Morning Press: Costco fee waiver; workers’ comp theft; Chinook Nation

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Here are some of the stories that were popular this week with Columbian readers:

Ridgefield cutting Costco a break of up to $2.5 million

Costco is getting a multimillion-dollar break from the city of Ridgefield to build its proposed 160,000-square-foot warehouse store.

On Thursday, the city council unanimously approved adding the retail giant to its economic catalyst program, which will allow the city to waive land-use planning, building permit, civil engineering and traffic impact fees.

• City says financial benefits of warehouse store are likely to outweigh waiver of fees

Denied, dispersed, disadvantaged: Chinook tribe pursues centuries-old fight for federal recognition

When Sam Robinson arrives at a public event in his distinctive cone-shaped Chinook hat to sing, play his drum and tell stories, what seems like a cultural, broadly spiritual moment is something else too: a political protest.

Vancouver resident Robinson, 66, is vice chairman of the Chinook Indian Nation. Soft-spoken yet certain, Robinson’s frequent personal appearances — whether in traditional tribal regalia or a #ChinookJustice T-shirt — aim to reunify and strengthen a tribe that’s been denied, disadvantaged and dispersed by government repression and intertribal competition for close to two centuries.

• Sam Robinson, vice chairman of the Chinook Indian Nation, is “telling the story”

Washougal man accused in $127K workers’ comp theft

A Washougal man is accused of stealing $127,000 in workers’ compensation benefits for working at his construction firm while claiming he was too injured to work, according to the state Department of Labor & Industries.

Daniel Joseph Lesieur, 54, pleaded not guilty Tuesday to one count of first-degree theft in Clark County Superior Court, the department said in a news release.

• His trial is scheduled for Jan. 30

Save the date: Mark your calendar for Clark County holiday events

From tree-lightings to holiday markets, there is so much to do this Christmas season you’ll need to plan your strategy to fit it all in.

• Get the details in Save the Date 

Razor clam dig closures in effect for all Washington beaches

OLYMPIA — The recreational razor clam season on all coastal beaches remains closed until further notice, shellfish managers with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) announced Wednesday.

Test results, released on Nov. 23 for razor clams, indicate domoic acid levels on all beaches, have exceeded the health guidelines for safe consumption set by Washington Department of Health (WDOH) officials.

• Rise in marine toxin levels makes clams unsafe to eat