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Monday,  April 28 , 2025
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Photo of Doug Flanagan

Stories by Doug Flanagan

Columbian staff writer

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(360) 735-4669
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doug.flanagan@columbian.com
Chong, Camas residents Craig Whitten and Abbey Crnich’s 11-year-old ragdoll cat, relaxes in Crnich’s sewing room in February.

‘It was serendipity’: Missing Camas cat appears in Washougal months later

Chong, Camas residents Craig Whitten and Abbey Crnich’s 11-year-old ragdoll cat, relaxes in Crnich’s sewing room in February.

March 1, 2025, 6:10am Clark County Life

Even as days turned into weeks and then months, Camas residents Craig Whitten and Abbey Crnich never gave up hope their lost cat, Chong, would return home. Read story

Washougal Senior Association President Charlie Walker, standing, talks with fellow older adults during a celebration event at the Washougal Community Center on Feb. 18.

Washougal Community Center reopens after five-month closure

Washougal Senior Association President Charlie Walker, standing, talks with fellow older adults during a celebration event at the Washougal Community Center on Feb. 18.

March 1, 2025, 6:08am Clark County News

The city of Washougal and the area’s older adults are celebrating the reopening of the Washougal Community Center after a five-month closure. Read story

Learn more about proposed Regional Fire Authority in Camas and Washougal

February 26, 2025, 4:44pm Clark County News

Camas and Washougal will hold a series of information sessions about a proposed Regional Fire Authority, which will be on the April 22 special election ballot. Read story

(iStock.com)

Weapons stolen from SafeFire shooting range and gun retailer in Camas

(iStock.com)

February 26, 2025, 1:14pm Clark County News

A Camas gun retailer and shooting range was broken into early Tuesday morning, and a number of firearms were stolen, according to the Camas Police Department. Read story

Josie, 10 months, from left, Roger, Savannah and Ellerie Malfait stand in front of Washougal River Mercantile earlier this month. The family bought the store from the Fuller family, who had owned it since 1977.

Washougal River Mercantile has new owners but they want to keep the store’s ‘hometown feel’

Josie, 10 months, from left, Roger, Savannah and Ellerie Malfait stand in front of Washougal River Mercantile earlier this month. The family bought the store from the Fuller family, who had owned it since 1977.

February 22, 2025, 6:13am Business Subscriber Exclusive

Roger Malfait and his wife, Savannah Malfait, had a simple reason for wanting to purchase the Washougal River Mercantile, a general store that had previously been owned by the Fuller family for nearly 50 years. Read story

The Washougal School District Administrative Offices.

Washougal School Board considers new immigration enforcement, gender inclusivity policies

The Washougal School District Administrative Offices.

February 22, 2025, 6:08am Clark County News

The Washougal School District has proposed two new policies related to immigration enforcement and gender inclusivity in its schools. Read story

Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Skamania, answers questions during a press conference at Mount Pleasant School in Washougal. Perez and other local leaders called the press conference to underscore the need to reauthorize the Secure Rural Schools program.

Without federal funding, Mount Pleasant School and Skamania County would be ‘devastated,’ says Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez

Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Skamania, answers questions during a press conference at Mount Pleasant School in Washougal. Perez and other local leaders called the press conference to underscore the need to reauthorize the Secure Rural Schools program.

February 21, 2025, 10:01am Clark County News

U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Skamania, said Thursday that the federal government’s failure to reauthorize a 25-year-old timber revenue program supporting rural counties would “devastate” Skamania County and its schools. Read story

Skamania County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue replaced all of its stolen equipment, including swift water gear (above), after raising almost $75,000 in an online fundraiser.

About a thousand people chipped in to rescue Skamania search and rescue after gear was stolen

Skamania County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue replaced all of its stolen equipment, including swift water gear (above), after raising almost $75,000 in an online fundraiser.

February 17, 2025, 1:04pm Clark County News Subscriber Exclusive

About 1,000 people chipped in money to rescue the rescuers. Read story

Contributed photo courtesy of West Columbia Gorge Humane Society An attendee bids on an auction item during the West Columbia Gorge Humane Society’s 2024 A Tail to Remember event on March 9, 2024.

West Columbia Gorge Humane Society switching gears for 2025 Tail to Remember fundraiser

Contributed photo courtesy of West Columbia Gorge Humane Society An attendee bids on an auction item during the West Columbia Gorge Humane Society’s 2024 A Tail to Remember event on March 9, 2024.

February 15, 2025, 6:10am Clark County News

The West Columbia Gorge Humane Society’s annual fundraiser, A Tail to Remember, is moving to a new venue in 2025 and eliminating its online silent auction. Read story

Responders rescue a 67-year-old Ridgefield man from Coldwater Lake on Feb. 7.

Rescuers save Ridgefield hiker from potentially fatal conditions at Coldwater Lake

Responders rescue a 67-year-old Ridgefield man from Coldwater Lake on Feb. 7.

February 12, 2025, 1:01pm Clark County News

Rescuers saved a 67-year-old Ridgefield man from potentially fatal conditions Friday at Coldwater Lake, 7 miles northwest of Mount St. Helens. Read story