the Great Recession.
Effort to recall Madore, Mielke afoot
Meeting Saturday; successful campaigns rare in Washington
Former Vancouver Mayor Royce Pollard advocated for recall of David Madore and Tom Mielke at a packed Clark County commissioners meeting earlier this week.
Deaths from firearms top car-crash fatalities in Washington
Suicides greatly exceed homicides, report says
Firearm deaths have exceeded car-crash fatalities in Washington for the first time since 1934, according to a report by the state Office of Financial Management released last week.
Beloved singing Costco clerk mending after surgery
His Facebook page is filled with posts wishing him well
Facebook is overflowing with electronic well-wishes and prayers for the beloved signing Costco clerk, Teddy Patrick of Vancouver, who was hospitalized last weekend.
Saving early for college tuition
Wary families face the challenge of daunting costs for kids' higher education
Beth Cooper helped her 9-year-old son, Jace, open his own bank account, where he stashes half his $4-a-week allowance. He was thrilled when the balance reached $100.
Tea Party reigns at GOP dinner
Stand up to government, event's speakers implore
Even though most of the 250 Republicans who attended Saturday's Lincoln Day dinner drank coffee with their dessert, it was clear the event was all about the Tea Party.
Fire rips through vacant duplex in Vancouver
Two 'people of interest' in fire investigation
Boys playing with fire admitted to starting fire that destroyed a vacant duplex in Vancouver's Ogden neighborhood.
Patrols keep eyes peeled for parking violators
Clark County Sheriff's Office volunteers look for cars parked illegally in disabled spots
As Tom Croley drove slowly through the parking lot at Legacy Salmon Creek Medical Center, he and his partner trained their eyes on the dashboards of cars parked in spots marked for disabled visitors.
Air Museum dispute not the trust's first fight
Nonprofit group led by some of Vancouver's most influential residents, battle-tested executive
The National Park Service's recent takeover of management at Pearson Air Museum from the Fort Vancouver National Trust generated protests, newspaper headlines and a congressional hearing on a bill that would, in effect, return the museum to the trust's operation.
Health care benefit to apply to many in Clark County
Nearly 41,000 local residents will be eligible for tax credits
An estimated 40,840 Clark County residents will be eligible for help paying for insurance coverage under the 2010 Affordable Care Act -- and most of them don't know it, according to a health-reform advocacy group.

