The Columbian: Community

The Columbian: Community https://www.columbian.com Mon, 06 Apr 2026 19:00:00 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 https://www.columbian.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/columbian-insignia-2025-1-150x150.png Community – The Columbian https://www.columbian.com 32 32 Opsahl Dawson establishes first-ever accounting faculty fellowship at WSU Vancouver https://www.columbian.com/news/2026/apr/04/opsahl-dawson-establishes-first-ever-accounting-faculty-fellowship-at-wsu-vancouver/ Sat, 04 Apr 2026 12:47:28 +0000 https://www.columbian.com/?p=2760670 FOUR CREEKS — Opsahl Dawson, an accounting, assurance and business advisory firm serving the Pacific Northwest, has pledged $105,000 to establish the Opsahl Dawson Endowed Accounting Faculty Fellowship in the Carson College of Business at Washington State University Vancouver, creating the first endowed faculty fellowship in accounting on the campus.

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]]> World Down Syndrome Day celebrated with Red Carpet Gala https://www.columbian.com/news/2026/apr/04/world-down-syndrome-day-celebrated-with-red-carpet-gala/ Sat, 04 Apr 2026 12:47:26 +0000 https://www.columbian.com/?p=2760671 RIVERIDGE — Each year the World Down Syndrome Day puts on a spectacular for families of Down syndrome kids. This year’s formal Red Carpet Gala was held on March 21 at the Vancouver Elks Lodge #823. With the help of family and friends the lodge room was converted into a ballroom with beautifully decorated tables and a red carpet down the center roped off with brass stanchions and red decorative rope.

]]> https://www.columbian.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/1020922878-April4Truckies_101-1024x768.jpg Ridgefield Lions give $3,000 to Ridgefield High School robotics team weekly In Your Neighborhood community truckie stories https://www.columbian.com/news/2026/apr/04/ridgefield-lions-give-3000-to-ridgefield-high-school-robotics-team/ Sat, 04 Apr 2026 12:36:14 +0000 https://www.columbian.com/?p=2760659 RIDGEFIELD — The Ridgefield Lions Club recently donated $3,000 to Steel Ridge, the high school’s award-winning robotics team. Members of the team gave a demonstration of their robot at the Lions’ meeting on March 25.

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]]> https://www.columbian.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/1020922878-April4Truckies_102-1024x590.jpg Over 100 Washington and Oregon high school students compete at Clark College https://www.columbian.com/news/2026/mar/28/over-100-washington-and-oregon-high-school-students-compete-at-clark-college/ Sat, 28 Mar 2026 12:49:41 +0000 https://www.columbian.com/?p=2758761 CENTRAL PARK — Over 100 high school students from across Oregon and Southwest Washington gathered at Clark College on Feb. 28 for the ninth annual Pacific Northwest Japan Bowl, a regional Japanese language and culture quiz competition owned and operated by the Japan-America Society of Oregon. This year marks a record number of participants since the creation of Pacific Northwest Japan Bowl in 2017.

]]> https://www.columbian.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/1020873949-Mar28Truckies_103-1024x682.jpg WHS students pitch energy ideas to Clark Public Utilities https://www.columbian.com/news/2026/mar/28/whs-students-pitch-energy-ideas-to-clark-public-utilities/ Sat, 28 Mar 2026 12:45:08 +0000 https://www.columbian.com/?p=2758711 WASHOUGAL – Students at Washougal High School stepped into the role of urban planners and grid engineers this spring, presenting innovative proposals for the future of regional energy supply. Proposals, which focused on energy generation strategies that balance long-term grid reliability, environmental concerns and conservation efforts, were judged by a panel of guest experts from Clark Public Utility District (who asked questions and provided real-world feedback on the students’ ambitious designs.

]]> https://www.columbian.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/1020873949-Mar28Truckies_101-1024x969.jpg Ridgefield sophomore to serve as student ambassador in central Mexico https://www.columbian.com/news/2026/mar/28/ridgefield-sophomore-to-serve-as-student-ambassador-in-central-mexico/ Sat, 28 Mar 2026 12:45:05 +0000 https://www.columbian.com/?p=2758734 RIDGEFIELD — Zander Earl, a young man heavily involved in school and community activities, has been selected by the Greater Clark County Rotary Club to serve as a youth ambassador to central Mexico. He will serve as a Rotary Youth Exchange student to an area that stretches from Acapulco on the west coast to Veracruz on the east coast and includes larger cities such as Puebla and Cuernavaca.

]]> https://www.columbian.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/1020873949-Mar28Truckies_102-1024x783.jpg Fort Vancouver Rose Society hosts annual auction https://www.columbian.com/news/2026/mar/21/fort-vancouver-rose-society-hosts-annual-auction/ Sat, 21 Mar 2026 13:01:44 +0000 https://www.columbian.com/?p=2757027 ARNADA — An exciting rose auction was held by the Fort Vancouver Rose Society on March 4 in the Parish Hall at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church (the event had been moved from our regular meeting night of March 5 to March 4 to accommodate a pre-planned church event).

]]> https://www.columbian.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/1020831746-Mar21Truckies_101-1024x611.jpg ‘She Did That!’ event draws a crowd weekly In Your Neighborhood community truckie stories https://www.columbian.com/news/2026/mar/21/she-did-that-event-draws-a-crowd/ Sat, 21 Mar 2026 12:51:48 +0000 https://www.columbian.com/?p=2756898 ARNADA — A crowd of 119 people filled the Clark County Historical Museum on March 6 for an evening of fun, food and stories about, and from, inspirational women.

]]> Shahala Middle School student serves as page for Sen. Paul Harris https://www.columbian.com/news/2026/mar/21/shahala-middle-school-student-serves-as-page-for-sen-paul-harris-2/ Sat, 21 Mar 2026 12:38:50 +0000 https://www.columbian.com/?p=2756944 CAMAS – Lily Maloney, an eighth-grader at Shahala Middle School in Vancouver, recently spent a week working as a page for the Washington State Senate at the Capitol in Olympia.

]]> https://www.columbian.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/1020831746-Mar21Truckies_102-1024x682.jpg Ridgefield School District celebrates March employees and students of the month https://www.columbian.com/news/2026/mar/21/ridgefield-school-district-celebrates-march-employees-and-students-of-the-month-2/ Sat, 21 Mar 2026 12:18:09 +0000 https://www.columbian.com/?p=2757011 RIDGEFIELD — On March 10, Ridgefield School District officials recognized the March 2026 Employees and Students of the Month at the regular board of directors meeting.

]]> https://www.columbian.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/1020831746-Mar21Truckies_103-1024x682.jpg Mother of Twins Club announces Mother of the Year https://www.columbian.com/news/2026/mar/14/mother-of-twins-club-announces-mother-of-the-year/ Sat, 14 Mar 2026 12:19:11 +0000 https://www.columbian.com/?p=2755172 VANCOUVER — The Columbia Mothers of Twins Club has chosen Ally Castaldi as their 2026 Mother of the Year. The Castaldis are the proud parents of boy/girl twins, age 3; a son, age 1; and are expecting in July. Ally has been a member since 2023 and has served on various committees.

]]> https://www.columbian.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/1020779190-March14Truckies_101-473x1024.jpg Vancouver woman is delegate to United Nations commission https://www.columbian.com/news/2026/mar/14/vancouver-woman-is-delegate-to-united-nations-commission/ Sat, 14 Mar 2026 12:17:09 +0000 https://www.columbian.com/?p=2755178 VANCOUVER — YWCA Clark County is proud to announce that it will send a delegate to the 70th session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women. As part of the YWCA network, YWCA Clark County is honored to participate in this global gathering focused on advancing gender equity and supporting women and girls worldwide.

]]> https://www.columbian.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/1020779190-March14Truckies_102-732x1024.jpg Shahala Middle School student serves as page for Sen. Paul Harris https://www.columbian.com/news/2026/mar/14/shahala-middle-school-student-serves-as-page-for-sen-paul-harris/ Sat, 14 Mar 2026 12:17:06 +0000 https://www.columbian.com/?p=2755189 BENNINGTON — Daniel Kwon, an eighth-grader at Shahala Middle School in Vancouver, recently spent a week working as a page for the Washington state Senate at the Capitol in Olympia.

]]> https://www.columbian.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/1020779190-March14Truckies_104-1024x682.jpg Washougal High School students share impact of career and technical education https://www.columbian.com/news/2026/mar/07/washougal-high-school-students-share-impact-of-career-and-technical-education/ Sat, 07 Mar 2026 13:49:20 +0000 https://www.columbian.com/?p=2753022 WASHOUGAL — Washougal High School students Madeline Brock and Jake Larzalere spoke to the Washougal school board about the impact of career and technical education programs on Feb. 10. The students said CTE coursework and leadership opportunities help prepare students with real-world, job-ready skills.

]]> https://www.columbian.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/1020714664-March7Truckies_101-1024x683.jpg Foundation celebrates record, opens 2026 scholarship applications https://www.columbian.com/news/2026/mar/07/foundation-celebrates-record-opens-2026-scholarship-applications/ Sat, 07 Mar 2026 13:46:03 +0000 https://www.columbian.com/?p=2753018 VANCOUVER — The Community Foundation for Southwest Washington recently opened online applications for its 2026 scholarship cycle. Last year, the program awarded a record $1.44 million to students pursuing postsecondary education in the 2025-2026 academic year.

]]> https://www.columbian.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/1020714664-March7Truckies_103-1024x731.jpg Saving Grace Church donates blankets to Hope Village https://www.columbian.com/news/2026/mar/07/saving-grace-church-donates-blankets-to-hope-village/ Sat, 07 Mar 2026 13:46:01 +0000 https://www.columbian.com/?p=2753020 BATTLE GROUND — Members of Saving Grace Church of the Nazarene recently collected and delivered about 40 blankets, gloves and handmade hats to the residents of Hope Village in Vancouver.

]]> https://www.columbian.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/1020714664-March7Truckies_102.jpg Civil Air Patrol cadet from Woodland receives Ira C. Eaker Award https://www.columbian.com/news/2026/feb/28/civil-air-patrol-cadet-from-woodland-receives-ira-c-eaker-award/ Sat, 28 Feb 2026 13:49:08 +0000 https://www.columbian.com/?p=2750672 WOODLAND – Cadet Ryker Stuart, from Woodland, of Fort Vancouver Composite Squadron achieved lieutenant colonel rank and earned the Ira C. Eaker Award.

]]> https://www.columbian.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/1020659324-Feb28Truckies_101.jpg City of Battle Ground receives award For excellence in financial reporting https://www.columbian.com/news/2026/feb/28/city-of-battle-ground-receives-award-for-excellence-in-financial-reporting-2/ Sat, 28 Feb 2026 13:48:02 +0000 https://www.columbian.com/?p=2750671 BATTLE GROUND – The city of Battle Ground is proud to announce that the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) has awarded the city with a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for its annual comprehensive financial report for the fiscal year ending on Dec. 31, 2024.

]]> Ridgefield School District celebrates February employees and students of the month https://www.columbian.com/news/2026/feb/28/ridgefield-school-district-celebrates-february-employees-and-students-of-the-month/ Sat, 28 Feb 2026 13:46:16 +0000 https://www.columbian.com/?p=2750674 RIDGEFIELD – On Feb. 10, Ridgefield School District officials recognized the February 2026 employees and students of the month at the regular board of directors meeting.

]]> https://www.columbian.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/1020659324-Feb28Truckies_102.jpg Everybody Has a Story: Great adventure in Smoky Mountains https://www.columbian.com/news/2026/feb/07/everybody-has-a-story-great-adventure-in-smoky-mountains/ Sat, 07 Feb 2026 13:50:38 +0000 https://www.columbian.com/?p=2744949 In August 1973, I backpacked the Appalachian Trail in Great Smoky Mountains National Park with two of my buddies, Ken and Ray. The three of us, all starving college students, planned to hike the entire 70 miles of the trail over five days on a shoestring budget. Ken had relatives who lived in Tennessee near the park and his uncle agreed to be our shuttle driver.

]]> Volunteers provide 21,000 meals across Clark County for MLK Day https://www.columbian.com/news/2026/jan/31/volunteers-provide-21000-meals-across-clark-county-for-mlk-day/ Sat, 31 Jan 2026 13:48:05 +0000 https://www.columbian.com/?p=2742985 VANCOUVER — On Jan. 19, Kaiser Permanente marked its 15th consecutive year of service in Clark County on Martin Luther King Jr. Day as part of its annual MLK Days of Service. During the event at the Clark County Food Bank in Vancouver, 82 volunteers inspected and repacked 25,200 pounds of food, helping provide approximately 21,000 meals for Clark County neighbors experiencing food insecurity.

]]> https://www.columbian.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/1020461825-Jan31Truckies_101.jpg MLK Day vision clinics serve Clark County https://www.columbian.com/news/2026/jan/31/mlk-day-vision-clinics-serve-clark-county/ Sat, 31 Jan 2026 13:47:04 +0000 https://www.columbian.com/?p=2742981 VANCOUVER – Heriberto Molina, 63, received a free eye exam and a prescription for new glasses during a Kaiser Permanente MLK Days of Service vision clinic held Jan. 22, in Clark County.

]]> https://www.columbian.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/1020461825-Jan31Truckies_103.jpg CCSO honors heroism and outstanding service at annual awards ceremony https://www.columbian.com/news/2026/jan/31/ccso-honors-heroism-and-outstanding-service-at-annual-awards-ceremony/ Sat, 31 Jan 2026 13:46:02 +0000 https://www.columbian.com/?p=2742975 CENTRAL PARK — The Clark County Sheriff’s Office proudly honored the outstanding service and dedication of its deputies, civilian employees and community members during its annual awards ceremony at Clark College on Jan. 22.

]]> https://www.columbian.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/1020461825-Jan31Truckies_102.jpg Ridgefield School District celebrates January Students and Employees of the Month https://www.columbian.com/news/2026/jan/24/ridgefield-school-district-celebrates-january-students-and-employees-of-the-month/ Sat, 24 Jan 2026 13:57:41 +0000 https://www.columbian.com/?p=2741039 RIDGEFIELD — On Jan. 13, Ridgefield School District officials recognized the January 2026 Employees and Students of the Month at the regular board of directors meeting.

]]> https://www.columbian.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/1020427950-Jan24Truckies_101.jpg Local grant helps students restore native habitat at Washougal High School https://www.columbian.com/news/2026/jan/24/local-grant-helps-students-restore-native-habitat-at-washougal-high-school/ Sat, 24 Jan 2026 13:56:56 +0000 https://www.columbian.com/?p=2741046 WASHOUGAL — With support from a local grant, students in the Washougal High School Green Team are working to transform the school courtyard into a native habitat learning space. The student-led group aims to earn a certification through the Backyard Habitat Certification Program, a partnership between the Columbia Land Trust and Bird Alliance of Oregon.

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