Community – The Columbian

Vancouver Elks deliver food boxes to Clark County Veterans Assistance Center

The Columbian — Sat, 30 May 2026 12:52:40 +0000

ESTHER SHORT – On May 1 Frank Wilson, Bart Reid and Diana Reid from Vancouver Elks 823 delivered 25 food boxes to the Clark County Veterans Assistance Center, CCVAC. Delivery of these boxes has been an ongoing effort as CCVAC space is limited.

Clark County students earns top honors at Superintendent’s High School Art Show

The Columbian — Sat, 30 May 2026 12:02:12 +0000

VANCOUVER – Three talented student artists from Southwest Washington earned state-level recognition at the 53rd Annual Superintendent’s High School Art Show, which celebrated the creativity and artistic achievements of high school students from across Washington. The annual awards presentation, hosted by the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction, OSPI, was streamed live on May 19.

Battle Ground High School teacher receives honor from University of Washington

The Columbian — Sat, 30 May 2026 12:01:12 +0000

BATTLE GROUND – Battle Ground Public Schools is proud to announce that Jonas Fridriksson, a U.S. history and world studies teacher at Battle Ground High School, has been named the 2026 recipient of the University of Washington’s Thomas J. and Cameron Pressly Endowed Prize for Outstanding History or Social Studies Teacher. This is the second time that Fridriksson has received the award.

Ridgefield School District celebrates May Employees and Students of the Month

The Columbian — Sat, 23 May 2026 12:47:24 +0000

RIDGEFIELD — On May 12, Ridgefield School District officials recognized the May 2026 Employees and Students of the Month at the regular board of directors meeting.

Bridge the Gap receives support of 100 Women Who Care

The Columbian — Sat, 23 May 2026 12:46:16 +0000

CAMAS – Members of 100 Women Who Care Clark County presented over $8,700 to Bridge the Gap on May 6 at the second quarterly meeting of 2026 held at The Hammond Kitchen & Craft Bar. Emily Weiss, chair, and Jayne Salisbury, co-chair, of the Bridge the Gap Board accepted the funds on behalf of the organization. 100 Women selected the Bridge the Gap at the February 2026 meeting. The Historic Trust and the Pink Lemonade Project were the other nonprofit nominees at the February meeting.

Three Battle Ground Schools earn state recognition

The Columbian — Sat, 23 May 2026 12:45:09 +0000

BATTLE GROUND – Three Battle Ground schools were recently recognized by the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction and Washington State Board of Education for their performances in the previous school year. Two primary schools and one alternative learning environment in the district were among the 379 public schools highlighted as part of the Washington School Recognition Program for the 2024-25 school year.

Gause Elementary STEAM Night sparks innovation and community spirit

The Columbian — Fri, 15 May 2026 12:18:32 +0000

WASHOUGAL — Students and families gathered at Gause Elementary April 17 for an evening of hands-on learning during the school’s annual Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math Night. Students completed robotic engineering challenges, used microscopes to compare plant tissue samples and charted experiment data while practicing real-world problem-solving skills.

Battle Ground deputy mayor and councilor awarded certificate of leadership

The Columbian — Fri, 15 May 2026 12:18:30 +0000

BATTLE GROUND — City of Battle Ground Deputy Mayor Aimee Vaile and Councilor Victoria Ferrer recently earned their Certificate of Municipal Leadership from the Association of Washington Cities.

Neighborhood association recognizes public works employees for outstanding service

The Columbian — Fri, 15 May 2026 12:17:13 +0000

VANCOUVER — The Neighborhood Associations Council of Clark County recently honored two public works employees with the Outstanding Clark County Employee award, in recognition of their service to the community.

Furry Friends unveils art contest winner

The Columbian — Sat, 09 May 2026 12:37:55 +0000

VANCOUVER — This year, Furry Friends cat rescue initiated an art contest to design an image for promotional use for the upcoming fall auction, “Butch Catsidy & The Sundance Kit,” scheduled for Oct. 17. The event was launched with the goal of uplifting Furry Friends’ supportive community of artists. Becky Duoos-Bourgazas was recently announced as the inaugural winner of this contest.

Woodland school district celebrates first semester honor roll

The Columbian — Sat, 09 May 2026 11:40:33 +0000

WOODLAND – Woodland Public Schools extends congratulations to the 354 students who demonstrated exceptional dedication to their studies, navigating a rigorous curriculum with grit and determination, and made the first-semester honor roll at Woodland High School.

Cascade Park Kiwanis hold semi-annual baby food drive

The Columbian — Sat, 02 May 2026 12:04:13 +0000

CASCADE PARK — Members of Cascade Park Kiwanis recently held their semi-annual baby food drive at the Grand Central Station Fred Meyer with the invaluable support of manager Sean Trimbo. Students from group-sponsored Key Clubs from Camas and Union high schools and members of the Skyridge Middle School Builders Club joined in the effort. Store customers donated 631 pounds of baby food, which were delivered to the Clark County Food Bank.

Spring shopping event brings confidence and smiles to local foster youth

The Columbian — Sat, 02 May 2026 12:03:19 +0000

HUDSON’S BAY — In April, the Assistance League of Southwest Washington hosted its third annual spring shopping event, serving 80 children and teens in foster care, ages 10 to 19, through its JUST because and Fostering Independence programs.

Ridgefield School District celebrates April employees and students of the month

The Columbian — Sat, 25 Apr 2026 12:22:33 +0000

RIDGEFIELD — During the April 14 board of directors meeting, Ridgefield School District officials recognized the April employees and students of the month.

Mountain View High School student serves as page for state Sen. Paul Harris

The Columbian — Sat, 25 Apr 2026 12:21:15 +0000

MOUNTAIN VIEW — Daisy Conway, a junior at Mountain View High School in Vancouver, recently spent a week working as a page for the Washington state Senate at the Capitol in Olympia.

Clark County Food Bank receives $50,000 donation

The Columbian — Sat, 25 Apr 2026 12:20:16 +0000

VANCOUVER — The National Association of Letter Carriers Vancouver Branch 1104 presented a check to the Clark County Food Bank on March 9 for $50,000. It was a combination of matching donations of $25,000 from the Vancouver branch and $25,000 from the National Association of Letter Carriers headquarters. The donation was made in the hopes of helping to eliminate hunger in the local community. Branch 1104 is a community-oriented union and aims to do as much as possible to help feed the hungry, especially during this particular time of need, officials said.

Savings Grace Church’s Easter events draws 145 community members

The Columbian — Sat, 18 Apr 2026 23:23:12 +0000

BATTLE GROUND – Saving Grace Church of the Nazarene hosted a large crowd of community members during their two Community Egg Hunts Easter Sunday.

Vancouver Fire Department honors 36 with awards at annual ceremony

The Columbian — Sat, 18 Apr 2026 12:59:46 +0000

VANCOUVER — On March 11, the Vancouver Fire Department recognized firefighters, city employees and community members for acts of courage, lifesaving care and outstanding service during its annual Vancouver Fire Awards ceremony.

Emelia Pendergraft named Washington State Youth of the Year

The Columbian — Sat, 18 Apr 2026 12:21:17 +0000

VANCOUVER — Boys & Girls Clubs of Southwest Washington recently announced that Emelia Pendergraft has been named the Washington State Youth of the Year, the highest honor a Boys & Girls Club member can achieve at the state level. Emelia is the first teen from BGCSW to receive this prestigious recognition.

Battle Ground Citizen of the Year 2025 announced

The Columbian — Sat, 11 Apr 2026 12:58:37 +0000

BATTLE GROUND – The committee for the Battle Ground Citizen of the Year surprised the 2025 winner while doing none other than volunteering their time. Johanna Hyatt was attending the General Federation of Women’s Clubs meeting when the committee showed up to announce she was chosen as the recipient for the 2025 honor. Hyatt was very surprised and honored.

Saving Grace Church hosts first community meal

The Columbian — Sat, 11 Apr 2026 12:57:20 +0000

BATTLE GROUND – Saving Grace Church of the Nazarene has successfully hosted its first community meal Sunday on March 22, with more than 35 guests and church volunteers in attendance.

Police cruisers crammed with snacks to benefit local students

The Columbian — Sat, 11 Apr 2026 12:56:19 +0000

BATTLE GROUND — On March 28 the Battle Ground Police Department partnered with the Clark County Sheriff’s Office and the Battle Ground Education Foundation to host the inaugural Cram the Cruiser event at the Battle Ground Fred Meyer.

Opsahl Dawson establishes first-ever accounting faculty fellowship at WSU Vancouver

The Columbian — Sat, 04 Apr 2026 12:47:28 +0000

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.

World Down Syndrome Day celebrated with Red Carpet Gala

The Columbian — Sat, 04 Apr 2026 12:47:26 +0000

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.

Ridgefield Lions give $3,000 to Ridgefield High School robotics team

The Columbian — Sat, 04 Apr 2026 12:36:14 +0000

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.