The Columbian

Avangrid sends 9,000 megawatts of green energy across the U.S.; its control center is in Vancouver

Workers monitor electricity production at Avangrid's green energy sites across the country Tuesday from the company's National Control Center in Vancouver. The company produces energy for millions of homes across the country.

June 27, 2024, 6:08am Business

As some continue to question whether green technologies can translate into well-paying jobs, Avangrid, a sustainable energy company, has steadily been proving they can. The company, based in Orange, Conn., has brought jobs to Clark County. Read story

Professor takes stock of bees at Clark College’s bee campus

Clark College biology professor Steven Clark takes a bee survey Monday at one of Clark College’s bee gardens. The college became a Bee Campus USA affiliate in 2023.

The Fourth of July isn’t the only time Clark County residents get to see a dazzling display of color. The wildflowers at Clark College’s bee gardens are in full bloom. From the scarlet red of ornamental poppies to the stark white and lemon yellow of daisies to the vivid blues,… Read story

Mount St. Helens rises in the distance beyond Vancouver Lake on Friday. The lake’s wide, shallow waters are a perfect breeding ground for algae.

Clearer vision for algae plan: County meets with stakeholders to discuss fending off toxic blooms at lakes

June 24, 2024, 6:04am Clark County Health

Summer is here which means the cyanobacteria — better known as blue-green algae — often found in Clark County lakes won’t be far behind. The algae blooms typically appear in the warmer months of July, August and September and are responsible for periodic closures that can last from a few… Read story

Members of the Clark County Council are pictured after new councilors took the oath of office at the Clark County Public Service Center on Jan. 3, 2023. Councilors are, from left, Glen Yung, Michelle Belkot, Karen Bowerman (on screen), Gary Medvigy and Sue Marshall.

Clark County focuses on climate planning; public meetings to focus on resilience, equity

June 21, 2024, 6:02am Clark County News

Clark County’s climate planning efforts are in the spotlight this week. Read story

Portland Vancouver Junction Railroad conductor Brad Johnston rides a car while working near St. Johns Road in 2023. For the past 18 months, the Friends of Clark County and Friends of Central Vancouver have been organizing opposition to the rail operator.

Two groups work to educate Clark County residents on environmental issues around county’s short railroad

June 20, 2024, 6:03am Clark County News

Some call them environmental champions. Others have less complimentary names. For the past 18 months, members of Friends of Clark County and Friends of Central Vancouver have been on a mission to educate residents about issues surrounding the county-owned short line railroad. Read story

The Yaquina is one of two hopper dredges owned by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The dredges work together to maintain the navigation channel up and down the Lower Columbia River each year. (Contributed by the U.S.

Boating season brings questions about maintenance of Columbia River, its tributaries

June 17, 2024, 3:42pm Clark County News

With the official start of summer Thursday, anglers, kayakers, boaters and other water enthusiasts will soon flock to the Columbia River for a little recreation and relaxation. But navigating the busy waterway, with its shifting sandbars, hidden obstacles and commercial shipping traffic can be tricky. Read story

Birds fly around and perch on the South Jetty at the mouth of the Columbia River as one of two dredging ships passes through the channel in 2009. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineer’s project to repair the river jetties is expected to be completed in October 2025.

Columbia River jetty repairs nearing completion

June 17, 2024, 3:16pm Clark County News

The nearly decadelong project to repair the jetty system at the mouth of the Columbia River is expected to draw to a close late next year. Read story

Stories by Shari Phiel

Columbian staff writer

Battle Ground hosts meet and greet with city manager candidates

Vancouver plans Q&A sessions with finalists for city manager post

Vancouver man facing federal drug charges in overdose death of 60-year-old