Cheers: To local baseball. The Ridgefield Raptors made their debut this week before an enthusiastic crowd of more than 2,000 fans at the Ridgefield Outdoor Recreation Complex. The team competes in the West Coast League — a summer competition for college players that has clubs in Washington, Oregon and British Columbia — and Tuesday’s opening game was an unveiling for both the franchise and the athletic complex.
“This was probably the biggest crowd I’ve seen,” said starting pitcher Michael Spellacy, who is in his third year in the league. That speaks to the region’s hunger for baseball and for lazy summer nights munching on hot dogs. “What is exciting about this is it’s not only Ridgefield’s team, but it’s for all of Southwest Washington,” Ridgefield Mayor Don Stose said. The Raptors’ regular season schedule continues through Aug. 11.
Jeers: To repeat offenders. A 50-year-old Vancouver man who has been convicted six times of driving under the influence is facing a seventh charge. Durbijay Sharma has appeared in court on suspicion of hit-and-run injury, DUI and first-degree driving with a suspended or revoked license.
The Legislature this year considered a bill that would strengthen penalties for repeated DUI violations. The measure has strong support in both chambers but is being held up by disagreements over amendments added to the Senate version of the legislation. Lawmakers should make it a priority next year to reach an agreement and send the bill to the governor.
Cheers: To D-Day ceremonies. Clark County residents Bob Irvine and Jeff Petersen were among 11 people from the metro area to fly a 1937 DC-3 from Aurora, Ore., to Normandy, France, for the 75th anniversary of the Allies’ invasion of Europe. More than 30 World War II-era planes flew over the beaches where troops landed in a turning point of the war.
“It’s been in the forefront of my mind forever,” said the 79-year-old Irvine. “To be able to fly this route in a DC-3 has been the culmination of my wishes and dreams for my whole life.” He added: “Our plane hummed across the ocean. Everybody got here no problem. Not bad for a bunch of 70-year-plus-old airplanes.”
Jeers: To foraging for recyclables. Local officials are struggling with what to do about people digging into recycling bins for bottles and cans. Foragers collect the items, which can be returned for 10 cents apiece in Oregon — though returning out-of-state containers is discouraged there.
The practice cuts into Washington’s recycling business and leaves some residents uneasy about people going through their bins. “There is a growing concern of our residents that shouldn’t go unnoticed,” said Kim Harless of Clark County Public Health. Oregon Gov. Kate Brown is considering a bill that would criminalize the return of out-of-state bottles; signing it would ease some concerns on this side of the Columbia River.
Cheers: To superheroes. Well, he’s not actually a superhero — as far as we know. But when Vancouver police responded last week to a report of a man looking as though he was going to jump from a parking garage, they became entangled in a surprising web.
It turns out a man dressed as Spider-Man was taking selfies from the second floor of a downtown garage. Either that or he was just keeping an eye out for crime. Responding officers decided not to make a report and did not record a name. “We did, however, take the opportunity for a quick photo,” spokeswoman Kim Kapp said, “since, really, how often does a superhero visit Vancouver?”
