Local News
Plas Newydd Farm Arts Initiative to host fine art show
The Plas Newydd Farm Arts Initiative will host its first fine arts show, Creating Space, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, May 24–25, at the historic Plas Newydd Farm, located at …
Abbarno bill to provide stability to private utilities amid natural disasters signed into law
Gov. Bob Ferguson signed a bill sponsored by state Rep. Peter Abbarno, R-Centralia, on Monday, May 19, that gives more financial flexibility to utility companies to respond to certain emergencies. …
Gluesenkamp Perez urges House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to Southwest Washington priorities
U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Skamania, this week testified in front of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to underscore priorities for Southwest Washington for the …
MGP honors local officers in Washington, D.C., during National Police Week
U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Skamania, welcomed local law enforcement officers from Southwest Washington to Washington, D.C., last week in honor of National Police Week. In the same …
Sen. Jeff Wilson bill to test for harmful chemicals in certain fertilizers signed into law
Gov. Bob Ferguson signed a bill sponsored by Sen. Jeff Wilson, R-Longview, on Monday, May 19, launching a testing program to identify forever chemicals in the state’s food supply. Senate …
Man who trafficked victims in Washington, Oregon and across the country sentenced to 11 years in prison
A 35-year-old Washington state man was sentenced this week in U.S. District Court in Tacoma to 11 years in prison for sex trafficking of a minor, Acting U.S. Attorney Teal Luthy Miller announced in a …

MGP helps introduce bipartisan bill to ensure minimum wage reflects local cost of living 6h4f2m

U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Skamania, and Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pennsylvania, recently introduced the bipartisan Fair Wage Act. The legislation is aimed at indexing the federal …

Ridgefield Pioneer Street project moves to next phase 4w3q1f

The Ridgefield Pioneer Widening and Discovery Drive Roundabout Project, now two-thirds complete, has entered its next phase. New traffic changes took effect May 19 and will remain in place through …
Brian Haberly of Ridgefield holds an upside-down American flag during a protest on May 15, 2025, at the Pioneer Street roundabout.

Ridgefield residents rally against Musk, Trump policies 644h25

A small but vocal group of protestors gathered in steady rain on Thursday, May 15, at the Pioneer Street and Royle Road roundabout in Ridgefield to oppose Elon Musk’s role in recent federal …
The Greely Building, built around 1920, continues to be used by the Port and School District today. Ridgefield City Council  voiced interest in expanding historical preservation efforts citywide, including storytelling signage and design standards that reflect the city's heritage.

City Council prioritizes historic preservation in Ridgefield’s long-term growth strategy 3h5a44

During a Thursday, May 15 workshop, Ridgefield City Council signaled growing interest in weaving historic preservation into the city’s long-range growth strategy as they work to update …

The Reflector May 21, 2025 1i1u2n

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State & Regional News
Critics of newly signed $78 billion Washington state operating budget predict dire fallout
The day after Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson signed into law a two-year, $78 billion operating budget that amounts to the largest tax increase in state history, critics expressed disappointment and …
Stop Trump’s tariffs, Washington state leaders beg court
The past couple months have been a rollercoaster ride at the Port of Seattle. In response to President Donald Trump’s tariff whipsaw, international cargo imports spiked in March and April …
You can now take some roadkill home to eat in Southwest Washington
Good news for people who enjoy deer, elk and saving money: The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife will allow people to take home and eat deer killed in motor vehicle collisions in Clark, …
Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson signs parental ‘bill of rights’ rewrite
The parental “bill of rights” overhaul, one of the most divisive bills approved during this year’s Washington state legislative session, was signed by Gov. Bob Ferguson on …
Washingtonians will need state permit to buy guns under new law
Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson on Tuesday signed into law a controversial policy requiring gun buyers to first pay for a new state permit.  Starting in two years, House Bill 1163 will require …
Report: Pacific Northwest states some of the worst for military retirees
The Pacific Northwest is home to the worst states for military retirees, with Washington state coming in No. 50 and Oregon ranking No. 51, according to a new study by WalletHub, a personal finance …
New Washington law directs $100M in grants toward hiring police, improving public safety
On his first day, Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson angered many Democratic lawmakers by demanding the Legislature put $100 million in the next state budget to help local police departments hire police …
Washington state will pay unemployment benefits to striking workers
Labor advocates scored a win on Monday after Gov. Bob Ferguson signed a new law to extend unemployment benefits to striking workers in Washington.  The governor’s conference room was …
Washington Republicans fought against these bills; two could still be vetoed
With a major budget deficit looming, this year's Washington state legislative session was full of drama, and that's before taking a look at a number of policy changes. Now that the session has …
New Washington state law increases penalties for litter, delays plastic bag requirements
Washington residents will soon face heftier fines for littering and higher prices for plastic grocery bags. A new law signed by Gov. Bob Ferguson on Saturday toughens the punishment for …
Opinion
Editorial

Our Views: ing Pope Francis, a shepherd who never walked away 3w6el

Pope Francis smiles and waves in this photo from 2014.

The world feels quieter today. Not because a man has died, but because a voice — steady, grounded and full of grace — has gone silent. Pope Francis is gone, and for those of us who …

Community
Community calendar
Senior Lunch and Learn: 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m., Wednesday, May 21, Battle Ground Event Center, 912 E. Main St., Battle Ground. Learn about brain health and aging in a seminar, hosted by Battle Ground …
The Reflector’s Best of the Best highlights Clark County’s community excellence
The Reflector staff hosted the first “Best of the Best” awards ceremony highlighting outstanding businesses, organizations and individuals that heavily contribute and impact Clark County …
Clark College Orchestra to perform final concert under longtime director
The Clark College Orchestra will present its Spring Concert on Sunday, June 15, marking the final performance under longtime music director and conductor Dr. Donald Appert. Appert will retire at the …
Letters to the Editor

Letter to the editor: Governor must veto out of control taxation 4c1g4h

I woke from a dream and realized the state Democrats have taxed Washington state citizens into bankruptcy.  The state has a spending problem, not a tax problem. It is very simple: if people …

  • Letter to the editor: Separating children from their parents as a policy is never a good idea 3x124g

    I attended the La Center School Board meeting addressing the gender policy the Washington state Office of …

  • Letter to the editor: I was sympathetic to the school levy, until I learned … 4m545s

    In response to your “Battle Ground students plead to preserve programs” article, I really …

  • Letter to the editor: Losing Friends 3zf4s

    What would you think if six of your best friends decided they should no longer visit? I would …

  • Letter to the editor: Murray and Cantwell deserve our gratitude 31543v

    US Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell deserve our gratitude for opposing the potential $880 …

Sports

Prairie track and field thrower chasing history in shot put and discuss events 1p1q28

  • All three north county high school soccer teams in district tournaments lose out 173c5b

  • Three north Clark County high school teams advance to state tournaments 5s5727

  • Hockinson baseball makes deep district tournament journey, falls short of remarkable state tournament bid 6gc4c

  • Battle Ground overcomes rough non-league slate to secure solo second in 4A GSHL 391y3j

  • Prairie Falcons obliterate Battle Ground Tigers’ senior night with 16-4 win 176k55

  • Hockinson boys soccer lose at home, go to losers bracket for state title hopes 6025s

  • Ridgefield earns dramatic win over Centralia to extend season 3d1v18

  • Prairie Falcons sweep Kelso for 3A GSHL baseball title 29u1b

Life

City to host senior center ribbon-cutting; seniors to celebrate 50th anniversary with events 2e492l

The Battle Ground community will soon mark two major milestones for its senior population, with one event hosted by the City of Battle Ground and another organized by Battle Ground Senior Citizens …

  • Clark-Cowlitz Fire Rescue officials address myths surrounding home fire sprinklers 6o6x6k

    Clark-Cowlitz Fire Rescue officials are working to set the record straight on a technology they say is …

  • Business on the road to Mount St. Helens say closure signs hurting traffic 662g

    Sitting in the gravel parking lot of North Fork Survivors in Toutle is a camouflage Humvee. The …

  • Coldwater visitor center opens at Mount St. Helens; Spirit Lake Highway roadwork to start next spring e3b5j

    The road leading to Johnston Ridge Observatory and the visitor center itself remains closed two years …

  • Vancouver Bee Project prepares to celebrate Bee City USA status with local community 5a2jj

    Following a years-long grassroots effort, the Vancouver City Council officially adopted a resolution on …

  • Local artists converge on La Center’s Holley Park for celebration of the arts 6v3a4s

    The La Center Arts Fair has reached annual status in its second year of bringing together artists …

  • After two years, Mount St. Helens camera back online 6y1r6

    After nearly two years, the camera at the site of the 1980 Mount St. Helens eruption is back …

  • Readers Lens: Stunning morning views from above Mount St. Helens 6a4f5k

    Mount St. Helens is pictured from above at about 6 a.m. May 2 in these photos captured by Shawn …

  • 45th anniversary of the 1980 Mount St. Helens eruption to be marked  5m2b4j

    Scientists and preparedness experts will be at the Science and Learning Center at Coldwater on May …

Outdoors

Native flowers dot the landscape in backyard habitats this month 2p2u68

There were 20 different blooming flowers native to the Pacific Northwest in this Clark County backyard habitat on Tuesday, May 13. The flora endemic to the Pacific Northwest in the habitat …

  • Take a walk on the wild side at the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge 6g5n5s

    Visitors to the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge now have a couple more seasonal trails to choose from …

  • Celebrating Earth Day with wild scenes from Southwest Washington 32y2l

  • Lowland lakes fishing season kicks off with 10th annual Trout Derby 456b66

    The wait is almost over for anglers across Washington as the lowland lakes fishing season opens on April …

  • Signs of spring abundant with high water and early spring plant life 3k1p2w

  • Road to 100: Bird photography goal sits one shy of 60 during first quarter of 2025 6z1q6e

  • A furry friend takes a peek at human life from its home 2n462f

    A field mouse with a family of four peeks out from its nest in a tree stump in north Clark County …

Obituaries
Death notices: May 21
Jerry Turney, 64, of Vancouver, died May 7. Arrangements are under the care of Layne’s Funeral Services, 360-687-3143. Mary Carter, 91, of Vancouver, died May 7. Arrangements are under the …
In Loving Memory of Allie Mattson: 1927-2025
Allie Graham Mattson ed away peacefully on April 29, 2025, in Vancouver, Washington, at age 98. She was born to Finnish immigrant parents, Victor and Katri Salonen, in South Bend, Washington, on …
Death notices: May 14, 2025
Timothy Dennis, 71, of Ridgefield, died April 30. Arrangements are under the care of Laynes Funeral Services, 360-687-3143. Ann Marie Johnson, 77, of Vancouver died May 3. Arrangements are under …
Death notices: May 7, 2025
Richard Person, 84, of Cougar, died  April 3 in Mesa, Arizona. Service will be held at 1 p.m., June 7, at Pleasant View Community Church, 14756 Lewis River Road, Ariel. Robert Fawcett, 64, …
In Loving Memory of Lisa Slawson: 1968-2025
It is with heartbreaking sadness that the family of Lisa announces her ing on April 18, 2025, in Longview, Washington, after a brave and fierce fight from kidney failure. She was 57 years old. …
In Loving Memory of Donnie Ray Hunt: 1946-2025
Donnie Hunt, 78, ed away in a heavy equipment accident on Friday, April 18, 2025. He was born in Waldron, Arkansas, on Sept. 10, 1946, to R.B. Hunt and Edna Richey Hunt. He …
In Loving Memory Jack Elton Ward: 1935-2025
Jack Ward, 90, of Vancouver, Washington ed away on April 21 surrounded by his family. Jack was born to Carl and Mary Ward of Battle Ground, Washington on Feb. 20, 1935. He attended Battle Ground …
In Loving Memory of Virginia Dorothy Bruce: 1936-2005
Virginia Dorothy Bruce, 88, of Battle Ground, Washington, ed away on March 28, 2025. Virginia, better known as Ginny, was born Oct. 23, 1936, to Walter and Dorothy Tylinski in Marathon, …
In Loving Memory of Rick Andersen: 1950-2025
Rick Andersen was born Sept. 24, 1950, in Vancouver, Washington. He lived in Vancouver and Woodland all his life. He left behind Lorry Spring Andersen, married March 9, 1973. They were married 52 …