The Columbian

Newsletter

Construction cranes are silhouetted as the sun sets over the University District in Seattle on May 13, as seen from the 520 Bridge View Park in Medina.

Prices skyrocket on WA transportation projects, and fewer contractors want the jobs

September 21, 2023, 8:50pm Latest News

When the state began advertising work for a new 520 bridge over Portage Bay in Seattle, its engineers guessed the project would cost just over $800 million. Read story

FILE - Water is released through the outlet tubes at Grand Coulee Dam, Wash., on the Columbia River on June 1, 2011. The Biden administration on Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023, has pledged over $200 million toward reintroducing salmon in the Upper Columbia River Basin in an agreement with tribes that includes a stay on litigation for 20 years. (AP Photo/Nicholas K.

Biden deal with tribes promises $200M for Columbia River salmon reintroduction

September 21, 2023, 8:34pm Latest News

The Biden administration has pledged over $200 million toward reintroducing salmon in the Upper Columbia River Basin in an agreement with tribes that includes a stay on litigation for 20 years. Read story

A former Clark County Fire District 6 firefighter has filed a federal lawsuit against the agency alleging a hostile work environment and racial discrimination. The suit names Fire Chief Kristan Maurer, here in July in front of a new fire engine.

Ex-firefighter sues Clark County Fire District 6 for racial discrimination

September 21, 2023, 6:51pm Clark County News

A Black man who is a former Clark County Fire District 6 firefighter alleges a white recruit sneaked up behind him, placed a noose around his neck and acted out a lynching during a knot-tying training in June 2022. Read story

Cyanobacteria are microscopic bacteria, otherwise known as blue-green algae, that form harmful blooms during the summer. They flourish in warm, stagnant water filled with nutrients, such as Lacamas Lake as pictured in 2021. Blooms often occur in Vancouver, Lacamas and Round lakes.

Public Health lifts algae advisory at Lacamas Lake

September 21, 2023, 6:29pm Clark County Health

As summer fades and the heat dwindles, Clark County Public Health has lifted the algae advisory at Lacamas Lake. Read story

Battle Ground teachers reach tentative agreement on new contract

September 21, 2023, 3:02pm Clark County News

The Battle Ground Education Association reached a tentative agreement on a new contract with Battle Ground Public Schools Wednesday, potentially ending a months-long bargaining process. Read story

U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez speaks to the crowd while joined by U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg at the Port of Camas Washougal on Friday morning, July 7, 2023.

Northwest lawmakers weigh in as House GOP infighting raises government shutdown risk

September 21, 2023, 7:38am Clark County Politics

As House Republicans struggled to overcome internal divisions and pass a short-term spending bill, Northwest lawmakers from both parties on Wednesday said a government shutdown appeared increasingly likely. Read story

A gray wolf hunts last year near Chewelah, Wash. Officials know of at least 126 gray wolves in Washington state, where the species is still listed as endangered.

The latest clash over managing Washington’s wolves

September 21, 2023, 7:33am Latest News Free

Eleven conservation groups are asking Washington state to tighten its guidelines for when wolves that attack livestock can be killed. Read story

Pallets of pumpkins sit on a trailer at Bi-Zi Farms in Brush Prairie. Bi-Zi Farms owners have had to bring in pumpkins from outside farms because of the state's water usage restrictions.

Clark County’s Bi-Zi Farms at risk; Ecology says it will enforce 5,000 gallon per day water limit

September 21, 2023, 6:04am Business Subscriber Exclusive

Bi-Zi Farms’ two-year battle with the state Department of Ecology over water rights isn’t over yet, but a recent ruling by the state agency could drive the business closer to closing its doors for good. Co-owner Bill Zimmerman said he received a letter from the state Saturday detailing the ruling. Read story

Salvador Brotons and members of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra (Photos courtesy Paul Quackenbush Photography)

Vancouver Symphony Orchestra rides wave of enthusiasm into 45th year, opens season with Prokofiev

September 21, 2023, 6:03am Clark County Life

Eager to build on the success of August’s Vancouver Arts & Music Festival that drew crowds to Esther Short Park, the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra is loading up a panoply of terrific concerts for its 45th season. Read story